Life Through A Bamboo Plant's Eyes...

I was born once again on that day. It was a day of a new life for me. My happiness knew no bound when, finally a lovely lady adopted me, from that dull boring gift shop. I was a little Bamboo Plant then and was happy anticipating my life full of care and love from this lady. On reaching my new home, to my surprise, she handed me over to a man and said, "Hey Sweetheart, since you love plants, I have brought this gift for you". He took me in his hands and began examining me closely, touching the tender leaves of mine with his bare hands. I hesitated. I was scared that he might hurt the delicate stems of mine with his harsh manly hands. He placed me in a plastic container with some water in it and kept me on a window pane. 

With open arms, I began enjoying the fresh air that gave me a feeling of independence. The mild sunlight kept me warm and cozy. This was everything I had wished for, while I was at that lifeless gift shop. My life changed in just one day and that too in a beautiful way. He kept visiting me every alternate day and served me new fresh water. Now, I was no more scared of him. He also sprayed some water on me, that gave me the tickling sensation and I felt so much loved. His care and attention made me feel on the top of the world and I grew like never before. The new leaves begun sprouting out of me. I was on the cloud nine.

In between all these good things, there was something crawling continuously behind my mind. The lady who had brought me to this home, not even once looked at me, after that first day. I saw her often here and there, but forget about touching me, she dint even gave a mere glance at me. Every time she passed by the window, I would eagerly look forward to her little attention. But, that day never came. My heart ached. I longed for her to touch me at least once that would make me feel complete. After all, there were only two people in my entire world.

I had overheard them discussing about me once. 

He had said, "Have you looked at our Bamboo plant? It's growing up."

She replied disinterestedly, "Oh! Is it?"

"Why don't you ever water it?," He questioned. 

She said, "Everything in this home, which is green in color belongs to you honey". Breaking my heart into hundred pieces, she had revealed on that day, that she doesn't like plants.

Days passed into weeks and weeks into months. Everything was normal in my life until that fateful day. He was going out of town for a few days. Before going he had filled my bowl with lots of water. It was unusual. I was never been filled with so much of water before. While leaving, he casually informed her to water me. I don't know if her mind had registered what he had said. First two days passed and I was already missing him. I had thought at least his absence would bring her a bit closer to me. But, I was wrong. I remained as an unwanted lifeless thing in her life.

Four days passed and the summer heat ruthlessly began depleting the water from my bowl. I was worried. After a few more days there was no water left. Not even a drop. I was thirsty. The hot sun made it even more miserable. I wanted to scream and call her out for help. I was dying. She remained ignorant of my plight. Not that it was her mistake. It was just that I never came into her mind. Two more days passed and my green leaves began to dry. Few of them turned into brown and I became weaker. I thought I would spend my last days recalling the good times of my life. I closed my eyes and smiled reliving the days, from the first day when I was brought to this home and ever since showered with so much love from him. I missed him. 

Due to the lack of water content in me, I had become very weak and weightless. The breeze was shaking me and I couldn't hold myself for long. I fell down from the window pane on the floor, with the thud noise, along with the plastic container that was holding me. Listening to the noise, she came running and saw me fallen on the floor. She picked me up in a panic state and for the first time ever I saw the compassion in her eyes for me. She placed me back on the window pane and ran inside only to return back with a mug of water. She not only served me the water that day but she also spoke to me. She touched me with her soft hands and said, "I am so sorry dear". She sprayed me with lots of water and I drank till my hearts content. 

From that day onwards, something changed. I cannot remember a single day since then, when she did not come and checked me out. She began loving me. It did take a few days for me to recover, but it was all worth it. The happy news is that, I heard that even He will be back to home tomorrow. The more new green leaves have started emerging out of me. To my surprise now there is another little Bamboo plant sitting next to me. I have got a new companion. But, no doubt, they love me more. I have got a complete family now.

A Dairy of a Girl...

{---FICTION---}

I had suppressed all of it in my heart for so long. But, for how long could I? If only it was that easy. Today morning I woke up to the unending stack of wishes in the WhatsApp group. No, these wishes were not for me. They were for my friend, Amrita. It was her First Wedding anniversary today. It did hit me hard and pushed me into the cyclone of the memories, churning me upside down, right and left. I had avoided thinking of this day since a long time. I had locked this part of my heart and threw away the keys. But, today it was like someone gained the entry into it, by breaking the walls of my heart, just to scratch this wounded part, so that I could relive that pain all over again. All I could do was helplessly let the silent tears flow down my eyes and do nothing to stop them.

