Time Is The Wisest Counselor

"No. That is not how it's done. Why don't u just get it? No, call them up and tell them that I can't make it tonight. The conference will be done at 10am tomorrow. Some more paper works to go. I'll mail the details right away. And make sure, you fax it to them tonight. You get that? Any more questions? Good."

Work can be tiring. It stresses u out completely.

''Here's your Latte, ma'am."

I don't smile for a token of gratitude. Is this who i really am? Have i really changed? Just shut the laptop. Take a breather. Enjoy the chilling climate, wooden benches, open cafe.. Realize it's bliss. I looked into the laptop. Closed my Excel worksheet. The wallpaper baby smiled at me. Closed the laptop. Heaved a sigh of relief. I looked around. I really loved the cold air touching my legs, the feel of the icy wind on my face.. And the warmth I felt when I embraced him. Huh? Warmth? Warmth in steely winter? Did the climate change all of a sudden? Or was it just the latte? Or.. Or was it actually him standing some feet away? Was that the one I never wanted to talk to but always wanted to be with? Am I hallucinating? I looked away. Placed the cup on the table. Looked in that direction again, not wanting to look at him ever again. He was talking to the man in white. They shook hands and the other man walked away. He looked around to find a place and took a seat in the adjacent row, three rows away from me. Placed for an order, and while the waiter said something, he nodded his head periodically, thrice. It was him!

A WHILE BACK-

''Hey, u were supposed to be here by now, isn't it?''

''Yes. Looks like there are people joining us..I..I'm s..sorr..''

''Right. Alright.''

''Hey, I bumped into them. And they were pleading me to take them along.. said, 'lets see who your sexy friends are' and all..''

''Right. Alright.''

Then they came. We had a great time together. Never thought I would have enjoyed so much. I really enjoyed their company. I did not want to go home. I wanted to stay. I did not want to leave. I wanted to stay. I wanted him to accompany me wherever I went. Well, the least he could have done was accompanied me home. But he wanted to go with her. And made one of his friends drop me home. Yeah, I had no problem. I, after all, was chosen over her. Love is blind. Love? Was it? Or plain jealousy? I don't know.

Drop her home meant something else. It all seemed to make sense.

He, bringing one of his close friends, to accompany me.

He, moving out of the restaurant, and her walking out after him, after a time lag.

He, smiling at her constantly while I was talking to his friend.

He.. well, you got that.

Few days later, we try to call him. But in vain. We tried to get through him however we could. But in vain. Was he actually sick and tired of us? Was he avoiding the trouble we'd cause him again? Because we had escaped a freaky situation the night they dropped us. Our parents found out what we were upto. And that him and our parents were involved in similar situations like these before. He didn't want to create any sort of trouble for us? Or was he just depressed because of some other domestic problem? We wouldn't know. He wouldn't let us know. She and I blamed him, cursed him because he didn't bother. He never called back. Never made an attempt to stay in touch with us. His friend who accompanied me never really contacted me. Maybe, he was sad because we were parting ways. We thought of all the possible reasons, but couldn't figure out the right reason for him staying so disconnected. He wasn't concerned about our concern for him. I was leaving for my further studies in four days. But he didn't bother. She was leaving too. But he still didn't bother. Gradually, we stopped bothering. Let him have it his way. The end.

Hell, why?

6 YEARS LATER-

It was HIM! I kept looking at him as long as I could. He was busy with his coffee and work. The same old charm. Should I go and talk to him? I should, shouldn't I? The cold breeze brushed through my hair. I was lost in thoughts. Lost in my own world. I finally decided something.

''Scusa.. Do u see that gentleman there? Could you please pass him this?''

''Absolutely.''

He turned around and moved towards him. He said something to him.. He looked at what I had given that bloke.

''The world is a small place, after all.''

By the time he could turn around and see who on Earth had wrote it to him, I was done packing my stuff and gone. I simply walked away. I didn't need him. Time tells you a lot of things. Though I began having a soft corner for him at some point of time, it didn't have a massive effect on me. I didn't need him. Call me cold, call me cynical, I do not need what had died down a long time back.

Time is the wisest counselor.

Shimmer!

Okay, this place was suggested by this friend.. and it didn't turn out to be bad - Shimmer!

