Life gives us so many moments to laugh….. sometimes on ourselves, sometimes on friends, and at times people we don’t even know. Sharing one such incident happened recently.
Two weeks back, my friend and I went to a liquor shop on Saturday evening to pick some beer. This shop is on the busiest road in my area and is generally very crowded on weekends. The shop has a fashion college in close proximity and is quite natural to find the students hanging out on this road or buying liquor from this shop. So as we reached the shop looking at the huge crowd I choose to wait outside- on bike as I was driving - and asked my friend to bring beer. When returned, he was all smiling shamelessly. I followed suit when I got to know what just happened inside the shop. In his words,
There was so much of rush that he couldn’t reach till counter to place his order. Before him in the queue, there were two pretty girls, mostly from the same fashion college, mulling over wine bottles of different brands. They seemed confused on what to pick. To us seeing girls picking liquor is quite common site but these two just couldn’t decide what they wanted. Then one of them called her boyfriend to seek help about the brand selection. She probably didn’t quite catch the name and handed over the cell to the man at counter and asked “bhaiya, ye cell pe jo maang rahe hai wahi de do hame”. The man took the cell, listened and then returned to the girl with a mischievous smile. He said “wo to kiss maang rahe hai”. With this, all nearby faces turned toward the girl whose face was pink by embarrassment. Though the girls took control of the situation immediately and placed an order, the moment was really hilarious.
We laughed out loud. It was such a funny incident that I couldn’t hold myself to share this. Hope you could imagine what that boyfriend would have got to deal with later.
Saturday afternoon…I am at home, had my lunch quite late, then off to my usual 30 min flip through session of TV channels – just to see what to not watch. That’s right; I am one of those people who pick up remote to never settle on a particular channel unless I am really convinced that something worth is there to hold on to; for few minutes or may be few hours sometimes. Bizarre it may sound, but I am not an anxious freak; it’s just a habit or if you can trust on my intuitive logic- “ It’s a constant desire to find the best channel, or in other words to find THE ONE ”. But that’s not the point I wanted to bring up here. Generally, my hunger for a suitable matinee channel ends 30 minutes post lunch as I obey my sleep goddess and follow her without any conflict after that.
However, today was a little different and I got two good movies to watch one after another. A rare treat you can get from your idiot box when it is occasionally permitted to speak. First one was on HBO, a typical “Bourne” action thriller type movie, which I always enjoy; second one, I stopped by accidentally. Accidentally, because HBO and star movies are two of my resting points on remote and it was on none of them. As I was flipping through channels again- right after the first movie, I find this French channel showing a movie with English subtitle. Oh…btw, I haven’t mentioned that I used to watch a lot of movies in different languages with English subtitles. In-fact some of the Korean movies are all time favorite romantic movies and I know their stories have been copied in our Bollywood movies too.
So, intrigued by my instinct and past experience I stayed on this particular French channel. Nevertheless to say I wasn’t disappointed at the end.
The movie name was PRICELESS (released in 2006). The story was about Irène and Jean and their life changing moments in luxury hotels of France. Irène first meets Jean in a hotel where he works as a bartender. When her white-haired sugar daddy falls asleep in their suite the night of her birthday, she steals down to the bar where Jean is napping and mistakes him for a rich playboy. Jean, once awakened, gets instantly smitten tries to pretend the fake identity; they get drunk together and spend a night in the hotel’s conveniently unoccupied royal suite.
Irene later finds out about Jean's reality and dumps him. Jean follows her to apologize, convinces her a lot but she bankrupts him on a shopping spree to take revenge. Just when Jean was to be handed over to police for not able to clear the bills, a wealthy older widow who eyes him in the hotel lobby earlier, rescues him and keeps him as her lover cum assistant.
Eventually Irène realizes that she and Jean are playing the same game - trading sexual favours for gifts. While Irene does it for living, Jean was forced to do this, because of the circumstances Irene created. Jean manages to stay in same hotel where Irene is staying. Irene sees him. This makes Irene feel happy that Jean too is in the same condition.
While Irene was materialistic by choice, Jean was doing all of it just to have few moments with her, In the hope that one day she will forgive him and would love him. Instead of what turn life has taken after meeting Irene, Jean’s only motive was to see her happy. At last Irene realizes what she wants is a prince by heart, not by wealth. Jean's selfish and pure love wins her over.
Though romantic, it was a bit different from usual Hollywood romantic genre movies. The script was quite unique and bold. Probably, that’s the reason it is rated PG-13. I was a bit apprehensive in the beginning but hanged in for a while and loved it. To sum it up- a romantic movie with effervescence, new and experimental storyline, near real portrayal of the extravagant lifestyles in plush hotels of France and good performances.
