Some Twelve Odd Years Ago

Rain

The rain is most definitely my most favourite time in Calcutta, not just because, everything smells like wet earth, not because it's the perfect time to have chai and pakoras, but because it brings back my fondest memories of the time spent with my best friend, Pallu. Her place was very close to school, so on some days, I'd come over for lunch, and the minute the sky got dimmer, our hearts would race and we'd rush to the terrace.

 We love the rain. And after a good soak, we'd, dry off and head to the kitchen to make macaroni in white sauce.

 That has to be the most delicious macaroni I have ever had! Lots butter, chilli flakes and love.

To growing up together, and over a decade of being the best of friends,

I love you so much Pallu!

Happy Birthday Nanda!

This is coming in late, slipped my mind to post this on the 2nd of April!

Nevertheless,

To my golden drop of sun, to the reason for many smiles for over six years now, to knowing a true friend, for restoring the security that people like you, do exist and a small reminder to me, that I have been extremely lucky to have friends like you. Thank you Nanda, for everything, for all your love, for all your time and all your encouragement and advice. I know that I can always come to you, no matter how small or large the problem, and you will always have a solution, a comforting word and the will to see me through it till I am smiling. 

I am very lucky to have a rainbow crazy leprechaun like you in my life. 

I hope I can do for you, what you have done for me. 

I love you very much, here's a tight hug, from me to you.

You deserve every success and happiness in the world.

Happy Birthday!

caught in the headlights

Scandalous surprises

Love.

An Education.

I owe her all.

Growing up, my mother would (and still is) be the first to wake on weekday mornings. She would hustle about the kitchen, getting our tiffins ready, as we (my Dada, my brother and I), spent the next several minutes, in blissful, dreamless sleep.

One rare morning, I slipped out of bed, awakened by the smell of lime rice, and followed it to the kitchen. My mother was in conversation with three birds all perched on the window, curiously peering through the grills, heads tilted, listening. She was explaining to them that she would give them biscuits as soon as the rice was packed into my lunchbox. They waited patiently, and one of them, a crow she named Kaloo, sat and cawed, as if reminding her that she was not to forget them. As the years have gone by and the neighbors have changed as many times as the winds change direction, Mother's little feather friends still come back, some old, some new, sometimes rare exotic cousins, and of course, Kaloo.

 Sometimes they come for the food, sometimes they come for the love. 

She is in many ways, a mother to them

.

She has taught me to care and to be compassionate. To be unafraid and keep my friendships extended to feathered and furry creatures.

 Her love never seems to cease, and is never constrained. 

It is selfless and limitless and effortless.

She is to me, the most genuine, most wonderful human being. 

I owe her my education,

my happiness,

my love,

my life.

We love you.

Happy Mother's Day.

lessons from birds

fly

The Unbreakable Vow.

Happy Birthday Shubee! 

To my best friend, my source of strength, my voice of reason. Thank you for always being honest with me, for always catching me when I'm about to fall, for the craziest conversations, for the insane laughter and for everything you've ever done for me. I could not be more lucky, than to have you in my life. 

I love you so much.

You? Definitely my kinda woman. 

♥

Friday Night, Movie Night.

A dedication to Technology

There is no weight to togetherness, until you feel the separation.

A big shout out to science and technology, for making it cushy. 

Therapy

There are times when your head is bursting with a hundred things to say and there's no one to listen, and you're either too polite to wake your best friend, at that unearthly hour, or too sane to talk to a wall. A one stop solution to all of my problems used to be, my dog. 

However, now I wait till morning to take a walk down to the market, but with a guaranteed therapy session with at least twenty furry friends, at the price of biscuits and a little bit of love. I guess it is easy to pep yourself up, if you look, in the right places. 

Escape

Noise

Seeking much needed solitude.

Secret Seven.

Happy Birthday to a genius, an over-achiever, my best friend, confidante, and soul sister.

I do not know what I would ever do without you.

I love you so very much, 

I wish you endless love, happiness and good luck.

orange

Foxeh!

If you were an animal, you would be a fox. 


and a small close in 

:

Tomboy

A recent conversation about childhood memories with the boy, 

brought this about. 

I spent most of my time, playing cricket with my brother (even if he only let me field and never let me bat!), revering his sense of dressing and waiting for hand-me-downs, drawing cars, watching wrestling, playing Contra

 and running around trying to fit in with his friends who came over. 

All of this,

 much to my brothers' embarrassment. 

But it made me happy, so I did it anyway.

what weekends should be made of

The co-incidence of having someone have the same definition of happiness as you,

 is an unparalleled

 joy.

To Shubee.♥

you don't say

pffft. 

close.

Repeat after me:

Don't let the distance get you down.

A Perfect Vacation

It's been such a long time since I last updated, but I've been too busy having the time of my life.

I've spent the last two weeks out of town and with the most perfect host and companion.

 A holiday couldn't get any better!

Thank you ever so much for all of the wonderful surprises and treats 

and all the nursing back to health,

the great food and all the love. 

I feel extremely spoiled.

To many more vacations!

*clink clink*.

plans

keep busy!

fuffies

This one's for Anki, I've been so so busy with work, I hadn't got the time to do this earlier!

She has the two of most adorable little fluffmonsters at home!

Dogs, I tell you, they always keep you happy.

Lots of love to Coco, Fluffy and Anki!

Gulabo

Gulabo♥

This is for my oldest and bestest friend in the world!

It's been long overdue, but let me tell you a few things about her, 

Well she's one helluva friend, she's so very pretty, has the most gorgeous hair I know of

 and throws SUCH memorable parties, you would remember them for years!!

Pallu, I love you so SO much!

Here's wishing you endless new dresses, shoes, good luck, success and happiness in everything ahead.

Happy Belated Birthday!!

Happy Birthday You

Happiness.

I doubt, I have ever met someone as wonderful as this guy.
 And I have met a number of people. 
I sometimes think this is all in my head, he's one of those perfect fictional characters, from some favourite book.
 Who else is going to throw the best Christmas surprises? 
Who else is going to carry a pair of flats in his bag, just so that, when you're tired of wearing your boots, you can slip into those? 
Who else is going to sit in by the phone, after an exhausting day at work, for hours to listen to you drone?
 Who else is going to make sure that you go to sleep, only when you're left smiling? 

I doubt, to me, perfection could be defined in any other way.

To the most genuine, good hearted, tall wall of love,
Happy Birthday Ladoo!
May your life be filled with every good thing, happiness, love and cheer.
May all your wishes come true.

No matter what people may say, 
they stand corrected,
for it's me,
who's lucky and thankful,
to have you in my life.

Love you, always.
♥