"I can't get wet man. Certainly not in these clothes." Grover strained his broken voice clearly emphasizing 'Clothes'.
Raghav felt it was a hideous attire that Grover had put on. Bright neon yellow shoes with all torn up look jeans and a peach colored pullover which said 'I'm kind and you? Nevermind'. Over these his favorite bright blue postman bag which he nearly carries everywhere.
Grover Sinha who was now 27 years old, making a living on his fathers money, was a brand freak from head to toe and would look down upon anyone who doesn't or won't submit to the brand era of the century.
On the other hand Raghav Chaturvedi now 26 and Grover's best friend was not so branded. He was wearing a black tshirt below a light denim shirt with front open and a light blue jeans to accompany. Raghav was working in a call center which didn't pay much but enough to survive.
The boys had just finished there lunch and were coming out of the Mukafir's when in a glimpse it poured down heavy. Though it was middle of July but since monsoon had started taking it's strolls now and then the weather had become bit chilly forcing everyone to cover up. It has already taken it's toll on Grover voice box.
"No we must go now else we will be very late" reminded Raghav by pointing towards the watch in his right hand. "It's 3:15 already and we still haven't made our purchase."
"Alright, but if something happens to my iPhone then you are paying. Alright!" nagged Grover to which Raghav replied with a smirk on his lips and both the boys leaped across the busy road towards the Asian market.
Asian market was a flea market know for it's flawless copy of originals at really cheap prices. Grover loved coming here so much that sometimes Raghav wondered the stuff he wears are actual all Asian brand.
The boys have come here to buy Hookah for themselves and were scaling shops for a perfect one.
"Perfect!" said Grover holding a very antique looking brass hookah in his hand.
"Are you sure?" asked Raghav
"Yes i'm sure, this is just the thing for us."
"If you say so." Raghav didn't argue much as his knowledge of these things were very little as compared to that of Grover's.
"How much for this one?" Raghav turned to the shopkeeper.
"1200 only."
"What?! are you crazy? 1200 for this. You get these for 300 bucks back at my place." Grover jumped in.
The shopkeeper seemed offended and tried to clarify his statement "Well sir, this is a branded hookah of Alfa company. Check out the suction power and the grip of the rubber at the joints."
"Okay that is all fine but it's way to expensive for us. What will be your last price?" asked Raghav
"Sorry sir, no bargaining. Our prices are fixed."
"Fixed price my ass" grumbled Grover. "There's nothing liked fixed priced in Asian market. There are many more shops. Your's is not the only one. Let's close the deal over Rs. 800." Grover almost shouted.
Seeing his profit in danger and dignity threatened the shopkeeper raised his voice as well "It's fixed and if you don't want to buy then you are free to visit the other shops."
There was no other shop as similar was the drama back on other stores and by far this was the cheapest they could get. The boys knew even if it was excessively over priced, if they don't get it today they will again have to go out tomorrow in other direction for the Hookah hunt. Quite tired and weary, certainly from the humid weather, the boys decided to entertain the greedy vendor.
And then over the next 15 minutes Raghav keenly watched Grover closely inspecting the product and listing out different flavors for them to smoke. The shopkeeper almost immediately fetched all the products - the flavors, coal, aluminium foil, lighter etc.
Raghav got enthusiastic over the name of the flavors as some of them were so intriguing like Brain freezer, Lady Dragon, Crazy Four, Paan Cigar, King Panther, Midnight hot, pina colada and a few more.
The boys came out of the shop with a smile as big to cover their whole face. Proud owners of a new hookah and a whole new level of ecstasy.
But soon their big smiles were all drenched in the eternal falling rain which seemed to have no end.
"Let's catch the metro." Said Raghav while struggling with the packages in his both hands.
Grover seemed more concerned about protecting his iPhone and ran towards a Auto Rikshaw. "Mahendra Nagar?" inquired Grover to which the driver nodded and gestured for them to take a seat inside.
"How much?" Raghav asks stopping Grover before he could just jump inside the auto.
"Rs.180"
"Oh My God! please brother think once before you speak. Do we look like foreigners to you? Better we go by metro. Come Grover." said shocked Raghav.
"Hello! Excuse me! Mahendra Nagar?" shouted another driver who had over heard their conversation and came after the guys. "Give 120."
Boys looked at each other and Raghav knew Grovers face said that please save my iPhone, this much is okay and sat in the auto rikshaw without getting any more soaked.
---> The speeding auto was cutting through the rain. It was dark by now and the roads were all mostly empty. But there were more to their trouble's list for the day. No sooner the rikshaw had crossed Divya Jyoti Auditorium it started slowing down with bumps.
"What's happening?" asked Grover
"Looks like i'm out of gas, didn't expect it to run out so soon. Bad news is there's no petrol pump for miles. The next one is near Defense colony" said the driver with a mixed face of surprise and disgrace.
