1998 - the year of mushroom cut and, a lot of blah!

It was the year 1998. I was in my eighth grade. And, one fine day I had this strong urge to get a hair cut. This is how the episode went:

Me: Mom, I need a haircut!

Mom: Why?? For what joy of life, do you need one?? (examining my long wavy curls that touched a few inches lower than my shoulder.

Me: For every joy of life, I need a haircut this time!

Mom: NO means NO!

Me: Please! I am not going to shave my head or something! I need to get my hair trimmed. That is it! And believe me, I will be a changed soul. My academics will improve and you will be surprised!

Mom: What??? You mean to say it is your long hair that is not allowing you to study regularly?? Why don’t you share your out-of-science explanations with your dad?? Am sure, he will be ‘pleased’!

Me: Puhleeassseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…………………

Mom(looking at my puppy face): Until he says yes, am not financing the hair cut!

Me: Please, you may tell him after he sees me in the new haircut which is nothing but trimming the hair ends. Literally, there is not going to be any difference between the old ‘me’ and the new ‘me’!

Mom: Ok! But promise me you won’t cut it short! Just trimming, that is it!

Me: Deal!

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At the parlour,

Me: I need to trim my hair.

Lady: it will be 150 rupees. You will have to wait for a while. Until then, have a seat. You can find some magazines here. 

Me: (never been to a parlour before all by self and thinking..150 is more or less?)uuhh…ohh… ok…!!

Did I mention, this was the first time I visited a parlour and the second time in my life when I was going for a hair cut (my first time was in first grade). I loved everything about this parlour. The Buddha statues, the long incense sticks, the wafting spells of wonderfully aromatic shampoos, conditioners, creams and what not. Although I was aware of the beauty tips and tricks at an early age, I was introduced to the techniques of shaping and trimming of eyebrows, waxing, facials and clean ups only a year before I graduated from college. Yes, that is the truth. Ok, I am digressing. So, I was sitting in the parlour when I saw this 30 something lady with long flowing tresses sitting on the chair and describing to the hair dresser, the kind of hair cut she wanted. 'Mushroom' is the word I heard. A few minutes later, the scissors and the rattail comb made way into her dark dense head as chunks of thick tresses covered the smooth mosaic floor. Not that I was a fan of long hair (I hate it really) but, I could not believe this lady was getting rid of such beautiful silken hair. Well, not my business. So, I continued to stare at the way the hairdresser was working with her paddle brush, scissors and the multiple combs, all at once. About 15 minutes later after all the ‘blow dry’, ‘blow hot’ and ‘comb inwards’ and ‘comb outwards’ jargons, I saw a new face. The lady looked younger with her head appearing smaller than before and her forehead was partially hidden by the silky short hair falling across her face and the glow that came to her face when she viewed how a haircut elevated her look, was too conspicuous to miss. The lady gestured to me asking how it looked and I, already awed by the hair cut heard myself saying loud, “I am getting that cut too!”

The hair dresser looked at me with a funny expression and said, “Maybe, you should just trim your hair. You have quite dense and curly hair and a mushroom cut is preferable for women with straight hair”. 

For a 13 year old me, that was an insult! I made it clear that I wanted a mushroom cut for three reasons:

1. I hate long hair
2. I don’t have to make double plaits!
3. And, I care two hoots about how I look thereafter.

Maybe, I was a tad too fast in mentioning the third reason, which kind of slipped from my tongue before my mind could act. And that was it! After shelling out double the amount (mom had given me more so that I could save the rest and put it in piggy bank), and on my way home with exactly 10 bucks, I felt light, nervous, relieved and adventurous all at the same time. However all my dreams of tossing my head like Demi Moore or Meg Ryan disappeared into thin air, the moment I saw mom chatting away with N aunty. With great deliberation, I made a move towards the gate, when my mom called out, “yes?? Kisse milna hai?” For a minute, I thought she was joking! I blinked at her and she blinked at me back! Maybe I should have checked myself in the mirror for a second time before I paid and left, as I did not much recollect, how I looked! I said, “Mom! It is me!”. Her eyebrows knitted and she opened her mouth to say something and there, I heard a car honk outside the gate. Dad was back.

I have little to share about how the later part of that day’s evening went as I was greeted with a stone cold silence each time I tried saying something. The next day, when I boarded my school jeep, Saeed Uncle (our driver) looked at me and asked, "Ye kya kar diya aapne baalon ka? Tabiyat to theek hai na!". Well, i knew the day at school was going to be worse. I was teased, praised, petted and trolled, with the following comments of kinds:

A (One of my arch rivals): haaaaahhaaaa…..humare class me new admission hai! And wait, it is a boy!

B(another boy): WoW! You look like Indira Gandhi….only those whites near the temple are missing…..

C (girl): not bad! You look different!

D (girl): Hey, you are good in studies. You participate in everything, the school knows you. What made you do such a thing?

E (girl): You are looking damn cute! Looks like you are wearing an inverted basket!

Well, not one in my class agreed with the other on how I looked. For some, I looked like Indira Gandhi. For some, I was a clown. For some, I suddenly became a weirdo. For some, I looked disturbed and for some, I looked confused. I was hurt. And, I would be lying if I said I was prepared for the kind of attention I drew from juniors, seniors, teachers and the principal too. The amount of speculation on why I opted for a mushroom cut seemed more interesting to discuss rather than how I looked in it. It was only after Sis Molly (our School Principal) summoned me later in the office and asked, “Whatever happened to your hair? I loved those dark curly hair of yours! Why, Narayani, Why?”, the tears almost welled up. But then, I am my father’s daughter and humour came to me more easily than tears! I just quipped, “Well, hair grows back always. Doesn't it?”

On a lighter note, I was the star studded subject of the school that day right from the gossip sessions among the ayhas, and then in the classrooms, staff rooms et al. Not even teen romance would have been discussed with such alacrity as much as my mushroom hair cut was! I was relieved when that day ended. The days that followed in the week were tolerable. My parents soon accepted my new avatar after I promised them that I was never going to experiment with my hair without a proper supervision. That said, I did not have a haircut until the beginning of 2007, when I joined Cognizant.

