Yusuf Pathan,Ajantha Mendis and VLSI!

My semester exams got over yesterday.The prospects of my first arrear looms over the horizon.The past two weeks have been excruciating to the core immersing myself in the enigmatic world of circuits and controllers.

  Adding NaCl to the wound is this IPL.Everytime we forsake all our earthly bearings and get indulged in CMOS transistor theory,a huge roar emanates from the floor above us.The hostel recreational hall is alive with a tied match between RR and KKR.We run to watch the match.There is a capacity crowd of 100 plus guys in a space meant for 25.

We somehow bend,adjust,move,jump,bow,contort,lean,genuflect and twist ourselves in that crowd to get a glance of the latest attraction in IPL-Super over in case of a tie.

 Gayle and McCullum bat first.The cable connection is so weak that some one touches the cable and the TV goes off.An even bigger roar from all-this time in fury.The culprit sports an innocent look.All look at him as if he is Kasab.I expected all of the guys to take it out on him.Then he somehow adjusts the connections and "Four da!"-Roar!Gayle hits three fours.Mccullum does nothing.Captaincy is taking it's toll.They put up 18.

 Super over is a funny concept where the work done in three long hours is mercilessly forgotten.It is like a 5-setter Wimbledon finals between Nadal and Federer being played for 200 minutes and then the referee comes in-"Stop the match.Rafa!You serve.If you take this point,you win or it is Fedex who wins!".But when it is such high-adrenaline fun,no one complains.

 Ajantha Mendis is given the ball.Yusuf Pathan is given the bat.2 sixers and a four-Pathan decisively finishes the match off.Celebration is in the air.We rejoice as if Sachin had won us the world cup.We talk the walk back to our rooms.

"Will Rajastan Royals make a comeback in the tournament?"

"Oh silly!The tournament has just started and you are talking about a comeback already" "Whatever you say,CSK is my favourite"

"Dhoni does not know to bat"

"Your Laxman knows nothing"

 "We have Gilly"

 "We have Balaji to finish off your Gilly and Gibbs"

 Giggles.

"How dare you guys laugh!Wait and see"

"Flinoff is a big flop"

"You do not have a solid allrounder"

"As if your allrounders are performing"

 It is getting into a serious fight.I am helpless.Then we see our books(Not books actually.Photocopies of our class gal's lecture notes.Behind every man's success,there is a Mangai).I check my mobilephone for a new message from my class gal."How much studied?".The realisation comes crashing down.Tomorrow is our semester exam.VLSI.

 I text her "Little.Studying."We get back to CMOS transistor theory."The substrate is prepared first.A layer of Silicon is taken and is cut into pieces.The layer is  well polished....."A huge roar emanates from the floor above.