Theme 28 - Black

On their way back, Khushi exclaimed, "Papa!! I stood first in the oral quiz. I knew that apples are red and sky is blue. But, I wonder what they actually look like?"
Jayesh stopped as he looked into her eyes. Eyes which were confined only to black. He had no answer to this quiz.
- Lokesh Dugar


Its midnight. Staring at the wall opposite, grappling with the endless plethora of thoughts within, trying hard to clear up my mind and hit the bed. Waiting in anticipation for the soul to be free from this immense delirium. But all I end up with is, Darkness!
- Pragya Dubey


Like my past, like my future, like my name, like my dreams. . .
The memories I wanted to erase got refreshed as even the professor on the first day of college asked, 'Hey, you black guy, where are you from?'
'South India', all I could say, with sort of guilt in my voice. . .
- Mehul Newaskar


I vaguely opened my eyes and tried to capture essentials but couldn't. Then the doctor stepped in and mother cried. I heard she lost her arm. I couldn't figure out even a bit till I saw the sight of the plane crash and dreadful passengers flash in my mind. And then I speculated. The crash had taken away my sight.
- Simran Chandwani


Despite of being a millionaire and leading a luxurious life, Pooja's family life was totally black because her husband and son didn't do anything for her except giving her big bank balances.
- Divneet Kaur Walia


Over-confidence had ruined him.
At the time of studies, he was busy Liking Megan Fox and Batman on Facebook, sharing videos on WhatsApp and reading why women like Guitarists.
The question paper was a total black out for Soham, not because it was tough but because Soham had no one to blame for his failure.
- Paridhi Mahendra


With every uttered word, the differences grew more. With every occurring thought, her pain worsened. There was nothing left to be spoken now..only emptiness..full of plain.
A sorrowful and dark night followed..
- Apoorva Ranka


She was blinded by the sudden flash of lights, astounded by so many people waiting for her to perform and surprised by what her friends had done for her. And when she performed, she opened up to the whole new world waiting to be explored, when all she could see was the darkness of failure.
- Jaya Kataria


I chose to shut my eyes, there was too much black around.
- Sahil Chandwani


In the darkness of their room, he forced his kiss on her. There was no point in protesting.
Her tears had dried already. And the kohl in her eyes had been smudged, too.
- Priyanka Dharamsi


Black. Yes, it was a black day for Neela as she remembered Jai. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She blamed herself for his accidental death due to an overdose of drugs. Being his elder sister, she could have stopped his addictions. He didn't respect his life and she failed to teach him how to love himself.
- Neha Manghnani

Theme 27 - Celebrations

On terrace, she smoked out the rings. Wedding celebrations were in motion downstairs. 
It would be her last smoke, she decided, not aware of the fact that dowry was to ignite another fire.
- Priyanka Agrawal


It was Richa's 10th birthday. .
Palak and Varun were rejoicing their old moments when despite of having so many official formalities and hindrances, they were finally able to adopt Richa, as Palak wasn't able to conceive. That day of Richa's arrival in Palak and Varun's life was the reason of greatest celebration for them.
- Devanshee Singh


Kavita was astonished to see how the generations old bell-bottoms still complimented Ashok. To her surprise, Ashok had brought her the very same orange outfit which she wore 25 years back. Suited-up in the ages old attire, they drove on the same rusty old bike to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
- Lokesh Dugar


The celebrations were ending; my sister's wedding, with tears of sorrow and happiness. He was there too, silently watching me cry. At the end of it, he came to me and asked "Which color you want your wedding outfit to be in?" I asked "why?" And we got the reason for another round of celebrations.
- Jaya Kataria


Different people. Different ideas. Different views.
Same love.
Never met each other, but they all came together. To share the passion. To inspire. To be inspired. They came together,
To celebrate their love.
- Harshit Bhatnagar

The class was one, but rarely was it felt until after the movie on that Saturday.
That Saturday the class had united, to celebrate, for a li'l bird had just confirmed that their professor was on a leave!
- Priyanka Dharamsi

दो सील तोड़ उसने बोतल खोली. . .
ख़ुशी का मौका हो या ग़म कि बेला, दोनों मौकों पर वो जश्न मनाता था, वो भी पूरी शिद्दत से ।
और आज उसके तीसरे पे, हम बोतल खोले उसकी फोटू के साथ बैठे थे, वैसे ही, पूरी शिद्दत से. . .
- Mehul Newaskar


दो मुल्कों की लड़ाई में,
सरहद के उस पार आँसू, खून की नदियाँ,
और इस तरफ़ जश्न का समा.
किसी के भाई, बेटे, पिता को ख्त्म करके क्या ये इंसान असल में जश्न मना पाएगा?
- Shruti Singh


हाँ , उसी महोल्ले कि गली मे हसती खेलती, सबके साथ, हर दिन, हर पल, उसी मुस्कान को पहने हुए एक आभूषण कि तरह , बस तभी उतरती, जब कोई देख नहीं रहा होता.. कमरे में लगे बिस्तर पे पड़े तकिये पर बेह रहे आंसुओ के साथ वो मुस्कान भी उतर जाती हे।
- Anukriti Bajaj

Theme 26 - Distance

"I am feeling lonely.."
Why baby? Come in my arms. "Your arms work as cocoon, I feel so safe."
Be in your cocoon always.
"I love you"
Baby, I won’t be wrong if I say, You define my existence. I love you, too.
"Baby, your love is the reason I never realize that you are 600kms away."
- Rashmeet Kaur Bedi


We entered the crowded club. Distinct expressions on every face. Some rejoiced on seeing the long lost friends, some tried to rekindle the rusted bonds. I walked towards him, our eyes met.. He turned and walked away.
Moment of realization.. Not just long years, but even a few months have the ability to beget distances...
- Nishita Goyal


And suddenly one day he turned his back towards her and never returned. Cried many nights to bed but didn't say a word to her. He knew walking the same distance back alone will be tough, but every time he saw her, he could only see that moment rewind in his head.
- Jaya Kataria


Lunch was now totally different from the times when they were colleagues. Opportunities had ripped them apart. Months later she called him and said, "I don't feel like eating!" to which he spontaneously replied, "Just shut up and say AAAA". These conversations over lunch made them relive the old days. Distances had brought them closer.
- Lokesh Dugar


We both are standing at the two opposite ends of a bridge which is broken from the mid. We cannot meet. You cannot hold me in your arms. The war between two castes has broken down the bridge. Though, the distance is societal, it cannot separate our hearts. You will be loved and cared for "always"!
- Sanchi Bahrani


Two months of sitting in opposite cubicles, trying and peaking over the four feet wall every now and then, only to realize how beautiful she was. Always finding her engrossed in her own work, he hoped for their eyes to meet and for the distance to vanish.
- Rohan Bapat


It took me 7 minutes to figure out what to type next. Another couple of seconds to realize how some day in the past, we could tell how one was doing by the choice of words and emoticons. And a sleepless night calculating and analyzing what created so much distance.
..He was a good friend.
- Sahil Chandwani


Eyes, locked in a gaze.
Hearts, beating faster than ever.
He moved in.. and the distance between their lips ceased.
- Priyanka Dharamsi


