Life is a mystery, especially when you don’t know what is right or what’s wrong. But as long as you have your youth, you are allowed to repeat your mistakes, nobody minds if you are little restless. Everyone understands if you take your time to choose between the worse and worst.
Still in everybody’s life one day comes when eventually we have to give life a serious perspective, fortunately or unfortunately it was the night before my 24th birthday. Unlike every year the day about to arrive wasn’t making me feel any special, the very thought of continuous ringing of my cellphone after 12’o clock was making me uncomfortable. I don’t want to waste another year of my life, not scared of the number actually, it’s not because I am growing old, but the urge within me saying I need to add more meaning in my life.
What the heck, I decided to embark on an adventure, the last adventure of my 23rd year. To bid my 23rd year good-bye in style, I convinced myself I have still 4 hours of this golden year left. I purposely left my phone in my office drawer, couldn’t ignore the wallet for security reasons.
I decided to do nothing right that day, but yet made a pact with myself; I am not going to regret it later. I just want to start my 24th year clean, so tonight I was allowed to be little spoilt. First I headed towards a tattoo parlor, as I always wanted one, I convinced myself I am grown enough to take the pain. But a tiny butterfly on my neck made me so loud, that the sound proof glasses of the parlor was about to crack. Plus I scared the handsome guys’ rest two customers away.
I then decided to dissolve my pain a little, I always wanted to take few tequila shots, but was never blessed with the right opportunity. So next I found myself sitting in a pub surrounded by bunch full of strangers, being a Friday night the place was picking up good business, and its amazing how loud music attracts us young generation. It’s like music that loud can shut all the nonsense going on and on in your mind. I easily gulped down two tequila shots, was on verge of taking my third one, looks like I have underestimated my drinking capability way too much, cause I could still think by my mind. But couldn’t help but enjoy the buzz, the electrifying feel making into me, troubleshooting all my senses.
But every good thing reaches its end, and I decided the feeling should remain good only if I stop here. I assembled myself made my way out of the pub, I could still stand on my two feet which meant I was doing ok. I was ignoring the fact that only after my first shot everything was spinning around me. I dropped my wallet on my way out; before I could actually lean over an over-friendly guy did the honor for me. He started the conversation by saying “you are welcome”, at least saved me the effort of thanking him. He introduced himself as if I was dying to make new contacts. But can’t help noticing that he was cute, but didn’t figure out whether it’s the alcohol effect which made the world so sweet around me.
I also passed him a soft smile, and invented a fake name for him; why not squeeze more fun of that night. I was Ananya for him, the name which I always imagined to be my incognito name. He was so desperate to strike a conversation, which made me wondered his intentions, did he confused my drunken state with my easy availability or vulnerability. But tonight I was given the liberty to take risks, to entertain charming strangers. We were crossing a coffee shop, he realized there were still 5 minutes left for the shop to close, he can still buy me a latte, if I agree to be little chatty over a cup of coffee. So what if we can’t sit and talk, we can still enjoy a long walk. He sure was unaware of my condition, and how long that walk is gonna appear to me. Duh!! But at times you need to act so interested na.
That night we found so many common interests, which I could have never discovered if I was my usual critical conscious self. As we were so keen to test our compatibility, we enquired each other’s sun-sign, one thing lead to another; he came to know my birthday. Looks like both Ananya and me was born on the same day. I was extra obedient that day, giving my decision making ability little rest, soon he got us tickets for the late night show in the nearby multiplex. Before the movie could start, he made me blow candles and cut fictitious cake from his weird but cute phone app. Then suddenly I remembered my vow of acting responsibly in the 24th year, I let him enjoy only first ten minutes of the movie. I rushed outside the theatre, and he followed. I didn’t have time to give explanation to him too; I somehow got a cab back home. I was polite enough to wave him a good bye.
My 24th birthday was fun, though I missed lot of important calls, birthday wishes. But on your birthday you are expected to throw little tantrums, whatever you do, you still will be the center of attraction. Sometimes though memoirs of your stupid mistakes, meaningless escapade somehow add meaning to your life.
