A Day

A DAY

'Sir your coffee!'

 Pranita, his servant brings him coffee at his bed itself.

As soon as Hari Ram opens his eyes, he pops into the wall watch, where the clock displays the time 6.20! He takes the sip of coffee and asks to Pranita,

'What date is it?'

'3rd March'

This makes him remember that it has been two months already he had been into the post of Minister. Although, up to when he will be in that chair was unknown, because the parties out of Government has already been protesting demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister, and his life at the chair was no way fixed.

By the time he takes few sip of his coffee, he remembers his commitment that he used to make before he was into the post, he remembered how he was determined of not doing a single corruption, he was determined regarding how he would work with his whole heart and for the benefit of nation. He remembers his conversation with his wife just before the day he sat on the chair of Minister.

**

'Nepal got a good person for the first time in good post! Now, I will show entire Nepalese how good a minister can be, how good a minister should be, and what are the things that a good minister can do for changing the structure of the country!'

'I don’t know any thing, what so ever you do, but you need to earn enough to build a house in Kathmandu!'

'House is not everything, I may own a house by corruption, but what does that mean? Will I be seen as good leader tomorrow?'

'So what?'

'See, my dear wife Kritanjali, I will not take a penny through corruption! I will work with whole heart devotion.'

Without giving much notice, his wife then moved back to her room.

                                                            **

With few sips remaining to his coffee, he turns the pages of newspaper that was near him where he sees the head news along with photo explaining:

Students crossing the river with risks, due to lack of bridge.

This headline again brings Hari Ram back to his one conversation with his wife. It was just after a week he sat on his post.

                                                            **

'How is your work going on?'

'It is going fine, things were not as I assumed. It is so complex.'

'Why? What happened?'

'Although being a Reconstruction Minister, I need to go through so long process for any project! I cannot believe it!'

'Why? What happened?'

'I see there are so many places I need to work for, the bridges, the old historical places and so many…'

'So?'

'But, I could not work effectively, but at least I will build a bridge in my entire time at some rural place, and I will do that before the termination of this Government anyways!'

'I never understood politics, and I don’t think I will ever understand it! When my husband himself is in such places, I fail to understand it…when will I understand it now?'

                                                            **

These two memories created the sense of responsibility within him. He feels guilty for spending couple of months without any use. It was not that he was not excited to work as per his determination, but when one is in that position, things change all of sudden. Troubles from opposition party, piles of obstacles within the system had been actually acting as the main hindrances in his smooth path. He therefore stays committed to at least make his determination clear.

He peeps into his digital wall clock, that displays the time 7:00 AM. Moving towards fresh room, he gets ready to begin his day. Within half and hour, he switches on his cell phone. He could see Miss Call Notification from various unknown numbers.

'People keep calling, either for their personal greed or for some threats!' He talks to himself. He then walks out to check his Email. Nothing new!

Today, is not any special day for him, but he is committed to do some constructive work that the entire citizens could be made proud of him. He usually thinks of the same though' before going to his office. After talking for some time with his son in United States through Skype, he takes his lunch and dresses up with Daura Surwal and Dhaka Topi. So, he hears the horn of  the white number plated car outside. So, he moves into his vehicle, where his driver welcomes with fresh new smile.

'Any special plans today mantra ji?'

'Yes! I will do something constructive today!'

'Mantri ji, you tell that every day!'

Hari Ram then feels that this energy was gradually getting low, and he could not focus on his determination and his promising aims.

'Mantri ji, I have been driver of various other ministers earlier as well, out of all, you seem different, you seem eager to work!'

Hari Ram response him just with simple smile.

'Mantri ji, I don’t smell any greed in you, I may be wrong, but I don’t think you are into corruption. At this time; if there would have been others in your place, they would have gathered enough to build a new house, but you have not even painted your old one!' Driver again speaks.

'But I have not been able to do something positive either! See this headline…' picking up the newspaper from his seat he shows to his driver that says..

Students crossing the river with risks, due to lack of bridge.

'Now say, who is responsible for this? Am not I responsible for this? Being appointed for this specific task, I am yet unable to make a single bridge any where!'

This makes driver silent. Silent enough for the time when red light gets into orange, and finally green.

'But Mantri ji, if you want, you probably could do something, why are you not working on it then? Maybe I should not say this, but it clearly becomes your fault for this!'

'No, you have entire rights to say it, when entire citizens are having enough time to point me, why will you not have this right? Of course, you can say what you feel, and even I accept that it is my fault after all!'

Minute of silence takes in the vehicle.

'That is why; today I am really planning to do something that I can speak of tomorrow!'

                                                            ***

'Good Morning Sir' His secretary wishes him.

'Good Morning' He replies back.

'Sir, I have all placed the documents in your table, your signature is what the document is seeking for!'

'What is the document about?'

'One is about the old project that was launched by the Minister before you, since the project was started year back, but could not conclude, they need to be ended so we have to again begin it…Second is about the funds estimation and Proposal that we need to send to Prime Minister….Third one is about the appointments of the peoples there by..Fourth one is about….' His secretary keeps speaking maybe he reaches up till ten justifications.

He could see his room's wall clock showing the time hour to mid day! This meant he had entire office hour today. So, without listening to what his secretary has been speaking of, he signs the document and hand over to him so that he could get rid of him.

He then googles various rural area of Nepal to figure out one specific place where he could build the bridge. It would be kind of unfair for him if he constructed the bridge somewhere in his home place, rather he wanted to do it at some needy place so that he could satisfy his soul. So, he was looking for some Western Nepal's area to build the Bridge. And, after looking maps he makes a hypothesis regarding where exactly to build the bridge.

'Can you come to my room right now?' Hari Ram calls his secretary in his cell phone.

'Sir, I am out, you know the document you have signed, I need to hand them to concerned peoples…'

'Oh! Okay! So, when are you going to return back to office?'

'Tomorrow Sir!' He could hear the waiter nearby offering him his fast food.

Without hearing a word, he keeps his phone and thinks of some other idea. He could hear the bell ringing thereby showing that it is already a midday!

'Maybe, I should do something on my own!' He thinks.

He calls the peon inside and asks him the process to build the bridge in that specific area.

'Sir, are you from that place? Or do you have someone there?' Peon appears with normal set of questions.

'Oh! Don’t care of anything, just tell me the process!'

'I don’t know! But it is not easy as you think, you need to make a research team for that area, you need to send them with enough budget for their snacks and drinks as well, they will then bring you report, you need to make a proposal, submit it to PM, with his approval you will get the budget, you then need to open tender for it, after certain fights finally you get one supplier and then you need to hand them the budget and they will begin it.'

'That long? Uff…'

'Sir, I have not completed it…I just said they will begin it, they will begin it does not necessarily mean they will end it!'

'Okay leave, go to your work!'

'Sir, you can coordinate with your secretary! Even only if you get the permission, you can build new bungalow at heart of Kathmandu sir!'

Hari Ram could clearly recognize the corrupted smell over there.

