Safety is never an option!!!

Source: DomainGang

This post is in response to Nissan Safety Driving Forum activity by The Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., on IndiBlogger.

Thank you Nissan for giving this opportunity to bloggers to spread the word of safety. For all the readers here, I'd like to let you know that The Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has been conducting the Nissan Safety Driving Forum(NSDF) as a part of their safe driving promotion activities in India. It is an annual activity which began in 2012 and is still continuing. You can find more information about the Nissan Safety Driving Forum(NSDF) from the following link:

https://www.nissan.in/innovation/nsdf.html

Here goes my post:

Safety, S A F E T Y, a six letter word that can change a person's life upside down if it is not taken on priority. Yes! Safety is never an option. I say it in blocks, bold, underlined and large text ending with exclamations.

SAFETY IS NEVER AN OPTION!!!

Imagine we receiving a call, all of a sudden from a hospital and the person on the other side of the phone says, "I'm calling from so and so hospital. Please come here ASAP". Sounds horrible, doesn't it? I pray to God that no one, yes, absolutely, no one should receive such a call in their life.

When we talk about safety, it is not only towards us, but also towards each and every person on the street, it may be biker, a car driver, a pedestrian or even towards a kid being carried by his/her parent on the side of the road. One single mistake or compromise with the safety can bring chaos to our lives.

Once we decide to get on to the roads for travelling, we have to take care of a lot of things to make sure about a safer journey.

These things does not apply to any specific person, city, state or country because safety doesn't know the difference and safety is never an option!!!

Here are a few things that I would like to throw some light on:

1. Our Life is in Our Hands.

Source: Nissan images on IndiBlogger

Our Life is in Our Hands! Yes! We are responsible for everything in our life. Everything is in our hands including the steering of our car and the safety of our life. Unless we allow our hands to do something, we'll not be doing it. 

So we should take safety on priority when we get on roads, because, safety is never an option!!!

2. Even a Hero needs a Belt.

Source: Nissan images on IndiBlogger

Even a hero needs a Belt. Yes! You've heard it right. Even a hero needs a seat belt when he is driving a car. Hero can save us from villains, hero can save us disasters, hero can save anyone from anything but at the end of the day, he is responsible for his 'own' safety in his 'own' car.

So even a hero should take safety on priority when he get on roads, because, safety is never an option!!!

3. High Beam.

Source: Nissan images on IndiBlogger

High Beam might prove as one of the most dangerous things that is responsible for the safety of the person coming in opposite to our direction. Sometimes we may find high beams as helpful, but they have equal number of records of being not helpful. I suggest using them 'only when necessary'. 

High beam throws light directly into the eyes of the person coming in opposite direction and it may result in unforeseen accidents. Instead of that, I suggest using low beam as far as possible. It is safe for everybody on the roads during night.

So high beam should be used only when necessary, because, safety is never an option!!!

4. No Mobile when Mobile.

Source: Nissan images on IndiBlogger

Again, this is one of the best inventions in the history of mankind but has proven to be a cure when you are driving or moving in/on a vehicle. We should always avoid talking on mobiles when we are driving. 

What happens if we miss a call? Will the person kill you? No, right? Then why do we try to kill ourselves by answering the call when we are driving. By doing this we are not only risking our safety but also the safety of other people travelling along with us and the people on roads.

So, No Mobile when Mobile, because, safety is never an option!!!

5. Keep Distance.

Source: Nissan images on IndiBlogger

"Maintain one hand distance", we kept hearing this sentence since our school days when we assemble for morning prayers in our schools. 

As the picture says, we've learnt to keep a safe distance even when our life is not at stake, so why not do the same when it is? 

We should always maintain safe distance between our car and the other cars on the roads. It helps us and also the other to have safe and happy journey. Let's not get excited by our so called super racing movies and do the same and risk everybody's safety.

So, Keep Distance, because, safety is never an option!!!

6. Follow 'Traffic Rules'.

Source: Nissan images on IndiBlogger

Trust me! No super power is going to be so merciful on us if we are not following the traffic rules. No matter we tie a magical lemon along with few green chilies in front of our car, no matter we put our lucky stone in our car, no matter we have our God's idol in our car, we'll never be safe if we are not obeying the traffic rules.

Even here, as the picture says, you wont need luck, if you just obey traffic rules.

So, we should always follow traffic rules, because, safety is never an option!!!

7. Drink, no Drive. Drive, no Drink.

Source: Google Images

The images seems to funny but on the contrary, the consequences of drink and drive are much more horrible. 

Why drink and drive? We can book a cab and go home when we are drunk or we can call someone and ask them to pick us up. Thank God the laws have been made strict and check point have been set up for sober checks on the roads. 

