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Arun
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Everyone has dreams – some happy, some scary! I get these really – freaky – dreams sometimes. And yesterday happened to be just another such occasion…..
The “Venue”!!!
Now how to say – it seemed a place out of the Amazonian rain forests. Tropical trees everywhere and a 4 feet cement “road” in the middle (I think it can be called a road) – at a higher level compared to the rest of the landscape, the height being around 5 feet. And there were “steps” to climb back up from the forest floor to the “road” – I guess they were similar to what you see in Indian wells. So this was the scenario in the dream (mind, the “road” seemed to be going on and on and on!).
The Guava Effect!!!
So we were two guys walking, or rather stuttering on the road. But alas! I don’t even remember who was with me – highly mysterious dream!
Then we find a couple of guavas lying on the road. Then we look around and find a tree on the left side of the road. I get all excited and hungry and run towards the tree. My companion tried stopping in vain. I was assured that it was not dangerous – what could happen? But then, I should’ve heeded his words!
Snake aka Beetle!!!
So I go there, but on reaching on tree I find it devoid of fruits. And I wonder – were those fruits really from this tree? But before I could reach a conclusion, I hear a slithering sound and bingo – I find a python crawling towards me!
Man, was I scared! So I climb back up and we both start running. But the snake was faster (Here too it seems unrealistic –pythons aren’t that speedy). And worse, I trip and fell down. Then the snake crawls onto my left hand. And guess what – I really feel something moving on my hand. And I wake with a start!
It was early morning so there was no need to switch on the light. Then I find the culprit – a beetle! Well, I was relieved to say the least. But if it was really a snake??? I don’t want to imagine that…..
An imaginary reptile and a real insect! Can be a scary combo!!!
The “Venue”!!!
Now how to say – it seemed a place out of the Amazonian rain forests. Tropical trees everywhere and a 4 feet cement “road” in the middle (I think it can be called a road) – at a higher level compared to the rest of the landscape, the height being around 5 feet. And there were “steps” to climb back up from the forest floor to the “road” – I guess they were similar to what you see in Indian wells. So this was the scenario in the dream (mind, the “road” seemed to be going on and on and on!).
The Guava Effect!!!
So we were two guys walking, or rather stuttering on the road. But alas! I don’t even remember who was with me – highly mysterious dream!
Then we find a couple of guavas lying on the road. Then we look around and find a tree on the left side of the road. I get all excited and hungry and run towards the tree. My companion tried stopping in vain. I was assured that it was not dangerous – what could happen? But then, I should’ve heeded his words!
Snake aka Beetle!!!
So I go there, but on reaching on tree I find it devoid of fruits. And I wonder – were those fruits really from this tree? But before I could reach a conclusion, I hear a slithering sound and bingo – I find a python crawling towards me!
Man, was I scared! So I climb back up and we both start running. But the snake was faster (Here too it seems unrealistic –pythons aren’t that speedy). And worse, I trip and fell down. Then the snake crawls onto my left hand. And guess what – I really feel something moving on my hand. And I wake with a start!
It was early morning so there was no need to switch on the light. Then I find the culprit – a beetle! Well, I was relieved to say the least. But if it was really a snake??? I don’t want to imagine that…..
An imaginary reptile and a real insect! Can be a scary combo!!!
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Arun
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Some meetings are planned months in advance, some weeks in advance, some days in advance….. But some just happen, without planning – grab hold of everyone who’s free and there you are! Today happened to be the same…..
A Call From Bangalore!? Just Who Might It Be???
Well, yesterday was just another day. Getting up, eating, sitting in front of the computer – my usual holiday routine. Then the landline starts ringing, caller ID shows it’s a Bangalore landline number – unknown to me. That comes as a surprise – I start wondering who it might be and while wondering, I pick up the phone. “Is it Arun?” Comes a voice – strikingly similar. But before I could make out who it was, she herself said it, “It’s Girija here.” Another of the old warhorses of the erstwhile X-C class.
Anyways, she asks me if I can come to Malleswaram in Bangalore today, ie. 26th May. I, being jobless during holidays, said I was free to come. She said we can grab a few of the others and meet to have some chit-chat. Travelling 40 odd kilometers from Hosur to Bangalore crossing the TN-Karnataka state border just for the sake of meeting a few, maybe 5-6 – many might not be willing, but the class X-C has its own special place in my life. Even if it’s for one member of that class, I’d have gone. So we decide to meet – no speculations about who else will come!
Don’t Count Your Chickens Until They are Hatched!!!
There were quite a few rumours – “More than 10 will turn up”, “………. is also coming” and all. I’ve had many such experiences in the past and knew usually only half of them turn up. Well, we were six in all and that’s not a bad number at all – there’ve been worse!
So it was us – Girija, Vindhya, Saurabh, Samuel, Jasmandeep and me. I met the first three in front of Girija’s college. She had come to collect her hall ticket (I wonder why they need hall tickets each year – I, being a student of NIT Warangal, have never needed one. We are used to going to the examination hall just like that. Mind, they don’t even bother to see our ID Cards – so such formality seems strange to me). And we gathered up the remaining two as we loafed around on the streets pointlessly – just keep blabbering, it doesn’t matter where we go – that seemed to be our motto.
