Time Travel

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 49; the forty-ninth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.
lady standing alone


In the dark of the nights on the deserted paths of Raghunathpur, a village in U.P, few men walked hurriedly talking in hushed voices.

"We need to finish the work before dawn," one said.

"Yes, we must hurry or we are dead."

They set out in earnest to finish the task as soon as they can. Urgency was evident on their faces and a bizarre quiet was spread among them. They finished the task an hour before sunrise and stood back to take a look at their work.

"You think her highness will be happy."

"Let's just hope so and pray to God. Let's go."

And they as quietly went away as shadows on the streets.

............xxxx.....................xxxx..........................xxxx................................xxxx.....................xxxx........


As a BMW sedan ran on the dusty streets of Raghunathpur, the lady inside pulled down the glasses of her window. The driver thought it to be very odd, usually the women of her class would never come to a place like this and even if she does he has never seen any one put down the window glasses. Well, not until now. But it wasn't his worry. He knew better than to open his mouth and get killed. The lady on the back seat was dressed expensively and tastefully. She wore a Chanel skirt- top and Gucci high heels. Her cautious eyes were covered with D&G and on her sleek wrist lay proudly the Cartier. Each one of them exclusive to her. On a passing glance she looked like a film star, but one look at her posture, her attitude and the air of arrogance around her and anyone could tell she was more powerful than all of them put together.

"Your Highness, we are there," said the driver without turning his head and in a tone only she could here.

She nodded.

A sigh escaped out her delicate lips, she held her breath as the driver opened the door for her. As she set her first foot down on the land, a shiver ran down her spine. This was her land, a place where she was born but never belonged. Millions of memories gushed in filling her mind with memories. For few minutes she stood there rooted. Images from the past flashed in front of her eyes like a running movie. Nothing much has changed. She could very vividly see herself as a child running around wildly around the street, playing one thing or the others with her friends. She could see the mango tree and on it herself, stealing raw mangoes that she so loved. She could also hear the owner of the tree yelling and cursing her. She could clearly hear her giggles and that of her friends on every mischievous mission they made successful.

Her eyes fell on the lone standing house, her house. She could see herself standing on the door watching her father beat her mother to pulp for some money that he always spent on his drinking. She could still hear her mother's wailing, a sound that had haunted her nights. She could see her mother putting up a brave face for her and pretending nothing happened.  And she very well remembered the day she found her mother dead from her father's beating. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered how everyone stood on the door watching her cry but nobody came to help her.

She blinked her eyes rapidly to avoid tears from running down her cheeks. She had left back the little girl that she was long back when she ran away from her monster father. She had no idea where to go. She just needed to get away. She just traveled as long and as far as she could and then just stopped. She begged, borrowed and stole but it still was a far better life for her. And one day luck shone upon her. A man took her home. He gave her shelter, food, clothes and many things she never thought existed. He told her he was going to adopt her as his daughter. He told her he had been watching her for sometime now. He was in love with how brave she was. She flourished with all the love and affection he showered upon her. She loved how every one feared and respected him. She had seen him angrier than her own father but what she loved about him was he was never angry on her. It was when she was matured enough that she came to know that her father was a very powerful underworld leader. And still she loved him.

Her phone rang jolting her back to reality.

"Have you reached safely princess."

A slow affectionate smile spread on her lips.

"Yes father."

"Come back soon. I already miss you."

"I will. I miss you too."

She walked to the place near the rocks where she alone had buried her beloved mother. Overnight the grave of a poor lady had turned in to the likes of the queen. It was gorgeous, shining in the sunlight like a diamond. Looking at it she felt like Saphira of Eragon, who had the magical powers and with one of them she had turned the grave of Brom in to one as gorgeous as her mother's now, with just one touch.
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Jab we met

two people sitting together





The blaring sound of music was getting onto my nerves. One time I had been madly in love with the clubs and discos. I used to love the dim light and the loud music where you can’t talk even by shouting in to ears. But now, the same atmosphere was getting me agitated. I guess the age was finally catching up on me. So, I excused myself from my friend’s birthday party and went to take some breathing space. Mojito in one hand and on the other my phone with half dead battery I walked myself out, found a seating space facing the park. This was indeed a better place given the scenes taking place half hidden behind the trees in the park. There was a couple hugging each other awkwardly, trying to kiss but scared of the light and the surrounding. The way a guy was begging a girl, it seemed like he was trying to make peace with his nagging short-tempered girlfriend. And the takeaway of the day was a newlywed couple walking across the park hand in hand. The fluttering eyes and the scarlet cheeks of the bride on denying some request of her husband was a complete blow away.

I had no idea how long I sat there but it was dark now and the park was shedding shame and turning in to complete porn. I turned to my phone to check the time but the battery was drain out to every bit. I am a total phone addict, facebook, twitter, pintrest, blogger, online shopping- I can’t even imagine living without these. I was wondering if my friends were missing me or how will they find me, but I wasn’t much concerned. I was sure they were still busy partying. While I was lost in thoughts I heard someone clearing throat behind me.

“Ahem, Ahem.”

“Excuse me.”

“I was about to ask that.”

Behind me was a good looking guy. He signaled to the place beside me and asked,

“May I?”

“It’s kind of little wet here.”

“Not that I mind.”

And he sat beside me without flinching or cleaning the spot or blowing air on it like everyone else does.

“What’s a pretty woman like you doing here in the dark?”

“Flirting can take you anywhere and everywhere but not here.”

He laughed with a definite ease.

I just took my chance.”

That made me laugh and that was it. The ice broke just like that. He was easy to talk to. In a while he did not even feel like a stranger. We talked like long lost friends eager to catch up on one another. Topic shifted from general to personal and then very personal. I told him my deepest secrets and fears, the ones I had never been able to tell anyone. And he did the same. We somehow knew we won’t be judged. I had no idea for how many hours we kept talking but I could guess it was high time. Suddenly he jumped; it was his phone vibrating in his pocket that he had completely forgotten about. We laughed our lungs out. It was sometime before he could take the call.

