Author - Jui Purohit.

  *Link to Chapter 4* "Kisiki nazar na lage mere bacche ko!", Yuga's mom said as she circled her palms around Yuga's face and cracked her fingers on her temples. "Did you apply the ointment?", mom inquired. "Yes mom. I'm fine, trust me", Yuga gave her a persuasive smile. Yuga looked beautiful in a blue flowy dress that she wore. She opted for this comfortable outfit to avoid her scalped knees from further afflict. Yuga held her mom's hand tightly and kissed the back of her palm.  They both got seated in the car and Yuga drove off. "Baccha! Your makeup skills are amazing. Perfectly hiding your swollen eyes", mom said as she scanned her face from the front seat abreast Yuga. Yuga glanced at her mom and then into the rear mirror. She adjusted the mirror, ignoring her mom's comment. Mom too, giving some space, didn't investigate further. Yuga switched on the indicator to take the right turn to the 'Brewed Awakening café...

  *Link to Chapter 2* Yuga's eyes once again brimmed with tears. She hadn't cried this insanely after that incident three years ago. She clinched her stomach and the bottle harder. The bottle cracked and started leaking. The water oozed over on to the bench.  "Nirav!", his face still flashing in front of her eyes. Yuga's brain couldn't process it. "Why now? After three years? I had tried hard to forget it, then why? What do you want from me God?". Yuga looked up in despair, tears rushing down her already red cheeks.   More dried leaves came falling down the tree and covered the water that was spilled on the bench. Yuga's phone beeped a several times and now it started ringing. She snapped out of her reverie and gulped whatever remaining water that was in the bottle. She took the phone call.  "Where are you dear? You are never this late. It's Saturday, so are you exercising more today? Are you okay?", questions kept bombarding at her...

  *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...