“Why are We Standing in the Sun? That too in Such a Crowded Place???”
Typical girlish comment – boys are used to playing in the sun and maneuvering their way no matter how crowded a place might be. I don’t understand why everyone worries about their complexion once they get out of school – no wonder sunscreen lotions are making it big in the cosmetics industry. I think Vindhya might’ve said this at least half a dozen times – with Girija too chipping in to support her. I personally feel they should be sent to an isolated dungeon-of-sorts.
And amidst all this, they decide to go to a beauty parlour, owned by the kin of another of our old classmates, to find out her whereabouts. I think it might not be a deviation from reality to say they were gone for around half an hour. We really thought they ended up being customers there!
“Café Coffee Day!? I Don’t Drink Coffee!” “Neither Do I!”
(From left) Saurabh, Samuel, Jasmandeep, Vindhya, Girija and Me!
It was Girija’s suggestion. And my usual reply to such suggestions, “I don’t drink coffee.” And her reply – “Me neither!” Well, she said we can go eat donuts – but the bill would be on us guys. “Ok fine”, say Saurabh and I (Anyways, girls won’t eat much – what’s the worry!?). And we walk in. And everyone is still telling stories about this certain someone or that certain someone (I won’t mention the stories lest they turn out to be rumours!). The girls kept insisting they’ve to leave my 12 30 – as far as I know, nothing usually happens on time, the obvious exception being exams!
So we finally decide to leave – with some new memories to cherish! A walk to the bus stop and all of us leave one by one – Jasmandeep & Samuel followed by Vindhya and Girija. Then we, the remaining two bid adieus with promises to meet gain sooner or later!
Some Change, Some Never Do!!!
I felt we were still the same – as we were in school – the envy of the other classes. Of course, Jassi and Sam (too much trouble writing their full names) never seemed to really join in gossip. It was the remaining four of us “blah blah blah”. Girija didn’t really like this and she told us so. But you really can’t expect people to be the same even after all these years. But some never change, as they try to replicate the person they were in their fondest memories!!!
Adding new memories everyday! Life rocks!!!
A Call From Bangalore!? Just Who Might It Be???
Well, yesterday was just another day. Getting up, eating, sitting in front of the computer – my usual holiday routine. Then the landline starts ringing, caller ID shows it’s a Bangalore landline number – unknown to me. That comes as a surprise – I start wondering who it might be and while wondering, I pick up the phone. “Is it Arun?” Comes a voice – strikingly similar. But before I could make out who it was, she herself said it, “It’s Girija here.” Another of the old warhorses of the erstwhile X-C class.
Anyways, she asks me if I can come to Malleswaram in Bangalore today, ie. 26th May. I, being jobless during holidays, said I was free to come. She said we can grab a few of the others and meet to have some chit-chat. Travelling 40 odd kilometers from Hosur to Bangalore crossing the TN-Karnataka state border just for the sake of meeting a few, maybe 5-6 – many might not be willing, but the class X-C has its own special place in my life. Even if it’s for one member of that class, I’d have gone. So we decide to meet – no speculations about who else will come!
Don’t Count Your Chickens Until They are Hatched!!!
There were quite a few rumours – “More than 10 will turn up”, “………. is also coming” and all. I’ve had many such experiences in the past and knew usually only half of them turn up. Well, we were six in all and that’s not a bad number at all – there’ve been worse!
So it was us – Girija, Vindhya, Saurabh, Samuel, Jasmandeep and me. I met the first three in front of Girija’s college. She had come to collect her hall ticket (I wonder why they need hall tickets each year – I, being a student of NIT Warangal, have never needed one. We are used to going to the examination hall just like that. Mind, they don’t even bother to see our ID Cards – so such formality seems strange to me). And we gathered up the remaining two as we loafed around on the streets pointlessly – just keep blabbering, it doesn’t matter where we go – that seemed to be our motto.
“Why are We Standing in the Sun? That too in Such a Crowded Place???”
Typical girlish comment – boys are used to playing in the sun and maneuvering their way no matter how crowded a place might be. I don’t understand why everyone worries about their complexion once they get out of school – no wonder sunscreen lotions are making it big in the cosmetics industry. I think Vindhya might’ve said this at least half a dozen times – with Girija too chipping in to support her. I personally feel they should be sent to an isolated dungeon-of-sorts.
And amidst all this, they decide to go to a beauty parlour, owned by the kin of another of our old classmates, to find out her whereabouts. I think it might not be a deviation from reality to say they were gone for around half an hour. We really thought they ended up being customers there!
“Café Coffee Day!? I Don’t Drink Coffee!” “Neither Do I!”
(From left) Saurabh, Samuel, Jasmandeep, Vindhya, Girija and Me!It was Girija’s suggestion. And my usual reply to such suggestions, “I don’t drink coffee.” And her reply – “Me neither!” Well, she said we can go eat donuts – but the bill would be on us guys. “Ok fine”, say Saurabh and I (Anyways, girls won’t eat much – what’s the worry!?). And we walk in. And everyone is still telling stories about this certain someone or that certain someone (I won’t mention the stories lest they turn out to be rumours!). The girls kept insisting they’ve to leave my 12 30 – as far as I know, nothing usually happens on time, the obvious exception being exams!
