Ron, Nikitha and the Ice cream

Hold your hearts.... Love might be tricky at times.. ;)


He was walking steadily towards the big brown door, when a rodent that crossed his way, startled him. He looked down, to catch a sight of the animal, when he saw himself, in a piece of broken mirror. His skin, looked dull, eyes could barely see anything, and he had just sixteen teeth to survive with. His nose was crooked, lips torn and hair pale gray. The drops of dirty water falling from the roof, on his bald head distracted him again. He rose, this time, to see her standing in front of him. He might have aged, but she was the same beauty she used to be years ago… He touched her soft hands, looked deep into her eyes, and said, “I might have grown old, but I love you the same… still.” On hearing this, she raised her hand and brought it with speed towards him and….

“Tringggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg”, rang her alarm. She woke up, rubbing her eyes, stretching her arms, and sighed, “Duh… I would have just slapped him.. This stupid alarm!!!!” She got ready for college, had her breakfast and rushed out of house. She found Kylie and him standing near the yellow wall. She rushed towards Kylie, pulled her away. “What…What. What is it….? Ooh.. you…. Stop Nikita!...Stop…. Stop pulling me will you?”, said Kylie, irritated. “Ssssh…. !! Ron will get to hear. I gotta share something with you. I saw a dream.!”, she gushed. “Dream? What dream? Tell me!! Hurry up”, asked Kylie enquiringly. Habitual of girls, to first act as if they are mighty irritated and then become their gushy selves, when they think it is a “Seeeeeecrett!!”. He stood thinking. She narrated the entire dream to Kylie, and she laughed until she coughed. But the fact seemed obvious. She could sense that Nikitha had feelings for him. Kylie ran towards him, and said, “She is in love! With….”, before Kylie could say a single word more her mouth was covered with Nikita’s hand. “She’s in love with?? “ Ron asked as he set his T-shirt and hair right. He exhibited his teeth through his silly smile. “No Kylie. Shut up.” Nikitha pressed into Kylie’s ears as she released her hand. “She is in love with……. Ice creams.” Kylie announced. Ron’s bright face reduced to a face with all its lights switched off. He gave a loser’s smile but said- “Shall we go for ice creams then?” “Sure” said Nikitha as Kylie behaved like the PM of India as she said –“ Sorry, I’m busy. You guys carry on.” Kylie left as Nikitha and Ron entered a near by ice cream parlor. “I just love this place.” Nikitha said awaiting a reply from Ron. “Yeah. The chairs are so comfortable here.” Ron said scanning around the place like an architect who was pissed off. Nikitha rolled her eyes. The ice- cream they had ordered, arrived and it took exactly 3 minutes and 30 secs for Ron to empty it while Nikitha was still relishing her first scoop. Ron said- “ You are so slow. I can finish ice creams in a minute, you know?” Nikitha rolled her eyes again. As the bill made its way to the table, Ron grabbed at it like how lizards catch their prey. Nikitha smiled, sat straight and said- “ Ron… Hey Ron.. I .. I Love you.” “Oh shit. Where’s my wallet? I cant find it.” Ron acted as if electricity was being passed through him as he couldn’t find his wallet. “Hey listen Ron…. I Love You…” Ron was busy digging out all his pockets. Nikitha felt pissed and irritated and said- “ I have money, I’ll pay. Don worry.” “Oh! Thank you so much. Give the money. Give.” Ron behaved like a greedy beggar. Nikitha pulled currency out of her handbag and passed it to him. He paid the bill, and digged out a calculator from his bag and said – I have to return Rs. 45.50 to you. I’ll give it to you by 10 in the morning tomorrow.” Nikitha smiled with an expression on her face like as if she was going to vomit any moment. “Hey, you were telling me something. Whats that?” Ron asked as he pushed his calculator into his bag. “I said I Hate You.” She said and rushed out of the place as if she had to attend an emergency. “God! She hates me. I think I should have made it a round figure- Rs 46.” Ron said to himself as he left home still confused. Later that same day, As Nikitha sat alone on her computer, distressed, and all freaked out. She received a mail, from one of her class mates. It read: BoyS...And their various mind forms. "Rubbish", she thought. And just when she was about to dismiss the mail into her trash box, this line caught her attention, "He needn't behave as if he needs you. He needn't even pay attention to what you tell him. No matter how important to you it is. He might not even look like he would be sensitive to your needs and words, for ages to come.But When you are gone, he would always think of you!! And wonder, why you "didn't" say anything." She was left partly amused by this mail. Thoughts were running in her mind like a whirlwind. "So perhaps....He has the same thing for me...May be. May be not....But how do I find out? Who will tell me? How...!!" That night she couldn't sleep. She wanted to talk to Ron, but she did not know whether calling him up would be a nice thing to do. On the other hand, Ron was trying to call her up, and every time he would dial a wrong number, he would cry irritatedly like a kid. "9...2...6..4...74 or 47? then ... 12 or 10..??", he kept asking himself. All startled. After a minute of meditation, he decided upon dialing randomly the digits that circled his mind. so..."9264471021", was what he dialed. And bingo! It went ringing. Nikitha looked at her cell phone with utter dis-belief. She received the call, and heard him talk.
"Hey hello. Is it Nikki?? Please say it is. Please Please."
"Shut up Ron."
"Oh.................. Thank God.!!"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh well.. nothing..! I wanted to tell you something."