After my first interaction with “Quarter life crisis” (read here ), I accidentally read few more articles on it in newspapers. At first, I thought I am being conscious about it but, later came to realization that it’s just the enlightened me who now finds it more realistic and an interesting read.
My intention in this post is not to elaborate my readings on Quarter life crisis, but to share a recent facet I noticed in context with few of its main catalysts and time when they become active .…………read on!
I used to blame emotional instability one of prime reason for Quarter life crisis, which indeed, it still is, but my perception has taken a whole new dimension in light of few real life examples. Above all, I wonder if our emotional quotient increases at midnight or it’s the darkness or emptiness of night which gives us courage to speak our heart out.
“Life is boring without girlfriend/boyfriend”, I heard this monotonic line from a lot of friends (mainly its boys who says this, trust me folks - girls have lot more choices). A majority of them think- having company of an opposite sex in your life is the only way out from depression. I felt this quite convincing and compulsive a reason to start believing until few behavioural examples broadened my thinking and stopped me to jump into any premature conclusions.
First one, a friend calling @ 12 am. She had a huge fight with her boy friend that evening and is upset. You are the one she will call and would like to get listen and get consoled. No one else at this time can fill in for you. Not only when fought, even if she is depressed or not in good mood; you wonder what is it that makes her feels you will have answers for all her worries (and foul cry at times ). You become an emotional pillar on many such instances when she wakes you up at midnight.
Another one, an old friend staying with her girl friend in live-in relationship calls you up @ 2 am and says he is missing you a lot. You equally cherish his friendship and can be nostalgic about good old times, but wait a min – you know he lives in same city and just a call away. So what is this guy really doing at this hour? As you suspected , turned out- the guys is boozing and finds you more appropriate to share his worries and craps till wee hours in the morning.
Take examples of a school friend, who had been into a perfect relationship for long time but got betrayed. He gets emotional at times and calls at night to just talk and share his heart-burn. The same guy will hang-out with you tomorrow, screaming at top of his voice on any party number. Not because he is not the same guy but because his emotional quotient isn’t that high this time.
I am no different here. At times, I get lost into memories- of good times … college life, night outs with friends and hang outs with lady luck. But, I do realize that emotional instability can’t be attributed to one single reason. Human nature is very unpredictable and so is our heart, when it long for emotional stability to compensate for any void created due to past memories or any unfulfilled dreams or hopes. Though, now I know that, the factors that trigger sense of emotional instability are different for every person at different point of time but, I really wonder … what prevails our thoughts and why.....and above all- why @ midnight?
Few days back, I went out for dinner on a Sunday evening along with my roomy and a lady friend. We didn’t had reservation at the restaurant at it was finalized at the last moment. Quite predictable it was, we had to wait outside just like so many other folks (guys n gals) waiting for a table. While a surrounding with girls always prompt my lady friend to ask me to pick one, I wasn’t in mood to be teased easily. I gave a cursory glance around and expressed my disapproval, not because I didn’t like any, but simply because I didn’t wanted to be an easy target for the next 15 minutes.“How about guys? They look cool”, my friend said. Now this was not expected. Both my roomy and I was amazed at her wittiness. Managing the sudden awkwardness thrown at us, we looked at guys, turned towards her and said “On an unbiased opinion, YES! They are far better than the girls they are standing with.” On this all of us laughed out loud. The next few minutes our smiles were revolving around scenes from movie Dostana and life after 377. There was a moment towards the end of that long gossip when I blinked and realized our generation is really getting liberal.
Now this conclusion was not drawn until my next few observations.
Take the first one – my office cab. I share a valuable 2 hours daily in cab with my colleagues, of which a few are also usual acquaintance on tea breaks. Now, one of the guys in cab is always late and makes us wait atleast 5-10 minutes. Because of the good rapport our cab mates share we never told him anything rude or harsh but always used to tell him to be punctual from next time. Recently, a cab mate got irritated from him and asked if he is doing some extra work at home. The response he gave was that he sleeps late and gets so tired that can’t wake early. On this question the chorus blame was on his character and an accusation of being gay. However, the sudden twist in the tale didn’t deter this guy’s to be less witty and he was equally sportive in entertaining the accusation.
2nd one: Two junior male colleagues who often found roaming together in shopping malls, starring at hot chicks are latest victim of 377. In their circle, female friends feed their hunger for laughter by mentioning about these inseparable entities.
