Adish & Akanksha(Part 1)

Adish ran out of ciggerettes.Note to self,he thought,"Don't enter parties you hate,without a sedative."

Exhaling with frustration,he looked around at the dimly lit lounge bar he was standing in.One of the cities most popular places,he looked at the people who had nothing better to do attend this party..his party.

Oh that was the reason he was there.One of his associates walked over to him,with the usual handshake and half hug,feeling the fabric of his jacket and asked him-"And to which label do we along today Adish..."

Adish replied-"I'm not comfortable with labels."
Leaving a disgruntled Jai behind,he walked out of the pub.He knew Jai wouldn't make much of it.That's the good thing about guys.They don't think as much as girls.

Adish had the habit of speaking his mind to people at the wrong time,to those who knew very little of him,at places it didn't matter.

He crossed the street and asked for a packet of Marlboro to the vendor.

At the age of twenty-nine,he had not yet reached a comfort level with labels.
Straight.Gay.Bi.Bye.

He had been in many relationships,real figures were long forgotten.The real ones were remembered.He had immersed himself within the ying and the yang.His passion knew no limits,gender was not his concern.

Immerse yourself inside the other,like there's no tomorrow.It had cost him a lot of think like this.

And there she was,getting out of her car.Akanksha had never learnt how to drive.She had always been scared,too scared of running over a pedestrian over,too absorbed in her thoughts about that bitch at work or that bitch she'd be dating.

He could make out that she was wearing something black...yes a black dress,revealing her back and her neck and her long stemmed legs...the black strands of her around her face.

Perfection was what came to his mind."Fucking shit" was what came out of his mouth.

Extinguishing his half-finished ciggerette,he went inside after her...But wait,would she be happy to see him?

He felt his car keys in his pocket...but,damn,he couldn't leave.This was work.

She probably wouldn't even notice...thanks, to the dim lights,over two hundred people and a whole lotta booze.

Sometimes,you cant explain it,not even to yourself.

He felt an urgency to talk to her,to let her know that he thinks of her,something that he he would never admit,not even to himself.But the immense fear of being disappointed when she would see him,made him stop.

"Could life get better...or worse?!?"

It so happens,that defeatism often gives way to audacity.After waking moments of disappointment and pain,come guts and stupidity wherein you let go of all that you care of,and react to an impulse that you meant to kill a long time ago.

But no,he decided it wouldn't be wise to approach her.Not like this.

Making his way to the bar,something he should have done a while ago,he got himself a "scotch on the rocks with a twist".

Midway through his drink,Jai put a hand on his shoulder..."Listen I know this isn't your favourite place to be,but you gotta mingle buddy.We've been counting on you to bring all your charm to maintain such an extensive clientele...Most of them have asked for you,including some good looking broads.

Jai made him smile.Adish nodded..."I'll straighten it out..gimme a minute."

Gulping down his drink,he ran his fingers through his hair,ready to win a few hearts,and fewer accounts.

Adish had his own way of making it through to people.

There were many who loathed him,just like all of us are,his arrogance and his conviction that came runningly evident,made some nauseous.

If one were to describe him physically,he wouldn't be striking to many.An average height of 5'11 with a wheatish complexion,chiselled features and a prominent jawline,he usually sported a three day old beard.

To some,he always looked tired.He looked tired of good sex or an extrordinary full life.The irony was that he thought his life was an absolute opposite.

But what did stand out, was his remarkable walk.It was always daring yet aimless,that of a wanderer in a quest of whatever.While he continued to grab the attention of some women around him,some who came with their spouse,he did business,taking care of their needs.

Those who would look at him closely,would notice that while Adish smiled making conversation with those around him,his smile never reached his eyes.

And she stood there,watching him,making his way to people she could barely know well as he could.Akanksha knew there'd be a chance of meeting him,she didnt want to take any chances.
This is why she wore her prada which recently cost her half her salary.

She checks her reflection in the mirror top of the table she's standing on.

She wishes he would look at her.She wishes he'd touch her.

She turns away,afraid of herself.

It was Akanksha who was restless to get out of the relationship.It was nothing that became something plausible,a cause that would give her sleepless nights.She had given it enough yet never felt the same from him.

