Last night in Venice ....#When I met a stranger.

Venice, one of the most romantic cities in the world and surprises you with every step you take. You will find yourself locked in a maze of similar looking streets and bridges. There are no traffic signals in this city and no automobiles as well. To talk about this fascinating city would require an entire blog post. But there was something else that has made Venice special for us. There was another incident that sunk in so deeply and will always be in our memories for years to come.

Copyright +Cynthia Vincent 

On the last night of our honeymoon to Italy, my husband and I had planned to attend a live Orchestra which is considered to be a shame if not witnessed while it Venice. We booked our tickets in the morning and after our visit to the great St. Mark's Cathedral and Doge's palace we walked to the place where the orchestra was supposed to be conducted. There was a huge queue standing outside since the gates hadn't opened yet. We joined to queue and waited for around 10 minutes. After a while, we found a couple standing in front of us who requested us to click a photo of theirs. I was busy in a phone call and my husband did the honours of clicking a picture. 

They thanked us and began a conversation by asking us where were we from. We told them that we were from India and we got to know that they were from the USA. They told us that they were touring Europe and it had been around three weeks since they were out of home. On telling them that we were on our honeymoon we got to know that John and Joanna were married for 6 years. We were surprised as it contradicted the assumption we have of Americans that they do not have long-term relationships. Thanks to the hollywood superhits that brief us on this subject n-number of times. 

Copyright +Cynthia Vincent 

The gates for the Orchestra had opened and we took our seats. For the first time, we had witnessed a live orchestra of 7 violinists. The Orchestra lasted for an hour and a half and left us swaying to its tune for even longer.

 As we began to leave the hall, John and Joanna came up to us and asked us if we wished to join them for dinner. We were overwhelmed. I always had a fetish to meet new people and get to know about them. Maybe it's the writer instinct in me that makes me inquisitive and curious. We walked into a small restaurant on  Campo Manin. 

We ordered food and since it was the finals of the Fifa world cup that day we were excited to hear the news as well. We talked about the different cultures we were brought up in. I realized that Joanna came from a very close knit family and both of them valued the relationships they shared with their parents. We found that our upbringing was nothing different. They spoke about how difficult the first year of their marriage was and advised us on making it an effort to work out the differences in married life that may arise after a period of time. 

Joanna spoke about her love for bollywood movies and how much she loved watching the dances on bollywood numbers. We told them about Mumbai and asked them to visit us soon. 

We spent an hour and a half talking and finally got up to leave as we had to catch the flight back to India the next day. As for them, they were heading towards Rome. On the way back to India, I realised that there was no other better way to end our honeymoon. We met a couple hail from a place (where we thought relationships are taken for granted) living together for so long and making it an effort to live in harmony. They were the best example for a newly married couple like us. Ever since we are back, there have been times when things may not have been the way it should be between my husband and me, but in those times I remember our friends John and Joanna and the example they set before us. 

Copyright @Cynthia Vincent

It's true that many a times we meet strangers to whom we are reluctant to open up, but when they become a part of our lives, they become so special. I still continue to message Joanna over facebook and we still continue to share our experiences. 

Wishing them the best in life always!! Love you guys and thank you so much for asking us to click your picture on the last evening in Venice. 

Copyright +Cynthia Vincent 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Back in Time - From the 11th floor window !!

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

“To imagine is everything, to know is nothing at all” ― Antole France

It was raining outside the window of my home on the 11th floor. I could see the eastern express highway and a ground filled with lush green meadow, which is very uncommon in a crowded city like Mumbai. I had moved in 2 months back after I was married to the person I fell in love with.

I watched the rains and the peace that it brought along with it. It was mesmerising and I was drawn to nature. These are its mighty works and within no time I found myself standing at my window not wanting it to stop raining. I heard some noise of children playing which was not usual from the height I lived in.

I watched a bunch of kids playing in the rain, jumping on the puddles and enjoying that moment not worried about getting wet or falling sick. My feet became restless and I wished to join them. I wanted to return to my childhood and run, jump and play around fearlessly without any worries of my job or work or my dreams. I just wanted to fly free. I wanted to run the stairs and play with those children not worried how I would look if I got my clothes wet or not worried If I could afford to fall sick and not go to office the next day.

I wanted to go back in time. And I paused. I began to think how it would have been if I was still a 5 year old.

 Waking up every morning would have been more easier and peaceful with my Mom's cuddle rather than a boring alarm that I would relent hearing everyday. It would be my mum's sweet voice and her sweet kisses on my cheek that I would open my eyes to.

I wouldn't sit before my wardrobe to choose what to wear but my school uniform would be ready and ironed tidily. It would be my dad's responsibility to drop me to school and I wouldn't have to wait for an office bus.

At lunch I would open my lunch to a tasty dabba filled with tons of love packed inside it by my mother.

I would get to return home by 3.00 pm and have the entire evening to myself. The park would be my entertainment arena and I would rush to meet my friends and play swings with them(which I still love to do)

My dinner would be ready and I would be resting on my mother's lap hearing stories of the Bible or some fairy tales.

