Seashells

Marriage? Hmm. It used to be an intriguing topic—until I turned 25, 26, and found myself becoming a part of it. For the longest time, I dreamt of finding the right person, getting married in a typical Tamil ceremony, creating memories together, attending weddings as a couple, going on vacations, having a child or two, growing old together—you know, just the usual. Growing up, marriage wasn’t something I ever discussed with my parents. They never initiated the conversation, and I wasn’t keen on bringing it up either. The only thought that would occasionally cross my mind about marriage was this: I didn’t want to marry a Tamil boy. Now, you might ask why. I have my reasons. Mainly, I’ve never been exposed to Tamil boys who I found attractive or intellectually stimulating. The ones I did know never seemed to be my type. That was the primary reason I never felt drawn to them. Also, I’m not very religious, so the idea of marrying into a Tamil household—where I might be expected to participa...

Oh, on this random humid day, I slept for hours together in the afternoon. Of course that’s the reason I was up until 2am, or maybe there were other reasons, too. The boyfriend was on a boys' trip to a quaint place in the woods, and I was on my own, missing him, as usual. Now, if it were the typical  he’d probably make it clear that he was with his friends and wouldn't be available to text or chat. But the guy I’m seeing is quite the opposite.  This boy would text as soon as he leaves his house for the villa, text when he reaches, share pictures of the place immediately, video call for a minute or two, and check up on me once in a while. He doesn’t quite fit the ‘typical boyfriend’ mold. That same day, I was reading 2 States, clearing old pictures from my phone, and came across something about Love Again on Netflix. So I decided to watch the movie, but within the first thirty minutes, I felt sleepy. I let my boyfriend know, sent him some hugs and kisses, and set my phone ...

 What relationship do we have with the sea? Why do I always fall for smooth talkers? What makes me love Chennai so much? Why is the film '2 States' so close to my heart? Why does Thangamey from 'Naanum Rowdy Thaan' make my heart glow? Why are endorphins released after taking the first bite of a croissant? What is my mother's idea of 'romance'? What is the 'honeymoon phase' in any relationship?  Why do people flirt even if I do not reciprocate? How does banana walnut cake hit the right spot always? Why do I not see Gujarati taxi drivers in Mumbai? Why does crying feel therapeutic? Why do some girlfriends understand you so well? Why do some people leave an impression so hard, it haunts you in dreams? Why does Jesus seem cool? Would obituaries be rap songs someday? Will the LGBTQIA+ community someday become a majority? Why is 'At My Worst' from Pink Sweats so relatable?

Dressed in a bright orange bodycon dress, with subtle makeup, my hair all over the place but in a sexy way, not-so-large hoops, and the perfect gold studded heels, I looked my best.  This was a lowkey family dinner to celebrate a very special someone's birthday. We chose a pan Asian restaurant and were seated as couples across from each other.  My boyfriend called for a screwdriver, Aunty and I had pina coladas on our mind and Uncle called for rum. The drinks were in various colours and the waiter was a little too confused. He was under the assumption that the boys won’t call for a yellow colour screw driver drink, nor would they drink pina coladas. In a confused state, he served the drinks. Through the course of the dinner, we exchanged smiles, he asked me several questions, took my feedback, and clicked a few pictures for us. It was time to pay the cheque and leave. Our very naive waiter slid the bill next to Uncle and just casually walked away. Sexism exists, yes but why ig...

She chugs pints of beer, She grooves to Bollywood numbers in cheap clubs, She’s nothing but bare bones and skin with a huge glowing heart, She often likes to keep herself and her lighter a little too “high” She holds each guy close, but not too close enough that they get to see her crazy and oh-so-dazy. She likes all things fried and fancy, With painted nails and an infinity band on her ring finger, she tries hard to conquer it all.  She’s all things you and me, but just miles away from being you and me.   

#MeToo is one of those campaigns that I witnessed unfold, bloom, and fade off. Although I heard about it and read quite a lot about it, I did not get the chance to hang around with someone who was accused of or was a victim of it. My ex-boss would always corner girls, call them mean things, and then say, 'Please do not add me to the #MeToo campaign haan!?' Only recently did I get the privilege to be around someone who was called out for molesting girls.   One of my bosses made headlines during this scandal as news about his pursuits came to light and oh, the media loved every bit of it. Apparently, he was thrown out of the prestigious organization he worked for and is now working with a small-time firm as compared to his previous stint. After spending a substantial amount of time around him, I sat myself down and wondered how does this work?  I was around this person for over 5 days in a different city and he did not seem weird. He treated us like kids, was around all th...

