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Shauq - Film: Qala

Qala is the aura of 1950s music in India.

Amit Trivedi has done something out of the box yet being in the box. The entire album of Qala is a lyrical as well as a compositional marvel.

Along with the rendering of each song, the director has ensured that the setting in which the song appears on screen reminds you of watching old movies on a DVD. There are very few films where behind-the-scenes in song-making are shown with such enthusiasm.

Qala can be seen as a new-age musical set in a vintage era.

The song which ranks at numero uno for me is Shauq.

Interestingly, when the album was released before streaming began, Phero na najaria and Ghode pe sawar - the other two tracks garnered numbers from fans. Shauq was a song still being graded on a curve.

The setting of the song reminded me of the song "Chingaari koi bhadke" (although this song is a touch of melancholy). Shauq categories in the genre of subtle romance where one tries to woo the lady.

A kayak, two people dissecting love.... singing in the mist, and sailing on the calm waters! The beauty of this song was the one line weaved in for the female lead character shunned by her mother. Still, the line blends like salt in water.

डूबती है तुझ में आज मेरी कश्ती गुफ्तगू में उत्तरी बात...II

Lyrically, the lyricist Varun Grover has tried to incorporate phrases that pan out the song on the larger canvas. For instance, Raat Ki Hawa Ne Saans Thaam Li Hai or Jaisey Sardiyon Ki Shaam Mein Dhuan or my favorite verse -

यह पानी भी तेरे आईना हुआ सितारों में तुझको है गिना हुआ

If you think about the composition of the song, the most difficult thing is to keep the song structure simple and still create the desired repercussions required in the scene. And Amit Trivedi does it like a true master!

The song is a serenade beautifully vocalized by Swanand Kirkire, Sireesha Bhagavatula & Shahid Mallya. I loved casting his rustic voice juxtaposing with her thin yet melodious texture.

The album altogether has some fresh voices and some known veteran voices creating a symphony to love!

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Kholo Kholo - Taare Zameen Par

The greatest metric of success for a piece of art is that it should create a footprint in the minds of the people. Taare Zameen Par was released 15 years ago. And its impact is phenomenal even today.

The film was essential in spreading the word about dyslexia, Indian parenting, student-teacher dynamics, and child psychology. It was an all-rounder film with stellar performances by every actor.

Coming to this song which is played just a few miles before the film reaches its climax - is an anthem that gives a complete narration of the movie through its intelligent writing by Prasoon Joshi.

Delving deeper -

Aa jao patang leke, apne hi rang leke Aasmaan ka shamiyana, aaj humein hai sajana

Right from the guitar intro, it gives you the blues. This is modern-day art therapy surging beyond sessions of pottery or painting workshops. The lines above tell you to look at life through a bigger kaleidoscope.

The Chorus of this song is the ultimate Motivational Quote you need to hear every morning before you begin your day.

Tu dhoop hai chham se bikhar Tu hai nadi oh bekhabar Beh chal kahin udd chal kahin Dil khush jahan.... Teri to manzil hai wahin

Even if you hear this song without the context of the movie, the song gives you a manual of how to spend each passing day of life.

If you don't believe what you just read above, ensure for yourself -

Ho zindagi to hai batasha Meethi meethi si hai aasha Chakh le rakh le hatheli se dhak le ise

Tujhmein agar pyaas hai Baarish ka ghar bhi paas hai Ho roke tujhe koyi kyun bhala Sang sang tere aakash hai

The song literally sums up your day - right from getting up from

Kholo kholo darwaze Parde karo kinaare Khoonte se bandhi hai hawa Mil ke chhudao saare

.. to your mid-day...

Baasi zindagi udaasi Taazi hasne ko raazi Garma garma saari Abhi abhi hai utaari

and when you return back home from work...

Ho zindagi to hai batasha Meethi meethi si hai aasha Chakh le rakh le hatheli se dhak le ise

And then some of us may start planning our next day at night or make notes in our journal by humming...

Tujh mein agar pyaas hai Baarish ka ghar bhi paas hai Ho roke tujhe koyi kyun bhala Sang sang tere aakash hai...

