To new beginnings...

To burying past and welcoming new beginnings with open arms; a recap of what happened last year...

It all started with bringing in the new year with few friends, from one of the best views Singapore had to offer  and trust me, it was something that'll always be a part of me. Exploring the country by the day and chilling with friends by night, living each moment exploring something different about the place.That wasn't just that, the beginning of 2015 had more to offer and landing an internship with Radio Mirchi. That two month journey was a mad one indeed;meeting celebrities, attending award functions, being a part of radio shows, meeting some crazy people(RJ Jeeturaaj, Sapna, Shashi, Sangeeta,  Abhay,  Aniket, Jay and Abhijeet to name a few) and not the forget, the famous selfie with Sunny Leone. 

Summer decided to play nice with me as well.A mad trip with some trippy people at one of the trippiest place in Gujarat; a wildlife sanctuary. If sitting right in the middle of a sanctuary at night, staring at the love made by moonlight and the lake is something that doesn't excite you, nothing will. It was soon followed by Blue Arena,  where hundreds of fellow blues from different part of country joined us as we had the biggest screening ever. It was something none of the attendees would forget. Also, Chelsea FC winning the league a couple of weeks later was the icing on the cake.  

Monsoon had a similar story to tell, starting off with a wonderful trip with my entourage. The trip has some crazy stories attached to it, but it's better if I keep them off Social Media. The overall scene post that trip was very much sorted too-chilling with my favourite people every day, coffees and conversations, sheesha, random drives, mad stayovers and much more.

Come winter, come chaos. I somehow love winters, but it doesn't love me back. It always has some bad news in store for me. Earlier it was the much dreaded exams and now was the much dreaded life exam. I didn't really fare the way I should have and ended up losing  some people. To be honest, it was just like one of those exams where I worked hard, but ended up failing anyway. You lose some, you win some and some people became a part of this journey called life. It doesn't fill the void created by them going, but it brought some hope that bad things happen, but good things happen too. 

Anyway, that's pretty much how my year went by, not one of the best years, but better than the worst. This year definitely made me look at things differently. It made me  realize that life doesn't end when people go away. It might hit a minor bump, but it'll move past that and that it how it should be. Stopping at every bump is something that'll just bring you down. Also, we should accept the fact that everyday can't be the same,  you can't and shouldn't expect good things each and every day. The day you start expecting such things is the day you'll stop living. Own up your things and stop blaming things and people around you for everything wrong going on with yourself. I guess I'll just stop blabbering right there and get back to what I do the best, tweet!

So, here's wishing you all a very happy new year! Have a great one and learn something new in 2016! Cheers!!

Love and all that Jazz

He sat comfortably on his sofa, settling in on a channel after aimlessly surfing channels for almost 15 mins.  He removed a cigarette and started roasting it, to mix it with some top quality hashish someone had got him from Malana. He started rolling it meticulously, licking it to make a perfectly rolled joint.

He drifted towards an altered state of mind just after inhaling few drags of the sweet smelling stuff. Couple of drags more and he started floating away from reality; slowly entering a world that seemed so beautiful to him.

There he was, on a pending long drive, away from that chaotic city that they lived in. Both of them wanted to run away from the madness that surrounded them and live in their own little sane world.

"I've been wanting to go on such a trip since some time. It couldn't have come on a better day", Samara said.

"I know. I wanted to spend as much time I could with you. I wanted to make your birthday as special as I could"

"You being with me is more than enough for me, Zahir. You've always stuck around when I needed someone. You've always made me feel so special"

"Samara, please don't go all formal on me. We're way past that phase. You should know you mean the world to me and I'd do anything to bring a smile on that pretty face."

"Okay, okay. You know the feeling is very mutual, baby. And stop looking at me like that. Concentrate on the road!!"

Playing songs after songs, talking about random stuff and exchanging glances every now&then, they arrived their destination.

"Close your eyes"

"Why?"

"Just do it. Trust me, you won't regret it"

He lead her to this amazing setup up on a private beach. Something that you usually see in movies.

