cheese cake

He was dreaming. In his dream, he was a cheesecake. He was a cheesecake who was about to deliver a presentation to a room full of hoomans in the mountains in Scotland. (why Scotland? why is he a cheesecake you ask? how will I know? It is his dream. Dreams have no rhyme or reason as we know, so just go with it) Right before he connects to the main projector, he gets a notification on his chat app. It was his girlfriend reminding him of some little insignificant thing.

He texts back, “I always remember”

She replies, “Aww, I love you”

He texts back, “But I love you more”

She replies, “Take me on a date then”

Him: “I will”

Her: “When? where, can’t wait…”

Him: “You pick”

Her: “The Gallery Café”

Him: “Where is it?”

Her: “Colombo, of course, where else.. “

Him: “That is a million miles away from where I am”

Her: “Really? Are u in Pluto?”

Him: “Haha.. very smart. Scotland at the convention, did you forget?”

No reply…

He turns off the phone, the projector is fixed, and he is ready to go and give the presentation. Smiling from the chat, he is in a good mood and aces the talk weirdly with zero care on what the audience thought yet surprisingly engaging his audience. His talk comes to a close and leaning on the huge auditorium door is his girlfriend, waving and beaming at him with pure joy.

How did she fly all the way from Colombo to Scottish mountains you ask?

How will I know? It is his dreams

The average guy gets a happy ending

Did you know the rhyme, “when you are happy and you know it know it, clap your hands”?
Lovely rhyme. But then we don’t always know, do we? Sometimes, we are sad for no reason. But we know we are because our heart aches. I don’t mean the figurative heart, the literal pang in the chest, that is sadness, isn’t it? I watch a sappy movie on days like that. I picked “Me before you” this time and bawled as I watched Will die.

Well well, this ain’t a sad blog post. This is an insightful post with a happy ending.

A couple of decades ago, there was a young teen. Smart, handsome and inquisitive he was. He wanted to become an astronaut. He didn’t know how. Meanwhile, a job landed on him. Remember, he didn’t find a job, the job landed on him. He explored the world, trying to get into other jobs that would take him closer to becoming an astronaut. He also modeled for fashion clothes. He had few bad relationships. Some of his friends left. You know, the typical things that happen when you break from teen into adulthood. Naturally, he didn’t excel at his job. He was never promoted, but never fired as well.

After a couple of years, when he figured some of his life, he started enjoying life. His friendships got better, he started getting better at his work. He started dating one of his good friends. Soon, he got an even better job moved to a different city, eventually married his girl friend and lived happily. Ever after, you ask me? I don’t know. The last time I checked, he was a happy grad-dad of twin boys.

All good. But he remembers this one night. The night when he left his first job. His boss offered to drive him home. Remember by the time he quit, he was a changed man. He apologised his boss for not doing his best. His boss told him that there was nothing to apologize for. He also told him that everyone goes through tricky times in course of their career and that this time, it was him.

Well, in retrospect, he was never promoted. Life was fair.

So, yeah. Story of a regular guy with a regular life. Altho, you see, Life is fair. That my little children is a happy ending. Good night munchkins :-*

The one that never gave up

Once upon a time, not very long ago lived a couple with three children in a beautiful city. The eldest of the child is our story’s hero Noori. She was a fierce, beautiful, and intelligent child. They lived in a cozy place, supporting each other in the best ways that they could.

When Noori turned 16, families around her home approached her father and asked for her hand in marriage. With everyone around her pushing towards marriage, she almost got engaged not once but thrice. Something stopped her from making the big jump in the end.

Fate did not leave her at peace when a young gentleman from London came all the way to Pasargadae to ask her hand in marriage when she turned 18. This handsome man declared that he was a businessman from the west and had mansions, cars, gold, and diamonds and promised Noori’s father to take good care of her.

She was reluctant at first, but then this seemingly world 30yr old young man easily won her little heart. Very quickly they got married and soon they had their first child. Their families rejoiced and celebrated.

