A Meeting!!

Sometimes---you just love dreaming!!

Faces bleak---

Targets- the figures of speech!!

Bosses hound—

Voices loud.

Startled with figures—

The deadline triggers!

Coffee served—

Attention blurs.

Comes the end—

Phone a friend!!!

The Birth and Death of the Day!!

the light to die for...
Photography by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Life born—

Heartbeats!!

Sun shines...

reading between the lines!!

Night sky--

Stars high;

Faces lit---

When hearts meet.

Bloomingdales day...

Fears gone away—

Birds flock,

Work adhoc!

Breath …

Until no air left—

Sleep—

Death!!

What's Your Secret Song???

Songs I wish I could hide in a  trunk.

Music….the five letters unite to make a recipe that is a food for thought for many of us. The best part is the immence strange proximity/ bond that it makes you develop with people you might not meet in a lifetime, or with the instruments--- I am sure we all reach a stage where we can actually recognize the music instrument being played---be it harmonica, a didgeridoo, a harp---- almost everything, though there is always a Google it option.

And then at times you have these strange encounters of meeting people through music, songs—I am sure it would have happened with many of us, having someone who dedicated you songs or probably gifted and it so happens that you never forget such songs, you develop a bond with them like forever.

Here’s a compilation of songs I am sure we all must have loved, grown up listening to….

The 90’s

When I opened my ears to music--- I used to listen to Bryan Adams, Madonna, Spice Girls, Michael Jackson, BSB, Boyzone, N’Sync….

Ofcourse now I would rather shy away to share that I used to LOVEEEEEEEEEEE them….back then…I never missed a single coverage of Jackson’s epic History tour to India--- and yes I did had nightmares watching Thriller--- now I'd rather laugh.

So, for the Late MJ and for those times, here's THRILLER!!

The Teenage

Reminds me of the school fete, attending it hoping someone would dedicate you a song at the jukebox---it so never happened. But back then I did wanted someone to dedicate this song to me…from the 98 Degrees...

The boys---

Nick Carter---I'd run away if someone would ask me –you did…but I did love him way back in time —--- BSB and Boyzone were big and I am sure we all loved them!! Here's As long as you love by BSB, the video is way too adorable!!

 for every friend---Spice Girls Wannabe defines it all….it was/is peppy—— and full of life--

The what is love phase—and you  listen to music to know more because even Einstein didn't knew about it ;)…Bryan adams Everything I Do, or Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply, I am sure moves many of us still…

The Epics... Beetles, Pink Floyd, Guns and Roses, Led Zepellin-- probably the inventors of what we term Alternative today.... guitaring and lyrics has been a prominent element in all their compilations. Here's an all time favourite---

With or Without You, well I heard it way back when Rachel and Ross were dating in the epic series FRIENDS, today I wish I could pass it on to someone ;).....this by U2 is an all timer...

Leaving on a Jet Plane--- Whosoever has ever asked me to sing-- well this one is my baby, my song ;)-- I  start off with it like a school girl giving a poem recital--- thought I can't even  come close to John Denver, for when he sings-- makes you so nostalgic-- when I do---well lets pass that---

With time, my choices have changed kinda completely, but all these songs have a story and would always remain special!!

For the good-old days...

Time Frame

There are times you wish ---“wish we both were in the same time frame”!!
Turn Back Time performed by Aqua

Year: 2031

He

An IT tycoon, father of two children and their beautiful mother—What else can anyone ask for?

A reunion--- seems that's what you want when you think you have got everything--- you need those people who were around in times of struggle.

I had to call her—she had always been around, just not past 12-15 years—it wasn’t that difficult either to track her down, since we had an abundance of common friends. But I was wrong—it became a Herculean task to track her down—whomsoever I asked, no one had a clue about her—it even crossed my mind once that is she even alive? 

I didn’t bothered to enquire about her when she’d been there all the time for me---I prioritized my life so much—

She had been my interest and my greatest friend thereafter—

I still remember the day I met her--- we had crossed each other umpteen times, but never bothered to talk---and one fine day---we were left alone—probably HE wanted us to talk---

Hey--- that’s all I asked

How, when, where, what…why? Well ---you can imagine she had all the questions.

But I didn’t get annoyed----because no one bothered or even cared to ask me so much.

That was it---after that—whereever I went---she was around—laughing talking---and seems I always wanted to be around her. One year passed like this---and I thought it was a perfect time to ask her out---

I just knew she was the one—who makes me happy, so much that I love this life now.

And so I did asked her---

She said –“ No”!!

That was all and that was it--- it didn’t affected anything between us—just became awkward for a while, for the time we stayed in touch—she was the closest person around!!

