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!

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...

Bitter truth cures every pain...

Finally, the day had come. It was the most important day of my life. I was meeting him for the first time. The boundaries of long distance relationship were no more in between us. All I knew was, Aniket, my love of life, had flew down all the way from London, just to meet me. There are no words in the dictionary which could explain my feelings. One moment, I was excited and the other, I was nervous. Though we spoke everyday on Skype, meeting for the first time, face to face, of course was completely different. I was waiting in a Coffee shop for him. The butterflies in my stomach knew no limits that day. My old habit of not wearing a wrist watch, made me check my cell phone for the 150th time, to check the time. I silently cursed myself for reaching the place half an hour before the decided time. It was still 15 minutes to go, and every passing second, seemed like an hour to me. 

And then, finally that moment arrived, when my heart literally forgot how to beat. There he was, walking towards me, in his charming smile. He was in white T-shirt and the blue jeans. He smiled and greeted me with a formal Hello and took his seat. His body language could make anyone guess, that his condition was no less then that of mine. His manly cologne, took my breath away. All I could do was to look at him and smile sheepishly. I observed his facial features for the first time and felt how much boyish he looked. "Skype is such a liar", I thought.

He drew a small box from his bag and handed it over to me. Only silence was talking in between us. I opened it carefully. It was a wrist watch. A beautiful one. I looked at him and he smiled once again, driving me crazy. This was his first gift. And the first sign of our love. After having a coffee he dropped me to my home. Though very less words were exchanged in between us, our entire life was curled in those two hours, we spent in a Coffee shop. 

As soon as I reached home, I got a call from him. We talked for 3 hours continuously. I told him how much I liked the gift and he told me his feelings of meeting me for the first time. At one moment, we realized how comfortable we were talking on phone, then face to face. "Ah! these long distance relationships" we both uttered at once and began laughing. We both promised to spend more time  the next day. He asked me to wear the watch on our next date.

I woke up early morning and wore a best dress of mine. My new watch increased the elegance of my dress. I left my house quickly to the same coffee-shop. While waiting in the coffee shop, I took out my cell phone to check the time, out of an old habit. I patted my head, remembering that I can check the time on my new watch now; only to see my watch was missing. Sudden panic gripped me. Even before I could react, Aniket was sitting next to me. Looking at my panicked face he inquired what was wrong. I lied to him saying that my health was not good and I have to get back home. After all, I had to go back home, and search for my missing watch. He was worried now. I told him I have medicine at home which will make me feel better. He dropped me to the house quickly.

I searched for the watch everywhere at home. But, could not find it. After that day, every time I met Aniket, he questioned me if I did not like the watch, as I never wore it. Thinking that my truth would break his heart, I created a new lie every time, and told him how I forgot to wear it. My lie was hurting me more and more, with the every passing day.

Aniket met my parents as well. They liked him. It was his last day in India as his vacations were over.
He promised me to be back the very next month. I was feeling like dying inside due to the lie I was carrying on my shoulders. I finally made my mind to tell him the truth. And with all the courage I finally told him, that I have lost his first gift. To my surprise he smiled and said there was nothing to worry about it and it is absolutely fine.

Speaking out the truth was so simple. I was feeling liberated. I took out my bag to get my house keys. I was not finding it. I searched my bag once again. To my surprise, I found a hole in my bag. The inner cloth of my bag was torn a bit. Shockingly, there were my keys in that torn hole along with the wrist watch.

Aniket laughed at the top of his voice...

Please do watch the video.

This post is written for Kinley Indiblogger Contest.

Life at 418th floor...

The Sun had set and the first stars made their appearance. Richa has always loved this time of the day. She welcomed every evening with her mobile phone, in her balcony till the dark night hovered over the city. The 'Sunshine Towers' her apartment name was promptly displayed as her location, on her phone. From her 18th floor, the city looked beautiful. What more fascinated her was looking at the tiny lights from the vehicles, marching on the busy road. At least that was the time when she could find a little movement in her dull, lonely day. The loneliness in her life was slowly taking a toll on her. She remembered every second of that fateful day even today. 

"Don't be a crazy. Only some supernatural power could make it possible", Richa had cried.

Abhay, her scientist husband, involved in his research from past 10 years, in making a time machine, but ultimately, just became a joke among his peers, has finally decided to move to an unapproachable place. A place where he could completely focus on his research work and one day succeed. 

Abhay had politely told, "What people think as supernatural today, technology can turn all that into reality tomorrow. Just the matter of few days and I will be back".

The days turned into months and months into years. But, there was no sign of Abhay's return, even after 5 long years. 

A sudden door bell, dragged Richa out from her thoughts, back to the reality. She opened the door to find none but a gift packed in a colorful paper. She picked it with curiosity and the note read 'FROM ABHAY'.  

Richa could not believe her eyes. Her heart beat raised and she fell cold. She closed the door and frantically opened the box. It was an ASUS mobile phone. As soon as she switched it on, it displayed a message, 'Press OK to meet Abhay'. Without a second thought, she pressed the OK button. In a moment, she could visualize everything change around her, quickly but surely. The furniture, the wall, the paint, the electronic gadgets everything changed into something she had never seen before. All she could do was to stand dumbfounded, looking at the mobile phone in her hand, not understanding what to do next. The date in her phone indicated 25th July 2114.

She suddenly remembered the balcony where she was standing a few minutes back. She ran there to have a look. The view from the balcony, finally made her sink into the reality.

