Childhood Is Short (Maturity Is Forever)

"Shouldn't you be going to see the people who've just come to pay us a visit?", expecting an answer in the affirmative or an explanation at length.
"No."
The reply was terse and prompt. It summed up the way a little girl perceived things. Life is very simple and uncomplicated when you're young and naive. It has been very aptly put in the line, "Childhood is Short. Maturity is forever."
I think most of us realise this for a fact when we're at the threshold of maturity or unluckily for some, when they're well past it. Life has a funny way of teaching stuff. Some learn it the hard way and some the easy.

What do you call a person who doesn't learn his lessons no matter how many times life teaches him one?

Keep Walking..!!

"Late, late, late!!"

"Aapko Aapka Boss Pittayee Lagayega!", came the prompt response. All He could do was wince in pain at the prospect of it.

He rushed out of his room after having shut-down his laptop, like his tail was on fire. He didn't have the time to drink a glass of water that he thought he'd drink before he left for work. He stood in front of his niece and said, "Am leaving for work, Baby!"

"Yeah, go! Quick! You don't wanna piss your Boss off, do you?"

"No, I don't wish to!" He smiled.

"Hug?"

She squeezed him as hard as she could. He said, "I Love you, Beta. Love you sooooooooooooo much!"

He held his arms open as wide as they'd go.

"Theek Hai. I Love you a little too" She giggled.

She's already grown up, he thought and broke into laughter.

"Now go, go. go!!"

"Bye."

He rushed towards his aquarium, kissed his fishes goodbye and got outside, closing the door behind him. Once outside, he always felt unleashed. He quickened his pace. People always thought he was "going some place", for he always walked briskly. Slowing down his pace cramped his legs, or so he claimed for there had been instances when he'd strolled on the curb with dead slow pace (or so it felt) without cramping them up! In no time he was at the bus-stop. "Namaste, Sir!", he said as he shook hands all around. One of the few things that this job had tought him was being social. He never considered himself a social person. Recluse was the word he'd use often to describe himself. The wait was short, for he'd just about made it in time to catch the bus. Once on the bus, he felt bored. For sitting in the bus was as boring as sitting anywhere else with nothing to do. He slid the glass open to let fresh air gush inside. He usually did that for two particular reasons. The first, was to alleviate himself of all the sweating that might otherwise make his shirt soggy right from the start - not his idea of a good day. The second reason was to check the degree of his hair's cleaniness. The better washed they were, the more they fluttered in the breeze. He adored his hair, especially when they'd been soaked in conditioner for minutes that he wished were hours. Hair was the one thing that could decide his mood for the day. A bad hair-day invariably meant a bad work-day. It hardly took 15 minutes to reach his workplace, for the driver was in a hurry. They were generally in a hurry during that time of the day for that meant a really quick start to nap-time! CISF jawan got in the bus to check for people's identities. He thrust out his I-Card without looking at him, continuing to gaze outside at a particularly strange bird. This bird was just a normal bird, strange for it was nearly 10 in the evening and it apparently was still out. This one won't catch worms, unless it deprives itself of sleep. The bus moved languidly to the 2nd gate where everyone got down. He got down last and walked to the ACS turnstile. He put his card near the sensor which turned a bright red from its usual green. He put his finger on the finger-print reader and after a 2 second delay the sensor turned a bright green. He turned the thing over as he walked through it. As soon as he was on the other side of the turnstile, he waved to his friend, had a quick glance at the flare burning in the distance and quickened his pace as he now headed straight for his Control Room. He saw no one ahead of him. Made him feel better for he wouldn't have to slow down for them and offer a smile. More the people, the more time he'd take to reach his destination. Today was one of those days when he saw no one in front of him. He felt today was gonna be a good work-day.

He kept walking.

What Goes Around, Comes Around. But Why..?

There are pros and cons to everthing in life. For every good thing that can be associated with something, there's at least one bad that goes along with. God's/Nature's way of making things even. For his existence exists on the basis that He's fair! How much success He's enjoyed is another matter that can be discussed ad infinitum, ad nauseam for generations to come - and if you got generations doing all the work, we might as well not bring that debate here. For the moment we stick to the pros and cons of everything there is to life!

