tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24865539195380519502024-03-19T05:27:31.044-07:00A BIT OF THIS AND THATpreethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-68675547772288970202015-02-10T01:48:00.002-08:002015-02-10T01:48:18.668-08:00LOVE...AND LOVE ONLY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The window to her hospital room opened
out to nothing. The dreary curtains and the pale white walls did
nothing to elevate her spirits. The nausea and pain had become a
constant. Her doctor who tried to seem hopeful, wasn't. The
sounds of the hospital, the change of shifts, the beep of the
machines, a part of her life. It was that pink rose that was replaced
every day beside her bed that made her heart soar. And his voice that
read out to her and comforted her. The love she felt. The hope that
the love brought with it. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>An attempt at a Drabble : a 100 word story :)</i></span></div>
</div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-45650568990644445182015-01-10T21:39:00.000-08:002015-01-10T21:39:11.386-08:00A FRIENDLY FOE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shravya alias "Shraavs",
as her friends called her, was the life of 9th standard section A.
She was intelligent, funny, good at sports and studies, dancing,
public speaking, and was popular. She always smiled and sported a
smart short haircut. She always wore a neatly washed and ironed
uniform and carried an expensive school bag. She always had a group
of girls around her at school. The teachers liked her a lot. She
volunteered for everything and helped when she could. She was a part
of the NSS and the interact club. It felt good be liked by everyone.
Her juniors admired her. Her seniors acknowledged her. She was a very
happy girl.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not today. Today she
was angry. She had not even changed out of her uniform. She sat and
sulked in her room. For the first time she had been asked to go to
the Principal's room, not to be congratulated but to be punished. And
it was all because of that new girl, Vaishnavi. That quiet girl who
did as well as she did in studies. The one who sat in the in the
first row and competed to answer all the questions that the teachers
asked in class. The one with her hand always raised up in class. The
one who wore second hand faded uniforms and came with her long hair
well oiled, plaited, folded and tied with white ribbons. The one who
came walking to school with an old school bag and hand me down books.
She was the one who ratted on her.
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing about Shraavs,
was that she loved competition. And challenges. There were two gangs
in the class. One was hers, of course. The other was Anu's. They were
the ones who always played the pranks and spent most of their time in
school waiting outside the Principal's office. Sat in the last bench.
And competed with her in the culturals. This was one occasion that
Anu had challenged her to play a prank. If there was one thing
Shraavs could not resist, it was a challenge. There was nothing she
could not do. Or so she believed.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was unfortunate that,
though the prank was executed to perfection, the principal decided
to enter the class precisely at that moment to speak to the teacher.
The whole class had stood silent in fear. The only one who had spoken
was Vaishnavi. Told her the complete story. And she, Shraavs, the
darling of the class, had been punished.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her mom came into the
room. "What happened?" she asked.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After explaining Shravya
said, "Not one person said a thing. She had to open her mouth
...mom!! If she had kept quiet I would not have been embarrassed in
front of all my friends and got punished too!! I have never been
punished in school!!"</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her mom put her hand on
her shoulder and said, "But you did do something wrong. And she
was just being truthful. It takes a lot of guts to speak the truth.
Let it go."</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This just made her more
angry. Shravya shouted,"So you support her too!! I don't care if
she was right....I hate her!!"</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She went out of her way
to make Vaishnavi miserable at every opportunity from that day on.
She would make fun of the way she looked, her old books, her bag, the
way she walked, talked and how she sat and studied at lunch and at
any free time she got.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the half yearly
exams. The students were busy discussing maths formulae before
entering the examination hall. They settled in their seats numbered
in their roll number order. An hour passed. All the girls were
engrossed in their papers. The examiner who was walking up and down
the hall suddenly stopped next to Shravya, bent down, and picked up a
small folded piece of paper that was lying on the floor next to her
foot.
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Shravya, what is
this?" asked the examiner, as she opened the piece of paper
that, much to her shock, contained a list of formulae.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ma'am! its not
mine", exclaimed Shravya. "I would never do such a thing. I
promise its not mine." She cried, tears streaming out of her
eyes.
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole hall stood in
stunned silence. "Ma'am, I did not do this. I don't know how
that paper came there. I promise. Its not mine." she cried, as
she looked around for support. Not a soul budged. No one had believed
her. All those friends who were around her all the time, the teachers
who had adored her, her classmates who complimented her on every
thing...were all quiet.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One calm voice spoke up,
"It was not her. I saw who did it." The voice said.
Vaishnavi walked towards the examiner and said, "Ma'am, it was
not her. I sit two rows behind. I saw what happened. I'd rather not
mention the name in front of everyone. May I please come with you to
the Principal's office?" she asked.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The examiner nodded and
they walked out of the hall. Another teacher took her place and asked
them to continue to write the exam. Vaishnavi joined them ten minutes
later. Shravya was shaking. She could not believe what had just
happened. She turned around and looked at Vaishnavi over her
shoulder. She was writing furiously and did not look up. Tears rolled
down her eyes as she tried to get back to writing the exam. She
waited outside the exam hall for Vaishnavi to finish. They had given
her extra time to finish the paper to compensate for the time lost.
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Vaishnavi walked
out...Shravya rushed to her. "Thank you. I mean it. I am sorry
for all that I said and did to you in the last few weeks. I was being
horrible. I was angry. But I am glad you spoke up today. I can't
believe no one else even supported me. thanks thanks thanks....will
you even consider being friends with me? I know I have been bad...",
she continued rambling, "but please...i will make it up to you.
I would love to have you as my friend." she looked into
Vaishnavi's eyes as she spoke.
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vaishnavi smiled her
quiet smile and said, "Of course, but you have to put up with
all the truth I tell."</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both of them laughed.
"Hmmm....you could say I am a friendly foe...can you? By the
way...that's an oxymoron. How have you prepared for tomorrow's
English exam? You want to study together?" asked Vaishnavi.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shraavs nodded. "Sure
Vaishu...my friendly foe" she said as they laughed and shook
hands.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2015/01/09/wow-blog-writing-a-foe-turned-friend">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">
This week’s WOW prompt is <b>‘A Foe Turned Friend’.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-12270270695066341242015-01-03T08:42:00.000-08:002015-01-03T08:42:25.168-08:00SARATHY TEA STALL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "Sarathy"
tea stall always had customers. It was situated in the corner of the
street. The street that led to the entrance of a huge IT park. The
tea and coffee were certified excellent by several senior level
officers who worked at the many IT companies in the IT park. They
served hot vadas, samosas and pakodas. They made a variety of
sandwiches and sold cut fruits too. And of course the usual snacks and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">titbits. The only thing
different was that they did not sell cigarettes. The man behind the
show..the owner was an unusually tall man, with a large mustache, who
always wore a big smile on his face. His name was Sarathy. He looked
as if he belonged somewhere else.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But he is not the one we
need to talk about. It was Hari. His assistant. He joined the tea
shop when he was 7. To help his mother with finances. He was now
almost 20 and had learned all he could from Sarathy. He was adept at
making tea, coffee and several varieties of snacks. He knew all the
customers by name and how they liked their tea or coffee, what where
their favorite snacks and when they came for a break. He was honest,
hardworking and kind.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This January was an
important month for him. One of the regular customers of the tea
shop, a certain Mr. Ashok, had got him a job at a new restaurant
which was looking for in house help, for hard working, honest boys
like him. But it was a job where he had to stay at the restaurant,
away from his mom and sister. And Sarathy of course. He had no
intention of leaving the tea stall and Sarathy. But it was a good
offer. It was Sarathy that convinced him to go.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he sat and ate dinner
with his family the night he had to leave, he looked around his
house. A small two room house with asbestos roofing, had one room
that had all their belongings neatly put away on an open shelf and a
small wooden cupboard that had survived for several years, the other
doubled as a kitchen and puja room. They had to share the common
toilets and baths in the small colony of houses they stayed in. His
sister attended the local corporation school. His mom was house help.
