Yawn … it’s been a while that I've written or frankly, even made an attempt to write.
Had plans of making it a point of writing at least one or-di-cul (read article) every month, but after all, Creativity - like human excreta - should come out naturally (for those who have eekd, sorry for this wasteful analogy).
Have watched so many english movies and serials over the last 3 months that I have ended up asking my Mam for pitza almost everyday.
My American accent is just the pra-duct of kan-stant watching of Hally-wood moo-vies, only of course when I had the chance to watch TV; considering the busy schedule of Soap operas watched at home.
However, considering that most of my meager audience is of Indian origin, to save them (and myself) from the trouble of understanding (and typing) in American accent, I will not get into the pha-netics of the language.
So, coming back to the moot point of having wanted to write something, actually, have been wanting to write the below for a long time now. Considering the fact that I have been watching so many movies let me make this introduction a little more cinematic … a promo with a powerful introduction intermingled with select dialogues …
From the writer of “An Omen or an Ill-Omen”
Tangado haid! (Hold positions!)
and “Just penned it”
One Ring to Rule them all…
The unpretentious Author
Fly … you Fools …
Comes up with another Post
Mhhhhyyyyyy Preciousssssssss …
“L a d y o f t h e B o - R i n g”
LADY OF THE BO-RING
Background of the Master Bo-Ring: The Bo-Ring is a Ring that has the power to take physical and emotional control of the Bearer’s audience and grants the Bearer a super power to produce or write mesmerizingly enthralling Bo-ring scripts
The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was, is lost. For none now live who remember it.
It began with the forging of the great Bo-ring (…Soap Operas).
One was given to the Elves: Immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings - quite similar to Baa from Kyunki
One to the Dwarf-lords: Great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls - similar to Balika Vadhu
And nine, nine were gifted to the race of Women, who, above all else, desire power
For within these Bo-rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race.
But they were all of them deceived. For a Master Bo-Ring was made.
(Chorus of loud sounds in the background)
In the land of Andheri (Star Plus and Sony offices), in the fires of Mount Gloom, the Dark Lady, Ekta Kapoor, forged in secret a Master Ring to control all others.
And into this Ring, she poured her cruelty, her malice ...and her will to dominate all life (not only all women).
BO-RING To Rule Them All.
One by one the free households of Middle Earth fell to the power of the Bo-Ring.
But there were some who resisted.
A last alliance of Husbands and Sons marched against the armies of their House-ladies.
And on the gangway to their Kitchens, they fought for the freedom of their Living Rooms.
But still, the power of the Bo-Ring, could not be undone.
When chance came it ensnared a new bearer. The ring came to the creature Rakhi Sawant (the 4th cousin of Gollum, although her / its looks would suggest her / it to be Gollum’s sibling) who would be attracted to any Role/ Item number/ Reality Show as a bee to honey.
Myyyyy Roleeeeee Jejusssss … she would cry all the while. (She also alternated it with Myyyy Item Numberrrr Jejusssss, Myyyy Husbandddd Jejusssss and sometimes even, Myyyy Kiddddd Jejusssss). She / It got the power to participate in all available Reality Shows.
But, rumour grew of a shadow in the East (of Andheri), whispers of a tagless fear. The Dark Lady had regained the Bo-Ring due to the stupidity Rakhi Sawant who was asked to remove it to be eligible to participate in Ekta’s own reality show called “Kkkaunn Banega Famous”.
After realizing that it (Rakhi Sawant) had been fooled, it (Rakhi Sawant) had vengeance in its head and had its mind set on getting the Ring back. The Bo-Ring had poisoned its already corrupt mind.
The story begins after Tulsi (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi), Parvati (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii), Shaina (Kaahin Kissii Roz), Bani Walia (Kasamh Se) and even Bilbo Baa were left jobless after their Soap operas came to an end. On her 163rd birthday, Baa decided to write a book on her long life, “There and back again. Baa's tale.” - By Bilbo Baa.
‘Jai Shri Krishna, Concerning... Opera Actors.’ … she started, immediately falling asleep after writing the line. Around 2 hours later, she got up on her alarm. She was to watch a new Soap Opera by her former employer - Lady Ekta Kapoor.
Around 6 months passed and the serial reached an exciting point, for the 120th time (6 months x 4 weeks x 5 days) but a little bit of thought and Bilbo Baa realized that the story had culminated into the 3rd re-birth of the main leads and was at the exact same point as its first episode! She was now hit by the word “Boomerang”. What goes out, comes back, she thought.
Her mental torment was at it peak, but the power of Ekta’s Bo-Ring, could not be undone.
It drew even the most infrequent of audiences towards the Soaps till their brains came to a virtual standstill. Baa made up her mind that the Bo-Ring needed to be destroyed in order to save and bring back wellness and intelligence to Middle-Earth.
Baa rung up her fellow actresses to check what was happening to them and to her surprise, all, Tulsi, Parvati, Shaina, Bani were going through the same harassment. They were all getting a dose of their own medicine.
They all gathered at Baa’s place and Baa with all her experience, decided that the power of the Bo-Ring had to be undone to save the peaceful households of Middle-Earth.
The Bo-Ring could only be destroyed by putting it into the Fires of Mount Gloom. But, first, the team was faced with the bigger problem - getting the Bo-Ring from the hands of Lady Ekta.
Tulsi took the lead and decided that she would be the one who destroys the Bo-Ring. The Wizard, who joined the confluence (as he was now totally Bo-red of his comedy and was now only subject to the ceaseless Family drama) decided to help them in their quest to destroy the Bo-Ring. This was Ashok Gandalf Saraf (from Hum Paanch).
He came up with the idea of getting Karan Johar (of either gay or a lesbian sexual orientation) to marry Lady Ekta Kapoor - and that made a perfect match too as it (Karan Johar) did equally confusing work. The plan was to snatch the Bo-Ring during their Engagement by asking Karan Johar to grab it during the Ceremony, and then let Tulsi destroy it in the fires of Mount Gloom.
Getting the Bo-Ring was already a big trouble as it was to take convincing Shah Rukh Khan first. But, the bigger problem was destroying it in Mount Gloom, as Mount Gloom was the place of Orc-Vamps. The Orc-Vamps were normal women first, but they were taken by the Dark Powers of the Bo-Ring, tortured and mutilated and now a ruined and terrible form of life. They were the Uruk-Bai - the ugly fighting Uruk-Bais.
Some time later, 4 more people joined in: Jai Walia (Ram Kapoor), who was the Ranger, Mihir Virani (Amar Upadhay) the Elf with pointed Ears (not really as immortal as Baa, but had enough lives), Mr. Bajaj (Ronit Roy) who was definitely the Man having married umpteen times; and finally Balika Vadhu the (s)he-Dwarf joined in, Balika Vadhu the (s)he-Dwarf joined in, Balika Vadhu the (s)he-Dwarf joined in.
Bilbo Baa felt at home after she saw that Balika Vadhu had expressed her gesture of joining in 3 times in 3 different poses and from 3 different angles. It made her realize that this was an important event that was taking place.
Finally, Bilbo Baa had (natural) tears in his eyes when she saw the 9 of them and proclaimed: “Nine companions. So be it. You shall be: ‘The Fellowship of the Bo-Ring’.”
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Just penned it ...
It was an anxious sunny Christmas morning,
And I was getting vibes of meeting my own Prince charming.
The Presents, Lights, the Christmas tree, everything looked divine,
And in came a handsome young boy, Ohh, I wished to make him mine.
He ignored me first, and then gave me a glance,
Our eyes had met, but only for a chance.
“Beautiful!” he whispered, and I blushed out red,
“You’re such a beauty; gorgeous, drop-dead”, he added.
He kissed me on my, rather sharp, nose and I gave a mimosa blush,
I realized it then, this was much more than just a stupid Crush!
Was it true? Was it indeed Love at first Sight?
He then, held me hand-tight, and yes, I knew I was right!
My world was beautiful, nothing more could I want,
That he was my man, round the world, I would flaunt.
All my wishes and all my orders, of course, he had to abide,
It made me feel like, he was my Groom and I, was his Bride.
