Gratitude

It’s been a while I have penned down something. But, scribbling anything would not do justice. Hope everyone’s staying safe in these times. We have been through a lot. But, we have hope and faith that one day the situations or circumstances will change. The hope and faith have a greater impact than we think. 

What compelled me to write now, is that this period has taught me lessons I would have never understood so closely. In my married life, we have had good moments, better moments (best moments are yet to come, I always believe that) and not-so-good moments. We always look for what we do not have. We rarely appreciate the things that we have: family, friends, emotional attachments with loved ones, good food, fresh air or a shelter.

I just celebrated my birthday not so long ago. Every year we celebrate this day by taking the long weekend (Memorial day) and head out to a place where we can spend time away from work. This year was going to be no different but, the pandemic forced us to change the plans. Rather than cursing it, we shrugged off and planned a surprise together. My wife bought some supplies from a local supermarket (maintaining social distancing) and we prepared a no-bake mango cheesecake on the eve of my birthday.

The point is not that we made a no-bake mango cheesecake but, it’s about appreciating the moments that come our way and enjoying them to the fullest. These are the moments that will define our lives and might be nominated as the better ones or the good ones. 

Let us all appreciate what we have rather than complain about what we do not have. Remember, no one gets more than he’she deserves or, less than they deserve. 

P.S. : The best moments are always yet to come. 

Retreat

Sometimes, we meet strangers who were destined to be met, at least once in life. One of those strangers is my wife who was destined to meet me, no matter what. And, then, there was an old yet charming couple we met at a couples-only resort.
Good thing about resorts is that they have numerous activities going around so one hardly has time to head out. One of these was Bingo after a really interesting and fun game called, "The Sexual Feud". One helluva game was 'The Sexual Feud'. Brings out the dirtiest you, played between the 2 sexes, men can lose this one (Beware!).
There were a couple of games that we played with another couple with more than twice as old as we are. They aged gracefully.
One of those games needed the male partner shoot (with fake bullets) his wife who was sitting in chair with glasses covering most of the face. The twist here was to close one eye and the gun had 4 barrels through which bullets would fire and you don't know which one would fire first. One of the fewer games in which you'd want to lose and not hit your partner in face (pun, intended). Well, we won the game, and earned a medal for that. We won against the older couple (won after a tie breaker). That man had some guts even after 50 plus years.
We met again in Bingo, lost the game in the last stage by a small margin against the old couple. It seemed as if we had to complete the circle of winning and losing. We graced the loss, cheered up and sat at a table. The winner got a bubble bath soap. The old man walked to us, patted on my shoulder, and handed me the prize, telling me, this is for you. What A Gentleman! My wife and I looked over him, thanked him and his wife for wonderful gesture.
Sometimes, people just don't wander in your life, they come and go for a purpose.
One more such person was the COO of the resort. One funny man he was. Billy, as he was known around, was the host of all the games that were being played. Such was his enthusiasm, that he carried the same stamina and fun throughout the day till the beats in the club stopped. We were one of the fewer couples who took part in all the activities of the resort, which he acknowledged in front of all.
Sometimes, it feels that it doesn't end like that. We get calls from universe to complete the circle.

May be, someday...

3 years and again

In a short while from now you'll be boarding the flight to home. Close to 3 years and you'll be seeing your family again, I've been through that and millions other have been, some others more than that. It all started 3 years ago with coincidence missing by just a few days. My leaving and your homecoming. 9 months ago it all started with a few texts and emotions. That was all what was required for a journey of togetherness. What were coincidences for others became a routine for us, from thoughts to ought to be. On a crossroad, our lives crossed once, twice and thrice. It was just that perfect moment for us to meet at the crossroads of life and never ever leave. We had our own share of happiness and sorrows, never did we leave each other, and never shall we leave either. We tried to write that story our way, and so shall it be 'cause once a step taken will not be taken back. Emotions flew like those free birds from a cage and we embarked a journey together thereafter. Seconds, minutes, hours and days passed, it blossomed. Today, you are sitting here in front of me waiting for the security check for your flight, while I gave the security clearance for our flight a long time ago. Sometimes, people leave an impression and never come back, while some others live to never leave. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to know a person, sometime just a week is enough. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens just, everything happens just. Some deep words those from a well wisher. Destiny has its role to play at a perfect time. 3 years ago, same time I decided to write about a flight for destiny. It always remained unfinished. Guess, it was destined to be. It had to finish here with you. Which was my solo flight then, will be turning to a flight of togetherness with you this time. As I say goodbye to you today, and wait just a week more to see you again, I would add 3 more words to this. I LOVE YOU. 

