Times change! A lot of times for the good!

March 19th, 2013 marked the start of a new tradition at The Oxford College of Science and Arts. We had our very first Alumni Meet! Invitations were received and personally, I was excited to go back..I knew it was a chance to meet batch mates, faculty and seniors.
Last year, the Alumni meet was in typical "Oxford" style. A classical dance, our Director's address, a short cultural program and a standard lunch! We had fun reliving the college days, catching up with people we knew and making new friends as well.

So this year, when I received the invite, I knew I would go..again to relive the same experience.
Undecided on whether to wear denims and a shirt or a suit, I settled in for something mid way, knowing that I could not possibly wear a dress!! Oxford afterall!

Some people I was sure of meeting, others quite no so! So wen my favorite senior turned up, it was not so much a surprise! But when I saw my own classmates, I was taken aback..I had not met them in years and seeing them again was a sweet walk down the memory lane. 

We were yet to witness a few surprises..So when we settled down to witness the cultural program..none of us could believe we were at Oxford! 

A super team of hosts and girls dancing to the tracks of Sunny Leone and Ishq wala Love duets is not what you expect at Oxford!

Neither do you expect that a girl is addressed as the "Beauty Queen" and when you hear " She can move, cant she! "..you know that things have changed! Visibly and for the better! It was a happy change, atleast for me.Nothing could have felt better than to see my juniors wear denims and dance with guys on stage! (no..Im not sarcastic!!) 

Then came another jolt! Our Director wanted the alumni to self nominate candidates for President ( I am the official President of the Oxford Alumni Association, Science & Arts) VP ( Devi Bhaiya, my super senior) Secreatry ( Prasenjit Dey, My fav Senior) and Treasurer ( Varun Gowda).

It was shocking but still satisfying to see that your faculty still has faith in you! That I can walk up to the stage that I love and speak! 

The memories are still fresh..and to see our college change, was unexpected but good!

Yes one thing was definitely from our memory..The food! I have been through the same food ever since my induction in the college..Its true..some things never change!

So here's to having a great many more alumni meets, positive change, new friendships and the same food!!

(My Fav lab..My Fav Senior)

( Meeting someone who stays 5 minutes away from my place, at College :P)

A trip to the Ravan Nagri!

It all started with a mail from our HR that this year PUMA's annual outbound is all set to happen in the capital city of Srilanka, Colombo. This mail was a precursor to months of preparation, saving up on new clothes and shoes..and the lunch time conversations of " acha kahan kahan jayenge, kya khareedenge.." " I hope I get a good roomie (which I eventually did).

After a lot of anticipation, the day finally drew nearer. Currency was exchanged (though honestly I was a bit disappointed when I received just 2 notes in exchange of the 20 I gave..bigger denominations :P) bags packed, tickets checked and beauty regime done.

After a sleepless night went by, in fear of not being able to wake up when the cab comes, the fateful morning dawned when we made our way to the airport to take our flight to Chennai!

Check in- Done, Boarding Pass- collected, Security Check- Done.

(At the Bangalore International Airport)

And then we miss our flight! Yes yes, I know it was stupid, ignorant, clumsy!! It was so chaotic..pleading to let us in did not work. Next flight all booked..Clueless about what to do..we reached out to our HR. Thanks to them and a certain member of my team, we were able to finally make it to the Crew Seats of the next flight!

Reached Chennai..determined not to miss the next flight, we did not budge from in front of the boarding gate.

An hour or maybe two later we arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Scuffiling for bags we headed out to look for the coaches that were to take us to our hotel!

Welcome to Srilanka! The Wonder of Asia! Finally!!

Our stay was arranged at the Cinnamon Lakeside which is "One of the ritziest locations in town"

(The Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo)

Our rooms were nicely done, the view wasnt that great but nothing that we could complain about.

(Room Number 436!)

A tiring day ended in a good dinner and a great night out! We stepped out to check out Colombo city. Little did we know that we were in for surprises good, bad and funny!

RnR was the place to go- said some tuk tuk wala (That's what auto ricks are called in Sri Lanka). We took his advice and landed up at an ancient Dutch looking place with amazing drinks and a creepy bartender.

(took this off the internet, could not find a decent one on my phone :P)

Still having some time, we hired three tuk tuks and they took us to places, where we would have never imagined going [good or bad, I leave it to you ;-)]

Great company, a great night and we headed back to the hotel...looking forward to the Colombo Quest the next day!

The next morning, as planned was an interesting sounding event- The Colombo Quest! We had been divided into teams and had to locate certain 18 places in Colombo..Bonus activities meant more points..

