A Calendar Too Crowded

“A Calendar Too Crowded” tells stories of women we know, and have heard of. These are stories that continue to happen in various households around the globe, irrespective of the special “days” allotted to check them. It deals with the need for emancipation(and we are still talking about it even today?) of the fairer sex in an unfair society. It reveals the ugly(common) truth carefully camouflaged by a hypocritical society of so-called 'equals'.

The book is divided into segments based on the calender months, carefully listing out the special days heralding woman rights in each month, before proceeding to narrate heart wrenching tales from rural and urban India.

Given the sensitive theme, the reading sometimes tends to be heavy. considering this is the author’s first work, her ability to get under the skin of so many varied women – an “escort”, a rape/domestic violence victim, a hot-shot professional – alike,and by steering an entire book without disclosing a single name,  is commendable.

Arranged Marriage

“I am really nervous Ma, I don’t know what all should I be asking, or talking …”

Her Mother stifled a giggle, hugged her daughter, and said “Zahera, any man will be lucky to have you, just be yourself alright?”

Zahera was 25, single, and independent. Did she want to marry??? No and yes!! NO, because, she believed that one day she would run into her prince charming, and then Love would blossom, she craved for a Love marriage rather than an arranged.

He was sitting dressed casually in a striped shirt and blue denim jeans, equally tensed, but was good at hiding that fact. He hadn’t seen her picture earlier, however he did catch a glance of the photo frames, and was smitten by her, if that was her, he thought to himself.

The Perfect Surprise

Rishabh never felt this way, never in all of his ,10 years of married life, he never felt this ‘alive’, yes that was the word... She was captivating, the way she smiled, spoke, her animated gestures, the way her face changed into a million expressions, with every word she spoke … He would understand every word, even if he was deaf.Her animated expressions and  her voice, reminded him of the female leads in disney flicks.

He had  to let her know that he was in Love with her? He knew he had to; he had to let her know, of how he felt …. Today was it…

“Naina”… he called out, thus putting an abrupt stop to their conversation.

“Yes Rishabh”, she looked imploringly in his eyes…and a tiny hint of a smile made its way to her lips.

Passionate Riot

‘I missed you’

Yeah after all these years, you come up to me and say that... hahhaha Manav .. she thought to herself, and just let her smile fill the silence and awkwardness they shared.

‘So how’s life treating you Gauri’

Oh can’t you see am happy, all smiles, since you left me , a smile escaped her lips and she said ‘All well, Manav, its going really well’

‘So , Are you seeing someone?’

‘No, but am not looking either, have left that decision for my Parents, I realized really late, that I have  a bad choice in MEN’ , she completed that with a smile, and looked away .

How he wished to feel that silken hair of hers, he was particularly annoyed by a particular section of her hair, which clamored for her attention by not staying in place, even after her millionth effort in placing them behind her ears.

Cuts both Ways

‘Don’t you worry; i’ll take care of it’

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Samaira wasn't your ‘typical beautiful’ girl, but she exuded a charm, that one would be drawn to her. Charismatic, magnetic, friendly, were few of the adjectives her friends used to describe her. Her eyes were her most mesmerizing feature they'd say.

She had known Gautam for over 5 months. It was ‘Love’ ,as they put it. He just couldn’t stay away from her. His days were empty without her presence. He used to shower her with gifts, however, she never used to accept any of it.

Gautam, found her mysterious, and used to always find her ‘talking in riddles’.

He was leading a very successful life, and held a secret very close to his heart, he ensured Samaira was and never would be aware of it – He was a married man, or rather ‘Happily Married’ , as the society perceived it to be.

‘Hamari mulaqaat ek ittefaq thi’ , he used to often tell Samaira. For it was a coincidence, or rather destiny placed them together that day. He had finished his workout and was headed to the elevator. The doors were almost going to close, when he saw her running towards the elevator, and he promptly held open the door, for her....... Aur phir kya ‘Destiny’.

Samaira was shit scared of the Dark, and clung on to him when they were plunged into Darkness. Her close proximity , sent shivers down his spine.  Her wet hair, coupled with her perfume , made him want her.

‘I’m sorry I’m scared of the dark’, she mumbled…

(In)Complete Love story

She was happy after 20 long years ‘ab to tum mujhe nahi chodoge”, she thought to herself

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Renuka and Dhiren had known each other for over 4 years, when Dhiren proposed marriage to her. Usually as years pass by, you feel that “love” wears of...

                                               

Love for them never ceased to decrease. Inspite of all their silly fights and adjustment issues. they grew in love with each other

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They were envied by their friends for having the most beautifull relation ever, 16 years and still “in love”, wow, there definitely was something magical about them.

Dhiren never forgot his charade of getting her Roses every single day, and Renuka, who was accident prone, from  as long as they knew each other, always stood by her name of a “trip magnet”. It was a small joke among their friends, of how Renu must have surely fallen in Dhiren's arms .

11.11.11

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

She got up and left, and I never could get the courage to ask her to not leave, I sat out there like  a dumb guy. I never made an effort to wipe away the pearls that fell from her eyes, taking with them the kohl that beautifully highlighted her eyes.

                                       

I started counting days…1 2 flew into weeks, neither of us called the other. We made a brief pact to remain friends. It was my idea, I was too selfish to let go, she agreed , knowing her, I knew she would. She would talk to me when I called, replied to my messages, but said nothing more. I knew I had hurt her beyond healing.

But what could I do?? I was bound by my issues, I wondered whether I could take the plunge, gather the courage, put my foot down and say she is whom I love, and want to be with, but I knew I lacked courage, BALLS, they rather say. I was a spineless asshole, for letting her go, for hurting her, for making her cry.