A day in my life(Muthuswamy Namboodiri)

Muthuswamy Namboodiri's background: http://yembeeyae.blogspot.com/2008/10/day-in-my-life-coming-soon.html

I woke up with a start. I was sweating all over. The same old recurring dream of a yakshi(spirit) chasing me. It was around 4:30 in the morning. I glanced at my watch to confirm the same. It showed 10. Damn. I banged it twice and wound it again. This antique piece had been gifted to me by my late grandfather. The dial had cracks which made it impossible to check the hands of the watch. But I had mastered the art of using this antique. Poor thing was desperately shouting for retirement but I had turned a deaf ear towards it. How could I afford a new watch when I could hardly make ends meet here in Delhi? I would send most of my earnings back home, which left me with pretty little to indulge myself. I headed towards my old tape recorder set I had brought along with me from Krishnapuram. This was my most prized possession. It had been with me right from my school days. Days when we were well off and could afford such luxuries. We were one of the first families in Krishnapuram to own one. I would proudly turn it on and play it in maximum volume. It still manages to give a decent output. I inserted the tape and turned it on. Music filled my one room setting in Mayur Sarai. My mind relaxed in the soothing music.

"Kausalyasuprajarama purva sandhya pravartate, uttistha narasardula kartavyam daivam ahnikam…Nava Suprabhatam…….."

(O! Rama! Kausalya's auspicious child! Twilight is approaching in the East. O! best of men (Purushottama)! Wake up, the divine daily rituals have to be performed.)

"Muthuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!! Muthu you fool…..are you bloody deaf to play this on full volume at such unearthly hour. Everyday I have to go through this ordeal. Enough is enough. Ufffff….What the hell Muthu anna?? God Swamy…you are impossible….Grrrrrrrr", growled Ibrahim. Ibrahim shares the room with me. Shouting at me in the morning has become a habit for him. Poor Ibrahim. Three sisters to marry off back home in Mangalapurram keeps him on toes. Toils day in and day out at the motor workshop here. Khan Saab was gracious enough to train him and accommodate him in his workshop. Good man. It was because of him that I could land a job at the Udupi restaurant opposite the School of Management in Qutab Institutional Area. I had given up all hopes of getting a job and was preparing myself to leave Delhi when Ibrahim asked me to meet Khan Saab. And here I am today. Cleaning tables and picking up leftovers at the Udupi Restaurant.

"Muthuuuuuuuuuuuu….Come out….Will you take an eternity to bath? It's already 5:30 you fool. I have to deliver the car at Tripathi's house at 7 am. Will you come out or should I barge in?", Ibrahim shouted. You had to be very punctual with all the stuff which requires water here at Mayur Sarai. The municipality water comes only from 4:30 to 6:30 in the morning and then in the evening. Evening timings don't matter to us because at that time we are slogging it out at our respective workplaces. The music was still playing. Though Ibrahim would shout and curse me for playing Suprabhatam every day, he never ever switched it off. He knew that this was one thing that transported me back to my home at Krishnapuram and respected it. Ibrahim was good at heart. After my bath, I would head straight to the Shiv temple nearby on an empty stomach and sit there for an hour chanting hymns and offering prayers. I followed this like a ritual everyday. This was one thing that had been ingrained in me at a young age. I would apologize to god for lying to my parents and keeping them in dark about my occupation here. I would again plead almighty not to send me or my family to hell for deviating from a Brahmins path and picking up leftovers and cleaning tables at a restaurant. I would confide in God all my fears and feel light at heart. I would then head back home. Selecting a shirt to work was not a tough job for me because I was never spoilt for choices. I had only two pairs which made the decision easier. I would continue putting one till the other one would dry up. Three shirts was a luxury to me. Ash smeared on my forehead, I would head to the Udupi restaurant. The place which is the reason my family sees a new sunrise everyday. The place which is synonymous to a temple for me.

