the Thinker

Mr.Bagchi stepped into the house hesitantly, wondering what would he see inside. What he saw surprised him for a moment.

“When did he come?” he asked Mrs.Bagchi.

“This morning, when you had gone to the market,” Mrs. Bagchi replied with a smile.

“So, Debashish, what happened? We are seeing you after so many days, why didn’t you inform us that you will be coming?” asked Mr.Bagchi.

The boy, who was sitting like a crab on the sofa for so long moved a little now. His face, which appeared nervous and fatigued till now, broke into a faint smile.

“Hello uncle, how are you? I wanted to give you people a surprise, so I did not inform you about my arrival,” replied Debashish.

“Now, now, how does it matter? We are glad that you came, are your B.A results out yet?” asked Mrs.Bagchi.

“Err..not yet, they will be out in another week’s time or maybe a bit longer,” replied Debashish or Debu.

Mr.Bagchi felt for a moment that Debu was not too comfortable answering a query regarding his results. It was natural. Debu was Mr.Bagchi’s sister’s younger son. He had an elder brother, Gautam. Since their childhood, Mr.Bagchi had always been fonder of his elder nephew and he had proper reasons for that.

Gautam was an ideal and obedient child since his formative years, just the way Mr.Bagchi wanted kids to be. Gautam was good in studies, matured, respectful and responsible. Right now, he was completing his MBA in marketing in Bangalore.

On the other hand, Debashish had every quality, which Mr.Bagchi detested. He was three years younger to his brother, very stubborn and laid back since childhood. Some times Mr.Bagchi was unable to understand how could two kids with the same genes have such contrasting attitudes.

Off late, their mother had been expressing a lot of concern for Debu. She had not really divulged details, but it appeared that there was some problem with him.

“Err,” Debu started off again, “I was wondering if I could stay here for a few days?”

“Oh, you need not ask for that Debu, you know you are always welcome,” Mrs.Bagchi cut him short.

“Your mother knows you are here, right?” asked Mr.Bagchi. At this, Mrs.Bagchi threw him a reprimanding glance, hinting that he was sounding impolite.

‘Errr…well, she…,” Debu started to speak.

“Oh, how does it matter? He surely must have informed her. He is here to spend some time with us and we should make the best out of it,” said Mrs.Bagchi firmly.

She then turned at Debu and said, “Debu, don’t mind your uncle, he does not mean to upset you or anything. Stay here as long as you desire; anyways, we do not have many visitors and ever since Meera got married and left; the home seems so lifeless.”

“Err..thanks aunty,” replied Debu and shifted her glance from her face to his uncle’s face, which was still lined with doubt. He quickly avoided his gaze and picked up his bag. Mrs.Bagchi showed him to his room.

***

There was a certain amount of uncomfortable silence on all sides at the dinner table that night. Mr.Bagchi was throwing secretive glances at his nephew, wondering what he was upto. Plus, he was still not able to decide how to disclose the news about Brunno.

Mrs.Bagchi kept herself busy arranging the plates and serving the food. She was trying to maintain peace between her husband and her nephew. She knew about her husband’s dislike for Debu, but she could not trace any reason for his dislike. At times Mr.Bagchi felt that his wife was too naïve. Whenever he tried to drill some reason into her, she will simply retort by saying, “all kids are stubborn and mischievous at a certain age. That does not mean that we blacklist them.”

Debu appeared to be lost in his own world, thinking something very gravely. Plus, he also appeared more fidgety than usual. Mrs.Bagchi attributed it to the welcome he received from Mr.Bagchi in the morning. But Mr.Bagchi knew better. He had always known Debu as a stubborn, lazy and selfish child and this time, he had a strong suspicion that he had come with some motive in his mind. What motive, he did not know still.

“So Debashish, what do you plan to do after graduation?” asked Mr.Bagchi.

“Err..well, I have not thought of it yet,” replied Debu.

“Not yet, then you better start thinking. Your brother is already on his way to complete his MBA and soon he will be employed. Your mother was sounding worried about you when I spoke to her last time,” said Mr.Bagchi.

Debu did not answer and kept eating quietly. Mrs.Bagchi did not like the manner in which Mr.Bagchi had chosen to express his concern.

“What is the hurry? He will decide as and when the time comes,” she said.

Mr.Bagchi decided this was not the best time to discuss Debu’s career options or future intentions. He decided to change the topic.

