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HEART PRINTS

A voice came from the Help Desk, "Next is your turn, Astha." All this while she was sitting quietly and was nervous as if she was scared of what was going to happen...

Was it not very obvious but? It was the fourth time. She was desperately waiting for her name to be called up.

The previous three experiences were worst than the nightmare. Still hoping against the hope, she felt a lot of positivity emanating from deep within.

With a heavy heart, full of self doubt, she entered the room, keeping her fingers crossed!!!!! She felt as if some one can hear her palpating heart... She was drenched in sweat, which she could hide in the guise of the climate. But from whom was she trying to hide it from? From her own doubting self...may be...

Lady in the room coaxed her...and after Astha was comfortable she started her procedure........and within few seconds she heard a confusing wish-swoosh sound.......gradually to a clear one... 
DHAK, DHAK.......DHAK, DHAK.......

It was nothing but the sound of her baby's heartbeats.....it was her first ultrasound check up of her fourth pregnancy.

"Congrats Astha, your child's heartbeat is normal and so is your pregnancy", said the sonologist.

"This was the cutest sound of her life which she was expecting desperately after her three miscarriages. THE CUTEST AND THE BEST HEART IMPRINTS OF HER LIFE... THAT MADE HER FEEL COMPLET...
...IMPRINTS OF MOTHERHOOD!!!!

-----By MocktailMommy kARISHMA



 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger



Linking this post to #MondayMusings by Corinne


Favorite Song Spiels Itself

A good song is like the smell of earth after the first rains. 


It makes you feel nostalgic, brings back some wonderful memories. So which is that one song that transports you into another world?? 

When I chose this topic,I had gazillion songs running through my thoughts like a wild forest fire. Then came the next question. What makes a song your favourite??... The melody?... The soulful lyrics?... The memories that flash when you accidentally hear it on the radio?... The experience one shared with that special someone?... One thought after the other,  laced to each other traveled like a train in my brain!

All through the process of searching for my favourite song, there was this one song which kept playing at the back of my mind. 

The reasons can be its simple yet very meaningful lyrics, a song expressing a child’s love towards his mother, maybe as this was the first song I learnt to sing, maybe because this song made my music teacher and my parents realize that I, an eight year old then, was a decent singer, maybe as it was this song that gave me the courage to get over my stage fear, maybe because this song gave me the first ever prize in singing , maybe due to the fact that this song had an impact not only on me but also my schoolmates ,so much so, that even after 25 years, few of my schoolmates recently posted the song on Facebook tagging me and we relived all those precious innocent memories. Do I even need any more reason to make this song my favourite???

Without building any more suspense, the song is “Mother of Mine” written by Bill Parkinson and sung by Neil Reid. Please listen to my version of this song by clicking the link below.  Thanks to #Smule app for helping me record it. Use Headphones for better clarity:


Hope you all like it! 

Do share your favourite song with me and the story behind it!!


-----By MocktailMommy Sathya
All pictures courtesy Pixabay



 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger



Linking this post to #FridayReflections by SanchVee and Corinne

The Holy Pyre

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Aashna sat in front of the mirror at her dressing table. She was all decked up, but her mind was restless.

Just then her mother came in, "Aashna, it's time darling...." As she walked out to the ceremonial mandap, all eyes were on her. There was a storm brewing in her mind though.

Being an arranged marriage, she had hardly got any time to get to know Varun. Everything had happened in such a hurry.

As they walked around the holy pyre to complete their pheras, she was totally absorbed in her own apprehensions..... But he read her eyes.

He held her hand gently, "Dont worry Aashna. I promise you in front of this holy pyre, that I will always be there for you. Through thick and thin, through ups and downs, through sickness and health. I will be your friend, soulmate..."

The lines of worry on her face disappeared!!!

                                                   -------  By MocktailMommy Prasanna

Word Count : 150



                                                            Linking this post to #FridayFotoFiction by Tina and Mayuri 



Me Under Siege

Clearing up the whats app messages after the festivities is such a mammoth task. Before clearing the messages, I make it a point to browse through them, of course if the time permits. Thus many a  times, my phone gives up on me and stays grumpy till I clear it, of all the unnecessary burden. During one such recent “swachata abhiyan” (cleanliness drive), I came across a message. It was a picture depicting King Ram killing the ten headed monster Ravan. In that picture, Ravan had originated from Ram's own shadow. The message read…

“Have you tackled the Monster that is hiding inside you?”