'Okay Okay..Get lost!'

'Okay sir' Peon turns of his head and then moves with his last statement, 'Sir, you cannot do it without Avinash ji's help.' Avinash was his secretary!

Within his two months of office duration, he could clearly realize how corrupted Avinash was in real. So, this time he was committed to do without his help.

'First I need to make a proposal….No! I need to do a research….!'

'Okay…Let me look after research team..Who should I put? I will be there myself…Maybe this peon would be helpful…and then?'

Trrrriiiinggg Phone nearby rings

'Hari Ram ji?'

'Yes'

'Namaste! I am Keshav Jung, Secretary of PM'

'Oh, Keshav ji, Namaste!'

'Mantri ji, There is opening ceremony of Real Estate in Bhrikutimandap, and since you are in office itself, PM has requested you to go there in the opening ceremony!'

'But, I had to do some works today!'

'Oh come on Mantri Ji, we all know your entire works, PM is out today, and since he could not make it, he has requested you!'

'But…'

'I know they won't pay you extra or anything, but you have no option, be there today at 3 pm although they have invited at 2pm. You know ministers have to be late…'

'And yes, if you have any complains do talk to PM himself! Bye!' He keeps the phone and then.

This reminds him of his day yesterday…

                                                                        ***

He was with same motto yesterday, when he received call from his Party Office, and had to be at the party office! Although he was intended to begin the work yesterday, he could not simply because of his phone call. His Party Office visit was total waste of time, because although he was called at 2pm, entire peoples gathered only at 4pm and since the Party Chairman was absent, the gathering was a total waste of time!

'I will seriously begin something positive from tomorrow!' He said before leaving the party office and heading towards home!

                                                                        ***

He looks at the clock that displays the time 1:30. This meant he had one hour of time at his office! He tries to prepare some document, but could not begin it as he had no idea how to write proposal or anything. He seriously feels necessity of his secretary then. Tea comes to his table, and after having a cup of tea, he thinks to talk seriously about the issue next day with his secretary. He feels he need to say it frankly to his secretary that the project has to be for real benefit of that specific region and must be corruption less. He calls his secretary, but could not reach! Maybe Network problem…

By the time the time turns out to be 2:15 he gets prepared for his visit, he makes a letter for his speech thereby and then gets into his vehicle. He reaches the opening ceremony, cuts the ribbon. He delivers speech, something about promotion of Real Estate and Housing business. And, by 4, he gets back into his vehicle…

'Sir, how was your day?' Driver asks, maybe expecting an answer if he did something as he said morning.

'I don’t know! I could not do anything today!' The usual answer appears and driver simply smiles.

The newspaper with same headline was on the seat itself, and he again stares. He reaches home, and he knew he had to reply same sort of answer to his wife as well! Instead of facing his wife, he enters into kitchen, takes his dinner and goes to sleep!

                                                                        ***

'Sir your coffee!'

 Pranita, his servant brings him coffee at his bed itself.

As soon as Hari Ram opens his eyes, he pops into the wall watch, where the clock displays the time 6.15! He takes the sip of coffee and asks to Pranita,

'What date is it?'

'4th March'

'Today I will do something constructive!' He again thinks!

Sacrifice

Sacrifice

‘Oye’ A message appeared in my Yahoo Messenger. It was my friend Anuj.
‘Ahh van..k vo?’ I replied.
‘Aja college lagcha?’ he questioned. Since it was 27th of Chaitra 2063, and the agitation was simply called for three days, we were not sure if the college would open.
‘I don’t know, but my dad was saying it won’t, they have expanded the agitation now!’
‘Really? Are you sure college will remain shut down today?’
‘I am not coordinator’s son in law man!’ I said.
‘Okay, they are not even receiving the phone, I will go anyway!’
‘Hya, even if it opens, there is going to be less number of students today, and I am not going! You don’t go as well!’ I replied.
‘No yaar, attendance sucks! They send internal marks from there! And I was already absent for such a long time earlier!’ he replied.
‘You may be shot dead!’ I said jokingly.
‘Who cares? If I die, at least I won’t have to give exams…’ he replied.
                        ***
After getting dressed up, he then moved towards school.
‘Hey, is the school open?’ An aged man asked to Anuj on the way.
‘I don’t know, maybe it is, and our school sucks! They open schools even during such strikes!’
Giving him a smile, Anuj moved towards school. On the way, he could hear various voices shouting ‘Hail Republic’, and various statements against king. He was certainly looking stupid in school uniform and bag at the back, but he didn’t care. He was enjoying the silent and unpolluted road after all. This made him walk for pretty long. The distance between his home and his school was around twenty minutes of walk.
So, he finally reached the school, simply to know that the school is shut down. Like him, there were other students who came walking, and were now returning back. Some with the confusion, regarding what to do entire day; and most with excitement thinking it a holiday. Anuj was equally excited knowing that it was holiday, but what to do was no way some specific answer. ‘Go directly to home, there is curfew beginning from next hour’, the gatekeeper said to all. Did Anuj hear that?
He therefore made up a plan to go home making a longer way, seeing what has been happening all around. He probably wished if I was there to company him, but my parents did not allow me to move out on that day. I had some bad feelings on them though. Making a longer way, he was walking when his eyes started trembling; he never had such experience before. As if someone was rubbing garlic in his eyes, he seriously was feeling uneasy.
By the time he opened his eyes, he could see peoples running all around. Anuj was excited seeing all these. Within next five minutes, his eyes felt some relaxation and he sat on the wall nearby to see what exactly was happening. There were police on one side with all their precautions, there helmet on their head, protecting thing on their hand and all in dress staying in a row. A gap of around twenty meters was there, and then another huge mass of agitated peoples with no precautions, but just with stone in their hand were there shouting:
‘Hail Republic!’
‘No king! No monarchy!’ and various other quotes.
Sooner, the agitated peoples marched their movement towards those police. Anuj was really excited seeing this. After all, he was sitting in the wall that was located back of those agitated peoples. He stood up to see the things happening time and again. Media persons were dancing here and there with their jackets on.
As the crowd marched their movement, one police lifted up his long gun and shot it in the air. Soon, the bullet got drop in street and huge gas started appearing out of it. People started running again, and his eyes could feel some uneasiness again. Later…Anuj understood that it was all because of that bullet. He then heard people shouting ‘tear gas’, and then he came to know that it was tear gas. He closed his eyes for some time, allowed the tears go away, and then opened his eyes.
Agitated peoples were now throwing stones to the police, and police were protecting themselves. A mike was warning them not to be violent, or they will not tolerate and reminded that they had authority to shot gun as well. Who would hear them? The stones were flying in the air continuously, as if the battle in Mahabharat was going on where the two sides were fighting.
Then, there was next tear gas thrown out. Anuj felt scared, so decided to return back home. As soon as he dropped down from the wall, the mass of people began running, and the police were following them. Anuj seriously had no idea regarding what to do, he was not the agitator to be beaten by police, but if he didn’t run maybe police would beat him. How would they know who were agitators and who were not? In the mean time, he got something hard in his back. Someone beat him with a huge stick, he fell down.
Still the mass was running, and Anuj woke up to run in similar way. With just few steps, he heard the sound of firing gun, and at the same time he felt like someone injecting him some injection. No it was not any injection, it was bullet in his back. He fell down there itself, no one was there to care for him. He asked for help from all around, but all the peoples were inside their home, some in their terrace watching the things happening. He heard few more round of fires, but still no one was there to help him. He probably remembered what I said in the chat then.
Within next five minutes, everything was silent, but no one ever cared for the boy in uniform falling on the street. An ambulance came running, but it was too late. He was declared dead on the vehicle itself.
                    ***
By next fifteen days, everything was in peace. Those deaths on agitation were declared ‘Martyr’. I could see my friend’s name among all of them. I went to school alone….it was late…but I could hear Principal speaking on the assembly…
‘……Anuj made his sacrifice for the country, we miss him…on this sad time where your friend, our student has been missing, and will never be present, the school administration has decided to remain shut down for next two days…and sorry to say, we cannot run class today as well..’
I returned back home, after all it was a holiday. Again logged into my Yahoo Messenger account….Anuj Sharma…I could see in sad face with grey color…I knew that would never turn out smiling yellow now…

