Passionate Prodigies.

Chapter 1

          In the biggest auditorium in the city of Delhi, hundreds of people gave a standing ovation and wouldn't stop clapping. The child on stage was a young girl of 12, Samaira Sharma, who had given a splendid dance performance of contemporary art form. Samaira started dancing at a tender age of 4 years. Her parents Ram and Kavita saw her talent and encouraged her. Where businessman Ram provided financial aid, home-maker Kavita gave her daughter all the motivation she needed. Since the past 7-8 years, Samaira's talent was recognized all over the nation.

          In another part of India, in Chennai, another young girl, Deepika Nayar, aged 9 was making remarkable achievements in the field of Bharatnatyam dance form since 2 years. Her family comprised of only her elder brother, Dakshay. Her parents had died in a factory blast. Her brother supported her in all the walks of life. He had a decent job and earned satisfactorily to support them both.

          In the slums of Mumbai, Gayatri Patil was yet another girl who excelled at Lavani and Bollywood dance forms. Her parents Dinkar and Shashi were stunned when they found out that there was a child prodigy hidden in their daughter. At the age of 7, having danced for 2 years, Gayatri was a girl with abundant talent but no money. She had won some of the local competitions but those weren't going to be significant.

          After a week, Mr. Mehra who was a successful dancer started a search for young talent all over India pursuing a variety of dance forms. Within a matter of time, a team was formed inclusive of Samaira, Deepika and Gayatri. Mr. Mehra was aware of the diffferent dance forms they knew. He was going to make it an advantage rather than a barrier. Days passed by. It was quite difficult for them to adjust with each other. Samaira, the rich spoiled brat couldn't deal with them at first. The youngest, Gayatri, thought she was too much. Deepika struck a friendship with both of them though. The three of them wouldn't have grown so close if it weren't for Deepika. She was the common thread earlier but later on, they all became great friends. Along with Mr. Mehra, they started analyzing each other's dances, gave suggestions and shared the areas for improvement. After weeks of hard work, it was time to show the world what they possessed. Mr. Mehra enrolled their names in a national competition. They kept on winning; preliminary rounds, quarters, semis and then the finals. They won that competition. Individually, they were perfect but as a group, they were phenominal. They were the first ones to forge three dance forms in one act. It was a treat to watch them dance, the judge had said. The next 2 years were witnessed by increasing growth and a line of successes. It was 2015, they had aged. Child prodigies are not forever but there were no signs as to their slowing talent. They were on a roll.

          Gayatri said, "Isn't it amazing? Three child prodigies coming together to form the best dance group!" Samaira began, "That's right. We're achieving milestones that no one has achieved before. We are the next big thing." Deepika checked in, "If anyone of us goes off, it'll be you, Samaira! Fly as much as you wish but keep your feet on the ground! We achieved so much. The last thing we need is bad publicity." Samaira squeaked, "Yes, yes. Nothing is going to happen to us. Successes are going to come our way like they always did. We are rooted in the industry now and we have to continue giving our best." Gayatri talked, "That's true. Let's start preparing for the next event. It's going to be an honor to be performing in front of the Prime Minister and receiving an award by him!"

Chapter 2

          On a Saturday evening, the event was to start. The three girls' families were there to view their daughters dance. It was a moment of pride and delusional happiness. Samaira, Deepika and Gayatri had their performance at the beginning. The anxiety was building up within them, like it always did. They were dolled up and ready to dance. An elated Gayatri began, "Girls, this is the most important dance of our lives. How excited are you!?" Deepika said, "I can't wait to go out there and dance my heart out! This is so thrilling." Samaira spoke with zeal, "This is really unbelievable. It's a vital event for us.  Now, we are going to give our best performance today. I can feel it! Let's go, team!!" It was time. They were on stage. The crowd was a vast expanse as far as they could see. It was usual for them now. The music started and so did their feet. The PM was astounded by their talent. As their dance had reached due course, something unusual happened. The beady lace from Gayatri's skirt went loose. It fell off dragging her skirt with it, leaving her partly exposed. Samaira immediately went to cover her. Deepika, unaware, kept dancing there. She slipped over the beads and fell hard on the stage, damaging her back. Samaira and Gayatri were too shocked to respond. Both teary-eyed girls went to help Deepika, who was in a puddle of tears. Embarrassed, they left the stage from the back exit. There was silence in the changing room. It all happened so unexpectedly quick that there was no time to react. It was their first ever failure.

          Gayatri was furious, "How did it happen? We had checked everything so many times! How did it even happen? Why would such a horrible thing happen to me?" Deepika said, "It totally sucks. Firstly, I was devastated after I fell. And then, I saw you like that. I mean, how on earth would it have happened?" Samaira started consoling them, "It wasn't our fault. The stupid designer is to be blamed. Mr. Mehra is going to fire him. Let's just go to the room and rest." However, after some time, they had to go up there, in front of thousands of people to accept their award. After such a performance it seemed absolutely silly to accept an award, that too by such an important person. They almost didn't want to go after all the humiliation but it was going to be handed by the Prime Minister himself. After a lot of badgering from Mr. Mehra and their family, they decided to accept it.

          Their names were called on stage. Even a joke was made at their expense, which belittled them further. They accepted the award. The PM said, "Congratulations and don't let little incidents bother you." That made them feel better. Just when they were about to leave the podium, there was a gun shot! The bullet hit Samaira by the arm, leaving her injured. Everyone was terrified. There was a lot of choas and hustle bustle within the crowd.  The bodyguards came to the rescue. PM was taken to a safe place and the girls were given protection. No sooner than they were inside, their parents rushed inside along with a doctor. Thankfully, there was one present in the audience. Samaira was unconscious by the time. The doctor removed the bullet and put on bandage. It was not a life threatening wound, but it caused a tremendous shock to all of them. The girls weren't capable to speak nor were their folks. After all, it isn't something that happens everyday! Apparently, the gun was fired by some drunk lunatic who was arrested by the police later on.

          The next day, everything felt disastrous. Not only was their mishap viral but so was the shooting. It was impossible to ignore it. Samaira was not taken to the hospital as it was not a fatal wound. But, she was definitely in pain. The moment they woke up, they saw the news flash on their mobiles, television and the newspapers. It broke them. It wasn't something they had to deal with earlier. This was their first failure and it injured them deeply. They met each other every day but outside of the studio. The outgoing Samaira started becoming quieter. Gayatri always wore too many clothes. Deepika glanced at laughing passers-by always wondering they were laughing at her. They gave up on dancing for a couple of weeks. It was just impossible, under the circumstances, to even think about a competition.

Chapter 3

           2 months went by. The restless girls finally decided to start dancing again. They began preparing for another show to be held for the Police Department. It was around 15 days away. Gradually, the day of show arrived. Samaira, Deepika and Gayatri had practiced well. Right before the moment they were called up on stage, Samaira spoke up, "I'm afraid. I have never been afraid of performing but now all I can think of is that those people are going to laugh at us. Or shoot us." Deepika said, "Try to relax. You can imagine my fear then. There's a reason why I'm wearing clothes from top to bottom!" Gayatri told them, "At least you two remember the moves! I am going to blank out and become a national joke. Again!" They went on the stage as their name was called. After 7 minutes of the performance, they were relieved. They felt a sense of comfort that it was over.

