Closer

I was standing at her door. Just like any other Saturday evening filled with excitement and joy! There are some things you never get used to no matter how many times you do it. Like watching that one movie which never bores you. Reading that book which always keeps you at its grip and you keep reading further and further. Riding that motorcycle, no matter how small the journey is, it’s an adventure. For me, spending time with her was one such thing. It was always something special.

I clicked the doorbell – no answer. I clicked again and the result was the same. Third time’s charm, but wasn’t that day. So, I called her phone and door was finally open and there she was with her sleepy eyes, hair all over her face. At that moment she was the second most prettiest messy looking human, first being me. Who am I kidding? She looked like the rain soaked evening just before sunset. When storm ends, sure everything looks messed up, but you step out and see the horizon and feel the cold breeze, it’s soothing and the earth around you is greener and more beautiful than ever. That’s how it was. Her cheeks glowing, eyes hiding behind her hair and peeking through and then she tucks her hair behind her right ear..it was nothing short of a magic trick which left me awestruck every time. But the best part was it wasn’t a trick, it was all real. With her sleepy, blurry, breaking voice came a “Hii” and a giant hug.

According to a study, hugging reduces level of stress, improves your heart health and eases depression. Her hugs proved it every time!

I don’t know how but I agreed to watch BigBoss with her. I didn’t know why they were all yelling at each other or crying over who gets the last piece of chicken. There even was a contest on who gets the desert. Whole point of the show was pointless. But all that mattered to me was lying next to her. I don’t know when I fell asleep. The next thing I remember is turning to my right and sleeping on my shoulder with my hands tucked under my cheek like a pillow. As soon as I turned I felt a touch on tip my nose. It was her nose and her lips were just a fingertip away from mine. So close, yet so far! Her hair was flowing across her face over her cheek. I could feel her every breath. I stayed frozed! I stopped breathing thinking that would stop my heart from pounding so hard. I didn’t move an inch thinking me moving would disrupt the cosmos and ruin the moment. I prayed to every divine spirit. I prayed to every lucky stars of mine. I prayed to every God there is/was to pause this moment so that I could capture it forever.
At that moment all I could do was stare at her lips. No matter how badly you think you deserve something, sometimes you can’t have it. It’s a part of life. It’s like the universe reminding you what you’re missing and when you know that missing piece of life you realise what life is all about. Life is an unfair journey. Sometimes you don’t get what you yearn for the most and you have to live with it. If you always end up with what you wish for, it’s not life. It’s a fairy tale. And fairy tales aren’t real!

But life wasn’t too harsh on me. I got to spend time with her. Like watching that movie, her company never bored me. Like reading that favorite book, her stories always kept me at the edge of my seat. Like that journey in your motorcycle, doesn’t matter how little time I spent with her it was always exciting. It was always something special.

Little less than Love Final chapter

The next day, evening, we met again. At the same spot! After the magical moment with her, this haunted water tower looked much more peaceful and beautiful! I was waiting for her answer. I knew she was going to say ‘Yes’! Yet I was excited and a little scared. But Ananya had something else to say. What she said next went right through my pumping heart, shattering my ribs and out of my back!

“I’m sorry Suhaan. I don’t think this will work for us. Whatever happened last night was a mistake”

Those words made me numb.

“What are you saying Ananya? Let’s make it work… I mean.. we … Like..”, I had a hard time collecting words. She interrupted me.

“No Suhaan. Next Friday I’m moving back to Bangalore, for my further studies and this long distance relationship will never work. We are good friends. Let’s keep it that way.”

And then, silence!

I hoped somebody will wake me up and this bad dream will be over. But that wasn’t a dream. Nobody waked me up! Reality is a bitch!

“Come. I will drop you home Suhaan”

“You go ahead. I will stay here for a while”

I sat there, looking at her walk away.

•NEXT FRIDAY•

“These evenings are beautiful!”, Chris started his usual speech before we started drinking. “Me, my two ‘forever virgin’ friends and Old Monk! Life is beautiful!!”

For some reason, Chris seemed high even before he had any drinks. We sat down and started drinking. I told my friends what had happened between me and Ananya. Both stopped drinking. That meant they were concerned! Even they thought things were going to work out between me and Ananya.

Oh, men! We are little too optimistic when it comes to a girl!

Both were in disbelief!

“Dude! Do you like this girl?”, Chris seemed serious! Serious for the first time in his life.

