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

Love - sometimes becomes speechless..!!

She was waiting for him. There was wind blowing across her face. It was cold and she had nothing to protect her from the harsh winds except for the muffler he had gift her some time back. The wind was playing with her hair, teasing her. She could not see anything as it was pitch black.
There was some noise in the distant. She heard footsteps walking towards her. She looked in the direction where the voice came from. She could not see anything but darkness around her. But there was someone was approaching her. She felt someone touch her hands softly, curling her fingers and holding them firmly. She gasped, the touch was familiar, but the feelings were new. She could sense a warm breath near her ears. She breathed heavily each time she felt the warm puff of air near her ears and neck.
"You called me here?"
He held her by her waist and whispered in her ears,
"Thank you for coming"
He pulled her closer and took her hand in his.
"I have something for you."
The darkness did not let her see anything but she could sense something like a ring in his hands. She blushed and moved a little away from him.
"So you don't want to marry me?"
"No"
"What NO?"
"You know I would love to"
He again went closer to her. This time he took her hands again and put the ring in her finger,
"I want to marry you and spend all my life together"
She turned around and suddenly his nose touched hers. She did not realize it because of the blackness around her but he was quite close to her. Her silence was a positive answer for him. There was nothing more than an inch between the two of them. He moved closer till their lips brushed each other. She was trembling with the gush of feelings she was going through. She now felt his cold lips touching hers. She did not know when and how but she reciprocated back to his kiss. She got alert of the intimacy, stopped at instance and asked him,
"Is your love going to stay the same all life, because I am going to be this all life?"
He pampered her fair pink cheeks and said,
"I am lucky to have you all my life and am glad I can see your beautiful face and your beautiful soul. But can you trust a guy you wont ever see in your lifetime.?"
There was silence again. He could feel cold tears on his hand which were still holding her cheeks. He.knew what her answer was. They loved each other and that was what was important. He kissed her on her forehead and said,
"I am going to be your eyes from now on and you will be my inspiration for life."

 By Anvi Mehta

A page from my Diary

"Flying away to a world where there is magic and adventure, living in a tale where there is a prince awaiting for me and finding the one who will hold my hands forever is what I want. Though my wishes are something quite common with many girls but they are not always granted for everyone. These are some thoughts I share through my stories, my stories that I wished could happen to me. Be it a stranger holding my hand in a bizarre wedding or me being able to talk to my 16 self. I wish there were wishes that could come true.
Whenever I have such impractical and fairytale things in my mind, I feel like I am living a dual personality. One self who is practical and thinks that we should make use of life as a chance to grow higher and work using intellect and brain. But when I start writing I somehow become a person who believes in a prince on a white horse, a villain who eventually dies, true love and happy endings. I become the damsel in distress in the stories where in reality I can cause a lot of distress to others:-P.
There is always a conflict between the two people inside me. I do not understand what to react as when I am actually being treated as a princess. And I totally become an emotional fool when I have to stand for myself and be practical. This dual personality does make me confused and chaotic. And this is quite evident to people who know me quite well. But I guess this is what differs the writer in me which I am suppressing because of my stupid choices. Now it is me who has to decide if I want to continue with the modern lady who will think practical or bring out the dreamer stuck inside who comes out only when I bring words together.
Right now I am here staring at the stars right above me. It is freaking cold and all I want is to do is keep on feeling this wind on my face. Right now I feel am a perfect combination of both my selves and I hope this night doesnt end soon. Tomorrow again I have to decide my destiny and try not to be throwing away the chance of doing something where my passion stays and go for my routine. There is absolutely nothing wrong in being a normal working lady, but it is wrong of me to live that because it is not what I want to. Isn't this cheating my own self? Am I scared to take the risk? What is stopping me? Am I just finding reasons of responsibility and family pressures which actually do not exist or am I just another girl who will complaint of her stupid life all the time?
There are many questions that are bugging me right now. Answers are right here shining among these stars, I am just not accepting them. I am not breaking free, I am not coming out of the shell. I do not want to regret anything in life, I do not want to stop dreaming."
06-01-2014

- By Anvi Mehta

Happy New Year..!!