It had gone on in a direction where there nothing remained in their relationship.It was Adish who had called it off.
"Have the guts to say what you want.If you don't,I 'll do it for you...."

After listening to Adish telling her he'd do anything to keep her,she knew she had had enough.

She stood there,waiting for him to leave.He walked out.

It took her a week to get out of bed.It took her a month to go back to work.She fakes an illness to apply for a sabbatical.

Someone asks why it failed,she pauses.."Sometimes,you don't get someone the way you want it to...all a girl wants is for someone to want her back.And when it goes away,you feel it.I felt it...and I decided to go away."

From being pursued to falling in love with Adish,it was all his doing.She was just left to follow him,to be swept off her feet.

She did.What she saw next was a quest of possession, of someone he wanted in his life.And as her expectations came crashing down,so did their relationship.Akanksha never bothered telling him all of this.

Taking a sip of the red wine she ordered,Akanksha wondered if she ever made him happy.
She sighed and turned in the direction she'd seen him standing in.

And that moment,their eyes met.
She could feel his eyes on her,through the haze of coloured lights,the pungent smell of sweat and smell,they stood facing each other.

Thats what takes me HIGH !?!?!?

For the readers, this title would be a reminiscence of hash, cocaine, marijuana, weed, pot, blah blah blah (sorry my drug vocab is not too impressive)..

Many may fantasize SEX? For most it is "Moolah"

I would not deny the above schools of thought. In my 26 years of existence, the want to acquire more wealth has exponentially increased.

This want for quick bucks has risen amongst all classes. From my press wali, to the munshi ji next door- Paisa Paisa Paisa !

Investments, share bazaar, properites..from crore pati to arab pati...People are living in a world of illusion, dreaming of a la-la land far away from reality.

In contrast to the above idiosyncrasies (notably the materialistic pleasures of life), one is no longer in tune with himself, thus, swaying away from the simple, holistic fortunes that our fore fathers enjoyed with limited finances.

I am not into spirituality and have never meditated in my life, still the feeling to be with oneself is worth striving for. I have embarked on this journey, still far away from the destination, but am sure its gonna be BLISS.

The reliance mobile ad doing the TV rounds these days is an excellent example.

AIR, FOOD, WATER, NETWORK...only NETWORK needs to be changed with THYSELF. Rest all is complimentary.

Speak to YOUR inner self. And you'll find out..what takes you HIGH!

Winds of Change

It all began on a cozy November evening..am not good with dates..but life changing decisions don't take much time to formulate..well that's definitely the case with my cool dad - the least risk averse human I have come across in my life!!!

Recap
An easy to go 10-6 job @ Citi, comforts of home, steady relationship wid the only "hottie" at workplace (she's my wife now) and fantabulous friends...I couldn't have asked for any thing else..With a zeal to study more, I enrolled myself for GMAT prep classes and decided to take the exam in dec'06.

So DA DUDE (as they used to call me at Citi) returned home from his classes one fine evening, and to his surprise the cool dad along with an uncle were engrossed in a serious business deal.

My dad never mixes business with family, but in this case, the lure of establishing his son (whose so-so salary would never be able to match his grandeur lifestyle) was big enough to break the rules of da game.

"DUCTING" - I didn't even know the literal meaning of this term, far away from the fact that I am gonna be into the business of manufacturing these blocks of steel, used to pass air from one point to another.

So it happened...i got swayed in the talks and here i am...sittin on a Monday afternoon, still weary of some technical jargon being talked about. However, it has been so far so good!

Business definitely brings out the best in you. Patience, Perseverance and Positive Outlook are the 3 p's of being a successful businessman. More so, it has also been an enriching journey to witness the tricks of the trade from my dad.

Net Net..I was caught in the eye of the tornado. I do not know what the next few months have in store, but the zeal to pursue my masters has again cropped up..

Dad - are u wanting to setup another venture this time? Let the little devil (Prateik) be a party to it this time around..

Heres to the Winds of Change.

Men are from Mars and should stay there

DISCLAIMER:This particular entry has been written at a time when I am well,me but I have had a very hard day...and I love men..Well,kinda.

I come back after many weeks.

