Going till the End

16^th January, 2019 0600 Hrs

My alarm clock goes beserk! Couldn’t god gimme a break? If only that plea could help be realistic. Whom am I kidding? I need to have that meeting with the “prestigious” client in order for him to stick with us for his new project venture. Making a successful career isn’t always about carving a niche and then sitting back and enjoying. You gotta slog all through your abject and disdainful life!

I sign in my office at about 1100 hrs. So you must be wondering why the hell my alarm clock croaks and groans at six in the morning. Well, it’s because of my two year old daughter Samaira! She is the bundle of joy around whom my life revolves. It’s a sad day for me when someone makes her life miserable for her at school, or when she is sick and doesn’t have her meals, or to put it simply, when she is not smiling!

I pick myself up, literally, from the comfy cozy bed and make way for Samaira’s room! Of all the days of the past six months, when she started to go to school, this was an odd one. I saw her standing by the windowsill looking towards the great sea by which we had a small but beautiful apartment. She was all dressed up and ready.

Samaira was looking as pretty as she had looked on a daily basis. She had big eyes and straight flowing hair. She had a smile as comforting as that of an angel. She could just look at me and all the tensions and sorrows of my personal as well as professional life would vanish into thin air.

I went to my little girl and asked her, ”What is the matter beta...? How come you’re up so early? Had a bad dream?” She turned to me with her moist eyes and hugged me tightly, breaking down.

I could not take it!

Why was the sole reason for my existence, my daughter, upset? Why wouldn’t she tell me anything if she was troubled? Had I not been a good father? This reaction sprouted a skew of questions in my mind. I had to get answers.

I carried her in my arms to her bed. I laid her down and sat next to her, smiling all the time, so that she would be at peace. I asked her again, “Tell me what is bothering you, Samaira.”

“I miss mom.”

I comforted her by giving her a bear-hug, partly because I had no solution to the problem she came up with and partly because I had to hide my own tears from her.

16^th January, 2017 0115 Hrs

Rhea and I had known each other for a very long time. There was a fair amount of courting each other, fights, break-ups and make-ups which made our bond all the more strong. It was after five years of getting to know each other that we finally decided to tie the knot. Now after two years of our sacred nuptial we were blessed with a baby girl. We named her- Samaira!

16^th January, 2018 2045 hrs

Rhea was very busy these days. She always said that she felt very guilty of not being with Samaira in her formative years and contemplated quitting her job after this final project was over and done with. I used to tell her that she should not be rash in her decision and should work as long as she is willing to. Samaira was our responsibility and I knew she loved her as much as I did.

It was a chilly winter morning and an equally cold evening. Rhea had gone to work and I had taken a half day leave from my work to be with Samaira. On that very day, I was reading Samaira her bedtime story when the phone rang! The little girl had just fallen asleep, so I rushed to the phone and answered it in a flash. The call was from some hospital in Bandra. They said that they had a case at hand of a woman who was in a fatal car accident and the driver’s licence showed the name-“Rhea Singhania”. I felt as if I had been bludgeoned with a golf club and knocked unconscious. Without wasting any time I rushed to the hospital just to know that my wife had succumbed to her injuries.

Rhea was a sweetheart. She loved both Samaira and me. I knew it all along.

16^th January, 2043 1130 Hrs

It had been a rough but pleasant ride through all these years with Samaira. We had our occasional father-daughter spats about her giving in to fashion and wearing skirts that couldn’t have been shorter. On the contrary, I can proudly proclaim that my daughter got a best friend in me. She told me everything about anything or anyone she had in her life. I knew when her grades were taking a plunge or sky-rocketing. In a nutshell, I knew everything, good or bad, about my daughter. Now at the age of twenty-six my daughter had entered marital bliss with a guy who, in my opinion, was the best man she could have asked for.

Samaira was now Samaira Khanna.

Seeing Raj and Samaira hand in hand and completely smitten with each other, I couldn’t wish for more for my lovely little daughter. Five years of chronic ailment was not big enough to take me away from my daughter. But seeing her with Raj, happy and cheerful as ever, I thought it was time for me to bid adieu.

