I saw you today

Shaun Reed came to the dining room after bidding goodbye to his two sons. One was 15-years old and other was 17 years old. He had to rush up to his friend's company to check its progress and then to his lab. He called his wife.

"Hey, Jeez, It's getting late. My breakfast."

"Coming Shaun. Can you be a little more patient?"

"You know my schedule. Don't you darl? I have too many works eating my time."

"It's your fault. You shouldn't have taken up the task of supervising your friend's company."

"Don't start it again! He is my best friend and it's my duty to do it for he has entrusted me with this task."

"Where is he now? Why did he leave the place without telling anyone?"

"He wanted peace. He didn't have it in his life. When he will return is a million dollar question. Let us have some hope."

He was about to finish his breakfast when the door bell rang. Shaun attended the door. There was a post man standing with a smile on his lips. A black rimmed spectacle adorned his beard face.

"Shaun Reed?"

"You know my name?"

"It's there in the letter sir..."

"You look so familiar. Who are you?"

"New post man assigned for duty in this area sir." He handed the letter.

"What? From Hayte Kle?"

Tears started welling up his eyes. The visitor nodded his head in approval. Every day since his absence, Shaun Reed used to check his post box for his mails, mobile for his calls. But none came and today at last a post from him.

Shaun sat in the sofa thinking in retrospect. Those days were always adorable for him yet hurtful. Both were from the same college and Hayte got a job whereas Shaun entered the research line and continued his passion. Hayte flourished and started a company. Shaun became a scientist. After Hayte's sister's marriage, he bought a home near his sister's. He had taken care of everything, he had only his company duties. He asked Shaun to help him with it.

One fine day, (Probably bad day for his people) he left the place. None knew where he left. 15 years passed by since then.

"Hey, the envelope down here." Jeez shouted. Shaun came to his present. She gave him the envelope and it was addressed to Shaun Reed, him. He told her that he would see it in his office. After checking on Hayte Kle's company, he left for his lab. He noted in his mind that he should read the letter on reaching his lab.

He entered his cabin and tore the envelope open. His face showed a mixture of expressions as his gaze lowered down the envelope.

"Dear Shaun Reed, 

I don't wish to beat around the bush. I am sorry for everything. I am sorry for leaving you alone for 15 years. I am sorry for not looking after my parents and I am sorry for leaving that responsibility to you. I am sorry for not attending your marriage yet I am happy that I had made some efforts for the life you are living now. I am sorry for burdening you with my company responsibilities but I didn't have one to entrust them with this. And I am sorry for giving you that “major” burden. I don't have a reason for this. But I am sorry for the great battle going on in your mind whether to tell your wife that one of your boys is actually not yours but mine. I am sorry for that too.
The truth which you and I alone know. It is definitely not an ugly truth but not a truth to celebrate with others. The day your first child was born dead and you were not in a position to accept that, I had no other option but to give you my child, my adopted child. Yes Shaun, he isn't my boy and I actually adopted him from a very far place. I adopted him to remove the silence in me. I adopted him to make my parents believe that I had a child with some girl. I adopted a boy to forget my past memories with her. With her, Shaun. I wanted to forget her. 

And here I am without him. But I am happy here, Shaun, with all kids clouding my thoughts with their innocence. And I am happy that my son is safe with you with my friend. With my brother. I have always seen you as my brother, my younger brother.

You know my life, Shaun. You know my hurts and insults. You know my cowardice. You know my denial and weak mind. I have had enough experiences in my life in just 28 years what an octogenarian would have seen in his entire life. I never realized who were true until things started changing. I was always surrounded by selfish crocs who were waiting for me to slip into the water so that they could have their feast. I succumbed to their wishes. I never had courage to tell people what I had in my mind. I never had strong mind to take strict decisions in my life. Please don't grow your children that way.

Tell them that you once had a friend named Hayte Kle and the story.

""He was good, generous and intelligent. But he never had confidence in him. He was always clouded by fear throughout his life that he might become a loser. He never had the courage to tell what he had in his mind. He always stood first when it came to others. He was such a nice guy to hang out with. He always preferred relationships to his ego. And so he lost his self-respect and self-esteem. Everyone took advantage of his weak mind and used him for their benefits.

