Sisters!

She had three bags of clothes and books - two more with some accessories were on the way. Shifting to a new place can be tedious, especially if you have no idea who you would be living with.
She sat inside her room, looking around the tiny spaces allotted to each girl. There was nobody else as the ones living earlier had just left. Inspecting the tiny cupboards she found a small note in one of them. She opened it and reading the heading she had a feeling it was meant for her.

"Hi new girl" - it read

She was bored and thought it was no harm in reading a small note.

"So you must either be working or studying, in any case you do have friends."

She nodded her head, it was like someone was speaking to her in real.

"But let me tell you something straight, you won't be making friends out here."

She thought it was a prank and was about to throw the letter but then she read the next line.

"I was the drama queen of the previous group that reigned here. So making this as cheesy as possible, let me tell you something. Yes,you will not make friends here, cos you are going to make sisters here"

She smiled at the description and turned the page over.

"I was here when I had no idea about anything in my life. I did have friends in college, but as they say at one point you need to prioritize and I guess I was on the priority list of very few. When alone I came to this very room,where I met many others who were alone too, away from home.

We started off like any friendship would, we were a group of friends with different personalities. A drama queen that was me, a florence nightingale who cared for everyone, a Rapunzel with the longest hair, a cute silly girl who would kill us with her pj's, a silent wit - naughtiest yet looked innocent, selfie queen who did everything in life for a picture and a temporary replacement who came in for a few days. All from different places, we met here at this hostel.
We lived together for a long time, obviously I cannot write the whole of our era, do not want to pen down a book. But I just want you to know a little on the small group of girls who lived here before this, maybe you may carry forward the legacy and have a sisterhood of your own.

So once you share your wardrobe, check out guys together, sleep on the terrace gazing at the moon and discuss every silly and serious issue possible including how to kiss, what are the latest ISRO developments and where to find cheap clothes. You will have that one girl who you shall hate from the bottom of your heart, guess what your sister sorority does not approve her either.

Right from sneaking out for a party together, planning to place a prank on the landlord, go on suddenly planned get away trip, break the in time rules, get electrical cooking appliances without permissions, shout out happy bdays at 12am for the whole area to stay up, judge all the profiles on the matrimony sites where your roommates are registered, dance in joy when someone finds a 'bichara' for marriage, be the sexiest group of bridesmaid at her wedding and cry your heart out in their 'vidaai', so much so that the relatives need to be confused on why were you guys crying so much.

People say you cannot chose family, we did chose tho, a family of sisters. We were there for each other and we shall always be - cos the friendship turned into a bond, a bond that cannot be broken!

But as they say nothing is permanent in this world, we did separate. Some married, some moved ahead, in the end all of us took different roads. But we still remain connected, we know each other transform from the immature college pass out in search of a job to a new city into a little mature version, who probably has faced some of the bitter truth of life.
So after the best two years of my life when I am saying a final good bye to this place, I hope you find your sister hood too, have a bond that cannot be broken. I regret I had no hostel in college, but better late than never. Friendship is easily tampered with but love of the sister with a different blood will never get lost!"


She finished reading the note, wanting to know more on what the girls did and how they lived here. She was searching for some other note, when another girl entered the room.

"Hi, Radhika" said the new girl holding a purple coloured bag.

She stopped and stared at her.

"Hey, Sarah"

"I am your new roommate" said Radhika

Sarah looked at the note and then wondered what role was Radhika going to play in the new sorority. She smiled at her, listening to Radhika talk nonstop about her life. She wondered if she should show her the note, but decided  not to do it right away, probably wait for the right time.

Just saw Queen - inspired! !

A girl in her early 20's living in a town in India all set to marry her boyfriend, but hey you know what the boyfriend just found out that she was too lame to be with her since he has studied in United Kingdom now! So what would a normal girl do, cry, cry and maybe cry all day and all night.  But it is not necessary to be crying after a guy leaves you for his own selfish reasons, this is what Queen has taught y of so many girls out there.

Yes, Rani did cry but very soon she also realizability she had a better life out there, a life which she would live for herself and nobody else! I am not writing a review for Queen, it is something I don't feel like doing. This blog post is for all those Rani's who are out there confused and trapped in expectations from parents, peer pressure from relatives to get married and lousy boyfriends who would break up for any effing reason.

So, one fine day in my hostel every girl either was facing a relationship issue or a parental crisis. This is quite a common scene in most of the hostels with girls over 23. Our age group is so confused with what the society wants us to do that we almost forget that we have a life our own too

In one incident a girl was asked to wear a saree and meet the guy holding a tray of tea cups for his family. THEN the guy and girl were asked to go in to speak to each other in privacy - a typical Vivaah movie scenario. What was annoying was that the guy instead of speaking to her was busy on his cell phone and he though the girl was a small townie just because she was speaking to him marathi and not English. So while the girl was in a saree and preferred to speak in her mother tongue, it did not mean she never wore gowns and had no idea what English was.

Quite contrary to the last one, in this incident the guy and girl were in a relationship before marriage. After two years the girl joined a multi national company, went to social parties,  was outright and modern. The guy dumped her one fine day, reason, she was too ambitious to have a family with her. The guy did not even know the plans of this gi r like who wanted to quit job after marriage, have kids, decorate a garden and cook good food.

So the already confused woman is now stuck in between being ambitious and modern or traditional and family oriented! Cos surely even if she is capable of a balance, the men aren't capable to see that. It is not that all men are like that, there are a few dreamy fairy tale guys who exist, just that they take a lot of time to show up! So I love the part where Rani goes on her honey moon alone,  does everything that she dreamt with him alone and eventually she has more fun. Our lives are also good with the dreams with our guys, but have we ever thought of dreaming for ourselves alone?

Why do we always need a man to comfort us? Like Rani can't we just find our own selves? Why can't we get thin and diet for our health and not a guy who wants to see us set,  why not just cut your hair as you want and not stop cos your guy likes longer hair, why stop dreaming of traveling the world alone just cos he dreams of staying home? Each one of us needs to open up the gates. Just close your eyes and imagine your life without your dominating and make chauvinistic boyfriend or husband around, life might just get much more interesting. And yeah never forget the end of Queen - cos it's the one that gives hope to all those women who are either ditched for being too fair or too dark, too ambitious or too bland,  too beautiful or too ugly and too simple or too modern, never take a man back who is too egoistic to love you and too selfish to just to live himself and no one else... you are better off without these  judgmental freaks, wait for your hero he will come, even if a late entrant, he will be there soon!!

This blog post is not a gender equality or women empowerment
, it is simply for all the women who need to remain stronger and use the break ups and heart aches as a way to grow more in life..

A valentine's special post!

Her parents were not going to accept this relationship whatsoever, but today she was going to try her best to tell them the truth. She walked towards the kitchen where her mother was cooking breakfast for them all.