In three houses to be precise. He had packed the one pair of faded
jeans he owned along with 3 shirts, and all of his few worldly
possessions in a bag that was gifted by Sarathy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His drunken father sat at
the door step, yelling words of abuse at his mom and him. This was
not new. They ate as he continued to yell, words getting worse. And
then he spoke badly of his mom's character! As Hari got up in anger,
his mom held him back, and gave him a look which said 'its not worth
it'.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He resolved to get his
mom and sister the life they deserved. This new job was his first
step. His mother </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">smeared holy ash on his
forehead and his little sister gave him a hug. He left, asking his
mom to take care of her health and promising to send her money
regularly.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He stepped out into the
night. on a journey. A journey built on the past. A journey a
brighter future.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several years
later...Hari dragged Sarathy into the IT park. His mom and sister
followed. Sarathy had put up quite a fight to be blindfolded. Its
tough to make a man of his build to do your bidding. He did finally
comply at the request of Hari's mom.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />They walked into the
food court in one of the huge buildings. Hari came to a halt in front
of one of the stalls. He put Sarathy in front of it and opened his
blind fold. This is ours, Hari said. Sarathy's eyes filled with tears
as he lifted Hari off his feet to give him a bear hug. Hari's sister
laughed and his mother smiled.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sign board read
"SARATHY TEA STALL'.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post is a part of<a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2015/01/02/wow-blog-writing-prompts-january-jeans-and-journey"> Write Over the Weekend,</a> an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">
This week you have to write on <b>‘January, Jeans and Journey’.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">
<strong>January</strong> is a month that spells freshness and the chance to do something in a new way. No wonder that we are infused with a new energy throughout the month. We are teaming January with <strong>‘Jeans’</strong>, which are so commonplace that we take their presence and comfort for granted. We’re hoping that you take these words and set off on a <strong>‘Journey’</strong> of blogging that people will love to be a part of!</div>
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<br /></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-53871346002251015342014-10-29T06:43:00.000-07:002014-10-29T06:43:29.532-07:00DOWNTIME<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I leaned against the pillar of the
Gazebo. I stretched my legs out and sighed. I closed my eyes </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as a cool breeze blew around me. The
wind made lovely swishing noises as it blew between the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">coconut trees and several other trees
that were planted across the grove.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The winding path between the trees were
laid in cobble stone, lined on either side with dwarf </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like shrubs. Rays of sunshine filtered
through the trees lighting up the place with a subtle </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">glow. Flowers of several colors that
blossomed here and there swayed lightly in the breeze.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While a few birds were flying here and
there, trying to build a nest, others hopped around making </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chirping noises. Squirrels chased each
other, butterflies fluttered from flower to flower and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dragon flies zoomed past.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A man made waterfall right behind where
I was sitting made gurgling noises as the water flowed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into a small shallow pool filled with
water lilies. Ducks, big and small, swam around in the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">water.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I heard the gush of water as the
gardener watered the plants and as the water fell to the warm </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ground I inhaled the divine smell that
arose all around me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I tune in to the peace and calm
around me, I feel myself relax and take a deep breath.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I open my eyes to the cool breeze of
the Air conditioner in my office. The beep on my phone. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sounds of the printer, fax machine
and copier. The honk of cars caught in the traffic just </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">outside my office on the flyover. The
hammering and drilling noises from the construction going </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on in the floor above.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My colleague walks into my cubicle
smiling..."dreaming again?" she asks, as she leaves a bunch
of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">files on my desk. I grin to myself as
I sit up and get back to work.</span></div>
</div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-23690680754446445282014-05-25T11:05:00.001-07:002014-05-29T05:07:37.923-07:00A DAY TO REMEMBER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz9UGrEZG-aQhMZl_mlepcjx09JitNsNLsqJ47tL_jgVJxm0LqceXrk00tIr6nkg2SafXs_niFcSBqJ_2CU4a9tj8sHcF04I84XWqeswcdrNWX8UvxCgqQNWnmIvyCXxolOmN6L2UFIs/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz9UGrEZG-aQhMZl_mlepcjx09JitNsNLsqJ47tL_jgVJxm0LqceXrk00tIr6nkg2SafXs_niFcSBqJ_2CU4a9tj8sHcF04I84XWqeswcdrNWX8UvxCgqQNWnmIvyCXxolOmN6L2UFIs/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anu was jumping up and down excitedly. But then..she does that all the time. :) My almost three year old daughter, all smiles, was getting ready to go to the hospital. No No...there is nothing wrong with her..don't worry. I was the one getting admitted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Got your bag, kanna(term of endearment)?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"yes, Yes", she nodded. "story book, crayons, water bottle, snack box, Tigger and..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Anu"...called her father, "Its getting late, let's go"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We pile into our black I10. Anu gets into the back seat with her grandmother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amma, Amma, FLOWERS, TREES, DOG, COW" she jumps in glee..At the stage where she is learning to talk, indentifying things is her new favourite hobby. "Amma, amma...red flower, red, red!!, AMMA AMMA, blue sky!!" her voice high and filled with awe. "Very good, very good", I encourage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Nature is magic, is it not?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The sky, the sea, the hills, the air,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The animals, birds and everything else,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Beauty, beyond compare.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Anu, sweetheart, you need to sit down. Paati(grandma) can't hold you like I do." I beg. I was not in a position to hold her in the front seat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amma, song?" She chimes, and sits down, much to my relief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turn on the music. An array of Disney songs play. The lion king, Toy story, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Frozen and many more. Anu sways to the tune, smiles and claps her hand. "Amma, Amma, Hakuna Matata.."she grins. She loves that song. I smile to myself and can't help thinking "No worries...for the rest of your life" :)..I sigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Music is magic, knows no language,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The books and movies we can find,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Art and all such things,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>All Creativity of the human mind.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The car seems to get hotter. I turn up the airconditioner. As the new gust of air circulates within the car, Anu exclaims "Amma, AMMA...wind wind!!" and turns her face in that direction, trying to catch it on her face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smile to myself and shift uncomfortably. "Are you ok?" Anu's father asks. I just pat his hand in response.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Science and Technology is magic,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Brilliance it does show,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Discoveries and Inventions galore,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What does not man know?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We reach the hospital. We park and get down from the car. A woman is sweeping the leaves scattered all over the parking lot. Her son, a small boy in a pair of well worn shorts is walking behind her crying. Anu stops. "Amma", she says, "baby, crying". She opens her bag and pulls out a chocolate, walks to the boy and gives it to him. She smiles and runs back to us. Her dad picks her up and hugs her. I give her a peck on the cheek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Kindness is magic,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the good feeling it brings,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So is love, generosity, empathy and such,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>They just tug at your heart strings.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We settle down in the room allotted to me. Anu too settles down in the additional bed in the room with her bag and keeps herself busy. The operation date and time was preset. As we waited, Anu fell asleep. She looked peaceful and calm, her hand wrapped tightly around Tigger. She smiled in her sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Dreams are magic,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Visions of the future of ours,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Our wishes they project,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hope and faith our powers.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am taken from the room for the procedure. I hug Anu and tell her to be good. That I will be back really soon. She smiles and nods. I tell her father to take care of her and to give her the food I packed. He reassures me, and tells me not to worry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Relationship is magic,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It wills one to live,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To survive, to push,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To succeed, to give.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An hour later, I am back. Anu and her father sit by me, holding affectionately our newest member of our family. "Amma, Amma", Anu smiles, "baby, brother" she says, carefully touching the baby with one finger. Tears stream down my eyes as hormones take over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Birth is a miracle,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>From just a single cell,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A whole new life,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Its amazing as hell!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look at Anu's father. The man who married me. I was divorced. So was he. He had a daughter from his first marriage. I loved both of them to bits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The power of the human mind is magic,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To withstand betrayal and pain,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The power to forgive and move on,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To start again.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am brought back to the present as I hear Anu say, "Amma, amma"..."Conshoons"..I look up quizzically and her father clarifies "Congratulations!". She hands me an envelope. I open in to find a hand drawn (scribbled) card and words in her father's handwriting. As I hug her tightly, tears stream down my eyes as I thank god for his blessings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God is the greatest magician,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>His creations are amazing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Innumerable to mention,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>His praises I sing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magic is everywhere. Its all around us. Its the way we see things. To me...<b><i>Magic is life...as seen through the eyes of my little one</i></b>. <b><i>Without prejudice, with awe, with enthusiasm, without expectations, with courage, with faith.</i></b></span></div>
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This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2014/05/23/wow-magic-creative-writing-prompts-weekend-bloggers">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #006699; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #006699; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Your post has to revolve around the word </span><span style="color: #006699; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline;">M<strong>agic</strong></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #006699; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">! What does it mean to you? What is it that is magical according to you?</span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-59546303250727849732014-05-16T06:43:00.003-07:002014-05-25T18:53:47.383-07:00A PASSWORD PREDICAMENT!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm_qF9n9XVrHnKNwwIrOt-4eMQLQlqyfnHKV_DSr5L6ZzEHBOhSJqCh4pMitRroKiRVQaCB3pxKPqKZRUQ1mMtVU7abUeN9D6-zgvx0yRW69CuYtF2m7WIF8AJhdUt7HDl1f-LmkWWXk/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm_qF9n9XVrHnKNwwIrOt-4eMQLQlqyfnHKV_DSr5L6ZzEHBOhSJqCh4pMitRroKiRVQaCB3pxKPqKZRUQ1mMtVU7abUeN9D6-zgvx0yRW69CuYtF2m7WIF8AJhdUt7HDl1f-LmkWWXk/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a bit averse to technology. One might say I peacefully coexist and restrict myself to minimal use of it. That is not the case with my husband and my two year old too!! They revel in using the "latest" gadgets... phone, ipad..you name it..and they've mastered it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband, Rahul, is an "online" person and is active on facebook, twitter et al. He is the one who created my mail and facebook account and I am almost never online.(my two year old is not social networking yet!! thankfully)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day, I get a call from my husband post lunch from his office. "I need you to urgently change the password of our netbanking for my salary account. The bank has updated its software." he says. "I am heading out for a meeting and the old password is written in my diary. you know where to find it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I could utter a word of protest ...I got cut off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I murmured to myself as I switched on the laptop, and placed his diary next to it. My sleepy two year old was jumping on the bed. "Careful!!" I yelled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a deep breath..here goes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, the bank's website was on the "favorites list". I gingerly clicked on the link. I entered the user name and password as mentioned in the diary and waited....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The page loaded on to the screen. I read carefully all the options mentioned and finally found the link to change the password. Phew!! Meanwhile my little one decided to drag pillow by pillow and stack it next to the mirror on our cupboard. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enter old password : **********</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">That was easy :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i>Enter new password:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I thought...hmm..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A date or a number,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A word or a name,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rare and tough,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is quite a game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think of a name and enter it.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"New password has to be more than 8 characters</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Said the site...Fine. I think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of the corner of my eye, I can see my son opening the draw and pulling out clothes one by one and admiring them before placing them carefully on the floor. God let me do this fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A word that's different,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Or a combination would be better,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that's not easy to guess,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A word that's bigger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enter the new password.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>"Password should contain at least 1 number" </b></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">was the message I got. ok...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">An alphanumeric password,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Is what I need,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The word and a birth date,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And will be done, my deed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enter my new password..</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>"Password should contain at least one Capital letter and one special character"</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I am losing it! My little one is scouting the room trying to figure out what to do next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first car number,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The date we first met,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day our child was born,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more confusing this does get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His favorite movie,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Or singer or a band?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An anagram or formula :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not anything too grand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally settle on a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Thankfully, the site accepted it. I noted it down in the diary, thanking god the site did not ask for a sacrifice, the blood of a unicorn and the tears of a mermaid for my password to be accepted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I sigh. Shutdown the laptop. I turn around to look at the room which is a complete mess. In the middle of the heap of clothes and pillows my two year old is blissfully sleeping. I smile to myself as I move my child to the bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then pick up the phone and call my husband. The minute the phone is answered, I say "I did it!!" all excited to have achieved something. "This is the new password "************". I even wrote it down."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"err...ma'am", I hear another voice over the phone. "This is Rahul's colleague speaking, he left his phone at his seat, please hold on for a minute".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My husband comes on the line and says, "What is wrong with you? Never tell out passwords on cell phones or text messages or mails. Its not safe. Change it once more!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I take one look at the room, my sleeping child and the laptop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">NOOOOOOOO!!!!</span><br />
