F.O.G

It was a splendid morning today. I decided to ride all the way to work instead of taking the cab. I am glad I did that.

I have to ride more than 20 kms to reach my office. And what one normally does while riding a bike? Look around? Concentrate? Enjoy the ride?

Bleeaahh! I introspect!

The Fog was so dense that I couldn't see what stood 1 meter ahead. One particular patch of the road looked entirely clueless to me. But once I went through that patch, I plunged into a beautifully lit patch with sun shining bright and squeezing out of the fog which I had left behind.

I wondered what this FOG business was all about. And like a dreamy writer, I interpreted FOG as F.O.G = Forget Old Grudges.

With the year ending, I thought, instead of only being positive, I need to shed the negatives too. Ideally I tend to be an optimist, overtly so, but I find it really difficult to leave behind the pessimism. And I say I am an Obscure Optimist! So I decided to clean myself internally, by removing all the grossness, grudges, and forgive people who have hurt me, forgive life for treating me bad when I thought it treated me bad, forgetting all the times when I thought I was humiliated and treated badly. Let go my Ego and feel lighter. Forget all the Old Grudges which I had been accumulating.

So, in those 45 minutes of my journey from Home to Work, I FOGged while the heavens Fagged!

I forgive myself for thinking low about my abilities when I had no job, no work and no earnings.

I forget the grudges that I had against people who were hypocrites and pretended to be friends.

I forget the grudge that I held against You because you mistook me and thought that I reject your calls

I forget the grudge that I held against You for committing a dinner with me and then sliding away with someone else

I forgive You for showing me all the paradise and leaving me stranded, directionless. I have now found my way.

I forgive You for not returning my book after reading it.

I forgive You for reaching late every time when we decided to meet.

I forget the grudge that I held against You for removing the screen guard off my new brand cell phone.

I forgive Aishwarya Rai for marrying my sweetheart. I liked her performance in Guzaarish.

I forget the grudge that I held against You for not doing that extra bit when I did everything extra for you, your sister and your friends.

I forget the grudge I held against You for being so selfish and eccentric.

I forget all the old grudges and I feel free. If you can relate with the ‘You’, trust me, it’s forgotten and forgiven J

The Fog has cleared. And the Sun is shining bright. New Year, New Beginnings :)

Dedication Time

We used to have this "Request" stall in School fete where we used to request songs to be played for our friends, seniors and teachers.

That tradition persisted for really long and most of the Josephites would agree, that we still feel like dedicating songs to each other, or to our friends and teachers.

It was a wonderful thing which we followed then and I thought of continuing it further by dedicating songs to my friends, family or anyone who deserved it, on my blog which I had started a few years ago.

But, unfortunately, the blog stood idle as after one round of dedication, I kinda felt short of ideas, songs, and creativity (Yeah!! Kinda Writer's Block).

To revive the old tradition, I thought of dedicating songs/poetry/lines to a few people who deserved dedications and rembrances this year.

This is the first dedication to all the people with whom I loved conversing, and loved listening to them. Time has now changed, we talk less, but the friendship still is becoming stronger and mightier.

To Jincy, Piya, Ami, Muggs, CDMA this one's for you. Whenever I talk to you, or meet you, this is exactly what it feels like.

ek puraanaa mausam lautaa yaad bhari puravaai bhi
aisaa to kam hi hotaa hai vo bhi ho tanahaai bhi

yaadon ki bauchhaaron se jab palakein bhigane lagati hain
kitani saundhi lagati hai tab maanjhi ki rusavaai bhi

do do shaqlein dikhati hain is bahake se aaiine mein
mere saath chalaa aayaa hai aap kaa il saudaai bhi

Khaamoshi kaa haasil bhi ik lambi sii Khaamoshi hai
un ki baat suni bhi hamane apni baat sunaai bhi

-Gulzaar Saab

The wonderful times when we played, roamed about carelessly. To those wonderful times, when grown up lot seemed foolish and we, as kids thought, were the kings of our times.
This one's to Sunny, Pawan, Pallavi, Nandita, Michelle, Adiba, Tulip, Diba, Shilpa, Huma, Gibi, Piya, Ami, Priyanka.

chalo naa bhatake
lafange kuuchon mein
luchchi galiyon ke
chowk dekhein
sunaa hai vo log
chuus kar jin ko vaqt ne
raastein mein phenkaa tha
sab yahin aake bas gaye hain
yeh chhilake hain zindagii ke
in kaa ark nikaalo
ki zahar in kaa
tumhare jismon mein
zahar paalate hain
aur jitne vo maar degaa
chalo naa bhatake
lafange kuuch0n mein

-Gulzaar Saab


A dedication to people who stay far away, seldom visit me and to those who are out of touch..

kabhii yuun bhi to ho
dariyaa kaa saahil ho
puure chaand kii raat ho
aur tum aao

kabhii yuun bhi to ho
ye baadal aisaa tuut ke barase
mere dil ki tarah milane ko
tumhaaraa dil bhi tarase
tum nikalo ghar se

kabhi yuun bhi to ho
tanahaai ho, dil ho
boondein ho, barasaat ho
aur tum aao

kabhi yuun bhi to ho...

