The Zebra crossing

                                   Atmosphere dress

Crash course to all the people who ride or drive vehicles on the streets of Kathmandu- the alternate white stripes on road surfaces are not decorations. They are called zebra crossings. It symbolizes that the pedestrian has priority and has the right to go first. In simple words, when you see a pedestrian standing near those white stripes; stop your vehicle, let the pedestrian cross the road and then you can resume your travel.

What those white stripes do not signify! The zebra crossing does not suggest that you recklessly drive past with the ‘me first’ attitude. And it definitely does not indicate that you stick your head out and letch after pedestrians. You may have a sweet ride but when the pedestrian is staring back at you, it means that the pedestrian is outraged that an ignorant fool has been licensed to drive.

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EC

A raw performance

         Jennifer Taylor boots | Levis shorts | H&M shirt | H&M bag

Standing on a suspended bridge between a gorge, 160 meters above a river that has a mind of its own. Your emotions jump from one scale to another unsure of what to feel. Standing on the edge preparing for a free-fall with the harness clasped to your upper body and feet, you are now ready for a raw performance.

The world will cease to exist. The people on the bridge disappear, the steep gorge no longer exists and your feet are no longer desperately holding on to the steel that consists of the bridge. The water gushing seems to furiously lash out at you.

Emotions are no longer influenced or masked. They are bare- your screams, your fear, your excitement! Those split seconds is an introduction to the real you. The performance was not for the world to see but for you to experience.

After your feet find grounds, the surroundings instantly come to existence. The river no longer seems angry. Gradually you are aware of the dry heat beating on your bare arms and legs. The mighty hills make their presence felt. Its size and height intimidate you. Yet you feel powerful and invincible momentarily.

After that, you are back to emotions caked with make up.

…

EC

An unfinished poem

        Emerald ring (gift from Daddy)

Away from the maddening crowd

Away from traffic that does not cease

Away from streets that have no ends

Away from people in a rush to be someplace; somewhere

Without a polite exchange of word



A mile away from all this

And the surrounding is a contrast altogether

The sky is clear; there are no hints of clouds

Birds chirping and fluttering around


Lush green surroundings as far as the eyes can see

In the midst stands proudly a modest house


A perfect blend of modern and traditional art


The beauty of the humble abode speaks for itself

The garden that is a home to many

Is something out of a fairytale



This is the place I call home


Sitting close to the garden-fountain

I hear the rustling of the water


A far cry from the city noise

I even feel a soothing breeze occasionally





I hear voices 


Voices getting louder– an argument


A wise pragmatic opinion; yours

An energetic humanitarian retaliation; mine

I adjust my eyes and focus





I see you sitting close to me


The scent of your aftershave lingers in the air


Despite the difference in opinion

We come to a mutual conclusion


We always do, miraculously we always do

You then sneak out a cigarette from your pocket


I instantly see it and give you ‘the look’

You make that adorable pleading face


Which you know you can get away with


I can’t say no to it and you sense that





I give in with a sigh

As soon as you get my consent


You light the cigarette with lightening speed

You earnestly enjoy your first puff

Like a child enjoying the first bite of his candy



You are careful not to let the smoke


Come anywhere close to me

Yet I give you the disapproving look

You smile sheepishly while you enjoy your cigarette

You know I can never say no to you



The moment is fleeting

We have yet another argument


A petty one


Both hot headed and adamant

Both bent on making a point



Me; the stubborn one who won’t give in


No matter what


You; the wise one

Always the first to melt


Even when my argument is gibberish

I look at you– I admire and adore you


Your humbleness, your sincerity, your creativity

But I don’t say a word

Instead I have a smirk on my face

Looking back now, I wish I could wipe off that smirk

I hear a voice constantly calling


We are interrupted

Mother has been calling for the past five minutes

I look to your side– you are no longer there

Strangely the scent of your aftershave has evaporated into thin air

I am at your favorite spot in the garden

But you are no longer there


I seek for you everywhere


The search seems to end in vain


A figment of imagination; u were



I hold back tears as I walk towards the house

Invisible tears and silent cries


All embedded in me

I seem normal to the world


Inside I am shattered



Whom should I blame? 


An unknown force; for snatching you away from me


You; for leaving without saying goodbye


Or me; for loving you unconditionally that I cannot let go

I cannot seem to decide; maybe we should debate on it! 



I am aware that no one will ever love me


The way you did

Let alone understand me without ever having to explain myself

Besides one other person, Ruta, my best friend


And yet you leave me? 



Now I tread alone

My aspirations have vanished

I know I have to move on


My head says so

My heart refuses to pay heed



An unfinished poem; this is

For I know we have yet to meet again


Somewhere, someday


And after numerous arguments


We could finish this poem TOGETHER




“I miss you Daddy


I am always amidst a boisterous crowd


Yet, every passing moment I long to be with you...”

…

EC

The Giant Tower

         H&M dress | Vintage clutch

As a little girl I was fascinated by the giant tower that I had frequently seen on television and in many magazines. This curiosity had sprung when I was five, the day my father had come home with the mail. Amidst the bills, magazines and letters was a postcard. It had a captivating view of the tallest tower I had ever seen, beautifully lit like something out of a fairytale. That night I dreamt that I was on top of the giant tower, the cool breeze blowing as I looked down at the tiny houses and people far below. Since then my fascination for this faraway land with the giant tower has stayed intact and grown even more.

Recently I met an interesting gentleman- a French photographer. I instantly liked him as he flattered me with adjectives like élégant, joli and charmant. He was very generous with his praises for Nepal too. “Votre pays est magnifique!” Shyly I replied, “Merci beaucoup monsieur.”

He went on, “J'adore les montagnes et les vieilles villes.”A fleeting thought then crossed my mind- the brightly lit giant tower with a gentle breeze blowing.

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EC

Playboy

         Atmosphere shirt | Empty Closet pants | Steve Madden heels

There is nothing wrong with being a playboy. It is a choice he makes in direct relation to his needs. It is his life and therefore his choice. Hence for him, it is not wrong to lead that lifestyle flamboyantly.

He is a playboy. He looks at you and you are irresistibly drawn to him. He talks to you and you cannot get your eyes off him. He touches you and you go weak in the knees. He does not promise you a life together and he will not even ask for your name. (He probably wont even remember) All he will offer is a night of passion and a memory to last a lifetime. This is all he brings to the table and you in all sanity will accept his terms. You will not even consider revising it. His half slanted smile boasts that he has never failed to get his trophy.

He does not hide behind a façade and does not change faces whether day or night. He is so comfortable in his shoes that he does not hesitate to introduce himself as a playboy to the world.

But there are those who profess love, invent a new personality to the liking of others and try so hard to be a gentleman. They hide behind a mask and reek of cowardliness. They build a pretense of charisma and play with love. 

If you cannot introduce yourself as the real you, it can only mean that you cannot even meet your own eyes.

…

EC