Category: storytime

  • Men who shaped my life

    Men who shaped my life

    Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    There are a few men in my life who have guided me in a positive direction and given me a way to live this life in a much better way…

    The first one would be my late father, who was one of the pillars in my life he shaped my existence (literally) and taught me how to be a better person by just being present in my life and acting like a good father figure to look up to, even though we had limited time with each other,

    There are some decisions of his that I question myself but those were taken keeping in mind my future and the future of our family-led business…

    But I’m really grateful that whatever time we had together was spent in happiness and neutrality…

    The second one would be my father’s brother, my uncle; he is the one who taught me all the business that our family has to date, and he taught me the basics and the complex things of the business that we now run together;

    He imparted me the sense of respect and how to please a client and negotiate what feels best for us (margin-wise) without having to cut deep into the pockets of any of our potential client a time of five years under his guidance gave me a different perspective at life also the shoes he had to fill when he was a child forced into this business too…

    The last one would be my friends, without them I’m just a wandering soul on this planet, they keep me grounded and also help me achieve what I am capable of there are so many instances that have shaped me that happened just between my friends which gave me a new perspective on life itself;

    They are with me when there was no one, and they shall be with me until the end of me…

    These were the few men who positively impacted my life…

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

  • My first day at school and at work…

    My first day at school and at work…

    Tell us about your first day at something β€” school, work, as a parent, etc.

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Well I’m not a parent right now and don’t plan on being one anytime soon, but if time and life exists I’d love to have at least one child…!

    Well I can share with you two instances,

    One being the very first day I started school. I remember it was a Monday and my mother and father drove me to my school where I saw children crying as it was the orientation day and as parents separated from their children they walked back to the school gate with tears streaming down their cheeks, screaming β€œmumma/papa” whoever they were close with,

    But me,

    I was completely silent and wished them goodbye too, as I sat on my seat in an empty classroom because many skipped the first day as the children began crying as they came near the school gate;

    All in it was a good day, we had fun, learnt new things and that was it for the day, around 12 it was our time to go back home, and I remember tears in my Mother’s eyes as she came to take me back to home and i was happy to see her as we went back home…

    Another instance is first day at work…;

    It was the middle of August and my father told me to swing by work, to drop off something that they forgot home, and as I arrived at the workplace I greeted him and gave him a file that he forgot, and as I was about to leave he asked me about work..?

    And I wanted to know what he meant,

    He said Point blank that he wanted me to continue our family business and also study as I got time to which I told him that either it will be work or studies because industrial work requires a strong backbone and working long tireless hours which in fact affect the other 16 hours of your life making you extremely tired and stressed about the next day…

    And as I started work I fought a lot with him with myself too, because all of the studies I perused came to a halt and all of my relationships built came to a standstill, because I hadn’t earned anything yet and I was given an ultimatum that they won’t be spending any more money on my studies and I have to work there…

    And after learning that a piece of my feelings began to die for my father each day,

    But this day that my father is no longer among us I believe that it was the best thing to happen because we bonded over things that made us similar and I got to spend more time with him during his final years with them…

    A win-win for the both of us…

    Didn’t want to take it to such a negative point but life happens…

    Well happy weekend to those who have the days off and enjoy your life to the fullest, hug your kids and tell them you love them…

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

  • To experiences that shape us…

    To experiences that shape us…

    Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Yes, I’ve had a few opportunities to present myself on stage with and without a group;

    I presented a speech all alone twice and I had all of the fear before it, legs feeling like jelly, those eyes staring at me like I owe them something, but once in my zone I performed what I had to it was a speech about a religious leader the topic that I picked way back…

    Another one was a rather small group that worked in an informal setting a few strangers and a piece of information that we shared and debated it to come to a standard conclusion,;

    A mere two person discussion turned into a few people taking their side and my side, it was a topic that has such a deep belief that we all had views on it β€œGod’s existence and his overlooking those who were unfortunate…”

    And after the heat of discussion subsided we all had tea and called it a night as we walked away a bit better person, by learning someone’s side and some facts that even changed our beliefs…

    There were instances that we had musical performances during schooling too, which were often in groups because they shifted the focus and stress from a single child to the group, which was fun and enjoyable even for the audience because they were a part of us too as they enjoyed it as much as us…

    A few instances but they shaped a version that can be traced deviated from a standard path to what it is now expanding forever…

    To experiences like these that shape us for the better;

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

  • The stress associated after work…

    The stress associated after work…

    What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    The part of routine that I can avoid or skip would be the stress associated with work that constantly looms over my head…

    The constant pressure of preparing, of being active and on my toes has broken the foundation that I stand on;

    Some days it feels like a break from it would be better,

    But returning to it feels like a trap that I exited for a little while,

    after seeing clear open skies I have to walk into the cage to be trapped yet again and work within these tubes that trap my existence within them for 10 hours daily…

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

  • From Chaos to Joy: My Incredible Vacation Experience

    From Chaos to Joy: My Incredible Vacation Experience

    Daily writing prompt
    Describe your most memorable vacation.