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This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2014/05/16/wow-creative-writing-themes-indian-bloggers-weeeknd">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a></div>
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<span style="color: #006699; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #006699; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Your post has to revolve around everything that came to your mind when you had to create your first ever password!</span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-46526292778371015082014-05-09T02:34:00.003-07:002014-05-25T18:54:53.578-07:00MY MOM MY HERO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg737sdWu4VYUISmBkSb9YOInKvx_E-ycFXcyHeeEI1gi3iss7G_GKb2LKlsgwQNqRrDfShXlTh0tU-Ra2o7EC4Z5qeZ-h7AW5ZeWQBTMO26Upv3QFClmZ7jZDbgf_e-dlac7o8pKWhab8/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg737sdWu4VYUISmBkSb9YOInKvx_E-ycFXcyHeeEI1gi3iss7G_GKb2LKlsgwQNqRrDfShXlTh0tU-Ra2o7EC4Z5qeZ-h7AW5ZeWQBTMO26Upv3QFClmZ7jZDbgf_e-dlac7o8pKWhab8/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sat tensed at my school lab during an exam because I forgot my record note book at home, an attender hands it to me and points outside....my MOM, my savior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sang on stage, was in a play, gave a speech, or was just even a prop, my mom was in the audience cheering for me..my MOM, my fan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I fell sick, when I hurt myself, when i burned with fever, when i threw up what I ate, my mom held me..my MOM, my healer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sat confused, angry, dissapointed, muddled over a decision, small or big, my mom was there, to talk to and resolve...my MOM, my mentor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see my mom stand strong in tough times, always there not only to support but to stop us too, held the family together, cared and shared, an unlimited source of patience, energy and inspiration...my MOM, my hero.</span></div>
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This time we’re having at a mother’s day special! Your post must contain the word<span style="text-decoration: underline;">MOM</span> and you have just <span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 sentences to complete your story.</span></h3>
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This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2014/05/09/wow-ones-mom-mothers-day-special-weekend">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-35839497982732907742014-05-08T20:31:00.000-07:002014-05-08T20:33:46.041-07:00WHAT CAN I DO? -2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a post I found on goindia.about.com when I googled "chennai'. Being a Chennai lover, it made me curious as to why there is a post titled "chennai the most hated city", which pushed me to read the post. As for the post itself, I have no comments on it, it is an individual opinion based on whatever facts they have obtained. But the comments section is something one should read. Be it in support of Chennai or Bangalore or north India or south India, what all these people don't realize is that each and every one has their own opinion and are entitled to it. That each and everyone loves their own city for their own reasons. Every city has its pros and cons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INDIA IS A SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...it boasts of several cultures and languages and much more than just meets the eye of anybody outside of India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every country has its drawbacks and negatives. As citizens the least we can do is be proud of our country and respect each other. It does not matter which part of the country we are from, we are first and foremost Indians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lets each one of us be proud of who we are, wherever we come from, whatever language, caste, religion, we are from...it does not matter!! we are Indians. And we have bigger fights to fight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This may be an old post and an argument amongst a handful of people whose views may not reach too many people. But for a post that was posted in 2009, the comments are running till end of 2013 and the site admin had to step in and block further commenting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do take a look.</span></div>
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<a href="http://goindia.about.com/b/2009/10/14/chennai-most-hated-indian-city.htm"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://goindia.about.com/b/2009/10/14/chennai-most-hated-indian-city.htm</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT CAN I DO?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need to look at the bigger picture. There are much more important issues that we can argue about and more importantly act upon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I understand the concept of freedom of speech and expression. But I guess the priorities to where we need to show our vehemence is something we need to think about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No offence meant to the people who commented on the blog. If we could only channelize all that energy into something more productive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't you agree?</span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-69983668269571271282014-05-07T03:59:00.002-07:002014-05-07T03:59:53.605-07:00KEEP QUIET...JUST LISTEN!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to the rain drops,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the window sill,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steady and consistent,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calm you down it will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to the silent night,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a long day that's tiring,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To questions that we muddle over,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Answers it will bring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to the birds,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early in the morning,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greet the day with a smile,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And everything will be charming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to a chant,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meditate on a prayer,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Free your mind,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its a slick player.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to your body,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't ignore its call,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep an eye on your health,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treat everything, however small.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to your child,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Busy though you may be,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They grow up so fast,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faster than you can see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to the person,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is trying to explain,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give them a chance,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To ease their pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to reason,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth is not far,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Show some empathy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it will leave no scar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to your heart,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow your dreams,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give it a shot,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Impossible though it seems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to your conscience,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That little voice that warns you,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To rethink your words and actions,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And helps you see what's true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listening is a talent,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not many have this skill,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have much to gain from it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Better your life it will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen....</span><br />
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-44547044944261329412014-05-05T21:35:00.000-07:002014-05-05T21:35:13.886-07:00WHAT CAN I DO? - 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What can I do? This is the one question most citizens ask when confronted with any public or social issue. I would like to share with all of you, any effort made by simple citizens towards any cause. It does not matter if the effort is small or large, if it makes a significant impact or not. Its an effort...and not too many people make that effort. And such effort needs to be acknowledged and shared. I hope to share what I find.<div>
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Do take a look at the following video :</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw119R28n58gGb3-F7JGy1WUNFYEckHjIwLskfEgcSZKTHP25_qYK0xO9JH3V_89JtYPt_At8VYr3vgrR8aaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Their efforts are truly commendable. you can follow them on twitter too : @SeatbeltCrew</div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-67094998703753110302013-12-31T21:38:00.000-08:002013-12-31T21:39:38.482-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The year that just went,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lovely and eventful one,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both ups and downs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Complaints are none.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A big family, trip to kerala,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little one started school,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A super duper vacation,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its all been so cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Started a blog,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A contest I won,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read a lot,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Started driving again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rhymes and fairy tales,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are swimming in my head,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In company of Parents and grandparents,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing more need be said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely relations and friends,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both old and new,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">near and far, kept in touch,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook, Thanks to you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, what is new year?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another passing day?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another page in the calender?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why this hype, I say?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What changes in that one day?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finance, state of things?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People, family, circumstances?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does it bring?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The change may be in the year and date,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not in the physical world,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The change is within us,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A change unseen and untold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A change of heart,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A change of mind,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new hope,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To life it does bind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are resolutions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But an attempt to change oneself,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a hope to change things,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting with thyself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make a difference,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first step you must take,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't wait for the change,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For your own sake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new year is about hope, change and new beginnings that "we" initiate. Here's wishing you all an awesome 2014!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS: so sorry about not replying and reading for sometime. explanation in my next post. sorry again.</span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-28827240811001115532013-12-14T17:13:00.001-08:002014-01-02T01:28:45.067-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She sobbed. He left me and went to her. "Its ok junior" Tara said. "He is Tigger's pup" she told me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What happened?" I asked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He got bitten by a stray dog during one of our walks. It was bad. Tigger was quite old by then. Evidently the dog had rabies. It was the worst time of my life. I did not leave the hospital. He suffered a lot. In the end we had to let him go, not let him suffer anymore. It was a painful decision." Tara sniffed."Tigger junior was brought home a pup a few months after that." she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was at a loss for words. We sat without talking for a few minutes. She sat stroking junior's head as he fondly looked at her and whined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You will come to my convocation on Monday, right?" Tara suddenly asked me."You can get a press pass. Please. I would really like that."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hmm...Ok. I have to leave tomorrow morning back to Mumbai. But I will be here on time on Monday. That's a promise. " I said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Thanks Kavya. I have begun to like your company a lot. I have had a great time the last 2 days," she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I, as always, not knowing how to reciprocate, squirmed uncomfortably and said "Me too". She was so direct and honest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good byes are never my thing. This time it was just tougher. I left with a heavy heart, home made sweets om Meghna, lots </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of advice from Paati, a hug from Tara, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an open invitation to drop in and stay </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from Aakaash. Junior stood by and wagged </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his tail furiously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today ,as I stood watching Meghna and Aakaash as </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the audience applauded Tara on stage, I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">felt so much a part of the family. I was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">honored to share this moment with them. A </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strong and independent daughter. Loving </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">affectionate parents. Amazing </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grandparents. And a bond of trust,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">friendship and commitment that holds them </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">together through the toughest of times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all stood together at the post </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">convocation event for students and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parents. There was food everywhere. I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wanted to run. Some entertainment by the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">students was in progress on stage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly, Tara stepped up to the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">microphone. "Appa Amma, this is for you" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She said and went on to sing in her lovely </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">voice.