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Beyond Mortal!

 



 
 
 
 
He asked her “Ananya, What are we?”

You are the Sun and I the Earth moving around you.
Your rage burns me but without you nothing blooms on me too.

He asked her “Where do we belong?”

We belong beyond time and this world,
When lovers like us are born, they cannot belong anywhere but to each other!

 
What is our path?
There is no path, no destiny, no end, and no start. It’s just a journey of two inseparable souls.
 
Where do we unite?
Unison in this world is temporary, we unite when I look at you, we unite when you touch me, and in all gestures of love we unite beyond mortals.
 
Would we stay?
She smiled, teary eyed, can the wave stop coming back to the shore?
Every time I search you, look for you and call you and every time you say, when did I ever go, my hand is still in yours Ananya…we stay!

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Love’s Ultimate Test!

An unknown relation, the names unknown,

Who are they but two people in flesh and
bone.

What makes them different is just their
love,

Of sacrifices and give ups they make thereof.

They take up a journey & travel miles
virtual,

Life after that is far from usual.

Their eyes closed they feel the others hand,

Zenith of Passion, one of its kind.

Then as time passes, the names come up,

The changes and the differences then erupt.

We then becomes you and me,

The souls’ ignited lovers are no longer at
peace.

That’s the true test to drown or be afloat,

They live or survive in this love boat.

Most of them think the world too big in
this short life,

But the true ones just want to strive.

They never let go and be relentless,

Their life doesn’t exist loveless.

That’s when it brings back all assurance,

Of life’s and love’s reoccurrence!

 
 

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Unconditional relations do exist!

I don’t remember a single time that my mom forgets to shower her blessings on me when I call. Her blessings start with may I have good health, get what I desire and be happy always, but one thing that is added to this is I be strong and practical. And there is no time for these coming in, I’m in bus and I call, the blessings are there, I am eating and I call they are ready, I get up in the morning and call and they are with me.  So coming to the “new kid on the block blessing” of me being strong and practical, I asked her and she in her chirpy tone (my mom is just 16 years older to me J) said, you know Sweety, the way you are sensitive and emotional – I added this to the list to all time remind you that be strong and practical in all walks of life, not because that would change anything in you but all relations are such now that they require a practical approach.

In my head I agreed with her completely and responded, “Ma, one relation is totally unconditional and never for a purpose.” She smiled; I could feel it on the phone.

Love you ma.
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Broken Shadows!

 

She entered the dingy waiting room at the railway station. It was a small square room with three benches against the three walls and a door on the fourth. The stench complementing the dirt dropped around making it evident that it had not be used, frequented or seldom cleaned. She moved to the bench on the left of the room and tried to sit there, but she noticed the bench was not clean. She moved on the opposite bench, a small window faced the railway tracks; she placed the papers in her hands and the bag on the bench and wrapped her handkerchief on her hand and pushed the window out. After some struggle she could force the rusted hinges to budge. The rain showered just to confess the earth of its love. She kept staring at the downpour thinking it rained the same that night.  
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“How did you come here Ananya?”
“That doesn’t matter Rohan, the rains are not stronger than your voice on the phone that even though was calm screamed you would leave me.”
“You are drenched, don’t stand there, and come inside.”
“I have lots of questions Rohan, but don’t give me an answer. Just say it once that Reema is better than me. She has it all beauty, care, money and love that I don’t. Just say it, my heart will be lighter and life will be easier to live then.” There was no comparison of the speed of her tears to that of the downpour.
“It won’t be easier Ananya, it will be even difficult. The thought of living without you kills me in an instant.”
“Looking at your innocent face, I feel like believing in you again Rohan.” She added.
“What I am saying is true, but I also know that if you see the storm coming head on it makes sense to turn your boat and move away.” He added with a straight emotionless face.
“You have started talking a lot of sense Rohan. I just regret that why I did not get this sense before you did. Today please also tell me what if our paths ever cross in the future then….”
Before she could complete he said, “Then we will not promise each other to meet again Ananya.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ananya just dropped herself on the bench, staring at the slow moving fan on the ceiling, lost in oblivion.
After a while a man entered hastily and sat on the adjacent bench trying to read the papers in his again and again. Ananya too lost in her thoughts did not notice any activity. He noticed her, dragged himself on the bench to get a closer view. The woman he saw looked tired, her hair were loosely tied in a bun which touched her nape. Her sky blue chiffon saree was worn perfect; her wedges were seen beneath the saree as she rested her feet forward. Her face looked like a tired bird that had migrated miles to reach home. Her hands showed she was used to working and not in any luxury.
“Ananya?”
She opened her eyes slowly and she straightened her head that rested on the bench. Moving forward she tried to recognise the frame of the man under the dim light bulb.
“Rohan, is that you?” her voice had matured, speaking out loud that she was a woman and not a girl in late twenties anymore.
“Yes, it’s me.” A restless voice responded, the breathing was loud and hard. A closer look at Rohan made her realise, his face was worn out and worried, his dark lips exposed that he was a chain smoker now. His feet constantly moving as he spoke.
 “How are you Rohan?” her voice calm as a still lake.
“How are you Ananya? 6 years have passed and we meet today.” He said unsurprisingly.
“What difference does it make in meeting today or not meeting the entire life?” She sighed.
“You haven’t changed a bit, Ananya.”
“What would we have got by both of us changing Rohan; only one among us changed sufficed. You changed was enough.”
“So you left him Ananya, you didn’t marry?”
“Gaddi lagne wali hai, chheti aao” (“the train is going to arrive, don’t be late.”) the station master announced and left in a jiffy.
“It’s already late.” Ananya murmured to herself and got up slowly moving towards the door, Rohan saw the papers on the bench left behind. He picked them and got up, the bulb hanging flashed on the papers and the only thing he could make out that they were legal papers which read ADOPTION.
“Ananya, these papers are yours, left behind.”
Ananya turned startled, “No, I have mine.” as she put her hand forth to show the papers. The light bulb flashed on the paper and it read, DIVORCE.
Rohan quietly took the papers from her hand and handed her papers back. This train journey was going to be really long.
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Moonstruck! First Valentine!

