Date Night

Aashay was very nervous, he had dreamt about this day his entire life and he wanted to make sure that it went flawless. This day three months back his marriage was fixed with Vritti! After three months of official tour only now he was able to take her on a date. Plan was simple, pick her from home go to a movie then have dinner, drop her back home. Aashay tried taking deep breathes to calm down his mind but in vain. Vritti was simple and charming girl, they both have been in touch very frequently since their marriage was fixed thanks to the skype and whatsapp! Aashay was waiting on his bike, when he saw Vritti walking towards him, she had a simple orange color salwar, her long hair neatly pulled back. The bindi on her forehead ever so small and a warm smile, but what whacked him out of his mind was her sparkling eyes! Aashay got down from the bike and greeted her.

Aashay : “Hey!!”
Vritti : “Hiii!!”
Tingling sensation spread through his body hearing the girlish cute ‘Hiii’. Aashay was constantly reminding himself to be in control!!
Aashay : “Shall we move, I have booked “Ek tha Tiger” in sathyam cinemas!”
Vritti: “Sure! heard the movie is good! Are you Katrina fan?”
Aashay, to himself, don’t blurt out you like all heroines be cool! : “She is fine, doesn't know acting though!”
Vritti: “Oh!! I like her so much, she has cute smile!”
Aashay, to himself, What the helllll!! okay, don’t change the statement! “Yeah she has many hit films, one of top actress in industry now! I like Salman too! Heard he is good guy off screen!”
Vritti: “Yeah I like him too!!”
Aashay, to himself, YEAH!! That’s the way dude!! Score ONE!!

It was a thirty minute ride to the theater, Aashay nervousness seemed to have calmed down a bit!! In his younger days he used to dream of taking a girl on date, this was dream coming true for him!!! Chennai traffic was on full swing, Aashay had to apply brake hard at times, in one such occasion, Vritti kept her hand on Aashay’s shoulders for balance. He was all smiles, the tingling sensation was back again! He started to hum in low voice a song, a specific song, in fact a specific scene from song, it was not for the tune but for the reaction, he looked up and thanked god still smiling.

They reached the theater, Aashay showed his online booking SMS, there was a small glitch in the system which was sorted out and he got his two tickets.
Aashay: “Would you like to have something before the movie starts?”
Vritti: “Yeah I would like to have pop corn!”

Aashay got himself a extra large coke and a big tub of pop corn for Vritti, they settled down on their big comfortable ELITE seats. The movie started and theater became noisy as the Salman Khan made a dramatic entry in the screen as RAW agent, Aashay started sharing few things which he knew about RAW with Vritti, when a beam from torchlight fit his face. He saw a theater employee asking for his tickets, he checked Aashay tickets with another pair of tickets in his hand, both seems to have identical seat numbers!! The employee cross checked again and said to Aashay : “Sir! you have got yesterday’s ticket!”

The words was like a tight slap on his face, Aashay looked at the ticket himself, yes it was indeed yesterday’s ticket, he checked his SMS confirmation, he had wrongly booked for yesterday’s show! He managed a wry smile and asked Vritti to follow him. He looked up and said “God! why ?” , With a extra large coke and a big tub of pop corn still unfinished they made their way out of the screen! There were so many thoughts running on Aashay’s mind, he didn't know what to say.

Aashay: “I am sor…!”
Before Aashay could finish his sentence, Vritti was laughing so hard, that she had tears in her eyes. All Aashay could do now was to smile, he didn’t know what is to be said!
Vritti still laughing: “That was very embarrassing….! Never happened in my life!!”
Aashay smiling sheepishly: “Yeah!! Never happened before! Sorry!”
Vritti regaining her composure: “Hey it happens, its okay! so what’s the plan?”

Aashay looked like a spectacular fool on his first date, he didn't know what is to be done next : “Shall we go to beach? its around fifteen minutes from here, may be we could watch the sunset!”
Vritti agreed, both of them reached the beach, the crowd as less, it was getting dark, they both made their way past the sands to the edge of water. Aashay took Vritti’s arm and said : “Sorry about the movie! I was excited about the date I made mess of the dates!”
Vritti smiled : “That’s okay! Everything happens for good! This is much better than the movie!”
Aashay smiled : “That’s sweet! we will spend time here for a while and then start for the dinner!”

They both sat down on the sand and started talking, after a while Aashay said: “I think we missed the sunset! Shall we start to our dinner? I have booked at a romantic place, it’s a surprise!”
As he finished saying that a big droplet of water hit his forehead! Aashay looked up and saw dark clouds, it looked like it was going to rain cats and dogs!! They both ran for cover, before they could even reach half way to their vehicle it has started to rain so hard that it was not possible to see things, driving would be impossible in this condition. They both took shelter under a “corn” shop, Aashay looked up and said : “God! Why me?”. The rain had no plans to stop, with every minute passing it rained harder! The dinner plan was spoiled! Aashay stomach started grumbling, he was hungry and so was Vritti. They got two fried corn, in the rain condition, the corn tasted heavenly!

(Photo courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeveeaar/4382648132/)

Vritti: “This is the tastiest corn I have ever had!”
Aashay: “I agree!!”
They ate two more corns each and then ate two full plates of various bhaji’s available in the shop. They chatted away while eating, the rain had finally stopped.

Aashay drove Vritti back to her place.
Aashay: “I am sorry, I wanted it to be perfect, but it was messed up!”
Vritti: “It was perfect in so many ways! I enjoyed the time spent with you!”
Aashay: “the movie was totally spoiled, we both got drenched and missed our dinner!”
Vritti: “Aashay! Many people will remember that movie for the box office collection, but in our little world we will remember it for more precious moment! There is an old saying , it not the place which makes it special, it is the person who you are with! this was special to me! It is simple things which gives you more happiness than the extravagant stuff! The plan which you made was for a good date, but what we had was the best date! thank you! go safe and text me!” , she said with a wink.

All Aashay could do was simply shake his head in agreement, he started his bike still smiling, he looked up and said “thanks god!” and started humming the tune for the scene!!

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Patriotism

15th August, Independence day, every Indian knows what the day is all about.

I was travelling back from work that night on office cab it was raining very hard. The streets were clogged with rain water not sure of what is ahead the car was moving at slow pace. The vehicle hit a bump while trying to avoiding a gutter and the noise confirmed that lower portion of the vehicle must have hit something. It was drizzling outside, the driver got out to check if the damage was maximum. The scratch was at the interior portion as the driver had to bend and check it out. He got up looking satisfied, the damage must have been less that what he anticipated. His shirt was soiled as he had to bend check the damage. First thing he did after getting up was to wipe the dirt of the National flag he had pinned to his uniform. I was seated on the back seat and was watching the entire scene, I know this was what everyone would have or should have done, but was happy to see that happen.

