Of all the things I remember, summer has never looked the same.

I watched as cars passed by in flashes. A drift of wind blew and I took a deep breath in. The air faintly smelled of burnt grass. The darkness on either side of the road left the actual landscape to imagination. The immense emptiness. Our car had broken down, and we were awaiting the mechanic. Normally I would've been irritated, but I was not. There was something weird about the happy streak I have been on lately. And I'm not complaining.

I started walking along the fringes of the highway while the grown ups dealt with the situation, drowning in thoughts about school, and how everything was coming to an end. Finality of the situation pleased me. I have craved freedom ever since I can remember. New beginnings lie ahead of me-I couldn't have been happier.

Goosebumps rose on my neck and I could feel a pair of arms snake around my waist, and all of a sudden those arms started tickling me. I squealed, causing him to burst into an endless bout of laughter. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Why so serious?" he said, impeccably imitating Heath Ledger's accent, and succeeding in making me join him. That's what he always does: makes me happy whenever he's around me, and there are very few people in this world who actually succeed in doing so.

Meeting him for the first time in ten years two days ago, I never thought we could be so close so fast. I am socially awkward, but somehow there was no such awkwardness with him. In the beginning, being in the same 'rebellious teen' phase of life got us talking. Things and situations we could relate to, and in no time we were spilling our deepest secrets. We talked about everything and nothing at the same time. It was as if those ten years had never passed.

It was as if when he hugged me tight, he finally put all pieces of me together, as cheesy as it sounds. I thought I was okay before. That, that was who I am. No more a single glass, but a constellation. Beyond repair. But that one week with him, transformed me into something new and wondrous.

And that night, on that desolated highway in the middle of Karnataka, I knew I was going to be fine, happy even. He did not change me. I'd like to think that meeting him, made me evolve to a better person.

My knight in shining armor.

The street was dark. Dogs howling in the distance. Long shadows cast by trees making the road unnecessarily spooky. Half the street lights weren't on, and the one that was, was constantly flickering.

 The road isn't usually that dark, but the current strike of retailers, protesting against unnecessary taxes by keeping their stores shut, made the road so.

 I was on my way home, from class. And I usually have a friend with me, but he had to stay back for a punishment. So I was on my own.

At times like these I missed Ted.

Cursing at my luck and clenching my bag, I increased my pace and looked around.
 Just a guy, about a couple of feet behind me. Other than that, the road was devoid of humans. So practically, screaming my lungs out would not work.
I suddenly thought of the pepper-spray that my mum had bought me (more like forced on to me), fished out my cellphone and kept a steady finger on the speed-dial button, and started jogging.

Just as I rounded a curve, I bumped into something and my cellphone fell outta my hand.

As I bent to pick it up, I looked up. And found that it was a "somebody" that I had dashed into.

Quick to mutter an apology, I looked up to find that gorgeous face curved up, smiling down at me.
"Aaron! You scared the living hell outta me." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Well, hello to you too. Why were you running? "
"Umm..just like that? " Damn. Good job with the response, tongue.

"Where were you going?"
"Home?" It came out more like a question. Argh.

"I'll walk you."
"No, no. Its alright. I can manage."
"Nah. I insist, ok? " Ok? I was more than okay with it. More like giddy with excitement.

And we walked up to my apartment. All the way making me jealous, by going on and on about the Swedish House Mafia concert in Mumbai that was a part of their last tour as a band, that he went to.. teachers, Blackberry, snakeskin, Ann and Computers, which he was a world topper in. That genius!

And as we neared my building, I said goodbye.
I stayed back for a moment, stared at his lean figure walking down the footpath. His grey sweatshirt illuminated by the yellow street lights.

All he did was to walk me home. But with that little act of care, he was my savior. My knight in shining armor.

PS: This was posted a little earlier in the day, but there was some techie error. So, I posted it again:)

Of good times and noodle salad.

She let out a shiver as she stepped into the cool Manchester air and walked towards the building.
She felt a wave of exertion overwhelm her as she stepped into the elevator, and let out a sigh.
She struggled to retrieve the keys from her purse, and her laptop bag fell at her feet. After a few tries, the door finally gave way and she stumbled into her apartment. And all of a sudden she was engulfed by a smell. Good heavens.

Masala chai.

