If I were..

If I were a beginning,I would be: the first
If I were a month, I would be: April
If I were a day of the week, I would be: Sunday
If I were a time of day,I would be: midnight
If I were a planet, I would be: Pluto (It's still a planet for me)
If I were a season, I would be: winter
If I were a sea animal, I would be: a shark
If I were a direction, I would be: North.. straight up
If I were a piece of furniture, I would be: a cupboard
If I were a sin, I would be: wrath
If I were a liquid, I would be: water
If I were a fraud/scare, I would be: causing hysteria
If I were a gem, I would be: a diamond
If I were a tree, I would be: evergreen
If I were a tool, I would be: a hammer
If I were a flower/plant, I would be: Tulsi

If I were a kind of weather, I would be: cold
If I were a musical instrument, I would be: a guitar
If I were an animal, I would be: lazy
If I were an emotion, I would be: happiness
If I were a vegetable, I would be: paneer! Does it count? :)
If I were a sound, I would be: laughter
If I were an element, I would be: fire
If I were a car, I would be: a Dodge Viper
If I were a song, I would be: to dance to
If I were a food, I would be: something exotic
If I were a place, I would be: India
If I were a material, I would be: soft
If I were a taste, I would be: salty
If I were a scent, I would be: musk
If I were a religion, I would be: guilty
If I were a sentence, I would be: long
If I were a body part, I would be: the head
If I were a facial expression, I would be: a grin

If I were a subject in college, I would be: English
If I were a shape, I would be: round
If I were a quantity, I would be: a lightyear
If I were a color, I would be: blue
If I were a thing, I would be: a book
If I were a landmass, I would be: a lonely island
If I were a book, I would be: a companion
If I were a monument, I would be: a storyteller
If I were an artist, I would be: a ventriloquist
If I were a collection of poems, I would be: boring
If I were a landscape, I would be: a rocky beach
If I were a watch, I would be: Titan! :P

If I were God, I would be: omnipotent
If I were a vowel, I would be: I
If I were a consonant, I would be: B
If I were a formula, I would be: irritating
If I were a Science, I would be: biology
If I were a theory, I would be: Game Theory
If I were a famous person, I would be: Shakespeare
If I were an electronic equipment, I would be: a calculator
If I were sport, I would be: basketball
If I were a movie, I would be: Constantine
If I were a cartoon, I would be: loved by millions
If I were an explorer, I would be: having the time of my life

If I were a scientist, I would be: inventing something
If I were a relation, I would be: a daughter
If I were a river, I would be: meandering
If I were intoxication, I would be: irresistible
If I were alone, I would be: quiet
If I were a question, then I would be: why?
If I were a hobby, I would be: singing
If I were a habit, I would be: difficult to let go
If I were in an atom, I would be: indivisible
If I were an end, I would be: terrible
If I were you, I would be: ecstatic?

A day in the life of...

She wanted to sleep forever, but her mom was a pretty consistent waker. “C’mon Seema, get up, you’ll get late”, she yelled. “Yeah mom, just… just 5 more minutes”. But how could those 5 minutes be fruitful if her mom switched on the radio full blast right next to her ear!

Wincing and cursing Seema got up to face her day.
Soon enough, another tussle for breakfast ensued, “No badams ma. Please.”. However, ma’s look was enough to quell any further protests.

She had to make sure she left her house by 7.50, otherwise she’d get late. And most of her monstrous professors had a habit of not letting late comers in. Running to catch the bus to the train station, Seema looked groggily at the world.
Thought bubble: “Why do I always have to wait for at least 10 minutes before my bus shows up, when everyone else seems to have buses just waiting for them?”
And the traffic… Seema’s worst nightmare! A 10 minute ride always stretched to 20 or more, how she hated every car around her!

The train ride was mostly blissful though. A peaceful 30 minutes wherein she would often listen to her music, catch up on reading, talk to friends or just think. This really was the best part of the day. And the perfect rhythm of a moving train, exactly what she needed to contemplate. And if it were raining, ah, then things would be just about perfect!

