My Longest Moment

I take the baton from P3. Her longest moment has inspired me to write about my own. The term ‘Longest moment’ here means road accidents. I have been riding bicycle since I was 9. I learnt to ride a scooter, when I was 13. When I turned 15, Papa got me a Hero Shakti (3 gear moped). By the time I turned 20, I bought a TVS Victor. So I had been riding 2 wheelers for 14 years, before I started working.

These 14 years on bikes were the most uneventful years for me on road. Never did I face a single accident. I was proud of that fact and considered myself as a very skillful rider. Even I used to ridicule DM, who had faced a major road accident because a dog came in his way. He used to tell me, ‘beta rukja. Har kutte ka din aata hai. Tere kismet mein bhi koi kutta likha hoga’. Little did I know that actually har kutte ka din aata hi hai. I used to drive my bike like John in Dhoom (my friends can testify that). Till 24th April, 2006 this was the norm. On that day I faced my first accident in my village, where I had gone to attend a marriage. It was a freakish accident on a village road, in very bad condition, which I chose to ignore. I still used to think that I am invincible.

Then I came to Hyderabad. For those who have not seen Hyderabad, I must say that the IT region and Hilly region (Banjara, Jubilee) have great roads. Anybody will fancy driving a bike on these roads. After a single look at the road and the overcrowded public transport system, I decided to buy my own bike. Within 10 days, I bought my bike, a 180 CC Bajaj Avenger. It had a very unique feature, not available in any of my previous bikes. It had a front disk brake and normal rear brake. While the disk brake ensured much better braking, the danger of skidding was always there, because of the mismatch of braking system in both the wheels. This proved to be my doom.

July 29th 2006 was a Saturday. I had some urgent work in the office and hence had to go. It was drizzling slightly in the morning. I vrrroomed my Avenger and started from home. On my way to the office, there comes a part where a huge 12 storied building stands today. During those days, it was getting constructed. So there was a mixture of sand, cement and small chips on the road. The rain had converted that into mud. As per my habit, I was going at some 50 60 KMPH on that rain soaked road. By the time I reached the construction area, I had avoided many path holes & natural mud holes. With each maneuver, my confidence was increasing manifolds. And then the incident happened. 2 black dogs were quarreling over a biscuit under the road side stall. As soon as they saw me, they decided my time has come. They left the biscuit and ran on to the road. I was at 55 KMPH to be precise and by my manual calculation; I think I got around 2.1 seconds to react to this.

And I reacted. My brain asked my leg muscles to press the rear brake pedal, which they did effectively. At the same time, the poor brain (which should not be allowed to do parallel processing again) instructed my right hand to press the front brake and it obeyed too. The combination of mud, front disk brake and rear normal brake was something which the bike was not designed to handle. So obeying its own flow chart, with all the three condition satisfied, it completed the resultant task. i.e. it slipped (taking me along with it). One moment I was driving my Avenger, feeling like GOD. The next moment I was being dragged on the muddy road by a 1 ton bike. The pebbles didn’t like the design of my shirt and pant. So they were torn at several points, by the time the bike came to a halt. While I was being dragged, I noticed that the road divider is just 2 feet away from my head. It was my good fortune that the bike dragged me in a parallel line to the divider, so my head never had the opportunity to touch it. I got scratches all over my body, which eventually took 2 weeks to heal. The biggest problem was the huge scratch on my left palm (which had to remain bandaged for 10 days), because of which I had to use paper after No 2 for several days (not so easy for us, Indians).

Some nice fellas came running to my help and dragged me from under the bike engine, which was still running. I then had to drag the bike to a shelter. When checked the bike, I found that the bike had no severe accident signs, with just a scratch on the leg guard. So it had chosen to save itself and get the driver killed instead. Future Avenger buyers, please think twice before buying one. I can never forget the moment when I was being dragged on the road by the bike, with a concrete divider just 2 feet away from my head, waiting to kill me. Due to severity of damages and mortal danger, this qualifies as my longest moment.

Over to the next person in line.

PS – There was another accident on the same bike, just few months after this accident. This time M sr. was with me. I will share that experience sometime in future.

IPL suru ho raha hai

At 6:30 PM tomorrow (18th April, 2008) we shall see a giant taking birth. A giant which in near future is going to revolutionize the world of cricket. by the time it achieves adulthood, it could well be the emporer of the cricket world. Soon we may see the cricket fans cheering for a city team from India, rather than cheering for the nation. Yes, the giant is named IPL, i.e. Indian Premier League.

IPL is in the same format as the English Premier league, with its share of home and away game. one difference is the knockout games. but that's how cricket is played. Fans will cheer for Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, royal challengers, etc.

