Rediscovering Nikki...

“How come you are a Christian and don’t have hard drinks?”

A senior team mate declared in the midst of several other guys. This caused another round of loud laughter followed by cheers.  I tell you these appraisal parties are a very tricky. Especially if you are youngest.  The situation gets even more awkward when you were never programmed to consume alcohol.  Worst part was neither I belong to this situation nor was I dressed accordingly. Where all of them were in here chic party outfit I dragged myself in brown cargo and black tee.

With so many questions and no answer it was getting embarrassing with every passing minute. I gave a toilet excuse and quickly got away from my team mates who were having a gala time.  Raghuleela mall in Vashi has a one of kind structure. Especially the conically curved iron framed structure of it roof without a central support is splendid. One could spend hours trying to figure out how it was build. That some-one was me that day. Until…..

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“oh my god!!!!” a girl scremed from behind. I didn’t give emphasis to it as the place is always buzzing with college kids. And for them it’s a very common antique. Until……

Someone pulled my shoulder from back, now that a very uncommon thing for me.

“You bloody Mr. Artist… attitude dikhane ki adat abhi bhi nahi gayi teri” a girl was shouting on my face.

“Excuse me????” I replied curiously.

I started the elimination process in my mind. It was my department guys in college that called me Mr. Artist. But I wondered who is this lady and how did she know it. And then it just clicked.

“saali besan khichadi!!!!” was what came out of my mouth when I realize that she was nikki. The only Sindhi friend that I had in college. We never really talked to each other until we attended a workshop together in 7^thsem.

“What brings you here?” I asked.

“Choti ki birthday party…. And you?” she asked.

“Same pinch… office appraisal party” I answered.

“Oh ho… daru sharu… ladka bada ho gaya.” she giggled

“You have totally changed” I said. And the smile on her face increased by at least an inch.

“Lekin you haven’t changed, still hanging around in your cargo pants and white shoes” she added.

“Well bad habits don’t leave you easily… isn’t it?” .

“And by the way… saali when did I showed you attitude re….?” I inquired.

“Anyways leave it… how do I look?” she asked me out of nowhere.

For a guy like me it a very unexpected question because not many girls take their fashion tips from me. My own dressing sense is completely screwed up. She was wearing a very bright looking one piece. It was white in color, knee length and sleeveless.

“Where did you get such an outfit? It’s…..it’s good.” I modestly replied.

“Just while going around” she said while jumping forward. And she was even more happy and proud while doing so.

“Anyways white is my favorite color, so anything in white is good for me” I replied.

“Be maal ho gayi hu…. Voh toh dekh” she said while laughing.

Honestly I didn’t even notice until she mentioned it.  And yes she was actually looking very beautiful in that dress. It was hard to believe that a girl who missed her final year departmental forum just because she had to dry chilies in the sun would be wearing a one piece some day.

“Sahi boli… chava lag rahi hai” I answered with a loud laughter.

Both of us were really happy to see each other, but it felt she was a bit happier than me. We walked around the mall talking about the entire thing. But one thing was very clear; she was carrying herself in that dress amazingly. She was flawless in her walk and genuinely easy. 

It was followed by hour long chitchat about all the stupid things of college and work. I never thought even I would go around walking in mall with a lady in such a beautiful dress. The best part was neither she was feeling uncomfortable nor was I feeling awkward. In this hour I realized ki saali bilkul nahi badli hai.  

“I hate to say this but I have to take your leave now” I said

“Yar ladki mai hu aur ghar jane ki baat tu kar raha hai” she said sarcastically.

“I have a 7 am office madam” I replied. She was somewhat disappointed with my willingness to go.

I started to walk towards the escalator as she stood back for the party to get over.

“Oye sunn…” she shouted. And I turned back.

“By the way you are looking very handsome” which made me halt my decent and I turned back to look at her. And yes she looked even more beautiful and graceful now. Dark straight black hair, shining black eyes, very fair and glowing face and that amazing white dress. It was sight of an angel.

“You know..you are only the second girl till date that has asked me HOW DO I LOOK question” I shouted back.

“Oh ho thank you Mr Handsome” she replied me.

“And only the second person to call me HANDSOME… as well” I said with the same tone.

“I am very sure I won’t be the last one” she replied me with a wink.

Which brought a shy smile on my face and as I tried walking again she shouted from behind again.

“By the way who is the first person?” she inquired taking a few steps towards the escalator.

“Your black nail polish doesn’t go well with this white dress……..and she’s no longer a IS ….she’s a WAS now”. I replied her back with a wink. 

