Five things to do in the rains

The heavy monsoon that continues unabated for hours, days or week puts you under house arrest and helpless on seeing the plans go kaput. No choice but to stay in the room or house to watch the sea waves crashing, tide rising and heavy wind bursting out.

1. Read a good book. Rain serves as a good excuse to drench knee deep not in the water but the world of fiction, from mushy rom-com to a terrific thriller that offers fodder for thought in swaying into the untold universe and also pushing you to pen a good fiction, making a writer out of nothing in us.

2. Pen a short story. Love to dabble into fiction to curate content on the blog or doing a collection of shorties! Rain is the savior to make you not only a writer but concocts the perfect temperature of cold, breeze and the silent corner. What better to sit all by oneself in a soothing set up, enjoy the pitter-patter of water falling on your window sills to sketch characters as you are trapped in the monsoon.

3.  Get high on booze. Monsoon is the perfect time to get high on alcohol by calling a few friends at home or on your own downing pegs to treasure your blessed life, reflecting on every small thing or be at peace. Rain and alcohol go together with light music in giving wings to conquer your dreams. Go and conquer the world.

4. Take a dip. A blissful season and no, I am not telling to throw your airplane designed stomach or round body in the sea but it's unadulterated fun to thrust away the black umbrellas famous during the Mumbai monsoon. Let the hair down, drench yourself from top-to-toe by walking barefoot at Marine Drive, Gateway of India or Haji Ali. You cannot miss the mad Mumbai monsoon as the body is ballooned by the force of the wind for the first brush of rain makes a memory tale etched forever in the mind.

5.  Mad mad love. Intimate caress, rain and the cold that wafts in will make your partner long and crave for your skin as you indulge in passionate love, not holding yourself as both breaks all limits, witnessed by the mighty rain spreading havoc outside. The best time to make love and kiss intensely is during the monsoon and who knows it might get distracted.

Love

Counting every moment

Ah! Those times!
Whiff and sip of happiness,
rolling like a dream in front of the eyes,
catching the stars snuggled in the dark sky,
fragrance of memory,
love,
friendship,
beauty of life dazzling like emerald,
sprinkle of the monsoon,
wiped inside the palm,
warmth of hearts,
kindness of strangers,
food wafting from the kitchen,
heart drawn to this place,
longing for its sun, sky, stars and rain,
no end to the limitless joy,
cornucopia of human emotions and simplicity,
no mirage,
but every moment count.

Love
V

Monsoon Affair (1)

This is the first series of a novella which I am presented to you people. It's a romance story set against the backdrop of monsoon in Mumbai. Enjoy the first chapter

One:

It started raining heavily in Mumbai. It was the first shower where people dropped umbrellas to enjoy droplets of water falling on their heads and faces. Kids started prancing on the streets and by the sea. After all, it was the first rain in the city where crazy lots were doing somersault, women removing chappal to walk in the rain and running down the stairs to get wet. Maximum City opened their hearts to happiness after a long anticipation for the blessing of the Gods of the rain. Young couples waited for the moment to get intimate sitting on the boulder, petting each other and smooching, facing the furious wind and rain water splashing on their faces. The monsoon lady arouses lovers as they indulged in passionate intimacy.

