Crushed....

When I came to the place where I'm currently living, two years ago, I felt like I'm staying in a true country side part of US. Though I wasn't fond of the place in the beginning, as you start staying longer, you automatically generate a liking for the place. More greenery, lots of cattle, barns, horse farms. This is the sight while the airplane is landing at the local airport and while driving towards the main city.

But in the past 2 years I'm seeing more and more changes around. Increasing number of housing projects, apartment complexes, housing complexes. And all of this on the sides of a two-way road. When you think of other big cities in US, you can at least think of a 2 lane road on each direction, of a road that connects the airport. This is surely not a big city, but it has one of the worlds largest companies situated here. Did the Government never ever think the city would start growing someday and for that we need good, spacious roads? Maybe not.

Everyday while driving to school or office, you have to come across some small animal or reptile or bird crushed under a vehicle. When all cars, trucks are on a speedlimit of 45 mph and more, no one will stop for a small animal who is trying to go across the road. The other day while I was driving, a turtle was crossing the road. I did avoid it. While driving back, I was thinking and praying that I don't get to see the turtle again. But instead I had to drive over the crushed corpse of it. :(

We are in so much hurry of reaching or destination that we don't bother about the small living creatures around us. They too are a part of our world. Armadillos, robins, snakes, turtles, rabbits, opossums, badgers, raccoons are the few whose fate are destined on this road. Just like us they too may have a feeling "a safe life on other side of the road". Out of curiosity also some animals maybe wanting to cross the road.

The Government is allowing new businesses to start on this road. Now even a few new roads are being constructed connecting the main (2 way) road. Because of this, the small animals are forced to move out of their homes, where they have lived peacefully for years and now they have no where to go, but in search of a new place where they can "live".

Here I'm not suggesting to provide the animals with shelter, but to atleast plan a developing city properly. Its very sad to drive over the dead bodies of the animals. At least build a small wall near the shoulder, on each side of the road. This may prevent atleast a few number of animals to avoid getting killed.

The city should develop, no doubt. But a little consideration for the little creatures for whom we don't have much time to stop and let them cross the road. We'll get to see less bloodshed on the road.

Sakura

The Cherry Blossom in Japan has always fascinated me. Though I don't know when will I get to go to Japan to see the "original, real" Sakura, but I did get to see a part of the blossoms here in US. Thanks to the Japanese Government who gave 3,020 cherry blossom trees as a gift to the United States in 1912 to celebrate the nations' then-growing friendship. These trees were planted in "Sakura Park" in Manhattan and famously line the shore of "Tidal Basin" in Washington D C. The gift was renewed with another 3,800 trees in 1965. (more info)
There are a few cherry trees around the place where I now live. Here are some of the wonderful cherry blossom pictures, along with some more spring relief flowers.

Sketches

Some sketches:

A Lion
















An Egret:

Interview of Guru Thakur - Lyricist

Interview of Guru Thakur, the Lyricist of "Natarang" and many more marathi films, taken by me:

http://maayboli.com/node/14137

Hope you enjoy it!

3 Idiots

Though the film has received loads of accolades (no issues), but I feel some points should have been taken care of.
Maybe I'm too nosey, but some technological issues really bothered me. By technological issues, i don't mean technical as in the films editing, direction, lighting, etc. This is what really bothered me and to be frank, right from the first few minutes:

- Farhan was born in 1978. And then I guess so where Rancho, Raju and all other 1st year students. During the 1st year of engineering (that should be somewhere in the mid-90's and after), when Joy tries to talk to Virus about date extension, Virus hands him a cell phone and calls his dad on the cellphone, which I presume were not very popular then. And did I mention the cellphones where sleek and not bulky as it should have been during the early cellphone days.

- Taking dates into consideration, Youtube was founded in 2005! During the "delivery" at the end, Pia shows video on Youtube. Just hows it possible?
So which leads to my question, is the film Futuristic??

- Pia rides the latest bike. Here I feel, she should have rode a Kinetic Honda or something more popular in the mid and late-90's.

- Popularity of webcams and laptops - out of question!

- The only period items were Farhan's camera in the 1st year and Virus's opera playing player.

