Life of a Tinker

From experiencing tomorrow, today; to feeling the heartbeat of old China, Hangzhou is a rarity where the unfaltering national push towards future finally calls a timeout. Rich in history and culture spanning over 2000 years, this ancient capital near Shanghai is still a bit low-key.   You find the soul of China here; in the mists and reflections on the lake, in the age old teahouses and distant pagodas and pavilions. It’s not the beauty of the city that sets it apart but the tranquility with which it carries itself. You feel something change, a nothingness washing over and setting you free. Here, I decided to be a little aimless. And my instincts took me wherever they wanted. Roaming around the lush and uber-large campus of Zhejiang University, shown around by a Croatian student learning Mandarin there, felt a great way to start. There, a group of Chinese students, welcomed me for a cup of tea. I was about to pass, when my Croatian friend elbowed me and told, “Chinese d...

It all started when my friends decided to give me a surprise Bachelorrette in Goa. It sounds such a cliché, but for me it was a novel experience. Why! I’d never been to Goa before in all my existence. So, when the invite came, my instant reply was as they had expected, ”No dude, too much work in office”. Yes! That plain and simple. But somehow, their efforts to convince me and fate interwoven together, finalized that trip. Finally, it was at the end of November, that I left for Goa. It was getting chillier day by day. Winter was smiling down upon me and I was pulling my denim jacket closer. Since this was the first trip to Goa for me, I had several pictures of the place painted in my mind. I had heard my colleagues and friends talking about their experiences of Goa. One common picture that got stamped in my mind was that it’s a place for people looking for cheap booze and parties. So, in the morning as I stepped down the bus in Mapusa just when the first rays of sun touch...

Darling love, a story is on my lips.. A tale of faith, of trust and love. Our story is in my heart, It's just begun; i don't want it to end. I remember meeting you, strangers we were. Amazingly handsome, smart and kind;  a spell you wove & caught me off-guard. I fell for you like we fall asleep, slowly at first, then all at once.. You gave me dreams that were never mine, I was still me with a little more shine. Our souls became one, hearts beating in a rhythm. You made me the happiest soul on this earth, you gave me the best feeling in the world. You loved me like we'll live no more, It felt as if i was dead till you touched my core. But what is love without longing and pain, It was your voice that gave me strength. We fought too and argued like silly, but each time brought us closer to reality. Every moment so vivid, i could feel it around me; the bond strengthening, the passion like new. Love taught me, it never stays, it needs to be made and remade. Y...

Lounging in the orange hue of dusk, i looked at the swing in the porch. It reminds me of the ups & downs we've faced together. How have you held and freed me at the same time; the feat so amazing. I thought that saying "i love you" encompassed all, but when i tried i fumbled. Reason not being i loved you less, but astonishingly so much that words fail me. Gradually i search for them and time stretches to contain all that i have to say. Good mornings are attached to sunrise, my dawn breaks with your warmth around me. The beauty of the night lies in the moon they say, for me it is when all night i long for you. You live far from me; miles apart, yet your presence is felt deep within. I long for your touch,but then your voice is enough to put the butterflies in frenzy. Your eyes are my mirror, I see the world's most beautiful girl in there. Your Hand in my Hand; fingers crossed, my confidence soars high and limits forgotten. Your hugs are my w...

I was talking to my dad on phone about my job the other day. He had been very supportive of everything that i wanted to do in life. Being someone who has spend almost his entire life in job, he always has great insights to offer. Well experienced, having seen the ups and downs in his field of work, with sincere connections in all the right places, i value his opinions a great deal and look upto him quite frequently when stuck. So when he showed concern over me going on an office trip, i was aghast as i always found him to be that kind of father who has given me the right to live my own life my way. His reaction surprised me. I became quiet and retreated into that space in my head i had created long back. He kept on speaking but by that time i was far deep in my head hiding away. Later i called him back and shared what i felt and he, being the great father he is, understood.  But then back in my mind reality struck me harsh and fast that whatever we do, we girls will never be...

I am writing this for all those Delhi dwellers who pass 2 to 3 hours daily traveling in Delhi Metro. The advent of Metro in Delhi has made life very easy for travelers. And since then, thanks to the population explosion in our country  number of travelers have been increasing. What had been a blessing for Delhi is now becoming a problem of some sort for daily travelers. With the ever increasing fleet of people boarding metro, it is difficult to fit into the coaches at some particular stations like Rajeev chowk. In fact it has given birth to a new phrase when people talk about crowd which says "This is nothing. Go to Rajeev chowk metro and witness the level of crowd. you don't even have to move, just stay put and people will take you along with them." Its that packed! All is well and cozy in winters but the actual problem surfaces during summer season. The hot Delhi summer will make you sweat and pant like anything and reaching your destination via metro will become a he...