Storieo

Category: Life

  • The Goblet of Fire

    The Goblet of Fire

    I have always been my father’s daughter. He has been a doting father to me since my childhood. An argument with my mother would lead to my father emerging as a hero with the advice and comfort I needed in that moment. However, in this process, I forgot to acknowledge the hero that my mother has been to me. At my age, she had me and my brother already! She was struggling with the usual banter that every mother of this generation has fought against.

    My heart sank, a chill ran down my spine, when I finished packing my mother’s suitcases. She had to catch a flight the next day. She was crossing oceans to be with my brother; an almost estranged brother. She came to bid me goodbye at the door on the same day. It took me every ounce of courage to not crumble in front of her. All my issues, complaints, grudges, took a back seat. All I could think about was- I would not find my mother the next time I come home.

    This ongoing, overwhelming phase gave birth to a lingering question in my mind – Do women receive the empathy that they deserve from other women? I denied a truth for the major chunk of my life stuck barking at the wrong tree. Unfortunately, half of the battles that women have fought were (and still are) against each other. The burning goblet has been passed on through generations. There is no need to blaze everyone’s individuality in this vicious process, yet it happens.

    I have been blessed with the most amazing women in my life – my mothers, girlfriends, big sisters, little sisters; all of them finding themselves. Behind the smiles are hidden tonnes of effort making that smile happen, a lot of hushing making the noise fade!

    Why not look past the ego, traumas, resentment and much more, and heal together? Empathy is never taxing. There are women everywhere, who need someone going through the same emotion – to make them feel safe and sane. Why not extend a hand and straddle through life with love and assurance?

  • The Tale of Synthopolis

    In the sprawling metropolis of “Synthopolis”, a cold and sterile monument to the triumph of technology and capitalism, a man named Madison wandered through the gleaming streets. The towering skyscrapers reached for the heavens, their mirrored surfaces reflecting a distorted reality.

    Madison was like a cog in the machine, a faceless employee of a soulless corporation. Day in and day out, he toiled away in a vast office building, surrounded by the ceaseless hum of computers and the indifferent gazes of his colleagues. His existence had become a monotonous routine, devoid of purpose or fulfillment. Amidst the never-ending pursuit of financial progress, Madison felt an overwhelming sense of existential emptiness. The relentless pace of life in Synthopolis left no room for introspection or genuine human connection. Loneliness became his constant companion, an invisible weight that dragged him deeper into a pit of despair.

    In this futuristic techno-capitalist dystopia, even relationships were reduced to mere transactions. Virtual reality had replaced physical interaction, and people hid behind digital avatars, exchanging hollow pleasantries and empty promises. The screens that surrounded Madison served as a constant reminder of his isolation, a cold barrier separating him from the warmth of genuine human touch.

    One fateful evening, as the neon lights bathed the city in an artificial glow, Madison stumbled upon an old, forgotten bookstore nestled between towering megastores. Drawn by an inexplicable yearning for something real, he stepped inside, the creaking wooden door served as a stark contrast to the polished perfection of the outside world. Within the bookstore’s musty embrace, Madison discovered a collection of forgotten books, their pages yellowed and worn. He leafed through the words of long-dead authors, their prose carrying a weight that seemed to resonate with his soul. It was as if these forgotten voices reached out from the past, beckoning him to explore the depths of his own existence.

    As Madison immersed himself in the stories of the written word, he realized that he was not alone in his struggles. The characters he encountered grappled with their own loneliness, their own battles with meaning and purpose. The books became his companions, offering solace in their tales of triumph and tragedy, and igniting a spark of hope within him. Inspired by the written revelations of philosophers like Karl Marx and Jean Baudrillard, Madison sought to bridge the gap between the virtual realm and the physical world. He yearned to break free from the superficial connections that had plagued his life and find genuine human connection. Armed with newfound purpose, he embarked on a mission to create spaces where people could come together, away from the suffocating grip of technology.

    Madison’s vision soon materialized in the form of small gathering places, where people could engage in face-to-face conversations, share stories, and explore the complexities of their existence. The spaces were devoid of screens, encouraging genuine interactions and fostering a sense of belonging. Word of these havens spread like wildfire through Synthopolis. People hungry for authenticity flocked to these places, craving the touch of human connection that had eluded them for so long. In the midst of this awakening, Madison realized that he was not alone in his struggle. The collective loneliness and despair that pervaded Synthopois were a result of a shared longing for true human connection.