23rd February, Sunday:
Stanley called Nik for a game of Volleyball & his reply was negative.
When asked about the problem, he replied-
"Problem to hamesha ek hi thi yaar… par ab wo kuch nai bolti…”
His Mother was suffering from cancer & attained peace just after the day of this conversation.
Only distances make us feel the importance.
- Shashank Mehta


Covering the distances. . .
To get 1st position in Class. . .
To get freedom in teenage. . .
To get the hottest girl in college. . .
To get the highest package in placements. . .
and at last
To get our parents back, so that we could spend some time with them!!
- Mehul Newaskar


A heart in a shell was trying hard to break through
For a long time it was kept in dark
Something was missing
That beam, that lark
Finally a day when ray falls
Mournful, it was still dark
Million colors around
Yet so alone, yet so far.
- Avinash Kashyap


She could feel him come nearer now. The air around her had shifted, as if trying to accommodate the bodies of two souls as one. She’d always heard that distance had made the heart grow fonder. She’d known that distance made the heart grow weak in its longing for that missing piece, so far away.
- Smit Patel


Distance never matters...When he was close to me I couldn't express love to him ,when we were far apart then too and now again when there is no distance between us then also I am unable to express my love to him.
- Divneet Kaur Walia

The moment I came close, she went far away. Next day, as I came close, she went away again. Today, I was far away from her and she was there at her place. Finally, I could to capture her, the so colorful butterfly. Thanks to Mumma, who got me a macro lens.

- Shruti Singh

She looks into his eyes; they are no more the same. The look that yes 'we are meant to be', once so prominent is nowhere to be found. The charm is lost, maybe inadvertently but it has. Are they oblivious of the fact that they are so near, yet miles apart?!
- Pragya Dubey

एक लम्बे वक़्त के बाद जब वो अपने शेहर आया.
उसका प्यार...
दूरियों में कहीं खो चुका था.
फासले और परिस्थिति इंसान को बदल देतें हैं
पर वो नहीं बदला था.
हॅसते हुए उसने अपने पहले प्यार का हाथ थामा
जैसा की हर फ़ौजी करता है
उसने भी अपनी पूरी ज़िंदगी देश क नाम करदी थी......
- Nikita Kumawat


कैसा ज़ुल्म यह सरहदें कर रही हैं,
हमारी सुबह शाम में भी दूरियां आ चली हैं |
- Priyanka Agrawal


यूँ तो आज हम जाने पहचाने बेगाने है..
पर जब आँखों की गुफ़्तगू मे फासले घटते जाते है,
दिल की धड़कनो का क्या हाल होता है...
- Zoya Warsi

किस्मत का खेल था उन पलो का यूँ दाग़ा देना...
की अफ़साने तो बने..
पर फासलो की गहराई मे कहानी दफ़न हो गयी...
- Divya Bharti


बंबई दफ़्तर मे कार्यरत एक नौजवान, हिचक़ियों से परेशान..
थोड़े वक़्त बाद मोबाइल पर इन्दौरे से माँ का संदेश देखा "आज शिवरात्रि है दोनो समय का उपास, कुछ खा तो लेगा ना तू? दूरिया हैं पर लग रहा है दौड़ के दफ़्तर आकर खिचड़ी दे दूँ.."
लेकिन दूरिया थोड़ी ज़्यादा हे एक खिचड़ी के लिए...
- Parag Mukadam


काग़ज़ की कश्ती में वह बैठे हमसे कहते हैं की यह समुंदर का फासला हम तय करेंगे!
- Gaurav Salvi
Second Entries:

She didn't see it coming. She never thought this would create perpetual distance between them. And how could she. She was so drunk at that moment that she didn't even know the guy she was kissing was not him.
- Jaya Kataria

Thank You!

Hey you! Yes, you!

A heartfelt thanks to you for reaching here and for reading this blog and liking it so much. You guys encourage us. :)

And for the awesome people who have written and sent me stories on various themes, a bigg thank you to you all.
You all make this blog beautiful. :))

It's such a delight to see so many mails every night. To read, edit and compile them is a different experience all together!
I hope you all are enjoying it as much as I am enjoying editing, compiling and posting the stories. 

I am sure, somebody must have pushed you to open this once, write once or send me an unsent story for once.. and I am sure you all must have loved the experience..

So just keep reading and writing! :)
(And do send me that unsent story for once! )

If you too want to write, mail me at priyanka.dharamsi@gmail.com and get in touch. 

Also, if you're just reading, we'd be happy to have your comments. 

Trust me, encouragement works wonders for everybody! :)

PS, We just wrote on the 25th theme! Silver Jubilee! Wohoo! :D

Theme 25 - Diary

When I’ll sit down to write tonight, there will be a lot of stuff to write, but nothing to remember. 
Still, I would write it all and then tear it apart, just to put an end to the excruciating pain. And the absent page would remind me of the love that I had for her. 

- Rohan Bapat


There was something very special in those lines
That kept me awake all night, asking myself
Am I the dead ringer or it’s just a thought?
That anyone can relate
I didn't go deep, until I saw the reflectionOf those words in her eyes

Perky Fairy Girl don’t know

Somehow I found the pearl.
-Avinash Kashyap


She had so much in her heart but she could not utter a word in front of him. She always took an initiative like a starving lion but returned empty stomach.
She finally wrote it down in the diary, and never turned up to him.
- Khyati Jain


Rashmi always used to think why she was treated as an unwanted child after her brother's birth, by her parents though she was the elder one. One day she got her mother's personal diary which answered for their behavior ­- she was an adopted child because her parents were childless after many years of their marriage.
- Divneet Kaur Walia


Weird day. She cried my name at the hospital's parking. It was my 7th, and her 4th session. They call her Hope Watson, what promise that name holds. We exchanged digits, words, I found my confidant, which feeds back. This might be the last, but I am sure you are happy for me.

February 24th, 2014.
- Sahil Chandwani


Aditi found it randomly while cleaning her almirah. A pink colored diary having flower print, imbibed with photographs, smileys, stickers and untold stories. She went back to those times when she used to have all the fun, the craziness of those moments. She wished to relive each moment!
- Sanchi Bahrani

With tears in her eyes she complained, "Mom !! Even Payal ditched me for the science project and there's no one who would help me now. Will you help me out?"
After an hour of waiting, she closed the diary, kissed her mom's photograph on the cover and said, "I guess even you didn't like science."

- Lokesh Dugar


People called her 'crazy'. Her liking had turned into an obsession.
She wrote and wrote and wrote, hoping that her wish would be fulfilled.
A mad aficionado, she went crazy. But her wish remained a wish.
After all, it is only in Harry Potter's magical world that a diary writes BACK.
Real world is different.
- Sahiba Bhatia

If you have yours, you should use it often.
If you stole it, you are a dead person.
If you have mine, you have me.
But if I give you mine, you are someone really special!

- Mohit Kalra


Standing behind, she was reading silently what her daughter was writing in her diary. Flashed before her the days when she used to write.
Even while reading her daughter's feelings, all she could think of was her own diary.
- Jaya Kataria


An unnoticeable kid in the classroom; an anonymous popular blogger on the internet.
A professor in the college; a drug dealer by the street.
A married woman at home; a lover in the library.
Nobody knew their secrets, but their diaries.
- Priyanka Dharamsi


I am sorry. I know I’m selfish, always remember you when I’m alone and enclosed within the walls of negativity.
You don't talk but, you give me the liberty to write & express without any limitation.
On this last page, I’ll write a secret -
I can lie to anyone but you.
16th Jan 2014.

