Day 29. Popular Comics Shop - Part II

Catch up with the first part of the story here.

“What is happening here?” One of them shouted without even giving reaction time to the boys and moved ahead to twist the ears of Rishi. The other one had also held Sameer by then. The curious eyes around turned wider with astonishment due to the recent development. Harsh knew what went behind the scenes for his friends to receive this treatment. The boys had not taken permission from their parents for their maiden venture. But the three of them were not prepared for this reaction. At least not so soon.

“What is happening here? What are we listening? You are taking money from your friends to share your books?” Sameer’s father took turn holding him by his collar. The crowd sensed the impending danger and started sneaking away. Some took along for what they paid while others quietly kept it back. They gave a look to the raided boys conveying that we will settle our scores later.

“Sorry papa.” Sameer blurted out the safest answer. But even that could not pacify the agitated parents. The idea of renting out books to their own friends was far beyond any explanation.

“What sorry? Have you bought the books from your own money?” Rishi’s father spoke twisting his ears harder.

Harsh didn’t want to face the wrath from his friend’s parents so he also moved away quietly leaving Sameer and Rishi. As he struck out of his gang, the wind gained a sudden momentum which shook one of the poles collapsing the flagging comics. A tear rolled down Sameer’s eye but he quickly wiped it away.

“Come home and I will teach you what it is like being a businessman.” Rishi’s father dragged him to their house. Sameer and his father also moved out of the scene as the dust storm gained speed and got accompanied with thin droplets. The white bed sheet and left books fluttered in the strong winds washing away the dreams of the young entrepreneurs. 

Day 28. Popular Comics Shop - Part I.

On a rustic summer evening when the children were still contained in their refuges, the trio was busy transfusing life to their dream project, ‘Popular Comics Shop’. Summer vacations had just started and it enraged the ‘Rajpura Colony’ with the increased chaos in houses due to its young inmates. Mothers yelling on top of their voices, siblings bickering, the loud animated sound of cartoon channels shrieking through the closed window corners, the day came alive in parts. The hustle bustle of the ‘Rajpura Colony’ during these months faded off as the days sobered down by the end of it. The central park of the colony was outlined by single row of houses on all its four sides. Mornings and evenings wore the same swollen up look in the park. There were the usual morning walking club types, who showed up religiously 365 days and then there were these free souls uprooted temporarily from their morning anchor.

The blazing sun was trying to hit frivolously on the lamenting souls peeking occasionally through the dense clouds and the sky was groggy with a muddy demeanor. It felt dull and lifeless impregnating lethargy even down below. A sand storm might hit before it starts pouring. At least it will bring some respite from the raging temperatures. Sameer, stood in his usual grey shorts complimented with a bright yellow round neck T-Shirt and black loafers, examining the makeshift stall from a distance. Something was amiss. It didn’t appeal him much despite of their fastidious efforts since morning. The shop has to appeal to bring in business. The books collected from the three houses were neatly laid out on a wooden table covered with a plain white table cloth. The shop looked alluring with pierced inverted books on a thin rope flagged over the book stall, secured by the two wooden poles. The structure where the books were placed was assembled together employing spare furniture from Rishi’s backyard. The table was topped with a wooden bench resting in a metallic frame. The overall arrangement was sheathed in a flawless white bed sheet, pinned on edges and embellished with latest editions of the popular children books, comics. The idea of having a comic’s book rent shop was conceived to make some extra pocket money and invest it into buying the latest comics.

As the day progressed, the brand new shop started alluring its curious probable customers even before the entire stock was laid out. The hovering wide eyed children checked out the latest edition of their favourite comics characters. While some of them placed hands on their pick and reserved it, there were others who ran home to get money for their indulgence. And soon the word about the comics shop spread like a wild fire in the Rajpura colony and excited kids were seen rubbing against each other’s shoulders to pick the book of their choice.

The proud owners of the stall, Sameer, Rishi and Harsh were now having a tough time attending to their customer turned peers. The rates were reasonable. One book for ten rupees and that too for three days! The deal was good. Money started pouring in the tin money box and it certainly lifted up the spirits of the trio. The hustle bustle next to the grocery shop gained attention of the passing by people who tried to pierce through the thick blanket of kids who were still waiting for their turn. There were only few books left when the stall was approached by some unwanted visitors. They had a furious look on their faces which was accentuated by the raised brows and they tore through the crowd to face the much in demand trio.

“What is happening here?” One of them shouted without even giving reaction time and moved ahead to twist the ears of Rishi. 

Day 18. Few short long tales.

Still exploring the one sentence, two sentence fiction/musings, here are some more. Short and crisp, somewhat bitter somewhat sweet they might delight or leave you thinking. Please share how you feel. It is valuable indeed. Does this also rhyme … :)

Sadness and madness in their extreme are vary of each other. Which one defines you?

To me, the both.

There are days I feel like singing but the tunes 

are too melodious to be accepted. 

Do I bother?

He writes to her more often these days.

Reassuring his presence to himself.

