Nice Speaking To You

Much as the anxieties about the upshot of the day filled us, we tried to remain poised and collected. We spoke of movies, and college, and interests, and of the proceedings of the day - a day that had assumed the quality of being a decisive juncture in our lives. We sat, we stood,  we walked around - we waited.

Life had been a mere wait for a long time then. I had trudged along the seemingly eternal and monotonous path of life, dunked in melanchony. Vast stretches of emptiness besieged me and I dragged myself along aimlessly - with no purpose; solely existing. I yearned for some light - for direction - in this void, to know where I was headed. Even if it meant cantering through the unbounded wilderness, I wanted a destination.

And this day could show it to me. I had answered questions, solved puzzles, and had spoken about myself. I had cruised through the stages, much to my awe. The result was all that was left  to unfold. 'Would tomorrow be a different day - filled with hope and possibilities and anticipation - or would I be condemned back to the mundane desolation?'

They emerged from the discussion room and announced our names. Its amazing how the most significant and important moments in life occur in such a simple and obvious manner, leaving you overwhelmed; life is the funniest thing I've known.  Was it a reward? Or was it some kind of vindication? Was it just an opportunity presented to prove my worth? Or had I suddenly got lucky?! I do not know, and it does not matter; for now I know where I am headed.

Coffee, Games And Honey Bunny!

They were playing Balloon Cup and he was winning; but neither thought of the game. The last few days had been difficult. They had fought and cried and made up and fought again. He had been harsh and relentless. She had been obstinate and defensive. He had kept it to himself while she had let it disseminate. It became well-known and this infuriated him further. But he chose to not make an issue of it; he swallowed it. Nevertheless, it had its effect in adding to the uneasiness that had enveloped their world.

This meeting was meant to sort things out and put their disoriented lives back on track. It hadn't begun well. He had found a new reason to unleash his acrimony. Balloon Cup kept them there; strange because it didn't matter to either of them that they were playing it.

A feeling of guilt had cropped up within him and it was growing; he knew he had hurt her and felt pain because he loved her. He gazed at her and wished for a life that was simple; uncomplicated.

And just then, she giggled - a short child-like giggle. What had amused her he knew not. But that one moment - that single sight - brought to him a certain cognizance that drove away the deluge of qualms and dubeity and ambivalence that had crept into his mind. He was freed of these now.

He leaned across, seized her and drew her toward him and held her tight. She buried her face in his chest and wept. He thought of how vulnerable she was and that made him want to protect her all the more. And now, nothing mattered more than to be together - they had coffee, they played more games, and they kissed.  

250 Registration 400 per Month

The air was hot and heavy. 'Jai Ho' played on the radio. It seemed like the song forced its way through the space between the speaker and me. Every breathe had to push the air away while trying to diffuse into and become a part of the cubic atmosphere. Everything seemed to need an extended effort around here.

And here he stood - a picture of absolute defiance. His mind had chosen to ignore the protests of his heart and his body. They had soon given in. The mind had triumphed and everything else had to submit and comply. And he was not alone. There were many of his kind, working independently, and yet - in some strange way - collectively, like painting together an illustration showing what only they were capable of.

I was sweating. I knelt and looked around. It felt odd. I wondered what I was doing there. I was inside that place, but wasn't a part of it; I didn't belong there.

They had done a good job. In doing what only they could, they had made me realize what I couldn't. And I was glad to learn that. I hadn't tried it before and I wouldn't try it ever again. What lay in between was Rs. 250 for Registration and Rs. 400 for a month.