Is weekend really all that fun?

Friday evening witnessed me in super excited mode…I looked elated like a kid whose parents are about to take her to Disneyland. But I am a simple girl with simple wishes; after a week of slogging at work, the idea of 2 days off to my lazy self was enough to bring a smile on my face. Hey, everybody feels that way, then why am I saying this on my blog?

Because fact is, weekend life too, like a coin has 2 sides…

Wanting to laze in my bed till 10 on a Saturday morning, I was engrossed in my dreams when the alarm spoiled my plans. “Uff, what’s this?” I grumbled in my sleep, when Mr. Hubby reminded me he had to go for a meeting today. Being a typical Indian wife, I wouldn’t have liked the idea of being in bed till 10 while Mr. Hubby got ready and moved about his own business. “Once I send him to work, I will catch up on my sleep!” I consoled myself and proceeded towards bed tea and newspaper.

Newspaper is always a cut short business on weekdays however; even today my eyes were on the wall clock. Soon, newspaper too, was added to the “do it later” list and I was off to the kitchen.

Once, Mr. Hubby had left for work, I realized sleep had vanished. Just when I held my beloved newspaper in my arms, mom in law rattled off her wish list, “Today we are free, let’s do x, y, z….” and gave me a long list from laundry to grocery shopping, dusting, etc. “But I am not free, I am busy! It’s my hard earned off and I need to laze around, chill, blog and just pamper myself!” Now, any mom in law would have frowned at this, but not mine. She simply smiled and reminded me of a word called “responsibility”. “Why can’t we live in a service apartment?” I rebelled like a cranky kid.

I wondered, was life all cool before marriage and responsibilities? Perhaps no, weekends were all about pedicures, manicures, hair spa, changing nail paint, planning wardrobe for the upcoming week etc etc.

Every weekend, we try to fight the pile of “to do” list for the “me time” and before we are nowhere close to satisfaction, the weekend winks and bids adieu, leaving us at the mercy of merciless weekdays. As if that’s not enough, there is a section of people, whose favourite habit is asking people on Monday mornings, “so what special did you do this weekend?” Now, one doesn’t go mall hopping, shopping or movie watching every weekend. I have seen people under such pressure to avoid being termed uncool that even if they have spent a quiet and relaxing weekend at home, they save themselves by saying, “we went out for family dinner to XYZ yoyo restaurant” even if I spotted them getting Dosa packed from the neighbourhood Dosa kiosk!

What then is the idea of a perfect weekend?

Perhaps it’s all about taking the day it comes. One may plan a bit in advance for more fulfillment however, if things take a different route, just sit back and enjoy the beauty of serendipity!

What say you?

 

Image Source - Google Images

The pretty girl in the short skirt…

Ram was the perfect Casanova. In a span of five years, he had changed seven jobs, all for his habit of falling prey to good looking women. He just couldn't resist getting into flings and things got worse every time when his multiple affairs affected his professional life. Monday morning was another interview at a multinational company for the post of marketing manager.

Ram was hoping to make it big here…not in terms of work but for some sparks to fly, for his friends had told him the office was full of pretty girls. Ram was hoping to get lucky!

Dressed his best, topped with a dash of the perfume that made his ex girlfriends drool, Ram reached the company headquarters. As he entered the elevator, he saw the only companion in his ride to the 21st floor – a pretty girl! Her short skirt and long hair immediately shortlisted her to Ram’s to do list and he took it as a good omen. Not wasting any time, he threw his pick up line, “you too here for the marketing manager interview?” She gave him one top to down look, gave a sweet smile and said, “I work here…you will see me more when you join our department…” Ram quickly bragged about his premier B school degree and the last premier organization he worked with, not leaving any chance to strike the perfect first impression.

The elevator doors opened, and as she was about to get out she stopped, turned back and said, “turn right from the reception and the first conference room is your destination. All the best! We shall meet again!” Ram’s heart went racing and within a span of 30 seconds, his imagination took him to great lengths. He quickly raced past the reception and landed himself at the Waiting room near the conference room as told by the girl.

Ram was pleasantly surprised by the crowd waiting with him, for they all seemed less experienced than him. He couldn't find one face more charming and confident than himself, and he was all set to make the killing. For the next 30 minutes in the Waiting room, he was lost in dreams of the pretty girl. He imagined how he could ask her out for dinner and charm her with his ways once he got the job. Just then, a voice interrupted his dreams, “fill this form”, the fat HR lady said. As Ram took the form, he sensed something was not right, the form mentioned the question, “Why do you feel you are suitable to work as sales executive with us”. Shocked, he immediately questioned the HR lady, only to be told this was the interview for the post of sales executive.

