That Long Distance Relationship!

Relationships are both merrier and painful at 2 different instances. No story is picture perfect. Every story has its own times of joy and testing times. In a nutshell, they are complicated, touch wood mine was never.

Every time I received a call from my contacts as Dortmund, people next to me always wondered who was it. Some of them gave me a weird smile and a Ohh hoo, some of them raised their eyebrows and some of them left me to be at my peace. And I never failed to ignore. Most of my afternoons a couple of years ago had a regular status update calls to this person. Seldom I quietly walked out of my workspace, took a water bottle to refill, gave my updates and walked back to my desk. I had made it a habit or more like a routine.

I remember times, when people unnecessarily teased me while I was on calls, I had nothing to say but just say what nonsense? And walk away. They thought I was blushing then. Lol. I wondered why on earth would I blush? On the other side, Dortmund asked me why was I laughing. I would tell the stories of things that happen around me while I answer Dortmund's call. Dortmund would laugh and say Ignore it baby, so would I.

Dortmund: Baby change my contact name please.
Me: Aye ja be!
Dortmund : <Eye-rolling smiley! And a silent GL please.>

This happened only on 3 different occasions. I was very politely asked to change the contact name, I respectfully disagreed to do so. Later I was never even asked to do, in-spite of people doubting on us to the moon and back.

Our initial days of skype calls were crazy:

                           
Every time Dortmund flashed on my phone, someone made fun of me. Except people who were nearly close to me as Dort. Most of the times before I made purchases online, the links and pictures were sent to Dort. Until the approval/suggestions came from miles away, the product was just left in the cart.  So friends of mine asked if Dortmund selected it for me, I said no, but I showed it before buying it.

            

My world is so incomplete without this person. Distance has never been a villain except for a very few occasions. When I was pale and sad, I wanted a shoulder for real but however bestie was always there virtually. Spoke for hours and made me a better person in a few hours. I thanked God for having my personalized angel as he couldn't always be around. But I couldn't thank Dortmund enough because the response I always received for every thanks was - "Aye ja be"

Time zone is a matter of concern many a times. I doze off much before the other person.  I ask about lunch, while the person miles away is just up and yet to have breakfast. The last night, I had to wake myself at 03:30 am-ish just to make sure I'm wishing at 12:00 am, while I was terribly sick with a damaged wrist.

Just so that everybody knows, Dortmund is a name of a place in Germany. I did not know of the place only until my Bestie got the admission at TU Dortmund. Unless you really really know me well, you wouldn't really know who my Bestie is. After having relocated from Dortmund to Zutphen, the contact name still remains the same. I like Dortmund more, maybe. Bestie does not even mind any longer.

At times, our conversations be like :
Me:  Come we'll marry each other and it's even legal!
Dortmund : The Society is not ready for that yet.
Me: We'll adopt a child and a pet.
Dortmund :  You'll take care of both but.
Me: Yeah ok :)
Dortmund : Ok! Wouldn't that still be a long distance relationship ? Lol!

Dortmund knows all those stares I possibly get in the bus for the commitment that lasts for years. Be it a phone call or WhatsApp chat. I do smile while I respond, but trust me, I ain't blushing. Best Friend is the greatest gift that one could ever get. Mine is exceptionally the great one.  I get all the energy in the world when I'm down just when I have this person with me. We don't even have a lot many pictures together. Maybe we were too busy in living today and forgot to make memories with pictures. Nonetheless, being there when needed the most is all that matters.

Random conversations be like :D

Happy Birthday to the only girl I know who is almost as crazy as me. I know, how hard it is to be humble :) You are charming, compassionate, intelligent and strong - maybe just because you are my best friend. Oh yeah, I'm being humble all over again :) Did we agree upon the terms, best friends are supposed to share everything with each other? So I'm celebrating and sharing your birthday with you like my own. Your age is just a reminder of all the amazing years we spent together.

Madam, Just so that you remember all over again, the first day of our college, we met unexpectedly and the first thing we did together was go to a Canteen instead of the class at P.C Jabin's. All the weird things happen for a reason, so did we happened to each other. Thanks for jumping in joy with me and sobbing when I cried rivers. I know, you have been equally humble by being there and tolerating all the mood swings of mine. And there is no escape, you know. In this roller coaster called life, being able to lean and rely on someone is one of the best feelings out there. Not a PDA, but yeah I do love you only as much as you do :D You decide as to how much :P

Happy Birthday !!

Love,
V

A letter to Daddy!

Daddy Dearest,

Daddy is what I've always fondly called you. If I could ever write something thoughtfully , that would be the greatest ever told. For I would write about you Daddy, who was a man with Golden heart. I don’t know what you were to the entire world but a very special person to my own world.

The values that you have instilled in me are the ones that let me be who I am and be a strong person I could ever be. When people say - "Like Father, Like Daughter" that's the best thing I could ever ask for. I gleam with pride every time someone says - You are just like your Daddy.

Today after 15 years of your absence,  I have still memories of you afresh in my mind. So My dear Daddy my best ever gift to myself is the ability to recall the gift of your brief presence in my life. Perhaps, if you think I missed a lot of things, I would only say, Life's lessons you have taught me are engraved in my heart.

Without the very presence of you in my heart, I wouldn’t be the person I'm today. I'm glad I picked up all that you showered upon me as lessons. You are that one in a millions type of Dad, who has led the secure foundation of my life. I feel your love and presence wherever I go. You are that shining star of my universe. If God ever sends a line of Fathers, I would search for you from the crowd and make you mine all over again.

You never looked for praises, you never boasted anything. For you did everything  for us and left so hurriedly, I couldn't just tell you that - "You were my hero and you have always been. I loved you then, and I love you even more now. Happy Birthday Daddy"

Sitting and gazing back to the farthest ever I can recall,
Your Little Girl V

ದೇಶದ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಪುತ್ರಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಭೇಟಿ!

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ ಶಿವನ ಭಕ್ತಿಗೆ ಮೀಸಲಾಗಿರುವ ದಿನ. ನನ್ನ ಧರ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೊಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹಬ್ಬ. ನಮ್ಮ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಕೂಡ ಈ ಹಬ್ಬವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಪದ್ದತಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ನಾವು ಒಗ್ಗೂಡಿ ಉಪವಾಸ ಕೈಗೊಂಡು  ಶಿವ ಪಾರ್ವತಿಯ  ಪೂಜೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು . 16 ಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗ ತಯಾರಿಸಿ ಶಿವ ನಾಮ ಪಠಣ ಮಾಡಲಾಯಿತು. ಸಹಜವಾಗಿ, ನಾನು ಕೂಡ ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದೆ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ವರ್ಕ್ ಫ್ರಮ್ ಹೋಂ ಬದಲಿಗೆ ವರ್ಕ್ ಫ್ರಮ್ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ ಅಂತ ಆಫೀಸ್ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡ್ತಿದ್ದೆ.

