My Platinum Day of Life

They were married in a church filled with relatives and friends. Hardly had they known the meaning of the word ‘marriage’! It was anyway a special day for the couple and a very new experience of having a new person as the partner. The first few days they flew in the fantasy world feeling so light at heart as two new born butterflies.

When they landed they hit the ground at her in-law’s house, a strange place where everyone waiting to weigh her. To him, it was heaven as he got an additional gift in his own home. He was thrilled that she cooked and cleaned, finally giving his mother some rest, except for commenting or criticizing her work. She couldn't take her own decisions, nor could she go out with her husband without the in-law’s consent. She made a perfect daughter-in-law, though her heart was pounding to be the free person who she was before.

He would go out for work and come back in the evening. His dress and food were taken cared by her, leaving much time for him to relax. He understood the benefits of getting married and never thought about her feelings. Moreover he was consoled by the fact that so many machines are there to make the chores easy for her unlike his mother had to slog without any of them.

She loved everyone anyway and she took the new life as her destiny. Years passed faster than they thought and they realized it only on their 25^th year of married life. By then, their two children had grown up to teenagers, and her in-laws were no more.

A few more years went by and their son got married and brought home a young girl. She looked at her face and saw her own image as a new bride. She smiled at her who had come to a strange place, leaving her parents in a faraway place. Instead of the kitchen door, she showed her the way to their bedroom to refresh herself after the long journey. She set the table for everyone and started serving the meal.

‘Mama’, the girl’s voice called. Before taking her place, she asked, ‘Why don’t you sit with us?’ She had tears in her eyes while she sat with her family for the first time in life. Though it was her best moment ever, it made the worst day for him. He somehow finished his supper and excused himself to leave the table. She didn’t understand anything at all and she enjoyed the food for the first time after her marriage.

After supper her son and his new bride came to her help. Her joy didn’t know bounds to receive a helping hand of love. ‘Good night my son’ as usual she said and then, smiling at the girl she said, ‘Good night my daughter’.

She left for her room to see her husband sitting in a grave mood of contemplation. He saw her coming and smiled at her fondly than ever before. He took her hand and for the first time he noticed the roughness of her palm. He found her smiling, still burning in the fire of love which nothing or no one could put out.

The next day wasn't special for anyone but him. He woke up humming his favorite tune and went to the kitchen like a kid and emptied the milk packets to the milk cooker and kept it on the stove. Looking at her flabbergasted gaze, he gently winked and both fell into each others’ arms in laughter and love.

He waited for the evening to go out with her to the temple, the only place they ever went together as a couple. She was confused as he drove to the road leading to the city instead of taking the turn to the temple.

The car stopped at the underground parking of the biggest jewellery shop. She was more puzzled to see her husband winking again like a naughty teenager. The lift reached finally at the top floor of the shop and they were amidst diamonds and platinum. Lovingly, he whispered into her ears ‘I want to get you something precious and rare, just as you are!’

Hand in hand, they walked to the display table. Their eyes were attracted to the unique piece among the collection: a thin platinum chain with a beautiful pendant on it. On the pendant, a single diamond was fixed, and just below the diamond was found a beautiful little heart made of gold. In the moments that followed, they communicated in silence than in words. She looked like a queen, as she walked along with him, wearing it on her slender neck.

He had lots to say and loads of guilt that burdened his heart. She gently placed her fingers on his lips and kissed the little heart that was shining on the platinum pendant. ‘I know that you always loved me and today I realize that you loved me more than what I thought!’ My words choked in my throat and my tears filled my eyes. 

Diamond betrothed our life together. Gold united us before the altar. Platinum proclaimed our love forever.

From a timid new bride I have grown up to a confident lady. I might have missed lots of fun and laughter. Yet I feel that I’m blessed to be in a family, sparkling like diamond, shining like gold, exclusive like platinum.

This is my story of love, like platinum, rare to find and precious to lose!

 http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love,  This story is part of the contest 'Platinum Day of Love'

Parents, a luxury to have!

When very many children know no parents

And left to wonder who gave them birth

The rest possess a treasure named parents

Without ever knowing their real worth

Street or orphanage, makes their home

Many, forced to work all day long

When parents and siblings make a home

Alone they fight for a life too long 

  

They may find food and refuge

But they'll not know a guardian called father

Many a lives washed away in deluge

Without a guiding light called mother

Like a wayside plant they grow

Surviving all odds till they fall

Their own lives to the fate they throw

As no one cares to listen to their call

More pathetic are the lives that face

The loss of a parent in early years

A life, a love, gone with no trace

Left are they to survive their years

What will I do without my father?

