Harrappa- Curse of the Blood River

The success of The Shiva trilogy, many authors are moving towards mythology. I personally like Mythology and the way Amish treats his books. I heard a few positive reviews about this book. The blurb and the cover further intrigued me in reading to see what ‘Harappa- Curse of the Blood River’ brings forth.  The title is apt and not many authors would have tried writing a historical-mythological-fantasy fiction that would need a lot of research. This is a good attempt by Vineet Bajpai.

The book revolves between 1700 BC and 2017 AD. The story is based on Vivasvan Pujari and Vidyut Shastri born in different eras, but something connects them. The story interlinks the two eras and the two characters. A phone call at an odd hour makes Vidyut travel to Kashi/ Banaras to see his dying great grandfather. There is a secret that he has kept all his life- a secret that changed the fate of mankind many years back.

Positives:

• The story moves brilliantly between the two eras and makes it an interesting read.
• It will give you a glimpse of three places or cultures- Rome, Banaras and Harappa.
• The genre is a mix of history, occult and thriller- if you like these, you can give this book a try.
• The plot is good, the character sketch for all the characters is well thought through. I personally liked the way Vivasvan Pujari’s character has been drawn and the culture of Harappa has been shared. The choice of words and expressions do justice to both.

Negatives:

• The narration is slow paced; it didn’t need 314 pages for this plot.
• There are a few grammatical errors and repetition of information like ‘Half Human, Half God’ on almost every other page.
• The secret was revealed in the beginning so that was a low point for me.
• The conversation between Vidyut and his wife Damini has not been handled well. Usage of words like yaa and baby are un-relatable.

Overall, a book you can pick up for the storyline.

My ratings:

•         Title: 5/5
•          Cover: 4/5
•          Blurb: 4/5
•          Characterization: 4/5
•          Plot: 4/5
•          Writing and Presentation: 3/5
•          Overall Rating: 3.5/5

The Birthday

"Oh it's your birthday baby, see what I have got for you!" Mom showered her love on me in the form of beautiful dresses, shoes and hand bags.

I saw my maid's daughter Meera wearing her ragged dress, the one I had given her a few months back.

"Mom, let me make this even more special", I told Mom as I handed over the red dress to Meera.

"You know Meera, it's my birthday today and it will be even more special if you wear this dress. You are beautiful and this will make you look like a princess." I told her and she gave me the best smile.

"I am proud and so happy for you, my love! Happy Birthday!" Mom exclaimed and a small tear escaped her eye.

The birthday became the best one, Meera's unsaid blessings did the magic.

The Black Dress

Rose was a beautiful 6 year old girl. She was the apple of her mother's eyes and her daddy's princess.
Her best friend at school was a pretty girl named Susan.

"Mom, pack 2 sandwiches, one for Susan as well." Rose told mommy as she got ready for school.
Mom smiled as she packed another sandwich. She drove her car to the school to drop Rose.

"Hi Susan!" Rose got out of the car and ran towards Susan as she spotted her. Rose's mommy was furious. She called out to Rose and said something that made her unhappy.

The next morning, While Rose was getting ready for school, she called out to her mommy.

"Mom, I am confused, should I wear the red dress or the black one?" Rose asked her mommy.

"My love, all colors are lovely, wear any of them. You will look good in any color you choose." Mommy replied.

"Oh, no mommy. You told me not to speak with Susan, as she is black. Black must be bad."

Something died inside Rose's mother. She hugged Rose and cried, " No, my dear. Black is just as lovely as any other colour. I am Sorry."

The Gift

Parvati’s day typically started at 5am, when she would wake up and cook for her family. An hour later she would wake up the kids, get them ready for school and cook breakfast for them. She would then head off for work- She worked as a house maid.

At 30, she was mother to 4 kids, the eldest one was 15-years-old and the youngest was 8-years-old. She was petite and less than 5 feet in height but possessed the energy of a dynamite. Even after doing household chores for 5 houses, she would have the energy to cook for her family and manage her house. May be, it wasn’t the energy but the fact that she had no option. Her house was like many other houses in India where ‘Men’ didn’t help in household work.

Her earning was only Rs 10000 per month. Her husband worked as a labourer on construction sites. He didn’t have any fixed earning; it could be Rs 400 per day or nothing if he didn’t have work. Resources were scarce for this family but Parvati put in her best to ensure her kids got good education and upbringing.

