Dine Out!

There was a time when dinning out was a visit to a often-visited restaurant with family, eating B.B.Q on every Saturday. It has become my hobby now.  I often go with my friends to visit different restaurant of the city to devour the specialties.

Last month on a very hot day, I and my friend decided to check out Nando’s that was conveniently close. It was cold inside. We felt cozy on the huge comforting couches. The heart touching voice of Richard Marx was prevailing all over. Within seconds, we were provided with the articulately written menu. However, the dishes were reasonably priced. We took considerable time to make our choices as there was a long list of starters and drinks, and huge variety of grilled chicken dishes.

We were served with Peri Peri Rice and French Fries as an appetizer with various dips and sauces. Although Rice is still a work in progress but the divine smell of freshly cooked, salty French Fries was so irresistible that I popped it in so fast that I nearly burnt my mouth. Thanks to my friend who ordered Margaretta drink, which was very chilled and refreshing. It was beautifully garnished. The wedge of lemon was placed at the brink of glass and slices of guava and orange were swimming in our drinks.

Soon our main course “Espetada” appeared. We never had a Portuguese dish before. Even the sight and texture of grilled chicken delighted us. Like hungry falcons we attacked on succulent chunks of chicken with ferocity. On the side of the platter was also a small pile of crispy crunchy vegetables, soaked in a Peri Peri sauce with a loaf of bread. We were not expecting as much food. We also ordered a big piece of chocolate brownie; it was too much soft that it melted into our mouths. We were stuffed and satisfied, both with the quality of food and its quantity.

Consequently, it was my best dinning experience. The food was delicious. Drink was excellent and the desert was scrumptious. The waiters were efficient and eager to please and the ambience was very relaxing as it was mentioned on the title page of the menu: “ Feel Free to Use Your Fingers”, because Finger Lickin’ is Good.

LOC

Lub dub, Lub dub, Lub dub…he could hear the throbbing of heart in his ears. He was well aware of the danger which surrounded him. Although he was not a coward nor it was his first mission. But the hostility on that ground was unpredictable. Feeling scared, he was stareing ground for last two hours. Making stretches and straigthtening back could grab the attention of the commander-in-charge, who was marching to and fro in heavy boots. His black boots were like the mouth of alligator, wanting him to engulf.

Commander stopped near his back. He could feel the piercing eyes of commander. A slight tingling sensation arose in his stomach and started to roam inside him like a wind. From his tousle hair, a drop of sweat came out and made its journey towards his back. His back began to itch, then, his legs and the soles of his feet. He wanted to scratch, but a little movement could turn his game and he did not want to lose at this moment. Finally the journey of a drop ended by being absorbed in the folds of shirt. He was ready to be caught by his collar…1, 2, 3… ahhh! He sighed in relief. The commander was not aware of his presence or of the tool hidden inside his sock. As soon the commander went away, his itching vanished somewhere in the air.

Someone came and whispered in commander’s ear. It was a right time for him to see his ally from the tail of his eyes. His companion seemed dejected and disappointed, as he was sure of the failure of their mission. Oh damn! He said in heart. He did not like the face expression of his friend. They were doing it for their whole life and it was last time they were attempting this task. After it they would never be troubled. They were about to break the door of the cage, then, they would be free like birds flying high in the sky without the danger of being hunt. It was a matter of life and death. He could not afford to turn back now. He had to cross that line of control else how would he face his friends and society? He had to do that for the sake of his father's dignity, for his mother's pleasure. He could not stand the failure.

Finally he made a decision. He sat straight, moved his head to see his partner face to face, with the sparkles in his eyes and a victorious smile on lips. His partner was no longer his partner. The stars of his eyes have already switched off as he has given up hope of triumph. Suddenly a color came on his fade cheeks and his eyes grew wide in horror as he saw his brave and bold friend leaned forward and took out a tool out of his sock.

He unfolded the micro, set it among the answer sheet and started copying answer. His writing hand was running like an untamed mare but… it had to stop because of the impediment. The invigilator got him red-handed and snatched his tool. Obviously he did not care about his mother’s pleasure or father’s dignity. It was not his concern that what story that ‘CHEATER’ would tell his future children and grand children about being flung in Physics. He was in-charge of that Examination Hall and he could not let any boy to cross his Line Of Control.

heard melodies are sweet but those unheard are sweeter