"தினேஷ் ! வாந்தி எடுத்துட்டேன்... யார் கிட்டே சொல்லனும் ?"
யாராவது பின்னாடி நின்று கேள்விகேட்டால், என் ஸ்விவெல் சேரில் திரும்பி பதில் சொல்லும் அவகாசத்தில் கேள்விக்கு பதில் யோசிப்பது என் வழக்கம். இந்தக்கேள்விக்கு, ஆச்சரியரேகைகள் படர்ந்த முகத்துடன் யோசனையே இல்லாமல் திரும்பினேன்..
"வாட் ?" என்று புருவத்தை மடித்து அஷ்டகோனலாக வாயைப்பிளந்து இரண்டு கைகளை விரித்துக் கேட்டேன்.
"அங்கே பாருங்க.." என்று காமித்தாள். ப்ளூ கார்பெட்டில் திட்டுத்திட்டாக இருந்தது.
"யார் கிட்டே சொல்லனும் ??" என்று கேட்டாள் மறுபடியும்..
"உங்க ஹஸ்பெண்ட் கிட்டே.." என்று கண்ணடித்துக்கொண்டே சொன்னேன்.
"விளையாடாதீங்க, தினேஷ்.. ஹவுஸ்கீப்பிங் ஃபோன் பண்ணி கொஞ்சம் வந்து க்ளீன் பண்ணிட்டுப்போகச் சொல்லுங்களேன்.. ப்ளீஸ்.."
ஹ்ம்ம்ம்.... நான் என்ன டீம் லீடரா.. இல்ல...சே..! இவர்களுக்கெல்லாம் கொஞ்சம் கூட விவஸ்தயே இல்லை.
6667....
"அட்மின் ? கொஞ்சம் ஹவுஸ்கீப்பிங் இங்கே வர சொல்லரீங்களா.. ஃபிஃப்த் ஃப்ளோர்.."
"வர்ராங்களா ?"
"ம்ம்ம்.. திடீர்ன்னு என்னாச்சு உங்களுக்கு... "
அடெடே.. ப்ரெக்னன்ட் என்று சொல்லுவாளோ.. நாலு மாசம் அப்ஸ்காண்ட் ஆகிவிடுவாளே !! சலீமை ரீப்ளேஸ்மெண்ட்டாக போட வேண்டியதுதான். அப்போ சலீம் வேலை பார்க்கும் மாட்யூலை ப்ரதாப்பிடம் கொடுத்தாக வேண்டும்... புதுசாக ஒரு ஃப்ரெஷரை எடுத்து க்ரூம் பண்ண வேண்டும்.. பாஸிடம் சொல்லி...
"இல்ல.. கார்த்தால கத்திரிக்கா சாப்டேன். சரியா ஒத்துக்கலை. தட்ஸ் ஆல்.."
அப்பாடா !! இருந்தாலும் ஒரு ஃப்ரெஷரை ரெக்ரூட் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
"டேக் கேர்..! " என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு திரும்பி என் வேலையைப் பார்க்க உட்கார்ந்தேன். பத்து நிமிடங்கள் கடந்தபின், ஹவுஸ்கீப்பிங் சுதாகர் வந்தார். "சார். கூப்டீங்களா ?"
நிமிர்ந்து பார்த்தேன். சுதாகருக்கு என் வயதில் ஒரு மகன் இருந்தான். அந்தளவு வயதானவர்.
"யா !!" என்று திரும்பி வாந்தி ஸ்பாட்டை காமித்தேன். "அங்கே... !!"
அங்கே அவள், அதற்கும் தனக்கும் சம்பந்தமே இல்லாதது போல் வேலை பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்தாள்.
சுதாகர் குழப்பத்துடன் பார்த்தார். இதையெல்லாம் நான் செய்ய வேண்டுமா.. என்று யோசித்துக்கொண்டிருந்தார் போலும்.
நிலைமையின் இறுக்கம் இப்பொழுதுதான் எனக்குப் புரிந்தது.. ஓஹோ! மாட்டிக்கொண்டு விட்டேனா ? "டாய்லெட் க்ளீன் பண்ணறவன் ட்யூட்டி முடிச்சு கிளம்பிட்டானே... வேற யாராவது இருக்காங்களான்னு பார்க்கறேன்" என்று சுதாகர் கீழே போய்விட்டார்.
வருவாரா ? இல்லை டேக்கா கொடுத்துவிடுவாரோ.. இல்லை அட்மின் டிபார்ட்மெண்டிடம் கம்ப்ளெய்ண்ட் கொடுத்துவிடுவாரோ.. நாட் விதின் தேர் ஸ்கோப்..
என்னுடைய க்யூபிகளுக்குள் வந்தேன்.. "என்னாச்சு தினேஷ் ! என்ன சொல்லிட்டு போறார் ??" என்றாள் அவள், கூலாக. இருந்த கடுப்பில் பதில் சொல்லாமல் உட்கார்ந்து இடைப்பட்ட நேரத்தில் குவிந்துவிட்ட ஈமெயில்களை மேய ஆரம்பித்தேன்.
பத்து நிமிடங்கள் கழித்து சலீம் வந்தான். "என்னாச்சு தினேஷ் ! யாரும் க்ளீன் பண்ணலயா ??" என்று கேட்டான். அப்பொழுதுதான் எனக்கு ப்ரக்ஞை திரும்பியது. கஷ்டகாலம்.. என்ன செய்யலாம். அவளையே க்ளீன் செய்ய சொல்லலாமா ? என்ன தவறு... அவரவர் ******************** ***** ****. ஹ்ம்ம்ம்.. எனக்குச் சொல்லத் தயக்கமாக இருந்தது.
பேசாமல் நானே க்ளீன் செய்யலாமே ? அடச்சே ! சினிமாவில் குடித்துவிட்டு வரும் கணவனின் வாயில் கையேந்தி நிற்கும் மனைவி ஞாபகம் வந்தது. எனக்கென்ன தலைவிதியா ?
திரும்பவும் 6667 கூப்பிட்டேன். "அட்மின் !! இங்கே என்னோட டீம் மெம்பர் வாமிட் பண்ணிட்டாங்க.. க்ளீன் செய்யனும்... இங்கே ஹவுஸ் கீப்பிங் வந்தார்.. ஆனா அவர் ட்யூட்டி இல்லேன்னு போயிட்டார்... ஐ நீட் சம் ரெஸ்பான்ஸ்..."
பத்து நிமிடம் கழித்து சுதாகர் கையில் மாப், மற்றும் இதர சாமன்களுடன் வந்தார். அவர் முகத்தில் வெறுப்பு இருந்தது. நிச்சயமாக அவர் செய்யவேண்டிய வேலை இல்லை. அட்மின் டிபார்ட்மென்டில் நிச்சயப்படுத்தி அனுப்பியிருப்பார்கள்.
எனக்கு அவரைப்பார்க்க தைரியம் இல்லை. அவர் மனதில் "சுண்டக்கா பசங்க.. பணம் சம்பாதிக்கற திமிரு... " என்று கட்டாயம் என்னை சபித்துக் கொண்டிருப்பார். எனக்கு என்னமோ போல் இருந்தது...
யோசித்துப்பார்த்தேன் ! நான் ஏன் இங்கே மாட்டிக் கொண்டேன்... எனக்கும் இதற்கும் என்ன சம்பந்தம் ? ஒரு தவறும் செய்யாமல் நான் ஏன் குற்ற உணர்ச்சியுடன் உட்கார்ந்திருக்க வேண்டும் ? ஏன் என்று தெரியவில்லை.... பட் ஐ ஃபெல்ட் கில்டி.
அன்றிலிருந்து நான் கத்திரிக்காய் சாப்பிடுவது இல்லை.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
தம்பட்டம்
கடைத்தெருவில் இருந்து வந்தார் சாமா. விசாலம் சொம்பில் ஜலம் எடுத்து வந்தாள்.. "எங்கேன்னா போயிருந்தேள்.. இத்தனை நாழி ! ஒரே கவலையா இருந்துது.."..
பதில் வரவில்லை. ஊஞ்சலுக்கு சென்றமர்ந்தார். இரண்டு வெற்றிலையை காம்பு கிள்ளி சுண்ணாம்பு தடவி வாயினோரம் மடித்து வைத்துக் கொண்டார்.
"அச்சச்சோ.. சீவல் தீர்ந்து போச்சே" என்று அப்போது தான் ஞாபகம் வந்தது விசாலத்திற்கு. ஸ்டோர் ரூம் ரேழியிலிருந்த மஞ்சப் பையில் இருந்து பன்னீர்ப் புகையிலையை பிரித்து ஊஞ்சல் வெற்றிலைப் பெட்டிக்குள் நிறப்பினாள்.. சாமா முறைத்தார். "முன்னாடியே ஞாபகம் வேண்டாம் ?" என்று சுள் என்று அதட்டினார். பதில் பேசாமல் மாமி முற்றத்திற்கு சென்று பத்து பாத்திரம் தேய்க்க ஆரம்பித்தாள்..
"இங்கே வாடி.. " என்றார் சாமா, பெல்ட்டை உருவியபடியே.... விசாலம் பயத்துடன் தூணுக்குப் பின் இருந்து பார்த்தாள்..
"கார்த்தால வாசக்கதவுல கால் இடுச்சிண்டியாமே.. நல்லா தடவி விடு.. சூடு பறக்க தடவனும். தெரிஞ்சுதா..." என்று அதட்டியபடியே பெல்ட் பர்ஸினுள் வாங்கி வந்திருந்த ஐயோடெக்ஸ் டப்பியை கையில் திணித்தார்.
விசாலம் மாமிக்கு தன் கணவரைப்பற்றி தம்பட்டம் அடிக்க இன்றைக்கும் ஒரு விஷயம் கிடைத்துவிட்டது.
பதில் வரவில்லை. ஊஞ்சலுக்கு சென்றமர்ந்தார். இரண்டு வெற்றிலையை காம்பு கிள்ளி சுண்ணாம்பு தடவி வாயினோரம் மடித்து வைத்துக் கொண்டார்.
"அச்சச்சோ.. சீவல் தீர்ந்து போச்சே" என்று அப்போது தான் ஞாபகம் வந்தது விசாலத்திற்கு. ஸ்டோர் ரூம் ரேழியிலிருந்த மஞ்சப் பையில் இருந்து பன்னீர்ப் புகையிலையை பிரித்து ஊஞ்சல் வெற்றிலைப் பெட்டிக்குள் நிறப்பினாள்.. சாமா முறைத்தார். "முன்னாடியே ஞாபகம் வேண்டாம் ?" என்று சுள் என்று அதட்டினார். பதில் பேசாமல் மாமி முற்றத்திற்கு சென்று பத்து பாத்திரம் தேய்க்க ஆரம்பித்தாள்..
"இங்கே வாடி.. " என்றார் சாமா, பெல்ட்டை உருவியபடியே.... விசாலம் பயத்துடன் தூணுக்குப் பின் இருந்து பார்த்தாள்..
"கார்த்தால வாசக்கதவுல கால் இடுச்சிண்டியாமே.. நல்லா தடவி விடு.. சூடு பறக்க தடவனும். தெரிஞ்சுதா..." என்று அதட்டியபடியே பெல்ட் பர்ஸினுள் வாங்கி வந்திருந்த ஐயோடெக்ஸ் டப்பியை கையில் திணித்தார்.
விசாலம் மாமிக்கு தன் கணவரைப்பற்றி தம்பட்டம் அடிக்க இன்றைக்கும் ஒரு விஷயம் கிடைத்துவிட்டது.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
இயல்பு
"ஏம்மா அப்பா சீக்கிரம் வந்துட்டாங்க ! ஆஃபீஸ் இன்னிக்கு ஹாஃப்டேயா ?"
சமையலரையில் காஃஃபி போட்டுக்கொண்டிருந்த அம்மாவின் புடவைத்தலைப்பை இழுத்து கேள்வி கேட்டுக்கொண்டிருந்தான். "ம்ம்ம்.. கீழே போய் D7 மாமிகிட்ட நாள நாளன்னி பாலை அவங்களையே எடுத்துக்க சொன்னேன்னு சொல்லு". அவசரம் அவசரமாக காபி கலந்து கொண்டிருந்தாள்.
"ஏம்மா ! ஊருக்கு போறோமா ?"...
"சொன்ன வேலையை செய்.. போ!". அதட்டினாள் அம்மா.
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"ஏம்ப்பா சோகமா இருக்கே ! ஏம்ப்பா ஆஃபீஸ் இன்னிக்கு ஹாஃப்டேயா ?"
".............."
"ஏம்ப்பா காபி சாப்டாம வெச்சிருக்கே ?"
"............."
"ஏம்பபா அழறே ?" மெதுவாக கண்ணீர் வழிந்துவந்த கண்கள், குளமாகி நின்றன.
"தாத்தா செத்துப்போய்ட்டாடா !" என்று கதறி வெடித்தார் அப்பா.
என்ன நடக்கிறது என்று எட்டிப்பார்த்தாள் அம்மா. "வெளியே வா !" என்று மிரட்டினாள்.
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"ஏம்மா ! நாம மெட்றாஸ் போறோமா ?"
"ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்.."
"ட்ரெயினா ?"
"ப்ளேன்".
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ரெண்டு ஸுட்கேசையும் கால் டேக்ஸியில் ஏற்றிக்கொண்டிருந்தார் அப்பா. வீட்டுச்சாவி கொடுக்க D7 சென்றிருந்தாள் அம்மா.
"அப்பா.. ஒன் மினிட்ப்பா !!!" என்று தப தப என்று ஓடினான்.
"சந்தீப்.. ! சந்தீப் !!" என்று ஆருயிர் நண்பனின் வீட்டுக்கதவை தட்டினான்.
"என்னாடா !!"
"டேய்.. நான் ஏரோப்ப்ளேன்ல போகப்போறேனே !!!!!!" என்று சந்தோஷத்துடன் குதித்துக்காமித்தான்.
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சமையலரையில் காஃஃபி போட்டுக்கொண்டிருந்த அம்மாவின் புடவைத்தலைப்பை இழுத்து கேள்வி கேட்டுக்கொண்டிருந்தான். "ம்ம்ம்.. கீழே போய் D7 மாமிகிட்ட நாள நாளன்னி பாலை அவங்களையே எடுத்துக்க சொன்னேன்னு சொல்லு". அவசரம் அவசரமாக காபி கலந்து கொண்டிருந்தாள்.
"ஏம்மா ! ஊருக்கு போறோமா ?"...
"சொன்ன வேலையை செய்.. போ!". அதட்டினாள் அம்மா.
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"ஏம்ப்பா சோகமா இருக்கே ! ஏம்ப்பா ஆஃபீஸ் இன்னிக்கு ஹாஃப்டேயா ?"
".............."
"ஏம்ப்பா காபி சாப்டாம வெச்சிருக்கே ?"
"............."
"ஏம்பபா அழறே ?" மெதுவாக கண்ணீர் வழிந்துவந்த கண்கள், குளமாகி நின்றன.
"தாத்தா செத்துப்போய்ட்டாடா !" என்று கதறி வெடித்தார் அப்பா.
என்ன நடக்கிறது என்று எட்டிப்பார்த்தாள் அம்மா. "வெளியே வா !" என்று மிரட்டினாள்.
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"ஏம்மா ! நாம மெட்றாஸ் போறோமா ?"
"ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்.."
"ட்ரெயினா ?"
