U N I (part 5)

Krupal had typed more than a dozen messages to Juhi by now...and had sent none.
He knew he had already insulted her by turning down the kiss. He repented his decision of not kissing her.
Not a day went by without thinking about her.......He had expected things to get easier as time passed by.........strangely they didn't. He wondered why this happened? Before he met Juhi everything was just fine. And now just knowing she existed in the same city as him, knowing he has all the means to get in touch with her, knowing she had liked him......made it a torture to live without meeting her.

Even in the presence of his GF Nidhi with whom he was in a relationship for 2 years, all he could think about was Juhi.
" Jaanu.....are you listening?" Nidhi waved a hand before him. They were seated at La Terraza, having their dinner on a weekend, " You seem to be so lost...is everything alright?"
"Lots of work...I am just tired!"
" Tired from work or tired of me Jaanu?" Nidhi asked hinting sharply.
" Look...can we please skip the Jaanu part? I am just not in a mood today."
" Then why didn't you tell me you wanted to be all by yourself?"
"Because if I had ,you would complain and nag and say I'm ignoring you and next day you would come to the hospital and disturb me there too."
She looked at him, hurt....." What is wrong with you?"
She picked her purse and got up and left the seat.
He caught his aching head with both his hands and put down his head on the table.
next second, she was back at the table, " I am just going to the washroom! don't leave!"
He looked after her, " Disappear stupid lady...whooosh ..( He sprinkled imaginary magic water in her direction).....just disappear.....Whoosh whoosh.....( More magic)......and don't come back...."

The waiter approached him looking at his behavior, " May I get you something sir?"
" Yes please....some magic potion!"
" Excuse me?"
" I meant vodka."
" Vodka with....?"
" Neat with 2 cubes of ice."

----------------------------------------

Juhi and Vyankat had decided to spend the weekend together. He did not have any special plans, nor did Juhi. They checked out a few malls, it was the sale season and finally ended up at La Terazza for dinner.

“ So Swamy, how was the date with Smitha?”

“ If it was good, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you on a Saturday night madam! How was Rahul? He’s been hunting you for over 3 months!”

“ I’m tired of hunting and being hunted Swamy. I never get the one I want and the one’s I don’t want to look at are always ready at my doorstep!”

“ They call this a society but if you look closely…it’s a jungle out there…..Don’t lose hope, you’ll  find your man some day. And he will sweep you off your feet and you will then believe that something called love exists and you will run into his arms…..” Swamy was getting melodramatic!

She took a sip of her cocktail.

“ Stop that nautanki! There is nothing called love here. People manipulate in advance about caste, status, profession and hook up and call it love! If there was love then it would be spontaneous, it would be unconditional…..it would  break our social structure…It would freak people out.”

She took another sip.

“ Look Swamy, There’s marriage….there is sex….and there is love……all 3 are totally separate issues, but in India we mix them up and expect it to somehow work out! Half of our society is caught up in this circus….juggling 3 needs, 3 desires into 1…… and then they...”

“ Hello Juhi….”

She was so deep in explaining  her philosophy, but she would never mistake that voice, she shot a look upward…he was standing by her table holding his glass of magic potion.

“ May I join you both?”

“ Of course….you are most welcome!” Chipped in Swamy.

“ 3 different needs to name….and so many others  un- named, untold…..that is why only 1 person fits in perfectly with the 1 made for him or her…its like a jigsaw puzzle….only the right pieces can complete the whole picture.” Krupal finished Juhi’s topic of discussion, looking at her the whole time…..she did not look away, nor did he!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nidhi came at their table from the washroom to find Krupal missing, she started looking around and asked the waiter.

----------------------

“ Someone is searching for you perhaps?” Swamy reminded Krupal.

Krupal did not look away from Juhi, “Can you take care of the lady at my table ….Mr…..?”

“Swamy….Vyankat Swamy!” In his 007 style!

“ Right Mr. Swamy….can you please?”

“ My pleasure!”  Vyankat fixed his shirt collar, got up from his seat and walked to Nidhi.

" We should probably move to some other place......" Krupal got up, caught Juhi by her arm and took her in a lonely corner, she wasn't able to say anything.

---------------------------------------

" Madam....Dr. Krupal had to attend an emergency operation at the hospital. he asked me to assist you and drop you home , if you would like."

Nidhi looked at Vyankat. Then picked up her cell phone, which rang, it was Krupal on the line.

" I had to go...Vyankat Swamy is a good friend of mine. He will drop you home. Bye!"

He hung up the phone without waiting for a response from Nidhi. Nidhi thought for a moment, " Thank you Mr. Swamy, but I'll find my way back."

She took her purse and left.

------------------------------------------

Krupal and Juhi looked at each other for a long time. She had not spoken a word since he appeared at her table. He realized he was still holding her arm……so he pulled her closer….she moved closer. There was absolutely no sign of hesitation or resistance. Krupal kept his glass on a table nearby and held her face……she did not move, did not twitch an inch………just when he leaned closer to kiss her, she blocked him with her palm.

“ I’ve a boy friend. We are planning to get married in 3 MONTHS.” There was an unnecessary stress on 3 months!

Krupal moved back a little and smiled…he did not know what to do.

He let go of her face and his hand moved back to pick up the glass…….a slow and a satisfactory, almost wicked smile appeared on Juhi’s face…………. but in a matter of half a second ,he had held her closer and kissed her without her knowing when to stop him!

( To be continued……)

U N I ( Part 4)

Monday morning. Juhi's Office:




Juhi walked into the conference room, which was her work desk for the past 1 month due to the work load. Vyankat Swami was already there, reading the newspaper. Juhi did not say a word, she just kept her bag and took a seat opposite Vyankat. Vyankat too did not say a word, he only watched her.