So much for a haircut that goes by the name – Mushroom! DUH!

P.S: Well, there are a couple of things I learnt:

1. What looks good on someone else may not necessarily suit you. Most of the times, it will not!
2. Always listen to mom!

Even if you forget the first point, no problem. But don't forget the second, or else the world will have every reason to laugh!!

The fifth!! ~ From a Nomad's Diary

It just feels like yesterday when I saw this tall dark handsome guy leaning against his Splendor outside Hotel Ramakrishna, Pune. He was checking into his phone and momentarily, looked up. His aviators made it difficult for me to know whether he was actually looking at me or at anyone but me. He had worn a tiger striped sweatshirt and jeans. Although, I never knew whether I had fallen for him in that first fleeting glance but, in the days to follow, I knew for a fact that, that day was the game changer in my destiny!!

That was the day. 29th Feb'2008. 7 years have passed by, which includes five years of marital bliss with the man in aviators. A friendship that happened out of the blue, a relationship that culminated into marriage with the blessings of the Gods and a marriage that got two soul mates and their families together, has ever since made me an incurable optimist. Ironically before I met my husband, I was not even keen on getting married or settling down. And after all these years now, I know for a fact, that everything happens for a reason. 

And, I can never thank the Almighty enough to have given me a life partner who has stood by me through thick and thin and continues to support me in all ways possible.

The song for my beloved would always be the same!!

P.S: (How we both met will follow in the posts later)

My first stint as a teacher..... ~ From a nomad's diary

About four years back, had I been asked about a list of careers I would never step into, teaching would have topped the list. However, in retrospect, I am not sure if I was actually averse to teaching or, if my fears of facing a class were a mere manifestation of my thoughts gone wild. That said, there have been umpteen times when I had assumed (or to say, almost decided) that certain things were not just meant for me…and then, destiny would surprise me, when I least expected to be. Needless to say, some were pleasant and some made me a tougher person with the attitude, “Bring it on!, I say”. But, when I jumped in for a nursery teachers training within our establishment this year out of a sudden impulse (seriously, it was one impulsive moment though later I explained myself that I needed it), I noticed my husband’s unreadable expression that hid a streak of surprise element (very typical of him with his eyes staring into a blank space with raised brows whenever he is startled by my decisions). Of course, he was happy yet, was contemplating on my spontaneous decisions that spring out of nowhere. (He is still getting used to my unpredictable effervescent Sagittarian traits!) 

Now, going by my career graph, people might end up calling me weird! I am a software engineer who at one time, was busy 'performance testing' banking applications for banks like Llyods and Credit-Suisse. Then, I switched to content writing post marriage, purely out of choice. And, then I have been a home maker for a while now. Believe me folks, being a home maker is no child's play! (And then, whoever said child's play was easy?) Intermittently, I have conducted events here and there out of sheer interest. So, I have dabbled in unknown waters out of a thrill and somehow, have managed to stay afloat albeit the uncertainties every field posed. And then a week back, when the principal of my son’s school called me up and asked me if I could pitch in for a week as a substitute for a teacher on leave, I knew. A long lost opportunity had come knocking at my door. Surprisingly, I had applied for a job in the same school (again out of an whim) about an year back and for some reason, destiny had stalled my desire then. Now, I knew why. Things happen for a reason. And, things happen for a reason all the time!

Now it is here, I would like to mention how blissfully unaware I was about how unconditionally my heart brims with love at the sight of little children, until the time my son was born. And I felt that even more when I joined my son’s school as a substitute for a teacher who had gone on leave. I was in jitters on the first day for two reasons:

• I had no prior experience with pre primary children as a teacher, let alone the primary or secondary ones.
• The only child I have attempted to tutor is my son, who most of the times growls at the teacher in me..

However, on 13^th November, when I entered my class of thirty odd children within 5 years of age, I surprised myself as I heard myself wishing them a very good morning, which was in turn was reciprocated with a harmonious and unanimous “Good Morning Teacher!!”. All my apprehensions disappeared the minute I found myself taking charge of the class. That was my AHA moment when I realized, I connected well with children. I connected deeply with them.

Maybe, I reveled when children come over and say, “Ma’am, you are beautiful!!”.

Maybe, I am inexorably elated to see them making tiny crafts of origami for me just to get that token of appreciation.

Maybe, I relish the naughtiness in them, when they incessantly drive me crazy with their, “May I drink water??”, or “May I go to toilet?” drones.

Maybe, I love to play the mother figure to all of them, apprehending them when they come over to me, complaining about each other.

Maybe, I adore those intense looks on their faces when they come over to me and offer a share from their lunch box during lunch hours.

Maybe, I just am reliving my childhood with them.

The one week I spent in my son’s school, my mind felt like a Duracell battery though physically I was drained. In class, I talked to them a lot and when home, I never ceased relishing my conversations with them over and over again. Sometimes, hubby had to remind me of the number of times I repeated any particular incident to him. But most importantly, I felt an unconditional love in them, when they took my instructions seriously. The reward was, when one of the parents came over and said, "Ma'am, my daughter has been talking about you all the time. And, she practices her work the way you have taught her, to the teeth!!" What more could I ask for?

