What is not, was not meant to be - Perhaps

Every once in a while, looking into the mirror that was your past, you wish life gave you a second chance. A chance to have taken the risk and confessed your true feelings which you hid for fear of hurting those you love. A chance to take a chance. A chance to reach out for that special someone you could have had. A chance to experience what could have been. A chance to at least be able to talk honestly to each other just once, before you parted forever. A chance to allow what was perhaps not meant to be. A chance to investigate all those looks that passed and seemed so full of meaning. A chance for either to have shown more courage.

They said you were wrong for me. You had similar doubts for yourself. They said you were older & smarter. I already knew that. They said you would tire of me soon and I would soon slip down your priorities. I was afraid to prove them right. The pain is hard to bear. Leaving the past behind is tough. Forgetting even tougher. The more you try to forget, the more you remember the silliest encounters. And then you realize that you really don't wish to forget, for they were all something special. And then in the clear and present, all you wish, is for the future to bring each as much happiness as possible to make up for the loss of being together.

State of the State

Reaching Kol on Dday! The city seems tense already they say. 'Why?', I ask. 'Elections happen across states. Why create tensions? Why do citizens put up with it? Why is it that the so called 'city of intellectuals' allows for the rule of a minority bunch of hooligans?'

For my part, I am still unsure which is the better party to win. Each shows equal probability for growth as well as disrepair. Once the heart of prosperity, Kolkata today, has not just fallen behind by atleast 15 years, but also reduced to being categorised as a tier two city! Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore and Ahmedabad are now added to Tier 1!!!

My well wishers say I am an idealist. Well I say, it is better than being a pacifist. They say you need to be the change you want to see. I haven't done much for my state, I agree. So starting now, it begins. I will not change my plans and reach Kolkata on 13th come what may (despite what my well wishers say). Bring it on you 'social maggots'. Let's see what you have got.

Don't cower down to these vandals. I request the masses to stand up on their feet and protest for a safe and balanced Kolkata. Say no to bandhs. Say no to the mockery of democracy (in a socialist state). If you don't change now, you never will.

To my prized collection

Life has a strange way of teaching us lessons in friendship and trust. People who you never thought you could get along with, turn out to be the ones with the golden hearts. Then of course, you go ahead and make serious judgmental errors. It is hard to accept failure. But when you look back at all the writings on the wall, you are just glad to have learnt your lesson in time. That is when you remember your true friends and family who accept all your weirdness, put up with your crankiness, share the madness and love you nevertheless.

In our increasingly hectic lives, we often forget to thank and say "I love you" to those who really matter. This post is dedicated to all my real buddies for always being there for me when I needed you most. For somehow saying just the right words when I was at my lowest. For all the fights and making-ups. For calling me names that got my feet back on the ground! For discounting all my mistakes and harsh words. For never allowing me to mince words :). Celebrating the essence of our friendship cannot be just an annual event. Just a few words from you guys, light up my entire day. Your friendships makes everyday of my life special. Thank you guys and gals - for just being you.

Love from 'yours truly'.