"ப்ளேன்".
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ரெண்டு ஸுட்கேசையும் கால் டேக்ஸியில் ஏற்றிக்கொண்டிருந்தார் அப்பா. வீட்டுச்சாவி கொடுக்க D7 சென்றிருந்தாள் அம்மா.
"அப்பா.. ஒன் மினிட்ப்பா !!!" என்று தப தப என்று ஓடினான்.
"சந்தீப்.. ! சந்தீப் !!" என்று ஆருயிர் நண்பனின் வீட்டுக்கதவை தட்டினான்.
"என்னாடா !!"
"டேய்.. நான் ஏரோப்ப்ளேன்ல போகப்போறேனே !!!!!!" என்று சந்தோஷத்துடன் குதித்துக்காமித்தான்.
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Tuesday, July 03, 2007
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ஈமெயில் குவியல்களுக்குள் புகுந்து அதகளம் செய்து கொண்டிருந்தான் திவாகர். பைசா ப்ரயோஜனம் இல்லாத ஆடிட், அதற்குத்தான் இத்தனை அமளி துமளி. மூன்று நாட்களாக பகீரதத்தவம் இருந்து வேலை வாங்கி, வேலை செய்து கொண்டிருந்தான். உட்கார்ந்த இடத்திலிருந்துதான் வேலை என்றாலும் இருபது பேரை கட்டி மேய்த்து, அவர்களையும் பிழிந்து சாறெடுத்து, தானும் மெனக் கெட்டு 200% ப்ரொடக்டிவிடி வரவழைத்துக் கொண்டிருந்தான்.
நடு நிசியில் தான் வீட்டு ஞாபகம் வரும். மனைவியை அந்த வேளையில் இம்சிக்காமல், வழியிலேயே ஒரு கையேந்திபவனில் காளிஃப்ளவர் மசால் தோசை இரண்டை கபளீகரம் செய்து கொள்வான். பூட்டைத் திறந்து வீட்டுக்குள் செல்லும் போது, "அச்சயா நெற்றியில் முத்தம் கொடுத்துவிட்டுத் தூங்க வேண்டும்" என்று நினைத்துக் கொள்வான். அந்த நினைவெல்லாம் பேண்ட் கழற்றி லுங்கிக்குள் நுழைவதற்குள் கரைந்துவிடும். மூன்று மணி நேர உறக்கத்திற்காக ஏன் வீட்டுக்கு வர வேண்டும் என்ற யோசனையுடன் தூங்க ஆரம்பிப்பான்.
செல்ஃபோனின் அரக்கத்தனமான அலாரத்தில் பதறியடித்து எழுந்திருத்து, இன்னும் தூங்கிக்கொண்டிருக்கும் மனைவியையும் அச்சயாவையும் இரண்டு நிமிடங்கள் வெறித்துப் பார்ப்பான். பின் குளித்து முடித்து வேலைக்குக்கிளம்பிவிடுவான். சாக்ஸ் போடும்போது மட்டும் "அச்சயாவின் நெற்றியில் முத்தம் கொடுத்துவிட்டு, தலைமுடியை வருடிவிட்டு, பின் தான் வேலைக்குச் செல்ல வேண்டும்" என்று நினைத்துக் கொள்வான். ஷூ லேஸ் கட்டி முடிப்பதற்குள் அந்த நினைப்பை மறந்திருப்பான்.
அன்று ஆடிட்.
நடக்கவில்லை. அத்தனை நாள் அவசரம் அவசரமாய் வேலை பார்த்ததின் அர்த்தம், மதிப்பற்று போய்விட்டது. சக ஊழியர்களிடம் வழக்கம் போல கடுப்படித்துவிட்டு, தன் ரூமில் சென்றமர்ந்தான். சபேசன் உள்ளே வந்தான் - சக மேனேஜர்.
"என்னடா ! ஏண்டா இப்படியெல்லாம் உழைக்கிறே ? லுக் அட் யுவர்செல்ஃப் ! யூ லுக் ஹாரிபிள்"... பதில் பேசாமல் மானிட்டரை வெறித்துப்பார்த்து உட்கார்ந்திருந்தான்.
"கோ ஹோம்! வீட்டுக்குப்போய்..."
"ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்.. "
வீட்டுக்குப் போகலாம் என்று முடிவு செய்தான். மனைவியும் அச்சயாவும் வீட்டில் தான் இருப்பார்கள். அச்சயாவிற்கு பார்பி டால் வாங்கிச்ச்செல்லவேண்டும் என்று முடிவு செய்தான். குழந்தையுடன் இன்று விளையாட வேண்டும் என்று முடிவு செய்தான். ஓடிப்பிடித்து விளையாட வேண்டும். மாடி ரேஸ் விளையாடலாம். பார்பி டால் வைத்து மெத்தையில் கதை சொல்ல வேண்டும். அவள் தூங்கியவுடன் போர்த்திவிட்டு நெற்றியில் முத்தம் வைத்துவிட்டு, தலை முடி வருடி விட்டு அவள் பக்கத்திலேயே தூங்கவேண்டும், இன்று.
காரை நிறுத்திவிட்டு, வீட்டிற்குள் சென்றான். வீட்டை வெளிச்சத்தில் பார்த்து பல நாட்களாகி விட்டதைப்போல இருந்தது. ஏனோ, தன் வீட்டிலேயே விருந்தாளியைப்போலே உணர்ந்தான்.
"அச்சயா !!! " என்று கூப்பிட்டான். தப தப என்று மாடியில் இருந்து அவனது குட்டி தேவதை, மழலைப்பாதங்களில் கொலுசு சப்தத்துடன் ஓடிவந்தாள். "அச்சயா இல்லப்பா ! அக்ஷயா" என்று என்றும் போல திருத்தினாள். அவளை அள்ளி வாரி அணைத்து உச்சி முகர்ந்தான்.
"ஹைய்ய்ய்ய்ய் !!" அச்சயாவின் அகலமான கண்கள், பார்பி டால் பாக்ஸைப்பார்த்தவுடன் இன்னும் அகலமாய் விரிந்தது. நான்கு நாள் உழைப்பின் அழுத்தம், தன் மகளின் இன்பத்தில் பறந்தோடிப்போனது. "குட்டிச்செல்லம் ஹாப்பி ?" என்று கேட்டான். அச்சயா பாக்ஸை ஆட்டி ஆட்டி சந்தோஷமாய் சிரித்தாள். திடீரென யோசனை ரேகைகள், அவள் முகத்தில்.
அச்சயா பாக்ஸ் பிரிக்காமல், "பி. ஏ. ஆர்.. பி.. அப்பா... இருப்பா வர்ஷாகிட்டே காமிக்க போறேன். அவ கிட்டே ஜி.ஐ.ஜோ இருக்கு.. நான் காமிச்சுட்டு வெரேன்,..." என்று தன்னை அவனிடமிருந்து விடுவித்துக்கொண்டு விடு விடுவென வெளியே ஓடினாள். பக்கத்து வீட்டுக்கு. அவள் திரும்பி வர ரொம்ப நேரம் ஆகும் என்றாள் மனைவி.
அதே இடத்தில் வெகு நேரம் நின்று கொண்டிருந்தான், திவாகர். எவ்வளவு நேரம் நின்றிருப்பான் தெரியவில்லை.
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மறுனாள் காலை. செல்ஃபோன் அலாரம் அடித்தது. எழுந்து பார்த்தான். மனைவியுன் அச்சயாவும் தூங்கிக்கொண்டிருந்தார்கள். ஓரமாய் பார்பி டால் கிடத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.
"குளித்து முடித்துவிட்டு அச்சயாவின் நெற்றியில் முத்தமிட்டுவிட்டு ஆஃபீஸ் செல்லவேண்டும்".
நடு நிசியில் தான் வீட்டு ஞாபகம் வரும். மனைவியை அந்த வேளையில் இம்சிக்காமல், வழியிலேயே ஒரு கையேந்திபவனில் காளிஃப்ளவர் மசால் தோசை இரண்டை கபளீகரம் செய்து கொள்வான். பூட்டைத் திறந்து வீட்டுக்குள் செல்லும் போது, "அச்சயா நெற்றியில் முத்தம் கொடுத்துவிட்டுத் தூங்க வேண்டும்" என்று நினைத்துக் கொள்வான். அந்த நினைவெல்லாம் பேண்ட் கழற்றி லுங்கிக்குள் நுழைவதற்குள் கரைந்துவிடும். மூன்று மணி நேர உறக்கத்திற்காக ஏன் வீட்டுக்கு வர வேண்டும் என்ற யோசனையுடன் தூங்க ஆரம்பிப்பான்.
செல்ஃபோனின் அரக்கத்தனமான அலாரத்தில் பதறியடித்து எழுந்திருத்து, இன்னும் தூங்கிக்கொண்டிருக்கும் மனைவியையும் அச்சயாவையும் இரண்டு நிமிடங்கள் வெறித்துப் பார்ப்பான். பின் குளித்து முடித்து வேலைக்குக்கிளம்பிவிடுவான். சாக்ஸ் போடும்போது மட்டும் "அச்சயாவின் நெற்றியில் முத்தம் கொடுத்துவிட்டு, தலைமுடியை வருடிவிட்டு, பின் தான் வேலைக்குச் செல்ல வேண்டும்" என்று நினைத்துக் கொள்வான். ஷூ லேஸ் கட்டி முடிப்பதற்குள் அந்த நினைப்பை மறந்திருப்பான்.
அன்று ஆடிட்.
நடக்கவில்லை. அத்தனை நாள் அவசரம் அவசரமாய் வேலை பார்த்ததின் அர்த்தம், மதிப்பற்று போய்விட்டது. சக ஊழியர்களிடம் வழக்கம் போல கடுப்படித்துவிட்டு, தன் ரூமில் சென்றமர்ந்தான். சபேசன் உள்ளே வந்தான் - சக மேனேஜர்.
"என்னடா ! ஏண்டா இப்படியெல்லாம் உழைக்கிறே ? லுக் அட் யுவர்செல்ஃப் ! யூ லுக் ஹாரிபிள்"... பதில் பேசாமல் மானிட்டரை வெறித்துப்பார்த்து உட்கார்ந்திருந்தான்.
"கோ ஹோம்! வீட்டுக்குப்போய்..."
"ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்.. "
வீட்டுக்குப் போகலாம் என்று முடிவு செய்தான். மனைவியும் அச்சயாவும் வீட்டில் தான் இருப்பார்கள். அச்சயாவிற்கு பார்பி டால் வாங்கிச்ச்செல்லவேண்டும் என்று முடிவு செய்தான். குழந்தையுடன் இன்று விளையாட வேண்டும் என்று முடிவு செய்தான். ஓடிப்பிடித்து விளையாட வேண்டும். மாடி ரேஸ் விளையாடலாம். பார்பி டால் வைத்து மெத்தையில் கதை சொல்ல வேண்டும். அவள் தூங்கியவுடன் போர்த்திவிட்டு நெற்றியில் முத்தம் வைத்துவிட்டு, தலை முடி வருடி விட்டு அவள் பக்கத்திலேயே தூங்கவேண்டும், இன்று.
காரை நிறுத்திவிட்டு, வீட்டிற்குள் சென்றான். வீட்டை வெளிச்சத்தில் பார்த்து பல நாட்களாகி விட்டதைப்போல இருந்தது. ஏனோ, தன் வீட்டிலேயே விருந்தாளியைப்போலே உணர்ந்தான்.
"அச்சயா !!! " என்று கூப்பிட்டான். தப தப என்று மாடியில் இருந்து அவனது குட்டி தேவதை, மழலைப்பாதங்களில் கொலுசு சப்தத்துடன் ஓடிவந்தாள். "அச்சயா இல்லப்பா ! அக்ஷயா" என்று என்றும் போல திருத்தினாள். அவளை அள்ளி வாரி அணைத்து உச்சி முகர்ந்தான்.
"ஹைய்ய்ய்ய்ய் !!" அச்சயாவின் அகலமான கண்கள், பார்பி டால் பாக்ஸைப்பார்த்தவுடன் இன்னும் அகலமாய் விரிந்தது. நான்கு நாள் உழைப்பின் அழுத்தம், தன் மகளின் இன்பத்தில் பறந்தோடிப்போனது. "குட்டிச்செல்லம் ஹாப்பி ?" என்று கேட்டான். அச்சயா பாக்ஸை ஆட்டி ஆட்டி சந்தோஷமாய் சிரித்தாள். திடீரென யோசனை ரேகைகள், அவள் முகத்தில்.
அச்சயா பாக்ஸ் பிரிக்காமல், "பி. ஏ. ஆர்.. பி.. அப்பா... இருப்பா வர்ஷாகிட்டே காமிக்க போறேன். அவ கிட்டே ஜி.ஐ.ஜோ இருக்கு.. நான் காமிச்சுட்டு வெரேன்,..." என்று தன்னை அவனிடமிருந்து விடுவித்துக்கொண்டு விடு விடுவென வெளியே ஓடினாள். பக்கத்து வீட்டுக்கு. அவள் திரும்பி வர ரொம்ப நேரம் ஆகும் என்றாள் மனைவி.
அதே இடத்தில் வெகு நேரம் நின்று கொண்டிருந்தான், திவாகர். எவ்வளவு நேரம் நின்றிருப்பான் தெரியவில்லை.
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மறுனாள் காலை. செல்ஃபோன் அலாரம் அடித்தது. எழுந்து பார்த்தான். மனைவியுன் அச்சயாவும் தூங்கிக்கொண்டிருந்தார்கள். ஓரமாய் பார்பி டால் கிடத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.
"குளித்து முடித்துவிட்டு அச்சயாவின் நெற்றியில் முத்தமிட்டுவிட்டு ஆஃபீஸ் செல்லவேண்டும்".
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்!
"ஒரு கதை எழுதியிருக்கேன். படிச்சுப் பாரேன்" என்று நோட் புக்கை நீட்டினான் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி என்கிற கிச்சாமி. சடாரென திரும்பிப் பார்த்தாள் கோசலை. "என்னது ? புதுசா.. கதையெல்லாம் ?,..." என்று ஒரு அதிர்ச்சியை காற்றில் விட்டுவிட்டு, மீண்டும் பொறிவிளங்கா உருண்டையில் ஐக்கியம் ஆனால். நீட்டிய நோட்புக்கை நீட்டியபடியே "நாழி ஒழியும்போது படிச்சுப்பாரு கோசலை !" என்றான்.
"ம்ம்ம்ம்" என்று சொன்னாள். அவள் அப்படிச் சொன்னால், அவள் கவனம் அவன் சொன்னதில் இல்லை என்பது பொருள். பொறிவிளங்கா உருண்டையை அமுக்கிப் பார்த்து "ம்ம்ம்.. ஆயிடுத்து. என்னன்னா சொன்னேள் ?" என்று திரும்பிப் பார்த்தாள். கிச்சாமி நோட்புக்கை நீட்டியபடியே நின்றிருந்தான். "கதையா ?".. என்று புன்னகைத்தாள்.
"உங்களுக்கு கதையெல்லாம் எழுத வருமா என்ன ?" என்று கை அலம்பிவிட்டு நோட்புக்கை வாங்கிக் கொண்டாள். முதல் பக்கத்தைப் பிரித்தாள். "தலைப்பே போடலியே ?" என்று கூறிவிட்டு பதில் எதிர் பார்க்காமல் தொடர்ந்த்து படிக்கலானாள். குக்கர் சப்தம் கேட்டவுடன் கோசலை வேகமாக பக்கங்களை புரட்டி எத்தனை பக்கங்கள் என்று எடைபார்த்தாள். "ஏயப்பா ! பெருசா இருக்கே ! மெதுவா படிக்கறேன்."
