Short Story - Confessions of a Dying Heart

#ShortStory  #Miscellaneous

"Why did you beat me as a child?" she asked him softly as he lay on his death bed

"What?" he was surprised, when he requested her to ask him anything she wanted for the last time, this was not what he expected

"Yes Papa, it has always bothered me, why did you?" she asked tears stroking her cheeks now

"I don't understand what you mean" he replied avoiding her eyes

"Okay" she replied disappointed, "you rest" she briefly kissed his forehead and started to leave but his choked voice rooted her to the ground

"I was weak, I am sorry" he replied sobbing

Turning slowly she smiled, "it's okay Papa, rest now." It was not the answer she has been looking for all her life but somehow today she has no strength to challenge him or question him further.

Her smile broke him further, sobbing like a child now he replied, "What I did to you was wrong, I should not have hurt you, but I was weak and insecure. After your mother passed away I lost that compassion and treated you wrong. I never showed you my love. I realised how I should have raised you when I see you raise your son. I am sorry my daughter" he finished holding out his hand for her

She gently took it and replied squeezing his fragile hand lightly, "thank you for being honest Papa. I always knew you loved me, just that you showed me tough love" she replied caressing it

"I regret it. I should have loved and raised you better" he confessed

"Its okay Papa. I love you. Now please go to sleep" she spoke kissing his hand gently and in her smile he saw forgiveness. 

She knew they were the last moment of his life and after that she will have no parent to protect, love and care for her, but instead of feeling lonely, in that  moment she felt closest to her father than she ever had.

Smiling with deep content and love, she left his room as he closed his eyes forever...

~Kritika Gupta Sharma

Short Story - May be in Next Life...

#ShortStory   #Miscellaneous

She locked eyes with him again, after 15 years… 

“Mom… Dad’s calling” her daughter called out but she was rooted to the ground

“Hi” he spoke awkwardly

“Why did you ditch me?” she asked without any formalities

“What?” he was surprised

“I have waited 15 years for this, it haunts me. Why?” she demanded

“Aren’t you married?” he asked eyeing her daughter who was waiting at the curb

“I am and very happily. I just need closure” she hurried

“It was a setup, I never ditched you. I loved you” he spoke in trembling voice, shaking her world

“Why didn’t you explain?” she almost whispered horrified as realization dawned on her

“You moved on, you were with someone else” his eyes brimming with tears

“I lied, I was mad because I loved you. I lied and you believed me” tears streaming down her cheeks now

“You believed that I cheated too” he finished biting his lower lip controlling his tears

And it was the moment when they realised that their first love never ditched. It was true and loyal. The feeling was mixed with joys and sorrow as she finally got her closure. Smiling amidst her thoughts she headed back to her current family, knowing deep down that if not now, not in this life… they will be together again, may be in the next life…

~Kritika Gupta Sharma

Book Review: Keeping the Promises by Dhruv Gajjar

#KeepingThePromises   #BookReview

Title: Keeping the Promises

Author: Dhruv Gajjar

Publisher: Write India

Pages: 200

Price: Rs. 157

My Rating: 3.75/5

Blurb:

WORDS are mightier than anything else in this world. Sometimes they serve as liaisons between two distinct hearts, and sometimes they shatter two people irreparably apart. But when they are woven into promises and hopes, they give rise to something that lasts forever. They change lives. I had almost lost myself, when she brought me back to life - with her promises. She was dying with a dreadful tumour, but she had the authority to pull those last strings that brought me back to her. She was gradually dying, and every night before going to sleep - she would take a portion of my heart, my soul and my words. She would take a promise from me every night that made me who I'm today. She gave me a new life. One of those promises was to compile this novel that took me to an eventful journey in which I discovered several people, like me, who too were keeping her promises. What were those amusing, surprising and horrendous promises that they all kept? Who else other than I were bound to her promises? Would she be able to redefine love and sacrifice with her plans? Can grief completely redefine who you are? Can a broken heart be healed? Can you fall in love with the same person all over again? Can you live and die, both at the same time? Be a part of my story, about a girl, who - through her promises, changed the lives of the people she loved, including mine. This is my journey. This is the window of my past, and the view to my future. It is yours now!

