Les Miserables - I dreamed a dream

The last line of the song is where the punch lies. I am sure many of us can associate with it, unless of course you are one from the dreaded creed that 'o' was about to join, where for all the glory and the respect you earn, you must mandatorily give away the right to think for your own well being.

What wasn't taught to 'o' at school, or in life in general, was that you can live on your own and you must let others live on their own.

'o' reaches big bad Bangalore and gets in touch with a distant uncle who was referred to by his father. It was understood that he could stay at there place for a few weeks as he searched for an accomodation. The dream of a good life which was such a distant dream not a year back, was now almost a certainty.

No introductions required on his background. No matter who you are, where you are, what you do - here are the steps to finding the nearest 'o' to you. If you are non-Indian from outside India: You have to go to the nearest big-city from your place and look for Indian nationals aged in the mid 20s, and hanging around in a smallish bunch (preferably 4-5), with very observant eyes and quiet lips. Let's say this group, which always has a leader, enters a pub. The rest in the group are followers, watching the leader's move, his drink selection from the menu, his poise, how he talks with the young waitress. They gauge the leader's behaviorisms and by the end of the night will feel comfortable to put the learning into practice soon. The group discussion is way too cautious. Intelligent questions enquiring about life in the new country are directed to the leader, who is enjoying this attention and short term pseudo-respect. It's up to him to let the truth out or mix it with lies to make the conversation spicier. He too was a follower not too long ago. In short it's a table of dreams - one living his dream and the other dreaming this dream. So its safe to order a Heineken/Stella than try out something new - for the sheer fear of ridicule. There's your 'o', typical. If you are Indian (no matter where you are from): 'o' is either you or your cousin - you don't need to go any further.

As 'o' joins the big shot IT company, he is swamped by the new life style. Work was easy but very competitive. Money was good. Parents were proud. He got to know his colleagues at the office, who were very much like him. He soon had a small bunch who he could call friends.