Curious relationship

I am drawn to him, day or night; I can always make time for him. An unassuming part of my life, but a very important one. Like a pet or a sampling, he asks for my attention and only unconditional love pulls me to him.
Uncertainty filled me as we started our relationship. “How far will it go?’ my friend asked concerned. But looking at each other with each passing day, we knew our bond would only grow. Everyday, I keep a watchful eye on what he is nourished with. That being an important part of our relationship, it’s an important part of my mornings. I leave him alone giving him the much needed space and time and he only rewards me bountifully, when we meet again.
We have raised curious eyebrows and people only want to know more about relationship. It’s more than 6 months now and my compost pot has yielded enough manure to nourish a small garden.
Simple concern on the growing rubbish on the streets made me turn to a simple earthen pot, in which I store all my biodegradable kitchen waste. Doubt and uncertainty saw me open the lid the first couple of times but the debris of my last night’s dinner only attracted me more. I mixed the compost affectionately and looked for any plastic remains that may obstruct the decomposing. Sprinkling lime to wade away the smell, dry grass and newspaper pieces to dry up the pile – I was turning around good! Soon I graduated to 2 pots; one for collection and the other for storage. Finally, the black residue at the bottom of my first pot signalled the passage of time and fresh manure made me proud. I anxiously set about straining my manure and the touch of the fine earth, made it worth the wait.
The smell, the process of decomposing, the rodents, mixing up a wet pile and finally straining the fine black soil – fruits of labour. I gifted my small work of art to a couple of like minded people, with a pride that one feels presenting a tempting dish or a kanjivaram saree.
Couldn’t have asked for a better relationship with my compost pot. And for the process of composting, I never knew one can find happiness, cutting a rotten water melon skin, only to put in my pot part by part.
In this simple process of nature, I have learnt that beauty lies inconspicuous everyday things that we sometime called ‘ugly’; only inspection doesn’t lead to accomplishments but hands on service does, what’s inside counts and it’s the humble manure, which makes the flowers bloom bright.

Memorable break in Cherai

After many travel plans and contemplating, planning and contemplating; I finally reached my gynaecologist’s clinic with the necessary scan reports. My heart was beating in the anticipation of my Kochi trip, which was at the mercy of my doctor’s approval. With nothing but utmost concern for my little one, I entered my doctor’s cabin and waited for her not to disrupt my husband’s weekend break.
“Low lying placenta,” she looked at me concerned. “Oooooooooooh,” went my heart. “In some women, we find this, but you can go ahead, just be very very careful”. Then a very concerned doctor added, “No relationship at all.” I smiled and nodded, thinking, “We’ll have to do with that.”
Reached home, half excited, half tired and logged in…. There our flight is booked, ooooooooooh just in time for the last lake facing villa on Cherai Beach Resort!!!
Started our day really early – 2.30am and I woke up before my alarm. Reached the new Bangalore International Airport and were greeted by the frenzy of fellow travellers. More than an hour later, we set our foot on the Kochi airport to be greeted by Ranjit our chauffer. After a drive of 25 minutes and crowded streets with school children dressed for 15th August, we reached our destination - Cherai. Once we entered Cherai, all we could see around us was the soothing stretch of the infinite backwaters with a sole fisherman trying a catch.
Siddhs checked in and as he followed the bell boy, I could see a smile spread on his lips slowly to give a wide grin. That was just the beginning of our memorable holiday.
Phew... satisfied as all the bookings were completely my call.
From a neat reception, we passed some heritage villas and straight into the backwaters and into our pretty villa. It was a feeling I always remember and a holiday I’ll always cherish. Our villa in the middle of the backwaters came with a nice sit-out. I was happy to see that the resort follows eco-friendly guidelines, as milk packets were replaced by a huge milk container; guests were urged to save water and energy (with sign boards); also you could request housekeeping not to change the bed lining in a bid to save water :).
Friendly staff greeted us as we went for a walk along the backwaters. We went looking for the beach and interestingly the heavy tides crashed on the rocky shore just a few steps outside the resort. The stormy sounds from the beach called us and the sight of roaring tides crashing into the rocks created quite a contrast from the soothing backwaters, we visited a few hours ago.
Afternoon was spent sight-seeing with us struggling to communicate to the only- Malyalee-sparingly- English speaking Ranjit. We saw quite a number of antique replicas, a Malyalee traditional masala box, caught my eye.
But we were more than happy to return to the resort via a ferry ride. The delicious spread of Indian food with a Kerala section, aroused my appetite before I slumped into a deep slumber after a long and joyous day.
The look of the resort was a treat in itself with heritage villas, each uniquely designed to represent Kerala’s beautiful architecture. The paths were dotted with small bridges, sit-outs, swings and a tree house to complete the ethnic look.
Next day was even exciting as I made my way to the Ayurmana Spa for Siddhs’ Ayurveda massage as Siddhs arrived in a boat – truly majestic. The masseur Lallu, a young but experienced man, worked wonders on Siddhs’ body as he greased and massaged it.
In the streamer and Siddhs was rejuvenated into a new being. The Uzhichil massage was a stress buster, no wonder, Siddhs now thinks of Lallu, after a hard day’s work. I couldn’t resist the boat on my return journey to the resort and Siddhs dragged me along. The boat gives a nice feeling of being transported through the water with a very cheerful boatman, posing beautifully for my camera.
In all our holiday was spent relaxing in the hammock under coconut trees, walking amidst beautiful waters and greens, sipping hot tea in our cottage sit-out, watching the fishermen artistically fish for their booty, casual fishing in the backwaters, watching the high tides crash on the rocky beach or simply taking in the view from your villa.