All of a sudden, the rain grew furious in Maximum City and soon the local trains started running late, roads were transformed into seas and rivers. Passengers were stranded at railway stations, waiting for hours and trains moved at snail pace. Traffic was brought to a halt as the water level was rising in the city. It's going to be mayhem, the people feared. It's been hours that commuters were stranded, no signs of trains reaching the railway station and the rain continued unabated and grew furious as hours passed. Cars, buses and bikes were floating like paper boats on streets transformed into rivers.
The stuck commuters barged into the office of the already panicky railway officer and shouted to the latter and the cops trying to intervene. "Every time, same old story. We need a solution. You, guys, can't expect us to spend the night here, away from our homes."
Finally, the angry people relented and knowing that there is little they could do, spreading themselves on the floor and holding babies, children on their stomach. It was 11 p.m.
Dressed in black salwar kameez, she pulled her jet black hair that fell on her shoulders, backpack on her tiny shoulders and eyes scouting for a comfortable place to sit. There was none at the already crowded Dadar station. Her legs were paining and plodded her steps with utmost difficult, almost verging on tears. The only thing that preoccupied her mind was the teddy-bear gifted by Dad and who always cuddled to her in the room in the sky rise at her expensive apartment at Parel.
As she moved and flitted around the station, someone was eyeing her every move, admiring her steps, face and fair features. He was speechless, standing drenched in his blue denims, white tee and leather jackets with mouth wide open. 'I want to get drown into her eyes. It's the liquor of life. How can someone be so beautiful,' he told himself.
He was struck by her divine beauty and charm. Deep inside, he knew that he has to speak to her since he was automatically drawn to her. There are some people who touches your heart and soul, captivating your imagination like magnet.
Watching her move, he pretended to walk towards the truck where she was sitting on the platform. He was standing close to her and pretended to be anxious, bending his leg in air, adjacent to the track and thrusting his body to get a peek of the train at a looming distance.
She stood like statue, unfazed when he turned around, "Hi! Varun."
She tried to ignore him and kept walking, turned for two seconds, looked straight into his eyes with a severe look and turned her back to him. He was at her heels and tried to smile, "I said Hi."
Turning around, she said, "Listen! Please don't bug me or else I am going to create a scene here in front of everyone. I don't even know who you are and am not interested. Can't you see it." She walked away. He was left speechless and disappointed.

The monsoon conversation over vodka

It's a soothing Saturday evening. Monsoon flooded island city as trains were running late and people were stranded at railway and bus stations. The city witnessed the first shower in the evening as water rose above sea water and promenades at Marine Drive and Bandra was flooded.
Away from the heavy rains, Ayush, Panchi and Siddharth sat in the hall of a plush apartment in Bandra over vodka, coke and weed.  They were celebrating the first monsoon in the city.
 The gang of three met on the first day in Economics class and since then they became good friends in a city afflicted by loneliness and 'I mean business lingo.' As the vodka is poured in their respective glasses, Ayush lying on the floor and holding the cigarette stick between his fingers pops a question, 'Guys what do you think about life, no seriously?"
Siddharth and Panchi yells at him in unison, "What the fuck, dude? Now, don't start with your Paulo Coelho-kinda-inspired philosophy?"
Ayush retorts, "So you guys wanna debate how to make babies?"
He continues, "Panchi your life is set. You are going steady with your boyfriend, have great sex and is a well known journalist with Mumbai leading and respectable magazine, Today's city."
He gives Siddharth a menacing look, "You mother fucker. You spend your dad's money like a fish on daaru and after your MBA you will join your dad insurance stock company. I'm sure your dad has already reserved a cabin for you bearing the label director."
Siddharth shouts, "Fuck you Ayush..bloody bitch."
Panchi intervenes just in time, "Guys chill!!! What's the issue?"
Ayush explained that he just wanted everybody to have a discussion on life and a complete departure from their usual conversation about girls, guys for Panchi and sex.
Siddharth playfully asks, "So mother fucker what is on your agenda of life today..dude and please no reference to Paulo Coelho..do your research on him later?"
Ayush starts, " See my scene right now is that I don't wanna go to my home town and spend the rest of my life with mom. After all, it is a question of my individuality, guyzz? I want to live my life and this is where everything lies.Yahan Mumbai me!
Siddharth joins in, "Listen dude. Whatever you say? After all, she is your mom and she needs you. I also want to settle in the States. But, I think that I should be with Mom and Dad. They are our parents and we must sacrifice our dreams for them. I mean it's not cool to leave them alone in old age and embrace our dreams. They need us at some point or the other."
Ayush lights a cigarette. "Dude, I am not saying that. Chasing our dreams doesn't mean we are being selfish or something like that. I honestly believe that it is important to be happy in life. It is our right as human beings to be happy and it is not something that we are asking life to give to us. Happiness is not charity."
He asks, "Do you think that our parents would love to see us sad or for that matter, their joy lies in our happiness?"
Siddharth quips, "I don't know? I never discussed such things with mom and Dad as I never thought of leaving them to pursue my dreams of becoming a singer. I always wanted to take a course in singing in US. But, there are always certain considerations."
He touches the shoulder of Ayush in a comforting manner, "I understand that you always wanted to be happy in your life. But, bro any decision has to be well thought and dissected. Sometimes, in our quest for freedom we must ensure that we have not left our loved ones behind that coming back may become a near impossible task."