         The level of their performance sank faster and deeper. The series of failures continued. Before every dance, they prayed that they won't screw up. After every dance, there was a relief that they didn't. They didn't know how these feelings changed so much. The year was the worst one they had. After years of laurels and achievements, there was a steep way downhill. It wasn't even a fluctuating graph. It was a "V" turned upside down. Was this going to happen to them? Was it the end of the prodigies? Or was it just a slump? Was their talent going off like a leak in the water tanker? One day, Ram, Kavita, Dinkar, Shashi and Dakshay met with Mr. Mehra. They explained to them how their girls were broken. They were even thinking about quitting altogether. They shared all their worries with them. None of them wanted them to quit dancing. Mr. Mehra promised them that he will help. He promised them that he would do his best to bring the girls on top of the game.

          After two days, Mr. Mehra met up with his three prodigies and decided to take them to a music show. It was a delightful musical evening with four musicians. A lady was singing. Two other men were on the harmonium and flute respectively. And a young boy was on the tabla. The music was so soothing. Their devotion shone out so purely. The way the woman closed her eyes, had a bit of a frown of concentration and the way her hand was raised up to depict the high note. Her dedication shone brightly from her expressions. It was almost magical. When the show ended, Mr. Mehra asked the girls, "Did you like the show?" All the three nodded yes. He then began, "Did you notice anything among them?" They were surprised by the question. They had scarce knowledge of music then what were they going to notice? Whether she was off-tone? Looking at their confused faces, he explained to them, "Those artists were enjoying themselves. They weren't performing for the audience. They were doing it because they found themselves while doing it. Singing, for them, is their life and audience is only a secondary factor. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" Their faces were blank. Deepika spoke up, "Are you saying we could learn something from them?" He nodded, "Yes, you're right. Samaira, after 10 years of success, you're now doubting yourself. Deepika, after 6 years of proving yourself in this field, you're limiting your capabilities. And Gayatri, after 5 years of constant practice, you feel like you're not good enough. Before the start of your failures, did you ever bother about anything else? You just wanted to dance! That was something you did because it gave you joy. It was a feeling of freedom. Dancing meant everything to you. But after that show, you have started to act so differently. Before a performance, you are scared instead of being excited. You feel relief instead of content after a performance. You think about other people more than you think about your dance moves. You take up simple steps rather than challenging yourself. Where have those prodigies gone? Those little girls who cared only and only about dancing? Where's that passion gone? I know, I should congratulate you for not taking fame into your heads but this is equally bad. You have got to remember why you started. It's not that your talent is shading off. You have improved yourself, over the years and you can see it in your numerous medals and trophies. So now you have talent plus lots of hard work. It's only those bizarre thoughts in your head which are ruining it for you. You shouldn't let your mind play games with yourself. Develop some mental confidence and try to dance for yourself. Otherwise, what's the use of anything?" Samaira, Deepika and Gayatri were too numbed to reply. They understood each word spoken by their tutor. The truth of the whole situation left them open-mouthed. Knowing something is one thing. But, when it is spoken out loud, then it becomes a real thing. It gets conviction and purpose. The remaining day they spent in silence. They even asked at their homes. Ram and Kavita consoled Samaira. They told her the same truth but also told her that it was not too late to become fearless. Dakshay sat by his sister and assured her that she could still get back on track. He even convinced her to wear comfortable clothes instead of over dressing all the time. "One wardrobe malfunction cannot take away the spark in my sister", he had said. Dinkar asked Deepika to live her life as per her terms. He convinced her that the society is a very expansive, useless and the last thing she should be worried about. Her mother, Shashi, asked her to go over her tapes of performances and study the difference. The three of them pondered over the words of Mr. Mehra and thier loved ones till they fell asleep.

          The next day, they met and started watching the video tapes of all their major performances. The transition was remarkable and noteworthy. It was impossible to ignore the change before and after that life-changing show. After some time, Deepika said, "Enough of this. After watching so many videos, I am just euphoric to get moving. Let's dance!" With no more arguments, the music was on. With a smile on their faces and a complete mental makeover, they danced with grace, joy and life. There was no fear about anything. They didn't care about any competition. They now knew that dance is not equal to competition. Dance equals life. They didn't feel like stopping. As Mr. Mehra saw them, he recorded their fabulous dance of freedom. As anticipated, it got the most views online and the three woman prodigies were officially back!

Patchy Perfections.