It was as if she was magically transported back Home. Mumbai.
She was suddenly seventeen again, and could hear the rain pelting outside her window.
The smell of the wet soil.
The sudden pleasant weather welcome, after months of scorching heat.
She remembered that day distinctly.

First rain of the season. She was at home in front of her books, and was caught in a sudden trance as she heard the droplets pitter - patter on her windowsill.
The ring of her cell phone suddenly cut through the still air ; it was him.

Come down quickly- He had said, leaving no room for argument. She didn't need to be told twice.

There he was, outside the gate on his bike. Fully drenched.
The rain had stopped now. It was more beautiful.
She ran to him, ready to rebuke with all guns blazing. But he had waved her off, and given her a hand to help her get on the bike. He gave her some crap about being back in Mumbai after a long time and called her  paranoid after he sneezed a couple of times.

She would never forget that day.
She would never forget that ride.
She would never forget the lush greens and the whispering winds.
She would never forget the feel of the cool air hitting her face as he cut through the lanes skillfully.
She would never forget the quaint tea stall and the smell of masala chai.
She would never forget his mood that day.
She would never forget the twinkle of mischief in his eye.
She would never forget what he said to her.
She could not get herself to forget the way he met his death, the very next day.


Her mum waving her hand in her face, brought her back to the present.
"Earth to Savi." she said.

She found a tear escaping her eye. Just the whiff of masala chai had provoked memories she had tried so hard to bury and leave behind her, to surface.

She ran to her and consumed her in a bear hug and held her for a moment. She was thankful that her mum was finally there.
She had never been that close to her; once a daddy's girl, always a daddy's girl.
But at that moment she was the one who quenched her thirst for something familiar in an unfamiliar city. She enveloped her with the warmth, she didn't know she was aching for. She reminded her of home. Mumbai.

She was her home, away from home.

Picture courtesy : Weheartit  <3

You hold me, Im alive. We're like diamonds in the sky.

Bubbles are such pretty, fascinating things.

The precise spherical shape, the incredibly fragile nature of the microscopically thin soap film, the beautiful colours that swirl and shimmer.

They are beautiful. And photogenic. They bring happiness and peace to me.

Later, folks. 

:) xx

Picture courtesy: Weheartit

Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul, I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go.

She felt the bed dip behind her, and was suddenly engulfed by the warmth of another body. She felt content in his arms. Like, that was all she needed to survive.To give her that one reason to breathe.
She smiled to herself.
And just as the feeling of gratification settled in she heard his phone buzz under her. She knew what it meant, very well.
He had to go.
She failed to keep the disappointment from surfacing, as he whispered a got to go, baby in her ears. She quickly turned around to watch him put on his jacket and quietly murmured, "Love you, Dad."

I'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochet. You shoot me down, but I get up.

Im happy now.

Happy.

I have started smiling more. I feel content.

So, for the past week or so my cell phone has been switched off, and I have not gone crazy yet. That, is a good thing.

I have started getting up early and going to bed early. As, promised to Pop.

I have taken up running again. And, clicking photos on my way back! My Instagram account is now, thus more active.

I'm able to concentrate more, and seem to space out less.

I'm never bored. If I fall short of things to do, I sit on the window and observe.

I've started writing, as in real stuff.
I ditched three parties.

I've started bonding with Cindy, again. My German shepherd. She listens to me, without interrupting or judging me. And, she talks to me.

I touched my easel and paints after two whole years. Only touched.

And, deactivated my Facebook account. Confessions Confessions Confessions.

Started listening to The Script. They make me happy.

Carry a book everywhere I go. 

So, Im happy now.

My birthday's in two months, and I've told my mum not to buy me anything. And, give all the money she was gonna spend on a party, gift, clothes etcetera for me, to me. Im just gonna go to Crossword one day, and spend it all. 

Pre-boards in less than a month. And, Im suprisingly still okay, with this happy attitude and all. Not hyper-active, nor stressed out. No signs of freaking out either. 

And, Mo keep's me busy with his stories and problems. I call them- The Singapore Times. We Skype almost everyday.

So, life's good.

The struggles Im facing,

The chances Im taking,

Sometimes might knock me down.

But, no. Im not breaking.

I may not know it,

But these are the moments that

Im gonna remember most, yeah.

I just gotta keep goin.

That awkward moment, when you relate to a Miley Cyrus-song.  :|

Anyways,

Ciao for now. (: xx

Picture coutesy : WeHeartIt.com