“Yes”, that was the only word that comes out of my mouth.

“Then you should get your sticky ass off the ground and go get her!”

“No way! She’s leaving today! Her train leaves in roughly 30 mins”

Chris stood up. “Fuck you! Don’t be a coward! The station is like 20mins ride from here and we are going now!”

“No guys. This is what the universe wants! It’s the destiny. They are just not meant to be together. If she was into him she would have definitely told yes the first time”, Preacher within Harsh awakened!

Maybe he was right! Maybe this is what the universe has decided! Maybe we are not meant to be together. All these thoughts running through me came to halt when Chris started his big speech. The speech that changed my mind!

“Oh fuck you Harsh! Are you agreeing with him Suhaan? Heck! That guy thought Europe was a country! He still thinks Australia and Austria are same countries! If you listen to him and stay, this is going to be the worst decision of your life! You’re going to regret this when you are 60 and you wake up next to a stranger who of course will be your wife!”

Chris pulled me up. “We’re going! NOW!!!”

We, the three of us, in Chriss’ scooter, reached our town’s railway station in 15 minutes! The longest 15mins of my life!! My heart pumped faster than the engine. It is a single platform station. We saw no train there. But you know Indian Railways are never on time! We looked for Ananya. Couldn’t spot her anywhere. So I decided to call her. Three rings, she picked up my call.

“Hey..”, I was searching for words. “Where are you?”

“I’m at the station Suhaan. You forgot?”

“No ..no!! I remember!”, I stretched my neck and started looking for her.

“I’m at platform 3. The train will be here within 5 minutes. What’s the matter Suhaan?”

When she said she was at platform 3, my heart sank! I felt numb and I realized whatever that crap Harsh told about the universe was right! There was no platform 3 here!

“I just wanted you to wish happy journey and I’m sorry for whatever happened between us”

“It’s ok. You take care”, we hung up.

Chris looked at me, “Dude! Where is she?”

“We are at the wrong station guys! She is at Mangalore Central! And that is about an hour drive from here and her train leaves in 5 mins.”

“Then why the hell was she so close to you? Why did she hang out with you every day? She even kissed you, man! You know, there should be some kind of a machine to understand women. Because humans can’t!!”, Chris spoke what my brain was telling me.
Chris and Harsh just stood there waiting for me to say something else.

“Let’s go guys. Let’s finish our drink”, I said and we rode back to our beloved Adda!

•BACK AT THE HAUNTED WATER TOWER•

“Damn! I’m going to throw up! This was a bad idea guy”, Harsh had a little too much!

I was upset, disappointed, pathetic and drunk and heartbroken. Chirs noticed a difference in me. He tried to cheer me up.

“Ladies and gentlemen and Harsh! It’s time to play a game!” , Chris started his hosting. We all knew what this game was. “Let’s start the game, ‘In your butt!!!!’ And the game ends when Princess Harsh starts crying”, Chris screamed like a ring announcer, pointing his finger to Harsh. That meant me and Chirs are going to play ‘In Harsh’s butt’. The game was simple! You name a movie and follow it by ‘In Harsh’s butt’.

“Okay I’ll start”, Chris took the initiative. “I say, Superman! In Harsh’s butt!! Your turn Suhaan!”

“Ahh… How about. Titanic! In his butt”

“Damn! That’s a horrible place for voyage! Anyway… How about…”, Chirs searched hard for a movie. And in a flash, “I know what you did last summer! In Harsh’s butt”, and started laughing like a really really really drunk guy. That brought a smile to my face.

It was my turn. “Fast and furious, In his butt!!!”

“You guys are going to love this, especially Princess Harsh”, Chris had a mischievous smile on his face. “Pretty Woman!!! In Harsh’s butt!”

“Dude!! Fuck man! I had a crush on Julia Roberts! I loved her man!!”, Our princess started crying!

For a while there I completely forgot what had happened in a couple of days. That’s what happens when you are with your friends. You forget the world. You forget every disappointment, every frustration and sometimes heartbreaks too! Friends are like medicine. Have right amount of friends. Too many, it will be an overdose! Too little, life’s going to be hard. If you want to party all night, if you want to get drunk, if you want to marry a person of your choice, you’re family may be there with you in some cases! But you’re friends will be standing next to you, arms around your shoulder, “I’m with you, buddy! Let’s do this shit!!!”

