Unexpressed love!

"Oh… Sheetal what’s there so amusing that you are staring at the computer screen so much...?”Alia said throwing a pencil at Sheetal in order to grab her attention.

Few seconds later, Sheetal stretches her arms and heaves a sigh of relief, looks at Alia and smiles.

"Now what do I interpret by your smile?” Alia said with frustration.

There was no change in Sheetal’s expression.

There was a pause.

“Oh…… he’s just too hot!!!” Sheetal said with a mischievous grin on her face.

“What??? Whom are you talking about idiot?” Alia said with an irritation and a sense of curiosity in her voice.

Sheetal turns her laptop towards Alia and shows her a picture on orkut.

“Oh… Vinay! There you go,” Alia said with a sigh of relief.

(Sheetal and Vinay became friends on orkut. They had common interests one of them being sketching. Conversations continued on a daily basis. As time passed they went from being strangers to good friends. There was a slow and steady progress. Eventually, they began talking on the phone. It was friendship by chance and was later converted into choice. They had not met each other but had just exchanged snaps. Finally, after a long wait they got a chance to meet. After meeting Vinay, Sheetal couldn’t help but continue this friendship and she took it to a higher pedestal. She started liking him. She was happy for the fact that the person whom she used to chat with and have such conversations was the same as he had portrayed himself. His honesty made her develop a slight liking from him. Days passed by and it was almost a year that they had been talking to each other. They had become really good friends but the relationship wasn’t moving forward. They were still talking to each other but at times Sheetal got confused after listening to Vinay. His actions showed at times that she meant a lot to him but never had he expressed that in words.)

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Alia said.

“Just tell me one thing Sheetal, how long will you do this? Sooner or later you have to tell him that you like him so much. You must be clear as to what you want. ”

“I have told him indirectly but I don’t think it’s the right time for me to express my love. Don’t you think he should have understood by now?” Sheetal said.

"Right time!! Huh……God knows when the right time will come. May be till then he would have gone far ahead dating another girl and one fine day he’ll call up and tell you, ‘Look Sheetal there is this girl I am in love with and I am about to propose her today.’ What would you do then?"

As soon as Sheetal heard this, her expression changed. She went pale and asked Alia in a squeaky voice, “Can this actually happen? Is it possible that he would date another girl?”

"Why not! He can do that."

"Don’t you think the chances are less? I mean, he is a guy who doesn’t talk much with girls as he said and it’s been a year that we are friends. He tells me most of the things and I feel, may be things will work out,” Sheetal added with a sense of confidence in her voice.

“There’s no point defending your own views baby. Ask your own self and you very well know that such things can happen.”

“Okay, answer these questions yourself…"

Do you stay around him 24 x 7 that you’ll know what he does and what he doesn’t?

Have you reached that stage that you can trust him so much or does he trust you so much?

How much time have both of you given to each other that you can even come to this conclusion?

How much can you conclude on the basis of just a few random meetings, chats and calls?

"After all he is a guy and guys don’t express so much. When it comes to a person like him who is concerned about the present and doesn’t think so much about anything around what can you do? "

"As you say, he’s very practical. Am I right?"

Sheetal kept listening to Alia with her eyes wide open. These questions were really eye openers for her. She had never thought so much. Whatever Alia said was true.

“I think you are right. I have to consider these questions. I think we haven’t crossed that stage of friendship We need to know each other more .We have a long way to go but Alia, I really like him and I think I have started loving him."

“I hope you understand what I am trying to say.”

"What if I die one day and my love goes unexpressed?Will you convey my message to him?"Sheetal asked with a child like innocence.

There was utter silence.

Alia glared at Sheetal and said, " Is such a satetment expected from a 21 year old girl like you?"

"After listening to you I can't help believeing in the fact that - Love is Blind."

Sheetal couldn’t utter a word. She knew that she shouldn’t have thought something like that. She just smiled sheepishly at her foolishness.

" You have to wait patiently my dear," Alia said keeping a hand on Sheetal's shoulder.

" I don't know what to do Alia," Sheetal said with a sense of despair in her voice.

“Listen to me for once and I think things will fall into place automatically. Let destiny play the game.”

“Let’s see…………,” Sheetal closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Just then Sheetal’s mobile beeped. She read the message and smiled………..

