LIFE LESSONS AJ

Chapter 7: Conflicting Turmoil [INLOVE & INCHARGE]

2023-05-19T05:47:00.008-07:00

Listen to this chapter here:

Well, hello there! Looks like you're back for another chapter of my story. You must be really enjoying hearing about my triumphs and tribulations - congratulations on being a fellow human who craves connection and empathy!

So, where were we? Ah, the early days with Preeti were like a dream come true. It felt like I was floating on cloud nine, and Mitra, my dear friend, was experiencing the same euphoria with her partner. However, we couldn't help but notice that our dear friend Amita was often left out of our little adventures, as she was the only single one among us five. But Preeti and I made a concerted effort to include her in our outings, though Amita always politely declined, ensuring our privacy.

Soon enough, Valentine's Day crept up on us, bringing with it a surprise that would change my fate forever.

13^th Feb 2046, Tuesday, Tenneti Beach Park, Vishakapatanam.

As Preeti nestled her head onto my shoulder and gazed out at the breathtaking view, she whispered in a dreamy voice, "I wish this day would never end!"

I couldn't agree more - the scenery was simply magical, with just the two of us and the beauty of nature surrounding us. We sat on a rustic wooden bench, perched on the edge of the coastline, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city traffic.

However, as much as I wanted to lose myself in the moment with my love, the tranquillity of the surroundings was shattered by the sounds of the park volunteers bustling about, feverishly preparing for the upcoming Valentine's Day celebrations.

The once-peaceful location was now punctuated by the clanging of hammers and the chattering of voices, competing with the roar of the sea for my attention.

"I know what you mean, but we can't," I replied with a hint of regret in my voice.

Preeti looked up at me in surprise, her curiosity piqued. "Why not?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

"We have so much to look forward to in life - starting our careers, getting married, having kids. If this day never ended, we would miss out on all of it. I'm excited for what the future holds," I explained, unaware of the upheaval that awaited me the next day.

Preeti considered my words and then turned back to the view before us, her gaze fixed on the endless expanse of the sea. "It's been months since we've been together. Have you ever been angry with me?" she asked suddenly.

"Never," I replied firmly, taking her hand in mine.

Preeti looked at me skeptically. "Are you sure?" she prodded.

"Positive. You've never done anything to annoy me. You've always been amazing to me," I assured her, a smile playing on my lips.

Preeti's eyes were wet as she spoke, "The day you are angry with me, I feel like my whole world comes crashing down Aditya!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Stop right there. Why would I ever be angry with you? You mean the world to me," I said as I hugged her tightly, trying to comfort her.

Soon Preeti's expression shifted, and she leaned in closer. "Tomorrow is our first Valentine's Day together. You have something special planned, right?" she asked, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

I chuckled, giving her a playful wink. "Well, you can't ask for a surprise, can you?"

"Pleeeease?" she begged, her eyes widening into puppy-dog pleading.

I pretended to consider it, my lips twitching. "We'll see," I said, leaving her in suspense.

"Isn't everything perfect between us?" Preeti asked with a sense of pride.

"Absolutely, but do you remember our gang of five? Those good old days of chatting and hanging out together in the canteen and class?" I reminisced.

"Yes, we were a great group. But now everyone is committed, except for Amita," Preeti explained.

"That's true, but it would be great if all of us could hang out together. Ayesha always takes Mitra to those expensive and dull places. Who knows if he's happy in his relationship? I think most girls are like that," I complained, but quickly added, "But not you, you're different. I'm so lucky to have you."

Preeti's expression changed from surprise to anger.

"What do you mean by most girls?" she asked sternly.

"I mean some girls can be materialistic and high-maintenance. But I know you're not like that, and I appreciate that about you," I clarified, trying to avoid a disaster.

"I tried to get everyone together today so we could include Amita, but Ayesha had other plans," I explained diverting the topic, frustration creeping into my voice. "It's just not fair to Amita. She always gets left out."

Preeti nodded in agreement and replied, "Yes, I do think of Amita sometimes. But I'm sure she's happy being single and independent. By the way, I'm not holding onto anything. Is there something on your mind that you want to share?" she asked curiously.

“Excuse us sir, we need to decorate this table!” a volunteer in a red t-shirt approached us, interrupting our peaceful moment on the bench.

“Sure,” I replied, concealing my annoyance with a smile. “Let’s take a walk, Preeti,” I suggested, and she readily agreed. Together, we strolled along the water’s edge, enjoying each other’s company.

“Aditya,” Preeti spoke softly, calling my name.

“Yes, my love,” I responded, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear so I could see her beautiful face more clearly.

“I have something important to tell you,” she said, her voice slow and deliberate.

“Please, go ahead,” I encouraged her.

“Actually…” she trailed off, hesitating.

“Don’t keep me waiting, Preeti. That can be a way to annoy me!” I teased her with a wink.

“Okay, okay,” she laughed. “You focus on your surprise for tomorrow. I’ll tell you after that.”

“That’s quite a tease, Preeti. I can’t wait,” I pouted playfully.

“It’s important, Aditya. I promise I’ll tell you at the right moment,” she reassured me, giving me a comforting hug.

“You’re too good at this, Preeti. One day, I will be able to resist melting in your arms,” I joked, hugging her back.

“Don’t count on it, you will fail miserably. Good luck with your surprise,” she said with a smile as we walked towards the parking lot.

***

14^th Feb 2046, Our House, Vishakhapatnam.

Dad's voice interrupted my early morning thoughts as he greeted me with a cheerful "Good Morning!" I turned my gaze away from the sky and responded with equal enthusiasm, "Good Morning, Dad!"

Noticing my contemplative expression, Dad remarked, "The sky doesn't seem to be at its best today." I nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I miss the golden glitter."

As I gazed up at the cloudy sky, Dad remarked, "A clouded sky is indeed beautiful too! We just need to have the patience to wait for either rain or the sun. Both of them are beautiful in their own way."

I shrugged my shoulders and quipped, "Patience isn't a virtue most youngsters possess."

Dad chuckled and countered, "Perhaps, but it's an essential quality to cultivate. Just like waiting for the sun to peek through the clouds, some things in life require patience and perseverance."

I nodded, realizing the truth in his words. Despite my impatience, I couldn't deny the beauty of the clouded sky.

"Every day is beautiful, regardless of whether it's bright or dark, because it has something to teach us," Dad philosophized. "Although it may be difficult for us to perceive it sometimes, we should learn from everything that comes our way."

"I guess I'm becoming more mature," I said with a hint of satisfaction. "But, I'm willing to learn from every experience."

Dad beamed with pride and asked, "So, what's the latest update?"

"Nothing too exciting, just moving forward," I replied. "But today, I have a surprise planned for her. I think she'll love it."

"Ah, I almost forgot! It's Valentine's Day today!" Dad exclaimed with a smile.

"Absolutely!" I responded eagerly as Dad posed his question.

"I've been pondering a lot about it, and finally decided to gift her a dog. It's a symbol of the loyalty and truthfulness she has for me," I shared my plan with enthusiasm.

Dad caught on quickly, "Aha, I see why you've been saving up so much money!" He smiled knowingly, and I couldn't help but blush at his comment. "A Maltese, huh? That breed comes with a hefty price tag."

I nodded sheepishly, "Yes, it's been quite an investment."

Dad chuckled, "Have you ever thought of gifting something to your dear old dad or mom?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his comment, "Dad, it's not about measuring the trust I have for you or mom with a gift. You know that."

"You're too smart for your own good," Dad teased, still wearing a proud smile. "I'm impressed with your choice, and I'm sure Preeti will love it too."

"I hope so," I replied with anticipation. Suddenly, I jolted, "Wait, I never mentioned her name. How did you know it?”

"Dad took a momentary pause and let out a deep breath. "Aditya, there's something important that I need to share with you," he said, his tone serious.

My curiosity piqued, I asked, "What is it, Dad?"

"I've known Preeti for almost two years now, even before you met her in college," he revealed.

My mind was racing with questions. "What do you mean, Dad? Did you plan for her to be in my life?"

"It's not like that, Aditya. I just thought she would be a good match for you," he explained, trying to calm me down.

I felt my anger rising. "So, you manipulated things to bring her into my life?" I asked, my voice growing louder.

Dad tried to reason with me. "No, Aditya, it wasn't like that. I just wanted to help you find someone who would make you happy."

But I was too upset to listen. "I can't believe this, Dad," I said, my anger boiling over. "I trusted you."

I stood up from my seat, unable to contain my frustration. As I did, thunder rumbled in the distance, adding to the drama of the moment. Dad stood up too, trying to reach out to me.

"Aditya, please, just listen to me," he said, holding out his hand. But his voice weakened to tears along with the rain drops falling.

But I was too angry to listen. "No, Dad, I don't want to hear it. Now I got it clear why you wanted to guide me for the first time in life. “I said, turning away from him.

As I walked away through the rain waters, my phone started ringing. It was Preeti calling. I answered, still seething with anger.

"I was just about to call you, Preeti," I said, my tone cold.

"What's wrong, Aditya?" she asked.

"Just one question, Preeti. How did you know my father before me? And why didn't you tell me about it?"

Preeti hesitated for a moment before answering. "Aditya, I was going to tell you about it today. I just didn't know how to bring it up."

But I wasn't buying it. "Don't lie to me, Preeti. You and my father were in cahoots, trying to manipulate me. I can't believe I fell for it."

"Aditya, please, just let me explain," she pleaded.

But I couldn't listen to her anymore. "I don't want to hear it Preeti. I never want to see you again."

I threw my phone down in anger, shattering it into a million pieces. Dad looked on, sadness etched on his face, as he realized the depth of my hurt.

In that moment, I was lost in a swirl of conflicting emotions. Betrayed by two people I trusted the most, I felt a deep sense of confusion and anger. As the writer once said, "The greatest wars are fought within the souls of the most beloved," and that day, I found myself caught in the crossfire of a battle I never saw coming."

***

Quick links to previous chapters:

Chapter 1: Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2:Dazzling Yet Mystifying

Chapter 3:The Unified Tapestry

Chapter 4:Blooming Camaraderie

Chapter 5:Bond of Enigma

Chapter 6:Anticipated Moment

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Hey! If you liked this episode, please make sure to share it with your friends, family, and loved ones.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts and predictions for the next episode in the comments section.

Also, I'm a great creative writer and I'm open to collaboration. If you're a filmmaker looking for a creative partner, I would be happy to work with you to provide enticing storylines. Feel free to DM me on my email or WhatsApp, and let's make something amazing.

Chapter 6: Anticipated Moment [INLOVE & INCHARGE]

2023-05-11T23:43:00.003-07:00

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"I revved up the electric motorcycle and waited for Preeti to hop onto the back seat. It had been half an hour since she slapped me, but the anger in her face remained palpable.

"Come on, let's go," I turned back to face her standing a few feet away.

She remained silent, her arms folded across her chest.

"I've said sorry ten times already. Let's get going, your parents will be worried sick," I pleaded with her once more.

She exhaled sharply, composed herself, and mounted the bike.

"Grab onto my shoulder tightly, you don't want to fall," I instructed her gently before accelerating.

Still, she didn't reply.

As we turned onto the highway and picked up speed, I adjusted the mirror to catch a clear glimpse of her beautiful yet angry face. But, I had to fix this before we reached her house.

"Preeti, please forgive me. I promise I won't lash out like that again," I implored.

Still, she remained silent.

"This day is a disaster," I thought to myself, revving up the accelerator further to get her home as soon as possible.

"Aditya, pull over here," Preeti's voice cut through the silence after a few minutes of riding.

"What's wrong? This isn't your house," I inquired, glancing at her through the rear-view mirror.

"Just stop," she commanded with more urgency in her tone this time.

I slammed on the brakes, bringing the bike to a halt.

"Wait here," she said before disappearing into the nearby medical shop.

As I waited for her return, I couldn't help but check my left eyebrow for any signs of blood. Sure enough, there was a small wound that had been bleeding.

"Aditya, turn this way," Preeti's voice echoed, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Hmm?" I turned to face her, and she began to tend to my wound with a piece of cotton.

Watching her care for me filled me with joy, and I couldn't help but grin widely as she pulled out a band-aid and sealed the wound.

"Let's go," she said, taking her place on the back of the bike.

I continued to smile, feeling grateful for her care, and revved up the accelerator.

"You bled a lot because of your recklessness," she scolded lightly, giving me a gentle smack on the back of my head.

"You're incredible," I replied, still grinning from ear to ear.

"Stop... stop here," Preeti interrupted my thoughts as we neared her street.

"What's wrong? Your house is just a few feet away, let me drop you there," I offered, trying to persuade her.

"And what do I say to my strict father if he asks who you are?" she asked pointedly, leaving me without an answer.

I watched as she left step by step, feeling a sense of longing to be with more for a few more moments.

As she took a few steps, she turned around and flashed me a heart-melting smile, silently saying goodbye. I couldn't bring myself to leave until she was safely inside her house. I watched her walk down a row of four houses, one after the other.

Suddenly, my attention was diverted to a little boy riding his bicycle in front of his house. Preeti's eyes lit up at the sight of the child, and she couldn't resist going over to him. She scooped him up in her arms and gave him a kiss on his rosy cheek.

My heart sank as I watched them, thinking to myself, "That should be me."

" Had your aaam Kuchulu?" Preeti asked the little boy, still holding him in her arms.

"Kuchulu?" I pondered, trying to recall when I last heard this word. It suddenly struck me that it was a term of endearment used in a message I had received in the lab.

I quickly whipped out my phone and opened the "Mark-ssage" app. There it was, the last of six messages, "You have a smile that could light up a room and a voice that could calm the wildest of storms. Kuchulu, but your anger is boorish!"

My heart skipped a beat as I realized that it was Preeti who had sent me the message and that she undoubtedly liked me.

I was over the moon, and as I watched Preeti leave the little boy on his bike and head toward her house, I knew it was time to make her mine.

With a grin plastered on my face, I revved my bike and rode off into the night, excited for what the future held.

***

As I sat on my bed, I mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to Preeti. I typed a message to her, "I need to tell you something important."

"What is it?" she replied promptly.

I paused for a moment, wondering how to begin. Seeking inspiration, I turned to OpenAI for some love quotes.

It suggested, "You know what's more exhilarating than the rush of riding a rollercoaster? It's the feeling of taking a leap of faith with someone you like, and I can't wait to see where our next adventure takes us."

"That's a bit too creative," my inner voice chimed in. "But what the heck, let's give it a shot," I thought as I sent the quote to her.

Preeti's response caught me off guard. "Haha, what's this? What's the matter of being so creative?" she innocently asked.

I felt a little frustrated as I struggled to find the right words. "Should I seek advice from my dad? He is out of station now, also that would be silly," I thought. "I'll handle this on my own," I decided.

Just then, Mitra called me in a panic. "I'm in trouble, Macha! I need your help," he said urgently.

"What's going on, Mitra?" I asked, sensing his distress.

"I proposed to Ayeasha while texting her, and she didn't take it well. She said she'll deal with me in college," he explained, his voice quivering with anxiety.

"Don't worry, Macha, I've got your back. Let's face it together tomorrow," I replied reassuringly before hanging up.

Realizing that it wasn't the right time to confess my feelings, I messaged Preeti, "I'll tell you directly tomorrow in college."

"Lolz, okay!" she replied.

***

The Next Day, MBA Block, Andhra University.

Mitra and I arrived at college early to discuss the logistics of settling down. Although I wasn't entirely sure how I could assist him, I was eager to lend a hand. Mitra, on the other hand, appeared rather anxious, his face creased with worry lines.

As we sat waiting in the classroom, I kept a keen eye out for the girls' arrival. "If only they'd turn up sooner," I mused to myself, hoping that we'd have ample time to finalize our plans.

Before long, the door swung open and three girls glided into the room - Amita, Ayesha, and Preeti. My heart skipped a beat, and I watched intently as they made their way over to their seats. Ayesha, however, shot a haughty glance in Mitra's direction, causing him to visibly tense up even more.

Despite the tension in the air, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and grace of Preeti. The girls’ presence filled the room, suffusing it with a vibrant energy that was both alluring and intimidating.

As the girls shuffled into their seats, I eagerly awaited their usual huddle where we'd catch up on the latest gossip. But on that day, there was no sign of their usual camaraderie.

I glanced over at Preeti and quirked my eyebrows in a silent question, hoping for an explanation. But all she could do was shrug her shoulders, conveying her own bewilderment.

After a couple of awkward minutes, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I rose from my seat and beckoned the girls over with an enthusiastic wave.

"Hey, guys! Come join me for a quick chat," I said, hoping to break the ice.

"All good?" I asked Ayesha, feigning ignorance of the situation.

"I guess you already know what happened," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of frustration. "So why bother asking me again?"

"I don't understand why you're cutting us off," I said to Ayesha, trying to reason with her.

"And now you want to command me too?" Ayesha replied, her voice laced with anger. "We've only been friends for a few months, and this idiot decides to confess his feelings for me. What did you expect me to do?"

I didn't know how to respond, so I simply nodded.

After a moment of silence, I attempted to diffuse the situation. "Let's talk this out, Ayesha. It's important to look at this from all angles before we make any decisions."

I noticed that Preeti and Amita had gone quiet, and I wasn't sure why. Perhaps they didn't want to get involved in the drama.

"What is there to talk about, Aditya?" Ayesha spat. "Have you ever thought of me in that way?"

"Why would I?" I asked, trying to keep the peace. "This is about his feelings, not mine. Let's not—"

Ayesha interrupted me, "I don't want to hear it, Aditya. Let me give you an example. You and Preeti have a close friendship, right? What if you confess love to her?”

She turned to Preeti, “What would be your reaction, Preeti?”

There was an awkward silence in the room, and I glanced over at Preeti before looking away.

"What are you trying to say, Ayesha?" Preeti asked cautiously. She continued "Feelings are personal. Just because you don't cope with Mitra, doesn't mean all others are wrong."

I could tell that Preeti was uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was going.

"So, that means you would say yes if Aditya confessed love?" Ayesha cut in, her tone accusatory.

The room fell silent once again, and I could see the embarrassment on Preeti's face.

I didn't know how to help her, so I stayed quiet.

Unable to bear the tension any longer, Preeti abruptly stood up and left the classroom without another word.

"Preeti, wait!" I called after her, but she didn't turn back.

"Why did you have to embarrass her like that? I was me who has done this." Mitra spoke up, clearly upset.

"Shut up, Mitra!" Ayesha snapped, her anger still simmering.

I felt frustrated and angry at how this situation was unfolding. "Enough Ayesha! Let me ask you something. Can you guarantee that you've never had a crush or won't ever fall in love with someone? Because if you have, you would understand how difficult it is to keep those feelings to yourself."

Ayesha started to calm down as I spoke, and I continued. "What did Mitra do wrong? He confessed his feelings for you, perhaps a bit prematurely, but that doesn't make him a bad person. You could have politely declined and given him time to process his feelings. Is that too much to ask?"

Ayesha slumped back in her chair, her defiance fading under the weight of my stern tone. I took a seat beside her, my voice softening as I tried to reason with her. "I'm not sure what you know about Mitra, but I've known him for years. He can be mischievous to his friends, but he's never crossed any lines. Just ask anyone in the class if they have any complaints about him. As you claim that we're all your friends, is this all you knew about him?"

Tears welled up in Ayesha's eyes, and I felt a twinge of discomfort. "I'm done explaining," I said firmly. "Take some time to think about it." With that, I stood up and left the room, hoping to find Preeti and make things right.

***

After searching high and low across the MBA block, I finally found Preeti standing sadly at the top of the building, leaning against the parapet.

As I walked towards her, I couldn't help but notice the vastness of the campus and the world beyond, and how much she meant to me. She was looking down, clearly upset.

As I approached her, she turned away from me to hide her tears and emotions. I leaned against the parapet beside her, making it easier to talk. "It really hurts, doesn't it? When people judge us before they even know the truth," I started the conversation.

She didn't respond. "Why didn't you just tell her no when she asked you?" I probed gently.

"What do you mean?" Preeti asked, still avoiding eye contact.

"We've gone out to movies, restaurants, and other places together. If I had asked you out, would you have said yes?" I clarified my question.

"You're asking me just to embarrass me again, aren't you?" Preeti turned to face me, tears streaming down her face.

"No, I genuinely want to know," I said, wiping away her tears with my thumb, "What's your answer?"

"Ayesha was wrong. Just because we're friends, it doesn't mean we should be in a relationship unless..”

“Unless?”

“...unless we both really like each other," Preeti said her voice barely above a whisper.

"I've been spending time with you only because I do like you, Preeti!" I said, smiling at her.

Preeti looked at me in surprise. "Is this a proposal?"

"It can be whatever you want it to be," I replied, smiling back at her.

"You expect me to say yes just because we're friends?" Preeti asked skeptically.

"No, I'm asking because I know you like me too," I said confidently.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Preeti protested, trying to keep a straight face.

"You can't fool me, Preeti. You've been sending me secret messages on Mark-ssage and acting all innocent," I teased her.

Preeti blushed and looked away.

"I'm not sure I can wait for you to admit your feelings first, so I'll say it," I said, dropping down to one knee and taking her hand. "My heart beats to the rhythm of your name, and every breath I take is a tribute to your love. I love you, Kuchulu."

Tears welled up in Preeti's eyes as she squeezed my hand up making me stand. She hugged me hard before she said “I love you too, Kuchulu."

I stood up and wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. It felt like we were the only two people in the world in that moment.

Suddenly, Mitra appeared out of nowhere, interrupting our blissful moment. "What's going on here?"

"We're in love," I declared happily.

"That's great news! I have good news too - Ayesha accepted my love!" Mitra exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear.

I hugged him tightly, congratulating him. "That's amazing Macha!" Little did I know, this was just the beginning of our challenging story in total.

***

Quick links to previous chapters:

Chapter 1: Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2:Dazzling Yet Mystifying

Chapter 3:The Unified Tapestry

Chapter 4:Blooming Camaraderie

Chapter 5:Bond of Enigma

Hey! If you liked this episode, please make sure to share it with your friends, family, and loved ones.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts and predictions for the next episode in the comments section.

Chapter 5: BOND OF ENIGMA [In Love & Incharge]

2023-04-28T01:59:00.001-07:00

Listen to this chapter here:

I was finally content with the budding bond between me and Preeti and slept soundly for the first time in months. But my peace was interrupted by the buzz of my phone. Groggily, I checked the time - 5:30 a.m. - and saw that Mitra was calling me.

"Why is he calling so early in the morning?" I thought to myself, cutting the call with a hint of frustration.

I got up and started my morning routine, with a cup of coffee in one hand and a small rose plant sapling in the other. Suddenly, my phone rang again.

"Hello, what's up Mitra!" I answered, connecting the call with wireless earphones in my ears.

"Were you asleep? I'm sorry Macha, I was just excited!" Mitra replied.

"For what?" I asked, as I carefully planted the sapling in a pot.

"How was yesterday evening?" Mitra asked, getting straight to the point.

"It was great. We had a good time," I replied, trying to keep my answer short.

"That's too short to explain, Macha. When are you going to propose to her?" Mitra asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Are you out of your mind? We just met yesterday for the first time," I replied, watering the newly planted sapling.

"That's the whole point, Macha. Will she come with you if she's not interested in you? She likes you, da!" Mitra explained.

"I'm not so sure about that, Mitra. I need to take some time before making any big moves," I replied, placing the rose sapling on the windowsill. "Anyway, I'll see you in college."

As I hung up, I couldn't help but think about my dad's advice - there may be no scope for exploring in love life, to be careful. But for now, I was happy just enjoying the little moments with Preeti.

***

As the days went by, Preeti and I became more and more transparent with each other. We talked about everything and anything, whether we were with friends or alone. Our conversations flowed easily, and we even started working on assignments together. It didn't take long for me to realize stronger that Abhinava Preeti was the one for me.

Mitra, on the other hand, was always asking me about Preeti and trying to prove that she liked me back. Sometimes, I felt like his observations were spot on, and other times, I thought he was just over-analyzing things.

Despite Mitra's constant prodding, I didn't let it bother me too much. My focus was solely on Preeti, talking and spending time with her was all I could think about. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and my feelings for her only grew stronger.

However, there was someone else who occasionally crossed my mind- Rakesh. He didn't seem like much of a villain, but I couldn't underestimate his role in all of this. I knew that things could get complicated if I didn't handle him carefully.

***

A few months later, MBA Block, Vishakapatanam

"I wonder if these answers are correct." I glanced over at Amita and asked if I could borrow her notes to check. "Sure, go ahead." She handed me her book, and I began examining the solutions.

"Hey, Amita, your answers are spot on! You're doing great," I complimented her as I handed the book back.

Ayesha was next in line, eager for me to review her work. "Okay, let me take a look." I grabbed her book and started flipping through the pages.

"You took the longer approach, but your work is well-organized," I noted, leaning in closer to the desk.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and Preeti's voice asked,"What's going on? What are you checking?"

I turned to see Preeti peering over my shoulder at Ayesha's book. I couldn't help but feel a bit distracted, lost in her presence. However, I quickly refocused my attention on the task at hand and continued checking the sum.

As I was busy with the calculations, I failed to notice Mitra intently observing us from the corner of his eye.

"Great job, Ayesha. Your answers are correct too." I handed her back the book, feeling satisfied with our little study session.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of class, we all took our seats and turned our attention to Chakrapani sir. He began his lecture, and I focused on taking notes.

Suddenly, Mitra tried to get my attention by calling out, "Hey, Macha...Macha…!"

I turned to him and asked, "What's up?"

Mitra leaned in and whispered, "Did you notice how Preeti put her hands on you? That's a clear sign she likes you, man."

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Come on, not this again. Stop trying to stir things up."

Mitra let out a low chuckle and leaned closer to me, whispering, "When are you going to believe me, man? Preeti definitely likes you."

I just shook my head, not wanting to entertain his wild theories. Instead, I kept my focus on the lecture, taking diligent notes.

Mitra, however, wasn't giving up that easily. "Why don't we put this to the test then?" he suggested a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"How?" I asked, curious.

"Simple," Mitra replied. "Ask her out to a movie."

I let out a laugh. "Of course, she'd say yes. We're friends."

"Exactly!" Mitra exclaimed. "That's why you should finally admit that she's into you."

I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit exasperated. "You know what, Mitra? Sometimes, you can be a real pain in the neck."

Mitra grinned mischievously and said, "Hey, don't underestimate my powers of observation. I'm just trying to help you out, man."

I sighed, already anticipating that this wasn't going to end well. "Okay, fine. What's your grand plan?"

Mitra leaned in and whispered his scheme in my ear. "Ask her out to a movie with limited occupancy, preferably a horror flick. If she agrees, then move on to step two."

"Which is...?" I asked, feeling a bit skeptical.

"Share a drink with the same straw and see if she's comfortable with it," Mitra explained. "If she is, then it's time for the final step."

I raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

"Tell her that a couple of guys made some rude comments about her and then pretend to protect her," Mitra said with a grin. "Trust me, she'll be impressed by your chivalry."

I felt my eyes widen in shock. "Are you serious? That's insane!"

Mitra just shrugged. "Hey, it's worth a shot, right? You never know until you try."

I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "I don't know about this, man. It seems like a lot of work for nothing."

Mitra just patted me on the shoulder. "Relax, dude. Trust me, it'll work."

I agreed to his words not aware that I would get into further ambiguity with this plan.

***

Test 1: The Movie out

As the interval buzzer sounded, a flurry of activity erupted in the classroom. Books and phones were shut with a sense of urgency as students began to make their way to the block cafeteria. I noticed Preeti gathering her things to leave and quickly called out to her, with Mitra waiting for me to join him.

