OOPS!!

Some moments can never be forgotten… really never!!

This thing happened in vizag one evening when I was returning home from the beach. I already had a very refreshing two hours of entertainment with four of my buddies there. We wrestled on the shore, played kabaddi, followed girls, ate bhel puri and had some crazy pictures clicked. A ten minute walk would take me home when I remembered I had to buy some A-4 sheets for my cousin. The whole two hours were floating in my brain as I approached a shop nearby. The conversation between me and the shopkeeper went on like this.

Me: can you please give me some A-4 sheets?
Shopkeeper(With a puzzled expression): what!?
Me: I need some A-4 sheets.
Shopkeeper: really?
(Frustrated, my decibel level went up)
Me: see, I am not in a mood to argue with you. Please, give me A-4 sheets.
Shopkeeper: Drug stores don’t sell A-4 sheets. Find a stationery store dude!
(Looking at the shop once again, in my senses this time)
Me: oops!


We were having dinner at our uncle’s place. I, my brother, dad, uncle and their two daughters were seated on the table. Mom and aunt were busy serving. Dad and uncle were discussing the stock market. The remaining four of us were having a light conversation. The food was great. We were almost done. My stomach was already full when I saw my aunt approaching us with a dish in her hands. And then I assumed something which I shouldn’t have.

Me: I’m done aunty. My stomach is full. Can’t eat anymore.
Aunt: actually, it is for your brother. Look how skinny he’s become.
Me: oops!!


In the seventh grade, I don’t know how, I had one good habit of studying late nights (by studying, I really mean studying!). My bed never saw me before 2:00 am. My body was accustomed to that kind of a schedule. Even if I wanted, I couldn’t sleep before 2:00 am.


It was a night before our seventh grade mathematics exam. As usual, a night before every exam, dad had ordered me not to be awake late night. We were done with the dinner and dad went to sleep. It was still 11:00. I knew there was no way I could sleep so early. Suddenly an idea struck me.


We had bought a radio cum cassette player a few days earlier which was supposed to be opened after the exams. I took it out, got my headphones and climbed my bed. I took out a cassette from my desk and put it in the player. Adjusting the headphones on my head, I reached for the player cable, inserted its adapter in the power socket and switched it on. Everything was ready. Pressing the play button was the only thing left to enjoy some good music. I switched off the lights, lay down on the bed and very gently pressed the play button.


Suddenly, the whole room filled with music and the lyrics went ‘mere sapnon ki rani kab…..’ There was no music in my headphone. The music was coming from outside my earpiece. Soon I realized that I had done everything right except inserting the headphone jack in the player. I quickly got up, grabbed all the equipment and in panic, threw everything in my desk.


I was such a dumb then. I forgot to switch it off. Faint music was still playing from inside ‘chali aa tuu chali…’ Panicking some more, I opened it up switched it off and closed it in haste. A sigh of relief! Everything was quiet now. It was a mini heart attack. Luckily I managed it very well, without letting dad hear it. So, I turned back to get to my bed and to my astonishment, I found dad standing leaning against the wall staring at me. Watching him sent shivers down my spine. The only thing I could say at that instant was “oops!”