Saturday, November 21, 2020

Winter is here

November falls and so rises the cold one...

The one who loves the dark,
The one who forces to fire the hearth.

Winds are it's companions and warmth is a nemesis,
Beware, it won't let you out of your premises.

The nights will bath in snow and the days be covered in clouds,
And to shine it's glory, even the sun won't be allowed.

The birds will hide in their nests and the animals will hibernate,
The leaf abscission in trees would then accelerate. 

The days would pass slow and then the flowers would blossom,
When Winter ends, spring would start and life would again be awesome.



-- by Ambuj

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Compassion is Limitless


 “I still feel that I didn’t do right by him.” Siya complained.

Aryan wrapped his arm against her shoulder and replied, “I think it was in the best interest of everyone.”

A drop of tear rolled down her cheek, “Then why doesn’t it feel right?”

They both went silent. The fire in the fireplace was like a mirror which just reflected the dark past that they had endured. They were college sweethearts and got married after a long relationship of nine years after facing all the drama that Indian couples have to face from their families and the conservative Indian society. Aryan and Siya had been married since four years now. They were very happy with each other as this is what they had wanted all their lives. But one thing was missing from their lives; peace. And as every day passed by the anxiety and the guilt kept on increasing.

Siya faced her hands towards the fire and kept the warm hands on Aryan’s cheek, “Aryan I love you more than anything and everything in the whole world and I know that you know it. But we need to make it right. I cannot live like this.”

Aryan understood the pain, the guilt but was unsure of what should be done. He slipped down further on the floor and rested his head on Siya’s lap, “Vishay was a nice guy. I’ve never said this before but I think we dragged him into our family squabble unnecessarily.”

A flood of tears turned her eyes red as if another word from Aryan would unleash it. She controlled somehow and replied in shaking voice, “Why did my father have me marry him in the first place?”

“Because he was a self-centered fool whose relentlessness forced us apart and scarred so many people for life.” replied Aryan in anguish.

“And I am the daughter of the same father. Wasn’t I self-centered and relentless when I decided to divorce Vishay and come back to you? So what is the difference between the two of us?” questioned Siya. This time failing to stop the tears from pouring out.

Aryan wiped the tears from her eyes and replied, “He did it for his false ego. You did it for love. Although, it could have been better if we would have gathered some courage and eloped beforehand.”

Siya nodded her head. That night they both slept besides the fireplace.

Aryan was woken up early in the morning by Siya with a proposal, “Let’s go and meet Vishay!”

Aryan was taken by surprise. He wasn’t able to find words to reply to Siya whereas Siya continued excitedly, “See, I’ve checked his Facebook profile last night, he is in Mumbai, I've also managed to gather his whereabouts and there’s a flight in two hours.”

“Hold your horses’ girl. Why do you want to see him? And what would we say to him? I don’t have the courage to face him after all that has happened.” Aryan replied.

Siya raised her tone, “Do you want to live in disdain for the rest of your life? How long have we been living in guilt and how many times we’ve had the same conversation that we had last night? I say we get in that flight, talk to him, say our apologies and close this chapter for good.”

Siya’s words were making more sense. Aryan too wanted this to end. He wanted a peaceful life with Siya and it was only possible if they could kill this ghost from the past. So Aryan agreed and the next thing was that they both were in Mumbai in front of Vishay’s apartment.

It was a Sunday afternoon. The neighbourhood was silent as it is in on any Sunny afternoon. Aryan and Siya looked at each other.
Aryan asked her, “Do you really want to do this?”

She gulped and pressed the doorbell button. The bell rang but their heartbeats were beating louder than it. It felt as if an eternity had passed since they’ve pressed the doorbell and no one was answering. Finally the wait ended and the door opened.

“Yes?” a lady asked.

“We are here to see Vishay.” replied Aryan.

“I am his wife, please come in.” said Neha.

Aryan and Siya sat down on the couch, their hearts were  still pounding. Neha called Vishay and as he approached it felt as if the floor beneath their feet was going to explode.

He sat in front of both of them and asked, “What are you two doing here?”

Siya looked towards Neha questionably. Vishay understood what she meant and he promptly replied, “She is my wife. We can have any conversation in front of her.”

Neha sat beside Vishay and asked knowingly, “Is she Siya?”
Vishay  ignored her.

 Vishay looked towards Siya and Aryan and said, “You are not welcome here!” Vishay then started moving towards his bedroom and said to Neha, “Make sure they have tea or coffee whatever they want before they are gone.”

Aryan and Siya were totally quite.

Neha smiled and said, “I know why you are here. In fact I’ve been expecting you from a long time. Only a soulless person would do something so hurtful and then not look back to check the damage that has been done.”