Within a few months, their families suggested that the little kid would lead a lonely life without another sibling to play around with. And swoosh and swirl Noori was pregnant again. During her trimester she decided to move with her husband to London. She had fancy dreams and romantic fantasies about her life in London with the man of her dreams.

Little did she know what London had in hold for her. She was 19 when she came to London. At that time a 19year old cannot claim a spouse visa. But before the UK could chuck her out she had her second child in the UK. So, the UK government gave her a discretionary VISA since her child was born in the UK. For whatever reasons, her husband decided to hide her documents making it hard for her to claim a spouse visa.

To make things worse, slowly and steadily she figures out that there are no diamonds, no mansions, no cars but some funny smell in the broken home where they lived. A few years roll and she figures that funny smell is nothing but weed, cocaine, and a few other drugs. Perhaps it was his interest in music and artistic desire that turned him into drugs she told herself.

With neither of them having a steady job and with her father-in-law chucking them out of their home they soon became homeless. They went into temporary accommodation given by cops. After a few years, they claimed a council home given by the government. He tried his best to be a better man. He went into rehabilitation and took a parenting course. For a few months, it looked like their life was turning into something happy. Soon Noori was pregnant with a third child.

Soon after he went into relapse, and got into drugs again. But this time it was a little better or so she thought. One fine day the cops came knocking on their door wanting to arrest him claiming that he sold drugs. And, he went into jail.

All alone when the due date came, she booked herself a cab and gave birth to her third child. Postpartum depression and regular depression took a heavy toll on her already depressed life. After a year Noori contacted social services and got their help to take care of her babies.

At 26, she went into community college, and now at 33, she just got graduated. She also plans to do a master’s and wants to become an education minister.

While I wish nothing but best to her. Well for that matter, everyone deserves a fulfilling life. But this story reminds me that, it could have been me. Around the age when Noori got married, if it were me and if everyone that I knew forced me into doing something, I am not sure if I would have had the strength or maturity to stand for myself. Nor am I sure if I would have the grit in me to get the level of success, stability and happiness that she has given the circumstances.

With just a few thousand miles apart it could have very easily been me. When compared to a majority of people, the problems that I have pales and vanishes. Vanity, pride, and ego have no place. Also, a reminder that “I” never existed. It has always been a sum total of many factors.

It gets mushy if we think too much about this. Everyone has problems regardless of where they are from. Everyone has a reason and story to why they are messed up the way they are messed up. But then everyone has a million and one reasons to be happy and thankful for regardless of their circumstances. Ultimately, everyone deserves a fulfilling life.

In some sense, there is nothing much we could do to change the functioning of the world let alone our lives. Optimism dies with age. We are beaten and tired. We let go. We walk away and one day, we die. If we are lucky and a bit mindful of our actions, we would have caused little damage and maybe just maybe made the lives of a few a wee bit better. And of course, we learn to put up a smile and try and have a reasonably happy life. And oh yeah! there is always a silver lining or so I would like to imagine.

So, what is the point of this post. Practice gratitude, be mindful of your actions. Relax, smile and have a good life. Nothing matters and nobody gets out of it alive anyways.

Also, if nothing matters in the end, why not give your best shot. Yeah! might as well do our best at any given situation and see how far it goes and see the ripple effect that it creates. At least then when the times come, we will have the satisfaction that we lived our lives to the best of our abilities.

Yup! that is what this story is about. Doing our best at any given circumstance and not giving up.

Kids these days

Somedays when my niece who is 3 years old wakes up on the wrong side of her bed she is grumpier than usual.
It was one such day and she wouldn’t leave me alone.
Alone time in the mornings is much needed for me.
To escape from her (sorry but not sorry) I told her that I was going to the aunt’s home.
Immediately she said, “Okay I will come too”
Without a beat, I said, “Well, then I am not going”
For which she replied, “Okay, I am not going as well”
This went on back and forth a couple of times.