We are in a world where everything is express fast and things are changing at greater speed. There was time when I was kid, I was excited to see the “Parade” on “DD National” , but now I am not sure the kids know if such a thing happens on Independence day! Of course they will know what Independence day stands for, they have been fed with the details of day so that they can nail the “two mark” question in social studies exam! I am not blaming anyone but this is what the world we are in( and I am very much a part of it!). Even for the current generation the word “patriotism" is becoming a synonym for supporting Indian cricket team. It is not that the people don’t love their country but most of them are not sure what is to be done. I am very sure every Indian gets upset and angry about terrorism. Every Indian gets emotional when they listen to vande mataram song or this scene from roja.

Current generation has the emotion, it has the anger, it has the willingness to succeed. The support for “India against corruption” is an example. But then the word patriotism is losing its depth, it should be more than just a status on Facebook or tweet in twitter. The “India against corruption” movement has lost the vigor it had at the beginning. The Indians in the past have fought a much bigger battle, they literally had death staring at them at the hands of British. But the current scenario is much different, the equation looks simple yet the results are far far away.

The main difference, in simple words, between the past and present are the leaders. People trusted the Gandhi’s and Netaji’s, people were ready to fight along side them. Why I say this is cause, during the current “India against corruption” the spark created was intense, the youngsters were ready to follow what the leaders wanted. Every Indian Facebook account holders was part of “India against corruption” group, there were meetings in beaches, candle light rally. But then every form of protest vanished and yet the problem remains, in fact the problem has became even more bigger! People are losing their interest, frankly it will be even more worse if their anger is replaced by the acceptance.

The current generation is the one which has seen the transition, It has seen the Doordarshan as well as the latest High definition. This generation has survived the school days without internet or mobile phone, it has the patience and ability. The next generation has a silver spoon in its mouth already, spending an evening with friends involves a “Budget” but current generation knows how to spend quality time without a penny. The future generation may or may not understand the depth of patriotism. The current generation knows “Patriotism” is much more than supporting a team but unfortunately it is handicapped, doesn’t know what to do or whom to look up or believe. We have lots of angry young men but unfortunately very less enlightened leaders to show the path. As the saying goes "Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime" may be this is the right time to start!

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Life after Marriage

March 8th 2008, a day which Anay won’t forget… or it won’t let Anay forget what his life has become. It was on this day Anay married Kavana.
Almost a week after the marriage, only today Anay was alone with Kavana at his home. Anay’s parents had left for yet another one day temple visit for which the newly wed couple didn’t go. Anay wanted to discuss so many things about life with Kavana.
Voice inside Anay’s mind (Voice 1): “This is my night alone with her… a good chance to talk about life and get to know her more…! Day after parents will be back and I won’t get a chance to talk freely like this.”
Anay tries to start conversation with but some how he couldn’t find the right topic to start the conversation.
Voice inside Anay’s mind (Voice 1): “Why am I feeling nervous about…! I am married for almost a week now and now I am feeling nervous to be around her! I even went out with her after our engagement!”
Another voice inside Anay(Voice 2): “Mr. Anay, if you must know this is the first time you are ALONE with a girl at NIGHT at your home, so being a little nervous is not a bad sign you see!”
Voice 1: “Relax dude… she is your wife, you are her husband, you can talk anything with her!!”
Voice 2: “Yeah right… you can talk anything and bore her to death… remember this is not a DATE where the girl goes to her place after dinner, this girl is here to stay with you… FOREVER! so don’t talk like
brainless!!”
Voice 1: “may be you should talk to her about how you both can to do the financial planning… you know buying house or gold or doing savings for future together… since you already have this in your agenda on things to discuss with her…”
Voice 2: “Haa haa… are you even serious?? has it even slightly crossed your mind that on the first night alone, she will be expecting something more romantic rather than this finance talks…! Dude seriously talk romantic stuff!”
Voice 1: “If you act more matured and responsible now, she will feel secured with you and ultimately will share her thoughts to you… that is the way to go, you did all your romance while you were engaged.. went to movies… to dinner… to beach.. all the while I told you to talk these responsible stuff… but you kept acting like you were one of these cool DUDES flirting with her! Now you are married and this time she can’t reject also, talk the responsibility stuff…!”
Voice 2: “Alright…! What will she think about you if you suddenly talk about responsibilities !! she will think the Anay before marriage was a fake!”
Before Anay could make up his mind, kavana spoke to him: “Anay… I am feeling sleepy, shall we go to bed?”
Anay: “Yeah! I’ll join you in ten minutes.”
When Kavana left to bed, anay started gathering his thoughts on what topics to talk to her.
Anay to himself: “Okay I have spent the engagement time very romantically indeed.. dinners.. beach .. movies.. acted ‘cool’.. flirted enough…  if  I hadn’t done it, then my bachelorhood would never have been complete! so that’s settled… We did get to know each other when we were engaged… but as friends… we understood each other likings and dislikes, settled on many silly pet names… but in the end she went to her place and I came back to mine that was a big difference, both of us never understood how we should react to the new environment we were going face… my parents… her parents… these people are integral part of our lives too!”
“May be I should just casually start with my office joining date and talk to her about her office joining date… then move on to office timings… first start with weekends… tell her that we will have great fun weekends… she already knows parents will be going back to hometown in two weeks time and after that she will have to take up more responsibility on handling home stuffs and say ‘of course I’ll help you in everything!’ and she will have to prepare his lunch and dinner  everyday…”
Voice 2: “How do you feel when you are back from office?”
Voice 1: “I work for more than 9 hrs a day… obviously I’ll be tired!”
Voice 2: “You are planning to make her work at home as well as in office… won’t she be tired ??”
Voice 1: “Ohh…..! Okay weekdays I’ll manage in the canteen… she can cook in weekends!”
Voice 2: “Never in your life have you woken up before 10 AM, then why should she wake up, she works the same time as you do!”
Voice 1: “Oh come on she can do it…!”
Voice 2: “you want to maintain your independency even after marriage, then why should she give up hers?”
Voice 1: “How will you know this before you even talk to her…! She loves you a lot she might do this for you!! go and talk this now… at least start the topic…!”
With so much prepared in his mind Anay entered to bed room only to find Kavana deep in sleep and he took only five minutes to get to bed after she went! Anay lied down next to her…
Voice 1: “People should sue the movie directors who show wife bringing coffee to husband in the morning just after bath, neatly dressed and with wet hair… they are imprinting false ideas into people’s mind!!!”
Voice 2: “Don’t get so worked up… being married is not actually like you think… it doesn’t make you ‘complete’… it doesn’t end your need to connect or belong or never be lonely… just a week after marriage your everyday problem has clouded your romantic feeling for her… understand that no couple complete each other they only complement each other… every marriage goes through peaks and valleys, your relationship will be tested then, this is when decision making to love is important… last but not the least even after marriage you need to have the ‘lonely’ time… It is an opportunity to listen to yourself and discover your likes and dislikes. Quiet time alone will help you appreciate any harsh criticisms that arises from within you, remember self-acceptance is an important component of self-confidence!”
Anay didn’t know when he fell asleep but he woke up earlier than usual, the clock showed 7:00 AM. Kavana was still sleeping, her pointed finger nails still had mehandi in them, her light brown eyes were still closed, her plump lips had a strange curl to them, her soft deep breathing making the world seem to stand still. Anay realized how much he loved her, he got up without waking her up.  On a Saturday morning he went into kitchen and prepared two cups of coffee.
He woke her up and handed her a cup of coffee: “Good morning!”
Kavana: “Up so early? and coffee too?? that’s so sweeeeeeeeeet!”
Anay: “Get up… I have big plans for the day!”
Anay took her out for lunch and movie, he did flirt but he also put across his ‘views’ to her. They had a good evening and were on bed to sleep.
Anay to himself: “I did try and do things in a better way than imagined… lets see what happens from here on…!”
Voice 1: “If she understood you, she will be awake before you and give you a cup of coffee when you are awake meaning she is ready to take up responsibility… or else your life is going to be a total screw up!”
Voice 2: “oh come on… we talked so much on this… give her time to adjust and understand!!!”
Anay tried to sleep putting the voices behind, he wanted to catch up on the sleep he missed today morning. Next day, he woke up at 10 AM and he noticed that his parents had returned from the trip. He sat on the sofa half asleep, a cup of coffee was handed over to him……. by his mother!
Voice 1: “Ah… at least your life isn’t going to be totally screwed thanks to your mother!!”
Anay knew he should give Kavana more time to adjust, but his mind was trying to fight off this idea, he had an abdominal lull and even his mom’s coffee was tasting bad…!
All this might have reflected in his face, he heard his mom say, “Coffee was prepared by Kavana, not by me!”
Anay didn’t reply back to his mother instead he took another sip of coffee and it tasted much better!


