I’ll be there for u……………

We laughed on the worst of jokes. Jokes which were not even the slightest bit funny. We fought fake fights. We abused and swore obscenities on each other only to let the hilarity go on. We saw each other act cute half asleep at 5.30 in the chilly mornings.

We were seven people in Tent No. 15, who got used to each other’s system, reactions, behaviour and habits. There was never a bias in the heart while we pulled each other's leg inducing racism in our humor (of the small towns and the NCR, North and South India, Bihar and UP). In all this, Varun Anand aka Tau was our serendipity. He is of the league of the legendary Jaspal Bhatti, maybe better for his spontaneity.

It was the best time to know our friends. Small gestures spoke, while we tried to keep the little boy’s ego alive and never accepted our affection. Ashish Bhardwaj returned from half a kilometer to show me a very cute child. He knew I love kids.

Ashwini kept us motivated and remained awake all the time while we prepared for the debate. Six different treatments were offered when Chilraj hurt his wrist. We cracked few more sick jokes just to make sure he forgets his pain.

“Dude u rock!”, was what Ashwini was told by everyone, when he danced non-stop for almost 2 hours (and a dance it was!). We made an effort to share all our experiences together. All of us together opened the prize we’d won in the debate. Help was never asked for, it came on its own. I was stunned when Amit Thakur washed Chilraj’s plate after dinner.

Our being together had some side effects as well. I who boast of a sophisticated taste of music, for the first time in my life was made to listen, sing and actually enjoy the worst filmi songs. (Tainu ghodi kinne chadaya bhootni ke, tera tera suroor, jumma chumma, choli ke piche, gutar gutar, kukdoo koo…).

As a passive listener I had no option but to learn all the abuses I could fathom and fired them at any opportunity I could. Vineet Neoliya (of the ‘Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Vineet Neoliya naam rahega’ fame) was shocked when I threw a Bhain@#%$ at him. Being a rookie I, at times muddled up a few of them, in fact mixed them pretty badly. What was supposed to be of the sister became mother’s and vice versa. At times I invented my own. Chetan was usually my guru while an analysis was followed there after. The research was lead by our dearest Ashwini. He surprised a lot many with his extreme transmission.

All of us were perfect for our Tent No. 15. We wouldn’t have, had we not had it to share it with the ace shooter Varun Seth. We have shared the rarest experience of our lives together it might not just be a mere co-incidence but a fortune surely.

At this moment I remember these lines:

“I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.”

Dos and Don'ts at the MTC:

Dos
1. Drink a lot of water to avoid acidity.
2. Take an antacid/ Eno along to avoid the piss.
3. Take fewer clothes (you won’t take the uniform off)
4. Take blankets instead. (The nights are freezing)
5. Contribute as much as you can.
6. Make as many friends as possible.
7. Start building stamina (to complete the Cross Country Race)
8. Eat less (you can easily loose there)
9. Apply a lot of sunscreen.
10. Change socks.
11. Share your quilts (to get the extra warmth).
12. Take a moisturizer (we used boroline and himalaya lipguard)
13. Use tissue papers. (They are easier)
14. Remain down to earth. (to extract the best out of everyone)
15. Take part in the debate. (call me if you need help winning it)
16. Drink less water after the sunsets. (The bath rooms are far)
17. Give 100% with a smile during all tasks.
18. Learn some great jokes/ stories. (else the tent mates would harass you asking the most personal questions)
19. Build a stamina to laugh. (It would naturally prop up when least expected)
20. Cut nails. (it is hygienic)
21. Learn good songs along with lyrics.
22. Take deodorants (It works as a tent refreshner)
Don’ts
1. Don’t eat chewing gums and talk rough. (It looks very cheap)
2. Don’t carry your earphones. (You’ll create your own music)
3. Don’t carry any food from home. (You’d bring it back)
4. Don’t disrespect nature.
5. Don’t escape from doing any task.
6. Don’t eat radish/ mooli. (you know why)
7. Don’t carry playing cards etc. (talk instead)
8. Don’t act selfish. (It comes back to you)
9. Don’t be careless and casual (It saves time)
10. Don’t sleep a lot (Hold conversations under the quilts instead)
11. Don’t act too pricey. (You’d badly need your friends)