Below are the couple of stories I have sent across for the Ireboot screening for Fiction Writing Workshop.
This wasn't where he wanted to be. He was sitting at a restaurant in front of a very beautiful girl, Paula. She's a girl to die for. She's cute, sensible, well-educated and well-dressed. But, Ryan felt nothing for her. He was lost in his own thoughts.
Ryan is a successful 32 year old film maker. His movies have gained critical acclaim worldwide. He makes intelligent movies in the dark humor genre. And, people love him for that. What many didn't know was that he was dyslexic when young and struggled to be where he is right now. And there is a part of him which is still reminded of his past and his insecurity.
People loved his movies but they hated working with him. He lived an anti-social life in an imaginary world. He talked to inanimate things, mocked at the film characters and their doings, made fun of the ant on the floor and the shapes of the clouds.
He had no luck in love as well. He never wanted to belong to any club that will accept him as a member. He always went behind the ungettable. He was craving for attention from people who rejected him and avoiding people who loved him and cared for him. That was a very difficult place to be.
Coming back to Paula, he didn't find her admiration interesting. After dinner, he told her bluntly that this wouldn't work out and he had to go. He left her and started walking alone on the road. He badly needed a drink and entered a shabby bar nearby. There was just a bartender and another lady. He ordered his usual dry martini as he sat down. He's not the one who would try to strike conversation with the friendly bartender or the other lady. But today was different. He saw the lady reading a review of his movie and making caustic comments in her conversation with the bartender.
'The director is basically screwed in his head. That's all there is to the movie', she said.
Ryan was intrigued because this was the first time somebody criticised his work. 'Why do you think so, lady?'
She gave a scornful look, ignored he's even present and started talking to the bartender about the squiggly lines in eyes which when you try to look at, run away farther from you.
Ryan's ego was hurt. 'I hope you know that I am the director you are talking about.'
'How does it matter to me?' she said, trying to avoid eye contact. She didn't want him to see the attraction in her eyes and started playing with the mist on her glass.
And there he found his love.
2. A woman I don't know is boiling tea in my kitchen...
A woman I don't know is boiling tea in my kitchen. Wait a second; it's not my kitchen either. I quickly glanced around the house and see that I am the only odd man out. Everything makes sense to everybody, the tea-boiling woman comes and kisses me and gives me my morning cup of tea. A 5 year old kid runs to me calling me 'daddy' and waves his hand as he gets on to the school bus. Where the hell am I?
In order to avoid suspicion and raising eyebrows of my so-called wife, I quickly drank the hot tea (which is infact very tasty, thanks to my so-called wife) and ran to the bathroom to get my act together. I closed the door, and I realized that I am sweating in panic. I turn towards the mirror and WOAH!!! This isn't really me. Infact, this is me, but an older me. My face is wrinkled and my eyes look tired with age.
Then it struck me. I was 20 then. My dad forced me to write IIT-JEE for the 3rd time in a row and my attempt was unsuccessful yet again. I fought with my dad that I wanted to be a writer and not an IIT engineer. It was all in vain, my dad said I am too young to make my own decisions. I stormed out of the house and went to booze with my friends to 'celebrate' my failure. In a fit of rage, I shouted, 'God, why do I need to listen to my dad all the time? I wish I grow up fast enough to mould my own life.' Aaah, looks like the almighty has taken my drunken blabber very seriously.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, I slowly sneak into the bedroom and I see a briefcase lying on the table. I thought that would give me some insight into what my life is at 40. I saw a few work-related papers; I quickly glanced through them and realized that I was a small time clerk in a government office. I was shocked; I was neither a successful writer nor an IIT hot-shot.
But, I wasn't satisfied. I wanted to know what happened in the last 20 years which made me end up here. Luckily I am into the habit of writing diary. I saw a shelf which looked like it should be having all my diaries. I randomly picked one from when I was 25. It had some stories written by me. I was shocked, but happy that I at least pursued my passion. But, how come I ended up as petty clerk? I read further. Then it struck me right there.
"I wish I had listened to my dad. It’s been 5 years now with me trying to get a breakthrough with my writing. Strangely, no one except me likes my stories. I tried dabbling in different things which interest me but nothing really worked out. I wish I had somebody to guide me towards my passion. Sorry Dad, I ignored you."
Trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. The alarm rang and I woke up. I was 20 again. Without even brushing my teeth, I ran to the drawing room and said to my dad, "Dad, I am sorry I was adamant, I do not know if I want to go to an IIT but I am confused and I would need your help deciding on my career path." My dad gave a comforting smile which took away all the pressure from me. I don't know what I want to do with my life, but now I have the courage and support to figure it out.
