Manali Manan Desai's Blog, page 32

Dear Clock

Photo by RODOLFO BARRETO on Unsplash

I know, I know. Don’t roll your eyes (or hands probably?) at me. I do remember calling your aide the most hated object in the world. But hear me out this time, okay? Haha! This time? See, I can’t even write a sentence without using you. So we’re kinda inseparable, right?

As much as I dismiss (or dislike?) you, I have to admit that there is truth in the saying Time is money. Now, before you go all I told you so on me, let me also remind you that nobody likes a know-it-all. So, spare the lecture and save us both some time.

Now, moving on to adding some more words of praise to boost your ego. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for being present everywhere.

From the wall in my bedroom and office to being an accessory on my wrist. As if you couldn’t have enough of me already (I can feel those eyes rolling again), you also made your way into my life through all possible devices I have access to, right from my phone to my laptop and even my iPad to my television screen as well.

Everywhere I look, I can’t miss looking at you.

With every glance your way, I remember something important. Right from waking up, to having my meals. And from sticking to my daily schedules and tasks to finally ensuring that I get enough sleep. You make it all possible by your omnipresence in my life.

If not for you, I wouldn’t learn time management. For my ego’s sake, let’s assume that I have mastered this art already and am not haplessly struggling with it every single day. Because this letter, isn’t only about you, it’s about both of us and I deserve some credit too.

I’m gonna end this now because as I look at you at this point, I just realized that it is time for me to call it a day.

See you again tomorrow and every day till I’m living and breathing. Before I sign off, I have a little favor to ask. Since we’re friends now (hopefully), can you ask your aide to be a little less annoying?

Respect, 
Your reluctant admirer and learner.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

Adulting as An Introvert

Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

My preteen and teenage years were difficult and confusing, especially in school, and sometimes at home too. Being an introvert meant that I kept to myself and my books most of the time.

For most parents, this would be worrisome. Especially in the 90s when parents weren’t that tech-savvy and relied largely on the verbal opinion of their peers. But nothing of the sort happened with me. You know why?

Because, my mom was, for lack of a better word, ‘cool’.

My father would worry and put pressure on me at times; to engage or to be more like kids my age. But my mom would understand that I needed my space and stop my father from pressurizing me.

This made me trust her right from a young age.

I began to understand that my mom’s approval meant what I was doing was right, even if a little different.

From forcing my father to enroll us (me and my brother) into an English Medium school to making him understand that both his children were different, not just in gender but in personality as well. From convincing him to let us go out of the comfort of our homes for further studies and later for work, to being available if we ever wanted a shoulder to cry or an ear that would listen, my mom made us feel ‘at home’, wherever and whenever she was with us, be it in-person or virtually.

As a child and teenager, she was a guide for me; today she is way beyond that and I’m proud to say (unlike most people my age) that my mom is one of my closest friends.

Our opinions are very different but that’s because she helped me become my own person. When people ask me where I get my strong sense of individuality from, I proudly say that it’s because my mother trusted me, even when the world didn’t.

From being my mother, to being my friend, this journey with her, has been an amazing one!

I hope someday to be like her, so full-of-life, innocent, and always choosing to see the good in people.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

Take A Chance on Me by Sapna Bhog

Blurb (as on Amazon)

Enter a world of glamour, wealth and beautiful people. Enter the world of the Sehgals!

KABIER SEHGAL, scion of the Sehgal empire, has returned to India to take over the helm of his companies from his grandfather. His first mission is to find out who is selling his company’s secrets. When the suspicion falls on KEYA KARIA, he decides to work closely with her to expose her fraud. He accuses her of something unspeakable. But has he made the biggest mistake of all?
Brilliant, bold & beautiful, KEYA KARIA is at the top of her career. Her past is one big, dead and buried secret and she has her eyes set only on her future. But her new boss, Kabier Sehgal is making her life a living nightmare. She is tough, but can Keya stand against an adversary like Kabier Sehgal? Especially when the laws of attraction decide otherwise?

A billionaire romance set in India.
This is Book 1 in The Sehgal Saga (Family & Friends)
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone.