ಇವತ್ತು  ನಾನು ಮರಳಿ ನನ್ನ ಕರ್ಮ ಭೂಮಿ (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) ಎಡೆಗೆ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಬೇಕು. ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಹೊರಡುವ ಸಮಯ ಸಮಿಪಿಸುತ್ತಿತು, ನಾನು ಇನ್ನೂ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ.  ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣ ಗಂಭೀರ ಮಾತುಕತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿದ್ದೆವು. ಮಾತಿನ ನಡುವೆ ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರಡುವ ಸಮಯವಾದ ಅರಿವೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದಾಗಲೇ ತಡವಾಗಿತ್ತು, ಆದರು ನಾನು ಬಸ್ ಏರುವ ತನಕ ನಾವು ಮಾತನಾಡಬಹುದು ಅಂದುಕೊಂಡೆ. ಹೀಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುವಾಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆ ನಯವಂಚಕರು ಎಂಬ ವಿಷಯದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಡೆದಿತ್ತು. ನಮ್ಮ ಪರಿಚಯಸ್ಥರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುವಾಗ ಎದೆ ಗುಂದಿದ್ದೆ. ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಎಂಥೆಂಥಹ ಜನರು ಇರುವರು ಎಂಬ ಯೋಚೆನೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೆ. ಈ ವಿಷಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾನು ಪ್ರತಿಕಿಯಸದೆ ಇರಲು  ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ನಯವಂಚಕರು ಎಂಬ ವಿಷಯದಿಂದ ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆ ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಲು, ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ತಾಯಿ 'ಮಾತೆ ಮಹಾದೇವಿ (ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ದೇವಿಯ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಹೆಸರು)' ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಲು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದೇನು.     ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರು ಹಬ್ಬದ ದಿನ ಅಮ್ಮನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವುದು ಅಮ್ಮನಿಗೆ ಖುಷಿ ತಂದಿರುವಂತೆ ಅನಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಅಂದೆ. ಅಣ್ಣನದು ಕೂಡ ಅದೇ  ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಹೊರಡುವ ಸಮಯವಾದಾಗ ಅಮ್ಮನ ಜೊತೆ ಇನ್ನು ಏನೋ ಮಾತನಾಡಲು ಇರುವಂತೆ ಭಾಸವಾಯಿತು, ಅದೇನೆಂದು ಅರಿಯದೆ ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಬಸ್ ಸ್ಟಾಂಡ್ ಗೆ ಹೊರಟೆ.

ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ ಬಸ್ ಸ್ಟಾಂಡ್ ನ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕೊಟಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತು ನನ್ನ ಬಸ್ ಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತಿದ್ದೆ. ಮತ್ತೆ ನಾನು ಅಣ್ಣ ಗಂಭೀರ ಮಾತುಕತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿದೇವು.  ಹಠಾತ್ ನೆ ಮಾತೆ ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವರು ಕಾಣಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರು. ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಅವರು ನನ್ನ ತಾಯಿ ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು ಆಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಒಂದೂವರೆ  ವರುಷದ ಮುದ್ದಾದ ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಮಗುವಿನ ಮುಗ್ದ ತಾಯಿ. ಅವರನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಒಡನೆ ನಾನು ಅಣ್ಣನ ಎಡೆಗೆ ತಿರುಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದೆ, ಏ ಅಣ್ಣ ಅವರು ನನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತು ಕಣೋ. ನಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ : ನಿನಗ್ಯಾರು ಗೊತ್ತಿರದೇ ಇರುವವರು ಹೇಳು? ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ೩೦ರ ಆಸು ಪಾಸಿನ ಯುವಕನೊಬ್ಬ ಅವರ ಕೈಯಿಂದ ಮಗುವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡರು. ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವರು ನನ್ನ ಎದುರಿನ ಕುರ್ಚಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಂಡರು. ವಿನು ನನಗವರು ನಿಜವಾಗಲು ಗೊತ್ತು ಎಂದೆ.
ವಿನು: ಯಾರವರು ?
ನಾನು : ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ಕೊಪ್ಪದ್. ಸಿಯಾಚಿನ್ ಹನುಮಂತಪ್ಪನವರ ಹೆಂಡತಿ. ನೆನಪಿದೆಯಾ?
ವಿನು : Are you sure ?
ನಾನು: ಹೌದು ೧೦೦ %.
ಅಣ್ಣ ತನ್ನ ಫೋನ್ ಪಕ್ಕಕ್ಕೆ ಇಟ್ಟು ಅವರ ಕಡೆ ತಿರುಗಿ ನೋಡಿದ. ಆ ಮಗುವನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸಿ ಹೇಳಿದೆ - ಆ ಪುಟ್ಟಿ ನ ನ್ಯೂಸ್ ಚಾನೆಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೀನಿ. ಪಕ್ಕಾ ಅವ್ರೆ ಇವರು ಎಂದೆ. ನಾನು ಅವರ ಜೊತೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದಾಗ ನನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣ ಗಲಿಬಿಲಿಯಾದ. ಅವರ ಭಾವನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ದಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗುವುದು, ಕೋಲಾಹಲಕ್ಕೆ ಎಡೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಡ ಎಂದ. ಸರಿ ಎಂದು ಕೊಟಡಿಯ ಬೇರೆ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನೆಡೆಗೆ ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ಕುಳಿತೆ. ನನ್ನನ್ನು ನಾನೆ ಸುಮ್ಮನಿರಲು ಮನವರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೆ. ಅದಾಗಲೇ ಭಾಷ್ಪವೊಂದು ಕೆನ್ನೆಯ ಕೆಳಗೆ ದಾರಿ ಹುಡುಕುತಿತ್ತು. ಮುಂದಿನ ಒಂದು ವಾರ ನಾನು ಇದೆ ಗುಂಗಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವೆ ಎಂದು ನನಗೆ ಖಾತ್ರಿ ಆಗಿತ್ತು.  ನನ್ನ ಎದೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ತರಹದ ನಡುಕ. ಏನೇನೋ ಯೋಚನೆಗಳು. ಮಗುವಿನ ಮುಖ ನೋಡಿ ದುಃಖ ತಡಿಯಲಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ೧೦ ನಿಮಿಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಸುಮ್ಮನಿದ್ದೆ. ಯಾವುದೇ ಮೂರ್ಖತನ ಮಾಡಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ದುಃಖವಾಗದಿರಲಿ ಎಂದು ಮನವರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತಿದ್ದೆ.

