Tuesday, December 2, 2014

10 Signs that you might be a 'Jalra' case!

Jalra
Def: Suck ups!

1. You are always saying yes. Irrespective of whether you understood it or not
2. You laugh at jokes you don't even understand
3. You're the first one to stand up in a fight against them
4. You are always reassuring them that they are the best
5. You agree to whatever decision they take
6. Their friends are your friends
7. You seem positively happy with their life's decisions; irrespective of how it impacts you
8. You are constantly complimenting them on their clothes and appearance
9. If asked to vote, your vote is for them. All the time
10. You go where they go, you sit where they sit, you stand when they stand, basically you just exist because they do

Revisiting my love story!

Years ago I started writing on this fictitious character called Naaz and her love interest Dev. It was a plain love story between Naaz and Dev, set in the backdrop of their college years. However, I quiet didn't get the whole picture together and I stopped writing their story a while ago. The abstracts are here in bits and pieces on this blog. I wish I had a better vision before I started writing it down because I feel odd to just cut short their romance due to my lack of vision. 

Therefore, I have decided to revisit this story once again. This time with more preparation on where the story is heading to and how it finally ends.

If everything goes as per plan, I will have accomplished my dream to publish a book.

Let's hope! :)

Monday, November 3, 2014

Things I forgot after Internet came into my life

1. Writing on paper
2. Writing neatly
3. Writing letters
4. Pen pals
5. Sending Birthday greetings through post
6. Spelling 'Birthday' as 'Birthday'
7. Sending Christmas greetings through post
8. Enjoying the vacation without instagramming it
9. Enjoying the meal without instagramming it
10. Enjoying anything in life without instagramming it
11. Calling friends over phone
12. Taking pictures in the studio
13. Talking to parents/adults/siblings without looking at the phone/laptop/iPad/desktop
14. Dial Up existed
15. Playing games outside
16. Reading books
17. Going to the Library
18. Reading books in the Library for assignments
19. Looking up the Dictionary. Owning a Dictionary
20. Remembering phone numbers
21. We are not robots 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Stinkers and how to react to them

It's no big deal receiving stinkers from your reporting authorities at work. But whether or not you choose to react to them and how you react is a big deal.

Sometimes, these stinkers can really stink, I mean, really really make you feel like you're an absolute piece of trash, good for nothing sloth, undeserving of your place in the company. 

But no matter how stinky and soul-crushing that might sound, you have to remember that the person typing that from the other end is just a human being. 

I know it is difficult to see it from that angle. Because he/she just called you a $&*&$^%#~@!@! and ridiculed you, obviously they look like Lucifer's first cousin and you absolutely wish they were dead. But, if we try and be calm (may be for 2 minutes) that murderous feeling will probably die down. And don't immediately go on a "begging for forgiveness" spree, typing 'SORRY' and 'APOLOGIES' in every sentence, making the email look like all the 'sorries' and 'apologies' and just barfed all over your screen. Hold on to that also. 

Do's:

If you receive stinkers at work, read the email once and close the screen.
Open it again after a minute or two and re-read it. Think of it as your reading comprehension exercise. 
Summarize the content into one or two simple lines. 
Analyze - what went wrong? Who is wrong? What could have been done? What alternate solutions can you suggest? How can you make things better? Do you need to apologize? What is the relevant assurance you can provide?
[don't be biased and side yourself] 
[Don't try to look for someone to transfer the blame onto.]
[Remember it is the situation that has triggered your boss's frustration. Not YOU!]
Jot down your findings. 
Read your findings and what according to you could have been done to have avoided this situation. 
Compose an email with this and add appropriate apology notes where required and send it across. 


Don't:

Hurl abuses at your boss
Discuss this with your friends at work
Ignore the email
Respond back in curt language
Blame others/team
Be embarrassed to apologize if wrong 
Bad mouth boss over lunch 
Bad mouth boss in general 
Scoff at people randomly just because you are being scoffed at
Initiate exit


Stinkers are part and parcel of work culture and the sooner we learn to embrace them (I know it hurts) we will be able to grow as better professionals.

They are like those annoying neighbours who come home to gossip. You have to welcome them in and give them tea & snacks.


Monday, October 27, 2014

Some interesting things I learnt from Indian movies

1. The hero is always a simpleton who has extraordinary Judo, wrestling, boxing, karate and other ninja fighting techniques
2. The heroine, no matter from which community or state or locality, is the most well dressed, decked in make-up and fashion forward woman alive on Earth
3. All the heroine's friends are unattractive
4. The heroine is annoying, childish and cute at the same time. She just doesn't understand the seriousness of life
5. The villain always falls in love with the heroine. But he has lustful intentions whereas the hero has saintly intentions
6. The heroine falls in love with the hero after days of stalking, torturing, slapping by the hero
7. The heroine loves blind men, poor people, puppies, and kids
8. Whenever someone is in trouble, like a puppy wants to cross the road, the heroine (from nowhere) appears and does the honours
9. The wind's speed is always a 100 km/h when the hero sees the heroine
10. From the day the hero first sees his heroine, they 'accidentally' meet and bump into each other everywhere for the next couple of years till they finally get married
11. The hero has a husky voice
12. But can sing the most melodious songs ever
13. He can always dance and is an excellent 'kutthu' dancer
14. The hero certainly does not believe in the Indian Education System
15. The climax always takes place during monsoon season



Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Yo!

This is not the 'yo-yo' of the English, British types 'Funky dude yo-yo.' It is the Tamil, 'Poya yo' types of 'Yo.'
And why I am saying this 'yo' is because I am slightly irritated. So, the yo. Yo, poya yo.

You know huh, in office also there is something called the honeymoon phase. In that phase, boss is smiling all the time, boss is praising your work, colleagues are laughing and giggling like anything, other people are always happy and you are feeling like, wow, this is only heaven I think.

But, it seems this honeymoon also is short time only. After that phase, boss is grumpy and sending stinkers via emails, boss is calling your work is crap like things, colleagues are running race with you, other people are talking bad things  about your back, sorry, behind your back.

This is only called true working phase. In your mind you will think, ayyooo why I came here to work. It is torture.

But now only you should think and say, 'all this will pass da.'

It won't pass. You will only pass. But good to say such things. We have to be like a buffalo in the work place. Anybody scolds means we have to stand quietly like chomping grass and walk away and do work. Anybody saying you are lazy and useless means, we should walk like we did not hear anything. Really like a buffalo we must become. Then one day, we will be doing our work without anybody disturbing us, because they are thinking, anyway this buffalo nothing will get in the skin, so why to shout.

Orreeyy jolly only that time. Soon, when boss is shouting means, we will smile like anything. From our buffalo eyes, all will look like buffalo to us.

So, all of you who are thinking work is bad and such type of things, please you first become buffalo in the mind. Then all is well only!

maaaaaaah!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Say it and move on!

Yesterday I was watching an episode of Big Bang Theory, the one where Amy ruins Raiders of the Lost Ark for Sheldon. Sheldon unable to come to terms with the fact that Amy ruined what was one of his favorite movies come up with sinister plans to ruin something for her. He decides to ruin one of her favorite childhood movies. However, Amy stops him and simply tells him that since they are in a relationship, revenge is not an option. Sheldon should have told Amy how hurt he was and they could have talked it over.

That's a nice lesson to take away and apply in our relationships. Not only the relationships with our BF/GFs, spouse but even the ones with our friends, colleagues, siblings and most importantly, parents. Every relationship thrives on the participants' involvement in the relationship. I know we generally associate the term relationship to love, but hey, no harm in loving everyone around you. Let's not take the term literally here, because the lesson we learn will only help us become a better individual.

Your relationship with a friend need not take an ugly turn just because she did not call you on your b'day or because she went away with somebody else for a movie. Your relationship with your colleagues need not become tense just because they are doing well at work or because they are getting along better with your boss. If you can't openly express your problems, don't seek revenge silently. Instead make an effort, no matter how difficult it is, to talk to the person. If the person doesn't understand then it is not your problem. It is your problem only if you bottle up your hurt. Say it and move on, without worrying about the outcome. Because let's agree, worry about these things will take us nowhere.

