Super-Excited for you.. Bhai!

Fighting, Arguing, Smirking, Teasing, Sharing secret jokes..wise words… and then longing the company of each other, since we were miles apart most of the times!

This defines what our relation has been, since our childhood days…

You eating ants..(chee)

You wearing my shoes to school..(cute)

You saying D..D..and not letting me leave for school..(bholu)

You throwing tantrums at mom..and dad..(bad boy)

You fighting with me and breaking the “pani ki matkis”..( bad boy *2)

You getting hurt in the fights and me getting the scoldings..( bad boy *3)

You getting your drawings done in return for called me DD with respect..(no brownie points here)

You being the best in school rankings..(hero)

You helping mom with her daily chores (sometimes)..(hero/2)

You telling me about your first crush..(good)

You telling me about your second crush..(ok)

You telling me about your third crush..(ab bas..)

You being called kanhaiyya in school..(izzat fa faluda)

You leaving for college (first time away from home) and being so brave about it..(hero*2)

You and me discussing girls/boys issues.. (Reema comes here in picture –super smart move)

You asking me for money when your party funds got over(-minus started)

You being protective about me and giving me such valuable advice..(best hai tu)

You not showing any emotion at first but then having red eyes while seeing me off for Infy and saying ‘All the best D’ (bhai wali feeling*10)

You getting me 2 perfectly wrapped gift from your salary (cha gae bhai)

You making Mom and Dad proud with your job..your studies….(-izzat ka faluda)

You showing the care for our family in your small ways…

And..that’s in short..what I can say…about you till the time we have spent till date.

I don't know if I can add up the plus or minuses but then it wouldn't be so much fun.

I hope I can write more such beautiful things when you start off a new chapter with your adorable Reema… But then I think ..I can easily delegate this to her.. J

Hope you two make the best of times ahead.. Loads of love!

Meri Jodidaar!

I was in 4th, when I first saw her. I was playing with my brother in the evening and noticed that a brilliantly white girl with hazel eyes had shifted in our neighborhood. Our eyes met but we ignored each other.
My first thought was -" She is so pretty and rich. Definitely she must be arrogant. I cannot be friends with her."
The very next day, I learnt that she had taken admission in my school in the same section. She remembered me from the other day.
My thought - "This is my chance to become her first friend since I'm her neighbor too."
That's how it all started..
Our first 'small talk' when I realized she is just the opposite of what I thought.
Our decided 'play time' in the evenings alternately at our homes.
Our endless playtimes when 5th board papers were leaked.
Our first visit 5-seater visit to the 'aeroplane park'.
Our celebrating Bdays together.
Ours studies on slate and then copies.
Her brother giving us marks on our writing and deciding our ranks. I always ranked 2nd.

Our friendship was just too good for the first few years. Then slowly, she made a new friend and I made mine. Both of us hurt each other at that time in our childish ways but still she was the first one to apologize. I being the adamant one had to do so after getting scolded from my Mom.

So, with this amended friendship and renewed bond, years passed by. Our parents too became attached.
She always used to laugh at the faces I made and I was always surprised at how we both shared the same thoughts and spoke the same thing at the same time.  We were discussing our parents once and we discovered that even our parents speak the exact same things.

We both screwed up our Maths subject marks in 10th, courtesy MP Board glitches.
We were both standing in front our Princi and begging him with teary eyes to admit us in 11th Maths section. There were many others too, but after seeing her, my father told not to worry. He said, you will go to a new school if your Princi does not allow and your best friend will be there with you. On listening to this, she too smiled faintly and agreed that this was really a good option. We both agreed that if not SJCS, then any place would be good, if we had each other.

In 11th, 12th, she was again my partner in coachings and gossips. We spent an awesome time together in classes, laughing at boy etc etc. We would always stick together in class and even if one of us did not get the seat, our Joshi sir used to bring a chair and say -"Apni jodidaar ko bula le". If she missed a class, he will ask this for sure-"Teri jodidaar kaha hai?"

That's was the one point I realized that we really were inseparable and everyone knew it!

Come college and we barely had time to meet. Still, whenever I was miserable and remembered her, I don't know how she always called at the same time. This telepathy was so unique for us that we always manged to morally support when the other one was in trouble.

