C'est La Vie....

Rashi promised herself that this time she will not let herself give an excuse to walk out of a relationship that would amid the many insecurities she feared show her a world of little joys and eternal happiness and true love perhaps. The excuses so far had been amusing, if not lame altogether. Someone was way too tall, someone very taciturn, someone very organised and someone way too fair even! Not this time though, she thought to herself.

It had been only a month since she had met Nikhil and yet it seemed like they had known each other for ages. Both of them having imposing personalities, were egotists of the highest order and were extremely stubborn, which on some occasions brought a lot of fun and on others led to tension between the two. But one or the other would always give in and the two would be back to being the lovebirds that they had become.

Rashi, a very unusual girl, was not very expressive when it came to letting her close ones know what they meant to her. Perhaps this was the reason why she had never really been lucky in the matters of the heart. Of course, her rather unusual choice in guys being partly to blame too.

She did not believe in Love. Or perhaps she did and only pretended that she did not. No one knows. Not even her. But she did have weird notions about this so called "Love".

"Nikhil, don't ever say that you love me, unless you mean it for real.", she said after they had had a small fight and Nikhil had slipped in a "But you know that I love you sweetie." while comforting her. She was a little taken aback at this.

Sure, she liked him, more than anything and anyone else in the world and knew that he did too, but love?? LOVE - if it existed - scared her!

"I do mean it sweetheart.", he asserted with an intensity that Rashi had never seen before and that reflected not only in his words but his eyes too.

Nikhil sensed her uncomfortableness and said "And you DON'T have to say it back if you don't want to." And once again Rashi hated herself for not being able to bring herself to say those three words.

"Thanks. Thanks for understanding.", was all she could manage to say.

"But you don't mind if I say je t'aime, right? Instead of I Love You??", he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Remind me to wear stilettos the next time I come to meet you.", she said.

"Uhhh...okkk...but why?", asked Nikhil, a little surprised.
"So that I can whack you on your head whenever I want to.", she answered, trying to reach the top of his head by standing on tiptoes.

"Achaaa?? I could always lift you, you know.", he said, coming in closer.

"Yeah right. Size dekha hai apna?", Rashi poked fun at the very idea and started giggling.

In answer to her question, Nikhil wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up in one smooth movement.

Rashi's giggling was replaced with a surprised smile. She put her arms around his neck and rubbed her nose against his thrice and lingered, her face so close to his that she could feel his breath on her. He gave her a gentle peck on her cheek and said "I'm sorry but it's not my fault that I can't help falling in love with you."

She just crinkled her nose in answer and again in one smooth movement he put her back on the ground.

And hand in hand, they entered the theatre for the movie, which by now was about to reach its interval.


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

He looked at the entry gate of the airport for the tenth time in the last three minutes. His mind said that she wouldn't come but his heart wished otherwise.

They had had a fight last night which ended in her hanging up on him. She hadn't been taking his calls since.

Disappointed, he sat down and thought how difficult the coming one month would be. He was going to London for the last leg of his graduation - his training.

He knew no one there and was not at all excited at the prospect of going so far away from Rashi when she had her summer vacations on. Adding to his misery was the fact that his birthday fell in this particular month. Never for the past 22 years of his life had he spent it alone, without friends and family.

He was almost on the verge of tears when he felt his cell phone vibrate in his jeans pocket. His heart took a leap when he saw who was calling.

"Hello?? Where are you?? Your flight hasn't left, has it?? I'm stuck in the parking outside. I'll be there in ten minutes max. Wait!! Ok!!??", she gushed in one breath.

And soon enough, a girl who looked like she had come right out of her bed, could be seen running and bumping into people, stumbling, regaining her lost balance and then running again towards the bench where Nikhil sat.

Panting she stood in front of him. Nikhil could make out from her puffed up red eyes that she had been up all night crying. He got up to face her.

Rashi put her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulders for a full minute before they both burst out saying "I'm sorry!" at the same time.

She looked up into his eyes and he read what they were saying. Tucking the two strands of her hair falling on her face, behind her ear, he said, almost choked, "I'll miss you too." He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead. "I wish I could freeze time and hold you like this forever."

Unwillingly, he broke apart and picked his luggage up with one hand (as the final call was being made) while the other was holding hers. Squeezing it slightly, he said, "You do know that I love you, right? Oops! I meant je t'aime." " I know, I know. You and your concept of "Love". But I love you and I'll say it all I want to." And with a final look at her, he turned around and walked away into the sea of crowd moving towards the entrance for the waiting lounge.

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

She called him with half an hour still to go for his birthday. She wanted to make sure that she was the first one to wish him a happy birthday.

"Hi sweety. How are you?", she asked, being her chirpy self.

"Hey..." Just from the tone of that "Hey" she sensed that something was not right.

"Hey!! You alright? You don't sound so good!", she asked, getting concerned.

"Hmmm..."

"Kya hua baby? What's bothering you?"

"Nothing."

"Shut it ok! I know some thing's wrong and I'm not letting you not tell me about it. So out with it."

"Remember Akansha, mu cousin?", he gave in finally. "Mausi has come to know about her relationship and all hell has broken lose."

"Uh-oh."

"Yeah."