They watched each other for a long time, their eyes had started arguing long before their mouths made an entry in the fighting scene.

" You don't look at me like that! I'm your senior here!" Juhi stood up and challenged Vyankat.

" Yeah I know that! But I need to know what the hell were you up to on Saturday night?"

" What was I upto? I should be asking you that question....what were you upto?? Your R & D sucks you asshole! The guy's got a girl friend he's planning to get married to."

" Well! Nobody in the hospital knows anything about that......that means the relationship is either under wraps or he just wanted to get rid of a drunkard stupid girl falling all over him! You passed 2 of those teas to me, how many did you have?"

" Two!"

" That means he thinks you were 4 Long Island ice teas down! Holy Cow! poor guy must be wondering how you were even standing there......and that stupid attempt at kissing?? J?? I really wanted to come and slap you out there...you have never done anything like that before."
She was thoughtful....she took a seat, " I've never been so attracted to anybody before! I've never ever felt like going and just kissing a guy out of the blue .......it was such a strong desire!"

" You do carry the pepper spray , don't you?" Vyankat was still in his spy man mode.

" Yes I do!" Juhi was lost in her thoughts.

Vyankat realized that. "I can try and find out everything you need to know about him. proper R & D! I did not get time this time......"

" Leave him alone...he's not good for me. Nothing has been even close to "good" when I am with him! Now get down to business…its all on us from now on and we have to put up a damn good show if we want to achieve our goals, get it Swamy?”
“Yes Sir!”


Vyankat Swami was a fresh grad just out of college a few months back. He was Juhi’s assistant. They made quite a team! Not only were they good players at work, but also outside their work circle. Both of them together had helped each other climb the ladders of their careers . Even if Juhi alone had to attend many of the company meetings in a restaurant or any other outside location, Vyankat would always hang around somewhere in the backdrop. They even played wing man for each other. Their partnership had helped so much that whenever Juhi wanted to do anything risky, she always told Vyankat her plans. And if he was free, he always volunteered.

After all it was Vyankat's secret desire to be 007! Whenever he went to the washroom, he would stand in front of the mirror and say aloud, " I am Swamy! Vyankat Swamy!"

And what a coincidence it was.......just like Bond, Swamy had a female Boss!

Bond called her 'M',

Swamy called her 'J'!



( To be continued........)

U N I ( Part 3)

Juhi....


Don't get her wrong because she is happy about her Boss's broken leg!
And she openly bitched about his bad habits....

Juhi is ....well! She is not anything at all like Priyanks Chopra or any other Bollywood heroine.
Juhi is a bit like Meg Ryan actually! She is cute.
She is hard working, very sincere, frank .....and above all she has childlike innocence!
She is a bit short by height, she has short straight shiny hair - just above shoulders and she never wears jeans to work!

Surprised huh? Looking at her attitude she fits more to be in western clothes, but no....she wears well fitting , cotton or silk chudidaars - no dupattas! Her hair is tied in a pony, wears oxidized jewellery - long earrings, rings, and a plain snake chain without a pendant! shoes?? Flats! By the way she has well maintained pedicured feet....And yeah...Dr.Krupal did notice them...Of course he did!

Early morning, the next day. to be exact : 5 am!
Juhi received a text message , " Good Morning! Rise and Shine! Our date time and venue: 8 pm saturday at Fuga. I can come to pick you up. sms me your address!"

Juhi checked the message at 7.30 when she woke up. " Not ‘please sms me your address’........Just ‘sms me’- order...huh?"

It was a Friday. She sms'd the address promptly.

Fuga is quite a well known Pub cum Disc in Bangalore.
Dr. Krupal was at her doorstep in Kormangala 1st Block at sharp 8pm.
He was pleasantly surprised to see this Indian tigress in a slim fit black jeans and a silver off shoulder top.

" Don't you want to know why Fuga?" Krupal asked her in the car. His attitude and tone was quite sober today, but her attitude was the same.
" To get me drunk and get me into bed! What else?" She snapped back.

He suddenly became a bit conscious, as if someone had said something bad about his character.
“I’m sorry!” He said in a low tone.
She did not say anything. She sat there with crossed hands.

"I have never behaved so shamelessly with anybody before.....maybe it is something about you that made me behave like that!"

She turned to look at him, " You are actually blaming me for the way you behaved? Didn't anyone teach you to take any responsibility in life?"

" Of course I take responsibility. All my patients are my responsibility...including your boss!"
" You don't have to remind me that all the time."

They entered the pub and took a seat. When the waiter approaced them, Krupal turned to her, " I suppose you wont have drinks, mocktails perhaps?"
" Of course I will have drinks! Especially because you are paying......lets start with whatever is the costliest on the menu.....How about Long Island Ice Tea...I'll have that!"

Drinks in Bengaluru are costly, and drinks in discs especially are Damn costly!

The waiter started jotting down the order......Juhi pushed the menu to Krupal pointing at the price of her cocktail.....his eyes popped out... " This is just the 1st drink! You have no idea about my capacity!"

" And what can I get for you sir?" The waiter asked Krupal.
" Nothing for me...I don't drink!"
" Of course you do! Get him the same cocktail!" Juhi teased.
" I have to drive back home. I don't drink and drive. Responsible behaviour you know?"
"Really? Okay! But still make that 2, I'll have both of them."

Krupal felt Rs.1000 credited from his pocket in the 1st 5 minutes of their date!
Not a very pleasant feeling.

As the music caught on and the night progressed, Krupal felt his pockets going lighter with every drink going down Juhi's throat!