Following the same drill for days and months, when each one of us lives the D-day we had anticipated... the lyrics again come to the rescue...

Khul gaya Aasman ka rasta dekho khul gaya Mil gaya Kho gaya tha jo sitaara mil gaya

Roshan huyi saari zameen Jagmag hua saara jahan Ho udne ko tu aazad hai Bandhan koyi ab hai kahan

The whole song glues you to it by mere play of vocals and guitars with side rhythm in its background. The song may seem easy but it gives you the much-needed deeper definitions.

The music was curated by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and passionately delivered by Raman Mahadevan. This song should be in your playlist.

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O ri Chori - LAGAAN

Lagaan is a movie that has a terrific album as well as an outstanding background score. According to me, it is A R Rahman's one of the best works. This is one of the marvelous masterpieces by Ashutosh Gowarikar in the way he carries the whole film on his shoulders.

The song to take the top spot in my playlist is O ri Chori - rendered by the ultimate duo - Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. Lyrics by none other than one of the finest Javed Akhtar Sahab!

The song is composed in a folk set up with a romantic genre. The way in which the song is shot is commendable.

The song starts with the hook line - "O ri Chori" which I feel metaphorically resembles the call of mating birds. The wordplay and wordflow give away the fresh scent of soil...

O re chhore, dil se nikle, bol more Maine pyaar tujhi se hai kiya, ho Maine tujhko hi manaa hai piya Oh, tune thaama aaj yeh aanchal hai Mann mein ek halchal hai Main na bhooloongi yeh voh pal hai, saanwariya Oh oh, oh, oh oh oh

The three-syllable wordplay and the rhyme scheme is clever given the theme of the film - a song sung in a village by the peasant and his love interest. If you analyze the verses further, the usage of the words - "Sapnon ka baadal hai" or "Mujhe tu gulaab si laage" or "Yovan ki dhoop hai" is accurate given that their habitat is so close to nature.

The song gets interesting when western music blends in. It is unimaginable to even anticipate this verse but again it is Rahman Sir who is the epitome of surprises. Since the plot of the film suggests an English woman in love with an Indian Peasant who is unaware of her feelings -

My heart, it speaks a thousand words I feel eternal bliss The roses pout their scarlet mouths Like offering a kiss No drop of rain, no glowing flame Has ever been so pure If being in love can feel like this Then I'm in love for sure

Again, the bold lyrics for me denote how roses are used in two places. Furthermore, the plot is set in a desert - hence drop of rain or flame is used cleverly.

After the second verse, when the song is at its final stage, the juxtaposition of folk and western music with the same melody elevates the song.

O ri chhori (Oh, I'm in love)

It is a rendition in the purest form. More on songs from Lagaan in the next recital.....

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Shikayat - Gangubai Kathiawadi

Bollywood has a treasure trove of songs for heartbreak!

But very few have a female lead in it. And among these few, most of the songs have a lining of "judaai" rather than a real heartbreak.

When the album of Gangubai Kathiawadi was revealed, Shikayat was a song to be released much later. Well, the makers had their commercial reasons may be!

But this song is my favorite from the whole lot for two reasons:-

Lyrics

The qawwali genre

The song is crooned by Archana Gore. And with Huma Qureshi performing it, it has an added charm.

The song begins with a sher -

Kisi Ki Yaad Mein Shaamein Guzaarne Ke Liye Kaleja Chahiye Khud Ko Maarne Ke Liye

Ke Ghaat Maut Ke Har Din Utarna Padta Hai Yeh Ishq Dil Mein Meri Jaan Utaarne Ke Liye

Kudos to these lyrics by A.M. Turaz for being so quintessential with emoting how a woman head over heels in love, would go through her first heartbreak.

Suna Hai Ke Unko Shikayat Bahut Hai Toh Phir Unko Humse Mohabbat Bahut Hai

I mean if I ever go through a heartbreak, I would be in the balcony, dim the lights, have a glass of champagne and celebrate my heartbreak with this song.