They say time heals every wound. If it’s heartbreaks, you might need a little bit of alcohol as well. But the scar always remains there! That scar will haunt you for the rest of your life! Your friends will hide that scar and make your life little less miserable. Never lose them!

– The End

“Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend” – Sarah Dessen

Little less than Love Chapter III

‘In the evening me and my two pervert friends, Chris and Harsh, and another good friend, Old Monk, were all sitting at the haunted water tower. It was a usual thing we did back then. Every once in a while we had to put some alcohol in our systems. And then a triple ride in Chriss’ scooter. We were 18, liked doing illegal things. That day we drank for my new neigh

Mom made me a delivery boy. Every now and then she used to send me to our ‘ neighbor’s’ home with some food and I liked it. Every time I went there, I was welcomed by the most beautiful girl on the planet, Ananya. After some casual hi-hello, we became friends. Even Ananya sometimes used to come home with delicious food. Every time I saw her, I felt everything around me magical! Maybe that’s how you feel when you’re in love.

Over 3 years went by. I had no guts to tell how I felt when she was around. We had a very limited time now. I was in my final engineering year and Ananya too. That’s why she had shifted here. To complete her college education and then move back to Bangalore for her higher education. You know how good MIT is! The best actually. In those 3 years, I fell for her! I fell for her eyes. Her laugh. Her mischievous smile. Her fluffy cheeks, which I couldn’t resist pulling. Her lips!! Every time I saw them, I wanted to kiss them. Her hair! The silkiest!! When she walked with her hair down, up to her waist, she looked like a princess! I can never kick that image out of my brain. The way she looked whenever her left cheek got covered by her hair was the most beautiful sight ever!

No matter how brave or gutsy or courageous you are, when it comes to telling a girl your feelings, you realize you aren’t as brave or gutsy or courageous as you think!

Now 22 years old, my visit to the haunted water tower with my friends became much frequent. I was excited that day because next day was Ananya’s birthday! We were having our drinks. It was quiet. We were busy tasting the man’s greatest creation, Old Monk with Coke.

“So, you got a present for her?”, Harsh broke the silence. I took out earrings I had bought for her. I had decided to tell her that I’m madly in love with her. Harsh suggested me to write a love letter! I thought it was a good idea but then my handwriting came into the picture. Had to drop that idea.

“Be a man! Say it face to face!”, said Chris. Easier said than done!! That clearly was the drunk version of Chris talking. You see, Christopher becomes a different guy after getting enough alcohol inside him. “Your love story is boring! It’s lacking villains! Even her dad likes you. He should’ve been hating you. That would have made your love story exciting”, he continued talking. He was right! Her dad was a friendly guy and I was sure the day will come where he’s going to tell my dad, “is Dosti ko rishtedari mein Badal date hain”.

Chris didn’t stop talking. “I have an idea!!” , he said, all excited. “You get her pregnant! That way her parents are going to hate you and your parents are going to hate you and your love story will be told around our town for ages! You will be setting an example for the upcoming generation here”. Thank you, Lord! I got such wonderful friends!

Next morning I woke up smiling and all excited! I had stored enough courage to tell Ananya that I love her. I gift wrapped the earrings. I called her and asked her to meet me but she had left early that day and promised to meet me in the evening. I wished her happy birthday again and hung up.

Ananya had told me to come near CCD at 4 pm, right opposite to the Railway station which was 20mins from my home. She had come there to pick her uncle who was supposed to come in the 5:45 train. He was a mean, military guy. Harsh and Chris took me there. I saw her. It was a Saturday and it was crowded. But Ananya was easy to spot. That’s the trick of her beauty! Chris forced me to wear his hat with a ‘Flipkart’ logo. “You look dashing bro!! Doesn’t he Harsh?”. Chris obviously made me look like an idiot with that hat.

She was gesturing ‘stop’ but I couldn’t notice until I reached there. As I was about to talk to her, a person next to her turned around and asked, “Who are you? What do you want?”. Damn you Indian Railways! They never stick to schedule!!! It was her military uncle! His eyes wide open. His thick mustache. His suit! His thick boots! Everything scared the poop out of me. My palms started sweating, legs shivering! He saw my hat. “Flipkart waale ho? Ananya, tune kuch order kiya tha beta?”

Thank you, Chris!

