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!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
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)
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!
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!
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