Ek chhoti si "X" Story!!- Part 3

[DISCLAIMER: "X" is for relationship that didn't have a name...it’s not adult rated :) ...The term "X" courtesy: Ms. Divya Arya]

"The next station is Rajouri Garden" said the automated announcer. The train which started with not more than a dozen in every coach was now more than filled with people taking help of hand supports which ran in a line along the middle of every coach with advertisements on all three sides of the hanging supports, which said something about a confidence to hold onto the hanging support without worrying about smell from one's armpit.

On one fine day of Indian summer, a guy had boarded a flight bound to Delhi from Mumbai to find him in a string of bad lucks: woke up late, paid hefty amount for taxi, lost his wallet. Amidst heavy luggage he was travelling in metro where he found a sweet girl, spectacled, long haired and ears plugged to her music cell phone, sitting in front of him reading a book on Computer Graphics.

She was gently swaying her head with the rhythm of the song being played on one of the 20 FM channels that Delhi had seen mushrooming over past five years. He got busy, or at least pretended to be busy under Business Week issue of that month that was filled with articles confirming the economy was on the pathway of revival.



"Jhandewaalan Station". A swarm of people filled in. Amongst them were a few old ladies. The guy saw the board above his neighbor's seat- "For Elderly and Physically Handicapped". But when he didn't see him move a muscle, he left his seat and invited the oldest of the lot to have the seat. The old lady smiled and blessed him. Another pair of lips smiled, behind the book of Computer Graphics, but they couldn't be noticed by him. The guy stood in between of the coach holding on to one of those hanging support (after making sure the deo on his armpit was still effective).

It wasn't long enough before the seat besides the girl got vacant at "Ramakrishna Ashram Marg..Station". A couple of guys pounced towards the vacant seat like electrons jump towards a positively changed nucleus. "Hey! Sit here!", said the sweet voice to the benevolent seat-sacrificer. The seat contestants had their face turn orange with frustration and disappointment. "Thanks", he said.

"Hi I am Aman", he said "Thanks for the gesture, Miss .."
"Akshita"
"I have heard that for the first time, beautiful name"
"Hehe Thanks. Your gesture towards that elderly lady was nice too"
He smiled. And both got back to their books. "Next station is Rajeev Chowk. Doors will open on the left. Please mind the gap”

It was easy for a third person to realize that if respective test would have been taken about what the he was reading for last 5 minutes, he would have failed miserably.



She closed the book and took out some class notes. "Hey, can I see that book?, he asked.

"Sure"

"I had been through this book".

"Accha, when?"

"About 5 years ago, in my college 2nd year".

"Great, we have this in our 3rd year. I am studying at Amity University"

“Cool”.

“So are you a Software Engineer?”

“No, actually I am pursuing my MBA from IIM Kozhikode, 2nd year would start in June. Before that, I worked for two years after my graduation, though nothing related to engineering”

“Great, IIM! I will be taking CAT this year, but those percentiles in 90s are a distant dream for me”

“Hmmm..So you have MBA aspirations because of a personal choice or just following the herd like me?”

She smiled “Maybe the latter”.

He smiled back “Then maybe you need not do an MBA. I did because I didn’t have any focus of what to ahead”.

“You are in IIM K and I should believe that you were out of focus. Common! Give me a break!”

“Arre, I am not kidding.”

“Yaya”. They both chuckled

After a pause she spoke again “You were looking miserable when you were boarding this train. What happened?” He told her whatever happened. “That was sure one of those off days”, she smiled. Was it anymore, he wondered.

to be continued....... Part 4

Part 1

Ek chhoti si "X" Story!!- Part 2

[DISCLAIMER: "X" is for relationship that didn't have a name...its not adult rated :) ...The term "X" courtsey: Ms. Divya Arya]

She delved deep in her book. The anxiety on the face could tell that the exams were near. Then her phone rang-"IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY SO I KNOW..." She picked it up-" Haan! Mumma I am on my way back. Will be there in another hour and a half....No, she's not with me....I don't know.......At savita aunty's place......two dozens....hmmmm...okies..bye love ya mumma!"



She again went in her books. The announcement said "Dwarka Station"

Meanwhile he did manage to get a place for two of the bags. The third bag didn't have place to go under the seat. He looked around for space. Then looked at the girl again. He thought of it as a point to start conversation with. He overcame his inhibitions and managed to blurt out-"Exuse Me! Do you mind if I put the suitcase beneath your seat?"


No Response. He was embarrassed. He began cursing himself for being a loser in life. Adding to that this day hadn't been great either, he thought.