Now that was something. I must agree that under the sugary coating of fabulous names, which I have fondly found as the innumerable excuses, lies the Monstrous me! Once that I have accepted this fact, life seems so light! Confessions have great value, you know, even when they are done to self! As I started scratching the upper layers of the excuses, here were many monsters hiding at the most unexpected corners! Me under Siege...

The first one to surface was none other than the one hiding inside my wardrobe. It sits pretty on colourful stack of un-stitched dress materials. Every time, I visit the market, “just that one, not any more” monster pops up and compels me to buy. When one is alone and in the glitzy market, its so very difficult to purge self out of the clench of this monster!  

There is a cousin of this monster as well. This one is  “Will go for stitching next time”. It jacks out, the moment I open the wardrobe and the pile of the un-stitched dress materials stares at me. Then I give myself a pinky promise, next week end, for sure. No matter what! 

And that next week end is in the grabs of “x+1” monster. Here “x” is always this week. Poor me, I am besieged by this trio. Otherwise my wardrobe would be clean and most up to date… Please dont lebel me as a "Procastinator". You should see my plight and then think of bringing that word to your mind!

Tied to the apron string of this monster is “I don’t have anything suitable to wear for this evening” monster. And this one, 100% of the times, has appeared when I am running out of time. And on such occasions, more than the clock, it’s the exasperated faces of my better half and the kids that do all the “Tick, Tick”. That’s really mean of them. Of course I don’t dare to say this aloud though!

On a regular day, at times, I am irked by the “What to cook today” monster. For a forever apprentice Chef me, its really intimidating. My  cook is about to reach the threshold of the house and I am yet to figure out the meals to be prepared! Helplessly, I open the fridge and decide my weapons to fight with it. Staples such as leafy vegetables and the salads, always come to my rescue! This fight every morning leaves me exhausted. And then I take a vow that I would make up a weekly meal plan by this week end. Oh God save me,  the “x+1” monster is ready to pounce on me at this corner too!

The song "I am only a man, with a chamber who's got me, and taking a stand, to escape whats inside me... a monster a monster... and it keeps getting stronger and stronger", then echoes all over!

To shut mute these echoes from the chambers of my thoughts, I end up gorging on the sweets and the chocolates.  Here chortles the “Just one last byte” monster. It simply hypnotises me and then he is done. Poor me, I have a sweet tooth, you see! That’s what my excuse is when I lose the match with it. Odds are stacked heavily against me, you sure will agree!! 

With all these natorious monsters’ bunch, there is a good one too! This monster catches my attention every now and then. It peeps from the news paper, shouts from the book shelf and some times chirps from the net. Its call is so magnetic that I simply surrender myself to it. And this one is none other than the “Read and read more” monster. But that's a monster too! It simply eats away my fair share of being with my friends and family.

Barring the last one, I wish to shoo away the other monsters from fragile, simpleton, poor me. With this thought I cross my heart and decide to take it up head on.

Did I just hear the snicker of the “x+1” monster somewhere?  


 -----By MocktailMommy Anagha



 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger


Linking this post to #MondayMusings by Corinne


All pictures courtesy Pixabay

Just One Step Ahead

"Suhana......Stop doing it, you will get hurt."  I shouted from the kitchen realizing she was doing some gymnastics stunts without proper safety.

But, Suhana continued doing it more diligently...so I came out and asked her, "What's the matter baby?? Why are you not listening?....see you got hurt again....doctor had asked you to not practice for at least a month....as you just got your plaster removed and your bone may take some more time to heal."

But all my talks were in vain....as if they were falling on deaf ears. She was doing it more and more persistently. I held her hand and coaxed her. I understood that she was hurt by some rude remarks by her batch mates in the class. 

"Forget it, Suhana! It's not your cup of tea. You will not be able to do it ever!"  and blah blah....followed by giggling ...to make fun of her.

And, the worst thing that pinched her the most was a sarcastic look of her trainer who finally gave up on her after teaching her successively for months, as if he has lost faith in her and doubts her capability.

She looked at me as if she was asking me "Mom, Will I be able to do it and do you believe in me?"

"Believe in yourself and you can do everything!!", I tried to motivate her, and I took my step back...I could have been with her...but then I realized that this is her battle and she has to struggle herself........Thankfully, remarks provoked her to endeavor more...

Chrysalis had begun.......I just had to see the outcome.


She practiced for days, months and for years....she fell and got up, got hurt and healed, but didn"t stop practicing!!

And, the day had come.....when she got selected for her National Gymnastic Competition!! 

The day when she got her GOLD.....she looked at me and raised her medal...


