Memoirs of Alameen

Puru, Mohanlal and Mithun

2011-09-23T12:41:00.000+05:30

I phoned Mithun to invite him and his family for my brother’s marriage. As he was working in the United States he didn’t give confirmation to attend the function. Mithun was my college mate and was a person who never faced opponents in college elections. Unlike our generation college goers, he never consumed alcohol and was a nonsmoker.

His marriage happened six months ago and that was the most posh marriage I attended. The function happened in a lake facing resort and it was indeed beautiful. There was sinkarimeLam along with the couple’s arrival. Bride looked beautiful in white saree and diamond necklace.

Casually I asked him about his wife and he was silent for some time. She was affected with Endometrial Cancer. I was at unease for a while and didn’t know how to console him. The next statement from him was a shocker. His parents want to call this marriage off as the couple had lived together for only two weeks. He disconnected the call as he couldn’t explain more.

My happy mood came to an end there. ‘Why should he listen to his parents on the most important decision of his life?’ ‘Who are they to define number of days to gauge the maturity of the marriage?’ ‘Why can’t he be a man?’ ‘why can’t he stand up on his own and take a decision?’ so many questions came up on mind when my mobile started blinking again.

Mithun apologized for disconnecting my call hastily. He said, it is a tough decision for him to take. He told me that if Yayati’s famous son Puru could take over the old age from his father(whose name later became the root of the word Purush, for males) and if Mohanlal can accept Sari in the movie ‘namukku parkkan munthiri thoppukal’ nothing makes him an inferior man. He said he married a beautiful person and during marriage he gave the commitment to be with her during happiness and sadness, in this life and after.

I thanked God. There is still goodness left in this world.

Beautiful Shazia D/o Abu Master

2010-10-08T16:22:00.003+05:30

Hello Feroze-ji.. It’s been a long time. How are you doing?
It was a pleasant surprise to meet Feroze after a long time. Apart from the potbelly, not much has changed in the appearance. Feroze was my classmate during pre-University.
He went Dubai for job hunting immediately after his graduation. This was our first meeting after almost 6 years.
We were discussing our college days after a heavy lunch.( Mutton biriyani served in muslim marriages are usually spicy)

‘Hi Ameen’- I heard a voice from behind.
I returned ‘Hi’.
‘Don’t you recognize me?’.. Abu Master was the classmate of my paternal uncle. I have seen him a few times at my uncle’s place.
Yes Yes !! I do…
When did you return from the U.S?
I came two months ago.

He started speaking about the old days which I failed to recollect. He kept on talking about the discussions we had.
I started getting uncomfortable when he mentioned that I used to phone him.
He reminded me about my meeting with his daughter in a medical camp and our acquaintance after that. I apologized to him mentioning about my bad memory.
He said I phoned him for the final time to inform him about the U.S trip.
I was damn sure I haven’t phoned him on that occurrence.

The bridegroom has come and all attention went there. People started gathering out there.
Immediately after nikkah I went out as I had another function to attend.
Feroze gave me a ride to the station.
Train was running 20 mins late.

Feroze: Hey Man, confession time… I used to make phone calls to her pretending as you. I hope you understand the age when we were desperate to win girl friends..

Office Crush

2008-11-02T03:21:00.002+05:30

Nowadays Kishore doesn't join us for lunch. He started going for lunch with Asha, the most beautiful girl in our office.(Well.. according to public). It was only one month since she joined our Bangalore office after completing her training. Without wasting time Kishore was after her. During the monthly project party we tried to pull his leg.

Joji asked,"Kishore, Are you in love with Asha?"
Kishore: "Don't underestimate our relationship by saying that we are in love."

Life is full of surprises!!

2008-10-19T06:21:00.000+05:30

Osman is my childhood friend. He is 3 years younger to me and was my brother’s classmate. He doesn’t have any siblings and always considered me as an elder brother and calls me Bayya. During his graduation in Bangalore he was living with me & my colleagues. After completing the graduation school he flew to Dubai, the land of opportunities to join his family business.

We were not in touch for quite a long time. One fine day he phoned me and informed that he has got a back paper(failed exam/ supplementary exam) in the final year. He was very sad as he has to leave his business & travel to Bangalore for the sake of writing exam. When he came here he lived with me for one month and cleared the examination. He apologized for not paying attention to my advice and it reminded me about the heap of advises I used to give.

He completed more than a year in the business and off late he was not very happy about the work culture. He was not in a position to make drastic changes also. One day I heard from his mother that he is going to Pune for doing MBA. I felt happy to hear this decision. As the CAT(exam conducted by IIM) for that year was over he decided to join a new B-school in Pune where he was offered a management quota seat.

