The interplay of thunderstorm and lightning continued. It had been raining cats and dogs since the morning. Although the clock showed that it was just half past eleven in the morning, what seemed through the large glass of the only french window in the big room was a dark sky, filled with dark and monstrous clouds. Murky weather indeed. Raindrops trickled down the huge windowpane, occasionally making little thumping sounds in the background like "tip, tip, tip!" From the window, I could see the silhouette of the mountains, that were situated at a distance. Few mountains were blue in colour, few appeared black and the rest appeared greyish in colour. Then there were trees, clustered into what appeared as mini forests. Those mini forests were one large, dense forest if clubbed together. Picturesque indeed! Definitely a painter's delight. An easel, a paintbrush and some colours and you were ready to go. The room was exceptionally bright and well- lit. The four corners of the room had four beautiful aroma dispensers, dispensing what was sensed but the olfactory nerves as a rosy fragrance. The walls were tastefully decorated with paintings that represented various cultural aspects of different regions . Few were abstract in nature and few ethnic. From the centre of the ceiling, hung a medium- sized chandelier that radiated a yellowish- orange light. Such mesmerizing was the beauty of the chandelier, it seemed like the crystals were real diamonds, refracting and reflecting brilliance. A tall, golden flower vase in one corner and a few other exquisite showpieces adorned the room.In the middle of the room, was a large, royal looking sofa set, cushioned with peach and red coloured material that seemed extremely cozy. And there she was. Lying on one of the sofa chairs, with her legs dangling from one of the armrests, she was reading a book with utter concentration. It seemed like an old novel, that had a brown jacket, a bit tattered from the corners, giving an impression that it had been already read a number of times before. At one point it felt like she was staring at the book blankly. Then all of a sudden she came back to reality with a jerk and turned the page. Immediately, she sniffed the page, by bringing the book close to her face. But I wonder, did it smell like a newly printed book really? Even after having been read so many times before? Or was it just a habit? Occasionally, she picked up a cup that was placed on the table nearby and drank freshly brewed, hot coffee from it. She drank it in sips. It seemed like she was in a relaxed state of mind. The outer wall of the cup sustained lipstick stains on it, giving an impression that she had applied some makeup on her face. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the rosy fragrance filling in the atmosphere proved to be a deadly combination for anyone to fall for the ambience that had engulfed the room. The thunderstorm, heavy rainfall, dark clouds hovering over the sky, the ferocity of the nature outside represented the chaos. On the other hand the room in which I saw her spending some beautiful moments with herself was a definition of calm. So peaceful. So quiet. One could decipher it to be the calm in the chaos. She wore a red gown and wore her hair open. The honey- brown coloured locks of her hair enhanced her beauty even more. With legs dangling from the armrest, she looked ethereal. The calm in the chaos was enchanting indeed. It was then, when lightning struck, followed by a terrorising thunderbolt. I woke up from my deep slumber, shaking and looking around, trying to regain consciousness. Panic- stricken, I sat up and checked myself to see if I was still unharmed. With the grace of the Almighty, I was just fine. I saw the cup of coffee lying on the table so I picked it up and sipped coffee from it only to find that it had turned cold by then. The book that I was reading rested on my lap. It was still raining outside and I could see the silhouette of the mountains. The rosy scent had by now drenched the atmosphere in itself completely. The girl in the dream? It was me indeed! I was the girl in my dream and all that I was dreaming was actually true. The red dress, the book, the coffee and everything else happening around were real. It was just one of those days when it was raining and the ambience was simply conducive to spend a great time with myself. Actually I had always dreamt of living a dreamy life like this. But since I was not always capable of providing myself with such luxuries financially, growing up, I manifested earning this life for myself, on my own. I have worked hard to provide myself with such a splendid life. This is the power of manifestation. I manifested it! She manifested it!