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கிச்சாமி அந்தி சாய்ந்து வந்தான். ஒலியும் ஒளியும் பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்த கோசலை, கடமை தவறாமல் காபி கலந்து கொடுத்துவிட்டு மீண்டும் டி.வி யில் ஐக்கியமானாள். கிச்சாமி, "என்ன படம்டீ இந்தப்பாட்டு.. ரொம்ப வித்தியாசமா இருக்கே!" என்றான். "ரோஜா ! புது படம்னா ! எல்லா பாட்டும் ப்ரமாதமா இருக்கு. சிலோன் ரேடியோல அடிக்கடி போடரான்".
ஊஞ்சலில் அவன் நோட்புக் மல்லாக்காக கிடத்திவைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. "படிச்சியா ?" என்றான். "கோசலை !". "ம்ம்ம்ம்... ?" "கதை படிச்சியா ?". "ம்ம்ம்ம்....". கண்கள் டி.வி. விட்டு அகலாமல் பதில்வந்தது.
ஒலியும் ஒளியும் முடிந்தது. "சாப்ட்டேளா ?". "ஆச்சு... கதை படிச்சியா ?"
ஊஞ்சலில் மடித்துவைத்திருந்த நோட்புக்கை எடுத்துப் பிரித்து, கடைசியாகத் தான் படித்த பக்கத்தை திருப்பி கிச்சாமியிடம் காட்டி, "இதுவரைக்கும் ஆச்சு.. இன்னும் இவ்வளவு இருக்கே" என்றாள். கிச்சாமி இன்னும் நிறைய எதிர்பார்த்தான்.
"இதுவரைக்கும் நன்னா இருக்கா ?"
"சினிமா கதையாட்டம் இருக்கு.. நன்னா எழுதியிருக்கேள். முழுசும் முடிச்சுட்டு சொல்றேன்" என்று நோட்புக்கை மீண்டும் யதாஸ்தானத்தில் வைத்துவிட்டு மற்ற வேலைகளில் மூழ்கினாள்.
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ஞாயிறு. மதியம். தூங்கி எழுந்தான், கிச்சாமி. புத்தகம் படித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தாள் கோசலை. அவனது கதைதான். மூன்று நாட்களாக அவனுக்கு சந்தேகம், அவள் படிக்கிறாளா அல்லது எனக்காக சும்மா பக்கங்களை மட்டும் புரட்டுகிறாளா என்று. இன்று நிவர்த்தியானது. உன்னிப்பாகப் படிக்கிறாளே !
"படிக்கட்டும். முடிவில் தானே அதிர்ச்சியான திருப்பத்தை வைத்திருக்கிறேன்... என்ன சொல்கிறாள் பார்ப்போம்.. இவளுக்குப் பிடித்திருந்தால் கோபிநாத்திடம் சொல்லி ஏதாவது பதிப்பகத்தில் சேர்த்துவிடலாம்..." என்று கிச்சாமி மனதில் ஓடியது.
சில நிமிடங்கள் சோபாவில் அமர்ந்து விட்டத்தை பார்த்தபடியே அமர்ந்து கொண்டிருந்தான். போர் அடித்தது. "ஏண்டி.. சினிமா போலாமா ? சாயங்காலம்.. ரோஜா நன்னாயிருக்காமே " என்றான்.
கவனம் சிதறாமல் "ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்...." என்றாள்.
முதல் முறையாக அந்த பதில் சந்தோஷம் தந்தது. கிச்சாமிக்கு.
"ம்ம்ம்ம்" என்று சொன்னாள். அவள் அப்படிச் சொன்னால், அவள் கவனம் அவன் சொன்னதில் இல்லை என்பது பொருள். பொறிவிளங்கா உருண்டையை அமுக்கிப் பார்த்து "ம்ம்ம்.. ஆயிடுத்து. என்னன்னா சொன்னேள் ?" என்று திரும்பிப் பார்த்தாள். கிச்சாமி நோட்புக்கை நீட்டியபடியே நின்றிருந்தான். "கதையா ?".. என்று புன்னகைத்தாள்.
"உங்களுக்கு கதையெல்லாம் எழுத வருமா என்ன ?" என்று கை அலம்பிவிட்டு நோட்புக்கை வாங்கிக் கொண்டாள். முதல் பக்கத்தைப் பிரித்தாள். "தலைப்பே போடலியே ?" என்று கூறிவிட்டு பதில் எதிர் பார்க்காமல் தொடர்ந்த்து படிக்கலானாள். குக்கர் சப்தம் கேட்டவுடன் கோசலை வேகமாக பக்கங்களை புரட்டி எத்தனை பக்கங்கள் என்று எடைபார்த்தாள். "ஏயப்பா ! பெருசா இருக்கே ! மெதுவா படிக்கறேன்."
--
கிச்சாமி அந்தி சாய்ந்து வந்தான். ஒலியும் ஒளியும் பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்த கோசலை, கடமை தவறாமல் காபி கலந்து கொடுத்துவிட்டு மீண்டும் டி.வி யில் ஐக்கியமானாள். கிச்சாமி, "என்ன படம்டீ இந்தப்பாட்டு.. ரொம்ப வித்தியாசமா இருக்கே!" என்றான். "ரோஜா ! புது படம்னா ! எல்லா பாட்டும் ப்ரமாதமா இருக்கு. சிலோன் ரேடியோல அடிக்கடி போடரான்".
ஊஞ்சலில் அவன் நோட்புக் மல்லாக்காக கிடத்திவைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. "படிச்சியா ?" என்றான். "கோசலை !". "ம்ம்ம்ம்... ?" "கதை படிச்சியா ?". "ம்ம்ம்ம்....". கண்கள் டி.வி. விட்டு அகலாமல் பதில்வந்தது.
ஒலியும் ஒளியும் முடிந்தது. "சாப்ட்டேளா ?". "ஆச்சு... கதை படிச்சியா ?"
ஊஞ்சலில் மடித்துவைத்திருந்த நோட்புக்கை எடுத்துப் பிரித்து, கடைசியாகத் தான் படித்த பக்கத்தை திருப்பி கிச்சாமியிடம் காட்டி, "இதுவரைக்கும் ஆச்சு.. இன்னும் இவ்வளவு இருக்கே" என்றாள். கிச்சாமி இன்னும் நிறைய எதிர்பார்த்தான்.
"இதுவரைக்கும் நன்னா இருக்கா ?"
"சினிமா கதையாட்டம் இருக்கு.. நன்னா எழுதியிருக்கேள். முழுசும் முடிச்சுட்டு சொல்றேன்" என்று நோட்புக்கை மீண்டும் யதாஸ்தானத்தில் வைத்துவிட்டு மற்ற வேலைகளில் மூழ்கினாள்.
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ஞாயிறு. மதியம். தூங்கி எழுந்தான், கிச்சாமி. புத்தகம் படித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தாள் கோசலை. அவனது கதைதான். மூன்று நாட்களாக அவனுக்கு சந்தேகம், அவள் படிக்கிறாளா அல்லது எனக்காக சும்மா பக்கங்களை மட்டும் புரட்டுகிறாளா என்று. இன்று நிவர்த்தியானது. உன்னிப்பாகப் படிக்கிறாளே !
"படிக்கட்டும். முடிவில் தானே அதிர்ச்சியான திருப்பத்தை வைத்திருக்கிறேன்... என்ன சொல்கிறாள் பார்ப்போம்.. இவளுக்குப் பிடித்திருந்தால் கோபிநாத்திடம் சொல்லி ஏதாவது பதிப்பகத்தில் சேர்த்துவிடலாம்..." என்று கிச்சாமி மனதில் ஓடியது.
சில நிமிடங்கள் சோபாவில் அமர்ந்து விட்டத்தை பார்த்தபடியே அமர்ந்து கொண்டிருந்தான். போர் அடித்தது. "ஏண்டி.. சினிமா போலாமா ? சாயங்காலம்.. ரோஜா நன்னாயிருக்காமே " என்றான்.
கவனம் சிதறாமல் "ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்...." என்றாள்.
முதல் முறையாக அந்த பதில் சந்தோஷம் தந்தது. கிச்சாமிக்கு.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Crash
Loyola College
"Lunch ?"
"No, Xavier. I've got some problem with my stomach today. Planning to skip lunch. You guys carry on..."
Anbunathan was issuing applications for courses commencing that academic year. And he wasnt having a lunch break. He needed a break after a busy morning session. But he didnt quite like the attitude of Xavier since morning. He was true about the Stomach upset, but he would have gone out for a break if only someone else other than Xavier had called.
Middle of Some road in Chennai
Nithyanandham was going bonkers. He searched for the worst of words. It took him four years for him to think about a car and buy it. And in matter of seconds, someone slammed down on it with his bike. Bunch of crappy drivers put a dent on every good looking car. But before he could get down and start firing... the kid on the bike used the signal and went on top speed. He was gone. Nithyanandham was pissed off.
Indian Bank
Madangopal gave his passbook to the teller. She gave him back after making an entry. He did notice her gaze at him, when she saw his balance on her computer screen. That was a big sum of money. But not quite enough to manage his daughters marriage. He looked at the pass book. He needed one more lakh. In a matter of three weeks. He came out of the bank and crossed the road. "Porambokku !!" some one shouted. Madangopal was out of his minds. How can me make that much money, in that little time. He went into the bus stop.
Some Italian Restaurant in Chennai
"I just got in honey !". Amruthavalli was waiting for her lover boy, viewing the busy road from inside the restaurant. What a pleasant afternoon. She saw the security, yelling at people parking their bikes. Now, thats rude behaviour towards customers. Another bike came in, and the security yelled at him not to park there and asked him to park elsewhere instead. Another bike came in.. Wow. What a couple. Adorably romantic. They came in and sat next to her table. The guy took her hands and softly took it to his chin and felt the softness. Amruthavalli was aroused. Thats mighty romantic.
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Main Story
"Idhukku onnum korichal ille..." first this sound of mom came from the kitchen. Then dad came out with a sunken face and a Ketchup bottle in his hand. Sanjay was watching this from behind the Friday Review paper. Sanjay should have watched this too long, that it procked the ego of his dad.
"What ?" he asked. "Nothing dad" Sanjay said.
"Did i not ask you to get application form today ? Have you got it ?"
Uh .. oh ! Dad is now going to show all the anger he has on mom over me.
"Illa dad. Ill buy that tomorrow. Im going out today..."
"I want it done today. and now. Get out now... when do you think you are going to get responsible. All this money and luxury didnt come in a single day.."
Whoops ! Should leave before the next para starts.. Sanjay thought and left out. He had to go out for luch to some Italian Restaurant. He cant keep her waiting. But he had to get the application form as well. Otherwise he wouldn't get his allowances for the next day. Shit ! Shit ! Shit ! He took out his Yamaha and raged on the road.
---
"Lunch hoursaam.. podalanga.. why dont they give the applications continuously. How many people are waiting".. Sanjay heard someone say just as he was parking the bike in Loyola College. Shit ! Shit ! Shit ! He dials her number. "Sweet little darling..." and on goes the conversation. You don't want to eaves drop on some romantic conversation. Or do you ? Anyways, Sanjay disconencts the call and looks at his face on the bike mirror. Damn ! She is already there. Should I start there or Im already here. Let me give an attempt.
He walks into the Application issuing counters. B.Sc.. MCA... MBA... ah ! There it is. B. Com. Wow. This counter was open. There was some one issuing applications unlike other courses that were stranded due to Lunch hours.
"One B.Com application".
Anbunathan issued the application. "125 rupees.."..
---
Wow ! That was easy. Sanjay was on the road, on the top gear. Problem solved. That was so easy. He was so happy that he had completed one of his responsibility. Out of these thoughts, now he was thinking of how romantic the day should be, from now on. Should I buy her flowers ?
"Endrendrum Punnagai ! Mudivillaaa" Screech !!!
Some a**** walked across the road. Senseless idiot. Sanjay would have run over him, had the brakes failed. And both lives would be in trouble.
"Porambokku !!" he shouted at Madangopal. He waved his middle finger at him. Silly idiots.
Loosing his cocentration he didnt notice the Signal and bumped into a Santro. Whoops. !! Not now. Damn. There was a fat driver, who started shouting out of the car window. The signal went green. Wow. this is a good chance. And before even Nithyanandham got out of his car, Sanjay speeded through the traffic and fled away. He looked into the rear view for a longer distance. The Santro wasnt following. "Endrendum Punnagai !!... yahheey !" escaping a possible avalanche of bad words and a probable Charge sheet was even more thrilling than a safe driving.
In the next signal "ayyaa... saami". A dirty beggar. The type of mood Sanjay was in, got him Ten Rupees.
----
He saw Amruthavalli sitting inside the restaurant. "Indru naan meendum meendum pirandhen un oru thuli paarvayile !!".
"You fool ! Dont park here".
"What ?"
"yea !you lover boy ! filthy rich people. You guys have no other way of spending money, huh !.. take the bike there...dont park here..."
"hello mister.. talk with some respect.." Sanjay was already angry.
"respect, huh ! you dont deserve one. You come to woo some girl in a posh restaurant.. why do you deserve respect..."
That was a breaking point for Sanjay. He caught the security's collars. He could smell liquor from him. The bloddy fellow is drunk.
Palaaar ! "Edra kayya !"
The security slapped Sanjay, and that Sanjay didnt expect. The Manager came running from inside, and two others. They separated the fighting parties. Manager yelled at the Security "What are you still doing here.. ? Dont you understand.. You were fired long back. Get the hell outa here. !"
Sanjay's hands were trembling. He wanted to bounce back on the security, but was calmed down by the manager. He went in the restaurant with uncontrolled anger. Amruthavalli wasnt looking at all this. She was carefully watching the romance on the next table. Sanjay came fast and slammed into the seat.
"Hey !honey ! you made it on time.." Amrutha giggled.
Sanjay was not in the moods to surrender to her sarcasm. He drank the whole glass of water in a gulp. No one slapped him since 10th std. Amruthavalli took his hands slowly and took it to her chin.
Sanjay reflexed and pulled his hands out. "Pchch ! " he said and watched out of the window. The Security was walking out slowly.
Anbunathan was relaxing on his chair. All applications sold out.
Nithyanandham was still on the middle of the road.. looking at the dent on his new Santro.
Madangopal was on the bus towards home, still worried.
The dirty beggar ordered a beedi packet in the shop.
The drunken security was on the road. His eyesight slowly blurred.
Amruthavalli's smile on her face faded away slowly.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Non-Linear Story Telling
What happens when you get to see movies like 21 Grams, Babel, Memento and The Prestige? You get paranoid, obviously.
It was attempted in Alaipayuthey, by Maniratnam. But had he left this movie without the Fade Out and Fade In, Tamil people would have dumped this movie.
People understood non-linear story telling in Alaipayuthey, I wonder if they will understand Memento and The Prestige, the same way.
Somehow, that interests me. I feel it makes a simple story more interesting. It is an art to innovate screenplays.
Here's my simple attempt.. on paper. Don't read it. Visualize it. Animate your thoughts.
