The Storm

Some are visible, most of them are not.

It’s not the turbulence outside that bothers me, it’s the unknown which haunts you to the core. Perhaps the price you pay for being ambitious, or just the feeling that some things don’t work for you is beyond the factors of inevitability. You want to accept the otherwise, but you are not quite there to accept the order of the written (is it, already?).

You get in to a mode of self resistance, pessi-optimism and terrible planning mania. Well, none of it is my core attribute but a situation that evolves out of a surprise, boils down to a pothole of darkness and then provides a semblance of hope that ceases to dissipate and dissolve at the similar levels of uncertainty.

The path to achieve your dreams has never been easier. And the juggernaut to stay afloat, to remain relevant and to believe that I am valuable enough to steer the ship continues. Relentlessly.

Paradise in Mayhem – S01E02

Love

Cathy met Jacob when she was 5 years old. He was 11 then and used to spend a lot of time in his father’s bakery which was just adjacent to Cathy’’s. Their parents have been running the bakery business since the last 30 years, and have seen the worst since. Jacob lost his father last year to Cholera when a massive epidemic hit the town and took away lives. Cathy and Jacob have spent a lot of time together since their childhood and the past few years have seen them drawing closer to each other – emotionally. Obviously, their parents are oblivious of their proximity as their moist eyes have been busy wrapping up the pain and suffering around them, so the more intricate emotions in life took a backseat. But Cathy and Jacob are immersed in a tornado of love.

Survival

Cathy’s mom is rushing to the bakery as news just dropped that their bakery has been attacked by the soldiers on the other. In fact, the more depressing wave of news is that the southern part of the town was attacked and is in shambles, the bakery is just situated on the tip of the south. Cathy’s father left for the bakery in the morning since he had a consignment that was to be dispatched to the families in the north and the west – those areas were the worst affected since the dark days descended upon them. This piece of bombshell left Cathy’s mom in tatters as she rushed towards the vicinity of the bakery. She asked Cathy to stay at home, keep the doors and windows closed. But Cathy was unable to resist the temptation of this impending tragedy. She was dead scared, but did not want her mom to go alone. But her mom was not in a frame of mind to listen and Cathy was too struck to explain what she is going through. Her mom left, asking her to lock up and stay indoors.

Paradise in Mayhem – S01E01

2 Friends – Chapter 2

Jennifer’s father wants her to move to Cambridge for further studies and towards a more illustrious life. He firmly believes that moving to Cambridge will open up plenty of opportunities for her to grow and prosper. He also believes that this move will get her out of the shell and open up her life to a more social outlook where she can get herself acquainted with people and the wider society. But this is not what Jennifer wants. She wants to stay near her father, forever. Neither does she like the idea of breaking her reclusive nature to become a social animal. Her father loves her a lot but as any father would do, he wants her to become independent, have a life of her own and build her own future. Also, Jennifer doesn’t want to get in to the much raved social circles that her father is so proud to be a part of. Moreover, she isn’t ready to move out of Bangalore yet (though she was raised and spent substantial amount of her childhood in her aunt’s beach house in Goa).

Maya always had kindness and compassion embedded in her since childhood. Her dream is to move to Dehradun and work for a NGO (she has started working as trainee while she is pursuing her Bachelors). The very thought of giving back to the society would infuse an energy within her that knew no limits. Her conservative upbringing and middle class values were also instrumental in paving the way for her philanthropic mindset. Her parents though have a different take on her future. They want her to complete here studies and get married but Maya is quite a rebel in many ways. She doesn’t want to be stereotyped and is obviously not ready for domestic affairs to crush her dreams. And she is determined to follow her heart despite the resistance that surrounds her.

2 Friends – Chapter 1

End of an Era

I have never seen Pele play but I am sure I would have loved him every bit if I was around then – his prodigious talent and the aura are testimonials to his greatness. No doubt, he is widely and inarguably considered to be the greatest ever.

For me, the pillars of greatness have retired (fallen is not the apt word) to kick a football in heaven.

RIP Sir, and Thank you – for the legacy and memoirs of this beautiful game.

