'Break pretense' is my mantra. There are so few people who are capable of being genuine and there are some who can be case studies!
I have my own issues in 'breaking pretense'. For someone to see the real me … well, I guess it might be easier to move the 'proverbial mountain'! :D But any how, when I say 'break pretense', the 'pretense' is more about all the thrills and frills people add to make themselves seem superior.
But how precious to find someone who has not a single one of those thrills or frills. They own the 'take me as I am' philosophy.
From day 1 that I met him, that's how he was & that is EXACTLY how he still is. Nothing - & I mean nothing has changed and nothing seems to affect him.
So it was that simple pleasure of bumping into that known face on the bus today and an hour long conversation that ensued that made my day seem so beautiful. He called out to me in the crowded bus without a worry on what the world would think! :D
An excerpt:
Me: How are u man?
P: Very good.
Me: You've been working for a year now. How does it feel?
P: Great! I get money
Me: Hmm.. what do you do with it?
P: The entire thing is a saving. I just use it for trips. I'm just back from Hongkong. I realized I over saved for the trip. I have so much money I could go for a trip tomorrow!
Me (thinking to myself): Is there even such a thing as 'over saving'??
Me: You don't even spend on food?
P: I tell my mom not to cook for me but she does. She gives me breakfast and lunch which is 3 dosas and 3 slices of cucumber everyday.
Me: You don't get bored?
P: I have been eating this for a year now. If I had to get bored I guess I would have by now. So I guess I never will.
Me: Cool Man! So, howz office and all? Do you need to stay back for a certain number of hours?
P: O yeah, they tell us to stay for 9 hrs. I finish work much before that. So its chill. I leave exactly after 9 hours in office.
Me: So what do you work on?
P: Nothing great. Just plain mouse clicks!
Me: Did you use the concepts we picked up earlier?
P: Nah
Me: You should. It may help you for promotions and stuff.
P: I don't care. I get paid & I'm happy with this money. So its cool.
Me: Hmm...…ok. so how is your sis?
P: She relocated to the US and is doing her masters in 'xyz'. Don't ask me what that is. I have no idea.
Me: LOL. Ok sounds cool anyway. What about you? Any higher studies again?
P: If I find any interesting PhD, may be.
Me: OK. So what else is happening?
P: I got a girl friend.
Me: (screaming inside my head - What?! do people say it out loud like this??? how am I supposed to react to this? What will this entire bus think?!)
Me: O! Super! Congrats!!
P: Yeah its just been a month. So not too serious yet.
………..
& this goes on...
& as Im about to get down at my stop
P: OK, so if you ever get on a bus at around this time, I'll be right here. I always leave office at the same time!!
Ha ha!! I love you man! You prove that its ok to be this way. You are path breaking & I don't know if I'll ever be able to be like you but I do aspire & I do try - every single day.
