A Valentine's Tale

 

It is Valentine’s Day and Jonu is excited. For, it has been almost two years that he has known Sheena and finally he has mustered the courage to profess his love to her. He has placed a fresh red rose in his jacket pocket and all ready to go to the university.  

On reaching the campus, his eyes gazes at Sheena who has worn a beautiful green dress and is looking prettier as ever. Jonu takes a deep breath and heads towards Sheena, when he sees Lobu bent on his knees and holding a rose in front of her. On seeing this, Jonu runs away in disgust. He sprints through the campus until he reaches that secluded place where he and Sheena used to meet often.

He looks up at the sky and lets out a scream while tears flow from his eyes. All these years, he had waited for this moment to arrive where he could express his love to his beloved and all he faces now is sheer disappointment. Anguish soon turns into anger as he begins to question his existence. The feeling of ending it all preys on his mind. He starts walking towards the bridge, when a hand grabs his shoulder from behind.

 

Jonu looks back and cannot believe his eyes. It is Sheena. With her fingers she wipes away Jonu’s tears. She kneels down in front of him and holds a red rose in her hand saying, “Jonu, will you be my Valentine?” Jonu comes forward, gently grabs her shoulder and gives Sheena a warm hug and while looking at the sky, he murmurs, “Sorry for the despair and Thank you for this happiness”

A Shadow Of A Doubt

Amar has been waiting for this day since the last six months. He had committed a crime of killing a man while driving under the influence and today was his day of freedom. But as he steps outside, he finds no one to greet him. Surprised, he rushes to his house to meet his wife Neha, only to find the house locked. He walks across the street hoping that his friend Suresh would be around but hears that he died two months back.

He then hurriedly goes to his area police station to enquire about his wife. The officer tells him that she had met with an accident and was hospitalized for a few days. However, he has no information of her whereabouts after her discharge. Amar reckons that she could be at her ancestral villa.

He arrives in front of a dilapidated villa located at the far end of the city besides the highway. He approaches a lady sitting by the porch and asks about Neha. She guides him to a room where Neha is lying on a bed. She smiles but Amar gives her a wry look.

Amar: So you survived? But I am sorry that your lover is no more.

Neha: What are you talking about?

Amar: I am talking about you and Suresh. When I was in prison, I kept on thinking of the accident. I was convinced I didn’t drink as much to lose my senses. I knew something was wrong but couldn’t put my finger on it. 

Then I suddenly realized of your closeness to Suresh since college days. A doubt arose in my mind and I had to clear it. To my help came Ranjith, a prison mate who brought me photographs of you and Suresh looking so happy with each other. I was consumed with anger and decided to have you both killed.

Neha (with tears in her eyes): What made you commit this heinous act? A low-life criminal who only wanted quick cash convinced you to do this? Was your anger and doubt so strong that it broke our bond of love and trust? 

Suresh was like a brother who took care of me when you were away. You not only murdered him but also killed a child. Our child. I was pregnant at the time of the accident.

Amar: No. This can’t be. You are lying. You are lying.

Neha (yelling): Get out of here, you devil

Amar leaves the house in a state of shock. Tears falling from his face uncontrollably, as he walks. He is unable to see clearly the truck coming towards him at full speed. He glances at his right and BANG!

A shadow of a doubt ended it all…. 

A Tale of Greed

“Why are you always late?” shouts Madam Evelyn at Elias, the house driver. “Don’t you know I have an appointment to get to?” Elias bows his head and says nothing. Salome, the housemaid, comes to Elias and asks “You were just 5 minutes late and she shouted at you so badly. This has happened twice this week. Why don’t you say something”. Elias says “Patience is better for me. I will wait my turn.”

A white pick-up enters the compound and Salome rushes towards it. Two men descend and face Salome. “We have come for the painting job” says Jonu, the work foreman. Salome directs them to the house. The painter starts his work while Jonu and Salome start chatting in a rather flirtatious tone. Jonu tells her that he will call her in the evening and come back tomorrow morning as well. He tries to hug Salome while leaving but stops mid-way as he sees Elias in the background.