Vaidegi got out of 27D at LIC Bus stop, restlessly looked at her watch, moved into the shade, and peeped out to see if any Bus was coming. She needed an 18K to appear. This is her usual routine in the day, A 10 minute transit in LIC Bus stop. There is usually a 18K prior to this 27D in the LIC Stop, but Vaidegi would miss it everyday in a matter of seconds. Sometimes, she had seen it zoom out in front of her eyes. Sometimes she even ran mad behind it, and failed. The last chase which was two weeks back ended with a bruise in her left elbow. More than the injury, the shame was aching for days. So, she decided to take the next 18K, thereafter.
Seenu had just changed his room from Thiruvanmiyur. His roommate had his brother come down for his studies. So before he could be asked, he vacated. Finding a room in Chennai isn't a big deal. Only his commute to work was going to take more time. He works for the compensation team – Finance Department in a MNC on Old Mahabalipuram Road. He had just walked into the LIC bus stop, and checked his watch. He gazed around the bus-stop to see if someone else was wearing his company tag. He was new to this route-bus of his company. He peeked out of the stop to see if any bus was coming. One 18K had just left and One 27D came in a few people got out of it.
Seenu started getting restless. He knew he was standing on the right stop, but kept thinking if he can doubt it. When he kept looking at different necks for his company tag, he saw her. She was wiping her face with her kerchief. Attractive. He kept looking around, and then looked back to the road. Whew. She was attractive. Is this a global philosophy that the company we work for will have very little attractive girls. He started SMSing his friends asking for the route number of the bus and verified that he wasn't making a mistake standing at LIC.
It is just March, and mornings in Chennai are already sultry. Vaidegi plunged into her handbag and got out with a handkerchief and wiped the sweat on her face, she wished the 27D driver took the bus from Villiwakkam on time. She could catch the earlier 18K and save time, from standing on this LIC bus stop. Passing time on a bus-stop when there is no one to talk to, is a Herculean task. You will start to feel it that way, when you realize it. Vaidegi usually stares at the Higginbotham's and tabulates & categorizes the kinds of people who visit the book shop, so early in the morning. Then she used to stare at the Tarapore Towers clock. When the clock clicks into a minute, she starts counting 1 to 60 and check if her mind works in sync with a clock..
A few minutes later 18K came in.
A few minutes later Seenu boarded his company bus.
Tomorrow.
Vaidegi squeezed out of the 27D. Damn ! The crowd gets intolerable, day after day. She rushed herself out of the crowd to her usual spot in the bus stand. As she walked, she could see a bus in the pale distance. Should be 18K. She cursed the lazy old driver of 27D. Looked at her watch, and cross verified with Tarapore towers. Just at that time, the minute changed, in the display and she started doing the counting game.
Seenu walked in to the stop, just as a 18K left. He checked his watch and read the SMS that jus came. In some time, a 27D crawled in. The driver looked lazy and old. He then saw her getting out of the bus. She went past him, and stood in the place he saw her yesterday. She looked into the watch and then stared back. Was she looking at me ? No way. She is probably looking somewhere else. Seenu shrugged and operated his mobile. No reason to do that. He stepped back into the bus stand, leaned on the metal bars, and sneak peeked. Oh yeah ! She wasn't looking at me. Duh !!
!
Seenu was all occupied with her thoughts. How much she fit his imaginations of a life-partner? He hasn't spoken to her. Don't even have a clue about her behavior. But at the blink of an eye, he could say that she is the girl. Ironically for Seenu, he has seen so many such girls. He probably isn't mature enough. He wasn't even ready for a commitment. Yet, his other mind was longing for a romance. A romance beginning in a bus-stop. This is as romantic as it could get.
Tarapore towers showed 29 0C. Vaidegi wondered if the instrument was working. Its burning here. There's 18K.
Seenu saw her boarding 18K. He could now recollect the same bus yesterday. So, if this is her routine, he would have nearly 10 to 15 minutxes everyday on LIC Bus stop. What the heck. I could talk to her. I could attempt. He desperately wanted to make an attempt, and talk with her. Some general conversations. May be I can try tomorrow, he thought, as he saw his company bus coming in.
Next week, Thursday.
27D crawled into LIC bus stop. The old-driver was looking even dull, and it was shown on the accelerator. Vaidegi got out of the bus, and yes ! She had guessed it right. She saw him, looking at her, as she walked to her spot. She has been seeing him since a few days. Occasionally his eyes have met hers. She wondered what bus he was waiting for. She has never seen him board the bus. Should be some software guy. Yet smart. Clean face. Rich shirts. She is not a person with any starred discretion, but somehow she likes men wearing rich shirts.
Seenu, couldn't really stand her looks. But neither could he accumulate the confidence and approach her. But he couldn't prolong this. He decided to speak to her. No. Tomorrow. But tomorrow for sure. He had rehearsed the Opening dialogues, quick responses, and also replayed the facial reaction. But tomorrow. Tomorrow for sure.
Same Day @ Villiwakkam Bus stand.
The lazy old driver, with a sunken face, went into the reporting room, and came out. He went to the nearby tea-shop, where a few more drivers and conductors were already waiting. It is a send-off party, to the old man, after 30 years of service. He was voluntarily retiring off his services.
The Next Day
Seenu came into the bus stand. The usual 18K left as he walked into the bus stand. Today is the day. He was laying out his strategy, and as the first part, he stood close to her spot, she usually takes. A go or no go, is definite today. He looked at the watch and put his mobile in silent mode. Today could be the greatest day in his life.
27D wroomed into the LIC bus stand. The new driver must have been practicing for F1. He overtook vehicles, as if he was driving a bike. He created a new record time for the Villiwakkam to LIC distance.
Vaidegi got down with a ironic thought. What if the first 18K was even earlier ? No it wasn't. The 18K she had been missing for months was coming in.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Happy Valentine's Day
ஃபோர்த் பி - பப்புவும் விக்கியும்.
"டேய் பப்பு ! இன்னிக்கு வேலன்டைன்ஸ் டே ! தெரியுமா ?"
பப்பு, தலையை சொறிந்துகொண்டே, "அப்டின்னா என்னடா, விக்கி ?"..
"ஹே ! ஹே ! இது தெரியாதா... ? லூசு ! லூசு !"..
பப்புவுக்கு கோபம். "போடா ! நீதான் லூசு !"
விக்கிக்கு தான் சொல்லவந்ததை சொல்லியாக வேண்டும். அதனால் சண்டையை வளர்க்காமல் தொடர்கிறான்.
"வேலன்டைன்ஸ் டேன்னா என்னன்னு தெரியுமா ?" என்று மறுபடியும் ஆரம்பித்தான்.
பப்பு, மறுபடியும் தலை சொறிந்து, "தெரியாதுடா விக்கி ! ப்ளீஸ் ! சொல்லுடா..." என்றான்.
எதிர்பார்த்த பணிவு கிடைத்தவுடன் விக்கி கெத்து காட்ட ஆரம்பித்தான்.
"வேலன்டைன்ஸ் டேன்னா மம்மியும் டாடியும் சண்டை போடாம இருக்கற நாள். மம்மி டாடிக்கு கிஃப்ட் வாங்கி கொடுப்பாங்க ! டாடி மம்மிக்கு கிஃப்ட் வாங்கி கொடுப்பாங்க !"
பப்புவுக்கு புரியவில்லை.
"மம்மி இன்னிக்கு டாடிக்கு கழுத்துல மாட்டற டை வாங்கிக் கொடுத்தாங்க ! டாடி மம்மிக்கு ஜோதிகா மாதிரி ரிவர்சபிள் சாரி வாங்கிக் கொடுத்தாங்க... உங்க மம்மி டாடி என்ன வாங்கிகொடுத்தாங்க.... ?"
பப்புவிற்கு இது அவமானம் தரும் தருணம். விக்கி எப்பொழுதும் இப்படித்தான். அவன் வீட்டைப்பற்றி சொல்லிவிட்டு பப்புவின் வீடு பற்றி கேட்பான். பப்பு பதில் சொல்ல முடியாமல் முழிப்பான்.
குழப்ப நிலையில் இருந்த பப்பு "இல்லடா விக்கி ! எங்க அம்மா அப்பா, எந்த கிஃப்டும் வாங்கலை. ஆனா அவங்க என்னிக்குமே சண்டை போட மாட்டாங்களேடா !! அப்படி இருந்தாலும் கிஃப்ட் கொடுக்கனுமா ?" என்றான்.
விக்கி லேசாக முழித்தான். "ஹோம்வர்க் முடிச்சுட்டியா ?" என்றான்.
"டேய் பப்பு ! இன்னிக்கு வேலன்டைன்ஸ் டே ! தெரியுமா ?"
பப்பு, தலையை சொறிந்துகொண்டே, "அப்டின்னா என்னடா, விக்கி ?"..
"ஹே ! ஹே ! இது தெரியாதா... ? லூசு ! லூசு !"..
பப்புவுக்கு கோபம். "போடா ! நீதான் லூசு !"
விக்கிக்கு தான் சொல்லவந்ததை சொல்லியாக வேண்டும். அதனால் சண்டையை வளர்க்காமல் தொடர்கிறான்.
"வேலன்டைன்ஸ் டேன்னா என்னன்னு தெரியுமா ?" என்று மறுபடியும் ஆரம்பித்தான்.
பப்பு, மறுபடியும் தலை சொறிந்து, "தெரியாதுடா விக்கி ! ப்ளீஸ் ! சொல்லுடா..." என்றான்.
எதிர்பார்த்த பணிவு கிடைத்தவுடன் விக்கி கெத்து காட்ட ஆரம்பித்தான்.
"வேலன்டைன்ஸ் டேன்னா மம்மியும் டாடியும் சண்டை போடாம இருக்கற நாள். மம்மி டாடிக்கு கிஃப்ட் வாங்கி கொடுப்பாங்க ! டாடி மம்மிக்கு கிஃப்ட் வாங்கி கொடுப்பாங்க !"
பப்புவுக்கு புரியவில்லை.
"மம்மி இன்னிக்கு டாடிக்கு கழுத்துல மாட்டற டை வாங்கிக் கொடுத்தாங்க ! டாடி மம்மிக்கு ஜோதிகா மாதிரி ரிவர்சபிள் சாரி வாங்கிக் கொடுத்தாங்க... உங்க மம்மி டாடி என்ன வாங்கிகொடுத்தாங்க.... ?"
பப்புவிற்கு இது அவமானம் தரும் தருணம். விக்கி எப்பொழுதும் இப்படித்தான். அவன் வீட்டைப்பற்றி சொல்லிவிட்டு பப்புவின் வீடு பற்றி கேட்பான். பப்பு பதில் சொல்ல முடியாமல் முழிப்பான்.
குழப்ப நிலையில் இருந்த பப்பு "இல்லடா விக்கி ! எங்க அம்மா அப்பா, எந்த கிஃப்டும் வாங்கலை. ஆனா அவங்க என்னிக்குமே சண்டை போட மாட்டாங்களேடா !! அப்படி இருந்தாலும் கிஃப்ட் கொடுக்கனுமா ?" என்றான்.
விக்கி லேசாக முழித்தான். "ஹோம்வர்க் முடிச்சுட்டியா ?" என்றான்.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Prisoner On Bus
On a bus going from Vridhachalam to Vizhuppuram.
Kabaleeswaran aka Kabali felt completely discredited. He would have felt the same way if he was stripped off his clothes in public. Each stare at him were sharp and pricking his guilt. “Oh God ! Why dont they start the bus ? How many more stares should i take !! “
Just as he thought, another elderly person boarded the bus. He was searching for a good seat. He squeezed himself into a seat behind Kabali's. He adjusted the windows and hand-rest. Thats when he noticed the Handcuff. Hands handcuffed against the window bars. The elderly person immediately changed seat to some front seat in the bus. While going front, he gave a strong gaze at Kabali. “Oh my! Why cant prisoners be transported by Police Jeeps. Why should that inspector choose public transport ? this is untolerable shame.” He only wished nobody he knew boarded that bus.
Thankfully the driver just boarded the bus, and started the engine. He was waiting for some last minute passengers, and every minute was like standing on a shame thorn for Kabali.
This is when a river of remorse was running through Kabali for choosing this line of profession. But then, he was forced into this profession, as he could find no other job. Murder,Theft, Rape,Drugs and all that anti-social elements.
Kabaleeswaran regretted deeply for being a police constable. He looked at the prisoner sitting next to him.. The prisoner gave a burp and said "Anne ! Chicken biriyani, Soooper !".
Kabaleeswaran aka Kabali felt completely discredited. He would have felt the same way if he was stripped off his clothes in public. Each stare at him were sharp and pricking his guilt. “Oh God ! Why dont they start the bus ? How many more stares should i take !! “
Just as he thought, another elderly person boarded the bus. He was searching for a good seat. He squeezed himself into a seat behind Kabali's. He adjusted the windows and hand-rest. Thats when he noticed the Handcuff. Hands handcuffed against the window bars. The elderly person immediately changed seat to some front seat in the bus. While going front, he gave a strong gaze at Kabali. “Oh my! Why cant prisoners be transported by Police Jeeps. Why should that inspector choose public transport ? this is untolerable shame.” He only wished nobody he knew boarded that bus.
Thankfully the driver just boarded the bus, and started the engine. He was waiting for some last minute passengers, and every minute was like standing on a shame thorn for Kabali.
This is when a river of remorse was running through Kabali for choosing this line of profession. But then, he was forced into this profession, as he could find no other job. Murder,Theft, Rape,Drugs and all that anti-social elements.
Kabaleeswaran regretted deeply for being a police constable. He looked at the prisoner sitting next to him.. The prisoner gave a burp and said "Anne ! Chicken biriyani, Soooper !".
Monday, January 22, 2007
The Future of Present
India was ruled by a whole lot of invaders. The pie had many takers. The Aryans, Mughals, Portuguese, French, British and few more had plundered into the land and tasted benefits. The cruelest part of the Indian history was carved by two major regimes.
The first was the British rule. The British got into the country with an “East India Company” banner in 1601, and eventually started influencing the political system. Over a period of time, they even took over the baton and started ruling this nation. The British started harassing people who weren’t obliging to their rules, which were mostly taxing the Indian citizen. This hatred slowly evolved into a revolutionary movement, led by Indian National Congress. In 1947, The British Govt were coerced out of India, and that’s when Indians thought India got independence.
The second and the cruelest of Indian invasions began right there. A barbaric gang took the rule by force. They were called the politicians. They began swindling public money for their personal good. They reinstalled the inheritance laws in politics, and became patrons of their own sons and daughters. They had sweepstakes on all Government expenditures. They influenced violence and were carriers of immorality. They were the last people to utilize the useless philosophy called Democracy.
Appu closed his history ebook.
“Amma, just how did SysINdia V3.2 system take over the rule from the politicians ???”
Vani shrugged and looked outside the window. “Nobody knows…” she said.
The first was the British rule. The British got into the country with an “East India Company” banner in 1601, and eventually started influencing the political system. Over a period of time, they even took over the baton and started ruling this nation. The British started harassing people who weren’t obliging to their rules, which were mostly taxing the Indian citizen. This hatred slowly evolved into a revolutionary movement, led by Indian National Congress. In 1947, The British Govt were coerced out of India, and that’s when Indians thought India got independence.
The second and the cruelest of Indian invasions began right there. A barbaric gang took the rule by force. They were called the politicians. They began swindling public money for their personal good. They reinstalled the inheritance laws in politics, and became patrons of their own sons and daughters. They had sweepstakes on all Government expenditures. They influenced violence and were carriers of immorality. They were the last people to utilize the useless philosophy called Democracy.