Dismissing all around including herself, 

she immerses within to build herself yet again,

 step by step, brick by brick. 

Will she be stronger now?

She was the most desirable but 

brought no pleasure to who possessed her.

#Short #Tales
#Terribly #Tiny #Tales

If you like these short tales please share. Sharing is caring. And also please drop in your feedback.

Day13. The Little People.

And then there are days like today when you feel how heavy your feet become with a strolling net connection, piled up work and no domestic help, all conspiring against you and saying ‘Hello, now show me.’ Well, haven’t been able to prove my super woman traits yet but I am struggling. While the official work took the priority, I stole some time to show up for my today’s post and also organize the look of the page for easier navigation. Have started a new story but couldn’t complete it today. Hoping a closure on this tomorrow. Till then, happy reading.

The tinkling of the tiny golden bells woven around the black collar of Shehanshah made a lilting sound, waking up Salim. His heart bounced with the latest purchase from the Id fair two days back. The black collar of Shehanshah, was on Salim’s mind and he had been saving for it since long. The day broke earlier than usual for Salim today. He rushed out of the only room under the thatched roof, skirting past the open kitchen which was guarded by the half wall to reach out to his best companion, his Shehanshah. Ammi, Rabia was still busy cooking the meal which would suffice her and Salim till afternoon. Her mind reeling over the money to be repaid she borrowed four months back to repair the roof. Completely engrossed she rolled the last of the six thick chapattis of bajra with a gestating glance outside beyond the kachha dominion. Salim was caressing Shehanshah’s neck feeding him the dry grass. Rains have been delayed this year banishing life around in all forms, in every home and every corner of the village. The farms have dried up turning the landlords and workers jobless. Only the haves, the people from the ‘Badi Havelis’ would survive a bit longer. Rabia has decided to walk up to the havelis in search of job. Even a petty job would fetch meals for her and little Salim. Life revolved around the basic necessity, gathering food for two. Beyond that the needs ceased to exist. But now, the penury was appalling with the dues of 400 rupees mounting up on her every day which if she fails to pay by in another two days, they will take away Shehanshah.

Soon the sun will be shining mercilessly on its acme and the hot winds will desert the streets of the village. The lone tree near Rabia’s hut was the only respite for Shehanshah, the onlooker of this life beyond. He moved around his anchor relentlessly and the bells echoed. Salim fondled Shehanshah on his neck and

Day 8. How Blue is My Sapphire - Part 4.

You catch up with previous parts here. 

She was happy with Nick and I was happy for her. Her happiness was my only wish. We were contained in our own defined space but those days came to an end which was quite unthought-of. Nick was in India on a project and his company decided to shuffle its employees with his name also featuring in the list. Nick and Choti were not prepared for this but they made their decisions. Nick went back to Australia, but not alone. I vividly remember that day when Choti came to declare our separation. I could have not stopped her, not for any binding reason. She left to leave an unfelt void behind and we never heard from each other. Finding me here would not have been difficult for her. But why is she back after so many years! Her words traced on the telegram echoed inside. My heart swayed with mixed emotions pulling me apart. I don’t know how I will react when I see her. Which part of me will react first. My thoughts also meandered as I steered my way to home. It was already lunch time when I reached back.

Entering inside my own place today gave an alien feel as if I was never here before. With heaviness in my legs and a throbbing head I entered inside. I knew the room where she would be but instead of taking a left from the courtyard to her room and rushing towards her, my legs took me away in the opposite direction. I settled on the single cot of my room. May be I will catch up with her on lunch. I felt like an escapist for no reason. I never did anything wrong but still I felt like one. Her room which was opposite to mine looked unapproachable with closed doors. I moved towards the bathroom to take a quick shower which I needed badly. Hari was in the room taking out my change when I came out. ‘Saab, when did you get back? Should I serve the lunch?’ Hari takes a break after lunch and comes back by the time of evening tea. He was already late today. ‘Yes Hari. Tell memsaab also to join for lunch. She must be hungry.’ Hari left and my heart began to pump up.

We meet like strangers at the dining table. At least she looked like one to me. We talked about her journey and other meager issues while I tried to observe beyond her aged skin. Her hair grayed in beautiful streaks and she had not dyed them as she always used to say. She no longer laughed. There were brief smiles which touched her lips and left almost immediately. Her eyes seemed dull and weak as she wore golden rimmed glasses. There was some casual chatter while Hari served us the food. ‘Hari, you may leave now. We will close the table.’ I relieved Hari. We might take time settling scores.

A thick cloud of silence and lugubriousness engulfed the dining room as Hari left only to be occasionally cleared by the clutter of the silver, taken out especially for the moment. I was mostly quiet even though I had questions within. Me being me, will not speak first. ‘So how are you?’ She could only break the ice. ‘I am good. I am good’ I reiterated asserting my well being or may be pronouncing it to reflect that I can be. ‘And you?’ I finally ask.

‘I am good too.’ Keeping her eyes fixated on the plate she spoke.

