<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?><rss version="1.0"><channel><title>Diary of monu g</title><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/</link><description>Diary of monu g</description><language>en-us</language><item><title>A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...</title><description><![CDATA[<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><STRONG>Have u ever thought about the most memorable moments of Ur Life???<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><STRONG>Have u ever thought what makes them so special and close to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ur</st1:place></st1:City> heart??<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><STRONG>It's usually the FIRST time u feel or find something U've never felt or found before.<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><STRONG>And what IF something soooooooooo hilarious makes it even more memorable....<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Hehehehehehehe..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">There was this lovely couple who got married to each other... He and She had met each other just six months back, and knew they were made for each other... <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">There were so many Dreams, so many Wishes, so many Hopes and so many unsaid Expectations, and not to forget, sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many Apprehensions..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">OBVIOUSLY NA..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Everything went smoothly after their wedding except...Both of them desperately wanted to get some Private time when the two of them could do all the KUCHIKUING they had always wanted to.. But u know (sigh!), shaadi ke baad ye saare Relatives jo ghar par peheredaaron ki tarah jame rehte hain.Uffffffffffffffffffff. there was nearly no time all day...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>FINALLY the much awaited night came, the FIRST night... WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. the loooooooong awaited moment came... when they would be One But some things aren't just there in the larger scheme...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">There enters His Mom, and asked him to come with her &amp; She was left wondering what Happened??<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He comes back to the room after few mins (that were like ages for her), with a totally different look.<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff66ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Dil par paththar rakhkar he tells her- </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Shona! Shweetu, all the rituals are not completed yet...Mom would be sleeping with U tonight, I'll be sleeping in their room with Dad..."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Oh God...<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>Does this happen with everyone, or is it just us??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> she thought<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Seeing her silence, he said </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"I'll miss u terribly Sweetheart"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Me too"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> she said quietly<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">They embraced each other tightly coz they knew that the night was going to be loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">The next day started with Him waking her up so gently and lovingly... he was at the bedside caressing her when she woke up... They had missed each other terribly, and it needed no words to express that...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Wow, finally after today's pooja, everything would be fine..."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> She hoped<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Day passed by smoothly. They had to go to her Maayka, the usual ceremony u know... <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">They came back home, had a chit chat with parents bout the whole day, and then Finally proceeded to their Room.. drowned in their own sleep that was pending since their wedding But .<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">As soon as they stepped in their room they found that the room had been decorated beautifully with flowers all around.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Yipppppppppppppie..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Sarthak (His Brother) had been busy the whole day getting their room decorated with Flowers while they were away...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">It was such a Pleasant SURPRISE...<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>She felt so overwhelmed, hugged him and thanked him...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #cc99ff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"This is <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">ur</st1:place></st1:City> Wedding gift from me"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> said Sarthak<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Finally they went to the room again and it was locked from inside...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Suddenly they were both so nervous... They had been waiting desperately for this moment of intimacy...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He moved towards her, hugged her tightly, gave a peck on her cheek, and she smiled...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"U know what?? I'm nervous"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> she said, while he was removing the pins that were holding her Blue saree in place..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He looked at her, smiled and said </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Me too Sweetheart."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Really?? U look fine"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He kissed her for her sweet innocence and said "</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Don't worry, we wont go any further till u r comfortable with it. I don't want us to sleep all night, just want to caress u and give u all the love I have"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">She kissed him back and held him tighter..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">They were cuddled up in each others arms in bed, and were chatting and kissing each other and again talking..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Something is missing"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> He said<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"What??"