In my early days, getting used to his Room, did feel a bit awkward,
But, once I got used to it, there was just no looking backward.
Sleeping at his desk, on the right side, was a matter of great pride,
As I helped him bring out, nurture and vent his own Brighter side.
I was his only Company, when he laughed and cried alone,
Through all his efforts and studies, until his Career shone.
He used to say, “You know where you stay? Right near my heart!”
And with me at my place there, I am sure, he looked very Smart!
I enjoyed his Smile, Laughter and his sly teasing Chuckle,
And also when the ‘Greens’ he fed, from my face used to trickle.
I used to be with him, when he signed any Accounts,
“You are my lucky charm!” he frequently would pronounce.
But time went by and Love became a burden,
And my merry ‘Green’ life started becoming barren.
20 years of my life were fun, until his Love for me faded,
He now Loved someone else - of what I had most dreaded.
Our relationship was over, when some 'Pilot' he favoured,
I felt like dying, on knowing that I was no longer preferred.
‘Was I so foolish not to understand him?’ I think of my past,
He said that he loved me too, but then, why didn’t it last?
Knowing that your Love is one-sided is indeed great pain,
And now, I lie near the unvisited window, alone, in heat and rain.
How could I? How could I have lacked this prescience?
Rightly they say, ‘Having faith in the race of men; Is no prudence’!
I loved him, ever since he called me his ‘Christmas Present’,
Then tell me, why is this distance and this apathy now present?
I lay in distress, agony and pain; and my sorrow grew greater,
Until a gentle caring voice I heard, some 5 Years later.
Life is long, things had to change and destiny had its say,
Life has given me another chance to now, smile everyday.
My world will be happy again with my new Romance and fun,
As I have found my New Love, in His own Son!
Kid Master, worry not with your Exams; for now, I will be your partner,
Remember, I played my part in making your Dad a Comptroller!
I don’t need any mending Master, so we can get on with our affair,
After all, ‘Mightier than the Sword’ is the tag I bear!
Yes, there will be Hope & Love again, and I will be sad no longer,
If you haven’t got it yet, I am a Fountain Pen and my name is “Parker”!
And I was getting vibes of meeting my own Prince charming.
The Presents, Lights, the Christmas tree, everything looked divine,
And in came a handsome young boy, Ohh, I wished to make him mine.
He ignored me first, and then gave me a glance,
Our eyes had met, but only for a chance.
“Beautiful!” he whispered, and I blushed out red,
“You’re such a beauty; gorgeous, drop-dead”, he added.
He kissed me on my, rather sharp, nose and I gave a mimosa blush,
I realized it then, this was much more than just a stupid Crush!
Was it true? Was it indeed Love at first Sight?
He then, held me hand-tight, and yes, I knew I was right!
My world was beautiful, nothing more could I want,
That he was my man, round the world, I would flaunt.
All my wishes and all my orders, of course, he had to abide,
It made me feel like, he was my Groom and I, was his Bride.
In my early days, getting used to his Room, did feel a bit awkward,
But, once I got used to it, there was just no looking backward.
Sleeping at his desk, on the right side, was a matter of great pride,
As I helped him bring out, nurture and vent his own Brighter side.
I was his only Company, when he laughed and cried alone,
Through all his efforts and studies, until his Career shone.
He used to say, “You know where you stay? Right near my heart!”
And with me at my place there, I am sure, he looked very Smart!
I enjoyed his Smile, Laughter and his sly teasing Chuckle,
And also when the ‘Greens’ he fed, from my face used to trickle.
I used to be with him, when he signed any Accounts,
“You are my lucky charm!” he frequently would pronounce.
But time went by and Love became a burden,
And my merry ‘Green’ life started becoming barren.
20 years of my life were fun, until his Love for me faded,
He now Loved someone else - of what I had most dreaded.
Our relationship was over, when some 'Pilot' he favoured,
I felt like dying, on knowing that I was no longer preferred.
‘Was I so foolish not to understand him?’ I think of my past,
He said that he loved me too, but then, why didn’t it last?
Knowing that your Love is one-sided is indeed great pain,
And now, I lie near the unvisited window, alone, in heat and rain.
How could I? How could I have lacked this prescience?
Rightly they say, ‘Having faith in the race of men; Is no prudence’!
I loved him, ever since he called me his ‘Christmas Present’,
Then tell me, why is this distance and this apathy now present?
I lay in distress, agony and pain; and my sorrow grew greater,
Until a gentle caring voice I heard, some 5 Years later.
Life is long, things had to change and destiny had its say,
Life has given me another chance to now, smile everyday.
My world will be happy again with my new Romance and fun,
As I have found my New Love, in His own Son!
Kid Master, worry not with your Exams; for now, I will be your partner,
Remember, I played my part in making your Dad a Comptroller!
I don’t need any mending Master, so we can get on with our affair,
After all, ‘Mightier than the Sword’ is the tag I bear!
Yes, there will be Hope & Love again, and I will be sad no longer,
If you haven’t got it yet, I am a Fountain Pen and my name is “Parker”!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Bye Bye WC T20 '09 ...
The Indian team will now be back from their short stint in England after their dead match against SA, where one can say that they Choked out. The on-paper super team, all studded with Champion players, fresh from their share of the media and money, crumpled under pressure.
Clearly, Dhoni’s magic worked only at the toss and the press, but not with his on filed decisions. I may sound like a phony, but one would have expected him to deliver at the Grand Stage. His tactics have worked for India in the past and he indeed has the right to call the shots as the Captain.
It would be unjust to put the whole of the blame on Dhoni’s decisions in the filed. Some of it has to go to his own performance with the bat and behind the stumps too!
The warm-up matches and the matches against the technically weaker countries didn’t really expose the Indians to pressure situations much. But, as Professional International players, they are supposed to be used to such situations. Plus historically, India have had the reputation of coming up with the goods in big matches. This time, the story was different.
Against the WI, India couldn’t just build up the pressure while bowling. While batting, they themselves were put under a lot of pressure by the likes of Taylor and Edwards. The openers did not contribute as a pair in the big matches. Gambhir too failed after just getting starts.
The short balls had India in trouble against the WI and the Englishmen did not miss that trick. In fact, I think, Mr. Collingwood would have sent a bottle of Champagne to Galye & Co. as a token of appreciation for the secret of using short deliveries against the opener Rohit Sharma and the likes of Suresh Raina and Pathan. Rohit and Raina are yet young, and known for having steady heads on their shoulders (except only in cases where the short ball gets over their shoulders). That’s one takeaway, for these future cricketers, I feel. They will have to find a solution to that soon and I am sure they will.
If the mediocre pace of the English attack can have these superb timers of the cricket ball in trouble, I would say that India are fortunate to not have faced the likes of Brett Lee and Dale Steyn, who would have just rocked at the helmets of these blokes. With this background, one really missed Sehwag. But, credit to WI for coming up with the plan that worked wonders for them.
And, where was Dhoni’s whacking bat? Don’t really recollect the last time he played a match winning innings. Understandably, he has the responsibility of captaining the side, but we surely don’t need another Ganguly who can only lead the side and compromise on his performance.
Well, the T20 World Cup ‘09 story is over for India now, and hope India takes a few Lessons out of this Loss and not Lessen the Gloss from the tag of “Former T20 Champions”!
Collingwood said at the presentation that they were boo-d on their home turf and that motivated the players to show their mettle. Well, the next time India comes out to play, rest assure umpteen boo-s, on any ground; especially after being knocked-out of the Championship.
Dhoni said at the presentation that he missed Sehwag. (Wonder if he was repenting, if at all there was a spat.)
The packed Lords ground, with the Indian supporters out-numbering their English counterparts turned silent as the grave after the last over. But, at the end of it all, it’s a game. Someone has to win and someone has to lose. It is sad that India has turned up on the losing side. Not only, because they had raised the hopes of a Billion people, but also because everyone felt that they indeed had the ability to get the Cup again! (Wonder how many people will bother to watch the next matches until the Finals now!)
