उसे नाज़ था अपनी इम्पोर्टेड मर्सिडीज पे,
मैं अपनी मारुती में ही सफर कर लेता था,
वो बोला तुझे क्या पता अमेरिका में इमारतें कितनी ऊँची हैं,
मैंने कहा मेरे पहाड़ों से तो छोटी ही होंगी,
वो इतराकर बोला मेरी कमाई अमरीकी डॉलरों में है,
मैंने कहा दो वक़्त की रोटी रुपयों में भी खरीदी जाती है,
उसने फिर अपनी आलिशान कोठी दिखाई जो
शायद मशहूर होटलों को भी बोना कर देती,
मैंने कहा पर ये तो खाली है,
हम दोनों ऐसे ही अपनी हैसियतों पर जुबानी जंग लड़ रहे थे की,
शमशान में दो चिताओं को जलता पाया,
कुछ देर उनका जलता देख मेरा दोस्त बोला,
मैं साला भूल गया था की मुझे लकड़ी पे ही जलाया जायेगा सोने पे नहीं,
मैंने उसके कंधे पर हाथ रखा और कहा,
ओये राजा भोज तू इतनी जल्दी नहीं मरेगा, चल तुझे चाय पिलाता हूँ,
वो झट से बोलै, चाय छोड़ मैं तुझे अंग्रेजी शराब पिलाता हूँ वो भी विलायती,
“साला विलायती”
-N2S
22072014
“मैने मुड़ कर देखा तो वो चेहरा भीड़ में घूम गया, इस बार गया तो याद ना आया…”
आज राह चलते दिखा तो याद आया,
कुछ अजीब सा हुआ दिल में,
एक लम्हा जहन में दौड़ आया,
वो चेहरा था कुछ जाना पहचाना सा,
शायद बिता बीच में अरसा था,
पर ना जाने क्यूँ, यूँही ये ख़याल आया,
आज दिखा तो एक चेहरा याद आया,
वक़्त भी चलता है कभी,
कभी ये दौड़ता है सरपट घोड़े की दौड़,
बदल गया था शायद वो आँखों पर,
जिस पर यादें लड़ रही थी मेल करने का खेल,
बस लगी झड़ी कुछ लम्हो की,
तो दौड़ पड़ी यादों की रेल,
याद आए वो दिन, वो बातें कुछ पुरानी सी,
सालों पुरानी, किसी बुढ़िया के बालों सी,
बचपन की नादानी थी वो शायद,
या वक़्त ही कुछ ऐसा रहा होगा,
कुछ धुंधली सी यादों से जुड़ा लगता है,
कोई बचपन का यार ही होगा,
कहूँ क्या, ऐसे ही एक सवाल आया,
आज दिखा तो एक चेहरा याद आया,
पूछूँ क्या के मेरे हाल से फ़र्क किसी को पड़ेगा नहीं,
भला होगा तो हंस देगा और
अगर दर्द में होगा तो हँसी में छुपा देगा,
नज़र होगी रास्ते पर और मन में हज़ार हिसाब होंगे,
फिर एक भूली हुई याद का शिरा पकड़कर दोनो हसंगे,
जानता तो वो भी होगा की यह बात भी भुला दी जाएगी,
हमारे मुड़ते ही यादों के रेगिस्तान में दफ़न हो जाएगी,
क्यूँ होता है ऐसा की चेहरे लम्हो की दुकान पर बेच दिए जाते है,
जब जी रहे थे वो पल हम,
वो शख्स बहुत करीब था दिल के,
बातों में शामिल, प्यारा था वो भीड़ से,
पर जब ज़िंदगी के बाज़ार में लम्हे नीलाम हुए,
वो हसीन चेहरे वाले सबसे पहले बिक गए,
आज दिखा तो एक चेहरा याद आया,
चलो फिर मिलेंगे कभी,
ये तो वो भी जानता है के फिर कभी नही,
मिलेंगे अगर तो सिर्फ़ चेहरे होंगे,
एक दूसरे को तोलते बनिये होंगे,
कभी सोचता हूँ की जब मिलते ही है लोग बिछड़ने के लिए,
कुछ पल हँसने और फिर आगे बढ़ने के लिए,
कोई किसी को दोष ना दे चेहरा भूल जाने पर,
रंग बिरंगे पंखों वाले पंछी भी मिलते है एक दिन के लिए,
बैठकर पेड़ पर कुछ देर, निकल पड़ते है अपनी मंज़िल के लिए,
पंछी ही हैं हम भी शायद,
इसलिए तो जब वक़्त आता है तो उड़ जाते है,
“we still don’t know what we are doing, what to do with the life”
Here he goes again, the second time of the week and he goes again,
Monday or Friday, new year or last year, he is all the same,
lying a few feet from the door,
some empty bottles and a diamond ring on the floor,
his life is a mess, it is full of shit,
shut up everyone, Maks is an idiot,
Saturday night, one more day on Delhi streets,
We all are hanging out on CP, I am giving the treat,
the occasion, I don’t remember clearly,
Maks getting the job, I am quitting, it could be any,
