Thursday, April 30, 2015

Zara ...


Her life was never a fantasy. It constantly had its ups and downs... smiles and frowns. But when he came along, Zara turned every tear into smiles.... and every frown into a grin. She loved every bit of him. His craziness, anger, beliefs, looks, arrogance and everything. In the beginning everything was blissful. But as days went, the happiness started to play hide and seek just as his mood swings. He could be a lovable person this moment and an insane man the next.


In the beginning, Zara had a numbness that allowed her to exist. Then her memory turned into images like an old silent movie, flickers of images but no detail. Now… Now she remembered details. It was like seeing fire, being burned before, knowing it will hurt, and sticking your hand in anyway. In her mind she inspected his face, his look, what did she miss, what she could have done to be there with him. Nothing.  Absolutely nothing. Thou the thought of him away from him make her incomplete, it keeps her alive. And she’s grateful for that. 



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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Yanna ...


Every morning Yanna woke up before anyone did all the household chores, did everything for her husband, kids and family. And then went off for her work. But whatever she did she couldn't concentrate properly. She felt out of the world in a remote place all alone. Nothing felt right. Food didn't taste good anymore. Sleep decided to play hide and seek for long. And she was tired and angry always. Even when her four year old came to play with her she felt irritated.


Yanna knew something was wrong but she couldn't figure out what it was. And she was afraid to say anything to anyone. But when you are married to a person who's not only your life partner but also your best friend nothing goes unnoticed.


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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Xena ...



She missed her bus again. And she was running late for work. “That manager is going to screw my day.” Xena thought to herself. While waiting for another bus/cab, a man pulled up next to her and offered her a ride. Thou she’s never someone to accept a ride from a stranger, this time she got in. But she didn’t knew that one mistake was going to change her life.  


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Monday, April 27, 2015

Wenda ...


Wenda, as her name depicts, was a wanderer at heart. One untamed female… who dreams about travelling and running wild. Settling down in a place and making that her home forever was not her cup of tea. Freedom and space was like fresh air for her. Without that she was not alive, but just living. But when she met a man who was strong enough to sweep her off her feet, he was complete opposite to her. She was not sure whether she wanted her untamed life or her love. She didn’t know whether love would be enough for life… or is it her freedom that’s happiness for her. 


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Saturday, April 25, 2015

Veda ...


……  I don’t want to live anymore … “

He was reading part of a letter he wrote 10 years ago on the same day. Then he was done with life with nothing to hope more. Everything felt so blank and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. But few minutes before he was going to do the most stupid thing in his life, his girlfriend stormed into his flat and announced that she was pregnant. And now she was his wife and they are parents to a beautiful girl, Veda.

Every time he sees his daughter, he finds himself thanking his stars for sending her to his life at the right moment. And at that moment he understood that everything happens for a reason and when God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. And for him, it was his little Veda.



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Friday, April 24, 2015

Uma ...


Uma’s 8-year-old son hugged her and said, “You are the best mom in the whole entire world!” She smiled and sarcastically replied, “How do you know that? You haven’t met every mom in the whole entire world.” Uma’s son squeezed me tighter and said, “Yes I have. You are my world.”  


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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Tara ...


When Tara vowed to have and to hold him for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever some 30 years ago, she and the people around her had their doubts. Would she make a good partner for him? Will she able to love him no matter what? So many such queries rode through her mind. But now at this moment, she knows despite any hurdles she would never leave her man alone. Not even for a moment.


Years before he was a handsome man who swept her off her feet. Even now despite his deep map of wrinkles and thick groomed silver white mustache he was a good looking man. And his eyes were twinkling with stories of his life and memories, even when they had never seen a ray of light before. She looked at him a smiled and led him out of their house of their evening stroll through the city. 

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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Sara ...


"What if I won't be able to remember you one morning?"

... Sara asked him with filled eyes.

He cuddled her face, kissed her forehead and said ... 

"Don't worry... Even if you forget me, I won't. And I'll never let you go away from me. That’s a promise.”


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Monday, April 20, 2015

Ritu ...


Past:

A cup of coffee from here after work was Ritu's routine. Like her name depicts she was a season of changes. But in spite of any season this routine never changed. She had her own space there and her own time. It was an unspoken unwritten rule even among the cafe staffs that the corner space is reserved for her only at her time. But Ritu didn't know at another time of dusk someone else would be taking her place every day. And she definitely didn't know one day when both of their time collides, they would meet.


Present:

Every evening after work when both of them will be tired and stressed from work, when both of them have those worry lines, frustrated looks and stubborn weight on their shoulders, they meet over a cup of coffee. And with each sip all those worry lines and frustration just starts to evanesce. And when that very last ounce of coffee touch their lips, their minds will be like a clean slate on which anything new can be written. Is it the magic of caffeine or the power of each other's presence that's refreshing them?


At times they talk non-stop and at times they just are there next to each other with a peaceful silence deluging them. But whatever they do, after their ritual coffee meet they are rejuvenated to tackle life again with determination, peace and smiles. 

