stories

that rogue

2007-01-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Truly I don’t know how many people have been saved by the saviour as the church is just laughing lots today, because principles and ethics are not what rule the church from the very day after the grand murder in two thousand years. Man has been always like that – may be there are exceptions by so made pious by the similar people which speak different in the backstage. For years they do rituals and charities foreseeing it would be the easiest way to the glory.
But, surely there is one soul which might had a great impact from seeing that face and being the reason for his prospect. He might have been the outlaw or the rogue in the eyes of people, but in fact have ever any one went after that individual, because one and all knows what happened to the disciples and the later transformations which paved way to a system established on power, money, prejudice and countless other issues, but not the real institution which the savoir-faire son has foreseen.
The truth is the rogue who got the free will from the intricate justice of that era in reward for the life of another person actually did not attained liberty from his chaos conscience from the very moment he viewed that face; depicted with the creative talents of the foolish and boorish barbarians.

He strode and at the end of the street had two paths before him, one back to the old world of illicit and obscurity. The other one was not a new one but was veiled by his clogged eyes earlier, but had the worst hitches man had to surmount as it had the trails and tribulations of this world and also an eligibility ordeal to another; which no man wanted as splendour was cheap to acquire but expensive to refuse.
The great book portrays many people having visions and even wicked turning into that system. But, in reality the list is very petite, even a pre-schooler might count them, rest are just mode of some manly extravaganza as lavishness of many of these domineering people is not unknown when there were nations which don’t have any of the 20th century innovations as they were frozen in the 14th or 15th century.
He did not hesitated like us, we judge death as a different yarn and since nothing was told by any experienced about that other world we need not panic; but have any thought the place where we wish to be won’t be having any reservation even with all the room left for another earth but in the place where we don’t want to go will be having the mammoth crowd and our fate will be consumed by burning fire and torturing events.
He knew he was standing and breathing the pure but not that smelly air in the stony closed walls of because the people wanted him to be free but because they wanted a sanctified man skewed to death because he spoke like no man ever did and accomplished tasks which but was wrong in the eyes of then creed.
First he went to his house which he has not seen for years and it was already dawn when he reached there. He saw people subsiding to the sides seeing him. He saw his poor house almost ruined.
As the society always did and do; they never acknowledge a person who did something off beam once, but keen to do well in his rest life, a dark shadow always linger.

He started walking and in due course he traveled long enough from the painful last hours of a chivalrous person. None was there to record the later life of this individual who was the only person in flesh who was traded for by the people and the rest, as for the sins of the whole mankind would be left with that valiant soul and if so, have sin went downhill – “NO” it has only escalated; no matter what the white clad or so made bosses decree.
He traveled through the nature’s wild dilemma as it was fuming at the sacrifice of its beloved and innocent superior. But the torrid mind was so harder to control than any other predicament he had to go through. Whenever he shut eyes, face of an innocent sheep came to his wild dreams as it chased him far and wide.

What made him to travel to the Dark Continent is still an unanswered question as he reached there even before the fearful and egocentric disciples would have reached there. The whole world was viewing the drastic changes after that ultimate hour of silence however the unrepentant people lead the lives as if nothing took place.
He reached the land of uncertainties and he did not had anything to be feel secure as the whole land had been started being dominated by the higher creed and powerful. He was seen as another assaulter and moreover he was not sent according to the decision by the power of spirit or religion to accumulate more to the path of man made truth and he had no qualities to be a preacher and what does a person, a street crook could have within him.
He was not spared long. As the under cultured man eaters acted fast before he could even speak out a word. But, what importance does he have in the history of a famous group making? Of course he was a strong and bold person to take the path of troubles to at least proclaim the severe transformation he had because of a single soul whom he believes died absolutely for him. What more can you ask from a person who neither know anything about what he needs to do nor was in any sort of “group” with standards and ethics in black and white but abides not even by the authors.
Truly one feel that this person was a rogue who to an extend paved way to the murder of an innocent, but are we by any far, more than him as proclamation of rebirth and confessions are in large but not a single human could overcome the egocentricity and we act like we don’t see it or try not to be seen in many great souls who were once public ideals.
He left his earthly body in midst of an extensive but vain mission but his willingness to serve without any so called “devotion” is what that should be appreciated and may be he would be another persona sitting on the other side along with that astonishing felon of the last hours.