- Rashmeet Kaur Bedi


"Tortured for 17 long years, his wounds exposed to salt water, almost lost his eyesight to pepper sprays, nightmares never allowed a sound sleep."
Lieutenant Colonel Ravindra Kashyap's daughter never saw him. Everything she knew about her father & his days in captivity was through this blood written diary, posted to her secretly by a Pak soldier.
- Shashank Mehta 

१६ दिसम्बर २०१२ की उस रात तो मेरी डायरी के सफ़ेद पन्ने खुद ब खुद काले पड़ गए।
- Gaurav Salvi


कभी बेमन से लिखने तो कभी लिखने की नाकाम कोशिश है मेरी ये कच्ची-पक्की सी डायरी जिसके कुछ पन्ने उखड़ते से लगते है, जो जाने किसके खाली-पन के शिकार है। कहीं हाशिये लापता तो कहीं हर्फ़ बेपरवाह और ‘आप लिखे-ख़ुदा बांचे’ को मौज़ू करती लिखावट। इसके पन्नों में दबे कुछ-सूखे-धडकते गुलाब आज भी महक रहे है…
- Rahul Jharia

Theme 24 - City

Every night he dreams of a city with bright lights. Fast paced life, running for the unachieved, intense competition and dire needs. An awesome night life, going bananas with the music and drinks, and exploring the unexplored. He knows living there is living in extremities.
Yet, every night he dreams of a city with bright lights.
- Jaya Kataria


Name, fame, reputation, he had everything any individual would desire for, a big house, a family, a profitable business. . .
He was happy; still the picture was not perfect. He wanted to show his success to the people of his home-town which he had left decades ago to become someone, he is someone, but don't know who.
- Mehul Newaskar


Walking with hundreds of unknown people..No freaky stares..Street food..Street shopping..
But, the best part is when I lean from the local train, holding the pole, feeling the cold breeze on my face and wind blowing my hair; that’s how all stress drains out in seconds! That’s when I realize I am in love with Mumbai.
- Shikha Sharma


You kept demanding, I kept denying. Bits by bits, I gathered courage. More so, because I hated the fights we had. Rather, fights your hurt ego used to put up. So, started telling you a yes. Started fulfilling your wishes. Escaped from home. Today, when I stand in your city; I realize, I've come a long way.
- Priyanka Dharamsi


An ambitious school graduate was lured out of the village borders for a job. She thought that her education could earn enough for her father to quit farming. While being booked for her first customer, she realized that the pay was decent but, the job wasn't. The dealer just said "Welcome to the CITY".
- Lokesh Dugar


No big colonies, a population of around 3-4K with no bifurcation on cast.
People fought sometimes, not because of jealousy or grudges but, innocence.
Life was simple, calm and love was all around.
Elderly people were respected; new generations pampered, loved & taken care of.
This heavenly city, for me, was named "St.Paul's"; generic name "school".
- Shashank Mehta


Recently Mumma had opened old albums and her childhood pictures. She was telling about the city, how it was and how it is now. Nothing changes suddenly but, when you turn back everything is changed.
From their lifestyle to ours.
- Khyati Jain


Things in a metro were different from his home town – people, language, food, everything.
New friends were not loyal. They were brutal and vicious. And, among them he lost his innocence.
Now, life gets satisfied by pleasure for him and not by the real goal with which he came to this new city.
- Sanchi Bahrani


Your voice echoes inside my head, shakes my soul and the heart shatters.
I hate CCDs, the winter breeze is daunting, no more bike rides, no more VIP road.
You where never mine so I let you go. Now you'll never know how much I love you and how much I hate Bhopal.
- Paridhi Mahendra


"तुम्हें दस दिन के टूर पर कोलकाता जाना है।" बॉस के ये शब्द सुनकर विधि कि आँखें चमक उठीं। उसे मालूम ही ना चला कब वो शहर कि उन गलियों कि यादों में खो गई। अरसों बीत गए थे उस मिट्टी को छुए, जहाँ उसे ये ज़िन्दगी तोहफे में मिली थी। अपने बचपन के उन हसीन पलों को जैसे फिर जीने का मौका मिल गया था उसे।
- Tanya Jain 

वो जो नदी में गन्दगी और ज़हर मिलाता है, विकसित शहर कहलाता है।
और वो जो नदी को पावन मानकर उसकी पूजा करता है उसे देहात का दर्जा मिल जाता है।
- Gaurav Salvi



Second entries:

I've seen mountains, touched clouds, roared in the adventure, dived in the sea, flown with the wind and basked in the sun. I've experienced everything a new city could bring me.
Yet, my quest to find the city of peace stays incomplete.
- Jaya Kataria


"अब मैं यहाँ और नहीं रह सकती। विनोद, चलो यहाँ से!" नुपूर अपना बैग पटकते हुए चिल्लाई। "माँ, तुम भी चलो ना," विनोद बोला, "यहाँ अकेले कैसे रहोगी?"
लाचारी में हामी भरती हुई माँ अपने आँसुओं को चुपके-से पोंछकर कमरे कि ओर बढ़ गईं। मन में बस एक ही सवाल था- क्या शहर में इस घर कि यादें भी होंगी?
- Tanya Jain

जब खुले आसमान के नीचे सोना मजबूरी हो तो वो शहर है।
मगर जब खुले आसमान के नीचे सोना प्रकृति के करीब होना हो तो गाव।
- Gaurav Salvi

शहर: जहाँ पढ़े लिखे, देश के प्रति जागरूक लोग बस्ते है, बस उन्हें अपने पडोसी को हो रही तकलिफ की खबर नहीं होती।
- Gaurav Salvi

शहर : जहा तुवा वतानिकुलित व्यायामशाला में जाकर खुद को कढोर बलवान कहते है और गाव, जहा युवा मिट्टी खोद कर खुद चट्टान बन जाते है।
- Gaurav Salvi

I just want to fly high as a free bird, limitlessly wandering to every place of my city with Kites. To all good and bad lanes.
But… it’s just a dream!
- Khyati Jain

Today forget about the deadlines, word-limits, break up and gym. Don't stress upon the future. Don't curse the dumb people around you.
Walk along the VIP road. Wonder why shades in the dark; why 'Miyan' before every sentence, why females in veil but jeeps are open.
Breathe easy and smile.
Bhopal means vacation.
- Paridhi Mahendra

Theme 23 - Movie

16th December 2012, a fine winter evening followed by a brutal and inhuman rape. Internal organ failures, scars covering the whole body and a memory so disgusting that it kept killing her every day at the hospital bed. She wouldn't have imagined what returning late from an Oscar winning movie would later cost her.
- Lokesh Dugar


Late night horror movie. Not again! I opposed the plan as usual. They tried to convince me, but what's the sense in expecting circle to have edges? When I say no, it’s a NO.
- Khyati Jain