"Ma, I need to tell you something"

"Is it important? I have a lot of preparations to do for the evening"

"Yes it is regarding the same"

Her mother stared at her for sometime and replied, "I know you are nervous so I have called Diva to help you out"

She stood there silently while her mother continued serving the upma. She wanted to speak and this was the right time, but she knew she needed more than just strength to say what she wanted to.

All day passed by while she was thinking of what to do and how to avoid this situation. Around 4 in the afternoon her mother came in with a dress.

"Your father has asked you to wear this one if you like it, he says you look really pretty in blue"

"Yeah she definitely looks great in blue" said a voice from outside the door. It was Diva,  her childhood friend. They had spent almost all their life together and knew each other quite well. She did not respond to Divya comments and trying to avoid her presence she started changing into the dress her mother had got. Her father had invited a probable proposal to meet her today, she could not say no and had to meet the boy.

"Divya please get her ready, they will be here in an hour"

The two girls were quiet, she was trying her best not to make eye contact with Divya and Divya was trying her best to remain quite. They both knew that whatever was happening was not right and if the boy says yes there will be no scope for her to reject the proposal. Just when Divya was about to ask her something, there were some voices coming from the living room.

"I think they are here, I should go help aunt in the kitchen"

She had a tear rolling down her left cheek as Divya walked towards the kitchen. Wiping her face she got ready to go out.

She was waiting near the living room entrance when her mother called her out. It was the usual arrange marriage setup where the boy's family  was asking her questions and in some time the two were left alone to speak to each other. All the while she could not take it, she lived someone else and all this was not right at all. Soon after the meeting was over and she went in the bedroom, Divya was waiting for her there.

"How was he? Tell me more of the meeting, am really excited!"

"Why are you pretending this?"

"Pretending what?"

"You are making it worse for me, why did you even come?"

"To let you know that I am with you in whatever decision you make. I know what you are going through"

She started crying a lot, Divya hugged her tight and tried to console her.

"I know you love me and that is all that I need from you, I don't need a marriage with you to know that you love me too"

Sobbing, she finally hugged Divya, the love of her life , the love that nobody would ever understand or even try to understand. The two friends were together ever since they could remember. The same school, same college and lived in the same neighborhood. The two of them helped each other sneak out to meet their respective boyfriends and the two of them were there to cheer up each other during a break up. It was once when she was at Divya house when they were sitting next to each other talking of love that they accidentally kissed. It was natural and very spontaneous. They were in love with each other and not friends as the world perceived them to be. Now after being together for 2 years as lovers, they knew things would not go any further. They knew they lived in a society where even normal couples had to go through moral policing and honor killings if fallen in love, they definitely held no chance of being together with the acceptance of their families or the so called society who has set rules which can bend according to time and need.

# I do not know why but even though we say that we or our generation is open to everything, we still are narrow with our thinking. I felt ashamed of myself when I realised that even I was a part of people who would laugh or call someone gay just like that. Is it wrong being gay or lesbian?  Is it wrong loving someone? I don't think so, I mean I am straight but I still cannot figure out what love exactly is, then how can we say that their love is wrong? A small blog post to respect the ones who have found love irrespective of caste, age or gender...

The X

Just the title is intriguing enough for people to read further, the X, a single alphabet which has been haunting man kind since childhood. I remember when I was studying in 5th and my math teacher caressing his big ugly beard pointed at the board and said to me, 'SOLVE THIS'. All I could read and understand in the problem written on the board were the last two words, Find X. 

Since then The alphabet X is been puzzling, confusing, annoying and to some extent even heart breaking. As I grew up I realized X was not just something who had lost its value, but it was also an attribution to someone or something who gave up from playing an important part in your life. You like it or not, there is an expiry date to every relationship, after which it is prefixed with a X.

Today I suddenly got attracted and affected by this alphabet because of something that happened on one of the Whatsapp groups in the morning. So this was one of the groups where you actually never bother to reply and is filled with people from the past with whom you have no idea of what to converse with. 

So, I was in a fix and had no idea how not to pay attention to a group which was wishing my X boyfriend with birthday wishes and my X bestfriend was talking of the old gold days we had together. Yes, I did mute the group, but to some extent it was a little tough not reading those messages. 

In 22 years of my life, I have got my fair share of X's, be it the relationships, friendships or enemies for that matters. But never have these left my life forever, they have always been there to remind me of my past and occasionally scare me of it too. However I convince myself that I will not get affected and ignore the sole dramatic alphabet, it never really happens.

In 22 years of my life, I have got my fair share of X's, be it the relationships, friendships or enemies for that matters. Yes, they have never entirely got out of my life and there were elements of both good and bad times with them that I remembered at times.I am still concerned of what my X bestie is up to (and honestly I know it's kind of bitchy, but I hope they are paying for the sins committed), I always want to know if my X has got a new girl (and I love it when people say with disgust on their faces 'It is HER instead of YOU) and I always end up being friends with people I hated or who thought I was too bossy (They get used to my typically dominating self I guess ).

And today after receiving messages and calls wishing me happy birthday on the X's birthday (totally lame sarcasm and an old thing I did in 50's probably), I do accept the fact that the X plays an important role in changing everyone's life. If I did not have an X relationship, I would have never got a chance to find one where I was happy (and a relationship where I did not get liffe threatening calls from the berserk mom to leave his son alone). If I did not have an X bestfriend, I would have never understood life beyond being happy soul sisters! It is now I got to revamp my life and make a new thing out of what I was. 

All I have learnt so far is that whoever leaves you by choice and does things to be the X in your life, they are actualy doing a favor to you. They help you to discover yourself and it would be a foolish someone to not take the most of the opportunity provided. So,today I would like to thank all those who are currently my X buddies and bestfriends and all that crap! Thank you.. You made me what I am today, and let me tell you I love myself for what I am today!!

I love party, I am a party person!!

After one of my friends has said to me, "I love to party, I am a party person", I have been thinking of what exactly is a party person? While a dictionary states that it is a wild species which cannot be found easily and has his/her habitat in a bar,pub,lounge and so on, I was wondering when was the last time I had seen or even heard this lady of being in any of the shelters of these species. 

I mean, yes I can get most of the rich brats and bitches going to a disc every night and paying thousands on drinks and dope. I understand they are petty little creatures screaming for attention as most of them don't get that at their homes. But when I talk of the Mango people - Aam Admi - I find it difficult to absorb anyone going to a Miami or One on a regular basis. Either you are a big burden to your parents or you have found a dumb kid with a rich dad as your friend!! In either of the cases, you are more of an outsider to the community bdw!

When explained by this nice little friend that she loves to and hence the party and therefore she is a party animal; trust me, I lost all the little intellect I have been developing in these sane few years.

