Making a Choice.

A hot and humid afternoon it was. She had been deeply engrossed with the novel she had brought from the Library since morning. That remained her only entertainment in the Women's hostel from the day she relocated from Chennai to Hyderabad for job. She didn't prefer taking a home for rent as it would bring her only increased unnecessary expenses. She had her guy though, a colleague with whom she found striking similarities within days she met him in office. He took care of her more like his own child, and that was all she needed staying away from her parents whom she missed so much. She couldn't have prayed for a better replacement. Such a smooth and sensible love they shared between them. He remained extremely possessive on her, and that made her avoid unnecessary conversations with men, just because that he had warned her not to trust any guy around. She would deal stuffs with men regarding official purposes though. She never felt that she missed anything due to this. Her guy remained her everything.

She threw the book on the couch and decided to go for lunch. As she proceeded back to the hostel, she felt a sudden urge inside and rang up her most trusted and her only male friend. She had known him since the very first day of her Post Graduation. All along her educational career she had been thrown into various Girls' Schools and even her Under Graduation was in a Women's College. He had been her only male friend whom she confided everything with, other than her guy. She had been in touch with him everyday without hesitation though her guy being very strict all over on these issues.

HE: Hello!

SHE: Hey dude...

HE: You told me yesterday that you wanna tell something.

SHE: Err.. Yes, but.... I forgot it.

HE: Come on! Don't lie. Now tell me.

SHE: There's nothing to lie. I just forgot it man.

HE: Alright bye!!!

SHE: Hey hey, chill now. Why are you getting tensed?

(He remained silent for the next few seconds)

SHE: You have gone mad! Bye.

HE: Haahaa!!

SHE: Then what? Why do you get tensed for everything?

HE: Hmmm, now go ahead. Tell me whats your problem. What were you about to tell me yesterday?

SHE: You very well know that my guy is so possessive and all that. And it pricks me that I'm not obeying his words when it comes to you alone. I'm not doing anything wrong with you though. But he shall not understand even if I explain a billion times to him that you are a good chap. And I knew you very well, much before he entered my life.

HE: So?

SHE: I'm in a dilemma!

HE: I can understand. You are planning to take a break from me.

SHE: I'm still unable to express it dude.

HE: When it comes to Love or Friendship, any girl will obviously consider only her Love since it is more important and it has to do with her life. Whereas friendship can come back to you at any point in life. Nothing wrong in your decision. Take a break.

SHE: Thanks for understanding that dude!

HE: But your guy is just too much! Huh! So you can be without me and my friendship right?

SHE: But you aren't gonna miss me anyway since you have so many female friends around you. I'm just one among them.

HE: Not at all! I treasure you so much. In fact you may be surprised to know that I value you so much than how much you valued me all these days.

SHE: Really??!! Huh, you never told me all this before. Are you serious?

HE: Yeah! Obviously. You were the first girl whom I met during my Post Graduation. Through you I made friendship with so many other girls, that's a different story. Haha! And you, yourself must be knowing how much you had cared for me all these days. You are indeed special to me! You are such a nice girl. I mean it.

SHE: Had you been a girl, I would have hugged you now!

HE: I can't be taking the girl avatar just for the reason that you are gonna hug me!

SHE: Aiyae!!

HE: By the way, though we have been close buddies past 4 years, I haven't asked you this question before. What made you accept me as your friend when there were so many guys trying to befriend you?

SHE: I found out what kinda person you are through your writings. Moreover you were very genuine with me. I didn't bother your lavish words on me too. Haha! Whereas I'm sure that the other guys weren't trying to move with me in the same way and with the respect which you gave. I think that we just became good friends easily.

HE: So am I just a good friend to you?

SHE: Oh God, you have questions out of everything which I say. You are my only best friend among the guys I've met in my life dude! I can be my normal self with you which I cant be even with girls.

HE: Had you been a guy, I would have hugged you straight away now!

SHE: Haha! This nakkal is one thing which I liked in you right from the beginning.

HE: But you wanted to take a break from me right?

SHE: Concentrate on flirting other chicks around you for now! Enjoy life.

HE: That's different. But I'm gonna miss you!

SHE: Get yourself normal now. Make sure you enjoy your life mate. I may not buzz or call you daily, hereafter!

HE: Hmmm! But make sure that you come back to me whenever you feel like. Keep me informed about your well being and also in case you find yourself in any personal problem. I'm sure I can get you out of it very easily. I wanna be there with you at least during those moments.