A few reflections:
1. The national anthem before the matches is an awesome thing and really sets the tone for the players to give their best shot (not effective for India though)
2. What’s so special about MSD that he wins the toss almost every time?
3. Thumbs up to the short Presentation Ceremony and break from Strategic breaks
4. Sourav Ganguly - superstar going for the commentary (warn you, only for the Semis and Finals - what attitude…) - with no India around - LOL
5. The Go Direct and the Maruti Suzuki service station ads are awesome (And yes, India is coming home - maybe not in a Maruti Suzuki now!)
6. And lastly, Harsha Bhogle (having re-grown his hair). Gives people like me, who spend most of their day and almost half of the night in office losing (read pulling) their hair and exhausting all energy to get some “meaningful” data, some hope! ;) (The ladies - don’t take this seriously please!)
Clearly, Dhoni’s magic worked only at the toss and the press, but not with his on filed decisions. I may sound like a phony, but one would have expected him to deliver at the Grand Stage. His tactics have worked for India in the past and he indeed has the right to call the shots as the Captain.
It would be unjust to put the whole of the blame on Dhoni’s decisions in the filed. Some of it has to go to his own performance with the bat and behind the stumps too!
The warm-up matches and the matches against the technically weaker countries didn’t really expose the Indians to pressure situations much. But, as Professional International players, they are supposed to be used to such situations. Plus historically, India have had the reputation of coming up with the goods in big matches. This time, the story was different.
Against the WI, India couldn’t just build up the pressure while bowling. While batting, they themselves were put under a lot of pressure by the likes of Taylor and Edwards. The openers did not contribute as a pair in the big matches. Gambhir too failed after just getting starts.
The short balls had India in trouble against the WI and the Englishmen did not miss that trick. In fact, I think, Mr. Collingwood would have sent a bottle of Champagne to Galye & Co. as a token of appreciation for the secret of using short deliveries against the opener Rohit Sharma and the likes of Suresh Raina and Pathan. Rohit and Raina are yet young, and known for having steady heads on their shoulders (except only in cases where the short ball gets over their shoulders). That’s one takeaway, for these future cricketers, I feel. They will have to find a solution to that soon and I am sure they will.
If the mediocre pace of the English attack can have these superb timers of the cricket ball in trouble, I would say that India are fortunate to not have faced the likes of Brett Lee and Dale Steyn, who would have just rocked at the helmets of these blokes. With this background, one really missed Sehwag. But, credit to WI for coming up with the plan that worked wonders for them.
And, where was Dhoni’s whacking bat? Don’t really recollect the last time he played a match winning innings. Understandably, he has the responsibility of captaining the side, but we surely don’t need another Ganguly who can only lead the side and compromise on his performance.
Well, the T20 World Cup ‘09 story is over for India now, and hope India takes a few Lessons out of this Loss and not Lessen the Gloss from the tag of “Former T20 Champions”!
Collingwood said at the presentation that they were boo-d on their home turf and that motivated the players to show their mettle. Well, the next time India comes out to play, rest assure umpteen boo-s, on any ground; especially after being knocked-out of the Championship.
Dhoni said at the presentation that he missed Sehwag. (Wonder if he was repenting, if at all there was a spat.)
The packed Lords ground, with the Indian supporters out-numbering their English counterparts turned silent as the grave after the last over. But, at the end of it all, it’s a game. Someone has to win and someone has to lose. It is sad that India has turned up on the losing side. Not only, because they had raised the hopes of a Billion people, but also because everyone felt that they indeed had the ability to get the Cup again! (Wonder how many people will bother to watch the next matches until the Finals now!)
A few reflections:
1. The national anthem before the matches is an awesome thing and really sets the tone for the players to give their best shot (not effective for India though)
2. What’s so special about MSD that he wins the toss almost every time?
3. Thumbs up to the short Presentation Ceremony and break from Strategic breaks
4. Sourav Ganguly - superstar going for the commentary (warn you, only for the Semis and Finals - what attitude…) - with no India around - LOL
5. The Go Direct and the Maruti Suzuki service station ads are awesome (And yes, India is coming home - maybe not in a Maruti Suzuki now!)
6. And lastly, Harsha Bhogle (having re-grown his hair). Gives people like me, who spend most of their day and almost half of the night in office losing (read pulling) their hair and exhausting all energy to get some “meaningful” data, some hope! ;) (The ladies - don’t take this seriously please!)
Monday, May 4, 2009
A Good Omen or an Ill-Omen
I, even today, do not believe in an Omen and an Ill-Omen but things have happened in my life, which have forced me to question my beliefs.
“Have you taken your apparatus?”, my mom asked.
“Yes”, I answered, now for the 15th time. “I have taken everything but what I really need now is a lot of luck. I am really getting a bad feeling about today. I think I am going to flunk.” I muttered, leaving house for the exam-centre. Deep in my heart, I felt that God would let me down this time and I would flunk. I had lost all my self-confidence.
This was, hopefully for me, the last I wanted to see of my biggest nemesis, “Indirect Taxation”.
7 papers back to back had already taken out the wind in my sails. I shared a hate-hate relation with indirect taxes and service tax always had me in tears. I sincerely prayed to God that I manage to get atleast 40 marks in the exam, for a chance to clear the exam in set-off. One more “decent” paper and the battle of CA Final would have reached the final leg of “Prayers and Hope”.
The exam-centre was not too far with a 15 min. stroll sufficing the cause. I wonder what prompted me to look into my bag again, but I was baffled to see my Hall-ticket missing. I scampered home to pick it up. On my way back I saw a young girl, maybe just my age then. She was not my friend, neither do I recall speaking a word with her. But, hers was one of those faces that when you look at, you don’t really feel anything but just the feeling of carrying on the gaze at that face. We exchanged a glance and she mutely wished me luck via lip movements. Although I didn’t know her, even I silently moved my lips to say “Thank You”. (who wouldn’t smile back to a girl after she has smiled at you first and that too, in my case, wished me luck!). I then re-sprinted back the exam-center.
The CA battle ended on that day and later when the results came out I understood that I had managed to be victorious.
As a part of natural progression, I finished my atricleship in the following 2 months and started my quest for a job.
“Thanks for coming for the interview. We’ll get back to you later.” For me I thought to have fared well in the interview but, the ‘We’ll get back to you later’ had almost dampened my hopes. This looked like the 4th straight rejection (non-acceptance actually - so that it doesn’t sound too bad) that I was to go through while getting a job. Although the pay packet was not out of the roof, it was somewhere around what I was looking out for. Plus, it was amongst the best rated companies and the profile too was what I liked. I wanted that job quite desperately.
I was crestfallen, but while returning home, I saw Bhagya, Bhagya Verma. Actually, I came to know her name later. We exchanged smiles, but our voices still failed to vent a “Hello”.
Bhagya lived in our locality, well two lanes apart, actually. She was one of the 4 sisters of her family. Theirs was, as I later understood from their neighbor, a very simple family who just about managed to live hand to mouth. Her father owned a small grocery shop.
This was our second exchange of glimpses. I recollected the first time our eyes had met which was just before the 8th paper of my CA final exams. Needless to say, she looked just as beautiful as before.
The following day I had to leave for Pune for a family function with my family. It was my cousins wedding and a pleasurable week there had pumped in some fuel in me. We came back and I got a pleasant surprise. I had been shortlisted for the opening and the company had sent me the offer letter which read ‘To be signed and returned within one week’. The joining date was slated to be just the day after, and I got very busy since then. Trainings and Late sittings had become a part of my life. Almost 3 months had passed and one day when I could wrap up work early, I thought, why not peep into Bhagya’s house and say “Hello” and try to break the ice?
I reached her building and managed to locate her flat as I knew that she lived on the ground floor. Just then, her inquisitive neighbor, aged around 65, Ms. Sharma (I understood reading the name-plate on the door) happened to ask me who I was looking for. I didn’t know her name then.
“Bhagya?” she asked. That’s one thing I like about talkative people, they give out information even when it is not asked for. I nodded retiringly.
“Well, what a poor girl, I tell you” she started. “It must have been only 5 months since her father died and the poor thing has now the shop thing haunting her since the last 3 months. You know about that don’t you?”
“Yes.”, I lied, giving the impression that I was well aware of it.