Ramakrishna Iyer, the owner of the hotel, or Iyer Saar as I prefer calling him keeps telling me that I bring in an authentic south Indian feel to his setup. My day starts off with cleaning all tables and dusting the seats. I then dust the restaurant and clean the kitchen. I bathe once again at the restaurant after this and then proceed to make the traditional rangoli with rice powder outside our restaurant. By 8 am students start trickling in. You start off cleaning tables and then graduate to taking orders within 2-3 years. That's when there is scope of some extra earnings as you land up some tips. And you land up plum tips from guys trying to impress gals on their dates. The School of management students do like hanging out here in between lectures. I have learnt distinguishing guys keen on impressing the opposite sex from the other lot. I hope this will help me when I do get promoted to taking orders. Iyer Saar is a good man. He has never slapped or hit me. He only goes to the extent of scolding me in front of customers if I get late in cleaning the tables. Earlier the abuses used to hurt, but it is fine because the customer perceives that he is treated important here. Good for the business. I used to leave my plates for the maids to attend to back in my Illam. I used to treat them very bad. Maybe God wanted me to learn. Maybe God wanted me to be considerate.

The first day I cleaned the tables, I could feel a tear trickling down my cheeks. This was my karma. But I am proud that I work. I don't laze around and am take care of my family. Any work, done with dedication is like offering your prayers to God. I don't care if my ancestors sitting up in heaven despise me for falling down to this state. I don't care if I will ever be considered an outcaste. I don't care if shuddhi is more important to them than seeing your family starve before your very own eyes. I am also doing Shanti(prayers/rituals) work that my ancestors used to do. The setting is different. The way of offering prayers is different. My ancestors used to offer prayers with flowers and milk to Gods. I do so with my work. Yes…I am a Brahmin. I will always be a Brahmin. And God will accept me with both hands when I will knock heavens doors someday. Wont he??

I Love You

I love you
I wish you would only know

Every time I think of you
I don’t believe I love you so true

I may mean nothing to you
But my heart only beats for you

Since the day you touched my soul
My feelings have been out of control

With every breath I take now
I love you even more somehow

You are always on my mind and heart
Despite being so apart

In my dreams I see us together
And wonder why can’t this be our forever…

By Priyanka

I came to your city, but could not reach your heart,

I had always wanted my life, to be your life's part.

I have been destiny's child, going where life took me,

Yet you were that one person, whom forever I want to see.

I sit outside your door, hoping you would come out,

To see what I have become, in your love's draught.

Waiting for you to invite me into your life,

And be then my friend, lover and wife.

I know, in your love, I have become hungry and foolish,

And there is not much in life that I wish.

May be have a normal job or even own some farms,

But should have time to sit on a lake with you in my arms.

(Written by my friend Zaheer)

Come...

Come…Hold my hand
We’ll discover a new land
Where you’ll be only mine
Lost in our love so strong and divine

Come…Let’s walk in the rain
And wash off all fear and pain
Where each drop of rainfall
Will be our beautiful life’s call

Come…Let’s watch the sunrise
Together as we open our eyes
Where with each sparkling ray
Life will show us a bright new way

Come…Let’s get lost in each other’s eyes
As therein lies my paradise
Where with each and every moment passing
We’ll see and feel our love blossoming...

By Priyanka

Love in my thoughts...

As a naïve young girl
Love meant different things to me
Did it lie in the smile someone brought on my face?
Was it the feel someone’s slight touch gave me then?
Was it that look someone gave me when our eyes met?
Was it ingrained in our little talks?
I found it difficult to decipher
My mind too simple to break that code
I thought it was love…
Time passed by and feelings remained in my heart
I hoped someday we would make a start
More time flew
And the little girl grew
And then she knew…
It wasn’t love!
No...it was not.

Why?
For later, she defined for herself…
Love is life
A connection of souls
A beautiful feeling shared
Someone holding your hand when you are scared
And when that special someone is near
You feel secure, you feel no fear
A sense of belonging
That care that longing
An unexplained urge
Feelings that surge
Its when you share that feeling
That life begins to find its meaning
The moment someone touches your heart
Its then that your life actually starts
I believe in that true love
Yes I do
Love...
So strong so pure
So childlike so mature
Love for which the entire life seems less
Does it exist?
I believe in it nevertheless
Yes…the kind that exists in fairy tales!

But still I made a resolve
And never gave love a chance to evolve
Why did I stay away from love?
Why?
Because…I feared love!
Yes…I did
I was scared of betrayal
I didn’t want to be hurt
So I closed my heart and shut my mind
And never gave them a chance to rewind
For I was waiting for that true love…
Yes…waiting…for that true love…

Again time passed away…
And then…
Like a beautiful sunrise
Life brought for me a lovely surprise
I was staying away from love,
All the time I thought
But I later realised,
It was the other way round!
Yes…it was love that stayed away from me
Oh oh…how could it be!