Tiny Tales

Dilemma

She was nothing but a reflection of himself in life. How could he be with some one who's nothing but his own self?
But, then how could he leave his own self?
That hurt them more.

Win and Loss

I fought against them for you and won.
I am here in front of you and feeling lost

Promise

She: can you keep promises?
He: I have made my mother one, I'm sure I can keep others as well.
She: Boycott it.
He flushed the last can he had.


Neverland

She: Where are we?
He: A place/step where others can only dream of.


Aroma

waft from freshly brewed coffee
her just washed hair
of earthy scent after rain
mom's soft warm fulka roti
the musk that he wears
and the lotion on your hands
this world seems like a garden indeed

the final play

If you're destined to meet someone, you will, there's no denying that fact. They met at crossroads not once or twice, but thrice. Their world collided, emotions erupted, he felt rejuvenated, she felt comfortable, and the sharing and paring started. her voice reverberated in his ears the day they talked. There was a sense of completeness between them. It seemed to him that he found his missing self in her. He would answer all her questions, give his thoughts, only to find that they have been meticulously sorted out and thought of by her, before he could even think/say. She was a reflection of his self in real life. She would always hers as 'the final play'. He and his vain efforts lost to her final play. A story they pondered together before it was written; it was written flawlessly just like a craftsman crafting a masterpiece. Too good to be true, she did not think once if he was not the one he was, because he didn't either. Not even a person can trust hi/her own self; but, she did. "I am busy in some work, sorry. I will call you later.", he said. Deep down her heart, she knew he will, and he would. But still, she replied, "talk to me, 'cause I would be fine otherwise." Everything would go numb around them, She found comfort in his voice and he found in hers. Vocal texts, expressive silence, endless waits was what they experienced. What she saw in him, was what she asked for. He would say something, and she would reply, " i knew you were going to say it; I was just waiting for you to speak." And again, she would win the 'final play' of that conversation. What could possibly go wrong from this? But, did she deserve this? or did she deserve better?
One fine night and they were left devastated. He embraced the parting as if nothing ever happened. He saw her for the first time then. They promised each other; this will be the last flight of emotions that will fly. They talked as if everything was good, but, the scars were just beginning to come. Inseparable splitsville was on its way. They both were waiting to end it forever. But, who take the guard and who plays the final play. Indecisiveness was hovering over their heads. The more they wanted to close, the stronger the bond grew.
She: "Do you have the courage to hang up the call?"
He (confidently): "Yes. I have to."
She (radiantly smiling): "Why are you lying to your self?"
He: "I am not."
She (scoffs): "Ask your self."
He (sighs): "Fine. I am. But, we have to put an end to this. Let me be the bad guy."
She: " You know that you can't." (again she would win the final play)
He: "Why are you doing this to me? How about not looking at me, and I will hang up. Easy?"
"Perhaps.", she said. "But, I don't want to regret later that I did not see him for the one last time." she added with teary eyes. (she would just not let him win, would she?)
Every single time he tried to push the finger, she would shake her head in disbelief.
One last time, and he asked her again to give the permission to put an end to their emotional miseries.
It felt like their worlds were breaking apart. Her smile was the last thing he saw about her. "Okay" were her last words he heard. Silence. After all those hours of looking in each others' eyes, waiting for her to give him permission, after all those 'okays' and 'nos', it took him less than a second to gather courage and push his finger on the phone and end what will never end. She cried and he took that blame on himself. Blaming himself, he didn't hold back and down came the tears of loss. It felt like he lost to himself. But, after all this that happened, who played the 'final play'? Did he by cutting it off or did she by the smile and final words in despair, "okay."? We all know who did, don't we?