Now, that we shall be soon moving to some new place, I am drowned in memories from this place. I shall miss this place and I shall miss my children too. And, as I had expressed a desire to teach under privileged children in my previous post, I hope I can do it someday. That said, I hope to have found my calling. So,

10 things I want to do in life ~ My bucket list

1. I would want to go on a world tour and visit the finest farms on earth, eat freshly baked loaf with the best cheese and herbs and maybe, make some fresh hand picked mushroom pasta and some nice comforting pizza (Yeah, David Rocco, you charm me with that smile and Maeve 'O'Meara, I envy you when you close your eyes, take a whiff of that smoky aroma and moan as you slide a spoonful of baba ghanoush into your mouth!) 
2. I want to meet Amitabh Bhachan at least once and shake hands with the big man. (I so love his voice and so does my son.)
3. I want to hitchhike through out the country with hubby and son and visit some of the best highway diners and then write some reviews on them. (Rocky and Mayur, you are free to join us :P)
4. I want to visit Leh with hubby and son and sit by the icy chilled waters amidst the backdrop of snowcapped mountains, mild sun rays and floating clouds.
5. That said, it is my dream to go on an African Safari with family and see the wild creations of nature at their best. (all three of us are NatGeo Addicts)
6. And the other places I would love to visit abroad would be, New Zealand, Australia and Greece.
7. In distant future, I would love to own a small apartment in a quiet corner of a city, where large gulmohar trees camouflage my home and from where, I can hear the holy chants from some temple nearby.
8. And in my apartment, I shall have my own library (my space), a place where I can de-clutter and learn.
9. Some day, I would love to teach under privileged children and help them realize their potential.
10. I hope to write a good book in future, a book that shall inspire people. 

That is all for now! Shall update the list as and when my wishlist increases.

Remembering the teachers and 15th August ~ From a Nomad's diary

Going by the title, there might be confusion if I have confused 15^th August with 5^th September. I have not. Do I remember that this is this day our country earned its independence from the British that once ruled the world? I do! Then, why am I remembering my teachers on this day? Why should I not?

Circa 1997: 

The four houses, Red, Blue, Yellow and Green were full of students dressed appropriately as per the vibrant colors in the central ground of Queen of Angels' Convent, Bharuch. There was a drill master and his band of students from all the four houses who held their position near the stage. There were prefects representing each house flag leading with the vice prefects, the whole house of students standing in attention. The vice prefect of the Red House looked at her house flag and reveled in the magnificent color of her flag. But then, her eyes fell on a piece of tied cloth that rose even above her house flag along the central pole of the ground, high up to the sky as it seemed. The moment the cloth reached the top of the pole, it was untied and it revealed its majesty as the saffron, white, the green and the blue blinded her eyes with the rose petals that fell all over. The national anthem had started. The national flag had been hoisted. The feeling was priceless.

Present day:

As I so remember the march pasts, the drills and the variety of musical and folk programs preceded by the hoisting of our beautiful tricolor with Jana Gana Mana being sung with absolute patriotic fervor, this day for many reasons brings a smile on my face, as I reminisce my school days fondly. We had zero periods back then, to practice for the events to be conducted on this day. The practice sessions would start as early as a month in advance. Those days, we quite managed to strike an amazing balance between our academics and extra curricular, despite the fact, we juggled! It feels, as students, we always had a purpose, a goal, an aim to achieve something. Do I sound nostalgic?? Quite!!

For the past two weeks, I have observed the practices going on for this big day in my son’s school. The recitations, the elocutions, the dance and the songs rehearsals, the drills and what not, have every participating child’s face glowing with a verve to perform. It feels amazing to watch the children participate and even more, when the teachers walk that extra mile to infuse the interest in the children, to contribute to an event. To involve oneself, to make a team work and then taking the show on the floor, is one hell of a task for both a teacher and a student. But the best part is, both discover a lot in each other and in themselves, when a teacher and a student work as a team. Which is why, this day holds a very special place in my heart for all the teachers. Not that, I don’t remember that 5^th September is a teacher’s day, but I feel the real tribute to our teachers comes alive when we listen to them and surprise them with implementing what they teach us in our lives, despite the numerous instances where teachers feel unsure about being comprehended by their students! 15^th August is one such day!

This day brings a feeling of unity in students despite the diversities that they spring from. This day helps every student understand the freedom to express and excel in untold ways sans any inhibitions whatsoever. This day rather strengthens a teacher and a student’s bond as the events they work together turn out into successful and memorable ones. 15^th August may be a day we earned our independence. But for me, this and every such day that brings a teacher and a student together, is a day that helps a child become independent from the shackles of unexpressed insecurities and complexes and makes him step out on the stage to unveil his talents. That is what independence in the true sense is, for a student and the teacher!

So, A Happy independence to each one of you!!

Cheers & God bless...!!

HIM, HER AND THE DISTANCE - COURTSHIP CHRONICLES III~ From a Nomad's diary

As she sat there, silently chipping away her choco chips from the vanilla waffle, he reveled in her presence. They had not had a single conversation without an argument, ever since they met. Yet, he loved being around her, talking to her and yet, fighting with her. There was a spark in her brown eyes when she spoke about herself, her parents, her childhood, her friends, her hostel life et al. None of it mattered to him, as long as she kept talking to him. Sometimes, she would dose off in their late night banters. Even as he would try to hang up, she would be mumbling in her sleep. Her voice soothed him. He could discuss almost everything with her under the Sun. He had never felt this close to another human in a long time. And then, she looked up to catch his soft glance. 

She (with her mouthful): “So, had dinner??

He: "Hmmm.....well I had a late lunch. So, thought of skipping dinner. Maybe, I will have a bowl of fruits when I get home..."

Of course, he was hungry and thought about asking her to join him at a small restaurant near by, that was named Valentines' Square. And just as he was about to ask her.......................................

She: "You know, the ice cream ain't that bad as I thought! It is good, actually."

He: "Yes, it is! You are suddenly talking sweet! For a change, no jibes, no digs and no potshots!"

She: "Hmm....I have to agree on that, as I do not really have much energy to engage in any futile argument with you."

He: "Then maybe, you should have some more ice cream!!"

She: "No, thanks! I do not take anything sweet in the night. And for the ice cream, it was to give you some company....!! Also, I have to travel, remember?"

He: "Well....well....you did give me company...Now, considering that your bus is usually late, care to join......"

And in that instant, there came a bus honking.....rather blaring!!

She: "Hey! That is my bus! It is on time today! What a pleasant surprise, isn't it?"

He: (Pleasant surprise?? It is a rude shock!)"You said, the bus is usually late! How come it is this early??"