Genre: Fiction/Romantic Drama

Pages: 295

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 199 INR/$2.99

My Ratings: 4.2/5

Kabier Sehgal is all set to take over the Sehgal Enterprises business from his grandfather. Right before the handover, he finds out something disturbing about a traitor amidst the top management. His doubts are strong about Keya, who has easy access to all the information and is also extremely close to his grandfather. He is determined to expose her, but there is one problem though. Kabier is falling head-over-heels for her and has started to doubt whether she is really the guilty party here.

Book cover taken from Amazon

What I liked about the book:
-> It is a simple, fast-paced read, written in an engaging manner.
-> The friendship between the three girls, Keya, Sheena, and Rashee. It was very heartwarming to read about the girls supporting and standing by each other through thick and thin.
-> It points towards how childhood experiences shape up one’s personality and also how one grows up with trust issues if someone abandons us during childhood.
-> The chemistry between Kabier and Keya is amazingly depicted.
-> Janak’s dynamic with the three girls aka ‘Janak’s Angels’ and the sweet, trusting bond between the Sehgal siblings and cousins.
-> The descriptions of the character’s outfits (especially Keya’s), the places (especially the wedding and events décor) paint a vivid and colorful picture.

What I did not like about the book:
-> The thoughts and opinions around women, especially those of the Sehgal brothers, felt a little patriarchal and anti-feminist.
-> The big reveal about who was the culprit wasn’t really that of a shocker and was kind of predictable for me.

Quotable quotes:
-> You cannot forever live in the fear that what happened in the past will happen with you again someday. You have to give love a chance and learn to trust again.
-> When there is some talk going on then there will at least be some truth to it, else why would people talk at all?
–> Sometimes the fact that she always spoke her mind was just not good.
-> Why is it that daylight always gives a different perspective to things?
-> Different things take priority in life when you grow up.
-> Sometimes we are so busy that we have no time to sit back and enjoy the wonders of nature and the most natural things that life offers.
-> Perhaps there is a special someone out there for every one of us. And when we find that special someone, we make a promise to choose them always- to choose them over and above anything or anyone. We feel their happiness, we feel their pain and most importantly we are their reason to smile.
-> Love is indeed a powerful promise.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media handles:

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Thank You, Mom

A photograph of my mother and me (2016)

Dear Mom,

Seeing me growing up, and coming into my own, must have included many proud and worthy moments for you. But bringing me up would definitely not have been a cakewalk. I wasn’t an easy kid, heck I’m not easy even today.

But you managed to instill good values in me, anyway.

Virtues like patience, hard work, doing what you love, respecting others, and so many more, are imbibed in me today, because you taught these to me, through example.

Virtues like patience, hard work, and respecting others are imbibed in me because you taught these to me, through example.

This is something I marvel at and respect about you, the most. How can someone be so pure of heart, that they don’t acknowledge just how good they are?

I’m a horrible daughter. I throw tantrums and argue about the smallest of things.

But you love me anyway.

This almost monstrous side of me, however, is only known to you. Because to the world, I’m a sweet, tolerant, humble, compassionate, and full-of-life person. And this is only because you taught me to be nice to everyone, irrespective of their age, gender, or even their position in life.

You taught me to be nice to everyone, irrespective of their age, gender, or even their position in life.

You fought for me with one and many to help me reach where I am today, right from my education to my erratic career choices. And for that, I’m forever indebted.

You made me who I am and stood by me, despite my bad choices, my mistakes, and my intolerant behavior.

You are, were, and will always be more of a friend, rather than just a ‘mom’

Love,

A daughter who is grateful

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

I’m Not Being Dishonest

Photo by Kat Snowden on Unsplash

They asked for my honest opinion,

So whose fault is it really?

When I replied, “You can do better.”

There was shuddering, and some gasps.

Looks were exchanged, clearly voicing out, “Tone down the criticism, girl.”

But shouldn’t I be given just a little credit?

When they did indeed do, not just better,

But ended up being one of the best.

Yes, it’s true, and even I believe,

That honesty is sometimes overrated.