‘Where are you these days and what do you do? And how is Nick?’ I couldn’t stop myself further. Knowing Choti, this should be enough to give out her whole story. You had to just prick at the right place and she would just open up in front of anyone without any inhibitions. ‘My life is like an open book.’ She always said.

‘I was in Australia all these years working for an Indian IT firm there but took a transfer few years back. I am in Bangalore these days. In the same old city.’ This time she looked at me and our past together flashed in front of my eyes. The way we met on a bus stop on a stormy day, our further meetings on the same bus stop and then both us getting the same engineering college after the combined entrance and our decade together thereafter, everything still seemed so recent.

‘And when did you shift back here? What do you do here apart from painting such brilliant stuff?’ She moved the cursor towards me after her brief reply.

‘I came back an year after you left Bangalore. My mother had passed away and this place needed me. Not that I kept it in good shape but I am fine here. I don’t need to do anything for my living. There is enough money which comes from the farms. I can be me here and I am doing good. What brings you here.’ I quickly finished, throwing the ball in her court again with the discourteous question but I wanted to hear more from her.

‘Oh. So you are not happy to see me after so many years and want to know why I have come disturbing your peace here!’ I saw her lost mischievous smile and it relaxed me a bit but could not release my anger.

‘Yes. I want to know why you are here after such a long time to disturb my peace again when you left 25 years back without even thinking twice about me. Now why are you back? When you didn’t even bother to find out about me in all these years? What makes you feel that you can decide when you will touch lives of people around and then leave them unannounced the very next moment?’ I stopped to clear the lump in my throat, but before I could vent my wrath again on my Choti, she got up.

‘I never knew you think like this about me Jai.’ She rarely addressed me by my name. She turned towards her room. Walked a few steps but turned back. I never saw a tear in her eyes before. She said, ‘tears are a sign of weakness. And I am not a weak person.’

‘We were doing good together. Nick was the best thing that had ever happened to me. But our happiness was very short lived. We were to get married. My family was in Australia to bless us into our journey to the most beautiful days of our life. But the journey never started. Just two days before our wedding, Nick died in a car accident. My parents wanted me to come back then only but I wanted to stay back. I was carrying a life within me. Nick was so happy Jai. I was so happy but Nick left us. I gathered myself because I was going to be a mother soon and I felt blessed when Alice was born. But how ruthless can life be at times. Alice was born with an incurable disease. Both of us struggled for her life. She was a born champ. But my beautiful fighter lost 5 years back, leaving me all alone in this world. I could not stay in Australia any further so took a transfer. I have been trying to find you for years but only could manage a break through now.’ She could no longer hold back her tears.

I got up and took her to my arms. We sat in the courtyard, together but yet alone.

‘I am starting an orphanage and wanted you to help me in this endeavor. Earlier I was thinking if you could help me with the management but now I am sure you can teach the kids some painting as well.’ Her smile this time was free of the pain she stored for years. I smiled too. I got my life back.

Hari was surprised to hear sounds of laughter coming out of the house which had become reclusive of this place long ago. 

Hope you liked the story friends. Have a fabulous weekend ahead. See you tomorrow.

Day 7. How Blue is My Sapphire Part 3.

Sorry friends for posting this so late in the day. It was quite hectic day for me and could take out time now to move ahead with the story. Well I thought I would end it today but it seems the ‘Kahani’ doesn’t want to. So we will keep the ending for some other day. Till then hope you will like this Third part of the story. You can catch up with the earlier parts here in Part I and Part II. Happy reading.

But she was surprised that despite his distressing childhood memories in this house, he chose to stay here for the rest of his life. There were rooms around the courtyard of the single-storied building which appeared dark even at this hour of day. Hari settled, her luggage in one of the rooms which looked as others but it had a cooler to beat the summer heat. Its ringing sound disturbed the silence of the house. Choti was crossing rooms to reach her designated abode for the day but stopped before one of the rooms just before her own. She was intrigued to find an easel not far from the door, standing right there facing her and making an authoritative presence even in that dark room. Choti could not stop at the door, her feet guided her and she moved in like a demoniac soul. Hari observed her moving inside the room and followed to put on the light. As soon as the room came to life, Choti was amazed to find an array of masterpieces lying casually against the wall, some on easels occupying the room in a haphazard manner and some stacked behind one another. Mostly the paintings were featuring childhood in different forms but there were some abstract as well. They all were exquisite. She never knew that her Bondhu painted therefore the visuals in front took her to surprise. ‘Has saab painted these?’ She asked Hari, who was still there in the room. ‘Yes memsaab. This is what he is occupied with the entire day when he is not playing with Sunny. And now even Sunny won’t be there.’ Hari wiped his moist eyes. ‘Sunny!’ Choti was perplexed. ‘Our dog.’ ‘Oh. Okay.’ She spoke with her brows relaxing to bring back the calmness on her face. ‘So why Sunny won’t be there?’ ‘Sunny had not been keeping well for a very long time now so he was decided to be put to rest today. Saab has gone for that only. He should be back now.’ And Hari turned to leave her alone. Soon there was again that deafening silence in the room and the world around in the house. ‘Not bad Mr. Jai.’ Choti smiled and moved out of the room.