How will I live without my mother?

Why did God take away my father?

Who’ll will love me like my mother?

Who'll wave me goodbye each morning?

Who'll polish and tie my shoes?

Who'll pick me up each evening?

Who'll wash and iron my dress? 

When all my friends talk about their parents

Where will I hide my tears from their sight?

I’m too small to take all these torments

Why am I deprived of my sole delight?

These questions resound, leaving echoes

From end to end, hurting the Earth

There may be words to soothe their pathos

But nothing brings back their home and hearth

Still life moves on to destiny’s choice

With smiles and laughter, tears and pang

Life rewards many moments to rejoice

Yet layers of vacuum, forever they clang

And if you had your parents hither

Till you could face life without fear

Thank God for them, forget not ever
They are the best gift, always found near

Life, a question to ask or an answer to search?

Past, a story often told

Future, a mystery untold

Both are ghosts beyond our hold

A day named today waits to unfold

Yesterdays’ regrets, makes a load so heavy

Tomorrows’ dreams, a sea so wavy

Making mortals feel so lowly

What we are, but a mask so lovely!

Past and future has no place in present

Each day is God-sent, received as present

Never to succumb to evil’s torment

Forever to fetch a fresh fruitful moment

Life on Earth can be hell or Heaven

No raven can stop us making our haven

Minds better kept tender lest they harden

And may we thrive as a well-tended garden

Friends and fiends will come and leave

Life is a tapestry that we alone weave

Not a load that we’re bound to heave

For sure a miracle hard to believe

Never let's say that there isn't a cure

As life starts anew every new day pure

Along our way some misery is sure

Life is rewarding for those who endure

Life beyond the scene

Child is the most beautiful gift when received

Unique, matchless, a little miracle born

After a while it turns to the most hectic task

To do without a hint of success

Comments, experiences, advice, such as

Boys are fun, girls are sweet, till they fight

One is best, two are perfect, more means mess

Make the new born a victim of experiments

Soon home school starts, preparation for Pre-KG

My child can say A to Z and 1 to 10 

Claims the neighbour, 'Wow!' all exclaim

And parents run to the next bookstore

Kisses and hugs are acts of appreciation 

Love becomes the reward for accomplishments

Smart, obedient, well-mannered, active, intelligent

Adjectives to define his future and worth

None to be blamed, nothing to be ridiculed

Any discussion ends with a sigh, ‘This is life’

Desperate parents and worn-out kids

At times all smile at their own folly

While parents think they aren't honoured

Children grumble they aren't loved

Comparisons, arguments, complaints aplenty

Perfection remains the goal never reached

I’m playing this game called life

Inside a home called family

Standing between my parents and kids

I realise a beautiful mysterious truth

All would fight but none gets defeated

A tug of war where no one wins

If one fails, others don’t cheer

If one triumphs, all surely rejoice

Dialogues delivered, then regretted

Arrows shot, never meant to hurt

Anger, frustration, fear and rivalry

Just passing clouds that hide pure love

I can’t conclude who’s better than whom

No scale to measure love expressed or hidden

As there’s no heart that doesn't quiver

When another is wounded, hurt or dead

Beneath the hurting wounds that bleed

There’s a drive to forgive and unite

A compromise not to be seen elsewhere

Home and family make our world on Earth

I’m a daughter and I am a mother

I’m equally indebted to my parents and kids

For their love, compromise and tolerance

That I can never reciprocate

Finally I see that home isn't a battleground!!

And family, not some people who compete!!

We are running the race together !!

We are playing as one team to win!! 

To face without a face!

I took my place by the aisle

Set my bags down the seats

In the AC coach pretty calm

I stretched myself to relax a bit

The lady near the window turned

To my shock, I saw no face!

Except scary scars and thickened skin

There was nothing but her eyes alive

I smiled as our eyes met first

She might’ve smiled, God alone knows

There was no chance to read her thoughts

Or emotions hidden beneath her burns

‘Thank you for your smile,’ she said

I could guess what made her say that

Everyone turned their heads from her

An unpleasant sight, no eye could bear

‘If not a face, what else is left!’ 

I thought while trying to look unruffled

I struggled to see her as human as I

To face a face without a face!

