THE LOVE WE NEVER SOUGHT- Prologue Part 2

 

SAME DAY

 “Pankti uttho mujhe shop ke liye der ho rahi hai, jaldi se mera nashta tyaar kar do! Tum soi padi ho aur Maa wahan kitchen mai lagi hai, accha lagta hai kya? Kab samhjogi tum, ki shaadi ke baad ghar sambhalna bahu ka kaam hota hai naa ki saas ka?” A familiar grating male voice pierced through Pankti’s ears.

“Aur meri blue pant kahan hai? Pure din ghar mai rehti ho, pata nahi kya karti ho! Koi cheez time par nahi milti.” The voice now had a mix of complaint and irritation written all over it.

A restrained “Meow” jolted Pankti from her familiar dream just as she was about to respond. She opened her eyes and found her pet cat Furry on top of her, gently pawing her arm. This was the umpteenth time she had seen the same dream, so much so forth that the male voice in the dream had become a part of her life now.

‘Thank God! It was the same silly dream!’ Pankti murmured as she softly petted her cat and sat on her bed. Her clothes were all soaked up with sweat despite the air conditioner running in her bedroom. ‘Pata nahi kaise aur kuo jhelti hain typical housewives ye sab! Mere bus ki to nahi hai.’ She spoke to herself.

 “Yay! It’s a Sunday…” Pankti exclaimed loudly with a smile, raising her arms in the air with excitement as she entered the kitchen. It was time to relax after a gruelling week at work.

 ‘Meow’ Furry made a sound again as she came running after her in the kitchen.

“Haan haan…de rahi hun dudh tujhe bhi. Zara si der kya ho jaye tu bhi typical husbands ki tarah gussa hone lagti hai.” Pankti said as she opened the refrigerator to retrieve the milk pot out.

After rummaging through the utensils in the fridge, she looked around and found the milk pot on the kitchen slab right beside the burner.            

“Shit! Doodh to bahar hi reh gaya raat mai.” Pankti hit her forehead in frustration. When she opened the lid, she discovered that the milk had turned to curd overnight.

Pankti had planned to spend a relaxing morning with her favourite author Rachit’s latest novel, and a cup of cardamom tea by the window side, but all her plans have been dashed because of this minor lapse of mind. 

In an attempt to get a packet of milk delivered urgently, she called up the Society Kirana Store, but the store owner conveniently told her that he was unable to do so at the time citing rush hour.

10 minutes later, she came down fuming from her 17^th-floor rented flat of Stellar County Society in Greater Noida West. “Kya Sharmaji ek doodh ka packet nahi bhijwa sake aap!” Pankti said sarcastically as she picked up the milk packet and came to the counter to make the payment.

“Panktiji… aapko pata hai na aaj Sunday hai… aur Sunday ki subah sans lene ki fursat nahi hoti hai aur sare ladke deliveries mai engage hote hain. Aap kabhi kabhi aa jaya kariye khud bhi saaman lene. Wo kya hai na isi bahane aapse mulakaat bhi ho jaati hai.” He said with an ear-to-ear smile, showing off his yellow teeth as he returned her the balance change. Pankti couldn’t miss the lecherous look in his eyes which were scanning her ample bosom without a blink.

“Bastard!” Pankti mumbled as she came out of the store with the milk packet in hand.

As soon as she turned towards her tower, she felt a bit dizzy. Before she could comprehend what was happening to her, the ground beneath her feet trembled hard, making her lose her balance, resulting in crashing into a man.

THE LOVE WE NEVER SOUGHT- Prologue Part 1

 

SUNDAY 11 A.M…

“Tyagiji…flat to pasand aya mujhe par rent bahut zyada hai. Aap dekho kutch gunjaish ho.” Anirudh told the broker after taking a good long look at the one BHK society flat in Greater Noida West.

He was desperately seeking a rental apartment because his existing flat owner in Noida had served him two-months notice, as he intended to renovate it before moving in with his family. This was the third flat, Anirudh was visiting this week.

“Anirudhji aisi posh society mai isse kam mai apko flat pure Noida Extension mai nahi milega. Jo bhi best ho sakta tha maine kar diya hai.” Broker said as he lit a cigarette after offering one to Anirudh, who declined.

“To thik hai fir…hum chalte hain…Chalo Kabir!” Anirudh declared as he called up his eleven-years-old son who came running from the balcony. Together, they turned to exit the flat.

“Are rukiye to sahi Anirudhji…aap to ekdum se chal diye.” Broker called from behind.

“To aur kya karun Tyagiji…aap flat dilwane ke mood mai lag nahi rahe. Dedh mahina hone ko aya but aap mere budget mai ek property nahi dikha paye.” Anirudh turned to face the flat’s entrance and complained. He felt more anxious than annoyed but chose to act otherwise.

“Dekhiye Anirudhji ek to aapka budget kam hai us par aap thehre ek single parent. RWA wale aitraaz karte hain. Ab unko samjhana bhi to mera headache hai.” The broker tried to justify.

“Kya bachkani baat kar rahe hain Tyagiji…bachelors ko flat lene mai dikkat hoti hai suna tha par ye single parent ko bhi flat rent par lene mai problem hoti hai pehli baar sun raha hun.”