- Javed Saab


To all the people who are never gonna come back from where they have gone.

shaam se aankh mein nami si hai
aaj phir aap ki kami si hai
dafn kar do hamein ki saans mile
nabz kuchh der se thami si hai
vaqt rehataa nahin kahin chhupkar
is ki aadat bhi aadami si hai

-Gulzaar Saab

And this one's to all those who are chasing their own dreams and dealing with obstacles bravely! Kudos to Us!

Varu, Debo, Robo, Pri, Rudy,Jincy,Maloo, Manji, Soumo, RVD, Rajesh, Ranu, Swap, Viv.

tum aaj hansate ho hans lo mujh par ye aazamaaish naa baar baar hogii
main jaantaa hun mujhe Khabar hai ki kal fazaa Khushagavaar hogii

rahe muhabbat mein zindagi bhar rahegi ye kashamakash baraabar
naa tumako qurabat mein jit hogi naa mujhako furaqat mein haar hogii

hazaar ulfat sataaye lekin mere iraadon se hai ye mumakin
agar sharaafat ko tumane chhedaa to zindagii tum pe vaar hogii

-Khwaja Mir Dard


Wishing you all a splendid last week of the year!! Having a Rocking New Year's Eve!
Aish Maaro, Yaaro!

Rewind. Stop. Forward

2010 is almost over. It was a satisfying year for me. I have seen it all, crest, trough, the neutral period. Everything. 
To sum it up, let me put things in a quatitative perspective.
Here are my top fives for the year 2010.

5 Most memorable occasions
1. The day I cleared my Interview and got a job - 28th May
2. My trip to Kerala, Jincy's wedding. - 30th August
3. Dhanteras 2010, at home. - 3rd November
4. My First Onsite Trip to Germany - 14th November
5. The day I took an unconventional decision of running for my dreams. - 28th November

5 Most favourite movies
1. Once upon a time in Mumbai
2. Guzaarish
3. Dabangg
4. Robot
5. Udaan

Top 5 news of 2010
1.  Air India Express Flight 812 overshoots the runway at Mangalore International Airport in India, killing 158 and leaving 8 survivors. :(
2. The 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, was won by Spain.
3. Kajol had a baby boy - Yug Devgn
4. Onion prices touch 85 Rs per Kg
5. Snow fall predicted in New Delhi this year

Top 5 songs (Dance numbers) of 2010
1. Apni toh jaise taise (Housefull)
2. Munni Badnaam Hui (Dabangg)
3. Sheila ki Jawaani (Tees Maar Khan)
4. Ainvayi Ainvayi (Band Bajaa Baraat)
5. Humka Peeni hai (Dabangg)

Top 5 Jodis of 2010
1. Shahrukh and Kajol (My Name is Khan)
2. Mahendra Singh and Sakshi Dhoni
3. Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone
4. Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra
5. Rajnikant and Aishwarya

5 things that I would want to do next year
1. Visit Switzerland and France and take my family to Thailand
2. Balance my material and spiritual life
3. Get Nagpur Ashram construction started
4. Be more humble and lose weight!! :D :D
5. And Yeah!! Probably consider getting married.

The only purpose of declaring my short term goals or resolution, is because, I know if I declare, I would do it.
This is the most powerful thing which helps you stay committed.
This is a committment I have made to myself.

With this year ending, I feel my spirits are at an all time high!! I am desperately looking forward to meeting my best bud Varghese early next year. The end has been fantastic, the beginning will be awesome too.. I just need to keep the tempo going for the rest of the 2011. And these short term goals, are some achievable targets, for sure!

What are your top 5s, Junta?

A Crazy affair - Serial Fiction

Serial Fiction is back- After a long time.

Rishi and Anuj are best buds. Kim makes the bond stronger by making things brighter in their lives... Pleasant incidences from the lives of Kim, Rishi and Anuj...

Chapter 1. Champ-ag(ai)n-e

Chapter 2. Dreams

Chapter 3: Emergence of Events

Chapter 4: Fun Employed

Chapter 5: Golden Dusk

Chapter 6 : Heart to Heart

Chapter 7: Inferences

Chapter 8: J for Joy

8. J for Joy

Before you read further :

Chapter 1: Champ-ag(ai)n-e
Chapter 2: Dreams
Chapter 3: Emergence of Events
Chapter 4: Fun-Employed
Chapter 5: Golden Dusk
Chapter 6: Heart to Heart
Chapter 7: Inferences

***
"... and he realised he was in love. But it was too late. He decided to set her free. He was sure that she wouldn't come back. He felt the pain, leading to a sublte pleasure. He stood facing the sea and allowed the wind to play with his hair. He took a stick lying near his foot and wrote on the sand "G I T I K A". He waited until the waves lashed the shore and wiped away her name. He smiled.

