Wednesday, November 17, 2010

And in Paradise I am

For the first time I have a guest post on my blog. Inaugurating affairs is my good old friend the "Bourbon Legend". He is many things - engineer , entertainer and Thalapakattu Briyani lover. But most of all a constant reminder that life is not meant to be taken seriously!
- Wanderlust

I sit with my head between my legs on the steps. The sun bores down and every time I blink, it seems my lids are too hot for my eyes. There is a pigeon on the ledge in front of me, eating vomit that is thankfully not mine, while another pigeon tries in vain to get up behind it and do the deed. It seems an apt metaphor for my life. Sweat continues to pour out of my body in a steady stream, while the fluids involved around the whole breathing part of me congealed further.

Class was going to be a bitch today

The attendant announces that it is time, longer and louder than he has any right to. And the great seething mass of dull young minds make their way to wherever they should be. I myself can’t face such a challenge right now, and head downstairs for a sly smoke.

I go to the basement and sit in my car, taking a moment to collect myself and light one up. Maybe it is the darkness or the steady flow of airconditioner exhaust, but right then, surrounded as I am by stale air and an intermittently blinking tubelight, I feel a moment of almost Zen like tranquality. It is no hard task for me just to lay my head on the wheel, and close my eyes forever.

My cell phone rings, an angry attendant signalling the end of registration rants on. I make my way back to the sunshine. Thankfully it has quieted down. I peer out, and make my way down the hall to sweet sweet freedom.

“L !” comes a harsh grating voice.

I turn slowly, doomed.

“Yes Mr V?”

“Shouldn’t you be in class young man?”

Young man. I want to scoff, he was only 5 years older than me.

“I am…just on my way.” I said turning around.

“I'll meet you in my office after the class”

“I look forward to it already.” I fake a laugh and side step to safety before he can say another word.

I find the hateful door and open it. The room of course is filled with un-drawable blinds which let too much light in through windows that face the sun full on. All beams seem to converge on my desk. Taking a deep breath, I stride in and face the music, noting with bad humour today’s lesson plan.


“Ok class” I say, returning the sun's glare with one of my own “Today's topic - Coordinate Geometry.”

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Between August and November

Between August and November I have

Shifted cities and realized a city is its people.
Gotten back to working after a year's break and realized its not too bad.
Finished my first level of French and suprised myself by truly enjoying studying.
Missed Madras. Missed Colombo. Missed Home.
Been glad that I will still continue to talk to some people no matter what.
Repeated mistakes.
Had more midnight coffees than I have ever had.
Finally moved to an apartment of my own.
Pondered deeply if the bus 331A really does exist.
Been super grateful that no matter where you are, some friends are just a gchat buzz away.