Hey You !

The photo had just remained on the feed without being posted. Looking at it I realised the thriving capsicum plant is no more. An insect chewed it up from within. So like the state of things now. Sleeper cells, enemies within and destruction in the offing. Just when I was appreciating the normalcy and the mundane! In light and shade let the good stay at least. If not the justice!

And I thought it was him! And looked away! Age can be cruel- instead of magic creates havoc. Cupid becomes Kumbhokorna.... And you learn to grow snake plant in a cup that spells Love!

This is the worst of times. The sky looks blue one day and grey on another. Poojo is here and markets are thronging. The city is sieged by protests and marches. I go yo-yo. On one hand there is the Mainak poojo, and this time I am helming it by default. With no state grant, our budget is tight despite donations. And as we begin the festivities, I go back to the parents who lost their young daughter. Like a poster said, Poojo hobe, utsab noi.

The cyclone was kinder on us this time.The horror of Umpan four years back was something that still invokes dread. The house helps could not come as tge rains disrupted transports,so I decided to clean my fridge. It still had leftovers of what Chib n Pooja kept. Alcohol mixes, sauces, pickles and preservatives. There is something about clearing! Out of date objects, excesses and what you havent used! What is sitting for more than six months need to go! Sometimes nostalgia prevents, but now I tell myself I am inching towards the expiry date, so should my nostalgia! I read somewhere storms doesn't always destroy, they clear the path for something to happen! So be it!

This could be a setting of an Agatha Christie novel. Ivy gate, chintz curtains and a desolate tea estate. Only the cup holds coffee and book,Before the coffee gets cold!!!!!

I look at these beautiful images of homes with not a thing out of place, and wonder does anyone live there? Depsite a day long effort, my home is run down, with stains on the sofa, marks on the wall , a chip here and a crack there. In constant need of reconstruction! Those rooms are perfect , but probably dont have stories of spilled drinks and broken glasses and dent in the leather. Of my grandmother's armchair and my erratic gardening skills. People move on but the tales are carried forward. That is life...that is how you remain alive. PS The image is by a skilled photographer, who made even the mundane look magical !