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Let me play some mushy music."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He said<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"That's a good idea."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> She nodded. After all it was one common liking they had.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Where is my laptop??" he</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> said while searching for it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">She was admiring him.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Oh God!!! Oh no!! Wo to Mom Dad ke room mein hai..."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> he suddenly remembered.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">They glanced at the watch... 11.45 only...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"If I go now to get it from there, they'll think their son is a BIG JERK"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">She couldn't help laughing... He admired her smile... It was all that he wanted, just to make her happy, give her more happiness than she could ever dream of...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Yaar, I really want to play a song for u. Wait, let me get it. I don't care what they think."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> And he started wearing his clothes to go out just hoping that Sarthak is sleeping. And yes, he was...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He marched to his parents' room, they were still awake...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #ff6600; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"What Happened??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Asked his Mom looking at him with saucer-wide eyes.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: olive; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Is everything ok??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Asked his Dad.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Don't worry, everything's fine. I just came to get my laptop</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>He said trying to sound cool<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: olive; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Laptop??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> his father glanced at his watch "</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: olive; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">At Twelve in the night?? Right now??"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He just took it and walked back to the room leaving them with a blank expression, and so many unanswered questions...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Got it??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> She asked<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"Yessssssssssssss!"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He said with a huge smile as if a small baby got a new toy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He jumped on the bed and played mushy romantic music for her...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">"They must be wondering ki Bete ko seedha hona chahiye, par itna bhi nahi. Pata nahi ye kuchh karega bhi ya nahin"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> he said, and she bursted out laughing.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">He felt soooooooo good inside hearing that laughter again that he held her tightly again and sealed her lips with his...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Slowly she found his hand unbuttoning her blouse and held him <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">closer to her. His touch was heavenly<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I hope u have a condom"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> she asked.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Yes! Of course, many"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he said and winked smilingly..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"You need just one, right now."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> She specified. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I'll just get it, its right here in my almirah"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he got up and started searching.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Oh Shit!! Oh Shit!!"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he shrieked..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Now what??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> she was thinking and looking at him with that question on her face.<BR></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Since We r going on our honeymoon tomorrow, I."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"What?"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> She asked<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Kept them in my suitcase"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Great!! Where is it??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> she asked<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"That's the problem... It's in Sarthak's room"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">That was it, and both of them burst out laughing and hugged each other again..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I have to get it from there"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he said, and she was still laughing and rolling on the bed..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Wow... That is just so funny. I've seen that somehow or the other u have to do what u don't want to"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> she said while enjoying the sweet romantic music and playing with the roses on the bed and looking at him with that inviting and teasing look..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">He got up again and wore his clothes all over again to go to Sarthak's room this time...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Good luck"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> she said teasing him. </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I hope he doesn't wake up"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">He slipped out into his brother's room like a thief trying to steal in his own house...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The suitcase was lying right next to his bed. It was not even closed properly, but in any case, zipping it would mean a great risk of waking him up...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">So there he was, quietly pulling it inch by inch...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Finally, he came back to the room as if he had won a battle...