Miracle or mere sensible engineering???

Our fun road trip was all good until we were running out of gas. The trip meter showed 40 miles to go and we were sure of finding a gas station on Highway 40. Minutes passed and we watched the meter drop in number but no gas station to be found. We passed 3 stations that sold only diesel. Bad luck??? Maybe, to put it mildly.

The GPS indicated that the closest gas station was 26.9 miles away and our trip meter showed that we had gas only for 12 miles.

Sitting on pins, keeping our fingers crossed, unaware of what was happening on the road, ignoring my favorite Ms. Ghoshal singing for me, all our eyes were on the trip meter and the GPS. The meter got down to 2 miles and we still had a lil over 14 miles to get to our 'power source'.

Moment of truth happened!!! We were down to 'zero' on the meter.

Speeding at 80 mph, our hope was to cover the 14 mile mark.

The laughs and jokes were purely to mask the anxiety. Every mile we covered was a sign of relief. Finally made it into a city and the engine was still running.

The high-fives and hugs ended the drama but then came the awesome thought of, "How much longer would the car have gone if we skipped this gas station???"

Well, we dint want to find the answer :) Call it a miracle or sensible engineering, the experience will be one we will cherish forever.

On a side note, it's hard to believe that there is no gas station for close to 40 miles on such a busy highway.

The fun continues as we get ready to ring in the New Year !

It's a tradition !

A wonderful birthday filled with great food, laughter, surprises, good wishes and not to forget, hectic work.

I laughed my heart out after a real long time talking about good ole times with dear dear friends. Less said the better about the wonder of technology that aided in connecting with family and friends across the globe.

As I write this, a bunch of sweet messages pass thru my mind. Every single one has been special in its own way.

The day started with this song playing in my car as I drove to work. What an awesome way to cherish the journey of life :)

"Thodi Si Meethi Hai
Zara Si Mirchi Hai
Sau Gram Zindagi Yeh
Sambhaal Ke Kharchi Hai"

Thank you all for making this day so special and memorable.

There comes a time in your life....

Loved this and wanted to share.

“There comes a time in your life,
when you walk away from all the drama
and people who create it.
You surround yourself with people
who make you laugh.
Forget the bad, and focus on the good.
Love the people who treat you right,
pray for the ones who don’t.
Life is too short to be anything but happy.
Falling down is a part of life,
getting back up is living.”

Pure

Their first date. She dressed simple. Her natural beauty was captivating. Those big eyes, supple lips, glowing skin and silky hair. They held hands. It was magic. The breeze blew her hair over his face. "Your hair smells so good", he said. With a cute smile she replied, "It's Parachute - 100% pure coconut oil".

Supernatural

She could foresee people's future. With an impressively large client list and a jam packed calendar, her predictions were much spoken about.

When her close friends ask about how she didn't predict her own messy life, her reply always was, "You can't be right about everything, everytime. You've got to leave certain things to fate!"

Watch

Atul glanced at his watch for the nth time. I knew that only 25 minutes had passed.

He paced up and down the corridor, restless. Wanted to smoke real bad, but did not. Fear, anxiety, thrill, hope. A myriad of inexplicable emotions is all I saw, of this dad to-be.

Envy

Birth Certificate : Natanasabapathy Venkatachalam

Parents : Venkata

School mates and teachers : Venky

College life : Nattu

Colleagues in Bangalore : Nats

Identify in America : NV

Possibility

Probability of the impossibility for the improbable becoming a possibility is quite probably possible.

Indifference

Ravi sensed that everyone avoided him. He was no longer part of his friends' clique. It was eternal wonderment to him on what changed in the last few months.

'Indifference', he would say.

'If he has not figured it by now, he will never know", say his friends.

Close

She sat on the bed, hugged him tight. She could feel his sweat. He was gasping for breath. She planted a soft kiss on his forehead. "I always loved you, dad. Even when you hated me for marrying John."

Tears rolled down as he uttered his last words, "You were always close to my heart."

Music

7.00 am - Phone alarm
7.01 am - Check and reply to a couple of work emails
7.10 am - On my Twitter TL
7.16 am - Spot the #55WordStory theme
7.20 am - Click on a trending video link
7.24 am - Maushi Chi Gaand
7.25 am - Music to the ear????

Monday

Peace is the time between two wars. Its only when the war starts do people cherish the value of peace.

Weekend is the time between two Monday thru Fridays.

