Going "up"

"Welcome. Please press the button for the desired floor", exclaimed the automated female voice. Even though the new building was still under construction, the lifts at least were operational on Christmas eve. I won't complain as long my tummy doesn't...would anyone love climbing 13 floors?? No way!! The security cameras were yet to be installed and the 12th floor was still under construction, so I moon-walked my way into the lift. As I pressed the button 13 and creased out the wrinkle on my spotless Van Heusen shirt, I couldn't help but exclaim, "What a ridiculously squeaky voice. She wasn't focussing when her voice was recorded. I bet someone else would have done a better job. The loser deserves to be fired!!!". The shine from my spotless shoes diverted my attention as the lift ascended to my floor.."The raise is mine. I am the Senior Program Manager now. I get to rub shoulders with the biggies in the management and hopefully some beautiful girls too". I was shaken out of my Utopian dream when the familiar fragrance of Jasmine wafted through the lift. I raised my head to notice the back of the woman who had gotten on the next floor. Though she was not facing me, her posture was a comfortable enough feast for my eyes!! Here I was, all alone in the lift, getting bored...and now, I have something soothing for my eyes. I might even cajole her to into a cup of coffee. God, today is my lucky day after all.

As I was facing her back, I had a gorgeous view of what I would rather not explain. Her beautiful legs keep grabbing my eye-balls as I vehemently tried to make out her face. The familiar Jasmine fragrance and the sight of the legs was a heady cocktail and I had to control myself from doing something indecent. "Talking of indecent, I no longer need to sit in the icky 2x2 cubicle listening to the trite nonsense of my team members. I have my raise, I finally get to show them the finger and the swanky room with lighting control cooler is mine. The simple thought of that room just pumps up my adrenaline..I could do so much in the privacy of that room. Hey, maybe I could even invite this beautiful woman to that room and things might turn out the way I want. Dirty me.." (sniggers silently)!!

The fragrance kept picking at my brain and it was getting increasingly familiar....when suddenly, I saw something flash under my neck. I broke out of my reverie and looked nonchalantly at my Van Heusen shirt which was wet...red wet...with my blood!! Oh my God!!! I felt my knees buckle under me and I fell down to the floor writhing in pain. As a thick pool of blood started accumulating under my adams apple, the feminine figure in the lift rushed forward to help...just as blackness enveloped me....

***
"You got to believe me. Alex and you have an equal chance of getting the promotion. Now, you try your best not to screw up anything.. and you just might get that coveted swanky room my boy!!". I hated my Senior manager's condescending attitude and badly wanted to strangle him for that. I had been awaiting this promotion a long time, but the new recruit Alex was so dilligent, I was no longer the sole contender. I had had enough....I have to get that promotion, even if it means sabotaging Alex's career. I heard Alex was from a poor family and that was what drove Alex to outperform everyone. So what?? Even I am poor...I can barely afford a Gucci or a Van Heusen or a Tag Heur for that matter. There was also this rumour agog that Alex was from a mental rehabilitation centre. Well that made absolutely no sense. Anyhow, in tommorrow's client meeting Alex would be making a very crucial presentation. I'll screw that up so bad, Alex would be driven out of contention...and the promotion will be mine!!
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"What was that?? Did my life just flash before my eyes?? Nah, it must be the adrenaline rush. Karma is philosophical trash!! You will rock the day man!! My floor has almost come and this beautiful woman is still with me. I might get that coffee on my table after all (sniggers)". Suddenly everything blacked out....but things came into focus in a flash. I had to strain my eyes as everything was so foggy. I was still on the floor, in a pool of blood which was seeping out of my neck. I gasped for help, but nothing came out..."What is happening to me?? This is supposed to be my day. No, this is just a dream..wake up man, wake up". Somehow, I couldn't. The beautiful woman moved forward to help me, when there was another flash as a knife drove right into my chest and then my wrists. I tried to grab her, but my weak hands just about managed to grab her ID card. As the knife was pulled out, more blood oozed out and I lost my grip on the ID card...and then, the lift stopped. "Floor number 12, Have a nice day". "Why was the lift stopping on the 12th floor?? Am I getting help?? Yes, yes!!" The woman who had just stabbed me, hid the bloody knife and made a quiet exit.

She had double-tapped the button 12, which meant I was stuck on this floor unless someone pressed the lift button from outside or I from inside. As I silently lay helpless in my own pool of blood, with numb wrists that just wouldn't move, I had a flash. The jasmine fragrance suddenly brought a face into focus. I had hit on many women before which ended in me giving them death threats. But this face, was of the woman whom I had been hitting on for the past two days...it was the face of the woman who had slapped me when I made a move on her...she used Jasmine-flavored perfume. The pain was unbearable now and I was losing consciousness fast. The aesthetic lights didn't seem aesthetic any more. The whirring fans sounded more like death knells...I was blacking out..."The ID card..the ID card...it had read Alex...Alex...Alexandria - Program Manager". My eyelids shut close as the lift door closed..."Welcome. Please press the button for the desired floor".