Seema reached college, thankfully, with 10 minutes to spare. Her first class is always at 9 in the morning. (Her biggest woe. Being a lover of sleep, getting up early was probably the most heinous crime possible)
Anyway, classes began as they usually do and Seema was busy preparing for her day, the real one, the one that would begin after classes got over. As she sat and counted, she realized that she had to complete around 5 projects and prepare presentations for them, deadlines approaching. *Sigh*
“There is just too much work”, she thought to herself. But she reasoned that she knew this was going to happen, this is what they’d all told her would happen.
A test was announced and Seema panicked. She’d have to go to the library and issue a book before all of them were gone.

Her phone began vibrating. Thanking her lucky stars that she’d remembered to put it on silent mode, she looked at her screen – a message. It was from the society she was working for. Seema remembered that she’d been so proud of herself when she’d gotten though their interview, but now she dreaded that message. It could only mean more work. It read,’ Alumni Cell meeting at 6.00 pm in room no. 8, AJ College’ *Sigh*. There go all dreams of leaving for home early.
The class got over, and they had a 15 minute break. Seema rushed to the Alumni Cell room and got out the list of the institute’s Alumni she had to call. The college believed in touching bases with all its ex-students. Picking up the phone, she breathed deeply and dialed the number. After 5 such calls, it was time to rush back to class for the next lecture. Some quick mental calculation and she realized she’d have to make at least 15 more such trips if she didn’t sit down and do major chunks of the work in one go.

The phone began vibrating again; it was her head editor from the Alumni Editorial Team. “Hey, wassup boss?” “Where are the articles I’d given you?” came the abrupt reply. “I’ve got them all edited, I’ve e-mailed them to you”. There were 10 of them and long and boring, Seema recalled grimacing. The editing had taken away a precious 2 hours from her! Boy!

The next class started and it was her weakest subject: Cost Accounting. Deciding that she couldn’t make head or tail of what the teacher was saying, she took her laptop out and began formatting the Alumni newsletter. The font, the colours, the placement & sequencing of articles, headings and even the margins, everything needed to be done, and soon. The deadline for submitting this was 9 today. She e-mailed a couple of her seniors, asking for photographs for the newsletter.The class was about to get over and Seema had to pay attention, the teacher was taking the attendance after all!

Next up was Quantitative Analysis, another horrid subject. Ma’am came and began spewing all she knew about Maths. Another 1.5 hours later, Seema was busy on the phone again, calling her mom up to tell her that she’d be late, calling some of her seniors for notes and also the guy in her Alumni calling group about his progress.
She went downstairs to grab a bite. She picked up one of the sandwiches because they were made the fastest and ran up again for a project meeting. As soon as she entered the room, one of her group members said,” Hey Seema, would you please write the proposal for our Eco project?” “Oh… ok, tell me exactly what you want?”
A 30 minute meeting ensued, discussions ranged from what was to be done, to who would search for what, to how was it to be presented.

After the meeting, the next class began, thankfully a good and interesting one, Information Systems. Listening intently, Seema wondered whose register she could borrow for consistent notes.

A quick dash to the admin office after the class to book a locker and Seema was back in the main building for another meeting, this time with her Marketing project group.
Someone told her the date sheet was out and the exams were to begin in a month.
Thought Bubble: “Oh dear, when am I going to get time to study?? This trimester system SUCKS”

As she thought these depressing thoughts, one of her friends approached her, “when do we work on Derivatives?” ‘Derivatives’ was the topic for a paper the two of them were writing, for a competition and the last date was rapidly approaching. Luckily, her partner had completed most of the research so it was only a matter of compilation.
After a little discussion, she went for the Paragana Marketing team meeting. The president began," Paragana is our institute's flagship event guys, and we want to make it the best possible. We will invite 20 B-schools for various events spread over 3 days and it is the marketing team’s job to ensure that everyone who matters gets to know about this."
Thought bubble: “Why did I volunteer for this? Oh yeah, for the marketing! But what marketing will I do running around the entire city for sponsors and advertising? *sigh* Why do I do these things to myself?”

