Chapter 4: Ghayal
Khushi watched her two friends run around the ground playing field hockey. Their school had one of the best hockey teams in the country and had produced many national level players in its decades of history. Khushi had tried for the team when she started high school. The hockey coach had kindly asked her to not to ever get into the field with a stick and run around as there weren't enough hospital beds in their school to put people in if klutz Khushi was let loose. It wasn't that Khushi was a klutz. She lacked hand-eye-legs co-ordination. She did fine when she walked. Most of the times at least.
"That was fantastic work out," Lavanya said flopping next to Khushi on the grassy knoll.
"I second it," Payal said cozying up to Khushi on the other side.
Khushi flapped her hands in an effort to push the two away. "Eww. You guys are sweaty. Stinky too."
Lavanya huffed. "Excuse you. Horses sweat. Men perspire. Women glow." She took out a dainty handkerchief from her bag and ran it over her neck.
Khushi looked at her blankly and then turned to Payal who was silently sniggering. "Whatchu doing?" Payal asked pulling Khushi to her side to annoy her some more.
"Get away from me!" Khushi pushed sweaty - yes sweaty and not glow-y as Lavanya insisted, Payal away from her in a small scuffle which made her drop the sheet of paper from her hands. Lavanya used her freaky cat like reflexes and picked it up before Khushi even realized what was going on.
"Oooh! What's this?" Lavanya said opening the sheet to find -
"Stop reading other peoples' letters La," Khushi said after successfully snatching it right out of Lavanya's hands.
"Open it. I will read it over your shoulder. In that way it will not be first hand privacy breach but can still undergo second hand embarrassment on your behalf." Lavanya smiled brightly. Khushi turned to find Payal doing exactly that. She sighed. She needed new friends.
"What does Mr. Hot Brood write?" Lavanya asked, settling her chin on Khushi's shoulder. Khushi rolled her eyes.
Alright. I may have jumped to conclusion a tad bit early. In my defense anyone rarely responds the way you do so there is a reason why I am writing back. Also - I DON'T ANGST. I brood in the shadows behind staircase and looming walls. The world is confusing in its hypocrisy. I will soon be old enough to vote but not consume alcohol; adults in our country believe we have the maturity to choose a leader but don't have enough intelligence to choose what we consume. I understand the science and studies and numbers but the contradiction continues to baffle me.
The world isn't harsh as much as it is overwhelming. Sometimes social science classes become a lesson in propaganda than recounting of the facts. I can't have normal conversations so what does that say about me? I stick to talking nonsense and show superficial interest in world around me. It's easier that way. And one more thing - I DON'T ANGST.
I do like bad movies though. They aren't trying to be intelligent. The script writer fully knows he is bullshitting his way through the script and he doesn't care. It's that freedom that I find attractive and not some xenophobic assholes who get sanctimonious about the mediocre work they sell as masterpieces.
Ranga Khushi was strangely liberating. The movie indeed requires some amount of "modern" recognition for all that it is and what it definitely isn't. I like how sincere everyone is while making this movie. They knew while they were writing, acting and directing how...stupid everything was for the most part. Yet they did it anyway. That's what I don't understand and what I love at the same time.
There. Told you. Also. I DON'T ANGST!
ASR
PS: STFU. I am healthy almost 18 years old man. I don't have a disease or whatever. Ugh.
PPS: Koala bears can be carried around. Panda will crush your bones. Just saying.
PPPS: Sometimes a movie and its music makes such an impact on people that its contemporaries that have better music get sidelined, ignored and fall into obscurity. It's a shame that this era is full of movies that should never have been made with music that never should be forgotten. First I give you - "Kasam Se" from "Do Aankhen Barah Haath". (The script was probably picked up from a 70s wannabe script writer's dustbin.) And second, as an apology, I give you this: "Tujhse milna milkar chalna" from "Amaanat". Another good one that's forgotten already.
PPPS: Have you decided what to do next?
Lavanya sighed wetly and loudly in Khushi's ears that tickled her. Khushi shrugged the two girls off her shoulders as she pocketed the latest letter from ASR.
"I must say I am intrigued," Payal had a thoughtful look on her face. "I am not sure if he is being facetious or purposefully hyperbolic."
"I am positive he is super good looking and has deep husky voice like Jon Bon Jovi." Lavanya added her own two rupees.
"What?" Lavanya asked looking at twin exasperated looks given by Khushi and Payal. "I can extrapolate things." Lavanya said defensively.
Khushi sighed and rubbed her temple. "Let's go back to our rooms." She said and ushered her two friends from hockey field.
When La and Payal were cleaning up, Khushi took out a small slip of paper that ASR had included in his letter. It read "who is passionate enough when the punishment begins?"
She wasn't ready to share this piece of paper with her friends just yet. For now, the words belonged to her. The first time her eyes fell on that line, she had teared up a little. She didn't fully understand what it meant but the melancholy behind it was obvious.
The slim slip of paper made it to her diary.
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