Fearless love

Fearless love
He turns around, searching a tight sleep. Maybe this was his tenth turn, but he could not yet sleep. He completed his bottle of water that he kept aside, and it has already been more than an hour he has been trying to sleep, but he could not sleep. He looks at the clock, that displays the time 12.15. Tomorrow is not Saturday, he knew he had to wake up on time to go for his regular office, and his regular task, but he could not sleep at all!
Only, the words from Sharmila’s sister kept moving from her. It had been hours that she told him. He probably had wet eyes too…   
                        ***
Three months back,
As soon as Prabeen shifted to his new room at Sinamangal, he saw young lady from his window of his new room. This young lady was thin, beautiful and ever smiling. She used to be at her roof top and keep talking, sometimes singing and sometimes even did not mind to dance assuming no one has seen her. Prabeen used to enjoy seeing her and that had now been his daily routine.
After being back from office, he used to sit on the chair that was faced towards the next house, and used to look after her entire activities. One day, when Praveen was at his rooftop, she noticed him. Praveen could realize it, and he said nothing but smiled. She smiled in return. This smiling relation continued almost for a week till Praveen gathered the courage to ask her name…
‘Sharmila’ she said.
‘And yours?’ she asked again.
‘Prabeen!’ he replied.
There could not be any long term talk that day, and gradually every evening they used to sit on their own terrace and used to had a chit chat. It had been more than months, and that had been their routine. On the rainy evening, they used to talk with umbrellas on their head…and that was moving gradually.
Prabeen could sense that he has been falling for her, and maybe even she was falling for her. Or not, that could simply be Prabeen’s assumption which necessarily need not to be correct of course. Five minutes delay from Sharmila’s side would make him such uneasy as if he was having kind of altitude sickness. But, no matter how late it was, she used to come.
People around began noticing their regular activities. Prabeen’s landlord once even said that she was not his type of girl, and it would rather be better if he stopped talking to her, but how could he? He could not stop talking to her. Their talks kept on continuing.
One week back
Prabeen’s friend was in his room for some chit chats. Prabeen’s friend saw the girl, and immediately asked in surprise who she was. Prabeen had no word to define the relation though’, and he said she is my friend.
‘But…she…’ he could not speak firmly,
‘What?’ Prabeen asked.
‘She is a prostitute!’
‘What?? You must be wrong!’ Prabeen said is surprised!
‘Oh come on! I had sex with her, I remember her because she was the only one whom I saw not allowing without condom! I said I would pay her thousand bucks extra, but still she did not allow! She is the same girl! I swear!’
‘If that was the thing, she should have told me earlier!’ Prabeen thought, and made a determination to ask her, if it was true…’ But asking her if she was a prostitute was not an easy tasks.
‘What do you do?’ Prabeen asked.
She tried to escape from the topic making various excuses, she used to make fun of her question explaining ‘I cook, I eat….I sleep and finally I shit!’
It was getting tough for Prabeen, and yesterday evening he saw a girl similar face of that of Sharmila with her. He could clearly say that it was Sharmila’s younger sister. Sharmila introduced him to his sister later from the roof top itself, and with just ‘Hi’ she ran away.
Today morning,
It happened that Prabeen was getting out in his bike, when Sharmila’s sister was out of her gate as well.
‘Where are you going?’ Prabeen asked.
‘College!’ she said.
‘Where?’
‘Bagbazar!’
‘Come on! I will drop you, I am going to Putalisadak!’
Although she felt uneasy, she accepted a while later. On the way he then asked her,
‘What does your sister do?’
She immediately changed her face, he could depict it from the mirror of his bike, and said,
‘Why do you need? Don’t care about that!’
‘Please, can not you say it?’
‘No! Why do you need it?’
‘I love her!’
‘Shut up! Don’t even think of that! And stop the bike, I want to get out of here!’
‘But, why? Cant I love her?’
‘No! You can’t! And yes, don’t ever say that to my sister! My sister is God for me, and I cant tolerate some one playing with her emotions!’
‘But why cant I love her?’
‘I said na, you cant love her!!’
Few minutes of silence took the place, and then she started…
‘After our parents were killed by Maoists, my sister brought me to Kathmandu. She got involved in dance bars, and later she got into prostitution just for my sake, she has not studied a single class, but she earns and spends her entire amount for my education. Thinking I will have negative image if I stay with her, she sent me to hostel.. I can never pay her debt in my life…she began with tears!’
Prabeen could not say a word. At the time of departing they exchanged each other’s number and then she went to her college.
Sometimes truths are better hidden. But after knowing the truth, what could he do? That evening he could not talk properly with Sharmila. His cigarettes nearly burnt his finger.
                    ***
 Only, the words from Sharmila’s sister kept moving from her. It had been hours that she told him. He probably had wet eyes too…He had no idea what to do.
Should I marry a prostitute? What will the world call me?
Are all prostitutes bad?
Should I avoid her just because I came to know her truths?
These sort of questions kept revolving around, and his mind was entirely occupied by things similar to this, it was already 1 am, and his eyes could not even think of being closed...and in the end he pulled his cell phone from his nearby pillow, and typed:

Love does not have any boundary, after knowing her entire truths, I came to this decision. I love her more than yesterday and I will love her forever.