It said:

Don’t rush to fall in love because love never runs out.

Even if somebody asks why you are single?

Just tell them, “God’s too busy writing the best love story for me.”

(I think this could be a part of anyone’s life. What could a girl like Sheetal do? Movies do give different answers but I don’t know the answer here so I leave it to the readers to interpret the rest of the story! What if Sheetal was me or you??? )

Flava'09

It's 7:00 Pm and I am in the library, sitting in front of the computer and typing my new blog post.

This post is really something importatnt as after a very long time I felt happy and excited to write about something in my blog. This is a crucial time in my study hour and I could have written my blog post later but there was something that pulled me from my study table towards the computer. Anatomy and Physiology books could no longer stop me...... I was a bit worried for the past few days thinking that I am able to give time much to myself. Flava was one such event which just rejuvinated my soul.



Flava is a food fest which is organized by the students KMC Manipal every year during the month of April. There are food stalls from the different regions in India followed by a cultural programme given by the respective state. As the name suggests, It's about the different flavours. It brings alive the diversity that exists in India. The essence of the Indian culture.



It was not until Tuesday that I even felt like mentioning about any of my experiences in my blog.There have been many cultural programmes that I have attended after coming to Manipal, like Keli, Parlon, Food carnival, Spandana and Utsav and I have also enjoyed a lot but never ever did I feel a sense of satisfaction until I attended Flava. It really added flavour in my life, which apparently was going through a stage where it was only concerned with Anatomy,Physiology, Bio-Chemistry, the daily routine, college life, friends etc..etc................ I needed to just relax and enjoy and what could be better for a food freak like me!!!



It was held on 21st April at KMC Greens. My friends were pariticipating in the programmes so I was eager to see them also anxious to find out as to how the whole fest was organized. Greens looked amazing with small, colourful stalls and the students were still busy arranging their stalls.

It was already 6:30 Pm and not yet dark. In that half dim light I could spot some familiar faces who seemed to be my seniors and classmates. They had already occupied the chairs in front. The culturals were about to begin but I wasn't satisfied by just sitting. I went around with my friends just to take a look at all the stalls that were there. The prices seemes quite high but the food items were mouth watering. Some,I had already tasted but there were some that I really wanted to have since long.



We started off with Orissa, which was the first stall, then Haryana, Tamil Ndau. Bihar, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Srilanka( was in one corner in greens. It actually remined us that Srilanka was quite distant), Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh andMadhya Pradesh.

There was nothing in any stall which was reasonable but the menu had already activated my gustatory relex. I was contemplating how to taste everything and try spending reasonably and not too lavishly. We friends decided that each person will buy something from one stall and all will share and at least get an idea of the taste of the food. But....................

Where do I start from????

I was standing right in middle of the greens trying to clear my confusion ,when a thought sunk in suddenly. Which state did I belong to????? Errrr............. I am from Jharkhand but there was no stall representing my state. West Bengal and Orissa are our neighbouring states so I know these languages too. I am a Tamilian but I don't belong to Tamil Nadu fully. I have spent three years of my life there and now I am part of Karnataka. Confusing.. right?????



Well, I realized that whatever it is I am an Indian and I am a mixture of different cultures and when it comes to good food, there's no boundary. Everything is nutritious, all food itmes have proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals and vitamins.



I began with Tamil Nadu just to get the feel of being at home. I began with Tamil Nadu just to get the feel of being at home. I had a " Carrot Dosa". It was 20 rupees and I tell you the dosa was like a mini utappam. :)

The next one was Srilanka where we had a " Biscuit Pudding with chocolate chips". Something that could just melt in the mouth. We were 3 who shared it and each could get just three spoons but the taste still remains fresh in my mind.Punjab stall was our next venture after taking a break where we shared Panner pakoras and my friends had tandoori chicken.

Meanwhile we were watching the cultural programmes also. The weather was perfect and greens was already fully by then and the stalls were flooded with people. Fearing that our favourite food items might get over we rushed to the Andhra stall where I had 'Ice gola'. This was something that I was longing to have but could not for years together.

