On the Line.
By Jay
Krishna
Why is it that we feel shy to talk to someone
in person, but feel free to do so when we are online? Fear, withdrawal and the
feeling of not being able to connect, pricks us in the back of our head's. Why
is it, that even after having the person standing right in front of us, we
can't make a sound? Thoughts expressed in words, not through verbal feedback,
but a medium of text, that too adieu
pen and paper. Why is it, we choose to replicate ourselves, by creating a false
impersonation, which feeds on us 24x7, ignoring the reality which is in front
of us, for a virtual one, a surrogate if u may? Have we become so caught up in
this world of digitization, that the basic human emotions and feelings that
makes us humane, can only be expressed in 0's and 1's? I hope not.
01:07 AM 21
May.
Bed creeks. It's been a long day, Ajay
was finally in bed, he took out his phone and posted a status "A long day,
had loads of fun, now feeling tired"; he then began going through the news
feed. After checking his notifications, liking and commenting on a few posts,
he was finally about to finish his day, when; a pop-up appears on the screen. He
clicked on it and found it to be a friend request from a GIRL. A bit surprised,
he accepted the friend request. Minutes later, a message came in.
Richa: "Thank you for accepting
the request :)".
Ajay was a bit cynical, as to why a
girl was thanking him, that too for just accepting a friend request. But he replied
back.
Ajay: "Sure, no prob".
After a while, another message came
in.
Richa: "If you don't mind, I
would like to be your friend".
Ajay thought for a minute, and without caring
much, agreed to the proposal. They had a small chat, after which Ajay went to
bed. Thinking about what had just happened.
09:15 A.M 22
May.
The next day Ajay was woken up by his
mother's calling, him for breakfast.
Maa : "Ajay Beta, get up! You
will be late for school". He woke up and peeped at his phone, it had a
message.
Richa : "Good Morning :)", Ajay
too replied.
Ajay: "Good Morning".
He went to take a shower and sat in to
have breakfast. His phone beeps.
Richa: "Had breakfast?"
Ajay: "About to.. u?"
Richa: "Having Maggi :)".
Ajay: "It seems you like it :)".
They had a casual conversation, after which Ajay
was reminded by his mom that he was getting late for school. He switched off
his phone, strapped his bag and left.
2:00 P.M.
Ajay had returned from school, He was tired
and was searching for his mother. But she seemed nowhere to be found. He went
to the kitchen, where he found a note stick to the fridge.
"Dear
Ajay, have gone to the market to get some groceries. Lunch is in the fridge, if
you need anything, call me.
Love Maa"
