SHOPPING FOR ANSWERS

SPRING 2007

Early days, exciting days. When Life wasn’t a bitch and when spending three bucks at the university hangout was the normal pitch. Three bucks got you an iced tea; the three bucks would last for over three hours accompanied with slender conversations and gender pretensions.

College was a joint and it was nice. It was the sunshine in the winters which everyone looked forward to; it was the dash of spice in a plain chilly-chicken. It was a time when all of us were neither strong nor tough; it was a time when we were worried about the future but it never showed on our lousy faces. We were just busy being us, busy making plans, busy playing perception at our parties, busy laughing over Vincent’s explicit jokes (it goes up to 69 volumes) and busy with our very own “American Dream”.

Terence - Nevada will be nice.
Patrick - True, we can visit Las Vegas which is just 85 miles away.
Vincent - We’ll become millionaires over a single game of blackjack.
Terence - But we must visit the OC.
Patrick - It will be so nice.
Vincent - I would like to play poker at Vegas.
Terence - Asswipe, have you ever played poker?
Patrick - Vincent knows shit about poker.
Vincent - Fuckers, it’s about poking a sharp instrument at places which have never seen sunlight.

Few days later, we received our application mails from the University of Reno, Nevada (UNR) and that’s when we sang along the lines of “Sweet Home Nevada”. That day, as we sat on the lush green grass at Delhi School of Economics (DSE), we discussed about the Ivy Leagues.

Monica - You know, UNR is not an Ivy League.
Patrick - Well, it’s almost impossible for us to get into one.
Terence - We should be happy with UNR.
Monica - But an Ivy League will be excellent.
Ved - Hey mane, I think I’ve seen Poison Ivy!!
Vincent - Oh jackass!
Terence - Hahaha.
Patrick - Seriously, hahaha.
Terence – By the way, I want a Stanford sweatshirt.
Monica - Cut it out, guys.
Patrick - Sorry babeah (blushing).
Monica - See, we need to keep talking to the Ivy Leagues so that they realise our potential.
Terence - Fair enough, but I have a question.
Monica - What?
Terence - Okay, we’ll keep talking to them, but will they talk to us?


SUMMER 2007

This summer was really harsh and there’s nothing that can be said about it.


AUTUMN 2007

People refer to autumn as FALL. True. We’ve fallen into the depths of the ocean and while many wonder when they’d rise above, there are some who wonder if they’d just float, sink or swim. The funniest part is that people think 'Breach Candy' is some candy available on the beach.

Things are slowly turning normal. We hear voices that tell us not to let LIFE think it’s tougher than us and on the other hand, they say that there is a first time for everything. Vincent told me that we were suffering from our own ghosts and that only time would serve to prove us wrong.

Recently, a junior hailed us in a full college environment. What supreme feeling we went through; Vincent and Terence felt the power of Royalty. Maybe we’re lunatic enough to consider it but we’re smart enough to acknowledge it. One of our most loved professor said- “Motives fail, ideas fail, actions fail but people don’t”.

A classmate asked Terence very sarcastically, “You admire that?”; Terence replied, “No” and as he flicked his zippo (Vincent asshole) open and as he lit up a cigarette, Terence completed his sentence, “…I don’t admire that, I fucking respect that”.

Post college life is difficult, very difficult. Everyday, you feel down and beat but still somewhere you are not beaten. Like Patrick says, “The nesting period is over, now we step into the jungle where everyone is out to prove that they are better than you and where in one inch of a second, you can be left far far behind, so welcome to the jungle called LIFE.”

A month ago, some jackass told us that Patrick deceived the ROYALTY by getting into an institution while the other two did not. He added on by pathetically commenting, “What kind of a friend is he?”, and then we answered, without a single doubt in our heads-
“… The best kind”.

Anyway, as of now;
Duke Patrick is in IIMC.
Sir Vincent is in Zee News.
Lord Terence is Online.

Now as we wait for WINTER 2007, this story will continue and then, I’ll let you know when I know.

THE AIR NEAR MY FINGERS

“Dude, party tomorrow night. Make yourself available. Bring shorts, it will be a little humid.”

said Patrick.

Immediately Terence gathered mental visuals of smoke and some good high spirited conversations. Nostalgia hits you when your mind races through thoughts of the glorious days that have gone by faster than a high-rise building jump. There was a time when they would fly higher than the weather and there was also a time when they would spend nights dancing on no music. But probably, the times were over and Terence suspected that he was growing old. Speaking of which, Terence recalled something that a wise-crack once wrote on the last desk during his 1st year at college-

“Growing old is mandatory; Growing up is optional”.