“Aap samajh nahi rahe Anirudhji…unke liye bachelors aur single parent ek jaise hain.”

“To iska matlab hai jo families yahan reh rahi hain unmai se kal ko kisi ka divorce ho jaye ya unmai se ek partner ki death ho jaye to RWA unko society se nikaal dega?” Anirudh was infuriated. He could never accept nonsensical argument.

The broker was now at a loss of words and was looking here and there.

“Chalo Kabir!” Anirudh took a deep breath, grabbed his son’s hand, walked towards the lift and pressed the down button. Worry lines were making inroads on his face.

“Mai batata hun Anirudhji aapko sham tak…” The broker’s voice trailed as the lift door closed on the 18^th floor.

 “Papa wo uncle hame flat kuo nahi de rahe. Mujhe to bahut pasand aya ye wala flat…kitna mast view tha balcony se! Aisa lag raha tha mano aasmaan mai udd raha hun mai bilkul birds ki tarah.” Kabir asked with all naivety. He had never visited a high rise before.

“Dekhte hain beta…uncle sham tak batayenge.” Anirudh spoke, combing Kabir’s unruly hair with his fingers.

As the lift door opened at the ground floor lobby, Kabir dashed out of the tower, his arms spread like a bird.

 Before Anirudh could warn him to be careful, the earth shook violently below them, causing Kabir to lose his balance. In his rush to save him, Anirudh collided with a woman who had also lost her balance because of the tremor.

THE LOVE WE NEVER SOUGHT- The Blurb reveal

 

                     

Sometimes love need a second chance

because it wasn’t fulfilled the first time around…

 

Anirudh, a devoted single father, is navigating the challenges of parenthood with his spirited young son, Kabir, when fate introduces him to Pankti, an enchanting woman with a whimsical spirit and a mischievous pet cat named Furry.

As their connection deepens and their romance blossoms, a shadow looms over their happiness: a relentless and dangerous killer determined to sabotage the love they never sought.

With passion intertwined with danger, this gripping tale explores the depths of love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Will Anirudh and Pankti's love story defy all odds, or will the sinister forces working against them prevail? A riveting blend of thrill and romance, "The Love We Never Sought" will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very end.

 

OPPOSITES ATTRACT…

BUT LIKE MINDED LAST.

I WILL ALWAYS BE BY YOUR SIDE- The BLURB

 

“All I wanted was to be by her side in her journey, but she chose to walk the path alone.”

Tarun, a handsome and accomplished individual with commendable human values, finds himself captivated by Megha, an exceedingly ambitious young woman. However, after a span of six years, Tarun comes to the realization that he was unknowingly caught in a relationship that lacked commitment and shared expectations, commonly referred to as a "situationship". This revelation renders him emotionally fragile, ultimately leading him into a state of depression.

 “I was far from realizing my dream and struggled to keep my loved ones happy.”

Pallavi, a captivating and self-assured young woman, envisions the day she will establish her very own yoga studio. Filled with hope, she embarks on an arranged marriage with Girish, driven by his assurance to support her dream of opening the studio. However, after four years of wedded life, Girish went back on his promise, giving rise to a significant conflict between them. One night things went out of hand, and a fuming and disheartened Pallavi abandons her marital home in the dead of night.

Can Tarun overcome his emotional pain and begin anew?

Will Pallavi discover a supportive companion once more and accomplish her lifelong aspiration?

I Will Always Be by Your Side is a poignant tale that delves into the intricate realm of emotions entwined with shattered relationships and the true essence of finding one's soulmate. This fascinating narrative will captivate your heart, as you find yourself cheering for both protagonists in unison, drawn to the mesmerizing manner in which they harmonize with each other.

I WILL ALWAYS BE BY YOUR SIDE- The Prologue

 

PROLOGUE

Connaught Place, New Delhi…

“What a day it was, Nawab Saab!” Arjun said with a loud sigh of relief as we came out of the branch at 9PM and headed towards the parking area.

 The air outside was completely still with relative humidity; as we expected early summer this time. There were a handful of hurrying shoppers around, as most of the showrooms were closed or were bringing their shutters down. The famous corridors of Connaught Place wore a deserted look as even the hawkers who keep the place alive with their sales pitch calls and continuous movement during the daytime have left for the day leaving behind empty spaces for stray dogs and beggars to take their places for the night.

The focus has distinctly shifted towards the various restaurants, bars, and cafes which were lit up with multi-colored glow signs and witnessing the built-up of patrons at their gates waiting eagerly for their turn to enter. There were restless children, eager singles, and bored senior citizens, all waiting for their names to be called.   

Arjun and I worked in Current Account and Investment Banking verticals, respectively, with the country’s leading financial bank based at Connaught Place, New Delhi. It was yet another stressful year end for us bankers, but we closed it with flying colors.

The banks had progressively recovered from the COVID-19 mayhem.

 “Chal yaar… let’s have a chilled beer to unwind before we go home. Any which ways it is too hot and I am sweating already. There is a nice bar in N-block which boasts of superb ambience and scrumptious snacks. Reviews bhi ache hain.” Arjun was understandably in a mood to relax after a stressful, long day.

Reality was…I too needed a drink desperately.

