Sometimes.......It's Too LATE...!!!1

Chapter Three

It's a brand new day for the Shastri family, or to be more precise an official first day in this new and totally alien city, Mumbai. Kavya is basically a morning person. She always wakes up by 5.30 early in the morning. Her morning routine is followed by yoga, meditation and last but not the least, reading Geeta. She never fails to begin her day with these three activities. But today she broke her protocol. As Kavya was totally drained off with energy last night she didn't wake up to her usual timing. She was still getting habitual with this new environment, so it would take some time for her to get accustomed with her daily regime.

Kavya was asleep until her mom came in and drew the curtains out so that the morning sun can portray it's shining rays on her and somehow she wakes up.

"Kavya...wake up... See the time beta...", her mom said, shaking her up.

"Ummm....5 mins Maa..", Kavya uttered groggily.

The morning rays find their way to Kavya's face and made it shine bright and gloomy. With squinted eyes, she woke up and marched straight towards the balcony. The seldom morning sun rays and chilling breeze, lightened her face with a bright smile. She stretched her arms wide as in to accommodate the entire morning sequence within herself and be with it throughout. The morning breeze has already made Kavya feel fresh and filled her with zeal. To revive her energy, she made her a coffee and perched on the swing. She was lost in the cold vibes of breeze and hot coffee.

"Kavya...Go and get ready. We need to shop our grocery and some basic necessary items today. Shah uncle, last night recommended a shopping mart which is reasonable and is just 20 mins at a distance. So buck up...Dad will be home soon.."

"Okay...Just give me a moment will get ready soon....",

All three of them headed towards the shopping mart and shopped a lot of things for their new home along with their grocery and basic necessities. Meanwhile, Kavya picked some simple decorative articles on their way to back.

It was all evening by the time they reached back, but none of them were tired as they still need to decorate their house. So the moment they got in, engrossed themselves with setting things in their right place. Things were now placed accordingly and the new house now looked even more homey and lively.

Kavya, after finishing her dinner went downstairs for a little walk. As her society had a small garden within it, Kavya didn't have to think much of where should she go for a walk as to relax herself. She came straight inside it and folding her legs sat on the green grass in the garden. The dark blue sky was wholly embellished with glittering stars. The presence of crescent moon only added beauty to the already alluring sky.

Kavya was lost in her own ocean of thoughts when a sudden tap on her shoulder startled her. She turned back and saw a familiar face smiling at her.

"Heyy....", Yash waved a hi.

"Ummm...can I..??..", Yash signaled Kavya of joining her in to which Kavya nodded. Yash removed his shoes and made himself comfortable by folding his legs and sat down,  accompanying Kavya on the grass.

"Heyyy....", Kavya greeted him with a smile. They shared some sporadic smiles as both were dubious of what to talk. When it was getting a little awkward Yash mustered to initiate the conversation.

"I always come down for a little walk after my dinner. Seems even you are in this league.."

"Yes....Just needed some fresh air...and here, it is amazing... So soothing..", Kavya exclaimed.

"Indeed... Anyways, how was your first official day in our city... Hope you liked it..", Yash asked.

"Ohh...yes...It was tiring actually. We went for shopping, all groceries and stuff..then arranging them was even more tiresome. so just to make myself relax I came downstairs... By the way... How was your day....??"

"I was at my friend's place for a group project so whole day we all did only masti...group was nothing to do with it...", both giggled.

"I know...being with friends and doing serious studies..!!! Two opposite poles. It never happens...", Kavya chuckled.

"I agree....", Yash concurred.

"Hey your family is too sweet. That was a nice gesture....they came to greet us and even in the morning uncle helped us with the shopping queries."

"That's gujju-gujju connection... No, but on a serious note they were curious to know about our new neighbors and you know what we are so glad to have found you people. And please I'm not trying to flatter you..", Yash chuckled and there hit again a lighter moment of laughter between them.

"Hey... You told my dad that on Monday the college will display their first cut off list right.!!! It means tomorrow. Tell me what time we have to go there...??", Kavya inquired.

"Ya...be ready by 10 am...It takes only an hour by train...", He replied.

"Okay...I think I should go now...It's been an hour down here...", with that Kavya stood up and was getting ready to go.