" Stop! That's enough!" He finally announced when she could barely stand.
" What do you think? Only you can test others patience? You think being a man you can outsmart us women? You are wrong Dr. Krupal!"
" Yes Tanker Lady! I am wrong! Now can you just put on your jacket, I need to get you home ....safely!"
" Hey Doc! What do you think......I had that coffee with you to save my fucking job? If I really did not want to come with you, I wouldnt have come. You think I love my job so much and I am so damn scared of my boss that I gave you my cell number and my address and I came here to get drunk with a smart ass doc like youself??"

Krupal took her purse and he put her jacket on her shoulders. He caught her hand and started walking towards the exit. Just when they stepped out , she turned to face him and put her hands around his neck.
" Do you really know how difficult it is in India to find smart confidant guys like  you?"
" Do you know it is even more difficult to find smart intelligent and beautiful girls like you for a company? Thank you Madam for a wonderful company and gotta tell you...you dance really well!" He said and took her hands in his and walked her to his car.
" Dr. Krupal.....why are you acting like a gentleman? It doesn't go on your personality! Be naughty...that makes you look sexy!"
" You are drunk Juhi...."
" Yes....And I want you to kiss me now."
" I don't kiss girls when they are drunk..."
" Why didn't you tell me this before I started drinking?"
" You never told me your intentions..."
" Okay....well! You don't kiss me....but I'm allowed to kiss you...." and she leaned in to kiss him and he moved back.
" What now?" She asked irritated.
" I've a girl friend. We are planning to get married in 8 months time."
She stood still for a while, not sure what to do next. " drop me home please."

They quietly got into the car and he drove her home.

( To be continued........)

U N I ( Part 2)

Location: Hospital Cafetaria

Krupal ordered for 2 coffees as they sat down in a dirty corner.

" There's a CCD across the street, you could have taken me out for a coffee there!"
Krupal looked around , " Why? What's wrong with this place?"
"Don't you have functional eyes and nose? Don't you see and smell?"
" I find it to be fine!"
" I find it dirty, unclean, unkept!"
" We could appoint you as some manager to look after the cleanliness of the hospital.... what's your qualification between?"
" I am a MBA..."
" Aha! Perfect!"
" In Finance!" She finished rolling her eyes, " What's up with you?"
He looked down at himself and looked back at her, " Guess...Nothing!"
She couldn't believe him....He was getting on to her nerves......he had blackmailed her, bossed over her and now he was grossing her out! And she had to put up with him just because her job was on the line,the golden opportunity was on the line.....the opportunity that she had been waiting for the past 1 year......She could not let that go, no.....no matter what happens, she wouldn't let that slip off from her hands... she kept telling herself these sentences repeatedly...he was enjoying looking at her....the coffees came!

He picked up his glass and sipped it, she did not move.

" Alright...what do you want from me?" She spoke out.
" I can't believe you are asking me this question after my last response!"
" What would you take to keep your fucking mouth shut?" She was angry but she kept her voice low.
" A date with you."
" Where? When? Just one date ...and we are done with this....okay?"
" One date and we are done with it!"
She picked up her coffee and sipped it.
" It's better than the one's in CCD, isn't it?" he asked.
" I am not going to a shady place for our date!"
" Where do you want to go?"
" Hmmm....." and before she could answer,
" No! I will decide that!" He had spoken again! Dominated again!
She opened her mouth to say something...
" I will decide...." He stressed his words...
" Fine!" She stressed hers!

They finished their coffee in silence. She was glad he did not say anything else, but she was extremely irritated and uncomfortable with his stare that was stuck on her the whole time.

As I've already mentioned in my comment, Krupal looks a bit like Virat Kohli....smart.....and more than his looks, its really that attitude of his that makes him.....what can I say... Impressive!!

and Juhi..... I can tell you what she looks like only if someone asks for it ;-)

She shot up the instant she finished her coffee.
" Your number ma'am!"
She instantly told it to him...no hassles, no more questions!
" I'll call you!" He said.
" Of course!" She replied with a fake smile.
She walked out angrily, like a tigress...like how models walk on international ramps, angry, sexy, and undoubtedly unmissable!

( To be continued......)

U N I ( Part 1)

They stood in the empty hall......looking around and then turned to look at each other.
" My o My! Finally....we are here!" She said breaking the silence.
They knew each other only for a month- no more, no less! This was one of those crazy silly impulsive decisions of his that he rarely ever took!

The work men were bringing in their stuff......not much of it though. They had no furniture! Just bags.... mostly full of clothes, the rest of the things had to be bought.

Krupal paid off the workmen and they left.

Juhi was still wide eyed, breathing fast and looking around........basically she looked very unstable, unsure......Krupal looked at her, " It's okay now...sit down!"

"We are actually going to start living in together!! Do you realize what that can be like? What if my parents find out? I've an uncle staying in Bengaluru you know? I mean...talking about it.......I always gave this a thought, so did all my girl friends....but all of them chose marriage...and I chose this! That too with a guy I don't even love......"
She stopped walking around and came and sat near him.

He did not have any less of issues on his mind.

All that they had been doing since they met 1 month back wasn't any less crazy.....but by far...this was too much!

Why did they do it?

Juhi was a MBA from a prestigious university...

And he was a doctor working for one of the top hospitals in Bengaluru!

They had everything they needed.....a good paying job, even lovers......

They met through a common friend, the day the common friend met with an accident, the common friend was his classmate in school and now her boss..

The only thing missing in their "Perfect Lives" was a bit of spice!

Their 1st date was in his consultancy, which had started off with him explaining how many cracks her boss has in his leg.

