Re-Take

The word 'Re-take' finds its maximum use in the virtual world,i.e. the world of movies,soaps etc. where the make-believe world is perfected using this tool called 're-take' to get the best possible result.I often wondered what would happen if in real-life also we could avail ourselves of this reel-life advantage. How often we find ourselves wishing things to have turned out to their liking than the fate those things eventually met with. For example,wouldn't Pakistani Cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq like to change the scoop shot that he played in the T20 world cup finals that cost his team the trophy if he could get an opportunity to change that event? Or would Aamir's LAGAAN team have won the cricket match against the British in the movie LAGAAN if there weren't any 're-takes'? Just imagine how nice it would be if we had the power of 're-takes' in real-life also. Even with limited access to it,life would have been one big party if we had that power. Well, however unusual it may sound, but destiny gave me the rarest of the rare opportunity to re-write the script of certain portions of my life. But of course those 're-take' offers came with the customary and legendary 'terms & conditions' that is there with every offer. Here, I would be giving u a first-hand account of my 're-takes' which I took hoping that they would fetch me the desired results.So, role tape,lights,camera and ACTION .

.. " I'll not give you any more reasons to complain. I grant you the power to change any 2 events of your life as per your liking and satisfaction." said God.

Before I take you through to the above point in my life where I was given the privilege to take 're-takes' of any 2 events of my life,  let me lead you to the build-up to that point ..

          So, this is OM for you?a 17 year old hard-core bollywood movie 'buff who always craved for the three Ms- Money,masti and Meenal. Meenal?the girl next door whom I loved so much but couldn't muster enough courage to tell her my feelings. But can a love story be without any complications and a 'third angle'?The 'third angle' in this case was my best friend Gaurav! Quite a predictable plot,isn't it? As SRK's character in the movie OSO says that if you love someone truly & wholeheartedly, the whole universe comes to your assistance in helping u get the love of your life.So, banking on that piece of advice, I didn't come in between Gaurav and Meenal, as I didn't want to be the DEEWAR in between their DOSTANA. But somewhere I still had the pinch of losing my love to Gaurav. He wasn't a bad guy but surely was more 'blessed' than me. We knew each other from our orphanage days! Yes, we were orphans who finally had families for the last 9 years. I don't know who writes our destiny but whoever has been writing the script of my life had churned out the biggest flop in the form of my life. That's why the couple who had come to adopt me finally zeroed in on Gaurav because looking at their plain and simple wardrobe I had refused to go with them. Only days later, I learnt that they were millionaires! Rubbing more salt on my wound was the fact that I landed up in the house next to Gaurav's new house when a 'rich-looking' but a middle-class couple adopted me. That time I learned that looks can be deceptive! I wish at that age, I had been exposed to the saying that never judge a book by its cover!

          I often pitied myself for landing up in a middle class family. I just couldn't live that compromised life that is the trademark of a middle class life. It wasn't hopeless but when compared with Gaurav who had everything I could only dream of?big house,swanky cars, and hordes of servants at his service and of course Meenal, I did feel to be hard done by destiny. Gaurav always preached to live a content life and satisfied with whatever we have and work hard to acquire all the worldly comforts. Nonsense! That's why I rechristened Gaurav as 'Guru Gaurav(GG)Yes, I would have surely been satisfied if had the things GG possessed.Only those who are the 'chosen blessed' people having all the money and comforts in the world preach such nonsense stuffs. I know all those preaching would vanish in thin air if they are made a live the life of a commoner.I couldn't bear the sight of seeing GG sitting in a big car whenever he used to go out or the Play stations he used to play with during leisure time. What leisure time! Every moment of his was like a leisure moment from my point of time. One night, I have had enough of this 'compromised' life. I cried and cried blaming the almighty for being so unjust to me? I had this bottle of poison in my hand was about to gulp it down my throat when I heard a voice calling out my name. It wasn't 'maa'(my mother) or Papa for sure. I headed in the direction of the voice which was coming from the terrace side.".I saw a very bright light emanating from the sky. It was a bit unusual as the city was witnessing incessant rain for the last few days and there weren't any signs of any let up in the overcast condition for the next few days. The light was so bright that I had to turn my back towards it.

