Valorous Immortality - a work of fiction(before you jump the gun and judge me)

Do you have Valor in your veins?

A good friend once told me, ‘Why do you keep doing these things? Don’t waste your precious time and energy for this country. They will just take you for granted.’ I replied, ‘Someday, someone won’t.’

Ever since the dawn of the caveman, it has always been the duty of at least one dominant person in the group to lead the others through all obstacles. Back in those times, it certainly took brass balls to go out there amidst the wild. So I would say, yes our Darwinian ancestors definitely had valor in their veins.

Take animals for instance. A pride of lions for that matter. It is the duty of the mothers to protect their cubs whilst they learn the ropes of survival. Similarly, it is the duty of the father and his brothers to protect the pride. But at times, we do see examples of a lioness or a lion being cast out. It is then that the outcast has to survive without any support whatsoever. But yet, she will fight the harsh conditions of being outnumbered in a hunt for food. She will fight through and do her best to survive, find a mate who will love and protect and be there for her children. I would say, she definitely has valor in her veins.

In this day and age, we must not forget one of our most inherent of instincts. Today, we have corruption, violence, thirst for domination and crime in truckloads. Not to mention those acts of shame and hatred that go unseen. The shameful acts of deception that occur in many a home today. Survival then of the human spirit is called for. We don’t just need to survive heinous crimes my friends. We need to take survival a step ahead. We need to stand out. Be lions. Lions inspiring the world.

Why am I saying this to you? Well, why then are we alive? Because we as humans, who are capable of thinking and reasoning, have somehow forgotten what it takes to lead a fulfilling life. What it takes to lead a life of peace and harmony.

95% of people will always take the easy road. Now don’t get me wrong. They too put in their very best in their families and occupations. But it is that initial easier choice that we make, that sometimes leads us to overlook the bigger picture. You see, the tougher choice is always that of the 5 percenters. They are the ones similar to that one single swimmer, who makes it past millions and reaches his destiny to create a new life. Like the caterpillar, he dies creating a beautiful butterfly. In essence then, he never truly died.

Therefore, we need to give our veins that shot of adrenaline. That shot of courage. We need the disparity in proportion to balance out. I don’t mean we should all become Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. What we CAN do though, is instill their stand out qualities within us. For an act of valor can come from making the right choice even in the littlest of things.

I can choose to walk past an ailing stray animal, or I can be a hero to it and feed it or take it to the vet or see that the right officials, the true animal lovers mind you, can take care of it. I can choose to cross the road first in a hurry and then regret not having been a hero, to that aged old lady struggling at the other end. Or I can do what is right. I can choose to drink and drive and cause harm to my loved ones and in some cases to the people on pavements and the innocent motorist on the road. Or I can choose to appoint someone responsible. I can choose to ignore the litter in my society thrown by people who claim to be close to god and yet like hypocrites they forget the truth about cleanliness. Or I can choose to go out and clean it myself and send the right message.

Not everyone comes across a true life and death situation like Keenan Santos in Mumbai or those four boyfriends who took bullets saving their loved ones when one mad man chose to terrorise a cinema in the US. Is it ironic then that this shootout happened at the release of a superhero movie? NO! It happened to send a message to the world. Keenan and his friends CHOSE to send us a message.

There is a famous person working on this worldwide Heroic Imagination project by the name Philip Zimbardo. This Professor emeritus at Stanford University says, we get just one moment in our lives where we are faced with a situation that calls for an act of bravery. Situations in which it would be far easier to do otherwise. So why just wait for that one moment? It may have already passed you by when you were a kid. There’s no age bar to heroism. But rather, be a hero in the things you do and the choices you make everyday.

Therefore, be the hero who doesn’t give up on that last set of repetitions in the gym, thereby inspiring the others. Be the hero at work who helps prevent his colleague from losing his or her temper. Be a hero everyday not just to your families and society. As we are here to impress no one, but ourselves. Only in doing so, can one truly impress upon others.

The greatest happiness comes from a life of fulfilment. I believe that can only be done through contribution. There is no greater joy than that of giving without expecting a reward. Let us then not forget our roots. Our valorous ancestors, who like lions created us through the struggle of one sperm’s act of true survival. Let us not forget our cultural heroes, who stood against all odds so that we may enjoy the benefits. Let us not forget our parents and our friends. Or the people who are differently abled and yet inspire others by doing things we normal people take for granted. People like Nick Vujicic, the successful founder of LifeWithoutLimbs. Man what a person! What A hero! Let us not forget then, our true nature IS to have valor flowing through our veins.

I believe the true purpose of life is to be a hero. For that is what our world badly needs today. I’d like to leave you with one thought. Life is not about merely existing and ending up a box of bones six feet under. It is about immortality. Where I can truly be a hero and have someone say, “You know, I never gave up, because of this one person.”

P.S.: Thank You Janice for your valuable suggestions.

When you seek inspiration you will not find it right then. But when you continue to believe, in time, it will come and how!

