A dream that never came true

She had called her father twenty times by the time they reached airport. Her mom reasoned that he must be still in office and they were way too early.

All thanks to her excitement. Her dreams of visiting Disneyland were coming true. Ever since she was four, when she first saw pictures of her cousins visiting Disneyland, it was her dream destination. Twelve years after that, it was finally coming true.

Her mom had surprised her with three tickets to HongKong and Disneyland for her sixteenth birthday.

Everyone teased her that at her age she should have grown out of that childhood fantasy, but it was as strong as ever. Disney was the start to her dream of being an animator and at sixteen she was crystal clear towards her ambition to work for Walt Disney.

They checked in swiftly and waited for her dad to arrive before they proceeded for security. Little more than an hour was left to board their flight.

Her enthusiasm was slowly giving way to worry. Forty minutes to boarding and still no sign of her dad. His phone was now switched off.

Thirty minutes to boarding, they called his office. They explained he was on leave. Twenty minutes to boarding, they passed through security and emigration.

Keeping their fingers crossed, they checked with his colleagues and friends. No one knew where he was.

They were announcing their flight. However, neither of them could move without her father.

Her mom called the driver. He said he had dropped boss at the airport about six hours ago.

The airline staff called for their names.

A message beeped.

Her father had landed in Dubai. He had left them and moved to Dubai for a new life with his girlfriend.

She stood there, weeping. Fully knowing, that she didn't want to visit Disneyland ever in her life.

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided.  The prompt for today is "No, Thanks - A destination you would never want to visit and why?".

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of March "Aditi Kaushiva" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here. 

The happily ever after?

"Finally the prince found her, they got married and they lived happily ever after" concluded the fairy tale. All of them.

While I wondered, is there a happily ever after? Neither Romeo nor Ranjha ever had the happily ever after. Mumtaz may have been given a marble palace to rest but that was only after she died. Details of her love and relationship with the emperor are still questioned.

I have had this fancy to be Cinderella's shoes or Snow white's mirror to find out what happened after they got married.

In my world, as I wait for my happily ever after, almost everyone I meet tells me about shaadi ke side effects.

I have observed that most relationships are mix of sweet and tangy experiences that couples experience together. There are fights, quarrels, make ups, etc. in all relationships.

I don't have much to talk about Happily ever after since I do not really believe in it. What is your take on it? Do you believe that one can have a fairy tale happily ever after?

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided.  The prompt for today is "And they lived Happily ever after".

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here. 

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!

Let me tell you something. We marwari's have a reputation of being miser. I brace the truth with humility that we are calculative and quick to find out opportunity cost in any situation (actually I often point out that most of us are rather spendthrift). That won't be a miser exactly. However, one alone can't change what the world believes.

There are many who are inspired by habits of our linage. Only if they could calculate the opportunity cost as fast as we could (I hope I am not hurting anyone's emotions) the life would be a lot easier.

So, she had a reputation of being calculative. Only if someone knew her as closely as I do, they would understand how often she crossed the thin line between calculation and misery.

We were travelling to Varanasi for a project. For both of us, it was our first trip alone.

We spent our day with various weavers of the town based on the addresses that were provided to us. We went to small lanes of the city looking for intricate designs and new blends.

Our last stop of the day was at an export house located 20km in the outskirts of the city. On our way to the factory we heard the news of riots breaking up in nearby towns. The driver informed us that it was a curfew was suspected. However, we who had no option but to finish our work during the day before we boarded our train.

As we reached the factory, the driver offered to wait while we finished. Before I could speak, my friend replied, “bhaiya bohot taxi milti hai yahan, aapko waiting ka charge nahi denge hum.” I wanted to give her a reminder that this was an absolutely new city but she was not ready to listen.

We finished our work and came back to see the taxi still being there. When asked, he said that he would charge us Rs. 250 to drop us to station. My friend, who had checked with the factory owners pointed to a few taxis at a nearby stand and said that she could get a cab for Rs. 150.

The quarrel between the driver and my friend went on for a while, with me on a side, trying my level best to calm either of them down.

Five minutes later, the cab guy smiled, wished us Good Luck and asked us to disappear. Suddenly my friend’s good sense prevailed and she offered him Rs. 200. But alas! He was quite furious by then and left.