It must have been around an hour, sitting on that parched piece of land and it was getting difficult to be there any further. I have been sweating badly and felt a bit dizzy by now. There was a continuous rumbling inside, affected by the diametrically opposite emotions attacking me not taking their turns. The deep sadness brought in by the demise of Sunny was now being slowly taken over by a strange impulsiveness. It was not that I was not happy with Choti knocking back in life again but there were so many questions webbed in my mind. And what a day has been chosen to throw something like this on me. I was shaken and torn apart when she left me. I didn’t want to possess her but I wanted her around even when I knew she can’t be with me by just being there for times forever. She reassured my existence and made me feel the life that was around me in her own boisterous way. Even when we didn’t understand each other well, there was an inexplicable connect, which would make us be together for hours and not say a word. Sometimes uniting over such pristine moments of silence is what you need to call someone your soul mate. But then I never thought like this. I never thought that she is my soul mate. May be she was not. She was a soul which could not be possessed. But her presence around had become a pill of life for me. She would always laugh and make others like me at least smile. Her laughter would make others think that why is she always so happy. It astonished the gloomy people around. She was outrageous and free from all inhibitions. She would do things without even thinking twice. The so called social norms failed to cage this free bird. There was nothing common in us but she always said that she feels herself with me. The openness with which she embraced life made her look approachable and often misunderstood. I felt like a protector at times. I was ready to fight anything and everything which came in between her infectious smile and that incessant laughter. She was happy with Nick and I was happy for her. Her happiness was my only wish.

Day 6. How Blue is my Sapphire - Part 2

Welcome back to the second part of the story. I have purposefully kept this portion brief as it was dealing with a sensitive topic. Hoping to see you back here for the next part of the story.

Its time. Her train would be arriving in another half an hour. Hari would be at the station to receive and get her home, before I reach. My mind fluttered anxiously and failed to be anywhere, my heart perplexed whether it wanted the time to cease or run fast. While I was caught up meandering, Dr Farhad’s car moved in at a slow pace over the undulating ground. Animals always possess a stronger sixth sense than us. Sunny although half asleep could read my impatience and clung closer to me. I stepped out of the car leaving the post procedure requirements in the car. Dr Farhad also was out by now with his grey briefcase bearing peace for my Sunny. I had already placed a folding plastic table covered with a white cloth where the spot would be. It will be a two step procedure, Dr had told me already.

‘So are we ready?’ asked Dr Farhad calmly and I gave a brief nod.

‘You will have to place Sunny on the table, Jai. If you think you won’t be able to handle it, you can sit in the car.’ He was plain, cold and experienced. Maybe the professional acumen of doctors kills their sensitivity. But I won’t go. I snuggled Sunny for one more time and he opened his wet eyes. His painful eyes didn’t seek any answers but it pierced me within. The misery of separation took over the physical ailments of Sunny.  I placed him on the table, he lay stretched, submissive and prepared.

The doc placed his briefcase on the table next to sunny and took out syringe and the two small glass bottles, which would make Sunny’s pain cease for now and forever. Dr Farhad inserted the first liquid into the feeble veins of Sunny. He stretched even further; reaching his hands towards me, may be trying to feel me one more time. I took his hands in mine and clasped as I always did. The warmth of my hands relaxed him and his head rested against his hands. His mouth drooled and tongue hung out. The doc waited for five minutes and made the final lethal blow. Sunny was gone. I took him into my arms and tears rolled down my cheeks feeling the summer heat on the body. Dr Farhad came near and with his right hand on my shoulder and in a composed voice asked me to move ahead and let Sunny be one with the elements. I wiped my tears and with a nod rested Sunny on the table. His resting place was already dug by Hari in the morning. I wrapped Sunny in a white cloth and laid him in the holed up earth. Dr Farhad got the flowers and the tombstone from my car. As I placed the mud on wrapped Sunny, a few more tears trickled down. The tombstone said, ‘In the loving memory of my friend, my companion, my life. Sunny. 1990-2015.’ Dr Farhad patted on my shoulders and tried to lift me up but I wanted to be there for some time. ‘Alright Jai. Take care of yourself. I will have to leave now. There must be people waiting in the clinic. And you also leave in sometime. It is very hot today. You will get dehydrated.’ I got up and shook hands with him in gratitude. Words kept struggling inside.

Meanwhile the railway station at Kishorgadh went dead again after the last train moved out. Hari and Choti were already on their way home. Choti got out of the car and gingerly stepped into the old and battered house. The name plate on the walls bore Jai’s name. The house has not been painted in years. There were places where the dried paint had come out dragging a layer of cement along with. Stepping into the central courtyard, Choti could relate to the childhood stories of Jai. But she was surprised that despite his distressing childhood memories in this house, he chose to stay here for the rest of his life.

Hope you are liking the stories here. Keep coming back as this month we are going to have some interesting story lines in this blogathon.

