The Eccentric Girl on the Train!

Title: The Girl on the Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

Genre: Thriller/ Crime Fiction

Length: 320 Pages

One sombre afternoon, I was introduced to Rachel by a fellow book-a-holic. At first, I was a little apprehensive to read about ‘a strange girl, who’s just spending time on one specific train aimlessly’.

But, a nonchalant pick, soon became one of my favourites. Why? Well! It has everything, what a good thriller book should have. Mysterious. Full of suspense. Unexpected twists. Shocking end. These are going to be some of my top keywords, to define this wonderful book in a range of expressions.

Girl on the Train is one unsettling thriller which will keep you on the edge, all through. The best take away is that no one to be trusted, including the three female protagonists who share the narrative of this book. I literally, completed this book in 7days. And, that is too quick for a sluggish reader like me.

Between, an outlandish alcoholic, a liar, and a smart cheat, who should you, trust? Rachel. Anna. Megan. These are the three women who hold the centre of this book.

My favourite bit was to imagine myself sitting on a train, glancing at the people around me, out of window, and making up stories about them in my head. Maybe Rachel went too far, in even inventing their names and wondering about their perfect or not-so perfect lives every day.

This book is full of secrets. It is about all the subtleties that exist just inside of what we see on the surface. What really goes on behind the closed doors? How much can you ever, really know a person? What formidable horrors exist in that black spot of your memory?  

In a nutshell, this debut novel by Paula Hawkins was gripping, captivating, funny at certain points and thrilling.

A “must-buy” for you as well, if you also like to read thrillers that edges you out of your comfort zone. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I have no country. My country is the whole world.

Travel Solo

“If we were meant to stay at one place, we would have roots, instead of feet. Keep moving. Keep travelling.” 

But why the world would turn and roll its eyes when it’s someone who’s travelling alone? Or more precisely, when it's a woman who's Traveling Solo.

Is that a taboo?  Ah! I don't think so!

Well, the world is changing and 'so should us'. The world is now accepting more of Solo Travelers and accrediting their remarkable journeys. These days, there are a lot many who are travelling alone or just taking trips with themselves to widen their range of horizon and knowledge. 

But as women, we are always giving ourselves utterly for the wants, desires and exigencies of the people surrounding our lives. Predominantly appraised as epitome of love and sacrifice. Most of the times succumbing to the needs of our parents, friends, partners, or kids. Rarely, getting time for ourselves. A regular woman each day, from start to the end, relentlessly switches roles from a mother, to wife, daughter, friend, sister, confidante, guardian, housewife or even a successful office-goer who is able to manage work as well as personal or family life with similar ease. 

So Travel Solo because the pedigree of all learning, the biggest tutor in our lives are the experiences we live along the way. Unarguably Travelling can grant us more experiences to fill-up the bucket of our share of learning, needed to evolve and transform us in a better person. 

Well! When you travel with someone, you share each discovery, every insight but when you travel alone you grow, you become a better YOU, because you are the leader of your own-self. Resultantly, when you are not dependent on someone else, you reap and exude unparallel confidence to take on the world in your stride every day.    

Then why should you stay behind in exploring the realms of this ever-changing world? Why should your life be only able to derive its meaning, from the people you've lived with or been a part of? It's time, world take notice of individual identities. It's time, you're known for what you are than for your partners, family or friends.

"Embrace the world with all your heart and the change in perception shall follow". 

Already burning out while reading this? :) Take some time out just for yourself. Visit places, explore new cuisines, cultures, meet new people, click pictures, live stories, make more memories and more experiences to live-by. 

Be lost. Discover yourself. Be a solivagant. 💚

An evening on outside stairs

Life is strange, when we are strange to it. But I've been funny. I've acted strange when it has been nice with me and have gone hysterical when it has been strange with me.

I've a feeling that I'll be accepted for who I am, as and when my time comes. Surely, I maybe strange, weird, random, peculiar, funny (at least some think so), a reticent recluse who unexpectedly fumbles and much more. But as long as I am 'ME', I know these traits will not leave. I can pull them on for life, if anyone indicates their affirmation towards them.

Though, I'm improving. I take time to decide on things now. The list of best-friends has grown shorter. I trust myself more. I give second chance to someone who deserves. I'm growing up. Becoming stronger. Learning every day and un learning each morning. That under-lining smell of 'me' in myself hasn't gone. It peculiarly, moves inside-me and within-me. It's growing unabashedly and unfazed In ME. But, It's that one thing which separates 'me' from others.

It's that one thing in YOU which distinctly differentiates you from others.

We should never let that go. In fact, even our hardest of try can't make us part with our inner silver-lining. It will shine in the darkest hour even when suppressed. Our purpose should be to find it and then hone it for life so that it talks to us, conveys to us what it really 'wants'. Because, this inner soul only keeps us alive. 'HE' has put one life in all of us, but unique inner-soul in each one of us.

