Goodbye World!

Msg 2: Annanya
Hey! We haven't met in two days! That's an eternity in our final semester. What's up?

I smile. Man! Final semester at college was unbelievable. Oh there are some more from the final sem...

Msg 3: Annanya
Accept the technological advances of short messaging services. MSG ME!

ha ha ha! Ann was so sweet. And sarcastic. I cannot imagine how she had so much of time, watching my back, while being in a relationship with Keith? And if that wasn't enough, cooking for us, and working on her thesis. In that order! If I am in a position to understand women now, even remotely, it's all thanks to adorable Ann. Wonder Woman! If I do ever get married, my wife will need a discourse from Ann, cuz no other woman understood me better than Ann. Wonder Woman, indeed!

Msg 6: Janisha
It was so good talking to you today. I missed the coffee and conversations, the long walks and laughs. God! I dont know why I was so unfair to you. I guess growing up helps!And then, you only miss someone when he's not around! ;)
Hugs!


Oh Jenny! Well, the funny thing is I would be mad at her one minute, and we'd be in each others arms the next. Hummm...I cant help but wonder! Everybody in class thought Jenny and I were dating. And I was sucker for it too. How embarrassing! Man, I shouldn't have asked her out. "I thought we were only friends", she said. "Pal, I want you to understand this. I don't wanna lose you as a friend", she said. And then things were never the same. Oh wait! It got worse! We were hardly talking. Till Feb '05, the day I got this msg. And then, things just kept getting better. He he! I guess if we were dating then, I probably wouldn't be reading this msg now. Who reads msgs from an ex three years after you've broken up?

Msg 9: Bharat

Dude!There were things on my mind, which I couldn't really explain. Thought it prudent to leave cuz I didn't wanna say anything that I'd later regret saying. Hope no offences were taken, Pal!

Brett! The dude was wierd! Keith and I wondered if Brett had his periods that day! He he! Look at the number of words he filled his msg with. All this, just to say sorry! "Prudent", it seems! Wait, I gotta look that up on the dictionary. ha ha! Oh I digress. He didn't need to apologise. He had issues with Nishi then. And today he calls and says, he's gonna be marrying Nishi. He he! I really missed out on this story. I wonder what all these two went through after college. Anyway, how could I be mad at this dude? He was definitely entitled to his idiosyncrasies. He he! Cant imagine two engineering blokes writing plays and acting, the way we did. We're never really meant to do engineering! he he! And the guy really offered his case! he he! Silly case-taking or pun-upmanship! ha ha ha! Oh and the women we kept talking abt...all the time! Somehow, he ended up being agony uncle when I was falling madly in and out of love. he he he! And the times he and keith carried me back to my room when I was completely plastered! ha ha ha! Priceless stuff!


Msg 11: Keith
Palak! Dude! Sorry for being a major pain in the proctologist's major, man! LOL! I had to gate crash when you were getting cozy with Jenny. I just needed a hand with my luggage. So are you guys finally datin? LMAO! Well, you've waited 4 years, so dont get too naughty man! Always remember, bros over...you know who? Rock n Roll rules! Peace!

That was his goodbye msg! How the f@#* were we room-mates for 4 years? How did he even manage to impress Ann? Ha ha ha! The guy was surely funny! That's an understatement. He was a live-wire man! He seemed to be wasting his time with Brett and I, not to mention Ann, but he simply aced all his exams. What a stud! The guy had a geek like me for a room-mate and he let me be. He'd always get mothered for being a phoney by Ann, and he's let her be.Brett would screw his happiness for all his diplomatic stands, and it wouldn't bother Kieth one bit! Now I realise it, the guy had a fantastic attitude! He lived for the moment. Whatever he did, he'd give it his best! I guess it takes Superman to sweep Wonder Woman off her feet!

I wonder what these guys are upto. It's been three years. Even though Keith said, "Long-distance sucks, man! All talk and no sex!", Ann and he are still together. Brett is a classic example of corporate sobriety after an the exuberance of youth, choosing to become a husband even before marriage. He he! Jenny's doing her PHD in NY city. And she still writes to me. About all the men in her life. He he! Ann once called me an emotional coolie. Cuz I seemed to handle all of Jenny's extra baggage very well. Ha ha ha! But Jenny still calls, and asks me about what I'm upto. Very often. It's a pity I have very little to talk about. And every time I wanted to call, I wondered what it was that I should be talking about. Hummm! "Dont you think it's a good idea to stay in touch?" said Keith, the last time he called. It's a great idea dude! And I think it's a great time to call!

Palak reads each of these text messages again. And once more. And then one last time. Overwhelmed with nostalgia, he deletes each of them. Lights a cigarette and looks away. Thinks of Brett and Keith, his pillars of support. Of Ann, who was easily his best friend ever. Of Jenny, who meant the world to him then. And probably still does, after all that they'd been through! He shuts his eyes. His college days are running through his head, like a film reel in fast-forward mode. He had such awesome people for a cast. And his life didn't even need any direction! He opens his eyes.Stubs his cigarette and turns around. He finds his 3310 dying. And a virgin iPhone next to it, waiting to be unlocked. It's time to make few calls!