Light a life!!!

I woke up to another sluggish Monday morning!!! I don’t know what’s with Mondays and me, maybe I watch too much of Garfield cartoons, that I have started hating Mondays like him. I moved like a snail out of the bed and got ready to go to office to get my brains chewed!!!



The climate was good and I liked the wind hitting my face. I stopped in the petrol bunk to fill fuel for my bike. As my petrol tank was getting filled, my gaze fell on a little boy who was trying to impress a guy inside the car by cleaning the car mirror. He was wiping the glass frantically fixing his gaze on another car behind. Once his task was complete his eyes looked at the fellow inside with so much expectation. The guy dropped some coins to that little fellow. I caught a glint of happiness in his eyes. Then a huge smile spread across his face and he bounded to the next car and started his work again. As I started from that place I was wondering what is happiness exactly. To that little lad it was just the matter of earning those two rupees which kick started his day on a positive note.



I was moving along, negotiating the traffic, and observing the faces possessing long lost expressions. I was wondering what could exactly bring such an expression on their face. I saw a guy talking cheerfully on his cell phone. I could sense from his expressions that it was his girl on the line. The discussion was nothing extraordinary. He was just updating her about what he had done all morning, but then I could see a sparkling smile on his face. He was happy talking to her on that busy road. While there were people around me cursing the traffic congestion, this fellow was jubilant and thanking god for those few minutes of delay that enabled him to catch up with his girl.

On the other side of the road, a mother was pulling her two children to reach the school gate. She was in such a hurry to drop them and carry on with her work. As she left them near the gate the young girl pulled her mom down and planted a huge kiss on her cheek and scooted away quickly. The mother stood there smiling and waving her hands to her kids. For a moment I could see that she was not worried about anything in this world. I could realize that she would have felt the same while giving birth to her little ones and holding them in her shivering hands for the first time. A woman has two smiles that any angel might envy, the smile that accepts her lover before words were uttered, and the smile that lights on her baby, and assures it of eternal love.



Happiness takes various definitions with different people. For many it is just a momentary feeling. Once I remember a woman telling me that she had tears in her eyes when her husband gifted her with a wrist watch on her birthday. Well at first I dint understand why she had to cry because it was so natural for a husband to give a gift. She went on to explain that her partner has never gifted her with anything. Her husband did not know what love meant exactly. He was so involved in his business and he just treated her like a slave. But after so many years he had realized the worth of having a woman beside him and found a way to express his love. As she rightly said it was a moment to cherish for a lifetime. She told me that she wouldn’t mind even if he reverts back to his usual self as this was enough for her!!!



After the tiring day at work, I decided to hit the beach. I saw a group of young boys playing cricket on the road. The sun was scorching and there was the constant threat of policemen chasing them away, it just didn’t matter to them. The guy who was batting looked bony and puny and he was not even wearing a shirt. Well I could almost count his ribs. With so much of poverty behind I saw him enjoying every moment of play!! When the ball went for a six he was screaming his lungs out and laughing!! I wondered whether Sachin would give such a reaction!!! The little boy was swaying his broken bat in the air and was enjoying the momentary recognition from his team mates.



When I asked what happiness means to a couple of my friends, they all came up with one answer. It was the moment their guys proposed them!! I saw their eyes rolling to recollect that moment again. I could feel their excitement as they narrated the incident.
Well my question was different!!! These were all happiness that lasted for a moment. There are always events and incidents that lighten up our life at some point like a trekker reaching the peak of a mountain!! But is there anything that a person could do to attain happiness for a lifetime???

I am generally a greedy person who is never contented with momentary happiness. As I was walking on the beach, I was just wondering where to find so much of happiness. I picked up an ice cream and walked on, soon to be followed by a brown mongrel. I could see nothing but hunger in his eyes. The dog was in such a bad condition, and if it was a human being he would be admitted in hospital with two to 3 glucose bottles hanging from all sides. Even with such low dose of energy the dog was wagging its tail to a stranger. I had no choice but to donate that ice cream to the poor canine. I was astonished by the speed at which he gulped it down, then after a quick thank you to me he just left the place!! His behavior actually made me laugh. It was kinda cute and funny. As I walked further I dint feel bad for giving up my ice cream. I felt so good about it.

How many times have we waste our daily food??? When we are so angry on something we show that on the food we eat. For a moment please do think about those poor African kids who are in need of food!!! One look at their pictures and the next moment we will all be thanking god for giving us such blessed lives!!



There are so many beings on this earth that needs a helping hand. For example the boy who was wiping the glass of the car just to get his daily meal. What if we could sponsor his education? Of course money is the need of the moment. But if we could spend a minute to think a little about that poor boy’s future, his life will be transformed and his future would be blessed.
As I walked further I heard a grandpa explaining to his grandson.
If you want happiness for an hour- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year- Inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime- Help someone else."
Well, that someone could be anyone. I had found the answers to last my lifetime!!!