Just years back, talking about homosexuality in public was an offense. Now it’s one of the topics to pull legs in friend circle just like crushes and affairs. We are confident about our identity and don’t bother to be pointed as a gay or lesbians in sarcastic gossips among friends. Not to mention, article 377 has suddenly made it more open a topic of discussion among every class of society. Be it social talk shows, print media, colleagues in cubicles or cab and friend circles. Gossiping about homosexuality is the latest addition in humour genre.
At times amid all the chaos in my cab I think: This is true liberalization of thoughts, where a serious topic like this gives a reason to people to smile. No one takes offense in getting pulled into any accusation whatsoever. We cut jokes, we pull legs, and we laugh madly. We the people, have really come off age.
Catch the previous part here
Akshit and Rahul were siting with legs hanging on train’s door. While they were still enjoying the winter breeze, Shamita appeared over their shoulder. “Hey guys, wassup. You too are here since almost an hour. I am getting bored there as no one to talk to. Can I join you guys?”
“Sure madam, why not” boys stood up so that she won’t feel out of place. Now Akshit and Rahul were standing at two ends of doors having their back pushed against door’s end while Shamita stood away from door between them. They started sharing their life and moments. After a while Rahul signalled something to Akshit, excused and left towards other boogie. Shamita couldn’t understand anything from his signal to Akshit. He asked Akshit, to which, he first smiled but, later told her that Rahul went for a fag. Shamita’s face expressed everything to Akshit. Akshit diverted her attention by pointing at few buffaloes taking shower in a pond. Shamita looked at it and laughed to see a boy riding buffalo like a horse. ‘Hasn’t she seen a buffalo before!!’ Akshit thought at first, but then looked at her face. He was stuck at her face and the smile, the silky hair, big eyes, pink lips. He has never noticed a girl like this before. While he was busy staring her, Shamita turned her attention from trees and buffaloes to him. Akshit felt like caught red-handed. To hide his embarrassment, he hesitantly asked her “You didn’t tie your hair? Aunty was aksing that time”.
Shamita: “Yes, I don’t like them tied”
Akshit: “Actually…I was about to say that. They look better this way.” Shamita was looking on other direction but Akshit could see her face, eyes down and smile full of shyness was clearly noticeable.
Suddenly train changed its track and Shamita lost her balance. Akshit grabbed her hand while she was drifting towards the door. Understanding the situation, Akshit now held handle of the door so that Shamita could feel comfortable standing there. Shamita felt a bit secured now, and thanked Akshit. She felt something different for Akshit, from the one see knew few hours ago. Next thing they knew was Rahul waving his hand between their faces, “hello, Is everything all right?”
Both of them came to sense and Akshit said: “Oh….Rahul!"
" Yeah...thank God, you still know me"
"hmm... where were you? How many cigarettes this time? Why don’t you leave it yaar?”
“Oh…come-on dude. Not again. Keep your gyaan with you. Let’s go and eat something.”
“Yes, let’s go. Even I am hungry.” said Shamita. Akshit too noded. Rahul was thinking, ‘ what happened to this girl all of a sudden?’
Anyway they got back to their berth and had snakes which aunty had brought with her. At night when they were adjusting berths for sleeping, Akshit hurt his left wrist and got a strain. Aunty applied moov and wrapped Akshit’s hanky around his wrist. Rahul offered his berth which was a middle one to Akshit and swaped himself the upper berth. It now meant Akshit and Shamita was sharing parallel berth just above uncle and aunty’s berths. All set to say good night but the side bulb was still not switched off. Turned out to be its switch itself was not working. While Akshit was trying to sleep his pain intensified and he asked for moov again. This time since everyone was sleeping and hence Shamita applied it on Akshit’s wrist. Akshit lied his hand in air to pacify his pain.
Rahul meawhile noticed that something was going on the berth below his. He looked around, thought for a second, took off the bulb and threw it outside from window. Akshit saw this daring act as he was in an angle visible to Rahul. Anyway Rahul got back to his berth having a winner’s smile which only Akshit could see. An hour later while everyone was asleep Akshit felt the need for water and moved his right hand in search of bottle. What he found instead was, Shamita is still holding her left hand where he got himself hurt. He looked at her cute face and thought he don’t want to get asleep and wish if he could watch her sleeping like this forever.
