The Lost Wallet

Ajay shut his system down, took the bag and went down to the parking. Saw the time in the watch and it said "11.30". "Huh!" a big relief closing the issue. He then started to leave. When he reached half way there was guy standing and asking for lift. Ajay felt bad for him as there wont be any bus at that time. So he stopped and asked where he wanted to go. As the place was on the way, Ajay offered him lift. When the place came, that guy asked Ajay to stop, thanked him and left. Ajay reached home, with all the more tired and hungry. His head ache was even worse. When he was changing his dress he just found that his wallet which he kept it at the back pocked of his trouser was missing. "Oh my god" - he immediately sensed that the guy whom he gave lift has flicked it away. He was shouting himself "what the hell world...I help someone and that someone betrays me!!!". He felt so terrible, bad and frustrated. He had all his credit cards, original driving license and 200 bucks in the wallet. He couldnt digest it. Right from the start of the day it was bad for him.

So what happened from the morning
Ajay had a severe headache and was not able to get up. But he knew there are lot of pending tasks in his "To Do" list. So with great difficulty he woke up and started getting ready. The hot coffee that his mom gave made him feel better. He then took bath, dressed up, quickly had his usual noodles and started to office. He made sure he took his ID Card, Wallet as he moslty forgets or misplaces them. He kick started his splendor but looked like the splendor also was not wanting to wake up. After sever attempts he got really frustrated and kicked it hard but he hit his leg. "Aaaahhhh!!!" he shouted in pain. His mom came running towards him asking what happened. Then she asked him come inside, drink water , sit for couple of minutes and then start. He lost his energy and the pain in the leg also was adding so he did as per his mom's words. Drank water, sat for couple of minutes and then started. Amazing! the bike started in the first kick. He bid bye to his mom and roared his bike to office.

on the way to office, his bike got punctured. Shit!!! he was cursing himself. There was no shop to get it fixed. He enquired with a person passby asking where is the nearest puncture shop. That person directed him to a shop which was 1 km away. Ajay had to push the bike all the way to that shop. By the time he reached the shop, he was sweating like hell. As it was around 8, the shop was closed. He checked with the neighbours on when the shop will be opened. The shop owner was staying just behind the shop. Ajay went backside and told him that his bike was punctured and verified if he could help getting it fixed. Ths shop guy immediately came to the shop and started working on the puncture. It took about 15 mins and his bike got ready. Ajay paid him 30 bucks, thanked him and started.

Ajay reached office, and switched his system on. The first mail in his box was from the client, bold and red. He was aware of the issue and was expecting a mail from the client, but never thought it would be such a stinking mail. He was telling to himself "One bad day..." and started working on the issue. He knew it was a small bug but was not able to exactly find the cause for it. He tried lot of ways to find it. He had worked for hours and even forgot his lunch but he couldnt find the solution. His lead called and blasted him for his part. Ajay was thinking he could atleast find and fix the issue before his lead comes in the 2nd shift but that didnt workout. He then went to his seat back and continued the analysis. It was around 8 in the night and then Ajay found the actual cause. He felt a bit relieved but has to do the fix now. It was not as easy as he thought. His stomach started playing the music and he was damn hungry. But he was desperate to close the issue and so controled his hunger & worked on the solution. Almost all left in the office, he was the only one sitting around 11 pm. He finally completed it and sent mail to the client on the issue, findings and solution.

Back to Current
In a fraction of second the whole day ran down in his mind. He was also trying to think if he had missed the wallet anywhere else. But he was so sure that it dint fall anywhere. And the guy's face was weird but out of pity he helped him. With great difficulty he just had little food and went to sleep. His headache was better the next day. The first thing Ajay did in the morning was called up the banks and blocked the credit cards. He also went to the police station on the way to office, to file a complain on his lost license. He reached office, opened his mail box and was happy to see the appreciation mail from client. Then he vaguely opened his drawer and was silent for minute, the reason was the wallet was lying inside it. He just smiled to himself...

