Go Play!

'I've asked you a hundred times to keep your hair plaited! Why do you insist on leaving it open?', yelled my Grand Ma at me. 'But I want to leave it open Granny. I like it that way', I said in an irritated tone. My Mom gently brushed my shoulder asking me to keep quiet.

'Today's generation don't listen to elders at all!' murmured my Granny and went in. She got a bottle of coconut oil and a hair band. 'Come here right now', she ordered. I quietly went and sat down. She poured half the bottle of oil into my hair and put a tight plait. 'See, how beautiful you look now. You will spoil your hair if you leave it just like that.' she said kissing me on my forehead. At that very moment I wanted to shout at the top of my voice that I don't like plaiting my hair but I kept quiet. I din't wanted to embarrass my Mom. 

'Mom, why does Granny always want me to keep my hair plaited? And look how much oil she has poured on my head. I will have to put a full bottle of shampoo to rinse this off my hair!' I said to my Mom after we came back home from my Granny's place. 'She cares for you baby. She doesn't want your hair to get spoiled.' I din't wanted to argue with my Mom, so I went into my room. 

'Granny, please let me do whatever I want with my hair. I promise I will take care of it.'

'How will you take care of your hair? If you do not keep it plaited, your hair will become frizzy and you might even have hairfall', she warned.

'I won't Granny. I will keep it nourished with Dove.'

'Dove? How will that help you?

Granny, Dove really helps in keeping hair moisturized and nourished. Touch my hair and see how soft it is.'

'It is soft because I oil your hair regularly.'

That's true Granny but it's also because of Dove. Let me show you' I said removing the band from my hair.

'Watch this Granny', I said swaying my head as my hair bounced enjoying the new found freedom.

My Granny gave me a surprised look.

'You want me to plait my hair right? Let me show you in how many different ways that can be done.'

I showed her all the different kinds of hairstyles I knew and she looked at me in awe.

'Oh my little princess, you look so beautiful.' she said.

Just a moment Granny, I said and got a curler and straightener from my neighbor Pinky.

'I sat down and straightened my hair. 'It will burn your hair!' screamed my Granny.

'It won't Granny. Touch my hair and see how it feels.'

Then I curled my hair from the mid section something I wanted to do from so long!!! My Granny gave up on me and left. I took my phone, played the song "Shake it like Shammi" and danced swaying my head and shaking my body like Shammi. I felt on the top of this world playing with my hair and dancing! I suddenly heard someone bang the door. I opened the door but no one was there. My Mom called out my name loud! I got up from my bed startled and realized that it was all a dream. My hair was still the same. And no, I was not playing with it.

I will never be allowed to play with my hair!

This is my entry to the Indiblogger contest Dove Go Play hosted my Dove.

Watch the #DovePlay Video here:

A Second Chance

"I am in love with you Anika!", exclaimed Nirav.

"Have you lost your mind Nirav? I was married before! I am a divorcee! Did you forget that?"

"I don't care Anika. I love you too much to judge you!"

"But I do Nirav," screamed Anika slamming the door on Nirav's face. She wasn't expecting a proposal from him. She had dealt with enough shit in her previous courtship and wasn't ready for anymore. After all  she knew all men are the same. Was Nirav trying to take advantage of her? Or did he think she's an easy catch for him since she is alone? Or does he think she's a damsel in distress and he could save her? Whatever it was, Anika just wasn't ready.

Nirav walked towards his car depressed by Anika's reaction to his proposal. He thought she would just say she needs time but such a reaction was totally unexpected. He felt dejected, hurt, broken and above all guilty for having hurt his love. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Anika and he did exactly that. Maybe he should have waited little more before expressing his feelings for her. But now, the cat was out of the bag, He could not take back what he said and what she had heard. He did not know how to make her feel better. He tried hard to stop those stupid tears from flowing but he did not succeed.

The office seemed empty without Anika. It was nearly a week since she came to work and that left Nirav restless. He urged to see her and considered going to her apartment but decided against it. After all, she might be hurt and taken aback by his sudden outburst of feelings for her which he had hidden for quite long. He finally gathered the courage to call her.

Anika ignored Nirav's calls. She sat in silence and recollected all that had happened at the party. The dance floor, the food, the cocktails and the heavy music, a perfect office day celebration. Everyone were dressed in their best clothes. Nirav paired a black casual shirt with a blue jean. Anika looked her best dressed in a pink knee length dress and minimal makeup. She had always been more comfortable with Nirav than anyone else in the office. In the two years of time they knew each other, there friendship deepened with time. Nirav was always in love with her but he knew Anika needed a lot more time to start living life again. After her divorce with Arnav, she'd suffered a major depression  Arnav was an overtly suspicious and insecure man. He controlled Anika's life for a good 3 years with his constant nagging. His insecurity grew with each passing day and Anika could take no more. She filed for a divorce and chucked him out of his life.

After the heavy dancing, the music became softer. Anika stood at a corner with a couple of colleagues laughing uncontrollably at a joke. Nirav approached her and in a filmy style asked, "Can I have the pleasure of a dance with you my lady?". Anika tried to hide her blush and bent her head grinning when Nirav grabbed her by her hand.

Anika's heartbeat tripled when she felt Nirav's warm hand curl around her back. He looked into those shy-filled beautiful eyes which otherwise were always confident. Anika tried avoiding his gaze but could barely control herself. They danced forgetting everyone else lost in each other. It took a while for Anika to regain her senses. She pushed Nirav away and rushed outside the hall. Nirav went behind her to the parking lot. He urged her to stop but she got into her car instead and drove away. Nirav followed her to her house. He rang her doorbell and she opened her door. Her smudged mascara and red eyes made Nirav's heart sink. He could swear she cried and that was because of him.

Anika's train of thoughts was disturbed by the doorbell. She peeped through the keyhole and found a man at the door. She opened the door and the man handed her a small box and left. She went in and opened the box to find a dazzling platinum ring. With it was a note saying, "Life deserves a second chance and so do you. I am at your door. Will you please open the door for me?"

Anika fought back those tears and opened the door. Nirav walked in without asking her permission. That made Anika furious. "You can't barge into my house like that without asking me!"

"Well, you can't barge into my heart without asking me either Anika!"

Anika was flabbergasted.

"Now, will you please close that door so that the neighbors don't hear what we talk?"

Anika closed the door.

"Nirav, please, I don't wanna talk to you. Please leave."

"But I want to. I've had enough now Anika. I know it's hard for you to get over Arnav but when will you start living your life again? I don't want to fool around with you. I want to be with you, every moment possible, hold your hand, look into those beautiful eyes and find love in it. For me. I want to be the man of your life. I don't promise that we will never have fights, but I want to fight with you and then make up to you by doing something crazy. I want to be the reason for your smile. I want to bring back happiness in your life Anika, the happiness that you deserve, the happiness that you have long forgotten."

"Nirav, I just can't trust a man again."

"You have to Anika. Not for anyone else, but for yourself. Not for getting hurt again but to be loved. Let go off your past my love. It isn't worth your grief. If you do not love me, then I will walk away right now without bothering you anymore. But if you love me and you are holding yourself back because of your past, then please let it go. And I promise to be by your side, forever."

"Nirav..... I, I..."

"Yes Anika. Tell me, do you love me?"

Nirav waited for Anika to open up but she kept crying.

"I am leaving Anika", he said turning back to leave when Anika hugged him from behind crying out loud.

Nirav turned back, held her beautiful face in his palm and kissed her forehead. He took the ring from her hand and put it in her ring finger. "I've another one for myself", he whispered in her ears taking out the ring from his pocket.

"You bought platinum love bands?" She asked.

"Yes. This is to let you know that our love has begun and will never end. It will not tarnish or fade away with time just like platinum which is the most eternal and precious metal. Also, to tell you that I will love you selflessly forever and ever till my last breath", saying that he gently brushed his lips against hers.

Looking into his eyes, she held his hand and put the ring in his ring finger. She pressed her lips against his and kissed him passionately for what seemed like an eternity.

This is my entry for the contest, Platinum Day of Love, on Indiblogger. 

From Smelly to Smiley

No smell in this world can escape my husband's sharp nose. He will catch any smell in the air and never hide his disgust if the smell is pungent.

We had an argument over a petty issue one morning over breakfast and it turned into a big fight. I was so mad that I considered taking an auto to work than going with him. All would have been fine if I'd gone to office with him. But I din't. And that rose his temper. He did not call me till lunch.

My impatience grew and finally I gave him a call post lunch. Two rings and he disconnected the call. Damn!

I thought he might be held up with some important work.

I called him again during my tea break at 4:30.

No response.

I instantly knew what was in store for me. I will have to deal with his anger back home. I gulped my tea in 2 big sips and went back to my seat. He was the one who always made up for a fight but I guess it was my turn now. I looked for some tips online but none caught my fancy. Then suddenly, the old saying about men popped into my head - "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach". And then I knew what I should do to cool him down.

I took permission to leave early from my boss, left the office at 5, picked up groceries from a supermarket and went home. I went to the kitchen, made all arrangements to prepare a lip-smacking dinner. I made fried chicken, pudina rice and raita. Chawal ki kheer is my husband's favorite sweet dish when I make it. Hence, I thought that should make a perfect dish for dessert. I put some milk to boil when my phone rang. It was my friend. I spoke to my friend for sometime and went to take a shower.

I put on his favorite perfume, wore a simple pink saree, a strawberry flavored gloss and few bangles. As I sprinkled some perfume on my hand and smelled it, another smell caught my nose. SOMETHING WAS BURNING!

Goodness gracious! It was my kheer!

I rushed to the kitchen and stared at the burnt container in horror! I dumped the container in the sink and opened the windows to get rid of the smell. But it din't help. I heard the doorbell and peeped to see who it was. It was my husband!

"Oh my! This smell. What am I gonna do!"

And then, I knew what I should be doing! I went to the kitchen and unsealed the newly brought bottle of Ambi Pur - Lavender and sprayed it all over the house. In a span of few seconds, the burnt smell disappeared. I breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door to find my impatient husband losing his cool and ready to shout at me. And then, he saw me.

He checked me out for a few seconds and came in silently. I shut the door and went to the kitchen without saying anything. I pretended to do some work when I felt his arms around me.

"The house smells as awesome as you my love." he said planting a kiss on my neck.

"I am sorry for not answering your calls today.", he said handing over a gift wrapped box to me. "And I am sorry for picking up an argument over a petty issue."

"I am sorry too", I said giving him a tight hug.

That way, a bit of cooking, a bit of looking good and Ambi Pur freshener helped me make up to my hubby darling! :)

This is my entry for the Indiblogger contest, Smelly to Smiley from Ambi Pur India

A wrong arrangement...

Dressed in a beautiful red lehanga, embellished with gold and diamond jewelry, the blushing bride sat on a bed decorated with flowers. She could hear the chatter batter and laughter of the teens & kids outside and Rajeev, her husband trying hard to keep them away from the room. He was finally successful and closed the door after he came in. Ananya's stomach twisted and her heart raced at almost double the speed when she felt Rajeev coming close to her. They had been engaged for around a month until they tied the knot in a grand affair. Rajeev had treated her well during their engagement days and she fell in love with her fiancee after a couple of meetings.

Rajeev sat on the bed beside her and held her hand. Ananya looked into Rajeev's eyes and her heart skipped a beat. She was tensed, restless and her stomach ached. She wan't sure how Rajeev would take the next step. 'Will I feel good if he touched me', she thought.

It was quite a day. I am tired. Let's go to sleep, Rajeev said interrupting her thoughts.

He said that and went straight to bed. She told herself that maybe he's just tired and everything would be fine the next day. She realized that she is tired too, changed and went to sleep.

Nothing changed even the next day. Not even the day after. Infact nothing changed ever.

Rajeev would come late in the night and go straight to bed. He seemed like a normal person when his parents were around but in their bedroom he was different. He showed least interest in her and never even looked at her. Ananya wasn't sure what to do and whom to talk to. Even Rajeev chucked their honeymoon plans saying that he can't take any further leaves.

She felt it was high time she broke the ice.

I have to talk to you Rajeev, Ananya said closing the door.

I've to head for a meeting. Can we talk later?

No. It's important. I can't wait to talk to you later. I need some answers and I need them now.

Rajeev knew what's coming. He understood he can't run away from Ananya any further. It's time to face her questions.

Wh....what's it Ananya?

I want to know why did you get married to me?


What kind of question is that, Rajeev said avoiding her eyes.


Well, that's absolutely a valid question considering how you treat me in our bedroom.


What do you mean by how I treat you? Did I ever do anything wrong with you?


That's precisely my point. You do nothing. You come, change and sleep. Forget about making love, you never even come close to me. Why did you marry me then?


Look, Ananya, I am really getting late. I need to go.


Answer me Rajeev! Now! Before I scream and you parents know what's happening or rather not happened between us.

Rajeev just stared at Ananya not uttering a word.

Do you love me Rajeev? Don't you find me attractive or beautiful? Don't I ever turn you on?

Ananya, you certainly are beautiful, competent, attractive and the perfect marriage material. But you ain't the girl I am in love with. Infact, it's not even a girl I am in love with.

The newly wedded bride gave her husband a puzzled look.

I like men Ananya. I am gay.


What? What did you just say?


Yes Ananya. I am gay. Women don't turn me on. It's men who get my hormones running. I tried telling this to my parents but could not gather the guts. I am sorry but we can't make love for sure.


Then why did you get married to me? You had no right to play with my life! You could have told this to me before getting married Rajeev. I would have said no to your parents. You telling me this now! What do you expect me to do?

I don't know Ananya. I am feeling guilty too. I could have told you earlier but my parents would have found another match for me if you rejected their proposal. I had to marry someone and it happened to be you. I an sorry.

Rajeev said that and left.

Ananya stood at her place dumbfounded not knowing what do to......

Conclusion: Well, so, arranged marriages have their share of risks. So, I had rather have a love marriage ;) You already know the person beforehand in a love marriage, but in an arranged marriage, the man could be a gay, impotent or in love with someone else. So, my vote goes to Love Marriage :)

This is my entry for the Indiblogger Contest, Love Marriage ya Arranged Marriage, the new TV show on Sony Entertainment Television. Know more about the show here 

Time to Change - Let's Control Traffic!

If there's one thing which irks all of us around then that certainly is traffic! But what do we do to get that down?

Nothing!

We are the ones who complaint about the the roads being so busy. We crib about the ever-increasing traffic but do we ever leave our vehicles at home?

Never!

There could be a shop which is just half a kilometer away but we still go on our vehicle instead of walking. It takes ages for us to reach a certain place which would otherwise take half the time thanks to constant jams. The peak times are morning between 9:00 to 10:00 and evenings from 6:30 to 8:00. Sometimes, we are halted at a place for long that we could actually take a short nap!

So, what could we actually do?

If I could change something around me, then that would be how the traffic is generally handled. My hero had actually mentioned this to me once and I really liked the idea. The idea is as follows:

• There should be a rule by the Government according to which all citizens should opt for a public transport at-least twice in a week so that less vehicles are seen on roads. This would help us in minimizing the jams to a certain level.

• There shouldn't be more than 2 vehicles in a house which has around 5 people. Now, why would you need separate bike/car for every person living in the same house?
• A random day can be declared as No Red Car day (or some other color for that matter). So, every citizen owning a red car should leave his car at home (exceptions for any emergencies). 
• Office hours should have a gap of atleast an hour. Like some companies should start functioning at 8 AM, some at 9 AM and so. This would lead to people leaving at different times, so minimum traffic. ;)

A little change in our everyday life will leave a great impact on our environment. Also, walking for short distances like when you go Grocery shopping could actually give you a good health too. ;)


On a lighter note, sales people should be called by companies only when they would buy the product/service. All negotiations should be done over the phone so that the roads are not that busy during the day. You know there's no point in going to a client who would eventually not buy anything :P So, the customers around should call the sales reps only when they are actually buying and not for the heck of it. ;)

It's time to think!

It's time to change!

Written for Indiblogger contest , Time to Change, an initiative by Stayfree who believe, a little chance can make a big difference!

P.S: I've a soft corner for Sales people since I am a Sales Professional too! ;)