She

I hate tea/coffee spills, especially on my papers---and they happen more often now—hindering my work—

I got married to my profession—there just was nothing else--- never could find anyone interesting and I decided to stay aloof after that---

But with no regrets—I love this life and I get to do everything I wanted to—

It was a weekend---and I was drop-dead sleeping---

The phone rings---

She: Hello---

He: Hey---

I still remember that voice---

She: Hi---its been so long---where are you?  How did you get my number---what have you been doing these days?

He: You still haven’t changed much--- ha ha, by the way I am hosting a party, reunion and it is pointless without you---you  have to come and I don't want to take a no for an answer.

She: And you finally got time for that

He: I know you would complain---lets meet, you have to see my kids, meet my wife—

She: Ya, is there any option I have?

And we talked---like before..

When I hung the phone down---I was numb for a moment---it was totally unexpected—15 years---

Talk of decisions—I think nothing went wrong in life—except one decision---a NO to him…back then I was so engrossed in myself, career that it never crossed my mind that he could be the one--- 

It was too late when I realized it was him ---

The smoke circles were taking me back in time---

If it were one thing that I could change ---I wish I could have turned back time to the day he asked me----!!

PS- I never went for the reunion party

The Broken Heritage!!

What lies ahead--is the demise of this monument!!

It was not a usual morning---my usual mornings usually start at a very unusual time---probably at 9 AM—and I hate to be an early riser—call me the Mistress of Bad Habits--- but that’s how it has always been –

But as I mentioned since it was an unusual morning—I got up at 5 AM—(if that’s some time to get up when it's freezing cold outside), had my warm cup of tea and got ready for a Walk to Jamali Kamali, near Chatarpur Metro station.

This walk was organized by Mr. Sohail Hashmi, Hashmi Sahab are amongst people who work on their own will to bring about some change in the society and also contributing their bit towards the betterment of our heritage, our culture.

Mr. Sohail Hashmi, we need people like him to bring some change!!

It was a perfect winter morning but with imperfect surroundings, Sohail Sahab told us that how the area had been encroached upon by builders which had severely affected a Lake in the heart of the area. Seeing the green, dirty, BOD rich, algae replenished water -I felt so pathetic being human. We talk of development and this is what we have done to a water body. Was wondering what do the authorities do regarding the cleanliness of the area which encompasses a rich heritage- Nothing. Here are some pictures---

What was a beautiful History---is a present full of remorse!!

Water of no use!!

And we make barriers for everything!!

The meandering roads, spices, shops, houses everything in the area had a medieval feel, like you are time travelling in the past. Looking at the tombs and the shattered remains wasn’t a great feeling altogether.  But we as a group were all happy getting a chance to get aquainted with our culture, heritage...It is totally missing somewhere, atleast I am not that culture enriched---

Market Place

Overview!!

Briefed up by Sohail Saab!!

Sohail saab was a very interesting, witty person in his 70’s I presumed looking at his white beard and a slight bend. He told us all many stories, incidents that were an eminent part of this area.

He told us about Jamal Miyaan, Miyaan ji was really bad in studies. He flunked in eighth standard some ten times and finally did away with his zeal to study when his son finally reached eighth standard. He coudn’t ever pass through eighth standard but he surely made something which many Tikka and Kabab walas stil cherish. A wonder masala which is still sold in the Muslim markets, the peculiarity being that you would not find this masala in any local markets. But people who know about it know about what wonders it does to the food.

Another interesting story which Sohail Sahab told was about a Brahmin custom in which on getting married the mother in law gives her bride a fish with Sindoor on its head to cook. The bride is supposed to clean and cook the fish and only then she is considered to be a good asset for the family.

Made me wonder—we have an array of traditions—from bizarre to bizarrest.

The walk ended at the Jamali Kamali area around many tombs, the only thing I lacked was a good camera but still managed to get some pictures.

Once a tomb--now just some broken remains!!

Beautiful remains!!

The Group

I suggest if anyone of you happen to go to Jamali Kamali for a walk or a stroll, take your camera. The place has a lot to offer.

In the end, why it was not a usual morning, when at the end of the journey we all climbed the ladders of the tomb, to see the green plantations around and right infront of us stood Qutub Minar...I was just thinking one thing-----
" We get up with a realization that our surroundings are beautiful, because we want them to be hygienic for us, but we do not think twice about places where we do not dwell. They are lying there all dead, abandoned, dirty, screaming for help……but who cares!!"

Goodbyes!!