"You can open your eyes now"

"OH MY GOD!! This is so beautiful, Zahir. You remember each and everything I told you about my dream date. The orchids, the music, those purple and white curtains around the set up, my favorite wine, the food that I love, those white balloons. Everything is in place! Everything is sooo perfect! Everything is so beautiful! Oh God! I LOVE YOU, MR. ZAHIR!!"

"It's not as beautiful as you are."

They settled in finally. Having some of that delicious food, a couple of glasses of wine already in their system.

"Baby, let's dance"

"You know na Samara how bad I am at dancing"

"Just come with me!"

Both of them swaying to the mellow tune. Their eyes engrossed in each other, completely clueless and indifferent to what was happening around them. He just looked at her, wondering how lucky he was to have such a pretty lady by his side. She just thanked her stars for finding someone as caring as him. They stopped, getting closer slowly, their lips teasing each other, until they finally became one, passionately.

Suddenly, a voice brought him back to reality.

"DADA, ye kavla maal ka kitna"

Trying to get back from his hazy eyes and mind, he said, "KYA?"

"Arre Dada, wo kavli maal ka daam pooch leraha hoon. Ekdum dhaasu maal utha ke laaye ho dada"

"Acha woh. Uska 2 peti hai. Aisa kavla sealed maal 2 peti mein kahi nahi milega."

From being the sweetest person anyone could ever come across to owning the biggest brothel in the country and being the leader in flesh trade. From someone who treated women with respect to someone who used their bodies to earn money. From someone who never touched a female without her consent to someone who would destroy them if they ever said no. All of that because Samara had left him for someone who earned more. Someone who owned a bigger house. Someone who impressed her with his flashy cars and huge bank balance. It's funny how things change so easily.

Love....and all that jazz it brings along.

Ban-Chhod

A lot of buzz has been going on regarding the 4 day meat ban in Mumbai. People from different faiths and beliefs are discussing/debating and giving their views on the same. For those who don't know, the idea of banning the sale of meat on 4 days of Paryushan was approved by BMC on Monday. This ban implied no meat is to be sold on 10th, 13th, 17th and 18th of September. However, restaurants may continue to serve meat.

Why was this ban allegedly imposed? 

Apparently, this ban was imposed in light of  Paryushan, a festival that is considered really important by Jains. A festival where Jains visit their respective temples twice a day and fast for 8 days; having only boiled water during that period. However, that's for those who can fast. Those who can't, they follow certain really strict rules: they aren't supposed to eat roots, green vegetables, dairy products, have dinner before sunset and so on. 

What does this ban mean to a Jain like me?

Being a Jain, I'm totally against this ban. This ban has done more harm to our community than good. Jains are made the center of all the jokes and trolls for this stupid ban imposed upon Mumbaikars. Well, to be honest, those trolls aren't to be blamed because they're forced to follow something that they don't need to. 

Political angle??

Why do something that shakes the entire fundamental of the so-called-largest democracy? At one end you claim to be largest democracy and tell the world that everyone in this country is free to follow their faith, and at the other end you impose something that's followed by a very small percentage of the population. Don't call it a democracy if you force things upon people.

This is nothing but a political gimmick done by authorities to earn some brownie points and sadly, it has backfired. What else would a true believer of Jainism call it when the most basic principle of Jainism is: 'LIVE AND LET LIVE'? 

Dear authorities, if you really wish to be on the good side of the Jain community or any community as a matter of fact, please impose the following bans:

• Ban Visarjan of Ganesh idols in seas. Instead make provisions like artificial ponds, etc. and ban the use of chemicals and toxic materials for Ganesh idols.
• Ban the use of firecrackers and promote Diwali as a festival of lights. Encourage people to buy lanterns, diyas and other things made by physically challenged people; creating some source of income for them.
• Ban the use of harmful chemicals during Holi and reduce water wastage overall.

(P.S. I'm not telling anyone to ban these festivals or anything. All I'm trying to say is that modify them according to the need of the hour.)

I would prefer any of these above mentioned things over that mean ban any given day!!!

