Chapter 1.

                                                 Ramesh Mehta.   

                It was a fine monday morning, and he was, as usual, woken up by the morning arti, sung by his charming wife in her, not so charming,  voice. He heard her arti to Godess Lakshmi, about how all Gods like Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva praised Lakshmi. “How true” he thought. “Lakshmi (money) certainly forms the core in everyones life”. But before he could ponder more on this thought, he heard a door-bell ring and his wife shout (cutting her arti in between), “ Mehtaji, that would be Sanju (the milk-man),  get it, no?”. “yes, I am getting it”, he shouted back. So, he got off his bed, put on his slippers, got the container from kitchen, and went to the door. As he opened the door, he heard his wife shout again, “Sanju, bring two packets more tomorrow, Mehtaji’s chacha-chachi are coming.” “yes bhabhiji”, sanju answered. And wondering, exactly why she needed to tell the milk-man who was coming, he put the milk in the kitchen. However he did not question her. In seven years of married life, he had certainly learned, not to question her, on why she talked a bit more than necessary (specially when his relatives were coming, not hers).

            And thus started a normal day in the life of a simple Indian guy, Ramesh Mehta. Living in Ahmedabad, at the age of 33, he was satisfied. He had a beautiful and bickering wife, Kokila, (he call her Koki), a five year old son, Manish(Manu), a low-salary job in a high-school, as a sanskrit teacher (the cause of most of the bickering), a small house, and the whole future planned out. His salary would increase gradually with time. He would have one more child, a daughter he would name Jigisha. he would make both his children Doctors (probably by paying high donations to south-indian colleges), and would marry them both to Doctors when they are of age. Then when he retires at sixty, he would open a shop of ready-made garments with his retirement money. He would name it “MEHTA AND SONS”. In short, Life was normal, easy and predictable. And he was happy.

           However this simple man, had no idea, what the future held for him. How could he know  that at this precise moment, someone was monitoring his each move, or that for the past six years, all his actions, his daily routine, his sanskrit classes, his evening walks, all were overseen. How could he know that Sanju( the milk man), was more qualified than him or Shilpaben (his house maid) was a PhD. He had never wondered why in past six years Ben (shilpaben), had never asked for a holiday or a salary rise. He had never even thought, how could Sanju still sell him milk at the same cost, with which he started about six years ago! Most of all, he never thought, why would the ‘Kasturba High School’ not fire a teacher, even when almost everyday the principal received complains from parents, saying “Mehtaji is incapable of any teaching”.  For him life was normal.

BUT WAS IT??????

(So guys, tel me, “Do you want to hear the rest of it?”)

the IF 'n' THEN theory

well, guys, we all live a conditional life. Sometimes intentionally and sometimes otherwise. But, what really matters is the reason behind these conditions. Many of these conditions are applied by us to our own lives, or maybe we apply them to somebody Else's life, or  even may be that we apply some condition to our life for someone  else's betterment. This might be better understood as the following:

For our own benefits:
hey bagwaan, 'IF' i pass in this sem, 'THEN' i'll pray with  a 'dakshina' of fifty rupees.....
this is a condition we apply when we know that nothing can help us but ourself.

For soneone else's benefit:
hey bahgwan, 'IF' my child(or someone we care for) passes the exam, 'THEN' i'll never drink tea again....
this condition is applicable when we know that he or she can do it, but might need a slight help from a higher power.

To improve ourself:
'IF' i get a good job, 'THEN' i'll quit all vices....
well, most of us make this condition, but are rarely able to live up to it. Because somewhere or the other they have already decided to do it, but just need a good reason to fulfill it.

or may be just for fun:
'IF' you can hold your breath for two minutes, 'THEN' i'll pay you a hundred bucks...
I think no explanation is needed as all of us love to play some games or accept challenge at some time or the other.

For the society:
'IF' you  spit here, 'THEN' pay a fine of fifty bucks.
This condition makes us a social animal.

Well, these examples can go on forever, but, what we really need to understand is that conditions make our soul and life tick. Without these conditions we will live our lives like nomads. Well, some conditions are surely over-rated and unnecessary, but nevertheless they make us strive for something. And that's what is really important i guess...

For Example....

Have you ever thought that everything that occurs around you is in a way or another similar to something else?
People give you examples related to your current situation, or sometimes you realize them yourself.....
These examples might be useful or maybe not, but they surely strike to your head at-least for a passing moment...!


Here are some such examples....

For Example: A student is like a spring, initially parents, teachers, and all other people around them pressurize them to study. And they do. Later when they enter their college life or a life away from such people, their spring is released.... and WOLLAAA!!! they go flying into the sky, not giving a damn about any responsibilities or study... then slowly when their spring is back to its native state (after a while of partying and boozing).... that's when they realize and start performing again, or maybe there are a few people to pressurize them again.... what say?

For Example: A marriage is like a chewing gum. Initially its tasty and soft and you enjoy it.....Then slowly its taste starts to wear out and it gets harder and harder with every chew. After a while your jaw starts aching and later you feel like just spitting it out. Or.... sometimes you find some other flavor or new brand of gum in the market, and you wish if you could just swap it for yours.... but you CANT. You are stuck with your gum now.... enjoy while it lasts, and try adding some syrup or flavor to your mouth to keep the juices flowing.....
;)

For Example:  Friends are like big tall trees. They might not give you any fruits or flowers. They might not look good in your neighborhood or house. But during a hot sunny day they always provide you shade to rest. And during a storm they are the only ones who stand there to support you...! 

For Example: Girls are like chilli pickle (mirchi ka achaar), when you look at it from a distance your mouth starts watering. It looks so Delicious and yummy that you  just cant resist it. So, you buy it and you start eating, slowly you start felling the spicy taste in your mouth then you cant take it any more, you run around for water or something sweet to balance it. But thats not it folks.... the main effect of it is realized when you enter your toilet the next day morning (even after deserting it, it has its side effects...!). And boy, do you regret eating it! So my advise is have it in a limited amount... and try eating free pickle at someone else home!

For Example:  Parents are like the 32 teethes surrounding the tongue (child).... They protect it and support it. Well, some times they also do bite (intentionally or otherwise....!). But no one can ever get to your tongue without breaking your teeth......!

 Well, thats it for now guys.... stay tuned for some more examples later....!
Do comment....!