Black and White - Episode 2

To read the previous episode of the story Click here

"How does it make a great piece of art “, I had to change the topic.

"There's nothing like good, bad or ugly, we categorize it based on our perspectives"

"So which is your favorite painting among these?"

"I don't have any single favorite. One painting was made on a rainy day, the other was painted late night, after a fight with my friend and this painting was made just a few hours ago. Each and every work has its own significance. Few of them for the audience, few of them for the fans, few of them for me, few of them for the art and the rest for something beyond everything."

"Probably I'm not that crazy enough to understand what you said now.", I chuckled.

"I admire your honesty. In fact, I'm not 100% sure about what I said now. Painting is more like poetry, you know. I mean, all the art forms are a way to reach peace. It takes the creator to a different world and viewer to experience something surreal. We cannot describe the influence of art in words. "

“Oh my God! I can’t believe that you are having a conversation with Adithya”, Madhu intruded us.

“She is Madhu….a dear friend of mine. Madhu brought me to this exhibition”, I explained to Adithya.

“I know Madhu. She is a part of Artists Guild”, Adithya replied.

I knew that Madhu wanted to get trained under Adithya and work with him but I wasn't aware that they knew each other. Adithya and Madhu got into a serious conversation on arts. I tolerated it for some time but couldn’t take it anymore.

“Sorry to interrupt you guys. Madhu, shall we leave?”, I interrupted.

“Oh! It’s 9:30. Adithya, we’ll leave for the day. Shall I have your contact number? ”

“Ya, sure. I’m sending you my contact.”, Adithya took out his cellphone and sent his contact number.

“Thanks, Adithya”

“No problem. Sarah, can I have your contact number?”, Adithya asked me.

 This was quite unexpected from Adithya but I managed to put on a smile.

“I have sent her contact number as well”, Madhu said.

I was not sure whether sharing the contact number was the best thing to do. There are a few moments in life which leads you to something big. This meeting was an unexpected package for me. I was happy that I got to meet Adithya; he was so adorable, even Madhu felt the same. 

In the coming days, Madhu built a strong rapport with Adithya. After few hiccups, she started working with Adithya. She was very happy about it. Once in a while, Adithya talked to me and we had regular chat in WhatsApp. Conversations with Adi were endearing. We always had a good time talking to each other.

I had entered into Adithya’s life and he had made his way towards mine. 

“Wat kind of food do you like?”, He asked me mid-way through a long chat.

“I’m not a foodie….fine with anything but veg”, I replied.

“Do you like Rajasthani?”

“I don’t know…I haven’t tried anything before”

“There’s a fine Rajasthani restaurant near my place…shall v go for dinner, tomo?”

I didn't know what to reply. So I kept him waiting for a while.

To be continued....

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Black and White !

It was a fine Sunday evening. Let me think again.....Hmmm…Fine Sunday evening??? Not really. It was one of those terrible Sunday evenings that you curse your job, dream about your passion, feel homesick and miss your parents. Monster Monday had opened its claws and was inviting me for a dreadful week ahead.

I switched on the television to come out of this awful feeling. There wasn't much happening. All the channels were repeat telecasting one or the other awards show, a classic movie, songs with mindless lyrics from the latest albums and News-channels were too busy showing the wardrobe malfunction of an actress whose first film was yet to go on floors. 

My friend WhatsApped me,  "Hey Sarah, Whatsup??"

This was my opportunity to kill some time.

I replied, "Nothin much, Madhu. U tell me"

After a delay of 15minutes she sent a new message ,"was goin out for chats. U wanna join me??"

I agreed and sent a "Thumbs up" emoticon to her. 
A ladies meet-up was fixed in no time just because I was in no mood to argue or discuss.

We planned to meet up at Bluebird Café around 5:30 PM and managed to show up only by 6:20 PM. It wasn't much crowded, inside. This Café offered much needed serenity and my friend was a treat to talk to. We ordered a Hazelnut Cappucino with Chilly Cheese Toastizza and Macchiato with Double Cheese Veg Wrap. Don't worry about being so ignorant about what we ordered - These are just 2 cups of coffee with some bread, each of them costly, and sounded hi-fi. 

"I came here to attend a painting exhibition at Artist's Guild. It's right behind this Café . Just a walk of 5 minutes. Are you joining me?"

"Hmmm. I’ll join you. When does it start? ", I concurred.

I am not an ardent fan of paintings but going back to room wasn't a great option.

"It's 7:50 now. Exhibition starts around 8"

The Café bill doesn't look strange to me, these days. I know, we are not only paying for the 2 cups of coffee and chats that we had but also for the pleasure of leisure, privacy, luxury and serenity. Though it didn't make sense for the first few visits but now I'm acquainted. I know, I am sharing the cost of electricity, rent, comfortable couches, luxurious interior design and salary slips of the employees over there. 

 After swiping my friend's card, we headed towards the venue.

The hall was beautifully decorated and looked so lively with too many paintings. The theme of the exhibition was "Black and White". For someone like me, who is an illiterate when it comes to paintings, this was a refreshing experience.

We stood in-front of a painting which depicted a young beautiful woman's face.

"This is mesmerizing.  Such an amazing piece of work", I said.

"I think, the outline is a bit too dark", She disagreed with me.

"Shit! You are just jealous of his work. The painting is aesthetic!"

"Oh! Come on. I am a huge fan of Mr. Sharma. But this painting is not that great"

We looked at different paintings in the hall. Madhu was passionate about painting and spent a lot of time watching every single art-work with a lot of interest and passion while I kept hopping from one painting to the other.

"What is this?? Two slashes and they call it art" I said to myself, looking at a painting and smirked.

The Person standing next to me overheard what I said and replied, "What's so funny about it?"

