Great Expectations!

Yesterday, I yet again realised how sensitive I am, to words, to emotions, to situations, to people. To people who I think belong to me. It was just another normal conversation, but the over-thinking brain in me found something to worry about, as usual. 

After a series of texts and calls and conversations, and both of us became of wary ( I, of me, my friend, of me as well. What else?) I understood it was time to let go. To let go of the extremely fine thread of expectations I had. To let go of the hurt and the anger and the pain. To let go of the guilt and the misery and the doubt. 

I realised I can’t go about carrying a “Handle With Care” sign in this world, when I am the odd one out. Every emotion has to be mutual. I mean, it’s okay to sometimes take the first step when there are signs of reciprocation from the other end. But otherwise, there are extremely few occasions when the gesture is appreciated. And understood. And returned. Because, most of the time there is only turbulence, disappointment, awkwardness and emptiness. 

I find it easier to bring down my expectations than face the disappointment of them not being fulfilled. But now I’ll have to find ways to become less sensitive, because a) It sometimes become too much for people around me to handle, b) I don’t seem to be able to appreciate the lack of it in some, c) And sometimes it leaves a bad taste in people that it brings an emptiness in the equation I share with people – the pain of which I don’t seem to be able to handle.

Thank God for blogging though, I can pour out anything I’d want to express without any filter. And share my views without having to feel mortified about it.

Cheers!

Because, Brothers Are Super Special!

August 18, 2016. Raksha Bandhan. When each sister ties a Rakhi on her brother’s hand, out of love, with a promise to always be there and protect each other in times of need. A day in honor of the brother-sister relationship. A day exclusively for the brothers. Because, brothers are just so special.

A brother is NOT someone on whose hand you tie a rakhi because you don’t want him to be your “Boy friend” or “lover boy”. Definitely not. Somebody does not become your brother just because you address him as “Chetaàn“/ “Bhaiyaa“/ “Bhaisaheb“/ “Anna“/”Brother” etc. Rakshabandhan does not end with tying a Raakhi, it begins there – A lifelong relationship to preserve, to fulfill and to cherish – that will act as testimony to the honesty of the bond you promise to share.

All relationships on one side, and the relationship you share with your brother on the other side. With your brother you share that special connect, that exclusive bond you can’t share with anyone else. Your brother is the super power you possess, to face the entire world with zeal, courage and confidence. With your brother by your side you feel you can deal with absolutely anything – He is your strength, your elixir. Your brother is one who wouldn’t hesitate to break all ties, who’ll reach up to the skies just to ensure you get what you want. He wouldn’t think twice to sacrifice his all for you, because your happiness means the world to him. (I have seen my father do all this for his sister, and have remained spell bound every time.  Makes me wish sometimes that I had a brother too, but my sister is worth a thousand brothers, and my cousins make up for the vacuum). To your brother, you can completely spill your heart out, without hesitation, without the need to feel scared, embarrassed or skeptical. He will be the last person in the world to judge you. With him, you can absolutely be your crazy self. He is your first teacher, your first best friend, your second parent. He is the magician you can trust, to solve all your problems in a jiffy. You can fight with him for every stupid thing you can think of, annoy him, drive him mad – yet he will be there with you, for you, every time, not because he is bound to, but simply because his world revolves around you. You are his pride, his first true love, his strength, and with you he absolutely loves to forge every single moment into an epiphany to be preserved and cherished for ages to last and beyond.

So the next time you think of tying a Rakhi to someone or you want to make someone your brother – think twice. Maybe thrice? Hell, as many times as you want to – because your brother is not some random person in the world – He is your special treasure, your forever superhero.