“My car is here,”

“Okay.”

“I have to leave now.”

“I know”, I smiled.

“I know it sounds corny but may I have your number.”

“I am not sure.”

“In that case keep mine. Call me whenever and if you feel like.”

I took his number. He left. I felt at peace. Sometimes sharing does matter a lot. It is like shedding a lot of weight from within your heart and soul.

Was I attracted to him? Not in a romantic way

Did I call him again? No

Was I tempted? Yes

But I realized we have played our parts in each other’s life. That moment was all we were supposed to be together. Sometimes God makes strangers meet just to give them a solution or show them a path or some light. Sometime I wonder if things would have been different today had I called him that day. May be yes, but definitely not better that how it is today.




The Unexpected Gift


mother with a new born baby




She sat down with a heavy heart on the edge of her luxurious king size bed holding her reports weakly between her fingers. Tears streaming down her face flooding her heart. Every word of the report slicing her heart a million times. The smell of luxurious linens that once felt like the first rain showers to her were now nauseating.  Everything, even her own existence was now piercing her soul. She screamed in pain, her mourning tearing apart the stillness of the night.

Why God why” She squirmed in pain, “why am I to pay such price? And for what? You gave me everything and then robbed me of your greatest blessing. You have robbed me of everything. You cheated on me. Why did you deprive me of my complete womanhood? Why can’t I be a mother God? Why not? What did I do to deserve such punishment? You can’t do this to me. I will not accept it.”

Her palms bled through her clenched fist but she could not feel the pain. She became numb to all the other sufferings in front of the one she was going through now. It has been six years and yet that report could make her bleed like anything. She had been heavenly happily married for three years. Both of them loved each other like they had never loved ever. Her mother in law was the Goddess in disguise, a mother she had lost when she was mere two years old. Her sister in law never loved her any less. In fact, everyone in the family loved her like she was their own blood. She felt complete. They lived a life everyone else dreamed of for a year, and then they decided to have a kid. They waited and tried for a year. Then started the painful and viscous circle of visits to doctors, checkups, tests, medications and then more tests and more medications, but the results were always the same. By the end they stood where they started. One fateful day the best gynecologist in town declared that there is nothing more they could do, that she could never bear a child, that she could not be a mother ever and that changed everything. Her entire world came crashing down around her. Every one’s behavior changed. She, who was once loved dearly, now meant nothing to them. Tensions grew and she was made to leave the house, the house she vowed to leave only after her death. By the grace of God she was self-dependent. To the world she was a woman of substance and strength, but inside the walls of her house she was a broken and lonely woman. She had everything yet nothing.

After the sleepless night, she patched up her face with layers of makeup and got ready to face the world with the other side of her. She felt as if she was living two parallel lives. She splashed some rose water on her eyes before she sat back behind the wheels of the BMW, a car that everyone crave and admire and yet can’t have. She could own an army of chauffeurs but she loved to drive. Her mind kept switching from the day’s schedule to her reports. Her eyes burned from all that crying but still the memory of that report clouded her eyes. She did not notice a pregnant lady crossing the street. The sound of screeching tires sent her off the balance and she got hurt. She saw her bleeding and hurriedly took her to hospital. Doctors said she needs surgery, so her family was needed to be informed before they start on her.

She tried to find and contact her family but could not find any. It came as she had no family, she had been living alone. Her neighbors were her only support. She fulfilled all the formalities for her and paid her expenses. She prayed to God that the woman does not lose her baby for she knew only too well what it meant to not have a child. After a long wait doctors came out,

“I am sorry ma’am but we could not save the lady; however the child survived, though a little injured. She will be fine.”


She did not know whether to mourn or rejoice, thinking the only family that the new born had was also gone. But all her confusions went out through the window when doctors gave in to her hands the little angel. Her hands trembled as she held her. At that one moment she knew that God had finally found a way to complete her. She knew what she had to do to give that newborn what she needed the most- her mother.  It took few days, long long days to fulfill the formalities of adoption, but when finally the baby doll was given a name with her surname, it was an unexpected celebration for her. 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

A train missed


mumbi local
Add caption




Aman was irritated with his repeater, it wouldn't shut up until he gets off his bed. It reminds him so much of his mother. He loved his work as the CEO of the company but leaving his oh so comfortable bed early in the morning had never been his cup of tea. He had plenty of time before he had to start for his office. He switched on the TV and tuned it to the stock news, ran warm water in his luxurious bath and soaked himself for a good long hour. He fixed himself a sandwich and a cup of coffee and sat to ate it in time. Living alone was both a boon and a bane to him.

Somehow his mind wasn't at the news or the breakfast either, it drifted to Sally time and over again. There was something about that girl that always made his heart melt. He knew it was unethical to fall for his employee and Sally wasn't his type either. But whenever she was around he felt helplessly attracted to her. She was always riding the wind. She always came late to the office and gave him feeble excuses that did not stand on him anymore now. He had warned her, telling her if she kept coming late he will have to fire her, but he never had the heart the heart to do so. She was efficient and the mere thought that he could never see her again always made him wince in pain.

He saw Sally came running in to the office. She was late again. She was working like a whirlwind trying to pull up on her deadlines. Suddenly the office felt as if it has come to life. His phone beeped a reminder. It is Sally's birthday tomorrow. She had just mentioned it casually last year to someone and he overheard. He wanted to make it special to her but he knew he can not. But he decided to give her a memorable gift anonymously.