ಸುಮಾರು ೧೦ ನಿಮಿಷದ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಬಸ್ ಬಂತು. ಹೊರಡಲು ನನ್ನ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಸಿದ್ದವಾದೆ. ಕೊನೆಗೂ ಮನಸು ತಡಿಯಲಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ವಿನು ನಾನವರ ಜೊತೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಲೇ ಬೇಕು ಎಂದೆ. ಸರಿ ಎಂದು ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡ ಅಣ್ಣ.

ನಾನು: ನೀವು ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  ಅಲ್ಲಾ ?
ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  : ಹೌದು ರೀ
ನಾನು ಮತ್ತು ಅಣ್ಣ : ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ರೀ (ಶಿರ ಬಾಗಿ)
ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  : ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ರೀ.
ನಾನು : ಅಕ್ಕಾರ ಹೆಂಗದಿರಿ?
ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  : ನಾನ್ ಆರಾಮ್ ಅದಿನಿ ರೀ.
ನಾನು: ಮಗಳು ಹೆಂಗ್ ಅದಾಳರಿ ?
ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  : ಅಕಿನು ಆರಾಮ್ ಅದಾಳರಿ .
ನಾನು : ಇವ್ರು ನಿಮ್ ತಾಯಿಯವರು ಏನ್ರಿ ?
ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  : ಇವ್ರು ನಮ್ಮ ಅಜ್ಜಿ ಅವ್ರು.
ನಾನು: ಊರಿಗೆ ಹೊಂಟಿರೆನು ?
ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರು  : ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿಗೆ ಹೊಂಟೆವ್ರಿ ಕೆಲಸದ ಮ್ಯಾಲೆ.
ನಾನು ಮತ್ತು ಅಣ್ಣ: ಓ ಹೌದೆನ್ರಿ.

ಅಣ್ಣ ಗಡಿಬಿಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಬಿಸಿನೆಸ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಹುಡುಕಾಡ ತೊಡಗಿದ. ಮಹಾದೇವಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಏನು ಅರ್ಥ ವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವ್ರು ಮುಗ್ದವಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಎಡೆಗೆ ನೋಡುತಿದ್ದರು. ನಾನು ಆ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಅನ್ನು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟೆ. ಅಣ್ಣ ಹೇಳಿದ " ಅಕ್ಕಾರ ಮಗಳ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣದ ವಿಚಾರವಾಗಿ ಯಾವಾಗಾದ್ರೂ ಫೋನ್ ಮಾಡ್ರಿ, ಬಿಡೆ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಬ್ಯಾಡ್ರಿ ನಾನ್ ಅಕಿನ್ ಮಾಮಾ ಇದ್ದಂಗ. ಎನರ ವಿಚಾರ ಇರ್ಲಿ ಒಂದ ಫೋನ್ ಮಾಡ್ರಿ." ಮುಗ್ದ ಮುಖದಿಂದ ಮೊದಲ ನಗು ಕಾಣಿಸಿತು. ಅವರು ಥ್ಯಾಂಕ್ಸ್ ರೀ ಅಣ್ಣಾರ ಎಂದಾಗ. ಅಣ್ಣಾ ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿದ ಇಕಿ ನನ್ ತಂಗಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಒಳಗ ಇರ್ತಾಳ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ನಾನ್ ಅಂದೇ ಅಕ್ಕಾರೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರ್ ಒಳಗ ನಿಮಗ ಏನ್ ಬೇಕಾದರು ಒಂದ ಫೋನ್ ಮಾಡ್ರಿ, ನಮ್ ಕೈಯೋಳಗ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದು ಮಾಡ್ತ್ಹೇವಿ. ಅಕ್ಕನವರು ಮುಗ್ದತೆಯ ಮಂದಹಾಸ್ ಬೀರಿದರು.

ಅವರು ಭಾವುಕರಗುವಂತೆ ಭಾಸವಾಯಿತು. ನಾನು ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ಅಜ್ಜಿ ಅದಾಗಲೇ ಕಣ್ಣಿರ ಭಾಷ್ಪ ಹರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು. ಅಕ್ಕನವರು  ಪ್ರಭಲವಾಗಿಯೇ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಎದುರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಆದರು ಅವರನ್ನು ದುರ್ಬಲರಾಗಿಸಲು  ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಒಂಚೂರು ಒಪ್ಪುತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಸರಿ ನಾನ್ ಇನ್ನು ಹೊರಡುವೆ ಎನ್ನುತಿರಲು  ಮುದ್ದು ಮರಿ ಅವರ ಮಗಳು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ Lays ಪ್ಯಾಕೆಟ್ ಹಿಡಿದುಕೊಂಡು ಒಳಗೆ ಬಂದಳು. ಮಗುವನ್ನು ಮುದ್ದಾಡಿ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹೋಗಲು ಒಂಚೂರು ಮನಸಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರು  ಕಾಳಜಿ ತೊಗೊಳ್ರಿ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿ ಹೊರಟೆ.

ಈಗ ಅನಿಸಿತು, ಇನ್ನು ಏನೋ ಮಾತನಾಡಬೇಕು ಅಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತಿದ್ದ ಮನಸು ಈಗ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವೆನಿಸಿತು. ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿಯ ದಿನ ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವರನ್ನು ಬೆಟ್ಟಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದು ನನ್ನ ಭಾಗ್ಯವೇ ಎನ್ನಬಹುದು. ಅವರೊಬ್ಬ ಕೆಚ್ಚೆದೆಯ ಮಹಿಳೆ. ಮಹಾತಾಯಿ. 'ಮಗಳಲ್ಲ ಮಗನ ಹಾಗೆ ಬೆಳೆಸುವೆ ಇವಳನ್ನ' , 'ನಮ್ಮವರು ಮರಳಿ ಬರುವರು ಎಂದು ಇಡಿ ಊರೇ ಹಬ್ಬ ಮಾಡಿತ್ತು' ಎಂದ ಅವರ ಮಾತುಗಳು ಕಿವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಧ್ವನಿಸುತಿದ್ದವು.