"So what's the problem? The guy isn't good? Or is it the fact that it isn't arranged?", the problem-solver in her came to the fore-front.

"Neither."

"Then?"

"The problem is that he ain't one of us."

"Phirang hai kya?", asked Rashi.

"Very funny. He's not from our caste ya."

"Excuse-me!!?? But he is a nice guy, right?"

"I guess."

"So let me get this straight. Your mausi has objections just because he's not from your caste ?" asked Rashi incredulous.

"It gets better. He actually does belong to the same caste as us but not from the same segment."

"Unbelievable!!" Rashi was too surprised to say anything else.

"And I have just got done trying to convince her out of this relationship because mausi asked to."

And then it hit her.

Still she said, "It's ok Niks. Sometimes we have to do things we don't really want to or...."

"Oh shut it Rashi!"

There was silence on the line.

"I feel rotten you know. I feel like this big hypocrite who's convincing his cousin of not doing something when he himself is involved with a girl who forget the same segment or caste, does not even belong to the same religion. I mean I'm Parsi and you a Punjabi for crying out loud!"

Silence again.

"I don't know Rashi. I could not see my mausi cry and I know I won't be able to see either of my parents in such a condition."

"Hmmmm...is this what I think it is?", asked Rashi.

"You tell me. Will you be able to stand up to your parents for an inter-caste marriage?"

"Nikhil, I don't know if I'll be marrying you at all. It is too early for me to even think something like that. But then that is something which I'll never have to worry about, because if I love someone enough to marry him, I'll do all that is in my power and beyond to make sure that I do, parents notwithstanding."

For a third time that day, silence made a re-appearance.

"I'm not too sure Rashi. I'll be deluding myself if I say that I'll be able to do that for you."

"And I understand. I do Nikhil. Better sooner than later. So this is it I guess then.", Rashi said, more to herself than to him.

"This is it. Goodbye Rashi."

"Goodbye Nikhil."

With the click of the phone on her side, the clock struck twelve and a song started playing on Rashi's laptop. In her voice. His birthday present.

"I just called to say I love you. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart."

"Happy Birthday Nikhil.", she whispered as a solitary tear rolled down her cheek.

P.S. Listen to the songs "Goodbye My Lover" by James Blunt and "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette. I think they go along with the tone of the post. And of course they are prettu good to listen to too. :)

As you all (meaning those masochists who read my blog to get tortured no end) already know that I have taken my first step in the big bad corporate world (I just love making everything sound so melodramatic!) as an intern at a financial consultancy, so I thought it was time to report what I have been up to and how the company is still managing to stand, what with me in its premises! ;)

Well, those who are familiar with either me or this blog, know the kind of experiences I have had with the corporate world and for those who are not, chinta not!! Here’s all you need to know. :) "The Third Degree"

So, let’s start at the beginning. The first day. I arrive on time. (!) The waiting room soon swells up with loads of people, most of who seem to be interns too. But for the number of people in that room, there was very and I mean very little conversation. How was I to stand it!!?? Meri presence mein itna sannata!!??

So I took it upon my naazuk shoulders to bring some life into that dead room. And then began a round of introductions, some small talk and pleasant chit chat. In the course of this bonhomie, I decided to entertain all present with the anecdote of my interview at that particular company. I told them how surprised I was that I was actually selected for the training, as my interview had been anything but good. I barely knew any answers in the technical round - the most important of them all! And I described to them in detail how two people had taken my interview, one – a somewhat older, strict-looking guy and the other – a young and seemingly friendly kinda guy and how I answered all the questions I knew the answers to while looking at the older one and how I just flashed a dazzling smile at the younger one, each time I didn’t know an answer. ;) And I also told them how confidently I had given them a wrong answer. And how when they cross questioned me on it, I gave the same answer with the same confidence!

Na na, the story ain't over yet. Apparently there among the sea of interns, were also two three Assistant Managers, one of who was sitting right next to me and turned out to be in the same team as me!!

The moment I saw her being introduced in the office as the new AM of my department, all I could think was “There goes my PPO!” :( :(

And to think that that would be the end of me and her, was foolish of me. It turned out that her temporary seat was the one – yeah, you are on the right track- right next to me. :( :( :(

Now she had gone and collected all the stationery from the administration and kept it in her drawer. Now anyone who has been in an office knows the maara-maari there is for such petty things there. I being the blissfully ignorant new intern, think that all that stationery belonged to the person who had resigned and whose seat now lies vacant. So, what do I do? Rather than waiting to be issued an ID, access card, employee number, e-mail id and n number of other things before I get the allotted stationery, I pick the easier route. The route of course went through that particular drawer. And what happens next is very predictable; she asks me if I know where all the stationery went and I make the most innocent possible face ever (trust me, never have I been more grateful to the hours of practice put in those theatre classes) and say “No clue!” with a nonchalant shrug. And add “I took this one pencil though!” with a slightly flushed look on my face (Damn! I’m good!) :D

And the moment she moved from her seat, I promptly put all of it back and some extra stuff too, just in case! Later when she opened her drawer and realsied that it had all come back, she said “Look Isha, the stationery has come back on its own!”

And God bless the other intern for showing up at that precise moment and asking me to solve a problem he was having, for it helped me to completely ignore the AM’s comment. :D

The next day, she had been assigned a seat far away from me, thankfully!