As a terminally-ill Cancer patient Lisa, lying on the bed of the hospital slips into coma after having fought like a true warrior for the past few years, her adoptive mother Debby watches her daughter embracing oblivion. Not sure about when Lisa would open her eyes again and utter the word, “Mom!”, or whether she would ever be able to open her eyes again in the first place. But Debby knows that Lisa is a very sensitive girl and even though she can't move her limbs at the moment, she can hear and feel everything happening around her. With tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably, Debby struggles to take out a piece of paper from her bag and unfolds it. A broken voice and a stuffy nose make it even worse for her to read what is written on it. However she prepares to read out something from the paper. Finally, Debby musters courage and holds an unconscious Lisa's frail and pale fingers sticking out from her palm that has a needle perforating the skin of it. Debby reads out aloud: - Empty was the womb that had once dreamt of a child. My body had gone numb and thoughts were haywire and wild. Despair had taken over. Days appeared gloomy. Grimace of pain had become my lover. Eyelids remained droopy. However, on a fortunate evening when mother had accompanied me for a walk. Sitting in a wheelchair and hardly moving, I looked at kids around me in shock. For all I was seeing in my nightmares, was a woman howling and a crib set ablaze. That tiny beings existed seemed incredible to me. For my dead child I grieved. Darkness was all I could see. Only if any of them called me “Mother!”, would again stem a reason to live for one another. It struck me however that not every child around was with their birth mother. Maybe death had separated them from each other. To hear the word “Mom” the womb need not be full. My hand stopped being numb and heart was becoming full. Then one day you entered my life. I had no words to say. You simply became my sunshine. We played together and laughed aloud. It was going to be forever. “My princess is home!”, I would always shout. On day one of school, your hair I braided. I told you that crying wasn't cool. So confidently towards it you headed. Time flew in what seemed like a few moments. You always gave your best shot and I gave you presents. Peace and love prevailed for long until illness put you in a cage. Now you hum a sad song and are seemingly stuck on the same page. I simply want my Lisa to know that she was born a warrior. Courage is what she'll show. To her an illness is inferior. Intertwined are our destinies. You can't leave so soon. For we are angels in disguise. We'll travel to the Moon. Stardust I'll sprinkle on you and nectar you'll drink. A beautiful life, together we'll sew. Sorrow will gradually shrink. Wake up my daughter! Your mother awaits your return. I yearn to hear your laughter. There's so much left to learn. The poem came to and end and Debby broke down again, crying inconsolably. Her tears not only rolled down her face but fell on Lisa's arm too. Debby's muffled cries suddenly stopped when a sound ‘Beep! Beep! Beeeep!' made a characteristic noise. The doctor came running inside and Debby stood up from the chair in shock. It was a miracle indeed. Lisa's heart had started beating again. She opened her eyes slowly and saw her mother shedding tears of joy. She uttered feebly ,”Mom!”

Poverty and neglect will break you on most days. But when these two become a part of your daily life, what happens thereafter is what the girl who never gave up in life, experiences on a seemingly odd day. At the break of dawn I set my feet on a dusty, rugged path. Sinking into oblivion I was, fighting the dancing hazy lines that were in front of my eyes. No matter how intractable they were. Trudging forward I entered an alley. Where buildings, more like skeletons, stood in their ruins. While I cold-shouldered the pebbles and glass pieces strewn here and there. Starving and bone-tired, I felt somewhat dizzy. On one of those very pebbles, I tripped and fell down flat on my visage. With blood-spattered knees and shards of glass struck in my palms, I was waiting with agony for the moment when the world around me would go entirely dark. It is then when I saw him come running towards me. Blurred vision, a frail body failed to realize whether he was an angel or a mystic or a savior sent by the Universe. I woke up to find myself in a paradise-like place. Where exotic birds chirped and the scent of flowers wafted through the windows. “What ails you dear?”, asked that savior as I got out of my trance. A terrified I, taken aback asked him, “Why did you bring me here?” What I thought as unabashed, was actually compassion. He took my hand and opened my fist to show the bruises left by glass. He then poured from a jar mystical water on my palm. As the water touched my skin the wounds vanished. Was he a magician? Reassured, I asked for water and in return drank nectar. I asked him, “Who are you?” He smiled wide with tranquility. In the blink of an eye we were walking down the road. It was sunny and peaceful unlike before. He walked beside me occasionally adjusting his pace. I kept admiring this tall stranger as he had not revealed his identity yet. At the end of the road, from where the bustling city started, he halted and turned me around holding my shoulders. He said, “Every time you fall down, you'll find me running towards you.” But now we'll part ways, till I meet you again.” Dejected I asked, “What if I never fall down again? Shall we never meet then? Stranger to me you'll remain always, since I don't know your name.” He saw the sorrow in my eyes and said, “We are destined to be together in all phases of life. What is in a name?” As I turned around to walk away, I thought to myself, “Is he for real or just a mere embodiment of my hallucinations?” He kept waving at me till the point when I could see him no longer. The city was doing its usual business. A few yards away, sang a ballad-monger. Contemplating I was the meeting with this stranger. How time changed my perception, I hope to fall down again.