I may hate the current state of my country and that's fine as long as it motivates me. But the day I cease to be grateful for what I have, that's the day I truly have nothing.

A life less dreamy and dreams more life-like. This is the way I lead my life.

I don't know how you couples do it. You guys are the true multi-taskers. I seriously don't think I have the energy or time to be there for just one person. But I do my best to be there for many.

THE RESPONSE BELOW MAKES MORE SENSE IF YOU ARE A MOTORHEAD & HAVE READ THE ISSUE.

BUT GIVEN THAT IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE LIFE OF YOURS TRULY, AM SURE YOU WILL STILL ENJOY IT.

From buying an average of two magazines per month to probably just two a year. A collection of  over 400 magazines then to just a couple of handfuls now. My fifteen years of reading began much before the CBZ graced the covers of many hallowed titles. (Thanks to my older brother.) Price per issue has gone from INR 25 to INR 100. Now, don't get me started on fuel. The two strokers hold a very special place and are all but extinct. Career has strolled down a handful of pathways. A girlfriend or two during the years. From an angsty teenager to an angrier young man. Biking took a bit of a sabbatical for me compared to my level of involvement before. But one thing has stayed constant even before the 15 years. I unabashedly say, motoring has always been in my blood.

My darling sis in law bought the slush fest issue for her hubby along with another motorcycle mag. To me, the good ol' BSM has always been more of a motorcyclists' book. As luck would have it, the hubby dearest had to take the mag along for his business trip. As soon as I got my hands on it, the first and only proper article I read was that of the Duke. Just as Ruman said about the bike, the write-up for me, was just what the doctor ordered. Till date I have ridden an RD only once and that short run never saw me touch the 6th cog. Being the youngest biker amongst my brother's buddies, I guess all their advice made  me overtly cautious. But she did give me my share of goose-bumps. I still make RD sounds from my nose and throat  when I get a severe cold. Forget about the how. And just like the RD, the original Kinetics, the RXs and the CBZ/Karizma, these little Austrian street demons have a distinctive note too. I don't know about imitating the KTM's exhaust sound, but am pretty sure I will touch the 6th cog on this worthy successor to that grand-daddy of performance motorcycles. Funny how we refer to these machines in both genders no?

As a kid I enjoyed sitting on my neighbor's parked RTZ. Never got a ride on it, as the said neighbor was rarely around. Was always thrilled on the RX tank rides my Uncle's friend gave us. FYI, he went onto a Pulsar and rides a Bullet now. My English school teacher's husband never failed to get my schooling eyes and ears peering out my window at every moment that he passed by. He rode around a Maruti Omni engined contraption. Oops, sorry. It was definitely a motorcycle. One that had the RD's chassis, and a gearbox and exhaust pipe from the Bullet no less! Today he drives around on an Avenger, his son's Thunderbird and his Thar & Bolero. But that is still the best three cylindered bike I have ever seen and heard. Yet to see those Triumphs in India. Add to that the locality's famous red Funduros and a myriad of RDs and the Bullet in my building that I used to hate cause it was too loud for us ground floor folk. Course, I have grown to love the Bullet now. No surprises there, specially when it was my paternal grandpa's dream bike that stayed in his dreams just as much as he did in mine. (He saw heaven before I saw the light of day)

These days my eyes and ears peer out at the orgasmic sounding cross-plane R1 that seemed to have had it's share of slush fests this monsoon. A Gixxer passes by every now and then, not to forget some precious multi-cylindered Hondas. Oh and the next society's Street Bob. I managed to ride an Iron 883 some months ago. Felt just as it should have. A Bullet that has grown in heart. But again, brain matter took center stage than the heart and I couldn't ride it to even half it's potential. Don't have the resources to buy one if i break one you see. And the occasional grand-daddy does pass by the house too. 

As I begin my day with this love letter, getting nearer to my three decades on earth, nostalgia once again brings my dusty fingers to my plastic covered keyboard. It's been ages since I wrote you a letter. We've been through sea changes in everything that life has to offer here in India. We have Phantoms and Ghosts next door to people seeing ghosts of onions past.  Water to splash into at rooftop infinity pools while people clamor for a drop to drink. We spend as much time and money at the malls as we do on eBay and Facebook. Thankfully I do see the youth and people setting aside finances for good causes just

as much. My family has moved from a Chetak to a Kine', from the original CBZ(still dislike the current one for being named after it), to now a Karizma and a Dio. I'd like to get an Impulsive job done on our trusty ol' Karizma. Crasto, you listening? Oh and fate willing our family may see a Bullet soon and maybe, just maybe a Duke 390 even sooner. Evolution Indeed.

More quotes..they never stop. and they never will. As I grow and keep learning more.

Freedom is in the mind. Free your mind, think limitless. Surpass your mental boundaries and see your freedom manifest itself.
But you gotta start first and then keep it going!

Man of Steel (Part 2)

....