And of course, how can I forget the introduction round? The moment my introduction began, there were sounds of crockery breaking in the cafeteria! : And it rained and hailed on my first day there. And I missed my cab and had to take a private cab back home.

All in all an eventful first day. :D

But if only the goof-ups ended there. :(

I ended up bad mouthing a very eminent college of the city, saying that only those who can cram facts and figures and are nothing more than mugging parrots end up in that college, to a team member, who it turned out was a pass-out of that college! I love you God, and I’m sure you love me too. It just shows You know. :P

Another one took place just two days back. A guy, somewhere in his late twenties, started talking to me out of the blue, while I was trying to figure out where to find my cab. This guy, at an earlier occasion too had tried to make conversation with me at the printer. For the uninitiated, the printer is akin to what the water cooler used to be in school. The place where people catch up with each other. So anyway, I listened to him, ohho, alright!, pretended to listen to him for some 2-3 minutes before getting irritated and saying “Listen ya, I really need to find my cab or else I’ll miss it” in a well, let’s just say, not-a-very-friendly tone!

On another occasion, while in the cab, one of my team members tells me about the other AM of our department and I’m totally clueless as to who she is talking about. The next day I look where she told me he sits, and lo and behold! The irritating chape guy was sitting on that chair!! Booo hoooo…..I wanted to cry!!

Why me??? WHY???

What now? Isn’t all this enough?? The post ends here. :P Gosh! What do you think of me haan??

P.S. Would love to know if any of you have had similar devastating experiences!
Well I’m sure this post gave you some re-assurance, time to return the favour now!! :P

P.P.S. As you might have noticed, it’s not so easy to master goof-ups such these, and hence I won’t be able to blog all that much. But dare any of you forget me or my blog!

P.P.P.S. Enjoy the lighter side of “C’est La Vie” while it lasts. Will be back to the grim posts soon. :D (Main grim bhi itni happily hoti hoon…he he…hmmm…I AM weird!! *shudders*)

Before I begin with my latest worthless attempt at fiction, I would like to sincerely apologize for making my blog disappear just like that and for the inconvenient visiting hours ( not that many would have noticed I’m sure, but still…). There were reasons aplenty for staying away from the most wonderful place on earth – Blogsville, exams, blog falling prey to unwanted eyes and some personal reasons being some of them.
I start off with my two and a half month long internship from tomorrow and I don’t know whether or not I’ll be able to blog all that regularly (hey! I saw that sigh of relief :P) and that’s the reason I wanted to post something today, despite having a long and tiring but fun day.
So here goes….

She wanted to be able to cry, when hurt. She wanted to be treated like a girl, if only by him. She wanted it to be known that she was as sensitive as a little child. That she too liked to sing and dance in the rain. She wanted to be like everyone else - normal.

It was the pleasant time of early morn,
The day was pristine, yet unborn.
Buds of flowers and droplets of dew,
Were fast asleep under the canvas blue.

The first rays of the sun emerged bright,
Painting the grass green, the clouds white.
The west wind hopped and the birds cried,
Sleeping buds awoke and shyly smiled.

The feeling in my heart was hard to hide,
As i beheld this magic from my bedside.
I sprang up in haste, grabbed this pen,
A few papers in hand, I rushed out my den.

Out in the open now, I began to write,
These verses, describing Nature's might.
In neat stanzas of four and a rhyme scheme,
I decided to limn this beautiful theme.

But with each line I penned, I realized,
The poem depicted nothing of what I'd visualized.
The more I described the grass green,
That much lesser to me it did seem.

I've given up the attempt in hapless frustration,
For aren't words and verses after all, restrictions?
True beauty is best enjoyed wordless, free -
Poems are written only by fools like me!!

It started as a usual day for the five of them, and like always, none of them wanted to attend the class. Amit was feeling giddy at the thought of attending the HR class; Ira nauseous, while two more, Siddharth and Parul were having sympathy symptoms of a similar type. Only the last one was somewhat keen to attend it. “My attendance, and the fact that the assignment is to be submitted… none of you care about that I guess!” said Minisha to the group.

“Well, isn’t that a bit obvious that we honestly don’t care?” quipped Ira.

“Now that almost all of us have agreed on the fact that the classes are a waste of time, and we shouldn’t attend them,” said Amit, and three pairs of eyes, and one pair of glasses glared at Minisha, daring her to contradict. “It’s time to decide where to go,” continued Amit.

“We can decide that on the way. Right now, let’s just get in the car, out on the road, and burn some rubber!” screamed Ira; living up to the reputation of her usual overexcited self. The catcalls and in-group jeers led them to the parking lot, and they clambered into the car as fast as they could. Travelling at speeds to rival a rally sedan, the dilapidated tiny Alto sped along the highway, and all too soon they reached one of the many malls dotted around the NCR. Amit looked over at the stereotypical structure of the shopper’s haven, looked in the rear view mirror, and said “Ladies, no shopping please!”

