Monday, 27 July 2015
Not a love story: The first almost date- Part 1
There he was at Café Coffee day, at 5pm sharp, waiting for her and analysing his decision of being on time. How could he not work this through that a girl is always 2 quarters late on arrival?! Seemed like, those Sherlock episodes of last night didn’t work it’s magic on him.
Nevertheless, as expected, she came 15min later than the theoretically assumed time. 5.45 pm it showed on his watch along with a little disappointment on his face mixed with a pinch of regret.
Almost helping himself from the anti-climax and tiredness of waiting for someone, he stood up, walked to the other chair and pulled it out for her.
With more of a sorry-I-got-late-please-don’t-be-mad than a thank-you-for-the-chivalry face, she took the seat.
‘I am really sorry for making you wait like this.’ She immediately said apologetically enough to melt down Sahil’s little anger.
As a matter of fact, Sahil never liked to wait for anyone. He was an on-time guy and wanted others to appreciate the value of time as well. But much to his woes, things have never been the way he wanted them to be.
‘No, it is fine.’ He blurted immediately as if rehearsing it since hours, may be months, with different people at the receiving end.
Unable to comprehend the latent tension on the other side, she switched off the sorry-mode, assuming that would be of no use. After all, she has never been a make-up girl. She found it tiresome and tough to reconcile for her wrong doings after a certain point. And that point was mostly an honest ‘I am sorry.’ That’s it. Apology made for her.
Sahil didn’t like to stay with the wind too. He moved on fast. Something that time has taught him through the hard way. So he blended well and asked what she would like to have.
‘One peppy chicken roll and café latte’, she said almost hiding her excitement. She was a big time foodie and never compromised food for an hour-glass figure. ‘Who would skip delicious meals for something so materialistic,’ she would say. However, those calorie filled meals weren’t visible by her looks. Morning yoga and cardio have done its magic have paid well.
Then, almost interrupting him, she took out a gift from her purse and with a sweet sugary smile passed that to him.
He didn’t foresee that up to this extent, so he took it as a massive surprise which was quite evident through his next-to-weird reaction.
‘Oh my God. I… didn’t… mmm… that’s so sweet of you. Thank you.’ He said while fighting a frog in his throat and making awkward gestures to blend in with the situation.
She answered with a smile when he slowly placed that rectangular shaped gift box while guessing what’s inside it. He gave up too early and went on to order the food stuffs.
‘Thank you, I seriously didn’t anticipate that. You actually shocked me twice today. Haha.’ He said after coming back.
Sahil had a way of expressing himself. If he had a grudge or something he disliked, he would say it indirectly through something sweet. It is kind of an encoded message in a box of chocolate. So, mostly it went unnoticed or stayed hidden behind that alluring other sentence. This way he confessed and let go of the things while not hurting the other person. He disliked hurting people. So he avoided it as much as he could.
‘Haha. I am actually sorry for coming late. And about the gift, it is the least I could do for you birthday boy.’ She grinned.
Eshita believed that one should never visit anyone, on their birthday or a birthday party, without a gift. No matter how small it is, never go empty-handed, she thought, just like Sahil.
‘You are very smart, I must say.’ He said with the first genuine smile of the evening.
‘Thank you. Thank you.’ She chuckled.
Meanwhile, their orders comes and were about to get into business of eating, sipping coffee and more talking, but all this was taken aback by the ghastly look on Eshita’s face when she caught a glance of somebody. Somebody familiar to her. A lot familiar.
Monday, 20 July 2015
Not a love story- The birthday
Note: Read
the first chapter of this mini series here.
He
logged into his Facebook account and saw 6 notifications. 3 were the truly
displeasing candy crush requests, while the remaining were the birthday wishes.
But out of all those, the last one caught his mind that read, ‘Eshita has
written on your timeline’.
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| Sums up a birthday! |
Unable
to contain his excitement, he immediately clicked on the link and got
redirected to the timeline post of hers that read,
‘Wish you a very happy birthday
Sahil. May you get whatever you want in your life.
PS: Too bad you didn’t tell me
about your birthday. Thank God I surf Facebook round the clock and took notice
of other people’s wishes on your timeline. This will have consequences (party
type). *wink*’
He
read it and smiled. And after thinking for a second he typed the first
thank-you message of the evening.
