#WhatsInYourBeautyBag

Come summers and it’s time to show that extra love for my skin (without making my wallet suffer). So, here is a sneak peek into my beauty bag all within Rs. 1500 that keeps me fresh and safe while the Sun keeps guessing J

1. Face wash -  I prefer washing my face after lunch with this face wash from Votre. It gently cleanses the greasiness and refreshes my skin. It’s smell is subtle yet awakening. It has made the post lunch work easier for me. Just doesn’t let me feel exhausted. Thank you, Votre for this one! 

      Available at:  http://www.healthkart.com/sv/votre-face-wash-18/SP-15129?navKey=VRNT-25636

    2. Sunblock lotion  -    I was hunting for a light and absorbing sunblock and my search ended right here! This Sunblock formula from Auravedic is amazingly efficient. It absorbs well into the skin and keeps the face oil free. I carry it along as I prefer re applying sunblock every 2.5- 3 hours when I am out in the open. I personally call it My anti tan formula. 

 Available at: http://www.healthkart.com/sv/auravedic-pure-brightening-whitening-radiance-sunblock-lotion/SP-197?navKey=VRNT-357

 3.  Toner/ Face Mist-  Sun burns or rashes or just the heat is enough to trouble skin in summers. I use the face mist from Auravedic to keep my skin calm and problem free!                          

Available at: http://www.healthkart.com/sv/auravedic-face-mist/SP-181?navKey=VRNT-339 

 3.  Toner/ Face Mist-  Sun burns or rashes or just the heat is enough to trouble skin in summers. I use the face mist from Auravedic to keep my skin calm and problem free!                          

Available at: http://www.healthkart.com/sv/auravedic-face-mist/SP-181?navKey=VRNT-339 

 4. Lip butter - My lips dry out in heat and I have found a saviour in  Auravedic lip butter! It hydrates with the sweet fragrance of raspberry that you may just be tempted to lick your lips but AVOID! It stays well on lips and maintains a healthy shine.

Available at:  http://www.healthkart.com/sv/auravedic-lip-butter/SP-194?navKey=VRNT-354&ac_sel=Auravedic%20Lip%20Butter%2C%20%20Raspberry%20 

5.Eye pencil-  Yes it’s hot and sweaty outside and that calls for a smart pick of eye pencil and this one from Faces is a 10/10 for sure! I prefer the purple variant as it adds that little drama to my eyes that each one of us needs for a happy day. The non- smudging, metallic shine makes eyes expressive without making my face a color palette. 

Available at: http://www.healthkart.com/sv/faces-long-wear-eye-pencil/SP-6174?navKey=VRNT-8775&itracker=w:searchresults|;p:3|;c:eye%20pencil|;e:24|false|; 

 6. Comb - No woman likes her mane dishevelled like straight from the Harry Potter’s land. A handy comb keeps me confident just with a stroke or two. I prefer this wide toothed comb as it acts smart with tangled hair and puts my bangs in place, too! 

 Available at: http://www.healthkart.com/sv/vega-comb---step-grooming-hmc-75/SP-20477?navKey=VRNT-40770  

  7. Wet wipe tissues -   Sweat and grime blocks the skin pores and causes acne. Therefore, whenever I feel my face sweaty and dust sticking onto it, my fresh ones wet tissue wipes come handy. It cleans my face just perfect leaving me rosy fresh with its mild rose smell. The pack is handy and easy to use, anytime, anywhere!

   Available at: http://www.healthkart.com/sv/fresh-ones-wet-tissues-container-(rose-fresh)/SP-11130?navKey=VRNT17558&ac_sel=Fresh%20Ones%20Wet%20Tissues%20Container%20(Rose%20Fresh)%2C%20%2050%20piece(s)%2Fpack%20%20Rose%20

  8. Hand & Body lotion- Against a common belief that skin does not need moisturisers in summers, it does! That’s why I carry this light and refreshing lotion along. It hydrates without making the skin sticky and it’s gentle refreshing fragrance lingers for long. 

  Available at:  http://www.healthkart.com/sv/vaadi-herbals-hand-n-body-lotion-4/SP-14756?navKey=VRNT-35744 

Why Daddy?

Today I become a bride, daddy

I wish you walked me through the aisle, daddy

I got the loveliest guy, daddy

The one I loved has stood by me, daddy

There are hymns and chants and flowers, daddy

He is proud to make me his wife, daddy

I know he will make the best husband, daddy

But

Why aren’t you around, daddy?

Today, why aren’t you proud daddy?

I couldn’t be the best daughter but I will make the best wife, daddy!

Photo Credit: joshlehrman.com

Daddy told me once...

Are you sure about it?

Yes.

I think you should give it a second thought. You can take your time. I will be fine with it.

Thanks Sam. But I don’t really need to do that. I have thought it well and this is precisely what I want.

Alright then, I will put your papers for process. The only thing I would want to tell you is, you have a lot of talent. Don’t let it go waste.

Thanks Sam. I will always remember your words. By when can I expect my relieving letter to be issued?

By five this evening. Are you in a hurry?

No. Not really. No more!

Sam was the HR person who more so served the purpose of a scarecrow at my employer’s. If Sam had booked a meeting with a junior employee, he probably should sign his resignation before the meeting took place. For seniors like us, if there was a meeting booked with him, it was a danger signal for all the subordinates. As I walked out of the meeting room, my steps felt light and head relaxed. My inner self kept yay-ing and why not? I had just embarked upon the journey of my life. A life that appeared straight out of my dreams.

