Shayaris Reloaded

आज तो नशा बेकरार है
दिल एक दम तैयार है
हे नशा सबसे बड़ा हत्यार है
इस नशे का नाम प्यार है

Ode to Patricia

What a wasted day
As weather exhibits the shades of grey!
Did the nature's wrath cause the foray?
For all the dirty games mankind did play!

Mastering Haiku

 
The intense rays of the Sun:
Sneaking through the dark shrouded clouds
Highlights optimism

The silence in the morning:
Killed by the chirpiness of the birds
Highlights enthusiasm

Broken Promises!

She met him when she was going through the worst phase in her life. He was a welcome change for her. His carefree attitude, undying spirit and above all his humorous side caught her attention.  He had numerous liaisons in the past, but he felt “There is really something about her that I haven’t seen in others”.

They met more often and the mutual attraction slowly turned into a relationship of care and commitment. The day, he decided to propose to her, she opened to him about her past including her broken marriage and her struggle of being a single parent. That didn’t deter him, his respect for her fortified.  He told her “I am not worried about your past; I see my present and future with you. I want to live every moment with you and be a doting father for your child!” He had healed her past wounds and she decides to eventually follow her instincts.

Back home, she hashes out with her parents. Like any other conservative Indian, her mother opposes to the entire concept of live-in. “What will society think? Don’t you know how it can affect your child?” her mother asked.  She doesn’t give up; she could see that her mother is heartbroken, but she adheres to her decision.  Eventually, her father agrees, more to overcome his guilt of marrying off his daughter at a young age and that too to a wrong person. He thought “I have done enough damage to my daughter, now that she wants to move on, why not allow her to!”

He moved in with her and her child.  She liked his protectiveness and possessives and his bond with her child. She was making his life very easy; he needn’t have to worry about any trivial things. But as wise men say “Happiness never last long”. He had never communicated about his living arrangement to his parents. He knew that his parents would never accept it.  That became their first bone of contention.  Initially his explanations were enough to soothe her but eventually, she saw them as his excuses. 

The fights were endless and they decide to part. He moved out, he kept himself busy. She tries hard to forget him but distance makes hearts grow fonder. Within few weeks, they decide to give their relationship one more fair chance. He informs his parents about her. All mayhem broke loose. They gave an ultimatum to him to break all his ties with her.  He thought “That’s the most difficult decision to take. I will need to manage it somehow.”  He opens to her on his parents’ demand.  She says “If it’s a matter of choosing between me and them, we can break up.” He assures her “I need you. Slowly but steadily my parents will give in.”

Days pass, weeks pass, months pass. His parents never accept her. Meanwhile, the whispers start to get louder and louder.  Her neighbors are curious; her parents are anxious and her child was growing up. “What is the next step in this relationship?” she asked him. He said “I want to marry you but with the consent of my parents. I don’t know how long it will take.” She said “How long should I wait? I would have been happy with the current arrangement but for my child.” He said “I don’t know. Why are you bringing the child in between all these?” 

The fights became the order of the day. One day, he said “If you can’t wait, there is no point in continuing this relationship. I can’t make my parents unhappy as I am their only son.”  Teary eyed, she mumbled “What about those years I have spent with you? What about those promises you have made?”  Without answering her questions, he left the apartment with his belongings.

Astonishing Absurdity!

They have been married for nearly forty years. They have been so much together that they have started looking alike. Their marriage is considered a perfect one, with no financial dependency, children acquiescent, obeisant and well settled.  People heralded their union as one of its kind, people say “We need to learn a lot from them, how they are each other’s support system, standing through thick and thin and of course, how well they passed on their virtues to their children!”

When they were young, they had decided to focus completely on their children, for them, like any Indian, children were their sole treasure. They used to say to each other “When we are old, we will have all the time in the world, then we will focus on things that will keep us busy and happy.”  Their children kept saying “We are so lucky to have Pa & Ma. Wish, we can a lead a harmonious wedded life like them.”

After retirement, he fell sick, she nursed him and he acknowledged her part in his recovery.  He fell sick again, but this time, the severity was more than he had anticipated. He was bedridden; thoughts clogged his mind “Am I a burden to her? Is she looking after me because of love or out of duty?” Any discomfort on her part, he interpreted it as her vexation. He adopted an approach of sudden outbursts and harsh words on her. Initially, she took it in her stride, she remained silent, and she remembered the good old days when he had been a supportive partner.

Slowly, but steadily his words began to hurt her profusely. She couldn’t just take in his hatred. She thought “What has changed? What did I do wrong? My silence is being taken for granted.” She started questioning him about his angst. Her questions riled him up; he thought “She no longer needs me. Our children will take care of her, very well.”

