Rendezvous at Jags (Genre: Fiction)

When you’re living the fast life, meeting new people and making friends the rate of new born hamsters, you barely are left with any time to meet the friends closest to you. My life has lately sky rocketed to such speeds, that I nearly forgot the existence of my childhood friends. But of course, they’re always a part of my life and they know it only too well. Just that I got to take that extra effort to try and get them together for a chat.
So that’s how it happened - Rendezvous at Jags; the place that taught me to drink like an old man and cry like a baby! I reached there first (as always) and ordered a bottle of cold Kingfisher. Was just relishing the taste of sweet cold beer when I got a slap on my back and a string of words thrown at me that went something like “son of a.. couldn’t wait till I got here.. don’t you know ur supposed to toast before drinking..” whatever! I hadn’t really expected James to show up so early. He’s usually one of the last to turn up. But glad I had some company at least to begin my binging session, and we ordered another beer. James starts off about the girls in his college. “man, so many hot bods, you gotta wear glares man..I think I’m gonna get action pretty soon man..” James is this typical “I wanna get laid” sort of guy. Funny thing is, he’s a terrible flirt. He just likes noticing girls from the corner of his eye. The types who will look away the minute a girl looks back at him. Don’t even get me started on what happens when a girl tries to talk to him. Not that he’s not good looking or anything, just lacks complete confidence around girls. However, in spite of his poor self esteem, he’s managed to have quite a fair share of girls in his life. Guess its got something to do with his charm. In spite of being such a mess around women, he somehow always manages to grab their attention. But then he’s got a terrible choice in women and I don’t think I would ever want to be seen out with the kind of girls he hangs out with.
So I was almost squirming inside when I asked him “who’s the new chick then?”
“its this girl Molly dude. She’s really cute. But I’m not sure if she’s into me”
Just like James, absolutely no confidence! So I ask him “You planning to make a move anytime?”
He says, “We were at a movie the other day and I really wanted to kiss her. was in fact inches from her lips at one point of time.. but just couldn’t!!”
Didn’t surprise me at all! James has hardly ever made the first move. Almost every time he’s got action, it was initiated by the girl!
“You should have just gone for it bro.. u know its just the first move that’s difficult right?”
“I know tat.. but thing is, she’s seeing someone.. so I’m not really sure..”
Well, in spite of the kind of guy James is, he’s got a conscience!
“Anyway, what about that girl Ruth you were talking about the last time we met?”
Ruth is this girl I can’t stand. Just the kind of girl you would probably expect some kind of action from and end it there.
“She’s out of town right now man.. but I’m petrified of her returning. I’m so attracted to her, and very worried that I may not be able to control myself if I see her”
Another conscience issue with Ruth; James managed to get her hooked on to him. But then realized she’s a virgin and knew he didn’t want to be the first guy she should be with, especially when he’s not interested in anything more than sex with her.
Like I said, James is really a mess around women!

We were just about to finish our bottles when a figure just slipped quietly into an empty chair next to us.
“Johnny, you nearly scared us man” James exclaimed.
“sorry you guys.. wat you drinking?” said Johnny in his usual soft voice. Now Johnny is this total introvert. Just into his computer, his music and his scruffy looks.
“Don’t you think its time you shaved and had a hair cut?” I told Johnny.
“Don’t you think you should shut up and order me 2 bottles of beer” he retorted.
“2 bottles!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah, I gotta catch up with you guys right..”
Oh yeah, Johnny is the drinker in the group. And drinking is not his only vice, he does anything that gets him high. Crazy bugger…
“Well, James and I were just talking about his social life. What’s the scene with you?” I asked Johnny.
“I’m getting action from this girl Ginny”
“Ginny!! Like Ginny and Johnny?? Isn’t there an apparel brand with that name??” James begins to laugh
“What do I care.. She drinks, parties and rides me like Jenna Jameson”
I guessed that must be one of the porn stars in Johnny’s elaborate porn collection. And I was glad that Johhny is at least talking about being with someone. Coz he’s usually just stuck with his laptop; coding, music, movies and everything else capable of that little machine, and I sometimes think he’s having a relationship with it! But Johnny’s not the types who discounts recreation with women. Just like the rest of us, he too doesn’t believe in using the hand too often. Prefers getting it done! But trouble is, his choice of women is as bad as James’. The last girl Johnny was seeing, Rash, was as much into drinking and smoking up as Johnny himself. And looks like he’s managed to bag another girl just like her!
“Sorry I got held up guys” said a deep voice as he sat on the last chair on the table. This is a guy I like to call SJM-Stylish Jock Misinformed. Uber cool, always well dressed, driven by ambition kind of a guy. A typical stylish jock! And he actually has every reason to believe himself to be one! He’s always been one of the most popular guys in school, at work and even in his post grad now! But I know him only too well. Behind that smart exterior is a pusillanimous guy, one who is constantly worried about what people say and feel about him. And that’s why I call him ‘Misinformed’ he thinks he’s a jock, coz people around have made him believe that, but he’s nothing inside!
“So what’s the topic of conversation?” asked SJM
“Same old.. women” I said
“Ah.. I’m sorta into this really funky girl. she’s sorta into me too. But we can never sorta be together..” said SJM
“What” we all responded
“Who is she?” I added
“lets just call her Funky for now.. coz its something that will take time to explain and we’ll leave it for another day”
“thank god for that” I exclaimed. “really can’t listen to more stories on women. Wonder why we make such a big deal out of it. I’m sure we have more interesting things to talk about, like..” I was raising my voice as i spoke without realizing it and suddenly felt a soft touch on my shoulder. I turned around to see Cindy, my girlfriend, looking concerned at me, and she says, “who were you talking to…”
I look back at the table. 4 bottles of beer.. and nothing else there..

To all my Shah friends of NMIMS..

What is the quote a Shah remembers after a Faux Pas?
Once bitten, twice Shah
- Courtesy Sumit Batra

What does a Shah say when they don’t get a 3+ GPA?
That is Shah-cking news!

Why do Shah’s work so hard at presentations?
Because they feel they have to make the best Microsoft Powerpoint Slide-Shah.

What does Vidishah Shah say before commencing on a project?
We have to Shah-re our work equally.

And what would happen if you don't Shah're your work equally?
Vidisha Shah will get Shah-ken and emo-Shah-nal

And what happens if you do Shah're your work equally?
Vidisha would say Danke-Shah-on

Why did Rohan Shah shift from Finance to Marketing specialization?
Finance concepts like Shah-dow accounts totally scared him.

What is Siddharth Shah’s favourite time pass?
Window Shah-pping.
- Scenes from Mahabaleshwar

What is a Sapan Shah’s dream profile in an organization?
Shah-ping its Shah-tregy.
- Inspiration from CP Joshi

Why did Vipul Shah drown in the swimming pool?
He used complex formulae to miscalculate the depth of the pool, and thought it was too Shah-llow.

Why is Sandy in a Shawl with the Shah's in the photo above?
Because he is trying to be Shah-ndy. Shah-ndy in a shawl.

What does Siddharth Shah think about the photo?
Shah-ndar