It started off with a missing team captain, who took great charge later..so that was all good and a bunch of 

8 x 22 teams eager to solve clues..

We had 18 clues and 30 locations! We had to win this..That was all our team had our minds set on!

Scavenger hunting, sweating, clicking pictures, scrambling around, asking for directions, lots of water, an awesome tuk tuk wala and Nano car driver befriended..drinking King Coconut and flying kites at the Galle Sea Face. This should I think pretty much sum up the quest!

Oh except did I forget to mention our team won!! It was fulfilling and so totally worth the effort!

(The Seema Malaka Temple at Beira Lake)

(86 Buddha Staues in this area)

(The Smallest Buddha Statue in the world!!!)

(A Vintage Car)

A content lunch at KFC and then we were back at the hotel to prep up for some party fun!

( Off to some good fun!)

(A hand at Selfies)

(Posing Pretty!)

Apart from a few random strangers scaring a few of us..the night was a blast! Perfect dinner..again- Creepy waiters, and a good long hour of some discussion I cant remember a word of ended the night !!

The next morning, we decided to do some sightseeing, of the little time available and head out to visit the Gangaramaya and Seema Malaka temples and a few stores!

The stores were a disappointment and there was absolutely nothing I could thing of taking back home.

The temples were pure bliss! Serene, Oh! so pretty and enthralling! 

The ancient jewelry was jaw droppingly awesome! So were the thousands of Buddha statues around the place!

(The serene lake)

(The smallest Buddha resides in this)

(Some brilliant craftsmanship)

(Odel, Colombo)

(One of the many Buddhas)

(The realism caught my eye!)

(The Seema Malaka, Beira Lake)

The evening had in store for us the most awaited PUMA 8th Annual Awards Ceremony and Prom night!
This was the first time ever I witnessed the Men in tuxes and suits! The women wore dresses and flowy gowns and the whole environment was no less than a film award ceremony!

(Trying to figure out how I looked :P)

From events like Team performances ( We aced it again!! ) to awards being given away to the best performers of the year and an rib cracking comedy act..the night was a one to remember!

Tipsy me and tipsy every one else..made the best out of the music, food and the not so happening DJ!!

After all the fun, it was time to head back, to India..I awaited the taste of Maagi and spicy vegetarian food cooked in vegetarian oil!

While packing, memories of the trip flashed back. It was a healthy, no mishaps (except the flight! ) trip..and I could not wait to be back!

(A few last shots!)

Good bye Srilanka..till we meet again!

Finding the prefect soulmate!

Ok, first of all, I'm not a believer of romantic stories and the idea of falling in love and living happily ever after!

What I do believe in is that there is that one person out there who can enrich your life in a way no one else can. Someone who can love you and be your friend at the same time. He or she isn't necessarily your life partner or life mate. He can just be someone you randomly bumped into and hit it off with.

For me the idea of a perfect mate is someone who can make you laugh in the toughest of times, someone for whom you are not a choice, but a priority.

If being with someone is what makes you happy, if you think that it’s easy for you to talk to him or her, share stuff without the fear of what will he or she think. If you can kiss someone and feel good about it, yet feel equally happy about just being out and having a cup of coffee with them, that someone is perfect for you.

This is the person you can do things you would otherwise never do, the someone who can be far far away, but can still care for you.

He can cheer you when you are feeling sorrowful or depressed. He can challenge you when you allow yourself to get beyond your reasonable boundaries. He can motivate you when you’re ready to give in, and he can provide for you when life falls apart. He will be there when all is well, and you want someone with whom to share life’s pleasant and memorable moments. You often just want them around to have a good time, to laugh, to act silly, to enjoy something, be it a movie, a debate or just pulling someone's leg.

Like a lot of others, your destiny plan may be to only be friends, one that could prove very challenging, but if you can swallow the reality, being great friends can be almost as fulfilling.

There is nothing wrong about falling in love with that person, I guess it just makes things more beautiful. What that love means to you and how much you value it, is the real catch!

There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will!

Wake Up India..She's Dead!!