I recall a similar feeling when I was eight years old. One night I dreamt of a doll that was walking. I woke up startled the next morning for I had never seen a doll that could walk (my dragging them across the room was a different story!)  I narrated the spectacular dream to my dad while he shaved in front of the sink I had just started reaching up to.  Brimming with curiosity, I had asked “What are dreams, daddy?”

“They are God’s messages, baby! Now rush in for a shower and get ready for school. Mom will be chasing you any minute now.”

When dad returned from work that day, he bought a big parcel along. I ran to grab the first look of the parcel. Dad gave it to me saying it was for me. As I opened the box, a pretty doll lied with her eyes shut. Charged up with excitement, I freed her from the magnificent box to seat her on my study table but her legs did not move.

She does not sit, daddy?  

No. She walks.

Really daddy? Please make her walk! Fast daddy, fast!

As the doll walked around like everyone else in the room, I hugged daddy tight and kissed him a thank you. 

That was when dad had told me, Dreams do come true and yours did, too.

I grew up with all my fancies fulfilled, was blessed to have everything I could ask for and probably, that too, without dreaming of them. Maybe that was the reason why the charisma of dreams lost its meaning to me.

“Hey! You have put down your papers, I have been told. What’s next?”

This was JD, the recruitment head.

Yes JD. Going for a sabbatical. Purely for pleasure.

Oh damn! And I will have to close another position, now. You are merciless, pretty lady!, he said with his signature grin that could at best make me command him to get lost. But the corporate life sucks at it. You work with people who don’t match up with your IQ and exchange greetings with people you wish to kill right away. Corporate is merciless. Either you adapt or they terminate. Getting hold of my critical analysis, I smiled bright thinking this cruel world will only belong to my past now. Another round of yay-ing and why not!

As the day drew closer I was brimming with energy planning what all I would do during the sabbatical period. Writing down my experience, however, topped the list. As I walked out of the office, I could feel the spring in my steps. The cool October evening felt like an open sky where I could swim and glide, enjoy the storms and tide and set my own world.

 Yes! The world awaited and I had just arrived! 

At Blogadda now!

The Winner's Speech

This would be My Winning Speech on being rewarded the BlogAdda Blog Award!

Thank you!! Thank you, everyone! I am too overwhelmed at receiving this award by Blogadda. I hope I am not dreaming, let me pinch myself again…!

While I was walking up the stage, I could hear nothing but my own heart thumping aloud but I know you all cheered for me. Thanks all! Your love and support has made me stand out and up, right here on the stage.

This is one of the most opportune moments to thank everyone who has stood by me. My family, my friends- the ones who call me mad in face but never fail to be a part of the madness. Thank you, sweethearts for giving me so many stories to narrate to the world.

I could have never been a blogger to begin with, without that someone special in my life. Lalit, you are the one who has always trusted my abilities, sometimes even more than I myself do. You have stood by me in all the hard times and made me stronger. Like you always said, I was a star waiting to shine once the clouds dispersed; here is your star today! Thanks for telling me that the world needed storytellers like me. Thanks for getting me started..!

Dad! I know that we are very different. But trust me, you are biggest inspiration for me and I know that you secretly appreciate my stubbornness, too! That’s why you are here, today. Thanks for coming dad. This moment would have not been this great if you were not here to hug me tonight.

I can never be luckier than today, if both of you, dad and Lalit take this award along with me. Probably, it’s the two of you who have won. It’s your trust in me that has won.

Thank you all, once again! I am really living a dream!!

I have dreams

Do you have a dream? I have...and that too, many!

I have heard people say that Dreams don't come true in real life and they are best for the closed eyes. But the point is that if you aren't dreaming about anything, what are you aiming at? Where are you headed to? An unknown, unseen goal? Alright, you may favour mystery but how do you ensure that your unknown and unseen goal is worth the efforts you are unknowingly putting into it?

I dream. I dream about everything. I have a life in my dreams. True that it is not what I am living now but I am working towards it.I have my dream and I have a real life present situation in hand, too. When I feel like I have had enough of hardships, I slip away to my life in dreams. You might say that its brave to fight back hardships and emerge a winner. I differ. I would prefer to be happy in my life of dreams and think of another step to move closer to it than wasting my energy fighting the hardships. Well, maybe if I decide to fight, I win. And you call me a winner. But you would call me a winner on the basis of end result that I have overcome the hardship. I do so by keeping myself happy, in a different way. All the bitterness of fighting back would rest within me, not the world.

That is why I decide to win with all my happiness intact within me. I would prefer leaving the entropy of situations find an equilibrium for themselves. Instead of fighting back the situation, I would distance myself from them. You may not consider that brave enough but trust me! you need to be brave to distance yourself from situations that bother you, the situations that are out of your control and the situations that arose despite of the fact that you took all the care in this world to make a good and reasonable decision.

Its good to win. But its more important to be happy. Not all strong people are happy but all happy people are strong!

Stay happy! :)

My Friend's Story

This is my friend's story. My first attempt at wording someone else's. Hope I have done justice.

I was still there. Sitting in the cafeteria where we just bid her a farewell. I was still on the same chair. The same chair she sat next to this evening.

Last year, she joined the company where I had been working for past four years. I interviewed her during the recruitment process. She was a scared, confused and a restless soul. She was anxious about so many things. An introvert, a small town girl who had just opened up to the big and fast world. But she was yet to open up.

Since the day she joined us, I wanted to support her. Somewhere within my impartial heart, a tendency to be partial kept growing stronger and the mortal me gave in.

