I often claim that I love reading books..you know....almost all kinds of books...fiction, psychology, tarot reading etc etc, however I rarely remember what the book was all about when I am done with it.
I also claim (to myself) that I like observing people around me. Different kind of individuals behaving in unique manners always amuse me. I think...why is he/she talking in that specific manner?, what is going on in his/her mind?, what if I was interacting to that particular person?....and then I go in deeper details and try to understand the dynamics behind human behavior and its consequences. I also try to generalize certain class of individuals and their behaviours based on my and only my logic and understanding.(would write more about this in detail later..this post is dedicated to The Crosswords Experience)
Now that I have set up a relevant background (its an assumption), lets get back to the main point...
Date: 25th May 2008
Time : 9.00 PM
Venue: Road no 10, Banjara hills
What am I doing there : walking towards home...
Flashback:
Just closed a deal, reported it to my boss and am kind of happy so I decide to go home little early. Its 5.30 PM and I reach the City Center to buy some grocery. The ground floor has foodworld and 2nd or 3rd floor (I dont remember exactly) has crosswords. So before buying grocery I think of checking out the latest books.
I come across "The Kalam Effect" by P.M.Nair. Looks like a very ordinary book but I want to read about Mr. Kalam, I have always wanted to. So I keep that book in my hand and start looking for something more interesting. I am actually searching for an auto biography by Mrs. Sudha Murthy. I dont get it so I decide to read few chapters of The Kalam Effect and then leave.
I sit on a sofa near the entrance. A man in his 60s is sitting on the Yellow sofa besides my Red sofa. He seems completely engrossed into whatever he is reading. Then begins the experience of a lifetime. I read one chapter, then another and then another and so on...just cant stop reading. I guess its not about the book but the atmosphere. I just realize that I am doing the things I like most...reading and that too around a bunch of people to observe. There are three girls, just finished their exams (I overheard..I know its bad but..whatever) and are scrolling through fashion magazines. I like their dressing style. There is this guy from the crosswords who is talking to a Muslim lady(I assume so because she is wearing a burkha) near the entrance. She wants to leave but he wants to talk to her about something. I am again listening to their conversation.
The book explains that Mr. Kalam is an extremely good human being and he insists that whoever is recruited in his team is a good human being.
The Muslim lady asks the guy to accompany her till taxi but the guy is on duty so he cant step out. The lady leaves with a bad mood. P.M. Nair talks about an incidence where he asks his team to mend a see-saw in one of the parks because a girl had complained him about the same. I am moved.
Now a firang enters the store. She directly walks to a particular section. I want to know which book she wants to buy. She picks up a book written on SRK. What????
Its aroung 8.15 and I am done with 3/4th of the book. I feel guilty. Do I want to read the entire book here and leave without actually buying it. I continue. The three girls are still here. I guess they are waiting for somebody. A guy enters the store, french beard, ultra low waist jeans, puma shoes, a very loose brown shirt and with a "I am a rockstar" look on his face. He hugs two of the three girls, well not exactly hugs them but in a gesture of hello, nice to meet you. The third girl avoids him with a plain hello. They all walk out and the guy is walking with the girl who avoided him. Rocket science is easier to understand than human relationships!!!
I am done with the book and step out. The old man o Yellow sofa is still there. Am feeling good, really good. I still donot know its the effect of heavenly qualities of Mr. Kalam or the ambience. I decide to take a walk to home...alone!!!