Well, to those who love OG Hindi lyrics and bit of Urdu, this song is a feast to listen-by-heart. Moving on (I mean this song would never want you to move on and just be with your dard-e-dil)

Anyways, moving on within the song, it will take you through the journey of - how he ignores you when you try to be around him, gradually ghosting you like you never existed and blaming you for everything!

Suna Hai Ke Woh Bhool Jaate Hai Milkar Humein Unki Yaadon Ki Daulat Bahut Hai Suna Hai Ke Unko Shikayat Bahut Hai

Like I said, this song hits the sweet spot of you trying to forget him but really want to hold on to all that reminds you of him. The famous balancing act of being okay while not being okay!

Woh Ilzaam Jitne Bhi Chahe Laga Le Wafadaar Hain Bewafa Hum Nahi Hai Haan Haan Bewafa Hum Nahi Hai Haan Haan Bewafa Hum Nahi Hai

The chorus hits me as if I am trying to yell at the world that we weren't meant to be - but then all I do is yell in an alternate universe created in my mind.

This song for me is like - asking validation from self rather about the heartbreak rather than waiting for an explanation from him......

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Phir se udd chala 🎶

The song starts with Mohit Chauhan singing "Phir se udd chala!" in a very abstract tone! It feels as if there are no strings attached to the phrase... rightly pointing to the mood of the song.

With A. R. Rahman's composition, I got the vibe as if he personifies the whole song as a bird who is swaying to the wind high in the sky.

Kissi manzar par main rukka nahin Kabhi khud se bhi main mila nahin Ye gilla to hai, main khafa nahin Sheher ek se, gaon ek se, log ek se, naam ek

The composition changes with every line as a bird has changed its direction ducking the clouds, traversing across different seasons, and gaining strength for another flight.

And the magician Irshad Kamil metaphorically tells us about our ever-traversing mind: ducking several thoughts, striking out priorities, and sacrificing little dreams to achieve something big ahead.

Mitti jaise sapne ye kitna bhi palko se jhaado Phir aa jaate hain Itne saare sapne kya kahoon Kis tarah se maine tode hain, chhode hain, kyun Mere saath chale, mujhe le ke ude, ye kyun!

The tempo of the music gains pace when the ultimate truth is unveiled in the song - everything is a mirage... and the musicality grips us further.

Rang birange vehmon mein, main udta phirun...!

This is a masterpiece - a recital in itself of the ultimate truth. We are all birds soaring high in our own skies only to realize that in the end - we belong down here! 🎶

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Song Recitals

🎶

I love music and I love it when I find someone who loves it too!

So, how do you perceive music? By its lyrics or its music pieces or by sheer love for its singer?

Well, I am the one to go by its lyrics and the sheer vibe it offers!

It is kinda an ice-breaker for me.

Well, the idea behind Song Recital is to decipher beyond the first impression of a song and seek the art's perspective!

Well, I am attempting to decode the X-factor of a song that made me fall in love with its art and the artist!

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LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP

"North-eastern India is a paradise!"

Well, you may have read this on travel tour pamphlets but I can vouch for it! Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and well Sikkim are the states I have visited so far. This trip dates back to the year 2010.

The incident I am about to tell you about happened in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Somewhere near the district of Tawang - a picturesque place located as high as 8797 ft (2,665 meters) above the sea level. The terrain here is difficult. But once you reach, you would be convinced that nature has caressed it a lot more than you would have expected.

Showering the icy winds and chills, adoring the alpine flora and hearing the ripples of Kameng and Dihang river, Tawang welcomes you into its "cosy-cold" arms!

The sun may peep in sometime during morning or else hide behind the bright white soft clouds.The clouds may give you their trail by casting shadows on the mountains peaks...

However, the serene picture that you have so far imagined has another robust side to it - the presence of Indian Army! They live at such an high altitude battling the weather conditions with temperatures plummeting between 10°C and 12°C.

25 km away from Tawang, I visited The Jaswant Garh War Memorial. The soldiers had their residence besides it. They welcomed us with a genuine smile – smile which reflected the joy of meeting their countrymen. I shared some home-made food packed in my sack. My words knew no bounds of happiness.