In the Sky

27th Friday 3.30 PM IST

"When you are reading this, I might be probably IN THE SKY..." Preeti just read the first few lines from Shiva's blog. Shiva had updated his blog just before starting from Newyork (to chennai) and had mailed it to his wife. She continued reading it. "Its middle of night in India and im ready to board the flight. I was not sure to disturb your sleep. So I just thought I will write all the things that I wanted to tell you in my blog. I had a strange feeling after I checked in and was lazily sitting at the GATE for boarding. I dint know what it was but a sense of feel inside...that i missed you. Its not the usual way that I miss you, it was more than that."

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26th Thursday 8.00 AM EST (26th Thursday 6.30 PM IST)

Shiva : "Mixi..."

Preeti's mom : "Hello.."

Shiva : "Enna Mixi, Valakama aluku mootai'nu thane koopiduve"

Preeti's mom : "Hello, yaaru pesrathu?"

Shiva : "Oh, athai neengala. Na Shiva pesuren, Preeti illaya"

Preeti's mom : "Iruka iruka - tho koopiduren (Preetiiiiiiii... enga poi tholanja) phonela avar pesurar!, Neenge eppadi irukeenge maaplai"

Shiva : "Na nalla iruke athai, neenge mama ellarum sowkiyama?"

Preeti's mom : "Ellarum nalla irukum, tho vanthutaa.." intha preeti

Preeti : "Sollunge!!!"

Shiva : "Ungamma ve poi mixi nu kooptenna, avangaluku onnum puriyale"

(As preeti's mom leaves the place)

Preeti : "Ha ha...Alukku mootai, innikavathu kulichiya?"

Shiva : "Guiness record, 3 days continously took bath"

Preeti : "Wow, athiyasayama iruke. Seri packed all your bags?"

Shiva : "Yes yes, all done. Flight is at 3 and 11'ku start panniduven"

Preeti : "Ellathayum oru vaati check panniko, paasport, ticket. Check if you have switched off the heater, gas"

Shiva : "100th time solre ithey... dont worry i will take care. Seri payan enna solraa?"

Preeti : "Movements neraya iruku, Enaku bayama iruku. I want you to be here with me"

Shiva : "Keep cool, tension agathey. Tho vanthuduven 1 day le. Payan enakage wait pannuvaan"

Preeti : "Payan'e mudivu panniyacha?"

Shiva : "Not really but instincts say that. Ponna irunthalam no problem I would love her all the more"

(Preeti's parents come near and so her tone changes back)

Preeti : "Seringa! paathu bathrama vaange. Airport le theriyatha aal kitta pesathinge, dont get things from strangers"

Shiva : "Ok Preeti Mixi, dont worry I will be safe. You take care, I luv you"

Preeti : "I too luv da"

Shiva : "Byeee..."

Preeti : "Byeeee..."

===========================

27th Friday 3.31 PM IST

Preeti continued reading shiva's blog. "Its not the usual way that I miss you, it was more than that. So I just thought I will let you know that I luv you very much, more than anything else in this world. I had been harsh with you at times, but I have never asked a sorry. You were the one who use to compromise always and I have felt bad about that but I never had the courage to ask an apology. These 3 months when I was alone, I missed you a lot. I might not have told you that every day but I really missed you a lot. I also knew how difficult it is, to be a home maker. I have made fun of you and teased you lot of times saying that you are always at home, not working and enjoying. But now I know how difficult it is to cook variety of food for each meal, clean the utensils, clean the house, decorate them. You used to do all of these and welcome me with a smile in the evening when I returned from office. Each day I get fed up of thinking what to cook and many times I just leave the utensils on the wash basin for couple of days. When I wash them together, I end up having back pain. I know how much you love me and how much you used to take care of me. I really missed all that. I didnt know it when you were with me but when you were not there I felt a lot. I read this somewhere "We miss those people whome we dont want to miss". I really miss you. I didnt say all these to you earlier because I know you will feel bad for me. Now I'm saying this not because to make you feel bad but to tell you that I know your pain, to tell you that I luv you, to tell you that I miss you. This time its a different feeling of missing. I'm eagerly waiting to see you and our yet to be born baby. All along the flight I would be IN THE SKY thinking of you MIXI..."