Six hours ago: Mumbai

"Damn it!! It's 10 am! I have to catch the flight at 11! I am screwed", he said to himself so aloud that even his neighbors could hear. Lazy as he had been all these years, he didn't care to pack his luggage a night beforehand.

Hurriedly he put all that he could see in vicinity, thinking that he would come back anyways by the end of the month. "Trousers Check...Shirts check...Toothbrush and shaving kit check... Deodorant...Vanity box (yeah guys do have one)...Files..papers check...done". "Click" that was the sound of final buckle of the bag. He rushed outside looking for taxi.

But, strangely there were none. It was a strike. Seemingly a taxi driver was beaten up by few college guys who were then beaten to blood by his friends. He didn't have time to switch on the TV. He was looking around hopelessly when a car with private number stopped in front of him. "Airpot!! 900 Rupees", the person said. He had no choice. He got in. The driver just made in time for the scheduled flight arrival time and said "Have a nice day!". He smirked, collected the change 100 rupees, and rushed towards the entrance with the luggage.

He boarded the plane. The Air India flight was as usual with overgrown air hostesses. He got the worst possible seat, the middle one in the last row, which couldn't bend backwards. The plane took off. He was damn hungry. He heard the serving trolley moving, starting from the front row. When it reached him, he unfurled his mouth, "Non Veg". The fat lady said "Sorry sir, there is no more of non-vegetarian breakfast. take this veg one instead". He said to himself-"Yeah nice day"

The flight landed on time at IndiraGandhi International Airport, New Delhi. But, luggage took some serious time. His phone rang-"Corrs-The joy of life".
"Hello....ya...yes Sameer, I just landed...what...where from..dwarka?...sameer I am already getting late...can you...okay I will do it"

He took a cab to dwarka. Carried out the "instructions" and then when he was thirsty enough, he put his hand in his pocket to take out his wallet. Gone. Another great event in the great day. Thankfully all that was lost was some cash, credit cards and few unnecessary contact cards. He had some change in his shirt pocket left after paying off the driver at mumbai airport. In 100 Rupees all he could do was to catch a metro to Noida. Thankfully the nearest metro station was "a rikshaw" away.

He rushed towards the stairs with his luggage, panting badly because of the bad chest congestion.

"Hey you can keep your bag beneath my seat if you want", the voice came from front, taking off earphones from her ears, which were hidden by beautiful long hair, that reached her abdomen. That was a timely interruption. He smiled and moved the luggage in. She helped by moving her legs to one side.



He said "Thanks". She replied "Welcome! But you don't have to wait for help from others. Feel free to ask favors"
She again plugged the earphones and turned over a new chapter in the book- '3 D Transformation'

To be continued..... Part 3

Part 1

Ek chhoti si "X" Story!!- Part 1

[DISCLAIMER: "X" is for relationship that didn't have a name...its not adult rated :) ...The term "X" courtsey: Ms. Divya Arya]


He was out of breath. Bad chest congestion was doing him in for last couple of weeks. The 15 Kg suitcase and two carry bags were not helping either. Somehow he managed to climb those zillion stairs reaching to the first level of metro station.



Collecting some breath after getting the token, he rushed for the platform. There was a train stalled already, with doors waiting for 10 seconds to get closed. He was about to enter when he saw the terminal station, it was bound to, wasn't Noida. He was confused wondering whether he had landed on a wrong platform. He asked a middle-aged person sitting comfortably in a seat in front of him-"Uncle would this train go to Noida?". The man showed expression of being clueless.

Before even asking other alongside him, they were already throwing the same expression. He had got it correctly from the person sitting on counter, he remembered- "Go to Platform 2". And here he was on platform 2 but utterly confused. It wasn't like either he was new to delhi or even the metro for that sake. Yet he was undecided what to do standing a feet away from entrance which would close in another 5 seconds from now.

Just when he had made up his mind to board the next train, a soft voice from the left, from the seat he couldn't see echoed- "Hey come in! Board this one! you will have to change at Yamuna Bank". He saw a spectacles clad, glossed lips girl making gesture to him with her left hand. In her right hand was a book that had some mathematical figures and a picture of a Computer.



Then the voice spoke again- "Even I have to change metro at YamunaBank". And his legs moved in with the luggage. The door almost closed instantaneously. He saw the complete face. He wanted to say much more but could mutter just "Thanks". She smiled, meaning a "Welcome" and got back to her book. He settled himself in a seat just opposite to her, yet struggling with his luggage.



The train started..the journey was long...more than 30 stations in between...