 Half-frightened and half-excited, I asked, "Who's there?" Then came this reply, "Child. I'm God. I've noticed that you are not too happy with the life you've been given. What's the problem?" 1^st I couldn't believe my ears but gathering some courage, I asked,"Are u really God?" The voice said," yes, my child. Tell me why you seem to be unhappy with the life u have been given?" "Why not, God? Why have you been so unfair to people like me? Why can't we also enjoy all the worldly pleasures we have been deprived of? can't you wave a magic wand and give unprivileged people like much better reasons to live." I asked.

"Child,life itself is a big privilege. Whatever human beings are today because of his good and bad 'karma'. I never do any kind of injustice to anybody. You are all my children and very special to me. Anyone can change his destiny by sheer hard work, honesty and perseverance.You are the maker of your own destiny.",said God. "But you'll have to admit that some people are born lucky. They seem to be getting all your blessings and ride their luck in whatever they do." I contradicted. On this, God said, "I'll not give you any more reasons to complain. I grant you the power to change any 3 events of your life as per your liking and satisfaction.Only you'll be aware of those changes. Others will be oblivious of the 're-takes' you would take. You won't be able to reveal those re-takes to anyone. But you'll have to keep a few things in mind before you execute those 2 changes."

I couldn't believe my ears! "What? Are u really serious God? Will I be able to change any 3 events of my life? That means, like the movie and soap stars, I too will have the option of taking 're-takes' to perfect the scenes of my life?" I asked excitedly. ""Yes, my movie buff , you can make those changes or in your words, u can  take those 're-takes' But you'll have to take care of a couple of  things before you execute those 3 changes.The 1^st  condition is that any of those 're-takes' can't bring any dead back to life or cause anybody's death." I agreed to it and asked for the 2^nd condition. "Not now. I'll tell u later. Anyways, I'll be giving u a ring which you need to wear whenever you want to take those 're-takes'. Just rub the ring three times and say 're-take' after which you'll be taken to the time period you desire to be in to implement those changes." said God. Suddenly, the light disappeared and I found a ring lying in front of me on the floor. I immediately pocketed it. "What are you doing here?" asked a voice from behind. It was 'maa'. I was a little rattled and feared if 'maa' had listened to my 'pact' with God. But she hadn't ." nothing, maa. I was just feeling a little suffocated downstairs so I came on the terrace to have some fresh air.", I lied. " ok. Come downstairs now.Tomorrow you've to wake up early to go to school." 'Maa' said and we headed downstairs. I pinched myself again and again to make sure it wasn't a dream.Wow! what a nice things had happened to me! As I often pitied myself for landing up in a middle class family and being deprived of the worldly pleasures, I knew what needed to feature on the 're-take' list.

So, when it came to choosing those 3 re-takes, I thought long and hard over it. Finally, I zeroed in on the 3 events of my life which had robbed me of all I wanted to have—-money, worldly comforts and Meenal. It had been 8-9 years since I had been living that 'unfulfilled' life. My 1^st priority was to get Meenal.I still remember the day when Minisha expressed her love for GG and how they confessed their love to each other with GG giving her a beautiful birthday card(and expensive of course) and she getting bowled over by that romantic gesture of GG. So, here's the account of my 1^st re-take in the form of a poem?

A boy must be of minimum 21 years of age 2 get married is what says the law

But at 17 only, I used 2 fall for every beautiful girl I saw.

The one who fell prey to this was Gaurav my closest pal

As , I too had developed a he crush on her gal.

I had heard the adage that everything is fair in love and war 

It was decided that if I did not get her, I would take it as "Grapes are sour".

By the grace of god, I got the opportunity soon

A masterstroke was the need of the hour and I would be on top on the moon.

It was Meenal's birthday in the month of January

On the eve of Meenal's birthday, I saw GG buying a birthday card and a blackberry.

As he went for a few minutes to the loo

I had almost decided what I had to do.

I opened the card & wrote the encircled letter "A" on top of her name

As only adult movies has the encircled "A" attached to them, I'm sure it would embarrass her and put her to shame.