"Hey Preeti, hold on a sec!" I said, trying to catch her attention.

She turned to face me and replied, "Yes Aditya?"

"I was thinking of catching the latest Conjuring movie today. Would you like to join me?" I asked, adding with a smirk, "Assuming you have no plans with your boyfriend Rakesh."

Preeti laughed and said, "Oh Aditya, Rakesh is just my cousin. And sure, I'd love to join you!"

"Great, see you then!" I said, feeling relieved that she was free to come along.

Preeti then turned to Mitra and asked, "And what about you? Are you coming too?"

Mitra shook his head and said, "Sorry Preeti, I have a small work to finish. You guys go ahead and enjoy yourself."

"Hey, why don't you guys come with me to the cafeteria?" Preeti asked, looking at both of us.

Mitra spoke up before I could reply, "Actually, we have some work to finish up. But we'll catch up with you in a bit, Preeti. Don't wait up for us."

"Alright, see you later then!" Preeti said with a smile, and made her way out of the classroom.

As she walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. But I knew that our plan needed to take priority, and Mitra was right to keep us focused.

Mitra turned to me and said, "Well done, Aditya! The first stage is complete. She's single and interested in you. Now onto the second and third tests."

"I'm not sure about the third test, Mitra," I said hesitantly.

"Don't worry, Macha" Mitra reassured me. "I know a couple of guys in my area who can help us out. They may look like goons, but they're actually nice people. Trust me, everything will work out."

"Thanks, Mitra. I appreciate your support," I said, feeling grateful for his help.

Together, we made our way to the cafeteria, ready to take on the next stage of our plan.

***

Test 2: The Friend-zone test

"Are you feeling comfortable?" I asked as we settled into our seats at the Jagadamba mall movie theater.

"I'm okay, thank you," she responded politely. "To be honest, I'm a bit scared of horror movies. Please bear with me," she added, adjusting her throat.

"Sure, no problem!" I smiled reassuringly. "Oh, by the way, is there anything wrong with your throat?" I asked, concerned.

"It's been feeling a bit sore today, please avoid diet coke for me today. " she smiled, before turning her attention toward the movie that was about to start.

I couldn't help but feel disappointed. "Well, that's the end of my second test," I thought to myself, feeling frustrated with how it had turned out.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket, and as I pulled it out to check, I saw Mitra's name flashing on the screen. "Probably calling to wish me luck," I muttered to myself before deciding to ignore the call. "Test two is already a complete failure," I thought, not wanting to dwell on it any longer.

As the movie began, I noticed that the theater was only sparsely populated, creating the perfect atmosphere for us. However, my attention was drawn to two shady-looking individuals sitting behind us. "Looks like Mitra's third plan is in motion," I thought to myself.

As the plot of the movie started to unfold, it became increasingly scary and intense. And then, just like that, the ghost appeared and the first jump scare took place.

Within seconds, Preeti grabbed my hand tightly, clearly frightened by the scene. I looked at her, admiring the way her touch felt, wanting more. As her eyes widened with fear, I couldn't help but notice how adorable she looked in that vulnerable moment. But what truly warmed my heart was the unwavering trust she placed in me as she tightly grasped my hand.

As the movie continued and more scary scenes played out, Preeti began to hug me tightly, seeking comfort and protection. I knew this was the perfect moment to implement my third test.

***

Test 3: The Goons act

As I sat before the screen, unsure of how to begin the third test, frustration began to set in. The other guys in the room seemed unresponsive, and their silence only added to my anxiety.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification from Mitra. I quickly dismissed it, knowing that this was not the time for distractions.

Suddenly, another jump scare startled us, causing Preeti to instinctively grab onto me for comfort. One of the guys in the back couldn't help but make a snarky comment, "This guy sure knows how to get lucky - he gets to hold her every time!"

I knew that it was time to start the test, but I was hesitant to continue with this group. "Maybe we should find somewhere else to do this?" I suggested to Preeti.

But she was unfazed. "No, it's okay. Let's just ignore them and carry on," she replied, her eyes fixed on the screen in front of us.

Just as we settled back into the task at hand, another jump scare caught us off guard, causing Preeti to once again seek solace in my embrace. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that in this moment, we were truly in it together.

Once more, the familiar voice chimed in from behind. "Looks like he's struck gold again! That lucky devil," he exclaimed with a hint of envy.

"Let's switch seats," I suggested, hoping to ease her discomfort. This time, she agreed.

"It's working!" I whispered with a grin as we settled into our new row.

"Feeling better now?" I asked, turning to her with a smile.

"Yes, much better," she replied, returning the smile.

But our moment of relief was short-lived as we heard murmurs from behind once again. "Looks like the game continues," I thought to myself, feeling a sense of dread.

"What a lucky guy, she keeps touching him and her curves are pressed against him. It's like heaven!" one of them exclaimed, their words dripping with lewdness.

That was the last straw. I could feel my blood boiling as I clenched my fists to keep my anger in check.

"Hey, check out this girl. I bet she's a paid companion. Let's find out how much she costs before the show ends!" one of the guys snickered, his words dripping with sleaze.

Fury consumed me, reaching its zenith. I was ready to pounce on them, to put an end to their crude behavior once and for all. But just then, my phone buzzed again, and I saw that it was Mitra calling again.

I decided to answer it, putting on my earpieces and placing the phone on the armrest.

"Mitra, what's going on? These guys are completely out of line. I've been staying quiet because I thought they were your friends," I said, my frustration clear in my voice.

"What are you talking about, Macha? I've been trying to reach you to tell you that my friends are out of town today. I couldn't find anyone to accompany the plan," Mitra responded, confusion evident in his tone.

I abruptly cut Mitra off mid-sentence. "Ok, will catch up later," I stated brusquely.

"Macha, wait! Listen to me," Mitra pleaded with urgency, but my mind was elsewhere.

It didn't take long for me to piece everything together. These were the real thugs, and deserve good treatment for their disease.

Luckily, the interval break interrupted our movie, and the thugs exited the theater for refreshments.

"I'll be right back. Do you want some popcorn?" I asked Preeti, attempting to conceal the rage simmering inside me.

"Sure, thank you," Preeti replied sweetly.

***

As they relieved themselves in the public washroom, the goons exchanged smug remarks about their supposed superiority. "That guy must be scared of us. Look how quiet he is around his girl," one of them sneered, grinning at his partner.

The washroom was furnished with six toilets aligned in a row, each accompanied by a full-length mirror and pristine white tiling.

"I agree, Bhai. I can't understand why these hot girls fall for these guys," the second goon added, his voice dripping with contempt.

"That's because they're white and educated," the first goon chortled, his arrogance on full display. "But what does it matter to us? All we want is to have our way with them—"

Before he could finish his vile sentence, a sudden, powerful blow to his head made him stumble forward and crash into the mirror, breaking it into pieces. Blood spurted from the wound, instantly staining the immaculate tiles crimson.

After addressing the first goon, I glared at the second goon with fury, the other occupants of the washroom fled in terror, leaving us alone to settle our score.

The goon charged towards me with his right hand poised to strike. I instinctively blocked his attack with my left arm and then landed a powerful punch on his abdomen. The blow caused him to cry out in agony and sent him hurtling toward a nearby toilet basin, shattering it into pieces upon impact.

The first goon, now back on his feet, brandished a shard of broken glass and lunged at me with murderous intent. I stepped back and spun to my right, striking his outstretched arm with a fierce blow that shattered the glass and left him bleeding.

Before the second goon could retaliate, I seized his left arm and twisted it mercilessly, eliciting a cry of pain. I continued to twist and punch his flank with deadly accuracy. "Don't you ever dare to disrespect a woman again!"

I bellowed, fueled by seething anger that consumed me. In my blind rage, I failed to notice the first goon charging towards me with a hand dryer in hand. He struck me with full force, sending me reeling backward and causing me to hit the ground hard.

As I struggled to regain my bearings, I saw the two goons advancing on me once more, their intentions unmistakable. I rose to my feet, my left eyebrow bleeding profusely, and braced myself for the inevitable showdown.

***

Preeti's gaze drifted towards my phone resting on the armrest, its screen lit up with an incoming call from Mitra.

"Aditya must have left it behind," she mused, deftly plucking the phone from the armrest and answering the call.

"Hello, Aditya?" Mitra's voice crackled with urgency.

"Preeti speaking. Aditya left to fetch some refreshments and seems to have left his phone behind." she replied to Mitra.

***

Summoning every last ounce of my strength, I readied myself to deliver a devastating blow to the goons. But I knew that my bare hands wouldn't suffice. My eyes fell on an iron mop leaning nearby, its cloth head begging to be removed. With a fierce determination, I stripped it of its cloth and gripped it tightly, ready to strike with all my might.

As the two thugs charged towards me, I swung the makeshift weapon with ferocity, each blow landing with a resounding thud. They tried in vain to defend themselves, but my onslaught was unrelenting. I hit them with all the strength I could muster, unleashing a fury of blows that left them reeling.

Despite their attempts to fight back, I overpowered them, striking them repeatedly until they crumpled to the ground. But I didn't stop there. I continued to rain blows upon them, fueled by the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Even as they crawled and dragged themselves away out of the washroom towards the refreshment area, I pursued them, determined to teach them a lesson they would never forget.

As a small crowd gathered around us, I delivered my final blows, pummeling them without mercy.

***

Preeti stepped out of the hall, still on the phone with Mitra, when she sensed something amiss in the air. The sound of a commotion reached her ears, and she instinctively made her way toward it, searching for me to deliver my misplaced phone.

But as she pushed her way through the mob, her heart began to race with a sense of foreboding. And then she saw me, swinging an iron mop with a fury that left her breathless. In a flash, she rushed towards me, trying to push me away from the scene of the violence.

"Stop it, Aditya!" she cried out, her voice laced with fear and anger.

But I was too far gone, my rage fueling my every movement. I moved forward to strike the goons once again, but this time, Preeti did something that surprised me. With a resounding slap, she brought me back to my senses, commanding me to stop with a voice that brooked no argument.

I flung the stick away, and the goons seized the opportunity to flee. Preeti's eyes blazed with anger as she turned to face me.

"What were you thinking, Aditya? Why did you have to resort to violence?" she demanded.

I tried to explain, gasping for breath between words. "Did you hear what they were saying? They were making vile comments!"

"That's no excuse for what you did," Preeti retorted sharply. "You can't just go around hitting people like that. It's stupid and dangerous” before she walked away from me with anger.

As she walked away from me, I struggled to regain my composure, wiping the blood from my brow with a trembling hand. At that moment, I was left wondering whether Preeti had intervened out of distaste for violence, or whether she was simply looking out for my well-being.

Later that day, however, I would discover the answer to that question in a way that would leave no doubt in my mind.

***

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Chapter 4: BLOOMING CAMARADERIE [In Love & Incharge]

2023-04-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Listen to this chapter here:

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3^rd Sept 2044, MBA block, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.

Mitra and I entered the classroom, and he wasted no time asking for my help. "Time turned on to you Macha, but I need your favor to turn mine," he said, his face etched with concern.

Without hesitation, I asked, "What's the matter, Mitra? How can I assist you?"

"I understand you have a lot on your plate for Preeti, but if you lend me a hand for Ayesha, I'll make it worth your while," he promised, updating his statement.

I sighed, knowing I had to juggle my own responsibilities. "Alright, I'll do what I can," I agreed, feeling the tension in my body holding my phone.

Mitra's expression shifted as he noticed my distress. "What's wrong, Macha?" he inquired, sensing my unease.

"My phone is driving me insane. I can't keep up with the notifications and apps," I lamented, my voice tinged with frustration.

"Hey, Macha, don't worry, I got your back in case of any emergency. Feel free to use my phone, "Mitra assured me. I nodded with gratitude as we settled into our seats. Checking my trusty smartwatch, I noted that it was already 9:10.

Suddenly, I spotted Amita, Ayesha, and Preeti strolling into the classroom. Mitra caught sight of them too and waved a friendly greeting, “Hi Buddies!”

He got up from his seat and sauntered over to their side of the room. The girls returned his greeting and started arranging their belongings.

Meanwhile, Mitra engaged them in some light conversation, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Soon, they congregated around Preeti's desk, and Mitra motioned for me to join them.

I eagerly left my seat, thrilled at the chance to socialize with my classmates.

Ayesha opened up the conversation by asking, "Hey guys, what's going on?"

Mitra, with a bored look on his face, replied, "Nothing much, just waiting for the day to end."

Amita chimed in, "Same here. Chakrapani Sir gave us a huge assignment, and I messed it up. I can't wait for this period to be over."

But I couldn't resist bragging, "Well, it wasn't that difficult. I finished it easily."

"Really?" Ayesha asked with a cute smile, "Can we see your work?"

I reached my bag and pulled out my notes. I proudly showed them my notes on Leadership and Entrepreneurship, saying, "Leadership is all about managing people efficiently, and Sir asked us to come up with a strategy to manage 30 employees. I know it sounds intimidating, but trust me, I've got this."

Amita and Ayesha were both impressed, and Mitra was intrigued by my explanation.

I continued, "Instead of manually keeping track of everyone's progress, I used a formula and applied an optimized distribution sum from economics. I tabulated the tasks and employees, and optimized the best work for each of them."

Preeti, who had been quiet until now, asked me, "So, you finished this two-hour assignment in just ten minutes using this method?"

I was a little taken aback but nodded, "Yes."

"Wow," Ayesha said, grabbing her work to compare with mine, "I bet your answers are correct. Can you check mine too?" I was happy to help, and soon everyone was comparing their work with mine.

Amita turned to Preeti and asked, "Did you check yours too?"

Preeti replied, "Yes, I did it using a lengthy process, but my answers are correct."

We all breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that we could put this assignment behind us before Chakrapani sir’s period started.

***

“Aditya, I must say you have impressed me with your approach to completing the work,” Chakrapani sir praised me, and my classmates started clapping. As I basked in the glory of my small achievement, I could sense Preeti's admiration, which made me stand a bit taller.

The professor reviewed all the notes and concluded that only six people had completed the task correctly. “I’m pleased to see that five of these six correct assignments belong to the backbenchers. It’s time for others to learn from their success,” he remarked.

It was evident that those five copies were ours. The girls looked at me with a sense of happiness and gratitude, knowing that I had helped them achieve this feat.

“That was amazing, Aditya. You truly nailed it!” Ayesha exclaimed with a whisper. Amita nodded to support the same.

I felt a surge of confidence when I realized that I was able to impress girls easily. However, I knew that I lacked the ability to charm Preeti with my words. Little did I know that the day held unexpected surprises for me.

***

Marketing Lab, MBA block, Andhra University.

The lab was crowded with students, making it a challenge to secure a good seat for the class. "This is ridiculous," I grumbled to myself, wondering why anyone would conduct a class for such a large group of people.

Eventually, I managed to snag a prime spot near the front of the room and waited for the class to begin.

Mitra grabbed the seat next to me without much fanfare, and soon three girls approached us in search of seats.

I was pleasantly surprised when Preeti took the seat next to me, with Amita and Ayesha settling in beside her.

"Looks like we've secured our spots together," Mitra commented with a smile.

As the class began, I couldn't help but admire Preeti's subtle beauty. Her captivating eyes, the small birth mole on her neck, and the jasmine aroma she wore all caught my attention. But it was her simple silver anklets, with small bells that tinkled softly, that really drew me in.

Before I knew it, the lab assistant Sukanya called out, "Good morning, students. Shall we begin today's lab class?" I turned my attention to the front of the room, eager to learn.

I turned away towards the board to get indulged in the class.

“So students, let’s make a new practice assignment with the ‘Brand it’ app. This AI app will give suggestions about how to create brand value for your product.” Sukanya said, and the class murmured in reply.

She continued, “I would like you all to install this app soon so that we can start off with the task.”

Everyone grabbed their phone and began to install the ‘Brand it’ app from the online store.

As I attempted to install the score, my phone began to act up once again. It was frustrating, to say the least. "Ugh, why is my phone so buggy today?" I muttered to myself, jabbing at the screen.

Mitra noticed my struggle and gave me a reassuring tap on the shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it. We can figure something out. Why don't we use my phone instead?"

Before I could respond, I felt another tap on my shoulder. This time, it was Preeti. She held out her hand and asked for my phone. I hesitated, unsure of what she was going to do with it.

But I watched in amazement as Preeti expertly navigated through my phone's command prompt. After a few quick settings adjustments and a short code, she turned to me and asked, "Do you see your phone screen on your smartwatch?"

I checked my watch and, to my surprise, my phone's screen was now displayed on the tiny device. "Wow, how did you do that?" I asked in awe.

Preeti smiled. "I changed the settings to your smartwatch. It can now be your primary device," she explained as she handed me back my phone.

I couldn't thank her enough. "You saved my day!" I exclaimed, relieved to finally have a solution.

I grabbed my smartwatch to my hands and began to access the app for the lab.

I retained my smile even though I was wearing a mask, not only because the phone bugs were fixed, but also because the distance between us was reduced. Sometimes, unexpected miracles occur, and that day I personally experienced one.

***

As we finished our lab assignment, the interval buzzer chimed, signaling our break. Getting up from my seat, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

"Hey, why don't you join us for lunch?" Ayesha invited me and Mitra.

"Sounds like a plan!" Mitra replied eagerly, beating me to the punch.

Cafeteria, MBA block, Andhra University.

"What are you craving?" Mitra asked the group.

"I'm in the mood for a sandwich," Ayesha replied with a smile.

"Count me in for a sandwich too," Amita chimed in.

"I'm feeling fries," I stated my preference.

"I'll just have a diet coke," Preeti said.

"The lab class was pretty interesting today," Amita exclaimed.

"Definitely," Ayesha agreed. "The app we used could be really helpful for founders trying to come up with ideas."

"I'm not so sure," I interjected. "I think the suggestions might be too limited to keep up with current trends. The templates and styles seem too basic for my liking."

"Ah, come on! You're just like Preeti over here, ordering only diet coke," Ayesha teased.

Preeti gave Ayesha a playful slap on the shoulder. "I just like to savor my food in a proper setting."

"And what's your definition of a proper setting?" Ayesha prodded.

"I mean, just look at this place! It's so crowded with students. I don't think it's the best spot to really enjoy your food," Preeti explained.

"In that case, you'd have to eat every meal at home. Everywhere else is bound to be noisy," Amita joked.

"Not necessarily," Preeti countered with a grin. "I love watching cricket matches, so if there's a game on, I don't mind a bit of noise."

"There you go again with your love for cricket," Ayesha said, rolling her eyes.

"Cricket is an emotion, my dear, and it trumps all other distractions. I love to eat and watch the match," Preeti said as if delivering a manifesto.

"You'd need a stadium for that," Amita pointed out.

"Not always. A cafeteria like this with a live cricket match streaming would also be perfect for me," Preeti said, her smile growing wider.

"You're speaking right to my heart. I too love watching cricket, while having food!” I replied.

“Here you go, guys!” Mitra came with a tray filled with the items we asked for.

“There's actually a place called 'Screen Foodie' near Novotel that has a massive 150-inch screen to watch cricket matches. Would you all be up for going there later tonight?" I asked my tablemates, brimming with excitement.

"Yeah, I've been there before. It's a great spot," Ayesha confirmed.

"I'm not really into cricket, so I'll pass," Amita said.

"Same here, I actually have some other plans" Ayesha echoed.

I was sure Mitra would want to join me. He loved watching, but I was surprised when he declined. "You guys go ahead. I have plans to meet up with a friend later."

My fondness for Mitra only grew at that moment, he responded as if he were the Ramcharan of the epic RRR movie.

Suppressing my emotions, I turned to Preeti.

"Will you join me then?"

"Sure, sounds like fun. What time should we meet?" Preeti said her enthusiasm was palpable.

"6 pm it is, then," I confirmed, trying my best to contain my excitement.

***

Screen Foodie Restaurent, Vishakapatanam.

The bustling Screen Foodie Restaurant in Vishakhapatnam was alive with the sounds of excited chatter and the clinking of cutlery. Patrons were hurriedly grabbing tables to ensure they didn't miss a single moment of the match, while the impeccably dressed wait staff in white and red glided around taking orders.

Suddenly, a blank wall on one side of the restaurant was transformed into a mammoth screen by a powerful laser projector. The diners erupted in cheers as India won the toss. Amidst the entire hubbub, a waiter glided gracefully through the throngs of people and approached our table number 6.

"What can I get for you, sir?" he inquired, his voice as smooth as silk.

I turned to my companion, Preeti, and teased her playfully, "So, what do you want to have? No more compromises on just a diet coke this time, huh?"

Preeti shot me a mock glare before responding quickly, "No way! I’m going to stuff my belly now!”

She then turned to the waiter and politely requested, "May we have a few moments to peruse the menu?"

"Of course, ma'am," the waiter replied, before moving on to another table.

Preeti and I both whipped out our smart phones and scanned the QR code on our table. In a matter of seconds, the menu appeared on our screens.

"This menu seems pretty standard," I remarked, scrolling through the options. "Just the usual suspects - fries, burgers, pizzas, ice creams and soft drinks."

"That's perfect for me," Preeti declared. "I know exactly what I want - a cheesy pizza with butterscotch ice cream for dessert."

I, on the other hand, was feeling to explore more as usual. "Hmm, I'm not sure what to order just yet. I want to try something I haven't had before," I mused.

Preeti patiently waited for me to make up my mind. "Take your time," she said encouragingly.

After a few moments of contemplation, I finally decided, “Gotcha, a special custard mocktail and a cheesy broccoli pizza”.

I beckoned to the waiter, waving him over to our table. "Excuse me, could we place our order now, please?" I asked politely.

"Of course, sir," he replied with a smile, before quickly jotting down our choices and disappearing into the busy kitchen.

“I can't wait to see the Indian openers give the bowlers a hard time,” I exclaimed excitedly.

“Absolutely, the openers hold a significant role in the Indian innings as always,” Preeti responded promptly.

I noticed a newfound enthusiasm and openness in her demeanor that I hadn't seen before.

“You seem more free and expressive today. Why don't you express yourself like this in college or other places?” I asked curiously.

“It's a long story, and you might find it dull,” she replied with a smile, still keeping her eyes glued to the screen.

I was more interested in spending time with Preeti than the match, so I replied, “I was known for my patience during my school days. You can trust me to listen to your story.”

Preeti adjusted her hair, which was decorated with numerous bangles, took a deep breath, and said, “My family has many restrictions, Aditya. I wasn't allowed to go out without any specific reason. During my childhood, I played less and interacted less with others.”

I listened carefully to her every word.

“I hate to admit it, but I've become introverted over time,” Preeti continued, “due to these circumstances.”

“You don't seem that way right now,” I smiled.

“Yeah, I feel like royalty when I'm at my favorite places!” Preeti winked.

“That's fantastic,” I replied. “By the way, I was going to ask you, how did you set up my phone earlier? I tried to do it myself, but it didn't work.”

“I was also surprised by your knowledge of economics during the first few days of the year,” Preeti continued, “I studied computer applications, so these things come naturally to me.”

“Oh, now it makes sense!” I exclaimed. “And to answer your question, I have a degree in commerce, which gives me a good understanding of accounting and economics.”

“Great, now I understand,” Preeti replied.

“Also, I noticed that you like to explore a lot. Why is that?”

“Are you asking me just based on my food choices here?” I chuckled.

“It's not just that. Mitra also used to talk about your exploratory nature,” Preeti clarified.

“Well, that's a story you'll have to be patient to hear,” I teased.

“I'm also known for my patience,” she replied teasingly, encouraging me to continue.

I grinned and began to tell her about my past, “My father always wanted me to explore and learn new things. He let me make my own mistakes and learn from them. It wasn't easy, but now I've grown to love it.”

“Are you sure about loving that? The name 'custard mocktail' already sounds nauseating to me,” Preeti revealed her aversion.

“Okay, let's see whose ideology triumphs!” I replied, glancing at the waiter approaching our table with a tray filled with our orders.

"Your order is here, sir!" said the waiter with a polite smile as he presented us with a platter filled with cheesy pizza, butterscotch ice cream, cheesy broccoli pizza, and a special custard mocktail.

"Could we get some extra straws and a plate, please?" I asked the waiter.

"Of course, sir. I'll get them for you right away," the waiter replied as he hurried off to fetch our requested items.

"I can't wait to see your reaction to your dishes," Preeti exclaimed, her eyes brimming with excitement.

"Just wait and watch, you'll have your turn," I teased as I reached out to take a sip of the special custard mocktail.

After a moment of contemplation, I nodded my head, "Not too shabby!"

As the waiter returned with our extra straws and plate, I handed the glass to Preeti with a new straw in it, "Go ahead, and give it a try."

Preeti took a sip and her face lit up, "This is amazing!"

I offered the glass to her again, "Looks like I win this round."

Preeti giggled, "You win, but I want you to relish your decision.”

Suddenly, the cheers of the crowd around us grew louder. We looked around to see that Neel, the opener, had already scored fifty runs. Both of us joined in the excitement and clapped along with the rest of the crowd.

***

“What a game that was!” Preeti remarked as I held the door open for her.

“I know right! That last wicket was a game-changer. I still can't believe Rudra caught it.” I replied, stepping out of the restaurant.

The restaurant had a beautiful lawn that stretched for about 50 feet, leading to the road. The sea view in front of us made it even more enchanting. The full moon in the sky only added to the beauty.

“Such a gorgeous sight - greenery, sea, moon, and…” I trailed off.

“And?” Preeti turned around, curious.

“An even prettier girl.” I teased her, smiling.

“Stop it, Aditya!” Preeti laughed, “I guess, we have no assignments for next week’s class? What's your plan for tomorrow, since it's Sunday?”

“Nothing planned yet. What about you?” I asked.

“Same here. Let's message the gang and see what everyone's up to.” Preeti suggested.

“Great idea. I'll create a group on Secretum.” I replied. “Can I drop you home?” I offered, as we walked out of the main gate. “I have my bike here.”

“Thank you, Aditya, but my cousin is coming to pick me up.” Preeti looked across the road, “There he is now!”

I turned to see a handsome guy, driving a Royal Enfield electric, approaching us.

“Hey Rakesh, this is Aditya, my MBA mate.” Preeti introduced me to Rakesh, her cousin.

“Nice to meet you, Aditya.” Rakesh shook my hand.

“Likewise,” I replied with a smile.

Preeti got on his bike, “Okay, Aditya! I'll catch up with you on Secretum.”

“Sure thing, bye!” I waved as they rode off.

“Who is this Rakesh guy?” I wondered, “Maybe just a cousin, brother type.” I tried to reassure myself, as I walked towards my bike in the parking lot.

I was elated with the progress in our relationship, thinking to myself, “Nothing can stop me from getting her now.” But as time passed, things took a different turn, leaving me feeling frustrated and depressed.

***

Quick links for all released chapters:

Chapter 1: The Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2: Dazzling Yet Mistifying

Chapter 3: The Unified Tapestry

For more short stories by Ajitesh Ippili, Click Here.

Hey! If you liked this episode, please make sure to share it with your friends, family, and loved ones.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts and predictions for the next episode in the comments section.

CHAPTER 3: The Unified Tapestry [In Love & Incharge]

2023-04-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

To listen to this chapter, Click here:

Missed out on the earlier chapters, eh? Fear not, here you can access them now:

Chapter 1: The Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2: Dazzling Yet Mistifying

2^nd September 2044.

The morning sun was already high up in the sky when I finally dragged myself out of bed. A quick glance at the clock revealed that I had overslept, and I cursed myself for it. "I should reach college early to plan something!" I thought as I rushed towards the main gate of my house.