...to be continued..... Part 2

Ahem ahem!! A recap!

Continuing from where I left things in last blog "I will be back soon"

Well the time referred to those last few days of every term spent in an IIM. Project submissions 5 in 4 days. And as usual nothing is ready till the last hour preceding the deadline.

But no matter how trivially we treat these project topics, they affect one sub-consciously. I worked upon a project related to Environment and it did make me aware of things I wasn't and ways in which we could make a difference.

Similarly, I enjoyed working upon a business case dealing with problems after acquisitions and mergers.

In order of not getting technically boring, I would rather rather make a shift from this nerdy discussion.

So what was all hep a kicking in past three months.

1) Footvibes
I tried my hand (rather legs) at dancing and guess what the poor fellows have made me the dance club's co-ordinator for next year. :D According to them the club needed passionate people. And I dance decently waise :)

We won 2nd prize (of total 11) in a local inter-college dance competition but lost it out in Backwaters :(

We were absolutely no match for those Engg. guys and gals...but that's not going to deter us from trying :)



A funny pic!! :)

2. RJing
I started Rjing for our 'K'ampus radio: Kdio! Had decent responses! have plans to continue it this year too.

3. Compered the Fashion Show and K-Nite!
The thing happened accidently. Got great reviews. They plan to get me on stage more often and I have extensive plans to ruin things out for them! HAHA

4. Gymming: A lost effort
Started and after a few weeks same old story. These love handles are so attached to me. Don't know what exactly is the case: either they feel they look best with me or I look best with them :P

Yeah yeah managed that all in between of 8 courses , 90% attendance, 5 projects, 24 Quizzes,16 term tests and on-off cold (that justifies the blog title)

Chalo let's see how the stay in Delhi turns out to be!!


Cheers Mates

M coming back!

Watch out for this space!!

The lost Calculator Story!!

Hello, I am the infamous IIMK lost calculator. And this is my story.

I am one of the most mailed about stuff on IIMK mail server. A lot of guys have been barred from accessing the campus dc++ servers for sending mails asking about whereabouts of me and my brothers.

I was born in a Casio factory in China. Unaware of where my destiny will take me, I was happy to be alive and kicking in the land of yellow people. I secretly wished that I would land up somewhere like on a cashier’s table at a non-computer savvy casino at Las Vegas, so that I could “peek-a-boo” few strippers or do some cool analytical/financial calculations. But then I saw the wretched carton I was to be put into. It read “XXXXXXXXX, India”

Now I had heard horrifying stories about the calculators who went there and were lost, either in a dark corner in a middle class home or beneath old books in a student’s room. Devoid of any sunlight, they were forced to slow painful death and that too with a long wait. There was a hope that someday somebody would find them. But the hope never saw the dawn.

I reached India, within next 48 hours. And while I couldn’t exactly figure out, where I was headed, I knew it was somewhere further south. I could find out that because as I moved, the rate of speech of people handling my carton increased.
Then on one fine day, the carton was opened. I didn’t expect India to be as cool as it was there. Within two days I found myself to be handed over to my real owner, one who paid 500 bucks for my capabilities. I came to know I was in what they call- “God’s own Kampus”

The same day, I saw some calculators getting a white sticker on their backside mentioning their owner’s name and some number. I guess humans too have batch numbers like us. One of my kind remarked- “Now I would never be lost. Yuppie!”. Suddenly all my fears rolled in front of my LCD panel. I wished hard; please stick one at my arse too. I don’t want to get lost like few of my forefathers. But my owner was perhaps too lazy. He brought me to his room and put me in his bag.

My dream of Las Vegas was never going to be realised now. If at all this moron went there, why would he take me with him. This conclusion wasn’t a very long drawn one. As I went to all the lectures with him, zipped inside the front pouch, the guy never needed my assistance. Either he had some vedic mathematics techniques. Now if he didn’t need me calculate all those IRR, NPV, standard deviations, he must would be way too sharp to use me to calculate how much he earned at that LV casino. (Although now from my experience I can say, probably he conveniently chose to relax or copy from his nerdy neighbour.

The one day, suddenly I was pulled out from the bag and taken to the classroom. I realised it was some Manac quiz. But all the poor guy could do was to insult me by making me do simple additions. Rest of time he spent in asking all around in hushed voice- “4th question ka answer bata bhai”

I was so bored with my master that for the first time in my life I wanted to be lost far away from him. Then one fateful day while the guy was dozing off, I heard sounds of “Do you have a cal C?”. Gradually the voice came nearer and finally came into the room. My owner replied in his sleep- “Bag ke andar hoga bhai..utha le” . He never cared to see who he was giving me to.