There was no one except a few which included your dad who had been telling him constantly to be confident and strong. But he didn't listen to our words and he started losing by gaining. He rose to a supreme position in his field but failed to keep true people near him. Courage eluded him when it came to his own life but supported him when it came to others'. He was one of the reasons that you two are leading a good life now.""

Be confident in life, learn to take strong decisions, never expect from others, learn to be a little selfish, learn to say 'No', never lose your self-esteem, be friendly to all, be careful in your life, shed your innocence after a point, Never take your victories to your head, Never run behind people instead make them come behind you, recognize the true people around you, and at last, never ignore people in life. I know how painful it will be.

I owe you a lot for taking care of my company and checking on my parents. I heard that all our close friends are doing well. Help them in case they need. Hope She is also fine. My parents too would be reading my letter now.

I hear you asking me a question. “You don't wish to see us?” I saw you all. I am very happy that I saw you today in morning. Every one of you. Bye.

With Love,
Hayte Kle.

"

I saw you today. The postman. Shaun started crying. Like a child. He had never cried in the past 15 years. Not after the day Hayte left everyone in despair. He threw away the letter in anguish sorrow. A newspaper flew onto the floor from the envelope. A photo caught his face, Hayte's and Shaun read the headline. 

"The Unknown guy, who has been in coma for the past 15 years, dies today morning."

My mother is a woman and I need no other reason!

Women's day! International Women's day! What do I envision for the Women in Chennai? The question is not this! The question is not about the individual's opinion on Women. The question should be "What does the society envision for the Women in the current scenario?". Well, after so many brutal and inhuman incidents against them, people will quote rights, safety, laws, self-protection and so many as the major demands. We should start from the scratch I guess!

Almost all have dominant role playing women in their life. I am in no way an exception to that! My mother is one of the very few persons in this mortal world I am looking up to. Well I also have a small lovely sister! A lot of friends who are from this side and a lot of acquaintances too! Everyone in this God-created world must have realized the importance of women in their lives. If not the entire femininity, but at least mother, sisters, aunts, friends (Female), wife, daughters and so on. If these women take extra care on their men counter parts, the world will always be glorious. I am not blaming that everything is their responsibility but I am telling that things will be remarkable if they handle their men counterparts correctly.

What does this society envision for women?

W - Will power

O - Optimistic

M - Maturity

E - Enthusiastic

N - Noble

I recently saw a question in Quora! "Why don't we find girls doing as good in quizzing as their male counterparts?" One female quizzer replied this way, "I've taken part in my fair share of college-level quizzes and while never great or anything, I managed to win a few. On my way to food stalls after one such quiz, I overheard the all-male team from another college ribbing each other and laughing about how it was a damn shame the way they got beat by girls. My eyes burned hotly with tears and I cannot explain in words how angry and impotent I felt at that moment. It might not sound like a big deal and maybe I should have laughed it off, but I was much younger then, more fragile and thin-skinned and those random men had made me feel pretty spectacularly worthless." 

We still see them as weaker sex of the society! Once these views change, the entire concept will inverse! If you really think that they are weaker sex of the society, let me tell you something. You would not have been on this earth if not for a woman. Your mother! Your day mostly starts with her waking you up. Before you go to bath, your clothes will be kept ironed. By the time you finish, she will serve you hot breakfast with lunch packed. She will keep worrying about you if you don't give her a call after reaching your workplace. When you come back, she will give you a hot or a cold beverage depending on your mood which she will know it from your face! Which other woman you need to respect the femininity on this world? She is the embodiment of all women on this earth. Had you at least thought about your mother once, you would have never thought to degrade other women in this society. Each woman in this world attains that "MOTHER" role at some point of her life. If not for her character or actions, give the respect for this role of her. 

A serious doubt here! We, both the genders, have given the due respect for great women in history. Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatcher, Medha Patkar, Irom Sharmila, Rani Laxmi Bhai, Queen Victoria, Marie Curie, Indira Gandhi, Suu Kyi, Helen Keller and many. They also belong to this "so-called female section" of the society but we give them their due credit. Why is this partiality for these great women? One might answer that they all serviced and sacrificed. You think your "MOTHER" has not serviced and sacrificed? Bringing you up to hear your swear words is both service and sacrifice. Respect them! Many of us here will have sisters or female cousins. We just move our lips when we tell that single line of Pledge! "All Indians are my brothers and sisters!" Do we really think like that? If so, the Delhi incident would not have taken place! Many of us have friends who are female and yet we don't consider them equal. Today is one of my best friend's birthday who is a female! I am wishing her through this post.

