K's

The Five Ks
Kesh
Kangha
Kara
Kachera
*Kirpan

Got this Kara in early 2003 from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib & ever since its always been with me. Though it's to support a religious reason, it's with me as a memory of one fine Delhi tour with one of my very good friends.

During winter of 2002 I along with one of my friends came to South Delhi in search of a company who can employ us to complete our final year project. Apart from studying in the night / cursing bone chilling winter of Delhi / Heck of running behind DTC buses & door to door visit of each company located in STP Okhla we didn't have much to do. I was very hopeful about getting a project sooner or later & used to enjoy those long bus rides, whereas after few days, Ume** stopped going out saying nothing happens why to roam so far every day. Later he totally dropped the idea of going to any company and used to send profiles only thru emails. I kept visiting companies one after the other and continued to drop my profile (even though many of them used to say upfront they don't hire trainees). Finally Ume** declared he doesn't see a possibility of getting any call and it's just waste of too much of time, money & energy so he'll go back home.

Before his departure, we planned to visit Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk) and capture some memories. We started in the morning and plan was to go to Bangla Sahib first, roam around in Central Delhi & finally visit Red Fort.

Boarded the 1st bus & UME** bought tickets for both of us and gave 100/- bill to conductor. He didn't have change so gave back a note with remaining amount which we were suppose to collect from him after arriving Bangla Sahib (since The final destination of bus was "Bangla Sahib" only). We were chit chatting, I don't recall perfectly what happened exactly but we got down of the bus arguing about some topic. We totally forgot about taking change back from conductor & walked till the turn.. Suddenly we both realized & ran back as fast as we could, but bus had already left & went to depot probably. Those days 100/- used to mean a lot. We thought it's just a bad day..

I had some cash, couldn't think of anything else to buy but this KARA. UME** was upset and didn't buy anything, Probably we din't go to Central Delhi market & straight headed towards OLD Delhi. Cut Fruits @ Chandni Chowk, a visit to Red fort and finally exhausted we both were walking towards bus stop to catch the bus back home. Sun was almost @ the tip of horizon and throwing light on earth.

I couldn't believe what I saw right infront of me on the footpath, first thought it must be someone trying to TRICK me and just a GAG act. UME** asked what happened, I kept turning my head in all the direction to see if I can find someone who's trying to make fun...Suddenly I bent down, quickly got up & told UME** lets go:
-- What was that ?
>> I donno, just keep walking.
-- He was puzzled.

After going a little further what I saw assured me that someone is about to jump from behind or side and I'll be the most embarrassed person around.
I again looked around but didn't find anyone still. I bent down & got up much quicker this time & asked UME** to walk even faster.
-- What the HECK ?
>> I can't believe, just keep walking.
-- He was confused.

After walking a bit when I was assured that no one is following us and we've not been tricked I put my hand in right pocket.. UME** was still not understanding what happened in last couple of mins... I pulled my hand out of pocket to amazed him with TWO 100/- bills..
-- WOW, so this is what you got just now..
>> Getting TWO 100/- bills on the same day... after UME** lost one in the morning was cool.. Though I was very sure someone is playing Trick and a VJ will come running with Camera crew (MTV Bakra was very popular those days you know).

Gave one 100/- bill to UME** to make him feel good. He was reluctant to take that.. but I could convince him that we both were together when I found these.. so he equally deserves it..

This Kara always reminds me of that day's incident.. few memories don't fade.

To recall memories of struggle period Gulzar wrote: Ek Akela is Shahar mein.