Change is inevitable

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

----Reinhold Niebuhr-----

Changes, everyday we see one. Some welcoming, others we dread while some lies ignored. Some changes we make for us, some are done by others for us and the most formidable ones are which happens on its own. Whoof...we fight so much of it. Me and these sneaking specie doesn't go well hand in hand. If you are wondering as to what urges me to say this i would simply say that meeting handful of old but new-to-know friends make me do this.

I was delighted to get the invitation of girls day out by one of my bestie and she was expecting some of our common pals whom i hadn't met since ages. Looking forward to a pleasant evening (which even turned out to be one) i entered her house with a heart full of curiosity to know about the chirping-lil-girls (what we all used to be). As expected, the conversation which started with hugs for all soon progressed to slang, giggles, boys, dating, boozing and bitching, assembling the pleasures of female fantasies. We talked of our likes, dislikes, habits, expectations, aspirations and repercussions. Boundless we talked and heartily we laughed. Though, midst of so lot activities my mind just could not gave up and kept collecting the undercurrent tit bits which i forgot to pick up. 

Bunch of girls who merrily chose their lifestyles without a considerable intervention of their parents seems to let loose their own reins. Who would imagine a smart girl decked in advocate's attire, driving to the court and assisting one of the famous lawyer firm, to attempt suicide and not to be sure of her own accord. Thankfully, she has loving family and friends who helped her in getting out of depression. 

As we grow up, countless changes happen within us and around. Affections, attraction, confusions, ups and downs happens frequently. Some go through it unaffected while some may find a place to doom down. We crave for attention and usually end up in a mess, considering it to be the worst for us, we give up. Secluded, trying to hide it within ourselves, we place ourselves in pool of agony. Fresh out from the umbrella, fluttering to fly high, we build our own dream castles which often get tainted by insecurities and assumptions. Exploring taboos, ignoring stern gaze often leaves a gap between guiding and wondering eyes. Stumbling along the unseen path, care is often discounted. I wonder how do boozing and eating non-veg become a parameter to be tagged as "Cool" among friends. Doing the restricted, is followed blindly. 

These changes are welcomed with a zeal and gets changed into nightmare in no time. Changes shall be made within to come to an agreement with the changing life. It is bound to come, stay and leave its mark, it's all up to us how do we adapt to these changes.

It happened one night

Akhil was enjoying his drive along with "Abhi na jao chod ke, k dil abi bhara nhi...". Festive season brings a new charm to everything dull and mundane and he loves to be at home at these times. His hometown Jodhpur has shed its sand and has been painted new with Diwali colors. Lost in the thoughts of savoring "Dal-Baati-Churma" as soon as he ll arrive home, he continued driving at a slow pace looking at merry making kids. His senses suddenly alerted him to put the brake for a girl asking for lift. He debated with himself before offering her to come in. "After all it's jodhpur, my own city. And she looks decent probably she genuinely needs to be dropped somewhere.." he argued and opened the side door.

He saw her coming across the smoke of burning crackers and ranked her like a typical college guy. Above average or rather 10/10...he smirked. He lowered the glass and asked "Where do you wanna go ??" watching his manners despite of thrill to accompany her. "New colony" she replied and he signaled her to move in.

Her bangles tickled while she opened the door and he didn't missed looking at the dancing tassels at her bare back. Once comfortable, she started conversing. 

"I am so very thankful to you. I have to reach home as early as possible. I came out to do some shopping for today's puja. Got late and there was not even a single auto." - she complained making various faces.

"How could any one make so many animated faces in a sentence. Girls are god gifted probably"- Akhil wondered. "I am going the same side and will drop you home. This is no big deal"- he replied.

"You looked nervous while inviting me in. Did u thought me to be a Ghost or wanted to check my feet"- and she laughed.

Akhil liked her infectious laugh and said " Areey nahi. I am not a kid to be scared of ghosts even if you are".

And the conversation flowed seamlessly discussing about the city decorations, crackers, puja and food when the destination arrived. She looked at him with a look of gratitude before leaving. He once again assured her that her place was on the way so it didn't caused him any trouble to drop her home. She get down at the colony gate and Akhil proceeded. "Shit i forget to ask her name" - he bumped on the dashboard and cursed him for being so forgetful.

Anjali's mother was restless when she arrived home. However when she narrated the entire episode of reaching home safely her mother thanked the boy whole-heartily.

