The Day before Diwali
Note: The following work is loosely based on different events in my life across a long duration. There might be a resemblance to people in real life in the plot, but the encounters, musings and the interactions mentioned here are purely a work of fiction and do not express my true opinions or feelings towards any individual.
13 November 2012,
9 A.M
Went to meet a friend. Met the old caretaker of his building, Jeevan. He has been living in a room that has been allotted to him since many years. Exchanged greetings and wished him a Happy Diwali.
"काहे की दिवाली साहब" He said.
I asked him what happened
"तंगी चल रही है।"
I agreed and said that inflation had indeed made life hard. But did anything else happen, I added.
"मेरा पोता बीमार हो गया था, 2 लाख लगेंगे इलाज में". I was flabbergasted
"You only tell ". He continued. "Is it possible for me to arrange such a big amount?"
"इश्वर सब भला करेंगे"- I said.
"अब ईस्वर ही देखें क्योंकि हमारा दिमाग तो ख़राब हो चुका है"
I feigned a smile of understanding and excused myself.
12 P.M
Upset my mood due to silly reasons. By falling for the popular rhetoric that girls like "bad guys" and consequently being arrogant to people, I said many things that I shouldn't have and came to know that I ruffled many a feathers.
And the people hurt by this brash behavior of mine did adversely affect my relationship with someone whom I wish to know better. I have idiotically violated a golden rule of impressing a person- "Never ever offend the close friends of your target." No wonder she doesn't think highly of me, though I have always been nice to her.
2 P.M
Feel better now. Am surfing the net for some insights into buying a cologne for myself. I haven't worn perfumes much, leave alone choosing the right fragrance and the "subtle tones" that separate the good from the ordinary.
Am looking for something that suits my pocket and yet be long lasting and classy. Maybe I am being stingy but well, I don't earn. I think 20 times before spending my father's money. Not because he'll say something, but because it isn't mine.
7 P.M
I decide to indulge a bit this Diwali and get something nice done to my hair. I know it is something that girls love to do but even for a man, there's no harm in looking good. ;) I step over to Habib's- the most prestigious & best salon in town. After half an hour of waiting, the "stylist" finally manages to squeeze me in for an "appointment".
"Your face is oval, long hair will suit you more." He tells me and starts his work. The interesting fellow apologizes me for the delay caused. I, being not averse to a conversation, gently prod him about his work and all. After 10 minutes or so, he is chatting with ease.
"क्या सर! आज हमारा 'weekly off' होता है, फिर भी बुला लिया। "
I genuinely sympathize with him-"गलत बात है, दिवाली पर तो छुट्टी मिलनी ही चाहिए "
This seems to spur him on.
"वही तो सर, और तो और कल भी बुलाये हैं। यह भी कोई बात हुई?" (The next day being Diwali)
His co-worker comes up to him and begins to bitch about some client. *Sigh* Even men chat uselessly at work :/
His phone rings and his tone softens, volume reduced. "हाँ, आधे घंटे से आता हूँ"
Probably his wife.
"कुछ भी बना लो" *a brief pause* "हाँ बना लो "
Definitely his wife.
He turns to his colleague and says- "हमने सर से बात कर ली है, इसके बाद सीधे घर जायेंगे। "
The haircut is complete. I must say he did a real good job, given my hard-to-style hair.
He gives me a warm and cordial smile as I proceed to make payment. He reiterates to the cashier that he is leaving early while holding the door open for me.
"Happy Diwali, sir", He says.
13 November 2012,
9 A.M
Went to meet a friend. Met the old caretaker of his building, Jeevan. He has been living in a room that has been allotted to him since many years. Exchanged greetings and wished him a Happy Diwali.
"काहे की दिवाली साहब" He said.
I asked him what happened
"तंगी चल रही है।"
I agreed and said that inflation had indeed made life hard. But did anything else happen, I added.
"मेरा पोता बीमार हो गया था, 2 लाख लगेंगे इलाज में". I was flabbergasted
"You only tell ". He continued. "Is it possible for me to arrange such a big amount?"
"इश्वर सब भला करेंगे"- I said.
"अब ईस्वर ही देखें क्योंकि हमारा दिमाग तो ख़राब हो चुका है"
I feigned a smile of understanding and excused myself.
12 P.M
Upset my mood due to silly reasons. By falling for the popular rhetoric that girls like "bad guys" and consequently being arrogant to people, I said many things that I shouldn't have and came to know that I ruffled many a feathers.
And the people hurt by this brash behavior of mine did adversely affect my relationship with someone whom I wish to know better. I have idiotically violated a golden rule of impressing a person- "Never ever offend the close friends of your target." No wonder she doesn't think highly of me, though I have always been nice to her.
2 P.M
Feel better now. Am surfing the net for some insights into buying a cologne for myself. I haven't worn perfumes much, leave alone choosing the right fragrance and the "subtle tones" that separate the good from the ordinary.
Am looking for something that suits my pocket and yet be long lasting and classy. Maybe I am being stingy but well, I don't earn. I think 20 times before spending my father's money. Not because he'll say something, but because it isn't mine.
7 P.M
I decide to indulge a bit this Diwali and get something nice done to my hair. I know it is something that girls love to do but even for a man, there's no harm in looking good. ;) I step over to Habib's- the most prestigious & best salon in town. After half an hour of waiting, the "stylist" finally manages to squeeze me in for an "appointment".
"Your face is oval, long hair will suit you more." He tells me and starts his work. The interesting fellow apologizes me for the delay caused. I, being not averse to a conversation, gently prod him about his work and all. After 10 minutes or so, he is chatting with ease.
"क्या सर! आज हमारा 'weekly off' होता है, फिर भी बुला लिया। "
I genuinely sympathize with him-"गलत बात है, दिवाली पर तो छुट्टी मिलनी ही चाहिए "
This seems to spur him on.
"वही तो सर, और तो और कल भी बुलाये हैं। यह भी कोई बात हुई?" (The next day being Diwali)
His co-worker comes up to him and begins to bitch about some client. *Sigh* Even men chat uselessly at work :/
His phone rings and his tone softens, volume reduced. "हाँ, आधे घंटे से आता हूँ"
Probably his wife.
"कुछ भी बना लो" *a brief pause* "हाँ बना लो "
Definitely his wife.
He turns to his colleague and says- "हमने सर से बात कर ली है, इसके बाद सीधे घर जायेंगे। "
The haircut is complete. I must say he did a real good job, given my hard-to-style hair.
He gives me a warm and cordial smile as I proceed to make payment. He reiterates to the cashier that he is leaving early while holding the door open for me.
"Happy Diwali, sir", He says.
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