From The Quill of Suranya

World Cups bring about a lot of nostalgia. Every time that anthem plays, with the Jersey, faces of players, and the national flag in slow motion and the crowd at the ground echoes with "Jai Jai Jai Jai Hey", the heart is overwhelmed. You feel goosebumps. I remember our school days when the canteen kaka had a radio set in his pocket. And after every class got over, someone from our class used to ask, "Score koto?" Times changed from "Sachin hai kya?" To "Yuvi Mahi hai kya?" And from counting Sachin's 100s to Kohli's. Back then, when most houses didn't have colour TVs and cables, there used to be this huge crowd outside every TV shop, cheering and shouting no less than the crowd at the ground itself. Some passersby would go around and ask, "Who is playing?" If the match was a nailbiter, this poor soul was often unanswered or rebuked. But changes are inevitable. Changes are good. From having strong batting line-ups to stronger ...

Too dark. Use fairness creams. Too pale. Are you anaemic? Too fat. Stop eating. Too skinny. Feed her something. Four-eyed Battery. How many fingers do you see? Short hair, grow it long and be girly. Tomboys. Are you a lesbian? Body hair. Why don't you shave it up? Acne marks. Use beauty filters. So tall. Where will you get a groom? Too short. You look like you haven't grown. That Lipstick shade is not for her. The dress doesn't fit. She looks slutty, expects to be a hotty! Such a nerd, clothes absurd! You will tell me everything now, even why I exist?! ~ SURANYA

I GAVE YOU THE KEY TO MY HEART. BUT YOU JUST WALKED AWAY CARELESSLY ONE DAY, WITHOUT LOCKING IT SAFELY. IT WAS PLUNDERED IN YOUR ABSENCE. NOW, SOMEONE ELSE HAS MADE IT A HOME INSTEAD. DON'T COME BACK BECAUSE THEY HAVE CHANGED THE LOCK AS WELL. ~ Suranya

 Slow and steady hidden from gaze I meander like a river across the graze;  Twist and turn until I reach my destination Why are you so scared of my mention? Swift and stealthy, my eyes shine  Like precious stones from a mine. I raise my hood,  Looking for danger in the wood,  Not crossing your way  Unless on my way you stood.  What scares you? I know not. For my poison doesn't kill my own  I shed and change like your mind does;  But my skin, not in your ways,  My skin is new but I remain the same  Unlike you who changes everyday. © Suranya

I meet you every time, leaving a part of me behind, just for you. Every time we separate, with each crashing wave. A shell or two, Precious pearl from the blue; You in turn hide my gift carefully Beneath the calm of your sand. ~ Suranya

 In a hundred years, the city has changed  People, climate, concrete jungles  I witnessed it all in silence;  The flowers died in people's laughter,  The animals were lost in the crowd's clusters. Until today, I stood proud  But the gust has now uprooted me. The birds and bees escaped on time,  As all of me came crashing down. People gasped, the rain lashed;  All my fruits went scattering about. A single root stays grounded still,  I smile at nature's wrath in disbelief. Kind she is, giver of life  And yet she destroys,  Takes away a thousand lives. Light dawned on me as I saw,  Many more are struggling with the storm. "Alive I am! And breathing still,  The storm can do no more harm to me. © Suranya

 Drowning in the ocean of validations,  Skin, beauty, and smiles,  Selfies and mandatory posts,  That gets you more likes.  Somewhere in the struggle,  To keep afloat  In the strong waves of appreciation,  Undercurrent of competition,  Talent, skill and truth  Are lost in judgment,  As you drown more and more  To make-believe admiration. ~ Suranya