Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Snippets From A Time Of Simplicity

First time I ventured out of the Arab world, I was captivated by the many gems everywhere. I went back to Baghdad after a trip of a lifetime at that time and age, fuelled with stories and realizations.

The soap dispenser was one of the many topics I would repeatedly tell to whoever that was interested enough to listen to a 10 year old child. I thought it was an ingenious creation, neat, clean and convenient. I marvelled at how the liquefied soap would ooze out, the pink coloured variety was my favourite.

Then, there was the vending machine. I would daydream of the possibilities if I had one for myself. The endless supply of chocolates, the prospect of business from friends and family paying into that big machine!!

At that time too, my environmentally friendly attitude blossomed and grew when pedalling on a lake in one of the many Centre Parcs across Europe. Coming from a city with no regard to public space cleanliness, or personal responsibility towards keeping our town spotless, I thought it was perfectly acceptable to leave my banana skin on the pedalo until I was told otherwise!!

Lastly, an image, that would never leave my memory, intrigued my innocent mind for years before an explanation materialized. In the Jacuzzi, busy holding onto the sides in case I’d float away with the warm bubbles, a couple in the opposite corner came into focus. I was taken by their closeness, intense eye contact and playful smiles. I was so drawn into their world that I did not realize I was staring inappropriately. They must’ve felt an intruder’s underage gaze disrupting their moment, for they toned it down…

Friday, June 26, 2009

Boom Shaka laka!!

I am done, woo!! I am free, woo!! I have never been this excited about finishing, even though its short lived..2 weeks and im back again. A lick of freedom that I'm still grateful for.

Amongst other news, swine flu is literally one person away!

Monday, May 25, 2009

A Weekend of The Parents

I was given the grand tour of the garden by the proud gardener and implementer of the great ideas that the Mother generates. As we passed the Magnolia, we reached their pride and joy, the vegetable patch. Dad took the chance to inspect his baby turnips closer and all of a sudden he exclaimed “that dog* has eaten the turnips!!” with such vehemence. I had to stifle my laughter and humoured him along “who did?”, “the slug” he said, in such a matter of fact.

And that is why I miss home, who knew slugs were dogs?


*dog= an insult, to the effect of calling someone a cow!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Third Year Cabin Fever

Is it the number 21? Is it the many graduations of close friends? Or is it the body’s clock ticking more urgently?

Overnight, a button was switched on, a light was turned on, a brain impulse was sent to look for the significant other! Even though we have two whole years ahead of us, those medics are incestuously dating as if they’re going to miss the train. What happened to the motto “work hard and play harder”? When did it turn to “work hard and settle faster”?

It seems the worst is yet to come, with all of us being stuck together for the 3 month summer holiday everyone else will be enjoying! Oh, joy!

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Arresting Cardiac Arrest

The deafening sirens jolt everyone out of their little private worlds of escape, back to reality. Sadly, they are never in sync with the jolt that sets off the sirens alive.
Feet scramble and run to the source. The ward, all of a sudden, turns tense and chaotic reflecting my state of mind.

Passing by bewildered and baffled eyes, I arrive at the scene. A lifeless, yellow being is flattened back, his body not his own anymore. His heart and lungs belong to strangers, with nurse’s and doctor’s titles. Machines, tubes and fluids are all there to be used and work their magic. I catch a glimpse of the pool of deep, dark blood that escaped his body and it swallows me in and leaves me dazed.

As the frenzy heightens and anticipation strengthens, a demand paralyzes us all, resonating louder than the oddly insignificant sirens. Stop! Time of death…

Monday, April 06, 2009

A State Of Mind

I want it all.

I want to write and draw
I want to run and dance
I want to lose it all and have it all
I want to know everything and nothing
I want to impress the seniors and go unnoticed
I want to do it all

I want the sun to show me the way
I wan the wind to blow me away
I want my heart to skip a beat
I want my head to loosen its keep

I want to be free
I want to be me
I want to be whole
I want to be with him and all

I want him all
I want him whole
I want him to be mine
I want him to be supine ;) (For rhyming's sake!)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Domestic Politics

Sharing a house and conspiring revolutions. We cook, we eat, we shower and we heat with laughs and cries, all under one roof in the name of friendship. Tiny numbers on a piece of paper arrive, magnified by their value, cause havoc and chaos! And the motions are set..

Accusations, heated discussions and unreasonable solutions create a loophole in our disturbed existance. Allies formed and reformed long broken friendships that had no hope of reconciliation. Meetings, deviced under secrecy and undercover stories take place. Enhancing the skill of the softly spoken word, without which communications in the fragile and thin walled house would break. However, the looming shadow of collaboration, compromise and the undesired verdict are ever approaching ...

Monday, January 19, 2009

No!

You are here, you come to me, you give me you're all. A myth no more, a fantasy turned into reality, a dream come true, all handed to me on a platter of gold. Waiting, and waiting, eyes unwavering, hopeful and waiting.
A knott is growing, and growing in my small throat. Eyes wide open, shocked and fearful. Blood rushing through, flooding my crowded brain, whooshing endlessly... No...