" How many months will he have to be on bed then?"

" 1 month for sure...it’s the leg so he better not put too much pressure!"

" Ohh.....that means I will have to be in charge of everything then!" She half said it to herself.

His phone rang and he turned his back on her,

She happily punched her fist in the air. Finally she would get the opportunity to showcase her capabilities.....Yuhuuu...another punch in the air....

" You seem very happy with the news!" He had finished his call!

" Ummm......." She tried to think quickly of an explanation but she knew her punches had very well given her away......so she smiled, " I know its mean of me to be happy about my Boss's broken leg , but I've been working so hard for the past 1 year to get an opportunity to really showcase my talent and if not his broken leg then I don't know what else would give me that opportunity!"

" Were you in any case responsible for breaking his leg?" He asked suspiciously and waited for her response, narrowing his eyes...

" Yes.....I prayed for it..." She replied keeping in tune with his tone,
and then," Hell No! I would never do anything like that....it was an accident!" She smiled naughtily.

He smiled back, " So is he a very difficult boss?"

" Don't ask!" She replied making a face.

" Does he still like get all sweaty and nervous when there are issues to be dealt with?"

" Totally! And I hate that! It's so like eww to see someone all sweaty in an air conditioned room!" She said all that and then she thought for a second, " Do you already know my boss by any chance?"

" He was my best buddy in school! Bench mates!"


She shook her head in disbelief! She had never fucked up so badly with anyone before. 1st the air punch and now this.....she just did not know how to get up and get lost from his clinic and this doctor....she decided she would keep it simple..., "Alright Doc! I think I've done enough damage for myself today, more damage than my boss's broken leg. I better be going now. Hope not to meet you again, this has been so embarrassing!" She got up, picked her purse and started walking to the door.

" What's your name?"

She turned ," I rather not tell you that."

" I can find out from your boss!"

" No.....Don't!........ I'm Juhi!"

He walked to her and extended his hand, " I am Dr. Krupal! Now may I ask your company for a cup of coffee?" She looked around in a gesture to turn down the offer, " And I would suggest you not to put this offer down else all your secrets will be out of the box!"

" This is blackmail!"

" I would call it a pick up line!"

" A pick up line with no room for a negative answer??"

" Isn't that like ultra smart?"

" Yeah! I don’t believe I actually believed all this time that all docs are lame!"

" Oooooh! That hurt!"

" Target achieved......now let's go...we are even!"

And that was how it began.



( To be continued in parts........)

Politically Incorrect!

I've been wondering what new topic I want to write about.... I don't want to talk about the supposedly GOOD things today- about changing the society, questioning our outdated traditional values, about the right things to do, to say, to think........It's kind of Boring.......Hmmm...let me talk about something different......let me be politically Incorrect!

There's this poem a friend forwarded me the other day and it got me thinking...


Please Note: With this post I do not mean to encourage doping....nor am I against it!


It's each one's personal choice!
That's it!

Stoners live and stoners die,

but in d end u all get high.

so if in life u dont succeed,

fuck it all n smoke sum weed.

sex,drugs n rock n roll.

speed, weed n birth control.

life's a bitch n then u die,

so fuck it all n lets get high..

I'm sayin this poem to make a point,

life's a bitch without a joint.

weed is a plant that grows in the ground,

If god dint like it, it wouldnt be found.

so tell all Do's who don't get high

2 shut d fuck up n giv it fuckin a try

n say,

"M FLYING HIGH!"

Well!

I was taught that smoking, drinking, drugs is a bad thing to do and people who do all of that should be kept far away. It's like a taboo in the society that I live in to talk openly about topics like these. Surprisingly in my exprience of life, I found that when you meet people, all that really matters is how pure their soul is, how good they are by heart.....it doesn't really matter whether they are dopers or not because I've some awesome friends who dope and I wouldn't let go of them for whatever reason!


There was a time I thought highly about people who never drink or smoke or don't have any addictions.......but well! A person needs to have human qualities to be respected....everything else comes later.


I did argue with my doper friends to quit doping, that they are blowing up their lives and health and money.....And then suddenly I thought about my cousin brother who died in an accident a few years back...he was all of 25 or 26 I guess.......and then I thought about life, about respecting it, treating it right! Does it really matter??

Now I think, all that matters, is what makes you happy....Nothing comes with guarantees... so as long as you live, live your way, with your rules and as they say- Fuck it all if "The Right Thinking People" don't like it! To hell with them!



When you get just one shot at life,

Why not experience getting a High?

Why not spread wings and fly?

Why not love truly, get hurt and cry?

Why not take a risk sharing a secret?

Why not believe you can find your soul mate?

Why not laugh the deepest laughter?

Why not be your own Master?

Why not make a mistake once in a while?

Why not fall down , get up and have a smile?

Why not commit a small sin?

Why not get a bit naughty and mean?

When you get just one shot at life,

Get out there and add some spice!

One

There are these times when one wants to say so much, express one's views......
And the other times when one wants to keep it all in one's heart!
There is so much to say, but one just doesn't find the right words,
Or one's logic asks one - Why do you have to say it? Who cares?

Seriously, who cares what one thinks?
Who cares whether one's heart aches to see pain and suffering,
or that one's soul is pure?

That one is probably lonely,
That one needs a friend!

Who cares whether one is an intellectual or one is just a slave taking orders?
Who cares?

But surprisingly one day, one finds out that there is another one,
Who cares, who bothers about  what one thinks...
One who insists one to speak out one's mind and express the innermost feelings...
One who makes one be a better person,
One who makes life worth living and exploring!

A big Thank you to all those "One's" who care for the one's in their lives and make this life so much more beautiful to live!

