How to Cope India’s Semi-Final Loss

Virat Kohli

So India lost to New Zealand in semi-final today. The heartbreak is real. I switched off my TV just after Rishabh Pant was caught out after his patience fizzled out. Though I was not seeing the live broadcast after that, I was finding hard to keep myself away from peeking into Cricbuzz commentary. The moment Dhoni was run-out, which rarely happens, the hope of was all gone for India. We lost. We lost after such a fine run. We lost after we were so close to the cup. The Aussies were an average team this year and Sri Lanka one of the worst, it was too easy for us. Still, we lost to Kiwis. Unbelievable but true. Kameena Kane. Drop him from IPL next year. So if you are like me feeling restless, nauseated and lost after India’s defeat, here are some of the ways you can cope with the sadness.

Booze – Well, the first and obvious choice for heartbroken is the good old alcohol. Dash to the local liquor store to get a hold on a six-pack of the favorite Indian beer, Kingfisher. There are 75 per cent chances that its stocks would have finished. But if you are living in Mayur Vihar Phase 1, make that 100 per cent. If not the King then you can at least have some RS with your buddies, which have nothing royal about it but at least it serves the budget and desperation of Indian middle-class men. However, if you are alone in this tragic time, you can break your piggy-bank and get yourself a Signature. It tastes great…simply great.

Get Stoned – Call you hilly friends from Malana, Manali or Doon for some smoky favors. Don’t listen to their crap like, “Nahi hai bhai”, “Khatm ho gaya”, “Maine toh kabka chhod di”. This is a time of desperation, tell them you need it and you will not entertain no for answer.

Binge eating – Just go binge eating on Masala Chap, Malai Chap, Paneer Chap, Momos, Chowmein, Pani Puri, Bhale Papadi, Chicken Lollypop, Spring rolls, Kachauri, Samosa and on on. Don’t allow your mind and body anytime or room to recollect bad memories of today’s match. Just clog any chance of thought by tons of bad fatty fried foods.



Call your mom – Yes you read it right. Call your mom and she will make sure, you will be occupied for the next two hours. But unlike other days, instead of pretending to listen to her, actually listen to her today. Talk her about – childhood days, her cooking, your increasing weight, the office politics, the immoral mausi ki ladki, your friend’s brother’s sister’s divorce and don’t forget to mention her about the kameeni chachi and she will go on till millions of years.

Watch Friends videos – YouTube is filled with small-short videos from Friends. Just type Friends on YouTube search bar and you are done for the night. Make sure you watch Joey’s Quiz video.

Get Laid – For those lucky friends who are in live-in relationships or who are recently married but not married more than two years, you lucky bastards. Get some action! For those who are married for more than two years like me, well you are as good as single, so you should just single-handedly help yourself!

Adopt football, basketball or tennis – For the majority of Indians who don’t know much about sports except cricket, like me, it’s time you should adopt football, basketball, tennis or any other sport except kabaddi. Since we are shitty in most of the sports except kabaddi and cricket, India won’t go to the final stages of these sports, so no heartbreak. I am choosing tennis, team Rafa!!!

Find some solace with your Dream11 winnings – If you have played and won something, even a Rupee on Dream11 today, then you should be content that at least your team won somewhere. However, if you have lost there too, it’s time you should follow all the above steps more seriously.

Find someone to blame – Well here is the favorite time-pass of Indians. We always find someone to blame for our problems. So who should be it for us today? Is it the trio of our top-three performing batsmen who coincidently scored just three runs today? Is it rain that should have done its job properly and washed out the match completely? Is it Kohli’s bad luck that he can win matches but not cups? Is it runs we missed or catches they took? Oh, I forgot, this list was for coping the loss not getting back into that zone. Strike this out and leave it for cricket analysts, our TV channels, internet trolls to discuss and do postmortem or vivisection on it.



Waiting for Sacred Games 2 – Yes Gaitonde bhai is coming back but it is still almost 35 days away! Since the World Cup is officially and emotionally finished for us, Sacred Games can only bring some satisfaction to our hearts. Hotstar made sure that I see the trailer at least million times so I am desperately waiting for it and yes for some steamy scenes. Count yourself phony if you are there for the story only…hihihihi

Get Sleep – Finally just switch off your lights, your mobile, your doors, your windows, your eyes…and cut yourself from the world. You should wake only after a week, till the dust settles on your house, TV channel debates and most of all your sad WC 2019 semi-final memories.