For the corporate world, the celebration
for the occassion is when time permits. So after a marathon of two back to back
RFPs and heaps of work…I realised Valentines came and passed like a fast train
that does not stop infront of a passenger waiting at the station 🙁

Not really isn’t it…so here’s wishing all
my dearest readers a very very happy Valentine’s day.

She stormed in through the door pushing the
waiter aside walking straight at the end of the restaurant. The waiter turned
and so did all the young couples seated to celebrate the occasion. The slow
jazz in her head had been replaced with hard rock where the image she saw in a
split second was playing like a leaf falling from a tree in slow motion again
and again.

She dumped herself on the last large round
corner table, which was beautifully laid with a white laced tablecloth, flowers
neatly arranged, a red candle lit next to ‘reserved’ label placed. She was
neither in a state nor mood to notice any detail around. Her head was on fire
and her tears were play hide and seek of not embarrassing her in public.

“How could he?” she said to herself
disconsolately.

“Who?” a voice fell on her ears like the
cold breeze that comes through when you open the window to a heated room.

She tried to look at the frame on the other
side of the candle; the candle light was not enough to get a glimpse more than
a white shirt, a side of a neck and his lips.

She was shaken from her thoughts, “I am
sorry, this is reserved.” She said trying to get up noticing the label placed
on the table.

“No, it’s not reserved, it’s complicated,
you can sit here!” he said on a lighter note. As she stood he noticed her over
the candle light in a beautiful white dress, long earrings that dangled and
playfully touching her shoulders, her delicate hands holding yellow lilies
making a perfect combination against her white background.  She kept moving her bracelet against her
wrist with one hand making a public display of her mental state. She was in six
inch stilettoes, moving her weight from one foot to another making it obvious
she wasn’t used to them.

“You may sit, till you gather yourself.” He
gestured with his hand. She noticed his hand, sleeves rolled up, strong hands,
long fingers.

She sat dropping the flowers next to the
gift, “I don’t need to gather myself, I did all I could.”

“Am sure you did, I mean flowers, gift
and…what more could you do.” His voice had a charm and she could feel the
chuckle.

“and…”

“I mean and you, perfect for the occasion,
isn’t it, so I truly agree how could he?” now she could see his smile too.

“I never thought it would be her, I saw
them today, hand in hand, kissing zealously.”

“oh so that the problem, he kissed her.
Anyway, I am Rohan. He said moving his hand towards her.

“Hi, I am Ananya, she shook his hand
hesitantly and immediately took it back.” She hadn’t felt rougher hands than
those. “and that’s not the problem….I mean the kissing bit.”

“Then…the hand in hand bit…btw nice to meet
you Ananya.” He chortled again.

“No, it’s my 25th birthday
today.”

“Ah, that’s the problem Ananya, It
shouldn’t be women get better with age.”

“Ahhh, no, it is him with her, thats the
problem.” She at last blurted out.

The waiter stood there like the hour hand
of the clock looking at the minute and the second’s hand.

“Now what?” she looked arrow straight at
him.

“Can you please get us two white wines and
something to eat please?” Rohan directed the hour hand to move.

“Vegetarian” the seconds hand announced.

“So he with her, how long?” Rohan tried
getting analytical.

“I don’t know, I don’t want to know, she
didn’t look great, I thought my birthday would be a big thing for him, at least
that’s what he said a few days back. And this was my first formal Valentine.”

“Formal?”

