A true leader

Often we are asked to write essays on a good leader, the person you admire most, the person you want to follow. Most ones would write about Mahatma Gandhi, their own dads, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Ambani etc etc. Let me speak about the leader I admired, I mean I still do.

        I had turned a week old at work after completion of my first phase of training. Now comes, the second phase. A seemingly young guy stepped in. He introduced himself to be the trainer for the rest of the duration. He informed that we were his first batch. He had never trained anyone. But we never felt that he was a new bee, during the course of the training. He was flawless, answering the stupidest of doubts that we had with no pauses. Once you are out of the training, he will be your friend more than your trainer. We could discuss anything to everything and yes everything!!

     We started working and soon he got promoted. His peers murmured, however I personally felt, he deserved it more than anybody else around. Soon I became part of his team. He was encouraging to the core. Every small piece of success at work was much appreciated during team huddles. Also the team strived to achieve more, especially with tempting offers like “Get the figures, pizza for breakfast”.  It was a competitive atmosphere at work, with all his assistance, all the time. Our pride was at stake. But the sad part was for those who didn’t follow the rule book. Half an hour of breakfast break extended for a 10 more led to serious question -answer sessions. Few were miffed. But, nobody could question, when he himself followed the same rule. At times, we were asked to work for 6 days a week; he made sure that he was available for the same 6 days. So, nobody found a chance to complain neither could anyone question his hard work and dedication at any point of time. He was the one whom his superiors could completely rely on. I felt if he was working for me, I could have planned a trip to the Bahamas for a month without worries.

   Time flied, he climbed up the success ladder. He had to.  Hard work will reap its fruits sooner or later.  So guys stop complaining about your peers mistakes and scoring the brownie points, instead start performing on your own, sooner or later you will do get noticed! You don’t need to keep telling everyone who you are and what you are doing.  A true leader always gives credit to his team and takes the responsibility for any flaws by his team and he was/is indeed a true leader.

Bhaiyaji and Edge puff

Me waiting at the food counter, eagerly awaiting for my favorite snack: Egg puff.
Me: "Bhaiya, one egg puff please".
Bhaiyaji: *No response*
Me: "Bhaiya, egg puff"
Bhaiyaji: *No response*

He was busy counting his 500s, meanwhile I chose to wait.
After 2 minutes, Bhaiyaji's sudden realization
Bhaiyaji: "You wanted something?"
My inner thought wanted me to say "No, I am just waiting to snatch your 500s"
Me: "Egg Puff, Bhaiyaji"
Bhaiyaji: "You should have said that instead of waiting" - in sarcasm
Me: "Okay, my mistake, sorry"
After 2 minutes, Bhaiyaji passes me the plate and it was a Veg puff and not the egg one
Me: "Bhaiya, I had asked for Egg puff"
Bhaiyaji: "Arey, aapne to Ek puff bola tha na."
Me: "No, I had said Egg puff" and pointed my finger to the displayed Egg puff in his counter
Bhaiyaji: "Oh EDGE puff, say it clearly na. Calling it to be Ek puff, so I thought you wanted 1 veg puff. So, you want one EDGE puff?"
His tone clearly depicting that I should be ashamed of myself.
Me: "Sorry Bhaiyaji, give me that one" and pointed my finger again
Bhaiyaji: "Arey inko Edge puff dena ek."
I wanted some tomato sauce, but thought not to embarrass myself again. God knows what he would call it. I took the egg oops **edge puff and vowed not to return to the food counter until I improve my pronunciation!!

Technology, happiness etc...

It's funny to see those awkward saved names on truecaller. The latest one was "Miss Tirur" and incidentally 1823 persons have reported "Miss Tirur" as spam. Still remember those days when we had first installed an external caller ID on our phone. Was always excited to check the missed calls log and call each of them back. Then came our Panasonic cordless phone, used to roam around the neighborhood trying to find out the coverage. Now, it feels like it was a different life at all.Used to eagerly wait to watch Chitrahaar on DD, every Wednesday. Now plethora of music channels, but hardly any time or feeling to watch any. Life was much simpler with lesser technology and more happiness.