Sitting on the stairs of some gaudy mall,
they all look the same, nothing special to recall,
I don’t watch girls anymore, particularly for love,
it doesn’t matter now, I am already hurt by that word,
but he still believes in the love that should be true,
even when he never had one or perhaps never heard I love you,
Another friend got married last month, would be kissing his wife,
we still don’t know what we are doing, what to do with the life,
career heading nowhere,
no one to guide, don’t know how to reach there,
parents want something that he doesn’t want to do,
He knows life would be easier then, but it isn’t what he belongs to,
times are changing, everything changing around,
friends are settling, nesting, having kids but he is going round and round,
Still standing where he was five years ago,
one step up and countless there to go,
but he believes we will be always like that,
a lot good at heart and a little flawed,
his life is a mess, it is full of shit,
shut up everyone, Maks is an idiot,
Watching girls, cute, pretty, long or short,
debating if they are hot or not,
Watching someone cuddling with someone,
we miss someone, he remembers someone,
Here he goes again, the second time of the week,
he has done it again,
Beers for me and others, he is settling for RC,
quacking at first, arguing later and then mumbling something shitty,
for all things he would say, he will not remember any,
we all are lost, we all are intoxicated,
landing on a shop of lingerie, oops I mean jewelry,
the salesgirl from North-East is really pretty,
she smiles, we drool and end up with a diamond ring,
He has lost his “imagination” a long time ago,
knows that life is full of highs and low,
perhaps it’s just a matter of time,
till life teaches us the way to live or we make it dance on our rhyme,
for now, we are happy together, we are alone,
He has a sweet dream, someone waiting somewhere unknown,
Two more pegs, now it’s not he who is talking,
I am still wondering who actually bought that ring,
sorry, sister, he has done it again,
there is no point in trying, he will not remain the same,
Shouldn’t life be a memorable journey?
Some best friends, a cute love and a lot messy,
Yeah, his life is a mess, it is full of shit,
shut up everyone, Maks is an idiot…
Leo Negi, 6 is a new student in the class, he is shy and sits alone on the last bench. After the school, he enters school bus but nobody gives him a seat. Finally Pujlis Kumar, 7 offers him the seat beside him.
Pujlis: What’s your name?
Leo : Leo and yours?
Pujlis : Pujlis.
Leo : What kind of name is that?
Pujlis : I like it.
Leo : But I don’t, I will call you Pulis.
Pujlis : Ok.
From that day, they become inseparable.
09 years later.
Leo, 15 and Pujlis, 16 are choosing streams after 10th class boards.
Pujlis: So what you have opted?
Leo : Same as yours, commerce.
Pujlis : But you don’t like commerce.
Leo : Yes I don’t, but you don’t like arts. Don’t worry, with you around I don’t have to study it all.
After the school, they race their cycles to the shopping center in the city.