Appu closed his history ebook.
“Amma, just how did SysINdia V3.2 system take over the rule from the politicians ???”
Vani shrugged and looked outside the window. “Nobody knows…” she said.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Super EGO
Dialtone.. Ringtone.. Beep. Beep.
"Hey.."..
"mmm... sollu.."
"Yen Dulla irukke ? whats wrong with you ??"
"onnum illa. Sollu, enna vishayam.!!"
"Damn it !! Ippo enna nadandhuduchchunnu moonjiya thookki vechukkara ?"
"..."
"Andha situationle yaara irundhirundhaalum adhai thaan senjiruppanga... puriyudha ?"
"...."
"Hey !! This is too much. Enna nee ? Adikkadi kovappatta adhukku mariyadhaye illama poyidum"
"....."
"Nee enna ninaichitturukke un manasule huh ?? .. artham illadha vishayathukkellam nee kovappaduve.. naan ellathukkum Sorry kekkanumaa ?"
"......."
"Kalyani. I want an answer. Naan pattukku pesittu irukken.. hello.. !"
"....."
"Kalyani.. please try to understand. Yennai.... naan solalradha purinjukko !!"
"...."
"Naan andha madhiri senjirukka koodadhudhaan. But we cant force ourselves to be right everywhere. can we ?"
"..."
"Look. Iam sorry. I can truly understand how hurt you would have felt. Yennai Mannichudu !"
"..."
"Inime andha madhiri Nadandhukka maatten.. I swear. Ok va ?"
"...."
"cmon !! badhil sollu.. Ok dhaane ??..."
"..... hello !! hello !! Balaji.. naan pesaradhu kekkudhaa !! hello !!"
"???? ennachu ? kekkudhu.. Sollu ?"
"sorry.. signal sariya kidaikkala.. mmm.. ippo solluda.. enna vishayam ?"
".............."
"hello.. Hello !! balaji ??"
"hello.. yeah. Hey. Kalyani.. onnum vishayam illa. Naan appuram phone pannaren !".
"Hey.."..
"mmm... sollu.."
"Yen Dulla irukke ? whats wrong with you ??"
"onnum illa. Sollu, enna vishayam.!!"
"Damn it !! Ippo enna nadandhuduchchunnu moonjiya thookki vechukkara ?"
"..."
"Andha situationle yaara irundhirundhaalum adhai thaan senjiruppanga... puriyudha ?"
"...."
"Hey !! This is too much. Enna nee ? Adikkadi kovappatta adhukku mariyadhaye illama poyidum"
"....."
"Nee enna ninaichitturukke un manasule huh ?? .. artham illadha vishayathukkellam nee kovappaduve.. naan ellathukkum Sorry kekkanumaa ?"
"......."
"Kalyani. I want an answer. Naan pattukku pesittu irukken.. hello.. !"
"....."
"Kalyani.. please try to understand. Yennai.... naan solalradha purinjukko !!"
"...."
"Naan andha madhiri senjirukka koodadhudhaan. But we cant force ourselves to be right everywhere. can we ?"
"..."
"Look. Iam sorry. I can truly understand how hurt you would have felt. Yennai Mannichudu !"
"..."
"Inime andha madhiri Nadandhukka maatten.. I swear. Ok va ?"
"...."
"cmon !! badhil sollu.. Ok dhaane ??..."
"..... hello !! hello !! Balaji.. naan pesaradhu kekkudhaa !! hello !!"
"???? ennachu ? kekkudhu.. Sollu ?"
"sorry.. signal sariya kidaikkala.. mmm.. ippo solluda.. enna vishayam ?"
".............."
"hello.. Hello !! balaji ??"
"hello.. yeah. Hey. Kalyani.. onnum vishayam illa. Naan appuram phone pannaren !".
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Kuchelan and Venugopalan
Kuchelan got down from the bus. He is coming to Ayanavaram after nearly twelve years.
Before twelve years, he belonged there. The place where he was born, brought up, schooled and then unschooled. His family met a financial fluctuation, and couldnt educate him. Not just that. The family demanded him to abandon studies and take up work. Hotels and Mechanic shops. He was not meant for that. But fate forced him. He then went out of town. No one in Ayanavaram knew about him, after that.
Now, Kuchelan runs his own Hotel. Well, its just another Road-side tea shop, which also serves lunch and dinner. In the village that he runs, his business was not going to flourish, but it will not die. Kuchelan felt comfortable with the constant money he gets to run his family.
Did I tell you about Venugopalan. He was Kuchelan's best pal. Till their 9th standard, Kuchelan and Venugopalan were neck-to-neck for the second rank. They were together studying at Kuchelans home and playing at Venu's home. Venu's family was poorer than Kuchelan's. However Venu's father Vasudevan was adomant in educating Venugopalan. So they separated after Kuchelan left the school.
Now, Kuchelan had come to his home town to visit Venugopalan. He had learnt that Venu had recently given birth to a son. It felt good to hear the news. The aroma of the memories of his school days were still afresh in his mind. Only the memories of the address and topology of his ex-streets were sloppy. He hunted and found the places where his home used to be. It had become a slum, and his hut had been replaced by two huts.
He enquired about Venugopalan to many people. Bits and pieces of information were driving him crazy. He derived that Venu should either be two streets away from the slum. He didnt want to give up. He walked further.
Thats when it struck him. He had to buy something to Venu while visiting him. But why ? He was just his friend. There were no formalities between them, when they were young. What could change in twelve years ? Still, he couldnt convince his mind. He walked by a few road-side shops. What could he buy ? How much would it cost ? He had Rs. 45 in his hand. He would need Rs. 30 to go to his village. He immediately knew he wouldnt be able to buy any sweets. His mind was now beiginning to get convinced. No formalities among friends.
He couldnt just bear the struggle. He didnt want to show his poor hands to Venu. He wanted something in it, before shaking hands. BANANA !!! Venu's favourite. Kuchelan's dad used to work in marriage contracts. He brought home a lot of bananas, and Venu would empty them in a few hours. He used to be crazy about bananas.
He managesd to bargain one dozen Rasthali's for Rs. 13 and with an eased heart he began walking towards Vaikuntam Street.
He spotted a house with the name Venugopalan engraved outside. "Sri Illam" was the name of the house. It looked huge from the outside. Twelve years can certainly change things. He felt very very happy for Venugopalan. And a stinking feeling of shame crept in his mind. Im Poor, it thought.
The door opened after Kuchelan understood the usage of the calling-bell.
"Yes..", said the woman inside with a wierd look in the face.. who's this guy, it thought.
"Venugopalan ?"
"Come Inside..."... who's this person ?
The hall was twenty times the size of his hotel. He has never seen such richness. His school prayer hall was smaller than this.
"Please..sit down. Venu will come in a few minutes.. You are .....?"
He thought she could be Venu's wife. But when she said "Venu will come in a few minutes".. he decided she wasnt. Wife cant call names.
"Iam Kuchelan.... iam an old..."
"aha !! Namaskaram.. I know you. Venu has told a lot about you. How are you ?"
Releived.
"Iam Radha. Venu's wife."
Wife ?
"Yes.. I learnt that you gave birth to a baby-boy. How is the baby ?"
"oh ! he is fine.. cute... he is sleeping."
"One second. Let me go and tell him you are here. He would be so happy.. infact he wouldnt believe..."
Kuchelan smiled and watched her go upstairs. Wife ?
His eyes ate everything in the room with a surprise-flavour. So much of richness engraved. Venu has grown up in life. Real growth. They both were struggling for the Physics problems in Ninth standard. Now Kuchelana alone was struggling. He thought Venu would have become a manager by now. The leather sofa was very comfortable.
"Kuchelaaaaaa !! "
He turned back. He didnt realize that he stood up automatically on the voice. Venugopalan. His best pal. He had thought of this meeting before, and in that thought they both should be hugging now. But Kuchelan resisted. The richness around and poorness within put a barrier. He just smiled at Venu. The smile was real.
But Venu was breaking the barrier. He rushed and embraced Kuchelan. Huge hug. Warmth.
"Kuchelaaaa !! how are you.. how many many years.. ? how are you ?"
"How are you ? How happy am i to see you, venu."
"Sit.. sit... Radha, remember Kuchelan.. ?"
"Yes.. " Radha said serving Ice water in a glass-glass. She left them both and went to attend her son. She knew they had so much to talk.
They were speaking for a long time. Close to an hour. By now, Kuchelan had forgone all his feelings.. They both were that 9th standard kids. They had talked about everyone they knew in common.
BANANA !! They very thought brought back the inferiority complex. He had almost forgotten what he had brought for his dearest friend. But all the richness around him pushed him from the top of a cliff. Im so poor..
With so much dielemma, he placed his hands on the cover.
"whats that ?"
"Illaa... i just brought you some bananas...."
"AAAAHA !! Kodu Kodu !! Banana is something I have missed for years.."
Venugopalan forced the banana cover out of Kuchelan's hands and started executing the Rasthali, exactly the way he used to. Kuchelan had a lump in his throat.
"Radha is a health concious woman. No carbohydrates. No fat... I hate it.. but what to do.. Superaa irukku.. engeda vaangine... where did you buy ?"
Kuchelan did not answer, and Venu was not expecting a reply.. He was pealing off the next skin.
"Kuchela... be here with me da. I can give you a position in my company. We can bring back those old days..."
Kuchelan knew Venu would say that. Still he melted. He did not reply. He was just smiling.. Then they began talking again, about a lot of things that we did not know about.
Kuchelan began showing signs of leaving. Venu understood that.
"Kuchela ! I know you wouldnt accept anything from me. But I just want to say you something. Please do not hesitate to ask me. We both studied together. You could easily have been in my position. Fate had played. But my richness, my car and anything will not change me. Iam still your Venu. Please understand there are no formalities between us."
Kuchelan smiled, as he was wearing his Hawaai slippers outside the door. "Venu. Onnum Vendaamda. Nee ippadi oruththan enakkaaga irukkaradhe porum."
Kuchelan went forward and hugged Venugopalan.
He walked back with a happy heart.
The bus stopped and Kuchelan got out of it. It was a fast bus, with extra fare. He did not have Rs. 50. He began waiting for the normal bus. Twelve years has not changed much things.
Friendship has not changed in its essence.. be it Dwapara Yugam or Kali Yugam. We have been telling, friendship has gone materialistic. Not true. We have only started calling out ad-hoc relationships as friendships. The true-friendship is still rooten on this earth. Atleast, thats what Kuchelan was thinking.
Before twelve years, he belonged there. The place where he was born, brought up, schooled and then unschooled. His family met a financial fluctuation, and couldnt educate him. Not just that. The family demanded him to abandon studies and take up work. Hotels and Mechanic shops. He was not meant for that. But fate forced him. He then went out of town. No one in Ayanavaram knew about him, after that.
Now, Kuchelan runs his own Hotel. Well, its just another Road-side tea shop, which also serves lunch and dinner. In the village that he runs, his business was not going to flourish, but it will not die. Kuchelan felt comfortable with the constant money he gets to run his family.
Did I tell you about Venugopalan. He was Kuchelan's best pal. Till their 9th standard, Kuchelan and Venugopalan were neck-to-neck for the second rank. They were together studying at Kuchelans home and playing at Venu's home. Venu's family was poorer than Kuchelan's. However Venu's father Vasudevan was adomant in educating Venugopalan. So they separated after Kuchelan left the school.
Now, Kuchelan had come to his home town to visit Venugopalan. He had learnt that Venu had recently given birth to a son. It felt good to hear the news. The aroma of the memories of his school days were still afresh in his mind. Only the memories of the address and topology of his ex-streets were sloppy. He hunted and found the places where his home used to be. It had become a slum, and his hut had been replaced by two huts.
He enquired about Venugopalan to many people. Bits and pieces of information were driving him crazy. He derived that Venu should either be two streets away from the slum. He didnt want to give up. He walked further.
Thats when it struck him. He had to buy something to Venu while visiting him. But why ? He was just his friend. There were no formalities between them, when they were young. What could change in twelve years ? Still, he couldnt convince his mind. He walked by a few road-side shops. What could he buy ? How much would it cost ? He had Rs. 45 in his hand. He would need Rs. 30 to go to his village. He immediately knew he wouldnt be able to buy any sweets. His mind was now beiginning to get convinced. No formalities among friends.
He couldnt just bear the struggle. He didnt want to show his poor hands to Venu. He wanted something in it, before shaking hands. BANANA !!! Venu's favourite. Kuchelan's dad used to work in marriage contracts. He brought home a lot of bananas, and Venu would empty them in a few hours. He used to be crazy about bananas.
He managesd to bargain one dozen Rasthali's for Rs. 13 and with an eased heart he began walking towards Vaikuntam Street.
He spotted a house with the name Venugopalan engraved outside. "Sri Illam" was the name of the house. It looked huge from the outside. Twelve years can certainly change things. He felt very very happy for Venugopalan. And a stinking feeling of shame crept in his mind. Im Poor, it thought.
The door opened after Kuchelan understood the usage of the calling-bell.
"Yes..", said the woman inside with a wierd look in the face.. who's this guy, it thought.
"Venugopalan ?"
"Come Inside..."... who's this person ?
The hall was twenty times the size of his hotel. He has never seen such richness. His school prayer hall was smaller than this.
"Please..sit down. Venu will come in a few minutes.. You are .....?"
He thought she could be Venu's wife. But when she said "Venu will come in a few minutes".. he decided she wasnt. Wife cant call names.
"Iam Kuchelan.... iam an old..."
"aha !! Namaskaram.. I know you. Venu has told a lot about you. How are you ?"
Releived.
"Iam Radha. Venu's wife."
Wife ?
"Yes.. I learnt that you gave birth to a baby-boy. How is the baby ?"
"oh ! he is fine.. cute... he is sleeping."
"One second. Let me go and tell him you are here. He would be so happy.. infact he wouldnt believe..."
Kuchelan smiled and watched her go upstairs. Wife ?
His eyes ate everything in the room with a surprise-flavour. So much of richness engraved. Venu has grown up in life. Real growth. They both were struggling for the Physics problems in Ninth standard. Now Kuchelana alone was struggling. He thought Venu would have become a manager by now. The leather sofa was very comfortable.
"Kuchelaaaaaa !! "
He turned back. He didnt realize that he stood up automatically on the voice. Venugopalan. His best pal. He had thought of this meeting before, and in that thought they both should be hugging now. But Kuchelan resisted. The richness around and poorness within put a barrier. He just smiled at Venu. The smile was real.
But Venu was breaking the barrier. He rushed and embraced Kuchelan. Huge hug. Warmth.
"Kuchelaaaa !! how are you.. how many many years.. ? how are you ?"
"How are you ? How happy am i to see you, venu."
"Sit.. sit... Radha, remember Kuchelan.. ?"
"Yes.. " Radha said serving Ice water in a glass-glass. She left them both and went to attend her son. She knew they had so much to talk.
They were speaking for a long time. Close to an hour. By now, Kuchelan had forgone all his feelings.. They both were that 9th standard kids. They had talked about everyone they knew in common.
BANANA !! They very thought brought back the inferiority complex. He had almost forgotten what he had brought for his dearest friend. But all the richness around him pushed him from the top of a cliff. Im so poor..
With so much dielemma, he placed his hands on the cover.