I never expected that I could ever meet the real superheroes. The chief of soldiers started having a conversation with me while he offered me dryfruits. We took a stroll and he asked me about what do I study and my ambitions in life. I mean for the first time I felt inferior to discussing my materialistic ambitions. Because I was talking to a person whose ambition cannot be valued ever.

After much contemplation, my naive self asked him, " Sir, what makes you survive these conditions? He said , " Just look up, the flag is what I live for and I would serve."

I was startled to see them practice their regime, take care of us tourists who visited them and still strike a balance of everything. They work selflessly all their life and yet have the radiant amount of energy to welcome their countrymen with larger than life happiness.

I was mesmerized by the sheer energy they possess. It was time to go ahead with the trip. And I bid them adieu. It was an experience I would never forget - as it is our duty to not forget those who never forget us. Even though it is a long distance relationship, their fidelity is on the pedestal.

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INTELLIGENCE IS A CURSE

To quote Steve Jobs, "Stay foolish, Stay hungry"

If I analyze his words, hungry is understood by me as the hunger for knowledge. But what about foolishness?

Hi folks, I am back to convince you that "Being foolish is better than being intelligent" How? Let's unfold...

Take an image of any successful personality that you adore... You would find a common link - they must have failed while procuring education, must have left school, or must have been rejected by the interviewer. Strange, right?

Imagine if Steve Jobs, Johnny Depp, or Oprah Winfrey did not drop out of high school? We would not even know that they live on our small planet. I am not promoting dropping out of school or high schools, I am saying that do not succumb to bookish intelligence.

It stops the process of questioning and reduces the possibilities of inventions that may surprise the world!

Let, not your intelligence take out the guts in you and stop you from doing something that no one must have thought of. Instead, come up with the idea that may sound foolish, and disregarded by this world but use your intelligence to create something unimaginable. 

Relating it to today, You may have encountered write-ups such as "She became a successful doctor but the painter within her died" It is the same reason that held back the true you in you. Remember, all of us have Einstein's brain. Make sure to channel it in your field of interest!

Be Foolish, Be Gutsy, and Rock your world!

If the highest aim of the captain was to preserve his ship, he would have kept it in the port forever...

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ALL IT WAS

THE HUNGER FOR LOVE IS MORE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THAN THE HUNGER FOR FOOD. - MOTHER TERESA

I came across this quote quite recently and I penned down a few lines from the point of view of an orphan who was lucky to have witnessed Mother Teresa's affection.

*************************************************************

My first cry was unique

Audible from a dustbin

For I was not desired

Because after all, it was a sin!

Because I was not the heir to the throne

A girl to be left alone…

Flew in an angel

Taking me in her arms

Just like sunshine to a flower

Sufficient and warm…

She was neither my mother

Nor we shared a blood bond

She was an ocean of love!

And her love what I thereafter donned...

*********************************************

The concept of adoption is not new. Yet, people are still reluctant.

If you do not have a mind for adopting a child for yourself, at least help an NGO to elevate the life of these naive souls.

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da Vinci Code

She was a 14-year-old juvenile fairy dreaming about her future. She had to decide between an array of careers and what would be her best one! 

She was confused, wondering, and naive- all at one time. She asked, "Mum, I want to dance, sing, paint, read and play all my life... Why should I pick just one among them?"

- "Because you have to be a good person, a respected lady, and a successful woman dear," her mum said.

All these conjectures came tumbling over her one after the other! 

She cleared her high school and changed her mind several times while pursuing higher education. She made decisions to ensure that she is not missing a single medley that the life bestowed upon her.   

Her family broke all the ties because she never achieved what they expected. She kept on dabbling on a few rocks and never went to the bank to build a stable hut of her own.

She was just sailing merrily adventuring on different voyages. Her work fulfilled her heart but she was earning much below what society expected. 

Time and again, her parents adulated the gossip of the people and accused her of being deranged.

She could not believe that in a world where she was reassuring herself of her decisions, another world tagged her as a failure.

