A Tribute from Deep down My Heart - For OUR Shobha!
A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn’t let them get her down. Does this quote make sense? It should because we have one member who fits to the above to the core. She is pure magic. She is a person who can fill the room with her aura by her presence. She mesmerizes everyone and takes one and all under her spell. She is a person who everyone love and admire and love to hang out with. After her conquering everyone’s heart, we are at such a point where we feel this virtual home is lively only when she is around. She just makes us all feel very special. She takes the extra 
effort to know one and all and keeps a tab on all as she wants to know the whereabouts of her virtual family. When she is away from the site and busy in her own work, people miss her to extend that the place becomes deserted. And if she is around someone’s town, then you should see, the friends leave no leaf unturned to try to meet her. I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say she is the LIFE of this site. Yes I am talking about OUR OWN SHOBHA or rather popularly known SHOBLAH 
I have been very fortunate to have found a little place in her heart. She normally doesn’t like to share her personal stuff with anyone but she did with me. I strongly think I might have been one lucky winner of one of her games. As we know she is a great host for organizing games and so I think she must have played a game or a lottery something similar to what America plays – you know the lottery system and the lucky ones get the green card, so my assumption is, Shobha must have made many chits and that was my lucky day that she got my name and hence she shared her phone number with me otherwise sharing a phone number with Raffu can be pretty dangerous you know Anyway we made an appointment to talk on phone after work around 7 pm.
Reading Shobha’s messages on forum and on site, I knew she was friendly and caring person and so I imagined someone calm, friendly and talk with some care. I was in for a big surprise when I called her. But 
before I tell you my first conversation, let me tell you what type of day I had the other day. I had a pretty bad day, had a fight with my boss and came home back with little upset mood. When I logged on to the computer, I saw message from Shobha, I had given her 7pm as the calling time and it was few minutes past 7 and there were couple of messages finding out where the hell I was. LOL! I thought oh my God this girl is killing me… haha.. Let me call her or I am dead. And so I dialed the number and what I hear is……….. “Raffu… HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII”, there was so much of life in that voice, so much of happiness that my entire apartment was bright. The dull and moody weather was long past as soon as I heard Shobha’s voice! She talked, she giggled and we must have spoke for more then an hour and I just cannot express enough the way it changed everything unknowingly. I didn’t have to struggle for topics to talk; everything was flowing so easy that she made me feel like I was her long lost friend. After speaking to her, I happily cooked some food, ate with a big grin on my face and went to bed happy and woke up with a big smile. 
After a little time it was my birthday and everything was again pretty stressed here at the blog but then I receive a parcel from shobha as my birthday gift and she made me a beautiful necklace in white and green color. She made it out of beads and the work was absolutely fabulous. It was neatly done and looked 
professional. That day I came to know the other side of Shobha – she is a great artist. She easily can open a business and sell her stuff. But coming back to my gift, there were made with tiny beads and it was pretty long. In America, no one has any time and to make one necklace with so much of detailing is not anyone’s cup of tea. Taking time away from your already busy routine is NOT expected or imagined ever. How she took time out, I don’t know and have no clue at all! But she made it that too for her online friend whom she never met before and made an effort to send it across to me. I don’t think I can have that much of patience especially if I have to send to a person like me then NO WAY!! I definitely don’t deserve but then when I saw her gesture, I was thoroughly touched and I have no words enough to thank her but just thank God for sending her to my life. She is very special and I ADORE HER!!! Buying a gift is understandable to some extend but making them with your own hands is something else. In my eye, a gift that is made with hands is priceless and what she sent will always be the dearest to me. I don’t think God makes many people like her. There has to be a Shobha only once in blue moon. I tell you this lady is pure magic! God bless her!!
Not everyone are aware of her another passion, well apart from you know Mr. K but Shobha is an awesome dancer. She attends her dance class every week to keep up with her practice and she also performed on many shows. She has a professional group and when I saw her pictures, I was totally mesmerized. She is a little bundle of joy, happiness, love and great talent.