Bonus – If you can write, just compose a list of shitty ways that might but won’t let you forgot the pain but at least you can let the world know that you feel lost but you still believe in your team. Tomorrow is another day and Men in Blue would be back. T20 WC 2020, we are coming…

Seven Birthdays

Seventh birthday cake

2012

9:30 AM

Phone ringing, Kanishk sees the screen, its unknown number.

Kanishk: Hello?

Unknown: Hello Kanishk?

Kanishk: Yeah, who is it?

Unknown: It’s Latika here…

Kanishk visibly elated, his heart racing. It has been nearly two weeks since he has seen Latika in the college and was waiting for a way to talk to her.

Latika(continued): Happy birthday Kanishk.

Kanishk: Thank you so much but how you got to know it’s my birthday.

Latika: Kanika told me, I got your number from her.

Kanishk: Yeah she called me earlier.

Latika: Oh…anyways enjoy your birthday. See you tomorrow at the college.

Kanishk: Yeah. Thanks again for calling. See you. Bye.

Kanishk hangs up the call. His heart filled with euphoria. He is grinning ear to ear.

 

2013

12:03 AM

Phone ringing. Kanishk looks at the screen. It’s Latika. He smiles and takes up the call.

Kanishk: Lati, you are a whole three minutes late. Rahul was the first one to call.

Latika: Sorry Kanu, next time I will be the first.

Kanishk: It’s okay sweetie, you are always forgiven.

Latika: So what’s the plan for today?

Kanishk: Let’s meet at the college and then we will plan something.

 



2014

11:56 PM

Phone rings and Kanishk picks it up instantly.

Latika: Happy birthday baby.

Kanishk: Thanks baby but it is still four minutes to my birthday, you are a bit early.

Latika: I know, I wanted to be the first.

Kanishk(playfully): Why?

Latika: Because nobody loves you more than me.

Kanishk: Really?

Latika: I love my baby more than anyone.

Kanishk: I know baby but where is my gift?

Latika: What do you want?

Kanishk: You.

Latika: Me? Where and how?

Kanishk: Here at my room ASAP….and unwrapped.

Latika: Unwrapped? Naughty boy. Ok, see you there baby. I am coming.

 

2015

12:25 AM

Kanishk waiting impatiently near the phone. He checks the mobile screen every next second. Phone rings. It’s Irfan. He talks to him.

12:45 AM.

He finally gives in, dials Latika. The number is busy. Kanishk is furious.

One minute passed. Phone rings, it’s Latika.

Kanishk(shouting): Whom you were talking?

Latika: Why are you shouting? It was my sister.

Kanishk: You were busy with your sister at this time? Really?

Latika: Yeah, I talk to her every night.

Kanishk: Really? You guys weren’t even on talking terms a few days ago. Anyways, aren’t you supposed to call me tonight?

Latika: Why?…one minute…oh my god. I am so sorry baby…I am really sorry. Happy birthday baby.

Kanishk: It’s ok. It doesn’t matter now. Now you sleep, it’s too late. Your entrance exams are coming up. Don’t waste your time and focus on your goals.

Latika: I know baby. Thanks. I am sleeping now. Bye goodnight.

Kanishk hangs up the call. Looks at the mobile screen. Unsure of her words, his heart knows something is amiss.



Ten minutes passed. He opens his Whatsapp. Finds Latika still online. He dials Latika, the number is busy.

He calls Latika again, this time number is ringing. Latika picks up.

Kanishk: Whom you were talking now?

Latika: A friend.

Kanishk: Who?

Latika: You don’t know her.

Kanishk: I know all your friends, tell me her name.

Latika: She is an old school friend. You don’t know her.

Kanishk: Ok, just tell me her name.

Latika: I can’t.

Kanishk: You can’t or you won’t.

Latika: I can’t tell you.

Kanishk: Why? I am your boyfriend goddammit. Just tell me the name. Who is he?

Latika: You don’t trust me.

Kanishk: What? I am just asking you the goddamn name. Tell me his name.

Latika: No. I can’t talk to you now. I will call you tomorrow. Bye goodnight.

Kanishk: Don’t you hang up the phone. I am only asking you the name. Just tell me the name. Then you can hang up the phone.

Latika: You don’t trust me. I am sleeping now.

Kanishk is on the verge of exploding.

Kanishk: Just tell me the name and then you can sleep all you want.

