Life is a Ride - RIDE-6

I was embarrassed to the maximum. I took my bag and moved along with Priya and
Thivya. The same moment , Shiva called me, with surprised eyes, I looked at him
and I saw Vikram standing next to him, posing as if , he couldn‘t control the
laughter still. Shiva spoke convincingly; don‘t worry about our HOD‘s comments. You
prove your worth, in the next exams. Never take this to you heart and put yourself
down.
Though I couldn‘t bear Shiva‘s gyaan, I posed as if I was mesmerized with Shiva‘s
words. I could sense Vikram becoming restless, the moment I started listening
with interest to Shiva. I was very happy. This is all I want, I thought. I was not
ready to lose this opportunity.
I spoke back softly, you know what Shiva? You are my inspiration from day one. I
was so amazed, how a person can be so humble despite of so many achievements
and you are one among the billons. Shiva blushed and Vikram ‗s cute face went
small. I continued, also , I took your seat intentionally in the computer lab, just
because, I admire you so much. The moment I said this, Vikram‘s face darkened
badly and he excused himself and moved away.
I felt a glorious victory. The moment Vikram moved away, I felt so satisfied and I
said to Shiva , Ok thanks for your kind words and I moved away. Without realizing
that the words that I spoke will change my life upside down, I make a triumphant
walk towards my friends, feeling much satisfied that I have taken revenge on
Vikram.
I really worked hard and prepared for the rest of the papers very well and I
wrote well. The periodicals was done peacefully .But for the first exam paper, I
scored in all the other examinations very well. Now and then Shiva used to enquire
to me about my marks.
The first semester nearly came to a closure with lot of colorful incidents and then
the Study Holidays started. Our college was so generous and we got 14 days of
Study Holidays. The first seven days, I studied like a mad girl. Then I got bored,
so Priya, Me and Anu planned to meet at Thivya‘s house for combined studies.
Only Priya had one Black SUNNY. Me and Anu had our good old Lady Bird cycles.
So Priya picked Anu and came to my home. I waved bye to my mom and I started
the vehicle. It nearly took us five minutes to start the vehicle and Priya sat behind
me and Anu sat at the end. So it was triples…………Oh God!!! That was awesome. The SUNNY with heavy sound, tore the winds and
moved. We shouted, sang songs and we were all flying high. Suddenly from
nowhere, a BAJAJ PULSAR zroooooooooomedddddddd crossing us like a wind. The
sudden drift, shook all three of us. It‘s none other than, Ganesh and his two
friends.
He rode the bike, front , back, left, right. I was quiet shaken. The SUNNY gave
lot more bad noise and those stupid‘s teased us. Anu got so scared and told to stop
the vehicle, even I was scared. But Priya screamed back, if we stop, he will think
that we are coward. Go Preethi…Go……it was a worse road; the highway department
had piled stones on both sides of the road to reshape the road.
As I feared, suddenly Ganesh rode his bike close to us and he gave a short close
cut…..The next moment I lost my complete control and our SUNNY ran straight to
the piles of stones. It gave a heavy screech….and banged on the
stones…flat…….both Priya and Anu they rolled behind and I and the SUNNY lied
twisted on the piles of stones.
By God‘s grace none of us were severely hurt, but in the heights of anger , I gave
a glare at Ganesh. With laughter he stopped his Pulsar near me. Anu and Priya ,
rubbing the dust in their hands walked slowly towards me. Ganesh extended his
ugly hands…Come on Priya …Hold my hand…I will lift you up!!!! He chuckled…The
next moment; out of my extreme fury…I took the hot ..sharp..stone, and gave a
clear straight throw at his head. Little droplets of blood sprinkled and he shouted
aaaammaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…..and kept his hands on the head….
Before he completed his shout , I took the next stone and gave a second
throw….now I missed the target, It gave a hit on his BIG watch…..the glasses of
the watch sprinted everywhere….His friends got down from the bike…screaming
Gannneshhhh….
I waited no more. Anu and Priya stood still stuck seeing what is happening. I took
the SUNNY back on stand; it was also scratched in all places, and cried at Anu and
Priya to jump on the vehicle. My salwar was completely torn and my knee and ankle
was bleeding. With fiery eyes and tears on it, I drove the vehicle in full speed,
without knowing where we were going……
Our heart beats were beating fast and after sometime, I couldn‘t drive as my
hand started to pain heavily. All three of us were completely choked with
uttermost fear and the scream of Ganesh banged in our ears again and again. We
ran to a local hospital and I got dressed up. Thankfully Anu and Priya were not hurt
at all. My beautiful dress has now become useless. I felt like hanging Ganesh.

