FORTY WINKS

                और फिर एक दिन बात है तब की, जब उम्र थी पंद्रह और क्लास बत्तीस की । महीना याद नही , लेकिन गर्मी ज़बसदस्त थी । दाखला उसने लिया था उन्ही दिनों , पहली सीट पे बैठती थी। ************ कम्बख्त मुश्किल सा नाम था , सही बोलने में हफ्ते निकल गए । नाम समझ मे क्या आया, जाप जैसे होने लगा था। बोलती थी धीमे धीमे और हँसती थी कम, हुआ जो था अब तक सिर्फ यारोँ के साथ, वैसी लगभग हालत मेरी भी हो चली थी। ************* पतली , गोरी और सुनहरे लच्छेदार  बाल। लंबी वो थी , कद बढ़ाने में लेकिन ज़मात पूरी लगी थी। चुप चाप कलम घिसती , देती जावाब सारे धड़ा धड़ , उफ्फ..... अँग्रेज़ी भी थी फ़र्राटेदार । उधर साल खत्म हुआ जा रहा था, इधर मेरी उम्मीद फुर्रर होने लगे थी। ******************* फिर आया कयामत का दिन, और मेरे सीने से दिल लुढक़ गया, नब्ज़ बंद ,पसीना कभी ठंड कभी थरथरी सी , जैसे लगा हो लाइलाज़ रोग , हुआ यूं कि , Annual Day के dance में वो मेरी पार्टनर बनी थी । ***********

शिकायत नहीं है मुझे , न ही दस्तूर बदलने की हिम्मत  , अस्थिर नही  हूँ , अधीर नहीं , अवसाद शायद , उदास शायद  , कहना  है बस , आसान नहीं , यूं अकेले रहना।  दीवार  पर टंगी  बेटी की बनाई, हैप्पी फैमिली  की पेन्टिंग,  अलमारी में लटकी तुम्हारी साड़ियां , कुछ बंद  मैगी के पैकेट , कुछ खुले बिस्कुट , बेटे का क्रिकेट का बल्ला, कह गया  था  रख लो , अगली छुट्टियों  में फिर जो खेलना है।  तुम्हारी लगाई गेंदे की  क्यारी सुनहरी हो चली , तुल्सी  भी हो गयी हरी पूरी , कमरा खाली ,दिल भरा भरा सा , आसान है क्या , यूं अकेले रहना ? टेक्नोलॉजी के साधन  अनेक है , नहीं प्रतिस्थापित कुछ भी कर पाया , तुम्हारा साथ।  चाहता हूँ लौट जाना घर, बच्चों को देखूं पढ़ते बढ़ते ,  माँ का बनू    सहारा , दूँ तुम्हे तुम्हारे हिस्से का प्यार  ,   किस से जा कर कहूँ   मन  का कौतूहल    , ...

What More ? He looked in the bathroom mirror and grinned. A few months above 50 and not a strand of grey hair ,fine lines near the eyes had begun to show presence though . He was proud of his salon styled looks and his body built on supplements. He always opined that a man needed just two things to lead a good life - looks and bank balance and in his case an unsuspecting wife too. “What more Ravindra Khosla”? he winked at  his reflection. “Jess, jess , jessica” he called out her name agitatedly but she seemed fast asleep. “Damn the new gen drinks” he said exasperatedly and began to pack his overnight duffel. He didn't bother to look twice at the petite figure sleeping face down on the hotel bed her cheap flea market dress lying on the floor. He checked himself out in the full length mirror one more time and marvelled at the ease with which he could still charm women half his age.  “What more”? he chuckled. “Check out on time and don’t add anything to ...

