" And also i took a house for lease for 3 years in Jayanagar",she said."I can use this as a temporary office too".
Aditya was now curious to see who the person was.Having wrapped a few minute works,he drove to meet Inchara and the
"mystery person"
As his car came to a halt near the proposed meeting place of CCD,Jayanagar,he could see a tall smart person sitting next
to Inchara through his Aviator glasses.As he went inside
"Hi Mr Software Engineer in an MNC",she said smilingly.Aditya had grown to love this welcome now.
"Hi Inchara and, this is?" he asked.
"He is Dhruv Panda ,CEO of Sketchy Zebra- its the no3 Marketing and Pr consultancy firm in India" she said eying Dhruv
as though she had got a prized catch for IHP.
"Hello" ,Aditya said with a bit of unease.
"Wait a minute are you the son of Jay Panda,the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry?" Aditya asked.
"Yes,I am,SZ was actually started by my brother Vineet,but you might have heard about the Air India crash two years back.
He passed away in that,the media was reporting on his death too" Dhruv said.
Aditya had no clue about Vineet but he had heard of the crash.He nodded as though he knew every detail of the crash.
"After that i was elected as CEo of SZ.Anyways Inchara had wrote to us through our online portal asking for help for IHP
on a pan-India level.We had asked all the startups to write to us if they needed help.We would be charging a lower price
for such companies,i had come down to Bangalore to meet a few of these entreprenuers here",he said.
Aditya was now a bit worried.Dhruv would be encroaching on his business space sooner than later.More importantly he was mad at
Inchara for having taken these decisions unilaterally without even informing him.
The three had a small chat on the road ahead and how they could synergize.Aditya participated very less in the discussion.
Aditya realized that Inchara had not told Dhruv that he too had a low cost marketing consultancy company.Dhruv only knew
that Aditya was a director in the company and was also a minority partner.
After he left,Inchara quipped - "I am stressed out,game for Amoeba?",she asked.
Aditya looked at her with disgust."How could you Inchara?",he asked
"How could I what?"
"You are making SZ your marketing agency and you are acting as though you are unaware of anything"
now his tone even angrier than before.
"I acted in the interest of the company Aditya,the next step for us was to have our products in stores across India,for
that we needed a company who had a pan India expertise in doing this for us.Your company Innovating Creativity as of now
has only expertise in Karnataka and now a bit in Hyderabad,we couldnt possibly wait for you to grow" she said tersely.
"But i am asking Dhruv to support us only in Northern India circles and Mumbai,South would still be with you" she said with a milder tone.
"Yeah South will be with me,do you think these national players will accept such kind of deals.They wont agree to be reduced to a regional player for any
client"
"As you know competition is increasing every day,we need to be moving fast" she said.
"But now if SZ comes in,you are virtually cutting my company to size" he said angrily.
"I dint expect this from you Inchara,while i agree you cant wait,you cant grow at the cost of IC",he said.
"What about the way we started 2 years back and our friendship?" he asked.
"Aditya you are mixing personal and professional things here.THis is Business,if we all keep letting emotions take
control of our decisions,then we are going to end up no where but down,"we are friends but thats at a personal level,i have
200 families to feed,so my decision will not be with respect to me alone,please try to understand Aditya"
"Hmmm ok,true THIS IS BUSINESS" he said and quietly walked away from there.Inchara dint want to hurt Aditya but in the
face of increased competition she had no choice.
Two days later Aditya attended a state level investors meet,the pass for which was got by his uncle.Many top industrialists,hoteliers,angel investors,
venture capitalists,entreprenuers etc were expected to attend this meet.
His uncle a top IAS officer in the government took this opportunity to introduce Aditya to new people,whom he thought could be beneficial for his business.
Sadanand Adiga,the proprietor of Adiga and Bros-the no 1 player in the South Indian markets in the ready to eat category had also come there.Aditya's uncle
always wanted him to work with the bigger and established players rather than a fringe player like IHP.He dint care whether IHP had gained a lot in the past
few months or not.
"Hello Sadanand!How are you doing?"
"I am fine Shankar,how are you?Btw what about the contract you were supposed to give from your association?" Sadanand said,with a smile that showed
signs of connivance.
"It will come,it will come,but you also have to make some effort" his uncle said.
This usually meant a underhand deal was supposed to happen.
"How is you diabetes by the way?" his uncle asked.
"Its fine,who is this young man?"
"He is my nephew Aditya,works as a software engineer in a top US company,also has his own consultancy firm,very hardworking boy Adiga,see if you can make use
of him" his uncle quipped.
"Hmmm what experience do you have young man?"
"I am basically into low cost marketing and consultancy,have a few clients like Inchara Home Products,Mocha etc",he said.
"Oh you are part of that IHP,its been making rapid strides,that young girl is doing really well" Adiga said.
Aditya could almost feel his ego kicking him from the back.He thought that he was primarily the reason IHP jumpstarted from a village endeavour to
being in stores across Karnataka,AP and also having a niche market mostly in the US.
"Well i was also responsible a bit,it was a small village venture,used my skills to get it to where it has" he said now authoritatively.
Sharks like Adiga who had been in the business for long could instantly sense something amiss.
He then called Aditya to his office two days later.
"Welcome Aditya,how have you been,please have a seat" he said when Aditya went to his office to meet him.The desk was folded dosa shaped
and the walls were adorned by all the awards Adiga had collected over the past 20 years.
Adiga thought IHP was a thorn in the flesh and was observing its steady rise despite the presence of other giants.
"Aditya i was thinking over the past couple of days,we need a young energetic company which can give us innovative ideas to market our
products to the young demography of 18-30 better,why dont you join us?" he said.
Adiga knew what he exactly wanted.Shrewdness was something he had mastered over the years and his rivals were weary of this quality of his.
He believed in getting anything by hook or crook,he had businesses in real estate and had figured in various shady deals.
He tried to make the deal a sweet one with Aditya,he knew money could make anyone dance,seduce them into doing something
which otherwise they wouldnt have.
Aditya felt this was the opportunity he couldnt let go,after all the returns were good.
"I am interested Adiga sir,its very kind of you to give me this chance" he said,now thinking his prospects had suddenly become good
after the heartburn of Inchara's meet.
"BUT i have a condition son,you cannot be a part of IHP anymore,anyways the returns you are getting here would be atleast
six times more than what you are making there even as a partner.
Aditya saw the skyline of Bangalore and the lalbag gardens in between from Adiga's plush 1oth floor office.
His company would itself have not been founded had it been not for Inchara,the close friendship he had with her,but she also
dint even think twice before trying to isolate him in the company,yet his company would not have come to this position only
without the expertise he had got through IHP,6 times the money...his mind started playing games.The new condition meant he had to think twice.
He was in a dilemma,a slight drizzle had started and the city was wet,he made his decision.
"Mr Adiga .....
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Feelings III - Part 3
The first week passed by quickly and Aditya was sad that he had only more week to stay in Kumta.After that it was back to the daily grind of computers.
The annual village jatre was to be held that week and Aditya went to the temple to check out all the ceremonies.He saw Inchara walking ahead of him all decked up in traditional Indian wear.
"Hi Mam,u are also heading to the temple?"
"Oh Hi Mr Software Engineer,yeah i am going to the temple,have to give all this pooja items to dad,he has been nominated to be the priest to perform the main pooja this time na"
"You know you got to stop addressing me in that way,i get a bit irritated,anyways me also heading that way"
"Oh you get irritated eh,then i got to call you like that everytime" she said with a mischievous smile.
On the way she asked him
"You know any low cost marketing companies who can promote us a bit in places like Bangalore"
"You see our products can be very useful to all the working women there,our ready to eat items are popular in Hubli,Dharwad and some even in Goa,the export business has not taken off that well,but we have not been able to make an entry into Bangalore at all.First the competition is intense there with multiple players,plus retail stores there are not ready to keep our items as they charge a very high cut,the first step is to get the big players to house our products in their stores,for that we need someone who can negotiate,who is local the place there"
"Can you help us out here?" she asked.
Aditya did have some contacts.He was thinking - instead of letting someone else take this opportunity,why not take it himself,start his own marketing cum consultancy firm,he even had the first client ready.The opportunity was too good to let it go.
That entire day he thought over this.The next day he went to Inchara's home.
"Hi !"
Inchara was arranging all the kannada papers scattered all over the place by her dad.Surprising thing for Aditya was that he had never gotten to meet her dad.He had seen him once during the wedding they had attended but apart from that he never got the opportunity.
Moving her loose hair from her face,she turned back
"Hi Mr..."
"Please i beg you" he said.
"Ok ok tell me"
"Remember you had asked me yesterday about wanting someone to negotiate on ur behalf ,i have got someone for you",he said with a sense of pompousness.
"Really so fast,who is that" she asked.
"ME"
"You joking" she asked.
"Nope heres the deal,i have contacts,you want business,how about me becoming a partner in ur company?" he asked.
Inchara fell silent.She was not sure,An inexperienced person to take her business forward,it could ruin the future prospects of her small venture if Aditya failed to deliver.
"I am not sure Aditya,i mean you are a software engineer,you dont have any experience in this field,i dont know what to say" she said trying not to hurt his ego.
Aditya was now desperate to prove himself."Try Me" he said with an audacious tone.Seeing his confidence she asked -
"So how does this work,all the partnership stuff"
"Simple i want 20 percent of ur topline"
"Isnt that a lot?" she asked.
"Not if i bring u the business that i think i can"
"Can you give me a business proposal?once you do that we can formally sign a contract",she said.
Aditya had never done a business proposal before.He promised to mail her soon.Life was getting exciting now for Aditya.
Six months later:
Aditya had proved his mettle.Though he had not yet left his stale IT job,he was getting to use his creativity somewhere.A meeting was fixed with a Senior Store Manager of Future Group where a deal to house their ready to eat products was to be done.Inchara came down to Bangalore.They had decided to meet at the headquarters directly.Seeing her for the first time in a business suit,Aditya was a bit taken aback.She looked different today - all prim and proper.
"Hi looking good boss!!" he said
"Thank you Mr Software Engineer"
"Ah!! its been so many months and u still havent got rid of that tagname for me"
"So all set for the meeting" he asked with his infectious smile.
"Lets do it!!,This is a huge step for our company" she said
"And thanks a lot for making this happen in such short a time"
"Hey dont thank me,i gain when u gain",came a pat reply from Aditya.
The meeting went off very well and within one month the "Inchara Home Products" were there in all Future stores.
Sales were slowly picking up and the products were gaining word of mouth publicity.
6 months later:
IHP was 3rd in the list of the ready to eat category in Bangalore.
Aditya and Inchara were both back in Kumta to celebrate this,also it was Inchara's birthday-so there were two reasons now.
Inchara's favourite point being the beach,both decided to celebrate her birthday in a small way.At 6 in the evening both headed to the beach.
Since the beach would be usually be empty at this time,it made good sense.But to Inchara's surprise Aditya had arranged a surprise party with whatever minimum he could get there.All the workers of IHP were there.There were songs played,guitar strummed by Aditya,drinks gulped down,even the villagers were attracted to this and were welcomed in too.
In the midst of all this Inchara went silently and sat on a rock away from all the noise and hoopla.With wind blowing her hair all over the place,she silently wished her mother was alive to see this all.Aditya came up behind her
"What u doing here?,remembering ur mom?" he asked.
"Yes" she said softly.
"Shed be real proud of you Inchara,that too from a village u have been able to establish this business of urs"
"Aditya,u have helped a lot too"
"You want to dance?" she asked all of a sudden.
"Dance?here with all the people around?"
"Bloody outdated!! the people are far off,whats there in a dance,come" she said.
Mobiles being the new music players,Inchara played all the soft chick songs,while both danced with the setting sun in the background.
"Nice yaar,you dance quite well" she said.
"Yeah actually i am the one who taught Hrithik Roshan his first steps" he said with a wink.
They then sat down on the sand with wind blowing more heavily now.
"So when are you leaving your IT job?"
"Yeah soon,once i get more clients and stabilize a bit more i will leave it"
They had gotten used to each other now.Aditya was trying for more clients and Inchara was trying to set up new infrastructure to produce more products.Whatever small export business she had also started to do better.Their professional and personal chats had become less frequent.Though they missed the emotional high of chatting up,it was BUSINESS.They had to be focussed.
An year passed by with both getting more busy.
Aditya then received a call from Inchara to meet her in Bangalore.
"Theres something we need to talk about,theres someone i want you to meet...........
The annual village jatre was to be held that week and Aditya went to the temple to check out all the ceremonies.He saw Inchara walking ahead of him all decked up in traditional Indian wear.
"Hi Mam,u are also heading to the temple?"
"Oh Hi Mr Software Engineer,yeah i am going to the temple,have to give all this pooja items to dad,he has been nominated to be the priest to perform the main pooja this time na"
"You know you got to stop addressing me in that way,i get a bit irritated,anyways me also heading that way"
"Oh you get irritated eh,then i got to call you like that everytime" she said with a mischievous smile.
On the way she asked him
"You know any low cost marketing companies who can promote us a bit in places like Bangalore"
"You see our products can be very useful to all the working women there,our ready to eat items are popular in Hubli,Dharwad and some even in Goa,the export business has not taken off that well,but we have not been able to make an entry into Bangalore at all.First the competition is intense there with multiple players,plus retail stores there are not ready to keep our items as they charge a very high cut,the first step is to get the big players to house our products in their stores,for that we need someone who can negotiate,who is local the place there"
"Can you help us out here?" she asked.
Aditya did have some contacts.He was thinking - instead of letting someone else take this opportunity,why not take it himself,start his own marketing cum consultancy firm,he even had the first client ready.The opportunity was too good to let it go.
That entire day he thought over this.The next day he went to Inchara's home.
"Hi !"
Inchara was arranging all the kannada papers scattered all over the place by her dad.Surprising thing for Aditya was that he had never gotten to meet her dad.He had seen him once during the wedding they had attended but apart from that he never got the opportunity.
Moving her loose hair from her face,she turned back
"Hi Mr..."
"Please i beg you" he said.
"Ok ok tell me"
"Remember you had asked me yesterday about wanting someone to negotiate on ur behalf ,i have got someone for you",he said with a sense of pompousness.
"Really so fast,who is that" she asked.
"ME"
"You joking" she asked.
"Nope heres the deal,i have contacts,you want business,how about me becoming a partner in ur company?" he asked.
Inchara fell silent.She was not sure,An inexperienced person to take her business forward,it could ruin the future prospects of her small venture if Aditya failed to deliver.
"I am not sure Aditya,i mean you are a software engineer,you dont have any experience in this field,i dont know what to say" she said trying not to hurt his ego.
Aditya was now desperate to prove himself."Try Me" he said with an audacious tone.Seeing his confidence she asked -
"So how does this work,all the partnership stuff"
"Simple i want 20 percent of ur topline"
"Isnt that a lot?" she asked.
"Not if i bring u the business that i think i can"
"Can you give me a business proposal?once you do that we can formally sign a contract",she said.
Aditya had never done a business proposal before.He promised to mail her soon.Life was getting exciting now for Aditya.
Six months later:
Aditya had proved his mettle.Though he had not yet left his stale IT job,he was getting to use his creativity somewhere.A meeting was fixed with a Senior Store Manager of Future Group where a deal to house their ready to eat products was to be done.Inchara came down to Bangalore.They had decided to meet at the headquarters directly.Seeing her for the first time in a business suit,Aditya was a bit taken aback.She looked different today - all prim and proper.
"Hi looking good boss!!" he said
"Thank you Mr Software Engineer"
"Ah!! its been so many months and u still havent got rid of that tagname for me"
"So all set for the meeting" he asked with his infectious smile.
"Lets do it!!,This is a huge step for our company" she said
"And thanks a lot for making this happen in such short a time"
"Hey dont thank me,i gain when u gain",came a pat reply from Aditya.
The meeting went off very well and within one month the "Inchara Home Products" were there in all Future stores.
Sales were slowly picking up and the products were gaining word of mouth publicity.