Vedika got to know Parvati through her cook Anita. She desperately needed someone who would take care of dusting and cleaning her house. Anita introduced her to Parvati. She started with the cleaning job at her place in May 2017. She was taking care of the house like it was hers. In no time she felt like family.

For a woman, the maids are more important than the husband. A day without the maid is like hell.

A few days later, a little girl accompanied Parvati.

“Iski chhuttiyan chal rahi hain to le aai ki madad kara degi.(Her vacations are on, so I thought she can help me here.)” Parvati said as she introduced Babita, her daughter.

Babita was a bubbly 14-year-old, a regular teenage girl who loved spending time in her school and with her friends. Her friends fondly called her bak-bak, for she would speak for hours at a stretch. A little short in height for her age, but a lot more wise, that’s Babita for you.

She was a highly pampered kid at home, being the only sister to three brothers. With this pampering came some ground rules too, for they wanted to remind her that she was a girl. She was also her mother’s favourite kid as she was the only helping hand both at home and at work.

Vedika greeted Babita and got the best smile in response. Vedika asked her how old she was and she told her she was 14.

“Arre, ye to bilkul 14 ki nahi lalagti. Khelti nahi hai? (Oh, She doesn’t look like she is 14-year-old. Don’t you play?” Vedika asked.

“Khelti hun na meri friendon ke saath. (I play with my friends.)” She responded with a smile on her face. Vedika couldn’t stop smiling as she heard her say -friendon.

They talked for some more time, she told her that she loved Mathematics but was not too fond of Science and English. Vedika told her that she could come over to study Science and English from me. She was excited and told her that she would come to study.

Babita started coming regularly, along with studying she helped her in the kitchen and soon they became friends. She used to eat lunch at her place. One day Vedika had made pumpkin for lunch.

“Didi, main ye nahi khati. (Didi, I don’t eat this.)” She said as she looked disapprovingly at the pumkin.

“Oh, so what do you eat Ms Babita?” Vedika asked her in English, to see if she was getting better at it.

“I eat Maggi and Pasta, they are my favourite. Mummy tiffin mein deti hain. (Mummy packs these for lunch in school.) She replied innocently, clearly getting better at her spoken English.

Vedika felt happy and smiled. It is such a beautiful bond that a mother and child share. Parvati worked more than 14 hours a day and didn’t earn too well. She still managed to save enough to make her child feel loved and pamper her with her favourite food at times. Vedika cooked Maggi for her as she relished it.

A few days later, Parvati told her that Babita loved coming to her place. What she didn’t know was, Vedika loved Babita’s company equally. She didn’t know that Vedika was reliving her childhood with her and that she taught her one of the best lessons that somewhere we all forget as we grow up and start earning.

It was 22^nd May 2017 and Vedika’s brother’s birthday. She had spoken to him in advance about what he wanted for his birthday. He had given her a list of things to order from Amazon and Vedika had ordered them so that they reach him before his birthday.

“Babita, mere bhai ka birthday hai. (Babita, it’s my brother’s birthday.)” Vedika said as she offered her sweets.

“Arre waah, aaj to mere bhai bhi birthday hai, bade vale ka.(Oh nice! It is my brother’s birthday as well, my big brother.)” She responded as she stuffed her mouth with the ladoos.

Suddenly Babita became sad. Her brother had gone to the village with their mother and was returning only after 2 days. She told her about the birthday party she was planning for him, but he wasn’t there.

“It’s ok. Kya gift de rahi hai bhai ko? (What are you gifting him?”

“Geometry box!” Her big eyes were bright and filled with excitement.

Vedika asked her why she was giving him that. She told her that he didn’t have one and they had to share. As a result, he would leave it for her and get scolded in his class.

It took Vedika back to her childhood, when her brother and she would do things for each other. It took her to the care and love hidden amidst the fights that only a brother and sister can understand. Vedika asked her if she had bought that already.

“Aaj lungi, 1 month se paise jod rahi hun. (No, I’ll buy it today. I was saving since a month.)” She replied with the same brightness in her eyes. Vedika asked her the price of the Geometry box.

“100 rupees!” She sounded proud of herself. When Vedika asked her more, she told her that she didn’t get any pocket money. Parvati gave her money as and when it was required. She saved this because of the small jobs she would do by helping her mother and earn 10 or 20 rupees.