It's usually Poptates, cos its the closest place to screw around. This Shimmer was recently opened. So it wasn't all that crowded. As planned, we decided to meet at the venue itself. This time it was Four Girlfriends. Just the girls - sounds fun? Well, it actually was crazy fun. Independent women- hot! Seriously? Someone mentioned that earlier. Anyway, we reached this place- wooden doors, SHIMMER shimmered in some shimmering lavender. Or was it black? I don't know.

''Place for four, please?''

''This way, ma'am."

Then there was an unending path. And some dork cracked this dumb joke-
''Hey, do u know the opposite of Dominoes?'' And some dork actually answered that, ''What? Domi-doesn't-know?'' Wait, that was me.

Laughter.

So looked like, we actually were getting a little elevated before starting off with our things.

''Here, ma'am.''

Hmmm, not bad. Big cushions. An aquarium, one big fish(The aquarium's not visible in this pic.) I usually take the corner, comfy place. It has to be mine. I'm obsessed. So i actually made a huge leap to capture that place before Amrita took over that place.

"What was that?''

''What was what?''

''That?''

''What?''

Then she realized there was no point arguing with me. So Amrita and I sat in the comfy zone. Poor Sammy and Ruhi, opposite to us, without any support to their back. Poor them. There came the menu. Okay! Sammy had to pitch in now.

''Guys, this looks a little out of our budget. Lets just drink water and get out.''

All in chorus- "Sssshhh.. ''

Yeah, she said it way too loud. Embarrassed. Then after her volley of questions at us, we decided to stay there. Sammy wasn't still happy. She needed something soon.

Ruhi- ''Hey, hello. Please get this woman some beer. Then she'll shut up.''

Laughter.

Then came beer, vodka.

Laughter. Why? I don't know.

I don't know how much we gulped. Sloshed.

Then she smokes on my face. Amrita's way of saying- I love you. I returned the love by doing the same. What's with girls? They behave all well when men are around, even when they are high. The only difference here is, we women, laugh our intestines out, when we're elevated. Not get into the sad old mood, and begin crying and throwing up and crap.

''I want chicken!'' Looked like Sammy was getting into the mood now. She speaks a lot when she's up, very unlike her. There was chicken volcano, the cute bartender suggested. Cute? I, from no angle, found him cute. And I don't know, how they arrived on that conclusion- cute, smart bartender= more drinks. Crap, nobody gives u such crap. Okay, back to chicken volcano... there was a pile of chicken in the center of the plate (like when u dump garbage, it forms a triangle). Then surrounding it, some sauce. Amazing sauce. So see the chicken volcano, the mountain(chicken) in the center and lava(sauce) surrounding it.

Damn, it tasted exceptionally good. Just as it tempted me, I was tempted to call him. Should I?

"Guys, I'll be back.''

Laughter. Wait, they were bitching.

The so called 'cute' bartender accompanied me to the washroom, leaving my so called friends to envy me. Hah! I don't care.

So I pick up the phone. Hmmm, wait, it doesn't seem to be a good idea. Looked at myself in the mirror(So typically Bollywood) for a minute or two.. Then i move out.

The 'cute' guy asks me once i'm out, ''Are u okay?''
Hmmm, looks like the cute guy is actually cute and caring.
''I'm okay. Thank You... erm.. (after looking at my friends).. I don't think they are.'' One of them is talking to the fish, one is experimenting the chicken and the other one is singing loud.. What am i supposed to do?
Sigh.

I give them some time to compose. They were okay, i believe, in 30 mins. After clearing the bill, we move to the washroom.. where this photo session happens. It was 'white day' i guess. Now, we had to move our butts outta there. Else, the cute bartender would have.

''I'm gonna compliment that guy.'' Amrita's post-sloshed thoughts.

''Are you kidding me?'' This one from me.

''Wait, i'll do that.'' This one from Ruhi.

''What?'' This one from Sammy.

Me- ''Thanks Sammy. Someone agrees to me, finally.''

Sammy- ''No. I wanted to be the first one to let the cute guy know he's cute.''

''Pee hee hee!!" This from Sammy and Ruhi.