“You know, I got a pet for us today,” blurted Mr.Bagchi and then bit his lip. The uncomfortable silence loomed over the dinner table once more. Mrs.Bagchi looked shocked and furious at the same time, yet she was quiet and stared at Mr.Bagchi in her most reproving manner, which Mr.Bagchi had witnessed only a few times in so many years.

For the first time ever since he had stepped into the Bagchi household, Debu had a different expression on his face, which visibly represented a shock. After a few more tight moments of silence, Mrs.Bagchi asked, “A pet? Did you say, a pet? What…how, WHY DID YOU…?”

This was one of those moments when Mrs.Bagchi’s rage had managed to zip her lips and her tempo increased by leaps. She was not a very violent women by nature, as in she did not throw vessels at someone who annoyed her largely. But this was one of those instances, when her anger had incensed to a level where words could not make it through her throat.

Mr.Bagchi knew he had made a mistake, he shouldn’t have made. He should not have revealed the news about Brunno in front of Mrs.Bagchi and most importantly, Debu. He now looked down at his plate, not daring to meet his wife’s boring glance.

“Err…what is it?” asked Debu, hesitantly.

“Excuse me?” asked Mr.Bagchi, slightly confused.

“I, I mean, what animal..?” asked Debu again.

“Oh, you mean to ask that…,” Mr.Bagchi paused and cursed Debu under his breath. The fool did not know which questions to avoid at crisis situations like these. “It’s a dog,” said Mr.Bagchi.

Mrs.Bagchi looked livid now.

“You bought a DOG?” she yelled, with special emphasis on the word, ‘dog.’

Mr.Bagchi did not reply.

“Do you know how dirty dogs are? They walk around the house with muddy paws, they mess around with household items, and they sneak around in the kitchen all the time. Moreover, this means filth and fleas all around the house,” Mrs.Bagchi thundered.

She was infuriated to see that Mr.Bagchi did not respond to any of her concerns. She then hit the bull’s eye.

“How much did you pay for it?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Debu looked from his aunt’s purple face to his uncle’s white one. He could not remember the last time when he had seen his aunt so angry and his uncle so worried.

“Generally Labradors pups are priced around Rs12000. But I got this one cheap, the shopkeeper took Rs.8000,” and he kept quiet to hear what will Mrs.Bagchi say next.

Surprisingly, she did not say a word. Mr.Bagchi looked up and saw that she had left the table. After moments of hesitation, he too left the table leaving Debu alone and thinking.

Debu saw both of them leaving and thought, “A dog, that too a Labrador? I got to hurry….”

To be contd…

Amrita,

Good! I was wondering if you could actually conclude the story with this post. And also... the length of this one seems a lot more comfortable!

Lovely chapter... intriguing I'd say especially the crosshairs of Mr. Bagchi on his nephew, Debu on the other two and the dog and so forth! It's also interesting that the aunt cares more while the chap is bloodlined with the uncle??? Or didn't I read the fine print? Anyhow, the surprise and indifference of an unexpected guest are portrayed quite 'cutely' I'd say.

Hope your health has improved. Take care.... godspeed!  

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Debu saw both of them leaving and thought, “A dog, that too a Labrador? I got to hurry….”


Now, now... thats a typical suspense... But since its comin' frm you, I expect a better continuation to the story.

Had been busy these days and just read about the enquiries about your health. Hope you are fine now!

As for my blog, yes... the strips are for my upcoming B'day! Planning to post three more :). GARFIELD... can be related to me for the laziness and Jon Arbuckle for the obvious...(dumb, pathetic, etc.) :)  

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Dear Amrita,
nice...and I guessed that you aren't going to conclude the story with this post...yesiree...I am intuitive...lol
Debu reminds me of my brother...and I suppose Mrs.Bagchi is right in her faith that kids like Debu will grow up someday...younger ones tend to be on the playful side...
hmm...keep up the good work...I see another Enid Blyton in the making here...
best wishes

SARVAM SRIKRISHNAARPANAMASTHU!  

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Amrita..

Heii...oh my god..are u ok now!?!

my album!? Actually still i'm working on its song...editing & editing & editing!!
then my jounrey'll start ...then jounrney of lot of if & buts!!
No, no I'm optimistic..very much!!

Hope good will follow me as I hv lot of BEST FRIENDS like you & their wish...thanx 4 all u wishes..thanx!!

btw, this story has also same flow like the prevbious 2..keep it up..

Take care of urself & travel safely..all d best!
Roy  

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more more more!!!!!!!!!!

Okay...now the flow is nice and pickin up!  