"We did it MAA!!", and I hugged her tightly...."It's you sweet heart....you have done it....."

And suprisingly she replied...."It was you who believed in me....Thanks Maa!!" I thanked and made her realize that its because of her efforts and hard work ...

My tiny cute little cocoon had transformed into a colorful butterfly....colours of strength, hardwork, patience and many more...my baby is now grown up!!

I could see the next Deepa Karmarkar!!


She would have easily quit gymnastic and stayed in her COMFORT ZONE!!! But NO, SHE HAD THE COURAGE TO COME OUT OF IT AND ACHIEVE HER GOAL!!!

That day, even I realized that it's only the one step ahead of your Comfort to acheive the impossible.......and that is COURAGE!!!


--------------By MocktailMommy Karishma

 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger



Linking this post to #FridayReflections by SanchVee and Corinne


Sparkling Gems


The cloudy skies lurking over the mountain trail, the waning twilight, the flood lights at the construction site along with the dotted twinkling lights from housing societies made for a great watch! Wonder if I stay close to jewels' mine!

Thanks Supriya for sharing this picture!

----------By MocktailMommy Anagha

Linking this post to #WordlessWednesday at




DISOBEDIENCE ON INJUSTICE

Though there is consensus that we all should highly abide by ‘Law of Land’, there is also an agreement that unjust law exists. The only point which arises then is that whether we should obey them or disobey them or try to change and obey them till the time they are changed. Though you may find different views, the least a person can do is to disassociate with something which he feels is wrong. You cannot be in a position wherein you are supporting on one side and fighting against it on the other side. Even though law and justice are viewed as virtually synonymous, experience however, has taught us that injustice may be supported by law. The sense of injustice can be a powerful condition, causing people to take action not just to defend themselves but also others who they perceive to be unfairly treated. As rightly said by Martin Luther King Jr., "Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere".


Some of the traditional practices followed in olden days have taken form of law over passage of time. Some of them have been misinterpreted and some have used this to their vested interest by taking shelter under such law. If we talk about “Triple Talaq”, it is a customary practice prevalent among Muslims that dissolves a marriage when the husband says the word "Talaq" thrice. These have been actively protested by their woman community over past few years. Several women's rights groups have also spoken out against the practice and its ill effects, especially on Muslim women. 

On the other hand, the Muslim Law Board has consistently said that "Triple Talaq" is a 'personal law' and thus, cannot be modified by the Center. The custom is criticized for being unilateral and biased against women, and is banned in 22 countries of the world

The honourable Supreme Court, few months back, termed the practice of "Triple Talaq" as unconstitutional.

Few days back, there was an article in Times of India, a 23-year-old woman of Kherli village in Alwar district has approached the court after she was thrown out of the house by her in-laws following triple talaq. In her complaint, she stated that she was given the triple talaq as she gave birth to a second girl child in February this year. This was disapproved by her husband and in-laws. Taking cognizance, thre court has now asked the in-laws to find an amicable solution.
The in-laws had also threatened to kill the child if she failed to accept the triple talaq. 


One of the big question which arises is that how do we respond to unjust law. Even though it can be tackled through nonviolent method, it would be perceived as breach of law. People engaged in such act are open to legal consequences since this shows their fidelity to the rule of law. One such larger movement of civil disobedience was led by our Father of Nation against the unjust British rule. The movement led to end of British colonization which was result of persistent resistance to unjust law.


THERE MAY BE TIMES WHEN WE ARE UNABLE TO PREVENT INJUSTICE BUT THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A TIME WE FAIL TO PROTEST IT.     

---------By Mocktail Mommy Rupa




 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger


Linking this post to #MondayMusings by Corinne


     

Accident


They walked out of the elevator into the almost vacant parking lot. She stumbled, he held her.
"You've had way too much to drink today. I think you should get a cab."

"I'm fine. I can totally drive. Don't worry so much, honey!!" she said nonchalantly. He tried to talk sense into her, but all in vain.

She got into her car and sped out of the parking lot. He stood there and stared helplessly as her car vanished out of sight. But he could not stop worrying just like that!!! He rushed to his car and buckled his seatbelt.

He was about to leave when his phone rang.... it was her!!! She had probably realised her foolishness. He answered it only to hear a strange voice at the other end...

"Aap madam ko jaante hain kya?? Unka accident hua hai!!!"