Before Ananya could say anything, “Sir, mam had booked earrings. I had promised her that it will be delivered today. I came here to tell her that it will be delivered after two days. I’m sorry about it”, I said. “Haa haa. Theek hai”, he said with his rough voice. I saw my dear friends laughing at me. I escaped and told them what had happened.

“You could’ve given the earrings”, said Harsh. “That’s gift wrapped! And there’s no bill. That military uncle would have asked the bill. That’s why I didn’t give it.” Very next minute I received her text.

“I will meet u in the evening.. 6:30 sharp at your adda! Haunted water tower !”

It was 6:15. I was obviously early, earrings still in my pocket. It was just three simple words, ‘ I’, ‘love’ and ‘you’. Yet those simple words needs a lot of guts and courage.

Ananya came there on time. I wished her happy birthday again. We sat and talked for a while. We hadn’t talked all day. Because of her mustache military uncle! That little talk went on and on and it was 9 pm! We connected deeply that evening. I could clearly see even she liked me. She liked my company. My lame jokes, my stupid haircut. I took out a cupcake which I had asked Harsh to make. He is a damn good cook! We had a little birthday celebration there. We sat there for a while. Not bothered by anything. After a while, I felt her hand on mine. I looked at her. She came close. Gently, she leaned forward. Her forehead touched mine! Her right hand on my left cheek, she came closer! I felt every breath of her. My heart started pounding! As our nose collided, I shut my eyes. The next second, I felt her lips on mine! We kissed! My first kiss!!! For next 19 seconds, everything paused! Nobody existed. It was just me and her! Our lips became one. Moreover, two souls became one!

As the most magical moment of my life ended, I wanted to tell her those three words! I was about to tell her but she interrupted me.

“Ssshhh! Don’t say anything! You will ruin the moment”

“I like you! I really really like you! I think I’m in love with you!”. I said it! I just said it and stood there waiting for her to say something.

“I don’t know what to say Suhaan. I mean… I like you too. And this kiss .. I don’t know how it happened! It just happened. I don’t know whether I’m in love with you or not. I need some time. Let’s meet her tomorrow evening. I just can’t say anything now.”

That was it. We rode home. We didn’t speak a word. I knew she would say ‘Yes’. I knew this was going to be a happy ending. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow!

– to be continued

Little less than Love Chapter II

‘I had just completed my 12th and had like 3 months of holidays and for my incredible grades in 12th my dad rewarded me with a job. A job with no pay! I had to work in his petrol bunk every single day! It’s funny now because I used to hate going there and work. But now I spend most of the time there as my restaurant is right next to it.

When my dad told me I was going to be working in his gas station, I wanted to say, “Dear dad, just because a person likes the smell of petrol, it doesn’t mean that he wants to spend his entire vacation there!!!! Plus I’m 18 dads! It’s child labor! You could get arrested!” Instead, all I did was nod yes.

It was my 2nd week there. Working with zero pay was really frustrating. It was around 9:30 am and I saw a Honda Activa coming in and the person riding it was a girl. Now, out of nowhere, there were balloons all over the place! Glittering stars started falling… The cold breeze started blowing my hair back. Over 100 violins played a melodious tune. Everything around me looked beautiful. I started seeing things in slow motion! It definitely was a crush at first sight.

“Woow!! That’s one pretty girl!”, the inner me started talking! Right behind her, I saw another scooter. Black TVS wego with two guys in it. They were obviously following that Honda girl! Following pretty girls around the town was a hobby of those two. And I’m pretty sure it topped their ‘My Hobbies’ list! And the award for the best perverts goes to – Christopher and Harsh! Perverts!! How did I know all this about them? I went to kindergarten with those two and also rest of my school life. They have been my friends since forever.

Honda girl parked her scooty and opened the seat and took out the fuel cap. “Worth 200 rupees please”, she said. I was still lost in her beauty. I dialed 200 in the machine and as I was about to fill, she interrupted me. “Excuse me”, her voice gentle and soft, “That’s the diesel pipe you are holding” and she gave a little smile. On the inside, she might have been laughing at my stupidity.

“Oh, great job you idiot! That’s the way to make a great first impression!!”, the inner me started talking again. Chris and Harsh started laughing at me hard.

“I think he forgot his medication”, said Chris and continued laughing. Honda girl clearly heard it and she couldn’t resist a laugh. Again I asked myself, “Why am I friends with those guys?”