Now moving on to dressing:

- Amir's Tee's, bag, Kareena's glasses, spaghetti tops, bike - all so very hep and 2000.

Probably the director, producer and technicians didn't even think of all these issues as cellphones, laptops, wireless devices are so very much a part of our life for the last couple of years (only). I perhaps noticed this because I was born in 1977 and started thinking about the time during my college days and the technology then in 90's.

Some other issues with the story:
- Joy dies toooooo soon.
- Is there anything like Airport security? For the fun part its totally fine to ignore it. But can't just ignore it in 2009-2010. What about his baggage? Dear Camera?
- Online, 'vacuum' delivery!!

I know I've pointed out so many mistakes, what will I do when I make a movie? It will be so perfect that no one will be able to criticize it, point out mistakes and no one will be able to relate to it! Viewers in India (including me) still want the masala. To hell with the technicalities and technology!

Good points of the film:
- Chatur's character.
- Millimeter
- Some scenes like mixing up the answer papers.
- Potrayal of Raju Rastogi's family.

At the end of the day, I was happy on having got to see "3 Idiots" in a movie theatre, rather than everyday google-ing and waiting for a "3 Idiots good DVD print online" version or waiting for a Netflix DVD.

At last, thanks to Raju Hirani and the team for thinking about making a movie about the pathetic rat race in the country.

ROAD

"Walk with me for the last time till the end of this road," said Jui with tears in her eyes.

"Alright", saying so Mohan caught Jui's hand and they started walking.

"But we'll still be friends, right?" asked Jui.

Mohan just smiled and they kept walking, but both knew it was not going to be the same again. A couple of hours back, both had come to a mutual decision of parting their ways. Though they had tried their best to keep their relationship going, something was just not right.

As they walked, Jui tried to remember all the good times the two have had. They had met at a common friends wedding 2 years back and had come to be known as a couple for the last 1 year. They lunched together, went shopping after office hours, had dinners together, cuddled up while watching movies. They did everything that couples do when they are in love. But when it was time to take the relationship to a next level, fear of commitment took over love. They had to take a drastic step.

"But people would talk," Jui had said.

"Let them! It is our life. We don't owe anyone."

Like most mature people, they agreed. But they also knew that memories could not be erased easily. Some moments live for a lifetime, happy or sad.

They reached the end of the short road. They looked in each others eyes. Jui decided to control her tears. She shook hands with Mohan and looked away from him. She called for an Auto and went off.

On reaching her apartment, Jui threw herself in her bed crying. Her mind was full of thoughts. She pulled out her diary from her tote and browsed through each page of it. There were special notes of right from the day Mohan proposed to her, to even the silliest moments she had spent with him. She started tearing of each page after reading. Tears rolling from her eyes thinking of every special moment in her life for the past year, she lay in her bed.

------------------------------------------

"Hi!"

Jui looked up from her desk. Unknowingly, she got up from her chair, clasping both her hands as if in a prayer mode, damp eyes and a slight smile, she looked at Mohan, who was standing in front of her smiling.

"Hi!" she murmured.

"Surprised?" asked Mohan

"Of course!" Jui replied. Suddenly realising she was at the reception of her office, she wiped off her tears.

"I got to know you work here, so thought of surprising you. And i see that you are surprised."

"Sure. This is like....wow! A pleasant surprise! How are you? Long time! You should have called."

"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise!"

"Unbelievable!"

"Why? Can't I come to see you?"

"But after almost a year, its really......", she paused. "Is this some kind of a joke?" Jui looked around. Everyone was busy working and yes, Mohan was actually in front of her! She had never taken Mohan off her mind. And now he's right here. It was like a prayer come true!

"C'mon Jui! Its really me. Just few days back I got to know you work here. So as I was around, I thought of visiting you."

Jui was very happy to see Mohan. She kept smiling.

"How are you?"

"Fine...fine. You?

"All good. Are you busy?"

"A bit. But you sit, I'll finish off this job, and be right with you."

"OK!" saying so, Mohan sat waiting for Jui.

After a while, he got up and asked, " Its almost lunch time. Is it possible to have lunch together today?"

"Oh yeah! What are your plans for the rest of the day?" replied Jui, almost done with her work.

"Nothing much. Its Friday, so I'll anyway be going home early today. You know it."