We Indians have certain principles which quote Women as the embodiment of sacrifice and fragility more than any other country! We call our country Mother India. We have given feminine names to all the rivers in our country. We call our language as mother tongue! One step ahead, in myth, Shiva has given half of his body to his female counterpart Shakthi and Vishnu has given a place for Lakshmi in his heart. These may be myth yet these concepts are spread through out to make us realize the importance of this section of the society.

One may consider me as an active feminist or so! Irrespective of that, I have a cause and reason to see them equal to men! I respect them because I respect my mother, sister and my friends! I see them like I see men! Hope this International Women's day creates a change in the perspective on them!

P.S: This post is written as a part of CBC's a week long marathon on account of International Women's day! I thank Susan Deborah (Admin of CBC) for asking me to write! 

Yet another fasting!

This has been submitted for a photo-post contest conducted by The Chennai Bloggers Club. The CBC is a Facebook group where bloggers with a Chennai connection discuss about several things and of course  about blogging.This contest has been sponsored by Cuponation which is India's largest coupon portal, specially designed to meet the needs of all online shoppers.

Images: CBC

"Hey did our cow tell you regarding our conversation?"

"This is not our cow but our master’s. When did you start conversing with a cow? What is the matter?"

"I told her that we have been starving for days and there might come a situation in the near future when we would share his food."


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Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year 2013 :)

Le Rice Upma!

It was another usual day of my college. I had a lecture and a lab in the morning session. I definitely need a separate post to tell you about the labs and the lectures in our college which I will probably do it later. After that we had that most expected hour, the lunch! The lunch period as we used to call it in our school days, which later changed to lunch break in our college period, has been the most welcomed period in the life of the students. The lunch period not only gave us the required break from those hectic sleepy classes but also various other possibilities which we are likely to discover during our own lunch periods. These breaks must have certainly molded several people to what they are today. These gifted times midst the routine activities help us develop our personality traits and the other characters needed to face this challenging life.

Coming to that day in my college, our gang (some 7 or 8 who hail from from my area) assembled for the lunch in the famous Sundial of our college. We were discussing about the morning sessions and each of us told the way our classes happened. It led to various useless, frivolous talks (it usually does) including movies, friends, games, buses etc. We usually behave like highly qualified critics and we don't leave out any area in which are interested. We gradually gave in to the topic of food. I asked each one about the food item they despised the most. Each one mentioned their own dislikes. The girls had several items in their hatred list and they took so long to finish their list which we had no option but to listen with patience. There was brinjal, puri, sambar, beetroot, and lady’s finger and so on. We all had this non-vegetarian items as a common disliked item for we all the tambrahms. And then it was my turn. 

"Oh! I asked this and I didn't think of an item! What do I despise the most?" I wondered.

"Hey, you are supposed to be the Bhima of this gang. How come you can despise an item?" one of my friends mocked.

"Oh does that supposed to be funny? It didn't. Better luck next time!" I gave him back.

"So what do you hate?" asked another. 

"Hmm! Wait...." 

(After a few seconds)

"Yeah got it! How can I forget! It's the Arisi Upma (Rice cake)! I despise it! I hate it! Yuck!" I exclaimed.

"What? I too don't like!" said one.

"I like it a lot!" claimed other.

"I also like it! Being a Tambrahm how can you hate it?" shouted one more.

"I neither like nor hate the upma." told the other.

And I found it happy that there is at least one who has my taste in hating upma. And what do I hate in it? Well! To be frank, I don't know why I hate it but I do hate it. A huge number of variations of Upma are made with whole or refined ground wheat and rice of varied grain size, vermicelli, Durum wheat semolina or pearl sago. A wide range of vegetables may be added, and may be garnished with a variety of beans (raw or sprouted), cashew and peanuts. For a variation called masala upma (known as 'Kharabath' in Karnataka), sambar masala or garam masala is added along with red chilli powder, instead of green chillies. This is what the Wikipedia defines Upma! I don't dislike all these types but only the type made of rice. But the fate is that my mom and sister find it too much palatable to eat and that alone marks the end of my fate.