                                                     ------- MocktailMommy Prasanna

Word Count : 141

                                                          Linking this post to #FridayFotoFiction by Tina and Mayuri


Bated Breath Birthday Surprise

I have been known as one of those species, that experiment.  My lab is none other than my kitchen! Yes, I am a Chef of sorts! I love taking risks and cooking something new. Coming from the Gujju background, everyone in my family is a foodie. Every celebration at my house thus has to have a good spread of sweets and snacks.  Add to it, my adventurous nature! I look forward to occasions to surprise my near and dear ones with a new dish. Not all the surprises are worth remembering though!

One such adventure however is fresh in my mind and will always be. How can I forget the bated breath with which I was waiting for it to come out nice, fluffy and aromatic?

It was my father in law’s birthday. This year I had made plans to surprise him with home made egg less cake. Off I went to a bake shop and gathered all the ingredients after referring to a cook book. I was excited! As I began following the steps, I soon realised that the fear factor has entered my brain ware like a creepy crawly! It was then the time to keep the cake mould in the OTG and wait!

The wait of 25 minutes seemed eternal! As if transfixed, I was standing right opposite OTG. Soon the aroma started wafting in the air. My thoughts by now had wandered into what if land. My breath was getting deeper and deeper, as if trying to shy away from the end results. As the OTG buzzed, signalling the end of baking, my thought train came to a screeching halt.

My legs started wobbling at the thought of reaching up to the other side. With bated breath and little shaky hands, I pulled the cake mould out. With a deep long breath, I pierced a skewer into the cake and pulled it out. 

Oh my my! It has come clean! I was on the moon now!

Decorating it, with chocolate frosting and some dry fruits was like a cake walk for me, courtesy the excitement that has resumed! Evening was far more than delectable, as my father in law could not stop appreciating and blessing me!

Sharing the recipe of the Chocolate cake with you all. This is the one that I have tweaked, based on my further experiments, and is tried and tested for sure!

Ingredients for chocolate Sponge Cake: 
·         1 cup condensed milk / milkmaid
·         ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
·         1½ cup maida / plain flour / all purpose flour
·         3 tbsp cocoa powder
·         ¾ tsp baking soda
·         1 tsp baking powder
·         ¼ tsp salt
·         ¾ tsp vanilla extract
·         ¾ cup warm milk, add as required
For Chocolate Frosting:

·         ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
·         ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
·         2 cups powdered sugar / icing sugar
·         1 tsp vanilla extract
·         ¼ cup cold milk, add as required

Chocolate Cake Recipe:
In  a large mixing bowl take condensed milk and butter. Beat in one direction till the mixture turns smooth and fluffy. Sieve maida, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Fold them gently. Add vinegar, vanilla extract and warm milk. Mix gently to attain smooth dropping consistency. Transfer the cake batter to a cake mould. Bake the cake at 180 degree celsius for 25 minutes.( you can bake it in cooker too. That recipe some other day, some other post!!!) Cool down the cake completely. Once cooled, cut it in two equal halves horizontally.

Chocolate Frosting Recipe:
1.     In a large mixing bowl take butter and beat it.
2.     Add cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla extract add cold milk.
3.     Beat till the mixture turns smooth and spreadable.
Decorating Chocolate Cake Recipe:
Spread the generous amount of prepared chocolate frosting on top of the lower half of the cake. Then place another half on top of it. Spread the frosting on its top and all along the side. Decorate it with dry fruits or fresh fruits or Gems or rainbow sprinkles.
Plate it in an attractive dish. Store in fridge till its cake cutting time!


-----By MocktailMommy Ruchi
 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger



Linking this post to #FridayReflections by SanchVee and Corinne


Twin Trouble


“Show up on board. Your time has run out”, declared a stern voice.

“Pirates, this is the last warning. Show up. This is Capt. Whodunit from coast guard ship Virat”

“You can’t hide for long. Surrender and save your lives”

“What’s the guarantee of that, Captain? Black Pearl had never succumbed to empty threats. Don’t dare board our ship. Come closer at your own peril and get doomed. That’s my promise. Promise of the genuine pirate”, snide the scornful voice

Splashing of water guns followed. The screams and shouts of “Ahoy” from both the ends filled the air. And an ugly fight erupted.

“What’s happening in here? You two naughty munchkins! Enough of wasting the water and fighting. Do you want to spend the entire summer in this bath tub with your toy ships?”, Said Mom, rushing into the bathroom.

“Aye, Aye” came the chorus reply from Vidhi and Nidhi, the twins!
  
 ----By MocktailMommy Anagha
Word Count: 151 words

Linking this post to #FlashFictionForAspiringWriters 136th challenge by Priceless Joy




This week's photo prompt is provided by BarbCT/Gallimaufry. Thank you BarbCT!