Just like a pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, the parties they had had been on the lines of 1976, pissing on the border or Kashmir as a barb wired state. Barb Wire reminded the boys of Pamela Anderson and she reminded them of Borat who further reminded them of the Borat conversation they'd have on multiple networking sites. Therefore, almost any brain storming session reminded them of college life. So be it, assume that college is going to be inseparable for some years.

That night, Terence faintly remembered talking to the guard at the Vasant Vihar house. The gentleman thought like we did and asked how many attractive women would be coming. Hitesh told him not to learn to fly as that was his department. Minutes later, all of them were inside the house. The party hosted 15 young individuals who had just stepped into the harsh world of insanity. It started well with people laughing on some imported dope and hunter beer. Then towards midnight, things turned funny. Terence was on the comfortable couch, watching people and collecting thoughts. He suddenly “saw” Hitesh telling someone that he had shaved off his head because his hair was blocking the intellectual thoughts that was trying to enter his skull.

Initially, it was strange for Terence and Vincent as they were sitting in a room full of people who had 'bright future' stamped on their foreheads. These were people from reputed institutions and the two were two people from broken illusions. For the record, Terence and Vincent are in a 'oh fuck' zone, not the 'fucked' situation and pray, till next year this time, if they don’t make any progress then they’d be presidents of the 'fucked' zone.

Anyway, like some jackass said- 'The show must go on'. Vincent was in full swing towards the last quarter of the party. Chatting away to glory like a baboon who needed a banana. By the way, Hitesh was still blabbering his heart out to his newly-found psychiatrist who threw up nearly 76 times. The fact of the matter is simple; Sir Vincent’s joy knew no boundaries as he started transcendental post structuralist existentialism with 9 members of the party who belonged to the female fraternity.

Patrick and Monica were arguing who’d have the next joint and Terence was in a sad state after taking a few joints because it hit, it hit. Meanwhile, Hitesh was still pouring his heart out and Vincent was still scoring points. When it rains more than ever, that’s when you’ll know who holds the umbrella for you.

This party really reminded few of us of the old times. Like Woodstock 69, guess we’ll all drift away but it will still be remembered. The Gurgaon 36 hour fest, the north campus romps, the royalty pub visits, the hallucinations and the many blah blah blehs.

THE DUKE OF HAZZARD

Punjab and Haryana are different states but they share the same capital. All Saints and Apeejay are different institutions but they share the same motive- Education.

The Patrick we know is very very different from what he actually is inside his mental head. When ripped apart, he is a boy who cannot grow up, who doesn’t want to grow up and why should he. He’d prefer taking photographs rather than creating a passage down the memory lane, probably that’s why his emotional quotient could be equivalent to a lithium battery. However, the better aspect of this jackass cannot be ignored. The fact that he is a loyal friend and a caring boyfriend (like he has a choice) portrays that there is still a room of humanness in his body building. He’d feel absolutely mantastic (feel fantastic after the successful completion of a macho feat) after a good hour of his selected pint. I froze when this hard abuser broke down in front of me some months back, it confused me to the level where I did not know what to do. I really thought consoling him would be very cheesy so I lit up a cigarette with my zippo (Vincent bastard) and offered him a smoke. Within minutes, he was okay and we were abusing Paris Hilton.

Now coming to All Saints, Monica is a woman. A woman who will make you realise that you are not man enough to challenge feminism. Call it her strength or her vice, the reality is that she can break your crayons any day. Close ones relate her to a coconut which is hard on the outside and soft inside. There are people who claim she should step out of her “youniverse” (the entirety of creation that relates to one specific, narcissistic individual. Used to indicate that a particular person has knowledge only of himself or herself- their universe consists of them only) but then again, it’s a matter of perception. All I’d say is that if you wish to know Monica better, listen to Simon & Garfunkel’s “I Am A Rock”. Rest assured, I know I have respect for Gunjeet Suri aka Monica.


Now connect the two together. And voila !! You have an interesting couple.


Patrick told me this weeks back-

“You can’t go the distance
With too much resistance
I know you have doubts
But for God’s sake, don’t shut me out.

Yes I know I’m in love
But just when I ought to relax
I put my foot in my mouth
Cause I’m just avoiding the facts”

VINCENT KNOWS BEST

- Is he the self proclaimed "machine" of the bazooka kingdom with a black python as his royal pet.


- Or is he that guy who once spent 85 bucks for a cold coffee for his (then) lady love despite having only 90 in his wallet, who then walked back 5 kms to get home so that he'd save 5 bucks to call his girl only to find out that she completely forgot about the cold coffee that he got for her.


I have no clue.