When I shared part of this incident to a few friends I talk sense with, we had a good discussion on this. There is a wrong conception of party person or party animal to most of us. Yes, love to dance and have a drink occasionally in a pub is a good way to recreation, but it does not even make you anyone close to being a party lover. 

There were a few times wherein this pretty sweet woman had spoken of loving GOA for instance, because she loves parties. Now seriously, GOA is a place for people who love dope, who love sex (on the beach) and who know what the combination of Metallica and weed is, these days loving GOA for booze is also cliche and wanna be - something all my 'grass' loving friends would totally agree to!! 

This blog is not of a particular person or any specific friend, it is just about how we need to grow up now. It is time we realize that there are many things in this world which we will not understand, but still trying to do them or be them will make us nothing less than a wanna be... 

And yeah am not just talking of all the pseudo party animals, there are so many I know who have gotten into hukkah, weed, booze and drugs because - I AM COOL , I PARTY, I DRINK, I DOPE. There is cult of people who know how to party, if you are one of them kudos to you. Similarly, there are groups of people who know what grass is and some realize how to drink, if ou cannot fit in and then do not force to. 

Not encouraging any one to get into any bad habits, but even if you want to try, do not push yourself and stay only if you belong.

(To all the geniuses who would be like 'WTF, even she goes partyn, I saw the FB and Insta uploads - Yes, I too party and go out to pubs or lounges, but that is exclusively when it is girl's night. We friends though love getting all decked up to dance in neon lights, know for a fact that it was pointless to spend 300-350 rupee on a freaking pint (I would not even want to look at the cocktail side of the menu!)

Dress well or you 'll die in hell ...

Each time my mom told me that you must dress explicitly well to make people take you seriously, I laughed. I always believed in “Karna judges you” and cared the least of what I was wearing and concentrated more on my work, but I guess it is just me who thinks this and thankfully a few other friends.

After two back to back incidences yesterday, I have come to a conclusion where people are going to judge you with your appearance and language.

Yesterday, it was me and two of my friends who wanted to meet for a drink after work. All three of us discussed on how shabily dressed we were in simple cotton made kurtis and rugged jeans – but hey what does that have to do with us having a drink!

Finally we decided to meet at a bar lounge in a posh commercial complex in Parel. Even though we succesfully went through this big maze like complex to enter the building, got our bags checked and ourselves checked for almost a dozen times and literally one of my friend hit himself bad passing through some sharp plastic thingy that closes itself down without any warnings, we did all of it to go to this lounge!!

Now, we were meeting after a long time and were speaking more in marathi (Kolhapuri marathi to be precise). So I am not sure if it was the language or the clothes, but as soon as we went in the bar and were choosing a good bean bag seat wala table, the manager just walked in to us with another waiter I suppose. They asked us for our id's and questionned us as like we were some school going kids crashing parties. At this time, we do know that there are restaurants and bars who have to follow a procedure to check for ID cards before serving drinks, but there is a polite or rather I should say an equal way of doing things. And I know this for a fact that they do not check for ID cards of everyone because it was just a week back that I had been there with some other office mates and no ID were checked– difference in the two groups, in the office one we were all blooy dressed up in shorts, one pieces and stuff and we were speaking in the so called ELITE language of english.

I was frustrated with the treatment, come on, everyone would be!! But somehow we let go and walked to some other resto in some other bloody tower like this one. We noticed the already present crowd there were filled with women wearing not longer than knee length dresses (to make it short, they were all dressed up and in high heels) and all of them speaking in English (though some of them just spoke dumb, but hey who cares that is english and we likey english). Looking at them we decided not to go inside and instead had coffee in a coffee house on the same floor. We had fu there cos there was no judging happening there. But the bliss did not stay for long!

Before proceeding ahead, through this small little blog piece of mine, I would like to request all those big grand towers in any freaking metropolitan city to keep direction boards (proper) if you expect people to find the exit and enter on their own. We got lost in the labyrinth while returning back and after finding the exit what we got was a bunch of guards stopping us for an interrogation again!!

When we answered in Marathi (he was lucky we did not use the Kolhapuri slang), he tells us that the security was in search of us for running around here and there in the building. Dude, we were practically called tresspassers and fugitives ever after spending 530 bucks for three freaking coffees!!!!

But when the next moment one of us said “What the fuck, we just followed the instructions given by the guard at the fire exit”

We got freedom and were sent out without any prosecution - YAY!!

Apat from the humor we had, we thought about the whole incident. Yes, before this too we have been to many places but never did we not dress up. Isnt't it discrimination? I mean, how can people get so judgemental that we have to wear heels after work if we want to have a drink at a so called good place.

Even if the dressing is pardoned, the language is such a big issue for people here. I thought it was for political benefits when certain ministers shouted out that people out of the state do not learn the mother tongue here. But I feel it is not the ones from outside at fault here – because it is not be a ROMAN in ROME policy here, it is quite the opposite. There are many natives who do not like speaking in Marathi, not just that, there will be many naives again who will look at you in a way that maybe means – what village are you from? If ou are talking in Marathi at certain so called “classy places”

What the fuck is becoming more effective in our country than chutiya these days, buckets of ice are poured on heads over saving a bucket of water, weraing full clothes is behen – ji and wearing shorter ones is provocating people to rape, beautiful even if dumb is better than intelligence, wanna be is not dancing with a beer glass in hand on music you understand shit about, but wanna be is trying to enjoy a couple of drinks at a good place in simple clothing along with using non english/hing – lish as a means of conversation..

(A tip - do you wear comfortable clothes? – If yes, YOU ARE A CULPRIT, YOU CANNOT ENTER A LOUNGE IN A GOOD BUILDING WITHOUT BEING LOOKED AT AS WANNA BE'S WANTING TO FIT IN A CROWD AND DEFINITELY CANNOT GET LOST HOWEVER CONFUSING THE FREAKING BUILDING ROUTES ARE.)

Yes, am single!!

So are you single?" I asked him in a causal manner, it wasn't flirting just a curiosity maybe. When I saw him for the first time, he was busy trying to gulp down a Mojito. It was clear that he was a newbie in this field when he made yanky faces.

"Definitely, I am a free man who is going to enjoy his life to all extents" I still could not believe him, the statement was sarcastic and there were no two thoughts in it.

"So just broke up?"
He did not reply and sipped in a beer he had ordered after the mojito. This confirmed he was a new - who drinks a beer and mojito back to back?

"Oh. So she left you or you dumped her? Let me guess, she cheated on you or your love reduced with time?" I know I was piling on him with these questions but I had this need of wanting to know people and their stories. After all I was the sexiest  bar tender in the club. And luckily the bar was running with low customers giving me ample of time to chit chat with this oddly handsome and attractive guy. Yes, I found him good even with a stupid French beard that did not suit him, a 'cool quoted' t-shirt and a colorful chino.

