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I write because that's all that I can do...



Jun 30, '09

























देख धरा का हरित श्रृंगार
गगन फूले न समाया
सजल आँखे, करे वर्षाव
बूंदों को बरसाया
आया सावन आया ...

रूप - यौवन करिश्मा
साक्षात्कार कुदरत का
उभरते परबत छुए
वक्ष नीला आसमां
लिपटके धरती कहे
बरसों का प्यार पाया
आया सावन आया ...

कोयल की कुहू में हैं
अदभुत संगीत रचना
मोर पुकार सुनाये
विरह व्याकुल भावना
मन - उमंग, उठी तरंग
हर्ष कण - कण में जगाया
आया सावन आया ...


Tags: rains





Jun 22, '09



आह हैं दो पलों के बीच एक पुल
चलना धीरे से, पार कर जाना
आह दो शब्दों का अंतर
रुकना, हाल पूछना उसका
फिर मोड़ कर रखना, सम्हालकर
आह छेड़े स्वर दुखभरा
अशांत मन पर घाव गहरा
आह, बहते दर्द की अनछुई धारा
आह न होती तो क्या होता
समय गुजरता यूँही हल्के
न कोई आहट, न आवाज आती
हम चलते, जैसे झोंका हवा का
पहुंचते उस छोर पे, चुपके से



Tags: आह





Jun 01, '09



She is one of my earliest of friends here. Yes, that’s Novaciane for all of us. If my memory serves me right, I think she is the first or second of my friends since I joined Fropper.

You would wonder why I called her a Swan right? Looking at her snap the first time, to me she appeared thus. Though she is quite a fire brand and may give an impression that she doesn’t care for whatever goes on around her, gypsy like, a free bird but inwards, she is a complete family girl.

What I admire about her is that she is very humane. She is an honest soul and it reflects in her blogs. She doesn’t mince words, just hits where it could hurt the most but without malice towards anyone.

A lover of music, she is learning to play the Violin. In my opinion any string instruments are difficult to learn. For you can’t SEE which strings you strumming! Except some like the Veena for example.

Oh! Yes, one more thing she is good at. She is connected with the Art circle and conducts interviews of Artists, Painters, which get published in Newspapers.

Today is her Birthday and on this day I wish her all the best in life.








May 26, '09



Thanks to all who read the first part and commented. Here's the rest of the story...

Lying under the starlit sky, he felt restless. The moon spread its sheen of soft glow. Cool breeze flowing through the trees. But his mind was in turmoil. All around him there was chaos. People drinking extracts of Moh flowers, screaming and quarreling with each other. He got up and went away from the din. But sleep wouldn’t come. For long past midnight, he lay awake. His mind anxious to know what it was beyond the mountains. At the break of dawn, he would embark on his journey.

Crossing the thick forest strewn with rare trees and plants, he made his way up to the Eagle’s nose. A steep mountain that was believed to be the protector of his tribe. He could see it from a distance. But it was very far yet. With its wide, rocky frame, it looked as if spreading its hands in an embrace. He kept walking. His Bow and Arrow hung on the shoulders. His parents pleaded with him, saying they didn’t want to lose him but he was resolute. He touched the feet of the Eagle’s nose and began to climb the mountain.

The ascent was very steep and Shourya kept his body close to the rocks, rarely looking backwards. Except for a sudden flight of a bird from the crevices, his ascent was peaceful. It was only a few more steps and he would reach the pinnacle of this mountain.

Resting his knees on the ground, he looked up to the sky. A thousand Suns shone in the sky that had now turned a flaming orange. Slowly, he heaved himself up and looked below. Right under him, a gushing waterfall catapulted in the valley. He held his breath with awe. For never in his life had he seen such a fearsome rush of water. The roaring sound deafened him, the spurt of cold water flying in all directions. One moment he thought he would lose his balance and hurtle down. But he gathered courage and stood still. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his nerves. He must not falter now, he thought.