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hi srini,

nice to see u again...yes, the next part is up and am delighted to know that it has been upto most people's expectations...thanks for reminding me about the length..i am keeping that in mind...and yes, as you pointed out it is strange that Mrs.Bagchi has more cordial feelings for Debu in comparison to Mr.Bagchi, who is related to him by bloodline..i know a relative of mine and in her family her father has always supported her more and despised his sons more than anything simply because they did not match upto his expectations, as in they did not fulfill his parameters of right values and ethics..i guess when i thought about the relationship between Mr.Bagchi and Debu, sonsciously or unconciously; their story came to mind...so there is a mild inspiration there. thanks for dropping by and ur comments, best wishes!' and yes, i am slightly better now, and thanks for all that concern about my health.

hi 1.618,

how are u doing? good to know ur advertising ur upcoming birthday in such an innovative manner...all of us are lazy in some way or the other except a selective few...they are the ones who build the arc in times of floods and we are the likes who get the free ride..haha..anyways, do give a treat on the D-Day...and wish u another year of happiness and lazying around...:). as far the story is concerned, well; i dont know whether the next part will match ur expectations or not, lets see...ur are making me sound like JK Rowling by saying, "since its comin' frm you, I expect a better continuation to the story."
I am honoured but am human at the same time, i err and though u have managed to gas me up a bit with that comment of urs, a little something somewhere in my mind is saying, "be careful u idiot, do not make a mess of the cake, now that it is ready for baking." keep blogging, :)

hi anand,

thanks for ur comment and good to see u again..no, no, i am no Enid Blyton or anything, i am just a regular blogger..believe me...and yes, even i could not bring myself to end the story in three parts this time...i had thought of doing so previously but that would not have done justice to the story...so, ur intuition works just fine...have a nice day...tk care.
SARVAM SRIKRISHNAARPANAMASTHU!

hi Roy,

hey! ur back too..and hows ur health...good to know ur working on ur music album and am sure all that hard work ur putting in will definitely bring great success to you and we will watching u on ur music video sometime on TV...so keep it up and ur gonna be great someday..All the best and tk care...thanks for ur comment and am trying to keep the flow of the story up, hope i succeed...best wishes.

hi ghost particle,

thanks for that enthusiastic comment...comments like yours really boost my energy up to perform better everytime..u tk care and ve a nice day!  

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Hmm...
A correction.. I am not advertising :(
Its just that I am feelin' sad that I am growing older :(

But I know its can't be averted... but havin' garfield's strips makes me a little livelier :)  

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"hi 1.618, have u seen a film called A series of unfortunate incidents, do watch it if you have not, you will see your third eye there."

Can you please tell me where & how I can find Third Eye in this movie. i am not able to get this movie.  

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Amrita,

Thou art welcome! so many thanks are not encouraging prospects... lol. Don't try to seek any meaning, at times I am plain and appear to appear profound... lol

Yup... the expectation part you were talking about... kills a lot of young people I reckon. It's a bit like caterpillars attaining the Chrysalis stage to become butterflies as my guru would say... They should be left to find out the world for themselves. I do know this is a demanding society, which doesn't endure slow growers... but aren't we surmised to accommodate all kinds of people? Questions that have no answers I presume.
Best wishes!  

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Amrita ...

Heyyyyyy so how r feeling nowadays……just came to know that some black clouds moved from Mumbai to Kolkata & bocame d reason for some unlikely rains. But believe me I don’t send those clouds to Kolkata, belive me:)

Thanx for nourishing my dreams…thanx!! But do u know music video or becoming famous isn’t main reason I wanna be singer-songwriter.

Actually I wanna tell d words something which killing my inside from my teen[someday sure I’ll share with you]

Though I’m still working my songs but remember the road isn’t full or roses & long, long, very long!

All d best, take care ....
Roy  

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Rs.12000 for a dog???isnt that way too high??one can buy a second-hand yamaha RX 135 with tht amount.  