“Yes for the rest, I just told my friends I
had one, but actually sat back home watching movies and munching popcorn. Are
you writing something?”

“ahhh get that, so formal Valentine.” He
paused, “Writing, no, nothing.”

The wine arrived and so did the VEG
starters. Rohan raised the glass and looked at her; she had plunged into the
eateries.”

He raised his glass, “Happy Birthday
Ananya”…Ananya gave a puzzled look with her mouth stuffed.

“You know I have been starving since last 2
months, to look the best this day…and he just didn’t care…now I realise, I am
so hungry.”

“Mission accomplished, eat to your hearts
content.”

She spoke of her quirks and he heard it
with delight giving her a new perspective to look at things. A long dinner went
on for 2 hours exchanging details about her.

“And that’s how I fell for him; I was so
looking forward to have him as my valentine and to exchange gifts, but the
sight I saw. I would never speak to him ever.”

“Ananya!” Rohan stopped her from
whining further and came a little close to her and sat next to her.

She saw him, “Ruffled hair, sharp eyes and
nose, thin lips, light stubble and his strong arms made him look very handsome.

“Ananya” he shook her from her reverie.
There is nothing that ever is bad, everything happens for a reason and happens
for good, okay!

For Ananya, she has fallen in love at
first sight…”yes” she murmured hiding her admiration being exposed.

“Do you love or miss him?”

“No, I realise I don’t but it was my first
valentine, I had thought of a lovely dinner, flowers, exchange of gifts….”

“Did you have one already?” he smiled.

She realised the candle light, the
beautiful ambience, then flowers…it was all there.

He picked up a flower from the vase, “Will
you be my Valentine?”

“Yes, I will…” she was happiness
personified. “But my gift?”

“Oh..” he made a gloomy face and handed
over a piece of paper to her, “will this do?”

She was mesmerised at what she saw, a
beautiful portrait of hers. “It looks so live, thank you…I …I don’t believe you
drew me so well. Thank you…I mean…”

“Shhhh…so now you have a gift too.” I am an
artist, had come to capture some valentine moments for my story…with no idea I
would meet my Valentine here.

“Can I drop you home?” Ananya offered, “I
promise I wouldn’t whine now.”

“Okay, let’s go, I wouldn’t let you whine
ever.”

 

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The Rise and Shine!

I wore the blazer again and again and looked at myself in the mirror. I would have tried all the combinations of 3 shirts and 2 trousers with the blazer my father had bought taking an advance loan. All the preparations were on for the day when the India’s Best Singer contest was to come to the Royal College in Gangapur, Rajasthan. I started singing at the age of 3 and all of the rest 20 years I only worshipped was my Guru – my Father, music and singing.

The D day arrived; there were not many participants as were observers. Half of Gangapur’s modest population of 25,000 came to watch the celebrity judges whom they had just seen on posters or on television. I braced myself and tried to sing a classical, the anxiety over came my performance. I was selected as a waiting list participant meaning if someone did not turn up, I would be called. Rest few days went as usual; my mom had packed the blazer and even spoken of selling it to a relative who was to get married soon. Father would day and night think of replaying the loan and I myself had taken up tuitions to help father repay the loan. The only good change the let-down brought in me was I doubled up my riyaz (practise) and started living music.

An unexpected call on 21st November 2010 to the c/o neighbour’s number changed my life. I never knew this call would take me to an unexpected turn in my life and what the future held!

“I am speaking from India’s Best Singer. We need you here in Mumbai, can you make it tomorrow?” An eager young voice shouted over the cacophony that surrounded her. I was dumbfound to answer anything, going to Mumbai meant more expenses upfront even if it was paid later by the company. I also knew it was my last chance to make it big. Leaving a note under my father’s pillow and some cash from a friend, I left for the Maximum City!

Reaching the quarterfinals was a breeze. I knew I was the heartthrob with my sweet chocolate boy demeanour. I got close to a fellow contestant, Rajshree. Before the finale, all participants were taken to their home town, but I refused. I was a top contender finalist competing with Rajshree and Asit a boy from Asam. The contest had a nail biting finish and along with the title I won 50 lakh cash and a singing contract with the channel. I was an overnight star, a sensation, I received calls from unknown people congratulating me on my success, I chatted with girls to increase popularity, gave interviews in leading newspapers and radio channels and was the star to every party I was invited. People just wanted me. The importance and the recognition I was gaining I knew the world was at my feet. I knew the way to be in limelight was through my rich young friends. I vaguely remember when at a star studded after award party, Rajshree wanted to sing and I in high spirits grabbed the mic, “I will sing, I am the star, this party is for winners! Give it to me.”  “Aaj jaane ki zid na karo ….” I fell to the ground and rest I read in the news papers, “Rags to Riches and now Young but Finished!”. However such things cannot dampen my spirits, media always tries to bring people down. “Alcoholism, loud music, parties and now drugs, is all you have with you now.” Rajshree never understood me, why do those people give a lecture on success … who have never seen success. I left her.