So, its been one year today. One year isn't a long time. Or is it? I remember even now very clearly, how we both had boarded that train to attend Amrita's wedding on this day, an year back. It was that day we both came so close to each other. When I think of that time, even today the smile spreads across my face, only to leave my eyes wet later. I wonder how these beautiful memories turned into a sour one in such a short time. We came so close to each other on this day an year back, and today after one year we are no more than a strangers. I have deleted his mobile number and also he no more exists in my Facebook friend list today. In just one year he has turned from a stranger to someone extremely close and from that close one to the stranger again. One year isn't a long time. Or is it?

When I try to reflect this change in him, I wonder what was it that changed him so much. No. I was not ready then, nor I am ready now. Though I choose to be strong enough today, only I know how that 3 hours train journey and the events that followed later on this day an year back, has taken my life into the dark tunnel of never ending turmoil of emotions. I only wish he could understand. All I can do is to think of him and his memories and Sigh!

A Fall...

I fell for you, being sure that you will catch me.

But, you were so busy looking somewhere else;

I fell so hard that I broke into thousand pieces.  

Image Courtesy : http://imgforu.com/?q=39

Asus... Redefine Smart Phone... Redefine Life...

In todays world where we can get thousands of smart phones, it is really difficult to choose one among many. Every smart phone company promises a new feature which will make it different from others. When I first heard about Asus, I thought even this phone is not going to be different than others. One fine day, my colleague bought a new Asus Zenphone and that was the first time I got a chance to explore the features of this phone. It was a Red in color, which made me fall in love with it, instantly at the first sight. I remember 

Not only looks, but when I took the phone in my hands and explored the features I realized this phone isn't the same as any other phone. Let me explain what made me think so.

1) The first thing anybody will notice in a phone is its look and Asus Zenfone have got it in it. The stylish design and amazing color options makes the phone look more adorable. For me looks of the phone are equally important as much as features. After all it is the looks which grabs anybodies attention at the first sight. 

2) Secondly, the most surprising factor about Asus is its 4 GB RAM. I had never used a phone more then 2GB RAM and it was truly amazing for me to be able to see a phone with 4 GB RAM. So, No more phone hanging when multiple apps were used.

3) Just to increase my excitement, my friend told me one more thing about the phone. The Asus Zenfone 2, gets charged more than 60% in less than 40  minutes and also the battery lasts for a longer time. In my hectic schedule, I do not get much time to keep my phone for charging. This feature can help me to charge my phone quickly within no time.

4) When I checked out the photos, I found out the clarity of the pictures to be something outstanding. What more amazed me were the pictures taken during night. Then my friend explained me about Asus Zenfone industry-leading Low light mode which helps to capture up to 400% brighter photos at night. It can also capture the low light scenes, without needing the flash.

5) Apart from these above features, the phone is built with the latest processor, which gives amazing gaming experience and also to do multiple task at the same time.

After knowing all these amazing features of the phone, it was not possible for me to continue using my old smart phone any more. So, I made my mind to buy a brand new Asus phone.

Asus Zenfone 2 has not only redefined the smart phones, but it has also redefined the life.

Bigger Lessons In Smaller Gestures...

Whatever we are today, it is just because someone has guided us in our life. There is always someone or the other behind us for our success as well as for our failures. Today, when I see myself as a self dependent woman, I know who is the reason behind it. I have heard people saying that I am her reflection. Yes! It is my Mom who has taught me how to be independent in life. And, I am really thankful to her for teaching me so many bigger things through her small gestures, which I will carry with me throughout my life.

I still remember that plastic jar, that had a small opening at the top of it, which my mom had given me when I was a kid. It was my first piggy bank. She would give me some coins every day, which I would happily add in the plastic bottle. That small start in life, when I was a kid have taught me how to make savings. Today, I don't have to ask for any financial help from anyone, because, that small habit which I have learnt as a kid, has always kept me with sufficient savings. Only because of that habit, I am also able to make a proper financial management at home.

Not only in terms of finance. My Mom never restricted me from exploring new things. In spite of me being an only daughter, I have never faced any hindrance from exploring new places. Because of which, now I can easily go to any new place and adjust there without any difficulty. She had given me full freedom to make my own decisions. Whether it was choosing my Engineering subjects or it was to make a career decision, she never forced her opinions on me.