Lets say you're travelling to some far off place. You have a lot of choices as far as reaching that place is concerned because, like it or not, you have alternatives!! (Most of the times thats a bad thing - coz it only ends up confusing you all the more). Let's say I take a flight to that 'far off place'. I'm greeted well on-board. I'm catered to very efficiently. Beauty & Service. Now thats a combination that seems to appeal to everyone of us. You make-up your mind! From now on you're flying to every possible place that is accessible by flight.

The next time you take a flight and you hit nadir, rock-bottom, abyss. Its like falling off a cliff with no parachute. The service is paltry, the air-conditioning doesn't work, the flight is delayed because some stupid, loser, politician has to take that very 'fateful' flight. The thing is delayed beyond your wildest of imaginations. You lose your power to comprehend. You don't know whats going on around you. The flight doesn't even have air-hostesses. Air-stewards don't even come close to an air-hostess, unless you have queer inclinations.

Life's a leveller, you say? But who's keeping track of all this stuff? Surely he must have something more interesting to do! Why can't he just blog instead?? Does he really have to keep account of everything so he *levels* it all?

Thank God for nightmares!

When Jack Met Emma..!! (Or Angels Don't Lie): Part - IV

"Hey Jack! I'm sorry I had to rush, but you know how irritable kids can be when they wake up from sleep at mid-night!"
"Oh My God! I didn't realise it was mid-night! I'm sorry. Really am!"
"Oh, don't be ridiculous Jack! You know a call from you is always welcome. And I wasn't sleeping anyway"
"And what was it that you were doing?"
"Well, I was trying to pour some ideas into this cauldron that should eventually help me design this 'shopping complex', but apparently the pot isn't hot yet - lack of hot ideas!"
"Hot ideas, eh?"
"Oh, shut-up Jack! You have a one-track mind!"
"Well, I'm just glad you think I have a mind! The girl who left me 5 years ago thought I had none."
"It's ok J. We know who's loss that was."
"Yeah, I think I know better than you!"
"No Jack, really! I mean it. She must have been short-sighted!"
"You don't have to be nice to me just because you're my friend. You might as well be frank!"
"No, I'd rather be Emma McDonnell than be Frank McDonnell. Frank was the name of the guy I was betrothed to a month ago!"
"What? You never told me that?"
"Yeah, its something I try to forget."
"Why? What happened? You thought he was frivolous and bland?"
"It was the other way round J. He asked me if I was a virgin. I couldn't just lie to him - so I told him the truth"
"Yeah? And what did he have to say?"
"And you know what they say about being honest? They drum in this vagary that Honesty Is The Best Policy and all that crap! But I've learnt honesty just screws things up for you."
"Yeah, I know! There was this teacher in my school. Everyday at school she'd say - "Everyone who hasn't done their homeworks - please stand up!" And no one would stand. Then she'd keep yapping about the whole honesty and the best policy line over and over again and she'd eventually 'convince' the guys to stand up. Then she'd beat them up like crazy!"
"It's a pity, Jackie. It is such a pity!"
"Anyway, Em.... your story, please?"
"Are you sure you wanna know?"
"If you intend to tell me, why not!"
"So he asked me how did that losing my virginity come about and I had to tell him I'd been sexually abused once when I was a teen."
"Huh? I don't know what to say!"
"Its ok J, you don't have to say much. He said enough already." She stifled a sob.
"M? Are you all right?"
"Hmmm.." Her voice was now a lot heavier than it had been when he heard her first.
"I'm sorry I brought this up. I didn't know you'd feel badly about it"
"It's ok. Am all right now!" She wiped her tears away and it just showed in the way she spoke now.
"But tell me Jack, is telling the truth a bad thing?", she asked as she now moved to the kitchen to get her something to munch. Sobbing always made her feel hungry. It was no surprise then that she'd put on a few pounds in the past month.
"No, honey! How can it be? It's just the way people perceive the truth. Some just suck it up when others seem to throw up!"
"Well, a month or so with you and I might just get back to shape, Jack! I was just gonna get me something to munch and now I've lost all my appetite!"
"Awww, I'm sorry. Just a figure of speech!"
"Heh heh"
"I'll talk to you later Emma! I've got a friend waiting on the other line, ok?"
"Yes, Jack. I'll be waiting for your call. Apparently only three things can hog my thinking today!"
"Yeah, Right! Bbye M!"
"Bye Jack, Take Care"

