Celebrating Friendship #02: When Spain had a game

Prologue: “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ."” || C.S.Lewis ||

16 June, 2010 - Chennai

Looking up at the sky, Vinoth immediately knew that he had chosen the worst day to don his new Peter England. Above him, the Sistine blue was turning into a thick sheet of fluffy grey as loaded clouds raided the airspace. He could also feel the air turning heavy with humidity. Soon enough, glistening beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead and slowly trickled down his nose. Sighing with great sadness still devoted to his attire, he took out a crumpled hanky and wiped his forehead. A minute later, thunder roared and a big fat drop touched ground. Ten seconds later, the clouds burst.

"It cannot get any more worse than this", he concluded. His evening had been absolutely irritable and exhausting so far. For starters, just when he desperately needed to get back home in time to cheer for Spain, his bike had stubbornly refused to leave the parking lot after choking on a dying battery. In a blind flurry, he had left the bike there without a second thought and walked swiftly to the railway station in hope of catching a train to his place. En route to the station, he had stumbled over a rock. Though it hadn't sent him hurling to the ground, his ankle had been badly sprained, giving him no choice but to limp the remaining 700 meters to the station. He had finally dragged himself to the station, only to find the platform thronged by commuters. Realizing that it would be tough to hustle past the crowd and catch the first train that arrived, he had made a quick mental calculation. "The game must have started by 7.30. Now, it is 8.15 already. If I let the first train go and board the second, it won't be crowded and I can still make it for the Half-time". Moreover, it's not like Spain will lose today. After all, it is just Switzerland". So, he had let the first train pass, feeling awfully clever with himself. Well, his genius idea did work and the crowd cleared with the arrival of the first train. What he hadn't foreseen was the rain.

Now, he stood drenched from head to toe (Peter England included), regretting his decision. Closing his eyes, he wished desperately for the next train to arrive as soon as possible. As if addressing his wish, a voice suddenly boomed over the microphone, "All electric trains towards beach are running late due to heavy rains. The next train is expected to reach Chrompet station after 30 minutes". Somewhere inside him, something of sorts crashed and he realized it was his spirits hitting rock bottom. "Screw my bike, screw this rain, screw the trains and SCREW YOU CHENNAI", he exploded. A few loitering souls glanced at him in shock. But, he took no notice. Barely a month has passed since he had taken his new job in Chennai and he had already been forced to face everything he despised in life: the heat, the traffic, the dingy apartment and now, missing soccer. The intensity of hatred was too much that his composure snapped and his eyes filled with tears. Right that moment, he felt thankful to the rain.

He slowly grasped the fact that, tonight, Spain would win without him cheering over it. Dejected, he squinted around in the rain for an empty bench. Spotting one, he walked over to it and sat. As he braced himself to wait for the next 30 minutes, he felt a movement beside him and turned to see another guy sit beside him. The guy was overweight with a pot-belly. Having always been a firm believer in staying fit, this guy disgusted him and he turned the other way to avoid looking at him.

"Boss, new shirt ah?? Bad luck ji!!", the guy asked suddenly.

"Yes", he replied curtly.

"Are you working ji", the guy asked again.

"Yes", he offered again

"Nice ji. I am still searching for a job boss. But, there seems to be no job for my standard. Today too, had an interview ji. Total flop. But,.....", he rambled on. Not able to listen anymore, Vinoth turned irritably to tell him to shut up when something that the guy said caught his attention.

"Soccer, did you say?", asked Vinoth

"Yes ji. Mom thinks I am still waiting for an overseas interview call, but I am going to my friend's apartment to watch soccer. Unfortunately, it started raining. So, my friend is coming over to pick me up. He stays in Pallavaram only. Spain's playing today ji"

"Okay. So, you watch soccer?? Is Spain your favorite team?", asked Vinoth

"Yes ji. Been a Spain supporter for 3 World Cups.", the guy replied excitedly

"Oh, okay. Actually, I am also........

Epilogue: After understanding the plight Vinoth was facing as a Spain supporter, Srinath introduced him to his other friend who also rooted for Spain. They rode home as a trio and have been thick friends since then. They still get together for all soccer games. Vinoth loves Chennai now, because he loves the people in it.

P.S. Spain lost to Switzerland that day, but won the world cup

A Leap of Faith!!

Prologue: A literary account of emotions experienced during a night-bungy from the Macau Tower!!

Clad in clunky and clangy chains, I reclined on the chair, cloaking my inner turmoil with a slight smile that lay frozen to mark suavity. Possessed by insolence, the tempestuous weather seemed to imitate me, giving an explicit ring to my psychic pandemonium. The sea demon joined in, lashing out with a might that became merciless with every strike, making my unyielding face smart from the salty chill.

Putting up a brave face was not too demanding till now, as a 10-foot distance ensured I was blind to the reality lurking underneath. But, as the moment drew near, the mask of bravado I had staged began peeling off. Lips I had poised for charm quivered and my throat ran dry on account of a fat lump squatting right above my larynx. Swallowing painfully, I tasted the lump and realized it was cowardice. Immediately, bolting away felt wise. Alas!! There was nothing I could do now. So, I stayed put, while my conflicted conscience struggled like a fish caught in a net.

Then, they came - Two incredibly handsome guys who were supposed to help me drag myself to the iron-beam that overlooked the gorge. With hands as sturdy as a weathered redwood, they offered support as I glided from the chair. Feeling safe in their hands, my timid mind, as if in a trance, let them take control of my balance and walk me over to the edge. Clueless, I did what their hands asked. They pointed up to a cctv camera boring into my soul from the right corner of the roof and waved; I waved too, flashing a toothy grin that went oddly twisted on reaching my cheeks taut from fret. Then, they pointed to another camera down below, partially visible from the take-off board. My eyes followed them but stopped midway, beholding the inky pit below. 

I blinked once and yet again, my eyes took in only the murk. 

I blinked again and, lo and behold, the utopian existence within the dark abyss unveiled itself. Transfixed, I spotted the peacock sea dancing ferociously a few blocks away; the gleaming velvet sky studded with diamonds, so far yet so near; the lit-up city spread dripping with urban finesse. All at once, I was - numb to the pinching cold of the wind; deaf to the blustery uproar; and defiant of the earthly pull that held the world together. Not wanting to move in time, I shut my eyes tight, capturing the picturesque panorama inside. Taking a deep breath, I felt strangely calm and ready. 

Opening my eyes, I turned momentarily to give the guys a thumbs-up and leaped. Into the twilight I went, becoming nothing but a blurry speck descending like lightning toward the ground that lay 230m away. At 200km/h, the gust became a maniac, hitting harder. It sent a searing pain through my cheeks and pulled at my hair roots. Shedding away all inhibitions worth a lifetime, I spread my arms wide. For the next 15 seconds, I was a bundle of my favorite emotions - free like my will; fierce like a wildling; weightless like a feather; unstoppable like a rolling mass of snow.

A mere 30 meters from the ground, my speed slowed and with a jerk, I rebounded upward a few meters. Then, I found myself hanging upside down, my mortality hinged to a single bloody rope. As the cable system at the other end of the rope began lowering me steadily toward the landing, I spent the last few seconds relishing the exquisite outlook and willing for it to last. Soon, I touched ground and a bubbly Hmong helped me out of the gear while I managed to stand on my rubbery legs.

And I walked away!! With a satisfied smile, a rejuvenated spirit and an emptied pocket.