Soulful Ecstasy

Open thy Doors,
        It's Happiness knocking.
Spread some Cheers,
       Coz it looks inviting.


Lo and Behold!
      That's Smile coming near.
Along with it,
      Is Giggles, my dear.


Dance with Delight,
     There's Merry in sight.
Laugh out Loud,
     As Joy's on a bout.


Throw a Bash,
      In less than a Flash.
Wait no more,
     There's no other Chore.


Enjoy with Mirth,
      For there's only one Birth.
And make them dwell,
     In thy Heart-Soul as well.


                                     ---- T. E. O

It's No longer a Dream ..( 1000 words short story)

               Priya was scrutinizing herself in the mirror, all decked up in her red light weight zardosi Sari, she adjusted the mang tikka. “Varun would be floored, you are looking gorgeous, my dear.” Her elder sister Rekha eased her apprehensions; she smiled back at her through the mirror. Today, she was feeling like a princess, everyone at her beck and call, ready to do things for her.

            She was getting used to the feeling of being depended on people now, no matter how much she hated it, she had no choice. But ‘soon’, she promised herself, ‘she would be standing on her feet’. The doctors had promised her that with recent technology it was possible. “Hey! The Baraat is here” someone informed, and the crowd of girls surrounding her giggled and moved downstairs to join the frenzy.

          She was left all by herself. Moving her wheelchair towards the window, she peeped through the flimsy curtains, Varun was mounting down from a Ghodi, he lifted his Sehra and Priya’s heart fluttered wildly, just like it had when she had first seen him sitting in their drawing room, with his parents. It was ‘Love at first sight!’ for both of them; they couldn't take their eyes off each other. The stolen glances all throughout the meeting conveyed their thoughts better than words could ever do.

         Soon they were engaged, and those were the blissful days that Priya would treasure for life. The long talks on phone, the longing that she felt when he was out of town for work, the sweet anticipation of meeting him, wearing his favorite color, trying to in vain to look beautiful for each meeting. Priya was flying with ecstasy those days drugged with the elixir of love. Varun had totally swept her off her feet with his charm. The sweet memories brought along with it, the bitter taste of the wretched incident, which changed her life forever.

           She was returning after meeting her group of friends and inviting them personally for her wedding due in less than a month. Deciding to call up Varun, she lost track of time while speaking to him and realized it quite late when the train halted at her destination. She rushed to get down and just as she was about to descend, the train started moving, losing her balance, she was pulled into the gap between the platform and the train. Her hands reflexively reached out towards her phantom legs; she could still feel the ache. She had blacked out at the site of blood.

            Some good Samaritans picked her up and got her admitted to a nearby hospital. When she opened her eyes, her family was already there. Those days of misery make her shudder till date. She waxed and waned from self pity and despair to hope and courage to face the inevitable. Her father informed her that she was on the front page of every newspaper and people wanted to meet her, share their stories, and renew her hope. But her eyes were constantly searching for Varun.

          Her mother revealed that the wedding was called off, but her heart still believed that Varun would come. How could he leave her when she needed him the most? It questioned. She was angry with fate and God for changing everything with a stroke of bad luck. Just like that, the dreams which she had cherished few days back where crushed along with her legs. She could no more walk, stand, run.

          Hopelessly she used to watch the door, day and night, waiting for a miracle which would turn life back to normal.  Almost after two weeks had passed, when Priya had given up all her dreams and had accepted her fate, did Varun walked in. A myriad of emotions ran through her, if only she could get up and hug him. He looked disheveled and strained. He came and sat beside her, moving his hand over her face, “I’m sorry!” he whispered into her ear. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the inevitable. Tears ran down her cheek, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t come earlier” he said wiping her tears. She opened her eyes to read his emotions, his eyes were watery and sad, but the lips were smiling, his countenance beamed with pure love.

          They hugged each other, soaking each other in the tears of joy and the pleasure of finding each other back again. “Let’s get married, as soon as you are ready.” He said moving away. “Mom and Dad are against it, but I think they’ll come around.” He explained his absence in one sentence. Priya relaxed; finally her faith in God was restored. If Varun was with her, she was ready to face the world.

        “Priya didi, they are calling you downstairs” Chanchal broke her reverie and brought her back to the present day. She started maneuvering her wheelchair to reach for her crutches which stood at the corner. “Didi, you do not need them anymore” Chanchal chirped. “Huh?” Priya looked at her to see if she was joking. “Varun bhaiya is here to pick you up” Chanchal explained. Priya followed Chanchal’s hand movements and her gaze got locked with Varun’s, standing at the door smiling at her indulgently, mischief written all over his face.

      “How can I miss such an opportunity?” he winked. She blushed. He moved closer and picked her up in his arms with ease. “You are looking ravishing” he muttered into her ear. She smiled and whispered back, “Coming from Mr. handsome, I take that as a compliment.” They walked down the aisle, Priya was thanking her stars, when suddenly it all felt too surreal to be true, “Is this a dream?” She panicked.

          “Ouch!” Varun exclaimed hurt. “What are you doing?”  Priya giggled mirthfully

“Just confirming whether it’s a daydream” she replied, rubbing the area where she had pinched him.

           “It’s No Longer a Dream, Priya” Varun assured lovingly. Priya reaffirmed “It’s no longer a dream!” 