The Window!

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. Next morning while they are eating their breakfast, the young woman sees through their window, her neighbors hang their washed clothes outside.

"That laundry is not very clean." She said, " She probably doesn't know how to wash clothes correctly! Perhaps she needs a better laundry soup!" Her husband looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbour would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would pass the same comments.

About one month later, the young woman was surprised to see nice bright well washed clothes on the line and she said to her husband, " Look, she has finally learnt how to wash correctly! I wonder who taught her that!"

Her husband said, " I woke up early in the morning and cleaned our windows!"

And so it is with life:

"What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. Before we give any criticism it would be better to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something else in the person we are about to judge!"

Meeting the Real Howard Roark! ( Reading the Fountainhead Part 2)

He is slender, not too tall, straight jet black hair, sharp eyes and a mocking , smirk-like smile adorns his child like face! This isn't the first time I am seeing him, he is the son of a family friend, but we've hardly ever spoken. I only heard stories of him, stories of his rebellious nature, stories of his experiments with life...................but there wasn't a word I heard from him...he was quiet, always , as if someone had punished him and he wasn't to speak until permitted!

Something about his face was highly attractive, those deep black steady eyes showed self assurance and confidence....he walked straight, easily, and at his own pace, never too fast, never too slow.

Once, I tried to strike some conversation, he looked disinterested, I did not feel offended ( surprisingly! Because if any other guy had done that, I would never turn back and look at him a 2nd time......but this guy was different. Something told me it wasn't about ego or intention.....there was more and I had to know him )and decided I rather observe this guy and study him before talking to him again.

This man is not the conventional guy you meet everyday....for matters of privacy I cannot disclose his name. people laugh at him, because he doesn't do what they expect him to do.....he's his own boss. Everybody advices him about what to do in life, I doubt he's ever asked anyone for their opinions so he never insults them but he never abides them too and then people feel insulted ! That's why he is almost in everybody's bad books!

For a while I thought, which girl would ever be interested in a guy like this?? But upon having observed him for a few days and on a few occasions, i wondered, which woman wouldn't fall for him??

When he does decide to speak, all you can ever do is shut up and listen because his stories are like none other, his experiences of life - like something you've never imagined, never heard....and it's the stuff he's done, not some cooked up stories like you hear from most other guys.......
He quickly makes friends with guys,
and the villagers and yes children too,
For some reason, he always chooses which girls he will talk to, and once he does choose, he'll take her on a ride of a lifetime....

I admire men like these in whose company i feel different, whose auras give me a sense of the possibilities of human life and strength......he might be a no one to the world today.....but he's definitely someone amusing for me! He's not someone you meet and forget, but someone you remember for a lifetime........Whenever I sit down to write of a central, male character, its his face I see!

When I first decided to start blogging, my first blog was based on him. But I never could complete it, because I could never understand him fully. When I read The Fountainhead, just a few paragraphs about Howard Roark and the puzzle pieces fell into its place, it was alomost like finding the key to knowing this guy ...

Reading the fountainhead from that point onwards became much more interesting, because I could relate to it. I have met the "Peter Keating" types too, not one, but several of them.....they never make you feel good! Even if you are happy with them at a particular point, you can never trust them, because they are so scared of something.......they are always over burdened with finding responsibility and stability in life! I always look down upon these 2 things- Responsibility and Stability...because they spoil the essence of life, they kill the adventure in a man and make him nothing but a robot!

Fountainhead hasn't been an eye opener, in fact it is more like coming face to face with many emotions within me, which I always tried to hide, which I thought were bad...............Fountainhead only made me more comfortable with myself and my ideas!

Dog Day Afternoon! (1975)

Oh I thought I would just "Buzz" about it in a few sentences, or put it as my facebook status, but this film needs to be spoken about.....This film needs to be watched!

I read about this film while going through some film related websites, and magazines and books. All of them speak highly about it.

I have never watched anything like this film before- its different!

1: It is based on a true life incident of an armed bank robbery gone terribly bad!

2: You cannot believe the robbers!! They are complete idiots, jokers both of them- and to think of it, they are real human beings who actually behaved the way they did that day when they were robbing a bank! And they thought they'll get away with it!

3: The series of events that unfold are ridiculous!

4. And Oh Al Pacino! Did I tell you Al Pacino is playing the part of the main robber "Sonny"? He combines drama with comedy with so much ease! His expressions, reactions- so natural and so funny!

5. A lot of attention has been paid to characterization- not just the main but  all others!

Genre: Comedy Thriller!

Stars: ****/ 4 stars

Here's a teaser: " On a hot Brooklyn afternoon, 2 optimistic nobodies set out to rob a bank. Sonny ( Al Pacino) is the mastermind, Sal ( John Cazale) is the follower and disaster is the result!"

The 1st Date!

She did not want it to be a romantic date...it was just a friendly date, she had made that very clear with him....
But unknowingly, she was taking special care in getting ready. She chose a very pretty top and a proper fit jeans, long earrings and the costliest perfume she owned.

He looked at himself in the mirror and remembered her warnings and " I'm just making it very clear" sentences filling up all of their chats for the past 1 week or so that they had been chatting. He smiled to himself mischivously and thought "Girls....Indian girls!"

They had not met each other - ever.
He had sent her a friend request on FB.
They did not have any mutual friends.
She accepted , simply looking at his snap!

They both lived in the same city...she would have never met him in other circumstances! She had a strict policy: No meeting chat friends!! But this time she was ready to make an exception. She had spoken to him on the phone and loved his voice, besides his looks of course and of course he was extremely witty in his chats...what more can one ask for?

