It is that season of love again and the writer in me thought of sharing about the magic of falling in love! Well, my conception about love has kept changing over the years but something has never changed is - “To be in love and to be loved are the two best feelings on earth”. In today’s world when we chase time for money and when relationships take a backseat it is that bliss of falling in love that guides us to joy and make our lives worth living. Love is universal for it transcends cast, religion, language and creed. Valentine’s day is celebrated across the globe because people realize the magic of falling in love..When I say magic I mean it and you have to fall in love to believe it. At the outset wishing all the lucky couples a Happy Valentine’s day! And to those who have given up finding your love,I wish let your love find you! I’m sure Cupid is right there working a surprise for you this Valentine’s day!

For all those who are wondering when love blooms, make it clear Love happens only at first sight..few realize it at that moment, few take a chance to know them better giving a relationship tag as friend, colleague etc.. and realize it later, few never understand it and keep sulking they are not lucky to fall in love..Even today when I meet young couples they vividly remember their first meet and describe those magical moments as if it just happened yesterday..The way he/she was attracted to her/him.. the way she talked..the way she smiled..the way she carried herself..for people who were connected over internet, they still remember the first lively chat they had..So love starts with attraction, at first sight! At that moment of destiny you understand that exclusive connect you feel with her and blush off thinking why it never happened with anyone else before. You hear those bells chiming..those bulbs glowing.. those butterflies in your stomach and you enjoy those Aska-laska moments.

Maybe it could have never happened to you.. But wait..Love demands us to be patient for it will happen for once in everyone’s life. As a great man always says “Dream..dream to succeed”..It doesn’t apply just for life,but for love too. You need to be determined you will fall in love and the rest will fall in place. You can’t build a wall across your heart and keep waiting for someone to break it.. For all the years you have lived, there must be someone impressed by you or you have impressed someone. It is time you introspect yourself..look back at the diary of your life and flip through those beautiful pages and you will realize she was the girl with whom you knew it would work.. It is never late even now..Let her know atleast now you loved her and you still love her. At the end of the day it is not about she accepting or rejecting your proposal but atleast letting her know you love her.. You never really know..That might be the only word she was waiting for all these years..

Looking back, it is not about winning or losing in love,it is all about falling in love and feeling the MAGIC of love. You just cant force love to happen for love is spontaneous, involuntary and it will happen when you least expect it to! It is love only when two people have the same feelings at the same time.. Acquainting with people, over the years I realized everybody has someone with whom they believed it could happen. They speak so honestly about their “feelings” for her to their friends but they never get the guts to enact that moment of bravery and honesty of telling her the same to transform that “just” feelings to love.

Don’t ever put your ego or dignity ahead of your love and become the Anisha of my short shory-Unspoken words of love.I’m sure this read would have given you the confidence to take your relationship forward and what better day to start it with than this Valentine’s day! May the magic of romance always find you and fill your heart with wonder at the amazing power love has to transform us all.

Atlast… After 6 months,I have somehow managed to write my 25^th post! The journey has been an amazing,though short..Lots of lessons learned,lots of good friends,few critics… I look up with pride the way I used my limited writing skills and came up with some really decent posts. Initially I was very apprehensive of starting a blog for myself,as I feared if I could manage one and if I could write quality posts.But I backed my writing skills and started one! My first post One night @ the call center gave me the confidence to continue writing! Though the response was lukewarm,I still consider it close to my heart,as it brought out the writer in me! Then followed a couple of posts which were so emotional and gave the readers a test for their lachrymal glands!

There was a lull period in my blog,before which the post -“A walk to Remember” gave me a break which I very badly needed as a blogger. Blogadda and Indiblogger helped my cause recognizing that post and bringing Benny-the blogger, from obscurity to being known. Even today when I meet my friends or chat with my blog friends they relate me with Meera,which is really heartening. I really enjoyed writing all my fictional stories and other posts,but “Dream within a dream” was totally fictional and surreal and gave that extra feel of satisfaction and enjoyment when I finished writing. The biggest thing that could have happened to me in my blogging life is my nomination by Indiblogger for the best blogger award in Literature-Short story Section. It gave me a chance to reach out to new blogs,which were hitherto unknown to me and new visitors came to visit my blog also!

Everyone starts a blog with a theme or an idea in mind.I was no exception.I was very particular,I must not make my blog into a personal one writing about my life or my friends. Except for my Tinku and MY Dhoni (*wink*) I don’t think I have revealed too much of my personal things anywhere in my blog. But yeah.. as every fictional writer would confess,there is always a tinge of real life scenario in their writings!