          Mala Bapat Roy was an independent woman in her early forties. Working for a top notch company at the post of Logistics Manager, she was content with her job. She had been married to the love of her life for over 14 years. Her husband, Praneet, considered himself lucky to have such a wonderful life partner in Mala. Their 12-year-old kid, Aryan, was a star student, an athlete and a loving son. They had maids for every thing, from cooking till care-taking of the house. They lived in a 3 bedroom apartment in Juhu. Her life was perfect. Yet, somehow somewhere she always felt incomplete. She felt like her life was a show in which she was merely a puppet, dancing by the strings held by its master. Being happy because of the increment in salary. (A string held by her company.) Being thrilled by her lifestyle. (A string held by the society.) Being a perfect woman. (A string she created for herself.) Just a puppet. Mala was aware that thousands of people craved to live her life. The rich life with a loving family, a huge home and a satisfying job. A life where she bought whatever she pleased. A life where she earned a fortune just in a month's period. A life where her husband loved and respected her. A life where her son idolized her. Such a perfect life.
          Mala's routine had been more or less similar since the past 10 years. She woke up at 6 am. Read the newspaper for an hour. Worked at office from 8 am to 8 pm. Reached home by 9 pm. Had dinner with family. Each one shared their day's events. Then slept. Sundays and holidays were rare but they were spent in corporate parties or relatives' get-together functions. Otherwise, Mala had an uptight schedule. However, due to the unavoidable questions her own self had been asking her, she had finally decided to investigate them. She took a day off from work. It turned out to be a simple favor because she had never taken such a leave. She had discussed it with Praneet and Aryan. They agreed that she deserved a break.
          It was a Wednesday. Mala left at 6 am for her farm house which was just an hour away. From the start of that first hour, her introspection had begun. She became nostalgic. In her school and college days, she had a handful of true friends. She hadn't spoken to them in such a long time that she couldn't remember herself. A girl who loved to cook, now ate the food made by her servants. A girl who loved to run, now raced in a Porsche. A girl who ate all types of junk food, now survived on salads and fruits. A girl who had a gang of BFFs, now had a group of junior staff. A girl who loved rap music, now pretended to like ghazals. A girl who was once a tomboy, was now a classy woman of pride. A girl who used to smile widely, now fake smiled. There was no resemblance between the Mala 20 years ago and the Mala now. She understood what she was missing on. She had to find herself. She didn't hate the life she lived. She just had to add a little bit of her younger self into the picture.
          As she reached her farm house, her servants took her luggage inside. She was offered green tea and fruits for breakfast. Her servants were well-acquainted with her daily food itinerary. This was the point when she knew she had to change things. She dismissed them. She decided to make the best of that day. The first thing she did was reading. Not the usual newspapers, but a book. She re-read her favorite novel 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo. She was confused how she had almost forgotten the story. But she was also thrilled to take the path of reading. She read for 5 hours straight. Just like the old days, she thought. She had completely lost touch of books and now she felt really guilty for giving up on that hobby.
          By 12, she was hungry. She decided to cook a meal for herself. Enough of risottos and spaghetti. She was going to cook ordinary food, the way her mother taught her. She made chapatis, potato vegetable, dal and rice. Even though she hadn't cooked for a decade, she was glad that she hadn't lost the habit. There was actual gleefulness when her chapatis were a perfect shape of a circle. She experienced similar joy and excitement while cooking as she always had. That feeling gave her the first idea as to how such little things can be so worthy.
          After cooking, the next thing was shopping. It had been years since she went on a shopping spree. Her clothes, shoes, make up etc were taken care of by her personal assistant. Forgetting all the formalities, she went to a nearby mall. Thankfully or not, malls are just everywhere these days. There was no need to think about money or fashion. She was going to shop like she always did. She was very tired of the white, cream and black clothes she wore to office. Even her dresses were either white or similar to what sounds like dullness. It was time to bring color to life. She bought six dresses, which were red, blue, green, black, orange and pink. Since she had the body of a model, she knew she would look amazingly hot in them. Further, she bought office-appropriate shirts. Not too dull, not too bright. Perfect for a Manager. She was starting to enjoy the whole experience tremendously. Shopping is the cure for everything, they say and how true it is! The fun had just begun. Furthermore, she bought a couple of traditional skirts, some kurtis and tops. She bought a pair of 4 inch hot red stilettos and two wedges. Now was the time to splurge on make-up. Starting from foundation until make-up remover, she got it all. She didn't forget to get red lipsticks. Finally when her trolley was over flowing, she realized she had to check out, otherwise there would be no stopping her. So, after 3 hours of shopping therapy and with 5 huge shopping bags in each of her hands, she somehow reached her car. There was a smile on her face the whole time she drove back to her day's nest.
          Around 5 pm, she went to a coffee shop to meet her college friends, Vaibhavi and Nirali. When they agreed to meet her after years of silence, she was quite relieved. They were her friends, at least she hoped that. The first few minutes were spent in saying casual hellos after which there was an awkward silence. Mala asked everything about them. She was delighted to know that their lives were going great. Then, it was time. Mala had to tell them the real reason she wanted to meet them. She conveyed her life story to them. They were glad that she was living a perfect life. But then she confided in them and told them about the many patches in her life. She apologized for not contacting them. Somehow, because of their past bond, they understood. The three of them recollected their college days and shared many laughs. Mala got herself back and also her friends. And soon, she was going to get her life back.
          They talked their hearts out for about 2 hours. After bidding goodbye, she went to a garden. It was another thing which she had been alienated to. It was not a hi-fi park in Juhu. It was a park with ordinary people; walking, jogging and talking. After a run, she felt exhilarated. Real running in a park was much better than that on a treadmill. She sat on a bench, observing the people around her. An old man putting a rose in his wife's hair. A teenage couple lost in each other's eyes. A young girl listening to music. A laughing club. A group of old women gossiping. All these seemed so happy. Real happiness flowed from their faces reaching the other and making them equally happy. Mala was so robotized for fake smiles that she had almost forgotten what it was to laugh. That day she smiled genuinely, laughed incredibly and lived truly. She knew the secret of life lay in your own soul. Unless you don't feel happy inside, then all the outside flattery is worthless. Unless you don't live your life as per your own terms, then you're just a puppet. Unless you fill up the patches of sadness, you're only a patchy perfection.

Fanatic Fangirls.

PART ONE.

          It was the first day of senior college. Aisha was optimistic about this year and what it would enfold. She had always been an outgoing person who befriended all her batch mates, be it school or classes. College was going to be no exception. She wasn't some it girl with a wardrobe of shoes. You could actually call her a tomboy. At least, she liked being called that.

          The first lecture of the first day began at 8 am. She took a seat in the middle row. Soon, others joined around her and the talks began. They discussed their past colleges, percentage in twelfth grade, time table for the day and so on. During break, some students went to canteen while some decided to roam in the college. As Aisha was leaving, she noticed a girl sitting all by herself in a corner, listening to songs. She was beautiful with a normal height and hair tied in a bun. Aisha didn't go to talk to her because of her undeniable hunger. But later on, she approached this girl, "Hi, I'm Aisha", she introduced. Removing the headphones, the girl replied, "Umm, hello. My name is Ruchi". Aisha began, "So you aren't hungry or anything? I saw you sitting here all the time." "Oh, not really. I was just listening to songs", replied Ruchi. With her ever lasting excitement, Aisha inquired, "That's cool. What are you listening to? I love The Beatles and Bollywood music." Ruchi replied in a calm manner, "Terry Ross". Aisha replied in a pretending manner, "Oh cool. I haven't heard much about her, though".

          The bell rang and it was time to get to their respective places. Ruchi was relieved that she was on her own again. Ruchi was the most introverted person you could meet. She was a good student and a crazy fan of American singer, Terry Ross. Just when she was comfortable being alone, Aisha came and sat next to her. They exchanged smiles. Ruchi didn't like her much, for the sole reason that she had no knowledge of Terry. To Ruchi's relief, the lecturer came in, which gave little scope for further conversation. However, Aisha kept talking, "Could you send me some of the best songs of this Terry person?" Ruchi rolled her eyes and thought, "Every song is a masterpiece. And what does she mean by 'this Terry person'!? Ughh". Anyway, she sent her a few songs. Soon, the first day was over, Aisha had already taken Ruchi's number and also promised to let her know about the songs. Aisha joined her other group of six friends whilst Ruchi left the college by 11.15 am.
          Aisha listened to the songs. By the end of the second song, she was close to tears. And by the end of the fifth song, she was dancing in her bedroom. She left 7 messages to Ruchi, which went like this:

Heyyy!
I just listened to Terry Ross!!!
Guess what? I love her!!
I mean, her songs are so real and filled with emotion.
The youth can connect to these songs so easily!!
I have all her albums on download right now and I don't even know how I didn't know about her!
I seriously owe you one for introducing me to her.

In the meantime, Ruchi was having lunch. She saw her soon-to-be-best-friend's messages twenty minutes later. She was thrilled and the happiest at that moment. She replied, " I know right? She just makes life better. Some of her songs seem like they are taken right out of my life!" Aisha replied in seconds, quoting a lyric, "This life just keeps on getting better.. better". Ruchi smiled and texted back, " Look who's a fangirl now!" "Oh yes! We are the fangirls!" Their chat continued for a long time discussing more about music and little about college. A bond of friendship was born as they drooled in the fandom of Terry Ross.
          The following couple of weeks went fast. There were assignments, presentations, studies and exams. Aisha had talked to everyone in her batch but every one was not a friend like Ruchi. On the other side, Ruchi only had one friend in Aisha. One day, they both were returning home from college by bus. They had their headphones tucked in their ears and were enjoying themselves. After one point, Aisha started to lip sync. She made hand gestures that went along with the actions in Terry's music video. Ruchi joined her. The rest of the people didn't matter to them as they were engrossed in the music.
          Soon, they had a twitter account dedicated to Terry Ross. For people who are unaware of this, there are millions of accounts on social networking sites like twitter and tumblr that are pure fangirl/fanboy accounts. Their twitter experience was one of joy and adventure. Whenever there was any award show, both of them spent their time tweeting for Terry to win. The most appealing fact was that they were not the only ones, which made them feel not insane. They even befriended two girls, Geet and Shruti who lived in the same city and were equally crazy about Miss Ross. Geet was a graduate whereas Shruti was a 26 year old working woman. They had a group on which they chatted constantly. Internet friends weren't so bad after all.
          Then, one day, Terry announced the news of her new album. The fangirls had no chill. Their excitement levels reached the roof and blasted above it. They couldn't wait for Terry's new album! Aisha began, " I cannot wait till 10th of March! That's three months away!" Ruchi said, "I already know that her album is going to be fantastic. I just want her to tour India this time!" "Hold on, what if she never tours here? She knows that she has crazy fans here, right? We cannot just wait till she comes here!" "We don't really have an option, you see!", replied Ruchi in a sad tone. Aisha replied, "I guess you're right."

