Three Seconds

“Dear passengers, Shortly we are landing in Kolkata”  flight announcement amazed me.

 

I was traveling by Indian airlines flight from Delhi to Chennai on that day and was deep in thoughts when this shocking announcement took place. Our journey was about to finish and then came this baffling news.

 

How this can happen, did I board wrong flight?

 

No, its not possible they check it at every place. My mind started thinking very fast. That is the beauty of brain, you can travel whole universe in fraction of seconds. I went back and checked again in my thoughts that I took a right boarding pass and then went through all security checks and no body noticed it. Blunder. No it can happen. Absolutely not.

 

Are we landing in Kolkata due to some technical faults ?

 

Its also not possible. Kolkata and Chennai are at two opposite corners of India and in any condition they will not try to land in Kolkata to avoid some problems in Chennai. Bangalore is a perfect option for that. I tried to help myself and looked outside window. It confused me more as we were flying above sea and irony is both Chennai and Kolkata are on sea shore. Puzzled.

 

Is the plane hijacked?

 

It sounded a logical but scary reason to me. Its Possible. We are living in the era where terror is everywhere. From trains to buses, from stations to hotels, form airports to aero planes? They are daring people, amid so much security they made it to flight. I appreciated their work.

 

What I will do in such situation. My technical mind started working now and I tried to make plans to fight terrorists, although I was not aware about the numbers in which they can be.

 

But I may be killed by terrorists in this encounter. My heart choked and I was about to cry when a beep sound came and some announcement started again

 

“Sorry, shortly we are landing in Chennai”.

 

In approximately three seconds  I felt ditched, sorry, courageous, dumped, scared and at the end I had feeling of beatitude.  

Friday Night

08:02 PM, 31 March 2006  Mumbai

 

It was a long week for Kesav as the financial year just closed. He planned for a party but Ragini, Pankaj  and  Roshan said that they are busy and wont be able to come while Sanjay is not picking phone.

 

“Hallo !”

 

“Hallo Sanjay, what about party today. Its only me and you as RPR are too busy. Bastards!”

 

 No was the reply from Sanjay also as he got stuck in some meeting in office and wont be able to leave before midnight.

 

Kesav is a party freak and in normal circumstances he always reaches home at wee morning hours after partying long on Friday nights with his four loving friends – RPRS.

 

It took him around one hour and he reached Juhu Beach just to enjoy his evening alone today. He was missing company of his friends but thought to enjoy in a different way today.  

Young couples doing their normal stuff and intimate things at public place sounds too irritating to Kesav. He went to a silent place on beach after walking few miles away from crowd.

 

Dear Mr. Lucky,

 

Congratulations !!!

 

Life is never so good and not for everyone as it is today  for you. Here comes your way to win 25 lakhs rupees. Just follow the instructions mentioned below and withing next 2 hours you may have 25 lakhs in Cash.

 

Note – You may not believe it. So just to make you believe, token money is here for you. Open the lock with password – 172.

 

Shocked, when he saw a bundle of 1000 Rs. notes having brand new 100 notes. First when he saw the bag on the beach he thought some one forgot it here but he found no one near by. Although he was a self claimed brave man and always used to bet with RPRS that he never fears anything but seeing a unknown bag at such a place sounds little fearful specially after those serial blasts and terror attacks.

 

After reading the letter and finding 1 lakhs cash there were so many questions in his mind. Lets leave the bag here and take 1 lakh home, it’s a big amount. What if he can get 25 also as easily as he got this much, there may be some risk involved and may be some police problem. Finally money pulled him in to it and he read the letter further. 

 

Bandra terminal was around 30 minutes drive from Juhu beach. As per instructions Kesav has to collect one more bag from cloak room of this station for further instructions and some more money. His heart beat is fast then normal when he gave the slip to the incharge there. Here comes another bag with almost similar looks and with similar letter in left pocket.

 

Dear Mr. Lucky.

 

Congratulations again !!!

 

So, you reached the second stage. Brave man.

 

Only one more stage left and you will be a rich man. Don’t be nervous. Just follow instructions as you did till now.

 

Note – One more similar bundle as another token money amount  is there for you in bag. Open the lock  with password – 282.

 

Curious, puzzled and now frightened Kesav was standing with 2 lakhs cash with him which he got in last 1 hour and don’t know from where. Fear is haunting the brave man with no clues of what is happening with him. It is better to go home now as the money is enough to enjoy Friday parties for few months. He is too confused to decide what to do next and thought to call any one of RPRS. Greed - insatiable desire for wealth. Kesav decided to follow instructions for the last time as he felt that it is easy to follow instructions since he is only asked to go to some public places and to collect some small bags.