Hooting with laughter, they entered the mall and headed straight for the food court. After placing the order for her favourite Paneer Pizza, Minisha made a beeline for the nearest accessories shop. “Hey! Wait Up. I wanna check out some tattoos that I can get done,” Siddharth exclaimed and followed her. The two of them got lost in the crowds, while the others placed their orders. Eating through the feast in front of them, they almost forgot the college, their studies, even the two friends who weren’t present at that time.

“You ate the Pizza too?” asked a shocked Minisha when she returned, while her poor unfed tummy growled in protest, and the others rolled around laughing.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you a compensatory pizza,” said Parul. “Ice-cream, anyone?”

“Choco Chip for me,” said Ira

“Weren’t you on a diet?” asked Amit without looking at her, and promptly got a smack on his head for his quick wit.

Four ice creams and one pizza box accompanied them, as the incredible trip continued. The near perfect weather outside, topped up with a gentle breeze and a light drizzle jogged all brains to a common idea – long drive to India Gate. About one third down the way though, the five fickle minds changed track – one by one.

“Don’t you think India Gate’s a bit too far?” asked Parul in a small voice.

“Yeah, even I think so. I have to be back home a little early myself,” voiced Ira. “Plus, we keep going there almost every other week.”

“I’m tired!” yawned Siddharth.

“Are we going home already?” asked a bewildered Amit.

“Hmm, I guess. Anyway, what are you complaining about? You’ll still get your long drive. You have to drop off all of us remember, Mr. Driver?” teased Parul

“It’s getting dark already. I know a short cut from here to Ashram. We’ll reach in no time,” claimed Amit confidently.

At the next red light, just to be sure, Siddharth asked the person sitting in the car next to theirs if the road indeed led to Ashram. The man, probably in his late twenties, nodded his head in answer.

“See, I told you,” said Amit, and sped down the road.

“Always better to be sure, my man,” said Siddharth, while the small car bumped and jumped along what was clearly a Kuccha Road

“Guys, are you sure we’re going the right way?” asked Minisha, her eyes wide with a glimpse of terror reflected in them.

“Aah, you worry too much,” said Siddharth, turning and smiling at her.

At that precise moment, the car hit a small ditch that caused a round of small shrieks from the girls. Ira, who wasn’t really paying attention, was the most surprised to find themselves in the middle of a long dusty road that stretched forever ahead, and dark, looming banana trees, swaying eerily in the chilly, dark wind. Not a soul to be seen on either side, not a sound to be heard, except the soft whoosh of the wind blowing. The headlights flickered and died with a tiny ping, and a small “Oh Shit!” issued from Ira’s mouth.

The only light there now, was emanating from the five swanky cellphones.

“I think we should get down and look for someone, who can guide us out of this place,” Siddharth said, while proceeding to open the door.

“Are you crazy? You’ll get down here? God knows who or what might be out here!” Minisha said, holding his arm with all her strength. Everyone reflected on this for a few seconds, and it was only then that she realized she was still clutching his arm. Embarassed, she let go of it and settled back.

“But we can’t stay here forever guys!” said a visibily irritated Ira.

Once again, a round of silence followed. By now everyone’s cell phone lights had gone off, and none of them bothered to switch them on again.

In the pitch black silence, they heard another shriek and a thud.