They wished this never ends...

nothing just happens, everything happens just

Sometimes, a week is enough to know and understand, and sometimes, a lifetime's short to get connected. Our lives are filled with moments , good or bad. Countless people walk in and out, we move on; but, there are always some who will walk out by leaving an impression. It is that aura that they carry with them which gives us a reason to appreciate moments shared with them. Not necessarily they will remain with you forever, but, they give us a reason to live again.What we share between us will be special. It gives me pleasure to know how good I can be. You are the coating of galvanized zinc that prevented rusting of emotions. It gave me a feeling of coming back to my self (kind of a re-discovery). We wouldn't want to say much about the short times, but, a little word of appreciation will not be harmful. we are always tested, and it is only after extreme heat and pressure carbon turns to diamond, We from now shall have a future we deserve. Many a times, we think if relationship between 2 human beings does not work, why did they meet? There is a simple explanation to that: they met because one was exactly what the other one was looking for.
A small piece of advice to end this: "Nothing just happens, everything happens just."

Promise me

Last night was no different than every Tuesday. Finished with my late night classes, I walked back to my apartment which is a 12 minute walk from the train station. Weather had not been good all day. Snow in the afternoon turned into freezing rain in night while I was walking back to my apartment. Hopping around the puddles I managed to reach my apartment. I finished eating my dinner and got in my bedroom where I had a whole load of laundry to be folded. It had been a while that I video chatted with my parents in India. I hadn't been in greatest of moods since 3-4 days. After talking with my dad, it was my mom's turn to be on the video call. A sense of happiness always resides on her face whenever she sees me. This time it was no different. Our conversation took a different turn the moment we talked about protecting one's wife. There was a sense of concern that she wanted to share with me (which she did). Being a mother, she would always want her son to take her side or be with her. But,  how long? That's the question. She uttered by far the best piece of advice to me on maintaining or should I say balancing relationships. 

"Son, whatever it takes, do not ever let, your wife's inability to do something, out in front of anyone; not even her. And, do whatever it takes to be on her side. You'll have to balance between her and me. And, I will make sure you would not have a moment like that anytime in your life. Promise me."

"I promise."

Yearn

The warmth of your hug is what i yearn for,
You like me and i like you, whatever it's either or,
I don't know what it is,
Whatever it is,
My day was complete,
While my life was still incomplete,
You brought a smile,
Which was as long as a mile,
I slept for minutes nine,
Your virtual presence in the dream made up the time,
There's something in the air though miles apart,
Only death shall keep us apart.

What are You Upto??

Imagine yourself in a busy metro train. considering this route as your daily route of your daily routine, you are bound to encounter/cross by hundreds of people. Of these, some are neatly dressed professionals, some are students, children in strollers (literally), while some are tourists. Sitting on one of these seats, just imagine yourself without your smartphone/tablet/phablet/newspaper or your headphones plugged in a mp3 player. What do you see?
1.) A fashionista opening her cosmetic shop, overdosing her face with talc, blush, mascara, eye shadow, paints her nail, and what not to make it a coloring extravaganza.
2.) A photo-sensitive exhibitionist jerk who is self publicising hi D&G or Versace or Gucci sunglasses in a train who think its cool to wear them. Yeah! It is. But, hello! In a train? How much glare does the light in a train throw on your eyes that you've to wear those swanky glasses to protect your eyes from getting early macular degeneration?
3.) An overly obsessed smartphone user who is constantly tapping his/her phone's keypad trying to send a text in a no-network zone. My question to you: Are you from outer space?
4.) A power napper who tries to get that 15-20 mins of sleep that couldn't get last night whilst he was finishing a stage of a match-3 puzzle game.
5.) I accept that man is a social animal, but, what would you call a person who keeps on refreshing a facebook page which apparently doesn't obey his commands because it's not connected to internet, thanks to the no-network zone in underground metro?
6.)  A group-therapy session organized by some virtual identity. And what are the people doing? They are playing that stupid match 3 puzzle game. HELP THEM!! These people are life-less (pun intended). I urge the readers to be nice to them. Provide them life or else they'll praise cusswords on to you if you're in their FB's friend list. Get A Life Puzzlers!!