Two weeks later I got a phone call from Osman and he said he is flying to Bangalore in 2 days and enquired whether I can arrange for accommodation. This surprised me as the MBA classes usually start in June and it was 5 months far. He said he changed his decision and he plans to go for one year entrance coaching and then join a better B-school. In India, more than 250 thousand people attempt CAT exam every year and the exam has literally become a lottery system as the number of seats is very low. He said he will talk to me once he reaches Bangalore.I couldn’t agree to his decision of spending one entire year just for preparing for an exam whose pattern is completely unpredictable. I waited at the airport and I couldn’t resist asking him the reason the moment he came out of the airport.

He said, ‘Life is full of surprises!! Only when I was filling the application for Pune BSchool, I realized that I have one more back paper in the second year of graduation.’

Uncle kaun hai?

2008-04-15T23:14:00.000+05:30

My best friend Ranjna and I were labmates during the 6th semester Microprocessor lab. Our project group comprised 6 students. One day Ranjna came to the lab with coconut burfi in her hand. I felt great to watch that childlike happiness on her face. She came to the group and distributed the burfi and then she revealed the reason for her happiness that her brother became a father. I shared my happiness on hearing this. Then all other labmates joined me in congratulating her.. On seeing the burfi distribution, Unni also came to the scene. He enquired about the reason for the sweet distribution.

Ranjna: I became an aunty..
Unni: Congrats.. That's a great news.. Now, who is the Uncle.. Is it Ameen??

Comedy or Tragedy?

2008-03-16T21:11:00.000+05:30

ha·lal /həˈlɑl/
–adjective- Halal food: prepared in a manner prescribed by Islamic shari'a law.
Arif, my engineering class mate was a happy go lucky person. He had good knowledge on Islam and we used to have healthy discussions about life, life after death and various other topics. During the second semester he revealed a secret to me. He likes a christian girl in our class. That was a surprise for me. Knowing his parents very well, I knew that this relationship won't work out with their permission. I told him to find someone from our religion. The response he gave me was awesome. He said he can't love someone after checking her horroscope.

During the project days they became good friends. He decided that he will never let her know his love towards her as he didnt want to let his parents down. During those final days of college she came to him and stood in front of him..
Liz: Arif, my marriage is on 28th April. You are my best friend and you should definitely come.
Silence for a while.. Then
Arif: Will there be halal meal for the function?

14th Feb 1995: A short love story

2008-02-14T13:49:00.000+05:30

(8th Std) Boy: I love you.
(7th Std) Girl: I will tell my father.
Boy: Hey, I was just kidding

Happy Valentines Day to All :)

Three Vertices

2008-01-29T20:53:00.000+05:30

Keerti and Unni were my class mates in engineering. I have seen them always sitting together in Library. The so called conventional types, I must say. Whenever I inquire about the relationship both of them give the same cliché reply, ‘Friendship’. I became very close to them during 3rd semester. Like most of my classmates, I preferred to see them as ‘the best’ couple. I knew him as a very religious person who visits temple at least once a week. He converted to vegetarianism quoting that eating non-vegetarian food leads a person to think like an animal. (Good topic for a debate :) ).

Keerti is a tough lady. I remember one incident during our college days. In the 8^th semester of engineering, Unni proposed her. She responded that she too likes him but she is ready to marry him only with her parents’ agreement. I am supposed to keep this a secret.(Between you and me Shh..) She considered her parents' choice above her conscience. I somehow wished I had a sister like this.

It took 6 months for Unni to get a nice paying job whilst she was already working. He wasted no time in approaching her parents and letting them know about his affection. Her parents, like most of the village parents, said a big NO to the relationship. Caste came as a villain in their relationship. He is a Pillai & she, Nair. Even though both of them were against the caste system, she took a stand that she can’t proceed with the relationship because her parents were against it. She was not even ready to let her parents know that she is in love with Unni. According to her, letting them know is equivalent to ‘forcing’ them to accept this proposal and she never wanted to disturb her parents. This stand of her annoyed me. I had one of my biggest fights with her on that day. End of it, She stopped explaining the reason and only mentioned that 'the chapter is closed'. As a person who knows both of them very well, I took the role of a moderator and tried to convince her family. There was no outcome for that long conversation also. Later, Unni flew to middle east and I lost touch with him. As we are working in the same field, I chat with Keerti once in a while.

Last week, a relative of mine eloped with her boyfriend. My uncle and aunt were poignant about the incident. For the first time I looked at the whole episode from a parent's point of view. I strongly felt that she should've informed her parents before taking this extreme step. After seeing my Uncle's situation I was in a dilemma on ‘The correct and wrong perspective’. I phoned Keerti and apologized for the fight we had and the side I took without bearing in mind her point of view.

Keerti responded sadly, ‘No.No..You were right on that day. I regret for the wrong decision I took.'