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hi 1.618,

its ok, i was teasing u...yes, all of us grow old from beautiful young ppl...(incase we are beautiful that is) :), nice strategy u have hired and they showed A series of unfortunate incidents in star movies some time back...guess they might show it again...i dont want to reveal the secret..better u watch the film for the third eye, the movie has jim carrey in it.

hi srini, good to have u again...yes, expectations could be suicidal at times but as far as my blog is concerned..its my personal space which i share with the blogging community...so sometimes expectations are met, sometimes they are not...we just gotta move on, no? best wishes!

hi roy,

good to know ur soooo optimistic and i know ur dreams will really come true...its great to know thzt u have so much passion for music and are moving forward towards ur aim...its also great to kow that u are not into music simply for the sake of money and fame...these are the signs of greatness..my best wishes are always with u..all the best..Kolkata has been lashed with rains over the past few days...a temporary relief from the humidity and perspiration and of course, heat.....tk care, all the best again!

haha, hi sheks...i know...it sounds incredulous ...but let me tell i had gone to buy a labrador myself some time back and that was the exact price the shopkeeper told us and said its still cheaper coz they are priced higher than this in other place...every dog has its price, lol! but u go ahead and buy a second habd yamaha..  

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"every dog has its price". :-)

U've a good sense of humour.


BTW i already have another bike,so the second hand Yamaha can wait.  

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You left Debu underpricing from the Labrador.Keep the flow of the narration.It is going well  

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hi sheks,
thanks for the compliment and all the luck for a second hand yamaha as well...best wishes!

hi black nigeria,

thanks for the compliment...i am working on the next part and trying my best to keep up the flow.  

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Hi Amrita,

I haven't had time to read this tale of yours yet - but will in a few days' time. I like continuations - they always capture me.

Looking forward to read this soon :)  

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hi shankar,

good to see u again...saw that picture u have put up with ur profile, nice pic, infact a cute one! is it ur childhood pic?  

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Yes, Amrita - that used to be me :) ..and thank you for the compliments :) (if only I was half as cute nowdays, sigh)  

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My profound apologies to the author and the readers of this most literary of blogs. But I merely wish to get in touch with a classmate. Amrita by name. I heard she left the media and has taken up a more creative path. Want to know more.

vijay7 at gmail dotcom  

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Amrita,

Looks like you might not come up - but hey don't hurry - with part IV, before I leave the blogosphere in two days (at least for what is an indefinite interim). I am leaving to Hyderabad to pursue my higher studies in Linguistics.

All the best in your endeavours and as Anand said, maybe you can be a children's cynosure with your work someday... Making children happy is one of the most special feelings in this cosmos! Best Wishes.  

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Amrita..

Hiya...do u know if anyone has any sign of greatness they can only describe others as great!!

hv a sunny day..
Roy  

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hi shankar,

u were really cute back in ur childhood days, and dont regret; few of us remain cute when we grow up...facially still many ppl remain cute but internally, well...all the inocence that William Wordsworth so emphatically debated for, God knows how many ppl have it left in them...anyways, best wishes...

hi vijay,

how are u??? haha, u will remain funny and weird as ever...and yes, u have tapped the right sources of information on ur friend (ok, maybe u did not tap them but wherever u got the news from)...will mail u soon...but one correction, i have not left media...media is a very wide field buddy...and creativity and entertainment are also a major part of it. will fill u in more when i mail u..see ya :)

hi srini,

wish u all the best with ur higher studies and hope u have a ball wherever u go...and yes, i am working on the next part and i am afraid, it will take some time...being "children's cynosure," well...i am no Rowling..anand and u are kind enough to think of my posts with such regard...and yes, best wishes to u too...tk care and all the best again for ur higher studies!

Roy!!

great to see u again..how are u doing? i dont know whether ppl who describe others great have any greatness in them or not...in my case, i am not great or anything but i only wish that everyone succeeds in his/her endeavours. so i am wishing u luck too and since ur soo optimistic, i wish more luck than others...hope all ur dreams come true! best wishes!  

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Amrita..

Thank you very much though saying thank you nothing but something formal, but for now this is d only thing I can acknowledge ur best wishes but I really looking for that day when I can acknowedge ur wishes by my works not my words...

When the wind is howlin' in everyone's ears,
May you hear a soft, lilting breeze.
And if the rain is crashin' down,
May it only be dew at your knees.
If the ground 'neath your feet should quiver and shake,
I hope you'll be standin' with ease.
And never go hungry or wantin' for much;
May God grant you all that you need!


Cheers..
Roy  

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roy,

thank u soo much for that beautiful poem..i read it over and over and even i am looking forward to the day when u you can acknowedge my wishes by ur works not ur words...am looking forward to that day and wish it comes very soon in ur life and all our lives as well... tk care and all the best once again...  

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Dear Amrita,
Monday the 31st will be my last day at work here. I am going to the U.K. in September for my Master's. Srini has already left for his course and I will be doing so a few weeks from now. Of course, this means that atleast for the next few months I may not be able to go anywhere near blogs...:) So Finding Brunno's conclusion may not have my comments once it is published.
Anyway it has been great blogging with you (and I am sure you understand that I do not say things in passing) and I wish you all the very best with your career as well.