I have been a fan of the English Premier League for a decade now. I follow Manchester Unted with the same passion as i show for the Indian cricket team. When Ronaldo or Rooney score a goal, i feel very very happy, just like when Yuvraj scores a six. There are numerous fans like me and it shows that club or city based fan club is quite achievable in India. That is the main source of hope for IPL. As the competition grows and the format matures, the fan base will only increase. May be soon enough we shall see cricketers playing cricket for their city more often than for their country.

Anyways, its a new phenomenon in cricket ( i choose to ignore ICL, which has not met with any success). This will change the way cricket ios played and will bring in a much bigger fan base. With increasing popularity, cricket might soon spread all over the world and be a part of Olympics too. at least then, we can hope to get a gold medal in Olympics. Lets hope for the best.

three cheers for IPL.

Kya Pyar Hai. Kya hai nahin?

He clicked on the red submit button. After 2 weeks of brain storming (his own brain being the only contributor), he came to the conclusion that he can’t make it to Priya’s birthday this year.

He would have to take 3 days leave to do that. He was saving that for the upcoming Andaman tour that he and the gang had been planning since last March. Andaman was a dream vacation, which he never wanted to miss. Once the fresh leaves get credited, he can visit Priya in next quarter. May be he can ask Priya to come to Hyderabad. Priya would understand. To make up for it, he has sent 2 extra bouquets to her.

‘This online transaction thing really rocks’, he said to himself. ‘No need to be in Delhi to celebrate her birthday. I can send cakes, bouquets and card to her, sitting here in my room in Hyderabad. She likes balloons a lot. I shall send some balloons too.’

1st Feb 2009

‘Hi Babes, Happy Birthday. Many many many many happy returns of the day.’

‘Thanks, Purab.’

‘Sorry I could not call last night. I came very late from office. I had no strength left in me. So hit the bed straight away. I slept at 11 PM itself you see’.

‘Its OK, Purab.’

‘Kya hua? You seem upset. Achha tell me, you got the cake, bouquet & stuff’.

‘Haan, I got them all. Thanks again’.

‘No I can guess the disappointment in your tone. What’s the matter? Tell me do you want anything else. I knew I had to give you something real. Don’t worry. I shall buy you something expensive, when we meet. You know how much I love you’

‘And when will that be?’

‘Offo. I don’t know baba. You see, this new manager depends on me a lot. He would not give me a leave. Why don’t you come to Hyderabad?’

‘You know I have a job too. Since last April, I have taken 8 days leave to meet you. How many leaves have you taken to come to Delhi? Do you realize that I also have a family & some friends? I need leaves to meet them. Have you ever realized that?’

‘Shhhhhhh. Quiet babes. I understand. I try all the times. But yaar yeh manager. Ab mein kya karun?’

‘Manager maar dalega kya? Agle saal humari shaadi hai. Tab bhi yehi bologe? Purab do you love me or not?’

‘I love you babes. Do you even have to ask that? And please don’t cry.’

‘hmmmm. Achha mere ghar se call aa raha hai. Talk to you later. Bye.’

Purab was taken aback by this. He had seen priya crying on small things, but she never cut a call just like that. ‘She must be really mad. I might lose her if I go on like this. I love her so much. I will have to do something. But kya karun? She needs me to come to her. I will go to Delhi. But then What about Andaman? well to hell with Andaman. I can visit it any time. But right now, all i should do is to meet her. I can do anything to make her happy.’

4th Feb 2009

‘Hi Sandeep. Good Morning. ‘

‘Hi Purab. Good Morning. Come in’.

‘Boss, I need leave from office from 13th Feb to 16th Feb. I have to visit my uncle, who is not feeling well.’

‘Ohh. See Purab. You know, how much work is pending on you. You were on leave last Thursday too.’

“Boss, I have already done my work and updated you yesterday. Remember?’

‘No no. More work is round the corner. Client is sitting on my head. You don’t know how much I have to listen from the client’.

‘Boss, this is important. I shall complete everything before I go. That a promise’.

‘Ok. I will approve your leave. But keep in mind that you have to finish every piece of work before you leave. Otherwise chutti canceled.’

‘Thanks Boss. Sure. I shall finish everything. I will get back to my seat and start working right away then. Thanks a lot’

‘Purab. Just a sec. Tell your uncle, ‘Happy Valentines day’.

‘You are a genius, boss’.

12th Feb 2009

‘Abe kya raat bhar kaam karega. Go home buddy. This bloody company does not pay any overtime either’.

‘Who is working for the company? I am working to save my ass. Yaar chutti hai 14th se. kal tak yeh kaam khatam karna hai. Man, I have been slugging day and night since the last 10 days. Still I am nowhere near the completion. Too much work. Upar se manager har kaam mere pe laad deta hai.’

