The Idea

It’s like smoke around me, only it doesn’t choke me. I can see things clearly in the haze of this smoke. It feels like a holy ritual, the steam dancing around me. It feels so ….neat, real. Undiluted sense of joy. I feel so relaxed as if entering a trance, I can hear the drum beats now . The tempo slow but clear. Every knot melts away, the mind gives way, I think I have surrendered. I’m becoming one with it now almost merging. The sanctity is infectious, it has entered in my mind. All the darkness washed away with the dirt on my body…

“You are getting late for your college”

It’s time to get out of the shower.

Traveling to Malad is like a penance, especially when you pass through Goregaon. There is a weird smell in the air that upsets your stomach. I have not been able to get over that feeling yet. It’s like I’ll puke anytime now. I control it looking heavenwards. It’s an arduous journey which I am compelled to take. Nothing great about it, definitely not. Finally I arrive, punch-drunk. Similar faces, some smiles, some scorns, all treated with equal respect by me. After all there can be misunderstandings…. So forgiven.

There is a swimming pool in our college. Yeah believe it or not there is. It’s where people meet to complete assignments, meet friends, talk rubbish or just enjoy the ambience. We also go there. The stage is being set for the band competition which is to be held in our college as a part of our college festival. We sit there talking stuff from taking road trip in Ladakh to political situation in India also girls are like an ever favorite topic. No matter where it starts it has to end on girls. Guys have a very structured talk that way unlike girls who can talk on varied subjects. It’s probably because most of the guys are unimaginative when it comes to creative talking. Sorry but God made us that way.
“We can perform right on this stage.” said one of us. The dreamer, a confused soul.
“Yeah sure, we don’t have a drummer I guess you remember that.” I said.
“We can do an unplugged thing.”
“How man? who will sing? There are no processors.”
“We can borrow them, one of us can sing. Believe me we can do it.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes it’s like the second last year man. We have sucked at almost each and everything that we have done…robotics, girls. Man this is the chance.” It seemed the Dreamer was really frustrated. He was right after all, but what chance?
“I don’t see it coming I guess…we don’t even have time to rehearse.” I with my avoiding excuse.
We saw the ever lost coming. The pragmatist alerted us all “Here comes the drama event head”
“Hey guys I have given our names for the band competition.”
“What? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Wow…divine comedy” the pragmatist seemed to marvel. “I am going to go out for a smoke now.” That’s ok he was anyways not a part of our band. Band, that’s funny. It wasn’t a band at all…no drums, no base. It was an excuse to get ourselves humiliated in front of some hundred sloshed, doped, angry rock fans and I didn’t even want to take any chances.
“See we can do this. I can take up the lead and you’ll decide about the rhythm.” said the ever lost.
“Are you insane?…there is something like beats to which we play. There is a vocalist with a good voice.”
“Dude we can do it….we’ll do it man”