My tryst with life

I wake up every morning at 5:30, say my prayers and watch the Sun come up on the horizon. I see the trees swaying in the wind and hear the leaves rustling. The cool breeze makes the birds chirp and the music is so enchanting. I listen to them with great intent.I have seen squirrels sprint up the trunk of the Banyan tree standing for ages right outside my room. The hanging roots are a sight by themselves. I have often wondered which one of them is the real trunk. Monkeys are its devout visitors and the tree loves them.

I have also seen a lot of sparrows in the backyard of my room where a window opens to the most beautiful garden that I have seen in some time. There is a mowed down lawn which invites the fatigued to relax. The flowers are all so vibrant that they catch your eye even before you look at them. Such is the beauty of the flowers and so delectable their sweetness that the garden is a chosen haven for all those bees and humming birds that frequent them.

I see the clouds dotting the blue sky reminding me of cotton candy that I used to gorge on when I was small. Such was the beauty of the nature that I prayed everyday for the next morning.

When night falls, I would watch the skies for shooting stars. I have seen them a few times but I am always welcomed to the treat of a million stars every night twinkling at me as if trying to tell me something. I have named a few of them that I see daily and have always ran into trouble identifying them anyway.

The loud thunder and the blinding lightning scares me but then follows the most beautiful thing of all - the rain. All those drops of water - which once initiated life on earth still replenishes it with its bounty. The showers are a welcome break for the herbage robbed of its freshness by the unrelenting Sun. I stretch out my hand to have a first hand experience of the summer rain and an insant smile flashes on my face with the first drop on my body.

Nature has been so kind and bountiful to me as it has been to the others that I almost forgot to tell one thing which I see ......daily.

The iron bars shielding me from the outside heat and rain - almost being my personal
bodyguard. I have been here for 4 years and have almost forgotten how my tiny toddler looked like when I first saw him in the hospital in my wife's arms. They were the most beautiful couple that I had seen. I have never seen them since and I fear, will never see them again.

I still remember them in my arms and that was the last time I ever said to my wife that I loved her. That was the last time I ever kissed my kid. I dread the day when they left me all alone in this punishing world.

I never defended myself when I was incriminated for something that I could never fathom to have done. Such was the perennial pain that I embraced the decision with a smile. I have never been out of this cell since then.

The day was nearing and I was eagerly waiting for it. It was my freedom waiting for me on the other side of these bars. I had prepared myself for that for all these 4 years and no one could now snatch it from me.

It is 5th of June and there is an and uncommon uneasy chill in the morning air. I woke up a little early than usual and said my prayers. I can see two prison guards waiting beyond those imposing bars - entrusted with taking me for my last shower in this prison. I can see the dark horizon and could hear a few chirps and squeaks. I looked at the flowers for one last time and saw them fade away into the darkness. I took my shower and dressed up in new clothes. I had asked for new clothes and my wish was granted.

My stomach was growling now - not usual for it - but it was a big day today. I munched on some food and had a hot cup of tea. It tasted like sugarcane and I knew that I won't get this anymore - this being my last tea in prison. I walked across the empty spaces and dark cells. I knew that those inmates wanted to be free, just as I, but they will have to wait. Today was my independence day and I was in no mood to share it with anyone.

I walked past the lone coconut tree in the premises and looked up to its helm and saw that it was barren. A stark contrast to my mind which was full of new hopes and dreams of the impending freedom.

I climbed a few stairs and came to a halt near a pillar. I saw the frame of a short dark man with a very despondent look on his face. I knew that he had a big role to play in my freedom. I smiled at him and blessed him. His face was grim. The time was quarter past 5 in the morning and the Sun was still hiding in its abode. I wanted to see it one last time though.

The short man tied my hands behind my back and I heard him whimper. I consoled him and appreciated him. I just looked around me one last time and blessed all those who stood and then I closed my eyes.

The alien world awaited me and then the clock struck 5:30. I saw my lifless body hanging on the gallows as I embarked on my most rewarding journey.

It is my birthday today and my family is waiting for me.

No more tears

I have known you for more than 3 years and now I have to leave you but, I won't shed a tear because I will come back to you one day and I know that you will receive me then just as I was one of your own.

I was in 6th semester of my Engineering Degree and on an early mornig at around 1 AM, I was handed over my first job offer. I had prepared really diligently for it the previous day and it came to my rescue on the day. My name was called out quite late in the night which forced me into a temporary dejection that I saw permenantly written over some faces. But the moment when I was called out to collect my offer letter I was ecstatic and had welcomed HCL into my career.

Days from then on were busy with final two semesters and exams and projects. College days were nearing an end and there was no notice from the company that had recruited me one year in advance. Repeated phone calls and HR was as it usually is - unresponsive. Well that was the least of the troubles that HR had already inflicted on the few of us eagerly waiting for the call.

I read it in my mail that I had to join HCL on 20th September 2006. I had waited for that day to come like a madman and finally I joined HCL. The trouble of finding an accomodation in CHENNAI is not new to anyone who has one encounter with this city. My friends' and my case was no different. Finally, all got settled and got into different projects and then there was CHANGE - LOTS OF IT.

Love caught me off-guard and I am thankful to almighty that it did. Living, knowing that someone loves you adds a whole new dimension to life. Got into a major project and spent 2.5 years there before another CHANGE - one which I will dread for the rest of my life. Every low has a high and that was proven quite soon to me and I got into another project. Wonderful team members, great manager and a great project with whole lot to learn. The cherry on the cake was the client. A bunch of great people who did not have the high headed attitude that was typical of people in a commanding position.

A great opportunity to visit New York squandered, dreams shattered working was no more fun but I loved it nonetheless. Friends are a breath of fresh air and there is no better testimony than the great company that I got in a short period of time.

All the fatigue of travelling 40 Kilometers to reach office melted away when I was with them and I enjoyed my work and time. Then came the time for interviews and by God's grace, I was able to clear two major companies and they paid me close to my demands.

Putting down my papers was not the easiest thing that I had ever done. A lot of efforts ensued from then to retain me which eventually turned futile. The final mail was quite a difficult one to draft. The final speech was not the best that I had made till then but my comrades gifted me a watch for that... well that's what I will like to believe.

Looking at you for one last time...I have known you for more than 3 years and now I have to leave you but.........