Preetham and Seema along with their four month old baby Prerana were on their way to a function in a small village. En route, a villager stopped them and asked them to take an alternate route, "There is a Chudail (a she-giant) some distance ahead on this road who feeds on good husbands" Preetham gets jitters but Seema gives him courage and speaks like Superstar SRK, "Main Hoon Na! You Just control the wheels"
But they run directly into her. The Chudail had set up a road block ahead. The Chudail was more than fifteen feet tall and looked more like a female version of Shrek. As Seema watched, the Chudail who went by the name Sundari just picked up Preetham by his collar like we humans pick up the cockroaches by their mustaches. Prerana looked with awe at the Chudail and then questioningly at her mother as if asking her, "Whatever happened to 'Main Hoon Na'" Seema reminds herself of all those sati-savithri movies where the wives plead and beg for their husband's lives and gets into the act.
The Chudail melted a little and said, "I will put him down if you say me what is that you like in him the most" Seema didn't know how to answer it. She was reminded of her mothers advice, 'Never ever praise husbands. It goes into their heads'. She thought she would bluff and walk away with it, "What else! His Good Looks! Even If I see a Hrithik Roshan movie, I see my husband in Hrithik Roshan"
The Chudail couldn't digest the answer, "This face here can't even launch a toilet paper! And you are comparing Hrithik Roshan with him!"
Seema got furious, "Mind Your Tongue! Lady... "
The Chudail reminded her, "I am controlling my tongue. Otherwise it would have tasted your husband by now... Don't waste my time... Answer quickly... "
Seema this time tried to be a bit realistic but not honest," His intelligence... He is in a good job.. He fulfills all my wishes and keeps me happy..."
The Chudail smiled, "This is economic basics. Because of women like you, the economics is working. Otherwise What do men need! They will wear the same four shirts and pants and one set of shoes the whole year around. I mean.. your husband is doing what all others do... This is a common trait.... Stop playing around!"
Prerana tugged at her mother and Seema felt her daughter was shouting at her, "Get my father! Get him Now! Say the truth!" She looked at her daughter and then at her husband, dangling between the two fingers of the chudail a well fifteen feet above the ground. From where she stood, to her, it looked like her husband was preparing for a bungee-jump. She came out with the truth, "Its his caring nature. I love it when he kisses me good bye as he leaves for work in the morning. I love it when he calls from the office to check whether I had my lunch on time. I love it when he expresses his fears to me and doesn't allow his male masochistic ego come in the way. I love every little thing he does. He never makes me feel that we both are two different souls."
On hearing this, there's a transformation in the chudail and within minutes she has became a nubile young beauty and she explains that how she was cursed in her previous life for not understanding her good husband. Now she was liberated from the curse as she understood the traits in her husband of previous life. Saying so she started walking from the scene. Preetham got into the car and before starting the vehicle, checked the young beauty from his rear view mirror. Seema caught him in the act and warned, "If you do that again!... I will myself feed you to some other giant"
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Awakening Philosophy
Better to get up late and be wide awake than to get up early and be asleep all day
But good husband Preetham didn’t believe in these words of truth.So that Morning, The good husband was not behaving like one and was trying to wake his wife from her good sleep. She was irritated and just cried for help. And that’s when the phone rang. Preetham was surprised because his wife had just cried for help and not dialed any helpline number. It was the young friend of Seema who had saved her from her huband and his preachings in the past (Read The Mobile Philosophy and The Orkut Philosophy). Seema put the call on the speaker mode and expressed her relief, “Like Krishna who came to Draupadi’s help when she was dragged from her antha pura by Dushashana, You have come to my help.” The young man heard Seema’s plight of how her husband wanted her to be disciplined and how he was beginning with the first exercise of waking up early.
Young man decided to speak it out with Preetham himself, “Sir, Have you heard about the Sleep Philosophy….” Preetham laughed, “Seems it’s the only philosophy that lazy people like you learn very fast. Waiting to hear it….” The young man ignored the offence, “The sleep like any process has stages… to be precise three stages... and that too both way... One is when you go to sleep and another when you wake up. When you go to sleep, in the first stage, you will feel the body disappearing that is you will forget that you have a body…but during this stage, the mind continues to exist giving you thoughts like ‘what I should message my girlfriend next morning’. After some juggling even the mind vanishes….”
That’s when the Boy’s mother made her entry, “Even if the mind is clear, you will pollute it…” The boy looked for an explanation. Mother gave one, “Like you did to the newly wedded girl in the neighbour by asking her, ‘What’s the last thing you take off before going to sleep?’ And how do you expect her to answer” The young man innocently replied, “Of course, a simple answer like ‘my feet off the ground’. What do you expect her to answer?” Now this embarrased the mother and she preferred to hear his sleep philosophy.
He continued. “After the mind too vanishes, tell me what is left?” Preetham didn’t had a answer though he was very religious. With a radiant smile, the young man said, “The Soul. And the soul would be in a chat session with the almighty…” Just then a *ping* came from the young man’s lappie and mother announced, “It seems your almighty or god has come to the chat session... ", after checking she exclaimed, "Oops! It's a goddess! Doesn’t your girl friend have exams?” The young man quickly corrected her, “Mom! She wants to chat with me and relieve herself from exam related stress… And she is just a good friend and not a girl friend.Please!!!! Let me concentrate on the talk”
The young man focused on the third stage of sleep, “This stage is the real seat when the soul gets its nourishment. It gets enlightened. The soul free of its ego becomes one with the Supreme... But then the traffic for this chat session is so huge the Almighty cannot afford much time for each soul. That’s when he sends back or gets them ready for wake up…” Seema was left expressionless on hearing this beautiful description for the state of sleep, “And I thought sleep was just roaming around the spaces of the mind without doing much and it is just like the way we spent time testing various items in the shopping mall and end up purchasing nothing…”
The young boy said, “As we return to the stage when mind is alive, we are in the state of dreaming. That’s when the soul communicates with the ego and because of our ego, we see some strange symbols and apparitions which we can’t make any sense. These are actually messages for our improvement…” The mother had to intervene, “If we see only strange things and apparitions, why do you take the name of that girl from the college, ‘Paaro’ in the dreams? Is God telling you, “Jao… Bachche.. use patao”
The boy ignored his mother and focused on his philosophy , “And then…the body awakens… and with great difficulty you lift it out of the bed… But now question is… Do you want to wake up someone from the deep sleep? Wouldn’t that mean that you are interrupting the interactive chat session that person is having with the almighty? Would you like to be the cause of disruption for such a meeting and earn the wrath of God?” These questions made Preetham ponder and seeing the opportunity, Seema jumped in, “Nahiiiiiiiiiiiiii… Being a very devoted wife, I can’t see my husband committing such a sin… No chance at all….” Saying so she gently pushed him out of the room and slammed the door and went back to sleep after thanking the young man for saving her once again
But good husband Preetham didn’t believe in these words of truth.So that Morning, The good husband was not behaving like one and was trying to wake his wife from her good sleep. She was irritated and just cried for help. And that’s when the phone rang. Preetham was surprised because his wife had just cried for help and not dialed any helpline number. It was the young friend of Seema who had saved her from her huband and his preachings in the past (Read The Mobile Philosophy and The Orkut Philosophy). Seema put the call on the speaker mode and expressed her relief, “Like Krishna who came to Draupadi’s help when she was dragged from her antha pura by Dushashana, You have come to my help.” The young man heard Seema’s plight of how her husband wanted her to be disciplined and how he was beginning with the first exercise of waking up early.
