Relationships

You must have heard "maturity has nothing to do with age". I have also heard it and always trembled in my heart with fear because I knew I was not becoming mature mentally, i mean more practical or balanced or wise , or worldly wise or things like that. Unlike my younger sister, who is always politically correct, diplomatic and oh so polite in whatever she says (even in anger) I just knew I stand no where. I was always playful, giggling, rebellious and adamant and on top of all argued with my parents while growing up, which of course gave me bad results in future. I was always worrying when will I become mature? When will I sound and be wise and serious looking and pakki in duniyadari... phew... all this, kind of scared me all these years, say after teenage said bye bye.

This short story is based on the real life incident of a young Muslim Girl Gudiya, and the injustice and struggle of the girl. This became the hot news all over India a few years back.

Her eyes shone with the dangling of her earrings and the tinkle of her anklet, as she was swinging on the simple rope swing tied to the tree on that cool evening. It was a lovely feeling for her, as her life had changed, she has her share of joy of marital bliss and it was beginning of her family life, she was expecting.

In last few years, the education for the girl child was widely promoted by social and religious groups and also government, in terms of financial assistance, and the result is there in front of our eyes. A whole generation of confident, English speaking, trousers clad women are India's active workforce - in traditional and not so traditional roles like DJ, RJ, film direction, event management, call centre executives, stewardesses, even petrol pump assistants etc. Although, this amounts to a very meagre percentage.

Most of us are born with a clear gender identity - either male or female. But, a Brown University study concluded that 1.7% of population develop in a way that varies from standard definition of male-female. Inter-sexuality is much more common than Down's Syndrome or Albinism.

A friend found the “love of his life” on a matrimonial website.
 
After seeing hundreds of photographs and commenting on each and every one’s height, complexion, nose-shape, assumed weight, and dress sense, he finally found one that was closest to his ideal image of an Indian bride.
 
He has not even met her, but is engaged to be married later this year.

Marriage and committed romance reduce stress-related hormone production, new findings show.  
 
  
 Being married has often been associated with improving people's health, but a new study suggests that having that long-term bond also alters hormones in a way that reduces stress.

What I believe in, who I love, what I do for people I love, is far more important than how fat I am or who I should look like. I just realized how much stress people put you through just because you don’t have a size zero body. Everything else gets to be a back seat then and all you think about is weight-loss, whether you have the time for it or not.

Just kidding. I wish I knew what they want. That was just a hook.

Patt’s favorite word was “Cool.”
When I met her the first — and last — time she was in bed, attached to countless tubes.
She could barely talk – her limited slurred speech was difficult to understand.
She couldn’t get up, couldn’t swallow, and couldn’t breathe on her own.

Growing up, we often take our friends and friendships for granted. I for one am no different. In fact, my friendships have evolved, changed and even ended over time. As girls in High School, I remember making countless promises to my friends. We made oaths that we would be at each other’s weddings; we’ll make sure our children play together and so on. After school, something happened : Life.