She Shattered the Cage created by Mr. NPD and his flying monkeys

Imagine living in a world where every step feels like walking on glass pieces ???

 One wrong move and it might all cause the greatest hell. For years, that was Veda’s reality. She had been caught in a fog of self-doubt and confusion, struggling to make sense of a life that had once been so full of promises.

When she met Chari, it was like the sun had finally come out from behind the clouds. He was everything she had been looking for: charming, attentive, and always making her feel like the most important person in the world. At first, his love felt like a warm embrace, like the safest place on earth. But slowly, Veda began to notice the subtle shifts

 👉 his warmth turning into control, 

👉 his compliments slipping into criticisms, and 

👉 his kindness morphs into manipulations

Chari’s Political Manipulative behaviour was like a slow poison. It started with small jabs, disguised as jokes or “concerns,” but over time, the insults grew sharper, and Veda’s confidence began to erode. She found herself second-guessing everything 

👉her every choices, 

👉 her words, 

👉 her every act

And even her worth as a human being. 

The vibrant woman who once laughed like an angel and dreamed big was now just a shadow of herself, constantly walking on eggshells, unsure of who she really was anymore.

But one night, after yet another crushing argument, something inside Veda clicked. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with a mix of sadness and realization. 

For the first time in years, she saw herself clearly - the woman who had been buried under layers of fears and shame caused by the critics. 

" This isn’t who I am " she thought. 

"In a world where even a stopped clock is right twice a day, how is it that every act one human does is labelled as wrong?" HOW ??

The fog began to lift, and in its place, a single, powerful thought emerged: 

I deserve better

That night, Veda did something she hadn’t done in years - she reached out for help. She called a therapist for guidance, finally choosing to believe that she wasn’t crazy, that her feelings mattered, that she wasn’t the problem. 

For the first time, someone truly 

💥 listened to her, 

💥 Understanding & Validating her pain and 

💫💚 giving her the tools to understand what she had been through. 

She was NOT weak or useless or stupid or broken or Crazy shit 

She was the victim of emotional manipulation by someone who had twisted her reality to keep her under control.

Through therapy, Veda learned to set boundaries - something she had never done before. 

She learned how to say “no” without guilt and how to stop letting his words dictate her self-worth. Slowly, Veda started to reconnect with the parts of herself that had been buried for so long: 

💝 her creativity, 

💝 her love for nature, 

💝 her sense of humor. 

Little by little, she reclaimed her life BACK.

It wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, of wanting to believe that maybe things could change, that maybe her hubby would finally see the woman she had become. But Veda refused to give up on herself. She learned that healing wasn’t a straight path ...

it was messy, full of setbacks, but always moving forward.

One year later, Veda made the hardest decision of her life. She left her husband. It wasn’t just the end of a relationship; it was the beginning of a new chapter, as end is where new beginnings start. She realised that her peace, her happiness, and her sense of self could never be found in a relationship where she was constantly manipulated. 

Walking away was painful, but it was also the most empowering thing she had ever done.

Today, Veda’s life is filled with healing, growth, and joy. She’s no longer defined by someone's cruel words or his manipulative actions. She is STRONG, resilient, and FREE. 

Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how deep the darkness feels, there is always a way out. Healing is possible. Freedom is possible. And above all, you are worth every step of that journey.

Moral of the Story: 

No matter how lost or broken you may feel, there is always a way to reclaim your life. Healing, freedom, and self-love are not just dreams- they are possible. And you have the strength to rise, no matter how heavy the weight of your past may seem. Your worth is never defined by someone else’s treatment of you. Every Human Being, JUST FOR BEING BORN ( no other reason needed), is worthy of love, peace, and a future filled with happiness.

Need Love That Lets Me Breathe

Divya sat at the kitchen table, her fingers trembling around her cup of tea. The weight of what she had to say pressed down on her chest like a stone, but it was time. She couldn’t carry it anymore.

Her mother, always present, always loving, walked into the room with that familiar smile. But today, Divya wasn’t sure if she could smile back the way she always had.

“Beta, are you alright?” Her mother’s voice was soft, but there was a hint of worry in it that Divya didn’t want to address. She didn’t want to add to her mother’s worries, but she also couldn’t keep silent any longer.

“Mom,” Divya said, her voice barely above a whisper. 

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to say what she had been thinking for months. 

“We need to talk.”

Her mother’s smile faded slightly as she sat across from Divya. “What’s wrong, beta? You seem distant these days. Is everything okay?”

Divya felt the familiar lump in her throat. She had always been the dutiful daughter

-loving, 

- obedient, always there when her mother needed her. 

But it had come to a point where Divya felt like she was disappearing. She had lost herself in trying to be everything her mother wanted her to be, Always dying to meet her expectations.

“I love you, Mom,” Divya began, her voice shaking. 

“But I need to tell you something that I’ve never said before. I need some space. Boundaries ”

Her mother’s expression froze, confusion clouding her face. “Boundaries? Beta, why do you need boundaries? I thought I was doing what’s best for you. I’ve always been here, always loved you. Why is that not enough?”

