Before I leave...

2 years, another professional Journey ending.. 

But can't miss on writing something for my Dream organization ❤

Before I leave, 

I wanna pause and reflect

For all memories you gave

For all moments I made

Being here, being with you

Before I leave... 

 

It had been a dream come true, 

When I came and joined you! 

For you had been my aspiration, 

Tata is the name I know, 

Since the time I didn't even learned food preparation! 

 

I was awed being in the world of you, 

HR usually gives u a full insights of company, you know! ;) 

I started in 2019 with the passion I always bestowed, 

In every work for that's the best I am known for! 

 

You welcomed me with the Best Debutant, 

You gave me colleagues and friends I can be dependent! 

There were seniors to learn so much from, 

And also seniors who made you tough to keep going on! 

 

I saw the best systems and processes here, 

For beauty lies in simplicity is the truth u always cared! 

One had the awesome cross functional and the backend backbones,

They had always been a call away at time of need when u called! 

 

Before I leave, 

I wanna say thankyou all.. 

2 years had been full of learnings, 

And I shall remember all.. 

If ever you wanna reach out, 

You know where to call.. 

 

But before I leave, 

I wish you all the best of life and learnings! 

For always remember that life is happening amidst, 

When we are busy with all the planning and worries.. 

So smile and always remember, 

It's always after the strongest storms that the sun shines brighter.. 

And it is only after the multiple trials that

Fighters emerges as the victors! 

“To you my love… Au revoir!”