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26th Thursday 10.00 AM EST (26th Thursday 8.30 PM IST)

Shiva checked the bags for the last time. He made sure they dont weigh more than 23 KGs, as he had enough experiences earlier. Checked everything around. He quickly had kellogs with milk. Washed the dishes. He then cleaned the house for the final time, cleared the fridge and kept the garbage bag outside. Checked his passport and check the flight timings once again. He sat relaxed on the sofa and switched on his TV. Checked the temperature, it was exactly 32'F (exactly 0'C). He kept his MP3 player out so that it he can use it in the airport and in the flight.

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26th Thursday 11.00 AM EST (26th Thursday 8.30 PM IST)

Taxi came on time. He carried the bags outside, made sure everything was fine then locked the house. It was freezing outside and he switched his MP3 player on. "Veyilodu Vilayadi, Veyilodu uravaadi, Veyilodu mallukatti aatam potome!!!" song from the movie "Veyil" was playing. He got into the taxi and told the driver "JFK Airport". He then got into the song. As he was listening to it he was laughing to himself thinking about the irony that the weather was 0 degrees while the song is about playing with hot sunny day. Taxi reached JFK airport comfortably by an hour. By the next one hour Shiva finished the checking, got the boarding passes and went to GATE 23. He still had about an hour and a half for the flight, so just opened his laptop. It was then he got the strange feeling. "Grnnnnnnnnnnnng!!!" At the same time his mobile alarm rang as if giving a signal to his thought. He had set that alarm one day before as a reminder to do some activity. Shiva is a guy who gets these instincts and dreams that kind of come true. Whenever he gets these instincts or dreams he immediately makes it a point to tell someone so that it doesnt happen. But to his bad luck there was no one to talk about or he could think off to call. It was too late to wake up Preeti as well. Finally decided to write a blog.

===========================

27th Friday 3.32 PM IST

Preeti was in tears as she read Shiva's blog. The same moment the news flash on TV read about a Flight from NewYork crashing into Hudson River...

===========================

So was it the flight that shiva travelled ?

If so what actually happened and were the passengers saved ?

If not, did shiva make it to Chennai ?

Did he meet Preeti ?

Did Preeti deliver a baby ?

Was it a boy or a girl ?

If you want to know the answers to these questions, write a comment in this blog or drop a mail to me. When I write the part 2, I will send an email.

Gato amor

As mani (alias subramani) got up and was having his milk, he heard a female voice in the neighbour door. Unknowingly he got attracted to that and wanted to see who was it. Hurridly rushed to the outdoor pushing all the utensils kept on the kitchen shelf down. "Dei mani, Kalaile elunthiruche odene un velaiye kaatitiya...appadi enna avasaram, thala pora kariyama?" mom shouted. By the time he went out, she had gone inside and he felt just missed. He waited for a long time outside his house, then took a walk towards the end of street crossing the neighbours house couple of times but uhm hmm no signs of her outside, not even a glance. He started playing with his street friends and if he starts playing he wont know how the time goes. As he was playing his eyes was often going to the neighbour house side. But his hard luck there was no glimpse of her. By the time he finished playing it was late in the evening and he dint even go to house for lunch, anyways this wasnt the first time. As he silently entered the house, manju (his sister) started of slowly asking "Thorai enga poitu vararu? kalaile ponavaru ippo thaan veedu thirumbartho?" And then she raised her voice ..."unna pole thaane teenu'vum, avan evalo samatha veetliya irukaan paaru." Mani dint say anything but quietly went inside his room. "Po po... iniki nightu patni thaan"- added Manju. Its always Manju who scolds the most but then pours her love.