After my department got dissolved at work and my significant other is busy with other engagemnts and most of the stores (I can afford to go to) have the worst summer collections I have ever seen in the past three years...I come to you with disgust and most importantly,frustration.

The other day I saw my news channel's significant other,showing a candid interview with the fugly(that's fat and ugly) giantess of a woman,Vidya Balan wearing the most grotesque colour combination.Sporting a hairdo that would suit Aragog(that's a giant spider from the Potter series),she posed in a tight,yellow outfit saying "Shahid is my man..."

I puked in my mouth.
Men.
Men like Shahid Kapur.Seeing him in his first movie was more than six years ago wherein I thought nothing more of him than notice that his character's name was named after my crush.
Over the years,I saw him with his first mother,Kareena Kapoor in B grade "comedy" movies with music from Himesh Reshammiya.While one movie proved as poisonous and Plutonim 238,nobody took notice of him till the MMS came out.

And I remember what my friend told me after we saw the video in college:"My god,he can use his tongue well...Who knew?!?"
Hee Hee.
After a monopoly of mediocre performances with no in-depth scripts,sets or dialogues,the mother and the son finally became the "it" couple in Jab we Met.

They split.And she kissed his new tashan on the stage of the 55 th filmfare awards while he looked away.

And now this lad is with his grandmother.

Barring many men who have personally married some fugly's or about to do the same or our in a relationship...God Bless you.

This entry comes out with a special digust for all those whom I have in my life with one person in particular who is making me reach vanity(as if she's not by best friend already).

I now speak of one giant in particular,my friend Kuber,who doesnt have time for me...coz he'd rather setup an insignificant pen drive which DOES NOT contain any important documents,video or music files...than be a girlfriend to me.

On a Tuesday evening,while I am loaded with work and no money and a busy boyfriend..Kuber,this is just for you...


YOU SUCK!!!!!

Move

It was so easy to talk about "forever"

It was so easy to be "together"

As we go on.

I keep thinking of all the times.

The times that I thought would never change.

But we won't come back.

If you have something to say...

Say it today

Cause am moving on

And I can't slow down

As we go on....

I keep thinking of all the times.

The times that I thought would never change.

I didn't know about love.

How did it come between you and me?

It was you and me

And there was that small tea stall

It was you and me

And those long odd hours

It was you and me

And that long black last seat in the bus

It was you and me

Cuz there will always be you and me.

As we go onI keep thinking of all the times.

The times that I thought would never change.

Our lives might change forever.

But we will be "forever"And we will be "together"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please do not ask me questions.

I just regard it as one of the best things I ever wrote.

You probably grew along with us.....if you remember these....

If you can rap to "Meri baatein sun karr tum hasna nahi....."
Govinda rocked this one with a chess board suit...
Lol...I can't believe I still remember this...

"Madhuri Dixit mili raste mein...
Khaaye chhane humne saste mein..."

You know that "WOAH" and "HOW you doing?!!" comes from Joey and that "How Rude!" comes from Stephanie from "Full House"

You remember when it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
Or was it Sunday....
There used to be duck tales, tales spin mornings....there used to fairy tales.....
there used to be mahabharath and ramayana which was a family ritual in all households.

You remember reading "Asterisk", "Archie's", "Tin Tin"
And also...champak, chanda mama, billooo pinky, chacha choudhary, nagaraj !!

I am reminiscing writing this.
What a topic and what memoirs!

You took cartoon plastic lunch boxes and pencil boxes to school !...(and thought that you were the coolest kid around)
My pencil box came with a piano! I was a fortunate child to get it....but in between the class someone would invariable press on a key and I would get scolded :(

You played "FLAMES" and "TRUE LOVE" to find our your love quotient.

You remember the craze of those friendship bands and slam books!

You danced to "Wanna be" by spice girls...and you guys loved it too!!
"you gotta....you gotta!"

You remember Atari, contra and super Mario as the best video games.
It was a gift to mankind and it was always hard finding those 1 rupee coins :(

You remember watching home alone 1, 2 , and 3........and tried to pull the pranks on "intruders"
"I've fallen and I can't get up"

You remember CD players being the invention of the century and marking the beginning to a new Age.
A CD used to cost 1000 bucks in those days...and 10 friends usually pooled in that much money...to give it as a gift :)

You remember New Kids on The Block and Boyz 2 men when they were cool.