“What a pity, the family has lost its only source of livelihood, the grocery shop, which was gutted by fire after an accident and they are now managing only on the savings since the last 3 months. But you know what …” she paused as if to get her breath back.
“What?”, I replied and paused, wanting her to continue the story.
“You know what, Bhagya is about to get married soon. She is to be married the next week. Her, to be husband is quite a good man they say and has a good business in Delhi. It will be a simple marriage. They have not yet invited us, but I’m sure they will.” she persevered the conversation.
I sulked at the last statement and left.
Two years had passed since I had seen her. I had never happened to have spoken, rather even seen Bhagya or her mother, or her sisters in the interim. Although, I did manage to dodge Ms. Sharma thrice. I realised that Bhagya had been married and hoped that she lived happily.
My Dad was detected of leukemia and the Doctors had already asked me to start looking for Bone Marrow donors. I had tried all my relatives, but none had a perfect match. I was helpless but had not given up hope totally.
I was on my way back from the daily evening routine of visiting the temple for my Dad. I prayed to God to give my Dad a healthy life and happiness again, from MY share of joy on this earth.
I saw Bhagya again. Apparently, she seemed to have come for her Delivery of her baby to her mothers’ place. We exchanged glances and smiles yet again. This time I whispered “Congratulations” mutely and she responded by nodding and saying “Thank you” via lip movements. Atleast, there is something good happening in this world, I told myself.
The next day, I got a call from my Mom during lunchtime and she told me that there was a call from the hospital and that the doctors wanted to talk to me about something important. I went to the hospital straight away. I was really tensed.
“We have some news for you young man.” said the Doctors, as I turned numb.
“Well, don’t worry its good news. We have found a donor of the bone marrow. All tests are done and it’s a perfect match. So, prepare yourself to deposit 2 lacs. We propose to operate him in the next 4 days, on Sunday.”
I don’t recollect getting sleep for the next 4 days. I actually got even more tensed after the doctors had broken the good news. I prayed that everything go right from there. Fortunately, it did and the transplant was a success.
Sunday brought in good news of the transplant being successful.
I came back home from the hospital that evening after my usual temple visit. I noticed a huge gathering of people dressed in white; and sounds of cold whispers some lanes far from my house. Someone had passed away. I didn’t bother worrying and rushed home, had a bath and rushed back to the hospital again. My Dad was alright and Doctors said that his recovery will start soon. I was on Cloud nine.
Two weeks later, a friend of mine informed me that Bhagya had lost her mother. I was shocked to hear that. My brain, I think must have stopped working for a while.
“There is nothing one can do about it right?” my friend said. “Its just sheer bad luck” he continued.
“It has to be more than that.” I replied.
“Hey, take it easy, its just that its happening too quick for her. That’s it. Life is unpredictable and death is inevitable, isn’t it?”
“Maybe you are right.” I agreed. ‘Maybe I was not expecting something bad to happen to her, that’s why I am feeling bad. Things will fall in place.’ I consoled myself.
4 months later my life was far from peaceful. I left home a bit late than usual as I had to be at a hearing. The hearing was for a legal case. The case was that our tenant had claimed the ownership of the house. He had forged a non-existent ‘Sale’ document and had also robbed us of our money. More than anything, he had robbed us of our mental peace.
It was an open and shut case in the court of law, as we had ‘No evidence’ to prove him wrong.
Somehow, whenever I used to be in trouble, I always used to close my eyes and have the picture of Bhagya in front of me and think of how brave she was to face so many problems in life at such a young age. That day too, I was thinking about her at the railway station on my way to the Court; and Bang! There she was. From what appeared, she was going back to Delhi with her daughter (I learnt from Ms. Sharma that she had had a baby daughter). This time though, we saw each other but only to look in different directions soon. She was looking beautiful as ever in her pink sari, carrying her new born small baby; and the big red kumkum line on her forehead made her look even prettier.
For all you know that day, I won the court case. The tenant showed up at the court and accepted his fraud.
“Only a supernatural power could have brought about such a change of heart from that man.”
I chuckled to Mom that night.
“I don’t think there can even be something so supernatural to have changed his mind.”, my Dad said and we laughed aloud.
That night, I couldn’t sleep a wink. I kept thinking of Bhagya. After some introspection into the critical events of my life that night, I concluded that all good events were preceded by a glimpse of Bhagya. Maybe she was my lucky charm. But, deep down, I felt sad for her.
After all, why should she be the only one having such troubles in life. Was it just bad luck or was it that she was doing something wrong? Or was it someone else who was doing it to harm her? Or was it just God’s will? I couldn’t figure out.
A year passed after that and I had to go to our client’s place for a meeting. Our client was not too happy with our service and had asked for a renegotiation of fees after we had bid them a 20% hike before he renewed the contract with us. It was my duty to convince them for the fees. This was our big fish and accounted for almost 10% of our company’s annual revenues. Unfortunately, I had to be in the line of fire. I hoped that the meeting went well. A good meeting would not only ensure a raise, but also a promotion. The client was in Delhi and I flew up to Delhi. I reached the clients office almost half an hour early.
I made myself comfortable in the lobby. As I usually did in testing times, I closed my eyes and glimpses of Bhagya flashed across. As I opened my eyes, I had goose bumps to see her taking a seat at the reception. She was working there as a Receptionist, I understood. A half smile almost broke out on my face and I started getting some positive vibes. I stood up and tried to approach her to have a chat.
But, she looked a bit different this time. As I walked toward her, I wondered why she was wearing a white sari. My smile vanished when I did not see the red line of kumkum on her forehead. I still went ahead and I uttered an audible “Hi”. She just smiled back reticently and tried to hide her face.
“Its ok Bhagya, its been almost a year since you lost your husband, Ankur. Look at your kids. You have to smile.” her colleague interrupted as she noticed that everything was not well with Bhagya.
The world seemed to have stopped revolving when I quickly flashed back all our meetings.
Could it be that …. No, I said to myself.
Could it really be that … just as every sight of Bhagya was a Good Omen for me fixing the problems in my life and bringing Good Luck to me … could it be that … every sight of Me was indeed an Ill-Omen for her and brought her Bad Luck?
That day, we did get the contract with the revised fees and later, I got promoted.
I don’t know how and where Bhagya is today. Rather, I don’t want to know that. It just makes me feel guilty.
As I said, I, even today, do not believe in an Omen and an Ill-Omen but things have happened in my life, which have forced me to question my beliefs.
“Have you taken your apparatus?”, my mom asked.
“Yes”, I answered, now for the 15th time. “I have taken everything but what I really need now is a lot of luck. I am really getting a bad feeling about today. I think I am going to flunk.” I muttered, leaving house for the exam-centre. Deep in my heart, I felt that God would let me down this time and I would flunk. I had lost all my self-confidence.
This was, hopefully for me, the last I wanted to see of my biggest nemesis, “Indirect Taxation”.
7 papers back to back had already taken out the wind in my sails. I shared a hate-hate relation with indirect taxes and service tax always had me in tears. I sincerely prayed to God that I manage to get atleast 40 marks in the exam, for a chance to clear the exam in set-off. One more “decent” paper and the battle of CA Final would have reached the final leg of “Prayers and Hope”.
The exam-centre was not too far with a 15 min. stroll sufficing the cause. I wonder what prompted me to look into my bag again, but I was baffled to see my Hall-ticket missing. I scampered home to pick it up. On my way back I saw a young girl, maybe just my age then. She was not my friend, neither do I recall speaking a word with her. But, hers was one of those faces that when you look at, you don’t really feel anything but just the feeling of carrying on the gaze at that face. We exchanged a glance and she mutely wished me luck via lip movements. Although I didn’t know her, even I silently moved my lips to say “Thank You”. (who wouldn’t smile back to a girl after she has smiled at you first and that too, in my case, wished me luck!). I then re-sprinted back the exam-center.
The CA battle ended on that day and later when the results came out I understood that I had managed to be victorious.
As a part of natural progression, I finished my atricleship in the following 2 months and started my quest for a job.