Next day, Mani gets up early this time trying his luck. All are surprised by the difference in him but then they think it might have been because of Manju's blasting last night. Now the voice of the female started growing more and so our Mani felt all the more good. As he walked outside the house She was standing there. Mani gave a look and at the same time she looked at him... Mani's heart pounded and he could hear the song in the background (Eyes'um eyes'um meet achu, high voltage shock achu...). He couldnt look at her for long and immediately looked somewhere else. She went inside with a blushing smile. Namba Mani mind kulara odene oru duet... "Nam thana nam thana kadhal varum, ethir kaalam varum". Earlier it was only her voice that was attractive, but then after seeing her, he felt she had the most pretty eyes, beautiful face. It was time to play with his gang on the streets. As he was playing he was looking at her, she was standing by her doors and they were exchanging looks. There was a small misunderstanding with the gang which lead to a fight and Mani feeling heroic this time dint give up that easily. Finally he almost chased the other one and felt a victory in his mind. As he was walking towards his house crossing the neighbours one, giving a look to her he felt another song in the background Maani, Maani, oh ho Maani (with the same tune as Maady, Maady oh ho Maady). Whole day he was dreaming about her.

Manju who was noting the difference in Mani and was watching his actions told her mom... "Mee (short form of mummy), namba mani enna panra theriyumaa? Pakkathu veetu poonai'ye sight adikuraan". Saying this she hugs both of her cats Mani & Teenu, she loves them so much and treats them like her brothers as she doesnt have one...

Second Hand

Seetha & Geetha are sisters with seetha being the elder one by 2 years. That always gave her an advantage of being first preference for their parents. Moreover they being cost conscious never got Geetha new text books instead she used her sister's books as second hand. The same was repeated for some of the toys, pencil, pen and other things right from childhood.

Seetha used to give some of her clothes to Geetha if it became small for her to wear including the school uniform. Knowing their family situation Geetha took it positive initially, but as years passed by this feeling of "Second hand" started growing in her as a hate. Though Geetha didnt show it out to Seetha, she was very concerned about it and refused any used thing that was given to her.

Both studied in the same school, college and finished the same degree B.Sc Nutrition. It was time for Seetha to get married and her parents were seriously looking out. Geetha had a odd feeling about that second hand, she was worried what if she gets her husband also as second hand which she never wanted to happen. So she also hurried to get married. She had liked a guy who studied with her in the same college but different course (BSc ComputerScience). She decided to propose him and if things worked out she wanted to inform her parents. Just as she thought the guy also accepted and Geetha told her parents with all the guts she had. Her Dad who is against Love Marriage strictly apposed it but as days went by he finally agreed. Meanwhile they had fixed an alliance for Seetha too. So they decided to arrange both the marriage at the same time. Everything went smooth and both of them got married on the same day.

Geetha was very happy that she got married on the same day as her sister and at an earlier age than her. On the first night, excited but nervous Geetha entered the room. Her husband Kumar said "I want to say you something" and even before he could finish, Geetha also said "What a coincidence, I also wanted to say you something....". He asked her to tell first and then Geetha told how she felt about being "Second Hand" in many things. She ended up saying that she was glad to get him. Then she asked him "You wanted to say something...". Kumar was like... "I...I... I wanted to tell you.. you ...that" he paused for few seconds. Geetha "tell me what ???". Kumar continued "That I LOVE YOU" and gave her a big hug. Now Geetha was reaaaaaaaaally happy as if she was waiting for this moment in her whole life.

As they were huging, Kumar thought to himself "Thank God, I dint tell her that Seetha & I were lovers in college"

P.Vittal & P.R.Vittal

Raghu seeing his watch for the time "7.45" - huh, gives a big sigh and starts from his office. Raghu is a medical
representative who markets medical equipments to different doctors and hospitals. Most of his time is spent on the road with his bike. He loves his newly bought pulsar without which he would hate driving. As he crosses IIT, one boy waves hand for a lift. He slows the speed and corners the bike.

The boy runs towards him and says "Uncle, koncham gandhi silai bus stop la drop panringala". Smiling at him asks him to get on.

Raghu - "Enna paatha uncle maariya iruku?"
Boy - "Yaara paathalam uncle nu solli thaan palakam".
Raghu - "Enakenna vaisu irukunnu nenaikure?"
Boy -"Theriliye..."
Raghu - "18 years da"
Boy - "oh ok... enna 18 years thaana ??????, namba mudiyalaye"
Raghu - "Bryan Adams song '18 till i die' ketathillaya... enna paaathu thaan paadinaar. Actualla 24 aaguthu, but 18 at heart"

As the boy giggles, Raghu asks his name and he says that his name has P.Vittal, studying 9th std, had come for IIT tuitions and that his house is in saidapet.

