Waakiye

Category: Daily prompts

  • The Importance of Personal Keepsakes in Our Lives

    The Importance of Personal Keepsakes in Our Lives

    Daily writing prompt
    What personal belongings do you hold most dear?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    I’ve become a fan of the prompts these days,
    they ask such intricate questions with such precise clear-cut words,
    That it feels out of this world…

    The reason it is so intricate for me is because,
    we are often told not to brings things so close to our hearts,
    that if one day you were to part (G0d forbid) from them,
    the pain won’t ever be enough,
    to take your life with itself…

    The adamant rule of,
    (Dil par nahi lagaa’na or Dil par mat lena),
    Don’t take it on your heart (translations),
    has saved me G0d knows how many times,
    and it will till the end of me…

    But,
    we are only human Afterall,
    aren’t we?
    we take things to our heart,
    and when time comes,
    it takes a piece of it (our heart),
    with it…

    Coming back to the prompt,
    personal belongings that I hold dear,
    to myself,
    there are many that I hold with care and utmost importance,
    and they have a special place for me in my heart,
    that make me want to continue,
    whenever I feel like I’m falling off,
    or,
    about to…

    One of them is a very old notebook,
    from my school days,
    where all of this took birth,
    the essence of Waakiye,
    or the birth of it,
    I often find myself scrolling through,
    some of the raw emotions that I wrote,
    when all of this wasn’t even in my wildest dreams,
    but,
    The urge and a want to express what roamed this vast land of my mind,
    it was there forever,
    and thanks to consistency of that child,
    and never stopping the scribbling,
    he turned into a person that loves to write,
    even if everything is going against,
    out of control…

    Another one,
    is a collection of photos,
    that keeps me grounded.

    Reminds me of something that I did,
    of irreversible nature,
    and the type of thing that haunts me some nights,
    but,
    it gives me a proof of something that we all fear,

    “THE FEAR OF DEATH ITSELF…”

    that thing ended a great suffering,
    and a time that we don’t wish on an enemy or their family,
    But,
    we went through,
    endured all the sufferings,
    and welcomed the future with open arms,
    even if we were broken,
    shattered from within,
    we still lived,
    lived to see the next day,
    day after that,
    and we will see this day too…

    To better days and,
    things that remind you of who you were,
    and what shape you shall take tomorrow,
    an unknown reality welcomes you…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    In the distance I saw,
    I saw a being,
    a version of self,
    in a place that I could have been…

    Being on the support of others,
    not able,
    notable of something like a madman,
    who lost it,
    lost it all…

    There wasn’t any other option,
    but,
    to stand tall,
    be a shadow to those who were now dependent,
    and be a support system for those,
    who still don’t believe of the happening,
    and yet,
    here we are,
    enduring it yet again,
    this day,
    just like yesterday,
    like it happened yesterday,
    like a film all of it plays,

    BUT,
    THERE WASN’T ANY OTHER OPTION…

  • The Art of Collecting: My Bottles and Writings

    The Art of Collecting: My Bottles and Writings

    Daily writing prompt
    Do you have any collections?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    First,
    I am really sorry for not uploading a day before,
    there were some things bothering that has to be taken care of,
    plus,
    I submitted two of my works to a competition,
    and was busy as the deadline was until last night,
    so most of my time was spent on writing,
    completing,
    editing something whenever I went back to check those drafts…

    But,
    I’m back here,
    and this is one such place,
    that will be my go-to,
    because the freedom of expression I feel here,
    its unmatched,
    maybe because this is something that I was meant to do forever…

    Coming back to the day’s prompt,
    “Do I have any collection…?”
    YES,
    I do have collection(s),
    but,
    most of them are stored in a haphazard way,
    not in a proper way whatsoever…

    One of such is a collection of bottles,
    this started as a dream,
    in which I had a cabinet full of liquor bottles,
    from the places that I haven’t even been,
    but,
    the bottle of that region was in my cabinet,
    some of them were gifted,
    some were bought by me on a special occasion,
    some to remember the good times spent with those who are close to me,
    all in,
    the process of achieving a perfect collection still has a long way to go,
    but,
    it feels good to know that I have started something that I saw in my dreams with an intention of achieving a preset goal…

    Other one is a collection of my writing/ideas that I jot down,
    they are stored in a more random way then how a child leaves his toys in the drawing room,
    an idea here,
    and while penning this one down,
    another one comes and takes over this mind,
    so,
    I open another tab,
    in my mind also in my notes app to pen that down…

    These are my two collections that I own and have owned with pride (second one),
    but,
    everyone needs to have something like a normal state,
    Amongst all the chaos in the world right…?