She: "Hey, hey! It is not early....It is on time....which usually is not the case though! OK, then see you maybe next week, if I find you still whiling around in this part of the city!"

He: "Well....so that is it! Here, let me help you with your luggage!"

She: "Not needed....it is just one bag, which the bus is going to carry for the next 9 hours.....So, chill :) And before I forget, thanks for the company and the ice cream....."

He: "Don't forget to call me once you reach home....good night and take care!!"

She: "Sure!"

He found it difficult to let her go in the bus all by herself. He felt like accompanying her home. And as she waved from inside, he felt all alone, all of a sudden. And then, her number flashed on his mobile.....

She:" Hey! ......am just going home for weekend....so don't sulk too much.....will be back in the fighting ring day after tomorrow.....and you see, you cannot get rid of me that easy!!"

He: "yeah, take care!!"

And, he was about to blurt those three magical words that had been driving him crazy but he held restraint. Maybe, this was not the time. But he knew, she was the girl he was going to marry. He did not know, when. He did not know, where. He did not know, how. But he knew that it was to happen. And then, he looked up to the sky, thanked his mother (now his guardian angel) and then, walked to the restaurant - Valentines Square. He was hungry. Despite being the carnivore he was, he stepped into the veg restaurant and took a seat near the garden (the place where she had mentioned she sat usually) and then,

Waiter: Sir, this is our menu card......

He: I know what I want....Two rotis and one palak paneer.

They were her favorite. And now, he would love them too!

HIM, HER AND THE DISTANCE - COURTSHIP CHRONICLES II ~ From a Nomad's diary

She left her home at 9:45 PM sharp, for her stop that was about five minutes from her home. At any other time, her mind would have wandered to the mind tingling aromas of lip smacking scrumptious snacks her mother would have been preparing for her only child. At any other time, she would have called her father and would have told him about her list of things-to-buy from the newly inaugurated Big Bazaar in her hometown. At any other time, she would have been deciding which movies to watch with her mom. But this time, the tall dark handsome image flashed all over in her head. She continued walking, and at the same time smiling to herself....it would be more appropriate to say, she was blushing.....

Dressed in a simple blue kurti and Jeans and with a stroll around her neck, she made her way to the bus stop.  And as she was crossing the road, she saw him standing there, smiling at her. Somehow, the euphoria of seeing him there all of a sudden, slowed her down, stranding her right in the middle of the road. It was just a fraction of a second and her mind drifted to a wonderland of sunny weather, blue tulips, a picnic banquet and just him. And in the nick of time, he pulled her out of the road, as a Tata Sumo zoomed by. She was jolted out of her dreams. It was then; she realized she was dreaming a lot ever since she met him.

He: "Mad girl! You could have got yourself killed!"

She: “Oh really?? That guy would have stopped had you waved at him....you know that!.........

(Some silence)................................................................................................................................

          Ok! Maybe, he may not have.....
          Ok! I owe you thanks!!”

He: ”I do not ask you to thank me. Try to be a little more careful next time. Anyways, care to have an ice cream?? Which flavor do you like??”

She: “Who ever said, I like ice creams?? But you can go ahead and have. Don’t you worry..... Your tummy won’t ache if you sit across me with a cup of ice cream or a candy!!”

He: “You are one of the feistiest females I have come across...I am getting two scoops of vanilla for both of us. And, now I am not asking you. I say, you give me company!! I have rode a long way to see you off!!”

And, they sat at an ice cream parlor, with him placing an order for two Vanillas topped with choco chips! An ice cream?? And she remembered, she had not had her dinner. She wanted to have something salty and here, he was buying her an ice cream! She remembered, she had refused her roommate’s pestering on having dinner with her. Her stomach now growled!! And worse, she hated ice creams!! Sigh!!

HIM, HER AND THE DISTANCE - COURTSHIP CHRONICLES ~ From a Nomad's diary

He: “What time is your bus for home?” 

She: “Why do you ask?”

He: "Do you have to throw a question at me for every question I ask? What time is your bus?"

She: "It should come to my stop at 10:30 PM. usually, it is never on time. By the time, I board the bus; it is always 11:30 PM. And of course, I am curious.....why do have to know all of a sudden??"

He: "What time will you reach your home town?"

She:"hmmm.....maybe around 8 in the morning. But, you haven't answered my question and you are throwing a handful at me!!"

He: "Ok! I will see you off. Be ready at 09:45 PM."

She:  "For what joy? I mean, why? I have already asked my colleague to see me off."

He:  "A good friend, I suppose?"

She: "Yes. But I have called him only because he lives about 10 minutes from here. You will have to ride 15 kms on your bike from the city to see me off, which I guess is terrible, looking at the city traffic!!"

He: "You don’t have to worry about that!!"

Click!

He hung up, annoyed. The time was 9 PM and he was about to have dinner at the mess near his home. Somehow, the appetite had died after the conversation. After fifteen minutes of smoking oblong circles into the nippy night air, he threw the cigarette down, crushed it under his feet and then took his bike and rode off. He was going to see her, for sure.

She was surprised and confused at the same time. It had been more than two months since she knew him. They had met through a common friend and after weeks of cold war, jibes and darting glances, a strange friendship bloomed. They talked almost every day since the day, the first sms of ‘kalai vanakkam’ arrived in her message box. Yes, it was just friendship until this day opened up a new chapter of unspoken love that only soul mates seek in each other. She was overwhelmed. As she sat down to make a call to her parents, his number flashed again.

She: "Hello....."

He: "Listen, I am already half way through. I am coming to seeing you off. Spare your friend off his brotherly duties today."

Click!

And then, he switched off his mobile. He smiled. There was no way she could refuse, now. She sat there, staring at her mobile screen for a long time. After heaving a long sigh, she grinned. Needless to say, ear to ear!

