Namita Das's Blog, page 93
December 8, 2020
And They Lived Happily Ever After!
‘And They Lived Happily Ever After!’ The end credits rolled on the screen.
“What bullshit? No one lives happily ever after.” Claimed Mr. Husband.
“What?” I asked wiping my tears, “It was such a romantic story.”
“Right, the story was maudlin but the ever after happy postulation is not true. Let me explain.” Mr. Husband positioned himself like a sermonizing preacher.
“Almost every day, you get vexed if you find the bathroom wet and messy.”
“What’s your point?” I quizzed.
“I have more. I brought a necklace on your birthday but you exchanged it the same evening saying it was expensive but the replacement didn’t bring any refund, instead I paid additionally.”
“Hmm.” I recollected the ugly neckpiece.
“The other day you were pissed because I brought parsley instead of cilantro.”
“Because they are two different greens.”
“What difference does it make? It’s just a green decor on the yellow lentil. Nobody knows its purpose and anyway it ends up getting churned in the stomach.”
“You are so disgusting.”
“I have one more from last night. You were exasperated coz I slept while you narrated an annoying story of your cousin’s breakup.”
“Huh!”
“So, you see it’s a cliche. No one settles happily forever.”
“Would you wish to settle happily on this couch forever?”
“Always push me on the couch when there are no comebacks.” He mumbled.
“What?”
“Baby, you know I get scared if I sleep alone.” reacting with a puppy face. “And I wish to live happily ever after.”
[image error]This story was inscribed for #writingcampaign organized by New Indian Authors Club.
December 2, 2020
November 27, 2020
Positivity is the Key
One day, a friend and I were discussing optimism v/s pessimism. We concluded with a one-liner that an optimist is open to opportunities, while a pessimist always ponders over the past.
When we think about a past episode, we imagine and build a plot in our minds and then recreate it scene by scene but not as what really happened; instead, we imagine what could have happened or what should have happened in our ideal.
With increasing stress in our lives, it’s getting necessary to train our minds to stop visualizing such rubbish recaps. Alternatively, we need to practice and learn to detox our brain and declutter all negativity from our consciousness.
There are a few things that we generally tend to ignore but let’s make them vital points of our life. For example, to go out, meet new people, read a book, call that old friend you haven’t spoken to for long, take a short vacation to a place you have never visited before, gorge on your favorite food.
Do everything that makes you happy. Just remember to clear your apperception of all the bad thoughts that pass through it. Don’t let them rent your marbles. Dwelling on a past situation will hold you up in the same place for years and years. We have to move forward in our lives.
I can empathize that it must have been a bad day and it’s hard to get over it but isn’t it a fact that there was a similar “hard to get over” situation, maybe in the last month or last year or a quite long time ago. Does it matter today? I believe the answer is NO. Similarly, what happened today will have no significance in the coming days.
So please stop rewind and replay of thoughts and “let it go”. Look forward to a new day and a fresh start.
Happy living!!
November 19, 2020
Can I Marry my Choice?
In some corner of India, a mother was busy gossiping about how next door Sharmaji was in search of an alliance for his daughter staying in Mumbai and there were already three rejections. The father nodded in between at the same time pretended reading newspaper while gazing at the page three pictures.
“I want to get married” intervened their only son who had come down for his vacations.
“What?” Mom shrieked and the father gaped out of the newspaper.
“Yeah, I want to get married”
“Son, keep patience. We are looking for the right girl for you. That’s the reason we called you here this time”
“Mom, that’s the reason I came down here”
“Why is he getting so impatient?” Dad mumbled to mom.
“Dad I am not impatient, but we need to talk.”
“Yes son, tell us. Is there anything specific you are looking for?”
“Yeah, I mean no. I mean I already have found someone.”
There was silence for exactly 5 seconds, followed by mom’s envisaged melodrama.
“Mom, Mom, stop that. I have not married her yet.”
“How could you choose a girl for yourself”
“Why can’t I?”
“Because that is our job to find the right daughter in law for us?”
“I assume she would be my wife, so I should get the right to choose one.”
“No, you are not allowed.”
“Why? Why am I not allowed to make choices?”
“I am sure, she has some wicked powers, that you are arguing with us for her. She has changed you.” Mom sniffled.
“No, I don’t mean that, at least you should get to know her.”
After some hammier and caviling, “Ok. Does she know how to cook?”
“Yeah, she completed her cookery classes last month. Thai, Lebanese, Chinese. Anything you ask for.”
“Indian?”
“Err. I guess that was included in the course.”
“See, the very first problem. She does not even know how to cook. What will you eat after marriage? Thai and Lebanese. Huh,” Mom smirked as she found herself scoring one extra point in the argument.
“No mom, I will extend the contract of my maid who cooks for me now.” One point gained by me too.
There was silence again but it seems I shot in the wrong direction, “Is she beautiful?” Mom enquired in a vexed tone.