And for my fellow Jains who feel this ban is necessary, just a simple question: How would you react if you would have been forced to have meat on Bakra Eid? The thought scares you, right? 

Don't force your beliefs on anyone. LIVE AND LET LIVE.

-A Logical Jain.

I Love You, Maa

Zohan was an average kid who always maintained a balanced life. He was an above average kid when it came to studies. Also,  he was very good with extra curriculum activities. He played most sports as well; be it cricket, football,  basketball,  tennis or badminton. His teachers never really had any complaints about him apart from the thing that he didn't interact with all the kids and usually kept aloof. His marks always made his teachers speak highly of him that made a lot of students hate him.

His high percentage in SSC boards wasn't a shocker to anyone. He got an enviable 90+ that helped him get admission in a very reputed college quite easily. He changed a bit and managed to make few friends effortlessly. His undergraduate days weren't any different from his school days.  He attended a good number of lectures and bunked when he had to. He was selected in the college football team.  His social life was quite enviable too.  He went for movies every week.  Trips to nearby hill stations became a routine.  Partying scenes never ceased. He did all of that without letting his academic performance dip.

The entrance exam for engineering wasn't a cakewalk, but he managed to clear it with a decent score that helped get admission in one of the top five colleges of his city. The number of trips increased when he got into engineering. His visits to bars and pubs also increased,  but that didn't really affect his marks because he knew where he had to stop. The time he devoted to sports reduced drastically though. The consistent first class that he had been getting over the semesters helped him get admission in a very good MNC, with an above average pay package. He had no intentions of studying any further and this job offer was a major catalyst in that decision. Having a job before completing engineering is something that almost all engineers want and having exactly that kinda changed things slightly. He started drinking more frequently, got into smoking up and occasionally did drugs as well. His final year results weren't something that he could brag about,  but that didn't change the fact that he had a secured job.

His joining date was three months after he got his results so he ended up partying all that while. His corporate life wasn't exactly the way he had thought it would be and he found it a bit difficult to adjust to it. Those hectic working hours,  those long nights,  corporate politics, group-ism, getting bashed for no apparent reason,  not getting the credit he deserved,  etc was something that wasn't quite easy for him to digest. He eventually got a hang of it. He made few friends at the office. Started chilling out with them. His life was back to normal over a period of time. A well balance work and social life.

His life was something that a lot people dreamt of,  but he wasn't completely satisfied with it. There was something that ate him up from within every single night. Seeing his colleague going out with their partners made him realize his loneliness even more. He never had a girlfriend and that thing started affecting him terribly. He started making alcohol his company and turned up to alcohol whenever he felt lonely. He almost became an alcoholic.

He was on the verge of destroying himself,  but he managed to have someone in his life who stopped him from doing that.  She cared for him a lot and did almost everything that was within her reach to make sure he was happy. She used to call him during the day just to make sure he realized that he had someone who cared about him. Someone whom he could turn to when he wanted to talk.

All of that meant nothing because,  one fine day,  in an inebriated state,  he came home and started forcing himself on her. She was very reluctant and tried really hard to get away from him,  but he was physically too strong for her. He stripped her body, but it felt as if he stripped her soul. He preyed on her,  like a lion preys on it's hunt; physically and emotionally hurting her. All she could was weep within those four walls after he was done scarring her.

This started becoming frequent. He used to come home drunk,  forced himself on her and poisoned her soul with his filthy body and soul. She was helpless because she had no one to turn to. This torture had consumed her completely. She had lost her appetite,  became pale with this horrible thing that she had to go through. All that was left of her was a soulless body. She couldn't file a FIR because she loved him way too much to do that. She just couldn't imagine herself being the reason for his imprisonment.

Just another night, being intoxicated beyond limit,  he opened the door to see something that brought him back to his senses.  There she was,  lying on a bed of blood, motionless and lifeless; with a huge cut on her wrist. He had killed a beautiful human just to satisfy his physical needs. He had ruined such a beautiful relationship all thanks to his drinking habits.He couldn't believe what he had done. That loneliness and desperation had turned him into a monster. It brought out a dark side in him that he never knew existed within him.