Young man decided to speak it out with Preetham himself, “Sir, Have you heard about the Sleep Philosophy….” Preetham laughed, “Seems it’s the only philosophy that lazy people like you learn very fast. Waiting to hear it….” The young man ignored the offence, “The sleep like any process has stages… to be precise three stages... and that too both way... One is when you go to sleep and another when you wake up. When you go to sleep, in the first stage, you will feel the body disappearing that is you will forget that you have a body…but during this stage, the mind continues to exist giving you thoughts like ‘what I should message my girlfriend next morning’. After some juggling even the mind vanishes….”
That’s when the Boy’s mother made her entry, “Even if the mind is clear, you will pollute it…” The boy looked for an explanation. Mother gave one, “Like you did to the newly wedded girl in the neighbour by asking her, ‘What’s the last thing you take off before going to sleep?’ And how do you expect her to answer” The young man innocently replied, “Of course, a simple answer like ‘my feet off the ground’. What do you expect her to answer?” Now this embarrased the mother and she preferred to hear his sleep philosophy.
He continued. “After the mind too vanishes, tell me what is left?” Preetham didn’t had a answer though he was very religious. With a radiant smile, the young man said, “The Soul. And the soul would be in a chat session with the almighty…” Just then a *ping* came from the young man’s lappie and mother announced, “It seems your almighty or god has come to the chat session... ", after checking she exclaimed, "Oops! It's a goddess! Doesn’t your girl friend have exams?” The young man quickly corrected her, “Mom! She wants to chat with me and relieve herself from exam related stress… And she is just a good friend and not a girl friend.Please!!!! Let me concentrate on the talk”
The young man focused on the third stage of sleep, “This stage is the real seat when the soul gets its nourishment. It gets enlightened. The soul free of its ego becomes one with the Supreme... But then the traffic for this chat session is so huge the Almighty cannot afford much time for each soul. That’s when he sends back or gets them ready for wake up…” Seema was left expressionless on hearing this beautiful description for the state of sleep, “And I thought sleep was just roaming around the spaces of the mind without doing much and it is just like the way we spent time testing various items in the shopping mall and end up purchasing nothing…”
The young boy said, “As we return to the stage when mind is alive, we are in the state of dreaming. That’s when the soul communicates with the ego and because of our ego, we see some strange symbols and apparitions which we can’t make any sense. These are actually messages for our improvement…” The mother had to intervene, “If we see only strange things and apparitions, why do you take the name of that girl from the college, ‘Paaro’ in the dreams? Is God telling you, “Jao… Bachche.. use patao”
The boy ignored his mother and focused on his philosophy , “And then…the body awakens… and with great difficulty you lift it out of the bed… But now question is… Do you want to wake up someone from the deep sleep? Wouldn’t that mean that you are interrupting the interactive chat session that person is having with the almighty? Would you like to be the cause of disruption for such a meeting and earn the wrath of God?” These questions made Preetham ponder and seeing the opportunity, Seema jumped in, “Nahiiiiiiiiiiiiii… Being a very devoted wife, I can’t see my husband committing such a sin… No chance at all….” Saying so she gently pushed him out of the room and slammed the door and went back to sleep after thanking the young man for saving her once again
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Forgetting Something
Preetham seemed to be disturbed and was so not able to focus on work properly. Manya was able to read it and questioned her boss as to what was bugging him. Like a amnesiac patient, Preetham replied, "There is a anniversary that I need to celebrate this day. But I am not able to remember as to what or whose anniversary it is? Whatsoever pressure I apply to the mind, its not helping me remember"
The big boss, the CEO of the company who heard the conversation as he was passing by, stopped to give a quick advise to Preetham, "Check your facebook or orkut account na. It will remind you if it is any of your friend's birthday anniversary." Preetham obeyed his boss's commands with pleasure, "Such a nice boss! He himself is encouraging the use of orkut and facebook at workplace. Har Kissiko nahi miltha aisi BOSS zindagi mein." Manya was not impressed that Preetham was using the networking sites for such purpose, "What a age! We need to be reminded about our friends birthdays.. We can't remember their birthdays... So bad!*" But Preetham was not listening as he announced the result of orkuting, "Nothing! None of my friends seems to be born in this month at all."
Evening set in and it was the time for the working class to return to their nests. But even the light breeze and the soothing music coming from the car stereo failed to make his mind remember how the day was special. Unknowingly, Preetham had stepped on the gas and this caught the attention of the aged traffic cop. He stopped Preetham's vehicle and started writing the ticket for speeding. Manya tried to convince the cop not to fine them and she narrated her boss's plight.
The cop gave a mischievous smile, "I hope its not your wedding anniversary?" Preetham found it difficult to remember his wedding anniversary, but he heard himself answering, "Still months to go..." Manya was a bit disappointed, "I don't know why boys forget the marriage anniversary... What should girls do, so that boys can remember the marriage anniversary?"
The cop replied with a glee, "They should do like my wife did!... She married me on my birthday... Now my happiest day and saddest day fall on the same date" These kind of replies annoys Manya and ignoring the cop, she asked her boss to vacate the place.