50% Off on some shopping dot com, 70% off on more shopping dot com, numerous ads on TV hardly bothers me. A deal for me will be for a branded shirt with a tag of 1599 sold at 299 or probably even lesser. That will be like more than 80% off; nobody online gives you that, (forgetting the big billion day sale). Weekend shopping for me is going to a supermarket, getting grocery plus if I see any 80% off deals. That makes me happy!
This happened last weekend, while returning from “Tanu weds Manu part 2” which I felt should be watched on a theatre. I have rarely missed any Madhavan movie in big screen. I have been a fan ever since Sea Hawks came in DD-metro. A banner with Branded shirts in a store: 199 only. That’s my kind of deal!! Let’s check out. Went in, yes it was! 3 shirts.. Pure cotton.. 600 bucks.. DEAL STRUCK!!!
I ensure that each new clothing must be worn immediately. So, obviously had to the very next day to office. Grocery shopping makes me so happy, that I keep some items on hold for the weekdays. I entered my favorite supermarket. I had to get dal, atta and rice. So I was fetching them. One supermarket rule: make sure that you get the items from the last of the row, they are the newer ones. Anybody from MBA background will know that, even though I am not frown emoticon They keep the older ones at the front. One guy comes and asks: “Bhaiya, Toor dal kaha milega”. I pointed out ----> there!! Few minutes later, “Bhaiya, Non veg kaha milega”. I guided him too. I am so familiar with this supermarket that I knew their exact floor plan! And being from customer service industry, I should be always happy to help. It went for like 4-5 guys. Sudden realization, Why me?? Do they already know that I am familiar with this supermarket? I glanced around.. Goodness my 199 bucks shirt which I proudly adore, resembled the shirts of the store staff !! Without losing a minute, I ran to the billing counter and told to bill my stuff. Now, the billing lady says something, I didn’t understand at all but it must be my shirt again. I told her firmly that I am not her colleague but a customer and to bill it soon. Paid the bill and disappeared like a hurricane. Vowed never to wear the shirt, especially if I have plans to visit the store.
MORAL OF THE STORY
Next time you visit a store,make sure that you know their uniform:)

Yes, I do love you!

More than a hundred kms by drive and then more than 3 kms of trekking through a very rough terrain, and I was sweating after a very long time. Yes, it was not namma Bengaluru but Andhra. Finally we reached our destination. Wow! what a beauty. The rocky mountain with scarce greenery and the stream of the water fall. It was truly a mystic view to sooth your eyes and your body after the hard trip walking. I never knew that there will be so much of arduous trekking. With just my slippers and my fractured ankle which I am still recovering, I managed to reach the location, last but not the least. By then my friends had already started chit chatting.
I could hear their whistles and their South Indian dialects from far off. Food was ready, chicken kababs and a host of other snacks. Everyone started enjoying the party. Few went to the stream and few chose to sit back. I was amongst the later lot. I got mixed in their Andhra-Kannada dialects, trying to get in their conversation with a few occasional comments, bringing in a roar of laughter. I enjoyed the party. But somehow somewhere I missed something. I missed someone whom I used to chit chat almost every day from almost a year, this very time. I looked at my phone, which showed "Emergency calls only". **** no network in this jungle. The party went on. And I kept missing my someone at regular intervals. All this time throughout the year, I never thought that I may even loved her. I had failed relationships and I never dared to fall in love again. But in a span of 6 hours, I did. I began thinking of my life without her. If I can't spend 6 straight hours without her, how will be my life when she gets someone and does not have time for me. All those thoughts came to my mind. I had to take the step forward. I had to atleast take the chance. On our way back, the only thing I did was searching for Vodafone IN network. As soon as I did, I texted her:" We have been friends for long, to a stage I could not properly concentrate my party amongst friends without you. I want you and want to spend my lifetime with you. I have a simple question and I want a simpler answer: Will you be my soulmate? I don't expect for 7 lives but for this life atleast ?"
I was too scared after texting her and kept my phone inside my pocket and continued walking.
There was a beep for a text message, but I was too scared to check the reply. I chose to ignore. As I reached our vehicle, I took my phone and I opened the text which was as follows : "I was angry at you that you were ignoring me today. I thought not to reply you when you texted me after 6 hours of our usual chat time. Then when I opened the text, it was the message I was expecting almost every day for the past few months but you never did. And finally when I was angry at you for the very first time, you made me cry with your text. Yes, I do love you! with all my heart and soul and not for this life but every life I take birth. But first, be my best buddy always, like you were all this while"

Uff Ram Traffic Jam!!

Time: 6.30 PM
Place: Silkboard fly over
It was terrific traffic jam like always. Speeding my bike at 5 km/hr; It will take an hour or two to reach Koramangala. To add to the woes was a Honda Amaze right behind me honking continuously. There are two types of honks: one like "excuse me, side please" and the other "Get the hell out of my way". It was more like the 2nd one. Out of frustration, I turned backwards and gave him a look. " Do you want me to jump from the fly over?? " or you thought I drank Red bull and got wings to fly. Sitting in an AC car with music is certainly better than being on a bike. He stopped honking for a while. Minutes later , he started again. Now I turned back and have him an expression like "What??" He pointed his fingers like he was honking for the guys ahead of me. In turn, I showed him my middle finger and asked him to pass it to the guys behind him!!

Humour and a girl

My girl is a big fan of Kapil Sharma. Her words "Oh he's so funny. he's so cute". Obviously he is funny, that's the reason for his popularity. Now let me tell you a story of me trying to act funny and her responses.

It happened last morning, I was texting her. Btw we live in different parts of the country.

Girl: Good morning honey.

Me: Good morning! So early? Was there an earthquake?

Girl: Stop joking. Why haven't you slept yet? Busy chatting with your stupid girls ah?

