Conversations

First, or perhaps second day of college :
Unnamed senior (US) : Once you enter these hallowed halls, you never even look back and think of trivial monetary pursuits.
Me: (hiccough)
US: You strive for the betterment of society. You take an interest around the problems around you, be they social, political, economical. You are the ones who carry on the name of this institution to far away places and make it proud.
Me: ......
US: So, tell me, have you any idea about future plans.
Me: Yes, I was struggling around with the idea of film making.....
US: Aaah..in true Presi tradition. Surely,depicting the common everyday problems of the society?
Me: No, ah..more on the lines of a roma..ahem...I mean, I changed my mind.
US: Yes?
Me: What, I am 18. Dude, gimme time to grow up.
US: (shakes head over the seeming frivolity and disrespectfulness of the future baton holders of the prestige of the college)

About a month later
Unnamed Classmate at Metro Station (UCMS): What the..., I mean, ahem.. hey, what are you doing here?
Me: Er..taking the metro.
UCMS: Oh yes, of course, of course, what...ah..oh..umph.
Me: uh...
UCMS: ......
Me:....
UCMS: So..tell me, what are your plans for the future?
Me: Dunno, I guess go home, read a book or two, watch some mindless soaps.
UCMS: Oh, yes, no, I mean, not the immediate future, long term you know.
Me: Ohh..Yes..ah..I do have certain plans...still..you know.. in the process..What are yours (silly grin)?
UCMS: (mumbles something incoherently)...ah..what..the metro..yes..see you around..huh?
Me: (smiles back, relieved)

About a year later
Unnamed Classmate after Results (UCAR): So..er..unfortunate what?
Me: eh?
UCAR: Performances, this and that...so, what plans for your future?
Me: (suppressing a sigh) I have, you know ideas...am still thinking... probably... you know how things are.
UCAR: Its almost been an year, hardly two years left, you can not mean to tell me you still have not thought it out yet!!
Me: There was this astrologer, you see, she foretold I am dying, like, in a couple of years, so, you know, was not worth the bother. Might as well go on an African safari and have lions consume me for all good this subject is going to do to me.
UCAR:...

A couple of days back
Concerned Parent: So, I see you just have an year left in college. Any plans yet about your future?
Me: Well, we have plenty of options, how does documentary direction sound to you?
CP: (somehow preventing an aneurysm) Do not, pray, be flippant with me. Have you gone through the college brochures?
Me: (College bro- whaaa..?) Eh, course, don't you worry, I have got the thing down pat. Everything is hunky-dory. You worry too much.
CP: (sighing, lays down weapons) So, what is this documentary direction?
Me: (she agrees? Damn!) On the other hand, how does..umm...species conservation sound?