‘Can I help?’

‘No buddy. Go home. Enjoy your evening. I will complete it’.

‘Chalo. Cya then’.

13th Feb 2009 (5.30 PM)

‘Bhaiya. Sarojini eye hospital pata hai kahan hai mehndipatnam mein’.

‘Haan. 150 lagega.’

’150? Meter se to 50 rupye se jyada nahin hoga?’

‘Meter kharab hai. Jana hai to bolo. Airport jaa rahe ho naa? 5000 ki flight ticket le sakte ho, humein 150 rupye nahin de sakte’.

‘arre baba to pura ticket ka paisa hi le loge kya.’

‘Jana hai to bolo’.

‘Achha chalo’.

13th Feb 2009 (6.00 PM)

‘Bhaiya. Yeh airport keliye express bus kab jayega.’

‘ek abhi nikla. Ek fir adhe ghante baad 6:30 ko’.

‘adha ghanta? Mera flight hai 7:30 ka’.

‘to pehle aana tha na’.

‘Please kuch help karo. Mein time pe kaise pahunchunga’.

‘abhi kuch nahin ho sakta. Aap bologe to mein auto buladunga. Taxi keliye rukoge to aur der ho jayegi.’

‘thik hai. Bulado.’

‘abey abdul. Saab airport jayenge. Le jaa.’

‘chaliye saab’.

‘ruko. Kitna paisa loge airport tak ka. Meter se chaloge naa’.

‘saab time se phuncha dunga. Jo samajh mein aaye de dena.’

‘nahin thik se bolo kitna loge’.

‘saab, har koi 400 deta hai. Aap bhi utna hi de dena. Ek rupya jyada nahin maang raha hun’.

‘Sigh. Thik hai. Chalo’.

13th Feb 2009 (6:30 PM)

‘Chalo auto se utro. Bags kholke dikhao’.

‘Hawaldar saab. Kis chiz ki checking chal rahi hai. Dekhiye meri flight hai 7 baje ki, miss ho jayegi, please jaane dijiye’.

‘nahin nahin. Kuch bahana nahin. Kholke dikhao bags.’

‘chaliye, le lijiye talashi. Meri flight miss hui to aap pe case kar dunga’.

‘haan haan. Kar lena case’.

13th Feb 2009 (7.05 PM)

‘Excuse me. Boarding pass please.’

‘Ohh. Haan. Here it is.’

‘Is there any liquid in the bag?’

‘No. my perfume may be.’

‘Sorry sir. Not allowed. Please take it out. You can not take it as part of baggage.’

‘ohh my God. Do I look like some terrorist? It’s just a perfume’.

‘Sorry sir’. You will have to take it out’. ‘OK. Hmmmph.’

13th Feb 2009 (11 PM)

‘Bhaiya ji. GK jana hai. Jhik jhik aur mat karna. Mera dimaag kharab ho chuka hai. Jitna lena hai lelo. Bas 12 baje se pehle pahuncha dena.’

13th Feb 2009 (11 :58 PM)

Tring. Tring. Trrrring. Trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. Trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.

‘Who is that?’

No response.

‘Who is that? If you are here to deliver some cake, then go back. I don’t want any cake, bouquet. I want nothing. Just go back’.

‘Priya’.

‘Yeah its Priya and I don’t want anything’.

‘Priya it’s me.’

‘Purab. Is that you?’ opens the door. ‘what….what…how?’

‘Wait a sec. yeah. 12 baj gaye. Happy Valentines Day babes’.

‘But how?’

‘Kyun chutti sirf tumhe milti hai mujhe nahin’.

‘Maarungi. Tumne rula diya mujhe. You didn’t want to come here. Isn’t it? Your boss needs you all the time’.

‘Yeah may be I wouldn’t have come. May be I never bothered to come to Delhi. Because I thought that you love me and you would come anyways. I would meet you then. Till then I would be happy with my office, my work and my friends. But that day your words touched me. I had never realized how much you mean to me. I had always thought you as an important part of my life. But may be at some point, I had started taking you for granted. I had started expecting everything from you, without thinking about giving anything in return.

This trip has helped in me in understanding how much you have to go through each time to reach me. I had never appreciated that. Aaj who saari baton keliye maafi mangta hun.

That day, after talking to you, something else happened. For the first time in my life, I felt that I might lose you. Then I realized that I can’t think about a life without you. 2 weeks back I was very happy with myself that I have fulfilled my duties as a boyfriend by sending you some cakes, bouquets. But I never understood that the gift of being with you is the greatest gift I could ever give you. I assure you, I shall be always there for you, jab tak meri saans mein saans hai.’

