Her.

Like the rising sun, she lights my life.
Like the falling snow, she mesmerizes me.
I was a caged bird, confined by bars,
With just a smile, she set me free.

Like the music that flows from her fingers,
When she plays the guitar for me,
Her words linger even after she leaves,
How she does that, a wonder it'll always be.

She picked me up from the deepest of hells,
And chased away the demons of my past.
Like the winter sun, she filled such warmth,
My heart blossomed with her love so vast.

~SB

First Novel Ever.

It's true that your journey as a reader depends on the first book you read. I've been a reader from a very young age and before that, my mother would read to me. I have always been a fan of comics and I had read many of them even as a kid.
But my first novel that I read myself, was probably 'Robinson Crusoe', which was a gift from a teacher in Grade Three. I read it out of curiosity and fell in love with the story. Of course I hadn't understood half of the story then (I know for sure because when I reread it as a teenager, the story was as good as new) but that did bring out the reader in me. I suddenly started looking out for books and I started reading the titles and the author's names whenever I found one. And that is how the bookaholic in me was born.

But the book (series, really) that shaped me as a reader was the Harry Potter series, by J.K.Rowling. It so happened that I was travelling on a train with my mother and was completely bored out of my wits. And I kept complaining to her about it. A co-passenger, a young guy, asked me if I'd like to read something and I jumped up in delight. I was barely nine and he knew that, so I expected him to give me a comic or, at least, a small book. But when he took out this big book, with a guy, a train and an owl on the cover I looked at him, surprised. He handed it over and asked me if I could finish the first page in five minutes. Always a lover of challenges, I took it from him and sat down to read. After what seemed relatively lesser than five minutes to me but apparently a little more than that, I looked at him and smiled. He shocked me by asking me a few easy questions about it, to which I answered quickly. I didn't expect him to be so happy about it, but apparently he was. He told me to read further and ask him if I had queries. I did as I was told and by the time I finished the fourth chapter, we had already reached our destination.
I closed the book and handed it over to him. I guess I must have looked like a lost puppy because he smiled and told me I could keep it if I promised to finish it. I said I'd and we parted ways.

It has been eleven years since that day and I still thank that guy for introducing me to Harry Potter and moreover to book series.
I went on to finish the series and then I watched the movies. I have followed and abandoned ships, I have loved and hated the characters, laughed and cried with them, and not to forget fallen in love with the Weasley twins over and again and, of course, with Sirius Black. I had my first 'I-wanna-kill-this-guy' moment when I was introduced to Voldemort. My first fangirl moment when I read about Viktor Krum. My first heart break when Cedric Diggory died. Understood what it felt like to lose a loved one when Sirius Black died. Cursed everyone I could find when Hedwig died. Cried like a kid when Dobby died and the other deaths that followed left deeper wounds. And this is just naming a few moments. I can't even get started on how the series inspired me with so many great quotes.
I still find people who ask me what is so special about the series that I just don't shut up about it. To them, I say, why not read it for yourself? And to those who still don't understand, well, I'm only human.

I might not be the same admirer of Harry Potter as I once was, but it shall always be the first loved series in my life.
For me, this series has been a life turner. It's because of these books that I fell in love with books and the literary world. So whatever I am today, in terms of literature, I owe it mostly to the guy on the train. And of course, to JKR. :)

Also, life is wonderful when you can forget the reality and dive into a book. Reading is indeed a boon and people very seldom realise it.

A ray of hope.

"Ar... Arjun?" Adaa stuttered into the phone.
"Adaa? What happened?"
"I think I'm lost." She sniffed.
"What do you mean lost? Where are you?" He demanded.
"I don't know!"
"What happened?"
"I stopped to put on my helmet, but when I looked up they were all gone," she gulped, she had forgotten how scary her brother sounded when he was angry. "And I called Siddharth but he didn't answer the call."
She stopped for a breath.
It didn't make much sense to him, but he waited patiently.
"And?" He prompted.
"And I don't know where I am. I'm lost."
"How can you not know, Adaa? Where were you going anyway?"
She was so scared, more of him than of being lost, that she began stuttering again.
"We were on this road trip, and everything was fine. Until they all left me."
He realised that he was shaking in rage now. Calming down a bit, he went on.
"Are you sure you don't know where you are?"
"Honest."

Arjun sighed. He, of all people, knew too well how it felt to be stranded in an unknown place.
"Anything of significance around? So I can send someone to pick you up right away."
She explained her surroundings to him and waited for him to reply.
"I think I know this place. I'll send someone soon. Stay safe, get it?"
"Arjun," she spoke slowly. "You pick me up."