It started with little favors at work. A little extension in deadlines. A little relaxation in reporting time. My restlessness kept growing.

She did not have the looks to die for. She was not even witty enough to outsmart me but she was a breath of fresh air. Just being there for her felt like everything for me. Her happiness. Her worries. Her wishes. I was suddenly everything about her. I no longer existed within me.

It was then, a few months back, that my company was not doing well and the entry level employees could be the first ones to fall victim to the cost cutting plan. Her job meant a lot to her and I knew it.

I am sad today and I know that, too. But back then, I never knew I would be so hurt when she leaves. I helped her with the interviews, the negotiations and what not. No. Not because I was seeking something in return. Even if I was, it was only my happiness that had secretly found its place in hers.

And now I am here. On the same chair, lonely and restless. There is that longing to be with her again. Maybe on an evening road, maybe near a country pond or maybe just here...she returns with the pain of longing, too.

And together we shall be. Maybe. If fairy tales were to be true, we could be together, too!

Listen to me, baby!

So Jiah Khan's suicide note is out and like many of us, I read it too. Probably unlike many of us, I felt bothered and moved and definitely compelled to spare it a thought.

"I gave you everything...I was working for us but you never valued." I have heard this so many times (No! I wasn't Jiah's friend). I have heard it time and again from my friends who are in a relationship, forget happy or unhappy. What I am sure of is, not everybody pays attention to this complaint from their partner. We often assume that as the relationship grows or matures, there has to be lesser space for sweet nothings or there has to be more of a dry behavior.

We assume, we believe and therefore, we act. Independent of the gender, this complaint is never well received. What bothers me, is 'why'? Because we think its cool to be careless about someone who cares for us? Or, it is supposedly uncool to reveal our exact feelings, unaltered. A relationship is better warm than cold (read cool)...isn't it? There are hoards of articles online that say why your spouse should not be your BFF. Nobody talks about why the person you call your better half should be entitled to know the whole of your heart. I don't advocate the idea of 'i'll stick to your back, baby' but darlings and sweethearts may be let into the restricted space as well. A BFF is a blessing, undoubtedly but did you just accept your partner as a curse? It needs a grey matter provocation over a heart and tears combo of temporary emotions that arise and end in the middle of nowhere.

There are ups and downs in every relationship and I more than agree to it. Not that because I am a female, I tend to overlook the male's point of view and therefore, I totally agree to the fact that gender has nothing to do with emotional exhaustion. It feels disgusted to be cheated and that is it! Neither a guy nor a girl feels happy about it but even then, women are perceived as dramatic and overtly emotional. Its alright to shed a tear at anything or just everything than drive someone to an insane decision of suicide. You agree?

Its alright to scream at the top of your voice at someone you consider close than let your silence kill them. (this one is for you, guys!)

Having nurtured a relationship, a pretty long and happy one (touch wood! yes!! I am protective about it), the only thing that has kept us going is the willingness and ability to sit face to face and talk about just anything that's bothering any one of us.

Talk! Talk! and then Walk your Talk!

A Letter to the Ageing Love

Dear Love,

You are amazing. You make everything just-so-perfect! You add sparkle to an otherwise dull day. By all means and measures, you are outstanding and desirable.

The only drawback that you could have avoided was ageing. Yeah! am talking about the grey-ing phenomenon that you probably picked from all mortals. But you are supposed to be immortal, aren't you? Well, that is what they say!

You captivated my heart a few years back. I welcomed you in high spirits and made every attempt to keep you there.

Though you had your own share of tantrums and threw my mind out of its place, I always favored you. In fact, you gave me sleepless nights and mindless days, and I adored you for it! I had hopes that you will start behaving yourself some day and thankfully you did.

Once you settled down, I was high on hopes that you will continue to be that way in the times to come. But oh! how wrong I was. You had found a completely new set of annoying traits. You became erratic and irritating at times. Don't you think the possessiveness was little too annoying? And yes! what was with that 'no friends around- only you' syndrome of yours? Truly its said, you are immature!

And hold on! Your even worse phase is not discussed yet. After all these hardships you had to offer, you decided to get old and sober! Why that? Your grey-ing kills me more than my own ever would. You have lost that spark, you lack the enrgy, you don't have that happy vibe around you any longer... why? No more long meaningless phone calls and chats and there is no more of those sweet-nothings. Why?

I am sad about the way you are turning out to be. At times, I wonder how you will be through the years to come? Are you planning to get depressingly nagging and demanding? As it is, you don't focus on providing anymore.

Please understand and don't let me down! Mend your ways and get better. I want you to be the way you were. I want all your sweetness back into you...anyhow and in anyway!!

Think over it Love. I so desire to have you around!

A Stranger then, a Friend now

Across the road that led to my house was the office where he worked. I crossed him twice a day but we had never met.

Although we had chatted over internet for almost an year now, though with breaks of months but whenever we got back in touch, there was something that neither of us could ignore.

That day was like any of my regular days. At 6 pm, I left my office. And then on, everything was happening like it was scripted well in advance. While I sat in the cab with my earphones plugged in, a chat beeped.

"Hey girl! whats happening?"

"Hey! am awesome as ever :D heading home. Whats up with you?"

And there was no reply. Nothing unusual. People often tend to ping friends on chat for a hello and then get busy with work and forget about the popped up chat window. So, I got back to my music.

After some 30 minutes, the chat beeped again. It was him again.

"I know you are awesome!;)"

A couple of minutes later, "Can we catch up today? How long will you take to reach your stop?"

