armrest

Saturday was a movie day. Movies apart from the entertainment keeps you updated on the social scene. India, being a vast and varied country the social scene changes from short skirts to burkhas and for men from tharra (country liquor) to scotch. It is a refreshing break to be in various situations and in various parts of the world. One hardly gets an opportunity to be so near the beautiful actresses and get engulfed in their exotic perfumes. The pulsating numbers would kick alive the Jackson inside you and the romantic scenes would drift you into those nostalgic magic moments. As if some of the dreams get unfolded when not asleep.

I was roaming around the dingy streets of Hyderabad along with the chirpy Bobby Jasoos, savoring the delectable Hyderabadi biryani, trying to be the biggest detective ever and solve the mystery.

Suddenly a nudge brought me back in the cinema hall. My neighbor had pushed my elbow off the armrest and occupied it, showing it as a mistake or his right to place his arm over there. As an instant reaction, I also pushed his arm of the rest, breathed heavy to show my annoyance and my victory over him. Though he did not show any annoyance, I could feel that he had sized me up and would have decide to stay calm. Though the movie was on, my attention was on the armrest. Later I felt a bit confident about it and the catchy scene drifted me back to Hyderabad. Being a detective type of a movie, I wasn’t ready to loose any thread. As I was trying to solve the mystery I felt that I had lost my occupation of the armrest. Though this time it was not by force but that I had changed my posture. Though I did not like it but never wanted to be rude to apply force to get back my prized possession. Though I was trying to be magnanimous over the loss but it was still in my mind to win it once again. Yes, I got an opportunity and I got it back. Felt so good, but was out from Hyderabad fighting over a minor armrest.

Interval gave me an opportunity to think, what I am doing. I am here to see a movie, transpose to a new world, dance with the heroines, sing the romantic songs and with a cool look turn the tables on the villain by cracking the mystery. And I am stuck up with an armrest. In Mumbai local train, four persons would seat next to each other, a bit cramped up on a seat meant for four and instead of complaining would thank god for a seat. Each one of them would adjust and more often than not share the newspaper. To enjoy the movie, to capture the freshness of Vidya, to pick up the ever-amusing Hyderabadi accent, I have to get the armrest of my mind.

I walked back to my seat, smiled to my neighbor and took my seat with my arm not on the armrest. I enjoyed the second half of the movie without any disturbance, with no itch in my mind. I sang, I danced; I romanced and was part of the cast through out till the end.

Later on my way back home, I was wondering why was I fighting for an armrest. May be I have been through the environment where the brothers fight over the property rights, the neighbors would always remain inimical over minor issues, the states fought for separatism or over the boundary issue, the nations would lock horns for decades over the line of control. May be a relook over these issues can provide a fresh air to enjoy the good things.

 It’s all in the mind.