N for Narrow Escape
Aditya Sinha
16.04.2020
Aditya Sinha
16.04.2020
Showing posts with label Short Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Story. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 April 2020
Wednesday, 15 April 2020
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
Monday, 13 April 2020
Friday, 10 April 2020
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Wednesday, 8 April 2020
Saturday, 7 March 2015
"Where there is will – there is a way" - A look up Story
Dec 6 2007 …
Raj typed his name in the Google search box and pressed enter.
There were more than 10 lacs of Raj.
He made it more specific.
Raj from Patna …..
“Still over a lac”, it’s tough. He thought.
Finally he took a deep sigh and typed “Tabassum”
Long list.
Then Tabassum from Srinagar, Tabassum Khan etc…. etc..
He tried all permutation combination possible to make the search result more comprehensive.
Some photographs even. But he couldn’t make out. No photographs matched the Tabassum he knew when he was 18.
“It had been 18 yrs now, since I have kept this letter with me. I didn’t know where to post as she had not replied after her marriage.” He sighed. I had just wanted to ask – “Does the friendship ends with a marriage?”
She had asked my views on the Marriage. I didn’t understand. We had known each other in and out through our letters.
“I can still remember I knew there would be a letter waiting today the moment I alighted from bus returning from school. Our friendship had started through letters and matured through it. We knew each other more than we knew ourselves. Our heart used to pound for each other.” He continued recalling.
“And then in each of her letter she would ask when I was coming to Srinagar to meet her. And the meeting got delayed. It got delayed each time. And then her important question – about marriage preference. With my reply – As a bolt from the blue - there was the marriage invitation from her.”
“I did write even after that. On her birthday, right! But there was no reply. And I had stopped writing to let my friend settle in her new family.”
He sighed. He knew he hasn’t forgotten her till now. He too has a well settled family. But whenever there is a discussion of friends – he knows he had only one – and doesn’t know where she is?
Today too, the new joiners were talking about Orkut and they could find their school friends there.
Hopefully I would also find?
I need to – He thought.
With new zeal and hope he renewed his search.
Every day whenever he would get time, he would continue his search. He was determined to search for her. Perhaps just to ask her once – Why didn’t she reply or say why she didn’t want to writ further? Does marriage ends a friendship?
He would restart his search each day with some new angle. Sometimes look for her father’s name and address, her sisters. He would search in the letters from the past for all other clue. The name of the teachers, her school, college alumni, sister’s friend’s, brothers, whatever he could come along. Despite all odds he would never loose heart.
Till one day he came across one piece
Dr. Qadir Khan from 6, Jawahar Park, Srinagar.
The name looked familiar to her brothers. And the address is same as hers. His heart started beating faster. He clicked the link. It had details of his studies and awards. And there is an email address at the end.
He mustered courage.
Typed a mail …
Dear Dr. Qadir,
I don’t know if you are the same person. This is in reference to your sister Tabassum my childhood penfriend. We have lost contact since long. I crossed through your name on google today. So, if my guess is correct and you are her brother, pls. pass this mail to her or if you can tell me about her where-abouts. I would be highly obliged.
Raj.
He pushed the mail and waited for the wonders to happen.
After 3 days as he opens the mail in his office -
The Inbox read in bright … Tabassum Khan
The Inbox read in bright … Tabassum Khan
He put his hand on the heart…lest it would come out.
His eyes got wet. Just said … I knew my friend I can-not lose you
"At last I have found you." He murmured.
It was proved .. “ Where there is will – there is a way”
This post is written in response to Indiblogger Happy Hours Topic - "Look up Stories" https://housing.com/lookup.
Aditya Sinha
Saturday, 28 February 2015
The Red Diary
In the desperate search for the passport, I pull the clothes off the wardrobe and there a red diary falls on the ground.
With trembling hand & a thumping heart I open the middle page, separated by a pen, of this constant companion of Maya which had stayed in the most secured places with her till now.
“One night has given me treasures of my life and can never be forgotten. My presence though will hold you from moving towards your dream so forget me and move ahead” -it read.
Tears come out and with a deep sigh I ask myself –“How?”
Aditya Sinha
This post has been written in reference to the Five Sentence Fiction with prompt - Forgotten.
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Standing Punished in Girls School Campus
Standing punished in Girls School Campus.
Deveika’s call on embarrassing moments has become such an interesting and happening affair that all of us started peeping in our past and came out with those rare moments which we would have preferred to forget. Such enthusiastic participation not only as an entry but also as live comments have enthralled and pulled us - the bloggers to post events again and again. Reading such khatta – mitha blogs has reminded me of one more such very interesting (I mean embarrassing) incident. The story of Red Rose posted earlier was a story of misunderstanding let’s see how I make a fool of myself here in my school days.
I was in Class XI in St. Michael’s, Patna. Hardly a km away was the girl’s school, Notre Dame. The two schools were always termed - as made for each other. So though we were not in a co-ed school, we seldom used to have some get- together, common plays, extra-curricular activities etc. Or otherwise a regular and most coveted guest for each other. The Father’s of our school were apple eye to the Mother’s of NDA. Only last year we had our (I mean class X Mikes and the class X Dames a common – pass out get-together – Socials.) So, in a way most of us knew our counterparts over there and were expected to be good to them.