Then finally…
Love came into my life!
Ohh…
I felt chosen, I felt so blessed
It came in the most unexpected way
And brought along happiness, joy n gay
Its in the air, in the flowers, in the trees
Enchanting and refreshing like the summer breeze
As pure as a pearl
As soothing as mother’s touch
Its just out of this world!
It gives an amazing feeling
A sort of magical healing
Yes yes yes…
I am in love!

Yes…this is the true love I had been waiting for
My heart knows he is the one!
His love his care…
Oh…life is so fair!
His voice his smile…
Aah…life is so worthwhile!
I held his hand and walked in the rain…
Life is blissful…there is no pain
Every moment I dream of him
Every dream I live with him
I have imagined my whole life with him
Yes...I am in my own dreamland!

In my own dreamland??
Why? Isn’t it real?
Is it just my imagination?
My heart’s desire, my mind’s creation?
No no…I can’t let it go
I just want to tell him
How much I love him!
But…I can’t. I can’t.
Does that make my love less worthy?
Will it remain a dream forever?
Don’t tell me that!
No God…don’t! don’t!

By Priyanka

A day in my life (Coming soon...)

Namaskaaram! Njan(Myself) Muthuswamy....Muthuswamy Nambudiri.

I came to Delhi with a distant cousin last year from Kerala in an attempt to find some odd jobs here and pull my family out of the claws of abject poverty it had got into. My father was a Mel Shanti(Chief Priest) at our local Bhagawathi temple in Krishnapuram. The menfolk of our Illam(home of Brahmins) were experts in Thantric(vedic and astrology bound) rites. It was not long back when our grandfathers used to practice rigid orthodoxy and sense of caste and purity (Shudham). We used to consider ourselves polluted by even the touch of other Brahmins[Embraan Shudham (by the touch of Tulu Brahmins), Eda Shudham (touch of Tamil Brahmins such as Iyer, Iyengar, Pattar which required us to bathe before resuming activities)], leave aside people from other caste. (*Nambudiri:Wikipedia)

Today, I share a shady little room in Mayur Sarai with Ibrahim, a Parsi guy who, like me, had come to the capital from Mangalapurram(Mangalore) in search of some job. You don’t fill your stomach by clinging on to old traditions and rituals. I would have been an outcaste in my Illam had I stayed with someone from the other caste back then. I still would be, provided I inform my father of the same. All kinds of Shuddhi rites will have to be performed before I get to lie down on my cot back home. For him rituals and traditions may precede an empty stomach, but not for me. He wont touch the money I sent back home after slugging it out in a small roadside South Indian restaurant picking up plates and cleaning tables. He would prefer to die and let the family suffer than accept this fate. He is happy to know that I am assisting a Mel Shanti(Chief Priest) at the Ayappa temple here. Let him remain happy. Let my family have two square meals a day, even if it’s on the expense of my lying……a cardinal sin for a Brahmin.

Catch me soon…Right here….As you live a day alongside me sharing my sorrows and happiness. See you soon. Ohhh…Table no. 4 is done with their meal. I have to pick up their plates and clean the table for the couple who is waiting…….Pinne Kaanaam Ketto(Will catch up later, Ok)

WHY??

A page from Chattu’s (Tarunesh Kr. Chatterjee/Batch 2005-07/SoM) personal diary

9th October, 2007 / Mumbai

It rained. It rained today. I could feel it. My soul bathed in it. Was it God’s way of washing away my tears? Tears that went unnoticed in the rain. Tears that never trickled when I was with you. Tears that swept away all the emotions and expectations I had painstakingly built block by block. Tears that finally found an outlet after being caged for what seemed like an eternity. Did I notice blood in them? Or was it mere illusion? Whatever, I could feel the pain within. I could peep within and see the dent that one single statement of yours had made in my heart. I could see blood oozing out of it. It is still raining. Why has God turned on the shower to let my wounds sting? What wrong had I done to deserve this?

