The LAG

Uncle, Grandpa, Kid and the Guest. They never miss any chance to celebrate and so they were at their favorite place, with dim light and half filled glasses, they hate to call it Bar.

Uncle had the habit of calling it all over! Kid and grandpa both frowned, even the Guest. But they silently obeyed Uncle.

“You don’t understand but the LAG is already in!”, said uncle.

“My lag starts from the very first peg….in fact the smell is enough” affirmed the Guest. The kid started humming something. Uncle confirmed it’s the kid’s favorite, the oldies of his youth, Dil aj shayar hain…

In no time uncle and kid were singing in unison, melody overflowed while silent faded, soon everyone forgot that they were done.

Uncle roared “ 4 large”, before he would command the attention , Guest added ”Vodka for me”. Till now he was having the same but this time he chose to differ.

Feeling more satisfied with is new move he added, “ who all are filling the LAG?”.

Uncle tried his best. With a huge smile he looked around. Everyone acknowledged the gesture. But the Guest wanted to start with grandpa, who never volunteered so far. Kid won’t volunteer, that’s how he was! No one was interested in Uncle; he has done it before many a times.

Grandpa started, “ I can feel it after the second but these days its the third one! ”. He added, “three large but!”. Everyone smiled.

Guest interrupted, “sometimes I feel this place hold mystery, light are the key. don’t they hurt?”

Kid interrupted “yes, only after the LAG and hence you feel early” he is known for sarcasm.

Guest was bold, he continued “ but everyone feels the LAG, only that you guys don’t want to admit”.

Seeing the mood Uncle started, “I never care, and maybe that’s why I don’t feel. You should talk more and think less. More so the easiest way is too sing, provided your voice is as good as mine”. He looked at the kid. Kid started humming again, this time a bit louder. All four joined and house got into the mode with their best oldies, again of his youth, huzoor is tarah bhi na itra ke chaleye… Grandpa enjoyed the most. This was his favorite.

All done, waiter came and placed the bill. Kid looked and said 1485, 1435 plus 30 for tip. All agreed as this was there last day at college and tomorrow they will be gone. they always shared the amount equally. But Uncle was restless; he was looking for a 5 rupee coin to make it 1485, for Kid does no mistake, he is beyond LAG.

While they were proud of themselves, kid performed the ritual, “keep the change”.