As I approached my automatic gate, it obediently swung open, granting me passage. I stepped out onto the pavement and began briskly walking towards the metro station a few meters away. The station was my lifeline, and I couldn't afford to miss the earliest metro to Andhra University.

However, fate had other plans for me. As I walked, my smart watch began to buzz insistently. Its holographic display lit up with the name "Mitra," but I ignored it in my sole determination to reach college early.

My feet pounded the pavement, propelling me forward with every step. I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I pushed myself harder, my mind focused solely on my goal. With each passing moment, the station grew closer, and I knew that I was getting closer to what I wanted.

As I hurriedly entered the metro, the doors closing behind me, my smart watch beeped again. I glanced at the holographic display, seeing the name "Mitra" flashing urgently. But I ignored it as usual, too focused on my goal to reach Andhra University on time.

As the train began to move, I settled into my seat, mentally preparing for the day ahead. But just as I was beginning to relax, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing a message from Mitra that read, "I'm at your home."

My heart sank as I realized my mistake. I should have messaged him about my hurry, about my urgent need to get to college early. But it was too late now. I had left him waiting, and I knew he wouldn't be happy about it.

Just as I was about to reply, my phone rang again. I sighed and hit the ignore button, not wanting to deal with Mitra's anger just yet. But then, a message came through that made me feel even worse.

"You left already? I hate you!"

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest as I looked away towards the window, lost in thought. I knew I had messed up.

***

I scanned my smartwatch at the classroom door, feeling a sense of anticipation as the automatic lock clicked open. I stepped inside, looking around the room for any sign of the girl I was supposed to talk to. It was 9 o'clock, and I had plenty of time to come up with a plan.

Quickly, I made my way to my seat, my mind already working overtime to come up with the perfect opening line. But as I sat down and looked around the room, I realized that I was at a disadvantage. I didn't even know the girl's name; let alone how to approach her.

To make matters worse, the anonymity of web3.0 made it difficult to even search for her online without risking getting roasted by others. And in the classroom setting, my options were minimal at best.

As I began to brainstorm ideas, a sense of desperation crept in, I had no idea that I was about to face three failures in one day. But even as the challenges mounted, I refused to give up. I knew that I had to keep trying, no matter what.

"Come on, think, think!" I muttered to myself, tapping my fingers against my table. "There has to be a way to do this." I thought with no idea that I’m going to witness three failures that day.

***

Failure no. 1: Before the class started.

After brainstorming for 25 minutes what seemed like an eternity, I could hear the sound of girls approaching the classroom. Panic set in as I realized that time was running out, and I still hadn't come up with a plan.

In a moment of desperation, I grabbed my phone from my pocket and placed it under my desk of Abhi. It was probably the dumbest idea I could have come up with, but I didn't have any other options at the time.

I quickly made my way back to my seat, hoping that no one had seen me. As the group of girls entered the classroom, I watched as Abhi took her seat, completely unaware of the phone hidden beneath her desk.

But my relief was short-lived, as Mitra entered the classroom with an arrogant expression on his face. I didn't even notice him at first, so focused was I on Abhi and my plan.

Mitra sat down beside me without saying a word, and then he suddenly spoke up, his voice filled with contempt. "You came early to stalk her?" he asked, his tone laced with disapproval.

I turned to him, taken aback by his sudden appearance. "Hey No…… Mitra," I said, trying to explain myself. "I was just-"

But Mitra cut me off with a dismissive gesture of his hand. "You once again proved that friends are important until you get a girl," he said, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut.

I had no words to respond to him at that moment, as I had something more important to do. All I could do was sit there in silence, watching as Abhi unknowingly sat on top of my phone, hoping that my plan would somehow work out.

I was waiting for her to notice her phone lying on the shelf, but she was deep in conversation with her friend Amita. With time running out before our professor Chakrapani arrived, I turned to Mitra who sat there, arrogant and unresponsive.

“Mitra, can you give me your phone?” I asked him.

He just sat there, unyielding and motionless, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

“Please, it’s really important da,” I said, tapping him on the shoulder.

He shrugged my hand away and still didn't say anything.

I couldn't waste any more time, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I reached into his pocket to grab his phone, but Mitra protested with a loud "Dey, Dey!".

Fortunately, I knew his password, so I unlocked his phone and called my own number. The phone began to ring from her shelf, but just as she was about to grab it, I ended the call.

As she picked up the phone, she realized that it wasn't hers. Curious, she tapped on the phone to see my handsome face as the screensaver. I couldn't help but feel a little flattered.

I looked away, pretending not to be interested, but she noticed me and tapped me on the shoulder.

I felt a rush of blood at her touch but tried to hide it as I turned toward her. “What's up?” I asked, trying to keep my cool.

She passed the phone over to me, and I couldn't help but notice the small smile that flickered in her eyes.

“Thanks a lot!” I said while pretending to search through my pockets for something.

Realizing that it was the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation, I turned to her and asked, “Hey, what's your name…?” But before I could hear her response, the whole class suddenly stood up, causing me to glance toward the dais.

My heart sank as I saw that Chakrapani sir had finally arrived, and I knew that my time was up.

“Well, there goes my luck for the day,” I muttered to myself, accepting my day’s first failure with a heavy heart.

***

Failure No. 2: The interval breeze.

The class was exhausted from sitting through three consecutive periods, and it seemed like everyone was eagerly waiting for the interval bell to ring.

As soon as it did, most of the class got up and started making their way to the cafeteria, leaving only a handful of students behind.

Mitra didn't bother to ask if I wanted to join him, and I wondered if it was because Abhi was still in the classroom.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice the gentle breeze blowing in from my left until I heard a low voice hesitantly calling out, "Hey."

I turned to see Abhi standing beside me, pointing toward my table. Confused, I looked at my table and saw a pink handkerchief lying there.

I immediately realized that it must have belonged to Abhi, and it had blown over to my table in the breeze.

I picked up the handkerchief and handed it to Abhi, who took it slowly and gave me a nod of thanks with a smile in her eyes. I couldn't help but get lost in her cute expression, but before I could say anything, she turned and headed toward the washroom.

As she walked away, I gathered my courage and called out her name, "Abhi," but my voice was barely a whisper due to my lack of confidence. Unfortunately, for the second time, I had to accept my failure.

***

Failure no. 3: Disperse with wicked Mitra.

“I’m sorry, Mitra,” I said, taking a deep breath and trying to keep my voice steady. Mitra responded with a small, “Hmm” and kept walking beside me.

With two failures in a row, I was feeling pretty dejected. I knew I had to make a last try during college. “I must be the 21st-century Gajini,” I thought, determined to not let my failures hold me back.

As we walked out of the classroom, the final buzzer rang and all the students began to come out of the block towards the campus tram. I saw Abhi and Amita walking ahead of us about 15 feet away. It felt like 15 miles to me.

Desperate to catch up I quickened my pace. I was just about 2 feet away from Abhi when I felt a hand pulling me back. I turned to see Mitra with a wicked smile on his face. I knew it was time for him to take revenge.

I gave him a pleading gesture and tried to restrain his hand. But Mitra held me back again and said, “Don’t you want to know about yesterday’s surprise?”

My brain locked up. I couldn't decide whether to choose Abhi or Preeti. After a brief pause, I decided, “Preeti is the evening chapter, let’s concentrate on Abhi for now.”

As I made up my mind, Abhi got on the tram. I tried to run to catch it, but Mitra grabbed my arm and said, “You can Macha! This is my revenge for leaving me in the morning,” with a louder, more wicked voice and a huge smile on his face.

As the tram started to pull away, I stopped and bent forward, exhaling my heavy breaths. I watched it move away with a face full of sadness.

Soon, I saw Mitra laughing continuously. I felt my blood boil and I hit him twice, hard.

“Sorry, Macha,” he pleaded, rubbing his sore arm.

“Ask me to join you this evening, and I will rip you apart,” I said in anger, making it clear that I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

***

4:30 p.m., Tenneti Beach Park, Vishakapatanam.

“The sunset is so beautiful today!” I asked Mitra to see as I stepped down from his bike before the gate of Tenneti beach park.

Mitra looked a bit melancholy, and I knew it was because of our earlier quarrel.

I apologized to him for the fifth time, hoping to make amends for my mistake. "I'm really sorry, Mitra. I didn't mean to hit you this morning. I'm here because I want to make it up to you," I said, hoping to lift his spirits.

"I know you're here for Preeti," he replied, as he parked his bike and put the stand down. "Don't try to sugarcoat it, Macha."

I knew he had caught me red-handed, and I couldn't help but let out a small smile. We walked towards the beach, taking in the cool sea breeze and the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

“Ok, Will you let me know that the surprise is at least now?” I asked him with curiosity.

He didn’t reply to me yet again. My frustration retained and I decided to stay away from him today I thought. “He will spoil the day once again,” I thought.

As I settled into my usual spot, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building up inside me. Mitra, already seated in the first chair, was visibly excited, eagerly waiting for the girls to arrive.

He turned to me and gestured for me to sit beside him one last time. I couldn't bring myself to accept the invitation and turned my face away in rejection.

Realizing that I shouldn't appear too desperate to see the girls, I decided to order a coffee instead. "I'll just order something to drink while I wait," I thought to myself.

I reached for my Smartphone and scanned the QR code on the table, bringing up the menu in a holographic projection. I quickly made my selection and paid for my cappuccino with a simple retina scan.

As I waited for my order to arrive, I felt a growing sense of confidence, bolstered by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. And then, just as I took my first sip, I saw them – the three girls walking in together.

My heart raced as I spotted Preeti in her green dress. She had changed her outfit, but her magnetic charm remained the same. "There she is," I said to myself.

Amidst the lively ambiance of the open cafe, with the chatter and clatter of customers all around, my attention was fixated solely on Preeti. As she and her friends chatted away, time seemed to come to a standstill for me, and each passing minute felt like mere seconds.

My gaze remained fixed on her, taking in every detail of her appearance and mannerisms. The way her lips moved as she spoke, the way her eyes lit up with excitement, the way her hair fell softly on her shoulders - everything about her was simply mesmerizing.

The hustle and bustle of the cafe faded into the background as I found myself lost in her presence. It was as if nothing else in the world mattered at that moment except for her and the enchanting aura she exuded.

For those few minutes, I was transfixed, unable to break away from the spell she had cast over me. But a cute girl aged around 8 could break it.

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't even notice Preeti turning towards me. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if she had caught me staring at her. But as it turned out, her attention was diverted elsewhere.

"Hi Akka, I'm from the Vision Covid 2045 foundation. Would you like to donate something for us?" The voice belonged to a girl in a pristine white frock and shoes, with hair that matched her outfit. In her hand, she held a QR code, presumably for making donations.

Preeti's smile widened as she listened to the girl's request. "How cute!" she exclaimed, reaching for her phone to scan the code and donate a whopping ten thousand rupees.

The rest of the people at the table were taken aback by the generous amount, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at Preeti's ability to give so freely.

As the little girl thanked Preeti and turned to leave, Preeti had one more idea. "Wait! Let's take a selfie," she said, grabbing her phone and a mask from her wallet. I watched in amazement as she carefully donned the mask, never once breaking her cheerful demeanor.

It was then that I saw something that made me feel like the dumbest person in the world. "Is she Abhi?" I blurted out, standing up from my seat in excitement.

I noticed people beside me noticed behaving weirdly, so I cooled down at once.

Soon after we exchanged a few glances, Preeti's phone rang and she excused herself from the table to take the call. She immediately attended the call, “Hello, Yes Dad. I’m starting now.”

“Some urgent work, I have to leave. Sorry and bye guys.” She waved bye to all her table mates.

Before I could reach her to talk something to their table, she almost left.

Mitra got up from his table and held my shoulder to make me sit with them.

“I’m confused! Is she Abhi, or Preeti? ” I asked Ayesha and other table mates with curiosity.

“Her name is Abhinava Preeti. Family members call him Abhi and we friends call her Preeti.” Ayesha replied with a smile. “By the way why are you so curious about her?”

I was more confused than confident about saying the reason, “Will explain to you all about this later for sure.” I turned towards Mitra, “Mitra, we have some important work. Come with me.” I grabbed his hand away from the girls waving to them, “Bye buddies!”

As we moved a few meters away from these girls, I asked Mitra “Is this the surprise you were talking about? You knew this?”

Mitra laughed out loud, “Yes. I knew this. Before I could explain in the morning, you hurried to college leaving me behind.”

"I owe you an apology, Mitra. I completely misread the situation," I admitted, feeling embarrassed. "But hey, let's not dwell on it. Why don't we grab some ice-cold cola and catch up on everything.” I smiled at him, hoping to ease any tension that may have lingered.

***

4:00 a.m., 3^rd September 2044, Upstairs of our home, Visakhapatnam.

I was eagerly waiting for my dad’s casual meeting that was scheduled for the day. The excitement was such that I couldn't sleep well the night before. I woke up early at 3:30 and got ready on the parapet by 4. I knew the sun had much time to rise, but my eagerness for today's discussion overpowered everything.

As I sat on the parapet, I noticed the birds chirping far away. "This must be the perfect time for a parent-child conversation," I thought to myself.

“Only, Dad shouldn’t make reference to The Lion King again.” It was the only thing I prayed to god that day.

Soon, the darkness began to fade, and I could hear the bell sound from the puja room. “Dad must have finished his puja now.” I thought getting ready in my seat.

My dad noticed my early arrival and asked, "You're here already?"

"I didn't want to be late," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

He nodded, admiring his new shawl with red and green borders draped over his shoulder. "Looks good, doesn't it?"

I couldn't help but agree. In the year 2044, few people besides the Pujaris could pull off a traditional Hindu look quite like my dad. With a Kumkum bindi, white dhoti, Chandan namam on his shoulders, and a flower in his ear, he looked every bit at the part.

With the view of this attire I was confident, “Today, there is no Lion King.” I began to look at the rising sun, admiring the beauty with my eyes.

“So, how is your new college? Are you planning for your preparation?” he enquired still looking at the rising sun.

“Yes, I’m!” I kept my reply short.

“And about your love life?” he asked without hesitation.

I turned towards him with a glance of shock,” How could he be so direct with this question?” I thought.

“Yeah good, but needs time” I spilled over the beans decently as I continued admiring the sun.

“In just 2 days?” he asked me as he turned towards me.

I didn’t move an inch, not sure how to face him. I just replied, “I mean. Probably I’m taking baby steps for it.” still looking at the sun.

“Aditya, Let me tell you something that my ancestors once told me,” Dad said looking back at the sun.

“Why God? Why?” I cursed myself getting ready to listen to another remix of “The Lion king.”

“My granny used to claim that everything is prewritten on our forehead. Everything that happens in life is what is predestined. ” Dad continued, “But, I used to ask, ‘then why should we work hard?’ Granny replied that working hard is also in our destiny.”

He looked towards, “See Aditya, you may believe it or not this is true. Be it our career or life partner, everything is prescheduled. Sometimes, you may need to work hard to get it.”

“I only knew how to explore, not to work hard,” I replied looking at my dad. “But, I’m worried if I could get her. I mean ‘it’.”

"Don't worry about it," my dad reassured me. "Everything is already planned out for you. Just keep exploring and working hard, and you'll get what you're meant to have."

I nodded slowly, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Thanks, Dad. I feel better now."

"All is well," he said, folding his hands and looking up at the sun.

And so, I began to realize that Abhinava Preeti was meant to be mine. It might not be easy, but I knew that we would be together in the end. I decided to work and get her at any cost, but I never expected things to go so easily out of my hand.

***

Quick links for all released chapters:

Chapter 1: The Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2: Dazzling Yet Mistifying

Chapter 3: The Unified Tapestry

For more short stories by Ajitesh Ippili, Click Here.

Hey! If you liked this episode, please make sure to share it with your friends, family, and loved ones.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts and predictions for the next episode in the comments section.

CHAPTER 2: Dazzling Yet Mystifying [In Love & Incharge]

2023-04-06T23:30:00.003-07:00

Listen to this chapter here:

Missed out on the earlier chapter, eh? Fear not, check out the links for these chapters below:
Chapter 1: The Enticing Prelude

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 1^st September 2044

“Not bad!” I said as I stepped out of the metro train looking at the main gate of Andhra University.

I was aware that it was the initial day of my master's degree program and that I would be discovering a new location. However, the sights that greeted me were beyond my expectations. While I was cognizant of Andhra University's long-standing record of success, recent enhancements have elevated it even further. The introduction of a metro station just before the campus was a notable addition, and upon entering, the lure of popular cafes such as Starbucks was evident. I opted to ride the campus tram, an electric rail system that links all blocks of the university.

After scanning the QR code at the tram's entrance with my Id card, an artificial intelligence voice greeted me with, "Welcome, Aditya. Please take a seat as the tram will transport you to the MBA block in approximately 5 minutes." The tram was mostly occupied, but fortunately, I secured a window seat, allowing me to take in the campus's stunning views. Despite it being the year 2044, I was amazed at the abundant greenery throughout the campus. As the tram approached the MBA block, I noticed that it was one of the most sizeable structures on campus. The building's top floor is equipped with a solar power plant, and it even has a helipad. With a height of roughly five floors, it resembled a corporate office building.

“This is the place I’m going to spend 2 years of my life!” my hushed murmur emerged.

“Liked the new block, Macha?” I felt a hand on my left shoulder.

As I spun around to locate my dear friend, my eyes alighted on the familiar face of Mitra. We had been inseparable for years, and I had affectionately shortened his name Sangamitra to Mitra, a moniker that he graciously allowed only me to use. Our bond was unbreakable, forged through countless shared experiences and mutual trust.

“Yeah Mitra, but I am pretty sure there's no way we can bunk classes!”, I replied.

As we walked into the building, we noticed a digital noticeboard that displayed the blueprint of each floor. We referred to it briefly and found out the class was on the 4^th floor.

“The building is too robust Macha! You are right” insisted Mitra as we stepped on the escalator of the building.

A grin stretched across my face as I responded to Mitra's comment, sweeping my gaze across the expanse of the building.

"It appears we've arrived early," I remarked, noting the empty spaces within the block. My attention drifted towards my sleek smartwatch.

“Yeah, it's 5 minutes past 9. Class is at 9:30” Mitra responded.

***

We finally reached our classroom. The sign on the door displayed the class number and our year level: "Class 401, MBA Year 1." As we loitered at the entrance, a laser scanner whirred to life, scanning us for our payment and registration details. Once it cleared us for entry, we walked into the classroom and selected the last available seats on the right-hand side, the unofficial territory of the male students.

Mitra's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of frustration as he realized the extent of our early arrival. "Looks like we have 20 minutes to spare, Macha. What should we do with all this free time?" he queried, his tone playful yet exasperated.

I was momentarily stumped, unsure of what to suggest, so I defaulted to my trusty holographic mobile phone, flicking through the latest news and updates with my fingers.

In a short while, a pair of girls breezed into the classroom with pink use-and-throw masks, catching Mitra's attention with their effortless grace. His eyes glimmered with an idea that promised to add a little excitement to the day. "Check out these ladies, Macha. And there's bound to be more. How about we rate them for their eyes for fun?" he exclaimed, brimming with mischief.

As more and more students trickled into the classroom, Mitra's game of rating the girls was starting to lose its luster. I, on the other hand, remained disinterested in such trivial pursuits, engrossed instead in the latest trailer of Gautam, the son of Prince Mahesh Babu. "Sorry, buddy, but I'm just not into that kind of thing," I tried to explain to Mitra, dismissing his antics with a wave of my hand.

In no time, my words fell flat as soon as my eyes landed on her. At that instant, my mind went blank, and my entire being was consumed by the sight of this angelic figure. Clad in a stunning white dress, she exuded an ethereal beauty that left me speechless. Though her mask obscured much of her face, her captivating eyes adorned with kajal held me spellbound, and I found myself powerless to look away.

As she made her way to a seat on our left, accompanied by her hefty friend, my gaze followed her every move until Mitra's voice brought me back to reality. "Macha, are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

I nodded my head as I shoved my phone back into my pocket. "Yes, I'm fine," I replied, attempting to mask the lingering effect of that daydream. Though I tried to focus on the impending class, my mind continued to wander back to the angel in white, her bewitching eyes still haunting me.

***

As the lecture hall settled down, a medium-height man with a gridded shirt and formal pants walked in. The class rose in unison to greet him, and he acknowledged us with a nod of his head. "Good morning, students!" he began, his voice carrying a confident tone. "Please be seated. My name is Chakrapani, and I will be your guide on the subject of Leadership and Entrepreneurship."

Chakrapani smiled as he pointed towards the girls and said, “Ladies first, please introduce yourself.”

Mitra, on the other hand, was already getting his phone ready, eager to find these girls on Mastodan, a popular Web 3.0 social media app.

The first girl stood up, adjusting her mask and nervously clearing her throat, “Hi, I’m Nithya. I’m from Kakinada and I completed my graduation in commerce from Vizag. Nice to meet you all.”

The second girl introduced herself as Ayesha, a computer science graduate from Hyderabad. Mitra quickly looked up her profile on Mastodan and started scrolling through her posts.

As the introductions continued, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about Mitra's excitement. But my thoughts were interrupted when I realized I could hear her name in her own voice.

There were around 75 students in the room in total. And we sat at the last of these benches. Soon, I realized, it was arduous for her to get a chance in this period of one hour. And the expected has happened.

As the class ended and we made our way to the marketing lab, I couldn't help but feel disappointed that she didn't get a chance to introduce herself. It seemed like fate was playing a cruel joke on me. However, I quickly gathered my thoughts and remembered that her name was the most important thing at the moment. As we left the classroom, I took my time to make sure she had left first before making my move. I rushed to her seat and quickly picked up her tablet. As I tried to turn on the screen, I was disappointed to see that her screensaver was a beautiful tortoise and not a picture of her. But as luck would have it, I found her name displayed on the screen: "Abhi".

My lips curled up without any conscious effort as soon as I saw her name on the tab. The mere sight of it was enough to bring a smile to my face, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and curiosity about her.

***

The lab was a chaotic sea of students, with around 300 people rushing around trying to find their places. I looked around frantically, trying to spot Abhi in the crowd, but the sheer number of people made it impossible. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

I pushed my way through the throng, dodging people left and right as I searched for her. But the more I looked, the more hopeless it seemed. It was like she had disappeared into thin air.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of searching, I gave up. I let out a frustrated sigh and slumped down into a nearby chair, feeling defeated.

My distress was disturbed by the voice of Sukanya, the incharge of the lab. She introduced herself, which obviously was boring for me.

“As this is the first lab class, I want you all to play an icebreaker game.” Sukanta insisted on all the students.

“This period is going to be worse than ever with this game” my thoughts murmured.

“You guys have spent an hour in college and with yourselves. Let’s find out what is the best attribute of your fellow classmates.” Sukanya began to explain the game. “Take out your phones and register yourself on Mark-ssage site. This site allows people to give feedback to brands anonymously. We will use this site for an ice-breaking game.”

The lab was filled with the sound of students tapping on their phones as they hurriedly registered themselves on the "Mark-ssage" site. Sukanya's voice cut through the buzz, commanding our attention. "Now, choose 5 of your classmates and send secret messages to them," she instructed.

“Woah, this is fun!” I thought as I realized I could send Abhi a secret message. Observing the grinning faces around me, it was evident that most of the students had similar motives to ping their crushes in mind.

My fingers nervously tapped on the screen I searched for the name Abhi, which I failed miserably. I tried a few more times, adjusting my search parameters, but it was all in vain. The frustration was beginning to mount, and I couldn't help but feel a bit defeated. My hand was already clenched around the phone, ready to toss it away, but curiosity got the better of me. I unlocked my phone and opened the "Mark-ssage" site, scrolling through the messages sent by my classmates to me.

As I checked my phone, I saw a total of six messages waiting for me. Looking up, I noticed Mitra a few seats away, giving me a curious look. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking how many messages I had received. In response, I held up six fingers. Mitra then held up one finger, indicating he had received only one message.

I had no other choice of work other than checking out these messages. One read out, “I hate you for leaving me alone!” I’m sure this belonged to Mitra. But, the rest all seemed to be from girls.

One read, “Hey handsome, I fell for you in the first place.” While one other read, “You’re nearly perfect, a perfect alpha make to hook up!” My distress was intact until I saw the last message which read, “You have a smile that could light up a room and a voice that could calm the wildest of storms. Kuchulu, but your anger is boorish!”

As I read the comment, my curiosity was piqued. Who could possibly know me well enough to make such observations about my smile, voice, and anger? I scanned the room, searching for any familiar faces, but my attention was soon drawn to a girl standing in the corner. I could see her smile even with her mask on, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was the one who had left the comment. Despite my growing curiosity, my mind was still consumed with disturbed thoughts, and I turned away from this girl with an ignorant face.

***

As the first day of my MBA program drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The day had been productive, and I had even made the acquaintance of two intriguing young women. However, my mood was short-lived as my friend Mitra approached me with a request for assistance.

As we made our way towards the electric tram, Mitra's face was beaming with excitement. "So, how was your day, Macha?" he asked with a sly grin.

"It was good," I replied, keeping my answer short.

Mitra's grin widened. "Good? That's an understatement! You found out Abhi's name, didn't you?" he exclaimed.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Yeah, I did. But why are you so happy about it?"

Mitra's smile grew even wider. "Because I found out her friend's name too! Her name is Amita!" he declared triumphantly.

I couldn't help but chuckle at Mitra's enthusiasm. "How did you manage to find that out?" I asked curiously.

Mitra's eyes gleamed mischievously. "I took a peek at Amita's tab when you were checking out Abhi's," he admitted.

I shook my head in disbelief, wondering if Abhi's name was even real. But before I could say anything else, Mitra interrupted with a request for a favor.

"Do you remember Ayesha, the second girl in our class?" he asked eagerly. "I overheard her talking to her cousins about going to Tenneti Beach Park in the evening. Can we go there too? Maybe I'll get a chance to see her again."

I hesitated for a moment. "Why can't you wait until tomorrow?" I asked, hoping to avoid any more distractions.

But Mitra's puppy-dog eyes were too much for me to resist. "Please, Macha!" he pleaded.

As Mitra's eyes lit up with excitement, I couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance. However, not wanting to disappoint my friend, I agreed to his request. Little did I know that this small favor would turn into an event that would only serve to further confuse me.

***

4:30 p.m., Tenneti Beach Park, Vishakapatanam

"I'm sorry, Mitra," I said firmly as we walked through the main gate of Tenneti beach park. "I won't be joining you in your filthy pursuits."

Mitra nodded his head, understanding my stance. "Ok Macha, as you say," he replied, but I could sense his disappointment.

I decided to find a spot away from him, wanting to distance myself from his unsavory behavior. As I walked around, I marveled at the timeless beauty of the park. The stone pathways, the play areas for children and adults, the simple cafes with minimalistic offerings, and the hawkers selling their wares, were all unchanged for decades. Most importantly, I could explore faces without masks.

I found a bench in a peaceful corner and sat down to enjoy the tranquil surroundings. From afar, I saw Ayesha with another girl approaching the cafe, and Mitra's excitement was palpable. I searched for a perfect spot to distance myself from him as much as possible.

The cafe was almost outdoors, with a minimalistic design. It had a small hut at one corner that served as both the kitchen and the counter, with tables arranged in front of it. The standing fans were scattered here and there to provide a gentle breeze, but I wondered why anyone would need one with the sea so close.

Ayesha and her friend took their seats at the nearest table- table number 1, and I chose the farthest one- table number 10, away from Mitra's prying eyes. He, on the other hand, stood near the counter, pretending not to know me.

The girls started feeling the heat. Ayesha asked the café boy, “Can you please turn on the fan?”