I am pretty bad at relationships myself. I am being very candid about it because everybody who knows me, knows that. And when I say relationships, I mean even friendships. I get hurt very easily. And I seldom talk about it. If I get hurt, I just move away and isolate myself. But revenge? No. I don't seek revenge. What I do end up doing is, annoy the person by becoming extremely silent and closed!

I tell you, it's not done. (I told myself that) So, the point is, once you are hurt by your friend or lover or colleague, for some of us, things may change forever. We may not be the same friends anymore, we may stop sharing secrets, we may start doubting a little, we may become indifferent and so on. I know I cannot change overnight, and trust me, you CAN'T! So I decided to do this one thing - tell the person I was hurt. And then move on.

The sense of peace you get when you tell someone they hurt you and you didn't like cannot be expressed. Let's try it in our lives and see how life turns out for us!

:)


Monday, October 7, 2013

Lying low...

I have become an internet recluse. Apart from uploading my FB profile picture once in a while, I don't spend much time online. Practically, I can't say I don't spend time online because I depend on it for work... but that excitement has died down exponentially... is it because of the age or has internet become boring in general? 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Strangled...

'I have to start early to office tomorrow' Rajiv announced
'How early?' Rashmi asked
'I'll start at 5.00 in the morning.'
Rashmi was sad.
'It's OK, you sleep. I'll have corn flakes and leave. Don't bother about me' Rajiv consoled her lovingly
But it was not that Rashmi was upset about.

It was almost a year since Rashmi and Rajiv moved into their new apartment. Rashmi tastefully decked up her home, complete with pots and antiques and lovely artifacts from wherever Rajiv and she had gone on a vacation till date. She loved the warmth of her home. But she was scared to be alone in her home. Whenever Rajiv was away at work, Rashmi would either go away to a mall or dance class, but past 6 in the evening she would never stay alone there. She had a strange feeling that after 6 in the evening and before 6 in the morning something visited her house if Rajiv was away. She couldn't explain what. So when Rajiv said he was leaving at 5, she was terrified. 

The next morning. 

'Sweetie, I'm leaving' Rajiv announced
Too tired to even say bye, Rashmi just smiled and went back to sleep. She heard the door closing behind Rajiv and within minutes she was deep asleep. 

After a few minutes

Rashmi suddenly opened her eyes. She felt someone had walked past her. She couldn't look up because something was holding her from the neck. Then she couldn't keep her eyes open... something strangled her tight... she tried to scream but whatever it was that was strangling her was also closing her mouth... she couldn't open her mouth, her eyes and she couldn't breathe...she struggled... she moved her legs as if to escape the grasp.. but the hold became tighter... Rashmi was battling for life and then suddenly the grip quickly looseed, she opened her eyes to see what was happening.. there was nobody in sight... She got up quickly and ran to the hall... everything was peaceful and quiet... the birds were chirping and the morning walkers were enjoying the beautiful weather outside...

Rashmi was petrified. 

That evening after Rajiv came back home, Rashmi told him what happened. Rajiv hugged her and said it was nothing and that he would not have to start to work so early hereon. Rashmi was relieved...


Friday, July 5, 2013

No. It's not time yet.

No. It's never the right time to end your life. You cannot assume things will not get better. You cannot assume that what's happening right now will continue forever. You cannot give up. Yet.

Once a man came to learn that was a treasure hidden somewhere deep in the ground. He dug for days. Hoping to find that treasure. He didn't eat. He didn't sleep for days. He kept digging. 4 feet down the ground. 5 feet down. 7 feet down. 8 feet down the ground. That's when he decided to quit. He was never going to find that treasure. He walked away cursing his luck. Another man passed by. Assuming that someone was digging to deep in search of something, he began digging further. He dug one feet deep and didn't find anything. But he decided to give it one more shot and dug further when suddenly his shovel was hitting something hard. Just two feet into digging, the second man had found the hidden treasure. If only the first man had not given up!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Being grateful...

With all the highs and lows that life bring with it, yesterday; as if someone held me strong by my shoulder and shook me up; I realized I have stopped being grateful. We all know love is the greatest commandment, possibly the elixir of a happy life. But you can’t ‘love’ without being grateful for what you have, who you have, how you are. Gratefulness is the greatest virtue you can nurture in your life.

We tend to crib. We tend to hate. We tend to sulk. We tend to go into depression. We tend be in a permanent state of sadness and defeat. Without expecting someone or something to love you to bring you out of this phase, we must get up and say ‘Thank you.’

“Yesterday I was cribbing that I don’t have beautiful eyes. Today I realized I should be grateful for I have eyes that are healthy.”

You will not find a more cynical person than me. I criticize everything. Anyone. I judge too easily. Yesterday I realized, nobody really had an issue. Nobody was at fault. But I was the one who had failed to look at the positive and beautiful side of things. I was the problem. I was too busy trying to make myself happy and looking for things to satisfy my greed. I forgot that we co-exist. I forgot that we were all created in goodwill, filled with the grace and beauty of the divine power. Nobody is bad. Nobody is unclean. Nobody is disgraceful. We are turning a blind eye to the good. We take solace in seeing someone in poor light so that we feel superior.

Yesterday, I decided to count my blessings. To write down all the wonderful things I had in life. Being grateful is being content. Being content is allowing peace to flow through our souls. Being peaceful is being able to see beautiful things. Being able to see beauty is being able to see God. Being able to see God is being able to have lived the most wonderful life ever.

Is it OK?

Is it OK that when I see a cow not knowing how to cross the busy road, I just sulk and drive past?
Is it OK that when a beggar on the road knocks on my window and I just ignore him, pretending to have never heard the knock?
Is it OK that when I see a transgender walking past me, I get really scared and pray for my safety?
Is it OK that when I saw an old man fall down from his bike, I just drove past because I couldn't stop my vehicle due to the traffic congestion?
Is it OK that I don't take communion every Sunday?
Is it OK that I say horrible things in anger?
Is it OK that I remember people I'm supposed to forget?
Is it OK that I cry alone, not knowing why?
Is it OK that I give up?

Is it?


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I'm a catholic. Not a noisy one though.

Yesterday, I was sitting in church when suddenly the preacher asked all of us who were suffering inside to stand up and lift our hands, raise our voices in to the sky and say 'heal me, heal me, heal me.. forgive me, forgive me... thank you, thank you, thank you.'

Everybody in the church, except me, got up and started chanting with the preacher. I sat silently. Observing people.

Matthew 6:6-8

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

Why are we shouting out loud? Why are we literally assuming that God is up in the skies and we have to look up and scream at him to bring him to notice us.
As I was observing, I was trying and interpreting this kind of behavior. The preacher said, stand up and beat your chests and cry. Everybody did so. Seriously? Doing that will redeem us? Then what? We will walk away with the same grudge we had upon our friends, family and that will make us less of a hypocrite?
In my opinion, and I MAY BE SO WRONG, the preacher should encourage us to believe that God lives in our hearts. We do not have to scream and pray. If God dwells in our heart, it is sufficient then if we pray in silence. He will hear us.

I don't care what people think of me and my ways of praying. But I don't agree to this kind of worship where I have to shout, beat my chest, cry and fall on my knees asking for forgiveness. 

Friday, May 17, 2013

Thank goodness!

Kishore sat down on the worn out bench in the park. For 40 years now, every Saturday he and Pushpa would come to park, go for a stroll and then sit down on the bench. Watching children play, teens holding hands and vendors selling small eats.

'Do you want groundnuts?' Kishore asked Pushpa.
'I want Kulfi today.' She told Kishore.
'Kulfi? No no. No sugar for you. The doctor has said strictly said no.' Kishore insisted.
'Doctor has said no. But I want Kulfi.'
'Ayyoo... you and your sweet tooth. When will you listen to you doctor?'
'Never' she laughed.
'Fine. Ok. But we'll share.'

