Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A clown and the father

“What does that clown do?” a newly married lady whispered in her husband’s ears.
Arshad hears that a lot. He widens his smile even more and walks towards the couple in his trademark split leg style.
“There is a clown in all of us; I am here to bring it out” he said while taking out his huge notebook and presented it to the couple.
The two flipped the pages of the notebook; it was full of cartoon sketches made out of real people.  Arshad the clown was an artist who also performed to collect a few coins from the visitors in and around the Charminar, to fill the stomach of his small family.
It wasn’t a thriving business like that of Irani chai, sold by many small cafes around or the small hawkers selling useless but strange looking things. Arshad himself was strange looking in his clown outfit. The white cream with red nose and huge red smile was accompanied by surma in his eyes. He had a clown top and a pyjama below which was a total mismatch but helped him attract the attention of the tourists around. The local visitors and those from the nearby states never gave him more than 20 rupees. Every now and then there was an unsuspecting foreigner who thought of it as some kind of art, which has survived the tide of town and probably Arshad is preserving the culture of the Indian clown which has been lost to time. These visitors gave him anything between 50 to 500 rupees depending upon how the sketch turns out.
As the day grew on, the crowd at the Charminar grew thicker. The sun was kinder to the white skin of the foreigners who had come to visit the city. Arshad had by now managed to gather a crowd around him, while the antique coin seller and the toy makers sitting adjacent to Arshad looked on. They knew it will take just a turn of head to be seen by someone in the crowd. That would be their chance.
“What if the cartoon doesn’t look like me?”
“Then all my work is yours” Arshad replied
There was a chuckle, it was familiar to Arshad. He heard it every day, that of his little son Ali, who was hidden behind the long legs. For Ali, his father worked at an office at a far off place and came back home late in the night tired. He might have got his Ammi along with him but Arshad was sure she was at one of the pearl shops.
Arshad continued with his sketch, but was watching Ali from the corner of his eye. Ali stood there in rapt attention as his father drew laughs from the audience he had gathered. For Arshad only one laugh mattered then, that of Ali. For years, he couldn’t face his son because he never did something his child could be proud of. Ali was too small to understand that but some day he would, Arshad dreaded that day. But today wasn’t that day. Today was different, Ali was enjoying every moment of this and there couldn’t be a better moment for Arshad than this.

The crowd started to thin with the sound of the magrib azaan. Arshad gestured towards Ali, summoning him.
“Come here beta
The Joker who had held his attention till now was asking for him. His tiny feet took him slowly to Arshad
“How about a sketch beta
Ali tried to say something but the sound never came out and after gathering a little courage he said
“I don’t have the money”
Arshad smiled and said “Don’t worry; I will not take money from you. You are like my son”
A smile appeared on Ali’s face, as he heard the stranger clown.
“Stand in front of me, while I make your sketch” Arshad said
The smile started growing wider as Ali posed for Arshad, when they heard something
“Aliiiiii..” his mother shouted
Ali heard her voice and hid behind the railings before the entrance to the Charminar. Arshad could see Ali behind the railings and continued sketching. Ali’s mother spotted him too; she held his hand and dragged him away from the railings while stealing a smile at Arshad.
Arshad completed the sketch in a few minutes and placed it aside. He placed it aside for the dreadful day when Ali will not know why he should be proud of his father.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Dabaang effect

I might be 16 days late for this post, but well the Dabaang fever is not going to subside for a while so what the heck. Its better late than never.

Now tell me something, what makes this movie unique?.

It doesn't have a story line for starters. For some reason Salman Khan has got a formula for his no script movies to work, take for example "Maine pyaar kyu kiya","Partner", "Wanted" and add "Dabaang" to that list. Movies without script can fail big time, you can ask the director actor combo of Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar who seem to think by running around the city and over acting are a key to success.  So why did Dabaang work?

The Salman star power, I might say this might be one of the reasons. Salman has been doing it for years so may be yes, his star power carried the movie through.

The action, definitely yes. Though there are barely three full blown action sequences they are well shot, so they did make for a good viewing.

The length of the movie was a great factor. The movie was a quick one, no over dose of the show Salman was carrying on his broad shoulders.

Aggressive publicity program. People were waiting for the date of release. Salman was on every show on Indian television to promote the movie. I guess the hard work paid off.

May be it was the Zandu Balm effect. I heard that Malaika Arora- Khan is also the brand ambassador of Zandu Balm now. Wow

Or maybe the most intelligent shirt of Bollywood. It tore of at the right moment, without anyone touching it. The shirt was the difference eventually between apna Chulbul Pandey and Chedi Singh. Poor Chedi Singh spent all his energy and rage in tearing his shirt while apna Chlbul was focussed thanks to the intelligent shirt.

If you ask me what made me watch the film was the trailer. The first look of it, it looked stylish. The Dabaang tune had a little bit of the country feel to it, the trailer promised a lot of action and just to balance all of it Salman adds "Hum tumme itne ched karenge ki con-phuse ho jaoge ki saas kaha se le aur ...."