It was her birthday today and Aman was all set for it. He had planned to make it special for her without being involved. He reached to the office with lots of butterflies in his stomach. He had never done something like this for anyone. He turned on the TV in his cabin and tuned it to the news. The news reader said,"We have a latest news coming in,there was a blast in the fast local from Bandra to Dadar. Our reporter at the scene says there has been a lot of loss of lives....." He couldn't hear it anymore. Sally always took that train. The mere thought that she was on it made him choke. He felt paralyzed. He felt like dying. Only now did he realize how much he loved her. Just when he was going blank, he saw her entering like always, riding the air. For once he thought he was dreaming. But when she entered his cabin he felt like jumping and taking her in to his tight hug just to never leave her again. It felt like a million years have passed. He wanted to do so many things but he stood rooted. Sally kept on blabbering," so sorry sir for being so late again, but I could not help it. My alarm didn't go off and then my geyser stopped working. But I somehow showered and as I was going out my neighbor's cat got in to my room. It took me a hell lot of time to find her. Then I forgot locking my door so I had to go back to lock it. I arrived at the station just on time to catch my local but then in hurry I clashed with a lady and her things got scattered. She wouldn't let me go until I fix it up, and I missed my train in that. Then I had to take a cab and you know the traffic. I am so sorry sir. Please don't fire me...." She kept on saying nonstop and he let her do that. He was just happy, so very happy that she was safe, his Sally was safe.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Best Friends Forever

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 48; the forty-eighth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.





man and a dog

Samantha, get off the bed.”

She gave speaker a scared look with her big watery eyes and turned to get off the bed.

“Liza, stop shouting at Sam. Can’t you see she gets scared?”

“Can’t you see Shenoy, she annoys me. I work my brains off in home and office all day and this is what I get.”

“She is just a little pup.”

“And she is impossible.”

Shenoy picked Sam in his arms and took her out of the room, away from irritated Liza. Though he loved Liza more than his life but he never had been able to bring himself up to give up Sam for her. He felt a special connection to her. 

He still remembers when he went to the pet shop for buying a Poodle or a Pomeranian and he fell in love with Sam. While other dogs were making all attempts to get his attention and pity, she stood like tigress ignoring him altogether. And when she looked at him it felt like an instant connection. Her big eyes were filled with a challenge daring him to harm her. She was impossible to handle and that’s what he loved about her.

 Liza had been mad at both of them ever since he brought Sam home. But that’s one thing he knew he has to live with and hoped everything gets fine one day.

Days passed by, Sam trying to win Liza’s heart, Liza shouting at her and Shenoy trying to be a wall between them. Sam was growing fast in to a beautiful bitch. She was so adorable that everyone who met her instantly fell in love with her except of course Liza. Liza’s change of attitude was not just to Sam but also to Shenoy. The tensions at home were getting out of hand and the pressure at office was becoming unbearable. And one fateful day Shenoy met with an accident. After being three months in hospital, he came back home with his left side neck down paralyzed.

Shenoy was more like a breathing dead. All he did was to stare the ceiling. But Liza saw a faint smile and a glitter in his eyes when he saw Sam and Sam was so energetically happy to see him too. But his smile was short lived. He went back to his old routine. He kept staring at the ceiling and Sam sat beside his bed. But as Sam was, she could not stay quiet for long. After being patient for two days she started nudging him, asking him to take her for walk. She never made requests, she ordered Shenoy around and he had no option but to obey. 

With his right hand he pinned in her leash. Finding supports he stood up transferred the leash to his left hand, trying to wrap his fingers around to hold with much effort. He then took a right step forward dragging his left one behind. As Sam felt the leash slacking she moved forward making it tight again and waiting patiently for the next slack. Shenoy took four steps, and then he felt tired. He was happy. Though it could not be called a walk but he took his few steps. Next day he took eight and in a week he made it to the front door. He was ecstatic. Liza noticed the change but she was too busy to probe into it. In a month Shenoy was taking long walks and working an hour in his office. While his seniors were contemplating on how to sack him, he set his target to working full time in a week and he did. He gave them immensely good results. 

In three months he was promoted, but he still walked by dragging his left leg. His confidence was sky high and his desire to live was ever so stronger. People who didn’t knew anything wondered why this man always walked with his dog dragging his leg. But those who knew, knew that the man and his dog had come a really long way. Liza only realized what Sam has done when Shenoy gave her his promotion letter. While they were celebrating his success a loud sound of screeching tires made Shenoy look for Samantha instinctively. They ran outside only to see Samantha lying on the road bleeding with no hopes to live. Shenoy stood lifelessly rooted to the ground. Liza ran, took Sam in to her arms and cried.

“Oh sam, only if you had given me some time to make it all up to you. For all these years I have been so rude to you, never felt for you and in return you gave me what no one else could. You brought my love back to life. How will he live without you Sam? I am so sorry Sam, I am so sorry.”

Tears and apologies flew like clear water from Liza’s heart, just that it was too late. Shenoy looked like he has nothing left in him, only then did Liza realized how much Samantha had come to mean to him. She took him inside and properly buried Samantha with all the rituals. When she went to clean her little cozy kennel she found a gift Samantha had left for both of them- her six little pups. As if she knew Shenoy needed a part of her to live and that she left behind. Liza took them carefully to Shenoy.

“Shenoy, look what Samantha has left for us.”

He with much effort dragged his eyes back from ceiling to Liza, tears ran down from both of their eyes. They both realized how much Sam loved them both.


P.S: HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY TO ALL MY  FELLOW BLOGGERS.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Participation Count: 13

The Monsoon




mother with a child



She sat on the staircase of her front porch, taking in the darkness of the night. Deserted roads, fallen leaves, yellow streetlights flooding them, total scene gave the night a perfect autumn look. But the fact was, it was monsoon and there was still no sign of rain. The weather was as dry as her soul. The silence was occasionally broken by the sounds of cricket and other insects. Tanishka sat pondering over her life. She was 32, had been happily married for a short while when an accident robbed her of any chances of motherhood. While she was trying to seek comfort form her husband and in laws, they were planning for a divorce as if it was her fault. So, now at 32 she was divorced, forsaken by both families, living alone in a bungalow provided by her company, for a job she thankfully never gave up. The days were full of work but loneliness in every night and spare moments were trying to kill her and she had no idea how to save herself.