What was so funny? I still don't get it. So the three of them fight. I drag them out.
''Guys, lets go to Poptates. Its on me, now. Done? Just get out of this damn place. You'll are freaking the lungs out of me.'' Me- the great.

''OKAY. YAY!"

Poptates- Same story. Less sloshed. Less singing. Less laughing. Numb. I move to washroom. This time, no cute guy. But this time, I call him up.

''Hey!''

''Hi Aarti. How're u?"

''I'm okay. You tell me. Presentation all done?''

''Yeah, it was okay.''

''Alright. So we'd be able to meet soon then.''

She appears from nowhere and says, '' It's him, isn't it? I wanna talk. Give it to me.''
I signaled her to gimme me 2 mins.. but she was all over me. '' I want to talk too, give me the phone.''

''Yeah, i just need a break now."

IITians do work hard. I smiled.

''Gimme the phone.. i want it.. i want to talk.. ''

''She wants to talk. Hold on.'' Then i give her the phone. They talk. And talk. And still talking. Talking. Crap. I move out.

She comes back and gives the phone to me, all smiling.
"You hung up? I wanted to talk, u know.''

''He said he needs to sleep. All tired n stuff. So i hung up. Wait, i'll call him back.''

''No. Never mind.''

Back to our own moods now. Crazy one. This time, wine swings. With chicken lollipops. My mood changed too. But the call was still on my mind..

It's weird. It's complicated. I don't wanna complicate things. It doesn't matter. I'm going away in 10 days. So how should it possibly matter?

I looked at her, my best friend. Anything for her.

I looked at her again, my best friend. Anything for her.

''And there ain't no way, I'm letting you go..
And there ain't no way..
And there ain't now how..
I'll never see that day..
Cos i'm keeping you forever and for always.. "




Is this when I say, ''my blogs rarely make any sense?'' This one, so doesn't.

The Bus Ride

It's not everyday that you travel by a bus. For 16 hours. In a non air-conditioned bus. Semi-sleeper coach. And u don't get to sleep. With a dirty little woman throwing up from the above window.. and my window's open. And there's some idiot on the road, ordering the bus driver not to move. And there's a 4 km traffic jam. There's no network, and your phone battery's dead. Plus, mosquitoes biting u. And you're late for a 9'o'clock interview!!

This happened a few days back when i had to attend a interview for my hotel management course in Manipal university. I was in Bangalore for a cousin's engagement. The next day was my bus to Manipal. It takes about 9 hours to reach there. We booked a nice AC sleeper coach Volvo bus. But it had to breakdown on the same day. My luck! And there was this idiotic non air-conditioned semi-sleeper coach, where i only got to sit. ''Just a matter of some hours. You'll manage.'' And when the bus finally moved, i realized i didn't carry my phone charger. ''What are the chances?'' And my ipod never seemed to work anyway. I didn't know how to pass my time. I did not want to use the phone, cos it would conk off any moment. But what could have i possibly done?? So about an hour later, half cursing, half heartedly, i use the phone to listen to music. Bliss!!!

We left Bangalore at 10. And was expecting to reach Udipi by 7. Just freshen up at the Kediyoor hotel and attend the interview at 9 in Manipal, which is 6-7 km away from Udipi. At about 12 midnight, my phone beeps. ''1 text message. Hey Aarti! Hows u doing?'' What's with 'hows u?' Ugh! Then there was another text from my best friend. We type till our fingers hurt.. and then my phone dies. No source of entertainment now! What do i do? I plan to sleep. As i am about to sleep, some loser sitting behind me, closes the window. I would have died without any oxygen. As it is, the bus is super-cool in this super-summer season! I open the window. Then he closes the window. Doesn't he have any other problem in his life?? It would have been really immature and stupid if I had opened the window again. U think i cared then? I went ahead and opened it. I think he gave up. He saved his face. Had he closed the window, i would have definitely disorganized the structure of his.. cranium, mandible, maxillae..??