The huge dome shaped tunnel had lights flickering from the top, they could fairly be called the evening counterparts of sunlight. There was no noise there apart from the buzzing engines of the passing automobiles. She was seated in one of those roaring sleek black Audi, heading straight challenging the laws of speed and inertia.
It was 31st December and it was the year which made her the queen of the golden screen. She was the leading lady every director wanted to work with, every co-star wanted to be rumored with and every other actress envied of. Today was not just the end of a succesful year for her but was also her birthday. There was a huge party organized for the actress in her Panvel Farm House. All A-List Bollywood Families were going to be there. Here she was on the expressway driving her convertible to reach the venue.
She was a diva and it was completely evident with the golden shimmering structured knee length dresss she was wearing. Her hair was left open to feel the cold wind of the night. There was some makeup, but she did not need much to look glamorous.
"Aravi, drive slow please. The media can make a big issue out of this."
Her PR Dave who was seated next to her screamed at her. He knew what the industry needed its actresses to be like. He would go very firm with Aravi to be that lady even though she was not meant for the elite and sophisticated lifestyle. He screamed and shouted repeatedly till she took him seriously and reduce the speedi. As soon as the tunnel ended she waited at the corner of the highway.
"Suck away even the last thing left of me.", she handed the keys to him and got out of the car to go sit on the passenger seat. Dave put the roof of the car on and started driving. He was used to these tantrums of Aravi.
She tried to calm down and tried to peep out through the car window just like a small kid does. In some distance she saw firecrackers up a hill sort of a place. She remebered that place very well. She knew it since she was a small kid. She looked at them and smiled thinking about all the old memories.
It was Aravi when she was 15. She was beautiful in her teens even without any makeup or designer dress. The expressway did not exist than and there was a stone mine company there. Her father used to work there as a manager and her mother was a housewife. Her family had sufficient to survive the daily battle with life. But it was not what Aravi wanted for all her life. She dreamt of more. Every birthday she used to go on the top of the hill. When the clock was closing 12 A.M. she used to stare at the sky filled with colorful dancing lights. She knew the world was celebrating her birthday and she used to be happy seeing those lights shining in the sky. She missed those days now. The freedom she had to live, laugh, love and dream.
She did not want to go to the party where there was hardly anybody who loved her or cared for her. People now looked at her either with lust, jealousy or sympathy. She was fed up of being monitored and judged fpr every action. She did achieve her dreams but at the cost of her life. For a moment she wanted to go back to the hill, sit there when the clock went closer to 12 and raise a toast to herself. No camera spying on her, no critics tormenting her and with the one who she had ignored for the past few years - she wanted to be with Aravi and not the stardom struck superstar Aravi.
"Dave, stop the car and take a turn"
"What?"
She waited and thought for a moment and than after a few minutes of silence she replied,
"Nothing I just thought I was living a Bollywood Film"
She smiled at herself and she knew she would not be able to go back now. She missed the old life but she had to live with memories alone.
She again looked towards the sky and wished to herself,
"Happy New Year Aravi"

 By Anvi Mehta

A new Resolution..!!

The last semester, the last college performances, a gala time with a crazy group of friends and a fantastic love story..the start of 2013 was this which later went on to graduation, pune and eventually blogging. I loved this year and even when it was ending it had a series of shocking surprises which would soon be out to all.
So anyways here I am at the end of the year travelling to Mumbai to meet my maternal side of the family. Ofcourse they are a little subtle than the Mehtas, but there can be explosions of emotions there too. I will definitely have something to blog about tomorrow unless the bus gets late and I say happy new years first to the silly guy seated infront of me who is listening to annoying rock tunes with the speaker of his phone. The details of today are excrutiatingly awesome, but I keep them for some other day.
For today I just want to love the time spent in 2013 and take a resolution that 2014 would be even more insane. Fortunately or unfortunately from my 2013 cast, some ppl are now playing guest appearances in my life and I have a whole new bunch of partners in crime. The ones who were in my heart last year are still hidden there. And the ones I want to hide remain incognito..
Happy New Year's to all..!!
Hope we all have a great year ahead.
Cheers..!!

