"Where are you going dear?" Minakshi's mother-in-law asked her as she picked up the keys for her two-wheeler.  "To my mom's place," she answered.  "But you'd been there just two days ago, isn't it?" "Yes, but daddy is not keeping well.  I need to take him to the doctor." "Oh my God, now this has become a daily affair.  Every now and then you are coming up with some excuse to go to your parents' house," her mother-in-law remarked sarcastically.  "We are now repenting getting our son married to a single girl child of her parents.  We had assumed an only child of her parents would be an asset and anybody would be ready to marry such a girl."  "When they cannot manage without their daughter, why did they got her married in the first place?"  This infuriated Minakshi to no end.  "You all knew that I am the only child of my parents.  You think you have done a favor on me by getting your son married to me? Haven't you got an educated daughter-in-law in your house now?"  "Oh my God, now she's showing off her smartness of being an earning member of the family," the elderly lady remarked.

Her mother-in-law called out her husband who was on his way to the courtyard where the argument was going on.  Minakshi turned towards her father-in-law, "Papa, I never meant to say any such thing.  I just replied to Mummy."  He just looked at them, sat in a chair and continued with newspaper reading.  But the mother-in-law continued cribbing, "Now, he won't even reply.  Did I give birth to a son, reared and educated him, and got him married only to hear such things from my daughter-in-law? Is there no respect for elders?" saying this she started sobbing.

Suddenly, Bharat entered the courtyard and questioned his mother, "what's happening?" to which she replied, "why don't you ask this to your dear wife, why me?" He almost pulled Minakshi into the bedroom.  "What's this Minakshi? It has become an almost daily affair."  "What have I done Bharat, your mom started the argument.  I haven't done anything.  Isn't she aware I have no brothers or sisters and I'm the only child of my parents?," said she sobbingly.  "Agreed, agreed, but after all they are my parents and we must respect them.  I owe my life to them."  "Okay... so when did I disrespect them? How can you say I disrespected them? It's not necessary that the way we talk is liked by everyone.  Moreover, all the sacrifices done by them were for you not for me.  If they expect respect from me, they in turn should respect me too." saying this Minakshi walked out of the room with purse in her hand.  "Now where are you going?" Bharat asked.  "To return the favors and sacrifices done by my parents for me."

The Teacher

In a small town govt school, there was a teacher named Arpita.  She used to teach for class V in addition to other classes.  It was her habit to declare 'love you all' as soon as she entered her classroom, though she very well knew she never really meant it.  It's not that she did not like kids, in fact the love for them made her a school teacher and not any financial constraints.

But there was this boy whom she just detested.  His name was Manish who was always shabbily dressed, disheveled with an unclean uniform which perhaps was not washed for days on end.  He always seemed lost somewhere and he was never attentive in class.  He never concentrated on his studies nor was up to date with his homework.  When madam used to call out his name, he used to get startled.  Whenever she scolded him for not being attentive, he used to give her an empty look.  It was quite evident that though he was physically present in the room, but mentally he was somewhere else.  Over time madam started hating him and began making a fun of him in the class.  Manish had become a target of all the bad deeds and madam used to give his example to the class to which all the students laughed and poked fun at him, but he used to remain quiet with absolutely no reaction.

She always thought him to be a non-emotional boy having no feelings at all.  For any scolding, taunt, or punishment, he used to just stare with blank eyes and then would  bend down his gaze giving no reaction.  It was as if he was trying to digest whatever sarcastic remarks were made at him due to which Arpita had developed intense hatred for him.

At the end of first semester, Madame wrote all the negatives about Manish in his report card.  In the school, it was a rule that all progress reports were scrutinized by the Principal before being sent off the parents of the students.  When the Principal saw Raju's progress report, he immediately called her in his office.  "Madame, you should have written at least some positives about Manish.  Going through such a report, Raju's parents will get disappointed."  Arpita said, "I don't think he has any positives in him.  Manish is an absolute no-gooder, so there is no chance of writing anything good about him.  I am really sorry for that."  Saying this, she got up and left.