He turned back and saw Anuj- His best friend. This was the umpteenth time he had let gone a girl, not for another one, but for the sake of love.

He stood testimony to the one of the best love stories ever."

Kim finished reading the synopsis of her book. The audience was glued for 40 minutes. Some eyes were filled with tears, some faces smiled. They all ran into a thunderous applause after Kim rose from her chair.

The host announced "Letting go” -by  Kim Fernandes. Book on sale from 23rd January 2011. Pick up your copies for Rs. 359. Available at Crosswords".

Kim stood in ecstasy. She couldn't believe that she had published a book. Her dream had come true.
She got busy shaking hands with all the people who had come for the reading. She took out some time and spoke to Anusha Roy, who appreciated her for her young and fresh style of writing.

She had always idolized Anusha.

She looked around -with pride and glee.

All of a sudden she felt something cold, chilly, on her bare arms.

"Ouch", she reacted, and turned back.

"ANUJ.....", she hugged him. After a long hug she began "and what WAS that?", she asked.
Anuj showed her a bottle.

"ppaparapaparapajoujoujou", Rishi emerged.

"You guys!!!", Kim was speechless.

"Now before this champagne gets hot and your demand gets hotter, lets escape", said Anuj

"Ma'am, can I pick up one book.", asked Rishi.

"Ofcourse!!", Kim was still struggling for words.

"For my driver. I promised him", said Rishi.

Kim hit him hard. She was living a dream within a dream.

"Let's go", Anuj reinstated.

The three of them went to their usual hangout. It was an old historical structure in the outskirts on Mumbai.

"I did not like the ending of your novel. Bull shit it was", said Rishi, "You get all credits for your literary skills and I don't even get a girl!" Rishi ended.

"You get me!!", said Kim naughtily.

"I don't want you!! I want that Gitika female. Oh wait! I have to read your novel to find out how much babe factor she's got", mocked Rishi.

"When did y'all come?", asked Kim, looking at Anuj, ignoring Rishi's talks.

"Yesterday!", replied Anuj looking at Kim.

"And our dreams have come true, sweetheart. We just wanted you to finally make it to the stage and then voila...!", said Rishi in a very appreciative tone.

"The champagne now, for the Champ-again", said Rishi.

"Yeah! Finally", said Kim.

"Fourth time for you guys. No?", asked Anuj.

Kim and Rishi looked at each other and laughed.

"We are not betrayers. We are not deceivers. We are friends, friends for ever!!", Rishi sang.
"That doesn't even rhyme, Rishi", said Kim.

"So, y'all stuck to the deal, huh?", Anuj smiled and his face shone.

"Deal it was, deal it is, deal it would have always been, dude", said Rishi.

"So, let’s open it! To the three best people on planet Earth", said Anuj

"Cheers!!", Kim rejoiced.

"Cheers!", said Anuj.

"Kim, you should start working on your next book", said Rishi as he sipped champagne, “Exquisite, Anuj”, he complimented the drink.

"Yeah and....?", asked Kim as she sipped champagne.

"Let me write about myself. I want to be a tennis player in your next novel.... or how about making me a poilitician?", asked Rishi...

...and the crazy talks went on and on. Anuj as usual sat staring at the vast sky thanking God for

everything he had, a wonderful, life, friends, career and a dream which had come true.

"...and I get to choose my girl too.....", Rishi wondered if Kim got his point.

THE END

Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

7.Inferences

Before you read further :

Chapter 1: Champ-ag(ai)n-e
Chapter 2: Dreams
Chapter 3: Emergence of Events
Chapter 4: Fun-Employed
Chapter 5: Golden Dusk
Chapter 6: Heart to Heart
***

The month of January had dawned. The New Year was more pleasant than the previous one. Dreams were coming true. Reality seemed to be replaced by dreams. Kim, Rishi and Anuj were happy. Very happy.
But there was an iota of sadness that still persisted.
The three were separated by time and distance. The only thing that brought them together was gtalk.

As decided, they all came online to chat. Anuj was the first to get online.

Anuj: Ping. Guys, you there?
Kim: Yep
Anuj: wassup?
Kim: I am very sleepy already. It's 1 am here.
Anuj: It's a weekend. Stay up and talk. Don't give reasons.
Kim: Do I have a choice? ;)

Rishi: Yo Uncle Sam, Yo Kim...how are you doing?
Kim: Good. Can u learn to be on time? Ever?
Rishi: What time? I am on time. Some random time.
Anuj: So Kim. How do you feel? Have you done justice to us?
Kim: Feels good. Justice or no justice, that you have read and tell.
Rishi: I want one autographed copy of your book. Ok?
Kim: Wow. Thanks Rishi. You will get the first copy, and that too signed by me.
Rishi: It's not for me btw. It's for my driver, here at Melbourne.
Anuj : Lol...:D :D
Kim: Damn you!