that sacrifice

2007-01-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

The due date for paying her fees was impending. She knew even if her sister works a good deal that will not be sufficient, as the administrations anything it is; democratic or autocratic they just want to squeeze the deprived. Their life was already in doldrums. She was younger to her only sibling by over fifteen years and some say the eldest was even her mother. She knew her sister incredibly well-- her solitude, her sacrifices as a young and attractive woman, and her dozens of jobs in short period.

Looking at the setting Sun they sat on the sand which had a special mood with its day warmth subsiding while the dusk coldness soothing it. This was the place were they shared dreams along with the trials and tribulations. They met there in the sands a year back.
Were they in love; that’s indefinite? They had a lively and prolific relation which blossomed at that shore and was evolving thereabouts itself, not pervading into the rushes of daily life outside. The lady was that elder sister.

The Sun departs deep into the oceans and the streets were slowly calming down to numbness except some night dwellers. The lady was walking back home, unexpectedly bumping on to a friend of her. She was a receptionist at a private business and the lady was amazed at the way she dressed. While talking the elder sister told her how hard it was after studies to get a job. Her friend said one have to sacrifice many things if you want to gain and even have to do things which you don’t. Just then a high-born car stopped by and she saw her friend getting into it after a small chat, but before she set out she gave her address and told the lady to contact soon.

She was fired again from a job, being late due to another work. She had two jobs because of the normal debts an average family overloads, but hers was added due to a drunkard but died father and worthless hospital expenditures for the mother, also dead. She decided to see that friend to find whether she could help. After talking to the friend she found out that it was the matter of money making by surrendering the most valuable bequest a woman holds, which countless does to meet the ends and some does to lead a lavish life like her friend. Her friend told her it was great money and it was just matter of some hours and people she deals are only those with foreign cars.

When she thought of all the problems and the protection of her sister and to keep that secure place where they live she made up her mind and decided to go with her friend’s idea. She went to a colossal hotel as her friend told and met a bearded man who took her scores of floors high. Standing outside a room for some minutes she was asked to enter the room by the bearded man who came back from the room and she heard the door close behind.
Her virtuous conscience but was still waiting outside.
The dim light inside like in a cinema hall made her blind for a while. After regaining her night vision she saw a body lying on the big bed awaiting his prey for a bloody pleasure like an uncastrated dog.

The pressure of society and life makes many plunges into pits of obscurity. Yet many rises from the anonymity to an upright state and that lady did the same as she knew she sinned heftily before God, but repentantly she laid herself wholly into the hands of omnipotent.

She did not just become aware of the reality, but everything altered after that night. She did not go to the beach sands ever after to share her qualms with that man whom she believed sincerely and gave her full affection. She was late to know that he was just like any worthless men waiting to seize upon on a woman to fulfill nothing but their evil thirst.

Her life changed totally after that night seeing that man in the bed.

that stranger

2007-01-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

Every one meets plenty of faces daily which some are discerned but mostly absolute strangers. I also come across hundreds day after day but populace those are strangers will not be of much concern, unless they are doing something peculiar. However, strangers are not always strange; sometimes more friendly than your dear ones and the warmth of a very short time spent is exclusive. At times, such encounters could even lead to long lasting relationships. Many of us meet and greet strangers and would even get involved in-group discussions of which you even do not know a single member neither do the rest. Certain personalities that you meet may linger in your conscious for long but slowly fades as days passes by.

It was another warm morning in this land where summer had been harsher than usual. People like me from the ethnic background but has experienced hotter climates so it was no big deal. I woke up hearing the near by lady calling for her dog which would have went off the leash. It was a Saturday and nothing was there much to be done. I like traveling on trains on holidays and I set off to my school to get some details and planned to visit my sister and family later. The journey was nice with the majority dressing like cowboys or cowgirls’ at least for this week. It was for the greatest outdoor carnival in the planet and that is what this city; Calgary is famous for – Calgary Stampede.

