slow simple pleasures

This seems out of syllabus for my style of writing, slow and simple as except the ‘s’ these words are out of purview. To the point of imagination I only like spicy, that is the ‘s’ for me. Over a casual discussion, this title popped up so I cook something pleasurable … slowly and keep the intent simple.

I have often been tagged as slow, though I am fine with this tag except for its relationship with the word lazy. There is not a thin line but a big difference between these two words. Whatever physics I have learnt being slow is relative so that’s an individual perspective. So there is no harm with the speed.

To keep it simple for me is to keep it yourself; everyone is simple in their own world. Things only get complicated when we become more materialistic and thus simplicity becomes immaterial.

We often tend to derive pleasure from complex things and thus miss the important ingredient of pleasure …. Liking ….

So if you are taking a time put to understand pleasure …. You are not slow and once you ignore speed …. You will notice simple things and you never know these may be your carpe diem moments.

she persisted, i resisted, still i lost

They say sweet tooth, mine are all super sweet tooths, (I know yaar grammatically incorrect but emotionally correct) so much am in love that won’t mind marrying a halwai's daughter. 

Only once I felt bad about my love for sweet when a colleague said, तुझे ज्यादा ज़रूरत है क्यूंकि तेरी ज़बान कड़वी है | सही बात है ज़बान कड़वी तो है, पर मीठा तो मीता होता है|

बरहाल बात कल रात की है, 4th day on the GM diet ... I lost myself to

After successfully completing day 1 of GM diet, trailer of badlapur launced when I saw her. Though day one is easy as it is full of fruits, पर वो तो वो है |
Entire night she kept knocking the door so that I open it and she can get in my room but I resisted successfully.                                        

I struggled whole day on day 2, only vegetables and I missed her like anything. I saw her near microwave while I was making tea. She too was gazing me from her right eye. Suddenly my mom intervened and asked me what for the dinner. Sigh … I survived.

Day 3 is probably the toughest and for me it was a dual test, I would have failed miserably when I could not resist myself and touched her. But thanks to fortunes   I came out clean.                                                                                                                                                                                           
Day 4, 

आज office में बहुत ज्यादा काम था, घर पहुंचा तब बहुत थका हुआ था | सिर्फ २ banana shake पुरे दिन भर, can’t imagine I survived. Veg Soup
पीने के बाद सीधे सो गया.... जल्दी में room का gate बंद नहीं किया |
@ around 11, she sneaked into my room, कुछ हलचल सुनी तो मैं उठा और लाइट खोली देखा की she was sitting right there on the left corner of the bed.

That was the moment, when I lost it, I closed the light and enjoyed her completely from top to bottom, divine she was  ... my dearest kaju katli ...

                                                                       and I slept happily ever after…

Smoking is Injurious to Heart

This is the third instalment on my smoking journey, and it’s now been a 

month since I last had my ciggu. We all know that smoking is hazardous to our health, but recently I discovered that it can also be injurious to the heart —emotionally, that is—through two unforgettable experiences.

Links of first two instalments 

https://downpourcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/smokers-delight.html     https://downpourcreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/cigarette-smoking-is-injurious-to.html

The Unexpected Cigarette Gift

 

One cold winter night, at an odd hour, a non-smoker friend surprised me with a pack of cigarettes. Smokers will understand the significance of this gesture in winter—it’s practically a lifeline. Honestly, I had already given up the thought of smoking that night, assuming all the paan shops were closed. But this unexpected gift caught me off guard. My friend called it “going the extra mile,” but for me, it was an injury to the heart—an emotional one.

 

In life, we encounter many moments that touch our hearts, but this gesture struck me in a way that felt more impactful than any effects of smoking. It wasn’t just a thoughtful gift—it was an emotional surprise I didn’t see coming.