They start digging up the past, the incidents when they were hurt by each other’s actions and words.  He declares “Forty years of my life with you have been the most difficult.” She is shocked, as tears flow from her eyes; she whispers “You’ve been a good father, not a good husband.”

Their children come to know about the situations at home. They grow anxious, together they prepare the lectures and admonitions which they need to give to Pa & Ma. When they dial up home, their parents together say “You are not grown enough to lecture us. You don’t have to interfere in our affairs; we know how to sort out our issues.”  The children are amused and astonished at the absurd turn of events.

Mistaken Silences!

Suddenly an SMS flashed on his mobile. It read “Let deafening silence be the order of the day. GM and have a great day!” He was flabbergasted, he couldn’t understand the context or the emotion that the message carried. He thought “What did I do? What did the message mean?”  With a preoccupied mind, he drove his way to the office.

Back at her work, she was disturbed. He had been her sole friend in the new city who helped her to settle down. He had accepted her quirkiness, always been receptive to her garrulity. His sudden silence vexed her up. She thought “What did I do? Did I hurt him with my actions or words?”  After sending him the SMS, she continued with her work. She never thought how her blunt words would have affected him.

By noon, he called her up. After exchanging explanations, which they both agreed, was not needed, they continued with their trivial conversations. There was no animosity, no anger. The distance that the silence had created finally narrowed down.  A thought crossed her mind “Silence can be interpreted in so many ways. We stick to the most damaging version and fill our mind with lots of negativities. Every human action should be given a benefit of doubt.”

A Tribute

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, ex President of India, passed away yesterday. I was wondering what I could have written about him, which no one would have told ever. I haven’t met him in person nor do I have had email exchanges with him but I always look up to him for being a wonderful human being who led a selfless life. He is indeed a huge inspiration for many in my generation and I really feel privileged to be a part of the generation where we had great minds like Dr Kalam.  A person with humble origins, to being the missile man, to being the President of India, he really lived up to his quote “The dream is not that you see in sleep , dream is which does not let you sleep”. When death approached, he showed his generosity, even though he was doing what he loved to do the most ie lecturing at IIM, Shillong.

Dr Kalam wanted a better and brighter India, and being Indias’ citizens, it’s our duty to fulfill his unrealized missions and visions.

Jai Hind!

Sloppy Poem on SOAP

SOAP with envelope is like a terrifying dream
SOAP with glycerine is a good conditioning cream
SOAP with envelope gives me no hope
It makes me feel hopeless and like a dope
SOAP with glycerine gives me the shine
All these years it served me fine
SOAP with envelope gives me weird exception
SOAP with glycerine gives my skin, real affection
SOAP with envelope have various forms
SOAP with glycerine have pleasant foams
Both the SOAP needs to be handled with care
If not, the consequences will be difficult to bear

Buzz Around “B” Words

It’s always seen that when some is addressed as “b*t*h” or “b@st@rd”, it is taken quite offensively. I have always tried to rationalize it and never reached to any reason why it is so piquing. 

Isn’t “b*t*h” a female dog and aren’t dogs faithful? So why get offended when someone addresses you as a bitch? Similarly in case of “b@st@rd”, the child is not at fault here and why spite when you are addressed that way?  Everyone follows the nature’s law of reproduction and so every child has a mother and a father. If the child knows the parents, good, if not, it doesn’t matter.

Are the buzzes around these words really needed? Can anyone explain the reason why these words are so unsavory? 

A Note

Same day, another year! This year I wasn’t beside her to wish her in person and time zones didn’t help either. Every year, I make it a point to wish her at sharp 12pm on her big day. I was thinking for a while what I need to gift her. She has it all, materialistic gifts doesn’t really matter to her. What matters to  her is giving her some attention, some care. I kept thinking, but nothing really crossed my mind.  This chapter is completely dedicated to her.  

She is my friend, philosopher and guide. I know I can call her anytime and talk my heart out. She wouldn’t judge me, she is always on my side, and she supports me unconditionally. She has been at the receiving end of my wraths and my mood swings, yet she never showed her despite or desperation. Sometimes, I wonder how she is able to play the role so beautifully. I have never seen her complain about anything. She is quite happy in whatever state she is in. I questioned her umpteen times whether her satisfaction is façade to her laziness, but each time her arguments left me stumped.

Our relationship wasn’t great in the beginning, we fought for silliest of reasons, but as they say, it’s the distance that makes the heart grow fonder.  I realized her worth when she left for another place to pursue her higher education. I missed her like hell, I cried my heart out.  We stayed together during the early phase of my career till she decided to take the next plunge in her life, the holy bliss of matrimony. I knew I will have another competition, vying for her attention. I outgrew that fear because she remained the same, her motherly instincts protecting me and guiding me in the right direction.