My Review:

How I came across the book? The publisher of the book, Write India suggested me the book and requested the book review. I read a bit about it on various sites and finally decided to read it. The reviews all over are very positive for this début novel and now I know why. 

The book has its own charm, while reading you are just lost in the characters. You smile, cry and fall in love with them. You realise the importance of keeping the promises.  It is one of those stories that fill your heart with love and sorrow at the same time. The story basically revolves around Dhruv and M. Dhruv lost his love before but when he meets her again she is about to die. Yes it's heartbreaking and it is written in a way that it actually breaks your heart. When they meet again they spend 11 days together, before M dies. The story is about those 11 days, how Dhruv takes care of her and how she makes sure his life is perfect after her. 

The characters of the story are perfectly woven, you can feel the bond between them. You can feel the love and affection they hold for each other

The plot is interesting and very intense at times. It is partially written in flashbacks. However when we move to flashbacks you take moment to grasp which is a little issue with the book

The cover is beautiful but there are some editing issues in the book but you tend to overlook them as you read through. The story is so engaging and touching that you just don't care.

Overall, I liked it and can easily recommend it everyone.

My rating - 3.75/5

Hope the review helps.

Till then

Take Care

Is Booze the only Spirit of the Party?

#miscellaneous  #PartynDrinks

I remember the time when the life of the party were people but today its just one thing, Booze or in very sophisticated terms Alcohol or so-called Recreational drinks and socializing. Even when you Google party, the first option in images is 'Alcohol', interesting, isn't it?

I find it very strange and it's a concept I find very difficult to wrap my head around. Only recently we went to a small holiday in Lonavala - for the record Lonavala is one place to go during rains, although the place turns into heaven during rains, we couldn't do much of sight seeing because of booze. During the travel we saw a bit of this place, everything was so green and so serene. I loved the small waterfalls everywhere and light rains. The cold wind runs a calm within you... 

Anyways, coming back from my digression, we were a large group and we hired a bus as a transport. For almost an hour people were quiet, well I am the quiet one, for others to be was a little strange and the moment people got beer in their hands everything changed, not just boys (as in normal image of India), girls too. They were laughing and talking. The people whom I have never known were singing, talking, making jokes and actually having fun. It was a pleasant site because now there was a spark in the air.  Everyone was enjoying. I am not judging anyone here, everyone has their own free will but felt it kind of disturbing yet inspiring. Being an introvert, I now know how to be in a party... Well if this is how you socialize, so be it, and after 2 small drinks and being a little tipsy, I actually did.

Anyhow, I don't really know when everything changed so dramatically. If I recall, couple of years ago when we went out with colleagues things that lightened up the mood were things like Housie (bingo in other words), Antakshari (i.e. Singing songs), playing small games and talking, a lot of talking. But now everything has changed. People don't talk unless they have a bottle or a glass in their hands. The sole motivation of participation (for many people) is an incentive drink.

If this is happening to Gen Y, I wonder what Gen Z will do? They will never know games like charades or bingo. They will go out, drink up their life, dance and party all night. I don't want to dwell in after-party aspect.

All this makes me wonder, are we missing the essence of life? Is this happening everywhere or is this just Mumbai and other big cities. I really hope this is just here and not in rest of India, yes we all hope for India to progress and all small cities to be as happening and advanced like Mumbai, but I don't think this is what we want. 

But what can I say, no one can do anything with respect to how society progresses. Only thing that we can do is pray, May God bless us and especially Bless Our Children.