Raghu - "P.vittal... nice name. Un perle maths professor P.R.Vittal nu orthar irukaru theriyuma ?"
Boy - "Theriyuma va... avarkitta thaane tutions padikuren. Vector Algebra ve karichu kudichavaru, enna ore vishayam avarkitta pidikathathu... semma aruvai poduvaar. Notes ku bathil avar kudukuru advise thaan jaasthi. sometimes crack maari pesuvaare"
Raghu - "Professor appadi ellam solla koodathu da. seri girl friends ellam irukangala, inniki Feb 14th aache valentines day'ku ethuvum special illiya?"
Boy - "Girl friends irukange.. but special friend yaaarum ille. Ungalakku?"
Raghu - "Enaku iruntha thaan, intha back seat emptya irunthurukathu le... "

Raghu keeps asking him questions and the boy keeps replying. As raghu travels via saidapet, says that he will drop the boy in saidapet itself. As they cross the saidapet bridge.. the boy says "ingaye vitturunganna, antha street la thaan enga veedu".

Raghu feels young as the boy calls him anna.. stops the bike, smiles at him. "Thanks na... " says the boy and Raghu says "Oru nimisham."

"Professor P.R. Vittal engappa thaan. Naanum avar kitta padichavan thaan. Unna maari naanum avar kindal pannathunndu, appo antha advise ellam kadi'ya irunthuchu... aana avar sonnathey keturuntha, inni ippadi road roada suthi medical repa irunthaka vendiyathule. En friends ellarum software la nalla position la irukange. Marathode arumai veyila thaan theriyum Nalla padi, Bye"

First Step

"Ennage, Praveen'ku rendu vaisu ayiduchu, schoole sethu vidanumnu ethani naala sollituruken. Schools pathi visaricheengala ?" Prema started shouting at Prakash, the moment he entered house. The most important 3 things as per Prakash is Business, business and business. While Prema is worried a lot about Praveen, who just turned 2 years. Prema though a M.Phil, PhD graduate prefers to take the lead of the house and so she isnt working. "Seri seri, no tension, relax!!! Intha saturday, rendu perum senthu kelamburom, ellam schools'ayum oru round visit adichu decide pannidalam, ok va?" Prakash cools down Prema.

As planned, both of them start the visit to schools leaving Praveen with his grandmother. They see many schools and none of them impress them. Finally they go to TSG SChool which is one of the best in the city. The procedures and process is too much that Prakash and Prema are being interviewed even after they said that they had come only for enquiry. After couple of hours they get to meet the principal Mrs Leelavathy. "Neenga romba kuduthu vechurukanum, we have only 20 seats for PreKG and 19 of them were already filled. Enga schoole admission kedaikarthu is a big prestige", principal says to them. She keeps boasting about the school infrastructure, facilities, name and fame. Finally she says "Oru 1 lakh donation kattitu poidunge and the seat will be confirmed". Prakash and Prema are shocked by it and they keep starring each other. Prema asks the principal "PreKg ku 1 lakhaa, Madam ithu romba jaasthi". Principal says "Panam illama onnum ille, infrastructure ille, facilities illa, studies illa". Prema really gets wild and starts an arguement with the principal. She adds saying that "You people dont seem to run a educational institute, rather you people run business". The argument gets heated up and the principal almost challenges them that Education depends totally on money. Both leave the place with a bad taste in the mouth.


Prema gets upset a lot that they couldnt find a good school for Praveen. Prakash seeing her, is also worried. Then after thinking for sometime he tells prema - "En Prema, nambo en oru Kinder Garden School start panna koodathu ? Unne vide oru best teacher namba praveenuku kedaikarthu kashtamthaan. I will take care of the investment, you dont worry about that." Prema's face brightens and she comes near Prakash and hugs him tightly.