In the next 10 minutes, we were standing outside a majestic building illuminated by a yellow and green glow sign that read ‘Welcome to My Bar Headquarters.’      

There was a decent crowd outside the entrance, comprising youngsters who were out for a nice evening or were there to unwind after a long day at work like us. Inside, the atmosphere was full-on with loud music and colorful neon lights, with people letting their hair down on the dance floor.

“What a place Arjun!” I said, feeling delighted right away, not sure if Arjun heard me or not in the deafening noise.

We went straight to the dance floor and started grooving when all of a sudden the music changed to ever-green Sukhbir’s song ‘Sauda Khara Khara...’ The next moment we were dancing like two mad men who had just been out of the asylum. 

After an hour of energetic dancing, I was comically pulling a reluctant Arjun, who was completely drenched in sweat, off the dance floor. Eventually, after some struggle, I could drag him to a corner table.

“Bus kar bhai…ghar bhi jana hai.” I said amusingly.

“Nawab Saab kuo le aye aap mujhe wahan se? Abhi to mahaul jamna shuru hua tha.” He said eyeing a girl in pink micro shorts and a revealing top who was still grooving on the dance floor and giving him looks.

I called the server who as if on cue quickly came with the menu card. Arjun ordered without even having a look at it. The Server’s face lit up and he went away as swiftly as he came. Evidently, he was happy not having to wait endlessly to take orders as is the usual norm. I didn’t mind Arjun taking the lead as I was happy saving my energy in going through the menu and deciding for both of us which has always been a tedious task for me. 

Food was delivered to our table in no time despite the decent crowd. Arjun had ordered a brewery pitcher, roasted prawns, my bar special roasted peanuts, and chili chicken for starters.

After a few beers went in, Arjun started off with the same question which he must have asked me umpteen times in all these years, “To Nawab Saab batao…kya itni saari ladkiyon mai se aapko koi pasand nahi ayi? Chalo mai to married hun par aap to abhi bhi bachelor hain. You have the license bro! Why are you still single? You are such a good-looking man and I am not ready to buy this argument ki koi pasand nahi aati.”

As always, I dodged Arjun’s questions like an experienced batsman dodges a pace bowler’s bouncer.

We finished our meal with a large Mexicana Pizza on the server’s recommendation.

It was well past midnight when we came out of the bar. “Chalo Nawab Saab…let’s go to my place. Apko Sadhna’s special coffee pilata hun.” Arjun said putting his arm around my shoulder as we reached our cars.

“Nahi yaar…It’s too late…some other time. Itni raat ko Sadhna ko coffee banane ko bolega to hum dono ko ghar se nikal degi.” I said laughingly giving him a hug and bidding good night.

Arjun and Sadhna are a gem of a couple and best friends to me. I never felt homesick in a big city like Delhi in all these years because of them. Whenever I craved homemade food I could pick up the phone and directly call Sadhna to inform her that I will be coming home for dinner. She too considers me her elder brother and is always more than happy to oblige. Sometimes she used to send two lunch tifins with Arjun when there was something special prepared at home.  

I reached my flat in Noida, changed, got freshened up and as I picked up my phone for the first time in a few hours, there were three missed calls from Mom. I immediately re-dialed her number knowing she must be wide awake and waiting for my call. It was a routine since the time I came to Delhi few years ago.

“Kaisa hai beta? Kahan tha? kabse call kar rahi thi. Khana khaya?” Mom bombarded me with her usual questions.

“Maa…Haan Maa! Kha liya. Wo aaj annual closing thi to der ho gayi. Nikalte time phone bag mai rakh ke bhul gaya isliye call nahi utha paya. Abhi ghar pahunch kar check kiya to aapki missed calls dekhi.” I replied as I went and lay on my bed.

“Itna late beta? Ye bank walon ka ghar baar nahi hota kya jo itni raat raat tak kaam karate hain?” Maa was at it again. “Acha sun… agle mahine Sudha aa ri hai Lucknow apni beti ke saath...mai kya bol ri hun tu bhi aaja aur ek baar unki beti se mil…”

Sudha Aunty was Maa’s school time best friend and she was most interested in getting her daughter Priya married to me. Priya was a decent girl. We had met a few times during our growing up phase in Lucknow when I used to take Maa to Sudha Aunty’s home but that was many years ago. After school, Priya moved to Indore with her family and we haven’t been in touch at all since then. Only Maa and Sudha Aunty kept the connection going via phone calls and her frequent visits to Lucknow. She had her ancestral house in Kaisarbagh and used to come to meet her brothers.

 Maa couldn’t complete her sentence when I intervened. “Maa... Maa tum fir shuru ho gayi. Is bare mai hum pehle bhi baat kar chuke hai.” I retorted unsuccessfully.

“Haan haan tujhe to lagta hai teri maa tere peeche padi hai par dekh sharmaji ke bete ki bhi shaadi ho gayi pichle mahine. Tu to itne bade bank mai Manager hai aur kamata bhi acha hai fir tujhe kya pareshani hai shaadi se. Pata nahi meri kundali mai bahu ka sukh hai bhi ki nahi. Kitne saal nikal gaye umeed mai.” She ranted again in filmy style.

Sharma Uncle and his family was our next-door neighbor in Lucknow and his son is a good-for-nothing human being who used to roam around the city aimlessly on his bike the whole day despite having a flourishing hardware business and Maa was giving me his example.