 

Sharing a Cigarette with Her

 

Sharing is a lesson we learn in many walks of life, but sharing a cigarette with a beautiful woman takes it to another level. कई साल पहले सुना था की एक नशे पर दूसरा नशा नहीं करना चाहिए, मतलब उस दिन समझ आया | 

एक आतिश जमाल हसीना और उस पर cigarette, दोहरा नशा तो होना ही था |

 

She was stunning, and combined with the cigarette, it was a double intoxication. I’ve shared cigarettes with countless people, but the pleasure of sharing it with her was something else. It wasn’t the nicotine that got me—it was the lip balm. More potent than any nicotine ever made, her lip balm made me feel weaker than I’d ever felt, though I’ve held that cigarette with pride so many times before. Forget vitamin E—this was vitamin P.

 

Somehow, I survived the “attack” of the lip balm, but the next day, I was done in by another puff. This time, it was the red lipstick on the cigarette butt. Normally, the filter is the part you discard without a second thought, but this one—stained with her lipstick—felt priceless. The very thing I always liked, the cigarette filter, was now an injury to my heart.

 

 

#QuittingSmoking #EmotionalJourney #CigaretteStories #LifeAndSmoking #UnexpectedGestures #HeartfeltMoments #SmokingMemories #WinterNights #EmotionalImpact #SharingMoments

My Bai is Zabardast

During our discussion in office I thought why not to ask my bai to write a letter to my boss.

The discussion was about what percentage increment will happen this year and whether it will be sufficient to give the increment to the bai(s). The bai(s) always ask for the fixed increment whether there is positive or negative variance, their demands have to be met as somehow they know they are indispensible. My view, if it so directly proportional they should also have their KRA and appraisal process, they can also accompany us in our appraisal. Now since this is middle of the year I thought I will ask my bai to write a letter to my boss to give some emotional touch. Here she goes ….

साहेब,

खर तर  मी हे मराठी मध्ये  लिहिणार होते पण उगाच भाषा विवाद होईल आणि विषय बदलेल म्हणून हिंदी मध्ये लिहिते

हमारे दादा बहुत अच्छे है, समय पर पगार देते है, month end पर छुट्टी भी देते हैं और कभी भी पगार में कटौती नहीं करते हैं, कुछ ज्यादा बोलते भी नहीं है पर मैं जानती हूँ वह अपनी net salary को लेकर बहुत परेशान रहते है, मुझे तो समझ नहीं आता आप लोग जाली लगा कर salary क्यों देते हो, आने दो ना पूरी

एक दिन कुछ हफ्ते हफ्ते बड़बड़ा रहे थे तोह मैंने पूछ लया की दादा आप तो समय से दफ्तर जाते हो और कभी भी समय से नहीं आते फिर भी कटौती क्यों होती है तो बोले की tax भरना पड़ता है, फिर बोले की तुम नहीं समझोगी कभी return भरोगी तब पता पड़ेगा, return सुन कर मुझे लगा कुछ पगार में कटौती की बोल रहे है इसलिए चुप हो गयी

मुझे जब भी वह terrace साफ़ करने के लिए कहते हैं, main मैं कह देती हूँ की कल करुँगी पर मुझे पता है की आप जब भी कोई काम देते है वह उसी दिन ख़त्म करके आते हैं

मैं तो सिर्फ इतना कहना चाहती हूँ की इस बार उनकी पगार ज़बरदस्त बढ़ा दीजिये और उनको बताने से पहले मुझे बता दीजियेगा, क्यूंकि मैं उनसे उसी हिसाब से negotiate कर लुंगी

अंत में शहरयार साब की दो लाइन पेश करुँगी

दिल cheese क्या है आप मेरी जान लीजिये, बस एक बार मेरा कहा मान लीजिये

आपकी सौ आशा

(name changed on request)

दादा कोई correction हो तो DC Query डाल देना, मैं लगेच respond कर दूंगी

alignment...cue from microsoft word

(Left aligned) So often I use Microsoft word for professional purpose but I never thought it can give an acute personal advice.

(Right Aligned) One day while doing final touch-ups to a write-up I was not getting what I wanted so while reading text by placing the pointer on every button, I read about alignment.

(Center Aligned) Technically alignment is proper adjustment for coordinated functioning.

(Justified) Of the four options, there is Justify which means Align text to both the left and right margins, adding extra space between words as necessary. This creates a clean look along the left and right side along the page.