I filled the scooter and the Honda girl rode away. “You know, it is you guys who need anti-Pervy pills”, I said, counter attack to Chris’s medication comment.

“He said he’s going to the market. That’s why I joined him. I didn’t know he had planned to chase girls today”, said Harsh trying to be innocent. I knew these guys very well. Both were in it together.

“Let’s go to the water tower today evening. Let’s celebrate!”, said Chris. We used to hang out at the ‘haunted’ water tower. It was a quiet place and around a 1-mile radius of it was abandoned. Entire town believed it was haunted!! A great place to drink and smoke up!

I was confused. “What are we celebrating?”, I asked.

“That Honda girl is your new neighbor bro! They moved in last night. Congratulations my boy”, said Chris, patting my shoulder.

Why didn’t I know about my new neighbor!!? Oh yes! I was working my ass off all day and passed out by 7:30 in the evening!!

After a really long time, I liked words coming out of his mouth. Most of the time the guy spoke just to humiliate me and Harsh or to explain his stupid theories. I just wanted to hug those guys and  tell them, “I hate you but sometimes I really love you guys.” I just couldn’t wait for the evening to arrive and rush home just to see the most beautiful girl again.

– to be continued…

 

 

 

Little less than Love chapter I

Today I rushed home early from the coffee shop. I was excited and couldn’t wait for Ananya. The last time she visited was 6 months ago! I was dying to see the most beautiful girl ever.

Every time Ananya visited, all she wanted to do was sit back, relax and watch Scooby Doo until her eyes got tired. Yes! Scooby Doo was her favorite too!! I rushed home and asked mom to get the popcorn ready. Coke was all chilled up. Now the only thing left to do was to clean my messed up room. I was running back and forth cleaning my room, checking my phone again and again. This is what happens to a guy when a girl visits his place. A panic attack!!

“It’s just 6:30”, said my mom. “They said they will be here by 7. You can calm down Suhaan”.

“No mom. You don’t get it. Everything should be perfect when she gets here”

“I don’t know how on earth you two get along”, she murmured to herself and went downstairs.

It was 7 pm! I saw a car approaching through the window and I knew it was her! Ananya was here!! I rushed downstairs and opened the door and there she was. The girl with the prettiest smile ever!

“Suhaan uncle!!!!”, she came running before her mom, that is my cousin could get down from the car and gave me a hug. One giant hug from a little 8-year-old!

“Hey, Ms. Ananya! How many times have I told you! Don’t call me uncle. I’m just 28 you know, not 82! Your mom is 34. Do I call her auntyji?”.

She liked annoying me. But there was sweetness in it. We were all sitting in the living room. Cousin, mom, and dad were all busy talking what our relatives were up to. Just like every other Indian family. On the other hand, I and Ananya were dying to get out of there. I always become a child when she’s around. More than her, I wanted to run away before they start discussing my marriage. I grabbed popcorn bucket and coke and went upstairs. Little Ananya followed.

I opened my laptop and clicked on the folder ‘Scooby-Doo’. As I turned around I saw Ananya taking out something from my drawer. All those Scooby Doo episodes had made her an investigator! Now she had a mystery in her tiny hands.

“Whose earrings are these?”, she held them up, right in front of her eyes, looking at them curiously.

Oh shit! How did she find that? Why didn’t I find it all these years? Why didn’t I bury it deep under the ocean? All these thoughts started running through every muscle in my brain.

“Is it for your girlfriend?”, she interrupted my thoughts with her eyes wide open and a mischievous smile.

I never hid anything from her. Sometimes I wonder how I share everything with a little 8-year-old! She is good at bringing out all the thoughts within me. But I had never told her about the girl who made me realize what it’s like to be in love.

“It was…”, I cleared my throat, “It was for my friend… I bought it almost 5 years ago and I had forgotten about it until now”. I hoped no more questions. Little Ananya had a habit of asking series of questions which might last the entire evening.

“That means you have forgotten her too?”, she asked. Her voice sounded curious.

“No.. I can’t. Every time I see you, it reminds me of her”

“Why? How? Was she an 8 year old too?”.

This 8-year-old brain had so many questions! I tried to divert her.

“Come on! Let’s watch Scooby-Doo!”, I said hoping that she would forget about the earrings and the girl.

“No!! Tell me how do I remind you of her? Or else I’m showing this to your mom!”. This time with a commanding voice! A fully grown adult just got blackmailed by a little girl!