ಬಾಗಿಲ ಬಳಿ ಬಂದು ಕೈ ಬಿಸಿ ವಿಧಾಯ ಹೇಳಿದೆ, ಅದಕ್ಕವರು ತಮ್ಮ ದುಃಖದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಮರಳಿ ಮಂದಹಾಸ್ ಬಿರಿ ವಿಧಾಯ ಹೇಳಿದರು. ನೋವಿನಲ್ಲಿಯು ನಗುವ ಅವರ ನಡುವಳಿಕೆ ಜೀವನವಿಡಿ ನೆನಪಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತಹ  ಒಂದು ಪಾಠ. ದೇಶದ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಮಗಳು ಇವರು. ದೇಶವು ಇವರೆಡೆಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಅರಿತುಕೊಂಡರೆ ಅದೇ ಹನುಮಂತಪ್ಪನವರಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಕೊಡುವ ಗೌರವ.

ಒಂದು ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಭೇಟಿ ಕೊನೆಯವರೆಗೂ ನೆನಪಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತಹ ದಿನ. ಇವರೊಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾನ್ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ, ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಸೇನೆಗೆ ಕಳಿಸುವ ಕನಸು ಕಟ್ಟಿ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಮಹಿಳೆ.  ಶ್ರೀ ಹನುಮಂತಪ್ಪನವರಿಗೂ ಮತ್ತು ಮಹಾದೇವಿಯವ್ರಿಗೂ ತಲೆಬಾಗಿ ನನ್ನ ನಮನ, ಪುಟ್ಟ ಕಂದಮ್ಮಳಿಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಸಿಹಿ ಮುತ್ತುಗಳು.

- ವಿಜೇತಾ

Note: This has already been published in English. To bring in the effect of conversations, I have translated this into my mother tongue "Kannada"

A small encounter with Mrs Koppad!

Maha Shivaratri, a day dedicated for devotion towards Lord Shiva. My faith observes this day as a festival of great importance. Our family did it too. We were fasting as one family and performed Shiva Pooja. Made 16 Shiva Lingas and were chanting Shiva Naama. Of course, I was part of all these along with my 'Work from Home'(Hubli) scheme for today.

So tonight is the day,  I have to start back to my karma bhoomi(Bangalore). As the time was nearing to start from home, I was still running around in the home. I sat with my brother for some serious talks. As we started speaking we were late to Bus stand. However, we deemed we can talk until I board the bus. I thought that was a great idea. Our conversation was around Nayavanchakaru (Pecksniff ). I was really disheartened to know about someone from my acquaintances. Today I’m not even comfortable calling that person as a relative of mine.  Ignorance could have been a bliss but I couldn’t resist reacting.

To avoid this topic of Pecksniffs, I started talking about my mother Mathe Mahadevi. Again,  the sibling talks. I was of the opinion, may be today mum was happy as we both were around here on a festival day. But there was something missing, maybe I wanted to talk and I did not know what to talk about. So I rushed to the Bus stand with Anna.

In no time,  I saw Mathe Mahadevi ( another name for Matha Parvathi) at KSRTC waiting lounge. This time, it wasn’t my mother. But she was a mother to a one and half-year-old child. I told Vinu,  look I know her. He immediately responded, who do you don’t know? Mrs Mahadevi was about to sit on one of the chairs opposite to us in the waiting lounge.  A man in his 30s took the child from her hand and allowed the lady to sit.  I said,  look I really know her. He asked who is she, as he had not seen the lady yet. I said, she is Mrs Koppad. You remember the Siachen hero?  Now Vinu kept his phone aside and turned to the other side. He asked me,  are you sure?  I said Yes. I even showed the little cute baby girl and said,  look I remember that child very well from the news footage.

I told him,  I want to speak. He said you are going to remind her of a lot of things girl. Why do you want to stir her emotions?  I convinced myself not to speak by now. I was entering the mode,  wherein,  the next one week I would mentally be absent where ever I would go. I was getting shivers. I couldn’t gulp the spit in my throat. I sat blankly looking at the lady. And there comes the first tear. 10 minutes passed and I was convincing myself not to do anything stupid. My bus arrived. I took my bags. I stood still and said,  I want to speak now. He said ok.
'Mahadevi ji' I addressed her,  she lifted her head up. 'Mahadevi ji'? With a questioning tone. She said yes.
Me and Anna: Namaskara ri (we bowed our head with our hands folded)
Madam: Namaskara ri.
Me: How are you, madam?
Madam: I am fine.
Me: How is your daughter?
Madam: She is fine.
Me: Is that your mother?
Madam: She is my Grandmother.
Me: Okay. Traveling to your place?
Madam: We are traveling to Bangalore.
Me and Anna: Ohh!
Anna hurriedly opened his wallet. Lady was surprised as to know,  what was happening. Anna got his Business card. We handed it to the lady. Anna said,  akka avre anything regarding your baby’s education please contact us without any hesitation. Be it her admission or any information you would want to know. Lady smiled and said Thanks Anna avre. I added,  akka avre, anything if you need in Bangalore please call us.

Mother Mahadevi, a brave woman was now almost getting emotional. That’s the point which I did not want to bring her to. I said, take care, madam. She said thanks ri.  I said,  I’ll take your leave madam and left. The baby just entered the lounge with a packet of Lays with her uncle. Now I had reached a point, which I did not want to. I wanted to hug the baby so long,  that I did not want to leave her and go.

Now there was nothing incomplete for the day,  I met a brave woman who must be barely of my age. But she is no less than a hero to me. A small encounter but a lifetime memory. As I was walking out of the lounge I turned and waved my hand. Madam acknowledged with a smile. Now that’s what I call a Strong Woman, who smiles through her pain. Her words still echo in my mind - "I'll raise my daughter like a son and send her to Indian Army" and "Our entire village celebrated his rebirth and we awaited his return"
A day to remember! My respect and salute to both Late Hanumanthappa sir and Mahadevi madam. Lots of love to the little girl.

My head bowed with my hands folded,
V

Octopus, as I call him!

This person is an inescapable part of my life. Siblings may not be by blood but by choice and he takes undue advantage of the same.

I have always been a victim of his embarrassing acts in the public. So imagine we are going somewhere, he notices a group of girls and he shouts out loudly "Shweta". He is so certain that, there is at least one Shweta in it, even if there is none someone will turn back for sure. Now I'm the pillion rider who should take this. To my nightmares it such transpired that the girls turned out to be my own friends on several occasions and I did not know where to duck my face.

He annoys the hell out of me every single time we see each other. He never wastes any potential opportunity to insult me, as a result of which he went up to calling me Angru on Social Media. He thinks it's a Sunday when Angru smiles! Just hold your index finger at an angle of 45 degrees to your nose. This is what he always does and thinks that really looks like the red angry bird. Am I so ugly?

Image Source: Google

If you are a trouble and so much trouble then you should hang out with him. Frequency matches for sure you know! I’m more inclined to be annoyed that it’s basically a timepass trick to make me feel annoyed about myself, and perhaps by extension, he thinks I’m a cute little devil. You know, so I buy all the stories from him.