Its now after New Year’s eve, but I do not find a reason to celebrate. Sadly, a strong fighter lost her life to a brutal, inhumane and unjustified case of rape. A lot of others have. Apparently life or dignity has lost meaning in this culturally rich, traditional country.
Some people simply say, “Why bother, things like this have happened before, and will continue to happen, no matter what”.  I think it’s high time, we started bothering. If the life of someone, so young could be just so cheap, then I’m scared. I’m scared because I’m 22, living in the same country and just like her, I studied hard, so that I could be a support to my family. I’m working, staying alone, away from my hometown, in a city not very known to me. I always felt that people from our generation should strive at making our country proud, but if this is what we get in return, then how would it even be possible to lead a normal, care free life, leave alone thinking of changing the country!!
She, might have gone ahead to be one of the greatest doctors of her time. But some people thought, all she was worth was satisfying their lust! We simply lost a person, who could have shown the world, why we are a “great country”. Maybe change “India” to “The India”.
Instead, she has become a symbol not of what is right about India but what is wrong with it. Where is the question of public safety? What are our so called elected representatives doing to curb the alarming increase of such incidents?
Oh well, they are busy blaming women themselves. Some well known politician even ventured to say that just because India is a free country, women have no rights to go out after 12. What is that? Freedom? Safety?
Has anyone ever molested or eve-teased a guy just because he was urinating on the road? Or because he was out after 12 in a pair of boxers? Then why discriminate? Why even say India is a free, democratic country?
I think such politicians and leaders should care enough to know that rapes happen everywhere in the country, at all times and all places. Be it the girl’s own home, a graveyard, a school bus or a public park!!
Saying that short skirts and high heels lead to rape is simply ridiculous, even funny actually. How a girl dresses is no one’s business but her own. If people take enough care to respect and treat her well, our country would be a far better place.
How many of us, (by us I mean girls strictly) have lived to date without being molested, teased, and leered at like we were objects of desire? I am pretty certain that none of us have. From family to friends, acquaintances to stranger, everyone just waits for a chance. Come on, we are humans. We have every right to live as fearlessly as any male.
People have even said that women and girls have no use of keeping a mobile phone, as people in earlier generations survived without them. So should we just stop accepting change, and advancement? Stay as if we are people from caves? I think people who talk that way, are the ones who actually still belong to that era.
I want to appeal to the entire male society, think of us as a human. I know saying stuff like you have a sister, daughter or mother will have no effect. Men are hardly bothered by the fact of who the person is. I want to tell you people, we talk to men, because we are social, not because we are looking for a relationship. If we add you on a social networking site, it does not mean that we like you. We do not wear skirts or dresses, because we want to get laid!! NO…we do it because it is our choice, because it may make us feel good about ourselves.
We have every right to do all the stuff that you do. When we can give birth to a child, we can even go to a pub. If we can cook for you, we have all the right to have a drink. Think guys, we are already known as the nation that is almost the most unsafe for women in the world. Is that what we want?
Each time a rape is reported, civil society reacts with anger and outrage, which unfortunately dies down and is forgotten, until the next time. The question to ask: what is the inflexion point? At what stage do we say collectively and in one voice: Enough is enough!! It’s high time we demanded justice for whatever has happened.
If people think, dignity is so cheap; we need to show them that it is not. We need to make them know what the consequence of such an action could be. The fear of a severe punishment is needed, to make rapists & eve-teasers realize that life is not about lust. That some girl has lost her life because they wanted 10 minutes of satisfaction. That someone would never be able to look at another guy, lead a normal life or step out with the same confidence ever again.
Not everyone is a fighter. We need to respect that. No one wants to be raped, but then not everyone can live with it. I know girls who have fought life, and succeeded, gone ahead to become stronger. But there are girls who are not that strong. They don’t fight, just give up. To them, I want to say, it is never easy, but life is very precious. Giving up for a person who had no respect for you, is just not something you should be doing. Get back there, fight him, see to it that he regrets what he did.
And then, no one really helps. Not us, not our known ones, and definitely not our leaders. When I first read the following article, (which has remarkably amusing quotes from renowned political people,) it left me astounded. Seems like people have lost their minds. They have no clue of what they are saying, and are simply shifting the burden of blame to someone else.