To be honest I enjoyed the movie and this one is definitely one to watch when one is stressed out

May be the intellectual kinds would find themselves not too challenged after watching this movie, I can give them something to ponder over. Try answering this
"What is it about this movie that made it work?"

Friday, September 3, 2010

Return -Blog-a-ton

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 14; the fourteenth 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.
The sun was relentless in shining down on the largely dried up farm of Faridkot. The kids used it as their cricket ground during summers. The rains were scarce last year and that had affected the entire village, electricity was a blessed on the villagers for a couple of hours during the evening. During those hours the villagers assembled near Salim bhai’s house. He had once gone to Dubai for a few months, bought a T.V for the village. Ajju’s family stayed just besides Salim bhai’s house. Ajju used to play with Salim bhai’s kids, Zaheer and Irfan.
Zaheer and Irfan were more like brothers to him. Ajju’s father; Mohammad Hanif, was unemployed for most of the year. He worked on Salim bhai’s farms after the rains, and that was all he earned during the entire year. Salim bhai was generous enough to make sure that Hanif bhai and family had two meals to eat. Salim bhai had once gifted Ajju a cricket bat; it was Ajju’s favorite bat. Ajju hit his first six with it; he still remembers how he lofted Irfan bhai’s bowl outside the maidan. Every one clapped for him, Ajju felt his heart skip a beat. He liked that feeling.
Ajju and his friends were playing their daily game of cricket. Irfan was always too fast for Ajju but over the years as Ajju grew up he learned to play him, he would hit Irfan for six every now and then, for that special feeling.
“Ajju we don’t need to hit, aaram se khelna” Zaheer shouted to Ajju from the other end of the pitch. Ajju nodded but everybody knew that Ajju will try and hit it, it came naturally to him. Irfan ran in to bowl, Ajju stepped down the pitch and lofted. The ball touched the sun before flying outside the maidan.
Ajju’s eyes were fixed on the trajectory. He wished he could fly like the ball, something told him that one day he would.
Irfan ran in to bowl even faster this time; Ajju lofted him outside the maidan again. The fair Irfan was now red because of the heat and anger. A fielder threw the ball to him. He had now decided what he was going to bowl to Ajju. He ran in and bounced Ajju. The ball hit Ajju on his head, Irfan smirked, and Zaheer threw his bat down and ran towards Ajju who had now collapsed. Zaheer carried him in his arms and ran to the Hakim. He applied a malham to stop the bleeding.
                                                                      ********
“What do you expect me to do?”Hanif bhai shouted at his wife
“I hope you know that all we have to eat is what Salim bhai gives us” he continued
There was a knock at the door. It was Salim bhai’s wife. She had a covered plate in her hand
“I have bought some gosh for Ajju. It will help him feel better” she smiled and walked towards Ajju’s mother. She handed her the plate and walked with her in the kitchen
“I am sorry about what happened, these things happen when children play”
                                                  *********
Ajju started working along with his father, it would add to the income of the household. Moreover he had nothing else to do. He couldn’t play cricket. At first he would sit near the maidan and watch other kids play but that was nothing like playing it. So if he had to stop playing it, then he would have to stop watching it.
He would carry the water from the canal to Salim bhai’s farm and water the crops. The canal was also drying up because of the lack of rains, but there was no other source of water. Ajju had once heard that Salim Bhai might stop farming during the summers when the water was scarce. He said he hardly made any money, but he had to feed three extra stomachs instead. Ajju knew this wasn’t a good thing.
                                                  *********
At the madrasa, the maulvi told the kids a story
There was once this poor family, it consisted of a single mother and her kids. She did not earn any money, but she had to feed her children. She did not have the courage to tell her children that there was no food, so what she did was in a huge bowl, she poured in a lot of water. She kept stirring it. Her kids asked her when the food would be ready and she would answer that it would be ready soon She hoped that her kids would sleep soon, till then she would continue stirring the water. Our Khalifa Umar Bin Al Khatab saw this; he went back to his house and bought a huge bag of rice. She cooked the rice and her children did not sleep empty stomach. So the lesson from this story is to have faith in ALLAH. He tests us but will help us in the test. The lady was being tested but she was helped by Allah. It was Allah’s wish that Umar (R.A) help them and he did. So kids have faith in ALLAH, he does everything for our good.”