Day 4. How Blue is My Sapphire - Part I

Hello friends. Here I am with another short story. I started writing this one few months back for one of the contests but could never finish it. So here in the blog marathon month, picking up from the past I present you. 'How Blue is my sapphire' titled by famous author Anita Nair as this one was for one of the contests by her.

Dear you,

Yes you. The way you are, to me, as a part of me. You were and will always be my Bondhu. Life can be gruesome, painfully killing and reclusive of us but we have to learn to trust and move on. Reaching you this Friday.

Yours choti.

I was her ‘bondhu’ and she my ‘choti’, my most adorable ‘choti’, twenty two years back. My pristine moments with her were free of any boundaries, inhibitions, desires and selfishness. All they were life, sheer life and while all these years, I yearned for some more time and blissful moments with her, I failed to listen that faint rumbling, thundering in the shudders of my inner folds. I received the telegram this morning. She is coming to me today. I longed this day for years, but when it is shinning right on my face, the dullness refuses to bear the gleam. Standing in this deserted, dry land covered with occasional trees near the lake, with Sunny in my hands, I wait for his vet to come and begin with the procedures. Dreading to face the moments ahead I pull Sunny closer to me. He was a 5 day old pup when I got him home fifteen years back and since then we have lived our lonely lives in the companionship of each other. My heart perplexed with the complexities of extreme emotions which life decided to offer in a single moment, I dread to receive my past on a fresh page. I need to write with the realms of reality and hope to be a better writer this time. All of us live with our past. All of us allow it to shape our future. But some of us know how to shrug the past. I think that is who I am. I am the creator, the divine, the reflection of my inner God. I will shape up my life as I want it. I allowed it to define my present but I deny it the rights today. I don’t know why I am allowing it to happen when she didn’t even turn to look back on what she left behind that day.

The humidity has been soaring up high since morning. It takes efforts to draw life out of this almost dead weather. It has shrugged off emotions like me, making the surround soulless and completely languor. I am better in the car but soon Dr Farhad would be here. There are still five minutes left in the appointed time. Sunny’s eyes are still closed but he opens them heavily in between reassuring his mortality. I took time to get convinced but this is appropriate for him and for me too. He refuses to eat or drink and his condition fails to improve even with medication. It’s been days and it was getting painful for both of us to see him passing like this.

I throw a queasy glance over the twinned watch which successfully supplanted my fondness for the earlier one, years back. I loved the earlier one too but this one was special. Choti gifted me this on my birthday when I was distraught with losing one. My favourite watch just stopped being one day, vanishing inexplicably, as if giving way to the newness in my life. It was absolutely similar to the lost one. Same white circular dial hemmed in a golden ring with light brown leather straps.

Its time. Her train would be arriving in another half an hour.

Would love to see you back tomorrow to see how the story progresses. 

Day 3. Sounds of Love - Part 3

If you missed the earlier portions, you can catch with part 1 and part 2 here.

The next day tension was building up in one of the rooms of Bhasker eye hospital. Shobhna could not sit contained in the corridor. She walked to and fro outside the cabin impatiently, her pace increasing with the time passing by. Inside, Ria’s heart was pounding in anticipation of the results and also from an unexplained feeling which was lingering within since yesterday. The ecstasy was mutual. Her heart was slipping away dissolving her in the oneness of the moment in which she embodied the upsurge of her emotions. Dheer was also feeling flushed with the ongoing fight within. The microscopic examination needed his professional precision and he tried his best.

The lights in the examination room went off. Ria blinked her strained eyes. Dheer poured few drops of a soothing eye drop, helped her to get down from the examination table and move to the adjacent consultation room. Shobhna moved in with weakened steps. The silence in the room felt ghostly for a moment and waited for the expert prognostication. ‘It is the rarest of the rare case kaki, but it can be treated. I have personally attended few of such cases. I am sanguine Ria will be able to see after this surgery.’ Dheeraj spoke in a firm but low voice. ‘You can get ready. We will go to Mumbai tomorrow only. The surgery will be done in a month after some medication and treatments.’

Things were happening too fast. It was difficult to understand what overwhelmed Ria. Her dream to see through all she wanted to coming true or the charm of an inadvertent feeling which was too capturing and spreading all over her.

They stayed in Dheeraj’s official flat which was a sprawling bungalow. Shobhna took over the kitchen responsibilities and soon got accustomed to the way of living in a metro. Dheeraj appointed Rabia from the hospital for administering the medical requirements of Ria in his absence. He spent his evenings with Ria in the garden. They spoke for hours together and Shobhna watched them quietly, her heart growing ambitious for Ria. They drew closer to each other but an unexpected fear gripped Dheer. He feared of losing her after the surgery. He could never gather enough courage to concede the mark and the reason for it. The feeling of an anticipated devastation would possess him in lonely nights and he felt like holding Ria tight and never letting her go. Oblivious to Dheer’s fears, Ria was happy with the blessings life was showering on her.