Our call frequencies reduced and with my parents shifting places, it became difficult to meet her. Still we managed to meet once a year and that was it.

4 months back, after a long wait for her marriage, she called me to give me the good news and I was ecstatic. I wished her all luck but could not attend it as it was on the same day on my new company's joining date. What I had not guessed that it would be the last time I was talking to her.

I was waiting to call her again after marriage when she came back from her honeymoon, when a sudden shocking news was given to me by my friend that she died of brain fever.

That was the day and till this day, I see her in my dreams, miss her every moment and think how she was in her last moments. Was she in pain? Did she remember me? I regret to this day for not attending her marriage.. atleast could have seen her. But, I guess, she remembered me, as she asked to post her marriage pics as her last wish.

There's a saying that your life is successful if there are 5 friends with you in your last moments. But for her, there was not one.
It's a sad end for her and even sadder for me. I'm left alone without you -'my jodidaar'.

All for a filthy ego!

Two people having similar views = No problem
Two people having contradicting views, willing to listen = No problem
Two people having contradicting views, not willing to listen = Some problem
But two people contradicting each other just for ego sake =
“THE BIGGEST PROBLEM”
I know there is no joy comparable to this.. to satisy your egos…
But I daresay..it will do no good to any of you…at any point!
Be willing to listen and understand...at least for the sake of you friendship!

Happenz!!

There are times when your friends are so close to you and some multiple times when you feel that they are not the same.. They somehow behave in so weird a manner that you are left thinking...
"What went wrong??!!"
"Did I do something?"
"Is he/she pissed off with something?"
"Is he/she expecting something that you should know?"
After watching such complicated behaviors such as not talking..ignoring deliberately and mocking and not getting even a single clue as to what happened..You are just left thinking...
"IT HAPPENS"
P.S. - In cases like these, Nemo just waits and watches out for these times..waits for her friends to settle their personal turmoils and get back on track..with her! ;) ;)
Needless to say - It's all in their head or rather heart!

Living your passion!

I’m a foodie.
This is a simple statement, implying a lot of humor for some of my friends who have always finished my plate….some.. who always blame me for eating zero spice food, no nonveg..no nothing…

Now, if that humor is done with, I just wanted to divert your attention to why I wrote that.
The point is..I love food. I love watching someone prepare artistic food…any kind…of it.
So, these days, I have been like addicted to the Masterchef Australia series and have been smelling, tasting and fantasizing about the artistic delicacies they prepare.

So, what good is this info for any of you?
Umm..well..I was just coming to the derivation part.
In the Masterchef , or for that matter in any other competition, there comes a moment when some contestants have to leave. Some of them have to leave before even before they had a chance to enter the finals. At that point, we are shown the journey from where they started to where they have come.

The day.. when they had never thought that their love for their passion can be much greater than their profession. They just thought why not give it a try..and voila..their lives changed forever. They just knew where their passion lies and just went all out for it.

Their journey of making small mistakes to disasters..crying all over it and then gathering themselves to give it their best shot. Learning new things, rectifying mistakes… day in and day out. Surprisingly…emerging as winners in semis but still not reaching the finals.

And then opening the doors for leaving the competition.

This is ‘the’ point which leaves me so spell bound. I always find myself in that person’s place and wonder how I would react to it.

Sad to have lost it..just before the finals…thinking that you ought to be there and make your near and dear ones proud. Dejected at heart…BUT!!

Happy that you lived your dream …your passion…gave your best.. stretched your limits..
You made the best of the journey….learnt like never before…and be ‘PROUD’ that you got this chance to rethink that you had this passion and you did something about it…

And then..it does not matter that you ever win the finals…or whatever..

Well..now it is time have a big Gulab Jamun!

Defying reality!?

I have always felt that most of us who claim that they do not believe in something, actually think otherwise.