Even in this case, we are equally risking the safety of other people as we are risking ours. The fun seems to be higher end when we drive drunk, but the consequences are on a higher end my friend.

So 'Drink, no Drive. Drive, no Drink', because, safety is never an option!!!

I'm not saying that these are the only safety tips which you have to follow while driving. There are a lot many but these are the basic ones that we should definitely follow. If you are following these basic safety tips then you are a responsible human being.

My best wishes for Safer India, for a Safer World!!!

Rise Above Fear!

Source: Mountain Dew India

This post is a part of Rise Above Fear activity by Mountain Dew India on IndiBlogger.

You can know more about this from the Mountain Dew India's Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/mountaindewindia

Here's a wonderful video from them starring Akkineni Akhil on how they overcome the fear of heights. It is a very nice inspiring video. Must watch!

Here goes my post:

"I dint want to wake you up at 3 AM. So, I'm leaving this note on the dining table. 

I remember all the instructions you gave me last night. I will not be over confident macho man, I'll listen carefully to the instructor and do whatever he says. 

Don't worry, Mom! I'll be fine and I'll be back soon as promised.

P.S: I could not take the pickle you packed last night. I'm sorry and please don't be mad at me again :)

Lots of love!"

I wrote it on piece of paper and left it on the dining table. She might have read it by now and she might even have tried calling at least a hundred times on my cell which is now out of coverage and all the credit goes to the best service provided by our beloved cellular operators!

I reached my destination along my friends and checked into our hotel rooms. "Alright guys, we got two hours and we'll be meeting in the waiting hall soon after you fresh up", said my instructor.

"Hi, this is Aman", said the guy standing next to me. "Siddharth, Siddharth Sehgal. You can call me Sid", I said. We both shared the room then. "Did you ever do this?", I asked. "Yes! I did. Haven't you?", he asked me. I said, "Yes" and went to take my shower.

We all gathered in the waiting hall and we were given few instructions on what to do and what not to do. I listened everything carefully and then Aman guffawed when he saw me taking down the notes. I can't blame him, he doesn't know how scared I am. It has been just few hours we reached here and I'm already having thoughts about going back home.

"Aman, did you find it difficult when you did it for the first time?", I asked at midnight. He did not reply. He is either asleep or he chose not to reply.

The day has come and I have to do this at any cost, to overcome my fear. I've checked everything for at least three times now. Mask, regulator, alternate air source, pressure gauge weight belt, fins, air tank, buoyancy  compensator, all checked..!!

I stood there and my started pounding like it is competing in a 100 m sprint with Hussain Bolt. "Come on, Sid. It's your turn and as I said already, do not panic!", said my instructor. It was still my choice, I could have chosen to go back by not jumping. But, I have to overcome this fear now.

I took a deep breath, put on my mask and jumped into the deep blue sea. Yes! I entered a world that was completely different from ours. It was so calm and so blue with the tiny, cute fishes around me.

It was all magical in there. No traffic, no pollution! It was like a dream and still can't believe that I did it! Yes, I overcame my fear of deep water by diving into the deep sea. 

I should not have trusted him!

Source: Google Images

The cold was blistering and the snow was thick, but still, I've managed to reach the station long before train had to pick.

I was all prepared and all set to flee and the clock ticked as if it just wants see, how my future would be.

The moment has come, so did the train and the phone flashed a message which gave me a lot of pain, "I'm sorry again!"

I've boarded the train and decided to live my life without him.

I left my family for him, I left my friends for him, I should not have trusted him.!

This post is a part of Five Sentence Fiction - Trust at LillieMcFerrin.com

The Job

This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette.

Thank you Shashank for tagging me in your post, The Presentation, written at EmbarkWithMyThoughts. I've accepted your tag and here goes the post.

There was a red door at the entrance and I did not dare to enter. I decided to wait on the pavement beside the entrance to see if I can ask any worker from restaurant.

Source: Google Images 

I've waited there for an hour or two, everyday, for like a week or more and finally there came a waiter to throw the trash and I walked towards him. "Are you looking for any help in this hotel?" I asked to the waiter who came out to throw the garbage. He did not even care if I was talking to him and started the empty the trash can. "Sir, I'm looking for a job and I just wanted to check if you guys are looking for any help in this hotel", I asked again.

"Do you think you can keep cooking for eight hours a day?” he asked. My over enthusiastic heart and the hungry stomach found a ray of hope at his question. "Yes! Yes! I can wait for eight hours a day and I can wait too", I said.

