Happy Journey

It was a Monday, a terrible day!. Sun was smiling in the sky. What else it has to do?. I mean it just have to show up in the early morning and go back by evening. That's a routine job, some thing like watch Man Job. Nothing creative to do. Ohh! It almost killed me with its monstrous rays. Thank! God that Mr.Jabar died. I could rest in a bus shed built in memory of late Mr.Jabar. If at all not to pay a tribute to Mr.Jabar, the Bus shelter wouldn't have been built. It was not a bus shed but a cow shed. Even a cow would refuse to put dung in it. The roof of the shed was floating in air.

I was so worried. It was getting late like hell. A man was standing nearby. I asked him the time. He was very happy to help me and answered " Don’t worry sir, you will get it from a watch". For a minute there was silence. WTF! Man. I was like “Did you really say that?. You must be some guy who escaped from mental hospital. Get cured soon, brother”.

"Thank you very much", That's all I said. He said "Its ok, I love helping people". He then started talking about himself and never stopped. Poor guy he didn't know that he was a fool."

After an hour of waiting, the bus came. It looked like a municipality waste basket. It had whole China in it. It was too crowded. People were hanging from all sides. To my surprise, lots of people rushed in to the bus. Now, from where all these people came. I didn't see them few minutes back. Did they fall from sky just now?. These people have really made me angry, that an egg omelet could have been easily made on my burning head. I have no other option. It was getting late.

After going through the necessary evil of wrestling, I was able to get in to the bus; actually only a part of my leg, to be precise five fingers. Bus started moving and my balance too was moved. A moment of loss of balance would have resulted in my head crushed in to five chicken biriyani pieces under the tyre. I was not sure whether I will get bus ticket or ticket to hell. I love hell!. All my dear folks will be there. We would jazz party there. And if heaven was at neighborhood, Imagine Gandhiji coming out from heaven and shouting at us to keep the volume down!. “Hahah!!”. I couldn't stop laughing. People looked at me strange.

After few kilometers of travel their came a relief. Bus came to an halt. Could relax for some time. A policeman had stopped the bus. Driver presented before him all the documents. The policeman found a missing paper among document. Next moment we saw the policemen slapping the driver. The hit was so hard that the driver would have forgot his father's name. Thats só harsh. I hated these corrupt rascals. Wanted to do something. But as always in India, kept quiet.

Driver placed 500.RS among the documents and the policeman got the missing paper. I remember clearly that policemen also had entered the bus. The bus started moving again. The condition of bus was miserable with lots of wear and tear. It wanted to be like a racing car but she got to accept the truth that even when bull carts of state had a gear, state bus remained the same. Who is responsible for her pity condition?. Is it her mother, the state government?. Am not sure about her father, whether it is state transport corporation or private corporation.

In a flash of second I saw an empty seat in the front and I flied. I placed my bums towards seat and found myself sitting on someone's lap. Now Where the hell this person came from?. He had infiltrated in to my seat like Pakistani soldiers did in kargil. I felt like like a hurted Indian army. I wanted to kill him with AK-47 rifle. Blood pumped high inside me as if fitted to a motor and felt like it would soon overflow out of head. My elbow rose with out my permission to hit him behind me. Every thing looked blurred and in flash of second I had given mighty blow on his face. I quickly turned back to see him and I was stunned. I was thrown out of the bus by the policeman. He came near me, covering his bleeding nose.

The Unemployed

Have to do something to get out of this mental torture. Life is all about hanging around with all the agony and frustration. Michael thought as he tossed and turned in his bed. Its very hard to fall asleep when there is a heavy traffic in your mind. In fact world war was going inside Michael's head. Its been two days since he was living in that Inn. It was located on the country side.

Michael stood on his feet, hoping all the worries flowed down in to earth. Its not easy to leave your family and stay in an unknown land. He felt shiver down his throat as he thought about his parents. They would be worried, wondering where their son was. Michael opened the beer bottle. There is nothing like beer, that can control traffic jam in your head. 12% alcohol does the job.

Michael slowly sipped from the bottle. He felt better now. One does wonder what on earth does a 22 year old have so much to worry about. It is from social studies of class four that we hear the word Unemployed for the first time. But then we didn't know how torturing the word is. Michael was slowly reaching in to the world where alcohol can take you. He felt more and more light, as if all the burdens from his head were taken off.

Parents provide their children with everything they want, but their expectation in return remain as burden on children's head. He could still remember the expression on his mother's face when he told her that he wanted to become a writer. "There is no money in writing", she came out with a statement. "There is neither money in poetry, nor poetry in money", a beautiful quote immediately struck him.

