“Just a minute, I will be with you shortly”

Chai is a fifty-five year old single father. His wife didn’t leave him for heaven amidst clouds but for heaven in Bangkok itself: a rich man. His daughter is five years old today and he doesn’t want her to leave him for money too. He has taken an oath to change their times and be a rich person. He wants to provide everything to his daughter so she doesn’t turn out to be a greedy person like their mother.

Ying, his daughter has turned ten now. They live in a clean apartment instead of the slum. They have food every day now. Chai has also hired a part-time nanny to look after Ying as he is busy most of the time. Whenever Ying calls for his attention at home, he says “just a minute, I will be with you shortly”.

Fifteen year old Ying finds social media as her best friend. She lives with Johnny; her Golden retriever and her permanent nanny Mary in a spacious bungalow and has abundance of teenager-needs-and-wants. She has many friends to hang out with too, Chai doesn’t know them and the nanny doesn’t bother. Whenever Ying calls Chai on his phone, he says “just a minute, I will be with you shortly”.

Chai is seventy-five today, his businesses growing and health ailing. He spends a lot of time at home now as he isn’t physically fit any more. Since he started being home, he keeps a close eye on his mobile screen and looks expectantly at the door each time the bell rings, however Ying just waltz in and out of the luxury villa. She has no attachment to any one at her so called home except with Johnny, for he was there when she needed someone to just be with her. Whenever Chai calls Ying on her phone, now she says “just a minute, I will be with you shortly”.

Twenty-five year old Ying just received a message of her dad’s death. Typically children rush to their parent’s funerals and thus she is flying back to Bangkok from London. But there aren’t any tears of despair in her eyes. There is no heavy heart or that sinking feeling. In fact she looks forward to her week long holiday on the beaches of Phuket after the funeral. Is that shallow? But she can’t recall a person who had no time for her. Who was never home looking for her arrival. Who was always busy, giving priorities to everything but her. Who never was with her ‘shortly’.

In some ways Ying might have turned to be like Chai, for she is a very busy person. But will she also face emotional failures like Chai? Only time will tell. I give everyone same duration, opportunities you create for yourself. I make sure an hour is same for the rich and poor but how you spend that hour is up to you. It’s true that if you put what’s important to wait, I can’t wait for you. For I am time, and I only keep moving, not waiting.

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Luxury of Normalcy!

Normalcy, a luxury? Yes, I believe so. Normalcy is a luxury that is usually looked down on, and cherished when we don’t have it anymore. Just like when someone who loves us, leaves us and then realization of a loss settles in the space that he/she occupied in our lives/ hearts.

I think homes are a luxury when compared to having to live somewhere for more than two weeks (at least). Hotels and resorts sound good and so does travel and other exciting options but, in the end, my toilet pot is the best, and my pillow is just made for my neck.

People who we meet on a normal basis in our daily life and the normal memories we gain with these meetings, strengthen us when we need strength (and weaken us when we feel weak). Because our reference point in any drastic (good or bad) situation is always compared to ‘normal’.

I feel normalcy teaches us ’emotional balance’. Because we know what’s normal thus we can feel excited or sad in a not-normal situation. Normalcy gives a chance to find that middle ground between sadness and excitement and many other emotions. Sometimes even those emotions that we wish not to feel.

With normalcy, I don’t mean being stagnant. Just like our bodies are able to adjust to gradually changing temperatures (and some times drastic), we too evolve in our normalcy. As a toddler, our normal is limited to home and then school, then college and then whatever we choose. We evolve.

I’d say cherish what you have got and where you have got it, for what is normal now is not going to be exact same in future (or at least one can’t guarantee). Rags to riches is always a loved story but riches to rags is painful. We might think others are better off than us in ways important to us, it might even be true, yet there is a certain comfort and perks that our normal brings to us. Let’s cherish these and start working on unread chapter of contentment in our lives. Let’s cherish normalcy, that enables us to feel happy!

In conclusion, everyday, let’s cherish hearts we have found space in, those loved ones’ whose fingers fill the gaps between our fingers, the warmth exuded by our personal VIPs that blanket us to be comfortable in our lives.

Merry Christmas!

 

My big day!

I have often heard my married friends say that they never would want to go back to their big day because it was hectic, stressful, didn’t go as they wanted and more complaints. If I had one wish today, I would just love to go back to my big day and see everything and every person again, shake my leg to those songs again, laugh again and dance merrily with my prince charming. I really enjoyed my big day. It was hectic but it was a sweet pain I am willing to take up again. And my husband agrees to this with me.

We had a day to parties and a day to the actual ceremony and both went beautifully with minor hiccups that weren’t heard by most of the guests. To find the correct decor specialist, I had spent months. Some were irresponsible and some became unavailable but I got no regrets for I feel, this all led me to the best decor team. Our catering too was a disaster when we went for food tasting but the chef did learn better and the food was fantastic, guests loved it (I was too busy to eat).