Then Priya drove us to Thivya ‗s house. I somehow hid all the wounds with my
dupatta, and said hi to Thivya ‗s mom and moved in to her room. All 4 of us sat
quietly. I didn‘t know, how I will face my mom. She will be heart broken , if she
hears about this. We sat together and cursed Ganesh with all the words we knew.
Then I took one of Thivya‘s new dresses and went back to my home and I somehow,
escaped from my mom‘s eyes without showing the bruises and made up some stories
that we exchanged our dresses.
After …2 days, my mom called me, and told me Vikram is on the phone. I was
shocked, but my mom‘s face looked happy. I feebly said ‗Hi‘. He asked me, do you
have the graphs. I got confused!!! Whhhat??? Garaph??? Then I looked at my mom,
and said, yah yah , I have it….you can collect it whenever you want??? And he
replied….Ok fine Preethi, I will collect it today evening at your home.Then I hanged
on the phone.
I gave a smile at my mom. She sighed!!! Vikram is as sweet as her mother and she
moved towards the kitchen.I stood still without knowing what to do…. I couldn‘t
believe that Vikram is coming to my house.
I ran to my wardrobe and my eyes started to hunt for the best
dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
===========================================================================
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Life is a Ride - Part-5:

I hardly studied anything. My mom was pampering me with Tea and snacks to aid
me to study well. But all the while, I enjoyed the hot tea and kept dreaming.
Whatever the questions, I came across; I just thought I will study it in the bus.
The next day, in the bus, we four kept giggling and teasing each other. Often we
received cold vibes from other students, who were sincerely reading for the
exams. We confirmed out exam halls and I was thrilled, when I heard that we will
be sitting with the seniors for the exams. Except for Anu, all three of us were in
the same hall. I was sure that, both Vikram and Shiva will be sitting with us, since
we fall in the lower part of the alphabets. Keeping fingers crossed, we appeared in
the exam hall, leaving our bags outside.
The hall was occupied with 4 columns and 10 rows. The 1st column for 1year, 2nd one
for 2nd year and 3rd and 4th year thereon. Who bothered about 3rd and 4th year? I
walked so coolly, as if I was a studious girl, thinking only about the exam paper.
(But honestly, I was praying sincerely so that Vikram should sit next to me). We
walked looking on the numbers written on the desk. I saw my number and the desk
next to me was empty. I still had hope. Priya sat behind me and Thivya sat at the
dead last seat. I kept turning back and made gestures to Priya and Thivya. The
invigilator gave a bang on her table and gave a cold stare at me. Immediately, I sat
still without making any motion.
It was exactly 9.58 AM, Shiva and Vikram came in to the class. They walked
checking the numbers on the desk and Vikram passed crossing me. My jaw dropped.
Oh God!! Why I am so unfortunate and the most ..most…unfortunate thing is Shiva
sat parallel to me. Ayooo!! Without showing expressions, I turned to the other end,
staring at the wall. Priya kicked my chair and I turned back, she gestured with her
eye brows to look at Thivya. To Break my heart more Vikram sat parallel to Thivya
and to pierce me more , he was chatting with her with full smile. I turned back and
suddenly I felt more jealous on Thivya.

