Started all in my last year in graduation.
Post-placement parties were on everyday.
Lots of alcohol and cigarettes around.
So, I also joined the wagon.
Before I started college, my parents advised me.
Alcohol is ok, but don't smoke.

3 years had passed, all dry and clean.
But final year was different.
It was the first chance to enter the man's world.
With a job in the pocket.
And dreams of a good salary.
Celebrations had become a daily chore.

So, we were in a party of about 10 people.
And I became interested in smoking.
I asked a friend to give me a puff.
The people around me got shocked.
Cause many were anti-smokers.
Though now many are full time smokers.

My friend supported me.
"Ek baar try to sabko karna chaiye"
Amid protests, he handed me a stick.
I looked at him quizzically.
"Bas saas leni hai muuh se, cigarette laga ke"

Ahhh, my first puff.
Was it good?
Naah, it was great.
Thodi si khansi.
Phir bilkul theek.

And, it all started.
I decided not to become a habitual smoker.
More of a connoisseur.
I tried different styles of smoking.

One is "smoke in mouth".
You smoke in, keep in mouth, then blow off.
Next is "smoke in nose".
You smoke in, circulate from mouth to nose, then blow off.
Last is "smoke in lungs".
You smoke in, it reaches lungs, then comes out later.

Even tried different brands.
Formed a descending order in lightness.
Also formed a descending order in price.
And kept on trying.

Funny incident.
In another party later on.
We were out of cigarettes.
I volunteered to go and get some.
(to try a new brand, of course)
I asked the seller for a filter-less one.
He said "Nahi".
I was suprised and said "Kyu?"
He said "Aapko nahi doonga".
I said "Arre, de do. Kya jaata hai".
He said "Nahi, koi aur le lo".
So I got a little pissed off and said "Acha rehne do"
(hoping he would call me back)
Lol, he did not call me back.
And I still haven't tried a filter-less one.

Was I in love with smoking?
You bet !
Did I become a habitual smoker?
Nope, another friend demonstrated to me
that stress will make you a habitual one.
Hmm, I still thank him for that day.

Finally, college got over.
Back to home for 2 months.
Did not dare to go out and have a puff.
Joined my job in a metro.
Was happy to be away.
To carry on with my new found love.
Man, was I smoking?
Ahh, haan.
A lot, only difference it was vehicle smoke.
The endless travelling ensured that I got my smoke.
Even extra smoke.

Do I like smoking?
Yeah.
Do I love smoking?
You can say.
Do I smoke now?
Nopes.

I loved it way too much.
Knowing that I can be habitual some day.
So had to leave it.
Plus all the metro smoke.
That totally turned me off.

Am I tempted?
Yeah, sometimes.

Jab bhi cigarette jalti hai,
Main jalta hoon.
(borrowed from a song from the movie "No Smoking")