I reach the office again and head upstairs. All of a sudden I’m a mini celebrity in the office. And I smile with a look that says, ‘Guilty as charged!’ It’s 01.15pm. Samuel and his colleagues apparently need to order for some evening snacks later and are cracking one-liners as to who deserves to place the order considering he/she lost some bet. Details of which I obviously wasn’t in the right mind frame to find out. But the thought that I was about to get my phone soon coupled with the employees also happy for the same, I was in a much better state of mind.

I smile at the others around as they clearly know what I’ve managed to carelessly do. I look at Sam and open up to him as we share relieved smiles and our eyes glint with joy. (this is so gay!)

“Did you manage to have lunch?”

“Nah, there’s still time.”

“Wanna go out?”

(sound of music stopping abruptly)

I got you there didn’t I?

Ok let me start over.

I ask Sam if he managed to have lunch. He answered in the negative. So I tell him why I have been all over the place with my thoughts.

With hands folded mind you. (Body language experts take a hike. Or maybe I’m wrong.)

“I have been producing short films for the last few months apart from playing The Dark Knight in the BPO with my card members at work as I help them tackle fraud. Plus I am taking this trading thing ahead with you gradually.”

In amazement Sam says, “Aapka sun ke mujhe abhi lag raha hai ki mein apna time waste kar raha hoon!”

(Hearing about what you do, I feel I am just wasting my time now!)

I let out a 100 watt smile from my crooked teeth as I feel humbled at hearing this.

“Nahi yaar. (Not really dude)I still am doing very little. I have people at work who manage trading, working nights at the BPO and even flying around like Superman. Minus the cape and plus the wings.”

“You’re right though. It’s about taking out time for what’s important. You’ve got to take the reins and manage your time if you want to get somewhere significant.”

“Yes Sam. People who manage a lot more with their time inspire me. As a person I have always wanted to achieve what most people cannot. Which means one has to do what others don’t.”

“You’re absolutely right. We have just one life and we have to make the best of it.”

[As I write this my lovely mum just brought me back down to earth. Thanks mum, you are one of the people that keep me grounded.]

“Right bro! But at the same time don’t forget, you have to live and not just survive. Work your ass off but make time for fun too.”

“Yes, what’s the point of the money if we don’t enjoy the lives we lead.”

As I wait for what I thought was going to be a a couple of calls to the nearby restaurant, another employee comes by with a bag of mangoes! While another walks in and makes a valuable suggestion.

“Why don’t you guys go and get the phone now itself. Don’t worry Sam, tere aam bachha ke rakhenge humlog. (we will keep your mangoes for you.)”

He lets out a chuckle while Sam says he will ensure he gets his share and I chuckle at a wicked thought in my head at the word ‘Aam.’ (Yeah I have non veg jokes in my mind too!)

I pack my stuff and we move out. The address on the note in Sam’s hand read, ‘Ram Mandir road near Moviestar cinema, Goregaon.’

I’ve been lucky enough to pick up various colleagues for my workplace during our dispatch runs thereby helping me gain a little knowledge of our Mumbai suburbs. So I knew that it was closer from S.V. Road than Link road.

A rickshaw guy who’s vehicle we boarded says that it is near Link Road. But we tell him that we need to head down S.V. Road itself.

So after few yards we stop and he says, “You know what, I was thinking of the cinema on Link Road. Am sorry but you will have to alight as I need to head that way. You don’t have to pay, it’s fine.”

We ask another guy and he says, “No I do not know the place.” I knew again, that I had to find someone who resonated at the same frequency as ours.

We walk ahead and ask 2 other guys until Sam and I adopt the split and succeed rule when it comes to situations like these. We’re at a left curve in the road leading up to a red light.

I bump into a middle aged bearded gentleman who’s light wrinkles on the forehead, faint smile that said he’s been through his share of difficulties and of course the ‘For Hire’ indicator made the tuning forks in my head go abuzz.

“Ram Mandir Road jaaoge?”

(Will you take me to Ram Mandir Road?)

“Haa. Signal se right jaan hai na?”

(Yes. A right from this signal, correct?)

“Haa!”

“Baitho!”

(Sit!)

I holler to Sam and we board as the traffic moves forward a metre.

As we wait for the signal, I plan the short trip by telling Sam we need to call Sarvesh when we reach the last signal before the location.

A 20 year old stops on the right hand side astride a Bullet.(a popular motorcycle)I was busy ogling the engine’s mechanical beauty for the umpteenth time. Now he was slightly on the other side of the lane. The one for the oncoming traffic.

The rickshaw driver, kind that he was, requested the motorcyclist to move his bike a little ahead and towards our lane. The guy looks at either side of his bike wondering why the old man asked him too. He moves ahead and with a hint of over-confidence tells our driver,

“Is this enough?”

We all smile and nod in the affirmative as the biker turns his head away.

“Aap unke bhale ke liye bol rahe the aur woh hai ki..,” I tell the man.

“You were advising him for his own good and he misunderstood”

Communication is not just about being lucid and cohesive in your thoughts. It’s also about seeing the other person’s perspective. Age does matter. For nothing teaches you patience better than a string of unsuccessful endeavours coupled with the passage of time.