He sent it to her Sharmila’s sister, and finally managed to sleep. He watched the screen of his cell phone till it was delivered and then finally closed his eyes. There was a beep after sometime indicating SMS in his cell phone, but he was already asleep!
                                dwaiipon.blogspot.com

Fire Work

Fire Work
Hye! I am Dipendra, let me introduce you to my friends. Well I have a lot, but I want you to know only those who relate in the story. Sunil, my friend since nursery. I don’t care how is for others, but is good to me. Barsha, his girl. I have no idea if they really are in relation and I seriously don’t care. Roshan, it had just been that I have known him, but he is kind of good, maybe somewhat selfish and had ego, but everyone has it. Melina, Roshan’s girl. No personal remarks, after all they are going to kick me if they read this story. Ayush, our next friend. He is friendly, maybe Preeti was his girl. I am not so sure. Naveen, cool guy, but he did not have a girl then. Sorry guys, if you happen to read this. Let me take you back to six years. Six I guess counting from 2012, right? Well that does not matter even it is seven or five!
***


Thursday evening wass the time when Sunil meets Barsha.
‘How was your exam?’ asks Sunil.
‘Simply okay, but I may fail in Social Studies.’ Replies barsha
‘I had mine worst as well.’
‘I wish for huge earthquake, so that entire answer sheet gets disappeared.’
---
Roshan ultimatey gets a time after exam to call Melina. It was hard to talk hiding with her families for Melina, but she talks time and again. Let it be clear that cell phone six year back, for grade ten students was not a necessity, so land line was all in use.
‘Hello!’
‘Roshan?’
‘Ya, anyone around?’
‘Nah! You called in the right time, no one is at home. Mom is out and dad is at office!’
‘So missing me?’
‘Umm…not so much!’
‘Don’t lie…’
‘How was your exam? I ruined mine.’
‘Optional Maths sucked! I attended just of forty and I got a five trigonometry proof wrong! So no symptom to pass! Again scolding from mom! Dad’s lecture! Thank God they at least don’t now about relation, but I am worried. I wish there was fire at school administration!’
‘Hyaa, don’t take any tension…I want to go for date, can you manage?’
‘No! Shut up! Mom’s eyes are on me! I hate this!’
‘So, what is your plan for today?’
‘Hey…Mom!! Mom!! Keep the phone! Bye..’
---
Roshan, Sunil, Ayush, Naveen…they happened to gather at the junction nearby.
‘Guys, I ruined my exam!’ said Roshan.
‘Sure fail!’ shouts Sunil, ‘Even Barsha ruined!’ he further adds.
‘Guys, this is our last year, lets steal our papers!’ Naveen says.
‘Yeah, my chick was saying the same’ Sunil supports.
‘And Melina wants there to be fire at the administration office!’ Roshan explains.
‘Dai, Let’s broke into then’ suggests Ayush.
‘And I hate that bulky principal, let’s do something as revenge!’ Ayush further adds.
So, they could not realize but the talk was getting serious and they are now set either to steal the papers or burn administration, but they ultimately come to conclusion that burn it so that school can call it an accident.
***
Friday Morning,
These people gather and set the plan.
‘I am sure, Barsha will be happy’ utters Sunil.
‘It will be the best revenge ever’ shouts Naveen.
‘So what do we need now?’ asks Ayush.
‘Kerosene!’ shouts someone.
‘But no one uses Keresone in this gas age, how can we…?’
‘Pritam has always been supportive, lets talk to him once’ says Sunil, so they talked to Pritam and he gave almost a liter of petrol from his dad’s bike.
***
9 pm.
Four of them all set with bag at the back.
‘I never thought the wall would be so big at night, see if the gate is open…’ whispers Ayush.
‘Shut up! Are the principals fool to keep door open? Don’t talk stupid!’ says Roshan.
‘Is there pale dai?’ silently asks nervous Roshan again.
‘No! our principal is such a stingy, he saves money by not hiring anyone at night duty.’ Says Naveen as if he knew entire things that principal does.
‘But the wall is really tall, and I cant jump from here.’ Complains Ayush again.
‘Go back! You coward!’ shouts furious Sunil.
‘Hey, notice it, there might be glasses on the wall, we never cared during the school time though’ Naveen says to Sunil when Sunil attempts to climb the wall.
‘Yeah, Naveen is right, there is broken glasses and nail on wall, for safety.’ Says Roshan.
‘Safety? My foot!!’ shouts Sunil!
‘There is wall back from here, it has gate as well, it is easy climbing. I climbed once at the time of bunking.’ Says Naveen.
‘But whatever we are doing is totally wrong, we must study well from next time…’ Roshan says is regretting tone.
‘Oh Shut up! You either run away or stay silent….got that Roshan?’ says Sunil at the time of moving backward!
‘Yeah man! It is easy climbing, see you step here, second there and jump!’ says Ayush when they choose next place to jump the wall.
‘But no jumping, sound can bring us in problem!’ says Naveen.
‘Okay, lets get in!’
***
9.30 pm
‘Come on Ayush, you need hand?’
‘Yes, Naveen, pull me please!’
‘Finally, we got in, now??’
‘Don’t talk silly Roshan, now let us silently move towards administration office!’
‘Sunil is right, let us move ahead!’
‘Hey Ayush what is wrong?’ asks Naveen.
‘No, nothing…just was thinking how will I jump back the same gate?’
‘Don’t talk stupid! Are we going to die? Just move ahead!’
‘But it is dark everywhere, how are we….’ Says Roshan.
‘It is clever Naveen….see I have torch!’
‘And you think yourself smart with this tiny torch?;
‘So? Had you been expecting entire light like one you will do in marriage?’
‘Room is locked, and if we try to broke it through stone, it will create a sound!’
‘So, you guys expected the door to be open? What have you carried in your bags?’
‘Nothing!’
‘And it is clever Naveen who has got Rod!’
‘You are great man..’
‘I know I am!’


KHHHHHAADDDYYYAKK


‘I hope that did not produce much sound!’ says Naveen.


Tung! Tung! Tung!


‘Now what is that?’ shouts Ayush with some fear.
‘It is my cell phone, I bought it for today from bro’s’ says Naveen.
‘Whose call?’
‘Not call, its SMS by Pritam, that goes…


Hey whr r u? mission completd?


Let me reply’
‘Okay done, get in!’ After typing and sending the message he pops out.
‘Where is the switch? Let us turn on the light!’ says Roshan.
‘Don’t act stupid! Others may know through this torch, we need to search our answer sheets!’
***
9.45 pm
‘No nothing is here!’ says Naveen.
‘Let us search properly’ says Sunil.
‘No man…here are simply piles of our earlier files, and these old newspapers.’
‘Now is it time to jump again?’ says Ayush in lamenting voice.
‘No man! Let us think, where could it be?’ says Naveen.
‘Did not the Principal take it to her room itself?’ said Sunil.
‘Or did they got idea about our plan?’ said Roshan, afterall it was known to Pritam excluding us.
‘Let us give one final search and leave the room, it is foolish thing to talk here.’ whispers’ Naveen.
***
10 pm
‘Do you remember that teacher checks it at staff room?’ said Ayush.
‘Hey man! This guy is right! Let us go there!’ Four of them move towards next room.
‘One more lock! Disgusting! Where is the rod!’ asks Sunil.
‘I don’t have it…hey hold on, maybe I left there….Let me get it!’ They had left the rod in the admin room itself.
‘We have not even locked that room and the rod was there!’
‘Okay  give it here!’


