Happy B'day Mom :)

Dear Mom

How can i forget, You used to drop me when i was in Primary School and when i grew up, I forced you to let me go with my friends.

How can i forget, when i was a kid, you used to select all the dresses for me and when i grew up, I harshly said "Mom, My friends know better than You"

How can i forget, You used to make special dishes for me every year on my birthday and when i grew up, I avoided all your arrangements and preferred my parties.

How can i forget, You always taught me not have fights with siblings and others and when i grew up, I had hell lots of complaints.

How can i forget, You always waited for me so that we could have dinner together and when i used to come home late, i said "Mom, I had dinner with my friends"

How can i forget, You expected me to spend some time with you and when i grew up, I was busy with my non-sense stuff.

How can i forget, You always taught me not to have alcohol at parties and when i grew up, i came home drunk and said "It's Okay Mom, I had just two drinks"

How can i forget, You always taught me to be a good kid but when i grew up, i found all those lessons as a Lecture by you.

Today, I'll take the time to apologize for all those mistakes and
and along with that also want to say that You are the best part of my life.
Though, i am away but i miss you each and every day. Happy B'day Mom. Love You, always. ♥

What's your religion?

It was a summer afternoon when Farhan, a 14 year old boy, returned home from his school. His father, being a government employee, had been transferred from Jaipur to a small town in Rajasthan. It had been a month since they had moved.

Farhan was usually sad because of the new place, new people and the fact that he had to make new friends. He missed his old friends and was mostly nostalgic thinking about the moments which he had spent with his mates.

It was his first day at the new school. That day, Farhan was sadder than usual. Signs of something gnawing at his heart and soul could easily be seen on his face. Without uttering a word, he went straight to his room.

His mother was in the kitchen making lunch for Farhan. She noticed ‘a-usually-happy’ Farhan ending the day with that frown. She went to him and cuddled and asked the reason for his sadness. He didn’t reply.

“Beta! What happened? Why are you sad?” she asked, embracing her sad son.
“Ammi, I have few questions for you. Will you answer me?” he enquired.
“Yes! I will, but, first have lunch. You must be hungry. I made your favorite dish: Rajma-Chawal.”
“No ammi. I’m not hungry for food. I’m hungry for your answers.” Farhan refused the proposal for food.
“What’s wrong, beta? Tell me. Did anything happen in your school?” she asked, worried.
“Ammi, do we belong to Pakistan?” Farhan asked in a heavy voice.
“No, beta. Who told you that?” she was puzzled.
“Your dada abu were in the Indian army. Your abu is working for the Indian government. What made you say like that?”
“Are we the ones who are responsible for those attacks in Kashmir?” Farhan shot his second question.
“What’s wrong with you, Farhan? Why are you asking all these questions?” his mom asked in little higher tone. She was furious as well as worried.
“Do we also celebrate Diwali, Ammi?” Farhan asked his third question.
“Enough, Farhan. Your questions are redundant. Go and have your lunch.” she ordered.

Farhan neither said anything nor budged an inch from his position.

“Either tell me what's the matter or change your expression. This doesn’t look nice on my sweet boy.” she said in a softer voice, trying to kill sadness from his heart.

“Ammi, today was my first day at school. I have no friends here. The teacher asked me my name. I told them. During the lunch break, a boy said to me that we are from Pakistan and that we are responsible for all those terrorist attacks in India. I don’t think so, Ammi. Why do they think that way?” he burst into tears.
“Aw, Farhan,” she hugged him, “Don’t bother so much. Grow up and you’ll understand yourself that this not the reality.” she soothed him.

“I so want to grow up, Ammi. I want to see what this world thinks about my culture, my religion, and me. It doesn’t matter to you people because you people have grown up. No one asks you whether you celebrate Diwali or not. Whether you are from India or from Pakistan. But, they ask me. In our sixth grade, we had studied that India is a secular country. Where is that ‘Secularism’? People are still fighting on the basis of their castes. I see people chained by views that make them kill others. Who is independent, Ammi? Are we independent?”

A few tears rolled down his mother’s cheeks as Farhan sobbed. She realized, at that moment, that her ‘little’ boy had grown up. He had received the understanding of right and wrong from this world, by looking at this world.

“Beta! Religions were created so that we could help each other. No religion advocates hatred and sense of inequality. We all are from the same God. It’s just that the name of the Gods vary from person to person. If you want to follow a religion, follow ‘humanism’. Allah will bless you.” Mother taught him in a simple language.

Farhan was listening to each and every word very carefully. It was clear from his eyes
that he understood the word ‘humanism’.

“Now, people’s questions don’t matter to me. I have understood my religion and my roots. I will explain this to anyone who questions me.” Farhan said and hugged his mother. It was the most knowledgeable day for Farhan where he learnt the lesson of humanity.

An E-Breakup

Rahul came late from his office. It had been a pathetic day for him. His boss, because
of some unforeseen reasons, terminated him. He had some family issues which were
resounding in his mind. He wasn’t upset because of all these incidents but may be
because he hadn’t seen any defeat in his life. He took out his laptop from his bag and
opened up his e-mail ID.

He had several problems with his girlfriend, Divya, which were adding fuel to the
fire. He didn’t want to end everything with her, as there were three reasons for that.
-First, they were in relationship since a long time and it wasn’t easy for him to leave
things unsettled.
-Secondly, he didn’t have the guts to call her and say all this.
-Thirdly, he was deeply in love with her.

So, he finally decided to write an e-mail to her.

“Dear Divya
It has been a long time since we have been together and needless to say that we
have shared great moments. But, you know, these days, things are not working as
we thought. We both are miles apart and it’s not that easy for us to survive in these
conditions. So, I think it’s better if we decide mutually what could be done. It’s hard
for me as well to decide something on which our life is dependent.
I miss all those times when we used to have to night-long chats or when you were
upset, I used to make you laugh with my silly thoughts. But, I guess, it’s all over
now. I think we should move on. I hope you understand. I’ve always loved you and I
always will.
Bye.
Rahul.”

He turned off his laptop and cell-phone and left the things on the table.

                                                          *********

“Someone is knocking at the door. Go and see.” a feminine voice reached Rahul’s
ears.
A girl younger to him opened the door,
“Yes?” she enquired politely. “I’m Rahul. Is Divya at home?” he asked. “Why
have you come here?” her tone became irritated voice.

Divya must have had told her about that e-mail.

“Something important. Please tell me where she is. I want to meet her.” he said in an
earnest voice.

She deliberated for a few moments and then let him in and led him to Divya’s room.
“You better keep it short.” she warned and left.

Divya was sleeping at that time. He slowly walked up-to her bed. He noticed her
pillow was wet; she had probably cried all day and all night ever since she received that e-mail. And finally, when tears dried up in her eyes, she left the grudge of losing him and slept.
He looked at her beautiful face, partially covered with her long black hair. Pain of losing someone could easily be seen in her swollen eyes.
“Hey! See, who is here.” he nudged her gently to wake her from the dreams she was
knitting.

She woke up with a start. Eyes still groggy, she tried to figure out who was sitting
next to her. She must have thought it was a dream as she tried to touch his face to
confirm. She was looked cute and innocent.

“Why have you come here?” she asked the moment her sleepy senses caught up.
“For you.” He replied.
“Oh, yeah? What not? What about that e-mail?” she enquired.
“It was mandatory. Or how would I have been able to see this sad-cum-surprised expression on your face?” he laughed.
“I’ll kill you.” She hugged him and cried.
“Stop crying and get me a cup of coffee. It was a long journey.” He laughed again.

And, the third reason prevailed till eternity.