1. Denim Frock

Weather department like every time has predicted a heavy downpour this time of the year in National Capital Region, and that meant there will be scarcity of rainfall again. But the weather was pleasant & it was smelling grass & soil all around like during first rain of the season when Ravi came out of select city walk, Saket, he was still thinking about the girl moving in front of her wearing just denim frock and giving a heartache to many, by the way she was moving, Ravi looked towards his friend & he gave a meaningful smile, and that was all to it.

It was 1 AM already, "what next?' asked Shantanu, "let's go to coffee shop, I am in no mood to hit bed so soon". "I wish everyone is dressed like that, world peace needs nothing more; no more bombing no tension just love" Ravi said with a smile looking like a philosopher, Shantanu still can see the sadness in those eyes but he didn't want to be the spoilt sport so he continued the game, "yeah right Mr. Philosopher! That is all you need in this mad city, you know 1 of every 4 rapes in Indian city takes place in Delhi, several dowry cases, molestations & over that Khap  panchayat sitting on our cities neighbor killing every lover boy & girl in their society, as they claim it's illegal to love, while they prey to Shiva & Shakti the symbol of manhood & women's power". "You asshole, I am trying to go deep into a nice thought & you brought out your bull about terrorism, fanatics & police all in one statement" frowned Ravi, "Just go & take out the car, I will get some Cigarettes in the mean time".

Ravi & Shantanu were friends, roommates & colleagues, in that order, since last 4 years. On any other weekend Ravi would have been out with her sweetheart Smita but she got admission to IIM-A. Ravi & Smita were preparing for their CAT exams together, while Smita was sincere about her studies & preparation, it was Ravi who was always coming out with excuses not just to others; but to himself, It's too hectic back at office, I am tired, My parents demand too much from me, my cousin is coming to stay with me, This is an important invitation; I have to go,  I cannot say no to my friend, he is here only once a year. Although Ravi forgets to consider the point that he is and always was a socially active person & unless he starts saying "NO" for a social get together he will stay busy everyday. Unlike Smita who stopped going out with Ravi or with her friend circle. The only time she spent with Ravi was, when they were group-studying. That was then, she left by mid-June, and took a promise from Ravi that he'll start taking preparation seriously. He will give his GMAT by August & apply everywhere. Yesterday, it was 15th July, and all Ravi had done till now was collecting books, he hasn't even opened one of them, last time when he would have sat to solve a paper was months ago with Smita. Smita who was managing a gruesome pressure at IIM-A was managing somehow to keep in touch with Ravi & kept encouraging him, but yesterday she lost patience.  They had a terrible fight, and she dumped him saying, "Stop lying to yourself & wasting time, we will talk once you have decided what you want to do & start doing it." Ravi hung up, his face red in mix of anger & embarrassment.

"Ravi!!", Ravi came back to present, cigarette has disappeared into ash & Ravi was holding a burning butt, and Shantanu was sitting in drivers' seat of Dzire, honking & shouting Ravi's name. "Move your ass, I will drive today", said Ravi. "Ohh!! People generally say that when they are drunk, did you have a few shots while I was gone to get this car?". "No! Just move ", "Ok, I guess this is going to be a looooonngg drive", said Shantanu handing keys to Ravi, he was not worried that Ravi will be speeding or rash driving, but he won't go above 40 km/hr. In city like Delhi where everyone has a foot over accelerator, and speed dial over 80 km/hr, Ravi's drive was like a walk in park, at time frustrating.

"So! What have you decided?" Shantanu asked while lighting a Cigarette, "About what?" asked Ravi. "You know what Ravi, it's about time".  "Can we not discuss about it, don't spoil my mood", saying that Ravi raised the volume of radio, 98.3 FM was playing old melody from the movie  Guide, "Din dhal jaaye teri yaad na jaaye".

And while moving from Saket towards ring road, moving at super calm speed of 30kmpH Ravi was again lost in the sweet memories of past.

Brain Freeze

Chapter 1



It's Sunday noon and temperature is still around 2 degree Celsius; haven't seen Sun since last week, feels like I am in a hill station and not Capital of India. I am still tucked in my quilt thanks to my cook I got my breakfast served on my bed; I have not dared to move even an inch for otherwise a nature's call since last 36 hours and there the phone rings. "No, not today" was the feeling inside my head when I picked the phone,


"Hello Dude, What's up" I said.