The next day the Principal after giving a deep thought sent Manish's report card of the previous years.  When the madame entered the classroom, she noticed Manish's report card lying on her table and picked the one from 3rd standard.  She guessed that it might also contain the same old story.  But she was taken aback when she read that the teacher had showered all praises on Manish.  'Never seen a child as brilliant as Manish.  He is always very friendly with his classmates and is a very likeable boy by the teachers.'  On top that, he had achieved the top rank in the class in the final semester that year.

With her hands shaking she picked up the report of class 4.  'Manish has been deeply affected by his mother's illness.  His mother is seriously ill with last stage cancer due to which he is not able to concentrate on his studies and there is no one to look after him.'  In the same report the principal had mentioned 'Manish has lost his mother.  If something is not done, we may lose a very intelligent student.'  With tears in her eyes, madam closed the report and felt extremely ashamed of herself.

The next day, as usual madam entered the class and declared, 'love you all.'  Though she knew she never meant it really, there was one unkempt and disheveled boy for whom she had all the love in her heart.  As the studies progressed, as the daily routine she posed one question to Manish and as usual Manish lowered his head.  After a few moments when he didn't hear the teacher's rant and his classmates taunts, he raised his head only to find that madam was smiling and had no grudge against him.  She called Manish near her and asked him to repeat the answer that she had told him.  After coaxing him three to four times, at last Manish repeated the answer.  Madam clapped her hands excitedly and even asked the rest of the class to do the same.

Slowly this became a routine.  Madam used to answer the question she posed to Manish and would compel him to repeat it and then would praise it.  All good examples were now being mentioned by taking Manish's name.  Slowly and surely Manish was coming out of his cocoon.  Now Manish was able to answer even before madam finished her question and in fact by asking some out of the world questions, he was surprising the whole class.

Now, he was getting a little bit tidier.  HIs hairs were a little more neat and clothes were also less dirty, perhaps he was washing them himself.  Soon enough the academic year drew to a close.  Manish had stood second among his peers and it was time for him to leave the school and move onto another where higher classes were conducted.

On the farewell day of class 5, everyone had brought some or other gift for the madam and there was a heap of them, but there was one which was covered in an old newspaper and very clumsily packed.  All the children were laughing at the way the gift was wrapped and knew that such a gift can only be brought by none other than Manish.  When Madam noticed it, she immediately picked it up.  Inside the wrapper was a large bangle with several of its stones fallen off and a used perfume bottle.  Madam slid the bangle on her wrist and sprayed the perfume on herself.  Manish very hesitatingly went near her and with a lot of effort remarked, "Madam, today I am getting the fragrance of my mother from you."  Hearing this, with tears in her eyes she tightly hugged Manish.  All those around witnessed this unseen act of Arpita with wetted eyes.

Manish had taken admission in another school.  Days passed into months and months into years.  Every year Manish would send a letter to his madam, 'this year met many new teachers, but no one was as amazing as you are.'

As Manish finished his studies, so did the sequence of letters.  Over time, Madam too retired.  One fine day, Madam received a letter from Manish.  "I am getting married this month end and I just can't imagine it taking place without your presence.  Until this day, I have met several persons, but never found anyone like you."  The letter was signed by Dr Manish.  Enclosed in the letter were two to and fro flight tickets.  She took permission of her husband and reached the city where wedding was to take place.

She was a bit late in reaching the venue.  She thought the function may have got over, but she was surprised to see that many prominent personalities like politicians, businessmen, and high ranking officials were present so much so that even the priest was tired of waiting.  They were all eager to know why the function is not getting held and whom are we waiting for.  But Manish was standing by the gates and in no hurry to return to the wedding pandal.  After a few anxious minutes, everyone noticed an old woman entering the gate and seeing her Manish instantly ran towards her and held her hand to get her inside.  She was wearing the broken bangle which Manish had gifted her.

Manish straightaway led her to the podium and got hold of a mike began announcing, "Ladies and gentleman, I know you were all always eager to know about my mother and I had promised you that I will introduce her to you very soon.  Look at her now, she is my mother, the best mother in the world..." 