Minisha had fainted.

~~~~~

YAY!!! So finally I've been tagged. :) :) :) :) :)
Thank you so much Dhanya for tagging me!! Hope I've done justice to it....read on...

1. Last drink: A cuppa of the most de- stressing drink in the world [uhhh, leaving hard drinks aside that is ;)] - tea
2. Last phone call : Ganesh – college friend ( We had a presentation today at college and I uhh, well, overslept and missed college altogether)
3. Last text message: Karan – reminding me to try applying for a company the deadline for which has passed. Yes – being my friend is a full time job. :P
4. Last song you listened to: Kehna hi kya from the movie Bombay
5. Last time you cried: Some 10 days back. (I’m becoming such a cry baby of late and I’m hating it!!)

HAVE YOU EVER...
6. Dated someone twice: No
7.Been cheated on? I don’t know if it would qualify as being “cheated on”, but I sure felt cheated.
8. Kissed someone & regretted it? No
9. Lost someone special? Yeah :(
10. Been depressed? Totally !!
11. Been drunk and threw up? Twice. Both times I drank on an empty stomach.

LIST FOUR FAVORITE COLORS:
12. Black
13. White
14. Orange
15. Purple and blue
I know, I know I've listed 5….it just seemed unfair to leave out blue.

FIRSTS :
16. Made new friends: Yup
17. Fallen out of love: Wouldn’t falling in love be a pre-requisite for that? ;)
18. Laughed until you cried: Happens at least twice daily. :D
19. Met someone who changed you: No one can truly change you except you yourself.
20. Found out who your true friends were: Yesh
21. Found out someone was talking about you: Oh yes!

HAVE YOU:
22. Kissed anyone on your friend's list: Does almost count too?
23. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life: Barring 5-6, all of them
24. How many kids do you want to have: Two. One adopted and one biological.
25. Do you have any pets: No.
26. Do you want to change your name: Not anymore. I’ve got too used to it. :P
27. What did you do for your last birthday: Lost my brother’s Canon Power Shot S3i camera, along with some 1000 pics of his trip to Paris of which there was no back up. Did I tell you it was my 21st birth day ?
28.What time did you wake up today: 9.30 a.m.
29. What were you doing at midnight last night: Eating dinner
30. Name something you CANNOT wait for: I generally have a hard time waiting for anything but as of now I just can’t wait for my braces to get off.
31. Last time you saw your father: An hour back
32. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: I’ve been very mean to a lot of people…wish I could go back in time and reverse my actions. Specially one particular thing.
33. Most visited web page: My blog :)

WHAT'S YOUR:
34. Name: You don't know it already? :P
35. Nicknames: Ish, Ishu, Cherry, Chant Cherry Chawla or C3, Nautanki, Jhansi Ki Rani, Daredevil
36. Zodiac sign: Leo
37. Male or female or transgender: Female
38. Elementary: D.A.V. Model School
39. School: Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai
40. Colleges: Graduation - Janki Devi Memorial College (sounds super na?) It isn’t half as bad as it sounds :)
Post graduation – CMS, IILM, Greater Noida
41.Hair color: Dark brown
42. Long or short: Falls a little below my shoulders
43. Height: 5 feet four and a half inches.
44. Do you have a crush on someone? I might!
45. Ever been in love? I’m incapable of falling in love.
46. Piercings? 2 on both the ears (the upper one on my right ear has closed though) :(
47. Tattoos? Not yet.
48. Righty or lefty: Righty
49. First surgery: Yet to happen
50. First piercing: Ears
51. First best friend: Shuchi
52. First sport you loved: Cricket
53. First pet: Haven’t had any so far
54. First vacation: Mom says it was Vaishnodevi, she’s not too sure though
55. First concert: Anuradha Paudwal !! :O (I’m as surprised as you are)
56. First crush: Mayank Tandon back from class II

RIGHT NOW:
57. Eating: Mom’s head for questions 54 and 55
58. Drinking: Nothing
59. I'm about to: Answer the next question :P
60. Listening to: The sound of the traffic downstairs
61. Waiting for: My mom to leave my room

YOUR FUTURE
62. Want kids? Yes
63. Want to get married? Not too sure….will have to I guess….even so not before a good 7-8 years.
64. Careers in mind? HR consultant, Marketing research, Advertising, Journalism, Event Management, Compering/RJing….YES….all of these:D And if none of these materialize I can always live off my income as a Love Guru. ;)


WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?
65. Lips or eyes: Eyes
66. Hugs or kisses: Hugs
67. Shorter or taller: Taller
68. Older or Younger: Older
69. Romantic or spontaneous: Spontaneous
70. Nice stomach or nice arms: Nice Stomach
71. Sensitive or loud: Sensitive
72. Hook-up or relationship: Relationship
73. Trouble maker or hesitant: Trouble maker

HAVE YOU EVER :
74. Kissed a stranger: No…..sounds like fun though *thinking*
75. Lost glasses/contacts: Course!
76. Broken someone's heart: :(
77. Had your own heart broken: Yes, though not in the way you are thinking :P
78. Been arrested: Nah
79. Turned someone down: Yeah. And it’s not easy, mind you!
80. Cried when someone died: Yes
81. Liked a friend that is a girl? Is this a trick question?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
81. Yourself: Most of the times
82. Miracles: Yo
83. God: I’m an agnostic.
84. Love at first sight: Bleh…
85. Heaven: Yea
86. Santa Claus: He he
87. Kiss on the first date? Nakko re
88. Angels: Yes
89. Devils: How can I not, knowing myself ? ;)

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
90. Is there one person you want to be with right now? Na
91. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time? Ek tu hua nahi, more than one kya hoga ???
92. Wanted to kill someone ever? Hell yeah!
93. Among you blog mates, whom would you like to kiss? No offence, but, no one. :D
94. Committed a blunder and regretted later? Committed blunders? Yes. Not sure if regretted them. ;)
95. Wanted to steal your friend's boyfriend / girlfriend? Baba re baba!! No!!


ASSOCIATE WITH SOMETHING YOU WEAR:
96. White: My Zara overcoat bought from Paris by my big bro.
97. Black: My first and so far only cocktail dress.
98. Red: A smart off shoulder top.
99. Pink: A cool tee with the words glamour written on it. Can be seen in my DP. :)
100. Posting this as 100 Truths? You bet :)

I now tag Arnab, Kartz, Siya, Netika, Karan, Amith, Careless Thinker and Pallav. :)