For a moment, Nikitha held her breath. She could feel her heart pounding. She somehow managed to put her thoughts together and talk.

"Yes.. What is it?"
"Amm... Well .. first you have to promise me that you wouldn't mind." "Ok..Now say."
"Umm... you know....... I mean..."
"Yea.... Go ahead.."
"Like.. you know, Its like.... Funny, but yes..I mean.."
"Will you speak up!!!!" "Well!...Yes... I mean, You know, I.."
"You...??"
"Yes.. I... I have no issues paying you the Rs.46 thing, I mean no issues with just 50p. See, I don't care for that. That is ok. I mean, you can have it. You know, cause you paid. So.. its like... Yeah"

She frowned. She did not know how to hold her temper.
"Right! Tomorrow, I shall have my money right back!!"
"Good......." and the line went dead. He looked at his cell phone and said, "Strange girl..".
She could not sleep the whole night. She was terribly angry, on herself, for having loved such a heartless guy, and on him, for not understanding that she loved him. Next morning, she walked steadily towards him, with great anger in her eyes. He could detect that she was "very" angry. He immediately stuffed his hand his pocket. Took out four notes of ten a coin of 5 and a coin of 1. He put his hand forward. It was too much for Nikitha to tolerate now. As tears rolled down her cheeks, she took out a note of hundred from her purse, and placed it on Ron's hand. "Take it. And keep your money too.And possible, go buy yourself a brain from some where..". Kylie was looking amazed at both of them. With expressions on her face she was trying to convey something to Ron. But before she could, Nikitha continued saying, "Oh.. and A heart too!! Go buy one... Cause I doubt you have one."


As she started to go away, Ron murmured, "Of course i don't have mine with me..". Then after a pause.. He screamed,"First she steals it away, then she asks me to buy a new one.Huh. Tell her it isn't fair. NOT AT ALL FAIR!! She has to give me hers... !! She HAS to!!". He grumbled a little more, then headed for the ice cream shop. By the time Nikitha could realize what was happening, he was off. She whispered to herself with amazement, "What the.... Oh goodness!! Where is he lost!!". She took fast steps to the shop, and found him sitting there. One look at her, and he rose to leave. "Hey Ron.. Listen.. Stop... Ron...!!" He turned hastily and replied, "Yes what?? What more do you want now??" "I want nothing more... I had... had something to give you..." He was so angry that he did not know how to react. "Hurry up. What is it.?" He was looking here and there in pure dissatisfaction, when suddenly, she came closer to him.. kissed him on his cheek and ran away.! He stood there shocked for a while, then when he realised that they had both confessed their love for each other, he took his cell phone out, punched in, "Come back. Now.! I need you." and sent it to her. She replied, "Stupid. " He knew that he had to run behind her yet again.