Take for instance..when they say-
I do not expect! (Highly expecting they will be ;))
I do not need anyone! (Problem is..they have been with someone who has let them down and they badly need a friend to make them stand upright!)
I do not drink! (Only once or twice a week/month and some friend's parties but still I don't drink.)
I don't believe in dieting! (These have already tried their hands at whatever crash diets possible + daily dosage of pastries/butter/burgers.)
I cannot love anyone now! (These are actually the ones who have been waiting for the miracle to happen again..and you should see them once they have it! :D)

Typical human nature to defy the real self..what else should I say(since I have said it all :P)

3 generations!

It was raining heavily and I was standing in my balcony, smelling the aromas in air.
I was enjoying the sight of some children playing in my building’s park, kicking each other, boxing, daring to walk on pipes(although not advised), running like mads and enjoying each and every drop splattering around them. Suddenly, as I looked up, there was a very old lady watching me one instance and then the kids on the other instance.

Just a typical situation where 3 generations were present..
One daring to dream for future..
One already lived the dream in the past..
And
One living the dream in the present..

But in our hearts we all know … we all dream to live the present but..!

A Full stop to..!

I love observing people and analyzing and justifying their behaviour. It is just too good for killing your time.
If you happen to have the peculiar hobby of observing people like me, I’m sure you would love analyzing what they are thinking, what their end goal is…you would want to read their faces, understand their peculiar grin or typical glitter in the eyes and this analysis has no end.
On one hand, it is one of the best hobbies you can have..when you know why a person is doing something or why a erson behaves in a certain way always..
But!! On the other hand, it can be a big loss for you. You always get into the tendency of empathizing with the other person and providing excuses for his/her behaviour. You stop thinking that whatever explanation you have formulated for the behaviour of the other person can also be wrong ..or even if it is right, it is still not good for you.. That is when they take you for granted and you, with your peculiar habit, will keep on justfying on and on.. :D
I know..this note is real sarcastic..but have wanted to blurt this out since long..
I have controlled this habit of mine for good now ;)

Who understands you?

I asked some of my friends who were/are in a relationship..as to what the crux of the start of their relation. Most of you should have easily guessed the answer by now -
"Oh! We understand each other on a totally different level. He/She understands me like no one does."

I have always thought about what makes this variety of "understanding" so special that only a single person qualifies it for the maximum score? There must be definitely something and that something surely lies in the way you understand or reach out to the other person. After a lot of grueling thought process,I found only 2?!

The first basic qualifier - You both think on the similar lines maximum times and you appreciate that person for what he/she thinks.
Second - Even when you don't think on similar lines, you put yourself in that person's shoes and then give your views. You don't make the person feel bad while doing all this..and manage to find a midway or a safe zone.
Bingo!..1 and 2..these are the basics.

If you fail to do even one of those, then let me tell you that the other person will always blame you for hurting his/her feelings.

Sometimes they will even tell you that your understanding is so damn minimal as compared what he/she shares with his/her friends. However much the people will claim that their friend or lover qualifies to the same standards of understanding, this comparison is ridiculous as there is a lot more pain involved in the 2nd case when the standard does not match up.

I have witnessed some broken relations with all the misunderstandings involved and really I would hate to see more of it...So, I am just blabbering here..

Its only wordz!

Flashes of memories..remembrances of people..some delightful moments shared with them and some not so worth mentioning..
But still these people..manage to leave a mark in your life. So what is it that defines the odd variety of people whom you would love to remember always or would want to become like one of them.

Is it care, trust, love etc etc? I know all this does make the rare mixture of the people we are referring to. But this what I have come to terms with in my short span of happening life..that all emotions eventually boil down gestures and words.

Some few or many years down the line..you will remember...only those words said by people who mattered most to you..or those who managed to bring a smile on your face..those which taught you to be strong..those who made you a winner and obviously those which have molded you into the kind of person you are..

And this is what I believe..that it's better to avoid speaking negative by rather being silent or putting it up in an assertive way..that even the shortest of sentences can speak a lot for your care and concern..that even your one silly joke can cheer the saddest soul. Who knows someone might even fall for your joke.. ;)

By the by..these words do match up with what I feel..
It's only words and words are all I have to steal your heart away.

Happening madness!