 “Acha ye bata Megha se koi baat hui kya?” Maa touched where it used to hurt immensely. My body went numb and I was speechless for a few seconds before I recovered.

 “Nai hui Maa…hoti to bata deta apko. Wo chapter kabka close ho chuka hai. Acha ab mai sone ja ra hun rakho phone!” I said irritatingly just to escape from the topic.

“Sone do usko…bahut raat ho gayi hai. Tum bhi na kisi bhi samay shuru ho jati ho. Phone kato aur tum bhi so jao.” I could over-hear my father from the other side which brought a smile to my face. He was a savior for me every time Maa tried to corner me.

He always said, “It is your life…you decide when and whom to marry rather than succumbing to your mother’s emotional drama.” Infact, it was he who convinced Maa to let me go to Delhi amid her emotional and teary drama. He always wanted me to become independent and learn life’s difficult lessons on my own living away from the family. 

“Haan…haan thik hai! Mai konsa usko rok rahi hun. Chal ab soja kal baat karungi.” Thankfully she cut the phone and I was saved.

Maa was always worried for me. After all, I was her only child. She has always been a devoted housewife and a loving mother who had taken care of the house single-handedly all her life as my father was mostly on tours for work during my growing up years.

Sleep had already escaped my eyes. Megha’s name brought back intense memories that hit me like strong waves hitting the sides of Gateway of India during high tide. I reached for a locked folder in my phone gallery which was not opened for a long time.

Oh! I forgot to introduce myself… Hello! I am Tarun. A professionally successful, handsome young man all of 37…The ONLY downside is that I was too naïve to realize that I was in a situationship after being in a so-called relationship for six years…and this is my story.

 

Panchkuiyan Road Furniture Market, New Delhi...

SAME DAY

 “Bhaiya itne mai hi dena ho to do nahi to rakho apna saaman aur bhi dukane hain yahan,” I was terrorizing the shopkeeper at the Panchkuiyan Road Furniture Market over the price of a beautiful corner lamp shade which had caught my eyes. I was there shopping with Maddy- my elder sister.

Panchkuiyan Road Furniture Market in Delhi, has attained an iconic status for home furnishings since its inception in the post-independence era. After the metro started functioning, they shifted the market from its earlier location to the nearby Gole Market commercial complex.

Despite such roadblocks, the Panchkuiyan Road Furniture Market continues to shine brightly and is definitely the most popular and affordable furniture market in the city. People from distant places come to shop at this market like we came today all the way from Faridabad.

“Kya madam aap bhi subah subah itni bargaining kar rahi hain! Acha 500/- aur de ke khatam kariye.” The shop owner said to get rid of a troublesome customer hurriedly.

“Are 500/- kuo…” I was about to argue, when Maddy slipped a 500Rs note to the shopkeeper, picked up the lampshade and actually pushed me out of the shop.

“Lo madam sara saaman rakh diya apki gaadi ki dicky mai. Waise thodi choti nahi hai ye gaadi aur purani bhi kaafi lag ri hai? The helper said sheepishly, putting a fancy table and chair, a corner lampshade, and a few showpieces in my beloved EON.

“Tu jyada nahi bolta hai? Ye le pakad aur nikal yahan se,” I said, glaring at him as I pushed a 50 rupee note in his hands. He ran off like a trace of a bullet.

“Tu bhi kahin bhi kisi se bhi bhid jati hai…na jagah dekhti hai na insaan.” Maddy said, rolling her eyes as I came to sit in the driver’s seat of the car. 

“Are uski himmat kaise hui meri gaadi ke liye kutch bhi bolne ki? Tumhe pata hai na Di meri pyari gaadi ke liye mai ek shabd bhi nahi sun sakti.” I said, putting the car in first gear.

I bought my beloved EON five years back from a doctor friend who drove it for a good eight years. Since then, me and my car have been inseparable. I take extra care daily in keeping it spotless and getting it serviced well in time. Age has picked up on her, but I refuse to part ways with it despite immense family pressure.  

“Haan… haan gaadi na ho gayi Rani Padmavati ho gayi jiske liye yudh ho jaye. Thoda narmi se pesh ate hain Pal logon se.” she said in a mocking tone. Pal is my love name copyrighted by Maddy.

“To meri gaadi koi Padmavati se kam khubsurat hai kya? Aur mai aise hi baat karti hun Di apko to pata hai.” I said irritatingly as we came out on the main road and turned towards the GPO roundabout.

It was 2 PM and the weather outside was dry with sun glowing in all its glory. I rolled up the windows and turned on the car AC.

“Mummy bata rahi thi Girish ka phir phone aya tha…tujhe puch raha tha.” Maddy said in a serious tone bowing her head as we passed Shri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, quickly changing the atmosphere in the car from light to heavy in a flash.

“Aya hoga mujhe nahi pata.” I said blandly.

“Tujhe kaise pata hoga tune uska number to block kar rakha hai aur ghar mai koi tujhse uske baare mai baat nahi karta darr ke maare.”

  “Badi bhuk lag rahi hai Di…kutch khate hain fir ghar chalte hain.” I said wanting to change the topic as my white EON cut the lane and moved ahead with speed towards Connaught Place.