So I get it. Guys, and not just heterosexual ones but even those who are homosexual tend to place a significantly higher value on physical appearance than girls do. And being the stupid beings that girls are, they happen to give importance to attributes like intelligence, honesty, commitment and the like. But you know what guys, I don’t blame you. It’s not your fault really. That’s the way you have been made. :

So I understand the fact that a guy, even a girl for that matter would want his/her girlfriend /boyfriend to look decently good . But the question which arises here is how good is good enough ? Does she need to have an hour glass figure, the perfect hair, the perfect lips? This question gains all the more importance when the guy in question is not much of a looker himself. I mean if you look something like Brad Pitt, I'll completely understand if you want your girl friend to look like Angelina Jolie but when you are nowhere even close to that, to expect your girl friend to look like a ramp model is outright wrong .

When a girl is in a relationship with a guy, she lays bare in front of him her mind, her soul, her all. She gives him the gift of her whole self. And all the guy cares for is the wrapping paper. Great!

Seriously if a relationship of more than two years can come to a point where the guy tells his girl friend to either lose weight or lose him, I’m mighty glad that I’m single.

A perfect day. Music concert, dinner, long drive and now sitting under the starry sky. He looked at her and realised how she had made his life meaningful. "You've got beautiful eyes.", he whispered. With just a hint of a tear in her left eye, she said, "I wish I had seen them too."

Michael could feel a thousand butterflies in his stomach.

"So where are you taking me after all this mess gets cleared up, eh?", Jennifer asked him.

Now he could feel a million of them.

He was overjoyed and wished that he could thank the Almighty for this opportunity. His heart was free now and he could feel his tongue loosening its previous knot.

"Remember the time we went to "Camp Bale" and both of us got stuck in a canoe with the paddles gone....and you didn't know how to swim.....some situation, eh?", he laughed.

Jennifer interrupted him - "Yeah....yeah....if you hadn't told me about the crocs in the water...." Michael continued laughing. "Don't laugh Michael! I took swimming lessons for a month later, you know...."

Michael still didn't stop giggling. She didn't waste any time in using her handbag to lash at him. "Michael...stop it....you liar, you brute...", she quipped.

He evaded her blows but continued laughing. She finally couldn't resist and burst out laughing with him.

They ran out of breath a few minutes later.

"I'll miss you Jenny.....", Michael said as he sat clutching his belly.

"I'll miss you too Michael...."

The smile on her face faded slowly. Silence followed. Slowly she took his hand in hers and said "I'll miss you a lot Mike....."

Her eyes were full now as she narrated how she adored him, how seriously she'd started taking their relationship, how much she needed him.... - Michael could do nothing; he felt as if his strength was drained away from his body - he didn't battle any feeling now. He came close to her; gently kissing her on the cheek he said what he had wished to say since a long time - "I love you Jenny."

**********************************************************

Evening 6 p.m. found Michael in the elevator of his dad's office. His face portrayed a brilliantly lit smile. He couldn't believe what had happened since afternoon - he had told her everything and even she had a lot to say. She'd agreed to his plan of waiting till both of them finished their academic courses and she returned from Australia; she was more than happy to consent to marriage.

Mr. Tender was busy with a board member when for the second time that day, Michael barged into his office room.

The old man listened to all that Michael had to say. His composed demeanour showing no signs of excitement as he narrated the afternoon incident. In the end, father and son just embraced each other.

Mr. Tender could see that Michael was too happy. He wished Mary were up there somewhere witnessing everything.

"Dad could we go the church?....You and me?", Michael asked.

"Sure son.....just wait outside near my car, will you? I'll be there in a moment or so.", he assured.

His eyes welled up with happiness as he saw Michael leaving the scene. He quickly turned to the board member Mr. Clive Max who was watching the whole episode.

Suddenly, Mr. Truman entered with an informally dressed bald man, in a boiler suit.

"Hello Bob.", Mr. Tender greeted him.

"Hello sir.", Bob replied in a deep voice.

"Mr. Tender,", Truman said, "Sir, these are the charges....Bob's bonus for overtime comes to $3000 and rent $7500 plus damages incurred worth $2500...and....that's it...." He handed his boss some papers and a chequebook.

"It's all right Truman, they've done a good job - clean and tidy.", Mr. Tender spoke as he gave an assuring smile to Bob. Bob smiled in return.

"Thank you sir....", Bob said as he left the office room with Truman.

"Mr. Tender can I know what is going on?", Mr. Clive was totally confused. "As a board member I think I should......"

He was interrupted by Mr. Tender - "Hey, calm down Mr. Clive, it's nothing to do with the company or the business, all right.", he said as he got up. "The guy you saw in here - Bob - he is a truck driver.....", he said as he tightened the button on his blazer and proceeded towards the door.

Suddenly, he stopped, turned and asked - "Ever tried to buy a traffic jam for your son, Mr. Clive?" He smiled as he left the office.

“Nice car!”, Jennifer exclaimed. They were on their way to the airport and her first comment made Michael turn and look at her with a smile. All the while he was wondering as to whether he should break the ice, but he knew that a 15 minute journey wasn’t enough. His heart though was conveying other plans to his mind.

He suddenly realized that he hadn’t spoken a word since she’d got into his car and knew that she’d find it weird. She would soon start asking questions. He didn’t want that.

“Jennifer, mail me once you reach there, okay.”, he couldn’t believe that he had a tongue after all.
“I will Michael – and, you too,…..”, she said. She glanced at him and then looked out of the window.