Food builds the body. Challenges make a man! That is what my father has always said to me. You see, adventure sports are thrilling but one can't deny that there are proper safety measures to protect you so that things don't go haywire while you enjoy the process. But when life throws unprecedented challenges in your way, you don't have any safety gears to aid you. Especially when you are stranded in the worst possible situation alone! Back in 2023, when I had taken a break from work for a few weeks, I decided to go camping and trekking in the mountains. You see I have never really thrown caution to the winds, but I have been fearless in taking decisions in my life and my parents have supported me through thick and thin. So I decided to travel and go solo to the mountains this time. On reaching the destination, I felt that I was transported to a magical land indeed. The beauty of the mountains was everything. Standing tall, even after being beaten by harsh winds since time immemorial and yet oozing majesty all the time! I started hiking early in the morning along with some other hikers who also like me intended to camp in the mountains intermittently. We all carried our own tents and essential stuff. Dusk had set in and we decided to set up our tents in a relatively plain area. Since the chilly weather had been already sending shivers down our spines we decided to light up a bonfire and soak in some of its warmth. Hitherto everything was perfect but things suddenly took a bad turn when a blizzard started. To make things worse heavy downpour also set in. We had no choice but to rush inside our tents. Sometime later sleep overpowered me and I went inside my sleeping bag. Much to my dismay, my sleep was broken abruptly when strong winds started blowing on my face rudely. I saw that a portion of the cloth of my tent was blowing in the direction of the wind. Had I not woken up in time ,my tent would have been uprooted and thrown in the abyss. With no option left , I went ahead and held the tent cloth as strongly as I could. But as I held on to one part of the tent, another portion of the tent started blowing fiercely. It was pitch dark outside and telecommunication was also not possible due to the area being a no connectivity zone. I assume the other hikers were also struggling to keep themselves secure in such a dangerous situation. I badly wanted to talk to my parents since I wasn't sure if I would be able to survive this tumultuous situation. I wanted to cry believing that my decision to come here alone was a blunder. However I couldn't cry since I was busy keeping my tent and myself together in one piece. The entire night went on like this and I struggled hard. I couldn't catch on sleep either. After some struggle - filled hours, I saw the faint rays of the Sun falling on the snow. Although what I had just experienced a few hours ago was no less than a nightmare, this scenery was something that was equal to having a once in a lifetime opportunity. As I stepped outside the tent , I saw the other hikers also coming out of their respective tents. We smiled looking at each other first even before discussing the events of the preceding night. As we admired and got enchanted by the beauty in front of us, I'm sure we said one thing in our minds in unison "WE DID IT!" Yes we survived the storm, we survived the nightmarish experience, we stood strong and were able to feel the charisma of the mountains. Now what do you think, did I climb down the mountain that day fearing more such challenges? No. I didn't. I completed the expedition and successfully climbed the mountain. When I had embarked upon this journey, I praised the mountains for them being so resilient. But now I praise the mountains even more because they made me more resilient and determined than ever before. The mountains practically taught me that I am capable of tiding over the worst situations in life only if I focus on having nerves of steel. I guess what my father has always said is indeed true!

Food builds the body. Challenges make a man! That is what my father has always said to me. You see, adventure sports are thrilling but one can't deny that there are proper safety measures to protect you so that things don't go haywire while you enjoy the process. But when life throws unprecedented challenges in your way, you don't have any safety gears to aid you. Especially when you are stranded in the worst possible situation alone! Back in 2023, when I had taken a break from work for a few weeks, I decided to go camping and trekking in the mountains. You see I have never really thrown caution to the winds, but I have been fearless in taking decisions in my life and my parents have supported me through thick and thin. So I decided to travel and go solo to the mountains this time. On reaching the destination, I felt that I was transported to a magical land indeed. The beauty of the mountains was everything. Standing tall, even after being beaten by harsh winds since time immemorial and yet oozing majesty all the time! I started hiking early in the morning along with some other hikers who also like me intended to camp in the mountains intermittently. We all carried our own tents and essential stuff. Dusk had set in and we decided to set up our tents in a relatively plain area. Since the chilly weather had been already sending shivers down our spines we decided to light up a bonfire and soak in some of its warmth. Hitherto everything was perfect but things suddenly took a bad turn when a blizzard started. To make things worse heavy downpour also set in. We had no choice but to rush inside our tents. Sometime later sleep overpowered me and I went inside my comfortable sleeping bag. Much to my dismay, my sleep was broken abruptly when strong winds started blowing on my face rudely. I saw that a portion of the cloth of my tent was blowing in the direction of the wind. Had I not woken up in time ,my tent would have been uprooted and thrown in the abyss. With no option left , I went ahead and held the tent cloth as strongly as I could. But as I held on to one part of the tent, another portion of the tent started blowing fiercely. It was pitch dark outside and telecommunication was also not possible due to the area being a no connectivity zone. I assume the other hikers were also struggling to keep themselves secure in such a dangerous situation. I badly wanted to talk to my parents since I wasn't sure if I would be able to survive this tumultuous situation. I wanted to cry believing that my decision to come here alone was a blunder. However I couldn't cry since I was busy keeping my tent and myself together in one piece. The entire night went on like this and I struggled hard. I couldn't catch on sleep either. After some struggle - filled hours, I saw the faint rays of the Sun falling on the snow. Although what I had just experienced a few hours ago was no less than a nightmare, this scenery was something that was equal to having a once in a lifetime opportunity. As I stepped outside the tent , I saw the other hikers also coming out of their respective tents. We smiled looking at each other first even before discussing the events of the preceding night. As we admired and got enchanted by the beauty in front of us, I'm sure we said one thing in our minds in unison "WE DID IT!" Yes we survived the storm, we survived the nightmarish experience, we stood strong and were able to feel the charisma of the mountains. Now what do you think, did I climb down the mountain that day fearing more such challenges? No. I didn't. I completed the expedition and successfully climbed the mountain. When I had embarked upon this journey, I praised the mountains for them being so resilient. But now I praise the mountains even more because they made me more resilient and determined than ever before. The mountains practically taught me that I am capable of tiding over the worst situations in life only if I focus on having nerves of steel. I guess what my father has always said is indeed true!