Hmm! You guys are quite confused about what you want in life, rues Panchi in a playful manner. I think that Ayush is quite clear in what he wants in life. Guys, I personally feel that when we would be lying on our death bed and shed tears on what we could but didn't do in life, it will be the biggest tragedy of human life. She explains, "At least, it's better to pursue one's dreams and live joyfully rather than dying every second. There are some people who are already dead every moment despite living on earth."
She quips, "If you may feel, Siddharth can I honestly tell you something?"
Siddharth nods.
Panchi continues, "Dude, I respect your views about making your parents happy. But, I feel that you are scared to pursue your dreams. Go and kiss the world. Perhaps, you will never get such an opportunity again in life."
Turning her gaze to Ayush, "Yeah! Dude! That doesn't mean you are happy with your life. I mean be happy with what you do with life. You were telling me that my life is set. Fine, I have a great boyfriend. We have great sex and I am doing well professionally. But, that doesn't mean that life is a bed of roses for me. I belong to a small town and fought with my family to be here in Mumbai. Professionally speaking..everyday is a struggle for me and to reach where I am today I had to fight with myself every single moment sacrificing friends, late night parties. Life is not that easy dude. But, play cool and stay cool dude! Now, I need another vodka."
Siddharth pours vodka in the glasses. Panchi sips the vodka and say, "Over to you, guys."
Everybody remain silent for five minutes.
Siddharth, hmm!!!! Arre purra monologue kiya Panchi ne. I think we need to smoke up  and get back to the stuffs. This is getting really interesting and passionate during the monsoon.
They walk towards the balcony and share a joint. All of a sudden, the heavy rains lashes on the city.
"Arre! Panchi is right about me and you. It's raining and we could have chosen to run inside the house but we are standing right here as dollops of rain is falling on our forehead. It's experimental and we are enjoying it. Life should be like that only! No analysis. Just embrace life," observes Ayush.
Siddharth adds, "For once, I do not dispute the fact. Dude! Go home and make your mom understand where your happiness lies. I never knew that you can't do without Mumbai. I mean hold her hands and tell her the truth. But, please don't let her in the dark."
Ayush agrees, "I understand your point and won't keep her in the dark. On one side, lies our happiness and on the other side is her, one of the most important important woman in my life. She gave me birth, true and it is something I will mull over, to bring her with me to Mumbai if she agrees of course. In that way, she will not feel lonely and I can pursue my dreams. I wish to say that I am not selfish."
Siddharth pours another drink in their respective glasses and stand up and raises his right hand in theatrical fashion. "Lady and gentleman, I need your attention. You guys have opened my eyes. I have decided to go and pursue my dreams of becoming a singer in Boston. I will explain to mom and dad. Perhaps, in the start they will feel bad. But, they will understand. If I make it, they will be proud of their son. If I fail, they will also be proud since their son tried at least."
Both guys shouts in unison. "Climax ka time aagaya and over to the over-drunked lady."
Panchi smiles and shouts."Fuck off guys. It's high time that both of you need to get laid!!!!Okie, over to me.."
".....Well, with respect to what our parents have done for us, I want to ask a simple: If we were given the choice, would we prefer to be born in our respective families or for that matter choose to come in this world? Think over it, guys!! Our parents never asked anyone before deciding to bring us in this world since it was a matter of choice. So, is it fair on their part to tell us not to pursue our dreams and not be happy in life?"
The room went silent. Panchi lights a cigarette: " Guys, don't take it wrongly. I am personally grateful to my parents for what they have done for me. I am sure you guys are grateful too and love your wonderful parents. I am just saying that it is not a sin to dream and walk towards the path to achieve happiness in life. It should not be a clash between us and our parents. I feel that the biggest selfish act is to prevent a friend, son or daughter  or for that matter a lover to fly."
They all clapped. "Taalis, taalis" and hugged each other.
The rains doesn't seem to stop. The wind is blowing violently. Monsoon has started and island city is beaming with joy.