SWEET HOME NEVADA

“Waterfalls will find you, bind you then grind you.”
- Travis

Nevada calling, that’s when we gave ourselves titles and new names. We felt we needed the change to make it convenient for us and for the people there. The days gone by seem like an era and went pretty ballistic. We knew that we knew nothing but we also knew things would fall in place. All we had to do was to figure out our next move and till then, we’d ocassionaly meet for a lager. Though no one had enough dough, we managed- we found a way and made a way.

We vented our hearts out during the royal meets, we spoke of transcendental stuff and also of worldly shit. Maybe the meets massaged our egos or maybe they helped us unwind from the daily dose of hyper tension. That's a neat combination, hyper tension with ego. We spoke about everyone and spared no juicy topic. However, most importantly, it gave us a platform to laugh at our situation and channelize the pitiless caked misery. Rivers turn to ocean and oceans tide you home, home is where your heart is but your heart had to roam.

Two thirds of the Royalty failed but then, I’d classify it as the two thirds taking a break before kicking ass sometime later. Laziness sure is a virtue for us. We summed up all of it with a meeting with some beer around and maybe that is the actual chicken soup for the teenage soul- maybe.

THE BONG SONG

Okay, this is just meant for fun.


It started like this (in college campus) -

Abhishek - Oh buddy, help me! (low tone)
Baharul - Kyaa hua be? (painfully high tone)
Kotoky - Ooi kela.
Abhishek - I like embarrassing Benu, am I mad?
Patrick - No no, you are Abhishek re.
Vincent - That's an insult in itself, you see, existensia... (cut short)
Kotoky - Machine only talks, no action.
Baharul - Action 500 is good for headaches (with grin)
Ved - Not tonight darling, I got severe headache.
Vincent (to Terence) - Does Ved have a head to worry about?
Patrick - Bitches, tell me also.
Baharul - When is ‘Marigold’ going to release?
Kotoky - Baal kela!
Hitesh - Bollywood sucks, I need a fuck. A fingering.
Subhojit - Poetry, tonight I will write on your arse (kisses Hitesh).
Hitesh - Tonight also! No! We did it the entire weekend. Pleej.
Patrick - Yo bitches, tell me also.
Vincent - The machine shall speak.
Terence - Machine, hahaaha!
Patrick - Echo echo.
Baharul - I bought Salman's autobiography.
Kotoky - Ooh kela!
Subhojit - You are a banana split. Sundae special!

(Subhojit & Hitesh leave for their room for a steamy dance session)


Ved - My headache's gone.
Vincent (to Terence) - Ved can piss off.
Patrick - Tell me also.
Terence - hahaha!
Vincent - We suck so bad... No life, no love.
Abhishek - Did I hear love?
Patrick - Yess baby!
Terence - I think we can help you.
Vincent - Aisa hai, I like Benu too.
Abhishek - Okay, you can like her but I love her.
Vincent - You should come to one of our parties man. We get wild.
Abhishek- Bastard, don’t scandalize me.
Terence- Chill, so why do you like her?
Abhishek- Because I can relate to her like a bee to a flower.
Patrick- Your face can relate to my farted ass. LMAO.
Terence- Let’s not ridicule him.
Baharul - Did someone say 'ridi'cule?
Vincent - No time for your story. We are counselling Abhishek.

Patrick- Man, so where were we?
Abhishek - I don’t know about you guys, but I’m in my dreams.
Terence - Where in dreams?
Abhishek - Swiss Alps, frozen lakes, enchanting beaches.
Baharul - Oohh... Yash Chopra films?
Vincent - My bazooka to thumba on Yash Chopra!
Patrick - Echo echo.
Terence - Hahahaa.
Abhishek - Fuck off, I thought you were supposed to help me.
Patrick - So tell her the truth.
Vincent - Ohh yess, she will like to have a brotherly figure.
Terence - Now now, don’t be insensitive.
Vincent - I am sensitive, you have witnessed the sensitive python.
Patrick- It’s gross, blacker than blackest.
Vincent - You people are jealous.
Terence - Vincent's sensitivity quotient is equivalent to a pencil box!

Abhishek - Don’t break the emotion. What should I tell her?
Patrick - Tell her that she looks good, etc etc.
Terence - Yeah, compliment her. Girls like it. Don’t over do it.
Vincent - Also help her with stuff and talk to her.
Terence - And while at it, listen to what she says.
Patrick - There will be nervousness but that should help.
Abhishek - ?
Patrick - I mean your anxiety, tell her that in case you stutter!
Kotoky - Ooi kela!
Patrick - Should I peel off?
Terence - Hahaha.
Vincent - Kids.
Abhishek - Thanks for helping me, oh royalty.
Vincent - Anything for our subjects.
Abhishek - You people are numero uno.