HIM, HER AND THE DISTANCE!! ~ From a Nomad's diary

For a minute, she thought she was flying. There was a brimming exuberance in her, which she thought, was going to burst into sparkles. The man on the other end of the phone had swept her, off her feet with those words! Not a question, not a proposal and definitely, not a request! Those words were an order, “Marry me!” 

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A year later, they were married in a traditional TamBrahm ceremony, where the young dashing man in Olive Green tied the ‘thali’ (mangalsutra) around the neck of his bride, as she looked on, coyly. The day marked her, an army wife.

After two weeks of honeymooning, he was back on duty at some inaccessible station; she was at a new home, in a new neighborhood and with a new job in hand. Most importantly, she was stationed in Pune, a city she knew very well. But despite having supportive in-laws and amicable neighbors, she missed him terribly. At times, she felt lost too. Nonetheless, she immersed herself in her new job as a professional writer, which was to be her shield against her loneliness. 

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Soon, it was two weeks since he had left. And then, he suddenly called, “Hey little munchkin! What have you been up to?” The moment she heard his voice, she thought she would choke. Then, realizing that she was in office, she snapped, “You devil! What took you so long?”

  

Later, the calls came once in six days and lasted for exactly 50 seconds, each time. Gradually, she became an expert in conversing crisply, unlike in the past, when she yapped with him, all night! Then, followed days of uncertainty with no calls from him. 

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The routine continued and it was already past two months. She was home from office, earlier than usual. She thought she had a headache. But it was not merely that. He had called her and said, “Hey won’t be able to come today on leave, as planned. Cancel my flight tickets. Something has come up! Won’t be calling for a week!”  The call ended abruptly without a bye. She had been waiting for this day, for long. She had even applied for leave in the next week. She had gone through all his favorite recipes in the head, deciding what to prepare which day. She had made a list of places to go around, in the three weeks’ vacation he was coming for. 

And then, she rushed out of home feeling breathless as she decided to take a walk in the cacophonous pocket of the city she lived in. And, with all that noise around, she felt deaf. A newly wedded couple walked by, as they held hands together with sweet little nothings transpiring between them. She suddenly felt a lump in her throat and ran back home, in tears. 

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The following week passed slower than usual, with no calls. She never wanted to go back home in evenings. But worse, were those sleepless nights and strange dreams. As she stared blankly at the list of topics to write on, her colleague tugged at her, “Want to check out the big sale in Big Bazaar near your place? Be ready at ten tomorrow!” She mumbled a yes. Girlfriends are soul sisters! Aren't they?

She came back home that evening, washed her face and picked up her marriage album from the drawer and sat down, flipping through it. There she was, in a turquoise Kanchivaram with striking emerald necklace around her neck, and those jhumkas dangling from her ears. Sitting next to her, on that oonjal (a swing for the couple in TamBrahm weddings), was her knight in shining armor. The photos made her smile, blush and cry. She clutched the album tight as she closed her eyes. It was 8 PM..... 

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.....Next day, the door bell rang. It jolted her up from a deep slumber. It was 8 AM. And the first thought was, “Oh God! I am going to be late for office!” But then, she remembered, it was a Sunday. The door bell blared incessantly. “I am going to kill this moron whoever he is!!” And, she froze as she opened the door.....

Her knees felt weak. Her mouth was wide open. And, her eyes welled up! Her ‘bright eyed bushy tailed’ Captain was standing right there, with open arms. She squealed in delight, as he scooped her up and kissed her. A sudden wave of euphoria flowed deep in her veins. She smiled ear to ear as she yelled, “I hate surprises! You nearly killed me!”

Her world became normal again. She felt alive again. And then, slowly it dawned on her that, being the army wife, this was to be her life with many unseen challenges. As, she was making his favorite ‘adrak wali chai’, she heard him screaming, “You naughty lil devil! What have you done to my study room?” And her hands flew to her mouth, “Oh no! I never remembered to tidy up his room, after all!”

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Starting the “garden family” ~ From an nomad's diary

As the suggestions for plants poured in, there was a slight desire in me to get hanging pots. They would add a nice touch to the outward decor of our first floor home. And about the potted plants, I just thought, may be one or two, I shall buy and not more. And until that moment, I was so sure, that I was never going to get inclined to gardening in a frenzy way. Even as I got ready to accompany my mom to the nearest nursery, it was just for her. And boy, I was so wrong!

From Google Images

When I entered the nursery, there was this 'cannot be verbally expressed' feeling that wrapped me in a cocoon of greenery and warmth. The nursery did not have colourful blooms or big plants as I had anticipated. All that greeted our eyes, were saplings of the many regular varieties that this nursery housed. Now, you might wonder what is so appealing about saplings? Well, any living in its nascent stage exudes innocence. And no worldly beauty can surpass that fresh innocence. Most saplings had a few leaves and they were just budding towards their adulthood. In short, they were growing. Healthy and strong.

And then, I asked the guy over the counter, “Which of these blooms all year round?”

Well, the man smiled as he realized that am a first time gardener. He replied, “Not all of them bloom all the time. The line of plants you see on your left are Crotons, which are show plants and the the one that is on your right contains flowers. Most flowers are seasonal. So you can plan your garden family as per season.”

Mom who was still busy studying plants, came up and suggested, "Start with the holy basil – Tulsi."

And that was my first purchase from the nursery. The first day itself brought a sea of change in our home. A freshness had crept in. And Tulsi came home as the first member of my garden family.

Taken from Google Images

(More updates coming your way.....)

This is how gardening “happened” for me ~ From an nomad's diary

I grew up in a home that has a moderately big garden. Although I was never interested in learning  the art of gardening, I sure did enjoy when my mother got new plants and used to arrange them beautifully. Mom's garden is a home to beautiful white, orange, red and pink Ixoras (also known as West Indian Jasmine) that bloom in clutters. Besides that, my mother's garden houses more than a dozen variety of Crotons (a species of non flowering show plants with exotically colored leaves). And there is a cactus corner too. Besides, we have jasmine, pink and white roses, red pink and white hibiscus and many more. The garden also contains a henna plant, banana plant and a coconut tree. We had a lemon, custard apple and a guava tree long back. But then, they were cut down as they were inviting pests like monkeys and parrots who simply created chaos not letting even one fruit in a ripe condition. For someone like mom, who is an ardent plant lover, I have realized over years, that a garden however small or how much ever big, loves you back if it gets love, care and nutrition. And our garden is one living example of my mother’s hard work, love and dedication.