Seema looked at her watch, uh-oh, it was 5.59. Time for the Alumni Society meeting. She excused herself from the meeting, drew some dirty looks and ran to AJ College. Another hour of lectures from the Society seniors about how incompetent the juniors were and more instructions and they were left to go. Her head-ed walked up to her and demanded to see the formatted newsletter. Seema spent another 20 minutes explaining everything she’d done and was not surprised when she was asked to make many changes.
Wearily Seema walked out of the campus, and hailed an auto for the station. The guy refused to go. Irritation crept up her spine.
Thought bubble: “I just studied the Consumer Protection Act for my Law project and its illegal for you to refuse me a ride, you jerk.”

Anyway, reaching the station she began looking forward to her train ride home. Ah, 30 minutes of pure bliss! Cool wind in her hair, and her favourite music blaring in her ear, Seema forgot all her pending work and just relaxed.

An hour later, at home, she had a yummy dinner.
Thought bubble: “My mommy is the best!”

She went online, checked all her mail. What once was only full of funny forwards and whacky e-mails was now stuffed with intimations, messages for meetings, more work and project info. She worked on the dratted Economics proposal, made the required changes in the Alumni newsletter, Google-d some more information and read up articles for a couple of her presentations. When she was finally done, she collapsed on her bed at around 12.30.
With a smile on her face.

No complaints from her… yet. This was after all just an ordinary day in the life of Seema.

To the Tag Mobile!

Yeah yeah, two tag-posts in a row. Didn't plan it this way, but just happened to see this one in some random blog and couldn't resist! It's SO different from all the other tags that we've done!

What to do in this tag? Name some people, give them numbers, answer random questions.
Relax, it'll become clearer in a minute. Here we go..


Name:
A) 2 family members.
B) 3 people on your last dialled list.
C) 5 friends.
D) 2 classmates.

For A- Dad (1), Anant (2),
For B- Ishita (3), Abhinav (4), Harry (5),
For C- Kalika (6), Vidur (7), Jayant (8), Amiya (9), Neha (10),
For D- Ashish (11), Richa (12).


Q: Have you ever kissed number 7? *cough, cough, ahem* yeah, lots of times :P

Q: What's the best memory you have of 9? ALL the time I've spent at her home, velloing and talking! Best ever!

Q: When is the next time you're gonna see 4? Probably sometime soon, when I decide to ask him for another treat in Barista. *evil, evil grin*

Q: Is number 8 pretty? Yes, Jayant is pretty, with or without makeup. Although red lipstick doesn't suit him too well.

Q: What was your first impression of number 10? That she could surely help me scurry away from all our evil seniors.

Q: How did you meet 3? At Mayo, my desk-partner for 2 long, fun years.

Q: Is 11 your best friend? He is one of them!

Q: Have you seen 5 in the last month? Too many times to remember. I'm in her room all the time. She's always giving me advice as to what to study!

Q: Do you think 12 has a crush on you? I don't know, Richa does hide her emotions.. but I can't say I would be surprised if she did.

Q: When was the last time you saw 2? On the 18th. :)

Q: Have you ever been to 1's house? Ok, here's the deal: he's the dad and I'm the kid. In Indian society it so happens that the kid lives with the dad. So, I guess that's a yes.

Q: When is the next time you'll see 10? On the 24th, exam day

Q: Are you really close to 7? Now how do I explain this? Closer than 2 peas in a pod. That answer the question?

Q: Have you ever been to the movies with 4? Don't think so.. Oh yeah wait, I did. Troy and MI3!

Q: Have you ever gotten in trouble along with 2? Come on, we went to the same school.. I'm sure something must have gone wrong sometime. I'm thinking Sundays, bro-sis meet?

Q: Would you ever go out with number 9? Now I'm not saying Amiya is not date-able, but it would raise a lot of questions about my orientation.

Q: What do you and number 3 talk about the most? School and the good old days! We both go gung-ho about Mayo.

Q: Do you even know 5? Trust people to come up with something silly like this. DUH, she's on my dialled list! Therefore, I do know her.. :)

Q: Would you give number 3 a hug? Oh yeah, anytime I meet her!