Maddy couldn’t keep a straight face after a while. She looked at me and we both burst out laughing. 

“K****i hai tu… sacchi!” Di said punching my left shoulder jokingly.   

We are two sisters. Madhavi or Maddy or Di as I fondly call her, is five years older than me. She got married fifteen years back into a business family in Meerut and is blessed with a son Avi and a daughter Nitara.

Me and Maddy are just like best friends forever. She plays the role of a friend, elder sister, and mother to me with equal ease. We share all our best-kept secrets with each other. She has been a pillar of strength to me and it is because of her I am standing tall and full of confidence today.   

You must be wondering how arrogant and rude I am with my behavior at the market today. I wasn’t like that from day one but certain events in my life changed me forever. More on that in pages ahead...abhi to kahani shuru hui hai!

Oh! I forgot to introduce myself…Hello! I am Pallavi- the Yoga expert…a beautiful, attractive, and fit girl with a body that can compete with a ramp model any day…I am 35 but look not more than 25. I am MARRIED…umm…SEPARATED …umm…it’s a COMPLICATED status and this is my story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Situationship - an undeniable aspect of the modern world.

 

A Situationship refers to a romantic relationship that lacks definition and commitment. Individuals involved in a Situationship are more than friends but less than fully committed partners. It is a unique and complex relationship dynamic where two people engage in emotional and physical intimacy without clearly defining their connection.

 In today's modern world, another term often used to describe a Situationship is a live-in relationship. In this type of arrangement, two individuals choose to cohabit and mimic the actions and responsibilities of a married couple, without any formal commitment or obligation. It can be seen as an open and undefined relationship, allowing either party to opt out at any time.

 However, the youth of modern India are increasingly embracing Situationships, often influenced by Western culture, without fully realizing that as emotional individuals, we Indians tend to seek commitment and loyalty once we enter into a relationship. It becomes challenging for us to remain detached while being in a relationship simultaneously. Unfortunately, this has led to alarming incidents of suicide and murder due to issues arising from Situationships. Even in cases where there is no extreme outcome, Situationships often hang delicately, and any attempt to seek more commitment can frighten a partner who avoids commitment, resulting in the connection disappearing abruptly.

Remaining silent in a Situationship is equally problematic, as it often leads to heartache. This situation can escalate into depression and loneliness, which can be difficult to overcome without external support. When two individuals enter into a relationship, they typically seek a romantic connection that gradually matures into a committed marriage, involving elements such as commitment, respect, loyalty, and trust. In our culture and society, the institution of marriage is highly valued, and it is expected that two individuals will stay together in a committed and well-defined relationship.

Situationships arise when the emotional investment of the two individuals involved is imbalanced. One person may be fully invested, while the other remains casual and non-committal. This mismatch in attachment levels can be hazardous in the long run. One cannot enter a relationship with the constant fear that their partner may suddenly opt out or leave.

Therefore, it is important to establish clear rules in a Situationship:

1. Honesty is crucial: From the very beginning, both individuals should express their expectations and intentions in the relationship. No one should be kept in the dark or taken for granted.

2. Value each other's time: Regardless of the casual nature of the relationship, it is essential to respect and value each other's time. Both parties deserve this basic level of consideration.

3. Prioritize emotional and physical needs: It is important to prioritize and address the emotional and physical needs of both individuals involved.

 Situationships can be complicated, but with open and honest communication from the start and ongoing discussions, they can become a healthy and beneficial way to fulfill intimate needs. After all, everyone deserves to be cared for in their relationships, even if they are casual in nature.

NOTE- It is important to note that the writer of this blog does not endorse Situationships but has written this article as a subject of discussion. Readers should approach this blog purely for entertainment purposes.                               

LIVE-IN : is India ready for it yet??

 As the Shraddha murder case came into the media limelight and shocked the nation due to the ghastly modus operandi of her live-in partner Aftab (He reportedly strangulated her, cut her body into multiple pieces, charred her face to hide her identity, and disposed them off over 18 days at various parts of Delhi NCR), the pertinent question raises its monstrous head yet again as to whether India is ready to embrace a set up like Live-in yet??  

This may not be the standalone case in our country where live-in couples are involved but the sheer hideous nature of the killing caught everybody's attention.    

Now according to Google, the definition of a LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIP is a mutual arrangement where two people involved in a romantic and sexual relationship as partners for a long term or permanently, decide to live together without marriage. A live-in relationship is also called "cohabitation" in some countries. In India, a live-in relationship has been given legal status too. The Apex Court even stated that a woman and a man living together is a choice and lies under the right to life.

Having said that I strongly believe that the young generation of our country who is aping the west blindly and getting into this setup of live-in has not understood the real meaning of being in a live-in relationship.  For them being in a live-in relationship is an escape from boundation and responsibilities that marriage brings with it. They want to have the cake and eat it too sans the confinement, restrictions, or legal implications.

To an extent that is fine but the problem arises when either of the partners starts behaving as if he/she owns the other person and starts controlling and dictating terms like whom to meet, where to go and when to return. I am not saying this does not happen in marriage but a live-in relationship is designed in such a way that both partners are free to decide their journey of life, living together under one roof. There is no constraint of any sort and both partners are independent to pursue their dreams, desires, and ambitions. The other partner can provide moral and emotional support if needed.