6 months later:
IHP was 3rd in the list of the ready to eat category in Bangalore.
Aditya and Inchara were both back in Kumta to celebrate this,also it was Inchara's birthday-so there were two reasons now.
Inchara's favourite point being the beach,both decided to celebrate her birthday in a small way.At 6 in the evening both headed to the beach.
Since the beach would be usually be empty at this time,it made good sense.But to Inchara's surprise Aditya had arranged a surprise party with whatever minimum he could get there.All the workers of IHP were there.There were songs played,guitar strummed by Aditya,drinks gulped down,even the villagers were attracted to this and were welcomed in too.
In the midst of all this Inchara went silently and sat on a rock away from all the noise and hoopla.With wind blowing her hair all over the place,she silently wished her mother was alive to see this all.Aditya came up behind her
"What u doing here?,remembering ur mom?" he asked.
"Yes" she said softly.
"Shed be real proud of you Inchara,that too from a village u have been able to establish this business of urs"
"Aditya,u have helped a lot too"
"You want to dance?" she asked all of a sudden.
"Dance?here with all the people around?"
"Bloody outdated!! the people are far off,whats there in a dance,come" she said.
Mobiles being the new music players,Inchara played all the soft chick songs,while both danced with the setting sun in the background.
"Nice yaar,you dance quite well" she said.
"Yeah actually i am the one who taught Hrithik Roshan his first steps" he said with a wink.
They then sat down on the sand with wind blowing more heavily now.
"So when are you leaving your IT job?"
"Yeah soon,once i get more clients and stabilize a bit more i will leave it"
They had gotten used to each other now.Aditya was trying for more clients and Inchara was trying to set up new infrastructure to produce more products.Whatever small export business she had also started to do better.Their professional and personal chats had become less frequent.Though they missed the emotional high of chatting up,it was BUSINESS.They had to be focussed.
An year passed by with both getting more busy.
Aditya then received a call from Inchara to meet her in Bangalore.
"Theres something we need to talk about,theres someone i want you to meet...........
Friday, May 28, 2010
Feelings III - Part 2
"And??" she asked ,now almost irritated by the guy gazing at her and talking intermittently.
"And i wanted to just come and meet the person who has got everyone praising,plus nothing much happens in the village anyway,so wanted to check you out" and smiled,showing 18 of his crystal white teeth(guess colgate salt toothpaste had helped)
"Check me out??,what do u mean?" ,her tone was getting more angrier now.
"No i dint mean the other way,i wanted to just meet the person,see what business is being run,just to get more informed thats all,sorry if it felt like i was meaning something else,btw i am Saraswathi Amma's grandson" ,he said thinking that the name of his famous grandmother may get him some leverage with her.
Her tone suddenly changed."Oh ok u are Sarsu Ajji's grandson,give me 20 minutes,i will just wrap up the accounts calculations and meet you in a while in the verandah.Just make yourself comfortable" and so saying she directed one of the maids to serve him a glass of butter milk.The drink was the default introductory serving in all homes in Kumta.
Aditya watched keenly as Inchara was handling multiple things at the same time.Doing the math,keeping an eye on whether all the goods were being loaded correctly into the vans,checking whether the guests were being treated well.In exact 20 minutes Aditya saw her finish off all tasks and freshening up and coming.
"Hello,sorry for being a bit rude that time,i m Inchara " she said extending her hand.That was a change,mainly because in villages the only greeting a boy and girl can make is a folded hand namaskar.
"I am Aditya,i had come on a vacation here,i am a .." and before he could complete
"Software engineer" she said moving her tresses aside with a mocking smile on her face.
"Yeah how did you know..hold on before you say that if you throw a stone anywhere in Bangalore and compare us to dogs,let us stop it there"
"No i did not mean to say that,Ajji had distributed sweets to us saying her grandson in Bangalore had gotten a job in a big company",although she wanted to say the exact same thing as what Aditya had feared,she dint want to insult in any which way,so ended up making a reason.
"Anyways what did u want to know?"
"Well whats your business all about,how did you bring this up and other stuff,want to see if i can get some inspiration"
"Dont mind,today is tuesday and its time for my weekly visit to the temple,can we talk some other day?,or will you join me,we can talk on the way",she said in a cool way.
"On the way,only us?i mean is that allowed here and all?" he asked almost conjuring up all the aunties coming together and gossiping about the boy and girl.
"Oh come on,i think the only thing outdated here is you " she said smiling."Come lets go"
They decided to walk to the nearby temple.The temple was on a hill and people had to climb a lot of steps to get there.From the top, the Arabian Sea could be seen in full splendour.All through the way she explained how she got help from KSSIDC in giving her the infrastructure and guidance for free.She used to export a whole variety of food items and lot many more ingenuous things.All through the "green route" Aditya was taking a lot of pics which irked Inchara a bit.
"Why are you taking so many photos?" she asked.
"This is the only place where i get to see nature and its beauty,at the rate the trees are being cut in Bangalore,i think very soon to even see trees we will have to come to Kumta" he said.
"Oh ok you are also nature conservator,so what would your views be on the dam being built on the agnashini river nearby?"
"Well it should be stopped,i mean so many ppl are getting displaced" he said almost in a "I am right about this" tone.
She disagreed telling that looking at the benefit it would giving in the long term,it should be done.They argued over the entire algae and moss filled steps to the temple.
Cool breeze was flowing at the top and Inchara was having a hard time keeping her hair away from her eyes.They decided to sit inside the temple to avoid the impending rain.However they were hardly getting anytime to talk given the popularity of Inchara.This was causing a slight ache in Aditya's mind and some envy crept in.
A few days after this,they again met on the occasion of the marriage of one of their common friends.Aditya's grandmom had forcibly tagged along Aditya. Dressed in a kurta ,he was standing in a corner trying to avoid the "family audience".Inchara came along with her father,dressed in a neatly embroidered red saree complete with ghungrus and jhumkas.Aditya overheard some of the elder women talking about Inchara and how she would be ideal for their sons.Some were apprehensive about a a businesswoman being a daughter-in-law.Most of the conversations bordered on the eccentric.
Aditya was amused by all this.He felt a tap on his shoulder.
"So Mr.Software Engineer of a MNC ,what are you doing standing in this corner" she asked.
"Nothing i am trying to avoid all the aunties,uncles,chotus,there is hardly anybody of our age here" he said.
"True,even i am forced to come along with father..hey tell you what after lunch i have a great idea,lets go to the beach"
"What?why the beach" he said
"Its been a long time for me,plus it would good to have a similar aged company.Lets go there, i will get some kokam juice and we can have a small party of our own."
"Kokam juice??thats your idea of a party?" he said."You just come along" she said.
Aditya agreed to this plan and soon after lunch they rushed to Inchara's friends home.She changed to a jeans and t shirt and they made their way to the beach.It was empty at that point in time.They sat under a coconut tree.
Aditya liked the way she was able to carry both the traditional and casual style with elan.
"Thanks for coming along,i am so busy the rest of the 6 days,sunday is one day i want to chill out" she said.
"Chill out!! " Aditya couldnt control his laughter now,he wanted to know what are the ways to "chill out" in the village."Oh we have our own ways to do it " she said."Of course we are not as adventurous when letting our hair down like you city people"
"So what do you do on weekends therein Bangalore" she asked "Pubs,booze?"
"Again a stereotypical image of banglaoreans.." and before he could complete it "Even u have about us,so why cant we have the same?" she asked.
"Anyways thats not the point,i usually go out with my friends or sometimes with family also"."what about you"? he asked
"Well dad and i go to Yana,Karwar,Gokarna and some nearby places in the weekend.Om Beach is my favourite,only place for us to see so many cultures intermingling with each other"
"Ya in Om Beach,the phoren women are too good"he said now almost smiling naughtily.
She cleared her throat and "Ya besides that also is fun,i mean the men there,some of the most incredible bodies i have seen".
"Huh,wow wasnt expecting that response" he said.
"Why when you ppl can talk lecherously about other girls we cant do the same is it,anyways it was more to stop you from talking like that in front of me,I hate this typical behaviour of ur gender"
Aditya was all zip sealed.
Changing the topic he said
"Hey why dint ur mother come along?"
"My mother passed away 2 years back in an accident and she fell silent" " i couldnt forget her,i tried all possible means,then struck upon starting my own business to divert my mind and put my brain to use."
"Oh i am sorry for that",Aditya could somehow sense that Inchara was feeling burdened both by death of her mother and her business.
"I am the only child.Dad has become very possessive about me after that,even tells that the boy i will be marrying will have to come and stay with us here,as he doesnt want to be left alone"
"But you will be coming to meet him and taking care otherwise also right,i mean ,i actually dont know,these things are very complicated for me,so i better not talk"
"You will,i mean everybody has to...............
"And i wanted to just come and meet the person who has got everyone praising,plus nothing much happens in the village anyway,so wanted to check you out" and smiled,showing 18 of his crystal white teeth(guess colgate salt toothpaste had helped)
"Check me out??,what do u mean?" ,her tone was getting more angrier now.
"No i dint mean the other way,i wanted to just meet the person,see what business is being run,just to get more informed thats all,sorry if it felt like i was meaning something else,btw i am Saraswathi Amma's grandson" ,he said thinking that the name of his famous grandmother may get him some leverage with her.
Her tone suddenly changed."Oh ok u are Sarsu Ajji's grandson,give me 20 minutes,i will just wrap up the accounts calculations and meet you in a while in the verandah.Just make yourself comfortable" and so saying she directed one of the maids to serve him a glass of butter milk.The drink was the default introductory serving in all homes in Kumta.
Aditya watched keenly as Inchara was handling multiple things at the same time.Doing the math,keeping an eye on whether all the goods were being loaded correctly into the vans,checking whether the guests were being treated well.In exact 20 minutes Aditya saw her finish off all tasks and freshening up and coming.
"Hello,sorry for being a bit rude that time,i m Inchara " she said extending her hand.That was a change,mainly because in villages the only greeting a boy and girl can make is a folded hand namaskar.
"I am Aditya,i had come on a vacation here,i am a .." and before he could complete
"Software engineer" she said moving her tresses aside with a mocking smile on her face.
"Yeah how did you know..hold on before you say that if you throw a stone anywhere in Bangalore and compare us to dogs,let us stop it there"
"No i did not mean to say that,Ajji had distributed sweets to us saying her grandson in Bangalore had gotten a job in a big company",although she wanted to say the exact same thing as what Aditya had feared,she dint want to insult in any which way,so ended up making a reason.
"Anyways what did u want to know?"
"Well whats your business all about,how did you bring this up and other stuff,want to see if i can get some inspiration"
"Dont mind,today is tuesday and its time for my weekly visit to the temple,can we talk some other day?,or will you join me,we can talk on the way",she said in a cool way.
"On the way,only us?i mean is that allowed here and all?" he asked almost conjuring up all the aunties coming together and gossiping about the boy and girl.
"Oh come on,i think the only thing outdated here is you " she said smiling."Come lets go"
They decided to walk to the nearby temple.The temple was on a hill and people had to climb a lot of steps to get there.From the top, the Arabian Sea could be seen in full splendour.All through the way she explained how she got help from KSSIDC in giving her the infrastructure and guidance for free.She used to export a whole variety of food items and lot many more ingenuous things.All through the "green route" Aditya was taking a lot of pics which irked Inchara a bit.
"Why are you taking so many photos?" she asked.
"This is the only place where i get to see nature and its beauty,at the rate the trees are being cut in Bangalore,i think very soon to even see trees we will have to come to Kumta" he said.
"Oh ok you are also nature conservator,so what would your views be on the dam being built on the agnashini river nearby?"
"Well it should be stopped,i mean so many ppl are getting displaced" he said almost in a "I am right about this" tone.
She disagreed telling that looking at the benefit it would giving in the long term,it should be done.They argued over the entire algae and moss filled steps to the temple.
Cool breeze was flowing at the top and Inchara was having a hard time keeping her hair away from her eyes.They decided to sit inside the temple to avoid the impending rain.However they were hardly getting anytime to talk given the popularity of Inchara.This was causing a slight ache in Aditya's mind and some envy crept in.
A few days after this,they again met on the occasion of the marriage of one of their common friends.Aditya's grandmom had forcibly tagged along Aditya. Dressed in a kurta ,he was standing in a corner trying to avoid the "family audience".Inchara came along with her father,dressed in a neatly embroidered red saree complete with ghungrus and jhumkas.Aditya overheard some of the elder women talking about Inchara and how she would be ideal for their sons.Some were apprehensive about a a businesswoman being a daughter-in-law.Most of the conversations bordered on the eccentric.
Aditya was amused by all this.He felt a tap on his shoulder.
"So Mr.Software Engineer of a MNC ,what are you doing standing in this corner" she asked.
"Nothing i am trying to avoid all the aunties,uncles,chotus,there is hardly anybody of our age here" he said.
"True,even i am forced to come along with father..hey tell you what after lunch i have a great idea,lets go to the beach"
"What?why the beach" he said
"Its been a long time for me,plus it would good to have a similar aged company.Lets go there, i will get some kokam juice and we can have a small party of our own."
"Kokam juice??thats your idea of a party?" he said."You just come along" she said.
Aditya agreed to this plan and soon after lunch they rushed to Inchara's friends home.She changed to a jeans and t shirt and they made their way to the beach.It was empty at that point in time.They sat under a coconut tree.
Aditya liked the way she was able to carry both the traditional and casual style with elan.
"Thanks for coming along,i am so busy the rest of the 6 days,sunday is one day i want to chill out" she said.
"Chill out!! " Aditya couldnt control his laughter now,he wanted to know what are the ways to "chill out" in the village."Oh we have our own ways to do it " she said."Of course we are not as adventurous when letting our hair down like you city people"
"So what do you do on weekends therein Bangalore" she asked "Pubs,booze?"
"Again a stereotypical image of banglaoreans.." and before he could complete it "Even u have about us,so why cant we have the same?" she asked.
"Anyways thats not the point,i usually go out with my friends or sometimes with family also"."what about you"? he asked
"Well dad and i go to Yana,Karwar,Gokarna and some nearby places in the weekend.Om Beach is my favourite,only place for us to see so many cultures intermingling with each other"
"Ya in Om Beach,the phoren women are too good"he said now almost smiling naughtily.
She cleared her throat and "Ya besides that also is fun,i mean the men there,some of the most incredible bodies i have seen".
"Huh,wow wasnt expecting that response" he said.
"Why when you ppl can talk lecherously about other girls we cant do the same is it,anyways it was more to stop you from talking like that in front of me,I hate this typical behaviour of ur gender"
Aditya was all zip sealed.
Changing the topic he said
"Hey why dint ur mother come along?"
"My mother passed away 2 years back in an accident and she fell silent" " i couldnt forget her,i tried all possible means,then struck upon starting my own business to divert my mind and put my brain to use."
"Oh i am sorry for that",Aditya could somehow sense that Inchara was feeling burdened both by death of her mother and her business.
"I am the only child.Dad has become very possessive about me after that,even tells that the boy i will be marrying will have to come and stay with us here,as he doesnt want to be left alone"
"But you will be coming to meet him and taking care otherwise also right,i mean ,i actually dont know,these things are very complicated for me,so i better not talk"
"You will,i mean everybody has to...............
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
FEELINGS III -Part 1
At the outset i would like to thank all the people who have knowingly or unknowingly given a lot of material on which i can splurge my creativity and imagination.I dont know what genre this story would be classified under because frankly i am as confused as my lead protagonist Aditya.Why i chose this name?Because i have always been in love with dynamism,symbols which denote the same.I wanted the name to be "Fire" but dont know whether the character i am writing would imbibe these.The girl's character would be Inchara.As the name suggests the girl is pretty,beautiful ,independent minded,ambitious with a strong conviction.I have loved imagining this character and the various facets of her personality.Hopefully i would be able to bring it into written words.
The faces of both the characters would be left to the imagination of the readers.Fill in the faces u want to and hope you enjoy reading it.