Ajju knew that this was a test, but he couldn’t see where Allah’s help was coming from. His maulvi had also told him that we must keep praying to Allah and tell him what we want. So Ajju raised his hands towards the heavens after his prayer, and cried. He cried to Allah for help. He did not know why Allah was testing his family, but they needed help. He cried for that help.
                                                                *********
Ramadan is a month of blessings. Ajju never understood the meaning of blessing, but his father told him is that Allah sends gifts to everyone from his house.
“Where does Allah stay?”
“He stays above the heavens”
“Are they higher than the sky?”
“Much higher”
Ajju’s mother woke him up early in the morning for sehri. The sehri is the early morning meal Muslims eat just before they start observing their fast. Ajju’s sehri was the leftovers from last night’s iftar.
After their meal Ajju and Hanif bhai did their wadhu (ablution) and left for the mosque. On their way Ajju tapped on Hanif bhai’s hand
Abbu, I want to drink water”
“Now?” Hanif Bhai asked. Ajju nodded.
“Ok, go rush to our house and drink water before you hear the Azan
Ajju ran back to his house and had his glass of water. On his way back, he looked high in the sky. There was some kind of noise, a star was moving in the sky. It kept changing it color from red to white. It looked like the blessing his father had told him about. He ran to the mosque shouting
“Allah ki rehmat”
                                                                *******
The Faridkot mosque had a visitor during the zuhur (noon) prayer. Maulana Mohammad Tahir was a prominent persona in this region. He had madrasa’s running all over the country. He would listen to kids recite Quran for a few minutes. If he liked it then he would take them to the madrasa and turn them into a Hafiz (A person who remembers the entire Quran by heart). The entire village had assembled outside the mosque to meet him. He loved talking at length about the fazilat (blessings) of Allah. He stayed in the mosque for the two days he was there.
The kids would come to the mosque after the magrib (dusk) prayer. They would carry their Quran and sit in a line, Maulana sahab would call them one and by one and ask them to recite a few verses. He would close his eyes and listen with full attention.
Ajju was also sitting in the mosque. He had seen a few of the Faridkot kids go to the madrasa. They would come once in a month to Faridkot. They carried a lot of gifts for their family. Ajju also wanted to bring gifts for his Abbu and Ammi.
“Ajju, it’s your turn” maulvi sahab announced
Ajju held his Quran close to his heart, and praised the almighty in every step he took towards Maulana Mohammad Tahir. Maulana Mohammad Tahir was sitting in one of the corners of the mosque; a fan was placed in his vicinity to make him feel comfortable. His eyes were closed; he had worn a white turban which went along with his white dishasha (traditional Arabic dress). The Bisht adorning his dishasha was black in colour with golden embroidery. His beard was dyed black and he sported no moustache.
“Tahir sahab, this is Ajju, Hanif Bhai’s son”
Maulana Tahir opened his eyes and greeted the tiny Ajju with a warm smile and a pat on his back
“Ajju, since when have you started the tilawat of the Holy Quran?”
Ajju was nervous, his throat was going dry
“I was small” is all he managed
Maulana Tahir smiled again
“Recite the Holy Quran, I am listening” he said and rested against the corner wall of the mosque. He closed his eyes, ready to absorb and scrutinize every word recited by Ajju from the Quran.
Ajju fumbled with his recitation. He was too scared and nervous to recite properly. There were kids who had better pronunciation, a sweeter voice and recited the Quran better than what Ajju did. He was rejected.
                                                                *******
Maulana Tahir had arranged for a bus for all the selected kids. A bus was arranged for them to be taken to the madrasa where they would be turned into pious Muslims. Ajju sat on the porch of the mosque staring at the bus. He wanted to be one of those special kids who would go to the magical land away from Faridkot. Maulana Tahir’s madrasa was Ajju’s escape from the dry canals of Faridkot, the bullies in the maidan. It was a step closer to “Allah ki rehmat”.
Ajju did not take his eyes off the bus door. The lure of the magical land was too good to resist for Ajju and he slid under the back seat of the bus after the Fajar (morning) prayer. The dark below did not scare Ajju anymore; after all he was on his way to meet his destiny.
Ajju is still unsure what his life would have been had he not boarded the bus, had he not met the man he fondly calls “Sheikh”.
                                                                *******
“Sir, we have arranged for a car of your choice” Avinash said wearing his customary smile
“And will you be able to set up my office here by evening?” Sameer asked
“It will be ready sir”
Sameer nodded approvingly
“Anything else I can do for you Mr. Marathe?”
“No, that will be all”
“Very well then...”
“Oh I have one more thing to ask” Sameer interrupted “I would like to have a traditional meal tonight”
“Will be done sir” Avinash 
Sameer smiled approvingly and Avinash left for his office. Sameer Marathe was one of the important guests in the hotel and Avinash always makes sure to take special care of the guests.