Life certainly is not about breakups but memories that the relations create before those breakups. For me, it has been one of the most beautiful journey I have had with my favorite color RED. I still remember the day I got appointed as Vodafone store manager Noida after continuous hard work for 1.5years. All beaming with joy about the colorful lanyard I shall be wearing for that was the dream for all associates joining Retail to achieve that one day. 4th July, 2008 was the day when I was handed over my appointment letter along with that favorite colorful lanyard with picture of mine smiling back at me. The feeling was exactly like your crush accepting your date invite and a young heart all filled with happiness and stomach full of butterfly about the journey next. Whoever was the gentleman or the women who mentioned “Be in love with your work but never with your organization.” I think has never been in love themselves. We can never be in control about who we fall in love with. And I have no hesitation in saying that this organization I had been in love each single day. The place I have spent most of my wonderful years growing and learning after school. It has been a close and loved relationship of 13 years. And this will never change. My heart will always beam with joy with mention of the name and reflection of the color. My all-time favorite RED. And not to mention that this love was possible only because of few people, who have taught me to be the one professional I am today. Groomed me to be an individual capable of grooming so many others. Loved me each day just like their own families and been the best friends and team players I can ever find again. It is tough to sum up 13 years, but this journey can never have been possible without few names. I have to tell with all flashbacks running in my mind and the Bollywood music playing on tunes of violin, I have been completely mesmerized by Sanjoy- For the persona, he is. I have never seen an icon so much in person so ground to earth and full of energy and love. My Guardian Angel, I would always call him with love. Sanjay Sahwney- My first function head, when retail was part of CS. I was charmed and in awe with his skills with language English. So polished and fine that it made us reflect to our dictionaries once or twice a day. But, a person so humble that I have never met another one like him in my life before or after till date. Subrat- Sales and Marketing Head so much aware of his work and such a polished one with his skills. Spending those few hours in review meet itself gave us so many insights of the market. And the food and Goa love, we both carry is always our favorite topic. As I always tell him and accepts, “I am his Jabra fan! Forever and always”. Sanjay Warke- A business head with his cools. Whenever I saw him, he reminded me of Gautam Buddha. Full of insights and knowledge. And despite being at such high position, always approachable to the most junior of his staff. Asit Shekhar- The most sorted of the business head with his smiles always. Never had I seen him frowning or getting irritated. And I always appreciated his acceptance to honesty, however bitter and hard it was. Thankyou boss, for always showing that trust on me! Pushpinder Gujral- the Fierce Tiger, I would remember this business head of ours with a jolly good soul. Brightest smiles and sparks of confident he always displayed during toughest of the times. Mandeep kaur- I call you Mandeep, The lady Boss! I have seen you fight for your team, protecting them, grooming them, growing them. Like a gardener taking care of her garden and harvesting fruits of success keeping your department in always top league. And yes, as I always say I am in awe with you, your fan always! In the journey with being mesmerized by all the Pole Stars, I also have my anchors. Without whom I had never been what I am today. I will always owe my gratitude towards you for I cannot ever thank you enough for grooming me to a person I am today. I owe it to, Mrinal Sharma- My first Team leader, who taught me to be part of team however different you are from them and be the team player, even if you have smallest contribution to add to. Archana Tripathi- lady who always displayed confidence and supported with her guidance giving me opportunities to grow. Always the pillar for her team. Sanjeev Mohanty- Without whom nothing would have been possible. My Manager then, my best friend and brother now. His energies had been the fuel of the team performance and madness. We ruled Retail Delhi only because of him. Ashwani Kumar- Coolest Retail Head, one can ever know. Best parties we ever had was under his leadership and yes those reviews are still fresh in memories always. Till today nobody has matched his youth and energies. Rahul Dandona- Without him, I would have never been the person I am today. My Manager, My friend, my lesson, my life. All I owe it to him. Amit Mehta- My dear Mehta Boss, thank you for introducing me to all the Delhi cuisines and being the manager you always was to me. I am blessed for all the talks and guidance I always got from you. Chandan Suri- My first ever Zonal manager I ever interacted being part of the team. Your zeal and passion has been always remarkable and thanks for being kind ears to all my challenges I always brought up to you and solving them with best solutions you had. Amit Bhushan Sinha- Thank you for always sorting the fights between me and my manager amicably and making me learn to be a corporate professional who need to deliver against odds. Vasant Vihar Store breakeven would have never been possible without you. Manoj Garg- you had been always been and will be a special person in life for one of the friend and mentor I would always look up to. You are my guiding star. Pankaj Thapliyal- The business head who was always with his team. Haven’t seen any other being so close to ground and zones. Thanks for being always so approachable. Rajneesh Vasudeva- from Delhi to Punjab, if it wasn’t him i would never understood my potentials and power of experimenting. I would always carry my gratitude for you. Jyotsna Sandhu- My beautiful Mamma and a manager with whom you can work for your entire life. Not only had I learned my CS and retentions from you but also the back office. And you had been coolest cross functional allies to have for only thing you ever had were solutions! Rahul Joshi- A professional with an honest heart. With you I have learnt that trades do not need tricks always and I can be done better with the traits itself. It’s a noted point which you always said “Behind quicker success are the bigger crimes, keep watch on them.” Rajeev Dogra- A team player and a pillar of the team always. You taught us that scold teams as much as you want, but stand as walls for them against outer forces. Rohit Krishna- Boss, I would always be grateful for the trust and faith you showed in me giving one of the biggest opportunities to me to prove myself. If you wouldn’t have been there, I wouldn’t have explored my potentials. James Marcus- One thing I learned from him, you don’t have to speak about every achievement. Your hard work and dedication speaks. Just, stay focused and leave things on the almighty! Ritesh Mago- The love hate relationship famous in retail Punjab. But I had been always an admirer of your passion and zeal and yes, you always know that I love you! Our dear, Pappa! Munish Arora- our Star retail Head. For he know, how to take your teams along and make then do wonders even in adverse of the situations. A gentleman with a class and heart of gold. Satbir Sandhu- You made me learn to keep my cools for aggression is not required for everything. Things can be done even more perfect without boiling blood and raising BP. Manish Kumar- The living model of calmness if someone have to ever see, need to Visit the VIBS CS bay of Vodafone Idea Limited, Punjab. I want to attain this level of calmness if I ever succeed in controlling my tempers. And then Rajeev Gupta Sir, Mahesh Boss and Amol Klair, thanking you can never be put in words for we never thank families. And I would always be grateful to you three for giving me 3 wonderful friends and family for life for Anu mam, Veena mam and Rinki Bhabi would always be special. We can never been an individual we are without teams. For life and organization is all about team work. My Team Ansals , Team Noida, Team Vasant Vihar, Team UPW CS, Team Patiala , Team Punjab and HP Retail, Team Chandigarh, Team VIBS… I had never been what I am without you guys. You guys completed me at every point of my professional front. And friends for Life I got from you had been special. For, they all were and will be integral part of me. Wherever we go in life, we would cherish the each moment we had with each other and all our parties within and outside organization. And last but not the least the cross functional teams of Punjab and HP I would never have asked for anything better than you to challenge and support. You guys had been amazing. My friends, my companions and my heart listeners at work place for without you this 13 years wouldn’t had been easy. You would always be loved and I shall always be bothering you even when I will be not next to your work stations anymore. “To you my teams, my family, my friends and my love… Au revoir!” Love Anji