Arjun went blank for a moment. He knew how much he mattered to his sister and that he was one of the few people she trusted. The very thought made him smile.
He also knew that he had to rush to get her back or she'd be too scared. And then he'd have some other people to attend to as well, he thought, angrily.
He rushed to his car and fiddled for the keys. As he did so, his thoughts raced back to the time when he had been abandoned on a family trip for almost half an hour.

He had been barely a month over five when this incident had taken place. He had been forgotten on the beach and his family had started back without him. Until the little girl started asking for her brother.
Adaa.
Even as a toddler, Adaa had always been extremely fond of her elder brother. And Arjun had grown up being looked up to by his sister. He could never forgive his parents for the abandoning, though he knew it wasn't intentional. And he could never forget the fact that his sister's attachment to him had brought him back home that day.

He reached the place before he could know and looked around for his sister. He sighed out of relief when he found her playing with a litter of puppies by the road. He walked up to her and she turned before he could call her name.
"Arjun!" She hugged him.
"It seems you've been enjoying this. And I got so worried about the whole thing." He faked an accusative tone.
"I was scared. Until I found them." She gestured at the puppies. "Apparently, abandonment is a routine thing for them."
One look at her and he knew what she was going to say.
"No, Adaa. You can't take them home. Mom will never approve any more pets."
"But. They're by their own here. What if something happened to them?"
She sounded so sad, Arjun almost forgot it was the same girl who was scared just a few minutes ago.
"Let's see what we can do about them, alright? Now tell me what brought you here? Why didn't I know anything about this?"
She braced herself for the worst and began narrating the whole thing to him. How Siddharth and her other friends had asked her to accompany them on this road trip and how they had left her when she only stopped to wear her helmet.

Arjun could sense his body warming with anger. When she was done narrating, he hugged his sister once again, glad that she was fine and took her back to the car.
He also picked the three pups and put them in the back of the car, as he knew Adaa wouldn't move without that being done.
"I'll drop you home and go take care of those people. I'll make sure they'll never mess with you again." He spoke in a gruff tone.
"Like you used to take care of the people who bullied me in school?" Adaa smirked at her brother.
"Exactly."
"And the pups? Can I keep them, too?"
"No. You already have enough dogs. I'll take them to the nearby shelter, so someone else can have the privilege of having a dog to love them." He looked at the puppies, dozing off one over the other in the rear mirror and smiled.
Adaa nodded and sat back in the seat.

"Arjun?" She spoke up after a long pause.
"Yeah?"
"You've always been my ray of hope. And, I love you."

He looked at his sister and saw the same toddler who had grabbed his finger as soon as she had reached him on the beach sixteen years ago.
He could only smile at her. And he didn't even have to tell her, she knew he loved her back, more than words could define.

A promise to keep.

"He texted." Stella beamed at her sister. "He says he'd love to come over to pick me up."
"Good." Jane replied.

She hated how Stella acted when she was talking about this guy. This guy she had met a few days ago, who she had got so much interested in. It wasn't anything new, Jane was used to her sister's craziness.
But Stella seemed so different these days, always talking about this guy, expecting his replies and jumping up at every incoming message's notification.
Jane thought it'd be better to sort it out with her sister.
"Stell, let's talk for a moment?"
"Uh, sure. What is it?"
"I'm a little-"
"It's about him, isn't it?" Stella pulled a face. "You haven't even met him yet, Jane. Give him a chance."
"Right," Jane sighed.

She decided to wait for the guy to come over before she could pass her judgement. She wasn't always this prejudiced about anything but her sister's boyfriends had always been an issue to her. She was concerned about her little sister and she knew that was alright.

When the doorbell rang that evening, Jane stood watching as Stella climbed down the stairs gracefully, looking pretty in her short, blue dress. Her sixteenth birthday dress, Jane remembered, the day Stella had first known the truth about herself.
Stella and Jane wouldn't have had anything to do with each other if it weren't for Jack.

Jack was Stella's biological father, who had once stayed in Jane's neighbourhood. Stella was just over three when he had abandoned the child and fled. That was when Jane's parents had taken in the little girl, adopted her and brought her up as their own. Jane and Stella weren't related by blood but she loved Stella like her own sibling and the family made sure the truth was hidden from the little girl.
Until the day she turned sixteen.
Jack had come knocking at their door, demanding to see his daughter. In spite of their efforts to keep the two away, Stella had finally come to know the truth.
She wasn't devastated, as everyone expected. She looked normal, in fact she was suddenly interested in her father now. This worried Jane the most.

She was brought back to reality by the new voice she heard from the porch. A gentle yet dominating, male voice made her walk toward the front door.
She stopped when she reached the door where a young man stood with a bouquet of white roses in hand. He was handsome, to say the least. Well dressed, intelligent looking and, of course, the soothing voice. She was beginning to wonder why she'd hated him so much in the beginning.