SO here goes
FEELINGS III
The time was ticking in his watch.The seconds hand moved closer to 9,the hour hand moved closer to 5.He was sitting in a reclined position in his Cavalier office chair whose back he could not fix to make it straight.His manager might have thought that the guy was wasted.As he reclined back and looked at the textured ceiling overhead, he saw the Emergency Exit board above him.His heart asked him to follow the instruction,mind said "wait,not yet".Two years back he had joined work ,after completion of his engineering degree with full enthusiasm hoping to do some great work and make a name for himself.
Reality was that work was coming to him either in flood or drought and he was unhappy of the inconsistency.He felt that his brain was not being used much to do the mundane job any degree passout would be able to do.His life had become shallow,less contact with friends,relatives,basically having lesser time for himself and having lost the desire in everything.He was going more and more towards mental bankruptcy.
Situation had come to such a pass that he was not even completing the sentences he had started.Same office,same colleagues,the sameness was killing him - Aditya who loved change everyday.
That day as he sat there he felt blank as though there was a huge void which had to filled.He decided that enough was enough and packed his laptop bag and headed straight to his home.As he sat in the office cab looking out of the window ,there was a slight drizzle and in a particular stretch there were some agricultural fields which looked inviting and reminded him of his native.The smell of the ground due to the drizzle mesmerized him.It had been 6 years since his last visit.He thought that this was a good time to rejuvenate himself and get his priorities right.
So he decided to take two weeks off and visit his native ,the beautiful coastal town of Kumta.But first he had to talk his Dad into allowing him to go as he wouldnt appreciate such random decisions.Insincerity was one thing his dad hated in individuals and most certainly his own son.
Aditya hesitatingly asked "Papa,i want to go to Kumta and stay for two weeks with Ajji"
Dad suddenly raised his eye and asked "Why suddenly?dont u have office?"
"Yeah Papa but i am sick and tired of the same job ,the same computer,the same people,i want to get away from all this"
"Oh Really?Sunanda did you hear what your son is saying?hasnt worked fully for 2 years yet and he is already sick of it,what about us who have worked for 30 years in the same organisation?Your generation i tell u.anyways Adi if u really want to go,u are free to".
Making his mom agree was not a big task for him.He called up his sister and told her that he would be leaving to Kumta soon.Even she was surprised by the sudden urgency in the tone of her brother though she had realised that he was not in his elements for some time now.
Aditya packed all the necessary items,his guitar which he had nicknamed as Sanorita and left to Kumta by bus.
KUMTA
As soon as he reached the bus stand he could smell the smokes from the chimneys common in every home there.Fresh green vegetables was laid on the floor just next to the bus stand.The people there were in no hurry.Some of them were waking up from last nights "toddy" effect.There were Red stains everywhere and it seemed that Paan and not rice was their staple diet.Aditya climbed onto the bus that would take him to his grandma's place.
For a person used to living in AC the smell was unbearable.All along the routes he could see inclined roofs made of mangalore tiles,compounds made of green,thorny cactuses.It was as though the land had been swamped by greenery and this was more so because of the rains which had just set in.There were traces of tar here and there.He could see the sea at a distance.Fisherwomen wearing blouseless sarees(usually dull green ones) chewing paan,men sitting idle were soon throughout the 6 km distance.
He was welcomed as a grandchild would normally be.As was the tradition both coconut drink and butter milk were offered as options.
As he sat down on the cot he asked grandma to update all the going ons there.All he heard was about how a young girl had started off her own business there.She was apparently exporting the products to "FOREIGNA"(that was how it was called).The house had a few more visitors that day and most of them seemed to have been overawed by the BIJNESS that was started.
The next day intrigued by this,Aditya decided to go and meet the young girl who had started off her own business.Even though there was a slight drizzle Aditya decided to go anyway.
When he reached there he saw a person carrying a bag full of jackfruit chips packets to be loaded into a van.
"Anna where can i meet your boss"
"Akkavra?she is inside"
After multiple directions and misdirections he finally caught sight of the girl.Though her back was towards him.She was directing the various helpers on what to do and what not and was getting irritated when the things were not being done as she wanted them to.Aditya thought it was not a good time to disturb her.So he waited around and asked one of the helpers to inform "madam".
On being informed the girl turned back.
Initial description:
Height : 5 feet 5inch
Color :Wheatish
Hairstyle : Step-cut
And figure dainty as though she would collapse anytime.She was still wiping the sweat of her forehead.Prolonged standing the drizzle had meant her hair was still dripping water.And her dress was all messed up and looked as though the boss had become one with the labourers.
Aditya was somehow caught up with the whole process of the water droplets kissing her hair,flowing down smoothly and falling to the ground below.
"You wanted something?" she asked in an irritating manner almost ready to dismiss him.
"Yes he said" and .........................................
The faces of both the characters would be left to the imagination of the readers.Fill in the faces u want to and hope you enjoy reading it.
SO here goes
FEELINGS III
The time was ticking in his watch.The seconds hand moved closer to 9,the hour hand moved closer to 5.He was sitting in a reclined position in his Cavalier office chair whose back he could not fix to make it straight.His manager might have thought that the guy was wasted.As he reclined back and looked at the textured ceiling overhead, he saw the Emergency Exit board above him.His heart asked him to follow the instruction,mind said "wait,not yet".Two years back he had joined work ,after completion of his engineering degree with full enthusiasm hoping to do some great work and make a name for himself.
Reality was that work was coming to him either in flood or drought and he was unhappy of the inconsistency.He felt that his brain was not being used much to do the mundane job any degree passout would be able to do.His life had become shallow,less contact with friends,relatives,basically having lesser time for himself and having lost the desire in everything.He was going more and more towards mental bankruptcy.
Situation had come to such a pass that he was not even completing the sentences he had started.Same office,same colleagues,the sameness was killing him - Aditya who loved change everyday.
That day as he sat there he felt blank as though there was a huge void which had to filled.He decided that enough was enough and packed his laptop bag and headed straight to his home.As he sat in the office cab looking out of the window ,there was a slight drizzle and in a particular stretch there were some agricultural fields which looked inviting and reminded him of his native.The smell of the ground due to the drizzle mesmerized him.It had been 6 years since his last visit.He thought that this was a good time to rejuvenate himself and get his priorities right.
So he decided to take two weeks off and visit his native ,the beautiful coastal town of Kumta.But first he had to talk his Dad into allowing him to go as he wouldnt appreciate such random decisions.Insincerity was one thing his dad hated in individuals and most certainly his own son.
Aditya hesitatingly asked "Papa,i want to go to Kumta and stay for two weeks with Ajji"
Dad suddenly raised his eye and asked "Why suddenly?dont u have office?"
"Yeah Papa but i am sick and tired of the same job ,the same computer,the same people,i want to get away from all this"
"Oh Really?Sunanda did you hear what your son is saying?hasnt worked fully for 2 years yet and he is already sick of it,what about us who have worked for 30 years in the same organisation?Your generation i tell u.anyways Adi if u really want to go,u are free to".
Making his mom agree was not a big task for him.He called up his sister and told her that he would be leaving to Kumta soon.Even she was surprised by the sudden urgency in the tone of her brother though she had realised that he was not in his elements for some time now.
Aditya packed all the necessary items,his guitar which he had nicknamed as Sanorita and left to Kumta by bus.
KUMTA
As soon as he reached the bus stand he could smell the smokes from the chimneys common in every home there.Fresh green vegetables was laid on the floor just next to the bus stand.The people there were in no hurry.Some of them were waking up from last nights "toddy" effect.There were Red stains everywhere and it seemed that Paan and not rice was their staple diet.Aditya climbed onto the bus that would take him to his grandma's place.
For a person used to living in AC the smell was unbearable.All along the routes he could see inclined roofs made of mangalore tiles,compounds made of green,thorny cactuses.It was as though the land had been swamped by greenery and this was more so because of the rains which had just set in.There were traces of tar here and there.He could see the sea at a distance.Fisherwomen wearing blouseless sarees(usually dull green ones) chewing paan,men sitting idle were soon throughout the 6 km distance.
He was welcomed as a grandchild would normally be.As was the tradition both coconut drink and butter milk were offered as options.
As he sat down on the cot he asked grandma to update all the going ons there.All he heard was about how a young girl had started off her own business there.She was apparently exporting the products to "FOREIGNA"(that was how it was called).The house had a few more visitors that day and most of them seemed to have been overawed by the BIJNESS that was started.
The next day intrigued by this,Aditya decided to go and meet the young girl who had started off her own business.Even though there was a slight drizzle Aditya decided to go anyway.
When he reached there he saw a person carrying a bag full of jackfruit chips packets to be loaded into a van.
"Anna where can i meet your boss"
"Akkavra?she is inside"
After multiple directions and misdirections he finally caught sight of the girl.Though her back was towards him.She was directing the various helpers on what to do and what not and was getting irritated when the things were not being done as she wanted them to.Aditya thought it was not a good time to disturb her.So he waited around and asked one of the helpers to inform "madam".
On being informed the girl turned back.
Initial description:
Height : 5 feet 5inch
Color :Wheatish
Hairstyle : Step-cut
And figure dainty as though she would collapse anytime.She was still wiping the sweat of her forehead.Prolonged standing the drizzle had meant her hair was still dripping water.And her dress was all messed up and looked as though the boss had become one with the labourers.
Aditya was somehow caught up with the whole process of the water droplets kissing her hair,flowing down smoothly and falling to the ground below.
"You wanted something?" she asked in an irritating manner almost ready to dismiss him.
"Yes he said" and .........................................
Saturday, May 9, 2009
AGNASHINI ADVENTURES
Ok so until now i was writing my stories under the pseudonym of Jatin.But now i want to write this real story which i hope u readers enjoy.
Well i had this dream of living in the dense forests,with fresh water flowing on the side and me living in solitude far away from polluted minds and mindsets of the cities.Basically wanted to live the life of the early man knowing fully well that it was not possible now.You see even i have responsibilities.
Anyways this was in July 2007.I had gone to my village GudKagal,Kumta.The Agnashini Mountain stood tall,handsome and mysterious front of our grandfather's home.Lot many stories about the mountain were going around about it,of ghosts who would strike down people in the narrow creeks in the night after 12,of foxes and wolves which had inhabited the forest in the mountain,of an old king's 'NIDHI'(meaning pots of golds).
Well i had this dream of living in the dense forests,with fresh water flowing on the side and me living in solitude far away from polluted minds and mindsets of the cities.Basically wanted to live the life of the early man knowing fully well that it was not possible now.You see even i have responsibilities.
Anyways this was in July 2007.I had gone to my village GudKagal,Kumta.The Agnashini Mountain stood tall,handsome and mysterious front of our grandfather's home.Lot many stories about the mountain were going around about it,of ghosts who would strike down people in the narrow creeks in the night after 12,of foxes and wolves which had inhabited the forest in the mountain,of an old king's 'NIDHI'(meaning pots of golds).
The king was KrishnaDevaraya and he had a Guru named Vidyaranya Pandit of whom we are all the descendents.The story was that some of the king's gold was hid by the Guru's disciples in the mountains on the request of the King.
Right then we had arrived in our ancestral home.Another of my techie cousin had also come along with us.He was a adventure freak and he had as many as 65 treks,4 bungee jumps and many other adventure sports to his name.We had planned to go for a trek of the Agnishini Betta,but this had to be a clandestine adventure.The stories told were so horrifying that none of our parents would have any hesitation in dismissing our request.
So the plan was set.We were to demystify all the stories we had heard one by one.We had to take care also of one another thing.Poisonous king cobras and small 'dhoolbakris'(dust snakes),pythons and other poison heavy lizards.So we had to take care of taking anti-venom injections.Having gone on such dangerous treks before my cousin Manjunath Bhat had sufficient experience in handling all the logistics.
We included two other people in our group.One Raghu Bhat-the local boy who had attempted to scale the Agnashini before(also my maternal cousin) and another Murthy who just wanted to part of something unique.He was off late going through a bad patch in his life as he had failed in degree exams and was having a rough time with his parents continuous rebuke.He wanted to just get away from all that atleast for a while.
We were to go in the night after 12 when all in the home were sound asleep.One problem was my grandfather used to sleep outside on the cot in the 'Angala'( for people not familiar with the term-its an open area in villages outside the house made of cowdung).His senses even at the ripe age of 81 was better than any of ours.So we had to be extra careful.Then there was the dog problem-"Raju" was always alert even in its sleep.
We had kept our backpacks ready in the evening in the water pump room so that no one would notice it. Bhat and Murthy were supposed to meet us near the base. We slowly slipped away from the home attracting of course some snarls from Raju.It was 11.45 pm and we had made our way through the narrow creek adjacent to our jameenu.(meaning land).
The road leading to the mountain had traces of tar here and there but due to the coastal rains they were ravaged.It was as though the skin was ripped apart and only the bones(stones) were showing. We first waited for the time to strike 12.So after putting all the medicines in one container-the antivenom given by our good friend Babu doctor included.
Murthy came stylishly dressed not looking one bit that he was coming for a rigourous trek. We looked up the giant mountain,although not big on height it was spread over a large area with the Arabian Sea to the left of it and the Agnashini river to the right.Agnashini beckoned now and we started our trek to unravel the various stories we had heard as young children.
As we made our way through we came across an isolated shack.Bhat said that it was haunted in his usual eyes wide opened manner.He had this habit of giving wind to any rumours.Otherwise he was a purohit in the Amnnavra Temple under the guidance of his father.We dint believe him at first.Manju in his usual abrasive style went inside the cottage to check it out for himself.We all followed him although Murthy stood outside(he dint want to take a chance ;) ).
There was a tiny chimney burning in the corner which indicated to us that the shack was habitated.The doors and the ceiling had begun to leak not being able to take the battering of the rains.The shack was very shabby and on the floor lay a half empty notebook.It was written in malayam. Kumta had a history of people from Kerala coming and settling there either as fishermen,priests or even pimps.
None of us could make any sense of it.Just then we heard footsteps at a distance outside.We rushed outside and hid behind the dense shrubs.The footsteps were becoming more shriller and shriller.Just then we saw a person wearing a cap,torn shirt and dhoti getting into the shack.
The Gud Kagal village was small and hence we would know most of them in the village.We had not been able to see his face properly.Just then he again went out with the notebook which we had seen.We wondered which person in his right senses would roam around at this hour,but then weren't we doing the same thing.
Then Manju said that we dint have any more time to waste as we had to get back to home by dawn.So we decided to drop the case of the mysterious wanderer then and continued up.After a continuous trek of half an hour with nothing much eventful to have happened we decided to take some rest.As it rained the previous evening it was hard to find a place which was not marshy or wet.
Just then we heard wolf cries. It seemed whatever it was ,it was nearby.Manju and Bhat picked up some wood and lit them,just in case there were animals around.Our bronze coloured torches had become redundant in these days of mobile torches.
To be continued soon.............
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Season 1 Episode 4
The goons barged in and one of them said that it would not be good if the complaint was not taken back.Just then M.Venkatesh entered the scene and was asking that fellow to calm down as if to show he was a fair person.He asked Shashwath to kindly take the complaint back.Anybody who met Venkatesh would have been fooled by his sugar sweet voice,his boyish looks and cool demeanour.Nobody knew of the monster lurking inside.
Next day as Shashwath was leaving for his college which he used to rarely attend,on his bike,Sunaina asked whether he could drop her as both their colleges were nearby.Shashwath had never had a girl sit on the backseat of his bike except for his mother.He showed a bit of reluctance but Sunaina said that she had an important test that day and therefore he finally agreed.There was a lot of traffic that day as one of the political party had organised a protest rally bang in the middle of the city.
Shashwath was really pissed off by this indifference of these political leaders for the common man.The more disturbing part was that they were not even apologetic after seeing the mess and chaos they had created.Somehow Shashwath managed to drop her in time.He also attended his college after 3 months since the last time.