Today, I manage both, work and house at the same time. I have not kept any maid for my help. The only fact of being dependent on a maid makes me sick and that's the reason I completely avoid them. I have seen my friends, who are so much dependent on a maid. If one day the maid doesn't come, then  they become completely helpless. But, that's not the same with me. My mom who use to teach me little household work, has made me so much self reliant, that today I am proud to say that I am able to manage both work and house at the same time, effortlessly without taking any bodies help.

My Mother is a single mom. But, despite of all the difficulties that she had faced while bringing me up, she has taught me the right lessons at the right time and have helped me grow as a person. Whatever I am today I owe it to her. 

This post is written for Indiblogger Happy Hour Contest - HDFC Life. 

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The Sunset Outside The Cubicle...

Mihir hurried to his house from the office one evening. He had a meeting with one of the major clients, within an hour. And, he had forgotten some of the important documents, at his home, which were required for the meeting.

He quickly took his car and drove towards his house, wondering, how could he be so careless to forget the file at home. To him, work had always been his highest priority. Almost every weekend of Mihir was spent in the office. Working extra hours every day was like a ritual for him. People called him Workaholic and commented, that more than half of his life is spent inside the four walls of his cubicle. Not that it bothered him. When questioned, he used to reply, that finishing off the pending work at the office is better than staying alone at home. His dedication and smartness had fetched him a good position in a multinational company at a young age. Though he was successful, he never let success get to his head and remained down to the earth, with a positive attitude. He was a favorite among his juniors, as his friendly nature made them feel comfortable, when he was around. Seniors too counted on him as he was equally available to them, whenever any major issue raised. Office politics, never bothered him, because he did not require any of it, to prove his abilities. His life revolved only around his office and work. In short, Mihir, was a pure soul who spread a positive vibe wherever he went. But, despite of having everything, there was an unfathomable void in his heart. Nobody knew the real Mihir, behind his smiling face. 

After 15 minutes of driving, Mihir reached his apartment and entered the lift. He pressed the 20th floor button. The lift was painfully slow and stopped on every alternate floor to pick and drop the passengers. He checked his watch for at least 30 times before the lift finally halted, at the 20th floor. He pulled out the house keys from his pocket and opened the door of his house. His eyes subconsciously moved to the table where the documents were kept. Running towards the table, in a hurry, he picked the documents. As he turned around to leave back to the office, he felt a cold breeze swipe his face, from the wide open windows, which he had again forgotten to close this morning, while in a hurry to reach office. He walked towards the window to close it and then, something caught his attention. He stood there dumbfounded and a word slipped out from his mouth, "'Incredible". A smile widened his lips just as it had happened a year ago. He had witnessed the same breathtaking view of the sunset, once again.

The sunset and the soothing breeze carried him away, along with it. The pages of the memories began unfolding and took him to the day, when, one of his biggest dream had come true. The day when he had purchased his dream home. The same day, when he had felt, that he had really achieved something in his life.

He remembered the every detail of that day, which seemed as if just yesterday. It was this same sunset view from the window, which made him fall in love with this house an year ago. He remembered how he had ignored the flaws of the house just for this view, thinking that he would be spending every evening of his day, watching the breathtaking sunset.

When he looked back to the file in his hands, his mind slowly drifted towards his office again. He visualized himself working in the cubicle. Every evening, which were planned to see the sunset, were spent in between the four walls of his cubicle. The very reason for buying the house was no more now, as he was seeing the sunset, after a year. It was as if he went to his house just to sleep, and left early morning in a hurry, to reach office again. This made him realize, that the sunset was not the only thing, that was missing in his life. There were so many other things, which once were very dear to him and now he had completely forgotten about them. Mihir, who had found happiness in little things was no more now. He suddenly missed that old Mihir.

A phone call dragged him back from his trance. It was a call from his office. He looked at his cell phone and looked back to the sunset. But, this time he knew what to do. He knew the meeting was not going to stop, just for one person, not attending it. He disconnected the call and switched off his cell phone. He felt as if the sunset was healing him from within. It was a sheer magic, he was experiencing. He kept looking at it, until the sun was completely set and the first stars made their appearance. After that, he left his house and went for a walk.