Till then

Take Care

Book Review: The Last Surge by Pramit Sarkar

#TheLastSurge   #BookReview

Title: The Last Surge

Author: Pramit Sarkar

Publisher: Gargi Publishers

Pages: 192

Price: Rs. 165

My Rating: 2.75/5

Blurb:

“…the day we face each other, she will be sorry; sorry for rendering me emotionally impotent. And that will be my victory.” Their blazing courtship was nearing marriage, before fate played its vicious card. Rimi dumped Gabriel and married the choice of her family but Gabriel decided to remain single. Why did Rimi take such a drastic decision? How did Gabriel keep up his single hood? Did they meet again or did fate succeed in keeping them apart? How does Sneha fit into the picture? Crafted with the characteristic flavors of Bengal, THE LAST SURGE brings you the tale of an ace football player turned relationship counselor and what made this protagonist a great brother, a greater father and an even greater romantic.

My Review:

So far I have been fortunate enough to read books which are nice and interesting. The Last Surge is one of them... I picked it up for its title and cover... both look different and seem interesting...

The story revolves around Gabriel and Rimi who fall in love but are separated due to family issues, well Rimi leaves Gabriel at the altar and marries someone else, not very nice!

The heartbreak leave Gabriel emotionally impotent, he was a football player before but broken heart breaks that passion as well. He leaves football and because a relationship counsellor (proves the theory that most counsellors are scarred themselves, no offence). Gabriel who stays single adopts a fine daughter, Sneha, who after learning about her father's broken heart makes her mission to get her father some closure.

The story overall is nice and engrossing, you can feel the pain of Gabriel as he suffers through his heartbreak. It nicely unfolds throughout and author has done a good job in writing all moments.

The characters are well-written and gel together nicely. You can find your own self in one of the characters. I like the bonding of Gabriel with his sister and adopted daughter. 

The narrations are good and although I have never been to Kolkata I can relate a bit to it now... The use of metaphors with perfect language and grammar is worth appreciating. However, at some places it has been overdone but overall  considering story and everything we can ignore that

My rating 2.75/5... why less because I wanted more. I didn't like the ending... It could have been much-much better. I feel unsatisfied after finishing it... However apart from that it is pretty fine read...

Give it a try

Till then

Take Care

LAUGHTER indeed is the best medicine... - A Success Story

#Miscellaneous

"I am very independent & confident person and many times come across too strong. My manager is one of those who is exceptionally good at work but weak in interpersonal skills. 

All the time when I was working with her she ignored me because we couldn't interact properly. Many people said I intimidate her, but that was the last thing I wanted to do, I loved my job and day-by-day I was feeling my days here are over... 

However when I read section on 'Staying calm' in Manage your Manager book I realized the problem and with the help of 'Smile & Laughter' I was able to calm myself and eventually the relationship between me and my manager improved. Later she once did ask me, what changed me, and all I thought was 'I learnt how to manage my Manager' Thanks for your support" ~~~ from a reader of Manage your Manager book

I got the biggest smile on my face after reading the above message. It always gives me immense pleasure to see how one book can help people in their respective worlds.

My friends, don't you think that many times if we had our head in place the situation would have turned out completely different? Or if you hadn't said something, you might have saved a relation? I am sure the answer is 'yes', I too have made a lot of mistakes like this and similarly have you. But I think its high time that we  are always letting anger and other issues come in way of our happiness. I believe if we take control of our feelings and emotions. If we can think before acting or speaking, nothing will go wrong. And the best way to control your emotions is by staying calm and SMILE

The concept of 'smile and laughter' doesn't just work in professional life but also in every aspect of our lives. So why don't we take charge and SMILE all our worries away.

I am attaching the snapshot of the book on Laughter which the reader shared with me. 

And also, my special thanks for the reader for sharing his valuable experience and allowing me to share it with the world...

Happy Managing

Ana Xx

(Close friend of Author of Manage your Manager book)

Disclaimer: Ana wants to share some success stories of her friend's book (in which she actively participated). We are providing a platform to publish some success stories.