“Because you know.. Her name was Ananya too. And before you were born, for me, Ananya Srivastav was the most beautiful girl ever to step into my life”

-to be continued…

Saturday! Part III

I started hitting Karan’s shoulder who was sleeping, resting his head on the bench, making an attempt to wake him. It took him some while gain conscious and the guy raised his head. ‘Thank God he’s alive!’

He sat up straight and wiped his lips. The way he wiped, I guessed he had a pretty wonderful dream. “Fuck you man! Why the fuck u hate me soo much? I was about to kiss Katy Perry! U ruined it”. Obviously he wanted to sleep some more. “Are u going with them to the falls?” , I enquired. “As long as  they  let me sleep peacefully!” Well he was going. Vicky and Babji were going as they are banned from extra class. Aniketh was in because he was the only guy who knew driving. Raghav and me were not sure.

Vicky and Babaji Karthik came in as soon as the professor left. They both looked excited. “I don’t think i can come guys” I said and added “this extra class topic is imp for the semester and i don’t want to miss”. “My attendance is pretty low. I think I should attend the lecture” , said Raghav. Finally I had someone who didn’t want to bunk. Feels great to have a friend by your side!

Vicky spoke! The 90 seconds speech. The speech that made us join them. The speech didn’t inspire us, but blackmail! Emotional blackmail!! Like girl-friends/girls use tears to get what they want, guys-bestfriends use emotional blackmail.

“You know one day you will be waiting to die and Yamraj says u got 7 mins to relieve the best moments of your life and what are u gonna remember? Avogadro’s number? Your attendance percentage? Your semester marks? Hell! Do u guys even remember the subjects u studied in your first engineering year?”. He was right! We had 6 subjects each semester plus 2 practicals. That means 16 subjects and could hardly name 6 of them. Vicky continued, “You guys are going to regret those last 7 mins of your life”. He said this in a emotional tone as if he was going to flood a river from his eyes. Obviously he wasn’t going to cry. We knew how good an actor he is! We joined them. That was the only way to stop him talking like a gyani. We all walked out and reached the parking lot. There , for the first time I saw Aniketh’s car. Even Raghav was seeing it for the first time.

It was an old Maruthi Suzuki Omni. Looking at it, Raghav said ,”Its not a car! Its a big red box with four tyres attached to it!”. We all were waiting for Aniketh to arrive who had gone to pee. He arrived after 10mins. “I don’t think u were peeing. I think u were fapping!” said Vicky trying to irritate Aniketh. Karan already had got into the car and continued his quest of kissing Katy Perry. Aniketh took the wheels, Vicky called shotgun. Now me, Babaji and Raghav had to squeeze in the back seat of the antique car with Karan, who was probably horny! Vicky opened the “Pepsi” bottle and the smell of our dear buddy Old-Monk woke Karan. “I love u Vicky”, said Karan breathing in the scent. Damn! It took me 15 hits to his shoulder to wake him earlier and in return what i got was “Fuck you”! Hope Katy Perry hits his groin in his dreams.

We all had some drinks. Aniketh didn’t get any as he had to drive the big red box. After a bumpy one and half hour ride we reached our destination. We parked the car and had some walking to do through the jungle to reach the water falls. Only Aniketh knew the way to the falls. He lead the way, we followed. Greens everywhere! We could hear the birds chirping but couldn’t spot any. Raghav asked Karan to keep on singing as long as we walked through the woods so that we could know he’s awake and not fallen asleep.

We walked for 15 mins and still no sign of water fall! We were all tired. 15 mins might sound little but when you’re walking through the forest, jumping over rocks and fallen trees and through the bushes, 15 mins is enough to make your ass sweat and drain you. “We are almost there guys”, said Aniketh.

“Do u really know where the fuck is this waterfall?” , asked Vicky.

“Dude! I was here for my 6th grade class trip. Me and my friends spotted a cheetah that day. I know this place very well. Don’t worry”

Vicky was furious!

Before Vicky could say anything

“You Fucker BC! U were here in your 6th grade!?? That was like a century ago. Saale! Do u know how badly my balls are sweating??    ! If i die here im goin to chop your hairy stinky balls off and feed it to the cheetah! I’m gonna rape u all for bringing me into this jungle! “, said Karthik. All in one breadth! Like Shankar Mahadevan. It was disturbing to hear those words from a guy like Karthik, whom we called Babaji/ Saint for his soft and peaceful nature.