"Let me check with my boss and let you know if is willing to hire any stranger for a job in his hotel", he said and walked towards the hotel. He came out and said, "Come in. My boss wants to see you". He glanced me and said, "I'll be paying only 50 bucks an hour". As I did not get to see 50 bucks in past three months, I felt like jumping with joy and singing, but I said, "It is a little less but, I'll take it".

"Can I start cooking now?" I asked. "No! Not from today. Get rid of that beard first. You should have a clean shave as long as you work here", the boss said.

"I can shave and come back in ten minutes", I said. "Listen, it is already late and we have people coming for lunch. Come down tomorrow and start cooking and don't forget, 'clean shave'.", he said.

"Oh man! I lost the salary for today and that too just because I did not shave!" I said to myself.

I would like to tag my blogger friends to blog about #WillYouShave activity too.

Shashank who blogs at https://embarkwithmythoughts.wordpress.com/

Sahitya Sridhar who blogs at http://sahisridhar.blogspot.in/

Aishwarya Moodadi who blogs at http://www.my-words-are-here.blogspot.in/

PS: Don’t forget to mention that you were referred by me me in your post.

Topics for Guys:

Missed chances- Stories or instances where you missed out on an opportunity because of a non-shaven face.

Luck or Confidence?- Will you leave your fate in the hands of destiny or will you step up and say yes to a well-groomed face to be at your best everyday? #WillYouShave.

Topics for Girls:

An instance when a stubble came in the way of a man’s chance to make a good impression.

An instance when a well groomed look ensured that they struck gold on an opportunity given to them.

You'll rock the stage then!

This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette.

Thank you Cifar for tagging me in your post, Wrong Queue at The Other Side. I've accepted your tag and here goes the post.

As soon as I entered he class, I heard, "Sit down everyone. No one wanders in the corridor today. We have the first company visiting our college this semester and the Head of our Department would be upset if you guys are creating any scene out there".

I went there and took the only available seat in the second bench of the class.

"Which company is it?", I asked Angad. "I don't know man! I was at the coaching yesterday and why would I be bothered about the companies coming this year? We will anyways be having our shots next year, won't we?", said Angad. "Yeah you are right big man!", I replied. "Keep calm you idiots!", said Mr. Deshpande, our lecturer for Programming in C.

According to me, Angad is proper, planned genius of our class with all the abilities to crack technical, managerial and HR rounds of these companies. I should say, I was lucky to have him during exams. I know what you are thinking now. Don't worry, it is not because I can copy from him, it is because, he used to explain me the chapters that I bunked for my cricket tournaments.

"Look at him, he has already started taking coaching for the expected interviews next year. He always sits in the second bench so that he will not have distractions during the lectures. He always comes in clean and neat formals to collage as if he is going to interviews everyday in college. Look at him! This is the guy!", I said to myself.

"Wait! What's this! Angad, why dint you shave? You look so tired and untidy with this beard", I said. "Dude, I was busy with coding last night and I had to rush to college this morning because I woke up late. Do you think this beard is really that bad. I thought it looks cool and macho ;)", he said. "Yo bro! You are still the genius of our class", I said.

Mr. Deshpande gestured Angad to come out of the class. Angad went as if it was a national emergency but when he returned he looked a little upset. "Ssup bro! What's wrong?", I asked. "Our Head of the Department wants one of our juniors to address the recruiters today and Mr. Deshpande suggested my name", said Angad. "That awesome! But why are upset?", I asked again. "Head of the Department asked someone else to do it because I did not shave my beard", said Angad. "That's sad bro! Don't worry, you have a lot of chances coming up. You'll rock the stage then!", I said.

Source: Google Images 

I would like to tag my blogger friends to blog about #WillYouShave activity too.

Anunoy Samanta who blogs at http://anunoys.blogspot.in/
Soma Pradhan who blogs at http://flavoursunlimited.blogspot.in/
Anuja who blogs at http://changethestylenow.blogspot.in/

PS: Don’t forget to mention that you were referred by me me in your post.

Topics for Guys:

Missed chances- Stories or instances where you missed out on an opportunity because of a non-shaven face.

Luck or Confidence?- Will you leave your fate in the hands of destiny or will you step up and say yes to a well-groomed face to be at your best everyday? #WillYouShave.

Topics for Girls:
An instance when a stubble came in the way of a man’s chance to make a good impression.

An instance when a well groomed look ensured that they struck gold on an opportunity given to them.

The Power of Voice

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. We have been reading this statement since we started going to school. As a matter of fact, in most of the cases, we are just we are just reading it. But the question is: How far are we following it? How far are we implementing it?

Here's a short story about Montu, who has not only raised a voice against the dirty surroundings but also helped in maintaining it.