Ha..A big thanks to my blog friends,who have always been supportive and kind to me and my writings! Without u and ur support I don’t think I would have come so long in this blogsphere. I have this regret when I write my 25^th post. Not many of real life close pals have visited my blog yet.”What will he write?Why should I read that? ” thought still restrains them from seeking refugee in my world! But at the same time,my blog friends have encouraged me and kept me going saying,”You can write…Keep writing”! I was also a recipient of few awards from my most generous blog friends..It feels good getting these awards from you! Thanks !!!

Thanks Rahul for both the awards!!

Thanks Neha and Shruthi for the Humane award!

Winding my 25th post on a personal note,I’m leaving to Hyderabad for my job’s training tomorrow.So I’m not very sure when I could publish my next post...But I promise to write some short stories when I find time and keep my blog active! Also promise to keep in touch with all my blog friends and check out ur posts regularly...Be good and do good guys...Bye !!! Miss u all :-(

...From my cute little brother

The author has left Chennai for some official work for a month and this is a letter written by his cute little brother to him.

Dear Benny Chetta,

How are you?Where are you? When will you come back? Lots of questions in my mind. But I don’t have a reply yet! I still, vividly remember the day,you carried a huge baggage with you bidding bye to me and our parents.You spoke lots to me before you left,but I understood nothing.I never thought it will take so many days for you to return.I’m waiting for you here.

The ball is lying on the floor,with no one to throw to me and play.Sis is happily watching the TV,as there is no one to fight with her for the remote.Mom is busy with her household works,so is dad with his office works. I’m getting used to sleep alone in our bed without hugging you and without switching ON the A\c. I’m becoming more disciplined in the dining table as I don’t dare to take those chicken pieces from others plate as I,happily, do from yours. I’m deprived of the early morning walks with you,as I have become lazy, sleeping all day. I know our parents and sis take care of me,but still I’m missing Benny Chetta’s affection and care!

Dad and mom speak about you every night,but I hardly understand what they speak.I go to bed thinking of you and expecting you will surprise me,coming tomorrow morning. But as the day dawns,as usual I’m cheated. I ponder on the good old days we spend together teasing our sis,making our parents shout at the silly things we do at home, watching movies sitting on your lap, sharing our breakfast. Lots of cute memories to cherish for a life time.Missing you Benny Chetta!

Your friends no longer come home to visit me. Do they have any problem or they are just afraid of me still ?? Why don’t they understand I care for them as much I care for you,though I intimidate them
at times.It’s my duty you see :D I guess they are missing you,just like me. I’m not getting those biscuits which your girl friend usually brings,trying to coax me! Non-vegetarian dishes have become a rarity at home,these days, as sis hates that and mom is bored preparing! So when will you be back? I very badly,need those biscuits and chicken pieces! I’m already losing weight! ;-)

I have neither got a chance to tell you how much I love you nor I can do it also.If my memories are sharp,I still remember the day I was brought to your house as a kid,the nights you helped me sleep,caring for me without limits,taking me out to show how the world looks like,feeding me and help me grow faster.Someone told me the other day I was 6 yrs old and I was shocked.Days have passed by so fast and I don’t know how long I will stil live
on this earth,as I’m getting older by the passing day! So I want you to be here with me sharing all your joys and sorrows as you always do with me! I want to hear your voice Chetta!

My inner conscience feels gulity,thinking if I was the reason for you going out of our house.If so,I promise not to bug you again….not to disturb you in your sleep,not to touch your dining plate again,not to bark at your friends anymore, not to take your shoes and socks and make you run after me. Forgive me Bro if I was wrong. Anyways I’m your cute,little bro with little knowledge na! Who else on earth can be as nice as you were to me! I want you back in my life.Please come back soon!

Where ever you are,what ever you are doing, have that sunshine smile with you! I love that smile of yours, Cheta!

P.S:I have a attached a pic of me,brooding...Atleast see that and come back Benny Chetta!

Cheers

Yours loving brother,

Tinku

FOOT NOTE: This is only post which brought a drop of tear in my eyes,after I completed writing! As I’m leaving to Hyderabad in a fortnight,I will surely miss my cute bro! Guys,having a faithful pet like a dog is a blessed and the nicest thing which can happen to you in your life time! Be blessed!

The two words my friends won’t relate me with-“ History” and “Date” for they know how good I’m at both ;-) But when it is “Date with History” I’m sure, I will be the first one they would think of. I can still recollect even the silliest of those moments,which happened in my life so far.Now don’t think I have a great memory power for only I know the nightmare I had clearing my history paper, remembering those good-for-nothing dates and years. But still, I date my history with those treasures I have treasured so long- diaries, which I have written for almost a decade now. And yeah..I’m still treasuring!