KHADDDDYYAKK!
‘Now without searching switch, search for papers’ says Naveen.
‘Where the hell is it?’ guys you get it?’ shouts Roshan.
‘Don’t shout! We are all searching!’ says Sunil.
‘No way! Guys it is not here, let us now jump out!’ says Ayush.
***
10.15 pm
‘Guys see this locked rack! It might be here!’ says Naveen.
So, they broke the lock once again and now they get it. Without giving a thought Naveen threw petrol over, smoked his cigarette and burnt the entire answer sheet. Ayush was able to jump the wall of his own this time. By next fifteen minutes they were out.
We did it!
Naveen wrote to Pritam and all of them now went to Sunil’r room. Did they sleep? I have no idea.
***
Sunday morning at assembly;
Principal explains ‘We had been keeping some enemies with us, they burt the answer sheets. We are sorry to say, but school will be taking the exam again that will be from next week. It will be challenge for those enemies to pass, and we will keep our investigation on!’
Same day, principal calls me for some question.
‘I know you are good student, do you have any idea?’
‘No madam! How can I know it?’
‘Still, whom do you suspect?’
‘No one ma’m, I don’t think my friends can do such….’
‘Okay, but if you get any clue, let me know, I guarantee your safety!’
‘Sure ma’m!’
***
We had to appear for re exam. No one ever suspected them. Maybe someone did, but that never made sense. They all passed exam. And now if you are thinking how I knew all these, I told you earlier as well they all are my friends! Missing all my friends!

Power Game

Power is everything in today’s world. America is regarded as the power house, it can do what so ever it wants. When you get into power, even you can do whatever you want. You can prove Right, a Mistake or fault, and you can prove false statement true. Don’t even forget the traditional system, when King could turn the caste in Nepalese Society.

‘You seem innocent, why are you here?’ She asked Supriya.

‘It is none of your business.’ Although Supriya felt like saying this, but since she had no one to talk since last two days, a company would be better though she looked weird.

‘I hit a guy with knife….’ Supriya said.

‘And why are you here?’ Supriya immediately asked again.

‘It has already been six months; I will be here for six more months!’ She said.

‘No, that was not my question, I asked why?’

‘Umm….Actually I was caught while trying to take some drugs to Hongkong.’

‘Drugs trafficking?’

‘Yeah…at least that was better than being prostitute!’

‘You….And Prostitute?’ Supriya asked surprisingly.

‘Yeah, worked at a bar for two years just to feed my stomach, and later got into this. At least it is better than dying of hunger! Better for people like us who live below poverty line! Better to live a life, no matter if it is by stealing or robbing than to die like a dog in the street…’

‘Oh…’ Supriya had no idea what to say.

‘Forget it, tell me your story, you seem innocent, why did you hit him with the knife?’

‘Ummm……’

‘Don’t feel awkward, feel easy and share….was he your boy friend? Love and breakup?’

‘No…’

‘You can call me didi….my name is Pramila’

‘No didi, he was not my boyfriend or anything…there is a long story…’

‘Okay, begin….there is nothing so special waking up early tomorrow!’

****

I had a simple life in the capital city. Morning college of BBS that would consume the time till ten in the morning and then go back to my rented room where my cousin sister would keep the cooked lunch, have it and then reach office and occupy the receptionist chair by eleven thirty. Deal with every staffs and abroad aiming students throughout the day and get out at five. Buy vegetables on the way, reach room and prepare the dinner for me and cousin. After dinner I would share the things that took place entire day to my cousin and listen to hers. Sleep after the talk and wake up early morning at five and again rush to college. Getting a rent in such a mid area that was near to both my college and my office was lucky thing though I didn’t cross the finger praying for anything as such. Saturdays would pass away washing clothes and cleaning rooms. Other public holidays were actually meant to be the holidays when I could either get out with my college friends, or sleep entire day or movies! I would call at least once a week to my dad and mom who were at Nepalgunj, my hometown. That was my life in Kathmandu. I was from middle class family, and after I got the job my father need not to send me money. Life was going on, and was moving better before a week.

Something like eight months back,

After my college, I had to go to see my friend in hospital, and for that I had already took leave from my office that day. I had to go through public vehicle. I got into Nepal Yatayat from Subidhanagar. As usual, the bus was over crowded. I got inside when the conductor sent me back so that he could get new passengers to stand in the front. The crowd was really exceeding by the time it reached New Baneshwor. It was difficult to keep hand anywhere around, and I could sense something on my back. I could no way turn back because of the crowd. At first I accepted the situation and thought that there was nothing so abnormal, but when the hand began feeling my back I got nervous. My nervousness crossed the limit when my body felt cold as the hand got inside my tee. I tried to turn back, and the hand was removed all of sudden. I tried to move a bit front to stay safe, but again the hand was sensing my body. I could not get any idea regarding who the person was, but finally made a safe arrangement at the place bit foreword. After reaching New Plaza, I got out when I heard a sound came….’Mazza ayo maiiya lai?’ (You had fun baby?) I just got the glimpse of the face who told me that.

The incident made my heart heavy and I returned room as soon as possible after meeting my friend at Kathmandu Model Hospital. I just slept, and did not cook dinner that day. My cousin was sure that something was wrong with me and she made the dinner without any complains. At the time of dinner she asked me with a sad voice…

’Didi, I thought I was more than sister to you, I thought you treat me like a friend and like everything in this city, but today I felt very bad when I can sense that you are hiding something with me!’

I could not see her upset and hence told her the entire story and also thanked her for cooking though it was my turn to cook there.

‘Didi, we can’t afford taxi, and it’s hard for us to travel like that.’ She said.

‘Yes, it would have been better if I had accepted Ravi’s proposal, at least I would get to travel in bike at such moments! And I could appear bold at such time because there would be a backup for me…’

Ravi was actually guy from my college, I don’t have any sort of feelings for him, but it seems that he really loves me. Else, he would not be so good to me time and again. I have already said him that we can be good friends, but cannot go into relation four times before this.

‘Chii! Don’t say that…’ She said.

Days were moving gradually after that incident. Life was getting normal, but I could not forget the incident and would think more than twice before getting into the public bus. Hatred for guys, fears from boys made me finally think that guys are the cheapest creature in this world. I never entered into the public bus and rather preferred tempo always for my travel. However I just got into public bus two times then, and nothing such stupid happened then.

___

It was another hot summer day, when I had to go Putalisadak for applying my Bio Data at another Consultancy house, because I was searching for the job which would pay me comparatively high salary. On my return, though it was around four, I could not get a single seat in tempo, so I had to choose something fearful. Although I had travelled in bus earlier after that incident, but I would never feel secured. But when there was no other existing option, I had to get into the bus. So, I entered into the bus, and had to stand in such a crowded place. My one hand was hanger for my bag, and another hand was in the rod above, to control the balance of my body in moving vehicle.

