What a wonderful world

The moon had taken over the sky on a Sunday night. It was on its way to witness another complete revolution of the earth on its axis, it would like always bring in a new day in a few moments. Sameer was staring idly at his Face book page.

His phone clicked a couple of times indicating a message. It was another of those early Valentine’s Day messages sent by a few who knew how to save a buck or two. He walked to the balcony of his house, it was late in the night and the city was peaceful.

The facebook page made a noise. It was Nida, his friend.

“How bad do I look?” she asked

“Ummm..that’s a tough question “ he typed back in reply

“Sameer it’s a serious question”

“You don’t look bad at all Nida! why that question?”

There was no response from Nida for a while.

“deR?”

“Yeah”

“What happened? Bol na”

“Nothing, that’s the problem”

His phone clicked again

“Is this about Valentine’s day?”

There was no response again for a while.

“I think that’s a yes”

“Yes” came the reply in an instant

“But leave it” she added “Its mighty depressing not having someone special in your life as it is, discussing it makes it sound even more depressing”

“oye, it isn’t depressing at all”

He waited for her to say something but there was nothing

“Let me explain. Tomorrow is Valentine’s right. It will be a reason for someone who loves you or adores you or even has a slight crush on you to come forward and tell you that”

“So?”

“Think, someone whom you really adore, comes forward and says ‘Can I ask you something’, I am sure you will be on cloud nine for a few seconds. Aren’t we living for those few moments in life?”

“Hah”

And just like many years ago Sameer had made Nida smile.

                                                    **************

“Team meeting” her TL announced

“Now?”

He nodded and went on announcing around the other cubicles. She picked her phone from the desk and headed towards the elevators. When the door opened she made her way towards it, she fumbled at the small gap between the cabin and the door. A guy held her. He was fair and tall and looking handsome in the white shirt. His arms were still supporting her

“Can I ask you something” he asked her chuckling.

Nida closed her eyes “Sameer you idiot” she cursed under her breath.

                                                    **************

Nida was at her doorstep, looking for the keys to the house when her phone rang. It was Sameer. She picked it

“I see trees of green, red roses too” he crooned “I see them bloom, for me and you and I think to myself …what a wonderful world”

Nida had a huge smile on her face “What was that?”

“A song”

“I know and a bad singer to add to that, but why the song?”

“I see skies of blue, clouds of white. Bright blessed days, dark sacred nights and I think to myself …what a wonderful world”

“That doesn’t answer my question”

“The colours of a rainbow…so pretty in the sky. Are also on the face… of people going by. I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do…They are really saying…I love you”

The smile widened “really?”

“Why? You are my best friend and I love you for that. I thought it was Valentine’s Day and why not let you know”

“I know, what’s the harm”

“You know had I not known you so well, I would have asked you out”

Nida smiled, Sameer had once again made her day.


Footnotes:
May all of you find love in everything around you! 

Chase-the sequel

The moon was hiding behind the clouds, peeping out occasionally to make sure that it wasn't missing out on something interesting. 

 I was sitting in front of a computer screen showing complicated screens with important data popping out in regular intervals. My eyes were tiring out; red threads were creeping into the white of my sleep deprived eyes.

"Dude I am hungry" K.D said

“same here, let’s go to some tapri"

“Are you done with your work?"

"Nopes, but if I don't take my eyes off this screen for now then I will never finish it"

“Alright, btw you have cash?” KD asked

“No, but I will withdraw it from some ATM nearby”

“Cool”

Since the evolution of man, very few friendships have lasted the test of time.  Today, one such friendship will be tested.

KD kicked start his bike, making the only noise in the huge parking lot and drove out. The weather outside the office was different. There was a slight breeze along with a chill in the air. The breeze massaged my tired eyelids. I was losing the fight of staying up when KD stopped on a corner.

He pointed towards the ATM at the other side of the road. When I saw the ATM for the first time, I knew it was different, but I thought common sense took over me and I started to cross the road. I stood at the divider checking for any cars, there was a chill which ran down my spine. I thought I heard something but wasn’t sure. For the second time in these few minutes I did not listen to my senses, a fact that I regret.

I crossed the road and was just about a few steps away from the ATM when I was sure I sensed an old enemy. The growl was there, and the enemy decided to let go of a bark. My walk turned into a sprint to the ATM, and the old enemy was a few steps behind me. The door of the ATM was too heavy for the enemy. I stood behind those heavy doors safe but I knew that this couldn’t go on forever. I had to start looking for an exit but there was none in sight.

127 seconds to go

“Why was it chasing you?”KD shrieked

“I don’t know man, but you got to help me man”

“That thing looks ferocious”

100 seconds to go

KD called again

“That thing isn’t moving”

“I can see that”

“We need to distract it”

“I will throw a stone or something, you run and jump on my bike”

80 seconds to go

I pushed the door as slightly as ever waiting in anticipation of KD’s move.  I couldn’t go more than a step outside; the stone couldn’t really distract it. It only made it turn away and it saw its victim trying to step out and in an instant jumped.

I pushed the door back, it collided with the door and still growling. I could see those teeth grinding against each other in anticipation of the victim, and those eyes never let go of the victim.

I was starting to lose hope.

60 seconds to go

“What is that noise?” the security guard inside the ATM asked rubbing his eyes

I explained him my situation.  He rushed into the small cabin masked behind the machine. I thought I had lost my only hope. But that’s what I thought.

30 seconds to go

He came out with a huge stick and rushed outside towards the enemy

“Madar****” he shouted at the enemy, letting go a blow at the enemy. The enemy resisted for once but started to back track. I saw my opportunity; I rushed outside the ATM and ran across the street towards KD. He had kick started his bike already. On my way, one leg got into the way of the other and I fell. But the enemy was nowhere to be seen. This was to be continued for later.

They say that it is man’s best friend, but after my ordeals I have come to doubt it. When old friendships were tested, a hero was born.

I was sitting behind KD and watching my hero light a beedi on the stairs of the ATM. I don’t know how things would have been had it not been for his heroic act.

 The moon was clear of the clouds, I am sure. 

EPILOGUE:

"Dude did you withdraw some money?" KD asked

Footnotes:

This is my hundredth post on my blog. I thought of writing some ode to myself but I guess the best way to do it is by doing it the way I know best.

For those who don't know about "The Chase" click here