Me: Eh! Hell no! I was reading the KFC chicken receipe. Gonna prepare this weekend and this is gonna be legendary!

Girl: Please not now. Prepare when I go out there!

Me: God knows when you gonna come here. Will prepare then too honey.

Girl: I know somebody must be coming. One of your stupid girls. I will myself go to KFC today and enjoy the original one. You enjoy with your duplicate!!

Me: That's okay dr!

I slept off...

The same afternoon, I was awaiting for my office cab at the bus stop. I thought to text her.

Me: Take care, ready to board the cab

Girl: Okies. Me at KFC Having ginger burger and "babaji ka thullu" for you. Came with a friend on his bike

Me: Okay, me too.. but a ginger tea.. I did not know that they started making burgers without chicken and with ginger. Last time I had, it was zinger burger.

Girl: Whatever. Don't piss me now

I didn't reply. After 10 minutes:

Girl: Angry kya??:(

Me: nah! Remember the KFC ad, the guy sitting on his bike and having the burger blissfully. So I thought not to disturb you. Enjoy your zinger burger oops sorry, ginger burger.

Girl: Grrr.. I will throw you from the topmost building in India

Me: Accha!! And where is that? Which place and name, please?

For like 10 minutes, there was no response.

Me: What happened dear? Google search is not working kya?

Girl: Grr.. Will throw you from Qutub minar and also a bucket of chilled water.. Now don't talk to me.. katti

Girl: My brain is quiet faster than internet.. Samjhe!!

Me: Accha!! Quiet or quite???? Btw if you throw me from qutub minar and then throw a bucket of water, will the water really affect me?? Means will it really fall on top of me?? Gravity etc...

Me: Oyeee

Me: Are you there?

Me: Tring Tring

After 10 minutes....

Girl: Happy Deepawali

Moral of the Story: A girl can be a big fan of Kapil Sharma, however she will never tolerate even 0.1% of such humour in her own life.

The pen

This is the story is of the days when I was very young. Love was not a part of my dictionary. I didn’t even know what it was like, to have the wonderful feeling of love. I was concerned about studies and Maths with which I used to struggle at every exam. My mom was a school teacher in a girls’ high school. She used to often mention about a girl. I used to hear a lot about her. She was like her favorite student. I was a single kid and often hated the kids whom my mom used to like. She was one of them. I used to hate her even though I had never seen her. The more the praise I hear from mom, the more I used to hate her! It was the month of January, I just got promoted to seventh standard. The first day at my English tutorial classes. I was waiting at the shade outside the garage cum tuition room. A girl stopped at the gate, got down from her cycle and came in. I had never seen this girl before. She came near me and passed a smile. She was bit taller than me which made me more shy. I was one of those who never interacted with girls at school even though I studied in a co-ed. I did not bother to pass back the smile and went inside the class. She sat just opposite to me which made me never take my eyes off my books. The class started and we did a few grammar lessons. Sir called her name, and soon I realized that she was the same girl whom mom used to say about. It made me hate her even more. Days passed by, and so were our classes. Even though I hated her, there was a strange sort of attachment. At times when she did not turn up to class made me wonder what made her to skip classes. It was a like a week, she was absent for classes, when she returned, she got gifts for everyone in the class.I got a pen, and it was the first time I spoke to her. The only 2 words I ever spoke to her were “Thank you” when she had gifted me the pen . Since then, I don't know what happened, but the hatred was gone. Years went by, we passed our 10th grade exams and finally we parted ways. 

   Last time while I had been  home, my parents were shifting . Mom asked me to take care of my belongings, what to keep, and what to throw. Amongst all my junk stuff, I found the pencil box that I used to carry to school, on opening it I found the pen. Yes, the very pen which she had gifted me. The pen brought in me a lot of memories of those chilly mornings and the sweaty afternoons in our tutorial classes and immensely of the girl who had gifted me the pen. It made me smile, 12 years have passed by, since I last saw her. But her picture was still vivid and lively in my mind. I quietly took the pen and kept it on my desk. Noticing that mom asked what am I going to do with that old pen, on which I replied, “ Memories, mom”. I wish I could tell her that it was gifted to me by one of her favorite student more than a decade back, however I chose not to. Was it love, affection or infatuation? I was too young to understand all that way back then.