Ram’s heart skipped a beat. He realized that this time, he had fallen prey to false charms. He should have inquired at the reception before blindly following the girl’s instructions. As he rushed towards the reception, he saw the same pretty lady talking to the receptionist and leaving before he could reach and question her. He asked the receptionist, “where is the interview for the position of marketing manager?” The receptionist said, “Conference room no. 5 but the interview is already over.” Ram was irritated now, “How can the interview be over?” The receptionist said, “Sir, there were just two candidates called for the interview. The first one didn't arrive and so the second one was shortlisted. You saw that lady who just left? She was just selected.”

Ram could feel his heart beating fast. All his plans of making it happen were foiled by the same pretty face he had been dreaming about. The ugly side of beauty had taken him for a ride…

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

How ma found her Dil Ki Deal…

Life isn’t always about profit and loss

Sometimes mind listens & heart becomes the boss

Its when one thinks beyond self and cares for how others feel

That they truly strike the “Dil Ki Deal”

It is often believed that one who has money and power only can make a difference in someone else’s life. But an incident from my mom in law’s life taught me how a simple housewife decided to follow her heart and strike the perfect Dil ki deal.

In the old times when salaries never matched the mouths to be fed, monthly rent from a small house in West Delhi was a big help to Ma’s monthly budget. My father in law’s job demanded him to stay out of town, so it was ma’s responsibility to collect the monthly rent and manage the household budget.

It was Diwali time. Sweets, clothes, crackers, customary gifts…there was so much to be bought and ma knew all this went beyond her budget. Banking on the 10^th of the month when she was to receive the monthly rent, she decided to visit the tenants.

As ma rang the doorbell, the feeble frame of the tenant’s wife appeared at the door to usher her in. The tenants were a humble family of 5, a couple and their 3 kids. Ma knew of their not so good financial condition, but as she entered the house, she knew there was something wrong. Although it was Diwali time, the festivity was nowhere to be seen. The family wore a sad look on their faces. When ma inquired about the well being, the tenant’s wife told her that their youngest daughter had taken ill. All their savings had gone in the treatment and the treatment still required them to pump in more cash. “This Diwali has no meaning for us, for we can’t light up our own child’s life”, the tenant’s wife said, controlling her tears. Despite the turmoil in their lives, the tenants were an honest couple. “Behanji, that we are facing this crisis doesn’t mean we would hide away from our duty. Here’s the rent for this month”, the lady said as she handed over the 800 bucks to ma.

Speechless at their sincerity and the cruel game destiny was playing; ma left the house with a heavy heart.The neighbourhood kids were bursting crackers however; a thousand crackers burst inside ma’s heart and created the noise she couldn’t ignore. She could not erase the image of the family’s faces from her mind. For a humble housewife, the monthly rent meant a big help, yet her heart felt heavier with each step. Something in ma forced her to return…

The surprise was evident on the face of tenant’s wife as she opened the door. “What happened behanji, I counted the money and it’s the right amount. Hope all well….” The lady went speechless as ma held her hand and handed over the money back and said “The child needs the money more. Take the money and use it for her treatment. Its Diwali time, hope this small contribution does something to brighten up your child’s life.”The lady tried to offer the money back, but ma assured her she could repay when the child recovered.

As ma walked out, her heart was filled with satisfaction from the deal she had struck. She might not have been able to pamper her kids the way she wanted that Diwali, but she had listened to her heart and had struck the #DilKiDeal

 I am participating in the #DilKiDealOnSnapdealactivity at BlogAdda in association with SnapDeal.

From separation to jubilation

The last few days saw a very irritable and dead side of me. As if life had become a boring pendulum that oscillated between office and home. The mind went on an auto mode with this mundane routine. I didnt feel any zing when I woke up in the morning and the day didn’t offer anything to look forward to. Evenings too, became a routine affair. While my colleagues would be happy, calling a day off and discussing their evening plans, I would simply sit back and immerse myself in work.

Perhaps, all this was to escape the horror of staying away from my passion – blogging. Once a blogger, nothing gives you more joy than sharing your views with others and nothing gives more pain than an inactive blog and dipping page views.

My laptop, which was my window to the world of blogging, gave in to senile decay. Often, in the middle of blogs, the laptop would heat up and black out, making me pull my hair in frustration. I tried to blog through the tab, but old habits die hard and my fingers yearned for the keyboard. Every day, I would read blogs by fellow bloggers and wish when I would strike back. I almost stopped looking at blogging contests and book review offers, for better to make commitments when one can fulfill them. Movies and outings no longer seemed enticing, for I could no longer blog about my experiences.  After few days, the helpless mind too, stopped buzzing with ideas.

While I didn’t cry or crib, for I knew our busy schedules, Mr. Hubby noticed the frustration in my silence and this weekend, decided to take things in his own stride. He took the laptop to the service center and the technician gave it a fresh lease of life. When he surprised me in the evening with the news, I was all elated like a lover reunited with his lost love!