The invigilator distributed the question paper and the answer sheet. Now and then
my eyes met with Shiva‘s and I will give a ugly smile at him without knowing how to
react. The next shock is when I saw the question paper. I have never even heard
about the terms mentioned in the question paper. I kept staring at the question
paper, but Shiva already completed the first page in the answer sheet.
God!!! I wrote my number and I wrote the question. I didn‘t know what to write
more. I have never been like this during my school times, I felt so ashamed of
myself. Since its periodicals, it was 1 hour and 30 minutes examination. Somehow I
pushed one hour. I struggled so much and I completed 4 pages. It was just 10
minutes more, suddenly the CSE department HOD came inside our hall. He peeped
in to the students papers. He came near Shiva and took his paper in his hands, he
gave a glance and appreciated him….Good Going Boy and gave him a pat.
But all of a sudden, he pulled my paper. I was shocked and suddenly most of my
body went numb. He gave a look and told me , see lady, you should at least write
minimum of 10 lines in a single page. You shouldn‘t write 5 lines in a page and waste
the paper. As I expected, the whole exam hall roared with laughter and Vikram
laughed as if he will fall down from his desk…..

Life is a Ride -Part 4:

I sat still, without knowing what to do. I squeezed Priya‘ s hands and pulled her
near me and whispered in her hear ,‘who gave this to u‘? She gave a loud laugh. I
urged her to be quiet and tell the story. We leaned on the bus seat, and Priya with
a bright smile on her face narrated.
‗ Vikram called me yesterday during the lunch break. Shiva was not there but
Madhav was along with him. He enquired me, why you were absent today? Then he
gave this book to me and told me not to open this and also he insisted me to give
this to you only in the bus, as he wants to see your reaction.‘But anyway , we all saw
what was inside the book yesterday itself de!!!
Aiyoooooo….I couldn‘t control myself. I felt like jumping. But this time I failed to
maintain my reaction in the face. I was very sure that Vikram would have realized
the relief and happiness in my face. I kept a smiling face, wondering how the
college‗s most handsome boy started taking interest in me.
All four of us went inside the classroom and got seated in our last desk. Unusually,
the window near us was closed completely. The fan above us is a name sake fan, so
Anu went near the window to open it. The moment she took the latch out, the guys
at the other end screamed. They blasted in some unknown words, and Ganesh
shouted, if anybody tries to open that window, their hand will be gone. (The boys
wanted to close the window, as it was near the corridor. So they get caught as the
Principal or the staffs often peeps through that)
I was sure that Ganesh spoke some very very bad word and got outraged. I walked
straight to the window and I pushed Anu aside and I opened the big window wide
open. I turned back and leaned myself in the wall and I folded my hands and kept
my legs crossed in a very stylish position and gave a glare at the boys.
All my friends were stunned and the whole class was clam looking at me. Sensing
the stillness of the classroom, suddenly a fear gripped me. But no matter what, I
didn‘t show that in my face. Ganesh came straight to me. He was so huge and tall,
the moment he came near me, I looked so tiny, and I was only till his chest. He gavean ugly smile and told me, it would just take seconds to throw you out. I sighed, and
I gave a cruel hatred smile at him and I barked back, I would use those few
seconds of time to give a tight slap to you and the rest of the 3 years you have to
spend your days , as a coward who got a tight slap from a girl.
The whole class was stunned at my words. But only God knows how violently I was
trembling and how badly I was choked with fear. He gave a cold look at me and
shouted, so the seniors are backing you lady, that is the reason behind your
boldness. I replied back, Shut your mouth. Between, our lecturer Mr. Raj came
inside our class. Immediately we all got seated in our seats. My friends were
awestruck at my boldness and I was so proud of that.
I was in Cloud Nine –thinking about Vikram ‗s refusal on Rakhi and Victory over
Ganesh and I hardly listened to the class. We didn‘t take any notes and all four of
us were giggling. Suddenly Mr. Raj came to our last row and we didn‘t notice that at
all, as we were busy teasing each other. He roared, Preethi, what is happening
there, and show me your notes? Oops, the note book that I had on my desk was
Civil Note Book. But Raj deals with Engineering Drawing. All four of us stood up
with our heads down. Raj gave a look at my notebook and threw it outside. I
couldn‘t believe what had happened. He told all four of us to stand outside the
class room. God, this has never happened in my life. What a shame. We all stood
near the door. Ganesh‘s friends and most of the girls who likes Ganesh gave a
sarcastic smile at us. The same moment Shiva and Vikram crossed our classroom. OOOh God!!! Why on
earth! This happens to me. I urged my friends not to look left and right. Once they
crossed us, I slowly turned right to see Vikram.Oops he immediately turned back,
and gave a mocking laugh at me. Chaa……I hate this….always I get caught!!!!
Again after sometime I turned right to see Vikram……but this time it was Shiva
who turned back….It‘s worse than the earlier!!!
Now a circular came, it‘s nothing but the …Timetable for the
Periodical……..Exams………………..

