Intimate Rituals

Getting "me-time" or time for self love and care is a rarity. On the very rare occasion, when I do get the time to indulge myself in just "being", I often sit at my modestly decorated and cozy desk in my home office. Fragrant candles accompanied by a dim lamp cast a warm glow around the room illuminating spiritual objects, works of art, handmade baskets and, of course, my books. All these characters on the stage, that is my desk, lend a beautiful and wholesome aura to my space.

Today being a Sunday, I started preparing for my weekly intimate ritual around 4 PM. This is the time when I'm all by myself stirring tea or coffee not because I crave it, but because it completes my ritual. The very sight of a piping hot cup of tea or a mug of coffee resting on my desk, while the sounds of thunder and rain play in my ASMR playlist, create an atmosphere that inspires me as an author, writer and thinker. The whole setup almost feels like a writer's retreat in an old cottage nestled away in the dark mountains while the monsoon rages away, and all one can do is simply write in the warmth and the chaos.

Today's intimate ritual also included the burning of juniper leaves sent to me, all the way from North India, by a kind woman who runs a collective promoting women small business owners. They make pickles and marmalades, source the best seabuckthorn fruits and barley coffee. The eco-friendly packaging read, "You are making an impact"and the juniper leaves were sent to me as a gift for being kind and honest. Indeed, karma pays forward. I was asked to burn the juniper leaves to usher out negativity. As I lit the juniper leaves with the flame of my candle, they crackled and burst emanating a fragrant and calming smoke much like the 'dhoop' or incense we utilise for our daily worship. 

I walked around my house barefoot carrying a bowl with the smoky juniper leaves, while the candles burned in my imaginary cottage, and the rain and thunder reached a crescendo signalling the success of my intimate ritual.

The Moving Chair

As twilight fell, I returned to the great mansion. Slowly, twilight turned into darkness, the air grew still, only the rustling of the leaves accompanied it. The other guests and caretakers had retired to their rooms early. An eerie silence gripped the mansion. Delicate lace curtains in white stood at all the doors creating strange forms. As I made my way toward my room, I crossed the living area. 

A dimly lit chandelier, dusty shelves laden with books, and an old wooden plantation chair were its main characters. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I think I may have seen the chair move. Perhaps, someone sat on the chair unseen or was it simply a figment of my imagination as I found myself in a world that existed in a different time? The mystery of the moving chair remains unsolved. Maybe someone was expecting company on a lonely night.

Mumbai, I miss you!

Mumbai, the city I was born in, that gave me everything is virtually in my blood. Of late, I've been missing my city so much! A city so iconic, so diverse, so endearing. This is a tribute to my city, my everything- Mumbai! Also, it's my first creative work in Hindi!

मुंबई, तेरी बहुत याद आती है - रिद्धिमा बसिया

सारा बचपन तेरी गोद में गुज़रा

अब एक अंजान शहर ने अपना सा बना लिया

पर तुझे थोड़ी है भुला दिया,

हर पल तेरी सड़के बुलाती है,

मुंबई, तेरी बहुत याद आती है।

तेरे समंदर की लहरें और तेज़ बारिश,

तेरी लोकल ट्रेनों और ट्रैफिक के किस्से सारी दुनिया बताती है।

मुंबई, तेरी बहुत याद आती है।

तेरी गलियों का वो स्वाद भरा खाना और प्यार से बनी कटिंग चाय,

मन में इच्छा जगाती है।

मुंबई, तेरी बहुत याद आती है

तेरी संस्कृति और विविधता की तुलना नहीं की जा सकती है,

तेरे लोगो के धैर्य, साहस और उत्साह की मिसाल दी जाती है,

मुंबई, तेरी बहुत याद आती है

तू एक माँ है जो अपनी कमी महसूस कराती है,

एक दोस्त जो कभी नहीं भुलाती है।

मुंबई, तेरी बहुत याद आती है।

कभी फिर मिलना होगा, खूब हसेंगे, खूब घूमेंगे,

पुरानी बाते याद करेंगे।

अपने चुटकुले फिर से बाटेंगे,

जैसे एक माँ और बेटी समय बिताती है।

मुंबई तेरी बहुत याद आती है।

धन्यवाद

Note: Please do not share or reproduce without permission or tagging as this is my original work.