They start the Kinder Garden Play school and name it as "First Step". They start it with 4,5 kids and then slowly the kids strength increases every year. They extend it to LKG, UKG by the 2nd year. The school gets popular within that area and after couple of years they have classes till 5th std. They ensure that they get the best teachers and also the keep the Fees structure nominal so that Middle and low class people get good education. Soon they make First Step as a proper school having classes right from PreKG till 12th std. They take up a unique path by which they identify the talent in each student, guide them in the right way and help them decide their career based on the talent. "First Step" emerges as the best school in the city.


20 years later.

An Old woman comes to "First Step" along with her granddaughter for the admission. She is moved by the way the staffs treat every parent. She is also surprised by the process and the nominal fees structure and wonders how still the school is considered to be the best. AFter finishing all the admission formalities, she requests to meet the Chairman to personally thank her. Within couple of minutes she is taken to the Chairman's cabin. Middle aged lady, wearing simple saree smiles and welcomes the old woman. The name board reads "Mrs. Premalatha Prakash M.Phil, PhD". The old woman thanks the chairman for the admission and asks her how is the school considered as best inspite of nominal fees. The chairman says "We may not offer the best infrastructure but We offer the best education". By this time, the old woman recognises Prema's face and so she tries to leave soon not wanting the chairman to recognise her.


As the old woman leaves in her Ford Escort, Prakash crosses her and enters the school in his Maruthi 800. He goes and verifies why she had come, then goes to chairman's cabin and tells Prema "Vanthutu porathu yaaarunnu theriyuthaa?". Prema says "Mrs Leelavathye yaaru maraka mudiyum". Prakash continues "Avange Pethiku admission kuduka poriyaa?". Prema replies "Kuduka porenna... already given. Avange panna thappakku avange pethiye palivangarathu nallathille and by the way she is the main reason for our FIRST STEP, athey maranthudathinge. One more thing, avange schoole vittutu namba schoole admissionukku vanthurukarthu namakku kedaiche vettri!!!". While she is saying this, her mobile rings and Prakash jumps and takes it. "Mom, i miss you" - Praveen shouts over the phone who is doing MS in US. "Appo enna miss pannalaya, pesrathu ungamma illada ungappa" Prakash likes playing with Praveen.

KOOTU-KUDUMBAM

Today morning, I went to the airport to drop my friend. On the way back I happen to see a shop where they sell parrots, lovebirds, rabbit etc. At that moment a short hint stuck me which i developed into a short story...

So here is my FIRST SHORT STORY

Balaaaaaa!!! engada tholanju pone, Vanthu intha saamanellam kaluvi vai - shouted his step mom. Bala is 8 years old, his mom died when he was born. From that day his dad used to curse him as the reason... "Saniyan, porakum bothey ammave mulingitaan". His dad happily married another woman and they have a daughter kavitha, who is 6 yrs old. Bala likes her a lot, but his step mom always keeps him away from her. His step mom's parents, brother all stay with them. He loves to call everyone "Mama, thatha, paati.." but none of them treat him well. Bala often feels sad, depressed, never shows it out but cries to himself when he is alone.

He likes Parrot a lot and whenever hears the parrot in the morning, runs to the terrace to see them. He has a desire to get a pair of parrot's for himself but doesnt have the guts to ask his dad. Whenever he goes to the market he passes by a shop where they sell birds like parrot, love birds, rabbit. He feels bad for the birds in the cage so more than the desire to grow them, he wants to relieve them from the cage. He starts saving money from every little amount he gets.

After few months he has enough money to buy a pair of love birds. "Annachi rendu love birds kudunge" - Bala asks the guy in the shop. The moment the birds are out of cage he is very relieved. He gets the birds, lifts them to the sky and leaves them on the air. An elegant smile in his face as they go up high in the air... Few mins they come back and they stand outside the cage itself. Amused by it, Bala keeps starring. The shop keeper says "Ingaye valanthuchu pa, kudumbathu vittu poga manasu ille polaruku paavum ..."

Kootukkul irunthaalum Kootu-kudumbamaga irunthaaal Suthanthiram(Santhosham) thaaanaa ???

Freedom is DOING what we LIKE
Happiness is LIKING what we DO ...