PART TWO.

          Those three months flew by. There was a lot of studying to do for the finals, which went pretty great for both of them. Aisha and Ruchi were free by first week of March. Finally, 10th March came. Aisha came over at Ruchi's place for a sleepover. Geet and Shruti joined them as well. By then, the four of them became pretty close. They even hanged out a lot of times. The album titled 'Binary' was out. After listening to it once, they realized that this album was on a whole new level. Terry just kept on raising the bars for herself with such incredible lyrics, sweet vocals and mesmerizing music. The four were mind-blown. They jammed to the album in a loop for five times. It was exhilarating and astounding to be a part of something so beautiful.
          The next day, they watched their favorite Bollywood movie named 'Queen'. Aisha got a lot inspired by watching that film. She thought, "If Rani can survive in a city like Paris, then why can't I? She can't even speak proper English and doesn't have any confidence either. Apart from all that, she grew into such a mature person in a short trip! Then why can't I do the same?" The movie always made her feel this way, but this time it was serious. She was an independent, confident and wise girl. And so were her three pals. Then why couldn't they achieve their dreams together? Maybe they could. She devised a plan. 'Mission Terrry Ross, Australia'. Aisha convinced her parents after some of her usual techniques. Geet and Shruti were ready for it. There was going to be major convincing at Ruchi's home. Her girl gang gathered at her home. Aisha tried her charm. Geet showed the practicality of the situation and that there was no harm. Shruti's words made the difference. She was a grown up. So, Ruchi's parents finally agreed when they understood how sensible and caring Shruti was. It was quite unbelievable to them even. They were going to see Terry Ross!
By the end of the next day, it was decided that Aisha, Ruchi, Geet and Shruti were going to Australia to watch Terry Ross live in concert!! Destiny was with them. Right from convincing their parents to accepting their own fearfulness to travel without them, they made up their minds to witness the luckiest and the most awaited day of their lives.

          On 2nd June, four young ladies started their journey. They couldn't talk much; partly because they didn't believe that they were going to see Terry Ross and partly because it was going to be the best day of their lives. 4th June was D-Day. Aisha rocked a denim jumpsuit with converse sneakers and a hat. She could almost pass for a country girl. Ruchi looked cool wearing shorts and a hand-painted tee which had the words 'Terry Ross forever'. Geet wore a sparkly black top and black jeans. She looked like a total party animal. Shruti looked elegant in a sundress and her perfect makeup. They all dressed up more excitedly than they ever did. They carried a huge poster with them. It had 'Binary' written in the center with the album art. There were lyrics on top and bottom of the poster. Some cut-out pictures of Terry Ross were stuck over it. 'fanatic fangirls' was written at one corner and it had a lot of glitter. It took them 8 hours to finish it and were pleased with it.

          They left for the concert 10 hours early because they knew how huge Terry's fanbase was. The huge stadium had sold out within minutes! Those 10 hours went by slowly. When it was almost time, tension started building up within them. The level of anxiety, enthusiasm and adrenaline was getting higher by the minute. Once the gates were opened, the sea of fans raced inside like their life depended upon it. That hustle reminded them of Mumbai local trains! They got their seats in front of the stage, in the sixth row or so. The moment was going to be anytime now. Terry Ross came up on stage. The audience screamed their throats out at her first sight. The voice of the stadium reverberated around and around. That was the moment. They looked at each other and they knew that this moment was much more than they had ever imagined. It was so much more. That feeling was beyond anything. They started singing out loud with Terry. They listened, sang, danced, enjoyed and cried. It was pure magic. Terry Ross concluded by saying, "I am here because of you all. You fans are the reason that I love to create music. I love you all and I know you will stick with me till the end." With those words, the show ended and the hearts of everyone melted.

         That day, the lives of Aisha, Ruchi, Geet and Shruti changed forever. They saw their idol live. They spent years listening to her music, following all her social events, defending her against the haters, praising her words and loving her for what she believed in. Terry Ross, to them wasn't just a musician. She was their idol. They felt happy because of her. They got their hearts together after a heart break because of her. They felt like themselves because of her. They were just some fangirls living a fanatic life!

Beyond Bondage.

