Smile has become smiley; Wishes have been transformed to
gives and takes; Wealth would soon be measured in terms of FB likes. Though I
grumble, protest, resist and offend, I am forced to be a droplet in the flow.
But, it hurts when mom and dad ‘requests’ me to be their friend.
“Fast. Quick. Soon” The
Triumvirs of Present. He likes to be there. She longs to be there. People rush
somewhere with no target. THE SENSE OF BELONGING! Internet. WiFi. The age of
instant. Two days of sabbatical from Whatsapp and Facebook can earn the wrath
of many. So, who are really friends?
Every Friday, this or
that movie is released. Rants and gossips go on. Rating websites flash out the
scores of their so – called experts. Fellow people review it further. Now,
there’s no way other than watching. You can’t abstain because you’ve to BELONG…
When someone hassles
with continuous stats about Football, a Tennis fanatic is pushed to watching
FIFA.. No other go.. He has to BELONG there, showing his skills off.
Pizza. When a friend
eats it and I deny, he gives a scorn. “You don’t eat pizza?” I would like
to reply, “Yes, I don’t. How does it matter?” But, I take a piece. THE
FEEL OF BELONGING! Elite society embraces someone eating pizza with coke. No
more masal dosas.
I am tired of this. I
board a bus. After traveling quite a distance, the modern camel halts. Abuses
and quarrels ensue. Apparently, there is an accident. On-lookers scathe a man
and I, impulsively, scold him, too. I don’t know who he is, what happened
really, but I am buoyed to do something. This fret leads to verbal filth.
Others are doing, so am I. MIND smiles, “Good. You BELONG here.”
Suddenly, I feel
insecure. I have to publicize this. I post a status.
“Road Accident. Two dead. WTF is happening to the people
these days?”
– feeling frustrated at NH 999
Within a minute, likes
start pouring in. Nobody enquires. Nobody criticizes. Nobody thinks. No wish of
well being. I wait for a text or call, asking, “Macha.. How are you? Is
everything okay there?” None. One minute. Two minutes. No. Five minutes.
Nope. I suddenly realize that even if this wait goes on forever, I would
receive nothing.
Frustration gets added.
Multiplied. Manifested. Transcended beyond limits. Galloping Inflation,
economists say. I would rather frame it as Galloping Depression. I get
down from the bus. With no other way, I start walking. Some kind of ire
overflows, kindling an obscure fire within. A slow, peaceful saunter turns into
a sweating run. I reach back to my hostel.
Thinking of sleeping, I
just fall like a baggage cover forcefully on the bed. Have some rest and
start studying, I tell myself. Just then, I hear noises outside. When I
step out of my room, I see people roaming the corridors, mugging something.
Exam fever! Postponing, or rather, cancelling my nap, I take out my book from
the shelf. I’ve to BELONG here…
At the end of the day, I feel nauseated.
Muddled. Filled with too many thoughts, but with no complete purpose. My phone
rings. I have been waiting for this tone. “…Kaalaiyil Dhinamum Kan Vizhiththaal
Naan Kai Thozhum Dhaevadhai Ammaa..” I answer hurriedly. The caller senses
my anguish. “What’s up, kanna?” I elaborate and as I do, I feel myself
getting light, free from all burdens. I feel like I have been able to pee
freely after a day or two. Now, my SOUL says, “You actually BELONG here,
child.”