The next morning, they sneak in the empty bedroom and resume where they left off the previous day. After a while, the conversation takes a serious note.

Salome: Madam Evelyn and her family are going out of the country for a few days and I have a plan in my mind. I will go to my sister’s place in town but I will keep the bathroom window open and cut off the wires of the CCTV. You can come and grab all the valuables and then we can share the loot among ourselves.

Jonu hesitates at first but after much deliberation agrees.

Two days later, Salome is brought to the police station for interrogation.

Police Officer: Where have you stashed all the cash and the jewellery?

Salome: I don’t know what you are talking about. I was in my sister’s place. I have nothing to do with the theft.

Police Officer: Really. So who do you think did it?

Salome: I don’t know. May be it is Elias, the driver. He was always upset that with Madam and he vowed he will take revenge one day.

Police Officer: May be it is Elias along with Jonu.

Salome: Jonu? Who is he? I don’t know him.

Police Officer:  Don’t act innocent. Jonu already confessed to the crime and he said you were the mastermind.

Salome: I just had one small fling with him. That’s it.

Police Officer: Your one small fling costs you your life. Your game is over.

Salome starts crying profusely.

Police Officer: I will tell you what happened. Elias already saw you cutting the wires of the CCTV. He immediately called us along with the CCTV repair technician. When your darling came to steal, we were right there waiting for him.

Salome: That bloody Elias!!

Salome and Jonu get arrested and are sent to jail.

Later, Madam Evelyn comes to Elias and apologizes for her rude behavior. Elias just smiles away, again saying nothing.

The Big Show

Man loves to flaunt and is always ready to show off his possessions in front of others. This quality of exhibitionism sometimes prods on the extreme and can appear funny at times. It is really amusing how a person carries himself at the so-called special occasions just to make his presence felt. 

In the olden era, marriage was considered as a simple practice of joining of two souls where food was distributed to the poor to gain blessings. But now it is nothing but a festival of pomp and show where the poor is not even mentioned in the conversation let alone in the celebration. Of all the days of one’s lives, the bride and the groom feel that marriage is the only day where they feel important and so behave in such an abnormal manner that sometimes it’s difficult to identify whether they are the same people or strangers.

Unfortunately in today’s times, people are more impressed by the outward appearance than their internal talents. People don their best costumes for a job interview; as if the attire will compensate for what one has inside their brain.

It is quiet fascinating how the travelers wear their finest clothes at the airport and it is more amusing how their companions put on ordinary clothing just to make the passenger feel like a celebrity.

Times have changed so drastically that even places of worship are being treated as fashion houses with disciples parading their latest material acquisitions and God being nothing but a back bencher.

In the past, clothes served the purpose of covering the body from heat and cold but now the mantra is: less clothes; more prestige.

One has to realize that simplicity is the essence of life and showiness may not always result in success. Even prolific leaders like Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther etc professed the idea of simple living and high thinking. It is only through knowledge and perseverance that men can have their names etched in the annals of history and definitely not through external gaudiness.

Will Survive

They may call me weak 
Not strong enough to achieve
Success may not greet me much
May not be able to please the world
Or surpass numerous expectations

But will certainly not despair 
About transitory possessions
As this world is not valuable
Though my life is truly of worth 

Blemishes may make me unpleasing
Don’t conform to the demands of superficiality
But I know I am divine from within
And will live with my beautiful imperfections

For I couldn’t care less about what they feel
As long as I am happy with myself
No need to be someone I am not
Just be satisfied with what I have got

Though there is no place for the meek
I will survive in all circumstance

A Boy Named Harris

There was boy named Harris, 

Who use to do all things opposite

His father was reading 

While the sun was setting

He told Harris to switch on the lights

But instead his papers started flying

His father yelled, ‘Harris, why do you do all things opposite.’