"whats that ?"
"Illaa... i just brought you some bananas...."
"AAAAHA !! Kodu Kodu !! Banana is something I have missed for years.."
Venugopalan forced the banana cover out of Kuchelan's hands and started executing the Rasthali, exactly the way he used to. Kuchelan had a lump in his throat.
"Radha is a health concious woman. No carbohydrates. No fat... I hate it.. but what to do.. Superaa irukku.. engeda vaangine... where did you buy ?"
Kuchelan did not answer, and Venu was not expecting a reply.. He was pealing off the next skin.
"Kuchela... be here with me da. I can give you a position in my company. We can bring back those old days..."
Kuchelan knew Venu would say that. Still he melted. He did not reply. He was just smiling.. Then they began talking again, about a lot of things that we did not know about.
Kuchelan began showing signs of leaving. Venu understood that.
"Kuchela ! I know you wouldnt accept anything from me. But I just want to say you something. Please do not hesitate to ask me. We both studied together. You could easily have been in my position. Fate had played. But my richness, my car and anything will not change me. Iam still your Venu. Please understand there are no formalities between us."
Kuchelan smiled, as he was wearing his Hawaai slippers outside the door. "Venu. Onnum Vendaamda. Nee ippadi oruththan enakkaaga irukkaradhe porum."
Kuchelan went forward and hugged Venugopalan.
He walked back with a happy heart.
The bus stopped and Kuchelan got out of it. It was a fast bus, with extra fare. He did not have Rs. 50. He began waiting for the normal bus. Twelve years has not changed much things.
Friendship has not changed in its essence.. be it Dwapara Yugam or Kali Yugam. We have been telling, friendship has gone materialistic. Not true. We have only started calling out ad-hoc relationships as friendships. The true-friendship is still rooten on this earth. Atleast, thats what Kuchelan was thinking.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Everyone is Someone's Fool
Nithya had a comfortable feeling looking at Ajay. She always had wanted to impress him. He is a cute guy. At 29 not many people look this young and handsome. To her, he was the dream man.. the Handsome.
Leela was Ajay's mom. She had to wait every night, before she sleeps. Ajay would come late and have his so-called dinner and sleep with his future worries. Ajay, who was Leela's pride had grown into her sense of tension and irritation. She wanted him to get married. "Let her wait for him.. he will be her headache then..". She had Nithya in her mind. Sweet girl.
Vishvat, the next door kid was always afraid of Ajay. The kid refrained from playing in Ajay's home whenever he was inside. Ajay would yell at him and commend him "Do this.. Dont do this".. No one's like Leela nani. To him Ajay uncle was a terror.
Very far away from them all was Kalyani aunty, the inevitable NRI relative of Ajay. She used to make a conversation with Ajay involved in it, whenever the topic was about education. Ajay was a State rank holder, and her daughter wasnt much of an educationalist. So, she would talk like.. "even such a great State Rank holder couldnt get a proper seat in college.. then think about Suchitra.. Education these days have become business..hai na ?".. To her Ajay was just a subject.
Prabhat Uchat was always with a proud smile, where-ever he takes Ajay with. He will introduce Ajay to any person. "State Rank Holder. Now working on the Top MNC.. what company is that, Ajay ?"... He wont remember the name Virtusa, no matter how many times Ajay told him. It wasnt important, however. Prabhat was also searching for a good girl for Ajay. Ajay was a proud trump card for Prabhat, which he will never throw off.
Suchitra (remember Kalyani Aunty ? Her daughter.. actually, Her dull-head daughter) never liked Ajay. he was just too much. Though Ajay didnt do anything intentionally, whatever he did will result in a ill-speech from ma. She would deliberately compare Suchitra with Ajay. "I give you better facillities than that Leela does to Ajay.. still you wont study.. Next mid-term.. i want marks.. otherwise ill slaughter you.. ".. Damn you Ajay. Damn you.
Randolph was six months old to India. "Has Ajay verified it ?".. "yes Sir, he has..".. "well then Go ahead !". He never doubts Ajay's works. And Ajay has never given a chance. He has been exuberant in his work. Smart chap. Randolph wanted to give Ajay a good raise this year. He wanted to keep him. He didnt want to loose such an employee. He should pay two resources for this volume of work in the US. Ajay was cheap and good.
Tamil girls easily fall for North indian guys. I have seen that happen. For example, Vishnupriya who was on a assignement to Pune for just 3 weeks, fell in love with Ajay. She will be proposing to him next friday. She will leave to Madurai, the next day. Happy or Sad, she couldnt predict. Hmm. Ajay.
Debarana couldnt even stand Ajay for a single minute. He has teased her in the beginning of college days. Then something happened and he fell in love with her. After that he has been mad after her. She openly cut him off, and started insulting him in public. He even misbehaved twice. She could only slap him ith her slippers. Ajay was an arrogant little trouble maker.
Ajay just thought about himself. Iam a creative person he thought, staring at the painting he had just finished. He then thought of defining himself by his attributes.. he was struck.
Ajay was now kneeling down in front of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. "Swamiji. Who Am I ? "...
Leela was Ajay's mom. She had to wait every night, before she sleeps. Ajay would come late and have his so-called dinner and sleep with his future worries. Ajay, who was Leela's pride had grown into her sense of tension and irritation. She wanted him to get married. "Let her wait for him.. he will be her headache then..". She had Nithya in her mind. Sweet girl.
Vishvat, the next door kid was always afraid of Ajay. The kid refrained from playing in Ajay's home whenever he was inside. Ajay would yell at him and commend him "Do this.. Dont do this".. No one's like Leela nani. To him Ajay uncle was a terror.
Very far away from them all was Kalyani aunty, the inevitable NRI relative of Ajay. She used to make a conversation with Ajay involved in it, whenever the topic was about education. Ajay was a State rank holder, and her daughter wasnt much of an educationalist. So, she would talk like.. "even such a great State Rank holder couldnt get a proper seat in college.. then think about Suchitra.. Education these days have become business..hai na ?".. To her Ajay was just a subject.
Prabhat Uchat was always with a proud smile, where-ever he takes Ajay with. He will introduce Ajay to any person. "State Rank Holder. Now working on the Top MNC.. what company is that, Ajay ?"... He wont remember the name Virtusa, no matter how many times Ajay told him. It wasnt important, however. Prabhat was also searching for a good girl for Ajay. Ajay was a proud trump card for Prabhat, which he will never throw off.
Suchitra (remember Kalyani Aunty ? Her daughter.. actually, Her dull-head daughter) never liked Ajay. he was just too much. Though Ajay didnt do anything intentionally, whatever he did will result in a ill-speech from ma. She would deliberately compare Suchitra with Ajay. "I give you better facillities than that Leela does to Ajay.. still you wont study.. Next mid-term.. i want marks.. otherwise ill slaughter you.. ".. Damn you Ajay. Damn you.
Randolph was six months old to India. "Has Ajay verified it ?".. "yes Sir, he has..".. "well then Go ahead !". He never doubts Ajay's works. And Ajay has never given a chance. He has been exuberant in his work. Smart chap. Randolph wanted to give Ajay a good raise this year. He wanted to keep him. He didnt want to loose such an employee. He should pay two resources for this volume of work in the US. Ajay was cheap and good.
Tamil girls easily fall for North indian guys. I have seen that happen. For example, Vishnupriya who was on a assignement to Pune for just 3 weeks, fell in love with Ajay. She will be proposing to him next friday. She will leave to Madurai, the next day. Happy or Sad, she couldnt predict. Hmm. Ajay.
Debarana couldnt even stand Ajay for a single minute. He has teased her in the beginning of college days. Then something happened and he fell in love with her. After that he has been mad after her. She openly cut him off, and started insulting him in public. He even misbehaved twice. She could only slap him ith her slippers. Ajay was an arrogant little trouble maker.
Ajay just thought about himself. Iam a creative person he thought, staring at the painting he had just finished. He then thought of defining himself by his attributes.. he was struck.
Ajay was now kneeling down in front of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. "Swamiji. Who Am I ? "...
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
A sunny day inside the Taxi
Story !
The taxi stopped in the same old clumsy street of Dharavi. Im not a rich guy.. only because my company pays my travel Im on this taxi. I usually keep my car windows closed for the fear of those eunuchs who will "Raasa ! Raasa " and get money. That somehow keeps me embarassed. So, i dont even mind the suffocation inside..
Todays got unusual traffic jam. I mean, just this place.. usually its a free ride here. But not today.
I was sitting cursing the Sun and the traffic. I concentrated a little outside.. This city Mumbai is a little different. The poverty is very obvious here. Both the sides of the road, you will find people on platforms taking bath, eating food, washing clothes and the rest of the things. They are clearly homeless. There are others who have built two story huts. They are capable of living with their so called income in Mumbai. Chennai has poverty, but not this visible. We've gotr sky-scraper huts here in Mumbai.
I was thinking all this, as if I was the Financial Minister who wants to reform all this on a single signature. Thats when I noticed that lady in Red saree watching me for a long time. She should have been watching me ever since the Taxi halted. She had a kid standing close to her. Should be her daughter. Or Son ? I couldnt make out. Should be a son. He was wearing a dirty trouser. His face was showing that he hasnt had good food.. since days. I always feel bad about hungry people. In Iruvar, Karunanidhi will say "Rich people should not come to politics.. Caste system should abolish.. There should be no brutality" and so on.. but MGR will tell him "No one should be Hungry.. there should not be a situation that a family suffers from hunger..".. I liked that scene for that dialogue from MGR. Im probably forcing myself to feel bad about this.. but im usually not a guy who is so kind and donate a lot to charity.. just that now i have time for that.
Now this short guy looked like coming towards me.. I closely watched him. He wasnt coming himself. He was being pushed. By her.
I wasnt sure why.. but i think it was going to be for begging.. what else could be it.. My hand involunteerly made sure the Window lever was fully turned.. and quickly pretended like sleeping. I made sure the transition wasnt deliberat.. but why am i reacting like this.. I can simply say no ! but i hate to do that. I wish no one comes up to me, begging for money.
I slowly watched out of my closed eyes. The boy hadnt progressed. He was reluctant. He has not done this before and looked like he feels bad, as him mom was compelling him to do so. This is cruel, i thought. Forcing a kid to beg.. attrocious. He ran back.. but was caught by his hair. The child should have shouted.. couldnt hear any sound from behind the windows. She slapped him twice.. he broke into tears.. She then pushed towards me.. now the kid came walking fater towards me. My pretention was already over when the kid was beaten.
I wished the traffic cleared and the taxi started. But it did not..
Knock knock..
I was already looking at him. I was staring actually. He made some gestures.. he wanted money.. he was showing his stomach. Boy.. he was hungry. There wasnt a lie in his gesture. Poor fellow. I had already decided to give some money. Only how much was the dielemma. Sometimes i have wanted to be very generous. (Dont be dismayed, its a matter of 2 digit cash.. thats all). I had planned as of now for Rs. 10..
But there was also a parallel thought. This guy will start begging from now. All the more if he was successful on his first attempt he will choose the same gesture.. the bread winning gesture. He will not attempt to get money in a proper way. I dont reccomend education. But not begging. However he is going to be begging.. but why should i inaugurate.
Not listening to my mind... i opened the window.. "sikkudhunna.. anna anna! rendu naala saapidalanna.. pasikkudhunna.." Tamil.. yes. Dharavi is mostly the residence of the Tamil people.. most of them very poor.
Only two things.. I dont give him any money.. that will disappoint him and chances are that he wont beg anymore.. Or I give him money and dont think too much.. I helped him to eat once.. why do i care if he begs further or not. Im least bothered.. i just would get a great feeling about the donation..
Ok i have decided to give the money to the crying kid. The woman who had sent her.. she could not even be his mother.. was about to have a smile with pride..
I was digging the pocket.. thats when it dawned me. I did not have change. Only a few hundred rupee notes.. not even coins..
"anna anna.. ! pasikkudhunna.. "
The traffic just cleared..
"Chillarai illappa !! ", i said sadly. The woman was now disappointed..
I sadly watched his face go back through the window, as my taxi progressed.
The taxi stopped in the same old clumsy street of Dharavi. Im not a rich guy.. only because my company pays my travel Im on this taxi. I usually keep my car windows closed for the fear of those eunuchs who will "Raasa ! Raasa " and get money. That somehow keeps me embarassed. So, i dont even mind the suffocation inside..
Todays got unusual traffic jam. I mean, just this place.. usually its a free ride here. But not today.
I was sitting cursing the Sun and the traffic. I concentrated a little outside.. This city Mumbai is a little different. The poverty is very obvious here. Both the sides of the road, you will find people on platforms taking bath, eating food, washing clothes and the rest of the things. They are clearly homeless. There are others who have built two story huts. They are capable of living with their so called income in Mumbai. Chennai has poverty, but not this visible. We've gotr sky-scraper huts here in Mumbai.
I was thinking all this, as if I was the Financial Minister who wants to reform all this on a single signature. Thats when I noticed that lady in Red saree watching me for a long time. She should have been watching me ever since the Taxi halted. She had a kid standing close to her. Should be her daughter. Or Son ? I couldnt make out. Should be a son. He was wearing a dirty trouser. His face was showing that he hasnt had good food.. since days. I always feel bad about hungry people. In Iruvar, Karunanidhi will say "Rich people should not come to politics.. Caste system should abolish.. There should be no brutality" and so on.. but MGR will tell him "No one should be Hungry.. there should not be a situation that a family suffers from hunger..".. I liked that scene for that dialogue from MGR. Im probably forcing myself to feel bad about this.. but im usually not a guy who is so kind and donate a lot to charity.. just that now i have time for that.
Now this short guy looked like coming towards me.. I closely watched him. He wasnt coming himself. He was being pushed. By her.
I wasnt sure why.. but i think it was going to be for begging.. what else could be it.. My hand involunteerly made sure the Window lever was fully turned.. and quickly pretended like sleeping. I made sure the transition wasnt deliberat.. but why am i reacting like this.. I can simply say no ! but i hate to do that. I wish no one comes up to me, begging for money.
I slowly watched out of my closed eyes. The boy hadnt progressed. He was reluctant. He has not done this before and looked like he feels bad, as him mom was compelling him to do so. This is cruel, i thought. Forcing a kid to beg.. attrocious. He ran back.. but was caught by his hair. The child should have shouted.. couldnt hear any sound from behind the windows. She slapped him twice.. he broke into tears.. She then pushed towards me.. now the kid came walking fater towards me. My pretention was already over when the kid was beaten.
I wished the traffic cleared and the taxi started. But it did not..
Knock knock..
I was already looking at him. I was staring actually. He made some gestures.. he wanted money.. he was showing his stomach. Boy.. he was hungry. There wasnt a lie in his gesture. Poor fellow. I had already decided to give some money. Only how much was the dielemma. Sometimes i have wanted to be very generous. (Dont be dismayed, its a matter of 2 digit cash.. thats all). I had planned as of now for Rs. 10..
But there was also a parallel thought. This guy will start begging from now. All the more if he was successful on his first attempt he will choose the same gesture.. the bread winning gesture. He will not attempt to get money in a proper way. I dont reccomend education. But not begging. However he is going to be begging.. but why should i inaugurate.
Not listening to my mind... i opened the window.. "sikkudhunna.. anna anna! rendu naala saapidalanna.. pasikkudhunna.." Tamil.. yes. Dharavi is mostly the residence of the Tamil people.. most of them very poor.