The true value of something good is experienced only when there is a gap, before it starts again.

Stars

Award for the best choreographed song was no surprise. The moves, music, sets, costumes, ace actors and 15 others.

Shamini collected her award. "I would like to invite the stars who made this happen". She called for the 15 dance artists along with the leads.

Usually forgotten, they indeed were stars in their own way.

Fire

"Dad, can we go watch the 4th of July fireworks? You come up with an excuse every year.", cried Brad. "Say something, Mom." Brenda had no expression.

She knew Jack would never go for it. Even the beauty of fire would remind him of the gory 1972 afternoon at Boston's Vendome hotel. A fire extinguished !

Mystery

Her communication with me has always been non-verbal.  She makes it a point to make her presence felt, especially when I leave home.  Guess she does not like to be left alone.   As I close the main door, I hear her open the door of another room.

With her around, I’m never alone – My very own Chudail!

Fairy Tale

Long long ago so long ago, magic, enchantment, ghosts, goblins, giants, dwarves, witches, step-mothers, princes, princesses, truth triumphs and the evil surrenders. Little Nancy had heard it all from grandma.

Now at 36, Nancy didn't care about any of that. All she wanted was the fairy tale end - "and they lived happily ever after....."

Train

Sheena boarded the train to a new life with Shekar. He was not there and his phone, switched off. Going back home was no option. Walking out on her parents for a cheat haunted her.

As stations passed, she smiled. The train does not halt for anyone. It just has to run, no matter what!

Lust

He was always right. Most importantly, he could never be wrong. He looked down upon everyone. No one else did their job right. He was the self-proclaimed sole contributor in his organization. He loved calling the shots.

The lust for power left him with nothing he could call his own.

Fragile

"The accident has left Kate in a state of emotional shock. She needs all the attention and care to get thru this rough patch", warned the doctor.

Kevin kept his calm. "I am experienced to handle Kate. She is in safe hands", he said.

As a warehouse assistant, 'Handle with care' was all he knew.

Secret

Ani: I will tell you a secret but you must not tell anyone.
Varun: No, I won't.
Stretches her hand out : Mother promise?
Varun: Mother promise.
Ani: God promise?
Varun: God promise.

Watching the kids in the playground brought back childhood memories. It was always the promise that mattered more than the secret.

Map / Maps

"How could you forget the car charger? We are deep inside the forest with no GPS and zero phone reception. We are screwed!", yelled Chris. Kim sat with guilt.

Sudden memory flash! The entry ticket packet.

"Let's get back to simpler times, Chris". She pulled it out of her handbag - the map of the forest.

Woo

Rakesh was the Chief Engineer and Anjali was a college intern. When he professed his love, she turned it down cos he was older. Years roll by and she meets Rakesh at a conference. All she can think of now is wooing him back into her life.

Sometimes time is all it takes.

Immortality

Ravana performed an intense penance to Brahma, lasting several years. Brahma, pleased with his austerity gave him the celestial nectar of immortality.

Following day's top e-Bay listing read :

Seller : ItsMeRavana
Celestial nectar of immortality
Nos : 1
Condition : Original
Price : Rs. 50,900 or exchange for new iPad
No returns, Free shipping

Immorality

It was high time to seek forgiveness. She trusted that God would be kind. Everything she did or said was proof of her immorality. Almost all the men and women in her community did their bit to taint her image.

She entered the confession box. "Bless them, Father, for they have sinned...."

Silence

The court was adjourned. There was noise in every corner of the room. Naseer was not capable of murder. It was a well framed case against him. Everyone including the jury believed that.

It was time for the verdict. The Chief Justice pronounced a death sentence. Now the silence in the court room was deafening.

Taste

He had forgotten the taste of whiskey. He quit 16 years back to save his marriage. It was well worth it.

Gaurav reminisced the good times. Anita by his side, kids well settled, adorable grand kids, memories galore.

First peg after so long. His throat burned. The taste was different. Life was sweet, sugar sweet.

Seduction (2)

Not happy with my first story, came up with a second one.

PR manager of a multi-national bank. No matter what she wore or what she said, she was the talk of every party. Her killer looks and eloquence won her the top clients.
Seduction was written on every card she handed out.
Was her name a blessing or a curse? She's yet to figure it out.

Seduction (1)

Attraction
Seduction
Fornication
Emission
Intermission
Procreation

24, jobless and a single dad. Chris' flashback was real short.