Coming to her games, who aren’t aware or don’t enjoy? We all do and we love every article and every game of hers. They have been huge hit always. She binds all friends together in a family. 
Now normally when anyone writes an article and if they are mentioning friends names but forget few names to publish, they just write a sorry note and say okay next time we will remember but our Shobha is not like that. When she forgets few names, she doesn’t sleep that night. She writes another update to the present game or article including the missing names and makes sure the updated article is published in place of the old one. And if she forgets adding 10 names and remembers 10 different times, God only save the publisher because he will have to go through the 10 different updates. She is just too sweet that she doesn’t want to forget a single name and wants to see everyone happy. Normally mothers are like that but she is mother of all mothers!! (Shobha this was suppose to be a compliment girl .. lol)
Coming to good old me, I normally enjoy pranks, troubling people and having fun on everyone’s expense and I really look out for people who could be my 
perfect partner in crime but then once I met Shobha, I didn’t had to look nowhere else. She and I together we cooked plenty of pranks and unfortunately I cannot spit it out here as some of you was the target but she is always game for fun. She is everything – an absolutely caring person, very very friendly girl, a great artist, awesome team player, fabulous adviser, huggable friend, and a PERFECT ANGEL!! I can even add – if Sabrina the nice witch could be replaced with present times then Shobha can fit the role well but Shobha is lot more better witch then her. (again this was suppose to be a compliment… lol) She is pure happy magic!!
There is still bundles and bundles of stuff that I need to mention and pay tribute to but since the article is going to be never ending, so will keep it for the next time.
Shobha jaani, I said a number of times that I love you but the fact is that I absolutely ADORE you. I can’t do without you!! You are that perfect friend I always prayed God for. 
You are pure magic. I have been comparing friends with many of my other friends very close to my heart but when it comes to you, you are beyond compare. You are the best thing that could happen to this site. Though these days I am not able to find time often to come and speak but please know you are always in my heart and in my prayers. I thank God for you! I wish you all the best of best in everything that you do and pray to God that may he always shower his choicest blessings on you. May your life be always filled with joys, cheers, happiness, LOVE, family, friends, awesome health, zillions of wealth and trillions and trillions of same laughter that you hold. And last but not least, I pray to God to always keep you in my life!! Amen!!
WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH SHOBHA!!
I dedicate this song to you……………………
- Raffu
Posts
Raffu jaani thank you so much for this lovely surprise. I have a lot to say - right now, my back and shoulder’s in bad shape, so please forgive me - I’ll write more later - promise but know that I love very much and I’m very fortunate and blessed to have you in my life…
Raffu you are too much… itna sara mere liye - I really, really don’t know if I am worth all this but today you made me realize once again that a friend sees beauty and good things in his or her very, very ordinary friend. I’m honored and touched by your words. You have really, really made my day.
I am touched by the fact that you took the time to write this - especially now when you are so very busy with the major upheavals in your life. You are just so awesome Raffu.
I am really, really blessed to have you for a friend.
Raffu I feel you haven’t seen my dance yet. If you had you would definitely not be calling me professional - We are students and I have 2 left feet - love dancing though - only cure for this was to join up some classes and must say that’s one of the best things I have done in my life - Remember our talk - you need to join up too and then when we meet we’ll dance the nights away… hahaha
Thank you so much for the wishes - I need them and I hope you meant what the song said - you will never let me go!!!
You are a part of my life and will be always. Thank you for being a such wonderful friend and for all that you do for me and for all of us. I love you very, very much. I treasure you and your love. 
Wohooo tribute to shobha….i think she deserves one from all of us hehe
I will read the tribute later and comment on it…. just wanted to say i love u shobhs 
and raffu u are always in my dil vil along with all the family here!!
Thanks much Amrita. Love you too
and what’s happening at the job-front? Why so eager to start slave-life??? 
Take it easy for a bit - exams just got over, right?
Very nice article Raffuji. With help of your article hum jaise members Shobha jaise Angel members ke baare me jaan paa rahe hai. Aap ne meintion kiya tha ki shobha kisi member ko nahi bhoolti agar galti se bhool bhi gayee to baad me update karti hai. Shobha ka yahi khaasiyat hai she remembers everybody. Love u Shobha. U r an angel. I am really lucky to have u in my life. Thank uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
lovely write-up for a lovely and unique person. Shobhs we all know that you are one of a kind. PLEASE promise that you will never change ok??
thanks raffu for another heartfelt wonderful article and shobha thanks for being YOU!! Love you
yes i will never never let you go
i will never let any of you go …. but pls dont let me go too… make sure there is a tiny place in your memories for me. and dont jump to any conclusions just because i am not here regularly.. wait for this month to pass by.. as u all know i am moving back and going crazy with all the work so i am unable to come here often but you all are in my heart and in my thoughts and as well as in my prayers.
shobha… i will talk to you on phone next week and looking forward to some gala time but wait i need to talk to you for something else before that… like today… so is 8 pm my time and 5 pm your time alright? it will be a quick call let me know plsssssssssss
take care nd love and hugs………. by the way… where is ahmed these days?
havent seen a single message from shashi ji, kishanrajji … missing you all
yes amrita… pls dont go searching for jobs.. just take it easy and enjoy your free time.. pamper yourself, sleep till late, eat good, have fun, dont get into that rut… u already have worked very hard so take it light for sometime dear and anyway once you graduate you will start working and life will be so different.. right now things are in your hands.. have a blast dear
love you lotssssssssssssssssssssss my hon bunch
Veena I am so very happy to see you here - it’s been ages and I do think of you very often, though I don’t say anything… I thought you probably need time-off - we all do - but do keep writing a few lines every-now-and-then. It’s nice to read from everyone here - after all this is the only way we can be part of each other’s life….
How’s you job and new place? Settled down well? Keep smiling and I love you lots too - always.
And I am very, very happy to have you in my life! 
Actually glad to see Raffu my jaan that you and I are thinking along the same lines - have been missing Padma jaan, Shashiji, Rahul, Praveen, Kishanrajji, Veena, Aliza and of course, our pagala Ahmed - at least write to say hi - don’t have to write like Raffu and me… hehehe - Padma and Ahmed you both have to - even if you don’t want to - rest of you, just say hello once-in-a-while.
I don’t say anything doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of you all - I am also thinking of Anjali, Bosky, Maryam and all the others… Be happy always.
Padma darling change is part of life - id I hadn’t changed you wouldn’t have liked the person I was
- but yes, I am going to do the best and stay a cheerful person - even if it kills me. hahahaha 
Why have been MIA for so long? Everythinh alright, I hope. Now, it’s you turn to write and chat, ok…
Keep us entertained… 
Raffs 5pm my time - good time. I have to go for dance practice much later - so 5pm is perfect and I also wanted to talk to you about something - so this is just wonderful. What are you cooking up, I’m dying of curiosity!!!
Actually the site is so very lively and masti-bhari when you are here - so I am really waiting to see you back here soon - hope your moves and settling down goes off really smoothly or as smotthly as possible and we have back here for good.
hehe i like the MIA part, simply adore these abbreviations. have been rather under the weather, run down, fever, pitham, migraines, all sorts of things and much more and then there was a marriage in the family, cousin’s son’s wedding and a whole lot of cousins descended upon us, at my parents house and i was meeting some of them after twenty odd years or so and it was amazing catching up, doing classes, training teacher trainees, translations and then wearing saris, attending the wedding ceremonies, eating like a maniac on wedding food hehehehe and on top of all this there was a reception at the ambassador’s place that i just HAD to attend and after all that when I reached back home to my complexed dog who couldnt understand why I was so much MIA vis-a-vis him, I was crooning to him and didnt see where i was going and banged my right elbow hard (ouch still hurts!!!!! even writing abt it hurts) on a pillar/beam and have been in excruciating pain but now better so guess nothing broken hehehehe. does this all sound good???? well anyway these are the reasons shobhs and raffu dearests.
raffu even i want to know!!! i mean your secret telephonic rendez-vous with shobhs!!! boo hoo snif snif hehehehe
and YES AHMED WHERE ART THOU????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
You know Raffu in future, when I am sad or feel down - I am going to read this article and I am going to think of the song Manish put up for me ages ago and count my blessings - that will cheer me up for sure.
All of you here, my virtual family, are so good to me and for me - I am so lucky to have you all in my life. Thank you all very much for enriching my life and for being with me. Love you all very much.
Padma dear I am so very sorry to read the being ill and hurting yourself part - but happy to read the fun part - wedding and more importantly all the eating hahaha and the dressing up part - really glad that you are back to normal - atleast sort-of-normal now. Take care of yourself - so many of us need you and want you - being selfish, here too!!!! hehehe - but seriously want you to be happy always and have the best things happen your life.
sweet… but wait padma.. why did u get fever? pls take care and always be healthy.
wedding food is soooooooooooo awesome… my mouth is watering as i am eating some bland food here.. these days i hardly get time to cook and eating most of the time from outside. but cant wait to go home and eat all the yummy food. and padma i do plan to meet you this year…. so pls take some time out after august.. thats the time my sisters will return and things will settle down so i am planning to meet you.. maybe shashi ji, veena, urmee and ofcourse manish …all of us can get together. and all the friends who can make it.. lets have a blast … can u imagine all of us under the same roof… God only save the world.
okay i told to shobha for the call to cook some stuff up but i wanted to tell u too but just thinking how the timing will work… three different time zones unless we do this twice… once with shobha and another time with you… what says u
shobha okay darling 5 pm ur time it is
muaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh
i read mao’s message two days ago… where are you mao jaani??
Raffu you meanie - you are meeting everyone except me. booohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
I am devastated - completely, totally - how are you going to make it up to me for this gross injustice???? How? How? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Mmaoji aap kahan hain? Weekend to ho gaya - aapka radio-slience katam nahin hua????
Yes raffu two calls it should be then ok?
I will wait.
Impatiently.
also yes lets try all of us to meet after august or as it suits you and the others. and we will surely have a BLAST!!!!!
waiting again IMPATIENTLY for this to happen soon.
And shobhs all that you have to do is to come down for the PARTY ok??? so stop cribbing and put the cheerful old you back again on your face teehee
Beta jaani ibtida e ishq hai cannot tell you yet will reveal all soon
Padma when you coming here?????
Mmaoji reveal all!!!!
Pls translate ibtida e ishq hai - I want to if I what I am thinking now is right or not!!!! 
shobha… mao means to say… she has fallen in love and its only the beginning so cannot divulge the news yet
ahem ahem
padma okay two calls it is then
shobha… i thought u were going to visit india this year…. we will have it then or else we can gettogether and put u on speaker hahahahahhaha
Raffu I love you and at the same time want to strangle you - do you get that?????
How you torture me and I still love you - anyways speaker phone idea is good too! Just don’t forget me in all this fun-thing that you all will be doing.. India this year looks dicey.. sigh… And yes, when I get to India we can have a get-together - oh, how I wish this happens…. and soon! 
And yes, I did think Mmaoji meant that - so Mmaoji jaldi jaldi dsiclose kijiye - yeh kuan hain, kayan mila and the rest of the juicy details…. hahahaha
Padma how about you and I have a chat saturday morn’, 7.00am your time? It’s been so long.
Ok mein jal jal kar kabab ho gayi number one Raffu kisi aur ki itni tareef kare aur number two how come Shobha ne mujh se baath nahi ki number three jewellery ki toh mein bhi shauqeen hoon meri necklace kahan hai hai hai kya zamana agaya hai
ok all fun aside Shobha is a sweetheart I am very happy to know her she is the one that looks after my songs I love her dearly no wonder my Raffu loves ( raffu tu dekh rahi hai fauran my raffu likh diya ke koi yeh baath bhool na jaye you see I don’t share jo mera woh mera ) shobha in such a short time you have become someone we cannot do without God Bless you and may we never be without you in our life and next year InshAllah I will try to come your way (if I have the means) love you sweetie
Shobha sweetie it means the begining of love, you are too cute
Icannot reveal anything right now I myself don’t know and I go between excitement and extreme depression so if I get good news I will reveal boy will I reveal Pray for me Shobha
Also why is Padma talking to you two you know I feel like a makhi that is taken out of the doodh mujh se koi baath nahi karta raffu se toh mein khud nahi karti because I will start crying magar tum sab toh mujh se baath kar sakthey ho I am good for guy talk any talk so what if I am old
Mmaoji I am so excited to read all your comments here and thank you so much for your sweet, sweet words - I, too, love you a lot and I’m so happy to have you in my life and I, too, wish that you all will be part of my life forever and ever.
And you know Raffu - she makes each and everyone of us feel special - that’s her gift to us and I love her for it and for so many other things… Some day Mmaoji you should write a tribute to her…. Main intezar karongi…and Raffu bhi.
Wow, Mmaoji just give me a hint to start of with - I’m feeling the excitement here reading about your new love…. and no, no depression - everything will be fine - you see - for some reason I feel like giggling just like when I was a teenager. hahahaha
This is so much fun! 
Will talk to you too and your necklace - some day soon, I hope. For a change, I am having a hectic social life - no complains though - am loving it all!
Who’s this old person you are talking about Mmaoji? Anyone I know? I think not!
Have a good day Mmaoji. I am happy to see you here and to have a chance to talk with you. I have to go. See you tomorrow.
See you all and have a great day. Be happy and keep smiling.
Hai Shobha I thought you guys had left here I was playing games on the computer and I could have chatted with you sorry sweetheart and beta this guy is not new he has been in my life since my first breath I just haven’t seen him in a long time and I miss him so much he is an ache in my heart, I hope to God I get to see him I will be devastated if I don’t I love him so much, I have had many many happy moments with him I just want to see him one last time I get weepy talking about him, so Shobha pray I get to see him
hi all raffu shobhs and mao meri jaan hamari jaan
yes shobhs sat 7 am my time will be perfect. wow, looking forward to it.
mao love you to distraction and you know it right?
now need to rush to work.
love you all,
padma
amazing tribute Raffu …
SHobha .. totally deserves this and much more .. she really is the life of this site .. and without her .. this sitee is always dull … ShoBha … i’m just really amazed at you .. and what you always do .. how do you do all this … give me some of your brains man … lol .. i wish i were smart ..creative ..likee you … lol …you’re really tooo niceee …. muahss.. lovee you muchoo
:)
Thank u shobha u still remember me. New job is ok but i need to time adjust here. In these three months i have faced lot of problmes and difficulties and still i am facing, but only the hope and ray of happiness is this sight. I visit regularly but i am not able comment here (kyonki mere dimaag ab sirf bhoosa bhara pada hai). Pls give me some time to clear all the bad stuff I promise I will be back with fresh mind.
Raffuji, Mmao aunty, Padmaajee, Lavanya I miss u all very much. While writing this comment I have tears in my eyes. I really miss u all. Love u all very muchhhhhhhhhhh. Lots of love and hugssssssss
same here veena love you too and you know it. it will never change. we are all part of each other’s lives henceforth and that will never change and therefore you are part of my family and my most loved ones. so take care and soon all will be fine and you will bounce back and be our most dearest wonderful creative veena!
Veena I’m sorry to read that you are having a bit of bad time but I do hope and wish that things will turn around for you and that too very soon. Do write a line or 2 to just say hi, since you come here anyways. You don’t have to always be doing stuff - sometimes just being is enough - there’s time for everything and I wish you strength and courage to work out your problems. We all love you very much.
Padma sweetie I’m so sorry for not calling you today - please, please forgive me - was out and have too much going on now all of a sudden. Let’s plan to talk in a weeks time, if it’s ok with you - I’ll let you know when, ok. Once again, sorry.
Thank you Sadia. Love you too - lots.