And then, after my school, my college life was spent away from home. I started my career in Pune where there is not much concept of independent houses, let alone big gardens. And even if a few were spotted in the place I lived and worked in, there was no scope to grow a garden. Gardens in city are for those who can afford the luxury of spending time and money alike, for their independent homes. Well, in cities, flats are more popular, attributing to an exploding population, a result of uncontrolled migration of people from villages to cities. So for about a decade, I have not seen much of a garden, in the sense a proper garden. And owing to my little interest, I was never keen on it. But, then all of it changed on this particular year. This particular year has been a roller coaster ride for me, not the least mentioning I have had serious health issues too, from which I have thankfully recovered.

And then the spark came about a couple of weeks ago, when my mother suggested over tea time, 

Mom: “Why don’t you pursue gardening?”

Me: “Mom, I have a terrace in this quarters. How am I even supposed to be growing something here, lest alone a garden? And I know nothing about gardening!”

Mom: "Hey common! There is a small white unused basin on the corner of terrace where you can grow pudina (mint), if you get good mud. And then there are potted plants always! As such plants when grown in pots grow healthier too. And then, I will guide you. Why not give a try, kanna?”

And the above conversation set me off thinking! My family binged on pudina. Instead of buying it costly, why not grow it at home? Why not give it a try, after all? And, so started my tryst with gardening.....

(to be continued.....)

And, it is a happy happy day..... ~ Anniversary special

"And that is how the last three years unfolded....."

 

Anniversaries are special. Anniversaries are ‘THE DAY’. They are those dates in a person’s life that remind a couple of the love and commitment towards each other. And as each anni passes by, the bond grows stronger. It has been three years now for us. And as we complete three years of marital bliss (in husband’s language it is tantamount to peaceful coexistence), it feels amazing as to how this beautiful institution called marriage has churned out the various avatars in us, be it ‘good friends’ or ‘a lovey dovey couple’ or ‘the doting parents’ and not forgetting to mention ‘loving kids’ to our own parents. The journey so far has been great and hope the years ahead continue to give us that happiness and joy. Not forgetting to mention, our egos still battle each other. :P

And on a lighter note, every anniversary has some surprise. For us, it was no light all the night and no water for the most part of the day. Despite all that, we have a reason to smile. Because, fond memories are such that make us happy no matter what. And then our lil devil who defines our life makes our life so blissful and so totally worth living. 

Life is beautiful, is all I can say at the moment.

Cheers & God bless...!!                                                                                                                      

Cast off & disbanded..? ...a sorry tale! ~ Mindfull musings

"Dear readers,

(This post is just a short tale of my life until now, which has been suddenly filled with not so good moments. To be precise, it is a time when I am stranded, and am unsure on how to react.) 

It feels weird but can’t help feeling this eeriness that has suddenly crept into my nerves right now. It feels strange, sad and quite unacceptable. And.....what am I talking about? Well.....have you ever felt neglect, all of a sudden? Have you ever felt abandoned, all of a sudden? Have you ever felt unloved, all of a sudden? I have been feeling all of the above in the past 5 days. Definitely, who does not feel that way when circumstances go awry and time goes bad? I guess, am no different. And now, with no energy to think sanely, I just feel like rewinding time to reminisce a few memories from past to make myself feel better.....

.....I remember having come into this beloved home of mine in 1984. Back then, I was quite an apple in everyone’s eye. I loved crowd a lot and especially kids. Kids have this trait of getting along well very easily. They are so impressionable, amicable and so pure. In fact, I have always been the happiest in their company. And to sum it all, let's say, days of youth are always worth remembering. And back then, I was a beauty. I was definitely a cynosure of people's eyes and have been so for years. Never a day passed, when I was not woken up and greeted a very good morning with a smiling face, or was not put to sleep without a love filled good night. In times to come, I evolved into an urban kind and I definitely had it high flying. As a matter of fact, when you are given so much importance in life, you feel blessed, happy and content. There is nothing more one could ask for. There was always a lot of love and care in this home that made me oblivious to any emotion of the other kind. Even when I fell sick, I was tended to, immediately. Love can work wonders. Sometimes, even while you are sick, love cures half of your ailment. And my body was no exception. It has always responded and still responds to love like magic. For me, just an acknowledgement of my existence and achievement is all I need to live life in full health and with a peace of mind.....

.....But then, something happened. Peace of mind suddenly became a misnomer and here I am giving a piece of mind about what has happened......Around 5 days back, I suddenly fell in a trance.....I felt someone squeeze my throat and then, there was a sound - 'cluck'. After that, everything went blank, though my sub conscious mind was taking a note of whatever was happening. What I felt was a sudden drop in my pulse rate. And in that debilitating state, I still remained oblivious to the cause. What was even more shocking, rather than surprising was, not one soul had come and checked me, as to why I had not gotten up. The sudden shock of abandonment combined with the physical pain was so excruciating that my thinking had reached a dead end. Suddenly no one was bothered, or rather I could not see much around me. Too many cryptic thoughts were taking shape and one of them was chiding me, 'More than 2 decades of your existence in this home, your contribution to this family in their hours of happiness and gloom alike, your sense of companionship in all good and bad times is being repaid with what? Absolute indifference.....?' 

The pain of having to co-exist with friends-turned-strangers is so insanely cruel.....Have the inmates of my beautiful home really forgotten me? Oh God, Please don’t let this be.....”

P.S: The pain stricken narrator of the above post is my 26 inched SONY television that broke down all of a sudden on 26^th October (Dot on the day of Diwali). 

And I felt like giving it a piece of my mind too.....