So we finally decide to leave – with some new memories to cherish! A walk to the bus stop and all of us leave one by one – Jasmandeep & Samuel followed by Vindhya and Girija. Then we, the remaining two bid adieus with promises to meet gain sooner or later!
Some Change, Some Never Do!!!
I felt we were still the same – as we were in school – the envy of the other classes. Of course, Jassi and Sam (too much trouble writing their full names) never seemed to really join in gossip. It was the remaining four of us “blah blah blah”. Girija didn’t really like this and she told us so. But you really can’t expect people to be the same even after all these years. But some never change, as they try to replicate the person they were in their fondest memories!!!
Adding new memories everyday! Life rocks!!!
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Arun
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None of us is perfect, and neither are our memories. Every now and then, we forget trifle things, but once in a blue moon, we forget or lose important stuff, like a key for instance. And it may lead to a catastrophe of sorts at times…..
One Key Lost, the Other Left Inside the Locked Room!!!
This was the situation at hand. Mr. Aeshverya Jain (called Ash for short) goes and loses off his key. Not a very rare thing to happen, but in most cases you manage to open the room with your roomy’s key. Not to be – his roomy Yatish had left his key inside the room…. Room locked and the key locked inside it – a scene befitting a detective movie I presume. Anyways, we had no choice. Actually we had one – break the lock or break the door!!! (Mind, it was a Godrej six levers lock – I personally thought the door would give away before the lock did). And it was quite late in the evening – past 7 pm I guess. So calling anyone from the hostel office was not plausible (might even say it was not possible). So we had to take matters into our own hand….
“A Brick!? Are Ya Nuts???”
Our electronics engineer Shoaib has a brainwave and he grabs hold of a brick (This shows that electronics people are so lost in their own studies that their brains cease to function at critical times). Can anyone really expect a brick to break a steel lock – beats me! Anyways, he goes ahead with this weird theory. As expected, two hits and the brick crumbles to a fine red powder. All he succeeded was in dirtying the corridor.
“A Rock?! Might Do the Trick!!!”
Then it was Sameep’s turn. He goes scouting in the college campus and comes back with a rock (it was a little too large to be called a stone). He sure had some exercise trying to bring it to the second floor. Then the more troublesome part – lifting it and striking it with accuracy. Shoaib takes the first try, and notably fails miserably – the aim going haywire!
My turn – my aim was relatively better but instead of hitting the lock, I hit the latch and it gets detached off partly from the door. Now something is better than nothing nay… But still the door remains locked – the other part of the latch refuses to give in.
“A Hammer!? Don’t Underestimate a Godrej Lock!!!”
We finally manage to get hold of a hammer. That was good news – or so we thought. So this guy Rohit (a friend of Ash’s roomy who brought the hammer) volunteers to break the lock. Bang!!! The first hit and the handle of the hammer breaks off. It seemed we were plagued by ill luck – the third ‘tool’ notwithstanding. Now Ash really gets impatient and proposes a treat – for breaking the lock! Anyone who has first-hand experience of the messes at NIT Warangal would love to get away from the prospect of eating dinners there. So a new burst of enthusiasm – but will we escape the inevitable fate of dining in the mess, at least for one day?
The Decisive Hit!!!
Everyone literally gave up hope, but Sameep and me. Two of our three ‘tools’ had been defeated but one still kept standing – the rock. So we decide to go with it (mind, lifting it and landing it with a crash right on the lock was not an easy task). And after numerous tiring attempts, one hit lands on the target and the lock is finally demolished. From then onwards I made a mental note to buy only Godrej locks – they sure live up to their reputation. It was a heck of a trouble breaking one small one….
Then we were faced with the prospect of the Engineering Drawing exam the next day – Ash and I. One trouble ends and another one creeps in – maybe the day had misfortune written all over it.
But the aim was achieved – we managed to avoid the mess for a day. And nothing else matters!!!
One Key Lost, the Other Left Inside the Locked Room!!!
This was the situation at hand. Mr. Aeshverya Jain (called Ash for short) goes and loses off his key. Not a very rare thing to happen, but in most cases you manage to open the room with your roomy’s key. Not to be – his roomy Yatish had left his key inside the room…. Room locked and the key locked inside it – a scene befitting a detective movie I presume. Anyways, we had no choice. Actually we had one – break the lock or break the door!!! (Mind, it was a Godrej six levers lock – I personally thought the door would give away before the lock did). And it was quite late in the evening – past 7 pm I guess. So calling anyone from the hostel office was not plausible (might even say it was not possible). So we had to take matters into our own hand….
“A Brick!? Are Ya Nuts???”
Our electronics engineer Shoaib has a brainwave and he grabs hold of a brick (This shows that electronics people are so lost in their own studies that their brains cease to function at critical times). Can anyone really expect a brick to break a steel lock – beats me! Anyways, he goes ahead with this weird theory. As expected, two hits and the brick crumbles to a fine red powder. All he succeeded was in dirtying the corridor.