SHE: Sure I will. Don't worry.

HE: Hope you will keep remembering me once in a while.

SHE: Cha cha, no I wont! Haahaa!

HE: Get lost, Idiot! Miss you..... Stay in touch. Bye!

Disclaimer: The above conversation/story is the result of jobless thoughts over conflicts between Love and Friendship which a girl would face when she has an extra possessive guy and a super good friend. Any resemblance to other impersonal stories is purely, and convincingly INTENTIONAL !!! :P

Welcome Junior !

WARNING: CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT.

Two years ago, some day in September....

I was seated in the 5th row of the bus from the last, the Sun in the west scorching through the heated window as i was sitting near it. I closed it and tried to have a nap as we were returning home back from college. Sumanth was sitting to the left of me. Had a small conversation with him regarding ragging which our immediate seniors "The 2nd years" had told us that it may happen that day, though they don't involve much in it. It was a Saturday and we were quite sure that the Seniors were in for some fun with us for the weekend.

Call that guy in the middle... a voice from the last row uttered it quite slowly considering the staffs occupying the front seats!

Anjan, the 2nd year faithfully did what his senior asked him to. Sumanth was to begin the show. He was asked to stand in the stairs of the closed back door so that none of the staffs really got a view of whats going behind in that staircase since it was obviously a low floor. The other seniors told us not to turn back to see whats happening there. Kept concentrating with my extended hear-power to have an idea whats gonna be done.

Sing us a song....

Sumanth started with a charm...

Yeah,
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti
He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out
He's choking how, everybody's joking now
The clock's run out, time's up over, bloah!

He did it in a flourish. Lose Yourself for you. There was a dumb silence behind. The were six senior bozos listening this among which none of them would've understood a word.

We don't get your song. Get us the Tamil version of this in a paper and sing it again in Tamil.... The guy with the glasses sent Sumanth back to his place.

Is that all??? I asked him.

Guess so..... Sumanth was a relieved man, and his face showed it well. It was a piece of cake with enough icing for him.

Now the guy near the window.... Came a voice once again from the back. It was me, I knew!

I went back and stood in the stairs with a serious look. There were 6 of them who looked nothing less than morons. A hairy one, a fat monster, a specs wearing specimen, a professional looking prankster (He became my friend later!), And a couple of black lizards. The fun was about to begin. Not really funny though....

Now who asked you to stand in the stairs? The hairy one near the door began.

I climbed up and stood on the floor.

Did we ask you to come up now? Go there and stand... Retorted the guy with the glasses.

I went down once again . This should possibly be the last time I am doing this. And I mean it.

Now why are you blocking the air which is coming in through the door? Move up. - the hairy one now. A bird's nest would look more neat compared to his hairstyle.

Now you both decide among yourselves and tell me where should I stand !!! I hit back, though managing to grin.

Look, you need not order us what to do. Do what we say !

He was bound to get the worst out of me. I held the door with my right hand and started staring out...

Now look here and don't lean over anything. Stand straight.

I was still staring out without giving a heed to what they ordered me to do.

Hey ?!!!

Yeah, tell me.

Sing us a song, or put up a dance now.

I don't know both !

Then what else can you do? Don't you possess any talent ?!

No.

That's okay. You try singing now.

I can't sing, I told you.- Is there any necessity that I should expose my talents to these shims?! I better not.

Now do something for us and leave the place.

I don't know anything.

So are you gonna stay here doing nothing? The hairy one gave a fierce look.

I stared him back and didn't reply a word. I knew the ball was in my court. Considering the strictness my college maintains on these issues, anything which is gonna happen big and beyond is gonna affect only them and not me as a junior. I'm gonna play....

Now why is your face this serious? Be normal.

I kept staring out without noticing him. I felt blood boiling inside me for the first time.

Alright lets switch over to something interesting. Have you watched Porn movies? - Began another.

Its better to say YES rather than a NO to get bullied by these arse-holes! My inner voice said.

Yes !!!

Oh that's good then. So now you are gonna enact to us what "really" happens in those movies.

Meaning?!

Do we need to explain?

I can't act what you asked for.

Then narrate us whatever you saw in it.... Every time I refused to do something, these guys came down from their level of ragging! lol!

Haven't you guys watched porn movies before in your lives???!