To be a writer is a condition rather than profession. Almighty opens the door to truth, when one becomes the writer. Everything flows out of your pen like magic, thereafter. It was not that he wanted to change the world with writing, he just enjoyed doing it. He had found his existence through the expression through words. It is beautiful!

He took the last sip from the bottle. The ambiance from the surroundings was terrific. It further enhanced the drink. The bar was well lit up. Blue was the predominant color. There were a few paintings hanging on the wall. He had a look at all those paintings. As usual a naked woman was subject of all the paintings. He wondered if a naked woman was the most beautiful thing in the world. It had dominated all major art form for centuries. One of the women reminded him of his first love.

Alcohol along with the painting was taking him away from the problem. But there is no point in running away. One needs to face it. Hardest thing is when you wake up in the morning and think what you are going to do. People will keep coming with the killer question " What's next?". Some of them just need a look, to remind you, that you are unemployed. It seems all these people were employed since birth. Most of the unemployed minds are occupied with plans. You keep planning the whole day what you are going to do. But all you end up is in devil's workshop, with your idle mind. Or you could end up in Bar with your friends, who too are unemployed. Everybody compete with each other to become the best loafer. You might grow your hair or might not take bath for month to look hippy. You will be the superficial rebel at best. If none of the above happen, surely you might end up watching serials with your mom!. Its the time when u notice the things which you wouldn't have otherwise. You will know, in which class your younger sibling is studying. How the seconds hand move in the clock. How cool your dad's mustache is. How beautiful your house maid is!

The bottle was finished. Michael felt as light as a balloon. He looked around. The waiter had been looking at him for a long time. He felt annoyed. One comes to bar to have privacy. What the hell was his problem? Michael wanted to have a crack at him. To further surprise him, the waiter came closer. He was very thin. Michael could easily pin him on to the floor. But he couldn't even lift his arm now. He was feeling dizzy.

Waiter had something in his hands. It looked like a newspaper. Michael wondered why on the earth, did the waiter want him to read the news, that too at midnight. Suddenly a column got his attention.

"22 year old missing for last 3 days!". God damn it!, below the caption was his photograph.

Once again

Life has lost its true color and flavor.Artificiality has creeped in every corner”

Imtiaz scribbled on his notepad.

He further added,

“Every where masks!g

No real faces!”

He was not sure, what he wanted to write. He was a person who lived in his own world. He looked window next to him. There was nothing interesting outside. He had a look at his watch.

“12:50 PM”

It would be lunch break in 10 minutes. The seminar room was quite, except a man’s voice. He didn’t pay attention to it. Somebody was giving a presentation on “advertising is not just selling”.

He shifted his focus back to notepad.

“Advertising is just murdering”, he added.

He has come all the way to Delhi, to attend the two day seminar.He was appointed by his agency ‘Crayons’, to represent company proudly at event.

Seminar took a break for lunch session. Imtiaz was the first to move out. There was a coffee machine at the corner of cafeteria. It would be a rush in short time. Coffee would free him off the hangover of seminar hall. He waited for his turn behind a women. He made up his mind to leave back for Mumbai, as soon as possible.

The women was taking enough time. May be something wrong with the coffee machine. Her face could not be seen. She looked interesting from behind. He had not seen her at seminar hall. He fantasized a beautiful face.

Women turned back with her coffee. She moved straight, passing him. Imtiaz had a look, through the corner of his eyes. Anything beautiful is always a thing of curiosity. A glimpse of her face was managed. It was all in a fraction of second.

It was only a curiosity to see a beautiful face, but the face showed was more than just being beautiful. Imtiaz was shocked. He couldn’t believe. He made sure in his mind if it was the same person. Years haven’t brought much change in that face. He could recognise her. Imtiaz felt his heart beating fast. He had not even in his wildest dream had thought of meeting her again. He didn’t knew how to react. Should he call her?.Better not to. He didn’t knew how she would react.

Time was going. It would kill him rest of his life, if he doesn’t talk to her today. She was moving far. He took a deep breath.

Nanditha!, he called out.

The women turned back to look at the gentleman who called her name. She couldn’t recognize him at first.

Imtiaz closely watched her. He was not sure, if she would recognise him. He waited for her response.

Nandita’s expression changed. She couldn’t believe if it was the same person. She didn’t knew how to react. She had fear, if she wouldn’t deal with the situation properly. It would be destiny that she would have to meet him like this after a long six years.