On a Sunday her life took a step towards turning. As her habit was, she took her cup of morning coffee and walked out to her front garden only to see a little kid hiding behind the bushes, scared and crying. When she comforted him, he told her that he had come with his teachers and many kids and he was lost. There was an address card pinned to his shirt. She fed him and then decided to take him to the given address. The address took her to an orphanage run by a church. She handed over the kid to Mother of the orphanage. She thanked her profusely and took her for a round in orphanage. The flawless smiles of kids of all sizes and ages gave her the comfort she always sought.

It became her routine, after work she would come to the orphanage, tell them stories, played games, she loved the kids and they loved her. But the emptiness inside her stayed. After a few months, Mother told Tanishka that someone have left a ten months old baby girl. Tanisha looked at her, she had a face of an angel. The baby girl looked at Tanisha and gave her a most amazing toothless grin. What followed then changed her life forever. The baby crawled to her, Tanisha took her in her arms, the baby touched her face with her little fingers and said her first words 'Ma'. Tanishka's heart tugged against her chest. Tears flooded her eyes. She knew God has decided to fill up the emptiness inside her. She asked Mother to process the formalities of adoption. It took few weeks before Taniska could take her angel home. That night she held her against her heart and felt complete and it rained that night.


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Forsaken


orkut icon




It was after a long long time that I had been visiting my native place, a place where my childhood bred and my teens fluttered away. I so vividly remember this park that has been my companion in all goods and evils. Although it did turned out to be much better than what I remembered, the feel remained the same. A sense of belonging washed my senses. I was home. Kids cheering and shouting, fragrance of flowers, breeze playing with trees. Everything was so full of happiness. At least to me it seemed until I spotted an old man sitting on a bench looking lonely and distraught. His hairs were all greys and so was his beard. his face felt vaguely familiar. I was drown to him like I was tied to him with and unseen thread. He felt so related to me but I had no idea why and how. As I walked close a sense of recognition hit my memory.

"Uncle Orkut."

He looked at me with those bizarre eyes as if I was crazy or something like that. I noticed he was no where near recognizing me. I could not blame him. When I was a teen, many of us spent a huge amount of our time with him and he was so sweet to each one of us. We played, talked and shared our pictures. And we often made new friends because there were always so many of us. I reiterated the stories and tried to remind him of me. And he did.

"Uncle, why are you so sad and why are you siting alone here?"

He sighed heavily, "Son, what can I say. The good days are over for me. There was a time when everybody loved me. I was always surrounded by so many of the kinds. They played and talked endlessly. If they did not see me for a day they used to get restless. I have been a source of happiness and a platform of friendship for so many. And now when they have other things in their life, I am left alone. No one even looks at me, not even once. I sat here, waiting, in a vain hope that someday you all will remember me one day, that one day you all will come to me. But it shattered like a dream. I hear people talking that I am a useless waste and that i should stop existing now. And it hurts."

He broke down and his pain brought tears to my eyes as well. He had always been our beloved uncle. He gave us so much and all we did is we forgot him very conveniently. We let him fall behind as we moved forward with new things and new people in our life. I did not know what to say. My heart felt so heavy and my throat was chocked with emotions. All I could do was hug him and that I did. I hugged him, I told him I love him and that he had been and will always be very special to me. And that I will always hold his memory very dear to me.

In return I saw a tinkle of satisfaction in his eyes and a grin of pleasure.

 This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The Silence That Whispers

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 47; the forty-seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.



woman in the veil



"Look into the others eyes, many frustrations
Read between the lines, no words just vibrations
Don't ignore hidden desires
Pay attention, you're playing with fire

Silence must be heard, noise should be observed
The time has come to learn, that silence...."

Enigma kept telling her silence must be heard, silence must be heard. That got her uncomfortable and she had no idea why. She put the marker in between the pages of The road of lost innocence and closed her eyes. Images flashed in to her mind like a torchlight. 

She saw herself on the airport, a trip to Canada, both work and pleasure. She saw a little girl jumping up and down with excitement of flying for the first time. There was a couple on the way to their honeymoon, engrossed in love. And then their was this woman in black veil on a wheel chair being pushed by a good wealthy looking man. Only her eyes were visible from under the veil. The eyes that spoke pleas, incredibly sad eyes as if pleading for help. Their was something about those eyes that did not feel right, that tugged her heart and that haunted her every now and then.This was all six months ago.


She came back to present with a jolt. Enigma was still screaming to her silence must be heard, silence must be heard. Annoyed, she turned off the player and went in to make some coffee to soothe her mind. It has been long she had not watched television. Putting down her coffee mug on the table, she grabbed the remote surfing between the channels. It has been so long that all the daily soaps felt like alien to her. There wasn't a good movie on as well. She kept surfing and a channel had her attention. They were airing a talk show with the survivors of human trafficking.