They had decided to meet up for lunch !

12.30pm: She waited outside the mall, holding a yellow rose..

And he came, she had her back to him.
Him: Hi!
Her: ( surprised, shock, bewilderment) What are you doing here?
Him: I was just around the corner and saw you standing here for quite some time so thought of.....
Her: I don't want to talk to you.....Just.....How many times do I have to tell you that? it's over! Just go away....okay?
Him: Are you waiting for someone?
Her: None of your business.

He thought for a while, she clearly ignored him.................he left.

After a while.......

Him: Hello...you must be Shikha!
Her: (Turns: Smiling, pleased, happy) Yes......Hi!
Him: So let's go in....

They were seated in a posh restaurant, and so far the date had been going on very smoothly.

But suddenly he asks,

Him: How do you know Rohit?
She almost chokes.
Her: What? who?
Him: I saw you talking to Rohit before I approached you.
Her: How do you know him?
Him: I asked 1st!
Her: I wouldn't like to answer.
Him: oooo......something's cooking huh?
Her: Maybe.....so why don't you tell me?
Him: Funny isn't it? We don't have any mutual friends but the 1st time we decide to meet, we have found a common friend.
She is thoughtful......
Him: Rohit is my best friend from childhood.
She is even more thoughtful, how come she never heard of him before.....
She: ....How come I never met you then?
Him: I was abroad. ( he takes a sip of water)...so now I know....his Shikha....The girl he's been going mad about for the past 3 years......he was right...you are quite something........so...what was wrong with Rohit that you left him suddenly? and you wouldn't even talk to him?
Her: Hey, I don't want to talk about him.
Him: And I don't want to talk about anything but him!
Her: Then I guess we better stop here.

And then Rohit comes and has a sit on the same table.
She watches the 2 of them and the whole picture is clear to her.

She laughs,
Her: Great Friendship!

And gets up to leave the table.
Rohit: I would never let you see anybody else.....I'll always track you down, no matter where you are.....You belong to me!
Shikha: (Smiles sweetly and leaves)

Rohit was so angry, he muttered under his breath: "If you don't understand when I am patient with you, I know other methods....."
There is a small bottle in Rohit's hands.
Rohit swiftly stands and starts walking behind her .
She , with her back on him, takes out her mobile and dials 100.

He sat on the table, looking at the glass of water in his hands.
He had liked her, really liked her- even though it was all planned.
He knew Rohit well and had come to understand that Rohit did not deserve a girl like Shikha.
He did...she was his kind. and for the sake of friendship, he had to blow up everything.
But not now....Rohit had given him a reason to act otherwise, the girl's life was in danger and he had to do something.

He turned to look at Rohit and saw Rohit opening the bottle, Rohit was within reach of shikha.......he had to act fast, if he was to call out to her, she would stop and that would be her end.............in a swift move, he leaped to his feet and ran after Rohit......At that very point, Rohit made his move, he leaped in front to catch hold of shikha's shoulder.......

So he  ran  with all the energy he had, He dashed against shikha, she fell to the ground, and the acid bottle in Rohit's hand was emptied on his face!


Suraj- that was his name!
 He lay in his hospital bed, his face and neck covered in bandages....he could not see, though he was not blinded totally, his eyes were damaged and the extent of the damage was yet to be known.

Shikha entered the room with red roses.
She looked at him and could not fight back her tears. His was the face that was once the most attractive face to her eyes, that's why she had agreed to meet him, that's why she had made an exception.........and now it was all gone.
She went to him , held his hands gently...
"It's me...Shikha"

He could not speak but he tried to listen.....attentively.

"And I want to ask you out, for our 1st 'Romantic Date'......so get well soon, I'll be waiting for you."

An Arranged Marriage- A story!

She sat watching herself in the mirror- expressionless!
kajal lining her beautiful eyes, a little glitter on her lips, a bindi on her forehead, long straight hair, arched eyebrows and a straight nose, a healthy skin and a healthy body, she matched every and any marriage proposal's claim!

The 10th or so boy and his family were seated in the hall. The snacks and the tea had been served.

She wasn't nervous anymore, she had no hopes, no enthusiasm.....she almost knew what she was meeting.

She wished she could skip the family meeting sessions and directly could meet the guy and talk to him...one on one!

Her mother came to her, sat down in front of her, she held her hand, almost pleading, begging, " Barkha, beta , the guy is a MBA from a US university, his family is well educated, they are very nice people. He's very handsome.....they...."

" I know all that mamma!"

" Beta please.........please this time, have some patience beta!"

She stood up without a word and went out like she was some sacrificial goat! Her mother looked after her, and silently prayed!


She gave a faint smile to everyone watching her with admiration.....she kept her gaze low for a while and then looked up straight at the guy.....he was looking at her first, but when she looked at him so suddenly and unexpectedly, he looked down, almost shyly. She kept her gaze still on him, after a while he looked up again , in expectation that she was looking somewhere else, but when he found her still looking at him, he started looking around at other people and where they were looking. Barkha's mother nudged her, and she lowered her sight again!



They were both seated in their garden.

She was looking down, the boy was glad about that- her gaze had been scary!

"So.... ..well! Let me start the conversation.... I am Nikhil and I just came down 15 days back from the US because my mother said, it was time for me to you know, settle down.....and then they showed me your photograph and..........( he smiled to himself) ...you look even more beautiful in person Barkha......"

Her expression did not change........he thought for a while that she was dumb and deaf!"

" Barkha.......are you listening?"

She was still looking down. "Yes!"

" Then....why are you looking down?"

She looked up, again that same sharp look and Nikhil almost regretted his last sentence.
" Because you cannot handle me looking straight in your eyes, what will you do with me in your bed?"