Sameer made his way towards the exit. Every morning is a moment of realization for Sameer. He knows he has come a long way. From a small farmer family to a political player who people want on their side, yes he has come a long way.
What made Sameer different was the fact that on his way he never picked up unnecessary superstitions or beliefs. He looked like a person with a lot of self belief, someone who doesn’t rely on pleasing the supernatural to get his work done. Sameer’s belief in the almighty had thus over a period of time started bordering on the lines of atheism.
The black Maybach was waiting for him at the exit of the hotel. Even before he put his foot on the last step of the descending stair case, the chauffer had opened the door for Sameer. Sameer made his way into the Maybach and they were good to go.
Sameer had come to the city for an “arm twist”. The state was plagued by a lot of political parties and coalition politics was the need of the state. In coalition politics it was important for every small player to make sure that he made his existence known. That is what Sameer Marathe was here for.
The leading party headquarters were at an hour’s drive from the hotel. Sameer always enjoyed these drives. He loved the hustle and bustle of the city unlike his town which loved to move in its own pace. The people were different here. Their lives are so compact that they do not have time to express themselves. Their moment of introspection was always at the two minute signal on their way to work, school or college. If an old man was thinking about the neglect he faces at home every day, the teenage girl was thinking about the boy who sits ahead of her in the class. If the young lady was finding everything about her new marriage beautiful, the nursery going boy was crying because his mother was not around. There was no such thing as private space in the big cities, the city people could never focus on one thing and that is why Sameer was here, where he is today. Sameer would always be focused on the small issues of his town while his counterparts in the city had so much on their hands that they eventually forget what issues won them the elections. They had to take a lot of credit from the bank of favours on the other hand Sameer’s account in the same bank was in surplus. He hardly had much to worry about.
                                                                *******
It was sheikh’s order and Ajju had learned to obey it. A big car is not difficult to miss, even if it is in a rich city. Ajmal’s trained eyes would not let the black car out of his sight.
“He loves the black colour” Ajju was told. The colour considered being the colour of class by the rich, but in his world it was the colour for stealth. Something told him that the man in the black car was a bit of both.
Security would have been stronger had they heard noises, but Ajju doesn’t make noises. He listens; he obeys and returns to his master, his Sheikh
                                                                *******
Sameer’s phone beeped. It was his secretary who was waiting for him at the headquarters.
Marathe sahab, where are you? People are waiting for you here”
“I wanted just that” he replied with a smile.
“If you make them wait any longer, Mr Sharma will leave the office”
“Then tell him that he has a lunch planned with me this afternoon”
“But there isn’t!”
“I am sure there is”
                                                                *******
Sameer Marathe’s car was waiting outside the party headquarters. Shri Ram Manohar Sharma saw the car and knew that it was his. Sameer Marathe would always play with his own set of rules, and would never change them.
He made his way to Sameer Marathe’s car, leaving his body guards behind. The conversation is always discreet, that’s the way this side of the world works. Sharma opened the door and made his way inside the car.
“So where are we heading for lunch?” Sameer asked
“No where I have another party meeting to attend”
Sameer smiled “I know and I figure you want to be there in a hurry otherwise you might miss the chance with the new actress”
“What in the earth does that mean?”
“I am sure you know more about that than I do”
“Listen I don’t have time for this non sense, tell me why you are here?”
Sameer poured a glass of whisky for Ram Manohar.
“You know very well why I am here. I want the land”
Ram Manohar was exasperated
“You know why I can’t give you the land”
“Because some adhivasis think that the land is sacred? I don’t buy that”
“Well you will have to because even I believe in the holiness of the land”
Sameer poured another one for himself
“I guess then you will have to part with your holy land”
“Don’t you have any morals?”
Sameer continued sipping his whisky
“Aren’t you scared of god?”
The smile returned to his face “I don’t believe in god”
                                                                *******
Ajju knew that the right time was approaching, as soon as the person who just entered the car would leave the man in the car wouldn’t have anything else to do and that was the right time. His bag had the ammunition he needed. It was only a matter of time.
                                                                *******
Sameer had twisted the right arms. The city people had come to an agreement with him. The land wouldn’t be transferred on his name but in the name of a company. All it needed was an office and a name and Sameer would know how to cover up the roots which trace back to him. It was part of his business.
Sameer started making his way back to the hotel. Tonight he would celebrate before leaving for his town.
His car stopped at the red light. The right door opened and a man jumped in. Sameer tried to reach for his gun but the man held his arm behind his back and placed a piece of cloth on his mouth. It was hazy initially and then darkness settled in.
                                                                *******
Sameer was woken up with a splash of water on his face. He slowly opened his eyes, he was unsure where he was, was he even alive? He was tied to a chair with his hands on his back. The room was dark and old. The floor was layered in soil and mud. The walls had taken a lot of beating over the years, the holes in the walls told a story of their own. Behind him was a small table which had rusted over the years. An idol of lord ganesha was placed on it.
He heard footsteps approaching the door. The door opened and the man walked in
“Who are you?” Sameer shouted
The man did not respond. He made his way to the other side of the room, towards the wall Sameer was facing. There was a window; he slowly wiped out the mud from the window panes. The room now had more light.
“I think now we can talk” Ajju said as he walked towards Sameer
“Who are you? What do you want?”
Ajju sat in front of Sameer, on the muddy floor.
“Why don’t you talk? What do you want?”
“I think I need some silence to gather my thoughts, and you are not giving me that. I would appreciate your silence”
Ajju slowly took a cigarette out of his pocket. He placed in between his lips and tried to light it.
“I don’t know how to smoke, I am sure you know how to, do you?”
Sameer did not reply
“I don’t think this conversation is going anywhere if you don’t answer my question”
Sameer nodded.
“So you know how to smoke” Ajju pushed himself towards Sameer and stood on his knees. He pushed the cigarette in Sameer’s mouth and drew the lighter towards him. Sameer took a few drags of the cigarette to light it. Ajju pulled it outside his mouth.
“So this is how you light it?” and took a drag. Ajju started coughing.
He got up and pulled Sameer’s hair
“Why do you people smoke? Tell me why do you people smoke” he said shouting even more louder
“I don’t know” Sameer started crying “I don’t know why people smoke, I don’t know who you are and I don’t know why you are doing this, I don’t know”    
“Then let me tell you” Ajju pushed Sameer. Sameer fell of the chair on his back. Ajju threw the cigarette on the floor and stepped on it, crushing it and put it off.
“I am here to do this”
“Why?” Sameer was even more scared “What did I ever do to you?”
“The decision to smoke was mine and to put off the cigarette was also mine. So is this.”
Ajju took a gun outside his pocket and aimed it at Sameer. He shot the rope which held Sameer’s hands together. Sameer’s hands were free. He got up facing the table behind him; he stumbled and could only grab the ganesha on the table. The second bullet hit Sameer; his eyes were fixed on Ganesha.
He prayed.
                                                                *******
The bus reminded him of his first journey. The journey began many years ago. He thought it would take him to a magical world but instead what he saw was the real world. Hatred and Power ruled the real world.
After the rude shock he realized what he was here for. His sheikh told him that everyone on the earth comes with a purpose. Ajju’s purpose was difficult and trying but he will have to fulfil it.
“You will have to wear many masks, sometimes the mask of an angel and at times the mask of a devil”
“O sheikh, you told me that everything in this world can be won by the good. Then why wear the mask of a devil.”
Sheikh had expected Ajju to ask the question
“Ajmal, you are still very young. That is why you ask these questions. Sometimes it is necessary to reach the destination and not think about the road. It will be these roads you will tread wearing the mask of the devil”
“How different is acting evil from being evil?”
“Like that of salt and sugar. They might look the same but are they?”
The sound of the brakes stopped Ajju from thinking. A small kid entered the bus with the newspapers while the bus was at a halt. He paid the kid for the newspaper and started reading it but his mind wandered back to many years ago.
“Why should I use violence as my weapon?”
“My son, everything is a weapon in this world. It depends on you, use it judiciously. You are the man of god and your job is to show others the way”
A newspaper report caught his eye.
“My son Ajmal, you show them the path to the almighty, you give them the gift of faith”
The headline said “The story of Sameer Marathe: His return to Faith”
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.