On his way, he saw a group of friends hanging out. He could not remember when he had last spent a quality time with his friends. There was a time when no evening would be complete without meeting his friends, and there he was today, walking all alone on the streets, lost in his own thoughts. A few steps ahead took Mihir to a place where he found a chaat stall. He remembered how much he loved eating chaat, but, again could not remember when was the last time he had it. He took a plate of shev puri and sat on a bench in a nearby park, where his eyes fell on a young couple. He missed Revathi. He sighed! And reminded himself, that she was long gone.

He began walking again, while a train of thoughts was running in his mind. He wondered, if this was all he wanted? What had he really achieved in life, after dedicating his most of the time in his office? While running behind the bigger things, Mihir had forgotten, that to him, happiness had always been in smaller things.

However, he knew tomorrow would be the same day as every day. Once again, the same work routine was going to start. He knew, he had reached too far, from where turning back to the normal life, was impossible.

Lost in his own thoughts, he reached back to his apartment. As the lift halted on the 20th floor, he saw some house shifting work was in progress in his neighboring flat. A tired professionally dressed man was on a phone call, whom Mihir assumed to be his new neighbor.

He overheard that man talking on the phone,"The sunset view from the window is just amazing. I am going to spend every evening, seeing the sunset".

Mihir smiled...

Be My Valentine For The Lifetime...

Two years had gone by since I first saw him. Today, when I look back, these two years seem just like a moment to me. And sometimes they seem like a millennium. I am not aware if he knows what I exactly feel for him. If only he had looked in my eyes, he could have known the depth of my love. But, alas, that day is yet to come. Even after two long years, when I see him, I can sense the same cyclone within me, as it was on that day.

How could I forget that day? It was the first day in my office. Uncomfortable, confused among the strangers around, I was sitting in a cafeteria, during the lunch break. After an uneasy first half in the office, I was feeling strange to look at the people around me. Everyone was busy in their world with their own group of friends. Nobody was bothered about the girl who was sitting alone, not understanding what to do next. I sometimes offered a smile to some of the known faces, whom I had met in the first half of the day, in the office. But, got no response for my smile as well. I opened my lunch box and closed my eyes for a short prayer, that I usually do before having my food. As I opened my eyes after the prayer, I saw a guy sitting in front and starring in an amusement towards me. Not understanding how to react, I just smiled and greeted with a formal, Hello.

He came out of his trance like state and had spoken in a masculine voice, "There is no table vacant here. I hope you don't mind sharing this table with me".

"I don't mind", I had whispered with a smile.

My observant nature, did not stop me from noticing him. In his blue formal shirt he looked out of the world. He was unique amongst all, and so was alone. People generally find it hard to understand such unique personalities and make their own judgment about such people, without even knowing them, and thus they are left all alone. Not that such unique people would need anyone to pollute their own cocoon in which, they keep themselves enclosed.

He carried on with his lunch without even looking at me. A strange attraction drew me towards him. For the very first time I was feeling all nervous and happy at the same time. And then, he suddenly looked at me. Our eyes met and my heart skipped a beat. He had finished with his lunch. Greeting me bye in his mesmerizing voice, he left.

Later, on that day itself, I was introduced to him by one of my team mates. "Meet Aakash, one of the smartest designer in our office", he had said. From that day onwards, I made reasons and took my lunch break along with him. We would share the table at lunch time and slowly I realized he started liking my company. I could sense his comfort level increasing with each passing day. We became quite close and loved spending time with each other. Even after two years we were the same.

Last week, when we had been out for a lunch he had stopped near a toy shop and showed me how much he loved one of the remote control car. The kid like a spark in his eyes was evident for his liking of the remote control toy. For next couple of hours he kept explaining me about the specifications of the car. An idea popped in my mind. Next week will be the valentines day and I was thinking of the ways to propose him on this day. Yes, gone are the days when only the guy would propose. I had made my mind not to wait any more and let him know my feelings before it's too late.

The day had come and as expected everyone left office early, to celebrate the day with their loved one. Now only we both were left working. I had bought the toy car which he had shown me in the previous week. I decorated a small note, and pasted on the car top.

As he was engrossed in his work, I slowly sent the car towards him, with the help of remote control, and stopped near his desk. With a surprising expression he took the car in his hand and read out the note loudly, which said,

 'WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE FOR THE LIFETIME!!!'

He looked around and saw me. A soothing smile spread across his face and he said, "Yes! Of course, for the lifetime."

And we hugged...

This post is written for the Indiblogger Happy Hour Contest - Cupid Games 2015