Life is a Ride -Ride-3:

Yelling at Vikram , I rushed to the nearest wash room. I really couldn‘t understand
how I acted so well. But fear and guilty feeling gripped me so badly. When I came
out my four friends convinced me and scolded Vikram so badly. I couldn‘t bear
those words, but somehow I told them to stop speaking on that topic and headed
back to my class.
In the evening Interval, in the pantry, Vikram came straight to me, and calmly said
a simple Sorry. I didn‘t reply back. He broke the silence and told me, my mom told
that a girl called me, I don‘t know why, but I got an instinct that it was you. But
never meant to hurt you. I am sincerely sorry. He moved saying this. I stood
staring at him dumbfounded. My friends gave a glare at me.
Next afternoon, whole of our classes were divided in to two batches. Except for
Anu, I, Priya and Thivya were in the same batch. We all went inside the lab, but the
second year CSE students have occupied already. I saw Vikram and Shiva sitting in
the left corner. They departed from the lab, I turned to the opposite direction, so
that I don‘t have to face them. Our lecturer directed us to occupy any seats; I
pulled Priya and took the same seat where Vikram and Shiva were seated.
Our lecturer started with simple exercises on VB, and when I opened the system,
it had many documents saved with Shiva‘s name. Then I realized in a hurry I took
Shiva‘s seat. I cannot tell this to Priya, because I was maintaining a decent image
with my friends. Any way now and then I interrupted Priya and peeped in to
Vikrams programs and documents. Priya started to notice that I am taking lots of
interest on Vikram. I created so many documents and I created my profile with my
likes and don‘t likes and saved with my name. This I did purely for Vikram to take
notice.But unfortunately, I started to get disturbances from Ganesh, my class mate. He
made rubbish comments when we passed by. He occupied the same computer, as he
is in the other batch. He made lots of stupid documents. This started spreading
like a wild fire. One fine day, during the lunch break, Vikram , Madhav ,Shiva and 2
more other guys came to our class. They called Ganesh and his friends outside.
They had a discussion for few seconds. Once our seniors moved away, Ganesh came
straight to me, he shouted, What Preethi! Threatening me with seniors!!hah!!! As of
now I will leave it and I will take my revenge at the right time! The moment he
moved away, my face brightened and I couldn‘t believe that Vikram has startedtaking interest in me. My friends started to tease. But I strictly told them, that I
don‘t like these kinds of comments.
We got a circular, that the fresher‘s party is going to happen the coming Friday.
The fresher‘s party was on the 45th day since our first day. The whole college was
on causals, it‘s a cool break from our weird uniforms. We had culturals, games,
lunch, competitions etc. After lunch, the senior girls called all the fresher girls and
gave knitting threads and told us to do rakhi bands. We were confused initially.
Then around 4.00 PM, they told us to tie the bands to any guys we want. It was so
funny to watch, guys running here and there.
I said, I will tie this band to Ganesh! Priya reacted immediately and said, why you
don‘t tie it for Vikram. A moment, I suffered from electric shock. But I stood, as
if I was least bothered and I replied back, Big deal! If he is ready then I can tie.
Not a Problem. I literally prayed to God, that Priya shouldn‘t take any adverse
steps. But without waiting a second, she ran and called Vikram, who was standing at
the other side of the corridor, and called me from there. I didn‘t know what to do.
I felt, I will run away somewhere. But Anu and Thivya started to scream, hey
Preethi, come…come… lets have fun. I felt like that I was having stroke. But we
moved near them. Vikram looked confused. Madhav and Shiva stared equally
confused.
Priya screamed, Vikram anna (Vikram Brother), Preethi wants to tie this rakhi for
you. Vikram smiled casually, Oh is it…Good then I have got a beautiful sister…he
exclaimed! My world really stopped when he uttered these words. I dint speak
anything, I dint even look at him, I took the rakhi and tied it in his right hand. I
tied it and my hands trembled so violently. Priya mocked at me, why dear your
hands are shaking as if, hadn‘t taken food for many days.Vikram alleged back, may
be Priya …she wouldn‘t have got such a handsome brother like me.
I ran to the washroom. I cried , cried, cried,…That is what I did. I couldn‘t believe
what had happened. I cursed Priya, I cursed Vikram.I cursed everybody. But in
vain. I didn‘t speak to anybody in the bus. I was completely out of form. I came to
home and slept immediately. My mom woke me in the morning, I excused to take an
off to college stating that I was not feeling well. The whole day I was really
struggling with emotions. I cried. I couldn‘t sleep. The next day, I had no option
but to go to college.
I boarded the bus and I sat near Priya. I didn‘t say a word. Thivya and Priya kept
on giggling, but I dint speak a word. After some time Priya slipped a book, with a
big white paper on it stating ‗Go to Page 45‘. I gave a cold stare. But she pointedher finger to the book. Irritated I opened the page 45. Bewildered, I saw the same
Rakhi which I tied to Vikram, covered in pink polythene with a small note in it. ―I
will never accept you as my sister‖.
I….I don‘t ….Know….I…what to do….what to react….???!!###&&*&(^%$!!!