As they neared home, Preetham spotted a girl from his neighborhood sitting all to herself at the bus stop and looking a bit sad. He couldn't stop himself from inquiring her state of mind. She tried to fake a smile, "Two years ago, this is where my first love broke up with me. Today is the second anniversary! And I am celebrating it all ALONE.." Preetham didn't get it, "What's there to celebrate?" The girl soberly replied, "Nakamiyabi! Badi hi ajeeb tareke se nakamiyab hue hum duno. Woh Hame Chah na saake aur hum unhe bhula na pae..**. So here I am... still unable to forget."
Immediately Manya said, "Sir! Is it something sad that is also bugging you. Something sad that you want to forget but it is still lingering somewhere in the memory...." Preetham shook his head, "The writer above has not written any sad part in my life till now!" Preetham asked the young girl whether she cared for a lift. The girl refused the lift saying she wanted to wait till the sun set.
A well-groomed husband that he was, Preetham was on time at home. But even his dear wife Seema couldn't remember why the day was so special and she answered that made her husband happy, "Looks like the Almighty wants us to celebrate the day. So why don't we just dine out!!!" Preetham never says NO to his dear wife. On the way, Seema just thanked her stars, "Thanks a lot, God! My Mother-in-law has gone for that temple festival and I was feeling very lazy to cook. Whatever or whoever that has gone into my husband's head, I am thankful for that!"
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AUTHORS NOTE: It was me, the author of the blog who got into Preetham's head. April 13th is my blog's second anniversary and so I wanted my characters to celebrate. But I was not successful in conveying this message to my lead character :( No Regrets! as they are celebrating anyway :)
Thank you one and all. Keep me encouraging.
* Quote of a good friend
** Anonymous.
The big boss, the CEO of the company who heard the conversation as he was passing by, stopped to give a quick advise to Preetham, "Check your facebook or orkut account na. It will remind you if it is any of your friend's birthday anniversary." Preetham obeyed his boss's commands with pleasure, "Such a nice boss! He himself is encouraging the use of orkut and facebook at workplace. Har Kissiko nahi miltha aisi BOSS zindagi mein." Manya was not impressed that Preetham was using the networking sites for such purpose, "What a age! We need to be reminded about our friends birthdays.. We can't remember their birthdays... So bad!*" But Preetham was not listening as he announced the result of orkuting, "Nothing! None of my friends seems to be born in this month at all."
Evening set in and it was the time for the working class to return to their nests. But even the light breeze and the soothing music coming from the car stereo failed to make his mind remember how the day was special. Unknowingly, Preetham had stepped on the gas and this caught the attention of the aged traffic cop. He stopped Preetham's vehicle and started writing the ticket for speeding. Manya tried to convince the cop not to fine them and she narrated her boss's plight.
The cop gave a mischievous smile, "I hope its not your wedding anniversary?" Preetham found it difficult to remember his wedding anniversary, but he heard himself answering, "Still months to go..." Manya was a bit disappointed, "I don't know why boys forget the marriage anniversary... What should girls do, so that boys can remember the marriage anniversary?"
The cop replied with a glee, "They should do like my wife did!... She married me on my birthday... Now my happiest day and saddest day fall on the same date" These kind of replies annoys Manya and ignoring the cop, she asked her boss to vacate the place.
As they neared home, Preetham spotted a girl from his neighborhood sitting all to herself at the bus stop and looking a bit sad. He couldn't stop himself from inquiring her state of mind. She tried to fake a smile, "Two years ago, this is where my first love broke up with me. Today is the second anniversary! And I am celebrating it all ALONE.." Preetham didn't get it, "What's there to celebrate?" The girl soberly replied, "Nakamiyabi! Badi hi ajeeb tareke se nakamiyab hue hum duno. Woh Hame Chah na saake aur hum unhe bhula na pae..**. So here I am... still unable to forget."
Immediately Manya said, "Sir! Is it something sad that is also bugging you. Something sad that you want to forget but it is still lingering somewhere in the memory...." Preetham shook his head, "The writer above has not written any sad part in my life till now!" Preetham asked the young girl whether she cared for a lift. The girl refused the lift saying she wanted to wait till the sun set.
A well-groomed husband that he was, Preetham was on time at home. But even his dear wife Seema couldn't remember why the day was so special and she answered that made her husband happy, "Looks like the Almighty wants us to celebrate the day. So why don't we just dine out!!!" Preetham never says NO to his dear wife. On the way, Seema just thanked her stars, "Thanks a lot, God! My Mother-in-law has gone for that temple festival and I was feeling very lazy to cook. Whatever or whoever that has gone into my husband's head, I am thankful for that!"
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AUTHORS NOTE: It was me, the author of the blog who got into Preetham's head. April 13th is my blog's second anniversary and so I wanted my characters to celebrate. But I was not successful in conveying this message to my lead character :( No Regrets! as they are celebrating anyway :)
Thank you one and all. Keep me encouraging.
* Quote of a good friend
** Anonymous.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Whats with the Age?
Seema was happy and sad at the same time. Happy that, after a long hiatus, she is visiting a wedding. Sad, because she has a throat infection and that will prevent her from doing much of what she likes doing regularly, talking.
So the entire family(Seema, her DH Preetham, MIL and her baby)arrived at the venue. Along with them came their young twelve year old neighbor Riya and Preetham's Sister's thirteen year old son Deepak.
At the venue, Kavya, a relative of Preetham came searching for Seema. She wanted some advice on the groom she had selected. She fears whether the age difference of eight years between her and her would-be is a matter of concern or not. A hoarse voice came from Seema' mouth with a shrug of shoulders which no one understood.
But then the next mature girl tried to interpret Seema's thoughts. It was Riya and she interpreted as follows, "She is telling you that age difference hardly matters as far as the girl is younger than the boy. Girls will be more mature compared to the boy of the same age..." Deepak objected to the statement, "I don't agree with this generalized statement." Riya smiled and pointed out to a girl and a boy who seemed to be around twelve years. Riya pointed the differences in how they behaved. "The girl was well dressed to the occasion, welcoming the guests and walked elegantly. The boy's dress had half come out and was running around the place as if an ant had bit his butt and he didn't even care to look when someone called his name." When he came near to Deepak, Deepak caught the boy and tucked his shirts in and gave him a dressing down, "Behave properly... Naak Katwadega Ladkonki public mein...."