Broken dreams, shattered hopes and a fractured self-confidence. He assumed that nothing would change for the better anymore. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. And suddenly, a lifetime opportunity came his way. An opportunity he was longing for since so long. His own heroics suddenly made him feel like Bruce Wayne.
- Rohan Bapat


Riya realized there is no fun in watching movies when she went for it without her friends. The sharing and snatching of popcorn; comments in between; tickling the friends and a noise from back from an elder person sit quietly. Haha!
Simple moments are turned into memorable ones when you have friends with you every time.
- Sanchi Bahrani

Sunsets, waves, rains, the adrenaline rush, entangled hands, freedom, love.
All the things she dreamed.
Everyone said this happened in movies.
She proved them wrong.
Found her picture perfect dream in 'him'.
- Meenal Bhatia


Make believe, express, feel, retain, live, express, experience, joy, happiness, eagerness, teenage, adolescence, bad, petty, majestic, practical, mature, materialistic, never ending, abstract. . .
Right from your birth until you are dead, this film called "Life" goes on, so don't just watch but also do act, because it's fun after all!!
- Mehul Newaskar


I could feel goose bumps on my arms. Tears rolled down my cheeks, following a big, sweet smile on my face. This video could be reversing for those who considered me to be a shy girl. We'd been crazy like anything! Full-fledged frolic!
Today I realized what actually School Nostalgia was.
- Tanya Jain


Heaven. A film convention.
Hundreds of ghosts of famous directors.
Amongst them was Mr. Rohit Shetty.
His film ''Heaven Express" had just grossed hundred crores. Leering with glee, he announced "I am proud of this movie".
Someone snorted. "You call this a movie?"
The room fell silent.
The ghost of Mr. Spielberg had just arrived.
- Sahiba Bhatia


As we came out of the hall Ved asked "How was the movie? Who was the hero?" she looked at me, I looked at her.. Ved's questions remained unanswered but we got our answer.
- Nayan Pandya


We could kiss very passionately in the dark hall, but he didn't.
We could at least sit arm in arm, but he didn't.
I wanted to lay my head on his shoulder, but he didn't.
I watched us in the couple in the movie, but he didn't.
- Jaya Kataria


I bumped into him at a friend's party, liked each other in an instant. Exchanged numbers, chatted all days long. Met for coffee the next week. I was clearly falling for him. But I lost my heart when he texted me this:
“Movie at my place, this weekend?
PS, I Love You.”
…what a move, mister!
- Priyanka Dharamsi

हड़बड़ाहट में चिंटू की दवाइयां ढूंढते हुए मेरे हाथ उसी शाम की एडवांस में बुक की हुई स्मिता के पसंदीदा हीरो के फ़िल्म के २ टिकट लग गए। तभी पीछे से माँ ने आवाज़ लगाते हुए कहा। बेटा। शाम ढलने को है, अब तो स्मिता का देह अंतिम संस्कार के लिए ले जाना होगा।
- Gaurav Salvi


Second Entries:

ये लाइफ भी कितनी फिल्मी है!
कभी हसाति है, कभी रूलाती है...
कभी अगले सीन के लिए तड़पाती है, कभी अंजाने मे ही कुछ अच्छा कर जाती है...
एक पल मे टकरार, अगले मे खूब सारा प्यार...
अगर आप समझते हैं की ये लाइफ का खेल है तो.. अहाां!
दोस्तों, ये तो उपर बैठे डाइरेक्टर की फिल्म है!
- Priyanka Dharamsi

Theme 22 - Watch

During my exams all my watches went missing. I got tensed. Suddenly Dad came and gave me his watch that I liked and said “I am all yours, so are my things. Good luck for your exam. You’ll rock it!"
- Khyati Jain


She got ready for office, she saw the time in the watch, she flew in yesterday's memories, at the same time she was in his arms, she wanted to stop the watch so they can spend more time together, laughing at herself today she wished that watch run fast so she can meet him again..
- Disha Joshi


21st December 2012, the day was hilarious. Every hour, every minute, every second, you 

could witness someone seriously praying for the DOOMSDAY to be postponed.
As the watch tick-tock-ed past 24:00 hours and calendar jumped to the next date, I just congratulated the MAYANS for their "EPIC" troll.
- Lokesh Dugar


She was lying, sleeping carefree. Straight face, emotionless, she never looked so innocent.
Grey shades all around. Everyone was standing, their eyes grounded.
Why were they so quiet?
A loud voice announced "It’s time to go". Four of them picked you; rest all started following & crying.
With moist eyes, I could just watch you go…
- Rashmeet Kaur Bedi


She was unable to answer some questions asked in an interview- why are you here? What you want from your life? Frustrated, she came home, sat on a chair, closed her eyes and watched her dream again. And, she got it just right what she wants. So stop, look what you want and then move accordingly.
- Sanchi Bahrani


She and her mother were very close. She shared everything with her. They used to talk, discuss. Not a single work was done without her mother's presence. And she used to succeed in everything.
After all, her mother was watching her from above.
- Harshit Bhatnagar

Karan immediately wanted to rush Home on hearing his Grandpa's demise. But travelling from NYC to Mumbai takes time.
Arriving home Karan couldn't see his Grandpa for the last time, but he left his belonging for Karan- a 1960's silver chain watch. Which reminded Karan that his Best friend and Mentor is still with him
- Paridhi Mahendra


Watching a video, an argument caught fire. I thought it was nature’s law. But she certified it to be inhuman & barbaric. Tried to end it, "Being vegetarian or not is a matter of personal choice.."
Silence. We saw a pig lying half dead & her 12 piglets still trying to feed from her..
She questioned: Do personal choices have victims?
-Shashank Mehta

Even though I was wearing one, I was clueless about the time because I was so engrossed in watching it live what I had already watched it a number of times, but that was all when I was fast asleep.
- Mohit Kalra


That pink color watch with a heart shaped dial, around my wrist reminds me of the time when you used to walk beside me holding my hand...

- Divneet Kaur Walia

रेश्मी कलाई पर वो नफीस घड़ी..
धागे मे पिरोई थी मोतियों की लड़ी..
हाथो मे वक़्त तो है,पर वो लम्हा नही है..
- Zoya Warsi


मेरे जन्मदिन पर दादाजी की दी घडी मुझे बिल्कुल पसंद नहीं आयी क्योंकि वो ब्रांडेड नहीं थी और मैं सिर्फ ब्रांडेड चीज़े इस्तेमाल करता था।
आखिरकार मेरा मन भांपते हुए उन्होंने उसे बदलकर ब्रांडेड घड़ी लाकर दी और उसे मेरी कलाई पर बांधते हुए कहा "अच्छी घडी पहनने से वक़्त अच्छा नहीं हो जाता।"
- Rahul Jharia


उस बंद घडी को कोसते हुए मैं आधा घंटा देरी से रेलवे स्टेशन पहुंचा।
घबराहट और हैरत से अफरा तफरी भरे खुनी मंज़र को देख रहा था। तभी कोई चिल्लाया "आधे घंटे पहले यहाँ टाइम बम फटा है।
किसी घड़ी के रुक जाने या उलटे चल जाने से कितना कुछ बदल सकता है।
- Gaurav Salvi


Second Entries:

सूझी हुई आँखों के साथ वो अपनी हिम्मत जुटा रहा था खड़े
होने कि,घडी में देखा दुपहर के २ बजे थे, फिरसे आँखों में आंसू आ गए,
अब कोई नहीं था उसे डांटने वाला ,
काश वो घडी अपना वक़्त दो दिन पीछे ले जाए,
काश वो पापा को मौत के मुह से छीन लाए।
- Disha Joshi


घड़ी-घड़ी उस घड़ी पर नज़र पड़ती..फिर बेसब्र नज़रे सामने वाले घर की खिड़की खंग़ाल्ती..उत्सुक,खुश,बेचैन...हमदोनो की एकदूसरे पर नज़र जो थी..
- Zoya Warsi


एक लंबे रिश्ते के बाद हमें अलग हुए वक़त हो चुका है और अब हमारे बीच कोई रिश्ता नहीं है। ना जानें क्यों हम फिर भी कहीं-ना-कहीं मिल ही जाते?
शायद घडी के उन काँटों की तरह जो एक-दूसरे-से भागने की कोशिश में अगर एक-दूसरे-से उल्टा चलना शुरू कर दें पर मिलेंगे ज़रूर।
- Rahul Jharia


वो एक ही थी जिसने उसकी उड़ान, उसका गिरना, उसका टूटना, बिखरके संवरना देखा था,

वो एक घडी जिसके हर पल ज़िंदगी एक नया मोड़ ले रही थी, बोला था पापा ने देते वक़्त
"ये घडी हमेशा तेरे साथ रहेगी, चाहे उसका वक़्त तेरे साथ रहे न रहे."
आज समझ आयी थी ये बात।
- Disha Joshi

Theme 21 - Date

It had been 3 days since she had been waiting for him to ask her out. She was looking for a hint since they day both of them started taking part in common discussions on a public group. She thought of messaging him but, what stopped her was the balance of the society.
- Rohan Bapat


Its 2:00am. Suddenly, cell phone rings. Everyone was sleeping, Rhea receives the call.
Kartik had arranged a beautiful date on the terrace on her birthday. He said, "I knew it’s your Birthday and I was busy in arranging our date". She smiled with tears in her eyes as she saw the place for date..
- Khyati Jain


Doctors had declared his departure to heavens in a few hours. Helplessly lying on a bed in the ICU, he asked the nurse what date it was ?
To his surprise, it was his birthday.
Finally, the prediction came true, when he saw his son standing with the WILL instead of a birthday cake.
- Lokesh Dugar


Out of all 365 days of the year he awaits only for September 2nd and why not, it was 'HER' birthday.
The day when she is the happiest one and that is why he is the happiest one too.
00:01 HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE.
- Nayan Pandya


She was getting anxious. Yet excited. After all this time, and all this pain, she was going to see the love of her life.
After all, her delivery due date was coming up.
- Harshit Bhatnagar


While eating ice cream she asked him- "Are we dating each other?”
He replied with a witty smile - "What do you think?"
She replied “Yes! You are handsome, I am gorgeous. We tune with each other well..” He said okay!
After a moment, they exchanged a look and said "nahhhhh" together and broke into laughter.
- Sanchi Bahrani


Just like few other love stories, after talking on texts, on 6th June'2010, we talked for the first time.
You started with "Hello" & ended with "Your smile is my smile."
Corners of my lips turned up & cheeks got the shade of pink.
I always felt our story is different & every time you just proved me right.
- Rashmeet Kaur Bedi


They just had a fight, their relationship was never defined. She was madly in love, fallen head-over-heels for him. Walking into the famous restaurant a reporter asks, “Sir, is this your girlfriend?” He replied: “I don't have a girlfriend. But I do have a date that’d be mad at me for saying that.”
- Smit Patel


My mind tailspins the eerie question what could have happened if that Date of November would not have come. It would be committing blasphemy every time I leaf through the coming dates of my life book. It opened my heart and I couldn't have asked for the better.
- Shanu Nagori


Reviving old memories, I still remember that day when I was young and I had asked my elder brother “Bhaiya, what's this date?” and he had brought some dates and said this is what a date is!
"Date with Dates" How crazy we were!
- Ankita Methwani


She was of a collector of memories.
A CCD's bill of 2nd July.  A movie ticket of 19th July.
Zaffron's lunch check of 28th July. Theater passes of 9th August.
She had all these souvenirs intact.
But today, 16th August, she smiled wide, giving up.
How would she preserve the memory of their kiss?
...of her first kiss?
- Priyanka Dharamsi


It’s 20th. Oh crap! How could I be so careless! Shit! She’s going to kill me.
Nikhil, pull up your socks, you are a dead man today!
I need to call her…
It’s ringing, ringing, ringing.
Oh damn! She isn't picking up now!
Why? Why am I so bad at remembering the dates!
- Mohit Kalra


'Go with the cliché', he decided at last.
Booked a limo; wore a tuxedo; bought lilies; picked some chocolates; opened the car door for her.
His little girl slided into the car for her first prom date.
- Priyanka Agrawal


14th Feb 2014, newly married, they reached a hotel in Mumbai.
On waking up, she saw herself in a big house with red lit decoration and low toned gazal music. She thought it was a surprise until she saw a man walking into her room..
Where was her man? Wait! Was that a hotel?
That date changed her fate...
- Shashank Mehta

"Oye khajoor!!! Will you marry me? If yes, then meet me at beach before sunrise." I asked her on a call at midnight.
My childhood friend, she came, held my hand, hugged me tight, sun was rising and that wave took us away.
.
.
.
My first date 26th December 2004.
- Gaurav Salvi

Second Entries:

He ran far enough. He hid deep enough. But this was not going to help him anymore. He knew he'd have to face them.
So, to get free, once and for all, he set up a date with his innermost demons.
- Harshit Bhatnagar

Theme 20 - Jealousy

People, especially her so called friends, were taken aback by the sheer ruthlessness of a confident, smart, pretty girl who knew what she wanted in life and wasn't going to let anyone get in her way. And you know what it was all about? Not pity, not sympathy, plain and simple...Jealousy.
- Smit Patel


Maani and Meet had a very beautiful relationship .They were together since 2 years. But Maani was quite jealous of his female friends. They broke up and during that period she was suffering from cancer. She still misses him and regrets on her deed. She gave more importance to jealousy then love.
- Khyati Jain

Everybody laughed when he joked. Everybody clapped when he danced. But she didn't. All she did was to look at him, smile and walk away to her new love interest. He felt jealous, not of her new boyfriend, but of the ease with which she moved on.
- Rohan Bapat


I could see in her eyes what she was feeling. I could see that she just couldn't take it.
But the very next moment her expressions composed, replacing the feeling with a fake smile.
She knew inside that her feeling for her best friend was just not right.
- Jaya Kataria


Little did she know, that her addiction towards scrolling through Facebook, to see how her friends are living a happy married life she eternally desired, would turn into a destructive emotion and get her into frustration, jealousy and insecurity. Before long it got hold on her senses and she ignorantly killed her 3 year old.
- Priyanka Kabra


Going to farms, playing for hours…
Passing time at river side on swings…
Big homes, hide and seek…
We here only have a small playground, the river’s four hours away and no time.
I feel jealous when I hear the childhood stories of my parents.
- Shashank Mehta


People say I am smart, I don't know.
People say I am cute, beautiful; I don't know…
I wish I could know that, I wish I could feel that, I wish I could get jealous of other girls..
I wish I could see…
- Ankita Methwani


Roshi was turning back the pages of his diary. He stopped at a page where he was happy with his life. Today he envied his past.