Why did you seek love elsewhere when I left no stone unturned to let you know that you mean the world to me? Why did you not remember all the things I sacrificed for you when you decided to betray me? Was my love so weak that it didn’t mutter a single word when you were strangulating it in a strangers arm? Or had the stranger ceased being one? Why you keep on repeating the mistake over and over again? Why did you lie to me all this while? Why did you stay in touch with him even when you were with me? How could your conscience allow this? You made me realize that I was engulfed in an illusion all this while. I had weaved my future around this illusion. I had weaved my dreams around this illusion. I had weaved my life around this illusion. I had loved you in the purest form. Was this not what you wanted? Was it a physical relation you wanted? Was it the burden of expectations that my love demanded? Or was it something else? I would never know. I would never know what went lacking from my side. I would never know what it was that you wanted from me. I would never know whether you loved me at all or was it just the need to be with someone. Look at what you have done to me. Look at what that sorry has reduced me to. Will a mere sorry heal my broken heart? Will a mere sorry bring back the love you consciously decided to flush down the closet? Will a mere sorry bring back my lost sense of pride? Will a mere sorry help me not being reduced to a laughing stock in my group? Will a mere sorry help me not falling in my own eyes? Will a mere sorry erase all the thoughts of the stranger that have set home in your mind? Will a mere sorry guarantee an anytime stroll in the corridors of your mind I once owned? You said I was your gift and the best you could ever dream of. Was I? Was I ever? If yes, then why did you succumb to the temptation? You treasure your gifts, however small. You don’t throw them away when you see a bigger one.

Why didn’t you think that I will be reduced to a walking zombie for the rest of my life? Why didn’t you think that I will never be normal again? Why didn’t you give it a thought before succumbing? Why didn’t you realize that a no to him would have made my life so much colorful? Why did you do this to me in the first place? Was a two week whirlwind strong enough to lay to rest the tornado of emotions which you had for me? Why did you erase the words “Trust” and “Love” from my system forever? Why do I fear closing my eyes at night? Why do I dread recurring dreams of you haunting me all night? Why can’t I make myself believe that I no longer matter to you? Why can’t I get myself to believe that all of this is a bad dream? Why can’t I stop loving you despite you shooting me point blank? Why did you do it?

Why do I deserve to sleep when I can’t get rid of your memories? Why do I deserve to walk when I can’t take your hands in mine? Why do I deserve to love when the one I loved most threw me away? Why do I deserve to breathe when I can’t stop filtering out your smell from the surroundings? Why doesn’t this blood oozing out kill me despite you stabbing me time and again? Why do I deserve to live? Do I?

Chattu died a natural death one year later. He was only 25. The doctors never found out the cause of his death. They were clueless what caused his untimely death. Maybe the slow poison his body had started generating along with other fluids after that day took its toll. Maybe he never got over her. Maybe he chose not to get over her. Maybe he chose this fate. Maybe he was a fool. Maybe the fact that he was a cut above the rest when it came to out of the box thinking never mattered to him. Maybe the fact that he was seen as a rising star in his firm never mattered to him. Maybe the fact that he had the biggest circle of best friends never made any difference. Maybe his best friends never noticed his weeping heart all this while. Maybe he chose not to reveal that side to them. Maybe he wanted his image of the naughtiest of the batch to remain intact. Maybe he wanted his image of being a prankster and one who has a forever smile on his face to remain intact.

Maybe he is still looking at us from up there and saying, “I loved only once…And I loved her truly”

Waited...

Waited for those eyes
In which I would see my entire life..
So full of love!
I get empty stares.

Waited for those hands
Which would hold me tight..
And make me feel secure and light!
I am trapped.

Waited for that voice
Which would sing for me..
The song of life!
I hear cries.

Waited for those words
Which would mean to me..
The whole world!
I feel cursed.

Waited for that hug
Which would make me melt..
With warmth of love!
I feel suffocated.

Waited for that smile
Which would make my life..
Beautiful and worthwhile!
I see gloom.

Waited for that touch
Which would make me feel..
Wanted and loved!
I feel vulnerable.

Waited for that someone
Who would touch my heart..
With unconditional love!
I am alone.

Waited for the day
When you would forever be mine..
And bless me with love so pure and divine!
I now see reality.