This morning became so special…

I woke up to a hyperactive mind, buzzing with ideas. It didn’t even wait for me to finish the bed tea or catch up with newspaper. Finally, I had to jot down the ideas which would fuel my blog for the days to come. When I saw my blog after so many days, it welcomed me with open arms and surprisingly, there was increase in page views too. They say it is separation that makes us realize the value of something, and this separation has been tough for me. But, it feels so good to be back since I can share my feelings, views and experiences once again on my blog, and connect with the awesome friends blogging has gifted me!

Book review – He fixed the Match She fixed Him

Author – Shikha Kumar

Publisher – Vitasta

Genre –Fiction/Romance

Pages – 284

Price – Rs.175

  

Sneak from the cover

Shreya – I’m a highly qualified Delhi girl earning an enviable salary. My parents are having a tough time finding a suitable groom for me. However, recently they have a proposal from this very interesting guy from Mumbai. I almost get mesmerised when he starts talking to me. I think I like him very much.

Kunal – I’m owner of a textile company in Mumbai. My mom wants me to get married. Again. She has recently suggested a suitable girl from Delhi. What my mom doesn’t know is that I’ve already met Shreya before once in my life and I’ve been looking for her ever since. I have a vendetta to settle.

The Cover

A pretty damsel with a handsome hunk, flowers, wine – the ingredients to a romantic fairytale. But our two headstrong protagonists stand tall facing opposite directions, just like their thoughts, which go poles apart. I actually loved this cute promo of the book.

My View

I am a big fan of romantic fiction and so when this book was offered, it instantly caught my interest. The story, I would say is like a Bollywood film. The first half sees Shreya and Kunal being fixed in matrimony by their families. Like every girl, Shreya too nurtures a dream of meeting her knight in shining armour. So when, she hears the sophisticated and suave Kunal from Mumbai on phone, his enigmatic voice almost instantly sweeps her heart away. They say, love is blind and the feeling is so strong that Shreya doesn’t even mind her one abrupt face to face interaction with her hubby to be.

A fairytale wedding follows and just when Shreya thinks destiny has given her another chance in the form of Kunal, one night changes it all…

The ghosts of their past come to haunt Shreya and Kunal on their wedding night. Shreya, oblivious of the fact that Kunal is the same person who she settled her scores with years ago, is shocked at the devil reveal his true face in Kunal on her first night. For Kunal however, Shreya is that one storm which blew away all the love and happiness from his life years ago. His only aim in life to spoil each and every moment of Shreya’s life and make her suffer the way he did years ago.

Halfway through the book, the story takes a leap from love to hatred and revenge. The poor reader secretly wishes for things to end on a happy note for this angry young couple. However, that is when the story, just like some impatient movie scripts starts losing its sheen. The more Shreya and Kunal try to be opposites, the more opposites attract. Love gradually springs, however, everything starts getting so predictable that the reader wonders if there were some more twists and turns.

If you love romcoms, the book is for you. Enjoy every scene as if you are watching a soap or a movie and don’t apply much brains in the story. Being a debut, the author deserves appreciation for her hard work in the brilliant portrayal of the love hate relationship, however, the applaud would had been a tad louder had there been some more effort towards making the second half less predictable. However, this is something almost all romcoms fall prey to n I hope with such an expressive style, the author will surely impress us with her books.

What I loved about the book

I just found the cover too cute. Also the first half kept me totally engrossed. Despite being a debut, the portrayal of emotions and relationship is appreciable.

What could have been better

Towards the end, the story got very predictable and I was telling myself what would happen next as I proceeded. Some fine tuning by the editor would have made the experience more interesting sans the drag towards the climax.

My rating

2.5/5

About the Author

Shikha Kumar has a BTech degree in Computer Science and is a manager with TCS. She enjoys travelling, reading writing and watching movies. This is her first attempt to present her writing abilities to the world.

I received a copy from the author for my honest review. writing and watching movies. This is her first attempt to present her writing abilities to the world.

Five reasons why I miss Delhi Winters

Winters are here! Ironically, I ain’t feeling an inch of it sitting here in Mumbai. Its perhaps the first time in 3 decades of my existence that I am sitting on December 7, 2014 with fan on and no sweaters! In Delhi, I have always cribbed about winters, preferring to snuggle in my velvet rajai than to wake up on a chilly morning; the torture of taking that morning shower; it was the favourite season of maids when they would cash on their worth. So, now, away from the winters why am I missing the love hate relationship?

Here are my 5 reasons for missing Dilli ki sardi

1.    Weddings

Come winters and wedding invitations start pouring in. If it’s a family wedding, it makes for a double treat. Cousins gossiping overnight on the terrace while munching on mungphalis and gazzak, and pre wedding bashes in huge lawns with bonfires! We Dilliwallas like our weddings big, fat and truly dhinchaak! While summers make it tough to carry heavy makeup and costume, winters make it all easy. The style divas love to flaunt their deep cut and backless blouses despite the chill.  And for those, who still feel the chill, a peg of Black Dog and dancing non stop does the trick.