"Keep that burning. Keep that alive."

Jodhpur - The Magical Blue City!

Sun. Heritage. Sand

Rajasthan is a true state beautiful contrasts. My trip to the Blue city Jodhpur was adorned with innumerable sights of traditional architecture, desert, colourfully dressed locals and camels. Jodhpur is one of the biggest cities of Rajasthan, which is an Indian state. It is also known as the ‘Sun-city’ because it has the perfect, pleasant weather all year round or the ‘Blue-city’ because most of the houses are painted in the colour blue which looks incredible with the dusty desert-town backdrop.

If you are also intrigued by the royal maharaja times, then this could be a perfect city for you to explore. The city still holds its solid roots to the charismatic past, treating its tourists with enigmatic grandeur with various forts, palaces, gardens, lakes, shrines and museums.   

We visited many beautiful places in Jodhpur. So, let me give you a sneak peek of travel trails when I stepped into the bygone era of magnificent and majestic Mughal times.  

Mehrangarh Fort

Well, Mehrangarh Fort is counted amongst the most visited forts in Rajasthan. Depicting the deep blue skyline of the city, the fort was built around 1460 A.D. by Rao Jodha. The awe-inspiring architecture is made of red sandstone with gigantically thick walls and on the inside it is ornamented with intricate carvings.

The colossal fort also has a museum which sells souvenirs and other Rajasthani artefacts. Also look for Phool Mahal, Ranisar Lake, Sheesh Mahal inside the fort.

Jaswant Thada

The visit to the Mehrangarh Fort is incomplete without a trip to the Jaswant Thada. Both the monuments are situated quite nearby to each other. A cenotaph made with white marble and hints of sandstone which glows like a gold on a bright sunny day. It has a splendid garden with gazebos and a pond adding to its charismatic charm.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

Step into the elaborated splendour of Umaid Bhavan Palace. It is still home to the ancestral maharaja family of Gaj Singh. The palace has 347 rooms and a part of it is operated by the renowned Taj Group of Hotels. A museum is also part of this palace with galleries showcasing a host of vintage cars and royal clocks with spectacular murals on the walls. 

All in all, Jodhpur will leave you enthralled with its captivating old city charm, archaic architecture, warm-hearted people and scrumptious food. So, wait no more! And pack your bags to explore and unravel the majestic beauty of Jodhpur! Because, mine was truly enriching in every way. . :)  

Heap of Faith

Can too much of faith in something, make you demanding and impatient? Can too much of faith also make you mechanical? More so, can too much of faith make you restless in wait of results, for which you're holding onto the faith. If we unravel this, the answer would probably be a 'yes'!

Wait reap sweeter results. 

Discussing this with a friend and pondering more on this particular thought while driving back. I'm thinking aloud.

Well, for my friend's aunt, her life wouldn't be complete until she settles down, ah! precisely gets married. Her aunt leaves no stone un-turned in making her feel guilty of her single-hood with each passing day. She (her alleged Aunt) would go to any extent to make it happen. She who always believed in karma all her life, is now making her visit temples, arranging all sorts of puja for her.

"I mean, the aunt is doing all this for the guy who would live with her. To me, everybody seems more excited for him, entering in her life than her's years' long existence in theirs. She is telling her to keep innumerable fasts and now her last faith-card is to make her wear an inanimate object on her finger, which according to me demands a gigantic rock of solitaire!" 

Here I know, she is not shying away from all this. Definitely not because, that she believe in all this or that she has given-in to her aunt's current belief. But, I believe the only fact which presumably keeps her unfazed through all this, is that all her life, my friend has predominantly believed, "If something has to happen it will happen". It will make its way, when it’s destined to, irrespective of all the array of efforts one does, did or even chose not to."

If her aunt wants to pursue this superstition via her, I think, she will succeed. Again, if all this makes her happy, I know my dear friend, would definitely do it. People have different ways to show their gratitude to the above. And my friend respect hers. 

But what about her happiness? What about the respect of my friend's decision, which states 'waiting patiently for things to happen and not rush.'

Sigh! "What doesn't make me happy, that all this while my precious friend has forgotten that if that happens, it won't occur because of these superstitious moves of her Aunt, about which she's getting worried right now, but it will happen only, because something some up there has already planned it to happen." Hence, my friend needs to trust life with all her heart, to do good back to her.

Adding to the threads of my fleeting after-thought, I believe it holds quiet true for almost everybody, when something finally happens for which they've have waited for long, they tend to forget, what they've faced in that hour of need, before that desirable need was filled. It's more like, till the time we want something, we keep that wish, in our prayers everyday. As soon as, it's granted, we even conveniently forget to thank HIM. However, we sweep all the credit on our side, by assuming, It was us who made things happen, that - we stood strong, we did that puja, we wore those colorful stones, which landed us with yearned results. Rather, it was Mr. 'HIM' who ensured that we stand tall and strong. 'He' was with us when we thought we were alone.