The light turns green and we head to our third Point B. We pass a few signals and soon realise that the location is actually a whole suburb away from what was on the address. We finally reach the last signal and a couple calls later we understand that we have to take the next left.

We trudge along searching for a hair salon and a betel leaf shop as per Sarvesh’s instructions. Sam searches for the said shops while I keep a look out for the Moviestar cinema which was cited as a landmark.

And there we are! I realise I do not have change and Sam pays off the gentlemen driver as we pay him our gratitude and bid good bye while the sensitive man kindly re-iterates, “ Woh raha Moviestar cinema!”

(There’s the cinema!)

We call Sarvesh and try and locate each other. While I describe my blue shirt and voice out my inability to find him despite his attempts. I look around past a paan(betel leaf and tobacco based post meal dish) shop and a Vada Pav(poor man’s Indian burger)shop. Across the theatre and then to its right, I lay eyes on a building that appears to be some sort of factory.

Sarvesh says, “Mein haath ghuma raha haoon yahan pahele maale pe.”

(I’m waving my hand here on the first floor)

“I still cannot see you.”

“Theek hai aap wahi rukaye, mein neeche aake aapse milta hoon.”

(Alright, why don’t you wait there and I’ll come down and receive you.)

We wait for what seems to be like the longest 2 minutes of my life. Wondering whom am I going to meet. Will he co-operate or kidnap us? You never know the things people are capable of doing for money.

On a second thought, I think we do.

I begin to get anxious with every passing second. While Sam echoes my sentiments by his expressions.

Just then our attention is diverted by a clear ‘whistle’ over and above the din of the afternoon traffic.

I see an unassuming young man about 5 feet 5 inches tall, light brown skin, black trousers custom cut to 3/4^th length. And a pale white plain tee shirt soiled from hard physical labour. He had a modest smile that spoke of his joy in finally being able to put faces to the voices he interacted with. I can’t really tell but I think I mirrored his emotions at that instant.

We crossed the road and I reached out my hand saying,

“Aap Sarvesh ho na?”

(You’re Sarvesh right?)

He reflected my greeting and said,

“Haan! Aaiye. Aap jis gaadi mein baithe the woh mere bade bhai chalate hain. Dar ke wajah se unko pata nahi tha kya karna chahiye. Toh yahan aake mere paas rakh diye.”

(Yes! Follow me. The vehicle you sat in is being driven by my older brother. In his fear he did not know what to do and hence came here and left the phone with me.)

I share a surprised look with Sam. I bet we were both thinking just like you are right now, So that’s who Sarvesh is!

He leads us through. A right, then straight into a corridor we approach the beginning of a staircase. A light left onto the stairs and we head up to the first floor. I still keep wondering at the back of my head. What am I walking into? Could this be a trap? And then I just snap at myself and say, “Ok, stop! You’re going nowhere with these thoughts.”

“Humne aapka phone humare boss ke paas rakh diye. Hume bhi pata nahi tha kya karna chahiye. Socha kisi ka keemti amanat rahega, unko agar waapis mil gaya toh bhala hoga.”

(I kept your phone in safe keeping with my boss. Even I did not know the way forward. So I thought if someone got back his expensive belonging that went missing, then a good deed would be done.)

So I look at Sam and smile in hope as we head towards what appears to be the approach to a cabin. I look towards Sarvesh as we stop at a cabin.

As I look at a hall filled with boxes and chemical jugs surmising the type of factory I am in, I see an empty cabin at the end of the room.

“Boss abhi shayad bahar gaye hain.”

(The boss has probably stepped out for a while.)

“Woh kab tak ayenge fir”

(By when is he expected then?)

I don’t lose hope anymore. There’s just a sense of satisfaction steadily building up.

He begins to head backwards towards a doorway. “Bas ayenge abhi”

(He’ll be back in a few minutes.)

“Aap kahan jaa rahe ho? Aap yahan hi rahiye. Ya fir jaldi aa jana.”

(Where are you heading to? Please stay here. Else come back soon.)

I said this as I wanted to express a deep sense of gratitude. We see an assistant go about his clerical work up and down the office and then we see a tall well dressed male walk into the cabin from the door on the other side. He looks at us from across the hall and exits the cabin heading towards us.

I just have this smile growing slowly on my otherwise poker face. So much for an aspiring actor eh!

The man comes up to me and  I introduce myself to him.

“Hi, I’m Joaquim Gonsalves, this is Samuel.”

“Yes, I’m Hemant.”

“Can we come in?” We were standing at the start of the hall all this while.

“Yes, yes come in.”

“I just (overwhelmed and a bit embarrassed)...left my phone in the rickshaw in a hurry this morning.”

“Yes.” Reaching out to a black rectangle shaped object kept at the top left corner of a table beside his cabin.

I look at the familiar object and smile my biggest smile ever. I think to myself, ‘Aaaah! I can meet my friend and finally think straight.’