A year had passed; my first album had created record sales. My dates for the next one year were booked and my first solo stage show was over booked in Rajasthan. My mega posters were all over the city, with people piling around my car to get an autograph. I knew I was the best but anxiety hadn’t let me sleep for a week now in spite of the anti-depressants I took. I selected my leather jacket from the best of brands that wanted to sponsor me. Talent sells…is all I can say. I needed the energy and wanted to be on a high, I sniffed some more marijuana pumped up some protein shakes kissed Anji, my girlfriend passionately before hitting the stage. The crowd was going mad wanted to hear me, even a word was enough. I could barely see the crowd just a hazy layer of black heads! My first half of the performance had girls fainting, wanting to touch me, grab me! The second half, I called some girls on stage against the security orders and a small explosion in one of boom boxes led to a chaos. I was frisked away by security and after that I am blank even today as to what happened.

Next day’s newspaper made me pay the price of my success. Among the 18 people who died in the stampede, were a couple in their 70’s. I was called for recognition and the only thing I recognised on the mutilated body was the blazer the man was wearing. It took me no time to join the dots to my how being in Rajasthan. It’s been two years since the incident; I am convicted and lost the court case of the stampede episode proving me guilty of not adhering to security measures. My hired top lawyer proved me a hard core drug addict to avoid jail. I am in a rehabilitation making baskets and earning 100 rupees a day. Rajshree is a top play back singer now; she comes every week to meet me. Drugs took away my singing ability however I do hum songs when Rajshree is here.

It is quite rightly said, the people you meet when climbing up the steps of success … are the same you meet when climbing down!
This post is part of  A significant turn.. on WriteUpCafe.com<
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I Want You Tonight!

“It’s my land; I know you don’t get booze here! It’s banned in this state.” She confidently said it. “Ani, I don’t understand why you like yourself being proven wrong always.”

“Yeah right!” she exclaimed making a face.

“What do I get if I prove you wrong?” Rohan held Ananya’s face close to his looking into her eyes.

“Anything, as I know you will never get it here.” Ananya said kissing his hand.

“Are you sure, anything….you know it’s been a while and this time I would really be demanding.”

“Oh, I am confident, anything.”

“Cool, see you in a bit and wear the best you can, be ready….tonight is mine.”

“Sure, will wait and be ready to welcome your sad sulking face.”

He put on his sneakers and ran out. The hotel room closed with a thud behind him. Ananya had never seen him so happy and carefree.

Ananya painted her nails and went for a shower. She changed in a black short slip before sneaking into the bed under the comforter reading ‘Things beyond Forever’. After a while he opened the door and walked in.

She peeped over the book, “Welcome, Mr. Engineer and show me your face.” She looked at him closely, he was perspiring profusely, his white tee completely wet. Droplets of sweat trickled down his face as he seriously looked at her. “What?” she said aloud.

His lips broke into a smile as he revealed a bottle wrapped in brown paper. “oh, gosh…..nooooooo.” she hid her face behind the book.

He ran towards her, trying to sneak into the comforter. “No, please take a shower.” She pushed him. “You are right come.” He pulled her hand.

“No, I had one…” “And who said we can have just one.” And he pulled her in the bathroom. He filled two glasses with vodka and orange juice and placed them on the wash basin. Then she sat on the bath tub edge and he on the toilet seat, he pulled a Davidoff and smoked telling her how he managed the booze. She looked at him with sheer amazement sipping the vodka.

He then took a shower constantly talking to her on things that are different in “Her Land”.

“So, now that you have lost the bet, brace yourself honey.” He said pouring another drink.

She kissed leaving her red lipstick mark on his white tee, “Will this do?” “Are you kidding, the stakes are high honey.” He pulled a deck of cards.

They played poker, where she bet her clothes one after another and kept losing. They finished ¾ of the bottle, he was tipsy and she was high. He pushed her on the floor completely covering her body with his. His fingers circled the periphery of her lips as he looked in her eyes. He held her hand not leaving it for a moment.
 

She seduced him in her ways…caressing his weaknesses and switching the best of love and lust in him. She let him discover her in every way he desired. He engulfed her as she closed her eyes in anticipation of the epitome of this sensuous rendezvous. She gave up her defences as he fondled her supple body. Love reached its zenith and lust at pinnacle as his rawness thrust her. He longed for her fragrance as she for the sweetness of his sweat trickling down his brow onto her body. At one moment their passion was on fire giving in to the rhythmic divine oneness.

