My First smartphone Outsmarted me

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I remember a time when phones wasn't a necessity in life. The landline was the only way to communicate and that was rather used in emergencies. I went through my college life without having to constantly worry about checking my facebook page or even worry about the number of selfies I took today. Time with friends had been precious then. We had worries of our own and things to do that required attention (Or so we felt in those days). A lot of books to read and some second hand book stalls to explore too. The after hours in college were spent having chat at the famous Gokul Chat in Koti, Hyderabad and that’s it, life was so simple. But slowly the need to be in touch started and by the end of my Master in Literature I had a simple working phone where I could take pictures and call up my boyfriend whenever the need raised. Internet wasn't a possibility then with the high data rates going on when I was still dependent on my parents for money. I even remember being bored when I had nothing to do. Now I don't remember when I was actually free.

My life changed since I got my first fully working with internet smartphone. My dad got generous and I splurged on my first express touch phone that I bought in Manchester, UK. India still didn’t have the model. I was explained in detail about the stick that came with it and how to use it. I could even write in my own handwriting and this little wonder would convert it to send texts across. My world changed then. It also changed the way I looked at things now. And with the amazing pixels in my phone camera, I took an entire vacation relying on its excellent picture quality. The result- I could tuk away the little thing in my purse and not feel the burden of the heavy SLR camera I left at home.

I was twenty two then and life had so much to offer. Perhaps I started my journey late because today I see teenagers busy with their smartphones. I even consult a few if I have a question. And they have all the answers in hand. I could use a phone for various purpose now. It became my MP3 player, my radio on the go, my digital photo album, my chat friends on the go and even an e-reader where I could conveniently wait for hours while reading my book in a 5. 5 inch phone. Obviously my phone changed since then. I guess I am not a loyal customer and like to experiment with features now. Starting from Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung and Micromax, I have enjoyed all these versions of a smartphone, giving me freedom of moving out of phone and carrying my world along with it. Since my son was born, I constantly take pictures from this device now. I have apps downloaded that makes my life so much simpler. I am no longer in a hurry to open my laptop to google for questions I have in my mind. I just do it with voice recognition feature on my phone or just type away to glory. I am much more informed and enjoy being this techno savvy woman who knows her gadgets.  

Basically life's good and my smartphone has become my friend and adviser on the go. 

Look Up- The Moment stood still

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With his pet Woody

Family Vacation to Taj Mahal

I seemed to have come a long way. When I see my life going the way it should have and see my friends exploring their singlehood, I wonder if I missed out a lot in my life. I even dream of living single somewhere and no having to go through the nuances of everyday routine. Every time I think about it- I remember my life began with my son who was born three years ago. The moment they took me into the delivery room, my life had found a new beginning. I was a mother who had so much love to give that all my silly thoughts just flew away. I would sing lullabies, read silly stories again and again, make him touch flowers and ice cubes, enjoy the look on his face when he first tasted chocolate and the time when he just lay down on the carpet waiting for our pet Woody to lick him and jump on him. The laughter always remains. That funny giggles that starts at nothing or even with a simple peck on his neck- it just makes my boring day, a joyful one. The softness of his cheeks when he needs that reassurance that I am no longer angry with him, touches my heart. So much so that I cry secretly at the joy of being responsible for this boy wonder. I love that he relies on me when he wants to play outside and is not scared of the dark because I am around. The madness of the day might get to me but my boy remains happy and full of life.

I had to go out for a day to arrange an event and had to leave him behind with his dad. Although I enjoyed the day without his constant demands, my son was always at the back of my mind. Like every mother- I kept thinking if he was eating Maggie or having more chocolates than he should. The time I finally reached home, I saw this boy jumping on the bed saying ‘mamma ghar aa gayi’ and I sighed in relief. Everyone was still alive and everything seemed normal again. And he didn’t look like he missed me much because his dad made him do all the fun things when I try mostly to feed him. I promised myself to be a little more ‘fun’ the next time we spend time together.

I do not know how I because this soft mushy mother when I have so many things on my mind but all I know that this little man had changed my life forever. Love is such a small word to describe how I feel about him because now my hearts aches only to hear one word-‘mamma’.