"Ya...me too...Wait a second..", Yash stood and faced Kavya.

"So now can I officially consider you as my friend...??", Yash extended his hand towards Kavya to which Kavya reciprocated and said,

"Yup... Totally...", both then shared a wide glittering smile and ambled towards their wing.

Both bids Goodnight to each other and marched in their respective house. While lying on her bed, Kavya was really happy that finally she got a friend to be called. Initially she was quite paranoid about how she will gel with people here, but now with people like Yash around, she thought of not a tough job. As a human nature, even she was hesitant to get into a totally new city surrounded by absolutely unfamiliar faces, but now things seemed a bit easier for her. With a sigh of relief she dozed off.

To be continued....!! 

Sometimes....It's Too LATE......!!!!

Chapter Two...!!!

Kavita scuffles with the lock to open and finally it opens. She steps forward and enter her new house. The house is spacious enough with minimal furniture. The way Kavya like it to be... Simple and Sober. She is a believer of maximum satisfaction with minimal necessities. It was totally the kind of place Kavya like to be in. Whilst inspecting every inch and corner of her new abode, Kavya's eyes got stuck to the beautiful wooden swing, which was hanged in the balcony of their house. She promptly ran towards it and with zeal in her eyes she jumped on it and started swinging back and forth softly. Her rhythm with the wind, on the swing was the sheer experience of bliss.

"Wow....This is so amazing..!! I can stay here the whole day... Just loved it.... Yuhoooo...!!!"

She finally got up and standing in the balcony, she called her mom and dad who were still in the argument with the driver.

"Maa....Papa..Stop your silly tiffs with that poor uncle and come up. See, it looks so good here..", Kavya waved them to come up and join her.

"When did you go there...?? And how did you find the keys Kavya.. They were in my bag...", whilst yelling at Kavya, Mrs. Shastri saw her left hand with no bag which made her understand that Kavya might have taken the keys from the car because she left her bag in it.

"Ohh...hoo... Now stop your interrogation and come up Maa...", Kavya said enthusiastically.

"Okay... Wait...!!", with that both of them grabbed as many bags they could climb with and strolled towards their new house.

As soon as Kavya saw her parents enter the house, she ran towards them and helped them to put down the bags and gestured them to follow her.
"Come here... Look, this is so beautiful. This is my territory, so don't trespass it without my approval...", She said while spreading her arms wide and rotating with full excitement.

"Ya..we got that. This is truly beautiful. The view is just so peaceful and calm. We will plant saplings over here, so that it becomes fresher and pure. What say..??", Mrs. Shastri exclaimed to which both Kavya and her dad gave a thumps up of approval and hugged each other.

The shifting is very tiring, but post shifting labor is even more tiresome. Placement of every article in their right place is a tough job to do. It's just their first day and the whole day went in a jiffy as they were engrossed in post labor of shifting. All three of them were totally drained of energy. After finishing their light dinner, they made themselves comfortable on their new sofas, when suddenly the door bell rang jolting them up. Kavya stood up and got the door. When she opened the door, she finds three people standing in front of her. A mid forties couple and a young beautiful girl, all were smiling by looking at her. It obviously seemed to be a dad-mom-daughter tie up. Kavya looked dumbfounded, looking her confused look the pretty girl spoke up,
"Hi.... I'm Sneha... your neighbor. There...right in front of you...umm... My mom and dad..", she said while introducing each of them to Kavya.

"Namaste beta, We have come to welcome our new neighbors. We hope of not bothering you..", Aunty said coyly. Kavya somehow figured out that it is Yash's family.

"No aunty...not at all..!! Instead, it is so nice of you all that you have come here to greet us. Please, come inside...", Kavya welcomed them and introduced them to her parents. All of them shook their hands and introduced each other. As both the families tend to be Gujaratis, it didn't take much of time for them to gel up together. It's kind of gujju-gujju connection you see. Initially the conversation was all formal, but as it proceeded it took a more local and homely turn. All one could hear was..garba, business, jalebis, khakras....!!!
Kavya accompanied Yash's sister Sneha on the swing, and they were also having their girly talk. Again the sound of the door bell jerked all of them, halting their conversation. Kavya stood up and moved towards the door. On the other side there was a familiar person standing with earphones plugged in with a huge college bag on his shoulder. Yes, he was Yash.