Their bodies ignited as they made zealous love before falling into each other’s arms in the wee hours. He was right, he was really demanding that night. They talked, laughed, whisper sweet nothings in between making love through the night. Rohan and Ananya were on a different high…they were high on life!
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One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things!

Wish all my friends who religiously follow the blog a very happy new year! I hope all of you could take some time off at year end and spend some time with people who matter and introspect on how wiser weare after 2013 with all the experiences and mistakes we made during the year J.

Well, 2013 for me was completely a travel year, seeing new places, meeting new people and some wonderful memories.


Nice promanade!

I lived the luxury of Nice and Monaco, the place is lavishness personified, as an automotive consultant I have always been fascinated by cars and Monaco displayed more mean machines than what I had seen at the Geneva motor show J.



On my way from Nice to Monaco

Fun facts of Monaco/Monte Carlo:

  • It’s the second smallest country, known for Monaco grand prix and the flamboyant Monte-Carlo casino complex.
  • Known as Europe’s tax haven, each and every individual citizens of Monaco enjoys a tax-free  lifestyle since the 1870s. For decades, Monaco lived off solely on its casinos.
  • You may take the train, your helicopter or your yacht (if you have one) if you want to go to Monaco but please, no private jets (if you have one as well.) There are no airports in Monaco.
  • The total population is just 32,000 out of which only 6000 have a Monaco passport, rest migrants.
  • The elegant façade and panache interiors of the Monte-Carlo Casino had been a filming location of three James Bond Films namely “Casino Royal”, GoldenEye, and Never Say Never Again.” I wouldn’t be surprised if one day they choose to shoot a new James Bond film at Monte-Carlo Casino. It’s just that classy!





Spring brought in a breeze of romance with me in Venice. I met people who had come there to marry but I particularly loved the laid back life style. I was amazed to see the entire city on water, the only mode of transport – boats and it’s truly romantic.

Fun facts of Venice/Venecia:

Venice captured the impression of a magical floating city by setting wood pilings on the 118 submerged islands in the Northern end of the Adriatic Sea. 400 foot bridges and 170 boat canals connect the city to make it easily accessible to the local populace.

  • It was truly a maze where I got lost a few times and walked through the narrow alleys and foot bridges was a good walk through the day!
  • Go to Venice and no Gondola ride, you haven’t seen anything then. It was a wonderful experience where I got to know only 3 to 4 Gondolier licenses are issued annually. To qualify, applicants must be able to finish an extensive training after passing a rigorous exam. There are only 400 licensed Gondolas operating in Venice today. I had just seen the movie the tourist and got me to such a déjà vu feeling. In fact Stromae, the pop singer too created music on a Gondola on a valentine’s day.
  • Venice has a cursed palace known as the most eerie place. The series of unexplainable deaths which seem to affect all of its owners first started way back when the structure was built in 1847.

Summer got me on a different high when I visited Amsterdam! I was amazed at the open and non-judgemental culture the place offers. I got off the cab to find police rushing into the Park hotel where I had booked. Ichickened out J while checking in I saw the police take in a man (with no
 



expression and walking dead) being handcuffed and taken away. Out of curiosity I asked the receptionist to which she promptly mentioned, “that’s a routine!” “Routine?” I looked at her puzzled. “Yes mam, he is stoned after getting high on drugs and turned the tap on the entire night and turning the entire room into a swimming pool. We do nothing in such cases and just call the police. They take him.” I had no reaction but still asked, “And? Now what?” She cooly explained, “Nothing, they take him and once he is sane, they leave him, he will sleep in the lock up now.”

Cool! I said to myself…welcome to Amsterdam!

Now some interesting things about Amsterdam

  • There are 700,000 people and a million bikes…wonder who rides them!
  • Amsterdam May Soon Disappear L. The majority of Amsterdam is below sea level. At its lowest point, it is 6.7 metres below sea level. If climate change causes even a small increase in global sea levels, Amsterdam may go the way of Atlantis.
  • 86 percent of Amsterdam residents are polyglots (people who speak more than two languages), speaking English, Dutch and third language fluency. That made my life way easier.
  • On average, an Amsterdam resident consumes a minimum of 140 litres of coffee per year or about 3.2 cups of coffee per day, making them the second largest coffee consumers in the world.
  • The average height for a Dutch male is 184 cm, and the average height for a Dutch female is 170 cms.
  • Now this is interesting, Amstie has more canals than Venice. Often called the “Venice of the North,” Amsterdam boasts over 165 canals that compose a comprehensive network throughout the entire city. 
  •   I also saw the Gay pride parade 2013 – a fun event of music and colourful costumes, spreading a message of equity and a right of being oneself.
And some kinky facts too
  •  Drugs are freely available in Amsterdam. The Dutch allows buying and selling of 5 grams of soft drugs to each person in over 300 of their coffee shops. I tried it two nights and had a trip will not forget for life!
  • Prostitution is legal here. You can visit the red light district to see women in their skimpy clothes. And trust me, they look super. Get back guys and don’t ideas!