Montu walks through the same route everyday to get to his school. Though the town was big, the roads were small and dirty. He still managed to reach without any problems and the only thing he cared about is not get his uniform dirty on the way to his school.

"Mousi, give me two pencils and one sharpner", said Montu to the lady who runs a small stationery counter in front his school. Selling the stationery was her only to earn her bread and butter. Though she was pretty old, she never gave up and never asked for help.

Everything was going good in the town. Soon the seasons changed and it was the turn for rain. The bad roads became worse and the worse became the worst. But Montu did not change his aim, not to get the uniform dirty.


One night, it rained heavily and most of the ditches and culverts in the town started overflowing which resulted in water entering into the Mousi's counter. Mousi still managed to clean and drain the water but her age did not allow her to do it daily.

Not only Mousi's counter but also the playgrounds and roads were at their worse conditions. Days passed but no one was giving a thought to correct the situation.

Looking at the sad state of the town, Montu gathered few of his friends and raised his voice against the hygiene and cleanliness. He decided to talk to his principal about the situation and see if even the school can help him.

Montu received support from his friends, school and his family. Everybody then raised their voice and approached the government to make the difference. Soon there were concrete roads in their town along with covered ditches and culverts.

Montu also started a campaign with his school friends educating the people in their town about the safety measures and principles to keep their surroundings clean.

Thus the town was all back to happiness and no rain could trouble them anymore.

Now that was Montu's story in his town. What about our towns? What about our country? Let's make sure that we raise our voice whenever required for our towns, for our country!

This post is written in response to The Power of Voice to Clean India, #AbMontuBolega by Strepsils at IndiBlogger.

This digital campaign has been started by Strepsils which is trying to spread awareness among the citizens of the country to speak up and be heard about the cleanliness, which is next to Godliness. They also came up with a tag line, "Kyuki Bin Bole Ab Nahi Chalega, Strepsils k Saath #AbMontuBolega" that motivates people.

My sincere thanks to Saqib Saleem, the star from Mere Dad ki Maruti, who played the character Montu in this campaign.

You can anyways learn more about this campaign by visiting the official website, http://www.abmontubolega.com/, the Facebook page and the Twitter page created by Strepsils India.

The chance you missed is the choice you've made

This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette.

Thank you Shashank for tagging me in your post at embarkwithmythoughts.

I woke up in my bed after a the long night, hung over. The smell of rum which I had all night with her was all over my bed. The hangover was killing me even after a seven hour sleep and I just wished it go off after I have my tea, as usual.

I had to be there in the next half an hour and I had to hurry because it takes approximately twenty minutes to travel. I could have still shaved my beard and gone but, no! I was worried that I would be late if I do so.

I came back from the bathroom attached to my room and I could see her still sleeping with the sheets on. She looked even more beautiful while she was asleep.

"Get back to your work you idiot or you will have to keep watching in this bedroom for few more days until you have your next interview" I said to my self. I went back to combing my hair and my beard. The perfume I was wearing was pleasant enough to impress any girl around me.

I kissed her on her cheeks and started my journey for the day, to give my best and to grab my job. The sunny day and it's sun light wished me a good luck as I rode my bike.

I reached the place and I was on time. It took exactly twenty minutes for me to travel, as expected. The moment I went in, I was received as if they are waiting me, they were expecting me. I went in and sat on the the only chair opposite to the other three. All their questions were addressed correctly. As a matter of fact I felt as if it was one of the best interview I've faced.

Source: Google Images

But, things don't end when you think they would.

"I'm sorry Mr. Jude.! You did not qualify the last round", said the man in the third chair in front of me. "Did I miss anything?" I asked. "It's your beard sir! You are not shaved and you were expected to be in clean shave." they said.

I just left the room and came out thinking that I would not be able to get another interview with this company for another six months. Oh man!! It was the best company in my locality and I have to travel few miles for another one like this.

"Honey! Honey! Wake up!!", I heard a voice and it was her shaking me from my dream. Thank God it was a dream. The first thing I did was to shave and then go to take a shower. Yes! I had a job waiting for me and I was making sure that I shouldn't be creating an impression that would make me disqualified or unfit for.

I would like to tag my blogger friends to blog about #WillYouShave activity too.

Shashank who blogs at https://embarkwithmythoughts.wordpress.com/
Cifar who blogs at http://blogthepoint.blogspot.in/

PS: Don’t forget to mention that you were referred by me me in your post.

Topics for Guys:

Missed chances- Stories or instances where you missed out on an opportunity because of a non-shaven face.

Luck or Confidence?- Will you leave your fate in the hands of destiny or will you step up and say yes to a well-groomed face to be at your best everyday? #WillYouShave.