Finally the day arrived. The surgery was about to begin. As Ria slips into the effect of anesthesia, gaining consciousness and losing it again, she hears him whispering into his ears. ‘I was not wrong Ria. It was just an accident but I have been punished far beyond. I didn’t mean to hurt her, yet she pounced on me with a burning stick. I know you would feel betrayed seeing my face after the surgery and I can’t hurt you.’ Dheer voice withered away as Ria became unconscious.

It was the first thought that came to her as she woke up. He was gone. And, soon, this bedroom, the house in whose eastern corner it sat, and the tiny garden outside with its gnarled old red hibiscus and the half-grown mango tree they had planted together, all those would be gone as well. It was the strangest feeling ever. As she stepped out in the blurred world outside the dimly lit room, her head throbbed with heaviness and eyes pained. She couldn’t see anyone around, not yet with the bandages still intact. Dheer,’ she called for him with feelings of anxiety and delight but her voice muffled. ‘You need to rest ma’am.’ Rabia took her back to the bed. ‘Where is Dheer?’ Ria was anxious. She closed her eyes inside the white rolled cloth and stuffed cotton pads as pain gripped her again but her thoughts wandered in imagination of the unexplored world outside and Dheer. ‘He shall be visiting you soon. He is not at home right now. Not since morning.’ ‘He is gone. I know he is gone.’ Ria muttered and faded, as her slender body started reacting to the drugs infused. The prick didn’t pain but the separation did. Dheer’s words reeled into her subconscious mind all this while after the surgery. She didn’t hear from him since the day of her surgery.

The day had finally strolled in. Today Ria’s bandage are going to open. She asks aai whether Dheer would be around but Shobhna is not sure. Dheeraj hardly came home these days. The bandages start getting rolled out leaving the heart pumping with an increased pace keeping up to beat the anxiety building up within Ria and everywhere else. As the cotton swabs get removed and Ria opens her eyes slowly to step into the world of her dreams, the eyes strain. There is a bright haze. She blinks, rests the eyes to overcome the strain as instructed and opens them again. The haze continues and refuses to fade. She closes the eyes impatiently and opens again. Tears stray down uncontrollably and she shouts, ‘I can’t see anything.’ Dheer smiles from the edge of the door and rushes past everyone. Ria sobs in his arms. Outside the unpredictable Mumbai rains rolled down the curtains.

So that’s how I crafted the story. But would love to know your twist in the tale. Write down how you would have ended this story.

Day 2. Sounds of Love - Part 2

Welcome back friends. Here I am with the part 2 of Sounds of Love. You can catch with part 1 here. Hope you had a wonderful Saturday evening and wishing you a splendid Sunday ahead. Let us roll on the music …

Few kilometers away at the Najod railway station, the signals were turned green to flag in, the train coming from Mumbai. The platform was crowded in patches under the limited and holed up shelter. The floor veiled with wet mud in that commotion. The loudspeakers came alive and shrieked to announce the arrival of the ‘Mahoba express’. Shobhna glanced at the watch again as the train crawled in screeching and halted at platform number one. First class AC coaches were far ahead beyond the refuge of the shed. Sampat kaka offered to go alone. ‘Tai you stay here. I will go and get Dheeraj baba. There is no point getting wet.’ She sighed in approval. Sampat left tearing away and becoming one in the crowd. She couldn’t even tell him about Dheeraj’s identification mark.

‘Sampat kaka,’ a confident but unfamiliar voice stopped Sampat and he turned around trying to read through the faces intending at him. A pleasant grin took over the aged and crumpled face of Sampat kaka as one of them came under his umbrella. ‘Dheeraj baba, had you not called, I wouldn’t have recognized you. Look at you, all grown up and what about this mark on your face?’ The smile almost vapourised from the glowing face of Dheeraj. ‘This has a story. You want to hear everything here only under this rain? Are you not planning to take me home?’ Dheeraj brushed off laughingly. Shobhna was looking anxiously ahead trying to catch from the traces of Sampat. 

‘Shobhna kaki, how are you?’ Dheeraj said reaching to her feet but Shobhna pulled him midway and hugged him. Her eyes swell with surfaced water but before they could cross and roll over, Shobhna cleared them with the edge of her sari. ‘I am fine beta. How was your journey?’ Trying to read through the face of Dheeraj, she smiled.  Dheeraj doesn’t like the mention about the scar and the incident which brought it. ‘It was  good kaki. Let us go home first. I am all hungry,’ Dheeraj wanted to escape any further conversation. ‘Oh yes! How stupid of me. Sampat, get the car from the parking. We will wait near the exit.’

Ria’s attention drifted towards the halting sound of the car. The shower had also thinned down to a slight drizzle now. The bolt slid and doors opened. Sampat kaka placed the suitcase in the room done for Dheeraj.

‘Where is Ria, kaki?’

‘Where can she be but in the whole world! Behind. In the verandah. You know the place Dheeraj. Go and meet her. I will get the tea and snacks there only. Sampat, place some more chairs and table behind.’ Shobhna retired to the kitchen.

