Khayali Pulao

Has a middle-class dream ever been so big that it needs to have its own song? From fancy daydreams at 2 a.m. to always thinking "one day" that never comes, khayali pulao is the dish we all know well. It's made out of just the same amount of hope, a little bit of humor, and just that small portion of hopelessness; because honestly, no one mentions that reality check comes after that dream. So, here is what those dreams really are, from crushes to career plans, and why they need just a bit of effort instead of wishful thinking.

Crush pulao, it's the first thing, that is. Sweet and hard. You see her in the local café, sporting those headphones, as if walking into a movie scene. Your heart is off like in a great big Broadway show, and overnight you are the hero of her dreams. You pretend you are the knight in shining armor singing to her with the guitar that, lo and behold, doesn't sound that bad. Her eyes are on yours; in that dream-like instant, she tells you, "You're not like other guys." And in a flash of a second, you think about life as a movie with picnics and road trips and naming your future pets after your favorite movie character. But what about real life? She’s taking a selfie with a caption that reads, “Just here to live my best life.” Your crush just got turned into a social media post, and you’re back to wondering why your idea of flirting is more awkward than a kid at their first school dance.

Reality check: Don’t map out the entire romantic saga in your head. Start with “Hi,” and maybe keep the dream sequence to a minimum, or you’ll end up in an awkward stare and avoid the club.

Now let's talk of the best pulao-the top dish that makes people jealous and inspires. Then there is a classmate in every test, who performs well without doing something different. That means you enter the examination hall looking and feeling confident, as if you have learnt overnight. Reality check? That is the boy who used to place his textbook under his pillow with a wish that all this somehow magically gets absorbed during sleep, and prays that it is enough to study for an exam. Is that so?. Even the best grades come with more than a pinch of luck; they come with late nights, study cramming fueled by caffeine, and probably a few tears. They come with no wishes and a "yaar, yeh toh hona hi tha".

Next up is the business pulao—the dish of dreams and delusions. You’re full of grand ideas of launching the next big thing, of seeing your name in the headlines with a Forbes cover and an interview that’s all about how “It all started with a vision.” But the reality? You're still thinking in your pajamas about this new business idea you always have, munching on a bag of chips, fantasizing about selling your memoir as a motivational book if that fails. Tomorrow: you promise yourself is definitely the day you will send out all your pitches, but tomorrow is actually similar to today, and these days "I'll do it" is a good excuse that's about as reliable as your WiFi again. Reminder: Businesses don't start overnight. And they don't start with think-tank sessions in bed at midnight. They begin with hard work and perhaps learning to be responsible before noon.

Then the dream pulao—the specialty dish. Your head has already sipped cocktails by Maldivian beach, saving what you have pinned on your board. In reality, however? You're arguing for ₹10 with that pani-puri wallah on the street and your wallet is crying for some more in a corner. Your dream retirement is sitting on a Konkan farmhouse porch with a glass of coconut water. Saving a little data to cut Netflix feels like climbing Mount Everest. The fact of the matter is that dreams require support. Planning, sacrifices, and saying "no" to that extra episode of your favorite show often take center stage.

So, what is the recipe for life? Easy: part ambition with a lot of effort. Want to make a relationship? Start with a "Hi." Want to do well on your exams? Open that book the night before. Want to start your own business? Wake up before noon and begin building it, one step at a time. Life isn't only about making the perfect dream—it's about making that dream real, with hard work, patience, and some real-life advice.

And here it is, everyone—the truth about khayali pulao with all its mixed, funny, and annoying flavors.

Thanks for reading! If you have your own dreams, crushes, or big mistakes that make you smile and laugh, I want to hear them. Follow me on Instagram for blog updates and message me to share your stories. You never know, your story might be in my next blog post. Keep dreaming, keep working hard, and remember, the best stories are the ones we tell each other.