A LIFE LIKE THAT

There are rare occasions when one is pleased with his work and achievement. There are even rarer occasions when one is actually both pleased and contented. There is a very thin line of difference between the aforementioned statements. In the former, the person puts all his efforts in the task and achieves success. However in the latter, the person is completely satisfied by the quality of his efforts irrespective of the cumulative result. If we take a look around, we will discover that most of us belong to the first category for the simple reason that we never realise the importance of our actions, their purpose and the rationale behind it all. We accomplished them (somehow) because we were instructed to do so. Yet, at the end of the day, did we actually receive what we call the ‘fruits of success’?

What if we did not have to do any work… ever? What if we held opposing views to the notion ‘All work and no play make jack a dull boy’? If we did harbour such views, will they in any form, change us or the people around us? This is the question I seek an answer to.

There was a time when my teacher asked the class “What do u like doing the most?” A variety of answers was heard; painting, singing, dancing, photography etc. When it was my turn, I boldly stood up and said “I like doing nothing!” The teacher did not seem to be all that delighted with my response, so she asked me again “Define ‘nothing’” I plainly said “It means to be in an idle mode, performing no activity yet being aware of the surroundings.” The teacher asked me to sit down without another word. Perhaps I had spoken a little too much or should I say, she failed to comprehend the profundity of my statement.

I have seen people around me running a rat race. Here is a peek into their typical working day.

0600 hrs: Alarm rings… WAKE UP TIME!

0605 hrs: Brush teeth.

0616 hrs-0635 hrs: Take a quick shower; get decked up

0636 hrs-0700 hrs: Manage to swallow down 4 slices of bread and somehow manage to flip through the pages of a newspaper.

0701 hrs-0715 hrs: Unnecessary activities!

0716 hrs: Catch the office bus.

0720 hrs: After spending four odd minutes on choosing the right seat; blankly gaze outside the window, pity at the city’s growing population and consequently pollution…

0800 hrs: Reach office (unfortunately in time; implying more work!)

0805 hrs- 1600 hrs: Slog and slog and yawn and sleep and slog again!

1605 hrs: Catch the office bus back home.

1730 hrs: At last you are home with immense hatred for the traffic!

PS: you’ve already exhausted 3/4^th of your fuel!

1735 hrs:(Could be any insane hour!): You only crave for a delectable meal and a tight sleep. But then phone calls, this important soccer match coming on TV, ‘orkutting’, pending chores and blah blah…

0100 hrs: You finally sleep!

A ‘perfect’ day, isn’t it??

Well, no harm in having such a programmed life but did you not just fail to notice yourself in this dynamic play of things? Did you pause to check how good/bad you are looking? Did you stop for a second to appreciate your grit, your strength and your fortitude for having made a successful yesterday? Did you even stop to acknowledge the beauty around you; birds chanting morning hymns, the cool breeze waving at you; lofty trees bowing down to you and the seamless sky greeting you with its open arms? You missed everything in this hustle and bustle of life! Right from the moment you woke up and till the time you went off to sleep; all your actions were calculated and you were thinking in an unswerving line. You did not allow your mind to deviate because you were afraid… afraid that any element of distraction would imbalance your designed life!

I am neither a ten pointer nor a computer wizard nor am I a big shot in any of the college clubs. I am like any other ordinary student, an average second year MITian whose sense of achievement lies in transforming an otherwise usual day into a delightful one; living every moment to the fullest, breathing each drift of air, feeling the coolness of dew drops sitting lazily on the leaves, smelling the sweet scent of the hyacinth, basking in the smoky rays of the sun and admiring even the slightest shred of beauty around me.

I am not against leading a life of calculated moves but why not squeeze out time from that life to appreciate yourself and the nature around you. It feels amazing when you are able to associate yourself with the objects of nature. Look at a flower lovingly and with appreciation you will feel that even the flower is looking back at you with that same sense of warmth. Believe me, that feeling is splendid…inexplicable!

One should perform his duties, do all his work and celebrate his victories. But then do not be oblivious to the fact that everything has life, YOU have a separate entity of life within. Discover it, release it, and enliven it and you will not wish for anything else.

Live like you have never lived before.

IF ONLY

Ten years ago, I was in the same position as anybody else. I had to choose the prerequisite to my ‘career’. And as anybody else, I opted for engineering. So I spent a good four years trying to integrate and differentiate, learn ‘famous’ names like Fourier and Laplace, understand the logic behind a Turbo Machine, an IC engine and numerous other godforsaken pieces of machinery! The professor whom I loathed the most used to say, ‘You will like engineering only if you can relate it to your real life!’ Refrigeration? Okay. I Get it. But how thermodynamics is going to affect my eating and sleeping habits, I would wonder.