Winter got me to the land of the midnight sun, Norway! Mesmerising, Hypnotic, Enthralling and still fall short of adjectives to describe what I witnessed. This has been the most wonderful and memorable travel so far. I visited a place called Tromsø, known as the capital of the Arctic as is located 350 kms north of the Arctic Circle.
Tromsø has 70,000 inhabitants, but is a vibrant city! People are very warm and hospitable. I had some very interesting conversations and memorable moments.

 





The midnight sun can be seen during summer months, I witnessed the beauty of the Aurora lights, also known as the northern lights. The sun rose at around 10 am and set at 14.00; I would leave with the tour guide at 17.00 hours and come back an hour or two past midnight. She would drive a group of 5-7 of us outside the city with no city light pollution and a temperature of -13 degrees. We would park at a spot known to her. I change the tense now to present for better depiction of the experience. She switched off the light of the van and I peep outside from behind the glass window. Not a soul in sight or a ray of light and deafening silence. I followed others out of the van, and dropped myself in waist deep snow. After some struggle, the tour guide, Trine pulled me out. Even after 7 layers of clothing, I was cold. I balanced myself and then looked up. The view was out of this world, pun intended. The sky was clear and completely starlit; there was not a patch of darkness in the sky. The view was simply breath-taking. I was stunned! The sound of waves, the silence and the awesome view gave me more than what I could ever ask for.
 
We walked a few steps to hit the shore of the ocean and set our cameras. The show then started. A streak of milky light started appearing in from behind a mountain and kept spreading across the sky. The neon lights are not visible to a naked eye and can be seen on pictures taken on a high end camera. The pictures showed colors of neon green, orange, pink and violet. I forgot I was cold, I forgot I existed in this world, I forgot my work, and my life and all that existed around me. I felt blessed and divine. Trine told stories and myths around the existence of the lights. We enjoyed the beauty for a couple of hours before Trine took us to a Lavo (a tent). A




bonfire in the middle of the Lavo surrounded by logs of wood with reindeer skin placed over them for warmth. We sat on it, enjoying the flames that provided comfort. Trine got us dark coffee and homemade cake and I relished it a lot. We had a few rounds of viewing the lights followed by coffee before we returned.

The next day, was no less adventurous. A group of 20 on a boat out in the ocean, very far north to view the whales, I couldn’t ask for more. The ocean was wild and choppy as we started early in the morning! The two guides’ one from Iceland and the other a Norwegian were so informative and almost grew up with whales. The ocean was colder than I had thought. 



We stood there waiting for the whales to appear. After more than a couple of hours in the ocean, the guy perched on top of the ship shouted, “I see them, 3’oclock.” All 20 heads turn right and yes, we see a black body far getting into water. The ship moves closer and we see two more. Magnanimous beings, following each other in a perfect rhythm in the water, I zoom in my camera to get a view, beauty at its best! We see more and more of them, feasting on other fish, their fins splashing water and pumping water up to 3 feet in the air. It was a trip worth it.
 “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.Discover.” – Mark Twain.

all pictures ©2013 Shweta Dave
 

 
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The Unknown!

“So it’s been 23 episodes of season 2 of secrets of the past life, how do you feel right now Dr. Nita?”
” oh i feel on top of this world right now, the season has been a greater success than the first one, the producers are happy and we are already planning the third season.”

“And how do you plan to end this season?”

 “Well, the last episode is even special with my best friend’s son coming to find the answers to his phobia. He is a special child and viewers would really be wonder struck when he finds the reason of this phobia by travelling in his past.”

 “That sounds interesting; Dr.Nita is it true that you are moving back with your boyfriend you left 11 years ago? What was the reason of leaving him then and why together now?”

“No personal questions please!”
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“Hello and welcome viewers, I would like to thank you for the amazing response received for this season and tonight I would like to close this series with the most thrilling experience you will have in the history of television. With me I have a boy who is just 11 years old, the youngest participant we have and we will find answers for him together in a few hours. Please welcome Aditya Malhotra.”

The stage was a huge set with 50 people seated facing a podium which was lit in blue lights. There was a bed and a chair next to it. The crew, the camera and the crowd looked eagerly at the small door as the huge flash light focused on the gate. For 10 seconds there was no sight of the boy and then a frail looking image appeared at the gate. Aditya just stepped on the stage and crumpled on the ground, his body coiled shouting “no lights please, please shut the light off” the boy wouldn’t get up even after the crew reaching out. Nita walked to him finally and touched his shoulder and he responded to the touch and got up. Lights remained off and the boy got up and walked center stage in dim light. Cameras were rolling as Nita settled and ask the boy if he felt better.