And then she stopped the conversation, I continued walking forward in an attempt to go to the aunt’s home.
After a few steps, I looked back expecting her to be running behind me.
Because when she is grumpy she also tends to be adamant making me irritable.
But nope, not this time. She stood there looking at me.
I took a few more steps and looked back.
“You go to aunt’s home, I am not coming”.
Surprised by her reply I asked her why.
“You don’t want me to come, I am not going.”
Wow! I didn’t see this coming.
I then told her, “It doesn’t matter what I think, if you want to go to aunt’s home, you should”
Long story short, neither of us went to aunt’s home.
Soon we were playing in the front yard, hugging and running around.

It took me a couple of decades, bad relationships, and a whole lot of self-help books to develop healthy boundaries, a little bit of self-esteem, and some self-respect that my 3 yr old niece seem to effortlessly have.

“இந்த காலத்து குழந்தைகள் எல்லாம் எவ்வளவு விவரமா இருக்காங்க”. As I type this, I also realize I am getting old. DAMN god!

#KeepRockingKids #LearningFromKids

The lame guy and the cool girl

He was lame.
She was cool.
She picked him.
No one knows why.
But no one thought they were an odd couple.
Well honestly, no one cared.

She loved and loved and loved him.
He just smiled.
She was fun.
She made plans.
He had nothing better to do,
and went with her plans.

They cycled.
They laughed.
They trekked.
They swam.
They baked.
They played.
They had a hell lot of fun.

Yet, he just smiled
while she loved him more and more.
One day she was too much fun that
it annoyed him and he was mean.
She forgave and continued loving him anyways.

Soon, she found other cool guys.
He found other dumb girls.
They moved on.

She had a blast with cool guys.
He sulked with the dumb girls.

A year later, he spiraled into depression.
She was betrayed by the cool guys.
He missed her.
She had stopped thinking about him.
He apologized.
Sent her flowers and cards.
She was rejoiced and found comfort in his arms.

They comforted each other and got better.
Soon, they went back to their familiar old dynamics.
She loved and loved and loved.
He smiled.
But now he knows the value of her love.
Yet, he can’t help, he could only smile.
It didn’t matter to her,
she loved and loved and loved.

They had many differences in their opinions.
He wouldn’t have cared much if she had left.
But she stayed and loved.

No one knows how,
but one day, he woke up
feeling grateful for her love.
He just realised that he was deeply loved.

It was she who had taught him to enjoy life,
have fun and to love.
He wouldn’t have asked for any other way.

Yeah! they lived happily ever after.
But that is not a big deal,
They never had any bitter feelings for each other.
They always had a good time
and continued living as happy as always.

Perspective

“Annnddd the serve!!!!” saying so, Rahul hit the badminton ball with the racquet towards his brother.
Coincidently, the power went off. With a blink, the generator kicked in.
“Yes!!! I win.”, Rahul shouted.
“Nope! You don’t. I couldn’t see it.”, Preetham replied.
“Oh! that doesn’t count. Let me run in and turn off “, saying so, Rahul ran in to turn off the front-yard lights.
“What the hell are you doing?” shouted Preetham.
“Ssshhh… none of our neighbors have power back up, they might feel bad seeing our light”.
“Exactly, none of our neighbors have power back up, and the front yard light goes all the way up to the street.”
“hmmm”

The light stayed on.

Que sera sera

The book that I have chosen is “Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of Universe” by “Benjamin Alire S”. 

As obvious from the title, the protagonists are Aristotle who prefers being called “Ari” and Dante. They are teen boys growing up in Texas. Their characters are shaped and influenced by their family and upbringing. At Dante’s family, love is very visible, they kiss and hug more often. They express their feelings openly. Naturally, Dante is emotional, loving, and fun to be with. The dynamics at Ari’s home is extremely different. His father is a war veteran who keeps his feelings to himself. No one at his family speaks about his brother who is in jail. There is still love at his home, but the love is silent and unexpressed. As a teen, Ari is uncertain about a lot of things. However, he is bold, confident, and introverted.