"Hey.... I'm bothering you again but it seems my family is here. Actually, I don't have the keys with me so have to disturb you...", Yash shrugged.

"Ya... Uncle and aunt are here for a while. And you are not bothering us, we all were just having some  usual talks...Come in..", Kavya replied and welcomed him to join their talk function too. Yash came in and greeted Kavya's mom and dad with Namaste to which they echoed Namaste in unison. Now it was Yash getting on with his introduction of what is he doing in studies, What would you like to be, Which college is best and all other arbitrary derails.

Mr. Shastri asked Yash, "Beta...even Kavya have filled few forms and I suppose one of them is from your college...Hinduja...right...",  to which Yash nodded.

"Ya...so as you're in your first year you might know when they would display their first cut off list..."

"Oh.. Yes, uncle... It's on Monday...!!", Yash replied.

"I need a favor from you Yash. Will you please assist Kavya in checking the cut off list and with the whole admission process as we all are new to this city and place...So I thought your assistance would be really helpful and will simplify our worries about admission. Please..", he appealed to Yash.

"Oh sure uncle, I will.... No worries at all...", Yash said assuringly.

"Thank you...so much.."

"Always uncle.."

Both the families pretty much got acquainted with each other. The conversation went for a while and then everyone greeted good night to each other as it was already late, so Yash along with his family, marched towards their home.
Kavya and her family were really happy with their sweet gesture.

"Nice people..",  Mr. Shastri said, to which Kavya and her mom nodded their head in unison and agreed with him.

Kavya went straight to her bed and dozed off instantly as she was hell tired today. She was happy with the thought that finally she was about to have her first friend in this totally new city, which made her even more at peace and calm.

What she didn't know was coming days are holding some surprises for her, which she had no clue about.

                           Stay tuned.......!!!                   

To be continued....!!

Sometimes.......It's Too LATE......!!!!

The Beginning.... Chapter One

"Kavya beta, please help me with this huge suitcase.....Ouch...!!!!", a mid 30's woman called out a name. She was with fair complexion and long black hair tied in pony tail and was draped in a typical gujrati style sari. And here enters our heroine, Miss.Kavya Shastri. Hearing her mom's voice, a girl came out of the car, shutting the door of the car really hard behind her. Wearing a pink Punjabi suit with her hair tied in an updo, her stature looked truly beautiful. With her eyes adorned with perfect embellishment of kohl and her jhumkas swinging along with the wind only made her look more adorable. She scurried towards her mom, tied her duppata along her back and gave a helping hand to her mom to unload that heavy bag from the van.
"Hey Bhagwan.....I'm pretty sure, this monstrous bag is of yours. This is so heavy..!! What have bought in it..?? Some sand and stones from our Gandhinagar...!!", her mom mockingly yelled at her.

"Hahahaha....very funny Maa....you know just some very important stuff of mine...that's it...and Maa it is not at all heavy, you are just exaggerating it...Look, I alone can handle it...!!"
With that Kavya tried lifting that bag up, but all in vain. She couldn't lift it even an inch up.

"Oh God...It is heavy..",and dropped that bag down again. Watching her daughter's amusing encounter, Mrs.Shastri roared with laughter and so did Kavya.

"Are...re...re...What is it..?? Why you both are  giggling so hard?? May I know..even I would like you to share your ha-ha moment with me.." A mid forties man came towards them along with three luggage. One huge bag on his left shoulder, the other suitcase holding with right hand and the last is his pot belly or rather a paunch, which was an individual luggage in itself. And yes, you all guess it right...he is our heroine father, Mr.Raman Shastri. 

Meet Shastri family, Mr.Raman Shastri and Mrs.Leela Shastri, Miss. Kavya Shastri's father and mother respectively.They are basically from Gandhinagar which is in Gujrat, a simple middle class family with simple values and ethics. Kavya's father is a bank official, and because his transfer of office and Kavya's further studies the whole family decided to shift in Mumbai itself rather than scattering here and there. So now that we are well acquainted with the three characters of our story, let us move and meet the other characters as well.