Life is a Ride - Ride-2:

I stood waiting for my college bus, with all new stuffs on me, new blue chudi, new
bag, new hairstyle, what all to say. I boarded my bus, the girl in the front ushered
me to move to the 5thseat...oops again I saw both Vikram and Shiva smiling at me
sitting in the seventh seat behind the staffs. The staffs sit as a wall between the
girls and the boys. After a few stops Thivya and Anu boarded the bus. We all sat
together and giggled talking about our new class. Priya boarded in the last stop,
she waved at us and sat in the other end.
We all sat in our new class. It‘s a broad class room with three windows on each
side of the room. There were 3 columns with 5 rows in each column. The 1st column
was occupied by the girls and the rest two columns were the boys. We occupied the
last row…ha ha…The last row girls… Our first staff, Mr. Raj gave a bright smile and
introduced him. He made everybody to introduce themselves with their objective.
Ganesh, the weirdest guy in the class made all nasty jokes and gave a look at the
girls for every 10 second interval. God!! I hated him like anything. An office boy
interrupted us and told all the students to move to the computer lab to collect
their uniforms, books and instruments.
We giggled and moved and we all stood in a queue to collect the things. Suddenly
Priya whispered, hey look at the guy in the first row in the nearby class, he looks
awesome…Anu sighed awwww…Priya interrupted he is Ok de not awesome. I leaned
back to look at the guy, Oh God, I nearly dropped. It was Vikram and Shiva. I was
not sure whom they were talking about. Since they were in uniform, I don‘t know
how to distinguish and confirm. I stood erect, posing that I am least bothered. But
really I did know how fast my heart was beating. We collected our stuffs and went
back to our seat.
In the interval, one of the senior girls called all four of us in to nearby classroom.
There were around many girls and boys. We dint know what to do. She gave a
strong stare at us and questioned what u girls formed the gang from the very first
day ...hah? So what‘s your name? Trembling I replied Preethi!! Everybody gave a
loud thud of laugh! I wondered what is so funny about my name! One guy from the
back, shouted! Ok Preethi enact the preethi Mixer Grinder AD!!! I was startled!
It‘s none other than Vikram! I couldn‘t believe. The senior girl patted his back and
said well-done Vikram! And yelled at me Hey do it! I did Weakly and softly I said ―
Preethi Vanngha Naan Guarantee‖[I guarantee for buying Preethi mixer and
grinder]They all laughed all together, Then Vikram screamed again…hello madam doit with actions!!! What is this? Have we come here to see mono acting? My tears
were about to fall! I breathed heavily and from nowhere Shiva came in to the scene
and said to me, take your friends and go to your class Preethi ! Vikram and the
other seniors looked at him startled and nobody spoke a word. I looked at him so
gratefully, by that time, my tears were rolling down my cheek. Shiva said, don‘t cry
and ushered us outside.
I sat in my class, thinking about it. My friends teased me on behalf of Vikram and
Shiva. I sighed. But somehow, the naughty character of Vikram attracted me. Most
of the days I will look for Vikram in the bus or whenever I cross his classroom and
almost all the time I will end up seeing 4 eyes ,yah both Vikram‘s and Shiva‘s. It‘s
already a month, I always had the rush to talk to Vikram, but somehow I couldn‘t.
That evening I was speaking with my mom, and carefully I opened the subject
about Vikram and my mom exclaimed yah Gayathri‘s son …Hows he doing?
After a chit chat, I took my mom‘s phone book and started searching. I found two
Gayathri! I don‘t know which one! I dialed from my landline to one of the Gayathri‘s
number.A lady picked the phone, I asked tremblingly, is Vikram in home?
Astonished! She replied in a stern voice, who are you? I disconnected the phone!
My hands were already wet with fear. I sweated. I didn‘t know what to do! I didn‘t
know what I dialed his number! I was terrified to the maximum thinking, what will
happen, if he finds out? Will he embarrass me or what ? what? I got a severe
headache! Again I dint sleep properly that night!
The next day, I didn‘t dare to look at him in the bus as well in the college. In the
Lunch break, Vikram came to my class, with another guy. He called me out. I
started to tremble from my feet, my three friends joined me. I went near him. He
introduced the new guys Madhav , to me. I said Hi weakly. Then casually he
asked…so Preethi ―Did you call my home yesterday‖. God!! I stood still, suddenly I
couldn‘t hear anything. I felt that the world stopped rotating. I wondered how on
the world he found that! Priya gave me a shake. I came back to reality.
I took a deep breath and with a cold face and tears in my eyes, I replied back, how
dare you ask me this? What do you think of me? Do you think I am a girl going
after guys? I never expected you to be this cheap!
Vikram stood stunned without knowing what to do??
All the names, characters and events in this story are purely fictional and any
resemblance is completely coincidental.