“So this is your phone, is it?”

“Yes, yes. I can tell you the last few calls of the day. I can show you my pictures.”

“No that’s alright. But..”

“Let me show you my driver’s license.”

I remove my stuffed old black wallet and fish out the privilege card. (Remember those old lil white books had a maxim written in a square on the back cover?)

“There you go, the name is slightly misspelt.”

You see I had to highlight this as Hemant had made ‘note’ of my name given by Samuel over the phone.

This note also had the names of the last two callers.

‘Angel Broking Samuel’ &

‘Nanu Cell’ (My granma. Thank goodness she didn’t manage to speak with him!)

He hands over the phone to me and I heave my final sigh of relief as Sam looks on in happiness.

“Thank you so much!”

“Yeah you should thank him” (gesturing with a subtle head movement towards Sarvesh.)

“Yeah of course! I can’t thank him enough and his brother enough.”

“Getting back something valuable like this, that too in the same day in a place like Mumbai?”

I don’t know why but for that moment I just felt like the luckiest man on the planet! Well I guess you would too if God forbid you happen to be in my place. We thank Hemant one last time along with his assistant, bidding good bye with handshakes and I request Sarvesh to come along with us outside in the corridor.

Earlier, while I had headed towards the shop for an umbrella, I had made it a point to stop by the ATM specifically to remove money for this moment.

We walk a few steps and stop. I remove the cash from my shirt’s pocket. A few notes fall from my physiological tremors. They make their presence felt in my fingers when in a state of high adrenaline, excitement or fear. I pick them up and respectfully touch them to my chest as Sam reaches half way to help. I look towards Sarvesh.

“Yeh ek hazaar aap keliye aur ek hazaar aapke bhai ke liye.”

(Here’s a thousand for you and another thousand for your brother.)

I give him a hug and thank him as does Samuel. That’s when Hemant comes out again with the ‘note’ in his hand.

He says, “Wait!”

The assistant heads to Hemant, collects the note and brings it to me. “Why don’t you just sign there saying that you have received it so that he can show it to his brother and they know the belonging has reached its rightful owner.”

“Alright! I remove my Parker, glance at my trusty Edifice and write-

‘I have received my phone, Sony Xperia S on 13^th June 2013.

With many thanks.

Joaquim Gonsalves.’

Do you still think 13 is an unlucky number?

As we trace our steps back out the cats and dogs begin to fall in droves. I notice that  don’t have network. We reach the exit, open our umbrellas. (Glad I coaxed Sam into taking it along with him when he had second thoughts about it earlier.) I decide we can sort the network issues at the gallery once I am done with work. Confident that things would look up.

We walk a few steps, heading towards the main road, trying to match our wavelengths with someone yet again.

The rains subside as two rickshaws disagree with our requests. All this while I was wondering why my phone felt slightly bulged. The silicon guard wasn’t sitting properly. I remove it and see that back cover was refusing to close. I take a closer look at the SIM card and realise it was pushed in the other way around. I correct the same as we wait at the corner. The cover fits back perfectly with a reassuring click. I turn the phone around and wait for 3 seconds and lo and behold.

Am back in business baby!

At that moment it felt like I had conquered Everest!

I share the good news with my Samaritan and we find a willing driver and head to the office. On the way Sam smiles and tells me,

“Feels like I have done some actual work today.”

“Ha ha! Remember I told you only good things happen with me?”

We talk about learning and growing from our mistakes and the usual life altering stuff.

As I step out getting done with the work at office and a nice hot cuppa from the local brewer, I call Sam out of his cabin as I exit.

We struggle thrice a bit with him saying “No sir! This is not necessary. Really, I didn’t do anything. Keep it.”

I paid him two hundred for being such a great help and a warm hug. We shook hands and parted ways while I walked away feeling like IronMan after he blew up the tank in part one.

Right, I finally get to ready myself and meet my friend later.

Meet is decided for 6pm. Another friend had suggested I leave by 4.30pm to reach Infiniti, Andheri well in advance. I couldn’t afford to be late for this meet. Come what may! I left at 5.05pm and it had started raining heavily. Rains, transport, wavelengths. Damn! Not again!!

My Quotes..contd

The mind will answer your questions irrespective of which direction you lead it to think. Lead it to what's right & and not to what's wrong.

Man of Steel (Part 1)

MAN OF STEEL

I wonder if I would ever get recognised for being an outstanding player in the British game. At least it is much easier than becoming the Last Son of Krypton. But this is just a story of one unbelievable weekend in pleasant monsoon June. And man, it was awesome!