After sorting out my matters at school, I stared walking back to the train station. I saw many renovations been made to the school. New things replaced the old so fast that was actually like the normal societal life.
There was a person of about my age with shabby hair and a beard scarcely spread on his face walking ahead of me. He had a heavy backpack and was singing occasionally. When we reached the station, it was empty as we missed a train just then. I sat on a bench and a cool breeze flew soothingly. He came and sat beside me and I was a bit startled as I felt him being a little crazy from the appearance. He broke the silence after the scuttle of a train going in the other direction settled. He asked whether I had any painkillers and even specifically said a brand name, which I did not make out. As I said, no I was accepting him to ask some money as usual like many other characters whom I have met, some even calling you brother or sir. I asked him why he needed the pills for which he said his shoulder was aching from excessive biking. As I felt more comfortable talking to him I asked where he lived. He said he lived in an aided drop in center being a flood victim. He said he used to live in a basement of a house more than a century old with all the cracks and fissures everywhere. He continued narrating that on the day when the water entered his basement the water pipe approaching the washer also blew off creating utter chaos and later he was summoned to live in the relief centre. I asked him what he did, was he schooling or working. He said he was planning to join the college where I studied or some other where he gets an admission. I asked whether he had any family. He said only relative he has was a cousin sister who was studying in the arts college on the other side of the station where we were sitting.

After a small break, I inquired from where was he, as he did not look a Canadian. He said he was from Bahrain and asked whether I know about that country. I told him I know most of the gulf countries, as they were the epicenter of many lethal activities these days. He then said he was a Muslim, principally a ‘Proud Muslim’. A sudden heat passed through my body as that faction was viewed as the most dangerous by many for the act of a few within that religion and for some reasons to some extend I think for all the turmoil and pain those people have gone through one can expect more from them. Their counter attacks on many great cities are so well planned and such cities deliberated to have resilient security shells and were assumed sanctuary of serenity.

As my senses went, roaming the train arrived, bidding adieu to him and wishing good luck that stranger entered another car, and everything was back to normal. What I was surprised was that even though he was a person in immense need, he did not mention anything about money. I feel how much blessed I was with all the comforts of life I had so far without much troubles which many millions are going through even at this moment I write these words.

Strangers are there for to teach you lessons and what we grasp from it is more important and has to be evaluated, whether we are just cramping up in our luxuries or is sharing it with other people who are in greater needs at this point. We are enjoying the time on the expense of not ours but some others residing somewhere in fears and turmoil.

that surprise

2007-01-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

They had everything in common, same savor in outfits, makeup, hair clips, chocolates and a whole lot girls of seven should have. They travel to their school on the same train with their fathers who are on their way to work. They chatter all the way with the busy office goers staring at them, some with fun some desperately hoping the girls would shut their mouths so they could concentrate on their own world. It has been same way for almost six months now and as common, the fathers became friends too and would talk about the stressful jobs they have or about the politics or other gossips.
The girls have wide mouths and talk about the day they had before as they will not be able to be together on their way back home. One talk about her mother, how she dresses and cooking, while the other talks about her mother who was no longer with her for some time after her parent’s separation, also narrates from memories. They talk about how they spent their weekends. They talk about their teachers how some stare and how caring are some, their arts class and about naughty students.

It was on a Friday morning the father of one girl invited the counterparts for the birthday party on a Sunday. They reached there after the party started. The girls began caught up in fun and games while the elders started onslaught on the buffet cart.
Suddenly the birthday girl shouted “mommy” when her mother entered the house and ran unto her; the other one was surprised for a second, as she did not know what was happening and did not know what to say. She also called “mommy” and ran unto her; the whole invitees were bewildered, same for the two fathers as nothing was as embarrassing as that.