He was looking at her, with his pretty face.He has put on weight. Nandita watched changes in her old friend with surprise. He has become more charming over the years. Old images from past appeared before her. Everything seemed like yesterday. She could still remember the day they met for last time.

Lajpat Nagar street was busy with the Friday market. They walked past many restaurants. Today both their wallets were empty. They had already dropped their plan to watch a film. Life has been tough since college days. They had to adjust with a plate of fried rice.

It was getting darker. Both of them were walking slowly. They waited for the bus. They didn’t talked to each other from long time. Although engaged in their own world of thoughts, they always enjoyed each other’s company. Silence would be for the things they couldn’t tell each other. If it was not each other’s company, they couldn’t have faced those tough days easily. They got in to the bus. It was only a 30 minutes journey. They were going back home, after the whole day of roaming in the city, to drop their resume in all possible places. It was a tiring day. Nandita took a small snap. At some time she fell over Imtiaz’s shoulder. He didn’t disturbed her.

Imtiaz and Nandita moved together like twins throughout the college days. They surprised everyone with the respectable relation they maintained. It could be said that, they fell in love with each other’s friendship.

The fear of being asked, the status of relationship forced them to stay apart only on valentines day. They silently sat among audience, away from each others, watching others competing for the best couple. Those days were best days of life, Imtiaz thought.

The bus stoped at Maharani Bhag. They got down from the bus. Imtiaz would accompany her till hostel compound.

Again they continued their silence, as they walked. It was only a five minutes distance. Imtiaz could see her beautiful face in street lights. He had doubt in his mind weather it was the right time to tell her. He didn’t want to land in awkward situation. But he had already made his mind. How long he can keep it with himself.

They entered Nandita’s compound. Imtiaz’s heart started beating fast. It would kill him like anything, if he doesn’t make it today.

“Will call you tomorrow, take care bye”, Nandita said in her tired voice. Her small beautiful eyes closed for a second. She showed the signs of weakness. Poor girl would be tired after the hectic day, Imtiaz thought. It was only because of each other’s company, that they could travel such long distances today. He looked at Nandita. He felt happy to have her by his side. He could see her from close. A gentle breeze flew her hair. She looked like a beautiful angel. She was the girl with whom he wanted to live rest of his life. He wanted to tell, how much he loved her.

Imtiaz went and kissed her. It happened in fraction of second. Nandita suddenly woke from her tiredness. She couldn’t believe what just happened. An horrified expression faded in to her face.

“How dare you do that?”, Nandita said in her unfamiliar angry voice. Her face turned redish.



Both of them sat across cafeteria table silently. Imtiaz took last sip of his coffee. He offered Nandita coffee again. Nandita silently said “No”

It was not easy for both of them meeting after long time. Nandita was hardly speaking anything. Imtiaz was not sure where this meeting is going to take them. Maybe she didn’t like meeting him again. She could never forgive him. Imtiaz couldn’t bear it any longer.

“You can leave, if you want. Please don’t feel uncomfortable”, Imtiaz said in his low voice.

“Why should I walk away?”

Imtiaz got terrified by her answer. Nandita was irritated. It meant that, he should leave. Imtiaz didn’t need a thought to stand up.

“Just give me some time”, Nandita said as she looked down.

“I don’t have time”, he wanted to say. But Imtiaz was a sensible man. He knew that, he should talk to her today. It was him who made worst out of situation that day. He could still remember tears off her face, 6 years back.

She didn’t say anything. A gentle tears droped off her eyes.

“Nandita.......I am sorry..I..”, He had tried to say some thing.

Then she broked in to cry. She was shivering as well. She turned back and walked off to hostel.

Imtiaz felt like crucified. He couldnt do anything.

Cafeteria have become empty now. They were sitting on window side facing each other. Imtiaz tried to divert his attention to view outside. There was hardly anything interesting outside. He looked at Nandita. She was silent. He unlocked keypad of his mobile.

“Can’t believe, why we didn’t talk for 6 years”

Imtiaz couldn’t believe the words that came from other side. Nandita had said something at last. He was waiting for this moment. There can’t be a perfect start for conversation than this.

“But somebody didn’t wanted to talk.....”, he said with a smile.

Nandita didn’t answer.She didn’t look at Imtiaz. But there was a mild smile in her lips. Imtiaz had a look at his old friend. She was wearing sari. He wondered how people become strangers, when they are away from each other for long time. He would have made fun of her, if she was wearing the sari six years back. But now sari blended perfectly with her.