Kishore got up from the bench, walking slowly towards the kulfi guy. He bought one pista kulfi for his wife. He unwrapped the kulfi with his trembling hands.
'Shall I?' asked Pushpa
'No. No.' Kishore announced
'Here... eat and give me one half. Don't eat it fully.'
'Ok' Pushpa smiled and knew she wouldn't share it.

'It's getting really hot these days.' Kishore said, as he wiped away the sweat off Pushpa's forehead.
'Enough, Kishore. What if people see?' Pushpa said shying away.
'My wife is sweating, who else will wipe her forehead? That kulfi fellow huh?' Kishore asked authoritatively.
'You give me that kerchief, I will wipe it myself. Still thinking you are a young chap.'
'Ya, I'm young only.'
'Ayyooo, tell that to your 4 grandchildren.' Pushpa laughed

'Pushpa, where is my Kulfi?'
'I finished it.'
'What?'
'It was too small.' Pushpa smiled like a naughtly imp
'Too small? You are only behaving like a small girl. Still thinking you are the Pushpa sitting in our college canteen and eating ice creams.'
'How much ice cream I used to eat no, Kishore?'
'Ya, all my pocket money I used to spend on your ice creams only.'
'Hee hee hee.' Pushpa laughed

Pushpa and Kishore were married for 40 years. They had 2 lovely children and 4 grandchildren. They were a happy middle class family, content with everything in life. They had a home filled with love and their hearts were filled with peace.

A young couple sat beside Kishore and Pushpa on the adjacent bench. The boy was asking if the girl wanted something to eat. To which she just shrugged her shoulders and said 'Just shut up. Don't try to butter me.'
'I'm not trying to butter you.'
'You first say sorry for what you did.'
'I didn't do anything wrong.'
'You came 1 hour late and we missed the movie. So say sorry.'
'I told you I had to attend the special class in maths. I already flunked last semester.'
'I don't care. I DON'T CARE. SAY SORRY' she started shouting.

Kishore and Pushpa stayed silent. They didn't want to intrude. Every couple should know how to sort issues between themselves. It's best a stranger stays away from giving his opinion unless asked for.

'SAY SORRY. SAY SORRY. SAY SORRY.'
The girl kept screaming on top of her voice. It was good that the park was crowded and her voice was drained in the sounds of children playing, swings swaying, adults laughing at the laughter club. But to Kishore and Pushpa, this noise was unbearable. But they stayed calm. Ignoring the old couple, the boy and girl continued their fight.

Kishore turned and looked at Pushpa. A little smirk on his face. He wrote in her notebook, 'Thank goodness, Pushpa, that we cannot speak. I wouldn't have known how to handle this kind of screaming.'
In reply to which Pushpa wrote, 'I'm sure you would become deaf also!'
To which both of them laughed loudly. Audible only to their hearts. They both got up and slowly walked back.
Thankful and content.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Do you remember...

"Happy Anniversary dear" Anand spoke as he lifted his glass of wine.
Ritu didn't speak a word. He had come back home late from work. Anand had never once come on time for his wedding anniversary celebrations. And this was a special year. Their 10th wedding anniversary. They had been married for 10 years. But they had been in love for the past 20 years. Ritu wanted to spend this anniversary alone with Anand, reminiscing about their life together.
"Do you remember the first day I met you?"
He looked at Ritu, who was not interested in giving him an answer.
"You were leaving home for tuition. Your scooty, your old worn out scooty wouldn't start. I had just moved into the building and as I was parking my bike next to yours I saw you scrambling with the kick-start. I offered to help. But you just shoved me away, as if I were a scum and you left to your tuition walking, your face red with irritation. You looked like a tomato."
Ritu was silent. As if not interested in Anand's small talk. She knew he was just trying to calm her down. She was in no mood to talk to Anand. She just remained silent.
"Do you remember our big fight?" He continued.
"You did not do well in your exam and you did not tell your marks to your parents. Whereas I announced my marks to my parents, who in turn informed your parents and you were caught red handed. How much I laughed that day" Anand laughed loudly at Ritu's plight.
"You called me to the terrace and asked me to explain why I had to announce my marks. We fought and you walked away, determined to never talk to me again in your life. But Ritu, that is the day I fell in love with you. Irony isn't it? To fall in love with the girl who screams at you mercilessly?"
Ritu was getting restless as he narrated this incident. What was Anand's point? That Ritu was always losing her temper and that Anand was the one who compromised? She was annoyed at him. But she sat still.
"Do you remember how you wanted to get drunk on the eve of our wedding?" Anand giggled, his boyish laughs suddenly seemed to surface.
"You asked for vodka and pepsi. I gave you only a tall glass of Pepsi and told you I had vodka mixed in it. How much you laughed and danced that night Ritu. You were not even drunk but you were doing the drunken dance! And you should have seen the look on your face when I finally told you there was no vodka in that glass. You silly girl."
"And Ritu do you remember the first time you made biryani for me?" Anand kept his glass of wine down on the table.
"It tasted nothing like biryani"
"ha ha ha ha ha ha ha" he laughed out loud
"But we ate. We ate and laughed. Laughed and ate. We finished the biryani and swore to each that we would always buy biryani from Nawaz uncle's place."

Anand was silent. Humming. Slowly. He turned to look at Ritu. She was calm.

"You are so beautiful, Ritu" Anand spoke
"And you are beautiful because you have given me so many memories to live. Sweet, sour, bitter. We have had a great life together."

Anand took Ritu's picture in his hands. He brushed his fingers on her lips. It was their honeymoon picture. They had gone to Shimla. Ritu had her arms wrapped around Anand. She was trying to keep herself warm from the biting cold. She looked happy and comfortable. Anand looked proud.

"Ritu, how can someone as beautiful as you bring so much pain on herself?" Anand asked slowly
"Do you remember how I cried when you were lying on our bed, lifeless and dead? You don't remember. That was the last time I cried, Ritu. I cried till I dried myself out. I can't cry anymore. Even if I try to, I can't.I drink hoping to cry. But I can't cry"

Anand looked at the empty chair beside him. Ritu's dupatta adorned on it. Anand rocked on his chair. Humming. Slowly.

"Do you love me, Ritu?" He asked the empty chair beside him and dozed off. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

When the universe conspired...

It was a sultry afternoon and the class was in no mood for thermodynamics. Leela ma'am walked in and everybody got up to wish her
In unison everybody sang "Good aaaaaaafternooooooooooooooooooooon ma'am"
Soon the rebel in class, Abarna joined the chorus, "no neeeed to take claaaas maaaaa'aaam"
Leela ma'am got pissed off
'Sit down all of you. Or I will get angry.'
Abarna continued, accompanied by a group of other girls "pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee maaaaa'aaam. no need to take claaaas ma'am"
Not knowing it was Abarna who was shouting, Leela ma'am threw a chalk at the class. Everybody ducked so as to not be hit by it 
The padips of the class snickered and spoke aloud "ma'am please take class, ma'am"
Second Law of Thermodynamics: In any cyclic process the entropy will.................
Leela ma'am began writing on the board.
Abarna turned to look at her classmates who by now had given up all hope that Leela ma'am would let them go free this hour.
Leela ma'am wrote a lot of formulas on the board, explained the concepts and turned to see if we were taking down notes.
Abarna just kept staring at the blackboard hoping to fall asleep soon and then suddenly as ma'am turned to the board to write another formula, the duster fell on her head.
Leela ma'am was hurt and her head was covered with chalk dust.
She quickly scrambled out of the class announcing 'we'll continue tomorrow' rubbing her head in the process...
Abarna couldn't believe her eyes and she jumped like a clown.
She and her gang walked away victoriously out of the class to the canteen.
Like as if everything she wanted the universe conspired with her! 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love is in the air

Love is in the air? Wrong, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide are in the air - Sheldon Cooper

This fellow is correct! Love and all is not there in the air. In the air, apart from these gases, so much dust, pollution, cow dung smell and cigarette smoke is only there. 

