Blast from the past!

As I sat down on that huge wide window pane after surviving that nightmare, I had only one thing to remember. “Believe in me and I will take care of the rest”, I had heard Him telling me last time.

~

I had forced myself to sleep that night. I was still trying to understand who could’ve sent me that letter. At an unexpected hour. After 16 long years. Should I open that letter? Should I wait for some more time before I open and read what is written inside?

It is only 10:30 pm. I have been trying to sleep from 9:30 pm after a few spoons of soup and half the bread. Although I stay alone and I survive the nightmares on my own, I felt I needed someone to feel not so scared. I had kept the envelope just next to me so that I could read it whenever I was ready. I didn’t have the courage to face another life altering truth again after having accepted what had happened last time.

~

As I sat to open the envelope, I could feel my heart beating faster. I started cutting the edge of the envelope so that the letter stays intact. I looked through the impression again and cut open the envelope and took out the letter. It was addressed on his name.

We had stopped getting letters on his name once we announced his death. People reacted and all communications stopped afterwards. Then who sent this letter to him?

I opened and started reading…

Dear Sir,                                                                                                                       Date: 27.2.2000

I am writing to you with regards to the performance of your wife as a mother towards your daughter. Although we have discussed this several times in person, there has been no action taken from your side. This has prompted me to write a letter.

You wife, i.e. my mother, is an extremely nice woman. She wakes early in the morning, worships her God and starts cooking for us. She ensures that we all eat and go to school and office on time. But her entire persona changes the moment I come back home from school. Although she cooks some snacks for me, she is more interested in what I studied in school, my exam schedule and which chapters are still pending for me to study. I do not understand why can’t she keep my studies and my scores confidential and has to discuss the same with you every time there is a slight dip in my scores. None of my friends’ fathers are known to have a clue about their scores. Then, why should she involve you?

The matter is getting out of hand now and you need to talk to your wife about it. You will be kept informed about my exams and necessary details in the same manner you tell us about your performance ratings in office and your critical meetings with the boss.

I am hoping to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Your daughter

~

I stared at the letter for some more time. Was this really written to my husband by my daughter 16 years back? How did this letter get delivered now?

Next day morning, I called the post office and asked for the postman who delivered letters yesterday. When I told him about the letter, he said, “I found this letter while cleaning the old storage section. I saw the date and immediately understood that there might be some mystery. I enquired with our old post office managers and someone from them, happens to be your husband. Since there was no mention of the sender’s name, we decided to deliver the letter. Luckily, it was kept in a box, that’s why it looks all clean and new. Hope everything is ok, Madam?”

 This story was published in Readomania.

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. 

#BringBackTheTouch of love and care with your soft and smooth skin

It is going to be more than two weeks that Arjun will be out of town on work and then visiting his family. First, he will be visiting his regional head at Chennai and will be stationed there for about week, followed by a week and a half spending time with his family back in Hyderabad. Arjun had been busy with his shopping for his mom, dad and sister and making plans to meet his friends after almost a gap of eight months. It looked like the most exciting phase in his life and he didn’t want to miss out on any of his plans. Diya was a constant witness to his excitement, shopping ideas and buying things, helping him pack his bag, etc. While she understood his excitement, encouraged and smiled at each of his ideas, he missed out on understanding her sadness. A customary hug was what she got the night before he left.

Diya made sure that she makes the most of these few days and concentrated on finishing off her pending work and waiting for Arjun to come back to her. Her wait seemed to look longer than it actually was. She waited for him to come to her and be with her. She waited to feel his love for her back, the exact one that she had started enjoying from the time they realised their love for each other. She didn’t wish it go away so fast because of the work and the stress, or any other thing.

The day Arjun was back, they couldn’t meet. She was out on a meeting for the entire day and decided to catch up the next day when they both are free to spend time together. They met for dinner, talked for hours and Diya was dropped back home. She knew she couldn’t make him realise how much she missed him. She knew he loved him but failed to realise why the passion in their love was missing even after they met after such a long time.

The coming Friday, they met again. Not for dinner, but for a quick chat on the projects they were planning to manage together. While discussing the project details, it was a just a casual touch with her soft hands that made Arjun feel something different. She, oblivious to his realisation, continued with her discussion while he just held her hands as they sat close to each other. Her touch had managed to ignite the missing spark with a sensual touch and feel. After almost a month, they experienced a sensual experience of touch, discovering the feeling of being together. The love that was never lost, but was only missing in action.

Well, Diya’s smooth, soft and nourished skin did the trick for both of them!

You may lose your precious moments of love and care owing to your other priorities in life. But a simple touch of love and caress can bring back it back for you. That is what Parachute Advansed Body Lotion promises to do for you. Parachute Advansed Body Lotion is a 100% natural moisturiser complete with the goodness of coconut and ensures that you have a soft, smooth and nourished body skin in seven days and #BringBackTheTouch.  Visit http://www.pblskin.com/ for more details on the product.

If you have a similar story like Diya and Arjun or Nimrat and Parambrata (watch the video below), do share with us. It’s always great to read about love and feel happy about it. 

She wasn't alone this time

She came back to her desk teary eyed. No one asked her why. May be no one noticed her any more. She needed to breathe fresh to get back her mind to work when suddenly a voice whispered, I won! You couldn't do anything to prove me wrong. She turned behind to find him standing and winking at her. She had no choice but to cut the crap this time. Her fingers raced through the keyboard as she drafted her resignation and attaching a few images to prove her point. The mail was marked To All. On her way out, she heard a voice, loud enough to say, Thanks for making everyone know. Wait, we are joining you. They marched out of the office together, feeling safe and breathing fresh air.