    Through his actions, Madison inadvertently ignited a non-violent revolution against the nihilist technological regime. The people of Synthopolis yearned to break free from the shackles of isolation and rediscover their humanity. As the city trembled under the weight of discontent, the once-sterile streets began to resonate with the sound of footsteps, laughter, and the vibrant energy of genuine connection. And hence, in the heart of this techno-capitalist dystopia, Madison became a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience in the face of a dehumanizing world.

  • Memories

    Memories

    I was rummaging through the drawers of my closet looking for that picture frame, that picture I so dearly admired of my father, but to no avail. I sat disappointed in vain, with tears strolling down my cheeks. I couldn’t find it! I was depressed, sad and very angry with the situation I had landed into with the twist of fate.

    I am Andy, a famous singer and rapper in the States. On the outside, my life looks picture perfect, but like everyone else I have had my fair share of unfortunate events. First, I lost my mother at the age of four due to cancer, and now I have lost my father as well at the ripe age of twenty. Where families go on trips together and enjoy life with their teenage kids, I have lost my parents. He was my only supporting anchor after the loss of my mother, but now he is gone as well. It feels like my life is slipping off my hands. I have been on a break for two months now. Life seems to have come to a stop. I have not stepped out of my house even once. People talk about me, my loss, about how unfortunate I am. There is news about me everywhere and I do not want to face a single soul. My doorbell has rung for the twentieth time today, but I won’t get up. I won’t open the doors. I know it’s Stacy, my childhood best friend, but I don’t want to talk to a single soul. I closed my eyes in despair, losing myself back, to all those beautiful memories with my father. Running along the beach with nothing but my swimming trunks on, shouting at the top of my lungs and having fun. Enjoying the cool sea breeze hitting on my face. It’s a Sunday those few days when I get to meet him and take a break from that boarding school. He is my comfort place. His hearty laugh continues to ring in my ears. Another ring; I instantly opened my eyes and came hitting the brutal reality of my being. What a loss!

    I slowly got up, walked towards my door and flung it open. I shouted frustrated, ‘What is it, Stacy! Can you not see I am ignoring the doorbells?’ Then, suddenly a smack landed across my head! It was Stacy, she smacked me so hard my head hurts now. I looked at her in shock while she had tears brimming down her eyes. She exclaimed, ‘What is wrong with you! Why wouldn’t you open the door!’ She tried to get in, but I denied her entry I couldn’t face her right now. I felt like a loser, staying cooped up in my apartment unable to face the brutal reality of life. She nodded her head, scanned my face and sighed she said,’ Andy take a break, go out go to your favourite places and have a calming walk. Connect with nature. Stop being cooped up in this apartment of yours. You are not taking yourself anywhere your life will slip out of your hands at this rate.’ She then quickly swiped the remaining tears from her eyes and then started rummaging through her bag. She then popped out a black mask, a black cap along with a black jacket from her ever-so-glorious backpack. Shocked I asked her, ‘Whose murder do you expect me to commit?’ She just rolled her eyes and told me that it was so that I could conceal my identity and move around the city without gaining attention. I suggested,’ I would look like a stalker with that all-black look’, to which she just landed me a stern look and directed me to wear it with a nod of her head. I complied. Once I was all ready she told me to make sure I got out of the house and take some fresh air, giving me a mint she turned on her heels and walked out of my place. Exactly! What I needed to begin stepping out of the house; was some courage. After collecting my wallet and wearing my shoes I walked out of that apartment. I looked up in the sky, it was cloudy and pleasant opposite to the mood I had. Thinking to myself how sad my life is I dragged myself through the pavements of the city. After around half an hour of aimless walking, I entered a sketchy area. Things seem in a bad condition there. When I further galavanted inside, I realized I was in a poor neighbourhood. It looked like it was in ruins, the sheds were falling off, the houses were ill-kept and none of the houses had any boundary walls. I looked in the direction of one house there was one boy outside with a dog he was playing with a puppy. I stopped in my tracks and continued looking at him; I don’t know what got into me, but I started walking towards him and knocked on that barely hanging door to make them aware of my presence. The boy looked up with his puppy also doing so in the process. After scanning my entire body the boy announced in a deep voice,’ You don’t seem like you belong to this neighbourhood, why are you here?’