Q: Are you in love with number 1? YEAH, absolutely crazily! He's my God!

Q: Do you know a secret about 8? Yes, I do. But why would I spill his secrets in here? But oh yeah, deep down inside.. Jayant wants to be the Pink Power Ranger :P

Q: Describe the relationship between number 10 and number 5: 'Best friends' would probably do the job! :)

Q: What is the best thing about your friendship with number 4? I dunno, maybe the fact that he's my brother helps me chill and play joker to my heart's content!

Q: What is the worst thing about number 1? Nothing.

Q: Have you ever danced with number 7? *cough* Well yeah! How come all the imtimate questions are with Vidur?

Q: How long have you known number 12? 3 years!! :)

Q: Have you ever been on a flight with number 8? He he! I don't think he's EVER flown! Have you, Jay?

Q: Have you ever been a co-worker with number 6? Depends how you define coworker. Did a coupla school projects with her, if those count..

Q: Have you ever wanted to punch number 2 in the face? I don't know, think it was more of a kick ;)

Q: Has number 1 ever met your mother? Urmmm, he's married to her. You'd think he would've.

Q: How did you meet number 6? Met her in SMC. Best friends since 8th grade!

Q: Did you ever accidentally, physically hurt number 11? Nope!! Why would I?

Q: What is the best memory you have with number 8? Oh, all the time spent in random conversation, about everything and nothing at all. He being all big brotherly, and me free to do and say whatever I please!

Q: Do you live close to 7? Opposite ends of the city :(

Q: What is number 2's favourite food? Ummm, anything from Subway :)

Q: Out of your top 12, which one would you say is the funniest? I'm thinking, Amiya... although Vidur, Jayant and Ashish do have their delicious moments!!

Q: If you could change one thing about number 5, what would it be? Harry, could you please laugh louder?

Q: Say something nice about number 11: Silly jokes and immense brain power come to mind.

Q: Which one lives the farthest away? Currently, dad. Though in about half a month, it'll be everyone in Delhi :(

Q: Which one do you hang out with the most? Can't answer that, waaaaay too close to call!

Q: Who is the loudest? That'll be me. Oh but in the above-mentioned 12, think it will be... ummm, damn. Nope. Just me!

Q: The quietest? Probably Vidur... Although Harry scores well too.

Q: Which bike does number 12 own? She doesn't! :)

Q: Have you traveled anywhere with number 8? Yeah, to Goa!!! :) Awesome fun for 8 beautiful days, with him running around half-naked too!

Q: If you gave number 5 a $100 tonight, what would they spend it on? She'll die of happiness, I'm sure! What'll she buy: clothes and a recharge card for her cell-phone . Then she'll just go crazy partying!



V, Ami, Jay, Richa: I tag thee. Follow the Tag Mobile :)
PS: Vidur, you might as well do all the tag-posts that we've done. You're tagged, tagged, tagged!

PPS: This Batman title is just a sequel to the Super-man one before this! :P

Tag, tag and away!

HAVE YOU EVER..


Smoked a cigarette? : Urmm, does one drag count? It was in school, just to see what it's like. Thankfully didn't like it! :)

Crashed a friend's car? : No! I'm a great driver.

Stolen a car? : Don't need to. Not driving-starved like some people I know! And even if I had, why would I confess here?

Been in love? : Yeah! Deep in it right now!

Been dumped? : Not yet. :P

Shoplifted? : Yup. Tons of times. Just today, picked up a spoon from Barista!

Been in a fist fight? :Yeah, all the time!! Have very violent acquaintances!

Snuck out of your parent's house? : No, never wanted to or needed to.

Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? : Ummmm no. Lucky lucky!

Been arrested? : NO WAY.

Gone on a blind date? : No.. Thank God!

Skipped school? : Oh lost count!! Boarding school makes you a pro at all that!

Been on a plane? : Yes.. Lets count, oh yeah, about 945678 times.

Seen someone die? : No.

Been to Canada? : Nope. But why Canada? Why not Greece or Egypt or Turkey?