                                                        *****

With social media, peer pressure, and constant comparison on the rise, casually tell a soul - "You want to become like Leonardo da Vinci"  and The first reaction you would get is - "What a fool!" 

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Sixth Sense

December 03rd - International Day for Persons with Disabilities Eminent celebrities like Stephen Hawking, Helen Keller, Sudha Chandran, and Christy Brown have shown the world what they are capable of. I wrote this as a tribute to all the special beings out there...

Some of us are on the road Some of us under a shed Some of us are working Some lying on the bed...

Some of us cannot see Some can't hear the bells Some of us are not complete Some cannot utter a spell...

We are different in what we feel We possess the sixth sense No one has ever believed                    We may use a wheelchair                    or walk with a stick                    And shut the look of sympathy                    that makes us feel sick...

                   We are to live a life                    Expecting dignity and pride...                    We all smile 😊                    Forgetting the sorrows behind..!

                   Amongst us are a few                    Surrounded by golden arcs...                    Scientist, painter, author, dancer,                    Who have hit the ball outta the park

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360° 'Street' View

"Where is your mother?"

They were silent...

"Where is your dad?" I asked

They showed me an alcohol shop...

"Where is your school?"

They didn't answer

I asked about their home...

They showed a platform...

I asked about their hobbies...

They showed a mill...

I asked about their game...

They showed me sea shore...

You ask me who were they?

They were children working in the sun,

Their lives are on the run..without any fun.

They were kids working with beads...

Seeming like a barren land without any seeds...

Hoping for some rain along with the sun...

Hoping for a school and a piece of bun...

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Tujhe sab hai pata..Meri Maa...!

आँचल में  तेरे ख्वाब सजते  हैं... जो ख्वाब तेरे आँगन से ही मिलते हैं... दुनिया जो मेरे हुनर को सरहाय... उस ऊँचाई को छुने की हिम्मत तुझसे तो आए !

कुछ खास बात हैं मुझमें ? इसका जवाब तेरी पलकों से मिलता हैं ! खुद पर जब यकीन ना कर पाऊँ.... तुझसे खोया हुआ हौसला मिलता हैं...

विरासत में ना मुझे मोहरें ना मेहेल मिलें... पर हक जिनपर सिर्फ मेरा हो ऐसे माँ के किनारें मिलें...!

तुम कभी पानी के झरनेसी कभी आग के शोलेसी कभी बारिश के पहले फुहार सी कभी खिलते हुए गुलाब सी.... कभी दटे हुए पहाड सी.. कभी आस्मान पर दहाडते हवा सी !

अनगिनत शायरों ने तुम्हे कई खूबसूरत नाम दियें हो पर सभी की दुनिया में खूबसूरती का नाम तुम हो  !

There cannot be a single dedicated day for you because you do the same lovely things every day.

#आई  #माँ  #अम्मा #माई #अम्मीजान #mum

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THE TWO OLD FOLKS

Zillion battles did the world witness

But one's verdict is still unknown...

A battle we fight every second

A battle between mind and heart!

A wise old man followed his heart

Alas! a label of fool he got...

Delving in search of his own self

Who am I? was the battle he fought

Another wise man set on a path              

The heart is a slave of mind he thought Brilliant in the ways in which he chose Emerged as a hero from many of those! A new game had already begun... The two old folks took a turn                             Not so sure of where to return...

Both thought the other had won  Cursing the turn they took before A new story indeed written As they saw each other at the crossroad!

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LOST and FOUND

Each of you working on some or the other projects must have suddenly lost your focus and started thinking of something else.

Did I remind Mom about --- Oh! Have I missed payment due dates… --- Is her birthday today or tomorrow?--- Am I missing some important appointment...

And the list goes on… 

But within us may be some persons who have been lost in wonderland, Not of Alice’s but of Choices! For instance, we pursue a career of our choice but are nebulous about "What’s Next?"

In this pursuit of happiness, we think of scores of ‘Options and Futures’ but get lost in the direction. We swirl around in the pond of choices but again we are unruffled and the waters settle.

We somehow figure it out from the blurred picture. And when the fog withers away the pathway could still be shadowy and vague.   