The Day at Day care!

Best joy of life is certainly spending time with kids.. Being part of their world and getting the honor when they make you part of their life.

I have indeed been always fond of children, from childhood all my cousins loved me. Then growing up had its own fun.. Friends and their kids both adored me, I had been best company to both. and as I moved on with the stages of life.. Motherhood blessed me. Got my best gift from Baba.. "Hrihaan". He was a begged gift post the most sad loss of my life.

Yes, I would never be ashamed to admit that boy was always what I wanted. Not because of the Indian fobia of expanding the breed but I always feel that only a boy will be able to go along with my way of life.. Carefree, rebel and without complications. Baba blessed me!
But the blessing certainly hasn't come with full of gratitude..I as my nature had been short tempered with that too. People call it post paterm depression or whatever they call it, my husband call it " wife's are mad". No fault of his, he had been the victim most of the time with all tantrums I threw for being bounded and grounded.

How much though I love my little boy it has always irritated me to become so depended on people for everything, from bio breaks to parlor breaks, from getting normal grocery to all my shoppings.. Just so dependent.. Sitting at home and waiting for someone to be there.. And then the D day came near, dates for my joining back.. And all these 5 months just flashed in front of my eyes.. All those nights of cuddling, days of talking, caring, bathing, laughing, playing , always being on toes for those lil hands, sun bathing and all those endless moments we had together.. Just me and Hrihaan.. Our lil world and now the lil world is in somebody else hands.. my boy sessions and visit to his day care.. And I being a silent spectator!
How jealous I feel.. All our moments getting snatched away.. my world being swindled in somebody else arms but his eyes on me.. Constantly on me.. And here I am penning down the thoughts for I know that all those moments would never come again.. Life will get busy, weekends busier, my boy will grown up and grow out of my arms.. And just like all lil wonders here, my boy will also get busy in his own world .. And of course, he will not remember these moments.. Moments so safe in my heart.. And treasured forever.. 

Love A :) :)

Package of Gratitude

Have you ever revisited your childhood and felt- How it was like receiving the package of shiny paper on the birthdays? I used to wait entire year for that one day. Being a millennial, and 80’s born we didn’t had the privilege of all the fancy days that started in the later years. I remember the cake arriving in the evening with dad. Guest turning up one by one with packets along and a special surprise from Mummy , the most awaited present for the year. Always!

Those shiny packets brings in the delight in eyes and smiles on face today too. Sometimes in form of Valentine’s gift. Sometimes, those surprises on dinners and then the final one, That bright shining Rock on the finger announcing the end of surprises and beginning of responsible and a miser life. Miser, well that’s what most of Indian household can be related with. The monthly budget of the house, usually keeps the surprises at bay. The Man and Woman of the house gets so busy with their daily living that they stop living the small happiness.

That’s where it is important to get back that shining package in form of small Gratitude. For it is very important to acknowledge and appreciate each other every day for all small things we do for each other. Be it be the meal which is cooked and served hot despite the moods and modes of the day, The laundry which is always available clean and pressed in the wardrobe, for we do not have slightest idea, how it always get in there and is always available. For the clean and dusted sofas , the washroom always cleaned and free from dirt. We never appreciate the small efforts of each other which is put in to make house a better place to live each and every day. Share it with a small kiss, small hug, a silent smile, and surprise sweets.

