Dark Knight Dreams

Everyone has their own dream world, the ones which we see with our eyes wide open and the other which we usually see in our deep sleep. The day dreams are usually those, which we wish to come true one day but the same is not always true for the latter. This is because the dreams which we visualize with our eyes shut are not always pleasant. We don’t often see super heroes saving us from aliens or the fairies from the fairy land who with their wand can make you look prettier in a matter of seconds ;)

This is one such unpleasant dream that I experienced recently. I remember I had fallen asleep just like the other days and no sooner I was in my so called dreamy world. The sun was shining bright outside my window and I was hoping for a better day ahead. My alarm clock snoozed; it was half past 9 am. Oh God I had to rush now and that’s when my phone bell rang. With no more interest and in much hurry I picked up saying Hello The voice from the other end came “How are you Ithraa?”  I was totally traumatized and went paranoid hearing the same voice. Yes it was them again. I was standing still with my body frozen.  Sometimes what your mind knows already is not accepted by your heart. But I knew I can no way turn this down and have to go now. I brushed my teeth, took a bath, quickly changed into a pair of jeans and T-shirt and rushed out of home.

It was the same venue, one of the biggest plush hotel in the city. With curiosity taking its front seat, I drove as fast as I could. But to my surprise everyone had already arrived much before. They gave me warm greetings with wry smile saying welcome back. I was still wondering why I was being called up again to be a part of this group which I left behind ages. Soon we all were clearly instructed with our assignments to achieve. My heart was refraining to accept the fact and was still struggling with my mind and heart clashes. Suddenly, shattering sound of thousand glasses deafened our ears. It took some time for me to realize that those thundering noise was nothing but a gun shoot. My ears drums crackled, my heart pounded and craved for oxygen, and that’s when I barely heard someone saying the Killers are back. We need to start our Revenge. C’mon here are your weapons. Go and Get Started. The words hits me like a rock. No longer could I see the brutal violence, I rose like a warrior and the war began.

I was equipped with a heavy gun and a sword in case I’m left out with the bullets. I quickly ran to the other side of the room and hid behind the pillar. I positioned myself with heavy gun in my hand.  Sounds of gunfire filled the air. Amidst the gory of bloody dead bodies, I could see a deadly killer running for his life. He could not run faster as blood was oozing out of his badly wounded knee. I chased using my speed, to the other room where I wanted to fight like a warrior so threw away my gun and took my sword out.  I swayed like a professional sword fighter. But he too did not give up, took his steel sword hung on his back and swung in all possible directions to stab me. The blades of our swords clanged together, the sharp sound echoing off the stone floor. I concentrated on his sharp eyes and prepared for his next move.

Sweat glistened on my forehead as I wiped it off with the back of my hand. He started swinging his sword violently throwing off my sword to the other end of the room.  I tried regaining my position and fetching my sword from where it had fallen. Meanwhile his blow over my left shoulder sliced off the flesh and I groaned with excruciating pain. I knew I can’t give up until I finish this game. I raised my sword in front of him preparing for combat. I swung my sword at his neckline, but he ducked to miss it. He came flying towards the rear end and swayed in speed. I hid behind a pillar blocking myself for an attack. I had to angle my left hand differently as blood was already dripping out of my shoulder.

With an unexpected attack I kicked his wounded knee knocking him off the floor and stabbed him hard onto his chest. Blood oozed out and he collapsed. Breathing heavily, I repeatedly stabbed him until his sword fell off his hand and breathed his last. There he lay DEAD. Wiping off the bloody stains over my hand I turned back and could hear someone screaming A-A-R-T-H-I-I-I-I…

My Body ached and vision blurred, I tried to look out in the direction of the voice I heard. I was astonished to see a familiar face. For clear visibility I rubbed my eyes and was taken by surprise- My Mom??? From where on earth did my mother join this battle? It took me few seconds to realize that I was lying on my bed and it was my mother screaming for me to help me awake. Phew. I checked my left shoulder for any stains of blood but I was completely fit and fine.  Alarm snoozed again it was half past 9 and my phone rang once again. My hands trembled, wondering was this a call from those group. I picked up with no courage and a voice which was kind of familiar saying –“Don’t be late as usual. Today is our site launch so be on time. No excuse.” With this, the call was disconnected. Yes you guessed it right. This voice is much dangerous than the gangsters. It was my Manager. Oh God I need to rush to office otherwise I will have to face a real battle with my Manager ;)

  