In this case, also Shraddha and Aftab were in a live-in relationship for good three years. Three years time is a good duration to understand the compatibility between both partners. Shraddha, who was not on talking terms with her parents (they didn't approve of their relationship right from the start) reportedly confided with her mother and one of her male friends that Aftab used to beat her up. 

Now a live-in relationship is a good setup to check mutual compatibility. Its a sort of prototype of marriage, to check the mutual bonding over a period of time, to check how well the two partners share the day-to-day responsibilities without any social or family pressures and if things are not going smoothly then any one of the two can move out of the setup without the stamp of a - Divorcee.      

It's a wonderful setup but the problem arises when despite being beaten up and being micromanaged live-in partner's like Shraddha continue to stay in the setup and eventually pay a heavy price.

Shraddha should have seen the writing on the wall considering she was a mature adult of 26 yrs and should have moved out way before. There was no compulsion, no family or social pressure to stay in such toxic relationship. The only reason I can see here might be blind love or dependency.  

Aftab reportedly too said in his confession that he had planned to kill her live-in partner long before the actual murder as things were not the same between the two of them as they were during the initial days. They used to fight a lot and he didn't like Shraddha talking or chatting with other male friends of hers. A day before the actual murder, Shraddha left the house after a fight with Aftab and stayed overnight at a male friend of hers which further infuriated Aftab who eventually took the ultimate step of killing her brutally.

Now Aftab too should have thought over it as to where the relationship is going and should have parted ways with Shraddha unless he had some vested interest in having an eye on her money considering he had her net banking details with him with which he transferred a good sum of money into his account after killing her.

Shraddha's murder case is yet to be solved and in days to come, we shall see a lot of truth uncovered by the police related to what led to this heinous crime. But this case is also an eye-opener for everyone which makes us realize that following the west blindly can have disastrous results. 

Before getting into the live-in relationship, the two partners in question need to incline themselves mentally as to why they are getting  into such a setup and what they both are seeking together and individually from this set up. After all to embrace something different to our culture we Indians should start thinking from our head rather than our heart if not completely then at least a bit.

Hope you resonate with my thoughts on this topic on which I was thinking of writing a blog since this dreaded news broke into the media. Looking forward to your comments and views on the said topic.

So until next time!

HAPPY READING!!

            

         

MY VISIT TO INDIA'S CLEANEST CITY...INDORE

The travel bug stung hard once again and the bags were packed as we were all set to embark on a journey to a place that boasts of being the cleanest city in the country - INDORE (Madhya Pradesh). After all, which better place to kick-start our travel journey for the year 2022 than this... starting on a clean slate in literal terms!!

For the studious kind, Indore is the only city in India which is having both an IIT and an IIM.

The city understandably holds this label with utmost pride and winning the coveted award has become a habit for the people of Indore as it has won the prestigious award not ONCE but FIVE TIMES CONSECUTIVELY under the "Swachhta Survekshan." Hearing and reading about it was one thing and witnessing it by our own eyes was an entirely different experience which I will share in my blog ahead.

So we reached Indore at 10 A.M. by overnight train from Delhi. Right from the time we got down at the railway station to the time we reached our hotel, we could see why the city tops the country's cleanest cities charts year after year. 

There was not even a single pile of garbage outside any shop and the roads were spik and span throughout. The walls were covered with beautiful murals and paintings which were giving a unique aesthetic feel to the overall surroundings. Must say, smart work from the authorities and of course the residents.

On further inquiry from the taxi driver, we came to know that the Indorians are in no mood of letting go of the title and the city is all set to win the award the sixth time. He said the citizens themselves are quite proactive and make sure they pick up whatever waste they see lying on the roads and dump it in the nearby dustbins as they move around and even request others who litter to use dustbins as when required. Don't they say in Hindi "Jeet ek nasha hai"...this is one such example. 

Moving on...we reached our pre-booked hotel- 'Playotel Premier' in Vijay Nagar slightly away (about 6 km) from the hustle and bustle of the city. Adjacent to Bombay Hospital, which is a landmark, The hotel is a superb property with warmly decorated rooms featuring a buffet restaurant and a game room. I strongly recommend it to whomsoever is traveling to this place. Our stay was relaxed, the food sumptuous and hospitality impeccable.

By this time we were hungry like hell so we quickly freshened up and were all set to move out for the fun as our taxi arrived. The taxi driver which dropped us at the hotel earlier offered to take us around during our stay in the city for the next three days which we happily agreed.

Our first stop was Indore's oldest eating place called "Chappan" at new Palasia. Now as the name suggests, it is an eating hole with 56 shops in a queue right after the other which offers a variety of street food in one place at a very nominal price. It is Food Lovers paradise and a must-visit place for all street foodies and my kids just loved the place as they ran around trying out one dish after the other. It was the best place to satiate our hunger as we were dying to taste the local delicacies. The place has been done up since the time I visited last about two decades ago. There is a lot of greenery around now with benches to sit and enjoy the food with friends and family. Earlier one could drive a vehicle right up to the shops but now as part of the Smart City project, the  area has been developed as a smart food street and is devoid of any vehicular movement. Undoubtedly the market offers a much more relaxed experience now. 