      

      

Generation Gap

"Did you talk to her?"  "Not yet, will do it later, waiting for the opportune time.  She has just resigned from her job since she was fed up with her superiors and is presently busy finding another one.  Let her relax.  Nowadays she has become quite agitated and gets irritated easily.  I am waiting for things to cool down a bit."  "She likes me, no doubt, but in what way?  She knows I am your friend and her best pal, but nothing beyond that," quoted Viraj bluntly which confused Malini. "Piya is no longer a kid not to understand relations.  She will take time to adjust with me.  She is mature enough to differentiate between the good and the bad.  It'll be long enough before she accepts me.  Give it a deep thought before you talk to her."  "Agreed, but she must also understand our position."  "Not at all madam, we can't impose our hopes and desires on her.  That will take us nowhere and will be injustice to her.  She's young and her life has just started while we are in our golden years.  We can lead the rest of our lives alone, but can't expect the same for her.  She's got a long way to go.  Her happiness is paramount."  "I want to talk to you" Malini told Piya one evening while handing over a cup of tea to her.  "I know what you are going to talk about.  You want me to help you in the bookshop instead of searching for another job.  But you got Viraj uncle to help you in the shop, isn't it? He keeps writing on strange topics.  God knows from where he gets such weird books.   I think he is a genius person."

"Piya, you are no less a prodigy.  You click wonderful photographs.  They are being talked about everywhere.  I would suggest you make your passion your profession."  "Not at all, Viraj uncle.  I am not much of an expert.  I do it for fun and enjoyment, but one day I will definitely put up an exhibition of my photographs.  Please, don't pressurise me to work in the bookshop.  I am not much interested in it."  "I want to talk to you about something else," said Malini.  "Not now, may be later.  I am going out with my friends, will return late in the night.  Have your dinner and go to bed.  I will be eating out."  "Oh no! It's impossible to talk to this girl."  "Don't worry my dear, everything will be alright," saying this Viraj hugged Malini.  They were engrossed in each other that they hardly noticed Piya come back to get her cell phone.  They both were startled on hearing noise coming from the other room.  They saw Piya was angry for some reason.  "How can you do this mom?  I saw you hugging Viraj uncle.  You can't betray dad like this.  You've cheated him.  I have loved my dad all my life.  And Viraj uncle, I consider you as my best friend, best pal;  But this was too much.  I'm really very much angry."  "Listen my dear."  "I don't want to listen to anybody.  Viraj uncle, please leave.  I want to talk to my mom in private."  "Piya, behave yourself.  Talk to him politely.  He's one of us and not a stranger." "Relax Malini, I am leaving.  Please take good care of Piya."

"Piya, my dear, I have never cheated your dad.  In fact, I still love him much more than perhaps you do.  We lost him more than 15 years ago.  I have brought you up single-handedly after he left us.  Many persons told me to remarry, but my only focus was you and nothing else mattered to me.  You were the only one who could keep me busy and not let me feel lonely or miss him.  But when you yourself became an adult and started working and began staying away from me, I started feeling lonely.  That's when Viraj came into my life.  I thought he was a person with whom I could share my joys and sorrows.  In fact he is also a widower.  He lost his wife and only daughter in a car accident.  Since the time we met more than three years ago, we have been enjoying each other's company."  "Mumma, I don't know whether this is just a friendship, love or physical attraction, but I will never consider him to be my dad."  "Stop it Piya, just stop it!!  I had thought my darling daughter may now have matured enough to understand my position, but I think I was wrong.  But anyway, I wont go against your wishes."

Next day, Malini went to Viraj's place and cried inconsolably.  "Malini, don't misunderstand Piya.  Everyone thinks in his or her own way and develops some principles.  A mature person would not normally like to change way of thinking or principles.  It only happens when the situation is very demanding.  For example, if we have to host a guest for a day or two, our daily routine gets disturbed.  Its the same way.  Before we met, you and Piya were in a different comfort zone, but after I stepped in into your life, that comfort got disturbed which Piya is not able to adjust to and her reaction to the situation is just like a mini-revolt.  Until now she has been open with you, has been using your things as if they were her own, but now she can't do all that openly.  She has to think twice before doing any such thing.  Don't misunderstand her.  This generation has got a world of its own.  They are more materialistic and very sensitive.  Their tolerance level is very low and they give very less importance to relations.  They are ready for an argument at the drop of a hat.  She is not selfish, only that she is not ready to consider any other man in place of her father.  It's obvious for any kid who has lost the love of a father in early childhood.  In fact I would suggest we should stop meeting for a few days.