    I didn’t answer him, instead, I questioned him if I could sit beside him, he paused lost in thought for a few seconds but then nodded his head. He then continued to pet the puppy. After a few minutes or so, he looked at me and said,’ You seem upset.’ I nodded then, after a pause, the words began to flow out of me. I told him how I had lost my father and how much I cherished him. How I felt worthless and lonely. The boy nodded turning all his attention towards me, whispering he said,’ I understand.’ Anger shot through me, and in a clipped tone I asked, ‘What makes you think you understand me? I don’t think you have gone through what I have.’I was ignorant. He very calmly looked at me, then with a tilt of his head with his messy hair falling on his forehead he said, ‘While I may not have gone through what you exactly went through, however, I understand the feeling of loss and losing your loved one.’ He took a deep breath and then continued,’ I lost both my parents in an accident and my uncle took all my property that didn’t upset me or deter me, but then he severed all ties with me and didn’t let me enter my house or collect my belongings. For quite a while, I fought for my rights in court, but it was all in vain. My uncle was too powerful and I lost the case. I came to terms with the reality and moved to this neighbourhood.’ He explained how he feels the loss of his parents, the loss of his previous life and it hurts till now, but he has moved on with his life. I looked at him deep in thought, realizing I am not the only one who faces loss in this world, a reality that I always knew. However, it never hit me as deeply as it did today. He looked up in the sky and said what a beautiful day it is today; I simply agreed with the shake of my head. Then he looked me in the eyes and said,’ You didn’t answer my previous question.’ I swallowed saying,’ I was just wandering around and ended up here.’ He nodded again. Suddenly I felt something sniffing my hand when I looked towards my hands I realized it was the puppy, a small smile came on my lips once in a long time and I just petted the little animal happy to be out of my misery for a while. The boy then remarked,’ You know what? You must be grateful for your life and not dwell in sadness.’ He said,’ You will forever feel the loss and the void but don’t stop with your life. Continue working and putting your mind elsewhere instead of closing yourself off from the world.Face the world.’ I looked at him suspiciously and asked.’Do you know me?’ He nodded and told me how I am a famous personality and everybody knows me, so it is obvious for him to know me. I nodded in approval. He then took a deep breath and sighed he stood up, dusted his pants and put his hand in his pockets.He then asked, ‘Do you want to come in for coffee?’ I was about to say no, but then I wanted to talk to him more and nodded my head in affirmation. We walked inside the house. Inside the house, there was a cosy place, very different and opposite to how it looked on the outside.Nonetheless, I comfortably sat on the chair near a table facing the boy’s kitchen and continued to look around until a thought came up in my brain.I asked the boy if he had any memories of his parents, and he shook his head and told me he lost it all his uncle was too cruel, he locked away his house and stopped his employment at Big firms did he let him retrieve any of his belongings although he begged for it. After a pause, he poured the coffee and brought it to me, sitting in front of me he told that he had stopped caring for his memories are far better and more intact. I nodded understanding, I had a faint flicker of sympathy in my heart but assumed that he wouldn’t want any just like I didn’t. I then asked him how he survives in such a slum considering his background.He then explained how he had to live by doing menial jobs and living a little better off than the rest of the neighbourhood with some extra income. We conversed about many other things, our lives and experiences.After a few hours, I looked outside and commented that it had begun to get dark. He nodded and told me I should get out of the slum early as it gets dangerous at night. Instantly, I stood up with my hands in my pocket and shook hands with him. Just before I was about to get out of his house, I turned and said you didn’t tell me your name he shook his head smiling and said if we meet ever again I would tell you then, I looked at him, nodded and walked out of the place. While walking back to my apartment with my hands in my pocket I looked up in the sky with a smile playing on my lips for suddenly I was grateful about life. Not because I was better off than others but because I suddenly realized the importance of letting go and being grateful for what I have. Slowly I felt the weight of things falling off my chest and felt lighter. That night I had a sound sleep. The next day, I sent my thanks to Stacy for her suggestion and apologized for my behaviour toward her. In subsequent days I started visiting the boy often, now I know his name, it’s Steve and within no time he has become a nice friend to me. Yesterday, I offered him a job as my manager and he has very happily accepted the offer. He will now continue to live with me. Nowadays, I feel better, happier and lighter with the change of perspective and environment my heart feels lighter. I look at the sky more and smile more. I pray for my parents each night and aim to work more hard in my life for I must not lose this life. Our life is the most precious thing gifted to us by god and we mustn’t waste it by being ungrateful instead, when problems and failures hit in life know you should stand up again and fight back for fighting back is more important than anything. Do not let life direct you; you direct your life.

  • Holier Than Thou

    It was an early summer morning in a college hostel room. That was the time when the room used to flare up like oven so it was a common sight to see the entry doors wide open for better cross ventilation. Like any hostel room, it consisted of basic amenities, bed, bucket, tuck and the ever existing dry fruits. In one such room lived a girl who was busy dreaming of the high sky, the nature wide, the birds that fly and what not. It is then that she could hear a crackling sound right above her head, and started heading back to reality from her dream. At first she thought a thief had entered the room, so she quickly opened her eyes.

    To her extreme shock a monkey sat right above her head up on the table. She quickly ran away from the monkey and kept looking dumbstruck at the monkey with eyes wide open as if Jumanji was becoming a reality. Till she could find something big to scare the monkey, it casually got up, indifferent to her reaction and picked up the most preciously preserved box given by her mother with all her love and care. It was the box of dry fruits that was decorated on the table with the same love and care everyday by her. Her heartbeats were not in her control, her body became immovable and her mind became numb but the monkey was overjoyed at its prize possession as it waddled its way out as if doing the ramp walk after getting the coveted achievement. She quickly picked up her bottle and ran after the monkey to save her box of dry fruits. But all her efforts went in vain.

    This was for the first time that the girl had realised the significance of those dry fruits and her own helplessness watching how in a matter of seconds that monkey became the king of her mother’s overflowing love while all she could do was watch with the beggarly eyes those beautiful dry fruits , nothing less than diamonds being gulped and disappear. She immediately felt the need to narrate the incident to her parents. As they heard the whole incident, all they said was, “ Don’t fret. How great is that! Lord Hanuman Himself came to bless you child!”

  • Perplexity

    Perplexity

    The agony of not being able to express your emotions

    The prodigy of having someone who understands your unsaid words

  • THE LEAF

    THE LEAF

    The library is about few minutes ‘walk away from my place, the path covered with shades of green and blue always elevate my sweet walks. Even when it’s dark, I would feel safe while holding words written seventy-five years ago which are still relevant to this suffocating world, the trees around would help me breath.

    The view from my home is open and somedays allows me to dive into windless sunsets and helps me swim away from the storm underneath it.

    Earlier between me and the same view stood a tall tree and I remember wondering as a kid how it would feel to climb the tallest tree I have ever seen.

    Today I found my old dairy while cleaning my cupboard. I flipped through the pages and found a leaf in between.

    I remember exactly why those pages were empty and this leaf rested between them.

    One day I was coming home from the library and I saw few people around the same tree, cutting it down.

    I saw the tree falling down to the ground in front of my eyes. I couldn’t move. In that moment my feet couldn’t bare the weight of my heavy heart. When the tree fell, a leaf flew togethers me and fell right next to my feet.

    That day I couldn’t write in my journal, instead I kept the leaf in between the pages, I guess it was all too painful to put in words.

    I kept the leaf at its place, and went to the window. I saw that right where the tree stood now lies a small yellow flower.

    And something about that made me smile.

    By Aastha Bisht

  • A

    A

  • A Flickering Lightbulb

    A Flickering Lightbulb

    A lonely, winding path.

    A flickering lightbulb overhead.

    The street’s shrouded in complete darkness, with little illumination to boast of, save for the tiny pinpricks of light from the occasional firefly, the bulb providing no such help.

    There’s just the two of us here, just you and me.

    You draw your hood low against the cold droughts of wind as we walk, and I do the same, not from fear of the cold, but from the ache of possibly seeing a downward curve to your lips, disapproval curling at the edges, and it’s this that I cannot allow.

    All of a sudden, you let out a small gasp and clutch my hand tighter, your steps skittering on the asphalt, and it’s almost in tandem with the loud chorus of howls starting up somewhere, unseen and terrifying.

    Gripping my cold, bloodless fingers, you pull me to a stop, asking in hushed whispers, “Did you hear that?”

    and of course I do, but how could I possibly tell you that, without betraying my shaky voice, without letting slip a sliver of the fear that’s curling through my veins, rendering me immobile?

    So I just gently stroke my thumb along yours, hoping beyond hope that it gives you a shadow of the comfort I yearn to, and pull you forward, alongside me in the plunging, encompassing darkness.

    And with trembling steps, you come along, reluctance emanating from every pore, and if I could, I’d laugh at the mildly disgruntled faces I know you must be pulling, the very thought of your nose wrinkled in displeasure sending me to the edges of hysteria.

    (If I could, I’d simply get you out of here, where we knew nobody and no one called out our name.)

    (If I could, I’d give you the whole world to do with as you so wished.)

    but I can’t, so I just walk alongside you in a deep, deep silence.

    We walk and walk and keep walking, till we do not know why we’re doing this, till we do not remember our destinations or our names, till we are familiar with nothing but the shape of the other’s breath. (but then again, does anything else even matter?)

    We walk and that’s when, at long last we see it, the path ahead lit by the warm glow of a lightbulb, only this one does not flicker.

    And it’s here that we almost reach our first disagreement, because I wish to walk to it slowly, completely drink it in with our eyes, to see, to check that it’s real, that it’s there, that it won’t melt away at the barest touch, the way dreams often do, the way mere figments of imagination bring us to ruin.

    But you’re you and you wish to rush into it headlong with shining eyes and that mad laugh of yours. You’re you and I’m me and when have I ever been able to deny the smallest whisper from your lips? And so we hold each other tighter and run towards it, towards everything, our faces split in identical grins.

    And surprising me in the way only you ever can, the first thing you do, after we reach, is throw your arms around me, and I curl mine around you, hiding my smile in your hair as I feel relief as I’ve never known before, course through me.

    “I can’t believe we did it”, you whisper contently, before quietly adding “Weren’t you scared?”

    And of course I was, but how could I possibly tell you that if it hadn’t been for your steady heartbeat against my palms, that if it hadn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here right now?

    A luminescent lightbulb overhead.

    There’s just the two of us here, just you and me (and I would never have it any other way.)

  • Nature’s Benefits towards our Mental Health 

    Spending time in nature can help reduce stress levels. The serenity, fresh air, and natural surroundings have a calming effect on the mind and body, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety. Nature has been found to enhance mood and promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Being in natural environments, such as parks, forests, or near bodies of water, can boost positive emotions and help combat feelings of depression.

     Nature provides a break from the demands and fast pace of daily life. Immersing oneself in natural surroundings can promote relaxation, decrease muscle tension, and lower blood pressure, thus contributing to a sense of calmness. Spending time in nature has been associated with improved cognitive function and attention restoration. Nature provides a respite from the constant stimulation of technology and urban environments, allowing the mind to recharge and restore focus. Engaging in outdoor activities in nature, such as hiking, cycling, or gardening, promotes physical activity. Regular exercise has well-established benefits for mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

    Nature can provide opportunities for social interaction and connection. Joining outdoor clubs, participating in group activities like nature walks, or simply spending time with friends and family in natural settings can strengthen social bonds and support mental well-being. Sunlight exposure is essential for the production of vitamin D, which plays a role in regulating mood. Being outdoors in nature allows for greater exposure to natural light, especially during the daytime, which can positively impact mental health. Nature’s beauty and sensory experiences, such as the sight of trees, flowers, or water, the sound of birds singing, or the scent of fresh air, can have a rejuvenating effect on the mind and senses. This restoration can help reduce mental fatigue and increase overall well-being. Nature will always be our personal Spending time in nature can help reduce stress levels. The serenity, fresh air, and natural surroundings have a calming effect on the mind and body, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety. Nature has been found to enhance mood and promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Being in natural environments, such as parks, forests, or near bodies of water, can boost positive emotions and help combat feelings of depression.

     Nature provides a break from the demands and fast pace of daily life. Immersing oneself in natural surroundings can promote relaxation, decrease muscle tension, and lower blood pressure, thus contributing to a sense of calmness. Spending time in nature has been associated with improved cognitive function and attention restoration. Nature provides a respite from the constant stimulation of technology and urban environments, allowing the mind to recharge and restore focus. Engaging in outdoor activities in nature, such as hiking, cycling, or gardening, promotes physical activity. Regular exercise has well-established benefits for mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

    Nature can provide opportunities for social interaction and connection. Joining outdoor clubs, participating in group activities like nature walks, or simply spending time with friends and family in natural settings can strengthen social bonds and support mental well-being. Sunlight exposure is essential for the production of vitamin D, which plays a role in regulating mood. Being outdoors in nature allows for greater exposure to natural light, especially during the daytime, which can positively impact mental health. Nature’s beauty and sensory experiences, such as the sight of trees, flowers, or water, the sound of birds singing, or the scent of fresh air, can have a rejuvenating effect on the mind and senses. This restoration can help reduce mental fatigue and increase overall well-being. Nature will always be our therapist and our ultimate healer. 

  • A Powerful Story 

    A Powerful Story 

    A farmer got so old that he couldn’t work the fields anymore. So he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there. “He’s of no use any more,” the son thought to himself, “he doesn’t do anything!”

    One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wood coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in. Without saying anything, the father climbed inside. After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff.

    As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up. Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son: “I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?” “What is it?” replied the son. “Throw me over the cliff, if you like,” said the father, “but save this good wood coffin. Your children might need to use it.”