“A Rock?! Might Do the Trick!!!”
Then it was Sameep’s turn. He goes scouting in the college campus and comes back with a rock (it was a little too large to be called a stone). He sure had some exercise trying to bring it to the second floor. Then the more troublesome part – lifting it and striking it with accuracy. Shoaib takes the first try, and notably fails miserably – the aim going haywire!
My turn – my aim was relatively better but instead of hitting the lock, I hit the latch and it gets detached off partly from the door. Now something is better than nothing nay… But still the door remains locked – the other part of the latch refuses to give in.
“A Hammer!? Don’t Underestimate a Godrej Lock!!!”
We finally manage to get hold of a hammer. That was good news – or so we thought. So this guy Rohit (a friend of Ash’s roomy who brought the hammer) volunteers to break the lock. Bang!!! The first hit and the handle of the hammer breaks off. It seemed we were plagued by ill luck – the third ‘tool’ notwithstanding. Now Ash really gets impatient and proposes a treat – for breaking the lock! Anyone who has first-hand experience of the messes at NIT Warangal would love to get away from the prospect of eating dinners there. So a new burst of enthusiasm – but will we escape the inevitable fate of dining in the mess, at least for one day?
The Decisive Hit!!!
Everyone literally gave up hope, but Sameep and me. Two of our three ‘tools’ had been defeated but one still kept standing – the rock. So we decide to go with it (mind, lifting it and landing it with a crash right on the lock was not an easy task). And after numerous tiring attempts, one hit lands on the target and the lock is finally demolished. From then onwards I made a mental note to buy only Godrej locks – they sure live up to their reputation. It was a heck of a trouble breaking one small one….
Then we were faced with the prospect of the Engineering Drawing exam the next day – Ash and I. One trouble ends and another one creeps in – maybe the day had misfortune written all over it.
But the aim was achieved – we managed to avoid the mess for a day. And nothing else matters!!!
Posted by
Arun
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Today’s the day many have been eagerly waiting for – and many would’ve wished this day never came. The day of the results of CBSE class XII!!! This reminds me of my own results two years back…..
Expectations Soaring High!!!
I always thought I’d get used to carrying everyone’s expectations and hopes on my back in school – but I never did. Yet I never buckled under them. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was fate – but I always made it to the top in school (now, of course, is a totally different story!).
So there I was, school topper in X with 96.4%. And I decided to take biology instead of informatics practices in XI. That was a change from the scenario as usually the toppers end up taking the alternative. Hence my biology teacher Latha mam had pinned all her hopes on me. She was a great teacher, so I felt I had to do it – at least for her, if not for me!
The Pre-board Nightmares!!!
The pre-board exams of XII were the opposite of that in X. I was always below par in maths, chemistry and biology. I still managed to top but neither my teachers nor my parents were satisfied. English is a standard debacle so I never worried about it. But the other subjects – yuk!!!I still remember never getting more than 62 on 70 in my biology papers. “Hell! If I end up getting 62 in the boards, I couldn’t face my teacher….”
And my chemistry mam - no need to ask. She told me she’d make me drop a year just coz I got 39 on 50 in a class test (mind, it was the highest!). And the way she said it, yeeks! But I couldn’t help giggling – no way she can do that! And then her scream rouses me from my thoughts,”Are you listening boy?” Of course, she was good at heart no matter how atrocious she might seem.
But keeping your cool with all these thought clogging your mind – it wasn’t easy!
The Examination Hall!!!
The vision that comes into one’s mind is one of students surrounded by their parents, looking so nervous as though they are the ones writing the exam. Never in my case – my parents never came with me. Of course, dad had to go to office and he would leave with a “Do your best” in the morning. Mom would’ve liked coming with me, but I was used to cycling my way around and she never came in my way.
Then the exams, each paper a different story. And I’ve no intentions of blabbering on and on and on about them. But I guess except a little disastrous question in physics, I did decently well. Expectations? I never had any in English, but I was sure of at least 95+ in the others. So overall, I felt I should cross 95% somehow and said so to my parents. I kept thinking, “Ain’t I overestimating myself???”
Finally…….. It’s Time!!!
Mom kept waiting for the results. I was too pre-occupied with my entrance exams to really care much about it. Well, the day came as it had to.
Mom kept wringing her hands right from the morning. And the confidence which I had right after finishing the exams had slowly melted away over the months. “What if I go below 95???” As a practice, I never wait for the time the results are scheduled for. I’ll be online an hour early, waiting for them (What if they somehow decide to release them a little earlier?) And that one hour – a nervous mom and I, trying to pretend to be uninterested (I’ll get 95 anyways, mom!) – the world used to be at a standstill for the two of us. Only the clock kept ticking…….
Well, the time did come at last……And I didn’t fare that badly – except English that is (86!? That was sickening). But I managed a 98 in biology and a 97 in chemistry. “Phew, now I can face my teachers!” I rather believe I studied, not for myself, but for my parents and teacher and of course, my reputation! 96 in physics was disappointing, but never mind. I clocked 95.2% - All’s well that ends well….
And the 5 grands cash prize – icing on the cake!!!