It’s the week’s last work off, Thursday. Got important stuff lined up for the day. So I get ready and leave for the office to learn something new in the world of money. It’s a cool and dry morning. I seek public transport for a customary minimum of five minutes until I meet a man who’s wavelength matches mine and I know I have found a ride to my day’s first Point B. I halt the rickshaw at the destination while getting done with a couple of whatsapp chats. Pay the man, get my stuff and head up to the 1^st floor. All this while, I am busy planning the rest of my day. Co-ordinating in my head, the various juggling acts I would have to perform. It’s 11.25am. Yes I got late for an 11am appointment. But I made it. Meet up with my street smart agent, Samuel(Sam). We exchange our pleasantries and talk about our previous appointment plans that never saw daylight. I head to his cabin. Little did he know that he was soon going to become an agent from Samaria. I seat myself in readiness, only to realize I have misplaced that brilliant appendage. My Sony Xperia S. I think to myself, “Damn! I have to meet a friend in the evening. Not to mention the ire of my folks at home when I tell them I lost 25k worth of gadgetry. Gone are my contacts. Gone are my precious pictures, music and data. Gone!! The only numbers I remember are my family’s. How will I contact my friend? I’ll go and wait at the decided meeting point nevertheless. Oh wait, I’ve got to find my phone!”

I embarrassingly confess to Samuel and he immediately springs into Samaritan mode and suggests he will call my number. I feverishly nod in agreement and realize I had left it in the rickshaw.

We head down frantically, hoping to find the vehicle. We couldn’t! I ask a shopkeeper nearby if he saw any cell phone unattended inside a rickshaw. And much to my surprise, he said.

Well, what do you think he said?

Sam and I walk ahead with me grooming my now sweaty hair backwards in disbelief. I find myself looking inside every other empty three-wheeler. I decide we should ask a mobile phone service provider for his recommendation on what needs to be done. “Aisa kuch nahi milega. Aap chahiye toh police chowki mein complain karwao.”

(Ain’t gonna get it back. If you want to, you can try registering a complaint in the police station down the road.)

Sam and I exchange looks of hopeful despair and decide to visit the men in khakis. He thinks for a moment and suggests we first get his ID card from the office. I tag along, telling him this usually doesn’t happen. I also cite the fact that I am juggling a handful of priorities simultaneously. And that I have another appointment for the evening.

We reach the station which was more of a kiosk. A wheatish complexioned, bald policeman was sitting with his candy bar & keypad shaped, wallet friendly phone. “Excuse me sir!”

No response. I again say, “Excuse me sir!”

“Haan. Bolo”

(He keeps the phone on a desk to his left.)

“Mera phone ek rickshaw mein reh gaya hai. Kya aap trace karne mein madad kar sakte hain?”

(My phone is left unattended in a rickshaw. Can you help in tracing it?)

He takes the phone in his hand again only to keep it back on the desk while stretching his legs out in a relaxed posture. As he comfortably puts his hands on his head, he says, “Aap phone aise rakh ke baiththe ho kya?

(Do you sit without a care in the world with your phone left aside?)

I chuckle at his sarcasm, as it was expected. He then suggests registering a complaint in the locality’s main branch about 800metres away. I suggest taking a rickshaw in my panic stricken grief. But Sam suggests it is alright to walk it off. We walk towards this Point B now.

The phone is still ringing in its entirety. The rings weren’t being abruptly stopped. Sam says that maybe the driver is unable to answer the phone. You know, one has to make a complete swipe for most phone features.

I’m now sweating all over in anxiety. My feet subtly telling me that I am going out of my usual walking lengths. As he keeps dialling my number, I take a moment and tell him, “You know what. Only good things happen with me. You’ll see!” We decide to skip the police station and instead head to the Vodafone Gallery that was along the same stretch, a further 200 metres away.

We dodge the potholes and puddles as we walk at a brisk pace. I tell myself that there may be some way for the customer care folks to find my phone. 20 metres away and I tell my 19yr old Samaritan, “We’re almost there. It’s just up ahead.” I head past the gate and up the entrance stairs. Push open the hydraulics assisted glass door and let Samuel in. We look around at the crowded place (It almost always is.) Not a single soul that ain’t busy. We notice one of the security guards charging a phone. I ask him about what can be done with regards to finding a lost phone. The man suggested talking to the receptionist without leaving out his opinion that it was next to impossible. So I turn to the hostess’ desk awaiting her visual contact as her colleague approaches.

Her response to my predicament was of course “Are you looking to get a new SIM card with the same number?” And I animatedly tell her with wide eyes, “No! I want to get my phone back. It’s a smart phone, the data services are active. Is there any way in which you guys can trace the whereabouts of my phone?” The answer was, “No sir! It’s not possible.”

I leave with a disappointed sigh. Samuel hears an automated message saying ‘Number not reachable.’ I decide we should head to the police station after all. This was our last ray of hope.

Now, a few of you know this. I’m an agnostic. But I also believe in karma. I also strongly believe in the law of attraction. Five metres from the Customer Care centre, I decide to pay heed to what my parents have persisted in telling me. As Samuel yet again rings my number I say to myself, quite shamelessly I might add, “I don’t know what this will prove. You are either ‘Universe’, ‘God’ or something else. But I ask you now, please let me find my phone. I have been a bad kid all my life and have tried and consequently failed to get my socks up. I know I have a lot of things that need to be sorted as of right now. Get me my phone and I will believe even more.”

