Once ...

There was once a little girl, who was always happy. She lived her life the way she wanted. Every morning her day started with loads of love, smiles and happiness. She went to school, took lessons, studied hard, played with her friends and was the apple of her parents’ and eyes.

One fine afternoon while she was coming home from school singing and laughing, a wolf jumped in front of her. She, who was a friend of every human and beast in her village didn’t feel any fear. But this wolf, jumped upon her, torn her clothes, ripped her soul apart and left her there… all alone. She didn’t understand what happened or why this happened to her. But she knew something bad and cruel was what she went through. She didn’t know why the wolf didn’t kill her but left her behind giving all the pains.  She passed out and lye there until someone came and recognized and informed her parents.

No one saw her laughing after that. No one allowed their children to visit her or take her to school again. Every parent blamed her for been a wild child who was insanely happy and carefree.  According to them it was her fault. She shouldn’t have laughed so loudly, talked kindly to everyone, or just been helpful to all. It was her fault that she was good. Her fault, that she was pretty and unaware of that. Her fault, that she didn’t hide behind her duppata and made herself invisible. No one, for once blamed the wolf for snatching away her happiness from her. No one for once said, it was ok, let it go. Wherever she went, everyone looked down at her. In a few hours she became the untouched from the lovable child.

She didn’t know what to do, whom to approach or who will listen to her woes. She couldn’t bare the looks of the world, who were undressing her just by their stares. She felt more humiliated. One fine morning, she wore the best clothes, hugged her family put the brightest smile on her face, went inside the farthest and darkest room in her house, and closed the door... never to open again.

Hey You,

Yeah, you itself. Not the young you or the old one. Just you. The present one. Two days ago you were asking yourself and all around you, what’s all about life? Why are we born? Isn’t life too monotonous? If we are meant to live a routine life then why are we born?

Personally for me life is all about been happy. Been lovable. Having people around you who makes you feel special and in turn who you love like anything. Living life is all about been good to others, been there for them when they least expect but wish they had someone.

For me life is coming back home doing that job you love so much. Feeling happy and content from the satisfaction you get when you do your job. Living life is having the courage to dropdown everything when you feel tied up, choked, and packs that bag to breathe some fresh air. Life is having people who understand you so well, that you don’t have to explain yourself, for them to accept your weirdness or imperfections. It’s all about having that chocolate bar, you’re not supposed to have, but you want to have. Life is like hearing that song repeatedly for the hundredth time, just because you love the sound of it. Seeing that movie for the last time again, even when you know all the scenes by heart just because you love the actor so much. Life is all about been alive. Alive doesn’t mean just breathing. It means breathing because you want to. Living life is falling in love with that imperfect person because you can’t just not fall in love with him, even when he’s not made for you.

Life is all about repetitions in a different way. It’s monotonous yet so adventurous. It’s a planned routine, but no two days are alike. Life is all about embracing everything and making that extra path to happiness.

If something is making you unhappy, change that. If something is making you sulk, change that. If your life itself is making you sad, change yourself and make your life happy.

Whatever happens, be happy in life. Because everything is all about your smiles.

Yours,

Me.

Been Grateful...

Another month. A new one. And just two more months to go for New Year. Awe… how fast this time goes. September was a good month for me. Thou was hectic, thank God didn’t had to face with much downs. In personal phase… two of my favorite cousins got married and happily enjoying their honeymoon right now. And my nephew celebrated his first birthday. And in work phase… ticked off the initial step for new ventures. So a happy September it was.

It’s said that every morning we have to be grateful to God for a new day, a new beginning, a fresh start. Infact should be thankful to everyone around us for all that they do to make our life easy. Been grateful for your life, for the people who are there for you, for the tiny tot happy moments you get every day is a positive way to approach life. We know that life is not always fair, it can be so rude that there are moments of giving up we face. But when we realize that even the unfair life, shows love towards us by sending some people or moments, to make our day easier, every difficulty looks much lighter.

What am I grateful for in life?

Actually for everything. Everyone. Aren’t we all? Yes! But the realization hits way late, maybe when we miss someone or something. Till then, it’s all taken for granted.

I am grateful for every single soul (Living and death) who has been in my life till date.

Family. Cousins, who despite the distance and different paths taken in life, at the end of the day no matter what, leaves a message to mark their presence in my life.

Friends (Virtual and non-virtual). People who loved me the weird way I am. And also to those, who made me realize that no one is worth holding when you have to drop your standards for that.

My librarian back in school who did a major role in entitling the love for books in me. I am forever grateful to her. In lower grades, if she hadn’t allowed me to take those brand new books which were only meant for senior students, I won’t have been a bibliophile now. 