SO, WHAT ARE YOU UPTO?!!

English: Then and now..

ENGLISH WAS A FUNNY LANGUAGE: now it is funnier and crazier

With love becoming luv,
Tough becoming tuf,
Girls like them being called gurls,
B'coz, guys are luking haute!!
Words are getting shortened in such a manner that one day will come when we have to assume there are vowels in a word!! Jst lk ths! Snt t mzng. Hw cn v ndrstnd whn thr r n vwls n wrds! But, still we all find it amazing and artistic!
Thankfully we are still writing good as gud and just not gd as then a misinterpretation to a hot sexy girl we'd say, she looks gd (god or good) looking!! Well this changes the whole meaning of the emotions! ;)

Faith & hard work

Faith & Hardwork

What is  faith?
 A trust or confidence in someone, something or above all the Almighty.
When do we have faith?
When we know that we've worked hard enough to gain the confidence in someone. When we say, "I've faith in god.", we mean we've worked hard enough by stretching to our limits.
How do we know we've stretched to our limits?
Shear dedication and hard work when you think you are going in to paranoid-state-of-mind.
What if we lose faith?
There is no point when we lose faith in someone. There's only one answer: you haven't worked hard to gain the confidence. Proverbs aren't there for fun. They mean what they say. "God helps those who help themselves." The self help is the most important aspect which works to gain faith. If faith doesn't work then follow these easy steps and you'll get the answer.
1.) stay calm, diffuse all the thoughts.
2.) stand in front of a mirror with no one beside you.
3.) Look in to yourself and ask out a series of questions to self, "was the hard work enough?", "was there a room for improvement?", "what I did was right?".
4.) Search for the answers in your mind. Listen to what you get back. The answers will pave the way for improvement if needed. If you get affirmative answers, you have done what it takes. Rest assured depends on the faith on god or the someone..

• Failure without hard work will not lead you to success.
• Failure with hard work will always lead to success. Thats when your faith in God comes in place.
• If you havent worked hard then no need to feel sorry for failures.
• Thomas Alva Edison once said, "I haven't failed. I have invented 10,000 ways that won't work."
• Take a step and don't think of backing out; because "Backing out was and never should be an option."

fariyaad.

Fariyaad...

Fariyaad kare che e balpan jema koi rok tok nohti,Fariyaad kare che ma no kholo jema mathu muki sui jata,Fariyaad kare che pita no khabho jena par besi sheher na darshan karta,Ek fariyaad che k aa fariyaad che k fari aavti e yaad che..

Fariyaad kare che pehli vaar ni vaat,E prem hato, prem ni pehli mulaakat,Fariyaad kare che e laal gulaab,Ke prem ni nishaani chu k kaanta ni jaal,Fariyaad kare che e dil je dhadaktu hatu premi ni yaad ma,Fariyaad kare che e honth e muskaan ne je avaar navaar avya karti ti,Khatri karvi che ek matr k aa fariyaad che k pachi fari aavti e yaad che..

Fariyaad kare che e suki jamin je bhinai jati varsaad na teepa thi,Fariyaad kare che ej jamin ni suki mati je bhinai ne sugandh felavti,Fariyaad kare che e nadi jema tara kesh ni jem moja uchalta,Fariyaad kare che e vishal dariyo je khili uthto tari hasi sabhdi ne,Bas ek prashn che jeno uttar melavva aavyo chu,K aa fariyaad che k fari aavti e yaad che.

Fariyaad kare che aa nayan jene tane pehli j jhalak ma j  kaid kari lidhi,Fariyaad kare che e hriday,Je kaid che tari vaani ni mayajaal ma,Ek anokhu smit felay che jyare taro chehro jou chu,Ane saathe ek sawaal ubho thai che,K aa fariyaad che k pachi fari aavti e ghadpan ma tari yaad che..