Believe it or not, that exact instant, Sam tells me, “Utha liya number!” (He answered the phone!) I kid you not dear readers. That very same instant!!

He hands the phone to me. And I say, “Hello, aap kaun bol rahe ho?” (Hello, who is this?) I know ideally I should have thanked him first. But I wanted to ensure I ain’t speaking to someone who wants to take me for a ride. Yes, I somehow managed to think straight despite the panic.

I hear a native of Uttar Pradesh(UP), judging by his accent and he tells me, “Haan sir woh aapka phone bajte ja raha tha aur mein utha nahi paya. Mein abhi Andheri se nikal raha hoon.”

(Yes sir, you’re phone was ringing incessantly and I was unable to answer it. I am leaving from Andheri right now.)

“Haan, achcha, ok”

“Apna bhada chod ke aap ke yahan hi aa raha hoon.”

(I am leaving my fares to reach your place.)

With a huge smile of relief plastered across my face I satisfyingly give a low five to Sam.

“Arre thank you sirji! Aapka bahut shukriya! Aap kahan pe milenge?”

(Why thank you sir! Thank you very much! Where do I meet you?)

“Haan woh jahan aapne gaadi liye the wahan pe hi. Mein aadhe ghante mein pahunch jaoonga.”

(Yeah the same place that you boarded my vehicle. I will reach in 30 minutes.)

“Ok. Theek hai, aap wahan par hi milo. Thank you very much sirji!”

(Ok. Perfect. Thank you very much sir!)

We planned on how to co-ordinate the meet since the public service provider clearly knew only how to answer the phone and not dial out. I thank Samuel profusely for being by my side and give him a hug. He too is overwhelmed by what just happened in the last 45minutes.

I tell him to take a rick back to the office and that I would pay for it. But he politely refuses and says he always walks this stretch and that he had done so even the first time he came to my place for a demo and registration of the services his company offers.

So I thank him again and say I have time until 3pm. Will collect the phone, head to his office again to collect the rest of my stuff and finish what I had set out for.

I reach home in another rickshaw which was 5 minutes from the gallery. Have the eggs I had boiled for my brunch. Head out to buy an umbrella which disappears at the end of every monsoon. Come back home and wait for 30 minutes with no calls from Sam on my landline. I decide to head to the spot where I boarded the first rickshaw. I wait for ten minutes with no sign of the gentleman from UP. I head back home realising Sam may have called by now. But how do I call him? I search in excitement as I knew I had his business card somewhere in my wallet. I call him and he says,

“Yes Joaquim sir! I was trying your number. I called him and he told me the phone ain’t with him anymore. It’s with a Sarvesh somewhere in Goregaon.”

“What? Now who is Sarvesh?”

(Is this a movie?)

“Yes. I explained the situation to him. I’ve  also made note of his details. But since I’m his only point of contact he has asked us both to come to his location. He says he will be there until evening and that we can come over and collect the phone as long as we can verify our identities.”

“Achcha! (Seriously?) Ok let’s meet at your office and we can leave from there. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”

I tell myself, “I ain’t gonna get my phone back so easily. Will have to work for this. Life’s teaching me a lesson after all.”

“Now who could this Sarvesh be?”

....to be continued.

My dream family is being alone with dogs:
The idea is I'd rather retire young, spend time with a dog and achieve other dreams than get married and slog for money till I die. My dreams are mine alone. I'd share it with nature and people but not one person exclusively. Then again you never know.

Balancing the fine line between the desire to multiply money & not let it control you is no less than being in a committed relationship.

I love the concept of Penrose Stairs in any form. They give me a super kick intellectually!

My Own Quotes

I love the fact that people talk about me. Whether they have the right info or not, I'm glad that they consider me a 'topic.' God bless y'all. I know some of you genuinely care. :-)

'A' for....

I nudged him, pointing to his friend across the floor. Because I know what It's like to look past five aisles searching for a familiar face. One that you care for.

You glance from left to right, searching. But you don't have something to say. You just want to see that smile again. Waiting until he/she looks. You get a call and turn back to your desk. That's when the other looks at you. You're free again and you turn around, but the other gets a call. Then in a brief moment of what seems like divine intervention you both get to see those eyes. That nose, that hair slightly ruffled by the headset. That smile. That familiar visage!

You speak in mime as you cannot raise your voice. But then again, that is oh so nice. You understand each other's subtle gestures. The little hand movements, the message through the eyes. And I'm taken back to the paleolithic, when we communicated through actions and vibes.

And then, again, you hear the buzz through your ears.

A couple hours pass by. You are free again. Once more you let your eyes gaze metres away. You see your friend isn't around. You take some more calls and wait for another opportune moment. And there you see her/him. But despite the fact that you've exchanged glances before, you share again the same expressions. Maybe sprinkle atop a few new ones. The cycle repeats.