A few years ago something terrifying happened, and it was ought to happen with him being around. Looking back on that day, I can say that it happened only because of him. At times, it appears that mishaps happen when you get exposed to dangerous situations or you venture out to some odd places and people. You don't really have to go to Syria or Pakistan or walk on a lonely road at 12 AM on a New Moon Day. Calamity could strike to you with Octopus's presence and as simple as that. That day, I went out with my childhood best buddy for her shopping. It was that day we were terribly late and we rushed home in an autorickshaw. When it was almost home but 7-8 minutes more, the auto driver denied to take that road as it was dug in all possible routes. He did not want to put his auto into an emotional athyachar. So we had to walk from there onwards on a dark road. We saw a bike approaching at full speed, I was little scared. She was terribly upset thinking it were those guys who bother her every alternate day on her way to college. And, then I hear Shweta! Shweta! Shweta!. And the pillion rider burrows his face laughing out loud. Abruptly there is pin drop silence. I hear "Pinky le Pinky". And then bike fled in extraordinary speed and disappeared. My friend was completely shattered. But I could not confess to her who it was. As I reach home, I see people laughing like crazy narrating what had just happened. My mom was standing there yelling at Octopus and another friend of ours.

Once, Octopus and his friend were riding back from Dharwad to Hubli and it was a midnight. Humor as it over flows out of him, something interesting can be expected out of him every single time. So coming back to that dark night, they were almost half the way and somewhere near Navanagar. There was an innocent man walking along the road side. They stopped the bike and asked him 'which way is Navrang?' the man answered - 'Sir this is Navanagar'. They still insisted him to guide the way to Navarang. The man said, sir Navarang is in Bangalore and this is Navanagar. A little suspicious as it turned out to be, the man asked where did you come from? The 2 gentlemen showed their hand towards the dark hill, towards which there is not even a road that exists. The terrified man started running at his max speed. These 2 started laughing at their highest and followed him. The scared poor man vanished in no time.

Crazy? Yes, he is. This is very little about him. When he used to travel to Dharwad for his first job on a daily basis there were numerous incidents of him putting everyone into good laughter. And Sir ji used to tie a hand kerchief around his mouth and laugh. So that nobody get to know he is laughing all alone. Oh man! After relocating to Bangalore, that every conductor he met, he asked them if the bus goes to Jamestic! Heights, ain't it? Who would ever call Majestic as Jamestic ! At times, the conductors were so confused they used the same word, while others were courteous and tried to correct him thinking he is a new person in the town.

During my graduation time, a lot of my friends joined the college where he was studying. Errr! Most of them were victims of his pranks. He stood near the staircase and screamt "Pishub" and "Dishkyaon" and what not with his hands folded like a Gun! He once ragged my bestie and asked her to salute him each time she saw him. Only as a matter of fact, he had not recognized her as my friend and he continued to rag her. While my bestie enjoyed the drama, knowing who he was. Crazy :)

Octopus is a big time CID fan. He makes his 73 years old father to dance on Sundara Sundara and calls his mother Meenu Amma as Sundari Kutty:) He is my primary line of defence. Careful, Octopus is my brother! He might kill you with his PJs. He is a self-proclaimed Living Legend! He prefers to add Sir as a prefix to his name. He aims to have a statue of him at the busiest roads of Hubli! Lol who thinks of something like this? But this man does.

I know, as crazy as it sounds this man is a Legend in his own ways :) People when secretly peek into my phone when it rings with the name as Octopus, might really wonder who the hell is this person? Well, I don't remember that day, when I named him as Octopus!

Image Source: Google

Luv,

V

That Tall Handsome Man!

A shiver runs through me thinking of him. Everything about him is so special and so unique. He is always been appreciated by many. Every other acquaintance of him I personally met had something to tell about him. Tons of things I learnt through his acquaintance about him made me feel more special. He was like that magical rock, to whom everyone went with their problems. And that includes me too. I call it "Happiness for real", ignoring all the tears I shed.

I recently attended a family friend's wedding. It was obvious to meet many known people. Initially, I was hesitant to face a lot of them but I eased through it. I entered the function hall in a blue silk saree and greeted so many uncle and aunties with hands folded. More than half of them said, "Oh look who is grown up, the little Pinky". I was shy! And they said, had he been here, wouldn't that be great? I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

Memories and people from the past can be pleasant and at times equally painful. If you decide to smile at the odds, you will have only the pleasant thoughts greeting you. A little later, a lady in her late 50s came to us. She was gentle and kind. She smiled and asked my mother "Vahini(word used to address a woman as sister-in-law) how are you?". My mother responded to her and wished her for the "Rashtra Prashasthi". "Had he been here, he would be over the moon. wouldn't he?" asked the lady. She started to narrate a small story of hers.

"I was earning Rs. 400 per month in a private school then, it was he who got an application form. He filled it up neatly and pushed me out of the house to submit the application. I then submitted the application and joined the Government services. He ensured to see that I get the joining within Hubli taluk. No less than a God to me, while my Maithili and Vaidehi were little kids. Tears were rolling constantly as she continued to speak. There was this other man standing there along with us, who now silently fled the sight. She said, what kind of a friend is this person? He doesn't have a little patience to hear about his own friend. Meanwhile, other women there opened up to say "No wonder why you are such a kind and helpful woman, were you not there, we would not get to eat a meal a day". She stated, it is he who made my life and, in turn, yours'. I will remain thankful to him till my eyes close forever.

Now that I had spent more than half a day in hearing appreciations of this man, I went into a series of flashbacks. This one is a simple yet small one:

It was a summer evening, I had returned home after visiting a friend on a Saturday noon. For reasons unknown, I'm a games freak. I played a lot of it and returned by evening. I saw this man resting on the bed and I jumped on the bed. Silently sat on his "little-big-tummy". He opened his eyes and asked what I wanted. Little hesitant and scared as I was at the moment, I said "Video Game". Little did I know, what was coming - I just put forth my demand. Till then, there were no instances I ever dared to demand anything. I was a low maintenance child then. He calmly walked out of the room and freshened up and dressed up smartly with shirt neatly tucked in, a rare collection watch, footwear polished so well to shine and combed with few Bajaj Almond drops. I assumed my demand was blindly rejected, I went and sat in one of the corners of the room. He then came over and asked If I was ready yet? I looked here and there and grinned instantly. Jumped out of the bed and dressed up in no time. That evening, I got my first 'Brick Game' Home. What a delight that was.

Although he was very strict yet he was jovial, very disciplined yet super cool; he was witty yet he was kind and caring. And he was my Hero.