This 14-year-old girl taught her the meaning of life. Someone’s necessity is luxury for someone else. Vedika gave her 100 rupees and told her to buy the Geometry box as a gift from her and not keep the 100 rupees with her-forever. She will cherish them when she will grow up.

Sometimes we forget who we are and how small things in life give us happiness. Happiness is not in luxury but in being what you are. Babita became an inseparable part of Vedika’s life for she sees herself in Babita.

My Electric 10

Someone asked me a few months back, what will you do if there is no electricity? I laughed and thought how this is even relevant in today’s time. Who wants to even think of this? We are in the 21^st century and why will we even wonder this? Aren’t we developed enough to ensure electricity as a basic need is provided to everyone?

That’s when he told me- you are forgetting the villages, summers in Delhi and rains when anything can go wrong. I was quick to realize- I was wrong!

“I can’t imagine what I will do. No Electricity is equal to darkness, sadness, oh my life will end!” I panicked.

But then, I saw my younger self, barely 10 or 11, looking content and not worried about all this. How did I live that phase in my childhood with no inverters and no electricity? How was life so much fun then?

Those dark nights, sleeping under the starry sky with parents and siblings, that I fondly remember, wasn’t that all because there was no electricity for days? There are so many villages where electricity is still a privilege.

And that’s when I thought Life is so much fun; it can be so electric without electricity and made my list- ‘My Electric 10, when there is no Electricity’

1. Why not hold hubby’s hand and tell him he is special? A candle light dinner will make it even more romantic. I shall try it out; the romantic in me tells me it will be awesome!
2. How about some me time? Sit in the balcony and do nothing. Come on, there is no electricity; I need to chill for some time. And for company- make Maggi, well that will not help with the heat. But come on, Maggi can solve a million problems, right. 
3. For a change, no news on television. I am sure dad will be so restless to know what is happening in UP with Yogi Adityanath or what is Kejriwal accusing Modiji of. I’ll call up dad and ask him how his day was. I am sure he will feel super happy and give Yogi Adityanath, Kejriwal and Modiji a break.
4. Go out for a walk, the breeze will be refreshing. Go to the park and take a quick walk. Even if it’s not breezy but sunny in the afternoon or dark in the night, a tree in the park will make the weather just fine.
5. Any time stress buster- Shopping OR watch a movie at the Mall? Malls do have invertors and generators + Retail therapy- it always works!
6. Call up my friends and talk to them-Is that guy still stalking her? How is the kid? Is the mom-in-law nagging her? OK, let’s talk about maids. They are the most important person in a woman’s life after all.
7. If its day grab a pen- sit and write OR pick up the pencils and the sketch book and get set go! There is no better way to express you than these.
8. Blind people have always had a special place in my heart. I would like to try my hand at ‘brail’. I have never tried that. Let’s feel how they feel. Let’s learn the way they learn.
9. Book a cab and head to a relative’s place. I may not catch up with them regularly, but random plans like these always end up to be so much fun.
10. The best of all- horror stories. This is my all-time favourite. All you need is a start and then everyone will have something to share.. hoo hoo… Can’t wait!

So, jot down your 10 things.

Recall- When was the last time you laughed at something which annoyed you a lot. Make a list of how you will handle that? As they say- when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

So get your checklist ready for the next time there is no electricity!

But hey, keep you torch or candles ready and keep your phones charged before you plan anything. J

Start living now. Electricity or No Electricity- life is what you make it.

Flops you must watch!

It is so easy to judge anything that we see, especially movies. 3 hours in the cinema can turn either way. You may come out all happy or emotional and say, “What a movie!” or you may be absolutely furious on spending those 1000 bucks on 2 tickets and popcorn saying, “What a waste!”.

Why not make the money spent, sound worth it?

Here is my list of 5 Flop movies that you must watch… well this will give you atleast some reason to enjoy these movies ;-)

Prem Aggan:

    Released in 1998, marking Fardeen Khan’s debut and surprisingly getting him Filmfare award for  Best Debut (what!!!). The maker’s never had the intention to make it an epic comedy movie, but  that’s what it turned out. Watch it for Fardeen Khan’s acting, most funny workout song- ‘you  wanna?’ AND the most epic turn-on line, “mujhe vo haseen dard de do, jo main kisi aur ke sath na  baat sakun.”