Slowly, he began his descend in to the valley. By the side of him, the waterfall was in full fury. Crashing on the wall of rocks and making its way through thick bushes and trees that went limp with its onslaught. Shourya kept glancing at this furious outburst of nature. The ground under his feet was wet, making the path slippery but he used all his skills to keep his balance and continued going downwards. Holding on to the rocks, stepping carefully, he was now closer to the mouth of the valley. As he went deeper, the light diminished. The valley appeared to be like a cone, spiraling inwards, making it true to its name, the Yawning valley. Just a few steps and he would be within close distance to discovering what some had succeeded in finding but failed to recognize.

When he reached the bottom of the valley, he witnessed something that took his breath away. There were trees laden with fruits he had not seen before. Ripe, juicy, with vibrant colours. The waterfall had now cascaded into a soft stream winding to the other side. Birds of a verious kind that twittered sweetly. Rays of sun now mellow, creating a golden glow all around. The valley seemed to be charged with energy. Had he entered heaven? He wondered.

“This isn’t heaven, as some who came here believed”. A voice boomed from nowhere. For a moment, Shourya was taken aback.

“Who are you?” One hand on the Bow, he gathered courage and asked.

“Do you really want to know?” The voice asked.

“I have crossed many frontiers, just to come here. To discover the truth of life and also to know what it is that blinded some who came here”.

“I am the truth you seek”.

“If you are the truth, why are you hiding?” Shourya asked.

“My child, it’s not me who is hiding. It’s you who is hiding from it”. The voice was now more resolute.

“Don’t ask me to believe something which I cannot see…” Shourya’s voice trailed.

“What if I tell you that you don’t exist?”

“Now you are making me laugh… Actually I have my doubts if you exist …” Shourya couldn’t keep his temper under control.

“You cannot see me. But we are talking, right? It’s the same with truth. For truth is what you choose to see or not see!”

“Do you mean to say truth is seen by people differently? Oh! How can that be?”

“What is truth to one could be a lie to another…” The voice continued…

“Then how do I discriminate between a truth and a lie?” Shourya was delving deeper…

“That’s up to you to decide… by looking at it from all sides, for truth is multi- dimensional…and the more you try to look at it, the more it will reveal…” Saying this, the voice stopped.

“And what about those who were blinded in their effort to seek it?” Shourya wasn’t finished as yet…

“Their wish to seek the truth was commendable but their disbelief upon finding it did them in. They couldn’t face the stark realities of the truth”. It was the last time that the voice spoke…

Looking up to the sky, Shourya folded his hands in reverence.

It had stopped raining. Water drops falling off branches and leaves making peculiar sounds. There was a chill in the air. The old man folded his hands in reverence...



Tags: story





May 25, '09



Sitting in that picturesque locale, the old man looked still as a statue. The green shadows dancing on his frail body, creating snake like forms. A gentle breeze touched his white beard, playing with its thin strands of hair. A dark cloud slowly made its way above him, the sky turning ashen with its presence. All of a sudden there was a thunderous clapping and it began to rain.

Passing tribesmen scurried for shelter but he sat motionless, the water dripping from his now bald head, over the thick eye brows, in to his eyes and trickling down his raw cheek bones. He wore nothing over his body except a Dhoti. He didn’t feel the coldness of water over his bare chest or over his shoulder blades. Nobody knew since how long he sat there but for that matter, no one cared. For the habitats of the community, he ceased to exist and with reason. As this was the man, who tried to discover, what others thought was only a myth.

As a young boy of eighteen, Shourya was brimming with life. He had many questions to ask but didn’t know whom he could turn to. Unlike other boys his age, for whom finding the right bride was the only aim, Shourya would wonder what life was all about. He would sit by the river, looking at the ball of Sun drowning in the water. It’s red glow creating patterns over the surface. And he would wonder where it goes after that. The other boys teased him for his aloofness but never challenged him, for he was far superior to them in his skills as a hunter.

For others, hunting was just a means to satiate their hunger. For Shourya, it was a way of life. For him, hunting was not a way to exhibit his sharp shooting abilities. It was an avenue to freedom. Freedom to discover, understand and learn. Making his own arrows, he would often experiment with their angle, their thickness. And kill only when required. That was one thing he learnt from the animals. The community was plagued by treachery, falsehood and misery. It was a community on the edge of doom.