- Priyanka Agrawal


We practiced volleyball game together. She played so well that everyone wanted to make her a part of the final team. I too wanted to be in the team. So I watched her game, practiced hard and gave my 100 %. People finally recognized my potential and selected me. This was how jealousy earned me an opportunity!
- Shruti Singh

यूँ ही टहलते वक्त उसकी नज़रें, अपने बच्चे को दुलारती एक माँ पर पड़ी । उसे बांझ कहने वाले समाज से लड़ने वाला धैर्य आख़िर टूट पड़ा । मन ही मन अपनी कमी को कोसने लगी वो ।
पहली बार उसकी आँखें आज हिम्मत की जगह ईर्ष्या से भरी थी ।
बांझ - infertile
- Lokesh Dugar


ममता तुझमे थी भरपूर, न्योछावर मुझपर भी कुछ कर जाती,
आज तू हमारे बीच नही, पर याद मुझे तेरी आती,
नसीब की यह बस बात है, सौतेली जो तू कहलाती,
ज़्यादा मैं कुछ माँगता नही बस एक बार तो मुझे गले लगाती!
- Mohit Kalra

पेट के चक्कर में घर की रोटी छोड़े कई साल हो चुके है। दफ्तर के चपरासी के बुलावे पर उसके घर जाना हुआ। संयुक्त परिवार में रहते हुए भी उनमें बहुत प्यार था। खाने के वक़्त सबने साथ में बैठकर खाया। मारे दिल में उठी जलन के वहाँ दोबारा जाना मेरे लिए नामुमकिन ही समझिये।
- Rahul Jharia


लोग जलते थे उसके हुस्न से,
आखिर उसका हुस्न भी बेपाक था,
मगर उस एक शाम के बाद से,
यह हुस्न ही उसका दाग था।
- Harshit Bhatnagar




Second entries:

They were best friends. Aliya; bubbly and beautiful. Rihaan; intelligent and smart. When together, there was no desire to possess what the both of them lacked.
- Priyanka Agrawal

जलन की आग कुछ ऐसी लगी,
की जीना उसका दुश्वार हुआ।
ज़िन्दगी का मतलब उसे तब समझ आया,
जब उसको भी प्यार हुआ।
- Harshit Bhatnagar

Theme 19 - Shoes

"Why don't I fit in my father's shoes?” He always wondered. Little did he know about the competitive world outside his father's huge mansion. He was too young to understand, that to fit into father's shoes, he'll have to grow with experience & become a better human being, even better than his own father.
- Rohan Bapat


Shoes are important part of dressing, but I observed our saints walking, travelling barefoot all their lives. It’s for our ease but I never thought how they manage. We get everything in life so easily not being bothered about others’ struggle to achieve.
- Khyati Jain


Topper by all means but algebra was just not my game. I cried myself to sleep a day before the exam, knowing nothing can be done, too late to even pray. Next morning I found a pile of paper crimped by my side. Dad said, “Put it in your shoes rock star, life is easy”.
- Priyanka Kabra


With the one pair of shoes that he gifted me, I walk with him everyday!
- Shikha Sharma


A sleek eight-year-old, she wore a pair of black bellies, just like one wears to school. However, one could not help but notice the faded pink bow on each of them.
"Maa painted them for me", she said.
And in that moment, I hated myself for having those perky pink shoes once.
- Charu Rawat

Time is a great healer they said. Not to him though. With a younger sister in sight, and an inconsolable mother right beside, he knew it would be impossible for him to fill in his father's shoes.
- Harshit Bhatnagar


Extravagant Page 3 party, drunkards and druggies all around. Obscenity in the form of dances. And random make outs in the lobby. Fake smiles, random fashion discussions and crude demeanor. Nobody cared about the clothes that resembled the rags; not their attire but their shoes spoke of the class here.
- Priyanka Dharamsi

She was having them in all colors from the darkest shades of red to white. All beautifully placed in the rack in her room, where the little girl was standing, staring them with a broom in one hand... Bare feet...
- Nayan Pandya


Rapes are happening. Kidnaps are casual. Murders are common. Laws are liberal. Convicts are free. Victims? Their misery cannot be expressed in words.
I wish the convicts and Netas would have walked in the shoes of victims just once.
- Anusha Gupta


Simran bought little pretty pink bowed shoes. Akash, little black ones. After 9 months, both the pairs lied neatly in a corner of the house, like some untouched dream.
- Priyanka Agrawal


Aahna picked beautiful Red Heels. After leaving the store she was followed by a young man, very descent. But the chase confused her.
Reaching her he said. You picked up the wrong bag, its mine.
Hit by the Cupid, they silently stared at each other - charmed.
For Aahna with shoes, came love.
- Paridhi Mahendra


I stood there and noticed the pair of pumps she wore to the party – blue, peep toes, yellow sole and red 5" heel. That lucky bitch had got the exact pair I wanted with my new dress. But not for long… She was soon going to remove them for the paper dance…
- Jaya Kataria


She isn't the same, but alongside.
I've had many, but the perfect one does fight.
She counts on me and wants me beside.
A pair isn't complete until the other shoe is right!
- Mohit Kalra



She came across a footwear shop while selling flowers on road side, and was mesmerized by the holographic nature of a silver heel. It was beautiful, simple, and uncomplicated. But she can't afford it..
It became her dream to buy it.
Some people can't fulfill their small dreams.. We are lucky enough.
- Anjali Hardia


She was sitting and chatting with a notorious poor child, who used to play around, make noises and trouble everyone.
But unlike other days, he was very quiet, calm & sad.
After their few minutes’ conversation, she stood up, gifted her shoes & went away.
And that boy.. He was back to his regular business.
- Shashank Mehta

रोता हुआ गया वो अपनी माँ को बताने की जूते के तलवे में छेद हो गया ।
वही जूते जब गरीब का बच्चा कूड़े से बिन कर लाया, तो उसके चहरे पर मुसकान मानो फटे पैरों की ताजपोशी बयाँ कर रही थी ।
- Lokesh Dugar


जूते सी-सी कर बड़ा हुआ हूँ मैं, रोज़ी रोटी भी कमा लूंगा|
ऐ खुदा बस इतना रहम करना, मेरे हॉंसले को तू सी कर रखना!
- Sanchi Bahrani


उस महंगे जूते का घमंड उस दिन चूर हो गया जिस दिन उससे कही ज्यादा सस्ते जुराबों की गैरमौजूदगी में उसे भी नकार दिया गया।
जुराबों: मोजे
- Gaurav Salvi


कभी बचपन में एक दूसरे के छोटे-छोटे खिलौने
जूतों में छुपाया करते थे हम दोनो.
वक़्त के साथ जूतों का साइज़ बड़ता गया
और खिलौने कही गूंम हो गये......
- Nikita Kumawat