“Dude wake up.” This time it was Rahul’s turn. “Uncle, aunty, Shamita…. wake up everyone. We are reaching station is next 20 mins.”The two hands were still intact which Rahul has to detach before uncle and aunty could see them. Everyone got freshen up and it was time when they were alighting from train after 35 hr journey. Akshit and Rahul has to take another bus from this stations after 3 hrs while Shamita and his family’s destination has arrived. Meawhile uncle called for a coolie to which both boys resisted and shared the baggage load with the family. They took all luggage till main waiting area. It was just 4:30 am by this time. Uncle went outside the station to find out the commutation options available. Meanwhile Shamita asked everyone if they wanted to have tea. Rahul said no and asked to take Akshit along with her.
Akshit and Shamita were together again. Akshit asked what she is going to do after her college studies. Shamita said she isn’t too sure and haven’t decided anything further. Akshit didn’t know what to ask next but he knew he was going to miss her. Suddenly he told let’s weigh. He pulled off 1 rupee coin and crouched on the machine, just then Shamita too joined him and the weight came was of their combined one. Akshit offered that ticket to Shamita as a souvenir but she insisted he keep it. She shown the hanky she wrapped around his wrist last night. Akshit nodded and smiled. Shamita looked back at Rahul and mom, who were still talking. She asked if they can go out and see the morning sunshine. Akshit agreed came outside with her. The sun was still red only, peaking from clouds. The surrounding was enchanting with chirping birds and cool breeze. Akshit was thinking about his encounter with Shamita, it felt like a movie plot. After a few minutes’ walk on sideways Akshit told Shamita to get back to waiting area to avoid getting late. They mistakenly took a different platform to enter the main area this time. It was a platform with two empty trains halted and getting cleaned for their next run.
Akshit and Shamita were walking hand-in-hand. Both glum, yet trying to cheer-up each other with silly jokes. Finally near a bench Akshit asked Shamita if they could stay for 5 more mins and sit there. Shamita noded and sat beside him. Akshit was staring at the floor blankly. At this time Shamita looked at him, held his hand and pulled him towards the train. When Akshit asked where is taking him, Shamita said “please don’t ask! just follow me”. The sweeper on train was cleaning the door when they reached near the empty train. He stared at them and then moved ahead to clean next compartment. Now they were standing between to parallel doors of the empty train with the one door open towards other train in adjacent line, while other door closed which was towards the platform. Shamita asked Akshit to close his eyes. Akshit was not in a mood to play hide and seek. Shamita said: “don’t worry, I am not going anywhere. Want to give you a gift, and yeah please don’t open your eyes until I say.” Akshit agreed silently and closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he felt a warm and gentle touch on his lips. He wanted to open his eyes and see what is it but couldn’t. “Now”, he opened his eyes and found Shamita in his arms saying “I wanted this moment to be special for us. and look….where we are? near the door.” Akshit came to his sense and realized he just had his first kiss. With a mixed emotion he looked at Shamita. She was smiling with tears in her eyes. He huged him tightly and said “That was my first kiss. Thank you! I would never forget this gift.” She wiped her tears and said: “you better not !”. On this both laughed. Akshit suggested they should return as everyone would be waiting for them. Shamita noded and signalled towards the door. Akshit opened it and jumped on platform instead of following stairs. He asked Shamita to jump too. Shamita first declined but Akshit insisted. He wanted her to leave happily. He held her hands and then asked to jump. This time Shamita couldn’t say no and jumped and ended up in his arms. Both smiled and turned towards the gateway to waiting area.
“Oh, here they are”, Rahul told aunty. Just then uncle came from opposite direction and said he has booked the cab. “Ok beta! bye, do come to our home during your next visit. I have given our address to Rahul”, aunty said to Akshit. “Sure aunty, we will do visit. It was nice meeting you all” , Akshit replied.
“Bye Rahul ! keep in touch. Bye Akshit! ” Shamita looked at both of them and smiled.
Rahul returned the smile, while Akshit just noded.
The figures turned and started walking away from Akshit and Rahul, towards the exit.
“Let’s grab something. I am very hungry.”
Akshit was still looking at those 3 slowly disappearing figures. “Dude ! come-on. She is gone, ab chal kuch khate hai.”
Akshit was still staring towards exist while one of those fading figures turned and waved at him.
He smiled and waved back, turned to Rahul and said: “yeah, let’s go.”
Catch part I here
Rahul was praising about Akshit. He told Shamita, how studious and sincere Akshit has been right from the beginning, how is one of most level headed and intellectual guy among his group and how much good his sense of humour is.
This went on-and-on until a point when Shamita got irritated and interrupted Rahul. “I think your friend is very shy and probably unfriendly. All this while you have been talking about him and he hasn’t even looked at us once.”
Before Rahul could defend his friend, Akshit turned towards Shamita and said: “I am not unfriendly or rude. Yes it could be a fact that I don’t talk much but trust me I am totally a different guy for my friends.”