Away from home, strangers become friends. Colleagues become confidants. The first face you see when you get up, the only people who pass your towel when in the shower.  Away from home, you have a new found courage. An alien environment pushes you to explore places and people. You fine dine, crush and roll, eat a cookie or two, exchange glances, run errands, discover unexplored spots with people unknown.  Sharing a smoke, stolen hugs, and kisses in nooks and corners keep you going.  Girls and boys become partners, lovers. You promise to meet before you fly back to your respective cities, your respective partners. You smile, you share a secret or two, you gleam, you walk away.  Away from home, promises weaken, boundaries blurrr.  Crossing the line seldom counts as a crime.

I come from a Bombay that boasts an ever-growing skyline I come from a Bombay where electricity cute are alien  I come from a Bombay where grabbing ice cream at 2 AM is a thrill I come from a Bombay where 10 ATM kiosks can be found on a single road I come from a Bombay which gives you weed, speed and expects you to keep up with the 'bheed'  I come from a Bombay where chutney sandwich and chaiwallas are the talk of the town I come from a Bombay where cabbies not only drop you at the airport but also wish you 'Happy Journey.' I come from a Bombay where clicking pictures on the most picturesque Bandra Worli Sea link is NOT allowed I come from a Bombay that uses the airport to ramp walk, pour emotions and go on dates with cab crew workers I come from a Bombay where every fourth kid flaunts an iPhone.  I come from a Bombay that looks beautiful in every picture. 

Postcards from Fort, Bombay⚡ Standard Chartered Bank St Thomas Cathedral Atmasing Jessasing Bankebihari Municipal E.N.T Hospital The Cathedral and John Connon School JCT Limited Concept PR head office, Fort Flora Fountain The Trafford House One Forbes CANDIDS

 

His ringtone for when I called was 'Thinking out Loud' by Ed Sheeran.  My chats with him have a collection of songs that he dedicated to us. They were some of his favourites he would send as suggestions once in a while. Some were about us, some about the children he wanted to make with me, some about good times, some about why the break up hurts, some about how good we had it.  1) How Good We Had It  2) Don't Give Me Those Eyes 3) Cold 4) Heart To Heart 5) Good Things Fall Apart 6) September  (James Blunt Collection)  7) All Of Me  8) Monsters 9) High 10) Carry you home 11) Postcards 12) Heart to Heart 13) Stay the Night 14) Halfway 15) Melody 16) Someone you loved by Lewis 17) All I want - Kodaline He lives through the songs he dedicated.   

Joanna Menezes is a hot 24-year-old I met precisely six years ago at Wilson College. She and her sister Eroisha Fernandes were my batchmates with whom I had not intended to become friends, but life is such that we ended up together, for good. Menezes and I are now inseparable, so much so, that I can totally picture us sitting in a cafe in Paris when we're sixty yet sexy.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manthra Koliyer (@whatevrrrr__) She is a Netflix queen, and there was once a time when there was not a single show she had not watched. One of her recommendations was Jane the Virgin, a San American romantic comedy-drama and satirical telenovela developed by Jennie Snyder Urman. This series revolves around the life of Jane Villanueva's life and how it turns upside down after she gets artificially inseminated. She is in for a more tremendous shock when she discovers that the biological donor is her (hot) boss and former crush.  Although I never...

I found somebody who can love me at my worst.  Who clicks selfies with me when I'm sleeping with my mouth wide open I found somebody who loves my strawberry thighs, Who has a super cool yet dramatic family just like mine, I found somebody who is ready to learn an alien language because why not, Who is my reel and real boyfriend, I found somebody who travels kilometres apart to have a cheese grill w me, Who sings like nobody is watching, who flexes sticky notes, I found somebody who shares his birthday with Big B and is super Bollywood than him, Who loves beaches and couldn't care less about it because things he loves are just as infinite as his love is,  . . . I found somebody who can love me at my worst.

When I pursued a diploma in journalism from The Asian College Of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, I got the chance to meet people from different walks of life. If you knew me or met me during my ACJ days, you would know that I absolutely loved reporting.  Meeting new people, and talking with them about things just thrills me. We used to go with a few questions in mind and would end up hearing stories for hours. Yes, that's how reporting works. It was a beautiful experience for a person like me, who loves to talk with people.  I have gone to fishermen's quarters on the loop road in Chennai, toured around Adyar sitting behind a Swiggy delivery woman, waited from dawn to dusk at the super scary Erwadi dargah, met Sri Lankan refugees, and the list goes on and on. Reporting almost every second day, made me realize how beautiful Journalism is, and how fortunate I was to get such a chance. Journalism humbles you. It shapes you in ways unknown.  Being on the roads with a Swiggy deliver...