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Yesterday was July 8, 2015. The day before, July 7, 2015. Birthdays of two Indian cricket team captains. No, I didn’t celebrate by cutting cakes but have spent time reading almost every article that spoke about their achievements and why are they the best captains Indian ever had?

While reading these new articles and the match statistics, I was quick enough to have memory flashes about few of the matches that I guess I will never forget and the excitement that I lived through those hours. I never attempted to write about my liking for the sport or the players, but this time, I guess I will.

There’s always some kind of craziness and sheer patriotic feeling that comes up whenever there’s an India-Pakistan match, especially during the ICC Cricket World Cups. The fact that Pakistan has never won a match against India makes it even more challenging with every World Cup that takes place.

World Cup 1992

I must be about seven years old and know only a couple of names in cricket. To be precise, Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and some others. All credits to the cricket crazy family. All I remember was that I was asked to finish my studies so that I can sit with them and watch the match, and rejoice when India wins. That I didn’t understand the game didn’t matter because I knew which was Out, a Six and a Four. I might’ve missed out on the technicalities of the match but enjoyed it thoroughly on our black & white TV.

World Cup 1996

This one is being played in the Indian sub-continent and the expectations from India is sky-high. I knew all the players, thanks to playing book cricket with my cousin throughout these years, and was prepared for the match. I finished my studies, prepared for the tests and watched the match, this time on our Philips colour TV.

PS: For this match, superstitions of all kinds were on the highest level. I was even made to sneeze to make fall of quick wickets happen.

World Cup 2003

This one was special. Sourav Ganguly was the captain and the match was being played at a time when India was already on a winning spree. We wanted to win at any cost and we won. Sachin Tendulkar played with an injury and scored 98. The bowlers were fantastic. And since I was on the verge of completing my school years, I only needed to complete my projects and studies and convince my Mom that I wouldn’t be wasting my time. I even remember stepping out of the house and praying at a local temple for India’s win!

World Cup 2011

India would qualify for the finals if we win against Pakistan in this high-voltage semi-final match. This was the first time I realised how difficult it is to tell a convincing lie to your boss so that you return home early and get to watch the match. We were given strict instructions that we have to complete the designated 9 hours and then only go home. And this was the time I wished how the Taxi should have a tiny TV or I should have one so that I do not miss out on any of the actions. I reached, watched and rejoiced the win, with a secret desire that I get a phone with a TV in it!

World Cup 2015

This was the first match India would be playing in this series and its against Pakistan. I was returning from Kolkata to Bangalore and it was killing me that I was missing out watching the live match. Yes, this time though I had a smartphone with me, I didn’t have the app that streamed the live match. I bugged the cab driver so much that he made sure I reach home as early as possible. Well, I chose to hang out at my friend’s place so that we can watch the match together and rejoice the winning spree.

Things have changed drastically from the 1992 world cup to the recent one. It’s now convenient enough to access live information in your phone and be updated. But not all browsers help you watch and enjoy these moments. UC browser (http://www.ucweb.com/) has been successful in getting this problem solved. With UC Cricket, you can watch live matches irrespective of the place you are in. So, now, I do not need to lie to my boss, instead complete my work hours as we both watch the match at our convenience! ;)

Few days of bliss and peace without a phone and internet!

I was on a vacation after like, months of waiting. The vacation was meant to be peaceful and devoid of unwanted calls and work. I couldn’t manage that. No. I was carrying work to be finished and to be submitted on the scheduled deadline. The mother and the family was annoyed. Why wouldn’t they? Even I was. How could I just not say No to them? But I had reasons. The most valid one being responsibility of getting the work done.

But the phone just didn’t stop ringing. And when I didn’t want to reply, they would simply drop in a message at every hour or minute. Even when I was out meeting my relatives and friends, the phone would simply make a sound that said, hey another notification! Read the message and get back to work. All I wanted to do was relax and sleep, read books, laugh my lungs out when I meet my cousins and friends. But no. It wasn’t simply happening. Ma got worried as the dark circles on this face started becoming the highlight and I looked eternally sick and tired. Even if I wanted, I didn’t have the courage to switch off the phone, it wasn’t an option even!

