Saturday 31 January 2015

pimple trouble

As an adolescent, my facial terrain did not resemble the surface of moon, but was blessed with a smooth skin without any eruptions. Any binge eating of cheese , chocolates, sweets and the limited junk food did not have any effect on my derma.

My friend, Anne, on the other hand had to battle this dreadful situation which curtailed her eating habits and was a drain of on her confidence. I remember Anne had pimples and acnes and her cheeks could not bear the abrasions of the soft pillow. The poor girl had no option but to sleep on her back and could not afford the luxury of sleeping sideways. We would joke that her Prince Charming had to search for a place to kiss her cheeks. If there was a marriage or a reception to attend , fatty foods and chocolates would vanish from her larder and my friend would gorge on the restricted food after the event or function.

As I watched her desperation with amusement , I secretly thanked God for bestowing upon me with a pimple-free face. My friend would try all home remedies or 'dadima ke nuske' with enthusiasm, least any remedy or a combination of remedies would erase her marks. Along with movies ,fashion and boys the properties of haldi (tumeric), chandan (sandal), neem  were eagerly discussed. And I picked a lot of 'gyan' in the process. Anne is now free from pimples but her brush with adolescence have left her face with blemishes which are still visible. She manages to hide them beneath a layer of concealer.

The Neem tree would be centre of attraction as leaves would be shorn off , washed and a paste made was applied on the affected area. I remember on the auspicious day of 'Úgadi' or  Gudi Padwa , my mother used to wash the neem leaves and put them in the bucket of hot water and made to stand for 15 minutes and then we bathed from the medicinal water. Such is the importance of Neem in our culture. The presence of Neem tree at the entrance of the main door is considered auspicious. Back then the medical or general shops did not stock neem face wash. 

But today as I scan the shelves of the neatly arranged array of face-washes to suit every skin in the supermarkets, I wish my friend could have availed of the benefits of neem face wash. Today her daughter has inherited her mother's trait of an oily skin but she is fortunate to have Garnier Pure Active Neem. The daily usage of this product has managed to keep her face pimple free and she indulges in her favourite ice-cream occasionally. The tube can be slipped into a hand bag and carried during travels too and is very convenient. Anne's girl is happy and so is Anne.

Today's generation is luckier in many ways.

Dear friends , did you try Garnier Pure Active Neem? Boost your confidence with this wonderful product.


This post is  part of contest  " SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US!"on Indiblogger by Garnier Pure Active Neem. 


                              Garnier Pure Active Neem


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Wednesday 28 January 2015

the mask

                                Wordy Wednesday #2 at B-A-R


This week’s prompt comes from B-A-R member, writer and blogger, Shailaja V who blogs here.


IMG_20140727_063451

                                                               Image courtesy: B-A-R

                           
The CCTV cameras at the porch revealed nothing.

A teenager could not disappear from this earth without leaving footprints,
thought Inspector Sher.

While his staff scanned for clues, he looked at the unusual. A quaint wooden 
mask mounted on the wall with muddy imprints on the floor beneath seemed 
to beckon his attention.  

He turned sideways to hear the faint beats of, ‘Highway to Hell.’  

He pulled the mask and inserted the javelin into the keyhole.The resonating
strains of music grew louder.


The teen walked out with blood on his hands while the mask from his father’s 
face fell.



                                         BAR_WW_Badege

                                               written for : Wordy Wednesday B-A-R.

                                                             Word Count : 100

Wednesday 21 January 2015

2 sides of a coin.

My head bent behind , my mouth opened up slightly and my eyes grew bigger in hope and anticipation.

What would it be? The coin tossed in the air will land on the soft ground. 

Head or tail?

Whatever is the outcome, I had to accept it with alacrity.


                              Shadow number 1 pulled me towards her. 

It was a surmounting challenge.
A challenge of glory and gory ,
triumph and obstacle. 
a path to be etched
strewn of roses and thorns
a crown of applause
with the canopy of responsibilities


                                 Shadow number 2 pulled me towards her

It would be a deep slumber,
a sleep without nightmares
a detachment from all trappings
an emancipation of worries
the withering away of body from soul.


The two shadows duelled for my attention and choice while I sank , confused.

They snarled and bared their fangs and the fire of fear threatened to reduce me to dust.

            Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return thundered from the skies.

Nay, I shall not be cowered down by the dark shadows , my mind is free to suck the
sweetest nectar.

The two shadows , deflated, vied for my attention.

I glared at them.

I chose LIFE. 

A path untrodden of obstacles, a crown of roses and applause defeating
the thorns and shouldering responsibilities. 
  
After the triumph will I sleep eternally in the arms of DEATH.

                  But Death do not be proud.


                                         
                         

                                      written for Yeah Write Fiction/Poetry



birth

              yeah write #197 weekly writing challenge 


The spasms were ripping me apart.

I let out a cry of emancipation.

A part of me was detached from my body

And attached to my soul.

A journey of bonding.

The tiny cries brought joy.

Time stood still.

 My little baby.




                                                 written for Yeah Write Micro Stories





Say

Wordy Wednesday #1 at B-A-R



This Week: Sentence Prompt
What is it that I really want to say?
This week’s prompt comes from B-A-R member, writer and blogger, Beloo Mehra who blogs here.

What is it that I really want to say 
Words keep encircling
In the folds of the gray matter.
Ideas rise and fall
Like the waves of the ocean
Thoughts sprout
But the buds are nipped
Stories are penned
On the blank slate of mind
Unseen, unread and unheard.
Riot of colours are splashed
On the canvas of life
Are they interpreted?
In a way I wish
Or languish like prisoners
Awaiting trial?
I close my senses
To evade, dodge and flee
But the whirlpool embraces me
To suffocate.
I wish to live.
Do I really want to say anything?


Written for : Wordy Wednesday Prompt
BAR_WW_Badege

word count : 100