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    One of the most memorable vacations that I ever went to spanned across two weeks…

    The struggles…

    It was a plan that was being put on hold for two years,
    and eventually,
    we (my friend, one of his friends and myself),
    got fed up with things not matching,
    someday it was just dates not aligning,
    vacation days for some,
    for some it was a family emergency,
    others were just struggling to make time from their schedule…

    Impulsive acts…

    So,
    the week before Christmas,
    we decided to just go along,
    and started to make payments in advance,
    to the travel guide,
    to the homestay,
    and a few days when all others bailed on us,
    I took my cousin with me,
    and my sister to the trip,
    so in total I booked the ticket for the 4 of us to reach the nearest state through train,
    from where the route was halved,
    and my cousin brother picked us from a railway station in Haryana,
    along with the taxi driver in his hatchback…

    Our arrival at our destination..

    The trip was complicated and messy,
    around six hours later we reached,
    but,
    we were a total mess,
    all of us throwing up,
    as we weren’t accustomed to the change in the atmosphere and the environment,
    as we climbed what seemed like an infinite flight of stairs,
    praying to the Almighty,
    holding our stomachs in pain,
    we finally found ourselves a place to sit outside,
    and wait till they cleaned the homestay…

    On seeing the place where we were supposed to sit and rest it brought tears to our eyes,
    as we picked out spots in the room,
    and opened our bags and went to shower and later eat something to replenish our lost energy after throwing up,
    and after eating out fill,
    we went out for a stroll,
    watching the sunset,
    snacking on our way back,
    and grabbing a few bottles to drink as we came back to our homestay,
    and we lit a bonfire and took our solo cups and smashed 1.5 bottles within us 4 (one sober guy)..

    Things We did for fun..

    We went to sightseeing,
    climbed a hill,
    did adventure sports like ziplining,
    ice-skating (during which I took so many falls and ended up with bruises),
    playing in ice (My first time seeing real ice),
    visited a temple,
    and returned back to the homestay in the evening,
    the running waterfall was the best thing to ever see,
    as we took a bath and came back shivering…

    Last day…

    The day of our return was the saddest,
    as the night before we emptied all our bottles and got piss drunk and all of us fell dead asleep,
    on waking I saw my first snowfall,
    a very real event that I haven’t seen before,
    bringing me to tears,
    as we were packing to leave,
    we took some of the stuff that was popular in the area as a parting away gift,
    and a bundle of memories to remember them by…

    One of the most memorable of my vacations,
    that I ever took,
    flashbacks till this day…

    Cheers (to good times) πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

  • One Outfit Forever: My Everyday Style Solution

    One Outfit Forever: My Everyday Style Solution

    Daily writing prompt
    If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    An outfit that I have to wear forever…?

    Already being an excessively sweating individual,
    on top of that the rising heat in this country,
    adding to it,
    the switching seasons,
    the ongoing monsoon and extreme humid conditions,
    makes me tired and sweaty first thing in the morning,
    so,
    replacement of clothes becomes a mandate at least once a day,

    I hope you understand how it is for me…

    To wear a single outfit forever,
    I need it to be cool and airy,
    and I can’t wear something black,
    If I have to repeat it forever…

    My ideal choice would be slate gray or some faded blue like an old denim,
    (Just its color),
    A T covering my upper body,
    and charcoal gray pants that are stretchy and breathable,
    a light bomber jacket colored black to top it off making it a finished outfit,
    with breathable shoes,
    maybe sneakers that are black in color,
    the dirt isn’t visible on them (regular use),
    AND a light backpack that has ample storage for me to move and travel with it,
    keeping my essentials on me all the time,
    (Like I usually do)…

    And if,
    I have to keep it on me,
    I will need some supplies that will keep me clean and the outfit too,
    That’s where the backpack comes in handy,
    where I keep all of my much-needed supplies,
    which help me with daily things or stuff that I need to carry,
    As I travel from one place to another,
    Making this my ideal outfit…

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

    Something like this..
  • The Truth About Self-Care: Stubbornness or Serenity?

    The Truth About Self-Care: Stubbornness or Serenity?

    Daily writing prompt
    How do you practice self-care?