Purposely set a part of yourself on fire? : I'm not instable. My life has always been happy!

Been jet-skiing? : Yeah, in Goa!! Awesome!

Met someone in person from the Internet? : Nope. Have an unwritten rule about that.

Taken pain killers? : Yup... But I try to hold on till the last minute.

Flown a kite? : My mom's the pro and she's embarrased with my kite-flying skills.

Built a sand castle? : Oh yeah. One of my schools had a sand-bed. And of course, all the beach going helps!

Gone puddle jumping? : Yeah. But the getting-clothes-dirty part is something I don't like!

Cheated while playing a game? : Yeah! All the time! Helps me win :)

Been lonely? : Very rarely. More like bored. Actually, just once! Made myself really busy then.

Fallen asleep at work or school/college? : Almost, but never completely. Oh wait, maybe I did sleep in one of Joga's classes..

Used a fake ID? : No, never went to a place that needed an ID.

Felt an earthquake? : No :( Is that a good thing or bad?

Touched a snake? : Yeah, once! So gross :) Loved the freakiness of it!

Slept beneath the stars? : Yes, in Benaras!! Every time there wasn't any electricity at night, we used to sleep on the terrace.

Been robbed? : Yeah, boarding school does that to you! I've lost count of all the things that have been stolen from me. My blazer for one :(

Been misunderstood? : Quite some times! People think I'm being rude when I don't even realise I was that.

Won a contest? : Yeah, got a Harry Potter cap with the Hogwarts symbol on it. (Though the emblem looked like a squished gerbil..)

Run a red light/stop sign? : Yeah. Learnt driving in Allahabad where there are NO traffic rules. You can do whatever you want with the car! :)

Been suspended from school? : Nope. I was a meritorious, all-rounder, (forgive me V) brilliant child who never stooped to doing crap.

Been in a car accident? : Yes. Once.
PS: I wasn't driving!

Eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night? : No, don't like ice-cream enough to do that.

Walked the streets drunk? : No. Told ya, good sweet girl! Never been drunk either, if that question is in here somewhere.

Had déjàvu? : Every few days.

Danced in the moonlight? : Only with myself! Oh so amazing! *just imagine a pair of strong arms holding you tight! The romantic in me jagos*

Witnessed a crime? : Urmmm, nope.

Been obsessed with post-it notes? : Yeah. But I have my phases.
As in, exam-time equals lots of post-its. Other times equals 'what-are-post-its?'

Squished barefoot through the mud? : Yes. At home, in my garden! Love the gooey feeling!

Been lost? : Nope. Was smart enough to ask for detailed directions before leaving, even if I wasn't smart enough to now all the routes :)

Been on the opposite side of the country? : Yeah, Kanyakumari! How much farther can you get?? :D

Swum in the ocean? : Errr, does wading in it count?

Cried yourself to sleep? : Yes.

Played cops and robbers? : Yeah, about a gazillion times.

Recently coloured with crayons? : Yup!! Was helping my bro make his school projects!

Sung karaoke? : Not the way they show it in the movies, but yeah, in weird ways that can technically be defined as Karaoke.

Paid for a meal with only coins? : No. Wanna. Just to get those famous dirty looks from waiters!

Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? : Sometimes. Will power is a fickle thing.

Made prank phone calls? : Some, not too many. I always felt bad after making them.

Caught a snow flake on your tongue? : Yeah! Yum! :)

Written a letter to Santa Claus? : No. Even though I did believe in him for some time!!

Blown bubbles? : Oh yea! Hasn't everyone?

Bonfire on the beach? : Not on the beach, but at home, yeah! Fun fun fun!

Cheated on a test? : Yeah, EVERY test! :P

Gone skinny-dipping in a pool? : *cough, cough, ahem* Errrrrr, no!





PS: The title has been inspired by the Super-man theme on my phone :D
PPS: Who should I tag? I am the last one to do this! Oh, the new blogger among us, V, you can do it :D

Trapped

The girl leaned panting against the tree. She had been running long and hard. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. 1-2-3, slowly she regained control of her wobbling knees. Eyes still shut tight, she listened to the woods. She could hear birds chirping and the insects, all the normal woodsy sounds, everyone oblivious to her dilemma. She also heard the dreaded footsteps, seeming closer than before. They were muffled, but she knew them well. It was cold. She shivered, trying not to move much. Movement translated to noise and noise was something to be avoided. Noise would alert.