By
Sasha
(PS: This post is entirely dedicated to my virtual friend)

Footprints of life..........

It was 2.00pm in the afternoon and the second week of my live production and I had already completed my target – 8 articles a day. I just opened another article just for the sake of it and was staring at it. My brain took a quick plunge into those days ………those pleasant days ….


I was smiling to myself as I was travelling back time to those childhood days where immaturity was at peak!!! I was this little girl who would just cry at the thought of losing my dear doggie to nature one day. But ultimately she died and I survived!!
I wouldn’t say that life has been a bed of roses for me!!! Well it never is for anyone for that matter!! My first challenge in my student days was to pass in my math paper in tenth board exams. GAWD it was a huge challenge for me and somehow I did it. I still think that it was a matter of sheer luck!!! And then the dream of achieving things overtook me!! I used to admire all those girls and guys who used to win so many awards and medals. They were achieving something which I was not!! If they could do it why can’t I???? I wanted to prove my existence and ultimately I did it. College life was nothing different. Every day was challenging and I had enjoyed every bit of it. My creativity was put to good use in those days. I had something to dream about and something to achieve. Every day was thought provoking. It was a rat race which was exhausting but still I had the zeal to face the next day.


But now everything had changed!! I landed in a job as soon as my college got over. First a BPO and then the health care industry in my own field. Again I did not suffer much like so many people to land in a job!!! God had been so good to me in that aspect. Now sitting in the 10th floor of the magnanimous office with only the hum of the air conditioner I am again wondering about life!! We work so hard in our college life so that we can settle in a good job and earn well and settle in life!!! I was happy that I settled in this job with a good pay. Well but now I am wondering whether I just wanted only this???


The silence in the office was as usual creeping upon me. In a few days I will forget how to smile and how to speak. Because it was all about your work, your targets to get your money!! Like zombies my team mates were just typing away the hoards of information that we were supposed to upload onto the database….. None of them bothered about the other!! I was just watching all the heads nodding in front of the computer screens with their own doubts!!! Their minds were like iron gates, no one can even get a glimpse of what is actually going on inside that. May be there were so many other people on that floor thinking what I was thinking at that time.
For all I know we are just being so self centered, bothered only about our life and dreams!! There are so many people and who don’t even know what happiness is!! Shouldn’t we make an attempt to change things around us to bring a smile on at least few people a day and put an end to the monotony in life??? ??? Don’t we have to achieve something that at least a small circle of people remember our name even after our death?? Don’t we have to leave our footprints behind in this universe for people to remember who we are???


These were the questions which were rolling into each brain cell of mine without an answer. My dream started at that moment again. I know it’s not going to end there. I will for sure make a difference. It’s not too far…. but it requires patience and I have it….


If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Sasha

Echoes Of a Soul...............!!!!!

Screeching soul........ gushing blood.....
Can you feel those eyes staring at you?????
I can see them pleading in anguish.........
Waiting to unleash and lay its tainted hands
on the writhing flames..........
To be engulfed into the scorching flames.....!!!!!


These are not mere lines of exaggerating words !!! These lines hold the memories of a lost soul!!!
Man being the most advanced species on this earth has no knowledge on what is going to happen the next second!! If he is able to discover that,then each and every human being on this earth will tag himself as GOD!!!
This fact differentiates between man and God!!
What happened........ What happens...What is going to happen....... The answer for all these lies in his fingertips!!! We the humans got to wait and play the game of life....!!!
I am not writing this to mourn for the lost soul.... I am here to wake up all those self centered brains in this world!!! When we are not sure of survival the next second, there is no point in sitting and thinking about ourselves!!! The world needs us!! So move on....... lend a helping hand to those in need and make your living worth on this soil!!!
Be a flower that blooms to full glory and dies, than being a tree that never blossoms...
Be a spark that burns with a brillaint blaze for a moment than being a light which cannot show path to anyone.....
Be a meteor which carries a magnificient glow rather than being a sleepy and permanent planet..........
Dont waste days in trying to prolong them....
Use your time........
Finally........
YOU WERE BORN TO LIVE............ NOT TO EXIST!!!!

.............POINT BLANK!!!!!!

As the haggard sun was setting at a distance, soft and mellow music were flowing into the ears of Nikita. She was standing in her terrace looking at the buzzing city. Everything was calm at that height. The only sound came from the birds that were hovering in the sky apart from her music player. It was the month of December… a season of joy and happiness … a season of sharing and singing!!!