- By Anvi Mehta

The Wedding

December is a good month for all the wedding planners and contractors. The wedding season is on. There are weddings and engagements everywhere. Every other day I see a “Baarat” where the husband is seated on a decorated mare and there are people dancing around him on the beats of Chikni Chameli and Sheila ki Jawaani. The whole view is a little funny sometimes.
Personally, I am not so fond of attending weddings unless I know the families quite well or it is of my own kin. For the first time I decided to be an uninvited guest in a wedding. My office colleague had asked me to company her to a wedding. It was her neighbor’s son’s wedding. The wedding was going to be grand acording to her. I denied her at first, but then she convinced me to join her. She said that way I could make new friends, hit on guys and have an excellent lunch for free. I thought over it for some time. I was fed up with the office lunch session filled with gossips and affairs. I found no harm in joining her to find for some new faces.
We left in the afternoon and went to the wedding hall. It was a huge building finished with white marble tiles. It had a lot of luxurious cars coming in. The main gate was decorated with purple carnations and white orchids. There was a red shimmering carpet for the guests. There were two people spraying lavender flavored essence to welcome the guests at the door step and two of them to hand over a goodie bad sort of a thing.The whole wedding was grand and huge. The hall was filled with a lot of people. Women were in their latest saree collections with a lot of makeup and hair décor. Men were all in the best of their suits. And here I was wearing a very simple chudidar with a few mismatched bangles as the only accessories.
I looked at my friend,
“Whose wedding is this?”
“The bride’s side is one of the well known families in town. And that is why I did not want to miss this one. Could you just wait here for a minute? I will be back in a minute.”
“Wait! What do I do here? Where are you going?”
“I forgot getting the gift from the car. And just mingle around till I am back.”
She rushed down the gate and vanished somewhere in seconds. I leaned to the steps fiddling with my colorful wood bangles. It had more than 15 minutes now, and she was still not there. Somebody tapped on my shoulders from the right side. I turned to find a guy wearing a checks shirt, rugged denims and a camera I his hand. He looked shabby but was quite handsome. He gave me a suspicious stare and asked me,
“Are you a Gate Crasher?”
I was stumped by his question. The whole appearance of the guy made him look more of a gate crasher. I replied callously.
“Excuse me! I am with a friend here.”
“Miss, chill, I am kidding. You were the only one here who seems a little jaded.”
“Who are you? The Photographer?”, I asked him pointing towards hid camera.
“Technically yes”
“Okay”
“Are you judging me by my profession?”
“No”
“Yes”
“Yes”
“You just insulted me”
“So did you, by calling me a gate crasher.”
“Sorry. Okay come give me company to take some pictures. I will make it up for the rude flirting attempt.”
“I am waiting for a friend here”
“You can do that inside as well.”
He held my hands and took me inside. I was feeling very out of place. The guy was right, I was actually bored. The place was decorated with flowers and laces and drapes using only purple and white colors. The bride and groom were seated on a heart shaped stage. The bride was wearing a purple attire and the groom was in white. There were chairs for the guests with a heart shaped seat. Everything was so planned and organized.
“You like the whole purple and white layout?”
“It is different."
“The lady to your left in the Green and Yellow Saree, she finds this idea crap.”
“Really? How do you know?”
“Her expressions say it all.”
“What are you? A photographer who can study expressions?”
“Wait and watch.”
He took me near the lady; she immediately came towards us and started talking to him as if they knew each other quite well.
“How are you dear?”
“I am good. How are you? How do you like the wedding?”
“It is good. But I assure you my daughter’s wedding will not look like a Simi Garewall set for sure. It will be so much better you know. I am sure you will come there as well."
“If I get an invite”
“Oh honey, do you think you need an invitation?”
The guy excused us from the lady and took me near a group of bachelors flirting with each other. They were all looking extra ordinary with their designer outfits and salon treated hair. But the ethnic look was missing. There was make up and skin exposure only.
“Would you want to take a click?”
I was still puzzled over why was a wedding photographer given so much of importance. I denied saying I did not know to use a SLR. He took the camera, aimed at a beautiful girl drinking some grape mocktail.
“You don’t need to. My camera knows how to do it’s work.”
The crowd there got aware of him clicking pictures and in no time came next to us. The girls were actually flirting with a photographer and the guys were shaking hands and describing a photographer their outfit and look.
“Why are you so important here?”
He did not answer me and went to the stage were the wedding rituals were happening.
“The bride is not interested in the marriage.”
“How can you say this now?”
“Look at her expressions. She is not meeting her eyes with the groom, she just got her hands off from the groom’s hand giving a sigh of relief and she is wearing green footwear, contrary to the purple and white circus”
“Footwear?”
“That was a joke.”
“You have a bad sense of humor.”
He again ignored my remark and started taking more pictures. After some time he looked at me,
“Let us eat. I hope the food is not bad”
“What? Shouldn’t you be here taking pictures for every ritual?”
He pointed me to some people spread all around the hall taking pictures.
“You earn so much that you keep so many assistants?”
“Can we go eat?”
“No, sorry, have to go. My friend must be waiting and my lunch time is almost over. She just text me that she is waiting for me in the parking."
“Where do you work?”
“E Clerks”

That was the end of our story.
Actually no, I was kidding now.
The next week at office we get a magazine named “The Elite Weddings”, a Weekly Magazine for elite class weddings and relationships. It was a thing to flaunt to have a wedding covered by this magazine. I did not anything about it.
The receptionist came to my desk and gave me a wink,
“It is for you.”
“There is no name on the cover.”
“There is a photo though.”
The front cover of the magazine had a picture of me with a caption,
“Simplicity at it’s best”
I was excited seeing the beautiful picture of me. The picture was me in red and green amongst all the purples and white playing with my colorful bangles. I opened the magazine to see the photographer guy's picture on the editorial column. Now it was clear to me why a simple wedding photographer was so important there. I was happy seeing my picture and was wondering about the guy. I found a note in the end of the magazine which read,
“It was nice meeting you! Hope you liked the picture."