They don’t have any money. They just roam the streets looking at the expensive things, delicious items, and beautiful girls.
Leo and Pujlis admiring the fanciest restaurant in town, The Venky’s.
Leo : Hey look at that fancy restaurant, they must have many tasty dishes.
Pujlis : Yeah definitely!
Leo : And boy! Girls in there are really cute.
Pujlis (looking at that way, nods his head): Yes they surely are.
Leo(determined): You know Pulis , one day we will own this fancy restaurant and we will marry very cute girls.
Pujlis(equally excited): And we will have two kids each, they will go to the same school. They will play together and we will just sit in this restaurant all the time.
Leo : Yes Pulis my friend, we will do all that.
Read the Heart Break Cafe series for more stories about friendship.
Two years later.
Leo and Pujlis are giving 12th class boards. It’s Economics paper.
Leo : I don’t think I am going to clear this paper.
Pujlis : At least try the two marks questions, you would pass the paper.
Leo : I don’t know any of them, I have written only seven one marks questions and five of them seems wrong.
Pujlis takes his answer sheet and gives him his.
Leo : Oye what if invigilator would come?
Pujlis : Then we both get expelled.
Leo : What if the examiner matches our handwriting?
Pujlis : I know how you write. I have been doing your homework for a long time.
They pass the boards and take admission in a college. Leo continues to be a brat and Pujlis manages to score well in all semesters.
Pujlis and Leo standing in the corridor. Some junior girls are passing by.
Leo : Nice nah? Whom do you like?
Pujlis : Naah no one.
Leo : Come on, I know when you lie just tell me, which one?
Pujlis : That girl, wearing red, walking in front.
Leo : Nice. What’s her name?
Pujlis: Nidhi.
Leo: Let’s go and meet her.
Pujlis : No no I can’t, I won’t.
But Leo drags him anyway.
Leo : Hi Nidhi.
Nidhi: Hi.
Leo : Nidhi, my friend here thinks you are an idiot.
Nidhi: Why he thinks so?
Leo : Coz he thinks you are too beautiful to date a guy like him and would choose some stud who drives fast bikes or some fancy car.
Nidhi smiles.
Leo : Is it okay for you if you would go with him for a coffee to show him that he is an idiot to think so and you are an intelligent and smart girl who appreciates good intention?
Nidhi : Okay.
Leo : Okay then, he would see you after the lecture.
Pujlis and Nidhi start dating soon. They get married after graduation. Pujlis finds a high paying job in an MNC while Leo goes for modeling.
They meet after a couple of months.
Pujlis : So how’re things going for you?
Leo : Just ok.
Pujlis: Why don’t you try in our company, I have many contacts?
Leo : Naah I hate corporates. They are mean suckers.
Pujlis: Why are you wasting your time on these things, you can do great things?
Leo : Don’t worry, I would do something soon.
Pujlis : Yes I know you surely will.
Leo : Anyways why don’t you come to our Ladakh trip, we will have great fun.
Pujlis : I don’t get much time these days. Nidhi is pregnant, so you know I have to be there for her.
Leo : Ok.
Three years later.
Pujlis have two kids now. He is in top management of his company. Leo is still struggling. He has left modeling and joined photography.
They meet at a cafe.
Leo : Dude where the fuck are you these days? No messages, no calls reply, not even picking my phone. It has been almost a year since I last saw you.
Pujlis : Sorry yaar, you know I have two kids at the house and then this high pressure at the job, I don’t get any time.
Leo : You are not even coming to trips, and this time you even forgot my birthday. You used to have fun.
Pujlis : Sorry about that.
Leo : Don’t be sorry, friends never say sorry.
Six months later.
Pujlis is very busy, he is heading a new project in his company. Leo holds a photo exhibition and calls Pujlis but he couldn’t come.
They meet after few days.
Pujlis : Hey sorry, I couldn’t come to your exhibition, I had an important meeting.