    Hence the word collection…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    Being a writer often feels like this,
    a lone road,
    a path that has to be traveled,
    and a path that has been covered…

    With no such help,
    no such thing called assistance,
    all that happens,
    happens to you only,
    and you are the only sufferer,
    and gainer,
    in the process…

    It often feels that you’re alone,
    you’re the only one who feels this way,
    but,
    in the same boat,
    G0d knows how many are,
    maybe looking for a right word,
    maybe a right prose,
    a better suiting rhyme scheme,
    or even a better title…

    Aren’t we all connected yet,
    all alone…?
  • The Dual Nature of Winter: Joys and Struggles Revealed

    The Dual Nature of Winter: Joys and Struggles Revealed

    Daily writing prompt
    How do you feel about cold weather?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope you all are doing well…

    The cold weather brings out a lot of hidden,
    trapped feelings,
    and memories of things and incidents that happened,
    the last year,
    or somewhere along the winter season…

    I don’t know how,
    but this body remembers,
    each and every thing that happened,
    even if my memories give up on me,
    there are some things that subconscious remembers,
    maybe keep tabs on,
    to play those memories year after year again….

    Being from the country of such a diversity,
    winters are never spent in boredom,
    we spend our evenings chomping on things,
    that might not be healthy in the long run,
    Gajar ka halwa (Carrot pudding for the international readers),
    jalebi ‘s (An Indian version of funnel cake),
    and
    Saag (Spinach stew),
    the last one is one of my favorites,
    which is made in big pots and goes on for days maybe a week,
    it doesn’t last that long in an Indian household,
    but,
    Acquired taste is a thing and with age comes such a palate,
    which is actually good and nutritious for the health…

    This is all the positives,
    but,
    We have to talk about the negatives too,
    the seasonal depression,
    the memories that haunt,
    and the drinking that people pick up…

    Having friends and their plans to sit somewhere,
    to drink and enjoy life and its virtues,
    that becomes a common thing in my country,
    so,
    these types of things rise,
    and the consequences of such actions too…

    Overall,
    it becomes a good time that can be enjoyed by all,
    with a mix of bad things that go hand in hand…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

  • Cherished Memories: The Stories in Our Skin

    Cherished Memories: The Stories in Our Skin

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    The prompt of this dame really made me think,
    And,
    I think there would be a variety of answers that all of you would be seeing,
    most of them would include a piece of clothing that they would cherish or own from a long time that would have seen better days but,
    not being your usual writer,
    I know what all of you are in here for…

    How would you feel if i said the oldest thing I’m wearing is,
    “MY SKIN”…

    I do owe all of you an explanation,
    Skin,
    MY thick skin being one of those things,
    the one which has been with me from the very beginning of my essence,
    no fabric,
    no piece of cloth could ever match what my skin has felt through the years…

    Even though it renews itself every month and a half,
    it holds memories that still stay with me to this day,
    The Scars,
    The heat of the Sun,
    a special someone’s touch,
    the test of time—
    all of them leave a mark.
    It’s been my shield,
    a blank canvas that I was born with,
    a story that I am writing as each day progresses…

    THIS body of mine holds a tactile archive,
    a memory through sensations that only I remember,
    Even if the world forgets,
    I remember the weight of denim,
    the scratch of wool,
    the comfort of cotton on a tired day,
    the itchiness of a cloth I’m not well suited to,
    the rash that burned,
    and caused me pain,
    the time I fell from my two-wheeler and blood that oozed out of my skin,
    I remember it clearly as yesterday,
    each and every moment clearly…

    Sometimes this body remembers what the mind isn’t sure of;

    A warmth in the chest,
    A phantom touch on the cheek,
    A comfort that feels real,
    even if the facts are blurry…

    Maybe it’s memory,
    Maybe it’s hope stitched into survival,
    Maybe it’s both.