So easy it is I thought, and I make things complicated unnecessarily. The alignment of the life has to be justified, apparently the different meanings of justify are not apt to my thought, so I will stick to the Microsoft Word definition.

Just try to strike equal balance between all the heads and tails of the coin of life and the in return the life will be just to you. Add personal space, apply brakes and take required breaks to maintain average speed of your life. This in turn will give you a clean life, full of peace and happiness.

बस आपही की आँखों के लिए

ये जिंदगी बस युंहि गुजर जाती

अगर आपकी आखों में थोडीसी जगह मिल जाती

युंह तो जिंदगी जीने के हजार बहाने मिल जाते

पर खुश रहने कि एक वजह मिल जाती

इस मुल्क में दो झीलें हैं, पानी बहुत साफ है, रंग नीला है,

नीला तो आसमान होता है, और इसी में तो मेरा जहiन मुकम्मल होता है

युंह तो वक़्त भी वक़्त के लिए नही ठहरता,

अभी कल ही मिले थे हम, आज बरसो हो गये

तुम्हारी आखों में खुद वक़्त भी अपनी राह भटक जाता है,

बुलंद है मेरी तक़दीर कि मेरा वक़्त मुझे यहिं मिल जाता है

सात समुन्दरों की मस्ती है इन आंखों में,

एक मैं ही हुँ दिवाना हजारों मस्तानों में

इस समुद्र की गहराई मापने के लिए डूब गया एक बार

तबसे बस तैर ही रहा हुँ उन जज़ीरों के अफसानों में

मुस्कानें झूठी हो सकती हैं, पर सच बोलती है ये आंखें

दिल की धड़कन को बढ़ा कर, दिवाना बना देती है ये आंखें,

युंह तो आवारा बादल भी चांद के इश्क का भी मोहताज नही होता,

पर उसी आवारा बादल में प्यार का ईमान जगा देती ये आंखें 

That-Kitchen : The Curious Case of the Nightly Aroma

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to the character is purely coincidental and unintentional.

The Curious Case of the Nightly Aroma

My nightly routine used to be simple: dinner in front of the TV from 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm, with Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Though not my favorite show, it’s a light escape from the usual family dramas. As a self-confessed foodie and an occasional cook with a “spice sense,” I usually enjoy my meal more than the TV. But lately, even my comfort show wasn’t cutting it, and I began to get restless. So, I decided to start a post-dinner night walk.

A Scented Discovery

 

One evening, during my nightly walk, I caught the aroma of something wonderful wafting from a kitchen on the first floor of the building opposite. There was a strange regularity to it: lights on at 8:30, the familiar whistle of a pressure cooker at 8:40—like a ritual. My quick stroll turned into a 30-minute “soap opera” as I imagined the culinary artistry happening behind those walls.

Aromatic Episodes

 

Over the days, I experienced a full array of aromas that tickled my curiosity. Rajma one night, then egg curry the next. My chapati count always increases with rajma, and that familiar fragrance lingered with me for hours. One evening, the unmistakable scent of Punjabi spices sparked an urge to investigate further. A look at the society board hinted at the cook’s identity: “Bhalla.” A lead, perhaps, but I needed more proof! The last week of the month deprived me of the post dinner walk, but my inquisitiveness for the person behind the spicy aromas was still alive. It goes in tandem with  “पेट भर गया पर मन नही भरा”

 

The Final Episode

 

After days of mouthwatering fragrances, I couldn’t resist anymore. On Sunday, I finally decided to confront my curiosity head-on and ring the doorbell of the aromatic kitchen. My heart raced as I imagined the skilled chef behind these flavors. I rang the bell, and after a pause, rang again. The door opened to…an uncle, around 45, in a worn-out pajama, with a questionable vest color and a balding head, holding a skimmer in one hand. My fragrant fantasy came crashing down!

 

#TheAromaChronicles #NightlyWalks #FoodieAdventures #CookingMystery #RajmaLove #SpiceDetective #NeighborsWeNeverMeet #CuriosityUnleashed #UnexpectedReveals #PunjabiFlavors

  

इस एक महीने का लेखा जोखा

इस बितॆ हुए महीने का लेखा जोखा किया तो समझ नहीं आय़ा

कि यह बिता हुआ महीना आपकी यादों के सहारे इतनी जल्दी कैसे गुजर गया

यॅु तो हर पल एक महीने के बराबर होता है

पर लमहो का गणित ना बने तो नासमझ को भी भला कभी अफसोस होता है

यादें हमारी ही थी लेकिन ख़याल सिर्फ आपका ही था

तसल्लि सिर्फ इसी बात की थी कि खयालो मे ही सही पर मै आपको जानता तो था

यॅु मै तो नासमझ ही ठीक था, जानने - पहचानने मे र्फक नहीं करता था

पर अब मै गणित समझ गया हुं, ख़याल अभी भी आपके ही है, बस ख्वाब खुद के बुनता हुं

There should be no उम्र for this लालच

It may sound a very derogative statement but that is the way it has to be.

I always crave for lot of things but cravings for fitness doesn’t come naturally for me. So thanks to my colleagues Pushp and Kartik for this inspiration.

They recently completed Mumbai Half Marathon in 2 hours, the inspiring point, this is their first marathon and the training time was less than 3 months.

The dream was seen in last year dream run only,

So those who don’t sleep properly, sleep and dream, it will come true in a year only, once dreamt you only need to be determined (you can buy determination from these two people).

Both Pushp and Kartik were very definite and distinct in their version of the preparation.

Definite as they were determined to do it, so determined that they even ignored a few drinks.

Distinct comes from their profile may be, version Pushp was very credit oriented, divulging required information only, sharing specifics and maintaining the stand that it is not a big deal.

The focus should be more on regimen, scheduling, timing etc.

Version Kartik was branded one involving things like how do you feel running in cold early morning wearing a t shirt and short, how to prepare the mind. It is all a mind game.

How do you feel running with horses on race course track.

Beside this, we also have one super hero Deven in our branch, who has also completed 3 half marathons in last 1 year.

Well, all in all the entire discussion was very afflatus and am sure there will be one more participant next year.

We can form a House of Dedicated about Fitness Companions. 

She is still profound in me

Your last nudge killed a lot in me …

                                                including U …

                                                     my first and last incorrect perception

            I used to feel it and lived it for years under the false roof of my well treasured understanding, that you are not any more in me but the gullible me, thinking something and feeling something else.

Then I was a minor for life’s original spin-offs. But in my bewilderment I flowered the deepest you in me. I was ignorant of the slow process of poison creation, the poison which gives life and takes away the living from you.

            My several attempts or rather several unsuccessful attempts of living that life without you, were making that living arduous without you. This is unfair, life given by you can’t be lived with you and life given by you can’t be given up as it is given by you.

            When I became major and thought of living somebody else’s life, I failed as so poor actor I am, even before others caught me I caught myself for being so unnatural. By now you were so in depth in me that the depth of my life was you.  

            You were in all the three tenses for me, the only moment you were not in me was the moment in between two seconds.

            The only way to be alive now is to live like you, maybe someday you will get tired of yourself, will leave me and then we will live together.

punching bag

I have been the punching bag on several occasions for several people, not in material terms but in literal terms. Punching Bag on softer and emotional note, I feel I have the appetite for it or maybe I am a good confidant.  But somehow I have never been on the other side of this court, partially because of my nature and partially because I feel once you share your lows with someone you share your weakness. Apparently on second thought, the former reason is an excuse and the later one maybe the actual reason. This is the way I feel it, while sharing your lows, the first feeling is what the other person will think, then what will be the reaction and most important what if it is passed on further?

In the middle of these questions, I never thought about the person who was sharing with me must be thinking the same if not all but maybe a few of them.

At the end of it, I thought I think a lot; at times I should also surrender myself to the flow of time and carry on without thinking about the ramifications. So even before I could zeroed on people and the day, it happened today and

I found not one, two but three punching bags. A friend, a colleague and a cousin, all from different walks of life, professionally, personally and physically.

I started intentionally but soon I was unintentional and innocent. All of them heard me patiently and none of them turned out to be a critic which I scared the most. A few suggestions in the middle of it but since I was busy in downloading, all suggestions were saved for the end. I will keep the suggestions for review for a future date but will share what I am feeling now, a bit lighter, a bit relaxed if not completely.