"Wait here. I'll be right back," said Jui rushing to a colleague.

After 5-10 minutes she was back to the reception. She picked up her purse and logged out from her computer. "Come, lets go."

"Wow! Never thought you would agree so soon."

"Why? Don't you have money in your pocket?" Mohan was taken aback by Jui's typical sarcastic joke. She hadn't changed a bit, though he had doubts before coming to meet her.

"Hope you've got some, just in case you eat too much and I won't be able to pay!" replied Mohan quickly. "Anyways, that was quick. Can you leave the office during working hours?"

"Oh yeah, I did take permission and I also got the day off."

"Surprising!"

"Are you the only one who own the "surprise" rights?"

Mohan laughed and the two walked down the stairs. Soon they reached a nearby restaurant and made themselves comfortable.

"Long time Mohan. I never thought you would come," said Jui starting the conversation.

"Me too," said Mohan nodding his head.

"You haven't changed at all."

"I don't know that, but I can say the same about you."

Though they had started their meeting with sarcasm and jokes, the atmosphere changed when they sat down at the restaurant table facing each other.

"How are you doing Jui?" asked Mohan after a long pause.

"Doing good. My job keeps me on my toes. Then the traveling, shopping, all in all a little hectic life. But I am happy."

"Nice to hear that."

"How bout you?"

"Oh! Same job, but just a little more work than before."

"Hows everyone in your part of the world?"

"All good."

Just then the waiter comes with their order and there is a pause in their just-started-getting-comfortable conversation.

"Why didn't you stop me from going?" asked Jui as soon as the waiter moved away from their table. Though she tried to show she was calm, she was not.

"That was our decision, right?"

"Then why have you come now Mohan? Why didn't you call me earlier?"

Mohan realised that Jui had many more questions on her mind. But he too had similar questions.

"You could have called."

"After what all happened, I just didn't feel like. But you could have tried."

There was a long pause.

"Have you been thinking about me Jui?" asked Mohan.

"I've always been thinking about "us". Us talking again, us being together again. Why did we part ways? Why couldn't we find some solution to solve the issues we were facing then."

"It does look easy now. But we had taken a mutual decision then."

"So what now?"

"What now?"

"Have you come to meet me as a friend? Are we still friends?"

"I don't know."

"Your coming back to see me has created a wave of confusion in my mind."

"I can understand your feelings. But I wanted to see how you were doing. Do you think it was easy for me to forget you? I did wish to stop you at that time. But we are grown-ups. We can't behave immaturely."

Jui was looking at Mohan with various feelings in her eyes.

"Do you think we can still solve our problems and get back together?" Mohan pushed the envelope a bit further.

"Back together?" asked a confused Jui.

"Yes Jui. I have never stopped thinking about you since the last we walked together."

"But..."

"I'm planning on taking up a new job out of town. We can shift base. New city, new life. Lets start over again." Mohan took Jui's hand in his hand. "Will you give me a second chance Jui?"

Jui's heart started beating fast.

"Will you marry me Jui? Would you come with me?"

The question she had been waiting for had come up at last. Though they were apart physically, their hearts and minds were always together, bound by an unknown knot which could not be untied anyway.

Jui was overwhelmed. She couldn't stop smiling. And now tears rolled down her cheeks. Tears for her long awaited love.

"Yes Mohan..." replied an overjoyed Jui. "I will c..."

Suddenly a baby started crying. The cry was so loud that Jui couldn't complete her sentence. She struggled hard to speak, but in vain. The crying became louder and louder and a Jui tried even hard and suddenly she was back to her senses. Her 6 months old baby was crying next to her.

Jui was woken from dream. She got up from her bed and took her baby in her arms. She rocked her and the baby was again fast asleep.

Jui could not sleep now. She had been woken up from a dream she had always wanted to become true. But that dream remained a dream. Mohan never came back to her.It was more than 4 years now. He didn't even call her after they walked that short road together.

She kept her baby down and walked to the other room. She logged into her Facebook account.

The friend request from Mohan was pending for more than a week now. After a lot of thinking, she opened the request and clicked on the "Ignore" button and she logged out of her account.