Topics for Girls:

An instance when a stubble came in the way of a man’s chance to make a good impression.

An instance when a well groomed look ensured that they struck gold on an opportunity given to them.

The Love I rejected once

Source: Google Images

Even a single smile from him would have made me feel better.

I knew it was the last time he could see me, but he behaved as if he was very happy and as if I did not exist at the table.

I knew, I made him feel bad, I knew made him go mad, but then he has chosen to ignore me, completely!!

As minutes passed, he just left the table waving a good bye to all my friends around while the tears left my eyes saying hi to all that guilt he left for me.

"Oh God, who is responsible for all the irritation, all this suffocation!!" I said to myself.

This post is a part if five sentence fiction - irritation activity at lilliemcferrin.com.

The Touch

This post is written in response to  #BringBackTheTouch http://www.pblskin.com/

"Maya, can you make it fast! We are getting late and Anirudh would be upset if we are late", he said.

It is the most he spoke today and thank God he remembers that even I am coming :)

I do not understand what they would be doing in their office wherein he had to work even after coming home.

But yeah, I came out from the bed room and stood near the door just to check if everything was fine with my saree and again, "Maya!! Honey make it fast. It's a long way to drive", he said.

The moment I came out, he saw me and I thought he would appreciate me and tell me how beautiful I look, but he dint even smile and it is no surprise to me these days.

We reached Anirudh's place and he asked me to go in while he was parking the car. The moment I entered I thought Anirudh or his wife would be greeting me. The lights were all on and there was nobody in the hall. I just entered and stood there waiting for Vikram to come.

"Priya, go in" he said. "Honey, where is Anirudh and his family?" I asked. Before I could say another word, he hugged me from behind and I was trying to figure out what was happening, and all my trials are in vain. I was sinking deep in the ocean of his love and his touch was all that made the difference. 

"Priya, this not Anirudh's place. This is our new home and I am sorry for all the me getting lost in my office and my work! I'm sorry for all the ignorance you felt. I am sorry for everything." he said.

Again, it's his touch that has made all the difference. 

My dream 24K home with Porcelanosa

Haven't started building one yet but given a chance I'd like to choose the following items to make my home, a sweet home.

The very first thing which someone or even I would come across when entering my home is either the entrance or if I'm looking down then it would be the flooring. Yes, building from the scratch. I'll be choosing the best tiles for my floor and it would be something that attracts and follows wherever you in my home. It should not only attract but also be very safe for all the people in my home, elders, youngsters and kids, who should be very careful while learning how to walk.

I would go for a natural wooden flooring and in that it would be, Modern Louvre Siena.

Modern Louvre Siens

Later I would be going for the next best place of my home and that would be nothing but my kitchen.

Yes, I like to spend most of my free time, given I do not have any games to play or movies to watch, it would be cooking and I love to cook. According to me the place where you cook also matters. I also like the Spanish touch in the kitchen which would add a lot of interest in my cooking.

In this case, I'd be going with the G680 Nogal Tenue G580 Blanco Brillo. Yes, I liked it the most from all the furniture displayed in their gallery.

G680 Nogal Tenue G580 Blanco Brillo

Adding to the furniture there are lot of things like the kitchen taps and the worktops which would again add to the beauty. 

In the taps, I'd choose Monomando Stick which I feel like looks very flexible and can be used without any trouble. 

Monomando Stick

After the taps it would be the kitchen work tops. Worktops bring maximum resistance and visual appeal to kitchens. I would be going with KRION Kitchen worktop. It looks kinds simple for me, no extra decorations and nothing. Just simple, but the best.

KRION® Kitchen worktop

It is not just the money but the bank you choose. In the same way, the wardrobes you choose is the more important for your clothes. I just love clothes and man the never ending trends are always in the news. 

In all the ward robes from the Porcelanosa gallery, I'd be going with the Foc Roble Cacao / Blanco Superior Textil ward robe. Again, it just as simple as I was expecting to buy and no extra decorations and nothing.

Foc Roble Cacao / Blanco Superior Textil

That is all in my list which i would be planning to buy from Porcelanosa.

I  would also suggest you to visit 24kLiving to browse through their splendid products to find the one that suits your dream and not only just dreams, but your home and you family.

The sorry state of hygiene – from Babli's Point of view

The very first place you look for as soon as you wake up is your toilet, without which you can't even imagine your home. Home Sweet Home, I say.

No, that is not how this post is going to be. This is about the homes, villages and people in India where in they have to travel a distance to find a place for their bowel movement. 

This is specifically about the girl Babli, who is couldn't just find four walls to evacuate her bowels. This is specifically about every Babli in every village and every home without toilets.