I remember an old friend, lively and full of life and pampered by her parents. Moves into her new home and starts the life with the expectation of being the own master of the choices and life. One thing that got missed in all that was there was no one to appreciate the old milestones of her life which had been the key part of growing up for her. Nobody treated her on the days when she was appreciated to have managed an awesome meal to the family gathering. She missed her days of report card results of PTM, for they had been the moments of celebration. Nobody ever appreciated the perfect upkeep of her home which she managed through her sheer hard work and dedication to keep each corner alive like her. Soon her passion melted to frustration and she became the Normal-Wife of an Indian Family. Nobody wanted to be part of her complaints and started looking for solace otherwise. One day, she just left!

Learning from her I realized, how important it is to be appreciated. To be made Important. To feel that you are loved. And how do you show that?

Of course! That come with that packet of shiny paper. It has to be visible, Physical, wrapped with love and gifted with surprise. Often, we just assume that it is not important to repeat everything in words for repeating it again and again either make it less important or make the person too proud. But my friends, IT IS IMPORTANT. It is important to repeat it every day for how important it is for you both to have each other. How much you love each other and appreciate each thing which is done with love and warmth. And sometimes, it has to be in form of that small present wrapped in surprise. For surprises always brings back that smile and spark of childhood and remind us of that same love we got from our parents. Unconditional and Priceless!

 

Love.
Anji

The Text

As she was hurrying to go to office, last look she gave in the mirror for the final confirmation on her looks. It was not a very special day at work today, but a general formal day which would add to few meetings with higher management and some boring presentations. Ila always made a point to dress formal on such days. She bid her bye to her husband and left in hurry without the routine breakfast. Bai was late today also and this added to another chaos to Ila’s already chaotic schedule for this means wasting another 15 minutes to important Kitchen work, which couldn’t be left unattended.

“What a fucking life and morning few days sometimes become”, she muttered under her breath as the car raced through the house parking lot. Ila had been an independent lady mostly through her life. This “Mostly” is added to the statement keeping the fact in mind that Indian household girls are usually allowed to exercise her freedom post marriage and that too depend on her husband will to give her the Liberty. But in case of Ila, she has taken this liberty to self and has become independent the moment she touched her youth making a point to decide on her life herself, ever blaming others for the pros and cons some decisions in her life brought for her. In the midst of already added chaos of morning, she was still impatient to another activity of the morning. A text!Which usually reached her phone an hour prior to the today time but has been missing for some 3 months now. This Text was her smile at some point of time 10 years back. Morning started with that and continued with call followed right after the start of office journey drive. That’s how Ila and Naren morning usually started. Busy corporate life and blooming love of youth. They always made a point taking out quality time for each other usually starting from the Call while travel to work, Text messaging each other entire day without calls to avoid disturbing each other in midst of meeting or important work at office. However, there was this usual lunch surprises from Naren she would get, where he used to drop to her work for a quick lunch. Day followed with evening dates on coffee or brunch which ended mostly on steaming love makings making to the all loss of the day they had.Life was beautiful! So was their friendship, passion towards each other, crazy trips and silly bunks to date each other for entire day. However, it is quoted by the great lord himself that we never witness time as even ever, so in the eagerness to explore life and relations we are bound to make mistakes. Ila did that too. She wasn’t able to decide between the two relations of her as it has been always a challenge for her to juggle between responsibilities and life, that’s how her entire life had been. Exploring Life Diva always had challenge to be a dotting Daughter. And here she was caught between an emotional drama and a free life with Naren. Though she chose to be with Naren but he decided otherwise. Their relationship broke and both moved on to their individual paths and life. Ila has always been persuasive, for she knew that mistake was on her part, she tried convincing Naren so they relook on their relationship and give life another chance. Naren decided otherwise and moved on towards matrimony with the girl his parents choose and he selected from the long list of the perfect Brides to be.