Anjali picked up the newspaper a day after diwali and opened it carelessly. Moving across the political happenings, kids burning with crackers to cases of road accidents she was aghast with what she saw...

A Colored prayer notice in the name of "Akhil Juneja"....killed in a car accident at 7:30 pm near ghanta ghar

The face was same. Yes, the one she saw that night.

She was reminded of her watch striking 8:00 when she waited for an auto and the Dry Scar on his face.

A Birthday Song

After saying goodbye to the monsoon rains
when sun tries its best to spread its rays
while the left over clouds make the efforts in vain
that is when my mamma calls out her September born bairn

Putting off her commands from my veins
i keep webbing around with dreams
of balloons, cakes, music and dance
yeah, that would give it a perfect start

mind keep wondering about the eve
anxious hands clutching the goodies which i receive
mom and dad and the ones i love
give their wishes and closely hugs

kudos to those who wakes at ungodly hours
to send a note of love along with flowers
virtual friends too try their best
and make me reply before i rest

day full of rush and nothing left unbend
that is how my birthday every year ends

A whiff down the memory lane

Smells are quick and easiest way to associate with the surroundings. It comes, lingers and leave a mark upon the senses for long. For a person like me whose smell receptors doesn't often remain active (Yes, I am prone to persistent cold since childhood) there are some aromas which are reluctant to stay with me. They usually remain dormant provided i do not come across one. Once stimulated they all come out of active hippocampus. 

For a kid born and bought up in a joint family an encounter with varied smells happens on a regular basis. Being the eldest, the privilege of wondering in the unexplored portions of our big premises gave me an advantage to came across many of these. One very typical of it which i can recall at the mere mention of my birthplace Bharatpur is of "Dahi wali Aaloo ki subji" (potato cooked in curd or chhach). Our elders used to relish it every other day while we kids ate it in dejection. The aroma of  teekha tadka decorating curries and dals is still preserved in me. 

Our second abode after a shift from our hometown reminds me of Roses.Red, Orange, pink, white we had it all. Smelling it from a distance, as a precaution of not inhaling the microbes, stays with me and gets refreshed at every visit to dargah in Ajmer. We had a kuccha lawn then which revitalized our souls in rains. Rainy season was the most desirable as we awaited the scent of wet ground followed with the tempting cheelas (pancakes made of plain flour/gram flour, sweet and salted both). 

Lifebuoy- the original red can not be left behind. Family preferred it most to save us from the brigade of attacking micro-organisms. Blue Good night bar used to fill our rooms with a peculiar stingy smell which surprisingly was enjoyed by me. Coming out fresh from the bathroom was synonyms with Clinic Plus promising long and strong hair. Moti created the ever lasting aroma of our bathroom. Distempers paints were not so popular in those days and hence a newly painted house promised a wierd smell of Kali (solution prepared mixing lime, water and a tinge of  fabric whitener). 

                           

Me and my sister were crazy for any and every new stationery item introduced in market. My father bought us many fancy erasers from one of his official trip to Delhi. Smelling the strong and artificial scent of multi- colored stationery was thoroughly enjoyed. And how could i forget mentioning the smell of my Mother. I wonder how do she still smells like a just-bathed-newborn. 

These scents reminds me of my carefree young days of fun and play.

(Written as an entry to the contest "Smelly to Smiley" hosted by #AmbiPur and #Indiblogger. Visit http://www.facebook.com/AmbiPurIndia for going through aromatic nostalgic memories.

Just say - I made you SMILE

When the time will come
to leave my sand
i may not have any prints
to speak my words

thou shall be looked upon
to bid adieu
flatter the leaving soul
with platter of pearls

you would come i know for sure
with heavy heart unable to hold
looking around for long you'll wonder
"Yes, she made me smile" speak in a murmur...

55 word Fiction - You are Welcome

She waited sitting by the window.Roaring clouds, Thunder and heavy down pore made a perfect setting of their first meet.

Beep...Beep her phone indicated a message. "I am coming to take you with me" he said. Feeling weak at her knees she smiled.

Door bell rang. Having opened the door impatiently, she saw. 

55 word Fiction - Rest in Peace

Her pale face says different story. Can a mother smile at her daughter's death, father looks grim though - doctor thought.

She went up to her daughter's corpse. Blue & Black were the only shades. One look at the man and she left. Man, getting uneasy, read her eyes "You Raped her...Everyday of her life."