She checked the calendar in her mobile. Twenty four days more for the New Year and then the dawn of the year 2009!! A vague smile crossed her face!!! A memory…… still crystal clear …. An incident which changed her perspective towards human relations!!! It was the evening of December 31st 2007,
An evening of fun, laughter, dancing, music and many more………………………


It was a perfect evening for Nikita and her family. The New Year mood was in the air and the festive mood could be smelt in the ambience!! Nikita’s brother had reserved a table in the resort for the New Year blast!! Nikita was standing in front of the mirror looking at her evening party wear. She was wearing a denim skirt with white frills and a white t-shirt. Nobody would believe if she told that she was in her third year of under graduation. She was looking like a kid. She smiled to herself and went out of her room to check on her mom. Her ever beauteous mom looked esthetic in a blue sari. Her dad was in jeans and her bro Arjun was as usual flaunting his party wear clothes.

It was seven in the evening and the family got settled in the car and drove towards the highway with music blasting over the system!!!!On route to the resort Nikita peeped outside the window to see people hurrying out of shops with huge bags finishing their last minute shopping’s , cartoon characters holding balloon’s entertaining the kids on the road, the colorful lights and also people who were waiting outside the temple who were eager to get the blessings. Everything was perfect… nothing could go wrong ... she was beaming with joy…:):)!!


They reached the resort at eight thirty and they settled in their table. Arjun’s friend Neelesh had come. Nikita waved to Neelesh and teased him “what bro enjoying the New Year without your wife huh???” he smiled back and gave her a hi-fi and settled in his chair beside her. For Neelesh this New Year would be his best because he was going to be blessed with a baby soon. So his wife was out of city secure in her mom’s home. And so he was partying for the new comer too. The party had started long back with the DJ thumping the music from the stage. A MC was conducting contests for the crowd on the dance floor. The dance floor was quite large with three stages and it was lit up with all kind of shimmering lights and looked inviting!!!


But Nikita was a kind of girl who would sit and watch the action from a distance and she preferred her silent way of enjoyment. She was now settled on a wall with a Pepsi can in the hand and was having her favourite marry brown chicken fries and was enjoying the music. Her dad was with Arjun and Neelesh enjoying a drink. Her mom was settled with her aunt who had also come for the party. She was sitting alone on the wall and was trying to get a line to her best friend but the network was busy!!! The party was gearing up and there was a dance show by some group. The atmosphere was cheerful and anxiously waiting for the clock to strike twelve. Half an hour more for New Year!!!!

Eleven forty five Arjun hurried up to her laughing. “Hey gal Nita aunty is in nearby resort. Mom and myself are going there to pick her up. Dad wants to stay back… so you got to stay here!! Any probs???” Nikita was happy as far they leave her alone in her own world of enjoyment!! She accepted to stay. When he left, she went in search of her dad!! He was sitting and having another drink and was chatting with Neelesh and an elderly person. She went near and got introduced to Verma uncle. She waved hi and got introduced to his family. He had two physically challenged kids. They were sitting in a wheel chair and were waving their hands with the beat of the music!!! She went to them and they invited her lovingly and there she earned two more friends!! She was standing with them and was looking towards the stage. The kids urged her to take them near the stage. She gave a glance towards uncle and he ushered her to go forward. Neelesh joined her to give a hand and they both pushed the wheel chair towards the front of the stage. Soon her dad and Verma uncle joined them on the stage in the front. The whole crowd was waiting to utter the count down. The stage was too crowded in the front…… the temperature was a bit high but the crowd never bothered!!! Then the count down started and the lights were off!! The two kids were clutching her hands so tight and were having a fun time!!!

A brilliant aura of light lighted the sky as the clock struck twelve and let’s get loud song by Jennifer Lopez was blasted on the system!!! What a moment!! She hugged the kids and wished them New Year and then gave a hi-five to Neelesh who was dancing with joy and was shouting over the phone to his wife!! Her dad and Verma uncle were in their own world of dance!!! Her mom and bro were probably enjoying with Nita aunty!! The sky was sparkling with brilliant fire works and the crowd was waving for more!!!

Twelve ten Nikita felt it was enough and brought the kids to the garden and settled down and started calling up her friends. Her dad had also settled in a chair nearby and was happily chatting with Verma uncle as though they knew each other for years. The kids were hungry so uncle told he will join them shortly and left to the food counter.

She was sitting on the table, and after a few minutes she felt a cold hand touching hers. She turned to see her dad. He was not normal. She saw him completely wet with sweat. She slowly got down from the table and touched her dad’s chest. It was beating too fast. Within few seconds he was totally numb; his eyes went up and stayed there above his eyelids!! She was shaking him vigorously and slapping him!! He was falling on her!! She did not understand what was happening. Was this the end of her dad’s life?? From nowhere Neelesh appeared to her rescue. They both were frantically calling her dad to wake up. No result!!! The manager of the party saw the drastic situation and somehow got some lady doctor from the crowd. She came forward and pressed her dad’s chest. Then she asked Neelesh to hold her dad and give a thump on his back. After two thumps her dad came alive and started throwing up!!!