Footnotes:
I think this will be one of the longer posts of Blog-a-ton. Now that you are reading this I assume that you have read it ( Phew!!)...do let me know what you think about it. 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

55 Fiction- Freedom


The earth outside the window of a train was covered in a blanket of green.


His torn and tattered clothes couldn't down his enthusiasm.


He was a prince and he was running away from his palatial home.


He never knew what freedom was and now for the first time in his life


 He was free. 


Footnotes:

This is my third attempt at 55 Fiction, I don't know how good it is and would be eagerly waiting for your thoughts.

To promote this post on Indivine click here.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Guess who won the Caption Contest

My first competitive award!!!

I won the caption contest hosted by Lazy Pineapple on her Blog. To read the caption and then congratulate me for it click here .

This was last week, but like I have been saying I am suffering from a poor internet connection and finding it really difficult to post anything out here. This is one odd time when it is running fine so I took this chance.

Thanks Vinita ( lazy Pineapple) for awarding me this. BTW you guys must participate in the competition, the pictures are really nice.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

A Special independence

Its 63 years now. On the 15th of August every year, we watch those patriotic programs which have been stored by the television channels for this day. We see them and with a sense of irony change the channels cursing the state of the nation.

Now first things first, our state is not as bad as it sounds. Yes I dare to say that even when the entire CWG committee is torn down by the media for corruption. I don't know if Kalmadi was involved in the corruption or not( really?...lets discuss that for later), but the fact is that we need to carry ourselves together and make sure that the show is a success( I don't know how but its a cliche and i had to say it). For the rest of it, our country is doing well. There is one half of the country which is living luxuriously and is content with life. The rural or the BVP population will only grow from here. A good economy is like a wave and it is only about time that this wave washes off the poverty in our country to a good extent if not entirely.

I agree I am very optimistic about things, but I don't know any better. I tend to believe that when you feel good about yourself good things will happen to you. And that is where I feel we need to start looking at the positives we have. May be we have not been successful in eradicating poverty and other epidemics from our country entirely but we have done much better than the so called developed nations. I wish the media would have highlighted the fact that India dealt with Swine Flu in a much more efficient manner than a lot of other countries. All we need is more awareness and epidemics will surely be taken care of. Awareness is easily said and done and that is the precise reason why I plead for patience.