This is how it would feel when your love doesn’t turn into a reality…and instead your life gets trapped in the clutches of someone else…..though the pain would be tremendous and much much much more than what I have been able to express…

By Priyanka

A rainy day... (part 3)

It was the most awaited time of the year. Time for our annual college fest ‘Beats’. A three day event with competitions, music, dance and of course lots and lots of fun. The last two days were most special with Shaan, Indian Ocean and Euphoria coming in to charge up the fest. The cultural committee had been working really hard for the past few days for this special event. Nick, being a member of this committee had been keeping really busy. But still he took out all the possible time to be with me, and when he could not…he always had his sweet special one liners that were enough to cheer me up. Today was the third and final day of the fest. And all of us final year students had made it a point not to miss out even a single day, it being our last fest at college. The last day had a huge gathering, both from our college and from the other South and North Campus colleges.

Ashu was participating in the ‘Mr. and Miss Beats’ contest, and Priya and I were having a tough time preparing him for that. Right from choosing his clothes to deciding the steps for the dance he was planning to do for the talent round…he was driving us mad. It was the final day and just four hours before the event that he realised that the previous song was not good enough, and he needed to look out for another! “Shut upppp!!” Priya and I said almost together. That was enough for him and he got up to rehearse to the previous decided song.
“What should I wear yaar??” I asked Priya for the Nth time! “Nooo not again!! Both of you will make me mad…one can’t decide on the song and the other on her dress! Pleasee…” Priya yelled. “Hmm…I think I should either wear that pink one or the black one-piece…what say?” I still asked. Priya knew I would continue to pester her, so she gave in as usual. “Well…I think the black one is good. You’ll look hot! I am sure Nick will go mad!! Haha…” She laughed. “Damn…he is too busy…I wonder if I’ll get to spend even five minutes with him…” I thought.

It had been five months now since we first met on that rainy day. I still thanked god for that rain. Life with Nick had been just amazing…I felt so blessed to have him in my life. I cherished every single moment spent with him. He made me feel so special and loved that I often felt being the luckiest person on planet!
Many a times I dreamt of our future…our marriage, our sweet little home near the sea, our beautiful life together, playing together with our kids, watching them grow up, cooking breakfast together on a lazy sunday morning, reading novels together, of our families, walking together in rain…of a life so full of love! But somehow I never shared that with Nick. I don’t know what really stopped me. I always felt he lived for the moment, never thought about the future. I remembered talking once of life after college, and he told me to enjoy and cherish what we have today and to be happy in our present. I didn’t like that, but as always…he had something wonderful to say which made me forget everything.

Events in the evening had been a lot of fun, the best part being cheering Ashu for the competition. Though he didn’t win the contest but we could see he had won many hearts around! We found him surrounded by many hot girls from the neighbouring colleges. We left him there to enjoy his moments of glory and went back to the hostel to get ready for the much awaited Rock Night. It was 9.30 in the night when we reached the college again. Priya and I could not stop complimenting each other! She was looking just amazing in her pink outfit, like a cute little doll. Ashu was the first to compliment both of us. “Ohhh wow…Priya!! You are looking gorgeous yaar, and hey..today I’ll have to call you Barbie!! Hehe….hope the original Barbie won’t mind! And Barbie, what happened to you today? Black! Hmm…but you are looking just amazing. I am dying to hear what Nick has to say!” He laughed. “Thank you Ashuuuu” Both Priya and I said together. It was actually a day of compliments! Many people whom I didn’t even remember last talking to, came up to say how nice we were looking. I was flattered! But the one compliment that meant the most to me kept eluding me. Nick met me twice but only for 2-3 minutes. He was running here and there making last minute arrangements. Though he did tell Priya how nice she was looking, I got no comments! Priya and Ashu started teasing me on that.
“I won’t even talk to him. Huh!” I said. We could now hear the loud music at some distance. Euphoria had arrived. People were rushing to the main ground. Ashu and Priya were also too eager to move. It was raining slightly. But today even rain could not make me smile. I was in no mood for anything. I just wanted to be with Nick and he had no time for me. Priya and Ashu cheered me up and we started moving towards the ground when I saw Nick coming there. Both my friends moved towards the floor, leaving us alone.

