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| (no idea why the search engine came up with this when I entered tube-light. maybe because of the halo) |
The previous tube light that had served me well for over
four months gave way way back in October. Then, I had tried to resuscitate it.
I twisted it, turned it, abused it, coaxed it, reversed its positioning, but to
no avail.
Four months! I mean, c’mon! That’s like the duration of two
State Assemblies. So, naturally, there was a certain level of affection/laziness
which meant that I continued holding onto it, in much the same way as I
continued with my ex’s name as my laptop’s password. So, I took it down and
placed it vertically in one corner of my room. It still stands there and looks
eerily like my ex giving me the finger.
Well, then, few days later there were exams. And you just don’t fuck with
exams. So, I put down a request for a new tube, but the authorities gave me
sweet fuck-all, which meant I had to take care of preparations in my
neighbor's room who gradually got pissed off on me because he wanted privacy
to do some stuff. I respect that. I do. (He don’t have no girlfriend though.
Just saying)
I decided to take matters in my own hands. A tube costs 50
bucks is what somebody prompted. Another retorted that 50 bucks = 6 cigarettes.
Somebody else suggested I steal one from one of the many corridors of our
hostel. That proved impossible. It was like forcing a barefoot Rajpal Yadav to
kiss Deepika + stilettos on screen.
Finally, a bathroom was zeroed in on in the adjacent wing,
and I attacked in broad daylight, chairs and all, because we assholes are certainly
sleeping during that time, can’t say the same about any other hour of the day.
The tube was slotted, and my heart skipped a beat when I switched it on.
It made a whizzing noise, flickered, blinked innocently as
if it was in a viva and not in my room, and finally glowed to its fullest a la
Yami Gautam.
The tube served me well for over 6 months. Sadly, today it
fizzled out. I almost forgot I was in my hostel and not in Bangladesh for the world cup.
It has been with me through ups and downs (that, by
the way, is the worst double-entendre ever, can’t believe I have stooped down
to Viveik Oberoi levels). It has seen me watch Dhoom 3 and Yaariyan. It watched
silently as I stalked girls online, read TOI, scratched myself or picked my
nose. And like a true friend, it was never ever judgmental. It accepted me for
who I was, and blinked on with me.
However, no resuscitation this time around, coz a lizard is
perched atop the tube-holder and I would rather fuck with exams than mess with
the bastard. Plus, the futility of a working tube in the last month of the last
semester outweighs the need of a new tube, when all you are doing for the entire
day is eating whatever you aren't drinking.