"Happening" - That has always been the key word associated with my life by people who love me...
The rest...who love me a little less or maybe equally always say - "Oh God!..you are insane. You screwed up again!" :D

But what can I say?? That's the way I have been living my life ever since.
I have had some of the best times with friends, all outings, parties..gettos..n crazy talks..
Made some worst decisions in life..and hurt people I love..got hurt back in return..only wishing that the next decision will be right..
Made some wackiest possible choices for friends..involving them too in troubles and trials.. but with the intention of making things right..I just hope they will be.
And then..visited the OT twice at the age of 26 :D..surviving major mishaps..Feat achieved and I'm still smiling for the fact that nothing happened to people I love...Thank God!

Seriously..when I lie down and think what all I have seen or experienced till date is too much of "happening stuff", which I have endured only because the prayers of my friends were accompanying me always. It is at these times of crisis that I have realized how much I care for my family and friends.

I love them all for helping me in surviving these tuff times and now I can still tell stories about "the happening life of a mad mad girl"-->>The Adventures of Alice in her wonderland!

It’s goodbye for a while! Only for a while!

I recently attended one my friend’s marriage where I met her neighbour uncle. All the friends were supposed to stay at his place since he had offered to help. He was very kind old man, a kind of caring figure. He had lost his wife some time back and his children were in US. Still, he preferred to stay in India and help out people. Somehow, I got very connected to him and his way of talking to us like we were his grand children. There was not a single point where he showed any grief about his wife but kept on joking and helping in the chores of marriage despite his age. He died 2 days back. I felt really sad for him even though I had met him only once.

There is another incident from my childhood days in Bhopal, when I had gone to a super market with my parents and was waiting for them, on the scooter outside. Around 2-3 shops to the left of the market was a hospital. Suddenly, there was a high pitched screaming noice and I saw 2-3 strong men trying to hold her back in a Sumo. But this lady she kept on screaming and crying. I went closer and I could her clearly now.
‘Why are you all not letting me in? Why can’t I see him? Tell me he is fine. What happened to him? Please tell me he will be fine. I will not be able to live without him.’
I was dumbfounded and shocked and seriously I was just not able to bear her cries of agony.

Death does triggers such weird and sad emotions that even the strongest one amongst us break down. I was reminded of both these incidents today and felt that I should just take them off my heart. I really never wanted to write on this matter as it makes me sad, but I have also met some people, some friends who have defied this pain and always remain cheerful about the fact that there are still more people whom you love and who wish to see you happy. You need to smile for them. These people cannot replace the special someone who has gone but they will be your biggest strength in healing your pain over the time.

So, this is just a toast to the spirit of such people who go on spreading happiness around…and who believe that goodbyes are only for a while ..a short while until you meet your precious ones..high up there…!

Oh.. my dear teacher!

School days...Our teacher was generally giving us fundaes of life. 2 guys were throwing chalks at each other from under the desks as usual.. She saw this and made them stand. She asked them to hold only the left ear with the left hand. So they did.. but got real confused as to why only one ear and this was so easy for a punishment??
Next, she asked them to take their left hand around the neck and then hold their left ear for sometime. (A round about way and a much more difficult punishment. It can give you real pain if done for a long time.)

Even you will be confused as to what she was actually trying to prove here..But then she had all the answers...
First learning : Punishments should always make you become a better person.
you to make more mistakes.
Second learning: There are two ways of telling the truth... You tell it straight or take a longer route of lying and hiding it and then when the pain of hiding becomes unbearable, telling it anyhow.

Somewhere deep down, I have always believed in these lessons for life.
And now..this is what I know for the second one..people go on hiding the truth and telling lies..one after the other and people believe them more, unless the lie pops out face on. They choose to take the round about route to truth with modified facts and what not. Most of the times, they are trying to save themselves unless the reason is too great.

And then there are some who believe in telling the truth every time but people have their own weird theories and interpretations that they are not ready to accept the obvious truth so easily. They continue fooling themselves and become a pain for the person telling the truth.

BUT..the person telling the truth is always very well aware of the consequences and knows that this way is far more easier then hurting others, by lying every now and then when eventually the truth will come out.

So, my friends..just trust your instincts and know that..telling the truth is the best way out..you still have a long way to go and obviously you don't wish to get caught :P
*Terms and conditions apply! ;)

Answer this first!

