Collection!!!!
I read one of the books written by Paulo Coelho – “By the River Piedra Sat Down and Wept”,
I decided to learn more about Christianity. I thought of buying Bible and my friend suggested
me to buy the one that will contain both Old and New Testament. In order to understand and learn
more about Christianity, I thought of going to church.
And that’s when some fond memories…………..Flashback…….
January, 2006
Zach. He knows everything about computers. When we press the ‘SAVE’ button, Zach will think beyond that ‘click’. He knows where the data is getting stored, how much time it will take, how we can retrieve it …. He knows “Everything”. Apart from being a geek, he follows his religion passionately. I don’t think he ever missed any Sunday Mass. Zach- An ideal human being.
My friend!!!
Praveeen. He is more into management activities. One who dreams BIG!!! Can bring a change in the society!!! Someone who knows everything about Internet. Someone who knows everything about politics!!!
My Friend!!!
I was doing my final year engineering project in Trivandrum. On a bright Sunday morning, I decided to go to Church with my friend, Zach. Actually, it wasn’t my idea. It was Praveens’ idea to go to Palayam Palli. (church)
Scene: A small two room- kitchen house… somewhere in the outskirts of Trivandrum city.
Sunday Morning.
“Hey wake up. Let’s go to church with Zach”
“hmm…..”
“wake up buddy….Lets go to church”
Praveen was shouting at the top of his voice.
“What for???...I want to sleep….ahhhhhh… I am not a Christian dude”
“wake up lets go….”
I was totally disturbed, I got up and stared at Praveen, ”What’s the problem with you??
I don’t even go to any temple (I hardly remember Praveen going to any temple too). Let me sleep”
I was still rubbing my eyes.
Praveen came near and whispered, “Collection”.
“What collecti..…shnn” I looked towards Zach, “Hey Zach, whether there will be gals out there?”
Zach didn’t say anything, just smiled back.
“Ok, Praveen lets’ go. I can sleep afterwards. I will kill you if I don’t see any chicks out there”.
“Ok..Ok…now get dressed…lets’ go”
“Yah…wait a minute..I will just take bath and come”
“No need…yaar...hurry up”
***************************
We got down from the bus and started walking. Praveen was looking as “kool” as ever.
He was enjoying the walk. No idea what Zach was thinking, probably some Java program.
I had never been to any church before. No idea about churches and their rituals. I was nervous.
Yah !! no shame in saying a man (21 yrs.!!!) was as nervous as a toddler. The silence was unbearable and I had to break that, ”Guys….you should not call me by my name, once we reach there….”
“Why? Why so?”
“Hmm...It looks bad… don’t you think so…Call me John …or David… once we reach there…”
Praveen started laughing.. ”Oh...Ok fine”
“Zach, tell us what we need to do inside the church”, was my next query.
“Nothing…just attend the mass… and gain the knowledge...And…” Praveen interrupted in between, ”hey look at that gal, she looks awesome man...I told you…see it is worth your sleep…now don’t be nervous and enjoy.”
A sense of guilt ran through me!!!
‘I should not be doing this…I am not here to gain any kind of spiritual knowledge…I am not a believer…I can’t be this cheap…oh GOD help me’
I looked towards Zach, “I am not coming….You guys carry on…I have to go…”.
I didn’t even bother to say anything to Praveen. I turned back and started walking.
It took some time for Praveen to realize what was going on. He started calling me from behind….”Hey where are you going…” He started shouting…,”Hey lets attend the mass..Karthik..come back..Karthiiiiiiii…”
‘Oh God..what the hell..why is he calling my name…..’ I looked back….and stared at Praveen.
Inst. he corrected himself and started yelling again, “Oh..OK..Thomas…David.…come back..lets attend the mass”.
Now the whole crowd at the main gate started looking towards me. I was totally embarrassed.
‘ESCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPE’