He had heard from some old habitats about a certain thing that existed some where up in the mountains. He would hear them talk about it in hushed voices. What they must be talking about, he would wonder. There were stories of some who went in search of it and how they went blind. It was said to be of no particular shape. Translucent, without any blemish and most important, it was said to be self explanatory. Was it human? Or was it an alien? No one knew. But they all agreed on one thing. That it was most elusive.

Lying under the starlit sky, he felt restless. The moon spread its sheen of soft glow. Cool breeze flowing through the trees. But his mind was in turmoil. All around him there was chaos. People drinking extracts of Moh flowers, screaming and quarreling with each other. He got up and went away from the din. But sleep wouldn’t come. For long past midnight, he lay awake. His mind anxious to know what it was beyond the mountains. At the break of dawn, he would embark on his journey.

To be continued...


Tags: story





May 22, '09



होठ अनार लाल जैसे
बालों में गजरा महके
उत्सुक नयन, भावुक मन
लिए वरमाला हाथ में
देखो वो बाला चली
ब्याहने पीया से अपने

कोमल हृदय मेरी बेटी
न जाने संसार गती
प्रार्थना मेरी सुनले दाता
सफल हो हर चुनौती
लाड प्यार मेरा न बने
उसके पैरों की श्रुंखला
दे बल पंखों में
करे सही हर फैसला
याचना सुनो मेरी
माँ कहे तहे दिल से

देखो वो बाला चली
ब्याहने पीया से अपने

नर्म हो सारी राहें
काँटों को दूर रखना
मेहंदी लगे पाँव उसके
जंजीरों से बचाके रखना
भरेगी रंग सारे जहान के
तुम जरा ध्यान देना
नन्ही सी जान हैं वो
फूल जैसे सम्हालना
कली जन्मेगी जरूर
एक दिन उसके डाली पे

होठ अनार लाल जैसे
बालों में गजरा महके
उत्सुक नयन, भावुक मन
लिए वरमाला हाथ में
देखो वो बाला चली
ब्याहने पीया से अपने










May 20, '09



निशब्द रात की कालीन ओढे
सोये चांदनी आँखे मूंदे
धीरे गरजे काले बादल
चले धीमे, बहे हल्के
क्षीण, मंद से लगे
टिमटिम करते तारे
आज चुप हैं सारे ...

सब हैं जानते
क्यूँ आज सोयी हैं
विवाह हुआ जबसे
रात-रात भर चाँद सताए
डोरे डाले यौवन के
चांदनी प्यार से
निशान दे गालों पे ...
क्षीण, मंद से लगे
टिमटिम करते तारे
आज चुप हैं सारे ...

देखे सपने उसके
मधुर आलिंगन के
होठों पे अब भी ताजा हैं
रसभरे, मनभावन
चुम्बन की यादें
करवट बदली तो
तकिया बादल बने ...
क्षीण, मंद से लगे
टिमटिम करते तारे
आज चुप हैं सारे ...

सोने दो उसे आज तो
चाँद गया परदेस
वो भी उसे याद करे
जब लगे पैर में ठेस
उफ़ न करे, आह न निकले
छबी उसकी झलके मन में

निशब्द रात की कालीन ओढे
सोये चांदनी आँखे मूंदे
क्षीण, मंद से लगे
टिमटिम करते तारे
आज चुप हैं सारे ...







May 14, '09



It was six in the evening when Vineet left his Sisters house to return to Mumbai. It was getting darker by the minute and he hurried to reach the highway, from where he could catch a passing Bus.

He came to this village after a gap of five years. The last time he was here, his Sister was married and he had come to drop her after the Bidaai. The village looked just the same as he remembered to have seen earlier. In fact it was frozen in his memory like a snap out of an album. Same houses, same rough and dusty roads and the people too looked to have remained in the same state over the years. The only thing that changed was the life of his sister after the sad demise of her husband one year ago.

His Sister had delivered a baby Boy, Shlok, who turned three this year. Fair, with a sweet mop of black hair, he looked like his Mother, Vineet thought. He brought some toys for his nephew. A remote controlled car, a clapping joker, puzzle games and some drawing books. But the best his nephew liked was the Joker, which would begin to clap, once keyed. And the whole house would resonate with his laughter.