Divya’s heart ached as her mother’s words pierced her, but she knew this was the only way to move forward. “It’s not that I don’t love you, Mom. I do. But the love you give me is too much sometimes. It suffocates me. I’m drowning in expectations, and I can’t breathe anymore.”

Her mother’s face crumpled, as if the words Divya had spoken were a blow to her heart.

“I don’t understand, Divya. I’ve always tried to give you everything. I’ve done everything for you. How can you say it’s too much?”

Divya’s tears began to fall, not from anger, but from a deep sadness that had been building up for so long. “You gave me everything, but not the one thing I needed most. You never gave me the chance to decide for myself, to make mistakes. You’ve controlled so much of my life that I don’t even know who I am anymore. And that’s not your fault, Mom. I just... I need to find myself.”

Her mother sat back in her chair, the realization slowly settling in. 

“I never meant to make you feel that way,” she said quietly. 

“I thought I was helping, protecting you. I didn’t know I was suffocating you. I’m so sorry, Divya.”

Divya reached across the table and took her mother’s hands in hers, her voice now steady but filled with emotion. “You didn’t know, and that’s okay. But I can’t be who you want me to be anymore. I need to love you, yes but I also need to love myself. And that means setting boundaries.”

Her mother looked down at their hands, tears glistening in her eyes. “I don’t want to lose you, Divya. Please don’t go.”

“You won’t lose me, Mom. You’ll never lose me,” Divya said softly. “But I can’t be the daughter you’ve shaped me into. I need to be me. I need space to breathe, to make my own choices, to figure out who I really am.”

Her mother nodded slowly, a quiet understanding passing between them. “I’m afraid, Divya. Afraid that you’ll drift away from me. But I can see now... if I truly love you, I have to let you go a little. I have to trust that you’ll come back to me, that you’ll still need me, even if you find your own way.”

Divya smiled through her tears. “I’ll always need you, Mom. But not like this. I need a love that lets me breathe. A love that lets both of us be free.”

The two sat there in silence for a long moment, the rain outside seeming to wash away the weight that had hung between them for so long. Her mother squeezed her hand, a sign of acceptance, and Divya knew that this was the beginning of something new. A love that respected boundaries, a love that allowed room for both of them to grow.

Moral:

True love doesn’t hold on so tightly that it smothers. Sometimes, love means giving space to breathe, to grow, and to be yourself. Boundaries aren’t walls, they are the bridges that allow us to love without losing ourselves. The deepest form of love is one that respects both people’s freedom to grow and thrive.

How the Venkatesans Rekindled Their Lost Connection

In the sacred town of Tirupati, nestled at the foot of the towering hills, lived the Venkatesan family. Their home, surrounded by lush green fields, once echoed with laughter, love, and the sounds of their shared prayers. But in recent months, the warmth that once filled their house had faded, replaced by silence and strained faces.

Venkatesan, a diligent government officer, spent most of his days in the office, buried under paperwork and deadlines. His wife, Meena, a school teacher, worked tirelessly to prepare lessons, grade papers, and manage the household. Their teenage daughter, Priya, had started to retreat into her own world, overwhelmed by school pressures and the expectations of the community. Little Arjun, their 12-year-old son, sensed the tension but didn't know how to express it.

One evening, after a long day, the family gathered around the dinner table. The spicy aroma of lemon rice / pulihora and the tangy taste of sambar filled the air, but there was no laughter, no lively chatter. Meena, who had been carrying the weight of their unspoken worries, finally broke the silence.

“Venkatesan, we need to talk,” she said, placing the serving spoon down, her tone serious.

Venkatesan looked up, surprised. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve noticed... we’ve stopped talking. We’re so busy with our lives that we’ve forgotten to be there for each other. Priya is silent, Arjun is worried, and we… we’re losing the closeness we once had,” Meena said, her voice heavy with concern.

Venkatesan felt a pang of guilt. He had been so focused on his work, so determined to keep the family secure, that he hadn’t noticed the small cracks forming in their bond. He looked at Priya and Arjun, their faces barely lifted from their plates.

“You’re right, Meena,” he admitted quietly. “We’ve let the noise of daily life drown out what matters most.”

That night, after dinner, Meena went to Priya’s room. The soft glow of a single lamp illuminated her daughter’s face as she sat on her bed, staring at a book she hadn’t opened. Meena sat down beside her.

“Priya, I know things have been tough lately,” she began, her voice gentle.

 “School, the pressure, the expectations of our relatives… I see you struggling. But you don’t have to carry all of it alone. I’m here. We’re here.”

Priya looked away, the weight of her fears evident in her eyes. “Amma, I don’t know how to make everyone proud. I feel like I’m always failing.”

Meena’s heart ached. “You are never a failure, Priya. You don’t have to be perfect. You only need to do your best, and that’s enough. And it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.”