      Jaani Dushman- Ek Anokhi Kahaani

Another disaster, released in 2002. Watch it to see ‘icchadhari naag’ in the 21^st century, Bollywood style stunts from matrix and a housefull of actors-atleast 20 of them, ranging from Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty …. to Sonu Nigam! Yes, you must watch it for Sonu Nigam, for he thought his chocolate boy looks will excuse the bad actor he is. You must also watch this movie to see how forgiving friends are, for they want Manisha Koirala to forgive the 2 friends who tried to rape her! Tch tch…

Saawariya:

He is heart throb and has dated the hotties of Bollywood, you must watch Ranbir Kapoor in his Bollywood debut Saawariya, released in 2007. This is also the debut movie for Sonam Kapoor. Ranbir definitely looks cute, but more than that he is an energizer bunny. Watch this movie for the song- jab se tere naina for Ranbir’s towel dance. This is a Typical Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, so watch it for the grandeur and the beautiful movie set.

Main Prem ki Diwani Hoon:

The only thing Rajshri productions was doing fine was making family movies, roping in Salman Khan and naming him Prem. Disaster happens when you use the word ‘Prem’ in the movie title and make a movie like this. Released in 2003, watch this movie for ‘OVERACTING’ by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Hrithik Roshan. Watch it for over expressive people, even the supporting artists want to cash in their screen time by being loud. Kareena teaches various forms of orgasms through her acting while Abhishek Bachchan balances the movie with his good boy role.

 Mela:

Featuring Mrs Funny Bones (aka Twinkle Khanna), Aamir Khan and his brother Faisal Khan, released in 2000. By now Twinkle Khanna had realised that she can’t act, hence she tried her best to put in maximum acting. In the entire movie she is crying (trying to). Watch this for cheezy dialogies, for example, “Uske gaal, uske baal arre kya kamaal ... aur uski chaal karde halaal ... uski kalai hai ram duhai, pure malai ... aur uska badan phoolon ka chaman ... aur uski aankhen sone ke button”

Watch them, have fun!

The Girl Next Door

“There is no friend like someone who has known you since you were five.”

-Anne Stevenson

Our friends and siblings give meaning to our lives. We play, we fight, we laugh- we don’t realise we are making memories; we just think we are having fun.

But, some of them come with a special purpose…

2^nd Feb 1992.

It was a sunny winter morning. I was at home, when I heard some noise on the street. My curious 5-year-old self rushed to see what that was. 

“Mummy! That’s a big truck!!” I was astonished to see the truck in the narrow lanes of her colony. I was used to seeing two wheelers and sometimes a rare sight of cars. That was the first time I had seen a massive vehicle.

I was born and brought up in Karol Bagh, the heart of Delhi. Karol Bagh is a popular place in Delhi for shopping, food and Punjabis. I lived in a locality about 10 minutes from Gaffar Market. There were 2 lanes in the block, with a park in the middle and kothis on both sides of the lanes.

Some people lifted cartons and furniture from the truck and carried that to house no. 57.  

“Bhaiya, jaldi jaldi karo! (Finish the work fast!)”a man who looked my father’s age instructed them. I looked towards him and saw some 7-8 people standing with him- some men, some women, two little girls and a toddler. Mom told me that they had bought house no. 57 and were moving in that day.

A few days later…

The wind felt slightly warm, summer was coming. My brother and I came back from school. Our sweaters knotted around our waists.

“Mummmmyy…. Mummmmyy.,.!!!” I cried as I dropped my bag and mom came running.

Without saying a word she understood that Ishank and I had been fighting. We were in the same school and with the age gap of only 1 year we were both friends and enemies. He was chubby, cute and had bunny teeth. Being elder to me by a year, he would want to set the rules and I wouldn’t want to follow them. It was a task for mom to handle us together.

“I will lock both of you in the bathroom!!” Mom scolded us as Ishank pulled my pony tail again and ran inside.

Mom helped us change our uniforms and made us sit in the verandah as she prepared lunch for us. As we were having food, the two new neighbour girls passed by. They were wearing white shirts and green skirts and carried a backpack and water bottle. They were coming back from their school.

After some time, mom slept and I tip-toed out of the house. I saw the girls again, this time closely. They were dressed in floral frocks. One of them drew something like a fishbone on the road with a chalk. I leapt on a car and watched them.