“You bet. She is damn hot.” Mom looked bewildered as the son changed his tone. “I mean, yeah, yes she beautiful.”
With disconsolate eyes, mom looked at me like she was the losing battle.
“But not as beautiful as you mom,” I added to cheer her up.
That didn’t help though, the soldier was now bucked up for her next shot and there it went.
“Look at Sharmaji. He is so lucky. His daughter has given him the privilege to find the right guy for her. She comes down quietly and meets all the potential guys her dad finds for her.”
“And all get rejected” I added.
“Shut up. At least she is allowing her parents to take charge. Wish I had an obedient daughter like her instead of you. huh”
“So, you like Sharmaji’s daughter more than your son. Good to know”
“Of course, she is a nice girl. Not like Guptaji’s daughter who was in a live-in relation with some guy and came back asking to get married to him. What kind of people can live together without marriage?”
“Enough. Forget them. Will you both meet the girl whom I have chosen. I am sure you would like her. And now I am pretty sure.”
“Who is she?”
“Next door Sharmaji’s daughter. We are living together in Mumbai for the last two years and now want to get married.”
November 16, 2020
It’s More Than You Think
My twelfth coauthored book – It’s More Than You Think
Compiler – Sneha Sharma
Publisher – PEN BREW PUBLISHERS
This book comprises of poems, stories, open letters, articles and many more, all in both English and Hindi language. Thoughts and emotions of 40 writers are penned down and as a result we have got a book titled “IT’S MORE THAN YOU THINK “ I hope you will enjoy reading a book which is full of love, adventure, breakup, inspiration, and many more. WISH YOU HAPPY READING.
Click below link to buy –
https://www.amazon.in/dp/8194792940/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dYQSFbBK60M0N
As I Learnt To Fly- A Plethora of Perennial Verses
My eleventh coauthored book – As I Learnt To Fly- A Plethora of Perennial Verses
Compiler – Tanishk Singh
Publisher – Inkfeathers Publishing
Liked the cover and turned the book over to have a look at what this is all about? This book is a collection of verses from around the globe, and all of the verses have their own identity which is strangely not limited to the authors writing them. Some verses are so relatable that you may be compelled to think that the author wrote those after seeing you in a similar situation, and that is not even scratching the surface of the contents of this book. Every page will take you on a journey, and every journey will seem like an adventure!
Click below link to buy –
https://www.amazon.in/dp/8194821983/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mseQFbZ8CJ469
November 14, 2020
Happy Diwali
Light diyas,
Eliminate the darkness inside our hearts.
Distribute sweets,
Wipe out the bitterness in any relationship.
Open new accounts,
Get over bad deals and gear up for the fresh.
Recite holy chants,
Meditate and calm the stressed mind.
Today pray for all.
Spread joy, gleam up the world.
Wish you have a healthy, safe and content life,
Happy and prosperous Diwali.
November 8, 2020
The Best Halloween Lantern
“Hello, my pumpkin. How was your day?” I hugged her but she pushed me off.
“Jack, don’t you dare pumpkin me?” She was splenetic than ever.
“What happened, Honey Bun?” I asked terrified to see her angry red eyes.
“You forgot. Do you remember what day it is?” Her usual quizzical behavior is aggravating but today it’s horrifying. She looked gruesome, her face turning red with each word.
I strained hard to remember what day it is, her birthday, our anniversary, her dog’s birthday, our first meeting, first kiss. Gosh, I can’t recall at all. I fetch my phone to check the calendar.
“31 October.” I murmur.
“Jack, I am not asking the date, what is special about today? Do you remember?”
She sounds eerie to me. I try to reason with her and calm her down but nothing works. I move ahead to hug her again but she raised her right hand to stop me. She is filled with rage from head to toe and is turning orange with fury.
“Babe, listen to me. I am sorry.” I apologize for whatever the occasion it was that I forgot, that was the only way out of this fiasco.
The apology did not work, she pulled out a knife from under the couch she was sitting on and jabbed it on my face.
“Pumpkin, Wait. What are you doing?” I tried to stop her.
“How could you forget the yearly ritual, Jack.” She poked the knife in my eye and twisted it around.
“I need to carve your face properly. You will be the best jack-o-lantern in town.”
She affirmed placing my extracted eye-ball neatly in the tray and slit my lip then whispered, “Wish you a Spooktacular Halloween!”
Note – This is written for Halloween November 2020 Week 1 Prompt – What Would You Ask a Halloween Pumpkin that could Talk?
Participate in PROMPTS FOR NOVEMBER 2020, follow simple rules, and challenge yourself with our weekly prompts on the theme: HALLOWEEN
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November 2, 2020
Lost in Woods
“Get Lost in Woods” Josh announced.
“Weird name,” Amy said ludicrously.
“And their tag line is – ‘Will take your breath away’” Josh chuckled looking at his laptop.
Amy burst out in laughter. “Feels more like a horror house than a resort.”