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Got it."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> He said, and opened it, and put his hand in its pocket while his eyes were admiring her rolled in the sheet...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Suddenly, his expression changed... </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Where is it?? I kept them in this pocket so that no one finds them."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"No one?? Not even u??"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> She said, smiled at him and winked at him.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: #339933; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"U know u r just shhhhhhho cute..."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">He was scratching his head and wondering where the hell he kept them; she was just admiring his expressions and smiling.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Oh God Shona!! I'm so stupid. I took them out from this suitcase for tonight and kept them in the other drawer of my almirah"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he suddenly recalled. rushed to open the drawer, and guess what....... <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">No nothing went wrong this time...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">He jumped on her, and hugged her, she hugged him back... they kissed on and on and on...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I want to tell u something."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> She said.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I'm not nervous anymore"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> she said smiling at him<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"Me too..."</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he said<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: green; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"U know what?? U've made this night so much more memorable for me" </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">she said and winked at him laughing aloud, he admired her beautiful smiling face, and sealed her lovely smile with his never ending kisses... <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I LOVE U SWEETHEART"</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> he said while looking deep in her eyes and a silent tear rolled down her cheek, and he licked it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">And so went the kuchikuing all night, a night that gave a new meaning to their relationship, a night that marked the beginning of a new sunshine, a night that brought them closer to each other.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Yes it was indeed, <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:10:31 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/08/31/A-NIGHT-TO-REMEMBER.html</link></item><item><title>MY space</title><description><![CDATA[<DIV class=postbody>Strange is the notion of <FONT color=#ff0000><B>"being mine"..</B> </FONT><FONT color=#000000><FONT color=#999999><EM>When i look into myself everything seems to be, when i look outside nothing really is</EM></FONT>.. </FONT>Of late i have been noticing, this notion of "my space" spreading far &amp; wide ... bole to, , <FONT color=#000099><B><I>the places i want to go, the clothes i want to wear, the food i want to eat, the way i want to talk, the things i want to do</I></B> </FONT>so on &amp; so forth has been taking so much precedence in people's lives.. Quite interestingly, at the same time there's a contradictory notion prevailing equally pervasively<FONT color=#000099> <STRONG><EM>I want others to behave the way i want them to</EM></STRONG></FONT> ....Isn't it ironical, <FONT color=#999900>wen you want to live just the way you want, unconcerned about how your actions or attitude affects others, why do you not want others to do the same way.. Why do you crib about social etiquette and behavior when you find their comments or their gestures unsocial, disrespectful or derogatory wen you on the first stance give a damn to the social norms under the Umbrella of "Women Liberation"... If you give a damn to the others, then others would give a damn to you (Sad!).. </FONT>I find this so self-centred, so often raised hue &amp; cry about <B><I><FONT color=#000099>" why can't i go where i want? why can't i do what i want to?"</FONT></I></B> very disaapointing.. Seems as if, we have totally stopped wanting to live together. we first want things for ourselves &amp; then we might think about others if it interests us.. Probably thats the CRUX of a metro life - <B><FONT color=#990000>"Everyone For Himself/ Survival Of The Fittest"..(</FONT></B>sigh!)..<BR><BR>Just recently, there was discussion on a radio station about going &amp; living away from your Own parents.. the protagonists felt it as a manifestation of expression of your desire to seek an individuality of your own &amp; an oppurtunity to be more independent &amp; responsible.. As if, the parents are the major hinderances in your becoming one..And if really the matter is so, then i feel such parenting is flawed if it has failed to make the child grow into a responsible &amp; independent adult.. Moving out of the home, in an Indian society that has been essentially A joint Family based sysytem has a lot of emotional &amp; social repurcussions yet the protagonist felt it necessary for the personal upliftment in the name of <FONT color=#000099><I><B>wanting my OWN SPACE</B></I> </FONT>... </DIV><DIV class=postbody><BR>Driving back I kept wondering <B><FONT color=#339999>Why is it that ME has taken precedence over WE? why do people think about MINE first &amp; not OURS that often these days? why is it that MY DESIRES have become more important than OUR NEEDS ?</FONT></B> </DIV>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:54:04 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/07/10/MY-space.html</link></item><item><title>Performance Evaluations</title><description><![CDATA[<FONT size=2><STRONG><P><BR></STRONG><BR></FONT><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><FONT size=3>On Evaluating Employee Performance</FONT><FONT color=#660000> (From a Manager to an Employee)</FONT></FONT></P><P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><FONT color=#660000></FONT><BR>I admit it. I have a love/hate attitude about performance evaluations. I love it when you do great work and I get to tell you, and perhaps reward you for your contributions. On the other hand, I hate it when you don't do great work, and I not only have to tell you, but also deal with your objections, disappointment, and <FONT color=#000066>even hostility</FONT>. <BR><BR>Doing performance evaluations is a basic responsibility of management. It's necessary to ensure we all get the feedback we need to keep our performance on track. But<EM><FONT color=#000066> it's a part of the job I'm not always comfortable with</FONT></EM>. Think it's easy to play judge and jury over someone else's work? Trust me, it isn't  especially if my assessment affects your salary.and your future. And the more people I have to appraise, the tougher it gets. </FONT></P><P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><FONT color=#000066>Most people think they do great work. Many of them are right.but not all of them.