- By Anvi Mehta

My Family..!!

Today was one heck of a day. I am extremely tired. So for today I chose the topic I could write a whole thesis on - My Family. I am going to jot down everything and anything that comes in my mind. The topic is like a junior school essay topic, but I love it.

 So today was a day which started with a lot of drama. My family is not a dad,mom and sister. It is my grandparents who have five sons and their wives who together have 7 daughters and 3 sons. To those all who do not know me and my family, we are the 'Mehta Family', a mixture of characters, cultures and creed. I always thought my family was the Indian version of Modern Family. Each time with the accidents and incidents they happen with them it becomes more obvious.

This is what happened in the morning as well. I got up to see 8 miscalls on my phone from my mother, uncle and cousin. It scared me a little as my family has seen a lot of bad times lately. Before I could call anybody, my brother called me back. I received his call and was wide awake after listening to him.

 "Anvi, I had a call from D Uncle yesterday. Why did you not tell me that somebody was harassing you in the office? I am coming to meet him soon."

I was alert now. My brother, Dhaval was a wrestler. He is still known for college gang riots and stuff. He is 6' plus and very well built. He was like the literal 'bhai' of our house.

 "I did not understand you Bhai"

 "You told uncle yesterday that somebody is irritating you in the office. You cried a lot on his phone right?"

 I was again lost in thoughts. Around 12 hours back I had a talk to my mother. I was feeling quite low because of a bad headache. I did not exactly cry but did have a heavy voice. I was telling her how a sub ordinate tried to argue with me in the office. I told her I did not like the way he talked to me and I hate him and a lot of other things related to the incident. These situations are quite normal in the corporate world but I am not used to listening to anybody. I told Mom I wanted to come back home and I do not wish to stay in Pune. My mom was quite used to these tantrums as I repeat the same thing every 10 days. I am still adjusting with the drastic changes happening in my life. But the problem that happened here was, my mom was not alone when I called her. My D uncle was there as well. He is extra caring at times. And after my father and grandfather passed away in the same year, he feels like all the responsibilities have come on him. This is one reason he thinks a lot over any problem related to us. He was very worried after mom said I had cried on her phone. But I never knew that something more was going to happen.

 "Bhai it is a normal incident. Do not take it so seriously."

"Anvi I am coming to your office today. And do not worry bade kaka n dad has said that not to cause any violence in the office. Just thoda dhamki dekar aa jana"

 I was flabbergasted. For my family a little dhamki was very casual. I mean I do not say that my family is filled with gangsters, but except for my bade kaka nobody is an angel either.

I had a call from my bade kaka also saying that he has told Dhaval Bhai to meet my boss. He said I could leave the job and come anytime I wanted to. There was no necessity of a job. There were messages on watsapp from my other cousins asking me who had tried to harass me and if i was ok. I immediately called my mother.
 "Mom what has happened? Why am I getting so many calls?"

"Who is calling you?"

"The whole family!"

 "I do not know. I was busy meditating."

"You were what?Anyway please calm the family first and than yourself. I am okay. Yesterday was just another day Ma. You know me."

 "Why? What is happened?"

 "Everybody is calling me and asking me to leave the job and come back home."

 "Really?I had a lot if miscalls as well."

 "Please relax things there."

Amongst all this drama, I was also celebrating my roommate cum friends birthday. It was a one of those times I get confused whether to cry or laugh.

After some time I got a call from my brother saying he will not come in the office and will just take me out for lunch. My bade kaka called me back and when I explained him everything he laughed his gits out. It was the over reacting of D uncle or my mother who shared the incident, but every neighbor of each Mehta family house knew that Anvi was in some trouble. The discussions in our family are always loud enough for all to hear. In fact later on I learned my sister in London also knows about this through the watsapp group.

This was just one incident, there are many other hilarious ones. My family is just the best at times. They will fight and argue and have differences with each other. But when a tear sheds down from any one of us, there is a whole sena standing against the odds. We have faced a lot of bad times together. We were all upset but never left supporting each other. Especially our preceding generation, they have all been the best. I love my family. Though we are the typical thepla and gathia people, we have very warmly welcomed a Maratha bhabhi,a Marwari and a Shrivastav Jiju.
 I still do wonder though how my elder ones managed to hide their love stories before marriage . I also wonder how my husband would be welcomed. I guess it would be my aunties talking in a Gujju tone Hindi:

"Are Jamai Kumar ne koi ghee parso dal dhokli ma. Sharmata nai haa Jamai Ji."

 I am so looking forward for that moment. Anyway for now this incident is made me feel good as well. My family loves me..<3 data-blogger-escaped-b="">Day 4: My Family Blog for my 50 Days 50 Topics challenge

- By Anvi Mehta