A spectator on a happy weekend

Day: Saturday Night

Start Time: 8 p.m.

Weekends are always welcome for IT professionals in Bangalore. They like themselves to be in HIGH SPIRITS. It’s not the first time that I have been a mere spectator watching my friends booze. Not that I don’t have anything to say CHEERS… But I feel quite contented with the can of Coke in my hand; it has worked for me on multiple occasions like this… We are eight college friends. Today it was the reason to celebrate… Two of my best friends got a better offer from another company and are all set to move on with their new phase of life… Also, one of them is getting married, so we all felt that a better job at this time would do him good… it would do well to us only if he treats us properly.

Time: 10:30 p.m.

I see my friends enjoy and relax while gulping RED LABEL and VAT 69 and BLACK DOG; peg-by-peg. This is where I don’t seem to enjoy much except my pegs of coke. My enjoyment phase is about to come soon… lets say in another half an hour.

Time: 11 p.m.

A drunken guy would always be true and honest if you ask him anything. He will pour his heart out and get emotional even if you take his mobile from his hand or talk about his love affair or ask him what he wants to do in his life. I didn’t have to imagine any of it as I could see striking conversations already started between REC and Pandit.

REC: “Yaar, aaj to mazaa aa gaya. This scotch is quite smooth. Pass me the cigarette Pandit”

Pandit (taking a puff and then passing the cigarette): “True, after all choice kiski hai”

Longy: “REC, tell us about your new job”

Gujju: “Before that, just have a look at REC’s new Ray Ban L.A. sunglasses. Looks real to me :P”

REC (wears Ray Ban): “Ofcourse, these are real. I have spent 5000 bucks on it. I thought it makes more sense to roam around on the streets of Bangalore with them rather than staying secluded in Mysore”

Pandit: “Let me try them and see how I look”

REC (sentimental drama begins): “No, I just bought them yesterday. Let me wear them first. I love it so much (Ray Ban gets a kiss) “

Verma (with a sip): “Itna khaas bhi nahi hai”

I would like to interrupt here and say something. You must know that you don’t realize that you can hurt someone deep down with your single proclamation in these circumstances. Verma has just done that to REC. The topic of discussion is sure to divert now. If you are following this blog properly then the first question asked to REC was about his job.

REC (starts crying): “Bastard, these are for 5000 bucks. Have you ever seen 5000 bucks at a time before?”

Beti: “REC!!! Relax bhai… don’t take it to heart… he is just joking …. Tu jaanta hai na woh kaisa hai… Chill… shall I make another peg for you? “

REC (still crying): “No yaar, this is a limit. These glasses are for 5000 bucks (4th time, you get to hear the price of the sunglasses). I have been broke since last years as I am repaying my education loan. Meri sacrifice ki value hi nahi hai”

The scene is getting better and better. I get up immediately to get my digital camera. This needs to be recorded. I return to see that REC is sitting in one corner of the hall looking at the fused tube light. NOT BAD!!!!

REC (wiping his tears): “I am lying so much to my parents.” (Now, what was that? Where did that come from? ) “I love my mom. She doesn’t know that I booze. She will feel so heartbroken if she comes to know about it”

Pandit: “But who is going to tell your mom that you are drinking?” (Valid question I must say)

Longy: “Abbe, pata chal jaata hai”

Gujju: “Arey, koi batayega hi nahi to kaise pata chalega”

Longy: “Tu nahi samjhega, pata chal jayega”

Beti: “Tujhe chhad gayi hai REC!!! Aisa kuch nahi hoga… Tujhe hum par vishwas nahi hai?“

REC: “Tum kisi ko mere 5000 ke Ray Ban ki kadar nahi hai (5th Time) to main tum par kaise vishwas karun”

Interrupting again. In these situations, REC would only trust the guy who is in stable condition…. And that would be ME.

Myself: “REC!! I assure your mom will not come to know about what you are doing tonight”

REC (smile on his face): “Arihant, tu mera sabse accha dost hai, baaki sab bekaar hain. I want to sing a song for you”

Nahiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii (a silent scream)

Tere jaisa yaar kahaan - 2

Kahan aisa yaarana

Yaad karegi duniya

Tera mera afsaana

It is followed by Chorus and repetition by the rest. I am almost strangled by everyone. They suddenly have the happiest feeling that I am their best friend. I am lovin it. They all have forgotten the first question; I remember but I don’t want to get into it again. I click pictures. I love each one of them for the way they are and for the way I know them. Rest of the night goes on discussing about the college days and past memories. I edit lot of other stuff that was discussed and limit my blog.

My heart sings -

Yeh tumhari meri baatein

Hamesha yuhi chalti rahein

Yeh hamari mulaqaatein

Hamesha yuhi chalti rahein

Beetey yuhi saare apne din raat

Baaton se nikalti rahe nayi baat

Phir wohi baatein leke geet koi hum likhein

Jo sabke dil ko choo le