Sunaina's friends had seen a boy dropping her and after the test they asked her that.Now she thought that if she said that he was her boyfriend she would atleast end the back slapping comments from her friends momentarily.She said that as well in reaction to which a lot of teenage talk happened.
She started asking drop from him daily and even he slowly started getting used to the idea of a girl on the backseat.One such day she suggested that they have a coffee together in Cafe Coffee Day.He resisted.Why to go there? he asked.For him the people inside these stylish glass houses lived in their own castles far away from reality.He felt uncomfortable within such atmospheres.Sunaina was different.These were places to hang out with friends,have fun and live life.
Finally it was the girl's call.She even promised to pay for it.When the coffees arrived at the table,Shashwath as was his habit of drinking tea/coffee fast gulped the entire drink at a stretch.Sunaina was enjoying was enjoying each sip when she noticed that he had finished fast and was sitting there waiting for her to finish fast.He wanted to get out of there while she just wanted company.
She then ordered something to eat but even in that he was over with in lightning speed."You are always this fast or today something special?"she quipped.Shashwath was an impatient person and around girls he used to be shy also.He waited till she finished hers but all the time just giving her a reminder that he was getting late.
As he was dropping Sunaina near her college gate her friends talked to him as they would with their other friend's boyfriends.He was not getting a hang of what they were meaning but Sunaina managed to send him away."He doesnt speak much,does he" asked one of her friends.She just smiled and tried to divert the attention to something else.
As Shashwath and Sunaina grew a bit more friendly she asked him as to why he used to dress like an old politician.He asked as to why she was bothered about that."You dont respect others opinions only,you are so resistant to change"she said.He replied back "if i change my every trait for each and every person,then what would be left of me?".That struck a chord with her.She realised her childishness in trying to copy the trend.
She also dint want to change because it was the "in" thing but now she still had 2 years in college and for that to go smoothly she dint want to flip flop on this.So the status quo continued.
March 11th 2009:Dawn 4.00 am
Some bags were being offloaded from a truck near ShivajiNagar.The BOMBS were ready and the BOMBERS were even more.The plan was of massive simultaneous serial blasts in the crowded markets of Bangalore.Teams were divided and the plan was being reaffirmed.One team left to City market,one to Malleswaram,one to Basavangudi,One to Yeshwantpur and another to M.G.Road.
This was the sleeper cell of Jung-E-Farat which had become active after months of training and recceing.However this was being used as a diversionary tactic for their ultimate goal of entering Vidhan Soudha and holding the state and country to ransom.Rajat and Varun were about to go together for another audition in Varun's father' car.Varun' father was a government employee and was a highly corrupt officer.His vehicle had the green pass which allowed the car to enter right upto the main entrance as he was a high ranking officer.Through all their sources the fidayeens had come to know of this.
The terrorists had also taken into confidence an inside person in the Vidhan Soudha to keep all the necessary equipment ready,enter them away from the prying security eyes.Everything was perfectly planned including who would join them once they were inside.Two men approaching as Bank Insurance agents had approached Varun's father some days before and had asked his appointment in the morning of march 11th.
They came that morning to the house and asked whether they could go along with him in the car.Varun's father knew that if this contract was made his pockets would be refilled to a large extent.He greedily agreed.But he said that on the way he had to drop of certain documents in Soudha.
9.30 a.m: Bombs were in place.Everything was set.Bomb Blasts had to happen just as the car entered near the Vidhan Soudha security gate.Mobiles were the triggering device.As Rajat and Varun sat inside the car which was jampacked due to the new guests,there was insufficient place.They somehow adjusted and the car sped away.
10 a.m:As the car stood for checking,a mobile button was pressed and......
To be continued.......
Next day as Shashwath was leaving for his college which he used to rarely attend,on his bike,Sunaina asked whether he could drop her as both their colleges were nearby.Shashwath had never had a girl sit on the backseat of his bike except for his mother.He showed a bit of reluctance but Sunaina said that she had an important test that day and therefore he finally agreed.There was a lot of traffic that day as one of the political party had organised a protest rally bang in the middle of the city.
Shashwath was really pissed off by this indifference of these political leaders for the common man.The more disturbing part was that they were not even apologetic after seeing the mess and chaos they had created.Somehow Shashwath managed to drop her in time.He also attended his college after 3 months since the last time.
Sunaina's friends had seen a boy dropping her and after the test they asked her that.Now she thought that if she said that he was her boyfriend she would atleast end the back slapping comments from her friends momentarily.She said that as well in reaction to which a lot of teenage talk happened.
She started asking drop from him daily and even he slowly started getting used to the idea of a girl on the backseat.One such day she suggested that they have a coffee together in Cafe Coffee Day.He resisted.Why to go there? he asked.For him the people inside these stylish glass houses lived in their own castles far away from reality.He felt uncomfortable within such atmospheres.Sunaina was different.These were places to hang out with friends,have fun and live life.
Finally it was the girl's call.She even promised to pay for it.When the coffees arrived at the table,Shashwath as was his habit of drinking tea/coffee fast gulped the entire drink at a stretch.Sunaina was enjoying was enjoying each sip when she noticed that he had finished fast and was sitting there waiting for her to finish fast.He wanted to get out of there while she just wanted company.
She then ordered something to eat but even in that he was over with in lightning speed."You are always this fast or today something special?"she quipped.Shashwath was an impatient person and around girls he used to be shy also.He waited till she finished hers but all the time just giving her a reminder that he was getting late.
As he was dropping Sunaina near her college gate her friends talked to him as they would with their other friend's boyfriends.He was not getting a hang of what they were meaning but Sunaina managed to send him away."He doesnt speak much,does he" asked one of her friends.She just smiled and tried to divert the attention to something else.
As Shashwath and Sunaina grew a bit more friendly she asked him as to why he used to dress like an old politician.He asked as to why she was bothered about that."You dont respect others opinions only,you are so resistant to change"she said.He replied back "if i change my every trait for each and every person,then what would be left of me?".That struck a chord with her.She realised her childishness in trying to copy the trend.
She also dint want to change because it was the "in" thing but now she still had 2 years in college and for that to go smoothly she dint want to flip flop on this.So the status quo continued.
March 11th 2009:Dawn 4.00 am
Some bags were being offloaded from a truck near ShivajiNagar.The BOMBS were ready and the BOMBERS were even more.The plan was of massive simultaneous serial blasts in the crowded markets of Bangalore.Teams were divided and the plan was being reaffirmed.One team left to City market,one to Malleswaram,one to Basavangudi,One to Yeshwantpur and another to M.G.Road.
This was the sleeper cell of Jung-E-Farat which had become active after months of training and recceing.However this was being used as a diversionary tactic for their ultimate goal of entering Vidhan Soudha and holding the state and country to ransom.Rajat and Varun were about to go together for another audition in Varun's father' car.Varun' father was a government employee and was a highly corrupt officer.His vehicle had the green pass which allowed the car to enter right upto the main entrance as he was a high ranking officer.Through all their sources the fidayeens had come to know of this.
The terrorists had also taken into confidence an inside person in the Vidhan Soudha to keep all the necessary equipment ready,enter them away from the prying security eyes.Everything was perfectly planned including who would join them once they were inside.Two men approaching as Bank Insurance agents had approached Varun's father some days before and had asked his appointment in the morning of march 11th.
They came that morning to the house and asked whether they could go along with him in the car.Varun's father knew that if this contract was made his pockets would be refilled to a large extent.He greedily agreed.But he said that on the way he had to drop of certain documents in Soudha.
9.30 a.m: Bombs were in place.Everything was set.Bomb Blasts had to happen just as the car entered near the Vidhan Soudha security gate.Mobiles were the triggering device.As Rajat and Varun sat inside the car which was jampacked due to the new guests,there was insufficient place.They somehow adjusted and the car sped away.
10 a.m:As the car stood for checking,a mobile button was pressed and......
To be continued.......
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Season 1 Episode 3
For his good luck it seemed that the conductor almost looked through him.It seemed he could not remember who he was.But for Rahul the case or the conductor was least of his worries.He was thinking of his last 10 days of college life and his girlfriend Sheetal Bhakshi.He dint how it would be possible for him to continue with the relationship.
Everytime he imagined some sort of a future with her he could sense something inside in his head echo with his relatives small talk about one of his aunt's daughter who had married someone from another caste and their constant jibbing about them.
He had always been on the right side of the
society acceptednorms-goodacademics,cultured,caretaker,responsible etc.Now he was not ready to go against his own outer image.Last day of college soon approached and he was bidding goodbye to all his friends.As he stood near the gulmohar tree in the college ground with the old leaves lying around him and colourful leaves above,he thought of the first time he had met Sheetal in the exact same place.
They had met as strangers and they had to separate like that.She came.As he looked into her eyes,he could not believe he could not look at them again.She asked him as to what was wrong with him.But instead of learning the real reason she assumed that he was sad because he would not be able to meet his best buddies in college as regularly as before.She even went to the extent of saying that she would make sure that the guys would be meeting up regularly.
He dint want to break the sweet girl's heart by telling her that it was the last time they would be meeting.Holding her hand he said he could just mutter out "I hope i can meet you atleast more than the times i meet my other friends".She sensed something wrong.Rahul had never talked formally with her before.Before she could ask,he said he had to leave for his home as some relatives were coming by.
Before he went out of the college gate he could not help but look back at her lovely face once more.She stood there looking at him with a face that only illuminated of her love for him.He controlled himself and climbed the bus to his home.As was his regular habit,he immediately plugged into FM Radio 94.3 in the mobile.As though by coincidence but aptly "Ghajini's Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gayi" was playing.
He had heard it umpteen times before but now the song meant more than just Rahman's soulful sound.As the song played on he could imagine the time he had spent with her.Since the time he had met her his viewpoint regarding various things had changed.The night sky had changed from starry to romantic,candles meant love and not just light.He knew he was punishing himself by letting go of her but dint how to do this.He remembered the time she sent message after message to ask how he was feeling after the bus conductor fiasco.
As the various scenes flashed through he realised his stop had come and got down.Just then his mobile beeped.It was a message from Sheetal "Dont forget me" was written.
His hands trembled.This was the toughest test he was facing till then.Relationships had got more complicated than any of the complicated formula he had studied in his engineering.
As he walked past the park he saw Rajat and Varun with their respective girlfriends enjoy the evening near the park fountain.He dint know why only the rich got all they wanted without trying too hard and he had to adhere to all the society rules.Even Venkatesh's "Chokras" could talk to any girl with the people passing bye not even turning a eye."Why Me GOD??".As it is the middle class had to face the wrath of the SYSTEM the most and now even their personal life had rules imposed on them.
If one love story was on the verge of breaking up another one was just starting.Shashwath had organised a protest in front of the police commissioner's office due to the inaction with regard to bringing the eve teasers of Sunaina to book in the last so many days.The police commissioner had finally admitted the F.I.R.Shashwath had brought a copy of that to Rao household.
Sunaina had always thought of Shashwath of as a jobless person,but what he was doing on behalf of her had forced her to look at him in a different perspective.As Shashwath was leaving to his home after having given the copy,Sunaina came out to thank him.He mumbled something and went away from there.He was extremely conscious when talking to girls.
The next day Venkatesh's goons stormed into Shashwath home and..............
To be continued.......
Everytime he imagined some sort of a future with her he could sense something inside in his head echo with his relatives small talk about one of his aunt's daughter who had married someone from another caste and their constant jibbing about them.
He had always been on the right side of the
society acceptednorms-goodacademics,cultured,caretaker,responsible etc.Now he was not ready to go against his own outer image.Last day of college soon approached and he was bidding goodbye to all his friends.As he stood near the gulmohar tree in the college ground with the old leaves lying around him and colourful leaves above,he thought of the first time he had met Sheetal in the exact same place.
They had met as strangers and they had to separate like that.She came.As he looked into her eyes,he could not believe he could not look at them again.She asked him as to what was wrong with him.But instead of learning the real reason she assumed that he was sad because he would not be able to meet his best buddies in college as regularly as before.She even went to the extent of saying that she would make sure that the guys would be meeting up regularly.
He dint want to break the sweet girl's heart by telling her that it was the last time they would be meeting.Holding her hand he said he could just mutter out "I hope i can meet you atleast more than the times i meet my other friends".She sensed something wrong.Rahul had never talked formally with her before.Before she could ask,he said he had to leave for his home as some relatives were coming by.
Before he went out of the college gate he could not help but look back at her lovely face once more.She stood there looking at him with a face that only illuminated of her love for him.He controlled himself and climbed the bus to his home.As was his regular habit,he immediately plugged into FM Radio 94.3 in the mobile.As though by coincidence but aptly "Ghajini's Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gayi" was playing.
He had heard it umpteen times before but now the song meant more than just Rahman's soulful sound.As the song played on he could imagine the time he had spent with her.Since the time he had met her his viewpoint regarding various things had changed.The night sky had changed from starry to romantic,candles meant love and not just light.He knew he was punishing himself by letting go of her but dint how to do this.He remembered the time she sent message after message to ask how he was feeling after the bus conductor fiasco.
As the various scenes flashed through he realised his stop had come and got down.Just then his mobile beeped.It was a message from Sheetal "Dont forget me" was written.
His hands trembled.This was the toughest test he was facing till then.Relationships had got more complicated than any of the complicated formula he had studied in his engineering.
As he walked past the park he saw Rajat and Varun with their respective girlfriends enjoy the evening near the park fountain.He dint know why only the rich got all they wanted without trying too hard and he had to adhere to all the society rules.Even Venkatesh's "Chokras" could talk to any girl with the people passing bye not even turning a eye."Why Me GOD??".As it is the middle class had to face the wrath of the SYSTEM the most and now even their personal life had rules imposed on them.
If one love story was on the verge of breaking up another one was just starting.Shashwath had organised a protest in front of the police commissioner's office due to the inaction with regard to bringing the eve teasers of Sunaina to book in the last so many days.The police commissioner had finally admitted the F.I.R.Shashwath had brought a copy of that to Rao household.
Sunaina had always thought of Shashwath of as a jobless person,but what he was doing on behalf of her had forced her to look at him in a different perspective.As Shashwath was leaving to his home after having given the copy,Sunaina came out to thank him.He mumbled something and went away from there.He was extremely conscious when talking to girls.
The next day Venkatesh's goons stormed into Shashwath home and..............
To be continued.......
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Season 1 Episode 2
There was a park in Shanti Nagar in which there was a room built.It was declared as a library when the park was planned out by the BBMP.But a local corporator M.Venkatesh and his goons were running it as a gymnasium by the day and a brothel by the night.
The goons used to eve tease the girls taking a walk there during the evening.Sunaina had gone there one evening and was taking a walk along with one of her college friend who had come to her house.Sunaina was wearing a pink skirt and this seemed enticing enough to the testerone heavy goons of Venkatesh.
One of them try to rub up against her when the girls were passing by.This brazen act continued with another one of them joining and trying to pull the skirt of Sunaina.She cried out and this led to a horde of people of gathering.One of the elderly rebuked the boys and escorted the girls back to Sunaina's home.
The other people knew of the power of those goons and went away silently not realising that their daughters or wives would be in the same position one day.Nobody dared to voice their opinion against the goons because of the "connections" and the power they had.
Sunaina's father was extremely angry and decided it was time to take some action.He decided that he would lodge a complaint with the local police station.However the Superintendent there was also hand in glove with M.Venkatesh.He took the complaint but no action was taken in the following days.However some of the people had begun to talk in hushed tones that it was not right for a girl to walk in skirts in that park knowing that goondas stayed there.
Some even had gone to the extent to say that she might have gone there on purpose to seek attention.Sunaina's parents had made sure that she dint get to listen all this as they knew she was a very sensitive girl and she may take it wrongly.Though Shashwath had strong dislike for Sunaina he went along with Sunaina's father to the corporator's home but he dint ask them to sit as they were not "powerful".
Sunaina's father was feeling helpless.The association meeting happened and all took an unanimous decision to restore the room in the park to a library.They sent a memorandum to the BBMP but empty promises were many but again nothing happened.Soon the fracas was forgotten by everyone else but the scars for Sunaina and her family dint go away.