From that day onwards, Piya and Malini were almost not on talking terms.  While Malini had cooled down quickly, but it took Piya a long time to come to terms with the situation.  She was not ready to accept that her mother was seeing someone else.  She loved her dad too much, much beyond anything.  She was not ready to accept anyone to replace him.  On the other hand, Malini had spent her life looking after her only daughter.  Her world revolved around Piya and nothing else mattered to her.  But very soon, Piya realized that her mother was feeling alone and it was okay for Viraj uncle to be with her.  Even Piya's boyfriend was inline with this fact.  And why not, after one loses one's companion so suddenly and early in life, someone has to fill in the void.  Her boyfriend also tried to convince her to accept this fact.  She had planned on fixing a meeting of her boyfriend, Manav, with her mom, but the new turn of events changed everything.

The next day Piya went to Viraj's place and waited for the door to be opened.  "How are you my dear?"  At once Piya hugged him and began sobbing.  "That's okay my dear.  I can very well understand your situation.  I will be with you whenever you need me, just relax."

Lessons of life

"I observed Mrs. Sharma was talking to you for quite a long time.  What was so interesting, may I know?"  Manoj asked his wife, Smita, soon after the guests had left.  "Aww! nothing great.  She was just thanking me for beautifully setting up our son's house when I had been there."  "Oh!  the usual ladies topic" remarked Manoj and became busy in reading the day's newspaper.  Smita and Manoj had been married for several years now.  During this time, she had realized that Manoj is a male chauvinist.  Leading a life with such a person was in itself an achievement leave alone trying to change his attitude.

Smita had decided that she will train her daughter into such a person that she would not have to lead a life that she herself was living.  She would make her daughter not only mentally and physically strong but also financially independent too.  Just like her son, Aditya, Maya too was brought up with utmost care and full liberty given to her.  Even Manoj was showering all his selfless love on her as on Aditya.  As a result Maya not only successfully completed her education, but also got herself a good job and settled down well in her family life.  This gave immense satisfaction to Smita and it also helped change Manoj's attitude to a much extent.  What Smita's love could not achieve was accomplished by Maya's success.  Aditya too completed his studies with flying colors and got himself into building up his career.  Meanwhile, Smita had come to know about Aditya falling in love with a girl called Vivechna.  Aditya had confided everything into his mother.  Smita was aware of her responsibility to reveal it to Manoj for which she was waiting for the right opportunity and she did not have to wait too long.  The other day Maya's in-laws had come in calling.  They were very appreciative of Manoj and Smita's modern views and the way they had brought up Maya and Aditya.  After they left, Smita broached the subject of Aditya's marriage.  "Have you noticed that Aditya too has reached a marriageable age?  We must start thinking in that direction now."  "Yes, yes definitely."  Then Smita revealed the entire story about Aditya and Vivechna and convinced him that she would be an ideal daughter-in-law.  Satisfied that Manoj was convinced, Smita felt more happier than what Aditya did.

Aditya and Vivechna's wedding was carried out with much pomp and show.  All the guests appreciated the way the celebrations were held.  Soon after the wedding, the newly wedded couple moved to their city of work.  Both Aditya and Vivechna were insisting on Manoj and Smita to visit their place.  In fact, Vivechna's parents had been their about twice or thrice, but Manoj was finding it difficult to go due to his business commitments.  Smita was quite eager to visit her son's home and wanted to experience his lifestyle so Manoj booked her on a flight to the city where the son and daughter-in-law were living.  Aditya had come to the airport to receive her.  On the way home, Aditya was inquiring about the things back home but Smita was busy in looking at the tall buildings of the metropolis which she had never seen before.  When they reached home, the maid opened the door.  After making a quick round of the small two-bedroom house, Smita enquired about Vivechna.  "Left for office," Aditya replied, "didn't I tell you she leaves for office early.  Her reporting time is early in the day and also her office is quite far from here and so returns late.  The maid will serve you tea and breakfast and will also prepare food for lunch.  Now I have to get ready for office.  I will return home after 9.  Until then, you can watch TV or read newspapers or just take rest, okay?"