          As Soham read the mechanical report, the kind he had written for perhaps the fiftieth time, he thought, " What am I doing with my life?" He had always been a man of action and thrill. "I was the winner of the State debate. I have certificates for events like tree plantation and running marathons. I used to be filled with energy and adventure. Where did all these things go? What am I doing with my life?", he thought. At that instance, he left his office at 3.40 (which was 5 hours earlier than his usual slogging time.) He started his car and began driving. The destination held little importance as this journey was going to be a vital one. The fact that he knew his destination was another thing. He knew this was not some out-of-the-blue reaction or an impulsive action. It was the result of months of continuous, unappreciated and meaningless work in an MNC. As his thoughts went back, he remembered that he had taken that particular job only because of the popularity of the organisation and not because of his love for back office and data entry. As Soham approached the highway, thoughts started coming his way. It was impossible to ignore the strength of the voice from one part within him that said "Quit the job". Also, it was impossible to consider the weak debate from the other side within him which said "You need this job". He had already taken a decision. But what made it so difficult to say it out loud were the undeniable consequences and the drastic lifestyle change.
          Soham reached an abandoned lake. He shouted out loud. A scream of frustration. A scream of freedom. A scream of release. After sitting on the stairs by the lake, he mindlessly started looking at the flowing waves, the tall trees, the sun setting and the birds flying. He had always found a haven in nature. There was something in that breeze which would never match the cool of an air conditioner. There was something in the melody of those singing birds which was nothing compared to jazz. The silence of this place was leaps and bounds beyond the silence in his office. It wasn't the first time that he visited this lake. It was his spot whenever he faced tough situations. It was the place he ran away to. His nest.
          After some time, he saw a mid-aged woman at the other side of the lake. She was dressed in rags. Perhaps, she was sitting by the lake after washing clothes in that same lake water. Perhaps, just wanting some alone time, just like Soham did. Perhaps, because she had a bit of free time spared from her chores. Soham observed this woman. She had a constant smile on her face. Her body language was relaxed and peaceful. She seemed content. She did not let poverty get to her. Even in such a grim situation, there was that smile. The smile that conveyed she was stronger than any other circumstances. Soham was lost in that woman's smile. He thought, " I wonder what makes her so happy that she cannot stop smiling?" She then waved at him. He waved right back and there came a smile on his face as well. He then wondered, "What is it about her smile that made me feel better?" He then got the answer, at last. He was experiencing the power of happiness within him. Somehow, he struck a connection with her and it felt like she was saying, "Go and be happy". As he decided to leave, he had made a firm resolution. He was going to take a leave for some days from his job. He was going to travel. He was going to take adequate amount of time to understand whether what he wanted to do was really the right thing to do.
          The next day, Soham was on a plane to Fiji Islands. On his arrival at the Nadi airport, the positive vibes came in. Travelling was something which he loved. It was an expensive hobby but every part of it was worth the penny. Nadi was the tourism place in the archipelago of Fiji. As this was an impromptu trip, he had not made reservations. He decided to camp out for a few days and understand the essence of the place, in real sense. After all, one cannot know the place if they stay in a hotel room. The rare and unforeseen experiences in a journey are the ones which people remember rather than the comfort of a bed. As it was not possible to camp out anywhere he pleased, Soham decided on a resort that provided camping area. Enjoying the most of nature, he was pleased with his destination choice. Right from setting up a tent to barbecuing, the experience was memorable. He couldn't have done that along with his family. His wife would be like, "There are mosquitoes and wildlife here. You realize that this is not a good idea, I mean, you are joking, right?" He laughed at that imaginary conversation. It was not that he didn't love her. They both just shared quite different hobbies and interests. That night was a night of introspection. He knew he enjoyed travelling. He was aware of his love for nature. His passion was to explore the world and learn about each of the places, their traditions, their way of life and so on. That night he slept with no worries and tensions. In the next few days, he went to the wonderful beaches of Fiji. He surfed and hiked. He did all the crazy things which he had always wanted to do. He even took pleasure in their traditional festivals.
          He spent 15 days of camping, beaching, surfing, enjoying local delicacies, surfing, hiking, and touring an amazing island. In that period of time, he developed a deep relation with the nature & with himself. Now, he had the answers to everything. Life is temporary, he had known. Wasting even a single moment doing something you don't like is a waste of being alive. Soham was going to devote his life to nature and traveling. He knew he wasn't good at writing travel diaries nor did he excel at photography. His income would stop once he quit his lame job. The only way he could pursue his dream was by excelling as a tour guide. Not the ones who get thrown around but those with real knowledge about places. He had decided to document the places he had already been to, which included, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bhutan and lastly Fiji. He was going to prepare documentaries on these places and showcase his talent to the world. People would accept him because he possessed knowledge and experience over and above other travel agencies.
          Conveying his decision to his family was the start of a rough journey with many ups and downs. He had imagined his wife's reaction but reality had him better. When he convinced his wife and his parents with his 'tour guide charm', then there was no looking back. He set up his sole concern, with whatever savings he had. He published and advertised his work about the 5 exhilarating places where Indians can travel relaxing themselves & also their pockets. These documentaries included each and every aspect of those places. There were ordinary sections like how to travel, when to visit, where to stay. But there were also non-ordinary sections which mentioned the specific activities which they can enjoy, his own experience, the history of the place, the traditions and so on. Due to his exquisite study of places, he was able to attract many customers. His customers included people who really wanted to know a place, schools and colleges for industrial visits etc. His x factor stood out against everyone. His potential, efforts and dedication were reflected in his success. Five years later, with a successful business of his liking, he was still Soham, sitting by the lake, from where his life changed forever.

A Year Since Kashmir.

          After sharing the experience of my Kerala visit, I have developed an interest in travel writing. I may not have climbed mountains or jumped from a plane. But in my opinion, travel is something different for every individual. For me, it lies in the beauty of a place. Last year, I visited Kashmir and within it lies the most effusive natural beauty and solitude. It is that feeling which I had when I stood at 15000 feet that made me write this post. Dedicated to the place I will always treasure.
          The heat here in Mumbai, just reminds me of all the snow-clad mountains over a wide range that spread through the Himalayan range. We visited three places; Sonmarg, Chandanwadi and Gulmarg to enjoy the most of snow. My favorite was unquestionably Gulmarg. The amount of excitement was so much that I just couldn't wait until I was way above the normal altitude and in the midst of all the clouds. The moment we reached on the third and the highest level, I was stunned by the beauty that was Kashmir. I just stood there open-mouthed staring at the place which was so unique in its own way. It had some sort of magic which had me bewitched at the first glance. There was nothing but snow and clouds. We could see the city far away from where we stood. But mostly it was all white, snow draped over all the mountains. It was cold but somehow I couldn't feel it because of the adrenaline and anxiety that was pumped up within me. At that moment, nothing else mattered. My mind was fully in that place, in real time and I was busy taking it all in. We could see the shadow of the white clouds upon the white snow and it felt unbelievable to envision such beauty. Even though there was the partition rope between two countries right in front of us, the place symbolized peace. It was a place where a person can be when he was fed up with all the people down there. It was a place for meditation and concentration. I would have loved to stay there pondering and thinking about all of the mysteries of life and nature. It was a marvelous place which penetrated hope and life. I had seen nothing quite like it and it became the closest most favorite place near my heart.
          I clicked around 100 photos of Gulmarg alone, among which these are some of the best ones.

The magnificent view from 15000 feet.

Of snow and clouds...

The shadow of the clouds upon the snow clad mountains.

          Today, even after one year, as I close my eyes, I recollect all the memories, thrill, amazement and pleasure I had when I was at Gulmarg.

One Last Time.

          Yesterday was officially the last day at college. One last time I had to give an exam. One last time I had the chance to be there. I reached an hour early & had the classroom to myself. One last time I was the first to open that door, switch on all the lights and just live the air of college. I had decided which parts to revise for the exam, but nostalgia hit me right in my brain and I was lost in all those sweet college memories. I found myself in the past, the present and the future. I was recollecting memories from the past, viewing my college with awe in the present & hoping for a great future I'll have only because I was a part of this institution. I felt sadness that it was over & anxiety for how amazing a journey it was. I felt grateful & also indebted. I felt so many feelings at once which I hadn't expected. Just two days ago, my fellow classmates were talking about the end of a journey & the many 'one last time' things & and I couldn't even care to bother. But yesterday, after being in my college & realizing that I wouldn't be there anymore estranged me. And since I was the girl who fled home at 10:37 as soon as the lecture ended at 10:36, all these feelings took me by surprise. I truly loved my college. It had given me a few experiences of the difficult world to get me outside of my shell. It gave me immense knowledge. It helped me find an interest & develop a hobby. It gave me some amazing teachers whom I will idolize till the end of my life. And it gave me amazing friends, to last forever.

          As I look back, I can only see memories. The time we were so fascinated by college days and the college festival, back in FY. Those friendship day celebrations, over the years were so fun. The amount of anxiety we had during our first presentation in FY was insurmountable. The great event of 'Teachers' Felicitation' was something we all enjoyed. The three industrial visits, which brought us all closer, will remain in our memories forever.

          All those times when our happiness knew no bounds when a lecture was cancelled. Or, at other times, the sadness when we compulsorily had to attend some seminars. That one day we looked forward to when we had our favorite teacher's lecture. And also that one teacher whose lecture was equivalent to a free lecture. The times when rains made it impossible to get us to college, but we still went, because it was our college, our habitat. Those numerous times when we just sat in canteen because that was our place after we had bunked the lectures. The list is infinite and so is our love for our college. Whatever happens, we will look back upon these days and a smile will come to our faces, in an instant.

          Now, we are adults. We are graduates. There are great expectations from us. From now on, our real life begins. It is our choice whether to start a business or study more or take up a job. It is us who have to take the responsibility of our future in our hands. We had the time of our lives in college but now is the time to get up and experience the world.