She was blessed with a sweet voice

And two twinkling eyes which said the rest

She opened her purse, turned it my side

‘This is me…I mean…this was me’

She smiled at me through that little snap

A lively lady in the lifeless picture

I wondered much of the beautiful past

Of this gorgeous woman who lost her face

She didn't speak more on her woes

Words broke in chokes and dissolved in tears

I grasped the story, not so uncommon

Of a face changing fate of many a woman

Acid burnt her face making it a horrid sight

Yet failed to put off her spirit, still burning bright

Before my eyes she turned so gracious

A soul untouched by violence of fiends

I bowed my head and cleared my throat

Bit my lips to stop the tears roll

I didn't know whether to thank God for my face

Or to see the splendour of life even without a face

I couldn't empathise or sympathise

Rather I looked at her in great admiration

A personality which no fire could kill

A person who could live beneath her skin

After a silent pause we reached the present

Cheerful chat and laughter and fun

Made us friends in the fast moving train

Alas! I had to get down, bid adieu soon

As I hugged her I felt her arms holding me tight

‘Thank you’ she sighed looking into my eyes

Hugging her again I whispered back the same

The silence and tears had much more to share

How could she know that I wanted to quit!

That I was a lifeless soul faking a smile!

That her faceless face taught me to face

My life and fate with gratitude and grace!

Is it death that teaches life?

Is it loss that makes us grateful?

Is it our face that makes us what we are?

Or is it what we face even without a face?

Little Healing Hands

She at last sits on the swinging chair

Wiping her sweat with a shallow sigh

Many are still the chores that wait

For her to attend before she rests

Without a reward she moves on her way

Not for a penny; she works all day

No one asks her or even thinks she needs

A day to rest, or some air to breathe

Taken her for granted he comes

Evening, night, at any odd time

She stands there to serve him food

With a smile, or else he’s sure to shout

Her heart at times yearns to laugh aloud

To chat a while with someone dear

She is called wife, but treated as slave

She is a woman, she’s but a name

Her spirit dies, her soul withers

Her body and mind ails with age

In thirties she looks like a haggard old being

Her prayers are silent tears that flow

There comes her little girl looking so puzzled

‘Mama, are you tired?’ she asks so sweet

Then goes and brings a glass full of water

‘Drink mama, drink’ she compels with love

She sits beside her, looks into her eyes

‘Can I help you, mama? You take some rest.’

 Mama’s heart fills with joy, she hugs her babe

A new stream of life makes mama smile

She puts her babe on her lap and kisses her brow

Grateful to her for the healing touch of love

Cuddling her closer, with tears she prays

‘God, spare my child from my wretched fate’

Tightly holding hands, they walk to the kitchen

Sweet words so cute make mama cheerful

Little hands take onions and lift them to her mom

‘What else, mama?’ ‘Nothing dear, I’m well’ 

Child is a wonder, the best healer for a mother

Those twinkling eyes are the brightest light ever

That innocent smile reflects the heart of a giver

Child is a treasure; age matters never!

Kill four and leave the rest??

I kept on staring at the September 11th newspaper title in horror without knowing how to react: ‘One in four men admits to committing rape’. I was badly shaken after seeing the reasons for a man to rape.

1.           The most common reason; men’s belief that they have the right to sex, regardless of consent!

2.           Second most common reasons: for fun or due to boredom

3.           Anger, as punishment etc.

Then comes a line: “While large majority of men supported the ‘abstract idea’ of gender equality, many believed domestic violence was acceptable and that household work was the women’s job!

September 13^th Friday brought the news: Delhi gang rape: All four convicts sentenced to death!

So, how many criminals are left to roam free in our country? If we kill these four, will our women be safe? Will men stop raping? Nothing, except a comfort that somewhere, some justice is done. Truth is, you have one man among four, around you to devour you, if you are another Nirbhaya unlucky to become  Nirbhagya!

Who said that women can be raped without consent? Rape itself is murder as life is lost from body and soul after a rape. Rape is theft as it steals all the dignity of the victim.

And who is even interested to know the reason for the rape or sexual abuse? We, women are really not after the reason and statistics. We are human beings like men and we don’t want men to think of raping or abusing or even touching us. Why should you? You may have your reasons and justification. If you have a problem, admit it and take proper treatment. Don’t use women as your punching bags to show your tantrums.

We aren't meat to be eaten or slaves to be slaughtered. We are God’s Creation meant to be your mother, your sister, your wife, your daughter, your friend, your partner.

We are neither an object of violence nor a subject of discussion. We are women. You be human.