After a while, there was knock on the door. Jui opened the door and it was Mihir, her husband of 2 years. He smiled at her and gave her a big hug. She hugged him tight. She had made her correct choice this time. She knew that she was now on lifes never-ending road with Mihir.

THE END.

The Bride - Part 8

The Bride - Part 8

Yogita continued, "that night crying when I fell asleep, I dreamt of Kusum. She was telling me that she still wants to be a bride. She loves the smell of mehendi. She loves getting flowers. But what was the use if she was going to die next day? I was there and she told me to help her. She blamed me for her death. Only if she hadn't seen me, she would have been alive now. I woke up crying. I didn't know how to help her. 4 days later, I heard of an accident in which a new bride had died. That night again Kusum came in my dreams and she seemed happy that she had got to be a bride for 2 days. I was shocked. Since then, this has happened 8 times to various brides. Your family's tragedy would have been the 9th one. But now you are safe."

"How is that? And how do you know all this?"

"She talks to me after she has done taking a life. She travels with the flowers she sells to the ladies and enjoys being a bride herself along with them. She feels if she couldn't enjoy her marriage, no one should."

"But that's wrong."

"I know that! But what can I do? Whom can I tell that? She still blames me for her death. So yesterday she cried for my help."

"How did you reach our house?"

"I could hear her. Yesterday late night she was felt chocked and she told me you were going to cremate those flowers next morning. She cried out loud for my help. I tried to ignore. But as someone in your house was continuously chanting some mantras, she felt suffocated. I could hear her suffocation. I didn't want to see or rather hear her die again! Her voice led me towards your house and so I could pick up those flowers."

"So what did you do with the flowers?"

"I threw them in the river."

"Is there a way that can stop all this?"

"There is. But I don't know if it would be possible for you."

"Whats that?"

"Only the newly wed bride will have to come within hours of the wedding and do a ritual at the cemetery for her soul to rest in peace."

"But if the bride involved will not be alive, how can she do the ritual?" asked Priya.

"That is the catch and so Kusum's soul is still around. But now that your sister has survived, you can help out. Is it possible for you'll to do that?"

"I don't know. I'm doubtful."

Jyoti and Priya look at each other. "Will we be able to help?" they thought.

"Why doubt?" asked Yogita. "I have some hope from you. You have come a long way to reach me. I've already done you a favor by saving your sisters life. You owe me." Yogita's eyes filled with tears.

"But you were the one who came to save your sister yesterday! Everything would have come to an end today. Your suffering too!"

"I had to! Her voice wouldn't let me do anything. I can no longer be involved in the deaths of the brides."

There was a pause.

"I can't say anything right now," said Jyoti.

"Everybody sees their own good. No one cares for others. People are selfish," cried Yogita.

Jyoti and Priya didn't know what to tell her. They felt sad for her. She had to go through a lot of emotional stress in a young age. They were a ray of hope for Yogita.

Just then Priya's cellphone rang. It was Nalini Kaku.

"Hello Kaku!"

"Jyoti! Where are you girls?"

"We are just here near..."

"Come home now. Anu has been asking for you." Anu snatches the phone from her mother and continues, "Didi, where are you?"

"Anu! We are on our way."

"How long are you going to shop?"

"Shop? Oh, yes. We are coming home soon," replied Jyoti quickly thinking Nalini Kaku may have told Anu that they had gone shopping.

"I just put mehendi on my feet. Its looking fabulous. Come soon."

"Yes. Can you give the phone to Kaku?"

"Oh! She just left the room. Someone called her out."

"Oh. OK!"

"I'm hanging up now. Come soon. Bye."

"Bye," and Jyoti ended the call. She tried to hide her disappointment.

"So didi, can you help me?" asked Yogita.

"We have to go now. But we will try our best to be back," assured Jyoti.

Jyoti patted Yogita's back and she left from there. Priya followed. Yogita's swollen eyes were hard to forget.

The two sisters couldn't speak to each other on their way home. They were unable to give an answer to Yogita whether they could help her. They hoped Nalini Kaku allows Anu do the ritual after the wedding.

Soon they reached home. The wedding arrangements were on in full swing. Jyoti was delighted to see her husband, who had come from Bangalore to attend the wedding. Whenever she got a chance, Jyoti tried to talk to Nalini about Yogita.