Being an underdog

Its difficult being an underdog, an underdog when you know you could shine. Shine like the rest of the world, in a world of fake laughs and air kisses; in days of false companionships and selfish affirmations. But all of us at some point want to belong to this world, belong and grow; believing somewhere we are different from the rest of the world frowning upon them for their hypocrisy and cowardly lives.

I therefore, proclaim I'm an underdog, shy - don't scream my achievements from the roof tops, naive - don't criticise other people's success, subservient - don't brag about my life.

My energies are rather saved for a non-publicized, effective work day with warm greetings and harmless jokes, a thought to the rising carbon and time for most cherished hobbies. I remember my college days; youth brimming with ambitions and 'change the world' plans. Carefree penniless days spent lazing around, messy bachelor's den; am I forgetting something – heated classroom debates, taking a stand, sole war against child labour in the neighbourhood tea stall, say no to plastic??? Where do all these idealisms go? Out into the harsh world? Harsh world that makes one compromise for a flat and a car? To fit in into another round hole? Prove it they said, prove yourself in the job before you look elsewhere, ok, done; don't feel anything. Is this why one has to brag as a reconfirmation of the success in one's own life?

Fulfillment. What is fulfillment? Sunday after days of productive office work? Expensive jewellery with a chauffeured car? Travel is a window to the world, it's said; does travelling leisurely make it worthwhile or would you rather stick to the economical bus? Is it a US citizenship and a loaded bank account?

Where do the simpler things of life fade away? "Your smile springs me to life", "I did it for you." Why can't it stay and fill you up so you look no further? Why does the burning desire of 'kuch karna hai' fade away to 'retirement ke liye bachchana hai.'

Somewhere between all this thought to life and its confusion, I think I found an answer. To each his own. We may meet in various social set ups but each has a life of his own and battles to fight. If life is a puzzle, it expects you to solve it in your own unique way for only there lies the key and not by copying another's code. I started out wanting a career and live by my feministic views... Career and feminism literally shadowed my future dreams. Dreams, which are much more important than the ever-sought after money and fame. A supporting and caring life partner, who gives me the space to grow. Puts up with my home composting and anti-plastic war. Cares enough to cook rice and tolerant enough to take my punches and oft-repeated jokes.

I was so engrossed in comparing my life that I failed to see that this is the very life I was aspiring to live. Time away from work, interacting with artisans and ngos, my bit to the environment and a boyfriend in my husband. I think I have reached maturity.