(Written for a short story competition for a book called 'It's no longer a dream' by Sanjeev Ranjan. Do read it when you see it. Oh ya I didn't win the competition..:p)

Remembrance

When I am gone,
  And you are looking around.
Don't seek too far,
   Take a few steps beyond.


In my Prose you'll see,
   A world of creativity.
The poems would reveal,
     An emotional brevity.


And when the memories fade,
     Dust those words again.
While they work their charm,
     Smile and remember me along.
 Even when I am gone!

                                   - T.E.O

ARRANGE MARRIAGE

          Arrange marriages are like ball-room dancing! You get invited to the party with the promise that it's gonna be a rocking affair to remember. But as soon as you get hitched, you hardly notice a thing and few years down the lane the agony(memory) vanishes without a trace.

          So, now that you are invited, you get all decked up for the occasion, loose that extra pound of flesh, get the best dress out of the wardrobe, ready to dance in your favorite pair of heels .You pose and pout in front of the mirror and study yourself from various angles. It's the pre-meeting preparation that is more exciting that the actual party itself.

           The day arrives and you reach the ball on time, or a tad bit late maybe but you are finally there. You get to meet several potential partners, some who are charming but aloof, some who may step on your toes, many who would love to lead and few who would let you take the rein. But your eyes search for that someone special! 

         Someone who would make the whole experience memorable, someone with whom you could dance with ease. The one who could match his steps with yours, with whom you wouldn't mind a second dance. Someone who could sweep you off your feet? Lucky ones find their partner as soon as they enter the ball-room.

         Most of them have to dance to a few tunes before they pick and choose the one with whom they can manage a Tango. As for the unlucky ones, they have to  patiently wait for the ball to get over because the perfect partner just didn't turn up for the occasion. Hoping to meet him at different Ball altogether, they rejoice in the mirth of their fellow party-goers.

        And that's how arrange marriages are, you pick and choose from the lot exposed to you. Sometimes it's early and sometimes it's late, but eventually everyone finds their mate. And for people who can't dance to someone's tune or make them dance to yours, well...er...Cooking is another option for you to consider!...;)

The Heartbeat

Aha! My Heart, there you go,
Stop right there, trend no more!
This isn't practical,
I warn you so....
The tricks you play,
Are kinda old.


You'll Flutter and Jump,
With Sheer Delight.
You'll create a Longing ,
That'll easily kill time.


No more, I say...
Ain't falling in the Trap,
The Mind would guide,
And  you'll  follow the Map !
                  
                                          - T.E.O

      
           

The Face Behind the Mask.

       As we are growing up, it has been ingrained into our subconscious umpteenth times that "We shouldn't talk to Strangers!" Reminded me instantly of the advertisement with the same tagline. :)
And Most of us live our life following the adage blindly never questioning it really. But come to think of it, aren't we all Strangers in this Strange world? The people that you end up interacting with daily (willingly /unwillingly); no matter your profession, caste, location or gender; are actually all Strangers to you at some point of time.
         And gradually with subsequent interactions you tend to slot them into categories of friend, acquaintances, neighbors, co -workers, and so on. I am sure each one of us have a fond /funny/interesting anecdote of how you first met someone. Hell ! your life partner with whom you have promised to spend the rest of your life with was too a stranger, isn't it?  And still we harbor this notion of not befriending a stranger.
          When I entered this social media scenario, that was the first thing I was warned about by friends and well wishers,"Do not entertain unknown friend request!" And I, understanding their concerns refrained from the same for many years that followed. There's a vast sea of Strangers out there and I am sure everyone has suffered from the unwanted friend request, request to like a page, join a group or support an event, the most annoying of the lot could be the game invite(Candy crush/ Temple run anyone?).
         The world wide web has aptly created a web wide enough to cover the longitudes and latitudes of the world, and distance doesn't matter nowadays, as long as the feelings are at the right place. ;) And slowly the rebel in me, challenged the age old wisdom ! And I started opening up to the idea of talking to a Stranger. Of course! there were criterias to be met before I befriended them, like common interests for starters, a sense of humor and a decent vocabulary :p (I am stickler at that).
         And let me tell you, Strangers don't bite and up-till now it has been a good experience (Touchwood!) with me ending up knowing a different world that exists beyond my own small universe and making some cool friends in the process. :D And psst...let me tell you a secret...they are all Humans!! Just like you and me...:) having the same emotions, aspirations and dreams unfulfilled. So open up and talk to that Stranger who you think could be your next Friend in waiting. Cheers!!

LIFE

Somehow this poem suits the year gone by and the year to come.....


 We know not what the future beholds,
 Destiny plans it's own course..
 The twist and Turns of the Path 
 Called LIFE... 
 Which makes the Ride Worthwhile ! 


   It takes you Up 
  And brings you Down, 
 Makes you moan,
 Laugh and shout. 


You cry with fear, 
And laugh with tears.
Try to hold on to, 
Your Near and Dears.


  It makes you sad, 
 When the End is near, 
 You wish the ride,
 Had few more years. 


You look back and Smile, 
At things you achieve, 
What a Roller - Coaster it was, 
You say with Glee!!

                            --- T.E.O

                            Happy New Year ! Make the most of it!!..Cheers!!!