***

P.S.  The thought behind this is that of a friend's. I just scribbled his idea. 


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Qamra ...


She looked at the tiny bundle of joy in her hands. She looked so fragile. She whispered “Qamra” into her eyes. She was her moonlight in her darkness. She prayed Qamra would be always glowing like a moon. 



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Saturday, April 18, 2015

Pari ...


Years before, when she and her better half, went to the convent to adopt Pari, that was the best decision they had ever took. When she became a widow at a young age, soon after Pari came home, everyone said it was because of the unlucky child that came home. But she held Pari close to her and it was only because of her daughter she was still living and happy. Now seeing her graduate as the best student in her college made her proud and beaming.

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Friday, April 17, 2015

Oma ...


Dear Teacher,

When you first came to class, you wouldn’t even have noticed me. I was so silent and withdrawn from others. I was scared even to talk to others. But you noticed me, and in a few days you made others realize that I was also part of the same class. Gradually you gave me strength to stand straight in front of others. You gave me confidence and the ability to see myself.

If it weren’t for you, maybe even now I would have been still that silent, withdrawn, child who closed all the windows in his heart and never let even a ray of light to pass through. When you entered that classroom that day, you changed my life. You changed me. You made me who I am today. Now, I am a mentor for so many young minds. And I try my best to teach them whatever you taught me in life.

Thank you Oma teacher. Like your name says, you truly are a Life-Giver.


Your Student, Forever.  

***
P.S. Oma - Life Giver.



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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Neisha ...


Nishimma was sitting in the veranda of her house, as is she was waiting for someone. Every day for the past 6 years on this day she would be sitting exactly at the same place right from morning. But till now, no one came as the answer for the wait.

No-one knew her original name. She was Nishimma for both old and young. Kids loved her for her stories. She had the talent for capturing her young audience with her mesmerizing words and eyes full of emotions and expressions.

In the past, she was Neisha. She came to this town as a young bride. And ever since then this was her home. Her marriage was a happy one. Her husband was the most loving person she has ever met. They were college sweethearts before becoming the most beautiful married couple. But good things don’t last forever. Likewise, her good days didn’t last long. Her husband died in an accident when their baby boy, Monu was just six months. She still doesn’t know how she survived the days after his demise. Everything felt so unreal and sad. Her in-laws who were supposed to be with her, decided to move apart and started accusing her. They believed it was her and Monu’s bad luck which caused the death of their son. When their words become poisonous swords, she left that home. And from that moment it was a constant struggle to stand on her own feet to survive. The only thought that made her living was Monu. She did multiple jobs and worked for more than 15 hours a day. But she felt all her hard work was paying off when Monu got the opportunity to do his studies in an US university. She sold all her belongings and counted until the last penny, till she had enough money to pay for her son’s dreams. And willingly she moved to an old age home when her son went to chase his dreams. Monu was heartbroken to leave his mother when he was going searching for greener pasture. He promised his mom to be back soon, and take her with him.


But that promise, just remained as words. And every year, the day Monu left, Nishimma will be seen in the veranda … waiting for her only son… 

***

P.S Neisha :- Derived from Indian Elephant, Gneisha – God of all good things in life
          Veranda :- A roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor.



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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Meera ...


“What is your favorite name?”

She asked him when they were in the initial days of their marriage.

The only answer to that question for some years now is: 

Meera!


Like the Lord Krishna devotee Meera … his Meera was also devoted to him, once. 


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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Lily ...


Lily … that name resonated in his mind like magic. Every day he woke up and drifted off to sleep saying her name. Every passing minute he missed her. Every happy moment made him yearn for her and every sad hour made him yearn for him even more.

Who was Lily? His love or his soul?


Lily was is his magic. His inspiration to wake up every morning. His source of every goodness he exhibits. She was his light at the end of darkness, and she was the one who pulled him out of melancholy now and then. It was her thoughts that made him smile and feel loved. But where was she? Still a mystery … even to him.  


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Monday, April 13, 2015

Krithika ...


She felt all broken and hollow inside, as if no life was there anymore. She even moved around the house like a zombie. And outside her house… she haven’t left from her place for months now. She did everything so automated, as if someone has programmed them all.


When Krithika first stepped into this house, like every new bride she also had her heart full of dreams and eyes full of smiles. And when her better half also turned out to be one of those 10 on 10 men, you always read on magazines, her happiness was beyond skies. But it didn't last for long. When she wished for a child, everything started to fall apart. And when Krithika miscarried for the third time too, her perfect man turned to one distant unattached person. When she expected support and care, she didn’t get any, but was given lots of harsh words and insults. Her perfect marriage turned to just an agreement written in a paper. There were moments she wished she could, walk out from him and his house, to a place where she would be seen just as a woman but not as a woman who can’t bear a child. But she didn’t had the courage for the same. 


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Saturday, April 11, 2015

Jhilmil ...


Every name is real. And some people’s name depicts their whole self so well. The same goes true for Jhilmil. After seeing her, no one will leave without a smile. She was such a joy to look at. Her eyes always sparkled with joy and innocence.


