By “High” am I talking about your height? Not at all. You must be somewhere around 6 feet or 7. Not really bothered about your height.

Am I talking about your “heavy pockets”? Naaa. I can make my own money.

Some people say you’re a “Biggie”. A big shot in your company. Marketing Head? Regional Manager? General Manager? Or probably the CEO or Vice President? You may be the be all and end all, but how does that make you “highhhhh” than me? And what makes you think I am falling short?

Then tell me something. If we ever happen to meet someday, how would you like to introduce yourself to me? I am Mr. ABCD… a “Big Shot” from R or Z company of the USA or any European Country or may be South Asian. And then…? I will remain mum. Not just mum, I’ll be dumbstruck.

Time to order some food? I’m sure you’ll order something that you’d like to have. You care to ask though. But you order food of  your preference. Coffee and may be Wraps to go with it. Trust me. I couldn’t have but waited to meet you. Won’t be able to express my happiness in words.

Wait! You’re not done yet…

You are still talking. I know you have a lot… I mean loads to say. And you happen to start, “My parents sent me to the best school in Chennai. We have a two-storeyed house there”. Oh! My eyes are glittering. They have to be full of dreams.

You keep on talking. By this time (you already know) I am intrigued by you. I’m slowly growing fond of you. Do you know that I am already quite “charmed”. Just charmed? Noooo. Completely smitten.So, I move a little forward to listen to you carefully. You’re bragging, sorry, talking about your parents (family), “My dad used to be an editor of Week or Wall Street Journal and my mother runs a fashion house.” You’re “The good boy-son”, Darlo! You keep your parents’ photo always inside your wallet. They happen to be your lucky charm. And you dare not, not show it to me. I’d smile. Maybe I’d blink my eyes and say, “Good boy-son, are you? Sweet family, though.” Sweet, sour or bitter-sweet, who cares.

 Given a fair chance, I’d also like to know, “What are your interests?” I won’t forget to pinch you here with my words, “Anything simple, or something “Highhhhh”, dude?”

(Wait! Did the word Dude surprise you? Do you want to say, how dare you…?  Fine. That’s not the way. Dude, that’s rude. (Smirk) No , but you can't get me wrong. I have a polite nature. But, I will be impolitely polite here. You’re after all “My Mr. Big Shot” prospect! I have to… have to treat you with “Highhhhh” regard.

By the way, is that word “High” not making you feel tipsy? No? Why?  Oh! “ You're the good boy-son doesn’t drink after all. But, One or two bottles down - in small parties or big, in your official circles and personal, is not a big deal. That's a mark of a class. You can’t say “no”. You shouldn’t say “No”. Don’t even say “No” here. Don’t take risk. Don't feel shy. Cause A, you’re “Mr. High”. B, you can’t say “No” to Bear, Scotch, Whiskey and other hard drinks. And C, what ‘bout impressing “her”.  That means Me - the Good, Bad, Ugly or whatever).

You’re love listening to music and you’re fond retros. And Sir, you have a “High” choice, without a doubt – You’re always ears to Richie or Collins and don’t want to miss the romance in the voice of Rafi, Lataji, or Asha Tai. I was patiently listening to you and that reminded me, My (I’m talking about myself here) parents could’nt have made a better choice for me. (My so-called “extend family” has to give me a stare of awe when they come to know about you. Something or the other will be burning?... May be down there. Chances of some smoke – off the “line”” are “High.”)

I’m naïve. Poor me. I am still listening. You studied Marketing and Advertising. Academically also so strong! Entered the copy writing zone when you started off. Hope you didn’t copy while writing. Copy writing. Well! There’s the catch (Wink). Quite a match.

All on a sudden, it struck you, I didn’t utter a single word. Didn’t ask you more than a question or two. And that has a huge impact on you. I’m sure. You suddenly grow curious and like a typical HR of Big Shot Company you want to know, “Can you please tell me something yourself?”

I smile politely before starting and think, “Oh! What a relief. I have finally got the “High” chance”. But I have to make sure I don’t talk big. I can’t say that I belong to the family of freedom fighters or writers and publishers. That would sound higher than you. I just can’t level up? That’s not possible.

But you have a decent-looking smile on your face by now. I can’t deny that, Mr. High.

You’re an avid reader. So should I be. Didn’t you go through that “piece of paper” – do you know which one – hahaha - my bio-data.  You must have noticed that I have been a Literature-fanatic. Fond of Christie, Blyton, Shelly, Austen since my childhood. There has been a lot of “Ray of hope” (Sukumar and Satyajit Ray) in my life. Tagore’s always in my mind.