My name is Dia, or so I call myself. I don't know my real name. I guess I never had one. Being born a girl in a very poor family is a curse, and that curse wrote my fate. As soon as I was born, I was sold to an old man who posed as my grandfather till I was 12. He never gave me a name. I did all the household work from as long as I remember. He would beat me, tie me up and keep me hungry if I made a mistake or disobey him. I turned 13 and I decided to run away. I have had enough of him, I gathered my courage and my belongings, not that I had anything and I ran away. I have no memory of how and when I reached a church that seemed a good place to hide. I was dead hungry and my clothes were torn off from many places. My lips felt dry and my skin pained from cracks. Sisters of the church took me in and kept me well. I was still afraid of any human contact and for a long time did not get in touch with any except for the sisters. My wounds were starting to heal and I started believing this is my life. I wanted to spend my remaining life praying to Jesus. For a moment there I forgot the curse that was woven in the lines of my fate. And then I fell in love. He was a soldier, decent, good natured, behaved well, looked good and was so much in love with me. Our romance bloomed and I began to trust him after initial inhibition. One day he said that he was being drafted to an undisclosed remote area. He said he can't live without me and begged me to come with him. I loved him too much to say no. After all he was the one giving me all the love I craved for in all those years. I agreed. I took with me everything I had then, my I-card that said my name which was given to me by sisters and other necessary stuffs. I bid my home, the Church, goodbye and went with him with dreams of a better love filled life in my eyes. But my destiny had different plans for me. What came was way away from my thoughts. He kept me in an isolated cottage, tied to the door, naked. He would rape me and beat me whenever he wanted. Sometimes his friends would also join. One day I managed to escape. I had nothing with me, no papers, no I card. I had no idea who to turn to. I was just robbed of my faith again. I begged, stole, did whatever it took to keep me alive. I wasn't ready to give up as yet. One day a woman came to me. She was dressed good. She inquired about me. Till now all my injuries had been inflicted by men. So, it was easy for me to trust this woman. She said she takes care of females like me and asked me if I wanted to live with her. I had no option and moreover it sounded tempting to have a house to live in with good food and clothes. Living with her meant I would not have to beg or steal any more. I agreed. Little did I knew where was my fate leading me. For few months I was well provided with. I had good food to eat, nice clothes to wear and had facilities that I had never seen before. And then one day I was sent with a man. I was scared. I didn't want to go but I had my gratitude to pay to the lady. He took me home, tried to make physical advances to which I denied and then I was raped again. He forced himself on me, time and over again throughout the night. I begged of him to leave me alone, I cried, i screamed and he seemed to love all these. When I went quite he beat me in to crying again. After the dark night passed I was sent back to the lady. I went to see her for I thought she will do something regarding this but all in vain. I saw her collecting payment from the man. It was then I realized she was a pimp. This continued until I was sold to a man, who I heard ran the escort services. There were a few more girls with me, some older, some younger and some of my age. We were told that this is just a dating thing. Everyone was happy to be escaping of this pimp. But I had seen enough to believe. Soon enough my doubts came true. We were kept in a sound proof dungeon. He ordered us around, telling us what to say, what to do, how to dress up. If we deny him anything or didn't follow him, we were beaten black and blue. We called him supremo. The people we were sent to for so called dating were some high profile associates from police, law and politics. All our hopes were lost. I tried to keep fighting it but I knew it was useless. I accepted it as my fate. Later again, I was sold to an old man. He kept me well and he didn't even touch me. Rather he taught me how to use people. He told me how to extract money from them. He taught me how to do the trade I was once a victim to. All that money and power blinded me. I started being the same humans I have hated all my life. I had to do this for I was better off with the old man. I wasn't beaten and abused and I knew once I get the power no one could touch me ever. But the worst part of I knew what I was doing to the other girls. I was inflicting them the same pain I had once been in. The nightmares and the sound of their screams didn't let me sleep. The feeling of guilt and remorse was eating me up alive. I decided to end this for once and for all. I released them and myself. I came to know about an NGO that helps the likes of me. Me together with them are trying hard to fight it off, but it is like fighting the whole system. All I have to say is don't hate the victims. If you really need to hate someone, hate the system and do something about it.

The sound of claps and murmur filled the newsroom. She got up with an air of confidence and pulled her veil down which She had not noticed earlier. As the camera zoomed in to the victim's face her heart stopped beating. Never in her life could she forget those eyes ever. She rued the moment when she failed to read her eyes. If she would have helped her then, the woman on TV could have been saved from numerous more sufferings. Silence must be heard sometimes, silence must be heard.


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The Superhero






 "So, the topic is if given a chance what superhero powers you would want and why?"

The entire 5th standard started murmuring with excitement as soon as I declared the topic for today's extempore.

Anant, a cute kid said he wants to have powers of Spiderman because he loves it when he swings around buildings. Every time he sees him doing it he feels a thrill inside him and he wants to do it too.

"It would save time no. I would not have to get up early for getting ready to school." 

The class laughed, he sheepishly said thank you and went to his seat.

Neeta said she wants the power of the bat girl because she is the only female superhero known to her.

The nerdy Manish said he wants the power of Superman because he wants to fly and be away from everyone.

"But Manish, superheroes don't run away, right?"

He thought for a while and then said, "then I would fly and fight every bad kid who bully little kids like me."

Every one clapped and he puffed his chest while he walked back to his seat.

As the chubby Rahul got up from his seat, a naughty student commented, "Ma'am he would want to have powers of chhota Bheem only so that he could eat as much as he want." 

The class roared with laughter. In amidst of all these fun and laughter Little Navya sat quietly in her seat.

"Navya, What powers do you want? Won't you tell?"

She got up slowly as if in doubt. She looked like a doll. Her eyes glimmered with a different maturity and she mostly kept silent. She has always been the center of my affection and source of my mystery.

"Ma'am If given a chance to be a superhero I would want to have powers of my Mother. I am not sure if she could fly or swing around the house but she is always there even before me or my grandparents finish calling for her. I don't know about anyone else but she always protects us from trouble and dangers. Like Batman or Batgirl, she often stays awake throughout the night, holding me, comforting me when I have nightmares, or when my grandparents are ill. She takes care of the house as all the superheroes takes care of their cities. Like them, she wears a mask of happiness but I know she is sad inside ever since my father left. I have often seen her wiping tears from her eyes after she put flowers around my father's picture. For me she is a superhero and I want to have her powers so that Icould be like her."

And I, along with the entire class, was rendered speechless with tears.  