It’s already 10:15 and like any other day, Ila is again late for office. She has a record for this. A frequent late comer always attracting eyes of the colleagues to her entrance in the work arena. “Madam, office looks great at 9:45… Why don’t you experience that someday?”  Curt remark followed her back from side bay. Amar was as always annoyed for there was a presentation in next 15 minutes and lot last minutes corrections were to happen. “If only you believe me Amar, I leave on time… there are magical powers which always put me 15 minutes behind of the time zone, I need to see the time witch. Do you have any reference please?”  Ila, the witty bitch! She joked as usual on her late coming making Amar swallow his irritation and smiling back in return to the charming smile flashed by her. Despite her being in 30’s, Ila looked beautiful and still has the charm and energy of her 21 age. She has been always loved for that, her Smiles and charm. At work, At home and By Naren… her eyes moved to her phone again. No text!

 

Naren and Ila had been in touch off and on for all years of separation on chat and sometimes on call, mostly Ila boasting about her fantastic life with Travel and friends and Naren always a snob about the money he had been making. Silently, she always wished to meet him once and give last (another) try for their life. She cut the threads once she got to know about Naren’s marriage. Last hope , when seem lost usually breaks people. Ila felt that way on the day too. She refused to meet her friends for long weeks and took on solace for month or 2. Waking up from the ecstasy of all liquor she had been pouring on her stomach and straining the kidneys, she also decided to give on to her mother’s long urge to marriage and finally settled to marry.

 

It is said, life is a curious kid and loves surprises. And like a 2 year toddler is restless. This 2 year reference is drawn on a particular term- One, you are restless and want to learn everything, you cannot do things alone and need a constant company and last, what you say can neither be understood or predicted unless you have a mom around. So, in a sentence if I summarize “It is tough to understand the pranks of life, unless you have a trustworthy guardian around to hold you.”  

 

Ila received a text in midst of all the new additions in her life. It was from Naren. He was coming to her city and wanted to meet her. Ila’s heart was excited as a child who was to re-experience her favorite joyride. She accepted the request immediately and like old times stole her time from office to spend the day again with Naren after 7 years. They met and met like the old times. It seemed all the years washed away with their light chats and giggles about their new life and this new experience of being grown up for years have taken command over their intelligence and outlook towards life.

What will growing up be?  Understanding everything around or understanding that we cannot understand everything around. Well, Ila had been always in the second category. Never wanted to understand everything for there is a different fun being curious. Their meeting ended with a silent promise of never being away from each other again. Despite all the social ties, they met just like the lovers of youth. Passionate to meet and spend time with each other stealing time from life, parents and their respective spouse. They met year after and after and always cherished. But unlike old time lovers fight over time and family they usually argued over their conscience. Agreeing in the end that this is how they want to keep it without explaining themselves or world on their feelings.

 

“This seems good Ila, so when are we starting with this project?”  She was again pulled back from her thoughts for day dreaming has been always fabulous unless you are not asked to explain the realities. She has given presentation with absent mind for it was all fixed in her brains with weeks of preparation. Amar as usual has taken back seat and there she was under the spotlight to take the show further. “We start immediate Boss!”. She spoke with the same charm and that flashing smile she has always been admired for. Once again she has to control the urge to check her messages. She knew she will not receive text from that stubborn asshole for he must be justifying his thoughts to himself and then, it has always been about his life and his decisions. That’s how he has always been!

Why were these Text so important for Ila? She has never been able to justify that. What was she searching in them? Love? Well, this terminology has been always complicated for her. She has never been able to get settled with this. Unlike any other girls she knew she has never been roses and dine kinds, never had a fairy tale of any Prince Charming and certainly would never have settled with only the boy in the story getting all chance to fights, swords and horses. She always wanted her share, Her Share of life, Love, wines, adventures, fights and everything that a relationship could have brought ever. Always lucky as she was, she got all including the heartbreaks!

But what now? Settled professional, admiring and loving husband, adventurous life with her share of wine in the goblet, what was she looking forward in those text?