Name Speaks ! " Just Because You Know My Name,  Doesn't Mean You Know My Story " My name generates inquisitiveness.Acquaintances say it is  a bit difficult to pronounce, doesn't give away my religion or region I belong to and is atypical for a person belonging to the 70's generation of Punjab.   My mother named me after the female protagonist of a novel she had read during her MA English days - the name of the novel she is unable to recall! It may sound  self glorification - I am yet to meet my Namesake ! My name resonates Mightiness Magnanimity & Mythology. I am a practising Hindu but my name  has roots in Buddhism, its a derivative of 'Avalokitesvara' - the Bodhisttava of compassion.There are sixteen   recognised  Bodhisttavas .  I always had a yearning to understand the interpretation of my name.Whenever a chance arose i visited Buddhist monasteries and temples. I googled , I read articles on Buddhism, I sought answers...

ताज कल भी आज  भी  ताज जिसे मैंने कई साल पहले देखा था। पिताजी की केन्द्रीय सरकार की नौकरी का सबसे बड़ा फैयादा   l t c था जिसके रहते साल दो साल में यहां वहां घूमना हो जाया करता था। उस साल पिताजी हमें दिल्ली , जयपुर आगरा का golden triangle घूमाने ले गए थे।  सर्दी की सुबह थी , धुंध थी चारों ओर! मशहूर "lady diana "  संगमरर स्टूल पे बैठे तस्वीरें खींचना जोर शोर से जारी था। कभी भाई ,कभी पिताजी फुर्ती से  'खचाक  खचाक ' तस्वीरें खींच  रहे थे।   मैं चुपचाप था। शायद वो चारबाग़ ,मुग़ल बाग़  ,फुहारे, रंग बिरंगे फूल , आस पास के  लाल बलुआ पत्थर  के मकबरे,शाही द्वार  मेरे युवा मन को लुभाने में असफल थे।  फिर कुछ ऐसा घटा मानो   पर्दा छटता हो जैसे । मद्धम मद्धम सूरज की कुछ सुनहरी  किरणे ताज पे पड़ी और पूरा नज़ारा बदल गया।  वो जिसकी तस्वीर सिर्फ किताबों में देखी थी जिसके बारे में केवल सुना था मेरे सामने ,बिल्कुल सामने था । अद्भुत , आलो...

Beginning a new segment on my Blog. "कुछ स्वाल कुछ बातें" in Hindi. For reasons unknown,  English has always been my first choice of writing, though it's not even my mother tongue. I'm sure many of you can relate to this unique language journey. The convent schooling I received facilitated thinking and writing in what is often referred to as the 'Queen's Language, a term used to describe the standard form of English as it is spoken and written in the United Kingdom. English certainly has a broader reception and a large reader base, but I fear human emotions get lost in translation if they are not conveyed the way they are felt and dealt with.  This is a significant concern that I'm sure many of you share. I hope my tribe likes my Hindi articles!

  lets Do something interesting this Summer ! lets take a Road Trip ! Stay Connected Tribe .

Gulabo "hello,hello mama" "hello , Jasveen ! how are you my child? where are you? weren't you to leave for Malaysia? "mama , mama listen" "ya i am listening, all OK?" "yes all good.we are  at New Delhi  airport through with all the formalities.The flight for Kaula Lampur leaves shortly." "i understand! hope you are liking this new phase my child . where is Yudhveer?" "my in-laws seem genuine and caring but  i miss you a lot.  i am in the rest room and Yudi is getting currency exchanged.  mama i have something to ask". "what ?" "do you by any chance know where Gulabo could be?" "Gulabo? i don't know what you are talking about.....wait that old pink diary of yours that looked like an ancient journal of mysticism?" "yes,yes and for me it will always remain Gulabo, my buddy,  my confidante" "hm mm.mm.mm. i saw you keeping it in your small pink s...

Gift (The inspiration behind this short story is an actual life incident I witnessed many years ago  while staying at The Leela, Goa.) "I don’t think I am ready for this," she confessed, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "Don’t you start again? You have wasted enough years already." "I look obnoxious in this dress......" "No, you don’t. And it is not a dress." "Everyone is going to laugh at me." "Let them. I am there to hold your hand. Now is probably the last chance. Do what you always wanted to." "What if something happens?" "I am not answering that. Don’t you trust me?" "I do. I do." With a brave heart, she took his hand and stepped out, her confidence shining.  He led her towards the hotel swimming pool, his smile a beacon of joy.  Today, on their 30th wedding anniversary,  He will teach her how to swim.  She will learn —their gift to each other.