One for mother's love..

2008-01-06T17:49:00.000+05:30

During fourth semester study leave we(apunka gang) decided to visit everyone's house. On such a daily trip, we went to Surya's house also. Surya was his parent's pampered only son. He gets irritated whenever he hear the word 'pamper' hehe...

A complete kerala sadya of 21 items was in store for us. Once everyone finished sadya, payasam was also offered..

Amit:That was a great sadya..
Surya's mom: U had only one glass payasam.. Please have one more..
Amit: No mom.. I am full..

Then she went inside the kitchen..
Surya: Amit, Don't feel bad about this.. I don't like anyone else addressing my mother as 'mom'.. Please call her 'aunt'..

I was completely taken aback at this conversation.

Later Surya happened to be my roommate in the final year...
Towards the end of seventh semester, i had a small fight with my best friend Ranjna .. I was completely upset about it. I was not even able to face her. Witnessing all this Surya tried to console me..

Surya: C'mon man...Don't act like a kid..
Me: I told you it's difficult.
Surya: Why should you feel bad when she doesn't care about it..
Me: She was my best friend. We were always together and i feel awkward about going to college..You don't understand this as you don't have any feelings.. (I was a bit harsh at him)

Surya: Do you remember the 4th sem party at my house..Did you ask me why I made a scene there.. No.. you didn't..
You know that I am my mom's only son.. But you don't know that she is my stepmother.. My real mom died when I was 5. This lady took good care of me and I never felt that I am a 'Yatheem'. She even decided not to have another baby thinking it might lessen her love towards me. Don't you think this is love?? I never told this to anyone in the college..Yes...I am possessive about her..

I was dumbstruck hearing this.

New Year of a Software Engineer

2007-12-31T18:20:00.000+05:30

I never thought that 10 people will meet up for celebrating New Year Eve, 3 years after finishing our Engineering. Things turned out well. We started cooking chicken and bad boys : ) were getting ready for boozing... Happy New Year 2006.

Champs started discussing their good old College days. Suddenly someone asked about Anita, the most beautiful junior who’s also working in Bangalore. Champs started pulling each other’s leg mentioning each other’s crushes. All of a sudden one among us (not me hehe) dialed her number. She attended the call and everyone chatted with her. It was fun to watch them.

Then came apna hero Nikhil and he wanted to talk to her. Others were not willing to hand over the phone as he drank a bit more. Somehow he managed to get the phone and started talking to her.

Anita: Great!! You guys got time to meet up.
Nikhil: Well.. It was a busy schedule.. But, Friends first..
Anita: What are you guys doing now..
Nikhil(with a slow voice): They are boozing..
Anita: Hahaha.. And you?
Nikhil: Me??? I am studying Java..

.
.

Wishing you all a wonderful and fun filled New Year Ahead.. Don’t forget to read and write more in 2008….

College politics- Chapter1 Library

2007-12-18T22:42:00.000+05:30

During 5^th semester, one fine Wednesday after the classes were over, we were discussing about Globalisation, America's Imperialism and the supposed-to-be-brilliant topics. Being a college unit executive member of Students Association party, I never missed any of those sessions. It was almost 5 pm and there comes our junior Alok with a complaint.

Alok: Ranjit, Librarian closed the door of Library when I was about to enter the Library. It is still not 5pm.

(Ranjit was the then secretary of Students Association college unit)

Ranjit(angrily): How dare??... What is happening in this college? We shouldn't allow these imperialist forces to take control of things.. We should raise our voices... Alok, you shouldn't worry about this issue anymore.. The party (Students Association) will take care of this.. (issue).

Alok(1^st semester student): Thanks a lot Ranjit Bhai..

Ranjit (5^th Semester student): That's fine.. We are gonna solve the issue right now.. Tell me one thing, Where is the library?

Alok: I am sorry.. I came to the wrong person.. I don't have any complaint..

Thank God.. Ranjit didn't reach anywhere in the state or National politics till now :)

Dil Chahta hain

2007-12-11T23:53:00.001+05:30

.........One was lavender and the other was a dark blue shirt. Sunday early morning only I was able to decide which shirt to wear. Nervous?? Yes I was. Saturday night itself i had polished my shoes. Everything was planned. Just before I started my journey I rang her and informed that I shall reach bangalore SBC station at around 11 am. My train starts at 7:30 am.

Now a small flashback, in college canteen..

Ranjna: What plans for the final year seminar?
Ameen: No plans as of now.... <Suddenly idea strikes....> What about contacting someone from PES College.
Ranjna: It's in Bangalore itself and is easy for me. But I don't know anyone over there?
Ameen: I have a friend in final semester Electronics. He can arrange for visitor pass. You can search the library and may look in the archives for some interesting topics. What say?
Ranjna: That sounds good.
Ameen: This sunday I am not much occupied (As if i am busy on other weekends). I can accompany you.
Ranjna: So we will go this Sunday..