Latika: You are not reasonable at all. I don’t think we should talk anymore.

Kanishk: What do you mean by we shouldn’t talk anymore? I am just asking you a name, you moron.

Latika: If I tell you the name, we won’t date anymore.

Kanishk: I don’t care. Just tell me the bloody name.

Latika: I am tired. I am feeling sleeping. Bye.

Kanishk: You can sleep all you want. Just tell me the f***ing name.

Latika: No.

Kanishk: No? Seriously? You know what. Just tell me the name and I will not call you again. You can break up with me.

Latika: No. I am sleeping.

Kanishk: One more no. I will f***ing kill myself. I want the name.

Latika: Let me sleep. Bye…

Kanishk loses it completely.

Kanishk: Listen sweetie…are you choosing a name over your boyfriend? Is that name that important to you?

Latika: You are not my boyfriend anymore.

Kanishk: Yes, yes, yes. I don’t care. I just want the name.

Latika: Rehan!

A silence of 10 seconds.

Kanishk: Rehan? Rehan who?

Latika: That is not your concern.

Kanishk: Yes it is my concern. I want to know about him. I am your boyfriend.

Latika: You are not my boyfriend anymore. We are just friends now.

Kanishk: No, I am not your friend. I love you.

Latika: But I don’t love you.

Kanishk: You are only mad. Tomorrow you will call me and everything will be normal again.

Latika: Sorry Kanishk but I don’t love you anymore. I can’t see you tomorrow or later.

Kanishk: Why? Do you love anyone else?

No response.

Latika: I am sleeping bye.

Kanishk: Don’t hang up the phone. Just tell me. Is it Rehan?

Latika: Bye Kanishk.

Kanishk: Just tell me if you are dating him.

Latika: Yes, I am dating him.

Kanishk is heartbroken. He is in tears.

Kanishk: When this happened? What was my fault? Where I go wrong?

Latika: You love me too much.

Kanishk: Is that my fault?

Latika. Yes. I don’t want to feel bounded. I want to be free and your love suffocates me.

Kanishk: Is that so?

Latika: Yes that is how it is…Sorry.

Kanishk: It’s ok…I won’t bother you again…Bye…Take care…and thanks for the birthday gift…

Kanishk wants to hang up the call but the wet fingers do not have the strength to press the keys. He still hopes Latika will tell him that all this was a joke, a birthday prank played perfectly by her and she still loves him, only him.

Latika hangs up the call. Kanishk looks to the screen. It’s 3:50 AM. Last call duration 2 hrs 50 minutes.

 



2016

10:30 AM

Phone ringing. It’s Latika.

Kanishk: Hello Latika.

Latika: Hi Kanishk. Happy birthday.

Kanishk: Thank you.

Latika: How are you?

Kanishk: I am okay. You?

Latika: Great.

Kanishk: How your MBA going?

Latika: Good.

Kanishk: Still dating Rehan?

Latika: Yes.

Kanishk: Does he love you more than me?

Latika: Nobody can love me more than you.

Kanishk: So why you are with him not me?

Latika: You still love me that much?

Kanishk: Yes and always…

Latika: Don’t…please don’t love me. You are a great guy…perhaps the best. Move on. You will definitely get someone who will love you as passionately as you love me.

Kanishk: I don’t want anyone but you.

Latika: Sorry Kanishk, I am not made for you. Don’t wait for me.

Kanishk: I will always wait for you.

Latika: I will not call you again. Please don’t wait for me. Goodbye…take care.

Latika hangs up the call. Kanishk tries again, she doesn’t pick up. After 30 minutes and 35 tries, her phone gets switched off.

 

2017

08:00 PM.

Phone ringing. It’s Latika. Kanishk takes up the call.

Kanishk: Hello.

Latika: Hi Kanishk, Happy birthday.

Kanishk: Thank you Latika. How are you?

Latika: I am good. How are you?

Kanishk: I am great.

Latika: What’s birthday boy doing? So who called you first today?

Kanishk: Sonali.

Latika: Yeah, I saw your Facebook photos. She is very pretty.

Kanishk: We are getting engaged next month.

Latika: Oh…that’s nice. You look happy with her.

Kanishk: Yes I am happy.

Latika: More than when you were with me?

Kanishk: No, not that happy but at least I won’t have my heart broken for loving someone too much.

Latika: I am sorry. I treated you really bad. You didn’t deserve so.