The Dimpled girl

The longest five minutes

"The captain has turned the seat belt sign ON. We are about to land at Indira Gandhi international airport shortly. Outside temperature is 38°C". F**k 25°C to 38°C. I was about to land at Delhi. I was happy all this while. Suddenly I could feel my heartbeat. I was actually meeting her eventually. Finally, I landed at Delhi. I turned on my phone. Usually vodafone welcomes me to new places with their roaming tariffs. But it was a text from her "Welcome to Delhi, enjoy the heat". I smiled. While exiting from the aircraft, I immediately realized that I had traveled from an AC to a blast furnace. Delhi, the capital city and the city, I was scared of the most. In the recent past, it had always been in the news for the bad. In a few minutes, I was out of the airport. Taxi drivers thronging “Kidhar jana hai bhaiya, main leke jata hu”. Unlike Bengaluru, where I hardly understood the South Indian dialects, here I was able to make out everything, right to the distant whisper. But there was a strange fear and anxiety, may be due to the unbearable heat. It was a few minutes outside the air conditioned airport, I was sweating badly. I went to the Delhi Police taxi counter as instructed by her. “Bhaiya, Paharganj” and then a black maruti van was my ride with an old chacha who kept on showing me hotel pamphlets, even though I repeatedly told that I already had a room booked. Every passing auto had a poster “Arvind Kejriwal vs Sheela Dikshit” followed by a flashy tagline. It started to rain, thought it would be a breather to the weather. But unlike Bengaluru, the temperature hardly changed. It was hot and humid. An hour later, reached my destination. Turned On the noisy AC at the hotel, what a relief. It was like a mini Kashmir then. I thought to take a quick nap. A phone call woke me. “Shit! It’s 4:30 already, time flies”. I picked “Am reaching in an hour, come to the Lajpat nagar Metro station”. I took a quick shower and decided to take a rickshaw ride to the nearest metro station. My goodness, the rickshaw decided to take a route over a fly over! He was struggling hard. So I decided to get down and walk. Finally I reached the station and took a metro to Lajpat Nagar. I was waiting for her at the platform. Every minute seemed so long, I gazed on every passing face. Waiting eagerly for the girl of my dreams. Chubby cheeks, a cute dimple, sporting a nose ring. I was fond of her ever since I first saw her. It's a three year journey, and finally we meet. I kept looking at my mobile. Crazy thoughts came to my mind. What if she doesn't turn up? I came just to meet her from down South to the North. My Android was beeping constantly, displaying "Low battery". "What if my phone gets switched off now? What will be my first words when she arrived? What if she does not like me?". All these questions hovered around me. I kept on looking at the mirror hanged in a nearby tea stall. God, I was not so nervous even while during my maths exam. I was confident a while ago. Even though i had made innumerable calls to her all these years, now I did not had the guts to give a call. "What if she doesn't pick up?" So I kept on waiting, looking around the unknown faces and trying to find her. And finally she arrived, in a purple t-shirt, black jeans with a bag she was hardly able to carry. She was just the girl I had always loved; only that she was wearing glasses. She was approaching me slowly and steadily and her first words “Did I keep you waiting for too long?” 


I responded “Yes, the longest 5 minutes of my life!”

Dream in a dream

We were walking down an unknown street. Some shops seemed familiar, few unknown. Where were we? I was bit scared, yet holding her hand and crossing the street, I didn't let her know of my anxiety. I asked her " Are you hungry kya?" She nodded her head. I looked around for places to eat. I saw a KFC a few metres ahead. We kept walking. The street was quite deserted. I was wondering why was it?
Suddenly I heard gun shots and screams, and before I realized what was happening, a gun shot hit me and I was lying on her lap, barely breathing. I really didn't realize what was happening. Was I going to die? She was crying. How changed will be her life without me? All those questions came to my mind. Suddenly everything went blank. It scared a hell out of me. I shivered and woke up! It was a dream. I was sleeping and she was asleep right beside me. Thank God. It was just a dream, I checked my mobile, 5.36 am. I kissed her on her dimple. Such dreams are really scary. My mom used to say never to keep your hand over your chest, it brought bad dreams. Perhaps I had kept my hand on my chest while sleeping. With all this thoughts and thanking God, I slept again. My phone rang after a while," Oh no! Who's calling me this early morning?" Without even looking, I pressed the silent button and slept again. Few minutes later, again it rang, I had to wake up now. I took my mobile and saw her name. Why was she calling? I turned around, she wasn't there!! I picked up the call " Wake up, it's 3.00 PM, you will be late for office". I was not able to get what was happening, I checked the time, it was indeed 3.05 PM and the date was 10th Sept 2013. I was shocked! She was asleep beside me was a dream and me getting hit by a gun shot dying was a dream inside that dream. I told her the story and she laughed. Even though we are in two different corners of the country and we hardly meet, atleast for a moment I really felt, she was just right next to me. ~~~~By Parthajyoti

Way back in 2009, when I was still jobless, I got this awesome girl, Btech MBA, working in an MNC. I was almost thinking "life to set hai boss". On our first date we decided to watch Avatar, the first 3D movie for both of us. We were awestruck. What an experience! It was the break time, I went to get pop corn and Pepsi, she accompanied. She was still in the avatar world and said "Wish our life was in 3D, it would be so exciting" and me started thinking "Did she mean about the blue color or...?? ". It made me something and it became our last date too

Swalpa Adjust maadi

Love stories are becoming more and more complicated. Gone are the days of Yash Chopra romance. That's why his last movie was a disaster. Because people don't have such love stories now. I still remember watching DDLJ for the first time. Dancing in the rain, or holding an umbrella with my girl were moments of absolute bliss, worth to be fantasised. Now love is in the malls, in a cinemax or a Baskin Robbins. Gone are the days of paani puri and coconut water. Life and love runs on a card, not the visiting one but the credit one. That's the need of the hour. I realised that although late. But its never too late. What has not changed though are loyality, trust and transparency. They still remain to have utmost importance. I still believe that lies are the root cause of failure in relationships. Never compromise your relationship for a cup of coffee at CCD. This is just the beginning of the ending if you do. Grow up guys, there's neither a perfect person nor a perfect relationship. Swalpa adjust maadi!!