Flashback over..
Whether I was in love with Ranjna or not is altogether a different topic. But somehow I loved the moments i spent with her. I considered this as a golden chance to roam around Bangalore alongwith her. These words echoed in my mind, 'if you want something desperately, the entire universe help you to achieve it. '

I booked the tickets and saw one train slowing down at my station. I was wrong. The train was rather starting than stopping.I asked someone in the staion about the timings of my train. He showed me the moving train.

Damn!!...
Again, those words echoed in my mind, 'If you want something desperately......' Without wasting time, I started running after the train. Believe it or not, the train stopped and the train driver appreciated my dedication which forced him to stop the train...

After getting down at SBC station, I rang her as per the plan.

Ameen: Can i talk to Ranjna?
Otherside: 1 min
After some time, Ranjna: Ranjna here..
Ameen: Hei. It's I. I have reached Bangalore.
Ranjna: Sorry Ameen.. You may proceed.. We have some guests today.. I shall go and collect some other day..

Yeah... Dil bahut kuch chahta thaaa...

When you grow up

2007-11-30T21:58:00.000+05:30

What do you want to be when you grow up? The question he kept on hearing throughout his childhood days. All his peers wanted to be an Engineer or a Doctor. Little Ameen never had a difficulty in answering this. He replied, 'Postman'. The entire family laughed at the kid.

'The grownups are very strange. What is there to laugh in this', Ameen wondered. His father, along with his uncles and family is working in middle east. Those days, his mom receives snail mail weekly or fortnightly. There used to be almost a celebration on the day she receives the mail.

Little Ameen related all this festival mood to the most important person who brought happiness to his house. 'THE Postman'. He relaxes in the chair by reading the newspaper. He gets tea whenever he visits Ameen's house.

Little Ameen wanted to bring happiness to everyone and decided to be a Postman but ended up as a Software Engineer.

Friends,
What you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Mathematics ....

2007-08-06T21:56:00.000+05:30

In the name of Allah..

Aravind was a below average student and was never a competitor for me during our primary schoolings. Had there been a rolling trophy for achieving ‘Class first’ in Mathematics, I should’ve kept it at my house permanently (ahem ahem..) Given an option of full marks in Maths plus Zero in all other subjects, I should have selected that. Such was my craze towards Math.

During 6^th grade, it was a fine day till I was shocked to see the progress report of Aravind securing 92 marks out of 100. Unfortunately I was pushed to the second rank (Maths) in the class with 82 marks. Needless to say I was very sad about this whole incident. It was during second half of the day that, Aravind came to my desk and did that revelation. His actual mark is 23 out of 50. By mistake the teacher quadrupled his score in lieu of doubling it. He wanted me to keep it as a secret.

I don’t remember whether I agreed to his suggestion or not but after the correction of his report card, I do remember his redden face (Between You and me Shh….). Losing the ‘Class first’ title for Mathematics to anyone was unthinkable for me. Do you think that, 14 years before, I was wrong?

The first step...

2007-05-05T14:28:00.000+05:30

In the name of lord who taught me how to write.

To start with, why the name 'Al ameen'? In Arabic, it means honest. There are mainly 3 reasons for that.

During 6th century AD, there lived a prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Arabia. He was the leader of Muslim community. Regardless of the religion, people of Arabia called him as 'Al ameen', the honest. Ironically, his enemies believed in his honesty and used to give their precious holdings to Muhammad (pbuh) for protection when they were on war with him.

Coin collection is one of the hobbies which I started in my childhood days. I don't remember when I started this, but I do remember when I stopped. I was of age 4 and it was a Sunday morning. My grand father went out to visit some of his friends. I found his valet near his pillow. I opened it and to my surprise, I found good amount of coins and currencies. I took all the coins and threw away the currencies (those days, I was not as intelligent as I am now... J ). Later my father came home and found currencies all over the bed and coins in my hand. Should I explain what happened next?? After 30 mins, my back was full of artistic patterns.. Dear friends, it did hurt at that young age. But I became happy after 5 mins when my father offered me some chocolates and when I found his eyes were wet. He told me, 'You should never lie or steal'. After that I've never lied to my father.

I perform fasting during the month of Ramzan. One other thing I do in this month is to take some new resolutions at the end of month. Last year, I checked the number of lies I tell on an average day. It came to around 15 even though most of them were harmless. I didn’t take too much time for deciding my new resolution. Yup!!! I am not going to lie anymore...

Disclaimer:- In the best interest of my friends, colleagues and acquaintances I might not use the correct name of people here.