Simply, on valentine's day alone, love will come in the air a? Then if I breathe that 'love' filled air what will happen to me? Tell! At least I know that if I breathe the polluted air I will get breathing problems, some diseases like asthma etc etc. What I'll get if I breathe the love air? Love a? Ayee, simply don't joke like this. 

Ok, one more thing you tell me, then today love is in the air, then tomorrow where this love will go? Into water a? Hey such stories and all tell somebody with flower in the ear. I won't believe. Why you are telling love is in the air. Love is a feeling no? Correct? That means feeling and all should be in your heart no? If love is in the air, then what is there in your heart? oh oh oh, don't tell blood, arteries, pump and all such biology related things. Even small baby knows. I also know. 

Tell me, love is in the air means what? What is the advantages of it? I want to know!



Thursday, January 31, 2013

Something happened.

Naaz, what plans for this weekend. Ajith's text read.
I called him back.
"Hey Naaz, what's up?" He sounded cheerful.
'Ajith, I'm going to my native for a few days'
"Oh, what happened? When? For how long?"
'My granny isn't keeping too well. My mum and I are leaving tonight'
"Oops. I'm so sorry. For how long are you away?"
'For a week, I guess.'
"A week??????" 
'Yeah, she's my granny and I love her a lot. That's why a week.'
"I know that."

Brief silence.

"I'll miss you so much, Naaz"
'I'll miss you too, Ajith.' I said softly.
"We will be able to speak over the phone right?"
'I have no clue. May be we can.'
"Alright, you take good care of her. I will pray for her speedy recovery."
'Thanks, Ajith. I'll text you.'
"Sure."
'Bye, Ajith'
"Bye, Naaz"

Something weird just happened right? I thought to myself. We were very good friends, yes. Not lovers. We shouldn't be bothered about being able to talk over the phone or not. 

I packed my bags and left to the station. I couldn't stop thinking of Ajith. 
I helped my mum with her bags as we got into the train. She had the lower berth and I, the upper. I placed my luggage with hers and quickly climbed up to my berth. 

I checked my phone. 

2 unread messages. 

1 message from the bank guys notifying me about my bank statement generation for the month.
1 message from Bhargavi. 
No message from Ajith. 

Bhargavi wrote: Hey Naaz, don't worry. Your granny will be alright. You take good care of her and you also take good care of yourself. Love you. 
Naaz: Thanks di. I will. You take care too. Love you loads. 

I took out my train book, Ulysses. 
But I was in no mood to read. My mind was so occupied with my conversation with Ajith. There was something to the way he said he would miss me and the way I reciprocated. 
I didn't know I should text him. I was extremely restless. 

It was a 14 hour journey to Kerala and those 14 hours were my life's most restless hours. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't read, I couldn't eat anything, I didn't seem to exist. My mum didn't say anything. She was already overwhelmed with my granny's condition. She just touched my hand before going to sleep and kissed me good night. 

All night I kept staring at the phone. In the middle of the night, I got an SMS. 

It was a message from my phone provider telling me that I had now entered Kerala and roaming charges would apply here on. 

We reached Cochin early in the morning. My uncle came to pick us up from the station. All of us were dull and tired that morning. I wasn't looking forward to going to my granny's house because I just couldn't bring myself to think of her as a sick patient and being bed ridden. 

We reached home and all of my aunts, rushed to hug my mum and they all cried. As if it was not enough, they all looked at me with tears flowing down their cheeks. I couldn't cry. But I was sad. 
I walked up to my room and lay down on the bed. I don't know how, but I fell asleep. I slept for 8 hours straight. 
Nobody woke me up for breakfast nor lunch. 

I checked my phone and no message from Ajith. I took a bath and got ready to finally meet my granny. 

As I entered my granny's room, I forgot everything else. I forgot Ajith. I forgot my loneliness. I forgot Dev. Everything. It was just me and my granny from here. 

I sat down next to her and touched her hand. She had shrunk miserably and she couldn't recognize me anymore. I felt her bones as I caressed her. She lay calmly, she was unaware that there were so many in the family, filled with anguish and anxiety over her illness. She slept like a baby. 

When I was young, I would come every summer to live with my grandparents. I loved my summer vacations here because my grandparents looked after us with so much love and care. I once fell very ill while on my vacation and I remember my grandparents would stay up all night beside me, holding my hand and crying and praying that I become alright soon. My grandad passed away many years ago and my granny was inconsolable ever since. They loved each other a lot. That's what I admired in my grandparents. They loved each other through thick and thin and old age and sickness and everything that came their way. She was lonely after he left and she ceased to exist. She loved us, but she was no more my old granny. Part of her died when my grandad left. 

I took her hands in mine and kissed her hands. The same hands that took care of me, cooked for me, braided my hair. My mother sat next to me and cried. I think she knew something and couldn't come to terms with it. 

All of us were going through a rough time.

My phone beeped. 

I miss you, Naaz.

I kept reading that message like it had all my life's answers in it. Like it was my very purpose of life. Like it was all I had ever dreamed of. 

After Dev left, I was filled will loneliness. I was depressed and sad. And now somebody else was filling that void. And I liked it. 

I miss you too, Ajith. 

I meant it. I was really missing Ajith. He made me happy. The happiness I thought I'd never be able to experience in my life. 

Naaz, what is wrong with us? His text read.
I wish I knew. I responded. 
It hurts. Because you are my best friend. And it shouldn't hurt so much. But it hurts.
I didn't respond.

And then the saddest cry filled the room. My mother was shrieking. She wailed. She fell down. Everybody around me, fell to the ground as if great doom had set upon them. 

My granny passed away. She was waiting to see my mother. She died in the presence of all her children. She was calm. She just passed away. 

I love you, Naaz. I am sorry if this is wrong. But I love you. 

I cried. 

New Friendship. New beginnings. New joys!

After Ajith came into my life, I started living again. In one sense, his friendship completed my loneliness and mine, his. 
We went out for movies in the weekends, ate out whenever possible and did a lot of shopping together. 
Ajith always cracked funny jokes, and I would take the liberty to laugh out loud in his presence. He didn't mind. I didn't either. 
We were two carefree individuals, totally enjoying each other's company. 
Ajith wouldn't miss any opportunity to flirt with other girls and I'd laugh so much after he'd be let down by all those girls.  Yet he never gave up.
"Find a good girl for me no, Naaz" he'd ask me with his puppy eyes.
'Do I look a broker to you, you idiot' I'd laugh back
"Good friends will do that much at least na..."
'Well then this good friend of yours, will shed blood and sweat to find a beautiful girl, but I may die in the process and you'd still be single' 
"Heyyy... Hello Naaz! You just wait till I find a beautiful girl and introduce her to you. You will be all jealous and all"
'Ya right, in your dreams, I will be jealous. Listen, Ajith, honestly, if you did find a girl for yourself, I'd be really happy for you!'
"Hmm... yeah, you mean it" he smiled at me.
I smiled back. 

It felt good. I had a friend. A guy friend. 

Lunch with Ajith - Part 2

"Where is Dev, Naaz?" Ajith asked me. 
I didn't know how to respond to that question. 
"I don't know, Ajith" I replied slowly.

Both of us ate in silence for the rest of the afternoon. 
"Naaz?" Ajith spoke, after what seemed like eons to me. Sometimes silence can be so brutal. 
"The food here is good" I replied.
"Yeah, I told you so." He spoke and smiled at me. "How about some desserts?"
"hmmm... sure, I'd like some"

Ajith ordered cheesecake for both of us. We ate, paid the bill and left the place.

"Why don't we walk" Ajith asked me.
Though I was is no mood, I didn't have anything on my agenda and nodded yes. 

It was 4 in the afternoon, cars and bikers were zooming past us as we walked down the streets of Adyar. We didn't speak to each other. But we kept exchanging glances at each other throughout the walk. 

Every time I looked at Ajith, he'd look at me. Every time he looked at me, I'd look at him.

It was so weird. And uneasy at the same time. 

And every time we looked at each other, we'd just look into each other's eyes and then look down at the road again. Like as if our eyes spoke to each other. 