Nariyal (Coconut)” One of them, may be the younger one, spoke as she threw a stone behind her, over her head.

I had never played this game and was naturally intrigued. The elder one then saw me and asked me if I wanted to play. Little did I know I would cherish and remember the friendship that was about to develop.

We introduced ourselves and I told them I stayed in house no. 55. They were cousins and the elder one was Vijeta, about my height, brown silky hair and a clear complexion. She was a year elder to me and was Ishank’s age. The younger one was Samiksha. She was my age, a little shorter than me, black hair, bright black eyes and clear complexion.

The friendship that started at 5 years of age only strengthened with time. I had friends at school, but Vijeta and Samiksha were my best friends in the locality.

Over time our parents also got to know each other and became friends. Soon they started going to each other’s place and play board games like Memory, Monopoly etc. We were inseparable, as they say- sisters from another mother. We used to look forward to evenings when they would play Nariyal, Hopscotch, chocolate and other games.

When it would be really hot we would play inside the house. They would have meals at each other’s place. With no cell phones available at that time, our Moms would know where to find us if we were not in the park or the locality.

We made an awesome gang, with my brother Ishank, cousin Manish, Vijeta, Samiksha, Sunny, Honey didi and some more kids. In the dark we would play hide and seek in the locality itself and hide behind cars, staircases of the kothis and sometimes even terraces.

“Jaldi ghar aao, subah school janaa hai!” my mother would scream and ask us to wind up, have dinner and sleep in time for school in the morning.

With best of times we had our own arguments too. The favourite topic would be school. Everything would lead to an argument- from mode of transport i.e. their Van or her auto rickshaw; whose school was better- Manav Sthali (their school) versus Cambridge (my brother and my school); uniforms- our blue versus their green. We would fight and want to prove our things were better than the others and sometimes not talk for days. I laugh when I recall all this today.

We used to look forward to our birthdays and wait for the gifts we would get and the games we would play. Birthday parties were always at home with our relatives and friends. Vijeta, Samiksha and I were so close that we treated each other’s relatives like our own. My mama, maasis and buas were theirs too and I would address their chachas and chachis like they would. I remember that Samiksha’s mom would dress her in beautiful frocks and she used to look like a doll. Everyone loved her a lot.

March 1996

We were friends for almost 4 years now and were inseparable. It was a part of our routine to meet each other. When one would go to Nani’s place the other would feel sad. But something happened in March 1996 that I wish I could change if I had the powers. Samiksha was not around for some days and they missed her in our games and park time. It doesn’t click you too much when you are just 9-years-old. You miss your best friend but then you have other friends, you start playing with them and it is easy to handle. You know she will be back in a few days.

But then I learnt that Samiksha was unwell and had high fever. She was in the hospital for some days. Mom assured me that she will be back soon. I didn’t quite understand at that time the severity of illness when someone is admitted in the hospital. I thought she had gone for a few days and will be back soon.

Our routine was going as it is, Vijeta was there and we were having a good time together.

27^th March 1996

It was Ashtami i.e. eighth day of Navratri- the 9 days of Goddess Durga. In North India, Poori, Chhole and Halwa are prepared and fed to small girls or kanjakein as prasad. Our gang of girls was roaming from one house to the other in our locality and collected our Ashtami Prasad and gifts. I used to be really excited for this day as the neighbours gave us gifts and money. We would eventually buy wafers and some small things from that money. Samiksha was missing from all these celebrations.

It was a weekday but a holiday for us. After the puja Ishank and I were in Vijeta’s room and playing Monopoly. Most people were not at home and hence her mother asked us to be with her and play inside the house. Something felt odd that day; something was not right. We were playing but mentally something was affecting the three of us.

And then we got to know why we felt that. We heard people crying. The three of us looked at each other not knowing what to do.

“I.. I.. can’t…play in this noi…” Vijeta stammered as Samiksha’s mother ran inside the room and hugged her. She was in a really bad shape. Tears flowed uncontrollably from her red eyes. We exchanged glances and our eyes spoke of our nervousness.

“Samiksha.. Samiksha…is no more….”

We were numb.

Vijeta’s mom came and asked us to take her along with us. My parents also rushed to their home. The ambulance arrived and brought Samiksha’s body. Tears didn’t flow for some time, the shock was too much for us to handle. Then the first tear dropped and the rest followed in an unbroken stream.