Anuj: How many pages did you finally print?
Kim: 348. Including acknowledgements and all those things, you know.
Rishi: So do you talk about us anywhere?
Kim: No!!

Anuj: Arre don't make her mad, Rishi.
Rishi: Ok. So, when is the release?
Kim: 23rd January. I'd told you? Hadn't I?
Rishi: Sorry! I keep forgetting.
Anuj: So who is the chief guest?
Kim: I am still trying to get Anusha Roy. Wonder if she'll make it.

Rishi: Hmm...had I been there, I would have done the honours.
Kim: I wouldn't have let you.
Rishi: So,Anuj, any plans for India?
Anuj: No man. Sometime later this year, probably.

Kim understood that she would have no one on the most important day of her life. Rishi realised that Anuj was too involved in his job to take time out for Kim. Anuj thought why couldn't Rishi attend Kim's book release.

The thought process in the three minds, at three different locations were different, but the feeling that arose out of the thought process was the same - that of pain.

They were too good a set of friends to not feel the hurt. Anuj kept thinking about the champagne deal.

Rishi cluelessly browsed some websites. Kim, fell asleep while chatting.

The status on gtalk, for all three of them, showed 'available'. But they actually weren't.

to be contd

Onto Chapter 8: J for Joy


Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

6. Heart to Heart

Before you read further

Chapter 1: Champ-ag(ai)n-e
Chapter 2: Dreams
Chapter 3: Emergence of events
Chapter 4: Fun-Employed
Chapter 5: Golden Dusk

***
(Flashback)

"What are you doing, Kim?", asked Rishi

"Writing", replied Kim ignoring Rishi's curiosity.

"What?", asked Anuj, deeply concentrating on his laptop, but merely asking as a formality.

"Nothing", replied Kim, ignoring everything else around her.

"Rishi created a superficial aura which...which...which...what? What have you written, Kim", asked Rishi peeping into Kim's notebook and reading out loud.

"Rishi created a superficial aura which attracted the bodies of the universe in a small sphere inside the chamber", read out Kim.

"Bull shit. I give you the liberty to use my name, doesn't mean you make this poor Rishi do anything.", cried out Rishi.

"And that doesn't even make sense, Kim. What have you written?", asked Anuj.

"That's none of your business, I'll pay you all the royalty you want for using your names, once my book sells", said Kim.

"Are you writing a Sci-Fi?", asked Rishi.

"No", replied Kim.

"Make me a romantic lead or a sportsman, or atleast a bartender", said Rishi.

Kim and Anuj laughed.

"This is not a part of my novel", said Kim.

"Then?", asked Rishi.

"I am just playing with ideas", replied Kim.

"You are playing with my name, my identity, my...everything", replied Rishi animatedly.

Kim and Anuj looked at each other helplessly and laughed.

"When will you finish playing with your ideas and come up with your novel?", asked Anuj.

"Boy! Writing a novel is like living a dream. Not that easy", said Kim as a matter- of- fact-ly.

Kim sat staring at her diary, recollecting the exact moment when she would release her book.

"Then love your dream and live your dream", Anuj interrupted.

"Seriously. Make Rishi anything you want. Astronaut is fine too. But work on your novel", said Rishi, motivating Kim.

"Yes, guys. You are right!", said Kim.

All three sat in silence with varied thoughts in their minds and blank expressions on their faces.

"Coffee?", interrupted Kim.

"No you sit and write. I'll make some, today", said Rishi.

Kim smiled. Anuj signalled him to make it a bit stronger. Rishi went inside the kitchen singing his favorite song. Kim and Anuj loved listening to Rishi.

The chase for dreams was still on.

to be contd...

Onto Chapter 7: Inferences
Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

5. Golden Dusk

Before reading further,

Chapter 1: Champ-ag(ai)n-e
Chapter 2: Dreams
Chapter 3: Emergence of Events
Chapter 4. Fun-Employed

***

Anuj leaned on the parapet and stared into the horizon. It was winter, but the sun shone pretty bright that day. The setting sun left a mix of beautiful shades of yellow.

He felt a chill as he sipped coffee and remembered all the good times he had with Rishi and Kim when they used to discuss about their dreams. The coffee was different. The memories, weren't.

He wondered, if distances had emerged between him and his friends. He wondered how long would he run for his dream. He was way past the finishing line. He had achieved everything.
He recollected how Rishi always made fun of him.

"Pernod-Ricard Perrier-Jouet, you fool", Anuj would always say, "Get the name correct, we won't die sipping Draught all our life", he'd make his point.

The champagne deal was very close to Anuj's heart. He wondered, how easily could the other two break it.