When Jack Met Emma..!! (Or Angels Don't Lie): Part - III

"Hello?"
"Hi!"
"Jack? Hiiiiiiii!!!"
"So, angels do use phones!!"
"Heh heh. How've you been, Jackie?"
"Decent, I suppose!"
"You Suppose? Why? What's the matter?"
"I don't know, Em. I really don't. Wish I did though!"
"Yeah, I suppose thats a real let-down. When you don't know whats pulling you down and it just keeps doing it!"
"Hmmm. But anyway, tell me about you? Whats up with you? You've been out of touch for *some* time now!"
"Yeah, Jack. Have been keeping really busy. There's this project coming up. I'm designing a Shopping Complex at this really posh location!"
"All Right!! So when is this Mall coming up?"
"It's not a Mall, Jack. Its a 'Shopping Complex'."
"And there's a difference?"
"No, not really. But I like to call mine a shopping complex anyway."
"Hehehe!"
"What's up with you?"
"Nothing much, M. Same old same old!"
"No!! Don't say that. Life's always got to get better. How can it be same old?"
"Yeah, I suppose life has got to change. For the better or for the worse is another matter though."
"I'll call you later Jack, my daughter's up! Will get her to sleep. You Take Care, Jackie!"
"Yeah, I'll...."
"Jack?"
(beep, beep, beep)

It'll Take A Minute

"I'll take a minute. You guys carry on!", B smiled and held his index finger up for added emphasis just as he was about to answer the phone.
(And the minute became minutes, for he didn't realise - Time & Tide Waited For No Man)
"I wonder whats wrong!", said his companion - C, seriously worried as to what was keeping him busy for so long!
"No, he's fine! It's just that girl who keeps calling him every now and then", assured N.
"Really? A Girl?? Awww Man!! I can't believe we're being ignored for a girl.", protested C.
"Its Ok Boy! She's not *just* a girl", N winked playfully.
"Ooooh!! Is It", excited at the prospect of getting to tease B as soon as he'd heard the words N spoke.
"Excusez-Moi! Are you guys conspiring against me?", enquired B, feeling awful at being stabbed in the back by friends he held in high regard.
"No, Not yet!"
"Let Down is what I feel", said B mockingly. "Whats the big idea of talking to a girl if I'm not even going to be teased about it! This just doesn't cut it!! Goddammit. All good work has come undone."
"Oh, knock it off! Just shut-up and keep walking!", said S, agitated now.
"I can hear ice break. Do you hear it too? Do you, do you, do you??"
"Oh, Shut-Up!!"
"I can feel it"
(Peeep-peeep-peeep - bike honking its horns in the distance)
"& There's confirmation! See, I told you, didn't I?"
"So? You've found your girl, huh?"
"Found? Found?? Is that a trick question??"
"No. Why?"
"You mean to say I have to find one?"
"Yeah, we all have to. Eventually!"
"But why do I have to look for her? Thats like working hard for something that I'm going to be stuck with for the rest of my life!! It's like telling me I'm not worthy of it. That I don't deserve it."
"Oh, shut-up!"
"No, really! Why can't she just have a light-bulb on her face that glows each time I talk to her, so I know *she* is the *one*!"
"But think of it this way - Everytime you get a call on your phone, 'she glows', right?"
"Oh, Crap!! She's not even close to the *one*."
"And that will explain why you're on the phone more often than not, won't it?"
B looked at the pavement on the other side of the road and scratched his forehead. He kept walking, nonetheless. Kept walking until his phone rang again!
"I'll take a minute. You guys carry on!"
(And the minute became minutes, for he didn't realise - Time & Tide Waited For No Man)

Panem et Circences..!!

It was just about half past five in the evening and I had just come back from college. Of course this was the summer of 2000. Although it seems like it was yesterday, but we know it wasn't.
The weather had been really pleasant all afternoon. Light dust-storm, and a drizzle followed. It was the most wonderful sight specially because our college had this really huge ground right in front of it. The ground wasn't levelled all over, so it kinda gave it the mountainous feel, only without rocks or greenery. But because this particular evening had had a drizzle, the dust that usually swirled 15-20 meters high, was hardly there although the breeze that caused the tornado like scenes wes very much still there. The adventure-loving people that me and my best pal were (are), we couldn't resist the open arms of the weather and what it had in store for us, apparently.
We walked together talking very little as we basked in the beauty of this thing we call nature! And how!! I still recollect he was wearing his dark-blue T-shirt and I was in my (the then) favourite blue shirt. And strangely enough some portions of the ground was still dry (I still wonder why) causing localised dust-storms hardly as big as we'd become used to, but even then it made a great sight. It was, I recall, the afternoon which saw us appear for the Chemistry-II exams in the 1st Year of Engineering (reason why it felt all the more beautiful). So we meandered across the ground like a cloud over some mountain, not knowing which way to go! Only in our case, we weren't sure which way to go first!
Then after about an hour and a half of mooching around, we went to the nearby juice-bar. There I had my favourite "Cold-Coffee" (like only those guys made). We got back and strangely enough I don't recall anything about the conversation we had, but whatever little of it there was - I must have enjoyed for I still recall the day! & was definitely one of the best 'talks' I've had with anyone ever! :D