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5RMrltCDCwI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It must have been cold there in my shadow,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to never have sunlight on your face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You were content to let me shine, that's </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You always walked a step behind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I was the one with all the glory,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while you were the one with all the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A beautiful face without a name for so </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A beautiful smile to hide the pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you ever know that you're my hero,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and everything I would like to be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can fly higher than an eagle,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It might have appeared to go unnoticed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I've got it all here in my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want you to know I know the truth, of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">course I know it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would be nothing without you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you ever know that you're my hero?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're everything I wish I could be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could fly higher than an eagle,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I ever tell you you're my hero?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're everything, everything I wish I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">could be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eagle,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'cause you are the wind beneath my wings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, the wind beneath my wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so high I almost touch the sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you, thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank God for you, the wind beneath my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- song by Bette Middler</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone stood in stunned silence at her </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">amazing performance before breaking into </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">applause. Tara spoke. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">questions. My parents knew all the answers </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the questions my future would pose even </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before I started walking.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amma and Appa. I know you don't like </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">attention. But please humour me this </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">once." Smiled Tara. "My parents were with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me at every step, every juncture, every </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fall, every achievement, every failure. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not so they can catch me when I fall. Not </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so they can stop me before I make </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mistakes. Not so they can raise me up on </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">their shoulders every time I achieved </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">something. Not to offer a hand to pull me </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">up. But stood behind me to push and cheer </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me on. To try. Not to give up. To get up. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To trust. To believe. To work harder. To </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">make choices. To fail. To try again. To </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">succeed. To be independent."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What I am today is not what they wanted </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me to be, but what I chose to be. Therein </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lies their victory. Cheering me on at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">every choice that I made, they have </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">happily accepted my choices. I sometimes </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">think, had I been a normal child, would my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parents dreams and hopes be different for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me? Nah...not a chance." She smiled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I know that I have a been a test for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">their patience. I know that life had not </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">been easy. But not once have I heard them </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fight or grumble or complain about how </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">things were. My mom gave up her career for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me, she loves to cook. She wanted to have </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a business of her own. My dad loves to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">travel. I call it sacrifice. They call it </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">love."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"All my parents want me is to be happy, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">independent and be a good human being. I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">truly appreciate that you have given me </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the most precious and expensive gift... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the gift of education. And I assure you </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that I will not get it go waste. I have </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">made a proposal to my old school(for the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blind) and in collaboration with them and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whatever help I can get, I plan to make </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this education available to as many </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">physically challenged children, whose </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parents cannot afford it for them. Help to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the parents in the form of counseling and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">monetary help to those who deserve it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources in the form of books, lab </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">equipment, special training for the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">teaching staff and much more. This is just </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a idea in the making. I do have to find a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">job first." she laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"But I will make it happen.I am only one, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but still I am one. I cannot do </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everything, but still I can do something; </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and because I cannot do everything, i will </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not refuse to do something that I can do - </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helen Keller."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna and Aakaash stood, looking </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sheepish. Feeling shy about getting all </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the attention. And proud of Tara at the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">same time. I for one decided I was going </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to do what I can to help her. I had </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">contacts you know. All those years of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">toiling away from my family, its going to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flanked on either side by her two best friends, Shabana and Srinivas, Tara pointed to the audience and said, "I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">see my future clearly. Do you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is dreams.</b></span>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-36212644134918008402013-12-13T10:36:00.002-08:002013-12-13T17:04:45.976-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The room was all set. The extra mattress had been made into a comfortable bed. Water was left for me on the table. I changed into my pj's and sat down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You can sleep on my bed Kavya. I will sleep on the mattress." said Tara, as if reading the fear I had in my mind of sleeping on the floor with my almost "friend" mr.whirlwind. "Thanks Tara", I said, unreasonably agreeing to her, for fear overcame my manners. And I was feeling comfortable with the whole family, especially Tara. She was wonderful company and I missed spending such time with my sister and family as I lived alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara played music on her computer. I asked her what it was. "Its A.R.Rahman's compositions for the movie "Maryaan"", beamed Tara. I sighed. I seriously never had time for music, let alone for Tamil movies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we sat down to talk, Mr.whirlwind trotted by and sat at Tara's feet, as if expecting to be a part of the conversation. "He loves to talk" laughed Tara, reading my mind again. woof!! he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smiled. I was getting used to having him around without that familiar feeling of fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"So tell me about everyone" I said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hmm.. where do I start?" Tara mused. "Ok. I will tell you first about all those people who really stood by my parents always. First of course are my grandparents, both paternal and maternal. They are the best. You met one Paati. My thatha(grandfather) did not turn up with her because he does not believe in god and in temples. They have been arguing forever on this topic. Irony is they stay in Madurai, the temple city." she laughed. "My maternal grandparents and really sweet people, hardly talk, but do visit often. They stay in Thanjavur."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My mom and dad both dont have siblings. So there the only other relations are through my grandparents and they dont live in chennai."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I do have to tell you about our dear neighbours and well wishers. Cherian uncle and aunty. They have helped mum and dad forever. Aunty taught me all the christmas carols. They cook vegetarian specially for us on christmas, and we have dinner with them every year. They come over on diwali, pongal and every other festival, birthday and anniversary. They are another set of grandparents to me." she smiled fondly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My music teacher, Mrs. Kaadambari, My karate instructor, Ramesh sir, my first teacher Alamelu ma'am, she taught me braille as well. My teachers at school and college."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr.whirlwind slowly moved towards where I was sitting. I stiffened. But he did nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara passed me some chocolate. "I love chocolate. dont you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I do...but I try to cut down on them. I eat too much." I put a piece of chocolate in my mount mentally making a calculation of my calorie intake today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My teachers were all very considerate and helpful. But the best thing about school and college are my friends, Shabana and Srinivas. Shabana and I are friends from school. She is the one who accompanies me to college everyday too. Srinivas became friends with us after we joined college. They both are amazing. We do have a whole gang at college, the music team, the choir, but they are special. They have supported and helped me through college."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the corner of my eye, I could see he had moved a little closer. His eyes were fixed on me. Or was it my imagination? I could see a tiny wag in his tail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"MY friend Shabana is the best. I tell her everything. She loves the idea of love. Silly kiddo. Always reading romance and tries to get me to read them too. I heard she dances beautifully. She is in the dramatics club as well. I have attended each and every one of her performances. And she, mine. Her father was the one who found tigger for me. He introduced us to tigger's vet Dr.Padmanaban, who also helped us a lot. He brought home Tigger's trainer, Ganesh Anna(brother)."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Shabana, Srinivas and I had a great time at college. Our roll numbers were almost next to each other, because it was in alphabetic order. so even during exams we mostly sat behind each other. They came over quite often and I have visited their houses several times too. We have had several "study" sessions, that did not turn out as educational as we expected." she laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There is one more person who has been with us throughout and still does keep in touch. Mrs.Lalitha, a counselor, who had in the beginning helped my parents."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"All these people form a very important part of my life. Its kind of sounding like a vote of thanks, right?" she smiled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"More chocolate?" she asked and I denied outright. No more food!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Maybe the dentist played an important role in my life too...I have terrible teeth!!" she laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He had now crawled right up to me, and put his head on my knee. I put my hand on his head. He whimpered and wagged his tail furiously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He likes you." Said Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"First dog in the history of dogs to like me" I said, and we laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I don't have to tell you how important my parents are to me. You have heard from them and from me what they have done for me. There are no words that can be used to describe their love for me. They don't expect a single thing from me but for me to be happy."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There is one other person in my life, may not seem to others, but to me he is a person. He has been with me each and every step of my life, literally!! Tigger. Love him to bits. He understands my every mood and used to sit by me whenever I felt down or lacked confidence, as if to reassure me that he is there for me no matter what. He would never leave my side when I fell sick. He was more than just a companion to me. I really dont know how to explain it to you. He protected me vehemently when we stepped out of the house, picked up anything I dropped, opened doors for me, and never left my side for a moment. All this may seem very ordinary to you, but to me his presence was reassuring."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I was distraught when he passed away 3 years back." she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I jerked my hand from the top of Mr.whirlwind's head and shuddered. This was not Tigger??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be continued...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is people.</b></span>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-50096275593718295852013-12-12T05:03:00.000-08:002013-12-12T06:11:04.545-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was 4.30 in the evening. Meghna asked, "Amma, what shall I make for tiffen?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiffen? I thought. I have to enrol into a gym the minute I get back. Tara unknowingly came </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to my rescue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Paati, its time for my walk. I dont want tiffen."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tara, you are not going out alone. Appa(father) cant go to walk with you today." said </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I agree, its not safe. Is almost evening. Meghna's right" said paati.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"appa?" Tara said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Paati and Meghna looked expectantly at Aakaash. "Uh...' he stuttered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara quietly pointed at me. "Kavya can go with Tara. There wont be a problem. Tara knows her </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">way. she has been going there for years now. I think it will be fine. You can go Tara" </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aakaash smiled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paati grumbled something inaudible and walked into the kitchen followed by a very quiet </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got ready to go on the walk. The whirlwind was put on a leash that was held by Tara, along with a white walking stick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paati came running. "Tara, do you have money with you, your phone? Don't be too long. Be </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">back before 6.00. Before the evening puja. Its friday, remember?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.google.co.in/imgres?biw=1137&bih=518&tbm=isch&tbnid=vR0RQqCwV0ZaqM:&imgrefurl=http://pbhien.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/henley-beach-sunset-girl-walking-her-dog/&docid=hvzp5yAMPixwOM&imgurl=http://pbhien.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/girlsunset.jpg%253Fw%253D860&w=860&h=571&ei=DK6pUpH1J-LW7Qbhg4GoAg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:14,s:0,i:118&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=181&tbnw=246&start=10&ndsp=14&tx=146&ty=103">Image courtesy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rushed out of the house. Tara said, "I thought you might want to know how I move outside </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the house. How I travel to college everyday. How I go for a walk every evening."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smiled. I was getting used to Tara figuring out what I Thought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we reached the gate, she said "Turn left"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I walk with dad every single day. Its our time together everyday. Watch out for that ditch </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kavya." she said. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had almost stepped into it. I was quite amazed. "I know this route pretty well. And how </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">well our corporation works too. We need to take a right at the small tea stall in the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">corner. I travel to college every day by bus. My dad used to walk me to the bus stop every </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">day till I got used to the route. I take the same bus every day and the same time. My best </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">friend comes with me every day. The days she does not turn up the regular people at the bus </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stop help me out with the bus numbers. The driver and conductor know me too. I quite popular </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">don't you think.". she laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our whirlwind seems very well behaved. He walks with us quietly, not distracted by all the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">movement and chaos around him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I love the ride. The wind on my face. I hear both familiar and new voices every day. People </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who take the same bus every day just like me. The sounds of the market as we cross by it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The voices of the vendors selling there wares, women bargaining, school children chattering </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">excitedly as they go to school and the weird smell of damp vegetables."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We reached the park gate. Tara stops. "Here we are. come on in."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we enter a not very large park but a neatly maintained one nevertheless. There are </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">several people walking already. Few kids playing in the play area and their mothers sitting </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by on the bench watching them chatting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The bus then stops at the junction. When there is a whole lot of car horns going off, I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">know the signal turned green."she smiles, "We take a right at the junction around the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fountain. I can hear the water and feel the bus swerve. We then cross a hospital zone where </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the no one uses the horn. My college is not very far off fortunately. Its just two stops </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the junction."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hello, Anand uncle, on time as usual?" Tara asks a gentleman as he crosses us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hi Tara..of course..never missed a day! how are you doing today?" he asks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Fine as always, say hi to aunty for me." says Tara and we move on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see a bunch of guys with their motorbikes laughing. I feel uncomfortable walking towards </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them. As Tara and I cross them, one of them says, "Hello, ma'am'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara says, "oh, hello rahul, you guys were not here for the past few days"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"College tour, just got back, we had an awesome time." Said another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"That is wonderful..good for you." smiles Tara "Bye guys, got to go"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bye', holler for us if you need anything" Rahul says.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What was that about?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara laughed, "They used to tease me till I showed them a small demo of the karate I knew"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We both laughed. We passed by the play area. "Hi Tara' Called one of the ladies sitting on </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the bench. We walked over and all the children came over to pet mr.whirlwind. And to my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">surprise he was quite the gentleman. Tara let him off the leash and play with the children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sat down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I have not traveled out of town much. Paati once did take us to Madurai Meenakshi Amman </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">temple. It was a wonderful experience. The station, the train, the ride to my paati's house, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the Temple itself was just amazing"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The aura in a Temple is second to none. Its simply divine. The chant of the mantras. The </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">smell of camphor, fresh flowers and holy ash. The feel the granite as we walk around the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">temple. The heat that it radiates. The taste of the prasad. The only thing I did feel bad </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about was that I could not take tigger inside the temple. I felt an elephant for the first </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">time at that temple. It was exactly the same feeling you had when you touched him yesterday" </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she laughed as the whirlwind ran back to Tara, put his head on her knee wagging his tail </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">furiously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She takes a bowl out of her bag, puts it down, opens a water bottle, felt and put a finger </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the bowl while pouring out the water so she knows when to stop. He laps up the water </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">urgently and Tara gives him a few biscuits. She then packs the bowl and bottle in a plastic </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cover before putting it back in the bag. The then uses a sanitiser on her hands. I am </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">impressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Lets go, Paati panics perpetually, poor paati." she sniggered, making fun of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I laughed. We walk back home after a number of good byes. We laugh and talk all the way </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">back. As puja gets over, I request to go back to my hotel room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Not a chance. you cannot leave on a friday. That too at evening after the lamp is lit in the house." said paati vehemently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After much discussion and bargaining, it was decided that Aakaash would drive me to the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hotel to pick up my stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were back right in time for dinner. I sigh. Paati is worse than Meghna. I overeat. We </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then sit down for a game of anthakshari. I had a beautiful time. Paati was brilliant with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">songs of yester years while Tara seemed to know songs from several languages. Time passed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">easily and it was time for bed. There was some confusion about the sleeping arrangements and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I offered to sleep in the hall so Paati can sleep in the room I used.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amma, Kavya can sleep with me. It will be fun. We can listen to music. We can talk all night </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kavya. I will tell you all about school and college. About all my friends and everyone. It </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">will be like a sleepover. We'll have great fun." Said Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"That is a good idea. Let me get out the spare matress."said Aakaash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sat down dreading the idea of sleeping in the same room as him. He was watching me as </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">always. This time his tail wagging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be continued....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is travel.</b></span>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-34436225418148129862013-12-11T05:51:00.000-08:002013-12-11T05:51:16.716-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lunch. My life has become all about food. I stuff myself as usual. We watch the news as we eat. This is the first time since </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came here, the television was turned on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we listened Meghna said,"It really scares me to watch the news these days. There is always some news about kidnapping, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rape or likewise. Its just not safe for girls these days."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amma", Tara said, "It does not matter if you are a girl or a boy to be kidnapped. Human trafficking does not know gender. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only the purpose is different."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Whatever you say, I cant just sit coolly while you go out on your own sometimes. It scares me to no end." Meghna said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara smiled. "Kavya, amma is always concered about me going out alone. But I think they have prepared me well enough for it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First I have him with me, (i heard a low woof!) second, I learnt karate..and then.."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You know karate?" I asked, interupting her, totally in awe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yes. I learnt it solely for the purpose of self defence. And I never go out alone. My best friends are always with me." said </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I am still not convinced" Meghna grumbled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Was it tough to learn?" I asked her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara smiled. "Nothing is tough if you set your heart to it. My parents taught me that. I work with sounds and rhythm. I use </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the sounds around me and how they resonate, to estimate distances and presence of objects in my path. The same goes for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">defense, in predicting moves based on sounds. And everything has a rhythm. Listen to amma's foot steps. There is a specific </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rhythm to it. To her chopping vegetables. The dripping water from the tap. The carpenter hammering a nail. The mailman </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">running at the sight of Tigger..ha ha.."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"So how did it all start? How did you learn to do all that?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I could not possibly learn rhythm, without knowing music. My parents played loads of music when I was a baby. Taught me to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">identify places with sounds. Check this out. My dad used to sit and play with me in the sandbox outside. The left the windows </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">open and my mom always played that radio in the kitchen, next to the service area, so I could know in which direction the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">house was. From within the house, I can find the dining area from the sounds of the wind chimes at the window. The puja room </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plays my favourite chants all the time, if not, the lovely fragrance of the flowers, camphor and insence sticks help me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna stopped her and continued, "Tara hated toys that make noise. So we bought her toys that played soft music and left </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them around the house so she would move and find them. And she did. That's the way we got her to explore the house. But the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">best was when Tigger turned up. We put bells around his neck. But he ran all over the place and it was very confusing." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara laughed at the thought. "I have a big collection of music. I prefer soft music to hard rock and jazz. I learnt carnatic </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">music and trained in Hindustani vocals as well. I was in my school and college music team and choir. I made so many friends </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there. It was so much fun."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"All that said, I feel the safest when Tigger is around me. I have never been without him. Except at school and college </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hours. But he is trained to help me. Only after training did he become a little obedient." Smiled Tara.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0TWCC6TdT-trUgqbiY2krvI2BeSzktHF2Wr05UaJFz-KFPQ6EfsAq12Ms-LdgtqKQmnCxi2a_h_P_ll48hNY5sdk8LNpDh_EYOXU3v6IawFKjkbb2DxDQhHCj3q3a0DkWFcY24L1awk/s1600/girlndogfinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0TWCC6TdT-trUgqbiY2krvI2BeSzktHF2Wr05UaJFz-KFPQ6EfsAq12Ms-LdgtqKQmnCxi2a_h_P_ll48hNY5sdk8LNpDh_EYOXU3v6IawFKjkbb2DxDQhHCj3q3a0DkWFcY24L1awk/s320/girlndogfinal.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/123882961/girl-dog-back-to-back-silhouette-nature">Image courtesy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You mean he became probably 1% better than the mischief maker he was", Said Meghna and we all laughed together. I saw a tail </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wag. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How is it he reacts to your every statement? Its just amazing. Its as if he knows what you are thinking." I tell Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He does assess my moods beautifully. You should get used to him. come here. You can start by petting him." She called.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I froze. "That's a dangerous and disasterous proposition" I said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dogs are like A.R.Rahman's music. You have no idea when you first listen to the song. It sound vague and confusing and not </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">too great. But the more number of times you listen to his music, it grows on you and never goes away. It stays in your heart </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">forever." She said, I could sense the passion for music and her love for Tigger in her voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I moved over and sat next to..rather close to Tara. She called him over. He jumped up excitedly and ran around a few times </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before he sat at Tara's feet. Why can't he just walk over. I thought. I was shaking now. My heart rate increased and I was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweating. Am I going into cardiac arrest?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara put her hand on mine. She picked it up and placed it slowly on his head. It was soft. He looked into my eyes. I was focused on my hand. I patted his head a few times and slowly removed my hand. Looked like he loved it. He put his head on my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">knee. I pet him again. Not bad kavya...I thought. And the door bell rang. He barked, jumped up and ran to the door. I was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">definitely going into cardiac arrest the next time that happens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Stop him!!" I heard a new voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amma, he won't do anything. He is just excited to see you." I hear Aakaash's voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Paati(grandmother), come here, i want you to meet someone." Called Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara's grandmother walks in and hugs her. I stand up. "This is kavya, the journalist who is writing a story about me Paati" </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">says Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Namaste" I say folding my hands and touch her feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"See, there is a good girl. Tara I have taught you to say vanakkam(namaste in tamil) so many times. You never do it. And why have you let your </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hair loose? Its Friday. Its not good for the house. Meghna, why cant you tell her?" Paati said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sat down and watched fondly as the family sat down together and talked. I have to talk to Paati too. I thought. Evidently she was back from a pilgrimage of all south Indian temples and was explaining each visit as she handed over small packets of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vibuthi(holy ash) to Meghna. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sat there, I wondered, had Tara ever Traveled? How would that experience be for her? I would have to ask her that next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just then felt a soft head on my knee. I smiled as i gingerly put my hand on his head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be continued....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is music.</b></span>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-15037522366905897222013-12-10T04:33:00.001-08:002013-12-10T04:40:22.144-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up to the lovely chant of the Suprabhatham, in the voice of the everygreen </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M.S.Subbalakshmi, as I wondered where I was. Surprisingly, I slept really well and peacefully </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after a long time, I may add. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">woof! woof!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fully alert now. Knew exactly where I was. As I felt that familiar feeling of fear, I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">noticed that fresh clothes, a towel and new toiletaries have been laid out for me. I smiled </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at Meghana's thoughtfulness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast was lovely, both food and the company. Tara left for her room after breakfast </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">followed by that same whirlwind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Does she always stay in her room and keep to herself?