My mind was playing games with me. I was walking with Ajith, someone I didn't like and didn't want to be associated with, and I was feeling a sense of joy inside. My heart was actually happy. My mind was at peace. 

What was happening to me? 

I looked at Ajith one more time. This time, Ajith did not look like Dev's brother to me. He just looked like Ajith. My new buddy. 

copy cat a?

What ya, all weddings are looking the same. Same saree, same coat suit, same flower girls, same decorations, same old aunties giggling, same make up, same photographs. 
One minute, one minute. 
why all the photos of all the marriages are looking the same? 
One photo, both are holding hands.
Another photo, both are showing their wedding ring.
One photo, girl is in focus and boy is blurred.
Another photo, girl is blurred and boy is in focus. 
Same. Same. Same. Copy cats. 

All girls are wearing same saree. Some brocade green color blouse for red color saree. Then they are showing their bare backs to everybody in the world. and they are taking photos and putting in the Facebook. Then all are girls are simply bugging the photographer to take photographs, one side angle pose, then back angle pose, then front angle pose, then they will wear ray ban glasses and pose like minor, then they will keep their lips like pouting out and pose, ayyooo that photographer is uploading the next day in this photography page, in that album all pretty girls are there and all boys are putting jollu looking at the girls. Even aunties are coming for all weddings. But nobody is taking their photos. Even some non-modern girls are coming there, but that photographer is not even turning to their side. Why this partiality?

Then coming to girl and boy, all are posing same pose. Simply jumping up and down in the beach, looking into each other's eyes, their shadow will kiss... same pose, bore pose.

Suddenly everybody is getting married. In this Facebook, all the time only wedding photographs are coming. Or those trolls are coming. First it was nice to see wedding photograph. I miss many deadlines because of it. Now, I am getting only irritation looking at same wedding style and all. All are copying. Why we can't think of our own head? We don't have a? 

In our mummy daddy era, if anybody says, I am 'wedding photographer' means all will consider like third rated job and all. Now if I am saying that I am wedding photographer, then all will give me their number and book me and pay me lakhs, and fly me to exotic locations. Jolly! 

Anyway, what for me. I am not spending no, I should not bother :D

This is not social media!

Facebook, Twitter and the like - they are not social media sites. They are private podiums, for people to get on and shout their mind out loud, hurl abuses, express anger and then get off safely. Some people will clap, some will ignore, some wont even know you got onto the podium and some won't bother. 

What social media nonsense are you talking about? What is social about these sites?

We will like people's photos online and then when we meet them, we will not even realize who they are. What is this? huh? 
And marriages? What are people marrying these days? Their partner or their photographer? 
And what is this puppet like behavior we are all exhibiting?
One person is nodding their head for something, millions are following suit.
We don't have any individuality, huh?

Arrey, what is this? For everything we are shouting online.

Somebody will die, we will shout online.
Somebody will rape, we will shout online.
Somebody will not play cricket properly, we will shout online.
Somebody's movie is not getting released, we will shout online.
Somebody said something about my religion, we will shout online.
Somebody said something about my ethnicity, we will shout online. 

Why we are only shouting online? Oh, we can't go out and shout no? We will be put in jail. Anyway, we are so scared. Safely, we will shout here and go away. Correct? 

Then what social media you are talking about?
Breeding a generation of angry people, who will shout online and then go back to their work in office. 
Breeding a generation of people whose job is to indulge in 'BIG TALK, NO ACTION' , just like our old generation. They didn't have social media, we have. Otherwise there is no difference.
Breeding a generation of people, who will just not move their bums off their chairs. 

Arrey, did we vote properly?

Did we do anything for the nation? 
Did we enter college without paying capitation?
Did we join civil services?
Did we enter sports and play for our country? 

What we did? huh? 

What we did, you know? Logged into Facebook and twitter. All the time. 

That's all! 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

We Indian employees!

We think that staying back late in office is one way to get noticed.
One way to get promoted.
One way to show people that you are extremely busy.
One way to show your boss that you have been toiling hard and you deserve to be the next boss.

Why? WHY?

Is it something we have been taught in school? Or college?

Personally, I feel staying back late in office is as shameful as coming late to office. Here I want to make a confession. I am no early reportee at work. Somehow over time, I have gotten used to the fact that its OK to go to work a little late. Trust me, it's not OK. They notice, and one day they send you a memo! :D
My question however is, why is it that staying back late is not treated with the same disrespect then? If I stay back late in office, I SHOULD be given a memo. Ya, seriously, if you can't finish your work within the stipulated time, you ought to be finished  punished. OK, fine, sometimes we cannot finish the work in the given time, so we overstay our working hours. But we shouldn't overdo it right? Working till 1 a.m. or 5 a.m. Hello!

But I tell you, these days such petty strategies work. People who overstay at office actually end up looking important and busy and in turn get rewarded with promotions or hikes.

Seriously, people should start looking at the work done, not the time when it gets done!

If you salute your Duty
You don't need to salute
Anybody,
But
If you pollute your Duty, You have to Salute Everybody 
A.P.J Abdul Kalam

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Who is to be blamed?



Rape was always a part of society’s being and it will continue to be so. Unless every man turns gay, in which case, other men will be raped. Nevertheless, rape will continue. So will murder, cheating, theft and lying. So then who is to be blamed? What follows below is not my reasoning. There is no answer to this question; perhaps, it is natural for bad to exist.

We just want a leader. A bad leader.
When Jesus was sentenced to death, nobody cried for his release.  They wanted Barabbas instead. They learnt from Jesus’s teachings, were fed and nursed by him, yet they wanted to kill him.
When Hitler decided to kill millions of Jews, everybody stood by him. He had millions of people backing him for what he claimed was justice.
Jesus had all but 13 followers, most of who fled away when he was in trouble.

We want to have an upper hand over women.
We watch movies where they show an illiterate, dastardly goon falling in love with a girl; who at first hates him. But after being stalked repeatedly, she falls madly in love with him and leaves her rich parents behind to lead the “happily ever after life” with him. Whose ego are we boosting? Why is the girl falling prey to an idiot who thinks he can get a girl by following her and tormenting her and sometimes slapping her for being so arrogant!
A young student in Chennai was victim to acid attack for not accepting the love proposal from a petty construction worker. Why should she say yes to any dick who thinks he can get the girl if he wants to?

Good education is for the rich. Only.
Only the rich and affluent can afford great education. If you are poor and helpless, there are umpteen number of corporation and government schools. But you might as well not go there. The teachers don’t speak any English nor do they really know what they are teaching, your uniform is not of any concern to anybody, and you needn’t have any food in school.

Discrimination begins from school.
The rich children are one gang. Which means they can bully those who cannot afford the same watch or have the same luxury car. The poor children are another gang. They aspire to become rich and arrogant like the rich gang someday.

 The Police force is all but a bunch of male servants.
They salute ministers, buy vegetables for their seniors’ wives, bring their children back from school, don’t speak good English. Nobody calls them officer, nobody respects them. If somebody drives around in an Audi, the policeman has to talk to them softly, so as to not hurt the rich guy’s sentiments.
They live in 200 sq ft quarters, 4 or 5 of them in the family. Their children go to government schools and they don’t get a deserving childhood even though their dad is in the prestigious police force. The department does not do anything to remind them that they got into the police force by sitting in the scorching sun for hours, waiting for their physical tests; when each one of them walked into the police grounds with pride that they were going to serve the nation. Today, they have paunches and they don’t care. Because, nobody cares.

The law is governed by the rich and influential.
The rich once governed the church. They would pay money to wash away their sins. It’s the same today; they pay money to judges and courts to evade their faults.

Parents take pride in giving their children luxury gifts.
It’s OK for the sons to have a car at the age of 13 and an iPhone to go with it, as long as everybody in the society knows that he is your son. It’s OK for the daughters to lash out their tongue at the servant maid, who is barely 10 years of age; because the daughter is born into a rich family while the poor servant girl chose a poor family. It’s OK if the sons keep switching girlfriends and speak abusively of them, because having a playboy image is an absolute necessity among the elite.