When Jack Met Emma..!! (Or Angels Don't Lie): Part - II

"Emma? You promised you'd be there for me!"
"You never called, my dear! And its 'Em' for you!"
"Yknow, Em, I was thinking.."
"Yeah, one must do that too, once in a while!"
"Shut-up and listen to me. Ummm...what was I saying? Dang it, I forgot!!"
"You were wondering how different people perceive things in a different way. And yet..."
"You're an Angel, aren't you?"
"Perception, my love! My neighbour thinks I'm just another girl next door. My milkmaid thinks I'm just an ordinary miserly lady. To someone I don't know, I'm just one of those dime-a-dozen people that you bump into every day, every walk of your life and not think even once that I might be someone they know, for I'm not someone they know anyway."
"Don't be such a smart-ass! You know what I meant!"
"No, am not an Angel. Far from it."
"How do you know *every* thing? You're not just one of those dime-a-dozen people that you say you are!"
"Do we really want to talk about this?"
"Not if you don't want me to!"
"Good. Then we will talk about it"
"Then let me correct you. I don't know *every* thing. I just know a lot about *you*. You're Jack McDonald. You turned 25 last December. You've been working at this place for a little over two years now - although you're already getting a feel you should be working elsewhere! You have two really good pals that you can count on any day, any moment! One of them I've known for 9 years now."
She'd been noticing Jack (and virtually stalking him) for almost 4 years now! She was studying architecture back then. And he was a student of Engineering in the same college.
"No!! Don't tell me!"
"What?"
"You're not Emma McDonnell, are you?"
"Mmmm... Yes, that would be me!"
"Always wanted to know you! Heard so much about your histrionic prowess.."
"All good I hope!", she grinned. Her teeth were the perfect pearly whites Jack had ever seen. Although her grin made her nose stoop a little to the left, but she looked better when she grinned. And she looked awesome when she didn't!
"You played Juliet in the college play, didn't you?"
"As a matter of fact, I did"
"Its a pity I was sick for a month then. Pox, you know!"
"Well, good thing you were sick. Or all that illusion about my histrionic prowess would've been shattered that very day!", she managed a giggle.
"I'm sure it wouldn't have been that way", he remarked matter of factly. She blushed and her pink cheeks turned a shade deeper.
"But I'm still a little confused! How can you know when I'm calling you?"
"Oh! I can. I'm gifted."
"Hmmm!" He didn't know what she meant, but he didn't want to. If it was anything important, she'd tell her if she felt like it anyway.
She gazed at her watch and winced. "Ouch! Its nearly half past nine. I'll need to rush!"
"Can I drop you off at your place?"
"Yeah, why not!"
They walked to her place enjoying each others company like they had ever since they'd met 3 days, 16 hours, 45 minutes and 38 seconds ago!

When Jack Met Emma..!! (Or Angels Don't Lie)