Whenever i tried to sleep, some god-damned things brought me back to my senses. The mosquito! Why? God couldn't have created a better thing? Like a mosquito minus the sucking skill.. or a mosquito plus just bite the men? This continued for what i thought was a lifetime. And about 4'o'clock in the morning, i heard a commotion. Thought it was just the police arguing at the check post. U know these ghat sections and all.. The bus didn't move, leaving the mosquitoes to bite harder. Well, it had been more than an hour, since the bus moved. And the sun had already begun to rise. Unlike Bombay, where the brightest thing in the solar system shows itself only after 7 in the morning. I was worried now. My dad, who is best known for his snoring skills in family was sleeping away to glory. And he was the only one that made the strange noise in the entire bus. "I am not with him. Please don't look at me like that,'' were precisely my thoughts when that smart guy turned around to look who was snoring. He smiled. ''Heart sinks.'' I surely wanted to smile.. but i was really irritated with the bus, my phone.. u know that by now.
Anyway, i woke up my dad. Asked him to check what the commotion was all about. And when he was back, he told me that the bus wouldn't move unless the police apologizes to the other bus driver.. 'cos he had hit the driver, when he didn't pay some money. So the other passengers sat on the road, and wouldn't move unless he apologized. Now, why should i be punished for that? What did i do? For Christ's sake, i have an interview to attend at 9!!

The sun finally smiled upon me! No, the bus didn't move. Sun is evil, i tell u. And that was the traffic jam or what! It extended to more than 4 km, i heard. People got down the buses, washed their faces in that dirty water. They can be unbelievable sometimes. Some guy is peeing into the water, and some woman is using the same water to brush her teeth. I mean, how? Then there was this same irritating guy behind me, listening to the infamous Kolkata Knight Riders theme track. I mean, why? Such an over-rated team that is. Use the ear-chords, bondhu! God finally answered my prayers; the bus moved. But the interview was down in the drains. It was already 8am. And i hadn't even reached Mangalore. Hotel management was one option left, and the bus driver had ruined it for me. I kept whining, cursing.. almost crying. But there has got to be some way out! ''I want to talk to mom,'' I told my dad. ''Don't think that'll happen dear. No network, and my battery level is blinking now.'' Aaaaaaarrrgggghhh!!!!!

The bus stopped at some restaurant for the breakfast. We couldn't as the whole of Bangalore seemed to have found only one restaurant left on the face of this Earth. Grabbed a biscuit packet and hopped onto the bus. "My interview! This is so not right. There has got to be some way out. Beg, plead?'' All through the bumpy ride, i had least expected it. And what i had further not expected was this.. There was a crazy woman who was sleeping on the upper birth. And suddenly she pukes out of the window. What? Shouldn't there be any sorta warning, woman? U just throw up, just like that? I immediately close the window.. and it leaves all the puke on the window. By God's grace, nothing fell on me!! I closed the curtains. I never felt so gross in my entire life. I was sick and tired of all what i endured in the past few hours. I had reached Mangalore. I constantly asked my dad if we'd ever be able to make it on time.. What? I was already 12pm. He was irritated too, and i irritated him more. He silently screamed at me, and i moved my base to a seat miles away from him. Well, right across the smart guy's seat. Yeah, my luck! As soon as i sat there, he had reached his destination. He left. ''Why wasn't i expecting this?''

Around 2pm, i reached Udipi. With my hair all polluted, and my face like i had bathed in dust, my dress soaked in sweat, my arms and legs red due to the mosquito bites.. That immortal piece of crap! Kediyoor was a simple hotel. Good room. Rushed in for a shower. Worried. I was ruined. What am i gonna do now? I don't get to experience hostel life anymore? I really am worth all this?

And when i came out, i was in for a totally different news. I was allowed to attend the interview! And he gave this brilliant piece of news in such a manner as if he'd done nothing. U know what i mean? I mean, how? It all seemed simple. He took the university's number from the reception. Called them up, and let them know what we had gone through. And they readily accepted it and told me to join the evening batch. ''Kiss the university.'' Well, I think i had faced enough for 16 hours. And i only realized that i hadn't eaten in 20 hours, when my favourite Chinese food had been ordered by him. Udipi and Chinese food? It was done by dad, after all. So i didn't complain. Moreover, the food wasn't all that bad either.

And i couldn't have possibly loved my father more. I love you, dad.

And about my interview, until my next post...

Sweethearts!

You generally tend to categorize friends.. First comes best friends, then really good friends, followed by close friends.. umm, good friends, next just friends (that are good to help u out with work or studies), then hi-bye friends.. and then there are just bitches!
I hate to admit it, but the last three groups are bad. I would never want to assign priorities to anyone(except the bitches) in my life. But u just tend to demarcate them.