Four years passed by even before I could derive any sense out of the several laws, theories and protocols I had learnt! Apart from academics, which otherwise deserves a minimal reference, I had a healthy ‘social’ life. I had made a lot of friends. My best friend, Abhay had asked me out then. I had said no, for I did like him, but not enough to go out with him. He took it well, I guess, and we remained ‘good friends’ even after that. In my final semester, I got myself a decent job related to my branch of engineering. I worked for three years after which I did my MBA in MDI, Gurgaon and got married. I met my, now husband, there. I was happy with him, I guess.

One fine evening, I left work early and decided to walk home instead of taking the office cab. I heard a man’s voice call out my name. I turned around and it was Abhay. I was both surprised and delighted. I was seeing him after around (about) five years. I don’t know why I never bothered to keep in touch with him after college. He was looking good in a black t-shirt (black was his favorite color) and a pair of jeans. He told me that he was working for an NGO. I knew he would end up doing something of that sort because he was always very passionate about people and humanity! I then apprised him of my whereabouts. His face was expressionless, I didn’t understand why. He invited me over to his apartment. I went.

We ate and talked. It felt just like the old times. Then Abhay asked me as to what happened to my career in singing. I was taken aback for that was something I had told him a long time ago, when we were in our first semester and he still remembered it! I dint talk for the next five minutes because I actually didn’t have an answer to his question. I loved to sing, yes, I even wanted to take it up as profession after college. But I never did. Abhay didn’t prod me further for he knew me just too well.

I asked him as to why he hadn’t got married as yet. There was a long pause. He came, sat next to me, took my hands in his, looked straight into my eyes and said softly, ‘Simply because I never stopped loving you.’ My heart skipped a beat. I somehow didn’t see that coming. He continued, ‘I am sorry for not remaining in contact with you for all these years. I was occupied with chasing my dream. I really thought you would too. . I was in town today and wanted to meet you to. . .’ He gasped for breath and resumed ‘to propose to you. I know it’s too late, but I had to!’ I was at a loss for words. The life I had built so far came crashing down. I always thought I was doing the ‘right’ thing when it came to choosing a career, friends or a life partner! Life was more complex than I had thought. At that point, I felt much wretched and helpless. I wanted to hold Abhay in my arms and not leave him ever. I closed my eyes as I wept. I planted a kiss on Abhay’s lips and left the apartment. I never saw him again...

It's often said that life is a loophole. That once you enter the complexity of it, you can’t get out easily. And sometimes revolving round this loophole, we forget the simple rules of survival. And soon this becomes an ordeal, leading us back to square one where we started. It is true when they say; life comes to a full circle. And most often, we just walk the brusque periphery, searching for so-called center.

(Footnote : I had framed this story for a story-writing competition wherein the ending was given. Here the ending is the last paragraph.)

TO SACHIN WITH LOVE

I started watching cricket in the year 1996, that’s when the world cup was happening in the Indian sub-continent. My dad helped me understand the game. And the reason which kept me watching the game thereafter was none other than Sachin Tendulkar. Like numerous other Sachin fanatics, I m no less. Here is why.

When Sachin would score a 50 or 100 or even more, I would jump with joy. When he would receive man of the match/series award, I would celebrate. When India would win any match, his contented face would nothing but make me smile.

When Sachin would score a duck, I would be upset and probably wouldn’t even watch the remaining match. When he would miss out on a century by 1 or 2 runs, I would not eat. When India would lose any match, the melancholy on Sachin’s face would nothing but make me cry.

Sachin, on 15^th Nov, 2009 completed his tenure of 20 years in international cricket. Just calling this fact ‘commendable’ is not enough. It’s a huge achievement in itself. I salute him for that.

Sachin, I can safely say, has attained the ‘pinnacle of success’. There’s nothing left for him to achieve. So what keeps the little champion still going? It’s his love and passion for the game, pride for his country and the hunger to make India win more matches that drives him. I respect him for that.

However, the most striking aspect of Sachin which I had first noticed in 1996, the years after that and even today is his utmost humility. A person of such a high stature as that, yet exhibiting not even a tinge of arrogance is praiseworthy. His boyish charm, simplicity and panache just bowl me over. Even now when I read any article about him or watch any of his innings’ video, I get goose bumps. The style with which he slices the ball, the composure which he exudes on the field and the aggressiveness which he displays through his bat... is out of the world. I love him for that.