Smita was dejected after looking at the condition of the house.  The situation was worse than she had imagined.  It was a total mess.  There were clothes, books, newspapers scattered all over the place.  The table had stains of used cups and glasses.  The maid cleared the cups and glasses and cleaned the entire house.  When Smita came out of the bathroom the maid had already left and Aditya was ready to leave for office.  After Aditya left, Smita started pondering what to do next as she was all alone in the house.  She realized that in a house when both husband and wife are working, the place cannot remain in order.  Luckily, she had come alone to Aditya's house and Manoj was not accompanying her, otherwise he would have been annoyed finding the place in a mess.  After having her breakfast, Smita made herself busy in cleaning up the mess.  By the time the sun went down, her son's home was spic and span.  She cooked dinner and waited for the son and daughter-in-law to return.  Vivechna was the first one to arrive.  She touched Smita's feet and did a formal enquiry about her and Manoj's well being.  After giving a quick glance at the neat and tidy place, she went into her bedroom.  Smita thought for a while about her strange behavior but didn't feel bad about it.  A little later Aditya also returned home.  He looked happy seeing the neatly decked up house, but got angry with the thought that his mother was busy the whole day making up the place and didn't take rest.  Smita smiled at the concern shown by her son and said, "don't worry dear, I was not at all feeling tired and so doing all these things was not a burden for me.  I am absolutely feeling fresh.  Okay, now go and change and freshen up.  Vivechna has already returned.  I will make tea for all the three of us."   During dinner there was not much talk about anything as such.  Vivechna served the dinner and later on cleared the dishes.   Very soon everybody retired to bed.  While lying on the bed, Smita started wondering that Vivechna no doubt was professionally sound, but on the home front, she was quite weak.  On the contrary, her own daughter was quite good professionally as well as with family matters.  But that is okay, after all no two persons can be alike.  Smita felt proud that she had trained her daughter quite well.  Maya could drive her car easily and was equally good in martial arts.  However, Smita was not getting the same feeling for her son.  It definitely meant, Smita had erred somewhere with regard to Aditya.  Nowadays, women folk are working in practically every field hetherto dominated by males only and we feel quite proud about it, but we never teach our sons to learn homely matters.  We never train them to cook food on their own nor do we teach them in managing a household in the absence of a female family member.  We encourage them to become engineers, doctors, astronauts, etc. but never train them to become a dancer, artist, etc.

Smita was deeply engrossed in her thoughts quite late into the night due to which she got up quite late the next morning.  When she came out of the bathroom, Vivechna had already left and Aditya was sitting on the couch going through the day's newspaper.  When she entered the kitchen, she noticed milk packets lying unopened.  "Why haven't you cooked milk?", she asked her son to which he replied, "the maid will come and do the job." "And what if she doesn't turn up?" "Then I will go out and have something."  Smita called him into the kitchen and showed him how to light up the gas stove.  She then asked him to keep the milk on the burner and taught him to boil the eggs.  "Why are you teaching me all this now?" asked Aditya.  Smita replied, "Look, Vivechna is a working woman and is earning as good as you.  Income wise she is almost at par with you, then don't you think its your duty to help her manage things at home.  On her way home, she gets groceries, vegetables and other food items.  Is it only her duty? Why can't you do the same? Even you can get such things when you return, isn't it?"  As long as Smita was with them, she kept teaching Aditya about the household matters.  She instructed the maid on what food items both Aditya and Vivechna liked and how to cook them.