The cafe boy promptly obliged, “Yes Akka” and turned on the fan nearest to them.

But, the fan's air force was too strong, causing the girls’ hair to loosen and cover their faces. Mitra, whose view of Ayesha was obstructed, stepped forward to adjust the fan's direction. As he reached the fan, he felt something stiff and arduous to change. He looked at me pleadingly, asking for my help, but I shook my head and showed him my disinterest.

He continued to plead, but I ignored him and checked my hologramic phone feed instead. That's when I heard a sweet voice calling out to Ayesha and Smrithi from the nearby table, “Hey Girls, sorry for being a bit late!”

The voice was so lovely that I couldn't help but turn my attention toward the table. There sat a stunning girl in pink, with silky hair, a captivating smile, and silver anklets that made a pleasant tinkling sound. I longed to see her face, but the fan was still in the way.

Mitra kept trying to adjust the fan, and I noticed that he had found a helping hand. He looked up and grinned at me helping him to turn the fan around, thinking that I was helping him. But my eyes were fixed on the beautiful girl in pink, the reason for my help.

She had mesmerizing kohl-rimmed eyes, rose-petal lips, and a sharp nose that completed her exquisite features. My heart raced as I gazed at her, wanting to know more.

Mitra patted my shoulder, a silent thank you for my help, and went over to talk to Ayesha and the other girls. I, however, was unable to take my eyes off the captivating lady in pink.

Ayesha noticed my gaze, which made me feel nervous, as I had promised Mitra I would stay away. So, I retreated to the far end of the table, watching them converse while my heart raced with anticipation, eager to learn more about the enchanting girl in pink.

I sat there for what felt like an eternity, waiting for Mitra to call me, but he didn't even spare a glance. Eventually, I decided to take matters into my own hands and started to get up from my seat. Just then, I saw Mitra waving goodbye to them and making his way toward me. I waited for him as he approached me towards the main gate of the park.

I asked him, “How the discussion went?”

"It was good, Macha," he replied, brimming with excitement. "I noticed that you had your eyes on that girl in the pink dress."

I didn't say anything, but my curiosity about her was piqued. Mitra must have sensed this because he asked me, “Don’t you want to know her name?”

I hesitated at first, still unsure about what to do. But as we made our way back home on his bike, my desire to know her name became too strong to resist.

As we reached my home, I couldn't hold back any longer and finally asked him, "Mitra… What is her name?"

"Why do you want to know now?" he teased, "You weren't interested to join me to park."

"Come on, Mitra, don't be like that. Just tell me," I pleaded.

"Her name is Preeti," he revealed, but before I could ask any more questions, he interrupted me with a cryptic statement: "There's a surprise for you, too."

"What surprise?" I yelled after him as he rode away, but it was too late. He was already out of earshot.

Frustrated, I made my way back into my house, still wondering what Mitra's surprise could be.

***

8:00 p.m, At my home

As the clock struck 8, Dad hurriedly handed Mom a cover of fresh vegetables and exclaimed, "The movie should have been released by now, hurry up!"

S.S.Rajamouli's fascination with making a film on Mahabharata had piqued Dad's interest decades ago, and he eagerly anticipated watching it with Mom as they did when they were newlyweds. However, the final part of the movie wasn't released until 2044, and today was its much-awaited OTT release.

I inherited my love for movies from Dad, but today my mind was preoccupied with something else. Just yesterday, he talked to me about my love life, and now I have three girls to choose from. I was lazily chopping spring onions at the dining table, lost in my thoughts.

"Aditya, are you free? Come and sit with me," Dad beckoned with a grin as he switched on the TV.

"He's never on the same page as me," I mused. Despite my reservations, I obliged and took a comfortable seat to his left.

As the title card for "Kurukshetram" appeared on the screen, Dad beamed with pride, reveling in the background music.

"Look at those visuals, only Rajamouli could make them so good," he praised.

I couldn't help but interject, "It's the efforts of the visual effects team, Dad."

He noticed my aloofness and asked, "Is there something on your mind?"

I debated whether to bring up my love life, unsure if I would come off as a fool.

Meanwhile, Mom's voice rang out from the kitchen, "Why do you order cauliflower, cabbage, and brinjal all at once? You knew we can't cook them together."

Dad replied with a chuckle, "Why do we have to cook them all in one day? Let's try one after another."

And just like that, I had my answer. "He's right. Let's explore them one by one, and I'm sure I'll know what to do next. Let's start the game tomorrow," I thought to myself as I became engrossed in the movie.

***

TO READ THE NEXT CHAPTER, CLICK HERE

Quick links for all released chapters:

Chapter 1: The Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2: Dazzling Yet Mistifying

Chapter 3: The Unified Tapestry

For more short stories by Ajitesh Ippili, Click Here.

Hey! If you liked this episode, please make sure to share it with your friends, family, and loved ones.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts and predictions for the next episode in the comments section.

CHAPTER 1: ENTICING PRELUDE [In Love & Incharge]

2023-03-31T00:30:00.004-07:00

"Good day! My name's Aditya, a 24-year-old lad hailing from the year 2046. I might have been just another ordinary bloke, but my dear dad, a proud product of the 90s, had bestowed upon me the gift of freedom to explore the wonders of life myself. As much as I relished this, it wasn't without its fair share of troubles. But the tides turned and the situation took a twist when dear old Dad decided to take charge. Now, I urge you all to lend me your ears, not only for the sheer entertainment value of my tale but also for the chance to get a glimpse of what 90's kids are like as parents. Oops, did I spill the beans? No matter, let's forge ahead and embark on my saga. Welcome, welcome, one and all!"

Listen to this Chapter here:

Tenneti Beach Park, Vishakhapatnam, 14^th Feb 2046

The morning sun had just begun to peek through the horizon, and a pink hibiscus had bloomed, adding to the beauty of the serene seascape. The gentle sound of waves crashing against the shore could be heard, accompanied by the chirping of birds that had awakened from their slumber. As the clock struck 6:00 AM, the AI robots began to serve milk packets to each house, efficiently carrying out their daily routine.

Life in this machine-like world was heavily regimented, with automated cars and disciplined morning walks being the norm. The government had implemented strict rules, including mandatory face masks, to ensure the safety of its citizens. Yet, amidst all these regulations, there was one place in every city that remained untouched – parks.

In recent years, the government had mandated that every locality should have a park with at least 300 plants and trees, ensuring that people had access to green spaces in their daily lives. These parks served as a sanctuary for the city's residents, a place where they could remove their masks publicly and breathe in the fresh air.

Here, amidst the lush greenery, people would gather to jog, exercise, or simply relax and soak in the beauty of nature. Children would run around, playing hide-and-seek among the trees, while adults would sit on benches, chatting and enjoying each other's company.

As the city bustled around him, a young man sat on the bench by the water's edge, lost in thought. With his handsome features and charming smile, he could easily catch the eye of any passerby, but his mind was elsewhere.

Dressed in a crisp white polo shirt and blue pants that accentuated his lean frame, he looked like a model fresh off a fashion shoot. His white shoes added a touch of elegance to his outfit, making him stand out even more. Yet, despite his impeccable appearance, his heart was heavy with worry.

As he gazed out at the tranquil waters, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. The gentle lapping of the waves against the shore and the chirping of the nearby birds was soothing to his soul. But, as much as he tried to lose himself in the beauty of nature, his worries persisted.

With a deep sigh, he looked down at the ground, his thoughts consumed by the weight of his problems. The passing girls caught his attention, but he barely registered their admiring glances.

This guy was none other than me. More than being melancholic, I felt disoriented.

To explain why I’m dejected, I must explain my story from scratch to make you comprehend my state of affairs.

***

My story starts with my dad, Sahasrajit Shetty. He not only gave birth to me but also to a new situation that I’m in now. As soon as I stepped into this world, he took me into his arms. An Indian father may say,

“My son will be...”

Instead, my father said, “Let him explore and grow!”

My mother and all my family members were happy at the perception he has got. But it took them not long to discern what these words actually meant.

***

The memories of that day, the 10th of March 2023, are etched deep in my mother's heart. It was a day when my tiny feet took their first independent steps, and my journey toward exploring the world began.

As I played with my smart tab, I sensed an inexplicable urge to stand up, to test the limits of my tiny body. I grasped the edge of the table, my little fingers holding onto the smooth surface, as I slowly pushed myself up. My mother engrossed in creating some reels in the kitchen, was caught off guard as I let go of the table and took my first wobbly step toward the unknown.

For a moment, time stood still, as my father paused his hundredth viewing of "The Lion King" and turned towards me, his eyes gleaming with pride and wonder. It was a sight that he would cherish for the rest of his life, the image of his baby taking its first tentative steps, venturing out into the world.

“See, Aditya is walking!” mom exclaimed looking at me from the kitchen.

Dad looked at me and smiled at my augmentation.

After taking a few steps forward, I stumbled and fell onto one of my toys, causing me to cry out in pain. My mother quickly rushed over to pick me up and check if I was okay. It turned out that I had fallen onto a toy crane, and the lever of the toy had struck me hard.

As I cried out in pain from the toy crane hitting me hard, my mother's concern was palpable. She rushed over to me, her gentle touch soothing my wounds as she examined the damage.

"He hurt his leg!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with worry and a tinge of admonishment. Her gaze then shifted towards my father, as if seeking an explanation for what had happened.

"You could have moved the toy," she chided gently, her maternal instincts in full force. Yet, there was no malice in her words, only a desire to protect her child from harm.

Father in no time replied, “He will learn, let him explore.”

Little did we know that this incident, as significant as it may have seemed, was only a small blip in the grand scheme of things. In the months and years that followed, we would encounter challenges and obstacles that would test our resolve and strength.

***

The memories of that summer day, the 18th of June 2030, are still vivid in my mind. I was just eight years old, eager to see what the world beyond our home had to offer. And my father, sensing my restlessness, decided to surprise me with an electric cycle. Probably he felt, “Enough of exploring home, Aditya should now explore the locality.”

On that day, I found myself the proud owner of one of the most cutting-edge, Android-powered electric cycles available. And yet, despite its advanced features, I still had much to learn about balancing it.

With some trepidation, I made my way to the nearby road, nestled close to a quiet park, hoping to practice my cycling skills free from the chaos of traffic. I straddled the cycle, my left leg resting on the ground, attempting to find my balance before my first try.

But as doubts crept in and my resolve wavered, I turned to see my father standing a few feet away, his hands clasped together and a warm smile on his face. At that moment, his presence was all the reassurance I needed to push forward and take that first step, propelling myself forward into a world of discovery and adventure.

As I gathered my nerves and prepared to make my first attempt, the comforting presence of my father by my side gave me the confidence I needed to push forward. I pushed my leg back and began to move forward, feeling the wind rush past me as I picked up speed.

But before I could even reach for the accelerator, disaster struck. The next thing I knew, I was sprawled out on the pavement, my electric cycle a few feet away from me. I felt a sharp pain in my hand and looked down to see that my elbow was bleeding. Looking up at my father, I expected a sense of worry for me, but he still wore the same warm smile.

He said, “NO ISSUES ADITYA, GET UP AND TRY. EXPLORE THE RIDE!”

“What kind of family did I fall into?” my conscience nudged me up as I stared at a father helping his son learn to cycle far away.

***

Right from choosing a dish in a restaurant to choosing a stream for my graduation, dad gave me the freedom to “explore”.

As I approached the end of my graduation, I made the decision to pursue an MBA, with the ultimate goal of becoming an entrepreneur. In 2043, the job market was virtually unrecognizable, with AI replacing human employees in nearly every sector. The only way to truly succeed was through innovation and passive assets, a reality that many people struggled to accept. But my typical middle-class dad has a different set of thoughts.

I knew dad is open to exploring alternatives in post-graduation. But when I intimated to him about my decision about pursuing MBA, all he said is, “Aditya, are you free tomorrow morning? I need to share something with you.”

I agreed to that but was curious about what this man had to talk to me in years now.

***

Upstairs of our home, Vishakhapatnam, 20^th March 2043

I gazed out at the majestic mountains that loomed before us. The towering buildings that dotted their peaks only added to their grandeur, making me feel small and insignificant in their shadow. Beside sat dad, we perched on the parapet, our feet dangling lazily over the edge as we awaited the sunrise. My mother, meanwhile, was bustling about behind us, her hands busy with the never-ending task of laundry.

I’m sure mom would witness “The Lion King” like scene watching our silhouette as the sun rises. These thoughts got stronger when I noticed dad setting his posture as he adorned the rising sun.

As I looked out at the sprawling mountainscape before me, I couldn't help but imagine the soaring orchestral score of "The Lion King" swelling in the background. In my mind's eye, I could see Mufasa, the wise and powerful king of the Pride Lands, delivering his iconic line: "Everything that the light touches is our kingdom."But as I turned to my father, I couldn't help but wonder if he would echo those same words. Intimidating, will he say that all of this is our kingdom?

Within no time dad spoke in a deep and measured voice, “Aditya, everything the light touches is for us to learn from.”

“Perfect!” I pondered” What would you expect from a middle-class father?”

“Nature and its surroundings can be the most powerful instructors for us to learn from, my dear Aditya..” he continued, “Just look at yourself, you are a living testament to this truth

“I was made to lead such a life,” I thought as I turned out toward dad.

“Be it walking or cycling, you have fallen down many times before you mastered things. This undoubtedly made you strong”

My interest in this meeting has dwindled, and I'm now feeling both bored and frustrated.

“But as you move forward, there may be some tough decisions you'll have to make where failure is not an option for learning. That's precisely why I'm here to provide guidance.”

“What was that you feel more careful about Dad?” I asked out of curiosity in no time.

After checking that mother had left the room, he faced me and advised, “There are two crucial aspects to consider before making any decisions - your career and your romantic life.”

I was literally flabbergasted at these words. How come my father has been talking about my love life who has always left me to explore myself.

In response, I offered a rather unenthusiastic reply, “At the moment, father, I'm not involved in any romantic relationships.”

“Neither have you made any decision about your career as well. I know it dear.” Dad continued, “However, it's important that you start taking this matter seriously. If you wait to learn from your mistakes, you may end up falling behind in society.

I wanted to know the reason behind these words. And I waited for not more than a second to ask, “Why are you particular about this dad? Why do you feel so?”

Dad responded, "I've always believed that personal learning is the most effective way to acquire knowledge, and that's exactly how I learned as well."

I wanted to know his tale. Before I asked for the same, he answered the query in my mind.

“When I was around 24 years old, I made a personal decision to become a freelancer, Aditya. I never really considered what society thought about my choice at the time; I simply knew what I wanted and pursued it. However, my confidence was shaken when I turned 27 and my parents began pushing me to get married. It was then that I realized the weight of societal expectations and how they could impact my personal choices.”

I continued to absorb every word now.

He continued, “As my parents began the search for a suitable match for me, the first inquiry potential partners made was about my occupation. Despite my parents clarifying that I worked as a freelancer, some individuals were unfamiliar with the concept and would mistakenly label me inutile. Unfortunately, this led to several rejections, which I initially brushed off with resilience. However, as time went by, I noticed others around me getting married to their beloveds without societal criticism, while those of us considering arranged marriages were harshly judged.”

“He got a point.” I thought.

“In that instant, a realization washed over me that perhaps I had erred in not pursuing a relationship.”

“Do you want me to get into a relationship anyhow dad?” I asked him.

"Aditya, I would never want you to feel pressured into a relationship. However, if there's someone you're interested in, don't hesitate to express your feelings to them. Even if they don't reciprocate, don't perceive it as a problem. My only wish is for you to avoid any future regrets," reassured Dad, rising from his seat.

I nodded my head in agreement.

"Son, it's important to understand that in both your career and love life, time is of the essence. Society's expectations can be suffocating, and before you know it, you may find yourself struggling to make things right. Keep this in mind as you navigate your journey," he advised before heading downstairs for his morning walk.

The sonorous echoes of my father's words had always resonated within me, carrying a certain weight of wisdom and authority. I'm sure that my father's guidance would prove to be meaningful, yet I could not help but harbor a degree of skepticism. My outlook stayed constant until I met her.

***

READ THE NEXT CHAPTER HERE, CLICK HERE

Link to all released chapters:

Chapter 1: The Enticing Prelude

Chapter 2: Dazzling Yet Mistifying

Chapter 3: The Unified Tapestry

For more short stories of Ajitesh Ippili, Click Here

Hey! If you liked this episode, please make sure to share it with your friends, family, and loved ones.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts and predictions for the next episode in the comments section.

21 Best mudras for meditation You Should Know

2022-06-10T03:40:00.008-07:00

It is merely a fact that meditation is a promising practice that every one of us should opt for. Sitting in a relaxed position and focusing on breathing is the simplest way to ensure mindfulness. But generally, meditation is much more than just breathing. Evidently, Breathing is a beginner practice. For complete meditative practices, one must need to opt for one or multiple befitting mudras. These peculiar hand positions can ensure better focus on specific parts of the body or mind.

The list that we provide here not only enlightens you about multiple mudras that are presently practiced but also lets you know the importance and edges of each of them. With this idea, you can easily identify which of these to choose from and implement it in your daily sessions.

Importance of Meditation Mudra

By definition, meditation mudras are simple and peculiar hand positions used by meditation practitioners to heal multiple mind states. Apart from this basic idea, some people believe mudras to be the set of hand movements that can have the ability to change a person’s mood, attitude, and mental direction. Accordingly, mudras have an important role in meditative practices for better outcomes.

Dr. A Mohini[1] made a research on 25 young women practicing meditation mudra (especially dhyana mudra) for six months. The results of the tests showed that 20 out of these women noticed changes like relief from stress and strong sleep. These inferences show how pivotal the role of mudras in meditation is with credible proof.

Best Meditation Yoga Mudras you should know

There are multiple meditation finger positions that one can practice during a mindfulness session. Each meditation yoga mudra has a unique impact. Read through the following lines to check out different meditation mudras:

[1] Gyan Mudra

Gyan Mudra is the simplest and most commonly used hand formation in the meditative society. It is formed by bending and touching the index finger with the thumb. The central motto behind this mudra is to improve knowledge by improved brain activity and concentration.

Rashmi Tiwari [2]and the team make research to make a correlative study linking Gyan mudra and modern science. A test made on 50 people showed improved peace, and knowledge. Here it is outlined that Gyam Mudra has an effect on the neural axis of the brain stem. With activated nerve fibers at the cerebrum, cerebellum, and limbic system, the reticular system is activated, and thereby general awareness and alertness increased. Drastically, the learning capacity increases due to an increase in memory power.

Suitable for everyone, this mudra can be assisting for students and adults looking to develop or retain better memory power. Usually, this mudra is practiced for 30-45 minutes- with 2-3 fifteen-minute sessions.

[2]Prana Mudra

As the name depicts, Prana mudra is all about retaining healthy life. Which implies this mudra can act as a cure for multiple illnesses by ensuring a vital life force in all the contexts. This mudra can be formed by folding the ring and index finger to touch with the thumb while the other two fingers are set straight.

Rohit Rastogi[3] and the team have made a study to determine the role of mantra and mudra therapy in complications of health in the second wave of covid. In this research, it is highlighted that the Prana Vayu (air) is the most important among all the five elements. And, Pran mudra boosts air and water purity thereby immunity. With this idea, it is identified that Pran Mudra has been healing for many health complications like inflammatory, disorder, red eyes, and other complications like insomnia too.

Accordingly for those who have health complications with sleep, Prana Mudra can be assisting. In case of insomnia, also try meditation apps for easy application.

[3]Dhyan Mudra

In Sanskrit, Dhyan implies “Concentration”. And as the word implies Dhyan mudra focuses on better concentration in the individual. To perform it, place the right hand over the left and touch both the thumbs. Symbolically, the right hand implies enlightenment and the left hand implies illusions in life.

Ghouse Mubarak[4] made a research to study the effect of Sukha pranayama and Bhastrika pranayama on health and found that they have a positive impact on cardiovascular function in individuals. Here is is outlined that Dhyan Mudra is important for Bhastricka Pranayama. This implies that Dhyan Mudra is crucial for Cardiovascular fitness too.

For those who are looking for increased concentration, this Mudra assists if ensured consistency. In most practices the posture is known as the seal of mind, implying the state of mind can be enhanced with it.

[4]Apana Mudra

Apana Mudra focuses on easy digestion and excretion of waste from the body. Impurities here not only imply physical but also from the brain. This way evil constituents are mitigated. To form this mudra, one needs to bend the ring and middle finger to touch the thumb.

Akanksha Gupta[5] and the team made a research to analyze how the ancient Indian culture and practices helped in controlling Malaria. It is outlined that Prana and Apana Mudras among meditation mudras helped in curing the disease. Prana mudra helped in building up immunity, while the Apana Mudras helped in eradicating foreign impurities-thereby ensuring complete medication for the illness.

Apana Mudra can be a good daily meditation mudra to remove impurities. Especially in the workplace or in travel, this mudra can be assisting in body purification effortlessly.

[5]Buddhi Mudra

In many phases of life, one may miss out clarity while taking decisions and indulging in tasks. One may need strong internal and external discourse thereby improving communication skills. This mudra can be performed by bending the little finger to touch the thumb and keeping the rest three fingers extended.

The advantages of the mudra include the best of mindfulness, clarity, easing out complexities in a busy mind, and improvement psychologically. It can be a good choice to employ either in the workplace or in schools/colleges.

[6]Shuni/Shoonya Mudra

Shoonya in Sanskrit implies “void” or “nothing”. Accordingly, this mudra is used to enter the peaceful void away from the busy life- attaining tranquility. This way, the practicing individual can address attributes like alertness, sensory powers, and cognition along with the balance of empathy.

To create this mudra, you need to cross the middle finger to touch the thumb and keep all other fingers extended. This mudra can make the individual understand that all the entities are materialistic and the final objective is the ultimate peace.

[7]Rudra Mudra

Rudra is none other than Lord Shiva and the Rudra mudra is believed to be the gesture portrayed by the god himself. It has benefits in multiple areas like mental stability health and well-being. To perform this mudra, fold your index finger and the ring finger to touch the tip of the thumb, and keep the other two fingers extended.

It is believed that Rudra Mudra has multiple advantages like better eating habits, reduced dizziness and exhaustion, improved eyesight, and aiding for blood pressure issues too.

[8]Vayu Mudra

Vayu (air) is an important element in the body. Abnormal air can bring about complications like bloating, joint pains, and other complications. Opting for a Vayu mudra can address most of these problems. While it seems similar to the Gyan Mudra, the arrangement is different. To perform, you should fold your index finger and then let your thumb touch the knuckle of the index finger. Keep all other fingers extended forward.

This mudra is often opted during Pranayama and other relevant exercises. For those who are facing issues with gastric-related issues, this mudra can be a good choice. Ensure to practiceit with consistency.

[9]Ganesha Mudra

Ganesha is the Hindu god who is believed to remove obstructions in life if any. Ganesha Mudra is named so as it helps in removing obstacles in life- by giving more strength to deal with situations. To perform this gesture, place your left hand near the chest facing the palm outward. Now bring the right hand to it to face the right palm to the left one. Now, lock the fingers holding both the hands like a chain link.

Being placed near the heart, this mudra can be assisting for the heart by strengthening the cardiac muscles for better blog pumping. These insights make Ganesha Mudra a good choice for senior adults.

[10]Surya Mudra

Surya (Sun) implies the heat or fire element in the body. Good heat levels in the body can increase the metabolism thereby reducing digestive complications. Surya mudra can help the practitioner to enhance catabolism in the body. To perform this gesture, fold your index finger completely and then bring the tip of the thumb to the knuckle of the ring finger. Keep the rest of the fingers extended.

Those looking for proper blood flow, and better overall functioning of the body can opt for Surya Mudra. Also, it increases body temperature too, thereby can a good choice for colder weather.

[11]Hakini Mudra

Hakini Mudra primarily focuses on empowering the brain in dealing with tasks easily. Those who are often exhausted due to multi-tasking can opt for this mudra to enhance their abilities. To perform this mudra, bring both your hands closer and let the tips of the left fingers touch the tips of the right-hand fingers. Gently press and hold on to that position till you complete meditation.

This mudra joins the forces of either side of the brain and brings in stability. This way the brain powers up. Hakini mudra can be the best choice for meditation in the workplace to employees as it is easy to employ and hones thinking.

S Sunitha’s[6] research article on mudra therapy has highlighted a few more mudras. Let us read through these mudras in the following lines:

[12]Maha Mudra

While all other mudras we studied here are hasta mudras (hand gestures), Maha Mudra comes as a combination of both hands and legs- thereby is a great choice during yoga. To perform this mudra, sit on the floor, fold one leg, and stretch out another. Now, extend both the hands to touch or hold the fingers of the extended leg. The same can be repeated later with another leg as well.

This posture/mudra not only improves the flexibility in the body, but also addresses the nervous system & digestion thereby influencing better functioning of brain activity.

[13]Nabho Mudra

This mudra is performed with the tongue. Start with sitting in any of the popular asanas and then keep your eyes concentrated on the center of your eyebrows. Now, twist the tongue backward to touch the upper palate. Nabho means sky, and this mudra is believed to bring in extreme calmness just like the sky.

This gesture comes with multiple edges like the activated nervous system and enhanced functioning of the heart, lungs, and brain. This way, it may be choosable for people with insomnia

[14]Anjali Mudra

In simple terms, Anjali Mudra is a simple Hindu namaskara. It can be formed by joining both hands together directly touching both the palms and fingers to one another. This well-known gesture ensures multiple edges when practiced with consistency.

Some of the utilities include self-awareness, mindfulness, stress relief, and better connections between parts of the brain.

Chakra meditation hand signs- One Mudra for each Chakra

All of the above-discussed mudras come in handy for anyone looking for meditation. Despite these insights, there is a concept of chakras that redefines the constituents of the body. Accordingly, some special mudras can be opted to address, open/activate each chakra. Before diving into these mudras, let us look into what is a chakra and how are they crucial to understanding the compositions of the body.

Comprehending What is Chakra

Chakra in Sanskrit denotes a wheel or a cycle. In a simple definition, Chakra(s) are the symbolic representations of the seven energy sources in the body. Spiritually, it is marked that there are seven parts of the spine that are considered as these sources- starting from the head crown to the base of the spine.

Read through the following lines to know about each chakra and a meditation mudra to activate each of it effortlessly.

[15]Muladhara Mudra for Root Chakra

Root chakra is the lowest of all the chakras situated at the base of the spine. It implies earth and is the base for all the relationships, and social beings by digging deep into the self. Physically, when the root chakra is not aligned, a person may face complications like weight loss/gain, constipation, and other belly issues. Mentally, they can feel exhausted, anxious, and stressed out.

The Muladhara Mudra can help a person to align root chakra. This mudra can be performed by first joining both the hands just like prayer. Then, the ring and little fingers are folded inwards, the middle fingers are touched by tips and extended out, and the index and thumb are folded to close the loop. With this practice, an individual can aspire for better relationships and personal goals without being stuck.

[16]Swadhistana Mudra for the Sacral Chakra

Sacral chakra is present just below the belly button of the body and is often responsible for sexuality, sensuality, and creativity. Accordingly, misalignment of this chakra can physically lead to complications like back pains, reproductive issues, impotence, and issue related to the bladder and kidneys. Mentally, one may notice abnormal sexual desires and a lack of expression of emotions, and needs.

The Swadhistana mudra can help in realigning the Sacral chakra. To perform this mudra, place your right hand on your left hand and press your thumbs at their tips. This looks similar to the Dhyan mudra. But Dhyan mudra forms a triangle, whereas, Swadhistana mudra forms a circle.