‘Ria,’ Dheeraj called hesitatingly. They were never friends. A mere acquaintance, she was the daughter of one of his neighbour. Ria stopped rocking the chair resting her bare feet to the cold floor. Her heart skipped a beat hearing Dheer. She did not expect him to meet her so soon. Her blank but most beautiful blue eyes in the world moved in the direction of Dheer. ‘Dheer, how are you?’ She spoke and her tuneful voice fell on his ears like a never heard euphony. With tinkling of the wind chime in the background, the slight chilly but gentle wind was blowing the strands of her black hairs which remained untwined falling deliriously on her endearing face. Her reluctant smile caught Dheer instantly. The moment stilled, as if, time forgot to move ahead. ‘I don’t know whether to curse God that he deprived such a beauty to see how the world around reflected on her or count my blessings that there is someone who would remain unbiased on my shortcomings.’ Dheer couldn’t stop the thought crossing his lit up heart and mind. The soul was no longer his. In that very moment his blemished face and conscious self became carefree of the burned mark which Dheer carried from his failed marriage. ‘Dheer, are you there?’ Ria’s voice pulled him out from his meandering thoughts. ‘O yes. I am very much here.’ Dheer shyly replied looking away as he realised that he stared at her a little too long but then immediately turned his gaze back to Ria’s face because he could actually do that.

‘So how have you been doing? Aai told you are a big doctor now.’

‘Big, I don’t know but I love what I do.’ His eyes still fixated, Dheer pulled a chair near Ria.

‘And what do you do doctor sahab?’ The glow on Ria’s smiling face shone on Dheer’s.

‘I am an eye surgeon and I specialize in treating the by birth blind cases. The pleasure of looking at their eyes with abundant dreams is unparalleled.’ The silence fell upon like a thunder receding Ria’s smile. A strong rapid pulsation gripped her all over, reflecting the sudden tumult inside. Small droplets of a lost hope showed up on her forehead, her hand felt wet inside against the old hands of the chair and throat went arid of any further conversation. The cacophony of dubious emotions inside her could not know a vent.

‘What do you think Dheeraj? Is the treatment possible?’ Shobhna appeared with a tray full of homemade snacks and tea.

‘I can’t say anything right now kaki. I will have to examine her in the clinic before commenting upon that,’ Dheeraj felt sheepish within as he thought of saying ‘No’ and dismissing the possibilities beyond. Ria sat struck and muted with the sudden developments. As if her life picked up pace unannounced. Observing the fury of reactions on her reddened face, Dheer comforted her. ‘Relax Ria. I know it is happening too fast and you have been kept back from the whole contrived developments but Shobhna kaki feared of your disapproval. I will examine you tomorrow in a nearby clinic here and then we decide what to do next”. Dheer spoke in a tailored fashion, professional and confident. Ria suddenly felt deceived and strings of her life detached from the roots without any inkling. As if, she had a new and unknown anchor. She was still speechless unable to react with the emergent tsunami of emotions. ‘But aai you could’ve told me? How many times you want us to go through the same disappointment?  Nothing is going to change. Dheer we don’t need any more false hopes,’ Ria’s voice rose with her heart venting out. ‘I am not giving any hopes yet Ria. Relax. Let me examine you tomorrow and then curse me as much as you want.’

The next day tension was building up in one of the rooms of Bhasker eye hospital.

Hope you are enjoying reading the story of Ria. Please visit here tomorrow for the next part.

Day 1. Sounds of Love - Part 1

So as promised here I am with a brand new season of blogathon. Errr… does it sound like opening of a reality show or tele series? Well I am thrilled to the core about this so even if it sounds like one, it truly pronounces my excitement. I haven’t blogged for months, and while I kept planning for the second season blogathon all this year, it never really happened. I am glad I made an announcement earlier this week and kicked my ass to own up this turf of mine. I write almost every day in some form or the other but somehow the happiness of posting a blog here is unparalleled. The sheer idea of connecting with your readers over a blog or any form of writing for that matter, lifts up my mood on any gloomy day. In fact it does give an unbeatable adrenaline rush to write here and thereafter see the performance on the post. I am a bit stuck up kinda person when it comes to stats. If not completely, then partially they do raise up my happiness quotient. So while this month is going to unleash one post here every day, it guarantees 31 days filled with excitement, boisterousness and happiness. And what all I promise to offer? Short stories, poetry, some photo features, memoirs and … well not planned beyond this. But would love to surprise myself. So lets get go….

Let us begin with a simple and honest smile. A smile which would light up this moment. Let us live this moment right here right now free of all the stress and negativities which life throws on us and be in peace with our inner self, our inner child. I share a beautiful quote I came across this morning.

           

[Image courtesy: goodngreat.com]

Just a food for thought… Instead of mulling over the unhappiness brought forward from the past, let us create a better today which will give us happier memories tomorrow and an inspiration to dream for a bigger and better tomorrow. We are the creator of our lives so lets paint anew, brighter portrait of our future with myriad hues.

On the first day of the blogathon I bring you the story of Ria in Sounds of Love….

