"Its the Dopamine Effect!!!"

Jakarta 24th December 2006

I was gazing at the hoi polloi that had turned up on the eve of Christmas 2006.The place was amazingly lively, with the festivities already begun- a fortnight earlier to the implant of the mistletoe.Colourful lights from every edifice adorned the finery still further.

I had managed to complete my office work for the week a day earlier so that I could see some place with friend of mine over the Christmas holidays.Unfortunately or maybe it was a blessing in disguise,my friend who was supposed to accompany me turned ill and stayed indoors.That wouldnt though unnerve me .So I hit the pedal and landed up in one of the Plush malls of Jakarta.There were several creations of mother nature which grabbed my attention and my sedulous pursuit was not in vain.

Coming from a land with rich musical traditions,and personally from a family with learned musicians I assumed myself to be a connoisseur of World Art & Music.My tryst with destiny thus started here.I was fagged and exhausted after all the roaming and shopping.So I decided to catch up with some local music.A live band was on.The lights were turned off.People scooted and converged to the centre from all the 5 storeys and managed to get themselves seated near the stage.The mood was set-romantic, and it was a day to relish the good moments in each of our lives.Spot lights took over.Outta nowhere blooomed the singer in a traditional white over suit and a simple blue jeans..The voice captured my heart.The music grew over me as I was getting goosebumps trying to relate this to my own performance which I had given a month earlier back in India.The singer cast a magical spell on me.

Lights on Suddenly-->A small break was announced.I was 2 drunk over the music and I wanted to appreciate the good work.So I walk upto the leading lady of the band and try to pitch in with a pep talk.No other day in my life would I have loved the blue color so much.Had I not seen her eyes it would have happened otherwise.Her eyes were crystal clear,her face was a perfectly chiselled marvel,her hair dropped down upto her shoulder resting on a beautiful neckline.

We started off the conversation by exchanging some pleasantries which had happened during the course of the concert.We then briefed each other on our cultural background and the respect we shared for each other's tradition was truly humbling either of us.The spot lights were still on and it covered half of her face,the other half was left to my silhouette imagination.I was already falling for her mellisonant voice which went on describing her understanding of world culture.

I was in for a shocker when the first question I hear from her when I brief her about my nationality "So you are from India,You must be aware of the Kama Sutra". I could immediately observe the contagious grin on her face when I gave her an appalled look.So after regaining my composure,we resumed the conversation.We discussed in detail the rules prescribed in the Sanskrit text about the rules for sensual pleasure and love.I felt helpless as I felt bad that I was ignorant of such notable things about my country.She was very keen to know about the different postures and how each one was mastered by the Yogis.I stood both awestruck and dumbfounded.It was a mixed emotion.Somewhere during the middle of the conversation,she showed interest in visiting my apartment after the show.I had my roomie with me who wasnt well.So i tried convincing her to visit me some other time but she wouldnt budge.So I had no other option but to be hospitable enough to invite her to my room that night :-).The plan was on.It was all set.But.......The tides turned around when Mr X bumped onto us which made us to digress from whatever we were discussing at the point in time.I had developed a inherent hatred towards this guy who happened to be the keyboard player of the band.I was made to realise later that Mr X was the crooner's Boyfriend.With this truth revealed I couldnt do anything but to leave the Lovebirds alone to enjoy the Christmas nite to themselves.The meeting ended thus but with a happy retreat.I gotto play along with the band during the second half of the show.Thats wath i call the "Dopamine effect".No matter how much ever you lose on one thing,there is something else stimulating and energising happening to keep you going!!!