Life is a Ride… ::: Ride-1

Hi,

This is a beautiful story and will be shared to all listeners.…Enjoy if u r interested.

Life is a Ride…-Ride-1


I sipped my favorite Nescafe Classic sitting on my couch, watching the latest
songs. It‘s another beautiful Saturday morning, which means a lot to me, yah I am
Preethi, hard core IT employee. It‘s already 10.30 AM, but I was least bothered,
cause this is the day where there are no onsite calls, status updates, KT sessions,
Training sessions etc. etc. My mom urged me to take bath; because this is the day
my parents were waiting for. Yah most of the decisions were done, the horoscopes
were matched, both the parents are satisfied with various different constraints
and criteria‘s. The only thing pending is that the girl and the boy i.e. me and Rahul
has to see each other personally as we have confirmed our decisions only by seeing
the photographs. I sighed. I went to my bed room, where my maid was cleaning and
arranging all the old stuffs. One of my chudi stuffed in the old box got my
attention. I took it; it smelled with the old cardboard smell, it‘s a striped cream
top with purpled bottom and dupatta.I couldn‘t bear the burden in my heart. I don‘t
know what was that feeling exactly. It‘s none other than my college uniform. I sat
on my bedstead holding my college uniform. My mind rolled back 7 years back.
Owing to my family financial constraints, I was forced to take a local college, so
that my parents can reduce the hostel fees. My parents were disappointment cause
I didn‘t score enough to secure a seat in a government college, but they are
satisfied that I at least got the Dote 2 quota i.e. Free seat, in a decent college in
my home town itself. I dreamt of many things, how will be my class, how should I
speak, my staffs, department etc. and I also dreamt of the guy of my
life..hmm..how will he be??
18 JUNE 2007 was my first day to college. My parents accompanied me. I saw few
of the guys from my school, who I literally hate to see. We had the induction
session. Once that was done, a hand patted my back. It‘s Thivya. She screamed, you
joined here ? I smiled back at her. She is my school mate. Thivya introduced me to
two other girls Anu and Priya. Somehow we gelled up very soon. The formalities
were done and the college has arranged buses for departure. I waved bye to my
friends and moved towards the bus bay. There were some volunteers helping the
parents and the new joinees to take the right bus.