There are times when you won’t be able to decide where your destination lies. But you know what, it is totally okay! It is the journey of being lost and being found.

With the monsoon sweeping in, some of us begin our monsoon treks. We come across various avenues or diversions. Some of us walk along the wrong avenue and discover something unusual; may be best or worst. Some take diversions but reach the spot quicker. But hasn’t all this made our trek – a different one?

Imagine a solo traveler capturing memories in an unknown land throughout the day – and at the eve is thinking about how he would find a resort for the night to pass by. He does not have hotel bookings, and no name to bank upon but ends up at some church or in a farmer’s cave. He was lost, he kept pondering but found his desired rest-place at last. 

Similar is the case with the avenues in life. We get lost even in the ‘right’ direction and eventually find ourselves in the best place we are supposed to be. Such is the game of being lost and found.

In fact, this reminds me that we all are travelers lost in the right direction may be but haven’t found our goal for life. For some, the goal is visible but the road is under construction and for others, it is a blurred picture. 

In whichever team you may be, don’t forget that the ‘willing way’ you choose would definitely lead you to your dream, and even a wet blur window during monsoon is a treat to watch, just write your name on it…..

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Until the next pour crept

It was a farewell... Of all the wet chill memories... For it was a goodbye To the rains who united us! It was a goodbye to the puddles Who brought us together... Goodbye to the paper boats which sailed just as our friendship... It was a celebration of all long years Which we truly lived! where we awaited rains And where we enjoyed it together...

There was a pit pat pour of ours... There was no rain rain go away... As we had no laptops in the bags... And no formals to take care of! For there was no hurry to board trains For there was a hurry to go back in the lanes...

Just then a few chirpies came with a ball A known smile was felt by all! We and Little friends splash in the fall... To remind us of our game of ball...!

The descending pour gave its call... To realize it was not to last... Rolling a tear on every cheek... We looked at each other grown weak! For it was a time to never meet ... Until the next pour crept! 

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SHE REJECTS ME EVERYDAY

"Um, I have thought about this for a long time and I want to ask.....

(deep breath) Would you marry me Yulia?"

*****

I popped up this question 4 years ago to Yulia on our 15th date at her favorite restaurant. She wore a satin red dress and a black jacket. Her hair was swaying with the breeze. I remember my trembling feet till she said a "Yes". Her eyes reciprocated love beyond my thoughts. We kissed. The twilight created a perfect ambiance and holding her in my arms, we danced to My Heart Will Go On...

We tied the knot a few months later and settled in Santorini, an island in Greece. Being a painter by profession, she sold her beautiful abstracts while I secured a job in the tourism industry.

A few years later, I went through a low phase where I was not stable at my work. She never complained and anchored me in her own beautiful way. In fact, she urged me to take up photography as a career. My success gained momentum in this newfound career. My lady luck worked!

On one such evening, she drew a painting of a tornado hitting a shore. Her brush strokes were natural beyond belief. But she had a gloomy sight. She said, "Never have I ever painted such a catastrophe before. Does it mean something Mike?" Before I could say anything, she hugged me tightly. Brushing the last night's incident under the carpet, I left for a shoot away from home the next day.

............................................

The shoot was got extended to two more days. I tried calling Yulia but I couldn't get through. At midnight, while the unit was on a break, a message popped up on my mobile screen. My camera slipped out of hand and I rushed to grab my car keys.

The roads drove me home after two days. And I saw her lying on the bed. My aunt sat beside me and said, "While you were away, she got hit in an accident and there are major injuries surrounding her skull."

The doctor declared.." She is in a coma." I crushed down on the floor and my eyes stuck to the painting. That tornado had hit my life.

With God's Grace, she gained herself up after a year. But the worst was yet to reveal itself... Her last memory is our 5th date and nothing after it. This means she doesn't remember our 15th date - my proposal - our dance!

It has been two years that we live together but as friends. She struggles to be able to accept me as her husband. She stares at our wedding pictures but does not remember anything yet.

And here I am preparing again for that 15th date to pop up the question...

.

.

"Would you accept me, Yulia?

                                                 *******