I had heard about other people’s deaths but I had never thought that as a 9-year-old kid I would have to deal with my best friend’s death. The next few days were difficult.

“As per Hindu religion the soul takes 13 days to leave this world and till then it keeps roaming around its loved ones.” I had heard someone say this and it stuck with me.

One evening mom told me to go to park and change my mind. There were beautiful flowers and I plucked a red one. Recalling those words and thinking that Samiksha’s soul may be around me, I placed that flower in one of the bushes.

“This is for you Samiksha. I love you a lot. I will miss you.”

When I reached the same spot after 5 minutes, the flower was not there. I smiled and looked at the sky.

“God, take her with you, give her home and bless her.” I kept giving her flowers and she kept accepting them. A few days later, I plucked another flower and kept it aside for her. This time, it hadn’t been taken. I was glad, for I knew she had moved on from this world into the world that belonged to her. She had finally rested in peace.

It’s been 24 years since Samiksha left us. I didn’t spend a lifetime with her, but the few years were enough to keep her in my heart for a lifetime. Her death made me learn something about life- ‘Life is unpredictable. It is breath that helps you cherish moments as well as material.'

That kiss in the Rain!

Ragini stood near the French window of her apartment. Her bright eyes were fixed on the droplets falling on her window.  The dark clouds complimented the sound of the rain making it beautiful. It was already 12 noon on Sunday but it looked like evening.

Ragini didn’t feel like moving away from the window. That’s the magic of Mumbai rains- they mesmerize you.

 “Ma, give me another coffee,” Ragini said, her gaze still fixed at the rain drops.

“This is your third coffee in the last one hour. Finish this and get out of that pajama. Don’t get me started!” Her mother yelled and pushed the coffee mug in her hand.

“Ma, but I don’t want to go…” She pleaded.

Her mother’s gaze told her that she mustn’t argue. All she needed then was some warmth. If not from her mother, the hot coffee helped. She cupped the coffee mug and her hands felt warm. Her head leaned against the wall as she sat near the French window.

‘You are still sitting here!! Ragini, get a life and move on!!”

A few more droplets fell, this time it wasn’t the rain, “I can’t ma, I can’t forget him! Why did he do this with me?”

Her mother felt sad for her. She sat next to her and said, “You were not meant to be together. Destiny has its own plan. It will bring you together if that is what is meant to be, but don’t hold yourself back.”

Sahil and Ragini were childhood friends. It was in the 9^th standard that Sahil proposed to her, on a beautiful rainy day. She didn’t think twice and immediately accepted. After finishing their graduation, they told their parents about each other. Sahil got placed with a leading car manufacturing company, based in Detroit after his post-graduation. He left for Detroit 3 years back. Ragini was secure in their relationship, and why not? They had been together for 8 years and their parents knew about them. 

Probably Sahil didn’t think like that. Last he called her was a year back when he broke up with her over a phone call. He told her that he had married someone there.

“May be you are right, Ma. I will do this for you.” Ragini said as she relived the last 11 years.

She wiped her tears and headed to her room.

**********************

Ragini looked pretty in her blue denim and a baby pink top. Her matching pink earrings completed her look. She combed her hair and tied them in a ponytail.

You look beautiful with your hair open. Sahil used to tell her and she untied her hair.

The rain wasn’t stopping and Ragini didn’t want to drive in that weather. Mumbai rains were unpredictable and so she thought of booking a cab. The fares were quite high and she booked a shared cab.

The cab was there in the next 5 minutes and she hopped in.

“Yes, Band stand.” She confirmed.

Hi Rohan, I shall be there in about an hour. See you. She texted.

Beep. Beep. The navigation instrument beeped.

“Kya hua?”

“Share sawari hai madam.”

About 7 minutes later the cab reached the share passenger’s pick-up area. The passenger got into the back seat of the cab and looked at Ragini. He immediately got out and moved to the front seat, next to the driver.

 “Lilavati Hospital.” He confirmed to the cab driver.

Ragini felt uneasy in her stomach. Why does this man sound like Sahil? No, this can’t be Sahil. He doesn’t look anywhere close to him. In fact, this isn’t Sahil’s apartment. Sahil won’t wear this cap, he hates it. He is so lean, again unlike Sahil.

She checked the app for the name of the shared passenger and it said- Sahil.

“Sahil…” she murmured.