Start A New Life- Moving out and other things

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Marrying young has its down downfalls and comes with a lot of responsibility. Moving out from my cozy room where I stored thousands of books and so much space to even have a over flowing wardrobe, I just had to marry an army officer. The house was a two bed house with a small kitchen and I had my reservations on how my stuff will adjust anywhere at all. But I warmed a bit and pulled my sleeves up, determined to make my bare house, a home. It started all with a lot of gusto, getting the curtains up, the sofas set and the new LED television in our bedroom. The kitchen where only I wipped out my Hyderabadi recipies, I realized that moving out of my parents home was the best thing that had happened to me. Not that I didn’t miss them, but because I had so much to learn here. My friends in Hyderabad had already moved away and my only friend was my husband now. Talking over the phone for hours was not my thing anyway.

The time came when we bought brand new gadgets and life was getting comfortable with just the two of us. But a tragedy stroked and while we were on a vacation, our house got burgled. It wasn’t horrible to see your things splattered all over the place and the things we bought just taken away from us. The culprits were no where to be found. I felt naked, as if my life was out in the open now, seen my some petty strangers. My tears were soon wiped and my husband took me for a quick shopping outside. We couldn’t afford to buy new stuff anymore but thanks to EMI, we did get by. I remember how strong I had to be for both of us and because I had to forgive those people and move on with my life.

We still had so many places to see though. And after two years in Jalandhar, we moved to Madhopur, setting up our house again. Starting over and cheering to new beginnings. We had our first baby here and the house became special to me as I lovingly decorated the little teddies around the house in blue.  My writing career was taking off too and I was a freelancer for a children’s magazine. It filled me with happiness and anticipation when we moved again to Orissa for my husband’s study course. The beach and the fresh air did us good and as a couple we just got stronger and setting up a house now became a very easy process, knowing where everything had to go. With a baby on tow, I carried him around and made sure that no matter where we lived, our lived will always be happening and new.   

Together- Our First Dance

I was nineteen, a fresher in college, still deciding what I wanted to do with my life and trying to make sure that I didn’t fall for the wrong guy. But then ‘It’ happened. I perhaps have too many happy memories attached with this one, so I am going to tell you a story of how I met a handsome cadet at the National Defence Academy. Apparently he was going to change my life up-side down. The NDA ball and the ambiance of love and youth just filled the dance floor and I ended up having him as a ball partner. Here was a boy of twenty one who pulled out a chair for me and asked me what I would like for a drink- complimented politely on my smile while gazing quiet intently in my eyes, hoping for some sort of connection that we could have. The night was getting a little chilly then- no he didn’t offer me his coat as you hope- he just held me close when we danced without ever touching me. The hours flew and it was time for dinner. I was supposed to use the fork and a knife while eating my bread and it took me a while to realize that I had it all wrong. I was still trying to look dignified and totally prepared for this kind of treatment. Formal dinners with guys were really new to me. Still this quiet young man, just encouraged me to try desserts that looked like mashed cake in custard and it tasted like heaven. I was always a fussy eater but here I was experimenting with food. Something in him made me want to be a little more than the shallow me.  I saw couples all around me, some dating seriously and some just filling in place for another but everyone were having a good time. He asked me to wait outside at the steps and I left to do his business. I roamed around looking through the menus attended by dignitaries of various countries. Half an hour passed by and still no sign of him. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. I must have sounded silly to him. The thoughts were still going through my head. He came back, panting a little, looking off.

 “I asked you to wait. I thought you left me”.

“No. I couldn’t leave you”.

I didn’t know how true those words were. With a shy smile, we resumed towards the dance floor.

 It was time for a last dance and we did a waltz on ‘Pehla Nasha’. Since I was no Beyonce, I compensated with wrapped my arms around his neck and moving with the music. He was surprised, I could see that but totally enjoying the attention I was giving him. But then, he didn’t know that he had treated me like a lady all evening and this was the first time I had nothing to give in return for his kindness.

The clock was soon to strike twelve and Cinderella had to go home. But he wanted me to see where he lived. When you are in your teens, you really take decisions by your heart and I went along with it. The squadron was huge, no girls allowed rule was still on. So we followed it like good little children. I took time to look around, waste time because I was so reluctant to leave him. Our steps dragging when he had to drop me home and the last thing we did was exchange numbers.

I was perhaps too much of a cynic back then to accept a permanent commitment but when you have to fall in love, you do. And that night became the foundation of a long distance relationship that we continued for the next three years. Writing letters to him on a weekly basis till he completed his training, talking over the phone after a long day just taught us that love means patience. When he proposed- he asked me to be his girlfriend and I refused.

“Then be my wife”. I was zapped at his eagerness and sincerity.

That happened ten years ago and today I am married to this wonderful army officer, confident and loving- who still pulls out the chair for me and makes me feel like a woman. 

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