Seema raised her right hand as if to say 'Stop! you silly girl' and coughed. She pointed her finger to the head and immediately Riya came with another explanation, "She wants to explain it technically. Medically, Puberty is faster with respect to girls." Seema was just expressionless as Riya continued her small lecture, "Puberty in girls is seen at a earlier age than in boys. On these lines, it is usually said that the minimum age difference should be 5 and ideal would be 7..." Deepak hardly understood anything about puberty, but still found himself agreeing with Riya. He made up his mind to google this out the next day at school, but he didn't knew the proper spelling of puberty. With embarrassment, he asked her the spelling. She answered him and complemented him for being mature, "The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate."* That compliment made Deepak blush with glee.
Seema was failing to communicate and gestured Kavya to stop listening to the young devil and chat with other people including her Mother in law. Riya thought she understood what Seema wanted to communicate, "She is asking you to look around you and giving her own Mother-in-law's example. Haven't couples with vast age difference lived a good life? Though Seema may have some complains against her Mother-in-law, her father in law has none. They are having a peaceful and happy life. The vast age differences hardly matters and it's all just a number. What really important is the maturity level of the partners."
Deepak was all praise for his girl, "Wow! You are really one smart girl." Riya was humble enough, "Its the school I go that has made me so smart. Lady Hill School..." Deepak replied without thinking, "Even I got there admission. But couldn't join there..." Riya cleared a throat and reminded Deepak, "Its a girl's school! ...And you prove some of my earlier points about men" **
Seema was not able to further tolerate the torture and she just closed her eyes. That's when her husband Preetham came and explained to Kavya his wife's thoughts, "I don't think age gap matters while the girl and guy are comfortable with each others lifestyle and thoughts***. Am I right, Seema?"
Seema just smiled and rested her tired head against his shoulders as Preetham continued, "Do not limit the definition of relationship in terms of age. When hearts unite, why do you want the age to play the spoilsport?"
* Quote of Douglas Engelbart
** Adapted from a conversation in THE MONSTER HOUSE
*** Words of a good friend.
So the entire family(Seema, her DH Preetham, MIL and her baby)arrived at the venue. Along with them came their young twelve year old neighbor Riya and Preetham's Sister's thirteen year old son Deepak.
At the venue, Kavya, a relative of Preetham came searching for Seema. She wanted some advice on the groom she had selected. She fears whether the age difference of eight years between her and her would-be is a matter of concern or not. A hoarse voice came from Seema' mouth with a shrug of shoulders which no one understood.
But then the next mature girl tried to interpret Seema's thoughts. It was Riya and she interpreted as follows, "She is telling you that age difference hardly matters as far as the girl is younger than the boy. Girls will be more mature compared to the boy of the same age..." Deepak objected to the statement, "I don't agree with this generalized statement." Riya smiled and pointed out to a girl and a boy who seemed to be around twelve years. Riya pointed the differences in how they behaved. "The girl was well dressed to the occasion, welcoming the guests and walked elegantly. The boy's dress had half come out and was running around the place as if an ant had bit his butt and he didn't even care to look when someone called his name." When he came near to Deepak, Deepak caught the boy and tucked his shirts in and gave him a dressing down, "Behave properly... Naak Katwadega Ladkonki public mein...."
Seema raised her right hand as if to say 'Stop! you silly girl' and coughed. She pointed her finger to the head and immediately Riya came with another explanation, "She wants to explain it technically. Medically, Puberty is faster with respect to girls." Seema was just expressionless as Riya continued her small lecture, "Puberty in girls is seen at a earlier age than in boys. On these lines, it is usually said that the minimum age difference should be 5 and ideal would be 7..." Deepak hardly understood anything about puberty, but still found himself agreeing with Riya. He made up his mind to google this out the next day at school, but he didn't knew the proper spelling of puberty. With embarrassment, he asked her the spelling. She answered him and complemented him for being mature, "The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate."* That compliment made Deepak blush with glee.
Seema was failing to communicate and gestured Kavya to stop listening to the young devil and chat with other people including her Mother in law. Riya thought she understood what Seema wanted to communicate, "She is asking you to look around you and giving her own Mother-in-law's example. Haven't couples with vast age difference lived a good life? Though Seema may have some complains against her Mother-in-law, her father in law has none. They are having a peaceful and happy life. The vast age differences hardly matters and it's all just a number. What really important is the maturity level of the partners."
Deepak was all praise for his girl, "Wow! You are really one smart girl." Riya was humble enough, "Its the school I go that has made me so smart. Lady Hill School..." Deepak replied without thinking, "Even I got there admission. But couldn't join there..." Riya cleared a throat and reminded Deepak, "Its a girl's school! ...And you prove some of my earlier points about men" **
Seema was not able to further tolerate the torture and she just closed her eyes. That's when her husband Preetham came and explained to Kavya his wife's thoughts, "I don't think age gap matters while the girl and guy are comfortable with each others lifestyle and thoughts***. Am I right, Seema?"
Seema just smiled and rested her tired head against his shoulders as Preetham continued, "Do not limit the definition of relationship in terms of age. When hearts unite, why do you want the age to play the spoilsport?"
* Quote of Douglas Engelbart
** Adapted from a conversation in THE MONSTER HOUSE
*** Words of a good friend.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Morning Music
It was definitely not Seema's style to wake up so early as five AM. Something must have disturbed her sleep. Without disturbing her husband Preetham's sleep, She proceeded to the balcony from where she thought she heard the small noise. When she reached the balcony, She found her mother in law sitting on the edge looking at the nature around her and listening to its music. She teased her Mother-in-law, "Oh my dear MIL! Not so quick.... Don't contemplate suicide.. Haven't I been good to you?" and she sang the song, "Jaane na denge tujhe" from 3 Idiots.
Mother in law reprimanded her, "Stupid! Close your big mouth and open your ears. You will be able to listen to a great composer at work!"
Seema gave one of her surprised looks and said, "I knew that Maestro Rehman worked when everyone was lost in their sleep. But I never knew his work place was so near to my home"
This irritated the Mother-In-Law and she advised her, "Try to listen to the pleasant sounds that come through the unpolluted air of the early morning. Get the feeling of bliss by listening to them."