I do have a set of best/really good/close/good friends. They don't belong to any of the above mentioned set. Probably because they mean a lot to me, more than i've ever cared for myself. They are like stars, u can't really see them sometimes, but they're around and i know they're always there when i need them. (Dialogue, should we clap?)
Anyway, they are my sweethearts! Each one of them have been crazy enough to handle my frightening mood swings, calm and patient in hearing me out(not always, i think they're just scared of me and shut their mouth when i'm talking), understand my stupid logic even when it drives them up the wall and most of all, just being with me even when i don't need them. Sweethearts, i really am incomplete without you all.

So here's a sneak-peek of the sweetest of all hearts..

Amrita- Amirata or amma, as i call her, is literally
my mother(read step-mother, that makes it more cruel).
Yeah, she tortures me like hell, as if she's burdened to take care of me. She has to know what i do, what i eat, when i pee.. just about
everything. She irritates me big time, but u know what, that is
the best thing about u. I like it when u wanna know how i feel, i like it when u wanna tell me your boring stories, i like it when u eat my brains and i love it when u say u love me! I love you, and this is just to remind u that u owe me two meals, a birthday gift.. yeah girl, u owe me a lot! It's amazing to see how one can manage studies and their love at the same time! :D And if u find someone arguing at their highest possible tone, that is going to be us! We shall always be the 'crazy friends.' Amen!



Jimmy- Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy, aaja aaja aaja.. that is how
i addressed him first. I talk to him only when i need
help(No, I'm lying). He is probably the only one who
understands me correctly and knows what i want.
Always ready to lend a shoulder and a ear and has this
amazing way of encouraging me and letting me do my best(He's a savior i tell u) "Baby, let me u a give tight hug" is his
line whenever he thinks i'm low. And thanks to u, i came to know that 500 people were burnt alive in an asylum in Chennai on the day i was born and at the same time(I hate you)! And the 'vishesh tippani' on what movies i should watch is something that only i can bear i guess!


Anushka- Cute and confused little brat. Her philosophies of life
are the ones to watch out for! She would have probably brooded
her entire life saying, ''I want a boyfriend!", and now that she has
one, she can't stop saying, ''I have a boyfriend!" We are probably the first ones to try out clothes in every possible mall in Bombay and watch every possible movie in the past two years. Expressions! Man, the expressions on her face tell u a lot more than u want to comprehend. But her smile overtakes everything. She gives u this one good smile and you're flat. If anyone wants to know how to blackmail emotionally, I'll give u her number. Don't hesitate to call her. I'm sure she'll make u an expert in that department. And an expert in how to be a true friend!




Sampann- My champagne! Don't really know why i call him that, rhymes with sampann i guess, but he's one crazy fellow! Knows how to woo a girl and make her feel blessed to find him(I'll give u his number too guys, u can call him). We end up talking crap, crap and more crap and we never seem to get enough of it. Known for his corny one-liners and amazing sense of humour, he never ceases to pull my leg. He probably tops my 'I like talking to' list and i never really had second thoughts on that. Fun, when he's around and easily the most eligible bachelor in town! To cap it all, he's a sweet thing and the very essence of my life. He's just born to be my sweetheart! Dude, pizza next Saturday?



Anmol- Tall, dark, handsome.. That's Will Smith! And undeniably Anmol Menon
(If u notice, he somewhat looks like Will Smith). Gem! We hardly talk, but
whenever we do, it's magic. The most he can do for me is simply be my friend.
He's like a diamond, precious and rare. Someone who knows me in and out, and loves it all. He sticks to me all the time, only to teach me right from wrong. He probably hangs out with my mum more, whenever he's home, talks to her most of the time. Ooh, like he's keeping an eye on me or something. Amazing cook and i really go weak in my knees when he does the 'i love u-good friend' and 'im sorry-pls forgive me' act. And i really hope we do catch up sometime together!

