Episode 3: What's going on?

At 4.30 am I was awake by “Chaiya chaiya...coffee” noise. I leaned to look down two logs sleeping. The train had stopped in some station for quite some time. With heavy-eyes, I stepped down & out of the coach to get some fresh air. I saw a water tap & decided to splash some cold water to open my eyes properly & enjoy the misty panorama. The water was quite chilled but my delight came to a halt when I noticed the train was leaving without me. I was all alone in the platform & in tension my legs stopped moving. Somehow, I dragged myself but its pace was faster than mine. Just in time I felt someone pushed my back & the next moment I was inside the boogie. 

“Crazy lady! What where you doing outside at this hour? You would have missed the train. Luckily I was keeping an eye on you.” This line caught my attention. (Oh no not again)

“You! Mr sorry” I frowned. “Yes, me Nishant” Finally I got to know the name of the person who kept crashing, from the time I started the journey.

“Hi, Disha here. I thought of enjoying some early morning fresh air. But why were you, keeping an eye on me. Huh?” I questioned mounting my eyebrows.

He looked up to the ceiling & scratching his head replied with a coy smile. “Just like that”

Aww!  That was so cute, can’t say where this journey will end up but I was enjoying his company. Nishant offered me a cup of tea, we stood near the entrance & started chatting. That morning looked prettier than ever. We witnessed the sun rising in the meadow together & then I realised, I must go back to my seat before Uncle comes here searching me.

       I saw Uncle Niraj struggling with his VIP suitcase, which is his beloved marriage gift. Meanwhile Nishant kept strolling to & fro & finally the smart chap came to our seat & offered Uncle help. He looks slim but has strength, with a bang he opened the antique Pandora’s box. Very soon he gelled up with all in our compartment through his witty talks. We kept crashing our eyes & pretending not noticing each other.

       Soon it was lunch time, Uncle & Nishant got down in a station to buy Biryani. After 15 mins Uncle returned with hot & spicy Biryani however Mr Sorry was missing. “Where is Nishat, you two had gone out together?” I enquired out of concern, as the train started leaving the station. “Oh, he stopped by to purchase some magazine, he must be somewhere in the train by now.” Uncle replied with full concentrate in the Biryana parcel.

       By 5 pm, my anxiety gave way & I got down from upper berth to look around since there was no sign of Nishant. I went searching next two compartments & realized “He missed the train”. I came to my seat with a dreary face & out of the blue my eyes brightened to see the brown eyes winking at me. “Where were you so long I thought you missed the train” my concern.

       He clasped my hands, before Uncle& Sunaina could notice towed me to the fifth compartment. “I met some of my old friends. “ He introduced me to four of his school time buddies. They were all very jovial just like Nishant. One of his friends disclosed “Nishant was discussing a lot about a girl with dark eyes, cute smile, silky hair & innocent face.”

 “His Girlfriend?” I asked curiously  

“This girl has done some magic on my friend with her charisma. He is planning to woo her soon.” “Our studious friend has fallen for a fairy.” Everybody cracked out in laughter in the cabin & Nishant was blushing big time. He also shared that his dream girl was his classmate & as ambitious as him.

I lighten myself, ”whatever happens, happens for good. Atleast I can focus on my career now.” I was happy in one way for Nishant as no girl can say “No” to him. 

Episode 2- THE CONFRONT

“What happen, Disha” Uncle Niraj asked in a confused tone.

“Manual accident with a fellow passenger.” A sarcastic reply

 “Where is my seat?” I enquired to avoid further discussion.

“Upper berth” Sunaina answered pointing her index finger.

 “Oh no, I have a fear of falling down from the upper bunk. But do I have an option?” I murmured.

Soon it was lunch time & my stomach started grumbling. Uncle Niraj took out a bag full of edibles specially prepared by Aunty for the journey. She packed poori, sabji & acchar, a typical Indian cuisine, in disposable box.

“Wow that looks delicious” Sunaina grabbed her box & passed one to me. While I was adjusting my area to eat, a weighty duffle bag banged on my back & my food packet was all on the filthy floor. “Idiot, don’t you have eyes” I screamed & expected an apology. But the rude passenger was too busy amending his luggage & didn’t bother even to turn back & look what he has done.

“Don’t worry dear, we have an extra packet” Uncle consoled me & handed a packet.

I snatched & started gobbling as my hunger & anger were both at the peak.  After few minutes, unstoppable hiccups started as I am not use to spicy food.

“Drink some water” Sunaina passed me the bottle. In haste it slipped out from my hand & rolled back to the cabin behind me. I turned around to grab it & “Boom” head on collision. For few seconds I was blank and then I opened my eyes to see the unthinkable.

“Sorry, sorry are you ok?” The same husky voice spoke to me. This time I could observed his brown eyes with a zing, sharp nose & scanty beard, gelled hair. He was tall, had an athlete figure wore light blue T-shirt & Denim. 

“Control yourself, Disha” my inner voice. I totally forgot the pain.

He came close & gentle banged my head again. “Uh, I am really sorry for that time too, while adjusting my luggage...

“It’s ok” I replied before he could complete his sentence & retrieved back with the bottle. While everyone around us were staring this drama.

I looked at my watch & it was 10 ’O’ clock at night. We already finished our supper.  I bend down my berth to see Uncle & Sunaina were on their respective bed with blankets on. I continued reading my book. “Darling, you still have two more boring days to come” again my inner voice mocked me.  The train was running as though there is a fire behind, I had to grasp the wire mesh partition, separating my berth from the other side upper berth & couldn’t read further. Just then I felt warm fingers touching mine. I sprang up to scold the loafer & “Oh no, not again”.