The market is up and running from 6 A.M . and serves mouthwatering local delicacies like Indori Poha and Jalebi, Garadu (a vegetable like sweet potato which is fried and served as crispy yam chaat), Bhutta Khees (grated corn cooked with milk, coconut, and spices served hot with masala, garnished with fresh coriander and lemon juice), Khopra Pattis (crispy, crunchy potato patties stuffed with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory coconut mixture served with chutney), Gulab Jamun, Hotdog, Indori Shikanji (made with milk, cream, and dry fruits) and much more till late in the evening. 

 

We were told evenings are more colourful as people flock here with friends and families to enjoy and the overall atmosphere is quite a unique experience.

Our stomachs were full and we were all set for our first local destination which was - Rajwada.  It is a historical palace built by the Holkars of the Maratha Empire about 200 years ago. This majestic seven-storied structure is a witness to the bygone splendour of the Holkar rulers of the Maratha Empire. It was burnt three times in its history; today only the front facade remains. Recent renovations have recreated some of the old glory of this beautiful palace. The front is still under renovation and the visitors can enter from a side entry. 

One of the most unique and fun facts about the palace is that the Southern front of the structure showcases its Maratha influence while the Eastern front showcases the European influence.

As we entered the palace we were greeted by a courtyard surrounded by a covered verandah with wooden pillars all along. It gave a very south Indian feel to me. As the renovation is still going on most of the palace was closed. We could see a temple on the ground floor and a museum on the first floor which houses the details of the Maratha empire and the story of Ahilyabai depicted in the form of numerous miniature dolls. Apart from it multiple war weapons, Palkis, and huge utensils of that era are on display in the museum. Overall a well- maintained place and a must-visit for sure.  

  

Just outside the front entrance which is being renovated is the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar in the middle of a small round park. Just behind the palace is the much-talked-about "Sarafa Bazar" situated, but more about it when we visit the place in my blog. Thoda to suspense rehna chahiye...    

Next up was "Bade Ganpatiji Temple". This temple houses perhaps the largest Ganesh idol in the world measuring 25 feet from crown to foot. Created as a result of the dream of an Avantika (Ujjain) resident, Shri Dadhich, it was built in 1875. This temple is famous for its big bright coloured statue of Lord Ganesha. The statue is said to be made of a mixture of limestone, jaggery, bricks, and sacred soil and water from the major pilgrim. 

After bowing our heads to the majestic Ganesha our next stop was  "Kanch Mandir". This is a unique Jain temple, a must to add to your Indore sightseeing list. Though not a huge temple, its beauty lies in the fact that the entire temple is made of Belgian stained glass and mirrors – from the floor to the ceilings, stairs, and walls, everything is crafted out of gleaming glass pieces, giving it an aura of opulence.

The dazzling domed ceiling displays intricate designs crafted from glass pieces. Its grandeur is enhanced manifold when it is lit up with lights and candles on certain Jain festivals like Mahavir Jayanti. This Jain temple is an architectural marvel in glass. Atop is a special glass chamber that multiplies the three statues of Lord Shantinath, Aadinath and Mahavira installed there into an indefinite number (said to be visible up to 24 times, corresponding to the 24 Tirthankaras). 

Next on the list was the iconic "Lal Bagh Palace". This majestic royal residence spread over a sprawling 28 acres is one of the best places to visit in Indore. At one time it had the reputation of having one of the best rose gardens in the country. Now converted to a museum displaying extraordinary exhibits from the glorious era, the Lal Bagh Palace should feature on your Indore travel itinerary.  

It allows you to glimpse through the rich heritage of this historic city and gives you a taste of the lavish lifestyle of the Holkar rulers. This palace is hugely influenced by the European style of architecture and be prepared to be bowled over by grand Italian columns, gorgeous chandeliers, rich Persian carpets, and exquisite stained glass windows. A noteworthy feature is the use of elevators in those times to deliver food to the dining halls. Unfortunately, Cameras and Mobile phones are not allowed inside so we could not click pictures.

As we were exiting the Lal Bagh Palace our Taxi driver suggested taking us to a place nearby which hardly gets mentioned 'in-the-places-to-visit-in-Indore-list' but worth a visit. We were exhausted by now and were hungry too but eventually gave in to the driver's innocent suggestion. 

We were taken to a residential colony and after maneuvering through several bylanes we reached to - guess where "Vaishno Mata Dham." 

Yes...amid numerous residential houses was a splendid Mata Vaishno Devi temple in all its glory!! We got out of the taxi and stood there in disbelief for a moment. After thanking our taxi driver for bringing us here we quickly entered the temple. 

As we moved in, we were directed into a serpentine cave just like in the original temple. The spiritual chanting of Bhajans, Shlokas amid the sound of wind and water flowing through the cave made the overall atmosphere magnificent and gives real peace of mind. There are numerous turns inside the cave where one has to crawl, stoop and walk carefully. In the mid, Ardh kunwari cave is also present. Stories tell that a sardarji in his dream saw maa Vaishno Devi on the land where this replica of a real temple is built. There is a Shiv Dham midway while climbing and then you reach the top where the sanctum of Mata Vaishno is situated. Unlike in the original Temple, you can sit here and admire the pindis for as long as you want. On the way down, there's a Sai Baba Dham as well. We came out of the temple all mesmerized and full of gratitude.      