The Inseparable Us!
Bhumika, Saumya, Alisha!
Schoolmates, classmates and wonderful-mates! Crazy, weird, amazing.. blah blah.. it goes on. We've seen every bloody thing in life together, boards, projects, heartbreaks, success, exams, exams n more exams! Never really thought we'd make it so far and the 'oh-so-wild-nature' in us will never let us down. We make sure we spend at least a day together every month, and that remains the best day every month! We've cracked the silliest of all jokes, hung out like crazy and we're never really exhausted. We've made an oath that we'll never stop laughing when we're with each other and never stop pulling each other's legs. How separable are we? Truly inseparable!


The Inseparable Gang Part-2
Spandana, Deepti, Lavanya, Ramya
Yeah, the hyderabad gang. It's been ages since we met, chatted, laughed.. who cares, as long as there is gtalk and yahoo messenger? Five years of togetherness, I'll consider us as one soul! We're truly linked, so even when we meet after many years apart, the friendship is as true as ever. It all started with same crushes, cultural activities, academics.. we never really knew when we became the best of friends. I'm glad we did. Had it not been for us, the guys would have never got their 'beautiful' nick-names and the girls would have never known the meaning of 'envy.' Yet again, we're truly inseparable!

So it goes without saying, ''These are the best days of my life..'' And guys, keep your eyes upon me, keep me in your sight. The road I'm on is dark and I'm not sure if i know the way. Yet with u all right beside me, I'm certain i wont stray. (Wow, for the first time, one of my good sentences rhymed!)

Friends Forever... Really?

I dont really know where to start. Life kinda gets to u innit? No, im not writing this after a fight and im not feeling low. It's just that two-three words, remind u of a lotta other things that happened..

Just yesterday, mum started with her usual u-are-useless talks and lectures on how a good 12th std kid should be studying. I tell u, she's pretty convinced that her elder daughter's gonna end up doing nothing.. and still keep begging for money! But mommy, i have a long way to go! Anyway, the point is she mentioned abt my hyderabad friends. "Look at those smart kids. Studying day and night. Look at u. You were one among them, u remember? What happened to u aarti?", she said. I closed the book. I was really not in a mood to listen to her 'please study' stories, all over again.

"I just shut my eyes, stayed still for a few seconds(that seemed like years) and then walked away, not wanting to turn back and look into her eyes."

HYDERABAD! The place im in love with and the people living there (read person). Yeah mom, i really wish i were one among them now. What good could it have done, anyway? "You wont forget us, will u?", one of my friends asked. "No, silly. I've spent my best years here." That was the farewell party at Deepti's place. We had gone out for a quiet lunch and back at Deep's place for a surprise party! We were all scattered in her room, talking, clicking photos.. enjoying every last minute of one of my last days in hyderabad with the world's most amazing creatures! The surprise was nothing much.. (Sorry guys, i really liked it though) A card with the funniest of all lines, and a romantic message as if my all-time favourite crush from jgs had written it to me..yeah, right, like he ever paid heed to me in all the five years in jgs. and a good luck gift(which i expected). It still remains fresh in my mind. A lovely afternoon, a lovely evening.. all getting sentimental. Gosh, i never thought i'd leave that place. But it just goes on u know.. (i hate that line!)
After a few days, i paid a surprise visit to school. I knew they'd be there. Yeah, i managed to surprise him. He looked at me and smiled. I wanted to go up to him and say, "I'm leaving. Talk to me, atleast now." He didn't really care though. Yeah, like he cared the whole eighth grade. Despite being in the same class, we hardly conversed. I kept looking at him, till my friends came n shook me. "What a pleasant surprise!", they tore my ears apart. "Yeah, Im leaving tomorrow. Just a final goodbye." "Oooh, u came to see us, didn't u?", they teased. Honestly, my friends meant a lot more to me than him. He cared two hoots about me, anyway. So yeah, we spoke for a few minutes. And then came the time! The time to say... Final hugs..

"I just shut my eyes, stayed still for a few seconds(that seemed like years) and then walked away, not wanting to turn back and look into their eyes."

I miss those lively, chirpy faces.. of which i was a part too, once upon a time. I wonder if friends are made forever. As in, i still am in touch with them. But not the way i want to. I might be generalizing this a lot. Just the fact that u can't be with them anymore, gets to u. But there's no harm in saying "Friends forever."

"Please study Aarti!", my mom yelled. Funny, it seemed like she was begging and pleading me to study though.