She has to think about evacuating her bowels before going to school, because she cannot find a public toilet on the way. She has to again think about it before heading back home because it is the same way without any public toilets. She has to think about it before going to visit her relatives, who knows she may not find a toilet in their home too.

We have a lot of places in this country where we can find a Babli who is struggling to defecate without any impact on her dignity.

Hey wait, having toilets in every home does not solve the problem. Public toilets, not just public toilets, 'hygienic' public toilets is what she is looking for. The word hygienic matters a lot here because if they are not hygienic, it would cost more than the money you spend on building those toilets, to cure Babli from the diseases she got from the unhygienic toilets. Unhygienic is again bad for Babli's health and she being a bright girl who chooses to wait for some more time to reach her home or in unfortunate conditions resort open defecation.

For every time she defecates in open places, there is some inner part in Babli which cries to tears - "This is not going to happen again". But when is this not happening going to happen in Babli's life, when?

India is a place where there are  dignitaries like Pratibha Patil who became the president and there is Babli who had either hurt herself by waiting for a long time for her bowel movement, or unfortunately had  to resort to open defecation because of not having a toilet at her place or she couldn't wait because she couldn't find a public toilet.

But this is going to end soon, thanks to http://www.domex.in/  and the #ToiletForBabli initiative for the change they are trying to bring in the country. 

Even you can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.

My flight to the Present..!!

She was scary and all I could see is her bleeding torso by the very sight of which I was frightened to death.

I'm not even sure if she has hit me with her spell, but with in few seconds, I was in a another world, I don't know where,with another dimension, time and I could choose to be where with all my hands bare.

Source: Google Images from the movie Lucy

I tried hard, really hard to stare and it was me crying as a kid because of my brother and the chocolate he couldn't share.

My life was a dimension lying in front of me and I couldn't decide where to resume while the dark force was still upon me, suppressing my will to rise, my ability to choose, my instincts to decide.

All of a sudden, I can feel someone holding me tight and then I opened my eyes, all sweaty in my bed and the love of my life, holding me tight to wake up from my dream.

Source: Google Images

This post is a part of Five Sentence Fiction -  Flight at lilliemcferrin.com

All I wanted is Love

Source: Google Images

Days passed but she never asked anything.

She sat next to me but never said anything.

"How long is this going to happen?" I asked myself.

I went to her and said, "You can ride my bicycle whenever you want :)".

That is how I ended the envy, because All I wanted is Love!

This post is a part of Five Sentence Fiction Activity- Envy at lilliemcferrin.com.

Healthy Child makes a happy Home..!!

Before starting to write anything, I would to quote something which I always believed -- "To take birth as a mother you need the power to climb more than one Mount Everest".

No parent can contradict the statement, "Healthy Child makes a happy Home".

My mom always used to say to me, "Handling a single, notorious, mischievous kid like you is like handling a complete family :)". Well, as a matter of fact, she is absolutely right and I'm very proud of that statement. I should be, shouldn't I?

I had no siblings and me being the only kid, I was equipped with all the powers to do whatever I want and whenever I want. But, you know what, everything which involves children comes with an instruction manuals and when there is Mom involved in it, it will have an additional section labeled 'terms and conditions' and the only option given there is 'I Accept'. 'Decline' option is no where found and I always choose to accept it because I'm getting what I want ;).

I always kept Mom on her toes and she was quiet happy with whatever is happening around her. There was always noise, songs, dance, games, dirt, dust and when it's summer, my cousins added to the list. 

Happy Home -- kids, parents, all healthy and happy together.

One fine day, vacations started and we were all set to go on a trip and out of no reason, I fell sick the night before our travel. Everything was planned and it was just a matter of fever which can be cured in a day or two with proper medication.

But, when it comes to mothers, they can even leave the entire world of happiness and to take care of their children. The vacation was not at all a matter for her and she canceled it just because I had a slight fever.

Right from that moment, she never left me, she was always holding my hand. I couldn't sleep because of the fever and she did not sleep either. She was always at alarm to check if I need food, water, anything!!

During that fever, Mom prepared whatever I want to eat and she ate the same, I love to watch Pokemon, Swat Cats and Tom n Jerry and she watched it along with me for hours and hours, I love to dress like Super Man and she helped me with all the costumes, I did not feel like eating the dinner and just had some hot milk one night, you know what Mom had the same milk. 

She did not think about any other thing in this world but me, as long as I was sick. There were cousins in my home but when there is one sick kid and that's it, all the entertainment is on a break. All dull, all gloomy!!