“So sorry sweetheart!! Was just too busy. But now no more work, only both of us.”, he said. I didn’t say anything. We could hear the music getting louder. People were dancing madly in the rain. The weather was just amazing. Nick was looking at me. “Say something dear…I know you can’t stay angry with me for long. Sweetie….hmm…I know why you are so sad....I was…” he was explaining when I cut him in between. “You were what! Priya was looking wonderful na!! But you had no words for me! Huh! Huh!” I shot back. He was laughing. “Oh..you are my small baby…really…a sweet little child who gets so angry for small small things!!” He smiled. “I don’t know why but yes small small things matter the most to me.” I said. “I know that dear….and I love you for that. Please don’t look so withered my sweetheart.” He said.
He then came closer, held my hands, and said something sooo sweet…something that I won’t forget ever in life. He said, “If you had been a flower, I would have said Blossom….but you are my lover, and so I say Awesome...”
“Ohhh Nickkk!! I loveee you sooo much!!” I said. I could not find any more words. I was so touched, so overwhelmed with joy. I never realised when he took me into his arms and hugged me tightly. I could feel his warmth. I had always thought love resided only in the hearts, and in the two connected souls, and that physical closeness was simply immaterial. I had seen many couples hugging each other and had always wondered why!! I always felt love was above all this. But this one brief moment of intimacy made me realise how much more I loved Nick…much much more than I had ever thought of before. I could feel even more close and connected to him. And I realised the strong need to spend my whole life in his arms.
“I love you Neha. You are my life. You mean everything to me. Can I ask something……Can I…Can I just spend my life with you…??” He said it all. I looked towards him. I could see my entire life in his eyes which were filled with love for me. I could see all my dreams shaping up his eyes. I just could not reply for a few seconds. But they seemed like ages…I felt as if the time was slowing down…just to make this special moment last even longer. I felt my eyes getting moist and my heart beating even faster. “Yes!!” I said finally, still hugging him. I didn’t say a word more. I just wanted to feel…feel every moment of this closeness. I closed my eyes. Ohhh…how much I wished this moment could last forever…

The End.
[Thank you Zaheer for the very special words.. :) ]

By Priyanka

A rainy day... (part 2)

“Hmmm…so you are in love!!” Priya was staring at me. “What!! Idiot!” I said. “No…Really? For the first time..you are speaking less and thinking more and more…” she said. “So what?!” I asked. “Hmm…I don’t remember which SRK movie it was…but it had this dialogue that when you think more and speak less…its love!” she winked. “Shut up! You and your SRK movies! All are crap! Its nothing like that!”I said. “Man…when did SRK movies become so realistic!!” I wondered. “Don’t you tell me that…okay…” Priya shot back. “And remember Barbie…people can lie but eyes never do…I can read that in your eyes you idiot!” Ashu said. I couldn’t lie. Ashu and Priya knew me inside out. Just a look at my face and they could tell the entire story behind my emotions. I never found the need to say anything to them. They understood it all. This time though…I kept denying. I wondered how would they react. Love at first sight! How can it be…its too fast for me!
“Ummm…yaa…I have just been thinking of him since I met him. And I don’t know what it is…but I think he feels the same. Even I could see that in his eyes. But, I don’t know!!” I said. “Don’t worry Barbie…you just have to order...I’ll get that goalie by his neck and pull out all the truth!!” Ashu joked. “Promise Ashu! Hehehe” I smiled.

It was our Physics lab today…And that too an extended session, which meant 6 hours straight in the lab with just a small break in between. The thought of it was enough to put us to sleep. But the brave souls we were…we could not give up that easily. After all, devoting three precious years of your life to physics was not a child’s play! I was supposed to do an experiment to find the reflective index of a prism today. As usual…the three of us reached the lab late, but some how managed to enter without getting caught for an explanation by that crazy optics professor. Not that we were afraid of her or lacked the talent to give excuses, but the problem was that we could not understand her! She was from the north east…and as in DU lingo, was called ‘Chinki’. And we actually needed a translator while talking to her. I remembered the last time she caught us…she kept asking something and we just could not understand. All we did was giving blank stupid looks to each other, till she got fed up and called one of the nerds of our class who could understand her.