Silver

10 pm and the devil is back home.

"Is something wrong? You are never home this early", the wife exclaimed.

The devil drags her to their new-born baby's room and pulls out a silver string.

"I found out that tying this around his waist will protect him from all evil"

Mr. & Mrs. Devil smile.

Blood

“Wonder what everyone is raving about.  I hear everyone is gaga about this Lady Gaga.  Her blood tastes no different than Angelina Jolie’s.”

“Guess what !  Mila Kunis tastes bitter and its so difficult to get anything out of Rooney Mara.”

There is that bitching session of the 2 LA mosquitoes.

Commemoration for 55 Word Story - Theme 55

55-word Story in 55 words – @2emkay @AapChutiyeHain @AbhiandNow @AkshayaBansal @bhytu @bitchwanti @BongBuffoon @chhotarecharge @Crucifire @Dayadarwazatodo @dimaagi_keeda @dipakmah @donbratman @drun007 @dumbsterr @Freelosopher @gauravjagwani @ghaatidancer @HighHeelsWaali @IndianIdle @JaaTeri @KonfusedKhopadi @lazylass @madrasmad @Marwaari @minolajekar @moonsez @Munchin_Jughead @numbyaar @OhTeri_ @Oxymoronic_Me @RealFartShady @Rheality_Bites @Riddhiaswani @roshd @rumna @sahilbulla @sahilk @SugarsNSpice @SupraMario @swaravali @swordfish19 @The_Buffmaster @thebongbabe @TheOtherBanana @thwanderingsoul @tweettabulous @vagabondinact @vivekisms @woohoochild

Words

Tom and Sue were ready for their first dance as man and wife. Silence in the room while the guests waved  their hands in cheer.  They dance to “Its only words and words are all I have to take your heart away”.

Moment – The very first wedding in the school for the Deaf and Dumb.

Night

Her nights were filled with songs, dance, liquor and sex.

She was made to discontinue school a year back. But she still remembers Vasanthi ma'am teaching, "when it is our night, it's daytime somewhere else in the world".

All Payal wanted was to live somewhere else in the world, FOREVER !

Relationships

Mala was tired hearing that long distance relationships don't work.

"I may not win, but I will continue trying", she told Meera. "It is difficult. Arjun being away, choosing to come in my dream on his will. Its tough. But he is my only one."

They stood at Arjun's grave - A Kargil Martyr.

Airport

Excitement in her eyes. Sakina’s first time at an airport. The 14 year olds’ eyes sparkled. 5 hours between Cochin to Riyadh. Her wings were ready to soar the skies. Little did she know that the tiny wings were to be clipped forever in Riyadh where she will be working as maid to a Sheikh.

Zoo

Srikanth's school project on Wildlife was due in a week. To complete his research in the Hyderabad Zoo, he left his Old City home.

Communal riots in the Old city. He witnessed horror - vehicles ablaze, shops stoned, people killed.

The following day Srikanth submitted his project on 'Wild Life'.

Fear

Prithvi feared this moment. A tee-totaler all along, he decided to resort to alcohol. Raj got his best friend the bottle. Prithvi forced it down his throat. Feeling dizzy but fearless he proposed to Preetha. She said 'Yes'. Celebrations were in order.

Raj hurriedly tore the 'Apple Cider' label from the rest of the bottles.

Games

Talk about mind games. Anika loved every one of them. Sometimes Monopoly, sometimes Scrabble. Fun with Hide & Seek, even more with Poker, thrilled with Chess, chilled with Ludo. Pac-man, Draw Something, Call of duty and a few dozens more, it was all good.

She resented it only when her mind decided to play Statue.

Name

He was an electrician, she was a vegetable vendor. They constantly fought over names of their unborn children. They were blessed with 2 girls and a boy. He won the argument and wanted to give them his identity.

Their names are Bulbie, Tubey and Switchey.

Mad

She knew her parents would never approve of her love. Since they were visiting, she had to break the news.Her friends had already labeled her as 'mad'. She knew this was going to be worse.

It was time to confess her love for the Lord. 'Dad, I've decided to become a nun'.

Wish

Adi rubbed the lamp. Out came the Genie and granted him only 1 wish.

"This is unfair ! Genie's normally grant three. I want three", Adi yelled.