Trembling, she peeped out from the protection of the tree trunk. Peering into the green, she couldn't make anything out. But she knew she'd have to locate him before being spotted herself. It was a matter of life and death. Her eyes scoured the area, but in vain. Desperation began creeping up her spine. She wiped her moist palms and looked around more carefully. The fear of being found gripped her heart and she couldn't move. She thought of climbing up but that was difficult in her dress, her bright orange dress. Oh why had she fought with her mother to wear it?! "Mother wanted me to wear the green one!", she thought mournfully.

Suddenly, a sound snapped her out of her reverie. There was that sound again.. of feet snapping a twig. He was somewhere near, her senses warned her. She hesitatingly peered again just in time to see a snatch of red amongst the green. "Where are you?" she heard. That sinister voice! It grated against her ears. She was petrified. He was closer, what if he found her, the consequences were too dire to be even thought about..

She realised she had to move away. She began picking her way through the under-bush. She finched as the leaves rustled around her. Oh dear! She knew she'd alerted him. She turned around and two pairs of eyes met. He saw her and grinned wickedly. Eyes widening in fear, she turned and fled, ran as fast as her little feet could carry her.She could hear him running after her, hear him getting closer and closer. Faster and faster she ran, blood pounding in her ears, but he was gaining on her.

Slowly she realised with a sinking sensation that she wouldn't be able to outrun him. She needed a plan... but what? Running and thinking, running and thinking, she felt herself tiring out. What could she do!? She heard him panting behind her, "Maybe he'd get tired too!" She laughed as she realised that that would happen long after she tired out. He was very close now. If he stretched out his hand, he would be able to touch her. And that is exactly what he did, he stretched out his arm, grabbed her shoulder and pulled her violently to a stop. Fearfully she turned around, all fight drained out of her, and her brother said, "Tag, you're it."


PS: Can't think of a title. Help!

The Best Birthday EVER

It’s my birthday, yes, that happens once in a while, 14th April, 2007.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEE

So how is it different from any other birthday, you ask? The best birthday surprise ever, obviously!! I’m sure you’re dying to know how did it all happen. *grin*
Well, it was 12th April. (Yes, the best birthday surprise was not on a birthday, but hey, no one dare laugh, it was a spectacularly amazing day.)
So where was I? Yeah, it was 12th April, and I’d just come back from Bombay (Oh all right, Mumbai) and I was dying to meet all my friends after a prolonged break from college. I’d actually come back to Delhi before my birthday, against my parents’ wishes, just so I could meet all of them on our Admit Card Day (Yes, we have that too)
So me and my excitement landed up in good old college at about 11:45 am. Met up with everyone. It was so good to hug ‘em and meet ‘em and talk to ‘em.
So there we were, all 9 of us sitting at Neha steps when someone noticed a little package, hidden by newspaper, lying right next to us (Which hadn’t been lying there when we’d gotten there initially) This was what ensued:

(Note: X, Y, Z, A, B, C represent my bestest friends in the whole world)

X: "Oy what’s that?"
Y: "Somebody see na, what’s under that newspaper."
Me (Sitting right next to that package): "Whatever guys, chhodo na."
X: "Arre dekho na!!"
Z: "Maybe it’s a dead animal."
X, Y, A, B, C: "Eeeeeeeeeeeww!!"
I, unfazed by grossness, continued to ignore it.
A: "ARRE LOOK AT IT."
Me: "Uff!!" *lifts the newspaper* "Oy it’s a cake box. Kissi ne yahan cake kyon chhoda ?"
X: "Open it and see na."
Me: "No yaar, it’s somebody’s cake. Someone must have left it here for a surprise. Lets not touch it." (Egad!! How dumb could I get)
Y: "Oh, just take a peek."
Me *gives horrid look, but lifts the flap, sees the last line in icing (Read:'girl') and quickly closes the flap* "Oh it IS someone’s cake. Leave it alone."
X, Y, Z, A, B, C: "OPEN IT DAMMIT!"
Me *surprised, still not getting it, opens it, turns out to be the most beautiful cake in the world* It read: ‘To the Dragon Girl’ : "Oh *realisation dawned* it’s for meeee!! MEEEEEEEEE!!"