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The Magic Called Love



fairy godmother
No fairy, compared to love, stands
Who says magics need wands?
    



Anna grew up with the stories of magic carpets, fairy godmothers, witches and angels. fascinated by the stories of the likes of Cinderella and Snow white, she always believed that it takes a wand and a fairy to create a magic. She opted out the witch because she hated them for being so evil. But never in her entire like she ever imagined that a mere man can create magic and that too without a wand. At least not until she met Nikumbh.

Anna was beheld by the imagination of a prince charming, like the ones in the stories her mother always told her. As she turned 16 her heart ached to fall in love with her prince. But there was just one problem, she has not yet laid her eyes on her prince. Her dreams and expectations were sky high and the very beautiful Anna wasn't ready to compromise. needless to say she never lacked suitors but her heart was set on her prince, a prince she has not yet found but was sure some day she will. She found her maturity even before she could find her prince charming. Stuck in her life and work, she buried all her fairytale dreams in some deep corner of her heart. One day when she reached her office there was a havoc.

"Oh God Anna, where in the hell have you been?" One of her colleagues said breathlessly.

"What's wrong in here? Whats happening?"

"Someone's coming to pay a visit from head office. I am not sure who, but boss is looking for you like a madman."

"Okay, I'll go see him."

"Anna." Just then her boss caught on with her.

"Yes sir, I was just coming to see you."

"Everything else later Anna. The Head HR Nikumbh Roy is about to pay us a visit. I want you to stay with him."

"Sir, me? But why?"

"Don't you dare why me Anna, not now. Show him around, fill him up with details, fetch him whatever he wants and just make sure nothing goes wrong. This office is depending on you."

Before she could say anything else, her boss flew away like a whirlwind. She moved her head in exasperation. She had a feeling that she was stuck. And so, she was.

She had been herself running around, taking care of everything. Checking and rechecking to make sure everything was in place before the wolf HR arrives. Crossing the corridor she collided with some one. She opened her mouth to say something but her voice was stuck in her throat with her heart.

His eyes held her for what felt like eternity. He has those mystic eyes, eyes that have hidden million stories in them. She saw his eyes were dark as night and it felt like magic when she saw them widening in utter surprise. Yes magic that was.

"Mr. Roy, I see you have already met the best from my staff, Anna Fernandis. "

And that's how the spell broke, the magical eyes turned businesslike. But her heart didn't stop fluttering. All those fairy tales that were graved in her heart now started floating on the surface. But she held on to herself. She extended a formal hand.

"I am sorry sir for mishap. It is a pleasure to meet you."

He held her hand in his palms and her entire life with his eyes. Oh, those night like mystic eyes.

The day went by in a trance for her. They bid him good bye with a relief, but Anna felt a sense of loss as his car drove off. She could not understand the feeling. There was still a lot to be done at the office which helped to take her mind off those eyes. It was already dark before she returned to her flat. She was glad both her girlfriends were out. Not that she did not enjoy their company, she loved them. But today she needed this peace. She made a mug of coffee and sat on the swing in her balcony. The night again reminded her of his eyes. She tried to remember how he looked, but she realized she hadn't seen anything else apart his eyes. She was so possessed. She felt disappointed.

Days and weeks passed by but those eyes stayed with her. Every now and then her mind would drift off to them, in between a meeting, or a review or a party. Irrespective of time and place she would start thinking of those eyes. It was one of those times when she was lost in the thought that her boss announced a party.

"Here, here, here. Everyone kindly pay attention. This quarter our performance have surpassed every other branch. So, we are the branch of the quarter. And needless to say this calls for a celebration. So, it's an off on Saturday because we are having a party."

A loud cheer went up and Anna was thankful for the distraction. She decided to get over those magical eyes and enjoy the party. Saturday came pretty soon. She was dressed in black gown, with minimal makeup. She never needed any makeup with a face like that. She was enjoying the party, collecting millions of compliments being thrown her way. She was enjoying the attention. Just then she stood face to face with a man in black suit. He looked devilishly good. She looked up and knew she should not have. Those eyes, that had been haunting her for weeks were staring right on her face.

"Miss Fernandis, Glad to see you."\

"Mr. Roy, pleasure meeting you again." She gathered her senses.

"I see you are here all by yourself." 

"I just came to get a drink."

 Just the a thought stuck her mind. She had no idea if he was married. Imagining him married, she felt a knife stabbing her heart. She gathered her courage and asked,

"Mr. Roy, I don't see your wife anywhere?"

"What makes you think I am married?" He chuckled. 

She felt embarrassed and relieved at the same time. He didn't have the looks that she could count out of the world but there was something in him that always pulled her strongly.

"So, now that you know I am not married, may I have this dance with you?"

This brought her back from the different world she was in. His hands were stretched in anticipation. She gave him her hand. he took it tenderly and took her to the floor. His touch to her was a magic. She was in awe of him. The moment he wrapped his arms around her waist, the world seemed to stop existing. To her only two people exist, him and her and the romantic number that sang How deep is your love.

Everything was magic. It seemed like he cast a spell on everything he touched and everyone he met. Everything he said and did was nothing less than a magic. She was completely lost. She had no idea when the party got over, who said goodbye and how did she come home. Next day when she reached office, she was stunned to see him there. She was being told he was going to be working with them for few months. She knew she was in love with him and she just realized how bad. She knew she couldn't work in the same office as him without jeopardizing both of theirs reputation and work. She somehow finished the day in a mixed state of feelings. In the evening before she left, she talked to her boss, gave him some lame excuses and handed him her resignation.

It was midnight when her door bell rang. She washed her face to hide her teary eyes from her girlfriends, whom she was expecting back at this hour. She opened the door smiling and stopped dead in her track. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Nikumbh. Sorry, Mr. Roy."

"Nikumbh will do just fine. May I come in?"

"Oh sure." She moved aside and let him come in. "If I may ask what brings you here."

