Keen to learn more about inclusive workplaces? Want to be inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community? Download our special report with Randstad India on making Inclusion without Exception happen
My silver strands...you're such a high maintenance guest. You expect oil massages, healthy food, expensive products! Despite this, you give me headaches! Enough is enough.
“Hey Ma Mataji,” I yelled, exactly like Daya from Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma. I couldn’t fathom the fact that he was here. “So soon! You came so soon?” I questioned this uninvited atithi (guest). “Don’t you know you’re not welcome here…. or rather anywhere!” I continued in a disgruntled tone.
“You’re such a high maintenance guest you know that, draining up my time, energy and resources,” I complained. “Your never-ending demands are driving me crazy…. you expect warm oil massages, high fibre, high protein, high calcium, healthy food! Most expensive, good quality products are a must… despite all this, you still give me terrible headaches!” I decided enough is enough.
“Once you fully enjoy all this mehman nawaazi and khatirdaari you promise to leave… that too just for a few days, maximum you have gone is just for a fortnight and then you start showing your true colours once again!”
“Aaye toh aaye saath mein auron ko bhi le aaye!” (You brought along so many more). I wouldn’t stop. “First of all, I detest you! And now you have the nerve to bring along many more like you… no way!”
“You have made my life miserable… you want to tag along with me everywhere I go… be it weddings, funerals, PTMs, even to the market! As if this was not enough you want to peep into my video calls too now!” I decided to give an earful today to this uninvited guest.
“Whenever I get an invitation, forget the physical in-person invitations, nowadays even virtual invitations don’t excite me. Instead of looking forward to it, my first thought is how do I get rid of you, as you’ve almost become a permanent resident in my life!” I sighed.
“During the lockdown, you made yourself completely comfortable here, guess you had the best time of your life… didn’t have to leave even for a fortnight… chilling away for months together. You ruled like a king…teasing me…as if saying, ‘Ab kya karogi tum?’ (What will you do now?) with an evil smirk on your face!” I disgustingly alleged.
With my folded hands I begged you, “Atithi tum kab jaoge?” (dear guest when will you leave?).
“My silver strands, you popped up in my life at such an early age, completely uninvited, you shocked me. Initially, I let you stay, eventually, you made it a habit to overstay. As if that was not enough, more of your kinds started showing up soon, making my life awful!” with almost a tear rolling down my cheek, I went on.
“I tried every feasible remedy, all dadima and nanima’s nuskhas (grandmother’s home remedies), every possible jadibooti from various corners of the country, all this to keep you away. Eating, drinking, applying the most disgusting things, just in the hope you would go away some day. All my tapasya (efforts) went in vain… you came back with a vengeance, with an agenda, never to leave, always to stay.”
I feel as if I have almost lost the battle now, it’s time to make peace with this uninvited guest and live life to the fullest!
Image source: Sameera Reddy’s Instagram Account
Mother to a bubbly teenager and a student of psychology, Heena is also a travel enthusiast. She loves to observe the happenings around her and weave them into beautiful stories. A writer with a passion read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, indivisual posts do not necessarily represent the platofrom's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Stop glorifying biological parenthood - other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple's choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Stop glorifying biological parenthood – other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple’s choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Trigger Warning: Contains derogatory remarks about having a baby through surrogacy or any means other than giving birth through biological means, and may be triggering, especially to adoptive parents.
Recently Priyanka Chopra Jonas announced parenthood by surrogacy. This has once again sparked the debate about ethical surrogacy, which is a discussion for another day.
Arathi Rajagopalan, founder of 'House of Kalart', talks about thinking like a designer & transitioning to thinking like a business owner.
Excerpts from an interview with Arathi Rajagopalan, founder of ‘House of Kalart’ – a fusion jewellery label that merges global aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship.
When did you start ‘House of Kalart’ and what was the intention?
I started House of Kalart in 2017 as a venture where painting, drawing and embroidery are married with metalsmithing to create well-handcrafted fashion jewellery. Along with painting and styling, the venture aims to create a holistic fashion experience for a bold and dramatic woman!” As a child, I had always been fascinated by arts and crafts.
Dear in-laws - do not be the reason your daughter in law gives up on her marriage, as she is her own person who knows how she wants to live her life.
Dear in-laws – do not be the reason your daughter in law gives up on her marriage, as she is her own person who knows how she wants to live her life.
Hello ladies, I really am requesting all you people to read this at least once, and please do share your experiences too.
So I got married a few years ago to my mom’s childhood friend’s son. My parents are financially stronger than them, so they thought that their money would keep me happy. And my MIL wanted to use my parents’ and siblings name and my salary so it was win – win for both, well not really, because I became the loser in all this.
Some exit wounds are hard to get over, and healing is a long process. This honest confession is a story about one such love that ended unceremoniously.
Even the love stories that are not ‘happily ever after’ teach us something!
Bestselling author Nikita Singh’s latest novel, Letters To My Ex is all about one such love story. Taking our cue from this novel, we asked readers to send us their own letter to an ex. The best eight are being published here, and win a copy of the book as well as a shopping voucher for Rs.300. Get your own copy here, of Letters To My Ex and curl up with a bittersweet read this February!