Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Neha
Yes, I have been away for a long long time now. The last I wrote was some time in October and it's already December! Time flies, I tell you.

And no, I haven't been away due to bloggers' block or something. All this while, I was working on something I wish I had done long long ago.

Something that will remain a dream even after its realization.

Something that will remain incomplete even after completion.

A week from now, it will be a year since Dadaji (grandfather) left us. Or better put, left the mortal world; For he is still there, somewhere; For I can still feel his presence around me.

All this year, I have questioned myself about life, about death. Suddenly everything seemed so hollow, so inconsequential. The day it all happened and the days following it seem a blur. Our bodies worked mechanically. And each day since then, I tell myself - He was with us this time last year. This fact deepens the loss, makes it more unbearable to think of all those lost moments/occasions I could have spent with him.

But then, isn't life always so beautiful in retrospection!? It's only at times like these when you realize that time does not wait nor does life.

This one year, we cried, we laughed, we worked, we lived. Life did not stop then and it still goes on. Life still gave its fair share of happiness, surprises, disappointment, sorrow.

The vacuum remained. There was and is always something amiss. And I know that at many moments of this past year, I have not been how he would have wanted/expected me to be. At times, I reacted impulsively and at others, I lost my cool too quickly. I knew he would scold me, had he been around.

To say that I have regrets, is true.

I regret for not being what he taught me to be.

I regret not acting how he always wanted me to.

I regret for crying out my helplessness and not counting my strengths.

I regret for letting my sorrows take over me.

I regret for turning a blind eye towards all the blessings he left behind for me.

How much of this I can restore, I know not. All I know is, wherever he may be watching me from, he will not be very happy.

To say that his absence made me do what I did would be more hurting to him. For he made a strong person of me, a person who withstood all troubles and sorrows without a frown. And he was proud of me.

My backward journey begins now - to make amends, to restore peace, to bring back the lost happiness.

A year later, I have let people and circumstances affect me and that brought out the worst in me. It is now that I need to tread back, for it is now or it will never be.

Dadaji, a week from now, I will complete a task that you left half done. And that will be my tribute to you. And all that I do now towards accomplishing the dreams you saw through my eyes are my goals. I went astray, I fell weak and lost my way without you. Now no more. I can feel you close to me and I can see the disappointment in your eyes. Now, no more.

For now, I will be what you always wanted, I will do what you always said and I will act how you taught me to. And I know you know all that I did, you understand why I did that and you will forgive me.

Blogdosts, A week from now, I will bring forward my tribute for Dadaji. I have spent the last few months in preparing it. Though I cannot make good of the time lost, I am trying to value what I have left with me now.

Till then, take care and stay precious :)
Neha

Have you ever tried listing those moments that bring instant smile on your face and an overwhelming feeling of joy? Yeah...right, the purani jeans and guitar type effect.... those little memories that you treasure... those that are now thing of the past, yet you want to relive them all over again.

On my way to office this morning, many such moments came to my mind - of school, college and friends. Each one of them makes me happy, brings a smile on my face and makes me want to go back to . Alas! Time machines are still far away :(.

  • Waiting for parents to visit us (in boarding) on the first weekend every month. In fact, waiting more for all the goodies or tuck they were to bring!
  • Saving pocket money for those once in a quarter exits (outings to the Kulri Mall Road in Mussoorie)!..... and rushing straight to Amitash for those heavenly momos!
  • The chit-chats and gossips in the dormitory after the lights were off!
  • Walking back to Wynberg (junior school where our dormitories were) every evening and actually racing to get there at the earliest.
  • Those sudden inspections by Mr Martin (headmaster)... and then trying to notch points for the house by wiping our shoes clean with the back of our socks!!!
  • Hiding 'tuck' in dhobi bags when Aunty Verghese came on her raids! Trust me, they were not as much fun as they sound!
  • The study hours when we sneaked in Archie and Tinkles between our text books! And then getting caught and being punished....
  • The occasional movies in the Common room and not to forget, Saturday dance evenings there... Saturdays were never as eagerly awaited as then!
  • The lengthy projects that did everything, but in vain, to ruin our summer vacations! And then, me making and remaking them to get that perfect handwriting!!!
  • Finishing our lunch tiffins much earlier than the scheduled breaks and then hunting for other's tiffins (wicked, na?)! Couldn't help it....others' tiffins were always tastier :))
  • The March Past practices that went for hours and hours and hours... with friend who were hell-bent on not listening to your commands!
  • Literal House wars complete with shouting slogans louder and faster during Inter House competitions. Every medal counted...
  • The 'do or die' attitude on every basketball match and then treating the entire team, even when we lost a match :). Not to forget the innumerable sprains I suffered and then the doc giving me option to either not play basketball ever or sit with a broken leg... of course...I chose basketball :))
  • 'Rainy Days' in school! Never did any other holiday make us so happy! Though guess the Princi used to bribe the rain Gods... the rain would stop just 15 mins before school and begin soon after the morning assembly!!! There was something fishy...I tell you!
  • Frozen Maggi in tiffins! Has anything else tasted so good ever??? It was a sure shot treat for any and everyone...anytime!
  • Chai sessions in college canteen with hot samosas and gulab jamuns. Anything is a feast with friends... ain't it? :)
  • The sasta, tikaau and delicious dosa and pav-bhaji in that small, but nice, restaurant outside college. Loved its coffee also... though had to urge them to make it really strong!
  • Bunking college and watching movies.... or better... going for boat rides in Yamuna, with pop corn and wafers! The best part was when we bunked our English class and the English professor caught me while crossing the fence!
  • The perfect coffee sessions with loads of gossips at friends' place! Especially, when one was home, hurt with a brick falling on her head! Two brew the coffee, 3rd one heats the milk and the 4th one pours and serves... certainly the best coffee I've ever had :) .... Kurkure and Lays added to the effect :)

Ahh... I can go on and on and on.... every moment and every person sharing those are special. Time cannot rewind, but memories remain and bring a smile whenever they cross your mind. What about you, blogdosts? I'm sure you too have fond memories and I'd love it if you'll share them here :))).

Me waiting for your reply. Take care and stay precious :))

And before you get furious as to what's happening to me keeping my promises... I' m working on the next part of the series. I know it's more than a month now, but I thought a break in between with different posts will help me come back to it fresh. The next post will only be the fourth part of the series.... pucca promise :))