Kindness

You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much your 'kindness' would turn a certain person's life around....

A couple of days ago, my friend called me up at around 8 in the morning, super tensed and freaking out. I almost didn't understand what he was trying to say from the other end. When I got him to calm down, he finally said 'I LOST MY WALLET!' He had all his important Identity cards in it, a few 200s, and his debit card. Apparently the last time he had the wallet, was when he paid for something he bought at a store.

He was completely stressed about what was to come. He said that he didn't attend college that day because he couldn't think straight, he was worried about what his parents would say when they found out, and of course the added strain in getting his Aadhaar Card, Driver's License, etc., issued again.

All I could do was reassure him that it'd be fine; and he'd get through this.

Because, 'patience' wasnt his strongest suit, he took his bike and decided to retrace his path from the previous night. In that scorching heat, for 2 hours he drove back and forth, blaming himself for being careless.

Just as he was about to give up all hope and drive back to his hostel, he received a call from an unknown number.

It was a man speaking broken English, calling my friend by his first name. He was asking whether, my friend had lost his wallet, and that he'd found it on the highway late the previous night. He said that he saw the bike drive past him but something had fallen flat on the road right after that. When he tried to call the number on of one the ID cards, the phone was switched off. 

The man also asked my friend to say his last name just to confirm if the lost wallet was actually his. Upon confirming, the man sent his location on WhatsApp and said he'd get the wallet back to him.

My friend drove to the location absolutely shocked and needless to say, wanted to hug that man for doing what he did.

It's true what they say about kindness...it costs nothing.. but means everything.

Going The Distance

 

No matter how much ever people tell you that you're overreacting or it's just a phase... its always hard to be in a long distance relationship. Knowing that you have to wake up to a whole lot of days that particular week and not be able to see that person's face. It's hard! Like damn hard. And not in a sappy way where you say you miss the person's eyes and all that sad crap..no!

Wait..actually...that too!

The point is, you miss the action. The touch, the kiss, the butterflies in your stomach and having the feeling of time being completely stopped when both of you are together, being in our own bubble. All that, I really miss. We had our own spot in college by the steps next to the admissions office, where we'd meet up at night and just have our moments there. Lately it's been difficult to get past those stairs and not have him on my mind. It's gone to a point where I just get just a teeny-tiny bit upset seeing other couples. Upset because maybe this is what they'll have to look forward to as well.

We've had our ups and downs from the beginning, but we made sure that we'd always find our way back to each other. No matter how bad the situation was, even if I was bunched up with my ego, he'd always find ways to set things right. We'd talk all night long, and make sure to be 'Love-y dove-y' the next time we met.

Yeah.. we were one of those...

But, ever since he moved to a different city for his post-graduate degree, I miss him like crazy. We used to call every day, and talk about the most random-est things, all the way up until we thought it was time to hang up and go to sleep. He'd always make me feel like I was a part of his world, like he needed me. He'd tell me about his day and everyone he met, everywhere he went... almost like I was his secret little diary. Initially I thought there wasn't any need for that, but then I started to open up too. We began talking about everything that crossed our paths that entire day, and before I even realized, I'd gotten used to it.

Now.. with him away in a different city, things have changed..'sliiiiiightly'?

 I dont know.. 'more than I thought'?

 Let's go with 'things have changed'.

I've begun to feel the need to fight for his attention. I mean he's just a phone call away and all, but I can't help but have this heavy feeling on my chest, this stupid feeling, that he might just not need me anymore. Like, he doesn't need his little diary anymore. Like, I might lose my person, because he doesn't know that he was also my human diary. He's got his life there now. He's busy on the weekdays with his workload, and is out with his friends on the weekends to blow off some steam from all the pressure. He makes genuine effort to videocall me on most days, and I love him for that, but I can see how tired he is and how much he's trying from his end to make this work.

This distance between us really gets on my nerve most days..and I almost always, try my best not to think about it. Not having any reason to get myself all dressed and pretty for him is something I miss these days. Having no one to share food with because I don't eat much. Having no one to buy me bakery goods when I get random cravings. Having no one to explain movies to me like explaining it to a child! Paavam..that guy had so much to deal with, alle?

I miss him.

I'm sure that all this that I'm feeling right now will totally be worth it when we do meet up. He's my man and nothing changes that. Like every other problems we've faced...I'm hoping that this too would be something that we can easily get by.

'Cause me and him..we're a 'forever thing'.

Silent Applause

Married at 19. Shipped off to an entire new country before 20. Mother of two by 23. Burdened with household work since. Took care of her husband every single day and sacrificed every waking hour to nurture her young. Watched her friends get higher with their career-life, while pushing her dreams further down. Was obviously showered with gifts and love, but never asked for what she wanted. Thought of trying to get into something new, so she studied hard and finally became a teacher. But that too didnt last long since her own littlest one wanted his mother.

I always wondered what she'd be doing at home all day once my dad, my brother and I left..

So one day, when i stayed home since i was down with the flu, I had my question answered. After my dad and my brother left, she'd clear their plates and the rest of the table, grab herself a cup of tea and while away 2 hours in our 4th floor apartment balcony.

She'd watch the vehicles passing by, people walking determinedly towards their place of work, children waiting for their school buses. Basically watching everyone get on with their lives. She'd calmly rest her cheeks on the warm railing and close her eyes. It almost looked like she was wondering what lies ahead for her.

Fast forward to 20 years later.

My father who started as a sales manager, now a big shot marketing director, my brother who's now getting his undergraduate degree in business management and I, a fine and fresh dentist, can't help but wonder how lucky we are that we had that beautiful woman from the balcony in our lives.

She gave up her youth to take care of us all. When most ladies in their mid 20s went to work all day, my mother took care of our day to day needs. When most women posted facts their lives in the social media, my mother was one of those who would be sitting at the table with her kids on either sides, helping them do their homework.

She cooked, she cleaned, she was an amazing wife and a perfect mom. She was there when we came back from school and would listen to our stories about our day, while settling us down into our home clothes. She'd have prepared something incredibly yummy for lunch, and we'd know this because the entire house would have a delicious aroma in the air.

I'm pretty sure that the woman in the balcony would be proud if she knew that she would have the most amazing experience that life has to offer. She'd have two children who adores her and a husband who loves her unconditionally. 

When ladies her age now complain about not being able to have a little bit of 'me-time' because of having to take care of their kids, my mother and I hang out at a local cafe and talk about boys and cute dresses. When ladies her age stay at home teaching their children through school work, my mother had enough time in her hands to start her own boutique. 

Both of her kids have flown off her nest and I know for a fact that no matter whichever direction we fly to, she'd soar higher up to always have our backs.

When I look at my mother's hands today, I wish I could say that I see the same 19 year old's hands. But that would be impossible. What I do see, is the hand of a woman who gave up her youth, her desire, her wishes and her dreams to take care of our small family. Her wrinkles remind me of the prayers she said during our time of need, her burn marks remind me of the tasty meals she'd prepare for us and serve with a bandaged finger, and her palm reminds me of those times that she had held my hand and given me strength.