Neha was a pillar of support for Sunaina and she dropped Sunaina to college everyday as Sunaina dint have the spirit to go alone.Neha was not feeling right about the inaction by the authorities.She decided to take the media route.She contacted one of her contacts in TV9 and compelled them to air a program about this issue.
However the channel aired the program in such a manner that Sunaina's character was also doubted.Sunaina's parents had started getting calls from their relatives and the usual mocking and cynical questions followed.They could not take it and they were angry with Neha and Sunaina for having done this without their knowledge.Sunaina's father wept and asked Neha to leave them alone.
Rajat was told about this episode but as always he was lost in his own world.He and his friend Varun had auditioned jointly for the role and the results were about to put up in a few days.In the mean time they had gone partying to a pub.Neha had also come along with her friends.Some of her friends were drinking.Rajat saw this.Although he used to act all cool and never had any biases about girls going to pubs and all,he went over to Neha and asked "Hey dont drink yaar,you know girls...i mean girls drinking doesnt look right you know??"
Neha looked with a puzzled face.It was a surprise as the "cool" Rajat could ask this.Although she did not drink she found Rajat a hypocrite.She dint know why girls having their share of fun was looked through a tinted glass.She thought about it on her way back home.
Meanwhile Shashwath had convinced Rahul to lodge a complaint against the bus conductor.Two days later Rahul climbed a bus back to his home from college.To his surprise it was the same conductor!! They looked at each other and ...
To be continued......
The goons used to eve tease the girls taking a walk there during the evening.Sunaina had gone there one evening and was taking a walk along with one of her college friend who had come to her house.Sunaina was wearing a pink skirt and this seemed enticing enough to the testerone heavy goons of Venkatesh.
One of them try to rub up against her when the girls were passing by.This brazen act continued with another one of them joining and trying to pull the skirt of Sunaina.She cried out and this led to a horde of people of gathering.One of the elderly rebuked the boys and escorted the girls back to Sunaina's home.
The other people knew of the power of those goons and went away silently not realising that their daughters or wives would be in the same position one day.Nobody dared to voice their opinion against the goons because of the "connections" and the power they had.
Sunaina's father was extremely angry and decided it was time to take some action.He decided that he would lodge a complaint with the local police station.However the Superintendent there was also hand in glove with M.Venkatesh.He took the complaint but no action was taken in the following days.However some of the people had begun to talk in hushed tones that it was not right for a girl to walk in skirts in that park knowing that goondas stayed there.
Some even had gone to the extent to say that she might have gone there on purpose to seek attention.Sunaina's parents had made sure that she dint get to listen all this as they knew she was a very sensitive girl and she may take it wrongly.Though Shashwath had strong dislike for Sunaina he went along with Sunaina's father to the corporator's home but he dint ask them to sit as they were not "powerful".
Sunaina's father was feeling helpless.The association meeting happened and all took an unanimous decision to restore the room in the park to a library.They sent a memorandum to the BBMP but empty promises were many but again nothing happened.Soon the fracas was forgotten by everyone else but the scars for Sunaina and her family dint go away.
Neha was a pillar of support for Sunaina and she dropped Sunaina to college everyday as Sunaina dint have the spirit to go alone.Neha was not feeling right about the inaction by the authorities.She decided to take the media route.She contacted one of her contacts in TV9 and compelled them to air a program about this issue.
However the channel aired the program in such a manner that Sunaina's character was also doubted.Sunaina's parents had started getting calls from their relatives and the usual mocking and cynical questions followed.They could not take it and they were angry with Neha and Sunaina for having done this without their knowledge.Sunaina's father wept and asked Neha to leave them alone.
Rajat was told about this episode but as always he was lost in his own world.He and his friend Varun had auditioned jointly for the role and the results were about to put up in a few days.In the mean time they had gone partying to a pub.Neha had also come along with her friends.Some of her friends were drinking.Rajat saw this.Although he used to act all cool and never had any biases about girls going to pubs and all,he went over to Neha and asked "Hey dont drink yaar,you know girls...i mean girls drinking doesnt look right you know??"
Neha looked with a puzzled face.It was a surprise as the "cool" Rajat could ask this.Although she did not drink she found Rajat a hypocrite.She dint know why girls having their share of fun was looked through a tinted glass.She thought about it on her way back home.
Meanwhile Shashwath had convinced Rahul to lodge a complaint against the bus conductor.Two days later Rahul climbed a bus back to his home from college.To his surprise it was the same conductor!! They looked at each other and ...
To be continued......
Thursday, March 5, 2009
SEASON 1-Episode 1
"Bhaiyyo aur Behno,We are the change you have been looking for,we are a party with a difference,we are for the aam admi".Shashwath woke up with a thud.He still remembered the leader's words during a rally held in his college grounds.He was so impressed by the oratory skills of the leader that he had decided to join the party as a member of the youth division of the party.It was 3 years ago.He was beginning to realise the purposelessness.
He had been fooled as had the billions of other aam admi by the false promises.He did not believe in the party idealogy any more as the party itself was not following it.Realising the selfishness of the leaders he wondered whether not giving priority to his studies,being smirked at by society and not even enjoying the work, was worth it.
Just then he heard his father speaking to his mother in the other room about his doomed career.His father was an honest government lower level official.He could hear his father say that he was humiliated when his friends talk about their children who were software engineers or doctors and their six-figure salaries and how he could not proudly talk about his son.
In the morning Sunaina came to ask for milk to his home.They both used to not like each other as he was everything she was not looking for in a boy and she was just a girl who was pretty with no brains for him.They had not bothered to understand each other.Plus her indifference about the society only angered him.
Sunaina gave him a twisted face look and went away from there.He could not believe how could the other youngsters only think about themselves and nothing about the society.He dint like this lackadaisical attitude but what could he do,he was swimming against the tide.
Sunaina on the other hand did not know where her life was going,not that she cared.Valentines day was approaching and she dint have a boyfriend to show off in her Girls-only college.It was the norm and she was feeling the peer pressure.
But she dint want to fall in love with some random guy,but wanted to have the kind of love shown in SRK movies.She was a huge fan of his.Her parents were highly learned people and she being the only child to them wanted her to go for higher studies but Sunaina just wanted to get out of the student mode.
Rahul was packing his bag for college.He was in the final semester of engineering.Everything was going right for this son of a bank manager.He had a rocking career, a dream job and thinking of going abroad for his further studies,a sweet girlfriend about whom he had not told his ultra conservative parents(although they had doubted why his mobile used to vibrate so frequently during the night hours.)
He climbed the bus to college.The conductor took the 10 rupee note for the ticket of 8 rupees,he wrote "2 to give" on the back of the ticket.Rahul then saw the conductor giving change to other people.When he confronted the conductor,the latter abused him with the dirtiest of language.
The conductor said he knew the youth have hot blood and spend their father's money on drinks and cigarettes.Rahul could not take this abuse and retorted back.The recalcitrant conductor virtually threw Rahul out from the slow speed running bus and threw the 2 rupee coin on his face and the bus drove away.
With his shirt all messed up and pant slightly torn he could not believe a person who was right could be treated like this,let alone how a human being could treat another!!He decided to go back to his home.On the way back he met Rajat.He was all decked up with a swanky shirt and torn jeans.He was auditioning for a role of a youngster in a new tv serial.
The casting directors had come to his acting school for the auditions.When Rahul told what had happened to him,Rajat carelessly asked as to why he had to take panga with the conductor for two rupees.
"This is India dude,you have to adjust!!,you are not James Bond man!!" was the answer.This was typical of Rajat.He told this and went away from there.When he reached the gate Neha was leaving for her Arts college.She told that he could go to the "always free" Shashwath and ask his help whether they could lodge any complaint against the conductor.Rahul said that all this drivers and conductors have a powerful lobby and he did not want to invite trouble for his family.
Neha advised him to not tell about this incident to his best friend Shashwath as he would force him to lodge a complaint.Rahul then went to his house and was nursed by his very angry mother.
He had been fooled as had the billions of other aam admi by the false promises.He did not believe in the party idealogy any more as the party itself was not following it.Realising the selfishness of the leaders he wondered whether not giving priority to his studies,being smirked at by society and not even enjoying the work, was worth it.
Just then he heard his father speaking to his mother in the other room about his doomed career.His father was an honest government lower level official.He could hear his father say that he was humiliated when his friends talk about their children who were software engineers or doctors and their six-figure salaries and how he could not proudly talk about his son.
In the morning Sunaina came to ask for milk to his home.They both used to not like each other as he was everything she was not looking for in a boy and she was just a girl who was pretty with no brains for him.They had not bothered to understand each other.Plus her indifference about the society only angered him.
Sunaina gave him a twisted face look and went away from there.He could not believe how could the other youngsters only think about themselves and nothing about the society.He dint like this lackadaisical attitude but what could he do,he was swimming against the tide.
Sunaina on the other hand did not know where her life was going,not that she cared.Valentines day was approaching and she dint have a boyfriend to show off in her Girls-only college.It was the norm and she was feeling the peer pressure.
But she dint want to fall in love with some random guy,but wanted to have the kind of love shown in SRK movies.She was a huge fan of his.Her parents were highly learned people and she being the only child to them wanted her to go for higher studies but Sunaina just wanted to get out of the student mode.
Rahul was packing his bag for college.He was in the final semester of engineering.Everything was going right for this son of a bank manager.He had a rocking career, a dream job and thinking of going abroad for his further studies,a sweet girlfriend about whom he had not told his ultra conservative parents(although they had doubted why his mobile used to vibrate so frequently during the night hours.)
He climbed the bus to college.The conductor took the 10 rupee note for the ticket of 8 rupees,he wrote "2 to give" on the back of the ticket.Rahul then saw the conductor giving change to other people.When he confronted the conductor,the latter abused him with the dirtiest of language.
The conductor said he knew the youth have hot blood and spend their father's money on drinks and cigarettes.Rahul could not take this abuse and retorted back.The recalcitrant conductor virtually threw Rahul out from the slow speed running bus and threw the 2 rupee coin on his face and the bus drove away.
With his shirt all messed up and pant slightly torn he could not believe a person who was right could be treated like this,let alone how a human being could treat another!!He decided to go back to his home.On the way back he met Rajat.He was all decked up with a swanky shirt and torn jeans.He was auditioning for a role of a youngster in a new tv serial.
The casting directors had come to his acting school for the auditions.When Rahul told what had happened to him,Rajat carelessly asked as to why he had to take panga with the conductor for two rupees.
"This is India dude,you have to adjust!!,you are not James Bond man!!" was the answer.This was typical of Rajat.He told this and went away from there.When he reached the gate Neha was leaving for her Arts college.She told that he could go to the "always free" Shashwath and ask his help whether they could lodge any complaint against the conductor.Rahul said that all this drivers and conductors have a powerful lobby and he did not want to invite trouble for his family.
Neha advised him to not tell about this incident to his best friend Shashwath as he would force him to lodge a complaint.Rahul then went to his house and was nursed by his very angry mother.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Diaries of a Common Man-A New Revolution
Welcome to the life of the AAM ADMI. We are a funny bunch of people.We are the hardest working people and take the oppression imposed on us by well "funny" politicians with the phrase "Thoda Adjust karo".10 people sit on a bench meant for 2.We drive through potholes on roads never once asking for accountability for the taxes we pay.We have big dreams,big aspirations but dont want others to have the same.We go green with envy when someone else from our society buys a new car.
We want the surroundings clean but only in front of our houses.Other people can go take a hike.We think a lot before helping anybody-"What favor can i ask in return?".We spit,shit and do all other dirty work but get hyper critical when we see others do the same.Sometimes i dont know whether the rules were meant to follow or break.We worship our cricketers like demi-gods but then hate them as devils when they lose two matches on a trot.
We buy things not according to our need but just to show to the society that even we are there in the league.We are the worst behaving people when we travel abroad and are the worst hosts too.We sometimes walk for 5 kms just to save a rupee but dont mind spending obnoxiously on our weddings.We dont mind having slums in our neighbours but yell our lungs out when a foreigner makes a film on it.
We are all this and more,we have more negative qualities than any stupid blogger can write but you know what we are the Great Indian Middle Class. We are 700 million strong,independent minded.We face all the obstacles which most in the world dont face and yet are LIVING.
Welcome to the Diaries of a Common Man.Welcome to Shanti Nagar.This area's people face the same adverseries that many of us face.But then they took destiny into their own hands.This movement was started by the youth of the area and that resulted in a chain reaction.
Well let me introduce the main characters of Shanti Nagar:
Shashwath Nigam: The boy with the most vocal political voice.All he cares about are the injustices that the people face.He was a rebel and an anti-establishment kind of person.But he was very poor at academics and had become a figure of ridicule in the area and his relatives.Everyone looked down upon him as a fakir with a 3rd rate hobby of politics and his dhoti-kurta style only emphasized that.Although he used to help out the elderly and the women with their troubles his status did not change.He wanted to get into politics and bring about a change.But only he believed in his dream.He belonged to the old school of boys.
Rahul Jaiswal: The blue-eyed boy of Shanti Nagar.He was a topper in studies and a fantastic athlete as well.All the mothers who were due to give birth wished their children to grow up as an allrounder like him.Where there is praise there is envy as well,so some of them even secretly wished that he could no longer be at the pedestal of success.Everything was going right for him.
He wanted to go abroad for his further studies.
Neha Malhotra: The dream girl of the Shanti Nagar boys.Her dressing style had become quite a rage among the girls both in her college and Shanti Nagar.The boys used to try out various ways to flirt with her but Neha was conservative in the core.She liked to have fun but by not crossing the boundaries.She was fairly good at studies but was more good at designing dresses.She wanted to be a fashion designer but her orthodox parents did not want her to get lost in the maya jaal of the fashion world.
Sunaina Rao: She was the average Jane.She was waiting for her dream man to come to her.She was a hopeless romantic.Also a sentimental cry baby-crying at the smallest of remarks or retribution.She was a dreamer and her dreams did not go beyond Mills and Boon type romantic thoughts.Academics was of last priority to her and her parents were always giving the example of Neha and how she was not a patch on her.
Rajat Patel: He wanted to be an actor.He was from one of the richer families of Shanti Nagar.If you ask him he would not even know the Prime Minister of India but would know the name of the assistant director of even a B-grade movie.Such was his prowess in the knowledge of entertainment business.He was trying to get a break in one of the roles of a new Tv serial. He was a floater,always minding his own business and acting dumb about the rest.
This was what they were but what they became and their journey to this will be told in the coming parts.Come join me in their journey of destiny.
We want the surroundings clean but only in front of our houses.Other people can go take a hike.We think a lot before helping anybody-"What favor can i ask in return?".We spit,shit and do all other dirty work but get hyper critical when we see others do the same.Sometimes i dont know whether the rules were meant to follow or break.We worship our cricketers like demi-gods but then hate them as devils when they lose two matches on a trot.
We buy things not according to our need but just to show to the society that even we are there in the league.We are the worst behaving people when we travel abroad and are the worst hosts too.We sometimes walk for 5 kms just to save a rupee but dont mind spending obnoxiously on our weddings.We dont mind having slums in our neighbours but yell our lungs out when a foreigner makes a film on it.
We are all this and more,we have more negative qualities than any stupid blogger can write but you know what we are the Great Indian Middle Class. We are 700 million strong,independent minded.We face all the obstacles which most in the world dont face and yet are LIVING.
Welcome to the Diaries of a Common Man.Welcome to Shanti Nagar.This area's people face the same adverseries that many of us face.But then they took destiny into their own hands.This movement was started by the youth of the area and that resulted in a chain reaction.
Well let me introduce the main characters of Shanti Nagar:
Shashwath Nigam: The boy with the most vocal political voice.All he cares about are the injustices that the people face.He was a rebel and an anti-establishment kind of person.But he was very poor at academics and had become a figure of ridicule in the area and his relatives.Everyone looked down upon him as a fakir with a 3rd rate hobby of politics and his dhoti-kurta style only emphasized that.Although he used to help out the elderly and the women with their troubles his status did not change.He wanted to get into politics and bring about a change.But only he believed in his dream.He belonged to the old school of boys.