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(Later that night I pinged her on whatsapp.)

Iggy:- I am glad that I came out of that stupid party (And she replied)

Niki: So was I…..

Dedicated to all rediscovered lost relationships.

feedback and comments are welcomed.

The Logical Indian Voter.

Now days the talk-of-town is the 16th Indian general elections. One thing which is very common in it is "the opinion". Surprisingly the news crew from every TV channel is running behind the commonest of common man in order to generate an opinion out of him.  The best characteristic of an opinion is that everyone has one.

It’s a shady opinion of our elders that Indian youth find such discussions boring and are un-interested in shaping the future of the country. Why? Because we are thought-off as reckless, stubborn and impatient. We are even branded as careless and ignorant at time which to a certain extent is true as well. Frankly speaking we are much more worried about university paper pattern, engg college cutoff’s, thesis’s, case study, progressive project seminars, ex-girlfriends and even who should be the captain of our favorite IPL team.

But instead of assumption our highly educated minds has started to reason with everything and it is here that the youth of India has made its presence felt. I suppose we all have witnessed its muscle on December 2012 at raisena hills. When it comes to our rights nothing can divide us, not even the government. They say this youth empowerment realization was a snow-ball effect of the 2011 Arab spring. On the contrary to what was witnessed there, here we showed compassion and trust in democracy.

Amongst 1.2 billion citizen, 814 million are eligible for voting of which approx 40% are between age group of 18-40 and there would be another 100 million youngsters voting for the first time. No wonder these 9 phased elections would be historic w.r.t the voters turnout. Every political party is trying to woe this vote bank in there favor. This is were we need to apply our logic and reasoning skills

Personally I feel that change is always good. Even stale water starts to stink. But change just for the sake of change should not be sought-off. Our decision should neither be influenced by crowd mentality nor ancestry affiliation.

In build-up to these elections the youth has taken the initiative, responsibility and willingness to achieve improvement. Its our knowledge and reasoning skills that has enabled us to think one step above our own perception. When there is knowledge there is no room for fanatism, anarchism or flattery. We have the resources of knowledge, tools to logic and channels to forward it as well.

So this time we wont be giving our vote to any tom, dick or harry. They have to show there worth for the same. All you need to do is ask theses three question when prospective MP candidate come to your door-steps.

[1] tell me one good quality about your opponent? 

(Because it requires character to praise others).

[2] tell me one bad thing about yourself? 

(Because it requires courage to accept criticism).

[3] tell me any one law of the Indian constitution?

(Well.. basically to educate him).

Its just to make sure that your tax money is not spent in fixing broken mic’s and chairs in the parliament and that a sensible and qualified person is representing you.

It might raise a few eyebrows and cause some sweaty foreheads but at least they would realize that you value your vote. Either you will end up learning something or teaching something.

Even if you don’t get the expected answer still do come to vote. If not for the sake of democracy than atleast to become a part of history. Lets take this revolution to its ultimate final goal because the path, the speed and the destination of India would be decided by us.
feedback and comments are welcome.
thank you and do vote.....!!!

A stupid’s valentine day.

Happy marriage anniversary mumma-daddy…

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I remember the day when after a very long time I was walking past my college. Recalling all the silly stuff that we did here. I use to laugh at the students who did all kind of crazy and stupid stuff during the valentine day. Even Buying the most expensive gifts out of our limited pocket money. Funniest would be to see so many of us buying and bring rose to college without having anyone to give. But the good thing was most of the roses did exchange hands by the end of the day.

Before the college days love was a very blur and unclear topic for all of use. It was only after stepping into the college that we came in agreements with this highly contagious entity. Love was more of about having the sexiest girl in the college to eat samosa chatni with you in the lunch break. Neither of us knew the real meaning of love back then. Probably it wasn’t the right time to worry about the in depth meaning of love. It was very superficial and all we knew was what we heard from others. It’s strange how in course of time our reasoning skills are demarked in three parts like before love, during love and after love. Before love you are just developing your reasoning skills during love your reasoning skills totally goes for a toss and after love you tend to reason with each and every situation that you face.

This is because love just happens and you don’t need a reason to fall in love with anyone. You just want to live I that moment. That intimate moment when there is just two of you. Isolated from the entire universe. Fearless and brave. It ends up not only blossoming you but also creates a snowball effects and spill out of you in multiplied proportions. No wonder you want to stay close to your loved one if not at least with someone who is already in love.

The best experience of love doesn’t come while kissing or having sex. But in simple and daily instants.