But for some days now, she seems to lose interest everything. The perfect student turned to a careless one. A girl who did her homework every day, started to forget them, who studied religiously for every test, started to stare at the questions blankly. Parents, teachers or no one knew what made Jhilmil so different, so turned off from her life. But one day her mom saw her uneasiness when her Uncle tried to hug her. And that made that mother understand the reason for her daughter’s change. 


P.S. Jhilmil - Sparkling

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Friday, April 10, 2015

Iara ...


“Iara…..!!! Are you going to clean your cupboard at least this time or are you going to leave it there for another five years?”

“No Mom! … I am going to do… now itself.”

Iara went to her room and opened her cupboard where she have tucked away her memories from school, college and wonder years… right from her first grade school handbook to college ID card. It was her chest of treasures. Every time she comes home, her mom tells her to sort things out in this cupboard. But all the time, she finds herself picking each one of item and going back in time to relieve those memories again.

“Today I am going to this clean this mess”

She opened the shelf and her eyes fell upon a diary. She opened it and …



04.01.1999 
                                                                                                                       
Dear Diary,
Today a new girl came to class. And the teacher assigned her seat next to mine. She a talkative she is. Even when I ignored her, she just kept on blabbering. Such a chatter-bug!!

05.01.1999

Dear Diary,
This New-Girl… she is making me crazy. When the teacher asks me a question, she jumps up and answers it… even when it was my chance! I do not like this girl! Tomorrow I am going to ask the teacher to change my seat.

06.01.1999

Dear Diary,
Now I am sitting next to Niya. I am no longer near to that New-girl!

07.01.1999

Dear Diary,
Today that John and his gang came to the canteen when I was there. Seeing me alone, he started to tease me. He was making fun of my ponytail and the way my nose looked. I dint know what to do, and before I knew I started to cry. And it made that mean john to tease me more. And you know what? When almost all the kids were just staring at us, the new girl came to my rescue. She came and stood in front of me, and started back answering to John. And he actually was standing dumbstruck without knowing what to tell her. The New-Girl saved me from those bullies. How wrong I was about her? Tomorrow I am going to say sorry to her for misunderstanding her. And will ask for her friendship. Will she agree?




She couldn’t stop smiling. Today she’s back home to see that New-Girl as a Bride. Ever since that day she was Iara’s friend Best Friend.



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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Hasini ...



It was usual to find a snail mail in the letter box these days. It made him wonder who it would be, when everyone is just a Buzz or poke away. The handwriting looked similar… it was Hasini’s. 

A letter! 

Why? Why would she send a letter when she was literally avoiding him for a week? Why she didn’t respond for his calls or messages? Is something wrong? Did some fault come from his side? He had no idea. Maybe this letter is the answer. With shaking hands he opened her letter. 




Dear,

Life is not always a bed of roses, maybe a bunch of roses with thorns. No journey is easy but till this moment it was beautiful. You were the love of my life and source of smile. You made me feel so special that I felt like the most perfect girl. You loved me despite of my weakness or stubbornness or not so calm nature. You judged me for what I'm in real rather than what I showcased the world. You always gave me yourself and yet made me take time for myself. I have been thinking about us for days now. But every time I come to the same conclusion. I can’t take this anymore! I am so Sorry!

I'll miss the times we spent together. I'll miss the sneaky moments we had away from the crowd. Those chats or midnight calls. I'll miss everything we had in our relation. But all good things don’t go on forever, na?
So with a heavy heart I'm asking you,
"Will you marry me?"  

Love Hasini.




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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Gudiya ...


Her mother had told her they named her Gudiya, because she looked like an absolute doll when was born. And it was such a pleasure to just look at her face. Her parents adored her, even when their relatives and villagers said that a girl child is a burden to the family. But her father made sure she had a perfect childhood with no discrimination from her older brother and she got proper education and was strong enough to live life.

But today while waiting in this pathetic clinic for her turn, she couldn’t hold her tears. They didn’t even give her a choice. Everyone just decided and stubbornly made her a puppet.

“Gudiya Ghour … Gudiya Ghour… “

She got up and instead of going into the doctor’s room, she walked out of the clinic. If it meant to leave her husband and his family to keep her daughter alive, then she’s going to do that. She was determined to give her daughter everything her father gave her. 


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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Fara ...


“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching.” And that’s what Fara was doing. It didn’t matter to her whether she was in front of an audience, or this stage was the result of constant fights to live her dreams. All that mattered was the sound of her Ghungroos and the music to which she was moving. She came to her senses only when the music stopped and the audience started to applaud her. The journey from a Muslim family who doesn’t even allow their daughters to even have an eye contact with strangers to a professional dancer was not easy. But she fought with all her passion and heart. Thou her family still gives a hard face she know from the praises that the world have accepted her and her talent. And now nothing or no one can destroy her dreams.


“Fara ... Fara … Wake up … the doctor is here with the prosthetic leg… “


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P.S. Ghungroo -  A musical anklet tied to the feet of classical Indian dancers.