No son, we haven't watched any...! Chuckled the bloke with the glasses.

Then I don't think I should be explaining it to Kids !!! I slapped them back to see those faces get pissed off for the first time.

I knew I was dominating. Indeed I was, taking advantage of my position as a so called "Junior" to pee on the faces of those 6 bastards. They can't lay their hands on me either. And I wouldn't be the same if anything is gonna happen to me. Anything and everything is just gonna be against them, and I was well prepared for whatever is gonna happen.

Do you think that you are talking too smart?

I never told like that. Did I ?!

Look, we are your seniors and you need to do what we say.....

Oh really ?!!

One should've seen Mr.Glasses' face that moment. He was totally bemused! I loved it. I felt that I was going a little bit out-of-control against them. Felt heroism for the first time in life surrounded by 6 men and unable to move a muscle against me. I was elated!

This is it. You needn't do anything for us now. Get something for each one for us tomorrow when you come.

What do you guys want?

I need a Condom! Hairy came forward eagerly to list what he wants.

Hmmm...

I need a Jockey. Free size. Glasses was the next.

Okay.

Get me a Maaza, 2 litres bottle and a Chocolate cake cut into 16 equal pieces. The fat monster ordered his part with a glee.

Hmmm....

Get us Porn DVDs from Burma Bazaar. We watch only celebrities stuff! Those remaining black lizards jumped in.

Alright....!

So when are you gonna get us all these?

I never told that I'm gonna buy all these for you. Did I ???

This idiot is making us beg him ! Frustrated Hairy lost his patience completely by now...

What's your Dad? Where are you from?!

I'm from Korattur. My Dad works in the Police Department. He is the P.A to the Director General Of Police !!!

Leave him away... - Whispered the Monster to Hairy. It was Game ME.

Salute us and say "Good Evening" to each one of us and leave now.... Hairy gave a last try.

I can't.

Hey leave him now, move.... Go to your place. The remaining ones shoo-ed me away.

It was a 40 minute show overall, where all I had to do was stand idle staring out and trying to remember that I was being ragged by few useless dumkophs once in a while.

Moral - Its Advantage YOU, if you have landed up in a strict college as a Junior !

Fate that you must listen to this piece of advice! :P

Feels Like Heaven.....!

"Hey! The Annual Day is on 22nd!"

This was the SMS which i received from Nandhini a week ago. She had somehow managed to find out when "THE DAY" we all were waiting for, and informed me. I did the job of forwarding it to all my fellow buddies as soon as I received it. But still there was a small confusion prevailing that whether the alumni would be let into the school campus (There's always some problem every year!) that too with the new principal taking charge, we hoped that we aren't kept at the bay!

22/08/08, Friday, Chennai.

I got up thinking about the fact that I've gotta attend the special classes that evening in the college. And attending it would see me reach home only by 7. I would be terribly late to attend the celebration thereafter! Hoping for the best that day I left for the college...... During class hours I had a feeling that i was developing a sense of flu and wasn't definitely feeling good. It was surely developing into a cold. Things are getting worse now! But it was only after college that I realised that i had a reason to bunk the special class. This is what happened....

03:00pm - The bell rings. The college is over. I am confused whether to attend the extra class or not!

03:05pm - I go searching for the Mathematics Mam to inform her that I wasn't feeling well and that I am leaving! Found her atlast...
Me: Mam I'm feeling sick, seems like I have a fever!
Mam: So?
Me: I'm not staying for the class!
Mam: Even I'm not staying for the class!!!
Me: Mam?????!
Mam: The other Sir is taking the class today. I'm leaving too. So you better inform him and the H.O.D and leave.
Me: But Mam, I don't have sufficient time. The bus is gonna leave in 5 minutes!
Mam: But rules are rules right? Inform them atleast if not through a letter.
Me: Alright Mam. Thank you!

03:10pm - In the H.O.D room (with a pitiable face)
Me: Good evening Sir, I'm suffering from fever, so I need to leave now.
H.O.D: Produce it in a letter and get my attestation!
Me: Sir, but I don't have time. The bus is about to leave.....
H.O.D: Okay! I'll take care about it. Don't forget to produce a letter tomorrow. You can leave now!
(Sucker! He needs a letter for everything!)
Me: Thank you!

03:15pm - I ran in a haste to my classroom to pack up my things and hurried towards the bus with a friend of mine. He was patient enough to wait for me.