And the lunch got over as soon as it usually does. The afternoon session was only for 2 hours and about 4 of us started together to home. We were talking throughout the journey in bus and train. We reached MIT in Chromepet where we took our vehicles and started. It was one of the others who started this idea of eating Pani puri in a stall. All the four but for me accepted to eat. I usually think once or twice before eating outside. I was in a confused state whether to eat out or not. I had this greedy tongue (that is why they should have called me Bhima!) which took the better of me. They also persuaded me in eating outside. I actually love Pani puri and all these road side shop items. That was when my mother called me asking where I was. I told that I was in MIT and she told me to come home and eat the Tiffin she had prepared, not to eat anything outside. Then I remembered that I had told my mom to prepare some delicious Tiffin for the evening. I told a "wow" and cut the call. Then I turned to my friends.

"Hey, I am sorry. My mom has Tiffin prepared for me."

"So what da? Have a plate of pani puri and go home and eat what your mom has prepared!"

"No da. If I eat here, I will not eat properly at home. My mom might scold me after all she has prepared the Tiffin only for me."

"Atleast have half a plate! That is not going to full your stomach! C’mon!"

"Nope! And also that I have 10 rupees only which will not suffice!"

"Arey! No problem, I shall sponsor you!"

"No da! I am leaving home! You guys have fun!"

"Ok atleast spend time with us till we eat and leave stupid!"

"Hmm yeah okay!"

He punched me in my stomach. We went to our regular place and we ordered. We knew the shopkeeper well that he asked me why I didn't eat. I explained him that my mom had Tiffin ready for me at home! I also thought why all these people were persuading me today. They offered me a piece. I declined their offer. 

"Hey have at least a piece!"

"It’s ok! You guys have!"

"Hey leave him! Let him be hungry! Let him go home and find nothing to eat!"

"Hey why are you cursing you stupid? My mom has everything ready! Go to hell!"

After sometime we left the place and I headed straight to home.

"Amma! I am starving! Please give me the Tiffin!" 

"Go wash your face and come!"

"Cha! Ok!" 

"I have kept it on the table. Eat it!" 

I came eagerly to the hall and found my dish covered with a plate! I greedily opened the plate and..........

Yes! It was Arisi Upma! My friend's curse went true! My mom forgot that I despise Arisi Upma! There's a proverb in Tamil whose translation goes like this: No matter how hungry the tiger is, it'll not eat grass. I too did the same! Lol! I didn't eat it and I starved the whole evening.

I told all of them the next day and everybody laughed during the entire lunch break. I had no option but to smile idiotically. 

Image: Wikipedia

Moral: Never decline an offer to eat because you have something at home to eat. After all, you might end up like me!

SLAP

A group of three were shouting at him and throwing curses. His face remained calm with a smile on his lips. After some time, they left the place. 

Ram noticed Peter staring at him. Peter was so angry that his eyes were red with fury. He walked towards Ram.

"Why were you silent again?" questioned Peter. 
"Why shouldn't I?" 
"You didn't do anything. Those guys treat you as a sordid one. And you remain silent with a smile.” 
Ram smiled again. 
“When will you get rid of this goddamn nature? Can’t you fight back? Are you a coward?” 

Ram smiled again. This time, it insulted peter. He made a vow never to talk about this to Ram and turned back to leave the place. A sense of touch made him stop. It was Ram who placed his hand on Peter’s shoulder. 

“I am not a coward, Peter. I am neither weak-minded. But the question is why should I fight back when I know the mistake isn't mine?” 
“To make all know that it isn't yours!” 
“Oh Peter, I know it and the God knows it! What’s the point in letting others know this?” 
“Ok! Leave others! They are accusing you and you must retaliate. Am I correct?” 
“Retaliate for what?” 
“To prove that you aren't wrong. Stop this Ram. I am tired of all your non-violence nonsense!” 

“This is not non-violence. This is called living my life.” 
“At the cost of you, you are living your life you fool!” 
“No Peter, Life is too short for grudges. He has been my good friend since my school days and you want me to fight him back? No, I am not going to. I live by a code of conduct and I will abide to it at any cost.” 
“A code of conduct?” 
“Yeah, I will tell you! It’s short and so life is! I call it the SLAP method! 

Smile!

