Celebrating 100 shades of women!

Picturesque lush lands, green beaches covered with white sand and clear waters, jungle-topped mountains.. she longed to be in one such ‘heavenly’ places… a paradise  where you could spend the whole day staring at the crystal clear water or while away time sipping green tea, while exploring unique verdant regions that showcase knock-out views.

One’s ability to find solace with oneself in some far, uninhabited, untouched land is an art in itself- the constant craving for solitude, a bliss. Radha longed for this very solitude, to be able to be drifted away to a lonely plant- uninhibited by the race of human beings.. the only race that judge and misunderstands their peers easily, the only race who form judgments based on erratic, illogical, absurd parameters.

Radha closed her eyes for a moment, in an attempt to focus back on ‘realty.’ She had seen a perfect dream. She looked away to see through her window – the children’s park was already abuzz with activities and people- irate maids trying to drag little kids whose mothers have just left to offices, older men trying to find cover from the scorching sun that is just setting in, anxious grandmothers trying to feed fussy grandkids.. Other side of the balcony she heard middle aged, pot-bellied men shouting at their wives for towels. “Is this the first time these grown-ass men are taking showers? Didn’t they know they would need towels? For god’s sake” Radha thought to herself.

Hey wait! She hurriedly looked at the clock. It will tick eight now and the door bell will ring. The maid will wait for her to open the door. She will open the door and the maid will smile sheepishly at her. Radha does not even acknowledge her smile most of the times.

“It’s another day” she looks at her mobile. Mobiles play such a crucial role in our lives. “I don’t know how I keep my mobile off my chest for 7-8 hours every other day” of course when I’m sleeping and transcending these ‘heavenly’ places. “Thank god for those 7 hours every night!!!”

“Why did you come early today?” she asked the maid. “My child is not well didi. I need to take her to the doctor.” “Ya! Kids fall sick every other day”. Radha thinks of her daughter and realizes how much she’s missed her. The whole house looks empty, and her life purposeless. “Its just for few more days and she will be back” Radha tells herself. Mothers are so typical. They need their ‘me time’ but when the kids are not around, they don’t feel good.

“These new aged women.. I tell you.. they are so self-centric. They don’t need family, no kids.. nothing. I don’t understand how they could be ‘made’ like that” the maid continues her rants. “Ya it’s the air and the food they eat. It’s so different from what you and my mother ate when you all were young. Is it not?” Radha shouts from the balcony sipping her morning cuppa of green tea. “Really Didi? Food changes a woman’s attitude so much?” Radha laughed at the maid’s stupidity.

“Yes. It does change a woman’s attitude. Not just food but a whole lot of other things too” Radha chuckled. Not that this woman would really understand anything of what I’m saying. But that’s how it is.”

No one understands…. Look at that old couple sitting in the park. Do you think they understood each other in their 40-45 years of married life? Wonder what that old aunt would have looked like when she was in her 30’s. 30’s is an awesome age. You look and feel much younger. You have all the energy. You want to explore and experiment. ‘Stop’ word doesn’t really appall you.  You aren’t naïve like you were in your 20s. You are strong. Remember those heartbreaks in 20s. Bullshit! Less confusion reigns now and you know how to be happy and most importantly how to be happy with yourself. But there are other daunting tasks in life. Just like how much of a struggle it is to make your child sit in one corner and write for even 10 minutes? Why today’s kids are so difficult? Because we have spoilt them. Parenting is so over rated. So pressurizing. Yes!!”

Didi… the maids shouts from the kitchen. Radha does not respond. The maid goes on, “You know I have to shell out 2,000 Rs to buy books for my daughter this year. What is the use of having government schools when we have to still pay so much money?” “Really” Radha thinks. “I spend 2,000 bucks every three weeks to remove the unwanted hair grown on my legs and hands and shells out 3 lakhs to send my daughter to school which is less like a school and more like a five-star hotel.” “We have spoiled these kids” Radha thinks.

Didi… “You know what I saw yesterday? That lady, your friend who lives in the next block, she was getting back with a guy late in the night. What is wrong with her?” Radha wanted to shout back, “Nothing is wrong with her but you…”

The doorbell rings again. “It must be the electrician! Go get the door” Maid runs to the door wiping her wet hands. “Didi… parcel guy..” “You go inside. I will get it”

Radha tears open the pack. “It’s my book, my novel..” she screams in euphoria. She pulls out the first draft of her novel ‘to be published soon’. With moist eyes she reads the letter from her publisher,

“Dear Radha, we are happy to inform you that we have decided to publish your novel. At the outset, we would like to acknowledge your latest novel as a piece that skillfully culminates art with sensuality, unconventionality with sensibility…an effortless creation that celebrates and cherishes womanhood in all its shades!