Evan after Smita left, Vivechna noticed that her house remained neat and tidy when she returned from office.  She realized that her mother-in-law had coached Aditya about many things in running the household.  This realization made her call Smita and thanked her again and again for making her house a place to enjoy and relax.  Earlier the house always remained a mess, but now since Aditya was taking equal interest in household chores, her house truly had become a home.

wedding plans (short story)

"Am I going to get any tea or not?"  Shreya looked at the vessel after hearing Sachin's voice. The water had boiled down to half the vessel.  She was thinking of something else, although her gaze was at the tea vessel.  She was not able to ignore Anjali's cries for help.  "If Manish goes away, what am I going to do.  It will be impossible for me to carry on."  "Anju, you yourself have chosen to tread on this path, now you can't blame him.  You never wanted to be bogged down with relationships or responsibilities."  Shreya wanted all this to relate to her, but was hesitating.  Ultimately she came out of her senses and noticed that Sachin was getting restless for tea.  "What would you like to have for breakfast," she asked.  "As you wish.  Whatever you like or that which can be readied easily."  "So cornflakes or halwa?"  She teased.  "Not so simple, my dear.  Your alu paratha tastes yummy, don't you think?"  "I thought Sunday is a lazy day for you ," Shreya again teased.  "Waking up late in the morning and having hot tea and alu paratha made by you makes my Sunday special and I enjoy it," Sachin surprised Shreya, "Who rang up so early in the morning?"  "Anju called" replied Shreya, "Won't you ask why?"  "Well she is a like a sister to you, maybe that is why."  "Not a sister like, but a true friend."  "But I take her as my sister-in-law," replied Sachin, "Each individual should respect the relation the person is involved in and not to take it for granted.  Don't you feel strange in changing the relation from a friend to a sister and then back to friend again?"  "What's so strange in it?" Shreya shot back, "a friend is a friend and not a sister or brother.  Can a husband and wife say they got a brother-sister relation?"  Sachin said calmly, "Honey, Manish and Anjali are good friends of ours and you know that, don't you? and they have always maintained that relationship with us.  So, it's our responsibility that we help them solve their problems."

Shreya and Anjali were the best female friends.  Anjali was the most busiest person during Shreya's wedding.  They bonded so strongly that others thought they were sisters.  Anjali used to tease Sachin not to bother her sister too much and Sachin would bow in obedience.  The friendship began to sour when Anjali admitted her love for Sachin's friend, Manish.  In fact, the bone of contention was when they both decided to live together without marrying.  "But this is quite risky, Anju.  If you love each other, why not marry?" Shreya sounding cautious had asked.  Manish's and Anjali's family were too not happy with this decision.  Now it was the onus of Sachin and Shreya to convince them to get married.  Shreya was also not able to decide how to explain the situation to Anjali's family members.  Anjali was not happy with Shreya's constant interference in her life and this had created a rift between her and Shreya.  Looking a little sullen while having breakfast, Sachin consoled Shreya, "don't worry about them.  They need to handle their own situation."  "How can you say that?" Shreya retorted angrily, "I can never forget the strong bond we shared at one time.  Do you remember, I was pregnant and you were away on tour.  The last two months I was advised complete bedrest by the doctor and nobody from your or my family had come to my help.  At that time, she was the one who took great care of me.  How can I forget that and you expect me to let go off her? that's impossible."  "We both are going to her place in the evening,"  Shreya announced as she got up from the table.

That evening, when they reached Manish and Anjali's place, they were stunned to see the house to be spick-and-span.  Earlier it used to be a complete mess, but now it was decorated beautifully.  For a while both of them seemed perplexed and could not understand what to say.  Ultimately, little Mallika broke the silence by making her presence felt.  "How can someone love a kid when it is born after so much labor," Anjali had asked Shreya to which Shreya had replied, "I will ask you the same question when you become a mother."  "I am not an emotional fool to put myself into such situations," Anjali had replied tersely, "I had informed Manish that if he wants me in his life, he should not pressurize me for marriage."  Shreya had forgotten about all this, but when Anjali and Manish had invited them to celebrate their live-in relationship, they both were stunned.  Manish had informed Sachin that much against his own family's wishes, he had come to stay with Anajli.  "Anjali doesn't believe in the institution of marriage and love demands understanding each other, so if she does not wish to marry, so be it."