Rahul Jaiswal: The blue-eyed boy of Shanti Nagar.He was a topper in studies and a fantastic athlete as well.All the mothers who were due to give birth wished their children to grow up as an allrounder like him.Where there is praise there is envy as well,so some of them even secretly wished that he could no longer be at the pedestal of success.Everything was going right for him.
He wanted to go abroad for his further studies.
Neha Malhotra: The dream girl of the Shanti Nagar boys.Her dressing style had become quite a rage among the girls both in her college and Shanti Nagar.The boys used to try out various ways to flirt with her but Neha was conservative in the core.She liked to have fun but by not crossing the boundaries.She was fairly good at studies but was more good at designing dresses.She wanted to be a fashion designer but her orthodox parents did not want her to get lost in the maya jaal of the fashion world.
Sunaina Rao: She was the average Jane.She was waiting for her dream man to come to her.She was a hopeless romantic.Also a sentimental cry baby-crying at the smallest of remarks or retribution.She was a dreamer and her dreams did not go beyond Mills and Boon type romantic thoughts.Academics was of last priority to her and her parents were always giving the example of Neha and how she was not a patch on her.
Rajat Patel: He wanted to be an actor.He was from one of the richer families of Shanti Nagar.If you ask him he would not even know the Prime Minister of India but would know the name of the assistant director of even a B-grade movie.Such was his prowess in the knowledge of entertainment business.He was trying to get a break in one of the roles of a new Tv serial. He was a floater,always minding his own business and acting dumb about the rest.
This was what they were but what they became and their journey to this will be told in the coming parts.Come join me in their journey of destiny.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
WHAT'S YOUR RASHI??-- 7 days 7 parts.
Name:Jatin Desai Age:21 Zodiac Sign:Gemini
DAY 1
FEB 15th:Day of the lunar eclipse:the day when most astrologers come out with their predictions of the future for all the "rashis".I was eagerly waiting for my future,rather the probability of my future.For 10 minutes my future lay in some stranger's hands who was racketing out everyone's future as though he had a special communication with GOD above.He had become GOD's avatar on land for us mortals.
After 3 signs came mine.I wanted to know how my future was going to be for that week.I was having an intercollege fest that week and was participating in two events.Since i was a blind believer in astrology i was keen for that week's outlook.After the customary touching of ears and praying for a moment the Dharma specialist told this
"People belonging to this rashi have to be careful this week.Specially people in love or falling in love,there is a chance of being fooled or frauded.Trouble may come from any known or unknown direction.Be extremely careful.It can be life changing.Nothing is what it looks like.Be careful"
he ringed repeatedly.
"Huh!!" I mean what the f*#@.So much about a topic i was not thinking about it then and so less about what i was thinking about.
Anyways i had to leave to the fest that evening for reporting at that place.
I was to go alone from Bangalore while the rest of the college gang were coming by bus from Mysore.I left at 5 in the evening by bus as we had to report by 8.30 in the night at SBMJC the host college.I dint know where exactly the college was located.I asked for directions from one of the fellas who had already reached there.What he told was a long route but that was the only route from Mysore side.But from Bangalore it was 40 km far.Since i dint know the exact location i followed the route told.I landed up in Ramnagaram thinking it was there.
After questioning some locals about the college i drew a blank.Then took an auto to Ramnagaram circle.I again called and my friend said it was in Kanakapura.There was a remote road to it.It was dark and there was no trace of people.To my luck there was a goods vehicle going in that direction.I asked for a drop and the man inside readily agreed.During the 30 km journey from Ramnagaram to Kanakapura we passed through a jungle area.
It was already 8 in the night and it was densely dark outside.This is the time when all the horror films you had watched in the computer come to haunt you.It was him and me.I was afraid to even take out the mobile thinking he might snatch that from me and desert me there.After a while it rang-"humma humma" one of the great ARR's tracks.He took his phone out which to my surprise was a high end one.I was embarrassed to take my mid-range one out.We talked a lot during the entire journey.He said he was a silk carrier from Kanakapura to Ramnagaram.His name was Rahim Khan.
I always had a negative opinion about muslims till then.The reason was hours of breaking news television.I became even more skeptical.15 km to go still and no sight of any houses.
5km to go: i was apprehensive that he may demand a lot of money for this drop.After reaching Kanakapura he said that SBMJC was still 12 km outside town.I asked whether he could only drop but he resented.He asked 15 rupees for the trip and waited until i got a biker to drop me.
My entire perception changed then and there.He was so kind.He not only took a nominal amount but also was caring enough to wait till i got someone to drop me.I had opened one of the doors in my zeolistic mindset.
Now the biker was a Mantri Apartments maintainence man.He was a Kanakapura resident but was called in the night as there was some problem in the Domlur site.He had graciously agreed to drop me.He was Ramesh Gowda.Now i had a major grouse with Gowdas.To my ignorant mind most of them were either rotten politicians or local hooligans.I was wrong again.He talked along the route with his spit flying out,some of them falling on me.I had to repeatedly wipe it.
He dropped me and dint ask a single pie.What a relief?Two notions both gone bust.I was seeing the world outside my little cacoon.Finally after changing 4 vehicles i reached the gate but the guard did not allow me in.He asked for my identity card but it was with my friend who had already gone inside.I called him up and asked him to come to the gate.As i waited restlessly i saw buses with students from different engineering colleges from all corners of Karnataka pass through.Students peeking out of the windows looked at me with suspicious scorn.
Finally my friend arrived and to my utter dismay we had to again walk 2 km to reach the place where we were allocated rooms to stay in.The campus was huge and beautiful.As i lay in my bed fully tired i was called for dinner.The entry in the dinner coupon was punched and i was let in.There was a sea of people in that shamiana.Infinite possibilities existed.There was a host of beautiful girls mingling with ok-ok boys.
After dinner i contemplated over the astrologer's words.I had to be "careful".I dint know when i fell asleep.
PS:Nothing is what it looks like came true that day.
DAY 1
FEB 15th:Day of the lunar eclipse:the day when most astrologers come out with their predictions of the future for all the "rashis".I was eagerly waiting for my future,rather the probability of my future.For 10 minutes my future lay in some stranger's hands who was racketing out everyone's future as though he had a special communication with GOD above.He had become GOD's avatar on land for us mortals.
After 3 signs came mine.I wanted to know how my future was going to be for that week.I was having an intercollege fest that week and was participating in two events.Since i was a blind believer in astrology i was keen for that week's outlook.After the customary touching of ears and praying for a moment the Dharma specialist told this
"People belonging to this rashi have to be careful this week.Specially people in love or falling in love,there is a chance of being fooled or frauded.Trouble may come from any known or unknown direction.Be extremely careful.It can be life changing.Nothing is what it looks like.Be careful"
he ringed repeatedly.
"Huh!!" I mean what the f*#@.So much about a topic i was not thinking about it then and so less about what i was thinking about.
Anyways i had to leave to the fest that evening for reporting at that place.
I was to go alone from Bangalore while the rest of the college gang were coming by bus from Mysore.I left at 5 in the evening by bus as we had to report by 8.30 in the night at SBMJC the host college.I dint know where exactly the college was located.I asked for directions from one of the fellas who had already reached there.What he told was a long route but that was the only route from Mysore side.But from Bangalore it was 40 km far.Since i dint know the exact location i followed the route told.I landed up in Ramnagaram thinking it was there.
After questioning some locals about the college i drew a blank.Then took an auto to Ramnagaram circle.I again called and my friend said it was in Kanakapura.There was a remote road to it.It was dark and there was no trace of people.To my luck there was a goods vehicle going in that direction.I asked for a drop and the man inside readily agreed.During the 30 km journey from Ramnagaram to Kanakapura we passed through a jungle area.
It was already 8 in the night and it was densely dark outside.This is the time when all the horror films you had watched in the computer come to haunt you.It was him and me.I was afraid to even take out the mobile thinking he might snatch that from me and desert me there.After a while it rang-"humma humma" one of the great ARR's tracks.He took his phone out which to my surprise was a high end one.I was embarrassed to take my mid-range one out.We talked a lot during the entire journey.He said he was a silk carrier from Kanakapura to Ramnagaram.His name was Rahim Khan.
I always had a negative opinion about muslims till then.The reason was hours of breaking news television.I became even more skeptical.15 km to go still and no sight of any houses.
5km to go: i was apprehensive that he may demand a lot of money for this drop.After reaching Kanakapura he said that SBMJC was still 12 km outside town.I asked whether he could only drop but he resented.He asked 15 rupees for the trip and waited until i got a biker to drop me.
My entire perception changed then and there.He was so kind.He not only took a nominal amount but also was caring enough to wait till i got someone to drop me.I had opened one of the doors in my zeolistic mindset.
Now the biker was a Mantri Apartments maintainence man.He was a Kanakapura resident but was called in the night as there was some problem in the Domlur site.He had graciously agreed to drop me.He was Ramesh Gowda.Now i had a major grouse with Gowdas.To my ignorant mind most of them were either rotten politicians or local hooligans.I was wrong again.He talked along the route with his spit flying out,some of them falling on me.I had to repeatedly wipe it.
He dropped me and dint ask a single pie.What a relief?Two notions both gone bust.I was seeing the world outside my little cacoon.Finally after changing 4 vehicles i reached the gate but the guard did not allow me in.He asked for my identity card but it was with my friend who had already gone inside.I called him up and asked him to come to the gate.As i waited restlessly i saw buses with students from different engineering colleges from all corners of Karnataka pass through.Students peeking out of the windows looked at me with suspicious scorn.
Finally my friend arrived and to my utter dismay we had to again walk 2 km to reach the place where we were allocated rooms to stay in.The campus was huge and beautiful.As i lay in my bed fully tired i was called for dinner.The entry in the dinner coupon was punched and i was let in.There was a sea of people in that shamiana.Infinite possibilities existed.There was a host of beautiful girls mingling with ok-ok boys.
After dinner i contemplated over the astrologer's words.I had to be "careful".I dint know when i fell asleep.
PS:Nothing is what it looks like came true that day.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
YELLAPPA SAMPANGI-THE MOST HONEST POLITICIAN
First of all, look at this face,such a innocent face,ah!!the folded hands-shows his determination for "JAN SEVA",so what if he has a few goondas backing him,so what if he transfers honest police officers out of his constituency,so what if his goons beat up teachers in schools for not having supported him during election,no one can question his devotion to money,oh!! sorry his constituency.He does it for "JANARA HITA DHRISHTI".Everybody who has been watching news or reading the newspapers for the last two weeks will have surely come across this champion of Indian democracy named YELLAPPA SAMPANGI.
The sudden raid by the Lok Ayukta headed by an upper caste person while YELLAPPA SAMPANGI was helping a person named Farooque as any other of our honest politicians do was abominable.
This was yet another example of upper caste oppression or thats what his followers thought.The sudden raid not only raised flutters among the "honest" politicians but also resulted in Sampangi being admitted in 3 hospitals with multiple aches in head,stomach,back and several other places.He was so "hurt" by this act that he was not even able to attend the court due to this.Papaa!!
Was this needed?What did the Lok Ayukta gain from having raided a "honest"politician?Nothing.
What was his fault after all?He was caught accepting 5 lakhs as bribe.This accusation is completely baseless.What he was infact doing was taking the money to help fasten the solution to the problem of Farooque.He knew he would have to give money to the concerned police officers to drop the wrong case which was put up against Farooque.WAS IT WRONG?? I mean would any of us not do the same thing?When we are caught driving our vehicle without the helmet or license,when we do not pay the shopkeeper the VAT tax in order to save those few rupees which otherwise would have filled government coffers.
So what was wrong in Sampangi doing it.(BTW for people who would not given a look to the photo or the news item of the person above,he is BJP MLA from the reserved constituency of Kolar.)
Sampangi thought he was the champion of the dalits.It is politicians like him who have brought about prosperity to the supposed lower class people by championing causes like RESERVATION
in prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs,alas there are not enough of them eligible for it.
He has taught the poor,uneducated people that they now need to stand up for their rights and the only way to do this is to build up their bodies,talk in a rude way,in short transform oneself to goondas and snatch what is rightfully theirs from the ruthless upwardly mobile people.
What a great "honest" politician!! Such people instead of being hailed , are lampooned in the media.
They ask "Did he not have a soul to accept the bribe,was he not under the people' oath?"
Who are these people to question the "honest" public servant?Ask the same questions to the youth of our nation,the so called modern,liberal youth who are more concerned about protecting their drinking,pubbing rights and championing alcohol as though it was the best thing to have happened to our INDIA SHINING,who dont bother to be responsible enough not to drive while drunk,who are only bothered about a minor rodent called MUTHALIK,why?? because he encroached upon their "SPACE".
So what if Kumaraswamy's son drinks and goes on a rampage in a hotel.So what??
Do any of us care a damn.Y.SAMPANGI is a honorary politician.He simple represents our society.For those people belonging to the middle class and upper classes who believe that they are safely cacooned from the wrath of the "SYSTEM".Wake up!!!For everyday you wont have "honest" politicians like Y.SAMPANGI saving the day for you.
PS: For people who read this blog,if you are honestly an Indian leave a comment here instead of passing it as just another blog.It will be treated as a signature.Who knows if we can make this a movement,we can root out "honest Bas#@#" like Y.SAMPANGI.Come on its time we take matters into our hands,else there wont be a country left to save!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
FEELINGS-IX
YEAR 2010
That day when i proposed to Priya i was so happy.It was like all the frustrations which i had in my life until then had vanished.For the first time i knew what it was to be in love with someone, with the other also reciprocating it.Even the way she looked at me seemed different from the next day.Life had changed.It also helped that the duration of our project was extended by another 6 months as our HR head was impressed by our work.At the corner of my mind though i was worried about Divya. How would she take the news of her husband having another woman in his life? I made sure it did not reflect in my exterior outlook because i did not want to lose this special relationship.
AUGUST 25th 2010:
That day when i proposed to Priya i was so happy.It was like all the frustrations which i had in my life until then had vanished.For the first time i knew what it was to be in love with someone, with the other also reciprocating it.Even the way she looked at me seemed different from the next day.Life had changed.It also helped that the duration of our project was extended by another 6 months as our HR head was impressed by our work.At the corner of my mind though i was worried about Divya. How would she take the news of her husband having another woman in his life? I made sure it did not reflect in my exterior outlook because i did not want to lose this special relationship.
AUGUST 25th 2010:
My mother had told that Divya's parents had taken my current number.She had left for America as she had finally managed to obtain a visa.I became a bit apprehensive.I wanted to tell them that their daughter's life was not rosy as they had thought.It was no Phool only Kante.But i dint know what to do.Was i to tell her?She may take it in some other way considering the equation we had.The next month i did not hear from Divya.All the while i was feeling guilty. I had left my friend in the cold outside to fend for herself.Had she come to know of the truth?These feelings haunted me. Life with Priya was different.Visits to the park in the evening,watching the sunrise in the morning,candlelight dinners.It all seemed surreal to me,a neverending dream. Unfortunately Varun was feeling left out.
One day i recieved a phone call from an unknown number. The person on the other side of the line was sobbing.It was Divya!!!She was weeping furiously,hardly able to talk anything. I asked as to where she was.When i went to St.Agnes railway station she stood there helpless with her large suitcases.Her nose had turned red due to the cold,her eyes after what i could perceive as hours of crying.Her husband's place was 1 hour from mine.She hugged me and wept vehemently.I could feel her insecurity.She just asked me one question:
"You will not leave me now right?"I really felt very bad.
If I had told her before she came here,atleast she would have had her parents.In this alien land i had made her feel alone.I brought her to my apartment.I introduced Priya and Varun to Divya as my friends.After making Divya sleep in her room,Priya did not look amused.She asked as to why i had introduced like that.I then had to tell the history between us.I now know that between partners it is good to hide certain things for the sake of the relationship.I could sense a change in Priya's perception of Divya.
