The small crowds of friends huddling at common spots or fuel stations before their staycation drives during public holidays are such a delight to watch. Kids rush into the tiny supermarkets at the pump, grabbing their favourite bites, drinks, and chocolates, while the adults hunt for their preferred flavour of ice cream. The high decibel chatter says it all—the excitement is real.
Some want to use the washrooms before the journey begins (a clean one is such a blessing!). Others are busy picking up crates of drinking water. If it’s evening, you’ll often catch people loading wood for their bonfire or charcoal for the barbecue. I honestly don’t know if they’re this enthusiastic about cooking at home, but group cooking? That’s a different level of excitement.
Then there are the elderly, rolling down their windows and giving instructions on what to pick. Public holidays bring every age group out—and the enthusiasm is equally matched across generations. It’s something everyone has been waiting for.
With winter setting in, the weather is perfect. Outdoor gatherings take over life again. And watching these small and large groups chatter away at fuel stations or mid-points—planning the next stretch of their journey—is truly a treat. The biggest discussion? Who’s leading the convoy, of course. GPS may be available to everyone, but sometimes being a little old-school is part of the fun.
Cars overtaking one another, windows rolling down, kids waving wildly, adults exchanging smiles—these tiny moments carry their own thrill.
Sometimes, the joy isn’t in the destination, but in the chaos before the drive.
It’s in these fleeting roadside moments that the real journey begins.
Loss of a friend takes a toll on your mind and heart. It takes time to accept that their physical presence won’t be around anymore. After her departure, I needed time to gather myself, to sit with the reality that there will be no more WhatsApp chats to light up my phone.
It has been emotional going through our last few conversations — the final threads of our daily banter. I even went back to the old emails we exchanged for years, in the days before WhatsApp existed. We wrote such long, heartfelt messages about our week, the tiniest details of our lives. We shared recipes, gossip, emotions, rants, laughter — everything.
Reading those mails took time, but now they feel like a beautiful treasure I’ll hold close to my heart — a memory chest she unknowingly left behind for me to open whenever I need her warmth.
At home, we still keep her alive in our conversations.For this life to move forward, she has given me enough memories to lean on, to smile through, to help me carry on.
Some people come from nowhere, become your friend, then your bestie, your ally… and touch your heart in the most beautiful way — leaving you vulnerable when they leave. Yet somehow, that vulnerability is proof of how deeply and meaningfully they lived in your world.
She may have left this world, but she hasn’t left my life.
Today marks Day 100 of my creative streak — 100 consecutive days of showing up, creating, and sharing my abstract thoughts and experiences with the world.
When I began this journey, I didn’t know how far it would go. I only knew I wanted to stay consistent — to build a space where I could express freely, without overthinking or expecting perfection.
Over these hundred days, I’ve learned that creativity isn’t just about sudden bursts of inspiration — it’s about showing up, especially when it doesn’t strike. Some days, the words flowed effortlessly; on others, I sat staring at the screen, unsure of what to write. Yet every single day taught me something new — about patience, about imperfection, and about trusting the process.
What makes this journey truly special is YOU — the readers, friends, and fellow dreamers who have been part of it. Your kind words, thoughtful messages, and quiet encouragement have meant more than I can express. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read, reflect, and connect with my thoughts.
It’s not always easy to find a topic every day — sometimes it’s inspired by a fleeting moment, a random thought, or something that happened around me. Not all are happy; some are introspective, emotional, or even raw. But each one is a little piece of my world, shared with honesty.
As I celebrate this milestone, I’m filled with gratitude — for the growth, the discipline, and the beautiful community that has formed around this creative path.
Here’s to the next chapter — to new colors, evolving ideas, and the endless beauty of showing up for what we love. ✨
The journey continues… one thought, one emotion, one abstract at a time.
Thank you for walking beside me through this creative path — the best is yet to come.
“The day grew darker not because the sun set, but because a light within our hearts went out. In the quiet of this farewell, we carry not her absence, but the echo of her laughter, the warmth of her kindness, and the love that death cannot silence.”
You were my closest friend — more like a sister from another mother. My kids were yours as much as mine. We were supposed to meet soon… Why couldn’t you wait for me? What was the hurry?
You’ve left me with a sorrow I’ll carry forever. We feel cheated — robbed of time, of moments, of you. When your dearest friend, your soul sister, just decides to leave — no warning, no goodbye — just a loud silence where once your laughter used to be… it’s not acceptable. Not today, not ever.
Whom will I sit up with all night to chit-chat? I can still hear your giggles clearly. One less wish from now on. All those beautiful birthday and anniversary messages you sent to us and the kids — your thoughtful surprises, your treasure of pictures you’d release each year — we’ll miss them the most.
You’ll forever be Krish and Sia’s favorite. The vacuum you’ve left in our lives will ache forever.
I don’t think I will ever be able to process this loss.
Why does this happen?
Why does life snatch away the ones who make it more beautiful?
Till we meet again, Soumya. 💔 I’m never forgiving you for this — for deciding to leave without a warning, without a heads up, without one last hug.
You’ve left, but you’ll never be gone from our hearts.
Acquaintance doesn’t always convert into friendship — and that’s absolutely fine. There’s no rule that says every person you meet has to become a close friend.
Some connections just stay where they are — polite, surface-level, and that’s their rightful place in your life. From the time you met someone till today, even if you’ve exchanged a few messages or bumped into each other occasionally, it doesn’t really count as years of friendship. Sometimes, you just sense it — this isn’t my vibe.
You still stay courteous, share a light conversation when you meet, but deep down, you know — there’s nothing much to add or receive. You’ve tried, given it chances, and yet it doesn’t bloom.
