Octavia's Mood Swings

Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024, I am writing mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

Octavia, lady super star of Bollywood cinema admits that she does have mood swings. But then if you were to examine her life trajectory, you would see so many ups and downs,  moments of excitement and disappointments. "It is no wonder that she had become the person she is" is how Octavia justifies her behaviour which some would term as 'Bizarre'. 

Octavia was crowned Little Miss Pune at the age of 6 years in the year 2004. Since then it has been a constant drive to achieve stardom in Hindi movies and if possible at the world level. It was her grandmother Padmaja who was the driving force behind all activities with the ultimate destination of stardom. Padmaja had rechristened the name of her grandchild as Octavia . She believed that such a name would be more acceptable to a world wide audience while pursuing the ultimate destination of Hollywood. 

It was Padmaja's ardent desire to become a film star; but she couldn't pursue or realize it, given the circumstances and times that she lived in. She wanted to achieve all of it through her granddaughter who was very pretty even as a four year old. Poor Octavia had no choice; she was pushed into a regimented journey from a tender age even before she could comprehend what was happening. She was given dancing lessons and exposed to other routines that would contribute to her becoming the heart throb of the masses . 

Octavia debuted as heroine at the age of 15, paired with the reigning matinee idol who was 52 years of age at that time. She went on to do more movies most of which were super duper hits. In the meanwhile , the family coerced her into a breast enhancement procedure that was quite painful and also took a psychological toll on her. But it was felt necessary to get her to look more mature and older than her chronological age, On the one side, there was lot of acclaim and wealth while on the other she was missing out on the little pleasures of girls her age. Her former classmates went to college, some had crushes. heartbreaks and some had secured employment in responsible positions in corporate companies. 

Octavia often felt that she was not living the life that she would have wished. In fact, even her aspirations could not be determined before she was pushed into a profession that she was liking less and less with each passing day. All the roles seemed so repetitive and boring where she was mainly required to look cute and attractive. She would rather have become a teacher, doctor or social scientist, serving society at large. Further, all decisions concerning her career were being taken by her father. She had no idea how much money was being earned and spent. Hers was to simply perform like a robot, go to the sets or locations and do the bidding of the director. 

As she was the golden goose and the chief provider of the household, the family watched her like a hawk. They wouldn't let her get friendly with anyone. It was almost as if she was a bird imprisoned in a golden cage. It was the tantrums that gave Octavia some feeling of power - the only time when her accompanying mom was scared of her. She also liked to watch the expression of 'surprise' when she was unexpectedly sweet or kind to people. No wonder they dubbed her a "Moody and unpredictable star". 

"One of these days", Octavia tells herself, "I will cut through this frustration of  not having any future either professionally or personally".  There was this costar Ajay who seemed to be genuinely drawn to her and has been giving her feelers and messages on the mobile phone. If she could find in him, the enduring love she was seeking for a long time, she would be able to settle down, have children like any other woman. Then hopefully she would be able to say "Bye-bye" for good, to her mood swings! 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z

Nivedita at peace with Herself -At last!

Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024, I am writing mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

It was only three days since Nivedita had come to Davangere to visit her mother. She had told herself that this time she will have a great time with mom and not have a single fight during the 10 days that she would be there. But already strains were beginning to show. Who is it that said “If you believe you have become mature and enlightened, go spend a few days with your parents!”  Nivedita felt that there could not be a truer statement. Although she frequently reminded herself to live in the present, Nivedita found herself going back to the past more often that she would have liked.

This time, her travel from Bangalore where she lived with husband Neeraj and two sons was after a quarrel with spouse. She felt that he was taking her for granted because she was a woman. After all, she was also working and earning. Yet, it seemed as if it was sort of expected that a big chunk of the household chores would be attend to by her. Nivedita felt that a bad precedent was being set for the boys aged 12 and 8, who are growing up. They are going to have faulty expectations that would be even more unrealistic when they become adults. 

Neeraj should have been told about the requirement of equally sharing the household chores right from the time they were married.  She simply lacked the courage to tell him even as she was hurt and upset over his insensitivity of not pitching in to help. Nivedita felt that she had not been assertive enough because of the wrong upbringing by her parents, particularly her mother Brinda who was always partial towards her brother Arjun.

During this visit also, the discussion as usual, centered around this topic.

“Just because Arjun loved and was crazy about dosas, you made dosas all the time , whether it is for breakfast or supper”

 “Nivedita dear, please don’t go back to the past once again.” 

 “Although, you were also a working woman, you spent so much time making dosas for him at night and that fellow had a voracious appetite, eating 13 to 14 dosas at a time!”