‘Glad to see your message. Thank
you for it. I am ready to pay for my sin. *wink*’
Thereafter
he quickly skimmed through the rest of the wishes on his timeline. He thanked
each one of them who took their time out to wish him luck. The feeling was
profound because he hid his birthday info on Facebook a year ago only to
include people who genuinely cared and made efforts for him.
After
15 mins…
He
was watching a video on YouTube when a notification sound caught his attention.
He paused the video and clicked on the Facebook tab. A childlike glee spread on
this face. It was Eshita’s reply to his earlier comment.
‘You should be. *wink*’
‘Hi. Thank you for the birthday
wish. I didn’t anticipate that.’
He promptly sent this and waited curiously for her reply.
‘You’re welcome. Though I am
angry that you didn’t tell me about your birthday.*sad*’
Over
the two weeks of interaction, this thing never caught up as a subject to them.
They mostly discussed anything except for their favorite color, hero, heroine
and birthday.
All
those basic questions that once acted as a conversation starter for most people
was surprisingly overlooked by them. May be, the times have changed. Now, you
don’t have to discuss lame things, like favorite colour, to carry on a
conversation. The list of topics is huge today. And people have become even more
open.
‘I am sorry. But this thing never
crossed my mind. By the way, when does your birthday come?’
‘Yeah, right. It will be on the
29th of the next month. Do not forget to wish me. Haha!’
‘I won’t.’ He made a mental note so as not to forget about
it. Although, he quickly added a reminder to this cell phone because of his
terrific memory power which has gotten him into a lot of trouble lately.
‘Are you free tomorrow?’ He added.
‘Mm… yeah. Why?’
‘For dealing with the
consequences. *wink* Birthday treat.’
He crossed his fingers in desperation. Something that happens with most of the
guys when they invite a girl and do not wish to be rejected or put on a wait.
‘Ahaaan. Would love to. When?
Where?’
‘Whatever time and place suits
you.’
‘Ok. Then, Café Coffee Day at
5pm?’
‘Seems fine.’
‘Alright then birthday boy. Time to
catch a sleep. See you tomorrow. Once again, happy birthday. *smile*’
‘Thank you. Have a great time.
Ciao. *smile*’
With
a thoughtful face and a set curve of bliss he logged out.
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Not a love story: How they met?
In the 21st
century, there was a boy. Average height. High hopes. Low spirited but always
willing to take risks for experiences. And looked more like the Indian version
of Clark Kent (Minus the physique).
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He had his definition
of love, the same as that of Gerard Butler from ‘The Ugly Truth’; true love is
a myth. And relationship is a slow poison. He was adamant. Unwilling to change
his thoughts and theories about love and whereabouts of it. After all, he had
his share of bad experiences in the past.
He was living his
mediocre life. Took fun, as much out as possible, from a mundane routine and a
boring job that did not pay well too. He was a big fan of Facebook, Twitter and
WWE. Give him 2 mins of free time and he could be found gazing his phone’s
screen, scrolling, reading, judging, assuming and what not.
His profession has
gotten him to be in touch with numerous girls of various shades and lifestyle.
Some liked party animals, unlike him. Some liked the chocolate guys of the 80s
that had a classic style of showing their fondness. And likewise, the list of
characteristics and interests were endless
with permutations and combinations. Almost.
However, there was
this girl, a little healthy (almost fit) and had alluring eyes with a gentle
gleam as if they were new to the world. The smile was enough to encourage
people to wash out their forlorn make-up. She was eccentric and straightforward.
But went blunt only under special circumstances. Mostly stayed jovial and
chilled.
One fine day they got
into a conversation because of some business purpose. However, the conversation
soon took a different turn and there was an endless discussion about movies, TV
series, songs and every other thing that entertains anybody. Not everything,
though.
Only when the eyes
yelled for a break and the head turned to look at the time, which was 4.30 in
the morning, they exchanged pleasantries and went to sleep. Unaware what the
coming days would be like, they dozed off. At least, she.
‘I didn’t know we had
so many similarities. She is intellectual
and witty. Hope we talk again.’ With this thought in the mind the guy dug
his head in the pillow. Switched off the lights, raced the fan speed and went
to slumber for good!