ek kavita

Kavita ni sandarbh ane vyakhya che tu,

Ane e kavita na prem ma vileen thayela kavi ni kalpana che tu,

Pehla varsaad thi bhinjva aatur e mati ni i66a che tu,

Ane te j varsaad na kala vadla ne joi kalrav karta mor no naach che tu,

Ek premi na dil ni vaat che tu,

Na kahi shakyo e vaat eva dil ni vyatha che tu,

Vaajintra mathi nikleli sargam no sur che tu,

Ek gayak na gala mathi nikdelu prem nu geet che tu,

Shravan maas ma aavta shravani poonam no Chandra che tu,

Poonam na diwase paani ma padelu taj majal nu pratibeemb che tu,

Premika ni yaad ma na vitati premi ni raat che tu,

Te j premi ni diwas ane raat che tu,

Ek kavi e eni premika mate lakheli kavita che tu,

Ane e kavita na prem ma vileen thai gayela kavi ni kalpana che tu.

the silent preacher.

I may've got a  million friends to share my happiness and sorrows and crack jokes on, but, have never played with them the way I've played with you. I mayn't have felt as comfortable hugging them as I had when I was with you.Not many would have got the opportunity of putting arms around the shoulders and calling you 'yaar'. Not many would have been asked to be called as friends rather than sons at the stroke of puberty. I've got a privilege of having a teacher-father combo whose magical quotes on life have a deep meaning hidden. We mightn't have talked for hours on the phone, but I still share a stronger bond with none except you. Repeated failures followed by the evergreen verse, "Life is not a cake walk, vandho nai, next time thai jase." have never kept me low. Silently, I have made you my idol and hope to worship you for the years to come.

Rain Drops...

Trip trip trip, it's not the tap that is dripping,

Trip trip trip, it's the rain that is tripping,

Listen to my sound,

Cancel all the sounds,

It is the rhytm of my beats,

Listen to your heartbeats,

No no no, it's notthe stutter that I sound like,

Coz it's the utter that I don't like,

May you think I am a drop of water making millions suffer when I flood,

Shall you not forget, drops make lives, be it tears, or be it blood,

2 drops of a vaccine saves a baby,

Tear drops from a mother gives birth to a baby,

Drops of blood saves many,

Drops of rain grows a plenty,

Add to this the smell of wet land,

With a cup of coffee in your hand,

I'll leave you yearning for more rain,

Wait, wait, wait, till I pour again..

¿Cómo estás Amigos!!

The Lone Star State - Texas. Rest everything on the flag is occupied by flyovers(at least in Dallas).
Aided by two airports; DFW(Dallas-Fort Worth) and Dallas - Love Field (loved/used only by South West carriers), Dallas is one of the major cities in Texas. It was fall in New Jersey, while I was still feeling the heat in Texas! Car-clogged roads in NJ to open and clean roads in Texas, you feel that you've traveled a long way somewhere. The city is covered with a range of flyovers, flying on the top of other. I was travelling to my friend's place in his car from the airport, there was one road where I saw 4 flyover on the top of me, and 3 others below ours. There were 8 flyovers at a single juncture. No wonder I was amazed by this, as Texas is the 2nd largest state behind Alaska (include the area covered by water).
Try stopping at a Mexican restaurant if you want to try some good Mexican food. Learn a bit of Spanish before you come here. A good ambiance, with delicious food, Amigos makes it my list of places to visit again in Texas. A free bowl of Tostitos with traditional salsa will always be served in any Mexican restaurant.
A free appetizer with an entree was worth a deal. Looking at it, we thought of ordering an entree between two of us. We didn't know what were we ordering, except the fact it was vegetarian. But before that we ordered a tortilla soup. Our fist experiment was successful. The soup added with some veggies, and a slice of avocado was tasty and heavy. We, then were ready to order our entree. Tamales, as it was called, was our choice. It is a Mexican dish with veggies wrapped in a soft corn wrap, served with rice and beans on the side. We were looking for a light snack before the dinner. Much to our surprise, the dish was too heavy for both of us to finish after finishing a bowl and half of tostitos and soup. Just before the entree was served, we received our appetizer, the Tostadita(do not get confused with Tostitos). Tostadita is the Mexican version of Sev-Puri (the street food served in Ahmedabad). After finishing the dinner we left for my friend's place.