You traded and collected stamps and coins.

You took your he-man/g i Joe/ barbie dolls everywhere. They were an integral part of your family.

You even saw a series called "GAYA BAYA" which was a Hindi cartoon and had a glow friend in it. Or was "glow friend" a glorified toy. I think I am a bit confused....help me kids!

Nancy Drews and Hardy boys were the best mystery books.
Before that there was, secret 7 and famous 5.
And after that, came sweet valley. I don't know, what the guys were reading then.

Natarj and Camlin pencils were competitors.

You used to wear those stick on earrings, not only on your ears, but at the corners of your eyes.

You've gotten creeped out by "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

You know the Macarena by heart.

You rented VHS tapes and not DVDs.

When there was the Walkman

Get Over Here!!!! means something to you.

Hide-n-Seek at dusk.
Red Light, Green Light.
Playing Kickball & Dodge ball until you were crazy tired....
Hopscotch.

HELLO....HOT WHEELS!!!!!

Cadburry's
Nestle!!

Horlicks...Milo...Bournvita!

Squeezy! Those weird looking water bottles.....

Holi in the bus!

When there was wimpy's and no MC Donald's :)

"Talk to the wall" ... enough said!

"HUMANITIES"

On a lazy weekday, Prats came back from school, dejected from the world, utterly confused about the subjects that would haunt him over the next 5 yrs and probably all of life.

The following chat session is a rhapsody of mischief and humor...to elevate Prats from the conundrums of being a science student:

Abhishek says:
yo yo yo
prateik says:
uou
prateik says:
you
Abhishek says:
howz it comin along in 12th
prateik says:
yo**
prateik says:
nice
Abhishek says:
u have entered the puzzle room
Abhishek says:
theres no lookin back...
Abhishek says:
u have to reveal ur true identity
Abhishek says:
and capture the planet
Abhishek says:
like no one else has done it before.
prateik says:
yeah
prateik says:
yea yea
Abhishek says:
just spread ur wisdom
Abhishek says:
and let the rest follow
Abhishek says:
the spirits are watchin and they will soon uplift ur body
Abhishek says:
u have to let go. for one day u will achieve nirvana
prateik says:
yea dude
prateik says:
chill
Abhishek says:
u ll float
Abhishek says:
and rest will watch u in utmost surprise
Abhishek says:
to make history is tough..but to keep it is something u shld strive for
Abhishek says:
its gonna be a uphill climb from here..but the holy book is restin by ur side
Abhishek says:
go for the kill and strive for the magnum success
prateik says:
dude r u ok/
prateik says:
chill man
prateik says:
wats wrong wid u
prateik says:
whr r u pastin dis fr m
Abhishek says:
once u get the keys to this door of success
Abhishek says:
light will stream from ahead
Abhishek says:
and all darkness will vanish in thin air
Abhishek says:
“i am not pasting u fucker " this is my unknown identity
Abhishek says:
noone but u know s that i write...
prateik says:
ohh yeahh
prateik says:
hmm
Abhishek says:
i have unleashed my thoughts this very day to u
prateik says:
ohk
Abhishek says:
in hope that u will be successful in gettin the keys to the door
Abhishek says:
just go for the kill..
prateik says:
yh i will b
Abhishek says:
mention this not to anyone..otherwise the bird of wisdom will fly off ..and a new struggle will begin..
prateik says:
yeahhh man
prateik says:
stop nw
prateik says:

Abhishek says:
so keep calm..aim is wat u need to ...at the venture that is awaitin for u
Abhishek says:
this venture is nothing else but
Abhishek says:
listen to me carefully...this is the truth
Abhishek says:
this is where u belong.
Abhishek says:
the venture is nothin else BUT
Abhishek says:
HUMANITIES
prateik says:
hmm
Abhishek says:
hahahahahaahahahahaaha
Abhishek says:
lol
prateik says:
dude
prateik says:
bye..
Abhishek says:
dude
Abhishek says:how was it.

Even though Prats left the chat session unannounced, this piece will always remind him of the brighter side of life in the yrs to come..

Here s to my lil darling!!!