But to tell you the truth,

If I’m not being dishonest with you,

I really care for you.

So, take it with a pinch of salt,

When your loved ones say, “This won’t work.”

Because, really, the message is pretty clear,

They won’t let you settle at being mediocre,

When you’re clearly meant to be exceptional.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

Hello, Old Friend

Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash

We haven’t properly met,

Since that time I managed to speak about myself through trembling speech and body, in front of my batchmates.

You do show up every now and then,

Like yesterday when someone asked me, “Do you consider yourself successful?”

And I hesitated just a bit before going on to explain what success means to me.

Or that day a few months ago,

When someone said, “I don’t believe people are paying you for this!”

And I felt a blow to my ego but quickly recovered as I reminded myself that one person’s opinion didn’t matter.

I also faintly recall,

You popping up in between my deadlines and ongoing tasks, making me doubt if I’ll be able to deliver.

But I’m too focused and stubborn now, to let you deter me from my goal.

Do I miss you?

No, because you’re still very much there.

We have been friends for too long,

My dear Mr. Anxiety.

But it has been a while for sure!

Because you are in me and a part of me.

However, your nemesis, Mr. Self-confidence,

Is doing just a tad better lately.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

Lessons Taught By My Mother

A photograph of my mother and me (2016)

When I was in Kindergarten, I remember being out of a tiffin box, in front of a class full of children my age, as she taught them. Another childhood memory that has stuck by me through the years, is when she came to pick up my elder brother and me after school.

She would make us sit below a banyan tree just outside the school premises. Then she fed us fresh homemade food, before dropping us home and continuing with her workday.

My mother also ensured family time every Sunday, where it would be just the four of us (we lived in an Indian joint family back then). Sunday was our day away from work and studies, either visiting a park or catching the latest movie in a theatre. This was followed by dinner, eaten at any of the most popular and latest food outlets we were yet to try.

Sunday was our day away from work and studies, either visiting a park or catching the latest movie in a theatre, followed by dinner at a popular food joint.

That’s the kind of exemplary mother, my brother and me were blessed to grow up watching. Someone who was equal in the load-bearing, financially and otherwise. Someone who balanced work duties and personal life. Someone who taught us through action, that no matter what kind of profession you do, but you must do something that helps you earn a minimum wage. And most importantly, someone who taught us that family time is important, no matter how busy your work life is.

Someone who was equal in the load-bearing, financially and otherwise. Someone who balanced work duties and personal life.

Someone who taught us through action,

that you must do something that helps you earn a minimum wage,

and that family time is important, no matter how busy your work life is.

Today, I just want to thank her, for teaching us these invaluable lessons that no amount of education or no fancy degree could teach.

Without her, I don’t think the family could hold together, even for a day.

This is just my way of showing her how much she means to me. A way to say thank you, for the many sacrifices she has made. A way to say thank you, for helping me become the person that I am today.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

The Cursed House by Falguni Jain

Blurb (as on Amazon):

Abir found out about Kyra’s ancestral house, which she hadn’t been to since she was 5. As much as Abir has fallen in love with the place, Kyra can’t stand being around the house.
What happens when Abir surprises Kyra by taking her to that house on their 1st wedding anniversary? What is Kyra hiding? Will Abir still love that place after knowing its dark secrets?

Genre: Fiction/ Short Story/Thriller

Pages: 14

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 49 INR/$2.99

My ratings: 3.7/5

Abir is taking his wife Kyra for a surprise visit to her ancestral home. He thinks it will be a great way to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Kyra isn’t very thrilled with the surprise though because according to her the house is cursed. Is that really the case though?

Book cover taken from Amazon

What I liked about the book:
-> A short yet engaging and thrilling read that keeps you on the edge.
-> The story effectively delivers the message that the incidents we witness in our childhood cast an everlasting impact on us and become an important tool in shaping our thoughts, our nature, and even perspective to see things in our life.
-> The writing is crisp and manages to maintain an eeriness all throughout.
-> It ends on a cliffhanger, making us wonder about what happened.
-> It makes us wonder whether what we see and understand as children is really the truth or a figment of our imagination.