In the times of Love

Vicky hardly attended college. He was doing his internship with an advertising company at Shivaji Nagar in Pune, Mediarocks. But, he would hang out almost every day outside college to fool around  with friends, boozing and admiring the cool N hot chicks. The only time he was present in college was during the college festival, Xtravaganza. After all, it was the time when many love stories started.
Radhika was Vicky's senior in college and was the object of desire of all the guys. Whenever she walks in the campus and touching her curly hair with her delicate fingers, she would send the guys in a frenzy state of mind. After all, she was super hot and naturally, the topic of conversation.
Radhika and Vicky were oblivious of each other's presence till Xtravaganza happened in August. Three days of college festival and like many, Vicky enrolled in Radhika's team in the logistics department. On the first day of the college fest,Vicky was standing in a blue kurta in the college campus and hiding away from the glares of everyone and was smoking. A sensual feminine voice patted him on the back and offers a handshake:
Hi, I'm Radhika. Logistics team, right?
Vicky was strucked  by her beauty and was wondering whether she is the same Radhika every guy was speaking and dreaming about. He stammered.
Hi, V-i-c-k-y..I mean I am vicky.
Radhika sports a mocking smile.
Yes, Vicky I got your name. You are in my team. By the way, smoking is strictly not allowed in college campus and certainly not during the college fest. It will give a bad image to Fergie college. C'mon dude, we are the best college in Pune. Btw, I also smoke and after all the preparations ,let's have a smoke outside.
Vicky nodded and throws the fag away.
Radhika pats him on the shoulder:
Fuck dude. Follow me. All volunteers are decorating the amphi theatre and we have a very important event in one fucking hour. Let's go jaldi.
Vicky runs after Radhika towards the amphi theatre. There are hordes of volunteers, boys and girls and Vicky is helping Radhika with the decoration, sticking the wall papers, muslin papers, banners and balloons.
During the interval at Indian classical dance show, Radhika asks Vicky
Hey, I never see you in college. You don't attend classes kya?
Vicky smiles and says, I am always in college hanging out with friends and I've heard bout you soo many times.
She smiles, Oh! Yeah! Really How come Mr Vicky? Btw, please reply to my question. Why don't you attend classes?
Well, it's just that I am doing my intern with Mediarocks and towards December you shall see me more often, he quips.
Radhika holds his hand, Please let's go out for a smoke and a cutting chai. They walk together outside the college campus and crosses the busy streets towards the chai ki tapdi.
Radhika asks the tea vendor, daun cutting bhau aur cigarettse, classic mild.
She asks Vicky, you like classic mild, na?
He replies that it's his favourite brand. They sit together on the bench. Radhika shares a thing or two on the weather, Nice weather na and I love dis weather. It's hot but still the gentle damp in the temperature makes the chai so good.
Vicky smiles, A perfect weather to kiss and some romance.
Fuck you, Vicky. She slaps him on his arms, Oh! Guys! They think of only one thing....Now, will you tell me why I am the object of your friends' conversation.
He is amused. Well, obviously girls are not mooning over you. Simple: Coz you are the hottest in college. She smiles sheepishly.
It is the last day of extravaganza and the students of Fergie poses for a group photo.
Radhika quizzed him, So, Mr Vicky? It's great how become friends in just three days. Hope to see more of you, my invisible college junior.
He replies, Babe, my internship will get over soon. They hug each other tightly.
Vicky, are you coming tomorrow for the party?, she asks.
He nodded, Radhe..how can I miss it?
As she ignite the keys of her bike, see then tomorrow at 9 p.m.
The gang of Xtravaganza joins on Saturday at Fire N Ice disco in Camp, MG road. Many love stories started during Xtravagaanza and couples could be seen dancing and sitting in a corner, cozying to each other.
Hi, been searching for you dude, Radhika says as she checks her mobile. Oh! You messaged and I've been searching for you everywhere.
He takes her by her arms, let's go for some vodka shots.
They gulped three vodka shots. Radhika suggested that they hit the dance floor, C'mon Vicky, let's dance. Kajra re is coming.
They dances as their bodies motion towards each other. They lips approaches and Vicky plants a kiss on her lip. She would not let him get away from him as she presses her lips against his. Their tongues swirl into each other's mouth and indulge into a long, passionate kiss oblivious of on-lookers and the blazing music.


