Author - Jui Purohit.

  *Link to Chapter 1* Yuga started wailing. Her body was literally shivering. Her tears drenched her tee. She slowly slumped in worship position. Now her tears were drenching the soil. The young man stood beside her. As the people passing by were glancing with suspicion, he couldn't leave Yuga like this.  The same old lady walking with a vigour, stopped by and asked the man, "Is there a problem? Can I help? Is your wife okay?" The man, perplexed yet immobile, murmured, "She's not my wife". The lady corrected herself, "Sorry! Did you and your girlfriend fight? You youngsters don't value relationships. Young man, pacify her quickly, else you will miss the opportunity. Give her a hand, lift her up and hug her". She shifted close to the man and whispered, "Just say sorry, I'm sure that's what she wants to hear. And sorry for interfering, but I couldn't see her crying. All the best". And the old lady walked away. The young man ...

She was sitting on the bench under the huge tree. Its extensive branches covered few more benches around. The park was a hangout place for teenagers. It was a playground for children and a perfect site for the exercise enthusiasts. People jogged, wearing headphones, determined to shed those extra kilos and be fitter, sticking to their new year resolutions, was a familiar sight here.  Yuga wasn't feeling the vibe today. She had left home as usual, early in the morning, in her tracks and tee to run a few miles, but after three rounds she just sat down on the bench. She saw an old lady taking rounds, walking slowly, but with vigour. The tree was shedding it's aged golden leaves. One such tanned foliole fell beside Yuga on the bench. She picked it up and let it descend on the ground. She switched off the songs playing on her phone. With air pods in her ears, she sat inert on the bench. She closed her eyes and could hear the birds chirping. "They are so happy even at the break ...

  Dreams....what are they made of? Ambitions or passion, How do you prove yourself? Subtly or with aggression? Every morning we get messages saying "Dream on". We read status and stories preaching how important it is to dream and achieve that goal. But what's the other side of the coin? "Dream big and succeed" everyone keeps saying. The dreams have become so big that people want to achieve them by hook or crook. Are dreams really worthwhile if fulfilled by inappropriate means? Chasing dreams does make your life rewarding. And yes, dreams are free. Having said this, following your dreams at the cost of everything else is preposterous. Different strokes for different folks! But life isn't worthy of malicious engagements. Leaving your family without a second thought because you want to achieve something in life and hoping that the accomplished dream will make you happy, not really! Who would be there to celebrate your success? In the end you could be on the top...

 "You've to score good grades at school!" "You've to do your Olympiads!" "You need to have a co-curricular activity or some sports activity!" "You should be able to dance or sing or play a musical instrument!" Oh my my! So much pressure on these little one's learning to adapt and traverse the lanes and by lanes of this complicated world. "But its a rat race! He/she needs to figure it out sooner. Studies, career, universities, the stress builds up as they advance into their grades (classes), isn't it?" Yes, true. It's a tough task for the coming generations. Population is ever increasing. Even though the colleges and courses are increasing in numbers but we have no say on the quality of education they impart. Also the leading universities and colleges are always the first priority, obviously. So the newbies are looked down upon. Also the reservations hinder the paths of many. Well, so what score is a good enough score...

  And 2024 ends..... What a roller coaster ride!  Every year passes by and the new year comes afore, leaving you with something and making you leave something.  It would be quite odd if time doesn't indoctrinate our minds. This year taught me so much, like the previous one and the prior ones too! I have learnt valuable lessons thanks to 2024. The year was challenging, demanding yet gratifying.  What I grasped this year would be exemplar for rest of my life!  The fear of losing your close ones, leaves you petrified. While the close ones are battling, struggling with all their mights, you feel helpless even when you have honest intentions of support. Mental support, yes that can be given in abundance, there's no ceiling to it. But the one you intend to support is going through so much that sometimes just being there, showing up is also helpful.  Sleepless nights, nightmares haunted me for days. But then when you see them valiantly striving and vanquishing the...

 Victor got up early today. He made his tea, as usual. He skipped reading the newspaper, instead rushed to take bath. At the age of 70, he was quite fit. He lived alone, doing things on his own. There was a maid who helped him with basic chores. But maintaining his garden, making his tea and breakfast, folding his laundry, cleaning his room...all this, he did independently. Today was a special day! He took out his favorite coat from the cupboard. He had already ironed his white shirt and blue trousers. " This coat goes well with the combination", he affirmed to himself. He got dressed up, sprayed some perfume, combed his grey hair in a neat partition. He smiled looking into the mirror, " Blue is her favorite color ", he murmured. " Kya saab? Aaj itna tayar hoke...date pe jaa rahe hai kya?", his maid asked, jokingly. If he had a daughter, she would be of the same age, as the maid. So, they used to have funny conversations, always. " Ha date pe hi jaa r...

 Jaya never talked about it. She always thought that she would be made fun of. No one took her foreboding seriously. When ever she was with someone in a car she would get jolted at crossroads. Her feet hitting the floor of the car even in passenger seat, trying to brake urgently. When she drove herself, her heart would skip a beat while at the crossroads. It was the same even on a scooter or motorbike. When riding pillion she would grab her husband's back tightly and squeeze her eyes shut. "Kyun darti hai itna Jaya", "Arey, don't speed up, varna Jaya darr jayegi", "Yeh back seat driving band kar yaar Jaya", was what Jaya would often hear when travelling with friends. They took her phobia for her cowardice. Jaya took those comments as joke, not taking to her heart. They were Jaya's friends after all. The other day Jaya was driving alone, as usual she slowed down at the crossroads. As if crossing the road on foot, she glanced at both the sides fo...