[17] Manipura Mudhra for Solar Plexus Chakra

Solar Plexus Chakra is present in the belly region of the body and is responsible for confidence and self-esteem. So, for the question of what is solar plexus chakra, the answer is pretty simple and straightforward. But, what’s equally important to understand is that non-alignment of this chakra can lead to complications like diabetes and liver problems.

Manipura mudra is appropriate for solar plexus chakra and improved willpower. To perform this mudra, fold your hands just like namaskara and point your fingers out. Now, overlap the two thumbs to ensure rigidity in the mudra.

[18] Anahata Mudra for Heart Chakra

As the name implies, this chakra is related to heart functioning and is related to enhanced empathy, and better emotions in the self. If the heart chakra is not aligned in the body, one may feel blocked stressed out, and anxious with a lack of relations and emotions. Creativity, passion, and other interests are impacted by this chakra.

Anahata mudra during meditation can help an individual to re-align their heart chakras. To perform this, you need to fold the index finger and thumb of the right hand to touch their tips and extend all other fingers- just like Gyan mudra. Now, take the right hand to the chest and recite a mantra or meditate.

[19] Vishuddha Mudra for Throat Chakra

Present at the throat of the individual, this chakra is responsible for speech, good communication, and thereby the self-expressing abilities of a person. Mis-alignment of the Throat chakra can lead to mental complications like fear to express and communicate truth. Physically, a person can have issues like mouth ulcers, thyroid, and chronic soar throats.

Vishuddha Mudra is assistive for a better throat. To perform this mudra, you can bring your right hand on your left hand and interfold your finger. Now, bring the two thumbs to touch one another’s tip. Place this gesture near to your heart while you meditate.

[20] Ajna Mudra for the Third Eye Chakra

Third eye Chakra is located in the center of the head and impacts the knowledge, awareness, and spiritual well-being of an individual. Accordingly, it may be logical to understand that misalignment of this chakra can lead to complications like concentration problems, intellect, and focus.

Ajna mudra is the formation of the eye with hands and is believed to help in empowering/opening the third eye chakra. First, fold your hands as namaskara, then fold little and ring fingers inwards. Touch the tips of your middle fingers and let them extend out, repeat the same for thumbs too.

[21]Sahasrara Mudra for Crown Chakra

Situated at the top of the head, Crown Chakra is believed to be linked to spiritual connection, consciousness, wisdom, knowledge, and unity of all other parts/chakras. Accordingly, a misalignment of this chakra can lead to poor balance, coordination, and substandard physical functioning.

Sahasrara Mudra helps in opening this chakra for better stability. To perform, fold your hands to form namaskara and intertwined all fingers except the little one. Now, extend the little fingers out and let their fingers completely touch each other..

Best tips to employ these mudras

Acknowledging the diverse set mudras is often not enough, one should be able to make sure they indulge in the mindfulness properly to get the positive effects. Here are some tips that we feel are fitting for you:

Comfort Yourself

No matter what mudra or posture you are about to practice, make sure that you are comfortable with that posture. W Wilson has written a dedicated book- The posture of meditation to make sure you are in the right posture while you're meditating. Even if you are sitting on a chair or a table, it is important to make sure you are ready to apply for a reasonable duration. In case of arms or leg pains, it may be suggested to skip that day or try any alternatives.

Sit in Appropriate asanas

There are multiple common known sitting asanas (postures) like Padmasana, Vajrasana, or Sukhasana. If you are planning to meditate on the floor, these options can assist. The edge is that they have some underlying scientific reasons to enhance health. For instance, research [7] by Mukul Chandra Gope concluded that Padmasana can be employed as a non-surgical treatment for of Leg Pain due to Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome and Lateral Compartment Arthritis.

Ensure to Recite Appropriate Mantras

If you prefer to get into chakra meditation and look for the best results, check out the following list of mantras for each chakra. Recite these sounds while you practice mudra to make sure of completeness.

CHAKRA	MANTRA
Root Chakra-	LAM
Sacral Chakra	VAM
Solar Plexus Chakra	RAM
Heart Chakra	YAM
Throat Chakra	HAM
Third Eye Chakra	AUM
Crown Chakra	ANG

Meditation position of hands is Crucial…

In the present trend of busy working schedules, mindfulness has turned crucial to bring about balance in multiple factors of life. But, to ensure complete application of yoga or meditation, mudra is often important. It is a simple hand gesture that can have admirable outcomes when practiced with consistency. Check out twenty-one mudra that we have mentioned above to see which among these are the need of the day. We suggest you to group a few mudras as per your need and practice them daily at least for 30-45 days without breaks. .

References:

[1] Mohini, A. (2015). Mudras for Women in Enhancing the Level of Oomph-A Pilot Trial in Virudhunagar. Int J Humanit Soc Sci Invent, 6, 31-3.

[2] Gyan mudra: a critical and correlative study with modern science. (2018). Gyan Mudra: A Critical and Correlative Study with Modern Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2018.10491.1779

[3] Rastogi, R., Saxena, M., Chaturvedi, D. K., Sagar, S., Tandon, N., Rajeshwari, T., & Singh, B. (2022). Fundamental Aspects of Vedic Sciences by Yajna Vijnan and Mantra Therapy: An Interdisciplinary Study in Light of the Second Wave of the Pandemic. International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), 13(1), 1-34.

[4] Mubarak, G., Rajasekhar, P., Vastrad, B. C., & Nisar, U. S. EFFECT OF SUKHA PRANAYAMA AND BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA ON CARDIOVASCULAR AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS AMONG YOUNG HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS.

[5] Gupta, A., Singh, A. K., & Qayum, A. (2014). Evaluating ancient Indian history and culture towards malaria control measures based on traditional knowledge system. Int J Interdiscip Multidiscip Stud, 1(8), 181-90.

[6]Sunitha, S., & Sharma, C. P. Mudra Therapy and Its Classification.

[7] Gope, M. C. A Comparative Study on Non-Surgical Treatment of Leg Pain due to Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome and Lateral Compartment Arthritis by the Lotus Posture" Padmasana. CHIEF EDITOR, 1.

A Guide to Meditation in the Workplace

2022-06-08T04:31:00.004-07:00

A Guide to Meditation in the Workplace

Getting placed in a dream job is not often the end of the story. You should ensure to offer consistent service to the organization while being self-motivated is equally pivotal. With multiple responsibilities that each employee has, it can be arduous for them to keep up with the uniformity in their performance. Sometimes depression, pressure, and frustrations can take over. These may not lead to healthy outcomes.

Accordingly, it can be inferred that practicing snippets of meditation techniques at the office can be effective to bring back the work balance. But, are you ready to employ this practice in the best possible way? Our insights here not only motivate you to meditate at the workplace but also acts as a detailed guide to perfectly ensure mindfulness effortlessly.

Role of working meditation

Meditation lets an individual develop self-centeredness, thereby letting them think about themselves clearly. Not only at the beginning of the day, but this mindfulness can also come in handy while at work too. Be it sudden targets, the frustration of delay, or differences with fellow mates, meditation can give quick relief by bringing serenity.

The importance of meditation in the Workplace is research-backed. Andrew F Hafenbrack [1] studied how mindful meditation impacts the on-the-spot workplace intervention. This detailed study of multiple people in their offices concluded that cultivating mindfulness on-the-spot in special situations at work can improve the potential inexpensively and also swiftly brings outbalance- avoiding backfire. These inferences suggest that meditation in the workplace is crucial for everyone.

Meditation for the office- Getting prepared

Along with comprehending the importance of mindfulness at the office, one should be accompanied with knowledge of how to get ready for it. Here are a few of our suggestions to help you transform your surroundings:

Keep your cubicle neat and Serene. The desk that you are working on would be organized at your convenience. In this process, its attire may not be suitable for meditation. For instance, too many things piled up on the table may not impress your eyes. Consequently, ensure to keep your cubicle clean. Move unwanted tools, files, and other entities to cupboards or shelves. Clean surroundings can act as the concrete cornerstone for effective mindfulness.
Choose the style to practice. Meditation can be practiced in multiple styles. While one may like mantra meditation, others may like Vipassana. Get detailed knowledge of each of these styles and devices and which of these you would like to employ.

Try procuring essential add-ons. To build up the aura of spirituality and peace, you can avail a few essentials like mala, crystals, and so on. We will discuss them in detail in one of the next sections. These preliminaries are often inexpensive but can add admirable value to your mindfulness.

How to do mindfulness meditation at work?

Getting mindful in a busy environment is often not preferred. Even in the office, one should ensure to make the settings serene as per the above insights. Later, you can go through the following steps to ensure simple working mindfulness:

Make sure of the right posture: You may choose to meditate on the chair or the floor. What’s important is the posture you maintain throughout the session. Sit straight and fold your hands to form any mudra. To those unknown, Mudhra is a specific hand gesture one can opt for while meditating. Ensure that you are comfortable in that posture.
Close your eyes: Once the physical aspect is all set, it is time to make your brain ready. Start with closing your eyes and bring all your focus to the breath or the bowel movement.
Experience the peace of the null. Soon, you will feel your brain and body are balanced. Start relishing the peace and serenity it gives for at least five to ten minutes.
Rejuvenate with open eyes. Open your eyes when you feel free and refreshed. It is the time you should restart the tasks with energy and zeal.

Bonus Tip- Apply mindfulness music for work. Music can have a great impact on the brain, especially at work. You may prefer to set preferred music while at work or during meditation to activate regularly.

Essentials add-ons for Meditation in the Workplace

While accessories are not always a need for beginners, these can enhance the interest and flavor of the practice. Due to these reasons, professionals prefer to hold some essentials. Here are a few eminently opted meditation accommodations for your reference:

Meditation Mala: These are wearable necklaces made of 108 sacred beads like Rudraksha. Tiger eye, ruby, and other alternatives. These turn important for those who practice mantra meditation. No matter what the mantra is, the individual can use this chain to iterate their mantra count- making meditation easier.
Meditation Apps: The advantages of smartphones reflect on mindfulness as well. There are multiple free meditation apps that come equipped with all the essential guides to start with. Calm and Headspace are some examples worth considering.
Books to guide: Reading books is another serene practice. Opting for meditation books can add insights to your understanding. At the workplace, having a reference book in hand can facilitate quick reference of techniques to employ anytime. Some examples of meditation books include:

Meditation Guide by Christina
The headspace guide to Mindfulness by Andy
Meditation and its practices by Swami Adiswarananda

Incense sticks/and candles: Pleasent odor is the root of good mindfulness traditionally. This is the main objective behind incense sticks. Choose premium incense sticks with good odor along with a beautiful stand to place them at a corner of the table to get a refreshing breath. You can also choose to use scented candles as well.
Meditation Crystals: These are special stones that can be helpful during meditation to neutralize the body's energy field thereby reducing stress and anxiety. There are multiple stones from which you can choose. Some examples are Pyramid tatva and Rose Quartz.

All of the above add-ons are easily carriable in your office bag or pouch. Their portability makes them worthy to opt-in office premises as well. Note that some offices may not allow incense sticks and candles. Ensure to communicate with the staff beforehand.

How do Meditation Work during Office hours?

Also called on-the-spot meditation, mindfulness before a meeting, call or during work, breaks can have multiple edges promoting the individual to serve better. Here are some grounds for your comprehension:

Assist in better problem solutions. Challenges in the workplace are common. What makes a difference is the employee’s attitude towards them. Hafenbrack has observed that a three- to-ten minutes mindful meditation can address present awareness and non-judgmental acceptance. This will make the employee ready to face the changes and hitches.
Helps in brain breaking. By definition, brain breaks are short intervals that employees may take to rejuvenate from the mind-stress. While there can be multiple brain break activities, meditation can be a good option for working people.
Better Attitude at the workplace When an individual assures stability and threat free, they can show a better attitude towards work and organization. Hafenbrack has observed that the reduction of subjective self-threat is one of the advantages of meditating process. This way, they develop the courage to face even adverse circumstances.
Teamworking and Efficiency are drastically improved when the above factors build up. In research[2] by Hashly Borders, the effect of mindfulness on factors like anger, frustration, and rumination was studied. It was observed that anger and frustration were addressed with meditation at the workplace- implying better relationships with teammates.

Meditation Tips and Techniques- To make your workplace session better

If you are looking to ensure better results from meditation, here are a few of our tips and techniques to enhance your experience and better outcomes:

Start with 5-minute sessions

People often fall into the common myth that meditation should be practiced for longer durations. The fact is that even a 5-minute session in a day will work well to start with. One should focus on being consistent in the practice. Blake McBride[3] listed out elements of meditation. Consistency was one of these main points in this list.

Body movement also plays an important role

Meditation mostly focuses on mind balance. Getting proficient in mindfulness, one can try stretching their hands and legs. This can give a complete relaxation in the middle of a hectic work schedule. One good idea is to change postures in the meditation, this way your body can get warmed up.

Try Group Meditation

As the name suggests, grouped meditation is the practice collectively performed in a group. You can welcome your colleagues to join you in the session. This can create a better aura and also leads to lesser disturbances. The company can organize a group meditation camp at the workplace to create awareness in the employees, or the peers can form an informal community to ameliorate mindfully.

Combine Meditation with Workout

Meditation is all about mindfulness and being healthy in the mind. On other hand, workouts can bring about physical fitness. Logically, combining these sessions can craft the best mix of physical and mental stability. A study by B.L.Alderman [4] was made to note the effects of combining these two sessions, A combination of 30 minutes of meditation and 30 minutes of aerobic exercises has resulted in reduced depression, rumination, and enhanced brain activity.

While joining this session is proven effective, the chronology of which of this should come first is still ambiguous. Placing Meditation before or after a workout can have its own sets of edges and catches. One can make out the best arrangement for them. Get a guide on should you meditate before or after exercise here.

Meditation can come in handy anywhere…

With the increased popularity of the on-the-spot meditation, getting mindful got easier anywhere. Be it in the workplace or in any other location, one can take care of some preliminary settings and start meditating at the office effortlessly. Note that combining it with a workout can be a great idea. Some corporate offices like Google provide the scope of gyming at the workplaces, one can avail the utilities to get fitter. Meditation in the workplace can be easy when properly planned. We hope this guide can help you to ensure quality mindfulness in your office.

References:

[1] Hafenbrack, A. C. (2017). Mindfulness meditation as an on-the-spot workplace intervention. Journal of Business Research, 75, 118-129.

[2] Borders, A., Earleywine, M., & Jajodia, A. (2010). Could mindfulness decrease anger, hostility, and aggression by decreasing rumination?. Aggressive Behavior: Official Journal of the International Society for Research on Aggression, 36(1), 28-44.

[3] McBride, B. (2017). Meditation.

[4] Alderman, B. L., Olson, R. L., Brush, C. J., & Shors, T. J. (2016). MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity. Translational psychiatry, 6(2), e726-e726.

Should you Meditate before or after Exercise?

2022-05-29T23:32:00.003-07:00

Be it aerobic or anaerobic, workouts have a lot of benefits like weight control, better mood, and enhanced sleep. Along with these edges, some individuals may also face issues like heart complications and exhaustion when the workout level steps up. Some people believe in meditation after a workout session while others prefer it prior. Both of these practices may have some admirable ups and downs.

People are often confused with queries like Should I meditate before or after workout. While manifesting one working answer may be complicated, we here listed valuable insights to enlighten you with the probable solution.

What is meditation used for?

Meditation steps out to bring about fitness in physic as well as the mind. It is marked out that meditation can have the power to develop gray matter and other frontal regions. With this, the individual can enhance with attributes like better learning, cognition, and memory. Also, it is seen that the meditative practices can address anxiety, depression, and anxiety.

The above insights make it clear how mindfulness can bring about serenity in the self. These edges can impact and get handy in areas like workplace pressures, workouts stress, and other life-related anxieties.

Effects of Meditation before or after workout

Workout and meditation are two interesting approaches that can be linked or treated as different practices. Individuals can employ both of these techniques to ensure positive well-being. Combining meditation and workouts can actually give favorable results.

While workouts focus on boosting endurance and flexibility, meditation can help to bring about balance and relieve stress. A research by B.L. Alderman [1] studied the effect of combining meditation and exercise. The study on fifty-two participants showed that a combination of 30-minute meditation and 30-minute aerobic exercise reduces depression, and rumination thereby leading to enhanced brain activity.

Looking into applying both of these procedures together, multiple queries may arise. A popular query is Should i meditate before or after workout. To understand what chronology would work for you, let us look into different combinations here:

Meditation after Workout

Meditation after workout is often treated as a relaxing session. The physical stress and breath can impact an individual through the rest of the day. In these cases, a quick Vipassana session can relieve stress. If the objective is just about relaxation, one may opt for any comfortable posture to relieve pains. Evidently, the motto is to bring focus to the breath. Along with these insights, here are some quick tips that we suggest to make your cognitive session productive:

Start with as short as five minutes of practice. Note that consistency is more important than time.
Rest your legs and hands while you meditate. This will rejuvenate the power lost in the workout.
If you are breathing heavily, continue the practice till you observe the breath pattern turned normal.
Keep away from distractions for a while.

Meditation before workout

Comprehending the effects of meditation after workout may not always mean that meditation has no effect before exercise. Some people can prefer mindfulness just before starting workouts to think about the day peacefully. Also, it can warm up the muscles to make it ready to stretch.

Workout sessions may often result in excitement. Accordingly, meditating after can be arduous for some people. They can schedule mindfulness before to make out the best of the combination.

So, Should I meditate before or after workout?

Meditation and cardio are both important regimes that an individual can opt for. Choosing the perfect set can be as difficult as choosing one among them.

Based on the above insights, we suggest you meditate after a workout session. This chronology can smoothen out the aberration caused by heavy workouts. Also, the individual can start the day well.

Nonetheless, putting meditation before can also be helpful for people who are looking for a good start for their exercise. Here we have tabulated our insights for your quick reference:

	MEDITATION BEFORE WORKOUT	MEDITATION AFTER WORKOUT
Advantages	Stretches the body before exercise Helps to plan the workout and the day with a peaceful mind	Relaxes the body and relieves pain after exercise Helps to rejuvenate for the day after a hectic workout
For those	Who are looking to address their excitement and anxiety for the day.	Who are looking to finish out workout smoothly
What Meditation Technique(s) work	Stretching meditation, Walking Meditation	Breathe therapies and Vipassana

Concluding thoughts

When properly planned, both meditation and workout sessions go hand in hand. This process is made simple with the above insights. Based on your need, you may choose to put meditation before or after exercise. Check out the quick summary provided above and share this with all the health enthusiasts to make them healthier. Evidently, we cannot forget the magical powers of meditation.

References:

[1] Alderman, B. L., Olson, R. L., Brush, C. J., & Shors, T. J. (2016). MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity. Translational psychiatry, 6(2), e726-e726.

10 Best Free Meditation Apps for sleep

2022-05-28T04:59:00.003-07:00

Meditation is a crucial practice that can bring about relaxation and mindfulness in an individual. As these factors are important for sound sleep too, meditations like Vipassana can be a good solution for healthy sleep. One can sit or catnap in the right posture, close their eyes and get into their inner self to attain peace and thereby sleep.

To enhance this working process, a piece of an updated soothing sound or music can play a pivotal role. But searching for newer sounds regularly can be a hectic process. Thankfully, some meditation apps come with updated music tunes to stimulate good sleep along with other relevant meditation features. Read through this blog to traverse through the best free meditation apps for sleep, With this idea, you can choose which of these apps can be the best pick for you.

Crucial features of Meditation Apps for Sleep?

There are multiple options of meditation apps available on the market. But a few of them focus on providing boosting sessions for sound sleep. Here are a few features you must ensure while choosing one of the best free meditation apps for sleep:

A collection of serene tunes: Soothing sounds from nature like wind, and water can give a great feel to the ears- thereby stimulating sleep. According to research by Barabra Ellen Bauer[1] made on orthopedic surgical patients practicing meditation, it is observed that soothing sounds can relax them better- showing how music can ensure better sleep.
Sleep Stories: Bedtime stories are often well-liked by children not only because these tales were engaging but also are soothing to dive into a deep sleep. The idea behind the sleep stories is the same in the meditation apps. After a hectic workday, listening to these stories from a sweet voice can be relaxing.
Motivating content: These are video snippets of multiple expert orators encompassing multiple stories, quotes, and other insights to rejuvenate the individual to start the day or relieve stress.
Distinctive meditative techniques: Even though the central motto of all meditative techniques is the same, many individuals may look for the latest and most interesting exercises to relish the session. Accordingly, choosing those apps that come with regualr updates can be preferred.

10 Best free meditation apps for sleep- Our Suggestions for you!

Here is the out list of best free meditation apps for sleep which can be your all-around meditation companion as well.

Calm Application

Created by Calm.com incorporation, this app serves to guide and accompany users for better relaxation and sleep with meditative techniques. For starters, this app can be a good choice to start practicing meditative sleep in just 3 minutes.

It comes with multiple features like new techniques to practice regularly, movement suggestions, and masterclasses. These can help in calming anxiety, managing stress, focus, and concentration.

For sleep meditation, it comes with sleep stories, music, and soundscapes making it a good session to get into sleep effortlessly. Jennifer Huberty [2] did research about the effect of the Calm app on sleep disturbances. The results of the test on subscribers showed that around 77% of the respondents could sleep comfortably with the app- depicting how it is useful.

Get it on PlayStore

Get it on AppStore

Headspace App

Headspace App is the application from the company Headspace founded by Andy Puddicombe (A Buddhist monk) and Richard Pierson (Marketing personnel). The main motto of the app is to support the user in any place and mental state by providing mindfulness, and relaxation.

It comes with guided lessons to meditate even in difficult situations. Some areas of focus apart from relaxation are breathwork and anxiety meditation. It also comes with specialized techniques to be employed by children.

This app has a provision for sleep meditation that comes with features like relaxing and sleeping better with music and meditating awake (a short refreshing video to play to start the day). Users can avail of the free version to start with.

Get it on PlayStore

Get it on AppStore

Medito: Meditation and Sleep

Medito is a non-profit offering from Medito Foundation. The objective of the app is to ensure mental well-being with all the healthy practices of meditation. Users can choose among multiple lectures that come in both guided and non-guided forms.

Also, the individual can choose among beginner, and intermediate courses based on their level of practice. Other features include daily meditation schedules addressing stress, and anxiety and also managing work-life too.

This app also comes with sleep meditation, sounds, and sleep stories that make it a noteworthy choice for people looking for good sleep. As it is a non-profit app, there are no distractions like ads and subscriptions enhancing the user experience.

Get it on Playstore

Balance: Meditation and Sleep

Created by Elevate labs, Balance app ensures to bring serenity, especially in difficult situations with meditative techniques. It coaches the users with tailor-made techniques to optimize their time and efforts.

Some eminent features apart from personalization include 10-day plans, research-backed activities, animated tutorials, customizable sessions, and regular updates.

Balance comes with relaxation exercises that can be employed before bed. With a mix of sleep meditation, sounds, and wind-down activity, bilateral stimulation is created to overcome pressures-thereby resulting in sound sleep.

Get it on Playstore

Get it on Appstore

Breethe: Meditation and Sleep

Created by Breethe labs, this app comes with around 1700 guided meditations and other collections from various experts to encompass all insights to ensure mindfulness in the users. With a theme of the night sky, it gets easier for individuals to operate it even in low-light conditions.

This app comes with multiple features to assist sleep. These include relaxation music, sleep sounds, sleep stories, bedtime visualizations, guided meditation, breathing exercises, and inspirational talks.

Get it on Playstore

Tide: Sleep and Meditation

Designed by Moreless incorporation, this app focuses on integrating all utilities of meditation at the comfort of one application. Activities and techniques thereby impact both physical and mental health. It comes with all relevant features to relax in a busy and fast-paced life.

First, the relaxation meditation feature lets the brain exercise to immerse it in peace. Second, the natural sounds give a soothing experience. Third, it comes with inspiring quotes to start the day with motivation.

Other features that help people with sleep include:

Sleep and nap mode: to have a quick nap during the day
Focus timer: to ensure focus on the task
Breathing exercise: to calm body and mind
Diary feature: to update each crucial moment during meditation.

Get it on Playstore

Get it on Appstore

Deep Meditate: Relax and Sleep

Deep meditate incorporation came with an easy-to-use app to expose users to working meditation sessions to relieve and sleep. With both light and dark themes, it offers a scope of customization.

It comes with a set of different meditations like breathing meditation, mindfulness, muscle, tradition, and 10-minute meditations. The varying set of services can make it fit for all sorts of users.

For boosting better sleep, Deep meditation comes with stress & anxiety meditation, calm music, and nature sounds. Some unique collections include crackling fire, lapping water, rocky beach, and rainforests.

Get it on Playstore

Let’s Meditate: Meditate. Relax and Sleep

Heal my team has created this app with the motto of providing all free resources to meditate at any time. It comes with an ad-free experience and doesn't even need signup. Users can just access it, play a track and they are good to go.

Some eminent features of this app include diverse content for each sign like anxiety, healing, and sleep. This list of particulars can suit both short and long durations. Also, users can download selected content for offline use later.

It comes with a set of sounds and short meditative sessions to ensure sound sleep. The individual can choose between long and short sessions.

Get it on PlayStore

Ten percent Happier- Meditation and Sleep

As the name depicts, this app ensures to development of a person by ten percent with every technique taught. The content here comes as a mix of video tutorials and techniques making it easy for the users to interpret the practice.

With around 600 meditations, it may ensure to fit for almost every user. A unique feature is an option for quick sessions to stay fit even in travel or during lunch breaks.

Bit Size stories, wisdom, sounds, and inspiration from the sleep section can be ample for most users to use at bedtime. You can access the content from the app easily with just a few taps.

Get it on Playstore

Pzizz- Sleep Nap and Focus

This app uses clinical research-based techniques, products, and resources to ensure sound sleep, nap, and focus on the individual. This sleep meditation app ensures a large set of serene sounds to help better sleep.

Pzizz interface is divided into three parts: Sleep module, Nap module, and Focus Module. Sleep mode ensures that the user falls asleep, thereby making a good choice to assist insomnia. The nap module helps to take a power nap to rejuvenate with work for the rest of the day. And the focus module ensures building concentration on tasks.

Pzizz comes with a simple interface with clinical validation. This makes it a reliable choice to opt for. The app is free for the initial 7 days.

Get it on PlayStore

Additional tips for better sleep

Along with an apt meditation app, one should ensure a few other factors to make sleeping habits and settings healthy. With reference to the Center for disease control and prevention, we came up with a few tips and strategies to warrant good sleep:

Make the locations serene, relaxing and dark away from distractions like electronic devices. This can easily promote[3] good sleep.
Consistency is the key to everything. May it be early or late, individuals can ensure to go to sleep at the same time each day- even on the weekends and holidays.
Having regular workouts or exercises during the day can make up for a good sleep.
It is always healthy to mitigate habits of having alcohol, large meals, and caffeine before bed.

Concluding thoughts

We hope you are now familiar with the best free meditation apps for sleep. Note that premium apps come with a subscription fee. But the choices that we have suggested are free to avail necessary features. While some of them are non-profit apps, others are free versions. For a beginner or even for a regular user, these apps can be fitting for most people. Traverse through all the choices stated above and see which of these can be a good fit for you.

References:

[1] Bauer, B. E., Mitchell, C., & Salmon, E. (2015). The effect of soothing sound machines and meditation using CD players on relaxation in acute care orthopedic patients. Patient Experience Journal, 2(2), 53-59.

[2] Huberty, J., Puzia, M. E., Larkey, L., Irwin, M. R., & Vranceanu, A. M. (2020). Use of the consumer-based meditation app calm for sleep disturbances: cross-sectional survey study. JMIR formative research, 4(11), e19508.