"You."

She stared at him dumbfound. He moved close to her, way too close for her comfort. She took two steps back and was stopped by the wall.

"Me?"

"Yes. Why did you resign?"

"I just couldn't work with you."

"And what makes you think so?"

"I just Know."

"So, you don't like me."

"I did not say so."

"So, you like me."

"Yes..No..Damn."

He moved closer to her.

"Anna," 

 He breathed her name and it sounded like the most magical words to her ears. She wanted him to keep saying it. She gulped and he carried on,

"You did not seemed like a girl who runs away from problem."

"I am not running away."

"Yes you are."

"I have my reasons."

"I am all ears."

"I am not telling you."

"I am not leaving until you do."

She sighed, she knew there is no escape now. She will have to let her heart now and bear the consequences.

"Nikumbh, ever since I first saw you, you have been a trouble to me. There is something about you that always takes my mind to you. You have been a man after my own heart since day one. When I was a child, my mother told me stories of princes and fairies and magics. And long after I grew up I still believed in them. I always hoped I will find my prince charming one day. Until reality had a good hit on me. I buried all my fairytale dreams in the deepest corner of my heart. And when I learned to live without them, you happened. You made them all resurface. I always thought that magic can only be created by fairies with their wands. But you, you did them without wands. You told me that a man could create magic like you did. Your eyes sparked magic, your presence is a magic, everything you say or do seems like a magic to me. And when you touched me.... Can't you see Nikumbh, you take away all the reality from me. You make my dreams seem real. And when this breaks, I don't think I can cope up with it."

He held her by shoulders and spun her around facing him.

"And so, you decided to run away. Did it ever occur to you that I might feel the same for you? Why do you think I decided to work here? And when I heard you have resigned, I almost died. I had to come and see you."

He looked in to her eyes intently.

"And I am glad I came."

And then he took her in her arms. Anna, finally found her prince and the magic, a magic that needed no fairies and no wands, just them.


Evolution of a Password

The use of password in a techonologial evolution

My palm rested on the edge of the keyboard and my fingers were dancing with anxiety. I was just about to create the first ever password for my first ever email id. This, for me, was a historic moment. I so wish history was as good as my mind was at that time- blank. Anyways, I tried to race my mind. My first ever password, it had to be good, so good that no one could break. Even before my mail id was created, the issue of its privacy clouded my mind. And here I started talking to myself.

'What should be my password?'

'My name?'

'Naah, too easy to guess. What else?'

'Date of birth?'

'Same problem'

'And everyone knows the name of my best friend and my favorite color.'

Just then the aroma of my favorite food trespassed my nostrils. I close my eyes and lose my mind to it. After a few minutes when I opened my eyes, the blank password area was still staring at my face. My mind's bulb lightens up.

'My favorite food.'

'Yes, not many people knows about it and who would remember such silly things.'

Very excited I type in the name of my favorite dish in the password column. And while I was admiring my artwork a thought struck my mind.

'True, who would remember such silly thing when even I can not remember. My favorite food changes every now and then. What if I forget which food I have set as my password. I would not be able to log in to my email ever.'

And that thought of not being able to access my mail ever shook me to the core. For the first time user, reset password is more like a spaceship. The one you believe exist but hope you never have to see it. So, losing my password was a complete nightmare. Aghast, I bang my head on the computer table. There could not be anything more tragic than not being able to set a password. Just then the Phone rang. I hear the voice on the other side and smile big time. Yes, you guessed it right. It was my secret crush on other side.

'SECRET CRUSH'

'YES, YES, YES.'

Finally I knew what my password is going to be. I have never been in such a hurry to finish that call. He was my liberator. As soon as the call is done, I run to my system like I was running for my dear life. Hastily I type in his name and in the retype password box I retype it again. I have often written his name on paper, but typing it into my password box feels much much better. Finally, I had a password and my first ever email id. Who could have stopped me from beaming ear to ear?

 :D

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The bride



sad bride





"Mom, see I am all dressed for my big day, my marriage, how do I look? You always wanted to see me like this na."

She looked at her mother who stood in all her glory, captured in a life size frame with a huge garland and few incense sticks.

"I so wish you were here ma, for telling me I look beautiful and for so many things, I miss you so much mom."

And tears stormed her big beautiful eyes.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The last Goodbye

falme in the darkness


She gave a quick glance at her watch.

"It's really late", she mumbled. "Good thing pravesh will not be home anytime soon."

Aanya, happily married to Pravesh was head of many projects in a multinational companies. More often than not she had to stay back late. Pravesh headed marketing department in another multinational and that kept him on road atleast once a month for few days. They have been married for four years now but she had been unable to conceive. But Pravesh, unlike many husbands never let it lay on her. their love, if anything, have only increased in these years. He was due coming home tonight after a five day trip. She wanted to be home before he comes, and thanks to God she will. Pravesh called her up to tell her he will be a bit late.

She mumbled something again and filed everything. She put away everything, collected her belongings and started walking to the lift.

Tak tak tak, her stilettos made noises that sounded horrifying in the deadly silent and deserted corridor. She made a mental note of getting a new pair. As soon as she moved her fingers to push open the button, the power went out. She panicked.

"Watchman, watchman." she screamed at the top of her voice. No replies came, only the echo of her own voice. She was petrified. She felt her heart throbbing hard, her breath stuck in her throat and her limbs swelling. Suddenly a flame flickered near her, a flame from lighter. She thought it must be the watchman. She turned her neck to talk to him.

"Pravesh ", she exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes love, I know dark scares you. So, I came to rescue you."

"You are always my knight in shining armor, aren't you?" She smiled.

"Come let's sit for a while." He pulled her to sit on the stares.

She took out her mobile and turned the torch on.

"But you were supposed to come late. How come you are here? How did you know I was here? You have been playing games with me haan?"