I have always had this feeling of not meeting up with strangers very soon, Although an year isn't too soon but I just did not have that 'Let's catch-up' feeling and I replied,"Had a hectic day at work & am dead! Dying to relax.."

"No issues :) Am always available...lemme know when you want to"

"Sure! Take care :) " and I ended the chat. I had reached my stop by now and as a habit, was holding my bottle of pepper spray in one hand.

I had an idea! I was not really tired and definitely not dead as I had told him on chat. I usually think and rethink before doing something, probably a not-so-side-effect of being a Strategic Planner.

I called him up.

"Hey Vikram! busy?"

"Not at all! What's up?"

"Am right here outside your office. You mind coming?"

"Whhhaattt??" was all he said and then coming back to our conversation, he continued "Just be there and am rushing through."

I couldn't help smiling with my eyes stuck to the exit of their building. Since the building housed many corporates,people kept coming out every moment.

"I shouldn't keep looking at the gate like that", and i moved a little away.

While I was walking up and down that small area, I saw a guy in blue shirt walking hurriedly through the exit.

"Vikram! right?"

"Yehh Girl! You are exactly the same like your profile picture, except that it doesn't talk! And is that pepper spray for me? Goodness! I won't harm you."

"Oh! Not really for you but you never know!" and we laughed away.

"Come on! let's go and sit somewhere. You want to eat something, right?"

"How do you know?"

"Whenever I ping you around this time, you always say you are busy with food. Little Foodie! Let's go munching".

The cafe where we sat was a nice and happening place beeming with people catching over coffee and discussing work. "So... why this sudden plan? "

"Just like that! When I got down at my stop, I felt like I wasn't that dead", I said jokingly.

"That's like an awesome girl! By the way, If you don't mind, I would like to introduce you to few people. You won't mind, will you?"

"Well, I really don't!But I wonder who those people are?"

"No terrorists and no police. So be the chilled out girl you are! I will just call them up. Although they know you are here", while getting busy with his phone.

I was amused and confused but meeting up some new people was equally exciting.

After he was done with the call, he turned back to me and said "Does it feel like we are seeing each other for the first time?"

"Not to me! You neither look nor sound like a stranger"

"Happy Friendship Day!!" There was such a loud cheer that our conversation came to a grinding halt. And there were those three guys and two girls standing right around our table. I looked at him with those questioning eyes as if wanting him to clarify that they were on the wrong table. Seeing me so puzzled, they prompted Vikram to speak up.

"Relax! we have completed an year of friendship today without blocking each other even once! And that's remarkable!" said Vikram and I happily agreed.

"Tell me something!" I interrupted. "How come you remember the date? Guys are supposed to be bad at that, right?" To this, one of the girls there laughed and clarified. "That was our idea. That's why he was asking you to come over to see him today but when you declined, we returned to our work stations with dumpling-like faces."

"Thank God! I made it." was all I said.

An hour passed by and all seven of us chatted about everything from our jobs, crushes, movies and what not. It seemed like we were friend since ever. As we walked out together to leave, Vikram offered to drive me home. On our way, I thanked him for being a generous friend and for introducing all those lovely people to me.

"Thanks for coming and being so nice to my friends!", he said while waving a good bye.

Right now, as I logged into my Facebook account, there were five pending requests. From those five lovely people I had met the same evening. What a welcome to a gang! And, this one is for all of you out there! (for whatever happened before we all met aka behind the scene)

Workaholics too have a Love Story

This post is a part of the Gillette Satin Care contest in association with BlogAdda.com

I was busy juggling with some priority tasks at my work station when I was interrupted by a deep voice. It was him. The tall, the not-so-dark and handsome Vivan.

"Folding up the blind at your desk can help you see something amazing" he said while folding them up. I hardly had any time to look up and talk but my heart skipped a beat whenever he was around. Vivan wasn't someone I could ignore and as I turned to my left, what I saw was breathtaking!

The sky was overcast with swirling black clouds that almost touched my window on the 11th floor of our building. "Wow! That's so beautiful. There is going to be a heavy rain today and I have so much of work to finish before I can leave" I said while realizing that they were not joy alone. The horrible nagging with auto wallahs was something I hated to do after a tiring day at work. Lost in my thoughts, I did not realize when Vivan had left.

"Poor guy! I did not even talk to him. Mean me! I should have been good to him!" I thought to myself while getting back to work. Another 45 minutes and I was finally done.

As I stood up and turned around, I could not believe what met my eyes. Vivan. Waiting for me. Aaah! What a moment it was!

"Hey Miss Workaholic! I can sense that you are now done with your work for today, so may I walk out with you?"

"Oh yes!" I replied promptly smiling at his superb way of asking me out.

As we stepped out on the road, the drizzling raindrops made everything beautiful. The sky, although dark seemed happier than usual and his company, of course was little more delightful today. We crossed the auto rickshaw stand but neither of us bothered to take one. We kept walking through the street, splashing through the water logs of the evening rain. We were now walking closer. A little closer than usual. A little happier than usual. And then we walked into the Cafe Coffee Day at the end of the street. As we sat across the table, he leaned forward and held my hand in his. Loosened by his gentle touch, my cellphone slipped off my hand and fell onto the table. But who cares?!

He took my hand closer to himself and touched over my nails playfully as he kept looking at them.

And I wanted to pull them off! No Vivan! No...Please don't! Don't look at my hands, was all that I wanted to scream. How I wish I had opted for my hair removal.

Vivan kept looking at them and suddenly kissed my hand as he moved his chair closer to mine and said those most beautiful words in this world. For the heart of a true lover he had, he probably never noticed those imperfect things. For the Man he was, he found his Love the most beautiful and I couldn't ask for more!