 

11:46 PM, CHHATRPATI SHIVAJI TERMINAL

 

It was still crowded at CST when he reached platform no. 1. After searching cloak room for few minutes finally he collected the bag and came to a less crowded place.

 

And the last letter he started to read.

 

Dear Mr. Unlucky.

 

It is really damn easy to find fools in India even in big cities like Mumbai. How one can think of getting 25 lakhs just here and there in few hours. Loosers.

 

Although you have 200 notes with you but all that is fake currency. And thanks for carrying all those bags to this station. It would have been  difficult for  our people to carry these three bags to one location but you made our work pretty easy and did it with perfection.

 

All these three bags contain time bombs and timer has already started. It will take only few seconds to explode. Hope you can’t run away now.

 

Alvida

 

BEEP ……BEEPPPP …..BEEPPPPPPPP

 

9 …….8 ……..7…….

 

His mind stopped thinking and he is sweating like anything, his heart came to his mouth and he bent down on his knees with all his body wet with sweat and some drops falling from his forehead.

 

……..1 ……BEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

 

They burst in to laugther. RPRS were just behind him and they went crazy looking at Kesav.

 

That was the first time Kesav lost a bet.

 

After years of struggle RPRS made him scare finally. They won the bet, in fact “The April Fool bet”. 

TWO : HOURS

Its something like cell phone and landline or pizza and daal roti, yes that way we the Gen-next can compare girlfriend and wife. Everyone knows that second is good for long term but still we prefer first one always.

 

To be very precise, it was 12:20 PM when I reached her home. Although it was a Sunday but there was no one at home except Aparna and her mother.

 

Marriage, I never thought that I can be so desperate for it but after a long successful affair in college when I broke with my girlfriend I felt that something is missing. I dated with many girls after that and proposed a few but failed.

 

“Ankur, I am very uncomfortable in talking to you”. After sitting in front of each other for 20 minutes she broke the ice. I was numb, no words.

 

She spoke in English and with some American accent. Although in my whole life I never feared girls but this “Delhi Girl” factor created some sort of defensive feeling in me and I was still numb when she stared at me. I looked towards floor, nice marble work with perfect square shapes. What the hell I was thinking.

 

“So, how are you?”, it was 12:50 when second sentence of the conversation was spoken by her and ball was in my court now. Here a reply was must.

 

“Nothing, I mean just …..”. I mumbled, but finally I managed to say fine. I remembered one popular saying that first impression is the last impression and I made a bad impression. I became nervous and took the backseat and she took the conversation ahead.

 

We discussed everything from school to college, families to work life, future plans to hobbies or whatever can be discussed in matrimonial talks. She spoke for most of the time and I just listened. Suddenly one question came to my mind, infact it is one of the most common question which comes to every Engineer when he meets a girl first time – Do you have a boyfriend ?

 

Although I didn’t blurt it out. Obviously if her parents are going for arranged marriage then she doesn’t have a boyfriend and even if she has it doesn’t matter. Question was hard to digest but I managed.

 

At 01:35 she left and came back with tea after 10 minutes. When she was coming with tea I tried all my technical skills to scan her from nose to toes. She was a beautiful girl with long black hairs, big eyes and straight but short nose. I guessed her height around five four and figure …..not to be disclosed here.

 

Now conversation moved towards movies and favorite actors and all that bollywood stuff. Suddenly I admired recently launched “DEV-D” which was super hit on box office. She said that Abhay Deol is her favorite actor and she liked the movie a lot. My technical mind started working again. A man always high on Vodka and seeks girls for sex only is liked by the her. I stopped thinking. 

 

It was 02:05 when she asked me for lunch but I denied by saying that I have to attend a party at 03:00. I lied in order to avoid lunch there. She started again.

 

“I love working with NGOs and after completing my post graduation in Social works, I would like to work full time with NGOs”. Nice girl I felt. But in today’s time is it logical to work with NGOs full time. I stopped thinking again.

 

It was 02:15, and Delhi girl won the battle. I liked her and fell in love with her instantly, as I did with all other girls I met previously.

 

“So you must be free only on Sundays ?”

 

“Yes”, I said.

 

“OK then see you some time”, She smiled.

 

It was 02:20, I started my bike to my home. 

India, not Hindustan !!!

Broken glass, damaged bikes, burning furniture and shattered dreams. Anil was lying there numb with a fractured arm and bleeding forehead but mental pain was much more then physical pain.

Gupta motors, exclusive showroom of Bajaj Auto (written in bold English and Hindi letters ) in Andheri, Mumbai was his first step to make his dream of becoming entrepreneur a reality. Anil was very excited today as within 15 days of opening he has sold 100 bikes. Last week he got a call from some local political party and was asked to change name of showroom and write it in Marathi, Anil surmised it as a fake call.

Some people gathered in the evening with posters of a Marathi political leader in hand at Gupta Motors.