    What matters is that it helped me keep breathing,
    the memories that this mind often forgets,
    they stay on this skin,
    whenever,
    someone crosses me,
    a familiar scent,
    an accidental touch (for which I apologize)
    it sets into action a string of memories hidden deep within me,
    of which this mind has either forgotten,
    or,
    suppressed to make place for other ones…

    But,
    there’s something that I tell myself,

    You’re here,
    Still breathing,
    Still remembering,
    And that’s not nothing…

    Just like a chain that you forget that is wrapped around your neck,
    after wearing it for a long time,
    the body adapts to it,
    and when accidently it gets stuck in a piece of cloth,
    you remember an existence of it;

    That chain becomes like a quiet truth:
    Something can be with me always,
    even if I forget it’s there…

    And maybe that’s how grief feels.
    Or love,
    Or pain,
    Or memories,
    or existence of it…;

    Worn so long against the skin that One stops feeling it,
    until one small movement brings it back into view,
    glinting with the light of something lost but never fully gone…

    Here’s to reliving all those memories after reading this one,
    also play with your chain or a mala of thread or beads that exist around your neck or your wrist…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    With these memories that we once considered precious,
    made a promise to never forget them,
    They blurred without a trace from this mind….

    But does this mean We’ve forgotten,
    Does this mean we’ve given up,
    Of Course, not.

    Their existence continues to thrive,
    in a way we speak,
    the choices that we make,
    the softness that takes a front when we see someone hurting,
    or
    the hardness that makes us stand on someone’s way if it means it will save someone…

    Been through things tough and extremely challenging ones,
    we’ve learned to carry weight,
    to protect ourselves.
    we’ve built something around our softness,
    not to hide it,
    but to survive,
    maybe try to thrive in it…
  • Delicious Fruits You Must Try This Summer

    Delicious Fruits You Must Try This Summer

    Daily writing prompt
    List your top 5 favorite fruits.
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Well isn’t this a nice change of pace,
    my top 5 favorite fruits,
    Hmm…

    it really got me thinking that I need to include more fruits into my diet,
    but,
    there are a few which I absolutely love…

    Oranges being one of the most convenient one and easily available fruit,
    being the combination of citrus and sweet plus a big intake of fiber,
    packs a punch and keeps me satiated for longer…

    How can one forget Watermelon,
    the flavor that is nowhere to be found and in this peak summer heat it’s refreshing,
    you can’t go wrong with a cooled watermelon after working in the summer heat,
    or returning home after a tiring afternoon…

    Ever heard of Grapes,
    The range goes beyond 10.000 varieties,
    but on a broader scale,
    we see green, purple and red ones,
    they are used in so many ways,
    popping them just like that,
    freezing and using them instead of ice in drinks,
    and the biggest place they’re used in making wines of many varieties,
    they automatically make a fruit platter look more appealing with the different shapes they’re available in,
    don’t forget they are used to make raisins too…

    Bananas,
    do I even need to say anything,
    The only fruit that is made which comes in nature’s packaging and can be eaten on the go without making any mess ever,
    the years of tweaking with its DNA has made it seedless,
    and a perfect snack that can be had whenever,
    (I’m looking at a basket of a dozen sitting right Infront of me as I’m writing this one..)

    I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the phrase,
    “An apple a day keeps the doctor away…”

    The varieties of it kills me each time,
    there are 4-5 different types/qualities each and every supermarket or fruit market that I visit,
    like they are coming from a single source right…?
    but,
    packed with so much flavor and crunch,
    some sweeter than sugar,
    some sour like granny smith used to make pies and tarts,
    a good piece of apple looks beautiful,
    is firm to touch,
    and has no visible indentation that you can feel with your hands…

    With this,
    the prompt of this day comes to an end,
    my top five favorite fruits…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    A night that’s dark,
    darker are these thoughts,
    pitch black like tar,
    feels like there isn’t a tomorrow,
    just like there wasn’t a yesterday’s morning.

    On this pitch-black night,
    walks with me my shadow,
    I see it,
    when a speck of moonlight tries to reach this body,
    as soon as I turn this head,
    I see it escaping.

    On this dark night,
    I walk these streets unknown,
    unknown to who’s following me,
    I walk with fear within this heart…
  • Overcoming Social Media Addiction: Small Steps

    Overcoming Social Media Addiction: Small Steps

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing really well…!

    There is a need for each and every one to improve themselves,
    it might be something that is well within your reach or maybe requires some effort,
    maybe a lot of it,
    if you’re starting from zero,
    but that’s how the efforts are made,
    and they give you the fruits of all the time you put in…

    I really wish to be less addicted to things,
    I am very much addicted to social media apps,
    Instagram and such,
    and they have been cutting into my time;

    The time,
    I have to provide towards another aspects of life,
    My family,
    My life
    Friends and other personal aspects of my life,
    there has been nothing but efforts from my side,
    but,
    I cannot afford to give it up too,
    because a lot of work happens there also that’s how we are connected to each other,
    because of many such reasons,
    I cannot give up social media…

    This too being a part of social media,
    but,
    the place that you call home,
    consider home,
    one cannot defame it,
    can they…?

