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You've come a long way, baby!

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Nilanjana Biswas
·July 31, 2001·2 min read

Heavy Fuel ...

“You have come a long way, baby!” This brings a smile on my lips these days. No, not a smile but a Cheshire cat grin especially that Cheshire cat who got the most expensive cream. It’s a feeling of immense satisfaction that makes me look at the person next to me and think aloud, “Are you as satisfied as I am?” You feel like reciting “Pippa’s Song”:“God’s in his heavenAnd all’s right with the world” (or something in that strain).

God seems so wonderfully cool now and so is the rest of the world. The most unbearable person, who I regale with the choicest expletives behind his or her back, is worth a hug (Ok! Ok! I’m pushing it a bit too far!) If you see me hopping, skipping, jumping, with a spring in each and every step, a good word and a smile for everybody’no! I have not gone insane. I’m at peace with myself, I’m happy and I’m me.

I’ve got a huge load of paperwork piled in front of me, my ears are plugged with earphones attached to my CD player incorporated in my computer and I’m nodding my head to “Sultans of Swing”. Given the place and opportunity I would have shaken a leg and more. In fact, I would love to shock the entire so-called “stiff upper lipped” and “holier than thou” yo-yos and precisely do that. I’m sorely tempted.

Don’t know why this feeling is not contagious. It should be like the deadliest plaque or these strange viral infections. There is this bright expression in my eyes, not induced by drugs or unshed tears but genuine emotions, often like the rush you feel with the wind in your face on a crisp cold winter morning. Why can’t we invigorate ourselves by default like a snake shedding its old skin (bad analogy but that’s natural for the snake, the snake gets a total face, body lift. Lucky snake!) If I want a face-lift I will have to pay through my nose (literally), nose-job, liposuction and the works.

It does not hurt to daydream, does it? Only my work suffers, I smile wistfully, shake my head ruefully, sigh profoundly and breathe the words “IF ONLY ” F***!!!“ The earphones are still firmly plugged, ”Sultans of Swing“ have given place to ”Heavy Fuel” and the hugs are replaced with dagger-stares, if only looks could kill! Welcome back to reality!

What stayed with you?

A line that lingered, a feeling, a disagreement. Great comments are as valuable as the original piece.

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