I had broke up quite recently, in other words my gf had dumped me. I was busy searching for a new one on Facebook. Sending random requests to xyz girls became regular activity, and finally Mr Zuckerberg had to say "Do you know this person?" Leading to blocking any new friend addings for a week. All this while, amongst all the hundreds of profiles I went through, there was one which was different. I went through her pictures, she was pretty. I felt as if I was connected to her, but strangely didn't have the courage to send her the request. What if she declined? She became a bookmark on my Firefox. I was real low those days due to my breakup, but her profile kept me happy. Days turned into months, and finally thought to take the next step and sent her message with much deliberation. Bingo! She replied. We started chatting casually. I was getting happier. My room mate noticed the change in me and while I went cooking, keeping the chat active, he sent my number to her. Returning from the kitchen, I realised and started shouting at him. "I think its time to take to the next level buddy" was his reply. I apologized and let her know. We chatted for 2 long years but never asked for her number again. Then one fine day I got a text msg " Got your number from fb your fb buddy". I immediately called, it was her! Gradually we started calling each other, non stop text msging. It went on and on and on. It was new years eve, every friend of mine had a resolution, not to smoke for one, reduce drinking for another. I thought, let me take the step.it's do or die, our friendship was at stake. I texted her letting her know my feelings and immediately threw my phone on the bed and went out. When I returned,I saw her return msg "Are you drunk?" We never discussed about it again. We chatted and called, shared our daily lives and time flew. And then one fine day after a very long time she texted "I think I am in love with you". Patience and perseverance worked!!

For the one who's miles away
You are the reason for my smiles
Love you with all my heart
I promise we will never part
The feeling is never gonna change
My love for you does not have any range
With time and tides, we will withstand every storm
You are the love that I had always hoped for
The dream that I was chasing all this while
You are the wish, I had never expected to come true
You are the blessing in my anguish
I am so blessed to have someone like you
It makes me love you even more
every day, every second, every moment
Thank you for all the happiness!! 

By Parthajyoti Dutta

What is real Love?

Of late I have been searching around for a simple answer to this simpler question. Google it and you will find some of the most unrealistic and impractical answers. The delightful couples holding their hands and candidly chuckling. The pink cheeks and the non stop chit chat to which the guy is totally engrossed on to. Is he pretending to listen to or is he actually listening? The guy being totally lost in her eyes.

There are the breed of couples found to be displaying affection publicly at most popular lover points. And then are the mature breed, having serious talks of life at a nearby CCD.

Looking at them makes me wonder, what is the mysterious power which binds them together?
Is this what is termed as "Ishqwala love"?

I don't think so. The "Ishqwala love" owes a lot nowadays to credit and debit cards. Eternal, unconditional love is directly or indirectly connected with the number of roses exchanged or the cups of coffee sipped together at the pricey CCD or Barista.

And this situation changes as time passes by, with responsibilities which keep doubling every passing year. So was it fake initially or have we changed?? The dream like state does change at some point of time eventually.

Then what is real love?

It was when your best buddy at school used to preserve the next seat for you. It was when your brother Kept your secrets so that you are not beaten by dad. It was when your mom used to call up your classmates, if you are late while returning from school.