I have always been fond of reading good stuff..especially inspirational ones or anything which helps you understand life and people around you in a much better way.

It was in my 10th std that Gandhiji was the face of every course book, I read. I was ok kinds impressed and agreed with his beliefs but there was this short parable in the front page of each course book which left a distinct impression on me...(may not be the exact words)

"Whenever you are in doubt about what you are doing is wrong or you are palnning to do is wrong, just ask yourself one question- 'Can you tell it to your parents and still look them straight in their eyes?' And that should answer it all for you."

Is'nt it really true that when we mess up something, the first questions which pops up is - "My parents should not know this..else I'm screwed." :)
So why not try the either way out, of just asking this question beforehand and in case the ans is 'Yes', then we can carry on with our mess and to hell with world. Our friends understand us anyways...and are always glad to mess it up more (wicked smile!) ;)

New year will be great!

New year is a time..when -

You know that maybe the past year was not the best you have had...but you plan on making the new one ..the best!

You will try and expect least from people as it is the easiest way of making life more bearable for you and your loved ones.

You will ignore all negative feelings in case they make you sad. In case they inspire you for the good of even a single person then use them as a catalyst.

You will be satisfied in nothing less than the best, you deserve and give a good fight for it.

You should accept that even the worst will turn for your own good..it is just a matter of time.

Surely, the feeling is simply great today, to make it big in this year ahead..and I wish the same for all I know. :)

Beautiful mind and heart too!

It was a boring Saturday nite and I happened to surf some movie channels.. came across the movie 'A beautiful mind'. I was somehow reminded of this movie name, as suggested by many of my friends as a must watch, though never really got a chance...

The movie was already half over..still managed to gather some info from the set top box. It was about the fight that a scheizophrenic person puts up against his disease even when he is totally helpless as the problem is actually his brain.

Well..every scene in this movie is a masterpiece..and I was speechless
Take for instance the scene where the guy knows his disease,is totally helpless but still challenges his doc against taking electric shocks and medicines. He tries to convince his wife to leave since he was dangerous. His wife still remains with him and tells him that whatever his mind makes him feel or see is not real..the only real thing is him and her and their hearts together. Whenever he is faced with any delusion he should only believe only in this truth and nothing else. And that's how the guy never gives up and learns to ignore his delusions and life a happy life..with his wife being the constant pillar of support.

This movie also reminds us of similar situations in most of our lives..where we are totally helpless...where our mind may not be able to provide the perfect answer..and maybe heart can or vice versa..is true! This realization may not come to us all of a sudden but only when someone who cares for you, reminds you that.

Then..what do do you do.. Just choose to live through the situation with your loved one and ignore the worst parts as rightly said by movie's male protagonist - "It's only in the complex equations of love that you realize what logic is."

Lovely movie and amazing message..was totally mesmerized by it! Sigh!

Thou shall fall.. to rise again Phoenix - wise

7th Grade – Me and my brother got our first red Atlas cycle. We were so excited about our gift that we kept pestering our Dad by asking silly questions-
“How much time will we take to learn cycling?”
“Ok..How much time did you take?”
“Should we drive fast or should we be very slow?”
“How will we balance it without putting our both feet on the ground?”
“This tyre is so slim..What if a dog comes..and what if it’s a buffalo? The cycle will skid.”
“Ok..How will we take a turn while cycling (biggest fear)…Should we also move in synch?” ..and..so..on and on..
Finally after answering a few of the logical ones..and telling us about the functioning of the brakes and the pedals..Dad coolly told us -
“Just sit and I will hold the cycle from back to balance it for you till you learn to balance it yourself. You both are smart enough to learn it real quick. Every successful beginning requires a sacrifice. So, don’t be afraid of falling and shedding a little blood because that is how you will learn by overcoming all your fears. .”

So, I kept my first foot on the paddle..barely managing the second one, holding on to father on one side and mom on the other…and there..I started off with Dad running to match the pace..So much for the exercise for him too.:)

After four or five rounds when I finally managed to balance the cycle, Dad left his hand without letting me know and I drove fast..very fast to keep my balance in place and excitement was on its peak. But on the next turn, I saw a scooter coming and did not act on reflex to pull the brakes. The next reflex…I pushed my legs on the ground..and poof…with mud all around..there I was on the ground..all four corners..my new cycle beside me.