I am getting carried away but returning to the point of feeling good about ourselves, I remember reading an article by our ex president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who said that the media is very negative in India. When he was on a tour to Israel, the news of blasts, murders , accidents and the kind never found the first three pages of the newspapers. Now compare that to our papers, we also have scary looking and acting people hosting shows about the murders and rapes happening in our country. How do you expect to feel good about yourself after all this.

May be I am not qualified enough for this, but if I have to say something about our nation, we are still prisoners of our thoughts and negativity. We need independence from this attitude of ours which no one can do for us. Its upon ourselves to do that.

Footnotes:


Jai Hind!!!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Good Bye -Blog a ton 13







This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 13; the thirteenth 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.





Sameer stood gazing at the skyline from his executive suite. Life has a strange knack of turning around in very little time and Sameer’s life has just seen one. His life now had a meaning, a mission something he was always in search of.
His phone rang
“Sir, we have found them” The voice cracked.
Sameer smiled and hung up. He walked towards the giant mirror in the dressing room. His hair was pulled back; a couple of wrinkles had just begun to appear on his forehead. He was still fair, and had matured into a handsome young man. He was wearing a black Armani jacket, over a crisp white shirt. He belonged to the league of young, rich and handsome.
The hotel phone beeped, his car was ready. Sameer left his executive suite towards the car waiting for him. This was going to be a special day.
****************
Sameer was sitting alone on the porch of his department watching the settingsun, looking for inspiration. Jia noticed him sitting alone on the porch.
“Hey Sameer”
“Hi” he said and moved to his right making place for Jia to sit.
“So you wrote something?”
“Nopes, I have a lot of stray ideas but I am not able to put that together”
“Why don’t you write something first, however it is maybe you can capitalize on that?”
“I can do that, I don’t think anything else is going to work. I might as well try this” Sameer said
Jia smiled approvingly and pushed close her eye lids for a fleeting second
“What was that?” Sameer asked
“What?” Jia was surprised
“An eye hug”
“Eye hug?”
“What you just did with your eyes, it’s an eye hug”
“And what did I just do with my eyes?”
“Well when you close your eyes tightly, even if it is for a second, you are showing a similar facial expression as you would have, had you hugged someone. So when there is not too much love but there is little love, people eye hug”
There was Sameer’s inspiration.
                                                        ***************
Rahul ran to the basketball court. Kunal was practising for the game in the evening.
“Kunal” Rahul shouted “Sameer has had an accident; he fell down from the bike”
“What? Where is he?”
“The guys took him to the hospital nearby”
“You know the hospital right?”
Rahul nodded
“Take me there”.
Kunal rushed to the hospital. Sameer was asleep and his right leg was in a plaster. Jia was sitting beside him.  Kunal entered the room
“Why in the earth did you have to give him your bike?” Jia shouted at Kunal
“I did not”
“Then how did he get the bike, it is all because of you people that has happened. All you can do is tease him for not knowing how to drive a bike. Are you happy now or you wanted to break a few more bones of his?”
“See, I understand your concern for him, and Whitey is my roommate too. So please shut up” Kunal said, and stormed out.
Sameer woke up because of the sound “What happened” he enquired
Jia walked to his bedside.
“I am sorry, I shouted at Kunal.”
“Why? How is it his fault?”
“Would you have tried driving the bike had he not teased you so much?”
Sameer smiled “Jia, why did you do that?”
“I was worried for you” Jia said slipping her hand into his
“I am fine Jia, see both my hands are still strong enough to hug you”
Jia smiled and hugged Sameer. Sameer could feel her breath on his neck. She was slowly moving away from him, and now her breath was moving very close to his and their lips met.
                                                                ************
“Whitey, are you hungry?”
“Nopes”
“I am” Kunal said
Sameer put his book aside and walked towards the kitchen and started cooking for Kunal.
Kunal walked to the kitchen dribbling a football.
“Whitey”
“Yes Kunal”
“Why did you learn cooking?”
“Well so that I can cook food for you”
Kunal chuckled “That was funny bro, but you know chicks dig that thing”
“Yes they do, but I like cooking that’s why I learned it”
“By the way Whitey, what plans after college, there is hardly any time left”
“You are right man, let’s go for a drive, we will eat out”
“No cash man” Kunal said showing his empty pockets.
“It’s on me”.
They had dinner and went towards the creek. Sameer and Kunal sat on the bonnet of Sameers car listening to the waves.
"I wish this time would never pass" Sameer said
Kunal was lost in the sound of the waves and did not respond
                                                                *********
Sameer reached outside a small bungalow in the outskirts of the city. He rang the bell. Jia opened the door.
She was surprised and shocked to see Sameer outside her house
“Kunal” she shouted “Sameer is here”. She was still dumbstruck
“Can I come in?” Sameer asked
Jia shook her head slightly and let Sameer in. Kunal rushed to the living room. Sameer stood up and saw Kunal.
Kunal hugged Sameer like long lost brothers
“Where were you whitey?”
“Very far away, I am sorry”
“Look at you man, you look so different”
Sameer wiped a stray tear from his cheek and the two sat chatting like kids who have met after a long vacation.
“After dad expired I had to take care of the entire business. It wasn’t easy, I lost a lot then. I think its time I live some time for myself”
“You must man. It’s so nice to see you”
“I am sorry to interrupt you guys, but there is no food at home. Let’s go outside and have dinner” Jia suggested
Sameer’s smile widened
“I will cook” Sameer stood up and walked towards the kitchen. Kunal and Jia followed him to the kitchen. They decided on what to cook. Kunal went out to bring a drink.
“Sameer, I wanted to tell you about me and Kunal, but you were not there”
Sameer raised his hand softly
“Don’t worry Jia; I am not here for that. I am here for both of you”
“You never found someone in all this years?”
“I will explain, but not now. For now let me concentrate on my cooking”
And the cooking resumed.
The food was ready and decorated but Kunal was still not there. Jia dialled Kunal’s phone and walked to the other room.
When she returned to the living room Sameer was not there. There was a letter left on the corner table. Jia opened the letter



