Putting Things Right. BM Day 8

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She was fiddling with her phone, her mind jumbled. She couldn't believe she did that. How could she? 

She got married last month. She was happy, excited and nervous. She wanted to share her happiness with her friends but forgot to invite one of her dearest friends, Ronny.

Should she call him? How would he react? He hadn’t called even once. Why would he? He must be angry. Volley of thoughts whirling in her mind.

She started typing on her phone. “How are you? Look, I’m sorry! Miss you.” She texted him, finally.

No reply. Obviously.

I won’t give up. She thought and typed again. “Angry?” 

No response.

Her phone blared and flashed Ronny’s number. She picked up. “I’m not angry,” Ronny yelled even before she could say a hello, “I am disappointed. And, I am glad you miss me. I miss you too!” Ronny finished in the very familiar friendly, blended with mock anger, tone. He sounded just like before.

A wide smile appeared on her lips, and she could feel the heaviness of her heart ebbing away. I knew it! She thought.

Over-thinking disturbs. Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to put things right. People who know you, would understand you.

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Time Cannot Heal Every Wound. BM Day 7

Okay, little bit of self-promotion today :)

My first book 'We Will Meet Again' is going to release on 31st July. It's a mature love story (okay, don't roll your eyes :)) If you like reading love stories, you will like it. It carries various shades of emotions. Light touch of humour and repartee.

You may click HERE to see the cover and blurb.

Leaving you with this quotation from my book. Tell me what do you think about it.

Yes, some memories haunt, and the impression they leave is so deep that they eventually become a scar. We all have our shares of agonies. But, life has its own rule. It tend to take you along and you simply have to oblige. In that case, learning to stay happy (and not whining) is a better option. Isn't it?

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P.S.: Poets United (A wonderful community for poets who blog) featured me this week. You can read my interview HERE. They are kind enough to share some of my watercolour paintings too. I know I am bad, still...

Book Review: Secretly Yours. BM Day 6

The cover and the blurb of Secretly Yours are so intriguing (plus it has got some wonderful reviews) that I immediately added it to my reading list. When Writers Melon wrote in for a review, there was no reason to think twice.

I have finished reading this book, and I am disappointed. Why? I'll tell you. Let me tell you about the book first.

Secretly Yours by Vikrant Khanna tells the story of Sahil and his completely disarrayed life. His grandma holds him responsible for his parents' death, and Sahil, bearing this agony, doesn't find any charm in life. In his charm-less life, and at seventeen, Sahil does stuff like drinking, smoking, flirting with various girls...Okay, he writes and teaches music too.

Then, comes Anya, a mysterious girl, who likes spending time with Sahil but is unsure about this relationship, while Sahil has already fallen in love with her. When he starts thinking that life is not that bad, a terrible accident leaves him in a coma. When he wakes up he discovers his striking newly developed ability. He can read minds!

What now? What goes in the minds of people around him? Are they hiding anything? You will have to read this book to know the answers.

Okay, sounds interesting? Let me make it more interesting for you.This book also deals with serious issues like Suicide, Rape etc. Seems promising?  It does, for sure! Then, what is the problem?

The problem is the treatment of the subject and the execution of the story. It is painfully slow. The author thinks we readers are not intelligent enough to grasp the gist, so he explains every little thing. 100 odd pages and nothing substantial happens. The events in the books are as disarrayed as Sahil's life. Writing is repetitive and at some points it annoys.

The blurb at the back cover is misleading. Mind-reading, the main theme of my interest has little to do with the story. There are several murders that go on and on without a single thing/clue that may hold your interest. The book fails to focus on any intriguing theme that has been stuffed in the story, and it drags unnecessarily.

It was disappointing to spot some editing glitches in the book that comes from a publishing house like Penguin Random House.

The book cover is very attractive.

Overall, for me it was a big disappointment (Because my expectation was high). You may try this book if you don't have anything to do or any other book to read. Or you may find it interesting if you like reading about schools, friendship, crushes etc.

What If...? Blog Marathon Day 5

Those nagging voices

Echo in my mind

Anxiety churns, and screams

What if...?

What if your dreams, just fulfilled, 

Turn out to be an illusion?

What if the hope you have nurtured

Shatters into million pieces?

What if your plans go awry?

What if...?

I shudder and call my inner voice.

What if, it responses, 

Your dreams turn into a beautiful reality?

If not, then, a sense of contentment would prevail.

You have tried, at least...

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P.S: I have been featured on Poets United, a wonderful community for poets. You can read my interview HERE

Don't let your problems beat you. BM Day 4

I was thinking about writing something else, but then I saw this image. A thought that I strongly believe in. Not because these words are inspiring but I have personally experienced it!

For non-Hindi readers it says "No problem is that powerful that we tend to believe. Have you ever heard that darkness of night has prevented the Sun from rising?"

I think we are stronger than we think we are. Sometimes, our strength is quiescent. But, it rises like a phoenix when the circumstances demand.

You might feel helpless this moment but when you find no one around you to help, you eventually find a way. Because, there is always a way. You just have to find that out.

We are lazy people. We like it when people help us. We love it when we get our work done by someone else. But, being dependent on someone is the worst thing, I believe. Nothing can beat the feeling of being independent.