He logged on to his gtalk and found Kim online. He pinged her.

Anuj: Hey Kim. Ssup?

Kim: Hi Anuj. All's good yaa. Just a li'l bit of hangover.

Anuj: Yeah! Rishi told me. So what did y'all have?

Kim: I forgot. Didn't Rishi tell you?

Anuj: He did.

Kim: Don't be mad at us. We are really sorry for breaking the deal.

Anuj felt bad. Really bad.

Anuj: It's ok. It was just a champagne. A deal. You guys have made it. You've just returned from Europe, Rishi is minting foreign currencies, dreams have come true.

Kim: Yes. They have.

Anuj tried a hundred times to write a sentence but managed to type just one word.

Anuj: So..

Kim: I gotta go Anuj. ttyl. Bye tc. :)

Anuj wondered what has changed so much ? Did he always care way beyond limits or did he not express enough? Somewhere deep within he believed that the deal remained very important for Kim and Rishi too. But reality was different.

While he was thinking about it all alone, his cellphone beeped. It was Rishi's message.

"Call me." It read.

Anuj dialled the number.

"Yes dude", started Anuj.

"Man, I am leaving for Melbourne next month", said Rishi.

"Awesome. For how long?", asked Anuj.

"6 months", Rishi lied.

"And Kim's...?"asked Anuj.

"Yeah Yeah, I won't be there", Rishi took over Anuj's statement and added.

"We have to do something", said Anuj.

"Why don't you advance your plans of coming to India", asked Rishi.

"I was wondering too. My cousin is getting engaged at the same time, so I think i can make it", said Anuj.

"For Kim, you have to do it dude. It'll be really unfair otherwise", added Rishi.

"Alright, let me check", said Anuj.

"Ok. Text me if you finalize anything", said Rishi and he hung the phone.

Until now, Anuj was only thinking of going to India. Now he had decided.

***

"Kim, you feeling better today?", asked Rishi, heading towards to kitchen to grab some cookies.

"Kinda. I have decided never to booze again", said Kim.

"Wow. Me too.", said Rishi.

Both looked at each other and they laughed.

"I gotta go to Australia next month", said Rishi.

"When?", asked Kim.

"First week", said Rishi.

"Awesome", exclaimed Kim, feeling a bit dejected but sounding overtly excited, " and when do you come back?" she added.

"6 months", Rishi replied munching on the cookies.

"Wow!", replied Kim, wondering whether Rishi had forgotten how important the month would be for her.

"Gotta go", replied Rishi and ran out without talking much, "Bye", he yelled.

Kim slipped into a thought stream, trying to make sense of what Rishi said.

to be contd...

Onto Chapter 6: Heart to Heart

Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

4. Fun-Employed

Before you read further, read this -->

Chapter 1: Champ-ag(ai)n-e
Chapter 2: Dreams
Chapter 3: Emergence of Events

***

(Flashback)

"My MBA gets over next summer. But I am really worried about getting the right job, ya", said Rishi. He never sounded so serious.

"It's so uncertain. Talent goes waste like this, see", said Anuj.

"We ought to do something. If this goes on for another month, I will have to start planning for something else", said Rishi.

"Like what?", Anuj thought, and then continued "Let's open a bar", suggestedAnuj, barging into Rishi's zone of talks.

Rishi smiled momentarily. He became serious again. "You know what you want in life, right?", he added.

"Yes. I have known it enough and for pretty long now", said Anuj, getting serious too.

"So how about employing Kim to play the bar girl?", started Rishi.

"You called out my name?", started Kim, who was busy writing away notes in her notebook.

"Yeah, come here. We got a plan. And we want you to be our business partner", said Rishi.
Anuj laughed.

"Yeah tell me what is it?", asked Kim seriously.

"We plan to open a business and we want you to be the attraction, major face of our brand", said Rishi.

"Ok.", said Kim, realising that it was going to lead to some joke and insensible talk.

"You deal for a partnership?", asked Anuj.

"Yeah. What would I have to do?", asked Kim doubting their intentions.

"Dance", said Rishi.

Anuj and Rishi laughed.

"Yeah... and? anything else?", asked Kim, ignoring the talks heading towards the coffee jar.

"No, we are serious", said Rishi and Anuj in sync.

"Ok, deal then. I really don't mind dancing in your bar", added Kim, replying totally against the expectations of the two guys.

"So let's talk about the investment then?", started Rishi.

"I can only invest 278 cds. I need  songs to dance on, right guys?", asked Kim sarcastically.

"Yeah, right! I can give up my huge collection of Beer mugs", said Rishi.

"And what about the champagne guys? Is this it? Our dreams?", Anuj got serious again, thinking about the deal they had made long ago.

"Dreams are mere dreams, my friend. Reality is what we face..this...this..and this.", said Rishi pointing at the floor, Kim and the coffee jar.