March 3rd, 2012,
Four years after his marriage, Anay is father to a beautiful girl. It was a Saturday morning, he woke up and went to kitchen to prepare two cups of coffee.
Voice 1: “You should have never prepared the coffee fours years back… you are still making the coffee!!”
Anay ignored the voice and woke up Kavana and gave her a cup of coffee.
Anay: “Good morning!”
Kavana: “Good morning!”
They both were seated next to each other on the couch with their feet up.
Kavana: “You know I never thought you will make me a coffee a week after our marriage and I really love your Saturday morning coffee’s!”
Anay smiled at her said : “You do it every other day which makes it even more special!”
Anay took another sip of coffee and it still tasted good…!

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What happens in GOA!

Vadish was packing his things for a short unexpected trip to… Goa. He received a call from his friend Mahanth if he could come to Goa for the weekend. Although Vadish was excited about the trip, there was a little nagging thought in his mind about the third person who is joining them… Sadvita, she was a good friend to both of them. But Mahanth and Sadvita had huge crush on each other and Vadish didn’t want to be the loner in the group! At last, vadish made up his mind ‘it was Goa’ and he wasn’t going to miss out on this!   Vadish started his journey to Goa, it was Vadish’s second time. Right from college days Vadish dreamed of visiting Goa, every time friends talk about tour, Goa would be on top of the list. And every time it failed miserably! But at last he did make it to Goa two years back with his colleagues and it was dream come true. About 2 million people visit Goa every year! Vadish felt, Goa was somehow was a different tourist spot from others. In Goa one feels disconnected from his routine world, he couldn’t put a finger on the reason… may be it is the location.. or might be the girls… or might be the booze… but all these you get in other tourist spots too.. Single or married, Goa trip is always special!
Vadish started reasoning to himself about Goa: First the clothes, what ever season it might be in Goa, clothes are always less! Vadish did make a self note on his previous Goa trip “the girl you see in Goa is not the same girl you see outside Goa!”, at times it holds good for men too! Next, People don’t accusingly stare at a person with a booze in their hand, how many places in India does this happen? maybe the mind set of people totally changes once they enter Goa! In short Goa becomes synonym for ‘party hard’! Vadish drifter into sleep with these thoughts.
Next morning, Mahanth, who was a localite of Goa, picked him up and drove to his home. They met after a long time and had many things to catch up on their ride home.
Vadish: “Listen dude! I have been to Goa before, I came here again having only one thing in mind, I wanna party hard! Its better if we rent a room, it would be awkward to return to your home late night!”
Mahanth: “Mannn!! My parents are cool, you don’t need to worry about a thing! They won’t mind these stuffs!”
Vadish: “oh!!”
Mahanth: “I know you don’t believe me but see it your self when you get there!”
Vadish": “Has Sadvita reached?”
Mahanth: “Yeah! she is at my home!”
Vadish had a impish smile! Mahanth: “I know what you are thinking!! she is not my girl friend! Just a good friend!”
Vadish: “Hey I didn’t say anything!! She is my friend too… I am happy that she has already met her mother-in-law!! haa haa!!”
Mahanth: “Oh!! Please!!”
Sadvita greeted them both when they reached home. Vadish said to sadvita: “so how are your in-laws?!” and he was replied with a kick on his leg!
Vadish met Mahath’s parents, they were totally cool people! Mahath’s dad offered his car to them. It was sadvita’s first time to Goa so obviously she wanted to visit all the places!
Vadish: “Mahanth I don’t mind visiting places but end of the day you know where I wanna end up!”
Mahanth: “I know… wasted!”
Sadvita: “Let me tell you what vadish, I’ll have a bet with you tonight! I’ll have what ever you have!”
They started the trip with visit to “Chapora Fort” aka “Dil chahta hai fort” then to Anjuna beach and then to Sinquerim beach! Goa was all about beaches and the break taking views.
Fort Aguada is in Sinquerim beach, on the edge of the fort and one can watch waves splash into the fort walls!