Nobody does their work.
If everybody does their work with sincerity and honesty, a lot of things would be different today. A bus driver drives slowly; a corporation lays good roads; an architect builds an apartment with good materials; a consumer goods manufacturer manufactures unadulterated goods; a government rules honestly – these are some of the dreams of a common man in the society. And look at us, we go to work, update our status on FB, browse through websites and come back home. 

Corporates don’t want people.
They are looking for human robots, who will do just as they say and have no opinion of their own. Qualities like being a suck-up and backstabbing co-workers is a plus.

We are angry.
Anger is a fashion statement. You are not a man, if you don’t get angry. It’s just like growing a beard.

Black Vs White
I’m a dark woman/man, and therefore I’m a disgrace in the society. I have no confidence, I have no good clothes to complement my complexion, I don’t get jobs, basically I can’t live. As a dark man, I don’t get girls.
Because Fair & Lovely, Fairever, Fair-whatever can only do camera tricks and not save you in reality, you are for eternity, a shame!

Love is nothing but a fashion statement.
Love is 2-day anniversaries, 6-week anniversaries, photo-shoots in exotic locations, international vacations, expensive dinner dates, and exorbitantly priced diamonds.

Everybody has a secret. They will never share it.
Every single human being on this earth is living a lie. What they really want to be in life, and what they really become are two different extremes. We begin to accept the lie and slowly start believing that it is the new truth.
A man once killed his sister’s children, brutally beating them with a cricket bat. Both the children lay on the bed, soaked in their own blood. When questioned on what led him to commit such a gruesome act, he said that he felt liberated and free when beating the children. He felt like he was beating his dad, who always overpowered him and dominated him. Killing those little children was therapeutic to him.
There are instances in our lives, when we want to break open and speak out our minds. But we just can’t. Because, nobody will understand.

If it is forbidden, it will instigate curiosity.
When Eve ate the forbidden fruit and let her partner participate in the same, little did they know that they were going to change the way the world would live from then on.
Every forbidden act, object will nevertheless create a great sense of curiosity. So great, that until you unravel the mystery behind it, you will not have any other purpose to fulfill. And when you do come to learn the truth, you will abuse it extensively, as if without it your life was never complete.

I want to conclude by saying that, any problem is not the cause of one factor.  It is the combination of myriad factors. If we want to solve one problem, many other problems will have to be solved too. Greed, money, caste and religion.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Puzzled

You know how it feels when you talk and nobody listens? Or they listen and pretend like they didn't listen? It's weird that way. My blog is possibly going that way.

While I don't mind it, sometimes it is funny. I mean, imagine. Just typing away posts, on this space like as if scribbling in my personal diary. Yeah, it is my personal diary then right? Then why am I ok with it being public? As a matter of fact, I have not really shared my blog with many people, because you know, I can sound very arrogant sometimes. So I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings.
My! Am I mad?

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Two face!

At work, I'm silent and reserved.

At home, I'm a lunatic.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Human Worshipers!

When Moses rescued the people from Egypt, they worshiped a Golden calf for God. Today people worship human beings. Seriously? Which group is more naive?

They will ignore their mother, blast her, scream loudly at their dad, and treat their siblings badly, but they will worship Sachin Tendulkar, ministers, godmen.

No Moses will come to rescue us.



Friday, October 26, 2012

Lunch with Ajith

"Hey Naaz, how have you been? Possible to meet you sometime? Let me know" Ajith texted me
I messaged him back.
'Sure, Ajith. Let me know when and where.'
"Lunch, today?" He replied quickly
'Okay, let me know where and I'll be there' I replied back

I had been ignoring Ajith for a long time and thought it was unfair. Even if I did continue to ignore me, he wouldn't stop texting me or keeping in touch with me.
One lunch wouldn't hurt. I thought.

"Let's go to Pesto. 1:30 pm" he replied
'Sure, I'll meet you there.

Ajith was Dev's younger sibling. Basically, Ajith and I were of the same age. But somehow, he always appeared to be less mature than me. Or may be I was too mature for my age. I found Ajith's attitude very casual. He simply cracked jokes, texted me incessantly, spoke too fast. I didn't find him attractive, didn't thinik he was funny and sometimes I thought he was slightly cracked.
Let me see how he eats. I thought

I took a rickshaw to the restaurant. These rickshaw guys drive me crazy all the time. It's almost like they know I hate them and they gladly reciprocate the hatred towards me.
Pesto was like a 9 km drive from where I lived and the rickshaw charged me 180 bucks. I didn't complain because I wanted to keep my mind free from all negative energy. I wanted to think.

****
"Anna, we need to get to Adyar" Dev spoke to the rickshaw guy
"200 rupees" he demanded
"200? 200? Why are you asking for 200 anna? Adyar is just 20 minutes away" Dev rebutted
"So?" screamed the rickshaw guy "I have to take so many U-turns, there are so many diversions, plus this is peak time. Come for 200 or go"
"Ya, we'll go" proclaimed, Dev. "Let's walk, Naaz"
All the while, I was hoping Dev would just say yes to the rickshaw guy. I didn't want to walk.
'Erhm, let's look for another auto na, Dev' I sweetly told him
"No, all of them are like this. Besides, walking is good for us. The weather is not so bad" he assured me

I looked up at the sky and I almost went blind. The sun was out in full glory and as if smirking at me, it tickled my eyes. I surrendered to Dev and the Sun.

"These auto guys are notorious." Dev continued
'Yeah, Dev. They are. Let them be. Why don't be take the bus?" I asked in futile hopes
"Naaz! Let's walk and let's talk"
'Ok, but I don't talk when I walk.'
"Why not?"
'Because that's how I'm trained.'
"Trained?"
'Yeah. In the gym. I walk on the treadmill and I'm not supposed to talk.'
"Ha ha ha Naaz. Man, you are such a lazy girl."
I blushed in embarrassment
"Man, we're going to be really hungry after this walk."
'I hope it rains.'
"That would be awesome. Let's hope so!"
We walked some distance and I was already feeling exhausted.
'Dev, what are your plans in life?'
"Hmmm, I haven't given it much thought, Naaz. Why do you ask?"
'I just like to know what people's aspirations are like.'
"Really? What's yours?"
'I don't know.'
"Are you looking for an inspiration? ha ha ha"
'No. Not like that. I'm happy now and that's all that matter for the moment.'
"Good, good. I may be going abroad for my post graduation."
'Oh.'
I didn't say anything. Dev was 2 years senior to me. He had one year to go and then he would fly away. Just like that.
"What? That's your reaction? Oh?"
'What do you want me to say then?'
"All the best?"
'All the best, Dev' I smiled
"You're not happy, are you?"
'Of course I'm happy for you Dev'
"Then why do you sound dull?"
'Nothing.'
"Tell me"
'Nothing'
"No, tell me"
'I will miss you'
"ha ha ha. That's all? and you're upset?"
'Ok, I won't miss you. But don't be so mean.'
"Why will you miss me. Come with me"
'WHAT?'
"You also come to do your PG abroad"
My heart skipped a million beats. Just imagining being in the same place with Dev was killing me in joy. Such a weird feeling love is. I was crazy about Dev and I think he knew.
'Let's see, Dev.'
"Ok, Naaz." He smiled
'Ok, Dev' I mocked him
 We both laughed.

****
"Madam, this is the place no?" The autorickshaw guy spoke
'Ah, yes. Thanks.' I got down and noticed Ajith was waiting for me
"Hey Naaz! Good to see" He extended his hands
'Good to see you too, Ajith' I shook his hands
"Our table is ready. Let's go."
We sat down and the waiter brought the menu cards. Ajith ordered for a bottle of water and he let me read the menu in peace. I took my own time to understand what was on the card.