This blog, which happened on a midnight some years ago, when I was so frustrated and angry at life, and wanted to take that out on something or someone to remain sane but still didn’t want that scapegoat to be a living being. And double grateful for the friends who visit this space.

So welcoming October with a open heart, full of hope for a good month for everyone.

Things To Tick Off Before The Last Breath ...

1. Travel

I want to see, explore, and experience different culture, cuisines and everything new about all the (atleast most of the) countries in this world and esp. India. Even thou I would like to go with a friend or a dear one, some places are entirely reserved for solo travelling.

2. Learn

There are so many subjects I want to learn academically. But in between got diverted to things that never interested me. Now, took the initial step to the old road. Thou it is going to take almost another 10 years to reach there… I am on my way.

3. Adopt a Baby Girl

The day I hit 30 (if not married), going to write the application for this. If unfortunately I am married before that, I will make sure my man is in tune with this decision of mine. Therefore, whatever my relationship status will be, adopting a child tops the list.

4. Book Café

A cozy cave with so much of colors, lights and soothing music in the background. Nook and corners filled with bookracks. Hammocks, beanbags, couches, and common reading areas and also private spaces to those who want to hide from the crowd, party rooms. Lots of caffeine, beverages, chocolates, other sinful delights, some selected cuisines, laughter, smiles, memories etc etc etc .

5. Careers

Work for a Newspaper – I want to know how these papers work. How journalists give their best to write a story, how photographers hold their breath to capture that perfect shot, how all these are combined to form the bundle of paper we hold each day with a cup of coffee to know about the world.

Work for a NGO – MAD was the group who showed me that happiness doubles when you make another person happy, and triples if it is a child. Another event with the kids made me realize there are children who want to be heard, who seek companionship, just to be there for them, and to ensure that everything good is going to happen to them. When I was part of these tiny tot moments of them, the self-satisfaction I felt was so immense. And I want more of that. 

A teacher – No, I do not have the patience for this. Even an hour with my teenage brother along with his books, makes me scream, take a cane, blackmail him, pinch him, and makes me completely insane. So hours with students bearing all their acts is something above my tolerance level. But the way a teacher can touch a child’s life is magical. And atleast for once, I wish… I hope… I pray… I could be part of that magic.

6. Adventure

Sky diving/Paragliding/River drafting/Mountaineering/Scuba diving/etc etc …. These are things I intent to do when I pack my backpack and leave home to see the world. So when travelling is happening this is also definitely going to happen.

7. Live in New York

These days travelling to NY is not a big deal. But I don’t want to just visit that place and come back. It has always mesmerized me just by letting me know her through movies and books. I want to live there atleast for a year, be a part of everyday life in NY and want to know that place like the back of my hands.

8. My very own Library

This is one dream very bibliophile cherish. Same goes for me too. Imagine just opening that door in your house, when you are in need of a book. No driving. No shopping. No waiting. Nothing! Just take that book from the shelf, find a cozy corner, and curl up with a cup of cocoa and the book. Bliss!

9. Publish a Book

No… not my live story. A fiction? Not sure. But something.

10. Live life with no regrets

Waking up someday when I’m in my 60’s, 70’s or 80’s and realising that I didn’t live my life the way I wanted or didn’t see those places I dreamt of or didn’t read/see/experience that book/movie/show I so badly wanted too or didn’t take up that career I saw myself in or was too late to say “I love you” to someone or anything like that. Someone once said that peaceful death comes to those people who lived their dream life in their own terms. Therefore, that is the ultimate aim. 

*****

This is a topic seen in Indiblogger. 
These days’ bucketlists are incomplete without tags. So to make the story complete, I’m tagging Bhavya, Shalini, Meena, Shailaja & Gayatri  to share their 10 “must-do” things list. And anyone interested can take up too. Waiting to read all the list. :) 

Drabble

She was not born as a talented writer. But the love for words and stories determined her to be a writer. She felt alive when her nose is deep buried inside a book. When the time came to decide what to do with her life, she knew she wanted to change the world through her words just as Marthin Luther said. “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”

In college when her favorite professor quoted Ray Bradbury, “Just write everyday of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” It became her motto for survival. And after years of reading, writing, getting rejected … today she’s going to publish her first book … her first step towards her dream career.

***

Linking this to Write Tribe 100 Words on Saturday Prompt.

Connect and Stay Together ...

Dear Son,

Happy Birthday to you!

You would have been 21 if you were still here, with us. Now as you are in a place where age is not a factor (believe so) you are still 20 and going to be that forever.