Seema very well knew that her mother in law was referring to the mother nature and the sounds of birds chirping, the gentle breeze etc. But she didn't want to easily admit it and lose some fun, "Yeah... Such a beautiful and soothing music..."
Mother in law was pleased with the answer, but it was short lived as Seema continued, "Its Maestro Rehman's music. Hum Hain Is Pal yahaan... Jaane hum kal kahaan" Mother in law's face turned reddish with anger and she was looking for an explanation.
Seema explained in a cool manner, "The air carried the ringtone of Neighbor Sheetal's cellphone to my ears. At the break of the dawn, her boy friend gives her a missed call sending her the message that early morning he may forget to brush his teeth but not her..." and then innocently added, "Wasn't it the music you wanted me to hear?"
The poor Mother-in-law asks her not so innocent Daughter-in-law to clear her mind of mundane things and concentrate on the nature.
Seema closes her eyes and puts her entire focus on the nature. After some time, she yells, "I hear it now!!!... It sounds like a gentle whistling sound."
Mother in law was happy that her attempt had succeeded but further words from Seema took away that happiness. A Confused Seema was commenting, "But the soft whistling sound is turning to a sharp shrill"
Mother-in-law wanted to yell at Seema, but she controlled her urge as Seema explained of what she was hearing, "Its the sound of the pressure cooker from Mrs Rajini's house. She is preparing those hard-to-crack idlis for her soft-natured husband. I feel pity on the husband.."
But Seema didn't feel any pity playing with her Mother-in-law's emotions and that too early in the morning. And she started cajoling her Mother-in-law, "Please! Let me try one more time. I will apply my mind fully now and get tuned to the nature."
Mother-in-law fell for that one and started explaining the technique, "Ignore all those sounds and focus on those morning sounds that vibrates your body and soul. Try to feel that cool sensation that passes through your whole body..."
Seema seemed to be following her Mother-in-law's instruction and after sometime she said in a confused tone, "I am feeling vibrated.... My mind is also vibrating... But I am not able to feel that cool sensation. It is not a pleasant vibration"
Mother in law wanted to know what she was listening. Seema was not the one to improve so easily, "It seems Major Uncle Narayan is up already. He has switched on the pump to send the water to the tanks above so his tenants living in the first floor are not troubled. Such a good Samaritan"
Now that was the last straw. Mother in law was fuming with anger, "You will never be able to hear those morning sounds... the sound of the birds chirping, the sound of the cool breeze, the sound of the tiny animals and insects.... this is the music of the nature and this is the best music... I feel you are so unfortunate unable to hear it... Is there any other better music than this...."
As if to answer her, a baby's cry fell on their ears. It was Seema's three month old daughter Prerana. Seema answered gently which brought a smile on the Mother-in-law's face, "For me... this is the most melodious music to hear... " and then she excused herself, "If you don't mind, I need to attend to my girl's solo performance... "
Mother in law reprimanded her, "Stupid! Close your big mouth and open your ears. You will be able to listen to a great composer at work!"
Seema gave one of her surprised looks and said, "I knew that Maestro Rehman worked when everyone was lost in their sleep. But I never knew his work place was so near to my home"
This irritated the Mother-In-Law and she advised her, "Try to listen to the pleasant sounds that come through the unpolluted air of the early morning. Get the feeling of bliss by listening to them."
Seema very well knew that her mother in law was referring to the mother nature and the sounds of birds chirping, the gentle breeze etc. But she didn't want to easily admit it and lose some fun, "Yeah... Such a beautiful and soothing music..."
Mother in law was pleased with the answer, but it was short lived as Seema continued, "Its Maestro Rehman's music. Hum Hain Is Pal yahaan... Jaane hum kal kahaan" Mother in law's face turned reddish with anger and she was looking for an explanation.
Seema explained in a cool manner, "The air carried the ringtone of Neighbor Sheetal's cellphone to my ears. At the break of the dawn, her boy friend gives her a missed call sending her the message that early morning he may forget to brush his teeth but not her..." and then innocently added, "Wasn't it the music you wanted me to hear?"
The poor Mother-in-law asks her not so innocent Daughter-in-law to clear her mind of mundane things and concentrate on the nature.
Seema closes her eyes and puts her entire focus on the nature. After some time, she yells, "I hear it now!!!... It sounds like a gentle whistling sound."
Mother in law was happy that her attempt had succeeded but further words from Seema took away that happiness. A Confused Seema was commenting, "But the soft whistling sound is turning to a sharp shrill"
Mother-in-law wanted to yell at Seema, but she controlled her urge as Seema explained of what she was hearing, "Its the sound of the pressure cooker from Mrs Rajini's house. She is preparing those hard-to-crack idlis for her soft-natured husband. I feel pity on the husband.."
But Seema didn't feel any pity playing with her Mother-in-law's emotions and that too early in the morning. And she started cajoling her Mother-in-law, "Please! Let me try one more time. I will apply my mind fully now and get tuned to the nature."
Mother-in-law fell for that one and started explaining the technique, "Ignore all those sounds and focus on those morning sounds that vibrates your body and soul. Try to feel that cool sensation that passes through your whole body..."
Seema seemed to be following her Mother-in-law's instruction and after sometime she said in a confused tone, "I am feeling vibrated.... My mind is also vibrating... But I am not able to feel that cool sensation. It is not a pleasant vibration"
Mother in law wanted to know what she was listening. Seema was not the one to improve so easily, "It seems Major Uncle Narayan is up already. He has switched on the pump to send the water to the tanks above so his tenants living in the first floor are not troubled. Such a good Samaritan"
Now that was the last straw. Mother in law was fuming with anger, "You will never be able to hear those morning sounds... the sound of the birds chirping, the sound of the cool breeze, the sound of the tiny animals and insects.... this is the music of the nature and this is the best music... I feel you are so unfortunate unable to hear it... Is there any other better music than this...."