"I really like this place, Naaz" he interrupted
'Do you come here often?' I asked him
"I've come here with my office colleagues. The food is really good."
'Oh alright.' I placed the menu card on the table
"So, what will you have?"
'Since you've already been here, I thought I should let you decide. I am good with anything.'
"Wow. That's quite a task." He sighed
He ordered a Basil Tortellini soup to being with.
"Thanks for coming, Naaz. I had my doubts. You hardly reply to my texts."
'I know. I just don't text that much.'
"How's work?"
'Not bad. But I'm in no mood to discuss it'
"I understand. ha ha"
He laughed just like Dev. I ignored it.
A little baby girl in the adjacent table was seated on her baby seat and was playing with her food.  She looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back and made funny faces at her. She laughed and clapped her hands.
"Hey, she seems to like you" Ajith spoke
'I'm good with kids. I can easily make funny faces'
"It's cute"
'Huh?'
"The baby"
'Hmmm, yeah' I ignored his last comment
"Let me see if I can solve this puzzle" Ajith announced as he got busy with finishing the puzzle on our table mats
For the first time, I took a good look at Ajith. I had seen him a couple of times, but I never took the trouble to notice how he looked, his features, his hair, nothing. It was none of my business.
He was tall, very tall, lean and dark. He had a weird smile. When he smiled, his teeth on his right extreme would jut out. It was cute but weird cute. He had a rather long nose. He had thick black hair and sported a french beard. One cannot miss his great sense of dressing. I should say, he was dressed to kill.
"Ah, done' He looked up
I quickly looked away, as if I was never looking at him in the first place.
'Oh, good good.' I congratulated him
The waiter brought our soup. It was steaming hot and I was getting hunry.
I ate my soup silently.
When I looked up, Ajith was looking at me.


"Where is Dev, Naaz?" He asked me.

That's when I knew, all this while, Ajith didn't want to tell me anything about Dev.
He wanted to know something about Dev.


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Ajith and Naaz meet

Saturday, 10:00 AM and I was wide awake. A time when I'm usually in bed, sleeping like a log. In fact, there are times, my mum has thought I was dead. I sleep like that.
I was up since 6:00 in the morning, wondering why Ajith wanted to meet me.
I wore my faded blue jeans and a white shirt. Tied my hair into a ponytail and looked myself in the mirror. I looked miserable but I didn't care. I wasn't particularly interested in meeting Ajith. I was rather skeptical about him bringing Dev into our conversation. I closed the door behind me, prepared for whatever was waiting for me outside.
Why on earth would anybody want to meet at Topaz? I thought.
Topaz was a new hangout for hookah enthusiasts and for solitary readers. It was old house, renovated to give a vintage feel to the ambiance. Complete with creepers, rustic fans and swings, the place was a steal away from the buzz of the city. But it is an expensive affair nonetheless, to sip a coffee in there, one'll have to shell out Rs. 115. Gasp. I can buy myself a whole meal with that money.
I walked into the garden and seated myself on the swing. It creaked when I sat on it.
'Doesn't matter.' I thought to myself and continued swinging.
My phone beeped.
Hi Naaz... I'll be there in ten mins. Just on my way. 
I did not reply. Let him come.
The waiter came in and asked me if I wanted something. I asked him to hold on.
Just then Ajith greeted me.
'I thought you said ten mins' I exclaimed, not expecting him to walk in like that.
"Yeah... well, I wanted to surprise you"
'What's there to surprise in this' I was irritated.
"Ok. It backfired. So, how long have you been waiting here Naaz?"
'10 mins may be...'
"Sorry to have kept you waiting..."
'That's OK.' I cut him short. Honestly, I was not in a very chatty mood that morning. My mind was occupied by Dev.
Ajith sat down next to me on the swing. It creaked even louder.
I got up and walked up to the next table that was free. I couldn't risk getting embarrassed. Ajith joined me shortly.
"Guess, these swings are not meant for two people."
'Yeah, may be they are meant for pigeons'
He laughed like he had never laughed in his life. Like a maniac. Now he was beginning to irritate me more.
'Ajith, I'll be honest with you. I want to know why you wanted to meet me. Please tell me before I lose my patience.'
"Naaz. I have been texting you everyday, hoping you'd reply. You seldom do. I just wanted to meet you in person."
'That's all?'
"Are you expecting me to say something?"
'Huh?'
"Coffee?"
'Ok.' I looked away.
He waved at the waiter and ordered two coffees.
"How's work?"
'What do you do Ajith?' I asked him curtly.
"Wow! Well, I'm an engineer. I work with L&T."
'Oh...' I sighed
"Sad life I know"
'I never said that'
"The sigh speaks volumes"
'What do you do on weekends?'
"Nothing much, I catch up with friends. It's at the movies mostly. What about you?"
'What's taking the coffee so long?'
"Naaz, I know. Here see this."
He stretched out a small piece of paper towards me.
I looked at him and then the paper and then again at him.
'What's that?' I asked him rather suspiciously.
"A love letter?" He smirked
'WHAT?' I squealed.
"No. Relax! Goodness, you freaked me out"
'What the hell is that Ajith?' I was now irritated to the utmost core that I wanted to tear him into pieces.
"I want you to tell me that Naaz."

I simply stared at him. The coffee arrived. The waiter placed it on the table and left to attend to other hungry souls. Hardly any at that time. I took a sip and got up.


"I found this in Dev's desk. It's a song." He handed the piece of paper to me.
I took a look at it. Folded it and tucked it away.
"May be it's for you"
My eyes welled up.
"Naaz..." Ajith called for me.
I heard him but I was already gone. I was no longer there. I just wanted to read that song.

The song that my Dev had written for me.

Happy Meeting

"Naaz, Naaz, Naaz" Dev kept chanting over the phone
'Yes, Dev. What do you want?' I asked him slowly.
"Your name. It has a beautiful sound to it." 
I was blushing on the other end, but didn't want to accept it.
'Please Dev, I don't like it when people make fun of my name'
"I WAS NOT making fun of your name, Naaz! Why would you think that?" He asked concerned
I was smiling here, Dev didn't know.
'I'm kidding. And thanks. So what plans for today?'
"You tell me" he asked me lovingly
Over here, I was flying over the clouds. Dev asking me what my plans were. Such bliss.
'Let's go to the beach?'
"Done. I'll pick you up at 4:00 pm"
'No, I'll come on my own. See you.'

I was feeling exceptionally weird today. Something in our tone had changed. Were we falling in love? I was already in love with him. In a good way. There were so many questions in my mind. 
I got dressed and went to the beach.  I sat down in the spot we usually haunt and started making a circle around me, like demarcating an area for Dev and me to sit. 
It was 3:55 pm and I looked back to see if Dev was anywhere around. I saw him walking towards me. We were such sincere timekeepers!
Huffing and puffing after walking on the bumpy shore, Dev sat next to me, inside the little circle I had drawn. 
I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back at me. As always, his smile blew me away. 
I looked down at the sand. I realized Dev was still looking at me. 
I slowly tilted my head to look at him and he was staring at me.
'What Dev? Why aren't you saying something?' I broke the awkward silence.
He smirked at me and pulled out a little packet. 
"Here open this."
'What is it?' I asked him
"Open."
It was little white box. Paper box. With a pretty ribbon on it. I untied the ribbon and slowly opened the box. 
'What's this, Dev?' 
"It's been an year already, Naaz!"
'I know!'
"So? Shall we?"
I simply smiled.
'Ok, let's do it together.'

We took out the little chocolate cupcake from the box and shared it together. 

"Happy Friendship day, Naaz. I'm glad we met"
'I'm glad I met you too, Dev.'





Friday, October 19, 2012

Blank

OMG just this morning, I had 3 great posts in mind. I kept re-remembering them throughout my drive to work. As soon as I sat here, I forgot the posts. Like all of them.

Chi. I'm so stupid. I have a phone, I should have made a note. But no, I relied on my brain to store it. I thought I will reprocess it and then we can live happily ever after. But no. I just can't seem to rely on it anymore. It must be the age.

Or. May be, that's how it has always been.

May be I overused it.

Hee hee.





Tuesday, October 16, 2012

I'm a semma K.D

This is kinda like my confession. Ok world, I confess, I am a BIG K.D 

Hold on, let me search for the full form of K.D

Old Chennai police abbreviation for either "known delinquent", "known depredator" or "known defaulter" or "Known Denotified person".

