And it rained all night…

Rains in the month of April doesn’t surprise me anymore…after all global warming and season shifts do take a toll on the natural course of nature. So its not that surprising or unusual to accept this sudden pour from the blue at a time which would be considered untimely in the subcontinent! But this shower doesn’t make me think of ecological imbalance in the blue planet; the concern is to prevent my bachelor pad from being soiled by the on- slaught of the vehement wind.

 At times it’s nice to return home unexpectedly at the time, u are supposed to log off from the time punching machines. U can’t stop the smile stretching your lips when you are not being interrupted by a heavy traffic of eager home goers after a hard day of work. So today I’m home at a time I’m supposed to be…

Switching on the lights, I’m greeted by the anarchy of clothes and the mess a non-organized bachelor’s pad can offer. But I don’t mind; it’s a visual or arrangement I’m rather comfortable or to least say adapted to over a pretty long period.  The only thing that I recommend myself to keep in place of order or reach, are my house and car keys; so keeping them at their specified allocation I hit my favorite asset in this confinement…my recliner (aka GRUMPY)!

The breeze was turning from a delightful breathe to a hurried gush. I didn’t mind or rather just didn’t pay bother to the weather outside. Surfing channels is actually better than viewing one particular telecast; I understand it might be annoying for co-viewers, but there’s no one else to share my space with..so doesn’t really matter.

A bachelor’s best friends are his couch, his TV and a bottle of scotch. Though occasionally beer tags on; but given the present set up…its JD on the rocks. I thanked myself for at least filling up the ice trays, cause most of the time they would be found in the sink…waiting for a wash or refill! So the glass is clean, the bottle has appreciable quantity of happiness; just the perfect recipe for the Champion Leagues Semi’s. Its Barcelona taking on Real Madrid; only a fool would miss it. And I am not one; so it’s the perfect setup to kick start a splendid evening.

Bourbon on the rocks is always a mood setter. It’s almost therapeutic , the effects of sipping it slowly; savoring the woody taste….aaah! Pure indulgence!

My first drink, I always toast to “the women I loved…n the women I lost!”. People exclaim it from being weird to cool; but it’s just respect for time and memories that has shaped up my existence of the present!

The commentators are on the sets suited up, the experts take their dig on the sides and the ESPN logo flashes ‘LIVE’. Wow!

Grumpy is ageing and the signs of it clearly shows on his arms and his forever dysfunctional legs! Just a flick of the switch doesn’t do the tricks, a severe manual pull and push needs to be exercised to get him in ‘mode: comfort’. I would be lying if I said it doesn’t annoy me, but he’s been there with me for long. Taking good care of me, comforting me and listening to my endless blabber when I was happy or when eyes couldn’t stop the tears! Over the years we have formed a strong bond, and though my acquaintances suggest he be replaced; I choose to ignore such comments. What surprises me the most is the fact that, people today just want replacements. This doesn’t work..replace, that ain’t convenient…replace! Can’t they just spend a little time to mend things? I guess not; so I think, for most the easy way is the best way…   

So arranging grumpy took some time, but now that he is in the desired mode; I can enjoy the game! But, viewing the semis just like a regular viewer watching a soccer match, will take away the magnanimous proportions of such an event. So, I rush to my closet and dig in the ’10 jersey of Barcelona. It’s a complete set with the shorts, one of my priced possessions. Now I’m set for the game in stripes of red and blue!

A toast and the kick off.. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – Madrid, jam packed with over a million maniac supporters cheering their teams. It is a delight even far away from Madrid! The magic of HD..

The match is under way.

1' : Pedro Rodríguez (Barcelona) commits a foul after challenging Arbeloa (Real Madrid).

3' : Keita (Barcelona) commits a foul after challenging L. Diarra (Real Madrid).

4': Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) has an effort on goal.

    Casillas (Real Madrid) makes a save.

    Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) has an effort on goal.

     Víctor Valdés (Barcelona) makes a save.

5' : Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) fouls.

7' : Keita (Barcelona) commits a foul after challenging Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

8' : Pedro Rodríguez (Barcelona) commits a foul after challenging Arbeloa (Real  Madrid).

