Stranger I Never Met

Hello! Can you hear me?

I have heard you across a thousand miles, your voice swimming on the tides of air. And with that, came the many words, and emotions, and hopes.

I heard your intelligence. You charmed me with your wit and trivia. But I also heard a jarring pain. A wound which has not healed. An old sorrow which you try hard to hide. So, in your quest to shield yourself from greater pain, you have built this impenetrable cocoon. And through a tiny slit there, you watch the world. The vibrant and colorful world looks convoluted, twisted and narrow. Harmless words seem to be filled with jibes. Straight ideas look sinister.

I have not seen you, never met you but your voice echoes in my head. I wish I could help you escape those thick, prison-like walls which you have built around yourself. But I know you won't permit me.

We will remain strangers, you and I. Forever, you will remain a voice without a face. Yet, I hope you find the happiness you desire and deserve. The rest....That doesn't matter much.

A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Daughter,

I have not met you yet but I know you exist. Somewhere, in this universe, you laugh and sleep and spread your golden sunshine. I imagine you holding a lovely sparkler in your tiny fists, a garland of flowers around your neck. I wish I could hold you, talk to you, never let you go.

I suppose you and I will meet each other. And you will grow up, my little angel! You will see the best and the worst that the world has to offer you. Try as I might, I cannot shield you from all the pain. In those dark hours, remember that this sorrow is just a phase. I wish to give you freedom-- to choose, to think, to do what you want, in whichever way, to make mistakes. Yes! You read right, freedom to make mistakes, even colossal, unforgivable mistakes. For, no matter what everyone says, life is a series of choices and decisions; some right, some wrong. The thing that matters is that you take responsibility of whatever you choose. You may change your mind, abandon a project midway, make hasty choices, but be sure that you own your decisions.

You will encounter all sorts of people, good bad, men, women, and everything in between. Some will be your friends, some may not be. Most of us are essentially similar; we all want love and security and kindness. So much like those tiny puppies we see which miraculously dodge cars and trucks which are driven by men. Vehicles which can kill them. Yet, these puppies respond to the tiniest affection. A slight pat, a cookie, and they will lick your face and follow you all around. In a life full of hurry, dont forget to show kindness to people. Yet, there are people who deserve nothing noble. You must learn to identify such people and stay away from them. They rot everyone they touch.

We have emotions locked within us in hidden vaults. Unlock them. Don't be afraid to express them. Dont worry about what others think. People and machines are under no obligation to behave the way you want them to. That is no excuse to be bitter and complain.

Take care, my darling. Take good care of yourself. I am waiting for you.

Yours lovingly,

Mummy

Invitation to Dance

I am a woman, you are a man. Let's Dance!!

Dance like two people have never danced before. Dance as if no one is watching us. Feel the music and the rhythm in the bone, in your lungs and heart, down to every cell. Dance till you sweat out all your problems. Cast aside the cloaks and masks. Pour out your soul on the dance floor. Dance so that time stops to watch our fluid movements

Forget about the world which will always watch and criticize. Forget the disappointments which make your frown. Forget the hollow advice from brainless tongues.

My dearest, I wish I could tell you that to live you need not control every moment. That we may be imperfect, you and I, yet we can make a perfect Us. That differences need not mean conflict. Instead, they are just gaps which we fill when we embrace each other. Although the world is cruel it is also full of infinite possibilities. That happiness is our birthright. And the greatest thing we learn is to love and be loved.

Mistakes can be forgiven if the apology is heartfelt. That an honest fight is far better than a sullen grudge.

We both carry weights of our existences on our shoulders. But can you let go of the burden for some time while we dance in abandon? You don't have to justify the reason for being who you are, ever.

In this temporary world of make-belief, this merry music may stop anytime. Come, let us enjoy while it lasts.