“Dear viewers, meet Aditya. Aditya has a phobia for bright lights and prefers to be in the dark. He speaks less, is an introvert with few friends and likes listening to trance music as stated by Aditya mom.” then turning towards Aditya she said, “Well Aditya, here we have something in common, i too like trance music. So what exactly is your phobia and how do you feel?” In a feeble voice the boy spoke, “I don’t like bright light. I feel scared of light.” “Don’t worry boy, the reason for your fear will be known and it will be gone when you leave this stage.”

The process began, “Close your eyes Aditya and concentrate on my voice.” Aditya at once spoke “I have heard your voice before.”

The doctor smiled and “yes, I do have a common voice now don’t speak and concentrate on my voice.” “As i count from 10 to 1 your body is getting light, 10…9…8…you are feeling relaxed and are moving away from this real world around you, 7….6….5 all the energy is released from your body 4……3….and with count of 2….and 1….your energy is out of your body and you can see your body now….are you with me.” Nita spent around 40 minutes to get Aditya to the state she wanted. “Where are you Aditya now? Are you able to hear me?”

“Yes i am, but I don’t know where I am.”

“What do you see around? How do you feel?”

“I don’t see anything around…”

Nita looked puzzled, generally at this stage her subject spoke of their past life, what was wrong here? She thought. “OK how do you feel Aditya?”

I feel in a small room or an enclosed space.”

“Is anyone around?” “No, it’s just me.”

“And you see nothing?”

“No nothing.”

May be Aditya was blind in the past life, Nita tells herself. “And do you hear anything?”

“Yes, I hear a woman, someone I know for long….” he stops and speaks again “I hear her every day. I am with her always.”

“And who do you think she is” “She….she is….i think my mother.”

“Good and what does she talk to you?”

 “She tells me, I am beautiful….and she has bought very good clothes for me.” Aditya’s face showed excitement and a smile and his eyes were still shut. “She speaks to a man about me, he too talks to me but not every day.”

“Go on Aditya….What else does she talk to you?”

 “She says she cooks for me, she listens to music, she talks to her friends about me.”

“And….what happens next as days past…move on Aditya?”

“Next….” the look on Aditya’s face changes, “I hear a lot of loud voices….as if people are fighting.” “I feel scared, I don’t like it, I feel like running away.”

“What are the voices about?”

“I don’t know, I feel scared and keep feeling like that till the time I sleep.”

“What do you hear now?”

 “I hear people only fighting, I feel my mom hugging me, feeling me, crying…but I feel helpless.”

“What are your last memories?”

Aditya is wet with perspiration as he murmurs “My mom telling me, I love you Kino…..”

Nita felt choked as Aditya spoke those words, tears rolled off her eyes and she could not speak anything. The entire studio was high on emotions and there was absolute silence in the entire studio as Aditya lay trembling on the bed coiled completely like a baby.

Nita gathered herself and carried on the process, “Don’t worry, you now know the reasons of your deep fears and with time will be able to overcome them. With a countdown you will now gather your conscious self and move away from your past memories. 3…..2…..1…gather yourself Aditya and slowly open your eyes.” Adiya opened his eyes and sat on the bed. “How do you feel now?” “I feel light and freed from the enclosure.”

The episode ended on the highest note as Nita wrapped the show. She escorted Aditya towards the van outside where her mother waited. She felt uneasy and heavy, something she knew on the stage and camouflaged well….Aditya opened the door of the van and before getting in looked straight into Nita’s eyes, “It’s you…..I recognise the touch…I heard you voice….I heard Kino everyday…I heard your name too. It’s you…I just hid it well.” Nita left him and ran back to her car.




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Next day the local newspapers read, “Renowned hypnotherapist and socialite Dr. Nita Kishore moved in with his long rumoured actor boyfriend Siddhesh Singh. The couple patched up after 11 years after they decided to part ways over Nita aborting Siddhesh’s child to avoid ruining the upcoming actor’s career.” Aditya is now a normal child, guess he has overcome his fears and no longer thinks of them.

 
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Comedy is tragedy plus time!

I wanted to write a follow up on the last blogas it was in two parts, however a specific mail made me try my hand at something humorous. My rare try at it. On second thoughts the mailer was right with so much of tension and betrayal around one would want to come home and read something light. So here’s a shot at it, am too serious to take it up as a permanent theme but all I can say is ‘this time you got lucky!’

I got up as fresh as a daisy; I hadn’t felt so delicate before. It was an important day; a big day thus had slept early last night. I had to leave early and reach well in time not to miss the flight to Delhi. The time to reach the airport was far more than the inflight time! Irony of the ‘infrastructure development’ in my country!