I wanted to bring Harish to book.We decided to complain to the Indian Embassy about this so that they could help Divya out. I was spending more time with Divya now. We used to regularly travel together to the Embassy in New York now which almost used to take a whole 2 days.We had decided that we would tell Divya's parents after a while as her parents might not take it well.One day all 4 of us went to shopping in a nearby mall to cheer up Divya. As she dint know that Priya and me were seeing each other she could not understand some of the sensitivites. Sample when we were picking a shirt for me Divya overruled a shirt that Priya had picked for her shirt.
That night Priya asked whether we could talk a while.Absence of communication always raises doubts.I had not been honest with either of them. Priya had felt that i still had feelings for Divya.My efforts to qualm her doubts proved to be a dead end.The embassy were generous to provide a counsel for Divya.The case was shifted later to a court in India.Divya could now go back there in March.
FEB 14th 2011
I was excited this day.The couple of months which had passed were bad for Priya's and my relationship.So i wanted to make this day a special one.As it was a Sunday we had a holiday. I had gone out that morning to make some bookings in a hotel for a romantic dinner.I had also bought a gift for her.When i returned in the afternoon the scene had changed. Priya was sitting on the couch visibly angry. Varun told that the girls had a fight after Priya saw a card which Divya had bought for me.Priya had told her about our relationship and ordered her to get out from the apartment.What had made Priya so insensitive to a fellow woman?What had bought about this transformation?
I now understand that it was her love for me,the feeling that i may leave her,this possessiveness is a trait in every human being.Boys have it more than girls sometimes.But that day i dint understand this.What was supposed to be a romantic day turned out to be a black day for me.I went out in search for Divya after mouthing expletives to Priya.I tried to call Divya's cell but she would not pick up.When she did she did not speak.After repeated calls she told that she was going to the airport which was a 4 hours drive.I now took a taxi and sped to the airport.It helped that the taxi driver was an Indian.
When i reached there i could not find her.Just then i saw her.She was sitting on the corner seats all alone.I went to her and we stood there looking at each other with a long pause.I told her to stay.She told that she had booked a ticket by the "speed ticket" offer and that she did not want to interfere in my life.She was hurt that i had not told her.She had also come to know that i had known of her husband's relationship which she felt showed my true feelings for her.My repeated badgering did not help.She said she had to go.As the announcement for her plane came she held my hand.So many things which we wanted to say before bidding goodbye drew blank.I had let her down again.That was the final straw in our relationship.
She left.By the time i returned to my apartment it was 2 in the morning.As i opened the door there was darkness everywhere.I checked to see if Varun was asleep as i wanted someone to talk to,to share my feelings.I knew only he could understand me now.As i opened the door i saw that Varun and Priya had slept.I was shocked out of my senses.I was so angry that i yelled leading to both of them getting up.
"How could you??!!" "How could you!!" i yelled repeatedly.Now i was cheated.On the same day i had lost two girls.And my friend Varun how could he do this!They tried to calm me down.They were attempting to give some explanations but i would have none of it.I was feeling so disgusted that I stormed out of the apartment.I cried so much that day.It was like the turbulent clouds had come visiting again.I had become emotionless.Sensing something very wrong in me my parents asked whether i wanted to return back.
In the next few days i had left my job and returned to India.I was feeling so lonely now.Not able to comprehend this cruel fate of mine i had gone into depression.After weeks of visits to the psychiatrist and then a job in another company i had finally come to terms with life.I had decided never to fall in love again.This mechanical life of mine continued until 4 years later my parents had found a wife for me in Suchitra.
JULY 23rd 2015
I remembered that i had to ask them as to why they had cheated me.Varun told that whenever Priya would feel insecure about Divya and me she had found an emotional support in him.As one thing led to the other that fateful day they had a lot of wine and whisky and in a moment of weakness they had done it.I could still not accept it.
But as i was returning to my home i felt an easy calmness.I did not have any baggage of the past now.For whatever reason they had done it,it was not intended to.
I had learnt something from all my brief "love"ly experiences.
If Sindhu had taught me to be more careful before making any move,Divya had taught me to be more courageous and honest,not to hide anything from someone you love,to stand up for one's love.Priya had taught me what love was actually,how to put it in perspective and how lack or miscommunication creates this unbridgeable gap between partners.
I decided to be completely honest about my past to my fiance.I went in the evening and told her everything and asked whether she still wanted to marry me.She looked in my eye and said "Yes".
Sometimes in life God deprives us of certain desires in order to make us truly enjoy something which we acquire later in life.I had to go through all the experiences to have a happily married life.I was "MEANT TO LOVE".
Now i understand.
AUGUST 10th 2015
My wife asked me what gift i would give her on our honeymoon.I said that i would write a blog on all my experiences until i met my true soulmate.So here it is i have opened my heart to you.It may not be Great BUT IT IS MINE!! I Jatin Bhagwat am happy.Hope you come up with your experiences too.And when you do dont forget to give me a link to it.
Cheers!!
One day i recieved a phone call from an unknown number. The person on the other side of the line was sobbing.It was Divya!!!She was weeping furiously,hardly able to talk anything. I asked as to where she was.When i went to St.Agnes railway station she stood there helpless with her large suitcases.Her nose had turned red due to the cold,her eyes after what i could perceive as hours of crying.Her husband's place was 1 hour from mine.She hugged me and wept vehemently.I could feel her insecurity.She just asked me one question:
"You will not leave me now right?"I really felt very bad.
If I had told her before she came here,atleast she would have had her parents.In this alien land i had made her feel alone.I brought her to my apartment.I introduced Priya and Varun to Divya as my friends.After making Divya sleep in her room,Priya did not look amused.She asked as to why i had introduced like that.I then had to tell the history between us.I now know that between partners it is good to hide certain things for the sake of the relationship.I could sense a change in Priya's perception of Divya.
I wanted to bring Harish to book.We decided to complain to the Indian Embassy about this so that they could help Divya out. I was spending more time with Divya now. We used to regularly travel together to the Embassy in New York now which almost used to take a whole 2 days.We had decided that we would tell Divya's parents after a while as her parents might not take it well.One day all 4 of us went to shopping in a nearby mall to cheer up Divya. As she dint know that Priya and me were seeing each other she could not understand some of the sensitivites. Sample when we were picking a shirt for me Divya overruled a shirt that Priya had picked for her shirt.
That night Priya asked whether we could talk a while.Absence of communication always raises doubts.I had not been honest with either of them. Priya had felt that i still had feelings for Divya.My efforts to qualm her doubts proved to be a dead end.The embassy were generous to provide a counsel for Divya.The case was shifted later to a court in India.Divya could now go back there in March.
FEB 14th 2011
I was excited this day.The couple of months which had passed were bad for Priya's and my relationship.So i wanted to make this day a special one.As it was a Sunday we had a holiday. I had gone out that morning to make some bookings in a hotel for a romantic dinner.I had also bought a gift for her.When i returned in the afternoon the scene had changed. Priya was sitting on the couch visibly angry. Varun told that the girls had a fight after Priya saw a card which Divya had bought for me.Priya had told her about our relationship and ordered her to get out from the apartment.What had made Priya so insensitive to a fellow woman?What had bought about this transformation?
I now understand that it was her love for me,the feeling that i may leave her,this possessiveness is a trait in every human being.Boys have it more than girls sometimes.But that day i dint understand this.What was supposed to be a romantic day turned out to be a black day for me.I went out in search for Divya after mouthing expletives to Priya.I tried to call Divya's cell but she would not pick up.When she did she did not speak.After repeated calls she told that she was going to the airport which was a 4 hours drive.I now took a taxi and sped to the airport.It helped that the taxi driver was an Indian.
When i reached there i could not find her.Just then i saw her.She was sitting on the corner seats all alone.I went to her and we stood there looking at each other with a long pause.I told her to stay.She told that she had booked a ticket by the "speed ticket" offer and that she did not want to interfere in my life.She was hurt that i had not told her.She had also come to know that i had known of her husband's relationship which she felt showed my true feelings for her.My repeated badgering did not help.She said she had to go.As the announcement for her plane came she held my hand.So many things which we wanted to say before bidding goodbye drew blank.I had let her down again.That was the final straw in our relationship.
She left.By the time i returned to my apartment it was 2 in the morning.As i opened the door there was darkness everywhere.I checked to see if Varun was asleep as i wanted someone to talk to,to share my feelings.I knew only he could understand me now.As i opened the door i saw that Varun and Priya had slept.I was shocked out of my senses.I was so angry that i yelled leading to both of them getting up.
"How could you??!!" "How could you!!" i yelled repeatedly.Now i was cheated.On the same day i had lost two girls.And my friend Varun how could he do this!They tried to calm me down.They were attempting to give some explanations but i would have none of it.I was feeling so disgusted that I stormed out of the apartment.I cried so much that day.It was like the turbulent clouds had come visiting again.I had become emotionless.Sensing something very wrong in me my parents asked whether i wanted to return back.
In the next few days i had left my job and returned to India.I was feeling so lonely now.Not able to comprehend this cruel fate of mine i had gone into depression.After weeks of visits to the psychiatrist and then a job in another company i had finally come to terms with life.I had decided never to fall in love again.This mechanical life of mine continued until 4 years later my parents had found a wife for me in Suchitra.
JULY 23rd 2015
I remembered that i had to ask them as to why they had cheated me.Varun told that whenever Priya would feel insecure about Divya and me she had found an emotional support in him.As one thing led to the other that fateful day they had a lot of wine and whisky and in a moment of weakness they had done it.I could still not accept it.
But as i was returning to my home i felt an easy calmness.I did not have any baggage of the past now.For whatever reason they had done it,it was not intended to.
I had learnt something from all my brief "love"ly experiences.
If Sindhu had taught me to be more careful before making any move,Divya had taught me to be more courageous and honest,not to hide anything from someone you love,to stand up for one's love.Priya had taught me what love was actually,how to put it in perspective and how lack or miscommunication creates this unbridgeable gap between partners.
I decided to be completely honest about my past to my fiance.I went in the evening and told her everything and asked whether she still wanted to marry me.She looked in my eye and said "Yes".
Sometimes in life God deprives us of certain desires in order to make us truly enjoy something which we acquire later in life.I had to go through all the experiences to have a happily married life.I was "MEANT TO LOVE".
Now i understand.
AUGUST 10th 2015
My wife asked me what gift i would give her on our honeymoon.I said that i would write a blog on all my experiences until i met my true soulmate.So here it is i have opened my heart to you.It may not be Great BUT IT IS MINE!! I Jatin Bhagwat am happy.Hope you come up with your experiences too.And when you do dont forget to give me a link to it.
Cheers!!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
FEELINGS-VIII
YEAR 2010
That night we both went into a popular hangout of New York,Nirvana.As we sat down in our place to have dinner,two drunken white men came to our table and started abusing us.Apparently they had lost their job in the company where they worked.They thought we Indians were responsible for this as jobs were being outsourced to Indian engineers.First we took it in good humor as we had heard of such experiences from other expats living there.Then they took it a notch higher and this statement "Son of a snake charmer and a prostitute" really angered me.We dint know that such racist mindset and ignorant people still lived in the 21st century.
We saw that other white men there were not coming to our rescue,so we thought of just leaving that place and go.As we were leaving one of the men brazenly pulled Priya's arm and tried to manhandle her.I tried to talk them into leaving her.They got annoyed and both guys started punching me hurling abuses all the while.I was no Rajnikanth,but still tried to fight them but after 30 seconds had blackened out.When i regained consciousness Priya was looking over me.
As my hair was falling over the wound near the eye,she carefully caressed it away.I felt i was in 9th heaven.
Apparently the manager in Nirvana had called 911 and the public had come to her rescue.(Which ever country may it be,people come to rescue of women but men are meant to be battered).I had got some minor concussions with a minor cut on the face.I was put up in a small clinic.Apparently in America it was like i had returned from war.The grave expressions with which the doctor was talking exemplified this.I now understood how americans give importance to each life,whereas in India people react after a major blast only if the death toll is more than 50,else they ask "oh only 10,not big blast then".
The policeman who had come there was more concerned about my background than the profile of the thugs.He was virtually justifying this act.The contrast between the first world and third world was now blurring in my eyes.The glamorous lights of "AMERICA!!" were not that bright any more.The "BIG AMERICAN DREAM" was busted.The lax attitude of the police officer was because i was a brown man.The seniors with whom we had come,came visiting.I was advised rest that day.The next day one of our senior asked us to join them to one of his friend's place.
On the way he was telling how brilliant his friend Harish Kamkelkar was.He said that they were colleagues before and now Harish had shifted to New York to manage the company's division there.We reached Harish's place in downtown Manhattan with the taxi driver looking at me suspiciously throughout the route as though i was going to bring the next highrise down.
The door opened and i was left stunned.It was Divya's husband.I had known his name was Harish but had not known his full name and all.I looked around to see if Divya was there.Harish had not recognized me.How was he to remember one face among a 1000 random faces who came to his wedding?He warmly hugged my senior Girish which highlighted how thick they were.He later called his wife Cathreen!! an american. I was shocked.Had he left Divya?.It had not been even 5 months since they had wed.Girish interrupted me to say that Harish would be rejoining the San Jose division.
Harish asked me something but i was not listening.Priya slightly nudged me that Harish was asking something.On our ride back home Girish said that Harish had married against his parents' wishes.I was puzzled.To remove my doubts i called up to my uncle home in Kumta from an ISD line.The conversation was petering along and i quietly brought up the issue of Divya.Uncle said that she had not yet got visa even after 2 attempts and she was again going to Chennai after a couple of days for this.She would be soon joining Harish!.He asked whether to give the phone to Divya which i politely declined,as i dint have the heart to talk to her.
I had only heard of how some NRI boys used to cheat girls from India specially the rural ones,but this had happened to my dearest friend,no love!.Divya was a sensitive girl whom i knew had built castles about her life and all.She was wronged by not getting to marry her real love,me!!,but i had chickened out and left her in the cold.Now this,this would really shatter her(for that matter any girl).As i was lost in my thoughts Priya asked me what was on my mind.
Our relationship had grown from hate to friendship.We both were now able to understand each other's thoughts even without speaking.It had matured but my mind was still lost on Divya.We returned to San Jose.Varun had joined us there.
16th July 2010:
Our company had organised a party as part of the 50th anniversary of the founding of our company.After dinner there was a ball.Couples were picked on lot for the dance.Priya and me had got different people as partners,but she surprisingly came up to my partner and asked whether they could switch partners.The hot(I mean really hot,i dint want to change ;)) white girl agreed.The dance was a different experience for me.I had changed a lot,from the boy who used to go weak in the guts department when around girls had now learned to live life.Priya had taught that it was okay to have a bit of fun in life.Her exuberance had rubbed off on me.Having never held a girl before,it was embarrassing initially but after a while it seemed right.
After the ball, drinks was served.Rubens literally put the drink in my mouth as he himself was in high spirits.I now drank after coming to America.It was like i had found unlimited freedom.A new alter ego had developed within me.Sitting outside in the lawn looking at the black spotted moon,Priya and me talked a dime to a dozen.I told her everything,even my two brushes with love and also what i had learned about Divya.
This brought to the fore the feminist within Priya.She started abusing Harish and how he should be sent to jail for ruining a girl's life.As she was speaking my respect for her grew.Over the past 5 months i had come to like her many characteristics.Her face shining with the moon in the background made me forget all other things in my mind.As my feelings of love churned out of control in my stomach "I LOVE YOU",i blurted out.Its amazing how certain things which you plan to tell in a certain way come out in the most unplanned of moments.
She looked at me as though a candle was lit in her heart too.But she just walked away slowly from there.I was saddened.Had i lost her?As i was contemplating these various doubts she just turned back and ran towards me.We kissed!!(The second planned thing which just happened).It was so pure and seemed so right.She said that she had planned this run after a famous Spanish movie!!(Whoever said movies do not influence people!!)