What I did not like about the book:
-> Somehow it was hard to imagine Kyra being blindfolded for the entire ride to the ancestral house.
-> The ending was a little confusing and I had to read it twice.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media links:

WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedIn

My Warmest Sorrow by Preethi Venugopala

Blurb (as on Amazon)

What would you do when you come face to face with your past? 

Social media which is often a source of entertainment can be a source of great sorrow as well. Especially alumni WhatsApp groups, as not all memories are pleasant.

When Ajay, now an IAS officer, gets added into his college WhatsApp group, all his classmates welcome him warmly. Except for Jasmine.

Jasmine and Ajay were inseparable while in college. Their relationship had transitioned from being best friends to lovers over the duration of the engineering course. But then fate had intervened, and they became estranged. 

Five years of silence have created a wall of sorrow between them. Their interactions in the class WhatsApp group are nothing like what they once used to be. Every moment churns out more anguish and unpleasantness.

Jasmine is still living with the repercussions of what had happened in the past. Ajay’s indifference throws her into despair. 

What had caused their separation?
Is love still hiding underneath their public facades?
What lies are they concealing?

Genre: Fiction/Romantic Drama

Format: Kindle eBook

Pages: 99

Price: 63 INR/$0.99

My Ratings: 4/5

Jasmine and Ajay were college sweethearts, inseparable and the best of friends. Cut to five years after college, when they come into each other’s lives after going their separate ways. While Jasmine seems to be happily married, Ajay too has moved on with a steady girlfriend by his side. Is their romance really dead though?

Book cover taken from Amazon

What I liked about the book:
-> It narrates the story from both the main character’s PoVs making the reader delve into the story deeper and also helps understand the characters better.
-> It teaches us that sometimes all we need is a face to face communication for clearing all the misunderstandings.
-> Reading about the college life makes you relive your own youthful days.
-> The revelations come bit by bit, helping maintain the curiosity in the minds of readers.
-> The author manages to tell us that those who care for us never really back down till they see us happy and healing. This comes through so well through the characters of Ashima, Avinash, and Sam.
-> For once, it felt good to see that social media, especially WhatsApp was shown in a positive light and led to something good. I loved how the WhatsApp group and the chats in the group, were used to make the story relevant and relatable for all age groups.

What I did not like about the book:
-> It’s pretty straightforward and predictable.

Quotable quotes:
-> When a feeling warms the heart and awakens memories, the Japanese call it Natsukashii
-> Every person on the verge of suicide would turn back and smile at life if one single act of kindness touched his or her soul in that final moment.
-> This is what they called Karma. You received what you gave.
-> That’s life. People change. We have to face it.
->Hope can be a very debilitating thing when shattered. It pierces the very soul.
-> Romantic love is an emotion that our ego generates to keep us under its control. Why do you look outside of you to find true love? True love lies within you. Do not seek love outside of yourselves. When you allow yourselves to pine after a person who has given you pain, who are you not loving? When you pin your happiness on the actions or validation from another individual, you are invalidating your own magnificence. Each one of us is the child of God. Let your own light shine. Do not dim it for anyone. Each one of us is responsible for our own happiness. Make yourself the priority in your life. People don’t value coal. They value diamonds, even though both are made of carbon. Decide what you want to be. Shine like a diamond by being your magnificent self. Don’t be coal and waste your time and energy pining after a past or trauma or a person who has given you pain.
-> “Don’t you think we deserve to live the life we want? Can’t we decide how we want to live our life?”
-> You shouldn’t shut out the world just because one person chose to throw you out of their world.
-> Does the heart have some special sense of knowing when a loved one is near? Maybe it does.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media links:

WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

A Poem on Poetry

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Easy for some,

Complex for many.

Some understand,

Many shrug it off.

Not all can write it,

But everyone can give it a try.

Most don’t enjoy it,

But those that do, love it a bit too much sometimes.

Poetry comes smoothly,

To those with years of experience and practice.

Even a single line of a poem,

Comes after hours and days to those just starting out or giving it a try.

It might not be for all,

But there’s one for each, after all.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com