Only two things.. I dont give him any money.. that will disappoint him and chances are that he wont beg anymore.. Or I give him money and dont think too much.. I helped him to eat once.. why do i care if he begs further or not. Im least bothered.. i just would get a great feeling about the donation..
Ok i have decided to give the money to the crying kid. The woman who had sent her.. she could not even be his mother.. was about to have a smile with pride..
I was digging the pocket.. thats when it dawned me. I did not have change. Only a few hundred rupee notes.. not even coins..
"anna anna.. ! pasikkudhunna.. "
The traffic just cleared..
"Chillarai illappa !! ", i said sadly. The woman was now disappointed..
I sadly watched his face go back through the window, as my taxi progressed.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Peace of Mind
Venu Krishnan came home early. He was atleast 45 minutes early to home. He never had the house key with him as, by everyday pattern, Savithri was earlier than him. Today she was running late. Venu was informed earlier about her delay, and Venu wasnt some husband who would curb his wife's freedom. Its been six months since they got married, and not a single day Savithri came late. That means I did not have much chances to see Venu acting like a dominant husband.
Next house people always had Venu's residence keys, and Vice versa. Madras is not as people think it is. Friendly people are everywhere. Venu felt strange opening the house doors, he hasnt done that for long. He felt at that moment that he has grown up dependant on Savithri, to a considerable extent. Strangely, it felt good to be dependant.
The house was looking strange to him, dull and suffocating. He quickly removed the socks and put on the light and fan.
All newspapers and coffee tumblers.. breakfast plates.. wet turkey towels.. all the mess that he had carved into neatness, in the morning. It wasnt that peaceful living room, it used to look every evening. He felt irritated and uncomfortable by the chaos. He wanted to fall into the sofa as he used to.. but quite a few things were occupying the sofa not giving him enough space to fluch his tiredness.
"This is Sick" he thought. A man working for hours together comes home and he cant have his peace of mind ? "Damn my money".
He reluctantly cleaned up the mess. He wasnt happy doing that. But one good quality with Venu is that he completes things. I mean it. He completely cleaned up the sofa. Folded up the paper and put the utensils in the sink (he actually threw them with force.. he was not in his moods). The living room was now looking good, except for some dust on the floor. Their house is the corner plot. Venu, with patience swept the floor. He was sweating like a swine. There was some good feeling somewhere that appreciated his work. He thought he was a heck-of-a-worker.
He went and took a shower. It seemed the shower had a meaning and sense. He came out fresh. He thought worshipping God would be a nice thing to do right now. Trust me, all these things are strange to Venu's set of protocols. He then lit the Kamakshi vilakku. One straight pattai and a smile in front of the mirror. He looked different in the mirror.
Venu came back to the living room, which he has cleaned himself. He was proud of his cleaning. He fell into the Sofa and kicked the TV remote to action. He then switched to his music system and played his favourite music.
He was slowly getting hungry and angry. Self-pity is the worst form of feeling a man should ever get (its actually a feel-good factor sometimes). He was feeling that Savithri should have arranged something for him. But then, this is the first time its ever happened. So, he started looking for something in the kitchen. After a huge exploration, Venu got out of the kitchen with a big plate full of dishes, drink and a ketchup bottle.
He slammed the fridge door, and emptied a few trays. All set for whiling a few hours. He should have been starving for the day, and I hate to mention the way he ate today. Just imagine he ate badly, and emptied everything except the ketchup bottle.
Slowly to sleep. He slept for sometime on the sofa. He then woke up and read a few books, here and there... weekly magazines. A evening without Savithri was so much of Vaccuum, he never guessed it would be so.
He was not ready to wait for Savithri to come. He knew she had a key with her. So, he went to the bedroom, locking the front door from inside. Venu's day was over.
Couple of hours later, Savithri came in. She was frustrated to see the dirty looking Hall, with eatables lying all over, and their covers flying in the air. Coffee tumblers and wet water bottles. Magazines here and there.
This was the same living room she everyday gets to see.
"Pcch !" she said, with a deep sigh.
Next house people always had Venu's residence keys, and Vice versa. Madras is not as people think it is. Friendly people are everywhere. Venu felt strange opening the house doors, he hasnt done that for long. He felt at that moment that he has grown up dependant on Savithri, to a considerable extent. Strangely, it felt good to be dependant.
The house was looking strange to him, dull and suffocating. He quickly removed the socks and put on the light and fan.
All newspapers and coffee tumblers.. breakfast plates.. wet turkey towels.. all the mess that he had carved into neatness, in the morning. It wasnt that peaceful living room, it used to look every evening. He felt irritated and uncomfortable by the chaos. He wanted to fall into the sofa as he used to.. but quite a few things were occupying the sofa not giving him enough space to fluch his tiredness.
"This is Sick" he thought. A man working for hours together comes home and he cant have his peace of mind ? "Damn my money".
He reluctantly cleaned up the mess. He wasnt happy doing that. But one good quality with Venu is that he completes things. I mean it. He completely cleaned up the sofa. Folded up the paper and put the utensils in the sink (he actually threw them with force.. he was not in his moods). The living room was now looking good, except for some dust on the floor. Their house is the corner plot. Venu, with patience swept the floor. He was sweating like a swine. There was some good feeling somewhere that appreciated his work. He thought he was a heck-of-a-worker.
He went and took a shower. It seemed the shower had a meaning and sense. He came out fresh. He thought worshipping God would be a nice thing to do right now. Trust me, all these things are strange to Venu's set of protocols. He then lit the Kamakshi vilakku. One straight pattai and a smile in front of the mirror. He looked different in the mirror.
Venu came back to the living room, which he has cleaned himself. He was proud of his cleaning. He fell into the Sofa and kicked the TV remote to action. He then switched to his music system and played his favourite music.
He was slowly getting hungry and angry. Self-pity is the worst form of feeling a man should ever get (its actually a feel-good factor sometimes). He was feeling that Savithri should have arranged something for him. But then, this is the first time its ever happened. So, he started looking for something in the kitchen. After a huge exploration, Venu got out of the kitchen with a big plate full of dishes, drink and a ketchup bottle.
He slammed the fridge door, and emptied a few trays. All set for whiling a few hours. He should have been starving for the day, and I hate to mention the way he ate today. Just imagine he ate badly, and emptied everything except the ketchup bottle.
Slowly to sleep. He slept for sometime on the sofa. He then woke up and read a few books, here and there... weekly magazines. A evening without Savithri was so much of Vaccuum, he never guessed it would be so.
He was not ready to wait for Savithri to come. He knew she had a key with her. So, he went to the bedroom, locking the front door from inside. Venu's day was over.
Couple of hours later, Savithri came in. She was frustrated to see the dirty looking Hall, with eatables lying all over, and their covers flying in the air. Coffee tumblers and wet water bottles. Magazines here and there.
This was the same living room she everyday gets to see.
"Pcch !" she said, with a deep sigh.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Foreign Chocolates
How does dream smell like ? I am not sure, if feelings have smell. Aargh ! Whatever, but right now, my dreams have a fragrance. Diary rich Hershey's Black Milk Chocolate. Subbi mama (subbi mami's husband) will land in tomorrow morning. Like every year, we will visit him. All my happiness will await detonation, till the Samsonite is burst open, and an Aroma of chocolate boxes(not chocolates) fill the room. Im addictive to anything chocolaty !!
------------------------------------
This year chocolate bag was no different. Same M&Ms, Snickers, Hersheys, Crackles and one Giant Nestle premium pack chocolate. Slrrrupp !! Of course, there were some electronic gadgets, and some board games and picture dictionaries for me. Wonder what makes them think, those will interest me. hmm.
------------------------------------
I hate mom. She will split the packets, and give to next door and few other relatives. Only a few will remain..
------------------------------------
chandru mami came home. she was given foreign chocolates. My share was considerably reducing. I am in this half-adoloscent. Too old to fight for it in front of them.. they liked me being possessive, when I was a kid.. but the world has changed a lot now.. the way it behaves with me.
She ate all the chocolates on the plate, and then came the comment. "idhellam namma Food worldlaye kidaikkudhe..."
Is it true ? oh.. may be. I was at Food World once, but was left with the Security.. they feared that I would make a mess inside. But from where i saw, there were lots of colors. All chocolates would have been there.
------------------------------------
Dad came home. I wanted to show him I was upset. So, i made sure i was seen, and kept a long face. Did you know this technique works well.. it is simple.. just be upset, and make sure you are noticed.. your prayers will be answered :) So was mine..
Dad took me to Food World, and I found all the chocolates Subbi mama brought.. everything. The Chocolate boxes didnt smell the way the usual boxes smell. But they were the same brands and flavours.. I was floating.. I won these because i was upset.. Cool, this works.
------------------------------------
From then on, I got a lot of Hersheys, whenever mom went to Food World. They were no more interesting.
------------------------------------
Next Year
Subbi mama is coming tomorrow.
-------------------------------------
Samsonite was open, and the aroma filled the room.
I wanted to feel unmoved. But then a sudden surge of excitement came in. Wow ! Foreign Chocolates..... :)
------------------------------------
This year chocolate bag was no different. Same M&Ms, Snickers, Hersheys, Crackles and one Giant Nestle premium pack chocolate. Slrrrupp !! Of course, there were some electronic gadgets, and some board games and picture dictionaries for me. Wonder what makes them think, those will interest me. hmm.
------------------------------------
I hate mom. She will split the packets, and give to next door and few other relatives. Only a few will remain..
------------------------------------
chandru mami came home. she was given foreign chocolates. My share was considerably reducing. I am in this half-adoloscent. Too old to fight for it in front of them.. they liked me being possessive, when I was a kid.. but the world has changed a lot now.. the way it behaves with me.
She ate all the chocolates on the plate, and then came the comment. "idhellam namma Food worldlaye kidaikkudhe..."
Is it true ? oh.. may be. I was at Food World once, but was left with the Security.. they feared that I would make a mess inside. But from where i saw, there were lots of colors. All chocolates would have been there.
------------------------------------
Dad came home. I wanted to show him I was upset. So, i made sure i was seen, and kept a long face. Did you know this technique works well.. it is simple.. just be upset, and make sure you are noticed.. your prayers will be answered :) So was mine..
Dad took me to Food World, and I found all the chocolates Subbi mama brought.. everything. The Chocolate boxes didnt smell the way the usual boxes smell. But they were the same brands and flavours.. I was floating.. I won these because i was upset.. Cool, this works.
------------------------------------
From then on, I got a lot of Hersheys, whenever mom went to Food World. They were no more interesting.
------------------------------------
Next Year
Subbi mama is coming tomorrow.
-------------------------------------
Samsonite was open, and the aroma filled the room.
I wanted to feel unmoved. But then a sudden surge of excitement came in. Wow ! Foreign Chocolates..... :)
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Untitled Emotions
Mary Elizabeth is crying. She had just come back from the hospital. Her husband is there, in room No. 304. Multiple fracture, day before yesterday. After two days of staying in the hospital, and after Doctors examined the X-Rays after the surgery, she left few of his friends in the hospital, and had come home for packing a few of her dress and make some calls. He will be admitted for 3 more days.
Mary's been married to him for just 8 months. Antony Prakash works for a MNC at a very good position. He must have made very good relationship with his friends. Otherwise 20 people wont turn up on the Accident night, and offer money and blood.
Mary packed a bag. One lungi and a t-shirt, which he might need on the discharge day. Some sarees for her. Some books. She took her cellular phone. It was about to loose charge, and display showed 34 missed calls. She had forgotten to take her cell, when she was rushing to the hospital on hearing the news. Actually, she had forgotten everything.
She was locking the doors. She wont come back for another 3 days. She checked up everything... She felt tired. She's been very much upset, emotionally. She wanted to break free. Thats why she cried. Now, she sat on the sofa, and tried to relieve her mind a bit.
She was staring at the phone. Should she, or should she not. She started dialling a number, which she has not dialled for the past nine months.
"Hello..."
"Hello.. Amma ! naan lalitha paesaren".
"............"
"Hello.. ! hello ! amma !! hello !"
The other end was already cut. She knew this would be the behaviour. Though she was prepared for it, she couldnt control herself. She fell back to crying. She ate a few minutes in that. She then started dialling again. It was a different number this time.
"Hallo !"
"Hello, mama ?"
"Lalli ? epppdimma irukke... Yesunadhar eppadi irukkar..."
Mary felt a little relaxed, now. It was her uncle, the only supporting man on her side of the family.
"mama.. avarukku accident aayiduthhu !"... all the flash cards came on a whiz and showed up in front of her.. her voice broke to crying.
After a few more conversations, she hung up the phone. It is always good to have a listener. Somone who would give you their ears to flush your problems into. Her mind was relaxed.
She went to her room, and took the photo of Ekambareshwarar from under the clothes. Ekambareshwarar was her Ex-family's God. Any problems in the family used to be directly escalated to him, and One Archanai and a Sidharu Thengai will kill the problem forever.
She could only pray now, from inside her bedroom.
Mama was in Room No. 304. After a few words with him, they both came out of the room. Mary whispered...
"Ava varalaya ? "
"varamaattaa... ummela innum kovamathan irukka.. "
Mary's mom was in the temple, in Ekambareshwarar Sannidhi.
"Yaar perukku mami, archanai ?" the kurukkal asked.
"Prakash.... Anusha nakshathram".
Ekambareswarar smiled.
Mary's been married to him for just 8 months. Antony Prakash works for a MNC at a very good position. He must have made very good relationship with his friends. Otherwise 20 people wont turn up on the Accident night, and offer money and blood.
Mary packed a bag. One lungi and a t-shirt, which he might need on the discharge day. Some sarees for her. Some books. She took her cellular phone. It was about to loose charge, and display showed 34 missed calls. She had forgotten to take her cell, when she was rushing to the hospital on hearing the news. Actually, she had forgotten everything.
She was locking the doors. She wont come back for another 3 days. She checked up everything... She felt tired. She's been very much upset, emotionally. She wanted to break free. Thats why she cried. Now, she sat on the sofa, and tried to relieve her mind a bit.
She was staring at the phone. Should she, or should she not. She started dialling a number, which she has not dialled for the past nine months.
"Hello..."
"Hello.. Amma ! naan lalitha paesaren".
"............"
"Hello.. ! hello ! amma !! hello !"
The other end was already cut. She knew this would be the behaviour. Though she was prepared for it, she couldnt control herself. She fell back to crying. She ate a few minutes in that. She then started dialling again. It was a different number this time.
"Hallo !"
"Hello, mama ?"
"Lalli ? epppdimma irukke... Yesunadhar eppadi irukkar..."
Mary felt a little relaxed, now. It was her uncle, the only supporting man on her side of the family.
"mama.. avarukku accident aayiduthhu !"... all the flash cards came on a whiz and showed up in front of her.. her voice broke to crying.
After a few more conversations, she hung up the phone. It is always good to have a listener. Somone who would give you their ears to flush your problems into. Her mind was relaxed.
She went to her room, and took the photo of Ekambareshwarar from under the clothes. Ekambareshwarar was her Ex-family's God. Any problems in the family used to be directly escalated to him, and One Archanai and a Sidharu Thengai will kill the problem forever.
She could only pray now, from inside her bedroom.
--------------------------------
Mary's uncle was then in her parents home. He told them about the accident to Antony Prakash. They were confused, as to how to react. Silence was a better alternative and they chose it. They both have cursed Antony Prakash, for eloping with their daughter. Was this because of their curse.