No Strings Attached

You know, I always like to live 2 lives. One that I’m living out there, for the world to see, and the one that I’m living at my place, in my home, with my family and friends. And I hate mixing the two of them. I mean I’m all for caring and sharing but being privy into someone’s life is something altogether different. I don’t mask myself from people who pry, but I don’t think twice before I lash out “It’s absolutely not your business”. I give people their space and I believe I’m entitled to mine too.  Small talk, gossip don’t work for me. I hate people who beat around the bush just to extract a juicy bit of information. I love to make new friends and meet new people  – but not by discussing the latest scandal around. If I’m friends with someone, it’s because we just clicked and connected. Even at work, I find it best and easy to maintain just a professional, entirely “work related” relationship with people around – it just makes things simple and less complicated for me. I wouldn’t want to know or find what what each is doing in his/her day off, or what’s exactly happening in each of their personal lives. Neither, would I like to, in the least, share what I’m up to.

I wouldn’t like to break the wall and connect – that space is reserved purely for family and friends. One major reason I’m never getting on Facebook.

Friends Forever!

In a world where nothing comes free, where people don’t talk to each other without purpose, there is this beautiful bond called friendship. Where you just connect with someone, instantly or maybe in a day, in weeks, in months and become ‘Friends‘.

Friends who like you for who you are, not for what you’ll become or what they want you to become. Friends who don’t tell you what to do, but join you in the fun.

No, I’m certainly not talking about people who call themselves your friends, but every time you need them they aren’t there. Not people for who you make yourself available all the time, but they conveniently ask you “Is it something important? (With a smiley)”. Not people who let you down during your rough patches. Not people who are jealous of who you are, or what you have. Not people who constantly find ways and means to change you the way they want you to be. Not people who don’t stay with you when you’re in distress, and get back to you in your glory. Not people who talk to you all day, but aren’t ready to listen to you when you want them to. Not people who find it easy to make excuses and not be there during your important moments in life when you want them by your side.

I’m talking about people who like you for who you are. People who don’t put up with you, but actually enjoy your company. People to whom your presence matters the world. People who not just accept your flaws, but like you with your flaws. People who’ll laugh with you, cry with you, who’ll happily eat every bait with you. People who’ll pull your leg all the time, but will be the first to speak up for you when someone puts you down. People to whom you can bare your heart to. People with whom you can always be your true self, without any pretence on, without any necessity to impress. People who’ll be extremely busy, but will still find time for you, because you mean a lot to them. People who’ll become your family when you are alone, and stand by your side without questions when you need them. People, who might miss wishing you on your birthday, who might not talk to you everyday, but will still get through to you the moment they sense you’re not okay. I’m talking about people who’ll never judge you for who you are, or for the decisions you make.

I’m talking about people who are your real friends. Not your Facebook friends or your Twitter followers. Not the forced kind either. Real, non-pretence people, with who you share a beautiful bond called friendship, with whom you strike a chord. People, who can resonate at the same wavelength as yours, who can read your mind looking at your face without you having to utter a word. People, who always give you the right vibe. People who see right through you, beyond all your hoity-toity airs, your fake smiles and your sharp tongue.

Friendship, like any other relationship isn’t perfect. And the beauty of it would be lost if it was. It would’ve been extremely soppy and dull and boring, if it were not for the stupid misunderstandings and the petty fights. If it were not for the numerous arguments. They make the bond stronger, more special.

I’m extremely lucky to have found a few such, and to those few I’d like to dedicate this blog post. You know I’m a defective piece, wired to be just the way I am. And I know you’ll stand by me, rock solid, no matter what. Your presence matters the world to me, and I will cling on to you forever. Thanks for always being an amazing part of my world. Can’t imagine my life without even one of you. You guys are special.

To a bond as beautiful as this, a day wouldn’t suffice. Nevertheless, cheers to beautiful people who make your world go round, people with whom you forge a relationship, fun and pure and everlasting.

Cheers to friends. Cheers to friendship. Cheers to Friendship Day!

What Really Matters..

No matter how big you grow, how busy you become,

No matter where you reach, how happy you are or how glum,

Take time out for your family, your friends, people who are your own,

For they are your rock, your support, they’ll bring back your smile, make you forget to frown!

P.S. This is part of my Pen The Picture project. Hope you like reading what I write.