For me if you ask it is when I hold your hand, and once I hold them I just don’t want to let them go. Probably more because I don’t get to hold them very often. That is why I know its importance. And how much I cherish those moments. It’s probably a million time that I told you about this. And whenever I see a couple holding hands I just pray that they realize the meaning it.

 Last year when she visited Mumbai during this time we went for a drive in my maruti Suzuki swift. I am not a big fan of driving cars all the more because I love my bike more. But when she is with me baki kuch mayine nahi rahkta. I mean what more can you ask for, to spend the valentine day with the person you love in the city you love.

I so much wanted to hold those hands that I could barely concentrate on the highly jammed vashi mulund highway. And here in lies the most amazing beauty about love, you can tell what’s going on in the others person’s minds. It’s the penultimate level of love. Somehow magically and gracefully she kept her hand on the gear stick. Maybe she was reading my mind or just concerned that I might get in an accident. And trust me I just loved the four hours that we spend stuck in that slow moving traffic. Changing gears never felt s cozy and intimate. There was very little that we talked probably we just wanted to live the most in that moment. It these simple yet special moment which are the best.

You know grace is something that is very natural to her. Its all about perception. Few years back I thought she was very egoistic but as I lived her life it evolved into gracefulness. And this is the best thing that I learned in this relationship. Yes my perception about life was very much influenced by you. Its this experience of living in present that changed my perception about love as well.

There is no past or future in love, There is only present. It dosent matter what your past was or what your future would be. What matters is how you live in this relationship at this particular time. And giving your best in it is what bears fruit. Love could be the best feeling in the world up to the point it’s not defined. But it’s a reality about love that to fertilize it, you have to define it and once it is defined it is bounded by the adjective you use for it.

Love dies when you burden it with maturity. The real essence of love lies in the innocence and silliness of it. There is no room for reasoning and rationality in love. When there is reasoning there is no room for love. And that’s why love is the best present you can give to anyone, and that’s how you live in the present moment. Love cannot be binded and it shouldn’t be. And when I am with you I don’t want to waste time reasoning with the IF’s of the future and BUT’s of the past.

“pyar me dimag nahi lagana chahiye…..usse chehre pe jhurriyon ke alawa kuch nai milega” was what she said to me while pinching my stomach as she left from bandra terminus. 

When there is love there is stupidity, originality, fun and everything that’s not directed by logic. If there is logic instead of love you end up marrying a random guy just because his package is 12 LPA. Growing in life is good but growing in life with love is even better. Good times may make you happy in a relation but it’s the tough times that strengthens it.

 So here is what I am gonna do this valentine’s day. Keep the logic out of the equation. I would again drive my car in the jam-packed traffic with her alongside holding her hands, buy her a beautiful pink top or a white salwar, a cheery cup cake, a bunch of rose worth even 1000 bucks or maybe a perfume of her choice or maybe take her to a pet shop to hear her “awwwww” and “kuchi kuchi” or maybe eat an ice-cream cone to see her struggle with the melting dripping ice-cream.

Or maybe just spend the entire day sitting on my 7^th floor flat balcony alongside her with a big mug of hot chocolate. Where the sweet and maroon cold wind blows straight through it and just sends you to another world. And later in the evening invite my friends with their girlfriends, wives, boyfriends and husbands to enjoy a very hearty dinner made by me for them. And later request my lady to stay back and give me a hand with washing the dishes. So that I could spend that extra 20 mins with her as well.

I don’t know what’s going to happen from the next day, I just wanted make the best with what I can do. And I think there is absolutely no harm in letting your love know about how much you love them. Express it GOT-DAMIT in whichever way you find it the best.

Let’s try and keep love in the most innocent and pure form. Like how you felt about it before you segmented it with logic and grammar. Redo all the stupid things that you did to “pattao” your love. All the stupid and crazy thing.

And let’s remember and give thanks to a few stupid and crazy that we might have forgotten, things like airtel friends, R to R free calling, SMS pack, CAD-B, yash chopra & karan johar films, hallmark and archies, stuffed toys, Nagpur university curriculum, moral police, Cadbury, radio love guru, class-mate ki bike, roommate ki kurti, tution classes, chai tappri, phul wala, notes and journals, forwarded msgs, love letters, nokia 1100, facebook, whats-app, gardens and most importantly girlfriend/boyfriends best friend for making our valentine day what it is today.

Also I would specially like to mention bagpiper, old monk and signature which gave many struggling lover the strength to express their love.

please freely share you stupid and crazy love experiences in comments. your identity is upto your discretion.

This is a very simple and special piece of write-up. Dedicated to very one in love.