“Now this is the Law of the Jungle – as old as true as the sky; and the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk that law runneth forward and back — for the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” – Rudyard Kipling
Our paw prints are all over the place, in this charming apartment on the fifteenth floor. We live with our family of four. Each day we also leave our heart prints on them with our tiny, little deeds. My name is Laila (pronounced at Lie-lah, and not Lai-la or Lay-la). I’m a 4-year-old, toy Shitzu – 28 years in human age. I’m so tiny that people mostly assume I’m a puppy. Well, I’m not complaining. I love being cuddled and…
“I love opal sunsets. Especially the ones that come, right after a heavy downpour,” smiled Samantha gazing across the horizon. The sky embellished with dark-amber clouds, looked gorgeous. Vihaan and she were out on their second date. A perfect setting to get some romance started.
I spent all of last week in the pristine lap of the Havelock, in the Anadaman & Nicobar Islands; away from choking habitation and non-stop hum-drum of the city life. This vacation was a welcome respite from Wi-Fi and phone connectivity, cradled in the arms of nature, sun, sea, sand and occasional downpours. We were staying at Barefoot Resorts, one of world’s best Eco-friendly resorts. Barefoot lies nestled between the Radhanagar beach and a thicket of over 70-80 feet…
The ancient tree towers among the tropical vegetation of the Sands resort. It canopies the wooden benches, giving the guests a respite from the sunny days. A pair of woodpeckers nest here every spring. But each time the fledglings die, leaving a trail of blood. Also, what remains a mystery are the myriad stones that line the bottom of the tree. Legend says they were brought from the rocky beaches, by couples; wanting to seal their love…
“I’m going out with my friends this evening for the Jazz festival”, Mayra announced, nonchalantly. “But, Myra the doctors have asked you to rest it out for a while, before you can actually start going out. Else you’ll fall sick again and have to miss school.” “The doctors always over-dramatise the sickness and you believe everything they say, Ma”, Mayra said rolling her eyes. I took a deep breath. Trying very hard to keep my composure. My friend who was…
“We found him on the porch. It’s broken a wing,” said the DH, almost thrusting a Mynah on my face. The nine-year-old piped in, “Mamma, isn’t he handsome as hell? Can we keep him, pleaseeeee.” “I’d love to darling, but you know Gran is Orinthophobic, don’t you!” “Orintho…what?” “She has a fear of birds.” “But Mamma, he can stay upstairs in my room” “First things first my girl; let’s help restore this little guy,” said the DH. “Oh so you…
“She has a terminal illness which is in the last stages.” The earth shattering news was broken to us with much aplomb by our family doctor. At that very moment I felt as though shards of glasses had pierced through my tough exterior, bruising me beyond repair. I badly wanted to rewind back to the days when she was a healthy, hale and hearty woman of steel; ready to take on the world with her enchanting smile and spirited attitude….
Saturday, 5:46 A.M.: I haven’t slept a wink. The receding moon is gaping at me blankly. Well, it was a decadent night of drinking and dancing, on the River Mandovi. A night that also brought back memories from the yesteryears: of Rahul and I. When we had chatted on the same deck; till the wee hours of the morning, trying to drown our attraction in pints of beer. But, with no success. Last night Rahul arrived with…
Fourth time in a row!! “I have struggled with the same issue for the last six years,” she said to me with much angst in her voice. “Just when I think everything is going well and life’s looking up for me, I’m given the same set of challenges. Challenges that I thought I had managed to overcome once and for all. What do you think I’m doing wrong, Natz?” Rita looked not just distressed and overwhelmed, but it seemed…