Shamita could not say anything but to return smile. She looked towards Rahul and shrugged. Rahul asked Akshit to leave the boring magazine and join there conversation. Akshit desperately wanted to change Shamita's perception. He turned his attention towards them, keeping his magazine aside. Rahul got excited on the prospect of pulling Akshit to talk to a girl. He knew how tough it was to convince Akshit to go to a girl’s home who was in tuition with them. That girl even had feelings for Akshit which she could never express to him. She anticipated Akshit to understand one day, but that day never came. Akshit would talk to her, but only for exchanging notes. He didn’t join a class-outing that girl planned just to be with Akshit. Akshit was an IIT aspirant. Everything else, which was not on this path, was a waste for him. Not clearing IIT had made him a little practical about life in these 3 years but still hasn’t made it easy, talking to girls.
Akshit: “So Shamita, you are a state level volleyball player. I always wanted to play atleast one game but hardly had persuaded any sports. Haven’t you tried at national level? Besides, you have full support of your parents, I think you should go for it”
Shamita: “You know I really wanted to do that but not at cost of my studies, I want to continue my education and it was hard managing both studies and sports together. It was a tough decision for me but, I chose studies. No regrets.”
Akshit: “Well that’s fine as it’s your well thought decision and you opted for something you like”
Rahul: “Look who is taking about liking…hmmm”
Akshit: “Abe hud hai yar, I was talking about options available.”
Shamita: “Yeah…he didn’t mean that”
Rahul: “Ok guys I know what you two meant, I was kidding…ok. Won’t you guts let me pull legs also or what? Looks like you two are on same side now”
Akshit: “No one is taking anyone’s side.”
Rahul: “Then why you are defending. Forget it…So Shamita, tell me have you ever had a crush on someone in school or college. A serious one?”
Shamita: “Nope. I hadn’t. I am really not into these things. Or I should rather say never felt anything as such.”
Rahul: “how boring, not even once? try to think and recollect “
Shamita: “No ..I never had. How about you Akshit?”
Akshit: “Well…I had once in school when I was in class 4. I used to like one senior very much.”
Shamita: “hmmm…someone had a childhood crush….what was her name where is she?”
Akshit: “Her name was Pooja. I don’t know where she is now as I changed my school after Std 5”
Shamita: “Oh...that’s sad. And Rahul, what about you?”
Rahul: “Well I develop a crush each time I see a pretty girl, but yeah probably I would say on my class 1 teacher first time.” On this everyone laughed.
At this time uncle and aunty woke up. Asked Shamita if she had her skipped lunch or still dieting? Akshit and Rahul looked at each other and smiled. Rahul said to aunty: “I really don’t know but, what’s wrong with today’s girl, everyone is dieting”. On this Shamita said irritatingly: “That’s because boys like you are eating everything eatable on this planet.” “Don’t talk like that” Aunty said angrily. “Come here I will comb your hair, you are keeping them untied.” When aunty started combing her hair, Akshit hinted Rahul to come towards door.
to be contiued....
“Come-on mom…this is not first time I am going away. It’s been 3 years now. That’s why I didn’t want you to come, to see off me. Look at Papa, he is smiling just like when he came to receive me, be like that, so that even I can leave easily; don’t make it difficult for me and please smile now.” Akshit was soothing her mother who starts weeping each time when he leaves after his college vacations. It was time for train to depart. While onlooker passed and gave a shy smile on this familiar scene, Akshit held his mother’s hand and said “bye mom”, waved at his dad and asked mom to step back. “Don’t worry aunty, mai hu na” Rahul shouted from behind and waved to his parents who were standing behind Akshit’s mom. Rahul already had his share of goodbye in adjacent window by this time. Train whistled, guard waved the green flag and the train started and gradually picked up speed. Moving hands faded away and Akshit and Rahul took their berths.
By the way… Akshit and Rahul, close friends, in their 20s, from same town, were returning to college, after spending a festive and eventful week at home. They were studying in different colleges in Bangalore and had bunked classes for a week to spend this Deepawali at home. So they were travelling together, for first time in 3 years as their semester generally ends at different time, and they used to come with their college friends. While Rahul, after having spent 3 year in Bangalore, was of extrovert and outgoing nature, Akshit was not that talkative. Akshit’s college was in a smaller town away from Bangalore and didn’t have much influence by the hip-hop culture of metros. He talked less and only to people he knew. He wasn’t an introvert, but was a bit reserved.