As if to answer her, a baby's cry fell on their ears. It was Seema's three month old daughter Prerana. Seema answered gently which brought a smile on the Mother-in-law's face, "For me... this is the most melodious music to hear... " and then she excused herself, "If you don't mind, I need to attend to my girl's solo performance... "
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Good Bye Kisses
Preetham was not in the best of the moods. He had to leave for office too early (At seven itself) as his project was to go live and to make matters worse, his wife Seema didn't wake up from her sleep to kiss him goodbye. He decided to pick up his junior Manya on the way to office. Not surprisingly, his car horn served as her wake up alarm and he was kept waiting for some ten minutes.
Preetham found the entire girl community as his target for the frustration, "There was a time when girls woke up early and armed with a tin of rangoli powder, they made an elaborate carpet of colors unfold in front of the house. But I think all the modern girls wake up late. Such a bad habit! Who can change them? Only divine intervention, I presume?"
Manya smiled and at the same time came up with a suggestion when she saw a poojari at a railway crossing, "Why don't you ask him?" The Poojari was double quick to react, "You offer a homa to Sun God and he will do the rest. The cost would be...."
Before he could complete the Sun in a human form appeared on the horizon and with a depressed look, spoke "Don't believe him... Your superstar told, 'when you want something, the whole universe conspires with you to get it' But even with the whole universe behind me, I am not successful in waking up these girls. I hiss into their ears, 'See the beautiful sunrise. I have just made it for you.' They just ignore me and reply, 'Isn't there a better way to welcome the morning other than waking up.' Why!!!?"
Manya was quick with a reply, "That's because the girls believe you are a bewafa. Have u not heard that shayari which is used as mobile forward, 'Duniya mein bewafaon ki kami nahin hai...Ab suraj ko hi dekh lo...Aata hai Usha ke saath...Rehta hai Kiran ke saath...Aur jaata hai Sandhya ke saath!"
The Sun got more depressed and vanished from the scene.
As they speed down the road, Manya observed cop Ali inspecting a lorry and she got a idea, "If the cops can impose some section and make people not come out of the house... Don't they have some powers to impose some section and make girls wake up before seven.... " Preetham decided to talk with his old friend on this. But the answer from the cop disappointed him, "Why do you want to wake the girls to wake up so early. They look more pretty with their mouths shut and eyes closed... especially my one..." When he saw that Preetham didn't quite take it, he used better words, "Do you hear that chirping of birds? Do you hear that light sound of the breeze?" When Preetham nodded his head, The cop explained his stand, "Now you wouldn't be able to hear them if all the girls woke up early."
Manya couldn't control her rage and she just wanted to attack the cop and her eyes fell on the jack in the back seat. Preetham quickly read the anger in her eyes and made the exit from the place. Manya angrily blurted out, "You just saved your friend's life!"
But Preetham was still disturbed. Manya had one last crazy idea, "Why don't you speak with the Prime Minister and make him pass a bill. I have my ex-boyfriend working at the Prime Minister's Office. He will connect us to the PM" Girls can so easily exert their influences. Within minutes, PM was on line.
But PM was taken aback by Preetham's suggestion and replied, "I always respect independence of women... Anything which takes away their Independence is not acceptable to me... A lady has every right to take her own decision whether it be her career,life or waking up early in the morning" After a small pause, Preetham heard the PM speak to someone else who was also present there, "kyun... madamji... mein teek kaha na.."
Preetham guessed as to what was happening behind closed doors and thought that nothing beneficial would turn out of conversing with this SMS (Sardar Manmohan Singh)
Then his cell phone bugged and there was a message. As he was handling the wheels, he asked Manya to read out the message. Manya directly reads out the message failing to check form whom it has come, "My Dear Shakthimaan..." and she laughs at that. Preetham quickly grabs the cell phone from her hand. "Its from my wife. She addresses me like that sometimes" and reads the rest of the message. But curiosity was killing Manya and she goes for the cell phone in his hand and reads the rest message loudly, "I was late in waking up... Sorry for that one... Reason is your daughter... She remained awake all the night... Anyway here are the goodbye kisses.. " And Manya's fingers got tired pressing the down button but the kisses didn't end. She asked surprisingly, "Does your wife's mobile come with Ctrl - C and Ctl - V buttons?"
Preetham found the entire girl community as his target for the frustration, "There was a time when girls woke up early and armed with a tin of rangoli powder, they made an elaborate carpet of colors unfold in front of the house. But I think all the modern girls wake up late. Such a bad habit! Who can change them? Only divine intervention, I presume?"
Manya smiled and at the same time came up with a suggestion when she saw a poojari at a railway crossing, "Why don't you ask him?" The Poojari was double quick to react, "You offer a homa to Sun God and he will do the rest. The cost would be...."
Before he could complete the Sun in a human form appeared on the horizon and with a depressed look, spoke "Don't believe him... Your superstar told, 'when you want something, the whole universe conspires with you to get it' But even with the whole universe behind me, I am not successful in waking up these girls. I hiss into their ears, 'See the beautiful sunrise. I have just made it for you.' They just ignore me and reply, 'Isn't there a better way to welcome the morning other than waking up.' Why!!!?"
Manya was quick with a reply, "That's because the girls believe you are a bewafa. Have u not heard that shayari which is used as mobile forward, 'Duniya mein bewafaon ki kami nahin hai...Ab suraj ko hi dekh lo...Aata hai Usha ke saath...Rehta hai Kiran ke saath...Aur jaata hai Sandhya ke saath!"
The Sun got more depressed and vanished from the scene.
As they speed down the road, Manya observed cop Ali inspecting a lorry and she got a idea, "If the cops can impose some section and make people not come out of the house... Don't they have some powers to impose some section and make girls wake up before seven.... " Preetham decided to talk with his old friend on this. But the answer from the cop disappointed him, "Why do you want to wake the girls to wake up so early. They look more pretty with their mouths shut and eyes closed... especially my one..." When he saw that Preetham didn't quite take it, he used better words, "Do you hear that chirping of birds? Do you hear that light sound of the breeze?" When Preetham nodded his head, The cop explained his stand, "Now you wouldn't be able to hear them if all the girls woke up early."
Manya couldn't control her rage and she just wanted to attack the cop and her eyes fell on the jack in the back seat. Preetham quickly read the anger in her eyes and made the exit from the place. Manya angrily blurted out, "You just saved your friend's life!"
But Preetham was still disturbed. Manya had one last crazy idea, "Why don't you speak with the Prime Minister and make him pass a bill. I have my ex-boyfriend working at the Prime Minister's Office. He will connect us to the PM" Girls can so easily exert their influences. Within minutes, PM was on line.