She was standing at the door of the Church, smiling to herself. He was walking steadily towards the big brown door, and she could hear him coming. She turned, and found him sitting on one knee, with a hand stretched out to her. He touched her soft hands, looked deep into her eyes, and said, “I might be very stupid, but I love you the same… still.Like I did when we met. Like i did, when we talked, like I did, in our dreams.”


She smiled, and said, "Do I still have to say it with words?" Ron said, "No... Another kiss would be just as good.", and winked.



By,

Arjun Choudary

&

Alisha Das

CRACKING 'EGG-JAMS' - THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

“What’s the significance of the equation E= Mc2?”

“What does Herbert Simon’s theory of Decision Making elucidate upon?”

“How does the Ecological theory affect administration of developing countries?”
Do you begin stuttering when such bouncers are thrown upon you? Does your tongue stick out lamely when you are told to explain a concept? Do you develop cold feet when the word “egg-jams” are uttered? No it doesn’t mean eggs mashed up with the fruity and sweetie jam…(anyway what an awful combination that would be). With no academic companion to guide you through your awful egg-jam burden, all your supposed academic pursuits seem to be draining all the way down the Indian Ocean.

"A process prescribed or assigned for testing qualification; as, the examination of a student, or of a candidate for admission to the bar or the ministry. "
"...the act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned"
That’s how an examination is defined.

It is that time of the year when that perpetually-doomed species called ‘student’ goes all nuts, crazy, insane, and begins acting like a fool to the core. They are no less than a jittery monkey freaking and howling at every step before the D-Day arrives. There is complete pandemonium, with the Indian Parliament proceedings standing no chance in comparison. Scattering of books, scampering for notes, and above all, trying to please the highest authority with whatever means possible to achieve their desired goals, is the order of the day during this season.

To shed some ‘light of enlightenment’ onto my fellow ‘homo sapien academicuses’ (read students), we decided to preach (we don’t believe in following it or practicing it…give us a break!) and propound the vital mandate to sail through any sort of egg-jam hurdle. They will heal all your egg-jam sorrows and leave you with nothing but ecstasy (not the drug loser!)

Following are the TEN COMMANDMENTS of Dealing with Exam Fever. Follow them at your own risk.

1) “THOU ART THY OWN LORDS & THY OWN GODS”
Plan your studies - or whatever you call it - according to your own whims and fancies. Study when you WANT to. Not when you OUGHT to. This will ensure you have ample time in the world to check out the hot guy/girl next door (depending on your leanings :P) or even sneak in the uptown chicos/chicas.

2) “THOU SHALT STEAL”
NEVER buy notes from your pet Photostat-wala in college or waste money buying books which you’re eventually gonna throw away anyway. Why bother when you have the luxury of pestering your fellow geek mate who has the entire notes from the starting of the syllabus till the end, and sometimes even more?
Follow this dictum and you are bound to succeed. Your geek classmate has studied more than required, so snatch away whatever material he has, well in advance, like two weeks – hell no!! - 2 days before the egg-jams.

3) “THOU SHALT KILL”
If attempts at stealing don’t work, then exterminate the creature.

4) “THOU SHALT AIM FOR AN EVER-LAST-ING PREPARATION”
ALWAYS insist on reading only a night before the egg-jam. No use mugging up the crap the entire year. After all, ONE NIGHT STANDS are always effective and more preferable.

5) “LOVE THY CANTEEN”
If you cannot find that perfect place to let out your building frustration, then why are college canteens made up for? Rest you ass and enjoy your hot cuppa coffee or even that plate of scrumptious dosas. This would be sufficiently enough to make you forget about the thrilling egg-jams dude!

6) “GOTH MUSIC IS A MUST”.
If Finding Neverland seems impossible, i.e. passing appears tough then listen to some Goth Rock. This will not only soothe your senses, but will also inspire you with innovative ideas to jam the eggs.

Even if its not your poison and doesn’t really soothe your senses, hell, it can’t be worse than egg-jam stress now, can it?