2.    Winter brunches

Sunday mornings become party time, with moms preparing yummy delicacies (sarson ka saag, make ki roti, bajre ki khichdi, tikkas etc.) and the whole family enjoying the fare on sunny mornings at the terrace. Food lovers also go gaga over the winter brunches offered by the city hotels. I particularly miss the winter brunch at the American Diner at India habitat Centre, Delhi.

3.    Lodhi garden

No matter how much we run away from the suraj chachu in summers, winters do the patch up act. Even the annoying dhoop becomes “Makhmali”. Being away from Delhi, I can vouch there is no experience better than spending a winter morning in Lodi Garden, the Central park of Dilli. Kids flock to the garden to enjoy their favourite spot, while lovebirds leave no opportunity of getting cosy; on a lucky day you might even spot a painter sitting on the grass depicting the nature on canvas. Amateur photographers satiate their lenses with views of various migratory birds, even local. Have often seen squirrels being bribed with peanuts to strike a pose! How can we forget food here? Every Sunday, you can spot umpteen brunch gatherings in the garden.

4.    Winter shopping and discounts

Weddings and winter sales give Dilliwalas enough reasons to stuff their shopping carts. With fests like the CP shopping festivals and the big spacious malls organizing exclusive events, shopping becomes a joyful experience. And when the newspapers announce the end of season sale, Dilliwallas flock to their favourite stores to steal bargain on their long desired winter overcoats.

5.    Barbeque evenings

Fun, food and friends sums up the idea of a perfect evening for any Dilliwalla. Winters give just the perfect excuse, and Dilliwallas love to flaunt their barbeque skills on evenings with ghazals and old pals!

It is said we realize the value of something only when we are away from it. While I have been told winters will show us a small trailer here in Mumbai, I am yearning to rush to my Dilli to savour the magic of Dilli Ki Sardi! 

What all do you love about Delhi winters? I am all ears..:)

Bhopal - A Prayer for Rain

30 years gone in vain
Still fresh is their pain
The memories of that unfortunate night
Brings on their face horror n fright
After effects haunt even today
Why have the culprits been let away?

These were the thoughts that immediately struck my mind as I walked out of the theatre after watching the special preview of the movie Bhopal - A prayer for the rain. The incident is very special to me, since it occurred the same year I was born. My dad tells me the next morning, the whole nation woke up to grief and mourning. The number of casualties was rising every hour. Seeing the images of those who suffered, many weren't able to take a single morsel down their throat. My heart bleeds when I think about the plight of the people who suffered that unfortunate night. We Indians respect and worship our jobs as 'anndaata'. So did those people, not knowing that their very own anndaata would not only take their life, but also haunt the generations to come with their sins.

The unfateful night of December 2-3, 1984, when many people embraced sleep to wake up to a new day, one act of negligence made it the last night of their life. Many might have weaved hopes of new beginnings on a new day, when they would go to their work and earn a better livelihood.
But the leak of poisonous gas from the Union Carbide MIC plant poisoned their dreams to death.

Media and the film industry have touched upon this topic many a times. Several documentaries have been made highlighting the legal and political aspects. But, what about the emotional trauma faced by the people who lived that torture that very night?

Last Sunday, me along with team of bloggers were invited by Indiblogger and Rising Star entertainment for a special preview screening of the movie. Having seen umpteen number of documentaries on this subject, I was not hoping for any new aspect that would enlighten me. However, by the end of the movie, I was sobbing my hearts out for the unfortunate ones who suffered at the hands of Union carbide.

The film portrays the event from the eyes of the very people who lived it. Dilip (Rajpal Yadav), a poor rickshaw puller is the protagonist. Like many others around him, he too struggles with poverty, hunger and family responsibilities. The only hope of a better life and escape from hunger is Union Carbide, a multinational company that had set up its MIC pestcide plant in the vicinity. Dilip and others aspire to work with Union Carbide, as they see others wearing their uniforms and earning for their family's happiness. Everyday, many men waited outside the Union Carbide office in the hope of becoming a Carbider one day. What they didnt know was that behind the glitz and glamour of being a Carbider, there was 40 tonnes of poison waiting to annihilate everything around.

While the dirty game of capitalists and selfish political interests continued, innocent people suffered to the hands of negligence. 

Rajpal Yadav as Dilip, does complete justice to the role. Tanishtha Chatterjee plays the supporting wife who can do anything to support her husband.

While i had gone with no expectations, by the end of the movie, I had tears of empathy and I felt like one of the victims.

We all know what happened that night, but the movie is a must watch to know how people actually felt that night.

Bhopal - A Prayer For Rain releases on December 5th.