Life is a Circle of Coincidences

“So, what are your hobbies?” asked Rohan.
“I love volunteering and social work. I visit orphanages in my free time and teach children something regularly,” said Naina, and added
“What about you?”
“Oh! Nothing much, travelling to new places and having fun with friends,” replied Rahul.
“I wanted to ask you one thing frankly. Do you believe in such a marriage where you meet a girl for the first time and say Yes for the alliance just because she looks pretty?”
“Even I don’t like this kind of matchmaking, but had to come due to parental pressure. I was going to reject you unless I notice something familiar about you.”
“What do you mean familiar about me?”
“You see, life after marriage is all about being comfortable with your partner, and unless you are familiar with him or her, you cannot be comfortable at all,” shrugged Rahul.
“Interesting,” said Naina looking up at Rahul for the first time.
“Where are you from?” asked Rahul looking deeply into her eyes. “You have beautiful eyes and your name is just right for you,” he added.
Naina laughed and said, “I get this compliment all the time. I am basically from Pune, Kalewadi. I was schooled at my native, came here for higher studies and settled down in a job.”
“What a coincidence? I am also from Kalewadi. There aren’t many schools as it is such a small suburb; we should have run into each other many times.” Rahul continued.
At this point, Rahul’s father entered the room and laughed loudly,
“Did you hear beta, Naina is your childhood friend and neighbour in Kalewadi. You used to play with her when you were little. What a coincidence. I had this feeling since I entered this house that these people looked familiar to me. Are you people done talking? I just couldn’t control my urge to tell you this so I simply barged in.” said Rahul’s father.
Naina who was keenly observing Rahul all this while blushed a deep red. Rahul could not meet Naina's eyes after he recollected the memories of playing with her.

Dare to Walk the Path Alone

Oh God! This is going to take another hour to reach home. I hope Mrunal doesn’t get into one of his fits of anger again. Shruthi was praying that by some miracle, her cab would reach home sooner than the expected arrival time shown by Google maps.

“Koi shortcut nahi hai kya bhaiyya, jaldi jaana tha mujhe,” she mumbled expecting the driver to fly by the traffic-laden roads and reach home within minutes.

“Nahi madam, der hoga, koi accident hua lagta hai. Ab gaadi clear karne me waqt to lagega hi.”

Shruthi’s mobile beeped the arrival of a WhatsApp message.

With shivering hands, she picked the mobile assuming it to be a message from Mrunal, her husband.

Wr R U? it read.

Stuck in traffic. wl b dlayd, she typed and turned the silent mode on. She was in no mood to argue. Plugging her earphones and choosing her favorite playlist she leaned back and closed her eyes.

Life had changed so much in these ten years. The once loving and caring Mrunal is now irritated and always on the verge of a fight. She had decided a thousand times to seek divorce and move on with her life, but every time she decided so, Mrunal would go from being rude to very polite and caring.

Shruthi was one who never took decisions in a hurry. It made sense that she gives him every chance to rebuild the relationship. But every time she gives him a chance, he would become his usual indifferent person.

What pained Shruthi was not the indifference but the feeling of being taken for granted. She wanted him to respect her choices, not make fun of her. Though they shared similar interests, they never had time to indulge in them together. She had decided that this time she would walk the path alone. It is time to restart her life and rebuild it. It is never too late.

As she entered the house, she saw Mrunal waiting for her in the living room. He smiled and asked her, “Are you tired? I have made dinner. Was waiting for you.”

Shruthi was stunned again. How come he has changed all of a sudden, even before she put forth her decision of seeking separation from him. Did he see it coming? Was she so obvious in her actions?

She did not reciprocate the smile, she had seen this changed behavior so many times, she was now used to it. This time, my resolve is very strong, won’t let it break.

After dinner, he tried to lighten the mood and was cracking jokes or trying to help Shruthi. She simply did not respond to any of his advances. She was dead calm this time, no fluttery emotions or indecisiveness. She had made her decision and was about to act accordingly. No need to announce it or discuss it. All the time for discussion is done. She thought.

Finally, at night, Mrunal’s repose broke and he started shouting and accusing Shruthi.

“Why can’t you see I am trying to help you. Why are you ignoring me like this? I have seen what are your preferences now. You don’t respect me anymore.”