"Nothing Papa, I was just trying to show Maa my girl power...!!", Kavya winked and again chuckled on her own joke. 

"Hmmm....now use this power and help us in unloading this luggage...come on..", Mr.Shastri patted her and signaled her to get back at work. With that all three of them hurled on the luggage which was loaded in the truck and started unloading them with the help of few workers from movers and packers. On one side Kavya was helping in launching the luggage down and on other sides her eyes were glued to her new house and her new society. It was a big society consisting five wings in total. The buildings were well arranged with ample space in between as to forn a small curve kinda of shape. In the center there was a small garden for children and people to relax and play in the evening. In the left there was a small temple build in which only added the beauty of this society. Kavya already started liking her new society and her temptation for getting in her new house, was reaching the peak.

The mischievous Kavya was awake now and so she decided to go and grab the house keys from her mom's bag which was in car and meet her new house first and foremost. She did the same when her mom and dad were busy in unloading things and along side arguing with the driver for payment. 

Kavya flipped two bags on each shoulder and marched towards B wing, where a new story was about to begin. She hurriedly entered the B wing and pressed the lift button twice in a jiffy. She waited for some time for the lift but when it seemed that it won't come she opted for the staircase as her impatience was rising very high.
"Common Kavya, just two floors to walk...not a big deal..you can do it...",with consoling herself she grabbed the bags and started walking upstairs. When she reached the first floor she stopped and took a deep breath and after a while she again begin to walk. As she was about to turn for the stairs of second floor, someone bumped in her accidentally who was coming downstairs in hurry. Both collided and slipped on floor along with Kavya's bags going all the way down the stairs, right from where she carried them.
"Ouch....!! Ohh...Maaa....You......",Kavya was about to yell on that person but before she could burst out in anger, he got back on his equilibrium and hastily walked downstairs...clasped both the bags on his shoulders and brought them up and placed them down in front of Kavya. So here enters our Hero,the fourth character of our story guys. He is Yash Shah....a Gujrati chokro who lives with his mom, dad and an elder sister. And yes Kavya and Yash are neighbors. Let's find out how their first encounter come out.

"I'm very sorry...I was in hurry...just lost my balance and bumped into you..extremely sorry... Ummm....May I help you...with this luggage..?? Just tell me which floor you were heading to I will drop you there...", Yash asked her apologetically.
Kavya, initially was in fury but seeing his chivalrous nature she was by now all cool and calm. Her anger was all melted down.
"That's okay....I will manage...Please don't bother..", Kavya replied softly just to calm Yash down.
"No...pls...let me do it...I insist..." Yash said insistingly.
"Alright...only if you insist...", with that Yash smiled and grabbed both the bags and both of them walked upstairs. Both of them only shared some smiles, no one said anything.

They reached and Yash placed both the bags down just in front of Kavya's new house.
"By the way I'm Yash.....Yash Shah...and just for your extra knowledge we are neighbours", he gestured to the house just opposite to that of Kavya's. Kavya seemed to be happy to find him as her neighbour.
"Oh....Ya we are shifting today. Maa and Papa are down, handling all our luggage and stuff. Ummm...I'm Kavya Shastri...and thank you for all this..", she extended her hand to which Yash responded and both shared a light handshake.
"Don't be..I was at fault so it was my responsibility to undo it...And welcome new neighbour...", he winked at her and both shared a light moment of laughter.
"Oh god..I'm getting late. Need to rush. Hope you don't mind. Will meet you soon... and Sorry once again...",Yash said with anxiety.
"Ya...sure...nice to meet you.. Bye...",Kavya replied with smile.
"Same here...Bye.."
Yash turned and both of them adieu good byes to eachother.

A new story is about to begin...stay tuned...

Will be continued..

;  

Sharing Is Divine...... !!!!!

