A little fun everyday keeps the boredom away.

This is not for the first time that he has forgotten his cell phone at my desk but this is certainly the first when his wife has called in his absence. I stare at the screen flashing his wifey's name, I look around but he is nowhere in vicinity. I look back at the screen and then look away. Suddenly a thought crosses my mind and my eyes light up. I instantly take the call.

“Can I talk to him?”

I purposely reply in Hindi, “Wo to so rahe hai (He is sleeping). May I know who is on the line?”

“I am **** (her name). Can you please get him on line?” She sounds enraged.

“No I can’t. But I will pass on the message as soon as he wakes up. Can you please call after some time?”

And I hang up quickly saving her anger for him.

Meanwhile he returns to collect his phone and sees pretty wifey calling. “Why she has to call so many times a day?” He mumbles disconnecting the call. I secretly chuckle.

She calls again and he answers it agitatedly.

“I’m heading to a meeting so I’ll talk to you after half an hour. Anything urgent?”

“I know what kinda meeting you’re in.”

“And what does that suppose to mean?”

“Don't try to be smart. Tell me honestly where are you and who is she?”

“I’m in office and what do you mean who is she?”

“She just said that you were sleeping.”

He looks at me with I-will-murder-you expression. And I pass on a devilish grin.

He tries to explain the situation to her but she doesn’t listen. He puts her on the speaker and asks me to clarify the situation.

“Please tell her it was a prank.”

“What prank? You never told me you’re married, you jerk!!” I respond adding dramatic effects.
He is stumped. He cant utter a word even if he tries to.

“You better not come home today.” His wife yells and disconnects.

He looks horrified probably because he is newly married. The sadist in me wants to laugh at him but my heart pities. I take his wifey’s number and call her from the office landline. She sounds furious. I tell her that it was a prank and I’m calling from the office landline to assure her of his presence at work.

Everything is quiet for a moment. And then... she burst into laughter!!

I turn to him, “You owe me a treat. I just saved your marriage.”

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

Everything happens for good but sometimes it’s difficult to come to terms. It happened with me when I couldn’t go to the much coveted B-school. It was a bit difficult then but now I understand how God plans everything perfectly. I would have regretted being away from my family when they needed me the most.

When I fed my mom from my hands early in the morning today, I felt thankful for being here with her. Until a few months ago, my mom used to do that for me when I would be hard pressed for time. Life changes in ways more weird than you can think and it has its ways to make you stronger, innit?

Anyways, I am happy today. My mom's latest reports have arrived and it’s relieving to see some improvement. Yea, she is going uphill… at snail’s pace but recovering nonetheless. I am sure she will get there by the end of January. I haven’t seen her walking around the house in months. Hopefully the old days will return soon.

As a token of celebration, I am making Lebanese today. It’s not very spicy and will suit my mom. Besides, today is Sunday and this is the only day of the week when we, as a family, have lunch together. We discuss current affairs and gossip over trivia; we play cards or watch movies together.

Don’t you think, life is kind enough to give you enough reasons to celebrate... sometimes it’s a sunny day, a friend's birthday, a much-awaited weekend or a holiday, at other times its a new life, a beautiful wife, a successful project or a long-due promotion. All we have to do is find a reason in everything that comes our way and celebrate it, that’s the only way to keep the ball rolling.

Wind Beneath My Wings

It’s an hour past midnight. It’s calm and quiet all around me. Everyone on this floor, except me and a few nurses at their station in the passageway, has gone off to sleep. I look through the glass window, a few cars and some lorries are rushing to their destination. All of a sudden, the world seems indifferent to me.

Mumma is sleeping on the bed beside me. She is under the influence of sedatives. This is one of those moments, when she doesn’t feel any pain. She has remained unfazed through all the hardships and has endured all the pain very courageously and gracefully. Though she keeps her pain from surfacing but I know what she is going through. Her dauntless attitude has been an inspiration.

I put my hand on her forehead and close my eyes. She means the world to me. She cradled me with love; comforted when I was sick; and encouraged when I was scared. She has been more than a friend, someone I could look up to and be relieved of any worries. She has been loving, caring, kind and affectionate.

I have seen life in your laughter. You have been the wind beneath my wings. I love you mom. I am somewhat relieved that you will come home tomorrow morning. It hasn’t been home without you mom.