Jia,
I wanted to answer all your questions. I will try my best to answer, but I am sorry if I missed out on anything.
I vanished after our exams because my dad wasn’t well. I think you know about that. But I never thought I would be entrusted will all the work so soon.I couldn't write anymore.I still can't. I will start all over again hopefully.
About us, I know there was something between us. But it couldn’t have gone far. I am not normal, I have loved a few girls but I was not in love. It was outer love and my soul was still empty. I realized that I was in love with someone.Some one who was always there, someone who understood me. I am talking about Kunal.
I love him, may be after years of staying together I developed a liking for him which was beyond what society and Kunal would accept.
I am now satisfied after meeting Kunal and you. The two of you are the best people I have ever met and the most important ones. I am suffering from pancreatic cancer and my doctors haven’t given me much time. This was the last time I would look like this. It will only get worse from here. I don’t want you to see me like that, so I came here to say good bye
Good bye Jia,
Good bye Kunal
I love you both







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.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Message

Annas was sitting among the stones on the Mount Jaza. He was in midst of his meditation when he was summoned by Kabeer. It was only Kabeer who could summon anyone whom he wished and he would never be denied. He was the most pious man in the small pious town of Al waraa’.  Nobody knew how he reached the town, or who he really was, but the people of Al waraa’ welcomed him any way. He seemed to have the magical touch, a touch which was blessed upon only few and hence the people of this small town never let him go.
“Annas, not always do I have a request, but today is different and my heart gives me immense pleasure when I see that you have been chosen for the most important task of my life.
Annas was joyous, people went to Kabeer to seek help and here was the great man asking him to do the most important task of his life.
 “I would do anything for you O Kabeer
“I am pleased to hear that pious man, but I would like you to hear what you have to do”
“Surely O mighty Kabeer, but I my answer is that of a man whose word is immovable just like the caves of Mount Jaza”
Kabeer smiled and continued
“I want you to leave Jaza and go to the forests, collect the finest of wood enough to make an ark. Take this ark and go to the bank of the river that flows in the town of Al waraa’ and make the ark.”
Annas was worried and asked “Is it a fault of mine for which I have been asked to leave this town?, or is the town of Al waraa’ going to face the wrath of nature?”
“No my brother, you are the purest of spirit and it is only the purest of spirit who is asked for a sacrifice”
“Where is it that I have been asked to go?”
“The ark you make will guide you to your destination Annas.”
“What about my brothers, Kabeer?”
“They will be with you”
Annas was happy that his brothers will be with him for this journey and left for the woods. He collected the strongest of wood. He carried the wood over the mules he found at the woods.
He started making the ark at the bank of the river. A few brothers saw him making the ark and asked him
“Why is it that the pious man is making something as huge as this? Have you started craving for the worldly pleasures and want to leave the town of Al waraa’?”
“I never had a craving for worldly pleasures and will never crave it. If there is anything I crave for then it is my task and if you believe this pious man then talk not much of it, but give a helping hand”
And the brothers started helping Annas in building the ark. The help increased and every day a few brothers brought wood, some brought food and water for the tired brothers and some worked when others were tired.
The ark was ready when the second full moon rose high in the sky. The town of Al waraa’ was now settled near the banks of the river.
While his brothers were admiring the beautiful ark, Annas was summoned by Kabeer.
“The ark is beautiful O pious man, and now I must fulfill my duty of letting you to set sail”
“But my brothers are tired and will fall asleep in the while; I will set sail at dawn when the sun will guide us”
“Annas, O pious man, your brothers are not destined to be on this ark. It is you who must set sail”
“Then why is it that the sacrifice is asked only of me when the town of Al waraa’ is the purest of soul?”
“You are the purest of all O Annas. It is the purest of spirit who is asked to sacrifice and you are the purest of all”
“What is it that I will have to sacrifice?”
“You have been asked to leave this town and set sail to lands far away. Let them see the man of the purest of spirit come to them. Bless those who are the darkest of spirit, so that they do not meet the others but curse those with a spirit as pure as yours. For the purest of spirit, should move to far off lands, so that the purest of spirit cover the face of mother earth”
“What about my brothers?”
“Have you not understood as yet, that the town of Al waraa’ is cursed! Your brothers will leave the town too, to spread the message”
“And when would I know that my purpose is achieved?”
“When you meet your brother at the other end of mother earth, you would know that your message has been sent and your purpose is achieved”
Annas walked to the bank of the river where the magnificent ark shone in the light of the full moon. He climbed the ark while his brothers were sleeping. And set sail to the lands far off.