The doctor checked his pulse and told Nikita to take him immediately to the hospital. Nikita tried calling her brother’s mobile. His network was busy. Neelesh told her to wait near the entrance and brought his car. Then slowly she settled her dad in the back seat. Suddenly Neelesh’s mobile started ringing and he checked to see who it was. It was Arjun calling him. He picked up to tell him the news but rather his face turned ghostly white!!!

What was wrong??? Neelesh told her that Arjun and her mom never reached the resort and their car was hit on the road and her mom was unconscious!!!!!Her legs felt weak. She was feeling drowsy!!! She had to hold on!!! Neelesh told her to take her dad to the hospital while he told he’ll soon join her with his brother and mom!! She could not believe her ears. It meant that she had to drive!!! She drove only for fun. She was not able to tell exactly whether she would be able to reach safely!!! Neelesh gave her a hug and told that she can do it and told her he will join her soon!!!

She understood the urgency… she saw her dad breaking a sweat and his pleading eyes!!She felt like crying but she held back her tears and started the car and felt a new wave of confidence. She put the car into gear and sped slowly to the road. She heard her dad cough. Every time he coughed it increased her nervousness. All that was running in her mind was “whether he will survive before she reaches”…..
She increased her speed and reached the city within twenty minutes. She had to reach the hospital now. She drove like a maniac turning into every possible street and finally she reached the hospital. She thanked god for showing her the way. When she checked on her dad, he was totally cold and numb.

She ran into the hospital, banged the reception table and shouted for help!! The night doctor appeared shocked by the way she was acting. She calmed her down and asked her to explain the situation. She was furious … “my dad is sick, he is in the car ……. Help, help, help and she broke down!!” Two attendee’s ran towards the entrance and saw her dad’s state and pushed him out!! They made him lie in a stretcher and wheeled him inside. The doctor asked her to wait outside and took him into the I.C.U. Then the doctor came out and told her that he was going to take an angiogram. She nodded her head!! Everything was so distant now!! She was trying to reach Neelesh and his number was busy. She cursed the network and sat down on the chair!! Then Neelesh called her back and told that her mom was under treatment and she was going to be fine and Arjun had sprained his ankle. None of them knew what was happening and after treatment he was going to drop them off at home. She was frantic to call him for help but then decided not to, after thinking about her mom’s condition.

She tried her close friend’s number. But to her dismay none of them wanted to help her at that moment. She tried her relatives, her cousins and almost half of the numbers that were in her mobile!! But to her dismay none of them responded properly. All that they could tell her was “come on nik, we are busy with our friends and it’s too late so we can’t come now. Your dad will be all right.” She was calm at least till the last second, but now she lost her control and she was crying uncontrollably!!! She slopped down in a chair and was sobbing, praying to god that this nightmare would end soon!!!!!

The doctor came out and told her that her dad was a having a mild attack. She told him that he was a heart patient and he had an attack some 7 years back!! The doctor replied that her dad would be all right as this was caused by excitement.
He asked her to wait and left inside!! One and a half hour had passed. She was sitting tightly in a chair. Her knuckles were white as she was holding it around her legs so tight!! Her mind was point blank!!!!
Neelesh arrived and he woke her up. He told that mom and bro were safe and told her that Arjun knew what was happening but was staying with mom. She told him what the doctor told. Neelesh sat beside her and the wait was on!!!
It was morning six o clock when the doctor woke her from her world. He told her that her dad was all right and he could go home!!
For the first time since the hell broke out she felt relieved. They went inside and helped him get into the car. And drove home. Her dad was feeling tired and so he immediately slept off!! Arjun gave a big hug to Nikita and she whispered back “happy new year bro!!”

They smiled and thanked Neelesh for everything. Nikitha went inside her room and sat down in her chair while Arjun and Neelesh settled in the bed!!
Thoughts were running wild……….. She was cursing her friends and relatives!! Not even one soul was ready to offer help when she was in need!! How selfish??? Was she way too helpful or just that they are selfish and exploited her????
She slept!!!!

One year had passed…… after that incident she never believed anybody so easily. She felt that the world was selfish!!! She did not believe in human relations… what were relations for when they don’t help in need??? She just moved along with the world without fighting back as it was pointless to fight with selfish people!!

Nikita …………… she heard her mom’s voice from below and was shaken from her thoughts. She saw the receding line of sunset and said a silent prayer to god “let this New Year be a good one!!!” and went down!!!