One day his mother was cooking 

For the guests in the evening

She asked Harris to pass the sugar 

But he gave her the salt

The guests were waiting for the blueberry pie

But they were treated to a portion of saline

His mother shouted, ‘Harris, why do you do all things opposite.’

He went to school where the teacher held a mathematics test

In which Harris wasn’t too well

He wrote the test using all his wits

But the teacher found out that all the answers were of science.

His teacher screamed, ‘Harris, why do you do all things opposite.’

That was a story of a boy named Harris who tried his best

But somehow managed to do all things opposite

The Shadow Monster

It was way past midnight and the streets barred a silent look. I was keen on taking a cab but thought a walk and some fresh air would do me good. As I was whistling my favorite tune, I heard a soft rattle behind me. I looked back and found a shadow. 

I paused for a moment as I had heard about the legend of the shadow monster. A creature lurking in the dark and preying upon innocent souls. But I reassured myself that the tale was just a myth. With full composure, I walked along continuing with my tune but my doubts grew stronger.

I tilted my head to the right and saw a shadow reflect on the building. Fear engulfed me as I knew that the shadow was not mine. I turned slowly to catch a glimpse and saw a horrifying face with eyes protruding with rage. As I looked straight at it, it raised its hands to grab me. I shrieked aloud and ran in blind panic.

As my steps grew faster, the relentless shadow was getting bigger. I knocked at all doors as I ran; desperately hoping that someone would help me in vanquishing this evil terror. But all doors remained closed.

I thought if I pleaded for mercy, the monster would spare me but its wrath grew even more. Suddenly, it howled a loud screech which pounded my ears. The resulted uproar deafened me.

I thought of a place where the devil didn’t dare to enter and I knew it wasn’t so far away. If only I could somehow reach there. But my strength was diminishing as the demon was getting closer.

Its ferocious hands gripped my face. One mighty scratch and I felt my face ripped apart. I tried to open my eyes but couldn’t. It was all too dark yet my face felt warm. And then I knew that the monster had taken my eyes.

I stumbled upon something and fell down. I lay on the ground succumbing to my fate; for this ordeal was finally over and the devil had won.

Numbness took over my body though I could hear my heart. I touched my face and felt my eyes at its place. I opened them and saw the dawn bright and sunny. I instantly stood up to smell the misty air and hear the birds chirping. It felt so good that life was same as before. I smiled and forgot all about last night though a question remained.

Was the shadow monster real or just a dream?

The Dove And The Beast

The mother dove was full of joy at the birth of her child. As days passed by she cuddled him with affection and fed him with the best that she could provide.

One day, a vulture pounced on the baby dove and snatched him away. The mother dove tried her best to keep pace but the all too powerful flight of the vulture was too much for her. As the baby dove was struggling in the mighty talons, a stone was hurled at the vulture and the baby dove fell on the ground near a cave. A hand appeared from the cave and dragged the baby dove in. The mother dove began circling the cave hoping that her son would come out but to no avail. Her reluctance to venture in was due to an old legend that she knew.

There was a beast who used to run havoc in the jungle causing troubles to all. So, the animals put a curse which made him blind if he stepped out during the day. This curse confined the beast to the cave when the sun shined and the night became his only friend.

Days passed into weeks and the mother dove would patiently sit near the cave hoping for a miracle. Finally her clan convinced her to move on with the beautiful memories of her child. Then one morning a dove came flying to their abode. The mother dove recognized her beloved son instantly. Joyous tears started flowing from her eyes.

He told her that when he fell on the ground, he was badly wounded. During these days of pain, the beast cared and nurtured him, gave him the nourishment that would make him strong. Slowly, he felt better and even his wings developed. The beast then bid him farewell as he had become well and was ready to fly.

The next morning the doves entered the cave to give their thanks. They urged the beast to step outside. As the sun shone on his face he could see all with his wide open eyes. Years of anguish had disappeared and his happiness was unbounded. One good deed of his broke the lifelong curse.

