Birthday Cake

It was his Birthday. The entire day was spent in receiving greetings through phone and e-mails. All the care and attention made him happy, and he wore a smile through the day.

In the evening, his friends brought him the birthday cake. It was a wonderful one. It was round, and had three layers of vanilla, pineapple and chocolate. And the icing was a crest sputtered with dry fruits. And finally it was topped with cherries. Truly tempting. He couldn't wait to cut the cake and have a taste of it. So, finally after the clapping and song of Happy Birthday started, he picked up the knife and sliced the cake through the center making a nice piece for himself. Somebody picked up the piece and was about to push it through his mouth, when a bell rang in his mind. Today was a friday. He never ate non-neg on fridays. He is a murderer all other days, but turns to a saint on friday. He pushed his friends hand and excused himself. Why?? His friend asked. As a rule I don't eat non-veg including eggs on friday, he said. Very well, bad luck....his friend said, and all the others helped themselves on the cake, as he watched it from the corner of his eyes. After 5 minutes, there were only crumbs remaining and they all cleared the place.

Before going to sleep, he wondered, that was no bad luck, why have I imposed such rules upon me ?

The Death Overs !

It was the last four overs, the "Death overs" as the commentators call it. Sachin looked around the field, the field was spread around. Most of them were at the boundary ropes. Its time to take some risks, he thought in his mind.

The next ball was aimed at the middle stump. Sachin carved the ball out and pushed it towards mid-on. The ball ran quickly in the turf of the Brabourne stadium towards Kaif, who was at the edge of the boundary rope. He ran quickly towards the ball. Sachin called for two, and ran the first run hard. He pushed the non-striker Pollard for the second run and started off for the second run. But there was a loud no from Pollard. Sachin applied his brakes, turned back quickly and stretched the bat just in time to avoid being run-out.

He walked over to Pollard for a chat.

We could have taken that risk for a single. The asking rate is climbing. Things are getting difficult, said Sachin.

No said Pollard, in such a difficult situation, you cannot afford to be run-out. You have to be there to take risks with the boundaries and sixes. You must take the team home. I could not have risked you for a single run. You are worth more than that. No war can be won, if the soldiers are dead.

Pollard walked back to the crease and took his guard to face the next delivery. Sachin was at the non-striker, thinking if he had just learnt a gem......

Bill Payments

It was another argument that Raghu had with his father..... This doesnt work in today's world Dad ! Raghu exclaimed.

It does, beta. Sooner or later, you will understand it.

No Dad. My friend Vishal, he doesnt do his assignments on his own. He and a bunch of friends freak out most of the time and then when it comes to submission time, they gather answers from seniors notes. They mug those ready-made thinngs. Other guys are not as smart as Vishal so they scrape through the exams. But look at Vishal, he is now the Topper in the class. Does he have any standard ?

You said it my son! He doesnt have a standard. Sooner or later, people will realize his standard.

But by that time, everything will be over. I will be out of college, in a new institution, with a new Raghu as my class-mate.

Son, everyone has to pay up for their actions. If you see someone getting away with something that means he will have to pay up for it soon. If you feel you are paying up for something, then you will get the return for it. It is the simple economics of life.

Dad, such dialogues are only good in Ramayan and MahaBharat. Please stop this discussion and come with me. I need a mobile connection. It is time for you to pay up. Raghu Grinned.....

They went to the Vodafone showroom. Raghu said that he wanted a new connection. The shop-keeper asked, "Do you need Post-Paid or Pre-Paid" ??

Raghu's father couldnt help smiling as Raghu turned Red at his face.

Song of Hope.....

It was a dark morning by the godavari river. The sun was yet to rise. The stony silence was punctured by the gurgling noise of the mighty river. Ravi was waiting there at the banks. Lonely and lost. He had been stuck like this few other times before in his life. But this was really dark. He looked around. There was no silver lining visible as they preach in fables.

Suddenly a cool song flowed across. He wondered if he is hallucinating. It came again, this time closer, the song and the mysterious singer was approaching him. Then suddenly, the song started moving away. Ravi became alert, he started running on his tired limbs. The harder he tried, the faster the song was moving from him. He ran blindly in the dark, unheeding the scratches made by the shrubs and the thorns that pierced through his shoes.

Finally, it came into view, a village boy on his tiny cycle, with a transistor hanging on the cycle-bar. Suddenly he became aware of his surroundings. The sun had risen, and smiled over the grassy meadows. He was standing on a Highway. The village bus announced its arrival by letting out a loud horn. He wondered, where will this take me ??

Instrumental tendencies

Flute: I am very sweet to the ears, I am associated with lord krishna and have been the world's favourite for centuries.

Drum: I am very energetic, I am associated with all social events, and I can make people dance to my tunes.

Flute: But you are so loud and disturbing in nature. There are phrases used like " beating your own drum"

Drum: Dont be jealous, nobody listens to you. You are best at being a background music! You are good for lullabies because you put people to sleep.

Flute: Yeah! And you disturb sleeping people! You are always one dimensional. Just bang bang bang bang. I can bring out all emotions like love, sadness and I can be playful too. Your very nature is to be beaten, whic reflects your violent tendencies.

Drum: Oh Yeah! You just want wait and see. All your sweet melody will be drowned in the bang that I make. Nobody will listen to you. So you Lose! Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum ............. Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum.