I'm still here!

HibernationLetters 21

The refrigerator felt as empty as me yesterday and begged me to go for some grocery shopping. Inside Spencer's, in the confectionery section, there on the shelves lay our memories arranged systematically in the same way how I would do it and you'd say I have OCD.

I found those Karachi bakery cookies which we once received from a guest from Hyderabad. We went searching for it everywhere in the market as well as online when the box was empty.

When we finally bought it, those were such love filled 14 days of togetherness. Just one cookie shared during each morning and evening beverage.

Do you remember the day you left early in the morning for work and I'd brought along half a cookie and a cup of your favourite expresso when I came?

So childish of me but you too simply ate it without even considering my gesture!

No romance during work but I loved it when you teased me like this, treating me equal even for a cookie!

Somehow you never pampered me, no showering with surprise gifts, no jaw-dropping dates yet I was so happy in your company.

These flashes appear just like the sudden rains of our city and then evaporate as soon as the temperature rises beyond the unbearable level.

In the morning, I made your favourite masala tea and had a cookie along with it.

This time going for one whole of it.

But after eating half from a piece the other half sort of choked in my throat with flashes of those moments when you first professed your love for me.

Do you remember the day you came to me all drenched in the rain and confessed you wanted to be with me no matter what, rest we'd figure out later?

What happened to the latter part?

Even now those words feel so true and strong that everyday I forgive your mistakes one by one, just not the last one.

I have given the other half to the birds chirping on the verandah and that's what I am going to do from now on, feed them the other half.

I'll keep your love alive, at least this much I can do for the bond we shared.

Auldrin

Long drive pe chal (Part two)

Long drive pe chal...
(Part two)

10:00am
The officer told us a historical fact that the Lankan king Ravana’s in laws home was in Meerut. We instantly opened Google maps and searched for the location and drove towards it.

1:00pm
The Baleshwar temple of Lord Shiva was the place where Mandodari (Ravana's wife) used to visit and pray ardently to Lord Shiva. After being impressed by her devotion the Lord gave an appearance once and granted her a wish. She wished to be married to the most powerful and one of the best scholars on Earth, hence her matrimony with Ravana took place. It is said that she always tried to bring the best out of him but one day the devil took over and so we all know the rest story of the famous mythology-Ramayana.

5:00pm
Striking our mind next, we ended up at the Officer's Bua Ji’s place. She has always welcomed us with open arms anytime and our surprise visits give her immense joy. They have a big joint family. We all just gathered in the living room, all the elders & children together and we talked endlessly. Mostly comprising of gossips regarding the other family members not present at the scene.
Yes! You are thinking right, this is what we Indian families normally do and such accounts create memories.
Our impromptu trip was finally blessed by these moments of togetherness with our loved ones.

7:00pm
In our personal busy day to day lives it's really difficult to give time to the family. Moreover I've realised now that making plans usually don't work in our favour because planning gives rise to expectations. So happiness does lie in spontaneity, we just need the right company along to be able to join in with equal driving force and excitement for the same.
We are back on the same expressway that we crossed in the morning and it's more beautiful at present.
For a person like me who gets happiness out of little things in life this is a scenic view.
The sun is setting slowly, the street lights have been switched on, there are so many cars around and I am secretly hoping that some of them must have visited their friends and family as well.

10:00pm
Lying on my comfortable bed recalling today's events I am finally feeling at peace.
Trying to hustle during my journey wasn't the right way.
Locking all the activities inside wasn't helping me focus either but letting myself free did.
Though tired after a hectic day yet my body feels relaxed.
The storm within me is slowly settling, it still needs more time & patience but today was one little step on the ladder of optimism.

All of you away from home, go on an amazing venture with your close friends & the ones somewhere near, go and spend some quality time with your family.
Believe me you will write back to me tomorrow feeling afresh.

Yours insanely sane
Auldrin

Long drive pe chal (Part one)

4:30am
We were just having a cup of tea and watching the news.
It's been almost a week and still there's the same old news of 11 family members in a mass suicide.

5:00am
The officer (excitedly) Let's get ready and go someplace!
My lady (appalled) What? Now? Where?
You see when you are a family of three at a certain time you get the power to decide what's going to happen next and I just love the spontaneity in such situations.

6:00am
I have already started writing.
Ae jaate hue lamhe (movie Border) is playing on the radio in a loop with a huge collection from the 80s-90s. There's a special nostalgic feeling about early morning drives combined with the music of that era.

Dil hai chhota sa chhoti si asha in the loop.
Until a decade ago these outings would be more frequent but today it seems like ages ago. Everything has been so freaking planned that we just missed out on this fun, just the three of us anytime anywhere.
So we decided to set aside all the hectic work, phone calls and most importantly nagging people!
Remember the song Mujhe raat din from Sangharsh, aaah it's a pleasant feeling listening to the old melodies and this man is made for any genre roles- Akshay Kumar!

6:20am
For an apolitical person like me who has just taken interest in it since past 3-4years, travelling via the Delhi-Meerut expressway I'd like to give an applause to the NaMo sarkaar, so convenient so clean so well designed.
On the radio, Lucky Ali's O sanam teri yaadon ki kasam, reminds me of all the cities I've lived in. I missed Calcutta.

But now with Amitabh Bachchan’s Jooma chumma de de in the loop and the officer singing along with my lady makes me want to be nowhere else.

Be it any city in any country the three of us will have our share of happiness no matter what.

6:45am

Belonging to a family of people with melodious voices and ardent music followers I am not even in their radar but in case we all go for the Indian idol auditions, Anu Malik would be like Aag Laga denge ye log Aag Laga denge. Hahaha.

Being entertained by Kitaaben bohot si padhi hongi tumne from Baazigar!

Oops, I shifted to my notepad. Apparently I reached the character limit in YQ.

Dil kehta hai chal unse mil (Akele hum akele tum) is making me yawn now seems like the caffeine hasn't hit yet. I need a strong coffee right now!

I love my incredible India especially its music industry which has kept a population of billions alive. In medicine we just play the supporting role!

Stay tuned with me, the journey is long with unlimited songs and old memories.

7:00am

Signing off with my all time favourite movie songs, from Saajan-Tumse milne ki tamanna hai pyaar ka irada hai aur ek wada hai..jaanam...

Yours insanely musical

Auldrin

Special

“You have so much potential.

What are you doing with a man like me?”

-he said

And all I could think of was, “I'm feeling special.”

“Yes! You make me feel special. From the 10 minutes of tea time to those 10 hours of inconsistent talks, I feel special for the time you spend with me. From arguing with me to kissing my angry face, I feel loved for you staying during those nonsensical times. From the first time I showed you my tears to the moment you hid yours infront of me, I feel courageous than before. I can go on and on innumerably….”

He brought me back to the conversation we were having, well not the above part for that was only running inside my head.

“He wants me to just write

night and day

for he'll read them all

when his hair turn gray.”

Losing my focus again when words started making poems in my head but I realised what I wanted. It's difficult, it's a long journey and rather than thinking about my futile attempts in future, now is the time I have to act upon my choices. I have nothing to worry about, I can't be bothered by what others might think because I'll have you right by my side, forever.

QOTD - Are you still waiting to act on your wishes?

Well hurry this sensible awakening offer lasts only till your heart believes in you and your mind follows the path.

Good night fellas!

Auldrin