Intelligent Conversation?

"Another day at college, another day rushing past, another eight hours spent trying to grasp concepts. I'm glad its over", I thought as I sprung* up the steps into my college bus. The first thing I did was hurl my bag, and lab coat** onto an empty seat. Then I looked around quickly hoping to see someone who'd make intelligent conversation for the journey home. I spotted one of our lecturers*** in the bus. As far as intelligent conversation was concerned, I had no luck .(Lecturers are off limits)
Just as I was about to settle down on the grimy, brown seat (At least it had the virtue of being cushioned... grimace) and brace myself for a boring journey, lady luck smiled upon me. Thin**** and Uncle**** (Read Unkall) walked in. "Good! Now I wont be bored", I thought as I greeted them. We settled down on a seat just behind the lecturers'.
Then began a free flowing, easy conversation.We discussed the cse-b project that was entered in the design contest, how to market a new computer game and even our dreams in life.I was really having a good time until Thin started discussing GRE.
Thin urged me, "Do GRE man, take it seriously, do it before August. They’re including American History after that. The immigrants must know the lay of the land, so they're adding it.” I exclaimed, " I didn't know that. Really?” He fired a question,” Who signed the declaration of independence?" Jefferson I retorted. And who wrote it? I didn't know and I told him so... I was worried by this development.It could mean that I'd have to study loads more(Groan!).Much to my constrenation, he stressed the importance of giving GRE before the pattern change again and agin and again.
I was worried , the dates for GRE were already taken. I'd have to skip food and sleep and take it in two months!I went home in a whirl, rung up my dad and requested him to verify the American history lead and whether I would need to write it by august. I also called up a bunch of friends and asked about it and started researching on line. Tired and dizzy, I automatically picked up the phone and punched a number and started going on about this new bombshell without preamble. The surprised friend on the other line had to make me clarify it twice before I realized who it was....
Finally, I found the new pattern and saw that there was no American History! I ground my teeth. I’d had wool pulled over my eyes well and truly. Humph!


*
Yes sprung, not clambered, not run, no that's for lesser mortals, not me... Grin stupidly!!

**
A grey woebegone clothe, with two armholes and the Easwari college logo stamped on it... Even an elephant would've been ashamed of the colour.

***
1.Type1: A quintessential creature you'll meet in college, whose sole purpose is to bore you, test you, deny you your rightful attendance and in short make your life hell.
2.Type2: Strict disciplinarian, Draconian classes, well respected for knowledge or hated for the lack thereof.
3.Type3: Easygoing funny, nice.... you know
4.Type4: The true teacher, genius and guide

****
Thin is not very descriptive is it? But I've decided not to use names or specify details, which could identify people. Oh! Ok, for your sake, I think of him as the neighbourhood bad boy, the good friend, and knowledgeable hacker. He is also my senior at college.

Uncle: 20 going on 80!!! Master cynic! Joker!

# Bus: I'll write a post on it, way too much to describe.........

Blame Opal!!!

Jade, crystal, quartz, emeralds, rubies, sapphire, diamonds and opal, all gemstones, none of them worth bothering about, I thought, until now. Wikipedia says and I quote," Opal ranges from colourless through white, milky blue, grey, red, yellow, green, brown and black. The word opal comes from the Sanskrit upala, the Greek opallios, and the Latin opalus, meaning precious stone. " You'd think that a polite disinterest would keep it out of my life. Then again you might say Opal is harmless, maybe you'd even want to wear one if you happen to like gemstones. But do not be fooled! Opal is nightmare!!!

Wait! Before you decide I have a spot of sunstroke or that my brains are addled, let me tell you what or rather who Opal is. She is the protagonist of Kavya Vishwanathan's infamous book, "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life." Yeah that’s the one facing charges of plagiarism! All might have been well; alas it was not to be. My friends read the book and I haven't had any rest since. Woe is me.

Why? You might ask and rightly so! I dear sir or madam reading the blog have been subject to unending, unjust and untiring comparisons with this girl. Have I ever hinted that I like studying and that I posses an attitude? Well it seems that this girl was a major nerd. Solving the Fermeculi formula no sweat, reading up on abstract philosophy easy, have fun.... wait, "Define fun", she might've said. And then it seems she got a life, as the "Oh! So obvious." title suggests.

My friends are divided in opinion. One set think there is an obvious and hilarious similarity between Opal and me. That said, I'm no longer going to soil this post with that monstrous name (Whisper -for those why haven't got it yet- Opal) .The other faction, consisting solely of one member, defends me saying, " No! No! He isn't like that. He wouldn't be mean to his friends.... He’s more like Hermione." Ayah the pain! By this point I’m mentally praying, "O God, my divine father, and maker, O mighty Shiva, Vishnu and any other divine power listening, deliver me from this torture.... When will it end?"

Hey! It isn't the first time, I've been compared to many other unpleasant things. Time I got over it don’t you think?