Maha's musings

Once in a Toastmasters' meeting, I was asked this question... Where do u want to find yourself in five years from now? The question was so profound that it showed who I actually was and what my dreams and aspirations were.  The answer came out of my mouth more as a reflex..... Disclaimer: Might seem to be a series of unrealistic American dreams. But never mind... After all dreaming is free!!!😁 I of course want to find myself in a place, far away from where I am now. Not physically..... but intellectually, emotionally and economically.  The past ME, that's before five years from now could have been proud of the 'ME', I'm now.  But I, I am passionately curious about seeing 'HER'— the 'ME' who will have evolved into a far better version of mine in five years from now. She won't be just a girl who knows things and keeps it with her but the one who takes steps further to experiment with them and shares them with multitude. She will be the most sought

When you are leaving your mom's place for your in-laws' house..., It's a myth that you miss only your parents and siblings... it's not how it works. You miss your entire being— the funkier version of yourself. You miss your close knit relatives, uncles, aunts and cousins who see the real you and keep you best company, by being your chattering comrades!  You miss your Nextdoor neighbour uncle who always smiles gleefully at you as he used to, when you were a kid.  You miss those random school mates or college mates, you bump into while going out for a casual walk.  You miss your parents' friends and acquaintances who treat you more like their own kid and shower you with love and edibles 😁.  You miss that scavenger aunty who always smiles at you soothingly in the morning and asks your whereabouts.  You miss that snacks vendors and icecream vendors to whom you always seem to be a kid no matter how big you grow. You miss that one tailor anna who swathes you with his per

The unlit paths have changed into luminously lit streets... The unpaved trails have turned into paved streets... The vagabond vendors are now proud owners of big business outlets... But one thing that has never changed is, this man and the peculiar ways he chooses to shower his love on me.  I still vividly remember the eight year old me, throwing tantrums for a pillion ride, whenever he would kickstart his bike. To my nagging, never would he allow me to and would  beat me if I insisted.  Little did I know that the hot tempered  disciplinarian would grow to become an even tempered father.  From those murky childhood days to these charming adolescent days, his way of loving me is matchless. When all the other fathers bought their children, expensive gifts, he would not. When  they took their children on vacation, all he could afford  was a sleepover at my granny's place. When they spent all their weekends laughing and dancing, our days would be grim and eventful. Our Diwalis have nev