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No no, she is working on her speech for Monday." said Meghana as she begun to clear out the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">table. I got up to help. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I helped her with the dishes, I asked, "So what happened when you brought Tigger home?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Chaos" laughed Meghana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aakaash laughed at the thought too. He said, "Oh yes, I remember vividly those first few </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">days, All we hear was screaming, barking, screaming, whining, crying, barking in different </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">order. Tara was petified of the soft moving object that was as curious about her as she was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about it. Then all calmed down slowly. She got used to having him around. She loved it when </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he tried to cuddle up next to her. One fine day we found them sound asleep next to each </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">other. Tara had her hand protectively over him. It was a sight we could never forget."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They became inseperable, except when she had to attend school. He became quite a menace </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when she was not around. So we called in a trainer."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.google.co.in/imgres?hl=en&biw=1137&bih=518&tbm=isch&tbnid=RbUO5iUtORVWaM:&imgrefurl=https://reallycutepets.wordpress.com/category/cute-dogs/cute-puppies/page/6/&docid=ZNrFjtI0LiJcQM&imgurl=http://reallycuteanimals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/120126-1-puppy.jpg&w=720&h=488&ei=owWnUsiMLuKCiQfe9IDgBg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:90,s:0,i:354&iact=rc&page=7&tbnh=186&tbnw=273&start=82&ndsp=15&tx=141&ty=94"> Image courtesy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Why the name "Tigger"?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"This was one bouncy dog..you should have seen him. All he did was jump up and down on </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everything he could climb on. It was really funny, actually..hence the name." said Aakaash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we moved to the hall, I asked "You have quite a collection of books in your living room. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see an amazing variety of subjects too. How does Tara...?" I let the question trail, not </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">knowing how to continue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna came to my rescue,"We read out to her as a kid. As she begun regular school, she </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">learnt braille. We got her a braille typewriter. And as years passed more and more audio </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">book were available. It started out as CD's and now we can download books through several </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sources online. Tara loves books. She would keep asking us to read story books over and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She paused and thought for a minute...Interrupting her thoughts, I asked,"may I go up to her </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">room?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ofcourse you may...the first door on the right, upstairs." said Meghana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"upstairs?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"She thinks we fuss over her too much when she had her room downstairs. She believes that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna will not be able to climb the stairs too many times. She underestimates the power of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a concerned mother." Aakaash says, grinning. Meghana gives him a friendly jab in the rib.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smile and walk upstairs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I reach the door and knock. "Come in" Says Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I step in she says, "Hi kavya, welcome to my room" and smiles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How did you know it was me?" I ask.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Well, My mom never knocks, my dad stomps up the stairs...can't miss that, and this fellow </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">never leaves me, so that leaves you." says Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smile and look around. Unlike any 20 year old's room, there are no pictures of movie </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stars, rock stars or sachin tendulkar. surprisingly well lit, the room is simple. A bed at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the far end of the room, A computer on a desk that is lined against the wall, next to which </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a typewriter. There are several shelves on walls that are filled with Cd's. I step a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little closer to see what CD's they are, wary of black beady eyes watching my every move. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was something different in the way they were labelled. As I took a closer look..I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">realized they were labelled in Braille!!! wow! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"so, what do you like to read" asked Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned around surprised. I was going to ask the questions. I nervously sat on the corner </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the bed. "A bit of this and that. Though getting time is tough, I try, as I travel..." I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara chuckled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You dont have to be nervous. He won't do anything to you. He is a really sweet dog. Why are </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you terrified of him?" Tara said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Is it that obvious? its a complicated culmination of catastrophic events created by one </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">creepy canine" I said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"HA HA HA..."Tara burst out laughing. "To me he is that particularly precious pet and person on </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this planet, who is precious, playful and passionate. HA HA HA"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.google.co.in/imgres?hl=en&biw=1137&bih=518&tbm=isch&tbnid=-HnRfmSxfgQysM:&imgrefurl=http://www.redbubble.com/people/blaizerb/works/8996264-naughty-puppy&docid=kX0HeTqCV1H61M&imgurl=http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.12098488.6264/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg&w=550&h=367&ei=_AWnUvaRC4XOiAeJyoDIBg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:14,s:0,i:139&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=176&tbnw=239&start=5&ndsp=15&tx=118&ty=31">Image courtesy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Perfect" I sighed. And we both laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"On a more serious note" Tara said, "He loves me unconditionally. I don't know what I would </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">do without him. I am really thankful my parents brought him into my life." As if he knew she </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was talking about him, he walked over and put his head on her knee. I cringed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ok..ok..let's not talk about that. Let me tell you about what I love. Even before I could </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">understand anything, my parents read out books to me. I grew up on stories and the life my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parents gave the stories through their voices. To me books are like a source of not only </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">information but my personal link to the entire universe. I love to listen to audio books, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">any that I can lay my virtual hands on. I love mystery, medical thrillers, courtroom novels, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">horror, autobiographies, self help books and books on general knowledge too. I love </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">quizzing. Was on the school and college quiz team." She beamed. "Somehow i was never drawn </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to romantic stuff. My best friend loves reading such stuff and always tries to dump such </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">books on me." She says affectionately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, time passed easily. It was almost lunch time. The clock struck one. Tara said, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"one ...two...three...and viola"...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I heard Meghna's voice from below. TARA...KAVYA...come down for lunch. Tara grinned and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">said, "Better get down immediately. She is tougher to handle than him."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We walked down together laughing, as the whirlwind brushed past my leg. I held my breath, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">put one hand on Tara's shoulder and as I walked down I felt so much a part of the family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the best assignment I ever had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be continued...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is books.</b></span>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-54345733584080448842013-12-09T04:07:00.000-08:002013-12-09T05:31:02.929-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darn. A dog. I dread and dislike dogs. I feel desperate, daunted and want to disappear.<br /><br />I am doing it again. I have to stop. <br /><br />Fortunately no one notices my Phobia for that little troublemaker who is currently running in circles around the sofa for no apparent reason. I take a deep breath and pray.<br /><br />Dinner is amazing. I love food and Meghna turned out to be an awesome cook. Dinner and conversation, a lovely combination. I had begun to love their company and Tara seemed to love a good intelligent conversation.<br /><br />We sat in the hall for dessert. Tara left for her room. A fast moving Whirlwind ran behind her. I breathed a sigh of relief.<br /><br />Aakaash and Meghna sat opposite me. <br /><br />"So what happened next" I asked.<br /><br />This time Aakaash spoke. "The first step that we had to take was to get Tara accustomed to her surroundings and get familiar with people. We introduced ourselves every time we picked her up. Physical contact is really important. I would hug her, hold her tight, walk with her facing forwards, lie down next to her, put my fingers in hers so she learns to grasp, and when she did gain the confidence and trust in me, she took her first step holding my hand. I then took her around the room and helped her feel the furniture, the carpet, the door and other things. Most importantly telling her what each and everything was. It was a long drawn process and needed a lot of patience. Slowly but surely Tara learned. And the more she learned the more curious she got. She was a fast learner and we had to think up of new things to teach her."<br /><br />"The one thing we had to avoid was to say things like "don't you see it" or "its right before your eyes" or any reference to vision. Then we thought of food. Eating was something we do regularly and many times a day. why not make it a learning experience? Touch, hear, smell and taste."<br /><br />"From then on I held Tara in the kitchen as Meghna cooked. Explained each sound. The cooker. The mixie. The sound of milk being poured. Her bottle being washed. The sound of biting the food. Chewing. Cutting. Some days were frustrating. Tara just refused to be cooperative. But our patience bore fruit. Years passed. Tara was able to identity what was cooking just by the smell. She sat at the table in her high chair and ate on her own. The table was always arranged the exact same way every single day. spoon on the right, bowl in the center, cup on the left, milk on her right, juice bottle in front. So she would never go wrong."<br /><br />"She learned textures and flavors. Cornflakes were crunchy. Milk a liquid. Chocolate was sweet. Sugar was also sweet but she could hear it when she bit it. Biscuits crumbled. Mashed potatoes were soft. Rice was grainy. chilli was hot. We were amazed at how she analyzed each and everything that was around her and how much she concentrated on what we said."<br /><br />"She had started going to a special school..a beginners school. But that was only for two hours, it was just like play school. Meghna had to stay with her till she started to trust the teacher. She enjoyed the company of the other kids. She learned about the environment. The car she traveled in. The sun that she hated. Its ironic that we live in chennai." Aakaash grinned.<br /><br />"But she learned to associate things with sound, texture, taste and feel. What we would normally do with with our sight."<br /><br />"But this was just not enough. We had to go further. She was still dependent upon us to move and was scared of playing with moving toys. So we took the biggest step in Tara's life."<br /><br />Meghna smiled and said, "And it was the best step. We were pushing it a bit, but then the results were phenomenal."<br /><br />"Kavya, you want more dessert?" asked Meghna.<br /><br />"Are you kidding? dont stop now...do tell me what you did?" I said.<br /><br />"It is getting late and you should get to bed. Maybe we can continue tomorrow. You look tired. I dont think we should keep you up any longer." said Meghna.<br /><br />What a time for her motherly instincts to kick in!! But I had to agree I was tired and sleepy from all the food Meghna had stuffed into me. What's with food and mothers? They stuff everyone else but dont seem to eat anything.<br /><br />As I was shown to my room. I put on my pleading look and asked Meghna to please please tell me what it was, otherwise I was not going to get my much needed sleep.<br /><br />She laughed and said, "We brought home Tigger, a fawn coloured labrador puppy."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/01532-yellow-labrador-pup">Image courtesy</a><br /><br />"Now sleep in peace, good night"<br /><br />Darn. That dog again. I am drained. I will dream of devilish deadly dogs. I drowned my disappointment in one more helping of delicious dessert.<br /><br />Stop. stop. I told myself. Again. you are doing it again.<br /><br /><i>To be continued....</i><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is food.</b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">References:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blindchildren.org/infoabout/">http://www.blindchildren.org/infoabout/</a><br /><br /><a href="https://secure2.convio.net/psb/site/SPageServer?pagename=Webcasts_MealtimeSkills_SueShannon">https://secure2.convio.net/psb/site/SPageServer?pagename=Webcasts_MealtimeSkills_SueShannon</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/copingwithsightloss/parentsplace/parenting%20%20/pages/parentsliving.aspx">http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/copingwithsightloss/parentsplace/parenting /pages/parentsliving.aspx</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.perkins.org/resources/scout/early-childhood/daily-living-skills.html">http://www.perkins.org/resources/scout/early-childhood/daily-living-skills.html</a></span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-90377868635073531482013-12-08T03:23:00.001-08:002013-12-08T03:29:56.355-08:00TARA AND TIGGER Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"An extraordinary student. I am extremely proud to have been associated with her." said the principal. "Proud to present </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tara Aakaash, Best outgoing student, Academic year 2012-13."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The auditorium burst into a thunderous applause as Tara stepped on stage. The entire audience was on their feet as Tara </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">received her Award and her Masters degree in Psychology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stood beside Meghna and Aakaash, Tara's parents. I did not see Tara. I did not see the reaction of the audience or the people on the dais. All I saw was these two people, who stood with tears of pride, love and happiness as their years of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">commitment, hard work and sacrifice finally was rewarded with this wonderful moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am Kavya. A journalist. I flew down to Chennai to write a story on Tara. Four days ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a nice evening, a Thursday to be exact, as I landed on their doorstep. I rang the doorbell and looked around. A lovely home, an independent house (tough to own and maintain one these days..i thought), a small garden with an enchanting variety </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of flowers that smelled like heaven (good smells in chennai!! that's inviting), a sand box and a swing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In front of the house was a lovely 'kolam'. The door was opened by Meghna, clad in a simple cotton saree, kumkum on her forehead, jasmine flowers in her hair and a radiant smile. One cant help but like her. I introduce myself, remove my sandals </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and step into the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She asks me to make myself comfortable. I sit down on the sofa, get out my laptop and recorder. A simple house, simply </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">decorated, practical furniture...hmmm not too much clutter. In the puja room the lamp is lit, from the soft fumes of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">incense sticks emanates the smell of sandalwood and the house resonates the soft chants of the Gayathri Mantra that is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">playing. The walls are adorned with pictures of Tara as a child, at school, and many many more. The kitchen is adjacent to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the hall cum dining room. An open kitchen, I see a radio at the corner of the service area. Beautiful bamboo wind chimes hang </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just outside the open french windows that over look the garden. The hall has a large shelf filled with books and Music Cds. I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was surprised at how old the model of the TV was. The house looked welcoming and was as if it was set up to stimulate all our </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">senses...except...