All that I could utter in that moment was, "I so wanted this to happen! I am glad it did".

As we walked back , he held me closer. Wrapped in his arms across my shoulders, I felt how beautiful and strengthening Love was!

I am the Santa

Never before had this happened. Never had I felt someone else's plight so deep...so real that I was myself hurt.

The chill in Delhi's air is on rise and it's the time when those steaming dumplings won't let u go away unless you have relished few of them. After a tiring day at work, I was casually strolling down the street with the utmost urge of eating away a plate of dumplings. Lost in my own thoughts, I had hardly ever noticed people who passed by.

I was about to reach my favourite dumpling stall when my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden and scary touch on my hand. Realizing it was rough, my worst fear came alive. As I turned frantically, I saw a little girl standing right beside me.

I would have been pleased to see a little girl. But I was not!

Probably I would have liked her if she wore a cute dress...but she wasn't.

Maybe I would have liked her if she wore a pretty flowery hairband... but she wasn't.

Chances are that I would have loved to say a hello to her, if she carried her doll along..but she had none to hold.

She was dressed in rags. She hardly had anything on her body that could keep her warm. Her hair was unkempt and appeared almost like strands of jute. Her face had patches of mud and she stood barefoot.

"What is it? Get lost!" are my words for any beggar I have ever come across and she got her share of it as well. And there was a moment of mismatch between my mind and my heart. She looked at me with her eyes wide open and showed no fear to my words.

I knew the way she would start begging. They have this habit of calling you in names of Bollywood stars and as soon as you decline to offer alms, they call u a witch or something even worse. I truly hated that part of interaction with beggars and therefore, I started to walk away so that I won't have to hear that everyday drama.

"Didi..! kuch pehenne ko de do." I turned back and looked at her again. Her eyes gleamed with hope. I walked back to where she stood and asked her where her parents were. They lived in a slum nearby.

"Hum bheek nahi maang rahe didi. Koi purane kapde ho toh de do. Ma aur baba majdoori karte hain." I was taken aback. I smiled at her and she smiled back. For that moment, I could not see her unkempt hair. Her smile outshined the dirt that stuck to her face like a native. Now, I could not see her that cold on a winter evening. I was suddenly growing fond of her. She appeared cuter than my neighbor's kid who is always decked up in nice clothes and has a fair, bright and chubby face.

I unwrapped the muffler that hung around my neck aimlessly and wrapped her in it. Funnily, it almost worked like a shawl for her. The little soul beamed with happiness and I felt content... this time from within. It was different from the way I felt after eating away a plate of dumplings. It was better. It was deeper. And most importantly, its making me smile even two days later.

We don't fail to call India a frustrated country. We take pride in discussing our short falls. Talk of one problem and others will help you make a list of them.

Ever tried doing something that would change things even at a very small scale? Talk of it in public sometime and find out how many join you in making things better.

I just did...are u in?

Why not become a Real Santa and help those in need of our compassion this Christmas? :)

No Walls... Only Bridges

"Dad! why are they building a wall? How will I now see their lovely Sunflowers every morning?" said Ann pointing towards their neighbor's boundary wall being constructed.

"They need to protect their house, honey! Its their property and they have to take care of it", John said in a plain voice while struggling through the work on his laptop. Not convinced with what she heard in reply, Ann moved closer to their gate and asked inquisitively, "how many of my drawing rulers do I need to join to connect our gate to theirs?"

"Will you please finish your breakfast Ann? We are getting late for school and your teacher is going to give you that stern look again! No tantrums please. Finish your meal fast!", said John like any father of a 5 years old.

On their way to school, Ann asked the same question again. "I am a good girl today, Dad and we are in time as well. Please tell me, how many rulers?"

"Almost 20 rulers Ann. Now can you please share your secret idea with me?"

Ann smiled lovingly on finally getting her answer. "Can you please help me in joining all the twenty rulers and create a secret path to those Sunflowers? I love them, dad! And am sure, they love me too! They wait for me every morning and stand waiting for me. Please dad! can we?"

John was delighted at her innocence and said, "Its called a bridge, honey! But am afraid that our neighbors won't really like it. Its their choice to block the view and we should let them. Don't you think so?"

By now, they had reached Ann's school and the happy goodbye took place like everyday. On his way to office, John was subconsciously thinking about Ann's question. On reaching office, he got busy with his work and Ann's question had totally escaped his mind until one of his colleagues showed up during lunch break.

"Hey Smith! How have you been? Didn't see you for long."

"Aah... my plights don't find an end, John."

"Is it Smita again?"

John could see the pain and anger in his eyes but could not decide if he should say what had just come to his mind. What if he finds it interfering and feels like I am invading his privacy, John thought to himself. The urge to speak up got stronger and the words almost rushed out of his mouth and before he knew, they stood tall and loud on his lips.

"Smith! You should talk to her. There is only this silence between you two that's ruining your lives.No mistake is too big to be forgiven when your relationship is at stake."

Smith stared in blank and John desperately wished if ctrl+z would just work and things resume their older version. Breaking the silence, Smith said, "maybe you are right, John! Maybe I have not put in the appropriate effort that Smita's broken heart deserves. But what if she declines to talk to me?"

"You will at least know where you stand. But for Smita, I know, she isn't that tough at heart and definitely not in your case!"

Smith stood up with double the energy he sat down with as if it was this moment that he was waiting for and those words of John were sent from heaven for him. "I must see her now. Can you please take care of my work post lunch?", said Smith winking at John.