But PM was taken aback by Preetham's suggestion and replied, "I always respect independence of women... Anything which takes away their Independence is not acceptable to me... A lady has every right to take her own decision whether it be her career,life or waking up early in the morning" After a small pause, Preetham heard the PM speak to someone else who was also present there, "kyun... madamji... mein teek kaha na.."
Preetham guessed as to what was happening behind closed doors and thought that nothing beneficial would turn out of conversing with this SMS (Sardar Manmohan Singh)
Then his cell phone bugged and there was a message. As he was handling the wheels, he asked Manya to read out the message. Manya directly reads out the message failing to check form whom it has come, "My Dear Shakthimaan..." and she laughs at that. Preetham quickly grabs the cell phone from her hand. "Its from my wife. She addresses me like that sometimes" and reads the rest of the message. But curiosity was killing Manya and she goes for the cell phone in his hand and reads the rest message loudly, "I was late in waking up... Sorry for that one... Reason is your daughter... She remained awake all the night... Anyway here are the goodbye kisses.. " And Manya's fingers got tired pressing the down button but the kisses didn't end. She asked surprisingly, "Does your wife's mobile come with Ctrl - C and Ctl - V buttons?"
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Writers Block
"I am a writer. I want to die with the pen in my hand. But right now,I am going through a writers block... experiencing creative atyachaar!! I am writing this story about a family man who deserts his wife and kid to become a sanyasi and sits for meditation for world peace. But unable to continue the same..." These were the words spoken by a budding young writer Saagar at the breakfast table to his dear friend Preetham. He was a guest there and was relishing the idlis made by Seema. His further words annoyed Seema, "And I thought let me keep you as the inspiration for this story." Seema didn't like the thought of her husband being inspiration for a story of a family man becoming a sanyasi. Instead of serving him additional three steaming idlis she had in her hand, she served only cold one and She gave him that I-don't-like-the idea look.
Preetham was more gentle enough and nodded the head to his friend's request and said 'Be my guest till you complete the story.' Saagar didn't take much time to put his creative faculties to work. With a pen in his hand and paper on his laps, he took a corner in the garden and allowed his mind to wander and it was soon lost in a world of his own. Seema silently observed the writer from the kitchen. She didn't like someone even in his thoughts making her husband quit family life. Her thoughts were so strong that it seems to be transplanted into the author's mind. The author realized it when he started putting his thoughts on paper
Preetham left everything and went to the deep jungles to meditate on Lord Shiva. Months passed and finally Lord Shiva decides it is time to bless his devotee...
Before he could proceed with his thoughts, the pen was putting something down which was not definitely his thoughts. He didn't knew what was happening. Was Seema interfering with his thoughts. It seemed so as the story steered without the writers' control
Before Lord Shiva could make his appearance, Seema had come there searching for her husband. She saw him there in a dhothi and shirtless showing off his rich hair growth. But she couldn't come any further near. It looked as if the writer had drawn a laxman-rekha around her husband. But she was smart and slowly put the child inside the laxman-rekha. The patter of feet ad the sweet lisp broke his meditation. The girl child reminded him of same one. The eyes, that 24-carat smile, etc were exactly the carbon copy of Seema's. When Preetham remembered his family life, Lord Shiva sat back in his seat "Oh No! Here goes another penance down the drain!" And Seema knew the correct emotional dialogue for the situation "This child needs mother's unconditional love as well as father's affection and attention for proper development."
Saagar was stunned at what he was writing and wondered whether his mind was playing tricks with him. He dismissed the thoughts and tore the paper and prepared to rewrite.
Preetham offered him the visitor's bed room, "The Air cooler may help your thoughts..." Seema was in the living room with the television set running. But her eyes were on the bedroom trying to put a roadblock to the writers thought. She looked at him with the same emotions that the Iraqi public reserved for Bush or Obama. This time the writer decided to type the thoughts on the laptop.
Preetham had gone much far from his place to the icy tops of himalayas. Even the extreme cold was unable to shake his meditation. Lord Shiva opened his eyes and was about to appear before his devotee. Thats when Seema searching for husband reached there. This time there seemed a protective invisible fort build around her husband and she found it impregnable. She didn't like to see her husband with closed eyes. She always wanted to feel his eyes on her even when she is looking away. She took two steps backwards and took the bow and arrow. Lifting the bow skywards and focusing on the arrow, she chanted some mantra. Unlike in mythological serials, where a special arrow appears, here, a sweater appeared on the arrow tip. She pulled the string and the sweater landed on Preetham's shoulders. When it touched his body, Preetham remembered of how his wife's embrace eased him and how her kiss distilled all wrong done to him. And thus the meditation was again broken. Seema blurted out two lines from a shayari she heard somewhere,"Jinke yaad mein hum bimaar pade hain... Kam se kum unhe zardhi toh ho jaaye" Immediately Preetham found himself sneezing. Lord Shiva was near to losing his anger, "Yet again the woman has succeeded in her mission"
Saagar looked unbelieving at his fingers and couldn't believe as to how he could order his fingers to type like that. He looked at the living room and now was confident that Seema, somehow consciously or subconsciously was tampering with his creative faculties.
He moves to the terrace and this time decides to dictate and record his thoughts. He sits on the edge looking at the greenery and starts to put his thoughts in words and starts with a quote to strengthen his hero
The more a person knows who is and what he wants, the less he lets things upset him. Preetham, the family man decides he had enough of samsar and leaving everything he goes to the Kumara Parvath and sits on the high point looking over the mountainside and starts his meditation.
Thats when Seema comes to the terrace to put the clothes for drying. And then the thoughts get jumbled and the author finds himself unable to control the words coming from his mouth
"And then the devout wife Seema came down there looking for her husband. But this time she found her husband on the high point overlooking the mountainside and with his back towards her. She couldn't even go anywhere near him. She looked around and then disappeared. It's when Lord Shiva decided that this time he can bless his devotee. And he finally descended from his abode and appeared on the horizon. And Preetham opened his eyes. But he was not looking at Lord Shiva. He was looking at something written on the clear sky by Seema using the private jet. She had taken the services of sky writing and the message was on the sky. Preetham read those magical words, ' I love you, Preetham. Please come back!" Lord Shiva definitely couldn't see his bhakth's devotion getting yet again wasted and so vanished after advising him, "You definitely cannot keep your mind on your mind for long. Meditation is not for you!"