    There are others like,
    lower screen time,
    not using it at all at or before bed time or during eating,
    and many other things like making a reminder of tasks that you have to accomplish during the day,
    making your bed,
    taking the morning walk or the workout;

    and one must do things to move ahead and be a better version of self,
    that’s how we all move ahead…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    With a phone in this hand,
    I watch as things,
    some important,
    other non-important ones pile up:

    On setting reminders and snoozing them from hours on time,
    and after that,
    contemplating the life choices that led to this point,
    I look at the screen,
    a blank one,
    a reminder pops us,
    yet again;

    Take a break,
    scroll the app that you like,
    A sly laughter leaves my face as,
    I go in the balcony and in my hand a light,
    A spark is heard,
    and smoke rises,
    easing my mind…

  • The Power of Positive Influence in Life

    The Power of Positive Influence in Life

    Daily writing prompt
    Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope you all are doing well…

    This prompt is one of the good ones,
    someone who had a positive impact on my life,
    this sparks numerous questions because there have been equally or more who have had a negative impact on me and my life and given me ideas to live a life much better than how they shall ever live…

    I’ll share one of each;

    I got a chance of meeting one such person with whom I’m still in contact with,
    I just talked to them a few minutes back,
    I wish for them to prosper and have a beautiful life forever,
    The exams that they’re preparing for,
    I hope from the bottom of my heart that they achieve what they want in life,
    (Even if I won’t be a part of their life if they achieve their dreams i shall remember them forever…)

    She studies a subject that we both have undying love for,
    and that’s how we connected,
    on finding that she studies it,
    and I have a keen interest for it,
    Our conversations happen on and around the same topic,
    and we both learn and love it,
    when both of us love and grow from our astute and very niche observations…

    That’s the type of conversations I wanted to have forever,
    and on finding someone who does makes my life much better and worth living;

    She has been the one,
    and the only one for whom i shall continue to write,
    because her words of praise aren’t just there to fill a void,
    but,
    they help me by giving me an inspiration and a will to continue forever…
    and i hope they will forever….

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    There was something bugging me,
    I was in my home,
    One place that’s considered safe,
    I was trembling,
    Looking for someone,
    Something there…

    What was it,
    I couldn’t put my hand on it…!

    And all I could do was shake and tremble,
    And tell those around me,
    Nothing…

    I’m good,
    I’m all good,
    Everything’s alright as I looked at myself,
    In the mirror,
    I saw the horror within my eyes..
  • Freedom: A Thought-Provoking Daily Writing Prompt

    Freedom: A Thought-Provoking Daily Writing Prompt

    Daily writing prompt
    What does freedom mean to you?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope you all are doing well and are safe…!

    This prompt is a good one of the good one,
    because it comes at a time when whole of the world has their eyes on our nation,
    the India-Pakistan at the brink of war,
    the tiff escalating and de-escalating within a span of few hours,
    constant black outs at the border region,
    shells,
    blanks,
    broken drones and such,
    their scraps and some live ones are found here and there…

    Freedom means right to,
    Think,
    Speak &
    Act however one wants,

    ALSO,
    in a state of not being captive or enslaved…

    BUT;
    Doesn’t that mean we have to keep ourselves in check,
    according to the people who are around us too…?

    Look at it from a point where,
    you have to follow HOA rules,
    They aren’t there to make your personal life better,
    But,
    in a collective way they help in taking care of the whole association,
    by setting rules and guidelines to follow,
    NO matter how much it screams a violation of your freedom,
    I MEAN COME ON,
    Trash can outside after 11 am attracts a fine,
    it shouldn’t be outside obstructing view of the property which we paid…?
    HUH???

    But,
    These small rules help keep the value and the look of the property to the max…
    same way,
    Someone cites their freedom,
    for being oppressive towards others,
    owning slaves and the ripple effect that we see even this day Amongst those who owned them…!

    For them,
    Someone who has been oppressed their view of freedom is much different from someone who hasn’t been ;
    But,
    Isn’t that a conversation for some other time…?

    Freedom for a writer and a person who has been expressive means different from someone who has been an introvert and keeps to themselves,
    they have a need to be out and see things various ones from a perspective different from everyone…!