As he reached the end of the village, the houses became scarce and the din reduced. Now he was walking alone, the dust thinner under his feet. An occasional bird would fly past him, tweeting along the way. Other than that, he was engulfed in silence. Then he heard a jingling sound. What could it be? He saw a bullock cart at a distance, the bells chiming as the bulls tread the path. But they were so far, the sound couldn’t be reaching to where he was. What then? Coins? No. He didn’t have any change. Where was the sound coming from, he couldn’t know.

Looking up the way he felt perplexed but couldn’t make out why. He saw some houses at a distance with small flickers of light. Oh! So there are more houses near the highway now, he thought. He hadn’t noticed them some moments ago. He checked his watch, it showed thirty past six. Just one more bend to turn and he would touch the highway. As he walked further, there were even more clusters of houses, which surprised him. The familiar bend that he was looking for wasn’t in sight as yet. And now he was surrounded by even more houses. What’s happening? He wondered aloud. The houses seemed to be sprouting all around him. And he was nowhere close to the highway either. Had he lost his way and entered another village? He didn’t know.

He wasn’t any closer to the highway but far from it, as he soon realized. In fact he wasn’t heading towards the highway at all. He was entering the same village that he had left behind some time ago. How’s that possible? His mind raced to find the cause and he began to sweat profusely.

Just then his cell rang. It was his Sister. What she said sent a chill up his spine. Soon after he left, she locked the house to go to the market with her Son. Upon returning, she found that the house had changed direction. The door was facing eastwards, exactly opposite to its earlier position.

It all added up. His direction towards the highway had changed too. The thought that there’s something sinister happening made him go limp in his legs but only for a moment. He must hurry now and reach his Sister’s house fast, he thought. He saw a great commotion around him; people scurrying about, talking animatedly. Some were hysterical with shock, others silent and wide eyed with speculation. Apparently all the houses from the village had spun around. Some had turned full, some halting midway. No one was caught off balance while the houses spun around, a fact which Vineet found very amazing.

As he approached his Sister’s house, he found her, as well as many other villagers gathered around, whispering to each other. The first thing Vineet did was to pacify them. Even though he didn’t have any clue about why this phenomenon had taken place, he hoped to find a way to reach its cause. But how, he didn’t know. Finally, he reached his Sister’s house.

People had lit lanterns but they were unable to free the village from being engulfed in darkness. With shadows which would ordinarily mean nothing, created more fear in their minds. Just then a cat jumped from a wall and straight on to Vineet and he screamed, adding to the confusion. While he tried to evade this sudden assault, he fell to the ground, something jingling out of his trouser pocket. It was the key of the clapping joker. That afternoon, like any kid his age, Shlok had put the key in his mouth and Vineet hurriedly hid it in his pocket. So that’s what was making the strange sound, as it banged against his cell, he remembered. As he held the key in his palm, it vibrated.

Now he knew what may have happened. It wasn’t the houses that had changed direction. It was the village which had turned around, each time the key turned in his pocket. But how can this have happened, he didn’t know. Nor could he explain his gumption that this key could have been the cause. He must destroy the key, at least bury it some place.
Quickly he began to dig the ground with bare hands. People around him didn’t know what he was up to. His Sister asked him but he was too busy to answer. He must give this a try, he thought. He put the key inside the depths of the ground and covered it with soil.

There was hushed silence as all watched with anxiety. No one moved or said a word. For some moments, the ground seemed to reverberate, tiny clouds of dust appearing above the ground. After a while, there was no movement. To the astonishment of all, the direction of the village came back to normal. Slowly, all gathered around Vineet and thanked him for his presence of mind, which saved them from this supernatural encounter.

The joker stood motionless. Standing in a corner, Shloak was clapping softly.