I knew those would be my last moments. The only person I wanted to look at while letting go of all pain and remorse was my little girl who was sitting by my side, as I sat by hers some years ago. A tear rolling down her cheek made me just flinch with pain that my daughter was going through the ordeal of letting me go.

Just then, I saw Rhea! She was smiling and looking even more beautiful than our daughter. I realized that now it’s our turn to be together.

With that thought in my mind I closed my eyes, smiling.

P.S. I Love You

Another self composed poem. When it comes from the heart the words are just a mere formality. The feelings speak clearer and louder. Happy reading J


There may not be love,
It still isn’t late,
But there is a bond,
You may call it fate.

We may not talk,
You may be tired,
I'll forgo my sleep,
To make you feel desired.

You call me names,
It doesn’t even matter,
As long as you're with me,
My hopes wont shatter.

You look at me,
With such beautiful eyes,
I feel like a child,
who's won the first prize.

When you're so down,
And still you're sane,
You make me fall for you,
All over again!

I want us to work,
And I'll be there for you,
I'd give up anything,
To book a table for two!

The love won’t fade,
You can count on me,
It took me an eternity,
To make you see.

Don’t mock me now.
My feelings are true,
I might not say it, but
P.S. I Love You!

Hachiko-A Dog's Story!

There are very few stories that touch your heart. In this world of no emotions and empathy we seldom realize that we need to get in connection with the spirit within to let our heart take over our mind. So, let me tell you the story of Hachiko!

“Hachiko-A dog story” is a movie not many would be aware of! It’s a movie based on a true story. The only difference is the story is put forth with the perspective of a dog. The movie deals with the unconditional love the dog showers on his master, expecting just nothing in return! It’s just overwhelming to see the dog so attached to his master that it’s inseparable from him. It goes everyday with him to the train station and returns obediently just to wait for him outside, with a gait even us humans would be jealous of!

The story gets all the more heart-wrenching when one day the professor, according to his customary routine, gestures Hachiko to come with him to the station. That day Hachiko did nothing and just barked at him like a wild dog. Sensing something unusual, but getting late for the train too, the professor asks him to come with him one last time and then leaves .

Hachi, as they called him, just went to his shed and picked up the wretched ball that the professor had always been insistent about for Hachi to fetch. That day Hachi did fetch the ball as dogs are said to have a sixth sense. Hachi sensed his master was in trouble and wanted to show him that it’s not safe out there for him and stop him. So, he ran like a hare to the train station and intercepted the professor. The professor was on the seventh cloud seeing Hachi with a ball in his mouth. He made everybody see how Hachi had executed his first fetch and gloated like a little child.

It was to Hachi’s utmost dismay that the professor didn’t change his mind of leaving him. The dog just sat in front of the station waiting for the master.

That day the professor died of a cardiac arrest.

The most touching part of the tale that started in 1923 and ended in 1935 was that every single day, for the next nine years, Hachi waited for his master like a true loyalist. His tale among the commuters on the trains coming to that very station was brought forward by a leading daily.

If there was someone who loved the professor unconditionally and from the core of his heart, it was Hachiko.

This write-up would appeal to any person who has a dog, for his mate, at his home. The sheer love and affection you shower on your dog never go waste as the poor thing is always by your side, even when you despise him!

The moment my movie finished, I went to my dog(Junior) and hugged him like never before. Maybe it bewildered him, but I was at peace! Sometimes you just need to show what you feel like for someone, even to your own self!

This is dedicated to my Hachi........Junior!

"Aaj Holi Hai!"

The write-up is not even remotely connected to our festival of colours. This is a piece which many of our bikers and two-wheeler mates would relate to.

It is an event that happened in Chandigarh-the city beautiful, where cops have a reputation of being stringent and strict to the core for trespassers of the traffic laws. We think that we are so smart and jugaadu that we can con even the smartest guy around, but that is where our confidence trudges past the line and makes us pay.

Wasting no time and coming to the sequence of events that happened with my dear friend. It so happened that at one traffic signal my friend, who by the way thinks that wearing a helmet is a waste because his hair gets all messed up, was stopped by a big burly traffic cop. As a proper procedure that we’ve been following through time immemorial, he asked the cop to be easy on him and let him go. But that wasn’t a good time as it was morning time and the shop had just opened up for the cop.