"Do I have an option, Smith?"

As Smith hurried out of the cafeteria, John shouted,"Hey Smith! No walls..only bridges!"

The Winner

"Good work my child! You make me proud. I am sure each one of us will be proud of you one day." Those words said by Sister Delina some 18 years ago were still fresh in Naman's ears. Their echoing sound made him smile like a seventh grader.He kept flipping through the pages of his Art file. Each page had bundles of memories, some clear like crystals while some faded like the dry leaves that lied scattered on the ground in autumn. Some sketches were even signed by him with unmistakable professionalism that reminded him of how eager he was to grow up!

Naman grew up, like everyone does, into a teenager and then an adult and now of 30 something, as he sat there holding that file in his hands, his mind experienced tides of uncontrollable thoughts.

Somewhere admist his thoughts,he recalled his friend Sultan who was always his admirer, although he too, was equally good at artwork like him. Brilliant were those days when Naman and Sultan participated in Drawing Competitions together. The winner was always one of them and irrespective of who it was, they used the prize money for buying new cricket equipment. There was no envy in the name of competition and it kept their bond of friendship growing unless they parted their ways for the sake of pursuing promising careers.

Still flipping through the pages, Naman stopped unbelievingly. "Genius!" was all he could say. "How could have I been so good?! How the hell am I no longer the same?", questions hovered over his mind like the houseflies surround a ball of jaggery left to its fate.

As Naman walked up to catch a gasp of fresh air in the balcony, still holding his file, he could feel the pump in his feet. He could feel a wave of energy rush through his head. This was similar to the one he used to feel while making all those sketches. It wasn't a deja-vu. He was actually reliving those moments, those feelings when he believed he was a champ,a winner and so was he!

"What do I think of myself now? I am.. I am...probably a struggler.. things don't happen for me right away.If there is anything about me, it cannot avoid complications. Yes! that's me, that's what Naman is today! And everybody knows it. But does everyone really know of it or they have just got used to seeing me like that?" Naman struggled hard from within seeking answers while gazing at the sinking Sun.

The breezy November sky whispered magical spells. That sight shiver of winters that always made Naman feel good was right there and he, undoubtedly, was giving in to the charisma. Allowing the breeze to find its way through his face, he said to himself.. " You last a winner only as long as your thought..!"

Celebrating Life... in togetherness...

The cool October breeze was playful and made uninterrupted passage through Nalin's face. Stoned in his thoughts, he sat on the bean bag he had always loved. It was stuffed with all the memories from the day he earned his first salary till today.And especially, the memories of that special day..when all things wonderful conspired to gift him Love...

Things changed, people around him changed but the bean bag did not!

Fair, Slim & Beautiful

Thank God! My fair skinned mom married my fair skinned dad and i was born fair in skin. Alright, One criteria matched.

Time for second one. I am not sure if I am slim, but yes! I fit into the smallest size of clothes available in market and I am fit & healthy. So, am I slim? Well, not sure! Because then I have chubby cheeks and a round face which doesn't let me look slim in my photographs. So, that remains open ended.

Next and the third criteria of being beautiful. Aah! None of my subjects that I studied till my MBA taught me the meaning of Beautiful. The best thing I ever read about beauty was that it lied in the eyes of the beholder. Beholders!!

Ever since I remember, I thought flowers were beautiful. Butterflies were beautiful. My mom was beautiful. Although i did not have a reason to call them beautiful except that they made me happy and bought me smiles. But then my thought process suffered a set back as I grew up. No! I did not stop thinking the way I did but because I came across too many people with whom my thoughts could not find a pace.

There were friends getting married and before that, there were those hunts for a suitable partner. The most dicey word was "suitable". No! not because I had my own definition for it but because the parameters of suitability were sometimes weird and most of the time hilarious!Irrespective of what the guy was all like, be it his personality or choice or whatever you can think of, he wanted a Fair, Slim and Beautiful bride... and what for? The prompt reply from his family would be "He will have fair kids"..again..what for? So that the kid would grow up to be beautiful and attractive and find a suitable partner.

I wanted to show them that I would be the same person whether i grew fatter or darker. I can't be suitable for you unless we are on the same Frequency. And there was the catch! "Frequency" is an alien word for our society that is supposed to be an aftermath of westernization. Hell No! Who spread this rumor? Have no idea about whom to hang till death for this.

The craziest of things happen when you get to see the guy's photograph or meet him in person. Most chances are that if he emphasized on having an all-criteria-matching type of wife, he will turn out to be someone who doesn't meet any of those criteria himself... But that's okay! When you interact a little more, you get to know that according to his official DoB (which is not original), he happens to be younger to you and therefore, chooses to marry an officially younger wife! I cannot help myself from calling him a fake. Is he really not?

I want to reach out to such people and tell them to first decide what does a spouse mean to them? Whether they need a partner for life or an arm candy?

For me,Honesty in a relationship is the fairest thing to do, Slimmer the misunderstandings, the better and Love is the most Beautiful...and I choose to fall in Love and be someone's "perfect match for Life" and beautiful forever!

There is, of course, someone who can see beyond my physical appearance and fall in Love with the Heart I have for him...