This time we managed to give her an escape and headed straight for the dark room. Dark room…my favourite place in the lab! Since optics experiments were conducted there…it had complete darkness, a few complicated instruments and lots of fun! The teacher could never make out who exactly was working and who was having a good time watching their partners work! “Where the heck is my partner!!” I thought. And then I saw Kapil…the poor fellow was trying to adjust the prism on the spectrometer. “He must be cursing the day when he was made my lab partner.” I thought. I never worked and he never complained. He was that sweet. I went straight to him. “Hii Kapil…so wassup with the prism yaar??” I said. He looked at me and smiled, “Woww…only half an hour late this time! You are improving in my company Neha! And this experiment, yaar…I can’t do it! Though I have adjusted the prism according to the scale, but I am afraid you’ll have to rotate, get the spectrum and take all the readings because I can’t make out colours!! Me kind of colour-blind!!” he said shyly. “What! You serious? Colour-blind!!” I asked. “Yup, sometimes green looks yellow and sometimes it looks red...its not even fixed..else could have made a note of what is what! And this damn spectrum will make me mad. I just saw the spectrum Ruchi has got and the only colour I got right was yellow! But don’t worry, I’ll do all the calculations once you get the readings.” He explained.
“Heyy..no problem yaar. But that is kind of interesting. I read about that in my biology classes but never got a chance to meet an actual case! Okay..tell me what colour is this??” I showed him my blue notebook. “Red” he replied. “Hehe…that’s fun! Its blue idiot! By the way…who does your shopping?” I joked. Before Kapil could say anything, I saw the professor entering the room, and in an instant, I was adjusting the eyepiece of the telescope. And then after few minutes of concentration, I finally managed to get the spectrum. “Ohh…wow…see how beautiful it is! All the colours…such sharp contrast. Amazing! Physics can be beautiful too!” I said. Priya was standing at my back. “Yess…everything is beautiful when you are in love!” she winked. And then I saw my phone shining on the table. It was Nick. I looked at Priya. She was giving an even bigger smile now. I talked to him for a few minutes and then got up to leave. “Gotta meet him. He’s waiting down. Byeee..” I said. “Okay..call me when you are done. Won’t disturb you in between!” Priya laughed. “Sure!! And please help Kapil with the experiment!” I rushed.

He was waiting near the net. This was the tenth time I was meeting him since my b’day four days ago. Four days…only four days! I don’t know what attracted me to him. “May be his sweet smile, may be his eyes, may be its the way we met, or probably its because of how I feel when I am with him.” I thought. Nick was just amazing. A complete livewire. No one could ever feel low in his company. He talked a lot of crap, shared so many interests with me, loved rain too! He never kept quiet, had so many stories to tell..most of them so funny, even teased me many a times. But somehow I just loved him. He made me feel like a small kid. He was so caring and protective. I liked that. I felt the happiest with him.

I reached the net. “Hiii Nick!!” I said. “Heyyy…you made me wait!”He smiled. “Sorry!” I said. “Don’t be …I love waiting for you dear. I don’t mind waiting five hours for five minutes of yours. You are that precious for me. And I know you know that!” he said. I smiled. He always said something so sweet that I felt myself more and more drawn towards him. He made me feel so loved!
“So..how was your day?” I asked. He went on telling me about what all he did…his friends, the pranks played..everything. I had my stories. We never realised how time passed. It must have been almost two hours since we had been sitting behind that goalpost. It had become our favourite meeting point…it was a special place…the place where we met for the first time. I was telling him about the new novel I had picked up...when he held my hand. I looked at him. “Neha…I like you so much. I haven’t thought of anything else since the day I met you. You are my sweetheart dear. I can’t even think of a day without you. You have become so much a part of me. You might think its too fast, but I can’t really help it...I think I am in love!” he said.
I couldn’t believe it…I was overwhelmed…I was so touched…I was elated…I was sooo happy…I held his hand tightly…but I couldn’t speak a word. I just kept looking at him. He never asked for a reply. I guess my eyes said it all.

To be continued..

By Priyanka

A rainy day... (part 1)

“Wake uppp b’day girl!! Its already 10.15…we are getting late for college! Seems the hangover hasn’t gone!! Hehe..” Priya kicked me hard. We had a great party last night with almost the entire hostel there to celebrate my birthday. It was amazing. I had never been out of home but graduation brought me to Delhi University. I still remembered the day when I was to leave home…all in tears with dad and mom assuring me that they would come every week to see me. Oh..and how time passed. Hostel life had given me such good friends. I had never thought life out of home would be so much fun.

