No matter how hard you try to control life's outcomes, it flips you off

and says, "Shut up, I've got this. Thank me later!"

This morning at 4:20, my bare feet padded across the cool tiles into the washroom. I brushed my teeth and watched the first glint of morning seep through the glass window. After two postponements and much back-and-forth debating, the six of us are finally en route to Kasoli. This trip was supposed to happen in April, but April had other plans. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to control life's outcomes, it flips you off and says, "Shut up, I've got this. Thank me later!"

So June it is. And here we are, crammed into a big white car, all moisturized arms, dirty hair, chunky shoes, and sunglasses. As we leave Manesar behind, the carpet of Aravalli stretches to my left, yawning and sprawling as far as the eye can see. It's the wee hours of a Friday afternoon morning. The Indian army cadets reel past us in slow motion, jogging in groups of fives and sixes, the wolves leading the pack and the stragglers at least a mile or two behind. We zoom onwards.

By 7, my stomach growls again. I see a lone barren tree next to paddy fields, with at least a hundred crows perched on it. "Home is where we're together" I think to myself.

An hour into the journey, Dad calls upon our trusty Bose speakers. Vridhi's the DJ for this trip, and she chooses her "Heal Your Heart" playlist. It's got groovy Punjabi songs, low-key Bollywood tunes, and somehow—Taylor Swift! Despite being a mix of different languages, it blends with the mood perfectly.

Soon, Mom dozes off. She's in the center seat with Dad and Masi on either side. I watch the back of her head sway left and right as the car curves.

I like this, witnessing life unfold. I'm cooped up at the back of our Innova with Vridhi and a host of essentials:

• Booze box

• A bag overflowing with snacks

• My yoga mat

• The book I'm reading, Mossad—all three inches of it

• Vridhi's foldable backpack

• My day tote that carries my laptop, skincare, and chargers

that’s me, crammed into the backseat with a cosy book

As we drive through the early morning light, I'm struck by the beauty of these moments. The mundane and the magical blending together. The sun slowly rising, casting a golden hue over the landscape. The rhythmic hum of the car's engine, the quiet conversations, the occasional burst of laughter.

I find the most joy in unassuming moments. For those of you reading this in August, I hope you can feel a bit of the warmth and excitement we felt on this journey. Sometimes, you'll receive parts of my past work in the future, based on how I feel comfortable sharing. Life is like that, a mix of past and present, of memories and dreams.

Some essays I have loved:

• The House With 1000 Stories by

  Grant Snider
  . For the tall stories, short stories, strange & unlikely stories!

• Belonging of place and belonging of people by

  Nadia Meli
  . Nadia excels at exploring and articulating the nuances of cultural belonging and the complex dynamics of forming connections in different environments. Her writing offers deep insights into the contrasts between cultures and the emotional experiences of living as a third-culture individual. I love everything about it.

Song Recommendation:

This is my sister’s Fight Song! What’s yours?

Nature is brimming with poetry, if you just take the time to listen. This 9-page guide offers everything you need to dive into the beauty of nature with a poet’s eye. From choosing the right location to engaging all five senses, this guide will help you unlock the writing potential hidden in leaves, birdsongs, and morning dew. Bonus resources included for even more inspiration!

Another way to show your love for my work is to share my posts, buy me a coffee to help me travel to America, & leaving sweet comments under my posts.