Three months later.
Vicky completed his intern and has become more regular in college. He tried the phone number of Radhika but it's left unanswered. Nobody has seen Radhika in college and he tried searching for at the Economics department but to no avail. Fed up of trying to reach out to Radhika, he started dating Sneha, a first year girl from Delhi. In February, somebody told him that Radhika is back to college and that she went for a tour in Germany, showcasing the Marathi play Mee Purush boltoy.
Radhika heard about his affair with Sneha and according to her friends, she is quite upset with him. One day, the passed crossed accidentally and she prodded, After all, you showed that you are just like the others, na. I was your legitimate fuck. Sex was on your mind and that's it, dude.
Vicky is pissed off, Now, will you let me explain? I tried calling you several times.
She replies angrily, I thought there was something going on between us. Can you have waited? And you are dating this slut, she shouted and left.
Several times, they happen to see each other in the college campus and the hang out spot. There was always an awkward silence between them. Not even a formal hi. The truth is that Radhika always think about him and the memorable moments spent together. She dated a few guys but broke up immediately. Her heart was not in the relationships.
Vicky broke up with Sneha and apologized that he is not doing justice to her and it's better that they move on. Often, he would drown his sadness in alcohol.
It was the exams time and after that, Radhika will leave college to pursue her masters in mass communication at Saint Xavier's in Mumbai. Often, they would see each other in the campus and behaving as complete strangers despite standing in a single group or discussing their respective exam papers.
It was the last day of college and the first monsoon showers has just started. Radhika walks up to him, Hi Vicky. So, you have one more year to go and just came to say bye and best of luck in your life. I also want to say that you are a bastard.
She turns and walks away from him in the college campus. Vicky's buddy Aniruddha shouts at him, dude what are you doing? You love her man and she fucking loves you..chutiya run after her and tell her.
Without losing a second, Vicky throws his bag on the floor and heads towards the parking space in college where Radhika is heading. His friends, Aniruddha, Neha, Rohan and Kim follows him. He yells, Radhika, Radhika, Radhika, please listen..I am a bastard, I've been an asshole..
Radhika turns and ponders, now what the hell is fucking wrong with this guy?
He walks in her direction, Perhaps in the start I was unsure of my feeling and that's why I dated Sneha. But, I broke up with her because I love you. When we were not together, I waited for every single in college campus so that I can see your beautiful smile. I love your curly hair. It's the last day in college and I don't want to regret telling how much I love you.
Radhika runs towards him and they hugged each other tightly. She says, I love you too, my bastard. And they kissed. The water lashed heavily at that very moment. Monsoon has started in Pune. Anirddha, Neha, Rohan and Kim shouts..Fuck the world...and clapped their hands thunderously.