Diaries-One of the best companions for your life time,with characters etched in it which time can’t erase, pages of truth, hitherto unrevealed, chapters of unsaid love, blossomed friendship, hard decisions taken,resolutions scribed,days mourned by despair and those glorious moments worth savouring for generations…! It has it all..all evergreen and beautiful..My best friend for a life time ~ my diary!

It was during those days at school,when we blindly do whatever our class teachers tells us to do and it was one such act I started when I entered my class nine...Yeah class nine and those days,I hardly had any big things to write about and my habit of writing diary would have been dead,if not for that moment of failure.No surprise I failed my first History exam and I still know the pain with which I wrote my diary that night.It was a night of embarrasment,shame,tears and ofcourse a big decision…the decision I must say changed the rest of my life..I decided that my diary should not see any more failures and I started to work realy hard.I started to fear failures,which triggered hardwork and eventually success. As a school student,dairy writing taught me honesty(as u can’t lie in your diary),respecting privacy,discipline(as I sat at night regularly to write) and improved my memory (as I jog my memory to recall the events of the day)

After some serious schooling,college life gave the fresh air needed and I promise I can’t forget any moment spend there.Atleast my diary wouldn’t allow me to do that! Right from the first smile at college to the final cry during my farewell,every moment has been inscribed !!! ~ My train journeys,those birthdaybash,exams,tours,bunks,movies,friends intro,first love,canteen “kadalai’s”,culturals,symposiums and about that “someone” special whom we always have close to our heart!

I must say this habit was quite infectious,as some started to write hearing from me. But many stopped inbetween,as they found their privacy was at stake,as they feared if someone in their family may read it and who knows he\she may end in trouble.Now I must thank my family for being so nice as they respect my privacy,that I dare to keep my diary in my open shelf ! You know I’m very sure they havn’t read my diaries yet or else how will I be at home still ;-) Jus kidding!

Writing diary,which started as a class activity grew into a habit,then a friend and now it is my life…my life of memories! I have shared with it even the secrets I don’t dare to tell my bestest friend! It has seen the ups and downs of my life,shared the happiest and the saddest moments… I have this regret anyways…It changed me into an introvert in some ways…Those emotions which I wish I told my family and friends directly were just written ” Sorry machi”…”Love u da”…”Thanks sis”. But I’m loving it this way now!

Yeah..my dairy has it all..in black and white- all the ingredients for a 'masala' Bollywood blockbuster- stories,emotions,characters,love,masti,fights in it..But there is no audience still for my "Autograph":- ( But yeah…I hope to get that “someone” soon with whom I can share my past life –“someone” who can enjoy it reading with a smile,excitement and ofcourse some envy ;-) Is that “someone” listening ?? ;-)

Nostalgic reminiscence of Chennai...

I find it difficult to update my blog,as I’m busy scaling the length and breadth of Chennai. Only when I realise that I have to leave Chennai in a couple of months,I’m starting to love it and cherish the beauty of my city. I landed in Chennai,a decade ago when the city was vulnerable, politically instable ,unfinished projects with bridges hanging,roads under construction and the water scarcity beginning to have its say on the Chennaites.After spending most of my life at Pondicherry,the initial days at Chennai were horrible to say the least.The pronounced transition took its time as Pondicherry was such an awesome place to be in...calm and serene.Chennai showcased the perfect city life,where people hardly know even their neighbours name,infact no time to know them in the hustles and bustles of a city life.I gradually got adapted to this new life.Though it was mechanical and monotonous,I found some good friends who made it livelier than I expected.Life started changing,so did Chennai and after so many years, I must say life has come a full circle for this city.Though struck by nostalgia now,I look up with pride the development, Chennai has undergone in this decade.

Chennai boasts one of the best beaches in the world,Asia's biggest bus terminus,fantastic malls, IT parks,historic basilicas,temples,stadiums and ofcourse Superstars!!! Chennai has something to offer for all class of people. Chennai,known for its passionate "Tamil"ians, strikes a balance between conservatism and modernism,which is reflected in the people who live here.It would be pertinent if I can pick out the unique features of Chennai for the rest of the world to awe ;-) The first thing which strikes my mind about Chennai is the Marina beach.One of the world’s longest beach which came in the news recently because of the tsunami and its destruction.It has to be the cheapest and the beautiful place to hang out at Chennai;-) Next is the historic St.Thomas Basilica at Santhome,where the body of St.Thomas(One of the 12 apostles of Jesus) is buried.It is one of the most visited places in India by the foreigners.Chennai has a decent number of recreation malls,theme parks and theatres. The M.A.Chidambaram Stadium has witnessed a number of cricket matches which went straight into the history books,for its unique records .Mahabalipuram,a few kms away from Chennai brings out the rich history of Tamil Nadu carved in the rocks .The temples in Chennai speaks volumes about the vast cultural heritage of this land! It has to be “Saravana stores” when it comes to shopping at Chennai,simply for its the vast collection and its nominal price tags!