Michael could feel a lump in his throat. “Oh God!”, he thought, “Why can’t you do something?? 5 more minutes and she’s gone from my world, my life…..”

The sudden screeching of tyres startled him. He saw that a limo ahead of his car had applied brakes and reacted instantly.

The traffic had suddenly come to a grinding halt. There was some commotion up front and he could sense the confusion sitting in his car. Other car and vehicle drivers were getting out of their automobiles. Horns blared as some people started getting impatient.

“What has happened Michael?”, Jennifer was concerned.
“I dunno.”, Michael said as he opened his seat belt and started to open the car door. “Jennifer just wait in the car, will you?”

He proceeded and paced towards a group of men who looked like truck drivers. He heard some sirens as cop vehicles rushed past them in another lane.

“Excuse me guys, can I know what is this confusion all about….?”, he asked one of them. An old man was quick to answer.

“Hey Junior, can’t go up – it looks like a truck broke its axle, reeled diagonally and now the 30 meter monster is lying across 3 lanes and it’ll take at least an hour to tow the thing away….so, we’re stuck here for worse.”

“Jesus Christ!!!”, Michael couldn’t believe it.
“…That’s a nice day, eh boy?”, the man laughed as he turned back to the gang.

Jennifer listened expressionless as Michael explained the whole situation to her. Michael could feel a candle of hope being lighted in his heart as he recounted that her getting to the airport in all this mess was almost practically impossible.

“I can’t reroute Jenny – it’s not possible. See you’ve got to understand this okay – the subway is 20 kilometers from the bypass to the airport – even if we make it through the traffic, it’s gonna take more than 15 minutes….Sorry Jenny….I’m really sorry but I can’t do anything about it…so…”

“We are not going to make it!!”, Jennifer interrupted him. She was still blank as ever.

“We are not going to make it….even if we take a hike. All right….I can understand…All right then….”, Jennifer said assertively as she reached out for her cell phone.

She proceeded to dial a number as Michael watched with bated breath.

“Hello….yeah…could you please cancel the ticket for Jennifer Mason Biggs scheduled….yeah…and reserve a ticket for tomorrow, same time…yeah…yeah…thank you.”

Jennifer looked at Michael standing absolutely motionless.

“What…..?”, she asked him.

Michael answered with a smile.

Mr. Tender looked on without an element of surprise, the ever serious face slowly widening into a smile.

"Dad I'm in love with Jennifer!", Michael repeated. His voice was getting loud and Mr. Tender could grasp the graveness of the situation. Mr. Tender knew Jennifer.

"Jennifer Mason Biggs" he recollected in his mind, daughter of the famous lawyer David Mason Biggs. One of Michael's many friends, she was a girl whom Michael had befriended recently.

"Michael, I think it is certainly a pleasant thi....", Mr. Tender was interrupted by his son.

"But Dad, she doesn't know about this and she is leaving for Australia! I'm driving her to the airport in two hours......"

"Then stop her!", Mr. Tender quipped.

"No.....no!!". A gap of silence was inserted instantly.

"She doesn't love you Michael? Is that it?", Mr. Tender's calm voice highlighted affection and concern.

"She does.....maybe not.....but she hasn't said anything.", Michael appeared confused.

"Ask her, son!!.....Buy her a gift.....make her speak.....do..."

"But Dad", Michael was nervous, "I cannot.....just like that.....there's no direct question for me Dad.....I don't know where it'll land.....she's my friend and maybe she doesn't love me. I don't want to embarrass her and spoil the friendship that we have now. I cannot endure her accusations Dad - she is way too dear to me.....you know....."

Mr. Tender pulled a chair next to his son and seated himself.
"Michael, calm down my son. You've got looks son.....you're a grown up responsible guy. You've got the looks and the money. You are the son of Mr. William Tender, the third richest man in the city. You could buy a Lamborghini Diablo when she can just dream about it. You could buy the Fourth Estate bungalow and ten others at Nellington Road worth two million when she cannot even think about it. Benefaction, endowment, gifts son.....GIFTS.....you could get her then, don't you think? Tell me how much you'd need Michael, tell me son."

"Dad! Please....please for God's sake. I came for emotional support not for monetary benefits or any such idea of yours.....like I'm trying to allure a business partner like you'd do with all those Lamborghinis and estates and what not."
"Money cannot buy everything Dad.....not everything!! It cannot buy people's feelings.....it cannot buy my love for you and your love for me.....I hope you understand one day that money is not what you think is!! - Anyway, THANKS A LOT for your help!!", saying this Michael stomped out of the office room.

Mr. Tender was calm and his face didn't show any sign of displeasure. He said, "I don't know when you'll understand Michael." Pressing "one" on his intercom he said, "Truman, you can come in now.....Thank you."

Michael glanced at his watch nervously every few minutes. "3.14 p.m." - the watch read now. He didn't, he certainly didn't want to believe it - he was driving Jennifer to the airport when he wished with all his heart, that she'd stay; to talk to her, tell her once that he couldn't live without her, to tell her how the days they'd spent together at 'Camp Bale' changed his viewpoint about their relationship or friendship rather, which later evolved into a greater fondness for her and now he wanted to tell her how much he was in love with her.

"Damn it!!", he muttered.
"My first love story will remain an unfinished one.", he told himself.

Michael burst into his father's office. He slumped into the nearest chair he could find. Mr. Tender, the third richest man in the city, the chairman and director of Mascon International, the renowned financial brokerage firm, looked up from his simmering cup of hot coffee. A round of silence followed as an apparently depressed Michael, with his hands over his head, stared at the table disgustedly. Mr. Tender made the first move. Placing the cup on the table, he was about to get up when an over-excited Mr. Truman - his trustworthy Personal Secretary - entered the cabin.