Patrick - So do you have the guts to go upto her?
Abhishek - My feet are shaking, I think I just pissed my pants.
Terence - Just relax, take it easy.
Patrick - Take deep breaths like this... (gets an asthma attack; recovers)
Abhishek - Oh lord, love is such a headache.
Ved - Headache!!
Kotoky - Oi kela.
Abhishek - What should I do?
Terence - Just tell her what you FEEL.
Patrick - Echo echo.
Vincent - Ohh yess!


FEW HOURS LATER (at DSE) –

Abhishek - Hey Benu babe (stuttering & shivering)
Benu - Hello Abhishake.
Abhishek - I want to say what I really feel (he passes her an ice tea)
Benu - Tell me.
Abhishek - I FEEL that I will top the exams.
Benu - So?
Abhishek - So, I can help you pass because I like you.
Benu - You think I'm dumb!
Abhishek - It’s just that I have more brains. We men are more....
Benu - You faggot, I’m in women's writing. You GET LOST!

(She leaves).


FEW MINUTES LATER (at DSE) –

Vincent- What happened?
Patrick - Tell us also.
Baharul - Pyaar iqraar kiya kyaa?
Abhishek - I’m feeling sad.
Terence - Why so?
Ved – I’m having headaches again.
Patrick - Tell us, asshole.
Abhishek – Well, I had to PAY for her ice tea!!
Kotoky- Kela!


There you go. Support the boy. He still wants her.

SOCIAL WALLPAPER

Upon several requests, here's an "Introduction" post.

This page is primarily about a perception of some people who have been a part of a specific college life. Read it without expecting anything, because you would not be gaining anything from it. If you fancy something then leave a comment and in case, you don't find anything amusing then feel absolutely free to add a comment. Everybody is a dumbass, don't worry.

We studied English Literature or Literature in English or whatever it's supposed to be. The bottom line is that we tried.

This weblog is a healthy amalgamation of fiction and non fiction. Some of the tales have a long solid history, some have loose geography but there is no violent pornography (unless you come across some of Vincent's absurd pictures with himself).


Characters (not in order, also not in chaos) -

Abhishek -
A 'know it all'. And acknowledged by all. Quick to snap and apparently in love every now and then. Comes up with great comebacks, sometimes. A miser.

Anurag Kotoky -
Loves to use the word, 'kela'; which means a dick. Calculated and smart, assumes his smartness a little too much. Thinks his life is too complicated. Often misunderstood. Loves sex.

Baharul -
Known for his flower power agenda after he, once, presented a huge bouquet of roses to a girl in college in broad daylight in full public. Super loud in excitement and otherwise. He also has a deep faith in history, religion and bollywood. A Salman Khan lover. I repeat, a Salman Khan lover.

Hitesh -
A boy who likes to keep a low profile. He comes across as very serious and focussed until you know him better. In love with one of his classmates but apprehensive. He has one question to any reaction, "What's your point?"; and this he says while making a very very funny face.

Subhojit -
Reads a lot. He could be Kindle's representative. A Marxist who loves consuming soft drinks made by multi-national companies. A 'little' on the heavier side therefore loves to physically intimidate people. Holds a special bond with Hitesh.

Ved Prakash -
A very hard working individual. But you'd wonder where the individuality lies. Honest and sincere, however, you know.


THE ROYALTY (as the four below call themselves) -

'Sir' Vincent -
Refers to himself as 'The machine' for a plain reason; calls his private part a 'bazooka'. He can talk and has no competition. Pretends to like reading books so that he could impress the women and score big time. But, he is one who only reveals his outer side, there's much more to him than his never ending stories. He lies a lot and smokes up more. Very thin and talks like he just defeated the entire world in an arm wrestling game.

'Dutchess' Monica -
A feminist who is bent on making the world a better place to live in. She believes in equality and has a rebelious streak which is misunderstood for other things. She may be a snob, but she has a heart and a soft corner for close friends. Free spirited and liberated, she shares a love relationship with Patrick. She likes women too.

'Duke' Patrick -
The toy boy of the 2007 class. Drummer, national level swimmer and twice, beer pong champion. The ladies dig him but he's taken. Petrified of Monica and always tries to avoid a fight with her. Finds almost everything funny and does not hesitate to make any comment (with thought or otherwise). A secret poet.

'Lord' Terence -
Good for nothing. Observes people and makes perceptions. Talks less, and only when he wants to or is spoken to. Close friends think he talks too much, strangers think otherwise. Has an ego problem but the ego is always in contest with his head and heart.


That is it.

Like Vincent once said, "I suck better" after comparing himself to a vacumn cleaner.


P.S- With great power comes, great responsibility.