          I will always relish my college life, for it had many friends, memorable experiences and enthusiastic learning (in and out of the classroom.) Few years down the line, when I'll be reading a novel about a college story, I'll remember my college and then the sea of memories will flood in and I'll be grateful for having chosen such an amazing college which truly changed my life. To conclude, I'd say this-

Bunked the lecture, one last time.

Gave an exam, one last time.

Did time pass in canteen, one last time.

We will be nostalgic about this, some time.

9 Things I'm Doing This Summer.

          Summers equals vacations. This time it's probably going to be my last enjoyable summer vacation. Because henceforth there will be seriousness, maturity and all of those corporate ethics to bind by. That is the basic reason why I have decided to make this summer count. I have decided on doing some productive yet fun activities instead of just lazing out on the couch and watching television. (It will obviously be one part of it though. I mean, it's television!) So here goes some of the things:

1. Reading.

My bookshelf.

          Reading is like breathing or eating for me, so I'm going to read a lot. The ones in front are some of the books I look forward to reading. The new thing which I'm doing this time is to read classics and also some authors whose books I haven't read yet. Instead of re-reading 'The Fault In Our Stars', which is my favorite, I am going to expand my reading horizons. What's your 'To-Be-Read' list?

2. Writing.

          After careful consideration of all the fields around me, I think writing is something in which I find solace. Writing, to me, is peace of mind. It is thinking about any subject from 360 angles and expressing upon it. I am going to dedicate myself to writing as well as blogging, which is going to be a lot fun around here. I am hoping to write book reviews, movie reviews, cooking experiences, travel diaries and much more. You can know that as you finish this post!

3. Exercise.

          This one is in every person's list and somehow it is always ignored. I think that vacation is about fun, relaxed and happy people eating pizza and ice cream! Sure, I love to believe that because that's the easy way out. If I want to enjoy ice cream, then I'm going to pay for it by exercising. It is not even that hard to take out an hour for exercising, especially when there are no studies. So I'm going to hit the grounds, work out in the gym and burn some calories this summer and so should you!

4. Exploring.

          There are so many places to visit and so many things to see. Even if it's not possible to go on fancy tours, you can still explore your own city. There are some places I  have never been in my own city. There are a few hangout spots where I was keen to go but never actually been. I'm going to check out such places along with my friends and add some adventure to summer.

5. Cooking.

Yummy donuts made by my mother.

          I love food and I am proud to be a foodie. Honestly, I don't know a single person who is not a foodie. Everyone loves to eat! This time, I'm going to learn cooking, for real. My mom would be pleased after reading this. She is the most amazing cook and I don't have any doubt that she will be an amazing teacher as well. Maybe not baking or grilling but I can start with something basic like sheera and pohe, which are the Maharashtrian necessities.

6. Knowledge add-ons.

          I have heard enough times that you need that something extra to survive in the industry. It can be anything from working for an NGO to solving the Rubik's square to bar tending! None of these, but I am going to decide on something and excel at it. Another thing which is on my list that I can include here is, study. Not academic study, of course. I am going to take up a subject on the current affairs and study it. It would be like a project. If I want, I could even present it to my family members or friends. Topics could be anything like politics, music industry, women empowerment etc. Such an activity will keep me updated on the news as well as help me in project planning in the future.

7. D.I.Y stuff.

          These are the bookmarks I had made 2 years back during Diwali vacations. I made a lot of them and gave them to my cousins and friends. Being a reader, it's natural that the first 'Do-It-Yourself' thing I thought of was a bookmark! However, I am planning to make some new and simple things this time. It could be a pouch out of a tie or a wall-hanging out of CDs. There are so many ideas available on the net these days that it has become quite easier to make such articles.

8. Workshops.

          This plan is still in the works as I haven't searched which workshops are happening this summer. I would like to attend as many writing workshops as possible. That is going to be the goal. There are many other workshops that one can join. I was even considering photography or pot-making. It's all about searching and remaining updated on the social media sites from where you can get reliable information.

9. Television.

           As I said earlier, I am not going to compromise much on television. There are so many sitcoms and movies to watch. The plus point of watching a movie is that I can write a blog review on it later. So, who's the real winner here? My all-time favorites are 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Pretty Little Liars'. This summer I'm definitely watching 'Friends', "HIMYM' and 'Game Of Thrones', if I get any time from doing all of the above listed things. Movies that I want to watch are the ones which are from books. So, Insurgent and Paper Towns basically. 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' comes out later in November. So, more of waiting on that one! So, that's that!

          I really want to complete this summer bucket-list and have a great time this summer. What are your summer plans? Do share. :)

Are You Living?

          The human body needs a heart and a brain to function whereas the kidneys, liver etc are secondary. If a person is brain dead or his heart stops beating, then that's the end of everything. Now that's the science part. I don't write a science blog. I write a thought blog, you can say. In my opinion, there are five major constituents that are crucial in someone's life, excluding which they are not alive. The five components which I believe in are trust, passion, hope, happiness and love.

          If you think over it, you may realize that my theory has some sense. Our lives are filled with innumerable events, countless people and infinite feelings. Humans can be cheery at one moment and absolutely raged the next. There is no way of predicting human behavior or the impact of environment on us. Such random changes in mood, trust issues, depression and craziness can come to an end if you practice this simple theory. All you have to do is ask yourself five questions whenever you are feeling down.

Do you trust yourself and others?

Are you passionate?

Are you hopeful?

Are you happy?

Are you in love with what you are doing or whom you are with?

          Let's take an example of your job. After graduation or post-graduation, many educated people are still clueless about their life. They never get the time to really think upon what interests them or whether it is all right to evade something that the whole world  does. Many of them just take up whichever job they get and live with it forever. They don't understand or trust what they are doing. There is obviously no passion, happiness or love. There is just hope that something better will come along (which, to be honest, never comes.) So, what's the point? That isn't living. That is just surviving. Such depressing work force can lead to many sad psychological downturns. I understand that income is a valid point to stay but is it not better to find something that you are passionate about and earn from that? Loving what you do and doing what you love. That's the goal, right? And when you find something like that then there is guaranteed success!

          Another case is friendships or relationships. Obligatory hellos? Fake smiles? Awkward silence? Yes, these are the kind of things you go through around people with whom you are not comfortable or happy. Humans are sensitive and that is why you cannot just quit on them like jobs or objects. You can try to talk it out with them. If they are all right with your decision, then they will understand and let you go. If they really do care for you, then they will stick to you and make things pleasant for you. There should co-exist a bond of trust, passion, hope, happiness and love between family members, friends and lovers. Otherwise, what is the meaning of any relationship at all? Why to name it something when there is no exchange of feelings or thoughts? You can follow the five step mantra to evaluate where you stand in a relationship and understand yourself better.

          The last and the most important aspect where you can study this concept is, with yourself. You will have to consider external aspects such as your job,relationships and so on while doing this. Because, the things that are inter-related to you are the things that can make or break you. To decide that is completely within you.
          Do you trust yourself, your personality, your values and believe in them the way others think you do? Are you optimistically hopeful for your future and for what it has to offer to you? Are you happy with the kind of an individual you have become? Are you the kind of person that radiates happiness and spreads it around all the people surrounding you? Are you in love with your life? Are you in love with those people who make your life worthwhile? Are you living?

Congratulations Saina Nehwal!