"She still wants me to support her. (long pause) … as a friend" said a deserted soul, who with love we call 'shera'


"What?" I was confused


"She says, It's not possible for us to continue with out relationship, and I should be supportive, I am stopping her from moving on. How does she expect me to support her to 'move on', how can she be so insensitive; I mean we are together for god damn 5 years and one day out of nowhere she comes to me and say "MOVE ON"; is this a game, or was I a degree which she did and moved on"


"Have you started drinking, early in the morning" I asked


"No, I never stopped yesternight" he replied


"Damn, this is serious", I thought, "Wait I will be at your place in an hour top" I replied


"OK, get some Rum on the way" was all he said & hanged up


"Why, Why, Why" I was shouting on myself, silently; Asshole has finally made me come out of my bed, time to freshen up a little. Thank God geyser is working, I don't like going out without a shower. That when I didn't have one for almost 3 days.


"Get me a khamba of old monk & one of Jim Beam"In 45 minutes I was standing in K-block market; in front of booze shop ordering 2 khambaa (1 khamba = 750 ml) that too at 1 PM, market was a deserted as if it is 9 AM in the morning; this time whether has really come down on Delhi; Cold was never a problem but the wind & moisture was killing, as I read in news early in morning today, weather department of Delhi has predicted, this is due to some disturbance is west which has created turbulence in weather, and I was smiling thinking "West, seems responsible for everything nowadays be it war or weather". "I better get some snacks as well, Shera rarely has anything to eat at his place"


"What took you so long" he shouted


"Have you cared to peek outside, it's still foggy & a tough drive, thanks to NDMC digging all over CP again, I have to be extra cautious on the road, yet here I am by 2:00 PM, now don't shout; and here is your 2nd favorite Old Monk", I handed him the bottle


"First Favorite now" he replied, his voice still sounding drunk & angry.


"I suggest you have some Paneer Pakoda's first"


"Dude! You are the best, how did you know" & he snatched the packet from my hand


"I just know" feeling victorious & smiling as Shera teared off packet of Pakoda like a wild tiger; he really was hungry & drunk.


 
 
 
Chapter 2



"Aren't we supposed to be stronger species" Asked Vineet while filling his glass with Rum, he has almost finished half of the bottle.


"That's just lies spread by Women, to make us do all the hard work & then take blames as well. When they say Men are stronger species all they mean is we are supposed to do all the physical work & play along in their games like pawns in chess, and they are the Knights who can move over your head to your left or right, without you noticing it, and by the time you realize, it's checkmate" Replied Shera


Vineet was another common friend who joined us at around 4:00 PM, he was under phase 2 of his break up while Shera has just entered Phase 1.


Let me rewind the clock here, Me, Shera & Vineet are 3 friends since school times, who moved to different places for their graduations but ended up working in same city and there by reunited here in Delhi 2 years ago; I was already here since last 7+ years as I did my graduation here only, while Shera joined me when he was posted in Delhi as a part of the team handling Games Village construction for Commonwealth while Vineet was doing his MBA from IMT Ghaziabaad. I stay in Noida but used to hang out with these two morons whenever these two had time; as they were quite busy with their job, studies & girl friends, till a few months back.


"Rahul is still not here, Adwi call him again" demanded Shera


"Aye Aye sir!!"


Rahul was the fourth of the group, the non engineer, working with India today and for me he was one man rescue team today, who can save me from further misery of listening to these drunk lovers.


"Rahul, how much more time will you take to reach here dude, "paani sir ke upar pahunch chuka hai"


"Ok, alright! Get some bread pakoda on the way"






20 minutes later the atmosphere of the room was different and everyone was listening to Rahul's non stop blabbering and this time topic was some fashion designer he recently interviewed and after party he was in yesterday evening. "Dude! Now that was a party, such ambience, booze, so many celebrities and ohhh.. My god the chicks were fantabulous."


'Here he goes again" I was smiling mischievously as Rahul started again with the story of his one night stand, it was a pleasant change after listening to the other two grumble about broken hearts, ruined life & evil women for last 4 hours. Time flew by and we ended up sleeping in living room with everyone completely drunk; and heater keeping us warm for the night.