Saturday, November 20, 2021

My Missions with Valvion

The First Book of my 10-year-old son – “My Missions with Valvion”!

A couple of months back.

The pandemic was in peak; lockdown was going on everywhere. We almost forgot where our door keys were lying.

Kavyanil, my son, was promoted to Class V in June, this year. His online classes are over by 1:45 PM. Now, the big question arose those days  – What to do after the classes?

Poor boy! What he would do as none of his friends in the society came out to play!  Harry Potter, Wimpy Kids, Geronimo Stilton – all books he finished which were sitting in the book corner of the house.

“Mamma, can I play Roblox now, please?” a question I had to face in every few hours of interval. He used to get “Yes” from me two or three times in a day with a disclaimer – “Play! But, only for one hour!”

Interestingly, whenever he saw me being busy in my meetings, he never missed those chances. He would stand silently in front of me with both the hands joint (Namaskar) and make an innocent face, “Can I play computer games, please, Mamma!” And, I didn’t have any option or time to argue with him other than saying “Yes!”

Ooh! It was really tough to manage his time. One thing I started doing, I made him write his diary before going to bed. I felt good. But, gradually, I observed, he hardly took 5 or 6 mins to finish his writing.

I wondered and asked him what actually he used to write. I had to invade his personal stuff. And I found out that everyday, same sentences were repeated.

Alas! I understood his issue. No new thing was happening, so the poor diary had to bear the same stuff. So, Kavyanil happily did the no-brainer work! In computer language, “Copy and Paste”! 😊

I changed my mind. I forced him to write about his imagination, fantasy. And it worked!

Kavyanil started jotting down his imaginations in his diary, which eventually turned out to be his first book. Thanks to @Notionpress which was ready to publish the book.

I am really excited to share this with all of you! Please do bless him, and wish him luck in his writing journey.


Here are a few reviews from readers:

A review from Akshat Sharma, a student of Class IX :


A review from Zoey,  a student of Class VI:



And, a video message from Kavyanil :



You can buy the book at : Amazon.in : https://www.amazon.in/dp/1685383246 Amazon.com : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1685383246 Amazon.co.uk : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1685383246 Notionpress: https://notionpress.com/read/my-missions-with-valvion Flipkart.com:https://www.flipkart.com/my-missions-valvion/p/itmda1355d00baf7?pid=9781685383244&affid=editornoti About the book : The story is about a boy, Neal, who was out of school and took some time to understand what profession suited him the best. After travelling many places across the globe, Neal joined a secret organization – “Valvion” as a special force official and took up many adventurous missions across different geographies. Being the protagonist, Neal depicted his thrilling experiences how he helped different government organizations and countries in fighting against criminality, fraud & insecurity. Read how Neal cracked the code of “The Presler” in San Francisco, caught Volta Seers in Dubai, neutralized Dr. James in the Icy Lab in Canada while making harmful potion, hacked intel in Egypt, defused underwater bombs in the Golden Gate Bridge, partnered with ’Cankillian’ to get Robots to fight with a large Spaceship and much more… Also, do you want to know what kind of high-end cars and armory he possessed? Jump into the reading voyage... Sing with us the slogan of Valvion:
“Yaayyy!! We will, We will, Rock!
Fight for Good, round the Clock!
We’re the invincible Flock!!”

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Our Bin Tughlaq Days

 


.A year or two after our wedding. We were invited by one of my ex-colleagues, Richa for dinner. We were living in a 2bhk flat in crowded South Delhi and Richa was living in a villa of a posh society at Faridabad.

 

It was winter time. The month of February, I think. We went pretty early as we had a plan to have a good appetizer time with nice chat.

 

Grand entrance, greenery surroundings, built in a piece of land with groves of some fruits and flowers, elegantly crafted landscaping. The villa had a lush green backyard, and the contemporary interiors were enhanced with refined finishes collected from all over the globe. The house featured superior craftsmanship and details such as genuine fieldstone foundations, a wood fireplace, an attached small plunge pool. The location of the society would appeal to anyone seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle, but maintain easy access to all the conveniences of urban living.

 

Richa’s husband had interest in cooking and so, he kept a huge barbeque maker in the backyard. The warmth coming from the mild fire, gentle touch of fog, soft Kenny G music and the hot barbeque with cold wine – all were trying to mesmerize me totally.  Me and my hubby were so impressed with the starter, dinner, ambience that Richa took us to show the society briefly – the swimming pool, squash court, club house, waiting lounge etc. The swimming pool was dry though, because of some repair work.

 

After having an awesome time, we bid farewell with a promise to meet them soon.

 

On our way, we were silent, but had a telepathy. I developed a desire to own such a house. And, he understood my silent desire. As this kind of house would cost many crores, it’s just not only out of scope, but not even near to our dream. He tried his ways, tricks to make me understand that wherever we had been these years, was not a bad place.