My plan paid off well as soon after they parted ways

I couldn't help but grin at the sight of some happy days.

I got more and more close to her with each passing day

Till date we are going rock steady which only proves that I was right in doing what I did

  and where there is a will, there is a way.

The 2^nd Re-Take

With my love life back on track, I decided to go for gold! I decided to make up for the 'incorrect' decision of refusing to go with the 1st couple who had come to adopt me.As I was about to say 're-take' and travel to the desired time period, God appeared and made the proceedings a little complex. "you can't do a 're-take' of that event of your life unless Gaurav is ready to swap his life with yours.", said God throwing a thunderbolt on me." Why on earth he would leave all that and live a 'compromised' middle class life? Only a big fool would do that. Please God, don't do this to me.", I pleaded. Finally, God took a soft stand but again threw a 'surprise package' to me. " ok, that won't be needed but if you want to take this particular 're-take', the other two 're-takes' would be cancelled and you would lose your love." said God.  I quickly made up my mind and replied, "God if I have wads of money,  I can get 1000s of Meenals at the snap of my fingers.I'll go with this decision of mine.In today's world, money and power is everything that matters. All other things revolve around those two things only." "Amen!",said God and disappeared.

          The next moment I saw myself lying on a 'Karan Johar movies-type lavish bedroom that GG must have been using before me. Surrounded by servants carrying juices and towels, I felt like a movie star. I couldn't believe all that was happening to me- Swanky cars, air-conditioned rooms and hordes of servants at my service round the clock. Several months passed smoothly. But little I knew what was in store for me.I spared a thought for poor Gaurav who must be feeling the hardships of belonging to a middle class family which is full of 'compromises' and killing of one's desires. But to my amazement, he was the same satisfied and happy bundle of nerves he used to be earlier.I wondred how could he live happily in such a financial crisis as 'maa' and papa(my 1^st parents) were not financially very sound.But I didn't have time to pity him as I was already over-indulgent in my own world of cars,playstations and latest gadgets Soon I started missing the 'human element' from my life. Most of my previous friends had distanced themselves because of my snobbish behaviour and high-handedness. I had started weighing everybody with money. My new parents had no time for me.Even when I fell ill, doctors and servants were pressed into service but they never found time to sat beside me and comfort me. I was missing out on the small-small things that provided me lots of happiness in my earlier life for which I didn't so any respect. Now the tables had turned. Those little moments of joy with family and friends turned their backs on me. Right from the delicious paalak-paneer to having paani-pooris with my peers to dancing in the rain on the roads with them, I was missing everything. Those who were with me had some or the other 'expectation' from me. Nobody was genuine. Unlike me earlier friends and parents, their love and concerns were not genuine. I was reminded of the King Midas's story who had to pay the price in the form of his beloved daughter for his greed for gold and money. I wanted my earlier life back. I called upon God and pleaded him to give my earlier life back to me."Child. It's too late now. It was you only who wanted all the stuffs who r getting today. They why you are backing out now? You had told that you can buy emotions,love and friends with money. So, go and do your purchasing. Why r u pleading?" God said angrily. I was shattered. I started crying," Please God. I've realized that the greatest wealth is family and friends. I've learnt my lessons. Please .please return my life ..I beg of u .." But God disappeared.

          " what happened to you? Are u ok, OM? What are u murmuring?",asked 'maa'.I opened my eyes. 'Maa' was standing in front of me with an inquisitive look on her face. IT WAS A DREAM!!!!! Nothing had changed! But that dream had taught me the lesson of a lifetime. May be that was God's way of conveying his message to me. I hugged 'maa' and said,"Maa,I'll never leave you. One day, I'll make you proud of me and give u every happiness that's there in this world. I promise."

'Maa' smiled and hugged me more tightly. 'We are already proud of you OM. We are very fortunate to have a son like u."said she affectionately. I had decided that now onwards, I'll not brood over things that were beyond my controls.I'll work hard and carve a niche for myself and make my parents happy.I'll make this average looking 'feature film'.ie. my life, a blockbuster!!!!!! I promise. My picture had just 'begun' PICTURE ABHI BAAKI HAI MERE DOST!!!!!!!!!!