Friday, March 31, 2023

The Meeting

Stepping out with her handbag, heard her mother’s angry words.

“Come home on time. No meeting up or talking with him. Remember we might stop you from working”.

For those angry words her only reply was a nod. She started walking fast towards a point that her mother could no longer see her.

Then came a sigh of relief. Picking up her phone, she dialled his number ,to inform that she has started.

There was a slight sense of relief at his end as well. At the bus stop she waited for the bus and got into the first one that arrived. Glad to see a seat available she quickly sat to relax.

Her mind and body were exhausted. Although, she has escaped hell for the time being, she has to go back to it in the evening. For the past 4 months it was hell on earth.

Falling in love is magical. Coming from a conservative family, love was considered a crime, she is now being tortured both emotionally and physically. Her thoughts went back to the day when her parents knew about her relationship. Initially she tried to avoid the topic but when things got out of hand, she had to accept and confess. That was the last day, there was peace at home.

Mother stopped talking or even cooking for her. Dad often got angry and at times gave her a tight slap to silence her. She knew this is how her parents would react. Clearly knowing the consequences why venture into this. Exactly what her favourite mama asked her. While her parents handled her with violence, her close relatives like mamas , grandmother and Perima (mom’s elder sister) used emotions as the weapon. She answered all this with her stubborn attitude.

After seeing years of her parents fighting and not getting along , she was clear that she needed a guy who understood her. She did not come to this decision overnight. She did try the arranged marriage route first. To her disappointment nothing really worked. She found none who could handle her parents’ attitude. When a boy was chosen for her and everything was about to get real, the waves washed away the sand castle. Taking refugee with her best friend, who had unknowingly fallen in love with her, she cried for days.

The day he finally opened up, her eye popped up in surprise. She was pretty clear in explaining her situation and telling him that the path is not going to be easy. Somehow, he was prepared for it.

With one of her friends blurting  out to her parents, the pandora’s box was opened up. Her favourite mama who still sees her as a child said, “don’t meet or see each other for 3 months. All these thoughts would fade away. “ She smiled back at him saying “ I am not a kid. I am 25 years old. A relationship at this age does not fadeaway”. Seeing how adamant her mama was, she had to accept the condition. While she informed him, he reacted the way she expected him to. “It really does not matter if we don’t see each other. I will always be there for you”.

It has been 3 months. She was moving from her old company to a new company. A place where she can be close to him again. She can now talk to him and spend lunch time with him. Although, they cannot be explicit about their relationship, being close to him gave a sense of comfort. Most of her old team members had moved here as well. She would be working under the same boss from her old organization. He asked her to finish the HR formalities and call him so that he can introduce her to the new team.

The bus stopped her train of thoughts as she reached her destination. Her cellphone rang again. He wanted to know if she had reached. “I am directly going to the HR desk. I will finish the formalities and we can meet for lunch.” She said.

She met the HR and she was given a bunch of documents for her to fill out. In the small conference room for 4, she saw one more person who is also joining today. After a formal introduction she continued with her work filling out documents.

“HI I am Shyam”.

“Hello”

He was restless. Reaching office an hour early and not able to see her was making him anxious. He had to come up with a plan to meet her. He decided to have breakfast and then go meet her. At least beg her to come out to the lift lobby to say a hi, before she comes into the floor with her boss. Seeing the Archies gift shop, he cooked up a plan.

He purchased a pen , a notepad and had a grin that he struggled to wipe from his face. Their workstations would be at the 5th floor while the HR sits at the 3rd floor. Reaching the 3rd floor, he dialled her number.  She picked up and spoke these hasty words. “I am filling out forms. Meet you at lunch”.

2 minutes later there was a knock at the glass door. She turned to find him standing there with a pen and a notebook. Looking puzzled , she raised her eyebrows wondering what he was upto. He handed over the pen and notebook saying “you asked for it”. Trying not to smile at his romantic act of finding a reason to see her, she just grabbed the pen and the notebook and said “thanks” and turned to the forms in front of her. she could sense his smile as she felt him leave the room. She was in cloud nine and her heart had already left with him. None of these emotions could be seen on her face.

The guy next to her was now scratching his head. He was wondering why she would need a pen when she already held one. He could not control it any longer. “Is your pen not ok?” he asked. She smiled and said “Yes” but continued to write with the pen she already had.

Meeting him after months of separation, his romantic and funny gesture, all made her blush. She ensured none of the mixed emotions she held was seen on her face.

Few months passed and after the waves calmed down, it was finally time for them to be together. Both were excited going to each desk inviting friends at office. Finally, it was Shyam’s Desk. He held out the wedding invitation. Shyam now gave a smile thinking of his first day at that office.