In these little things love was and always will be. Because, if it dies, it wasn't really love.

~~~ By Parthajyoti Dutta

The Bluetooth Story

The Sun rays gleamed into my room surpassing the curtains and were falling straight on my eyes. It was disturbing and I had to eventually wake up. It was a Sunday morning. I had so many things to do on a Sunday. Shopping, aimlessly roaming around the city and having all kinds of junk food. I was never used to all of these. Sleeping was my favorite time pass once. But things had changed after she came into my life. She loved going for bike rides, window shopping all around and then ultimately settling for a pair of 100 bucks slippers from the roadside stalls. I hated junk food, but in these 2 years I had so much of pani pooris and roasted corns, that I eventually started liking them. With these thoughts, I turned around to wake her up and was startled to see a pillow instead of her. Her favorite pink pillow which had a “Winnie the pooh” on it. Reality woke me up. She was gone and was no more a part of my life. It was more than a month since she left my place. But I still felt that she was all around me. She had moved on with her life, seeking better opportunities. In harsher words, she dumped me. She dumped me for a bald guy with a Hyundai Verna and that is all I knew about her present. She had changed her number. She had blocked me on facebook. Still sometimes I used to type her name on the search bar, getting no results, wishing someday she would unblock me. But it never happened. I hated mornings, at least in my dreams, she was all around me. With these thoughts, I got up from the bed. Anyways I won’t be able to sleep now, I got to have a cup of tea now. An old friend of mine used to say “World is full of fishes. Keep hopes alive and you will have a big catch soon”. So, I could not waste my day lying on bed. I had to go on a fishing trip. So, I had to get prepared. I went to the fridge, which also had also seen some changes lately. It used to be full of ice creams and chocolates which got replaced by half a dozen beer bottles even in the veggie drawer. There was a pack of Good life milk, still unopened. It was from the last trip of our shopping. Thank God atleast I could have my tea at home rather than going to the bakery. I went to the kitchen and started preparing tea. Then I saw our big coffee mug, it had a picture of her and me from one of our trips. This was getting intolerable. Even though she left me, she was all around me. I had to get rid of these stuffs and move on. So the very next day, I decided to dump all of them. There were a lot of things. The coffee mug, a few pictures, few of her college notes, her pen stand and a lot more and yes the “Winnie the pooh” pillow. I got all of them inside a big plastic bag and threw it from my window. It was much of a relief now. Everything related to her was out of my house. I desperately needed some fresh air now. So, I went out and stood there in the balcony, glancing around. Then I spotted a cute girl in the adjacent building. It was an office. Was she new? I had never seen her; maybe I was too busy with my girl. Slowly, it became a regular habit, about me going out to the balcony, trying to trace her. The only thing dividing us was the big window pane. Many a times I did not find her on her desk and had to come back to my room, feeling low. Sometimes I came back excited when she used to notice me peeping at her. This went for weeks. I had to take the next step. From her looks, I could make out that she was from the North East. I had to communicate to her that I too belonged from one of the seven sister states. How could I let her know? So, one day while I went out to see her, I decided to wrap our Assamese “gamocha “around my neck. This was to signal her that I am from Assam, probably we belonged from the same state or even if not, from the North East definitely. She looked at me and passed me a short smile. Wow, assignment completed.

Now on, every time I used to go out to the balcony, she used to pass a smile at me and it made me happy, very happy. It went on for nearly a week. But, then I had to take the next step. I was thinking what could be done. How could I communicate with her? This was a big step, just like Neil Armstrong stepping on the Moon for the first time, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” and may be for me it would state as “That's one small step for me, one giant leap for my future generations”. I was getting crazy for her. Suddenly an idea struck upon my mind. I went out to the balcony, and started fondling with my phone. She looked at me and picked up her phone. I turned on my Bluetooth, and started scanning devices around me and whoopee, device found NOKIA ASHA. Yes, it was the same phone on her hand. She understood my signal. Also I understood that day that girls were not so dumb after all, like most guys would think. Now, I had to pass on a message. I hurriedly ran inside, turned on my laptop and opened Adobe Photoshop and edited a picture of mine with my phone number and saying “Call me, maybe” reminding of the famous song by Carly Rae Jepsen and transferred the picture to my phone. I went out and sent her the picture. It got delivered and I saw her picking up the phone. Task was completed successfully. I came back in, I was feeling a bit scared now. There were a few tense moments. I was getting anxious thinking “What would happen now? Would she respond?” And then my phone beeped. It was a text message. “Hi, I am Tina.” I felt out of the world. Happiness unlimited. I started texting her and she kept on replying me and it went on and on and on…..

And then…… I will tell the rest of the story some other day, right now getting late for my first date with Tina and I know girls hate waiting, especially on the first date itself. Everyone gets a girl through facebook, I got mine through Bluetooth. I am thankful to God for ending my sorrows and even more thankful to Graham Bell for inventing the phone. So, friends if somebody dumped you, don’t you worry, as my dear old friend said “World is full of fishes. Keep hopes alive and you will have a big catch soon”. Bye and enjoy your weekend!

A fictional write up by Parthajyoti Dutta

I woke up in the morning. It was one of those days, when you tend to wake up without an alarm clock. Finally my girlfriend was landing in Bangalore. I had to pick her from airport. I was so excited with the prospect of meeting her. We had never met and after months of phone talks, I was finally getting to see her. So many things to share. Was getting ready to pick her, suddenly there was a beep on the phone. I ran to get the phone. It was an SMS, not from her but from my EX.