My mom exclaimed, hey Vikram what are you doing here? He turned back! I literally
fainted the moment I saw him! He was tall, brownish and handsome. He smiled
broadly at my mom, and said aunty, I study here. I am in to my second year CSE.
My mom screamed Oh great! I am so glad, my daughter Preeti is joining here this
year in CSE department only. So no worries of ragging for my daughter since you
are here. She said, Preeti this is Vikram , my best friends son. I said Hi weakly! He
replied back with a base voice and a beautiful smile HI!!!I couldn‘t see his eyes and
I diverted immediately. He introduced Shiva to my mom, aunty this is Shiva!! My
best friend, We are buddies from our 5th standard, he too is in 2nd year CSE. They
exchanged few words and Vikram guided us to our Bus. I sat in the window seat
bewildered, without knowing what is happening in my mind. The bus squawked and
started, I hesitantly looked back and my eyes met two pairs of eyes ..hmm…both
Vikram and Shiva gazed back at me .Hastily I turned back and didn‘t breath for
few seconds. I washed my face, and headed to sleep. I couldn‘t sleep that night. I
thought about Vikram all the time, sometimes I laughed, sometimes I felt stupidly
irritated. Without knowing that the next four years of my life is going to be a
roller coaster ride, that will etch a deep mark in my heart, I headed to sleep.

അപ്പ്രൈസല്‍...!!!

മുല്ലപ്പെരിയാര്‍ വിഷയം എങ്ങും കൊടുമ്പിരി കൊണ്ട് നില്‍ക്കുന്ന സമയം, ഓഫീസില്‍ തന്നെ ഒറ്റക്കും ഗ്രൂപ്പ് തിരിഞ്ഞും ഉള്ള ചര്‍ച്ചകള്‍... ഏവരും കട്ട കലിപ്പില്‍ ആണ്... ഒരു തമിളനെ കിട്ടിയാല്‍ കുത്തികൊല്ലും എന്നുള്ള അവസ്ഥ... പെട്ടെന്നാണ് ഞാന്‍ ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചത് എന്തെ  ഇതിലൊന്നും ആണ്ട്രു  ഇടപെടാത്തത്..?? അവനീ വിഷയത്തില്‍ താല്‍പ്പര്യം ഇല്ലേ..?? അവന്‍റെ മനം കവര്‍ന്ന ആവന്‍റെ അ...(വേണ്ട അത് പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ അവന്‍ എനിക്ക് മനസമാധാനം തരില്ല...) ആ കുട്ടി പോലും ഈ മുല്ലപെരിയാറിന്‍റെ ഭീഷണി നേരിടുന്ന സ്ഥലത്താണ് താമസം.... എന്നിട്ടും..

ഞാന്‍ പതുക്കെ അവന്‍റെ അടുത്തേക്ക്‌ ചെന്നു, ചെയറില്‍ ചാരി കെടന്നു കറങ്ങാന ഫാന്‍ നോക്കി ഇരിക്കുന്ന അണ്ട്രൂസിനോട് ഞാന്‍ ചോദിച്ചു,
"എന്താടാ പ്രശ്നം..??"
"അപ്പ്രൈസല്‍ വന്നു"
"എന്തെ"
"ഊ..."
"ഹേ.. നീ വെഷമിക്കണ്ട... സാറിനെ കണ്ടു സംസാരിച്ചു നോക്ക്.."
"അവരോടു സംസാരിച്ചു കാര്യമില്ല, ഇനീം പോയി കണ്ട അവര്‍ എന്നെ തല്ലികൊല്ലും..."
"എന്തെ നീ അവരോടു സംസാരിച്ചോ..?"
"പിന്നെ, ഒരിക്കെ അല്ല, രാവിലതോട്ടു പിന്നാല നടക്കുവാ..!!!"
"എന്നാപ്പിന്നെ നിനക്ക് ഹുസൈനിക്കാനെ കണ്ടു സംസാരിച്ചൂടെ..."
"ഹും.. ശരി, ഞാനും അത് തന്നെയാ ആലോചിക്കുന്നെ..."