All sat silently, staring into the oblivion. After a brief silence, Kim began "Some more coffee?"

"Yeah!", said Anuj, wondering how much 1$ was in Rupees.

"Me too", said Rishi, staring at his Samsung phone wondering when would it be replaced by a blackberry.

"Gimme 2 minutes", said Kim and disappeared, as she sketched two main characters of her novel.

to be contd..

Onto Chapter 5: Golden Dusk

Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

3. Emergence of Events

Before you read further, here are the links to -->


Chapter 1. Champ-ag(ai)n-e
Chapter 2. Dreams

***

"Anuj hung the phone, Kim. He hates me", cried Rishi.

"Hmmm.. So, how drunk are you?", asked Kim.

"As much as you are", said Rishi.

"I am NOT drunk. Stop saying that!", Kim made her point.

"Nor am I, baybeh. As much as you are, I said. NIL", said Rishi.

Both of them laughed. Hard, then harder.

"Go back home now. You are not allowed to stay at my place", said Kim, stumbling upon the couch which came in her way.

Rishi held her and both of them fell down. They resumed laughter and sat on the carpet wondering how topsy turvy the world seemed.

"What was the champagne Anuj said we'd have? Pernoriperrier-Jou Jou jou", he went on with a french accent.

Kim laughed.

"He says all kind of funny names. I will put this name on his epitaph. Jou jou pernoriperriiririripeprprii", Rishi mocked.

"You have already killed him? Don't be mad at him. Poor fellow!", said Kim.

"Yeah. You are right. We instigated him. We deserve a little hang up and a hang over", Rishi giggled at his own joke.

Kim looked clueless.

"I never thought 7 tequilas could do this", said Rishi, "I was a teetotaller, once", he ended with an air.

Kim laughed. After a squeaky pause she began, "Wish we could have champagne. I loved that golden bottle", she said.

"Crazy or what? We should anyhow wait for Anuj to come until we have his parapaparapajoujoujou champagne", Rishi giggled.

"Yeah. So now that you have lied that we had champagne, what would he think?", asked Kim.

"He will fly to India pretty soon", said Rishi.

"Noooh no no no!", Kim sang, "you are over estimating. He won't come to India, but he might throw attitude and act like proud, angry Uncle Sam for a few months", said Kim.

"You want him here, don't you?", asked Rishi.

"I dooo. Our dreams are coming true. This is it.. We are here. Anuj isn't. I do want him here!", cried Kim.

"He will be here!", Rishi said, seriously.

"Before the....(hic)....", started Kim and puked again.

Rishi had sobered by then. He put Kim to sleep and imagined the scene when they would all meet.

Rishi closed the door of Kim's room, locked the main door and took the street towards his home. It was a cool winter night.

He checked his blackberry. He had 3 Emails. He opened the first one.

It read:

Hello Mr.Rishi,

We seek your presence in Melbourne in the first week of January 2011, for 2 months. Kindly confirm your availability.Kind Regards,
HR department.
Rishi smiled. His smile disappeared and reflected a frown immediately as he calculated the date. 23rd January 2011. He saw his calender, "Saturday", he called out, thinking about something.

He walked towards his home, mentally prioritising his life, friends, and work.


to be contd...

Onto Chapter 4: Fun Employed

Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

2. Dreams

Before you read further.... read
Chapter 1: --> Champ-ag(ai)n -e

***

(Flashback)

"I remember the days when we used to share our dreams, the silly ones", said Rishi

"Yes. Especially the day when we met after 6 long years! Remember?", said Anuj.

"Ofcourse", added Rishi.

"What were your dreams, guys!", asked Kim.

Both the guys laughed.

"We'll talk about the ones which are not yet fulilled", said Rishi.

"Yes", reaffirmed Anuj.

"Wow. I don't have any dreams. I am happy with what I have", said Kim with a serene smile
which proved that she was at peace no matter what.

"Liar. Say that you don't apply your brains and talk out loud. I am sure you have dreams too.", said Anuj.

"Hmmm... may be! may be not!", said Kim. "So what are your dreams?", she added.

Anuj and Rishi looked at each other. The moon shone bright as they sipped beer. They looked up at the sky.

Anuj breathed heavily and began, "I want to go back to the US. Earn a bit more, and come back and teach the kids here."

Kim smiled.

"And you, Rishi", asked Kim.

"You want to listen to the silly one or the one which makes sense and sounds, you know - grown up types", asked Rishi.

"Tell me all of  'em", said Kim.

"I always wanted to go to Vegas and spend and spend without worrying about how much would be left in my bank account. I wanted to drive a ferrari on...", went on Rishi.

"Rishi, let the silly ones be. Let's talk sense", said Anuj.

"Yeah. Ohk." said Rishi and paused for a moment and then continued, "seriosuly speaking, I always...alllwaaaayyys wanted to date Maria Sharapova."