I got dressed quickly and slipped into my favourite trousers. The minute I zipped it the button went flying and hit the floor. For more than a minute I just kept staring at the fallen button and cursed my luck at that. I didn’t have time to stitch it in time. I pulled an old one, the one that hung in my wardrobe in the set of clothes you buy without a reason and have been categorised as ‘untouchables’.

I slipped into it, well trust me it just sounds cool saying slipped. I had to struggle, pull it on both sides and wrestle hard to button it. I had a quick look at the mirror to see the most button popping, zipper ripping, and seam splitting trousers I had ever seen. I quickly gulped my juice, picked my bag and left after bowing quickly to the Tirupathi Balaji idol.

The juice starts working on me almost 20 minutes after I drink it. I felt the urge but stopped it, I wasn’t even half way and there was no way I could take a break. I sat still with all the weight I could put on my butt to stop it. At the same time was scared to put pressure that the seams of the trouser fall apart. Signal after signal was testing my patience. I pulled open my purse to check if I had taken my tickets, yes I had neatly tucked it in my passport. Well somethings are in order I thought to myself when I realised I had forgotten my phone at home. ‘Gosh! Common….I looked at the Ganesh idol on the cab dashboard and the dangling Hanuman holding a mountain over the mirror.’ I just couldn’t believe this was happening. The only thing I could afford was make a sick face and look at God.

By the time we reached the airport, my kidneys along with intestines were on the verge of bursting. Pressing my legs hard together I got down. Got my bags off and started to walk. ‘Edhu kamiya iruku!’ shouted the cab driver. I looked startled at him and first looked all over myself to see if my trousers were in place. ‘What?’ I retorted. ‘edu pathadu?’ he went again. ‘Dude I am in no mood for language translation.’ I actually said it. He went even louder in the south Indian language and even more animated. I realised through his gestures what he hinted at. I trusted the note in his hand and walked off thinking why don’t people understand emergencies.

I was late for the flight, no matter how much I try…it always happens to me. I looked at the snakelike queue for collecting the boarding pass and an equally long queue for security check-in. ‘Today is not my day!’ I looked at the Sai baba keychain hanging on the guy’s bag ahead of me – thinking why me? ‘Any Delhi passengers in the queue please come forward.’ I heard an angel’s voice.

Now I could bypass the queue and go to the rest room after security check, I wondered. I collected my boarding pass in a jiffy and walked to the security check, I walked straight nudging people and ignoring the horrendous stares I was getting. I pushed myself, removed my laptop placed it in the tray and walked to get checked, my eyes glued to the restroom. The boarding pass got stamped and while handing it over, she dropped it. I gave her the look that I would kill her for this sin. If I bend the seams fall apart and I didn’t want to challenge my bursting kidneys. She picked it up and said sorry. Not all is bad…I looked at the Durga ma pendant she was wearing under her shirt.

I collected my bag and rushed to the toilet and sat on the seat….’Ah….what a relief! This is heavenly, on second thoughts it isn’t!’ I sat feeling relieved looking at the mosaic flooring. I looked at the watch and then pulled the toilet paper. A small piece of paper came to my hand and the empty roll rolled on the stand mocking at me. I looked around but couldn’t find anything. This was not happening. I reached out for my bag and looked in for tissues, there weren’t any. I got up and quietly opened the door; I could see the stack of paper just across the door. I will quickly go grab the roll and get in again, I thought to myself. I sneaked out with my trousers half rolled down and rushed to the roll. I grabbed it and turned to see a long queue of women of all age, shape and sizes looking baffled at me. I didn’t bother much and rushed in. I could hear the laughter, the giggles, the lol’s and rofl’s of the world. Not looking eye in eye, embarrassed from head to toe, I washed my hands and rushed out as if no one around me existed. My name had been announced twice, the next thing I remember was the flight attendant telling me to fasten my belt as we were going to touch down. I slept like a log and was now hungry like a dog…sorry bitch, the rhyme sounded better.

Now no more, I was in time for the meeting and nothing could go wrong now. I sat there looking at the plush office and the pretty paintings hanging all over. That’s a new investment trend! The plump receptionist looked at me and pointed towards the cabin. After the pleasantries the client said lets have the presentation. I braced myself and confidently picked up my strolley, I opened it to get my laptop out. My eyes popped out not to find anything in the bag. How could it be, I had packed it after reviewing the slides last night. My palms got sweaty, body went cold and I could see stars in front of my eyes. I should be given a premium membership and a platinum award at http://www.fmylife.com/. I looked at my client and I could see his face getting elongated and his voice distorted and distant. I came to reality when he shook me, ‘huh!’.  He placed his phone on the table and I looked at the Sri Ram wallpaper and just nodded in dejection. Just in time I remembered emailing him a copy last night. It saved my day!

 The next thing I remember was me in bed, just opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling wondering was it real or a surreal dream. Well who cares as I got up feeling fresh as a daisy; it was an important and big day!