പിന്നെ എപ്പോളോ ഹുസൈനിക്കാനെ കണ്ടു അവന്‍ പറഞ്ഞു..

"ഹുസൈന്‍ ഭായ്, എനിക്ക് ഇപ്പൊ വന്ന അപ്പ്രൈസല്‍ നോട് യോജിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല, ഞാന്‍ മിക്കവാറും ജോലി രാജി വെക്കും"

"ഹേ ഇതിനൊക്കെ നീ രാജി വച്ചാലോ..!!!"

"ഇല്ല ഈ ശമ്പളത്തില്‍ എനിക്ക് ജീവിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല, കൂടാതെ എനിക്ക് വേറെ  മൂന്നു കമ്പനിയില്‍ നിന്ന് പേപ്പര്‍ വന്നിട്ടുണ്ട്"

ഹുസ്സൈനിക്ക ആശ്ചര്യപ്പെട്ടു... മൊബൈല്‍ സോഫ്റ്റ്‌വെയര്‍ വിപ്ലവത്തിന്‍റെ ഒരു പടത്തലവന്‍ തന്നെ ആണ് തന്‍റെ മുന്നില്‍ നില്‍ക്കുന്നത്, കൈ വിട്ടു പോയാല്‍ പിന്നെ പിടിച്ചാ കിട്ടൂല... 


"നീ പെട്ടെന്ന് ഒരു തീരുമാനം എടുക്കരുത്, ഞാന്‍ മേനെജ്മെന്റുമായി ഒന്ന് ആലോചിക്കട്ടെ, പെട്ടെന്ന് തീരുമാനം അറിയിക്കാം..."

"ശരി " ആണ്ട്രൂസ് അവന്‍റെ സീറ്റിലേക്കും, ഹുസ്സൈനിക്ക മാനേജര്‍ കാബിനിലേക്കും കയറി...

ഒരു മണിക്കൂറിനു ശേഷം ഹുസൈന്‍ ഭായ് അണ്ട്രൂസിനെ വിളിച്ചു..

"എല്ലാം ശരിയായി, നിന്‍റെ സാലറി കൂട്ടി തരുവാന്‍ മേനെജ്മെന്റ്റ് സമ്മതിച്ചു. ഇപ്പോള്‍ കിട്ടുന്നതിന്റെ 30 ശതമാനം കൂടെ ഇനി കൂടുതല്‍ കിട്ടും പോരെ..?"

"മതി" ആണ്ട്രൂസ് ചിരിച്ചു.

"ഇനി നീ രാജി വെക്കുമോ..?"

"ഹേ ഇല്ല ഹുസ്സൈനിക്കാ.." സന്തോഷത്തോടെ സ്വത സിദ്ധമായ ആ ചിരിയോടെ അവന്‍ തിരികെ നടന്നു...

"ഹാ പിന്നെ.." തിരിച്ചു നടക്കുന്ന അണ്ട്രൂസിനെ ഹുസൈന്‍ ഭായ് തിരിച്ചു വിളിച്ചു...

"അല്ല, ഏതൊക്കെ കമ്പനികളില്‍ നിന്നാ നിനക്ക് പേപ്പര്‍ വന്നതെന്ന് നീ പറഞ്ഞില്ല.."


"ഓ അതോ, ഒന്ന് Water Authority ടെ water ബില്‍,  KSEB ന്നും വന്ന  കറണ്ട്ബില്‍  പിന്ന BSNL നു വന്ന ഫോണ്‍ ബില്ലും... അവമ്മാര്‍ ഇന്ന് രാവിലെയാ വീട്ടീ കൊണ്ടന്നു ഇട്ടതു.., എന്ത് ചെയ്യാനാ ഭായീ ഈ കാശുകൊണ്ട് ഇതൊക്കെ എങ്ങനെ അടച്ചു തീര്‍ക്കാനാ... !!! അതാ ഞാന്‍ വേറെ ജോലി നോക്കണം എന്ന് വിചാരിച്ചത്..."


പാവം ഹുസ്സൈനിക്ക...!!!