“Thanks for coming for the interview. We’ll get back to you later.” For me I thought to have fared well in the interview but, the ‘We’ll get back to you later’ had almost dampened my hopes. This looked like the 4th straight rejection (non-acceptance actually - so that it doesn’t sound too bad) that I was to go through while getting a job. Although the pay packet was not out of the roof, it was somewhere around what I was looking out for. Plus, it was amongst the best rated companies and the profile too was what I liked. I wanted that job quite desperately.
I was crestfallen, but while returning home, I saw Bhagya, Bhagya Verma. Actually, I came to know her name later. We exchanged smiles, but our voices still failed to vent a “Hello”.
Bhagya lived in our locality, well two lanes apart, actually. She was one of the 4 sisters of her family. Theirs was, as I later understood from their neighbor, a very simple family who just about managed to live hand to mouth. Her father owned a small grocery shop.
This was our second exchange of glimpses. I recollected the first time our eyes had met which was just before the 8th paper of my CA final exams. Needless to say, she looked just as beautiful as before.
The following day I had to leave for Pune for a family function with my family. It was my cousins wedding and a pleasurable week there had pumped in some fuel in me. We came back and I got a pleasant surprise. I had been shortlisted for the opening and the company had sent me the offer letter which read ‘To be signed and returned within one week’. The joining date was slated to be just the day after, and I got very busy since then. Trainings and Late sittings had become a part of my life. Almost 3 months had passed and one day when I could wrap up work early, I thought, why not peep into Bhagya’s house and say “Hello” and try to break the ice?
I reached her building and managed to locate her flat as I knew that she lived on the ground floor. Just then, her inquisitive neighbor, aged around 65, Ms. Sharma (I understood reading the name-plate on the door) happened to ask me who I was looking for. I didn’t know her name then.
“Bhagya?” she asked. That’s one thing I like about talkative people, they give out information even when it is not asked for. I nodded retiringly.
“Well, what a poor girl, I tell you” she started. “It must have been only 5 months since her father died and the poor thing has now the shop thing haunting her since the last 3 months. You know about that don’t you?”
“Yes.”, I lied, giving the impression that I was well aware of it.
“What a pity, the family has lost its only source of livelihood, the grocery shop, which was gutted by fire after an accident and they are now managing only on the savings since the last 3 months. But you know what …” she paused as if to get her breath back.
“What?”, I replied and paused, wanting her to continue the story.
“You know what, Bhagya is about to get married soon. She is to be married the next week. Her, to be husband is quite a good man they say and has a good business in Delhi. It will be a simple marriage. They have not yet invited us, but I’m sure they will.” she persevered the conversation.
I sulked at the last statement and left.
Two years had passed since I had seen her. I had never happened to have spoken, rather even seen Bhagya or her mother, or her sisters in the interim. Although, I did manage to dodge Ms. Sharma thrice. I realised that Bhagya had been married and hoped that she lived happily.
My Dad was detected of leukemia and the Doctors had already asked me to start looking for Bone Marrow donors. I had tried all my relatives, but none had a perfect match. I was helpless but had not given up hope totally.
I was on my way back from the daily evening routine of visiting the temple for my Dad. I prayed to God to give my Dad a healthy life and happiness again, from MY share of joy on this earth.
I saw Bhagya again. Apparently, she seemed to have come for her Delivery of her baby to her mothers’ place. We exchanged glances and smiles yet again. This time I whispered “Congratulations” mutely and she responded by nodding and saying “Thank you” via lip movements. Atleast, there is something good happening in this world, I told myself.
The next day, I got a call from my Mom during lunchtime and she told me that there was a call from the hospital and that the doctors wanted to talk to me about something important. I went to the hospital straight away. I was really tensed.
“We have some news for you young man.” said the Doctors, as I turned numb.
“Well, don’t worry its good news. We have found a donor of the bone marrow. All tests are done and it’s a perfect match. So, prepare yourself to deposit 2 lacs. We propose to operate him in the next 4 days, on Sunday.”
I don’t recollect getting sleep for the next 4 days. I actually got even more tensed after the doctors had broken the good news. I prayed that everything go right from there. Fortunately, it did and the transplant was a success.
Sunday brought in good news of the transplant being successful.
I came back home from the hospital that evening after my usual temple visit. I noticed a huge gathering of people dressed in white; and sounds of cold whispers some lanes far from my house. Someone had passed away. I didn’t bother worrying and rushed home, had a bath and rushed back to the hospital again. My Dad was alright and Doctors said that his recovery will start soon. I was on Cloud nine.
Two weeks later, a friend of mine informed me that Bhagya had lost her mother. I was shocked to hear that. My brain, I think must have stopped working for a while.
“There is nothing one can do about it right?” my friend said. “Its just sheer bad luck” he continued.
“It has to be more than that.” I replied.
“Hey, take it easy, its just that its happening too quick for her. That’s it. Life is unpredictable and death is inevitable, isn’t it?”
“Maybe you are right.” I agreed. ‘Maybe I was not expecting something bad to happen to her, that’s why I am feeling bad. Things will fall in place.’ I consoled myself.
4 months later my life was far from peaceful. I left home a bit late than usual as I had to be at a hearing. The hearing was for a legal case. The case was that our tenant had claimed the ownership of the house. He had forged a non-existent ‘Sale’ document and had also robbed us of our money. More than anything, he had robbed us of our mental peace.
It was an open and shut case in the court of law, as we had ‘No evidence’ to prove him wrong.
Somehow, whenever I used to be in trouble, I always used to close my eyes and have the picture of Bhagya in front of me and think of how brave she was to face so many problems in life at such a young age. That day too, I was thinking about her at the railway station on my way to the Court; and Bang! There she was. From what appeared, she was going back to Delhi with her daughter (I learnt from Ms. Sharma that she had had a baby daughter). This time though, we saw each other but only to look in different directions soon. She was looking beautiful as ever in her pink sari, carrying her new born small baby; and the big red kumkum line on her forehead made her look even prettier.
For all you know that day, I won the court case. The tenant showed up at the court and accepted his fraud.
“Only a supernatural power could have brought about such a change of heart from that man.”
I chuckled to Mom that night.
“I don’t think there can even be something so supernatural to have changed his mind.”, my Dad said and we laughed aloud.
That night, I couldn’t sleep a wink. I kept thinking of Bhagya. After some introspection into the critical events of my life that night, I concluded that all good events were preceded by a glimpse of Bhagya. Maybe she was my lucky charm. But, deep down, I felt sad for her.
After all, why should she be the only one having such troubles in life. Was it just bad luck or was it that she was doing something wrong? Or was it someone else who was doing it to harm her? Or was it just God’s will? I couldn’t figure out.
A year passed after that and I had to go to our client’s place for a meeting. Our client was not too happy with our service and had asked for a renegotiation of fees after we had bid them a 20% hike before he renewed the contract with us. It was my duty to convince them for the fees. This was our big fish and accounted for almost 10% of our company’s annual revenues. Unfortunately, I had to be in the line of fire. I hoped that the meeting went well. A good meeting would not only ensure a raise, but also a promotion. The client was in Delhi and I flew up to Delhi. I reached the clients office almost half an hour early.
I made myself comfortable in the lobby. As I usually did in testing times, I closed my eyes and glimpses of Bhagya flashed across. As I opened my eyes, I had goose bumps to see her taking a seat at the reception. She was working there as a Receptionist, I understood. A half smile almost broke out on my face and I started getting some positive vibes. I stood up and tried to approach her to have a chat.
But, she looked a bit different this time. As I walked toward her, I wondered why she was wearing a white sari. My smile vanished when I did not see the red line of kumkum on her forehead. I still went ahead and I uttered an audible “Hi”. She just smiled back reticently and tried to hide her face.
“Its ok Bhagya, its been almost a year since you lost your husband, Ankur. Look at your kids. You have to smile.” her colleague interrupted as she noticed that everything was not well with Bhagya.
The world seemed to have stopped revolving when I quickly flashed back all our meetings.
Could it be that …. No, I said to myself.
Could it really be that … just as every sight of Bhagya was a Good Omen for me fixing the problems in my life and bringing Good Luck to me … could it be that … every sight of Me was indeed an Ill-Omen for her and brought her Bad Luck?