The crowd at our events was actually there for us and not simply turning up to show their faces, eating and walking away. Our guests were generally interested in what we were doing from making an entrance where all younger friends and family danced in pairs and gathered around the stage, making way for us, to watching us exchange rings, cut cake, our first dance, take our seats and then enjoy really special performances of friends and family. We were looking forward to show everyone our pre-wedding music video. It was quite different as I had ditched the white gown for something more traditional, and so was our music, but then everyone loved it. I love it.

I enjoyed being the centre of attention although I wish I had more time to talk more with everyone, I did make a small talk though. I enjoyed small ceremonies that I wasn’t aware of. I enjoyed impromptu poetry and word of advice. Everyone talking from their experiences and sharing the best with me. I liked all the lovely compliments I got that I cherish till date, for they made me happy then, and now.

While growing up, I always watched brides, looking so pretty and walking down the aisle, finally it was my turn to unite with the love of my life. My heart was beating so fast and palms sweaty. I tried not to look down but hold my head high and walk down as gracefully as I could. The actual wedding ceremony went by without a glitch. We had a color theme and all our guests complied with it. That was overwhelming. The flowers were perfect. The ambience was perfect.

I left my home looking dolled up to go to my new house and live with my now boyfriend-turned-husband but here was one major hiccup here. I got stuck in the elevator with few friends and family. And for a moment there I was really scared. All of the day’s event flashed by my eyes and I wondered what would happen next as we realised we weren’t just stuck inside the elevator but the elevator had fallen and we were hanging on to something not so strong. My dad got us out along with rest of the family within half an hour. May be that one incident help me walk away from the bad that was to come, realise how precious life is and be really happy for all that I have got.

I had tears in my eyes for not being able to believe that I was actually married now, but married to my boyfriend, with blessings of all the family, with best arrangements that we could make, for all special guests flying down for us, for friends being the family & cousins that I never had. I cried because I was in awe that I was a recipient of such a great blessing of the God, for I was and am and forever will be immensely thankful.

My big day

While being perched on the block of concrete

Short bright Red dress hugging her body, showing her curves. Cut quite low below her neck and well above her legs. Her body, not so toned but well cleaned. Her hair, straight and cut short. Easy to handle, no styling needed. She holds a black clutch, not so classy, while perched on a concrete block next to the main road. Slightly swings her fair legs that end in a five inch pencil heels, they don’t seem comfortable at all.

Her face, I find average. She is not a beauty goddess. Not that I am looking down. I find her face extra white compared to rest of her body, foundation, lots of it. She has bright Red lipstick, sultry kind of shade. Her tiny Asian eyes are well lined in Black and cheeks are a bit too Orange. Her eyebrows, lined a bit too straight. All over, it looked like she had put in a lot of effort to look good… but for who?

I have been watching her for two weeks now, dressed similarly everyday. Looking curiously at all pedestrians on the foot path. Particularly men, she smiles at them, catching their eye, assessing them top to bottom. She perks up seeing foreigners, perhaps they wallets stick out more. I see her everyday, at the same place, all by herself, trying to get some business, wishing for some male to pick her.

I don’t look down at her because I don’t know her story, her struggle. Women usually don’t choose this line by their wishes. I understand there must be troubles in her life for she needs to perch on that block of concrete everyday, never mind the weather or the weird looks she gets from passer-bys. She keeps correcting her make-up, trying to look younger, as this business is hot only till your youth is. I wonder where she lives, how she lives. I wonder if she has kids.

She sits everyday determined, smiling. I find her brave for she is facing her circumstances and yet keeping her chin up. I don’t encourage this line but I cant look away from force that brings her here everyday. May be she is forced to come here everyday. I don’t know, but she looks calm. I don’t want to judge her as I only see her. All I wish is for her to find some other business soon to help her when she grows old so she can always be brave, always confident!

Welcome Stranger!

This place is a negotiation and bargain haven …

This Asian town that I would like to bring forward to you is internationally equipped with everything one needs. The airport is massive, made of see-through glass with never ending walkways and shopping arenas. People are sweet here and smile through out however, it is the tradition here to smile when happy and even when angry so you can expect being called names with a smile. Everyone here loves fair skin people as they have heavy wallets. They easily discriminate between foreigners and their own. But with a smile, so that is doesn’t pinch the guest of the town.

Food is here usually is extremely spicy but quite cheap. USD1.5 is all it takes for a stomach full of meal. Food is available in abundance at every nook and corner but bigger the restaurant, better the price and perhaps, lesser the quantity. Foreigners might need a handkerchief or mask to cover their face as often food here smells bad for the untrained noses. Shopping here is cheap too, be it be fashion items or tech items however, you cant try clothes before you buy them (i.e. not in branded malls) and tech items you cant refund for when the don’t work (as they are copies). This place is a negotiation and bargain haven but one shouldn’t try any tricks in the opening hour of the shop (its considered bad omen by the locals and will get them very angry, angry enough to not sell you anything at all).