Note: the story and characters bear no resemblance to any living person (especially me). Women, please excuse me and think I am a male chauvinistic pig!!

Close encounters of the furry kind, part II

 For the first part of this story, please click here.

I had to pinch myself to affirm it was indeed a dog. I thought these lazy 'hooligans' retired to bed after their post-dinner jog. But no, here was the solitary soldier ready to bite my rear off...and I stood there transfixed...contemplating my next move. In the meanwhile, I managed to find enough time to admire the dog's dental work.

*** I was left with no option...paws versus bare hands, which would win?? The stage was set...it was a Mexican standoff sans guns. I ran forward...and so did the dog. Everything was moving in slow motion now, much to my delight. And I caught the direction of the dog's jaw, which was moving towards a very delicate part of my body. Now was the time to kick some serious dog-b#*$. The doggy got a powerful sucker punch from yours truly. The shock waves sent the dog flying back and tore my shirt-sleeves off!! I was shocked at my power...guess the 100 mental push-ups a day do pack some punch!! The dog recovered quickly and let out an ear-piercing howl (this would have put any top heroine to shame)...which was so powerful, I was sent rocketing backwards.... ***

....and there I was, still contemplating my next move. Shit!! I was day-dreaming again....the dog had moved in closer...I had to make a quick move or risk losing some vital organs. It was time, I couldn't control it any longer!! Admiring the dog's teeth one last time, I turned tail and ran like hell. If only Ussain Bolt had seen me!! The dog was left in a sea of flying dust as I ran blindly, trying to get as far away as possible from it. I guess it's dinner was not sumptuous enough, for it simply wouldn't let my rear out of it's sight. Damn canine genes!! Aren't dogs man's best friends?? It finally let me go, only after I was out of my own street and it's turf, back to where I had started. I eventually made a sheepish call to my watchman to come and get me...and boy, he came armed to the teeth. He had a cornucopia of stones with him, in different shapes and sizes.

Maybe the dog was aiming for a contract with Oral-B and didn't want to risk breaking it's dental magnificence. On my way back, one stone from the watchman was all it took to send the dog howling away..and all I could muster was, "Who's the chicken now doggy??".





 
Note: This was a real incident in the author's life...but the narration is exaggerated so as to gain the reader's sympathy!! If you do sympathize with him, please leave a comment. If not, may a vicious dog bite you today :p !!!

On a break..for now!!

~ ~ On a long break from blogging....I might update my blog intermittently though. Be happy.. Ch33rs to life!! ~ ~


In the meanwhile, do check out my photo blog:


http://colormewild.aminus3.com/portfolio/

Close encounters of the furry kind, part I

Now that is one strange title for a blog-post. But I bet you've seen stranger things (J.K.Ritiesh? Jeyam Ravi doing a spider-man jig in Russia, Sam Anderson...ah you get the point). You must have guessed by now that this particular post deals with at least "one dog". My almost-isolated house in Tambaram is one of the most populous and popular areas for dogs. The buggers live in harmony with us poor humans and the innumerable road-side stalls. With zilch issues for food and entertainment (amongst themselves), the only thing that scratches their throat (literally) is barking!! Bark when a cycle crosses you, bark when a crow flies precariously close to you...and hell yeah, bark whenever some human dares to walk past you. Way to go doggy!!!


On one particular night, my work (yes, really!!) forced me to return home only at 11.40pm. Even though my area is beautiful and has colorful (yeah, literally) houses strewn about, it is THE location to shoot a horror film ala the Ramsays. Post 2230, the road to my house turns into a spooky alley right out of a Korean horror movie. Also, this particular alley is perfect for testing one's eyesight, as the only source of light is the moon.


And imagine poor me, staring at the black blanket of terror in front of me. As I stood there contemplating my next move, I heard a faint howl (or was that a bark??) pierce the eerie silence that hung about. I contemplated going back to office, but the stupidity of the thought pumped adrenaline though my veins. I imagined trumpets blowing behind me, an invisible audience cheering me on.... I took in a really really deep breath and took a step forward. Nothing happened. Boldened, another step ensued. Still nothing happened. Basking in the success of my courage, the steps quickly became a strut of flamboyance. There is this Murphy's Law which states, "Anything than can go wrong, will go wrong". Damn you Murphy!!!


Within seconds after my first step, I could notice a figure at some distance. The optimistic side in me dismissed it as a huge piece of white rag. But the logical side hammered in the thought that I was in trouble, deep trouble. My till-now-joyous heart started pumping blood like crazy. Within nanoseconds, my eyes adjusted to the darkness and there before me, stood a snow-white dog with snarling teeth....brrr!!