Vadish went up to the edge of the wall and stood there, it was a romantic location, he looked around and noticed he alone didn’t have a pair. Mahanth and Sadvita were walking together to the edge, not hand in hand but together! Vadish couldn’t stop smiling but Mahanth and Sadvita took their positions on either side of him! They waves kept splashing into the walls drenching them with water. Vadish noticed Mahanth looking at Sadvita, purposely vadish moved to block mahanth’s view, smiled and raised his eyebrow as if questioning Mahanth. Mahanth looked back to the sea as if nothing happened. Three of them were totally drenched, they dried themselves on the sun. Sadvita was seated on the opposite side whereas Vadish and Mahanth where on one side but seated at a distance. This time around vadish caught Sadvita looking at Mahanth,the look was different, it was a gaze into his relaxed eyes and both of them reflecting the most contented smile. Vadish smiled to himself and said “Lets go people!” and started walking back, mahanth went ahead to get the car.
Vadish: “Ahh.. It is such a romantic spot…! May be I should come with a girl next time!! And I said the same when I was here the last time!”
Sadvita with a sarcastic look: “You are with a girl. remember?”
Vadish replied with a sarcastic smile: “I meant with a girl who loves me and not the one who secretly wants me to ‘get lost’ in a romantic spot!”
Sadvita slapped him on the arm and said : “Shut up! I didn’t want you to ‘get lost’!”
Vadish winked at her and said: “Hey! I didn’t mean you!!”, sadvita cheeks turned pink for few seconds.
The three stopped for lunch in a hotel, it is a strange thing in Goa they don’t serve water in hotel, they won’t even keep glass for courtesy sake. One has to buy mineral water or get the other water! Every shop in Goa sold the ‘other water’ and for the price of mineral water one can easily get the ‘other water’ in Goa!! After lunch they visited more beaches and by evening they went for the ferry ride. Again intentionally Vadish left the two to sit next to each other on the ride, though the idea was silly vadish enjoyed making fun of them! After the ferry ride they went to the BAGA beach for dinner, the beach is so narrow that on high tide the water covers up the entire sand! They had their dinner in one of the beach side restaurant, there were many couples dancing crazily in discotheque! Another striking feature of Goa is the amount of TATTOO shops! Every one gets tattooed as if it is a custom!
Sadvita: “So what you gonna drink?!”
Vadish: “Are you serious?”
Sadvita: “I said I’ll drink what ever you drink!!”
What followed was an eventful night, except Mahanth both of them got wasted and they reached home late night! Mahanth’s parents had already slept, three of them shared a bed in Mahanth’s room. The bed was big enough for three of them. Mahanth noticed Vadish had a smile on his face, “I know why you are smiling, you are sleeping in the middle and we both will sleep either side of you!”
Sadvita was already half asleep: “Vadish, enough of your stupid jokes! I am really really sleepy now!” and crashed into one side of the bed!
Mahanth: “Dude! I didn’t get wasted today cause I had to drive the car, so you have to give company now!!”
Vadish: “what now?!!”
Mahanth brought in half bottle of ‘other water’ and the night re-started itself, they started talking about all the things in the world.
Mahanth: “Man…! How do you know when you are in love?!”
Vadish looked at his glass and then back to Mahanth and thought to himself, why me? why? why? and love?
Vadish: “Out of my vast experience in the field of love, I’ll tell you one thing, when people say, when you are in love: a bulb will glow, girls will dance, you will hear birds singing! that’s total crap! I don’t believe in those things, when you are in love you don’t know it, you only feel it! do you understand?”
Mahanth: “I am not sure man… what is difference between know and feel?”
Vadish again looked at his glass and back to Mahanth, “So he is not planning to give up! Help me GOD!!”
Vadish smiled and said: “That my friend you will know when you are in LOVE!”
Mahanth: “Nooooo!! you tell… you tell the difference now!”
Vadish looked at the almost empty bottle and thought, may be if I push for few more minutes the bottle will be finished and I can sleep.
Vadish: “See you know I am sitting here but do you feel I am sitting here?!”
Mahanth: “huh? what?”
Vadish: “Wait… I’ll give you another example… You know how a cloud in the sky looks, but do you know how it feels to be in middle of the clouds?”
Mahanth: “Ohhhh… I understand what you mean…!”
Vadish looked at his glass again it was empty but Mahanth’s glass was only half empty! “Dude…! I feels great to be in the middle of clouds but imagine what happens when you fall from a cloud… that my friend is painful side of love… finish your glass I’ll tell you more about love!”
Vadish empting the bottle into their glasses: “You like sadvita, don’t you?”
Mahanth just nodded his head… Vadish: “I think she likes you too… but think practically if this will work out or not, both your parents must agree and relatives must agree…! but if you truly love her then go for it man!”
Mahanth: “dude… I don’t know… I am not sure yet…!”
Vadish: “That’s ok! lets finish this and go to sleep!”
Next morning, Vadish was the last to wake up, Mahanth was already in the shower and Sadvita brought Vadish tea.
Sadvita: “Good morning!!”
Vadish: “Morning! you are up early!!”
Sadvita: “Yeah! couldn’t sleep much…! Can I ask you something?”
Vadish sipped his tea and nodded, Sadvita: “What were you guys talking yesterday night?”
Vadish almost choked: “What? we were just talking things…! why? what happened?”
Sadvita: “Oh nothing… I just heard bits and pieces of it…!”
Vadish avoided looking at her and kept sipping his tea. Soon, they started their day with Calangute beach then to Panjim and Mapusa. By late evening they went to Tito’s, this was one of the famous spots in Goa. This time Sadvita opted to drive back home, so Vadish and Mahanth had a great time! The place was so full of people Vadish and Mahanth kept turning their heads in every angle so that they don’t miss even a single girl in there! At last they reached home, Vadish had to catch flight in the morning, he crept into one side of the bed and dozed off.
Vadish woke up in the morning and packed up things in a hurry, said Good bye to everyone, Mahanth drove him to the airport.
Vadish: “I noticed something today morning, when I woke up I wasn’t on the middle of the bed!” and started smiling.
Mahanth: “We still have time to reach the airport so no worries!”
Vadish: “Answer me dude!!”
Mahanth stopped the car: “That’s cause you slept on one side of the bed yesterday night! Remember?”
Vadish: “oh did I???”
Vadish smiling impishly: “So…?”
Mahanth: “I have to talk to you before you leave… and I think Sadvita will also call you later!”
Vadish smiled faded: “What happened?”
Mahanth: “ After you slept we both were talking for a while and then I proposed her… It was stupid I know… may be it was the booze… but it was… She didn’t say anything at first… it seems she heard bits and pieces of talks we had the night before… especially the part about family situation and how relatives would react and stuff…!”
Vadish : “Dude… I am really sorry I didn’t really mean those things… I was wasted and you were not finishing your rounds soon enough! I’ll talk to Sadvita that it was my mistake! I’ll call her right now!”
Mahanth: “No! Don’t! She heard only bits and pieces of our talk… but…”
Vadish: “Dude.. I am really sorry I screwed this… Goa trip was supposed to be full of great memories… I didn’t expect this really!”
Mahanth: “And I told her what you told me…!”
Vadish: “I am stupid man! I shouldn’t given you advice when I was wasted!”
Mahanth: “I told her .. ‘In my life I have know only how the cloud looks like but when I am with her I feel like I am in the middle of clouds…You are very special to me’ !”
Vadish look shell shocked, he couldn’t find the exact words to describe how he royally messed up his friends love life with his advice!
Mahanth: “She kept looking at me for a while… as if I spoke something which was off limits… and then she kissed me!”
Vadish: “She what?!”
Mahanth was beaming and blushing, his face was red: “she kissed me and said… she was sorry, she felt the same way and she shouldn’t have listened to your words, family will always understand, she had seen my parents and was confident that her parents will approve our love!”
Vadish looked confused, Mahanth: “what? what’s with the confused look?”
Vadish: “So I was just sleeping on the same bed where all this happened?!”
Mahanth laughed out loud: “Yes… you were sleeping on the same bed where all this happened!”
Vadish: “Dude first of all congrats…! I am really really happy for you both but this is the most happiest and awkward news I have heard in my life at the same time! God!! I shouldn’t have slept!”
Mahanth: “Hey! if you hadn’t slept then I would never be this happy.. and… don’t mention to sadvita that cloud dialogue was yours!” , vadish smiled and nodded, they started to airport.
Vadish had given love advices to many, but a statement half consciously said turned the love life of a person. The flight was gaining altitude, Vadish saw the beautiful view of Goa and thought, or maybe it was just the magic of Goa that made people fall in love with each other.