I hope that the fathers changed their schedules frantically and the girls would have never seen again; who knows. That is how sometimes time plays its game revealing some truths which had to be hidden for the better.

that thought

2007-01-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

School and college have been not always exciting but in school you are cared and observed extensively which but are not there much in college. In college, there were some real boring classes, in which I stayed so active paying attention to the teacher but my mind would be wandering somewhere else. Mostly it was the same for many. I will be scratching on paper or on the textbook’s sides with lines or notions that come to my mind.
Such was once; when one teacher went from the syllabus into the past and current affairs, which he was repeating at least the fifth time. I got uninterested and started thinking looking out through the windows out into the sky, which had little sprinkles of clouds spread but its bluish shade well, spotted. I thought about my days in the school. They were not that lively because I felt the time in a class fasten within the four walls. Several eyes would scrutinize you, the liberty is most limited, and above all the partiality of teachers, but what is the result? The kids suffer the immense pressure and similar to a shaken pop bottle opened, those kids once out of that prison dash into the worst paths so hastily. Too many rules and policies may maintain the reputation of the school intact but not the lives spending a good part of their existence there and primarily during the most significant phase of growing.
Then from grave thoughts, my imagination roamed to a different direction thinking about the each day, if I was not there in the school because it was during those days I craved for holidays.
On Mondays, I yearn to be a Monkey, jumping from trees to trees liberally devoid of any control. Playing, eating, and throwing at others, not the zoo type but one that is free in the jungles.
On Tuesdays, I like being a Turkey; shouting, cheering and roaming freely with the widespread wings attracting everybody. I like others yelling at me to stop the blast because the sound of a turkey really shrills like breaking of glass.
On Wednesdays, I crave to be Water. If I was water I could flow unreservedly everywhere with no dilemma, carrying scores of other organisms and the gush through gutters and forests offer diverse scenery. I like children playing with me but hates when if I turn into a scary object during floods and heavy downpour.
On Thursdays, my desire is to be a Tamarind. Its sourness liked by many and being a vital ingredient in dishes, which people appreciate. It is great to be in the memories even though nobody cares for me much.
On Fridays, I wish to be Fuel, whose energy providing power to many. I hate when they curse me when value goes soaring and it is only because they use it with no care and waste it in loads. I feel devoted when many excel with my support but hates when they fight for me killing each other.
While I was visualizing about all these the bell rang and it was time for lunch. On my way back to hostel, I thought what has all those daydream bestowed; nothing. After that, I contemplated that although dry and dull I went to the lifeless chairs, desks and blackboards that screech when scratched repeatedly for almost twelve years.

that woman

2007-01-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

She was my friend and the tale which I am going to narrate is about her. That woman came into my life during a critical phase; the time of transition from a girl to woman was slowly completing. She was with whom I shared my room longer than with any person I did. Even with my husband I could not live for full two years – he is not deceased but……. This story is not about me but about that woman where in some junctures I too appear to play my character.

It was the first year into the greatest war’s first part, which was consuming the economy and lives without any compromises all through the planet, and stability was not seen anywhere as the war may not directly hit the entire nook and corners but its echo travels to even the unmanned islands and forests. As this country was under the British regime, many people were recruited to die as scapegoats. The entire nation was shaking under the White man’s boots. Counter acts emerged under many against them, but was not as strong as it should have been. Many believes long after that it was their fight that gave the freedom to that country, but it was not, the Whites were tired of persecution like an old crook. But, what was the goodness of liberation as the whole country is under doldrums even after years of independence with highly corrupted administration from top to bottom. That is today, but that woman’s story started long before the country saw its deliverance.

She was ten when the war started.
She was the daughter of two English doctors who arrived on a mission to the South India when she was just seven months old. They were accomplishing solemn missionary works and lived in a colony only for the White. As the parents were busy regularly the girl was looked after by a Malayalam nanny [from Kerala; a state in South India] with whom she was making a bond which lasted a lifetime. She studied in a school primarily for the English were occasionally she saw black kids who were the children of high administrative officers in the British government. She was a reserved girl whose friends were the books and garden, which her nanny looked after. The nanny who even was not fluent in English made her read bible and prayed persistently. Mostly the little girl did not even see her parents for weeks, as they would be in extended trips. They did not even celebrate her last two birthdays. She was but very adaptable and was not of belligerent nature.