It would be apt to say the IT mania took Chennai by a storm.The mushrooming of umpteen IT and ITES sectors in Chennai brought the much needed “change” the city wanted.It opened the doors for foreign investors and played a perfect host to all those people who sought refugee in this IT hub. It is widely acknowledged these days that Chennai is the best metro in India given the cost of living and the opportunities available for people to grow. Aren’t u convinced still ??? ;-)

Oh I forgot the individuals who made this land proud ! Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam strikes my thought first.A genius,scientist and the most respected former President of India. If Abdul Kalam delights us,there is a double delight awaiting as Chennai has this great politician of all times-Dr.Karunanidhi. 50 years in politics is not a simple thing.Hats off Kalaignar!!! We,also have one of the best woman politician of our generation too-Ms.J.Jayalalitha.’Super star’ Rajinikanth and Kamal Hasan won world audiences with their acting and modesty.India's dream of an Oscar came true when AR Rahman won it and what else can make Chennai proud than this once-in-a-lifetime moment??Well we are the sole owners of the million dollar baby M.S.Dhoni and the chess genius Vishwanath Anand.It is the land of the Ilayarajas and the ManiRatnams.Hmmm..Someone else in missing in this elite list right…Oh yeah..I stay at Chennai and that makes it even more special ;-) Just kidding!!!

Hailing from the God’s own Land-Kerala,having studied in a small,but awesome union territory-Pondicherry,picking Chennai as my favourite city would be surprising for many,but I’m clear as Chennai has given me more sweeter moments,good friends, recognition and ofcourse everlasting memories! I found my first love at Chennai and I don’t feel it,as a bad idea, to adore the city where she lives ;-)

Yeah Chennai is hot,infact hotter, polluted and populated,roads are rugged,people are artificial,smile is a rarity,water is extinct,our auto-walas demand thrice the usual price,our buses are crowded,people speak Tanglish in the name of english...But still I’m loving it…I’ll miss those idly and sambhar,dosa and vadaa, but then, “Hyderabad” briyani invites me :P!!! Chennai is ofcourse interesting and special.Or else would you have read till this last line?? ;-)

It's about me,me and only me!!!

Cheers!!!It’s party time! I just wish I had a bottle of beer in my hand so that I could run to my balcony and shout, “I’m the happiest man in the world”. It is raining outside and every drop of rain is enjoying this moment with me. The sharp spark of lightning makes me smile, and roar of the thunder gives me a chance to dance! Yeah..I’m happy..I found it.. I found my love!!! It is time I must accept that I’m finally in love. It has taken me so many years to understand this. But thank God atleast now I understood how beautiful it is to be in love. Yeah..it is better late than never and now I’m enjoying this feel!!! I consider myself lucky as it is next to impossible to get someone like that..so genuine, gentle, caring ,loving and I can’t stop smiling writing this here. I must thank my stars for being with such a human being for a long time who is always willing to help others, love people without bounds, always the reason for others smile, reason for someone’s dream, reason for someone’s prayers and at times reason for other’s envy too ;-) Of course, only time will help one to realize, who the best person for him is and I know it now,after these many years !

The days after my college life would obviously be remembered as the worst days of my career. It was the time when my friends started to chase time to find a career for themselves and I started missing people a lot. It was tough to accept and face the harsh realities of life. The recession had its say on me, as disappointments became the order of the day and the going was getting tougher. It was then I found there was someone who was always with me, who motivated me when I needed and helped me move through the tough passage of my career. Just words can’t describe the amount of inspiration I needed to keep myself moving during those days and I found someone who always backed me for my ideas and smiled at the silliest of my jokes. I found a reason for my life, atlast !!!

I don’t know when I fell in love or what made me fall in love. Of late I started loving that smile, voice, cherub face and that caring heart! I feel it is time I go for a date..for my first date..I’m quite excited planning for that. I haven’t decided the place yet, but I always had a great fascination for a date at a beach during the sunset and a romantic dinner. So I might go there, to spend more time with me, to learn know more about me, to realize and understand me better. Yeah…Atlast I’m in love with myself and my life.. I’m loving every bit of it now.

