You're not my girl anymore ;-)

I was very sceptical about the day I had to end my relationship with someone I liked and proposed. This meeting somehow never went the way I had imagined it. Infact the feeling that my girl's going to be with someone she likes and adores and someone who can take care of her better than me, was a soother and made me part this girl with a smile. Here's how I recollect my events of the day it actually happened.

It was a morning amidst the most mentally disturbing last few days. On one side, was a girl I've been liking for almost 4 years now, whom I proposed few months back, but who wasn't positive on taking this relationship forward. She is Nithu. On the other side was family pressure on me, on going the arranged marriage way. In case you haven't guessed it yet, Yes I am an average middle class Indian whose family thinks that when a guy turns 29, the next bend on the road is an arranged marriage.

Nithu agreed to meet me at lunch today. I was surprised when she okayed my luncheon idea, but I was more determined to end this mental turmoil, It's either Nithu's way or the highway (yes, the highway here is the arranged marriage way, incase you haven't guessed it already). Morning was time to groom myself, get my hair aligned well, choose the right shirt, a matching round neck T inside, well Ironed dark trousers, shiny shoes. I had to make an impression today, even if it were to be my last rendezvous with her !

Felt like lunch was around the corner from the moment I entered my office at 9 in the morning. Even before I realised, the clock struck 12.30, and it was time I depart to meet my luncheon date today. A solid 10 kms travel from Guindy DLF IT Park to Tidel Park. My 20 minute 10 Km travel was much faster than Nithu's 7 floors elevator descent. Had to wait a few minutes before the girl finally arrived. At Tidel, she's the most professionally pretty girl, to my eyes atleast ! Formally shook hands and guided me to a newly opened "Kabab Joint" restaurant. I chose the best coupé table available.

We exchanged formalities just like old friends do, catching up on work, family, our interests and ambitions. There was a bit of catching up considering this is the first time I'm properly meeting her after my return from New Jersey last December. She was prompt in handing over my "Belated Birthday gift". It was only on 1 occasion in the last 4 years that it wasn't a belated gift.

It was now that I popped up the question, "So tell me Nithu, what's happening on your marriage front?". Nithu replied "hmm, uh, hmm, there is something but I can't tell you right now. Give me sometime, I'll be able to tell you after sometime".

Karthik: (With a heart pumping hard and fast, one would have seen it popping out of his shirt) "Ok take your 2 seconds. Now tell me what's happening on your marraige front?"

Nithu: Well, you know my best friend...

Karthik: Prasad ??

Nithu: (Eyes wide and surprised) You know him?

Karthik: Of course, your best friend for 8 years now, how can I not remember him. You just haven't mentioned his name in the last 2 years. Saw him last at your sister's wedding reception.

Nithu: Yeah, well he proposed me 2 years back. I didn't take it too seriously and wasn't sure if I should end this friendship to start something new with Prasad.

Karthik: (Talking within himself "Dammit! he's much ahead in this queue, he's 2 years and i'm 7 months"). So what have you decided Nithu?

Nithu: Well, his parents spoke to my mom too, and they all seem fine. Things happened much easier and faster. He didn't even tell me the day his parents came home asking for my hand.

Karthik: Well he always swept you off your feet uh !

Nithu: Not actually , but in a way yeah (blushing for the first time)

Karthik: (On a serious note): Nithu, if there was one person who could take care of you the way I wanted to, it is Prasad. I wouldn't have given up on you if it was for someone else. I know how good a guy he is. So here you are, I let you go. By the way, you still havent answered my proposal.

Nithu: Hmmm , uh, hmmmm......

Karthik: It's ok, you don't have to answer it anymore. Thanks for all the memories over the last 4 years, I'll miss you. Oh by the way, I've decided to go ahead the arranged marriage way.

Nithu: (Wide eyed again and laughing loudly) Karthik, I can't believe you're going the arranged marriage way, you're not that material.

Karthik: Well, what to do, my loss is Prasad's gain. I guess i'm not left with much of a choice.

By now our 2 Rotis and Pulao just got over and the clock struck 2:30 pm.

Waiter: Sir, here's your check.

Nithu: Karthik, let me pay this time... please !.

(I've never let Nithu pay a check over the last 4 years !)

Karthik: Hmmmm, go ahead, pay the bill. Well, You're not my girl anymore ! (winks)

The five people you meet in heaven

Would you know my name

If I saw you in heaven?

Would it be the same

If I saw you in heaven? .....

Hypothetically, if you were asked to name the five people you would like to meet in heaven, would you be able to list them down? i.e. assuming you make it to Heaven. Again, in my world, everyone gets to step into Heaven. So try to answer this simple question and I would appreciate if you explain why you chose the 5 people you named here.

I have tried to list down the names of 5 people I would like to meet in Heaven.

1. My Paternal Grandpa:

My dad and mom are the obvious choices, so I'm not including them. My Paternal Grandpa passed away in his late 40's when my dad was 12 yrs old. My dad has told me a lot about his respect for his father. I would really like to know this old man and how he saw my dad as a child.

2. My Maternal Grandpa:
He passed away a few months after I was born. Again I wasn't fortunate enough to spend enough time with him. My mom always had moist eyes when she tried to recollect her times with her favourite parent. He was a good "nadeswaram" player. He even fled a number of times to Karnataka everytime he and my grandma fought. I want to see his humility and compassion as always told by my mom.

3. My Maternal Aunt "Ranganayaki" :
She was second among 6 daughters and my mom was the last. She passed away when my mom was around 10. Considered as a very witty and outgoing lady, she was the tallest among the sisters and the fairest of them all. She was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the kitchen one fine day. She was even pregnant with an 8 month old baby when she left this world. I would like to spend time with this most outgoing aunt of mine !

4. Mahatma Gandhi:
Enough has been said and written about the "Bappu" of India, and I think like every Indian living today, I am unfortunate not to have been born in the era of the Mahatma, but just fortunate enough to live his vision. I would like to take a walk with him, and understand the untold and unheard side of him and the true reason that drove him into his principles. Isn't it a pity that the true messiah of peace has not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize yet !

5. Jesse Owens:
He was my hero right from when I was 8 years old. After I realised my passion for sprint racing in my school days coupled by the fact that Jesse Owens had died a couple of months before I was born, I thought I was the re-incarnation of the legend himself. Well you can pardon a little boy for his dream. He set high standards for the world athletics and was active during the white-black controversial era. I would just like to take a race with him !

Now it's your turn to write who according to you will be the 5 people you'd like to meet in Heaven. Trust me it's not that easy.

(Inspired by the Novel "Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Albom)