In The Jungle

They warned us of the lurking dangers inside the jungle but our curiosity had the better of us. We swerved of our usual route and ventured inside. We did have a sense of fear inside our hearts but our minds were courageous.  

The light became dimmer as we treaded along and there was a distinct smell that engulfed us. As we advanced, insects of varying size and color were whistling their tunes in complete harmony. We never knew these tiny beings could create such beautiful music that would resonate throughout the jungle.

As we were enjoying the aural wonders, our breath was taken away by a royal creature we had only seen on television or books. Its black and orange stripes were so vibrant that the jungle didn’t look dark anymore. Our feet halted as he took its majestic steps. And for once in our life, we weren’t afraid but were in full admiration of what we were seeing. He took an innocuous look at us and then disappeared in the vagueness of the wild.

As we were recovering from this magnificent sight, we felt a push from behind. To our amazement, we found a baby elephant circling around us. We had never expected to see such an adorable animal in the midst of the jungle. As we started to mingle with it, we heard shuddering noises approaching us. We quickly realized that it was the mother being overprotective of its child. We too decided to leave as we started to think of our own worrying mothers.

As we were heading back home, we looked behind to catch a last glimpse of this marvelous place. And we promised each other that we will be back to renew our adventure. 

The Unsatiated Wolf

The wolf devours but unsatisfied

The dark yellow eyes preys for more

Resilient in its quest to be fed

Rummaging across the land for creatures within

Still savage in its pursuit

Consuming all with its ravenous gut

But all that chasing has aged him soon

No more the vicious predator he once was

Looking back with his old frail eyes

All that hunting was not suffice

As he still remains hungry and unsatisfied

(This poem is a metaphor for man's unending hunting for life's pleasures)

At The Bus Stop

It was a hot fiery afternoon and Jonu was pacing around hurriedly by the road. He had to be there for an important meeting but his car thought otherwise. His steps became faster and so did his agitation as the heat was a killing. Finally, to his relief, he found a shaded bus stop and sat instantly to regain his breath.

Next to him was a strong built man wearing tainted old clothes. His dark skinned face was shadowed by dirt and dust as he wore a smile. Jonu smirked at him in response as his troubles of getting to the office were the only thing on his mind. He reached out to Jonu saying “Hello, How are you doing?”  Jonu replied in frustration, “The heat is extreme, am sweating like crazy and to top it all off, just when I had the most important meeting, my car broke down, my phone went dead and I had to walk around 1 km to find a bus stop. I have never had such a bad day in my life. Now how do you think I am and where is the damn bus?” Jonu said angrily. But all the man did was give a smile. Jonu grinned as he didn’t quite appreciate his sarcastic reaction.

Just then this man got up and went in the corner of the shed. As he came out, there was a broom in his hand and he started sweeping the road. Jonu was stunned in silence and was too ashamed to look him in the eyes. This man who spends his whole day in keeping the streets clean, not only does this tedious job to the best of his ability but also with a smile. He made Jonu realize that his woes in life are so smaller. Just one day in the heat made him to complain whereas this man makes his living by working in the harshest of weather conditions with paltry pay. Jonu wanted to apologize for his rude behavior but just didn’t have it in him to do so.    

As Jonu ascended onto the bus with his thoughts, he heard a voice from behind saying “Take care Sir”

Modesty Thy Name

We are nothing even if we feel we are something. We are just a speck in this wide universe. Insignificant and helpless in the face of the smallest of adversities. We know nothing even after having known much. Our intelligence presumably acquired by us, is minuscule and limited to a few defined areas. Our knowledge cannot guarantee success nor restrict failures.

We have no power to change our destinies and we can be rendered incapable any moment. We cannot hasten what is delayed nor delay what is hastened.

So, do we inconsequential souls deserve the accolades for our achievements?  Should we pride ourselves for all our successes and walk insolently on this earth? Should we boast our accomplishments with a rising ego?

Rather, we should celebrate our successes with humility and know that the best way to garner appreciation is to adopt simplicity and modesty in our lives. 