I was so happy that day that i dint know what hit me after it...
JULY 23rd 2015:
As i opened the album..."Jatin!!" came a scream.As i looked up it was.... PRIYA.They were now married.I dint know how to react.The girl whom i had proposed to first was now married to my best friend.Memories of how i had come to hate Varun flashed.But now the hate was no longer there.I had come to terms with reality.I dint want to live with the bad memories forever.I decided i had to get on with my life.As i was leaving from there,i remembered something and.....
That night we both went into a popular hangout of New York,Nirvana.As we sat down in our place to have dinner,two drunken white men came to our table and started abusing us.Apparently they had lost their job in the company where they worked.They thought we Indians were responsible for this as jobs were being outsourced to Indian engineers.First we took it in good humor as we had heard of such experiences from other expats living there.Then they took it a notch higher and this statement "Son of a snake charmer and a prostitute" really angered me.We dint know that such racist mindset and ignorant people still lived in the 21st century.
We saw that other white men there were not coming to our rescue,so we thought of just leaving that place and go.As we were leaving one of the men brazenly pulled Priya's arm and tried to manhandle her.I tried to talk them into leaving her.They got annoyed and both guys started punching me hurling abuses all the while.I was no Rajnikanth,but still tried to fight them but after 30 seconds had blackened out.When i regained consciousness Priya was looking over me.
As my hair was falling over the wound near the eye,she carefully caressed it away.I felt i was in 9th heaven.
Apparently the manager in Nirvana had called 911 and the public had come to her rescue.(Which ever country may it be,people come to rescue of women but men are meant to be battered).I had got some minor concussions with a minor cut on the face.I was put up in a small clinic.Apparently in America it was like i had returned from war.The grave expressions with which the doctor was talking exemplified this.I now understood how americans give importance to each life,whereas in India people react after a major blast only if the death toll is more than 50,else they ask "oh only 10,not big blast then".
The policeman who had come there was more concerned about my background than the profile of the thugs.He was virtually justifying this act.The contrast between the first world and third world was now blurring in my eyes.The glamorous lights of "AMERICA!!" were not that bright any more.The "BIG AMERICAN DREAM" was busted.The lax attitude of the police officer was because i was a brown man.The seniors with whom we had come,came visiting.I was advised rest that day.The next day one of our senior asked us to join them to one of his friend's place.
On the way he was telling how brilliant his friend Harish Kamkelkar was.He said that they were colleagues before and now Harish had shifted to New York to manage the company's division there.We reached Harish's place in downtown Manhattan with the taxi driver looking at me suspiciously throughout the route as though i was going to bring the next highrise down.
The door opened and i was left stunned.It was Divya's husband.I had known his name was Harish but had not known his full name and all.I looked around to see if Divya was there.Harish had not recognized me.How was he to remember one face among a 1000 random faces who came to his wedding?He warmly hugged my senior Girish which highlighted how thick they were.He later called his wife Cathreen!! an american. I was shocked.Had he left Divya?.It had not been even 5 months since they had wed.Girish interrupted me to say that Harish would be rejoining the San Jose division.
Harish asked me something but i was not listening.Priya slightly nudged me that Harish was asking something.On our ride back home Girish said that Harish had married against his parents' wishes.I was puzzled.To remove my doubts i called up to my uncle home in Kumta from an ISD line.The conversation was petering along and i quietly brought up the issue of Divya.Uncle said that she had not yet got visa even after 2 attempts and she was again going to Chennai after a couple of days for this.She would be soon joining Harish!.He asked whether to give the phone to Divya which i politely declined,as i dint have the heart to talk to her.
I had only heard of how some NRI boys used to cheat girls from India specially the rural ones,but this had happened to my dearest friend,no love!.Divya was a sensitive girl whom i knew had built castles about her life and all.She was wronged by not getting to marry her real love,me!!,but i had chickened out and left her in the cold.Now this,this would really shatter her(for that matter any girl).As i was lost in my thoughts Priya asked me what was on my mind.
Our relationship had grown from hate to friendship.We both were now able to understand each other's thoughts even without speaking.It had matured but my mind was still lost on Divya.We returned to San Jose.Varun had joined us there.
16th July 2010:
Our company had organised a party as part of the 50th anniversary of the founding of our company.After dinner there was a ball.Couples were picked on lot for the dance.Priya and me had got different people as partners,but she surprisingly came up to my partner and asked whether they could switch partners.The hot(I mean really hot,i dint want to change ;)) white girl agreed.The dance was a different experience for me.I had changed a lot,from the boy who used to go weak in the guts department when around girls had now learned to live life.Priya had taught that it was okay to have a bit of fun in life.Her exuberance had rubbed off on me.Having never held a girl before,it was embarrassing initially but after a while it seemed right.
After the ball, drinks was served.Rubens literally put the drink in my mouth as he himself was in high spirits.I now drank after coming to America.It was like i had found unlimited freedom.A new alter ego had developed within me.Sitting outside in the lawn looking at the black spotted moon,Priya and me talked a dime to a dozen.I told her everything,even my two brushes with love and also what i had learned about Divya.
This brought to the fore the feminist within Priya.She started abusing Harish and how he should be sent to jail for ruining a girl's life.As she was speaking my respect for her grew.Over the past 5 months i had come to like her many characteristics.Her face shining with the moon in the background made me forget all other things in my mind.As my feelings of love churned out of control in my stomach "I LOVE YOU",i blurted out.Its amazing how certain things which you plan to tell in a certain way come out in the most unplanned of moments.
She looked at me as though a candle was lit in her heart too.But she just walked away slowly from there.I was saddened.Had i lost her?As i was contemplating these various doubts she just turned back and ran towards me.We kissed!!(The second planned thing which just happened).It was so pure and seemed so right.She said that she had planned this run after a famous Spanish movie!!(Whoever said movies do not influence people!!)
I was so happy that day that i dint know what hit me after it...
JULY 23rd 2015:
As i opened the album..."Jatin!!" came a scream.As i looked up it was.... PRIYA.They were now married.I dint know how to react.The girl whom i had proposed to first was now married to my best friend.Memories of how i had come to hate Varun flashed.But now the hate was no longer there.I had come to terms with reality.I dint want to live with the bad memories forever.I decided i had to get on with my life.As i was leaving from there,i remembered something and.....
Monday, February 2, 2009
FEELINGS VII
YEAR 2010:
Initially we felt very embarrassed to share the same apartment.It was new to both of us though in some way she was more accepting of it than me.Since the mansion was spacious with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms we dint get in the way of each other.Our mutual hatred had not lessened as we dint have to interact much.
On the night of 16th March she received a Skype call from her home in Bangalore.She had gone out to buy some groceries(yes we used to cook only for ourselves).As i could not bear to hear the repeated ping sounds from her laptop i decided to mute the volume.On the screen was a message from her father that her grandmother had died.I dint know how to react.I just went back to my room.
Just then the door unlocked and she went straight to her laptop.I was thinking in my mind that she would breakdown and i would have to step in to console her and all,which i did not want to get into.As i was seeing her from the corner of my room,she calmly took her just bought groceries,kept some vegetables in the fridge and went about her cooking after having read the message in her computer.(There was a contrast in our cooking timings as well.She was the more organized as she used to cook the dishes for night in the morning before leaving to office but i used to come back and cook.)I thought to myself "how heartless this girl is?,her grandmother has died and she doesnt even shed a tear!!".
That night as i lay on my bed i heard some noises from the drawing room.As i switched on the lamp i saw her weeping copiously with her legs crouched on the floor.I could not help but console her as i had a weakness for tears specially if it was girls.I realised that day she was like coconut,tough exterior with soft inside.I was happy that i had acted magnanimous and made her realise that i was a good guy.But the next day was the same like any other.Limited talk.
One day it was tough going for me in office.I had to give a demo of the code i had written but i was not getting it right.I requested the firangis and some other Indians there as well,but all were either busy or appearing so.I dint ask Priya although she was just in the next cubicle as I thought it would hurt my ego.By evening i had alleviated the big problem to a small one but without it,the whole program was not running.
Just then our associate head came for our demos.Out of the blue Priya came to my help.I dint know when she had cracked what the problem was,but she had been watching me.I did the necessary corrections and by the time Alec came the demo was up and running.I thanked her that night in the apartment.Atleast i wanted to be different than her when someone helps.
On another day i had work till late night.As the thought of having to go to the apartment,cook and then eat,i knew that i had to go hungry to bed as all the hotels nearby were non-vegetarian food and no Indian hotels were in the vicinity.I dint want to eat some place else and spoil my stomach for the rest of the week as it had happened in the first week of our joining.As i reached my apartment late night i went through the fridge to see if there was some leftovers.I suddenly noticed some plates with food kept on the table with a note.
"Learn to wake up more early and cook food in the morning itself,this is only for
today".
Although it was caustically written,i felt good that she atleast cared.
July 4th 2010:
It was American Independence day and a holiday.As it was followed up by the weekend it was like an extended holiday.Some Indians whom we had befriended in the company offered us to come along with them to New York to spend the weekend.We happily agreed.Priya had seen New York before when she had come along with her parents for one of her relatives wedding.We lodged ourselves in a hotel,one room for each.
In the evening Priya asked whether i would come along with her to see the nightlife of New York.I agreed and we both first went to Madison Square Garden.The place left me stunned.There were many competitions going on near the nearby Planet Hollywood mall.There was a competition where if we won we could select from any one of Louis Bagge T-shirt,Lee jeans,Sketches Brown shoes or a Verlitto heels.Priya tried first but failed at it.I saw that she badly wanted the heels.I decided to try my hand and by pure piece of luck i was able to win it.The host asked as to what i wanted?
I dint know what i was thinking when i blurted out Verlitto ...heel...heels."Oh the nice man wants the heels for his girlfriend!" announced the host in such an emphatic tone as though he had won it and called us both to the stage and made me give the heels to her taking a snap meanwhile.After we came out i was still in contemplative mind as to what i had just done.I dint want to even come close to fall in love again as i had failed when i tried.
She just asked me for a minute and went inside a store.Half an hour later(I was livid at her timings -one minute is not half an hour,even in India!!,but women;) cant help) she came out with a Shirt and handed it to me and said.
"Wear this,atleast you will not look boring!".As we walked back to the hotel i was mulling over the various reasons for which she bought a Shirt for me as soon as i had won her the heels.
1)She did not want to keep any 'ehsaan'.
2)As we had become friends she might have thought it has a return gesture for my benevolence.
3)She seriously thought i looked crappy which made me more worried.
4)She liked me? now that option was a doubt.
In the night i checked into one of the internet cafes to see my emails.A new mail had arrived and it also said that (one male;)) Varun would be joining us San Jose to work in our vertical.
JULY 23rd 2015
I turned back and it was Varun!.Floods of memories of our friendship flashed through my mind and we tightly embraced each other(like in Dil Chahta Hai) and kiddishly wept as well.I had missed my friend all these 4 years and did not want to further.We talked a lot.He was married also but he told that he dint have the heart to call me as he thought i would spurn him away.His wife had gone out.As he was making tea in his kitchen for us i saw that his marriage album was lying about on the side table.As i opened it.....
Initially we felt very embarrassed to share the same apartment.It was new to both of us though in some way she was more accepting of it than me.Since the mansion was spacious with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms we dint get in the way of each other.Our mutual hatred had not lessened as we dint have to interact much.
On the night of 16th March she received a Skype call from her home in Bangalore.She had gone out to buy some groceries(yes we used to cook only for ourselves).As i could not bear to hear the repeated ping sounds from her laptop i decided to mute the volume.On the screen was a message from her father that her grandmother had died.I dint know how to react.I just went back to my room.
Just then the door unlocked and she went straight to her laptop.I was thinking in my mind that she would breakdown and i would have to step in to console her and all,which i did not want to get into.As i was seeing her from the corner of my room,she calmly took her just bought groceries,kept some vegetables in the fridge and went about her cooking after having read the message in her computer.(There was a contrast in our cooking timings as well.She was the more organized as she used to cook the dishes for night in the morning before leaving to office but i used to come back and cook.)I thought to myself "how heartless this girl is?,her grandmother has died and she doesnt even shed a tear!!".
That night as i lay on my bed i heard some noises from the drawing room.As i switched on the lamp i saw her weeping copiously with her legs crouched on the floor.I could not help but console her as i had a weakness for tears specially if it was girls.I realised that day she was like coconut,tough exterior with soft inside.I was happy that i had acted magnanimous and made her realise that i was a good guy.But the next day was the same like any other.Limited talk.
One day it was tough going for me in office.I had to give a demo of the code i had written but i was not getting it right.I requested the firangis and some other Indians there as well,but all were either busy or appearing so.I dint ask Priya although she was just in the next cubicle as I thought it would hurt my ego.By evening i had alleviated the big problem to a small one but without it,the whole program was not running.
Just then our associate head came for our demos.Out of the blue Priya came to my help.I dint know when she had cracked what the problem was,but she had been watching me.I did the necessary corrections and by the time Alec came the demo was up and running.I thanked her that night in the apartment.Atleast i wanted to be different than her when someone helps.
On another day i had work till late night.As the thought of having to go to the apartment,cook and then eat,i knew that i had to go hungry to bed as all the hotels nearby were non-vegetarian food and no Indian hotels were in the vicinity.I dint want to eat some place else and spoil my stomach for the rest of the week as it had happened in the first week of our joining.As i reached my apartment late night i went through the fridge to see if there was some leftovers.I suddenly noticed some plates with food kept on the table with a note.
"Learn to wake up more early and cook food in the morning itself,this is only for
today".
Although it was caustically written,i felt good that she atleast cared.
July 4th 2010:
It was American Independence day and a holiday.As it was followed up by the weekend it was like an extended holiday.Some Indians whom we had befriended in the company offered us to come along with them to New York to spend the weekend.We happily agreed.Priya had seen New York before when she had come along with her parents for one of her relatives wedding.We lodged ourselves in a hotel,one room for each.
In the evening Priya asked whether i would come along with her to see the nightlife of New York.I agreed and we both first went to Madison Square Garden.The place left me stunned.There were many competitions going on near the nearby Planet Hollywood mall.There was a competition where if we won we could select from any one of Louis Bagge T-shirt,Lee jeans,Sketches Brown shoes or a Verlitto heels.Priya tried first but failed at it.I saw that she badly wanted the heels.I decided to try my hand and by pure piece of luck i was able to win it.The host asked as to what i wanted?
I dint know what i was thinking when i blurted out Verlitto ...heel...heels."Oh the nice man wants the heels for his girlfriend!" announced the host in such an emphatic tone as though he had won it and called us both to the stage and made me give the heels to her taking a snap meanwhile.After we came out i was still in contemplative mind as to what i had just done.I dint want to even come close to fall in love again as i had failed when i tried.
She just asked me for a minute and went inside a store.Half an hour later(I was livid at her timings -one minute is not half an hour,even in India!!,but women;) cant help) she came out with a Shirt and handed it to me and said.
"Wear this,atleast you will not look boring!".As we walked back to the hotel i was mulling over the various reasons for which she bought a Shirt for me as soon as i had won her the heels.
1)She did not want to keep any 'ehsaan'.
2)As we had become friends she might have thought it has a return gesture for my benevolence.
3)She seriously thought i looked crappy which made me more worried.
4)She liked me? now that option was a doubt.
In the night i checked into one of the internet cafes to see my emails.A new mail had arrived and it also said that (one male;)) Varun would be joining us San Jose to work in our vertical.
JULY 23rd 2015
I turned back and it was Varun!.Floods of memories of our friendship flashed through my mind and we tightly embraced each other(like in Dil Chahta Hai) and kiddishly wept as well.I had missed my friend all these 4 years and did not want to further.We talked a lot.He was married also but he told that he dint have the heart to call me as he thought i would spurn him away.His wife had gone out.As he was making tea in his kitchen for us i saw that his marriage album was lying about on the side table.As i opened it.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)