It is a new kinda feeling as I’m aware I haven’t loved myself so much before. Of course, I’m no- saint and even I had my own shortcomings. Yeah… There was always an other side of me, which I tried not to show off to people or just didn’t want to acknowledge. I hated myself for being like that..To fake, pretend and be good. But I found doing that was detrimental to my growth as an individual. I needed to change.. change for the good. So I became a mother to myself, and I started to care for me a lot. I worked on my deficiencies and at the end, I found myself better than many people, whom I have met. I started to love myself, for what I’m and I bet u guys, it is best feeling on earth. Life is moving on from birth to death, the earth is rotating in a circle, we hardly do anything for these to happen. The only thing life demands us is to get back to reality. When we do that, our hearts starts to do what it is assigned to do-LOVE..Love yourself. And when you start to love yourself, you start to love your fellow human beings. Then, just imagine how beautiful the world would be !!!

A great writer of yesteryears aptly said,"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance"..I have started my romance!!! How about you guys?? Are you ready for a date with yourself??

.... Inspired from a true story..

This is my first fictional story. So cricket bat throwers and tomato throwers get ready! You will be into action pretty soon ;-)

A sense of déjà vu crept as I stepped into my college after six long months for my Graduation day. It was a nostalgic start to the day meeting old class mates, enquiring about them, reeling stories for not being in touch and faking promises to be in touch! Graduation day-The most satisfying day for any graduate..A day of hope..The world opens up and we enter into it with greater aspirations than when we entered college. Yeah it was a day of celebration of my sacrifice..the recognition of my talents, friendship and comradeship..culmination of my hardwork,the support of family and friends, signification of the obstacles overcome and goals attained!

The stage was set for a grand occasion! It was scorching heat outside that made me sweat even inside an AC auditorium. The dignitaries arrived to enlighten the stage. The solemn function began with a prayer followed by some inspirational speech by the Chief Guests! I was getting slightly nervous as my moment of glory neared. After few minutes of waiting, it was my turn to bask the glory as my name was called to get the degree. My friend, next to me, patted me and I entered the stage. Quite nervous, I bowed in front of the dignitaries and received my hard-earned degree! Next was my Kodak moment! Thousands of thoughts ran through my mind as I walked down the stage to occupy the seat assigned to me… My family, friends, faculty. Thanking all those benevolent hearts, which helped me reach here, I would have forgotten her, before which her named was called onto the stage!

My thoughts flashed back to the first day of my college life. The day when I first saw her in that sandal colored salwars, clasping her hand with her dad’s, smiling nervously to the new friend she got. I must say it was love at first sight, though I had no belief in that! There was this nudge inside that kept saying to me at that very moment that she will be mine someday. An image of her in my arms flashed inside my mind. I could not help myself stop smiling. Somehow, my inner voice warned me to fear for the opposite. I was circumspect as I had a break up just a few days before I joined college with my ex-school mate. So it took a few days for me to speak to her, after which I understood our similarities stopped with being in the same class and same department. We were poles apart in our characters. She was an introvert,coy,studious,beautiful girl. Sadly none of these words suits me!!! But as it goes, opposite poles attract each other. Yeah I mean that. Very soon,I felt she has become quite close to me than never before. She started sharing even the silliest of ideas and the freakiest of secrets with me. I sensed that we were on the process of building a lasting relationship!

I must say the fun and the enjoyment in the first couple of years of our college life can’t be matched with those in the succeeding years. By the time we entered the second year, almost everyone in our department knew we were in a relation. That was the time when I realized there was something, which spreads faster than a forest fire, and it was gossip! But we both never gave a chance for our friends to settle them with that being a gossip alone, as the number of times we both met outside on weekends increased, so did the number of hours over the phone! During this period, there were many tantalizing moments when I was about to tell her that I loved her, but the fear of losing a beautiful relation always stopped me doing that! Even now after hours of being with her, I seriously didn’t know if she loved me? Then, I really wished God created some area in the brain which could help guys read girl’s mind, though not the otherwise;-)

Our friendship found no hurdle in between until we found the going got tough in our third year when the pressure to deal with our academics and career increased. Our daily chats became weekly chats. Weekly meetings became a rarity. Of course, we were into a lull phase and suddenly a thin wall of separation has been built. I feared the worst! But then came our mini project time, when we both were coupled to do it. I don’t know with what intention my lecturer paired us, but we were not complaining, though many were envying ;-) We suddenly found more time as we were working together for the project. Those days gave me a chance to know her very well. I was convinced I would not get a “better” half than her and was waiting for the right time to propose her.

The mini project was almost done by now. We had the final presentation the next day. During the wee hours preparing for the project presentation, there was a so-called-forward message from her, which sounded like a girl telling something romantically to her boyfriend. You blame it on my hormones or lack of grey cells, I replied to the forward saying, “I seriously wish u said this to me”. Only after sending that message did I realize, I have done something silly and was waiting for her reply! The next second I got it, which said “What? Are you serious?”:- ). I was confused about the reply, as the message had a smiling face at the end. Having got a blind confidence, I replied, “I seriously meant that”! without knowing how she is going to react. Her reply “We have our presentation tomorrow. Prepare well for that. Good night” was like slapping my face,but then,it reminded me of my presentation and I got back to my studies again.