[3] Perrault, A. A., Bayer, L., Peuvrier, M., Afyouni, A., Ghisletta, P., Brockmann, C., ... & Sterpenich, V. (2019). Reducing the use of screen electronic devices in the evening is associated with improved sleep and daytime vigilance in adolescents. Sleep, 42(9), zsz125.

Vipassana Meditation is so Famous. But Why?

2022-05-28T03:57:00.001-07:00

In the present world, everyone is busy with their responsibilities and duties. To relax at the end of the day or to ensure a fresh start, meditation can be a great tool. These practices not only bring peace but also ameliorates mindfulness. While there are multiple ways to meditate effectively, Vipassana Meditation can be one of those types that can bring about a lot of insights and edges.

So, What are the benefits of Vipassana Meditation? Can it be practiced at home? We will dive into all the details you are looking for in this post. Read through these lines to get enlightened with the ancient technique.

What is Vipassana Meditation?

Vipassana is one of the oldest meditation practices followed by Buddhists. It became popular in recent times in many parts of the world. In traditional terms, Vipassana implies “Seeing things as they are”. This implies that Vipassana Meditation is the process of seeing things in a special way to balance & interpret emotions and thoughts. This way the individual can mitigate sobbing over the happenings around.

The aim of this style of meditation according to Gunaratana (A Srilankan Monk ) is learning to see the "reality of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and selflessness of phenomena."

Why is Vipassana meditation important?

Vipassana Meditation is special and eminent not only because it is one of the oldest techniques taught by Buddha, but also because it ensures several edges. With the objective of keeping the mind free from the stress of work and the future, this technique teaches individuals to interpret reality in the actual sense. Apart from this, here are some benefits that Vipassana Meditation ensures:

This approach can be a good fit for relieving stress.

It is a popular belief to understand meditative techniques are helpful in reducing stress. Vipassana has research-backed proof for the same. Roberta A Szekeres[1] conducted research in 2014 to evaluate the effect of Vipassana Meditation on personal stress levels and well-being. The candidates have been evaluated before and after a 6-month meditation course. The research team found lower stress levels in those who took the course after six months of practice.

Vipassana has abilities to rehabilitate addictions.

By diving deep into the self, one can ameliorate their levels of empathy and self-awareness. These attributes can help a person rehabilitate from addictions. Nualnong Wongtongkam[2] made a pilot study to see how Vipassana meditation can impact female drug users in Thailand. The group interviews of these people showed a developed self-awareness, moral values, and better comprehension of right/wrong acts.

Addresses Anxiety issues in Individuals.

Due to overwhelming responsibilities in the workplace or in family life, anxiety-related issues have been growing in recent times. Thankfully, opting for Vipassana Meditation can bring about relief from devastating anxiety levels. Sunita Dhule[3] did research to analyze the effect of Vipassana on anxiety levels. This study conducted on 15 healthy persons of 30-45 years denoted that regular practice of this technique can reduce daily anxiety levels- thereby enhancing well-being.

Helps in better brain processing

To accomplish tasks within time efficiently or deal with people, brain processing is very important. Quick decisions and effective strategic planning are part of the same. Vipassana Meditation ensures to bring about serenity and makes the brain ready to react appropriately to situations. Catherine I. Andreu [4] made research to evaluate the mid-frontal theta activity of vipassana practicing individuals. The results found that the practice of this meditation can improve response inhibition- thereby controlling emotional reactivity.

Vipassana Meditation as Medicine

Practicing such techniques can have multiple health advantages. Fascinatingly, it can be a cure for conditions too. Here is an example: Sangram G Patil in his 2009 research[5] found that Vipassana comes with good quality randomized traits making it a good heal for Chronic Low Back Pain(CLBP).

Vipassana Meditation for Beginners

A complete beginner can start meditation effortlessly at a basic level. Understanding some fundamentals and regulations can make anyone dive into the practice. Here we put forward steps suggesting the best mix of factors to create an easy Vipassana session in the comfort of your home:

Choose the right place

For any mental or physical exercise, an appropriate location plays an important role. For mindfulness meditation, one may choose a park or lawn with no disturbances. Even a serene room with good ventilation can also work. The main objective is to ensure the place is all set for meditation.

Sit comfortably

In case you decide to practice the session on a lawn, sitting on the grass can be a noteworthy idea. Having direct contact with grass can help to reduce the levels of stress hormones. If you practice it on indoor premises, ensure to have a yoga mat or any cloth before you sit. Sit cross-legged, and also ensure to keep your back straight.

Starting the process

Once you are comfortable with the location, posture, and leg position, start by closing your eyes. As you exhale and inhale, focus on the breath so that you can sense the peace. You can also focus on the rise and fall of the belly while breathing. Now, reach your inner mind, recall your thoughts, and sensations and try analyzing them without dwelling on them.

What do I do in case of Distraction?

Even though you make sure to keep the session distraction-free, there is still a chance of sudden interruptions. In this scenario, without getting frustrated try addressing them and get back to the session to continue. It is fine to take a break to retreat to ensure efficiency.

5 minutes a day can be a great start!

In common thought, it is observed that a 30-minute session can be effective. But, shorter sessions are fine to start with. Putting aside 5 minutes before you start your day and being consistent in ensuring the same can be an admirable start. It is not often easy to gain focus initially, but being consistent can bring about needed change.

Role of Vipassana meditation Center

If you are looking for professional Vipassana training, then a Vipassana meditation center can be your choice. These are academies administered by experienced monks to train the techniques of Vipassana. Some may call the training a vipassana course, while others know it as a Vipassana meditation retreat.

These academies focus on teachings to ensure that individuals should be strong enough to deal with their anxiety levels. There are multiple grounds that make the Vipassana meditation center handy for aspirants.

First, they ensure better knowledge and application of Vipassana Practices
Second, enrolling in a Vipassana Meditation Retreat can be a good idea to spend vacations
Third, getting in touch with monks can create scope for the individual to interact with them. This way, aspirants can ask any life lesson query and discuss them.

Additional Insights

Being mindful through Vipassana Meditation can be essential for many people with stress and anxiety conditions. While individuals can start the practice right at home, enrolling in a Vipassana meditation retreat or vipassana course can give a better experience. You can enroll in a 10 day Vipassana retreat to taste the difference. People already practicing these techniques comment on their Vipassana experience. These insights can help you to get clarity about the strategy you must implement. Finally, make note of all the edges to understand why Vipassana is so famous.

References:

[1] Szekeres, R. A., & Wertheim, E. H. (2015). Evaluation of Vipassana meditation course effects on subjective stress, well‐being, self‐kindness and mindfulness in a community sample: Post‐course and 6‐month outcomes. Stress and Health, 31(5), 373-381.

[2] Wongtongkam, N., & Bhavanaveeranusith, P. (2019). A pilot study of Vipassana meditation with female drug users at a rehabilitation centre, Thailand. Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities.

[3] Dhule, S., Gawali, S., & Lomate, A. (2014). Effect of vipassana meditation on state and trait anxiety scores. Indian J Basic Appl Med Res, 3(4), 243-247.

[4] Andreu Cafati, C. I., Palacios García, I., Moönne Loccoz, C., López Hernández, V., Franken, I., Cosmelli, D., & Slagter, H. (2019). enhanced response inhibition and reduced midfrontal theta activity in experienced Vipassana meditators.

[5] Patil, S. G. (2009). Effectiveness of mindfulness meditation (Vipassana) in the management of chronic low back pain. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 53(2), 158.

How to Transact Cryptocurrency in India Episode 139, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2022-05-23T04:59:00.004-07:00

Cryptocurrency transactions have gained popularity in the recent past due to their increasing demand and returns. So, How to Transact Cryptocurrency in India?

Cryptocurrencies can be traded and transacted via certain exchange platforms which may charge a fraction of it as commission. The process is similar to that of buying stocks on various exchanges. Some popular cryptocurrency transacting platforms include CoinDCX, Zerodha, Unocoin etc.

Many platforms are available in the present market on which you can transact cryptocurrency in India. However, each of these platforms has certain pros and cons that make you decide what to choose from.

How to buy Cryptocurrency in India

India is a democratic country, and it allows its citizens with freedom to do what they want. Cryptocurrency has been gaining importance in India since 2020 when the economy was slowing down. In a short span of one year, the number of investors has increased to millions. The robust security mechanism has made the demand for cryptocurrencies rise even in countries like India.

As depicted in the previous lines, you have to choose one exchange (platform) among the those available on which you have to transact cryptocurrencies from India. Some of these exchanges have an excellent user interface in their mobile applications, while some have become popular for the lower commission they charge. Hence, you need to choose one among them as per your taste and requirement.

Cryptocurrency exchanges in India:

Some of the popular cryptocurrency exchanges in India are:

CoinSwitch Kuber
Coinbase
Binance
Bisq

How to buy Cryptocurrency in India Legally?

India is a democratic country that gives freedom to its citizens to do ethical virtues. As of now, there are no restrictions for transacting cryptocurrency in India. No Laws have been enforced to take strict measures to ban Cryptocurrency transactions. Therefore any cryptocurrency transaction done in India is not illegal (as of now).

Since no law bans the use of cryptocurrency, you can transact them in any exchange available in India legally. No special measures or needs are to be taken for the transaction. Just log in to your exchange site and transact freely.

PC: bitcoinist.com

Today, Cryptocurrencies are the same as other assets like Gold and stocks. Thus you can invest in cryptocurrencies at your wish and will

What are the requirements for transacting cryptocurrency?

You must definitely have certain requirements before you can transact cryptocurrencies, they are:

Step 1: Choose your Crypto Exchange

There are a large number of cryptocurrency exchanges available in India. You may choose the right one you feel about investing from. Many factors may lead to your decision.

Click here to check How to Choose Right Crypto Currency In India

Once you have chosen the exchange that suits you the most, you are ready to start.

Step 2: Create an account in it

Once you choose the right crypto exchange, you can create an account in it. Doing this will make you a registered member of the exchange. Take care while you choose the plan and other options while you register yourself. In a few cases, changing these settings is not possible. Thus taking care at this level is recommended.

Step 3: Make necessary setups for trading.

You cannot buy cryptocurrencies if you don’t have money. For this, you have to have sufficient funds linked to or in the exchange account. You can link your bank account with your exchange account for smooth and hassle-free transactions.

Step 4: Start making investments.

Once you have funds for investing, you are now ready to invest. It would help if you chose the currency in which you want to invest in.

Insights

Some important points you need to know:

Now bank account is not mandatory in crypto transactions (especially bitcoin).
Check the exchange you choose to deal in the currency you want to invest in before registering in it.
You need not buy the whole coin; you have the option to buy and sell fractions of coins. Thus you can invest in low amounts. You can invest as low as 100 Indian rupees in crypto.
Check the wallet fees and transaction charges before you choose the exchange.

Verdict

By now, you must be aware of how to transact cryptocurrencies in India. Note that crypto transactions are not illegal as of now. Thus you are free to invest. Moreover, the process of registering and investing in exchanges is not tough if you are acquainted with stock exchanges and bank transactions.

Let us see how to choose the right exchange in the next episode.

Hope you like this Episode.

Check out my site for more such interesting episodes.

Please don’t forget to subscribe. Also, please comment on your views and similar instances in your life, and don’t forget to share this with your friends, family, and contacts.

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[Busted] 6 Magical Powers for Working People- How Meditation Changes the Brain

2022-02-26T06:08:00.011-08:00

The potential of Meditation is often underestimated. Here we will explore how meditation assists working People.

[Meditation] Its benefits for working People

The falling sun depicting dusk may be the best visual on a hectic working day. Even though it marks the end of the day, we couldn't transcend the strain from our minds. It can be taxing to carry these oppressions to home, what’s further arduous is to emanate from these stresses to gear up for the next blooming day. In the expedition for a solution, you may realize professionals suggesting practices like meditation.

That being the case, you may be bewildered about whether it actually works. How does meditation assist working people? To address the same, in this post we will traverse through the science behind meditation, possible edges, and tips to choose the best deliberation for you.

How Meditation Changes the Brain

The brain is evidently meant to train. The more you perform a task, the better your brain gets habituated and trained to it, ensuring efficiency as time passes. Say, a person is working as a cab driver, his rigorous exposure to various maps, curves, and roads can adorn him with professional driving skills over time. The same is the case with meditation too. When you get to practice meditation, the positive effects drastically come in. This can bring us to the answer to how does meditation change the brain.

That being the case, comprehending the science behind the meditations process can motivate individuals to opt for it. Sara W. Lazar[1] and his team have studied Meditation and its effect on the brain. The result showed that mindfulness meditation activates and assists in the increase of Gray matter in the brain, especially in the hippocampus and other frontal regions along with anterior insula and cortical thickness.

So, what do all these lead to?

Gray matter is responsible for better learning, cognition, and memory. This implies the person can retain memories and facts better. On the other hand, improved anterior insula and cortical thickness ensure better attention to detail and self-awareness.

The science behind Meditation- How it aid Working Professionals?

Are you feeling stressed out and frustrated due to your work schedules? Meditation can assist.

Meditation practices have the ability to deactivate the sympathetic nervous system, which is evidently responsible for pain, depression, stress, and anxiety. Further, the Parasympathetic branch is turned on, which facilitates rest and relaxation of mind and body. This is the reason why professionals suggest meditations to reduce stress and anxiety.

What is Meditation Used for? It is no less than an Occult!

Some cult fans believe in meditation. Evidently, there must be a strong reason behind the practice that was practiced for thousands of years now. But we 21st-century humans often look for logic and validations. Consequently, many pieces of research were made to look into scientific evidence and its benefits. We thereby look into some edges that meditation offers along with testaments.

POWER 1: Improved Focus

Focus is something that holds an individual to a single task. Consequently, it turns out to be a crucial attribute to improving efficiency along with great health. Meditations can assist in improving concentration, and mitigating irrelevant distractions.

Dalvinder Singh[2] made a research article about his study on Improving Concentration and Mindfulness in Learning through Meditation. From the results, he outlined that meditation helps concentration and mindfulness, and these help better learning. This paper concentrates on how effective meditation improves concentration and mindfulness for effective learning.

POWER 2: Cures Stress and Anxiety

Being an inexpensive practice, Meditating every day can have a positive effect on daily life and profession-related stress and Anxiety. Stress can be common in people who take responsibilities personally and at work. Nonetheless, addressing the same is crucial, as it can have severe health complications later. Fortunately, some meditative techniques can aid you in emerging from it.

Simple pranayama along with Mantra meditation can be a great take in these cases. Mandy D. Bamber[3], in his research, concluded that mindfulness meditation shows promise in reducing stress and anxiety in college students. Additionally, there are a number of differences in mindfulness interventions including frequency, duration, instructional method, and inclusion of yoga, that need quantitative examination (meta-analysis) to determine which is most effective.

POWER 3: Ameliorated Cognition

Cognition, as we all know, is the ability of an individual to acquire knowledge and process it with rightfulness through process, sense, and gained past experience. While these skills can be gained over time, one needs to be calm and mentally active, which is ensured by mindful meditation practices.

Glen L. Xiong[4] studied how meditation aids in preserving Cognition and preventing dementia. In his investigations, he found that mindful meditation practices may affect multiple pathways that could be crucial for brain aging[5] and mental fitness. For instance, increased levels of derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF). It is also observed that such practices improve lipid profiles and lower oxidative stress.

POWER 4: Boasting Memory

Having too many tasks in mind, you may forget a few. In such scenarios, you may need to care about retaining the memory. Focusing on what’s going on now is often important and can be ensured by meditation. Alison Pearce Stevens[6] remarks that mindfulness can be applied via meditation. The process stipulates the practitioner to pay attention, thereby getting rid of stressful memories and thoughts. Further, it is also outlined that meditation aids adults in improved working memory, ensuring they can retain a large number of facts.

POWER 5: Emotional Balance

Expediting through the ups and downs of life, you may come across several disturbing scenes that can touch you emotionally. Being stable and rigid against such thumps turns obligatory. It can be challenging to ensure the same; fortunately, meditation can be magical to assist you. Mindfulness stimulates the perception of mental stability which can mitigate you out of timely emotional whacks.
Ran Wu[7] claims that Anapanasati (Buddhist Vipassana meditation) may be an effective, convenient, safe, and standardized way to help practitioners remain focused and peaceful without any negative effect on emotion, implicitly making sure of emotional balance.

POWER 6: Cure many diseases

With the scientific proof and evidence being gathered related to the science behind meditations, it is found to be a cure for many diseases like Alzheimer, insomnia, and ADHD. One can evidently rely on meditative techniques to ameliorate physical being.

A research by Neela Iyer[8] and the team at VM University found that meditative guidance characteristics for multiple subjects at various levels are exhibited by the inference from the experimental results including a unique phenomenon of guided dual consciousness state awareness in meditation. Further analysis and inference indicate that the Divine Omdasji Sound Meditation can be used as a cure for mental depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, drug addiction, and loss of immunity.

Further, HL Dhar[9] clarifies that Yoga in which meditation is a major component has been known for decades as a remedy for various psychosomatic disorders. Currently, clinical meditation (CM) has been introduced as a new psychological discipline. Of late, Medical meditation has been claimed to treat various diseases but one requires to learn different techniques for different disease conditions.

Types of Meditation- How to Choose the Best Meditation Style?

Meditation is known as a single word; however, it can be segregated into multiple categories. Accordingly, choosing a befitting one can be strenuous for you. Nonetheless, going through some working strategies can take you a step closer to easing out the expedition. In a bird-eye view, meditation can be of the following distinct types:

Focusing on Breath- Exhaling and Inhaling
Mindfulness meditation/Vipassana- Relishing the present moment and sensations of the Body
Mantra Chanting- Also known as Transcendental Meditation
Activity-based mediation like- Yoga, Walking, and Tai Chi

Each of these categories has common as well as a distinct set of advantages that can make your choice facile. Focusing on breath and mindfulness are effortless to practice and can be performed in any peaceful location. Mantra chanting has a religious inference ensuring peace and ultimate satisfaction. Finally, Activity-based meditation, as the name depicts, stipulates physical exercise too. Individuals can make out the right choice by comprehending the essence of each category.

Concluding thoughts

By now, you must have comprehended the benefits in detail making sure how directly meditation assists you. Such deliberations are all about relaxing yourself. Accordingly, focusing on relishing the activity can lead to ameliorated results rather than perceiving your meditating skills. Keeping away from baseless perceptions, and incepting meditation can ensure you a number of benefits apart from the above-mentioned generalized manifestations.

References:

[1] Lazar, Sara W., et al. "Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness." Neuroreport 16.17 (2005): 1893.

[2] Grewal, Dalvinder Singh. "Improving concentration and mindfulness in learning through meditation." IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science 19.2 (2014): 33-9.

[3] Bamber, Mandy D., and Joanne Kraenzle Schneider. "Mindfulness-based meditation to decrease stress and anxiety in college students: A narrative synthesis of the research." Educational Research Review 18 (2016): 1-32.

[4] Xiong, Glen L., and P. Murali Doraiswamy. "Does meditation enhance cognition and brain plasticity?." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1172.1 (2009): 63-69.

[5] Gard, Tim, Britta K. Hölzel, and Sara W. Lazar. "The potential effects of meditation on age‐related cognitive decline: a systematic review." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1307.1 (2014): 89-103.

[6] Stevens, Alison Pearce. "Meditation may boost teen memory." Science News for Students (2015).

[7] Wu, Ran, et al. "Brief mindfulness meditation improves emotion processing." Frontiers in neuroscience (2019): 1074.

[8] Iyer, Neela, et al. "Human-Machine Interactions based on Psychological Acceptance of the Divine Omdasji Sound Meditation as a Universal Cure for Human Diseases." International Journal of Bioengineering, Neurosciences and Technology 1.1 (2011): 1.

[9] Dhar, H. L. "Meditation as medicine." Bombay Hospital Journal 50.4 (2008): 620-624.

How to Choose Right Cryptocurrency exchange in India Episode 140, Life Lessons AJ

2021-12-27T03:51:00.003-08:00

How to Choose the Right Cryptocurrency exchange in India

Are you confused in search of the right cryptocurrencies? Do all those options available can add to your picks? If you are looking for the answer for the same, look no further, you will get your queries answered in the coming sections.

Hi Friends and welcome to Life Lessons Aj

What is a Cryptocurrency Exchange?

Today, you know what Cryptocurrency is. You also know how to transact them. If you don’t know how this is done, check out the previous episode to know How to transact Cryptocurrency in India.

So, what is a Cryptocurrency Exchange?

A cryptocurrency exchange is an online platform that lets its users to transact cryptocurrencies. There are a number of such exchanges available today such as eToro, Coinmama, BlockFi and Coinbase. All the exchanges deal with popular cryptos like Bitcoin and Dogecoin.

If you still don’t understand what a cryptocurrency is, consider them like share markets for cryptos. You invest in stocks at various exchanges like BSE and NSE. In the same way, you exchange and transact for cryptocurrencies in Cryptocurrencies exchange.

It is important to understand that not all exchanges support all cryptocurrencies, the commission charged also changes from one exchange to another.

Also, Check out A brief on CryptoCurrencies

Why do you need a Cryptocurrency Exchange?

A cryptocurrency exchange plays a critical role in the cryptocurrency world. These are the only medium where users and investors can transact cryptocurrencies. If you want to transact cryptocurrencies, you have to create an account in one or the other exchanges.

What do Cryptocurrencies actually do?

Exchanges as stated in the previous lines, are not just a platform for trading cryptocurrencies and swapping crypto for money, they are made for some additional functions too.

Cryptocurrency exchanges are essentially matchmakers between the sellers and buyers; moreover, they facilitate converting one crypto to another.

Also, Check out A brief on CryptoCurrencies

How to Choose the Right Cryptocurrency exchange- The Guide

Choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange for you is not an easy process. You need to take care of some important aspects for choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange for you. Here are some aspects that would guide you towards the right exchange:

· Commission charged

As described in the previous lines, the commission charged is often different for different exchanges. There are basically two components of the total commission charged by an exchange. They are a trading commission for the bids and the transfer fees to/from the bank account.

· Available Cryptos

Most of the well-known crypto exchanges do not allow access to all the coins. Thus one should have to check whether the particular exchange is able to trade in the crypto in which you are interested to invest in. The good news at this point is that many exchanges allow sending and receiving assets (like money and fiat currencies) from other exchange wallets.

· Mobile Applications available

Today we can access everything on our mobile phones. Mobile applications have been making everything easier and handier. The same is the case with crypto transactions too. Today most of the exchanges have mobile applications that facilitate their users with easy access. However, before you choose an exchange, ensure it has a mobile application.

Today, we have different applications for different uses. For instance, there is a specialized application for crypto updates, while some others are focused on transactions.

· Interface and processing

· Offers and collaborations

Look at what exchanges facilitate offers. Not all of them can be fit for you. Sometimes, they provide offers for certain bank transactions.

· Save yourself from fraud

Online transactions and dealing can be the easiest way to get fraud, thus be aware. If you are not confident enough, you may choose popular options. At the end of the day, it is your hard-earned wealth, thus it is your responsibility to take utmost care of it.

Points to Ponder

· Cryptocurrency exchanges are not regulated in many parts of the world. India has no such regulations that govern the exchanges. In fact, there are no such laws that state that crypto is legal. Therefore, you must be careful to read the rules and norms of the exchange before you start transacting on the,

· Exchanges charge fees in such a way to increase the interest in investing. For instance, the amount of fees decreases exponentially as you increase the amount of investment.

Also, Check out A brief on CryptoCurrencies

Frequently asked questions

· Can you use more than one cryptocurrency exchange at a time?

Any investor can use more than exchange to trade in cryptocurrencies. They need to maintain more than one wallet and look for updates and trade in them. However, choosing an exchange that covers a large number of cryptocurrencies is still a better option.

· Which is the best Cryptocurrency exchange and why?

It is not healthy to rank exchanges. Each exchange has one or the other unique feature that an investor may like. For instance, an exchange offers a large number of cryptocurrencies, some other exchange charges less commission. Keeping all these factors in mind, our pick would be eToro.

We shall look into the description of popular crypto exchanges in further episodes.

· Is there any alternative to transact Cryptocurrencies other than exchanges?

While the process to transact the cryptocurrencies remains the same, an investor can look for a few alternatives other than exchanges to transact. The investor can buy sell crypto from a Broker. Broker has certain prices and fees for every transaction which the buyer (investor) has to obey. Whereas, this is not the case with exchanges. An exchange has multiple sellers and buyers where the price is set according to demand and supply.

Some other ways of investing would be trusts and bitcoin mutual funds.

Bottom Line

You Reached here, which means you know what all cryptocurrencies are available and how to choose a fitting option for you. There is no perfect answer if someone questions the legitimacy of these currencies. While some countries like china have legalized them, most of the world has not commented on them. As of now, they don't seem to be volatile looking at the demand it has. However, you need to be careful before investing in it.

Please note that this article conveys valuable information only. We hold no responsibility for your decisions.

A brief on Crypto currencies Episode 138, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-11-28T04:10:00.001-08:00

Cryptocurrencies today are a trend throughout the world due to various reasons. But are they going to be the future of the money and payment systems? Let us look into the same in the following lines.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons AJ

We all must have heard of the term Bitcoin somewhere in our life. I bet, no matter what profession you belong to, you must have heard the word. The sudden increase in the value of Bitcoin has brought the focus of the entire world to it. The majority of the entire population never knows that there was something like Bitcoin till that day. Bitcoins are nothing but the most popular cryptocurrencies ever today. You are all interested to know more about these? Continue to the upcoming lines.

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A brief history of Cryptocurrencies

The story started in 1983 when David Chaum tried making cryptographic money called ecash to withdraw notes from the bank. This cash was specifically encrypted and is untraceable by these organizations—banks, government, etc. After this, various updates and transformations took place.

Finally, in 2009, the first decentralized cryptocurrency—Bitcoin was created by Satoshi Nakamoto (claimed). Later various other such currencies like namecoin, litecoin, etc created.

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How do Cryptocurrencies work?

Cryptocurrencies are one of the modes of digital currencies. What makes it different from other digital currencies? The unique feature of cryptocurrencies is the blockchain technology that makes them different from others.

How does Blockchain technology work?

Blockchain technology is characterized by the decentralization of assets. What does this mean? This technology distributes risk to various systems in the world. Thus, if one of the systems gets hacked, others are still safe and thus don’t add to the issue to the entire market. Doesn’t it sound interesting? Yes, it is interesting and this technology creates a sense of enthusiasm and interest to many people today.

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Are cryptocurrencies legal?

Till 2020 no country in the world has legalized the transactions of cryptocurrencies. However, investing in cryptocurrencies is not treated as a crime. It can be treated as an asset in which people can invest. However, two countries including Cuba legalized their transactions in their country. After the sudden increase in the value of bitcoins, people started showing interest in various cryptocurrencies available. For today, it can only be seen as an investment mode and not as currencies.

Also, Check out Financial Mistakes to Avoid In Marriage

How do cryptocurrencies get their values?

This is the area where we can get a clear comparison between cryptocurrencies and stock market shares. Both these are valued based on the number of demands they have. While cryptocurrencies are expected to be the future of currencies in the world, they can be seen on the view of assets of value only for now. On the other hand, shares offer the person a part of the company’s equity or ownership.

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Insights

By now, I hope you all understood the basics of cryptocurrencies. For more queries please be free to comment the same. I will be sharing a series of articles regarding cryptocurrencies. These include how to transact cryptocurrencies, the best time to invest in them, and other updates and news. By now it is important to understand that cryptocurrencies are unique and have their sets of advantages and disadvantages. Thus dealing with these needs care and utmost attention.