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna walks in with a hot cup of filter coffee. "I hope you like coffee", she says. A ridiculous question to ask a journalist and a workaholic. I grin and thank her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Thank you for agreeing to share Tara's story with us." I said. "We can just start of with a few details today and then </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continue tomorrow if you are not comfortable. Its totally your choice. By the way, where is everyone else?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They have gone out for their walk as usual."she smiled. "But we can start. I will tell you what I can. Do ask me what you </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">want to know."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Lets start at the very beginning. When Tara was born." I said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The day Tara was born was and is the most beautiful memory in my life. August 25th 1991. I was in labor for more than 14 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hours. Aakaash refused to leave my side and had to literally be kicked out of the delivery room." she chuckled at the memory. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It was an uneventful pregnancy with no complications or incidents. It was late in the evening when she was born, a normal </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">delivery. Aakaash sat by my side cuddling the baby girl who was sleeping contentedly in his arms. He was esctatic. He wanted </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a girl you see. His parents and mine sat in the room calling every person in their phone contacts list."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It was a beautiful night. Clear skies. One could see all the stars in the sky."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tara" Aakaash said. "I am going to call her Tara"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Everything seemed just right. Perfect in fact."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In the next few months we faced what we never even dreamed of. Tara would not stop crying. She wailed and wailed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if anyone picked her up. She hated it when we brought her into the light. The only time she was not crying was when she was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feeding or when she was sleeping. Six months passed. She gained weight. She was calm every time Aakaash or I held her. She </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just refused to be carried by anyone she did not know. She did not try to roll over. Did not like toys. Rattles and any toys </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that made noise or even soft music scared her to no end. She just screamed and screamed. It was horrifying for us. She did </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not make eye contact. And hated it when we left her alone in her crib."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Pediatrition finally told us to take Tara to an Ophtalmologist. It was puzzling to us but we complied. He told us to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">take a electroretinography (ERG) after a preliminary exam of Tara. It was to be done under mild sedation. We sat there in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the waiting room, hoping against all odds that nothing is wrong with her. We were told that Tara had what is known as Leber’s </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congenital Amaurosis. It is an inherited retinal degenerative disease characterised by severe loss of vision at birth. It </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seemed that our perfect world just crashed around us. We sat in shocked silence and as the doctor explained to us about the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">condition. Evidently it was a very rare genetic condition that had no treatment yet."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We cried for what seemed like days. Our parents were being very supportive but nothing helped. My only concern was that </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little bundle sleeping in my arms totally oblivious of what she has to face as she grew up."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meghna wiped a tear and said, "Its been more than 20 years, that day is etched in my memory as the worst day in our lives. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything changed. After a week of crying and discussing and crying and fighting and more crying, Aakaash and I decided </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enough was enough. We had to figure this out. We were making a choice, not to sit and watch our baby fight, but to fight with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her. If possible fight for her. To do the best to make life as normal as possible. We read books by the dozen. We spoke to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">other parents with visually challenged children. We went for counselling. Everything may help. In the end, it is our faith, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">family support and commitment that changed our lives forever.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We decided we will forget that Tara lacked one of her senses. She does have the others. So we were going to stimulate the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">others!!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMslrmmiEQaIWPktKZGqq1HaNmtCmqe2TwPoeothzlUhyOKT3DKuKSCQgWX_Y67NiIkVvd6byaeCJzQSzkYyHZ3_V7Rzv5OEAXGl-wLXGSVPF1-DiantMs3KkJGptZGtLxgsK-qNS1jc/s1600/day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMslrmmiEQaIWPktKZGqq1HaNmtCmqe2TwPoeothzlUhyOKT3DKuKSCQgWX_Y67NiIkVvd6byaeCJzQSzkYyHZ3_V7Rzv5OEAXGl-wLXGSVPF1-DiantMs3KkJGptZGtLxgsK-qNS1jc/s320/day1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.google.co.in/imgres?biw=1137&bih=518&tbm=isch&tbnid=tk9VHHdgA2qWWM:&imgrefurl=http://www.redditpics.com/hands-joined-together-with-love-mom-dad-amp-bab,1263578/&docid=Vt0rf-eWll8NaM&imgurl=http://i.imgur.com/yyGDk.jpg&w=700&h=453&ei=JFekUqWIB4XMkQWt7oD4Dw&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:94,s:0,i:387&iact=rc&page=7&tbnh=181&tbnw=258&start=82&ndsp=15&tx=144&ty=75">Image courtesy</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At that point Tara and Aakaash walked in. After introductions and lots of chit chat I requested that I take leave so I can </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">come back tomorrow to continue. I realised I had forgotten to call for a Taxi. Meghna, the gracious host insisted I have </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dinner and stay over. Ofcourse she would not accept the excuse of not having my clothes with me. Tara could lend me hers. I c</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">onsidered the offer. The hotel was quite far off and it was getting late and I was quite enjoying the company of this lovely </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">family. I accepted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's when I saw. Saw what I had not noticed before. It zipped right past me as I squealed and pulled up my legs in fear. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God save me. How am I even going to stay here I thought in horror.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To be continued......</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am taking part in The<a href="http://writetribe.com/"> Write Tribe Festival of Words</a> 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is memory/memories. </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkgysEpIENDlCW3fjT6KamPj5atH-KTjaeaypDL-9ZkWDt4zKYNmjm5o6R4iNiLpb5ndR7zx-4_HLUpZBC0Y8oBOt98Np03Y54sd0zvG4DZJcA0Azg2JgjS8nEIB300Ic691tCtriK7o/s1600/writetribe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkgysEpIENDlCW3fjT6KamPj5atH-KTjaeaypDL-9ZkWDt4zKYNmjm5o6R4iNiLpb5ndR7zx-4_HLUpZBC0Y8oBOt98Np03Y54sd0zvG4DZJcA0Azg2JgjS8nEIB300Ic691tCtriK7o/s1600/writetribe.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">References</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.retina-international.org/eye-conditions/retinal-degenerative-conditions/leber-congenital-amaurosis/#trans">http://www.retina-international.org/eye-conditions/retinal-degenerative-conditions/leber-congenital-amaurosis/#trans</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/lebers-congenital-amaurosis-lca-faq">http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/lebers-congenital-amaurosis-lca-faq</a></span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-48906894096725983852013-11-23T22:28:00.000-08:002013-11-23T22:28:18.080-08:00MAKE IT COUNT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was a social worker. She, and a few other helpful and passionate citizens, were working for the past year and a half in rescuing children from forced prostitution and rehabilitating them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She sat in the balcony of her apartment, her legs propped up on a stool the held a cushion to support her ankle, while her mother brought her soup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Why do you have to do this? can't you get someone to help? the police? I understand the importance and gravity of the situation. I am proud of what you do. But must you go yourself every time?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a regular dialogue between the two of them. This time she was beaten up when she tried to escape with two girls she had tried to rescue from the clutches of those "animals"!! A sprained ankle, a few bruises and a painful back. Nothing serious. The girls were safe. That was all that mattered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then mothers will be mothers. Concern written all over her face, she leaves the soup and walks away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two days later. She sat at the hospital, waiting for her check up, talking on the phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of her regular informers had found out that 15 girls were going to be sold abroad sometime in the next week. There were a few big names involved. Lot of pressure. Lots of money involved. Quite risky, was the informer's warning. She was not going to tell her mom. not yet. She would unnecessarily worry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She stepped out of the hospital after collecting her reports of the complete master check up that her mother had insisted on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was drizzling. She shivered slightly as the cold wind hit her and mild droplets of water fell on her face. She was more determined than ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time, she raised the bar...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was going to save those lives before they stepped out of Indian soil. Come what may. she had nothing to lose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had just found out she did not have much time to live. She was going to make it count.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: left;">This post is a part of </span><a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/11/22/wow-weekend-creative-writing-prompts">Write Over the Weekend</a><span style="text-align: left;">, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by </span><a href="http://blogadda./">BlogAdda<span style="text-align: left;">.</span></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This time your entry must contain, ‘<b>This time, she raised the bar…</b>’</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: center;">When I Figured Out What This Girl Is Doing, I Felt Sick To My Stomach</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.upworthy.com/">http://www.upworthy.com</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Damn. We all know statistics are</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">supposed </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">to provide insight, but sometimes numbers just make problems more abstract. That's not the case with this video. It feels so real that I wish it wasn't.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dR2sJ9VtcjI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.upworthy.com/when-i-figured-out-what-this-girl-is-doing-i-felt-sick-to-my-stomach-rn2-6c?g=2">Video courtesy</a></span></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-68024030198556122102013-11-15T02:49:00.001-08:002013-11-19T03:47:17.202-08:00A NEW LEASE ON LIFE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P2NnazR10zI_f4I8Xi-YOiq2X-9BBjIXj2bZCW7se5A2iNZjX-LBJoSIYbZsG6Y19CalzODBbguEcg76oV615xEewSGCFSNI8gjhiBoeFFxplgvPDKuYhkfmoHKklKHSQr9yckKhKfI/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P2NnazR10zI_f4I8Xi-YOiq2X-9BBjIXj2bZCW7se5A2iNZjX-LBJoSIYbZsG6Y19CalzODBbguEcg76oV615xEewSGCFSNI8gjhiBoeFFxplgvPDKuYhkfmoHKklKHSQr9yckKhKfI/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had just got back from work. She worked with a women's organisation. They provide opportunities for self employment and employ women. Women and children who have been rescued from brothels and bonded labour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was around 4.00 pm. She heard voices. She lookef out her window that overlooked the slum in their area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I will come back at 11.00 tonight. I will give you an advance and the rest after the hand over." a voice said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She ran out and hid behind the compound wall to get a closer look. He was leaving. As he turned she saw a tattoo on his neck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had seen thst tattoo before! If only she could remember where.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As she racked her brains trying to figure it out, she saw the innocent 12 year old playing outside with her brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was something amiss. She felt that familiar throbbing in her forehead as she lay on her bed. Thinking. she closed her eyes. A few minutes passed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her eyes flew open as beads of perspiration formed on her forehead. Ofcourse!! How could she forget!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was 15. Sold by her parents who were tea pickers in assam. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of how he had raped her several times as she begged for mercy. After 3 years of sexual </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">slavery and violence, she was rescued by the organisation she currently worked for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After months of counselling and help she had only now settled in her new found life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She did not think twice. She picked up the phone and called.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning she woke up and looked out the window. She smiled as she saw the girl playing with her brother. She would never let what happened to her, happen to anyone else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was behind bars.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/11/15/for-the-love-of-writing-creative-prompt">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/">BlogAdda</a>. <br />
This time your entry must contain, ‘He/She had seen that tattoo before! If only he/she could remember where.’<br />
<br />
Human trafficking is the trade in humans, most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or for the extraction of organs<br />
or tissues,[1][2] including surrogacy and ova removal.<br />
In India BBC reports that police records from 2011 show kidnappings and abductions of women were up 19.4 per cent, so too women being killed in disputes over dowry payments by 2.7 per cent, torture by 5.4 per cent, molestation by 5.8 per cent and trafficking by 122 per cent over the last one year.<br />