Good Luck to all of You for finding your "Perfect Matches"! Stay Blessed :)

Amma's Wisdom

"Amma!!Can I take all of these? My friends will be waiting for it when I join back at school", said little Akshara with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Not only these, I'll give you even more laddoos. You take along for all your friends and neighbors as well. Akshara's Amma isn't an old lady yet!", said Amma cajoling her grand daughter with affection. "The only condition is that you will not tell your father that all the boxes have laddoos in them. He gets cranky about the weight of luggage. I don't understand Bitiya... what problem does this aeroplane have with my laddoos! And you can always give away a laddoo or two to the Pilot Babu and he will take care. Here in the village and even when I go to the city, all babus do my work for these laddoos...", said Amma thoughtfully.

At the age of 73, she is still an epitome of energy and positive attitude. Although she has hardly seen life outside her small village but she speaks of wisdom that her co-villagers fail to understand. Some ten years back, when Raghav, Akshara's father, announced that he wanted to marry Manjari, a girl of her choice who belonged to a different caste, Amma agreed despite of her society calling it the end of her relationship with them. She stood strong to support her son's happiness and Raghav and Manjari never let her down.

With time, Amma's society was proved wrong when twice an year, Raghav and his wife visited her in the village and even took her along in an aeroplane. Amma remembers how she was treated with garlands when she came back on an aeroplane. For months, the story of aeroplane was the hottest topic anybody could think of in the village.

"Ammaji! you are now a celebrity in the village. After all, you have flown in an aeroplane. This time when some netaji visits our place, you should welcome them. They too should know the standard of our village", said the Panchayat Mukhiya twisting his moustaches with pride while nodding his head expecting appreciation from onlookers.

Amma knew the Mukhiya was not a man of his principles. He was an absolutely sugar coated guy who could change his stand in fraction of seconds. Although Amma believed in letting things go but Mukhiya did not happen to be in the list and Amma said sarcastically,"Which standards are you talking about Mukhiyaji? You still announce punishment for the children who decide to marry someone of their own choice. Had Raghav not been so educated and in a powerful position with the Government of our country, you would have not spared me, either". Mukhiya was surprised with Amma's words but did not know how to react. "Amm...ammmaa jee! What are you saying? I am here to look after your welfare", said Mukhiya with his cunning smile that spoke volume about his personality.

"Let it be Mukhiyaji... everybody knows who announced the boycott of Shanti's family after she married a lower caste boy from city. I know, nobody speaks about these things in public. It isn't that they don't care, but they are afraid of you and your power. I am not! Look at my grand daughter. There are so many girls like her who are born in our village but are thrown away or killed even before they are born by your doctors in the Primary Health Centre", as Amma went on, the villagers had already gathered around both of them and stood listening to all that was never talked about in their village. As they stood together, they felt a sense of togetherness for a cause. A cause that was their very own. A cause in which they believed and always wanted to stand up for it.

As the noon descended and the evening took over, petromax lights lightened up all the houses. As Amma moved inside her house, she felt a sense of pride within. She hugged Akshara tight and felt the joy of standing up for what she believed in.

Just then, some neighbors came over to her place. "Ammaji! you are the real hero for us. Had you not been, nobody had the courage to speak up on Mukhiya's face. We have had enough and it's time we also get along with the progressive world. Unless we decide to progress and create better future for ourselves and our children, no one else can help.. we are with you Ammaji..please guide us!", and Amma stood up in tears. Today, she felt like she was responsible for carving the future of hundreds of Raghavs... and she surely would!

The Evening Love

"Its not about how we met Vikram... Its that we were destined to!"

"I know that Jenny and I can never forget anything about 'us'. You, this place and the 'me' I have become with you.."

The evening was getting darker as Jenny and Vikram walked across the park where they had first met. It was not even an year ago, when they did not even know each other. They were as good as any other strangers who came to the park everyday in the evening. Some were regulars, some were less frequent.

"And you remember, how we didn't even notice each other for so long!", said Jenny with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Not we Jenny! Only you did not..I always used to see the petite girl who came down every evening and never wore the same tee twice in a row", said Vikram with a smile that always left Jenny guessing over the meaning behind his words.

Vikram's company had relocated him to Mumbai and he was supposed to move there within a week. When his manager informed him about it this morning, the first thought that came to his mind was "Does Jenny's company operate in Mumbai? If not, how can I go?" He instantly searched her company's website but alas! it wasn't. He stared hopelessly at the monitor screen as the happy times with Jenny flashed across his mind. The fun filled evenings when they worked out together. How Jenny flaunted her perfect figure when she used to invite him for eating those aloo-tikkis and pastries. And how he used to explain to her why she should not be the big-time foodie that she was.

Even before he could sense what he was feeling, he knew he was smiling.

And when it was 8 in the evening, they met...like they met everyday and Vikram told her about his relocating plans. While he spoke, he smiled but with the pain in his eyes that Jenny refused to notice.

"Will you want a parting gift from me, too?", said Jenny with the usual chirpiness in her voice. "By the way, I deserve one, too. So, maybe we can go together and get something for each other. Or an even better idea, let's go on a food marathon and you will have to eat all that I suggest!, continued Jenny almost without breaking her breath.

Vikram stared at her silently, wondering how magical everything was about her! She was a foodie and that made her so vivacious. He knew it sounded weird, but anything for Jenny!

Today, right now, Vikram was all set to leave. His bags packed and he, ready to fly to Mumbai holding a small gift box for Jenny. He knew she would come with her extraordinary energy level and he will definitely leave light hearted. And just then, she was there!

"I haven't bought you anything! Does that make you rethink if you should give me that box you have for me or cancel it?", said Jenny with the quirkiness that always floored Vikram.

"How bad is that Jenny! Of course I am holding it back then. Maybe I can put it to some good use in mumbai", said Vikram winking.