My Travel Diaries

Traveling to new places, meeting up new people and interacting with them gives you whole lot of new energy. It also provides you with a wide range of opportunities to explore more about the nature as well people's nature. Travel has always fascinated me. By travel I not only mean going to different cities or countries but also our day to day travel.
 Be it just going to my office by Mumbai's famous local trains or the times when I used to take bus services to reach my college or traveling by long route trains for my cousin's wedding at Chennai and last but not the least where we get convenience at a huge pay - Flight services. I enjoy it. At least these are the maximum mode of transport I have experienced so far (Cruise is next on my to-do-travel-list). Although traveling in a public transport is annoying but may be I would try to make it sound like finding happiness everywhere you go..

During my engineering days as I said before, we used to wait in a long and never ending queue for the Buses. Everyone would badly wait for just one glimpse of the so called ST Bus (State transport) and finally when our Red lady would arrive we will have that Ahhh.. here she comes and we can rest our legs soon feeling. The most disappointing moment is when you come to know Ouch I need to stand once again for an hour, now not in the bus stop but inside the bus. Yet if luck favors you, and you are seated comfortably, then probably you are the happiest person but if the same is a window seat then you can proudly pat your back and say 'Can't ask God anything better than this' because you gonna surely enjoy your next one hour of this journey. This is how exactly I spend my four years of engineering bus travel. Window seat and my two best friends Music, and Books - Wow Life is awesome. Most of the times, I would prefer traveling alone especially when I just want to get immersed into my thoughts. The other side of the enjoyment is when I am accompanied with some of my best buddies who will really make that one hour journey so joyous. Playing antakshari, dumsharaaz, and entertaining others too. (That’s what we think but it must be a complete non sense for them :P ). There is yet again one more phase of bus traveling that I have experienced, which I term as the most tensed moments-The Exam time, forcibly studying all the way till your destination. While returning home, the scenario changes completely despite the exam goes off well or not, I will doze off :) Most wonderful few minutes I would say, since it makes my mind relaxed and refreshed.

It’s so true that you need to be skilled enough if you want to enjoy Mumbai local train traveling because if not it can be the worst experiences of your life. Being brought up in Mumbai since childhood, I can proudly say that I am one among those skilled travelers of Mumbai. Getting into the Local train at peak hours (morning 8am and evening 6pm) would be the biggest achievement for a Mumbaikar. So getting a window seat, or should I say, getting a seat is totally far out of reach. But again I was lucky to having no need to travel in peak hours so getting a seat and fewer times a window seat was quite possible. So that makes my experience quite delightful many times. Train traveling gives a lot of social interactions and which help you build up your contacts. I have made some real good friends. It also happens that you get to meet some of your old friends whom you have not met since ages so train travel - Connecting People Now :)

When it comes to long train traveling, it has to be either with your family or friends. The best part in this kind of travel would be food. Yes am proving again I am a foodie. Cuisines which are specially cooked for travel purpose include Puliodharai(tamarind rice). My mom prepares it so well that you can't just simply say no to it. Spicy and tangy yummy. Oh ok ok I know am not writing about food. So back to Chennai Express. Besides food I just enjoy the scenic beauty of different locations. You can actually witness the culture differences gradually as you travel along.That's Amazing right? I remember one such travel with friends, when we have been to Chandigarh as part of our Industrial visit. Those were one of the best trips with night long chats, playing cards, nonstop singing and disturbing the whole compartment, getting down at some random stations and having tea and bhajiyas, endless fun. Good old Memories :)

Everyone wants to fly high. Who in this world don't want to be like a free bird. Flight services gives partially you this satisfaction but at times, happiness comes only with price. Now that I started earning, shelling out huge amount to meet your loved ones at the same time save your leaves was not a big deal. I remember how I was scared on my first flight trip when I had to travel all alone from Mumbai to Bangalore. I was so excited at the same time and a proud feeling of going all alone by yourself. It’s like I have achieved something really big. I made myself to appear as if I am a frequent business traveler by hiding all my inside fears ;). I can honestly say that I was trying to show off that how busy person I am and want to check my emails as soon as the air hostess announces- you can now switch on your mobile phones. Lol. As a beginner I used to peep outside in awe that I have reached such a high altitude and look around for air-hostess and simply wonder about their costumes and how lucky they are. But now as I am a real frequent traveler I spend time reading books :P

I want to fly, I want to run, I even want to fall ... I just don't want to stop.
- Courtesy Yeh Jawani hai Deewani Movie :P