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Hope you like this Episode.

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The Greatest Challenge in Life Episode 137, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-10-30T21:36:00.002-07:00

Have you ever wondered why most of the biopics these days start off well and then fade out? Here is the answer you are looking for.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

It has been almost a decade that we have been witnessing various biopics each year. Some were really liked by people, while some others were not that great. When one observes the common factor of all these biopics, the narration starts right from the protagonist’s childhood all the way to their greatest achievement.

I, as a viewer of these biopics always thought what made these people different from common men that made them famous and successful. After lots of brainstorming and research, I could sense the answer for the same.

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All the biopics that we have witnessed either in form of movies or books, all are focused on what are the preliminary achievements of these people are. And we focus on the later chapters rather than the introductory chapters. Here is where we probably skip the required answer.

It is for sure that overcoming various challenges in the way of them has made them reach a better position. But there is something else that was the initiating reason for these people. Let us take the example of a couple of people and then interpret our answer accordingly.

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The Early Life of Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi as we all know is a famous mathematician who has come a long way to become a famous personality. In the initial days, the talent of this genius was not known to many, even to her parents for many days until one day when her father tried to teach her numbers on card tricks. Despite their enormous knowledge, she never went on board for showing up her talent.

She was considered just like an ordinary child as others which made her marry a guy like any other girl. Later she noticed that the family life and the responsibilities are taking her away from her talent and exposure. Here is when she got apart from her husband and daughter to start showcasing her talent in mathematics.

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The early life of Mahindra Singh Dhoni

Mahindra Singh Dhoni popularly known as MS Dhoni was an ordinary school-going guy like anyone else who was interested in playing football. One of his teachers put him on the cricket team looking at Dhoni’s ability to catch the ball like a pro.

Even after everyone around noticed his talent, he was not on a stage to play further. The two main reasons were his family background and change in beliefs around.

Life was so boring as a staff in a railway station, he hated life to be frank. Life changed when he got into that train that led him to the next level of cricket to the nationals and internationals.

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Observations

In my higher secondary school days, I was seldom told that the most difficult part is the intermediate life, later life becomes easier when I arrive at graduation. I could never understand that until I witnessed the graduation level. They actually meant that the intermediate level is the one where one learns new forms of education and challenges that were not there previously in their career. But this is not the case with a graduation where the level of complexity increases, but the candidate also gets acquainted with these challenges.

The same is the case we observe in both the chronicles above, the life of these people were just like any other over there. Their life began to change only when they took decisions that would put them to track, most importantly they have strived to overcome their personal challenges, to get into the correct flow in life.

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This is what the answer is, personal challenges are the greatest challenges in life always. These are the challenges that make us feel that are constraining from our dreams, visions, and other life goals. Overcoming these challenges starts making us different from others.

I see many of my uncles reject the idea of owning bigger assets in the perception that owning bigger assets would attract taxes. This perception never led them to make great decisions in life. Few, those who have over these personal challenges now are rich enough to be proud of what they have.

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Bottom Line:

I hope that the lesson I wanted to convey is elucidated clearly in this article. In Shakuntala Devi’s Section, I mentioned that she left her family to achieve her goals. It doesn’t always imply that one should leave his/her family to attain goals. I just meant to state that personal challenges hamper us from turning into different people in the process of getting our dreams and becoming successful.

Hope you like this Episode.

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How to Mitigate Bank Charges Episode 136, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-09-30T03:20:00.001-07:00

Most of the Bank Charges are almost unnecessary. Thus looking for various mitigating tips is the need for the same.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

A few days ago, I had to file the yearly income tax returns of my firm. I had arranged all the requirements for the same. What is left were the bank transaction details of that financial year As per the guidelines the branch should update the account passbook after every transaction to ensure we have paper proof. But that was not the case then. The staff at the branch was not updating the passbook. The reason they claimed is that the printer has failed and a new one has not arrived.

This continued for months together and this day when I needed a year’s financial transaction list, I had nothing in my hand. I visited the branch to address the same and get the passbooks updated. But the same answer came from the other side.

I asked if there was any other way that I can get the transaction list to put up in the return filing process. The person on the other side of the table took no time to suggest that they can provide me a print copy of the transactions attested by the branch manager but they would charge for the same.

I was shocked at the statement. Why should I be charged for the mistake they have committed? The same question rang in my mind for a long time. I thought and later decided to pay the same as I was the one who would suffer later. Later one of my friends from banking background suggested that I shouldn’t have waited for months together to update, rather I should have complained in the initial stage itself.

This instance motivated me to look into various ways how banks charge innocent customers under the roofs of various names and reasons. After some research, I’m here to suggest few areas where we can actually mitigate bank charges. Let us look into the same in the upcoming lines.

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Common Bank Fees

We can easily segregate various charges of banks. There are some common banking fees to which almost everyone is exposed.

1. Monthly Maintenance Fees

In the past decade, a new trend in the banks has emerged. Many banks have started to charge fees to maintain accounts with their banks.

How?

Today many banks started to offer minimum balance accounts with a notable amount as a minimum balance. For instance, a bank is offering accounts with a minimum balance of Rs 5000.

For people who deal with large amounts, this would not affect as such. But for people like housewives, who just want to save some money and want to spend all of those sometime, this is a big blow.

Other additional charges in this context are the charges for using debit cards more than the limit specified.

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2. ATM Fees

The most pinching part of the banking charges in recent times is the ATM charges. The introduction of ATM systems in India added to the comfort and took the banking services to the next level. People began to use cards for payments thus starting an era of cashless transactions.

But in recent times, restrictions for usage of cards have been put into practice by banks. In the initial days, the monthly limit for the usage at other ATMs was 5, but in recent times it is reduced to 3. This means that one person can transact only 3 times for another bank’s ATM for free. Later every transaction will be charged.

Now people who got quite acquainted with the usage of ATMs started facing problems. People started getting charged for additional transactions of their cards.

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3. Overdraft Fees

Another exploiting fee is the overdraft fee. In simple words overdraft fees is the amount charged for payment or withdrawal from a bank account that exceeds the available balance. These are the fees for the charges covered by the bank for a certain amount of time.

Why is this fee exploiting?

Banks get the maximum out of the customers in the name of fees. Once, I had to pay some debts and I had a shortage of Rs10, 000. I decided to transact cash in credit card from ATM. The rates of charges were not known to me. Later when I got the credit card bill, I noticed that I have been charged Rs 500 for the transaction.

I had paid the credit card bill after 15 days of the transaction. This means that the bank has charged 5% of the principle for just 15 days of the transaction.

Let us understand how high the price is for money lent to a needy customer. This is a clear example that shows how customers are exploited in the name of charges.

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4. Check reprinting Fees

Checks are to be issued in the name of the account holder by the bank. But when they come out with some mistakes, these need to be reprinted. Now, the sad fact is that some banks charge additional fees for the reprinting of these checks. This may add up to the pain of the customer.

Sometimes bank even charges for the check printing in the branch.

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How to avoid these fees

To look into this aspect, we can take care of various levels and steps. Let us check out the same in the upcoming lines.

1. Pick the Right Bank

Most of these complications that we saw in the previous lines can become over by the selection of the right banks. In India, some banks are diverse when we look into the offerings they have. Some banks have lesser rates of interest on their loans, while some offer good interest rates for savings. Some banks are private and some are public. Thus an individual should check out all banks that are available before they start their journey with them. For instance: CITI bank still offers unlimited free transactions for their card users. But this bank may not suit all people as its presence is limited to cities and bigger towns only.

For instance: if one tends to take loans regularly, then he/she should opt for such a bank that offers loans at lower interest rates.

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2. Consider ATM Location and Fees

As the usage of ATM cards is also restricted, not location as well as the fees need to be considered. Sometimes online banks can turn to be the answer as it doesn’t have branches and doesn’t charge for their ATM transactions.

For instance: CITI bank still offers unlimited free transactions for their card users. But this bank may not suit all people as its presence is limited to cities and bigger towns only.

Another suggestion is that one can use UPI payments systems instead of ATM transactions. This would save time for withdrawal and makes the transaction process yet simpler.

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3. Manage Money

Last but not the least; one must be the best in money management always. In contrast to what many people think; managing money doesn’t mean putting all of them in the bank. Rather one should be aware of various areas to invest in and save their finances for better returns and management. Some of the common alternatives would be investing in real estate, chit funds, etc.

One should actually divide their savings into ratios based on their investment type. The best suggestion is 50-20-30.

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Bottom Line

The idea behind this article is clear by now. One should be careful in all the transactions of the bank to mitigate unwanted fees they charge. This may seem small sometimes, but carefulness in these small instances can give rise to an unexpected profit in the future.

Hope you like this Episode.

Check out my site for more such interesting episodes.

Please don’t forget to subscribe. Please comment on your views and similar instances in your life, and don’t forget to share this with your friends, family, and contacts.

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The Real Maturity Meaning Episode 135, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-09-21T04:46:00.002-07:00

We all feel that we are mature and know the real meaning of the same, but it is not true. Let us look into the ultimate meaning and live a better life.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

As a person grows into a young adult, he/she gets exposed to almost everything around them. This makes them understand the aura of their environment and they begin to act accordingly. IN many cases people after getting to know their surroundings, feel that they are mature in life. In many cases, this is not true.

Yes, you read it right, even I was in the perception that I’m mature and I’m all set to live. But some recent instances have completely proved me wrong. They taught the real and the ultimate meaning of maturity as an individual. Let us look into the same in the coming lines.

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My Chronicle:

To elucidate the aura of the topic, let me narrate a small chronicle of mine that happened in recent times. After I have finished my graduation, I started to look at and observe various factors around me. These included various assets that I have already got, the business, and many other small factors. In the initial days, I found it hard to adjust to the atmosphere that I have to live in. Later after some time, I managed to do it. Many people feel that they are mature when they reach this stage, but luckily I have not felt so. I knew that I have to face some challenges to make life better.

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As expected I faced some challenges. I had to solve these problems and challenges to make life smooth and in the way I want it to. But here was when I was not completely right. I felt that I would face and solve all the challenges in the first few years, making life ideal. But this was not true, challenges continued, and that too in the bigger sense. But in this phase, I felt I was mature as I was about to identify various glitches and challenges.

This time I was wrong, I too misunderstood the meaning of maturity. It didn’t take long to understand that just identifying various problems is enough for being mature and living an ideal life. It is important to find a way to face it and probably solve it too. And this was the most difficult thing sometimes.

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Observations:

Some people may just think just like me. Knowing and realizing various things in life is considered maturity, but it is not the case. In fact, this is a more pain-giving stage. When we identify more and more problems and glitches in life and when we realize that we are not in a stage to solve or face it, it is obvious that life will turn worse and painful. This was the stage I was in for a notable amount of time. This was the stage I felt bad about perceiving that I was mature and began to depress about the same.

But it took me no more time to find the answer of the same. Many scholars probably thought about this. Some of their writings guided me to the answer. After going through some pieces of writings, I began to understand what they meant by reading between the lines.

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Maturity is only about identifying various things in life. Identifying things is also a matter of personal skills and intelligence. Intelligent people will tend to identify and realize earlier. Thus this may not always account for maturity.

What is maturity then?

Many scholars depicted only one thing. Maturity is all about how you face, solve and outgrow a challenge in life. This definition is much broader and ideal compared to what I had perceived in the previous days.

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Bottom Line

Many People today no doubt identifies various problems that they have to face in life, but seldom fail in outgrowing them in one or the other way. This indeed can easily inculcate depression in the individual in the feeling that he/she could not do anything about it. Thus it is important to understand that identifying is important but brainstorming about finding the solution to outgrow is also equally and sometimes more important. When one understands this truth, he/she would never face depression in life.

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Hope you like this Episode.

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Financial Mistakes to Avoid In Marriage Episode 134, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-09-10T23:17:00.001-07:00

Marriage is an unmatched and important event in one’s life. To ensure the same we must take care of certain aspects before and after it. Let us look into the financial aspect of the same.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

There may be many events in life but not all of them are important as a marriage day. This is the day that comes only once in a lifetime. This is probably why people strive to make this day a very special one in their lives. It is nothing wrong with this sort of perspective. The problem arises when people plan marriages far greater than their capacity. Here capacity not only implies financial but also some other factors too. On the other hand. The financial aspect of this not only includes the marriage day but also those financial problems after the marriage too.

Let us look into some most common and evidently found financial problems or challenges in the upcoming lines.

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Probable Financial Challenges in context to Marriage

1. Financial life:

When one gets ready for marriage, the person looks into his/her personal finances to be clear, but never thinks about the other. This is the reason why most couples find it difficult financially. For example, there may be a difference in the spending habits between the both. This difference must be well understood beforehand to make a better and happy couple without any problems.

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2. Starting on the Wrong foot:

A wedding day is no doubt a memorable day in a person’s whole life. Thus people tend to overboard their marriage expenses without thinking about the personal capacity to stand against the expenses. We have witnessed many such people who made this day lavish with credits brought for the same. These people probably spend years repaying their debts for the single-day expense. This is not a great idea for sure. In fact, it is a very negative way to start a new life after marriage. This is evident to those people who pay their own marriage expenses rather than taking from parents. Experts suggest planning in a budget that we can really afford for this day is the best way to start a new life after marriage.

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3. Up-gradation of Paperwork:

People seldom never focus on these aspects. It is important to take care of the paper works that would probably change after marriage. For example, the nominee space of the husband’s insurance should be upgraded with the wife’s name along with other family members. These sorts of updates are seldom neglected by many people, and these turn disastrous when any mishaps happen in the early marriage life.

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4. The decision of lifestyle:

Many small things impact and determine the lifestyle of the couple. For instance: In some houses, the home expenses are handled by the wife and in some cases, the husband takes an active part in this. This decision is different for different couples but this decision should be taken in the initial stage to avoid future arguments. Not only this, but many other small aspects add up to a smooth lifestyle.

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5. Earnings and Egos:

In some cases, both husbands and wives both earn for the family. In these cases, they should sit back and decide the expense style along with various savings and investments. It is always a good sign when the couple decides whether to merge the income or keep them separate with a predetermined saving and expenses schedule. In these sorts of cases, egos between them are the major challenge and it is their responsibility to ensure no problem arises in the future.

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Bottom line:

After turning out 25, I have been observing that some of my friends’ match is getting fixed, and I thought of the probable problems one may face in this context. Thus I researched a bit to know about probable challenges that one may face in this scenario. Thus I tried to dedicate a blog to these people and wishing them a happy married life. I hope I mentioned the importance and common of these challenges, let me know if I can address any new challenges through your comments below.

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Hope you like this Episode.

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Please don’t forget to subscribe. Please comment on your views and similar instances in your life, and don’t forget to share this with your friends, family, and contacts.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my site through the subscribe option provided.

Loyalty- An Unsung Lesson in Life Episode 133, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-08-29T05:12:00.001-07:00

Loyalty is one of those unsung and unnoticed traits of a person that makes them the best. Let us know about the same in this episode.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

The personality of a person has many traits. And the combinations of these traits account for a unique personality. Logically these traits have different levels of importance in the person’s life. Among these traits there few that are generally unsung but are vital. One of those traits is loyalty. Loyalty is something that is generally hard to be defined but is easy to recognize. It feels like heaven when we can blindly believe a person without judging at all. And lucky are those who get a large number of loyal persons.

Loyalty can be seen in different scenarios in different contexts and levels. In most of these cases, we never notice them but we feel secure only because of their loyalty. It is often stated that we all sleep in peace because our security forces are standing at the border. We do not always remember their loyalty and sacrifice, but we feel safe only because of them.

We all have a general idea about loyalty and its advantages. In this episode let us look into some lessons based on loyalty in life.

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Life lessons on Loyalty:

1. People generally don’t talk much about loyalty and it generally seems unpopular in many scenes, but in contrast, it is a vital quality to possess in both business and personal living spaces. Personally one may feel safe only if the person has loyal people around them. In the case of business, the entire transaction set is depended on the loyalty of two parties to each other.

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2. As stated in one of the previous lines, loyalty may be difficult to define but is very easy to feel and recognize. Loyalty is indeed valuable because only by loyal people around us that we can take risky decisions at times.

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3. In life, we cannot expect loyalty from every person; in fact, we get deceived by those people whom we think are loyal to us. But, loyalty always allows us to be true to ourselves and our values. This is one of the preliminary reasons why loyal people are gems.

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4. In some cases, loyalty is difficult and sometimes costly, but only loyalty is something that defines what we are and guarantees a clean sleep, conscience, and transparent life.

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5. Having faith in God is always good, but blind belief is worse. Similar is the case with loyalty too. Blind or submissive loyalty is not healthy. These sorts of loyalty are unsound and even equal suicide. Being loyal can be defined to be devoted and vulnerable, but not being naïve.

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6. Being loyal to the past is important. One can never deny or hide from his/her past. It is always suggestible to be loyal and accept the past and then attempt to make better meaningful decisions for the future.

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7. Loyalty is something that demands other traits like integrity and consistency. Thus loyal to business partners, company, and life partners all are equally important. Loyalty in all sectors of life is equally important in the case of a gem person.

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8. You might have a question whom should we never trust?

The answer is simple. We should never trust those people who betray us guiltlessly. They may do so out of habit or because of silly reasons. This is because these sorts of people cover up their betrayals they turn up themselves into some web of lines that restrict them to show their real face.

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9. What is it the most painful disloyalty?

The most painful disloyalty is not being loyal to self maybe by giving up dreams and principles because of some constraints in life. This is true even if it doesn’t sound so.

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10. What is the hardest thing?

The hardest thing in life to forgive the disloyalty of someone especially er expects something great from someone.

Should we forgive them?

The decision is completely personal, but it is important to understand that we should never trust that person for any purpose.

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11. It is really worthy and important to watch out if someone is betraying our family members or friends. It is because this person can even betray us shortly if the situation arrives. Thus this is a way to keep away from such people in life.

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12. Can a disloyal people deserve our respect?

No, these people don’t deserve our respect. Loyalty is characterized by traits like integrity which makes a person is respected by others. A disloyal being never possesses these traits and thus never deserves respect. When these people are elder to us, we may choose to respect their age but not their character.

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13. In some cases, we may fall into scenarios where we have to be loyal to those who don’t deserve it, and we need to be loyal. Because being loyal in these situations defines our integrity and personal values. It is important to keep up our individuality and integrity. This is more important than noticing other’s disloyalty.

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14. Gratitude compels us to be loyal and vice versa. The same is the case with ungratefulness and disloyalty. But it is important to understand that nothing can be treasured than loyal friends and collaborators.

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15. Being loyal actually pays off in some of the other parts of life. Sometimes being loyal can get back to us in form of something else. This is increases our morality too. Thus feel proud and self-respect for being loyal and also respect those people who are loyal. These people are gems in the population.

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Bottom Line:

Loyalty is a decent and quality trait, we can’t expect from all sorts of people. Because cheap people cannot afford to be loyal and don’t serve anyone’s loyalty. This is something we should always remember. On the other hand, being loyal to ourselves and others makes us a gem of a person and increases respect as time passes.

“Nothing is nobler and Venerable than loyalty”

Hope you like this Episode.

Check out my site for more such interesting episodes.

Please don’t forget to subscribe. Please comment on your views and similar instances in your life, and don’t forget to share this with your friends, family, and contacts.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my site through the subscribe option provided.

DEJECTED BELLE (The Short Story)

2021-08-12T22:53:00.002-07:00

When Society Turns Judgemental, She turns JudgeMENTAL!

People question all the good things they hear about you, but believe all the bad without a second thought.

- Anonymous

Chapter 1

Bheemli Beach, Visakhapatnam

The sun was ready to set in an hour or so, all the rays turned red turning everything it touches to gold. The waters were gently kissing the shore and the people around are in a trance of that beauty. Every couple of legs were walking or running out of excitement and relaxation from that beautiful scenery, but this was not the case with one couple of legs.

Those couple of legs was walking slowly as if it would take forever to reach the shore. The only thing that was not stiff was the gently blowing hair that was up to her shoulder. Expressive eyes, sharp nose, and rosy red lips, that girl had everything that was a beauty must-have. Yet they didn’t add up to the prettiness of this young girl. Striped shirt and ripped jeans with a high heel made her look urban and to the trend. Thin platinum chain with a locket that read “Diana” hung by her neck.

Those couple of legs just passed across a youth guy sitting on a rock. The beauty of this girl in her twenties didn’t probably attract him to glare; he turned away at the first glance itself.

Those reluctant legs finally reached where she wanted to. It was a beautiful wooden bridge on the shore that gave a feel of floating over the water. The scene was empty as that was away from people. It just had a small stall a few feet away. A middle-aged man in just a brief and lungi was making some hot tea and milk. I wonder who would come to him away from the center for a tea. He probably never felt alone as he has a small radio hanging to his stall that played songs and news.

Diana’s expressive eyes indeed expressed her pain in terms of tears. She probably felt the pain like a prisoner in handcuffs. The still water before her was in symphony with her still heart full of pain. The ripples in the water recalled her past as if it was a slideshow. She never forgot the first love that gave her not only memories but also pain.

//30 Minutes Ago//

Rock Garden Cafe, Vishakhapatnam

It was the first anniversary of the Rock Garden café and the entire setup was different that day. The employees greeted customers with a bigger smile, the exterior, and the interior was adorned with various decoratives and banners showing today only offer. The glass doors and windows were polished and adorned with “Today only offer!” tags. The steam from the coffee machine also added to the aura of that day.

Everything matched the scene except a couple sitting at the corner beside a window. Their scene was completely different although their silhouette against the window adorned the café.

A barter came to them to ask, “May I have your order please?”

“Leave us for some time” she replied

“Are you out of your mind Diana?” he screamed with his muscular hand hitting the table hard.

“Yes, I’m Fred. After all, I couldn’t sense the real you till now.” She replied

“It’s just a perception and nothing else.”

“No, it isn’t. We are in a relationship for 3 years now. You have never understood me. Not even now.”

“I have—”

“No, Fred. Don’t say that. If you have, you would have never asked that to me”

“What happened that day may not be disturbing for you, but for me it is. I had to know clearly what happened that day.”

“What do you expect to happen with a friend in the classroom soon after the class?”

“Nothing, if everything went normal. But that day, something happened that shouldn’t”

“That was just an accident”

“Can you please explain how hugging each other is an accident?” his voice raised again.

“I was about to fall and —”

“He supported you by hugging? You are really great at making stories.”

“I have always been faithful to you Fred. What hurts me is you no longer believe in me.”

Meanwhile, the barter came back to them to ask “May I have your order now sir?”

“We said, Give us some time!” replied ignorant Fred in the same voice.

Fred probably went out of patience. He turned towards Diana and yelled, “Enough of all this discussion! Now tell me the truth about what happened that day and I will let it go. I will forgive you this time.”

“What do you want me to say? I have already said what happened.”

“Don’t test my patience, Diana.”

“No, I’m not.”

Diana also lost patience. She began to get stiff. She no longer wanted to explain Fred in this matter. She folded her hands and turned her looks away from him.

“Many of my friends said that Diana is not the right choice for me. Yet I wanted you. Now I realize: what that I heard as rumors were true.”

“What are you talking about Fred?” Diana’s eyebrows were pulled down, her eyes opened wide open and her lips pressed tightly together. Probably she is ready to hit him outraged.

“The same what you are thinking about. The scene that proved that you are a bloody Bi**h & —”

Diana took no time in thrashing him down with a single slap altogether. The slap was so strong that Fred literally leaned to the other side at once.

The pain brought out another face of Fred. His eyes turned wide and red. His tightened fist made his arm more muscular. Probably anything around would break on the way of his arm.

The same happened to the window glass alongside. It got shattered into pieces by a single hit. A hanging tag that read ‘Anniversary!’ near that window began to fall down. People around stopped to see what happened there. The tag fell down and the hall turned silent at once.

“Accept it or not you are a bi**h, a bloody Bi**h!” yelled Fred pointing his index finger —hand full of blood— to Diana and left the table towards the exit.

Diana’s eyes started wetting. Tears were ready to roll down anytime now.

“I always thought you are the only one who believed me, I was wrong!” her mind sounded off.

She could do nothing but watch Fred moving away from her into the light out of the café.

Chapter 2

//Present//

Bheemli Beach, Visakhapatnam

The ripples in the water were still on; all she could get is more pain now. Her hands and legs continued still in balance to the calm nature around.

Her mind sounded off, “Indeed, something worse had happened with me a half a decade ago. Everyone perceived me in their own way. Almost every one of them hated me. But I never felt abandoned with Fred beside me. But today, I feel alone for the first time in my life.”

//5 Years ago//

Corridor, Diana’s Graduation College

“Where are you going without replying to me?” bawled a smart guy in ironed uniform. His other attributes were: brushed back hair, neatly groomed beard, fossil watch and a pair of Gucci shoes. He was probably stalking Diana however she didn’t respond.

“Hey, listen!” he bawled again

“What do you want John?” she replied realizing there is no other chance.

“I love you! Accept my proposal and we will be happy here on!”

“I already said I have no interest in you.”

John held her hand and pulled her towards him. “Don’t show attitude! I can love you, I can even destroy you.”

Her eyes turned red, she thrusted back her hand with a look that would literally kill him.

The other day

The corridor was filled with students rushing towards their classrooms; some were with books in their hands, some others with mobile phones.

“This is the last time I’m asking you. Accept me!!” John yelled.

“This is the last time I’m saying, I’m not interested in you” Diana yelled back

“I’m gonna end your name and fame!”

“Do whatever you can.”

She was exasperated and went away from him rather abruptly; those couple of legs worked too fast.

John lost his patience and decided to wreak revenge. As she was a few feet away, he yelled, “I’m gonna leak all our videos!”

Everyone over there looked at her on the spur of the moment. Their face turned judgmental. She refrained from him to avoid complications, notwithstanding it she had to face it. She ran straight away in grief.

That moment, various thoughts inculcated their brains. Various stories began to spread in the university. Some said that they are in a relationship, some said that she is a bi**h. whatever may be the hearsay is it incapacitated Diana.

A few Days Later

Diana entered the main gate to see a couple of seniors sitting over their bikes. One of them saw her to bawl, “Hey beauty, why don’t you come and sit with us. Don’t worry we will pay you!” Both of them began to hoot with laughter.

In no time the watchman sitting over there came to guard her, “Shut up stupids!” He turned towards Diana, “Beti, you go!”

This was just the beginning; Diana had to yet know something bigger is coming her way soon.

Class Room

The literature class has begun. The lecturer —male, probably in his 30’s, and formal attire—was illuminating the last chapter of the book. After it was finished, the students were instructed to go through other books of Shakespeare’s to absorb literary knowledge.

He began to read out some of the popular books; in this lineup, Shakespeare’s “Whores” popped up. In no time a voice from the other end of the classroom came, “We don’t need this, we have Diana!” Few of the backbenchers began to laugh out at once.

The lecturer shouted at them in defense of Diana. Tears rolled down her eyes by now.

He could defend her now, but it was none who could defend her whenever she needed. This made her even low. She could no more stay there.

Days passed and the issue began to get even worse. The rumors began to spread out of the college campus and it took not too long to reach that into her ears.

A few Days Later

All the girls in the hostel were busy in making their chores. Diana and a few of her friends were busy washing clothes and other cleaning works.

“Would you like to fill up all your day with these chores?” asked Diana.

“Well, you have any idea?” replied Riva —Diana’s best friend.

“In that case, why don’t you join me at a movie in the evening?”

“Which one?”

“M.S.Dhoni Darling!”

“Whoa! That’s great, let’s get it on!”