"I'll talk to you later. I'm just so happy that Anu is fine now! God bless her!" exclaimed Nalini.

But she was so busy that the topic somehow took a backseat for a while. Everyone just prayed for a happy marriage.

In the evening, a car stopped in front of the house and out came Aaji! Everyone was happy to see her and started inquiring about her health. Jyoti and Priya instantly looked at each other. They suddenly remembered that they had forgotten to ask Yogita about what may have been the reason for Aaji's hospitalization.

"Wow! The aroma of the ladoos is so good!" exclaimed Aaji while entering the house.

"No, not now. You take some rest," said Nalini. "Did you easily forget what the doctors said?"

"I know! But there is no harm in eating just one?" said Aaji.

"You have to keep a check on your weight, that is what caused your high BP. You kept on eating the wadas and namkeens, praising the aroma that filled the house."

"I was also sad that my Anu will be going so far away from me," sobbed Aaji. Anu gave her a big hug.

So that was the reason for Aaji's collapse! thought Jyoti and Priya and they gave a sigh of relief. They thought, we totally forgot about Aaji's eating habits and thought the flowers were responsible for it. When couple of bad thing happens, we always try to link the incidents to one another. Well, the cellphone rang after Anu had purchased the flowers. That is, Aaji's collapse had nothing to do with Kusum.

"Kusum! We still have to talk to Nalini Kaku about the ritual!" exclaimed Priya.

"Yes, I know. But I'm not finding a chance to talk to her!" replied Jyoti.

"The wedding is tomorrow and we have to do the ritual soon."

Jyoti and Priya involved themselves in all the wedding celebrations, but at the back of their mind they were unable to forget Yogita's pale face.

Late evening, after the Sangeet and other celebrations, seeing Nalini sitting quiet and tired in a corner, Jyoti approached her and tried to tell her about Yogita and Kusum. Nalini was shocked to hear the story. She said a small prayer that the family was saved from a disaster. She felt sad and a tear did manage to make way through the corner of her eye. Jyoti thought this was the right time to ask her about the ritual.

"Do you think we can send Anu for the ritual?" asked Jyoti.

"No way! I don't want the new bride to go and do a 'soul resting' ritual!"

"Please Kaku! It will be helpful for others too."

"Not possible Jyoti! What if the ritual back-fires and some other evil things happen? Who is to blame then?"

"Lets take it positively and do it."

"OK, even if its fine with me, do you think Anu's in-laws are going to allow their new daughter-in-law to go to a cemetery right after marriage? I don't want to hear a thing now!"

"But Kaku the incidents will continue with other brides."

"I have got nothing to do with that. I'm really thankful for you and Priya who tired to get to the root of the cause for Anu's behavior, but I'm sorry. Please try to understand. I'm Anu's mother. I want a happy life for her. I won't allow her to do the ritual." Nalini gets up. "Don't think much about it now, beta. Just go to bed." She patted on Jyoti's head and walked to her room.

Jyoti didn't say a word. She was very well aware of her family's beliefs. She couldn't argue and convince. Perhaps her mother would have also thought the same way for her.

Jyoti walked towards her husband who was waiting to talk to her since he had arrived. She took her son close to her. She had almost ignored him for last 2 days. She cried in her husbands arms that she was unable to do anything for Yogita.

Priya felt the same. But she was a strong girl and thought it would be good to forget everything.

The wedding was a lovely event for all the family. Anu and Prithvi made a wonderful couple. It was a fabulous day. In the evening, the bride was given a tearful goodbye. Anu still remained unaware of the last 2 days events. Her parents and Aaji were delighted and prayed for her happy married life.

Jyoti and Priya were thinking about what Yogita had said, Everybody sees their own good. People are selfish. So true!

The marriage was success. The evil shadow was no longer lurking on the family.

Life continued. All were back to their regular routines. In a few days, Anu and Prithvi reached safely to the US. Priya was back to her work in Mumbai. Jyoti was back in Bangalore with her family. Aaji continued with her eating, TV, spiritual and superstitious beliefs. The flower-vendors continued selling flowers and so did one flower-vendor, selling crimson red roses to brides.

THE END.