</FONT> In the end, I must call it like I see it. That's all I can do. That's all you could do if you <EM>walked awhile in my shoes</EM>. <BR> <BR><FONT size=3>On Performance Evaluations<FONT color=#660000> </FONT></FONT><FONT color=#660000>(From an Employee to a Manager)</FONT></FONT></P><P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><FONT color=#660000></FONT><BR>From my perspective, both the best and the worst thing about performance evaluations is that they usually only happen once a year. Why best? Because they tend to be tedious and sometimes painful processes  similar to annual trips to the dentist. Why worst? Because all too often, they're the only time I get any detailed feedback on how well I am (or am not) doing. And<FONT color=#663300> </FONT><FONT color=#660000>sometimes even that doesn't happen "constructively."<BR></FONT><BR>Evaluations represent "scaryland" for me because they are subjective in nature. Your opinion is going to affect my future. And <FONT color=#000000>there are no guarantees that one evaluator (and most of the time it is just one evaluator) really knows my job and how well I do it</FONT>. So sometimes I can't help but worry that my rating will be based solely on how well you like me. <FONT color=#660000>I worry you'll forget the good and remember only the bad. </FONT>And I worry that my input won't be considered in the process. <BR><BR>I understand that performance evaluations probably aren't the most favorite part of your job. But they are important to me.I've got a lot riding on them. Maybe you could consider periodically giving me a little more informal feedback  the kind where there's not so much on the line. Have strong feelings about performance evaluations? <EM>Walk awhile in my shoes!</EM></FONT></P><P><FONT size=2>Excerpt  from <EM><STRONG><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://list.walkthetalk.com/t/4803580/21384605/12456/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy53YWxrdGhldGFsay5jb20vd2Fsay1hd2hpbGUtc2hvZXMtcC01Lmh0bWw%2fU1JDPUxMV0FXMDg%3d&amp;x=308c2c10" target=_blank>Walk Awhile in My Shoes</A></STRONG></EM>: </FONT></P>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:09:07 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/06/19/Performance-Evaluations-1.html</link></item><item><title>Speaking up</title><description><![CDATA[<FONT size=4>I was at a party, relaxed, enjoying myself when the joke telling began: <FONT color=#663366><EM><STRONG>"There were three ______ who went to the ."</STRONG></EM> </FONT>The joke progressed. It was clearly demeaning to a group of people.<BR><BR>The face of my close friend and colleague popped into my mind  he is a member of the group being debased. Two different voices  the proverbial angel and devil on my shoulder  filled my head. <BR><BR></FONT><FONT size=4><EM><FONT color=#666600>"Monu, say something! You know you don't support this!"<BR></FONT><BR><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" color=#660000>"Relax it's a party! Have fun.lighten up. People won't like you if you can't take a joke."</FONT><BR><BR><FONT color=#666600><FONT color=#333300>"Speak up, you coward! You can't talk about valuing diversity all day at work and then stereotype people for entertainment at night. Be true to yourself."</FONT><SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003cbr\u003e\n                                In those long seconds while I twitched and struggled with what to do, the disk jockey, who was sitting with us on a break, simply said, "Whoa! I'm not going there. I think I\u0026#39;d rather get something to drink." He got up and walked across the room. I hopped up and followed him: "Great idea." \u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003cbr\u003e\n                                I'll never forget what happened next. Others in the group joined us at the bar, leaving only two people to hear the joke's punch line. I was amazed. Few of us wanted to hear the joke, but we went along anyway. It took just \u003cem\u003eone voice\u003c/em\u003e  one person casually speaking up against disrespect  to shift the entire conversation.\u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003c/font\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\" face\u003d\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003c/font\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n                            \u003c/tr\u003e\n                        \u003c/tbody\u003e\n                    \u003c/table\u003e\n                    \u003ctable width\u003d\"550\" cellspacing\u003d\"10\" cellpadding\u003d\"5\" align\u003d\"center\"\u003e\n                        \u003ctbody\u003e\n                            \u003ctr\u003e\n                                \u003ctd align\u003d\"center\"\u003e 					 						\u003ca href\u003d\"http://list.walkthetalk.com/t/5128191/21384605/14775/0/\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d\"68\" height\u003d\"100\" border\u003d\"0\" align\u003d\"bottom\" alt\u003d\"\" src\u003d\"http://www.walkthetalk.com/images/ouch_s.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cfont face\u003d\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\"\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cfont color\u003d\"#ae3034\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003ca href\u003d\"http://list.walkthetalk.com/t/5128191/21384605/14777/0/\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d\"95\" height\u003d\"25\" border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://www.walkthetalk.com/newsletter_images/btn_shopnow.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n                                \u003cfont size\u003d\"1\"\u003e                                 (Only $12.95)\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/font\u003e 					 				  ",1]);//--></SCRIPT> </FONT></EM><BR><BR>In those long seconds while I twitched and struggled with what to do, the disk jockey, who was sitting with us on a break, simply said, <FONT color=#cc33cc>"Whoa! I'm not going there. I think I'd rather get something to drink." </FONT>He got up and walked across the room. I hopped up and followed him:<FONT color=#000099> "Great idea." </FONT><BR><BR>I'll never forget what happened next. Others in the group joined us at the bar, leaving only two people to hear the joke's punch line. I was amazed. Few of us wanted to hear the joke, but we went along anyway. It took just <FONT color=#cc0000><EM><STRONG>one voice</STRONG></EM> </FONT> one person casually speaking up against disrespect  to shift the entire conversation.