Thursday, 25 June 2015
The Life after Graduation
Graduation
is the first stepping stone in everybody’s life. A degree after all, makes them
eligible for a job, payments and allows them to enjoy their life to the fullest. And this is
by far every student’s dream. Graduate, get a job, earn money, have a gf/bf and
peace. Period.
 |
| The reality! |
Such
a great plan, might be so easy to attain most people think. However, the one who
completes their graduation can only understand what they have left behind. And
adding to the grief, what trouble lies ahead!
The
first thing that almost every graduate tries to save themselves with, is this
question, ‘Aur beta, kya kar rahe ho
aajkal? Kya socha he aage karne ka?’
Honestly,
I am saving myself from these questions. But anyways, since you have asked,
then let me tell you, I want to be a billionaire, invest in experiences and
eventually live a peaceful life. I am working on an idea for which I need investors.
If you can lend me some money for it, then we are good to talk further. Also, while I am on it, am seeking a job that
suits 3 basic requirements of mine: Heavy money, Less working hours and a
tension free life. For now, I have zero such companies fulfilling this demand. Government
jobs do deliver these expectations up to a certain extent, but then there is a
lot of competition. A lot of insane competition. However, I do not fear the
competition, after all, I am a male, an engineer and belong to general
category. What I fear is your question that ultimately targets to pull my leg
rather than do anything good. So, for the love of GOD, have tea and biscuit and
leave for the day.
 |
| Totally right! |
You
want to say this, don’t you? But, you just can’t. After all, we are programmed
not to be blunt, but to dodge such questions with an edgy ear-to-ear smile and
a hackneyed phrase’, ‘Bus uncle explore kar
raha hun. Hi-hi. Arey! Chai lijiye na. Hi-hi’.
This
is the situation. Students actually can’t reveal what they want to do in life.
Most don’t have a plan. Most. But others who do, refrain from making it public
considering the natural criticism coated with the mockery that would come from
the other side. So, better to dodge than to lose a one sided conversation over your
career with clichés.
 |
| Found this on the internet |
At
the end my friend, lonely days and nights, limitless criticism and questions
along with exponentially increasing peer pressure is what awaits for a graduate
until he/she does something in life. And by ‘does something’, I mean, do a
regular job and earn money. Or, go for a post graduation degree. This is the
life after graduation. Welcome.
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
How to keep your relationship going after graduation?
The
first year of the college is very special for everybody. It is a new start for
some people and for others it proves to be a platform to carry forward their old
legacy. But whatever is the case, everyone does savor it. Also, a few gets into
a relationship or start to date. Others keep exploring their perfect partner to
share a bond with. While another segment has come bonded from school.
 |
Anyway,
if it doesn’t happen in the first year, then possibly on 2nd, 3rd
or maybe 4th; wait, 4th year,
really?! And in case, it doesn’t happen at all, then welcome to this group of
singles who never mingled of which this blog’s owner is a proud member. Proud,
why? You will figure out soon.
So,
the thing is that you get into love in any year of the college. But now, as
soon as the 4th year comes and you blink, magic happens; the year is
at its end. You are about to be a graduate. Finally going to have a degree, may
be a job sooner or later, will get to see new places and what not? So many
possibilities and so much fun.
The
good, bad, whatever 4 years are about to end with tons of memories. A lot of
which you want to preserve along with the people involved in it. You want your
friends (maybe just a handful) to be with you for the life ahead. And you
definitely want your other half to be with you as well. In fact, you both have
already named your first child in a few of the discussions in this while,
right? But all this looks shaky all of a
sudden because an end to a routine is about to come. Your college life is about
to end. You are going to be at home, improving your skin tone. Congrats!
But
this is not what you want. You would happily accept darker shades and a few
pimples at the cost of your beloved ones. Or at least for that one person for
sure. But life won’t give so easily what you desire for. Every hello has a
goodbye to the other side.
So,
in this situation, it is hard to maintain your long lived relationship. After all,
the roads are about to be diverted when your love is at its peak. Your family
plannings are going to end without a court trial. Your darlo, baby, sweeto , etc are going to part ways. And all
this just gets into your nerve.
Amidst
this situation of dilemma, frustration and sadness, what can you do to keep
your relationship going?