But I guess God had different plans to bail me out of this situation. Something amazing happened. We had planned a short trip to Maldah, West Bengal on the occasion of a puja that is held annually held. While packing the bags, I was warned that we would attend a puja and not office or work calls, or sit there with a laptop and dongle to complete work. Then, it struck me that overstressing myself wouldn’t do any good to me. I gave a call to the concerned people informing them about the status of the work and that I needed to travel with family. I cannot work for the coming 3-4 days and if they wish, I can take up work after I am back. Thankfully, they agreed and let me go.

And I was on my way to Maldah without a laptop, internet, and the smartphone. I switched it off and kept it in the cupboard. I told Ma that I would be using her phone in case I needed to make calls but that would be a very rare case. It did feel weird to carry just a bag full of clothes and a book after a long time but the next 3-4 days just did wonders for me. I was there in a peaceful environment attending the rituals, being part of the meditation sessions, sit and talk to people whom I hadn’t met for years and simply relax. I enjoyed my sound sleep without nightmares and panic attacks about work, not having to wake up by the phone alarm but the ringing of the temple bells. I even went out for walks with my uncle during the morning hours before the puja rituals started.

Surprisingly, I didn’t feel incomplete without the smartphone and the internet. The only thing I knew was that I should be enjoying my moments of bliss and peace now, sitting aloof from the part of the world with whom I interact throughout. I can do without them for a few days and let my mind breathe in some fresh air. 

The smile and the note

It was never an issue for Radhika to wake up early in the morning and go for a walk down the road. She knew her restrictions well and took care of what was required to keep her safe. She has been, always, a follower of her beliefs and ideas that she felt were lucky for her. She would always wear her right sock first and then the left, followed by the shoes in the same manner. She believed that a good walk will make her day begin on a good note.

That morning, Radhika woke up with a bang and got ready for her walk. As she started walking through the lanes, she felt something missing. She didn’t realise that she had missed watching and waving to him today. She stopped for a while and decided to look for him on her way back. He would be there, she thought. But it kept playing on her mind and she took a quick turn towards home, rather early than her usual time.

As Radhika took a turn from the right side of the road, her eyes searched for him. No, he wasn’t there. Had she missed something? Did he go somewhere else? She thought of asking the people around but knew she couldn’t. What would she ask? They hardly know each other for a few days and she had spoken to him only a few times. He would be sitting there and smile at her while she walked past him every morning. Radhika would smile back and wish him Good Morning! But he wasn’t there today. She started walking back home with a disturbed mind, wishing only if she could see him today. Today was a special day for her!

Lying on her bed, she contemplated the idea of going for a walk the next morning. Will he be there today? She didn’t have a good day yesterday and had everything going wrong for her, she thought. She closed her eyes for a moment and decided to give a try. She was ready for her morning walk believing that it is a new day and will be better than yesterday.

As she took the left turn, she could feel his presence. He was indeed waiting there for her with a small piece of paper and a few flowers in hand. She walked up to him, “Where were you? I thought you went somewhere. I hope you are doing well.” With a feeble voice, the 74 year old man said, “I was busy getting the flowers for you, dear! It was a big day for you. How could I forget? But I think I got late and you would’ve left.”

He remembered while no one else did. Her 2 weeks old septuagenarian friend remembered her first day of solo photography exhibition. She took the note that read, “Thank you for making me smile for the first time in years, even if it’s for your award winning photograph. Wish you many more years of success!”

Radhika, with the note and the flowers in hand, after a long time, felt happy walking back home. 

All relationships go through hell, real relationships get through it.

"Yes, they do. At least if you try, they will. Have you ever tried asking him what went wrong? Why did he ask you to leave him without a reason?" Ruchi's consultant psychiatrist kept asking her until she got an answer. This was her third visit and yet she found it difficult to utter a single word. Her dad waited outside to hear speak a single word ever since she came to stay with him.

Ashok was the reason for Ruchi to smile always. She chose to marry Ashok when her Dad asked her to, for she believed he was the perfect life partner for her. Smart looks, great physique, allergic to smoking and drinking socially, she could tick off all the points in the check list. But what she did not realise was she didn't match up to his desire to have a perfect wife. She wasn't ready to quit her job. 

Ashok wished to have a house wife happily settled at home, not because he was not comfortable with Ruchi working and managing the household, he was more insecure because of his failed relationship.

A year and half passed and they couldn't find a suitable solution for the problem. Ruchi couldn't understand his insecurities while Ashok showed his displeasure every now and then. "I thought you will understand me but, no. Your work is more important than our marriage. So, I am asking you to make a choice.”

