He was leaning against the gate
and waiting for him to come out of the house. He took out his mobile to check on
the time and saw that it was not even eight in the night yet. There would be
enough time to get things done before sleeping. He heard the noise of someone
rushing down steps and turned to see him come out of his house.
“What were you searching for so
long?”
“I was searching for my watch.”
“What the hell do you need a
watch for?”
“Anyway, while taking my watch
out my eyes fell on this, so I thought that maybe we could have it today”
He pulled out a slender metal
cylinder from his pocket and handed it to him. He pulled open the cap and
inhaled a deep long breath, taking in the aroma of the cigar in.
“Romeo Juliet, good stuff. I
thought you were saving this to enjoy on some occasion.”
“I was, and I will be leaving
today. What better a time to enjoy it? Besides if I leave it behind, how is
going to anything to it?”
Having secured a seat for
studying statistics, Rajesh was to leave for Washington the next day and wanted
to spend some time of his last day with his good friend and class mate Sameer.
Rajesh wanted to go to the States for quite some time now, for he believed that
not only a better education but also a better life style and standard of living
awaited him there. Sameer had not shown such desires yet. Rajesh pocketed the
cigar case and sat behind Sameer on his bike. Sameer pushed the start button on
the handle, changed gears and rode off towards the road, careful to avoid the
potholes on the connecting lanes from the society to the road.
It was a short drive to his place
which was just about 2 kilo meters away. Rajesh got down so that Sameer may
park his bike in the ground floor parking. He nodded to the watchman sitting on
his steel chair next to the elevator and pressed the button to call the
elevator down. Sameer was there with him by the time the elevator doors opened.
They got in together and he pressed 6 for the floor on which his house was
while Rajesh closed the grille which served as the inner door.
“Have you got booze in the house
or will we have to go and get it?”
“I think three or four bottles of
beer and some of the vodka we had got the other day.”
“Should do enough. If there is
any less you’re going to drag your fat ass all by yourself to buy some.”
“ Balls. I am just going relax on
the bean bag while you bring it yourself. Who asked you to drink so much last
time?”
“Oi, it’s not like I made a
mess!”
“Yeah, that is all I need. Feed
you free food and beer and then clean up after you throw up. Very relaxing.”
“Exactly, I don’t see why you’re
cribbing about it.”
Both of them entered the house
grinning. Sameer went on to the kitchen to bring glasses and bottles while
Rajesh sat on the couch and turned the TV on. Sameer brought it all out on the
table and while he was pouring the drinks out, Rajesh was emptying packets of salted
cashews and dried figs. They took their first glasses of beer, clinked them,
said cheers and drank it up. Soon the cigar came out and Rajesh and took two
puffs before passing it to Sameer. He put it in his mouth and waited for the flavour
to seep in before taking a puff and heaving a deep sigh.
“This is some real good stuff.
Top Notch”
“Totally. Do you remember our
first cigar?”
“Hahaha, yeah. We went to the
other side of the city to have it so that no one would catch us.”
“It was one of those cheap flavoured
cigars, but back then we felt so rich doing it.”
“Yeah, stupid kids.”
“Oye. Speak for yourself, mister.”
And then they went on to talk
about some of other good times they had shared together in college and after
it.
“So when do you leave for the
airport tomorrow?”
“Around 12, want to check in a little early and go inside. You know how mum and papa are, they will get teary.”
“And will they be ok going back on their own?”
“Around 12, want to check in a little early and go inside. You know how mum and papa are, they will get teary.”
“And will they be ok going back on their own?”
“ Yeah, my cousin will also come
to drop me off. You should come too, you know. ”
“I wish, but I have a
presentation tomorrow and boss won’t give me a day off.”
“Not to the airport, I am talking
about US.”
“Now where did this come from?”
“I know I am going to do masters
before getting a full time job, but it’s different there. You can save up from your
part time while studying so you don’t have to ask your parents.”
“I know.”
“And other than that it is not
like here. Over there people aren’t bothered about others. You’re only treated
as good as your work. People let you be who you are.”
“Yeah, that is what Sonal told me
too. It’s a great country that you’re going to, and I would totally love it
over there. But you know how I feel about it. We all want to leave here because
we say that this place sucks, but nobody wants to stay back and do something
about it.”
“Dude, that is all nice to read
about in the books you have. You’ve been reading too much of this philosophy
crap. Someone as good as you would do great there.”
“Hmn.., which is I want to stay back
here.”
“Whatever, if you change your
mind let me know. Now come drop me off to my house.”
“Can’t man, can’t drive like
this. I am a little drowsy. I’ll walk you down to the road and get you an auto.”
They walked down to the road and
waited for a couple of minutes till an auto rickshaw came. They hugged each
other and Rajesh left in the auto.
Sameer was sipping coffee with
his back rested against the wall. He straightened when he saw the boss coming
his way. He greeted him and told him that the presentation went well and the
director was pleased with the results. The boss shook his hands on a job done
well, gave him some updates on what was supposed to be done the next day and walked
ahead. Sameer got back to his coffee with his back against the wall. He looked at
the large wall clock in front of him. It was almost five in the evening. Rajesh
must be in his flight by now. He couldn’t help but feel envious of him. He
smiled and wondered if it was because he had made it.
Its more about the people than the place probably :)
ReplyDeleteIt is :) The people make the place. Metonymy: figure of speech which invovles the use container for the content
Delete:) I wanted to read more :) I guess that makes this one a success too!
ReplyDelete