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Kingmaker

17^th December, 09:45 AM
Arnesh singh, a soldier in the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army, was posted in location NJ9842. NJ9842, is the northernmost demarcated point of the Indo-Pak cease fire line known as the Line of Control, the highest battleground in earth, The Siachen glacier. Two months and a week had gone by since he took his post here, the climate was extreme, many soldiers died cause of the climate rather than enemy firing. Arnesh was in his morning scout, A7 assault rifle strapped on his right shoulder, ice axe on his left hand. Normally arnesh finished his scout in 45 min spanning 6kms. He walked on a mountain gorge, between two cliffs was a river roaring at the bottom. The path ahead was narrow and slippery, Arnesh slipped on the snow and lost his balance, he fell down on the steep slope with his head hitting hard on the snow.  The A7 rifle on his right had slipped and he accidently pressed the trigger, firing a shot in air. He desperately tried to use his ice axe to hold on to something but the melting snow didn't help the cause. Suddenly he noticed an ice axe firmly holding on to the earth little ahead of him, he caught the ice axe with his right hand and used his own ice axe in left hand to slow down the speed of falling. Both the ice axe held firmly to the earth, Arnesh regained his balance, he looked at the ice axe at his right hand, he didn't know how it got there or who threw it on time to save him from falling. He looked around, on the other side of the cliff he saw a soldier, his uniform had a green field with a white crescent moon and five-rayed star at its centre, and a vertical white stripe at the hoist side. Arnesh tried to get a good look at him but the soldier had quickly disappeared from sight, arnesh climbed his way up to safety. He turned around to see the soldier who saved him but he was no where in sight, the ice axe on his right hand also had the same symbol as the uniformed solider he saw. He aimed and threw the ice axe to the place where he saw the soldier standing, hoping he will pick it up later. Trained to kill enemies at any situation, arnesh found it difficult to digest what he experienced.  He has been saved by his enemy, after all even animals kill only when needed, and human being was top of that chain. Basic instinct of human being is not killing, he thought to himself. Arnesh reached back to his camp, he had to give an account on what happened to the bullet fired from his A7 rifle, he wrote on the sheet “fired in life endangered situation”.
18^th December, 09:45 AM
An old man in late sixties was reading news paper on his single storey home at gandhinagar, he was sipping his tea while carefully reading every inch of the newspaper, to his right there was a pile of different newspaper of the same date. His mobile phone started buzzing, the number was not displayed in it, he knew instantly that this was an important call and took it. A man's voice on the other end of the phone said: “Hello Masterji?”
Masterji: “Yes...!”
Man on phone: “Masterji... this is PM's secretory speaking, PM was hoping if you could spare few min for him today... it is very important masterji...!”
Masterji after a long pause: “hmmm... ask him to call back after an hour!”
PM's secretory: “Thank you masterji!”
Masterji: “hmmm.. okay!”
Secretory wondered who this man was, why Prime minister wanted to contact him over secured line! These meetings were never noted in his daily schedule list, it was as if it never happened, prime minister never gave the man’s name or his location, it was just phone number and called him ‘masterji’!
10:45 AM
Masterji's mobile buzzed, there was no number displayed again.
Masterji: “hello..”
PM's secretory: “Masterji... Prime minister is connected now and I’ll be disconnecting...!”
Prime Minister(PM): “Pranam Masterji!”
Masterji: “How can I help you prime minister...!”
There was a silence for few seconds... PM cleared his throat and spoke..
PM: “Masterji you were the prime force behind our parties success, you made me the prime minister of India... But I need your help Masterji... Situation is getting out of hand... Please help us...!”
Masterji: “Please explain...!”
PM: “Masterji you must be aware of the Anna movement and lokpal bill... it is gaining more and more force everyday, biggest support to them are the youngsters... Anna will go into fasting again if government doesn't materialize the lokpal bill, but the lokpal bill is asking even the PM to be under the scanner, which is worrying us a lot...!”
Masterji laughed softly: “Why Mr.Prime minister.. are you corrupt?”
PM in a wry sound: “Masterji....! This winter session of the parliament Anna wants the lokpal bill be passed but our party members are against it. The opposition party is also egging people against us on this matter...! People are starting to lose faith in our government... opposition is planning for no confidence motion… Please help us Masterji..!”
Masterji: “hmmm… I need information about what is happening in our border.. how soon can you get it?”
PM: “Masterji give me an hour… but may I ask why we need that?”
Masterji: “Get me that information and we will talk again after an hour!”
11:45 AM
Masterji was on phone again with PM.
PM: “Masterji there border security is good, there has been no news of enemy approach. Everything is under control”
Masterji: “Mr.Prime minister, if I am not wrong, Indian army has permanent base at siachen. And because of the adverse condition there are many soldiers dying or frequently transferred to other location. am I right? do you have information regarding that?”
PM: “Yes masterji you are right. we do lose many soldiers every year due to adverse climate conditions… but I need one more hour to get full detailed report on siachen!”
12:45 PM
PM: “Masterji I have detailed report on siachen base for the past three months. Nine soldiers had returned or transferred from that base because of series health problems, out of which 3 soldiers died, 10 gun shots were fired in last three months but no one was killed because of firing!”
Masterji: “hmmm… every bullet will be accounted for.. am I right minister?”
PM: “Yes… I have the details also… interestingly only a day before a bullet was fired and reason stated was ‘in life endangering situation’!”
Masterji: “hmmm… call defense minister and increase the camp strength in siachen!”
PM: “But masterji… there is no problem in it… it is totally under control…!”
Masterji: “Mr.PM… patriotism is a sensitive matter for Indian people, if you know how to handle it then you can conquer them…! please do as I say, ask defense minster to strengthen the camp at siachen. Do ask him to send a memo to the camp lead. do note that he mentions the “life endangering” gun shot in the memo and how Indians will not go silent to injustice.”
PM: “Yes masterji… will do as you said!”
Masterji: “Mr. PM… make sure media is tipped of what we are doing. there is no point if they don’t know what we are doing! but make sure that whole news is not leaked to the media… you need to get through the winter session without further talks about lokpal. In the remaining 5-6 days of the session need to planned carefully, ask Defense minister to immediately send troops to siachen, so by first day evening the word will get around about increase in number of soldiers. Media will start questioning the government about the situation, give them the reply as "normal military routine” being carried out. On the second day late afternoon, we need media to know about the gun shots heard in siachen, remember to hold back the information we have because that is the leverage we have! Media will do an entire episode about the gun shots being heard in siachen, they will dig up the old India Pakistan Kargil war and keep showing that in news. Do we have the list of soldiers who died in the last few months?”
PM: “Yes masterji… we have…!”
Masterji: “Next day leak to the media about the death of the soldiers and highlight the cause of death as “unknown” reason but we are investigating it. There will be huge speculation and media will start weaving stories of their own about the “unknown” deaths. And make sure that no one gives any details about what is happening in siachen, let the media create hype about why government is silent about the crisis! We have our media contacts in tact right?”
PM: “Yes masterji…!”
Masterji: “Make sure that one of our media contacts goes to siachen directly and does a live coverage of things. And after that leak them the information of “life endangering” gun shot and make sure they interview one of the soldiers about their life there in siachen! Media will start foul mouthing about the current government, that is when you make your grand speech in parliament final session… suspicious activity recorded in the siachen line of control and hence the precaution! tell the world about the gun shots,dead soldiers and protecting the borders by increasing the strength…a speech which will make every Indian proud and its enemies weak on its knees!!”
PM: “Masterji… Don’t you think the Pakistan Prime minister will keep silent on this?”
Masterji: “How much news paper do you read Mr. PM? You know in past two weeks there has been two bombing in major Pakistan cities? nearly 10 people have died in this incident, the entire world has an eye on how Pakistan government is reacting to it. People of Pakistan don’t know who to trust, the Pakistan Prime minister will welcome this with open hands, he will use the same patriotism trump card to gain confidence, besides there won’t be any war and remember wars are always won on papers not on battlegrounds!”
PM: “That is brilliant masterji!!”
Masterji: “Once the statement is made by you then we need a hero, make one of the recently died soldier as a hero.. Nation needs a hero and we will give them one.. then flood the social network with messages of patriotism and how the soldier died for his country… no one can question it, if they do question it they will be labeled as traitors!”
PM: “Sure Masterji, we do have lots of political groups in social networking… message can be easily spread!”
Masterji: “And then when the issue is in its peak you ask your media friends to take an interview with Anna and opposition leaders, ask them which is more important for the country now? lokpal or border security? then ask how they feels about the situation at the border? what they plans to do help the ‘jawans’ in the border… let media do its role after that… their statements will further spread in India… people will be engulfed in saving India from outside attack! Wait for another two days, then you give statement about meeting the Pakistan Prime minister and resolving the situation without any further casualties. Meet the Prime Minister in a neutral venue and hold talk for two days. And that is how you become the national hero who brought peace to the tense situation in siachen, resolving the issue by just talking!!”
PM with a big smile: “Yes masterji…! I will!”
Masterji: “You shouldn’t be stopping with that Mr.PM, once the peace talk is done, arrange a top cine star to visit the military camp at siachen… hmmm if possible a big star from all regional film industry will be better, that will create better impact with people! People will be exhausted from the happening, it will take a herculean effort to get them into motion again… they will be fed up with the politics and decide to ignore it… and you then you can sit back and device a plan for better INDIA” he said with a sarcastic laughter.
PM: “Will do it masterji!” replied with the same sarcastic laugh.
24th December, 11:45 AM
Masterji was watching a news bulletin which ran breaking news “Shooting at Siachen Glacier… Is government sleeping?”, the plan had worked as expected. The live coverage showed the final parliament session in which the Indian Prime Minister was making his speech about the current situation “India has never in the invaded another country in her history, but that doesn’t mean we will be silent if you poke at her… Bharathmatha is always patient but she will not stand the injustice done to her, anyone who makes her bleed will have to pay in double! Don’t take our silence for granted, this is the Land of Tigers, don’t mistake its crouching for cowardice!! Bharath Mata ki Jai!! Jai Hind!!” the parliament erupted in applause and everyone recited the slogan again and again, back home kingmaker was smiling after hearing the speech!