That day though they felt sorry for Manish, but at the same were angry that he had done away with societal norms and relations just to remain with Anjali.  "Shreya, I am preparing ginger tea," announced Anjali, "you know what I like."  When Anjali returned with only two cups, Shreya asked, "why only two cups? what about you guys?"  "Well, tea causes acidity to Manish, so we stopped having regular one and only drink green tea," replied Anjali.  "Anju, are you sure what are you saying.  I remember your stand of not bowing down to other's wishes, so how come a drastic change?  Is everything alright?"  "No, nothing's right.  It seems Manish may have to marry some other girl as per his family's wishes."  "Oh my God, but why and to whom?" asked Sachin.  "That is not known, though he has said no, but nothing is certain," replied Anjali.  "What do you mean nothing is certain and why is Manish behaving like this? Why the farce of taking care of you?" asked Shreya.  "Shreya, please don't consider his care for me as a show-off.  Until now all was well, but now his sister is of marriageable age and his family wants him to get married first so that no problems crop up when looking for a suitable boy for her."  "Okay, so for his sister's sake, you both need to part ways, is it?"  "Do you think they had settled down in their life?" asked Sachin as he and Manish entered the room.  "My mother has zeroed on some girl and wants me to approve her," replied Manish sadly, "but I told my mother I won't marry anybody else, but Anju doesn't want to trust me.  She thinks I might bow down to my family's wishes.  Yeah, but until Prachi gets married, I will have to stay with my family   It's just a matter of 5-6 months after which I would rejoin her."  Now he turned towards Anju, "Anju, my dear, please trust me.  As soon as Prachi gets married, I will be with you."  By now, Anju had tears in her eyes.  "I will be going home next week and will come back after my sister's wedding and that's a promise," said Manish addressing Shreya, "please convince your friend to trust me.  I am committed to her.  In fact, she now wants to start a family."  Shreya turned to Anjali, "what's with you Anju? you never wanted to marry and now all of a sudden....."  Now it was Sachin's turn to confront Anjali, "such emotional decisions sometimes can go wrong.  What would you do if Manish gets another girl?"  Anjali started sobbing loudly at which time Shreya stared angrily at Sachin and consoled Anjali, "I fail to understand one thing, when you both love each other so much, why don't you get married?  I agree that Manish's family has objections on you both living together without getting married, but why have you all of a sudden starting losing trust in him?"  What followed was a complete silence which broke when Anjali spoke, "honey, why don't we get married?"  Sachin and Shreya were taken aback with Anjali's turnaround.  Meanwhile, Sachin was teasing Manish, "so which girl have  your parents chosen for you?"  At that moment Anjali shot back, "Sachin please.....Manish, we must get married tomorrow itself."  Suddenly she realized that she had overreacted to the situation, "inform your parents that we are getting married in a week.  We will invite each and everyone."  Anjali almost announced her wedding.

The next day Anjali was excitedly talking to Shreya on phone, "I am very happy Shreya.  Today, I am going back to my mother's place.  Now I will return only after the wedding.  I am damn excited.  It feels as if the colors of the rainbow have spread across a blank canvas."  It seemed as if Anjali was in the seventh heaven.  After disconnecting her phone, Shreya noticed Manish was thanking Sachin over and over again.  "I feel very happy for you, ready to do anything for you buddy."  As soon as Manish noticed Shreya, he said,"sorry, please forgive me.  I had to do some clever acting to convince your friend to marry me.  I take full responsibility for her happiness."  "Okay, so that was the gameplan.  At least you could have informed me" replied Shreya to which Sachin added,"Manish's mother very cleverly took part in the whole drama and I must appreciate that."

After Manish left, Shreya recollected all the day's happenings.  It was a warm feeling to note that finally Anjali had got convinced to marry, though sometime ago was just adamant not to marry.  Her line of thought was that every relation brings with it its own responsibilities and its best to keep away from such complexities.   It's better that the relation between a man and a woman leads to a conclusion without which it is meaningless.  Now, I must prepare myself to be a part of the wedding celebrations...