Cosmic Cafe, situated on the Oak Lawn avenue, Dallas, is one of the best Indian restaurants in the city.
You must be wondering why in this world would I go to an Indian restaurant while I stay in NJ. But, here is the thing, Cosmic Cafe is owned by an Indian, while the staff is American. Being an Indian restaurant, the interior of the restaurant has preserved the Indian culture. Ceiling fans in the form of peacock feathers, walls mounted with idols or murtis, floor paintings, wooden windows, and wooden doors. Every thing in the restaurant was Indianised. They serve water in stainless steel glasses (people generally drink buttermilk).
The sections in the menu were given utmost importance to the purpose they served. Souper nova was the name given for the soup section, while Primordial energy was the term used for appetizers, and Big Bang was termed for entrees. Giving fancy names wasn't enough here, as the cafe had a 2nd floor for meditation with prayers such as Om Jai Jagdish Hare sung in the background. Spread across 7-8 rooms, the atmosphere for meditation was as perfect as a straight drive from Sachin Tendulkar. The menu was filled with varied dishes stretching from Quesedillas and Samosas to Hummus and Pappadam. Although we didn't have much but the place was worth going for its unique identity.

I was glad that my experiments in Dallas didn't explode (like the one's in a chemistry lab). Aforementioned places will be on the list to go when I come to Dallas in future.

Gracias Dallas, Adios!

Shall you not forget..

Shall you not forget, what you're,
Shall you not forget, why you're here,
Shall you not forget, what you're supposed to.
Shall you not forget, what your GOALS are..

let there be struggles,
let there be niggles,
let there be people never letting you go high,
shall there be perseverance in you, to fight against all,
cause it's you who is making a difference,
cause its you who is going to achieve the GOALS..

Shall there be times, people lose faith in you,
shall there be times, you lose your way,
shall there be times, you fail, fail and fail..
But, take an oath, that..
Shall you never forget, what your GOALS are...

Nishan chuk maaf, nahi maaf nichu nishaan _ Gita

(I will pardon you for missing the target, but not for having a low target.)

a second chance...

Three dots in the post title has a meaning of continuity which started after a stunned pause exactly one year ago.
They say, you seldom get a second chance to rectify your mistakes or do what you were supposed to do during the times. Right now, moving in the flashback of what happened last spring, gives me goosebumps and gives me a feeling that of a bad nightmarish experience. An event that united 7 lives for the years to come, would not be forgotten.
Year: 2011
Date: 17th April
Day: Sunday (morning)
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Inter-State highway 79, Morgantown, West Virginia.
On road drivers were stunned when they came to know that what they expected to an action sequence from a Hollywood movie, was one of the tragic incidents that one would have seen and experienced in their lives. A group of 7 youngsters were returning back after a friend's marriage from South Carolina to upstate Pennsylvania. Never in their minds would they have thought that they would kiss death and leave it stranded. A sleepless night, after a dance party at the wedding, was supposedly the main culprit behind the accident that took place at the aforementioned place. A poor mis-interpretation of the lane and the curb, just before a planned rest area was the trigger. They never had a chance then to go to the rest area and change the drivers for the remaining drive back home. I could see the car toppling over for at least 2 times (people who saw, say it toppled more than 5 times). In fact, this landed 4 of them to a 2-day rest in a small community hospital for minor injuries and 2 to a 7-10 rest in a bigger multi-specialty hospital for near fatal injuries. Sitting helpless on the road, looking other mates laying on the ground semi-conscious, and waiting for the emergency team to come, I had my entire 25 years of life flash in front of me within 2.5 minutes of the stay on road. Wailing sirens, air ambulance getting down, and cops pulling over, made me feel I was there. A sense of curiosity always revolved during the hospital stay, of how the other two friends were doing. A call from one of them after 4 hours of the incident, made me feel a little comfortable that he's there somewhere, and is been taken care of by a group of life-saving professionals (health care staff).
One would have never expected this in his nightmare to even see this kind of an event, forget about experiencing it.
Life gave us a second chance that moment. We now try to make most of it.

the journey continues... (no period)