"Shut up!! Really??", rejoiced Kim, "and this is what you call serious?"

"Useless fellow", Anuj shrugged and sipped beer looking at the vast sky thinking profoundly.

"Anuj is in a different mood. Let's get back to the serious talks", Rishi whispered in Kim's ears.

Kim giggled.

"Now, seriosuly Kim, I want to do an MBA so that with that degree I get to travel overseas to all places possible", replied Rishi.

Kim nodded.

"And you?", asked Rishi tapping Kim's shoulder.

"What? me? I have no dream. I told you!", said Kim.

"There must be something that you always wanted to do or achieve", asked Rishi.

"Hmm... To put it as a dream, I'd say, I wanted to see Greece, France and Italy. I wanted to write about these places in my novel. And the only way possible would be if I visit them and see for myself what they looked like", said Kim.

"Ok Miss writer, so there you are..
You have a dream...
A song to sing...
To help you cope...with anything", Rishi started singing.

Anuj and Kim joined,
"If you see the wonder, of the fairy tale...
 You can take the future, even if you fail...
I believe in angels, 
something good in everything I see...
I believe in angels,
When I know the time is right for me...
I'll cross the stream...
I have a dream...."

"No guys seriously! If ever, in life we were to fulfill our dreams, we would sit just like this and sip beer and celebrate", said Kim.

"Dumb head. If you fulfil your dream you'll be a writer, successful one at that, Anuj will be in States, earning in dollars, and I will fly high in the sky... and you talk about beer", Rishi chided.

"We'll have Pernod-Ricard Perrier-Jouet", said Anuj.

"What's that now?", asked Kim

"The most exquisite Champagne", said Anuj with an air.

"And until then, we should make a deal, that none of us would have champagne without either of us", added Rishi.

"Deal!", said Kim, wondering whether her dream will ever come true.

"Deal, said Anuj", throwing a high five at Rishi and then Kim.

"Deal, it is then", said Rishi, returning the high five, his eyes almost twinkling.

to be contd..

Onto Chapter 3: Emergence of events

Back to Chapter 1: --> Champ-ag(ai)n -e

Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

1. Champ-ag(ai)n-e

"I am a loser! Loser for life", said Rishi while talking on phone with Anuj.

"I know. But what happened?", asked Anuj.

"I am drunk -without you for the third time! Third time, my friend....in my entire liieeeffff", replied Rishi dramatically.

Anuj laughed realising that Rishi was already out.

"So? It's ok. We will sit again and booze when we meet next year", comforted Anuj.

"Three times I have betrayed you my dear friend. Three times", said Rishi.

"No problem, Rishi. Tell me, did you have fun?", asked Anuj.

"I did not. The last two times were pathetic without you", replied Rishi.

"Stop behaving like a girl now. Go to sleep and we'll talk tomorrow", said Anuj realising that Rishi was getting emotional.

"No Dammit. There was no one to...", started Rishi.

"I know Rishi, how much you value me. But now, you have to stop behaving like a sissy, shut your mouth and go to sleep.", said Anuj.

"Noooo...Anuj... hic...(pause)...", Rishi went silent.

"Rishi.. Rishi, you there?", asked Anuj.

"Yess..... Listen to me now....without interrupting, you A******", shouted Rishi.

Anuj laughed. Hysterically.

"I puked all the three times I boozed without you.", said Rishi, sipping water.

Anuj laughed harder.

"And that too at a girl's place..", said Rishi.

Anuj couldn't control his laughter.

"To top it all, it was while I was...", went on Rishi.

"Don't tell me...", Anuj screeched out laughing out really loud.

"Will you LISTEN", Rishi started getting a bit loud and angry.

"Yeah, tell me. In detail", Anuj calmed down and decided to listen to the story.

"So what was I saying?", Rishi sounded clueless.

"To top it all....", Anuj added, reminding Rishi the last thing he said.

"Yeah, to top it all, it was at Kim's place", said Rishi.

...he continued, "While I went to drop her home when she was totally drunk too".

"Boy!!", said Anuj.

"Kim is a sweetheart. I love her", Rishi said.

"So? Where's she now?",asked Anuj, with a little care.

"She's in the washroom, throwing up", Rishi ended the statement with a demeanour.

Anuj again started laughing.

"What did y'all have?", asked Anuj.

"Just 7 Tequila shots and..", Rishi went on.

"A Champagne", he conlcuded.

"WHHAAATT?? Without me?", asked Anuj.

"The third time", added Rishi.

Anuj hung the phone.

to be contd...


Chapter 2 --> Dreams

Back to Index : A crazy affair - serial fiction

You might also like --> Rishi and Anuj

In Loop

I am wondering, when was the last time I heard a song in loop for over a hundred times?
I really don't remember. But after a really long time, I found a song, which has managed to put me in a wondrous oblivion.