Gradually, I could feel some one sticking to my back, I could feel something strange. I feared that someone was again trying to go through the same mischief this time as well, so I moved to another place without seeing the person who was doing it to me. I luckily got the seat, and seated there. But on that crowd, someone was feeling my hair again, and when I turned my head up, I could see a guy looking directly at my breast from above. He was making fun of me with one of his friend, and I folded my hands and chest, I even buttoned my shirt so that he could not stare at me. He was talking something with his friend, and I could not get what he really was talking of.

Before leaving the bus at New Baneshwor, he all of sudden brought his hands to my breast tried to squeeze and got off. I could not make any issue there, and thought it wise to stay silent but I was again nervous and was mentally ill again. I shared the incident with my sister again, and this time she gave a bold advice to always keep some weapon with me in bag always so that I can give a wonderful feedback if anyone tries doing that to me again.

I could no longer think of working at the New Consultancy, where I could be paid higher.

***

After that day, I always used to keep nail cutter with me, for my safety. Although at first I used to keep my kitchen’s knife in the bag, but that was something bulky, and nail cutter was the best thing. Small and easy as well.

Travelling in bus was such a fearful task for me, that I rather preferred walking in capital than getting into any public vehicle. If I walked half an hour early, I hardly need to take any bus, and by now only tempos had been my way of transportation. I used to walk instead of getting inside any public vehicle.

The stick of the clock had been rotating in its own speed, and one day, when I had to return back from the Anniversary Party of our office, it had been kind of late. The party was scheduled to be till nine in the evening, and I was asked to stay full time, so that I would be carried to home in some of their vehicles. However, since my sister was alone in the room, I had to get out by seven.

I got into the tempo at Pulchowk that took me till New Baneshwor, and I still had to walk for twenty minutes to reach my room. It was more than seven thirty, and winter’s time is fast. So, I was hurrying myself to get as quickly as I could. The worst part was, on the way, I found a guy was following me from the time I got out of tempo itself. More than fear, I got myself strong. My nail cutter gradually moved into my hand, and I raised the knife part above. It was not that empty street though’ and his fast walk made him overtake me. As soon as he got forward, he turned to me….

‘You are beautiful.’ He said.

As though I have not heard, I walked continuously. He was moving in my speed and with me, as if we had been walking together.

‘Did not you hear? I told you are beautiful.’ He again said.

‘Please, leave me alone.’ I said. I could smell alcoholic smell from his mouth by now.

‘How much do you need? I am ready to give you Three thousand bucks, let’s go!’ He said.

‘I am not that type of girl.’

‘Come on!! There is nothing wrong…you are beautiful!’ He tried to catch my hand!

‘Please!’ I said in nervous tone.

‘Hya sexy, don’t search any bhau, okay I raised the amount, I am ready to pay you four thousand bucks!’

‘I said, I am not that type of girl!’

‘So what? I said I want to fuck you, don’t you get that?’ saying this, he said catching my hands.

‘Please!! Just leave me!’

‘No way baby!! Lets go..’ He was dragging me. Although there were few peoples around, I could not see anyone noticing us there.

‘Leave me, or else….’ I could not further think of.

‘Else what? You will scream? No one will hear you! So just walk normally with me, my friend’s room is just few minutes from here!’

‘Oh come on darling, there is nothing to feel shy of, I will pay you don’t worry.’ He further added.

I could not tolerate any longer, my knife raised nail cutter in my right hand got active and I hit him in his hand at first!

‘You bloody…’ before he could complete saying anything, I took the knife and hit him in his forehead, and then again in his cheek. The blood was flowing, and removing his hands from my hand, he now started touching his blood moving area. Before anything, I just ran, ran like anything to my room.

I narrated entire story to my sister and then I could not sleep for the night.

Next day, I had a fever, and I could not go to the office or even college. Even the day after, I could not attend my classes or office. However I received a call, saying I was fired and get office to get every things complete.

I was shocked hearing that, and when I called my friend there in office…she said….

‘A guy came to office, to search you. He was with police, and he was wounded. He said that it was you who hit him and hit with knife in his eyes. Police are waiting for you to come in office, so that they can take you. You were not drunk that day, how did you…?’

Before completing her lines, I cut off my phone. I was shocked that how could he reached office. Things like, ‘He probably had known me since very before…’ came into my mind. However it got wrong when I realized that my bag was missing, and I suspected that I have had left it in the place of incident itself. My identity card must have brought him till my office. Without hesitation, I got into the office, where police were waiting for my entrance. As soon as I entered manager’s desk, he gave call outside, and said, ‘You can come!’

After handing me a letter of fire, and my last cheque, police came inside and arrested me. I was thinking to protest, but when I knew that he was the son of Praladh Sharma, ex minister of Nepal, I knew that I was weak. No one beside my sister knows that I am here, I don’t want this to be known my parent in Nepalgunj., so I have warned cousin not to inform they anything. Because they would be mad to hear this, they already were pressurizing me for marriage though’. So here I am!

***

‘So what do you think it is going to happen now?’ Pramila asked Supriya.

‘I don’t know, I have not yet been sentenced either!’

‘Praladh Sharma indeed is powerful person; he will not let you so easily!’

‘Yes, that is the same feeling I am having within me as well!’ Supriya said.

‘Its already half past eleven, let us sleep right now!’

‘Yeah, okay.’

---

Two days later,

‘Who is Supriya?’ Guard came asking.

‘I am…Why?’ Supriya said.

‘Okay, get out, you have been rescued!’ Lady guard said.

‘But who? And how?’ Supriya asked.

‘Why do you want to stay here forever or what?’ She said with lazy tone.

‘Pramila didi…did you hear what she said?’ Supriya asked.

‘Yes, but who could do it?’ Pramila was confused as well.

‘My dad sure does not know anything about it, even if he will know, he cannot do anything…Did Praladh Sharma’s son himself realize?’ Supriya was talking to herself.

‘Hey, don’t take tension, go out and you will know it all…and before going let me know who took the step in rescuing you.’

‘Okay didi!’

---

After Twenty Minutes,

‘Pramila didi…it was….’

‘Who?’ Pramila asked before Supriya could complete it.

‘Ravi…!’

‘Ravi…same guy who used to run after you? But how could he?’

‘I just figured out, he is the son of Home Minister!’

Blended to Perfection

‘I know drinking is not bad because they nowhere mentioned here ‘Drinking is injurious to health…or do they?’ With almost his eighth peg, he carefully observed the bottle if there was anything written.

‘No they don’t write it, because it is good to drink…maybe more than an apple’. He laughingly said to himself.

‘Then why don’t they prepare a slogan like…’A peg a day, keeps a doctor away!’ with his Amrit drank the entire peg at once.

***

‘Fucking Nepalese Government….this is how they suck money from us and purchase the expensive cars!’