Before
you read any further, I would like to tell you that I am only suggesting a few
points. For a detailed case study, you can send a cheque to fix an appointment.
Thank you.
Anyway,
how can you keep your relationship alive? Here are a few points to consider:
1.
Talk. Yes,
talking can cure a lot of things. Solitude will only multiply the frustration.
So, talk to each other about it. Be frank, lucid, pragmatic and considerate. This
will make a way to a solution.
2.
If after
talking you reach to a no conclusion stage, then either stay in a long distance
relationship as long as you both can. Technology can only not make the two of
you touch each other, rest is possible. Utilize it.
3.
If this seems
to be tough then opt for being friends. However, this is difficult and you know
it. So, think before you accept the offer. Awkward situations will sink you
soon. Choose wisely.
4.
With a heavy
heart, break up. Huff… *long silence* This is the only solution after everything
fails. But, even if you do this, do on a good note. That will make the pain
dissolve with time and you will easily accept the reality.
So, these are my free advices. You may also book
me for a personal session at low prices. Summer sale.
In the end, all good things must come to an end; which
ones? That you are to decide. For me, it is this post. See you soon.
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Book Review: The Wedding Trousseau and Other Short Stories
Title: The Wedding Trousseau and Other Short
Stories
Author: Ankita Sharma
Publisher: Humming Words
Publishers
Pages: 135
Cost: 180 INR
About the Author
Ankita Sharma is an
entrepreneur based in Faridabad (Haryana), India. She is passionate about
writing, reading and sketching. Her sketch works have appeared on the cover
page of a few titles. She loves nature and is fond of animals. You can read her
blogs at www.hummingwords.blogspot.in.
From the Author
In her own words, ‘This
book is a small collection of eleven stories carrying various hues of emotions.
While some of these are inspired from real life incidents and people, others
are drawn from the free flights of my fantasy.’
She adds that the
collection can be enjoyed by readers of any age group, which is totally right.
Design
Though the design is
not fancy with bold colors or alluring pictures, but it leaves a mark. The
light pink color and a complimentary image of a building that signifies the
perceptions of people in the society sure look sober and elegant. However, the
title could have been better; may be a little simpler for the non-voracious
readers to attract. But, overall, the design is good and blends well with the
stories inside.
Plot
The book contains 11
stories, none of which are interconnected, but that doesn’t restrict it to make
an impression. Each story represents different shades of life. From the first
story ‘The Pink Card’ to the last one ‘Just Perfect’, you go on a journey full
of emotions, thrill, bliss, excitement and what not? Hardly a few misses the
mark by not reaching to a proper conclusion. But most of the stories leave you
stunned with their originality and endings.
Verdict
With 135 pages, the
book is surely a quick read. The language is simple and lucid. And that makes
the stories easy to understand as a whole and not just the gist of it. The book
will present different perceptions and prejudices prevailing in the society which
will amaze you. So, don’t wait to buy your copy. This debut work of Ankita will
definitely make up for your money and time.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
One of my ‘wild’ fantasies!
Fantasies are like Parle-G;
almost everyone has packets of it, or at least, a packet of it for least to
say. Some of those are small yet significant, while some others are just good
enough to stay in the mind of the person itself because Google doesn’t allow
such content to be made public so easy these days. Whatever be the
case, the point is that everyone dreams of a surreal mix of fact and fantasy.
Something that they want to happen in their life. It may be beyond
the bounds of possibility or might be utterly feasible. But the important
part is that there is ‘something’.
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| Imagination! |
And am I an exception to
it? I don’t think so. I too have some fantasies; good, bad, bold, whatever, I
won’t disclose all of those anyway. However, I will mention one of the offbeat
and my favorite one (Yes! I do keep a list of fantasies). I am eccentric.
People don’t kid about me on this note for sure.
So, here is the start of my
fantasy. ALERT: It is very detailed. Continue reading at your own risk. No
repayment. It's free. ;)
One of my friends has
invited me and my better half to his wedding reception party. He is
the second one from the circle to get tied in knots of a marriage. And this has
made me even happier; after all, I was getting a partner to share the
post-marriage drama with.