Inspired from chanakya’s chant

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Cup of Love

Vidula was slogging her way to the cubicle, she knew what was ahead of her for the day... another boring day in office. She unlocked her workstation and opened her email, the first thing she did in office everyday. She drank water when the emails where being refreshed, the folder named “IMPORTANT” didn't have any unread emails, three years as an IT employee she knew her manager's emails were indeed “IMPORTANT” and required special attention. She was automatically logged into the office chat and status changed to “Available”, her task bar was already flashing with an instant message from Varesh Balachandren.

Varesh: “Hey Good Morning! What doing?”
Vidula: “hi.. GM! Just checking emails.. what news?”
Varesh: “Actually... one important matter...”
Vidula: “Hmmm... tell tell”
Varesh: “One girl...!”
Vidula: “Only one??? ”
Varesh: “hey mokka.. I m serious!”
Vidula: “O.K...tell!”
Varesh: “Saw a girl in cafeteria...”
Vidula: “when?”
Varesh: “Actually one week back... daily going to cafeteria to see her”
Vidula: “ whats her name?”
Varesh: “Don't know!”
Vidula: “Which project? ”
Varesh: “Don't know!”
Vidula: “Waste fellow... One week and you didn't find it out yet?? you call yourself a GUY! ”
Varesh: “Hey... actually only after you asked I realized it... till now I didn't feel like knowing all these details about her!”
Vidula: “hmmm hmmm ”

Vidula knew varesh from school days, they wen to same college and now working in same company. From what vidula knew about varesh, it never mattered to him if he had a girlfriend or not, he wasn't the desperate types, he looked but never went overboard for a girl, but now she felt may be this one was an exception.

