Flaring passions

  Jai looked out of the window as the rays of the sun illuminated his face showcasing undertones of anxiety and excitement. He was about to go for the school trials of his football team but continuously kept fidgeting with his fingers now. His skills had always been superior to his fellow peers but that wasn’t the issues that was plaguing him. He did not have boots to play, and time was running out. Now that the basic premise is set, let us look at a tale that encompasses a wide variety of perspectives, and the things people would do for their near and dear ones. Jai was getting late for school and Dadu was furiously trying to comb his hair to make him look presentable. He put the water bottle around the young boy’s neck and gave him a tight hug as the school bus came to pick him up. Dadi was busy in the kitchen preparing the meals for the day and Dadu decided to go to the park to meet his regular gang after dropping off his grandson. As soon as he entered, Harish who was alr...

  Hari had come a long way in search of something more than himself. Was he going tp discover something out of this world? Was it going to be something that laid dormant within him? or was this entire journey going to be a huge fiasco? The answer to all of these questions were just a few steps away from him now. He came face to face with the huge door of the monastery. He could not help but view with an astonished gaze as to the marvellous yet simplistic architecture. There was something soothing yet focussed about the environment there. Two monks with folded hands and shaved heads greeted him at the entrance and their smile warmed his heart immediately. He wanted to ask them a list of questions but sensing the agitation in his manoeuvre the monks led him straight to their master. The master sensed a longing for something in his eyes but before Hari could take his first words, the master told him that he should take rest in their guest room that was above. The main of chief p...

Have you ever felt like everything around you was slowly starting to sink whilst you had nothing to hold on to? Has your night and day meshed into one seemingly incomprehensible nightmare where you were neither awake nor asleep? Well, grief can do many things to a man but most often than not it creeps up like a shadow in the dark only to consume you entirely before you realise it. This anxious emotion has always felt like words that are stuck in your throat but cannot seem to find an outlet. It’s all the love that you want to put into this world but seemingly unseen forces stop you from doing so. It eventually gets collected in the corner of your eyes and the depths of your heart only to resurface at the most important time ever. Grief can seem like a comforter to the afflicted when nothing goes your way but most importantly it breaks you down and creates a whole different personality from the ashes that are left behind. Once you’ve weathered this storm the past version seems like a co...

And on that cold winter night, Jason had managed to pull off what seemed like the prettiest fairy-tale date ever. It started in the afternoon when he picked up Jennifer who wore a pretty red dress with her hair parted to one side. He couldn’t take her eyes off her but the day was just about to start and the best was yet to come. Jason took her to a book café that was about 10 minutes from where she lived. They still remembered when they had gone there for the first time but little did, they know that their friendship would one day turn into something that would become even more special. That day they had both almost instantaneously chosen a copy of ‘The Midnight Library’ that was hanging out by the shelf. Over time they would frequent that place and it served as the perfect getaway down the road. Seema Aunty who owned the café was now more of a friend than a formal acquaintance. She couldn’t help but gaze as Rachel walked in with Jason. She gave them a welcoming and playful smile w...

If you’re wondering whether there is a typo in the title, there most certainly isn’t one. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the world, no one really teaches us to take a step back and evaluate all the things that no longer work in our favour. The art of unlearning is just as if not more important than the act of learning something. Giving up on something even if it is putting you into an emotionally and mentally toxic place is seen as a sign of weakness and even looked down upon in many cultures and traditions. But what happens when holding on takes more from you than letting go of a trait that no longer serves its purpose. Taking a break to evaluate something is thought of as taboo in a world that wants you to work 24 x 7 either on yourself if not in your job. Why does every skill or talent have to be converted into a financially viable business and why shouldn't I question the rules of the world? Shouldn’t we all get a chance to evaluate what works best for us without harming t...

Rahul got up at 11:30 and the curtains were wide shut which created a very dark surrounding. There was little to no sunlight penetrating the room and covered in a double blanket, leaving the bed seemed like a monumental task in itself. Rahul had seemed so assured about his life just a year ago and on that cold winter morning in December, he seemed as lost as ever, struggling to maintain basic hygiene and good health. He also struggled to get through normal chores. He had just started a new course and taken a sabbatical from his workplace. The year had been tough with heartbreak and funerals at distinct intervals reminding him about the reality that life would end one day. He managed to get up as he boiled a cup of black tea for himself with bloodshot eyes that made him look like a stoner. His mother silently watched as she rolled chapatis to near perfection. She had gotten so good at doing this that she could do it with her eyes closed at the moment. She looked at him and tried to must...

            ‘Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re not good at something, not even me’. So, let’s start the post with this quote, and hopefully, by the end of the article, you will understand why. Most days seem like a battle to you and that is alright. Hey, yes you, I’ve got your back. Yes, I’ve got your back even if you can’t do simple chores today. I’ve got your back even if you can’t muster the courage to groom yourself or be presentable today. Yes, I love you more than ever even if you make so many mistakes and fail that test which can apparently put your crumbling life in order.  Take a deep breath and sit with your thoughts for a while. You’ve been through a lot and let’s acknowledge that rather than pushing the stuff of toxic positivity down your throat. Learn to say ‘No’ every once in a while. You’ve turned into an opinionated person, not only do I like that but also wholeheartedly respect that.  The world will constantly try to chan...