          India is a country wherein three things are worshiped greatly; politics, bollywood and cricket. These have taken so much importance over the years that other fields are neglected. If some one has good looks, then there is nothing else but bollywood. If someone is good at sports, then there is a high chance that he/she will be dragged into cricket. On the other hand, if someone is playing really good badminton on the streets, then he/she is just said to be lucky for the day. Playing badminton is something every person has done as a child. It is even assumed to be a simple game. Well, firstly, badminton isn't as simple as it looks. Street badminton is nothing like playing badminton indoors. Even though the court is small, there are numerous things to be practiced. Badminton is not just about smashes. It is about the proper serve, high tosses, clever drops and fast smashes which make up an excellent rally. It is a game which requires an exercise of the entire body.
          In a country where academics is considered more important than talent, a small-town girl from Haryana made it to the international tournaments, won medals, received awards and made the country proud. Today, Saina Nehwal became the first ever Indian woman shuttler to be ranked 'World Number 1' in International Woman's Singles Badminton! Being a hardcore fan of badminton and Saina, I am delighted. Of all the women in badminton, she truly deserves this. Badminton has been Saina's life and blood ever since she was 8 years old. Saina dedicated her life to the sport. Her devotion, perseverance, mental and physical strength have been the key values which make her such a world class player.

Saina with her Olympic Bronze medal.

          Saina Nehwal has won Indonesia Super Series (2009, 2010, 2012), Singapore Super Series (2010), Hong Kong Super Series (2010), Indian Open (2010, 2014), Swiss Open (2011, 2012) and so many other tournaments that I have lost count. Not only did she win a bronze at the 2012 Olympics but also many national awards. Saina is the recipient of Arjuna award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padma Shri. And, of course, another accomplishment added today was the world number 1 rank.
          There are ups and downs in every sportsman's career but that is no reason to give up. That point is the time when they have to get up from scratch and fight back stronger than ever. Saina's matches are filed with such match-changing turns. It is always exciting  to watch her on court. Her brilliant techniques and unbelievable mental energy are the strong points that help her to win the match. If you have seen her matches, then you must have noticed a few things. Saina gives a 'drop' more than a 'smash'. She involves the opponent in long rallies rather than getting points by ending it with a few strokes. She knows the game and she savors it.
          It is because of her qualities of discipline and continuous practice, she has reached such a landmark position. The fact that she has become what she set out to be, gives an inspiration for all the players to keep working and improving towards excellence. Such achievements give hope and positivism about the future of Indian badminton. I heartily congratulate Saina Nehwal on this wonderful accomplishment. I wish her great victories in the future and I await the day when the top 10 ranks will be filled with Indian players. 

Turning 21!

          Isn't it the best feeling, being loved? My 21st birthday was filled with lots of it. Love from my family, love from my friends, love from all my close ones. It felt divine. I was the happiest person on March, the 19th! Also, all of those who kept a status and changed their display pictures for me, I cannot love you enough. I feel destined to have such amazing people around me who care for me and wish for my happiness. I love you all. So, here's a post for all of you who made my day ultimate!

          It was startling that so many people wished me at midnight. Giving up sleep is no easy task. So my day started at 8 am. I woke up happy with mom and dad wishing me. Then I studied for over an hour. I know, who studies on their birthday!? Apparently I do, but it didn't last long. Then, I met two of my best friends; Priyanka and Suruchi for lunch. We had a pleasant time with good food and some laughs. They gave me a huge greeting card. I was speechless and filled with emotions. It had all my photos on the front and "HBD SHENU" was written in the center with golden glitter. Inside, both of them had written some wondrous lines about me and our friendship. It touched me deeply. The efforts they took for this were clear in the face of it. I couldn't stop smiling about this wonderful gesture!

Inside of the card.

The "A" collage with the mug.

          Post lunch I was planning to take them for dessert but they suggested to go at my home. I didn't exactly get the point of it but I played along. I am never hopeful for anything extraordinary and that's why it took me by a great surprise when I saw my collegemates! There they were; Ruchita, Vidhi and Nilambari, looking at my absolutely astonished face! Excitement took the best of me and left me overwhelmed and yet again speechless. I hugged them and revived soon. And then there was a line of spectacular gifts which sent me back to my surprised and speechless zone again! Vidhi, Nilambari and Ruchita took out this huge outline of an "A". It was a collage made out of numerous pictures! Name any incident and the memory of it I could see there. There were photos of our BSE visit, Ruchita's birthday, Bandra shopping, mall hangouts and of course, the college days. They also included photos from the teachers' felicitation program which was just a couple of weeks earlier. Just everything! If I could cry, I sure would have had tears of happiness.

The paper wall-hanging.

          It didn't end there. They took out this marvelous paper wall-hanging wherein many of my friends had written something about me. It had ten pieces written by ten friends. It was just so cool that I couldn't believe they would make something so artsy for me. It was written by Shweta, Husaina, Nilambari, Pooja, Ruchita, Vaishnavi, Priyanka, Mayuri, Vidhi and Winny. I adored it a great deal. It's unbelievable how a few words from friends can make you so insanely happy! I immediately hanged it up on my study-table and it looked like it just belonged there. Every time I will open my room, it will be the first thing that I will see and it will put a smile on my face in nanoseconds. Thank you so much, girls! The last gift was a lovely coffee mug which was from Vaishnavi, Nilambari, Ruchita and Vidhi. It had New York written on it along with the Statue of Liberty. It was great. My friend, Nilu also wrote a sweet & funny little poem which I loved. Later, we had a photo session which was a must and then we headed to Amul Ice cream. We shared some laughs there and also India won the quaterfinals! After the ice cream treat, Nilambari, Vidhi and Ruchita left. I really missed Vaishnavi and her jokes. I hugged them again and we departed. 

A selfie with Divya.

          Suruchi and Priyanka stayed with me until my school-time best friend; Divya arrived. Divya and I were meeting after quite a long time. So, we talked non-stop. It's funny how we can catch up on everything within just a matter of minutes. Whole days then, narrated in a few minutes now. She gave me a cupcake which was delicious. We walked around a nearby lake for some time. I told her about the concert, my exams, my new books and so on. She talked about her moot in Lucknow, her night out and other funny stories. It's always a delight talking with her. Finally we bid goodbye.




         Now was the precious family time. There wasn't cake cutting because we are not huge fans of cakes or pastries or whatever. Mom put a tilak on my forehead and then I seeked everyone's blessings. Then it was dinner time. Mom had made the most delicious 'Paneer Bhurji', Dad got 'Ras Malai' and my brother gave me a chocolate (which I'm sure mom would have asked him to get.) We all had ice cream later. It was such a merry time.
          My day went by faster than I had thought. It was filled with more people than I had imagined and I loved it. It was filled with happiness and love. I felt so close to everyone, like they really know and understand me. It was an out-of-the-world feeling altogether. I love them. They are my persons.

Group Picture!

          

Get Inspired!

          Have you ever felt clueless? About yourself or about the people around you or just the bleak possibility of a dynamic life in 20-something years? Have you felt like quitting everything, taking a random plane and just going somewhere, away from the chaos? Have you felt like you are leading a meaningless life with no aims or a burning passion? Just the life of a common man, one dot in the whole universe?