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<a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/human-trafficking">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/human-trafficking</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://crs-blog.org/human-trafficking-in-india-one-womans-story/">http://crs-blog.org/human-trafficking-in-india-one-womans-story/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.prajwalaindia.com/home.html">http://www.prajwalaindia.com/home.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/global-initiatives/india/">http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/global-initiatives/india/</a></div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-87898204826379186432013-11-10T08:33:00.000-08:002013-11-19T03:46:14.964-08:00CONTROLLING INTEREST<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P2NnazR10zI_f4I8Xi-YOiq2X-9BBjIXj2bZCW7se5A2iNZjX-LBJoSIYbZsG6Y19CalzODBbguEcg76oV615xEewSGCFSNI8gjhiBoeFFxplgvPDKuYhkfmoHKklKHSQr9yckKhKfI/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P2NnazR10zI_f4I8Xi-YOiq2X-9BBjIXj2bZCW7se5A2iNZjX-LBJoSIYbZsG6Y19CalzODBbguEcg76oV615xEewSGCFSNI8gjhiBoeFFxplgvPDKuYhkfmoHKklKHSQr9yckKhKfI/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He drove fast and rash. He was livid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was not new. He got angry pretty often. What he was, what his life is and why he behaved </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the way he did was all her fault!! He smiled to himself. Yes...all her fault.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was in pain. Lying on the floor. Clutching her stomach. A sharp pain shot through her </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shoulder as she bit her lips to stop herself from screaming. This was not new. He saw her </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">talking to the milkman. She tried to explain it was nothing. But he would not believe her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He laughed loudly. He would plan better tomorrow. He would apologize tonight as usual, have </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his way...but tomorrow is another day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pain was getting worse. But she was scared. She was scared of what he would do if she </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">told someone. He even threatened to hurt her only companion, her labrador whom she adored. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had kept this a secret for too long. He would not allow her to keep in touch with her </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">family and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was the only important person in his world. And so should he be in her life. And why not? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything has to happen just the way he wants it when he wants It. He will go to any </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lengths to get what he wants. Emotional blackmail, shameless begging, apologizing, getting </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her gifts, belittling, shaming, threatening or even violence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She sobbed. She wad well educated. but he did not trust her enough to let her work. Why did </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she take such crap? She thought. She always tried to calm him, trying to keep him happy by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">doing things he likes and the way he wants. She thought of her parents who have 2 more </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">daughters to wed. She can make this work. She has to make it work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He knew power was everything. And fear. He had to be in control. He had to keep the fear </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alive. She was but his slave and servant who has to do his bidding. Why could she not </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">understand this simple concept?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was bleeding now...never before was it so bad. She had never gone to a doctor. Covered </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her bruises and wounds by wearing clothes that conceal them. She thought for a second.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He wondered why she did not call him and apologize. he always left a phone there just so </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she could. And she always called. and he would let it ring and ring till she calls him many t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">imes over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She picked up the phone and made one last phone call. "amma" she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he was wondering why she had not called, his phone started ringing. It was an unfamiliar </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">number. He realized he had been out of range for few minutes. It stopped ringing. He parked </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the car at the side of the road and checked his phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">38 missed calls in 10 mins! He wondered what was going on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All different numbers. Not one call from her. He called the last number. A female voice </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">answered. "I am your wife's lawyer. She has lodged a complaint against you. In the beating </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you gave her today she is not only injured but had a miscarriage. Any communications from </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">now on will be routed through me." He cut the line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She sat in the hospital surrounded by her family. she cried and cried as she was comforted </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by her loved ones. She felt the burden ease from her shoulders. The loss was irreparable but </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there was hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he felt a sinking sensation in his stomach. Panic </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">struck. They knew. They all knew. He started driving weighing his options. He could think of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">none. He could not think anymore. Tears rolled down. He did not see the bus in front of him </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as he made the turn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this is what pain and fear feel like...he thought...as his eyes closed involuntarily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/11/08/wow-whats-going-on-creative-writing-prompts">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/">BlogAdda</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This time your entry must contain, ’38 missed calls in 10 mins! He/She wondered what was going on.’</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Domestic violence need not be only physical or sexual in nature. Emotional violence also </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">exists. it may cause far more harm than just physical injuries. It need not be essentially </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">against women. It could be against old residents in a home, mentally or physically </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">challenged, people of different sexual orientation, and even men. Please check out the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">following links for more information on such violence and spread the word. A little </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">knowledge can can save a life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://m.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence">http://m.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.domesticviolence.org/">http://www.domesticviolence.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/domestic-violence">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/domestic-violence</a></span></div>
</div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-31824272399527378932013-11-02T01:20:00.001-07:002013-11-19T03:45:40.230-08:00ITS DIWALI!! - LETS PLAY IT NICE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P2NnazR10zI_f4I8Xi-YOiq2X-9BBjIXj2bZCW7se5A2iNZjX-LBJoSIYbZsG6Y19CalzODBbguEcg76oV615xEewSGCFSNI8gjhiBoeFFxplgvPDKuYhkfmoHKklKHSQr9yckKhKfI/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P2NnazR10zI_f4I8Xi-YOiq2X-9BBjIXj2bZCW7se5A2iNZjX-LBJoSIYbZsG6Y19CalzODBbguEcg76oV615xEewSGCFSNI8gjhiBoeFFxplgvPDKuYhkfmoHKklKHSQr9yckKhKfI/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its diwali morning!!! The house is filled with the delicious aroma of sweets and the amazing spread of diwali lunch that was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">being prepared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They hurriedly had their bath and and yelled, "come on, lets burst crackers!!."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They picked up the large assortment of crackers that included atom bombs, 100 walas, 1000 walas and many more. "Lets start with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the smaller crackers" dad said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For almost an hour they burst crackers and laugh and jump in joy. BANG BANG BANG....the place is filled with smoke and the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">street full of papers from the burst crackers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Lets burst the 10000 wala daddy...please..." the little one said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing they did'nt know that they were being watched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By a pair of scared beady black eyes from under the sofa on the verandah.. His tail between his legs. Shivering at every sound. "What are these sounds?" he wondered. He was petrified of them. It had been going on and on for a long time now. "I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">don't think I will go out anymore!!" he thinks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They start to burst their 10000 wala with loud cheers and applause from neighbors and onlookers. The loud noise of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">crackers drown the barks and whines of their one year old pet german sheperd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A PLEA TO FELLOW HUMANS: pet dogs are not the only ones who need to be cared for. Stray dogs also need the same </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">consideration. Let us try to celebrate a nice diwali and try to minimize loud crackers. If not able to stop it completely. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before turning vegetarian for the cause of prevention of animal cruelty, let us not burst crackers and help the animals right </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in front of our eyes. A small sacrifice for these poor creatures who we share our planet with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises">http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-12/delhi/35068073_1_pet-dog-three-stray-dogs-animal-lovers">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-12/delhi/35068073_1_pet-dog-three-stray-dogs-animal-lovers</a></span></div>
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This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/11/01/wow-creative-writing-topics-for-indian-bloggers">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/">BlogAdda</a>.This time your entry must contain, ‘One thing he/she/they didn’t know they were being watched.</div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-51555840848871402952013-11-01T09:48:00.002-07:002013-11-19T03:45:11.368-08:00THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1dJ866eNIMt29hMae0gZNEOrYW-giPgyr6mORvaVApL_kmiGRGagT9XBh4lsWDiJA5XBP3Q6GbeE0Wo1Lp4heZeR-gIQQuJYscNETqOh5ChU1KLficfFkkf22bIDy2YaE5hcSTWgJ1A/s1600/wowbadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1dJ866eNIMt29hMae0gZNEOrYW-giPgyr6mORvaVApL_kmiGRGagT9XBh4lsWDiJA5XBP3Q6GbeE0Wo1Lp4heZeR-gIQQuJYscNETqOh5ChU1KLficfFkkf22bIDy2YaE5hcSTWgJ1A/s1600/wowbadge.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
She sat alone in the room, on the floor, legs crossed as her back rested on the wall, straight.<br />
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The music player was playing Beethovin's fifth symphony.<br />
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She breathed and shifted uncomfortably.<br />
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Around the music player lay scattered several cd's.<br />
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Suprabatham to the Gayathri mantra.<br />
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A.R.Rahman and Illayaraja.<br />
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Billy joel, kenny G and the carpenters.<br />
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Kishore kumar and R.D.Burman.<br />
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An array of Disney classics.<br />
<br />
She streached her legs and relaxed a bit, humming the tune.<br />
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As Beethovin came to an end, she asked "what would you like to listen to next sweetheart? "<br />
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"Hmmm...come on...we listened to<br />
Rahman yesterday too. How about Billy Joel?"<br />
<br />
"no?" she said with a frown.<br />
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"Fine. ..how about some good Disney classics. I am sure you will love the lion king."<br />
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"ok?...that's great. Next time its my choice."<br />
<br />
She leaned over to change the CD.<br />
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One thing she din't know was that she was being watched.<br />
<br />
He walked into the room as he smiled at his 8 months pregnant wife and said, "here...let me do that for you".<br />
<br />
She smiled at him her face radiant and happy as she felt a little kick and tumble in her tummy.<br />
<br />
This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/11/01/wow-creative-writing-topics-for-indian-bloggers">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/">BlogAdda</a>.This time your entry must contain, ‘One thing he/she/they didn’t know they were being watched.</div>
preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-52543301332311002512013-10-26T20:21:00.001-07:002013-10-26T20:21:24.744-07:00THE VOICE OF HONESTY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I DID NOT DO IT!!" he said, loudly, his voice defiant and vehiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An honest government official, accused of taking a bribe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the entire office looks on. A few shocked faces. A few sad. A few perturbed and not knowing what to do. A few knowing smiles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An enquiry. All evidence perfectly set up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I did not do it." He strongly stated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he sat waiting, A man walks in. An offer. "Accept our terms and stay. Defy us and be prosecuted."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I did not do it." he said, angry and offended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A phone call. A senior official, in service for more than 30 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I dont know how many times I have to tell you this. I am telling you this out of my experience. Both the government and the people need more officals like you. But you can do more good being on the job than being suspended and put on perennial enquiry. Be smart and patient. With a higher post comes more authority. I am sending your transfer order. Its upto you to render yourself useless or make a difference long term."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I did not do it." he whispered and sobbed. "I know"..said his wife as she packed for their third move this year.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">This post is a part of </span><a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/10/25/wow-themes-for-creative-writing-for-weekend">Write Over the Weekend</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by </span><a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486553919538051950.post-88606719999648602522013-10-13T09:38:00.001-07:002013-10-26T20:17:18.020-07:00THE SLUDGE : A NANO BLUNDER part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read part 1check out : <a href="http://abitofthisandtat.blogspot.it/2013/10/a-nano-blunder.html?m=1">http://abitofthisandtat.blogspot.it/2013/10/a-nano-blunder.html?m=1</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The waves splash on the hull of the ships as they move slowly alongside the sludge. Splash....swish..splssh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within the ship....everyone sat in silence. They had been there for almost 12 hours now. They were watching videos made of the sludge...click click...the remote went in the hands of Tara Craft, historian and explorer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked around at the others in the room. Captain Kirk of the army was going tap tap tap on the table </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">impatiently with his pen. Drag pitt, youngest in the room, PhD in astro physics. .was Slurrp..drinking coffee. Jack Clover, FBI; Sigmund Droid, psychologist; Fleur de la mour, oceanographer; </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arya bhattacharya, mathematician and astronomer; who was currently pouring over lots of printouts...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally....whats his name.. hmmm...never mentioned...a swami...hmmmm.....who sits and keeps praying. God knows why the government brought him here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other ship had another set of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">scientists. They had not met them yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They sit and watch the videos together in silence. click...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Video 1 : the sludge moves slowly on the surface of the water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evidently weightless</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click...next video: a school of fish get curious. Glop...glop..the fish disintegrate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It obviously destroys any living creature it touches. But the size of the sludge remains the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click...next video...an underwater camera is sent to check under the sludge. The camera shows a black mass and then...crack...pop...fizzle...camera destroyed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It destroys anything in its path. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click..next ...a soldier trying to get a sample of the sludge from a helicopter. They get close enough and use a cast iron vessel to get a sample. crack...fizzle and the vessel is gone. In the process few specs of the sludge fall on the soldiers hand. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He lets out a blood curdling scream as the sludge slowly eats him alive. He falls into the sludge....glop.. ..glop.. .and not a trace of the soldier is left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a shocked silence in the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I lost a man"..yelled captain Kirk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I still say the only way to destroy it is to bomb it!!! Can't you people understand. It can reach the shores of any country. It can destroy the world."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whirrr....more printouts...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" Fair enough...but if you bomb it and it scatters, it just spreads out more. We have to contain it. Question is how do you contain something that destroys everything", said Tara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slurrp..." A stronger metal...how about tungsten. .?" Drag pitt finally looked up from his coffee and spoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hummmm....the swami continued to pray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As everyone got involved in a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heated discussion, Kirk picks up the radio gives some orders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly they all hear a Whooosh of a plane above them and then BOOM!!! Whoooosh...Splaasssh!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They watched in shock as the sludge scattered on the ship closer to it...it slowly begins to disintegrate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other one moves to a safe distance before it can offer any help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scream.... crack... splash...Woooo.. wooo..the alarm sounds..AB</span>ANDON SHIP!!!!<br />
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To be continued....<br />
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This post is a part of <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2013/10/11/wow-sound-expressions-love-of-writing">Write Over the Weekend</a>, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank">BlogAdda</a></div>
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preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13240151207964629294noreply@blogger.com8