After taking a break for an hour or so we decided to try out more. The break session was all filled with munching session as some of friends made us taste few things like, dahi vada from Orissa, Pathrode from Karnataka, besi-beda bhath and misti doi from West Bengal.

I was actually not full but was feeling too contented. I looked around again and said to myself, " How many states are left to be covered?"My friends were a bit amused seeing me.. in fact I was myself a bit concerned about the condition of my stomach but then food is food... I knew i would never get this opprotunity until next year. We moved on............

I had my favourite, Rajma-pulav in UP stall and also had payasam in Kerala stall.... To take a break I kept roaming around and telling people about the stalls which they could probably visit as by the time everyone came I had finished tasting almost every bit in each stall... There was another round of jalebis which we had in Haryana stall where people were hovering around the food itmes and also watching a guy draw sketches on the spot. I stood there for almost 15 minutes watching his strokes and moves which helped me in picking up some of the tips which I needed to revive my sketching skills.

Phew!!!! I guess you are tired after readin so much, so am I,after typing so much.I was full.....................

The last thing I had was Thandai from Rajasthan stall which was horrible and didn't seem like thandai. To compensate for the taste revival I had lime juice was the cheapest thing available there( Rs 8/-).


It was 11 and I was full. I am not talking about the quantity but I am talking about the satisfaction. I was too happy. I just closed my eyes once before leaving greens and prayed within, saying, " Hope whatever I have had gets digested."

I was tired of roaming and at the end my legs gave away. I came back home and had a great sleep.

Next day my mom called up and asked what I had in the fest. I said, " Nothing much mom. Just a bit." ( I was smiling within). ( I had spent Rs 150/- in the food fest).

It's 7:40 Pm now and I am posting this blog .... I have spent 40 minutes in re-living one of the best days in Manipal so far.

WHO AM I?

I was there, I had a home of my own, and I had my lodging…… I was loyal... I didn’t want to betray those lysozymes , those glands and those ducts that gave me lodging. I wanted to stay with my friends, in a cosy place, a place which was the most happening and spotted by all. There was so much to be expressed always. I had to be always ready…. So much to work, so much of stress….. I had to be ready like that 11^th batsman in a cricket match in which all the good batsmen were down and it was a match where anything could happen anytime……

I considered myself so lucky to be a part of the most important places. The place where I live: A storehouse of emotions…… that serves as the door to the soul of a person. I am appreciated always, just like the 11^th batsman, always ready; either I make the match a grand success by saving the team in the last moment or even get the praise without coming into the field but I am praised always for being there for support and ever ready because in critical cases I am just there and before I come into the field the match is won!!!!! Or sometimes I’m not praised at all. Only chided!!! Still I am there always, protecting………….

Alas!!!! A day has to come when I need to leave my ‘sweet home’ and face the world … I am shed out... I travel down the lane… touching the soft flesh... I breathe fresh air….I go slowly…at times I’m wiped off in the middle of the journey by powerful opposing forces or at times I lay there in the corner as a tear drop ready to trickle down and loose myself …..But I give my host, the identity. I lose mine to make those eyes expressive…………

The essence of life!!!

True, isn't it???

Brida- Paulo Coelho

I read this book last year, in December, when I was at home for my vacations. Its now that I have got time to talk about the book that I fell in love with.

I think most of you all would have read the book, if you haven't, one suggestion from my side is to read this book. If you like a bit of philosophy and you can apply it practically, this book is something worth treasuring. It's a moving tale of love, passion, ,mystery and spirituality.

Not reavealing what's there in the book , I would like to quote some of the lines from the book which I loved.

" Human beings are interlinked, like the cards in a deck."

Wisdom- " When a male knowledge joins with a female transformation, then the magical union is created and its name is wisdom. Wisdom means both to know and to transform."

" The whole of man's life on the face of earth can be summed up by the search for his Soulmate. He may pretend to be running after wisdom, money or power, but none of that matters. Whatever he achieves will be incomplete if he fails to find his soulmate."

"One must not bother trying to explain one's emotions."

"Live everything as intensely as one can and keep whatever one feels as a gift from God."

" Nothing in this world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day."

"Emotions are like wild horses. They demand to be heard."

"When we are in love, then we are capable of learning everything and of knowing things one had never dared even to think, because love is the key to the understanding of all mysteries."