By this time we were feeling the hunger pangs real hard so we decided to have lunch at a nearby restaurant which was also suggested by our taxi driver. The food was okay-ish and after filling ourselves up again we moved towards "Sitlamata market". This market is a great hub for all kinds of ethnic wear and there are a numerous stores selling exquisite sarees and lehengas. The quality of fabric here is also much better and yet they are quite reasonably priced. You will find sarees of exquisite zari work or chikankari designs. We were predecided for what we were looking for. Wiffy bought a couple of famous Maheshwari Saree and suits as I absorbed the ambiance of the market.

After the shopping spree, we called it a day and directed our taxi driver to drop us at the hotel.

Day 2 began with an early breakfast at the hotel restaurant as we had planned for visiting Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga at Ujjain which is about 55 km from Indore and takes 1.5 hrs by road. Our taxi driver reached our hotel on time and we pushed off.  During our ride as I researched about Ujaain more, I came to know that Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of India since the first meridian of longitude passes through it.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati, and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north, and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third floor is open for darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami. The temple has five levels, one of which is underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. It is believed that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered, unlike all other shrines. 

After witnessing Lord Shiva in all its glory we moved towards nearby Ram ghat on the bank of Shipra River where Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years. Ram ghat is the oldest bathing ghat in Ujjain. There are hundreds of Hindu shrines along the banks of the river Shipra which gives the ghat a very colourful ambiance. 

Next up was Kal Bhairava temple. It is believed to have been built by King Bhadrasen, on the banks of river Shipra. The village of Bhairogarh, famous for its printing, takes its name from the temple and is located very near. As we reached the temple we witnessed a huge crowd in serpentine queues outside the temple. We braced ourselves and took our place in one of the rows leading to the temple. Eventually, after an hour we managed to have darshan.

Then after having lunch our taxi moved back in the direction of Indore. The driver dropped us at the hotel at 5 in the evening.

After relaxing for a few hours we were up again to satiate our gastronomical fantasies. This time our destination was a place where Indore comes alive at night - the night street food market at Sarafa Bazar behind the Rajwada Palace. This market comes alive after 8 P.M. when the jewellery market closes down and runs till late into the night. This market is by far the most celebrated fooding landmark of Indore city. If you are a food lover this is the place to be.

Though no one is sure about the origin of this bazaar, it is believed that it started some 100 years ago and was encouraged by jewellery shop owners so the noise and bustle would secure their shops at night. With this in mind, they willingly started offering space in front of their shops to food vendors and, thus, Sarafa Bazar came into existence. Today, when most of Indore is asleep, this late-night market gets nearly 3000 visitors, both locals, and tourists. About 50 different dishes are available at Sarafa Bazaar. We savored Poha Jalebi, Sabudana Khichdi, Bhutte ki Kees, Garadu, Malpua, Khopra Patties, Dal Bafla, Dahi Vada, Rabdi, Gulab Jamun, Jaleba, Shrikhand, 10 flavours of pani puri, Kaanji Vada, Indori shikanji, and much more. 

Sarafa Bazaar is a place that beckons food lovers to return, again and again, as much for the taste of its unique offerings as for the spirit of Indore’s storied culinary culture. A must-visit for ardent street food lovers!

After binging on so many dishes we had to walk halfway to our hotel right in the middle of the night before wiffey insisted to hop on the next available drive to the hotel. Our stomachs were on the verge of bursting but the experience we had was worth every ounce. With this, our 2nd day at Indore finally came to an end.

Day 3 began on a comparatively relaxed mode as this was our last day in this city. We had breakfast at the hotel and subsequently checked out.

 Wait!! But this trip is still not over. Leaving our luggage at the hotel we hopped onto our waiting taxi and moved out to the last destination on our list - Khajrana Ganesh Temple. 

It is believed that all wishes are fulfilled by praying in this temple. Highly revered by the local population, this beautiful Ganesh temple was built by the benevolent queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The citizens of Indore have great faith in this Ganesh temple. With a towering Ganesha statue and smaller temples dedicated to other deities, the beautiful and well-maintained temple complex exudes an aura of serenity and spirituality. This undoubtedly is one of the best places in Indore for stealing some tranquil moments and seeking the blessings of the almighty. 

Fortunately for us, the best was kept for the last and must say, we were not at all disappointed. The temple is the real signature of what the city is... as clean as a whistle.

  

For those interested, a big cloth market industry has flourished in Indore. The city is also known for its leather toys, Maheshwari and Chanderi are some very interesting ornate sarees and brocades to offer. There is a lot of zari work coming out of Madhya Pradesh, and the Maheshwari sarees have particularly gained in popularity of late. Besides the fabrics, there is a variety of local carving crafts to choose from. 

After the mandatory shopping for the kids, we moved back to the hotel to pick up our luggage before bidding goodbye to this incredible city with a promise to come back again. It was a memorable visit and loved by each member of our family.

Hope you liked this travel blog. If yes...please leave your valuable comment below and share it with your near and dear ones as well. Bye for now until the time I come up with my next blog.

Happy Reading!!