As Vikram approached the cab, jenny handed him an envelope and said, "open it after you can't see me waving at you." "Sure Jenny madam! as you say..like always", said Vikram, smiling, as they hugged each other and Vikram handed the gift box to Jenny.

"As the cab was pulling off the road, Jenny stood waving when she realised that her phone vibrated. It was Vikram. "Hey Jenny! did u really need to write all this? Could you not say it to me, stupid? Have you unwrapped your gift box?"

" "Not yet Vikram!" and she broke down. "I never had the guts to tell you that. I feared I would lose you forever."

"Vikram smiled and said, "Open your box! And yes..I have a friend in the company where you have forwarded your resume in Mumbai. I am sure, you are landing there soon! Smart girl you are!" Meanwhile, Jenny had opened up the box and found half a ceramic heart with Vikram's name scribbled on it. The attached note said, "I have the other half. Can we put the two halves together?"

"Jenny smiled and said, "We will Vikram! We definitely will".

The Monsoon Love

"Deep! Deep!! Can you not hear me? Come on over..look! the sky is overcast with clouds. Its lovely atop here". Her voice kept getting joyous with the cool breeze rustling through her hair.

Downstairs in the living room, Deep sat with his laptop, too engrossed to acknowledge her ecstasy. He was too tired to begin his day and slipped into the couch with his head stretched on the cushion and eyes shut. He was falling asleep when Kerry walked in bringing along the enthusiasm of the breeze that played a welcome note for the monsoon. She could see how tired Deep was and decided to let him relax.

It was almost four years back, when Deep and Kerry met each other through a social networking site. They became friends, then good friends and then the best friends... as they moved out of the virtual world into the real one.

Deep, then, was a guy any girl would love to be with. He was courteous and cheerful He lived life like no one else did and was fond of seeing new places and meeting new people. Kerry, too, like him, was fond of everything life had to offer and believed in living to the fullest. There was an energy of awesomeness that surrounded both of them.

Until last year, everything was perfect. The storm of disturbance came riding on the wings of time when Deep switched his job where he was to travel very often for work. Deep, who once loved travelling was now tired of it. He often thought to himself as to what was the reason because of which his passion was creating a disgust in his life. But to no use! He never found an answer. And before he could discuss it with Kerry, he was on another trip, travelling across the world, but half heartedly. He was making big bucks but without the pleasure of doing so and he was sure, Kerry too, felt the same but was too sweet to let him know of it.

It was around nine in the morning and in the other part of the house, Kerry was busy making Deep's favorite tea in the backdrop of a musical love note which Deep always hummed for her. She picked the mug and reached the living room to find Deep asleep.

"Deep!", called out Kerry in a soft voice and he woke up realizing that he slept mistakenly. The innocent smile on Kerry's face was a treat to his eyes. As he started sipping the tea, Kerry told him about the lovely weather upstairs in the open. She forced him up and there they were... like an year back. As the cool breeze rustled past Deep's ears, and Kerry whispered those magical words, Deep's world seemed to be changing and the recent anxiety and fatigue appeared too meaningless for attention when his beautiful Kerry smiled with her arms around his neck.

"Let's go on a long drive!", said Deep.

"What? A long drive? Are you dreaming Deep? Haven't you got an office today? Go! get ready..!", reacted Kerry. And this time, tears came down Deep's eyes as he sensed how lonely Kerry has been. He wrapped his arms around her and bought her close. "I am sorry my Love! All this time, I was thinking that I was busy with work, but I was wrong! I am not tired of work. I am tired of not being close to you! I am..tired... because I haven't made my Kerry smile since long.." And Kerry couldn't believe it was happening. She jumped of joy and kissed Deep.

"Shall we not go in our pyjamas? Like we used to earlier?" said Kerry and Deep agreed.

As they drove down the countryside, and the monsoon broke, Deep felt like the cloud that was pouring down rain..his anxiety no longer survived. His heart had only one feeling..the feeling of Love for Kerry.

Thank God! We aren't the same..

There is that feeling which you can't exactly put in words. The feeling of being yourself. Being so content, so happy and high on self esteem that you would not want to change.

Ever wondered the limit of perfection or acceptability? Well, that's one point we often miss out. I, too, had been missing out on it until recently.

Its a person's aura, they say. But I would want to name it differently. I see it as a personal wall set up around a person which has loud and clear messages signed on it. Whether somebody would approach you or not when you are in their vicinity is majorly governed by our personal walls.

Etching out this wall is no big deal. Its almost automatic. But putting off the wall and becoming more approachable is one daunting task. I said daunting not because you have to battle against someone else. The most difficult battle ever is the one against ourselves. Whether it is about hitting the snooze button on alarm or it is about visiting the once-a-dear-friend.

In most of the cases, including myself, the reason behind being unapproachable is some bad experience in the past or even a mindset that we refuse to overcome. Probably, because we fail to understand that each individual is unique. Just because a guy that age once irritated me, I don't have enough reasons to ward off all guys that age or all who bear resemblance with him. Because once an aunt in the neighborhood spied on me and my boyfriend, do I stand my decision of hating all aunties in my neighborhood? Of course No!

The point here is that if I enjoy and am proud of my individual existence and its uniqueness, so are others. Who are we to expect them to merge into our likes? Had it been a mono-personality world, just think how boring things would be! For people had same tastes and likes, nobody would have even bothered to manufacture so many flavors of ice cream... Just one color and just one thought!!

This world, in my opinion, is good being one... but nothing else. Lets respect our differences and enjoy variety, for, monotonous life is no life! :)