Siya said “Neha we don’t want to hurt your family in any way. We just wanted to check if Vishay….”

Neha interrupted, “Siya, like I said I know why you are here. And to answer your question, yes we are happy. I met Vishay a year after you left him. He is over the painful past now.”

Aryan and Siya were listening carefully with a hint of tears in both their eyes.

Neha noticed this and continued, “The reason that I am giving you the details is because I understand the guilt that is eating you from the inside. I would suggest you to let it go. In a way we are thankful to you guys. We wouldn’t even have met if it wasn’t for the two of you and Vishay would never admit it but deep down he knows this and he has already forgiven you. Siya you staying with Vishay would have just worsened a wound which otherwise was healed in six months. And the fact that you came to apologize is the best that you can do. So go, drop your guilt and find your happily ever after because we found it the day our daughter was born.”

“You have a baby?” Siya asked with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.

“Yes! Now go away and be happy. You deserve it. After all that you’ve been through. ” replied Neha.

Aryan and Siya had heard what they needed to hear. They left Vishay’s apartment with a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction. They took the next flight back home and that day they had the best sleep in the past four years!

Sometimes we are hurt by people and irrespective of the purest intentions that we may have we end up hurting someone else. What matters is that we love our loved ones but never forget to be compassionate to others because in the end compassion is the direct road to peace.



-by Ambuj








Sunday, May 13, 2018

The Questioning Breeze!


This cold breeze mocks me...

The last time when I blew, she was here laying next to you and you couldn't just look away.
Where is she now, the one you called love?

The last time when I tried to kiss you, she covered you with her blanket and you slipped into her arms.
Where is she now, the one you called love?

The last time when I tried to caress you, she hugged you tight and you just gave into her warmth.
Where is she now, the one you called love?

The last time when I tried to blow your hair, she rubbed her hand on your head and you went missing in her eyes,
Where is she now, the one you called love?

The last time when I tried to pass through your soul, she kissed you and you couldn't even feel my touch.
Where is she now, the one you called love?



-by AMbuj

Sunday, May 6, 2018

She...


When God created women…


For all the love that she’ll bestow, she’ll be the most compassionate.

For all the prolonged agonies that she’ll see, she’ll be the most forbearing.

For all the times she’ll uphold others, she’ll be the most empathetic.

For all the sins that will be committed on her, she’ll be the most magnanimous.

For all the hope she’ll restore in others, she’ll be the most sanguine.

For all the hardships that she’ll face, she’ll be the most inviolable.


-by AMbuj

Sunday, April 1, 2018

A Day Off


It was any other day. She went to office and as usual was waiting for him to come in. It was like a daily ritual for them to have breakfast together. So, like any other day she was waiting that when Aryan would come and when they would eat. She checked his status on the office communicator a couple of times but he was offline.

Having waited enough she called him, “Hi sexy! Where are you?”

“Yes Niya” he replied in a tired voice.

This wasn’t a reply that she was expecting, “I’ve been waiting for you and you aren’t in the office, neither did you return my texts. All well?”

“Yes, just the usual headache” he complained.

“Oh… Did you eat anything?” she sounded concerned.

“No… Listen, I’ll sleep, let me call you back.” He replied annoyingly.

Although he sounded ignorant but Niya didn’t get mad at him. She knew that Aryan had bad headaches and would get cranky in such situations. She wished him well and hung up the phone.

She hated going to the cafeteria alone. Every known soul in the office knew that Niya and Aryan always hung out together. There was this traction between them which never went unnoticed. Going alone would always bring out a series of questions from not so good friends. Hence, she skipped breakfast and thought of having lunch early.

The day passed by and she got busy in her work. It was around 3:00 in the evening when she got a text from Aryan, “Hey… I am better now.”

She read the text and replied with a smile, “Well, that’s good news. Did you eat anything?”

“I was asleep, I didn’t but what about you?” he replied.

“I had my breakfast.” She replied conservatively.

“Yeah! Sure!” he replied with a smirk.

“Hah! So, you know! Big deal!” she replied with a quirk.

”But listen! I am hungry” Can you come?” he asked her.

“So, what? Do you want to eat me?” she texted.

“I am flattered but not in the mood to eat fish today.” He replied.

It was a busy day for her. Her manager was at her head trying to get the tasks completed. And hence she replied, “Will be there in 30 mins!”

“Great!” he replied.

She had never said “No” to him. Neither had he!

She reached his place as promised but was surprised to see him ready in the best of his clothing and with a nice fragrance on.

“Hey… what is this?” she questioned.

“We are going to the beach.” He replied.

“But your headache?” she further enquired.

