The costliest bottle of Whisky

'Where the mind is without fear, and the head is held high'. Lines from a very famous poem by Rabindranath Tagore. This was my mantra throughout the time I spend locked in my apartment. I did venture out on certain occassions like getting groceries or cigarettes or taking a small stroll in my lane, but mostly was at home. It was a tough situation for me as was for all of us, everyone has their own set of highs and lows. 

Starting of April, I got a bit impatient about this entire scenario and somehow my brain told me that whatever happens, happens for the best but the heart was not in agreement. Now there's an old saying, 'When the brain and heart are not in agreement the liver is the one which is the most affected'. But even alcohol was something which was just impossible to get and I was literally dying for a proper drink.

Things went well till April end, complete detox mode for me. I then realised that alcohol is never a necessity, its a luxury, something which can bring some peace in you for a short period of time and calm your nerves. But it does not change the reality of the situation around. Yet the desperation was at such level that time, I finally decided to make some calls to a few people who could help out.

Few months back, pre-lockdown days till November 2019, I was actively associated with political parties (wont take names, people become judgemental) and somehow felt that some contact might be able to help me find the Elixir of peace.

I called up an old friend, lets call him Mr. X.

One fine evening when I was busy contemplating as to who could be of help, I remembered X. I simply called him, maybe after 6 months or so and he answered with the same old enthusiasm and the same Delhite greetings of why I have been in the dark for so long and not come to any party meeting. I skipped all the hard parts of his convo and quickly moved to the topic of discussion. He was empathetic of my condition but assured me that he will do something by the end of the evening and will call me for sure.

I waited. Looked at my phone every five minutes for a non existent call or a WhatsApp message. Finally at around 8 PM, I gave up the hope and went about with my other chores. My phone rang at around 9:30 PM. I was expecting a call from my best half (calling her better half would mean there might be a best, hence) and I was totally oblivious of the fact that X would be calling me at this time. But it was him! 

I took the call and heard him say in his typical Punjabi accent 'I am standing below your apartment, please come down soon'. I was literally flabbergasted. I looked out the balcony and saw him standing below beside his white Activa. I went down and he greeted me like an old friend whom you are meeting probably after a decade and handed me a small bottle of Antiquity Blue, sealed. He said simply 'Brother, this is all I could manage. Getting whisky is really tough these days. I had got this bottle for myself but you have it for now I will manage' He further added 'Even if you get it somehow the black market prices are too high, I got this in 800 bucks while it costs 400. You pay me 400 now rest you can give me a treat once this lockdown thing gets over' 

I was bewildered at the fact that he was sacrificing his share of the drink with me! I gave him 400 rupees and he left after telling me one last sentence 'You enjoy yourselves brother. You have it or me, its no different'

I stood there stupefied and in utter disbelief of the entire episode. 

I went upstairs to my room, opened the bottle, made the first peg after more than a month and simply wondered "What had I done for him that he did this to me". Maybe its in the blood of Punjabis that make them so cordial to everyone or its my good deeds that has led me to see this day? Had I done anything worthwhile for anyone? I could have never done such a sacrifice ever. But yes that's Karma, maybe mine or maybe what he did!