Reflections of a restless eccentric

In the midst of one of our midnight conversations,I asked her:"Do you think I'm strong?How do I react in the face of adversity?" I'd like to hear her opinion on this. Here's what she told me. Inner strength is the most important thing in life.It's what defines people.However,just as people are different,the foundations behind their strength also vary. The first kind of inner strength is materialistic in origin.It comes from the feeling of assurance you get from all the comforts of life--money,position,power,wealth.This is the most transient of them all.There will come a time in life, (in fact,many a time),when you're deprived of all this.Immediately,you lose your strength as well.Your problems seem insurmountable because the very source of your strength is part of the problem. The second kind comes from people.The trust you place in someone.The belief that they'll never let you down.There will comes times in life when the people y...

I come from a background of working parents.A year after I was born,my mom wanted to get back to work.My parents approached both my maternal and paternal grandparents to take care of me for a year or two,but both sides refused.(When I was told of this as a kid,I felt unloved and abandoned.In retrospect,however,I see it as a big blessing.There's nothing I cherish more than my independence and space.)So,I grew up in solitude.While most other kids were being fed by their mothers,my mom taught me to eat on my own.She taught me everything I needed to carry on my daily activities.At two,I knew how to operate the washing machine,warm up my food and a lot more. I'm setting the stage for the story--I'm giving you an idea of what my life was like so that you understand what I'm going to say better. My mom used to take me to her clinic whenever circumstances permitted,but for most of the day,I'd be alone.Back then,I was an early bird.I used to be the first one awak...

Warning:This is rather dark.Read only if you wish to.I write because I need to.It's cathartic.You,on the other hand,have an option not to read:) I was 4 and she was 1.My mom had asked me to take care of her.She lay in the cradle,sound asleep.I sat by her,watching her.Suddenly, she rolled over.The jerkiness of the movement tilted the makeshift cradle and almost overturned it.I realized,in horror,that she would topple to the ground any moment.I tried to hold her,but she was too heavy for me.I frantically called out for my mom,all the while feeling the strain in my arms.She immediately came running and took over the baby from me.She smiled at me."Your sister could have been hurt very badly if it weren't for your presence of mind."I looked at her and smiled.I realised that I loved her.My sister. She has a vacant gaze in her eyes.I hand her a cup of coffee.Her hands shake a lot.She ends up spilling half the coffee.She drinks what's left of it and tries to stand up....

I have to struggle to find my way.Not only outdoors,but also indoors.:P I've long since concluded that my hippocampus doesn't work.Other people seem to put no effort into this:they just walk around and magically find their way.I,on the other hand,literally need a ball of twine to leave behind so that I can come back.I memorize twists and turns,and yet when I try and find my way out,I inevitably get lost.In those initial days,my college was my worst nightmare.Innumerable blocks,with confusing elevator levels and maze-like interconnections.Needless to say,I've gotten lost a lot of times:P However,this isn't about me. I was waiting for someone.On a particular floor in a particular block,which by now, I've forgotten.I see someone I know walking past me.There's a blank wall facing me.Nothing else.He stares hard at the blank wall,as if puzzled by something.I find this weird and therefore interesting,so I stare at the wall too,to see what he's looking for.He tur...

We were working on the 7th floor in the Apex Block.Ramya says"You guys continue working.I'll go get the printouts and xeroxes for us." Makes sense.There's no point in three of us going to get the same thing done. She gathers up all the required books and leaves.Two minutes later,she's back.She looks annoyed."The lift isn't working.I had to take the stairs.I forgot my wallet" she says.I'm mildly amused,but given that she's forgotten her bag,this is quite what I expect.She ignores our smiles and walks away. Five minutes later,she's back again.She's panting.Obviously because she's gone up and down the seven flights of stairs twice. I wonder what it is this time! "Your pen drive"She says knowing what I'm about to ask.I can't help but laugh.This time we ensure that she has her wallet,books and pen drive before sending her off. Half an hour later,she's back with an armload of photcopies.She's visibly exh...

Vidya has loads of hilarious anecdotes.She used to tell us during free periods and we'd laugh till our eyes stung with tears.I wish I remembered all of them--I actually do but just the outlines.Maybe I'll ask her to narrate them sometime.But this one is really unforgettable! Worth writing about :D Italics for thoughts.I find it annoying to use quotes sometimes. One ordinary day.Vidya had to meet a bunch of her friends at Sankey.She rode her brother's scooter that day.She met her friends and they had a good time.For some reason,she found it annoying to keep her helmet inside,so she just walked around with the helmet all along. It's time to leave.She offers to drop her friend.She puts on her helmet,starts the vehicle and begins her journey.Sometime later,her friend asks her "Why is there a Ganesha photo hanging from the mirror on your vehicle?"She ponders over this. Weird I hadn't noticed.My mom must have put it there ,she concludes.She replies "...

If you tell me something funny about someone,the odds are,the next time I see them,that's the first thing I'm going to remember. Sush,Ramya,Sam and I were at the canteen eating ice-cream.(I think ice-cream was what we ate most often from the canteen.Come summer,winter or rainy season.)Ramya had just finished telling us some funny story about a guy(let's call him Y).We were still laughing,when I see him entering the canteen. "I think he's heard your story Ramya.He seems to be heading our way",I joke.She panics and turns around.He notices that.I laugh! And then,horror of horrors, he's actually heading towards our table! I freak out this time.I warn Ramya and tell her not to turn around. He comes to us.He says "Hi.I wanted to ask you about the portions for blah-blah subject." There's nothing funny about that,but I remember the story she's just told me about him.And start laughing.Ramya can't help but join me.Sam and Sush stare at ...