In next one hour, in a near curfew state, we struggled to find a taxi without any success. No taxi at the stand had driver at the moment.

We crossed the block to look for taxi and were stopped by the police. Red alert was declared. We were asked to report our details and police officers threatened to take us in custody.

My patience was over. I was shouting, crying, getting irritated, tired at the same time. The officer in no condition was ready to let us go in search of a taxi.

After some teary pleadings (along which went a five hundred note) the officer decided to help us. He found us a taxi which agreed to take us to the station for Rs. 250.

We reached station just in time to make it for our train.

A journey that could cost us Rs. 250 cost us Rs. 750 along with trouble and scare that lasted hours.

Like they say -  "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!"

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided. I am the guest author for the month of February. The prompt for today is Cliche -  Clichés become clichés for a reason. Tell us about the last time a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush for you.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

Better late than never

She was late. No, she was too late.

The conference had begun. The door squeaked slightly as she opened the back door in the auditorium. All eyes turned. “Damn! Why does the door have to have a problem only today?”

She quickly scanned the room for an empty seat and took the nearest keeping her eyes down. Seconds later, she mustered up the courage to look up only to meet a pair of eyes still staring at her. Her temporary Boss’s. He raised his arm and pointed towards his wrist, and his brand new Rolex.

“How I wish I could destroy his watch, no, I wish I could un-invent these watches altogether. I mean look at this little shitty things, strapped on your wrist like a rope around neck. All of us are running around these like slaves.” She thought.

A fresh set of presentations had just begun. She looked at them and wondered what was going on. It made no sense.

Her thoughts wandered to the conversation that  was likely post conference. “This boss is probably going to complain to the hiring agency about me. Why? Of course because of that damn watch.”

“Seriously, could someone please un-invent these watches? They are the most useless things I tell you. Imagine a world without these non-sensible things. There would be no alarms. Mom won’t wake me up every morning eight o clock. No boss would ever show me these expensive things. Friends would not call me every now and then and tell me how many minutes late I am. Wow! The world will be so much more peaceful… And Rolex, these big devils. They are like sharks of the watch industry. These men need their excuses to flaunt them. But frankly, they are the most hideous things I have seen. They are as big as a clock and all that gold and stones make it look like a handcuff. Like as if the wearer says that hey you! I have got all that gold, but I can’t put it anywhere so I put it in my watch.

Can we still not live with Sun dials? I mean look at them. They are simple things. They tell us day and night, time to work and time to sleep. How amazing it would be to announce – meeting will begin sharp at the moment sun is at our head. I will meet you as soon as I cannot see the sun… yeah this would be pretty cool. And all these powerful men. The world would be a step closer to equality with no one flaunting their little time machines. It would be just genius. I should get the government to ban further production of these silly minions of slave master time. ”

“Err! Yeah I am here.” The lights were on, and boss was calling her name and she jumped from her seat responding.

“What are you thinking Sanya?” boss fumed in anger.

“I was thinking about the watch… no sorry I mean about the presentation sir” she flushed.

“Watch? Were you thinking about my watch? You like it?” His anger seemed to be melting.

“Not exactly…” Sanya began, looking at his face she continued, “but your watch is quite nice sir. It is a limited edition if I am not wrong.”

“Oh yes. My brother in-law, you know him right? Well, he managed to get it for me in the bid. There are just twenty-five of these kinds. This belonged to Sir Alec, it was in the auction. I was lucky I got this.” He looked at his wrist proudly, his anger evaporated, so did the reason for the discussion.

Some Mr. Marini joined in. “Hey! Berkley, meet Sanya, my temporary assistant.” Boss beamed. “She loves watches. Can you believe it? And she has genuinely good knowledge of watches; she even knew mine is limited edition.” Boss continued happily.

“Oh yes! I love these things. I think watches are the greatest adventure. They help us record the most precious thing in this world, time. They help us make time our slaves. And Rolex, I think if other brands are the world, Rolex is God. It makes it’s man I believe.” She chipped in happily.

Mr. Marini seemed impressed. “I have been looking for an assistant. John, do you mind if I ask your temp to come join us?” Marini asked.

John seemed too happy to bother anything at the moment.

Marini took out his card and handed it to her. It was Sanya’s turn to get surprised. The card said, “Gian Marini, CEO Rolex inc.” 

