In search of peace and quiet

A well-intentioned youngster downloaded WhatsApp on my mobile. Little did I imagine the repercussions such a small, kind deed would have on the even tenor of my life. It was as if a tiny pebble had been thrown on the still surface of a pond, creating never-ending ripples. I was jolted out of my placidity and had no idea how to deal with it. I was truly zapped.

The oddest feeling of being borne on a tide over which I had no control and from which I could not escape, swept over me. For one thing, there was the constant beeping of the mobile. It managed to convey a sense of urgency and at first, I used to grab the mobile thinking the message might be of some import. In no time at all, I was inundated with messages, images and videos –  mostly inane stuff. No sooner would I delete one bunch than another lot would come in, rather like the phoenix rising out of the ashes. I was at my wits’ end about how to deal with the problem  – for a problem it was.

I didn’t feel the need to bare my soul to all and sundry. Nor did I appreciate my privacy being invaded. I was expected to acknowledge and put in my two penny worth comments. As the content was voluminous, the task of responding (onerous as it was), turned time-consuming and tiring, given my typing skill or rather the lack of it! I thought and thought, not just while lying on my couch in a vacant or in a pensive mood but also during every active, waking moment. In the meantime, my contacts kept growing like Jack’s beanstalk.

All of a sudden, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Why had the obvious solution evaded me? Putting the idea into immediate action, I put my mobile on silent mode so I could enjoy some peace and quiet. The idea backfired as I forgot to change back to sound mode. I missed several important calls and was bombarded for being callous and insensitive. Talk of being caught between the devil and the deep sea!

Desperate situations need desperate measures. If I wanted to preserve my sanity, I had to make a clean and complete break. As Sherlock Holmes was wont to say, it was quite elementary. And I would have to do it even if was at my own peril.

I scanned my mobile screen for apps. If I gave myself time to reconsider, I might dither. It was now or never. So the moment I spotted WhatsApp, I deleted the app, thus quelling any second thoughts. Whapexit was the solution. May be, I was committing a social suicide but the sense of serenity that descended on me was good to revel in!