Fakers galore: The pitfalls of spontaneous trips

The other day, I got the privilege of reading this sad but interesting story crafted by a friend. This friend of mine is weird and his ways are chutiatic, people say; not because he actually is, but due to the junta's inability to be more imaginative and less fussy.

Here goes the parable:

Nakshatra is a lucky guy, but only on his birthdays. Somehow, nature conspires to make his birthday a memorable affair. Today is the day. Though only a handful of people bother to turn up, he is fine with it, as all his close friends are always there.

A little background info worth mentioning here. Nakshatra has never had close friends. Only acquaintances at best. Same goes for his Dad, Mom, Brother and other family members. There are a multitude of family acquaintances and community friends, but not a single 'close' friend. The concept of family is too closely knitted to even allow one. He has several family firsts to his credit. The first person to study engineering. The first person to not work in the traditional family business, etc. He is the first person to come out of the family shell as well.

Coming back to the birthday scene, the stage is set for a spontaneous day-long trip to Pandora (some imaginary place, not the one projected by 'Avatar' :P). Nakshatra had not expected this. Apart from his schedule, the cash in his hands is also a constraint. Even though he earns some small income every month, few people know that it is all he has to his disposal, family is not told to chip in, for only he is aware of circumstances at home.

Not wanting to spoil the mood, he humbly declares his monetary constraints. Friends, though complaining at first, tell him that he will be remunerated for all the 'extra' expenses. Now, learning from past experiences, trust does not come easy for Nakshatra. But the assuring tone helps to build that trust and he agrees.

The trip begins. The atmospheric is adventurous and euphoric with everyone appreciating how the plan has fructified. Friends congratulate Nakshatra for another memorable birthday. He is happy to be cared for. He opens himself up, all his inhibitions, his shell, vanish. The group has one hell of an awesome time. They return back the next evening.

 Reminiscent of his cash crunch, Nakshatra casually reminds his friends about the remuneration. Mr. A tells him to discuss it with Mr. M, who had been the most assuring member of the group before the trip. Mr. M, seen as a very vulnerable and socially conscious individual, backtracks. As he outlines the reasons for such a treacherous attitude, another friend from the group - who joined the trip in spite of his injuries (kudos!) - joins his arguments. With Mr. A also supporting, it becomes a chorus. Nakshatra is shocked, not much because he lost the money he was supposed to spend over the course of the next month, more due to the hostile attitude displayed by the only friends he has in college. But some kind of inner strength restrains him from expressing his anger and he keeps quiet.

"'Dhoka kyon diya, resources kam they toh bol dete. Kuch aur kar lete uss din. Assure karke backtrack karte hain. Fraud people", he thought. Nakshatra hated liars, and used to equate them to corrupt people, whom he detested. He remembers that some of his friends are corrupt as well, some never make their intentions clear, some have been too influenced by college to differentiate right from wrong. Every facet of their behaviour, the pattern, the assuring ways, the fraud, come into his mind, all at once.

He begins to lose the faith. The faith that made him different. The faith which repelled him form the closely knitted family atmosphere. He just loses it. Completely.

Promising himself something very strongly, he sets out to face the next day.

- Sumeet Seth (sumeets29@gmail.com)