Don't you feel like you're on a lucky streak when you win the top line in a game of housie within 2 minutes of the start of the game? Suddenly the adult in you who thought “this game is so lame” starts becoming even more alert to hear the next numbers in spite of being dizzy after those 5 pints of Budweiser, and the child in you keeps screaming “Yay!” and whispering “touch wood” each time under your breath while softly touching your head.
For those who don't know what a “touch wood” is, let me elaborate… a “touch wood” is a gesture that we Indians make to break away from any kind of jinx. More like “nazar na lag jaaye.” Now you must be wondering that it's strange we touch our own heads instead of something made of wood while saying touch wood. Well that's simple, we all Indian kids grew up hearing our mothers yell at us, “why can't you study and get good marks in spite of taking extra private tuitions” and then our father's throw some light on the subject “bheje mein bhusa bhara hua hai is ladki ke!” “Absolutely right Dad! I was born with straw (equivalent to wood in this scenario) instead of a brain. Now did I inherit that from Mom or you?”
Anyhow, so where was I?… oh yes, “housie”. So after the top line, in another couple of minutes you win the 4 corners… “Yay!” …”touch wood.” Now you have won 2 five stars lying in front of you on your table and with everyone else eyeing them devilishly. Then you remember what your friend at work said the last time she caught you eating chocolates alone “akele akele kha rahi hai, pet dukhega” and you've been brought up with values that teach you to share. “Damn you society!” So before you know it, you've already "shared" the whole of your hard earned prizes. Now don't tell me it wasn't hard earned. I'll see how easy it is for you to figure out the right numbers to punch on the housie ticket after 5 pints of beer.
As you part with your dear five stars you realise that you are better off by not adding those extra calories to your hips. See now that's again that boring adult in you giving you more crap. You should have just listened to the little child in you and had those five stars right away even before they reached your table from the prize table. Be selfish!
Finally after the 6th pint, you attain enlightenment, kind of how Buddha attained enlightenment sitting under that tree, except you were sitting in a corner of the terrace, high on stuff I can't name here ;), that there was no point in being a nice girl, sometimes it's more fun being the not-so-nice girl and just give in to whatever your heart wants, chocolates, the latest iPhone after selling your kidney, that Bangkok trip with single or non single friends ;), that last drink or fag, dumping that crappy boyfriend, the walk in the rain without an umbrella, that indecorous date, making that sacrifice for a close family, the jump with a bungee, that solo Ladakh trip… I'm sure you've got the theme here. The adult in you will eventually figure a way out like make you hit the gym for some extra time as a consequence to those five stars. And suddenly life felt all sorted out on its own :)
After all, when you're old, you won't regret the things you have done, as much as the things you never did ;)
P.S. I had no intentions of disrespecting anyone in this post. If I have hurt your feelings in any way then please... keep it to yourself! :P
For those who don't know what a “touch wood” is, let me elaborate… a “touch wood” is a gesture that we Indians make to break away from any kind of jinx. More like “nazar na lag jaaye.” Now you must be wondering that it's strange we touch our own heads instead of something made of wood while saying touch wood. Well that's simple, we all Indian kids grew up hearing our mothers yell at us, “why can't you study and get good marks in spite of taking extra private tuitions” and then our father's throw some light on the subject “bheje mein bhusa bhara hua hai is ladki ke!” “Absolutely right Dad! I was born with straw (equivalent to wood in this scenario) instead of a brain. Now did I inherit that from Mom or you?”
Anyhow, so where was I?… oh yes, “housie”. So after the top line, in another couple of minutes you win the 4 corners… “Yay!” …”touch wood.” Now you have won 2 five stars lying in front of you on your table and with everyone else eyeing them devilishly. Then you remember what your friend at work said the last time she caught you eating chocolates alone “akele akele kha rahi hai, pet dukhega” and you've been brought up with values that teach you to share. “Damn you society!” So before you know it, you've already "shared" the whole of your hard earned prizes. Now don't tell me it wasn't hard earned. I'll see how easy it is for you to figure out the right numbers to punch on the housie ticket after 5 pints of beer.
As you part with your dear five stars you realise that you are better off by not adding those extra calories to your hips. See now that's again that boring adult in you giving you more crap. You should have just listened to the little child in you and had those five stars right away even before they reached your table from the prize table. Be selfish!
Finally after the 6th pint, you attain enlightenment, kind of how Buddha attained enlightenment sitting under that tree, except you were sitting in a corner of the terrace, high on stuff I can't name here ;), that there was no point in being a nice girl, sometimes it's more fun being the not-so-nice girl and just give in to whatever your heart wants, chocolates, the latest iPhone after selling your kidney, that Bangkok trip with single or non single friends ;), that last drink or fag, dumping that crappy boyfriend, the walk in the rain without an umbrella, that indecorous date, making that sacrifice for a close family, the jump with a bungee, that solo Ladakh trip… I'm sure you've got the theme here. The adult in you will eventually figure a way out like make you hit the gym for some extra time as a consequence to those five stars. And suddenly life felt all sorted out on its own :)
After all, when you're old, you won't regret the things you have done, as much as the things you never did ;)
P.S. I had no intentions of disrespecting anyone in this post. If I have hurt your feelings in any way then please... keep it to yourself! :P
6 comments:
Awesome. I can relate to it as we all play housie whenever friends or relatives gather at home. Members, who initially didnt wish to participate in the game, also get so much involved that they don't wish the game to stop. The kick of winning is amazing although we know that we would share at the end of it. Super fun is when we exhaust all the prizes, winners voluntarily give back their prizes to play a second round.
U are awesome Chandra and narrated the experiences so well
Kamal-Jeswani
very nicely written.gave me the feeling of reading a novel.why don't you give it a try.
@ Kamal, thanks for reading through and being able to relate to it. However, I used the game of housie as a metaphor ;)
@ Raval ji, thank you for the suggestion. Maybe someday I will :)
Very well written Ms Sen. I guess instead of me writing that short story, I'd insist that you to write it.
Great
..
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