 

“Ila, can we close this meeting today and also get onto action? Why you seem so lazy today?” Amar was already standing on her head with his laptop in his arms. Last thing she wanted was this meeting in middle of her thoughts and laziness today.“Nothing, just seems bit lost. My mind got left at the meeting room in morning guess! How do I work without one today?” she settled the enquiry with her wittiness as always. Lift the laptop and followed Amar to room. A previous project was getting disseminated to field today and was ready to launch. She stopped her urge to Text the forbidden number for she knew she is going to be over occupied for rest of her day and will only get free by evening. The time when Naren would be back home to his wife and would be joyfully engrossed in his homely affairs. It was a silent promise of her to self to never cross that path. The lady of courage was always scared to face this path. Neither has she wanted to think about it. The life she wished to be part of was no more her share. And the proud women she had been, she would have never asked for anything not belonging to her. Even Naren sometimes, when she feels weak at heart and want to be the Naïve Self once again, for she always believed that being ignorant is always better than knowing everything. It always changes you as person and makes you grow, which is dangerous to the child within the heart for the child is never able to play with same confidence, trust and carefree attitude. Certainly, with time we all grow and even the Text grew for her. It grew from the friendship talk between two strangers to Lovers talk of two youth. Youth always looking forward to hold on to each other for they loved their physical intimacy and adventures together. From Lovers talk it grew back to the stranger’s talk, where both again went to their own shells, far from each other arms and life. From Stranger’s it grew back to Ex talks, Ex talking about their life and futures which their new life had been bringing to them. Their separate dreams with their respective spouses and families, the dream which they both dreamt for them and somehow gave up too soon. What does these Textbrings to her now? Sometimes they make her remind her past self, the naïve one. This is the part she loves the most about it. Few days it make her look beautiful, for the women in her loves the compliment of the Man she LOVED once in her naïve form. Somedays they get her smile and feeling of companionship for she meets her old friend with endless talks on anything they talk under the sun, which they used to talk over the coffee. And then there are days the text reminds of the grown up years, years and intimacy that has passed for long and yet is being searched.  Making her feel lost on the losses of life that her grown up self has demanded from her. The ego of the grownup taking over and fighting for the pride to be kept intact. Too stubborn to give up on the desires. Too weak to bear the loss of the youth years and dreams. And then there are days with No text.Sometimes months and then once a year.

The grown up always fight for their egos and Pride, where the child love the adventure of the Text. Maybe, that’s how she wants to keep it. At least, till the time she can keep.

“And can we hear from Ila now as how do we take this project forward and timelines to the Phase of executions and results expected…” The crowd turned toward Ila with the enthusiastic and confused look and she finally put her phone to silent and aside to continue with the day and time consuming activity of her official work. Another day coming to end where she will head back home with an empty phone to welcoming family.

 

 love!
Anji

Eldest out of 2!

I always wonder,  what is better in pursuit of peace..  knowing nothing and be the virgin of life or exploring every aspect like a curious toddler ready to experience power of his hands and mouth.

Well,  I don't want to dwell on it right now.  For i want to talk about a girl who always make me wonder...  Am I elder or she?

Neha,  my sister born 1 year,  5 Months and few hours younger to me. Growing up together had been fun for we never needed friends throughout school life..  Obvious,  it was all about sibling bond. Still,  we were all set to make our mark in the existing environment for belonging from a very closed environment at home,  it had always been tough for both of us to have those best time with friends at school which most people talk about,  so it was quiet obvious we never had a school friend circle. Only buddy left to each other was us.

She has been the fairer league,  obvious the beautiful one.  And our mother ensured always to make that a point. Well, later in life and seeing all my childhood picture I also sometime wonder,  God,  from where that I brought all those extra polish on my face. I had been as tanned as bottom of pressure cooker most of my childhood n late teen.  Thanks to that I had never been The Dream Girl to any mad lover ever. Though Neha did had few crushes and out of the 2 of us,  she was the first one to have a boyfriend. For which I had been always so excited that it sometimes made me think that I was the one looking more for some romance than her in the era of our silly teen.