Smile always. Smile every time. Smile at everyplace. Smile for every action. Your smile will relax everybody’s mood around you. You not only create a good atmosphere for you but also for others. Smile is the best answer to all the questions. If someone comes to you with a problem, smile and help them. If someone complains to you about others, smile and hear them. If someone is happy for their success, smile and congratulate them. Doing everything with a smile changes your attitude of looking it!

Laugh!

To laugh is always superior. Laugh at your own mistakes. Never forget the laughter for it is the best medicine. Crack stupid jokes and make others laugh. Do funny things and let you become the reason for others laughter. Be happy if someone laughs at the expense of you but never do you laugh at others’ expense friend!

Admire!

Many complain that the loneliness is the most deadly thing in this world. But see that as the chance to admire things around you. See the small things around you. Appreciate the things nature has given you! Taste the dew drop from a leaf to feel its purity. Touch a small baby’s hand to feel its warmth. Hear the sound of the sparrows singing to feel its beauty. See the clouds above you and try to find a pattern in them to feel its calmness. Admire the things around you!

Patience!

Be patient! Always be patient! Do your work and wait with patience for its result. Perform your duties and wait with patience for its rewards. This is the most important thing for the above three. Try to put up with people even if they are so much mean and irritating. Never let out words for they can’t be picked up later. Never lose your temper.

“Oh I am flattered!” told Peter. Ram smiled. 
“But this won’t be practical Ram!” 
“This is!” 
“Try to follow this and you will feel a great deal of positive energy radiating from you!” 
“SLAP!” told Peter.

Soldier

         Victory. 
         Happiness.
         Pride.
         Anxiety.
         Vengeance.
         Anger.
         Hope.

     
That was the moment Dabeet has been waiting for the past 7 years. Dabeet means warrior. His parents had chosen him the right name. The elegant hall in the very famous hotel of Pune was filled with the authorities, some politicians and the press people. Midst them Dabeet's revenge was standing with a grin in his face. His name was famous then , "Adrian!" Its a personification of dark. There were several cliched clicking sounds of camera. 

"Sir, one photo please."
"Sure."
"Sir, How do you feel at this moment?"

Dabeet looked at the room and its grand stylish adorable decorations. His dad would have loved seeing him in that room. He might be looking him. 

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Two days back,

The shooting order was given. It was a thick forest more like a maze.The very famous encounter specialists with a few locals went inside the woods. Adrian was one among them and he was in-charge of that encounter. No one then knew this was going to be his another FAKE one. That forest was said to be under the control of a terrorist group.He wanted fame. He wanted pride. He wanted money. He wanted popularity. So he took efforts to get that shooting order. Rightly, he was named Adrian!


He went inside towards the center. No signs of weapons or terrorist personified people. Only common people were wandering for their daily wages collecting fire woods and herbs. His blood boiled and he suddenly shouted "Open fire!" After several gunshots, a dozen of people were lying dead. There was no resist from them for they were common people. Two of them were arrested with fatal injuries. 

There is a famous joke. "If you cant catch a tiger, catch a cat and beat until it accepts that its a tiger!" That happened. Both of them were tortured and they accepted for no more they could accept pain. One of those two died in the prison. 

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Newspaper hailed Adrian as a great, courageous officer. There were several functions held by various ministries to felicitate him. This was one such function. Dabeet was watching him.

"Sir, This is your another famous encounter. How did you get that courage to go deep inside that dark woods where no one else dared to go?"

"Several thoughts were going through my mind. But i was very much determined to destroy them. I wanted to win this patriotic game so all i said to myself was "Nation, nation, nation!!!""

(Applause sound) Dabeet could no more resist.

"Sir, whom do you want to thank at this moment?"

"My Nation, head, family, other officials who helped me and every single citizen of this countryyyyyyyyyyyyyy  aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh"

"sirrrrrrr," people yelled. Blood was spurting on to the floor from a massive bullet wound in his chest.

"Catch him!" came out orders. Dabeet dint run away instead he came forward and stood with a pride in his face surrendering himself. 

"Let this be a lesson!" said Dabeet. 

(Adrian sat transfixed and in fact he was dying.)

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Papers and news channels flashed his face the next day. Innocent people were watching this person through out the day. 

The Police asked him the usual first question," Why did you do that?"

"Because he was my uncle!" said Dabeet.

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P.S: There are several incidents happening even today across the country. Should not we help and save those innocent people from fake encounters? Wasn't Dabeet a true soldier? (In social awakening!)