But, life is difficult. Sometimes, you need a helping hand. It's a terrible feeling when people who help you in adversity make you feel insignificant. They may show it from their behaviour that they have done something for you (of course, there are some lovely people who help you wholeheartedly). They make you feel that you were incapable of handling your problems alone. People mostly fail to realize that if we have asked for their help it means that we trust them. We find them close enough to ask them a favour. It doesn't mean that we can't manage without them.

You are strong, and can tackle your problems without any help. Try yourself. Don't let your problems beat you. Beat them!


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Book Review: Myself Meena, IAS. BM Day 3

"There are two types of pain in this world: physical pain that merely hurts, and an internal aching pain that changes you totally."

I really liked this opening line of the book, Myself Meena, IAS by Dakshita Das. 

Myself Meena, IAS is about Meena, a lively carefree girl, living (and trying to fulfill)  his father's aspirations and dreams. Dream of becoming an IAS officer. 

She is confused and unsure, and then comes Venkat as her mentor, later her love interest. 

Would she be able to catch those dreams? What about her own aspirations? What is the destination of her relationship with Venkat?

You need to read this book to know the answers.

The story-line of Myself Meena is linear. It seems a blend of personal thoughts of a confused and frustrated soul, and some incidents, that lack striking elements, rushing in a definite order. I understand her frustration though. What can you expect when your dreams and aspirations are not your own? 

The book surely gets better in the second half. But, I think it could have been presented in a more interesting way.

Writing is good. I quite liked the conversations between Meena and Venkat. Characters of Meena's parents are portrayed well. 

What irked me the most was 'frequent' Hindi dialogues (with English translations in the brackets). I don't understand the purpose. The book cover is not appealing, and somehow irksome. 

For me, it was an average read. It could be interesting or maybe inspiring for IAS aspirants and students. But, if you love fiction with a little bit of drama and twists and turns, this book is not for you.

I got a review copy from Rupa Publications for an honest review.

If It's Not Unconditional, It's Not Love, BM Day 2

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Love is a strong emotion but it's vulnerable as well. Love can get affected/tainted easily by other strong emotions like jealousy, anger, obsession.

Love needs some space to breathe, and when then space gets smothered, the essence of love starts dying, slowly. Beauty of love lies in respecting that space and helping each other grow.

It is natural to have a difference of opinion, even if you are in love. It is okay to get upset with each other. You should not hesitate to voice your own opinion just because you are in love with that person. But, the bond of understanding should be intact. Even if a certain condition irks you, it should not change your feelings/views for each other. It should not hamper the trust and support you nurture for each other. If your emotions change with different conditions, it's not love.

You can't un-love your loved one just because of a condition that didn't go well with you! You have to be brave enough to accept the flaws.You have to be brave enough to forgive. You have to be brave enough to say a sorry.

Conditions change the meaning of love. If it's not unconditional, it's not love.

Fight, disagree, get upset or angry but don't let it blur your sanity. Do not let these emotions paint your feelings. They should be like that thin film of dust. One blow, and the flurry of tainted emotions disappear, leaving your true feeling shinning like before.

But, the question is: Do people actually feel this way? Is it easy to deal with those conditions and think clearly without changing your emotions?


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Prejudice - Blog Marathon Day 1

So, I am writing my first post for Blogchatter Blog Marathon. It's called Daily Chatter. And, it's day one.

Will start this post with a thoughtful quotation.

"I am resigning from my job," one of my closest friends said. She worked as a lecturer in a college.

"Why?" was my instant response as she enjoyed her work immensely. Preparing for her classes, interacting with students and all that.

"Moving to a different city."

"Oh, that's okay," I said, not worrying a bit. "You can join some other college in that city."

"No, I can't do this!" she said. "That would be difficult in a big city. Different city. Different pattern." I could understand what she meant. But then, she said something that left me confused.

"Students would be smarter than me, there," she said.

How did she know that without even trying? Why this prejudice? After all they were still students, and she was an experienced teacher. It was even more confusing as my friend is very well qualified (NET qualified). She is dedicated and hardworking. She clearly underestimated herself.

However, I couldn't decide her career. So went on to join a big company in that 'different, big city' as a senior executive. I hope she truly enjoys her work.

But, it keeps me thinking. You think you are the smartest one in the group and you feel good about it. You hesitate to join people who are smarter than you. But, you don't realize that by doing this you restrict your growth. Your ability to perform better.

This feeling, that I am smart and know everything, hinders your development and your desire to learn. And, learning is a lifelong process. Isn't it?


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Interested in Blog Marathon?

Hello Bloggers!

We are planning a Blog Marathon starting from 15th July to 31st July. Would you like to join?

Blog Marathon is a challenge (as you have to write a post every single day in this time frame), and certainly brings contentment if achieved successfully. You grow as a writer.

You can write anything. Fiction, poems, articles, book-reviews, pictures....you can choose photos, any particular word, quotations as your prompt. The choice is yours!

It is suggested to plan your posts in advance so that you don't end up writing anything for the sake of it.

Registration starts tonight @ Blogchatter

So, Think. Plan. Write. Connect!

Looking forward to your response.