It was so impulsive that unusual to the trips her parents took, they were packing large. They were of to an emergency call to serve wounded in the war for their government overseas. They could have declined but did not do that, as they left the whole scene in a flash but the little girl continued her life as nothing happened. The government did her education and care taking and as just being alone with her nanny, she had to move to a smaller place. Even there she and the nanny brought up an attractive garden quickly.
Soon she was going to matriculate from school [finish high school]. Her contact with parents was limited to the letters and gifts sent by them.

It was seven years since her parents left and for the past one year, there was nothing to be heard, good or bad about her parents. She did not know what to do as the world was cooling after the big sweltering but something was brewing for a new somewhere. Her school was done and if she wants to go to college, she preferred a college in Calcutta in the Far East of the country. Nevertheless, she is all alone to make decisions as her funds coming from the government were lessened.

What about her dear nanny? She left her and the world a year back due to cancer. It was unusual on an evening coming back from school seeing a stranger, almost bald but well dressed in dhoti and shirt in front of her house. He talked to her in the veranda for long. He revealed all the past until the moment they were talking. He said he was the person who was supposed to marry her nanny long back but the burden of life prevented her and above that, it was the divergence in caste. However, they stayed in relation but did not cared what the world whispered or reacted. However, after she started as a nanny she wrote to him to get a different life, which but he refused. He did not come to disturb her but continued his work as a shopkeeper until one day he received a letter from her. She said she was suffering from leukemia and was almost in the mid-stage and what is left with is only a little time. Moreover, today that secret she kept behind her smiling and compassionate face is long-gone as she was finally waiting for her moment of ultimate parting. The person from whom that girl got all the courage to fight the odds left behind her dearest and beloved behind. She had to fight forward that was what her cherished caretaker has taught her and finally she made that vital conclusion. She left all her childhood memories and misery behind and with the assistance from the church and neighbors, that girl is leaving to join one of the prominent institutions in the country.

We were in the final year in that college, it was the graduation day for me, and my prolonged room mate as well. She was the only girl in her class of seventeen, while had some friends in my Economics Major class. She took English as Major; was an active partaker in debating and other literary functions, and even wrote pretty well, mostly poems. She has decided to take teaching as her career. For me it was no choice but marriage, as that was what my family said when I decided to go for college. After we bid adieu to that college and room, I invited her to come over to my house and meet my family, which she gladly accepted.
We traveled together in the carriage where we had anyone disturbing with their snoring or babbling. The train journey took almost three hours to my place and it has already blanketed by dark all over. When we reached my house, she was surprised to see a house like that, almost a palace. We were a royal family and my father was a senior officer in the British government. My mother, grandma and sister welcomed us. She was amazed by all the interior decorations and help we had for everything. My sister was also educated from the same college, even though our seniors did not like girls going to study. Our father insisted and stood for us and being the head of the house none had the valor to say anything against him. She was married for seven years, but sadly had no children which was a cheerless matter in the family and when I told my friend about this she felt so bad for my sister.
She was given a room in the top floor and had windows that gave the ultimate view in the morning from where one could see the sun emerging behind the seas of golden wheat fields.
We went to sight seeing in the morning and walked through the mango orchards that was not ours but of another rich family. We had my dumb friend and another boy accompanying, they climbed trees to pluck fruits, and my dumb friend played mouthorgan so good, which she liked so much. The other boy said the orchard was of the family from which the groom for me was coming. I felt timid and ran off to the riverbanks. She gave me a hard time making me to explain about my prospective husband. My boldness vanished but today I felt no regrets separating from a person who, but was only after our money. He cared none even his family. He seemed sick when I last saw him in a gathering at a wedding but we did not talked, which was the same for thirty years after we parted in the court.

She attended my marriage, which was arranged hastily by the two families, and the celebration was as intense being the last marriage in the family for some time. She attended it wearing a Sari which but fitted well to her body. After the marriage and celebrations, we parted as she got a job in the town in an English school, which was set by my father. She was good with kids and I wondered when her loneliness would end, as she never talked about her life or future. For sometime, we did not contacted much but after my separation, I also moved to town to work in a bank since staying at home felt so uncomfortable. We did not stay together this time, as she had to be in the school all the time as it was a residential mode. We met every weekend, went for concerts or theatre programs, and dined out. I accompanied her to church and she came with me when I went to the temple. My salary was not that good as I still prevailed from the support of my parents.