“Dear Television,

We do miss you a lot. Well, off late we have been availing your services day and night non stop that somewhere down the line, we just took you for granted and failed to take a notice of your already deteriorating health (your Start Button has been giving undue problems for the past 1 year, which my mom had told me time and again not to press too hard). And you know me well. I seem to have this dangerous combo of forgetfulness and compulsive disobedience, that I precisely did what my mother had asked me not to do. And so on the day of Diwali, I pressed your start button so hard, that you just choked until you couldn't blink with that white light of yours! Yes, you did not get up. Or rather, let me put it this way, you have been in a vegetable state for the past 5 days. Now, don't give me that dirty look! I know, I am the culprit but what I did was definitely not an act of deliberation. I can vouch for that. What made me reply to your 'heart-wrenching', 'sympathy-seeking' post, is that I have been going through a lot too, ever since you went comatose! You perhaps, have no idea how much you are being mourned here, and how much I have been reprimanded/taunted/thrown dirty looks at, persistently for making my mother miss that exclusive ‘Solomon papaya’s Pattimandram’ on Sun Tv (on the day of Diwali), the regular Asianet Star Singer programme (on weekdays) and the musical programmes that are aired on DD Podhigai every morning. And there, my dad has already started using my quota time on Internet, saying I have been the cause of his not being updated with his Sensex news on NDTV Profit and that he could have done better with his share market and mutual fund activities, had I not pressed your 'Start' button so hard. And now, if you want to know if I have missed you in any way, I probably would have, had not I been treated with so much of scorn and taunts for making you sick! Of course, someone truly named you an Idiot box.....

But then, I harbor no ill feelings. You definitely have given me great company back in school days, seducing me every now and then with your action packed thriller movies and programmes full of musical karaoke, even in times when board exams loomed over my head as daggers ready to strike. Yet, I have just been kind enough, preferring you to those crappy exams! So, trust me.....you are going to be just fine. As you know, here in Gujarat, shops remain closed for 5 days post Diwali, until La panchami. Tomorrow as all shops will be open for business, your doc man will be en route soon to get you back to your real self. And please stop acting as if you are already dead! You better not be for that matter! Coz, you are being missed a tad too much and you sure will be pampered once you are back! So, till then take a ....." 

Remembering Friendship Day from hostel life ~ College Diaries

11th October ‘2002:

Eight students with different ethnicity, different nature, different habits and different interests: Three Gujaratis, one from Rajasthan, one from UP, one from Bihar, one Maharashtrian, and one South Indian met at AD Patel Institute of Technology, Anand on 11th October ‘2002. Yet they had one thing in common? All of them were home-away, away from their cozy dens of their home towns, away from those comfy family dinners, away from those fun filled family outings, away from mother’s kisses, father’s hugs and sibling tiffs, away from home, sweet home, not forgetting to mention, for the first time! And that common thing cemented their friendship for a lifetime...!!

13th August ‘2011:

A decade has passed. Times changed, people changed and so did I. Today, most of us are married, settled in life, doing worthwhile in life (something we never imagined of doing in those fun filled college-hostel days). But still, what has not changed is the comfort level, the love, the passion for friendship and the feeling of togetherness though each one of us is miles away and some of us haven’t even met each other for more than 3 years!. Yet the bond is going strong! And I would attribute this understanding to our hostel life of 4 years!

Hostel life has helped me comprehend the profound meaning of friendship. In those four roller coaster years of engineering, we all have had those trying yet fun times, times when we fought over the silliest matters, cried over heartbreaks until we laughed, laughed over the poorest of jokes until we cried, indulged in early Sunday morning walks yapping/gossiping/bitching about anything and everything under the Sun, satiated our hungry taste buds by visiting every restaurant in the town and driving those waiters crazy with our orders, invited ghosts for a chit chat by fooling around with the planchet thingy (am not sure if they really came, but we assumed affirmation as we took troubles to call them), annoyed our adorable wardens by claiming to be back on time by 8 PM during our evening outings (night outs were not allowed!) but never kept up our word only to find them fuming ready to welcome us with a lot of dreadful warnings, infuriated every auto walah in town to no bounds by refusing to take 2 autos and deliberately huddling into one (considering we were 8), and then sincerely abiding by the rules of ctrl c + ctrl v when it came to writing journals….aah! Here, not forgetting to mention, we celebrated our first friendship day with friendship bands, a comedy movie, lots of shopping followed by a scrumptious dinner! And what was so special about it? Home-away and hostel-away for first time, felt like those birds freed from a cage. Only that we had to return to our nest before dusk! And yet, nothing could beat that feeling! Nostalgic memories...happy moments...carefree life..when only family that existed in reality for us in that campus was this circle of friendship...!!

And then the day came when this family of eight had to bid adieu to the wonderful 4 years of togetherness, the day we graduated that also marked the day we vacated our hostel. We couldn’t stop staring blankly at the spacious well furnished rooms that contained the most beautiful memories of those best laughs, those worst fights, those one day matches of preparation before exams, late night tea & gossips, tears that were shed on each other’s shoulders, and those giggles over stupidity of each that reverberated still in our ears! Memories are sweet and they are painfully sweet especially when we know that, that particular time window has lapsed and we desperately yearn for them, knowing the fact that no time machine in the world can bring us back those moments again! Yet, I thank my stars and the Almighty for giving me that wonderful phase of life which helped me adjust in all those times later when living away from home became more of a necessity and when a need to be independent which required tremendous patience, tolerance and adjustment was indispensable! Yes, teachings of hostel life are priceless.

P.S: I know am late in wishing a happy friendship day to my friends. However I don't need a special day to remind me of this wonderful relationship as I don't have to be reminded at all. Each day, each one of you is there in my heart and home is where the heart is, isn't it? Love you all...Cheers and God bless...!!

Remembering Father’s day, 19th June ~ Parenthood

P.S:This post is dedicated to my parents, especially my father - my best friend!

19th June : 8.00 AM

Reminiscing cherished moments from past…..