Footnotes:

This is my tribute to Kahlil Gibran, the man who wrote beautifully about the spirit. The story is adapted from various spiritual learnings. Here the names of the town and the characters of the story also have a meaning and would help you understand the bigger picture of the story, but thats an effort you will have to take.
Hope you like reading it.

Image courtesy: thefuturebuzz.com
to vote for this post on Indivine click here

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

A good bye

The cleaner switched off the lights in the bay before leaving. Gopi was still sitting in his cubicle. There were many such days were Gopi left his bay way after the lights were turned off.

This time he would leave only not to return to his bay. Nostalgia had already clouded his thinking. The blinking of his computer monitors reminded him of countless evenings he spent reaching deadlines, making sure that everything was ready for the next morning, and so many such things.

He was leaving a huge part of himself here, along with friends and colleagues. He was asked to take with him all that was important. Ironically it is not possible to take all you want. All he would take with him would be memories.

Some memories are wonderful and some memories are not, like this one. If only he could buy a little more time from the universe, but there is a reason why we cannot. Anything and everything can only last for as long as they are to. That is why we have good memories to carry us through when times are bad and some not so good memories to remind us why we need to live and make good memories.

Gopi opened his Office Communicator list for the last time, going through the long list of names he had a chance to meet and talk. Every one had spend time with Gopi and vice versa, and it only made him realize how so many people can influence you in deciding the road you need to take, but no one can stop the destined.

At the end of the list were a few names which were no longer available. The names were some of those who Gopi spent a lot of time interacting with, he realized the sand in the sand watch was getting over; it was time to turn it over. Tomorrow there will be another name in a few lists which will no longer be available.

Footnotes:

 I have written this post after a while, but this time my hiatus was forced thanks to a lousy internet connection. This is one post I had written but unfortunately couldn't post. I have a lot more to write...
Thanks for reading

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Cleaning up my closet

There are skeletons in my closet. Am I the only one with skeletons?, I hope not, because in good or bad having another person with you is always comforting. 

I have an image of this guy who cannot do much wrong, and I have done everything to make sure that I am that guy. But there are anomalies in every system. I remember a story by M.K.Gandhi, where he had stolen money from his father when he was small, even he was human he said; so am I.

I don't know how grave my sins are, I don't know for how long I will dwell in my grave for these sins,but I think I will confess it, may be that will help me get strength to carry on and do what is right.

The year was 2008, I had just quit my job at EXL services. I was showing off, with a credit card. I amassed a good amount to be paid. I paid the due amounts and the interest remained. Now I have to pay around 4 grand in total today.

I don't know If I should pay it,but as the situation stands I will. I want to keep a credit card again, but altogether different reasons. I will gradually decide on how to clear these payments and hopefully some day I will be able to use a credit card again!!

PS: If you guys have any idea as to how I can by pass the system and get a card now..then please do!!!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Chase

2:00 am- I was on my way back home after a pleasure ride. The moon was hiding behind the roof of a newly constructed high rise, only scattering its light from the edges. The occasional wind blowing was something to treasure and a respite from the heat. The clouds were scattered, as if nature was attempting its hand at abstract art. [ funny thing about abstract art: you don't understand a shit about it unless the person is drunk].


I reached the junction to my house and my pleasure time was over. Stealth was the word. I switched off the headlights of my bike. I drove it at a very low speed to ensure that not much noise was made. I felt for my shirt pocket to ensure that my keys are in my pocket. 


My phone rang.


My cover was compromised, I was spotted. There were growls, barks and howls. The Chase had begun. I drove as quickly as I could. They chased and chased and chased. The chase for them was like a relentless pursuit of something important in life. I don't have even the remotest idea about what it could be and I don't want to know.




2:30 am- I rushed my bike into the parking and closed the main gate. I sat on my bike breathing heavily. I wiped off the beads of sweat on my forehead. The Chase was unsuccessful  I don't know for how long I would continue winning. I am sure the law of averages would catch up one day. I dread that day. I reached for my phone to check who had blown off my cover. It was my friend . I called him back


"why did you call ?" I asked


"Wanted to know if you were chased by the dogs today!!"




Footnotes: 
Stray dogs are a menace which irritate so many people in India and has lead to many accidents too. One including a close friend of mine who had a serious fall from a bike because of a stray dog. I think we should be more alert as citizens and make sure that the concerned authorities know about this situation and proper action is taken.


Image courtesy: 4thstreetpokertour.typepad.com




Signing off


Shady West side!!!






PS: I know a new name, do you guys like it?