The next day, after the successful completion of our presentation, we were on the way back home. Having left with no other option, we were to board a crowded bus to reach our destination. We were almost crushed inside the bus and now, she was almost in my arms with her hands firmly holding mine. I thought I could quiz her and asked “What does your reply, which you send me yesterday means?” She, acting smartly questioned me “What does your reply to that forward means?” I never expected I’ll be put in such a situation by her. But then, I needed to respond now..respond honestly! So I bend down, to her ears and whispered, “I meant I love you so much”. Her reaction was surprising as she smiled and said ” I knew that”. It was really teasing and I whispered again “So?.. you love me too??” to which she looked up and said “Do you think I’ll say no?” and hid her face beneath my arms out of her unusual shyness! I just wanted to jump, jump and jump but if I had done that inside that crowded bus, I would have been kicked off. Then,we spend some speechless moments inside the bus and got down at our place.

After a few days into our relation, we started to visit each other’s house quite frequently and everyone including our friends saw our chemistry really working! I can boast saying that whenever and wherever we went together, we were the cynosure for others eyes.It was the time when my final year begun and plans for a final year tour started. I relished the dream of being with her for 10 straight days, but she was initially reluctant to come for the trip. Then after days of coaxing her and her parents, she made it. But little did I realize what is in store for me! Hmmm…This tour sowed the seeds of separation for us. I really din’t know what she expected out of me.I felt she was too possessive. She did not like me mingling with other girls in my department. She cried at will to make her things happen. I tried to help her everytime, but then.. it was going overboard. To say the least, she spoilt the happiness of what should have been a fantastic tour for me! Suddenly you may feel,I’m too harsh on her. But that is the truth. She started avoiding me for reasons,only God knew!

The days after the tour were horrible. I never knew our love life would be so short-lived as she showed no signs of carrying forward. One day I thought I should break the ice and spoke to her.But what I received was a cold blooded insult. I was petrified! This was not the girl, whom I loved without bounds and aspired to continue with. Time was running out for me to make amends for the obscure mistake of mine as our farewell was announced! But to my surprise she was least bothered to speak to me even on that day. I was literally heart-broken! Umpteen thoughts of being betrayed, cheated grew fast, on what was already an emotional day! I really expected her to speak something for she was the only relation I longed to carry forward in my life! But it wasn’t to be!

Before all these thoughts clogged my mind,my convocation day came to an end. Let me confess here. My love for her has not diminished even a bit even after the humiliation I suffered at the end of my college life.May be the memories she gave me over ruled the embarrassment! I must take the blame for not keeping in touch with her after we parted some months ago. It was already six months after our farewell ended! I was very keen to meet her before the function started,but I did not see her.But I made it clear I should meet her after the function got over as I needed to renew our relation.I was sure the wound would have been healed by now and I was sure we will be together soon !

As I got out of the hall, the first person to congratulate me was her. I was shocked a bit as I never expected her to talk with me first, given the streak of bad run we had! We exchanged pleasantries. I was feeling good and was convinced that we would be on track soon! We started to walk towards the lawn, which has given us lots of unforgettable memories. She sounded very pleasant, may be because I’m hearing her voice after so long ;-) Before all the excitement subsided, I was in for another shock, when she waved hand at a guy who alighted off a car.He came near and hugged her. Before I ask what is happening she introduced him to me as “He is Rahul, my husband” !!!

I knew I was a certified graduate today, but felt I need to learn a lot.. a lot about the enigma…GIRLS! I returned with my friends who were equally shocked, as she cared a zilch about informing about her marriage to any of her class mates ;-(

So let the throw-show starts ;-)

Check out my other short story - One night @ the call center

I’m quite happy celebrating my cousin’s birthday today. But the topic I chose to write may raise a few brows’. It is about death-the only word, which in itself raises fear for many.Well 'Death' is the greatest enigma, mystery to me and many. It involves things unseen and unknown to my mortal mind that I can't even begin to comprehend. It has baffled humankind from times out of mind. And yet despite all attempts to solve the mystery, it has remained as mysterious as ever before. Leaving all the mystery about “what happens after death” behind, I want to pose this question to my fellow readers here.

What happens during death?? What would be the final thought of a man when he is sure, he is going to die??

Take for instance a man who is going to be hanged, a guy who is drowning, a gal who commits suicide, a woman in a ventilator anticipating death, a person who meets with a fatal accident.