 “Nivedita, I always served you first. It was your decision to eat only 3 for supper. Can’t blame your brother for wanting to satiate his hunger.”

 “But did you ask me what food I liked? It just did not count! If Arjun was obsessed with dosas, everyone, including dad, had to eat only dosas most of the time. Did you know I developed a hatred for the dish! I don’t make it at home.” 

 “Well, that is such a silly decision, child. Dosa is a tasty, healthy dish that has both carbs and protein”

 “Do you remember Amma, on some days when you were tired from work, you asked me to make the Dosas for dinner and serve Arjun.  After 8 or 9, if I asked Arjun if it was enough, you used to chide me saying don’t ask; serve him until he says he has had enough!” 

 “Nivedita, I don’t know why you bring up such trifles after so many years.”

“You may think it is trifling. But you robbed me of my self-esteem and assertiveness. Today, I can’t speak firmly to Neeraj on any matter."

 Although the conversation ended on that day, three to four days later the conversation veered to the same subject with minor changes with the result that mother and daughter experienced conflict in their relationship. She raised the issue of not getting support for pursuing the career of her choice. While her brother was encouraged to do medicine, she was told that it was too expensive for both children to study medicine.

 One day, unable to contain herself, Nivedita found herself asking her mom “For all that you have done for Arjun, why has he not taken you to live with him after Appa’s death?  Ananya regretted the words even as they escaped her lips. She could see from the change in her mother’s demeanor that she was hurt and sad although she tried to brush it off with the words “Well, you know that he is tied down with a busy job and so is Vineeta. Moreover, this being a flat in a gated community I am safe and happy with friends having lived here for a long time”

 It was the night prior to her departure to Bangalore, to join her husband and kids. Even as she was packing, Nivedita told herself that “enough was enough”. She cannot torture her aged mother each time she met her with harsh reminders of the past. “I also have to get on with my life” she told herself. How much longer can one continue escaping from the challenges of the present like the need to be assertive or firm citing the past as an excuse? She thought. “I will need to take charge and seek the help of a counsellor if need be. Neeraj may readily agree to share chores. Why assume that he would refuse point blank even before asking him? It is high time, the cobwebs of the past are exorcised from my mind”.

 Nivedita hugged her mother and bid goodbye. It was always a sad moment taking leave of her mother, knowing that she would be alone in the house after she left. At least, during this visit “I gained some clarity and insight into my life circumstances and how to deal with them" she thought to herself. 

"The next time I come to meet Amma, I will ensure that we spend the whole of the available time joyfully and not allow the past to come in between us. After all, my loving mother was herself a product of circumstances that moulded her." mused Nivedita as she got into the car. 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z

Mithun's Midlife Crisis

Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024, I am writing mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

It was sometime after his 45th birthday that Mithun seemed to have unconsciously taken stock of his life. He had this feeling that his life was three fourths over with just 15 years more for retirement. Thus far, he had managed to reach the position of only a Deputy manager. Now it looked like he would never reach the great heights vis-à-vis the corporate ladder that he had dreamt of when he started career as a management trainee. 

Mithun felt that his two children, a daughter and son who were teenagers didn't think much of him. He was just someone to play the role of provider, to give them money when they needed it. Mithun had always felt that his wife Sarita was the main reason he did not get the respect as head of family. She was always laughing away most of what he said as if it was a joke. While Mithun had previously taken what was happening in his life in a matter of fact manner, he suddenly began to feel edgy and upset as if time is running out and that he would never get his due either professionally or socially or even  from family in his own home! 

Mithun travelled down the memory lane. The honeymoon  period in their marriage was so very short. Sarita had come into the relationship with preconceived notions. One of them, Mithun felt was her idea that given half the chance a husband would try to lord over the wife. Therefore, she appeared to be guarded in all interaction. She wanted to assert that she had a mind of her own. 

So much so, she would turn down his choice of a saree that he thought would look lovely on her. Over a period of time, her choices in most matters turned out to be diametrically opposite to his. In fact they hardly shopped together these days. If she wanted to go shopping, Sarita went with the children. Mithun had no say in the selection of the clothes of the children either. It is a small mercy that he has been choosing his own clothes over the years. 

Things had reached such a low ebb that Mithun did not know what present to buy his wife for her birthday or the wedding anniversary. Her tastes in clothes being totally different buying an attire was ruled out. On a couple of occasions, he bought her books thinking that it was a safe bet only to find her face registering scorn. At one time he bought her a gift from one of those cute, unique souvenir shops. Months later when they visited  in law's house he found his 'special birthday gift' casually lying around in mother in law's room. That was the importance his wife attached to his presents! 