Now coming to my basics. Like I told you, I’m not a “big” thing. Neither small. I am a convent educated person. Raising eye brows? Not yet. My major was in English during my grads and post grads. Doesn’t that make a mark? Studied Journalism too. I’m sure you’re impressed, by now? Oh My “Dad”! Pride born. Now, dude! You have to be…

What?

Impressed. Fingers crossed. Praying. Please “Dad.” Sorry, please God.

I listen to music though. But I dare not mention Chopin or Mozart here. What would you think. I mean, what’s there to think about? Nothing. Nothing at all. You can either express your happiness in silence, or may end up thinking “may be”. Or shrug, thinking not a big deal. But you definitely can’t think that, “it’s a jackpot!”.

I see that you’ve raised your brows a little. May be just a notch up. I know you have a generous heart. So, with that of kindness, you’d like to know, “What did you say your parents did?” Don’t you think, that’s a little curt. Nonetheless, I have to be polite. Can’t help it. So, in response, I say “My father (“accidentally”) got associated with publishing and media houses in India, Kolkata like Times and OUP. I shouldn’t miss mentioning his position here. All some manager of some kind or the other. Times – Manager Response. OUP – Academics. At the end he used to be the “Zonal Head” of Bharati Bhawan P& D (with privileges alright)”

That brings you to a thaw. “What?”, was the expression on your face. You may also feel like laughing inside and think “I haven’t heard a bigger joke in my entire life. Still, you’re… Anyway”. I know what was coming, and still, I am struggling personally? Professionally? And financially? I’d then have to start from the start of all the “movements and pauses” of my parent’s life. Don’t feel like going in there. Let that be for later. At least, till such time that we’re not “joking” enough. Or may be till such time that we’re not “serious about each other”. (We rarely get “serious” people these days) I dare not ask this question to you, “Are you serious?” That’s for later too. Who knows you have far more “serious issues” – to discuss or attend to.

I noticed that you surely have regards for my words.

Then I can talk about my skills now.

Quarrelling to start with. All my friends and family members, even my parents know that I’m a big “fighter-cock”. Don’t worry! In case, this takes the right angle or any angle (for that matter) we’ll have endless fights. Mind it! I’ll pick on any word or sentence or may be even language you might say. Create a web of misunderstanding out of it and end up fighting with you. But when do we exactly fight? May be when there’s a “match”. Ummm. I’m talking about matching wavelengths. But, I won’t be saying “sorry”. That’s for you to do. Why would I say sorry? Don’t you see how rough and tough I am? What if you sit back with your male ego? No. You can’t.

I am a genius in many things – cooking and daily chores. I believe that variety is the spice of life.

No. Look. I do cook. And I cook well. Trust me! I will make the “Aloo Parathas” for you but they won’t be round in shape. I will bake the cake for you. Alas! you’ll have to be ready for a burnt one. (The cake would be burnt to stone). Looking at the stone-cake, you may end up asking, “Can you make anything properly?” I know how to answer that question. For now, let that be, “Ahem”.

I do the cleaning of the house for sure, and household chores. But I leave it clumsy. Acceptable, I guess. I stay in a huge apartment. It’s a 2 BHK, but looks like 1.

Now I’ll talk about the best part of me. That I can write. I’m sure you’ll frown at this and ask, “Write what? Are you an author or a poet?” “Neither” will be my straight-faced response. “I’m creative, though”, I’d continue. I write short and long blog contents for websites and social media. Half of it needs to be re-written. My editor just won’t let them go live until they are properly done. Very strict, I have to admit. She doesn’t like the crudeness, clumsiness or coziness in my (consistently wrongly written content. She cares to tell me her discomforts in my write-ups quite comfortably and tends to give me further chances. But I am a “creative” content writer. Yes. Believe me. I make people laugh through my writings. Sometimes every word gets laughed at. You may want to know, “Why?” “Oh! That’s because of my vocab. I have the perfect choice of words”, at least that’s how I should answer.    

Our discussions varied too. You discussed humour. I’m sorry, couldn’t be humorous enough.  You spoke about classics – Books and music. Alas! I didn’t get a chance. You talked politics and economics. Me, poor thing, was so apolitical and am (basically) so uneconomical (I can manage my personal economy too well to go completely empty handed). Movies! He is a buff. Binges on to web series whenever he gets a chance. All so intellectual and sophisticated. What about me? I was trying to match up. Or should I say, I was smiling at the “cerebral inequality” in between us. Do I have the right to ask him an intellectual question? What???!!! Me and intellectual! What if he asks me, “Do you know who am I?” Or, “Probably, you don’t know who I am”.

Of course, I know. I heard you’re too “High” for me. I’d rather sound low-key.  And hope love and the rest blooms between the two of us soon.