The whole scene in the freedom fighting was taking a new turn as new approach of offensive methods emerged all over but not anything was fine enough even to give the Whites a stutter.

We were growing as my life saw its shift as no man seemed good for me but she was thinking of going back to her country to enquire about her parents. I was surprised, but I knew that woman had the strongest of the mindset and made her decisions to work unlike me who but succumbed to pressure easily and required my parents always. She started trying to get back to her country where she actually belonged but it was not easy as she had no passport or proof but what she had was only the white skin. With my father’s help, we tried our best but nothing was easy as the world was only slowly healing from a big abrasion and the system to be restored to full fledge, took time.

She took me with her to England, a country smaller than a province in India but the controller of mammoth countries under its feet. She got a place to reside for two of us at a monastery through the help of the parson of her church back in India. Her plans were to trace down with the help from the organization where her parents worked. They were highly obliging and advised us to come back after a week.

Meanwhile even whilst murkiness in the mood we set of to see extreme countryside and traveled by train and it was highly inspirational. It has been almost eight years since I have known her but during such period one would get to comprehend a person’s greater part. However, with her it was tough for me. I knew very petite about that woman but only had peripheral norm of relation, which went efficiently as I was aware of her taste in food and leisure.

One week later, when we contacted the organization they revealed some dramatic news about her parents. They had to go to the Dark Continent’s very end, to South Africa but never reached there as their ship wrecked on the way and until now, their existence was not confirmed dead or alive. They said it was informed to their family. I think her nanny knew it and hid another secret giving the girl some hope in the life rather than eloping from realities at a very young age. They gave her some contact information about her family in London. She did not know whether to go meet them out of the blue, moreover she has no proof but only some pictures. I urged her to do so because I felt that would at least give her a deliberation that someone is there to relate rather than living like a stray. When we reached there, they welcomed with complete compassion and took our word. We spent some time there, as the murkiness was evident in the air. There were stories of sorrows to be heard all over, some killed, some lost or some hurt in the war.

There was an old woman who was her father’s aunt. She revealed another truth that her father had another daughter from his first affair that many did not know. Sometime later that lady who had the affair with her father died of some illness and the little girl was sent to an orphanage. When she grew became a baker and later married a soldier. The soldier was killed in the war and unable to overcome the despair she committed suicide and left her baby girl behind. That baby was awaiting foster parents and none was showing up as the period of war created voids in relationships and in its meaning.

Today when I stop writing about delineation of my friend’s life, I did not articulate much about her but only portrayed some junctures at certain instances.

We came back to India soon with that baby. She lived with both of us, we were like her mothers, and my friend lived just for the consolation of her niece.

When the girl was twelve my friend planned to live her rest life at a monastery for poor and suffering in that city where she studied. Unfortunately one day while in the market she got muddled up in a mob who were rallying against the White and she was not spared by the insane revolutionaries as the poor could not hung to life long after being hit by stones. She is no more today but left that girl with me who will be leaving me soon to her country to study and live amongst with her people.

The world was traumatized by another war and soon after its end, this country became free and the White was gradually retrieving as my little white girl who was twenty also left. She writes to me regularly, as I am the only soul left for her to show gratitude. She is married with two kids now. I am now at my parent’s house and with little luxuries around me as we lost many in the due course but was left with some fields after all the partitions within the family. I had my sister who is now a widower living with me, but was still unwavering like that woman. That woman was a great thing ensued to me as she influenced me significantly, at my times of crunchiness. Her story would not need much of a depiction because her life was only eventful like any normal person lived throughout two grand wars except for the series of misfortunes she had to face. Nevertheless, we had a jovial time when that baby came into our almost dull life but it was sad the people whom she loved most killed that woman.

Let me stop as it is time for the walk in the garden, a thing which That Woman, my friend loved most.