"I mean, look at it. There's nothing substantial. Even I could do that"

"May be, you aren't able to understand the painting"

"May be, the painter thinks himself as a genius. By the way, he isn't"

"May be, he really is"

"Let’s stop arguing over some unknown artist and this unwanted painting"

"He is not a stranger and this painting surely is dear to me. I'm Adithya....Adithya Sharma and I painted this", He smiled at me.

I had nothing to reply but smile at him, bluntly.

To be continued...

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Bangalore Days !

Alert: Sorry to disappoint all the film-buffs, this article is not a review of the super-awesome movie Bangalore Days. I am just sharing a story of mine with you in this post. Happy reading.

It was yet another Sunday in the city of Bangalore. I had slept for the whole Saturday, so I had to do something. My smartphone showed 11:13 AM, Sunday and Mr. Sun was all high. The body was tired to sleep any further. I had to do something for the day. My routine for the weekend had become predictable; sleep, sleep and sleep. I was not happy any more to spend the day inside my room. I needed some freedom from internet, WhatsApp, movies and myself. I took a quick bath and was all set to go out for the day.

I made my way towards bus stop and sat on the bench. I took out my smartphone and googled “places to visit in Bangalore”. A BMTC Volvo bus stood in-front of me with LEDs displaying “360B KEMPEGOWDA BUS STATION” and the conductor shouted “Silkboard…Majestic…Majestic”. My planning was interrupted. I boarded the bus with unclear plans. I had to forcefully buy a daily-pass from the conductor.

The whole bus was empty, I mean, who wants to waste Rs. 70 when they could travel the distance in Rs. 25. Weekends mark lesser traffic, they say. The bus was empty and no passengers boarded the bus in the coming stops. The bus had reached Silk Board, I could have diverted my way towards J.P.Nagar/Whitefield but I was reluctant. A pretty lady boarded the bus and occupied the seat next to me. There were umpteen empty seats but she preferred to sit next to me. She was sober and didn't care to contact eyes with me. My smartphone had started shouting “Battery Low”. Smartphone batteries are more like our savings amount; before we rejoice the “Fully-Charged” message,  there is a “Battery Low” alert. After a while, she got a call from someone. She spoke for a while and hung up. I was still in my dormant mode to eavesdrop her conversation on phone.

“Are you in a relationship?”, She asked.

This question was totally unexpected of her. It was more like a Bangladesh-Kenya World Cup finals.

“What?”, I was shocked.

“ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP?”, She repeated.

“No. Why?” I replied.

“Obviously! Why would you travel all alone on a Sunday afternoon in a BMTC Volvo? You look so peaceful” , She said.

“I guess, I didn't get you. How about you? Are you in a relationship.”

“Leave me.  My answer to this question would spoil our conversation”

“Ufff! Chuck that. I wish, I had a girlfriend. My work and family commitments doesn't motivate me to have one. By the way, what's your name?”

“My name? Exchanging personal information would create prejudice. Stereotypes won't help us talk and let our heart out. Knowing someone is an indirect way of agreeing on a give-and-take policy. It creates expectation....So, you have a lot of work at office.”

“Weekdays, I work like a machine. But there are days in which I don’t have a single thing to do”

 “We, human beings, are the most complex creatures on this planet. Striving too hard to earn currencies so that one day we will attain satisfaction and be happy. In the pursuit of almost-impossible complete happiness, we spoil the present.”

I was liking this girl and her thoughts.

“I second that. We created these valuable pieces of paper which are ruling us. For me, leaving far away from my family, hometown, and friends concerns a lot. Financial stability and ambitious future plans make us do all this rubbish.”

“True that. Living a life in Bangalore where we don’t have anything that belongs to us is horrible. It’s a strange world you know.”

“What does it have to do with Bangalore?”

“I meant, a bigger city when I referred to Bangalore. I don’t have anything against this city. In fact, Bangalore is giving me rice and sambar…. I mean, bread and butter”,She giggled.

“Good one! My company helps me lead a life. It gives me a new lease in making me believe that I’m making a great difference to this world. I think, I am on my way to attain financial stability. I, kind of, like what I’m doing.”

“I’m not bothered about my work. I almost never relate to what I’m doing at office. But I’m happy that I can take care of myself, financially.”

“Hmmm. It’s amazing how we both share a common opinion. In spite of being totally unknown to each other, we have a lot to speak ”, I made my point (The flirt in me had started to come alive) 

“No, we don’t. Actually, we haven't had a long conversation as such. But we are trying to understand each other and deal without any prejudice or stereotypes. When you are dealing with a stranger with whom you have nothing to give or take, this happens."

"Agree. That's a very nice analysis"

 "It's Shantinagar. I was here to pick my parents. They are here to attend a marriage ceremony. Bye!”

She ended the conversation so abruptly. No clue at all. I was hoping for her to be with me till Majestic.

“Can I have your contact number?”

“Note it down”

“OK. Let me take out my smartphone and save your number”

The smartphone was dead by now.

“My phone is dead. I don’t even have pen and paper.”

 “No issues. It’s good that we remain strangers.” She smiled and walked away.

“As you wish” I said. 

I had reached the heart of the city and conductor shouted, “Majestic. Last stop! Last stop! ”

“Shit! I could have given her my contact number. Retard me!”, I said to myself after getting out of the bus.

PS: The talk ended before it actually started. Conversations like this make us feel good. The essence in this short talk was trivial and obvious but there is a sense of happiness. Few things are so simple but yet create a huge amount of joy. The human in all of us connects to others. We like to share stories. Personally I relish these moments. 

Thanks for your time. Drop a comment and let me know how you felt.To get the update of my posts and to follow me, click on "Join this site" button on the top left corner of the page.