#PictureStory 44 : Spiral

"What they hide is much more than what they show" spoke the landlady as she saw the new tenant admiring the beautiful spiral staircase.

Intrigued by her comment, Pete and his wife Carolyn looked at her with their faces almost asking a similar question 'What do you mean?'

Reading their faces, she replied "I just got the carpeting done. It looks beautiful, doesn't it?"

Without waiting for them to react, she continued "I grew up in this house. We were six siblings, so it was nothing short of a mad house. There was chaos all around, fighting and playing, giggles and wails, laughter and shouting. A lot of those things used to happen on or around this staircase. Winters were spent near the fireplace with our father regaling us with stories from his travels. We thought that life would be like this always. But then when we start planning our life, is when life starts planning for us. Two of my brothers left the country, one died while serving in the army, and three of my sisters got married. My parents passed away when I was 17.

I could never leave this house, which I call my home and my abode. I guess my attachment to this place was far stronger than what I could have felt for any person."

After a pause, she looked at Pete, Carolyn and their baby and said "You are the first tenant in the 125 year history of this house. The moment I saw your baby and heard her chortle, I knew that having you guys as tenants will help in bringing back some of those noises that have got buried deep in the treasure chest of my memories. I hope you love staying here as much as I have all these years. Welcome home."

Pic details: Clicked in Edinburgh, Scotland in Aug'16

#PictureStory 43 : Culmination

Today was the culmination of their decade long dating. Jonathan and Marylene had met in their first year at Trinity College when both were studying history. It was love at first sight for both of them. They were both from outside Ireland. Jonathan was from England whereas Marylene was from United States of America. After classes, they would go and explore the town of Dublin. What began as historic tours to museums soon turned into dinner dates followed by pub crawls and then weekend getaways to nearby towns like Galway and Doolin. 

Five months back, while standing under a moonlit sky and gazing at the stars, Jonathan whispered in the ears of Marylene "Nothing is as beautiful as the sky today. If time was to come to a stand still, I want it to happen now, as what can be a more apt moment than now when my arms are around the most precious treasure that I know right under the gaze of the stars that act as diamonds and bring glory to this treasure."

He then went on his knee, extended his hand and asked Marylene "I would like to weave many such moments into a garland of memories with you, if only you say a yes. Oh my princess, will you marry me?"

With tears in her eyes, Marylene said yes and they decided to get married in the chapel of their alma mater - Trinity Chapel at Trinity College.

Pic details: Clicked on the campus of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland in Aug'16

#PictureStory 42 : Passion

People would get quite uncomfortable with Mario's stares. It was a long gaze with no blinking of the eye and that would make people uncomfortable as they felt that he could see through their character. 

Mario would do this for hours while sitting at the station, sitting at beaches or sitting in restaurants. Just stare and observe people, their behaviour and their quirks. 

And then he would take a pencil and paper and start doodling, sometimes for hours. Based on his strong observations, he started creating distinct characters, with unique characteristics, loud physical features. Even the dog had its own unique identity. 

Soon his work started appearing in dailies and people loved the fact that Mario had the ability of taking a usual life situation and give it a humorous lens. After a few years, the entire nation knew who Mario Miranda was and what his work was all about. Mario's passion and true calling of becoming a cartoonist by observing people had been fruitful for him.

Pic details: Clicked in Brittos restaurant in Goa, India in Sept'16 where Mario Miranda's work has been displayed.