"Have you ever heard of a couple in love since year and decide to marry?"

"Are you talking of Snow White or Cinderella? Oh I know it is a Bollywood thing?"

"No it is my thing"

"So did your girlfriend die?"

He gave me a weird look, a look that maybe meant shut up. But before I could ask him another question, there was a loud 'thump'. Just three drinks and he passed out!! Thanks to the bouncers we took him to the lounge manager's chamber. And here I am waiting to listen to how her girlfriend died, it can become a story just like the many Indian Fiction books. Or maybe she is just not dead, maybe the parents got in. Or maybe another better guy who can handle more than two drinks. Who knows what! And this is intriguing me. I so wish to slap him and get him in his senses, guess will have to wait.

Are we actually aware?

I am not a Politics Person, I have never been interested. Now I know the reason behind that. If you hold an opinion about politicos or any politician you need to either be very dumb who can be manipulated by public opinions or should be very smart with great knowledge of Indian politics and history. I realized this when I witnessed a great debate in office today.

The topic which started with is Narendra Modi a fit candidate for India, went a long way to is India actually Secular and ended with a doubt on the equality issues of the country. I was very proud of being a part of this generation, I always believed that our generation is going to make a big impact. But is it doing anything other than being manipulated by the preceding generations?

The social media especially twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp has made us lame. When was the last time we chose to talk to learned men and get the real fact based information instead of searching a hash tag on the web or google -  ing it? Our basics our hollow, be it politics, history or any thing. This is what I realized in the debate where a friend and me were for Modi and a senior reporter against him. 

This is when we realized that how non secular and religion biased we were as somewhere down the line we do have a Hindu Muslim bias in our hearts though we sailing in the modern era. We said yes to Modi for development, he said for Hitler ism. We said yes to Modi for Unity, he laughed and said seriously? Unity among Hindus not Indian, right? We said yes to Modi for Modernization, he said you might even have to get ready to wear Burkhas now that the Hindutva Wadi Rule may start. If supporting Congress is the fear of getting raped, supporting BJP is fear of losing freedom. 

When we said Modi will keep everyone equal and finish the reservation we have to bear as youth in college admissions, jobs and everywhere. He replied if you are so fed up of the biased system in 50 years, imagine what they have gone through for 5000 years. We said why should we pay for what happened in the past, he replied why did they pay for no misdeeds at all. We said that reservation is making people misuse it, he just asked a small question, Aren't you misusing not being a backward by treating your maids and toilet cleaners badly even now? We said it hardly happens in the cities, he replied go to villages where they cannot still draw water from the same well, pray to God just from the steps of a temple and have no right to education, and trust me women there are villages like these. You may ask for equality in your fancy city only when you get it applied in those downtrodden villages.

When we said neither is Congress doing anything for the country, then what should we chose? He replied that is the essence of politics, the one playing do not suffer. The only ones suffering are the ones being played and they are the common ones.

This conversation made me think how hollow our decisions are, how soon we get manipulated and how narrow our minds were..

Alone all life...

“You still have a long way to go Beta, you are in you 30’s only”, her mother was trying to convince her as much as possible. But it was all in vain. She was not going to follow her family’s wishes this time – not this one at least. Radhika was sitting on her porch writing her diary. It was a year back when her husband had died of an accident. She had a son and was managing their life by working as a teacher in a local school. Today was the First Death Anniversary of her husband. All her family and her in laws were there. Her mother sat next to her and tried to convince her.

“You cannot live alone all life, Beta. Look at you, you are beautiful and fragile. Our society has a different way of looking at women who do not have a male protector. Plus, how are you going to live all by yourself all life?”

Radhika did not pay heed to her mother. Her face was glowing pink and her thick black hair made her look much prettier than she ever was. Her thick lashes and big eyes were attractive and could lure any body into them.

“Ma, I do not want to marry again. I am fine, please stop it.”

She left the room keeping the diary on her table. Her mother was disappointed. She gave a sigh and went behind her telling her the number of marriage proposals she has started getting already. Nobody knew why she did not want to marry again except for the diary page she had written.

Dear Diary.

Since the past 6 months everybody around me is worried about me being alone for the rest of my life. I still am not understanding their definition of alone or loneliness though. Yes, I was married to a man and he dies. Does that mean I would be unhappy all my life?

The man who was my husband for the past 10 years, never loved me. He never was happy with me nor did he want me happy. He was forced to marry me, but I never was aware of it. I guess arranged marriage was the problem he had or maybe he thought I was never good enough for him. Sex was also never as my girlfriends told me it would be like, no feelings and no emotions and no touch that would make me feel special. He was my husband but he suffocated me in my own life. Even when the day he dies, people easily forget that he was drunk and was another girl in the car when they had the accident. 

Isn’t being alone better than being with someone who definitely does not love you? I feel free after he is gone. Though I know this sounds harsh but it is true. I was fed up of being a loyal wife to a cheating husband. I die each day being humiliated and insulted. Yes, he never hit me, but that never meant he respected me either.

Why does everybody want me to get in the same storm again? I am free and I want to live my way. I want to raise my kid on my own and do want any protector around me who himself would someday turn out to by killer. I hope that all realize that I do not need support, I do need love, I do not need anybody taking away my life back from me. And as far as the belief that I will be alone all life, I have you with me to keep away the loneliness.

Love,

Radhika

Alone all life...

“You still have a long way to go Beta, you are in you 30’s only”, her mother was trying to convince her as much as possible. But it was all in vain. She was not going to follow her family’s wishes this time – not this one at least. Radhika was sitting on her porch writing her diary. It was a year back when her husband had died of an accident. She had a son and was managing their life by working as a teacher in a local school. Today was the First Death Anniversary of her husband. All her family and her in laws were there. Her mother sat next to her and tried to convince her.

“You cannot live alone all life, Beta. Look at you, you are beautiful and fragile. Our society has a different way of looking at women who do not have a male protector. Plus, how are you going to live all by yourself all life?”

Radhika did not pay heed to her mother. Her face was glowing pink and her thick black hair made her look much prettier than she ever was. Her thick lashes and big eyes were attractive and could lure any body into them.

“Ma, I do not want to marry again. I am fine, please stop it.”

She left the room keeping the diary on her table. Her mother was disappointed. She gave a sigh and went behind her telling her the number of marriage proposals she has started getting already. Nobody knew why she did not want to marry again except for the diary page she had written.

Dear Diary.

Since the past 6 months everybody around me is worried about me being alone for the rest of my life. I still am not understanding their definition of alone or loneliness though. Yes, I was married to a man and he dies. Does that mean I would be unhappy all my life?