Kanishk: It’s ok. It was my fault. I should have noted that I am strangling you with my love.

Latika: No, it was not your fault. I was wrong. Sometimes, we realize the true value of something when we lose it.

Kanishk: Yeah…Can I expect your call on my next birthday to remind me that I am one more year older?

Both forced their laughs.

Latika: Yeah maybe.

Kanishk: Bye…Take care Lati

Latika: Yeah bye bab…Kanishk…

 

2019

02:00 AM.

Phone rings. A message from an unknown number.

“Happy Birthday”

 

 

रात की ख़ामोशी (Raat Ki Khamoshi)

खुशियों के तोल-मोल से दूर कहीं भुला बिसरा पड़ा है सपनों का झोला,
बालों की सफेदी अब फर्क नहीं करती,
उम्र के पकने से पहले ही दे जाती हैं जिम्मेदारियों की रसीद,
हांसिल क्या किया है समझ नहीं आता,
और कामयाबियों की फेहरिश्त इतनी लम्बी भी नहीं,

मोबाइल की डायरेक्टरी में गिनती तो बढ़ती रहती है नामों की हर रोज़,
पर उनमें करीबी शायद अब एक-दो ही,
समय अब कभी काफी नहीं होता,
ज़रुरत पूरी हो जाती है, पर जरूरतें कम होती नहीं,

टूटे सामान अब जोड़े जाते नहीं, बदल दिए जाते हैं,
जो रिश्ते थोड़े मुश्किल होने लगे, तोड़ दिए जाते हैं,
लोग वही रहते हैं, उनके स्टेटस बदल जाते हैं,
अनजान जो दोस्त बने थे, धीरे-धीरे अनजान बन जाते हैं,



दिल में अब भी बहुत पड़े हैं आधे-अधूरे अरमान,
पर शायद अब सब धीरे-धीरे हाथ खड़े करने लगे हैं,
जीने लगे हैं किसी और के लिए,
पालने लगे हैं उसे बड़े जतन से,
आखिर कल उसपर ही तो लादना है ये सपनों का झोला,

चलो अब सो जाते हैं, रात से जो थोड़ी मोहल्लत मांगी है चंद लम्हों की,
बड़े अरसे बाद दिल की बाल्टी से कुछ बातें छलकी हैं,
रात की ख़ामोशी का शोर शायद सबसे ज्यादा होता है,
की बातें खुद तक पहुँच जाती हैं…
-N2S
10032019Man looking at lights in night

बस खिलौने कम हैं (Bas Khilaune Kam Hain)

closeup photo of white petaled flower showing beauty of life

अब अश्क सवाल नहीं पूछते,
वजह ढूंढते हैं बह जाने को,
हम बुद्धू हैं कि ,
यह समझ नहीं पाते,
मतलबी लोग नहीं, बस आलसी हैं,
साँसों की गिनती तो पहले जितनी ही है,
अब बस खिलौने कम हैं पाने को,



कल का हस्र देख, आज थोड़ा और जी लूँ ,
की कल से कम ही तुलेंगी खुशियां
ज़िन्दगी के तराज़ू पर,
हर दिन गुज़र जाता है सिकवे करते-करते,
हर शाम एक और वजह मिल जाती है खो जाने को,
वक़्त लाया तो है तरीके बहुत बातें कहने के लिए,
बस अलफ़ाज़ कम रह गए हैं सुनाने को,
आज भी इसी आस में सो जाते हैं,
की कल कोई उठाएगा,
स्कूल जाने को…
-N2S
02012019

Just Come Back To Me

silhouette photo of man leaning on heart shaped tree

You say things that are mean,
I say things that I don’t mean,
Then I let you go,
Sometimes I want you to,
but when you are not around,
I start missing you,

I feel empty inside,
The loneliness, it burns too,
Chocolate doesn’t taste the same,
All those romantic songs now hurt without you,
I try to sleep, but every dream is about you,
I try to smoke, but even that couldn’t fade you,

It’s Saturday night and raining outside,
My neighbors, they are already inquiring about you,
So wherever you are, whatever you are doing,
Just come back coz I really need you,



I am young, you are cute,
my heart is in mess,
I need to see you,
It’s the daily habit to have you around,
My smile goes missing without you,
I am not good with people,
I ain’t that good with solitude,
People have friends,
I got only you,

So wherever you are,
whatever you are doing,
Just come back to me,
coz I really need you…

-N2S
12092015

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