A clear blue sky above, with a few fluffy pure white clouds dotting it. The ocean below, bluer than the sky, the cold wind caressing the ocean water as it softly blows. The sun warming my body when it shivered because of the cold wind. The wind provided relief when my skin burned in the sun. The sweet play of the two of them on my body made me smile, as the sweet voice of the ocean water sang to me from its depth. The rough sand clings to my skin and slowly trickles down as I make attempts to hold it.
I run towards the water, the wind softly blows my hair, I hop and then jump with a loud splash in the crystal clear water. The bubbles around me rush for the surface. I float, the soft and smooth water splashes against me with a rhythm. A sea gull hovers above balancing itself against the mighty wind.
I dive deep, the sun's rays filter through the water, sparkling. The soft water pushes me ahead with its flow, the sand below on the ocean floor becomes the canvas of the sun and the ocean water. Waves become the brush strokes and the wind the painter.
Who says there is no such thing like magic. If this isn't magic then what is?
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
कब जानी थी उसने १ रुपए की कीमत? शायद गरीबी ने उसे माँ के पेट से ही सिखा दिया था | उसे तो अब यह भी याद न था की कबसे उसने पैसे जोड़ने शुरू किए | बरसों से पैसे जोड़ता रहा उसका परिवार, पर कभी पुरे नही पड़े | न तो उसे शराब और जुए की लत थी न ही वो फिजूल खर्ची था | साल भर पैसे जुटाता तब कहीं दिवाली पर घर में चार दिए जलते |
गाँव छोड़ शहर में आ बसा, मेहनत मजदूरी कर कमाने खाने लगा | शहर उसे कभी नही भाया, अजीब सी दौड़ में सब यहाँ भागते रहते | वो शहर में होते हुए भी शहर का कभी हिस्सा नही रहा | जब अपनी हाथ गाड़ी के पास दो पल सुस्ताने बैठता तो दूर से ही शहर को और शहरवासियों को निहारता रहता | चमचमाती गाड़ियों में लोग सर्राटे से निकल जाते | एक अजीब सी उधेड़ बुन में सब फसे थे | कहने को उनमे और इसमें कई फरक थे पर फ़िर भी पैसे जोड़ने की दौड़ में दोनों लगे थे |
एक सुखी रोटी देख उसने पेट भरना सीख लिया था | शहर की दौड़ती भीड़ को देख उसने जीना सीख लिया था |
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The dirt road curved through the desert sand, the sun shone with all its might in the afternoon. Her little feet hurried as the road beneath burnt her little bare feet. Her red worn out frock fluttered in the breeze. Her face was covered with dust and her parched lips were dry but curved in a half smile.
As she came closer to the hut, she increased her speed and hopped and jumped. As she reached the door she came to an abrupt halt and stood at the door. The door was wide open, and she peeped inside and her smile widened into a grin.
The girl sitting inside caught the glimpse of her standing at the door. Her sight made her eyes sparkle and she frantically waved her arm and beckoned her little sister inside. The little one couldn't conceal her happiness and shrieked with joy. She ran across to her elder sister, and threw herself at her. Her sister hugged her tightly and tickled her playfully.
She laughed and gasped for breath, her sister pulled the plate kept in front of her. She then picked up little morsels of food from the plate and fed her little sister. She ate hungrily and giggled in between looking at her sister. Her sister's eyes filled with tears looking at the joy of her younger sister. Deep within her heart she thanked God for the food and returned to feeding her little sister and they both smiled.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
The town was devoid of green vegetation, a hot fierce breeze blew through it. The jeep stopped in front of the old house, which was just falling short of being called a ruin. He got down from the jeep, shielded his eyes against the hot afternoon sun, and after looking at the house, stared back at his friend, with anger in his eyes. His friend just shrugged and waved at the driver to start the jeep.
He stood on the road, in front of the gates, with his hands still shielding his eyes, he watched the house. Its garden was dry, a few pots were lined along the couple of the stairs which led to the door. The walls were bare and seemed that never were they coated with paint. The windows had their panes missing and the wooden frames had decayed long back, they appeared to be just holes in the old walls.
He shook his head in vain, and opened the gates, he slowly walked towards the door. The door, was locked, he peeped in through the broken window, the house had only one huge hall, and there weren't any other rooms in it. He sat at the stairs, and waited.
He didn't realize how long he waited, and when did he start fondling with the pot kept next to the stairs. When suddenly, his hand touched something funny, he picked it up, and when he looked at it, it was a black doll. He stared at it, the doll was barely 4 inches tall, and it appeared that not a skilled person had stitched the doll. It wasn't aesthetically pleasing either, as the doll had its face and limbs painted in white. He looked at the pot, and realized that the doll was tied to the plant with a black thread. The plant was dry and the mud in the pot seemed untouched for years. He threw the doll back in the pot, when something poked his finger. A drop of blood soon appeared at the tip of his finger, he squinted at the pot, and saw that a tiny nail stuck out from the place where the doll was earlier tied. He rolled his eyes, and kicked the pot in anger.
He sat waiting again, the afternoon didn't seem to end, the sun was still high up in the sky. When he looked down, his eyes fell on the old woman at the gate, she stood there staring at him. Her hair were white, but dirty, her white gown, was tattered and she looked filthy. He couldn't clearly look at her face, as her hair fell upon her face. There was a huge sack which she dragged behind her. He got up as she approached him. He was still observing the old lady as she pulled her sack behind her, while climbing the stairs.
He suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him, he turned to look, finally they had arrived. The girl ran to him, while the old lady, her grandmother, who accompanied the girl, walked as fast as she could with the help of her walking stick. The girl held his hand, when she felt the wet blood, she looked at his finger and then looked in his eyes puzzled. Her grandmother reached to her as she stood there staring at his blood stained hands.
The creaking of the old doors, caught their attention. The old lady in white had entered the hall and was seated on the floor untying her sack. The girl stared alarmingly, and quickly looked at her grandmother with concern. Her grandmother returned her concerned look and looked down at the boy's hands, as blood slowly trickled down his fingers. He stood there looking at his hands, he was puzzled, thinking how can a mere pricking of the nail make his hand bleed so much.
The girl squeezed his hands, he lifted his eyes to look at her, she had spotted the pot and the voodoo doll, she turned to look at him. She had turned white with fear, she passed a questioning look at him, and he nodded in affirmation. She started breathing heavily, she was panicking, she pulled her grandmother's arm and beckoned her towards the door. They both quickly turned towards the door, and froze almost immediately. They stared with their mouth agape at the old lady inside the hall.
The old lady and extracted the corpse of a girl from her sack. The girl must have been some 13 or 14 years old. Her waist length hair fell over her shoulders, her mouth was slightly open and her eyes were partially shut, where only the whites of her eyeballs were visible. Her frozen blood, made her appear blue. The old lady looked at the three of them, her eyes were bloody red and her pupils were white. The three of them stood there looking at Death staring back at them.
He stood on the road, in front of the gates, with his hands still shielding his eyes, he watched the house. Its garden was dry, a few pots were lined along the couple of the stairs which led to the door. The walls were bare and seemed that never were they coated with paint. The windows had their panes missing and the wooden frames had decayed long back, they appeared to be just holes in the old walls.
He shook his head in vain, and opened the gates, he slowly walked towards the door. The door, was locked, he peeped in through the broken window, the house had only one huge hall, and there weren't any other rooms in it. He sat at the stairs, and waited.
He didn't realize how long he waited, and when did he start fondling with the pot kept next to the stairs. When suddenly, his hand touched something funny, he picked it up, and when he looked at it, it was a black doll. He stared at it, the doll was barely 4 inches tall, and it appeared that not a skilled person had stitched the doll. It wasn't aesthetically pleasing either, as the doll had its face and limbs painted in white. He looked at the pot, and realized that the doll was tied to the plant with a black thread. The plant was dry and the mud in the pot seemed untouched for years. He threw the doll back in the pot, when something poked his finger. A drop of blood soon appeared at the tip of his finger, he squinted at the pot, and saw that a tiny nail stuck out from the place where the doll was earlier tied. He rolled his eyes, and kicked the pot in anger.
He sat waiting again, the afternoon didn't seem to end, the sun was still high up in the sky. When he looked down, his eyes fell on the old woman at the gate, she stood there staring at him. Her hair were white, but dirty, her white gown, was tattered and she looked filthy. He couldn't clearly look at her face, as her hair fell upon her face. There was a huge sack which she dragged behind her. He got up as she approached him. He was still observing the old lady as she pulled her sack behind her, while climbing the stairs.
He suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him, he turned to look, finally they had arrived. The girl ran to him, while the old lady, her grandmother, who accompanied the girl, walked as fast as she could with the help of her walking stick. The girl held his hand, when she felt the wet blood, she looked at his finger and then looked in his eyes puzzled. Her grandmother reached to her as she stood there staring at his blood stained hands.
The creaking of the old doors, caught their attention. The old lady in white had entered the hall and was seated on the floor untying her sack. The girl stared alarmingly, and quickly looked at her grandmother with concern. Her grandmother returned her concerned look and looked down at the boy's hands, as blood slowly trickled down his fingers. He stood there looking at his hands, he was puzzled, thinking how can a mere pricking of the nail make his hand bleed so much.
The girl squeezed his hands, he lifted his eyes to look at her, she had spotted the pot and the voodoo doll, she turned to look at him. She had turned white with fear, she passed a questioning look at him, and he nodded in affirmation. She started breathing heavily, she was panicking, she pulled her grandmother's arm and beckoned her towards the door. They both quickly turned towards the door, and froze almost immediately. They stared with their mouth agape at the old lady inside the hall.