 

But, something was cooking in my mind. I found another way to get a bit of this kinda luxury. I thought - why can’t we atleast take a flat in rent in the same society! The island kitchen and the library were haunting my husband too as he loves cooking and reading books. Though he was not in full agreement, couldn’t say me “No” any more! Yaayyyy!!!

 

And, next day, I called up Richa. She was extremely excited and promised me to get a nice, rented flat for me.

 

We got one 3bhk with study flat at almost the same rate that we were paying in our current flat in South Delhi, just few thousands more for amenities and maintenance fee.


I was so impatient that immediately we shifted, within a month. In few weeks, we threw a housewarming party. I invited some of our close friends and south Delhi neighbours. They were awestruck by the facilities and large sized flats available at cheap rates. You know what? Two of them took the property agents contact number and shifted within the same month, another two families followed.

 

Wow! In no time, we had a good gang in few weeks.

 

In a month or so, the Faridabad summer started. It gradually became unbearable. We installed an AC, but there were long hours of power cut. Generators could not take the load of ACs. Water pumps stopped working. Slowly, I started realizing that there was a huge hair loss. I began my investigation and came to know that we always used to get tanker water and thus, the society service charges were more in summer. The distance from my home to office almost tripled while we shifted, earlier it was 8 km and now it was 22 km in one side. Icing on cake was, there used to be huge traffic jams because of Badarpur border flyover construction.

 

Come our anniversary. Month of July. Many of my friends wished to visit us and have a party. My husband also planned to cook so many dishes. We did all the shopping the previous day – chicken, mutton, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs, sweets.

 

The D Day. We got up late as we had a disturbed sleep because of intermittent power cuts throughout the night. I went to the washroom, started brushing my teeth. The tap poured no water. I went to the kitchen, no water. Thank God, I kept few bottles of drinking water. Cleaned my tooth-pasted teeth to show my wide smile to husband while giving this news.

 

He almost jumped from the bed, wondered what to do!  We decided that in worst case scenario, we would order food from the nearby restaurant. I just tried to open the fridge to see from where to start, oh… inside the fridge, it was warm enough… we understood that because of the fluctuation of power previous night, some technical failure happened.

 

"Ting. Tong."

 

Our door bell rang. I knew that Dilruba was on time. I opened the door.

 

“Happy Anniversary, Didi!” And, she went straight to kitchen to wash her hand.

 

“What to do didi, no water?” I saw one muffled smile in Dilruba’s face.

 

“Just broom the house. Rest, I’ll see.”

 

Dilruba sat on the floor for half an hour after the dry sweep of the rooms. No TV, no radio, no water, so, she left promising me to come when I would call her once the water come in.

 

There was a fight between our society and the tanker owners regarding some price increase. Time was running...... our stress was increasing….

 

It was noon time, I opened the freezer, a brown drop of chocolate fell on my hand. Hmmm, yes, all the icy stuff melted…. I opened other sections; some weird smell started coming in….

 

I kept the brown bread on the island kitchen. Looked at the library which was standing tall.

 

I heard my hubby talking on phone loudly, “Sharma jee, do you have any flat available for rent, we want to come back…”

 

Sharma jee is the owner of our previous flat in South Delhi!

 

My heart and mind felt as if the society is singing>>>>>>>> 







Happy Anniversary to US!!! #MyWeddingDiary


                                                                             ...........

 


Saturday, July 10, 2021

A Higgledy Piggledy Story


The sophisticated 5 bedroom home was approximately 4,500 square feet, located at one of the most coveted and beautifully tree-lined blocks of the luxurious society. Natural warmth and charm abounded in the light flooded four stories home.

 
I ranged the doorbell. A huge well-crafted face of a tiger was well embossed on the door to dignify royalty. A well dressed maid opened the grand door. She took me through the garden floor, an entry foyer, into a charming double-roof heighted sitting room. The fragrance of Rajnigandha flowers suddenly hit me sweetly, but severely. I could see an open eat-in country kitchen complete with a wood burning fireplace, featuring sunlight pouring through glass doors which open out onto a beautiful foot landscaped garden. She took me towards a restored and elegant mahogany wood staircase which led to the library in the first floor and upper four floors, while there was a capsule elevator just off the entrance.

 

There was a library in the corner with built-in bookshelves and few cosy chairs. Southern light poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden. 


The maid asked me to sit on a comfy chair near the bookshelf. I thought of on-looking at the books beautifully stacked in the shelves.


The maid brought a glass of smoothie along with a few delicious cookies. 


“Ma’am will take a few more mins to come. Please feel home.” The maid stated with a nice smile.


“What’s your name?” I could not help asking her.


“Rameen!”


“Such a lovely name…You look like from North eastern states! Are you by any chance?”


“Yes Ma’am, I am from Assam.” 


I just saw Lalitha coming from the opposite side.