"You chose to quit but did you ever try to explain your reasons? May be that would've helped him understand you better. You worked because you made a promise to your ailing Mom that you will always work not for pleasure but for dignity. I am sure, he would have understood you. May be communicating your reasons would have saved both of you from going through hell."

"I am sure, it would have, had you told me once! I would have respected your decision of working more than fighting my insecurities that you may drift apart from me like Payal did." Ashok stood at the door with his father-in-law, looking at Ruchi's blank face. “Let’s begin afresh. We’re done living in this hell where relationships go for a toss at the drop of a hat. Let’s work together on our marriage, our decisions, your job and our happiness. I don’t think I can survive on burnt food anymore!”

This post is part of A to Z Challenge 2015.

They rejected me, not you!

She could see him from the corner of her eyes but wasn’t sure whether it is him. She chose not to think about him or look at him anymore, rather wait for the announcement of her delayed flight. It was already late by an hour and her phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the time she informed she’ll be late at the venue. She walked up to the magazine stand and picked up the latest issue of a Cosmopolitan and started walking back at her seat.

By the time she could reach, she heard someone calling her name. She looked back and watched him walking up to her and greet her with a smile of his face.

“Hey! Rashmi, right? How are you here?”

“Hi, Avinash! Yeah, I am here to catch my flight to Mumbai for an event. How are you doing?”

“I am doing absolutely fine. Mumbai sounds familiar. Work or family?”

“Let’s say both. Where are you travelling? Same location?”

“Yes, same location. Nagpur. Visiting my parents after a year. So, it’s the same flight again. Come.”

They went and sat next to each other, the exact same way after about two years. Though the awkwardness was clear on their faces, the bitterness was gone by now. They both wanted to ask each other the same question and apologise for the same reason, but somehow couldn’t.

Rashmi: “How are your parents doing? Are they better now?”

Avinash: “Much better and after what had happened, they were a little difficult to control. Somehow, they couldn’t accept how things fell apart. How are your parents?”

Rashmi: “They are the same. Nothing changed for them. Except that they have accepted that it is difficult to convince me to stay with them. I still do not know whether they were wrong or right to take such a decision on my behalf for my life, but I knew how everything happened was wrong.”

Avinash: “May be they were not wrong. They just thought about their daughter more than anybody else. May be that is why parents are so protective about their daughters.”

Rashmi: “But that doesn’t give them the right to reject you for me. We both wanted to be together. Just being from some other caste doesn’t make you any different from others. I tried explaining them so much but failed. I wanted to apologise to your parents and you for what happened. Your parents were extremely cordial towards us but my parents weren’t. I am terribly sorry! I didn’t have the face or the heart to come and apologise in person.”

Avinash: “It is completely alright. Two years have passed after that incident. It is difficult to explain to someone who believes in such concepts so strongly. Well, my parents did like you very much and so did I. I couldn’t do anything to convince your parents. May be whatever happened was for the best. I am sure they found a perfect match for you.”

Rashmi: “Unfortunately, they are still looking. It’s not that easy to find a perfect match for over-qualified tall girl who is equally stubborn like her parents. How about you? Found someone?”

Avinash: “Ahhh! Not yet. I am still not over the over-qualified tall girl. It will take some more time, I guess. I tried all means to get away from your memories. I was posted in London for a year, but didn’t work.”

Before Rashmi could reply, the boarding announcements for the Mumbai and Nagpur flights were made. They looked at each other and realised that Avinash was rejected by her parents, not by Rashmi. Wasn’t it better to take another chance to try and take a walk together again, for their own happiness? This time with a much more positive and calm approach.  

They knew they had to give it another shot. After all, if destiny makes you meet again even after rejection, you are not completely rejected. They picked their bags and started another walk….

Rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough; it means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer. ~ Mark Amend

Her optimism and prayers gave her sister hope to live once more

“Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself.” But she was losing all of it. The pain was getting unbearable. Nothing was working out for me at that time. Taking even a step to get down from bed to walk up to the washroom seemed extremely difficult. Diya had no idea what had gone wrong and why was she made to suffer.

Year 2010. She was now travelling in the Mumbai local trains again to work after spending a couple of years travelling in the BEST bus every day to complete her MBA. It was raining that time. Her ill fate probably started with buying a pair of BATA shoes which the shopkeepers told her were made for the rainy season. The shoes were not too comfortable to wear and the plastic hurt. She wore it only a couple of times and stopped. But by then, the damage would’ve occurred. Her feet started hurting, so much so that it was difficult to wear a normal slipper as well. The visit to the doctor and the tests didn’t reveal anything and she was asked to do physiotherapy to make my condition better. Unfortunately it didn’t help much.