Tears welled up in Priya’s eyes. “I thought I had to do everything on my own... to make you proud.”

Meena hugged her daughter tightly, whispering, “You’ve already made me proud. You don’t have to carry the world on your shoulders. Let us share it with you.”

Meanwhile, in the living room, Venky noticed Arjun sitting quietly, his usual energy drained. He walked over and sat beside him, the sound of temple bells ringing in the distance as the cool evening breeze blew through the open windows.

“Arjun, what’s going on, son?” Venky asked, his voice soft.

Arjun shifted uncomfortably. “Appa… I don’t know. Everything feels different now. Priya is always in her room, Amma is tired, and you’re always working. I don’t know how to help.”

Venky’s heart swelled with love for his son. “Arjun, you don’t need to fix everything. But we do need to be there for each other. If you feel worried or confused, you can talk to us. We’re a family, and we face things together.”

Arjun looked up at his father, a small smile creeping onto his face. “Thanks, Appa. I think I needed to hear that.”

The following days brought change, slow but steady. The Venkatesan family started prioritizing their time together. They sat down each evening to talk, sharing their worries, their dreams, and their joys. Priya began to open up more about her struggles at school, and Venky and Meena listened

- truly listened

- without judgment. 

Arjun, once quiet, started to express his feelings, knowing his parents were there to support him.

The Venkatesans also revived a beloved family tradition, weekly visits to the Srinivasa Mangapuram Temple. After their prayers, they would sit by the steps of the temple, sharing a simple meal of curd rice and mango pickle, laughing and talking about their week.

One evening, as the family sat together after their prayers, Priya looked up with a serene smile. “I feel like we’re family again. I don’t feel so alone anymore,” she said softly.

Venky and Meena exchanged a look, their hearts full.

“Yes, Priya,” Meena said, her voice filled with emotion. “We’re not just living together. We’re truly living with each other.”

In that moment, under the shadow of the sacred hills, the Venkatesan family realized the true meaning of happiness. It wasn’t in the grandeur of celebrations or the fulfillment of expectations. It was in the small moments of connection, in the shared silences, and in the unspoken promise to always be there for each other.

Moral: 

True happiness in a family comes not from perfection or external validation, but from deep, authentic connection. It is nurtured through listening, understanding, and sharing life’s challenges and joys together. In a world that often pulls us apart, it’s these quiet moments of togetherness that build lasting bonds.

A City of Change

In the heart of Vasantpur, a city where sexual violence was rampant, a group of passionate individuals embarked on a journey to transform their community. 

They realised that the battle against this societal plague couldn’t be fought with laws alone. They needed a solution that focused on prevention, healing, and cultural change, an approach that addressed the roots of violence rather than just its symptoms.

Maya, a young urban planner, was the first to take action. She had seen firsthand how poorly designed public spaces contributed to a sense of fear. In dark corners of parks and isolated alleys, violence flourished. Inspired by Jane Jacobs’ principles, she worked to redesign the city’s public spaces. Parks that once felt unsafe were now lit and filled with vibrant community spaces—cafes, libraries, and playgrounds. She introduced “Safe Routes” apps, which guided people through well-lit, high-traffic paths, and panic button kiosks connected to local police.

Arjun, a behavioural economist, understood that laws alone wouldn’t change societal behaviour. He recognised that the most effective way to change behaviours was to incentivise positive actions. Arjun proposed Corporate Accountability Bonds, where companies could only redeem their funds if they met specific gender safety goals, such as implementing harassment training and increasing employee reporting rates. He also introduced tax incentives for bystander intervention programs, encouraging businesses to train staff on how to intervene when witnessing harassment or violence.

Dr. Meera, a neuroscientist specialising in emotional regulation, focused on rehabilitation. She worked with neurofeedback therapy to help perpetrators of violence, teaching them to control their impulses and foster empathy. She also created virtual reality empathy training for police officers and judges, helping them understand the survivor’s trauma and overcome cognitive biases. This approach shifted the focus from punitive measures to restorative and rehabilitative strategies.

Meanwhile, the team worked on addressing digital violenc - a growing problem in the age of technology. Arjun and Maya collaborated with tech firms to create anonymized reporting platforms using blockchain technology, allowing survivors to report incidents safely and without fear of retribution. They also launched AI-moderated workplace chatbots that could detect signs of predatory language in digital communications and alert HR anonymously.

Realizing the importance of cultural change, Maya and her team highlighted communities with low violence rates, using positive deviance to amplify healthy behaviors. They funded feminist video games, where players lost points for coercive behaviors, and incorporated consent education into mainstream media, from TV shows to music, to change perceptions about gender and power dynamics.

On the public health front, biometric stress triggers were introduced_ 

wearable devices that could detect physiological signs of distress and send automatic alerts to trusted contacts. The team also worked with schools to implement vaccine-style consent education, starting as early as age four. They knew that changing attitudes from a young age would help shape a healthier, safer future.

Finally, they revamped the legal system by mandating algorithmic bias audits to ensure fairness in court decisions, particularly when sentencing sexual violence offenders. They also created community restorative circles where survivors could face their offenders in a controlled, healing environment, giving both parties a chance to rebuild trust and empathy.

Months passed, and Vasantpur began to change. Survivors found new hope as they accessed support systems designed not only to protect but also to heal. Perpetrators, who underwent rehabilitation, showed genuine remorse, and their communities welcomed their reintegration. The city buzzed with energy, free from the dark shadow of fear that had once loomed over it.

Maya walked through the newly redesigned park one afternoon, her heart full as she saw families, friends, and couples enjoying the space. The once-abandoned tree near the café was now a symbol of the city’s growth- a city that had learned to nurture and care for itself. Arjun, walking beside her, smiled. “We did it, Maya. We built something that lasts.”

Maya nodded. “We didn’t just fix the infrastructure. We changed the culture. People are finally safe here, not because we punished the wrongdoers, but because we learned to care for one another.”

Dr. Meera, joining them, added, “This wasn’t just about laws or design. It was about understanding, empathy, and the belief that everyone can change, given the right tools.”

And with that, they knew they had created a sustainable future for Vasantpur- a place where respect, empathy, and prevention had replaced fear and violence.

Moral:
Change begins with understanding. 

True progress comes from addressing the root causes of violence

👉changing behavior, 

👉 fostering empathy, and 

👉 creating systems that empower rather than punish. 

The solution lies in prevention, education, and restorative justice, where healing takes precedence over retribution.

P.S : Terminology :

Jane Jacobs’ ideas are about making cities better for everyone. 

1. Busy Streets are Safe Streets: More people out and about helps keep things safe.

2. See What's Happening: Open spaces where you can see around you make people feel safer.

3. Mix Homes and Shops: Homes, stores, and parks close together make neighborhoods friendlier.

4. Walkable Streets: Streets that are easy to walk on help people connect and improve the area.

In short, Jane Jacobs wanted cities where people live, work, and play together, with safe, lively, and friendly streets.

More terminologies used in story :-

1. Corporate Accountability Bonds: These are like promises companies make to improve safety and equality. If they meet safety goals (like training staff to stop harassment), they get rewards, like funds they can use.

2. Bystander Intervention: This is when someone steps in to stop harmful behavior, like harassment. Arjun encouraged businesses to teach their employees how to do this.

3. Neurofeedback Therapy: This is a technique used to help people control their emotions and impulses. Dr. Meera used it to help people who committed violence learn to feel more empathy and control their actions.

4. Virtual Reality Empathy Training: A type of training that lets people experience others’ feelings, helping them understand trauma and change their thinking. Dr. Meera used it for police officers and judges.

5. Anonymized Reporting Platforms: These are safe ways for people to report problems, like harassment, without fear of retaliation. Arjun and Maya worked with tech companies to create these systems using blockchain.

6. AI-Moderated Chatbots: These are digital assistants that can recognize harmful language in online chats, like predatory or abusive comments, and alert HR departments.

7. Positive Deviance: This is when you highlight the good examples in a community to inspire others. Maya’s team used this method to encourage healthy behaviors.

8. Biometric Stress Triggers: These are wearable devices that can detect signs of stress (like an increased heart rate) and send alerts to trusted people when someone is in distress.

9. Consent Education: Teaching people, starting from a young age, about the importance of respecting others’ boundaries. Maya’s team worked on teaching this in schools, like how vaccines are taught.

10. Algorithmic Bias Audits: These are checks to make sure computers (used in legal decisions) aren’t being unfair. The team used this to ensure fairness in court rulings for sexual violence cases.

11. Community Restorative Circles: A process where survivors of violence and the people who hurt them come together in a safe space to rebuild trust and empathy, instead of just punishing the offenders.

Why Ramesh Yelled at a Pressure Cooker & What It Taught Him ???

 

Sunday Morning 11am: Inside the Kitchen,  Steam hisses violently from a stainless steel pressure cooker on the stove. Ramesh stands with his hands on his hips like he’s looking at a criminal.

Ramesh (yelling at the cook): 

“First my promotion in 2012, then Latha in 2015… and now THIS!”

Twenty years of bottled-up emotions… released by yelling at the pressure cooker

Ahhh  Neighbor Padma aunty peeks through the window grill.

Aunty:  “ heyyy Ramesh, are you fighting… with a cooker?”

Ramesh: “It’s the only one that listens to me, aunty.”

Ramesh is sitting at the table, writing in a notebook. Behind him, the cooker sits on the stove, letting out a small puff of steam like it’s laughing at him sarcastically.

MORAL :

Processing emotions isn’t just about avoiding cooker quarrels 

- Processing emotions rather than bypassing them boosts mental & physical health, improves relationships, sharpens decisions, lowers stress, and builds resilience by helping you understand and express what you truly feel.

 Face your feelings early… before your pressure cooker files for divorce.

The Big Lesson: Process Your Emotions – How?

1. Pause and Breathe: Take a moment to stop and notice what you're feeling.

2. Label Your Emotions: Name the emotion (like “anger,” “sadness,” “fear”) to understand it better.

3. Acknowledge Without Judgment:  Accept your feelings without criticising yourself. It’s okay to feel how you feel.

4. Identify the Cause: Think about what triggered your emotion and why it’s important.

5. Express Your Feelings : Talk to someone, write it down, or find a safe way to release your emotions.

6. Validate Your Emotions :Remind yourself that your feelings are valid, and they matter.

7. Reflect on the Meaning : Ask what the emotion is teaching you about your needs or boundaries.

8. Take Action : Decide on a healthy way to move forward, whether it’s making a change or simply letting go.

The Night I Met a Girl Ghost That Wasn’t There

We humans are expert ghost-makers.

When we dislike someone, we stitch together scraps of old grudges, rumours, and our own fears into a mask  then we call that mask the “real” person.

Here’s a tale.

A man walked at night, alone. The road was black as ink. Suddenly, ahead ________ a ghost! Floating, spitting fire! His heart froze. He ran until his lungs burned, bursting into his friend’s hut, swearing he had seen a spirit.

At dawn, he returned to prove it. There was no ghost - only an electric pole, wires sparking in the wind. The “ghost” had never been outside him; it had always been inside his mind.

That’s how prejudice works. Childhood stories, past hurts, gossip - they prime us to see danger where there is only a faulty wire.

The remedy?

Look without the ghost mask. See what is, not what your mind paints over it. Sweep your mind’s corners clean of old cobwebs, and people will appear as they are  , not as your shadows want them to be.

🚨 The Day Time Started Chasing Mr. Raj 🚨

Raj Malhotra lived in fast-forward mode: 

Emails while brushing, 

breakfast at red lights, 

“meditation” while jogging - he also once head-butted a ficus....shhhh ( secret )

His watch yelled 

STRESS: EXTREME LEVEL

Doctor: “💊 or 🧘? "

Raj chose to " pause " Disaster.

Walking meditation? 

💣 He moved so slowly that even pigeons filed a complaint about his speed.

💣 Single-tasking tea? The kettle stared back at him with boiling resentment.

💣 Mindful driving? He waved so kindly that a taxi guy thought it was a proposal 

💣 Mindful eating? One grape. Eating for Thirty minutes. As if Grape HR filed a case on him

Under the noise: fear. If I slow down, they’ll forget me.

At a signal, a traffic cop said,💥💨
“Beta, your body’s at a red light; your mind is jumping the signal.”

Raj tried one minute of stillness even at that comment/criticism
👉Horns synced like a bhajan. Rain smelled like childhood.
👉 He called his mom. He let a stranger take the last seat.

👉 At work, his late email was so clear the team finished early without the drama.

Days later, Mumbai still sprinted. Raj didn’t.

He found the rarest setting: Airplane Mode for the brain.

Time stopped running from him and started running to him like a train that actually arrives on time.

He kept his inner piece (one samosa at a time).

 Raj didn’t lose his edge; he sharpened it… by not grinding it.

Morals 

Slow is smooth; smooth gets more done.

• Busy ≠ useful. Clarity beats chaos.

• Rest is fuel, not failure.

• Kind beats fast. People remember how you made them feel.

• Pause breaks panic’s pattern. One minute can reset an entire day.

The Great Guntur Ganta Chase

One bright morning in Ramapuram colony, Guntur, loud radios filled the air:

“Buy FLASH-CHAPPALS™! Jump higher! Shine brighter!”

Parents rushed. Autos beeped. Even the town leader took the ambulance to get to MegaBazaar to buy Big things with Big offers. The streets were wild, everyone chasing one last pair of those magic chappals.

Twelve-year-old Nila watched from her gate, sipping mosambi juice through her curly straw. She smiled, shaking her head.

“Yesterday, everyone walked just fine,” she whispered.

Inside the shop, people climbed shelves for the final pair. The floor shook, and they all fallen down like fallen tiles in the rain or like cocoNUTS from trees.

Then, the floor opened up. A giant treadmill rose. Shoppers landed on it, feet flying, but going nowhere. Ads blinked above them. The belt spun faster. Adults ran harder but stayed stuck.

Quick-thinking Baby Nila pulled out her science project's metal straw, jabbed the control box, and everything stopped. People crashed gently to the ground OMG

Silence. Confusion.

Nila led the crowd outside. She pointed to a mango tree, golden with ripe fruit.

“Wouldn’t mango payasam make us all feel better?” 

she asked to her father with her CUTENESS.

No one answered. Until her friend little Thiru, with a shoebox on his head, giggled, 

“Can we make payasam also go viral?” here ???

Yes BUT “Only in your tummy,” Nila laughed.

That evening, the town cooked together , kids picked mangoes, Gowri shared her cardamom recipe, and the president drummed on steel plates. They fed passersby, even street dogs & crows. Laughter filled the air. The fields shimmered like gold.

No one missed the chappals.

The next morning, a sign appeared:

“FREE CHAPPALS! (Warning: May make you run in place.)”

Nobody took them. Nila glued them to a slide. Kids slid down fast, laughing and shouting,

“ Shoes have never been this fun! ”

Moral of the Story:

Happiness isn’t found in flashy things....

It lives in shared moments, mango payasam, and laughter with friends.

Before you chase the next big thing, pause. Ask yourself

👉is this memory-making… or just BLIND treadmill-running?

The Love Temperature Test 😆

I once dated a guy who said he was “deeply passionate about psychology.” I thought that meant he loves understanding people.

Turns out, he liked treating them like lab rats for his experiments and making them Imbalanced by triggering their emotions while looking like Gandhi Ji with Spectacles and a Behavioural sciences book in his hand.

Our relationship started off cute.

He’d ask things like, “Do you associate love with specific smells?”

I replied, “Yeah—filter coffee, coconut oil, and my mom’s anger.”

He wrote that down.

One day, he invited me over for what he called a “multi-sensory bonding experiment.”
I wore my favourite kurti and waterproof eyeliner ...just in case romance turned into a Netflix mini-series.

Step 1: He blindfolds my eyes
I was Suspicious, but okay. Romance with a little mystery? I'm thrilled....

Step 2: One hand in a bucket of ice water.
Other hand, in hot water.
Then both into a lukewarm bowl.

“What do you feel?” he asked.

I said, “ Confusion and mild Itch ”

He grinned like Pavlov’s dog just licked his thesis.

Step 3: Dinner.

He served... IDLI with RAISINS.

Yes.
BLACK IDLI. WITH BLACK RAISINS. 😐

I gasped. My ancestors gasped. A coconut tree wilted somewhere in Kerala.

I said, “WHY?”

He said, “I wanted to test how perceptual contrast influences flavour expectations.”

I said, “ You’ve committed a biggest Crime AGAINST entire SOUTH INDIA ”

He said, “It’s a culinary illusion.”

I said, “It’s demonic possession in tiffin form.”

To make it worse, he served it with cold sweet sambar.

Cold sweet Sambar ???? Uffff

A crime so unholy and Horrifying

Then he kissed me.
And I hate to admit this… it was spectacular.
I floated. The earth paused. Somewhere, AR Rahman started playing Love Music

Then he whispered:

“Priming works best after sensory confusion.” 😏

I blinked.
He PRIMED ME.
Like a wall before painting.
Like a biryani before betrayal.
Like a chutney before disappointment.

So I stood up one freezing hand, one scalded hand, tongue covered in raisin-idli sadness and I ended it right there.

He just scribbled in his notebook and whispered, “Subject reached peak defiance. Fascinating.”

🥥💥 Moral of the Story:

Never trust a man who puts raisins in idli.
Just because he can analyse your trauma doesn't mean he should be cooking your sambar.

And if he whispers “priming” after kissing you....run faster than your mom chasing you with a chappal.

PART - 2

8 Psychology Tricks That Turned a Cute Date Into a Mind Game

🧠 1. Priming

Explanation:
When someone shows or says something earlier to make you feel a certain way later even if you don’t notice it.

Example:
If you see lots of heart balloons and love songs, you might feel romantic, even if you weren’t before.

🌶 Story Example:

After the weird food and sensory games, he kissed her and said:
“Priming works best after sensory confusion.”
He used priming to make the kiss feel more intense after confusing her senses.

🧊🔥 2. Sensory Contrast

Explanation:
Something feels different depending on what happened just before.

Example:
Jumping into a pool feels freezing—unless you just came out of an ice bath, then it feels warm!

🌶 Story Example:

One hand in ice water, the other in hot, then both in lukewarm water.
She says: “Existential CONFUSION and mild ITCHING ”
He was doing a classic sensory contrast experiment on her.

🍽️ 3. Perceptual Contrast in Food

Explanation:
When food looks like one thing but tastes like another, your brain gets tricked.

Example:
A cookie that looks like chocolate but tastes like onions—yuck and confusing!

🌶 Story Example:

He served BLACK IDLI with RAISINS and sweet cold sambar.
He wanted to see how perceptual contrast changes taste by making food look and taste weird on purpose.

🐶 4. Pavlov’s Dog (Conditioning)

Explanation:
If something happens over and over, you might react automatically even if nothing actually happens this time.

Example:
A dog runs to the kitchen every time it hears the fridge open, even if there’s no food.

🌶 Story Example:

“He grinned like Pavlov’s dog just licked his thesis.”
This is a joke about how excited he got—just like Pavlov’s dogs—because his experiment was “working.”

💔 5. Emotional Manipulation

Explanation:
Someone makes you feel bad or confused on purpose so they can control how you act.

Example:
A friend cries every time you say no—even if it’s not your fault. That’s unfair.

🌶 Story Example:

He didn’t just date her—he used the relationship to run experiments and play with her emotions.
He manipulated her emotions under the name of “science.”

📒 6. Observation & Data Collection

Explanation:
Watching what you do, writing it down, and not telling you why.

Example:
Someone watches how you react to jokes or snacks, and writes it secretly like a spy.

🌶 Story Example:

“He wrote that down.” / “He just scribbled in his notebook.”
He was observing and recording her reactions like a scientist does with lab rats—without consent.

😏 7. Multi-Sensory Bonding

Explanation:
Using different senses (smell, touch, music, taste) to make people feel close or special.

Example:
If someone lights your favorite candle, plays your favorite song, and gives you a hug—your brain says “I trust them.”

🌶 Story Example:

He called their date a “multi-sensory bonding experiment.”
She wore waterproof eyeliner… just in case it turned romantic.
But instead of bonding, he used sensory tricks to make her more emotionally vulnerable.

 8. Projective Techniques

Explanation:
When someone asks questions in tricky ways to see how your brain works.

Example:
“What’s your favorite weather?” and then says “So you must be a sad person because you like rain.”

🌶 Story Example:

He asked, “Do you associate love with smells?”
She said “filter coffee, coconut oil, my mom’s anger.”
He wrote that down.
He was trying to get emotional data from her answers without telling her the real reason.

🎓 Moral:

If someone plays with your feelings, confuses you on purpose, or treats your emotions like an experiment, you have every right to walk away.

Trust your instincts. Say “This isn’t okay,” choose distance, and protect your peace.

Break up if u don't feel safe with him and move on, as your life matters more.

Note:

 If u don't understand the story, first read Part-2 Psychology Terms & then the Story 😏

Unlock Joy with One Yellow Note 💥

Chandra’s first day as head pastry chef was supposed to feel like success.

But by 6 a.m., one burnt tray of éclairs filled the kitchen with smoke and his head with self-doubt:

“I’m a failure. I never get anything right.”

All day, even as customers smiled and praised his desserts, he only focused on one complaint: 

someone returned an éclair for being "too sweet." 

That one comment drowned out all the good.

At closing, something caught his eye near the sink-a yellow sticky note stuck on the wall. It read:

“Chef, your lemon-lavender tart reminded me of summers at my grandmother’s. Thank you for making my day.”
—Table 12

That tiny note stopped him. Someone had seen the good. Why couldn’t he?

That night, Chandra did something new. He wrote down every small success from the day—on yellow sticky notes just like the one on the wall:

• “Perfect chocolate glaze”

• “Taught apprentice piping”

• “Team laughed at my joke”

• “Boss said: best sales this week”

By the end, the wall had five more yellow notes. One complaint… but five moments of success.

Every day after that, he added more. The wall grew. The team joined in. Soon, the back kitchen wall was filled with yellow sticky notes, each one a reminder of progress, kindness, or joy.

Moral of the Story

• We all make mistakes, but they are only one part of the story.

• When we focus only on the negative, we forget the full picture.

• A single kind word or one Positive yellow sticky note can shift someone’s whole mindset.

Now, whenever Chandra doubts himself, he looks at that wall of sticky notes and remembers:

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up and notice what’s going right.

Borrow a little sunlight from the teammate beside U

Bhavana, Raj, and Raheela were best friends who worked in one bright room at ABRRA Marketing Company.

Their job: make people buy a glow-in-the-dark umbrella.

A Cloudy Afternoon

One rainy day the boss said, 

“We need a perfect headline for marketing this before the sun goes down!”

Bhavana counted words on her fingers.

Raj whispered dreamy sentences.

Raheela’s eyes sparkled with wild ideas, but nothing felt right.

Time tick-tocked, and the sky outside grew dark with Rain

Bhavana sighed, feeling Tensed....
Raj looked out the window, feeling lost.
Raheela saw her friends droop and felt a deep wish to help.

The Blackout

Suddenly—zap!—the lights went out. POWER CUT...
The room filled with scary shadows. 

Bhavana gasped. Raj froze.
Raheela quickly opened that sample umbrella.

A soft blue glow spread across the walls.
The darkness stepped back. 

The three friends saw each other’s smiles return.
Bhavana felt safe.
Raj felt wow
Raheela felt hope blooming in her Heart

The Shining Sentences

Raheela whispered, “Let’s give this warm feeling to everyone.”
Bhavana nodded and kept the words short.
Raj made the words sing.

Together they wrote:

“ Borrow a Little Sunlight - Before Tonight Slips Away.”

They read it once, and their hearts fluttered like baby birds.
It was perfect.

A Bright Morning

The headline went online that night.
By morning, families everywhere were ordering the “pocket-sunrise” umbrella.
Kids danced in rainy streets, giggling under the gentle glow.
Bhavana, Raj, and Raheela hugged, eyes shining brighter than the umbrella itself.

What the Story Teaches ???

TEAM = TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE

1. Share your light. A small glow can chase away big fears.

2. Different talents fit together like puzzle pieces. Counting, dreaming, and wild ideas all matter.

3. Help friends first; success will follow. Caring hearts make the brightest work.

Surprise Visit of सास

It was a sunny Saturday, and Smiley had made a plan for the day: Clean her room. She wanted to finish everything by 8 PM Night. She started with the bed, making it neat and tidy. Then, she cleaned the desk, putting all the papers and pens in place. 

But then, suddenly something unexpected happened.

There was a knock at the door. Smiley’s Saas (mother-in-law) had come to visit! 

Smiley didn’t expect her today, and her room was fully messy. The floor was full of clothes and socks. Smiley quickly hid the laundry basket and stuffed the socks under the bed, hoping her Saas wouldn’t notice.

When Smiley opened the door, her Saas looked around the room. The bed and desk were perfect, but the floor was like a tornado disaster. 

Her Saas raised an eyebrow. 

“What happened here, my beautiful Daughter-in-Law ? 

Was there any Tsunami or tornado that occurred ? here "

Smiley smiled and said, 

“Saas, it’s not that bad! I’m just waiting for the socks to organise themselves. They’ve been on holiday today.”

Her Saas laughed. “A holiday, huh? Maybe they’re relaxing before they start working!”

Smiley giggled. “Exactly! They need their break too if not ....”

Her Saas laughed so hard - “You’re funny my dear, I came to see a messy room, and instead, I got to watch a comedy show because of you !”

Smiley grinned. 

“ Life’s not about everything being perfect, सास Mom. Sometimes, the mess is the best part. As long as we can laugh, that’s what matters! Please Keep Smiling, you look so beautiful when you smile ”

They both laughed, sat down with some strong Ginger Tea, and enjoyed the moment together.

Moral of the Story:

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. It’s the messes, the surprises, and the laughs that make life Beautiful. So, don’t worry about being perfect

- just enjoy the moment & don't miss laugh along the way Irrespective of the circumstances you face.

Silent Growth : How Helen Keller's Voice Was Born from Darkness

Helen Keller was only 19 months old when a sudden illness stole her sight and hearing.

Imagine trapped in a world of silence and darkness, like a bird in a cage with no sky to fly to, no song to sing. To many, it seemed like her life would be a never-ending struggle, a flame without air, a star without the night sky.

Her family, helpless and devastated, feared she would be lost to the silence forever, abandoned to a world without communication or connection. But there was one person, a beacon in the dark, who refused to surrender: Anne Sullivan, a teacher with a fierce determination to help Helen find her voice, not just to speak, but to rise.

Anne’s patience was like the slow drip of water in a cavern, carving pathways in stone. She began by spelling words into Helen’s hand, starting with "water." One day, as the cool stream of water poured over Helen’s hand, Anne spelt out “W-A-T-E-R.” with her fingers on her skin. In that moment, the world opened up. The darkness that had once been a prison now began to fracture, like light piercing a clouded sky. Helen understood for the first time that the silence had a name. She can also communicate and connect with the world,  a bridge between isolation and existence.

The path was not without struggle. The progress was slow, like the quietest of waves lapping against a shore each breakthrough, a small victory, but monumental in the long journey. Helen’s world was still silent, still dark. But with each moment, each touch of a word, her inner strength grew, like the bamboo that pushes through the earth, unseen, yet unrelenting.

As the years passed, Helen didn’t just learn to communicate she became the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree. But it wasn’t just academic success that made her remarkable. Helen used her voice her newfound voice not just to speak, but to fight. She fought for the rights of others with disabilities, shattering the glass walls of oppression that had once confined her and those like her. She became a symbol of resilience, not just surviving, but thriving. She broke the chains and built bridges where none had stood.

Helen’s journey was one of quiet, unseen growth. When the world was not watching, she was laying the foundation for something extraordinary. And when the time came, she broke through like the Chinese bamboo, stronger than anyone could have imagined. 

[ note : Unlike other plants that show results or bear fruit quickly, the Chinese bamboo tree spends its first five years growing roots deep beneath the soil, unseen and unnoticed. Only after this long, silent foundation does it burst upwards, growing up to 90 feet in just six weeks.]

 Like that Chinese bamboo, Helen’s strength wasn’t immediately visible. When her moment came, she soared far beyond what anyone expected

Moral:

Helen Keller’s story teaches us that 

Growth is not always immediately visible. 

The hardest battles are often fought in silence, when no one is watching. But those quiet moments of effort, of gathering strength, lay the foundation for incredible change. 

Like bamboo, you may not see the fruits of your labour immediately, but every step forward, no matter how small, is making you stronger.

So, when you feel unseen, when progress seems slow, remember this:

you are growing. Keep pushing. One day, you’ll break through, & the world will see the strength you’ve quietly built. Your moment will come.