Hark! The rhythm

Hark! The rhythm. The pellet drum rattles. The dance begins. The creation, the annihilation, the fleeing in-betweens, and beyond these appar...

Sunday, June 24, 2012

She cannot risk the noises


Deep in her heart she prays for older kids to be playing silently. Or else outside. But with summer sun in the noon, she knows that will not be possible. Then somebody walks in the room and she hopes they tiptoe their way back. And that they do not bang the door shut on their way out. That no guests – announced or unannounced drop in – for they will ring the shrill bell. That the loud whistle of the cooker should not pop off. That she does not have to use the mixer-grinder at this hour. That nobody asks her for stuff she keeps in the cupboards of last bedroom. She would prefer if TV could be enjoyed – when muted and that the bikes in the alley were all fitted with silencers. That monkeys could find some other place for chit-chat than their terrace.

Yes, she looks forward to a pin drop silence. She cannot risk the noises. Not even the slightest ones. Not with her youngest (1.5 year old) sleeping or trying to sleep in the last room.

Linking with Five Minute Friday
Linking with Write on Edge

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Retelling ...


Retelling Kane and Abel

Take 3:

They share their birthdays. That is where the similarities end. Amidst an all-consuming hate, they build their lives in the hollow empires of money. And from the ashes of their hate, love blossoms.

Take 2:

They share their birthdays. And that is where the similarities end.
They nurture dreams of power, of empires, of money.
Hate consumes their hearts. And from the ashes of this hate, love blossoms.


Take 1:
Their paths are different. So are their worlds. Their roads meet, paths cross - only to take them further apart. Then their kids fall in love. And their lives are never same again.

Moral of the story:
Some things are better left to the experts.

P.S. - I wonder if sharing three trials in one post disqualify me from the challenge. The post looks longer but I checked on word and each one of these is a 33 word entry.
P.P.S. - I asked my dad if one could tell Kane and Abel in 33 words, he told me a long story (which calls for a separate post) which taught me you could say anything in as many words as you want to. Thanks dad, I come back so inspired from our talk that I make not one but three attempts.

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Yesterday's Rain


The rain birthed life everywhere. The dry, parched earth sucked in the nectar- its thirst insatiable .Oh for the fragrances that lingered - fresh and pristine – like the swirls of incense in the air. After sweltering summers, the rain was a pleasant welcome. Every one experienced unparalleled joy – everyone felt ecstatic as they bathed in the beauty of the pelting drops. One - two – hundred – thousands of drops – that ended the might of the Sun – that devastated the cruel and merciless rule of heat – that cleansed, smoothed and soothed the scorched and cindered beings.

Yesterday, the rains possessed us all.

Linking up with Write on Edge

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

No time to be feeling blue


She mulled over her day.
She had hoped to strike off so many things from her to do list.
But despite her having worked round the clock, breaking only for lunch and coffee, not much progress had been made.
She could still see the pending and work –in- progress things looking askance at her – when will you strike us off?
She had always had to work hard. With her getting into wedlock and getting a new job, she had hoped things would become easier. But who knew her husband would leave her for someone with better looks and better salary. The hollow words that he had whispered to her now echoed in her ears like a curse.  I love you. You are beautiful, my love ………
He was gone. And he had left behind, an ailing mother, a young sister and a trail of debts that she was trying to pay back.
Her shoulders were weak and the burdens - heavy.
No, things had never been easy. And they were worse now.
Her mind throbbed as she rested in the rocking chair. Her back ached and her heart felt heavy. She closed her eyes in order to dull the pain. She felt despair and blackness consume her. She opened her eyes in a flash.
No, this is no time to be feeling blue. She slipped her feet into the slippers and got up. There were things to accomplish and she would accomplish them. She could rest later. She could relax later. When she would have time. Later, when the demons would stop haunting her.
So, she sat on her desk and started scribbling away the articles that she had to submit by tomorrow.
The aching in her heart dulled.
She had slept while still working on her table.
The rays of a beautiful dawn bathed her beautiful silhouette.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Edith gets a gift


Chubby cheeks, dimple chin, Rosy lips, teeth within,
Curly hair, very fair, Eyes are blue, lovely too.
Daddy’s pet, is that you?
“Yes, yes, yes!”

Edith longed to hear these words in person. Her father spoke these to her whenever they had their together time. She was waiting at their regular rendezvous, holding her mother’s gift – a white and red teddy bear.

But where was he?

He should have come by now - now when it was almost twilight; when it was late for her to be wandering outside; when she was bored of watching the birds returning to their nests; when she was tired of waiting for him.

“Where was he?”

Tears welled up and flowed down her cheeks.

Mother will be angry for having stayed out so long.” Should she run back to her mother? Should she wait? She looked behind her. The lonely calf had moved further away, trying to find a speck of grass for itself. Soon it would nestle safely in the lap of its mother. Edith started walking back gloomily.


Where were you, honey”?
Went to the fence. Wanted to meet daddy. Show him my teddy.”
“So what did he say?” “He never came!”

The ladle fell from her mother’s hand and landed with a thud. The soup spilled messing up the kitchen table. “What do you mean by “never came”?” She seemed more scared than shocked. Even though they did not stay together now, there were threads that held them close.

“That he never came. I waited and waited but he never came.”