At the moment, I love the prelude and the way the song ends. In between, it's a reverie!

Ab duniya se shikwa nahi hai
Na raha ab zindagi se gila
Kis ka karam hai, kis ki dua hai
Ya naseebon se tu mujh ko mila
Ab jo mile ho, door na jaana
Tere bina dil lagta nahi

Mera jeena hai kya, marna hai kya, jab saath tera nahi
Paake rab kya karun, jab tu hi mera nahi
Mera jeena hai kya, marna hai kya, jab saath tera nahi
Paake rab kya karun, jab tu hi mera nahi

Berang se din the, tanha thi raatein
Kuch na badalta, jo tum na aate
Berang se din the, tanha thi raatein
Kuch na badalta, jo tum na aate
Kehne ko yun toh rishte kayi hain
Rishton mein koi apna nahi

Mera jeena hai kya, marna hai kya, jab saath tera nahi
Paake rab kya karun, jab tu hi mera nahi
Mera jeena hai kya, marna hai kya, jab saath tera nahi
Paake rab kya karun, jab tu hi mera nahi

Kyun chuph gaya hai, akhiyon ko meechay
Sharm-o-haya ke pardon ke peechay
Kyun chuph gaya hai, akhiyon ko meechay
Sharm-o-haya ke pardon ke peechay
Apne sanam se parda hai kaisa
Jab ke khuda se parda nahi

Mera jeena hai kya, marna hai kya, jab saath tera nahi
Paake rab kya karun, jab tu hi mera nahi
Mera jeena hai kya, marna hai kya, jab saath tera nahi
Paake rab kya karun, jab tu hi mera nahi

Kissa 'age' ka

This happened during our training days in our first job.
We were asked to fill a form which looked somewhat like this:

Name:_______________________
Father's Name:_________________ 
Age:_____
Address:______________

So one of the very intelligent and my favorite member of our training group did something out of the world!
Let's assume his name is Rahul....say, Rahul Mahajan. ;)

He started filling his form

Name: Rahul Mahajan

Father's Name: Mr. Mahajan                    

Age:___


At this point he called his father.

Rahul: Papa, aap ki 'age' kya hai?

Mr. Mahajan: Kyu?

Rahul : Form bharna hai, aapki age puchh rahe hai.

We all were in splits.

While recollecting those golden days of training, we happened to revive this particular incident. We wondered "Aisa bhi hua tha?"

And I still say, Jee haan, Aisa bhi hua tha, aur aaj bhi kai baar, Aisa (Bhi) Hota Hai!!

Indian Tea and a Mexican Chic

All the characters in this story are fictional. Resemblance to any person living or dead is purely co-incidental.

Once upon a time there was a guy- Smart handsome and Indian. He travelled across oceans for work. 3 months in a year he would be in Australia, and holiday at the Great barrier reef. In summer he would profoundly examine the artistic portrayals in France and the winters would be in the snow clad mountains of the Appalachians.

Indian at heart, he loved tea to the core. Like a true Indian, again, he loved Mexican girls even more. One of them happened to work with him while he stayed at New York.  The business talks slowly graduated to informal talks, and that led to sharing of likes and dislikes. One fine day they talked and talked and ...

"It's winter already, it seems!", said the guy.

"Betchya", the lady replied.

"We'll have snow pretty soon"

"Yeah! I think so too", the lady added.

"Coffee??", asked the Indian.

"Umm... I like tea. I have some Chinese tea which tastes delicious. Would you like to have some?"

"From where did you get Chinese tea?", asked the guy, surprised.

"One of our clients from China was here. He gave it to me", she replied.

"You probably have never had Indian tea before", the Indian dude, took it on ego and flaunted the Indian tea.

"Do you have some now? I have never tasted it before", the Mexican lady said.

"You'll have to come home for that. I'll make you a tea just like they do in India", the guy said proudly.

"Now? We got work, you know!", the lady apprehended.

"Yes. Now!  If you want to taste something exquisite, it's now! or never!", said the guy.

"Are you sure?", the lady asked and smiled.

"Yes. I am sure", the guy reaffirmed and looked into her eyes.

The guy thought that the lady would refuse, and the lady thought the guy would put it off for the next time. But the situation became unavoidable.

The Indian drove the lady to his apartment and prepared some nice tea. He poured it into the flask so that it would suffice for the day.

"You want to have some here, or in the office?", the guy asked.

"In the office??No No!!  Let's have it here!!", the lady replied.

"But we might get late. You know, how we sneaked out, right?", the guy said.

"Yeah! Ok, lets go back to work then", the lady said, disappointingly.

They drove back to work and they had the Indian tea together.

"I like this tea. A bit rough though!", the lady said.

"Yes!  Worth it! No?", the Indian asked.

"But I'd prefer Chinese tea, anyday", the Mexican lady said.

And the Indian wondered what was so special about the Chinese tea.