Broken glass, damaged bikes, burning furniture and shattered dreams.

Being “Hindustani” is a crime in few parts of India

These slogans were still resonating in Anil’s ears

“Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani, Jai Maharashtra”

All I desire is .....

17^th Feb’2008. Café Coffee Day, Sahara Mall, Gurgaon.

 

“How you can be so mean Aman”.

“Hey sweetheart, now please don’t start here”. I pleaded her.

 

“Oho, it means again I am wrong. You said it on Valentines day also and today again, its my B’Day today, what the hell, how you can do this. Where is my gift?”

 

I met Richa around two years back at Cannaught Place station of Delhi metro. She was standing there in front of ticket counter looking tensed and searching for something. After seeing her like that continuously for 10 minutes I just went to her and asked that did she need any help.  On that day she lost her purse and mobile phone and now she had no money to go home. I dropped her at her home in Sahadra, that is how our friendship started.

 

“Just chill dear. Ok, what you will take?”

 

“Zahar” She blurted.

 

“Now, you are over reacting Richa. Listen I love you dear”

 

“You only love money and nothing else……. Bullshit”

 

Since the day I started dreaming, I always dreamed of becoming a rich man. Its not because of big cars or bungalows but its because of survival. My father never earned enough money for my education even. We were four siblings and I am eldest. At every step of life they taught me value of money. Unfortunately this made me a mean person when it comes to money. In last two years of relationship I rarely gave her any gift. Even most of the times our dating bills are paid by her and I just love that.

 

 All I desired in life is Money!!!

 

“I can’t live with you anymore Aman. I am leaving. Please don’t call me or try to meet me.”

 

She left.

 

A tear rolled from my eyes and fell on my Fastrack watch, Richa gifted me on V-Day.

 

“Your Bill sir”. Asad said in a distressing voice.

 

To my surprise, this guy is looking very different today. I don’t remember exactly when I saw Asad first time but I knew him little bit know, at least by face and name. Whenever me and Richa used to visit this CCD, he always used to give us very enthusiastic smile and polite welcome and on most of the occasions he served us. He was always smiling face and jolly nature guy.

 

“Thanks  Sir”, He kept the change on the table.

 

A tear fell from his eye on bill and it looked like exactly similar to one fell on my watch few minutes back. Curiosity is the next thing came to my mind.

 

“Asad, Are you OK?” First time I asked him something personal.

 

“Sir, why you let madam go. She is very sweet girl”.

 

Oh my god. This waiter is telling me about my girlfriend and how to behave with her. How he can be so bold and daring. I was about to bully him but few more tears came on the bill.

 

I examined his eyes, they were saying something. They were telling a story. I jumped….

 

I met Ameena in 2003 when I was in 10^th class. We used to live in slums on bank of Yamuna river. My father was a mechanic and her father was an auto rickshaw driver. They were friends and she used to come to my house frequently. We used to play games, fight, read and eat together and I don’t know that when we started loving each other.

 

On that day we were very happy. I passed my 12^th with 83% and I was first in that area to do so. I got admission for B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in Delhi College of engineering. My father borrowed money  for my education. I took Ameena to Red fort and Qutub Minar on that day. We were together whole day. It was one of the best day of my life. I was happiest man on the earth.

 

“Asad, lets go to some secret place, I have a gift for you”. She whispered.

 

We went on to the top of under construction building. It was about a eigth  storey building  and almost half completed.

 

 

“Hey my sweetheart, come here”. She pulled me in to her arms and kissed me.

 

“That’s your gift, now lets go from here”.

 

“No, dear” Man in me came to action. I tried to catch her but she ran. We were moving on the roof of the building and playing hide and seek. I was about to get her hold but to escape she jumped and …………….

 

 

It was a government hospital and we waited 3 hours for Doctor. She was bleeding heavily. She was almost dead after falling from that  building. Doctors took her to ICU and came after few hours.

 

“We have to give her blood. Please get some blood as early as possible otherwise she may die”. Doctors ordered.

 

Shokat uncle was too poor to get some blood for his daughter. These fucking government hospitals never have medicines or blood. We all in our families get our blood group checked but it didn’t match. We went to that slum and asked few people and two agreed. Their blood group matched but Shokat uncle was reluctant for Rajesh’s blood. He was a guy with all bad habits like alcohol, drugs, gals. But there was no time to think and they gave blood to Ameena. She came back to life.

 

“Just take her out from this hospital. We can’t treat her or even admit her”.

 

“But why”, Shokat uncle said, when he went to hospital after 4 months to get Ameena treated for serious fever and vomiting problems from last three weeks.

 

“She is HIV positive, do you understand that. Don’t waste your money. She will die soon”.

 

My world came to halt. All my dreams shattered. All my struggle in life is waste now. I don’t want to be an Engineer anymore.