Expectations Soaring High!!!
I always thought I’d get used to carrying everyone’s expectations and hopes on my back in school – but I never did. Yet I never buckled under them. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was fate – but I always made it to the top in school (now, of course, is a totally different story!).
So there I was, school topper in X with 96.4%. And I decided to take biology instead of informatics practices in XI. That was a change from the scenario as usually the toppers end up taking the alternative. Hence my biology teacher Latha mam had pinned all her hopes on me. She was a great teacher, so I felt I had to do it – at least for her, if not for me!
The Pre-board Nightmares!!!
The pre-board exams of XII were the opposite of that in X. I was always below par in maths, chemistry and biology. I still managed to top but neither my teachers nor my parents were satisfied. English is a standard debacle so I never worried about it. But the other subjects – yuk!!!I still remember never getting more than 62 on 70 in my biology papers. “Hell! If I end up getting 62 in the boards, I couldn’t face my teacher….”
And my chemistry mam - no need to ask. She told me she’d make me drop a year just coz I got 39 on 50 in a class test (mind, it was the highest!). And the way she said it, yeeks! But I couldn’t help giggling – no way she can do that! And then her scream rouses me from my thoughts,”Are you listening boy?” Of course, she was good at heart no matter how atrocious she might seem.
But keeping your cool with all these thought clogging your mind – it wasn’t easy!
The Examination Hall!!!
The vision that comes into one’s mind is one of students surrounded by their parents, looking so nervous as though they are the ones writing the exam. Never in my case – my parents never came with me. Of course, dad had to go to office and he would leave with a “Do your best” in the morning. Mom would’ve liked coming with me, but I was used to cycling my way around and she never came in my way.
Then the exams, each paper a different story. And I’ve no intentions of blabbering on and on and on about them. But I guess except a little disastrous question in physics, I did decently well. Expectations? I never had any in English, but I was sure of at least 95+ in the others. So overall, I felt I should cross 95% somehow and said so to my parents. I kept thinking, “Ain’t I overestimating myself???”
Finally…….. It’s Time!!!
Mom kept waiting for the results. I was too pre-occupied with my entrance exams to really care much about it. Well, the day came as it had to.
Mom kept wringing her hands right from the morning. And the confidence which I had right after finishing the exams had slowly melted away over the months. “What if I go below 95???” As a practice, I never wait for the time the results are scheduled for. I’ll be online an hour early, waiting for them (What if they somehow decide to release them a little earlier?) And that one hour – a nervous mom and I, trying to pretend to be uninterested (I’ll get 95 anyways, mom!) – the world used to be at a standstill for the two of us. Only the clock kept ticking…….
Well, the time did come at last……And I didn’t fare that badly – except English that is (86!? That was sickening). But I managed a 98 in biology and a 97 in chemistry. “Phew, now I can face my teachers!” I rather believe I studied, not for myself, but for my parents and teacher and of course, my reputation! 96 in physics was disappointing, but never mind. I clocked 95.2% - All’s well that ends well….
And the 5 grands cash prize – icing on the cake!!!
Posted by
Arun
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Snakes have been among the creatures most fear. But I, for one, ain’t really afraid of them. Only one reason – I believe that something without limbs can’t hurt me. Maybe it’s a misconception, but I’m happy this way!
The Place Where I Live!
Well, our township is still in its developing stages – houses have not yet being built on all the sites. And the empty ones remain covered by bushes and shrubs. So it’s natural to say that they are full of snakes, lizards and the sort. And behind our current residence - no nearby houses. Guess the nearest one is around 200 metres away. So that’s not something you can call “near”. As a result, you only see trees and bushes if you look out. Among these, a mango plant (around 5 ft tall I guess) leaned towards the compound wall, touching it. Quite harmless as such. But then – a baby snake decided to use it as a ramp to climb over the compound wall!
“Is It Really a Snake???”
Well, I didn’t realize it was a baby snake when I first saw it. It was quite small. I thought it must be a somewhat long earthworm (after all, I’ve read in a ‘Believe It or Not’ column in a newspaper that the longest earthworm was 22 feet long – I wonder if it’s true!?). But my mom, she suspected it to be a snake the moment she set her eyes on it. She had heard stories about snakes barging into people’s houses nearby. So she felt as though her worst fears had come true.
But then, it started wriggling the way snakes do and I realize – It’s true!!!
“Kill It!” “Why?”
That was mom’s first reaction. And she runs off to get a stick or a broom to beat the life out of the tiny fellow. I felt otherwise – why kill the poor guy when he hasn’t done anything to us? So mom comes back fully prepared to attack, but I stopped her. Somehow I managed to convince her to throw her outside the compound. So we decide to grab it (mind, grabbing snakes isn’t easy at all). But then, something struck me – a thought many might call foolhardiness!!!
“I Wanna Take a Photo!”