"Excuse me?"

" Nikhil......I really don't care about your MBA from US or anywhere, i don't care how handsome you are and how good your family is......all I care about is.....let's see, to start with- Whether you are man enough for me to be a woman to? Or else, what's the whole point?"

" And you don't think I am man enough? Why? You want some dara singh, some warrior? Which century are you in?"

"That's exactly what I want to ask you. What century are you in? Just getting big degrees don't make you any modern if what you expect out of a woman is the same old shit that our society has been expecting from us all this while."

" Girls like you should go for a love marriage!"

" I know....unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a man smart, intelligent and self confidant enough to have me as his wife. You all like the way I look, you see in me a good wife who can cook, bear your children and look after them, but when I open my mouth to speak my mind, you don't like it because it is not my job.......isn't it?"

Now, he kept looking at her, not angry, not shy, not scared but as if he was remembering something, as if some lost pieces were falling back in place.

" You all are so scared, so tied by tradition and culture, you have forgotten to be spontaneous and instinctive and likeable! You now, I can't tell you apart from the other boys I've met. Because you don't speak your mind......you say the things you are expected to say, the same old sentences, same reactions, same look......oh my god! Were you all made in some sort of a factory? Same model , just different look, different professions and families and pay checks, but so god damn slavish!"

He was thoughtful!

She stopped, she had done the same thing ones again.......she could not understand why she tried to give this knowledge to these fools....they would never get it! What a waste of energy, she thought.

" Are you finished talking?"

" Yes....Now you just do what you have to do, reject me. i don't care! I rather stay single then spend a lifetime with a factory product. i want a man- with a soul, not a mechanic!"

He smiled and this time she was shocked and surprised.

" What are you smiling at?"

" Barkha.....I totally agree with you......... "

She threw back her hands in desperation.

" Yes.....I really do.... maybe we are not meant for each other , but I do know someone who is. Because even he has been searching for someone just like you."

He opened his wallet and took out his card, jotted down a number and an e-mail id and handed it over to her.

" Joe Torres, he's my boss. The owner of the company I work for. He was also my classmate for the MBA . I know him very well, he's a very nice person , single and still waiting for that one girl who's out of this world. I don't think a girl like you would believe in religions or in nationalities. For a girl like you, probably a non Indian is the best choice!"

She looked at the card in her hands for a while, thinking, quiet!

"For a girl like you, a non Indian is the best choice!"- his words rang in her ears for a while....

" Thank you Nikhil, thanks a lot for guiding me in your own way. But I don't think you know me fully to say a thing like that to me. Yes I've different ideas, that normally an Indian boy would find difficult to digest but I think, if god has created a girl like me in India, there must be a boy to suit me somewhere in India. Not that I am strong on nationalities or religions.....it's just that......I don't know Nikhil...."

She got up and turned to go back to her room......

"Barkha..."

She turned.

He went to her and held her hands,
" Confused aren't you?"
She did not answer.
" Do you know what you are doing? You are finding a fault in everything that is offered to you. Even if you do find a guy who comes the closest to your specifications, you will still reject him on some silly grounds. Open up Barkha.......the world is not black and white the way they tell us......there is no perfect man........this world is full of gray shades......you have your weaknesses and so do i have mine........But what is important is understanding, some maturity........Don't just use your brain anyway you can because god gave you that much sense, why don't you use it for better purposes. Come with me to the US, its a sea of opportunity. You are not the first girl I am meeting, I have been in a live in relationship with an American woman before. Take this chance with me Barkha, I know for sure, you aren't as difficult as you show yourself to be!"

She looked in his eyes, and he looked straight in hers- it was a match point!

" And of course even I don't want a boring something in my bed!"

They both smiled, for the first time, Barkha smiled shyly.....this man had made her feel shy!!

1 year later , they were married. The 1st time they had met, was the only time Barkha was most difficult...yes, she was highly carrier oriented and smart and vocal about her feelings, but so are many woman now a days. She just hadn't met a man who would accept her ideas, she wasn't a rebel, she simply thought so being in the company of wrong people.

When they went to the US, Barkha asked Nikhil one day, " You know Nikhil, I really want to meet this Joe Torres guy of yours and see how much similar to me he is!"

He laughed, " There is no Joe Torres."

One Night @ Chorla Ghat

Komal: A CA student, wildlife enthusiast, my classmate since 8th std, we've been together for many treks- in Goa and in the Himalayas. Quiet, generally non fussy, average in stamina, a team player! 

Sharvani: My best friend, non fussy, high stamina, high enthusiasm, when excited- talks a bit too much! a Bored CA final student  .

Janaki: Low stamina, high enthusiasm, when excited talks non stop whether anybody understands or not, suddenly turns extremely fussy when tired, a confused law graduate.

Sangam: Our wildlife expert that night. Supposedly knows the ghats inside out. A fellow Geminian, calm and composed, the only guy amongst us with a SLR that me and Sharvani eye all the time, I call him "Pappa."

 From Left: Sharvani, Komal, Gauri, Janaki and Sangam.

19th June: We spent the saturday night at Khokral, Maharashtra at Manerikar's Residence.

20th June: On sunday morning we visited a waterfall that was close by. We weren't tired since we hadn't walked too much and as I was to leave for Bangalore in 2 days, I wanted to do more than just 1 trek. So I , coaxed Sangam ( pappa) to coax the other 2- Komal and sharvani to come to Chorla Ghaat.

And so the adventure began....

Pappa had told all of us that it would be only a drive on the ghats since we reached late at around 6.15 pm when the sun was almost about to set in a few minutes time. The ghats in monsoons are foggy, wet, green and dark.