“Heyyyyy Zitaa….the charming lady! How are you? Thanks for coming……Sooo happy to see you!!” Lalitha hugged me softly. 


Lalitha was wearing a light pink lenin saree and a big bindi, opening her straight hair to the back. I thought how lucky she was, possessing such a beautiful house in the prime location of Bangalore.


We had met in a Social Media conference a few weeks back and then onwards talked on phone and on whatsapp a few times. She told me that she had a beautiful terrace above her house, which she wanted to rent for some cultural programs. She was in search of an interior decorator. While she came to know that I had an experience of ten years in interior designing, she asked me if I could give it a try.


Lalitha took me to the terrace. Quite a wide space! In a corner, there was a small garden with a green cloth roof, having few outdoor cosy chairs, hanging lanterns, terracotta decoratives etc. I was quite excited to see the space, so much could be done.


“Lalitha….I can’t find any reason to say ‘No’ to decorate this space. I would love to start the work ASAP. I am really excited now, looking at the place.” I instantly said.


“Awesome dear……. So great to feel that you will be doing the space. Now we have another reason to be connected.” Laitha’s bright words… 


We came down to the leisure room. With a 75 inches TV, home theatre and a low height 6 seater warm sofa made me feel almost sleepy. We had coffee and started discussing what could be done. We planned for the base design and post that, discussed how to do marketing about the space.


Almost an hour and half flew away so quickly. Lalitha’s 8 yrs. son – Niyor was back from his Piano class. 


“Ma’am, food is ready.” Rameen came and invited us for brunch. 


It was almost 11:30 AM, on a Sunday.


We went to the dining hall. Wow! Such a gorgeous dining hall. Beautiful fresh red roses and a big bunch of Rajnigandha flowers were increasing the beauty and elegance of the eight-sitter dining table.


I have a different connection with the Rajnigandha flowers… it makes me nostalgic for a while whenever I see or smell it, takes me to the days when Shyamal used to send me Rajnigandha bunches regularly as teens.

 

“I can see Rajnigandha flowers all over your home. The fragrance is really mesmerizing….” I just wanted to appreciate.


“It’s my hubby’s favourite flower. He loves the fragrance. Along with him, we are also falling in love with this flower.” Lalitha replied with a beautiful smile.


Requesting me to sit for a while, Lalitha went inside a room to call her husband. She wanted me to introduce with her husband, though I was a bit hesitant, shy, but anxious about how he would be…. how he would behave, being such a rich person, top-notch entrepreneur. I missed enquiring about him in social media, nor I asked Lalitha his name. 


I was talking to Niyor, telling him about my 5 yrs. old son. He was quite excited to meet my son. Niyor was asking me many questions regarding my son’s choice about legos, hotwheels etc. etc.


Lalitha was back. A tall man with kurti was following her. 


But, why my eyes suddenly started blinking faster, sight became blurry…..My nerves became weak…. I stood somehow….


I could not believe my eyes. Yes! He looked almost the same, might be,he gained some extra kilos. I felt like as if he still has some questions in his eyes….Yes! He was Shyamal.


I heard from someone long back that he became a big business man, started his own technology company. He was my first boyfriend in college and university for 4 years. I dumped him for Rahul. I still remember the day when he came and cried in front of me that he won’t be alive without me. But, I was not listening to him. I was firm and clear that we won’t be able to carry forward the relationship. Rahul was far more energetic, naughty, vibrant than Shyamal. He was carrying a bunch of Rajnigandha that day too…


“Meet my husband – Shyamal.” I was back to reality with Lalitha’s words.


We shook hands, neither he nor me revealed that we knew each other. We talked little. But, I came to know that Lalitha used to work in Shyamal’s company before their wedding. 


I came back home with a mixed bag of feelings, confusion whether I should proceed with the project. But, I was in need. I decided to be realistic and practical. I decided to carry on my project.


I was lying on my bed in the evening. My son was still playing with his friends in the field. Rahul became very different. He was yet to return from his regular weekend party. Probably, he was a bit frustrated as he was still struggling to accelerate his corporate career.

 

Time was running fast. I started thinking about what to cook for dinner. 


Suddenly my phone rang. Probably, it would be a phone call from the Pub manager or Rahul’s friend, saying that someone needed to pick Rahul as he was fully drunk.


Oops! It was an unknown number.


“Hey Zitaa! It’s Shyamal.”


I was speechless. I didn’t know what to reply…..


“So nice to see you today at my home….. Sorry! I could not talk to you in my wife’s presence.”


“That’s okey Shyam!”


“I stole your number from Lalitha. Please don’t let her know…. And I just wanted to compliment you, you still looked the same Zitaa, my Zitaa. Hope to meet you soon.”


I felt like I was falling deep through a dark tunnel…..didn’t know what was waiting on the other side – darkness or brightness.


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