That day, we did get the contract with the revised fees and later, I got promoted.
I don’t know how and where Bhagya is today. Rather, I don’t want to know that. It just makes me feel guilty.
As I said, I, even today, do not believe in an Omen and an Ill-Omen but things have happened in my life, which have forced me to question my beliefs.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Happening
“Wow, what a big ground to play, Rose. Come, let’s go”, exclaimed Prince when he saw a semi-orbital open ground from the balcony. The Pintos had moved to a new flat at 602 Mukti Apartment, after Albert had made a lucrative deal.
“Careful you two”, cried Julie, who seemed to be bothered more about the unpacking than her kids while Albert was busy settling the account with Movers and Packers and ensuring that all was in.
He was just about to close the door when he overheard “Radhika, get me some tea first, we’ll do the unpacking later.” “Can we do just this big box first?” was the quick reply which was followed by an even quicker “No, tea first”. The noise of what seemed to be a ‘normal’ husband-wife conversation crossed his ears from the neighborhood. A smile broke out on his face, as he shrugged and went inside to help out Julie.
“Someone has probably moved in next door as well”, said Albert, now also wanting to have a cup of tea.
“Is it? We’ll catch up with them later, but darling, can you get some coffee first? I am just too tired.” replied Julie, as she thumped herself on the big ‘L-shaped’ sofa, which graced their hall.
“Sure, but where are the kids?” asked Albert, pouring the hot coffee from the thermos. “They must be around playing somewhere downstairs. Don’t worry they will be fine. Now lets start unpacking.”
Radhika always used to curse the Police, not because she felt they were no good, but because she had been through too many ‘Shifting blues’ over the last 5 years, courtsey the police. Her husband, Vikas Bhatia was an inspector and this was his 4th posting in the last 5 years. The Bhatias had moved into 603, the flat adjacent to that of the Pintos’.
Three days had passed by and they happened to bump into each other. They crossed. “Vikas?” a low, questioning voice interrupted.
He turned, “No ways, Albert? How have you been? Rather, where have you been? Been a long time man. And what brings you here? Here to see someone or …” the police officer seemed to be at his best.
“Hang on, I stay here, in fact just moved in, 602”
“What? We are at 603”
“So, its you Mr. Inspe…”
“Oh crap” Vikas looked at his watch, “Can we catch up later tonight? At around 9:00 tonight. I have got to go, something urgent has come up.”
“Ok, ok, no problem, glad to see you after so long Mr. Tom inspector. Carry on Sir!” Albert said. Vikas waved and Albert obliged with a salute and a wink.
Vikas and Albert had been friends, the best of friends, at school. But later, as it turns out with everyone, had lost all contact.
“May we come in Mr. Jerry?” “Yes please. Come in Mr. Tom” Albert opened the door as both of them had a thunderous laugh. Prince and Rose, curious to know who the visitor was, peeped from behind Albert’s legs. These are my children, Price and Rose, and Vikas was spontaneous to pinch their cheek with his rough fingers.
“Gosh Vikas, your fore-arms don’t look in a good shape. Seems you are handling a hot case.” Albert tittered.
“No this happened some 8 years back. A different story. Forget it”
Julie, engrossed in her daily soaps, was unaware of what was happening at the door until the commercial break relieved her.
“Please come in Vikas, and let me introduce you to my wife, Julie”
“Julie, this is Vikas, and Vikas, this is Julie”.
He saw her and the smile that pecked his face suddenly disappeared. The same was the case with Julie, who was quite unsure of how to react. Their eyes met, only for a second, but only to sway in different directions, as if same magnet-poles were kept aside each other. His mind flashed back 8 years, and some memories, which he thought he had forgotten, seemed to crop up again. He wanted to look at her ceaselessly and admire the beauty that she was. He wanted to just hug her tight and ask her how she had been all this while. He wanted to hold her by her arms and shake her and seek answers to all the questions that she had left unanswered. He almost got goose bumps.
Julie fiddled with her dress and continued to gaze at the flooring. “Ahem ahem, even I need some introduction” Albert snapped and broke the silence.
“Oh ya, this is my wife Radhika and this is Albert, we studied at the same school.”
Julie rushed to the kitchen under the pretext of getting the guests something to eat and drink, but deep inside she just wanted to keep herself away from the sight of the familiar guest, Vikas.
“Julie, can you make us all some tea?” Albert asked.
“Coffee is fine”, Vikas interrupted knowing that she preferred coffee to tea.
“Ok, lets ahve coffee dear”, Albert said with raised eyebrows.
Vikas continued to gaze out of the balcony. There was nothing much to gaze outside, as not only was the view the same as from his balcony, but also because there was a graveyard which could just about be seen therefrom. A small semi-circular ground, an annexe to the graveyard, was the place where Rose and Prince would spend most of their evenings playing Ball-Ball in the always vacant ground. It was rumored that the ground was once a part of the graveyard, and this was enough to put-off all parents from sending their children there to play.
“So, have you made friends here already Rose?” Radhika asked, wanting to start a conversation as Vikas still looked to be drowned in thought.
“Yes aunty. You know aunty, Nick Roy is very good. He gets me the ball all the time wherever Prince throws” Rose tittered.
The word Nick broke Vikas’s gaze as he startled into a fresh gaze at Rose.
“Oh wow, and is Nick in the same school as you?”
“Nick uncle doesn’t go to school aunty, he is almost Uncles’ age”, chuckled Price as he looked at Vikas.
Vikas was clueless and he almost broke into sweat.
Some time had passed since Albert and Radhika had exchanged all routine questions, leaving a lull in the hall. Albert peeped into the kitchen to see what was taking Julie so long.
“Watch out Julie” a sudden shrill echoed, as Albert rushed and pulled Julie back, who was about to put her left hand over the already ignited stove, with no utensil atop. What’s wrong, darling? Are you all right? You almost burnt your left hand too.” Her right forearm had just about recovered from the severe burns, which she had suffered in an accident.
“I have had just too much today. I need some rest dear.” said Julie, who seemed to have lost all her thought once she had seen Vikas. Vikas, the heartthrob of the college, who was crazy about her, to whom she meant the world, who was ready to do anything, literally anything, to hear her ‘Yes’ for him.
“No problem dear, we’ll offer them juice” said Albert taking the can from the fridge.
“Can I go and sleep Albert?” she said, before he could ask her to come out for a chat.
Radhika almost sensed it, just as all women can sense what’s going on at the neighbors house, and said, “We might just leave for now. Vikas and I have planned a small house warming party this Saturday. Why don't you guys join in?”
“Sounds like a good idea. We sure will”
Vikas had then realised that this could be his golden chance to have a word with Julie. He waited anxiously, yet nervously for Saturday. Anxious, since he was to see his first love and nervous, because what had happened between the three of them was horrific. He just didn’t want to relive those moments of hell, that unimaginable thing that he had done for Julie. He had actually been a party to crime, a heinous one. A chill would go down his spine whenever he recollected his past. The fire, the burning hands, the shouts of ‘Betrayer’, Julie’s wicked laughter and his sly half-lipped smile suddenly clobbered his mind; the echoes of ‘I won’t spare you two. The story is incomplete you betrayer, the story is still incomplete. Let there be justice God, let there be justice’ resounded ceaselessly. His sweat had drenched him almost completely, when he looked at his burnt forearms in disgust and squeezed himself by his knees in bed that night.
It was Saturday, ca. 7:00 p.m. and the guests made their way into the Bhatias’. An hour passed and the Pintos moved into 603 as well. Julie was smart enough to keep her door half open, after giving some excuse for not making it nextdoors for the party, giving Vikas an opportunity to come and meet her.
15 minutes later, Vikas was there in a new cream-color kurta. Julie was on her sofa and looking beautiful as ever in her simple yet graceful blue sari.
“Good that you joined the police Vikas” she paused “alteast some hope that our past does not resurface in public” as she welcomed Vikas with her inept words.
“Hmmm, yes, but there is not much a police inspector can do. I think you don't yet realise the gravity of what we have done.”