11' : Villa (Barcelona) misses the target.

12' : L. Diarra (Real Madrid) commits a foul after challenging Busquets (Barcelona).

13' : L. Diarra (Real Madrid) commits a foul after challenging Xavi Hernández      (Barcelona).

21' : Marcelo (Real Madrid) takes the corner.

25' : Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) has an effort on goal.

        Casillas (Real Madrid) makes a save.

26' : Arbeloa (Real Madrid) is flagged for offside.

29' : Pepe (Real Madrid) commits a foul after challenging Daniel Alves (Barcelona).

       Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) takes the free-kick.

30' :Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) misses the target.

…The door bell rang! Damn it, it’s a wild storm outside and someone still had to come to gulp a free beer. With much disgust I opened the door. It wasn’t my crew..it was her!

I was speechless, wondering if it was really her or it was just an imagination. She looked beautiful, and though the drizzle had drenched her to unease..she looked even more desirable. Her open hair had always made me skip a few beats and it didn’t fail today. She pushed her way in, arguing what took me so long to open the door! I stood at the door, while she fetched the towel to dry her hair.

I missed her so much, and now she was here.. behaving nothing had happened, ever!

“Stop staring big bear, close the door!”. I did, but still benumb! She came closer, hugged me tight and pressed her soft lips against mine. “I missed you so much! Damn, the traffic was mad…” she kept soliloquizing; about how hectic her day was, her increased work load and so many other things which my mind failed to divulge. She eased on Grumpy, patting him for looking after me while she was gone.

 I watched her flummoxed..her eyes, her lips, the way her hair was undone..the inebriation of her neck and the audacity of her curves outlined through her wet attire. I was reeling under uncontrolled passion, I had missed her for too long. I had missed such feelings ever since she was gone.

The way I looked at her, she knew my mind!

“Pass me a beer!” , she said changing the channels to watch Desperate housewives. My silence was finally broken. “Hun, it’s the semi’s today. Please let me watch the game”

“Sorry! I need to catch up on DHW, been long and it’s the new season.”  She sprang up and kissed me, “ my pumpkin…I Love u”. I knew there was no way I could convince her to let me watch the game.

I opened a chilled pint for her and again the door bell rang!

“ Do u have clean shorts?”. I pointed to the stack of ironed clothes; she hop scotched into my bed room and closed the door to change.

I leaned against the door to let myself in, but she barred my intentions.

“No trespassing, be a good boy …now go and check the door!”

I opened the main door to find my crew loaded with beer and fried chicken. Damn! I love them, but not today. I got my girl with me and things seemingly tuned to be romantic; and this army is a mayhem, just the perfect deterrent to my situation for the night!

“What took u so long to open the door?” Mac came in and the rest followed.

“Dude, Desperate Housewives? You gotta be kidding me. U are wearing the stripes and watching soap opera over Barca?”

The channel was immediately changed to ESPN, while everyone settled uncorking their pints!

The first half was over, and it was 20 mins into the second half. Both the teams tied to no score!

“Why JD and beer at the same time?”, Rob exclaimed!

“Beers for..”, I fumbled, but they didn’t take a notice. My bed room door was open! I rushed in to check on her. But there was no one. The bathroom was empty too.

As I came out; Ralph picked,” did u just see a ghost or something?”

I realized she was never here…she was never meant to be! She wasn’t supposed to hold me, kiss me…she wasn't supposed to be in love with me. But I believed she was here tonight, not just a fantasy of my evolved imagination but for real. 

I thought about all of it as Barcelona won 2- 0 against arch rivals Real Madrid, the celebrations went on all night long. The froth of the lager running through out…but in my heart I found the same feeling of despair, while my head associated the events as an effect of discontinuing my prescribed dosage of Zyprexa. 


 As friends parted,the feeling of being left alone… left in the open kept me awake, as it rained all night long!

Note: All charecters and events in the story are fictional. Any resemblance to a person('s) living or dead or situation in the past, present or future is purely co-incidental!