Things of childhood changed and we moved on with lifes. Neha always been the intelligent out of 2 of us,  always gave hope of succedding to professional career with magical moments for our parents. Though I always teased her throughout our professional life that like me if she had to be in sales,  why she ever gave me those envious moments during our PTMs at school.

However,  what always made me look upto her with regards in life was her Compassion,maturity, sense of command over her life and decisions sometimes which had been tougher for me sometimes.
Despite being the elder one of the two of us,  Neha had been the stronger one.

Keeping her naiveness to life and never exploring shores for which I had become an experienced sailor,  I had always looked up-to her. We both had this gift of ever smiling face,  for which till date I am looking for the family genes we got that from... ( Our parents had always been too miser with their laughters and I hardly remember ever seen them in my senses ever with Hearty laughter. ) Neha carried the one with all innocence and untouched of something called experience.

She has kept herself away from friends for he had been always clear of not carrying extra baggages for emotions she can't afford. Despite all the odds of family,  she has still been the one to always keep things tact,  when her impatient sisters have never bothered with the madness.

Calm and composed! That's how I have always seen her,  always making me wonder as how she had been able to attain which me being the eldest is still practicing to be.

Today I am writing for her maybe after 30 years and wish that this is how I know her for the next 30. Raising to the eldest out of two of us!

Today and forever!

Lots of love
Anji

The Boy and The Girl thing….

So , it all started again!

The girl and a boy thing. The usual Indian family drama. No, I am not talking about love affair or about the social or legal rights of either of the gender. Certainly that’s the hot topic with the movie “PINK” release. But I am talking about getting blessed with the baby Girl or a Boy! Recently experiencing motherhood, the only fear during delivery one has that everything should go normal. Baby should come out fine and if possible, I can get spared with the C-section painful aftermaths. However, once the journey gets completed the real drama begins. Drama of the lifetime starts with one announcement... “It’s a Boy!”  Me and my husband both were kinda expecting a girl, reason being our bundle of joy has been gifted to us on the first day of Navratras and that too coming 19 days earlier, we somehow expect that mother goddess has decided to visit us in person and bless us. And when the doctor announced our bundle of joy to be a boy, it was bit of a surprise for both of us. Though, I had hoped for one. Reason being my tom boyish lifestyle and attitude throughout my life have always made me comfortable around boys and I always feared, how will I be able to bring up my daughter to be an elegant lady when I myself have never witnessed the “E” of elegance in me ever! And the bully I am, I didn’t want my husband getting a team (the father-daughter duo stuff) and I be left all alone. Being the mean soul I am, I always take care of my demands and requirement first. So, here I had my mix of emotions and gratitude for the lord for making everything a cake walk and gifting us with a healthy baby. But then, as I was talking about “The Drama”, it started within 30 minutes in the room I was shifted too with flood of calls flowing all around and relatives boasting about their pre-assumptions on the boy coming to the “Khandaan”. And we thanked everybody out of respect and decency for it was really hard to make them understand that it really didn’t matter to us, only thing we were happy about was getting our real toy for lifetime for he has completed our relation and elevated us to relation of responsible mom and dad from the carefree husband and wife we were. Soon, the drama got spread from the hospital room to our society and home for except the few educated lot , we got our congratulations more on being becoming parent of a boy rather than on just becoming parent. Gifts to be given to relatives, maids, other lots have certainly got bit expensive on this particular fact. Certainly we can see certain expenditure going up and Diwali around the corner, there is no escape to any! But then, still pondering over all the events and thinking about our way of life I cannot help stop thinking that as an Indian , we are still so tied to this boy and girl thing. I fail to understand that why as a boy mom I have an option for bearing second child, wherein girl mom must go for second one. Why as a girl mom demands for gift is optional but as a boy mom it has become mandatory to oblige all. Why still in minds of so many still a girl child in family is acceptance but boy becomes joy. Really thinking when as a nation and society will we get over this? As for now, both I and Husband are taking our congratulations for we really are rejoicing becoming parent more than becoming boy parent, for none of us can take the credit for the later fact! ;) Lots of Love! Anji