Mother rang up his mobile almost immediately. He picked up on the third ring. “Can I come over to your place today? I will explain everything.”Sure”.

And when he came over, a white and red teddy in his hand did all the explaining. Atleast to Edith. “Daddy, now I have two of them” as she showed him her treasure.

The similarity of the gift was not lost on either of her parents.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

A walk to remember


As the car hit the dirt road, Medini looked for a safe place to park it.
She could walk the last few minutes to her home.
She always did.
The last stretch and then the short lane and she would be home!
How often had she tread this path running errands!
The memories came flooding. Chapters of her life flashed before her eyes and she stood there lost in her own world. Her heart ached and pined for her soldier husband. She wondered how long before she would be able to hold him in her hands.
The cacophonous sounds brought her back to reality. Kids were having a great time. The vacations must have begun.
She started walking to her niche. In her mind, she had chalked out the itinerary – cooking, ironing, and shopping. There was lot to do and so less a time.
 She planned to begin with cooking – it was relaxing and she was already feeling hungry. She had sensed some delicious cooking in her short walk and her taste buds were hyper active now. Her steps quickened in response.
As she reached the dimly lit alley, she could feel the footsteps closing in on her. Any other place she would gave cried out of fear but not here. This was her territory. She was safe. She should be safe.
She stood numb as the two hands came out of nowhere and covered her eyes - the two strong hands.
A smile flickered across her face. She could tell that touch from among a million. She turned around and with her eyes still closed hugged him tight. She felt so complete, so content in that moment.
And somewhere amidst the hugging and holding him, her mind worked on the cooking plan again. Obviously, her husband deserved better treat than the fried rice.

Monday, June 11, 2012

All is fair at 8 P.M.


I hear the Gran adjusting her footwear outside – it must be time. She calls out to me – expecting the technological support. I follow her silently and switch the television on for her and adjust the volume. No, I do not have to ask her what channel and what serial. In her case – the choice is actually no choice. One serial, one channel. If they ever gave an award for serial loyalty, I am pretty sure, Gran could get a nomination. Anyways, the television springs to life. And then for another half an hour, she forgets I am there.

Half an hour later – she sighs with sadness – she will have to wait till tomorrow – in expectation and anticipation.

This happens daily without fail.

The clock strikes 8 every evening without fail.

And Gran positions herself before the television – every evening without fail.

Half of the time, I do not even check the clock to confirm if it is about time.

I know it will be. Plus minus a few minutes. And most of the time, it is minus.

Yes, the body clock works so perfectly.

All this because, Gran is addicted to the daily soap opera “Balika Vadhu” on Colors.

Every evening, she waits eagerly and religiously for the program to begin.

At that time all the mundane things cease to exist – and - the important matters stand postponed. All is fair at 8 P.M.

All day long, she talks about the life of protagonist. She so totally believes in the reality of that serial. She thinks the wedding, the ditching by Anandi’s husband, her family crying – is all real. I wonder if she knows as much about our neighbors as she does about this girl Anandi.

Hundreds of time, we have tried explaining to her that this is all make believe. Hundreds of time we have failed. If it were up to her, she would not let go of any advertisement, any repeat telecast of the program. So, we have all come to accept the fact that Anandi is there to stay in her heart - along with all of us – nothing doing. She is as much a family to her as we all are.

Trust me; it is like watching a kid getting all excited about his favorite movie or getting a bag full of candies – or may be losing oneself in the world of video games or books.

Now I know how my craze of  The Twilight series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings or the likes of them might sound.

Yeah Granny, that makes two of us – you with your Balika Vadhu and me with – well ,err – the list is long.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

A Travelogue


She had put in a long day at office and was about to begin the homeward journey – same route, same hills, and same river that she had travelled in the morning. Only, the twilight was making the hills looks sinister, the sound of the rushing water scary, the unplanned bus halts irritating, and the loaded bus suffocating. Relief would not come what with the meandering roads, the treacherous turns, the unruly drivers and the narrow paths. This was not the way it looked on the other days. But she was good two hours late today. And it was almost night – almost. She shivered at the thought. She looked around her. No feminine silhouette visible.  Only rugged and unkempt males – they had all put in hard labor during the day, some of the persons in the back seats appeared drunk, the one who sat behind her smelled strongly of tobacco. She clung to her handbag a little more tightly. She was scared.  She tried to busy herself with the scenery outside but with dark coming in rapidly, her thoughts returned to her fears. She counted three ravaging forest fires – the bright orange against the black night. She saw the lights of the temples and the echo of the evening prayers and felt some of the strength returning. It would take just half an hour more from here on. And she counted almost every second in that half hour. Finally, the bus was circuiting the familiar turns of her hometown. She disembarked at the rather empty looking bus stand. Her father was waiting there for her to take her home. Once inside her cozy nest, they all laughed and talked and ate and watched TV. Her fears were gone - at least for now - only to return in the night when nestled under the covers, waiting for the fan and sleep to silence her thoughts – she would wonder – if her new job was worth all the travails?

Linking with the Trifecta : Week Thirty

Friday, June 1, 2012

The pain is all gone


It wasn't the first time.

And it would not be the last.

She could not stand them suffering like that.

She asked for his consent. He expressed his willingness in whimpering sounds. And the pain was gone – forever.