"And she would be?"
"Oh! Am terribly sorry. Jack, meet Emma! Em, this is Jack!"
"Hey Emma!"
"Please, call me Em! My friends call me that, and something tells me you're going to be one."
Her smile was truly genuine. It had a sparkle to it that a solitaire would've been proud of. She was a true gem.
Fair, smart, apparently of the verbose sort and definitely weird in a wonderfully unique way!
"So, Em. You're a..?"
"An Architect. I've been one for what, three years now?"
Her voice had that peculiar feel to it. It felt familiar. A familiar voice is the best voice there is!
"Oooh!! An architect, eh?" Suddenly a little depressed after having let the feeling sink. "You know, I always wanted to be a Pilot. Architect would've been my second choice. Instead I'm stuck doing *this*!"
"And what is this *this*?"
"Oh, let's not even talk about it!", he said shrugging it off like a really bad dream.
"Emma?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"Why does life treat us with such indifference?"
He was reminded of all his prayers that weren't answered.
"Our prayers are not all answered Jack, so we're glad when they *are*!"
Contemplating now, for he feared his emotions were totally obvious to all.
"No, no, Jack! They're not. Relax"
Totally freaked out now, but choosing to ignore - "But Em! Wouldn't we be a lot happier if all are prayers were answered?"
"It's not that simple, Jack. Sometimes your prayers, although unknowingly, can be detrimental to someone else's prayers. Although that doesn't make you a bad person, it kinda puts The Almighty in a fix."
"So, that's what its all about? A toss of the coin?? You mean my prayers are answered if i call a head a head?? You know how ridiculous that sounds?"
"Relax, Jack! Take it easy." She smiled. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her, now!
"I didn't mean to be all excited, Em. I'm sorry."
"No, no. Don't be apologetic. Thats what humans are here for. They make mistakes and they ought to be forgotten. Its something as natural as animals wanting to eat, or vegetables rotting eventually! So its okay."
"But still, am sorry!" He really meant it this time. And she knew, he did.
"I was saying its not the right call that decides if your prayers are answered. Its just the right intentions."
"But, I've never had bad intentions! Really I mean it!"
"Yes, I know darling. I do!" Her smile assured him, she knew.
"Who are you?" Jack couldn't help himself from asking.
"I thought we'd been introduced a while back", she retorted.
"Not in totality, I think"
"Hehehe. Very funny"
"But you know what I wanted to say, right?"
"Not really!" He still wasn't sure why all his prayers were not being answered.
"You see, if all your prayers were to be answered, you *think* you'd be happy. But would you really be?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You know, its human tendency to always want things he doesn't have."
"You want a decent school, decent college. You want a good workplace when you work, you expect a charming life-partner when you're looking for one. Cutest kids and smart ones too! You name it, you want it."
"But whats your point?"
"The point is - after a while, the charm's all gone. Your friend is just a friend, your job is just another job, your wife is a pain in the ass most of the times, your kids get on your nerves too often for your liking!"
He became visibly sad. He knew she was making some sense.
"So, no matter how good a life you have - you invariably spoil it yourself by wanting more! Other people's wives are always more attractive, their kids are more well-behaved, their job offers more satisfaction and all that jazz."
"So you're trying to say, I shouldn't be expecting happiness?"
"No, Jack. You don't see the point, do you? The trick is to be happy with what you have!"
"But that is absurd! How I can just learn to be happy with what I have? Its like accepting what I'm being given, no matter how petty it is. And surely, the world would just stagnate if that were the case."
"Thats the trick, boy! The lesser you expect, the more you're given. The more you expect, the more you're given."
"Eh? And how is it different then?"
"Because you don't expect much, you're given a lot. Meaning - you think you're being given a *lot*, cause you never expect it in the first place! And because you expect more out of life, your prayers *are* answered."
"So, I win regardless of whether its a 'head' or a 'tail'?"
"Not, really Jack. Not really!! You see, when your expectations are high, no matter what you're given - you feel its meager and thats why you're not satisfied."
"Ahaan!"
"You know how it is? Your wife and other women!"
"I'm not married, Em!"
"Oh, I know. I Know Everything, Jack. Everything About You!"
He tried not to look in her eyes for he didn't want to see that truthfulness in her eyes. He *knew* she knew everything about him. How?
"It's getting late, Jack. I've to go someplace else too. And don't worry. All your secrets are safe with me, I Promise!"
"But..."
"No, Jack. Can't tell you who I am. But I can give you my number so you can call me whenever you feel like it"
"Oh, please do!"
He stood patiently, wondering if she'd been the victim of the foot-in-one's-mouth-syndrome!
"All you have to do, is call, Jack! Just Call Me!"
He stood there, speechless, not knowing what to say for he'd never seen an Angel before. She went away.

Who Are You, Anyway?

There's A Cockroach In My Coffee
There's A Needle In My Arm
Take Me To The Farm (Or Bhutan) :D

Nothing like making fresh plans with your friends! Even if it is making 'em all over again, with a new one! :-)
"Let's go someplace, man! I'm so fuckin' bored here!", he whined. He knew at once, I was really feeling the heat! Although I swore often, but never on the phone or over a chat!!
"You know, I had this really weird nightmare yesterday!"
"Ahaan? What about the nightmare?", he felt the need to pursue the truth (which at the moment was more anguish and sorrow!)
"You know how it is! Work-pressure and all. How you're *expected* to *do* things *just like that*!"