I have done lot of K.D things. Hmmm... where do I begin? 

When I was in 4th standard, my brother and I devised an evil plan to disturb an aunty we used to hate. Hee hee hee. We used to dial her number and when she picked up, we would play the "Muqala Muqabila" song loudly... hee hee hee. It still cracks me up so much.

When I was in 5th standard, I tied up one small little boy (who is a non-related brother) to a tree for being naughty. Che. I'm such a bully.

When I was in the same 5th standard, I used to play hotch-potch/Pandi with my friends. You know that super game where you draw 8 boxes and throw stones. You have to hop on the boxes and pick up the stone and come back. It's a super duper fun game. You need a smooth stone for the game, otherwise the stone will roll off and not settle on the boxes easily. Before we began our game for that evening, all of us in the colony scattered around to search for smooth stones. I found one, my friends found one for themselves, my brother also found one. There was this little boy in our gang, the same boy whom I tied to the tree, who just couldn't find a stone for himself. I noticed that there was some dried dog shit lying among a pile of stones. I'M SO EVIL. I told him to pick up the dry dog shit because it was smooth! Man, HE DID! Hee hee hee. He kept holding onto it and when his turn came, he threw what he assumed to be a stone and it just powered away.

Sometime, during the same phase of my life, the boy gang in our colony used to bully us by taking up all the space in the colony play area to play cricket. One day, all of us stole their cricket bats and hid it. The next day when they came looking for the bats, they didn't get pissed off that we hid their bats, they got pissed off that we were dancing for 'I'm a barbie girl' in the play area. Nearly 10 girls dancing to that song! ROFL. This is so funny. 

I once conducted a culturals event in my colony. I was the event manager and organized everything. I must have been in 6th standard then. The plan was that everybody pays a small amount, 20 bucks or something, prepares for a dance, song or skit, and brings food from home. The amount was for the gifts. According to my plan, all participants would get gifts so that no one would feel bad. See? I'm a nice girl :) I was so excited about this event, I ran about the entire area, shopped for gifts, planned everything and practiced for my performance. On the day of the event, all the children came out and assembled in the lawn. We all brought along snacks and sweets from home. Our parents were also excited and everybody assembled in their respective balconies to watch the event. They were otherwise not allowed to come :P The event started and everybody participated. I was the judge for all the events and I participated in all the events. Can you imagine? I won the first place in most of the events. LOL. Best bit, everybody agreed. LOL

There was this one time, when my brother and I played a prank on our friends. They were twin brothers and always an easy bait for any bullying. We told them that it was my brother's b'day the next day and that they are invited for the party. Those paavam, naive boys ran back to their homes and informed their mother about it. The next day, we were all playing and these two boys, all dressed up and big gift box in hand, walk towards my house. Seeing them going, my brother and I hid to see what was going to happen. They rang the bell and my mother opened the door. She was shocked to learn that they had come for a b'day party. She was obviously moved because she called them in, gave them juice and snacks and sent them back. They went back home with the gifts. My mother gave a piece of her mind when we got back home. When my brother really celebrated his b'day those boys never came!

When I was in 8th standard, my parents took us to watch The Titanic. I don't think it said 'A' rated movie or anything because a lot of families came to watch the movie with their kids. Everything was going well in the movie, till the painting scene came. My mother, as if by some reflex action quickly turned to look at me. In an equally faster reflex action, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. She was relieved and continued to watch the movie. What she didn't know was, I was actually watching the scene through my closed eyes. Ya, ya, ya, I'm sure you all know how to do that! :P Then things came back to normal until the car scene popped up. Again my mother turned to look at me. This time, I acted even more convincingly, I snored! To give an impression that all through I had been sleep and that I was really sound asleep. She was again relieved. But I saw the entire scene. Just like you all did. Hee hee hee. 

When I was in college, I used to be the first girl in class to shout, "ma'am please ma'am.... please ma'am...." whenever the professor came to take a test. All the other girls would join me in chorus, but I'd take the lead. 

You know, I can go on... :)

I have also done some sweet innocent things like burying a dead cockroach and conducting a funeral procession for it. I assumed that since we are catholics, the insects in our house are also catholics. The coffin was made of the infamous Cheetah matchbox. Sweet no? 

Hmmm... so how was your childhood? Mine was fun, alright! :)

Boss a? Illa Loosu a?

Vadivelu is a funny guy. Or whoever writes his lines, is a funny guy. In any case, this post is not about him. I just stole his line from a movie for my blog title. So I thought I should give some credit.

This post is actually about bosses. And some looosu cases.

Ok may be not bosses.

NOTE: This post is a work of pure fiction. Well, not exactly fiction. Somebody once narrated this to me and I jotted it down, cause I found it funny. If you feel it sounds familiar or is remotely related to somebody you know or if you are trying to think who it is, no need to rake your brains. Just read ahead! :D

There was once a boss, who was a typical loosu case. She would say do this thing, and then send 2 people to spy to see if the person was really doing it or doing something else. She is like this one turtle story I heard somewhere. It is one super semma comedy story. 

3 turtles went out on a trek. (This in itself is a semma comedy line no?) Anyway, so they trekked, and trekked and trekked. Like for a long time they trekked. Then they felt very hungry. So they all sat down to eat, when one of the turtles realized he forgot to bring his food. All became semma angry at his foolishness. And the other two turtles were very strict about sharing food, because they only brought enough food for one. The absent-minded turtle then announced that he was going to go back to get his food and that the other two turtles should not eat while he was away. He made them promise him. They promised and he left. 
The two paavam turtles, waited, waited, waited and waited. 

Still waiting.

Waiting. 

Waiting.

Waiting.

(Ok, I'll stop)

So even after 2 years, the mokkai turtle didn't come back. These paavam turtles sat hungry waiting for him to return. (Yes they waited 2 years without eating; I told you its a story right?) 
Then finally, one brainy turtle said "Hey what da machan, that mokkai payyan will not return. At least let us eat. I am famished." The other agreed and they opened their tiffin boxes to eat. 
Suddenly, they heard a bush moving and they saw their mokkai friend walk towards them. 
He spoke angrily, "I KNEW IT! I knew you guys wouldn't wait for me to return. That's why I stood spying on you for two years, testing you to see if you would really keep your promise"

Ada mokkai payyaley! Nee innum pogalliya? 

Super story no? 

So, that boss was like this only. She used to make people hit their head on the wall; everyday. She would 'delegate' work, and then sit on their back, like vetal on Vikram's back' and go 'noi noi noi noi,' finished a? finished a? show me? finished a? when will you finish? finished a? why is it like? why is it not like that? 

She is one typical case only. 

She would schedule a meeting with somebody and then talk to somebody about how she is an olympic gold medalist, a pilot, a Nobel laureate, a top chef, F1 racer, dancer, actress, singer and ah, yes, a martian! She would claim that she was every damn thing in this universe.

If somebody met a vendor and updated her about the company and she would go "Ya ya, I know... I used to be in this business and all... I know everything." Somebody once met a Radio Jockey and told her about the how they could tap Radio for marketing and she went "Ya ya, I know everything about Radio. I have trained Radio Jockeys and I have been one myself." Somebody asked her, "WOW Really? When? Which Radio Station? What frequency?"

She doesn't like being asked question, because she really can't conjure up stories fast. She needs time. Because, she has no brain. So when somebody asked her these questions, she stammered, drank water, coughed and asked somebody to get out.

Somebody came out of the room and rolled on the floor in joy. Somebody defeated her. 

Somebody worked with her for 3 years and became bald. Also, somebody's head was starting to look like that of Megamind's. It was on the verge of bursting open.

Somebody wrote an article on women achievers of India, to be published in the company magazine. She looked through it, smirked and said "Write an article on prostitutes in India"
Somebody went "Ehhh?"
She said "What? Write an article on prostitutes. They work hard for a living"

Somebody resigned the job immediately!

Boss a? Illa loosu a?