“But you could have found me, if you really wanted”

Nandita was becoming comfortable now. Her choice of words blew away Imtiaz. He couldn’t say anything.A joyous tide erupted inside him. Meeting an old friend after long time would be one of the most happy moments in life. He has got his old friend back..He didn’t want the conversation to slip away.

“I couldn’t find courage to meet you”, he said in his matured voice.

Nanidita looked at him with a mild smile.

“But I always missed you”

Imtiaz said it without any hesitation. He could say it from bottom of his heart, looking in to her eyes. Both of their eyes locked each other for a second. That second had millions in it. Nandita took her eyes off. She felt shy to face Imtiaz. They are not the same college buddies now. They have grown up.

Nandita sipped her cup of coffee. Both of them didn’t look at each other. Imtiaz felt very relieved now. A gentle breeze blew inside. Beauty of life is its unpredictability. There couldn’t be anything joyous than meeting somebody special after a long time.
“Nice coffee”, Nandita said to sound cool. Imtiaz nodded his head in agreement. Its been glorious one hour so far. He had a look at Nandita. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He still couldn’t believe the change in his old friend. She had become a perfect women now.

She would be married by now,he thought. But he didn’t wanted to ask anything on that. He remained silent. People started occupying tables. It was tea interval.

“So what were you doing last six years?”

“Ha haa”, the question made Imtiaz smile.

“Six years if explained, it would be a star plus mega serial”

Imtiaz got excited. The conversation was becoming interesting.

“I mean, what all happened...since that day.......what you are doing right now”, Nandita interfered with a smile.

Imtiaz leaned back on his chair.It was as though he was about to narrate the whole story.

“I was busy pursuing my dreams...”, He looked at Nandita.

Nandita listened very eagerly. Imtiaz continued.

“ By God’s grace, Some how managed to be an ad film maker today”

Nandita looked at her old friend. She couldn't believe, it was the same thin Imtiaz, she knew years back.

“We always knew that you would achieve.....", she said.

Imtiaz smiled, to thank her. It would be genuine compliment, if it was Nandita’s.

“And you?”, Imtiaz didn’t waste any time to ask her.

“I am a copy writer at OM now. Recently done the campaign for surf excel”

“Oh, thats a stand out work. That came out really nice”

Nandita smiled. But there was sadness in her smile. There was always something that troubled her. She would have struggled a lot to settle her life, imtiaz thought. He felt a lot of respect for his friend.

“And yeah, tell me the name of your lucky wife”

Nandita’s question this time landed on Imtiaz like a cracker. He didn’t expect it. Nandita got excited. She eagerly waited for an answer.

“I am not yet married”, Imtiaz replied.

“Why?!”, Nandita was suprised.

“I don’t believe in the institution of marriage”, Imtiaz cracked his ready made intellectual answer.

Nandita bursted in to laughter.

“Hahh! haa..Thats interesting!!”. Nandita couldn’t stop laughing.

It suprised Imtiaz, Nandita didn’t further questioned him.

“What about you, Nandita?”,he decided to ask her.

Nandita’s smile faded. Her lips trembled.

Imtiaz was suprised by Nandita’s silence. It was tough for her to answer.

“Got divorced 1 years back!”, Nandita found courage to say it.

There was a pin drop silence.

Imtiaz couldn’t get words.

“Goodness!, Trouble never gave up with this girl”, he thought.

“I am sorry”, he said her.

Nandita brought a smile on her face. They stayed quite for some time.

Nandita’s maturity beyond age surprised Imtiaz.

She had really learned to face life with a smile”, Imtiaz thought.

Nandita’s phone ringed.

“Hello beta”

“ I am coming in 10 minutes”, Nandita said to somebody with affection.

Imtiaz guessed, it would be her child.

“Bye”, she cut the phone and looked in hurry. She looked at Imtiaz.

“Got to go now...Imtiaz!!”

Oh!, thats ok!”

“Whats name of your child?”, Imtiaz asked, as they stood up.

“Oh!, I didn’t tell you”, Nandita said with a joy.

“I have a 3 year old daughter, Chanchal!”

Imtiaz wondered, how cute she would be.

“You can meet her some day”. Nandita said as she searched something inside her bag. She took out a card from her bag.

Imtiaz recieved address card from Nandita. Both of them looked at each other for last time.

“Ahh!”, Nandita took a breath. she smiled and said ” It was nice to meet you today..keep in touch”

She shook her hands with him.

“Sure!”, Imtiaz said.

A joyous tide waved inside him. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He watched her until she walked away out of sight