It continued for two days as expected and the third morning, out home was back on fire!!! All the kids were on the bed with the pillows in air and noise above the roof!! Yes, I got well and the canceled plan was back in action. 

Bags packed, schedule set to normal and booking done to travel. Yes, it was an Happy Home again.

"Health is wealth", is on on peak and I correct it now, "According to mothers, Kids health is wealth".

A healthy child makes a happy home.

This post is a part of IndiBlogger prompt #ImmuneIndia by Dabur Chyawanprash.

Other side of the sea..

Source: Google Images

Hours passed and I was still at that beach, lost in my thoughts, lost in my love.

I went back to the past where in , she leaned towards me, held my hand with my fingers between her's and that's the moment when I said to myself, "I'll never let her go".

I loved her a lot, planned to live my entire life with her, married her..!! 

But God has sent a completely different train at her platform.

"Dad, Dad, Dad -- can Mommy see us from that side of the sea?", asked our son who shook me from my thoughts and to whom I told that, people who die go to the other side of the sea and return when their kids grow up.

This post is a part of the Five Sentence Fiction - Horizon activity at lilliemcferrin.com.

Curry Leaves

Source: Google Images

"How much is this for?" I asked looking at the final set of curry leaves lying on the cloth.

"Three rupees only" she said, rolling her eyes up with a hope that I'd buy them and she can go home but still confused if she has asked for more for those only leaves left on the piece of cloth.

I took out a five rupee coin from my wallet and handed it to her with a smile and said, "Keep this five, mousi."

I turned around and started moving towards my bike but was confused about how to hang these small carry bags, overfilled with vegetables.

"Son take this, it'll be easy for you to hang all this stuff on your bike" said the woman with a smile on her face and went back to her place, folding the piece of cloth on which she sold the curry leaves.

This is a true story which happened to me, when I went to the vegetable market this afternoon and after this I was speechless for a moment and I then realized and was reassured that love and care are the things which happen to keep coming even if you keep giving. The lady did not have any carry bags at all for giving it to her customers. She has given it to me by emptying all her belongings and tying them in that piece of cloth.

This post is a part of the Five Sentence Fiction - Confusion activity at lilliemcferrin.com.

Kabhi..!!

Source: Google Images

Khade the kabhi hum is kinaare pe,

Sirf intzaar tha, tumhaare ik ishaare ke.

Sach aur galat k beech ki jo tanhaayi thi,

Bas wohi thi, jo mere dil pe chaayi thi.

Humko ab kisika intzaar nahi,

Aisa nahi ki mere dil mein tumhaare liye pyaar nahi,

Bas ab main tumhaara woh yaar nahi.

Kabhi khade the hum tere liye is kinaare pe!!

Hatred turning to Love

I went to Chennai with hatred, pure hatred it was. "New place, new people, new food, new culture. I've to manage anyhow for a month or two, till I get my training done and then I'm off to a different place", I said to my colleague sitting next me. "What do you think I'm gonna do?" he asked. I understood, we both travelling in the same boat.

In the next few days, while I was busy hating Chennai, God has made his moves to add some life to my life and introduced me to wonderful people whom I now call, friends! The hatred for Chennai was then replaced with friendship.

Early in the morning at The Rocky Beach, Pondicherry

I was so happy that the place where I lived did not matter, the sweat in the hot sun was no more a problem, the hunt for a flat to live after checking out from the office guest house seemed like fun and the best one is when my friend came to me and said, "Shinde! Mere hostel ke saamne aloo ke parathe milte hain yaar. Chal aaj office ke baad dinner wahi pe karenge". I felt like I was being awarded for some Godly task when I had the first bite of the paratha followed by the tang of the sour lemon pickle dished side to it. 

There were a lot of things which did not bother me anymore. Happiness was defined there for me.

Those long lasting gossips, those never ending waiting for a friend to come out of his cubicle to go home, those silly fights for a reason which doesn't even exist in this universe, those calls to a friend in the office, just to see how it would feel to talk for free of cost in the office intercom, those long, in fact very long and unnecessary chats just to check the new smileys on the office communicator, those crucial discussions, just to decide where are we going to eat that night, those sudden trips to the never seen places and boarding the wrong bus on return which resulted in six hours of extra travel, those silly names of the movies during dumb charades, those extra workouts in the gym and that moment when you realize that you lost your weight instead of gaining it ;) those excited moments after training gets finished and the smile on your face which says you are going to be in project for some real work, those unforgettable weekend plans, those unbelievable window shopping in the malls, those coincidental dinners, those evenings at the beaches, those birthday parties and the bike's breakdown in the middle of the night, those crazy stupid pillow fights, those unlimited photo sessions, those every weekend movie plans, those trails to learn swimming on our own, those calls to our homes and the emotional talks, those nicknames and the teasing when someones crush just walks by and what not! How can I forget the DJ night!!! That is when we knew, anybody can dance.