Yesterday as my parents and I were enjoying a windy day, sitting on our lawn, sipping away nice hot ginger tea with a few pieces of bread toast, cherished memories of my childhood ran in front of my eyes. And as I watched this adorable grey haired couple talk about the memories of a lifetime, my eyes blurred and I suddenly found myself taken back to a different time in a different world…..!

I could see a girl barely 3 years old getting ready for her school. Her eyebrows were knitted into a valley with those brown eyes beneath them filled with defiance. Looked like she was not ready for the moments that awaited her some time from then. Her mother packed her tiffin, while her father bent down to tie her shoe lace. And once ready, with a handkerchief pinned to the left of her checkered red colored uniform, with her tiny bag packed and dangling in her father’s arm and with her mother holding her favorite water bottle, she took her first baby steps, venturing out into a world she did not know. And the trio reached a building. There she could see many like her, all tiny tots waiting outside with their parents. Suddenly she heard a bell ringing and her brown eyes widened and her ears alerted! She looked around, and the atmosphere was chaotic. A woman dressed in a habit with a cross hanging down from her neck, came out from a room, arranged all the tots in a line and made them march towards a tiny room. Suddenly the firm secure grip on her tiny hands loosened. And now, as she saw the woman pulling her hands away from her parents, the child’s eyes mirrored fear, fear of being deserted all of a sudden. She looked back with tearful eyes and saw her parents waving a good bye to her with all smiles! At that instant, she asked her first question in her life, "Where are they leaving me?..... and why?" The year was 1987 – The Year of Home-Away for first time ~ First Day at school!

Exactly 17 years and 9 months later, the scene repeated. There were 2 trolley bags and 2 suit cases packed neatly in the dickey seat of her father’s car. Her mother, after her morning prayers packed a lot of snacks in those air tight ziplac covers and loaded them in a cloth bag. She was sitting on their lush green lawn of her home, breathing in the freshness of the morning air with the sweet bird music soothing her ears at 7 AM in the morning and with the cool dew drops caressing her feet under. And a tear drop trickled from her left eye, as she knew she was going away for a long time and this time her parents won’t be bringing her back after a couple of hours, as it was in pre-school. Yes, she had grown, while the child in her refused to! She was entering a new phase in her life! And the year was 2002 – The Year of Self-dependence ~ First day at hostel!

Celebrating Father’s day : 19th June

And today almost 10 years later, with an year and more post my marriage, I look at this wonder couple and wonder, “Well, they sure have worked a miracle together!” My parents have just not been my parents alone, they have enacted every other role including that of a friend, a sibling, a teacher, a guide, considering I was biologically late to the family party. And celebrating Father’s day today, I fall short of words to express how I feel about this day. Father’s day is special, and even more special if you are a daughter. And for this day, I cannot thank God enough for making me a daughter of an adorable man who has slogged all his life with his better half (mommy dearest) to secure a life full of happiness for me! As my thoughts drift back to present, I can see my parents arguing, teasing and mocking each other every now and then over their tea time, discussing politics, water problems and what not! And again, my mind churns out those moments of pride in my life where my father has stood by my side through thick and thin in every step I ventured out in this uncertainty ridden world.

The first time I delivered my elocution speech on Road safety in grade 5, my first project in Science Fair in grade 6, my first time participation in Debate in grade 7, my first time in a swimming pool when I felt water enter my nasal track as I coughed out tones of water later only to plunge into the pool again, the first time when I skated in the skating ring only to fall down and rise again with a sprained leg, the first time when I rode my bicycle with me skidding off the road and falling into a thorn bush only to get up and ride it again with a bruised leg and the first time when I drove our car with a lot of apprehension and hit a signal post, my father was always by my side, soothing my nerves with those encouraging words, “Well done! You are doing great. However, you can do still better.”. Those words have not changed though the phases of our life have changed with time. And those very words are helping me go strong in a journey called life!

Lessons learnt: Words of widom…..

His words of wisdom and caution of advice time and again are a constant reminder of how precious life is and how lucky I am to have him by my side, to guide me in every phase of life and helping me take sane decisions from time to time. His constant guidance has helped me see the brighter side of life. Each time, I buckle down under pressure, with problems posing a never ending saga, within minutes he would calm me down, making me feel as if the problem was just a manifestation of my thoughts gone wild. And then, the problem although remains a problem appears measly as compared to the blown-out-of-proportion version, my mind could paint! I remember his words that ring in my ears every time I face an issue, ”Control your impulses and you control the number of your so-called problems”. So true!

Some of his power statements include:

• "The right knowledge and experiences that make you a better person must be shared, otherwise they will reduce you to a frog in a well and will never let you see the world above and beyond."
• "A problem is never a problem, if it has a solution! Till then, it is just an inconvenience. And……a problem if does not have a solution is not a problem at all, as it is just a way of life. Accept it, with grace!"
• "Reserve your right to speak. Reserve your right to hold your tongue. Listen to people around. It is not important that every question needs to be answered at that very instant. What is important is that every question needs to be answered at the right time!"
• "Anger can never be your friend. But it will not be your foe either if you channelize it with your passion to work. Anger, although a negative form of energy can be converted into something positive, only if you can restrain your galloping impulses from pushing the red button!"
• "No one is responsible for the events happening in your life. You and you alone are responsible for them, no matter how the events have started and turn out to be. Because in the end, it is always going to be you who has to bear the consequences, irrespective of whether they are good or bad."

I will probably sit and document all his words of acumen some day so that I can pass his teachings and my learnings to the next generation.

As I conclude this post, I pray for the well being of my parents and wish them all happiness and prosperity of the world. And this prayer is also for all the fathers and mothers all over the world who see their world through the eyes of their children, who live for them to see them grow healthy and successful, who slog hard for the happiness of their children and make sure their children get all those comforts, they could not get in their childhood.

Happy Father’s Day, dearest appa…!! You will remain my best friend for ever and ever and ever…!! God bless..!!