7) “LET IT GO. LET THY SPIRIT FLOW”
While answering your paper (wonder of wonders!! One Night Stands do work, eh? :P), if by chance you are writing something rather than staring at the ceiling, let your creative juices flow with no hindrances. Write as much crap as possible. Let the examiner know what you’re made of.

In between, writing something related to the discipline is definitely permitted.

8) “THOU SHALT MAKE THY OWN TATTOO(S) & KEEP THEM SECRET”
You could have the “Cost of Capital” formulae tattooed in blue ball-pen ink on your upper arm, or the formulae for “MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY” underneath your socks, or chemical equations under neath your wristwatch, or Acronyms to essay answers wherever you want em (and wherever you, and only you can see them).

You would obviously not share your art with others of the species or the authority. Lest the Master strike you down with a bolt of lightning.

Even if he misses, the supervisor most probably won’t.

9) “QUESTION BANK IS THY BIRTHRIGHT, AND THOU SHALT HAVE IT”
You shall beg/plead/whine/pester your faculty for a question bank. More ambitious cadres could try for the question paper itself. Makes your one night stands a shorter affair, and would probably keep you in lesser guilt :P

10) “THOU SHALT UPDATE THY BLOG”
Well, the last commandment, and the most sacrosanct for us bloggers. If you’re not able to channelise your creativity and focus your attention towards your studies, then you might as well think about your next post, and post something on your blog.

You might end up screwing your exams royally, but look at the positives dude! You get an updated blog and loads of comments!!!

So what are you waiting for? Start commenting!! We’re screwing up our exams for this piece of shit! :P

Cheers
Swatz & CRD

BREAD. PIECES, - POETRY CONTEST WINNER

Bloggeratti's very first Contest was held in July, 2008. It was a POETRY contest, with the theme "CHILD ABUSE". The entries were judged by ELAAN, an NGO dealing with Child Sexual Abuse. Although the winners were initially supposed to be announced in August, due to unavoidable circumstances, the Judge could not have a look at the entries on time. I too, got busy with my MBA course, and the whole thing got delayed by months.

26 entries were received in all. The winner was finally announced on 25th November. Pali Tripathi was declared the winner for her entry titled "Bread.Pieces."

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for participating in it, and also for being very patient with the announcement of the results.

Here's the Poem...

Bread. Pieces
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bread. Pieces. Stale
Spoon. Stained. Half
Plate. Broken.One
Pan.Dry. Empty
Table. Brown. Dirty
Door. Bell. Footsteps
Silence. Fear. Apprehension
Man. Thin. Tatters
Eyes. Cold. Piercing
Gazes. Afraid. Numb
Sound. Loud. Harsh
Child. Tears. Gurgle
Bread. Pieces. Gone
Faces. White. Wounded
Mouths. Pained. Dry
Door. Shut. Bang
Father. Drunk. Asleep
Mother. Deaf. Diseased
Children. Dumb. Broken
Life. Limp. Lost
Love. Desired. Denied.

- Pali Tripathi

A NEW BEGINNING

Welcome to Bloggeratti Folks!!

We're 400 odd members right now, and that's a wonderful achievement, considering we're only about 7 months old. Hope our spawn multiplies by leaps and bounds.

The birth of our community was spawned by the absence of an organised community on orkut for bloggers. Most communities on orkut have unsolicited memberships, and most of the forums are used for spamming. That's not the case here. Our forums are absolutely clean, and a big reason for that has to be the fact that each and every member of this community has joined because of an invitation. We have been very careful about our membership, with the criteria for invitation being quality posts, decent command over vocabulary, creativity, originality of content, versatility, and regularity. So if you're a member here, give yourself a pat on the back, coz YOU GUYS are good :)

The idea of starting a community blog is to feature the award-winning posts and co-written efforts of members. The idea of co-writing might not be a new concept, but I really wonder if there really is any other community which has this characteristic.

At the moment, we aren't really keen on reposts being part of this blog. We do not want our blog to be flooded with posts, since that would mean that each post would not get the attention and readership it deserves. Lets see if the co-writing move works or not.

Cheers to all of you.
CRD