What will they think???

Will it be their family? Will it be the sins which they have committed? Will it be about his responsibilities? Will it be about the future of his loved ones? Will it be a rewind of all those beautiful moments in his life? Or will he ever have time to think about this, as his mind goes bleak? Or do angels come to him to minister him during
this process,giving him no chance to think anything?Or does God
allow those who have gone on before him the privilege of returning long enough to help comfort him through this passage?

I’m not sure. May be no one who escaped from the jaws of death came to explain me this and I’m sure no one will ever do it also! It
will always be a mystery to us until the day we can see it through the eyes of death.I believe u guys have thought of your death atleast once in your life.If not think about this now and post your ideas about that ultimate moment of your life. What do you think will cross your mind when you are about to walk into your eternal life…!!!

Read my post regarding death @ "The Lost treasure"

.... My IPL experience!!!

U know u have loved something, only when you start missing it.And within 24 hours of the closing ceremony of the grand IPL 2,I’m already missing it very badly! Missing playing those fantasy leagues,missing reading umpteen articles on IPL buzz,missing Cyrus Broacha Cricket-ainment, AJ analysis, missing those nail-biting close matches,huge sixes,cheer gals,and of course Mandira ;-) I’m sure superlatives are going to be redundant describing the huge success of IPL at South Africa and just the thought which sparked in Lalit Modi’s mind of conducting IPL twice a year,one in India and the other ,outside the subcontinent, sums up the huge success of an Indian domestic tournament at South Africa. Sure India is going to feel the heat when it starts organizing for the next IPL season,to atleast match the success of IPL-2! The beauty of IPL is that it attracts not only cricket following fanatics into it,but also other people who just want to “time pass” as it has all the ingredients of a Bollywood blockbuster.. the cricketing heroes, IPL ”Bollywood” Queens, commentating vilans(I know I’m harsh on them:-) ) umpteen twists and turns, songs and of course cheer gals dancing.How about this bollywood blockbuster for an Oscar nomination as it has slumdog millionaires too ;-)

As a television viewer,I was glued to almost all the matches watching those unscripted scripts enacted,which even brought the Bollywood stars down to tears,those DLF maximum,those sibling rivalries,those zoozoos entertaining during the “strategy break” and the fairy tale story of underdogs!!! It was a “wow” viewing experience.The best part of this IPL was that there was an equal tussle between bat and ball,unlike India where bowlers have nightmares bowling in batsmen friendly Indian wickets.As always, IPL has helped unearth new Indian talents. This edition was also no exception. There was Manish Pandey, Shadab Jakati, Kamran Khan and lotsa other foreign cricketers who came from obscurity to being famous. This IPL also showcased that age is just a number and no way that has a part in one’s performance.The inspiring Kumble’s leadership, Rohit’s last over assault, Sachin-Sanath mauling Knight riders, Jakati’s comedy of errors in making a run out, Gilchrist’s podium finish with a bunch of pre-tournament no-hopers are etched in my memories which time cannot so easily erase. Being a Super King fan, I had reasons to be heart broken, but the very fact that we were outplayed by a far determined team, stopped my outburst! Still, my biggest regret would be the inability of an Indian captain to have his hand on the beautiful IPL trophy!

IPL has been embraced by the whole global cricketing fraternity and that the threat to test matches are imminent, courtesy Gayle’s comment! But we are not complaining as all we want is entertainment..fun..fun …lotsa fun in 3 hours and what else would be a better option than to sit with friends and watch a duel between Sachin-Warne fighting for Mumbai and Rajasthan respectively! At the outset of the tournament Lalit Modi commented that his brain child IPL would be an example and a template for the world organizers such as FIFA.I thought he must be kidding, but now I’m convinced he actually meant it! Hats Off to him to have actually sparked off a hi-octane tournament in such a brief period!!! Certainly we are on a revolutionary period,seeing the revolution of cricket in the hands of Modi! Don’t be surprised if cricket is MODI-fied still !!! Cheers man!!! Thanks for the fun!

From the greatest to the least, from the most beautiful to the most ordinary, death is the universal equalizer. Jesus - the King of the Jews, the Messiah, and the Son of God - shared the human experience of death and proved His mortality. His heart stopped beating, his lungs ceased their constant inhaling and exhaling, and the electrical impulses within his brain slowed and subsided into nothingness and he died on the Cross. And this very day is remembered as the Good Friday by the Christians all over the world. Being a Christian myself, I always had this doubt if I must rejoice or mourn on this day -“Good Friday”. This day has brought a virtual divide amidst the Christians all over the world. Some see Good Friday as a day to mourn and weep recollecting the horrible crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. Others see, Good Friday as a day to celebrate, for through His death our sins were washed away, our lives were purified. I’m in an ambivalent state, because my family wants me to follow the former and I wish to do the later!