• ·         "Mamata is decorating her house with rape victims." - CPM leader Anisur Rehman
• ·         "Those who claim to be students - I can see many beautiful women among them - highly dented-painted (sic) - they're giving interviews on TV, they've brought their children to show them the scenes." - Congress MP Abhijit Mukherjee
• ·         "Delhi's burgeoning population trend is further exacerbated by the continuous and unbridled influx of people from all over the country". - Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit
• ·         "Have you ever heard of a Rs 50 crore girlfriend?" - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi
• ·         "Kal tak paiso ke liye TV par thumke lagati thi. Aaj chunavi vishleshak ban gayi" - Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam about  BJP's Smriti Irani
• ·         "Rapes happening because men and women are interacting more freely". - West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
• ·         "From which bhatar (Bengali slang for a prostitute's client) did she get Rs 24 crore to fund the Trinamool Congress's poll expenses?" - CPM (M) MP Anil Basu
• ·         'Jaise jaise samay beet-ta hai patni purani hoti jati hai, woh maja nahi reh jata hai." - Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal
• ·         "Only 'parkati mahilayen' would benefit from reservation". - Sharad Yadav
• ·         "Just because India achieved freedom at midnight does not mean that women can venture out after dark". - Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana
• ·         "One of the reasons behind the increase in incidents of eve-teasing is short dresses and short skirts worn by women. This in turn instigates young men." - Trinamool Congress legislator Chiranjeet Chakraborty
• ·         "I don't feel any hesitation in saying that 90 per cent of the girls want to have sex intentionally but they don't know that they would be gang raped further as they find some lusty and pervasive people in the way ahead."  - Haryana Congress spokesperson Dharambir Goyat
• ·         'I think that girls should be married at the age of 16, so that they have their husbands for their sexual needs, and they don't need to go elsewhere. This way rapes will not occur'. - Haryana Khap Panchayat member Sube Singh
• ·         "Poverty and intoxication are the main reasons for rape as well as young people sitting together the wrong way. But also eating chowmein causes a hormonal imbalance which is a big reason for rapes." - Khap leader Jitender Chhataar
• ·         "There is no need to give phones to women and children. It distracts them and is useless. Why do women need phones? My mother, wife and sister never had mobile phones. They survived without one". - BSP leader Rajpal Saini
• ·         "If you're referring to the Park Street rape, see that is a different case altogether that was not at all a rape case. It was a misunderstanding between the two parties involved between a lady and her client. This was not a rape." - Trinamool Congress leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar
• ·         "International love guru Shashi Tharoor should get love affairs ministry." - BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
• ·         Ban skirts as school uniform to reduce harassment of girl students: BJP MLA Banwari Lal Singhal
• ·         'The rape of grown-up girls and women might be understandable but if someone does this to an infant, it is a heinous crime and the offenders should be hanged': BJP MP
• ·         "Only 5-6 people are not the culprits. The victim daughter is as guilty as her rapists...
• She should have called the culprits brothers and begged before them to stop... This could have saved her dignity and life. Can one hand clap? I don't think so,” : Asaraam Bapu

  
Amazing stuff, isn’t it?
I still ask, how much more? What else are we waiting for?
In the mean time, a silent prayer to keep the lady who lost her life, as a human being, and as a part of the society that has morphed into a safe place for savages thanks to the rot that has seeped down from up above, all I can say is sorry, may she become the symbol that leads to changing mindsets and eradicating this social malaise.

We..the Ugly Indians!!!

Something I came across a few days ago..This holds true for all of us, at some point in our life. It is indeed so easy to play the blame game..So well worded!!

YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke, the airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say.

What do YOU do about it? Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - YOURS.

Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best.

In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground Links as they are. You pay $5(approx. Rs.60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, "see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else."

YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, "Jaanta hai sala main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost." YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. "Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place," he said." And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?" He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.

We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.'

So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbors, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government.

Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians,

The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too....

I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....

"ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY"

Lets do what India needs from us.

Thank you
Abdul Kalaam

 

DE-cluttering!!

Its been a long time I know. I just seem to fall short of words whenever I sit down to write. Lately I have been living a life of uncertainty. I have no clue as to where I am heading. I guess Im just preparing myself to accept whatever comes my way!!
Why is it that you feel so left out even when you are in a crowd..You have a routine, that you once enjoyed, but now it seems all that is left of life is following something you do not want to.

Well, I am a working girl now, and honestly a dedicated one. When I first joined the company, (i work for PUMA sports btw), I was in a place which was a complete new area for me. I never knew if I could make it even for a few months, well I sure did and I am super pleased about that.

Although, this is something I always wanted, an independent life, lots of friends, shopping, office treats..I seem to have a lost a lot on the way here.

• A good amount of people who spoke a lot about being good friends, hanging out because we are in the same city, seem to have fizzed out. I guess those were people who could just talk. 
• A lot of sleep, well when you have so much on your mind, sleep is obviously the last thing you can think about.
• A lot of family fun..stuff happening without me being there, so NOT happening!! :-(
• Alcohol..LOL..no one for company.. ;-(
• College fun!! I miss a lot of college and a lot more of the people I cant meet!! Lectures, shouting, screaming, fighting, bitching, notes..exams..results..fests..street plays..drama..masti!!
• Hostel Fun..Mid night maggis are not fun anymore..its just something I have to do, because, well I am hungry at 12.. :-P..coffee..is something that is a break from work at office..
• Freedom..to wake up when I want to..to go out..have tea..just the regular stuff, a regular girl should be doing..I am just 22!!! Please gimme a break!!
• Shopping..Well mostly due to lack of a female company, I have resorted to online shopping, which was fun in the beginning but not anymore..:-(

I guess it is a part of life..you lose out on relationships, people and stuff that was never meant to be yours. Though I miss all those times, somewhere deep within me, it feels nice to realize what was true and what was not!! I wish to relive some of the days, over and over again..and some, well they should have never been there in the first place, so good that they are gone!!