The cop asked him if he wanted a challan or wanted a relatively easy alternative. The friend knowing very well that getting a challan would mean a big waste of time and irritable asked him to blurt out the sum he wanted. The cop asked him for three hundred bucks, which he also knew would be bargained tooth and nail by the friend. Every cop knows that there are a few set reasons that have been so frequently used that it’s just better to say-“Bhaiyaa, make it half already of what you said or even less!”

The cop gave in to his pleas and released him like a free bird in the sky. As the friend was leaving, he just asked him that if any other cop stops him what would he tell them to get rid of the same exhausting and irritating procedure? The cop replied, ”Tell them...Aaj holi hai! They’ll get the point.”

Seeing this as a very unlikely event the friend started his journey again. I don’t know ( neither does he) as to what he ate for breakfast as his day was turning out to be a nightmare. He was stopped on the very next barricade. With the least expectancy of getting away he told them confidently, “Bhaisaab, aaj holi hai!”. The lucky bastard was let go!

Now the problem arises when the lucky dog thinks that every day is his day. That’s what happened to him. The very next day he thought that he had the key to all the check posts in Chandigarh-“Aaj holi hai!”.

The guy was held up in the very first check post which he thought he would manage to pass through without raising much eyeballs. The imposing structure of a regular sikh cop came near to him and began the regular procedure of extorting money that is discussed above. My mate with all his confidence just uttered those three magical words-“Aaj holi hai!”.

The sikh cop just burst out laughing making the friend feel very small and timid. He just coughed out the words while laughing as if he had heard a hilarious joke, ”Beta ji, Aaj holi nahi hai aaj diwali hai!”.

The Devil's Double

This piece of poetry was composed by me. Criticisms and comments welcome,as always:

There was a time,
When I seemed shrewd.
I had no emotion,
'Was downright rude.

There were no girls,
I had some friends,
No love stories,
Just dead ends.

There was no reason,
I lived in a bubble,
Isolated from the world,
The Devil's Double!

People were objects,
Objects were used.
I used to believe,
And feel amused.

At that time,
Somebody came,
Into my life,
And changed the game.

She was the reason,
And caused the trouble,
Isolated from the world,
was The Devil's Double!

I was betrayed,
I painfully say,
She won that time,
And went away.

There was a "bang",
And it all shattered,
I lost and lay,
All bruised and battered!

A callous act,
She burst my bubble
Isolated from the world,
was The Devil's Double!

It took some time,
To heal my wound,
But the lesson learnt,
Was no less a boon!

Be the devil,
That you know you are,
No point hiding,
Just face your scars!

There was a reason,
I rebuilt my bubble,
To welcome back,
The Devil's Double!

A Year Old at Infy

I was satisfied with my life. Then came the day when I was to leave for Mysore. I had to bid adieu to my parents who, I believe till date, are my pillars of character and strength. I had a cheerful,happy go lucky charming personality with an awesome group of friends. The pressure of performing in the weekly tests didn't feel like a burden.

There was ILI(Infosys Leadership Institute) and that was one of the turning points of my stay at Mysore. The first month passed like a cool breeze. There were quite a few events that I still reminisce and smile. For instance, the one that happened on the bridge connecting the ECC and GEC-I. The consequence of the event kept aside, it was a really special one! Another was the one in the washroom of my room(Room No. 213) which even now we refer to as 'Nirvana'. The event that happened when we were in Purple Haze at the time when our dear friends had been allocated to a separate stream i.e. ES and we had a last day of going haywire with them.

We, sitting in our classrooms, saw the daylight turn into darkness and we were least concerned about it. The Gazzebo was a special place where all the chimneys used to gather and have a quick bite before working(or rather studying) their asses off again till the middle of the night. Don't forget the Rs.10 Bun-Samosa!

Not to forget our dear Hostel #91. That was the place where every guy had lost track of who was from where and just needed a set of good buddies to chat with till his body begged him to get inside the comfy cozy bed and go into a slumber while watching anything and everything that was on the television(read VH1,MTV International and even Master Chef!) at that time.