What a sight in Football!! Pele in his prime.
My GOATs

Tale of Two Legacies

The biggest prize of all – The World Cup. And without doubt, this would be known as Messi’s World Cup. He stamped his class and authority as he led his team to a third title – the last time we watched a Argentinian lifting this elusive trophy was 36 years ago. That itself speaks volumes of why and how this win for Argentina and Messi is so significant for the country – beyond sports and football.

The game was dead rubber for 70 minutes and dominated by 2 Argentina goals (Messi making the most of the penalty and Di Maria’s beauty which clearly won hearts). Then, perhaps everything changed and looked like a French comeback was on the cards. What followed was a stunning, dazzling display for quality football and reminding us why this is such a spectacular game. I did feel sorry for Mbappe but I was pleased Argentina won.

My love for Football and Argentina goes back to my childhood days, and really, those were the days of unblemished innocence and pure joy. Perhaps life was way more simpler then, and Football looked more glorious than ever. And, Maradona was my hero. He still is, and I don’t think Messi’s victory lap will change my sentiments for the great man. But I am totally thrilled to see that Messi was finally able to emulate his Hero (and Argentina’s God) to bag the coveted trophy. The endless comparisons and the criticism of not having performed at the same level for his national team (his record with Barcelona is impeccable to say the least) can now be shut and dumped in the barracks – he has indeed silenced his critics once and for all. That includes me as well.

I would also refrain from comparisons of Messi’s victory with what Maradona did in 1986 (though hypothetically it is inevitable). It was a different era, the world looked very different then and that victory was by all means, a more defining moment in Argentina’s sporting history. Also, despite the fact that both were/are precocious talent, they are made very differently. Maradona was an extrovert, the golden boy from the slums of Villa Fiorito who could do magic with a football, charismatic, troublemaker, inspiring and controversial. Messi on the other hand, is more reserved, leads a more stable life (family and kids), despite the enormous amount of ability and attention, remains so grounded. So, contrasting personalities really but the genius is the common factor. They both led young, hungry, enterprising players (Maradona had Burruchaga, Messi had Alvarez and Di Maria) to achieve the ultimate glory for their country.

Personally, I will remember 18 Dec 2022 for a very long time to come. I watched the match with family and close friends, nothing can beat the aura of a good football match and dinner with loved ones.

As everyone is saying – Gracias, Messi 👏 🙇 ❤️.

Moods of Sky

Weather is like our Fortunes – Sunshine in the morning, Rain in the afternoon and Yellow shades towards the evening. Talks a lot about swinging, conveying the message through the air of unpredictability.

By the way, do you like the view?

Espionage – The Dark World

In a world of civilians and goodness, the ‘spy’ profession is one world where insanity looms large. It’s a world of perennial darkness and betrayal, and to survive is in itself, a test to surpass armageddon.

Unlike in popular culture and thanks to the advent of films like 007 and Mission Impossible, this isn’t a profession for everyone. Rather, it’s for the select few who choose sacrifice beyond everything else. Because, being a spy robs you of those innocent desires in life that you might want to cultivate as a normal human being would. The cinematic version is far from reality – minus all the glamour and chivalry, and comes loaded with the perks of an inevitable death.

But the key question is not what the reality is. Perhaps we all know that. The more significant poke is – how important are spies to our country and to be even more specific, how dispensable their roles are especially when it is widely believed that spies have a very short shelf life.

The most important aspect is also quite a revelation (or perhaps stunning to say the least). Their definition of ‘trust’ is very different from the understanding of an average human being. Moreover, the trust factor is largely focused on the mistrust of the associated relationships, which is equally shameful and staggering in terms of their binary world – binary because not allowing themselves to trust is the very core attribute of their existence.

The world needs spies, the world needs undercover agents, we certainly need vigilantes who are always around to ensure we are alive the next morning. But the most painful and ignominious part is – they don’t exist when they are alive and death eludes them when they perish.

As good as it gets

Perspective – looks dark from the outset but there is so much to offer inside, in terms of hope, energy and versatility