He immediately turned and their eyes locked. Yes, it was him.

“Hi, Ragini..h-how are you doing?” He stammered to get the courage to speak to her.

Ragini was speechless. He can’t change so much in 3 years. Her eyes were full but she didn’t let her tears drop, especially in front of him. She didn’t want to show him, how weak she felt.

She breathed heavily and responded, “I..I am great. How are you? And.. and.. your wife?”

He smiled and said, “Great. Where are you off to? I know you love rains, but only from your window.”

“I am meeting someone and if things go fine, we’ll get married.” She responded confidently.

Sahil forced a weak smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“When did you come back? Who is in the hospital? You look so weak, what have you done to yourself? And this cap- since when did you start liking it……”

“Whoaa… one by one.. Rags..I mean Ragini.. I am in good shape and this cap is the in-thing, doesn’t it look cool? I.. I moved here..umm.. a year back with my wife. Well... She is in the hospital, we are becoming parents.”

She sunk in her seat. This was the last nail in the coffin. She couldn’t respond. She kept looking at the rain and they reached Lilavati hospital.

“Ragini, you deserve the best, maybe I wasn’t the one for you.” He bid her goodbye and the cab started again.

He has moved on, nothing is remaining within him. He has moved on.

She SMSed Rohan- Stuck in traffic; looks difficult to meet today. She reached Band stand 15 minutes later. She got out of the cab and chose not to open her umbrella. The rain drops felt soothing, as though they were healing her wounds. She sat on a high rock as the tides washed her feet. She was drenched by now.

To her right, she saw a teenage couple under the umbrella. She smiled as she recalled Sahil and her first date as teenagers at band stand. It was raining then and it is raining today, only Sahil is with someone else.

She still didn’t want to believe that Sahil was with someone else. No, he can’t be. Our love was not that weak.

She got up and looked for an auto.

“Lilavati!” She said as she jumped into the auto.

********************

She reached Lilavati Hospital in the next 15 minutes. Stupid me, I don’t even know his wife’s name. But, I need to see her and get closure on this.

At the reception, she asked,” I am looking for a lady who is due anytime now.”

The receptionist gave her the worst look.

“Ok, I know there would be many women like that. Hmm… am looking for Sahil Kapoor’s wife, if that helps.” She wasn’t sure if this will help either.

“Sahil Kapoor … Sahil Kapoor.. yeah.. room no 507, but that’s not his wife. He has admitted himself. He just got admitted.” The receptionist responded.

Ragini was shocked, “W..what are you saying? W..what happened to him?”

“Cancer patient, he has been coming regularly for treatment.”

Ragini was numb.

She got answers to all her questions she asked him in the cab. Now, her tears would not stop. He wanted her to hate him as he knew he had a short time on hand.

“I need to meet him!” Ragini said urgently.

“Ragini.. What are you doing here? Why are you drenched?” It was Sahil’s mom, holding some papers.

Ragini ran and hugged her tight, she cried like a child, “Aunty, why didn’t you tell me? All this while, he wanted me to hate him, to forget him.”

She caressed her and said,” Doctors say that he has just a few months with him. What can be worse than this? Take this attendant pass, go meet him.” Her wet eyes screamed of a mother’s pain and fear of losing her son.

She ran and figured her way to room 507. The door was closed. Her heart was heavy and eyes were wet. She opened the door…

Sahil saw Ragini standing there, not trying to hold back her tears this time.

“Ragini…. I …”

She hugged him and said, “I am here now and things will only get better. Destiny wanted us to be together!”

“Why are you here Rags? You.. you have your whole life in front of you. I..I.. don’t even have a few months.” Sahil turned and looked at the rain drops out of the window.

“Sahil, I want to live my entire life with you in whatever time we have. Will you marry me?” Ragini took his hand in hers.

He cried like a child. His tears expressed his heart’s desires. Ragini wanted to make their wedding special. She kissed his forehead and told him that she will be back soon. She stepped out and called her mother, “Ma, you were right. Destiny has its own plans. I am coming home. We have a lot of work to do.”

A week later, Sahil got discharged after a few sessions of chemotherapy. Ragini was wearing a white gown as she came to receive him.  She handed him a suit to change into. She took him to band stand instead of his home. There were at least 50 more people over there, some friends and some family. They exchanged vows where they had their first date 11 years back.