The boys paid him a legit amount and got off with no other option. Rain though gentle now but was enough to drown the iPhone still. "The next metro station is just half a mile away" Raghav showed enthusiasm.
"Okay let's make a run for it." Grover supported the notion and started running. Raghav followed him understanding his concern for his beloved iPhone.
"So this is where all the people are." commented Raghav Metro was flooded with people taking shelter from the rain. Both of them waited on the platform patiently for the next train while water was dripping down from their fully soaked clothes.
---->NEXT STOP CIVIL LINES, DOORS WILL OPEN ON THE LEFT. PLEASE MIND THE GAP prompted the automated voice inside the metro. Still a few stops to go till they reach their destination. Raghav was staring at his phones screen with his inbox open. He was expecting a reply from Aadya that was due since their last fight.
"Still no reply?" Grover asked in a sympathetic tone.
"I would never understand her. Why do i have to have a government job? This is ridiculous. I can't keep up with her arguments. Now she only would reply. I'm done being 1st one to say sorry always." Raghav simply bursted. If this would have been some Si-Fi movie he sure would have caught fire by now and would have grown a pair of horns from his forehead.
"Common man, they are girls. They tend to say thing even they have no idea of. You can't give in like this. Just talk to her and thing will eventually work out." Grover tried to sooth him down. "Do you think I and Bharti don't have problems? Brother understand one thing, it's always your mistake and your alone. Once you accept this life will be a bed of roses. Trust me on this one."
"I don't know man. It's the same story every time" replied Raghav "I just hope thing get normal soon. I love her a lot man and all this silent treatment is driving me nuts."
Grover patted him on the shoulder making a puppy dog face "Cheer up for me, puppy please." and both of them burst out into laughter.
---> "Light the torch in your phone." said Raghav as he struggled to put the key in the lock with all the packets in his hand. Finally they were home and the clock struck 9:00. They got rid of the wet clothes. Grover got busy drying his iPhone and Raghav started unpacking the hookah.
"I'll do it." Grover interrupted Raghav
"Of course, after all you are the expert and i'll get to what i'm good at, Cooking!" stated Raghav and handed over the stuff into able hands of Mr. Fancy Pants.
Though it was a long day of running and struggling but the boys were happy to achieve what they wished for. They both knew that from today onward there will be lots of smoky nights ahead waiting to take then to a world of Euphoria in this big city called 'Sarvashram'
Raghav felt it was a hideous attire that Grover had put on. Bright neon yellow shoes with all torn up look jeans and a peach colored pullover which said 'I'm kind and you? Nevermind'. Over these his favorite bright blue postman bag which he nearly carries everywhere.
Grover Sinha who was now 27 years old, making a living on his fathers money, was a brand freak from head to toe and would look down upon anyone who doesn't or won't submit to the brand era of the century.
On the other hand Raghav Chaturvedi now 26 and Grover's best friend was not so branded. He was wearing a black tshirt below a light denim shirt with front open and a light blue jeans to accompany. Raghav was working in a call center which didn't pay much but enough to survive.
The boys had just finished there lunch and were coming out of the Mukafir's when in a glimpse it poured down heavy. Though it was middle of July but since monsoon had started taking it's strolls now and then the weather had become bit chilly forcing everyone to cover up. It has already taken it's toll on Grover voice box.
"No we must go now else we will be very late" reminded Raghav by pointing towards the watch in his right hand. "It's 3:15 already and we still haven't made our purchase."
"Alright, but if something happens to my iPhone then you are paying. Alright!" nagged Grover to which Raghav replied with a smirk on his lips and both the boys leaped across the busy road towards the Asian market.
Asian market was a flea market know for it's flawless copy of originals at really cheap prices. Grover loved coming here so much that sometimes Raghav wondered the stuff he wears are actual all Asian brand.
The boys have come here to buy Hookah for themselves and were scaling shops for a perfect one.
"Perfect!" said Grover holding a very antique looking brass hookah in his hand.
"Are you sure?" asked Raghav
"Yes i'm sure, this is just the thing for us."
"If you say so." Raghav didn't argue much as his knowledge of these things were very little as compared to that of Grover's.
"How much for this one?" Raghav turned to the shopkeeper.
"1200 only."
"What?! are you crazy? 1200 for this. You get these for 300 bucks back at my place." Grover jumped in.
The shopkeeper seemed offended and tried to clarify his statement "Well sir, this is a branded hookah of Alfa company. Check out the suction power and the grip of the rubber at the joints."
"Okay that is all fine but it's way to expensive for us. What will be your last price?" asked Raghav
"Sorry sir, no bargaining. Our prices are fixed."
"Fixed price my ass" grumbled Grover. "There's nothing liked fixed priced in Asian market. There are many more shops. Your's is not the only one. Let's close the deal over Rs. 800." Grover almost shouted.
