I’m the kind of person who treats the couch like a soulmate — loyal, comforting, and nearly impossible to part with unless absolutely necessary. And what’s more necessary than survival? Our ancestors hunted wild beasts; I hunt for Wi-Fi and a decent cup of coffee. They had spears, I have spreadsheets. Same struggle, different century.
In this modern-day jungle, I commute 14–16 km each way — a journey that has become my daily dose of adrenaline. I’ve tried it all: buses that charge like they’re flying you business class, trains that test your core strength during peak hours, and cabs that cost more than therapy. After much trial (and even more error), I’ve sworn allegiance to my trusty steed — the Jupiter. It’s fast, frugal, and doesn’t judge me for screaming at potholes.
Speaking of potholes — Mumbai roads are less “roads” and more “obstacle courses designed by sadists.” One moment you’re cruising, the next you’re airborne, courtesy of a bump that NASA might classify as a launchpad. And if the potholes don’t get you, the craters will — deep enough to make you question if you’ve entered a parallel universe.
There was a time I’d get bumped at least once a day. Now, the traffic is so dense, I don’t even notice. It’s like being in a mosh pit on wheels — you just go with the flow and hope your bones stay intact.
The latest thrill? Blinding headlights. Apparently, some drivers believe that high beams are magical wands that part traffic like the Red Sea. Meanwhile, I’m squinting through the glare, developing a migraine and a deep appreciation for sunglasses at night.
And let’s not forget the monsoons — Mumbai’s way of saying, “Why take a water slide when you can ride through one?” Every puddle is a potential splash zone, and every ride is a gamble between staying dry and starring in your own shampoo commercial.
Each day, I set out not knowing whether I’ll reach my office or the afterlife. Backaches, headaches, and a growing vocabulary of creative expletives are my daily souvenirs. But hey — who needs bungee jumping when you’ve got Mumbai traffic?
"They say life begins at the end of your comfort zone — mine begins at the end of my driveway, dodging potholes and existential dread."
"Every day I leave home, I whisper to my scooter: ‘Let’s survive this madness together, old friend.’"
I may not be an adventurer by choice, but life clearly had other plans. And so, I ride on — helmet on head, heart in mouth, and a prayer on my lips. "Why climb Everest when you can survive a Mumbai commute on a scooter every day?"
Thursday, 7 August 2025
I realised I’m an adult
I realised I’m an adult when I cracked open a coconut for the first time!!
I realised I’m an adult when I took my mom n son for a trip the first time rather than my dad doing it for me!!
I realised I’m an adult when I first filed my own income tax return and made investment decisions that turned right 🧿
I realised I’m an adult when I realised I run the house by myself and don’t ask dad for pocket money!!
I realised I’m an adult when my son comes to me to fix things and I no more ask my parents to do it!
I realise I’m an adult every month by mid when I run dry and can’t reach to my dad to float me (now I ask my partner to fuel me)!!
I realise I’m an adult when the plates, clothes and bills keep piling despite having just had cleared them!!
I realise I’m the adult when the Pinterest and insta saved reels try to match with the holiday calendar and bank balance to become a reality!!
In 34 years of my existence, I sometimes forget that I’m the adult and such small instances makes me realise that I’m sadly the adult!!
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
The comfort called “Family”
I always felt comfortable about being Miss Independent, until I needn’t have to be!!
I never realised the comfort of having my brains switched off!! I never understood that calmness when you have someone to do the thinking!!
When I had lost faith in love, when I thought I was just fed by the notion called love due to the craze I have for romantic fiction, when I accepted that love is just an euphoria shown on screen or in words of great writers, when I had taken up the reality that the fuzzy feeling probably never happens in real life, a man walked into my life through very unexpected ways and proved me all wrong!!
He made my fantasies come true without even having me tell him what I dreamt of!!
He brought back the fuzziness in my life and the blush on my face!!
He understood things when I opened up my deepest fears!!
He supported me to be better for myself!!
He uplifted me when I felt low!
He brought back hopes I had long left!!
He took off burdens off my shoulder when I didn’t even tell him to!
He pampered me like a baby when he didn’t even need to!!
He taught me things I didn’t know without belittling me!!
He never left me without attention, he reached out even if he was busy just to let me know he’s busy so that I don’t overthink..
He made me replace my travel time from music to just being with each other over call despite having just said Bye in person two minutes ago!!
For a broken finger, he and my son competed with each other to shower me with care!!
He made me a part of his routines!!
He made me a part of his future!!
He not only calmed me, offered me a sense of safety to finally let my guards down, but also did the same for my son!
He stood up to responsibilities that wasn’t his to begin with!!
From sending me sweet nothings to affirming his love daily, to getting me goodies just knowing I’m craving it, from bringing flowers to late night conversations, from supporting my dreams to being my strength when I’m weak, from pushing me when I’m lazy to calming me when I’m worked up, from being the man I felt happy being around to a man I see my next five decades with!! This man has proved that fantasies do come true, you just need to find someone who is willing to put in efforts for you!!
And seeing him, my son has upped his game too!! From feeding me to reminding me to take my medicines on time to asking me how my day was at the end of the day to taking responsibility of the pets and plants to being responsible himself!! How my son has evolved and emulates the man of the house, in a good way!!
Ages ago I was told that I’ll have husband and child that dotes on me, well I did get the child but the partner didn’t so I felt that was just partially true!! But now it’s become completely true and I can’t stop gushing about it!! I just hope I don’t jinx my own happiness 🧿
Monday, 17 March 2025
Forever grateful
I am blessed with the best in life!!
When I felt alone; I was blessed with the best companion I could ask for!!
To my chaos, he became my anchor!!
To my mess, he became my comfort zone!!
To my rebuilding, he became my corner stone!!
To my overthinking, he became my calmness!!
To my pain, he became my joy!!
To my anxiety, he helped me breathe through it!!
To my difficulties, he became sacrificial!!
To my doubts, he became my clarity!!
To my struggles, he became my confidante!!
To my travels, he became my next seat!!
To my adventures, he joined hands!!
To my life, he became my partner in crime!!
And my little one suddenly has filled in such big shoes!! And just the thought of him growing up fills me with pride and happiness and a mixed pang of pain that he grew up too fast!! And I missed his childhood in the struggle to build a life!!
But he’s the kindest, gentlest, mature and understanding kid anyone could ever get!! I can’t stop gushing about the immense blessing he has been!!
Thursday, 2 January 2025
Broken Family
People always refer to kids of single parents as kids from “broken homes”.. Every-time I hear the term, it brings a pang of pain since that’s the reference for my son too!!
A broken home is a home that has no peace.. a single parent home is a home that has chosen peace over the contemporary notion of family because you know that the best thing you can do for your child is give them the peace and love they deserve!!
A broken home is a distorted place.. it’s a place that’s filled with chaos and loudness!! And it’s seldom there in a single parent house.. it definitely has its share of chaos but overall there’s laughter and a sense of security!!
The world around makes the child grow up in an environment that keeps pointing out that s/he is growing up in a wrong space since there’s one parent absent.. The kid probably would never have felt anything missing in their lives until people keep repeatedly pointing it out to them..
To make the “broken” house not so broken, it needs everyone around to tie their hands in support of such parents.. they’re trying real hard to do a two person job single handedly, so if you can’t support that endeavour, atleast don’t pour water on their efforts!! Their kids are their main reason to keep them afloat, don’t destroy their self-esteem..
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