Happy Father's Day

Sometimes I call you daddy

Whenever I need to be treated like a child

Sometimes I call you Oh my Father

When I have done some mistake

Sometimes I call you Dear Dad

Whenever I am in need of help

And Sometimes I call you Hey Pops!!

Whenever I need a friend to share the good times

In all your different names, you still remain the same

Loving, caring and supporting.

Happy father’s day

Await The Rainbow

The advent of rain brings about a sense of anticipation in many ways. One of the rarest sights to behold is the appearance of the rainbow, which spreads its flying colors across the landscape. 

Standing tall and engulfing the shadows of the clouds, making the bearer of the rain seem secondary in its presence. Even the birds circling around in a flurry, enjoy the bright colors at offer. And the trees not far behind swaying to and fro in delight, looking lusher and full of life. 

The mystical rays of the sun, drops by in such a perfect manner, that it neither overshadows nor underplays the rainbow’s wonderful stature. Also, the air wears a distinct smell, an aroma that one wants to consume its essence for a lifetime.

One only has to look up and imagine how beautifully the different elements of nature converge to create such a wonderful spectacle. And be glad that the rainbow doesn’t show itself often for the worth of this magical skyline would not be rightly valued.

An Ode To A Refugee

Where do I go from here?

There is chaos all around

My country is torn apart

Sounds of gunfire lingers on

Gardens of death surrounds

Where do I go from here?

Loved ones been displaced

Coffers been rendered empty

My home has been broken down

Years of happiness been shattered in moments

Where do I go from here?

Have lost all there is in life

Only a hope prevails within me

That someone will welcome me with open arms

And treat me like one of its own

My heart is deeply sunken and I fearfully wonder

Where will I go from here?

(Dedicated to all the migrants from war torn countries who are facing difficult times. May their struggles end soon)

Await The Rain

Caress my face with the raindrops

For summer seems so long now

Striking heat has withered my skin

Waiting for some revival

Need the elixir of life to rejuvenate the earth

For the air is so arid and dry now

Throw my hands up and pray

For the Lord to shower His blessings

It is the end of the day and I finally sense a reprieve

The clouds have unionized and darkened the sky

Finally a clap of thunder resonates all over

The all elusive magical drop touches my cheek

A feeling so good that it cannot be described

Hopes have been realized

As the raindrops caress my face, it is time to rejoice.

The Day Has Begun

Break away from the silent night

Rays of sunshine hitting my eyes

Put my feet on the ground

Coldness of the wooden tiles

Stretching the hands upwards

Pleasant thoughts moving me forward

Sprinkle of hot water refreshing my skin

My favourite song on my lips

Donning my best attire

Feeling a peculiar vibe

Heaving a bated sigh

And saying in the loudest voice

The day has begun…..

Beautified seems this world and life

All ready to soar high

Promise to make someone smile

Because happiness is glowing inside

Spreading my wings and begin to fly

Giving my best every moment of time

Inhaling the fresh air outside

And saying in the loudest voice

The day has begun…..

The Sky Life

One only has to look up to recognize the Creator’s artistic talents. A simple color of blue is transformed into varying segments with different hues and shades. And with the sun and the clouds culminating together, the landscape created needs not only to be admired but to be absorbed.

Our life too can be easily compared to the various facets of the skyline.

How a slight unwanted change in our life can lead us to anxiety just like a small piece of cloud entering a clear blue sky but with a promise of making the sky appear so much better.

OR

How deep troubles or sadness can alter our jovial mood with that of somber. So similar to the black ferocious clouds that envelop the skyline only to find out that sweet and pure rain is not far away.

OR

How the sun in all its majestic glory blooming in the center spreading its light all round creating a spectacular sight. So akin to our life where a speck of happiness from somewhere acts like a ray of hope making our faces light up with splendor.

In conclusion, nature and life seem so interminably connected with each other that a mere observation can help us understand and appreciate the Almighty’s perfect creations.