Varesh: “First look made it all, I was not bothered on who might be around talking to her. All which mattered was the sight of her. Those expressive cute smile, hands of hers playing in air while she was busy expressing herself and with the breeze making her hair lift up from her shoulders. With a bag hanging from her left shoulders and a brown or maroon chudidhare she was wearing. I must be insanely stuck on the sight I even forgot to move from where I was standing upon. It was a ordinary evening, until this scene before me unfolded. I had no idea why I had gone to canteen that particular evening, which was not part of the general routine of mine. Colleague beside had to pat me, while I was awestruck, to help me come back to reality!! Actually, what I was seeing was a reality too, it was just a scene of a girl who didn't do anything out of ordinary, she was just having a simple conversation may be with her friend. Why is it that it felt like something special I was looking at? Not many guys in that place were looking at her either, which means she was not that great chick!”
Varesh: “r u ter?”
Vidula: “you have typed so much, let me finish reading it!!!!”
Varesh: “ok ok”
Vidula: “VARESH!!! r u in LOVE?? ”
Varesh: “I don't know... but listen... This clear scene made me go to canteen often, I had no other thought or I dint know anything about her. I have no idea what made me do it. But I did know with my meager skills of reading a mind that

• Here is a girl who speaks her mind out.
• She was not afraid of speaking what was on her mind to that person.
• Completely transparent mind which is one thing I thought of myself too.
• It then stuck me when a person is this very comfortable talking to other , she must be friendly enough.”

Vidula: “You don't know her NAME yet!! and who was she talking to??!!”
Varesh considered himself to be a smart guy, but the questions vidula was framing made him look stupid, he wondered, why isn't vidula interested in things I know about her!
Varesh: “I wasn’t feeling bad on not knowing anything about her. May be, things like this I have never seen or experienced before. All I knew was that I enjoyed watching that girl that I thought. This was more than enough to make me feel happy. I did not want to be blank like this again, today evening come to cafeteria I'll show her may be you can help me out!”
Vidula: “You know this is called LOVE at first sight! ”
Varesh: “May yes or may be no... I don't know... just come ok.. 4.30 cafeteria!”
Vidula: “yes yes sure!! but your treat! ”
Varesh: “we will decide it there... bye!”
Vidula: “Bye bye Lover boy!! ”

When she closed the chat window, she noticed an unread email in “IMPORTANT” folder. Work consumed vidula's entire noon, it was almost 2.30 when she finished her work and replied to that email. She was hungry and eating alone was even more boring, she scanned around for a company. She noticed Ananwika sitting two cubicles away lost in her work.

Ananwika was one year junior and Vidula had to force ananwika to join her for lunch. The girls occupied a table in the far corner of the canteen.
Vidula: “Hey don't work too much ok?”
Ananwika: “Nothing like that...!”
Vidula: “You okay? You don't look so good...”
Ananwika was about to reply but she paused and took a long breathe, her eyes became moist.
Vidula: “Ananwika... what's wrong?”
Ananwika tried to smile but she couldn't stop the tears rolling out of her eyes. “Why is it happening to me?”
Vidula didn't respond but was patiently waiting for Ananwika to continue.
Ananwika: “I fell in love with a guy in college, he was smart and intelligent, we loved each other a lot, he was everything to me..but..” her eyes were red, she burst into uncontrollable tears, Vidula could see intense pain in her eyes, she knew what was coming, all vidula could do was to hold Ananwika's hand. “we broke up after college, he went to do MS, we did stay in touch but not for long... after few months he said he didn't feel committed to me anymore...! My world came to a stand still...! But I couldn't let my world fall apart, I joined this company, started working hard... things were coming back to normal. But Fate wasn't done with me... Love hit me again in a unusual way again with a guy who I didn't even look upon once even though we worked on same project. Everything in my life was dull and gloomy, I was vulnerable, every decision I made I was not sure, that is when he came breezing in, he provided me the support, he was always there making sure I did it right. I had suffered once, I didn't let myself fall for his charm and smile, I knew what would happen if I failed, I didn't have the strength for it.

Ananwika's lips curled into a smile but her eyes told a different story: “But he proposed me, I was not in a position to agree his proposal but he persisted. I thought may be this is how I heal myself, all his action completed me, I felt happy... I didn't have to dream cause the reality was much sweeter and better than dreams... My cup of love was full again...! but fate had its own way of teaching you that dreams are better way to live... It plucked him away from me in the form of his parents... I was lost again, somewhere there is no life, no color, no hope, no path, no love... may be my soul is dead... I don't know... I went back into my shell , I didn't know who to trust... I immersed my self in work.. My parents are planning to get me married... I don't know if I can stand another failure...!”
Vidula was in loss of words, she didn't have slightest idea of what she should say to her...
Vidula: “Don't worry you will find love again!”
Ananwika smiled back at her, Vidula knew that smile had so much of pain and she understood what it meant, “Smile, even if it's a sad smile, because sadder than a sad smile is the sadness of not knowing how to smile.”

Vidula was back to her seat lost in work until Varesh pinged her.
Varesh: “Its almost time... meet you in cafeteria!”
Vidula: “ya ok!”
Varesh was waiting for Vidula in the cafeteria, he had chosen a table from where he could scan the entire crowd. He passed vidula a cup of coffee.
Varesh: “You ok? You look disturbed!”
Vidula: “Nothing... just stupid work! Leave that... are you planning to ask her out?”
Varesh: “You mean date?”
Vidula: “Ask her for a coffee first! ”
Varesh: “May be yes I'll... but you never know when I'll get lucky! ;)”
Vidula: “A guy on a date keeps wondering if he will get lucky or not but a girl always knows!”
Varesh: “haa haa ok Madam!!”

Varesh stopped drinking his coffee and nudged Vidula, he was pointing at a girl drinking juice. Vidula found it difficult to swallow the coffee, this is was the worst thing that could have happened... Varesh was pointing to Ananwika. Being his childhood friend, she had to tell him everything, may be she could save him from being hurt... Vidula told him why saw was disturbed before, she told varesh about Ananwika’s past.
Vidula: “She may not understand your love...! her scars won't heal varesh! she is devastated”
Vidula looked at Varesh, his face went blank, she couldn't read any expression or get any reaction from him.
Vidula: “Are you ok?”

Varesh heard vidula's question but he didn't know how he felt... his mind was not expecting this but now it was not responding to it either, varesh noticed vidula's fingers tap him on the arm, his senses were working yet brain didn't respond. Vidula didn't force him, she knew he must be in shock, so waited for him to respond, at last varesh did respond.
Varesh: “I am feeling totally powerless!”
Vidula didn't understand what he meant but didn't interrupt him “I am in a position where I can't blame anyone, couldn't react or respond.”
Vidula: “Varesh please... you don't even know her!” but he had left the table by then.
Vidula returned to her workstation, thinking about the day, which was supposed to be boring... now she would have preferred a boring day. She started working when she received an email from varesh.

Hey,
All I have to thank this girl who had me taught few feelings which I have not experienced before.