‘ek minute ruko, main abhi aati hun’.

‘kahan jaa rahi ho? Meri baat sunke emotional ho gayi kya?’

‘ek minute’.

After few seconds, Priya is back with a box in hand:-

‘Yeh kya hai’.

‘These are all the cards and gifts which you have sent to me from Hyderabad. Milke dekhen?’

55 Word Stories

All of us know that when you name a bulletin board as CREATIVE, crazy things are bound to happen. 3 days back in our HYD Creative folder, one guy proposed to write stories in 55 words. No more and no less. Then the poor BB saw a flood of mails from users sending 55 word stories, which the poor server was unable to handle.

Anyways given below are some of my favorite 55 word stories out of them.

The Wait

Totally bored, he glanced at his watch. He had been waiting for the train for nearly half an hour. He had decided he would not try the bus or any other transportation medium. Only the train should take him to his destination.

Then he heard the horn.

He prayed silently and sat on the tracks.

The Blow

The Man entered the ground with his usual elegance, he was quick on his feet for he realised he had a job to finish.

Within seconds he was the cynosure of 50,000 spectators at the Wolloongabba (Gabba in Brisbane) and they were all cheering his courage.

Then came the blow from Andrew Symonds which floored him - the streaker.

Speed Thrills!!

Jack was speeding beyond the speed limits .He was being followed by the police cars with their siren blazing, If caught ,He had to pay a huge amount as fine and some years at the prison.
He still hit the throttle and was about to finish first in the race ,when the power was gone.


Kaise Kahu!!

For some men it is so simple while some never have enough courage to say it. But I have suffered a lot. Earlier I didn't know how to tell her. Not anymore. She must know this. It's so important for both of us. Here she comes and off I go, " Mamma, you make horrible pancakes."

The Glimpse

I pushed my way through the crowd, to have a glimpse at the man. I was waiting for this chance for several years. Finally he arrived and apologized for being late by few minutes. I wanted to see him more clearly. Suddenly there was sound of shots and the man dropped down – uttering “Hey Ram”.

One Fine Day

I think it was early evening, may be around 7 PM. The sky was turning dark red, as I came out of my house. I started walking down the lane, which leads to the main road. It’s a narrow lane and irresponsible HUDA people forgot to put up a streetlight in the lane. Plus there is a nice little jungle (very small actually) on the other side of the lane, that only increases the darkness.

Anyways, as I was saying, I was walking down this lane. I don’t know about others, but generally when I am passing through a dark lane, I feel like somebody is following me. I never dread about ghosts & all, but the idea of being followed really freaks me out. So when in such a situation, I run. Quite naturally, I started running towards the end of the lane. As I was approaching the end, a beam of white light (much like your tubelight) flashed somewhere to my left. All my 6th, 7th senses started working overtime. I was sweating. Soon I reached the road at the end of the lane. This is one of the busiest roads in town. But on that fateful day it was empty too. There were 1 or 2 street lights on the main road, which eased my situation a bit. I started walking down the road (I think my destination was the petrol pump, I don’t know why).

As I was crossing the Hyderabad house restaurant, it happened. She zoomed past me at 100 KMPH. Hundreds of ads come on TV how the fragrance of a perfume or deo mesmerizes the crowd and leave them spellbound. I never believed such ads. But I should have learnt; this is no ordinary day. I can still smell her fragrance; I can still see her when I close my eyes. Her beauty added the xing factor to the moment. I hope I could have seen her face, but alas that was never meant to happen. Still I felt at that moment, that I was in love.

Then reality hit me. She took a U-turn just in front of the petrol pump, her face still hidden. And I found, she was not alone. She was with a guy, which my subconscious mind was trying to ignore till now. They stopped in front of the fruit shop on the opposite side of the road. Like every admirer, I hated the idea of seeing my beloved with some third person. The animal in me was waking up. I found a log lying by. I picked it up and went towards them. The intention was to hit the guy from behind and take her away from him. But I had to be careful that I don’t hit her by mistake. Soon I was behind them. I sized up the opponent. I felt one hit would be enough.

With all the strength in me, I hit him from back. The connection was perfect. The poor lad had no chance. Blood started pouring out of his head. I dragged him out of her lap and threw him down the drain. She was horrified. I jumped onto her lap feeling all too happy for myself. I had never felt this much excited ever. With a smiling face, I turned on the key and the smoothest sound of a running engine followed. Man!, the Lamborghini rocks.

BTW let me tell you its 1st of April and all this happened in a dream, the dream that I watched while sleeping during my office hours. Oh Boy! Vella panti rocks too.