..to be continuted :o

1's & 0's...and then there is the 143!! Part-II

For the first part of this story, click "here" (1's & 0's...and then there is the 143!! Part-I)
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As if she had read my mind, she continued, "Thanks for the compliment, but that word just doesn't fit. And I don't love you, so you can relax. I don't know if she loves you, but don't you think you should express your love to her?". This time I was careful and locked my mouth in a grim fashion. She continued,"What's the use if you don't have the guts? Or  you are scared of being rejected?". If her intention was to intimidate me, she was doing a really great job at it. Her face was slowly getting processed somewhere at the back of my mind. While the processing happened, I kept my voice neutral and replied, "Just because I love her, doesn't mean I have to express it. I should get to know her and find out if she would like me".

She rolled her eyes, "Oh please...Did you find out then? Will she like you? Are you going to tell her?". I smiled. Her thought always brought a smile on my face (accompanied by a tinge of sadness). She would always smile at me, I would wave a Hi and walk towards her with a smile. "Well, we both know each other quite well. One might think that will work big time for me. But that is the mistake most people make, by assuming things. Now that I know her well, it complicates things. If she accepts my proposal, things are fine. But if not, she would be broken no matter how steely her nerves are". Her eyes told me she knew what I was talking about. I continued nevertheless as I hadn't spoken about this to anyone. "I take so much pains to ensure she is always happy. I would do anything to see her smile...being submerged in it's radiance is an indescribable feeling. In the same way, the tiniest amount of pain that I may cause her will haunt me for eons together...."

"So you are not going to tell her at all? I understand your reasoning, but will you manage to keep it locked up?". The face looked more familiar now and I thought I had seen it everyday. I stared at the sambar-stained plastic table and replied, "I am not sure if I will express my feelings for her, but am sure I won't do anything to hurt her in any way. It's a tough choice between lightening my burden and risking her happiness or staying mum and keep watching her smile...". My eyes moistened as I said this and I raised my head towards my confidant. She had an all-knowing-smile and somehow I felt lighter.

I blinked to let that tear drop fall and then wham...she was gone, just like that. I sat there stunned when I suddenly saw my angel walk in. Confused and happy, I stepped into the washroom and washed my face to clear my head. There, in the mirror I noticed a dimple on my left cheek which had never been there before. Shocked, I checked my watch. It was 2.06.01pm. Realization dawned quicker than lightning and I left the washroom dazed. Amongst the sea of milling crowd stood my angel..with beautiful kohl-lined eyes that bewitched me yet again. I waved a HI at her, and she smiled back... that smile, which struck a thousand stars in my eyes and popped a million balloons in my heart, yet made me float in air. She waved again and I walked towards her....smiling. 


This is a self-indulgent post of mine. But it is my first attempt at a short-story. I hope it struck the right chord with you. Adios till my next post.

1's & 0's...and then there is the 143!! Part-I

Trust me, I am not a bespectacled MBA-graduate-turned-author... a bespectacled computer "geek" (really??) who keeps hitting Ctrl+Alt+Del on a daily basis might be a fair description. And neither is this story inspired from my real-life.


The low-cost high-luminance motion-sensitive light flickered out of its slumber as it sensed my presence beneath it. Weary, I saw down on the wooden chair that creaked out its irritation at me. It was 2.05.01pm on the cheap watch I had received on my birthday. I could notice the second hand move forward in a blur. A slew of psychedelic colors brought my attention out of the watch, as garments of multiple colors and make crossed my table. I was too engrossed in my thoughts and hence spared the thought of glancing at the faces that passed by. My heart felt heavy, the mind dizzy and my vision blurred by that solitary tear which was contemplating its downward fall to the cold floor. Amongst the flurry of colors that skittered past me, a botch of blue stopped in its tracks and settled down right in front of me. It took me a complete minute before I realized it was a girl and not some blue fuzzy alien intent on abducting me for hideous experiments.


There, seated in front of me was the one of the most beautiful girls I had seen till then. Dressed in a simple yet stunning blue salwar which exemplified her beauty, she made me conclude that salwar is THE most beautiful dress ever created. Sensing my confused contemplation, she began the conversation, "You are Tai working on the 2nd floor right? You might not have noticed me, but I have seen you everyday". Now that is the last thing a guy expects from a stranger, more so from a very beautiful girl. I replied cautiously, "Yes I am. But to be frank, I am surprised you know me. Am a nobody. By the way, are you stating that am an obnoxious person who ignores the human presence around him?". The last part of my reply feigned fury just to intimidate her. But she smiled and I noticed the dimple on her right cheek. Somehow, the smile struck me as being familiar. "There is no need to sound surprised or feign anger Tai. In time, you will know about me. I am always around, but you seldom notice it. It really is tough to notice things when the love of your life's presence takes you to cloud 9 every day at office". My jaw which had faithfully followed Newton's law of gravity at this point, had to be pushed back to its original position.


Tai thought, "Who the hell is this beautiful stranger? Maybe she loves me (now that would be a scream)? Or does that other girl know I love her?" ......
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Ya, to be continued in part-II :)