They met at a swimming class, where Dante offers to teach Ari swimming, and from then on, their friendship blossoms. Ari and Dante soon become very close. Both of them in different situations end up putting their own lives at risk to save the other. Dante develops feelings for Ari. He is gentle and expressive about his love. Ari is confident that he is not gay. He confirms Dante that they are best friends and not lovers.

Gloria, a new girl from Mexico joins their class the following year. She can sing, dance, run, and is an all-rounder. She is very social and friendly. Ari is instantly drawn to her. He asks her out on a date and they start dating. The more he gets to know her, the more he is captivated by her personality. They go on trips to beaches and Ari has sex with Gloria. Gloria even takes Ari to Mexico to her grand parent’s place during Christmas.

Meanwhile, Ari and Dante continue going to swimming classes. After the class, Dante always enquires Ari how the week had been and tries to understand Ari better. To Dante, Ari is one of the best people in the world and he truly deserves the best. Seeing Ari happy keeps Dante happy. 

During the Christmas trip, Ari meets Gloria’s ex-boyfriend, Laurence. Unlike Ari, Laurence is extroverted and is very similar to Gloria. They had started dating 3 years ago and had a good relationship. When Gloria’s parents were planning to move to Texas, Gloria wanted to continue long-distance but Laurence felt that they had so much to explore in life and that they had to date other people. So, they broke up but stayed good friends. Ari never felt insecure about their friendship, but it was hard to miss that Gloria seemed more natural and comfortable when with Laurence.

The following year Ari wants to go to a college in California and had gotten admission there. Gloria had such good scores that all the colleges she had applied, including the college at California, had accepted her. But, Gloria picks New York, where Laurence is planning to go. It becomes evident to Ari that Gloria is still in love with Laurence and Ari gracefully steps aside.

Before Ari and Dante leave for their college, they go on a trip to the desert. As they lie down grazing stars, Ari realizes that it is very easy and comfortable when Dante is around. Dante is very happy to spend time with Ari. Dante feels emotional that they are going to part and has an urge to kiss Ari but keeps that to himself fearing that it might ruin their friendship. As they were about to leave, Ari confesses that he wants to try something and asks Dante if it is OK, to try kissing him. Dante is surprised and overwhelmed, Ari advances forward and kisses Dante, reluctant and shy at first, but slowly the passion builds up. After a couple of minutes, when they finally let go of each other, Ari says, “Yup! Yup! Yup! I am gay!!! I guess I have always been in love with you!!! What an idiot I have been”.  “Ha ha ha, what an idiot” saying so, Dante pulls Ari and kisses him again.

At the airport

It has been one year since they had met. But a lot has happened over this one year. Revathi had gone to London to take care of her daughter, who had recently delivered a baby. Ranjan had stayed back in Tirunelveli, taking care of the farm and cattle. They are not tech-savvy. Though they knew how to video call, they did not do it very often and had missed each other immensely. Ranjan knew he loved Revathi very much, but he never knew how much until their separation.

Today, Ranjan was at the airport frantically looking at his watch, waiting for her arrival. The watch was an old mechanical watch that is powered by movements, a gift from Revathi almost 30 years ago. Everything lately reminded him of Revathi. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Revathi arrived pushing a huge trolley, looking very exhausted.

The moment Ranjan saw Revathi, he picked up his fragile body and tried to hurry towards her. His joints that always ached due to his intense farm labors strangely did not ache that moment. Revathi beamed and blushed. Even after 32 years of marriage, the sight of Ranjan made Revathi blush. She hurried towards him, pushing the heavy trolley as swiftly as she could and pulling her shawl closer. They met midway and smiled their broadest toothy smile at each other.

Ranjan is so overwhelmed that tears welled up in his eyes, he felt like a teen in love. To hide his tears, he took hold of the trolley and pulled it towards him. Revathi placed her hand on Ranjan’s hand and brushed it softly. The touch reminded her of the farm and cattle. She squeezed his hand, leaned on his shoulder, and said, “நான் வந்துட்டேன்” (I have come). Ranjan took a heavy breath, cleared his throat, and replied, “ஆமா,நீ வந்துட்ட” (Yup! you have come). They both smiled, walking towards the exit. Soon, they will be home.
.
.
.
.
Should I even say?
Yes, Of Course, they lived happily ever after ❤️

The Slumdog wanna be millionaire

All that Madhan ever wanted was to own his own home. That was his ultimate dream.