The most awkward moments….well ask this question to anyone on planet POPULATED and you’d surely have one goodbye story-- -like the time you wanted to burst loud with words…but you bursted out with tears instead….or you had so much to say that all this while when you could have said something substantial in life----you just kept smiling ….and who understands that that smile was piercing you deep inside---

I know of people who say goodbye like they are throwing tomatoes at you---my dad tops the charts….because he can’t express that it hurts when I leave home---but with time humans develop instincts….so ofcourse I understand NOW— how much he misses me.

And then there are few who are so Happy to bid adieu…like  my brother who loves dropping me because he would get all the attention thereafter:D….

And then there are the ones---Id proudly call the goodbye clowns---they just come to add a tag of the herd that formed the goodbye club—you know people you’d surely know you’d never bother or care to meet in life—but wonder…why are they here—I’ve got no business with them---well RUDE but that’s how a HUMAN thinks…

And then some goodbyes top the charts---

Talk of the best goodbye from a film---well I have always loved “ When Harry Met Sally”, there's a MEET after every goodbye in the film.

Some rules—never propose on a goodbye eve—it will, has always lead to blunders….only REEL life looks, sounds perfect for that—

What always works….a smile and some words…as minimum as possible and a wish that your family, friends, loved ones will always come back to you---!!

In the end… some goodbyes are worth it….like having a friend who’d bother to call you from the LONDON bridge ;)------ , or spending an entire day with your dearest ones just eating, laughing, bursting out-- !!

The Dream Project

Two days … twelve hours, add a few more to it … what’s wrong with you … I mean do you even give a damn that I exist … agree you hate the sunshine, so I thought let’s meet in the evening … and you still didn’t turn up, are you fine?
The problem … yes, I know, it is that you take me for granted, granted for the fact that I love you, but you despise it, you don’t want to feel the warmth that is hidden inside my love, you rather would throw me away like a pebble … and I know I will come back to you, my feelings would take me back to you like the waves of the sea, always toward the shore … huh, it kills me. Do you even realize that?
I stood there letting you go, walking away from me holding his hands, I was quiet because you loved him and I did let you go, your happiness was there, with him, you believed in it, so I didn’t have a say … I trusted your love because my love in you kept me alive for so many years …
We decided we’d talk, possibly every week, didn’t turn out that way, because you went overseas and after that I could only see you in my dreams, picturing you every moment, how you’d be … but whenever that phone rang, I hoped you’d call, I seriously did, because you said no matter what happens you’d stay ... You always did stay in my heartbeats , you were always there, but not in a visible mode, and that frustrated me … it really did at times, I thought I’d call you, but the fact that you never tried kept me away. I thought that would be an interference in your balanced life, I pictured at times you running here and there with your kids, they being as notorious as you’ve always been … ahhh … but I’d know the world would never understand the bond we always shared ... the strange bond of friendship and love that would always go together … till I take my last breath, for you will stay in my heart, what we shared will … our frustrations and dreams will … and it really didn’t matter to me that day when you walked down the aisle with him. Coz I knew you were happy ... that was my happiness … you were my happiness!!

So what happened to the dreams, what happened to the dream project we were supposed to work on together?
And look at you, you still will not speak, can you tell me how long is this no-verbal-speech period of yours?
I am not dripping these tears because I am melting, I don’t want to, you’ve been a stubborn head all your life, you still are being one …
You can’t walk away without giving me an answer …
Not this time ...
For the meet after twelve years wasn’t expected to be like this, it just wasn’t. I rather dreamt my kids befriending yours, or my son wooing your daughter and you giving me a bad stare, as you always did when I was up to something freaky … do you remember?
You forgot ...”
Sir, please, don’t lose it, she’ll be there with us, with all of us … she wrote her will the night she took her last breath …
The envelope read ...
“I am sorry, I thought I’d call you up, but then came this, another thought that I’d be interfering in your life, how can I just call you after four long years. I was not well for a long time and apart from this, there was a lot to share, but whenever I picked up the phone something kept me away from calling you, my fears did, my fear of losing you soon did … he always kept me happy with his love and care but I let him go, I didn’t hold the right to ruin his life with my illness, leave that … you must be having a beautiful wife and kids by now … I so badly want to see them. I have a beautiful daughter, and I’ve named her as per we decided ... Do friends ever decide the names of their future kids? We did he …
And hey, you better keep your son away from her, I know you must be having a lovely baby boy … can you name him Tarzan for me … ha ha.

I never had time … and after it was diagnosed, I didn’t wanted to share the pain with you, I was your happiness. I just wanted to bid adieu on that note …
Here’s a share I earned for our dream project … and it’s an order … you’ll work for it. Sorry for being an ass … and thanks for what you gave me, the sunshine of your friendship, I know HE can’t take that from me!!”