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided. I am the guest author for the month of February. The prompt for today is Undo - If you could un-invent something, what would it be? Discuss why, potential repercussions, or a possible alternative.

Also linking it to Wednesday Prompt - 7 at Write Tribe and the prompt is s/he was too late.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

All characters in this post are fictitious. Image source - Google.

What she means to me!

She might have not taught me to walk,

But she taught me to walk straight.

She must have not taught me my first words,

But she taught me to speak my mind.

She taught me to be fearless,

She taught me to believe in myself.

She might have not given me birth,

She saved me from dying.

She might have not raised me up,

She gave me my personality.

She shaped my life,

She directed my thoughts.

She loved me and,

She taught me to love.

She might not be my mother,

She is my mentor.

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided. I am the guest author for the month of February. The prompt for today is Mentor - Have you ever had a mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him or her?

My mentor has pretty much been an essential part of my life. She has taught me pretty much everything I know.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

Oh! I hate smartphones...

“Tring Tring” “Tring Tring” the phone buzzed at its loudest self, waking me up from a deep sleep. I got up with a jerk to answer, only to realize that it was an alarm. My phone has replaced my bedside clock and hence the confusion between alarm tone and ringtone.

After a couple of snoozes, I woke up and dialed mom. I spoke to her while getting ready for work.

As usual, I was running late for work. These snooze options in the phones is just so annoying. 

Once I got down of my house, I realized I had forgotten my phone at home. I rushed up to take it while the cab driver insisted on blowing the horn while I did so.

On my way to work, I opened my e-reader and read the daily news on my phone.  The world has nothing but news of murders and politics. So I moved to reading a novel.

As I got down of my cab I whatsapped a couple of friends to make plan for evening.

Once in office, I couldn’t comprehend my to-do list. My phone came to my rescue. I made a day plan and set a reminder.

Around coffee break, the FB app reminded me that it was my cousin’s birthday. I did a quick facetime with her and got back to work.

I got back to work and my phone was buzzing once again. A few work calls later, I got back to my seat and as I sat for work my boss called me.

Leaving my phone on my seat, I went to attend a meeting, only to realize it would have been easier if I could record boss’s instruction and later make a note of the same.

I came back to find a reminder for my credit card bill. Since my office server has blocked most of the sites, I used my phone to transfer money.

I spent rest of the day off my phone except referring to notes or playing a game of candy crush every once in a while. (Oh ya, I also once checked my blog stats during lunch)

On my way back, I realized that I didn’t know direction to the place I was supposed to meet my friends. I took out my phone to navigate when my phone showed me early signs of tiredness. However, I still did a quick navigation to the restaurant and found that it was 12 kms.

I closed all apps and prayed for good health of my phone. However, there are many who conspired against it. My friends kept on calling, insisting that I tell them where I am. I kept keeping the call to a short conversation and resisted all urge to check my whatsapp.

Some two kms short to destination, my phone gave up. There I was, with a dead phone and no directions.

I could have called someone from driver’s phone, but I didn’t remember anyone’s number. My phone does it for me. So I got down and asked for the way to the place. It was getting late and I had to let my driver go. “This damn phone, why couldn’t it last a bit longer” I thought to myself.

I had to send my boss an email of the minutes of meeting and I had thought I’d do it on my way. Now I would have to stay up and do it at night.

Clock turned nine. I was supposed to meet my friends at eight thirty. We were standing on a wrong road again. Why did my friends have to choose this place? I could have checked other places on this new app and suggested them. But of course, I couldn’t do it with a dead phone.

Finally asking at every junction and several wrong turns later I managed to find the place at nine thirty.

My friends were worried, my mother had called up my roommate to check where I was, the dinner was over and there I was hassled up and tired, all because of a dead phone.

These smartphones, I tell you, they come with such pathetic battery backup that it makes your life hell.

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided. I am the guest author for the month of February. The prompt for today is Call me, maybe - "Describe your relationship with your phone. Is it your lifeline, a buzzing nuisance, or something in between? "

I had a good laugh writing this post. Our smartphones have replaced so many things in our life and have made it easier in a lot of ways. But like all gadgets, it has a battery life and we cannot blame the poor phone to not stand up by our side at critical times.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.