After hours of silence, wondering what a grave mistake he had done, all he could say was, "But Maa, I loved you"

You look so cute. I feel like eating you up!

'You look sooo cute!! I feel like eating you up', the direct message(DM)  that just lit up her face. After all,  it was from someone whom she had a crush on since quite some time. Sarah and Zidane followed each other for over a year and constantly exchanged RTs,  tweets and stars on Twitter. They never messaged each other privately before this,  and this was something Sarah wanted all along but she could never really do it.

Who would have thought such a simple text would change their lives so much?  They kept DMing each other all day. Soon, they exchanged numbers and started sending each other texts on WhatsApp. Those cute texts would definitely help cupid set other people up as well. They added each other on all possible social media platforms. Talked for hours on the phone. They looked inseparable considering the fact that all their close friends knew about them inspite of them not meeting each other in person.

Sarah, being the shy girl she was; a hopeless romantic and believed all stories had a happy ending, somehow got the courage to ask Zidane to meet her. She was the typical I-love-going-for-walks-in-rain kinda girl who wasn't completely out of her bubble yet.

Zidane,  being the confident guy he was,  didn't think twice before saying yes. He was good with his words,  had a charming smile that made it easier for him to get things done. He did justice to the 'Tall, dark and handsome' thing that girls usually look for in guys.  His dimples,  prominently visible inspite of his well groomed stubble,  made it even worse for Sarah.

The day arrived when they had decided to meet. Both of them were very excited about it and Sarah just couldn't stop blushing the entire day. She tried at least 50 outfits before settling in on her favourite baby pink dress; looking as gorgeous as anyone could ever look. Zidane wore the classic white-shirt-blue-denim combination that never failed.

Here they were,  eyes locked,  lost in each other's beautiful souls,  wondering how and when the grew so much in love with each other. He was at his best,  using his ability to do wonders with words and she was at her best,  making him fall for her even more every time she smiled and giggled.  Hours flew like minutes and they just got in the car,  about to leave when it started drizzling.

Zidane: Let's go for a drive.
Sarah: Yes,  please!! I love going for long drives and you can't say no when the weather is so beautiful!

He let her play the music.  Nothing ever felt as comfortable as the silence that followed. They talked to each other without saying a word.

Zidane: We've reached my farmhouse. Let's rest here for a while and we'll had back in an hour or so.

He played some soft music. Made himself a glass of scotch and got a glass of wine for the lady.  They were talking about random things,  having a couple of more drinks.

They got closer and closer and their lips locked passionately. She felt something she had never felt before....

She felt pain,  pain because of the knife that was stabbed in her back. He removed it again and stabbed her again. The pink dress turning red slowly. The shocked eyes screamt, 'Why did you do this to me? I trusted you!'

He removed the knife and started stabbing her in the stomach.  Slowly, dissecting her body; he ripped it apart and cut open her heart. Taking it in his hands,  he smelt and started chewing it slowly; enjoying it like a 5 year old kid enjoys having chocolates and ice-cream.

There he was, sitting right beside his 7th victim, feasting on her body....
"YOU LOOKED SO CUTE.  I COULDN'T RESIST EATING YOU UP"

Tiny Tales

A compilation of some of my six words and He-She stories.

He played with words; she played with feelings.

He lied.

She cried.

'They' died.

He drowned in her love; she managed to swim.

He loves her,

She loved him. 

Long after she was gone, introspecting his love, to figure out what went wrong; he realized he loved her too much and loved himself too less.

He had a lot of reasons to give up on her, but he stayed.

She had a lot of reasons to stay, but she left.

He gave her hope and dreams.

She left him with disappointment and nightmares.

She left him,  cigarettes didn't.

He and his box of cigarettes made a great couple.

Labels are for cans, not  people.

He loved her.

She loved him.

Their families didn't love that.

She made him regret opening up to her.

He wasn't a poet until she left him.

He could never make peace with sleep again. Those nightmares haunted him.

Strangers again, but  with beautiful memories.