It took me some time to start getting over the past and to re-build myself, but through introspection, prayer, and affirmation, the process of healing is in effect. Don’t let someone’s impaired vision of you affect the love you have for yourself. Don’t let your own self-imposed doubts get in your way.

My heart aches with sadness and grief unsaid,
But flashes of family and friends come before my eyes,
The happy memories beg me to return by.

I thought other girls had boys flocking
Everywhere they turned, there was a boy lurking
Of this I could almost swear I was sure
But then I grew and learned it was not so
The other girl down the street was battling drugs…

That failure is the best thing that can happen to you. It's a step back to see the wider perspective. Yeah... what is failure showing you? What is it that you missed? Trust me life is full of second chances, it's not over till it's really, really over.

But, you!
Do you have tears in your eyes yet?
I know you’re there too.
I know you’re just like me…

So here’s a reminder;
The sun sets,
so will all your sadness;
Just believe in yourself!

Down the memory lane, I recall all the moments.
How we met in this street for the first time
And talked throughout the night…

So, on days when it feels like you can eat up anyone who comes in front of you or tries to communicate with you, know that it is momentary. You must know the feeling, when in angst you spurt out on someone not realizing the damage it can cause. The very next moment you know you did wrong.

Many people who have had near-death experiences have spoken about how they had seen a light at the end of a tunnel. I can now verify that for myself. There had indeed been a light and a tunnel, but to be honest, I did not expect it to lead me to an empty street.

Do I ask for too much?

All I want is for you to ask how I'm doing,

For you to listen when I answer…

To the ones who feel the need to satisfy society: STOP. Look around yourself. Understand that we are different for a reason. If the human race were meant to be 7.7 billion exact bronze statues, then things would have been shaped that way; but we aren’t.

If today a metre seems like 1000 miles,
And all you want to do is not go further up.
Rest,
But I need you to not give up.

Cultures vary in what they regard as right and wrong, standards vary from place to place. Over time, there is no universal standard, and consequently, it is mistaken to criticize the practices of another culture. I get that. But…

You see, the thing with being raped, or just generally being abused at such a young age, is that you find it hard to open up to people about it. I would know because for me, it started when I was about four years old. I really don't remember much about that time of my life but I can never forget what she did to me. Yes, "she".

Pain and sorrows are never a joke, no matter how silly the reason behind it.
If you're hurt, you're hurt. You don't need to give any clarification, about why it's affecting you.
Emotions don't require any explanation.

5% or maybe 95% of the time you desire to marry a queen or maybe a princess..
But in this context babe... I'm more of Anabelle 😏
I don't fancy dresses...heels and a walk in the park 😏
I'm more of a let's stay at home and order some pizza☺

Why do you underrate me?
Why do you tell me what I am
Or what I could ever be?
Why do you not tell that to your boys?
Why do I have to earn your trust,
walking a hundred miles more?

Societal perception of working women, inadequate recognition, ignorance to opportunities, and limited mobility, are blockades in integrating women in developmental roles, making women passive observers in the country’s economic sector.

This world deserves so much better than what actually is happening right now. Our people need love, kindness, and a reminder that whoever they are, wherever they live, whatever they believe in, they should learn to own their identity, their body, their origin, and learn to love themselves. 

On that day, she had the courage to leave and not look back. It broke my heart, but more than anything else in the world, I valued her peace of mind, her chance at liberation away from the hurricane that is my father. My father made it a note in his mind to remind us every time he came home wasted that we lived in his home and he'd kick us out if he so wished.

Descending from the sky like pellucid pearls,
Having the freedom to fall anywhere like the tendrils have for twirls
With a swift dispatch rider you often come,
Demonstrating to me that even small ones have the power to obscure the sun.

Smoking is injurious to health”. Like everyone else, I believed it to be true but I often questioned myself that “why did they always show men smoking in the ad and not women?” Or “is smoking gender specific?”. I did not dare ask this question from my parents because some things do not have room for discussion in brown culture, especially coming from a girl.

In such a healthy environment, you learn, grow, experience, and gain recognition in unprecedented ways. We take pride to uplift each other in many ways. Rankings and accolades of colleges are temporary, but the values we imbibe like teamwork, leadership, self love, compassion, growth, sensitivity, and empathy are everlasting.

For the past 15 years, I have been in London. There is nothing as strange in this city as my life. No one cared to join my strange journey. Not even my blood-mates. 15 years of a hidden and strange life. Tears just kissed my cheeks and fell to my arms. I just covered my face with my arms and suddenly threw it away. It showed me a clear picture of my life before those 15 years. My mom’s hug, my dad’s smile, and Sreya’s non-stop stories. Sreya!