I chose to rejoice just because of the fact- Jesus not only died,but He died in my place…died so that I could have life. He suffered so that I could find peace. He endured the darkness of Calvary so that I could experience the light of the Good News. He endured the curse so that I could enjoy the blessing. He was alienated from God so that I could be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ offered not a lamb or a bull but himself in sacrifice to God. Jesus was both the person offering the sacrifice for sin, and the sacrifice! Nothing less would take away the sin of the world, and nothing more valuable could take his place. So..When someone has done so much good for you to lead a peaceful life, I wonder why people chose to mourn this day??

Good Friday-by no means is a day to mourn. It is a day to rejoice-rejoice the fact that we have a merciful Father, who is ready to forgive our sins and embrace us as His own child…who is ready to share His body and blood with us..who is ready to guide us through our entire life. But in this world, where we race against time to fulfill our materialistic desires, we often forget to remember this loving and caring Father. We commit sins, keep on committing sins. We give place for everything that is evil in our life. We find time to go to a theatre or a mall, but not to Church. We find time to party, but no time to pray. We find time to celebrate, but forget to worship Him! But after you do all this,He still loves you so much. You wanna know how much He loves you??Just look at the Cross here. He spreads his arms on the cross, not just to be nailed but to show the amount of love He has!!Yeah He loves us so much!!!

My dear friends, till now you may not have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and experienced his forgiveness and joy. Don't let the opportunity pass by on this Good Friday! I invite you, right now, to thank Jesus for dying on the Cross for your sins, in your place, and ask him to enter your life, to cleanse you and take control of your life. May this Good Friday help u rediscover God’s tremendous merciful love and the invitation from Calvary to show compassion to those who might have no one to help them face the prospect of death.

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!!!

It is the season of board exams and I have three of my cousins writing it this year. As I happened to be their eldest brother, they were left with no other option than to seek so-called-advice from me before the exams. Pity them ;-) I met them before their exams to tell about my experience and my approach towards board exams. Speaking with them for two hours, I found something very intriguing, at least for me, which had a striking parallel towards our life. It was when I asked them, if they would start answering with the objectives (1 mark) or the detail answers (10 marks) first. Three of them answered in unison that they start with the detailed answers. I was surprised hearing that as my teachers have taught me to start with the objectives and they say the rest will fall in place if you have scored well in the objectives. When I said the same to my cousins, they opined that studying a detailed answer was easy than objectives and they termed objectives as “tough” than a detail answer :-) Yeah the Generation Next thinks differently u see!!!

Yeah I reiterate Generation Next thinks and acts differently! They are ready to do big and novel things, forgetting the basic and simple things, which would eventually get them those big things. Those small acts start from the home. Everyone wants to get his/her mom a designer sari, dad a branded shirt to make them happy but we seldom realize to tell how much you love them. We always want to spend huge amount to prove that we love them, forgetting those priceless words “I love you mom\dad”! When it comes to being a parent, how nice it would be to pat on his child’s shoulder when he scores 80% and say ”well done my son! Try to get more next time!” rather than scolding him for not scoring the rest. We people, albeit being matured forget these simple gestures, which would make other person happy and feel good.

We must have been a part of many birthday bash, where we gift our friends,the best things on earth and they reciprocate it during ours with something even better! But as time passes by, we tend to forget what they gave, but we still remember that one friend who hugged you and said “You are really special. You came into my life, when I needed someone like you. I thank God for having send you to me! Long live my friend ”I swear it must be one of the best feelings on earth! How wonderful your girl will feel when you say “I love you” seeing her eyes and kissing her forehead rather then spending dollars getting a diamond pendant for her! Blame it on what?? Our upbringing?? Society?? Culture?? I’m not sure though. We never speak out things…we always want others to just understand what we feel, which is really tough without actually telling that. We think doing big and buying the costliest thing is the best way to impress others.It might be true..but doing small and priceless deeds/gestures is the sweetest way to impress others! Life, sometimes becomes so selfish that it wants everything. But while trying for everything, see to that you don’t miss that something that is worth everything!

Oh ya..after a week I met my cousin and asked how she approached her exam. She smiled sarcastically with a who'll-follow-ur word brother attitude and said that she started with detailed answer and she has done her objectives badly. Let’s see who has the last laugh, when the results are out!;-) But I really wish the teacher who evaluates, defies my ideology and think Big things big! But to my readers here, why not try objectives when you are able to do a detail answer??Small is big!!!