“I love you so much Nikhil.” said Julie
“Yeah, I still remember the day you said yes to me potential Ms. Julie Nikhil Roy; although I must also thank Vikas for still being our such great friend, even after you said a ‘No’ to him. I feel really on the top of the world having you in my life and not having any more ‘easy- money’. The donation of my One Crore lottery to CRY, has really made me feel better. Thank you for giving me such a noble thought dear God. I will build my way to the top, and Julie, with you by my side, my journey is going to be even better.” as Julie offered a reticent smile. “With my todays’ birthday, I, Nikhil Roy, aka Nick, take an oath to never leave you Julie alone, and also my best friend Vikas. We’ll remain together always. Our friendship-trio has been so wonderful, that without even any one of us, the presence of just two feels incomplete. There is no Nick without Julie and Vikas and where there is Julie and Vikas, there will always be Nick. Yes, there will always be me whenever and wherever you and Vikas are there.” he iterated. “Both of you have made my life just so precious.” Nikhil continued.
“Lets light-up the bonfire Nick, c’mon” cried Vikas
“Yes, my friend.”
“10 more minutes and no more of you and your stupid voice”, muttered Vikas, who was doing his part of the plan.
He had started pouring petrol around the bonfire circumference ca. 10 feet radius, while Julie was letting Nick feel her breath, to keep him distracted.
As planned, around five minutes later, Julie drew Vikas near the bonfire. “Nick darling, why don't you light the bonfire and begin your Birthday celebrations?” Nick leaned as if to smooch Julie, as he caught the ignited stick. Julie and Vikas slowly moved backwards. “To my upcoming years and the rest of my life to my best friend, Vikas and the love of my life, Julie” he pronounced.
“Correction, to MY love and your death Nick” and Nick was just too late to understand all this, as the bonfire was lit and the evil fire seemed to have done its part too!
Nikhil cried for help and tried to run near them for help, but Vikas and Julie pushed the human torch in the now ‘bon-pyre’ with their bare hands, also burning their own hands in pursuit.
“I helped you in Nick’s murder. All your plan. Then why in the world did you ditch me? I haven’t seen you after that fateful night? Why did you leave me? Why Julie, why?”
“My dear fool, you still didn't get the point, did you? Its all about money, honey.”
Vikas was balled over to hear that.
“So, all your promises of starting a new life with me were fake, eh?” he croaked. “I should have been wise enough to realise this, but ‘Love is Blind’ as they say”, and he moved forward exasperatedly, as if to kill her by pressing her neck.
“Hey, you are here?” Radhika asked when she came searching for Vikas.
“Yes, I just came to invite her too” replied Vikas
Radhika turned and returned to her house. “Oh, darn the electricity” she cried as the all-lit house turned pitch-dark.
“I’ll get the candles” said Albert, heading back to his house to search for some. He fumbled in the drawers in the kitchen, in vain.
“Julie, where are you? You know where the candles are?”, he called entering the hall.
The reply was a loud grunt which sounded like a ‘No’. He saw someone sitting on the sofa and asked, “Vikas is that you?” A similar loud grunt affirmed his presence.
“Well, you guys don't move, its really messed up outside. Ah, there are the candles” as he picked them up and moved to the kitchen to get a matchstick; just when electricity re-lit up the house.
“Ha, that's ironic.”, he mumbled as he came back into the hall wanting to keep the candles.
“Aawww ….” he shrieked. Radhika followed the noise and shrieked even louder when she saw what she saw. The guests, who followed were dumbstruck.
The sight of two burnt skeletons, one draped in a sari and another in a kurta on the sofa was indeed spine-chilling!
Nikhil had taken his revenge!
Monday, February 2, 2009
My First Blog ... (2008-The Year that was)
My first blog ... suggestions on how to have both blogs on one webpage please ...
(http://2008-theyearthatwas.blogspot.com)
Grand Salaam!
Sundays can be quite boring especially, when the fresh Friday release “Luckbychance” is sold out and it gets even worse when that feeling of having to go to office the following day sinks in right from the Sunday afternoon!
But, thanks to Mr. Roger and Mr. Rafael, things changed … well actually, thanks to Farhan Akhtar, that I could watch the epic match, stroke by stroke till the very end ...
And it would be quite unjust that I do not pen down my appreciation of the great men that helped me keep my boredom at bay! … another blog after some good reviews for my earlier one (http://2008-theyearthatwas.blogspot.com/ ) … (for the critics, never mind some advertising!)
From ca. 1.30 p.m. IST, I moved into Melbourne, Australia at the Rod Laver Arena, right from my cozy chair. Vijay Amritraj and Alan Wilkins were my fellows commenting aptly and beautifully on every point played. It made the match certainly more enjoyable. The “Forehand Winner” shouts by Vjay Amritraj with his typical vocal modulation accompanied by supportive statistics and “Champion” echoes by Alan Wilkins added more spice to the delicious supper on offer. The 4hr 23 min match had everything in it, action, drama, ecstasy and even some element of irony with Roger Federer having won more points in the match than Rafael Nadal (174-173), just showing how hard fought it was! But eventually the better, stronger and fitter player (on that day), Rafael Nadal won! (Clearly, I am a Roger Federer fan!)
Roger Federer, 27, 2nd seed, from Switzerland, the senior player with 13 Grand Slam wins and looking for his 14th to equal Pete Sampras and his nemesis Rafael Nadal, 22, 1st seed from Spain with 4 French and the mammoth Wimbledon 2008 to his credit took the centre stage in the approbation of the audience. Both wore a headband with the Nike “ticks” on them, urging them to “Just do it”, and as if to vouch for the success that each was looking for on the Grand Sunday night!
Federer had got the better of the dismayed Roddick in the semis and Nadal had beaten Verdasco. But as Roddick said, he ‘ran into Pete Sampras when he was young and then into Federer’, both of whom had been better on the court against him. Nadal had pulled off a thriller against his fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a five setter.
The match began and Nadal took the first set 7-5 after the crucial break of serve. The score read 1-0 in the Championship, but it was far from over.
Federer fought back in the second to take it 6-3 with an early break of serve. Vijay could not stop commenting about the “the angle” over and over again, and indeed the strokes played had almost made all angles from as less as 30o to 150o, with both players running from one corner to another to hit seemingly impossible shots even as Alan Wilkins would comment “Isn’t he (Nadal) supposed to be tired (after the Verdasco match)?”
The third went into a tie-break and Nadal got the better of Federer, winning it 7-6(3). The match had innumerable “Point of the match” moments, but for me the game in the third set with 2 games all on Roger’s serve, which had as much as 7 deuces was the standout.With Nadal now having won his second set, he seemed to be in the drivers seat and the favourite from thereon.
But, Roger fought back again to make the fourth set the penultimate set and took it 6-3 leaving the match to be decided In the final set without any tie-breaks. The rather non-emotive on court Roger Federer, vented his emotions with a punch in the air, much to the cheer of the spectators. Rafael Nadal took a quick banana break as Wilko quickly commented “We know where he gets his energy from”. Vijay too, was quick to complement by saying “It is quite tiring even to watch this match”.
The final set began and the players took their sides again amid the deafening applaud in the packed Rod Lover arena. Both players had their respective fans, but more than all, all loved the game. As the set progressed, one could probably see that Roger was not giving it back as one would have expected him to, when Nadal broke him in the early part of the set. Once could almost sense that the Master was about to weep when a flurry of backhand errors in the last set had left him with no hopes and had left the tear glands of his fans titillating. Nadal kept his cool as always and finished what he had set out to do. And when Roger hit the final stroke "long", Rafael froze the moment and lay on the ground, after having finally grounded the Champion!
Alan Wilkins, who commented on Nadal as a Winning “Athlete”, had quite some implications. He not only commented on Nadal as a stronger and fitter man, but also of the changing phase of the sport from the winner being a “Tennis Player” to the “Tennis Athlete”.
Roger Federer who undoubtedly has all the stokes in the game of lawn tennis, did not probably have the sustainability to stand to the physically and mentally stronger Spanian, Rafael Nadal. I am in no way saying that Nadal does not have the complete game, but it is just that his “power”play overshadows his stroke play. Quite magnificent indeed was his sheer energy and the will to return every ball returned, be it anywhere on his side of the net. Verdasco has now famously put it, “You have to win a point three times against Rafael (to win it once)”.