Once both of them took their berth, Akshit found a pair of eyes watching them curiously. These eyes were definitely not familiar. Akshit reduced his focus to see the complete face. Cute, fare, curious, bubbly….he observed a few things within his 5 seconds glance. Akshit came to senses and realized she was being accompanied by her parents who by now staring at him and Rahul continuously. Probably they were judging the two boys with whom they have to stay in same compartment for 1 day and 2 nights.
Rahul, unaware of all this scrutiny, turned towards Akshit and asked, “What all have you brought to eat, and especially what’s for dinner tonight?” Akshit looked at his wristwatch, smiled and said “It’s just 6:30 now, let’s wait till 8 atleast; I don’t want to feel hungry at night again.” Rahul’s hunger was noway going to be pacified by Akshit’s word alone, as he had already stopped a hawker meanwhile and took two plate samosas. Next thing Akhshit heard from Rahul was, “It has finished so soon and I am still hungry. Let’s see what mom and aunty have given to eat.” Akshit, knew this eating spree isn’t going to end soon, and he said Rahul firmly to wait for some time before they could have their dinner. Akshit knew Rahul was doing all this purposely to make surrounding lighter with his silly acts. He thought, ‘I wish he always stays the same… enthusiastic, energetic and talkative.’
All this while, the whole drama was watched by the family berthing opposite to their berth. They were 3, a middle aged man in his 50s, a beautiful lady in 40s and a sweet girl….probably in her 20s.From the time train started, they were observing these two hungry kids and smiling bashfully which was hardly enough to suppress their laughter. Just when Rahul was looking for next venture, aunty couldn’t hold her instinct and offered mixture to both of them. Before Akshit could say no, Rahul grabbed it. “Thanks aunty!”, he said with a big smile. On this quick response, everyone laughed. This was an ice breaker. Rahul and then Akshit greeted the family and talks started with uncle and aunty. Just a “Hi” was exchanged with the girl. By dinner time, Rahul has shared all the details he would give in an intro to a potential victim. Akshit shared his education and family background. They got to know that Shamita is studing in a local college, in another town. She was going for a family trip. Rahul, surprisingly, was so much occupied in eating every corner of train that he didn’t care about getting into any conversation with the girl, who was not staring at them long enough to pretend as if she doesn’t care, but, was actually watching them closely.
Everyone decided it was time for dinner. While aunty shared the dish she brought, boys never had a thought for even a split second about offering anything. Once Rahul was apt, he shifted his focus to second love, gossiping. He started chatting with aunty and uncle which went on and on about an hour.
Arrangements were made as it was sleeping time. Rahul stood up from his berth and signalled Akshit towards door. Rahul was leaning back on the metal door, holding a cigarette in his right hand, trying to create smoke rings in open air when Akshit joined. “You started again !” Akshit asked with a awry face. “Yar this is the first one in last 10 days. Akshit…You know ….I didn’t even realized how this week went so fast. Now back to same classes and boring assignments. Remember school days….the math tuition! We bunked together to watch first day first shows in Kavita theatre.”
“yeah… and giving lame excuses to Sharma sir next day” , and they burst into laughter.
“That was really hilarious because everyone except us would be there. Man… I miss those times”
The two friends went on for hours, reviving bonding of 4 years and memorable time spent, right from the day they met, became friend, watched their first adult movie, sitting near old dam, crushes, bike races, and eating at thelas(hawkers) and so many other stuffs.
“Beta, good morning! Shall we pull down the berths? Please awake Rahul too. ”
Akshit turned and looked at his watch. It was 9 in the morning. “yes, Uncle”. He was still half asleep… wasn’t able to recall when he came back to his berth. He got up from his berth, came down, shook Rahul’s leg and asked him to get up so that all berths can be pulled down. After a sustained effort for 5 mins Akshit was successful in waking up Rahul. All were able to sit comfortably once middle berths were dropped.
2 pm, uncle and aunty were dozing off after having lunch. Akshit was reading Outlook magazine. Rahul looked at him and then around, to find someone he can do mischief with. He knew Akshit would be a tough customer when he is reading something. He saw that the girl has taken the side window berth and the berth in front of her was empty.
Rahul: “Hi ! I am Rahul”
Girl: “ok”
Rahul: “That’s it? Aren’t you gonna say something more ?”
Girl: “Hi ! Shamita”
Rahul: “ Shamita, good name. that’s my Friend Akshit.” He pointed at Akshit.
Akshit looked at both of them and nodded to Shamita with a gentle smile. Again looks back to his magazine.
Shamita: “I know, you asked him for the mixture packet and water throughout the night” (giggles)
Rahul: “Oh…was I that loud? I guess we caused a lot of disturbance to everyone. Sorry about that.”
