Self and the Other
Other: “It’s a frustrating day right?”
Self: “Huh? Asl?”
Other: “Does that really matter?”
Self: “What are you looking for?”
Other: “Peace. Answers. A genuine conversation maybe. Can we
give it a try?”
Self: “Where on earth are you from?”
Other: “Bronx. Google it. I’m certain you haven’t the
faintest idea of my polluted demanding city.”
‘ -BRONX-I’m feeling
lucky-‘ The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of the New York
City, in the U.S. state of New York blah blah blah…( Thanks Google)
Self: “You’re kinda weird you know.”
Other: “I agree. I like the manner your brain works. Remarkable
I must say.”
Self: “Huh?”
Other: “You’re packed with questions Miss. Well, I work as a
botanist, not in Bronx. I love rainforests, the self-possession, stillness and
wilderness. I bet you love all that, the romantic ideologies according to your
‘working brain’. Right? The world exists Miss. Wanna see?”
Self: “Dude, you’re funny!”
Other: “ Lemme quote something. “We have to dare to be
ourselves however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” Why don’t
you stab being the true-self my beloved Self? You’ve a stunning mind that’s
genuine. Admire your thoughts. You’re not insane. Trust me. One of these days
you’ll be amused looking at your ‘self’ and the thoughts it boils.”
The conversation heated up. Lies after lies, the dialogue
reached a peak. ‘An incoherent Stranger’, the Self concluded. No. ‘An
incoherent Self’
Self: “Who are you?”
Other: “Anonymous. That’s my name.”
Self: “Do you know me?”
Other: “Of course I do. We met few minutes back. Actually,
you met me few minutes back.”
Self: “What are you trying to say?”
Other: “Exactly what I said. I know you’ve been two-faced
all this time but it’s okay, I forgive you. I respect your concerns. But I
wanna give you a glimpse of reality. Don’t fall into the ploy pit of this
blood-spattered rat race, they’re eyeless and they’re stalking you, you can be
imprisoned anytime. Run away, the world awaits you! The pillared temple, art and
anonymity of the forest foot hills, poetry, the green water and the cement
walls you comprehend in your gentlest hallucinations.”
Self: “Who are you?”
Other: “That’s accurately you should be investigating yourself.
Discover yourself and save it from the golden cage. Time and tide waits for no
man. I’m afraid.”
Self: “ Dude, you make no sense to me.”
Other: “Why are you confused? Your endeavour with words are
not a twist of fate like you think. Your mind apparatus’s upsurge is the
favourite part of my thinking-day, you know that? I sit and think, then I sleep
wondering what you’re dreaming. Your green masked hero who whispers proverbs
behind the bamboo grove is my personal favourite. I draw them into Gallifreyan codes and they
are still mysterious. They are. You are. After this random conversation you
think we’ll be in touch?”
Self: “Interesting. Dude I’ve better things to do in life.”
Other: “I sit on top of your cupboard and watch you all day.
Your blood running all through your body, your brain directing signals and your
common-sense discounting it all and mocking at me, your phone calls and the
tamarind toffee you love, your Bimal Biswas and ink pens, your confusion of
finding the right clothes every dawn and the insomnia and digital clock you
hate the most. They all see me, just not your eyes.”
Self: “Hey!!! What are you saying? You’re freaking me out
right now! Enough with this game. Tell me. Who’re you?”
Other: “The self and the other are the same Arundhathy!”
OTHER DISCONNECTS!
An absorbing shock passed her spine. Frustrated, Confused! A
weird conversation, a supernatural being in the midst of 21st century? an
unusual meeting that happened on a lethargic remote evening, the bizarre of
topics, a new world, doubts, questions, lies and a testimonial that haunts!
Anonymous! The bell rang. Self closed her laptop and opened the door.
Mom: “There’s a registered letter for you, collect it
tomorrow without forgetting. Postman said it
reads America, Bronze or something…aah. ”