Both smiled bashfully.



Friday, December 3, 2021

Few words

Her:
The doorway to hell has opened. Demons are crawling out. Surrounded by darkness. 
No angel to save. Moving from one door in hell to the other. 

That is how it was the day the parents knew she was in love with her best friend.  Why is it so difficult to understand that your little girl is now ready to decide what she wants? 

Transported to an uncle's place. Another door to hell. Finding her grandmother in tears.

His: 
Surrounded by close friends. Discussing the sad news that they are under attack. 
Walking in the dark not knowing if he will see the light. 

Advice from friends to be prepared for the worst. Wondering if yesterday was the last time he heard her voice. 

Her: 
A day has passed in Hell. Still under attack. Hoping to find a small window to escape. Thinking of her knight. The day he would finally come to rescue her. 

His: 
Friends keep a close watch on him and give strength telling him that this could be the end. 

Her:
Two days have passed. Finally, seeing a firefly in the dark. Grabs the phone and rushes into the Restroom. 
No time to waste now. 

"Don't worry nothing will change. I am safe."   

Him:
"Love you"

Them:
The call ended with a sigh of relief and new hope.  



Friday, June 19, 2020

To You

When I was lost in the darkness
You helped me see the light 
When I was drowning in tears 
You saved me with your smile
An avalanche of pain is upon you now 
I am not there to pull you out.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

The inner voice

" Listen I know we can work it out. No , I do understand. Ok bye ".
I take a deep breath and walk towards the lunch table, sitting next to my best friend who has been staring at me the whole time trying to decrypt my conversation.
He is concerned , wondering if I was ok.
Without making any eye contact I confess that it's falling apart.
Why should I care about a man who I know for just 10 days. Why me really God why me.
I take a deep breath and try to compose myself.

He has moved closer to me. So close that I can feel his smooth skin on mine
"I am there for you. What ever happens lean on me for strength".

Just in that moment an inner voice tells me
"He is your strength. What are you waiting for when your greatest strength is right beside you" .
I smile at the thought.
Finally my brain kicks in.
" He is a walking prefection. You are  way out of your league. Just concentrate on the problem at hand ".
I thank him and leave with my phone hoping to find a solution.
God always has a plan.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Mahabharata - Introduction


Even after reading multiple books on the great epic Mahabharata, my curiosity of the epic has not reduced. What is so fascinating about the great epic. The story is simple, a war between cousins and the revenge of a humiliated queen. Then what is the part which is interesting to me. 
Well, every character in the epic is right in their own way. There are no villain or hero. Yes, we do have Krishna who is god, who tries to restore Drama. But is he doing that really or is he trying to end the Dwapara yuga and help start the Kali yuga.

What is really happened. Yes, what Duryodhana did to Draupadi was unpardonable. What Draupadi did was not right either, you don’t laugh at a Prince and call him blind like his dad. Duryodhana did respect women a lot. He was the only one who was married just ones. Even Karna had two wives.

Seems to me like a game that was played between Saguni and Krishna. Now the next question comes up.
 Was Saguni wrong is taking revenge against Hastinapura for destroying his Kingdom?

 I have heard two stories as far the destruction of Gandhara is concerned. One that it was destroyed by Bishma during his attempt to get Gandhari married to Dhritarashtra who was blind. The other that Gandhari was instructed to marry a Goat and later kill it since as per her horoscope her first husband would die. The ritual was performed before the wedding and the Kuru family was not aware of it. The secret was out when Bheema and Duryodhana had a fight and Bheema called Gandhari as the goat’s Wife. This made Bishma angry and he imprisoned the Gandhara royal family and everyone died of hunger except the Saguni who was weak and Bishma took pity on him. Was he weak?

So can we really blame Saguni for his revenge?
So who is the villain?
The events , circumstances and the decides that were taken at this moment.

Yes all the events that lead to the war and the ultimate destruction of a race.
Let us start analyzing each character of this great epic. 
Now another question pops up. Did this war really happen? Yes, it did according to me. Since an event that happened thousands of years back is still discussed. Can a story have this effect?  I really wonder. 

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Tear of Love



What is love?  A question that people ask often.
With roses and hearts, you showed me what love is.
But, nothing explained it like your tears.  

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

My little one

The day you were born, a mom was born too 
Holding you in my arms I started to forget everything around me 
Soon I was pulled into what we call duty and missed seeing the smile on your lips 
Now I am there just for you . 
Smiling and dancing with you 
Enjoying your pranks and thanking god  
Oh! My little one my love for you words cannot explain
My little one My little world of love.