I checked my watch and wished if it was out of order. Amit looked at my sad face and smiled. “Chill VOYci, we’re quite used seeing you at 9.30 am. I think the day you come on time, our team may require the Infy doctor.”

I smiled back and sat on my chair. Amit is a nice guy. I remember the number of times he helped me escape my manager’s fury when he enquired about my whereabouts. Amit always finished the urgent work on time.. He would also tell the manager that I stayed back late in the office to complete my assignment. I opened my Outlook to check on urgent mail. Fortunately there was no mail from my manager stating an issue with the project which I submitted the day before. I guess I did the work perfectly. I need a hike.

It’s a regular Monday morning, when you are wondering how Sunday went past so soon. When I was replying to the last unread mail, Amit asked me to join him for tea. I told him that I’ll join him in another ten minutes. I finished drafting the mail and pressed ALT+S. I locked my system and headed towards the cafeteria.

My Group was waiting for me.
“Hey VOYci, you’re late again for tea” Rahul, my team mate said as I reached.
“What can I do? I was late getting to office and got stuck with some urgent work.”
“It’s usual for him now Rahul. We’re used to it,” Amit added.
“But why do you always come late. You live in Mohali, and it’s hardly 18 kms from office. It should not take more than 20-25 minutes.”
“I love to watch TV till late as I can’t get up early morning unless I’ve something very urgent to do,” I say in my defense.
“Whatever it is, I think I can do something for you,” said Rahul as we finished our tea and we disbursed.

I came back to my seat and started working. After around an hour, Rahul pinged me.
“I was just wondering if you really want to come to office on time?” Rahul enquired.
“Yes, I do!” I said in my most convinced voice.
“I have a plan by which you can come on time,” Rahul replied.
That raises my curiosity.
“Car pool!” said Rahul.
“Car what…?” I thought Rahul had made some kind of a mistake. “Pool” in my dictionary was some kind of water body!! I had no idea if someone put his car at some bridge and I could come on time.

But he then went on to say that he would take more about it at the cafeteria around 12.30 during lunch. We met for lunch.

He told me the actual meaning of that word which he used, “Pool” is an English word which means ‘An organization of people or resources that can be shared’ and Car Pool means sharing a car with people who share the same route as you.

Some people who have vehicles/ don’t have vehicles get together and come or go together in the same vehicle and that’s how they share the expenses. Apart from sharing the expenses they do well for the society too by saving fuel and not spreading much pollution. At the same time it helps as a stress buster, in time management, social networking etc. I listened from one ear and it unfortunately went out from another. I never believed in theory but since this concept seemed quite interesting I agreed to Car Pool. Rahul’s friends lived in the same place so he asked one of them to pick me from my home at sharp 7:50 am. He warned me to get ready on time.

I love my google android G1 Phone, but finding it difficult to use it for checking my emails, since it lacks the most basic functionality like the feature of multiple emails deletions and the empty thrash feature. Due to the unavailability of these features, you are supposed to go to each message and delete them one by one.

I work as a database administrator in a software company, and this feature would be equivalent to deleting every record one by one from a database of 1000 records.

If Google has big plans with its new product Android, then they better make sure that they get in these basic features soon.

When adversity strikes. And Chances of one’s facing it and running off from it are alike. Then its hope that brings out ones might. Hope for better future is what on which humanity strives.

Had it not been there world would have depressed and deprive.

Swinging all day with my pals …
I forgot I have to answer my calls …
Sharing my tears, my fears …
I forgot I have a million fears … a million unfold … a million unsaid …

I live all alone deep down …
What makes you wait so long …
Conquer the worlds of eternity … being with me, myself and I

“Just do what I say” again a hard tone on my brother.

He closed the door and left. Half an hour later my mom came to my room with a plate of food. This time I did not refuse for the second time, I started having dinner. You forget your fights and anger when you are hungry, the same was with me also. The only reason I was sad was for, why did not my dad come to ask me about my dinner. I did not worry about this too much as it was not for the first time.

Ramesh, my dad, runs a middle class family working at a shoe factory. I do not know his earnings, but he has very well managed to fulfill the whole family’s needs. He is bad only when it comes to me and I do not know why. My mom, Sharadha, who has completed her SSLC, a housewife, knows only to cook well. She is not a book worm, but has a good general knowledge. Bharath, my 14 year old younger brother, is very good at studies and is very fond to my parents. He helps my parents in every way. I, other than good looking, am nothing more for my family.

I got ready after applying deodorant few more times. I was dressed at the best for my first day at college. Yes, it is a surprise but a fact. I somehow managed to clear my high school in second class and entered my Pre-University college level. I was too happy. College is very similar as schools for those who think education is everything, but for a guy like me, it’s a gate pass out of jail. I was on cloud nine at that moment.

I should not have said those words, but I could not help myself other way. I had these things in my mind from long. I walked straight outside my home while my dad stood keeping his head bent. Silence from others proves that you are right and other is on the wrong side. I felt I was right.

“Sharath, come for dinner. Mom is calling” my brother’s voice. I was a bit angry on him as he was the cause for all my fights between me and my parents. I have heard his friends and my relatives saying that he is a good son to my parents. This always made me an outsider from my family sometimes.

“I won’t come. You go and have” I replied harshly.

15 years ago…

“Dad, here is my report card. I have again scored a very less marks, as usual. I had done my level best, but still could not score well. I am sorry” I said in a low voice accepting my mistake.

He had a look at the report card, and the next second it was on my face.

“What do you do at school? What reason you attend extra tuitions? Why do you not score well like other students, or at least like your brother, Bharath? He is second highest in his class. Do learn something from him at least”

I get irritated if somebody compares me with someone else, especially when my dad does this with my brother. I do not like it.