And then there are the toxic ones — the kind you don’t disconnect from completely only because you rarely meet them. But after a point, you just want to cut them off quietly.
Some people are simply wired with negativity. You try to share a happy update, and before you can even finish, thadaa!comes the negative twist. It’s not that they wish bad for you — it’s just how they are. They somehow need to begin every conversation with a downside.
I’ve learnt over time not to share my joys with such people — at least not until things are done. Because protecting your peace matters more than keeping a conversation alive.
Not every connection is meant to grow, and not every bond deserves constant watering. Some people are just passing chapters — meant to teach you what energies drain you and what truly nourishes your soul.
In the end, peace is the quietest and truest form of friendship you can offer yourself.
You know how sometimes you walk into your house and feel like it needs a little something? Not a full makeover — just a tiny refresh. We can get bored seeing the same things, the same arrangement every single day — it’s but natural!
So why not push things around a little? You can’t change your house often (that’s definitely not feasible 😅), but you canplay around with your mind by making these small changes. Shift a lamp, change the doormat, add a plant, or pull out that old rug — and watch how your space suddenly feels new again.
Swap your cushions, move your chairs, or rearrange your wall art. Once in a while, buy some fresh flowers for that vase — it instantly adds life, positivity, and a sense of growth to your home.
It’s all about playing with what you already have and having fun while doing it. Every time I move things around, it feels like I’ve given my home (and myself) a lovely boost of energy.
Because keeping your space fresh is just another way of keeping your spirit fresh. 🌸✨
25 years ago, I saw him for the very first time (07/11/2000)— in the bank where we worked. I had just joined as a trainee, waiting for my results, and he was a sales manager then. Honestly, I wasn’t even keen to join the bank — it was meant to be a temporary job, just something to fill time. But destiny clearly had other plans… that temporary job gave me my permanent partner. 💫
We both came from families who weren’t in their best financial phase. There was pressure, uncertainty, and a constant struggle to keep going. But that’s what drew us closer — our shared background, our will to stand tall for our families, and our belief that no matter what, we must keep doing our best.
Somewhere between long workdays and small talks, we realised we were walking the same path — with the same dreams and goals. And then, on the 6th day — 13th November — he proposed to me in the most amusing way… at a railway station! 🚉 He had planned it perfectly — had done his homework well. He knew that in that time slot, we’d have to skip the first three trains since they wouldn’t stop at our destination — giving him those precious 10–15 minutes to talk. Just enough time to propose! And my reply? A classic one: “Speak to my mom, she decides!” 😅
My mother was impressed with him in the very first meeting itself. Both families accepted it easily — there was no drama, no resistance, even though we were quite young. When you’re destined for something, I guess everything just falls into place. 💫
We didn’t believe in casual dating or complicating things. We both came from simple, middle-class homes where relationships meant commitment. So when we knew, we knew. We decided to marry and take charge of life — together.
Nothing came to us on a silver platter. We had to make things happen — with our sweat, sacrifices, and hard work. Life tested us, but God has always been kind. Every time He threw challenges our way, He also gave us the strength to rise again. We never gave up — not on each other, and not on the life we were building.
It’s been 25 years since that first meeting — and this year, we also complete 24 years of marriage. ❤️ Sometimes destiny doesn’t arrive with fireworks — it just quietly places two people in the same frame, gives them a few missed trains, a 10-minute window, and a lifetime to cherish. And that’s what we did — turned that moment into forever. 💞
There’s one question that never fails to echo in every DESI household — “Aaj kya banau?” It’s that one line every mother repeats, hoping someone will help her decide the day’s menu.
We adults are still adjusting, trying to balance taste, time, and tradition. But the kids? They can’t be happy eating the simple, homely dishes we once relished. For them, it’s all about paneer, pasta,manchurian, noodles,quesadillas and every possible multicuisine dish they can think of!
The daily kitchen debate continues — Mothers asking lovingly, “What would you like to eat today?” And fathers saying, “Don’t give them a choice, let them learn to eat everything!”
But ma toh ma hai — she’ll still make their favourite sabzi or paratha, adding that extra dollop of ghee just to see them smile. Because deep down, she knows… once they grow up and move out, they will learn to eat what’s on the plate and adjust.
And then there’s the weekly vegetable shopping — the real struggle! The same tendli, bhindi, baingan staring back at you from the baskets, as if to say, “Pick us again!” You almost roll your eyes, wondering how many more ways there are to cook them.
But just when the monotony starts to set in, winter arrives — like a much-needed breath of freshness. Suddenly, the sabzi basket looks cheerful again — brighter, greener, and full of life. The markets overflow with fresh methi, palak, peas, and those red carrots that make your eyes light up. One look and you’re already dreaming of gajar ka halwa slowly simmering in ghee. ❤️
Winters bring a special kind of joy to every vegetarian home — undhiyu, pav bhaji, and gajar ka halwa become seasonal must-haves. The aroma of these dishes fills the house, and the laughter and banter around food make every meal feel like a celebration.
Because in the end, food in a DESI home is never just about what’s cooked — it’s about the love stirred into every dish, the comfort of routine, and those everyday “Aaj kya banau?” moments that one day become our sweetest memories. ❤️
After a few years it won’t be the dishes we remember, but the love and laughter that came with every “Aaj kya banau?”
When the house falls silent and the kitchen isn’t as busy, we’ll miss even that one question — “Aaj kya banau?”❤️
Sharing some beloved dishes prepared in our homes during this cozy season — from steaming undhiyu to sweet, fragrant gajar ka halwa. Let the warmth of these winter flavors brighten your day.
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