Tags: story, spooky





Mar 19, '09



The two cars were riding at a very normal speed. One moment they would be in a row, in another, some other car would come in between them. In one car, it was Bhaskar and his wife Geetanjali, Manohar their elder son, with wife Karuna and their daughter Sneha who was fourteen. And in the other, it was their younger son Vishnu with his wife Suhasini and daughter Mehek, who was five. Manohar’s elder son Kunal insisted that he would come on his bike. He even joked that even if he started after they all did, he would reach the “Wadaa”, the old family home, before they would.

Geetanjali thought of talking to Kunal but refrained, thinking he must be riding. Bhaskar or ‘Dada’, as he was fondly called, would visit the home of his ancestors quite often but this time, there was a reason why the whole family was gathering here. Some members of his family were of the opinion that the ‘Wada’ must be sold to a builder. For lately the family was going through a financial crunch. And in their opinion, the ‘Wada’ could be a boon for them. With the new Airport coming up in the neighborhood, they would get a whopping price for such a huge property. Other than himself, there were only his wife Geetanjali and their grand son Kunal, who were against such a decision.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Krishna, the care taker, had dusted the twelve rooms of the Wadaa, for he knew, that the whole family was coming for a stay over the weekend. The Dog “Sheru” who accompanied Krishna like a shadow also seemed enthusiastic. In a playful mood, it kept following him all around the house.

“Just look at you! You look so dirty, you know that? What will Dada say if he sees you like this? That I don’t look after you well enough! Wait here, I am going to pour some water on you, whether you like it or not!” Scratching Sheru behind the ear, Krishna said.

Frightened, Sheru ran away to the backyard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kunal, with his ear-plugs on, was riding at a brisk pace. Just moments ago, he topped the fuel tank. There wasn’t much traffic at this hour, he noticed. He heard someone honking from behind so he allowed that car to pass by. He decided to take the new inter-section, not known to many. He knew that this way he would reach earlier than the others. Lost in thought, he didn’t see the truck approaching round the bend. Turning the handle towards left, he tried to brake. But before he could do that, the truck scraped through the right side of his bike, severing his leg, throwing him completely off-balance. At the last moment, he let go off the handle, his body flying several feet upwards, he crashed on the road with a thud. The truck rode on, like nothing ever happened.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waking up at dawn, Krishna quickly went to work. He cleaned the glasses of all the lamps, lights, even the chandelier. He ensured that the frames, portraits on the walls were spotless clean. By the time he finished mopping the floors, keeping the furniture tidy and clean, filling drinking water, washing necessary utensils, it was nine in the morning. He also made sure the phone was hooked on properly, for in the absence of network, the family would need it even more. He took bath and cleaned the deity’s in the ‘Devhara’ or the place of worship, chanting the name of the Lord and offered some flowers. The only thing remained to be done now, was to draw some ‘Rangoli’ in the entrance door.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was not a vehicle to be seen, nor a soul passing by. Bleeding profusely, Kunal lay unconscious. The scorching sun beating down on him, his clothes torn at places and his body swathed in mud. His cell rang thrice, but he was beyond hearing Geetanjali’s voice. A man could be seen emerging from the far end of the road. Heavily built with a fair complexion, wearing a ‘Dhoti’, a ‘Januva’, the sacred thread, worn sideways and a piece of orange cloth over his shoulder. A gold chain and a ring shimmering in the sun light, a blazing red ‘Tikka’ on his forehead. With eyes that were calm and focused. Bare feet, he walked with authority. Coming close to Kunal, he wrapped the piece of cloth around his leg, then picked him up in his arms carefully and began to walk towards the other direction.


Krishna was watering the ‘Tulsi’, when he saw the cars coming in. He ran inside the house to get some ‘Bhakar Tukda’ or pieces of ‘Roti made from Jawar’, to be turned around the family members, a custom which is observed to turn the evil away. As all of them descended from the cars, Bhaskar looked up at the ‘Vaastu’ with pride. For Manohar and Vishnu, this Vaastu would open the doors to financial stability. Sneha would come with her parents when younger, so she knew the Wadaa inside out. However it was only for the second time that Mehek was coming here. She looked at the Wadaa with astonishment. Holding on to her Mother Suhasini, she looked wide eyed, delighted to see this immense structure. But what attracted her attention the most was the ‘Jhoola’ or the swing in the verandah. Krishna had tied Sheru in the backyard, still the barking could be heard and Mehek held on to her Mother’s hand even tighter. Once inside, Krishna served them with some tea and biscuits.