My new master was a genius. He made me do all the fancy stuff viz. solve equations, matrix calculations, logarithmic functions and what not. It made my day when this bailee (yeah I went through some Business Lectures too!) of mine forgot who he bailed it from.

I later on found that he had lost his cal c in similar manner and now that he found me and couldn’t recollect who I really belonged to, he made up his mind to own me. Finally I was rechristened by that white sticker and I knew couldn’t be lost again.
I shared joys of my honour and was proud of myself when he got great term grades. I thought now he would always keep with him. Some fellows asked him for a treat. We went to college canteen and I was put on the side edge bar along with a copy. While I stood there enjoying everybody jump over the ordered food, I never imagined a unknowingly push from someone’s elbow would make me fall down from first floor of the canteen.

I was hurt but still in my senses. I waited there for someone to pick me up. But I had landed in a seemingly obstructed space where nobody saw me.

So here I am, writing my story with whatever cell life remaining with me. The sun rays never reach here. I did get wet on many occasions when it rained. I may be old and wrecked but I haven’t given up. The hope survives, the hope of getting a newer better owner, who would keep better care of me. I know she (yeah! I too crave for a female touch and for the matter of fact they care better) is somewhere out there….

Dil goes Hadippa..Hadippa

Again a delayed review. So sorry about that. But can't help much with me sitting in IIM Kozhikode :(

How do I like pass afternoon on an off day. Yeah you got it right. Watching a feel good non-brain loading bollywood masala film. So I chose to watch DIL BOLE HADIPPA..

Another YashRaj film. So, got to be some inherent YR attributes. Punjab, Farmlands, Western-clothes bashing and some dreams waiting to be realized.

One of my close friends has played national level cricket; therefore concept of woman aspiring to be a great cricketer didn't sound alien to me. :)

The movie starts off on a chirpy note with six sixes in six balls by Veera kaur (Rani), right tey left hand bats(wo)man, who works at a local theater. Rakhi Sawant is here for what she does best. Some hip shaking and non-stop bakwaas, but she is tolerable.

Anurag singh does good job in setting a pretext which is fictional but believable as a plot- Aman cup, a bilateral yearly match played between India and Pakistan (which adheres to the talk of these times by replacing 50-over game with T20)

I personally felt a bit offended by Anurag's potrayal of an Indian Team which is on a losing streak for 8 (going to be 9) defeats in same number of years. Khair koi nahin, after all we have our very own Desi English county player Rohan Singh (Shahid) who gets a call from his Dad, Anupam Kher (organiser of aman cup and owner of Indian team).

We get some resemblances from Hum Tum with stranged relationship between Shahid's parents Kher and Poonam dhillon (who has lost some weight seriously)

Well it isn't much of a surprise when Rani dons a man's getup (understandably becoming a surd, that's the closest when girls can look non-females). The name is Veer Pratap Singh, and it's not just one of the things coming from Veer Zaara, another YR Film.

After that follows the understandable dual role portrayal by Rani in front of Shahid, who Punjabi baap ka Punjaabi Beta, and again understandably can't fall for Steammmiiiinngg Hottttt Sherlyn Chopra, whom I can easily excuse of poor acting.

Rest movie is all about fulfillment of dreams for a father, his son and the aspiring girl.

And I can hardly forget the "switch hands/grip shot" which even Kevin Peterson would be proud of.

The movie is timepass fun but I couldn't help noticing some technical errors, some of them not entirely new. eg.

When Anupam kher shows match clips of previous match to his son, he is actually showing the Movie clip with cameras at positions which are impossible during a cricket match. These errors have been repeatedly spotted in many other films. Ideally the clips should have been different with match camera angles

Similarly, 6 months before 15th August ( 15th Feb) Anupam Kher says to shahid, "I know your county season is off for next 6 months". County cricket in england is played only during summers and is off in winters. Anurag should have taken care

In T-20 match, for first 6 overs, only two players are allowed outside the inner circle. The match here starts with at least 4 players protecting boundaries

In the concluding scene, when Rani's actual identity is revealed (cmon guys, it wasn't a spoiler..was it), between Veer and Veera there was a lot of makeup and kaajal done on Rani's face in just two seconds.

But as I mentioned, you should relax your brains and watch the movies with open hearts, the movie does giggle (or at least brings smile) at few occasions.

For me the movie is worth one time dekko.... I could have given a lower rating some other day. But today it gets....

Rating ***