बुज़ुर्गवार को अपना बार-बार अपने पैर से जूता बाहर निकालते-पहनते देख उनके बेटे ने कहा "जब ये जूता इतना ही परेशां करता है तो इसे पहनते ही क्यूँ है । " जबाब था "ये जूता तुम्हारा दिया है इसे फेंका तो दूसरा शायद ना मिले। "
इससे बड़ा मखमली जूता मैंने पहले कभी नहीं देखा था।
- Rahul Jharia

Second Entries:

जूतो को छिपाकर कही खुशी से नेग लेते हैं लोग.
आज मेने सड़क किनारे किसीको आँखो में आँसू लिये
फटे जूते छिपाते देखा...
- Nikita Kumawat

Theme 18 - Gift

Gifts have never thrilled me; I have always received so many expected gifts on my birthdays..!
But one day even though it was not my birthday, I met him on Face book, and as time passed by I realized that He is the Gift from the Universe, the gift for the lifetime - My Beloved.
- Disha Joshi


And for all her deeds and prayers she got the ultimate gift from God - a ‘daughter '.
She got a new life, world and reason to smile. Now she can see herself in everything, from the curve of her daughter's lips to the curl of her hair. 'Thank you' was all what she said.
- Nayan Pandya


It’s been 5 years, when I recited my last prayers at the school assembly. And since then, the only reason I join my hands and bow down to the Almighty, is to thank Him for GIFTING me my personal GOD in the wrapping of a MOTHER...
- Lokesh Dugar


He was sure that he won’t be seeing her again. Cursing himself each moment for what he has done. There was no life in him.
00:47 “Wish bhi nahi karega?”
After two months of dead silence between the two, she gifted him his life back again.
Though the birthday was hers.
- Piyush Kumar


Unable to die, unwilling to live, I lie on the bed; immobile and helpless, I curse god to poison me. “Let death be the perfect gift for me, this birthday.” She trots over, climbs the bed and plants a kiss on my cheek, teary one. She gives me love; a better gift.
- Smit Patel


They had everything in their lives – Love. Care. Smile. Laughter. Tears. Fights...
They lived with a feeling of togetherness. A feeling of belongingness. A feeling that made both of them complete.
They had it in their hearts. They had it in their souls.
All that lacked was the best gift they could possess – Expression. Of those feelings!
- Mohit Kalra


After 18 months of postponing plans to later or never, changing diapers, being plucked on, getting punched several times and 12% less hair due to harsh snatching; today he came around searching for me, calling out my name shyly, “Sittyyy”.
I got my return gift after all, I guess.
- Priyanka Kabra


He could travel all around the world, but he would never find a gift as precious and as perfect as his wife gave him.
Their newly born daughter. 

- Harshit Bhatnagar

And tears roll down my cheeks looking at all the presents he gave me. It was time to bid adieu to him and his memories. But a letter holds me back, the one in which he expressed his feelings, the best gift.
I can't let him go. I can't let US apart. I can't... not like this.
- Jaya Kataria


A friend called after a long time to meet somewhere..Surprised, full of questions still excited to meet her, I went to the café. She later took me to her home and gave me a parcel - A box full of gifts, gifts and more gifts.. I was amazed!
HE had parceled the box under her name.
- Anjali Hardia


I desired an unique gift for her birthday, but no material thing could serve the purpose. It has to be special, because that is what she is to me.
The thought made me shiver, I was thrilled, and would she accept, what she couldn't ever have?
The gift was a part of me; my baby, now hers!
- Osheen Shrivastav


Wandering through a second hand book store, I found a copy of Wuthering Heights. A message was scribbled on its first page,-
"This book is a mansion of a high class of haters who carry immense amount of love in their hearts."
It has been the best gift I've ever bought for myself.
- Priyanka Agrawal


She was old, helpless but was forced to earn her livelihood as she was alone.
I, being so young, can't even earn as I am blind and have polio.
I wish either of us could gift a complete life to any one of us.
- Ankita Methwani

The tree loved everyone unconditionally. It was his passion to gift people with all that he had. He continued giving away fruits to the hungry and shade to the tired, even when he was being slaughtered to death. He asked for nothing in return, even while gifting away his life.
- Rohan Bapat

Like always, she went to the old age home to celebrate her birthday.
Few couples there enjoy her company. An old man there, wished her and said "Will you be my daughter? And will never leave me alone?"
She touched his feet, smiled and with teary eyes, nodded.
What could be a better gift for an orphan?
- Shruti Singh

Every year she went to the orphanage to meet the small children.
Indeed smiles and blessings are the best birthday gifts she could have.
- Meenal Bhatia


Her friends were hurt to the core, feeling betrayed.
She was unaware that her talks were getting converted into gossips.
She thought she will lose her friends, lose their trust for ever.
But lucky girl was blessed with friends who gave her acceptance, forgiveness, love and warm hugs.
The best 'Gift' she could ever receive.
- Paridhi Mahendra
After a series of life changing thoughts, YESTERDAY, I started my day with an apology.
“Sorry God for always being so demanding. You gifted me loving PARENTS, trustworthy FRIENDS, HEALTHY body & an opportunity to LIVE this day.. I'll try that every day I spread at least 10% of the HAPPINESS you've added to my life. Thank you!”

- Shashank Mehta

Gift is love and affection of person to other. It’s a beautiful binding of memory and blessing. One of beautiful gift of my life is best friend, who understands you, listens to all your pains and joys and also becomes a part of your life's events. So was my grandfather. He is no more, but always blessing me.
- Khyati Jain

A chocolate decorated with a ribbon-bow! Yes, she was gifted this from a newly met friend. He wanted to add the sweetness of chocolate in her life; to share a bond of love and trust .And in return; she shared chocolate with him just to show that she "accepts" his proposal! The feelings became a memorable gift!
- Sanchi Bahrani

टुकडो में जीतें हैं दोनो कुछ अधूरे वादों के साथ
फिर भी "तोहफे" में मिली एक-दूसरे की मुस्कुराहटें
ज़िंदगी आसान कर देती है....
- Nikita Kumawat


16 साल हो गये हमे एकसाथ...रूबींना की एक ख्वाहिश हमेशा अधूरी रही...वो भी अपना वज़न बढ़ा देखना चाहती थी..अपने अंदर एक ज़िंदगी महसूस करना चाहती थी..उन चंद महीनो को जीना चाहती थी जो मैं उसे देने मे नाकाम रहा..आज..यतीमखाने से ज़िंदगी का क़ीमती तोहफा पाया था...

यतीमख़ाना-orphanage.
- Zoya Warsi


हर बार की तरह मैं उसे देख कर देखती ही रह गयी..
वो भी मुझे देख बस सर झुका कर निकल गयी..
और करते भी क्या..
377 के इस तोहफे से हमारे प्यार पर बंदिशें जो लग गयी थी..
- Gaurav Salvi

हर जन्मदिन पर सालो से तोहफे मिलते आए है..ख़ास लोगो से..पर वो दिन आम दिन था..और वो तोहफा देने वाला भी कोई आम इंसान...लेकिन तोहफा ख़ास था..और उस तोहफे से वो अजनबी भी मेरे लए ख़ास बन गया..क़्युकि उन आँखों ने मेरी अंधेरी ज़िंदगी को रोशनी का तोहफा दिया था...
-Divya Bharti


शादी के उस रिसेप्षन में, कुछ महेंगे तॉहफ़ों के बीच एक स्टील का डब्बा रखा था, जो मनीष को उनके घर के बूढ़े नौकर कन्हैय्या काका ने दिया था. शायद खुशियाँ बटोरी थी लाड़ साहब के लिए हर लम्हे की, लिफाफे मे क़ैद करना पाना मुश्किल था.
- Vibhor Upadhyay


Second Entries:

All throughout his life, his working parents showered him with presents. Little did they know, the only gift he ever wanted, was their time. 