You let them occur a handful of times to maintain sanity. But deep down you know, irrespective of the frequency, the same warmth continues. Across the same five aisles.

That's what I call genuine Affection!

To my lovely friends at work. You know who you are. :)

Inception

Once the mind creates an idea and the heart picks up on it, there’s no turning back from what the body is capable of achieving.

What is a Relationship?

A relationship is a job in it's own right. The description is your responsibility and duty towards your better half. Your pay is through years of memorable companionship.

Why I Love Movies

They say the five senses that we have are complimented with our command over intellect, thereby separating us from the rest of the oxygen breathing species. I shall therefore do myself good by using that.

Being a self proclaimed ‘late bloomer,’ life has been but a mere existence until this my 26th year. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my previous years. One of my many cherished memories has been of movies. But I realized my love for them only recently.

As an infant I was read fairy tales and fables in bed. In pre-school I learnt about the alphabet through pictures. School days remind me of Sudha Chandran and Raju, Tundra & the Fairy [Parts I and II :)] Or any such standout memory from a textbook if you weren't schooled in my place of birth. I refer to stories because movies to me are essentially the art of story-telling. But its beauty shines through in the combination of visuals with the auditory and the uncompromising element of emotions. Bring these three together in the right manner and you bear witness to magic!

Escapism, fantasy, self-help, fear, adrenaline, love, hate, cold facts, pleasant fiction & I can go on to the extent of being speechless. We are privileged to experience some, if not all of these in our years of living. But movies can make you enjoy these basic of human feelings in a single day! Ever done a movie marathon? If the answer is yes, then give me a high five. Do one of a genre or one of an actor and you shall find your family on the verge of throwing you out. Right then, I’d definitely do that before I go digging for potatoes, no pun intended. If permitted the luxury of a peaceful exit of course.

Watching a story unfold on screen, being on the edge of my seat, rooting for a character, only movies and to an extent TV shows are capable of these. This brings me to actors. Man! Nothing gets me more turned on than ‘Talent.’ Get me to view truckloads of it & you’d have to call the men in white coats with happy pills. Pages aren’t enough for the amount of talent present on this rock. Fewer still are captured in movies. And if they play their cards right they secure a prized place in the annals of SD cards and grey matter.

Silent films are brilliant. But most of them & even the regular ones are incomplete without a soundtrack. Just ask one Mr. Nolan and you will know. And for as long as I can remember I’ve always loved music. Movies + Music = Ultimate Match made in Heaven! Whether you watch them at home or in the cinema, alone or with company, either way you are destined for enjoyment. Appreciate and quote classic lines from a well made film or revel in finding areas of improvement in a movie less well made. You can’t go wrong. However, being a social animal by creation, the best way is with friends/family. Movies bring together people with such common interests, adding to each one’s memories. After all, life is meant to be lived to the fullest and what better way than sharing!

All of this though, in fact none of the above is possible without that most powerful of human emotions, ‘Passion: A strong amorous feeling/desire; love; ardor ’ I strongly believe that one needs a strong desire to achieve anything in life. Absolutely anything! A passion for motorcycles or sports or even a desire towards the opposite sex, (no offence to the gay and lesbian community.) kick-starts a thought process in the mind. An unfailing desire will see your thoughts shifting gears slowly but surely towards the object of desire. Heck, if I wasn't even a little passionate about movies or maybe writing I would probably never have attempted this essay. While my literary skills are no match to the talent in the industry, I’m sure I've managed to bring out the importance of passion.

I can probably never be grateful enough for being born faultless in my physicality, but then I stumble upon a short-film about someone like Nick Vujicic. And there you go..Magic!

There is something about watching a life unfold on screen. Fact or fiction, both ways you are left in awe and wonder. Wondering in retrospect, how a certain scene could bring a tear to your eye or spark an idea or tell you how to attain that someone that you secretly admire.

Movies can inspire you to do great things. Ever seen what goes on behind the scenes? Pay a visit to your local Google website and search for images of Christian Bale over the last decade. Granted he may have had help and support but undergoing drastic changes in body weight to suit the characters he enacts? Respect! Or even the evergreen Daniel Day Lewis with his consistency. Don’t forget the people working in the back offices. Stunt doubles, script supervisors, music composers, spot boys, assistants, sponsors, camera crew, writers, visual effects artists, no wonder the credit rolls are sadly almost in fine print. There’s just too much that goes into the making of a single movie. And for that I have the greatest regard, as no where else in the medium of arts do you get to see such a massive team effort spanning continents! Correct me if I’m wrong.

I for one am on a mission. A mission to spread love, care & camaraderie. Not just in my circle of influence but more so for those who do not yet have the means of enjoying the grandeur of the 35mm. My 26th year has taught me a lot about passion, a lot about myself actually! And the biggest realization is the power of movies. Proud to see myself even as a tiny speck in this marvelous industry.

Oh and today being the 14th, I hereby declare that, ‘Yes, I do love movies!’

Better late than never, right?

Happy Valentine’s folks!