“Let’s find out!” Josh exclaimed with excitement.
Amy and Josh were planning a getaway to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Josh loved driving and Amy loved road trips.
It was common for Josh to find the most unconventional spots to explore. This time as well, he booked a resort which was fifty miles away from the city. Josh was exhilarated to explore the unexplored fragment outside the city.
Amy is a blogger and has a huge fan following on her travel blog. She is thrilled that there is another prospect to pen about an unheard place and her blog would get a lot of traffic for the unique avant-garde.
Amy and Josh tried to find more information about the obscure location but found nothing. Likewise, the resort website did not offer any guidance except that its entrance was through Dark woods national park.
Dark woods national park was an eminent destination for hunting and safaris. People all around the world would come to spot the mighty lion but only a lucky few found it. There were some unexplained deaths of hunters which lead to the permanent closure of the park for hunting. While the road through the park was still functional but people seldom used it.
Around 8:30 PM, Josh took a turn into the national park. As they passed through the gate, they missed reading the sign. “Enter at your own risk.”
“It’s been three hours we are driving; this national park does not seem to end.” Amy was getting terrified.
“Yeah, I can’t see any exits.” Josh was feeling aghast too.
There were no other vehicles and it was pitch dark inside the park. The only light that came was from the car’s headlights and tail lights. Josh was feeling dead on his feet with the interminable drive. He sensed bizarre that they were driving on the same road again and again but was uncertain.
“Do you see that hut; I feel we had crossed that already. Are we going rounds on the same route?” Amy inquired.
Josh was relieved to perceive that Amy had the same thought. “Yeah, maybe I am missing the exit sign.”
Amy fetched her phone and tried to search the route on Google maps but her phone blinked a low percentage sign and died. “My phone switched off.” She picked Josh’s phone and it was dead too.
Josh saw the hut again. “Let’s see if someone lives in the hut. We will ask them for directions.”
“Watch out!” Shrieked Amy. A deer came in front of the car from nowhere.
Josh steered swiftly towards the left and skid to a sudden halt.
“Do you think we hit it?” asked a terrified Amy.
“I don’t think so but let me check.” Josh turned to open the door but was taken aback. “Who are you?” he enquired rolling the window down.
“I live in that hut. I heard a loud screeching and came out to see. Are you both ok?” There was a strange man, dressed all in black holding a long stick.
“Yeah, we are ok. We are wandering our way towards the ‘Get Lost in Woods’ resort but are unable to find any exit from this park.”
The man smiled and said. “You are third this month. People normally tend to get lost in the jungle. There is an exit board just ten miles away. You must have missed it due to the dark.”
“Yeah, Maybe.” Josh reaffirmed.
“Do you need me to come to the exit?” The man asked.
Josh looked at Amy, they were both unsure if it’s a good idea to take a stranger on the ride but they were helpless. “We have been going in circles on the same road. Let’s take his help.” Amy said reluctantly. “Yes Sir. It would be great if you could take us till the exit.”
The man agreed with a creepy smile and sat in the back seat and Josh drove off. A few minutes later both Amy and Josh felt cold to the point that their teeth started chattering. Amy tried to turn up the heater but it did not help.
The Man sat behind contentedly but averred after witnessing their ordeal. “It gets very cold here. Hope you have enough vigor to withstand this weather.”
“Oh! We didn’t know the temperature drops so low here. There is no info existing about this place anywhere.” Amy sighed. “But assuredly, I will inscribe a good piece about it on my blog so that more people know.”
“Came hither several per a wish in the heart,
None reached there as they lost their path.” The Man sang in a ghoulish tone.
“I am sorry, I can’t comprehend.” Amy regressed.
“All who came here swore to tell the world about us, but nobody did.” The Man said evenly.
“Why is that so?” Josh was intrigued.
“You will see for yourself.” The man stated with sinister.
Amy and Josh looked at each other jumbled.
“There is your exit sign.” The man pointed towards a board covered with climbers and plant vines which displayed ‘EXIT’ in red. Josh stopped the car and the man got down. “Go inside the ligneous gate and you will reach your terminus.”
Josh and Amy expressed gratitude to the man and trailed off inside the gate. The man stood watching as the car disappeared in the dark.
“No one can write about us and no one can know about us.” The man said removing the creepers of the board which showed.
EXIT
To
Get Lost in Woods
It will take your breath away
The man laughed eerily. He turned around and patted the deer. “Are you fine buddy?” And the man started walking back to his hut with the deer following him.
October 25, 2020
Holiday Aftermath
Tan lines on my back, What do they say?
Yoo-hoo! I am having a rocking holiday.
A hot water bath after a nice swimming session.
Ouch! What is this burning sensation?
Frantically I search for some soothing liniment,
Only to find the sunscreen mocking at my predicament.
It simpered, ‘Forgot me again, I am an important thing,
You deserve these nasty sunburns and their sting.’