He reminds you of Jack, a small voice reminded her and she found herself swallowing hard.
Of course she couldn't stand this guy, he was just like Jack. But what she didn't understand was why Stella couldn't see the similarities, why she liked this guy instead of wanting to stay as far away from him as possible?
"Jane, this is Ross. Jack's son, my half brother. He's taking me to Jack's so I can know the family better."
Stella sounded so excited, it got Jane worried sick. She had grown up despising Jack with all her might and now her sister wanted to know him better? She was torn between slapping some sense into Stella and kicking the hell out of Jack.
She had stayed quiet before, because she thought Stella would cut away every bond with the man who'd abandoned her. She had waited patiently for that to happen.
But what was happening here was completely unexpected. Stella was about to leave with Ross, her step brother, to go see her family.
Jane was devastated. Who she expected to be one of Stella's new friends was her step brother, Jack's son. Stella was going to meet her real family that night, she was going to stay there for a night.
What if she likes it there? What if she never comes back? What if Jack threatens her to stay? Will she be alright on her own? Jane's mind went haywire with crazy thoughts. Before she could stop her, Stella was already at Ross's car, waving back at her.
"Bye, Jane. I love you!"

Jane felt her cheeks moisten, words failed to form in her throat.
Stella was more than just a sister for her, she had grown up taking care of the girl. She had threatened those who bullied her sister, she had finished her homework when Stella had dozed off mid way, she had been there for her when she went through her first heartbreak. And Stella had been there to share every grief and joy with her.
Stella was that someone for whom she'd always thanked God.

As she walked back into the house, she suddenly felt incomplete. She sat on the swing and watched the clouds engulf the moon. For the first time in months, her thoughts went back to her parents. She realised how lonely she was without them, now that she didn't have Stella by her side. She stared at the night sky and lost count of her tears.

She had no idea how much time had passed but a tiny movement caught her attention. She looked up to see Stella making her way towards her.
She quickly wiped her tears and stood up. Stella walked closer and hugged her sister in a tight hug.
"Jane!"
"Hey, I thought you were going to stay with your family tonight," Jane stuttered.
"I couldn't do it. The moment I left, I started missing home, missing you. And then I realised that no matter what people say, I belong here. With you." Stella sniffed in that cute way that always made Jane laugh.
"I thought you'd left forever. Jeez, I was so scared. I thought you'd forgotten the promise you made to Dad."
"Jane! It was a promise I made to my hero. A promise I shall keep till I breathe my last."
"Sisters, forever?"
"Sisters, forever and after!"

Both the sisters looked up at the sky and smiled, wishing their parents could see them standing together, their bond stronger than ever.

All time favourite TV shows.

Time for some show-talk, yeah? Here's a list of all the shows that had/still got me addicted.

1. Definitely, FRIENDS.
This show has so many amazing moments to remember it for. Most of all, the fact that the six stayed together through all the hardships, makes it a personal favourite. Also, I remember how devastated I was when the show ended. 10 years of awesomeness came to an abrupt end and I was left craving for more.
(Chandler is my favourite. Love that quirky guy. Also, Matthew Perry is one awesome actor!)

2. Sherlock, hands down.
For an ardent Sherlock Holmes fan, what would sound better than a TV series where Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sherlock?
Nothing!
(There are times when I re-watch the show just to swoon over Ben. Jeez, that guy!)

3. Game of Thrones.
I admit that I'm not strong enough to watch the show without fast forwarding through all the barbaric beheading and ruthless killing. But the story's got me so hooked, I can't wait for season 5 now. Also, I'm searching for the books so I can get to know the story a little better. Once a bookaholic, always a bookaholic! (Also, Kit Harington is just amazing!)

4. The Big Bang theory.
This show has been my favourite for so long, I wonder how I'd take it when they decide to end the show. Nonetheless, it's one among those shows that you can watch over and over without a complaint. Though I did lose interest after the 5th season, the show never fails to amuse me.

5. How I Met Your Mother.
I know this show was tediously dragged and turned into an over-chewed chewing gum, but weirdly I never got bored of it. Barney was and still continues to be a favourite, despite all his womanising actions. Never was a Ted Mosby fan and the end wasn't expected at all.

6. Masterchef India.

Not really a fan of cooking but I watch this particular show, almost without fail, just to watch Vikas Khanna cook. Another major plus is his super cute accent!

7. Bigg Boss.
This show never fails to get me hooked to it. I follow it so religiously, it always turns out to be an addiction. After the show I'm always left waiting for the next season to begin. Crazy, much? You bet!
(Oh, btw, this time I'm all starry-eyed for Gautam Gulati. Nice choice, eh?)

8. Greek.
I accidentally happened to watch this show one day while flipping through channels and voila, I found another show to love. Not much of a great story, I agree, but I did have my share of fun watching it. I'd happily go back and watch it again.