It started raining and people started rushing not wanting to get wet. Ragini and Sahil stood there and kissed as Man and wife.

The rain sealed their wedding as everyone looked happily at them.

Conflict- A poem

A hundred thoughts in my mind,

All muddled up in a way.

I ask myself, 'why is that so?'

There is nothing I can say.

I look in the mirror, and see myself,

Then the silent tears in my eyes.

I stare some more, and then they fall,

I wish I had been wise.

Some call it sin, its love for some,

Growing within me, my life.

They call me names and give me stares,

For I am not a wife.

He’s not at fault, for he's a man,

You woman, don’t ruin your life.

But I choose you, oh my little one,

And now there is no strife.

To peace, harmony and friendship- A vacation that was much more!

“Travelling; it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

-          Ibn Battuta

Travel is one big inspiration for Artists, Storytellers and Poets. They tell stories through their art and words. Such is the case with me; Travel gives me experiences and hence, words. The traveller in me is always restless to see cultures and beauty of the world.

Last year, in an impromptu discussion with two of my friends, we firmed up a short 4-day vacation to Pondicherry and Auroville, which gave us much more than a few days of break from work.

We knew a bit about Pondicherry; The French East India Company had established it as their headquarters in 1674. A little more research told us that Pondicherry still carried the French flavour very strongly in its architecture, churches, hotels, beaches, restaurants and even street names. We booked our tickets, then the hotel, packed our bags and set off for this much awaited trip on 15^th August 2015.

Day 1 and 2: Pondicherry

We landed at Chennai Airport at 9 30am. This is the closest airport to Pondicherry, about 170km via one of the most beautiful routes in India- the East Coast Road.

We reached Pondicherry at around 2pm, checked into our Hotel and had lunch at Café Xtasy. We went to Sri Aurobindo Ashram after that; it was serene and peaceful.  In the evening, we gorged on the fresh handmade pasta at Le Dupleix- a popular French restaurant.

We started early the next day and rented cycles from the main market. We headed to Sri Aurobindo Paper Mill. They showed us the way paper is made using cotton rags, followed by a tour of their shopping store. We ended up shopping for stationary from there and then some more shopping for jewellery, ceramics, incense etc. from the main market. Cycling on a sunny day here can be quite draining, quick tip- carry water in your back pack and stop over at Gelatos for a quick ice-cream bite J

We had lunch at Villa Shanti- an Indo-French hotel that mesmerised us with its white and yellow walls. After this, we visited the botanical garden, the Museum and other places. We had dinner at the rooftop restaurant of The Promenade Hotel- the excellent food and the view sealed the day.

Day 3 and 4: Auroville

We booked a cab and reached Auroville, which is 8km from Pondicherry. This alluring place, founded in 1968 and named after Sri Aurobindo is home to 2500 people from over 53 countries.

One of the standees at the information centre shared the message from ‘The Mother’ which told us all about Auroville!

We reached the middle of Auroville and saw ‘The Matrimandir’, which is the place to find peace. The interiors of Matrimandir were all white and pious. You should book this at least three days before your visit to secure a place in the meditation session.

Aurovillians conduct activities such as yoga, meditation, art, music, cultural activities, and workshops. This is how they earn, get to know others and share their knowledge with each other. The information centre and pin-boards at various locations gave us the schedule for these. We visited the main shopping centre which displayed cotton clothes, handmade stationary and other beautiful things made by women at a local NGO. These are priced a little higher than the main market at Pondicherry, but it had a well curated collection.

Later, we grabbed a quick bite at one of the many food options here. We spent some time at the Savitri Bhavan which displayed beautiful paintings and offered a reading room.

There are a few home-stay options here- you can choose one to experience how Aurovillians live. People stay in beautiful wooden huts here. Many of them quit their high paying jobs to reside here and serve humanity. 

The next morning, we attended a workshop called ‘Leela: The Game of Life’, conducted by a Spanish resident of Auroville. The venue was a beautiful hut- butterfly barn. It was an interesting game with Snakes and ladders; a positive quality takes you up the ladder, while a negative one will pull you down via the snake. The dice decides your journey in life and we learnt a lot about ourselves through that game.

We bid goodbye to Auroville in the afternoon to catch our flight back home. It was a short vacation but a strong one. Not only did it strengthen our friendship, it gave us the most beautiful experience of being at Auroville and lessons of selflessness.