Shamita: “Well… not much, yeah we could not sleep until your hunger was pacified. But don’t worry, it’s ok as you didn’t woke up early in morning for food” she giggled again.
Rahul: “Look, I am really sorry, Ok! Let me make it up to you. Let me buy you a cold drink”
Shamita: “No it’s ok. I am fine”
Rahul: “No…it’s not fine. Have one otherwise I think you haven’t accepted my apology”
Shamita: “Ok baba… ok! Coke will do”
Rahul went to get coke but returned with three butter milk packets instead. Offered one to Akshit. Akshit stared at him with a bewildered look but accepted. Rahul was now back to his berth. Offered one packet to Shamita and said: “coke was finished and this was the only cold thing they had in pantry. By the way, this is good for stomach, have it, you will like it. It’s south’s speciality.”
On this Shamita laughed and took the packet. They started talking about each other’s habits, likes- dislikes, studies etc. This was Rahul’s comfort zone, talking to girls without much effort. He knew what they liked and what they don’t. Shamita also after few mins left his initial hesitation and started talking to Rahul.
Akshit was looking down on his magazine’s page but didn’t turned even a single page during this time when Rahul and Shamita were chatting. He was listening to their conversation very attentively but was refraining from getting into. He thought: ‘How come Rahul pulls it off so easily all the time. He almost manages to start a chat with any girls he comes across. May be it’s his 3 year stay in Bangalore which made him easy going with girls. Though he was talkative in tuitions too, but seems like he has honed his skills a lot. Probably having a girlfriend is a confidence booster.’ He admired Rahul silently.
to be continued....
Catch the first part here
After the initial hiccups they reached Mukul’s home where Mukul in his trademark style was pretending to hold an anguish face for them. They met him, and as decided, shown some respect to his anger for self defense. They were happy that they reached before shailendra and now he is the one who will be the “torch bearer”. They waited for Mukul in porch, just then Shailendra called for status update while he was on way. They asked him to hurry up. Mukul appeared in groom’s dress and joined the gang who by the time was ready with their arsenals to bless him. Once he was standing with the gang they all were having a gala time with the divine leg pulling session. Shalindra joined in the meantime and finished his quota of divinity. It was time for Baraat to leave Mukul’s place and to reach the point from where it was supposed to march ahead.
Our heroes somehow got a car and bumped-in, trying hard to manage their ass inside it. Thankfully this ride wasn’t long enough to intensify their pain; but they ran for fag as soon as the car dropped them at the destination. They got charged up with masala coke and “the mrit sanjeevani” (cigarette) and joined Baraat for which they were supposed to be the show stopper.
And they didn’t disappoint either; right from bhangra to old classics, and then break dance to “snake dance” they danced on every form and on every song the band played. Seeing their extreme enthusiasm and strange wildness no one had a doubt that they were not drunk. They danced and danced till last breath of energy during that short while which was merely 200 meter away from the point where baraat stated. It took around an hour to cover the stretch and Baraat approached its destination; and like sunlight fading at dusk our heros disappered. Leveraging this known opportunity they went in a corner away from sight of junta to have their mrit sanjeevani again.
All this while there was one common friend missing which they all have promised to meet soon. They appeared in baarat again which was being greeted. They discussed the possibility of meeting this common friend asap. Few of them wanted to invite this common friend in baraat as well but there was a lack of consensus. But now they all wanted to celebrate Mukul’s wedding in a grand way with this friend. So they all left the wedding for a local plash hotel which was decided as the venue to celebrate. They set down on hotel’s bar (if you are still guessing…yes Daru was their common friend), ordered and then toasted for Mukul and his marriage. As tonight Mukul was priority, they ordered only 2-3 drinks after that and then decided to leave. Another sutta session and then our boys, who were in elegant attires, were waving to autos standing in front of that plash hotel.
to be continued....
God… I am so hungry and can’t wait to get home…that was the thought I was having ..when I left office that day….a usual routine for me….reached home late and rang the bell…suddenly realized…oh its me alone in flat tonight as my flatmate left for a trip. ahh..I hate to use my keys…anyway first thing I did was to throw my shoes, got in my shorts and ran to kitchen to check what is there to eat today. Finding nothing great in food I switched TV on as if it would spice up my food and started changing channels. Finally I landed to a channel which was showing a strange movie. I changed channel and moved on to MTV to watch its late night shows (generally roadies or spltivilla) but don’t know if it was curiosity or something, I swept back to the same movie. The movie which seemed like a thriller turned out to be a phscho one with a homicide maniac killing innocent tourist brutally who gets trapped in a deserted area with no sight of any population. Hoping to see the escape of main cast, I watched it till end but, to my disappointment, it turned out to be a killing spree without a single escape.