That evening In Diana’s room

Diana and Riva was getting ready for the movie. Riva is a makeup freak, she was applying lipstick as a final touch.

“Why don’t you try lipstick, its awesome.” she insisted

“No, I’m not interested in makeup darling!”

“Give it a try, it would be incredible.”

“No, thank you, madam!”

“Let me help you!” Riva went to Diana and began to apply some lipstick.

“Mmm… stop it!” knocked back Diana.

“Only once, come on please….”

“Ok fine, only once.”

“I think you need a large amount of lipstick, you will look hot.” Insisted Riva as she was applying; she has done what she insisted to.

Diana went to the mirror to see how she looked. “Isn’t it too much?”

“No buddy, you are looking hot now. Ok, we are getting late, come on let’s go.”

Outside Diana’s Hostel

“Surprise!” called a middle-aged man with a thick grey mustache all of a sudden.

“ Papa? What a surprise? How come you here?” replied Riva with a blossoming face and big smile.

“I had a small work near your college, I felt like catching you up before I leave.”

“That’s great papa! She is Diana, my friend!” Riva pointed her hand towards Diana.

“Hello, Uncle!” greeted Diana with a humble tone.

“So you are Diana?” asked that man looking disgustingly at her lips crammed with lipstick

“Yes!” replied Diana with a dubious face.

“You’re leaving to somewhere?”

“Yes, papa! Diana asked me for the movie, we were leaving, you just came on time.” replied Riva

“How are your studies?”

“Going good uncle!” replied Diana.

“Good, what are your future plans?”

“Not yet decided, but I’m planning for a master's degree after this.”

“Great, you don’t seem like other people at your age.”

“Thank You, uncle!”

“What about your friends… and boyfriend…?”

Diana turned hesitant towards Riva.

“He is straightforward and friendly!” replied Riva in answer to Diana with a smile.

Diana turned towards him to say, “I have a few friends but no boyfriend, I’m not interested in a relationship.”

“That seems great; you are indeed different from others of your age.”

Diana replied with a hesitant smile while she kept her head down.

“So, what about marriage? Any plans?”

“Not yet decided uncle!”

“I know, you are busy with some activities in college itself, how would you think of marriage?”

In no time the aura of the scene changed, Diana’s hesitant smile was all gone. Her eyebrows were raised as she looked up to him, her eyes got ready to shed tears.

“What are you talking papa? Stop it!” defended Riva.

“Don’t interrupt me!” replied her father in a high tone, he continued looking at Diana, “I don’t know what you are up to, but what you are doing is not at all good. It has passed all around and reached my ears too.”

“This is not true!” tried Diana to convince him.

“I don’t care what happened, what people are talking about is the only thing that matters. A person like me who lives in society wants only good feedback, we believe what we hear, and that’s it. It’s not healthy to keep Riva here with you. I have come to take my daughter away. ” He turned towards Riva, “Pack your belongings Riva, we are leaving.”

Riva probably may not always be an obedient daughter, but this time she obeyed her father.

This scene devastated Diana completely. What else would happen worse than this? That day Diana completely understood what extent this has gone to.

That night, the sky was filled with clouds and the entire city got wet. The power cut added to the darkness of that night. Diana was alone in her room; the empty bed beside her reminded of her best friend. When she looked outside through the window, all she could see is the rainwater falling on the tin roof shattering it just like the pain does to her.

“How judgmental people are? Why do people judge others based on hearsays? Diana, you have faced many obstacles, and this is one hell out of it. Think something that would put you out of this.” sounded off her mind. She knew this is not going to end until she does something.

A few Days Later in the college corridor

“Did you see Diana?” asked Riva to a nearby classmate

“No” the classmate replied.

“Where is she? She was absent even yesterday.”

“She was always with you, you should know about her.”

“She didn’t even say a word to me.”

She got a ping from her mobile phone. That was the message from Diana that read:

Riva, this place is no better for me. I perceived that my journey in this college would be memorable, but all that is ruined. I’m leaving this college. I don’t want to talk to anyone about this. Please be in touch with me only if you promise that you will never talk about this to me again.

-Diana

“Probably this is the only solution she thought of.” Riva said to herself.

Diana was never seen in that college thereafter.

Chapter 3

//Present//

Bheemli Beach, Visakhapatnam

Those couple of legs was still on that edge of the wooden bridge, the tip of huge water waves tried to touch her feet but failed. Her past was full of pain, what happened at the café added to it.

“Diana? What happened? Why did you call me here?” came a voice behind her. It was Riva coming towards her. She has not changed a lot in this course of 5 years. Grey shirt and black jeans, high heels, and platinum earrings, all showed she is rich enough to own anything she wanted.

“What happened? You don’t seem ok.”

Diana gave no reply.

“Say Darling!”

“Am I really a Bi**h Riva?” asked Diana

“Why are you asking so?”

“Just answer my question, Riva”

“NO! Not at all, just try to forget whatever happened Diana. It has been 5 years. You even left that place. Why are you calling up all that again?”

“It is not about what happened in the past.”

“Then?”

“Even Fred says the same. He claims that I’m a bi’’ch.” replied Diana with a low voice. Tears were already rolling down her cheeks by now.

“Hey, don’t cry!” Riva wiped those tears with her hands.

“After I left that college, I never talked to anyone except you. Because you were my only friend and you are. This is my loyalty. I never break the loyalty of my loved ones. How can he understand that?”

“People are so Diana, we have nothing in our hands. All we can do is adjusting ourselves accordingly.”

Diana turned her face to look at Riva.

“You are not new to it Diana. You have done it before; you should do it now too.”

“Do you want me to repeat what I have done 5 years ago?”

Riva nodded her head depicting, “Yes”.

“Well, I started the same already” replied Diana with an Archaic smile.

“So, how is John? Have you met him after?” continued Diana

“No, I have not met him. In fact, he was missing before you left Diana. I have never seen him ever since.”

“You know what happened to him?” asked Diana as she turned back to the dawning sun.

Riva’s eyebrows came together in uncertainty and she looked at Diana for the answer.

Few Days before Diana Fled away

“Hey, Babe! Why you called me here?” asked John to Diana waiting for him at the old abandoned godown away from the city. There was complete darkness all around, the only source of light they had was the moonlight and that from John’s car.

“I wanted to talk to you, John!” Diana replied.

“Oh! I thought of something else, it’s ok let’s see what it would lead us to.”

“Look John, I know you have yelled that day to take revenge on me, but this has gone out of my hands now. People are spreading the worst of the rumors about me. Let’s do something to stop this.”

“What can we do babe?”

Diana thought for a while and replied “We can do one thing, I shall set up a meeting with help of some teachers, let us state openly that the rumors are all wrong.”

“What an idea madam! Super! Do you think I’m a fool?”

“No, I didn’t mean—”

“I can’t just say openly to everyone that I was the one behind the rumors that too in an organized meet.”

“In that case, we can do one thing. We shall make a video together that that’s all fake and post it on social media. This would not need any official meet.”

“That seems fine, let’s do that now itself.”

“Great, thank you, John, come on let’s do it.”

“But what would be my reward for saving you?”

“Reward? You are the reason for all this, are you expecting rewards?”

“The need is all yours. If you want me to help you, I want something in return for sure.”

“Ok, what do you want?”

“You know what I want.” He replied with a cunning smile.

“What?”

“Something that started all this. I want you, now itself.”

“You are again going out of your mind John; I have enough problems now, don’t complicate and please help me.”

“No way babes! In fact, I will have you even if you don’t agree. You see this place– perfect for what I want.”

“No! I would never agree to that.”

“That all depends on you, I’m gonna take what I want anyway” and he started advancing towards Diana.

“No, you are making another mistake John” Diana made her steps backward.

John increased his speed, he looked uncontrollable. His cunning smile grew bigger than probably said, ‘finally I’m getting you!’ His smile showed that nothing could stop him from consuming her that day.

He came near her and was about raised his left hand towards her shoulder that the scene took another turn all of a sudden. His smile evaporated in the dark. His face showed shock at what happened. He looked down to see a sharp knife in its halfway inside his intestines.

Diana was holding that knife— firmly— ensuring all of his intestines would shatter in no time.

“Am I a fool to expect a rogue like you would help me out of this? I have my own plans beforehand.” low-pitched Diana.

John began to feel the pain, he closed his eyes tight and opened his mouth wide open, he was about to shout of pain. Diana pushed her other hand against his mouth ensuring the air in his mouth was imprisoned. In no time she pulled back and stabbed him again.

Blood was flowing out as if it was a fountain at a rapid pace. He collapsed in a couple of seconds.

“I still wanted to give you a chance John; you could have lived happily ever after if you would have helped me. Anyway, killing you will finish the problem.” replied Diana to his pain and uncertainty.

Chapter 4

//Present//

Bheemli Beach, Vishakhapatnam

The water waves continued trying to touch those two couple of legs.

Riva got the answer, but she was more tensed than before despite getting the answer. Drops of sweat began to flow down to her chin; she tried to tap them off with a handkerchief.

“You killed him because he was the reason for the rumors?”

“Yes, I thought his death would mark the end of the rumors, but it wasn’t. People centered me in the rumors, not him. Many of these people never noticed that this guy was missing, Crazy isn’t it?” replied Diana

“I don’t know what to say. But I didn’t mean to do that now,”

“Riva darling, you already asked me to do the same, and I also started to do.”

Riva’s face turned bewildered again.

The middle-aged man in the tea stall nearby switched on the radio for the evening news. The first bulletin read, “Breaking news! A young guy aged about 25 is found dead near Rock Garden Café. He has been stabbed twice in his belly to death. His name is found to be Fred in a preliminary investigation. More details are to be out and police have already started their investigation regarding this.”

Riva’s face turned yet more strained. She shifted her look downwards. She found Diana’s hand was full of blood. She was still holding the stained knife. This increased Riva’s heartbeat to many folds. Tears began to roll down.

“Why are people judgmental Riva?”

Riva has no words to say, even if she had, she had no courage to open her mouth by now.

“Judgmental people have already ruined my life once. I don’t want this to happen again.”

Riva is still standing frozen without a word.

“All these days I thought that people are genuine by themselves thus they were judgmental towards me. But I was wrong. Filthy people who have done worse than me are also judging me.”

Riva’s frozen face was now added with a pinch of bewilderedness again.

“Let us consider Fred for instance. A half an hour ago, he yelled at me to state the truth about what happened that day in the classroom when there was nothing that actually happened. Here, he has already been in an affair with you and cheating on me for months together already. ”

Riva was at the peak of fear and tension. She understood she was caught, Diana knew everything. She understood she is done now; there was no other way than to run away.

But Riva got it late already by then. The stained knife already entered her throat.

“You people taught me an important lesson yet again.” Diana was already frustrated and angry, her face with spilled blood now made her look more violent. She brought back the knife and stabbed Riva’s neck again. Riva collapsed.

Past has taught many lessons to Diana. But this was a new one. Interestingly, she grew mature now. She also planned to get out of this scene. She wrote a suicide note reading:

“My name is Riva. I have been in a relationship with Fred. I love him so much but he betrayed me. I gave him a chance, but instead, he judged me back for my loyalty. Thus I decided to kill him. After he is dead, for whom would I live for? Thus I decided to self-slaughter. I’m stating in full of senses that no one else is responsible for my death.”

She gently folded the note and tucked it in the pocket of Riva’s beautiful grey shirt.

Diana’s face showed signs of a pure smile. Why wouldn’t she smile, she had been relieved from her handcuffs yet again now. She washed off all her past with the water along with her hand of blood.

The clouds above too probably wanted to wipe her past with rain. Her mind was craving for a good coffee now; however, Rock Garden café wouldn’t be possible. She has many substitutes. She went to the stall and asked the vendor for tea. The frightened man handed her with it in no time. He seemed to know what needs to be done; he shut and left his stall soon after.

Her couple of legs walked out of the beach at full pace towards the nearby bus stop.

The same youth guy on the rock earlier was standing out there due to rain. This time he couldn’t stop glaring at her beauty. He didn’t know that this beauty came from inside of her now made her beautiful, look prettier than earlier. This Belle made his day.

That’s the end of the story, but I still have one question in mind. Why people are so judgmental? Even if they are why they do turn judgmental based on the hearsays? I sometimes feel Diana is right. Getting JudgeMENTAL is the only answer to this. I know at the end of the day, it is all the perception that one has.

Is Being Responsible Really A Curse? Episode 132, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-08-07T02:29:00.003-07:00

In long run, People feel that they being ruptured by the responsibilities that they have in life. Are you one of them? If yes, then this episode is exclusively for you.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

We all get to have one or the other responsibilities in life. These responsibilities do not have the same impact on us all the time. It is because in the general sense, responsibilities, once we get, are generally stay for a long time. For example, any person is free in bachelor life, but when they get married and give birth to a child, the responsibility increases and this responsibility is something that has to be kept for years together.

Also, Check Out Importance of Watching What People Does

In the course of these responsibilities in life, it is common that one may feel exhausted mentally. Some people may even think about leaving and running away from these responsibilities. But, these sorts of things should never happen with an individual. Because the lack of right perception towards and life and responsibilities are bringing these people to these sorts of situations. Now, the question is- what is the right perception? Let look into a chronicle to understand and answer the question more effectively.

Also, Check Out Let us Feel Gratitude of G.I.F.T.S In Life

The chronicle:

Two colleagues were living beside each other in a town, one was Hari and the other was Vijay. They both were almost the same in age and other factors. They both joined their company at the same time and got married at the same time. Their sons were also almost the same age. As I stated in the previous lines, both Hari and Vijay got responsibilities after they got sons. But there was something that differentiated them both. This was the attitude towards their responsibilities. Both of them were almost equally caring and responsible for their sons. But the attitudes of both were different.

Hari was always depressed due to the thought that he got into responsibilities. But Vijay on the contrary never thought about the burden from the responsibilities he has, rather he mitigated it unknowingly by enjoying himself regularly.

Hari always thought about what needs to be done in the coming days all the time and felt stressed, Vijay also does the same, but he manages to give time to himself and relax every day. This difference was quite small when observed, but the results were quite contrary when observed after years.

After a decade, Hari began to turn aged due to the stress on the other hand Vijay Managed to stay healthy and smart as before even after a decade not because he had no responsibilities, rather he always mitigated the stress.

Also, Check Out Are You Really A Business Owner?

Observations:

From the chronicle that I stated above, there are a couple of important observations:

1. Vijay had the right perception of responsibilities. He always gave himself some time to mitigate his stress from the responsibilities if any.

2. Vijay took time to live in the present without always striving to plan the future.

These two points are something that most of us must learn in life. by default, after one gets mature enough, he (she) is assigned with one or the other responsibilities. The right perception is important. On the other hand, we should never invest all our time only to think and plan about the future, It is because when we fulfill that, we again sit back to plan the future. Thus it is necessary to take some time at least to enjoy the present and the things we have in life.

Also, Check Out The Next Level Of Profession

Bottom line:

I hope the idea behind this episode is clearly depicted. IN nutshell, I want to say,

“We always work for a better tomorrow. But when tomorrow comes, instead of enjoying, we think of a better tomorrow. Let’s have a better today.”

Hope you like this Episode.

Check out my site for more such interesting episodes.

Please don’t forget to subscribe. Please comment on your views and similar instances in your life, and don’t forget to share this with your friends, family, and contacts.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my site through the subscribe option provided.

The First Lesson As Adult Episode 131, Life Lessons Aj

2021-08-03T02:41:00.001-07:00

As an adult, one must always understand the right essence of everything irrespective of the ‘programming’ he/she received in childhood. Let us look at the same in this episode.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

It is rightly said that the children mimic their elders. They look at their elders for a long time and observe what they do- Especially their mannerisms. After a reasonable time, they gradually turn into imitating them in various instances. The same was the case with Hiran too. He was born in a family to a family that protests against the odds of the forest and the related problems. He grew up in midst of these protests and struggles apart from the forest atmosphere.

He learned many great things in and about the forest. Its heritage, resources, and lifestyle. On the other hand, he also learned various skills like hunting and taming animals. Apart from all this, he also learned that the forest department and the related authorities were never in favor of his family tribe. He grew up with the same perception. This was the reason he started anger and hatred against the forest officers and departments as soon as he reached his teens. He started to join the protests and became one of the main personals in the tribe in no time literally.

Also, check out Love And Respect- What To choose From?

But the situation never remained the same. He began to increase the intensity of the protests and increases the frequency too. In the meantime, he came across a new forest officer. The officer was a female and beautiful enough to feel attracted to her. He initially kept her aside keeping the protest in mind. But the time gradually changed and they became good friends and later began to like each other.

One day they decided to meet in the evening to talk about something important. That evening, she asked him to marry her. But he rejected her saying that the forest department and their personals never supported their tribe, thus he was not ready to accept a girl who is from the forest department. She was shocked at the words of Hiran.

Also, Check Out Is It Always Difficult?

She asked him why was his tribe against the forest department who was actually striving to make the forest a better place. He began to narrate the problem. There is a lake a few km away from our village. This is the source of water for us for past decades. But the forest department wants to remove the lake. The tribe didn’t know the reason behind it, but they were against this decision. This was because the officials never promised to provide an alternative for the same.

Also, Check Out The Rare Case Of Ethical Exception

She understood the problem and went back to her office to check about the diplomacy behind the same. After a rigorous search, she found out that there are harmful chemicals in the lake, making severe health problems in the tribal population. She inquired why was the officials were not ready to provide an alternative for the people. She found that no money was sanctioned ever for the alternative water supply for this tribe.

After gathering all this information she went back to Hiran to narrate the entire scenario. Hiran understood the entire scenario. He felt bad for misunderstanding the officials. After he was confident that he got the complete details, He tried to convince the population to dig a well near the village and started avoiding drinking water from the lake.

Also, Check Out Importance Of Watching What People Does

Observations:

Every one of us must have faced big or small situations in life. There is always a difference between the perceptions of the people and reality. And this is generally never understood in childhood. This is because we generally come into the words of what our elders say. We gradually come into their perception of the situation around us. This is not wrong until we are children. But this may turn into a problem after we grow old.

Also, Check Out Let us Fell Gratitude Of G.I.F.T.S In LIfe

Let us take the example of Hiran in the above chronicle. He grew up with a perception that forest officials are always against him and his tribe. This perception stayed with him until he came to know the actual truth about the lake. Similar cases may come in our life too. We may have any sorts of perceptions against people in childhood due to the programming that we had at that time. But is purely our responsibility to understand the situation as it is when we become adults. I think this is the first and the most important step that marks that we grew old enough to be an adult.

Also, Check Out Are You Really a Business Owner?

Bottom Line:

I hope the lesson that I wanted to share with you people is clear enough to be understood well. In nutshell, you are not responsible for the programming you received in Childhood. As an adult, you are completely responsible for fixing it to the right tune.

Hope you like this Episode.

Check out my site for more such interesting episodes.

Please don’t forget to subscribe. Please comment on your views and similar instances in your life, and don’t forget to share this with your friends, family, and contacts.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my site through the subscribe option provided.

Where do you belong? Episode 130, LIFE LESSONS AJ

2021-07-26T21:57:00.002-07:00

All the people either belong to critics, talkers, or doers sections. Let us learn about all of them and be the right individual.

Hi friends and welcome to Life Lessons

Dreams are easy to be formed but are quite difficult to be built. Not all people dream of something. Among these people, there are only a few that actually strive to make their dream real. All these seem natural and common to hear. But there is something that many people don’t know. These are the hampers and stumbling blocks that make the person either strong to achieve dreams or give them off.

Many such factors add up to the list. But here we are talking about the people who act as the hampers and how. To understand this better, we need to understand how people are to understand how they affect us in the process of reaching our dreams. To be simple and precise, there are three sorts of people (considering the context here). As stated in the initial lines, these are Critics, talkers, and doers. Now we need to understand to which category we belong and accordingly make advances in life.

Also, Check Out The Failure of 80/20 Principle

Critics:

Critic implies those people who are interested in judging other people’s work and placing their opinions on it. This is good to the extent it is used in the right way by both parties to improve themselves. But it doesn’t happen in many cases.

This word is one of the common words used in the film industry. It is because it is one of those few industries where more people are ready to judge rather than make one.

Many people love to be critics. They love looking at others' lifestyles and achievements and judging them accordingly. These are the people who respect and give importance to people based on status and riches. Sadly this is the section that the majority of the population falls under.

Also, Check Out Love and Respect- What To Choose From?

Talkers:

Talkers are those people who have dreams. They share their thought and talk about them and generally don’t practically implement them. these people are certain time-wasting candidates as their talks have no use in the long term. There are people I personally came across who are actually talkers.

Also, Check Out Is It Always Difficult?

Doers:

These are those people who never talk and show up their plans and thoughts. They do it and when it's done, then the others come to know about it. It happens so because they did feel any need to talks and show up about what they are doing. This is one of the important traits of doers. These are people that are the ones who strive and get things done. And I wish all of us to fall under this category.

Also, Check Out The Rare Case Of Ethical Exception

The Stumbling Block:

Now the question is who are the stumbling block to whom? We can understand from the above lines that the Critics (the majority part) are those who may hamper the process of doers. This is generally done by judging and demotivating commenting that it cannot be done by them. The surprising fact is that these are the same people who start praising doers when the work is done successfully.

On the other hand, we cannot conclude that talkers don’t hamper doers, they indeed have a lesser effect than critics. Talkers are time wasters sometimes that talk for hours together. This may waste a lot of time for the doers who are with them.

Also, Check Out Importance Of Watching What People Does

What’s the target?

The target is simple. No matter what group we believe that we belong to, we all should finally turn to a doer. These are the only few ones who do the things that get done. Let us start changing ourselves if possible and make the population of doers increase.

On the other hand, being doer is one of the difficult tasks and this is something to be remembered too. It is because they are the ones who are going to face various stumbling blocks. And standing straight against them is not an easy task.

Also, Check Out The GIFTS That We Should Feel Gratitude In Life

Bottom Line:

The process that makes life meaningful is known to all of us. But doing the same needs lots of patience and courage to face the obstacles. Thus we all need to learn to be a doer and similarly keep away critics from so that we can do the thing peacefully.

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LIFE LESSONS AJ

Chapter 7: Conflicting Turmoil [INLOVE & INCHARGE]

Chapter 6: Anticipated Moment [INLOVE & INCHARGE]

Chapter 5: BOND OF ENIGMA [In Love & Incharge]

Chapter 4: BLOOMING CAMARADERIE [In Love & Incharge]

CHAPTER 3: The Unified Tapestry [In Love & Incharge]

CHAPTER 2: Dazzling Yet Mystifying [In Love & Incharge]

CHAPTER 1: ENTICING PRELUDE [In Love & Incharge]

21 Best mudras for meditation You Should Know

Importance of Meditation Mudra

Best Meditation Yoga Mudras you should know

[1] Gyan Mudra

[2]Prana Mudra

[3]Dhyan Mudra

[4]Apana Mudra

[5]Buddhi Mudra

[6]Shuni/Shoonya Mudra

[7]Rudra Mudra

[8]Vayu Mudra

[9]Ganesha Mudra

[10]Surya Mudra

[11]Hakini Mudra

S Sunitha’s[6] research article on mudra therapy has highlighted a few more mudras. Let us read through these mudras in the following lines:

[12]Maha Mudra

[13]Nabho Mudra

[14]Anjali Mudra

Chakra meditation hand signs- One Mudra for each Chakra

Comprehending What is Chakra

[15]Muladhara Mudra for Root Chakra

[16]Swadhistana Mudra for the Sacral Chakra

[17] Manipura Mudhra for Solar Plexus Chakra

[18] Anahata Mudra for Heart Chakra

[19] Vishuddha Mudra for Throat Chakra

[20] Ajna Mudra for the Third Eye Chakra

[21]Sahasrara Mudra for Crown Chakra

Best tips to employ these mudras

Comfort Yourself

Sit in Appropriate asanas

Ensure to Recite Appropriate Mantras

Meditation position of hands is Crucial…

A Guide to Meditation in the Workplace

A Guide to Meditation in the Workplace

Role of working meditation

Meditation for the office- Getting prepared

How to do mindfulness meditation at work?

Essentials add-ons for Meditation in the Workplace

How do Meditation Work during Office hours?

Meditation Tips and Techniques- To make your workplace session better

Start with 5-minute sessions

Body movement also plays an important role

Try Group Meditation

Combine Meditation with Workout

Meditation can come in handy anywhere…

Should you Meditate before or after Exercise?

10 Best Free Meditation Apps for sleep

Crucial features of Meditation Apps for Sleep?

There are multiple options of meditation apps available on the market. But a few of them focus on providing boosting sessions for sound sleep. Here are a few features you must ensure while choosing one of the best free meditation apps for sleep:

Motivating content: These are video snippets of multiple expert orators encompassing multiple stories, quotes, and other insights to rejuvenate the individual to start the day or relieve stress.

Distinctive meditative techniques: Even though the central motto of all meditative techniques is the same, many individuals may look for the latest and most interesting exercises to relish the session. Accordingly, choosing those apps that come with regualr updates can be preferred.

10 Best free meditation apps for sleep- Our Suggestions for you!

Here is the out list of best free meditation apps for sleep which can be your all-around meditation companion as well.

Calm Application

Created by Calm.com incorporation, this app serves to guide and accompany users for better relaxation and sleep with meditative techniques. For starters, this app can be a good choice to start practicing meditative sleep in just 3 minutes.

It comes with multiple features like new techniques to practice regularly, movement suggestions, and masterclasses. These can help in calming anxiety, managing stress, focus, and concentration.

Headspace App

Headspace App is the application from the company Headspace founded by Andy Puddicombe (A Buddhist monk) and Richard Pierson (Marketing personnel). The main motto of the app is to support the user in any place and mental state by providing mindfulness, and relaxation.

It comes with guided lessons to meditate even in difficult situations. Some areas of focus apart from relaxation are breathwork and anxiety meditation. It also comes with specialized techniques to be employed by children.

This app has a provision for sleep meditation that comes with features like relaxing and sleeping better with music and meditating awake (a short refreshing video to play to start the day). Users can avail of the free version to start with.

Medito: Meditation and Sleep

Medito is a non-profit offering from Medito Foundation. The objective of the app is to ensure mental well-being with all the healthy practices of meditation. Users can choose among multiple lectures that come in both guided and non-guided forms.

Also, the individual can choose among beginner, and intermediate courses based on their level of practice. Other features include daily meditation schedules addressing stress, and anxiety and also managing work-life too.

This app also comes with sleep meditation, sounds, and sleep stories that make it a noteworthy choice for people looking for good sleep. As it is a non-profit app, there are no distractions like ads and subscriptions enhancing the user experience.

Balance: Meditation and Sleep

Created by Elevate labs, Balance app ensures to bring serenity, especially in difficult situations with meditative techniques. It coaches the users with tailor-made techniques to optimize their time and efforts.

Some eminent features apart from personalization include 10-day plans, research-backed activities, animated tutorials, customizable sessions, and regular updates.

Balance comes with relaxation exercises that can be employed before bed. With a mix of sleep meditation, sounds, and wind-down activity, bilateral stimulation is created to overcome pressures-thereby resulting in sound sleep.

Breethe: Meditation and Sleep

Created by Breethe labs, this app comes with around 1700 guided meditations and other collections from various experts to encompass all insights to ensure mindfulness in the users. With a theme of the night sky, it gets easier for individuals to operate it even in low-light conditions.

This app comes with multiple features to assist sleep. These include relaxation music, sleep sounds, sleep stories, bedtime visualizations, guided meditation, breathing exercises, and inspirational talks.

Tide: Sleep and Meditation