It was around this time that Mithun decided to make a solo trip to his native place. He wanted to visit the old school and laze around in the calm environment of his village. More importantly, Mithun wanted to discuss his problems and apprehensions with his bosom pal Venky at a place "Far from the madding crowd". 

Mithun was at the railway station. The hibernation period was over. He was returning to the hustle and bustle of the city to resume both work and family life from where he had left off. But there was a calmness in his mind that came from the long chats he had  with Venky during the two weeks he spent in the serene environment. Venky advised him not to be overwhelmed. 

"Your worries can partly be attributed to a mid life crisis, when one feels that time is running out and all that one wanted to achieve in life seems to be slipping away." he said. It is not as if you alone have problems. Everyone has some kind of dissatisfaction with some aspect of life. Life is all about accepting both the hills and valleys and navigating between them skillfully and effortlessly . The station master waved the green flag . Mithun settled down in his seat with a calm confidence that had been eluding him for days. 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z

The Woman You Love

 Write, on “the woman you love the most”

Exhorts organizors of a “poetry contest”

Seeds sown for avoidable conflicts

Is one to choose between mother & spouse?

Or worse still- face dire consequences

If choice is from a shortlist !

 

Easier to celebrate womanhood

The one side of coin without which

The other side is incomplete, of no value

They can come in many ways and forms

A kind teacher at school, an aunt, grandmom

A friend who engages you in stimulating discussions

A doting daughter for whom you are hero

Surely, very challenging for many

To choose one over the other!

 

To my mind, mother Earth, the ever giving

Never complaining, epitome of love

In the form of trees, water, natural resources

Is the “Woman” I love the most! 

NB: Written for Million Muse FB Group Monthly poetry contest - March 2024

Lakshmi's Story

 Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024, I am writing mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

Lakshmi was always in a hurry. As she did housework for 4 houses in the apartment complex, life was like always being on the run. The afternoons are a bit quiet though. It is in the morning when everyone has to go for work that they wanted her to come in early and complete house work such as washing the vessels. Lakshmi was lucky to get work in two houses where the 'Didi's are not working women, meaning she can go there a little later after completing the other two houses. 

Lakshmi's husband has been working in a public sector undertaking since many years as a contract labourer with the hope that one day he would be made permanent under the contract labour (Regulation & Abolition Act). But now all such hopes have vanished with the change in approach and policy of the Government to encourage more and more temporary workmen on the pretext of  the country's requirement to be competitive in a globalized environment.

 The expenses that are most visible to the management when they want to  cut corners are the labour cost which is kept to as minimum as possible. With the earnings of both of them put together they could only manage a small sized house in a basti (overcrowded colony) in the city . Lakshmi lives here with her husband and a fourteen year old son and eight year old daughter.  

Although she works for four of them. Lakshmi's favourite was "Sarla didi". She was very kind and understanding when she was delayed by the sickness of the children in their growing up years. Moreover, she allowed her to take the leftover food home. The others were very strict and would not allow food to be taken out. If food is available eat it yourself; not to be taken out was the rule.  The relationship of Lakshmi with didi was reciprocal. Whenever she had guests visiting from the native place, Laksmi would always pitch in unmindful of the time.

Looking back , Lakshmi feels her association with the the 'Apartment' people helped in having a bigger vision. She did not hesitate to buy second hand fridge and washing machine when the opportunity presented itself for making her life comfortable at home on returning from a tiring day's work. Looking at the better lives of the 'Apartment people', she urges her children to aim high and not end up as someone doing other's house work for life. 

Some children in the basti have enrolled for engineering and other promising courses. Laksmi  however, does not have much hope with respect to her son Deepak who seems to be whiling away his time roaming around with the other boys of the basti. All her hopes are pinned on daughter Neeti who invariably comes first in her class. 

Like a seesaw, the ups and downs continue in Lakshmi's life. Sometimes it is a raise that her husband got while at other time it is an unexpected hospitalization. Lakshmi accepts them all with equanimity. She has no time to stop and think. She has to keep running to be able to be in the same place. That about sums up the life and times of Lakshmi." Embracing 'Hope' for a better morrow, no matter whatever the present circumstances" is the motto she lives by. 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z  

Kiran's Tryst with Ego

 Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024, I am writing mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

Kiran Kumar worked for over 35 years in the corporate. During his long innings he managed to climb the ladder and reach the position of manager two years prior to his retirement. Kiran always felt that his work life could have been a lot better if  there were fewer people with large egos in the form of bosses , peers, suppliers or customers. 

Kiran particularly talks about a colleague Kalyan. They had  both joined the company together. Although Kalyan got faster promotions, he did not let that get in the way of his friendships or relationships across departments. Therefore everyone had a good word about Kalyan, the ever smiling yet persuasive officer who got work done without being autocratic or egoistic. 