Forty Winks: Caterpillar <iframe src='http://www.blogadda.com/rate.php?blgid=62197' width='170' height='75' frameborder='0' scrolling='no'></iframe>

Dear Miss D Congratulations! Today, you turn thirteen. Motherhood wasn’t serendipitous; I chose you, my child. You will forever remain my most loved one for reasons known only to a mother’s heart. Believe me, there haven’t been many blissful instants, Like the one when I first held you in my arms. Hang around my little caterpillar; metamorphosis is imminent. Approach womanhood confidently; your body is nothing to feel mortified about. With raging hormones playing the game, persuasions will be hard to resist. The commotions outnumber the moments of mental repose. Friends will seem fun, family will be uncool, and you will wish to do it all. I pray the teen aches are less painful and heartbreak a few. Hang around my little caterpillar; metamorphosis is Imminent. The world is not entirely virtuous. Ironically, society is censorious. Be wary of silver-tongued slimes; never let your guard down. Decision-making will be more challenging than ever before,  Choose your goals realistically...

Poster "Who is she, Grammy?" (asked 16 year old Matthew his grandmother pointing to his father's closet.  Dr Nicholas Sebastian , Matthew's father was a renowned cardiologist. He was gentle but too articulate to let anyone touch his belongings. Today three weeks after his death, his closet lay wide open.)  "Suchitra....... .Suchitra Sen your father's favourite"  (Jennifer said softly staring at the old tattered poster of the famous actress. The only poster her dutiful son ever bought.) "Favourite......??? actress ....?? didn't know dad liked watching movies never took us out for even a family dinner ......he never cared for anyone but himself......"   (Matthew said exasperatedly ,the revelation about his melancholic father was too much to bear) "Your father cared for everyone my dear child but he loved Suchitra ..." (Jeniffer fought back tears as her  trembling hands  felt the poster ) In the stillnes...

Mechanism "Oh God, its him"  muttered Tapasya  her eyes having  met the gentleman's standing two rows across. "Hope he doesn't recognise me" "How would he  , its been 20 years ? " I don't even look the way I used to" "My whole family is here..." "I am never coming out on weekends again" "We could have gone to ...... "Ah! he didn't.. Men have a different mechanism to get over after all" she sighed. "Tapasya....... ..."  she heard him call out. Her heart stopped. Her gazed transfixed.  Sweat running down her back. Throat parched. Her body numb "Just one selfie ...Papa....."  Men have a different mechanism to get over after all. <iframe src='http://www.blogadda.com/rate.php?blgid=62197' width='170' height='75' frameborder='0' scrolling='no'></iframe> ...

Ever wondered ? What is the most difficult task to accomplish in the Emotional Cosmos? Understand Silence. Best  are the ones who convey everything without  saying much. Blessed are the ones who decipher it all. Influenced by real  life situations and individuals around me, I present the second segment of my blog- Sometimes Silly Sometimes Sweet Short Stories. Stay Connected ♡♡

"Fashion is what offered to you four times in a year, Style is what you pick out of that" Summer Twenty Seventeen is here. I bring to you crisp compilation of the season's must haves. Whether you are young or young at heart I desire you  add at least three of these in your closet. These picks work like Maggie noodles providing instant gratification of hunger, hunger to look classy..!! I have intentionally missed out shorts, cold / off shoulder tops and printed ganjis because many of my kind feel uneasy wearing these. But first a simple suggestion:   if you feel you will not be able to score a success with the look in public go for  a "try-out" at home for one whole day.This will help you to earn honest reviews from friends and  family. It may also help you to gain confidence before stepping out . buy the least expensive make of the accessory (try the mentioned sites/instagram pages) once positive that you can carry the statement...