The old lady and extracted the corpse of a girl from her sack. The girl must have been some 13 or 14 years old. Her waist length hair fell over her shoulders, her mouth was slightly open and her eyes were partially shut, where only the whites of her eyeballs were visible. Her frozen blood, made her appear blue. The old lady looked at the three of them, her eyes were bloody red and her pupils were white. The three of them stood there looking at Death staring back at them.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
It was a full moon night, a few discrete bunch of clouds dotted the night sky. The moon light made the clouds glow with a silvery mist. A silent breeze blew, it was so subtle that it was hard to notice it. The breeze wasn't cool yet, still it provided some respite from the heat. A couple of neon bulbs sparkled atop the distant hill, saving the bulbs and the moonlight, the hill was engulfed with darkness. A dog barked carelessly and soon another one joined him, but they too fell silent soon. Silence is golden, is what the article was all about in the Sunday Times. It spoke of people preferring to remain silent to prove a point. But, did any one ever notice, that silence can not always be a choice, but sometimes a person can also be forced to remain silent.
She didn't know, exactly what made her fall silent. But, it was gradual, and certain circumstances made her silent. The silence was just as gradual as the splitting headache which she gets now. She wanted a break from the city, a break from the usual yada yada of the people around her, from the noises which were so inherent to the city, that it only worsened her headache. She wanted to escape.
Escape, not as a coward, but escape to explore herself, to find herself, to search for the girl who was long lost in the city and the expectations which the city threw at her. She had lost herself in fulfilling these expectations and couldn't realize till it was quite late. She knows now too, that escape is merely a dream, a mere wish, in her heart.
The city left her so empty that the fragile being which she is now, doesn't have the strength to search for herself. She sits here, in this moonlight, waiting as the city eats away at her strength, rendering her weaker by the second. She sits here getting lost again.
She didn't know, exactly what made her fall silent. But, it was gradual, and certain circumstances made her silent. The silence was just as gradual as the splitting headache which she gets now. She wanted a break from the city, a break from the usual yada yada of the people around her, from the noises which were so inherent to the city, that it only worsened her headache. She wanted to escape.
Escape, not as a coward, but escape to explore herself, to find herself, to search for the girl who was long lost in the city and the expectations which the city threw at her. She had lost herself in fulfilling these expectations and couldn't realize till it was quite late. She knows now too, that escape is merely a dream, a mere wish, in her heart.
The city left her so empty that the fragile being which she is now, doesn't have the strength to search for herself. She sits here, in this moonlight, waiting as the city eats away at her strength, rendering her weaker by the second. She sits here getting lost again.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
She looked at him, her sparkling eyes smiled. He always lost himself in her eyes. She smiled and said, "Yes, I understand everything, now that I have experienced it." He playfully sighed and winked at her, she softly punched him, and both of them laughed. She said "You know what, I feel light, I feel very light." He said, "Yup, I know, you simply complicated things, and burdened yourself." She smiled approvingly and said, "I am such a nut!" He grinned and said "Was!" She giggled and said, "Ya, I was such a nut! I hope I stay this way! I wonder how you do it?" He said "Its easy, just don't do too much of thinking. Thinking is good, but don't overdo it. One important thing, think logically and not emotionally." She said "I guess emotions come bundled with girls, its like 'ek girl ke saath free mein aate hain' " and she laughed. He said "If they are free, you shouldn't feel bad in getting rid of them, after all they don't cost you a thing, rite?" She smiled and nodded approvingly.
They sat there sipping their coffees, and looking at the city passing them by, she thought how she was one of them, running forever, initially she thought, if she has to be in the city, she has to run, its implicit, thats what the world expects from you. Until, he came in her life and clarified things, he taught her to live for herself, she was living for others, who didn't even care about her, and at times didn't even remember her name. She closed her eyes, it was bliss, being in the city and still not being part of the maddening rush, she felt calm and peaceful.
She opened her eyes, and looked at him, he was enjoying the music, she hadn't even realised there were songs playing, she was so engrossed in her thoughts. She cleared her mind, and let the music and coffee fill her senses.
After a while, they left the coffee shop, he held her hand, she looked at their hands, and thought how her hand fitted his so well. On their way back, when they stopped at a signal, she spotted a huge ad, "Tata Safari - RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!"
She smiled.
They sat there sipping their coffees, and looking at the city passing them by, she thought how she was one of them, running forever, initially she thought, if she has to be in the city, she has to run, its implicit, thats what the world expects from you. Until, he came in her life and clarified things, he taught her to live for herself, she was living for others, who didn't even care about her, and at times didn't even remember her name. She closed her eyes, it was bliss, being in the city and still not being part of the maddening rush, she felt calm and peaceful.
She opened her eyes, and looked at him, he was enjoying the music, she hadn't even realised there were songs playing, she was so engrossed in her thoughts. She cleared her mind, and let the music and coffee fill her senses.
After a while, they left the coffee shop, he held her hand, she looked at their hands, and thought how her hand fitted his so well. On their way back, when they stopped at a signal, she spotted a huge ad, "Tata Safari - RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!"
She smiled.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
It was a cold night, she lay awake in her bed, a blanket over her head. It was quite late in the night, may be 1am or even 2am, she didn't care. Tired of tossing and turning in her bed, she just lay flat. She felt drained, drained not physically, not mentally, she just felt that she had lost all the energy that she possessed. She removed the blanket from her face, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
The moonlight filled her room, she turned and looked at the moon rays falling on the floor from the window. She just stared at it, for how long, she herself was unsure. She felt tempted to go outside and stare at the moon, but she had no energy left. She remembered the days, when she would open all the curtains and drag her bed under the moonlight and lie down staring at the moon. Somewhere deep down in her heart she still wanted to do it, but she was puzzled, she couldn't get herself to do it anymore. She stared at the rays falling on the floor, and she realized that the rays which drew a bright rectangle of around 1 feet was reduced to a mere slit of an inch.
She jumped out of her bed, her warm feet pressed against the cold floor, she walked slowly towards the window, and craned her neck to take a glimpse of the moon. But it was too late, the moon hid behind the roof. She looked at her feet, as the last rays slowly disappeared casting her feet in darkness. She slowly walked back to her bed, and her feet turned numb, as they pressed against the cold floor.
The moonlight filled her room, she turned and looked at the moon rays falling on the floor from the window. She just stared at it, for how long, she herself was unsure. She felt tempted to go outside and stare at the moon, but she had no energy left. She remembered the days, when she would open all the curtains and drag her bed under the moonlight and lie down staring at the moon. Somewhere deep down in her heart she still wanted to do it, but she was puzzled, she couldn't get herself to do it anymore. She stared at the rays falling on the floor, and she realized that the rays which drew a bright rectangle of around 1 feet was reduced to a mere slit of an inch.
She jumped out of her bed, her warm feet pressed against the cold floor, she walked slowly towards the window, and craned her neck to take a glimpse of the moon. But it was too late, the moon hid behind the roof. She looked at her feet, as the last rays slowly disappeared casting her feet in darkness. She slowly walked back to her bed, and her feet turned numb, as they pressed against the cold floor.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
One day, on one of his usual tours, as his car lazily crawled through the overcrowded tiny town road, he casually looked over his shoulders, at the passing crowd, just then he was struck. He couldn't think clearly, his heart was beating badly, that numbness returned to his head. When was the last time he felt that numbness, he thought, the answer was quick, almost seven to eight years ago! He wanted that feeling to last, but it was gone as soon as it came. He came to senses, and hurriedly looked back, he couldn't see her. He couldn't even recollect her face completely, her thoughts fogged his mind, he had just seen a glimpse of her, and those weird feelings rose in his heart.
He suddenly became conscious of the driver looking at him in the rear-view mirror, he straightened his face and rose the paper he was reading, to his face, although he could barely make out what was written. The girl's face kept coming back to him, he started thinking of her, she must be in her late teens maybe 17 or even 18, and he was 23, he thought to himself, was it a crush which he had at that girl, the minute he saw her, or was it something else? His heart pumped in its little cage, as he tried to cherish the feeling which had just possessed him.
He reached the city, and completed his work, he eagerly waited to return. It was almost dusk, when his car reached the little town again. He tried to look at many places at one time, he was looking for a blue sweater which the girl wore, he was silently hoping, praying in his heart, that he should spot the girl again. What he would do, if he spotted her? His mind questioned him, he hadn't given thought to that yet, he just wanted to catch another glimpse of that girl. How he wished, his car punctured, or got stuck in a traffic jam, so that he would have enough time to look around, and may just spot the girl.
But none happened, the car moved quickly out of the town, but he kept quite alert till they were at the outskirts of the town, looking around, against the tiny little voice in his head, which suggested, that he would never see her again.
He rested his head at the seat, he wanted to close his eyes, but as if his eyes were frozen, he couldn't close them, his gaze fixed at the window of the car, looking at the road.
His heart confronted him with another weird feeling, he cursed himself, for being mature, how he wished he still had a teenager's heart, where he could have done without knowing, that somehow somewhere he felt stupid, and that he was a grown up adult now. He leaned back and smiled, and thought, that may be hearts were meant to play such stupid pranks! The girl's sweet face filled his mind again!
He suddenly became conscious of the driver looking at him in the rear-view mirror, he straightened his face and rose the paper he was reading, to his face, although he could barely make out what was written. The girl's face kept coming back to him, he started thinking of her, she must be in her late teens maybe 17 or even 18, and he was 23, he thought to himself, was it a crush which he had at that girl, the minute he saw her, or was it something else? His heart pumped in its little cage, as he tried to cherish the feeling which had just possessed him.
He reached the city, and completed his work, he eagerly waited to return. It was almost dusk, when his car reached the little town again. He tried to look at many places at one time, he was looking for a blue sweater which the girl wore, he was silently hoping, praying in his heart, that he should spot the girl again. What he would do, if he spotted her? His mind questioned him, he hadn't given thought to that yet, he just wanted to catch another glimpse of that girl. How he wished, his car punctured, or got stuck in a traffic jam, so that he would have enough time to look around, and may just spot the girl.
But none happened, the car moved quickly out of the town, but he kept quite alert till they were at the outskirts of the town, looking around, against the tiny little voice in his head, which suggested, that he would never see her again.
He rested his head at the seat, he wanted to close his eyes, but as if his eyes were frozen, he couldn't close them, his gaze fixed at the window of the car, looking at the road.
His heart confronted him with another weird feeling, he cursed himself, for being mature, how he wished he still had a teenager's heart, where he could have done without knowing, that somehow somewhere he felt stupid, and that he was a grown up adult now. He leaned back and smiled, and thought, that may be hearts were meant to play such stupid pranks! The girl's sweet face filled his mind again!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
She looked away, the sun was too hot and looking at the water made her eyes hurt. She closed her eyes, and slid slightly on the bench so as to rest the back of her head at the bench. The cool breeze, the hot sun and the sound of the water made her relax, there was a small sparrow chirping somewhere and a crow cawing his lungs out. She smiled thinking that if the crow was a human she would hear innumerable abuses from its mouth.
As she relaxed breathing deeply, she heard hurried footsteps. Before she could open her eyes and see, she felt an angry punch on her arms. She was furious and got up, staring at the boy who had punched her. He said in an insulting tone, "Babes, this is no resort for you to relax, get up and go everyone is waiting for you." She was so furious, but didn't say a word, she knew it was no use picking up a fight with him, this isn't the first time, every time they met they fought, and she was sick of it. Both of them couldn't stand each other's sight. She walked away and soon broke into a light trod, she didn't wanna spend a single second with the guy.
[She left the school in the same year. She was at the boarding school only for two years. In those days there were no cell phones, so she just exchanged her new address with the girls in her hostel and a few teachers when she left]
7years later...
One day she got a mail from her best friend, she was in the same town. Soon they met and chatted about all the good old days at school, all about the new teachers which joined, the old ones who left, new classmates, old friends, their prospective careers. All the fun they had in school, all the kiddish stuff they used to do. They exchanged phone numbers, and kept in touch and met frequently.
6months later...
She sat at a bench in her college, the teacher gave the lecture off, it was Valentine's day, there were barely any students in the college. Her phone rang, she looked at the screen, an unknown number, she looked surprised, she picked up the phone and said,
"Hello"
"Umm.. Hi is this Shiba?"
She was surprised as not many people called her with that name, her name was Shibani, it had been ages since someone had called her that, surprised she said,
"Yes"
"Hi Shiba, its me, Shivang"
Her mind raced back 8years, first day of boarding school. She was scared, she had never stayed away from her parents. Her mother had arranged her cupboard and reluctantly taken back all the homemade goodies, which the warden refused to accept. She stood at the gate waving at her mother. Soon, all the girls in the hostel surrounded her and started asking her questions and showing her around the hostel. The evening passed but she couldn't sleep well at night, she missed her mother, as she was only 9years old.
Other day, at school, she had kept her bag next to one of her friends desk, and had left the class as there was still time for the lectures to start, and her friend was showing her around the school. When the bell rang, they returned to the class, she found her bag thrown across the room and a boy stood at the desk where she had kept her bag. He glared at her and said "How dare you keep your bag on my desk?" She was shocked. She said, "I am new, and Shipra told me to sit with her, I didn't know it was your desk." He said, "I don't care, just get lost" meanwhile, she had turned to pick her bag. No one had ever spoken to her in that tone, she could not control as tears trickled down her eyes. She did not notice the pin drop silence in the room, after filling the books back in her bag, she turned to see that a teacher had entered the room and from the look on the teacher's face, she realized that the teacher had witnessed the incident. The teacher said "Shivang, come with me to the Principal's office"
She remembered, innumerable other fights, with him, over the remaining two years at school.
"Hello, Shiba, you there? Can you hear me?"
"Oops sorry, yes Shivang"
"How are you?"
"I am fine thanks, how are you?"
"Lonely"
"Sorry!"
"Yes you heard it right, lonely"
She laughed, "What's wrong Shivang, stop joking"
He said in a serious tone, "No Shiba, I ain't joking"
"Then you are surely drunk"
"No, I am in my senses Shiba"
She didn't know what to say.
"I want to say something Shiba, I am sorry. I am really sorry."
"Its ok" she said awkwardly.
They chatted for a while, but there was still some awkwardness. And they realized the awkwardness was not because of the animosity that they once shared, it was absence of this animosity and something else which made them feel awkward.
It was Valentine's day!
As she relaxed breathing deeply, she heard hurried footsteps. Before she could open her eyes and see, she felt an angry punch on her arms. She was furious and got up, staring at the boy who had punched her. He said in an insulting tone, "Babes, this is no resort for you to relax, get up and go everyone is waiting for you." She was so furious, but didn't say a word, she knew it was no use picking up a fight with him, this isn't the first time, every time they met they fought, and she was sick of it. Both of them couldn't stand each other's sight. She walked away and soon broke into a light trod, she didn't wanna spend a single second with the guy.
[She left the school in the same year. She was at the boarding school only for two years. In those days there were no cell phones, so she just exchanged her new address with the girls in her hostel and a few teachers when she left]
7years later...
One day she got a mail from her best friend, she was in the same town. Soon they met and chatted about all the good old days at school, all about the new teachers which joined, the old ones who left, new classmates, old friends, their prospective careers. All the fun they had in school, all the kiddish stuff they used to do. They exchanged phone numbers, and kept in touch and met frequently.
6months later...
She sat at a bench in her college, the teacher gave the lecture off, it was Valentine's day, there were barely any students in the college. Her phone rang, she looked at the screen, an unknown number, she looked surprised, she picked up the phone and said,
"Hello"
"Umm.. Hi is this Shiba?"
She was surprised as not many people called her with that name, her name was Shibani, it had been ages since someone had called her that, surprised she said,
"Yes"
"Hi Shiba, its me, Shivang"
Her mind raced back 8years, first day of boarding school. She was scared, she had never stayed away from her parents. Her mother had arranged her cupboard and reluctantly taken back all the homemade goodies, which the warden refused to accept. She stood at the gate waving at her mother. Soon, all the girls in the hostel surrounded her and started asking her questions and showing her around the hostel. The evening passed but she couldn't sleep well at night, she missed her mother, as she was only 9years old.
Other day, at school, she had kept her bag next to one of her friends desk, and had left the class as there was still time for the lectures to start, and her friend was showing her around the school. When the bell rang, they returned to the class, she found her bag thrown across the room and a boy stood at the desk where she had kept her bag. He glared at her and said "How dare you keep your bag on my desk?" She was shocked. She said, "I am new, and Shipra told me to sit with her, I didn't know it was your desk." He said, "I don't care, just get lost" meanwhile, she had turned to pick her bag. No one had ever spoken to her in that tone, she could not control as tears trickled down her eyes. She did not notice the pin drop silence in the room, after filling the books back in her bag, she turned to see that a teacher had entered the room and from the look on the teacher's face, she realized that the teacher had witnessed the incident. The teacher said "Shivang, come with me to the Principal's office"
She remembered, innumerable other fights, with him, over the remaining two years at school.
"Hello, Shiba, you there? Can you hear me?"
"Oops sorry, yes Shivang"
"How are you?"
"I am fine thanks, how are you?"
"Lonely"
"Sorry!"
"Yes you heard it right, lonely"
She laughed, "What's wrong Shivang, stop joking"
He said in a serious tone, "No Shiba, I ain't joking"
"Then you are surely drunk"
"No, I am in my senses Shiba"
She didn't know what to say.
"I want to say something Shiba, I am sorry. I am really sorry."
"Its ok" she said awkwardly.
They chatted for a while, but there was still some awkwardness. And they realized the awkwardness was not because of the animosity that they once shared, it was absence of this animosity and something else which made them feel awkward.
It was Valentine's day!
Monday, August 20, 2007
She sat at the bench alone, she would often come here and sit. This part of school usually wore a deserted look on a Sunday.
She sat there staring at the boats, moving slowly, casting their fishing nets in the mighty Ganges. She heard the whistle of a train at the distance, she lifted her gaze from the
Saturday, August 11, 2007
He walked alone, whistling, looking straight in front. He hurled his bag from his left shoulder to the right one. He stopped picked up a stick and waved it with a force, the sound of swoosh excited him. He looked at the other side of the road, his younger sister and brother were walking hand in hand giggling. He spotted a crow, alongside the road, pecking at a chapati (bread), he sped towards the crow with great speed, and scared the bird. The crow was threatened and flew away, cawing loudly as if cursing him. He grinned, he knew the crow won't give up and would return to its meal as soon as he turned away. He walked on.
As soon as the school gate was in sight, he broke into a light trod. His sister called him, he waved his hand as it was her routine to call out to him and remind him to finish the tiffin and not while away the lunch break playing football. He ran towards his class, and hurriedly sat at his favourite seat next to the window overlooking the ground. His best buddy soon joined him and he narrated the incident of the crow to his friend, and both giggled. The bell rang.
Once, the teacher entered the class, they both took out their books and started studying. Often he would steal glimpses at the ground when the teacher turned his back towards them. He could not wait for the lunch break to start. Two more periods to go.
The bell rang and he and his friend dashed out of the class, he grabbed the football from his friend's hand. The other boys gathered, soon teams were formed and the game started. They played.
Towards evening, he stood at his home's doorsteps, his sister stood next to him, his mother stood there glaring at him. One of her hands twisted his ear while the other held open a tiffin box with its food contents still intact.
As soon as the school gate was in sight, he broke into a light trod. His sister called him, he waved his hand as it was her routine to call out to him and remind him to finish the tiffin and not while away the lunch break playing football. He ran towards his class, and hurriedly sat at his favourite seat next to the window overlooking the ground. His best buddy soon joined him and he narrated the incident of the crow to his friend, and both giggled. The bell rang.
Once, the teacher entered the class, they both took out their books and started studying. Often he would steal glimpses at the ground when the teacher turned his back towards them. He could not wait for the lunch break to start. Two more periods to go.
The bell rang and he and his friend dashed out of the class, he grabbed the football from his friend's hand. The other boys gathered, soon teams were formed and the game started. They played.
Towards evening, he stood at his home's doorsteps, his sister stood next to him, his mother stood there glaring at him. One of her hands twisted his ear while the other held open a tiffin box with its food contents still intact.
Friday, August 10, 2007
She tossed in her bed, but she could not sleep. Finally, she gave up trying and sneaked out of the bed, carefully, not wanting to disturb her mother. She tip-toed to the other room and slowly turned on the light. She stood there alone in the room, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the light. Then she leaned against the wall, one hand on her waist thinking, what to do. She glanced at the clock, it was 2am, she sighed. She walked towards the chair and sat there, resting her chin on her palms.
A soft breeze blew, the curtain fluttered, she looked at the balcony door, and caught the glimpse of a lone star, twinkling. She opened the door softly and stepped out in the balcony. She leaned against the railing, the cool iron felt freezing cold against her bare arms. A soft breeze made her satin gown flutter while her bare feet rested on the cold tiles. One foot flat on the ground and the other swaying softly on its toes. Her eyes were fixed at the star, as it twinkled alone in the dark night. It appeared to her as if the star was dancing, merrily to a silent song which the breeze sang. The black sky was its dance floor and she was the lone audience.
A soft breeze blew, the curtain fluttered, she looked at the balcony door, and caught the glimpse of a lone star, twinkling. She opened the door softly and stepped out in the balcony. She leaned against the railing, the cool iron felt freezing cold against her bare arms. A soft breeze made her satin gown flutter while her bare feet rested on the cold tiles. One foot flat on the ground and the other swaying softly on its toes. Her eyes were fixed at the star, as it twinkled alone in the dark night. It appeared to her as if the star was dancing, merrily to a silent song which the breeze sang. The black sky was its dance floor and she was the lone audience.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
She lay alone, thinking, a lump rose to her throat and her eyes started burning, and tears flooded her eyes. They felt warm against her skin as they rolled down her cheeks. She wiped them and turned in her bed. Dawn was about to break, she looked out of the window, and stared at it blankly. She lay there silently looking out of the window at the blank dark space. It gave her the feeling of being blind. Emotions had left her, she felt empty, but her gaze was still strong.
She didn't realize as the sky slowly turned purple, red and then bright orange. It seemed as if her reflexes had seized to respond, her eyes set at the window, she stared, without blinking, her face expressionless.
Her eyes betrayed her again, and they burned as fresh tears trickled down her cheeks. She wiped them and got up, resting her head against the wire mesh, the cool morning breeze caressed her face, she closed her eyes. The cool breeze against her burning eyes relaxed her.
She opened her eyes after what seemed to be a really long time to her, and was ecstatic to see that a peacock sat perched atop the Dining Hall building. She had seen peacocks in the premises, but they were never so close to the hostel buildings. She smiled, and the sun rose, filling the whole room with bright light, she embraced herself as she looked at the red ball surfacing slowly at the horizon.
Soon, there were movements around her, the girls had started getting up, her friend got up and punched her at the back and said "Don't tell me you slept sitting in that position the whole night!" She turned and winked at her friend and said "Get up you sleepy head, School nahi jaana hai kya?" (Don't you wanna go to school) Saying this she pounced on her friend, tickling her and playfully punching her, till they both collapsed rolling with laughter, while the other girls cursed them for making such a commotion. They both got up, and raced downstairs, pulling each other and stumbling over the stairs. She suddenly stopped at the stairs and peeped outside the window, the peacock was still there, she smiled and ran to catch up with her friend.
She didn't realize as the sky slowly turned purple, red and then bright orange. It seemed as if her reflexes had seized to respond, her eyes set at the window, she stared, without blinking, her face expressionless.
Her eyes betrayed her again, and they burned as fresh tears trickled down her cheeks. She wiped them and got up, resting her head against the wire mesh, the cool morning breeze caressed her face, she closed her eyes. The cool breeze against her burning eyes relaxed her.
She opened her eyes after what seemed to be a really long time to her, and was ecstatic to see that a peacock sat perched atop the Dining Hall building. She had seen peacocks in the premises, but they were never so close to the hostel buildings. She smiled, and the sun rose, filling the whole room with bright light, she embraced herself as she looked at the red ball surfacing slowly at the horizon.
Soon, there were movements around her, the girls had started getting up, her friend got up and punched her at the back and said "Don't tell me you slept sitting in that position the whole night!" She turned and winked at her friend and said "Get up you sleepy head, School nahi jaana hai kya?" (Don't you wanna go to school) Saying this she pounced on her friend, tickling her and playfully punching her, till they both collapsed rolling with laughter, while the other girls cursed them for making such a commotion. They both got up, and raced downstairs, pulling each other and stumbling over the stairs. She suddenly stopped at the stairs and peeped outside the window, the peacock was still there, she smiled and ran to catch up with her friend.
Friday, May 25, 2007
It had just stop raining, the road was wet and tiny water droplets were dripping from the trees as the wind blew. She was walking alone, the breeze was cool after the rain. The sun had just started to set on the horizon. A cuckoo sang, perched atop a mango tree. The sky was a riot of colours, few clouds dotted the sky, orange, pink and purple in colour. She looked up at the sky, the clouds only enhanced the depth of the vast sky. A soft breeze blew, the tree leaves trembled and a small water droplet fell on her delicate pink cheeks, her soft black hair danced delicately with the breeze. A smile broke onto her face, her blue eyes twinkled. She closed her eyes and opened her arms, she wanted to fly. She took a deep breath, the cool fresh air filled her lungs and she ran, she ran as fast as she could, giggling and happy as if she was flying. An old man was sitting on a bench near the park and observing her. Her joy was infectious and he couldn't conceal the smile which she brought to his face.
"Cherry, come on lets go home dear", a voice called out to the girl. She ran towards the bridge and hugged her mother. The old man stared as she left, hopping alongside, holding her mother's hand. He sat there thinking for a long time, the girl's face was still clear in front of his eyes. He smiled as he thought of her. Her momentary presence had brought a special joy in his life, he felt as if some kind of energy had filled his mind and body.
When he reached home, he could still feel the joy in his heart. He went to bed early but couldn't sleep because of the anticipation of going to the park next day and watching the little girl.
When he got up the next day, he had a weird feeling, he couldn't recognize the feeling, he felt very uneasy. Later, he realized he was nervous, he sat on a chair thinking. When was the last time he was so happy? He couldn't remember, when was the last time he experienced such joy. He was scared, yes he was scared of being happy. All he remembered was that he lived alone for years, without any feelings. Each day of these years, staying alone, he never felt happy, neither did he ever felt sad. Everyday, he lived there, he lived like a robot, with a daily routine as if programmed into him. Without any feelings, just plain numb.
He was scared now, scared to have feelings. He was bothered of being scared too. He felt an uneasiness, a restlessness, he couldn't think clearly. He wanted to run away, at the same time he wanted to lock himself up in a room.
He got up and went to his room, and sat on his rocking chair. He sat there the whole of morning, afternoon and evening, without moving, just rocking slowly in his chair and breathing slowly. Night had fallen, he did not get up from his chair, it was pitch dark in his house, he didn't move.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Once in a remote village of UP there lived a boy named Shyam, with his parents and three sisters. His was a poor family and his father worked as a daily wage labourer at the village Pradhan's fields. Shyam's father could not afford his education and hence he had to drop out of school when he was only in his 1st Grade. He used to help his father by taking the cow out for grazing during the day.
Each morning his mother would pack a couple of rotis for his lunch. He would get dressed in a plain kurta-pyjama and carry with him a small bamboo stick. Everyday he took the cow to the hill top from where he could see the Ganga river flowing. He would settle down under a tree and would leave the cow nearby to graze.
Often he would use a charcoal to make some drawings on the bare rocks strewn on the surface of the hill. He would sketch the landscape, the river, the hills, the trees. At time he would sketch birds perched on tree tops.
He would often rub his drawings on the rocks, but he himself couldn't understand what made him rub those drawings, was it the fear of someone discovering them or was it the fear of facing the criticism. But, he knew one thing for sure that he loved to sketch and he would sketch everyday and slowly he was getting better. Still he feared, he feared the perfection of the expert, he feared the comparison, he feared the criticism.
He would often dream at night, that he is sitting on a rock by the shore of the sea and making beautiful paintings of the sunset, the birds returning home, the waves of the sea, glistening white and fiery red in the light of the setting sun. But, suddenly his paintings would be set on fire by a few shadows, silhouetted against the dancing flames of his paintings. Those shadows would laugh mockingly at him. He often had such nightmares, and he would refrain from drawing for weeks, but something in his heart kept tugging and finally he would give up and draw again.
Drawing always filled his heart with a song. He would hum a tune the whole day, his heart felt light and would also add a spring in his walk and a smile on his face.
One day, he got so lost in his drawing, he drew the whole day and forgot about everything else, when it started to get dark, he quickly started preparing to return home. After packing he started searching for his cow. The cow was nowhere to be seen, he looked all around, it started getting dark, he started to panic, he could barely see in the dark. He called out the cows name, he started getting exhausted, he ran downhill, screaming along the bank of the river. His parents back home started worrying about him, he had never stayed out so late.
In the end he gave up and returned home. On hearing the news his parents were shocked and his mother could not hide her grief. His father picked up two lanterns, handed one to Shyam and without saying a word started in the direction of the hill. Shyam followed him without a word. They searched the whole night, but the cow was not to be found. By the time the returned it was already dawn. The cow provided for their daily supply of milk, and at times Shyam's mother used the surplus milk to make butter and then sold it to the local shop. The money was then used for medicines and other household items.
Now with the cow gone, meant extra work for Shyam's father, and if things didn't look good his mother would also have to work as a housemaid, to provide for the household expenses and save at the same time till they can afford another cow. But the expenses kept mounting, soon Shyam had to go to work too.
With all the burden of the work, he could never find the time to play or do what his heart desired. His little heart pained. His freedom was lost. The work tired him so much, everyday he would return home, eat his dinner and go off to sleep almost immediately. His frustration kept on piling up, but as he held himself guilty he never complained.
The day the cow was lost, and seeing the consequences Shyam had sworn to himself that he would never ever draw again. He thought that it was his drawing that engaged him like a devil and made him neglect his responsibility which caused all this pain to his family.
He never ever drew again. It was kind of a self inflicted punishment he had given himself. But, within his heart he knew how much he craved to draw. One day he couldn't resist and ran to the hill, on reaching there he desperately hunted for the rock on which he had drawn that day. But, his drawing had been washed away. He hugged the rock and cried.
Shyam never drew again and never again visited that hill.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Night had fallen, the sky was clear and a crescent moon shone and the stars twinkled. Radha ran to the window, her eyes searched the night sky until she spotted the bright star. Her face brightened and for a few moments she stood there looking mesmerised and her eyes twinkled with sweet, innocent joy, reminiscent of a happy chidhood.Her mother came into the room and beckoned her to the bed. She whispered "Bye bye Tara!" and waved her hand as she moved towards her bed. Soon, she was fast asleep.
Not one day had gone, when Radha had gone to sleep without meeting her Tara. At times she would even talk to her Tara, all about her friends, school, chocolates, about gifts which her Baba got her, about the sweets which her Ma prepared for her. There was a special bond which little Radha shared with this star.
As she grew older, her bond with the star strengthened. She would spend hours in the science library reading about stars, at night she would use her small telescope to view the star. She had bought the telescope by saving her pocket money and doing small chores for her friends and neighbours. She never quite understood why she liked this star so much. The more she read about the star, the more she wanted to know, her thirst for knowledge kept on increasing.
One day while reading a book about real life incidents, she came across a story about a young boy called Michael. The story was about how Michael, a very good human being at heart, dies fighting a critical disease, his last words to his mother were "Mother, when I die, don't miss me, just look at the night sky, I will be there, the brightest star in the night sky, smiling at you. And remember mother I will be watching you, and I dont ever want to see tears in your eyes." That very night Michael passed away. His mother stepped on the damp grass of the garden and looked at the night sky, she saw a bright star and waved and said "Hello Michael". From that day onwards it became a routine for his mother, she would visit her son everynight.
Radha jumped off her bed and quickly searched on the internet. It didn't take long before she found the date when Michael passed away. The date somehow looked familiar, she quickly reached for her diary and searched, the day and month of Michael's death, and the day and month of the earliest record found of the star was the same. She was surprised, was it a mere co-incidence?
She just considered it a mere co-incidence and went off to sleep. But something was still bothering her and she couldn't sleep. She searched the internet again and found that the constellation of Michael's zodiac was the same constellation in which the star was located. She attributed this also to another co-incidence. But somehow, somewhere Michael's story had really touched her.
The following month, she got a scholarship from a university which was located near the town where Michael lived. She was very excited, she had made a note of paying a visit to the town.
A few months passed before she could make arrangements to visit Michael's town. She called up Michael's mother and briefly told her about the visit, Michael's mother was a friendly woman, and she obliged.
Finally the day arrived, she reached the town early in the morning. She stopped by at a local cafe to have breakfast. The cafe only had a couple of visitors other than her. The cafe owner, a short, pompous lady seemed friendly and Radha quickly picked up a conversation with her. Radha didn't directly jump to Michael's topic, she chatted away a few minutes asking about the town, and asking if there are any good places nearby, which one should visit. Slowly, she came to the topic, when she mentioned about Michael, the cafe owner's eyes filled with tears. Michael seemed to be everyones favourite in the town. The cafe owner spoke about how, despite his sufferring, Michael was the most charming boy around, and how he never failed to win anyone's heart, with his beautiful charming smile and his simple and modest nature.The phone interrupted their conversation, and Radha realised it was time for her to leave.
She had asked the lady at the cafe for directions to Michael's house. It was situated slightly away from the main market, a little aloof from the rest of the houses, on a tiny hill surrounded by lush green fields. Radha quickly climbed the hill and knocked at the door. The door was opened by a woman in her mid-seventies, she had beautiful twinkling blue eyes, and her grey hair was tied in a bun. Her warm smile touched Radha's heart, it reminded her of her Ma. The old lady greeted Radha and introduced her as Michael's mother. The lady had a certain charisma about her and Radha couldn't help but was completely awe struck.
She welcomed Radha into the house, the house was simple, but a warm and cozy home. Michael's mother had kept steaming tea with muffins ready for Radha. They chatted about Radha's journey over the tea. After the tea was over, Michael's mother asked Radha about the purpose of her visit, and Radha narrated the whole story to her. On hearing Michael's mention, Michael's mother, concealed her tears and Radha could see the command which the lady had over her emotions, but it was a completely honest effort on a mother's part who had promised her son, that he will never see tears in her eyes.
After hearing the story, Michael's mother, completely composed, took Radha by hand and led her to a room at the end of the house. The room looked as if it belonged to a teenager, there was a wheel chair in the corner, Radha realised it was Michael's room. But the room had been well taken care of, it appeared that it was cleaned and tidied up every day. Michael's mother walked inside the room and picked up a photo frame and handed it over to Radha, saying "That's my Michael". Radha took the picture in her hands, she couldn't believe that Michael was critically ill. He was one of the most handsome boys Radha had ever seen, and indeed he had the most beautiful smile. His sparkling blue eyes were just like his mother's eyes.
Michael's mother showed her various other pictures of Michael, some taken while playing baseball, some at the town Church, some taken on his birthday party, where the whole town seemed to have gathered. She then showed Radha Michael's diary, where he had scribbled all about various stars and constellations. Radha was shocked to see it, Michael had the same interests like her. His notes were so similar to hers, even he was interested in the same things which she loved doing. Michael's mother carefully extracted a box from the cupboard and showed Radha, Michael's most priced possession, a telescope, one similar to what Radha had. His mother's hand touched the telescope as if she was caressing her son. She gave the telescope to Radha, when Radha touched the telescope a very different feeling swept over her.
They didn't realise, sitting there in Michael's room, that night had fallen. It was the whistling of a train at a distance that brought them back to reality. Michael's mother slowly rose from the chair, she smiled at Radha and said "Time to meet Michael", and left the room. Radha followed her, Michael's mother slowly unlatched the door and stepped on the grass in the garden. A cool breeze was flowing, they stepped outside and sat there. She said "Hey Michael, see your friend is here to pay you a visit". Radha looked up and was stunned, the star had never appeared this close to earth and its magnificience was simply breath taking. She could feel Michael's presence around her, she could see him smiling, with the same twinkling in his deep blue eyes. "Tara, that is what you call a star in India, am I right?" Michael's mother whispered to Radha. On hearing this Radha's heart filled with very strong emotions. It was a mixed feeling, she couldn't describe it. The universe, so big, yet seemed so small to her, and mankind, no matter how advanced, seemed so powerless to her, in front of Nature!
Not one day had gone, when Radha had gone to sleep without meeting her Tara. At times she would even talk to her Tara, all about her friends, school, chocolates, about gifts which her Baba got her, about the sweets which her Ma prepared for her. There was a special bond which little Radha shared with this star.
As she grew older, her bond with the star strengthened. She would spend hours in the science library reading about stars, at night she would use her small telescope to view the star. She had bought the telescope by saving her pocket money and doing small chores for her friends and neighbours. She never quite understood why she liked this star so much. The more she read about the star, the more she wanted to know, her thirst for knowledge kept on increasing.
One day while reading a book about real life incidents, she came across a story about a young boy called Michael. The story was about how Michael, a very good human being at heart, dies fighting a critical disease, his last words to his mother were "Mother, when I die, don't miss me, just look at the night sky, I will be there, the brightest star in the night sky, smiling at you. And remember mother I will be watching you, and I dont ever want to see tears in your eyes." That very night Michael passed away. His mother stepped on the damp grass of the garden and looked at the night sky, she saw a bright star and waved and said "Hello Michael". From that day onwards it became a routine for his mother, she would visit her son everynight.
Radha jumped off her bed and quickly searched on the internet. It didn't take long before she found the date when Michael passed away. The date somehow looked familiar, she quickly reached for her diary and searched, the day and month of Michael's death, and the day and month of the earliest record found of the star was the same. She was surprised, was it a mere co-incidence?
She just considered it a mere co-incidence and went off to sleep. But something was still bothering her and she couldn't sleep. She searched the internet again and found that the constellation of Michael's zodiac was the same constellation in which the star was located. She attributed this also to another co-incidence. But somehow, somewhere Michael's story had really touched her.
The following month, she got a scholarship from a university which was located near the town where Michael lived. She was very excited, she had made a note of paying a visit to the town.
A few months passed before she could make arrangements to visit Michael's town. She called up Michael's mother and briefly told her about the visit, Michael's mother was a friendly woman, and she obliged.
Finally the day arrived, she reached the town early in the morning. She stopped by at a local cafe to have breakfast. The cafe only had a couple of visitors other than her. The cafe owner, a short, pompous lady seemed friendly and Radha quickly picked up a conversation with her. Radha didn't directly jump to Michael's topic, she chatted away a few minutes asking about the town, and asking if there are any good places nearby, which one should visit. Slowly, she came to the topic, when she mentioned about Michael, the cafe owner's eyes filled with tears. Michael seemed to be everyones favourite in the town. The cafe owner spoke about how, despite his sufferring, Michael was the most charming boy around, and how he never failed to win anyone's heart, with his beautiful charming smile and his simple and modest nature.The phone interrupted their conversation, and Radha realised it was time for her to leave.
She had asked the lady at the cafe for directions to Michael's house. It was situated slightly away from the main market, a little aloof from the rest of the houses, on a tiny hill surrounded by lush green fields. Radha quickly climbed the hill and knocked at the door. The door was opened by a woman in her mid-seventies, she had beautiful twinkling blue eyes, and her grey hair was tied in a bun. Her warm smile touched Radha's heart, it reminded her of her Ma. The old lady greeted Radha and introduced her as Michael's mother. The lady had a certain charisma about her and Radha couldn't help but was completely awe struck.
She welcomed Radha into the house, the house was simple, but a warm and cozy home. Michael's mother had kept steaming tea with muffins ready for Radha. They chatted about Radha's journey over the tea. After the tea was over, Michael's mother asked Radha about the purpose of her visit, and Radha narrated the whole story to her. On hearing Michael's mention, Michael's mother, concealed her tears and Radha could see the command which the lady had over her emotions, but it was a completely honest effort on a mother's part who had promised her son, that he will never see tears in her eyes.
After hearing the story, Michael's mother, completely composed, took Radha by hand and led her to a room at the end of the house. The room looked as if it belonged to a teenager, there was a wheel chair in the corner, Radha realised it was Michael's room. But the room had been well taken care of, it appeared that it was cleaned and tidied up every day. Michael's mother walked inside the room and picked up a photo frame and handed it over to Radha, saying "That's my Michael". Radha took the picture in her hands, she couldn't believe that Michael was critically ill. He was one of the most handsome boys Radha had ever seen, and indeed he had the most beautiful smile. His sparkling blue eyes were just like his mother's eyes.
Michael's mother showed her various other pictures of Michael, some taken while playing baseball, some at the town Church, some taken on his birthday party, where the whole town seemed to have gathered. She then showed Radha Michael's diary, where he had scribbled all about various stars and constellations. Radha was shocked to see it, Michael had the same interests like her. His notes were so similar to hers, even he was interested in the same things which she loved doing. Michael's mother carefully extracted a box from the cupboard and showed Radha, Michael's most priced possession, a telescope, one similar to what Radha had. His mother's hand touched the telescope as if she was caressing her son. She gave the telescope to Radha, when Radha touched the telescope a very different feeling swept over her.
They didn't realise, sitting there in Michael's room, that night had fallen. It was the whistling of a train at a distance that brought them back to reality. Michael's mother slowly rose from the chair, she smiled at Radha and said "Time to meet Michael", and left the room. Radha followed her, Michael's mother slowly unlatched the door and stepped on the grass in the garden. A cool breeze was flowing, they stepped outside and sat there. She said "Hey Michael, see your friend is here to pay you a visit". Radha looked up and was stunned, the star had never appeared this close to earth and its magnificience was simply breath taking. She could feel Michael's presence around her, she could see him smiling, with the same twinkling in his deep blue eyes. "Tara, that is what you call a star in India, am I right?" Michael's mother whispered to Radha. On hearing this Radha's heart filled with very strong emotions. It was a mixed feeling, she couldn't describe it. The universe, so big, yet seemed so small to her, and mankind, no matter how advanced, seemed so powerless to her, in front of Nature!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Life
He got down from the over stuffed bus and started on the dusty track which led to the village. His heart rejoiced as his feet touched the ground where he was born. The cool breeze and the warm sun, flooded his mind with the memories of his childhood.
He jumped from the bullock cart and started racing on the same dusty track, his school bag bouncing against his legs. From behind he could hear Hari scream "Wait for me you cheat! See how I will beat you in the race. Ram is a cheater! Ramu is a cheater", chanting he sped past Ram. Hari had got rid of his bag, Ram too threw his bag and increased his pace. Soon, they were neck to neck when Ram pounced on Hari and they both fell on the soft green grass under the old mango tree, and broke into a small playful wrestle.
He smiled and quickened his pace, the village did look a bit different. His eyes fell on the mango tree, it was bare, and its trunk had turned ghostly white. He slowly walked to the tree and touched the trunk, the ground under the tree was barren and dry. The temple bell was ringing in the distance, he looked at his watch, it was 12 noon.
The wrestling boys suddenly came to a stop when they heard the temple bell ring. Both of them gave each other a naughty grin and ran to pick up their bags before they fled in the direction of the temple. The temple pandit, an old man, who lived alone and was the caretaker of the tiny village temple of Lord Hanuman, was performing the afternoon aarti. The two boys hid behind the walls as they watched the pandit perform the puja. They waited for the pandit to walk to the river Ganga for the aarti, as his daily ritual. As the pandit slowly descended the stairs, the two boys sneaked into the temple and stole the laddoos offered to Hanumanji. The pandit had forgotten to carry his kalash and started climbing the stairs when his eye caught the two miscreants. He started waving his laathi at the boys and ran after them, the boys fled giggling as the poor old pandit followed them. But he soon gave up, as he was left out of breath and his legs started hurting. The boys then slowly walked towards their home munching on their laddoos.
He walked towards the temple, the temple bell was still ringing. As he climbed the temple stairs, he observed that the temple too had aged, its stairs were partially broken, the walls were dull and looked as if they would collapse with the slightest push, the hinge on which the bell was suspended was also loose. The pandit performing the puja was a young man, in his early thirties. The pundit offered him the prasad, and before he could talk to him, the pandit left and walked towards the river. He sat in the temple to rest and ate his prasad. He looked at the walls, there were cob webs all over the place, the floor was not smooth but eroded. There were plants growing in the crevices developed in the walls. He finished his laddoo and walked towards the village.
The two boys, reached the bridge on the river, they washed their hands in the river and continued on their way home. Their houses were situated on the opposite sides of a tiny pond. They bid each other good bye and ran towards their respective homes. Ram's house was bigger than Hari's. Ram's house had a well from which most of the villagers took water. They had the most number of cows and bullocks in the village and Ram's favourite cow was Shayama, because she had recently given birth to a very cute calf, who Ram's mother said was his. He had named the calf Chikku, because of his brown colored skin resembled the skin of a chiku -a fruit. His grandfather was seated in the varanda puffing hukka. He ran to him and threw his bag next to his grandfather and gave him a hug. His grandfather said "Go, go, first go and have something to eat, you must be hungry." He ran to the well and washed his hands and feet, then ran to his mother in the kitchen. He hugged his mother tight, she embraced him and wiped the water off his face with her aanchal. Then she quickly served him food, and started talking to him and waving a hand held fan at the same time. She asked him about his day at school and the usual. After he finished his lunch, he ran to play with Chikku. Then he heard his mother call him from inside and told him to sleep for a while, and he could play with Chikku in the evening. He quickly ran to his room and jumped on the bed and soon was fast asleep.
As he walked to the bridge over the river, he saw that, like all the other things, the bridge too had become old and was weak. He looked ahead the pond was completely dry. Then he slowly with a slight fear in his heart, gathered the courage to look in the direction of the house, but what he saw, completely shocked him.
The once beautiful house was reduced to rubble. He walked towards it with a heavy heart. The well was completely dry, and filled with dry leaves and dirt. He turned and walked towards the place where once the cow shed used to be located, there was nothing left. He walked towards the kitchen, the wall had collapsed exactly at the place where once the chulha (earthen stove) was located. He turned towards a room.
He got up from his bed and rushed outside. He climbed the stairs adjacent to the door and went to the roof. He looked in the direction of the setting sun and instantly his face brightened and he screamed "Baba!" A man walking on the road, lifted his head up, immediately his face broke into a smile and he waved. Ram, rushed down the stairs, and ran outside the house, his mother screaming from behind "Ram careful!" Ram ran and clinged to his father, his father lifted him up and placed him on his back, while Ram bombarded him with questions, "What did you get for me baba? Did you find the toy bullock cart which we had seen at the fair?" His father kept nodding and smiling. They reached home and Ram climbed down his baba's back, looking eagerly at him. His father reached in his bag and gave Ram the toy, he screamed with joy. Taking the toy in his hands, he ran towards Hari's house, who was already outside hearing all the commotion Ram had created.
The room was beyond recognition, the walls had given way and the roof had caved in, the place where once the staircase was situated was now a mere pile of rubble. He sat on a stone, the afternoon sun was bright and he felt very tired and thirsty. He reached for his bag and removed a bottle of water and took a sip from it.
Ram came back panting in the evening, after playing with his friends, which he did everyday. He was thirsty, he washed at the well and ran to his mother. He knew that she would be ready with a glass of chilled sweet lassi for him. She handed him the glass and he drank it at one go, his mother smiled and said "Drink slowly beta".
He walked towards the rooms, where there were bedrooms in which baba and ma used to sleep. The walls were partially damaged and the roof had gone, while the floor was a complete mess.
Ram hid behind the room and casted intermittent glances, through the window, at the room inside. His mother was searching for him, under the bed, behind the trunk when suddenly she saw him peeping through the window. He darted towards his room but his mother was quick and grabbed his shirt. Both of them couldn't stop laughing, tears were rolling down his eyes, because of the laughter, as his mother playfully punched him for being naughty.
The wall, with the window, was still intact. Not exactly intact, but it was in a better shape than the rest of the walls. He walked over to the window, walking across the room was difficult as there was too much rubble, he almost slipped with each step.
After dinner Ram helped his mother prepare the bed for his grandfather. Then he climbed on it and waited for his grandfather, when he came, he said "Dadaji, I want to hear the wolf and the prince's story tonight." His grandfather grinned and after settling in his bed, started telling the story. After the story was over, he kissed his grandfather, and ran to his parents room. His parents were already in bed, but were awake. He jumped on the bed between them, his father patted him on the back and his mother gently stroked his head. Soon he fell in a deep, peaceful sleep.
A bottle rolled out of his pocket, he picked it up. The bottle contained sleeping pills, he had to take them daily, he was so dependent on them.
A tear rolled down his eyes as he stood there, amongst the remains of his good old days.
He got down from the over stuffed bus and started on the dusty track which led to the village. His heart rejoiced as his feet touched the ground where he was born. The cool breeze and the warm sun, flooded his mind with the memories of his childhood.
He jumped from the bullock cart and started racing on the same dusty track, his school bag bouncing against his legs. From behind he could hear Hari scream "Wait for me you cheat! See how I will beat you in the race. Ram is a cheater! Ramu is a cheater", chanting he sped past Ram. Hari had got rid of his bag, Ram too threw his bag and increased his pace. Soon, they were neck to neck when Ram pounced on Hari and they both fell on the soft green grass under the old mango tree, and broke into a small playful wrestle.
He smiled and quickened his pace, the village did look a bit different. His eyes fell on the mango tree, it was bare, and its trunk had turned ghostly white. He slowly walked to the tree and touched the trunk, the ground under the tree was barren and dry. The temple bell was ringing in the distance, he looked at his watch, it was 12 noon.
The wrestling boys suddenly came to a stop when they heard the temple bell ring. Both of them gave each other a naughty grin and ran to pick up their bags before they fled in the direction of the temple. The temple pandit, an old man, who lived alone and was the caretaker of the tiny village temple of Lord Hanuman, was performing the afternoon aarti. The two boys hid behind the walls as they watched the pandit perform the puja. They waited for the pandit to walk to the river Ganga for the aarti, as his daily ritual. As the pandit slowly descended the stairs, the two boys sneaked into the temple and stole the laddoos offered to Hanumanji. The pandit had forgotten to carry his kalash and started climbing the stairs when his eye caught the two miscreants. He started waving his laathi at the boys and ran after them, the boys fled giggling as the poor old pandit followed them. But he soon gave up, as he was left out of breath and his legs started hurting. The boys then slowly walked towards their home munching on their laddoos.
He walked towards the temple, the temple bell was still ringing. As he climbed the temple stairs, he observed that the temple too had aged, its stairs were partially broken, the walls were dull and looked as if they would collapse with the slightest push, the hinge on which the bell was suspended was also loose. The pandit performing the puja was a young man, in his early thirties. The pundit offered him the prasad, and before he could talk to him, the pandit left and walked towards the river. He sat in the temple to rest and ate his prasad. He looked at the walls, there were cob webs all over the place, the floor was not smooth but eroded. There were plants growing in the crevices developed in the walls. He finished his laddoo and walked towards the village.
The two boys, reached the bridge on the river, they washed their hands in the river and continued on their way home. Their houses were situated on the opposite sides of a tiny pond. They bid each other good bye and ran towards their respective homes. Ram's house was bigger than Hari's. Ram's house had a well from which most of the villagers took water. They had the most number of cows and bullocks in the village and Ram's favourite cow was Shayama, because she had recently given birth to a very cute calf, who Ram's mother said was his. He had named the calf Chikku, because of his brown colored skin resembled the skin of a chiku -a fruit. His grandfather was seated in the varanda puffing hukka. He ran to him and threw his bag next to his grandfather and gave him a hug. His grandfather said "Go, go, first go and have something to eat, you must be hungry." He ran to the well and washed his hands and feet, then ran to his mother in the kitchen. He hugged his mother tight, she embraced him and wiped the water off his face with her aanchal. Then she quickly served him food, and started talking to him and waving a hand held fan at the same time. She asked him about his day at school and the usual. After he finished his lunch, he ran to play with Chikku. Then he heard his mother call him from inside and told him to sleep for a while, and he could play with Chikku in the evening. He quickly ran to his room and jumped on the bed and soon was fast asleep.
As he walked to the bridge over the river, he saw that, like all the other things, the bridge too had become old and was weak. He looked ahead the pond was completely dry. Then he slowly with a slight fear in his heart, gathered the courage to look in the direction of the house, but what he saw, completely shocked him.
The once beautiful house was reduced to rubble. He walked towards it with a heavy heart. The well was completely dry, and filled with dry leaves and dirt. He turned and walked towards the place where once the cow shed used to be located, there was nothing left. He walked towards the kitchen, the wall had collapsed exactly at the place where once the chulha (earthen stove) was located. He turned towards a room.
He got up from his bed and rushed outside. He climbed the stairs adjacent to the door and went to the roof. He looked in the direction of the setting sun and instantly his face brightened and he screamed "Baba!" A man walking on the road, lifted his head up, immediately his face broke into a smile and he waved. Ram, rushed down the stairs, and ran outside the house, his mother screaming from behind "Ram careful!" Ram ran and clinged to his father, his father lifted him up and placed him on his back, while Ram bombarded him with questions, "What did you get for me baba? Did you find the toy bullock cart which we had seen at the fair?" His father kept nodding and smiling. They reached home and Ram climbed down his baba's back, looking eagerly at him. His father reached in his bag and gave Ram the toy, he screamed with joy. Taking the toy in his hands, he ran towards Hari's house, who was already outside hearing all the commotion Ram had created.
The room was beyond recognition, the walls had given way and the roof had caved in, the place where once the staircase was situated was now a mere pile of rubble. He sat on a stone, the afternoon sun was bright and he felt very tired and thirsty. He reached for his bag and removed a bottle of water and took a sip from it.
Ram came back panting in the evening, after playing with his friends, which he did everyday. He was thirsty, he washed at the well and ran to his mother. He knew that she would be ready with a glass of chilled sweet lassi for him. She handed him the glass and he drank it at one go, his mother smiled and said "Drink slowly beta".
He walked towards the rooms, where there were bedrooms in which baba and ma used to sleep. The walls were partially damaged and the roof had gone, while the floor was a complete mess.
Ram hid behind the room and casted intermittent glances, through the window, at the room inside. His mother was searching for him, under the bed, behind the trunk when suddenly she saw him peeping through the window. He darted towards his room but his mother was quick and grabbed his shirt. Both of them couldn't stop laughing, tears were rolling down his eyes, because of the laughter, as his mother playfully punched him for being naughty.
The wall, with the window, was still intact. Not exactly intact, but it was in a better shape than the rest of the walls. He walked over to the window, walking across the room was difficult as there was too much rubble, he almost slipped with each step.
After dinner Ram helped his mother prepare the bed for his grandfather. Then he climbed on it and waited for his grandfather, when he came, he said "Dadaji, I want to hear the wolf and the prince's story tonight." His grandfather grinned and after settling in his bed, started telling the story. After the story was over, he kissed his grandfather, and ran to his parents room. His parents were already in bed, but were awake. He jumped on the bed between them, his father patted him on the back and his mother gently stroked his head. Soon he fell in a deep, peaceful sleep.
A bottle rolled out of his pocket, he picked it up. The bottle contained sleeping pills, he had to take them daily, he was so dependent on them.
A tear rolled down his eyes as he stood there, amongst the remains of his good old days.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Just a moment
"Sochna kya jo bhi hoga dekha jayega... Kal ke liye aaj ko na khona, aaj yeh na kal aayega..." song was playing as she was getting ready to leave. She glanced at the watch, she was running late, quickly she switched off the player, rushed outside and locked the door.
It was a good start to her day, she was happy, and was humming the song in her mind. She reached the office, and just like any other day, greeted her friend with the usual Good Morning, but today instead of the general 'Good Morn' reply, she just got a cold stare. She said "Arey baap re lagta hai aaj Meena madam ka mood theek nahi hai" and giggled. At this Meena turned and snapped at her, and told her to mind her own business. She was quite taken aback, she was concerned, she said "Sorry Meena, I didnt mean to hurt you, what's wrong? Is everything allright". Meena snapped again "I told you to mind your own business, now will you stop bothering me!" She thought that its better to keep shut now, if need be, she will talk to her later. But somehow the charm and freshness of the morning, which she felt had vanished. Her phone rang, she picked up the phone, and it was her friend on the line. She greeted him with a hello, but what she got in return was unexpected. He too snapped at her for some very stupid reason. This put her off completely!
Later during the day, another friend of hers called her up, and they also ended up quarrelling. She was really frustrated now, she couldn't concentrate on her work either. To top it all, her room mate, her best friend called her up, and was really angry with her, because of some stupid mistake on her part, she had to suffer, and all her hard work went down the drain. She felt pathetic, almost choking, her roomie hung up on her. She clenched her fist tight, everything was so miserable.
At work, her deadline was approaching, and nothing seemed to be working, every other thing that could never fail was also failing, and that too in the most complex manner. Her head was throbbing with pain now, as if it would burst open any minute. She wanted to scream, but had to resort to only a tightly clenched jaw, to give vent to her frustrations.
Finally the day ended, and it was time to leave for home. She wanted to leave the office as soon as possible, but didn't want to go home either, but she knew, she had to head for home straight. When she was leaving office, she received an sms, from a friend who had a confession to make. She messaged him back, promising that she won't be angry, and to go ahead with the confession. The next minute she received a long message, on reading the message, her bag fell from her hand. Her friend alongwith another friend of his, had been playing a prank on her for the whole of last week. She just replied with a false laugh, but nothing could match the anger that was burning her heart then. She rushed to her bike, and zoomed out of the office. The mockery, the anger, the argument, everything was hurting her. An urge to scream again took over her, warm tears were flowing down her cheek by now, her head felt as it it will split open any second, she shut her eyes tight, suddenly there was an excruciating pain and everything was silent after that, all the pain had gone, she felt as if she is in some deep, very deep sleep.
Next day in the morning, her friend Meena, was waiting in the office for her, so that she can tell her the good news. Her desk phone was ringing, her friend wanted to say sorry to her, coz he for no reason had snapped at her the yesterday. Another friend of her's was trying to call her up on her mobile, to say how stupid she felt, for quarreling with her on such a dumb reason. Her seniors at work were waiting to tell her, that the deadline of her work was extended and she had enough time to complete her work comfortably. Her prankster friends were sending her sorry messages, but none were getting delivered.
Her roomie, sitting beside the hospital bed, had come to know later that it wasn't her mistake, now all she could do was pray, that she comes out of the coma, and all the injuries which she sustained in that terrible road accident, heal faster, while waiting for her parents to arrive.
"Sochna kya jo bhi hoga dekha jayega... Kal ke liye aaj ko na khona, aaj yeh na kal aayega..." song was playing as she was getting ready to leave. She glanced at the watch, she was running late, quickly she switched off the player, rushed outside and locked the door.
It was a good start to her day, she was happy, and was humming the song in her mind. She reached the office, and just like any other day, greeted her friend with the usual Good Morning, but today instead of the general 'Good Morn' reply, she just got a cold stare. She said "Arey baap re lagta hai aaj Meena madam ka mood theek nahi hai" and giggled. At this Meena turned and snapped at her, and told her to mind her own business. She was quite taken aback, she was concerned, she said "Sorry Meena, I didnt mean to hurt you, what's wrong? Is everything allright". Meena snapped again "I told you to mind your own business, now will you stop bothering me!" She thought that its better to keep shut now, if need be, she will talk to her later. But somehow the charm and freshness of the morning, which she felt had vanished. Her phone rang, she picked up the phone, and it was her friend on the line. She greeted him with a hello, but what she got in return was unexpected. He too snapped at her for some very stupid reason. This put her off completely!
Later during the day, another friend of hers called her up, and they also ended up quarrelling. She was really frustrated now, she couldn't concentrate on her work either. To top it all, her room mate, her best friend called her up, and was really angry with her, because of some stupid mistake on her part, she had to suffer, and all her hard work went down the drain. She felt pathetic, almost choking, her roomie hung up on her. She clenched her fist tight, everything was so miserable.
At work, her deadline was approaching, and nothing seemed to be working, every other thing that could never fail was also failing, and that too in the most complex manner. Her head was throbbing with pain now, as if it would burst open any minute. She wanted to scream, but had to resort to only a tightly clenched jaw, to give vent to her frustrations.
Finally the day ended, and it was time to leave for home. She wanted to leave the office as soon as possible, but didn't want to go home either, but she knew, she had to head for home straight. When she was leaving office, she received an sms, from a friend who had a confession to make. She messaged him back, promising that she won't be angry, and to go ahead with the confession. The next minute she received a long message, on reading the message, her bag fell from her hand. Her friend alongwith another friend of his, had been playing a prank on her for the whole of last week. She just replied with a false laugh, but nothing could match the anger that was burning her heart then. She rushed to her bike, and zoomed out of the office. The mockery, the anger, the argument, everything was hurting her. An urge to scream again took over her, warm tears were flowing down her cheek by now, her head felt as it it will split open any second, she shut her eyes tight, suddenly there was an excruciating pain and everything was silent after that, all the pain had gone, she felt as if she is in some deep, very deep sleep.
Next day in the morning, her friend Meena, was waiting in the office for her, so that she can tell her the good news. Her desk phone was ringing, her friend wanted to say sorry to her, coz he for no reason had snapped at her the yesterday. Another friend of her's was trying to call her up on her mobile, to say how stupid she felt, for quarreling with her on such a dumb reason. Her seniors at work were waiting to tell her, that the deadline of her work was extended and she had enough time to complete her work comfortably. Her prankster friends were sending her sorry messages, but none were getting delivered.
Her roomie, sitting beside the hospital bed, had come to know later that it wasn't her mistake, now all she could do was pray, that she comes out of the coma, and all the injuries which she sustained in that terrible road accident, heal faster, while waiting for her parents to arrive.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Friend
He drove there, as fast as he could, farther and farther away. He took a turn dropped his bike and sprinted towards the trees, he ran till he came to a cliff. Tears were streaking down his face, he knelt, buried his head in his hands and started sobbing.
It was late evening, the sun had already set, it was slowly getting dark. He sat there like a statue gazing into nothing. His eyes were swollen, his crying reduced to soft sobs and breathing was hurting his chest. The birds had already returned home, and a few stars were already twinkling in the sky.
He lied down on his side, on the cold rocks beneath, his eyes closed slowly. After a few moments, he turned and rested on his back, gazing at all the bright stars in the night sky. He stayed there for a while, a tear rolled down from the side of his eye, his eyes were burning.
He slowly slid his hand in his pocket and removed a pack of cigarettes. He looked at the packet, as a fresh pool of tears filled his eyes. He tossed it in his hands for a while, then he slowly got up and walked towards the edge of the cliff. He took a last look at the packet and a thought of, one last smoke, came to his mind. At the thought his heart started burning again and then he threw away the packet with all his might.
He walked back to his bike, picked it up and left the cliff. On his way back, he was thinking, thinking hard, as if preparing himself for something. He was trying to console himself. Phrases like 'Whatever happens, happens for your own good' 'Time is the best healer' and all that. His heart felt heavy again, and his eyes were so swollen that not a single tear formed in them, and they burned as if on fire.
He stopped in front of a white building, even at this hour of the night, there was a lot of activity going on in the building. An ambulance screeched to a stop in front of the gate and suddenly there was a flurry of staff running around. There was a man on the stretcher, his face was covered in blood, making it unrecognizable.
After the passage was clear, he started moving towards the building. His legs were feeling heavy, and his heart was heavier. He came to a stop in front of a room with glass windows, and peered inside.
The sight of a human body, almost lifeless, with dozens of instruments punched into it, is terribly painful. He stood there, looking at the body of a man, with instruments all around him, beeping, pulsating machines. This man lying in the hospital bed, meant so much to him. He was always there for him, as far as he could remember.
The first time they went to school, they were together. They even got their first bicycles on the same day. The first time they went to college, they were together. They also had their first smoke together. He cursed the day they started smoking.
It was a beautiful morning and their first year results were out and both of them had scored more than their expectations. They were excited as they went to the shack outside the college, to have tea. The whole college gang was there, and everyone was celebrating. He can not remember clearly who offered them the first cigarette and when did it become an integral part of their life. They never even thought of quitting, because it was the 'in' thing and they enjoyed it so much. Soon the count had gone up from one or two stubs to almost 16 a day.
He could see his own health was deteriorating, but his friend's was worse. The moment he smoke, he would get an attack of incessant coughs. How much he urged his friend to stop, but all his efforts went down the drain. He used to steal his pack of cigarettes and throw them away, still somehow he managed to get his hands on some stubs.
On the night of Jan 16th, he suddenly woke up to the coughs of his friend, which just wouldnt stop. He got up and rushed to his bed, and was shocked to see blood on his sheet. He managed to wake up a few others in the hostel and soon they got him to the hospital.
He started walking, and came to a stop in front of another similar door, and a similar sight greeted him, the only difference, this time it was the body of an old man. A boy, almost the same age as his, was attending to him. He was thankful, atleast his friend wasn't inflicting such agony on his offsprings and soulmate. But, at the same time, he thought, about the future of his friend, he had no future at all.
He wondered how a careless attitude left them with nothing, not even a future, which for most of them is the only ray hope. He returned to his friend's room and sat there, staring at the watch as the minutes ticked away, and he couldn't do anything about it. He had to just wait and watch.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Forest
It was a dark and dense forest, people said it was haunted, not a single living creature existed there. Not even birds flew in that direction, it was evil. Filled with tall huge trees, the air was filled with the smell of the dead and decaying animals, leaves and grass. It was not a pleasant sight either, carcasses of animals were strewn across, who had made the biggest mistake of venturing in that direction.
Deep, deep inside the forest, there were some sounds...not very clear. On moving closer, it sounded like screams, a woman's screams, but it was not only that, there was also some other fast humming kind of sound, which had a rhythm to it.
She kept on moving ahead, and the noise grew louder. The screams were intermittent but the humming was continuous, it gave her a creepy feeling. The humming was hurting her ears, it wasn't loud still it forced her to clasp her hands on her ears, it was the rhythm and the way it sounded that was piercing her ears. She couldn't recognise the sound, she kept moving ahead, her mind working fast and her ears listening hard, despite the torture. The sound started becoming clearer and sharper, yes, she recognised it, it was some sort of chanting. Suddenly, she saw smoke, she broke into a light run, as she advanced towards the smoke, twigs snapping beneath her feet.
It was so dark in this part of the forest, it looked as though it was night fall. The only source of light was the fire, from which the smoke was emanating. She could see a figure seated, next to the fire, back towards her, but there was no one else in the sight. The person next to the fire was the one who was chanting, but the screams, where were the screams coming from. She started looking around but could see no one, when suddenly she heard another scream and looked up. Her eyes popped out of their sockets at the sight and quickly she placed her hand on her mouth, just in time to conceal her shriek. She shut her eyes tight and bit her finger, so as to release the pain which the sight caused her.
After a while she turned again to look, there was a woman, suspended by her hair from a branch of a tree, right above the fire. Her hands and legs were tied, there were deep gashes on her body, from which blood was trickling, the flames seemed to be relishing each drop of blood, it appeared as though the fire was thriving on it. The woman seemed stupefied for a while, when suddenly, the person below started some new chants, which made her scream all the more in pain, as the intensity of the chants grew so did her frequency of screams.
The figure rose from the ground, she peered hard to see, it was a man. He started circling the fire, her eyes fell on a beheaded goat, lying in a pool of blood. There was also a cock, with a twisted neck, lying lifeless on the ground.
The man was old, his beard reached his chest, most of his face was covered in hair. But what was about to happen, she couldn't have imagined. He picked up a sickle from the floor and cut his wrist, and offered his blood to the flames. The flames bacame more intense and rose higher!
He went to the tree where the rope, which suspended the woman, was tied. He untied it and started lowering the woman. She started screaming, as her feet were almost in the fire by now. He lifted his hand, which held the sickle and aimed at the woman, he took a deep breath, chanted a few verses and threw the sickle at her. A blood curdling scream!
She got up, panting! She was sweating profusely. She could feel droplets of sweat forming on her forehead, and slowly trickling down her temple. She looked around, there was no fire, no man, no woman, no trees, no forest. She was in her bed, she sighed with relief. She lit the table lamp, reached for the bottle, and drank water, she was feeling exhausted. Even though she was feeling relieved, she felt a funny uneasiness, she decided to ignore it. She looked outside the window of the hut, there in the distance at the foot of the hill, she could see the forest. She wiped her brow with a finger, but there was something wrong, she stretched her hand, so that the light from the lamp fell on her hands, it was not sweat, it was blood!