“Krishna, you have kept the Wadaa very clean I must say”. Dada seemed pleased.

“Jee Saheb…” Is all Krishna could say. This Wadaa gave him all he could ask for. Shelter, love, companionship…

Geetanjali tried Kunal’s cell again. To her surprise, it was a woman who answered. She was a nurse at a hospital. Kunal had met with an accident but was now out of danger. His injuries weren’t serious, she added. Not many saw him but the man who admitted Kunal, resembled a “Brahmin”, she said.

There was gloom on everyone’s face. In that state of mind, the savior of Kunal went unnoticed, except for Krishna. He closed his eyes and silently thanked Him. Leaving Sneha and Mehek behind with Krishna, they rushed to the hospital.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------















Mehek tagged along with Sneha, looking curiously at the huge frames, chandeliers and vases. She marveled at the lamps cast in metal the most, for they were so towering, she had to stand on her toes to see them. Later, they went in the backyard and Sheru began to bark with joy.

“Oh! Sheru… Poor thing, you want to be freed dear?” Sneha asked, hugging the dog. Feeling scared, Mehek scurried inside the house and hid behind Krishna or so she thought. For it wasn’t Krishna but ‘Him’, who stood there, moving his hand over her head, pacifying her. Who is this man, she wondered. Just then Sneha walked in with Sheru in tow. Sneha was equally stunned at what she saw. There was a soft glow around that man. His face was full of compassion. Motioning Sheru, he smiled. Without a whimper, Sheru obeyed.

In a gesture to shake hands, Sheru offered his paw to Mehek. While Sneha looked intently, the glow softened and in a moment, He was gone.

Sneha couldn’t believe what she just saw. Who is this man? Where did he appear from? Where did he vanish? She must talk to Dadaji, for he may know who he is, she thought.

To the relief of all, Kunal was discharged the next day. Geetanjali tended to him, with all the family members taking turns in monitoring his medication, looking after him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Dadaji, I need to tell you something…” Sneha began cautiously.

“What is it dear…?” Dada asked.

“It’s very peculiar actually…” She was unsure if it can be asked.

Dada looked at her in anticipation.

“We saw a man that day, right inside this house. I don’t know who he is and where he came from. He just… sort of appeared from no where!” Tall, well built, fair…” Her voice trailed.

“What? What did you say? Someone just appeared? Here inside the house?” Dada was clearly taken aback. Just then Dada noticed Krishna walking in.

“Krishna, what’s Sneha saying? What about this man? Who is he? Someone came visiting?” Dada opened a barrage of questions. “Saheb, allow me to explain”. Krishna said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The time was eleven in the night. They had dinner together and were sitting in the verandah. The full moon could be seen shining like a lantern in the sky, the shape of a rabbit over its surface, now even more visible. Mehek looked intensely at that sweet ball of delight.

Dada sat in an arm chair, Krishna sitting at his feet, with Sheru by his side and Mehek reclining on him. The whole family gathered around, they looked a picture straight out of an album. Karuna, the elder daughter in law was busy preparing Betel leaves, adding ingredients to it.

“You don’t seem to be too willing to sell this Wadaa”. Looking at Dada, Manohar said. Vishnu was glad that finally they were going to discuss the topic openly. Geetanjali, their Mother didn’t like him to discuss it so soon. They had hardly been here a day and Kunal was suffering too.

“Who would be? First of all, this is our ancestral home and we must preserve it with all we have. In fact I was planning to do up some repairs. Time seems to have taken its toll on it. But most importantly, this Wadaa may be declared heritage by the Government, do you know that?” Dada tried his best to convince his sons.

“What’s the use of such a structure if it won’t fetch us anything?” And you know how much pressure we have, with the kind of losses we made”. Vishnu added.

“Dada, it’s a goldmine actually. The builder is ready to give us Ten crores for it. And that will solve all our financial problems”. Manohar continued.