<BR></FONT>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:07:02 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/06/19/Speaking-up-1.html</link></item><item><title>Be Thankful</title><description><![CDATA[<P><BR><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#000099>-Author unknown to me </FONT></P><P><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#000099></FONT> </P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,<BR></FONT>If you did, what would there be to look forward to?</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful when you don't know something </FONT><BR>For it gives you the opportunity to learn.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful for the difficult times.</FONT><BR>During those times you grow.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful for your limitations</FONT><BR>Because they give you opportunities for improvement.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful for each new challenge</FONT><BR>Because it will build your strength and character.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful for your mistakes</FONT><BR>They will teach you valuable lessons.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4><FONT color=#663333>Be thankful when you're tired and weary </FONT><BR>Because it means you've made a difference.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#666600 size=4>It is easy to be thankful for the good things.<BR><FONT color=#666600>A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are<BR>also thankful for the setbacks.</FONT></FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=#660000 size=4>GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. <BR>Find a way to be thankful for your troubles<BR>and they can become your blessings.</FONT></EM></P><P><EM><FONT color=#660000 size=4></FONT></EM> </P><P><EM><FONT color=#000099 size=2>P.S. Few of you might have read this before, so please excuse this pirated version posted purely for universally beneficial reasons..</FONT></EM></P>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:56:57 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/06/18/Be-Thankful-1.html</link></item><item><title>REward Or Bribe</title><description><![CDATA[<P>Its when I had just completed my PG &amp; was about to leave the town to join for my new job in a different city.. The time gap between the announcement of result &amp; my departure dat was very short. I had to collect all my documents which included my no-dues certificate &amp; the migration certificate from the university before leaving..  Hence I had been running around from pillar to post to get things moving. </P><BR><P>Such is the fate of the administrative system, that the person who was incharge of handing me the migration certificate (Mr.X) had himself not recieved the copy of our result even after the announcement of result. Seeing my plight, he himself made an extra effort to procure the file containing the result that was stuck somewhere between various tables through which it was supposed to pass.With unadulterated humanity, he prepared the certificate &amp; got it signed from the Registrar of the university as well so that I could get my other documents done in the meanwhile.</P><BR><P>Viz-a-viz I remember another babu (Mr.Y) in the same section who had pasted the notice on his office desk that the application for the no-dues-certificate along with all other required documents needed to be given three days in advance. Since I was short of time, I narrated him my problem &amp; he offered to prepare the certificate if some chai-pani was arranged for him.. Pressed for the time, I had to give him what he asked for &amp; he got my certificate done as well...</P><BR><P>I remember both Mr.X for his humility &amp; concern as well as the tactful Mr.Y who encashed upon my majboori &amp; made profit out of it.. I am sure most of us would have met similar kinds of people at some or other time in our lives.. </P><BR><P>When I collected my Migration certificate, I was feeling so grateful to Mr. X for his help that I wanted to reward him.. but then, a thought stopped me.. the kind of reward I could offer at that time was only monetory, If I had offered him that, a thought would have definitely come to his mind that the extra effort he did was worth reward.. In other words, somewhere I was scared that he too might also start expecting monetory returns for his efforts in future &amp; I would be responsible for inculcating him into this habit.. </P><BR><P>Looking at it from another perspective now, seeing his peers make monetory benefits by encashing upon others limitations, I wonder if Mr.X still is as honest &amp; helpful as he was then.. the only consolence is that  I was not responsible for bribing him then..</P><BR><P>Yet whenever I meet the likes of Mr.Y, who happen to exist in quite a majority these days, I am left wondering how could I have rewarded Mr.X(which he so well deserved) without it being considered as bribe..?</P><BR><P> A few more questions remain unanswered:</P><BR><P>- in this fast moving world when people want to get things done, don't they resort to such pleading stories so as to encash upon the humane nature of the person across the desk? It has happened with me that people have tried to take advantage on emotional grounds &amp; get their things done. </P><BR><P>- Others freely offer the bribe, because for them everything has a price. so how far can a person restrain himself &amp; not give in to making easy money and that too lots of it..</P><BR><P>For my peers there's nothing wrong about it as long as you are getting your things done &amp; not gettings caught as well.. not doing so, on the other hand is likely to increase your troubles. And then if you can afford it &amp; get away then why not? after all everyone feels that he is in an underpaid job &amp; if you are getting things done faster ther's no harm.. Time is money.. yes you should learn to negotiate well   </P><BR><P> </P><BR><P>  </P><BR><P> </P>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:14:57 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/06/11/REward-Or-Bribe.html</link></item><item><title>....Vacuity</title><description><![CDATA[<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Blackadder ITC'"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Tired bodies<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Empty souls,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"></SPAN> </P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Restless minds</SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Dark alleys<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Hounding shadows;</SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"></SPAN> </P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Passionate overtures<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Thwarted attempts<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"></SPAN> </P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'">Eternal search</SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"></SPAN> </P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"></SPAN> </P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Rage Italic'"><FONT color=#ff0000>Love</FONT> still eludes me.