We don’t have anything is common, we share a different outlook towards life and we always wonder how we are still together. May be it’s the genes. As the saying goes “Blood is always thicker than water”.  No matter how many friends I had, have and will have, it’s always she, whom I will go back to when I  am troubled or need a shoulder to cry on. In fact, I am quite thankful to God for the very fact that I have two mothers in my life, one from the older generation, my real mother and the other from my generation, my sister.  

D, I always look up to you. You are my guiding force.  Now that an extra candle is on the cake, I wish you happiness and good health.                

 

Slice of Life!

You run, you juggle, and you forget to live

Chasing umpteen dreams, wanting to believe

That happiness lies in fortune, the great fillip

Living life on the edge, giving health a skip

And as years add to your weary life

You question your meaningless strife

You realize, “I live as long as I breathe, 
Soon I shall be covered with wreath!

No memories, no moments, only painful glances

Of life’s purposeless acts and  wasted chances!”

AD, This is for YOU!

There was a strange ice storm in Michigan and my friend AD took this photograph and submitted the same to a newspaper. It was selected for print with the title as "photo taken by Ann Arbor resident AD" However AD didn’t find it online nor does she have the printed copy. Here is the photograph that was published.

Her photo inspired me to write few lines as below

A day when city came to a sudden halt

The inhabitants taken back by the unexpected jolt

When the nature wrapped its fury in disguise

Covering the streets with sheen of ice!

Three Forms!

I live a life of water, colorless and odorless
With emotions solidified like the ice
To just melt when surrounded by close ones
The angst is me sometimes emanate like a hot steam
Eventually hurting people on the way!

I take in the dirt and the filth
I project your hazed reflections
But you can never judge my depth
Unless you step into my world and stay!

I create few ripples when stirred
To quickly settle to my calm composure
If you have me in your journey called life
I will surely rub off my presence in you!

Some Gyan!

Time is just an excuse
To become socially recluse
Time waits for none
When you realize, you are done
So find time to meet and mingle
Don’t wait till you wrinkle!

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Its better to leave it open and not to deal
Of certain scars that never heal!

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Words are best when they are not spoken
Promises are best when they are broken
Feelings are best when they are concealed
Truth is best when it is revealed!

शायरी

किसी से निग़ाहें मिलाना प्यार करने से अच्छा है
किसी को दूर से तारीफ करना पास आने से अच्छा है
प्यार के गम में रोने से बेहतर प्यार में मत पड़ना अच्छा है
प्यार है ऐसी चीज़ जिसकी नशा ज़िंदा मरवाने में अच्छा है

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जितने भी खत तुम्हे लिखूं तुमसे जवाब मिलना अच्छा है
तुम तो चुप रहती हो समझा करो मेरा प्यार सच्चा है

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ज़िन्दगी ने कहा बदल ना जाओ
पर समय कहां सुनता
उसने ऐसे माहोल बनाया
बदलने के सिवाए और कुछ ना रहा


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रात को नींद ना आये किसी और बिमारी से अच्छा है
पर इसकी वजह काम हो थो बिमारी ही अच्छा है

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तालियां सुनने की आदत नहीं है मुझे
और ज़ोर से लगाओ जब फोकट में दे रही हो मुझे

Alone in a new city!

One month has just flown
Successfully battling the unknown
Curbing the fears that had grown
Withstanding hindrances that were thrown!

‪

A Desert Story

Every desert tells a riveting tale
Of scarce green, marked steps and vast sand
The wind which touched my strand
Wonder what story does it carry as it sails!

FLOORed

I had moved to US of A recently. Like any other Indian, I realized that though I speak English, some of the words or sentences have a totally different meaning. For eg,  When the rest of the world understand "ground floor" in a building, in US the word “ground floor” doesn’t exist. It is actually termed as first floor!

On the second day after shifting here, I had a conversation with my European colleague (hereby termed as EC)  who was inquiring about another colleague based out of US (hereby termed as AC), with whom he had worked with. Apparently, I am in the first floor where as AC sits in the second floor (as per American dictionary)

EC: Hello, how do you find US?

Me: Very well, thank you. I am bit jet lagged.

EC: Where do you sit? Ground floor?

Me (playing with his ignorance): Nope. First floor.

EC: That’s good. I presume, AC sits in first floor (rest of the world dictionary) too. Can you pass my message to him?

Me: AC sits in the second floor.

EC: Oh! I didn’t know. I thought we have just rented two floors in the building. May be we are growing!

Me (still playing with his ignorance): May be.

Well, in US, one needs to be careful, else one can constantly be floored!

Birthday

Birthday, a reminder of life and its colorful stage

Of innocent childhood, rebellious youth, strenuous middle age

A day, to open new chapter, close the old page

A day, to travel back in time, planning ahead and to gauge

For another 365 days which will fly with reckless rage!