Monday, January 19, 2015

My People, My Wishes

Writing demands coffee and solitude, together. I have had a lot of the former, and hardly any of the latter ever since the year began. And hence such a delay in the start-of-the-year post. I had a lot to write, a lot to plan, a lot to recollect and a lot to wish for. Clearly, 2015 is going to be the year of expectations for me. A little birdie warns me of a major overhaul in the coming year. Either that, or I'll be fighting hard to make the strewn away pieces of life gather back together and make a picture which makes more sense than abstract art. Hey, life, yes, I am talking to you. Okay? Heed it, this time.

However, more than an expectation post, I want this to be a gratitude post. I have a few people to thank from last year, whose presence continues to comfort me till date. Now, the fluidity of human behaviour which I have observed (and accepted) necessitates that I thank you all now, because I have no clue if time will permit our relation to remain amicable, or to remain at all. So, whatever needs to be said, is best said right away.

Thank You cookies from theartofthecookie.com


Here. Meet my precious people.

Asif Khan Dehlvi
Or, as I call him, Asif. He is a gem, and I am sure, the whole of Delhi knows that. However, why I need to thank him is because he tried to heal the kindred hurt he found in me. Asif and I have been through similar kind of life-changing lows, at different times in life. The only difference is, I wasn't there to comfort him, while he was there to make sure my injury did not permanently cripple me.
For 2015 - I wish our lessons on Delhi become big. Let me show you my Dilli, while you make me travel through yours. 

Dehlvi Sahab - In his favourite avataar.


Neelkamal Pandey
Or, simply Kamal. It must have been in an extremely blessed moment that he entered my life, because, ever since, he has treated me with an exceptionally special kind of love. When all strands of faith in humanity were drowning into an abyss I understood little about, this wonderful human being stood up and told me, come what may, he will never leave my side. Do you know what that kind of assurance does? It gives you confidence to stand up the next morning and say, 'jo hoga, dekha jayega'.
For 2015 - I wish we collaborate on some artwork. I don't know how, or when, but let's grab the opportunity when it comes. 
In his favourite colour. 

Aaqib Raza Khan
Rare. People of his kind, they are rare. I saw very little of him in 2014. Very, excruciatingly little. However, he did not have to be physically around me to assure me of his love and company. Each time I followed up his digital footprints, I either laughed, or was touched, or I simply felt happy and proud about knowing him. We've always had a sort of mutual-admiration thing going on, since years (right?), and selfishly enough, I'd say, I hope it keeps going on. It makes breathing less laboured, and mind pollution-free, I can assure you.
For 2015 - I hope we meet. For some reason, I am hoping the World Book Fair will be a good time to do this. 

From his birthday celebrations, 2013.


Achint Mathur
Or Sameer bhaiya. He has been the source of some fantastic memories I had towards the end of 2014, which, unfortunately, cannot be stated publicly. What can be stated publicly is the fact that he is one of those people in life who are fearless friends, whom you can blindly trust on, who will go till the end of horizon to make sure their loved ones are safe. Fiercely individualistic, yet surprisingly sensitive.
For 2015 - Let us read a book together? And, umm, you've to get down to Delhi and we have to meet, and hang out at a real good place. Okay?

From the wedding!


Manan Kulshreshtha
Ranu bhaiya! He got married, and in the process, he gifted me a shopping carnival which worked as a therapy and an unapologetic route to splurge on things I would otherwise only gawk at and drool. Bhaiya's wedding was also the one event which kept my spirits up each time they'd dwindle. Plus, the kind of love I felt in his company on my last Jaipur visit, well, that's what stops me from cribbing about the lack of warmth in the world.
For 2015 - I hope we talk more. Whenever possible, but I hope for this. 

From his engagement, earlier in 2014.


Mohit Tyagi
Too young in acquaintance, but having sat beside him enough in the office, I know this guy is one of the finest human beings I will ever come across. He has been the greatest calming, disciplining influence on me in life. He seems to me like a kindred soul, one which reassures my belief in the very personalized form of madness I often find myself at odds to understand. Oh, and he introduced me to fab Punjabi poetry. How can I ever thank him enough for that?
For 2015 - I hope for much. I hope for a lot of poetry particularly. 

When winter was stepping in.


Neha, Mujeeb, Akshat and Niyati are few other people I have to thank. But I am not going to. I don't care to pen down the reasons. Basically, sleep takes over now.

8 comments:

  1. I don't know where to start. Maybe I should start with a plaintive thank you, but then that's not doing justice to the feelings this piece brought to me. Let's just say I am indebted for your kind words. In these cold weary days, as I rise up fighting slumber to kickstart the final semester of my academic life, this is a refreshing reassurance. A reassurance that all is well, that I am doing something right, that I am connected to the right people.

    And you stay assured too. No amount of fluidity would hamper this human's love and care towards you. We are beyond that. Our mutual admiration is one of the balances, upon which the Universe survives My Universe, at least. Stay cheerful.

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    1. And much like you, I woke up to some pleasantness too. The first, and an absolutely fantastic comment. I like the mutual-admiration and balance and Universe theory you propounded. It is too powerful for anyone to meddle with.

      Love.

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  2. Good morning, Saumya!

    Such an adorable and cute post. Hope this infinite love within you stay alive forever! :-) :-)

    “Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away.” - Michael Smith

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    1. Thanks Divya! And I am sad that I did not stumble upon that quote sooner. I will tweet it right away!

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  3. Saumya jee.. if I would have created such a List then usme aapka naam zaroor hota.

    abhi humne nahi ki zyada baat..
    Nahi baante apne Jazbaat....
    Par jab aisa mauka ayega....
    to woh ab tak ka gap bhar jayega...

    Shurkiya aapka kare ya usko jisne aapko banaya......
    ya fir us shakhs ka jisne humko aapse milaya...

    Umeed hai aap aise hi Prakash failati jayengi aur badle mein khud ke liye bahut saari Muskurahat, Pyar, anr Khushiyaan battor payengi :-)

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    1. Thanks GST sir! You implicitly fall in my list - the sense I held in my heart for this one was different. I apologise for the anomaly :(

      Aapki duaayein hain shayad jo ab tak kuchh achchha ho raha hai. I am really indebted, for all your kind words and good wishes :)

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  4. *I have been trying to come with something that could do justice to what I felt when I read this but nothing seems to make that much sense.*

    I won't say thank you. I believe it, somehow, diminishes the gesture. So I'll do what has come to be one of my favourite activity i.e. comment.

    If you notice I always or most of the time, if not always, text you one or the same thing every time I meet you. I don't know why. Actually, I don't want to know the 'why' part. I have never pondered over reasons. The things is, if we admit that human life can be ruled by reasons, the possibility of life is destroyed. And I don't want to do that. I know WE, together, have endless possibility. I know YOU would not allow those possibilities to fade away. And I would try to live up to my decent standard.

    As for the collaboration. Lets do that in coming weekends. Let us just sit and paint. In a quiet place. Paint pointlessly. Without any reason. Just you and me. And paint of course. Please. Lets. *Paints and brushes from my side*

    Much Love
    The Bachchas the your's.

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    1. Tu jaan le le meri. Aur pyaar kahin gaayab hua toh jaan main le loongi teri. Bas. Keh diya.

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