Terminator Genisys Movie: My Reviews and thoughts

#TerminatorGenisys  #myreviews

I was really excited when we got the tickets, but now I have mixed feelings. Honestly not sure if I liked it or not.

Umm what I want to say is that yes it is good but not at par with the expectations. 

The movie starts with futuristic view where the usual machines are controlling and dominating human kind and then Kyle Reese double back to past in order to save Sarah Conner. However, there is major twist here. The timeline has altered and the Sarah Conner, that we saw in Terminator's first instalment, is not the same. Instead she is brave soldier, a protégé of a terminator himself. She doesn't need Kyle's protection, she is capable of protecting him instead.

The movie works in multiple timelines where the past, as we know from previous parts, has changed completely and the saviour of the human race is now the saviour of machine's race. Honestly it is a little confusing, also it does not resonates well. I am sure most people who have watched the latest part will say the same.

In terms of characters, no doubts we all waited to see Arnold Schwarzenegger. Man, he is around 67 and still can do epic job in action movies. We also have our Game of Thrones favourite Khaleesi (Emilia Clarke) in the movie, she play Sarah Conner and she too did a fine job. Jason Clarke plays John Conner and Jai Courtney played Kyle Reese. In terms of acting all did a 10 on 10 job, however for me Arnie and Khaleesi stole the show.

The graphics are brilliant and 3D effects are cool. Only if they had not modified the plot so much, it would have been the movie of the year...

My rating 3.5/5 for Arnie, Khaleesi and awesome graphics & effects

Hope this helps

Till then

Take Care

Book Review: Without You by Preethi Venugopala

#withoutyou     #myreviews

 

Title: Without You

Author: Preethi Venugopala

Publisher: Write India Publishers

Pages: 208

Price: Rs. 150

My Rating: 3/5

Blurb-

When Ananya, a bubbly twenty-year-old engineering student, reaches her Grandmother's house in Sreepuram on a month long vacation, romance is the last thing on her mind. However, she meets Dr. Arjun there and falls head over heels in love.

As it often happens, the path of true love never runs smooth. Circumstances force them apart even though they were madly in love. She becomes a victim of depression. When everything fails to return her to normalcy, help arrives from an unexpected source. Will she ever find happiness again? Will time allow her heart to heal and forget Arjun? What indeed is true love?

Travel with Ananya to the picturesque Sreepuram, face the chaos of Bengaluru, and relish the warmth of magical Dubai in this heart-warming tale of love, betrayal, friendship, and miracles.

Review-

I liked the title and cover to order up the book. Yes, we all sometimes do that but I am happy with the decision. The book is a pretty good read and it is written with deep and heart-felt emotions. The girl in the cover makes me realize how each one of us have suffered a heartbreak in one form or another.

The story revolves around Ananya who visits her grandmother. Her grandmother lives in a small town of Kerala called Sreepuram, and just to note, the description of beauty of this place really makes you want to visit it. We all have heard Kerala is heavenly, but the description kind of makes it real.

Ok, so coming back to plot, Ananya visits her grandma and meets Arjun, the love of her life. He is senior resident in medical college and is nothing less than a Greek God. They both fall in love and there is epic romance, but as they say, no love story is worth sharing if it doesn't have a tragedy associated to it and same is the case here. Due to confusions and unavoidable circumstances they are separated and Ananya is forced to live her life without the man she truly love and desires.

She never forgets and forgives him for what happened, however, some things are just meant to be.

The story is written beautifully with some unexpected twists and turns. I liked the way it flows and progresses and especially the end.

The characters tie up well together. The romance between Ananya and Arjun might remind of any old flings/relations you have had...

Overall, I liked it. I rate it 3/5. It would have been higher but the base of the story is similar to most romance novels out there. Well, if I come to think about, even the ones I write flow on the same pattern. Sigh!

Anyways, it's a pretty decent read and I am sure you would enjoy it like I did.

You can buy the book at:

Till then

Take Care.