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></o:p></SPAN> </P>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:03:05 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/06/11/Vacuity.html</link></item><item><title>MCP</title><description><![CDATA[<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#663333>"You didn't bring along Sandhya"</FONT> Ritu asked</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#006600>"No, I didn't" </FONT>Sachin replied</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#663333 size=4>"Why?" </FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#006600 size=4>"I left her back home."</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#663333>"Com'on you couldn't be doing this.. Where is she?"</FONT> Ritu sounded unconvinced</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#006600>"Why can't?.. I m the husband.. I can do what I want. Call me an MCP but I didn't bring her along"</FONT> Sachin teased her</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#663333>"Whats MCP?" </FONT>she asked innocently</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#6600cc>"You don't know that!"</FONT> I exclaimed</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#663333>"No I don't."</FONT> Ritu said inquisitively</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4><FONT color=#006600>"So let her not know it as well." </FONT>Sachin closed the conversation &amp; so went along the light hearted banter between the three of us. </FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>Truly this three letter word is the most despised&amp; dreaded word for an Indian male but in reality how many of We MALES aren't?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>Blessed r we to have wives who are ignorant of this fact;<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>but does this absolve us from the vice? I guess not..</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT size=4>Have a doubt; answer this:</FONT></STRONG></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#3366ff size=4>If both you &amp; your wife are working, u expect <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ur</st1:place></st1:City> wife to come back home from work &amp; cook food for you Or take care of the household chores while u relax... Why?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#cc9933 size=4>The kid belongs to you both but when it comes to waking up at nights or cleaning up things, it's not your job... Why?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#33cc00 size=4>You want her to stop wearing the clothes she likes &amp; wear what you like... Why?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#cc66cc size=4>You want her to meet only those people that you like irrespective of whether she likes them or not... Why?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#666666 size=4>You have <st1:City w:st="on">Ur</st1:City> likes &amp; dislikes that u won't change But you want <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">ur</st1:City></st1:place> wife shd abandon her own likes &amp; dislikes and adopt same likes &amp; dislikes as that of yours... Why?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#330099 size=4>You want your wife to adjust with you, your family, your relatives &amp; behave accordingly so as to make you proud but when it comes to adjusting with her or her relatives, you cringe... Why?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT color=#330099 size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>Am I sounding like a Female chauvinist... I might seem to be but then is it untrue. ?</FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>Why can't we as men accept the individuality of a woman &amp; her own identity with her own likes &amp; dislikes..? Why do we think that making so much changes in her life, all at once should be unobjectionably easy for her &amp; that she should completely be adaptive to them whether she approves of those changes or not? Why are these expectations so high that they become impossible to achieve for the other person..? </FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>Isn't this all pseudo masculine ego that takes advantage of the accommodative feminine character...? Rather than quashing her identity under the pretext of <STRONG><FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#000066>"You are a Bahu, you are expected to adjust" </FONT></STRONG>wouldn't it be a better way to try to seek a balance where in her opinions could also be considered? Just because she has got married, why is the onus of modifying oneself put on the Bahu only? </FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>All this is much easier said than done &amp; the easy way seems to be let it happen as usual. I too used to &amp; might still subconsciously share similar expectations at times, ignoring the fact that she has already been shifted from her own house &amp; is desperately trying her level best to adapt to the new ambience &amp; people. </FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=4>When I got married one of my uncles said, <FONT color=#006600>"Be independent &amp; reasonable in thinking and respect mutual independence..." </FONT>Didn't know that it would be so difficult to practice... It really appears disgusting to hear an opinion that is contrastingly contradictory to your own and vehemently endorsed by the other individual...It takes a lot to subjugate one's own self to allow the other one to express his/her identity &amp; opinions. Only when I tried doing it myself for her, I realized how difficult would it have been for her to do the same for all the members of my family.<FONT color=#ff6666> </FONT><EM><FONT color=#ff0000>Don't know how people perceive the mushy notion of Love but<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>the realization that just because of me, she has left behind everything that was so comfortably hers &amp; is now trying to adjust herself to an environment that is not only contrasting but demanding too,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>has not only made her more dearer but also more respectable to me.. </FONT></EM></FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM><FONT color=#ff0000 size=4>Love you lots Sweetheart..