I was standing near the DCS Panel (Distributed Control System Panel for the ignorant). Looking funny at the CRT for the Queen (the Recycle Gas Compressor, Elliott-Ebara make for the lesser known mortals) wouldn't go to her rated rpm inspite of repeated trials! And an idle rpm isn't our idea of a running compressor anyway! A 1000 rpm is no good to someone who's *just about* comfortable with a little over 5800. He saw a barrage of men barging in with little respect for the sanctity of the moment! Little know-how, even less regard for the situation was not what He could gulp (even with all the glasses of water the world had to offer)
"Say, who the fuck are you guys, anyway?" He knew who they were, for their helmet resting agitatedly on their heads said that quite distinctly! Two letters that spelt doom to most in the control room - "ED", "GM(T)", "DGM(TS)" (Okay, more than two letters - but hey! I'm not thinking straight!!). People who were both unaware and aware of what was going on were only too timid to intervene!
"Yes, I'm talking to you, you nitwit!! What the hell are you doing here? You know there are *other* things that need your attention more than a plant start-up! Just get outta here, NOW!!" The Executive Director stood there motionless for exactly an eon (thank you, Celestial Clock!). Then he left without a word.
(*knock, knock!* Who is it? Its Sanity. Missed me??)
"Sir! I'm sorry! It's just the gravity of the situation that seems to bring out the devil in all of us. I am, regretfully, just one of those men who seem to have been effected by it. I suppose you, you'll not only forgive my folly, but also forget all about it!"
"Forget? Yeah, Right!", he sneered. I'll See You Around.
He felt his heart sink abysmally to something that could be likened to Challenger Deep!
Am up shit-creek. Without a paddle, man!
Next I find himself on top of my Regenerator for no apparent reason. Oh, but there was! I was soon to fall off of it.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
It must have been real! (The shriek, for its reverberations were heard a little after he found himself staring at the laptop's blue lights. He had dozed off without turning it off. But that was the least of his problems! A pounding heart was worse than a sinking heart, he thought. Further musing made him wince!
His nightmares did come true, almost without an exception!
He got up from his bed. Took a bath right away!

"Take me to Bhutan, boy! Take me to Bhutan this very moment!!"
"Yeah, why not buddy! Why Not!!!", he chuckled vociferously.

I relaxed. For even if the plan were to materialise a hundred million years after mankind had ceased to be - we would still be on!

People & Tea..!!

He sipped his tea and smiled in smug satisfaction. He knew he'd done a good job making it. Well begun is half the job done (Or a good lather is half the shave). The rest of it seemed trouble-free and uncomplicated. No adding a tea-spoonful of this and another of that. All that was left to do now was sit back and savor the taste that was!
He had known that feeling before. It was unlike any other. Tea didn't demand his attention at all times - it merely sat there on this laptop-board watching him type ravenously, not wondering for once if he was casting aspersions on its flavor. It just sat there admiring its luciferous self as the light from the fluorescent tube caste vivid and lucid patterns on its surface that merely reflected on his face. It was not for once, perturbed that he paid no attention to it, for he was busy punching keys on his keyboard, merely glancing toward it every now and then, just to be sure its still there and not spilling all over the place in ire, for it has been ignored for too long.
He'd known people who were that way. He'd been one. That's the thing with people. They're pretty unsure of things in life, unlike a cuppa' tea. He wished he were a cup of tea, for a cup of tea was always enjoyed, no matter what! It did not have mood-swings that made it unpleasant. It didn't taste funny when it was all grumpy. It had a degree of tranquility even when it was turbulent outside, a taste even when bitterness outgrew everything else around it. It had a feeling of solidarity with the person who devoured it, no matter how bad the his mannerisms. People slurping it without much gratitude meant little to him, for it was fair to all. Its heart (and mind) was free of all malice, unlike people who tended to change their stance from maleficence to benignity depending on who they were dealing with and the rapport they shared with them. Tea was like his laptop who let everyone punch in on the keys without ever complaining. It was like the fishes in his Aquarium, who got all excited at the sight of any human being walking by with anticipation of imminent food-frenzy!
And like his tea, he loved his fishes for they didn't discriminate people based on caprice and hearsay.