10,000 club

Seems like I am advertising for the Haywards' 5,000 or the Haywards' 10,000 club soda!
But, unfortunate for the drinkers, I'm not. One day in the morning I woke up and read the sports news in the Indian daily: The Times Of India, that a Sri Lankan cricket player named, Kumar Sangakkara became the 10th batsman in the history of the game to score 10,000 runs in the one-day matches. Well, my full credit to his game and to all the players who are in the 'elite' club of 10,000 ODI runs. It is their sheer prowess of the game that they have achieved a milestone, which could be only seen in the dreams of others. Sachin Tendulkar, the first and  one of the three Indians in the list, is way ahead of the last entry in the 10k club, started to play at a very younger age (he was in his teens when he padded up for the first time) and now, in his 22nd year in the cricket arena, he has been at the pinnacle of many other milestones.
But, with the number of one-day matches played increasing year-by-year, these milestones will lose their importance. Statistically speaking, a player in international cricket may atleast 30 matches in 1 year. Assuming the fact, that he plays 10-12 years of international cricket at a respectable average of 35-40 runs per match, he is going to score more than 10k runs when he gets retired.
I am not trying to negate the fact that they will be playing exceptionally well for their respective teams, but, what I am trying to say is that the 10k club will not be considered respectable. With the likes of T-20s, the players will be scoring heavily in one-days (being a batsman's paradise), the players will opt out of test matches which extract the true skills of a batsman against fast pitched, short- pitched deliveries. I wonder there will be a similar club of runs formed for T-20s in near future!
Gosh!

A traveller in time - India

It's been a year and 5 days, since I came back from India to US after a wonderful trip. Time goes very fast, I didn't notice until I actually realized the fact that it's already an year after the trip. When I came to the States for the very 1st time, me and my friends had already planned about our visit back home, before even our classes started!
 15th August (Indians will not forget this date) of the year 2009 was my last day in India, as I was waiting  to board the British Airways flight en-route Newark via London. I was standing in the queue to get in the main lobby of the airport, just when a band started playing the national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana". That made me feel I am going to start a new journey of life just as India started 62 years ago. I was ready to get in the main lobby, with my family wishing me good luck and waving me bye with tears. I went in with just a tear in my eye trying to come out, but it stopped. After getting done with the security check, and the baggage check, I thought I should call my parents and let them know that I am doe and now I'll be waiting for the flight announcement. So, I found a phone-booth and dialed my cell number (it was with my sister).
Me: Hello
Sister: Hello, kon? (Who?)
Me: Vikram.
Sis: e to nathi, e to America gayo!! (He's not here, He has gone to America)
Me: abe, haji to plane aayu pan nathi ne mane America mokli didho!! (Hey! I am still waiting for my flight to come and you already sent me the US)
Sis: oye, tu!! Mane em taro koi friend chhe tara mate puchhe chhe!! (Oh, You!! I thought one of your friends called and was asking about you!)
This conversation was too hilarious. I boarded the flight soon after and embarked a new journey alone. I reached my final destination after a couple of hiccups. It started off well and we didn't even know when our time was running. After an year and a half, me and my friends were all set to go back, meet our other mates and of course our family.
After going some place for a trip (in the US) or a hang-out and come back to our apartment, I'd feel I am back home (the place where we lived in the US). But, when I went back to India, I had a very different kind of feeling. I felt, I am back to my home after 1&1/2 years. I felt relaxed when I got there. My parents, a close friend (we studied in the same school, lived in the same place), my cousins and a couple of other family members were waiting to receive the NRI (although I am still a student, once you leave the country you get the tag). My sister had planned a wonderful surprise for me at home. I was overfilled with emotions and happiness. Sitting on the sofa, and sipping the masala chai was always missed. Hanging out with friends late nights, going out in shorts (although it was winter in India, the temperature felt to me was of the fall in the States).

And just after that dreadful year 2011, almost an year after I am sitting on my desk with a garam chai (tea) in my hand, penning down the memories and thinking, "kab vapas aayenge vo din, jab hum karte the ek doosre ki leg pulling", because in my next trip most of my buddies will be seen with their wives, or some with their kids (one of'em was already married when I left!! Poor Guy).

Time's running fast, It's been more than 2 hours now and my cup of tea is already empty.

Good Night.

Thank you!