Have you ever wondered what if there is no one with you to share your sorrows, your happiness, your cheers, your misery, your toys...etc. etc. No friends, no family not even your foes....no one just you and only you. Sounds terrifying, isn't it...?? And trust me it is terrifying and horrific. But the problem with us is that we being the supreme creature i.e. being a human, don't value the people around us. Take everyone for granted and when we lose those people, we are left with nothing and then we realize the void we feel one we are without them. We are lucky enough that we have our family, friends and everyone with us, but there are few unfortunate, although i hate to use this word "unfortunate" it just wrenches my heart, who have no one with them. No family nor Friends, just them and their abandonment. Just think about those little angels who are left behind in dustbins or trash bins. Especially a girl child is more prone to this kind of inhuman nature. How can someone be this sadistic to let their own child cry and abandon them at that crucial time when they need the nurturing and caring. Such children learn to grow in this hard times and as they grow, they get acquainted with this reality and make themselves stoic and create a protective shield so that hence forth no one can harm and harm them. As it is said no one is born evil...it's just the circumstances which make them to chose this evil path.

What I want to convey is why can't we share their sorrows with us and revert them with sharing bliss and cheers. Why can't we minus their sorrows and add up their happiness and make them smile. Whatever we have we can share a tad or whatever we can and give them a genuine reason to smile. I'll share an incident with you which made me realize that Sharing is Divine....!!!
Once I was in my native for a short trip. Me and my cousins decided to take a walk in our local market. While doing that we felt famished so we grabbed some packs of biscuits and started hovering on them. We sat on the benches which were lined in the tea stall. Suddenly a girl grabbed my attention who was standing just opposite of few, at a few distance. She might be of some seven to eight years of old and was constantly looking at me while i was having my share of biscuits. Initially I ignored as we all do it but then I couldn't ignore her angelic face and ushered her to come to me. Of course when I called her, she firstly looked away from me but then she was confused and bewildered that whether she should trust me or not. The sheer innocence in these children make them to take time to trust someone, but once they do...they do it blindly and with purity.

Even she took her own time and after few minutes she came near me. I smiled and asked her name. She politely replied that her name is Pooja and gave me an angelic smile. With that I offered her biscuits and winked at her. Initially she restrained to take them but then she took few of them and reverted me with a broad smile, bigger this time. She just ran away and again stood back at the same place. After few minutes I understood she was waiting for her little brother who was in the near by barber's shop having his hair cut down. When that lil boy came out, he accompanied his sister and they left. Before they left, Pooja looked back at me and bid me bye with a beautiful smile. She shared those few biscuits with her brother and both seemed happy as if they have got some huge bunch of stars in their hands. I know this incident doesn't imply any great change or it seems really trivial but unless and until you yourself come across such phase you won't be able to fathom, what great difference this can make to you.

Since that day, whenever Pooja meets me in the market or any other place she greets me with the same beautiful smile and makes my day. I wonder what have I done that the girl gifts me that smile whenever she meets me...? Just gave her few biscuits, it should not even bother her a tad and look the irony is she treats me as if I have gifted her something really huge and divine. But then I got my answer, the divine feeling is the Joy Of Giving. I'm not telling you to pour down all your wealth and money on these kids or children, there is something more precious than your money and that is your Time. Try to share a tad part of your time with these little angels or any one who is close to you, trust me it will give them more happiness than what your money or expensive gifts can. Try to visit an orphanage and you will know how this kids learn to accept the reality and how they somehow find their happiness in very minute things of life. A little time spent with them and they won't ask you for anything. They just need the assurance that "Koi Apna Hai..."  i.e. someone dear is always near them.

Sharing doesn't implies that you only have to share your money or provide charity with wholesome of money...no...not at all...It's a misconception among us. Share your Love, show care and affection, spare some time from your busty schedule for your dear ones as well as for others...from others I mean the little angels I been talking about or any one who need someone beside them and see what magic and change prevails within you. The blessings and cheers you feel while sharing is beyond any other materialistic pleasure. When you'll be on your death bed, the only thing which will be with you is those cheers which you have spread and those glittering smiles you have brought on hundreds of faces. It will make your soul leave your body peacefully and reside in tranquility. People will not remember you with how many luxurious cars you have driven or how many smartphones you had or how much property you have built in but only with the Divine thing of sharing and spreading bliss and bestowing others with love and care. The change will be small, but very effective in your and others life. You won't understand the essence of sharing unless you do it yourself, it is sheer bliss. 

So "Do It And Fell It...'

<3 THE JOY OF GIVING <3

Is He There....!!!!