The pain went on increasing, making her life as miserable as it could get. None of her doctors found any solution to the problem and was put on strong medicines to keep the pain in control. She was working in a MNC and couldn’t afford to leave her job within months of joining. The HR team and her manager ensured that she gets all the comfort at work and given flexible timings to report to work. Months passed by but nothing seemed to improve. She was tested for all kinds of disorders but every time, the results were negative. Nothing came out.

Her parents were clueless as to what they could do further to reduce this pain. They went to doctors and temples, both. Nothing helped except that they were told to have patience. She’s going to come out of this pain very soon. She spent several months now. Her continuous prayers seemed to be going in vain as she was now getting bed-ridden. No one could suggest a way out for her, to get rid of the pain, her sufferings.

Her only ray of hope was her little sister, Pia. Every evening, she would walk up to the temple and pray for her elder sister’s quick recovery, and come back and whisper in her ears, “You’ll be fine within no time. I have prayed for you.” Her smile made everyone in the house believe in the power of praying and being optimistic about living life again. Her faith in God increased as she looked into Pia’s eyes every time.

It took almost a year for Diya to recover from the pain and stand on her feet again without any help. She was able to report to work on time and even travel in Mumbai locals again. She walked, jogged and even resumed playing badminton again.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope, said Helen Keller. Absolutely true. There’s nothing more powerful than being hopeful about having a life without difficulties and having the power to overcome them, even if there are any. And optimism comes from the people who live with you, your pain and happiness. Consider yourself lucky and the happiest if you have such a loving family and a house that breathes optimism every moment.

If you are looking for a house where you all can stay happy, check out https://housing.com/lookup. It’s now your chance to build one. 

Night night, Baby G!

Last evening Ma and I were discussing how people sleep on their beds. Although it sounds like a weird topic to discuss but it isn’t, the reason being me sleeping with at least five to six books by my side and not having a proper posture while sleeping. So I ended up asking, how did I sleep as a child? Like when I was a baby or a toddler or when grown up? Her reply was simple. I hated books because they were related to studies and reading a story book was a luxury.

Sleep should always be peaceful, without disturbances. And when people say, they sleep like a baby, I, for a second, doubt their statement. Do babies really sleep peacefully or let others sleep peacefully? This time, during my visit back home, I met all my cousins and nephews and niece. And one of the funniest discussions that we had was how each of us sleep. While some complained the other snores (there are interesting sound variations), some others said, now that their babies are grown up, they can now manage a few good hours of sleep. In the midst of this discussion, my cousin pointed out something interesting!

Baby G, my youngest nephew, is only 8 months old and boy, his mom sounds like the happiest person to us. When we were pondering our questions on whether Baby G sleeps peacefully, if he wakes up in the middles and keeps her awake, how much effort does she need to put to get him to sleep, her answer was simple. She uses her magic trick that Baby G sleeps like a baby should. Her trick is nothing but a filling her baby’s stomach full and making him wear a diaper that keeps him dry throughout the night. She says, “In the initial months, we were asked not to use diapers to avoid skin rashes. However, now the doctor only suggested that we use diapers that promises dryness on the inside too because that will ensure that he gets his full sleep and wake up only when he’s hungry.” But does the trick really work?

Apparently it does. There’s some kind of unusual pleasure in sleeping next to a baby. In the course of attending a cousin sister’s wedding, we all were staying together at a rented house and I decided to sleep the night with both of them. So, when it was time for Baby G to go off to sleep, my cousin makes him wear a Pampers Baby Dry Pants and starts talking to him in his language.  Actually we both start doing that and watch him play and quietly doze off to sleep. At this time, my cousin and aunt walk into our room and say, wish we had diapers in your time and had the pleasure of putting you off to a peaceful sleep.

Baby G reminded me of Adi. Both these nephews of mine are real sweethearts and opposites of each other. While Adi knew the tricks of staying awake and keeping us awake till the late hours of night despite wearing the diaper, Baby G is a quieter version. Or maybe he’s just learning and mugging up the tricks from Adi. ;)

So in case you have baby at your place and still trying to find the way to put him/her to a peaceful sleep, try out Pampers Baby Dry Pants or find out more information at https://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers