Whats in a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a Rose
by any other name would smell as sweet."

These are the lines from the Shakespeare play Romeo & Juliet. I guess it hold true decades ago. In today's world one's names matters a lot and can make a difference or give an edge.

I was one of those people who wanted to change their name because it sounded funny (at least when I was small) and no one else had such a name. I wanted to change my name when I was small. Often my name used to change as I moved up in my class. I was very strongly contemplating to change my name to put an end to all this. Somehow I did not do that. There was no new variation of my name in college. Thank God for that.

I thought I was the only one who had to go through this, just because my parents kept a name that no one else had. As I moved into college I knew I was not alone. There were others who had wackier names than me. One of my friends name was Blasco, one of our professor used to call him Blossom. 

As I moved in my work life, I find more interesting names popping up. Like the name Shalaka. The first time I heard the name I thought poor girl who had to live with such name which I thought was a name of a demon. I have one of my friend whose name is Mariadas. The better was yet to come, one of my colleagues in office was getting married. He told a name which I cant even pronounce and it sounded manly. Thank God after marriage the name got changed and a shorter name was adopted. All this made me feel better :) . After all I was not alone anymore. 

I even ended up doing a Google search for my name to see if I was the only one with such a name in the planet. To my surprise I had found three people with my name. It was good to see that people who shared my name were doing good in their life.

One might have heard how actor/actress names were changed as it was thought that the names were not cool enough. For e.g., Dilip Kumar, Mahima Chaudhary. Today its a fashion to have the letters of a name changed to change one's fortune. All thanks to Ekta Kapoor who started the trend by changing the name of her daily soaps by adding an extra "K" or starting a soap with the title starting with "K". After that every actor started to change their name by moving a letter of the name here and there. So now Vivek became Viviek and so on.

Shakespeare did not see this coming or else he would not have made such a comment. In today's world a lot depends on a name. As for me I have dropped the idea of changing my name. After all, I am not alone :)

Wedding Night

"Phew. Never thought I would get so tried on my own wedding day. That too we have not even started off" Ayush said as he made himself at home on his bed.

He got hit by the pillow. "You think you are the only one. What about me? I was the one carrying the jewellery and the zari saree. Not to forget the flowers on my head" said Sia.

"Who told you to do all that?" "Hello, I am going to get married only once and I need to look beautiful on my big day as she punched him on his shoulder as they both were having a laugh about it.

"Can I ask you something? I wanted to ask you for a sometime" Sia said as she laid beside him. "I hope you know that we both are married now and this cannot be undone" Ayush said with a mischievous smile.

"Do you remember the time when we met each other and after that, I told you that I am not a virgin  That did not bother you especially when you were one. Why did you said yes to me? she asked as she looked into his eyes looking for answers.

"Good for us na, at least one of us is experienced, you can teach me some moves" He said as she looked  at him. "Cut the crap. Tell me honestly."

"I will have you with me, besides me for the rest of my life. Should it bother me what you done in your past when I can be with you in your present & the future. He looked at her and then asked "Do you think I did the right thing?"

"Not bad! I think I did the right thing to marry you" she said as they both laughed again and soon Ayush moved on top of her and they both kissed as their eyes met.

She looked at the glass of milk kept on the bedside table, looked at him "You think you are ready to do it" "I am but not tonight we are both very tired." as he moved beside her.

"Did you just said no to sex? Are you even for real? She pinches him and he reacts with face turn red and she behaving coyly.

"You want me to give into the night for some custom. I wont" as he moved on top of her "I want to savor the moment when I make love to you he said looking deep into her eyes.

The lights went off as  he held her in his arms and they kissed each other.

Planning Ladakh Road Trip: Begin your practice here

Anyone who has been reading the blog does know about my passion for biking. Happen to take a long tour and then short ones to pump up myself.

Like any bike rider, the ultimate road trip challenge is to do a Leh Ladakh road trip. To be able to conquer it is nothing short of an accomplishment that stays with one for a lifetime.

I am no different and I have been thinking, making plans about it for two years now. I almost came to pull off the trip this time but had to forgo because of other commitments. Next year, its surely on the cards.

However, if you are like me feeling that you are missing out in the action. Worry not, we have alternative that will give you the same experience of a Ladakh ride minus the high altitude and beautiful scenery.

One does not have to go anywhere far. Wait for the rains to come in and one can see Bombay turn up into a practice ground for your trip to Ladakh.

You will see potholes that will test you to the tee in the traffic. Water through which you will have to make your way through as you move ahead. Except that its not fresh water but includes rain water with the mix of drainage water.

Traveling through the Bombay roads during these rains will surely make realize what you will need in the tough terrain.

I stopped taking out my bike in the rains this year given parking issues. However when I did the roads did not disappoint.

If you are like me missed on going to the highest altitude region this year, make do with the roads of Bombay which probably can off far more challenges than Ladakh can in the rains.

Here is a glimpse below.