Why?

•Why do I need to justify my choices in life? 

•Why is it normal to expect an explanation on my every decision? 

•Why is it extremely important to get married? 

•Why do you get stares if you are not married at a certain age which society thinks is perfect for a girl to get married? 

•Why can’t I choose not to get married?

•Why do I need to settle with someone lesser than me, just for the sake of it?

•Why can’t I live my life according to me?

•Why there is someone else to make rules on how to live my life?

•Why do I need to fight for my basic rights?

•Why can’t I travel alone?

•Why do only I have to make efforts to make in-laws happy?

•Why do I have to cope up with every situation?

•Why there has to be a male to accompany me while stepping out at night?

•Why Was I born, to live a life designed by someone else?

P.S. Here, World celebrates Women’s Day. Cheers.

Just Another Outing....

It was a bright sunny day of winter. Temperature outside was just perfect for an outing. And being in Delhi, broad roads always tempt one to go for a drive. Hence I decided to go out.

    It was a while since I wore a saree, ohh I forgot to tell that I love wearing sarees :). So I picked a turquoise blue linen saree with sky blue border and white pom pom on the border of its pallu. I put on a bindi and thick kohl with light coral lipstick along with Versace fragrance. I took my camera, phone, shades and car keys and headed towards ‘Dilli Haat’.

   I love that place, one for its colourful decoration and two for its food. I clicked few pictures. Then I ordered momos and fruit beer. While walking and looking at various stalls, I noticed a foreigner who gave a broad smile to me. I smiled back. Probably a British. Then I saw him approaching me, I thought may be he wanted to ask something about the stuff or market. He came and said- Hello! I also replied a hello. He further said- beautiful dress, you are very beautiful. May I please click one picture? Please. I could just smile and say ‘Thank you very much’. He held his camera and saw through it, and then again asked- May I please? I couldn’t refuse and said- Yes. 

   A beautiful click it was, I felt good. It was just another outing but it was beautiful. Its good to hear someone praising you just like that.

Express Your Emotions...

Emotions are extremely important to express, otherwise they die and are buried forever in our heart. This slow process makes our heart hard and emotion-resistant. Thats why people become heartless sometimes. Expressing emotions is such a big deal in modern era that we are always told about what emotions a female can express and what a male can express. We have this gender discrimination to such an extent that our kids have stopped showing their true feelings to their parents. There is always some fear behind every truth. Why are we pushing ourselves so much? Why can’t we say it what we actually feel? I believe expressing your trueself should be as acceptable as our fundamental rights, which we never fail to claim. Expressing ourselves should be our right as a human being, not as a male/female.

तुम....

तुम उस छुट्टी की सुबह से हो,
जिसमें बस अच्छा लगता है।
जिसे बिताना नहीं होता,
बल्कि भरपूर जीना होता है।
तुम उस चाय के जैसे हो,
जिसे पीने के लिए वजह नहीं चाहिये,
बस ज़रूरत होती है।

Hope...

Tastes like a last piece of bread to a poor,

Smells like soil after first rain,

Feels like a hug to a devastated person,

Looks like a ray of light after darkness,

Sounds like your favourite song on a distant land.

क्योंकि हमारी सीरत ही ऐसी है....

हम बातचीत नहीं करते अब, बहस करते हैं।

ख़ुद को सही साबित करने की हर कोशिश करते हैं।

फिर चाहे वो किसी का दिल दुखा कर हो या दोस्ती तोड़कर।

हमें तो बस ख़ुद से मतलब है, और यही जीने की नयी रीत है।

क्या हो जाएगा अगर हम अपनी बात साबित ना करें तो?

क्या हो जाएगा अगर हम तर्क में हार जाएँ तो?

कितनी बार हमने दूसरे की पूरी बात सुनी?

कितनी बार हम ग़लत साबित होने पर हंस पड़े?

कब हमने बहस को हँसी में उड़ाते हुए दोस्त को गले लगाया?

कब हमने अपनी ग़लतियों को सबके सामने माना?

हाँ, हम शिकायतें करने से नहीं चूकते,

और ना ही दूसरों की कमियाँ गिनवाने में कोई कसर छोड़ते।

बस यही किया है हमने ताउम्र,

और शायद आगे भी करते रहेंगे।

क्योंकि यहाँ फ़ुरसत ही नहीं है कि,

दो पल थमे और सोचे की हम कहाँ हैं, क्यूँ हैं, क्या कर रहे हैं?

भेड़चाल है, सब बस चले ही जा रहे हैं।

I Want To Grow Old Like You.....

Recently I went to a multiplex, and as there was still some time to go before they allow us to enter the hall, I thought to have some cardamom tea. I took my tea and sat next to two old ladies (either sisters or friends) who must be in their late 70s or early 80s. One was draped in a beautiful floral print saree and other one was in a beautiful Chikankari suit. Both looked affluent with their 'Tag Heuer' spectacles, expensive watches and 'Da Milano/ Hidesign' handbags. One was calm while other was talkative.

The one in suit, looked at me and asked me very politely 'From where did you get tea, Beta?' I showed her the counter, and then i asked- 'Can I help you with that?' She chuckled and said -'No Beta, I'll get that, its been a while since we had this kind of outing! Its so exciting'. I was so happy to see those expressions on her wrinkled yet beautiful face. I smiled at her. Then they both talked about ticket collection after online booking. One in suit said- 'Bahut bheed hai wahan par, aur tumhare phone ki screen wahan tak jaate jaate band ho jaati hai. How this thing would switch on?' looking at iPhone. I wanted to offer some help but then I thought let them enjoy this outing, but I didn't leave as i wanted to make sure they don't end up missing on their movie. So i sat back and waited.

The one in saree turned to me- i am sorry to bother you but which way is to washroom? I replied- No problem Ma'am, this way. She came after a while and said to the other one- you wait here i'll go and collect the tickets. And after that we will have cardamom tea together. And after that they actually gave each other a High-five. I couldn't hold myself and said- 'I am so glad to see you both having so much fun. I would love to grow old like you'. They laughed and one of them patted on my shoulder and said- 'Be yourself, no matter what they say, is the key my dear.'

I was amazed to see their energy and enthusiasm. I was like 'OMG, High-five, wow.' I want this kind of old age. They went ahead towards ticket counter and i was smiling endlessly with their words lingering in my thoughts. Our elders can always give us new meanings of life anytime. What a superb time I spent there in those 20 minutes.