Seeing his profit in danger and dignity threatened the shopkeeper raised his voice as well "It's fixed and if you don't want to buy then you are free to visit the other shops."
There was no other shop as similar was the drama back on other stores and by far this was the cheapest they could get. The boys knew even if it was excessively over priced, if they don't get it today they will again have to go out tomorrow in other direction for the Hookah hunt. Quite tired and weary, certainly from the humid weather, the boys decided to entertain the greedy vendor.
And then over the next 15 minutes Raghav keenly watched Grover closely inspecting the product and listing out different flavors for them to smoke. The shopkeeper almost immediately fetched all the products - the flavors, coal, aluminium foil, lighter etc.
Raghav got enthusiastic over the name of the flavors as some of them were so intriguing like Brain freezer, Lady Dragon, Crazy Four, Paan Cigar, King Panther, Midnight hot, pina colada and a few more.
The boys came out of the shop with a smile as big to cover their whole face. Proud owners of a new hookah and a whole new level of ecstasy.
But soon their big smiles were all drenched in the eternal falling rain which seemed to have no end.
"Let's catch the metro." Said Raghav while struggling with the packages in his both hands.
Grover seemed more concerned about protecting his iPhone and ran towards a Auto Rikshaw. "Mahendra Nagar?" inquired Grover to which the driver nodded and gestured for them to take a seat inside.
"How much?" Raghav asks stopping Grover before he could just jump inside the auto.
"Rs.180"
"Oh My God! please brother think once before you speak. Do we look like foreigners to you? Better we go by metro. Come Grover." said shocked Raghav.
"Hello! Excuse me! Mahendra Nagar?" shouted another driver who had over heard their conversation and came after the guys. "Give 120."
Boys looked at each other and Raghav knew Grovers face said that please save my iPhone, this much is okay and sat in the auto rikshaw without getting any more soaked.
---> The speeding auto was cutting through the rain. It was dark by now and the roads were all mostly empty. But there were more to their trouble's list for the day. No sooner the rikshaw had crossed Divya Jyoti Auditorium it started slowing down with bumps.
"What's happening?" asked Grover
"Looks like i'm out of gas, didn't expect it to run out so soon. Bad news is there's no petrol pump for miles. The next one is near Defense colony" said the driver with a mixed face of surprise and disgrace.
The boys paid him a legit amount and got off with no other option. Rain though gentle now but was enough to drown the iPhone still. "The next metro station is just half a mile away" Raghav showed enthusiasm.
"Okay let's make a run for it." Grover supported the notion and started running. Raghav followed him understanding his concern for his beloved iPhone.
"So this is where all the people are." commented Raghav Metro was flooded with people taking shelter from the rain. Both of them waited on the platform patiently for the next train while water was dripping down from their fully soaked clothes.
---->NEXT STOP CIVIL LINES, DOORS WILL OPEN ON THE LEFT. PLEASE MIND THE GAP prompted the automated voice inside the metro. Still a few stops to go till they reach their destination. Raghav was staring at his phones screen with his inbox open. He was expecting a reply from Aadya that was due since their last fight.
"Still no reply?" Grover asked in a sympathetic tone.
"I would never understand her. Why do i have to have a government job? This is ridiculous. I can't keep up with her arguments. Now she only would reply. I'm done being 1st one to say sorry always." Raghav simply bursted. If this would have been some Si-Fi movie he sure would have caught fire by now and would have grown a pair of horns from his forehead.
"Common man, they are girls. They tend to say thing even they have no idea of. You can't give in like this. Just talk to her and thing will eventually work out." Grover tried to sooth him down. "Do you think I and Bharti don't have problems? Brother understand one thing, it's always your mistake and your alone. Once you accept this life will be a bed of roses. Trust me on this one."
"I don't know man. It's the same story every time" replied Raghav "I just hope thing get normal soon. I love her a lot man and all this silent treatment is driving me nuts."
Grover patted him on the shoulder making a puppy dog face "Cheer up for me, puppy please." and both of them burst out into laughter.
---> "Light the torch in your phone." said Raghav as he struggled to put the key in the lock with all the packets in his hand. Finally they were home and the clock struck 9:00. They got rid of the wet clothes. Grover got busy drying his iPhone and Raghav started unpacking the hookah.
"I'll do it." Grover interrupted Raghav
"Of course, after all you are the expert and i'll get to what i'm good at, Cooking!" stated Raghav and handed over the stuff into able hands of Mr. Fancy Pants.
Though it was a long day of running and struggling but the boys were happy to achieve what they wished for. They both knew that from today onward there will be lots of smoky nights ahead waiting to take then to a world of Euphoria in this big city called 'Sarvashram'
I liked the story line something different then the usual stuff. Keep it up Rubal will be looking forward for some more stories.
ReplyDelete