"Breath lady, breath. No games here alright. Nothing can keep me away from you. Just always remember that."

"Pravesh let's go home na. Let's freshen up and we can talk there."

"Can't love. I don't have that much time."

"What do you mean by don't have that much time? you just came. Is it another assignment?"

After a brief pause he said, "Sort of yes, a really long one."

"That's not fair."

"I know, but there is so much that is not fair."

"You behaving strangely. Is everything okay?"

"Aanya, there is so much I want to say to you."

"Am all ears baby."

"You know I love you right, with all my heart and soul."

She looked at him strangely, "Yes".

"And you know I will always be there for you, if not in body, in mind and soul and heart."

She got a bad feeling about this, "Pravesh, what's going on?"

"Nothing, just being away from you for so long gets me all worked up."

She smiled, slipped closer, puts her head on his shoulder, "I know, it's the same for me. When will you be back."

"I don't know."

She sighed.

"Aanya, If I ever leave you, I want you to start afresh, I want you to take your life from a whole new beginning."

"Pravesh, don't talk like that. You are giving me creeps. I know you will never leave me."

He hugged her tight. They sat there for another hour talking about them both, walking down the memory lane that has been full of their ever growing love. They laughed, they cried, they made promises.

"Aanya, it's about time. I have to leave now."

"Can't you stay for a day and then leave?"

"I wish I could stay forever love, but I can't. It's not in my hand."

He held her close and kissed her tenderly. As soon as he walked down the stairs, the power came. Blinded by the sudden light, it took her few minutes to adjust her eyes. When she glanced back at stairs, Pravesh was long gone. A sense of emptiness filled her. She pressed the button to call for lift. The moment she got off the life, her phone rang.

"Hello"

"Aanya seth?"

"Speaking"

"Ma'am I am highway police patrolling officer. There had been a car accident. The papers said it belongs to some mr. Pravesh seth."

"What? That's my husband's car."

"Yes ma'am, there is a dead body inside. the identity cards says his name is Pravesh seth."

"What rubbish? He was with me till a while ago."

"Ma'am we have been trying to call you since an hour. But your number was continuously unreacheable."

"Yes, I was still in my office. It has some network issues."

"Ma'am we are at the city hospital, could you just come in for identification."

"Yes, but I am sure that man is not my husband. I will just drop by to confirm."

"Okay, thanyou mrs. seth"

Her head spun. How could that be. Pravesh was with her few moments ago. There had to be a terrible mistake. She put her foot on accelerator and reached hospital. She wanted to be over with it soon. There were two officers at the reception. They took her to morgue for identification. She fainted as soon as they took off the cloth from his face. It was Pravesh. Her mind went blank. Suddenly everything he said made sense to her. he had come to her to say his final goodbye.


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
 


Trapped




"Nilay, it's bed time baby."

"Mom, it's bed time story time baby."

He giggled at his own humor, even Tara could not stop herself from laughing.

"Someone's getting naughty these days."

She hugged her tight and they fell down in bed laughing still.

"Mom, tell me the story of birds na."

"mmmm... okay."

She tucked him safely in bed, dimmed the light, got beside him and started the story.

"hmmm, listen. Once upon a time, there was a dense and beautiful forest. In that forest lived many pretty birds. They were happy together. They used to go food hunting together, they always played together and always helped each other. There was one very old and matured bird who used to guide them. The old bird always taught them that there are hunters out there, who sets the trap to catch beautiful birds."

"Mom, why hunter catches birds?

"The hunter catches beautiful birds to sell them to rich people who like keeping caged birds."

"But that's bad na mamma."

"Yes baby. There are many bad things in the world."

After pondering over these new found information he asked her mom to continue with the story.

"One day, the birds flew miles and miles to find food, but they did not find enough. On their way to return they saw a large quantity of grains scattered over the ground. They decided to get those grains. One bird among them said it could be the hunter. But others ignored saying how will a hunter come to such dense forest. And they dived in to get the grains."

Tara gave a dramatic pause. She always cherished the way her son's eyes would widen and how he gets eager to get the end of the story. He whispered,

"What happened then mamma?"

"As the birds tried to fly after picking the grains, they realized they were stuck. It was a trap, a trap set by hunters to catch the birds. He put the birds in cages and took them to market. The birds were crying but there was no one to listen to them."

He gasped in fear and surprise. She continued:

"So, the moral of the story is who doesn't listen to elders, suffers."

"But I always listen to you na mom."

"yes baby. You are such a good boy."

She stayed by his side until she heard him breathing heavy in sleep. She kissed his forehead and walked out of the room closing the door softly behind her. She wasn't sleepy at all so she made some coffee and sat at the table. Nilay was the light of her life, in fact the only light in her life. Though fourteen years old physically, he was still a seven year old mentally. He was a darling, an easy going boy. But the world outside isn't so easy. So, she has always kept him hidden from the world. The moral of the story she just told Nilay rang in her ears like bells.

"If only I had listen to my parents." She sighed.

At 21, she was enthusiastic, full of beliefs, love and romance. And when she fell in love, she fought for it with the world, just like she has always read in mills and boons. It was later that she realized life is not a romantic tale with happy ever afters. Her parents kept warning her about the man she fell for but never payed a heed. They scolded her and even threatened her. But she was determined. He promised her marriage and when she got pregnant, tortured her, hurt her, tormented her, but never married her. He left her alone when she was in her seventh month. She did not know whether to be happy or sad. She had no way to go back to her parents. She knew they would never have let her keep Nilay. She worked hard to earn for both of them. It was at the age of three when she found out that his brain was not growing as fast as it should. She was broken, shattered, but she gathered herself up for the sake of them both. She decided to give every possible therapy a chance. She fought and lost and geared up to fight again. She has come a long way now. She does not regret having Nilay, but at times she wonders what if she had listen to her parents back then.


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
 
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