"Mr. Tender, that project on the.....", he stopped abruptly on seeing Michael. "Hey Mike. How are you doing? How are the guitar classes proceeding? And hey! How's your new girlfriend Jennifer??"

Michael looked up with a cold stare.

"Truman, could you please give us a moment....", Mr. Tender had spoken.

As Truman apologised and left the room, Mr. Tender moved next to Michael. He looked at his son affectionately. He put a hand on his head and caressed it gently. Michael still didn't respond, didn't look up.

It was difficult and Mr. Tender knew it. He'd always loved his son. Ever since Mary left him, he had only two favourite pursuits - one, take care of his company and two, look after his son. He'd worked hard on the latter knowing very well that he was trying to handle Mary's responsibility.

He brought up his child in the lap of luxury but took note never to indulge him in anything. Even at the age of 21, he always made Truman tailgate his son and his circle of friends. He always acquainted himself with his son's likes and his friends'. He let his son handle his own money, asking him to account for the expenses, bestowing him freedom, such that, Michael never under or over estimated it. In fact, Michael had grown up to be a fine and responsible young lad. But minute differences did exist between father and son. Mr. Tender always used to say to Truman, "You know Truman, Mary never liked my ambitious attitude - neither does my son!"

Many a time Michael insisted on his father getting married again and dismantling his portfolio as a chairman, but neither had worked. Since the age of 32, Mr. Tender had led this solitary life that stretched between company and son, company and son, company..... - He believed in making wealth and expanding his business empire. He considered money-making an urge to succeed in life and attached a lot of weight to the power that money could buy him in the modern day world. To all and sundry he was an industrious, skillful and successful businessman for whom time had led his monetary prowess to a point of no return.

Michael adjusted in his seat and with an uneasy look on his face, he muttered loud enough for his father to hear, "Dad, I'm in love....."

Dear Mr. Bin Laden

Hi. My name is Tara. I'm 8 years old. I live in India. I'm writing this letter to you because I read about you in the newspaper.The newspaper used many big words. I asked my papa about it. My papa works in a big office. He said that you made wars and killed people. I asked him why ? Papa smiled and said I won't understand. I like it when my papa smiles.

I wanted to ask you why ? But I think you'll also not tell me why. I'm a very small short girl. Papa calls me his little bumblebee. He says all papas have special names for their little girls. What is your daughter's special name ?

I don't like it when people hit each other. When Mehul hit Rohit in school, blood came out. Then Mehul and Rohit were crying, even though they are boys. Madhu ma'am was very angry. Then she told us not to hit anybody. She says it is wrong. Did your class teacher forget to tell you ?

When I told papa about it, he looked sad. He said life was too precious to waste. Then he started talking about Mumma. I don't remember Mumma very much. She died when I was a baby. Madhu ma'am says you feel bad when someone you love dies. I saw a movie where a lady was crying while a man was dying. Sometimes I feel sad about Mumma. I wish she was still here. But papa and granny say they are enough for me. But I still love my Mumma. I just wish she could come to PTA meeting like Sonia's mother.

I saw people crying and shouting on T.V. Papa said it was because of you. You shouldn't make people cry. I don't like to cry, even if papa gives me an ice-cream afterwards. Why do you kill people ? Does it help your friends ? I'm sure there are people who love those people who died, and I'm sure they feel very bad. I know papa feels very bad when we talk about Mumma. I don't want people to be sad like him. That is not how you should live life.

I read in my book that God created all men and women to be happy. He/She is a big man/woman who lives in the sky and watches everything. That is why you should not do wrong things, because God will punish you. Are you God and my God different ? Papa says that you pray differently. But that does not mean that the big man/woman in the sky looks different too ? Granny gets very angry when I ask her about this.

I have decided that in my life I will never do anything wrong. That you can never be punished. Isn't that clever of me ? Papa says it is. I think it would be good for you too.

It is raining outside today, after a long time. Everybody was really happy, because it was very hot. I was also very happy, like when I got what I want, after a long time. It's a very nice feeling. Do you know that feeling ? I don't mind the thunder or lightening also !

I saw two planes in the TV. When they were flying, they made a sound like the thunder outside. Then there was a flash. And then there was a lot of smoke and the houses were gone. The news lady says that this was happening in Afghanistan because of Mr. Bush and you. She said that the people in Afghanistan wanted peace a lot. Can you and Mr. Bush please give it to them ?

I'm sure it would make them very happy. I know that it makes you also happy when you give people something that they really want. Don't you feel sad that people are dying ?

Don't you want to be happy ?

At night, when papa and I were praying, I said your name. Papa asked me why ? I said it was because I thought you needed it. Papa said yes, praying for people gives them strength. So we prayed for you. Then I asked, why didn't anybody pray for Mumma ? Maybe she wouldn't come back, and we should pray that other people shouldn't die like that.

So, I prayed that other children's papa and Mumma shouldn't go away. Children really need their Papas and Mummas.But maybe God won't listen to me. He/She took my Mumma away, didn't He/She ? So I'm writing this letter to you. If you stop making wars, dropping bombs and killing people, kids like me will have both their papa and Mumma. It's much better than one Papa.

So, I want you to stop war, and give peace to the people. You will feel good then, because you will make people happy. you should also do good things in life, because then God will not punish you.

With love
Tara