Leo (Furious): How come your project was important, mine wasn’t?
Pujlis : Come on, it was a local exhibition, I had a multi-million dollar project in hand.
Leo : So you are comparing now.
Pujlis(tired and frustrated): You are just playing around. You still live like a college graduate. You flirt around, smoke, drink and go on trips. You don’t have a stable career and you are not serious. Get a life and grow up.
Leo : So you think I am still a kid and you are a grown up just because you have this fancy job and a family?
Pujlis : Yes I think so.
Leo : If that is so, yes I am still a kid and I don’t want to grow up.
Pujlis : I don’t have to argue with you. I have to go now. I am getting late.
Leo : Where you are going, you just came?
Pujlis : I don’t know about you, but I have a family waiting at home. I have to be with them.
Leo : I thought I was a part of your family.
Pujlis : Sorry, I am really tired today, I just have to go.
Leo: Why don’t you simply say that you don’t want to be friends anymore?
Pujlis: Let’s not talk about it right now, you are mad and I am quite tired of this shit.
Pujis is about to leave.
Leo : Wait, let me make things easier for you. Since you are this big hotshot and I am just nobody, you don’t need to meet me again. I am never calling or seeing you again.
Pujlis just stands there, he hasn’t expected this.
Leo wants to shake his hand and hug him before leaving, he comes forward but stops.
Leo : Goodbye old friend.
Leo leaves without looking at his face.
Leo leaves the country next week. They stopped talking and lost touch with each other. Years passed. Pujlis becomes the owner of an MNC. His kids are in college. One day he gets ill and is told by the doctor that his days are numbered. He wants to meet Leo for the last time. He tries to contact him but couldn’t find him with all his resources. He dies a few weeks later.
Several years later.
A very successful Leo comes back to the country. He visits the city and goes to Pujlis’ house where is informed that he has passed away a long time ago. Leo feels sad and guilty for not saying a proper goodbye.
He thought to roam around the city before leaving the country again. He goes back to old school, college and streets where he and Pujlis used to roam as kids. All those wonderful old days make him nostalgic. He then crosses the fancy restaurant he and Pujlis want to own when they were young.
He reads the board it says, Leo’s Dream.
He gets curious and goes inside and asks the manager.
Leo: Excuse me, who is the owner here?
Manager: Sorry sir they are not around.
Leo: Where are they?
Manager: Sir, Mr. Pujlis died some time ago and his partner some guy called Leo Negi never visits this restaurant, I think he lives abroad.
Leo(to himself): Pulis you remembered.
Manager: Excuse me sir, who are you?
Leo: I am that Leo.
Leo signals him to the photo hanging on the wall. It’s the college time photo in which Leo and Pujlis are standing together and smiling.
Below the pic, there is a note framed in golden letters.
I know you will come here one day. I know you are mad at me and perhaps I deserve it. You are a stubborn person but would you still forgive this old friend? I am really sorry.
Pujlis.
Leo(with tears in his eyes): Idiot, friends never say sorry. You weren’t wrong…perhaps I just didn’t want to grow up.
“Every day I will remember the best idiots in world…”
My tangled hair with the weird hairstyle,
The boys are calling, Sats arrived with his usual smile,
Maks is paying for the Conty’s hot non-veg soup,
There is Buddha proud of his Basketball shoot,
Ajink is missing; perhaps he needs a beat,
Through Temple hill, to the Deolali street,
My first cigarette, my first beer,
My first educational movie with the Sats where Maks was shedding his tears,
He is heartbroken over his first love,
She is Eagle Gym’s neighbor,
My first crush has the cutest smile in the world,
I would lose my chance if I would profess my love,
Nits has brought her bullet to the tuition too,
Mamta messaging me, I have been using a phone booth,
My first fight at the school ground, my unusual adolescence,
There go my school days and my childish innocence,
Perhaps not every day I will remember the best idiots in the world,
But again not a day goes by when I don’t miss them,
or perhaps it’s the beer talking…