So thats just me..living a life that was not meant to be..or maybe, this was the way it was to be..

After Yesterday!!

AFTER YESTERDAY!!!

There are only two kinds of people, the good ones and the not so good ones. And it’s pretty obvious that everyone will come across both the types. It’s just sheer luck if you happen to befriend the good ones.

They are people who’ll hang on to you till the end. There are the ones who trust you, will feel that they have the liberty to reprimand you for any little or big mistake of yours. Others will not dare bitch about you in front of them. On your face they try and act all hard but in real they are just hard on the surface. Within that hard shell, is a person who is soft hearted, cares immensely but are hesitant to show or admit it and who are true friends. No show, just the real thing. You know you can be safe with them; you can laugh with them and cry in front of them. They’ll always be around. For them friendship is not measured by distance, time or any other materialistic or monetary reason. For them it’s all about being true, open minded and frank. They are neither judgmental nor are they back stabbers. They are on the face, smart and great people. They always speak the truth, no matter how much it may hurt and will keep you away from trouble even if it means getting their own hands dirty. For them it’s about keeping the spark alive, keeping their “dost” happy, and never letting the smile vanish. They would rush to help even though it may lead to sleepless nights for them. They do everything that knows will bring a genuine smile on your face, even if they have to behave like a clown. They are also strong critics who will work hard to see you climb the ladder of success, even if they are following. They are never jealous, sometimes demanding and generous givers. They won’t mind giving you their jacket if it’s cold, if they know it helps you. If you trip they’ll first graciously pick you up and then scold you for not looking where you were going. They will never take advantage of you even if they know they can. That’s big. Isn’t it? When they say something, they mean it.

Then there is the second type. They are the ones who make you believe that they are awesome friends, will go to any extent to help you, accompany you whenever you want and talk long hours. The reality is that at times they do, but as your relation grows, you slowly realize that everything they did for you are accounted deep within their memories and what you do is soon forgotten. Everything they do has a selfish motive behind it. They are sweet on the face, full of love but the moment you turn your back, they will not hesitate discussing things that they know mean so much to you, and you confided in them thinking that they would never go behind you. They would not even mind disrupting your reputation by stooping to levels you would never imagine if it helps prove their great self right. They lie to you, break your trust and will have excuses at their finger tips if ever caught. And trust me, when they try and convince you with that innocent face, you can do nothing but sympathize with them. They can change topics with the change of the second and they can change their personality just like you change clothes. When reality dawns on you, you can do nothing but wonder, how could have somebody played you all along and never made you realize what is happening. Their “Oh-so-sweet” nature fools everyone, and when combined with good looks, it’s a lethal combination that can slay even the strongest of people. They can make you feel guilty about not doing something for them, even if it means for you to put yourself in compromising situations, doing things you would otherwise never do. They are happy and pleasant till the time they know they’ll be showered with gifts, their work is done on time by you while they are lazing around. They would not hesitate to throw you out of their life as one does with a fly in a cup of tea. They would never turn back to see if you are alive or dead or if maybe now it’s time you need them. When you really do, they’ll find an excuse that you can laugh on, for not being there. They never actually mean what they say and are full of fake promises. They would never feel bad for letting you down but will make sure they kick the hell out of your life, till the time they’re there.

Everybody would have come across both kinds of people. So have I. Maybe for some people all the traits I talk about do not match, maybe none of them do. But still, even if the traits are different, the experiences are different but the personalities deep down are always the same.

I know a few people who fall in the first category-the good ones, and I can give my life for them. And now I know some who fall in the second category, I regret that I thought I would give my life for them.

Your life and your time are both invaluable. They should be spent wisely and efficiently, only on people who deserve it. I should have realized it long back, that it was fake all the way, but I kept getting deeper and deeper into the quick sand. And when I think of those people I know are true, I regret not having met some of them earlier in life.

For whoever is reading this, if you know me, you know where you fall. And now I take the chance to tell all of my first category friends that I will be there forever and also to all the people in the other side, I wish I had thrown you out long back.

Like I said, you know where you belong and if you don’t then you never knew me.

                                               

                                                                                                            With lots of love,

                                                                                                            Pragya Jain