That Tall Handsome Man is My Father!

 The most important influence in my childhood was my father.My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great Dad. Today as I write this memoir, I apprehend it is exactly 15 long years, that I've lived only with the memories. There is a complete void in me. Today, when I hear all the great stories by others that he never mentioned to us, I wish I could thank him enough for all that he was. I wish I could tell him I how much I admired him. I wish I could bring him back. I wish he could hold me before I fall. I wish he punished me when I broke the rules. I wish he could shine with pride over my success. I wish and I wish!!

I want to hug him for once and say "How much I missed him for all these years". I revived all those special remembrances his friends shared with us. He left footprints of kindness wherever he went. I now wonder about those, whom my father supported, took care of, educated, nurtured and made a good human-being. Benevolence begins at home, yes it indeed. As I recall, there were a number of relatives and family friends who lived in my house along with us, like us and completed their education. But there are many more untold random acts of kindness. Today, I feel my dad must be happy, wherever he is as he see them successful.

I still wake up with dreams of my Dad visiting us in his vacations, I still get frightened to talk to him looking straight into his eyes in my dreams. I still wish that was real. I still feel proud for he was multitalented. I still wait to sleep only to see him again. There is a deep-seated need to fill the unfillable void. But I'm sure the strongest guy I ever met would never want to see me broken.  

In the walk of life,
We pass joys and pain.
There will be sunshine and rain;
There will be loss and gain.
But we must learn to smile again and again.

My first article about the most dignified and the noble soul. Had he been here he would have gracefully aged with gray hair and nearing to his retirement life. But he rather resides in each of us in my home. And now I know, why there is a little bit of heaven in my home :)

-Love,
That Tall Handsome Man's Daughter :)

Woman of my age!

Not only magical but also the most mysterious presence on earth. Nobody ever knows what is in a woman's mind. I read an interesting phrase that goes like this "A woman's mind is like thousands of browsers open in a system", which is like close to impossible to understand by a normal being.

The first few years after the graduation program is a happy phase in one's life. The time phase where you are self-dependent and living life king size. After which comes the difficulty. You are neither a college pass-out fresher nor a little girl of the family any longer. There comes the middle 20's crisis.

Like many friends of mine, I was also given a time period of 3 years after graduation to either continue my studies or to work. I chose to work as it was more liberating (at least, I thought so), meanwhile, my best buddies started their preparations to study further. They also ensured to prepare well for their GRE and to get into the reputed Universities (Germany and USA ). Well, some friends were busy making their Career here in India and others had special cases :P

So, that's the background!

To be very frank, I wasn't much keen on to study further. I thought, I cannot afford another 40-50Ls on my studies, so why not continue to work. But only later that I realized, it was one shit of a reason I was giving myself to stop myself from studying :P So when this realization happened on an auspicious day, under my room's roof and fan I thought I should study. So the immediate weekend I made my way to the Avenue Road, Bangalore :P

I bought, at least, half a dozen books - The Official Guide, The Kaplan, Manhattan and a couple of more books. I made sure to go with my brother so that he'll carry all the heavy books :P :P He was really happy to see the changed me in this regard. The time when all the fellow parents of my friends were forcing them to get married, mine were suggesting me to go and study :D I was a real junk, to have ignored their words. Nevertheless, at least, I made my mind to start preparation. I started to attend the online discussions seriously. Wow! It was good to read the books only to fall asleep after a hectic work day. Only after a month or two, my work schedule was worsened to make it at least 12 hrs a day and I reached home only at 11 PM. 

So, so what? I quit my preparations. I had no explanation to give to my family and they were kind enough to understand the situation, even though my brother never missed any chance to taunt me looking at "The Official Guide 2013" left undusted on my table. Well, poor me! It wasn't intentional, but I failed in my endeavor to study further(I'm not a loser though :P). It was back then, I used to work with "ABC" organization. I really don't know how this stint with ABC has been a blessing in disguise. I made a lot of friends there. No wonder, this place put a lot of people under "Are you nuts like me" test and to my surprise I found a handful nuts just like me :D Yayy!! They were qualified enough to be with this nut.

It was then during my initial days of employment, I thought I wasn't paid enough to do my job. But who cares? I was just another employee to them. I slogged my ass off during a phase of career to prove my mettle. It was rewarding every time when I got this appraisal rating as Exceeds All. But was that all? Isn't there anything else to life? Nah baby nah, there is so much more to it. A time where most of my friends were either married or getting engaged, to my nightmares some of them were already a mother of one. *And, Here I am - this is me, There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. 

So this seed of thought about a daughter's marriage was already sown in my family's mind. Whereas, my mind was all into working more harder and getting the next promotion. There was nothing else I could think beyond this. It was a routine to talk to all my close buddies at least over the weekend, and more often than less the only question I used to go blank at was - "So, VJ when is your wedding? Is the hunt on? What plans? Are you going around with anyone or family is looking for a groom? Are you planning to continue to work in the same place later too? " Grrr!! Gimme a break. All I wanted to say was "Hey I'm blank at this question" but I rather always end up saying "Hey, not as of now, maybe next year".

Tick tock tick tock! Mid 20s crisis had already begun, Career or Family to be. Damn! I kinda was in a relief when an uncle of mine had read my palm and ended up saying - late wedding is expected. I was more like, I can have a couple of more crushes :P he he he :P I ain't a machine you see, my friends from Cadence will understand this crush scene very well :P It wasn't my mistake, I rather blame my nature for not going and talking to any of my crushes. On a serious note, crush remains just a crush, as my first workplace hardly ever gave me a chance to see the same person again :D Like every other person of my age, I had to save money and start preparing for the next phase of life. But, I'm sure none actually saved any penny at that point, It wasn't possible also. A few friends of mine are already happily married for more than 3 years now, And, Here I am - this is me, There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. 

There are times, I was told I look plumper than I ever was, my skin isn't fresh and glowing etc. Ewww! Is it all about the Quarter Life Crisis? At times I questioned myself, lol, what am I doing with my life? I knew who I was in the morning, but I changed a few times since then. When I was sick, I googled my problems only to find out that I was going through quarter life crisis :P 

Now, I am a grown up me for sure but also more stupid, ridiculous and as childish as ever (Contradictory, but one can be combinational :D). When I had to first(the only one yet) see a guy for a family proposal, I literally stood in my room with my mom and bro and said- "I'm not walking outside, this is so ridiculous". My mother was shocked at my behavior when the guests were already seated in the hall. No that wasn't my mistake again, I would rather indict the child within me.