Kiran says this nature continued till Kalyan was senior manager. Then one fine day, he got promoted as Assistant General Manager. No one knows why? Perhaps some jinx in the designation. Kalyan began to get egoistic, argumentative, find faults easily- A far cry from the genial personality that they had all loved so much. In fact many refused to believe such drastic change in personality, particularly those who did not have much interaction with Kalyan  after his donning the new role and designation. However, Kiran could vouch for the change in Kalyan. 

As destiny would have it, Kiran's tryst with ego came much later after his retirement. As a person who was very interested in writing and in literary matters, Kiran joined a what's app group for those with similar interests. Admin would give them two subjects or topics to write on in a week. Members would then share their unique and interesting perspectives to which others could comment. 

The number of members increased during the Covid 19 period when people were tied down to their houses and were looking for ways to occupy and keep themselves busy. Being an active participant, members voted for Kiran to be the chief admin in place of the earlier incumbent who quit due to reasons of health. The procedure followed for notifying the topics was to seek suggestions from members with the final decision being that of the chief admin for selecting the two topics for the week. 

After a couple of weeks in the role of chief Admin, Kiran began to ignore the suggestions given by members and notified his own topics. Although most of the members were silent, a couple of them were annoyed and expressed themselves. Some hard words were exchanged including on competency level of people to even choose the topics. Things then began to happen very fast. Not only did the two who first raised the protest, but also 3 more members left the group. Immediately the 'silent' members swung into action and began praising Kiran Kumar. Some said he was the epitome of quality literature and that they would abide by his decisions. 

It was at this stage that Kiran introspected on the entire episode and revisited his understanding of the term "Ego". He came to the conclusion that he had behaved in the same egotistic manner during the recent weeks of which he had been complaining whole through his work life. A quick decision was taken to correct and make amends. Now, Kiran thinks twice, many times before passing judgements on anyone.

 "We know how prone we are to something only when we are exposed to it ourselves or in close proximity to it." tells Kiran these days to anyone and everyone who cares to listen to his story. 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z    

Jyothika's Search

Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024, I am writing mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

Jyothika was very excited at the prospect of her brother's wedding. It was an occasion for her to project herself too, wear beautiful clothes, fun and frolic with relatives and friends. It was a surprise when her brother Varun opted for an arranged marriage. Somehow she had thought that he would find his own bride and that, that would open the door to acceptance of a love marriage for her and their little sister as well when her time came. 

Their family could boast to being a very close knit one. The members shared freely whatever was happening in their lives be it father of his woes at work or Jyothika herself about her challenges at college. She particularly had a bond with big brother Varun. He would take her with him to most places and make it a point to bring back something special for her when he went on tour.

Finally, the big day arrived and passed off with a lot of colour, celebration and happiness. But it was the days succeeding the big event that was bothering Jyothika. She felt that her sister in law Aditi was slowly and surely shutting out others and keeping her husband Varun only for herself. Jyothika began to feel that she was not welcome in many situations where her brother would have previously happily associated her. Granted that he was now married and some space would be lost to the wife. But '"all space?" is what was bothering Jyothika. She noticed this happening in respect of other members of the family too. In fact Varun was seeing less and less of them with each passing day. It was almost like they were building this exclusive castle in which only both of them could be residents! 

Jyothika raised her apprehensions with her mom but she dismissed it with the words "The poor girl lost both her parents when young and was brought up by an uncle. Naturally, she would be a little possessive of her husband. Stop being super sensitive Jyothika!" 

Jyothika was not however convinced. She felt that she had to know more about this person who seemed to have made 'a prisoner' out of her brother. She began to cultivate friendship with anyone and everyone who knew Aditi or her family well. Then casually she came across a girl who had studied with Aditi for her graduation and had shared the same hostel facilities of the college in Indore. Jyothika was very happy to meet Meera who knew Aditi at close quarters. How was she at college and in social situations?  she asked her.

'Well, I will tell you just one incident at the college hostel" said Meera. 

"We were all discussing boys and what qualities each one of us would want in a future husband. The girls were giving various criteria like looks, sound financial background, well employed, of good character, one caring by nature and so on. Aditi was sitting a little distance away detached and cool. Then one of the girls noticing her said "Hey aditi, what are your preferences?" 

Aditi answered in a matter of fact manner "I also will get my man. Then I will love him, love him, love him so much as to suffocate him..."

Jyothika got her answer and the reason for the total surrender of her brother. She also sort of knew it was a losing battle. It was futile to attempt getting anywhere near to the bond that she had shared with her brother for the last 20 years... 

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z