"Rubbing a lamp may create magic", said Jaya kicking Adi out of his sleep. "There's no Genie in your damn crotch !!! "

Poison

Anju's friends tried to console her at the party. 'I cant live with a man who doesn't understand my needs", she said crying uncontrollably.

She reached home to find Shiv asleep.

Her eyes turned to the little bottle on the dresser with a ribbon on it. It was all she wanted. Poison by Dior.

Suitcase

Packed my suitcase with everything but shirts. Shirts on hangers for a wrinkle-free ride. The 3-hr drive was a breeze with Shreya Ghoshal entertaining me. Entered the hotel with my suitcase and a backpack when a feeling of ‘missing something’ creeped in. I was in a new city for an important client meeting, shirt-less !

Vintage

Wednesday, March 28 2012. Gary, Jim, Chuck, David and Bill at the poker table. All of Monroe knew of their weekly gambling schedule. It was never missed.

Big stakes on the table while the wives chatted.

Though from varied walks of life, the five had a commonality - Batch of 1945, Monroe High School.

Dysfunction

Gary held his newborn son for the first time. No excitement of a new dad could be seen. He checked the baby's fingers and toes. Met the doctor to reaffirm that his son was not disabled. A smile creeped in, but vanished at the thought of mental disorders.

Gary just extended his dysfunctional family.

Chemistry

Ashok was out and out an arts student. Parental pressure got him specializing in science. He hated everything about his class - lectures, lab, projects, except Sharanya. He put up with it all only to woo her. She finally fell for him.

Final year results were out. Ashok flunked in all subjects, except Chemistry !

Vacation

Aman planned this perfect holiday ten years back. He never had time for a vacation. There was always work.
Now living his dream he thought about his parents who were no more, kids who preferred being with friends, siblings & friends and their own lives. Looking into Neha's eyes, he saw his life so imperfect.

Deception

Newly wed Bharat and Anju reached Goa. Anju suddenly seemed upbeat. Since the wedding three days ago, she's been unwell. She wanted to talk. Bharat was thrilled.
"Am sorry, Karan is the one I want to be with. He is here to take me."
Even before he learnt, Bharat had forgotten to love a woman.

Hotel

Shiv's eighth week at the Hampton Inn. Smelling of cologne and dressed in his best clothes, he dialed housekeeping impatiently. "Has Garcia come in yet?" Disappointment in the eyes.
Knock, knock.....
There stood 65 year old Garcia with flowers and a homemade cake. 'Happy 24th birthday, mi son'.
Shiv dint miss home anymore.

Spices

Aarti crushed the ginger, added cinnamon & cardamom as she prepared Atul’s favorite pot of tea. She laced her own cup with poison.“I never loved you. My parents want me to marry Priya. I think I will be happy with her”, Atul said as he turned away from Aarti.She just swapped cups.

Cafe / Coffee Shop

Smell of freshly brewed coffee. Tobacco in the air. The day's chatter and gossip. Music filling the non-existent silence. Men, women and kids sipping their beverage with a snack. Hustle and bustle of the businesses around. A board on the bark of the banyan tree read : 'Velmurugan Tea Stall'. Puliyur's exclusive coffee shop.

Paper

The waves were rough. The storm, relentless. Capt. Vikas was in-charge. Hundreds of lives were banking on him to steer the ship to safety. He had to watch for icebergs. Maybe even enemy attack. He was still strategizing when he heard a familiar voice, "Vikas beta... Papa is home".

Off ran 'Capt. Vikas', leaving behind his paper boat in the puddle.

Work / Job

My mom has never had a job.

She just.......
Ensured everyone started their schedule on-time.
Managed finances & accounts.
Maintained the home & the people in it.
Did the purchases.
Organized events.
Planned travel & logistics.
Forget not the catering.

She is 65 and continues to do it all & more.

Yeah, my mom never had a real job !!!

Water

My first 55-word story - 55words.blogspot.in

Our blind date and all you ordered was water. Those endless calls and texts made my heart a fountain. Innumerable walks in the rain, am madly in love with you. Am camping by the river thinking about you leaving me for someone 'better', all my eyes can see is a waterfall.

55-word stories

Heard about this interesting concept from a friend - Thank you, @tweettabulous !
Follow @vivekisms on Twitter for a new theme everyday. You write a story on the theme in 55 words. It gets published on his blog : 55words.blogspot.in
Encourages me to write..... and read some really interesting thoughts :)