We crossed the Swapnagandha Resorts and the Wildernest Resorts in the Goan side of the ghat and crossed over to Karnatak side. The roads were bad, full of pot holes and at around 6.40pm, one of Estillo's tires gave up!

Apart from trucks and state transport buses, there were very few private vehicles passing by, mostly on their way back home on sunday night after a well spent day in the Chorla Ghats.

As the other 3 got down to changing the punctured tire, I spotted a beautiful and cute waterfall some distance away. It looked close enough to reach in around 15-20 minutes by foot. Pappa, knowing the area very well opposed the idea since the area is infested with leeches and other big and small known and unknown creatures, but poor thing couldn't do much  in front of the excitement of 3 girls who wanted to "Complete" their experience of a weekend with a bath in the spotted natural Jacuzzi!

And so we left the car near the main road, and trekked down to the waterfall. All we had were 4 mobiles which were all out of range, 1 umbrella with torch and a  jacket.

In the forests, as opposed to a rear view mirror of a car, images that appear close by are actually further away.

It took us 40 minutes to reach the base of the fall, the sunlight was almost fading, the fog was rising and Pappa was tensed about the safety of 3 girls.

When we finally reached the Jacuzzi, we couldn't dare to enter the water which in the dark looked scary, dark, mysterious and so was the rest of the forest....suddenly the horror of the situation seeped our brains about what Pappa had been telling all along.

"Pappa, we'll reach up to the road in time no?" I asked cautiously.
Pappa exploded!
"Don't you dare ask me this question now...you girls have no idea how dangerous this area is at night.....!"
Janaki: "It's not night yet...we still have plenty of time to get back!"
Pappa: In the forest, when the sun sets, it is night! Understood?

We quickly took a U-Turn and decided to head back to the car. By now, there was no sunlight, thankfully it wasn't raining though it was foggy and there was sufficient moonlight that at least let us spot each other.

It had been almost an hour we were walking back and we hadn't reached the road. We could hear the vehicles pass by on the main road but could not find our way up. It was around 8.15pm when Pappa hopelessly declared: We are lost! 

This was followed by a long tense silence. Such statements have different effects on different people- Komal went into a shock, Sharvani started the blame game and I was over excited about the prospects of getting a new adventure experience.

Sim: Sangam you said you know this area well!
Sangam: Yes! That's why I begged you all not to get down the main road, but you wouldn't listen.
Janaki: Wow! We are actually lost! I remember that song , Is kaal kaal main hum kare dhamaal!
All: SHUT the F*** UP!

Another half an hour and we still couldn't track back our way up. And then it started raining heavily. We took some shelter under a huge tree. We were by then completely wet, my cell battery as always was out, I always forget to charge it. And it's my Sony Erickson that has the most powerful light facility, others all had their fading screen lights now to guide us.

While we waited for the rains to slow down, I thought it would be a good idea to entertain the others to distract them a bit. So I chose some special stories my grandma told us which I always found creepy.

Janaki: You know my Grandma once told me a story about this one girl who went out into the forest at night and the leeches sort of all attacked her and got on to her , you know in all creepy places in her body!

Komal suddenly started scratching her body all over...
" I don't think it's a good idea to stand in one spot for such a long time. We are inviting trouble with those leeches!"

Sangam: And while walking if you step on to a snake , then? At least the leeches are not poisonous!

Janaki: And do you know, how those leeches finally had to be removed?

Sim: Shut up...you just shut up! Is this a kind of thing to tell at this time? You are scarring the hell out of us Janaki.

Janaki: Bravery lies in one's heart Sim, you either have it or you don't!
Sim: Yes I can see that! You are the one most protected with a full pant and a jacket. We are in 3/4th's here!

The fog was making it increasingly difficult to step anywhere and so we decided to spend the night under the  tree till favorable circumstances allow us to find our way. We all wouldn't dare sit down after the leeches story, so we stood in silence, watching the night eat up the forest , and the rain drops shunning all other sounds around us.


Suddenly in the dark, we could hear some sounds, the breaking of some branches, soft rustling of leaves.....My imagination started running wild, the party and the adventure excitement was now over....my heart was beating so fast, I could hardly breathe. Sangam stood in front of us shielding us,  I was really scared so I chose to stay right besides Pappa, Komal followed me  , Sharvani remained at the back. While Sangam was trying to see into the dark with the little light that he had, Sharvani was subconsciously stepping behind in fear of what lay ahead!

Suddenly Sharvani screamed so loudly, we felt our ears go numb for a while. She ran in the opposite direction, Komal followed her saying "avois , avois" and other exclamations in konkani . There were sounds from all directions, and I did not know where to run but I knew I had to make a move, so I ran.

The figure that Sharvani  had spotted was a herd of Bisons and they were 10 times more scared than her with her screaming, they ran into the forest.

I kept running. Behind me, I could hear Sangam asking me to stop ,saying that it was just a herd of Bisons.  In a few tense moments I'd actually climbed a difficult terrain leading to the road.

I brushed through some bushes and branches and could see a house-like with lights in front of me. Others followed behind me.

Later we found out that it was some Gopi's Dhaba.

The dhaba was closed. We walked to our car, finished the job of changing the tire and the 4 of us cramped up inside the car to take a nap till dawn.

We woke up to the sweet whistling of the Malabar Whistling Thrush at around 5am, and started our journey back home.

I've been lost in jungles before, but there were more people and we were well equipped so the situation wasn't as bad as this one. Now that I am back on safe ground, I can look back at this experience and add it in my "Most exciting days of my life" List!

Some more clicks of our trekking days: