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  • A Lazy Afternoon

    A Lazy Afternoon

    An afternoon chat between two friends.

     

    “So, when are you getting married?” Ritu asked, voice hesitant.

    Lazing around on a sunday afternoon, Ritu wasn’t sure this was the ideal time to broach a subject so hated by Naina, yet it needed to be done.  Naina’s mother had called her in the morning and had almost broken down over the phone. Her pleas still rang in Ritu’s ear, so alike her own mother.

    “She is twenty nine, almost on the verge of thirty and she still keeps on singing the same tune since she was a child! Tell me, Ritu beta, isn’t it childish of her to say she is never getting married? She won’t let me look for a boy. Arey, she won’t even find a boy herself.  She has reached a certain age. Who will marry her after that? Oh, her so called modern thoughts isn’t even the only problem. Not only she is living in an apartment by herself, she is sharing it with an unmarried boy who is- what they call it?- Gay. I’m putting up with all this, aren’t I? I am growing old. She could at least let me dies in peace. Why won’t she-”

    “Aunty ji, I will talk to her. Please don’t worry.”  It was clean Naina’s mother, Sunaina, wasn’t keen on ceasing her tirade any time soon. So, Ritu was forced to interrupt.

    “Oh my god, Ritu!” Naina replied dramatically, her legs dangling in the air  from where she was half laid down on the bed, “You’ve joined the dark side too? Of course, you have, you’re a married woman now.”

    “And you’re still a drama queen. Dark side,” Ritu scoffed, tucking her legs in as she rested her head on the headboard.

    “Well, what else is this? It’s the messed up side of our society that just can’t wrap their head around the concept that a woman could be unmarried after thirty.” Naina’s demeanour was calm, but she was clearly gearing up for a heated discussion.

    “You have to get married and have kids someday.”

    “No, I don’t.”

    “Yes, you do. No matter how much you try to deny it, you do. Society won’t let you live in peace otherwise.”

    “Nor will my family,” Naina muttered. “But at least the chaos would be of my choice.”

    “Come on, Marriage isn’t that bad. Look at me! I’m happy, aren’t I?” Ritu said, her hands flailing at her side to emphasis her point.

    “You are, but my Mom isn’t and she still expect me to,” Naina made quoting motions, “Settle down.”

    “So, what are you saying? You’re never getting married? What about children? You don’t want them either?”

    “Noisy little monsters who are depended on me when I can barely take care of myself? No, Thank you. They are great when they are someone else’s but your own kids? Spare me the horror.”

    “Drama queen,” Ritu repeated, emphasising on her earlier remark. “Let me get this straight, staying single for life and no kids. What are you going to do then?” She raised an eyebrow. “Travel the world.”

    “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Maybe I will just keep on doing my five to nine p.m. job until I’m retired, live a routine life, play the favourite aunt to your children  and just die at an appropriate age. Maybe I would even adopt one day or maybe I would just stay alone. I just know I don’t want to get married and that’s something that’s never going to change. I’m not cut out for it.”

    When Ritu really thought about it, Naina has always been an inconsistent person. Her mood and mind changes in the span of a minute. However, over the years, there was one thing she never changed her mind on, and it was this. Naina loathed weddings. Or maybe it wasn’t hate, it was a high level of indifference.

    “Why? Why are you so against the concept?” Ritu asked, looking intently at Naina. It felt like a scene from a movie to her. Naina would listen to her question, contemplate and give her an answer about something that happened in her past.

    Nothing like that happened.

    Naina only shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not the concept I’m against. Like I said, you look happy and there are so many people out there who genuinely are. It really all boils down to not suiting it. I am not that girl and that all there is to it. Somethings in life aren’t for everyone. What could be good for you could be apocalyptic for me and vice versa. It’s all about choices and I would like to make my own.”

    Ritu understood. On some level, she did.

    Humans are different, their lives and thoughts are different and it’s genuinely silly to try and mold them into someone they aren’t.  It never works out they way we want it to and backfires in ways we couldn’t imagine.

    Ritu thinks, maybe next time, she would just listen to Aunty’s long speeches instead of forcing Naina on to something she isn’t ready for.

  • Lost

    Lost

    Sofia and Jay are childhood lovers. The story gives a brief yet touching description of the emotional bonding that they share. The story shows the transition of the couple from childhood lovers to a married couple, living a fairy tale. However, a misfortune changes the course of their lives.

     

    She still remembered every tiny detail of all the time they had spent together. Gazing soundlessly at the ceiling fan from her bed now, Sofia felt the knot in her stomach grow tighter. Even bright sunlight peeping through a beautiful French window, gliding past a compact room and kissing Sofia’s tender face, failed to retrieve her from her trance. While birds chirped, inducing the world to get up and about, Sofia’s mind drifted 10 years and 8232 miles down the memory lane.

    JUNE, 2000

    A new day , a new classroom, a new excitement. Sofia walked into class 9D with a vibrant smile on her lips and a flip of her high ponytail. Her soft brown eyes swept across the classroom, gleaming at the sight of familiar faces and softening to acknowledge new classmates, until they were locked in a pair of equally soft, brown eyes already staring in their direction. Sofia felt her heartbeat rise as she examined the owner of those innocent, brown eyes. He was standing at the back of the classroom with one foot on the back wall and his arms crossed across his chest. His lips curled into a smile and Sofia quickly turned away, realizing she was ogling at the tall, dark haired-what her friends would call-cutie.

    Sofia had always been shy, especially when it came to interacting with boys.

    Although ,since the encounter with the boy at the back of her classroom, who later introduced himself as Jay to the class, Sofia could not wait to go to St. John’s school the next day.

    Jay flashed a sly smile as Sofia entered her classroom. Involuntarily, she felt herself smile back. Sofia was reading a copy of Angels and Demons during lunch when Jay walked up to her. “How do you like the book? Dan Brown is a bloody genius! ”, Jay beamed. “Um I just started reading it. The world cup had kept me busy”, Sofia said with a smirk. “ The FIFA World cup? No shit! Whose side are you on”? , Jay asked, clearly intrigued. After Sofia’s answer, Jay continued, “ Netherlands? Me too. Why didn’t we meet before?”

    OCTOBER, 2000

    In four months, Sofia and Jay had learned everything about each other. Favorite books, guilty pleasures, favorite dessert, car, actor and everything else a ninth grader needed to know about another person to be considered best friends. On 25th October, St. John’s school organized a one night camp in the outskirts of the city. All the students were singing and dancing around a bonfire except a couple of students, Sofia and Jay, standing a few feet away. Sofia, being the shy girl she is, blushed and avoided eye contact. Sofia could never imagine how Jay built up the courage that night, to look into her eyes and say, “ Hey, so I, uh, I like you.” Fourteen year old Sofia felt she was too young for love but nevertheless, she could not tame her heart to not feel the way that she did for Jay. “I like you too.” Then Jay said something that amused the couple for years to come. “No, you don’t get it. I like you ‘that’ way.”

    Jay was  Sofia’s first boyfriend and Sofia was Jay’s first girlfriend. They were young but their love for each other was beyond real. Sofia would never forget the butterflies she felt in her stomach when Jay held her hand. The memory of their first kiss was forever imprinted in her mind. She could not imagine anything or anyone else who could make her happier. Who would have thought a casual football chat would blossom into a childhood romance? How mutual interests and hobbies would transform best friends to lovers?

    AUGUST, 2012

    Jay and Sofia had been married for two years now. They lived in a whole new world, halfway across the globe, in New York. Living together for six years in their own house, with a backyard, in a quiet neighborhood, the couple had endured life in all its forms, together. Life was great. Sofia was living a fairytale with her prince in shining armor. Jay meant the world to Sofia, who lost both her parents an year after her wedding to Jay.

    But when everything seems too good to be true, life hits you out of nowhere. In this case, life slapped them in the form of a medical report. Jay was diagnosed with coronary artery disease after a general check-up to sort his chest pain. Her knight in shining armor, was now weak, helpless.

     

    The doorbell had to be rung thrice for Sofia to realize she had visitors. Reluctantly, she stepped out of her bed and walked towards the door.

    Her eyes glanced out the window from her living room, brimming with tears as they landed on the half-grown trees she had planted with Jay.

    They were meant to grow old together, the trees and the married couple. Sofia knew well that the hole she felt in her heart could never be filled. God, if he exists, had taken away Sofia’s will to live as well when he took away Jay.

    Sofia strode towards the door as the bell sounded a fourth time. It was Mr. Ian Hawking. Hawking was the owner of a studio Sofia had bought. It had been two years since Jay’s death. Sofia needed to move to a smaller place in the city because it was only logical. “ Mr. Ian, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I was asleep. I’ll sign the papers right away and move in to your studio, I mean my studio now, within two days”, Sofia forced a smile. “That’s quite alright, my dear. Move in as and when you please. I just need these papers signed before I leave the country.”

     

    It took Sofia four days to stuff eight years into forty boxes. She waited by the truck as the men loaded the boxes. Sofia decided to take one last look at the house, the house Jay and Sofia made their home. She looked again at the trees they had planted and recollected how handsome Jay had looked in his loose gardening pants, his face painted with mud. A tear rolled down her cheek.

    As she brought the wooden doors of the house close to shut, Sofia could swear she saw a beam of light appear through the tiny space between them. She could swear she saw a familiar face bathing in that beam of light, smiling down at her. The same soft , brown eyes staring at her, just as they had fourteen years ago in a classroom.

  • STARGAZER

    STARGAZER

    The story is about a girl who is very fond of star gazing. everyday she waits for that time of the night. she cannot explain it to anyone but its her best time of the day. Her biggest dream is to become an astronaut. BUT AS THEY SAY, how can it go without a twist? in her college years, she meets a young , handsome and charmng boy who woos her like anything. lost in the glory of love, our girl is diverted from her ultimate goal of life. when she is sure that the boy is her only dream, his dishonesty enters. leaving her shattered the boy leaves. she decides to commit suicide. when she is on the bridge and about to jump, she looks up at the sky one last time just to realise what she was about to do. realisation hits her hard. now the question is… will she be able to live her desire or the fate will intervene again?

     

    Preface

    Will I be able to go beyond the horizon? What if it is the end of life? Or a new beginning? Am I ready to face my biggest desire?  Ignoring the sudden agitation, she took a deep breath and said just one word “GO” to G-shot who was the robot-in-charge and hit the big red button in front of her eyes.

    —

    It was 1:30 in the night when Edna woke up as her alarm began to ring. She turned it off and started gathering the stuff she usually needed at this time of the night, a bed sheet, a cushion, a blanket and her I-pod. As she found all of them, she left her room quietly so no one would wake up and went upstairs, on the roof. She was excited than usual as it was announced that a comet was going to pass around 2 am. For Edna, who was merely 15, it had become a routine to wake up in the middle of the night and gaze at stars until dawn. She used to wait all day just for those 3 or 4 hours of the night to come. All of her friends knew it and they used to think of her as some kind of a freak but they never said it out loud. Edna could never explain it to her parents that why she used to gaze at sky all night.

    She spread the sheet on the floor of her roof and lied while hugging a cushion and wrapped herself in the blanket. Her favorite song was already tuned in her earplugs and she started waiting for the comet. After an hour or so, while watching the constellations, Edna noticed a white light in the sky coming from the east and she sat right up with thrill. Not blinking for once, she saw the comet passing clearly and tears pooled in her eyes and a million dollar smile lit her own face like a shooting star, “oh my! How can something so beautiful exist?”  She whispered to herself as she worshiped the view.

    As the contentment touched her heart, she fell asleep on the roof only. It mostly happened, when some special show took place. Edna always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. She wanted to feel that unadulterated pleasure up close. She always used to conjure up herself as an astronaut in a shuttle.

    With growing years, her passion also grew larger than life. As she stepped into college, her life took turns she never even thought about.

    It was her second year of college when one Wednesday she met him. Norbert.

    The first time she saw him was at a book store. She was looking for some books on star gazing and there he was gazing at her from the corner. When she first noticed, she thought she must have been looking odd, but later it dawned on her that this stranger was smiling. Another two days passed and he kept on following her. She was worried that what is the matter with the stranger? So on the 4thday, just before entering the college, she went to the smiling boy who was sitting on a bench and asked “why are you following me? What is the matter with you?” And the boy smiled even wider and replied “your voice is as beautiful as your face” and she was gone. Lost in his words, Edna walked towards college but couldn’t step in without looking back.

    From that day, they both started meeting frequently and the stargazer thought of the boy as her star. She wanted nothing but to be with him all the time. Even at night in those happy hours she wanted to gaze at nothing but his face. Soon the old dreams were left behind as they were replaced by the new ones. Now she dreamed only of being with the boy forever.

    4 years passed and the happy couple was not happy anymore. The joy of love lasted only 3 years. Quarrels, fights and at last, betrayal by her star. She couldn’t bear him anymore. His dishonesty worked as poison and she was ready to take her own life. One night when she decided to make it her last, she went on a bridge and told herself to jump in the water. One last time she looked up at the sky to thank the Almighty for giving her life. As she looked up, the dream of her life flashed in front of her eyes. The memories of that dream, the hope of becoming an astronaut, her passion, just came into her mind. Wiping away the tears, she thought of every promise she made to herself in her younger years. Edna got off the bridge and came back home, numb. The girl didn’t sleep for 2 days. When finally she slept the third day, she realized after waking up that He was not the star. Not Her star. She still had it in herself. Those eyes of hers were once again hungry for those happy hours at night. Edna looked at the stars all night and the next day she decided to live that desire. The desire of becoming an astronaut.

    Of-course it was not an easy task. The girl spent another 3 years before her first trip to space. While being buckled up in the space rocket, she asked herself, Will I be able to go beyond the horizon? What if it is the end of life? Or a new beginning? Am I ready to face my biggest desire?

    Ignoring the sudden agitation, she took a deep breath and said just one word “GO” to G-shot who was the robot-in-charge and hit the big red button in front of her eyes.

    Edna Collins became the first woman to discover a Wormhole. The news spread like a wild fire across the globe. While everybody celebrated her success, Edna was on her way back to home, Earth. “G-shot, would you mind recording the last message of our journey?” she asked the robot with smiling eyes. “Not at all, ma’am.”

    “Sometimes, the person who romances you is not your soul mate. Your biggest Dream is!”

  • Reincarnation

    Reincarnation

    This story is about Shilpa and her family. They went to their village after 25 years and the life of Shilpa has been changed in the village.

     

    Shilpa: mom, can you please help me for packing my bags?

    Shilpa’s mother: Shilpa, you have only this work. But I have many works to do. I have to pack my bag as well as your dad’s bag. Baby, please try to understand. If you need my help then you have to wait till night.

    Shilpa: why mom?

    Shilpa’s mother: Shilpa I have to do the household works also. My responsibility does not end only with packing the bags.

    Shilpa: ok chill mom. I will not disturb you till night.

    Shilpa’s mother: that’s good.

    8P.M

    Shilpa’s mother: Shilpa, come for dinner

    Shilpa’s Dad:  Shilpa, have you packed your bags?

    Shilpa: not yet dad. I need mom’s help.

    Shilpa’s dad: Shilpa, you are not a kid. You have completed your degree. But still you need your mom’s help.

    Shilpa: papa…

    Shilpa’s dad: ok, ok. Mom will help you. Now eat properly.

     

    10 P.M

    Shilpa’s mother: Shilpa, tell me what do you want?

    Shilpa: mom, we will stay there for three months. So I don’t know what kind of dress I would require. Should I keep my jeans and t-shirt in my bag?

    Shilpa’s mother: her mother was shocked. Don’t play with me. You cannot wear jeans in the village. You can wear only salwar kameez.

    If you wish you can keep few sarees too.

    Shilpa: mom, what is this? I don’t wear sarees

    Shilpa’s mother: you have to wear sarees in the village festival. Otherwise the elders in the village will criticize you and also me.

    Shilpa: mom, it’s our freedom to wear the dress we like.

    Shilpa’s mother: no Shilpa. The villagers will object if you wear jeans or skirts there

    Shilpa: ok mom. Don’t worry. I will keep only salwar kameez and sarees.

    Shilpa’s mother:  that’s good.

    Shilpa and her family had planned to visit the village after 25 years. Shilpa’s mother was born and brought up in the village. Then Shilpa’s nana got transfer to a city as he was a government employee. In the city only Shilpa’s mother got married.

    Shilpa has finished her degree just a month back. She has planned already to spend the three months holiday with her friends.

    But her mother intervened and said about their plan of visiting the village. So Shilpa was upset. But her mother convinced her by saying they had not visited their village for the past 25 years.

    Shilpa’s dad agreed to come with them. After the festivals got over her father will return to work. But Shilpa and her mom will stay there for three months.

    Shilpa’s father has arranged for a house temporarily in the village where they can stay for few months. He has contacted the head of the village and made the necessary arrangements.

    Shilpa and her family were travelling in a car. When they reached the entrance of the village they saw an old temple. So they moved to the temple. Though it was an old temple, it was kept clean by the villagers. There was a priest doing the puja. On seeing Shilpa’s family he approached them and asked who are they?

    So they introduce themselves. While introducing Shilpa to the priest he seems to be shocked. Then he smiles at Shilpa. So they were confused by his reactions.

    Temple priest: child, what is your name?

    Shilpa: I am Shilpa

    Temple priest: how old are you?

    Shilpa: 20

    Temple priest: then he closed his eyes for few seconds and said you will get married soon

    Shilpa’s parents: on hearing this, they were shocked.

    Shilpa’s dad: pandit ji, she is too young to get married

    Temple priest: for every parent their daughter will be a child.

    Shilpa: pandit ji, I have planned to study further

    Temple priest: child, all your dreams will be fulfilled. But the fact is that you will get married soon. Whatever I said will come true.  You will accept this at the end.

    Shilpa’s family did not give importance for the words of the priest. They thought it won’t be true because they have no plans like that.

    Then they enter into the village. Shilpa’s dad said we will first meet the village Sarpanch (head) because he is the person who has made the arrangements for our stay in the village. They reached the village Sarpanch home.

    The servant of the house received them and asked them to sit. He said the Sarpanch will come within few minutes.

    Few minutes later they heard the voice of the village Sarpanch talking with his servant. Shilpa’s family was eagerly waiting for his entry. He came and everyone was shocked.

    Shilpa dad: hello, I am Sharma, this is my wife and she is my daughter Shilpa.

    Village Sarpanch: hello sir, I am virender, people would call me as viru bhai.

    Shilpa’s dad: actually we were surprised on seeing you sir

    Virender: why?

    Shilpa’s dad: we didn’t expect a young man like you as a village head.

    Virender: smiled at them and said yes I am the youngest Sarpanch of this village

    Shilpa’s dad: if you don’t mind, can we know your age?

    Virender: 25

    Shilpa’s dad: oh my god, how can you able to administrate this village at this young age

    Virender: sir, actually my father was the village Sarpanch and I was studying MBA.

    But unfortunately my dad has died recently due to health issues. So I have to take care of my family as well as the village but with the support of the people.

    Shilpa’s dad: on hearing this Shilpa’s dad was surprised. Oh my god, an MBA graduate is administrating the village. Sorry, to say this but if you have gone for work then you could earn more money.

    Virender: yes, it is true. But I like to work for the people. Initially I thought I will work for some years then I can take the incharge as a Sarpanch. But everything has been changed due to the sudden death of my father.

    Shilpa’s dad: please don’t worry. I am also like your father

    Virender: virender got emotional and said thank you so much for your kind words.

    Shilpa’s dad: he was very much impressed by virender. He couldn’t believe that a youngster like him can manage a village without giving importance to his own dreams. So he praised virender.

    Shilpa: even Shilpa couldn’t believe that the village head will be a MBA graduate.

    Shilpa and her family take part in the village festivals. They also worshipped the god. Days rolled on. Shilpa’s dad said he have to go to the city as he cannot take a long leave. Her dad insisted them to stay in the village, because it will be a different experience for them. So Shilpa agreed to stay back in the village.

    A morning in the village

    Shilpa: she wake up from the bed and asked her mom to give her coffee.

    Shilpa’s mom: Shilpa, you are not a kid now. Prepare the coffee by yourself

    Shilpa: mom, what is this?

    Shilpa’s mom: do you remember what the temple priest said

    Shilpa: mom, he wants to attract us. So he said like that

    Shilpa’s mom: ok, but in case if it happens what will you do? Everyone will scold only me as I have not trained you to prepare at least a coffee.

    Shilpa: mom, you are speaking like a filmy mother

    Shilpa’s mom: whatever it is, prepare the coffee by yourself. I have to prepare the breakfast too.

    Shilpa: ok, but remember I will report this to dad

    Shilpa’s mom: you can do that but I won’t change.

    Shilpa: Shilpa has prepared coffee for herself unwillingly. Then she said she is going out for a walk

    Shilpa’s mom: ok Shilpa. Then her mother remembers about the dressing style of Shilpa. So she rushed to the Shilpa’s room and asked her what she will wear?

    Shilpa:  mom, jogging suit

    Shilpa’s mom: no just wear an ordinary salwar kameez and go wherever you want

    Shilpa: Shilpa laughed loudly and said mom, you are asking me to wear salwar for jogging.

    Shilpa’s mom: Shilpa, please keep in mind that this is village and not your city.

    Shilpa: ok ma, don’t get angry. I will wear only salwar kameez. Then she moved from her house for a walk

    After she spent 10 minutes in walking, she thought she can move on for jogging now.

    The moment she started her jogging she saw virender there. So she moved near to him and wished him good morning

    Virender: on hearing her voice, virender smiled at her and said good morning. Then he said after my college days, you are the first person to say good morning to me

    Shilpa: why? Your parents won’t say good morning to you

    Virender: They were not educated. Only my father has completed his primary school education

    Shilpa: oh, I am sorry.

    Virender: don’t say sorry. I just remember that after a long time someone is saying good morning to me. That’s it. Then tell me, do you like the village.

    Shilpa: I couldn’t say exactly but it is completely different from the city.

    Virender: you will like our village. Just you have to spend more days here. Then he asked Shilpa have you visited the Devi ma temple here?

    Shilpa: we have visited an old temple, which is at the entrance of the village. But I didn’t visit the Devi ma temple.

    Virender: If you like to go then please visit the temple today at 6P.M because today is an auspicious day and also a full moon day. Our elders have said that it will be good if we worship god on full moon day.

    Shilpa: ok I will go today

    6p.m

    Shilpa: she was wearing a saree for the first time and came out of her home.

    Shilpa’s mother: her mother was feeling happy as Shilpa said she will go for the temple today. She also accompanied with Shilpa.

    Shilpa’s mother instructed her to go inside the temple. She will join with Shilpa after buying the flowers from the shop for puja.

    So Shilpa walked inside the temple. There she saw virender. So she asked him

    Shilpa: Are you following me?

    Virender: smiled and said not at all. I have told you already that today is a full moon day. So I came here and moreover today is my birthday.

    Shilpa: oh, sorry. Happy birthday Sarpanch sir

    Virender: both virender and Shilpa smiled together.

    Shilpa’s mother enters into the temple. There she saw Shilpa and virender together.

    On seeing them she thought they both are made for each other. She got this feeling when they meet virender for the first time in his house. But she didn’t reveal it to her husband.

    On seeing her mother Shilpa moved away from virender. Virender, Shilpa’s mother and Shilpa prayed together in the temple. Then they met an astrologer in the temple. The astrologer asked virender about them. After few minutes, the astrologer called Shilpa’s mother. Please come to my home, its next to the temple.

    Shilpa’s mother: ok pandit ji, I’ll come with Shilpa.

    Pandit ji: no. she can stay here. I want to talk to you personally. I need only 10 minutes.

    Shilpa’s mother: ok pandit ji. Then she asked Shilpa to stay in the temple. She requested virender to take care of her daughter till she returns from pandit ji house.

    Virender: ok, just take your time madam. Then he started talking with Shilpa.

    Shilpa’s mother reached pandit home which is near to the temple.

    Pandit: please come in.

    Pandit: have you fixed your daughter’s marriage?

    Shilpa’s mother: not yet pandit ji.

    Pandit: then the time has arrived for her marriage

    Shilpa’s mother: pandit ji, what are you saying? I couldn’t understand anything.

    Pandit: if you don’t mistake me then I will suggest you something.

    Shilpa’s mother: please tell me

    Pandit: why don’t you consider virender? He has completed MBA and he is also a tea totaller. If he wants he will get a job in the city as well.

    Shilpa’s mother: I agree with you pandit ji. But I don’t know whether Shilpa’s father accept this proposal or not.

    Pandit: I am the eldest person in this village. I am going to tell a story to you now. But I don’t know whether you will believe it or not?

    Pandit: 40 years before two families lived in this village. Both families are equal in status, caste and religion. So the elders in both the families want their children to get married. But unfortunately

    Shilpa’s mother: what happened?

    Pandit: some of the family members who were greedy in nature have given poison to their children’s. The culprits thought that if they kill their children’s then they will get their wealth. But that doesn’t happen in the end. Their parents have donated their family properties to this village. After their demise their house has been converted as a hospital and their wealth has been used for the village developments.

    Shilpa’s mother: I can understand their greatness. But what is the connection between Shilpa’s marriage and this story?

    Pandit: The two children before their death came to know that they have been given poison. Both make vows that they will get married in the next birth. I came to know these details from their parents.

    I have their photos with me. The pandit has showed their photos.

    Shilpa’s mother couldn’t believe her eyes as she saw the photos of a girl and a boy who resemble like Shilpa and virender.

    Shilpa’s mother: pandit ji, I couldn’t believe this. Though it is true I don’t think my husband will accept it.

    Pandit: it’s your responsibility. But if you fix their marriage then the deceased soul will bless you forever.

    Shilpa’s mother: ok pandit ji, I will try to convince my husband.

    Now Shilpa’s mother and pandit ji is praying god for the reunion of virender and Shilpa.

  • The Battle

    The Battle

    It is a war-time story. Aamira, an eight year old girl who thrives for freedom. A girl who dreams to teach and preach about freedom faces the effects of battle/war.

     

    It was dinner time. We had a candle lit in the corner. We huddled around it to have our scraps of food which Abbu found today.

    Every bite had various background noises to it. Sometimes the bombs soared through the sky and grenades blew up houses and buildings! From a distant it looked like a firework causing destruction everywhere.

    The unhinged door opened and closed, and with it, it brought a gust of fresh-grenade-blast-air that gushed inside the room. One could hear distant cries of the ladies, wails of babies, and shouts of men. Sometimes, somewhere the roof fell, or the houses went up in flames, or trees fell, cables broke, burnt and wounded bodies on the road.

    Everyday Sniffer used to go out for a walk with me in the evening, but ever since the situation worsened, we go out at the dead of the night.

    Today Sniffer suddenly started to run and finally found a corner to pee. The roads are spilled with red liquid. It used to suffocate me. I wanted to run away with my family but I knew Abbu would protect us. My eight year old mind would calm my heart down by saying that we would soon move away to somewhere safe.

    Our house had already come down to shambles. Major part of the walls and roof was missing, the kitchen had hardly anything left, one bedroom gone up in flames.

    This is just the beginning of the story.

    I am Aamira. I loved to go to school regularly. I have a little sister, who is just two years younger to me, Aalima. The school was our favourite escapade. We could meet our friends here, we could do everything behind these walls. At times I used to teach my class when the teacher was not present. It was my dream to become a teacher and teach in my school. But due to the war, the school had to be closed down.

    Day by day condition worsened. Most of my friends were already out of the city, and the rest were buried alive somewhere in this chaos.

    My mother wanted us safely out of here as soon as possible, but my dad had the deal with the devils themselves.

    When I grew up enough to understand things I realised my dad used to get paid for providing young men to the terrorists. These young men were trained to serve for their purpose. Their families were tortured or burnt, the females were raped. My elder sister was sold to these men, and they threatened to rape and sell us off or kill him if Abbu didn’t continue with his work.

    For my age I was told that I was extremely matured. The way Abbu was entangled with them, there was a higher probability of him never escaping away from them. Every day Ammi would fear of us getting traded, because of Abbu’s greed.

    I loved Abbu. Even though he was greedy, I trusted him that he would be always looking after our back. But something told me that things won’t be safe anymore for us.

    It happened that day. In front of me. I was teaching Aalima her mathematic sums when we heard gunshot and Abbu crying out. When I reached the scene I see Abbu crumbling to ground, chest splattered with blood. Time slowed down. I saw the masked men entering the house, grabbing my sister and dragging her out. It happened in slow motion. My sister’s cries seemed to come from a far off distance. It came back to me in a rush, the way my elder sister was dragged out of the house, her hair caught in their fist, her cries echoing in the house and everyone stood helplessly.

    Aalima was calling out to me loudly to save her, and I just stood there watching my mother cry at the loss of another child. Just then Sniffer came around barking and attacked the masked men. He bit the men, he made them bleed from every possible place. I took advantage of the situation and pushed Aalima away from them. My mother caught her hand and I made them to run away. The masked men in a fit of rage shot Sniffer too. I saw red. They saw me standing there all alone.

    The gunshots echoed in my ears and I mustered up the courage to run away from there. The evil laughter followed me till I had no energy to run.

    In the distance I saw Ammi and Aalima getting up on a bus. I cried out in sheer happiness that my Ammi and little sister were safe. They would be safe, but where would I go? There were bodies on the road, and I lied down quietly beside one of them pretending to be dead.

    The masked men and the gun men were showering bullets. One of the bullets went right past me touching my hand making it bleed.

    The war brought the nightfall early. There were clouds from smoke. The city where I wanted to grow up and become a teacher, the city where my school was, was up in flames.

    As night fell, I ran. I ran away from the city which wasn’t mine anymore, which will not live to see the freedom anymore. I ran away from everything that I held dear to me. I ran away from the 8 year memories of this place. I ran away in fear of being buried alive like many others.

    My Abbu’s greed distanced me from my family, but at least we all were safe. I don’t think I would ever be able to forgive Abbu for his deeds.

    How could a man, who sold his own daughter off for money, be forgiven? I wanted to hurt Abbu, punish him for this but he was already dead. I wanted to punish those men who brought this fate upon us. But I had to leave this city. I had to make myself capable enough to fight back.

    I ran. I boarded a bus too. I lived the life of a refugee. But I am free today. I have tried to find Ammi and Aalima, but in vain. Today, I teach the kids about valour, bravery, slavery, humanity, and above all I teach them the meaning of freedom. Today I have the courage to fight back not just those masked men, but others as well.

  • Mystery behind the door III

    Mystery behind the door III

    The story Mystery behind the door. Shilpa and Me planned to spend some gala time together. We plan for a picnic, and also a live concert and ultimately end up dancing to the DJ beats. The next morning we rushed back to home, while our packing unpacking dues, something unexpected happens, which made me walk through the mysterious door again. Let’s see what made me broke into the pale and shadowy space this time.

    Read Part I

    Read Part II

     

    “Shilpa, make it fast dear, we are getting late”, I said packing my bag. I and Shilpa were going for a Picnic. Shilpa is leaving for Pune the next day. I wished she could stay longer. But her leave has already been extended, moreover even I was tired of avoiding continuous calls from my colleagues. Today is the only day left, and we’ve so many plans for today.

    “Shilpa, make It quick!” I screamed out of my excitement.

    “Yes, Princess Am here! All set for today’s plan?” Shilpa asked me. “Yeah Shilpa, I’ve planned everything for us!” I exclaimed.

    We were just having a check list with the things packed for the picnic. Suddenly I felt like someone was looking at me from the back door. I could feel the eyes hitting my back. Who could be there?, I wondered and walked swiftly towards the Door.

    “Princess, Where are you?” It was Shilpa.

    “Just in a minute dear”, I took a blind decision and walked off.

    We rode for 3 hours and finally reached our destination. We were 200Km’s away from home, checked in one of the best resorts.  We had a toothsome lunch at the Resto bar and later left for sightseeing. There were many tourist spots nearby, and lucky enough we got the passes for the live concert by one of the local famous singer. Shilpa was a huge fan of Indian music. Shilpa was excited to hear Carnatic music. In fact it was Euphony to our ears. We were both too delighted to get such a wonderful Music. Later we joined a few friends at the D Night Club. I must say when it’s time to dance. Shilpa is the first one to hit the floor. And there she is, already with dancing to the beats of the Dj. I wonder where does she gain all that energy from, I guess it’s the Music that energizes her.

    Finally we reached back to the resort past 1’o clock and we landed up in a very badly drunken state. I don’t even remember how I managed to drive back to the resort.

    “Yay, we are back to our snuggery!” I shouted in delight.

    “Ha princess, our cozy little room!” we both started laughing.

    Shilpa and I both just loved the place, the scenic view away from the chaos made is beauty presented in its best form ever. Amidst all this I remember i forgot something, Oh Yeah those staring eyes. But I was in no mood to bother it right now. I and Shilpa are very good listeners, and equally the gossip queens too. And being both of us a philacolists, we had many common things to speak about. And unknowingly we ended up discussing about the Mysterious door. I don’t know why always I end up with the same conversation, the listeners change but the incident and there mocking laugh after the whole narration remains the same. Now how can I prove anyone, when I myself don’t know what was actually happening with me.

    Next morning, we started roving home, we knew our destination, and hardly the few hours left. Shilpa was leaving on the same day, so we were left behind with her packing, so we drove back as early as possible.

    There was a silence in the air. Neither I spoke a word, nor did Shilpa utter a single word. I guess she was guilty about her actions last night, I wish she trusted me, and helped me solve the cluff.

    Anyways at least all this while, she’s kept me engaged and I didn’t even thought about it once in this whole week. After reaching home I and Shilpa were busy packing her baggage.

    “Excuse me, Is there anyone?” I wondered who would be at the door at this time. Then I thought its better I go and check myself, rather than sitting and thinking here.

    “Hello Madam”, it was the sales man.

    Leaving behind Shilpa I went to attend him. I’ve bought a few shoes for myself, which I mistakenly ordered the wrong size, so I went back to bring the shoes.

    “Here are the Shoes, and yeah please make sure I get my next order on time.” I said him.

    “Yeah Madam, Sure!” saying this he left and I locked the door and went back to join Shilpa with her packing. But she seemed nowhere, where has she gone?

    “Shilpa, Where are you?”

    “Come in dear, help me out”, I could hear a familiar voice, but this wasn’t Shilpa for sure.

    “Help me, please help me!” The voice was getting louder.

    I couldn’t resist myself for two reasons, first of all that was a very familiar voice and secondly where could be Shilpa, I was really worried about her. I could clearly hear the path of the voice, it was from the same backyard door. When I went there I’ve found that the door is opened, that means someone has been through the door. But who could have opened it, except me and Shilpa none else was at home, and Shilpa very well knew that I warned her not to try any kind of mischievous tricks with that door on the first day itself. I looked around for Shilpa in and around the house, twice thrice but was all in vain. Now all I had the option left was The Door, I wished in fact I prayed that I would never ever peep in through the door, under any circumstances but I was Shilpa, I couldn’t keep her at stake just because I faced a few weird experiences on the other side. So I finally stepped in. But, where will the path lead me this time? What would be awaiting me there? Will I be able to find Shilpa amidst all this?

  • Headlines

    Headlines

    This story is about Mithun, a social worker, and also a business man. The headlines of the newspaper changed his fate one day.

    Mithun is a social worker. He has received many awards for his social works. He would definitely help the poor people at any cost. He is also a business man. Though he is interested in doing social works at all the time he is also managing his family business. He is having a textile shop. After his father’s demise Mithun took incharge of the textile shop.

    Though Mithun is a busy man he will spend at least 1 hour daily to read the newspapers. He would collect the information about the poor people who are in need of money. Then he will do the necessary help. Mithun has decided to take part in the state election.

    The percentage of the poor people is high in his constituency compared to other constituencies. Mithun need the votes of those poor people. So he has decided to grab the attention of the poor people. For the sake of election he is involved in social works. This is the bitter truth. Mithun has never revealed this truth even to his wife.
    The family members and the supporters of Mithun would think that he is involved in the social service whole heartedly. But that is not true. The fate has decided to show another face of Mithun to his wife.
    6. OO A.M
    Mithun: Sharmila, where are you?
    Sharmila (Wife of Mithun): oh my god, why are you shouting? Just wait 5 minutes.
    Mithun: no, I have many works to do. Please come soon
    Sharmila: ok tell me
    Mithun: Mithun opened his eyes and saw the face of his wife. He believes that if he saw his wife when he wake up from the bed then the rest of the day will go successful.
    Sharmila: Mithun why don’t you change this sentiment?
    Mithun: Sharmila, it’s not my sentiment. It is the truth. When I see your face first in the morning the rest of the day will go peacefully.
    Sharmila: though Sharmila was feeling proud about his husband she doesn’t want to express. So she walked away from the place with a smile on her face.
    Mithun: As per his routine plan Mithun read the newspaper and after few hours he started to move from his house.
    When Mithun reached the main door of his home Sharmila called Mithun.
    Sharmila: Mithun
    Mithun: Sharmila, I am getting late. Tell me what do you want?
    Sharmila: I have kept a letter in your desk. But you didn’t read the letter I think.
    Mithun: Sharmila, it would be a letter from the poor people. I will be busy today. So just read the letter and help those people. My personal secretary will assist you.
    Sharmila: ok Mithun.
    Then Sharmila opened the letter and started to read.

    In the letter
    Dear Mithun,
    I am payal, your first wife. I am in a financial crisis. Please help me. This will be the last time I am asking you for a help. I need money for my medical treatment.
    After reading this letter Sharmila was shocked. She didn’t know that Mithun is married already. Before marriage Mithun did not reveal about his personal life to Sharmila.
    He married Sharmila because she is the daughter of a rich business man. So Mithun thought that he will get settled in life by marrying Sharmila.

    Sharmila was thinking about payal. Mithun is acting like a social worker by helping the poor people. On the other hand he didn’t reveal about payal as she is from a poor family background. So Sharmila has decided to teach a lesson.
    The next day
    Mithun: Mithun was eager to read the newspaper. Because he is expecting news about the donation he has given for an orphanage recently.
    Mithun read the headlines of the newspaper: “The hidden secrets in the personal life of Mithun, the famous social worker have been exposed” followed by an interview from his wife Sharmila.

     

  • Another day…

    Another day…

    Another day begins with fight,
    Abuses, slaps and curses, again
    Another day of my marriage .

    ~Praveen Gola

  • A diary entry

    A diary entry

    We pour our feeling into the pages of our diary, each day and each hour, creating new stories – our stories. But how often have we wondered about the story of  a diary? Never, right? So, this story speaks about the story of  a diary, or rather diaries.

     

    Dear Diary,

    My life is going all fine and good.

    You are very well habituated to people writing about their life on you. They pour their hearts on your pages very easily, vey delightfully. You are like a silent observer, an on-looker, or that kind friend who listens carefully and helps others give vent to their feelings. You are also a best friend to some who like to stay unobtrusive and don’t prefer the mortal company. Sometimes people are simply passionate about writing on you.

    So, today I wish to have a glance on your life, try to understand it and pen down my thoughts on your pages.

    We will start form how you are.

    You look much like a book, except that people don’t have to study you seriously.

    In fact you are meant for study only by your owner. And you are interesting to read, always, unlike some of your cousins (books).

    Your thickness varies according to your buyer. If you belong to a businessman, lawyer, officer or anyone who serves his work, then you would be a regular diary which imitates the calendar, printed with the 360 days and has a string of maps, contacts addresses and schedules all over your pages. But if you belong to someone who wishes to capture memories and ideas (like me), then you would be thicker and called a journal. You would hence get filled with emotions, silliness and such stuff which sometimes might be entertaining and sometimes annoying. Occasionally you would get filled with creativity, if you belong to a person who sees the world with a unique vision. That would raise your standards in the world. But unfortunately, you cannot decide your destiny, so simply you have to be happy with the thought that you are an important companion to your owner.

    Now we come to your life. That can easily said to be sad and difficult. First sad because all you have to do is listen to others and help them. Neither you can react nor advice. Your owner is very anxious to keep your life a secret and hides you from prying folk. That can be boring and monotonous for you. But one thing that must be the most annoying to you would be the fact that in spite of all this secrecy and hush-hush, you are sometimes stolen and peeped into by your owner’s over-curious peers.Then your writings become the source of entertainment. And it is difficult because you are an easy target, a prey for the furious emotions. You are forced to fight them defenseless.

    To start with, you bear the pointed, pressed tip when your owner sits frowning over you with knitted brows and gnashed teeth, nothing down some unhappy incidents of his normally happy life.

    You are also made to drink tears after an emotional whirlwind in your possessor’s life. Sometimes you taste fire too, when your owner is anxious to burn down all the past memories that have haunted him over many years and turn them into ashes, so that those thoughts, which were once penned down with a lot of anguish, become a secret forever and never discovered again.

    All this is bound to irritate you. But anyhow you survive, swallow your anger and continue to serve your owner selflessly. Truly you are amazing. If everyone in this world could become like you, who listens but never interferes, a friend who is always there, providing solace to troubled souls and puts others’ interests first, uncomplaining; this world, where humanity seems to die down with every rise and set of the sun, would become a better place to live in.

     

    Image Source: AutoImmunee.com

  • Intuition of a Mother

    Intuition of a Mother

    This story is about Jignesh, a journalist and his mother.

     

    Jignesh is a journalist. He wants to work in his city itself because he has only mother and he don’t have siblings. If he moved to the other city then his mother should stay alone in his own house. But he couldn’t find a job in his home town with decent salary. So he decided to search jobs in other cities. Recently he got a job in a city near to his home town. He got this job due to his good academic records.

    Even though he has moved to the other city he would always talk with his mom twice in a day. Jignesh also said that his mom can contact him anytime if it was an emergency. He requested the neighbors to take care of her mom. He has provided his office number and personal phone number to the neighbors in his home town. So they can contact him if his mother couldn’t call Jignesh. Jignesh has made every possible arrangement to make her mother comfortable and happy.

    Jignesh won’t go to the temples. Because he is busy in his work and also he thought that if god exists then why some people are leading a miserable life. He fears to deny that god does not exist because Jignesh want his mother to live long and he would pray only for his mother. But his mother would always insist him to worship god with full devotion. Jignesh mother believe that we should worship god from the bottom of the heart.

    8:00 A.M in Jignesh Apartment

    Jignesh: Jignesh wants to speak with his mother. The phone rings on the other side

    Jignesh mother: hello Jignesh how is your health now?

    Jignesh: ma, I am ok. It was just a viral fever. But you are worrying like I had serious health issues

    Jignesh mother: Jignesh, you don’t understand the pain of a mother. Moreover you are living alone there

    Jignesh: what to do ma? I have tried my best to get a job in our home town. But the salary was not good to meet our financial needs.

    Jignesh mother: yes, I know. Jignesh, listen when you return from the office don’t forget to go to the hanuman temple near to your residence.

    Jignesh: ok ma I will go. But is there any special reason?

    Jignesh mother: yes I prayed for your health.

    Jignesh: ok ma, I will go to the temple as you wish

    Evening 5.OO P.M at the Temple

    Jignesh moved from the office earlier today. He reached the temple and worshiped the god. After few minutes he got a call from his mother.

    Jignesh: ma, I am in temple now.

    Jignesh mother: ok now listen, don’t go to your home before 8.OO P.M

    Jignesh: ma, what is this? I got 1 hour permission from the office just to visit the temple. I have to leave now and should finish the rest of the office work from home. I cannot stay in temple till 8P.M

    Jignesh mother: Jignesh, I am your mother. You should obey to my orders. Maha arti will begin at 6.30 P.M in the temple followed by bhajans conducted by the devotees. You should take part in bhajans and stay there till 8P.M.

    Jignesh: ok ma, I will obey to your orders. Everything will be ok. He attended the maha arti and bhajans in the temple and stayed there till 8P.M.

    8.30 P.M

    Jignesh started to move from the temple and after few minutes his vehicle tyre got punctured. So he parked the vehicle near a shop and walked towards his residence. When he was walking in a street he saw a banyan tree on the ground. The people are gathered around the tree. So he asked a woman.  She said just few seconds ago this banyan tree fell on the ground. The car which was parked under this banyan tree got damaged. But no one has been injured because at this time everyone will be in their home and nobody will stay under this tree.

    Jignesh: Jignesh thought that if his vehicle tyre did not get punctured then he would have crossed this street. He may get injured.

     

    Then he moved towards his apartment. He stayed in a 1BHK apartment near to the temple. When he reached his residence he saw more people standing in front of his apartment. So he rushed to the spot. There he saw fire brigade team and he got tensed. Jignesh asked them what happened. They said due to electrical discharge his house caught fire. Jignesh was shocked.

    After one hour, Jignesh called his mom and said everything. But his mother said she is happy and was feeling relaxed because Jignesh is safe now. Jignesh asked his mother, ma how do you know that something is going to happen bad with me?

    Jignesh mother: Jignesh you know that I have the habit of doing meditation once in every day. Today I could not concentrate well and my meditation didn’t last for 10 minutes.

    So I lit the lamp and I have started to worship god. Suddenly I got a feeling that something is going to happen.

    Then I remember, I had a dream yesterday and I could view that a watch is showing the time 8.In the dream I didn’t saw anyone. I just saw a watch showing the time. But no changes happened at 8A.M. Then I spoke to you in the morning. In the evening I couldn’t focus on meditation and I got a strong feeling that there was a connection between the time and you. So I have instructed you not to leave the temple till 8P.M.

    Jignesh:  thank you ma.

    Jignesh mother: I am your mother and I am doing puja every day. I will pray god only for you.

    Jignesh: ma, thank you for everything and I love you so much

    Jignesh mother: love you too Jignesh. Take care of your health and keep faith in god.

    Jignesh: Jignesh was emotional and thought that even though he is a well educated person and know about everything nothing can overpower a mother’s intuition. After all, a mother is emotionally connected with her children.

     

    Image Source: lazuritas.blogas.lt