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."

Spontaneous !!!!

I have no purpose writing this post but the uncontrollable urge in me to talk make me create this masterpiece. My colleague is on leave since last 15 days...ufff...why do people need so long break. Well he took it because of wedding...yes, his first and last (you can assume) making me sit alone in this dull isolated Accounts Section. Without any one to comment on whatever i do, pouring our heart out at a single touch at aching nerve, cursing HR guyz, commanding peons  work is no FUN...

 So what if we are not assigned it to gain pleasure or to get entertained, i firmly believe in enjoying first and working later.

Since he is on leave, his work is also delegated to some other guy. First i got happy, after all what is better than some one occupying the seat next to me and in no time i realized that i am exposed to overconfident ready-to-boss-around material. He was new to this work but the next very day he warned that "Jo b kaam ho 12 baje se pehle puch lena us k baad meein phone switch off kar dunga" before going for a leave. And we all looked at him with What-would-happen-without-you-around and laughed heartily after he left. He still keep instructing subordinates giving them each minute details despite of the sarcasm they frequently throw at his face. Poor Fellow...sigh. He even tried to guide me with his not-so-helpful-gyaan on banks, interest rates, taxes (after knowing i have a specialization in all this) to which i reacted "Talk to my Hand" and thankfully he receded.

From tomorrow onward even i ll go on a week's leave. Yes, m off to Jodhpur-Jaisalmer with my BFF. Her resignation triggered this trip and i endlessly thank her for this. Before you all do any of "Aaahh, uuhhh, eeehhhh, R u nuts" kinda things let me tell you we both are aware of rising mercury and yet, we dare to see the Thar. Don't know how well this trip will turn out but i am longing to have girlie-giggles, endless chit chat and loads to eat. 

At the romantic front, Me and tanmay sneaks out time once in every week for a long night call and it makes me go mushy every single time :) while late evenings are spent talking the usual routine.

This is how life is moving ahead and i have no complaints (happens rare) except for wishing an early arrival of my colleague coz it will not only lighten my responsibility but also provide a glint to this room with his newly-wed-stories.

An unbroken Promise

She could not help her eyes to pour. Endless cue of tears make her face crimson. The same color which made Amit fall for her in college. Her Crimson suit, which she still possess. Her journey of life flashed before her eyes like never before. Her evening walks with amit in college campus, mild persuasions to let her go early, sharing plate in canteen always, tennis matches and he cheering her......

After graduating and amit getting a decently paid job they decided to get together forever. Her parents, who always favored, encouraged and respected every decision of their independent daughter raised no question on her choice followed by amit's parents simply nodding for their marriage. "They will never approve at once, i knew this. They are not educated neera, they dont understand our love, for them marriage simply means my auction like every other boy is subjected to in Haryana. But you dont worry, I know u ll make them proud of my choice some day."...said Amit hugging her.

And that some day came soon after her first visit to their home in Akleempur (a village near Gurgaon). Amit's mother smiled after savoring the delicacies she prepared while father was won over by reading out the newspaper aloud. Bhaiya Bhabhi were already impressed by her charm. They came back to gurgaon after their short visit with a promise to come often.

Last year, phone rang early morning and they were summoned to akleempur. Wondering what has happened they both obeyed. On arriving, they saw bhabhi mourning in torn saree at the entrance clenching door. Neera picked her up, wiped her tears while amit went inside. What bhabhi told neera was ghastly. Bhaiya was forced to remarry because bhabhi could not give them a child to run the family further. Soon after bhaiya came out. He held bhabhi's hand to drive her out. She begged and he slapped. Amit watched this mutely while Neera's efforts surrendered before a 6" feet haryanavi.

On way back to Gurgaon, Neera broke the silence by questioning Amit's behaviour to which he justified his family's decision by saying "Aisa he hota h yaha" and neera was stunned...lifeless...Bhabhi gave up to humiliations and insults so left by her choice and bhaiya went on his honeymoon soon after.

Amit's parents always blessed her to beget a Baby boy to which she falsely smiled. Amit has been always been busy with his overseas clients and they gradually moved from rented 1 room flat to their own 3 bedroom flat. It was then they thought of creating a family. Amit hasn't paid attention to their failed copulation but she doubted it after every lovemaking. She finally went for tests and reality strikes her harder. "Anovulatory Infertility" report declared. Her nightmare has come true. A chill went through her nerves and she was dumbstruck. Amit and his family revolved around her eyes. 

"Kya isi din k liye laye the tujhe", "Teri buri nazar kisi aur ko na lag jaye" echoed from everywhere.... 

It was her loss but she mourned more for what awaits her. How will she confront all this. Confident and careless neera has disappeared somewhere. Another victim of Male Dominance is in cue. Her depression gets deeper with every hour going. Amit will come soon. She stood up to come to window. The Gulmohar outside is blossoming with all its might. 

I ll leave my Gulmohar soon- she thought. His strong arms will no longer hold me close to him.

Neera ?? You are here. I called you so many times but you didn't respond - Amit come announcing. She turns to face him. Oh he has already picked up the report. Amit read every word of the curse destiny has inflicted upon her. He looked up and come to Neera. She was out of her breath due to continuous crying. Within no time, he hugged her. Just like he did while promising a life long bond to her. Yes, she can tell that it contains the same love, devotion and honesty. She looked up to him, he plants a kiss on her forehead and says "Aj mausam accha h, Chalo kahi Ghumne Chale...aur haan wahi wala suit pehen na..." with a smile.

The Gulmohar see her rejoicing while she notices its budding flowers...  

(This is a fiction work inspired by frequent cases of abandoning wives which happens in Haryana usually. I wish the mentality of bringing a DIL and treating her with love and respect, stops being associated with her ability to bear children.)

Jaana Pehchana sa...

Bheed ki khamoshi ko todta hua
hawa sa behta hai jis ka akx
wahi hai wo jaana pehchana sa shaks

jise paya h mein ne har aahat mein
sune hai jis ke lafz kaan ki choti si baali ne
tohfa deti jis ki hasi ko dekha h mere aangan
ke amrood, sehtoot aur nayi si dhup ne

Kho gya h jane kyn kahi
waada to tha k na hoga ye kabhi
kashti sa jata wo waada bhi ab to yaad aata nhi

intezaar bhi ab dustak nhi deta darwaze pe
mein he baithi hu ke pura kr jaye wo
apna adhoora waada kabhi....