That is why everyone was pestering me so much to open the damn thing. I’d just gotten a surprise! Man, was I acting thick! Awesome awesome awesome!! I looooove surprises, by the way!

So, there was much cake cutting, hugging and thanking. And I was sitting there smug at my birthday surprise!
Then suddenly Vidur waltzed in with Cake Number 2. No, not for me, this one was for Jay (Birthday: 21st April, also pretty close). It said: ‘To J: the bull’. (Yeah, we’re all animals in our little world) Oh wow, you should’ve seen Jay’s face. He was standing there, all satisfied coz my surprise thingie had been executed so well, and there came HIS cake! He looked beyond stunned! So, there was much cake cutting, hugging, thanking and absolute bliss running around. Lots of happy smiles and giggles and ‘I-need-to-wash-my-hands’.

Then came the bad part, when Neha had to leave (Her parents had come to pick her up), then Tarun slunk away (For tuitions, which he had previously never attended! Grr.) and then Harry had to go somewhere too (Some scene). Sucky!
Anyway, so there were 6 of us left (Vidur, Ami, Jay, Ashish, Richa and I) and we decided to go to K Nags for lunch. Decided on 'Momo King' and settled in for a meal.

There we were, deciding what to eat when all of a sudden….. in walks Tarun! Whaaaaaaaat?? Tuition?? He was carrying a big grin and an ARMLOAD OF PRESENTS!! Wow! Mere liye gifts??? Jay and I looked at each other with unsuppressed surprise and glee!
Vidur began explaining the rules of the Present Opening Ceremony, when in came Harry, also carrying tons of gifts! Jay and I looked at each other again! This was just getting better and better! Then I KNEW Neha would come back too! Jay looked disbelieving, but in she came, gifts in tow, proving me right!! A PILE of gifts, you know, like the ones they show in the movies, lying under huge Xmas trees, spread before us, just waiting to be ripped open!! Woooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
So the rules were simple (when they finally got explained), Jay and I had to pick up 1 gift at a time, open it and guess who they were for and what their significance was.
Excited was an understatement, with fingers shivering and mind all gooey, we began the delightful task of opening presents. Some were meaningful, some useful and some downright funny.
Here is a detailed list of my loot (in random order):

1) The Killer Ball : No, this ball doesn't kill. Flashback: Goa 2006, we were playing a new game called 'Killer'. In a dark room, the killer had to throw a knotted hankie (the ball) on someone and 'kill' that person. The lights would then be turned on and the detective had to guess who the killer was. Very simple, but I didn't feel like playing it and just my luck, I picked up the killer chit. So there I was, standing in the dark with irritating pals giggling all around me, ball in hand, I threw it and missed. So I yelled for someone to switch the lights back on, instead of grabbing the ball and trying again. (didn't feel like playing, remember?)
Note attached - For the worst killer player, EVER. (Believe me, if I'd felt like it, I would have rocked their tiny little boats)

2) A silver thumb ring : Probably the only kinda jewellery I sport. Also had a great story behind it. Neha, Vidur, Jay, Ami and I had gone to the IITF, Delhi. We came across this jewellery store and the shopkeeper fleeced Neha, so Ami and I decided to take revenge by flicking a pretty green ring from him. Note attached - In memory of the one we stole at the Trade Fair... in spite of Jay's insisted attempts to keep us from sinning.

3) Passes to Crossroads 2006, all 4 nights : I love attending shows and saving their passes/tickets as souvenirs. Crossroads is our annual college fest, probably the best thing that happens to DU every December. So this time, the theme for the fest was, none other than Dragons!! I was SO drooling over the passes, but couldn't get my hands on any. (I, being an SRite, didn't need them to get in)

4) The Essential Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson : The most amazing coffee-table book on the planet. And my love for CnH!