“Why would you touch something that ugly Babaji?” , asked Raghav.

“What ugly?” , asked Karthik, confused

“His balls”, said Raghav and started laughing.

Too much Daaru!

“Shut up u guys! I can hear the water hitting the rocks! Can u guys hear it?”, said Aniketh looking at us excitedly. We all did hear it. We felt the waterfall is somewhere nearby. We followed the sound and after some time we reached there. Raghav took off his shirt and started running towards the pool beneath the waterfall like he had seen a huge pile of sealed alcohol bottles. We all felt a relief. Aniketh was most relived as he was going back home with his balls intact between his legs. Babaji finally put up a smile on his face. We all took a dip. Our tired body felt relaxed. The cold waterfall was worth all the trouble. Worth tiring Omni ride and the walk through the jungle.

We were all half dipped in the water  pool. Water coming up almost to our chest. Raghav took off his jockey underwear and lifted it high up above his head like he had just won the World cup and started singing,” yeeehhh dossutiii…. Humm nahhiiii chodengggaayyyy….”. We all joined and eventually everyone held their precious World Cups high up above!

 

 

Saturday! Part II

Finally it was the day. For the rest of the globe it was a Saturday. But for us, it was a ‘Extra class day’. Everyone knew the first hour was going to be professor Narayan’s, the extra class guy. We were all in the class by 9 and class was about to start. Vicky, one of the ‘Old monk’ guys came right on time and sat next to Aniketh. It was a three seater and Vicky, Aniketh and Raghav sitting together meant trouble. Obviously they sat together because they wanted to discuss about the afternoon. They were right in front of me, saint Karthik and Karan. We were not sure about today. I never thought these guys will remember what their drunk versions had discussed on Thursday evening.

Professor entered the class right on time and started his usual, nobody-gives-a-f lecture. Everyone pretended as if they were very much involved. Karan, was fast asleep. The guy had the capacity to sleep through an earthquake! This boring lecture was a piece of cake for the guy.

After a while, Vicky turned around and said, “You guys are coming right? I got a bottle of coke in Aniketh’s car” and smiled mischievously. We all knew what that smile meant! That smile meant, “Its mixed with Old monk”. He continued talking, “don’t worry Babaji, I got a Pepsi for you! Just for you”. That was enough to convince Saint Karthik. The glow on his face after hearing , “…a Pepsi for you… Just for you” revealed he was going. Before Vicky could say anything, Karthik, with a tiny smile and ton of excitement said, “Yes! I’m in”.

“You!” , said professor Narayan. “Fourth bench first guy”, pointing to Vicky. “And the guy behind him”, pointing to Karthik.

Both stood up, head down. This wasn’t the first time for Vicky. He was used to this. But Saint Karthik on the other hand, well u get the idea. He was nervous. The entire class staring at him.

“What is Avogadro’s Number?” , asked professor Narayan and added “this is a question for those two, not others. So others keep quiet!”. Everyone kept quiet. Obviously, nobody knew the answer, except for Raghav! He offered to help Vicky.

“Sir, it is a number discovered by Avagadro , the scientist , and this number… is ah…ah used for the calculation of major heat transfer problems” , said Vicky and there was a joy and delight in his smile after he completed his answer and he thought he was saved by his dear friend. Those words were copy paste of what Raghav had whispered and it was completely wrong! We all knew it and the whole class burst into laughter. Including Karthik.

Professor wasn’t impressed! “You people think engineering is a joke!” , he said. Obviously it is a joke! You pay, sit all day long for four years, in some cases more than that! Spend sleepless nights studying outdated mechanisms and theories and in the end learn nothing!

“Get out! Both of you! And don’t bother coming to the extra class. I don’t want to see your face today”.

Those words were like unasked boon for Vicky! He walked out happily and Saint Karthik wasn’t so happy. He had to share the punishment for Vicky’s wrong doings.

Finally, after a torturous hour the class was over! Professor left 5mins early and reminded us before he left that he was going to take class in the afternoon. Bad News! Doesn’t matter how many times you hear a bad news, a bad news will always be a bad news. It was a bad news. We all knew it but still it was kinda hard imagining sitting in there and spending another hour of our precious little life with Professor Narayan.

– to be continued…