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Returning to your work is bothersome,
    more for those who are already tired,
    a few hours deep into this days work,
    All the best for what’s left,
    much less what’s more to come…

    About the prompt of this day;
    its a good one,
    but,
    yet here I am exposing myself yet again…

    There’s no such thing as self-care,
    It just plain hard stubbornness,
    (In my language its called ZIDD),
    its the only thing that has kept me going,
    A stubbornness to become someone,
    someone better,
    better than who I was day before,
    and to a new tomorrow,
    that will come the next…

    There is no such thing as self-care because,
    it’s a known fact that I have to get things to work the next day,
    even if I feel like not to,
    there’s a mindset that this works on,
    maybe on or after achieving a spot or a pedestal,
    where one belongs,
    one can take rest and give self the much needed,
    “Self-care”…

    But,
    If that thing or an idea that is much bigger,
    and is replaced by another one the next moment,
    there’s no time to rest,
    or sit,
    or contemplate the things that one has achieved,
    that’s why,
    and that’s how things have been with me,
    leaving me with enough time to rest,
    and wake up with a positive mindset,
    ready to conquer another day…

    On the days off,
    the actual self-care version of myself kicks in,
    I usually wake up late,
    late enough for people in my house to question my existence,
    And when I do wake up,
    I wake up hungry like its been weeks,
    And eat and spend day leisurely,
    By going out with family or friends,
    and by the time evening hits,
    all of us are at home,
    at ease,
    and as we talk and have dinner,
    enjoy and talk about things that happened over the week,
    and discuss and plan the week ahead…

    By the time it ends its time to sleep,
    and prepare the challenge that is the next day…

    That’s how it all goes,
    that’s how my self care goes,
    What about you…?

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍

  • Reliving My First Crush Experience

    Reliving My First Crush Experience

    Daily writing prompt
    Write about your first crush.

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Let me take you on a journey to my schooling years and my first crush…

    A hot summer day,
    A new admission she was,
    A little while later,
    She entered our class,

    She didn't just enter in the class,
    it was my heart that she came into...

    A hot summer day it was...

    Fixed seating for girls it was,
    As she sat in the middle row,
    right next to mine,
    greeting everyone around,
    and asking their names,
    all of them replied with theirs,
    as she turned around facing me..

    It was magical,
    she shined,
    her face glistening,
    with little specks of sweat,
    above her lips,
    and her cheeks,
    which she cleaned with a handkerchief regularly...

    Those eyes,
    it felt like I took a fall while sitting in that seat,
    her eyes,
    bowl of honey,
    and in sunlight they turned amber...

    A hot summer day it was...

    As I spoke my name,
    and she repeated it,
    within a fraction of a second,
    something that I carried for my entire life,
    My name,
    which wasn't appealing,
    sounded mesmerizing from her mouth...

    As the Roll call began,
    On answering mine,
    I just waited,
    looking at her,
    shyly,
    not to disturb her,
    or creep her out,
    But,
    to make her feel at ease....

    A hot summer day it was...

    As the lectures began,
    and she keenly listened to all that was being said,
    penning down occasionally,
    what she thought was important,
    into her notebook,
    on seeing from afar,
    she wrote in cursive,
    and that too fast,
    Impressed beyond the skill,
    I began,
    penning down that the teacher said,
    but,
    my mind went blank until I looked at her,
    how she wrote,
    so beautifully she wrote...

    A hot,
    hot summer day it was...

    After a few periods passed,
    and it was the time for lunch break,
    all of the friends that I had,
    came to my desk as we opened up the tiffin,
    that we brought,
    staring at the group she asked her bench mate,
    "What happened...?"

    And she just told her to get up,
    And move to that seat,
    as everyone opened their lunches,
    our usual routine,
    a face popped within the crowd,
    it was "H",
    Her bench mate and a good friend of mine,
    she asked me what did I bring for lunch today...?

    Before she could say anything,
    she pushed in and took a bite out of my lunch,
    She told me it was delicious,
    As she slyly picked up my lunch and took it without anyone noticing but me,
    she took a spoonful and shoved it in her mouth,
    telling her,
    how does it taste...?
    Tell me isn't Waakiye's mom the best cook in the world isn't it...?

    As she chewed it slowly,
    savoring each bite,
    as the flavors mixed in her mouth and gulped it down,
    her eyes sparked,
    it was a common dish that was prepared in every household,
    but,
    there was something different about this one,
    as she took another bite,
    and then gave it back to me,
    as I raised my hand to take it from her,

    Our hands touched briefly,
    enough to as she was handing me the box,
    a soft and delicate touch,
    as she pulled me closer and told me,
    they are absolutely delicious...

    A hot,
    hot summer day it was...

    As she opened her lunchbox,
    it was just plain jam sandwiches,
    as she began eating them in peace while sitting in her seat,
    I got up and walked towards her,
    Man,
    I never get sandwiches when I ask my mom,
    Can I get a bite,
    as she handed me a diamond shape that was precut,
    before making the sandwiches,
    as I took a bite and told her,
    it was amazing,
    as she looked up in hope,
    Thinking,
    how can something this simple be,
    delicious...?
    As she looked at my face,
    as I enjoyed each and every bite of it...!