That was the thing that came into my mind. After all, it’s not every day that you find a snake in your house. I’ve never wished to a wildlife photographer or anything, but the prospect was just too inviting. It was a once in a blue moon opportunity. I told mom I wanted to take a picture of the baby snake. As expected, she asked, “You gone mad???” She couldn’t imagine that a normal person is behaving this way (she should realize I ‘m not what you can call normal). Somehow, after coaxing her and telling her it’ll take only a few seconds, I finally manage to get her permission. So I tell her to monitor the movements of the baby snake and now it was my turn to rush around! I grab my camera and manage to take a snap! Yippeeee!!!
Then I get another weird idea! I should have a photo with the snake (like two friends side-by-side maybe!). But mom, already furious, won’t listen to me anymore. And she manages to take the struggling snake on a piece of cardboard with the help of a broom and haul it over the wall.
So shattered my dreams of having a picture taken with a snake at home. Well, another snake might find its way to our house someday and I’ll make sure I won’t miss another opportunity!!! (But I think I’d prefer it’d be non-poisonous – don’t wanna meet a cobra!)
The Place Where I Live!
Well, our township is still in its developing stages – houses have not yet being built on all the sites. And the empty ones remain covered by bushes and shrubs. So it’s natural to say that they are full of snakes, lizards and the sort. And behind our current residence - no nearby houses. Guess the nearest one is around 200 metres away. So that’s not something you can call “near”. As a result, you only see trees and bushes if you look out. Among these, a mango plant (around 5 ft tall I guess) leaned towards the compound wall, touching it. Quite harmless as such. But then – a baby snake decided to use it as a ramp to climb over the compound wall!
“Is It Really a Snake???”
Well, I didn’t realize it was a baby snake when I first saw it. It was quite small. I thought it must be a somewhat long earthworm (after all, I’ve read in a ‘Believe It or Not’ column in a newspaper that the longest earthworm was 22 feet long – I wonder if it’s true!?). But my mom, she suspected it to be a snake the moment she set her eyes on it. She had heard stories about snakes barging into people’s houses nearby. So she felt as though her worst fears had come true.
But then, it started wriggling the way snakes do and I realize – It’s true!!!
“Kill It!” “Why?”
That was mom’s first reaction. And she runs off to get a stick or a broom to beat the life out of the tiny fellow. I felt otherwise – why kill the poor guy when he hasn’t done anything to us? So mom comes back fully prepared to attack, but I stopped her. Somehow I managed to convince her to throw her outside the compound. So we decide to grab it (mind, grabbing snakes isn’t easy at all). But then, something struck me – a thought many might call foolhardiness!!!
“I Wanna Take a Photo!”
That was the thing that came into my mind. After all, it’s not every day that you find a snake in your house. I’ve never wished to a wildlife photographer or anything, but the prospect was just too inviting. It was a once in a blue moon opportunity. I told mom I wanted to take a picture of the baby snake. As expected, she asked, “You gone mad???” She couldn’t imagine that a normal person is behaving this way (she should realize I ‘m not what you can call normal). Somehow, after coaxing her and telling her it’ll take only a few seconds, I finally manage to get her permission. So I tell her to monitor the movements of the baby snake and now it was my turn to rush around! I grab my camera and manage to take a snap! Yippeeee!!!
Then I get another weird idea! I should have a photo with the snake (like two friends side-by-side maybe!). But mom, already furious, won’t listen to me anymore. And she manages to take the struggling snake on a piece of cardboard with the help of a broom and haul it over the wall.
So shattered my dreams of having a picture taken with a snake at home. Well, another snake might find its way to our house someday and I’ll make sure I won’t miss another opportunity!!! (But I think I’d prefer it’d be non-poisonous – don’t wanna meet a cobra!)
Posted by
Arun
comments (4)
It is said that when a person is caught in a tight situation, he/she resorts to desperate measures. I’ve gone through a few of such situations myself, this perhaps being the most memorable one….
A Novice in an Unknown Kingdom!
It’s been pretty long. But I can remember it as though it happened yesterday – perhaps this particular memory got engraved and embossed in my cerebral hemisphere. I was a fresher at college then – with no idea of the outer world – meaning the Andhra world. And I ended up in Warangal – a place I never even imagined I’d go to. Well, I maybe I was destined to go there to ‘study-while-suffering’. Well, it has been quite a fun-filled ride, marred by occasional occurrences of undesirable incidents!
Changing 3 Trains – Whom to Blame???
The most unfortunate bit about studying in Warangal is the lack of a convenient mode of travel. Buses are there, of course but I’ve never been happy travelling by bus. So the only option left was train – and I, having always loved travelling by train, was always game for it. But when faced by reality, the balloon of enthusiasm deflated in a jiffy!
There were no direct trains suitable to my time of travel as I had to a catch a train on Sunday so I can attend college on Monday. And as fate would have it, the direct trains were scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. So, having no choice, I had to change trains in the midst of my journey. The worst part – the train from Bangalore doesn’t go till Secunderabad, only till Kacheguda. So I’ve to catch a local train for that little part too. Then a third one from Secunderabad to Kazipet (it being the closest station to my college). You are full of thoughts as to why you didn’t stay at home longer. Then attending college – yuk! Life can’t be worse!!!
“Wish I had Studied the Geography of Secunderabad!!!”