[Image courtesy: www.pixelstalk.net]

The tiny water droplets on the tin shed were gaining volume infrequently, altering the noise of their splatter every time. The cool monsoon breeze swirling around the wind chime made the tinkling music change chords frequently. Her soul reverberated with the enchanting tunes of the wind chime which created a distinct symphony every time.  Ria loved it and every little thing which came along with this season. The drunk muddy smell of the satiated earth, the overindulging breeze, the drops falling on her sensuous beautiful face, water running across the toes through the strings of the loafers. Everything about monsoons was surreal and somehow connected her deep within. She could spend her entire life getting soaked in the romanticism of this weather. The skies flashing above along with all the accompanied drama is what she wanted to see. She wished to see the myriad coloured greens which spilled over every nook and corner of her little world. Sampat kaka told it looked beautiful. The misty mornings which she smelled, getting drenched in supernal happiness, the blur on foggy day, and how it appeared when the hills beyond enjoyed the incessant showers but the world this side was still athirst for it. Above all she wanted to see the most doting eyes in the world which were of her aai, Shobhna. They were Ria’s gateway to the enchanting world around. Since the day doctors divulged the news of Ria’s inability to see, Shobhna’s life had only one dream, to get Ria’s eyes treated, but nowhere she got a positive reply. Once again she was building hopes with Dheeraj returning back from abroad after finishing his studies. He was now an eye surgeon. Dheeraj was the only son of Kulkarni’s, their neighbours of decades. The family had moved five years back and settled in Delhi after Dheeraj relocated years ago to pursue higher studies.

‘Ria come inside and wear something warm. We will be leaving in another 10 min,’ Shobhna shouts to make herself hear over the noise of rain knocking on the tin shed, but Ria continues to sway on the rocking chair in the verandah. She could sit here for hours like a silent ghost, detached but alive and feeling every bit of it.

‘Aai, I don’t want to go. Why are you forcing me?’ Ria replied. Her voice lowered hearing Shobhna approach.

‘Okay don’t come. As it is, the rain doesn’t seem to stop for another few hours.’

Ria called him Dheer. They grew up almost together being immediate neighbours but in their respective worlds. They met at family get together and other important occasions. At times the conversations ran out across the common fence, when Dheer inquired about her well being. It cheered her up instantly but even she knew he is just being courteous. Ria’s solitude and aai’s pep talks made her strong, mentally senesce but at times she had her moments of despair.

Ria was just twelve when Dheer left Najod. Nothing changed for either of them.

‘We are leaving Ria. Will be back soon.’ The door panels clasped each other and got bolted from outside.

Few kilometers away at the Najod railway station, the signals were turned green to flag in, the train coming from Mumbai.

If you liked the piece here, please do visit tomorrow to see the story progress…

Till then have a kicking day ahead. Enjoy the romanticism of rains if it is raining in your city and if not hope for one. Wishing you a good day ahead, I sign off for the day ….

Day 30. Connections.

The mystic beauty of hills gets accentuated when they are vieled upon by fog. Sometimes thick enough to not let you go and sometimes alluring to take a walk through. I love the latter and with a gentle sprinkle of drizzle falling on my face, the ecstasy knows no bound. Such a heavenly weather has always pulled me to my most frequented place in Dalhousie. The old coffee shop which overlooks the valley, offering myriad seen, unseen dreams.  Every minute the hills achieve unattained ravishing artistry of nature with one surpassing the other. 

On one of such days when I sat at the cornermost bench after offering my usual expresso, my hands automatically slipped into the bag which I always carried outddoors and drew the small sketching book. While I was contemplating my frame for today's display of the mother nature, my attention drew towards the beautiful girl sitting adjacent to my space. Her eyes overflowed with an elated vehemence and with a furor of racing thoughts, her delicate hands moved perpetually on a small piece of paper as if they were in a hurry to soak up her heart and mind. My coffee came but as the waiter laid it on my table I disapproved what he delievered. "I had ordered an espresso and not cappuccino." I was loud enough to disdurb the much engrossed next table girl and she shifted her gaze to the cup of coffee served in front of her. "I think he mixed the orders. That what you have is my preference and this is your espresso." She pointed towards the cup infront of her. "Sorry sir. Both the orders were almost placed simultaneously so I got confused." The waiter immediately swapped the two cups. "Shit." The disgust over her broken pencil disturbed the solemnity of her look. My eagerness got a breakthrough and I offered her another one from my bag as I carried them in all varities in the small pandora box. 

"Have one, but if I may get a bit personal what are you rapt in?" 

She once again looked at me and placidly smiled. Her lips opened and poised with a deep tranquility. "I am a writer and am trying to capture the moment in my words."

"So glad to meet you. I am also an artist and seize life differently, on my canvas. While you attain your pleasures, if you permit, may I include you in mine? Can I draw your portrait?"

Ada agreed with some reluctance giving me my best portait being the damsel of the creation and later on being the one in my life. 

This post is written in response to the WOW prompt at blogadda this week. A post to weave a story around the words 'Coffee Shop, Broken Pencil and Writer'.