(Naman calls up his best friend, and he finally picks up after the 5th call)
“Saksham! Ugh, finally. Listen, I had to call you.”
“First things first, you’re a genius. Remember those black Barbados EVA sandals you got me for my 25th birthday? They are actual lifesavers. I’m not kidding when I say they’re the only good thing about my life in Gurugram right now.”
“This new project is a total nightmare, Sharma is driving me nuts, and the monsoon has decided my daily commute should be some kind of water sport. But honestly, the only thing keeping me going is slipping on these incredible rainy sandals for men.”
Latest Masterpiece (and the Monsoon’s Cameo)
“So, get this. Yesterday was a really rough one. We had that huge presentation, my big moment on the ‘Gurugram Growth Initiative.’ I spent the whole weekend on those slides, making sure every graph was spot on.”
“And what does Sharma do? He cuts my part in half and then spends twenty minutes talking about his golf game. Golf, Saksham! In a strategy meeting! I was so mad. All I wanted was to go home and eat some instant noodles and forget the day had happened.”
“But no, the Gurugram monsoon decided I hadn’t had enough fun. I stepped out of the office bubble, and it was like a different planet. The sky was all dark and grey, the air was so heavy, and it wasn’t just raining, it was coming down hard. And then I saw it.”
The ‘Gurugram River’ near the metro station. It’s usually just a road, but yesterday, it was a huge body of water that covered the whole street.
My work shoes would have been completely ruined, no question about it.
I was literally standing there thinking about just swimming across. That’s how my job is going.
Enter the Monsoon Champions: My Barbados EVAs
“But then I remembered my secret weapon: your birthday gift! My black Barbados EVA sandals. The absolute best rainy sandals a guy could ask for. I quickly took off my work shoes, shoved them in my bag (hoping for the best), and slipped into my EVAs. It was such a relief!”
You told me, ‘Trust me, these are built for anything, especially your new life in the big city.’ You were so right!
They’re so comfy, light, and actually waterproof.
No slipping, nothing, just a solid grip as I waded into the river.
“It felt like a win, mate, like I was exploring a new place. The only problem? By the time I got home, my cool black sandals had changed. They were a new colour I’m calling ‘Gurugram Grime.’ It was gross, man. Really gross.”
The Great Washing Machine Staredown of ’25 (and Why I Didn’t Win)
“So, I get home, soaking wet, tired, and looking at these sandals that were just caked in mud. My first thought – and you’ll love the pure laziness of this, Saksham – was, ‘Can’t I just… throw them in?’ It seemed like the perfect, easy fix. A magic box that would solve everything. I almost did it! I was about to open the washing machine.
But then I remembered you saying they were a good investment, so I thought I’d better check. And mate, it’s a huge NO in all caps. You absolutely cannot machine-wash them. The internet basically yelled at me. That was a close one. My favourite sandals almost had a soapy death because I was being too lazy.”
Operation: Make My Sandals Look Sane
“So, I get home, soaking wet, tired, and looking at these sandals that were just caked in mud. My first thought was, ‘Can’t I just… throw them in?’ It seemed like the perfect, easy fix. A magic box that would solve everything. But I found out the hard way that’s not the case. It turns out there are a few simple rules.”
Rule 1: Never Machine Wash Them
“First, and most importantly, mate, you cannot machine-wash them. I almost did it! I was about to open the washing machine. But then I remembered you saying they were a good investment, so I thought I’d better check. And the internet basically yelled at me that it would turn them into a sad, shrunken mess. That was a close one.”
Rule 2: Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals
“And the second big lesson was to avoid harsh chemicals or bleach. I thought I’d need something strong to cut through the Gurugram grime, but you don’t. The internet said it would ruin the material, and that’s not a risk I was willing to take with my favourite rainy sandals for men.”
“But the real way to do it? It was almost funny how simple it was.”
Step 1: The Initial Rinse
I started by taking them over to the sink. The internet said to use cool water to get rid of all the initial dirt and debris, and it worked perfectly.
Step 2: Gentle Soap
For the tougher spots, I just grabbed a soft sponge and a tiny bit of mild soap. I worked up a gentle lather and started scrubbing. All the grime from the puddle came right off.
Step 3: The Right Brush
After that, I grabbed a soft-bristled, water-friendly brush. It’s the best tool for scrubbing away stubborn grime and getting the little grooves of the footbed clean without damaging them.
Step 4: Air-Dry Properly
Once they were clean, I made sure to air-dry them. The internet said to keep them out of the sun, so I left them on the balcony overnight.
Step 5: Regular Cleaning
I’ve even started making it a habit to give them a quick wipe with a damp cloth every week. It’s an easy way to extend their life and keep them looking fresh. For such good rainy sandals, they’re so easy to look after.”
The Sandal Saviour Speaks
(There’s a brief pause on the line before Saksham’s voice cuts in, clearly holding back laughter.)
“Are you done? Can I talk now? Mate, I had to put you on mute twice so my colleagues wouldn’t hear me dying with laughter. First of all, congratulations on discovering… rain. It happens every year, you’re not the star of a disaster movie because you walked through a big puddle. Get a grip. Secondly, the washing machine… I actually have no words. I give you a proper, decent gift, and your first instinct is to treat it like a sweaty gym sock. Unbelievable.
“Honestly, Naman. Since you clearly don’t have a lick of common sense, here are a few other things you should NOT do with your sandals:
- Don’t Soak Them: Avoid submerging them in water for extended periods.
- Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals: Never use bleach or strong cleaning agents.
- Don’t Expose Them to High Heat: Keep them away from radiators or hot car interiors.
- Don’t Put Them in a Washing Machine: The agitation will just ruin the shoes.
- Don’t Wipe Liquid Spills Aggressively: Instead of wiping, lift and absorb spills with paper to prevent pushing the liquid further into the material.
A truly genius strategy for dealing with your boss. Let me know when you buy a pair for Sharma; see if that helps get your proposal approved.”