I see her, gather herself post this vent-out. So, I close, the phone-call discussion with her by saying, that things do happen. Everything you want will surely happen. But in its own destined sweet-time. Till then laugh your way through the impatient wait. :)

Panning the frame on me, I am aware, I can't showcase my faith on the almighty by lighting diyas in the nearby temple. But I have his light of belief shining in me every day. And that is my definition of believing in something or someone. You don't have to prove it any time, in fact you got to just unconditionally believe in it all-the-while and all-the-time. 

Thanks for reading! :) 

*Do leave your comments below in case you hold a different opinion

Working Saturdays!

Waking up hastily as my alarm rings and realizes its 8 in the morning... As I reach to turn it off, I realized its a bright Saturday morning.. Even birds will start to chirp in a while. As I have worked hard all five days and thus need rest...

But how come my company makes us work one-extra day and make us impatiently drool for just one day 'Sunday' which decides its exit before I even realize its auspicious arrival... 

So much made its way on my mind, while rubbing my eyes I reach out to the bathroom... The mirror on the wall disapprovingly shows a pale face, un-brushed hair falling on wrinkled eyes crying out for some more sleep and a good relaxed breakfast afterwards concluding with some shopping or relaxed hours with family and friends...

 I run to my room as I could not look more at myself... This common cold has made me look uncommonly dull... I need rest... Yes I do... Oh my god! I feel a pimple on my nose.. No way I would go to office like this... But, what on earth will make my manager understand that some offs doesn't come with explanations... Text sent... beep... beep... 'OK'... These two letters came as a relaxed breeze as I try to sleep again without any intentions of getting up anytime sooner...

Nothing seems to work for my clogged-muddy nose... I sneeze I say sorry, the echo of 'god bless you' has also faded as this common cold has now become a pretty common affair for everyone at my place since morning... Maa! lemon will make me cough more why don't you understand... Its good... pee jayo... Voila! this green-lemon tea has worked, perfect aroma made its way to my glumpy nose by lanes. The touch of honey and lemon soothe my 'all-night-coughed throat'.... 

As I pick newspaper and reach out to switch on the television I sense in a thought that my day-off is rushing past. My phone rings, Its Shweta... Oye! good morning ladki, office kyun nahi aayi? Yeah Shwe! caught bad cold. what you doing ? hahhaa... so you petting your tired throat... shut up, whatever! Click!

Evening, and I feel better. Its beautiful when it rains, something in me smiles like a kid when these droplets makes their way from temple to closed eyes and beneath... I feel a cold rush under my spine.... sneeze... sneeze.. my feet froze... refused to move as I stare at the droplets fall from the sky and mixing themselves with the ground in many smaller differentiated droplets.

I run towards the shed as the rain starts to act heavy. My mind echoes a question 'Are we all also like these little droplets, trying to make our mark, scared of getting lost in the crowd... losing our identity with so many people around. Do we also appear beautiful to others... Do others also admire us like we do these little rain drops.' 

Thanks for reading :-) 

Called Endings!

There's this thought which creeps in me and awaits to be heard.

"All endings are a chance to rest to breathe to reflect on the conclusion of a journey in preparation of a new one."

In this long lost world of losing glory and evoking it again each morning with the rise of the fireball. We all struggle to make our endings as shorter and smaller as possible. But what we get as a 'given' on our platter generally goes ignored.

How do we want our endings to be, a dying relationship, a never-working friendship or an un-ending quest for a new job. It could be anything, but the question remains the same.. How do we want our endings to be?

Do we want them to be subtle and mutual enough for both the parties to call it off and move on Or we want them to be loud and clear where even our inner voices gather to shout aloud 'this is the end' as if to bang the other person's head just like they do it in rock -concerts, the only difference being, here the three-words would be enough music for the soul.

Whatever, be our answer, I still feel that the former is better as an option to be chosen ; at least for sake you can let your hope birds flying, because endings hasn't been formalized and both of you still have the option to re-consider it in the near future and tread the rest of the un-tread path together.

Unlike, the latter, where chapters are closed, books are thrown, writers are lost, characters are vanished.. Though you still have the option to tread the path together but with an equal will to match steps even after the alleged showdown of emotions, thoughts, feelings, and notions.

Still, in my mind it echoes, called endings are any day better than the un-called. At least, you are prepared to close the long association on a good-note.

Yes, "Endings which comes knocking, just to inform - This is the end! - Are definitely the worse and hurts the most." (Yet. at the minimum, at least you know.)  

Thanks for reading :)