Ummm.....How should I start....!! This is about a friend of mine whom I lately got acquainted with. Actually, he is a friend of everyone, the only difference is...a handful of them are able to recognize him... others are either mislead or some of them don't even believe that he even exist. Yes..!! Yes..!! you guess it right, I'm talking about GOD or BHAGWAN or DEVA or JESUS or ALLAH etc. etc.....A million names he have but only one pure soul unlike the diversity in his names, he don't have this diverse nature. 

Actually, few filthy people just to entertain themselves...they misuse the name of God and create conflicts between the Theist and Atheist. A Theist is a believer of God and an Atheist is the otherwise. They intentionally create chaos between these people to gain some selfish uplift. But let me make my point very clear...I'm not here supporting any of the side. I'm not in favour with either of them. I'm just with my Faith and Hope which I have in him.

Nowadays people have accepted this truth that, only if you visit Temples, Mosques, Church, Gurudwara etc....only than you will be considered as a religious or rather a Theist. And if you don't do all these things then you are a sinner, yes you have heard it right. People are so skeptical and suspicious about a non believer in God or an Atheist. They talk all dull about them. We have no right to judge any person on the basis of this factor but being a human being we are born with the quality of being judgmental. Hypocrisy is also a trend nowadays. 

Well, I'm here talking about what I feel about him. Since childhood I have seen my parents and everybody around me visiting temple and murmuring some kind of hush hush prayers in front of the idol. I used to wonder that can he hear all of us...!!! It's a piece of stone after all....no signs of living..nothing...then how come people come here and pour their heart filled with miseries and happiness What could be the reason...?? Always used to fascinate me. But as it is said...every thing have it's prescribed time and place. So even me, with growing days found my answers or rather I'm still in my journey of finding some answers. Whenever I used to visit any temple, I could see the faith and hope in their eyes....the people who come there. They have full trust that no matter any one comes for my help or rescue, but the one sitting over there will listen to my problem patiently and will make a way for me to get out of it. This faith is the reason why I'm writing all this. Even I have got this faith for him. Earlier even I used to call him from various names and visit every temple, sometimes with my own will sometimes because my mom used to drag me till there. During that time it was just that as my parents pray to him even I should do so. It was a kind of legacy for me. Deep down I always used to doubt.

But then, Life have it's own way to teach you . There came a moment of realization to me. Life was really hard. Not a single door was left open. But then even in that dark room i somehow managed to find that tiny hole through which a ray of sunlight bloomed tin that darken place. For me it was a ray of hope. I questioned myself why is it necessary to visit the temple and talk to to that piece of stone when you can talk to yourself and get your answers. Introspection was my key to reach him. I created an imaginary character of God in my mind. I used to talk to him daily and share my sorrows and happiness. And trust me this brought a change in me. Slowly he turned to be a very close friend of mine. Sharing my thoughts with him make me feel lightened and relief. Gradually I understood that yes he is there. Listening to me and understanding me. What you all need to do is call him from your soul and then see the magic. He will come for your rescue. The only thing he want is pure FAITH and HOPE.

I'm not telling you that, go and visit every temple or any religious place only then you will find him.... No...never....even I don't do it. Wherever you are just remember him from deep inside, and there he comes to you. You know I call him as "VISHU" which is his nickname the real name for me is "VISHWAS".  The bottom of the line is I address him with only one name. Not like earlier were every temple had their own name of god and we used to call them likewise. He is more than a friend to me. I can talk whatever I want to without any kind of hesitation and reluctance. I rarely visit temples nowadays because Vishu is 24*7 with me then why I have to go anywhere else to find him..!! But the sad part is many people are mislead in the name of God. They run a type of business from which they can earn fast and rapid money. In the name of ritual and religion people are fooled because this is the easiest way to swindle the masses and gain huge money. People are easily tricked by such selfish mongers. 

What I want to say is please be alert and save yourself from such manipulators. Just keep the FAITH, HOPE and LOVE within you. He won't ask anything more than these three. When you got all this...he won't let any harm harm reach to you. And always remember, whatever happens it has a reason behind it... you might understand this reason sooner or later but one day you will.

FAITH <3 LOVE <3 HOPE