Yesterday we thought to celebrate your day, by getting your favorite cake. But didn’t have the strength to actually do that. How could we buy your favorite chocolate cake and have it without you near us? Arnav came home in the morning. He misses you. Said you were his best friend and no one else seems to be able to fill that position. I think no one can take someone else’s place in a person’s life. Whoever comes in my and your mom’s life, nothing can replace you, my son. No other relations gives us the joy that came from been your parents. But guess we never realized that before. Or we never made you realize that.

I never knew how unhappy you were with your life. When you moved on taking our dreams and leaving yours aside, I thought you were happy and made new dreams to fly after. I never saw that the smile had disappeared from your last two years photographs. Before that, all your pictures were filled with your warm smile. I never noticed all those status updates in your page, even when I have liked and commented in some. I thought it was the poetic side of yours, but never guessed even for a second that those were the exact thoughts you wanted to convey to me. I could not even grieve thinking you never told me anything. Because you did. In your own small ways.  But it was me who ignored them as if they were nothing. I am sorry dear son.

Now I remember you calling me to say how unhappy you felt there and how you find it very difficult to adjust. But when I told you to stay strong and it was my dream to see you coming out from there with excellence and not in failure, you said you are fine and going to be ok. I never realized that you were actually not fine and those words were just to calm me down. If only I heard you then. If only I took that extra step to hug you and listen to you, you would have been still here beside me. We miss you so much. The thought that if we had connected with you, if we had listened to your heart, talked to you, understood you … this letter wouldn’t be in my drafts, hoping that you would read this, from somewhere behind the clouds.

I love you my son. More than anything in this world or beyond.

Love,

Dad.

------

The above letter is purely fictional, thou inspired from something I read in a FB page. 

But, if ever you don’t want to write something like that to your child, better half, parents, siblings, friends or anyone near or far and save it in your drafts under the folder “Unsent Letters” … take that one step to connect with people around you. Not the now famous connect with likes or a one-word comment in a picture in FB/Whatsapp/Instagram/G+/countless other social networking sites, but in a real way. Talk to people who mean something to you, listen to them, and make sure they are happy and satisfied with their life.  

To end up your own life you need so much courage. Imagine cutting your wrist or jumping from that height or blasting up your head … doesn’t it gives a shiver down your spine just at the mere thought of these. Then think of those people who actually might have thought for days or maybe months for a way to end up their life. Those sleepless nights they might have spend hoping someone could actually see through their fake smile or listen to what they have to say. 

We never see the symptoms, or the signs people show us, in fact we ignore them knowingly. But once something bad happens, the regret is endless.  Parents’ never hear their children, children rarely open up to their parents, siblings often fail to be in touch, friends drift apart and everyone gets so busy in life that there’s no time for a second person. Not even to the one who’s living with you, shares your bed space and your life. Take some time from your busy schedule to actually be with your loved ones. Be there to hear out their fears, loneliness and just make them feel loved and wanted and secure. We can't bear losing our dear ones, then why not prevent that from happening. 

We are blogging for this cause at Write Tribe. Do read and spread the awareness. Thank You.

Unsend Letter - To Best friend...

Dear Best Friend aka Favorite Cousin,

Howdy? :D … You still have not whatsapped me your gown pic. Yea, know it has been send for alternation, but still the curiosity is bubbling like anything. We have been cousins from birth, but it took 15 years for us to know each other well and become friends best friends. And after that there was no looking back.

I seriously don’t know what to write to you, except for the same thing I have told/written to you many times. You are someone I could never replace for anything in life. You have known me right from my teenage day’s tantrums to my dovey love phase to the so-called adult stage. And should say, you are the only one I didn’t mind sharing my room with.  You are one who could take no nonsense from me when say I’m fine when I actually am in a very crappy mood. We have always as every sisters planned this and that and everything that has to done together for our weddings. Now when you are in real going to get married in less than a week, I couldn’t even toast that drink for you. Missed going for elaborate wedding shopping’s, gossip sections, freaking out moments, should-I-do-this days to everything. And I hate myself for having to miss your D-day and see how gorgeous and happy you look. Sorry for that! Sometimes circumstances and situations don’t come our way. People like you are the best gift a person could ask for in a lifetime. Someone who we are so sure to be there for anything and nothing. Someone to whom we could be so blunt with and who no matter what won’t leave your side.

Wherever you go, I’ll be always there to bug you with my, “Are you happy?” or “Idiot, I miss roaming out with you.” phrases. And you better stay so happy in life, because I can’t stand a sad You.

I miss spending time with you, especially now.

Love you tons and loads.

~S.

- A Letter A Week, hosted by Nibha -