“It went off when you said you’ll come to see me.” He replied flirtingly.

She blushed and replied, “Anyway, you look too good to be sick!”

He smirked in return and said, “Well, we can stay in if you want there’s no one around!”

“Oh, come one Aryan!” she blushed, “Let’s go. We’ll first get something to eat at the mall then go to the beach.” She said.

They loved spending time at the beach together. And going to the mall just before to grab some burgers was a part of the itinerary to the beach. After having filled their tummies to full they went to the beach and sat at their one favorite spot. The sky had turned dusky and the waves had become aggressive. Well, the sun and moon could have been charged guilty for setting up the beautiful act for the young souls. As the night kept on becoming dominant the breeze started getting faster and colder. They had been chatting for quite some time now and the words had started coming to an end. Now the only thing between both was the cold sea breeze. The conversation which was working as the insulator had now faded away.

Niya held Aryan’s hand tightly. She could feel the warmth starting from his hand and travelling all the way across her heart. She kept staring at the waves as she felt shy in looking towards Aryan. Aryan on the other hand shamelessly kept on staring at her. After a point she looked at him, tilted her head to the left, smiled and asked him, “What are you looking at?”
He didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. Niya giggled and kept her head on Aryan’s shoulder. Aryan wrapped Niya in his arms like a little kitten. Niya tucked herself further inside his arms making herself comfortable. Niya could hear Aryan’s heartbeats clearly and Aryan could very well sense the shiver in her body.

“Niya!” said Aryan.

“Hmm…” Niya whispered softly.

“We shouldn’t be doing this.” He said.

Niya was brought back to reality by these words by Aryan but she decided to keep mum.
She looked at Aryan with all the love in the world in her eyes and a tear dropped off! Aryan needed no explanation for the reaction from Niya. He understood everything.

Niya closed her eyes and leaned towards Aryan and they kissed with all the passion that they had for one-another. They let out all the hidden feelings, all the unspoken feelings that they had buried in their hearts for so long. The beach felt silent to them, the waves hitting the shore so hard had gone mute and all the people on the beach had gone dumb.  

Niya still wrapped in Aryan’s arms and both their eyes still shut. It seemed as if they were on the most solace place in the world just when Niya’s phone rang. She took out the phone from her pocket and answered it, “Hi… I am out with my team. I’ll reach in another hour. Will call you then.”

“Who was it”, enquired Aryan.

Niya got herself out from Aryan’s arms, sat straight and gasped, “My boyfriend!”



--by AMbuj

Sunday, March 18, 2018

A Night's Story


Here I sit in the Golden-Yellow hue of these rice lights,
I feel being saved from the jittery thoughts by these little knights.

The thought of the next morning seems so unpleasant,
But the moon of this passing night is impeccably crescent.

The night is so beautiful but the roads are still swishing,
Don’t people know what they’re actually missing?

The crickets in the bushes stridulate,
Have they found the tranquility that we try to invocate?

I don’t want the night to end,
But it keeps getting older and that is the trend.

I accept that the next day is going to be an invader,
But wait there, I still have the entire night to savor.


-by Ambuj







Friday, January 19, 2018

Kya Hua Agar...

Kya hua agar ab roz office jana padta hai,
Are kabhi roz college bhi to jate the.

Kya hua agar aaj roti khud banani padti hai,
Are kabhi maa kay hath ka khana bhi to khate the.

Kya hua agar aaj boss ko deni padti hai,
Are kabhi juniors ki bhi to baja kay liya karte the.

Kya hua agar aaj formals pehen kar rehna padta hai,
Are kabhi ban than kay, hatho me band aur gale me chain pehen kar bhi to niaklte the.

Kya hua agar aaj akele rehte hai,
Are kabhi hostel me ek bed pe teen bhi to pade rehte the.

Kya hua agar pesa kamane kay liye mehnat karni padti hai,
Are kabhi baap kay pese pe aish bhi to kiya karte the.

Kya hua agar aaj apni gadi me akele ghoomte hai,
Are kabhi doston kay sath pedal hi kayi faslay bhi to tay kiya karte the.

Kya hua agar aaj maa baap apne liye bahu dhoond rahe hai,
Are kabhi khud kay liye bhi to girlfriend dhoonda karte the.

Kya hua agar dosotn se aaj mil nahi paate,
Are kabhi unke sath hi to zindagi gujara karte the.

Kyu rote ho ki sab badal gaya hai,

Are aaj badlega tabhi to kal nayi yaaden jutaoge! 


-by Ambuj

Winter is here

November falls and so rises the cold one... The one who loves the dark, The one who forces to fire the hearth. Winds are it's companions...