Frothy week end

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Back to the grind. Hello Monday! Had a supa week end...Spent quality time with my sister and her kids over tea and dinner. Sunday came and here I indulged in creative work..read Rushdie's Fury and Blessed days with Osho, penned by one of his follower going by the name Ageh Bharti. Brownie point: The man didn't got his final work properly edited as there are many spelling mistakes.
Feeling jolly and happy happy..u know why? coz had saturday and Sundays off and here I work for four days and Friday I'm off. I changed my off day since Friday is my b'day. Come B'day I will be lazing at off,gonna buy myself Shantaram as I revisit Mumbai through the eyes of David Gregory Roberts. It is treat and why not?Post that I'll indulge myself in a pair of Levis jeans after I bought an earlier one in February/ March. I believe that we must be eternally grateful to the Almighty for blessing us as we see the light of the day. Come Friday, perhaps no birthday bums, no cake cutting but grateful to live through the day. But, but, we are growing a year older and it freaks me sometimes..Will try to be graceful as I grow a year older..Bingo! Shut up! I'm not yet 30 so why I'm scaring myself..though I am not far from this cycle
Coming back to smooth super week end..Yes, I was able to do my creative writing as I sit down and continued my short story plus been writing my script about a smoker. Basically, wanna make a short film of 7 to 10 minutes long. A psychological thriller, I would say. How I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day so that I could afford myself the luxury to do so many things..No girl friend..Yeah! It's cool! You know why..dunno how I would balance my time since love shov would take my whole day. But, I am searching for someone. For how long, can someone been lonely on this planet. There is something called desire and love.
Me heard, the monsoon has started in Mumbai and I truly miss those beautiful times in maximum city with maximum rains. The best monsoon falls in Mumbai. Pointer: Get set in the heavy rains and go and sit at Marine Drive or Bandra bandstand..you will know what I mean. I spent wondrous moments in Mumbai monsoon as your newly acquired black umbrella tears itself apart as you ran to catch it. This is Mumbai for you. Don't forget to steal a kiss..a long passionate smooch at Marine Drive as you get yourselves drenched. Celebrate life. Monsoon is soooo soooo sexy and hot.

How I spent my frothy week end
-Woke up at 11.30 on saturday

-Had dinner with my nephew and niece

-Reading Salman Rushdie's Fury-check it out

-Come Sunday:
Gave tuition to my student

-Slept a lot: yeah right full three hours nap in the afternoon

-Watch Anjaana Anjaani on DvD-been trying to play the Swadesh video rather unsuccessfully..The DvD had problems..me gave up.

-Wrote my script..not finished yet, just started. It's moving thank God..the best time to write is between 11 to 3 a.m

Have a great day.
Njoy da rains.... 

Droplets of rains

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

I sit down,sipping the coffee and wishing for the rains.
Nah!It's not Monsoon time.
Gotta wait for few more months as the first showers splash on the windows,the branches shaking itself.
The first monsoon as I remember this girl,beautifully drapped in her salwar.
She ran down the stairs and  pulled her arms,embracing the rains.
She willfully offered herself to the God of rains, drenched.
We all patiently wait for the rains to come.
We drench ourselves as the rains falls on our hair and our faces,down to our lips.
From our upper lip,we taste of the water as if it is droplets of wine.
As the rain water fall heavily,shaking our existence,we dance to its tunes,playing street football,falling down.
Crazy stuffs that we Indians love to do.
We love our monsoon.
It's unique to our character and carve our identity as a nation.
As we sit on the Drive,Monsoon is another excuse to steal a kiss and get cozy.
The most romantic time of the year,Monsoon time.
Come fast as we impatiently long for your presence.
Shower us your blessings.
Spread Love N Cheers