          Well, you are not the only one. I don't know anything about psychology or such sciences of people, but I do know a few things from observation and experience. Every single person feels this way at some point in their lives. There are more questions about everything and comparatively a few negligible answers. Firstly, such phases never last. That is why they are called phases! At that point of time, we feel like we are losers and that there is nothing that can make us feel any different or help us in moving on with our lives. No matter how educated or mentally strong we are, but at those vulnerable moments, we change. We go in a state of mind from where we think that we may never revive. It is like a black hole of some kind. I'm not talking about stress or depression here. Those are the words which people use to scare other people. But what I am talking about is just a higher variation of mood swings.
          For example, exams. Being a student, I am well aware of this phenomenon. When the exams are in a few weeks, the panic begins. After a day or two of rigorous studies, there is a meltdown. I think that I don't know a thing and that I should have studied from the beginning and all sorts of brilliant yet never-actually-implied thoughts. What I do is just keep the books away out of frustration and waste an entire day. But, the next day, I am back to normal. That one day is hard but later does it even hold any significance? That is how it usually is. It is a huge thing when you are near it and a small thing when it passes away. Exactly like vehicles on the road.
          What I do when I am low is that I read some amazing quotes. If the motivational quotes fail to cheer me, then I listen to music or read a book or watch television. Escapism is an art you can learn from me. And there is nothing good or bad about it. It is just a way to feel better and get back on our feet.
Here are some ingenious words:

Ed Sheeran Concert Experience

          Edward Christopher Sheeran is an English singer and songwriter. This talented 24-year old red head writes the most lovely lyrics and gives them justice by singing them in his magical voice. He is well-known not only for his melodious tunes but also for his humble and down-to-earth nature. There is no wonder that he has female fans (Sheerios) all over the world. And surely, I am one of the many. So, when his concert was announced in Mumbai, I was overwhelmed! None of my favorites have ever visited India. My best friend Suruchi and I were on cloud nine. To have the perfect concert outfit, we started our shopping strides. Clothes, headbands, hairstyles, shoes, makeup, banners, lyrical imprints and so on. Our excitement was quite as much as when a kid gets a box full of chocolates!
          Finally the day arrived. Ed Sheeran's concert was at Mahalaxmi Race Course on Sunday, 1st of March, organised by Fly Music Festival. Suruchi and I were fully geared to witness the best day of our lives, which certainly it was. The musical evening was to start at 6 pm and we reached a tad early by 4 pm. We went to the venue and were shocked to see the long queue for the entry. We were inside the arena by 6 pm and were pleased to view the rocking stage. There was a DJ playing some good music. He was quite energetic despite the frequent chorus of "We want Ed! We want Ed!" from us.     

    

                         

          The whole time, both of us were having mood surges of extreme happiness to craziness to disbelief and then again to happiness. We were still trying to cope up with the realm of the whole thing. I am so glad to have a friend like Suruchi. She can understand my craziness, passion and love for someone who doesn't know I exist. (That is because she shares this interest.) This evening would have been dull without you, pal!
          The concert finally began by 7.30 pm. The moment came when I saw him for the first time. Ed Sheeran was here, in my home town. I, among others, yelled at the top of my lungs at his first sight. My hands clutched my face, trying to take it all in. He entered wearing kurta and pajamas, carrying India's flag which he wrapped around the mike. He wore Indian clothes! Now I don't know what can possibly be more sweeter than that! His bright blue eyes matched the blue kurta and it felt like watching an angel right in front of me. "Oh I'm a mess right now...", he began and it was followed by yelling, singing, dancing, jumping and lots of fun.

Ed Sheeran performing on stage.

   

The Tracklist

I'm a Mess.

Lego House.

Don't/No Diggity/Nina.

Drunk.

Take It Back/Superstition

Photograph.

Feeling Good/Tenerife Sea

Thinking Out Loud.

I See Fire.

The A Team.

Give Me Love.

You Need Me I Don't Need you/Fancy.

Sing.

          If you view the setlist, you would understand how much all of us must have enjoyed that night. Before it all began, we were all unfamiliar people with different names, class and values. I even had an inferiority complex after watching some girls with their pretty outfits and perfect accents. But once the concert began, when we heard the golden voice of Ed, we were all united. We screamed together. We sang together. We danced together. We cried together. We all experienced such an excellent musician, made countless memories and shared an infinite level of happiness.

          Every part of my body ached because of standing straight for 5 to 6 hours. My stomach growled as I hadn't eaten anything in 6 hours. I was sleep-deprived. And yet, all these things were thrown in the corner for the whole 2 hours of the concert. Even though Ed didn't see me, even though I couldn't go to the airport on his arrival, even though we couldn't get a 'Meet and Greet' session, I felt a connection with him and that was priceless. It was the best evening of my life. I, thank you, Ed Sheeran for giving Mumbai the joy of your vocals. I feel so lucky to witness such an amazing show.
And I would like to say, Ed Sheeran,
Even when your hands won't play strings the same way,
You know I will still love you the same.

Ed posted this photo of us on Instagram captioned "Mumbai".

A day in the life of a Mumbaikar.

          Yesterday, I traveled by train. For maximum people living in Mumbai, it is not at all a big momentous thing. It is something that they do every other day. From home to office or college and back. I, however, use the rail mode of transport  quite rarely. I had to travel to Mahalaxmi with my best friend, Suruchi to collect our tickets for Ed Sheeran's concert which is today. I am not a big fan of trains but particularly today, they did not bother me as much as usual. Plus, it was raining. Some of us just whine about untimely rains or worry about the seasonal cycles but I love it. I love rains, no matter what. So, it was a pleasant day.
          Trains, I have noticed are a fulfilling place for thinking. There are always so many stations to go by, so many people and an abundance of thoughts. There are people going to office. Some are over the phone yelling at their juniors to get the work done. Some are calling at home to check whether every thing is fine. There are those women and men who sell accessories, utility stuff, fruits and other things. Their marketing skills are quite impressive, like the peculiar way they call out. Then there are college going students who are usually listening to music or reading for their exams or standing by the door enjoying the cool breeze. Then there are people like me, who are engrossed in themselves. Train travelling for me is mostly thoughts and observation. I think about possibly all the things. Like yesterday, I started thinking about friends to what-will-happen-in-ten-years thing to the concert to the USA to creative writing and it just kept on wandering. The train of thought is more amusing than the railway trains. There is no end. And when you are a thinker like me, it is a delight.
          Just to take a break from thinking, I started observing the women sitting around me.You have to be awfully careful with that because there is minute difference between observation and staring! I am not Sherlock Holmes but I do like to observe people even if I get no deductions whatsoever. There was a girl accompanying her mother. She was buying her daughter all sorts of things that the vendors were selling. The girl had her hand entwined with her mother's arm. Now, Indian railways are always crowded and everyone is stuck up close to each other. But they were obviously different. They shared a deep and loving bond. On the back end, I have no idea what people might be thinking about us. Suruchi and I had our earplugs in and were listening to Ed Sheeeran. We were also lip syncing. So that is a weird thing to do in public but we do not care much any way. We were just exhilarated about the concert.
          We reached Mahalaxmi in an hour. I felt gleeful as it was raining there as well. We got our tickets. This was my first concert ever and as it was Ed Sheeran, I  was so much excited about it. When I finally got the tickets in my hands, I was so happy. It was bliss. I have been smiling about it ever since. I cannot wait for today's concert. It is going to be the best day of my life!

Our tickets!

I will be back to write about the exclusive concert experience. :)