But, the day finally came. My transfer request to Pune got approved and I suddenly realized, what I'm going to miss. Three more days left and I felt like I'm going away from my home, again. It's like it was yesterday when all these things happened and today I'm here, writing this post on my blog. I got what I wanted, but it came with a cost.

Me in Chennai with my Friends :)

I managed to write few lines while the emotions played with my tears at the railway station and slowly I saw my friends waving hands disappear with the increasing speed of the train. Dedicated to the Chennai and the friends who made the Chennai possible!

Jab aaye the hum yaha,

Toh nafrat hi tha tumse, aur kuch nahi. 

Jab aaye the hum yaha,

Toh nafrat hi tha tumse, aur kuch nahi.

Ab jaa rahe hain hum, tumse door,

Toh palko mein hain aansu, aur bichadne ka ghum.

Ab khush toh hum hain nahi,

Kyu ki, ab hum, toh hum nahi.

I'll miss you Chennai, I'll miss you guys!

P.S : Chennai is a wonderful city, you just have to give some time to settle down. Once you're settled, trust me, you'll like it :)

Why can't this happen the other way..

 Source: Google Images 

Step by step, tear by tear, I've consoled myself, "That's okay! You can leave this life and start a new one as a wife."

Standing on this side was my love, other side was my life and I've always dreamt of a lovely life.

They taught me how to walk and I ran towards him. They never let me cry and he always made me laugh. They taught me how to pray and he made sure even I was in his pray.

For my hundred reason to leave, they gave a million reasons to stay.

Why can't this happen the other way, where there can only be blessings to say.

They then considered me just another roaming pigeon, because I loved and wanted to marry a person from another religion!

Aaj Mujhe Kuch Kehna Tha....!!!!

Source: Google Images

We'll find very fewer people in this world with whom we wish to sit and spend time. Even though we sit in silence for a long time, we later realize that those moments spent with him/her belong to most wonderful chapters of your life. Those chapters, which you can remember as just a day before today, even when you story them to your grand children.

It all starts with, Aaj Mujhe Kuch Kehna Tha....!!!!

Aaj mujhe kuch kehna tha,

Magar kya karu!

Is beraham duniya k aage, sharam ka naqaab jo pehna tha,

Shayad khuda ki yehi marzi hain, is dard ko ab mujhe hi sehna tha.

Shaayad woh ek hi mahina tha,

Jo mujhe tumhaare sang, tumhaare palko ke saaye mein rehna tha.

Sach kahu, us mahine ke har din mujhe tumse kuch kehna tha,

Bas tumhaare sang, tumhaare palko ke saaye mein rehna tha.

Tum dekhti reh gayi,

Main sochta reh gaya,

Pal beet te reh gaye.

Zara sa ishaara toh kar deti,

Ik muskaan toh hoton par laa deti,

Tab woh Chandini bhi maanjaati,

Aur apne saare taare tumhare sajawat k liye bhej deti.

Aaj mujhe dil se kuch kehna tha,

Magar kya karu!

Is beraham duniya k aage, sharam ka naqaab jo pehna tha

Shayad khuda ki yehi marzi hain, is dard ko ab mujhe hi sehna tha.

Teacher

Source: Google Images

I tore up the letter into pieces and threw it away and said, "I don't want to go, I'll take up a job uptown and start earning like my brother and support my mother."

He stood behind me in his self-possessed, selfless posture with radiant blue eyes and an appealing smile which always conveyed, "No matter you fall, no matter you fail, no matter you get lost in any form of darkness of this world, I'll be there at your arms reach and I'll teach you how to rise, win and conquer the darkness."

He put his arm over my shoulder and said, "Let's take a walk and decide about what you are going to do now!"

My life's transformed after the conversation we had over that walk with my Guru, the man whom I adore, the man who taught me not to give up, the man who not only trained me for this game but also trained me for this world.

Now, after three years, I stand here on the podium of The Rashtrapathi Bhavan to be honoured with The Bronze Statuette of Arjuna, The Arjuna Award for my talent in Boxing and I see him standing in his self-possessed, selfless posture with radiant blue eyes and an appealing smile which still says, "No matter you fall, no matter you fail, no matter you get lost in any form of darkness of this world, I'll be there at your arms reach and I'll teach you how to rise, win and conquer the darkness."

This post is a tribute to all my teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day, a token of my respect towards the magnificent Mary Kom and also a part of Five Sentence Fiction - Darkness activity at lilliemcferrin.com.