They say a man learns from his mistakes – I learned a few things that day! So I was en route to college. Got down at Kacheguda and was waiting for the local train to go to Secunderabad. Back then I’d no idea whether I had to catch the train going left or right. Anyways, one train came. I knew not a single word in telugu then, so I tried asking a few people in English. Most of them wither didn’t know English or had no idea where the train was going. So I tried my luck at the enquiry counter – one idiot (I wouldn’t hesitate to punch him right on his face, but unfortunately I don’t remember his face. Geez!) told me the train would go to Secunderabad, while in fact it was coming from there. So I get on. Then as the next stop passes by, I wonder “This station wasn’t in the way when I travelled the last time”.
I wasn’t inclined to trust anyone. So I called my dad and asked. Bingo! He said I was going the opposite way. By then the train had stopped at its next stop and was departing. My dad’s voice rang in my head,”Get off that train!!!” So what did I do – perhaps the most insane thing I’ve ever done in my life! I grabbed my travel bag and jumped off!!!
(This incident had me wishing I knew the different stations in Secunderabad and I did find out in the coming days.)
Saved by Sheer Luck!!!
It could’ve resulted is quite a disaster but I got away; just with a couple of scratches I guess. Fortunately I managed to jump off before the train left the platform so I sort of went crashing down on to the cement floor. Man, was I fortunate! So I was able to get up on my feet no problem. I still remember a lady in the train shrieking as I prepared to “take the dive”. Count my lucky stars!
Well, I had to catch the 6 o’clock train from Secunderabad railway station. So I had no choice but to catch an auto. And he swiped me clean of 200 bucks – well, guess it’s better than ending up in hospital with the half the body covered in bandages. So I finally managed to reach college and attend the 10 o’clock class. Phew! Wasn't it a relief!
An ordinary day going haywire, but saved by the flick of fortune!!!
A Novice in an Unknown Kingdom!
It’s been pretty long. But I can remember it as though it happened yesterday – perhaps this particular memory got engraved and embossed in my cerebral hemisphere. I was a fresher at college then – with no idea of the outer world – meaning the Andhra world. And I ended up in Warangal – a place I never even imagined I’d go to. Well, I maybe I was destined to go there to ‘study-while-suffering’. Well, it has been quite a fun-filled ride, marred by occasional occurrences of undesirable incidents!
Changing 3 Trains – Whom to Blame???
The most unfortunate bit about studying in Warangal is the lack of a convenient mode of travel. Buses are there, of course but I’ve never been happy travelling by bus. So the only option left was train – and I, having always loved travelling by train, was always game for it. But when faced by reality, the balloon of enthusiasm deflated in a jiffy!
There were no direct trains suitable to my time of travel as I had to a catch a train on Sunday so I can attend college on Monday. And as fate would have it, the direct trains were scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. So, having no choice, I had to change trains in the midst of my journey. The worst part – the train from Bangalore doesn’t go till Secunderabad, only till Kacheguda. So I’ve to catch a local train for that little part too. Then a third one from Secunderabad to Kazipet (it being the closest station to my college). You are full of thoughts as to why you didn’t stay at home longer. Then attending college – yuk! Life can’t be worse!!!
“Wish I had Studied the Geography of Secunderabad!!!”
They say a man learns from his mistakes – I learned a few things that day! So I was en route to college. Got down at Kacheguda and was waiting for the local train to go to Secunderabad. Back then I’d no idea whether I had to catch the train going left or right. Anyways, one train came. I knew not a single word in telugu then, so I tried asking a few people in English. Most of them wither didn’t know English or had no idea where the train was going. So I tried my luck at the enquiry counter – one idiot (I wouldn’t hesitate to punch him right on his face, but unfortunately I don’t remember his face. Geez!) told me the train would go to Secunderabad, while in fact it was coming from there. So I get on. Then as the next stop passes by, I wonder “This station wasn’t in the way when I travelled the last time”.
I wasn’t inclined to trust anyone. So I called my dad and asked. Bingo! He said I was going the opposite way. By then the train had stopped at its next stop and was departing. My dad’s voice rang in my head,”Get off that train!!!” So what did I do – perhaps the most insane thing I’ve ever done in my life! I grabbed my travel bag and jumped off!!!
(This incident had me wishing I knew the different stations in Secunderabad and I did find out in the coming days.)
Saved by Sheer Luck!!!
It could’ve resulted is quite a disaster but I got away; just with a couple of scratches I guess. Fortunately I managed to jump off before the train left the platform so I sort of went crashing down on to the cement floor. Man, was I fortunate! So I was able to get up on my feet no problem. I still remember a lady in the train shrieking as I prepared to “take the dive”. Count my lucky stars!
Well, I had to catch the 6 o’clock train from Secunderabad railway station. So I had no choice but to catch an auto. And he swiped me clean of 200 bucks – well, guess it’s better than ending up in hospital with the half the body covered in bandages. So I finally managed to reach college and attend the 10 o’clock class. Phew! Wasn't it a relief!
An ordinary day going haywire, but saved by the flick of fortune!!!
Posted by
Arun
comments (5)
This life is for making friends and friends make life more memorable. And I’ve had the good fortune of making friends as if I’ve been born for making friends. Of course, majority of friendships arise from either being together in class or being neighbours. But few originate through the internet – and yet are strong enough to last a lifetime!