Amrit talked to himself, after purchasing two quarters and one-half whisky. He was the loyal customer of Signature; basically for two reasons…it was of reasonable price….and because his head would not be so heavy next day. Maybe he felt it. And it was natural for him to curse Government because the whiskey that used to cost around two hundred and fifty has now grown to five hundred per half. It was a Friday eve, and the day when he got his salary from tuition. So, he purchased a quarter for today’s eve, a quarter for tomorrow’s eve and a half for some day that he may require in the month as he may not have the money to buy it then.

It was around seven thirty and the times in winter at this get really dark. He was now thinking of some snacks to buy…..as he had no intension to prepare a meat after reaching room. He purchased a packet of Kurkure, half kilo apple and got Sekuwa from the Bhatti on his way. Ghattekulo’s evening was still with people at this time. So, he was all set towards his room. Just after sometime, he heard himself singing….

Friday evening, sathi mili jaad Khana basing, ali ali English chading, raat vari halla garing!

***

After reaching the room, ignoring the messed up everything, he boiled water and kept his bag of Kurkure and apple at the floor. After cutting apples, he even sliced the tomatoes, onions, radish that he had in his room. He washed his glass and got all set for the celebration of the weekend.

He opened a quarter of Signature and made a small peg of around 20 ml of whisky of 60 ml of hot water to dilute it. With a slice of radish in mouth….he said…’CHEERS’ to himself and drank the entire peg at once. Amrit believed that only if first peg is to be completed with just one touch of lips to glass and that is the drinking rule. Few pieces of apples were enough to reduce the throat burning fire on his neck. He then switched his laptop on, and logged into Facebook and found a status posted by Rhythm Brothers:

ATTENTION ALL METAL HEADS www.rvlradio.com GIVES YOU ANYTHING METAL 24/7.

JUST CLICK ON THE METAL CHANNEL AND ROCK TILL YOU DROP IT!!!

REVOLUTION RADIO.

After pouring some whisky into the glass, he clicked on the link provided.

‘These Rhythm brothers are always my model…I was their fan when I was in grade six, and I still am…It indeed is good and inspiring to learn that they are in Nepal…’

He added some water and then and with few glances at the website, he said…

‘CHEERS TO RHYTHM BROTHERS! If possible I’d love to drink with you two someday’ and took a sip from the glass.

After closing the site, he then took the next sip and had some Kurkure.

‘I don’t know why, but Kurkure is always the best snack for me…with drink…’ He was talking to himself. He refreshed his Facebook page.

‘Bijay changed his relationship status from ‘being in relationship’ to ‘single’. Amrit laughed and took few sips again. This reminded his of his days with Smarika.

***

After being in relationship for six months, the couple had already decorated their dream… From the date of marriage to place for honeymoon; from acceptance of pre-marital sex to number of children; and even their name. Smarika was the pre-marital wife of Amrit already because she was the one to care of his daily activities Amrit was equally responsible from his side as well, and everything was going perfectly well until the day when Amrit shared his future plan of studying journalism leaving his management field, because he wanted to be a journalist. The minor dissatisfaction of Smarika at this decision finally brought to the questions and debate like, ‘It would be shameful for me to call myself wife of journalist!’, ‘Why did you previously say that you want to be CA during that initial propose?’ Although Amrit had granted freedom to her in every thing that a normal boyfriend would not allow like drinking, swimming and the sexy dresses…and even her aim of being airhostess, the internal desire of journalism was the main reason for his breakup!

***

It had been sometimes back Amrit heard of Smarkia from one of their mutual friend that Smarika made a new MBBS student her boyfriend.

‘Fucking girls! Although girls have breasts, maybe a cute one, but they lack brains!’ He told to himself.

‘My single life rather is much more free and independent! Why do guys run after girls to make a girl friend? When they know that they have to spend more than half of their life with wife? Huh!!’

‘CHEERS to my single life!’ He completed the entire remaining peg at once.

‘Life would never reach to this position without my struggle.’ He talked to himself pouring the liquor into the bottle.

***

Unlike other friends, Amrit cleared his fees from his parents’ money and then he never demanded a bit more for his other expenses. His rent, fooding expenses for fun was covered by his tuition’s salary itself. Teaching three students would pay him nine thousands and out of which three thousand was his rent’s charge. He still managed to save at least some portion for unseen future. So, Amrit was a serious guy. It was not that his parents were from poor family, but he never dared to trouble his parents. Dead old mother’s picture on the wall was the only thing as her memory. Although his step mother was not that bad, but when one does not take birth from her womb, there could be felt artificial feelings to some extent. And this made him step back from his family. So, ever since he came to Kathmandu for studies, it was only during Dashain he used to return to his home to get blessings from his father and step mother.

‘Babu, I know I am your step mother, but I am trying my best to treat you and Anish equally, don’t feel bad, and let me know if I somewhere at sometime hurt you.’ Every time when he was at home, his step mother used to say it. Anish was his step brother of twelve years in old.

‘No mom, I never feel that way!’ Amrit always used to lie.

***

This was his last peg from the first quarter; and probably his fifth peg. He forgot counting it. And when one gets lost into the ocean of thoughts, they forget to create the uniformity in the amount of whisky and water. So the diluted state lacks uniformity as well.

The power goes off.

‘Fuck! This Electricity!! Why am I born in Nepal? Huh!’ He says and lights the emergency light.

‘And Fuck my Laptop! What’s wrong with the battery? Gives backup of simply an hour! Huh!’

He shuts down his laptop and plays songs through his cell phone. He hears Satya and Swaroop singing..

..Aago ko taap jiwan….Aagai ko raap jiwan…

‘Yes! The hotness of fire is life….these brothers are awesome and my all time favorite! CHEERS to you two!’

He completes the peg at once, and drinks a glass of water He tries to think something, but not sure what to think of and he rather think of opening next quarter!

‘I am not in mood usually, now when I am in mood….Let me enjoy!’

So he opens and pours it in the glass….when he hears Swaroop singing…

Ta diyera ritto, ma liyera ritto…..hey bottle ta vanda ma dherei chu ritto…’

He catches emptied quarter bottle and finally realizes…

‘You are empty by giving….I am empty by taking!’

‘Wah…What a lyrics!’

After sometimes he again hears…

Ta sakchas varina kunai din feri, mero rittata yo sakidaina sayad.

And again he starts,

‘You can get filled up some day again, but my emptiness will never end probably.’

At the time of hearing this four and half minute song, he completed two pegs.

***

‘I know drinking is not bad because they nowhere mentioned here ‘Drinking is injurious to health…or do they?’ With almost his eighth peg, he carefully observed the bottle if there was anything written.

‘No they don’t write it, because it is good to drink…maybe more than an apple’. He laughingly said to himself.

‘Then why don’t they prepare a slogan like…A peg a day, keeps a doctor away!’ with his Amrit drank the entire peg at once.

‘So where is sekuwa?’

‘Damn! The sekuwa is great!!’ He smiles.

‘Bhatti’s didi is jhan great!’ He smiles.

It was his friend Pawan who took for the first time there for the first time there and ever since then Amrit became fan of it. He poured his ninth peg before remembering Pawan.