9. Lizzie McGuire.
This was one show I was really addicted to in my early teens. I even had to watch the show again just to find out what was so interesting about it. Learnt that priorities change once you grow up!

10. Recess.
Another favourite from my pre-teen years, this animated show got me to respect friendship and also left me craving for that kind of bonding. Funny how I still remember all the characters and their quirks as if it were yesterday. (It's been close to 8 years and I haven't rewatched it. Cool? Totally!)

Also, Glee, Melissa and Joey, Switched at Birth, Modern Family, Pretty Little Liars, The Simpsons have all been favourites at a time.
There are many more shows I am/was addicted to. Some, I eventually lost interest in; some I still love; some I'd love to forget about so I can watch it all over again.
Maybe, I'm not just a bookaholic, I'm also a TV show freak.

And here's a list of books/series that would make great TV shows;
Harry Potter series.
Shiva trilogy.
The Hunger Games series.
Divergent series.
Princess Diaries series.
Shopaholic series, to name a few.

Her story.

"I lost my money, 'cause of you."
She flinched, as if someone had slapped her. A tide of emotions were rising within her, she just couldn't stand there. She had to move but she felt as if she had forgotten how to move. She stared at the land on which he stood a few minutes ago, and remembered how his face had grown grim the moment she had stopped him. He was angry, she had seen that. And she knew he had a right to be angry. He had walked in on her when she was being kissed by none other than his best friend. 
Sean.
She tried to remember what had happened a few minutes back. It seemed to her like a dream but she knew better. Why he had kissed her, she was still wondering. He had called out to her and asked her to wait near the parking lot of the college and she had done that. Her boyfriend's best buddy he was, after all. She thought he'd have a reason. And reason, he had, only she didn't know what. He had talked about random stuff and being him, it was normal. Only, she suddenly realised, he looked a little distracted. His eyes had been rummaging through the place all the time but she had neglected it then. It was when she heard a strange sound, like a twig snapping, that he seemed to become alert. All of a sudden, he had pulled her close and kissed her. It was when she finally was able to break off from his shackles that she realised what had been going on.
Right in front of them, with a face that looked half pained, half disgusted, stood her boyfriend.
"Tyson, listen, let me explain-" he was walking away quickly. 
She ran after him and stopped him by his hand. And he had slapped her. Hard.
But what really had hurt her were his words that followed.
"I didn't know you were such a two-timer. We had a bet, if you'd cheat on me or not. And I had said, with pride, that you would never do that to me." He looked at her with such hatred in his eyes. "I lost my money, 'cause of you."
He walked away. Never once did he turn back. And she stood there, repeating his words in her head.
"I lost my money, 'cause of you."

Lia.

"I love you. Always have, always will." Rhea managed to stutter finally.
It had been so long since she had spoken that her own voice seemed new to her.

It had been a long day, she was exhausted beyond limits. She had held her dog's head in her lap all through the morning. She'd keep her there even longer but some time in the afternoon, her family had decided to put the dog down.
'Who are you to decide her death?' she had screamed over and over again in her mind. Only if she could muster up the strength to speak out.

She knew that her dog was going through a lot of pain and would eventually be Death's guest. She didn't want her dog to die a painful death either and she realised that by putting her down, they had given her an easy, painless death. She was glad her dog wasn't in pain anymore. But what about her own pain? What about all those haunting memories she couldn't steer clear of? Would she ever be whole again, would she be able to talk about her dog without breaking down, she wondered.

"You need to let go of her. It's time." Rhea's mother had patted the dog one last time before they took the dog away. "We'll get you a new dog soon, dear," her mother had promised, as she held Rhea in her arms while she sobbed. 
'Easy for you to say' she had thought.

"Rhea, come on. Let's go home." Her brother's voice brought her back to reality.
She had been sitting for so long near the place where her dog had been buried, her legs had gone numb. She stood up and sighed.
"I'll miss you, Lia. I already do."

Once back in her room, Rhea took out her scrapbooks and sat on her bed. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she flipped through each photography of Lia's.

Lia
Her thoughts raced back to the time when she had found Lia. A puppy, about a couple of weeks old, wandering off on the streets all alone. On a school morning, just a few days after her tenth birthday, Rhea had urged her father to stop the car when she had seen something move near the dumpster.
She had returned to her father with a little white puppy in her hand. As much as the man wanted to deny taking the puppy home, he had to relent to his daughter's pleads. Rhea, who had always been a shy kid, never felt lonely after that day. She named her dog Lia and Lia was her world.
Their bond only grew stronger with the years, Rhea even denied the offers from prestigious colleges just so she could stay with Lia. But little had she known that on a fateful day Lia would be put down because of osteosarcoma.
They had taken away Lia's pain and inflicted Rhea with a new kind of pain, a pain without a remedy.