Modern Times

I was getting ready to go to office as usual.  I had put on my maroon shirt and black pant   As soon as I put on my black shoes, my son Rohan remarked, "Oh dad, the shirt and pant do not match.  How can you put on a black pant with a maroon shirt?"  I had never realized that my children were getting older and becoming fashion conscious and in fact were imposing their ideas on me and my wife, Pranita.  "But this is what I usually wear and have been doing it for a long time," I replied.  "I agree dad, but times are changing now and you must dress up like most others do.  It was a different story when you were young.  In your times, perhaps fashion may have not been an in-thing.  Now, people will laugh at you being dressed up awkwardly."  He insisted that I change my blank pant and instead put on some light colored one.  I had no other option but to follow his directives.  When I was finally ready, he said with a beaming face, "there you're, now you look like an executive.  I'm sure today your office watchman will be happy to see you dressed so smartly and will salute you twice."

The same thing was happening with my wife.  The other day, we both were getting ready to go to a party.  As it was mid December and the weather during that period of time in Mumbai is quite pleasant, but not very cold, she had put on a full sleeve navy blue colored top and a light blue colored trousers.  Seeing this my 21-year-old daughter, Rohini, at once got annoyed.  "What's this mumma, is this the way to dress?  You are going to a party and not to any park.  Either you change your top or your trousers.  How can you wear both of the same color?  Change it to some thing contrasting."  So she went inside and came with a black top on.  "That's better," my daughter remarked.  When Pranita started wearing her usual sandals, Rohini  ordered.  "Not those sandals, mumma" and off she went inside to get her own golden colored ones and asked Pranita to try.  "Perfect," she said feeling happy.

When they were kids, it was our responsibility to teach them the good things and the bad things, the do's and dont's, but slowly and surely they were becoming our teachers.  They were telling us what to wear, where to go, when and what to talk and with whom, etc. etc.  It used to be annoying earlier, but now the feeling was creeping in that in a way its good.  They now can understand their responsibilities, can differentiate what's good and what's not.  As time goes on, they are becoming our parents instead of we being their's.  Feeling satisfied with the level of maturity they had achieved, I left for office in the getup advised by my son.

Why I started doing yoga.

The story dates back to 2008.  In that year I had at least four episodes where I had a muscle pull in my waist, you know like a sudden spasm, which hampered my movements like bending and twisting. The pain used to be so intense that it used to become impossible to even sit down in the Indian style toilet.  Also, there would be a fair amount of swelling and a slight warmth in the area.  Now, now, don't you think I am writing down a medical report.  These were the turn of events that used to happen after getting a muscle pull.  Whenever such a thing happened, I used to call my physician friend who gave me injections and some pain killers .  At such times, it was obvious that I take leave from my office and incur loss of pay on account of that.  In such a situation, I used to lose at least two days of office attendance.  The last time I had such an episode was because of a very trivial incident.  After getting ready to go to office, as I bent down to turn on the petrol cock of my bike, I developed this pull.  Since one of my paternal aunts had advised me to attend yoga class as I had informed her of these episodes and I also had checked out on the location of the said yoga class, I straight away went to this yoga class and informed the lady yoga instructor of what ails me.  She told me it would take at least 30-45 minutes for the treatment to which I readily agreed.  I called my office to inform that I would be late as I am at a doctor's clinic.  The treatment consisted of traction.  I was asked to lie down on the floor with my legs resting on the wall, half bent.  One strap was tied to my waist which was then hooked to a clamp already affixed to the wall.  I was made to be in that position for almost 30 minutes which gradually subsided my symptoms.   I must say by the time I got back to my feet, my symptoms were all gone and I could feel the swelling had reduced.  After that I hardly had any pain and could work in the office throughout the day without any discomfort.  The next day onwards I started attending to yoga classes regularly.  I might have been a student of that class for almost six years after which I shifted down south to Hyderabad.  It is for sure that yoga helped me get rid of many chronic ailments or at least they are quite under good control by regular practise.  It is a sincere advise that one must practise regular yoga or any form of exercise to remain fit and healthy.