The man who was my husband for the past 10 years, never loved me. He never was happy with me nor did he want me happy. He was forced to marry me, but I never was aware of it. I guess arranged marriage was the problem he had or maybe he thought I was never good enough for him. Sex was also never as my girlfriends told me it would be like, no feelings and no emotions and no touch that would make me feel special. He was my husband but he suffocated me in my own life. Even when the day he dies, people easily forget that he was drunk and was another girl in the car when they had the accident. 

Isn’t being alone better than being with someone who definitely does not love you? I feel free after he is gone. Though I know this sounds harsh but it is true. I was fed up of being a loyal wife to a cheating husband. I die each day being humiliated and insulted. Yes, he never hit me, but that never meant he respected me either.

Why does everybody want me to get in the same storm again? I am free and I want to live my way. I want to raise my kid on my own and do want any protector around me who himself would someday turn out to by killer. I hope that all realize that I do not need support, I do need love, I do not need anybody taking away my life back from me. And as far as the belief that I will be alone all life, I have you with me to keep away the loneliness.

Love,

Radhika

Happiness is!!

"Happiness is the hope of living life, breathing free with arms open wide"

Day 3: 18/03/2014

"Anvi, I am getting these wierd feelings in my tummy"

"Dude, did you eat anything wrong?"

"Seriously? They are not that feelings, they are the feelings which come when I am uneasy"

I wish I could tell Pranali I had similar emotions coming out of me. It was the last day of my breakfree tour. I soon had to go to my old life again.

"I need to start living Anvi, surviving is not what I want. I want to talk to be heard"

"And I need to quit this job. It is draining out the life in me."

Why do I always crib with this? I have said this to almost everybody. I am such a cry baby. I was thinking of it and something odd happened inside me. Maybe it was the 'Queen' effect, but that very moment I did something my family or friends will not understand right now.

"Pranali I am quitting. I am taking the internship the newspaper has offered"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I know my family is not going to take this easily, but I am used to tragic situations now."

"If you do it, I will too stop tormenting myself with bygones."

Yes, this time there was no looking back. We cannot waste our life on a boring job and a fucked up relationship. To reach somewhere, we had to leave from somewhere.

This was it, our decision was made. Pranali hugged me tight assuring she would not let me die hungry if I do not get a job after the internship and I had to be her support whenever she needed backup.

To celebrate we raised a toast with freshly cut slices of watermelons, sitting near the highway. Sandeep and Sushant were there with us unknown of all the storms going inside the both of us. They were confused with our continuous laughing and our witfully teasing them. I guess they had started to wonder if we were mentally challenged.

So, this trip did more than just a break to the two of us. We realized our dreams, decided to live them and promised to support each other in every downfall and cherish each other in every success.

The last hug I shared with my evil twin was something I guess I had been missing for a long time. These are the times you realize that friendship is not dedicating a status to somebody or putting up a fancy caption on your picture with someone or flaunting your love to evrrbody. It is just the understanding between two individuals that does not need to be displayed. I am lucky to have these few friends around me who are there with me even if not near me.

Happiness is...

"Happiness is following the idiot voice inside you and ending up in trouble"

Day 1 - 16th March, 2014

It was a pleasant morning. I was sleeping with my neice next to me. Yes, I was home, away from the white work cubicle that suffocates me to death each day. I had to come home and take some leaves even if it meant getting fired. (I swear I am waiting to get fired :-P). I guess I was dreaming karan doing the rapid fire with me. He asked me name one thing that has always inspired me to write. I gave a smile and replied,

"Train! Train! Train!"

My dream got cut with my neice shouting in my ears. I never got to know what had inspired me. Instead, with sleepy eyes I had to stand outside the balcony showing my sweetheart a train passing by. That was how my day had started.

After the usual breakfast, family gosipps with my mom and sister, etc etc.. i started feeling a little restless. I had told all my home friends that I was coming, but till 1 in the afternoon there was no call or message. Infact, my watsapp also did not ring. This is when I realized it was not them, it was my phone. There was no range for no reason. (Apologies to all who tried calling me!)

This is when my day actually started. I panicked and left to give the phone to a repair shop. My neice companied me. The three year stood in front of the activa seat. For some while she behaved pretty well, later the embarassment began. There was no passer by who she did not shout at saying,
'Hi Aunty' in her UK accent and was continuously pressong the horn switch. When we waited to get her an icecream, all she did was make faces and demand for a Mengo Doly. When finally getting her home with her mengo doly, I was given the responsibility to get her to sleep. I tried to sing something but she retorted back saying,

"You have a ball face masi. Can I play football with it?"

Finally, I got up 4 hours later when Bhanu (My weird school friend) kicked my butt. It seems my darling neice had got me to sleep quite well.

"Where the hell is your phone?"

"Repair"

"Get up and drop me home"

"Why did you come then?"

"To see if you were alive. Now, its 7, need to reach before 7.30"

I was a mess, a total creepy looking masi. Yet, I had to go. But Bhanu was not the only devil in disguise. Pranali (A doppleganger, the evil twin I have) had joined in too.

We went in tripples to drop Bhanu. On our way back, the holi fever was on. There wer songs playing outside every 'mandal'. When passing one of them, pranali lifted my hand and made dancing movements. We were not the only crazy apparantly. All the guys in the mandal started shouting and dancing seeing us. It was embarassing. The two crazy single women were in search of good guys, but this was mad.

"Hey let us walk in that restaurant."
"Yeah! Show some attitude with the entrance"

"Yeah"

Just outside the entrance, bith of us took a deep breath and got into a nice classy chick attitude.

"Tummy in, butts out"

And we laughed like maniacs. All the attitude went away with the giggles. We roamed around, we sang, wore the devil horns dazzling with lights and hit on every guy possible. Two hours straight we screamed and let go of every little crazy hormone dieing to come out since months. Finally, the rush ended with dancing the "Queen" style in my house parking with almost all my apartment folks noticing us. It was normal for them though, we had been worse sometimes.

Anyway, the day ended with my mommy, my sisters, my neice and me letting go a light in the sky with messages to all the ones looking over us from above..!!

I know when I go back for work, the boss is going to sulk. But the three day 'Happiness tour' I am on is totally worth it...:-*:-)

Flying Solo!

“Rishi, I need my backpack empty in the next 15 minutes.”

So, going on a vacation is not always easy. At least, it has never been a simple task for me. Till date I have been on a holiday either with my family, friends or my hubby. For the first time ever, I was going to fly solo. But, it wasn't going to be as easy as anticipated.

“Are you really planning this alone? You do not even know what flight is reasonable or what hotel is decent “, my husband, Rishi, was not so keen on my trip. He was concerned for me which made him doubtful of my venture. His uncertainty had become a challenge for me. I had to travel alone this time. He handed me his favorite backpack and tried to talk me out of my crazy trip idea.

