LINES AND VERSES

Two young lovebirds stagger in; the girl's head resting on the guy's broad left shoulder, while his hand securely winds around her narrow waist. He gulps quietly. He'd imagined tonight with Josephine like that. No, he`d imagined her walk in, then he would reach out to her across the restaurant - Kiss her gently on the forehead, hold her head so close to his heart she would hear its quick strokes, then he would whisper those words... He has had them rehearsed and memorised. He believes she would not resist. The lovebirds are settled into a cosy seat in a semi dark corner at the left. It is hard to make out their faces but he could hear the girl's muffled giggle. She laughs just like Josephine. The guy swells on a thick baritone he's almost certain is faked. He tries to look away but couldn't, until fears they'd noticed him. *phone rings* Josephine. He frantically reach for his breast pocket. It's his mum calling. His heart deflates. "Hello mum...

There are times when you sit back and wonder if you have taken the best decisions in life. At such times, you are bound to seek vindication where there may be none, assert self -validation if no one validates your action, consider vengeance to get on par, or simply succumb to the trudge of regret.  To arrive here, you must have hit one of life’s many treacherous brick walls. And it is hard to simply gather oneself and move on, especially when you are not yet decided whether your actions are right or wrong, if you have acted in weakness or in wisdom.  I have come to understand that some of the trickiest issues in life can arise in friendship. First is deciding how far to grant a person access to your personal life. And then, determining how far to go, or not to, in the event of a betrayal. Irrespective of the duration of a relationship, the slap from a trusted friend can hurt far more than a blow from an enemy.  At times like this, one is left to wonder if there real...