Worries under my pillow,
Under my parents burrow.

Nothing to neglect,
Nothing to regret.

No ferry to catch,
No deadlines to meet.

I wish to fly, up, above and rise,
Through the meadows and the skies.

Oh take me back to those days that were mine,
Take be back, yes Back in Time.

A drop of water fell on my face and I woken up from my dream. I realised that time had flown. I was no longer a 5 year old girl.

The nature hadn't changed. It was still raining, It rained that time when I was a girl and it rained even today 2 decades later. What had changed was me. I was grown up into a woman. I was married and I had a family of my own.

I was caught in between the rush of life, rush to go to office, rush to cook, rush to earn money and rush behind my dreams. I was frustrated. Those few minutes that I reminisced brought me happiness and I was charged up. To sit back, relax, breathe and enjoy the rain was all I wanted. To forget the worries of the future and live like a 5 year old was what I yearned for. But this wasn't practical.

But to take a small break from the fast life and enjoy the rain was possible and practical. It would cost me nothing and It would make me happy. I found my reason for happiness that evening. And I would spend more evenings by my window to think about all those little moments that brought joy.

So what are you waiting for? 
Forget your present for a moment, pause it and go back in time to find that minute that would bring you joy..

The summer's day tale

                                                     

There I go to flaunt my WOW badge again. A second post at blogadda that became post with the "WOW" factor :)

It was the second last day of school. As always, I parked my bicycle in the stand and ran to my classroom. I threw my bag on the third bench in the last row and ran outside the class to the back gate of my school.

The grass was my refuge whenever my black shoes were filled with mud. I hurriedly rubbed my shoes on the grass to look neat and tidy. 

“I hope my ribbons are in place”, I murmured to myself and adjusted the ribbons tied on my hair. He would be here in no time and my lips will unknowingly broaden to flash a radiating smile which would make my eyes jealous and they would widen up in excitement.

Just two more days and we would part ways. I may never meet him again.

I don’t know if I would be able to tell him how much I liked him.

There was a deep anxiety inside and I didn't know what this feeling was as I was very young.

“It’s just infatuation, Suzanne”, My elder sister had warned me.

With a million confusions at the age of 14 I was unsure if my hormones were changing and playing cynical notes of symphony in my heart.

“Suzzane….. “

“Suzanne……………….” I felt a hand on my shoulders trying to wake me up from a dream. Startled by the voice, I turned.

It was him, he was standing in front of me in body and spirit......... and my mind and soul had suddenly stopped functioning making me search for words....

“Rishab….hmmmm…. ahem…”

Unknowingly, I waved him a “hi” although he stood just a feet away.

“Suzanne, It’s our second last day at school and we still haven’t exchanged our phone numbers. Can I have your number?” he casually asked me.

“Of course, give me a paper I will write it for you” , He pulled out  a paper from his book and gave it to me. I hastily penned my phone number with a broad smile on my face.

School got over and within a month, Rishab had called me twice on my phone.  

Daddy had got transferred and we were moving out of Guwahati  to Delhi. 
Sheena, my sister was excited as we were going to live in the capital city of India. Everyone at home were elated, but I sat in the corner waiting for everyone to leave me alone for sometime so I could pick up the phone and dial Rishab’s number to inform him that I would be leaving the city soon.

It was the 31^st of May 2003, a hot summer day when Daddy, mummy, Sheena and I left out of our two bedroom apartment on Lokhra road in Guwahati.

We crossed our school and I screamed, “Daddy wait, please stop the car”

To everyone’s surprise I ran out of the car in speed and went straight to the third gate.

I wanted to see him once before I could go, but he wasn’t there.  He had called me earlier that day to say that he would wait at school for me. 

"Where was he? "

“Maybe he never felt the way I felt for him”

“I was such a fool to be crazy for him”

I sat on the grass and sobbed till Sheena convinced me to get into the car. Mummy and Daddy thought that I was going to miss school.

Years passed and after that summer's day, I had never tried to contact Rishab. Life had changed and I had begun to move on. Maybe I was angry that he didn't turn up that day or maybe I was ashamed that I was such a fool to be mad for someone who didn't deserve my affection.

8 years later I was invited for a reunion party at school in Guwahati. On having convinced mom and dad I left for Guwahati.

Although I had decided that I would never step into my school again, I deeply wanted to go for the reunion because of a very obvious reason.

The school hall was decorated and I caught a glimpse of all the familiar faces. As I slowly began greeting everyone, the blood started racing in my arteries because in no time I would be greeting Rishab.

My eyes kept glaring at the door.Half an hour had passed and eventually I had begun to loose hope. The next few minutes were lost in the visions from the past until something unexpected happened.

"Looking out for me?" A familiar voice reached my ears. Rishab stood behind me in a black blazer and looked stunning as ever.

I tried not to reveal my excitement on seeing him. I didn't want to be fooled again. But to my surprise he leaned forward to give me a light hug.

On asking the waiter to prepare a drink for him, he held out a glass of coke. "There's too much of commotion here. Come with me" He pulled my hand and led me towards the back gate of our school. I was truly awed. 