What made her SMS me after so many months? What made her message me just today? All these questions sprung up on my mind before I opened the message.

"I did a big mistake. I am aimless without any goal in life. God will never forgive me for what I did to you. This is why I am not able to be happy".

I now had a mixed feeling. On one point I was feeling sad. I always knew he's gonna dump you. But on your equation between love and money, you chose money. I tried to explain in so many ways. But his sweet talks won over me.
And on the other hand I was happy, she got what she deserved. She deserved this for playing with my heart, my feelings which she had crushed.

Then I reminded myself, I was never happy with her. I was just compromising everything with her. She rarely cared for my likes and dislikes. And I simply did not have enough funds to keep her happy.
Shopping at Shopper's stop and Barbeques at Barbeque Nation were turning out to be too costly affair for me to continue.

I was thinking if I should reply her, or just ignore and delete off the text. My happy morning suddenly turned to a rather confused morning.

It made me restless.
Finally after much deliberation, I replied "Thank you for your mistake, at least I have an aim now. Don't worry, just sit back and relax, God won't harm you. God simply does not have time for b***es like you."

I went ahead and enjoyed the rest of the day.

A year had passed by, I was busy with my small business of my internet cafe. I had also set up a small coaching center at my home. I used to take tuitions for school kids. I was earning reasonably well. My parents were forcing me to get married. Mom used to show me pictures of girls. Majority of them were pretty. But my heart still yearned for her. It has been more than a year. Her voice used to strike me in my dreams. Even though I hated her, at some corner of my heart, deep inside, a feeling for her still existed. I have spent 2 years of my life with her. Even though she was never committed with me, I was, at every moment spent in those 2 years.

I still remember the day she received the friend request from that guy. It was a Sunday afternoon. She had come to my place for lunch. She was facebooking on my computer and had asked me if she could accept it, and I agreed. I had never thought that the same guy will be the reason for our break up, else would have never allowed at the first place. Sometimes I used to repent for my decision. But, how could I ever think of her leaving me for a bald guy in his late thirties, just because him being richer and sweet talks. He was working as a Software Developer and used to earn thrice as much as me. I had never thought that he could take away my girl.

A few days later, we had a major fight regarding some issue. We did not even talk for a few days. But me being weak hearted, could not stay away from her for long. I apologized and tried to sort out things. Even though we patched up, things had changed in these few days. She had started talking with him for hours. Once I remember taking her out for dinner and dropping her at her PG after dinner. I was happy. Once I reached my room, tried her number and it was busy for nearly an hour.

I SMSed her “ Who are you speaking with for an hour?”

I did not get any response. It was midnight and I slept off. When I got up in the morning, I saw an SMS from her “ Sorry, I was speaking to a friend.” It was 2.15 AM, the message timing.

Gradually it became a regular affair. Her phone being busy at night times. Sometime it was her uncle, sometimes her cousin, and sometimes her friend from Delhi. She could even concoct the conversations. I always had a feeling that she was lying. But whenever I questioned her too much on this issue, she used to shout at me telling that I am selfish and that is why I don’t have friends to talk to.

Whenever she was with me, I used to notice her phone ringing at times. She used to ignore the calls. It was always from someone named “Shahil”. On questioning her, she told me that it was her schoolmate staying in Assam. I secretly checked her cell once and got to know it was a Bangalore Vodafone number. There are lots of applications to track numbers, which she was unaware of. Finally with lots of fights, she agreed that it was the bald guy itself. I tried to convince her in all always, but failed. When my temper rose to the highest level, I broke her sim card, thinking that to be the solution. The very next day, I got her a new connection. But that did not stop her from contacting the bald guy.

A few days later, she had plans to go home, to Assam. However she was short of money. She had asked me for it, however I was myself dependent on my parents to book my flight tickets. Bald guy came running for rescue and this became the biggest reason for their friendship.
Everytime I used to tell her about breaking her friendship with bald guy, she used to tell me about how he had arrived for her help where I could not. She used to tell me that he’s the person she trusts the most in Bangalore. I used to feel helpless. She used to regularly talk with bald guy for hours and hours, till her battery dries out. I used to wonder, what interesting topic he used to discuss about, a guy from his late thirties. I often asked her. She used to assure me that he had a girlfriend in Delhi and I should not feel insecure about him. But, how could I possibly? She used to talk with him late nights for hours and expected me to believe that he had a gf. Later I came to know that he had an ex-gf in Delhi, who was in a relationship with some other guy at that time. He still had feelings for her. 

After my accident, my gf who had already broken up with me became closer with Mr. bald guy. They used to often meet up for dinner, movies etc, going to places where I could never afford to take her. But things changed as soon as he knew of me leaving Bangalore, bald guy decided to leave too, to Delhi, stating that he had patched up with his ex gf. A month later, he left Bangalore, leaving behind my girl, whom he had never given any promise or commitment. I was shocked on hearing this. He had screwed up our relationship and lives of 2 persons, me and my girl.

But, more was to follow. Later I got to know that, he had went to Delhi to save his girl. His girl was getting married to some guy from Delhi and he was going to stop that. With his sweet talk, with which he had influenced my girl, same way he did to his ex gf. His ex gf was forced to desert her fiance and came running for him. So, another relationship was broken for the bald guy. 