Best Wishes

SARVAM SRIKRISHNAARPANAMASTHU!  

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hi anand,

one of my friends recently was telling me that many of our classmates have left for different destinations...and he added, "roads, roads for everyone." guess its the same case here as well...but first, i wish u all the very best for ur masters and stay in UK..great to know ur moving ahead towards a brighter future...and yes, i will miss ur comments on my blog...there are few who give elaborate and such wonderful comments like u...but at the same time, i once again i wish u all the best for ur higher studies, tk care and if possible, do peek into blogs.  

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Dear Amrita,
I don't know you in person...yet I can sense that you are the kind of person anyone would like to know as a friend...Srini has also stated so when we met at my place before we left. Thanks a lot for your wishes...I am indeed looking forward to resuming academics and some serious studies at that. I promise you that if I ever get back to the blogworld, I'll certainly visit your blog.
I am sure you'll put up quite a few posts for me to read when I do get back to blogging. I wish you all the best and do take care...for people like you are indeed rare (I presume that if my blogger friend Srini who also happens to be a poet reads this line which seems to rhyme, he might give me a lecture on poetry when he gets to write to me in the near future...lol)
Best Wishes

SARVAM SRIKRISHNAARPANAMASTHU!  

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hi anand,

thanks for ur kind words...it is indeed enlightening to know that u and srini hold such opinions about me..but the reverse too is true...even i dont know either of u in person but i am sure...u both are great human beings and i am sure those who have u as friends are lucky...so far i could only gather this much about you that u are a serious and thoughtful person, capable of giving a subject or topic, its due respect...i might be wrong but i feel that today, young people do not know or understand the value of giving a person, situation or thing...its proper respect...that ways, people like you and Srini are indeed unique...and i wish u all the very best in all your future prospects and yes, my blog will be replenished as usual, and i will definitely wait for ur thoughtful comments. and yes, dont worry about ur little rhyme..i assure u that if Srini reads my rhymes then he will decide to give me proper lessons in poetry writing! :) haha, but for now, u take care as well and do have a great time studying in UK...wish u and Srini all the very best once again and wish ur dreams come true...tk care,

best wishes,
SARVAM SRIKRISHNAARPANAMASTHU!  

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Amrita..
Hei..thanx again!!Aeiii, u r also looking...c'mon!!I think I hv to start planning..right:)

So, howz life...new post....new thought & all d best for the rest!!

Roy  

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Was googling for Pakeezah when I landed here. You have paced the story fairly well. Cannot wait for the next part... will a "Hurry up!" hurry it? :-)  

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awaiting part IV (im)patiently :)

But still keep hitting ur blog in expectation almost everyday...  

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my usual comment--"When's the next part coming?"

I normally like to comment at the end of stories.

Drop by my space,some time.  

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hi all,

i am sorry i am not able to leave individual comments for all of u...thanks a lot for visiting my blog and thanks for waiting so patiently...but i ve not such a good news, i am caught with an assignment which is time consuming, tedious and will keep me occupied till next tuesday..i am sorry the update will take some time...thanks for waiting ever so patiently. please bear for some more time, though it seems unbearable to some of u (no, no, i am not bragging about my posts) guess i am sounding like some tv channel which doesn't have a signal..haha...best wishes!  

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hi amrita.

thumki kamanoo achi ?

its long time i been to your page. just checkign my mail id and i found you had taken pains to be me at my site. and it was so much un fair from my end i never took pains to say a hi. i am sorry.,. but when i came here - your tv signals are upgrading it seems. has the frequency got upgraded to broadcast your thinking.  

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Heiii.....hoe are you!?
Does the puja shopping keep you too busy that you ain't getting a sneak view to the idea of ur new post...

Take care..hv a great puja shopping...
Roy  

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Hi,

First time here. I must be very late to comment on this post! But it's an excellent one nevertheless!

Waiting for the next post!  

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hi Roy,

happy Puja shopping to u as well..no songs for the Puja? :) no, no, it was not Puja shopping that kept me busy, but my assignments did..past few weeks have been very tight...strict deadlines and loads of work..no time to check even my mails...but anyways, the fourth part has been put up now.

hi Adi,

welcome to my blog...now finally the wait is over...but sorry for the delay...since ur a first timer...u might not know how everyone complains here about my delayed blog entries...anyways...have a nice day!  

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