The Top Gun of Dagshai

He was the real-life Maverick. He even looked the part. Chiseled features, a sharp nose, an immaculate jawline that had women drooling, a swagger that oozed confidence and a heart that was plated with gold. Maverick’s script was perfect and the setting impeccable. The world was a target-rich environment and he never once lost that loving feeling.

Maverick was flying high, his buddy Goose by his side at all twists and turns, feeling the need for speed in their young lives. They fast maneuvered the slender valleys of life with confidence and poise, they buzzed the tower with low fly-pasts without a care for the world, they flew the flight of life by the seat of their pants, totally unpredictable and oblivious to the reality around them. They inspired and they conspired. They were writing cheques that their teenage lives couldn’t cash, and they loved it all.

Maverick was a good pilot who could hold his own. No one had to worry about him making a living as a singer. He also knew there were no points for the second place. Life was good and it was perfect in all its imperfections. Along with Goose he rode it fast, he rode it high.

Then one day, the script took an unexpected turn. Looks like the gods wanted Maverick more than Goose in the real reel deal. And the gods do as they please. Maverick’s flight path abruptly changed and he flew away beyond the horizon into the abyss of the unknown. Am sure he hated it, but he did it-  Maverick ejected from life, his sojourn ending abruptly. He left behind many in shock especially his loving parents and adoring sisters, each continuing to remember him every single day. His buddies reminisced those beautiful memories that he shared with them and the love that he spread.

He left them for a better world.

Maverick was a natural born hero, a wanderer who came to this world to inspire. An angel from the heavens above who built castles of love and everlasting relationships with those he met. It came easy to him, like “a walk in the park Kazansky” as he would often say. He had a big heart, as big as his mighty frame. He was the star in any gathering, the man amongst boys, the gentleman amongst ladies. But what defined him above the rest was his respect for those in need. There are so many instances I can narrate of him being bigger than life but I will leave that for a one-on-one over a drink as he would have preferred it. I will however leave you all with a glimpse of his funny bone.

During our wonder years in Dagshai where our hearts were vulnerable and ever wandering, we both came to like two young ladies in our dwelling. I promised to make a pitch to his love interest on his behalf and he promised to do the same with mine. We did however agree that we will not reveal our respective identities till we were certain the ladies were interested. Call it male ego in case of rejection.

My pitch to his damsel was full of dramatic explanations including how a certain young man had fallen head over heels for her, how he spent sleepless nights gazing at the stars seeing her beautiful face in each one of them, how he had finally met the match of his life so early in his teens. He of course was oblivious to all this melodramatic outburst and was instead busy snoring in his B House dorm.

She was floored, she was absorbed, she was sold. And once convinced, I revealed his identity to her.

She was in 7th heaven. The school’s hottest man sees her face in stars? It was a very emotional moment for her and a moment of realization for me - I knew that day that I could be a good salesman.

It was his turn next. I pleaded that he plan his move in more detail. He dismissed me like a fly hovering over his head. He was the pro here, and the pro knew what he was doing. Of course, I was nervous. This man was going to ruin my future with the woman I loved, without her even knowing of it.

On the appointed day, he gave me a thumbs up and announced that he was going to meet her. He marched towards her building and barged into the classroom where she was busy doing her homework. It was afternoon prep hours. He called her out as if she had committed a crime. There was pin drop silence in the class. She froze as she rose. Finally, she staggered to the door of the classroom, his mighty frame at the threshold leaning against the door frame. “I need to speak to you, step out of the class” his tone gruff and his demeanour threatening. She whimpered a weak “yes”.

“There is a young man who likes you”, he continued. The young damsel by now was a nervous wreck. “What… sorry…who” she exclaimed as her head spun. He repeated the only line he had rehearsed. The tone remained as flat and matter of fact as last time. “There is a young man who likes you. I can’t tell you his name, but what I can tell you is that he is in my class (there were ONLY 10 boys in 12-B,) he is the second tallest student, he has curly hair and loads of pimples all over his face. But like I said, I can’t tell you his name. Are you interested in meeting him?”. The young damsel was left with no choice but to nod. It was more like a reflex action when someone asks you if you want to eat an ice-cream. Who says no to an ice-cream! “You may go back to your class” he said and walked away, leaving the young student confused, terrified and after the dust settled, a bit amused.

He came back to class, looked at me and with a gentle nod of his head, indicated that everything was in control, that he was in control of the situation. “I had her at hello” he joked later.

That was him, the Maverick who had confidence of Goliath and the finesse of David.

He was Dagshai’s Top Gun.

God bless you Vineet.

Your buddy Goose.