Just to draw a parallel with cricket, it was like watching the wonderful stroke play of “Sachin Tendulkar (or the cover drives of Rahul Dravid) and the audacious play of Shahid Afridi”. All of them are stars but it is just that I prefer to watch the former.
He also said that Nadal is in his (Roger’s) head. Quite evident, when Nadal now takes the head to head draw to 13-6 in his favour.
Quite striking for me were the expressions of Roger at the beginning of the match where he lost the toss and Nadal chose to “Receive (the serve)” and the end of the match, when, with tears in his eyes Roger could not control his emotions at the award ceremony and broke out. Nadal, however, was as strong as ever and congratulated the great Federer as a true sportsman should.
With this win, one can probably say that a “Hero is born” who can not only stamp his authority on clay with his swift moves, but also sustain classy players on grass, and now on the hard court. Although, the U.S. Open still remains to be conquered, Nadal has a strong enough CV to get him what he wants, a Grand Slam win at all the four majors!
As the 13-Grand Slam winner was humbled by the young 22-year old, some may say that Rafael is now on his way to make his way into the elite league of winning all Grand Slams in a year. But having seen Roger over the years, it is surely not going to be a cake walk!
There is correctly a dispute as to who the better player is. While I leave it to them to decide on the courts, I do it selfishly in the quest to see another head-to-head. Come what may, this rivalry-cum-sportsmanship is here to stay for a long time and entertain one and all fans of this wonderful game. Both, Rafael and Roger are so strong mentally that none is ever willing to give up, giving the feeling that their matches could probably, last to eternity, should both have a fair day! It reminds me of the famous Nike ad of Agassi and Sampras, where the rally goes on for … ever … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-pHkn1X2wk
At the end of it all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me, albeit my favourite, Roger did not manage to supersede on the day.
To both these Masters of the game in the current era of the Grand Slam, I humbly offer my Grand Salaam!
But, thanks to Mr. Roger and Mr. Rafael, things changed … well actually, thanks to Farhan Akhtar, that I could watch the epic match, stroke by stroke till the very end ...
And it would be quite unjust that I do not pen down my appreciation of the great men that helped me keep my boredom at bay! … another blog after some good reviews for my earlier one (http://2008-theyearthatwas.blogspot.com/ ) … (for the critics, never mind some advertising!)
From ca. 1.30 p.m. IST, I moved into Melbourne, Australia at the Rod Laver Arena, right from my cozy chair. Vijay Amritraj and Alan Wilkins were my fellows commenting aptly and beautifully on every point played. It made the match certainly more enjoyable. The “Forehand Winner” shouts by Vjay Amritraj with his typical vocal modulation accompanied by supportive statistics and “Champion” echoes by Alan Wilkins added more spice to the delicious supper on offer. The 4hr 23 min match had everything in it, action, drama, ecstasy and even some element of irony with Roger Federer having won more points in the match than Rafael Nadal (174-173), just showing how hard fought it was! But eventually the better, stronger and fitter player (on that day), Rafael Nadal won! (Clearly, I am a Roger Federer fan!)
Roger Federer, 27, 2nd seed, from Switzerland, the senior player with 13 Grand Slam wins and looking for his 14th to equal Pete Sampras and his nemesis Rafael Nadal, 22, 1st seed from Spain with 4 French and the mammoth Wimbledon 2008 to his credit took the centre stage in the approbation of the audience. Both wore a headband with the Nike “ticks” on them, urging them to “Just do it”, and as if to vouch for the success that each was looking for on the Grand Sunday night!
Federer had got the better of the dismayed Roddick in the semis and Nadal had beaten Verdasco. But as Roddick said, he ‘ran into Pete Sampras when he was young and then into Federer’, both of whom had been better on the court against him. Nadal had pulled off a thriller against his fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a five setter.
The match began and Nadal took the first set 7-5 after the crucial break of serve. The score read 1-0 in the Championship, but it was far from over.
Federer fought back in the second to take it 6-3 with an early break of serve. Vijay could not stop commenting about the “the angle” over and over again, and indeed the strokes played had almost made all angles from as less as 30o to 150o, with both players running from one corner to another to hit seemingly impossible shots even as Alan Wilkins would comment “Isn’t he (Nadal) supposed to be tired (after the Verdasco match)?”
The third went into a tie-break and Nadal got the better of Federer, winning it 7-6(3). The match had innumerable “Point of the match” moments, but for me the game in the third set with 2 games all on Roger’s serve, which had as much as 7 deuces was the standout.With Nadal now having won his second set, he seemed to be in the drivers seat and the favourite from thereon.
But, Roger fought back again to make the fourth set the penultimate set and took it 6-3 leaving the match to be decided In the final set without any tie-breaks. The rather non-emotive on court Roger Federer, vented his emotions with a punch in the air, much to the cheer of the spectators. Rafael Nadal took a quick banana break as Wilko quickly commented “We know where he gets his energy from”. Vijay too, was quick to complement by saying “It is quite tiring even to watch this match”.
The final set began and the players took their sides again amid the deafening applaud in the packed Rod Lover arena. Both players had their respective fans, but more than all, all loved the game. As the set progressed, one could probably see that Roger was not giving it back as one would have expected him to, when Nadal broke him in the early part of the set. Once could almost sense that the Master was about to weep when a flurry of backhand errors in the last set had left him with no hopes and had left the tear glands of his fans titillating. Nadal kept his cool as always and finished what he had set out to do. And when Roger hit the final stroke "long", Rafael froze the moment and lay on the ground, after having finally grounded the Champion!
Alan Wilkins, who commented on Nadal as a Winning “Athlete”, had quite some implications. He not only commented on Nadal as a stronger and fitter man, but also of the changing phase of the sport from the winner being a “Tennis Player” to the “Tennis Athlete”.
Roger Federer who undoubtedly has all the stokes in the game of lawn tennis, did not probably have the sustainability to stand to the physically and mentally stronger Spanian, Rafael Nadal. I am in no way saying that Nadal does not have the complete game, but it is just that his “power”play overshadows his stroke play. Quite magnificent indeed was his sheer energy and the will to return every ball returned, be it anywhere on his side of the net. Verdasco has now famously put it, “You have to win a point three times against Rafael (to win it once)”.
Just to draw a parallel with cricket, it was like watching the wonderful stroke play of “Sachin Tendulkar (or the cover drives of Rahul Dravid) and the audacious play of Shahid Afridi”. All of them are stars but it is just that I prefer to watch the former.
He also said that Nadal is in his (Roger’s) head. Quite evident, when Nadal now takes the head to head draw to 13-6 in his favour.
Quite striking for me were the expressions of Roger at the beginning of the match where he lost the toss and Nadal chose to “Receive (the serve)” and the end of the match, when, with tears in his eyes Roger could not control his emotions at the award ceremony and broke out. Nadal, however, was as strong as ever and congratulated the great Federer as a true sportsman should.
With this win, one can probably say that a “Hero is born” who can not only stamp his authority on clay with his swift moves, but also sustain classy players on grass, and now on the hard court. Although, the U.S. Open still remains to be conquered, Nadal has a strong enough CV to get him what he wants, a Grand Slam win at all the four majors!
As the 13-Grand Slam winner was humbled by the young 22-year old, some may say that Rafael is now on his way to make his way into the elite league of winning all Grand Slams in a year. But having seen Roger over the years, it is surely not going to be a cake walk!
There is correctly a dispute as to who the better player is. While I leave it to them to decide on the courts, I do it selfishly in the quest to see another head-to-head. Come what may, this rivalry-cum-sportsmanship is here to stay for a long time and entertain one and all fans of this wonderful game. Both, Rafael and Roger are so strong mentally that none is ever willing to give up, giving the feeling that their matches could probably, last to eternity, should both have a fair day! It reminds me of the famous Nike ad of Agassi and Sampras, where the rally goes on for … ever … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-pHkn1X2wk
At the end of it all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me, albeit my favourite, Roger did not manage to supersede on the day.
To both these Masters of the game in the current era of the Grand Slam, I humbly offer my Grand Salaam!
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