Few months later, he deserted the girl stating that he was not in a position to accept her as she was in a relationship with someone else for 2 years. I was stoned when I heard it. One guy had affected the lives of 4 people and broken 2 relationships. God knows how many more are to follow or how many were affected because of the bald guy earlier.

I will forever remember the words from the bald guy, the only time we ever talked:
“Relationship and Friendship are 2 different things. I never interfered in your relationship and so you should not interfere in our friendship”. He never wanted my girl to leave me and go for him. He never wanted to commit to anyone. He just wanted to satisfy his selfish needs with the power of his money.

An advice for girls, don’t try to find perfection in your guys, because perfect guys don’t exist in reality. In search of perfection, don’t screw up your relationship and end up with psychos like the Bald guy in this story. You will be left with nothing. Meanwhile he may be still in hunt mode and you may be his next target. Stay safe.

(This is a story of fiction. All characters and descriptions in this story are fictional.)
~By Parthajyoti

She was cheating on me from the early days of our relationship. I was aware of it,
Still I dragged it on and on. But with 10k a month,leave her, I could not make any girlfriend happy.
It was barely enough to bear my day to day expenses. She loved shopping, fond of picking up new dresses every time we visited any store. I was aware of it. But still I thought some day I will be rich, would buy her happiness(clothes). But for the time being, I tried showering her with love.
And then arrived the other guy. They used to often talk, for hours. Every time I shouted on her or was rude, she found a new topic of discussion with her new found friend. With hours of non stop talks, I became a hot topic of discussion. He came to know of my bad qualities and also that I am not that financially stable to compete with him. The times she needed money, he was the first one running to help her, pushing me and our relationship in the back seat. She carried on quite cleverly managing time between her boy friend and her friend. Whenever I raised a question mark on their friendship, it was me who was blamed for it, that I could not care for her so she had to seek care from external sources.

Gradually 2 years passed by, she was steady with both of us. She had to continue with me
for the sake of the society, she did not want to put a question mark on her character and
integrity. Meanwhile I tried by all means, to break this so called friendship which would make me
restless every moment. I was sunk deep in lies, lies and lies. I knew. But, I thought she would change with time, one day. Initially I tried to break them by threatening her, then by meeting new girls on facebook and chatting with them and finally pleading, begging her. I wanted her so bad. But it would hardly matter for her, whenever she found a chance, making full utilization of every opportunity.
So, although she was with me, I used to feel at times, that I am actually sitting with a stranger.

Then one fine day, my phone beeped. It was her. Rarely she found time to text or call me, which was busy with the other guy, so I was quite surprised.

"I am still in talking terms with him. I think I love him and not you. I do not want to keep you holding by any commitments. Bye"

Even though I knew this from a very long time, my life came to a stand still. I tried her number.
Late nights used to call her from office, finding it busy as usual. This was not strange.
However I did not get any return calls like earlier when she used to state that she was busy with her relatives back from home town.

My break up has taken a toll on my health. I was hardly able to sleep, tired of my wet pillows.
My appetite was lost, could hardly have a chapati. Meanwhile at office, every one around started questioning me. Asking me where I lost my smile. They missed my jokes and pranks. I used to sit quietly in the corner, do my work and return home. Some days I even failed to notice who was sitting right next to me.

She was aware of all this happenings. But it hardly mattered for her. She was enjoying her freedom to the fullest. It reminded me of her saying : "You hardly keep me space, I am choking". But with 2 years of cheating on me and still I gave her the chances of continuing, made me wonder about how much more space she ever wanted.

She was running 2 parallel relationships. One with a tag called "Boyfriend" for her friends and the society and the other called "Friend" to keep herself happy.

Gradually my friends and her friends came to know of our break up, although I had not discussed with anyone. She acted like nothing happened and as usual started blaming me for the failure of our relationship, bringing in mistakes I had done 2 years back. She said that the bitterness still existed.

I used to wonder out of 100 good things that I did for her, all she remembered the 10 bitter ones, that too which had happened 2 years back.

But that happens with everyone, when you break up, you tend to see only the bitterness in the other person.

The next day at office, I got a big surprise. I got promoted. I was really happy.
This is what I was waiting for a very long time. Now, I will have the money to buy her happiness. I was really excited.

Listening to Maroon 5 on my earphones, I was returning home, happier than ever. But due to the lack of sleep
from the past few days, my eyes shut down for a while and then there was boom.

It was complete darkness.

The next time I woke up, I was surrounded by my friends and my parents. I have never been in
an hospital for my entire life. I smell blood everywhere. It made me scared. I see almost everyone, only one was missing was her, the person I wanted to see at that moment.

I had a few fractures. At least my broken bones made me realize what I could not, all this while.
My parents brought me back to my home town. They showered me with love and attention which I
had never received in my entire life. I felt happy.

Two months later while I was still recovering, a friend from Bangalore came to visit me in my hometown. He let me know stories from Bangalore, the place I lived.
He also let me know that the other guy with the "Friend" tag went back to Delhi, patched up with his ex GF. My girl was all alone. It seemed she needed me now.

I had to come to a decision about my future. I chose to stay back in my hometown, with the people who actually loved me and want to be beside me.
Today, I am working part time as private tutor here in my hometown and have a small internet cafe, and I am typing this post from here.

(This is entirely a work of fiction and all characters are fictitious)