So, we reached the venue on
time when the crowd was just fine to handle during a buffet. I was in a navy blue tuxedo suit coupled with a white mandarin-collar shirt having black
buttons and a white stair-cased pocket square. No tie (image below). And,
my wife is wearing a Sabyasachi saree, somewhat like the image below.
 |
| That's the suit. Almost! |
 |
| Saree! |
We meet the lovely couple
and pass them a wedding gift. Raymond Weil watch set. Get photos clicked.
Exchange hugs and then come down the stage to meet other friends from the
circle. Everything seemed just right.
But only then a feud gets
started at the entrance. A lady was mistreated by some local goons while she was entering the venue with her 3-year-old child. Her
husband was out-of-town and therefore she had to come all alone.
To solve the matter the two security people at the entrance got in between. But
the badass guys thrashed them to pass the message.
Thereafter those Intimidators entered
the venue with hockey sticks and a pervert smile on the face. They were 8 in
number. Certainly, they didn’t watch movies at all which was evident from
their fashion sense. Almost every other guy wore a black jacket and a black
bandana that had a skull on it, which looked almost the same. May be, they
purchased it from ShopClues.com around a few days, who knows?! Whereas, others
were too lazy to put on a badass look. Thus they were in with an oversized
t-shirt and blue jeans.
Anyway, they soon got into
the job of intimidating people by cracking things up with their hockey sticks.
Some eve-teased the ladies while others looted the money from the
guests. And to do the worst, they blocked the entrance and exit completely to
being in isolation. Superb! They had experience of doing such things.
When a few people tried to
fight back, they were beaten till they dropped that silly idea. And
that created chaos and fright everywhere to a higher level.
A few people called the
police too. But that would have taken time for sure. And looking at the
situation, somebody had to do something immediately.
So, only when I took a step
forward to intervene, my wife grabbed my arms tightly and looked straight into
my eyes as if wanting me to stay in silence. Meanwhile, my friend and her
fiancé came to us. They were baffled, confused and terrified all at the
same time. Only to break the horrific silence, my friend asked me, what we
should do now? To which I turned my head towards him and looked deep into his
fiery eyes, putting a hand on his shoulder for composure and said, ‘I will
handle this. Just take care of them, pointing towards both the ladies.’
Then I started walking
towards two guys, who had hockey sticks and were thrashing the set-up with it,
while unbuttoning my blazer buttons. I tapped on a guy’s shoulder, he turned
and bam. I punched him right on the nose. He dropped his hockey stick and
ran holding his bloody broken nose.
This turned other guys’
attention towards me. They started to come towards me. Meanwhile, I kicked the
second guy, who had a hockey stick too, on his sensitive area and punched his
jaw. He fell down twisting to his left in a jiffy.
One guy tried to knock me
off from behind, but I dodged him only to break his rib bones with my knee by
twisting, lifting and aiming it at the right spot.
Then, the remaining 5 guys
surrounded me. They had tongs, spatula, corkscrew, cheese and butter knife.
Wonderful, they assumed me to be Sanjeev Kapoor and the place to
be the set of MasterchefIndia.
I looked at all of them one
by one in the eye and said, ‘This is your last chance to run; choose wisely’.
They smirked and came
altogether. I grabbed the hockey stick, that the first guy whom I punched,
dropped and swayed it aerially just like the straight drive shot in a
cricket match. That got a guy off the list.
Now, 4 more were left. All
of them came together with their stuffs. I side-kicked one of them and
banged another one with a turning kick.
The kicks intimidated the
other two guys so much that they stopped midway from their attack and looked at
each other with disdain.
And then they tried to flee
the situation only to get caught by the police at the entrance. The police
arrived right on time just like a movie scene.
I dusted my blazer, buttoned it again and went to my wife. She was baffled yet happy after
whatever just happened and couldn’t resist hugging me. I patted her back, like
we do to a child, to soothe her.
Everybody else had a
similar look of happiness and disbelief. After all, they don’t see such things
happening apart from movies. But gradually, peace and tranquility was restored
as the police and other staff took charge of the situation.
I was thanked for
being brave and hugged by my friend to save the night for them.
I then left with my wife
happily, knowing that nobody good got severely hurt.
End of story.
Now you must be either
laughing out loud in disbelief or must have had already left considering the
action packed performance from a chocolaty boy who has been an
epitome of serenity till date. But, what if I tell you that I have even weirder
fantasies on the line?
Later.