“You could have chosen Mahabaleshwar, Matheran or some nearby beach. Why do you want to go for a Gujarat trip? “

“That is my native, I want to explore it honey. Do not worry. Plus, I am travelling with an I-pad and a good network provider. I will have my phone as well, which is GPS equipped.”

“And what is that going to do?”

“It is going to keep me informed with the routes, hotels and places of my interest.”

“What if your battery runs out?”

“I am intelligent you see, I got a travel charger.”

“What about your flight tickets and stuff? You are going to call me for getting your bookings done for sure.”

“No, I am going to travel smart with Skyscanner.”

“A woman travelling alone to explore her native, sure sounds smart!”

I was annoyed with his statement, but I had to keep my cool and convince him for get away adventure.

“A woman can be smarter with Skyscanner. It also has a phone application.”

“What is it?”

“An application that is going to tell me the flight details, help me with finding the most reasonable ones and it will do the booking too. Not only that, I have already started booking the best of the affordable hotels in my route.”

“It sounds impressive!”

“Haha! I know, in fact the application has already helped me to shortlist the best places of Gujarat that will help me know my culture better. I also know what place is famous for what cuisine, the tourist spots and the people and tradition developed there. I already have a bucket list of things to do in Gujarat and all because of my Sky!.”

“So now I have no valid reason to stop you?”

And there I just had a proud moment of victory. I packed my backpack carrying two jeans, a few t-shirts, a camera, I-pad and my phone. Almost all my transactions were online, so I did not have to worry losing cash or tickets. I was excited to leave for my 10 day venture alone. I was all ready to travel around my native and discover myself in the process. 

Travelling smart is easy, only if you get the right lead!

My entry for Indiblogger - Skyscanner contest!

Nami..!!

In each one's life there comes a point when you feel that you are lonely, disheartened and pale. I was in that phase too, where things were messed up with me. I had people to talk to, but I did not want any of them to advice me or judge me with my crap. I just needed a friend who could listen to me, someone whose company would give me some peace of mind.

With all the confusion tormenting my mind, I had to find a place to breathe. I started going to Parvati every morning. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in this city. A pious temple with greenery all over. The view of the city was terrific from the top - I felt like a queen reigning watching tiny little people struggling to get through their day.

This is where I also met Aravya for the first time. A 6 year old, dusky and cute little girl who used to come there with her grandfather everyday. She was in her Upper Kindergarten, but was super fun to talk to.

"Di, why you come here everyday?"

She had asked this to me for the hundredth time now. I had no explanation for her. Instead, I questioned her once,

"Why are you here?"

"I am here for Nami"

I never understood her speech very well. She was a kid with incomplete speech, so most of the times I did not bother what she meant to say. I smiled at her and waited for her grandpa to come back from the temple. He was an old man, maybe in his 60's, or rather younger.. He took her little plump palms in his rough but experienced hands. She looked at him and spoke in her 'bits and pieces' vocabulary.

"Dadu, I not say 'Bye' to Nami"

Her grandfather gave deliberate sadness filled expressions and asked her to go say bye. I watched her run behind the temple premises. I was curious to know who Nami was, therefore, I followed her. She was standing there right behind the temple hugging her Nami.

Nami - was a big Mango tree there.

"So this is Nami?", I asked walking up to her. She simultaneously waved at the tress and nodded her head in approval..

I asked her grandfather about Aravya's Nami. He told me that her mother had passed away right after her birth. She did not have a Mommy and always wanted one. Once her school teacher told her that 'Nature is our Mother, Planet Earth is our mother'.

The next day when she came to Parvati with her grandfather she chose the Mango tree as her Nami. Every morning she used to come to meet her Nami and talk to her in her short but jumbled sentences.

"Why did she chose the Mango tree?"

Her grandfather smiled a little and replied,

"She loves the Kissan mango Jam and thinks it is her mother who makes it for her. So, this mango tree is what makes her delicious Mango Jam. That is why the tree is her Nami."

Though the reason for the mango tree being her Nami was childish and funny. But, she inspired me a lot that day. The little girl found a mother in nature, and here I was upset because I felt lonely. I tried out the Aravya trick, and searched for my friend in nature.

I planted a rose in my corridor the same day and talked to the plant each time I felt lost and alone. The best part was, that my friend was always there for me. What better than the Environment and Nature around me to talk to when low?

This little kid did teach me how to befriend nature who is an inspiration, care taker and a supporter of life. Even though we have spoiled nature so much, it will always be the Nami who would continue to nurtures her kids without any complaints or regrets.

My Post for The Indiblogger - Kissan's #Nature'sfriends contest.

I am back..HaHa!!

I was waiting in this small room. It was painted blue on one side, red on the second, green on the third and blue on the last one. The floor had spotless white marble and the ceiling was jet black. "And this is going to decide my fate!", I thought as a short guy was walking up to me holding a hideous hat. He spoke in a very attractive and calm voice,
"So, I am going to place this hat on your head. The hat will then decide where you will be going. It will be done in a few seconds and not hurt at all."
The guy sounded more like the nurse who took my blood samples in the hospital 7 months before when I got to know about my sickness. It was a Brain Tumor - a time bomb - which burst inside my brain a month later the report and killed me. I had no idea how it felt like dying but the after process sure was lethargic. After tons of form filling and standing in ques, I finally entered the dooms room. The place where my 'Karma' would be calculated and my fate of hell and heaven would be decided.
"This is the 'Harry Potter' hat?"
The guy's face became red with irritation,
"For the last time, I am waiting for Rowling to come again and apologize for stealing my idea"
"She was here?"
"Not your business"
I sat quietly as the cap was kept on my head. I waited for a long time but the cap seemed to have lost somewhere in my head. Finally, the hat spoke in the guy's ears. The guy  looked annoyed and spoke,
"Could you just not balance your Karma so well before coming back again?"
"Again? Am I supposed to do the form filling again?Why?"
"You are balanced in all ways. Your good and bad is same. Your dreams and nightmares are balanced. Your achievements and losses are equal."
"So?"
"You go back. Pack your bags."
Before I could respond, I was standing outside my house. I felt a gush of polluted air enter through my nose. The sun seemed less bright than the room I was in. I thought I was a ghost now - I had heard people say that if your soul does not get a place anywhere you hangout alone on Earth for eternity.
I was shit scared, sweating like a pig. Wait! Even ghosts sweat, odd. I saw my sister at the parking wearing my dress. I went stood behind her hoping she would feel me. I did not understand if she felt me, but I sure had my eardrums in panic when she screamed when she faced me.
"Aaannnvviii!!.. OMG! Is this a ghost or a joke. I am sorry I will not wear your favorite dress again"
She just saw me. I guess the sister bond worked after all.
"Hey! You can wear it, I am dead anyways. What is up with you? And relax, am not going to hurt you." I stepped closer and touched her shoulder. I could feel her touch and so could she. I was feeling so much better that I hugged her. But, I guess she freaked out being hugged by her dead sis. She pushed me hard, I fell on my knees and bruised it. There was blood coming out.
"You are a vampire or a zombie. I told you not to watch Vampire Diaries all the time...
I couldn't understand a word after that as she went running inside.  I stood up and went inside my house. I could listen to my mother, hoping that she would be able to see me too.
"Hetal, shut up. Your sister never was bad to you when alive or after she is dead. Stop the bull shit"
But she stood still and shocked when she saw me and me with a bruised knee. She screamed aloud,
"Kunal, she is back"
She came to me and actually inspected me from top to bottom. She made me sit at a corner staring at me till my husband was downstairs.
"Who is back Mom?"
"What are you doing here? What is wrong with our house?"
I asked him seeing him in his house shorts and t-shirt. He looked at me and stood stunned. He could not speak. Finally, I walked to him and put his hands on my heart.
"It is beating for God's sake. I am back. Did you remarry?"
"She has a heartbeat. Mom, she is alive or what. I do not know. Call the doctor. Oh my god, and yeah she is anvi, still the same questioning. I need to calm."
The doctor was called and he finally proclaimed I was alive with running blood and beating heart. My family had a lot of questions but my mom hugged me tight and started crying. Her tears were unstoppable. I am sure she was glad that I am back again. Kunal kissed me and in front of my mom and sister. Though I loved his lips after so long.
"I missed you. How are you back? you know I missed you right?"
They told me everything that happened since the 6 months I was gone. My husband had moved with my mother and was her son now. My sister had taken over all my room, clothes and cell phone but I know that was only because she wanted to feel me closer. My mom used to talk to my photo everyday and read all my blogs over and over again.
Finally, I looked at them and tried to cheer up things,
"I am alive, please remove that garland of my photo. And the frame does not even match my pic background."
Everybody laughed and I am sure it was after a long time. Though they had all moved on, my room was not the same, there were new things happened. But, even if they had moved on, they had not forgotten me. There is a "Welcome Back" for everybody who is lost in the phases of life. So, death was real but I am back!!
My entry for 'Indispire'