 

 I wanted to see Ameena with me  as long as possible. I quit college and started working here and there just to get her medicines on time.

 

All I desired in life is love !!!

 

I came out of his eyes when my mobile phone rang for a SMS - ”I Love You”, it was Richa..

 

Even All she desired in life is Love !!!

 

But my question is still not answered. Why he is sad today.

 

“You are my last customer Sir, I resigned today from Job”. Asad mumbled again.

 

No way that can not be the reason for his tears.

 

I just saw a female bracelet on his wrist.

 

“Sir, its pure gold. Its her Valentines day gift from me. She always asked me for this”. He lifted his hand to show me that.

 

A waiter bought a gold bracelet for his girlfriend and me, A Senior Software Engineer in MNC cant buy one??.

 

It was not about money. It was all about desires.

 

Something  pinched my heart, a current passed through my veins. My mind started burning.

 

“So, when you will give this to her??”  I mumbled this time.

 

He tried to smile but his heart ditched him. He collected some energy to speak but his throat chocked. His body started crumbling.

 

“She died on 14^th in same Goverr….mnt….  Hossspit……….”. Asad cried.

 

My heart and eyes ditched me this time. My mind exploded. I cried, cried and cried …...

 

Money can never bring back Ameena, Money can never make Asad Happy.

 

All I desire in life is love !!!

I can improve

“Mr. Chahal, you are an exception in our selection procedure”.

Sitting in that room, and giving interview for India’s most prestigious institute, I thought my life was always an exception.

I just smiled.

“We take people with very good CAT score and especially here in IIMA we give lot of consideration to Xth and XIIth marks, but you are poor in both”.

After years, today I realized that my performance was poor in Xth exam. Getting 70% in CBSE board is not a big achievement.

“But we considered you, we are curious about your performance at three levels in your educational career. You got 70% in Xth, 80% in XIIth and 90% in graduation. Now we have two questions in mind, one, how you managed to get such a growth across levels and two, will you be able to sustain this growth given an opportunity for next level”.

Sustain the growth, means they want me to get 100% in MBA and that in IIMA. I just came here too give interview and I was thinking on my way to this room that they will throw me out in five minutes. Here they are asking about 100% score.

I smiled again. 

“So, Mr. Chahal can you explain these two points and these are only two questions we would like to ask you. No third question”.

 I got little relief, although answers of these two questions were not so easy. But I have to answer, after all its about IIMA, and I am a big fan of Chetan Bhagat, the story teller.

“Sure Sir.” I said. 

I was puzzled, they looked at me and hinted to start. I was lost. 

========================================================== 

20-MAY-1995, 08:00 PM 

How history can be written in English?  How someone can solve Mathematics in English? How you can remember where is Arabian Sea? What is the height of Everest and all that in English? After studying for 9 years in Government run schools where Hindi was medium for everything and English only means “A,B,C,D…………”, I never thought that someone can write all these subjects in English too. 

That was the day when my grandparents admitted me to a newly opened convent school near to village area. Everything was in English and that was horrible for me. I thought that best way to get rid of this is burn all these books and go to same government school tomorrow instead of CBSE board school.

 

“Why I can’t give it a try”, I never thought like that but the only problem was money which was invested by my grand parents. Total admission and books cost was 7304 Rs., and that is a huge amount for a small farmer in village of Uttar Pradesh. Then I thought what if I will fail for one year, I will go to convent school. 

I was the first to reach class next day in morning. 

“Chahal, now you get up and start reading”. 

Mrs. Nirmala Gupta was teacher for Geography. She asked me to read something. I don’t know exactly but I pronounced so badly that I was in tears when I sat back on my seat, obviously after receiving first slap of my student life on my right cheek. 

Same harassment by many teachers and I was too depressed in few weeks that I bunked schools for three days. But I didn’t cried. I crammed, crammed crammed and crammed. 

Everything in vain. In class tests I got 3/20 in History, 5/20 in Geography, 11/20 in Mathematics, 19/20 in hindi but 0/20 in English, and it was English again. 

On that day I set only one goal for my student life. “Wherever I be, I will be highest scorer of my class”. I want marks, whatever be the input. 

31-MAY-1998 

Congratulations Chahal you are school topper for Xth board exam. Shocked and thrilled. I met with my goal. Although I scored just 70% but I was happy man. I wanted to improve.

 09-JUN-2000 

Great job done. You are school topper again Chahal for XIIth board exam.No Shock, No thrill. Although I scored just 80% but I was happier man. I wanted to improve further. 

====================================== 

“Improve further”, I closed two questions with an answer of two words. I don’t know whether they were satisfied or not by my answer but I was happiest man. 

“Thanks”, they said. 

I smiled again and left the room.