Notheless to say I had screwed my sleep and mood too. I picked up the daily news paper which I generally get to read at night. After gazing through a few pages my eyes halted on an article. Here is what I read in next few lines.
At 26, Aashish had a well paying job a middle range car and a good apartment on rent he could mange easily. Yet he was not happy, had a feeling of emptiness inside and self-doubt. At times, he simply wanted to give it all up and go back to his college days. It was quarter life crisis, according to doctor.
and I thoughts...there are hundreds of such youngsters-alone, insecure,stressed, nostalgic and frustrated with their routine life, work and relationships. Just when I was lost in thoughts, a friend called. She was feeling low and depressed, and was having a close encounter with nostalgia for old times spent together. And a generally candid and joly me became nostalgic, which, later on turned to sadness once she dropped the phone off after sharing her feeling. Oh its 1’o clock ...lets hit bed and get some sleep before maid wake me up in the morning just when you are in deepest sleep, I murmured. But tonight was different, as soon as I laid on bed a tide of thoughts hit me hard and then it didn’t seems to stop. I don’t know where they all came from at this time of night but I couldn’t do anything to stop or suppress them. The tide swept me along and took me down the memory lane. I started seeing a few events in past with my closed eyes.
The thoughts were so strong but still there wasn’t any single event or thought which I could hold long enough to ponder over or to draw some conclusion as to why or where my turbulent mind… or shall I rather say heart , want to take me along. I tried hard to shut the door for this sea of thoughts, but even my closed eyes were acting as a catalyst to get submerged in them. I knew this feeling, as I have heard about this from few friends who have had quite a few sleepless nights. But hey wait….I am not in love….not atleast now….then what is this…is this the “Qurter life crisis” which everyone in some point of their bachelor life goes through or is it just me? Let’s just think about myself as I am not too sure about others.
The chain of thought begins with few beautiful moments post college life and then traversed back tro and fro in random order. All these while I was still struggling with my chalant mind to not to think anything further and to concentrate on sleeping…you heard it right…I know you don’t do that often…we never have to try to sleep as its one of those few natural things human beings are gifted to keep forever…and specially not when you leave office after being drenched and exhausted...but, today it seemed to be drifting away from me. The harder I tried, tougher it got. I never felt this helpless for my will and had to surrender to my thoughts or should I say something I don’t know.
I felt so unsecured and thought of calling someone whom I can talk for few minutes to divert my attention from my current state so that I can resume my subconscious state…yes I said it right…I didn’t wanted be conscious at this time and wanted to rest in thoughtless state. I picked my cell and started rolling over numbers....its was past 1:40 am and was difficult to find any family member or friend. This made me feel more helpless and for a split second my inner self appeared (like one of those in movies) and asked me…dude what are you doing? You are not this week that you need other’s words to get some sleep…just get your acts together and keep all these wild thoughts at bay, if you can’t torment them.
This self resort seems like a rescuer for just few seconds as the prevailing thoughts suppressed it in no times. Now to my surprise a few of my senses were still alive which prompted me to think about the reason of this tsunami within myself. Was it a “feeling blue factor” for something or is it a by product of some mirage I am after to. Finally, I called one of the best friend, whom I can call any time day-night, and explained my situation, hoping to get a way out of this trauma. He told me to pour my heart out and jot down my thoughts. He has been asking me to write since a long time but couldn’t get anything out of this lazy chap….oh that’s me!!! But this time I nodded and turned my laptop on. I don’t know what was going on inside but I decided I will write.
Pondered over a few minutes, on what to write? At this point I realized, something has not only taken control over my mind but my thinking as well. These invincible thoughts will not let me choose what I wanted to, not atleast in my conscious state. But that’s the whole point. I wanted to get into unconscious state… I wanted to sleep or atleast, write something or do something but want to get away with these thoughts.
My roomie was looking at me angrily.
Roomie: “where were you? I have been ringing bell for past 10 mins. Gave you several calls but you didn’t pick-up.”
Me: “was sleeping yar, sorry!”
Roomie: “Your sleep resemble that of kumbhkarna…( giggles ). And why are you sleeping in hall among mosquitos with Televison on , and on this paper? “
I realized, I slept on the paper with the same article page open. I tried to remember what happened at night. What a weird dream, I thought, a bit scared too.
I said : “ nothing yar, just a quarter life crisis.”
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