Hey There Delilah!

This is strictly a fictional conversation. Meeting in a train.

Shridhar :- Hey, hi there. Nice to see you. (Try to jog through all the names in my brain to identify who this is.)

Nice Person :- Oh hi Shridhar, how are you doing ? All fine, I hope?

Shridhar :- (Big Grin) I’m fine. How are You ? (Grimacing in thought though, can’t place this guy!)

Nice Person :- You seem a bit pre-occupied though ? Any problem ? You have grown very tall, and much thinner, too! (Forced smile by me at this, feigning ignorance as to any change in physical structure.)

Shridhar :- Hehe, yeah. Everyone keeps saying that. I wonder why…

(To my utter horror, I see a finger sneak into the dark and murky depths of the opening of the respiratory tract, and all the nightmares come rushing back. Ahh, this is XYZ! Now I remember)

XYZ :- So, what are you doing nowadays? (Nonchalantly, wipes his finger on his jeans and holds the hand-rail)

Shridhar :- (Remembering never to touch that hand-rail again) Ummm, uhhh, well, I just gave my CET in May, so trying for Engineering. By the way, have you ever watched Jhankaar Beats ? Just asking.

XYZ :- No man. But I’ve heard it is good. Isn’t it ?

Shridhar :- (Thinking of the Mundu scene) Oh yeah, definitely good. Very, ummm, dirty and brown.

XYZ :- Huh? (Dismissing that) Anyway, engineer haan? Bade aadmi banoge bhai! Hum toh Arts mein hi reh gaye.

Shridhar :- Well, I’m trying. Not necessary that I’ll pass 😛 Anyway, where are you getting down? (Eager to get away from Mr. Mundu, and still eyeing that hand suspiciously)

XYZ :- Arre, you will pass. You were always a scholar, even in school. (At this point, the tears roll out from my eyes in big fat droplets. So much faith! So much faith!)

Oh shit, forgot this wasn’t my favourite Hindi movie scenario. Nahiiiiiiiin !

*Okay, rewind to last line. Take 351. Action*

XYZ :- Arre, you will pass. You were always a scholar, even in school.

Shridhar :- (Trying to be humble, but vain as a peacock from within) Thank you, but let us see the results.

(By the way, just an idle thought. Why is it vain as a “peacock” anyway? I mean, I’d prefer NSS’s “As confused as a child in a brothel” anyday. But then, this is me we’re talking about, so forget the random thought :P)

XYZ :- Always the humble guy. Oh, and I’m getting down at Dadar. Thats next, I think. (Smiling at me, I dread what’s coming next. Arghh) Koi ladki-wadki pataaee kya ? Saala bahut change ho gaya hai tu.

Shridhar :- (I Just knew it!) Wadki ka pata nahi re. Aur ladki koi aati hi nahi achchi. 😛  Achche hote hain, bahut hi-fi hote hain, ya committed. 😛

XYZ :- Oh shit, Dadar aa gaya! Time ka pata hi nahi chala re! (Sure, what with the gold-digging :P) It was nice meeting you. (Offering a hand to shake) See you again some time.

Shridhar :- Namaste 😛 (Typical Jhankaar Beats ishtyle. And making the traditionalists proud)

XYZ :- (Surprised) Bye then! (And as he gets out of the train, I see the “Finger” touch a man square on his  open mouth. The poor, unfortunate guy. May his soul rest in peace)

AMEN…