The V3 Column

Space to air views

Shaz, Ruwi and Sachi

‘Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?’ writes Shaz on the mirror wall - or bulletin board rather - that is stationed at their favourite coffee hangout.

“We should write ‘V3 WAS HERE’” Says Ruwi. V3 can see Sachi’s mind drifting by the glazed look on his face.

“Hey Earth to Sachi! Earth to Sachi, do you read me loud and clear?” exclaims Shaz giggling. Just like a flash of lightning, Sachi enters the world. “Well, I was thinking about Sigiriya and the Mirror Wall with the wonderful verses dedicated to the women on the frescoes.” Mr G perks his ears and wonders what in blazers is going on with the V3 gang.

Shaz adds with a wink: “I went to Sigiriya sometime back, as sweet Sachi couldn’t make it there. I found out that it was used to build the stairway leading up but as King Kasyapa’s visitors went up the steps, some were quite fascinated by the beauty of the king’s concubines and so they dedicated love poems and verses to the beautiful women.” Ruwi thinks a little:

“Yes, you will feel rather lonely climbing all the way to see the king, I guess that’s why walls and notice boards have become a space to air your views.” Sachi says, “well, I know I’d have to be totally entranced by a woman’s beauty to have the desire to write it on a wall - anonymously, of course - but there are negative things too.” “Of course, especially when relationships go awry, it is usually the guy who sprays paints on his ex’s school wall with something bad about her,” comments Shaz.

Ruwi says, “it can be quite a problem when the world gets to know but why don’t girls write anything anonymously?” “The fairer gender is quite polite, they let revenge sink in, because it has been scientifically proven that guys find it difficult to get over relationships unlike girls,” says Shaz staring at Sachi.

“Tsk! Tsk! Even childbirth?” asks Sachi with a wink! Shaz sends out a loud “Sachi!” Not straying far away from the topic, the V3 talk shifts to notice boards and mirror walls in coffee shops where yellow stick-ons reveal a multitude of personalities and characters. “Hey! there are lots of lovelorn people,” pipes Ruwi after her eye catches an anonymous ‘I Love You xxx’ note.

“Exactly, every scribble, every letter represents the abyss of a heart,” rants Sachi in a literary verse.

A lightbulb switches on in Ruwi’s head about Galle Literary Festival: “Remember last year during the GLF we could write our thoughts on the graffiti wall there?” Ahh! The good old V3 days when they first banded together come to mind. “Yes, it was really memorable. I remember I wrote a poem, I hope it’s still there,” daydreams Shaz. “It’s sad this time we had no graffiti wall to write. It should be one of the main highlights of the GLF.” Comments Sachi.

“True,” reflects Ruwi.

“I like graffiti walls, they are so colourful and artistic because many tend to draw sketches apart from writing,” says Shaz.

Sachi says: “Well during meetings, many jot down ideas on a notice board. But then again, we hardly have a proper wall to write about things we feel strongly about - like a pleasurable thing, not just business.” “One thing always leads to another. Have you guys noticed that once you start writing on a wall, many comment on them? Just like the Facebook wall that reveals mostly truth about a person for their friends to see.” Asks Shaz.

Ruwi agrees, “yes, the Facebook wall has become so popular not only to send messages but give testimonials and you can draw graffiti on Superwall and send posters through Funwall.” “Oh! It’s all walls after all!” Laughs Sachi.

Mr G knows that walls are a good thing to use especially when you have special keepsakes. Shaz whispers to Sachi and Ruwi, “have you noticed Mr G still keeping that champagne bottle parchment icing of the cake he got from a friend on a wall socket as a keepsake?” “Ha! I think he just likes to be reminded of champagne and sweets for the rest of the year,” giggles Ruwi.

“Yes, walls are important for keeping memories and I think V3 also should write what they think on the wall.” Says Sachi.

“Don’t we have one already?” asks Shaz.

“Where?” chorus Ruwi and Sachi.

Shaz looks with wide eyes and says: “Why, here of course - the Daily News OP-ED is our space to air V3 views!”

www.thev3column.blogspot.
com, thev3 [email protected]