“Me!? Online???”
I always felt I wasn’t a guy to be associated with the internet. It was only after I was thrust into becoming member of think.com that I started using the net. Of course, it was only out of curiosity – wanting to know what was it that fascinated everyone! And eventually I too became a sort of an internet freak!
I joined orkut pretty early but never bothered to do anything about it, until I joined college. That’s a different story. So coming back. Google chat was a sort of revelation at that time; chatting wasn’t actually that popular in India then – at least in the world around me! So even I became a once-in-a-while user of it. Of course, I never was addicted to it. So it resulted in making a few friends online, and the perhaps my best “catch” at that time was Varsha.
Varsha vs. Shower – the Never-ending Battle!!!
It’s a question she still asks me, “Which is better – Varsha or Shower?” Of course, I’ve always known her by the name Shower rather than by the name Varsha. So I’m always inclined to answer Shower. But trying to be diplomatic, I answer, “Both of them are good enough”. Still, she won’t rest till I chose one.
Guess that name fascinated me – I myself don’t know why! Maybe coz I loved rainfall – no qualms about getting sick (Mom was there to take care, after all!)
Those Sunday Mornings!
It used to be our weekly practice to meet online on Sunday mornings. Both of us were students – and KV students at that. Studying 6 days a week – Sunday provided the only relief. So it used to be what I call a “showery” start to the weekend (I never considered Saturdays as weekends then, now of course it’s a different story). Then we used to exchange our experiences about the week – cursing the teachers for giving so much homework, sharing the funny things that happened in class, discussing even about exams if they were near (She was in IX and I in XI; so it wasn’t something one can call self-study – rather something like wondering how we will fare). I often felt we were a pair of conspirators, talking in secret!
How I miss those Sundays now!
One of a Kind!!!
She was (and still is) one of her kind to me - too much of emotions packed into her. A cut aside the rest I can say! But change is the spice of life, after all! Guess her presence prevents monotony from creeping into life – a life full of pulling others’ legs and getting your legs pulled in return. So a bit of serious talk, devoid of poor jokes comes like a cool breeze in a desert full of grains of sarcasm!
And she never changes – I don’t know why! I’ve seen people, including me, change as time passes by. But guess she’s stubborn as a mule. And maybe that’s not a bad thing either. Some things are never supposed to change. Maybe she is too much busy with herself that she found no time to change!
One quote befitting her
Some friends forget…
Some move away…
Some remain silent…
Some just change…
But I’m not one of them…
I’m here for just two moments…
Now and…….forever!!!
“Me!? Online???”
I always felt I wasn’t a guy to be associated with the internet. It was only after I was thrust into becoming member of think.com that I started using the net. Of course, it was only out of curiosity – wanting to know what was it that fascinated everyone! And eventually I too became a sort of an internet freak!
I joined orkut pretty early but never bothered to do anything about it, until I joined college. That’s a different story. So coming back. Google chat was a sort of revelation at that time; chatting wasn’t actually that popular in India then – at least in the world around me! So even I became a once-in-a-while user of it. Of course, I never was addicted to it. So it resulted in making a few friends online, and the perhaps my best “catch” at that time was Varsha.
Varsha vs. Shower – the Never-ending Battle!!!
It’s a question she still asks me, “Which is better – Varsha or Shower?” Of course, I’ve always known her by the name Shower rather than by the name Varsha. So I’m always inclined to answer Shower. But trying to be diplomatic, I answer, “Both of them are good enough”. Still, she won’t rest till I chose one.
Guess that name fascinated me – I myself don’t know why! Maybe coz I loved rainfall – no qualms about getting sick (Mom was there to take care, after all!)
Those Sunday Mornings!
It used to be our weekly practice to meet online on Sunday mornings. Both of us were students – and KV students at that. Studying 6 days a week – Sunday provided the only relief. So it used to be what I call a “showery” start to the weekend (I never considered Saturdays as weekends then, now of course it’s a different story). Then we used to exchange our experiences about the week – cursing the teachers for giving so much homework, sharing the funny things that happened in class, discussing even about exams if they were near (She was in IX and I in XI; so it wasn’t something one can call self-study – rather something like wondering how we will fare). I often felt we were a pair of conspirators, talking in secret!
How I miss those Sundays now!
One of a Kind!!!
She was (and still is) one of her kind to me - too much of emotions packed into her. A cut aside the rest I can say! But change is the spice of life, after all! Guess her presence prevents monotony from creeping into life – a life full of pulling others’ legs and getting your legs pulled in return. So a bit of serious talk, devoid of poor jokes comes like a cool breeze in a desert full of grains of sarcasm!
And she never changes – I don’t know why! I’ve seen people, including me, change as time passes by. But guess she’s stubborn as a mule. And maybe that’s not a bad thing either. Some things are never supposed to change. Maybe she is too much busy with herself that she found no time to change!
One quote befitting her
Some friends forget…
Some move away…
Some remain silent…
Some just change…
But I’m not one of them…
I’m here for just two moments…
Now and…….forever!!!