My Hair sings the Dove Play Song!

For a girl her hair is like a prized possession which is cherished and nurtured the most. I love my hair as much as every girl would.My hair is black colored, shoulder length with chaotic curls. But they have damaged recently because of the sun, pollution and dust everywhere. Yesterday, browsing through the Youtube Videos, I saw the Dove Play Song.

I always used to wonder when I would play, turn and twist my hair. I imagined myself in smooth, shiny and manageable hair. I felt bad watching girls with naturally beautiful and straight hair. Few days back it was my friend’s wedding and I wanted to play with my hair and do something good of it. I wanted to straighten my hair permanently with red highlights in the end. I also wanted to style them by adding some soft curls in the end. I am so sure it would have changed my look completely.

When I went to a salon and asked if they could help me with the styling, they said my hair was already dry and had rough split ends. The chemicals and heat applied when straightening the hair would make it worse. I felt very bad. I wished I had something that would take care of the after effects of the hair styling I wanted to do. I wished I had somebody to pamper of my hair and let me spoil them without any worrying. I wish there was something to make every damage right.

After watching the Dove Play Song, I guess I found my hair’s best friend who will care for my hair even if I spoil it with color, styling creams and frequent use of a hair styler. I can now make and break my hair without worrying about rough ends. I can play with my hair as much as I wish to. I can look the glamorous me!

My entry for the Indiblogger Dove Play Song Contest..

#Doveplay

I am bad with titles..Just another something mayb..!!

"Hey Anvi, why do you always end up blogging love stories? Your posts are for the ones truly, madly & deeply in love"

This is one of the common questions asked to me frequently by quite a few friends. Today, I was thinking if I was getting obsessed with love stories. I do write about love, but that is certainly not because I can not write chaotic politics, increasing population  or constantly changing technology.

Another question I get quite often is,
"Are you in love and do you write your love story?"
I do not if I am in love, I am not sure if what I write is exactly meant for my love. I guess I just go with the flow. Isn't that is what the feeling of love is? Go with the flow..!!!

And finally I get all the heart broken, who hate love advicing me,
"Honey, what you write is just good as a tale or bollywood movie, this is real life"
So for all the broken up people,
'Kitna rone wale ho yaar...'

I get irritated with people who cry for somebody who has ditched them. I know my blogs are fairy tale ish but it brings a smile to me when I write them. I imagine the bollywood movie that could be made with the story. I sometimes even feel like I should write one film..:-P
I cannot help it if somebody choses to crib over the bad memories of the past and not cherish the good ones.

Finally, I know a good reason of why I love writing love. I get upset listening to the daily rape news, the alleged end of the world and the worst is happened because of Gumraah and Crime Patrol sort of serials which literally makes me think every person around me is either a dangerous murderer or a ruthless robber. The hope of meeting a Prince, the wish that there was an angel looking over for me or a life with no worries are what makes me feel much closer to being a sane human.

Love is the only feeling left which is capable of turning tears to smile. And I want to spread happiness all over. I want to be this angelic cupid types. Even if one sad person feels better after reading what I write, I would feel good. Love is something I really do not know, but the feelings I have when writing about it are truly beautiful..

So, I hope my silly blogs has helped you feel good at some point in life.

Cheers to love..!!!

<3<3:-*:-*..!!

The Valentine's...

It was Valentine's Day, everything was going as per his plans. He had planned a romantic dinner with candles for her. He had started cooking her favorite Mushroom Masala and Biryani. There was a champagne bottle with a red ribbon tied to it. His friends had just finished blowing tons of heart shaped balloons. There was her favorite 'One Republic' song playing repeatedly. He was trying to learn the lyrics.

"Why you doing so much?", his friend asked him with curiosity.

"I want her back", he replied tossing the mushroom on the frying pan.

"Huh! When did you guys broke up?"

"We did not"

"Thank God I am have a different Valentine each year, I can not understand the people in love. Anyway, just an hour more then she will be here. Have fun, I will see you tomorrow."

There was just some time left and a lot of things were to be done. He finished the cooking, and stood proudly looking at Vanilla cake whose aroma had spread all over the house.

The sound of the door bell got him to senses. He rushed to open the door, she was standing there. The pretty little thing he had got for himself. Thin, short and delicate in every way possible, her silky hair were finding their way out from the rubber band.

"What were you up to"?

He grabbed her and hugged her tight.

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

She giggled, "Are you okay?"

"Ofcourse. You wait here and watch TV, I will be back in 10."

She was confused, what was happening today. She was not feeling right. But she had to do it today.
"And this is for my love"

He came out wearing a beige colored trouser and light purple shirt. His tall stature complimented his mature face very well. He had the cake in his hand.

"I made this for you."