• Awestruck on seeing her all these days
• Making me appreciate something which is otherwise ordinary.
• Making me take a notice of a girl
• Filling almost all my thoughts about a girl all these days
• Making me enjoy the time when I was alone, when I would be thinking of her
• Making me comb my hair neatly often and keeping me neat most times
• Feeling of being elated
• After I came to know about the girl, I did realize I was hollow
• I did realize am sensible enough not to curse her or you
• I am good guy indeed
• I did experience the feeling of Total powerlessness
• I did realize there are few things which make me go crazy still it will not be mine
• I did realize its not her whom I should let go, but its my thoughts about her which I should really let go
• I did realize, I was happy by just seeing her from distance, why should I be down then?

She has been a great teacher, she taught me lot of things without talking or seen me or without even knowing such a soul existed.I experience love when my cup was empty,not when it was full. All I hope is she being happy throughout the life, no matter what. I am sure I will find my way out. Also I want to tell her that after this incident no one ever will influenced me this much or in such a way.Good luck to her.
Vidula finished reading the email, her heart felt heavy... She has read a lot about love but what she couldn't say, what was love… when cup was full or when the cup was empty...!

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Wild Kick

Year: 1995
Place: Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram

Dear Blog,

I was in III standard and went to school in van, but one day was very special which I will never forget in my life. My van came very late to pick me up from school, very very late, but I was happily playing with my friends, their bus was also late. Suddenly one of the attenders came and told us that “Hartal/Strike/Bandh” has been declared and there will be no bus services. I just couldn’t understand why would they declare a “Hartal” in the afternoon, if they had said it in yesterday’s news my parents would have noted and I would be happily sitting at home instead of coming to school. The attended took few of us in an auto to the “Attukal” campus, my sister’s school, my school has only till IV standard, and informed us that we will dropped home via auto or van once all the children's from our school van got there.

We reached my sister’s school, she was in VI standard, she doesn’t come via school bus, she takes the private or government bus to come to school. I found my sister, told her about the “Hartal”.


Sister: “Do you want to walk home? No body is sure when the next bus will come, some say after 6 PM the buses service might start, it is only 4 PM now.”

Me: “How long should we walk?”

Sister: “I think our house is 10 KM from here, I saw a board while coming to school the other day”

I did my mental calculations, 10… I know I comes after 9… I know ones place, ten’s place, hundred’s place, thousand’s place… teacher taught me thousand had three zero’s. But ten only had one zero, so 10 is less number. So should I walk? if I don’t walk I will be missing the cartoons…

Me: “10 sounds less… but what if we don’t know the route?”

Sister: “I come by bus daily so I know the route well… I even walked once home before… it will be adventures like the ‘JAI HIND’ movie”.

“JAI HIND” was one of the super cool movie I have seen as a kid, the hero goes on a amazing journey through forest, escaping many traps to catch the bad guys! I was a big time fan of the movie… I used to enact the movie with my cousins as if we are going on a big adventure in the forest. The word “Adventure” probably might be the biggest and coolest word I knew back then. My sister probably knew by mentioning the movie name I would agree for any “adventures” plan.

Sister: “I also have 20Rs with me, we can buy chocolates or ice cream and eat it on the way the home.” By now I was a sitting duck! agreed for the adventures walk home.

We started walking, being a responsible sister she held my one hand, on the other hand I was carrying my “Lunch bag”. We kept talking about the movie and the adventure we can have on the way home. I was happy that I decided to walk, I was not entirely sure about the way but I trusted my sister to take me home. We crossed another primary school, which was empty and locked. I was wondering how they went home so early, it would have been great if I had no school tomorrow also. Will they declare “Hartal” tomorrow also? I hated going to school. We crossed the school compound and reached a junction, my sister held my hand tight since we had to cross the road.

My eyes fell on a person crossing the road, on the first look I couldn’t make out if the person was a “he or she”. The person had long hair, wearing a “lungi" and a shirt which was very dirty and was on bare foot. And strangely the person a had perfect “Namam” on forehead, its a “V” shaped tilaka. I was wondering why would a person so dirty have a perfect “Namam”, the person crossed the road and was shouting at someone, my sister’s standing right next to me tightened her hold on my hand. I kept staring at the person who was inching close to me, out of no where, the person lifted the right leg and kicked me!! right on my heart!! It was such a powerful kick that my hand slipped out of my sister’s hold and I started stumbling, but luckily I didn’t fall.

I didn’t understand what was going on and because of the kick I was now few feet away from that person and my sister was now standing right next to that person now. That person had a murderous look, I heard my sister shout “Run… Run… Run…” I didn’t wait any longer, I turned and started running and immediately the person started following me. Just then I struck me, that person was probably “Mental” and that is why my sister held my hand tight. With lunch bag on one hand and bag on shoulder, I ran as fast as I could, all shops were closed, road was empty, I had to hide somewhere.

I heard the person shout: “nee aanu ende kochu ne konnathu…! Ninne kollathe vidu illada…!”(You killed my kid..! I’ll kill you!)

So the person was a “SHE”, her voice confirmed it and I have been kicked by a lady mental. But hiding was on the priority list now, I crossed the primary school which I saw on the way, the gate was locked, I stood there… If it was a hide and seek game, this was the most stupid place to hide, I wouldn’t even call this hiding, I was standing next to a wall in which the gate was welded in… “SHE” just had to move her eyes to the side to see me… I could hear her voice coming closer… My heart beating louder than “her” voice… If only I could find a better hiding place… If she found me here, another kick.. I am gone.. no where to run from here… I heard her voice again… I saw her… I held my breathe… she was looking straight… I prayed “don’t turn.. don’t turn..”. Any sane person would have noticed a boy standing with a lunch bag sticking to the wall like a lizard looking scared to death… but she was “insane”, so she kept walking straight and crossed me… I didn’t wait for a second, started running in the opposite direction towards my sister, I was afraid what if “she” turned around and chased me again, my sister was in the same position when I was kicked but she looked very pale…

Sister: “you okay?”

Me: “Yes…!”

We realized move quickly away from that place would be best for us, suddenly people appeared from no where and surrounded us… I was the STAR of the occasion! Everybody was asking me if I was fine… I kept nodding my head.

A person said to my sister: “aa prandhu chavatumpol ee kochu vizhatheathu naanaiyee… prandhukalgu abara shakthiya… ee kochu thhaalzhe vizhathaal prashnaam airikum keto…!” ( it is good that this kid didn’t fall down when that mental kicked… Insane people are very much stronger than normal people… if this kid had fallen down then things would have been very bad..!)

My sister looked at me hearing that, I was not sure if I should give her a proud boy face or strong boy face or start crying, but I just looked back her. People who gathered had managed to get us an auto back home… The entire journey back home we both spoke about how I didn’t realize that person was mental on the first look and how my sister who was standing next to that mental and screaming to me was untouched. I kept asking “Why me?” but I till now I don’t know the answer. Being a responsible sister, she instructed me to tell a revised version of the at home, a story which had no “JAI HIND” inspiration in it.

MORAL: If you see a mental, make sure you make WAY for them!

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