    You can have lunch with us,
    we all share and have what we like from other's tiffin,
    as she got up and thanked me,
    as I made space for her,
    and she began eating with us,
    from that day on...

    A hot,
    hot summer day it was,
    And I found someone,
    who looked like an Angel in a human form...

    As she sat in her seat,
    And thanked me for the lunch and the invitation into the group...

    OH,
    on seventh heaven I was,
    As I spent the whole day,
    adoring her,
    watching her quirks,
    as she smiled when our eyes locked...

    A hot,
    hot summer day it was,
    all the while I felt a winter breeze as she looked at me,
    The best,
    one of the best days it was...

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍
  • Embracing Self-Discovery: My Favorite Qualities

    Embracing Self-Discovery: My Favorite Qualities

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Well,
    on looking at it,
    the things that make me,
    who I am,
    None,
    not even a single one of them are my favorite…

    I do,
    whatever I have to,
    they’re guided by some motive,
    an ulterior one,
    through which,
    ultimately I will stand to gain something from,
    maybe an interaction,
    a call asking for help,
    A lonely person as I pass them on the road,
    I ask them if they’re okay?,
    if they need some help,
    they need me to take them somewhere,
    or they’re running late to something…

    Only because they might open up to me,
    find me to be their comfort zone,
    find themselves to be open enough to tell me,
    talk to me about their vulnerabilities,
    or how,
    who they are the way they are,
    and when they do that,
    give me a piece of themselves to keep,
    as a namesake or ,
    something that they shaved off themselves,
    when things were going out of their hands,
    maybe,
    and just maybe,
    I swooped in at the right time,
    at the right place and carried them to safety…

    Maybe my interaction sounded forced,
    it sounded like I wanted you to expose yourself,
    expose yourself to a total stranger,
    without worrying about how this could be used against you,
    but,
    if you did,
    you reached your destination,
    a tad bit early,
    because I drove fast,
    and as I asked you,
    what was bugging you…?

    And,
    many chose not to answer,
    and the few those who answered,
    we talked and those few minutes of conversation felt like an hour…

    As I was told,
    Oppressed you were,
    misunderstood too,
    and how the world only saw what was there to see,
    from their own perspective,
    But,
    none from what the sufferer going through,
    and maybe if someone didn’t come in early,
    maybe it would have been the end of them…!?

    As the road came to a four-way intersection,
    with traffic lights,
    and I everything came to a standstill,
    but,
    the sounds of exhausts blaring,
    the passing of vehicles as their lights turned green,
    and,
    the awkward wait,
    as I asked them,
    “What is you were never born,
    would things be different then…?”

    As soon as those words left this mouth,
    and a sense of panic was in the air,
    coming to the realization that I was a total,
    and an absolute stranger,
    who apparently had nothing to lose,
    and gain G0d knows what…?

    As the lights turned green,
    and took a turn to the route they told me to take,
    as I stared at them,
    through my peripherals,
    on arriving there,
    a few minutes later,
    these were the words they were left with…

    You know how,
    the world feels small,
    when things come crashing in,
    it focuses into a point,
    somewhere in the body,
    and you try to find it,
    incapable each and every time,
    But,
    maybe,
    it’s good that we aren’t capable of,
    maybe,
    the shift in its place each and every time.
    helps us to stay sane,
    because what if we could take it out,
    and never fear anything ever again;
    “What if there was no fear whatsoever…?”

    Would this world be worth living,
    if it had no fear…?

    What if I would have screamed at that very instant you asked me that question?

    What if,
    instead of staying quiet;

    I would have answered,
    and answered something,
    that you didn’t expect,
    Would we ever be the same,
    Either of us…?

    Any of us…?

    Maybe that was fear,
    or the disguise in itself as she walked away,
    as a black cat followed her,
    into a street that had no streetlight,
    as I turned and shined the headlights and finding the street closed shut,
    by a gate that had a lock with a lot of dust on it,
    seeming it wasn’t moved in a long time…

    Maybe,
    and just maybe,
    that question,
    which throws people off,
    threw her off,
    and when I keenly listened like no-one did,
    she did find someone’s life worth to be spared,
    one of the most favorite things about myself…

    “I tried to figure something,
    well,
    something about her,
    something about myself too,
    until,
    I found out what,
    Or,
    where those answers came from…”

    A lifetime,
    wasn’t enough for those,
    I thought,
    As I drove back home,
    in a calm and easy manner,
    like his was the usual,
    an unusually usual routine…

    Cheers πŸ₯‚

    Love Waakiye 🀍