Elders and monks are immensely respected here. Same sex couples are a common sighting yet no law to protect them and give them identity of their own. Our police and military is strong yet late night bike racing is a common sighting. Greenery in the city is picturesque in hotels and parks, otherwise its hardly visible. Getting around the city is not so much of a problem using mass transit train services but a taxi driver might make you reach some place in thirty minutes whereas it might have been just five minutes away. All the roads and sub roads have signs indicating directions so one doesn’t get lost however English font size is one where you need to quint your eyes and read.

There is a lot of history, adventure and scenic places here but foreigners should hurry to visit us as commercialisation is continuously increasing and we cant assure you affordable prices and packages. Our mountaineous regions await you, which are now colder than before. Our beaches await you, which are now dirtier than before.

This is the strange story of my town, all strangers are welcome for an unforgettable experience!

Yes I am in love! I am in love!

I see him everywhere; something about someone reminds me of him,

If there is nothing to remind, I still recall him, wishing for him to be here, wishing for him to be near.

Those honey brown eyes, quite fascinating, quite unique

Love makes me understand what is the want to take a plunge into lovers’ eyes.

When he is at peace, looking at them brings me certain calm on the inside,

When he looks at me lovingly, they seem to change their color to molten honey,

When he is angry, hot lava spreads in them

Yet all in all, I always hope to remain in their shadow, to have him glance over me all time

Yes, I am in love.. I am in love

His perfectly arched eyebrows and those long tender lashes,

Bird’s beak like nose, so cute, so glistening

The curve of your smile, setting all other curves straight

That majestic beard, so soft, so nice

His turban, quite distinctive in style

His style, quite different, quite cool.

Him, his hug; my home, my peace

Yes, I am in love.. I am in love

Strength to cross oceans hand in hand yet the nervousness over the grip

Hopes to make to our happy ever after yet the uncertainty based on todays’ actions

Wishes for a family of our own but anxious to be first accepted by his’ and make them my own

May god stand by us like he always did, may we keep holding on to the faith

May we make it happy and healthy, may the lord be ever so great

Growing up brings many questions; may we find our answers or realize other questions are wrong

May we not take each other for granted but cherish all the limited time we have got together

Life is beautiful when I am by his side, both of us can tackle any tide

May god give us wisdom and courage to always stick together!

‘Papa, I want to get married’ says now the grown up daughter.

Yes, I am in love.. I am in love

 

(my hand at writing poems, wrote it months back, just thought of sharing:)

Seviyaa di kheer (Indian sweet dish)

Mom made seviyaa di kheer. I dislike normal rice kheer and thus seviyaa are made especially in Mehak’s honor. I run and hop towards the fridge, open it, feel cold air on my face, frantically search for that dabba with glorious milky liquid sequined with seviyaa and almonds and keep it out on to the table. Quickly fish the biggest spoon possible and am gonna start right from the dabba “Mehak! don’t start eating from the dabba itself, leave some for others too!!” Aww man…how does she (my mom) know me so well! Goes and gets a small bowl and takes just one portion  But hey! she didn’t stop me from taking many portions  seviyaaaa…

Nude platform heels obsession

And there my reflection is shining bright in the mirror, 170 cm tall, slim girl with fair complexion and almond Brown eyes, wearing a short white dress, brown eye-liner, a smile lit with light pink lips, lighter shade of pink for cheeks, diamond studs for ear rings, dark brown hair tied into a loose bun, a nude clutch in my hands and my new nude platform heels!!

I think how amazing does Mehek look with such little effort hmmmm.

“Mehek! MEHEK! Ajj uthengi ki kal’, and the voice becomes more fierce “get up NOW!” and there goes the air-conditioning and a moment later… my blanket. “Mom, I was having such a nice dream about my new nude platform heels and you woke me up” I say with a grumpy face. “Beta, I think you have become obsessed with those heels, baar sutt deya? Should I throw them out? Get ready soon!” Aaaaaah I just love my mom (saying through gritted teeth) but I do love my mom. My mom is just like how Superwoman plays her mom in her Youtube videos.

 

After making a quick prayer to have a nice day, I get off my bed and hit the shower while reminding myself that the luxury to sleep till late is now available for just another one week as after that Mehek would be working lady. Yayyyy!

 

Nude Platform Heels

A glossy nude platform heel! Perfect shade… Goes with my skin tone! Aaaaaaaaaaa I want this!! I want this!! I want this!! “Can I have size 37 in this please” to the seller. A plump lady with very fine eyeliner, hmm I wonder how they make it so perfect “37 no have, can try 38” awww “okay, let me try”. They fit perfectly, hugging my feet and yet quite light weight than i had imagined. Oh man! They would be my first platform heels. Smiles looking in the mirror and her reflection smiles back approving the purchase. “MEHEK eh kee purchase kar rahi hai??” “You are starting office tomorrow, not beauty contest… Put them back”. I say “mom pleaseeee I love them besides one should be stylish too these days!!” “You can borrow it for your parties too, its same size as yours!!”, “really! Let me try”. Mom phass gayi, yesss! Five mins later, walking out with my new nude platform heels and imagining work attires to go with it