Shruthi controlled her reactions to his accusations, she felt an urge to tell him, you just stole the words from my mouth. I have been wanting to tell you this for ages.

She simply wrapped her work and went to bed early.

Her thoughts which were a whirl of emotions had now stabilized. She had to stand by her decision. She wanted to pen her thoughts which gave her a liberating feeling.

The path ahead is lonely for sure

Bleak but not dark as now, and no more of uncertainty to endure.

I was a wreck and an emotional fool,

To put up with insult and all the ridicule.

Hoping you would change and begin to appreciate,

The sacrifices I made and put up with all the berate.

I am the strength that drives myself,

I seek respect which I truly deserve to engulf in.

I am a woman strong and empowered,

I embark on the path of my freedom, my confidence towered.

Enlightened as ever a soul can be,

I am a woman as strong as can be.

Unleashing the Poet in You

“Poetry is a creative talent Madhu, you will never understand. You cannot just sit and write poetry like you write your business report. It has to come from inspiration. If only I knew where would I get an inspiration to write a poem, I would move to that place and never leave it,” said Krishna looking out of the window.

“You think you will get inspired if you go to a certain place? So stupid of you, inspiration is that idea which flashes when you see something that connects with you, it need not be a place. It can just be a memory of you playing along with your friends or just a hoarding which gives you nostalgia. It can be a person who reminds of you something very dear, it can be a piece of art which connects you to something you are missing. It can be...”

“Whoa, take a break to breathe, will you? You are a natural with words, have you ever tried to write down what you felt? You can be a great poet you know,” said Krishna and suddenly his eyes light up.

“Waaw, it is a superb one, I just got an idea to write a poem. Thank you, so much dear Madhu. Seems like you were right, inspiration is not a place, it is just an event waiting to unfold. In my case, you unfolded it for me. How could I ever thank you enough?” he held her hand tightly and kissed her fingers lightly.

“Thank me later, I gotta hurry, have a client meeting to attend in 20 minutes and there is no clue of the cab I booked. Catch you in the evening then. Good day and good luck with your poetry today,” she blew him a kiss and hurried down to call the cab driver.

Krishna sat there remembering the words Madhu had just said. Writing down feelings was the best idea. Until today he was always writing poetry on what the other person would feel, or how a non-living thing would react if it had feelings for everything.

Today while talking to Madhu he suddenly felt the urge to write down his own feelings. The only person who could evoke feelings in him was Madhu. He could not stop thinking about her. He started pouring out his feelings towards Madhu.

The tempest in me has begun to gain strength,

From your enlightening words that you spoke at length.

The feelings of a poet seem like water gushing down the stream,

I try to give it some direction, a sense of purpose and make it a reality of my dream.

The little home that we assume is but a mirage in a desert.

Inspiration comes in many ways and never attained when we ferret.

I feel the joy, I feel the pain, and something that can never be explained.

And all this my love is what you evoke, the emotions in me fanned and flared.

To the highest potential, you drive me to achieve,

Scale the mountains of my dreams and never ever to grieve.

Your companionship gives meaning to my life

You are my dream come true, and a force that makes me whole and alive.