Mama tried convincing them to go to the hospital, and give him or atleast their daughter a visit.
"Raatchasi.. Ava mugathile naan muzhikkave maatten.. Ava seththalum sari.."
That ignited more words. An avalanche of them, pushed the mama out of the house.
Mama tried convincing them to go to the hospital, and give him or atleast their daughter a visit.
"Raatchasi.. Ava mugathile naan muzhikkave maatten.. Ava seththalum sari.."
That ignited more words. An avalanche of them, pushed the mama out of the house.
-----------------------------------
Mama was in Room No. 304. After a few words with him, they both came out of the room. Mary whispered...
"Ava varalaya ? "
"varamaattaa... ummela innum kovamathan irukka.. "
--------------------------------------
Mary's mom was in the temple, in Ekambareshwarar Sannidhi.
"Yaar perukku mami, archanai ?" the kurukkal asked.
"Prakash.... Anusha nakshathram".
Ekambareswarar smiled.
---------------------------------------
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Character Slaves
Character Slaves
The author has decided to finish the story in 2 minutes. He has forgotten that he put the hero Jayan inside a room and locked it. Somehow, a lot of events got into his mind after locking the hero, and hence he had moved all the other characters out to a different location. Jayan was there all alone, worried about the author. He has done this to Devi in the last story. Devi, however was a bad character, and she deserved a bad end. So, the author had sentenced her, by placing her in the middle of the railway-track and left her there unmoved, and forgot her in the rest of the story.Saroja was the heroine, and she was now travelling on the car towards the place, where the author had decided the climax. The author was covering the speed of the car, and the villain group following behind. Saroja's heart was beating for Jayan. She wasnt actually loving him, but the author had forced her to. Jayan was seduced by Devi, in the previous story. This story, the author had made Jayan to run at the back of Saroja, make desparte attempts. She liked the way Jayan approached her. Although Jayan did not. He was just moving to the wishes of the author.
Right now the climax is happpening.. But Jayan hadnt made a move, or taken effort to break out of the room. He cant do that, until the author pens something about. He was waiting for the word, "Meanwhile, Jayan..." somewhere. He found the author, writing very very fast and could sense the story is moving towards the conclusion.
Is it going to be that way ?? A story cannot end without the Hero's knowledge. If thats happening so, the union of the Hero and Heroine is not being written, or atleast not yet. So, is the author going to kill her ? Kill Saroja ? Oh no !! that cant be.. The last word written was "Police-sirens". That is good.. thank god, someone will be there to save Saroja.... Jayan prayed for a moment.
"Saroja was dying in front of everyone, with no one to help her. She was happy that Anand and his group were arrested, atlast for all they have done to her family. She fell on the floor. Blood all around her. She thought of Jayan for a minute.. he wont have trouble anymore from the Anand group."..
What ?? Story ended ?? Thats absurd.. Jayan thought. He cant leave me here. In this locked room. Cmon.... He hated this life, doing things that the author wanted, always.
The author was satisfied. He has somehow safeguarded Jayan, and kept him alive for his next story. That will have a new heroine. The audience would all praise him for a contemporary story, unlike all stories where the Hero and Heroine unite in the last scene.
Jayan - "Pongada !! neengalum.. unga pudalanga ....."
The author with all his pride, wrote the last line of the text.
"End of Part IV"
Jayan wanted to faint off. But he couldnt.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
TRANSFORMATIONS
People. Kindly read the following patiently and read it slow for a better understanding. Its a small Ammani effect. :)
today is my birthday.. i cant wait to wear that blue dress.
today is my birthday.. i cant to give my friends the foreign chocolates my uncle has brought
today is my birthday.. i cant wait to have my hands on that Street-cat cycle.. wow.
today is my birthday.. why should i go to school on birthdays..atleast she will excuse for that incomplete assignment.
today is my birthday.. nobody cares.. got to wake up early and study.
today is my birthday.. i have to impress that 1st year junior with my dress.. should throw a party at the college canteen, when she is there.
"hello there.. Happy birthday !! i think im the first one to call you ?". "yeah.. thank you *SHE* so much. you are the first :)".. .. today is my birthday.. damn.. its only 1 O Clock.. she called me at this time ? how sweet of her. she really loves me.
today is my birthday.. last year that *#@** called and spoiled my day. hmm. today im getting a hero honda as a gift. I wish my dad gave it :).. i still remember dad giving me the keys of the brand new Street cat cycle, when i was 11.
today is my birthday.. nobody in the training department knows of my birthday. i wish they did. how good they celebrated HIS birthday, in that team. hmmm
yesterday was my birthday.. didnt even realize. the client was on my ass. mom alone had remembered. she couriered me a new t-shirt. i didnt like the design, however.
today is my birthday.. im giving my guys a party. HE has prmised those Beer tins.. its going to be a heck of a day.
today is my birthday.. im taking my fiance out. wonder how she will wish me next year.. :)
today is my birthday.. SHE hasnt yet realized.. i told her when she gave me my coffee..she smiled and wished me, and went back to the kitchen. Mom gave me a new t-shirt. Gosh.. i wish nobody in the office remembers.. i cant pay another treat..
today is my birthday.. went and kissed my son's foot. He smiled.. What other gift do you want on this day ? I felt like I was blessed by my son.
today is my birthday.. wow.. im realizing this after so many years. my son gave me a Pen.. he has saved some of his pocket money. so sweet.
today is my birthday.. my wife insists we should go to a temple..
today is my birthday.. i wore that t-shirt mom had given me.. she wont gift me anymore.
today is my birthday.. my son, his friends and girlfriends gave me a surprise party. i was not that happy.. seemed funny. sounded artificial.. but that golden frame spectacles looked good on my face.
today is my birthday.. today i wont forget in my lifetime.. all my relatives gathered.. my sastiyapthapoorthy. my son did it grand.. he had come from US for this.. not many sons do it these days. he hasnt worn that Shirt i bought him, to wear on the occasion. i felt bad.
is it today or tomorrow.. cant really remember.. anyways,, i will visit the routine temple
today is my birthday.. its my daughter-in-law's birthday too.. i gifted her a book.. she said "thanks". nothing else.
today is my birthday.. cant get up from the bed.. i wish atleast today the pain is not there.. like how i got excuses on my earlier birthdays.
today could have been my birthday.
today is my birthday.. i cant wait to wear that blue dress.
today is my birthday.. i cant to give my friends the foreign chocolates my uncle has brought
today is my birthday.. i cant wait to have my hands on that Street-cat cycle.. wow.
today is my birthday.. why should i go to school on birthdays..atleast she will excuse for that incomplete assignment.
today is my birthday.. nobody cares.. got to wake up early and study.
today is my birthday.. i have to impress that 1st year junior with my dress.. should throw a party at the college canteen, when she is there.
"hello there.. Happy birthday !! i think im the first one to call you ?". "yeah.. thank you *SHE* so much. you are the first :)".. .. today is my birthday.. damn.. its only 1 O Clock.. she called me at this time ? how sweet of her. she really loves me.
today is my birthday.. last year that *#@** called and spoiled my day. hmm. today im getting a hero honda as a gift. I wish my dad gave it :).. i still remember dad giving me the keys of the brand new Street cat cycle, when i was 11.
today is my birthday.. nobody in the training department knows of my birthday. i wish they did. how good they celebrated HIS birthday, in that team. hmmm
yesterday was my birthday.. didnt even realize. the client was on my ass. mom alone had remembered. she couriered me a new t-shirt. i didnt like the design, however.
today is my birthday.. im giving my guys a party. HE has prmised those Beer tins.. its going to be a heck of a day.
today is my birthday.. im taking my fiance out. wonder how she will wish me next year.. :)
today is my birthday.. SHE hasnt yet realized.. i told her when she gave me my coffee..she smiled and wished me, and went back to the kitchen. Mom gave me a new t-shirt. Gosh.. i wish nobody in the office remembers.. i cant pay another treat..
today is my birthday.. went and kissed my son's foot. He smiled.. What other gift do you want on this day ? I felt like I was blessed by my son.
today is my birthday.. wow.. im realizing this after so many years. my son gave me a Pen.. he has saved some of his pocket money. so sweet.
today is my birthday.. my wife insists we should go to a temple..
today is my birthday.. i wore that t-shirt mom had given me.. she wont gift me anymore.
today is my birthday.. my son, his friends and girlfriends gave me a surprise party. i was not that happy.. seemed funny. sounded artificial.. but that golden frame spectacles looked good on my face.
today is my birthday.. today i wont forget in my lifetime.. all my relatives gathered.. my sastiyapthapoorthy. my son did it grand.. he had come from US for this.. not many sons do it these days. he hasnt worn that Shirt i bought him, to wear on the occasion. i felt bad.
is it today or tomorrow.. cant really remember.. anyways,, i will visit the routine temple
today is my birthday.. its my daughter-in-law's birthday too.. i gifted her a book.. she said "thanks". nothing else.
today is my birthday.. cant get up from the bed.. i wish atleast today the pain is not there.. like how i got excuses on my earlier birthdays.
today could have been my birthday.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Happy Holidays !
All were in the room. Very Noisy. Few of them were discussing the answers for the Section A. Section A was very tough today. The entire school sounded too much. The neighbors knew why. The school will be empty for the next few days, and they may not like it. Just like people who live close to the railway lines, cannot sleep without the train sound.
Deepak was all happy, like all his friends were. Exam days are cool. no normal bags and Lunch carriers. Just a Pad and a Geometry Box. Todays Question paper carried high importance, as the empty portion will be used for noting down the Assignment for the holidays.
Class teacher came in.. Nobody stood up to wish.. they were all busy talking to friends. Few were still regretting for choosing wrong options in Section A. Linda Miss was able to accept the behaviour. She was also a little happy about the holidays. Only a small bunch of Kids answer sheets. Piece of cake, to correct them.
Deepaks mind was thinking much like others.
"No more 6 O Clock wake up alarms. No more studies. Lotsa TV. Lotsa games. Lotsa fun... Yay ! I will be a free bird.. am gonna enjoy these days.. " ... Few guys had planned the assignement at the end of the Holidays, a few guys wanted to end them tonight and take the rest of the days into their hands. Their minds showed the calender, and these Holiday days were painted Gold. The Contiguous days were like a dream gift.
Linda Miss surprisingly did not give huge assignements. It was very light. There was still time for the bell. So, Linda Miss was asking every student the plan for their vacation. As the general protocol, they all said the reply the first student.. "Nothing.. simply at home.. TV"... few geeks said "Iam going to read books". There was a rich guy, who was going to Srilanka to visit his uncle. That raised the eyebrows of a few middleclass students.
Bell.
Yaaaaaaahhheeyy !! Vuttaachu Leeeeavu !!
They had the excitement in mind. But they did not run. They walked out, and cycled further out.
Deepak woke up by 6 O Clock the next day. The day looked just normal.
Deepak was all happy, like all his friends were. Exam days are cool. no normal bags and Lunch carriers. Just a Pad and a Geometry Box. Todays Question paper carried high importance, as the empty portion will be used for noting down the Assignment for the holidays.
Class teacher came in.. Nobody stood up to wish.. they were all busy talking to friends. Few were still regretting for choosing wrong options in Section A. Linda Miss was able to accept the behaviour. She was also a little happy about the holidays. Only a small bunch of Kids answer sheets. Piece of cake, to correct them.
Deepaks mind was thinking much like others.
"No more 6 O Clock wake up alarms. No more studies. Lotsa TV. Lotsa games. Lotsa fun... Yay ! I will be a free bird.. am gonna enjoy these days.. " ... Few guys had planned the assignement at the end of the Holidays, a few guys wanted to end them tonight and take the rest of the days into their hands. Their minds showed the calender, and these Holiday days were painted Gold. The Contiguous days were like a dream gift.
Linda Miss surprisingly did not give huge assignements. It was very light. There was still time for the bell. So, Linda Miss was asking every student the plan for their vacation. As the general protocol, they all said the reply the first student.. "Nothing.. simply at home.. TV"... few geeks said "Iam going to read books". There was a rich guy, who was going to Srilanka to visit his uncle. That raised the eyebrows of a few middleclass students.
Bell.
Yaaaaaaahhheeyy !! Vuttaachu Leeeeavu !!
They had the excitement in mind. But they did not run. They walked out, and cycled further out.
Deepak woke up by 6 O Clock the next day. The day looked just normal.
Friday, December 16, 2005
The Last Split Second
The Bullet was fired. He felt the pain all over the body. Should have been the lower stomach. He roared in some languageless word.
He was loosing his consiousness. He cannot react. He can see his blood showering his body. He has lived in blood all these years, but not seen his own.
Though he wasnt hit on the head, there was terrible pain in the back neck. He couldnt give anymore concentration to standing. He fell down, without logic, improperly. Slowly he began to feel more pain on the left lower part of the stomach. He could feel two bullets. The other bullet was fired, before the story began.
His mouth was wide open, but he couldnt shout. A clumsy yelling without the effort of the vocal cord. He was breathing with his mouth. Pain was increasing. Still and more. He pushed his hands in the stomach and massaged them, pressed the stomach so hard. He then rolled his body, pressing the stomach downwards. Pain.
He felt cold. His body was chilling. He was loosing it.. From down on the ground he could see only legs. A lot of them. Only those two legs got his eyes fixed. Those were his son's. Little legs with "Kee kee" shoes. The legs started walking only months before.
What will happen to him ? What will these guys do to him.. ? ouch. ! aaaarggh.. The bullets were killing him.. He should have tried to yell his son's name.. but he still couldnt speak a word.. he still was yelling mute.
The pain gained strength, and his body gave a shiver. I couldnt understand how he felt just at this point. Then his shiver ended.
His eyes still fixed on the "Kee kee" shoes. Its eyes still fixed on the "Kee kee" shoes.
Though he wasnt hit on the head, there was terrible pain in the back neck. He couldnt give anymore concentration to standing. He fell down, without logic, improperly. Slowly he began to feel more pain on the left lower part of the stomach. He could feel two bullets. The other bullet was fired, before the story began.
His mouth was wide open, but he couldnt shout. A clumsy yelling without the effort of the vocal cord. He was breathing with his mouth. Pain was increasing. Still and more. He pushed his hands in the stomach and massaged them, pressed the stomach so hard. He then rolled his body, pressing the stomach downwards. Pain.
He felt cold. His body was chilling. He was loosing it.. From down on the ground he could see only legs. A lot of them. Only those two legs got his eyes fixed. Those were his son's. Little legs with "Kee kee" shoes. The legs started walking only months before.
What will happen to him ? What will these guys do to him.. ? ouch. ! aaaarggh.. The bullets were killing him.. He should have tried to yell his son's name.. but he still couldnt speak a word.. he still was yelling mute.
The pain gained strength, and his body gave a shiver. I couldnt understand how he felt just at this point. Then his shiver ended.
-------------------------------------------
prabhuslt: and whats tat kee kee abt ?
Keerthivasan: nothing... justa story of a Cop or Rogue getting dead, his last split second.
who cannot speak 1 Muzham dialogues in their last breath
who cant say "Hey Ram" after being shot
prabhuslt: didnt get u yet ??
Keerthivasan: nothing... justa story of a Cop or Rogue getting dead, his last split second.
who cannot speak 1 Muzham dialogues in their last breath
who cant say "Hey Ram" after being shot
prabhuslt: didnt get u yet ??
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