“Sorry sorry, I didn’t mean to do this. By mistake my hands touched yours. This is the fourth time I am sorry. I am not doing anything intentionally”. He spoke in one breathe & I didn’t know how to react. I just gestured with a smile. (Can’t help this time). I pulled my blanket, prayed & closed my eyes trying to sleep. I could hear some classic romantic songs played from the other side, which made me fall in sweet dreams.

                                                     To be cntd...

SEE-THROUGH WALL MOUNTED STORAGE

Organizing small items at home is always a tedious task. Today, I am going to share with you how easily you can make a wall mounted organizer which not only saves space & time but can be made from disposable articles.

Items required:

1. Medium/large size transparent packet with hook (usual apparels are packed);

alternatively you can get a durable plastic sachet, drill a hole & insert a hanger to hang up.

2. Stapler, sellotape, thread & needle.

3. Scissor, Cutter & chopping board or any hard board.

4. Pen & a long scale.  

5. Ribbon or lace & decorating stuff of your choice.

Time required: Almost half an hour.

Method:

Step 1- Insert the chopping board/hard tray, etc, inside the packet. Measure & draw two straight lines across it in equal distance. Then slit it carefully as shown in the image, make sure you don’t cut till the edges just leave half inches on both sides. See image 3.

Step 2- Secure the ends after cutting with sellotape. Note: upper end stick to base as to make a pouch & lower end to seal the edges so that it doesn’t tear off later. Secure the slit joint by stapling it. See image.

 Step 3- Sew the ribbon/lace on top of the sellotape of the pouch you have made, in big loops, for stronger base to hold items.

 Step 4- Twist the ribbon & lock it by stapling, giving extra hold in the corners.
Step 5- Give the finishing touch by decorating with individual creativity. I have used an old hair-band for the pouch openings.

Dhan-te-nan your “see-through wall mounted storage” is ready, now you can sort out items & place accordingly.  The transparent look will help in identifying your articles easily. You can keep jewellery, make-up items, assorted school & office supplies, key chain, coins, important papers & the list goes on.  My husband says it looks very girly but never mind. You can change the look with your creativeness.  

THE HEART HAS REASONS BEYOND MIND’S CONTROL

Prologue-

Bollywood has influenced youngsters since time immemorial, may it be in style, action, power, romance or thrill we often relate to them. Disha, the protagonist & narrator in my story, is one such eighteen year old teenage from a small district in Assam, who is a poet, dreamer, loves romantic movies, wants to fly high, be independent & believes in love at first sight. Of course every adolescent undergoes such swing & phases of change in life.  At an early age of twelve she lost her father & since then she was serious about life, no hanky- panky business & focused in becoming an entrepreneur & shove north-east to development. Due to her brilliant academic record, her mother decided to send her to the best Business school in Bangalore. And here begins her journey to a new chapter of life.
Episode-1

Onset of a new journey 

The blue lady was getting ready to take hundreds of aspiring students to their destination & I was one among them. Uncle Niraj, a chirpy, chubby man & my cousin Sunaina, an equally plump girl, already entered & grabbed their seats while I was hugging & kissing my mother & little brother, Sameer. This was the first time in my life I would be without my family. Sunaina & I got admission in the same college but different streams. Since childhood we were together & she was more of a friend then cousin.

I heard the whistle blew & the train started moving. With teary eyes we bade goodbye till it all turned blurred.  As I sadly turned to open the door of my 3-tier AC compartment, a heavy figure bumps me along with luggage from outside the coach entrance.

“Thank God, I didn't miss the train this time. I am sorry Miss. Did I hurt you?” a husky voice spoke to me.  I could just notice his sparkling brown eyes looking straight into my watery eyes, the strong musky smell grasp my breath & I felt his heart hammering against mine. Before I could respond, Uncle Niraj was knocking from inside the glass door & signalled me to come in immediately. 

                                                to be continued...

 Of Note: This is my first attempt to put the imaginary world in writings. Lately, I have developed an interest in capturing small events, I see around or imagine, in paper either through art or writing. Hope you enjoyed this episode, I will be writing soon what happened next. Until then keep your heart throbbing with love &affection.

Simple & colourful candle stand from household items

Since, I don’t like sitting idle, my mind keeps looking for ideas to utilise my time in the best way.  Today, I have come up with a simple craft converting household items & waste into useful output. This may sound child-like but never mind, I wish to share with like-minded people.  Below I have listed the details of making a candle stand with household items.

Time required: half-an hour

Ingredients: Waste glass bottle, pulses of different colours for filling, ribbon for decoration.

Method:-

Step 1: Wash the waste glass bottle thoroughly to remove label & dirt. Dry it properly both inside & outside.  If the bottle remains dam the pulses may get rotten inside :/ eww & you don’t want that.

Step 2: I have used 6 varieties of pulses namely,  masoor & moong daal mixture(first layer for  beautiful coloured base, then green gram, followed by Chana Daal, Kali daal & on top of the bottle filled few large beans to close the neck. Make sure you leave the neck part half-an-inch empty to insert the candle. You may use as many coloured pulses as you like.

Step 3: After filling the bottle tightly, decorate only the neck part, with colourful ribbons. Make sure you don’t overdo as it may spoil the look.

Step 4: Insert the candle to see if it fits in properly else you can melt the base a little to tighten the grip. Make sure it doesn’t fall off as it may lead to accidents.

 That’s it your simple & colour full candle stand is ready. Have fun & stay safe.

Shades of Green...

Guess who?

What's in your mind

Timeless memories of a journey called LIFE