- Harshit Bhatnagar

He never understood the concept of blessings, that why the elders said these things, while he expected gifts in kind. Later that night, a car missed him by whiskers.
He now knew what the real "gift" was.
- Harshit Bhatnagar


The Christmas eve was all about gifts for him. He'd write a letter a week before the Christmas to Santa, asking for something he wanted. Little did he know, the Santa lived in his house.
- Priyanka Agrawal

Theme 17 - Travel

Same job. Same people. Same place. Every day. Every day I long for the day when I can just pack up my bags and go away...away with someone....to travel because to travel is to live...to go in a different world where u can fall in love with your life all over again!
- Gunjan Virwani


She wanted to dangle her feet in cold waters with the sun shining over-head. She wanted to walk with the moonlight. She wanted to write, sitting on park benches.

She wanted to fly, all by herself.

She wanted to travel, and eventually, fate took care of it...

She indeed, is a happy person.
- Charu Rawat


There are some kinds of people who travel each and every corner of this city, they are flying, diving, traveling, and exploring the world.
I find myself different, I do nothing; I just sit in one of those corners of this city and dive into myself, traveling and exploring equally.
- Disha Joshi


A journey of the outside world runs parallel with the beautiful inner world. The former journey of exotic places includes fun, new people, adventures and a willingness to discover a new path.
And, the latter follows the road of memories of loved ones down the lane from yesterday to today and making new ones for tomorrow!
- Sanchi Bahrani


I met a person on my way to Delhi. He was not bothered about the place he wanted to go but his excitement for the route, for the people he was going to meet and of course for the natural beauty was all over his face. I learnt that more than destiny journey becomes important.
- Khyati Jain


"Hello mumma, it’s me! My handbag has been stolen and I lost my everything – my cell phone, cash, ATM card. This call? A kind lady allowed me to use her phone.."
..And that was my first experience of travelling alone.
- Divneet Kaur Walia


Traveled in all directions known to man ... Beyond the language barrier present everywhere, everyone understood the curve of lips as a smile, which was duly reciprocated ... And tears as a sign of sorrow & pain, with which everyone sympathized...

The question arises... Are we different? Aren't we ALL just HUMANS??
- Lokesh Dugar

Terrified with the fighting passengers on the subway in New York, she hailed the black cab of London and ordered the cabbie to cruise away. But the ubiquitous rain bored her. 

Getting out, she ran inside the pizzeria in Naples and devoured a large pizza.

Books were her best means to travel the world.
- Sahiba Bhatia


It's been 3 years. He sees his family every day, every hour, every minute of his life. But they can't. Tries to talk to them, but they can't. Helpless, and in rue, he lives on with only a single thought in his head.

If only he could travel back in time, and not suicide.
-Harshit Bhatnagar


"Get in! The doors won't stay open forever" said the Conductor. "Really", she thought, "should've made it in time, but couldn't. And see, here you are, sitting in this goddamn bus." The bus suddenly came to a halt near a florist selling roses. And then, the smell & the emotions got too nauseating for her to handle.
- Rohan Bapat

Road, time, places, memories, history, earth, you, me. . .
All’s travelling but ain't reaching, that's the beauty of the swirl!
- Mehul Newaskar


The horrified images from her narration were dancing in front of his eyes. Her painful voice and the endless tears made his heart melt.
All he wanted, at the moment, was a time travel to wipe out the traumatic experiences her girl has gone through.
All he wanted was to embrace the pains that tainted her journey.
- Osheen Shrivastav


"I saw you at Christmas Eve in the same local and from that moment my heart has been craving for more of you, I may sound psycho but can I have your number?"
Confused! Scared! Baffled! “Panvel! My station! Bye!"
Unable to take him off her head, she smiled… "Not psycho, MAD is the word!"
Next day, same train. "Merry Christmas! It's 98276*****"
Dancing!
- Nayan Pandya


Travel once meant excitement. Now it’s a dilemma. From one side it’s a nightmare and from other its meeting loved ones after a long time. Every time I am in this dilemma, I get to know myself better.
It’s not just the wind that passes by but clouds of my thoughts also make their way out.
- Piyush Kumar

Embarking on yet another journey, to yet another destination... Travel was really the love of his life. Airports, bus stations and train platforms were a familiar place for him. Every face giving him a new story, each new co-passenger a potential friend! Why was this one so different? Why were there tears in his eyes?

- Smit Patel


They took the train to office together every day. She got down at Andheri and he at Santacruz.
Since the blasts, he can't imagine travelling by train anymore; without her..
- Priyanka Agrawal

Disappointed with self, he decided to travel to find out his passion.
After 12 seals stamped on his passport, worn out shoes, several cabin tags and with high Dopamine release, he realized that 'Travelling' was his real passion!
- Paridhi Mahendra

I kept my CA Final course books aside. Why? Why out of all the things I could have opted… I chose these books??
Bored, irritated, and wishing something different for the future; simultaneously worried about the uncertainties… I started thinking.
For the first time, my heart & my mind were travelling in the same direction. In search of my destiny…
- Shashank Mehta


Three steaming mocha mugs, early morning in the hotel bed and lots of ha-ha’s and chuckles. Yes, finally the gang of three girls was on their first trip together. A long weekend holiday in Goa surely had lots of high-spirited-food-loving-snappy moments in store for them! And oh, yes! Memories for a lifetime.
- Apoorva Ranka


The train was just taking him to Delhi, to his job.
But sitting on that window seat and looking out at the stretches of the fields, his mind had started to travel to destinations untouched, destinations he had always just dreamt of.
- Priyanka Dharamsi


बचपन के हर एक पल को हर इंसान उत्साह से जीता है
मगर फिर जवानी आते ही नौक्रि की फ़िक्र, फिर घर की फ़िक्र, फिर बुढ़ापे में मौत के बाद की फ़िक्र..
हम शायद सफ़र का मज़ा तभी ले पाते है जब मंज़िल की फिक्र ना हो..
जैसे बचपन..
- Gaurav Salvi

Second Entries:
He loved to tell stories. Every summer, he would study every minute detail about one city. When the school started, he had a new story to share with his friends. He traveled through his imagination.
- Priyanka Agrawal

The school was a two hour walk from home. The everyday travel spoke of his passion.
- Priyanka Agrawal

He would pack his bag and leave for the road. Always to a place where the world couldn't reach to him, in search of something he'd only read of. He traveled to find peace.
- Priyanka Agrawal

She was blue blooded. Travelling wasn't appropriate for a lady. Home-schooled, she wrote of the world she had never seen.. The paper and the quill were the world and words were how she traveled..
- Priyanka Agrawal

True! 25 stories... :D