5) An MB, Sleeping Tiger : For the romantic in me. Sometime ago my friends discovered the strangest fact (according to them) that I enjoyed reading MBs. Presumably, they still can't get over it, hence the gift! I loved it and have already read it.

6) Silver Earrings in the shape of tiny feet : I'm told it all started when they tried to buy me mirchi earrings (I can't eat anything spicy, even if it has one speck of chili in it) When they couldn't find those, they bought these. Really cute, I'll wear them as soon as my ears can take it.

7) A Wallet : Because I love money and I didn't have anything to keep it safe in.

8) An Idea I-card : Last year, I had unlimited free messaging. Yup, you got that right, free AND unlimited. So when Airtel revoked the scheme and made me pay 25p for each message, my darling friends stepped in and got me a new SIM card which has 1500 free messages for me to send! Woohoo!

So there we were, our gifts in hand, looking at each other and loving each person that sat around that table. The poor people of Momo King never knew what hit them when our noise making reached it's zenith. And I was the happiest I'd ever been.
Later when Jay and I were told of the hard work these guys had put in, I was so grateful, so beyond grateful actually, to have such awesome human beings for friends. Thank you Vidur, Amiya and Harpreet (yes, I'm using full names here, to show how serious I am) for the running around in the scorching sun of Delhi for 3 loooong days and making this birthday surprise possible. Wow, guys, you are the greatest. You don't know how all this makes me feel! Thank you Neha, Ashish, Tarun and Richa for all you did and for all you are!

What can I say guys, it is probably the best feeling in the whole world to know that you have a bunch of people who love you so much so as to do so much for you, without asking for anything in return. What can I say guys, words are just so pointless here.
What can I say guys, I can't thank you enough for that beautiful day. I just realised I'm repeating adjectives here, but I wanted to use so many that I've run out of them!
What can I say guys, except that you are THE BEST.
What can I say guys, it'll be a cold day in summer before I can forget this wonderful day!

As I wind up the post, I remember that V and Ami had informed me that I'd three gifts left, which they hadn't been able to give to me as they'd run outta time. Ha, can't wait!
Smug and grinning like a Cheshire Cat, this is the luckiest-girl-alive signing out.
Muah to all those who deserve it!

To Suzanne, From Matt

Ummm hey!! *Looks around at the almost new surroundings*
Yup, it's true, it really is. I am here! *Guilty smile*
Please don't drop dead with shock/ surprise/ disbelief/ excitement. I don't want to cart your limp selves around .
Soooooooo, I know I've been a slacker. Got enough reprimands for that. Sorry, but was busy. (Ha!)
Note: For all you original thinkers, this post is not going to be a reprieve! No siree!
I was reading a book when I stumbled over this beautiful piece of poetry. (Again, for all those who know what I think of poems, please don't drop dead with shock/ surprise/ disbelief/ excitement. I don't want to cart your limp selves around.)

So yeah, I'm just going to reproduce something I found, but I HAD to put it up. I dunno how you'll like it, or even if you will, but it really moved me ... almost made me fly.

Dear S,

You are an explosion of carnations

in a dark room.

Or the unexpected scent of pine,

miles from the hills.

You are a full moon

that gives midnight it's meaning.

And the explanation of water

for all living things.

You are a compass

a sapphire

a bookmark.

A rare coin

a smooth stone

a blue marble.

You are an old lore

a small shell

a saved silver bit.

You are a fine quartz

a feathered quill,

a fob from a favourite watch.

You are a valentine

tattered and loved and re-read a hundred times.

You are a medal in the drawer

of a once sung hero.

You are honey

and cinnamon

and Indian spices,

lost from the boat

that was once Marco Polo's.

You are a pressed rose,

a diamond ring

and a red perfume bottle found near the Nile.

You are an old soul from an ancient place,

a thousand years, and centuries and

milleniums ago.

And you have travelled all this way

just so I could love you.

I do.

Love,
M