Amidst brawls of drunkards and the stench of the slum, Madhan grew up, picking fights with kids. Madhan’s father worked as a janitor at a Plaza making enough to feed them.Madhan’s mother was a drunkard and a drug addict. She could be found more often on streets lying on the pavement by the sewers than at her broken home. His father took care of his mother in the best way he could. He went looking for her, after work, at night, and carried her home. Madhan hated that. Every time he saw his father carrying his mother, he raged. He felt that it could have been better if his father could just let her rot and die.

To him, his father was nothing but a man who cleaned people’s shit, and his mother was shit personified. He despised everything about that place. He could have run away as a kid, but he knew he would not survive more than a week in the streets. He spent most of his time picking fights and tinkering at the motor repair shop making few bucks. He was good with motors and machines. If there was one thing in his life that gave him joy, it was the machines, the sound of the engine…

By the time he was a teen, he could dismantle and assemble pretty much every model of motorbike or car. He knew where to get the best spare parts for the best price in the city. He kept fixing one motor after the next and drunk to his heart’s content at night. He made sure not to end up as his mother, always knew his limit. He never visited home, not even when he heard that his mother had died. 

After many years, he saved enough money and opened his own garage. He kept tinkering, working very hard, and by the time he was 30, with the help of a bank loan he could finally buy his own home.

With just two days to sign the documents for his home, he slipped while walking and the wound never healed. The doctors said that multiple organs were bleeding internally and advised him to get admitted immediately or that he would lose his life within a day. 

Madhan decided to spend his savings and live out loud, but he did not know what to do, he had no friends. With no one to care for him during this treatment and recovery, for the first time in his life, Madhan introspected. He thought about his father, his childhood, and how he had evolved. Tears rolled down his eyes.

After a few weeks, he was discharged, he went to the garage which appeared empty and lifeless. To his surprise, his dad came to the garage within a few hours. It has been so many years since they had met. His dad confessed that despite their fallout he has always been following Madhan’s life and was extremely worried to see the locked garage. They spoke little and were mostly silent. They had years of stories to catch up.

My dog Bunny

One evening, just like every other evening, I was sitting in the patio, enjoying the breeze as it swept through my garden. My dog Bunny was brushing against my legs, trying to get me to stroke it. It was a beautiful evening.

But unlike every other night, that night had huge things planned for me that I did not see coming that early. I had my dinner, took my pills, read a few chapters from my bedtime book, and was about to crash when I got the feeling that I had to pee again. This was the 5th time that day. It has been this way for quite some time, the doctors had told me that it is normal for the bladder to feel squeezed as the baby grows. I used the bathroom and set myself to sleep. I was feeling fidgety yet exhausted. As if Bunny knew that I was feeling uneasy, it hopped into the bed and curled by my feet, which comforted me immediately.

I didn’t know when I slept, but I woke up to a bad dream screaming, Bunny was running on the bed looking terrified. It was then that I realized my water had broke. I was alone and wasn’t supposed to deliver until 3 weeks. I cannot do it. This is not how it is supposed to be. I froze and thought I was going to die, for a brief moment, my entire life flashed in my mind.

Meanwhile, Bunny got madder and madder just in tune with my panic and started barking profusely. Soon, the security guard came in and rushed me to the hospital. All through the ride, either I was huffing and puffing, or Bunny was braking. To think of it now seems funny, but god! that night, I will never forget.

At midnight when I was dilated and pushing hard, Bunny’s low whimpers outside the ward gave me all the strength that I needed. After what seemed like an eternity, I delivered a sound, healthy baby boy and who eventually got named as Bunny Jr. I cannot imagine what would have happened if not for Bunny.

Bunny and Bunny Junior grew up to become best friends and we lived happily.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people or dogs living or dead is purely coincidental.