Yes! There were little drops of blood dripping from my knees but I was really happy to see them because I knew that now I would be perfect at cycling. My brother was way ahead of me..getting both his elbows bruised but he learnt much faster than me.

Day1 and we both were bikers. Thanks to Dad for his advice and Mom for her silent support by just watching us for hours.

Here it goes..a learning for lifetime...
Not everything can be learnt theoretically. There will be people to support you and advice you for sometime. Appreciate and learn from what they tell you. But after that, only you will need to deal with circumstances practically and head-on. You might even have to make a lot of sacrifices. You might fall down and get hurt badly in the process but do not let the fear of unknown stop you because it is ok to get hurt for what you want best.
Just be sure to rise again amidst all such failures and fallbacks because only that defines your endurance limit and your inner strength..and you do have a lot of it. It’s just that you need someone to assure you that and then…

You will rise from the Ashes, soar like Phoenix towards the Zenith as your Horizon lies there!

All about feeling 'Special'!

Ya ya..I can see the stretching of your lips into a gentle smile..you are already thinking of people who make you feel that way..make you feel 'Special' by not saying a single word and yet saying it all..in what they do..in how they care..and just by being there. And you can’t seem to thank them less!

So, how do they manage to do it? I mean..sometimes is fine..but always??..
It's not that happens only with you..these people are so miraculous that any person with them will feel special.

Some peculiar traits of such angels in my life and maybe yours too..

They are there to spread happiness around you..by taking care of you in their own small ways..by being selfless yet demanding :)..but still being themselves...

They are never overbearing, yet present when you need them most...Always trying to cheer you up when you are in the worst of your moods.

They know what you have in mind..some kind of telepathy it seems..but will respect your space..Will always be there to give you a patient ear..to sort out your problems..without even letting you know.

They know your faults. Still, they will never criticize you, but will find out a way of telling that to you in an assertive way..in a way that you would want to listen and make efforts to improvise yourself. They will not love you or hate you for your obvious qualities but they will love you for a person you are or you want to be. To say the least, they will be a constant support throughout, totally dependable!

And that's what makes them 'Special' for you too...because it feels good to know that they will stand by you, embrace all your faults…and be there in your struggle with everything else!

Ah..Now I am smiling too.. ;)

Passive Acceptance or Resistance?

Typical human tendency..to hold on to things..to try and control life..to try and change its gears..but with "Destiny" playing its own games..all efforts go for a toss. Then what? Should we fight back..Try and change the course of life..again and again..until all the efforts are in vain??!!

I have seen it and can vouch for it..No person is strong enough to alter what has already been written..however hard we may try! Yet..I have also known a dim light..to enlighten the darker side of life.

It's the path of Passive resistance or rather Passive acceptance. It's this what defines the basic truth of life(for me at least) - "Let things happen for us and we don't try and disturb them...else, in the end, what we will get..is only pain! Everything happens for good. We just have to wait and watch..be a mere spectator..rather..be passive. All will fine, if only we hope for the best and just do our due."

I know many would not agree to this..they may be right too. I'm just trying to suggest something here..which has turned out to be the best for me always.. In case it helps you too..then my job is done.. :)

"You can learn and get the best only when you experience all that is due to you -
Courtesy,
Your Faithful Destiny"

"Okie..My dear Destiny..I get your point..Letz just wait and watch..what more you have to offer!"

I understand you!

A mere blink of eyes..
A constant gaze which ends with a "Hmm"..
A positive nodding of head..
A tap on your head and a brush on your hair too..
A smile that's so true..
All of these say..I understand you..

Even though you may doubt yourself, your decisions and everything else happening in your life..Still there will always be people..some angels who will trust you.. maybe they do not....but will be there to understand you..to support you..alwayz..
Cheerz to all of them..who have stood by me..and continue doing so..just because I know.. how hard it is to deal with a phycho moron like me!

Bhagwan un sab ka bhi bhala zaroor karega..of this I'm pretty sure.. :)