</FONT></EM></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT size=4> </FONT></o:p></P>]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:18:14 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/04/20/MCP.html</link></item><item><title>Healthy Eating</title><description><![CDATA[<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#000099>12 Quick Tips for Eating to </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#666666><FONT color=#000099>Help your heart and overall health</FONT>.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></H1><BR><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">By Peter Jaret, EatingWell.com<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">Food is far more than sustenance. The dishes we eat are often imbued with family traditions, cultural history and even personal memories—and that's as it should be. But as studies around the world have shown, eating patterns as different from ours as those in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sweden</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> can be tweaked to take advantage of the health benefits associated with traditional Mediterranean diets. Here's how: <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#ff0000><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">1. Replace butter with olive or canola oil whenever possible.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#ff9900><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">2. Snack on nuts, seeds or fruit instead of processed foods.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" color=#33cc00>3. Include a generous leafy green salad with most dinners.</FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#996633><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">4. Help yourself to whole-grain bread, pasta, rice and other grains.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#330033><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">5. Fix at least a couple of vegetarian meals every week.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#3366ff><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">6. Add a dish or two that contains legumes (beans and lentils) to your weekly menu.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#cc66cc><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">7. Have fish (not fried) at least twice a week.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#663366><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">8. If you eat meat, favor chicken and other poultry.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#ff6666><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">9. Eat red meat only occasionally, and in small servings.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#3366ff><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">10. If you drink, have no more than a glass or two with a meal.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#33cc00><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">11. Enjoy fruit for dessert.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><BR><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#ff0000><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">12. Set aside enough time to savor every bite.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:35:48 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/04/09/Healthy-Eating.html</link></item><item><title>Thoughts on THOUGHTS</title><description><![CDATA[<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT color=#000099 size=4><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#999900>Strange are the ways of thinking &amp; stranger still the thoughts... The eternal business that our mind keeps itself engaged in 24 x 7...<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>They don't have a self unless, one gives them a shape, a shape they can acquire when given a name... But strange enough as soon as they get a name, they are categorized as Good or Bad... <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000><EM><o:p></o:p></EM></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#ff0000>Love is Good, Hatred is bad; <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></I></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#ff0000>Charity is Good, Selfishness is bad...</FONT></I></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><o:p></o:p></FONT></I></B> </P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Just a label transforms a thought into a virtue or vice &amp; why not! After all thoughts only motivate &amp; inspire a person to act... Simple thoughts that govern rise &amp; fall of dynasties &amp; human beings...</P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> </P><o:p><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><FONT color=#9999ff>But sometimes there are certain thoughts keep searching for words of expression.. As if searching for a destination, a place where they will find their entity, where they would be able to realize themselves, where they would be heard, get known &amp; could flow to the minds of others. Where someone else could identify with their existing non-existence... These thoughts which neither have a name, nor do they transpire themselves into action... Such thoughts live an ephemeral existence; as if transiting through the mind like rabbits hopping through the jungle, appearing for a while, attracting attention &amp; then disappearing leaving behind a memory... although these thoughts remain unexpressed yet they leave an indelible mark on our personalities...</FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT color=#cc33cc><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3>Whatever the thoughts may be: with a name or without, whether they are able to materialize into action or not and whether they get an expression or not... Still they remain as thoughts, thoughts that make us what we are &amp; thoughts that determine what we would be. They are the unique characteristic of mankind that distinguishes an individual from another, a mark of our own uniqueness &amp; individuality...</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#663300>Sometimes I wonder, but for these thoughts; could we have an identity? &amp; If yes how meaningful would it have been, apart from adding to just another species on this heavenly planet. without these thoughts could we claim to be living then rather than merely existing. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><o:p><FONT color=#663300 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#663300>Thoughts are Thoughts after all!!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"></FONT></o:p> </P>]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Feb 2008 11:57:14 +0530</pubDate><link>http://reflections.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/02/03/Thoughts-on-THOUGHTS.html</link></item></channel></rss>