"You look beautiful, Suzzy", He said with a softness in his voice.

"And you look dashing Rishab...." I paused and said, "As always !!!"

We spoke about work and I got to know that he was working as a software engineer in Australia. He suddenly deviated from the topic and began talking about the days we spent in school.

"I am sorry Suzzane, I couldn't make it that day when you left Guwahati" He began to answer me the question I dared to ask him.

"I was helpless" He said with pitiful eyes."I had slipped from my cycle that day while coming to meet you and fractured my right leg. I couldn't even contact you later as I didn't have your phone number."

His eyes gleamed intensely as he tried to justify destiny that had torn us apart on that summer's day. I looked into his eyes and in a minute forgot all the anger that was buried deep inside.

"I had a confession to make Suzzane" he came closer to me just an inch away and said, "I had a mad crush on you when we were in school, I just didn't have the guts to tell you. I would wait to see you every morning near this gate"

Had cupid actually struck him? As I couldn't believe my ears. Was it a dream? My heart began to play a million romantic bollywood numbers.

That evening I confessed about the feelings that I had for him in school. We spoke ignoring all of the other classmates. It was actually a reunion of two hearts who were separated by time.

He dropped me at my hotel and I stepped out of the car.

"Suzzy"

"Yes Rishab" I turned to hear him.

"Will you be free tomorrow morning before you take your flight back home?"

"Yes I would make myself free Rishab"

I waved him a bye, turned 180 degrees and I blushed thinking that he had actually asked me out.

The stars sparkled above me and the moon smiled as I blushed reminiscing every single minute of the day.

Wondering what would happen the next day I fought with my pillows trying hard to cross the sleepless night and meet him again

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Write Over the Weekend theme for this week

… And I Blushed! Write a post this weekend by including this phrase anywhere in your post. Let us know when, where and how it happened.

                

The Woman who loved unconditionally !!!!

(Yippee Mine is a WOW post !!!!)

“I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world."-Mother Teresa.


Writing a post for WOW - brought about by Blogadda, has been on my cards since the first time I happened to have a look at it. And the topic for this week was as follows,

Who is the person from history that you would like to meet and talk to? What would you like to ask?

Numerous people made history, they brought about a change and they still do through their ideologies and philosophies. My mind raced through them and when a choice had to be made I stumbled upon a chosen few.

Adolf Hitler - the man who empowered the entire German fraternity. But I was wondering what would I question him about.
Abraham Lincoln- a very famous man or even our country's leader Mahatma Gandhi......

Not being convinced with the above options my search continued. There were many such names that crossed my mind, but I was searching for one person who would make me smile when I write and that was when I decided to write about that one lady who taught the world to love !!! And she is none other than our country's very own, "Blessed Mother Teresa"

Born as an Albanian, she had joined the order of "Sisters of Loretto" and she had been teaching in one of the schools in Calcutta. As she had stated saying that it was when she received "The call within a call", she decided that ignoring the call would be breaking her faith. Her faith and her unconditional love for God made her serve humanity in the most fittest manner.

Blessed Mother Teresa picked up the homeless, the sick, the destitute from the roads, the gutters and sometimes those who were abandoned outside her home. She had once said, "The biggest suffering a man can ever get is solitude and loneliness." 

She pledged to be a mother for all of those who were blind, crippled, homeless, aged and lonely. In the earlier days when she didn't have funds for her convent, a rich man had spat on her face when she had asked him for alms. But mother had patiently cleared it and asked him again, "Thanks for what ever you gave me, but what will you give to help my poor people".

I was only 9 when Mother Teresa had passed away, I am lucky to have been a part of the generation that could witness such a tremendously compassionate person. Although I do regret the fact that I never got a chance to see her. 

In history if there is any person I would like to meet then it ought to be our "Blessed Mother Teresa". She found love and Jesus in every person she saw. And she taught even a dying woman to forgive her son who had abandoned her. 

Wherever she went she spread love, because she knew that every human being on earth wants to be loved, wants to be taken care of, wants someone to call their own and for those who didn't have anyone, she stood by them. She held their hand and showed them the world. The home she built was not for her to live, but it was for all those lonely people who were in need to solace. 

Did you know that the fingers in Mother Teresa's feet were in a criss-cross fashion?

Many people would donate old and used slippers and Mother would segregate them ad pick the oldest and most ragged slipper and use it as her own, giving the other better ones to the people in her home. 

A Nobel laureate and a woman who with a simple white and blue bordered saree touched the lives of millions and continues to do so. 

  One of her sayings that I have always looked up to is, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." 

If I ever get a chance to meet her, this is what I would ask, "Didn't you ever get angry on the man who spat on your face?" 

And I am sure show would blaze her radiant smile and tell me a no. 

I would ask her to teach me to smile in every situation, in every manner because a smile is something that costs very cheap but when we have to spread it we treat it as something very expensive. 

Well after doing a lot of research to write this post I am all set to read her Biography. Hope you too are !!

Have a blessed week ahead and do not forget to spread your smile !!!

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.......