I woke up many times with this early morning dream, where I got married to an unknown, unseen person in the reception area of my workplace :D Sounds crazy? Well, it almost took my life away. How the heck can one even dream something like this repeatedly? Only after I left my first workplace, this dream hasn't recurred, Luckily. Now, my friends still do ask me the same questions like they used to years ago, I still end up saying "Maybe next year" and I immediately start asking about their husband or the little one they have (to change the topic) :P I haven't changed a bit over this period, but the life itself has changed a lot. When I turn back and see, it's a collective bunch of changes. 

I am now at a new workplace, I left my friends behind and I am extremely guilty about it. I do every bit to catch up with them along with "trying hard and harder to fit into the new workplace". Unfortunately, human needs are insatiable. And we do run after the so-called "Money". No longer I feel, I'm underpaid. But my life isn't as comfortable as it used to be. Today, I still run away from seeing grooms on the online portals or via email communications. I still avoid eye contact with my mother when the discussion begins. And I still feel "I don't know, where my life is leading to". Sometimes, I just crack a pathetic joke saying - "Wow, they opened Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya in my colony"  only to get those dreadful looks from my family :P :D 

Somewhere the same story amongst women of my age :D Some have a better life eased through this phase while others are still trying to fit into. And, Here I am - this is me, There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. 

*And, Here I am - this is me, There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. -- Courtesy - Bryan Adams. 

P.S:  Courtesy put up for the stolen line :P  Apologies for the long read. Also, this one revolves more around Career and Personal life as chosen topics :)


-Love,
VJ

How I met Him!

Going back to my last year's diary, a few series of events flashed back. Before some of them fade away, I thought they should be documented. So here I go...

I work for a MNC, whose Corporate Social Responsibility is my life's favorite part. Due to this frequent volunteering habit of mine, I ended up to be one of it's core member in the last 3 years. So this is the background story, so that you can catch up the story-line. 

There is an annual event that is sponsored and organized by my Organization during the winter. This is quiet an event. At least 5000 people participate every year across the location, while the number is huge across the country. The volunteers work day and night to make this event a grand success. We worked for more than a month or two for the preparations. We were all geared up. So, I met this guy the last winter.  

Even though I worked for quiet a lot of time in those weekends, I had never seen this guy. So that morning of the event I reached the venue with my good friend's help. He also handed over some sheets for my reference. I quickly glanced at the participant list for whom I was the POC. So I went in search of all the participants. I found some really interesting bunch of people. 

Me: Hello everybody (60W flashing smile)
All(except him): Hello Miss, Good Morning.
Me: (Acknowledged back with a smile)
Him: Angry young man look ( eyebrow raised)
Me: (I am ignoring you Mister)

I rushed to check where are the halls assigned for the events scheduled in the first half, and I was all set. I went to gather my list of participants at one place. I helped the first few set of them to rush for Dance event, after they were beautifully dressed up. I silently wondered, how beautiful are these girls. Few of em in a costume like a beautiful flower, some looked like little birdies. Wow!

I returned to the common area, where the rest of my participants were seated. Kavya came running towards me. 

Kavya: Hey, where were you ?
Me: I was at the dance event.
Kavya : I think, there is a guy looking for you. He asked me for a girl in dress of color of my Dupatta(peach color). He was rude dude.
Me: Awww! Really? Please let me check.

I went to see him. Were you looking for me? He was a real angry young man. He said, "Don't you think you were supposed to take me to the event? Because of you, I am late." Damn! How did this happen? He yelled at me. I was now out of my patience limit. I decided to speak to him and teach him some manners. I started, don't you think you spoke more than you were supposed to? Is this the manners you have learnt from your parents? Don't you really know how to speak? You better behave yourself. He put down his head in helplessness.

Me: Name?
Him: Nithin
Me: Which standard?
Him: 3rd standard.
Me: (Awww, feeling sorry) Picture Quiz?
Nithin: Yes.

We rushed for the event. He did really well in the event. Post event, I sat with this guy. Started speaking to him, just to know why was his behavior so. I started speaking to him in a more friendly way.

ME: So, where do you stay? 
Nithin: Hostel
Me: Hostel? Why do you stay in Hostel? Where is your home?
Nithin: A village nearby.
Me: So you have friends over there? Who stays with you?
Nithin: Me and My father's son
Me: What? (Shocked)
Nithin: My father is remarried, so this guy is his son. I have my own 2 sisters, they study in the same school. Elder ones. My mom is no more. Father is a truck driver, he rarely comes home. Stepmom put us in hostel.
Me:(Quickly wiped my tears) Hey you are a brave guy dude.
Nithin : (Sarcastic smile)
Me: Let's go.. You have frog race now.
Nithin: Miss, can you hold this bag of mine, until I am back?
Me : Sure (He addressed me as Miss :) )

Since that day, I have met this kid again and again at his school. Every time I go to see him, I receive 1000 complaints on him. When I ask him about it, he put his head down. Bad was when, I heard he hit on a classmate's head and left him deeply injured. His Class Teacher came up to me to talk about him. She said, you believe it or not Miss, you must be the only one at whom he nods his head. He agrees to whatever you say. He proudly tells people that you visit him, and talk to him more than anyone else. But Miss just because of his family stories, I cannot forgive him all the while. Why don't you think of taking him for Counselling? I was shocked at her suggestion. I said Ok.

I was all sad, after listening to all his stories. I started walking towards the school gate. He peeped out of the classroom window. He came running and said, "I am Sorry. No complaints next time. Promise." I just put my hand on his head and walked away. He came running again, "Sorry Miss" . I said, I'll see him again next time. And I missed my Office Cab.That entire day, I thought about his conditions, aggression, he being adamant, rude and what not.

Looking for help! I need suggestions to help this child. Random Act of Kindness appreciated.

Note: He is exceptionally good in both curricular and extra-curricular.

All set for a performance

He Dances really well!

 #Life'sExperience #HelpNeeded #AfterAllKidHeIs

                                                                                                                              -- Vijeta SM

Story of finding my lost ring back! - Ch 3

Chapter 3

Another morning, I woke up with same grumbling and the journey was same like the previous day. I changed 3 seats all over again. I ended up sitting next to an HR friend of mine. I reached Manyata Tech Park. I did alight the bus. A guy started staring at me as soon as I alighted. Now this was disgusting behavior of any gentlemen working in an MNC was my first thought. I continued to walk and the guy approached me. “A new co-traveler” remember? Mentioned in chapter 1 ?

A new co-traveler: Hi

Me: Hi

A new co-traveler: Do you come in this bus daily?

Me: Yes, I do!

A new co-traveler: I came only yesterday in this bus, and I had to come all over again today with a purpose!

Me: Smile (You think, I care?)

A new co-traveler: Oh! By the way, I did not recognize you today. Yesterday your hair were tied up and today they are loose.