Saagar was sure being driven up the wall and was about to go Nuts. But the story continued. As Lord Shiva returned to his abode, his dear wife Parvathi spoke, "Its time to bless Seema" and she appeared on the terrace and blessed Seema, "I am really in awe of your love. Is there anything you want to ask me?" Seema just bowed down and said, "Please see to it that no one can separate me from my husband even in their thoughts! The bonds of love that has been cemented over the years shouldn't come down at all." Parvathi said Thathasthu and disappeared. Something happened and suddenly a coconut fell on the head of the writer and he went into a swoon. When he woke up, he was questioning, "Where Am I? What Am I doing on this terrace?" Seema loved that the writer had forgotten about the story. Thats when Parvathi came back on the sky, "I just came back to wish you Happy Woman's Day".
Preetham was more gentle enough and nodded the head to his friend's request and said 'Be my guest till you complete the story.' Saagar didn't take much time to put his creative faculties to work. With a pen in his hand and paper on his laps, he took a corner in the garden and allowed his mind to wander and it was soon lost in a world of his own. Seema silently observed the writer from the kitchen. She didn't like someone even in his thoughts making her husband quit family life. Her thoughts were so strong that it seems to be transplanted into the author's mind. The author realized it when he started putting his thoughts on paper
Preetham left everything and went to the deep jungles to meditate on Lord Shiva. Months passed and finally Lord Shiva decides it is time to bless his devotee...
Before he could proceed with his thoughts, the pen was putting something down which was not definitely his thoughts. He didn't knew what was happening. Was Seema interfering with his thoughts. It seemed so as the story steered without the writers' control
Before Lord Shiva could make his appearance, Seema had come there searching for her husband. She saw him there in a dhothi and shirtless showing off his rich hair growth. But she couldn't come any further near. It looked as if the writer had drawn a laxman-rekha around her husband. But she was smart and slowly put the child inside the laxman-rekha. The patter of feet ad the sweet lisp broke his meditation. The girl child reminded him of same one. The eyes, that 24-carat smile, etc were exactly the carbon copy of Seema's. When Preetham remembered his family life, Lord Shiva sat back in his seat "Oh No! Here goes another penance down the drain!" And Seema knew the correct emotional dialogue for the situation "This child needs mother's unconditional love as well as father's affection and attention for proper development."
Saagar was stunned at what he was writing and wondered whether his mind was playing tricks with him. He dismissed the thoughts and tore the paper and prepared to rewrite.
Preetham offered him the visitor's bed room, "The Air cooler may help your thoughts..." Seema was in the living room with the television set running. But her eyes were on the bedroom trying to put a roadblock to the writers thought. She looked at him with the same emotions that the Iraqi public reserved for Bush or Obama. This time the writer decided to type the thoughts on the laptop.
Preetham had gone much far from his place to the icy tops of himalayas. Even the extreme cold was unable to shake his meditation. Lord Shiva opened his eyes and was about to appear before his devotee. Thats when Seema searching for husband reached there. This time there seemed a protective invisible fort build around her husband and she found it impregnable. She didn't like to see her husband with closed eyes. She always wanted to feel his eyes on her even when she is looking away. She took two steps backwards and took the bow and arrow. Lifting the bow skywards and focusing on the arrow, she chanted some mantra. Unlike in mythological serials, where a special arrow appears, here, a sweater appeared on the arrow tip. She pulled the string and the sweater landed on Preetham's shoulders. When it touched his body, Preetham remembered of how his wife's embrace eased him and how her kiss distilled all wrong done to him. And thus the meditation was again broken. Seema blurted out two lines from a shayari she heard somewhere,"Jinke yaad mein hum bimaar pade hain... Kam se kum unhe zardhi toh ho jaaye" Immediately Preetham found himself sneezing. Lord Shiva was near to losing his anger, "Yet again the woman has succeeded in her mission"
Saagar looked unbelieving at his fingers and couldn't believe as to how he could order his fingers to type like that. He looked at the living room and now was confident that Seema, somehow consciously or subconsciously was tampering with his creative faculties.
He moves to the terrace and this time decides to dictate and record his thoughts. He sits on the edge looking at the greenery and starts to put his thoughts in words and starts with a quote to strengthen his hero
The more a person knows who is and what he wants, the less he lets things upset him. Preetham, the family man decides he had enough of samsar and leaving everything he goes to the Kumara Parvath and sits on the high point looking over the mountainside and starts his meditation.
Thats when Seema comes to the terrace to put the clothes for drying. And then the thoughts get jumbled and the author finds himself unable to control the words coming from his mouth
"And then the devout wife Seema came down there looking for her husband. But this time she found her husband on the high point overlooking the mountainside and with his back towards her. She couldn't even go anywhere near him. She looked around and then disappeared. It's when Lord Shiva decided that this time he can bless his devotee. And he finally descended from his abode and appeared on the horizon. And Preetham opened his eyes. But he was not looking at Lord Shiva. He was looking at something written on the clear sky by Seema using the private jet. She had taken the services of sky writing and the message was on the sky. Preetham read those magical words, ' I love you, Preetham. Please come back!" Lord Shiva definitely couldn't see his bhakth's devotion getting yet again wasted and so vanished after advising him, "You definitely cannot keep your mind on your mind for long. Meditation is not for you!"
Saagar was sure being driven up the wall and was about to go Nuts. But the story continued. As Lord Shiva returned to his abode, his dear wife Parvathi spoke, "Its time to bless Seema" and she appeared on the terrace and blessed Seema, "I am really in awe of your love. Is there anything you want to ask me?" Seema just bowed down and said, "Please see to it that no one can separate me from my husband even in their thoughts! The bonds of love that has been cemented over the years shouldn't come down at all." Parvathi said Thathasthu and disappeared. Something happened and suddenly a coconut fell on the head of the writer and he went into a swoon. When he woke up, he was questioning, "Where Am I? What Am I doing on this terrace?" Seema loved that the writer had forgotten about the story. Thats when Parvathi came back on the sky, "I just came back to wish you Happy Woman's Day".
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