Kindness Today is a Misunderstood Quality

“Oh, God! It is scorching hot,” said Leela.
“Ya, I wish it rains tonight,” said Komal.
“Why hasn't the bus come yet? If the bus doesn't arrive within five minutes, we may have to go in an
auto,”
“Yes, we will do that,” said Komal.
There were many people now at the bus stop and the shelter was crowded, so Komal and Leela stood
on the edge of the road.
“Have you prepared for tomorrow's assessment? I am yet to revise my project summary, description
and some probable questions which may be out of context.”
“You are better, you have studied once and are left with revising, I am yet to complete the study.” said
an anxious Komal.
She pleaded a middle-aged man to give her seat saying her knee pain gets worse when she stands.
Seeing how she staggered into the place, the man took pity on her and gave her the seat. Everybody
was busy with their smartphones, some were talking, while many were watching and fiddling fingers
on their screen.
Leela and Komal were talking animatedly and moved behind into the shelter as a bus stopped near
them.
Please, God! Let the next bus be ours, I am very late already prayed Leela silently. Half the crowd had
boarded the bus and the bus shelter was empty now. Both Leela and Komal moved into the shelter and
sat near the old lady. She smiled weakly at them. They smiled in acknowledgement.
They got involved in a discussion and did not observe that lady fainting. She fell on Komal who
panicked and got up. The lady was about to fall head on to the ground. Leela sprang into action and
stopped her from falling. Both made the lady lie on the seat in the bus shelter. Komal opened her water
bottle and sprinkled some water into the old lady's face. She seemed to be breathing normally and
moved slowly. The old lady opened her eyes but it seemed as if she was sleeping with her eyes open. Leela was asking
the lady if she wanted to drink some water, but she continued staring blankly. At this point, the bus arrived and Komal was livid with anger. “Let's leave her there on the bench and go, if we miss this bus, we will be delayed forever.”
“You carry on dear, I am not coming today, this lady needs some help and until I find some help for her
I am not going anywhere,” said Leela firmly. “Ok, I will also assist you then,” said Komal dejected.
With great difficulty, they made the old lady drink some water. Komal rushed to nearby stores and
bought some Glucose powder. They mixed a generous content to the water in the bottle and made her
drink it slowly. After about five minutes, the lady seemed to have regained complete consciousness.
She apologised for her behaviour and smiled a weaker smile.
“Haven't you had breakfast Aunty?” asked Leela.
“No dear, I am going to meet my grandson today, I could not find time to have any this morning,” said
the old lady. “Where do you have to go? Maybe we can drop you or arrange an auto for you before we go,” said
Leela kindly. “Thank you very much beta, but I had told my grandson that I will wait here. You see he will pick me
from this place.”
Leela bought bananas from the roadside vendor and forced the lady to have some.
“I am ok now, there was no need to buy bananas for me,” said the woman smiling at Leela.
“That's ok aunty, fruits are always healthy you can eat them any time. Have some until your grandson
comes to meet you.”
“Ok, you can carry on beta. You are a student, are you? You might be getting late for your class,”
“I am going to stay here until your grandson comes to meet you. Do you happen to have a mobile
phone with you? Shall I call your grandson?”
“Yes, wait a second I will give you the phone, please do call and inform him I am already here. Now
that you said, I remembered he asked me to call and inform when I get down here at the stop.”
So saying she opened her bag and took out a not so old smartphone. Luckily it had a contact direct-dial
which made it easy for her to call.
After she finished talking with her grandson. She turned around to Leela and said,
“Thank you beta. I had completely forgotten to call. If you had not reminded me I would have waited
here all day.”
“That's all ok aunty. So, is he coming in few minutes or will it take longer?”
“He said he will be here in 5 minutes.”
“Ok, I will wait until I meet your grandson then,” said Leela firmly. After about ten minutes, a youth stopped his motorbike at the bus stop and was perusing everyone.
Leela pointed him to aunty and asked if he was her grandson.
“How do I know beta, unless he removes the helmet I can't possibly know who he is.”
At this point, the youth removed the helmet. Leela and Komal recognised their classmate Tushar at
once.
“Tushar, what brings you here, Leela said loudly and went to greet him.”
“Oh, thank god you have come,” said the old lady. “Oh Daadi, what took you so long?” said Tushar to his grandmother. “Oh waaw, so she is your grandmother. You should have come beforehand and waited here and not
make her wait for you. Do you know she fainted here.” she scolded him, her eyes were full of anger. “Oh, sorry Daadi, I didn't expect such a thing to happen. How are you feeling now? Shall we go to a
doctor?”
“She needs to eat something Dumbo, not a doctor,” cut in Leela,
“You see she hasn't had her breakfast. I have made her eat some bananas. Take her home and give her
something to eat.” she said still angry at making the old lady wait.
“Ok, I gotta go now, I am already getting late for the class. Let's hurry now Komal.” so saying she went
in search of auto and waved a bye at Tushar's grandmother. Tushar's grandmother turned to him and said,
“Such a sweet girl, where do you find such people nowadays. Everybody is quite busy in their own
world. Who has time to help a person in need?”
“Hmm yes, she is sweet and also very proud. Thinks she can boss over anybody just like that. Didn't
you notice the way she bossed over me.” said Tushar. She sighed and replied, “So sad, times are so bad, honest and kind people are always misunderstood.
Let's get going, we are already late.”