I was still half asleep…but was woken up in an instant when I realised that my bed was shaking! “Hahaha…its meee…Ashuquake!!” It was Ashu. “You idots!! Won’t you guys spare me even on my b’day!! I am another year old…haven’t you guys got any lessons on respecting elders! Hehe… and Priya…what hangover dear?? I didn’t drink!! Huh!” I got up finally. “Ok ok.. you didn’t..now will you get ready for college? I know you are going to take too long with it…your special b’day suit is ready there…No no…don’t thank me for ironing it.. I know how to make you repay!” Priya laughed. “Ohho…so our Barbie is going to wear a suit today!! Man..i have never seen you in one….and let me guess..the colour must be pink…right?” Ashu joked. He always made fun of my obsession with pink and hence called me Barbie! “Yesss it is! And you won’t believe the amount of effort and time Neha spent on getting it made for this day. Chalo..we guys are going down. Get ready quickly!” Priya said. Priya and Ashu…my best buddies at college. And how much I loved them!

I picked up the newspaper…straight to page 4 of HT City. “You are happy and contented with life. Small problems might occur but you can overcome them with ease. Your career and love life will go smoothly. You might meet someone special today. Your lucky colour is green and lucky number 5” my horoscope for the day read. “What the crap! Where are these damn astrologers when earthquakes and bombs rock the world! Absolute shit!” I said. But still, reading this crap had somehow become a ritual for me. I got ready for college. Though I had no plans to attend any classes but I had assured my bookworm friend Priya that I would.

It was a lovely day…light drizzle and cool winds. I had always loved rain. It had an amazing effect on me. An effect that could rub off all tensions and could cheer me up in a moment. Today, I was already so happy and excited. Rain just made my day. I thanked god for the sweet little gift. “Imagine…what would you like to do in this lovely weather…connect the transistors, resistors and capacitors in that crappy electronics lab with that mad professor hanging over our heads with a multimeter…or…have a walk in the ground in this awesome weather with this awesome friend of yours!!” I tried to convince Priya for yet another bunk. “This will be our 4th bunk from lab…attendance??” she countered. “Ashu will do that…chill…he has become an ace in proxies. And he just has to thank me for this special training!” I laughed as I saw her smile. I meant yes. We reached the ground. Our college football team was practising there for the upcoming inter college tournament. We were walking behind the net area and were busy in our gossips and my b’day plans when I was hit by the football. “Shit!!” I shouted. “Ohh…It hurt sweetie??” Priya asked. “No, but look at my dupatta…shit shit…its all muddy!! This damn ball spoiled it all…nooo!!” I yelled.

“Heyyy…I am so sorry!!” the goalkeeper came running. “I missed that one…and oops…it spoiled your dress…sorry for that!” he said. “Sorry! Your sorry would correct this?! Its her birthday and here you are! And Neha..why are you quiet now?” Priya was fighting for me. I didn’t say a word.
He had mud all over his clothes. His college jersey and shorts were almost brown, though I could still make out the original light blue colour at some places. I could easily make out he was above 6 feet. His wet dishevelled hair was covering parts of his forehead…innocent looks yet shining naughty eyes…extremely fair complexion…with slight mud over his cheeks. “Oops..so sorry b’day girl…I spoiled your day! Anyway Neha…a very happy b’day! I am Nick…actually Nikhil.” He smiled. And then I saw them…his cuteeee dimples….which made his smile the best in the world! Man…I was busy staring or what…I didn’t even notice when he extended his hand to wish me!
“Umm…thanks…Nick…and its okay...really.” I said. He smiled. I could see Priya giving me those killer looks. “But what you guys doing out here in the rain?” he asked. “Because this crazy girl loves rain!!” Priya snapped back. “Oh wow..i love that too!” He looked towards me and smiled.
“Nickkk” we could hear his team mates calling. “Gotta go..will catch you later Neha!” He smiled and rushed back towards the field…leaving me there…lost. All of sudden, I was reminded of my horoscope. “Man! Have the astrologers finally got it right this time!!” I was left wondering.

To be continued..

By Priyanka