And yes! I'll be home early and I shall go for the annual day! My health condition is not gonna stop me anyway.....

05:00pm - I reach home and went straight towards the bed. I badly needed a rest so that I can boost up my energy for the night!

06:30pm - Abhishek promised that he will take me along with him in his bike. I felt more relaxed since I need not take the tiring bus journey which would be a 45 minute travel. I got up from bed and started to get ready. Bharani and Pramod messaged me that they'll join us right there. It was gonna be fun!

07:00pm - I take my bike towards Abhishek's house to join him! (Note that I don't have a license and hence I can't be driving through the city!)

07:10pm - He was waiting outside and I parked my vehicle and jumped onto his. We hurried towards the school!

07:25pm - 1 message received.
Aishwarya: Hey have you reached the school? Shall I leave now or what? Come near the fancy store and pick me up. I can't come alone in the dark streets!
Me: Yeah okay! I'll be waiting.

07:30pm - She soon came and parked her vehicle nearby. We started walking towards the school! And the streets were indeed so dark! But how come in Anna Nagar????

Pramod had already reached there and so were Nandhini and Monica. Abhishek was busy with the other guys whom he knew enquiring about their college life and studies. Nandhini gave me a call and told where she actually was in the crowd. I headed towards them along with Aishu and Pramod. As usual we set our chairs in a circular fashion and started our conversation.....

Bharani calling......
Bharani calling......

Bharani: Macha, come to the fancy store da I'll be there in minutes. (But, no he's not afraid of the dark!)
Me: Haha! Sure da!

I once again went towards the landmark and received him! He's now a muscled guy working out in the gym. But he hasn't changed as a friend though....The only guy whom we missed was Vinodh. He had been to Bangalore to attend his cousin's marriage. We both once again joined our gang and started our work. I met Aparna in person for the first time, my orkut friend who too was in the same batch and also studies in the same college of mine. We never knew each other when we were in school!

Pramod then joined Abhishek and was doing the rounds. Myself, Bharani, Nandhini, Monica and Aishu shared lighter moments and were recollecting our school days, those funny happenings in the class and those never-told-anyone secret crushes! hehe! Indeed those were moments to treasure! Then about the college life and other stuff. Our all time bubbly baby Monica was unusually silent, she took some time to bring herself back to action. hehe! And then............

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

The power went off and the whole area was pitch dark! The whole school erupted woooooing among different gangs including us. This is the first time I experienced such a thing! Terrific atmosphere...... Then in few minutes the school managed to light the stage and the speakers alone were working with the help of a generator. Then, the power for the entire area was back in 15 minutes!

Gowri joined us after some time and apologised for coming late since she had a symposium in her college. Ganesh joined us too for a while. Our gang was getting bigger and better! We then started to meet our teachers and indeed they remembered us. Our sanskrit sir still remained a bachelor! Haha! Abhishek was mistaken as guy working in a company because he was looking too formal. He came along with his helmet in hand and he indeed looked like one professional! We met our other friends and there was a guy who had been out of control after he had joined the college. He blames it on the college environment and his friends! Disappointing to hear.....

09:00pm - We joined together once again after meeting the teachers and the program was getting over. National Anthem. NCC boy Bharani was erect. Too erect! Well......

We moved out of the school and we kept talking in the streets for almost yet another half-an-hour. Monica bid farewell! But it seemed like our conversations aren't gonna end that easily. Pramod came up asking how do you guys manage to talk for hours....? Friendship matters a lot. Not the time!

09:30pm - Nandhini started and Aishu joined her. Ganesh too was ready to move! Abhishek took his friend to drop him in his home and would be back soon. Myself, Pramod and Bharani stood waiting for Abhishek and he arrived after few minutes. Bharani took the bus since he felt that he misses the route. The city bus had a major role to play throughout his school life! I came along with Pramod in his bike. We cruised through the streets taking shortcuts avoiding the main road and also the policemen.(He wasn't wearing a helmet) Abhishek followed us.

10:00pm - Reached home atlast! Had my supper. And remembered that.....
I HAVE FLU!
Felt sick once again and I fell on the bed!

The day which we waited for a long time was indeed a memorable one. We may have moved away in different directions, but still we stay connected and this is the only day which connects every one of us together. And this happens only once in a year! I just pray to God that we all stay in touch forever. It just feels like heaven when I am in their company and I treasure them a lot. Love you lots my friends! :)