She could no more view those tiny lights from the vehicles, as the vehicle passed through the multiple tubes like structures, which have replaced the roads. The strange tall buildings everywhere around left her in awe. The giant solar power generator stood proudly in front of her eyes, which screamed that it provided electricity to the entire city. To look at the clouds she peeped down from her balcony. Just then her cell phone beeped a warning message. "You are on the 418th floor of Sunshine Towers. Your 2 minutes in the balcony are over. Please get inside or press 'O' to create an oxygen bubble around you". She got inside her house not wanting to experiment anymore.

Richa started to explore the other rooms of the house expecting to find Abhay there. But, was disappointed to see no sign of him anywhere.  It was getting dark, so she searched for a switch board to switch on the lights. To her surprise,  there was no single switch board in the entire house. She guessed that her mobile phone might help her in switching on the lights. So, she started to explore the other functions in her phone. She found a button 'home' on her mobile and pressed it.  The wings like pop out screens popped out from both the sides of her phone. One screen indicated all the electrical and electronic equipment names and other displayed the options for environmental control. She clicked on lights option on the 'home controls' screen and her house was illuminated with lights. This excited her to try out something more.

It was cold there, so she chose an option to increase the temperature of the room. Some clicks on the required buttons and her room temperature was increased as per her need. Richa then thought of trying something from 'environmental controls' screen. So she clicked on a wind option, which allowed her to enjoy a mild wind that softly caressed her face and gave her a very soothing feeling.  

She sat down on a chair, dumbstruck by the phone created by her husband. After all, she could do so many miracles using her phone, which nobody could have done or seen back then in the year 2014. 

Abhay's words resonated in her mind, "What people think as supernatural today, technology can turn all that into reality tomorrow". The door bell once again dragged her back from her thoughts. Simultaneously, her phone also beeped. She looked at her phone screen which displayed Abhay's image standing outside the door. A message blinked "Press 'U' to unlock the door".

Richa smiled...





This post is written for the Indiblogger contest ASUS, In Search of Incredible 

Image Credits : Mobile images designed by my husband, Deepak.

A Nightmare? Or a Serial Fever ?

The house was flooded with the guests. All my close relatives were busy in my marriage arrangements. I was on cloud nine as my dream was finally coming true. My wedding Saree, the traditional South Indian jewellery everything was set and I was almost ready to be dressed and walk as a most beautiful bride.  

Suddenly I sensed there was something wrong. My Mom and my aunt were discussing something seriously. I went close to them to know what was the matter. I heard them talking that the groom's family had rejected for the marriage. This matter did not shock me. As I was sure that even if his family had went against me in this very last moment, he will be there to support me and will find out some solution to this. I had so much of trust in him that I was sure he will come in few minutes and the marriage ceremony will go on as planned. 

It was then my eyes fell on the marriage invitation card. But, whose name have these people printed on this? There wasn't his name on the card. That means my parents already knew of all this and have fixed my marriage with someone else.This scared me like hell. The only thing that came in my mind at this moment is to call him and hear that everything was alright and he would be coming soon. I just wanted to listen that he love me. 

I went upstairs and called him. He received. I was still sure that he is not going to hurt me in any ways. The trust level was so high. 

I asked " Have you got ready for the marriage?" 

"No" he replied.

"So you want to marry me no?" I questioned.

"No I don't want to marry you" he said in a harsh tone.

I could not believe my ears. A chill ran down my spine. I was sweating profusely. Completely unaware of what went wrong all of a sudden I began to sob uncontrollably. The sweet memories spent with him were swirling in my mind. There was not even one such bad moment I could recall which could make him take such a cruel decision.

I somehow composed myself and went back to my dressing room. The last moment arrangements were still going on as if everything was normal. I thought that it was better to live everything on fate now. I did not want to hurt my mother even more by creating a scene. Being a single mother, she had done a lot of sacrifices while growing me up. So, at least now it was my duty to give her little happiness by all the possible ways that I could.  

I asked my aunt "What is the guys name to whom I am going to get married"?

Earlier when I had seen his name in the invitation card, my mind could not grasp it due to the adrenaline rush.

My aunt said "His name is Sarvagun".

Forget about seeing the guy, I had not even heard this name in my lifetime. Even the mere thought of spending my life with some stranger about whom I did not know even a little, gave me shiver. I heard someone speaking in the distance that the groom works for export and import company. Now the only thing I knew about my to-be-husband was that his name and his profession. Tears flowed down my cheeks again.

I missed him. Once again every moment spent with him played in front of my eyes. I cursed my fate. There was a strange sense of fear of loosing him for ever. I was trembling as the sweat slowly trickled down my forehead.

And then....

I heard a strong masculine voice shaking me "Wake up Sonia its 8. Even today you will be late to work ". I got up with a start and saw my husband lying next to me. A sense of relief embraced me. I thanked god that it was just a dream. I hugged him tight as I will never let him go. He asked what happened to me. I told him about my dream. He laughed and hugged me tight.

We might not realize the depth of our love for someone in day to day life. So, sometimes a nightmare is needed to know how much we love them. 

I have completed one year of my arranged marriage this month and now even the mere dream of going away from my husband has shaken me to my soul. My husband kept making fun of my dream all day long. I am watching a lot of serials (daily soaps) these days. I strongly feel my dream could be a good masala for a daily soap episode. :-P