Me: (Excuse me! What are you up to?)

A new co-traveler: The purpose I came today in this bus is, oh sorry, did you lose anything by chance?

Me: Yuss Yuss (Surprised and shocked)

A new co-traveler: What did you lose?

Me: A ring (Saddened)

A new co-traveler: Is this the one?

Me: Yuss, how and where did you find it?

A new co-traveler: I found it yesterday, in the bus. I did not know if it belonged to you.

Me: Thank you so much. Thanks a lot. This means a lot to me.

A new co-traveler: Ok! Bye!

In no time he had vanished. Now I realized when and where I lost my ring. You remember Aditi and her husband ?? And I was trying to be nice? Damn!! The crazy reason I exchanged my seat for? Holy! That is where I had lost my Ring!!

Well, I found it back. And I am glad the Angelic person had returned it to me in this generation, where people do not return a small Pen borrowed from others. He had returned a Diamond Ring!

Story of finding my lost ring back! - Ch 2

Chapter 2

It was an abnormal day in office unlike an ordinary day when I had loads of things to get to the closure. There was no much work. I have few close buddies here. I had spent the day with their help without any work. I was also writing few blogs during office hours to get out of the boredom. And finally it was 4:30 PM. We went to the next building for snacks and coffee.

Yummy chat-pata swadisht chats were in place. Of course we ended up at the counter to get the tokens. Sev puri, bhel puri and kachori chat we ordered. For the very first time all of them were made simply the best and finger licking good. My eyes were on the flavored peanuts, to my surprise chat fellow did not put them in any of the items I ordered, I shamelessly asked him “ye nahi aayega bhaiya?”, poor guy replied “chahiye tho lelijiye madam”.

Settled on a table at end of the cafeteria, now I could only hear the echoes “ye nahi aayega bhaiya?” “ye nahi aayega bhaiya?” “ye nahi aayega bhaiya?”. Oh man! That’s embarrassing but I eased it with a smile. In no time we hogged all of the chats. Now it was time for the last bite and more importantly because of the peanuts it had. Spoon fight!! No sooner I had the victory smile I noticed, my ring is not in my finger where it had to be.

The ground beneath had collapsed. I started to imagine my Mom’s reactions; all that I had to worry about was her emotions. This was second one to loose. Moreover in this increasing gold price days, 10 tiny diamonds were like cherries on top which were more precious. I ran across the office cafeteria, work stations, the garden, the way taken to the next building, the washrooms, the pantry and what not!! All the time worrying what am I gonna tell my mum.

My friends searched for it in every tiny corner where I had stepped that day. Poor guys! I owe them a treat big time. They went to check under the bushes, the road dividers, the dustbins where the tissues were disposed, the roadside garden, the elevators, informed every security personnel on duty and what not had they done. I went in search of it to the washrooms, in a hope that I might have thrown it away with the tissues after wiping my hands. This had made it only worst when I saw the housekeeping staff checking every bit of the tissues in the dustbin covers. Damn!! I cursed my carelessness or so called irresponsible behavior. Where had I got them to check it out?? Why is their life like this? I silently wept for them forgetting my own disastrous story.

Everyone around was worried, people started asking for it after my Lost and return request email. I had nothing else to do other than reporting at the security desk. I reached my home and called my brother. Had he scolded me for this, I would have been normal. He said, “That’s really ok! Please do not skip your meals and sleep well! I’ll get you another.”  All concerned and worried people had asked me to take care and not to worry.  To be frank, I did not sleep that night once again.  

Story of finding my lost ring back! - Ch 1

Chapter 1

A morning not sure if it was a fine one though, I woke up grumbling about almost everything on earth. I had not realized why I was grumbling until an hour later. It was these days; I woke up in the mid nights and had not slept for the next 3 hours for almost over a week. I had no clue why, no no, not the age factor nor I was falling for Gravity :P

In a hurry to catch the office bus, I just dressed up and ran out of the house, without wishing the landlord “Good Morning Thatha” in a nicer way, I had just uttered the words and ran until he could he even lift his head up and respond back from his busy newspaper reading.

It’s only after 5-6 houses, I see a man and his wife in their late 50’s everyday rushing to work at the same time when I start home, looking at both of them I stop grumbling only to realize that they are aged enough to sit at home but they happily go working, and I am not even half of their age. I see a lady making a hair-do for her school going girl in her balcony, and it’s a routine I wave at her girl every morning in whatever hurry I am.  I see a Rottweiler and he is ugly enough to ignore his barks. I also see a little kid who just joined kindergarten, I have seen him yell out from his balcony “Akka Hi” for past 2 years and he is too sweet enough for a tight hug.

6 minutes of walk every morning gives me enough acceptance in this World. I reached my bus-stop well before time, to see other co-travelers were yet to arrive. Well, doesn’t even make much difference as I hardly talk to anyone of them; because I miss my regular bus buddy. There comes 73, No! I don’t like the people and I let it go; 43, oh yeah! Same story.  I waited until 44 arrived.

<Route # 44 is the regular bus I take every morning to work. Many from my bus stop come in it including a recently wedded couple (to be introduced as important characters) >

I boarded the Bus and managed to reach the last seat which is but obvious my favorite place to sit. I had no window seat there so I settled for last but second seat. I barely had managed to sit, there came Aditi and sat next to me.  I was about to change the FM station and Aditi’s husband came running and caught the bus in the first signal. When he came in, there were only 2 seats vacant in the last row, seats next to the people sitting in the window side on either side. Now, the two started some sign language, you know :P  they would obviously want to sit next to each other and there was no doubt about it.

Now all this put me into a lot of discomfort. I decided to let the husband sit next to Aditi. I came to the last row to find “A new co-traveler” and a usual lady in the last seat. I chose to sit next to the lady, where the Sun was peeping in hot and bright. Well I had no choice but to sit there all the way to Office. I started to worry as the hands would be tanned for the next one hour which I couldn’t afford but then I managed to. And I reached my office. 

And We Say We Are Working Hard!!!

How Lovely are our lives in an air-conditioned cubicle, internet to get connected with the outside world and within the company, that Cafeteria out there to have a good food at right times, though we don't even move an inch to work. When we forget to accomplish an important task for the day, it doesn't really matter but we don't afford to miss those coffee and tea breaks!!

 Have you ever thought how does that different class of our society really live ???

How hard do they really work?? We get enough bucks for our work, how about those poor people who work beyond our wildest imaginations???

Have a look at them….�

When you are in your  air conditioned cubicle sitting in a cozy wheel chair as u can see some are not gifted with a comfortable life as u have…

Lets join our Hands to stop Child labour in the every possible way we can !!

And We Say We Are Working Hard!!!