***

With the reason to go into Pawan’s room for studies, Amrit used to go there. However the reason was different. It was Pawan’s sister Prakriti with whom Amrit once had a crush. So frequent visits there…but once Prakriti told him ‘Amrit dai’ and all his mirrors broke down. Now that could not be the suitable reason to end going Pawan’s house, and since Pawan was not just classmate, but a bench mate too so he had to keep the relation alive.

From the day when they drank together; they became close. In fact Pawan, Amrit and Sudip had a separate group. Celebration to studies used to go in combined manner. Sudip was a guy from West Nepal and three of them used to sit in the same bench.

***

‘I must call them tonight…’ He said and completed his ninth peg. But soon he realized that it was the time for him to pee. He gets up, but soon he feels that he could not control over his body. He feels that he is walking like drunk with shaking body. He tries to walk in normal way, but could not. He could not stand well, however manages to return back safe. He notices that there are two pegs remaining in the bottle.

‘This is my last peg, and this has to be neat!’ He says and pours entire whisky at once to the glass. At the time of removing the mouth of bottle he notices the green colored bottle.

‘Why is this bottle green? Any logics Mr. Amrit?’ He talks to himself.

‘Because the color of leaf is green’ He answers and laughs.

‘Oh! Come on! It is like asking why is the color of sky blue? No logics!’

‘I know I am drunk, but I am loving it’ he says to himself. He takes two sips from the glass. Maybe when one is completely drunk, he fails to recognize the taste of dilute and neat and when one gets drunk more than enough he forgets the snacks that he had to take with the drinks. Only after completing entire glass of neat whisky Amrit got the feeling that he drank more than enough.

‘Why do people drink?’

‘This bloody liquid is neither tasty, not fruitful….and why do people drink?’

‘If urine was charged, people probably used to drink it as well!’

He began talking to himself.

‘Not all peoples in the world drinks, only fools drinks!’

‘And I am one of the fool? Huh!’

‘Waste of money, waste of time….waste of reputation!’

He remembers his earlier saying, ‘A peg a day keeps the doctor away!’

‘No! Only an apple keeps the doctor away!’

He then checks time that displays 22.21

‘Nights are for talking, but one needs to have a girl to talk and I don’t have a girl! Huh!!’

Then he remembers of Pawan, and pulls his cell phone, closes down the song that was singing….Don’t think twice, it’s all right.

‘Hey Pawan, what’s up buddy?’

‘Nothing, was reading chapter three of English!’

‘Okay keep reading, but I missed you today!’

Pawan could easily recognize Amrit’s drunken tone.

‘Hey you drunk?’ Pawan asked.

‘Yeah’

‘With whom?’

‘Alone….that is why I missed you ni’

‘You should have called me…..’

‘Nah…ekkasi mood came, so sat down.’

‘Okay, we will have some other day.’

‘Nah….I quit drinking from today.’

‘Huh!! Pagal’

‘Seriously, I am going to drink milk from tomorrow.’

‘Hya you are drunk, go and sleep.’

‘No since this was my last time….so…but you guys are great yaar. I am proud to have friends like you guys…’

‘Hya, you are jhyap!’

‘Why? Getting irritated? Don’t want to listen me?’

‘No it is not like that.’ Pawan says in irritated voice.

‘Then! You just listen, your incoming is free.’

‘Okay okay, go ahead.’

‘I seriously missed you yaar…Aaja uskei yaad ma, ma yo geet gaudai chu…’ Amrit starts singing.

‘Uff’

‘Lala, don’t want to disturb you Mr. Padandas, study, Best of Luck!’

‘Okay Thanks!’

‘And never talk of drinking to me again, got that?’

‘Yes Prabhu!’

‘Okay bye, and again Best of Luck!’

‘Yeah, thanks….and bye!’

Amrit cuts off the phone and tries calling the next friend Sudip, and unfortunately his cell is off.

‘Fuck Sudip! Could not talk to you!!’

‘Eeeh…he keeps his cell off while sleeping! Sutirakh!’

That night he throws off. Maybe last neat was excessive and finally struggles to sleep. Struggles in the sense that as he used to close his eyes, he could feel his bed moving around and since he was in bed, he could feel himself moving in rotation!’

***

The struggle that he went through last night just to sleep was the main reason why his sleepy behavior was on during morning and the thrown out’s effect still lasted in his mouth through bile saliva and that probably was the reason for unwillingness to eat breakfast this morning. It was Saturday and hence he was idly going to waste it. But he was still committed to his yesterday’s commitment of quitting the drinks. He kept the half signature in his old box that he never opened and cleared the room. His yesterday’s hangover took entire Saturday to come down. Next day, he made his both friends aware that he seriously left the alcohol from that very day.

***

Life was easily moving ahead it had been a week that he had left alcohol, and his commitment was yet not moved which means he seriously quit the alcohol. Gradually with the time came the day of Christmas. His friends had already booked the room at Lake Side for celebration. So, three went to Pokhara at the Lake Side; and on the eve sat on the restaurant. Sudip ordered White Mischief for two and then began to talk. No one could sense it, but Amrit truly was having the difficult time then. After few pegs his friends had, thoughts began removing around his mind…and heart….

‘I must be happy for quitting, but why am I not?’

‘Drinking is bad, I must not get crazy!’

‘But drinking in limit is not bad either.’

He completely lost his hearing ability and seriously was not aware what Sudip and Pawan were talking of.

‘No! I should not think that way!’

‘But how can I cope up with friend’s circle if I quit drinking?’

‘I can, does drinking only strengthen the tie of friendship?’

‘Drinking creates memory!’

Suddenly, Pawan pokes him. Maybe he already was in good, he actually had to be because they had completed two quarters already.

‘Hey yaar Amrit, it’s so boring, drink it! Come on! At least for our sake, Santa’s sake!’

‘Huh!’ Amrit gets out from his thinking world!!

Sudip adds, ‘Don’t be like Abhinit yaar, we get bored, at least give us a company, a peg?’

---

Abhinit was the guy of their class who never drank or smoked. Although in the beginning he got due importance, later he was simply avoided simply because he never gave a company.

---

The fear came within his mind as well.

‘Umm…’

‘Come on!’ Both shouts.

‘Okay, a peg!’

‘Yeaaah!!!!!’ Both shouts!!

***

‘Oh come on, one last quarter….it was for you guys whom I drank!’

‘But it is enough for us!’

After lining four quarter’s bottle, Amrit began…

‘In fact, I was such a fool who thought of quitting!’

‘Yes, but why did you decided that?’ Sudip asked.

‘Oh Mujhi, I don’t know!’

‘Chup Mujhi, because he drank alone and got psycho.’ Both laughed.

‘Yeah, but drinking is fun here, drinking to be social!’

‘Yes!’ Both of them said with their sleepy eyes.

‘And never drink alone now, do remember us!’ Pawan added.

‘Okay yaar!! I love you both!!’

‘And guess what? After being back, here I invite you to my room for one half Signature...and Cheers for that!’

Three of them finally strike the glass!