Another thing were the girls in Mysore. Everybody fell for somebody! Some love stories didn't take off. Some did and landed flat on their face. Some took off and never looked back. The food courts,the ILI,the classrooms and even the ECC were some places where guys would find time from their hectic schedules to catch a glimpse of their love. The campus was apt for sprouting love stories!

The most significant thing that Infosys Mysore did to us was to transform our personalities completely. We went in there as complacent kids who were unsure about ourselves and came out as confident young men and women with the power of their future wrested in our own hands.

Thanks MyDC!

Marketing at its Bestest...!

1st January 2011…There I was amidst the hustle and bustle of the Sector 17 market in Chandigarh. The air had a distinct chill in it as you can expect here at this time of the year. Me and my friend were roaming around aimlessly and going in every showroom to look around what various brands had to offer in the New Year. Just then I saw a book shop which was quite a small one as compared to the imposing structures in which you could find a book of every dialect and subject. It looked cornered and neglected.
Just because we had nothing to do we just went into it and started browsing through the collection of the book store. There was a man with a very heavy moustache who had a very cheerful face. The man smiled at us as if he knew us since time immemorial. We were uncomfortable as we Indians are not used to a person showing all his teeth with an uncanny expression of calm. We may have seen, as a matter of fact, all the teeth of a person due to his grit or, for that matter, rage.
Now what I did was go through all the books that he had in his shop. I picked up quite a few books which had very beautifully written excerpts and the content overall looked good too. I kept on browsing desperately to find a better option than what I liked initially. I looked here and there when suddenly the man, in a very soft and a gentle tone, asked me if I needed any help?! Being well acquainted with the knowledge of all the booksellers in our country I looked at him with a sordid expression but his calm and composed smiling face begged me to give him a chance. So, I said “Ok!”
The man jumped into the arena like a wrestler waiting for his turn against a frail and timid competitor. He asked what my last read was, perhaps to judge my genre of interest. I told him while browsing that my last read was ‘P.S: I Love You!’ . He complemented me on my choice and suggested me innumerable books on love and romance. At this moment I began embracing to what this person really had to offer as each and every book he put forth seemed like a masterpiece from the excerpt if not from the inside, which seemed unlikely.
There were a lot of topics that were intriguing during the course I read books. One of the topics was our very own Vijay Mallya, the liquor baron of the newly emerging India. Going by the splendid recommendations by the man I asked him if he had anything to offer on UB Group’s patriarch. I got a negative answer but not without a suggestion. He asked me to read about Richard Branson, the emperor of Virgin. He said that it’s his autobiography and is very interesting. The title of the book was a very bold and a suggestive one-“How I Lost my Virginity!”.
Being amazed by the sheer knowledge and convincing power of the bookseller I was engaged in a one on one with him. I asked about all the interests that I thought would never be addressed and got very satisfying answers. I came to know about a lot of books that I had in mind and was very keen to know about before diving straight into them. It was as if I could take a person out for a coffee and still not get bored (Apologies to some people who got a jolt! :P…And yes I am still straight!!!).
It was such a pleasant experience. While leaving the store I was poked with a very weird question, ”Are you January or September born?!”. I was perplexed and replied, “January! Why?”. It was then that I got to know that the guy had read a book on how to read people. He told me that I was a hardcore Capricorn and was driven by love and that throughout the conversation I was smiling but anger develops slowly inside me to the extent when I blurt it out on someone. I was so astounded by such an immaculate reading that I acknowledged it humbly and made a mental point to read that book also.
I took three books from that bookstore!
The main essence of such a long write-up was to show you the significance of good marketing and sales acumen. There are many people who just have no interest in selling their stuff or who are brusque and indifferent to a customer’s needs. This was a particular case when an impregnable customer was made to buy three books and leave the store with a promise to come again and buy a lot more books. Just to have good knowledge of what you are doing can do wonders for your business and even make a dead customer dance to your beats. You just have to have that zeal and vigor in what you are doing and that never say never attitude.