Diamonds are a Girl's best friends

One day, over a cup of hot ginger tea, I sat with myself beside me, all quiet and the distant sound of a vehicle or so. How happy I felt to talk to myself !! This solitude came not because of lonliness but because of a bad throat infection which left my vocal cords all useless. Not a word could I utter ! People found it funny, I found it to be a tonic, not for my body, but my soul. Such thoughts came to me when I suddenly realised that even a friend is a tonic to your confidence, ego, mind and so many things that just you can share with a friend.

No childhood goes without a friend, you are together to fight, play, fool others, play pranks, enjoy, share your ideas and fantasies and so many things. Such friendships are so close to your heart, you will share everything later on also when you accidentally meet your childhood friend. I have been blessed to have so many friends who helped me grow and helped me to fight even if it meant fighting with the friend !! I recall such days as they gave me a good foundation to stand on my feet and see the world not only with the amazement like that of a child but also with the so called 'maturity' of a young woman.

"Situations change and so does time,
friends come and go with love still there in the heart of thine. "

Time spent in the college with a new found set of friends is so cherished. Whether it is bunking classes to go to see movies or sharing a plate of uttappa, going to the library for the purpose of studies and ending up chatting with your buddies, preparing for study notes together and fighting over the subject with each other, such things are what constitute the colourful college life. I still enjoy and smile when I recall these memories.

Even after taking up a responsible job, tendency of humans to bind and socialise hardly diminishes, the circle of friends always increases, instead of sharing the uttappa, we share thoughts over a cup of tea, instead of bunking classes, we strain our glasses (spectacles).

So many facets of a person get polished over a period of time that the personality shines. A diamond is nothing but a stone, it gets picked up and polished to reveal the true colour, clarity, cut, carat and this is what leads to the cost. A person who has got his facets of the personality polished is like a diamond, so precious not because of self but because of all the friends who made him so valuable. Every soul touches so many other souls to become more and more polished and in turn also help polish the other.

'Diamonds are a girl's best friends' is indeed true, not for the precious stones but for all the souls who have her a strong person to shine in this world.

The day I was born…..

The day I was born…..



Many a soul have wondered on this thought when they reminiscise about themselves, their achievements, their childhood……the list can be endless. So many wonder ‘I am so lucky…..’ , ‘The world is so lucky….’; even I have had this thought on all my daughter’s birthdays.



I still vividly remember the pain that started around three in the early morning, the LABOUR pain. I had been so worried about being able to recognize pain as labour pain, and there it was!! No woman would have any doubts about this pain being the one. And there I was, in so much hurry to go to the hospital! At that time, there was only one thought, “once I am in the hospital, my pain will be more manageable and my baby will come to me. So lets hurry to the hospital”. And needless to say, don’t ever argue with a woman in such a situation. My dad, one of those peculiar dads, the ones who get worried but don’t know what to do; started cleaning the car at four in the morning. Till then, my mother and mother in law were discussing about the frequency of contractions. Here I was in pain and all my dear ones were irritating me further.



At last! We reached the hospital and the room and I was hopeful of seeing my baby quickly, but then the doctor too had her say about the time and all I could do was remember the advice of others and the books and keep my cool.



Luckily for me, my pain ended at about 8 in the morning when I saw my daughter and heard her sigh. But what worried me was that she was not crying. Don’t they show in all held her upside down and patted her back, but no sound. Then it started, music to my ears and relief to the doctor. I think the first cry of the baby is the best, later on it turns to jazz.



Six years passed, with every year showing a different side to my daughter. Her father is completely in her hands. That must be true for all fathers. My parents have always been there for me and my sister, no matter what reason and season.



I took up a job and my in laws are always there for my daughter to hold her, to wipe away her tears, to tell her a story, to hear her stories and talks, to see her dance, to teach her, to show her the rainbow, to let her play in the rain and so many things that only a child can make the grand parents take to becoming a child once again.



A few days back, when my daughter came home after playtime, I went to her with the apple in my hand so that she would be happy. But what !! the daughter I knew, who was me, myself, suddenly and rudely turned me away. I retreated without a word with hurt in my eyes quite visible. My daughter immediately saw my reaction to her action and felt so bad at having done this to me. She came running behind me and pleaded with me with different valid reasons, her apologies all brimming and bursting from the corner of her eyes. I was distraught myself and my hurt too was about to spill over. We both hugged each other and held each other close. All hurt and remorse was washed away. I was so happy that my daughter had shown such courage and understanding to accept her bad behavior and realize her mistake and also to make her mother understand her.



We both became ‘friends’ again.



The incident made me realize that cutting the umbilical cord does not separate the mother and the baby; the bonding still remains; what is it then that separates the two?



It is the longing for individuality.



A mother who brings and nurtures a child in this world, a father who provides a shade for the child to grow till he is ready to face the sunlight, grand parents who provide the necessary water and rainbows; and friends who make you stand taller and more confident; all contribute to the building up of a personality.



I am so happy to see us all together and together we see a child becoming an individual.



Well, ‘the day I was born….’ is not the day that my mother gave birth to me; it is not the day that I gave birth to my daughter; it is the day that I see my daughter becoming more independent, more mature, more caring, more understanding and above all; moving from a daughter to an individual. It is so beautiful and joyful to see your baby grow. Your baby who was you, yourself, a part of you and the love you share with your better half.

I am Magnificent

I am Magnificent

Standing tall on the mountainous slopes of the Konkan region, I breathe with pride the fresh air and the warmth of the newly watered soil. The first rain has been a boon for me and my baked and cracked skin. Ah! Those hot summer days! They send a shiver down my spine. Birds around me would be so happy in the mornings to welcome the sun and a new day but by midday, they would all retire in their cozy nests, away from the sun’s glare.

I have no other place to go except to be on the slopes, holding the soil in place and watching the day break and sun set. No other similar friend in the vicinity to talk to me and hear me talk of my thoughts.

“I long to go out and play,
and sway my arms to the music, all day.
How I wish I could also jump with joy
and run like the lanky boy. “

The Konkan Express passes me by everyday. The train is such an elegant piece of man’s creation! With such dignity and majestic stature, the train breezes past the landscape, bringing life to all and I swell with pride just waving at it. That’s life. Life is indeed strange, I can only stand and wave!

What is it that pulls me down? Why not I climb mountains and cross the rivers? The greens and browns are sure for me, but why not I wish for the reds and blues of thee?

It is only when something holds me for support and climbs up and up, that I feel happy to have lent support. It is only when something grows near me that I find a friend and a companion. I am indeed happy to have them and the trains moving past me everyday. They whistle and huff and puff and I feel lucky to be there waving at so many passengers.

Life is indeed beautiful and I am also a part of it. So many souls look around to get a glimpse of the beautiful landscape and exclaim in delight, “wow! Such a magnificent tree!” Yes. Indeed I m the big and beautiful tamarind tree. Kids love to come and have the sour fruit. I bear with dignity their attempts at getting the fruit. Its so nice to feel wanted and at the same time want all to come to me, build homes on my branches and sing to the world. Mother nature has always been fascinating to me.