Karuna and Suhasini were bewildered with that figure. Ten crores! Wow! What all can be done with that kind of money, they thought. As yet, Geetanjai, their Mother in law maintained her silence. But looking at their expectant faces, she thought of intervening.

“I agree with what your father says. This Wadaa is where you have grown. How can you look at it as some property which can be sold for your own needs? This Vaastu is a gift of our forefathers. And it must be treasured”. Looking at her sons, she said with authority.

Manohar and Vishnu were stunned with her earnestness. Dada heaved a sigh of relief for Geetanjali seconded his opinion. Standing a little away from them all, He stood in silence. Looking at Geetanjali, He folded his hands and greeted her. She looked at Him with amazement.

Krishna, Sneha, Mehek too saw Him. One by one, all the family witnessed, what they had only heard about. There was stunned silence, as they sat transfixed. The man made way for all to see what He had brought with Him. Right behind Him, there were cascades of Gold. His eyes were urging the family to accept, what He thought would solve their problem. No one moved. As they were too astonished to even react. Slowly, He began to dissolve with the surrounding. That was the last anyone of the family saw Him.

“Let me tell you who he is now. Even I didn’t believe my ears, the first time Krishna told me about Him. But now I am sure He exists, in this Vaastu. And He is saying something to us, can’t you see? He saved Kunal from near death. And now He has given you, what you were dreaming of acquiring by selling the Vadaa”. He is the Vaastu-Purush.and he has been our savior, ever since we set foot here. We must be thankful to Him, for He gave us all what in fact we should have given Him”. Dada gave them a piece of his mind.

The two brothers and their wives realized what a grave error they were about to make by selling the Vadaa.
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Inside, Kunal was half asleep. He could hear faint voices of the family. He felt hopeless at the thought that it was only the greed of money that had brought his father and his uncle together. How he wished he could go join them outside.

A cool breeze came in from the open window. He felt the need to pull the blanket but his hand wouldn’t move. Just then he felt the presence of someone sitting by his side. It was his savior, yet unknown to him. He put the bed sheet over Kunal and put a hand on his forehead. Kunal moaned unknowingly. The touch calmed him.
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Mansukh bhai was furious, for at the last moment, the family declined his offer to sell the Wadaa. He would make at least Fifty crores from the tower he planned to build after it was demolished. In frustration, he drank more than usual. He must destroy, who made him suffer this loss, he thought. Till late in the night, he kept devising plans to bring the family to repent their decision. He slept there itself in the hallway of his home. Hearing a weird sound, he woke up with a start. He tried to focus at that unfamiliar shape.

First he saw the head, the eyes only partly visible. Then as if slowly emerging from the depths, the Python like figure came into view. It had ten heads, only the center head with two eyes and the rest without any. Towering above the hallway gallery, it spewed foul breaths. Banging its tail on the ground, its head protruded right up to him, close to his face, eyes bulging, hide quivering with fury. Mansukh wanted to scream but none would come. His eyes felt the heat of its rage. His face froze and his heart stopped.







Tags: story





Mar 12, '09


 NO!

I wouldn’t want to be reborn as a Woman…

Who would dote on her Son
And treat her Daughter with apathy
Nurse her Son’s wounds with more care
Neglecting those of her Daughter’s
Telling her to be brave, endure…


I wouldn’t want to be reborn as a Woman…

And suffer the beating of her Husband
Have sex with him, when HE wants it
Why, even share him with another Woman
Thinking it’s his right to be begamous
Say sorry, even beg, for no fault…


I wouldn’t want to be reborn as a Woman…

Who would put up with
Taunts, ridicule, of her In-laws
In silence for a life time
Abort the baby without shame, if it’s a Girl
Rejoice; celebrate if it’s a baby Boy…


I wouldn’t want to be reborn as a Woman…

Who spends her life in the kitchen
Feeding the family what they want
Hardly giving any thought
To what she loves, enjoys eating
Feel content being just a housewife…

I wouldn’t want to be reborn as a Woman…

Who loves her Daughter’s children
And ill treats those of her Son
Just because it’s her Daughter in law
Who gave them birth
Thus completing the vicious circle…


No, I would never want to be reborn as such a Woman…



Tags: poetry, poem











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