She was speechless. She did not know how to react. The conflicts inside her were killing her. She blurted out aloud,

"I am not worth it. I do not deserve it."

"What?"

"I need to confess something. I cheated on you. I ruined everything and I do not know what to do", she burst out in tears.

He relied calmly holding her with one hand and wiping her tears with another,

"Do you love me?"

She sobbed and looking in eyes said,

"Yes, I do. And it was a mistake. I am really sorry, but it's okay if you do not want me back in your life. I know...

He cut her in between,

"I knew it. And I know you did not mean to. All I wanted to know if you love me. And you do, so do I. So, can we cut this cake now? I really am hungry."

He kissed her on the forehead,

"I love you"

- Anvi Mehta

From Biotech to War Barricade

The pride and honor that a uniform gives a man is not comparable with anything else. The life of a cadet is nowhere close to us – the civilians. The discipline, hard work and dedication that soldiers possess are nothing less than an inspiration. In the day when a son does not bother about his own mother, these soldiers die with a smile on their face considering our country no less than their own mothers. We can never feel what emotions they go through when they shed their blood for protecting us – protecting their motherland. The uniform is dignity irrespective of Army, Navy or Air force.

I have always been fascinated with men in uniforms. There was a cantonment area I used to pass by every day morning on my way to college. I could see beautiful black horses grazing on the fields, some colonels and lieutenants playing golf and uniform men busy with their schedule. The whole area was different than the other parts of the city. They all belonged to a different higher clan, maybe royals when compared to the civilians. I had quite a few friends who wanted to join the defense but very few could actually make it there. Among all the ones who are now cadets and getting trained vigorously, there is one particular guy who is making it far very fast.

I remember my friend describing him as the Biotechnology Department Topper whose intellect was very high compared to the others in their batch. When I saw him in person, me being my judgmental self thought he would do his masters outside India and probably be a researcher for a breakthrough discovery. I guessed he was another one who wanted to earn a few good bucks and a great name. I was stunned when a few days back I saw his photo in a perfect Army Uniform with neatly trimmed hair portraying a different personality altogether.

I couldn't help but ask him how and why and when did this transformation happen. When I asked him what the difference between army and civilian life is and how his life has changed after getting selected in the defense, he replied that the biggest difference is that as a civilian he hardly walked a kilometer and now he has to run for 10-12 kilometers every day. He said his life had completely changed; he is become stronger, both mentally and physically. At times he has to walk 70 kilometers with 20-22 kgs of weight on his back.

I wanted to know more about the punishments he had to go through as military is supposedly very harsh in this matter. He agreed to it and said that they had penalties even for the smallest mistake. Punishments were never a part of his life as a civilian. According to him, the reprimands are dreadful at times but they are worth it for breaking in some rules.

He does all the adventure sports we talk of doing every day. Para gliding, hill climbing, river rafting and so many. I mean who will not feel pride in handling real guns and grenades that most of the guys crave for but end up playing with them in counter strike only. He told me about a weapon handling training where he learnt how to use all weapons like AK 47, hand grenades, missiles, etc that he had just heard of as a college student. The power he felt after holding those weapons was an amazing experience. It also made him realize the responsibility he had on him.

When I asked him what was the best part of joining the army. He sent me a grin, :-D and replied

“Girls find my haircut very sexy. Apart from that I have the uniform so many people only dream of. I am looked with admiration and my family is proud of having a soldier in the family. Many in the college are trying in the defense and I hoe they all make it as well”

It was a nice chat with him. I got to know so many aspects of being in the army. The energetic training, the tough schedule, the closely controlled routine and the deadly punishments were all something I have never been through and maybe I won’t be able to survive it either. His life is going to be a challenge after this. He will have no specific job timings and no festive vacations. But none of these stopped him from joining the Army.

Today, where so many of us want to get out India and live abroad because we want our personal success, there are a few of them who still believe in serving for the country. And as for my friend, very few selfless people can take a detour from biotech to a war barricade.

It would be a better end with a salute to everybody who is in the Army or wants to be a part of it. As it is truly said

“The uniform thus is not fit for all. It finds the one who is worth it.”

- By Anvi Mehta

27 and single..!!

"It's the loneliness that creeps in, some ignore it, some let it get inside their heads and some face it."

The dynamics of the correct marriage age in Indian community has been changing from time to time. The modern thinking society of the metros has single women of more than 30 years of age while the conservative village folks want their daughters married by the age of 18-20. There are various categories formed because of this wide range of "marital ages".

Some women prefer getting married soon and having a family of their own. I respect them because managing a house for free is the toughest job anyone could do. Some women prefer to make a mark in their chosen field of career. They want to travel the world, explore themselves and marry when they feel they have lived the bachelor life enough. They are the women who have proved that they can be nothing less than men.
The problem comes with the women who cannot decide on what path to chose. I might sound rude, but there are women who are stuck in between, and stuck very bad. They are confused with life and soon end up being frustrated as well. Right now there will be readers smirking at my statements. But observe closely, there are women who complaint a lot, have a wrecked love life and nothing in their job is ever pleasant.

These symptoms are quite evident after the girl is single and 27. The girl wants to make a career, but after struggling for 3-4 years they have nothing but a tormenting job in hand. They either have a bad past or have never fallen in love. Many women do want to go out in the open wearing shorts but have a narrow thing coming in between when the relationship comes in. Ofourse you wont find a saint in the MNC corporates or something who would love you with no intentions of even touching you! Hence, one of the reasons for a heartbreak with slow or no moving on. So, no moral support from anybody results into another jiff.
The title 27 and single is no good if you are jobless and not even close to anythin like benefit friends. Imagine, you are alone on a saturday night and there is nobody with you. Your friends are either with their boyfriends or husbands, your siblings with their friends and your parents enjoying old age romance. Who will not get frustrated? Ofcourse, this is not the case with women who have put all efforts and dedication to their work. They have diverted all energy to something that has outputs, hence they are in a good position.

The women with confused goals feel lonely amd upset. They develop a thing with women below their age.
The insecurities grow heavy on them and finally end up making a mess showing themselves superior to women younger to them. The whole problem here is that we as women should understand that our brains should be occupied with something constructive all the time. When our ancestors said women should be married at early ages, they did have some sense there. The 12&13 was too soon, but for normal women including me should get married by 24, especially if getting in the arranged marriage business. The chaos between career fiasco and relationships failure results in loneliness. Loneliness is something all cannot enjoy and handle. Instead of torturing people around us and getting frustrated in our own lives, its time for the single and 27 to take a pause and think of where to go and concentrate there.

Rowing in two boats will drown you eventually.

This article is based on personal observations around me. Trust me, you should meet the 27 and single I know. Anyways, nothing personal, just an article I think I should learn from before I be a part of the league.

- By Anvi Mehta