This got me the most important thought that we forget if we don’t share our feelings. And if don’t share we will never understand the other side of the coin, so keep sharing there are indeed good people around.

बाल मित्र और चंचलता

बाल मित्र   .......  और चंचलता

चंचल शब्द से सर्वप्रथम नरेन्द्र चंचल का ख्याल ज़ेहन में आता है

उनके भजन की कड़ी आपके समक्ष पेश है.....  जय माता दी!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOEds0srnPE

अगले पल दूरदर्शन के धारावाहिक का शीर्षक गीत याद आता है, धारावाहिक चरित्रहीन, 

हालांकि इस गीत में चंचल शब्द का उपयोग नहीं है फिर भी, उसकी कड़ी पेश है

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpAQFNJxaZA

तीसरा ख़याल आता है चंचल मित्तल का, ये  बात और है कि उनकी कोई कड़ी उपलब्ध नहीं है, वो तो पाठशाला में सहपाठी थी, पर कहानी की नीव यही है .... चंचलता ....

अभी कुछ दिन पहले की बात है, मैं अपने पुराने बाल मित्रो से मिला !

हमने काफी समय साथ में बिताया है, काफी अच्छा और थोडा बुरा भी!

अगर गाम्भिर्यता की बात करें तो गंभीरता से हमने कभी बात की ही नही...

                        हम सभी के स्वभाव में कई प्रकार की चंचलताये थी

परन्तु हमारी इस मुलाक़ात में मैंने महसूस किया की हमारी चंचलता, 

                           अब विशिष्ट गाम्भिर्यता में परिवर्तित हो गयी है

 बचपन में जो जेब खर्ची थी वो अब अर्थ की कहानी हो गई है और मजे की बात ये है ईसी ये ऐहसास होता की क्षितिज कितना बदल और बढ गया है

रिश्तो की बात करॆ तो एक पीढ़ी छलांग कहना बहुत अविश्वसनिय नही होगा पर अपनी अगली पीढ़ी की चर्चा यकिनन उसी क्षितिज को नये क्षितिज पर ले गयी

पाठशाला के बाद, कई प्रकार के खेल खेलने वाले हम बालक

अब जीवन के खेल, खेल रहे है !!

ईसी मुलाकात मे मैने महसूस किया की बाल मित्रो को आप कितने भी अन्तराल के बाद मिले आपके रिश्ते में कोई फऱक नही पडता है, आप पिछली मुलाकात से ही शुरु करते हैं, वक्त गुजर चुका होता है पर चंचलता का दर्जा वही होता है ... 

और आपको किसी भी कड़ी की जरूरत नही पडती है

जिंदगी को आसान करने की संदर्शिका,

बाल मित्र और चंचलता की पुस्तिका

just, just two of us and the broken wind

The first just is for the moment and the second just is for the fairness

You and I, in between the broken wind, trying to build togetherness

Under the perpendicular sky, broken wind causing difficult breathing

There we are; you and I weaving our life with only magical feeling

The Broken wind ... rarely sweet and often hard, on the rocks, neat

Dragging our feet, unperturbed there we are and still very discreet

The broken wind without any lyrics only making evocating sound

Carelessly we are singing, the romantic song as if we are crowned

The broken wind tearing us apart, but unwillingly keeping us truss

Just two of us, only two of us, but still not enough of us

Karein Wahi Jo Ho Sahi .. Do Right

Use of any words will limit the sense of this composition ... I find it magical ... encouraging words and innocent music .... all in all an inspirational and very elevating track.

Dil Jalao ki Dil Roshni Deta Hai ... only Gulzaar Saab can think of a Dil like this ... dhadakta hai par bhadakta nahi.

What a soothing music ... I am sure you will not like hear anything after this, at least for a couple of days.

Amazing Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Mere Aage Watan, peeche Itihaas hai ... Karein Wahi Jo Ho Sahi ... Yahi Rivaayat Rahi


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLHO7daoUXZM

Don't forget to hear the instrumental version by Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan & Sons on
http://www.doright.in