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    A lone bird,
    enjoys freedom.

    It takes flight,
    on seeing the horizon clear and blue,
    as it flaps the wings,
    The crisp sound echoes,
    fluttering for a moment as it gains some momentum,
    within moments the free bird,
    with a free will,
    goes from sitting on a branch,
    to
    gaining height that we can’t reach,
    until its existence is lost,
    moments before it becomes a right tick,
    like we used to in art classes…

    Isn’t this the type of freedom we all once wanted,
    when we were little…?
  • Controversial Opinions: The Impact of Public Figures

    Controversial Opinions: The Impact of Public Figures

    Daily writing prompt
    What public figure do you disagree with the most?
    View all responses

    Hi….

    I hope all of you are doing well…!

    This question comes a time that is so fragile,
    with a fight that goes on the border region,
    turning into a full-blown war as each day proceeds,
    but,
    across this,
    the one who faces all of the heat are those who are in the region of crossfire,
    the people who existed and continue to exist within the 0 to 50 km range of the borders,
    and from their point,
    just existing,
    living their lives has become a problem,
    that won’t go anywhere anytime soon,
    but,
    the reason for this full-blown fight-off,
    the reason that some “terrorists”,
    took innocent lives at a place that apparently had no army presence which it needed to have being the sensitive nature of the territory that it is,
    but
    who had to make sure the enemy presence was there or nor?
    who had to make sure that the army personnel were already present there to ensure safety of the territory and any person who were to be there…

    What,
    do you have any answer than those whom we appointed,
    who became these ministers,
    who are at a place that we consider they achieve to serve,
    but,
    they’re there to fill their pockets,
    the immense greed that takes over their mind and body,
    and,
    let situations like this happen,
    where people like you and I become the one who gets caught,
    loses their lives,
    and then,
    hangs a photo of those whom we lost,
    considered as victims of the war…

    This post became dark really quickly,
    but,
    the type of person one becomes after joining politics,
    no matter how clean or good they are,
    they become the type of evil where things like these become,
    happening that are imminent,
    they can’t ever be avoided,
    But can’t they,
    If precautionary measures would have been there well in advance…?

    A thought…

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    From the comfort of your homes,
    The four walls within which you feel safe,
    The word WAR feels like something that should have already started,
    but,
    For you and me,
    it’s all in the news,
    not something that has bothered us even a single bit…

    But,
    What about those who are involved in it,
    Those who live in the area that has seen shellings,
    their sleep disrupted by constant bombings,
    As they’re awoken by a bomb blasting near them,
    In their vicinity,
    as they try to sleep their way through it all…?
  • Choosing an Unorthodox Career Path

    Choosing an Unorthodox Career Path

    Daily writing prompt
    What is your career plan?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    I guess today’s prompt would work the best with those who are passing their 12th grade exams after which they’ll be going to attend the college of their choice that supports their streams.
    or entering into 11th grade where they have to make a choice between choosing their major,
    It would be between science, commerce or humanities…;

    As for me,
    my story is a really weird one,
    a commerce major,
    who scored in low eighties,
    and the type of education system we have,
    they cherish marks more than the individual’s abilities more,
    being a pass out of one of the better schools in my area,
    everyone had more expectations,
    BUT,
    Something that isn’t stressed is the family’s (WANTS AND DREAMS) to be on with their child’s….

    Choosing an unorthodox career path,
    and getting next to no support from them,
    not as a new found adult,
    but,
    monetary too,
    when I was promised it too,
    just because our dream didn’t align…

    SO,
    long story short,
    taking open courses,
    where i was handed out the syllabus and exams happened once a year without any classes to go to,
    And,
    on securing a bachelor’s degree in commerce all the while working in a family-owned industrial business,
    where working by hand was of utmost importance,
    (TO learn the basic things Because i wasn’t from the field…)

    Alongwith that I found this precious skill of being capable to pen down my thoughts and feelings,
    which has been growing ever since i started…

    So much to career plan,
    this and that…
    😂

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    The feeling that this photo sparks is something that can’t be recreated,
    being there in a place that exists on this earth,
    but even heaven won’t be a match of it.
    My village Panjab,
    the greens of trees and still budding crops,
    The gold of fully ripe wheat takes my heart away,
    the pure white sunlight blessing all of these and helping them in reaching the right color and their ripeness,
    so,
    they shall be ready for harvest…
    A dream comes true
    all of it…