Sachin, continue playing like this for years to come. I don’t care what the critics say. I don’t care what anyone says. If people want to call me biased, surely they may do so. But my love and respect for you will remain unaffected. Millions and millions of people, including me have grown up watching your game and don’t want to break this habit! You’re ‘Apna Sachin, Pyara Sachin, Dulara Sachin’.

(Footnote : I had written this when Sachin touched the 17000 mark!)

THE LAST DRAG

Dhir : Wow! Did you expect this happening to us?

Praj : Not really. I thought our plan was just perfect!

Dhir : Little did we know that the guy up there had a different plan for us (winks).

Praj (smiles): True. All that I feel like doing now is lying on a hammock in a sun-soaked beach, reading a novel and drinking frozen Carlsberg!

Dhir : Wow! Speak of being ambitious (winks)! Along with all that you mentioned, I would want to have Rita by my side.

Praj : Aww! Cheesy I must say! Relationship is one department where I have always sucked, so no comments!

Dhir : Ha ha! Yes I know. Remember in college, how you tried to woo a girl by gifting her a huge Archies (love) card and a heart-shaped balloon on her birthday?

Praj(laughs out loud) : I swear! What was I thinking?! Girls were never my interest! But you’re no less. What about the ten girls you dated before you finally met Rita eh?

Dhir : Yeah well (smiles sheepishly). Life is full of surprises, just never when you need one.

Praj : Ha ha! Good one! But hey, isn’t Rita two month pregnant now?

Dhir : Yeah! I wonder how she’ll take the news about us. What about your parents? Told them as yet?

Praj : No man! They have gone for some pilgrimage I believe. Hmm. Care for a smoke?

Dhir : Rita would have objected, but yeah why not!

Praj lit up two cigarettes and a cloud of smoke surrounded both.

Praj : I wonder. .Why can’t we steer our life in the direction we want to?

Dhir : Profound thought there. Well we can’t because otherwise we won’t be able to give ourselves enough credit for what we do now.

Praj : Not bad. I like that. So there’s absolutely nothing in our hands, right?

Dhir : Yeah you may say so. Just take life as it comes. Why so serious?

Praj : Ah just. Say, can we possibly run away from here?

Dhir : How I wish! But no, they already know about us.

Praj : But we can’t keep hiding here either.

Dhir : I know. Let the sun set. We can plan our moves only after that.

Praj : Really?

Dhir : Yeah, whom am I kidding?! No Point, Praj.

They both took their last drag and started staring in the seamless sky.

Dhir : Clichéd, but any last wish?

Praj : Ah.. I wish I could tell it to my parents. You?

Dhir : No wish man. Everything is fair in love and war, my friend.

Long pause.

Dhir : This is it, Praj. Let the bullets talk.

Praj(takes a deep breath) : Yes! Good bye Dhir! Cheers!

Dhir : Cheers!

‘Jai Hind!’ The soldiers roared. There were two gun shots in the air followed by a deafening silence.

Dhirendra Vijay Singh (Dhir) and Prajwal Singh Randhawa (Praj) were fighting for India in the Kargil war, 1999. They unluckily got trapped in the enemy’s land. They didn’t concede defeat. They didn’t surrender.

(Disclaimer: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.)

AN ODE TO MY 'CROSSIE' FRIEND

Black and white is what I could only see,
Till my friend threw light on it.
So far I thought Crossword is not my cup of tea,
Only to learn later it’s beyond that tiny mini grid!

My friend asked me to look for clue.
So this clue read ‘quite beautiful (6)’.
I simply said its ‘pretty’ and my friend exclaimed ‘so true!’
He, but after a pause said ‘what made you think so?’

I excitedly said ‘beautiful means pretty’ and longed for him to tell lines of praise a few.
He shook his head and said ‘that’s not how it works, oh no!’
‘You see, pretty means both quite and beautiful, and that’s how you do!’
I made a face and realized there’re things I still don’t know.

Thereafter I made it a point to solve Crossword every day.
‘And of course I’ll help you!’ beamed my friend.
Now on cracking a toughie, I feel all happy and gay,
It’s all cuz of him..Why, O’ thank you my dear friend!

(Footnote : I generally don't write poems. This one is pretty much my first attempt at it, just for fun. So bear with it =))