One such event was being organized in NDA. It was a cultural night. You can just imagine how excited we the seniors of Mikes would have been. We were sent the invitations and all of us were just waiting for the night to arrive. And it did come. But I had some emergency on that fateful day and I had to miss the rare moments of watching them closely for one more time, dancing, giggling, eyeing and vying. Alas, I waited at my house for the event to get over and the news of the extravaganza to pour in live through my friends. In those days mobile was not available so instant communication was not possible. For the running commentary I had to wait. Those hours looked long but finally did end. And Sunny (the same guy whose red rose had caused all the problem in my last blog) came to my house. There were more who followed.
With a glee in my eyes I took him straight to my room.
How was it?
Who all were there?
What all happened? All question shot in one go.
And there were all spicy narrations. But with that also came some unhappy moments.
Two of them were denied entry. And obviously it was not bearable for any of us.
In fact the invitation passes had been forged. And so it became overcrowded. And the school authorities had to stop some of them from entering. Some parents too had to face this and were dejected too.
-My friend’s insult and parent’s insult.
We got charged. I was known for my acquaintance with newspaper. As I was a regular contributor to “Letter’s to Editor” “careless whisper” etc., I was expected to bring this to light.
All were looking towards me with expectant eyes. How could I deny?
Next what – A detailed letter got drafted and it was handed over to TOI. We all departed winner all the way.
The letter got published – and our names Aditya Sinha and Sunil Rai, class XI, SMHS, imprinted below it. The proud duo, with our heads high reached the school.
-Greetings all the way round and we on cloud nine.
The assembly got over and hardly had we entered our class room the PA system spoke : AS and SR – report to the Principal room.
So another congratulation was in waiting – we with our heads high reached the room.
Father Karthanam was pacing up and down in his room. His pink face hot and blue.
How’s and why’s?
Don’t you know the relationship that the two school has?
I knew it was a blunder done.
I had brought curse to this relationship.
Good sense prevailed and I asked pardon.
“I am no body to give you excuse”, he said after a lot of persuasion. (more because I was among the best student there and Sunny one of the best sports person).
“You go and meet Sister at NDA. She will excuse you”
You can feel how we fell from attic to dungeon within seconds. To add to it we were to report to the girls school.
We came out of the room, with our heads down. The anti- groups enjoying our pitiful condition.
We pulled our bicycle and moved to meet the “Sister”.
The Principal there was not willing to meet at first and she made us wait outside the office. And we stood like stupid for the principal to let us tell her the full story, the plight of the parents – which we had planned can only be our saviour.
The girls passing by gauzing through the corner of their eyes and then whispering – these are the guys who have written all this. Some sighs, some brows. And we stood there saving our face, waiting ……..
She finally had pity but only after the whole day has passed. Just before the school was to close she called us in. We tried to explain but to deaf ears. Finally – she said – Get an apology published tomorrow, then only I can excuse you.
It was a tough task but at least a ray of hope. Apni sari Ijjat to dhul chuki thi, ab school main bane to rahen.
I knew TOI won’t do it. We managed an apology and I took my father’s help to get it published as a news in HT the other day. Bachi hui ijjat to bacha liya.
You can understand our position--- embarrassed --- we felt like crying.
You can understand our position--- embarrassed --- we felt like crying.
Aditya Sinha
Originally posted in response to EYC 64 on Sulekha :http://creative.sulekha.com/standing-punished-in-girls-school-campus-for-deveika-s-eyc-64_76906_blog
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Mission Happiness
“Mission Happiness”
Ma and Fa - the secret agents of SG (our own Sridharaa), entrusted with their new assignment to make the world a land of happiness moved towards the Earth.
“This Earth still seems to be a lovely sojourn. The air is so fresh and there are lots of greens below.” Ma said mesmerized.
“Yes, it does appear. But SG has sensed problems here. Let’s try to get down to the root cause of the problems. Then we’ll analyze.” Fa reasoned.
“You’re correct dear. Let’s see the problems. Take out that list SG gave.” Ma concurred.
“Corruption, terrorism, drug abuse, rape, theft, kidnapping, dis-respect for parents, …” Fa tried going through.
“Wait.. wait.. wait.” Ma interrupted.
“This won’t help.” “Fa, let’s handle one by one. See if some problems have similar cause or result.”
Fa agreed and they started understanding the problem one by one.
“Corruption: She started, that’s want for some more money. ‘More’ has no end. Not satisfied with what you are getting.”
-“That too, in a short time, without an extra effort.”
-“By misuse of position!”.
“Or favourism at the cost of company, country and people.”
“And…”
“Wait! Why this happens?”
“Probably, because he does not have enough of money to support his family.”
“Hmmm! No! - To support one’s family – you just need food for two times, a place to live and clothes to cover yourself.”
“And the labours working on road, in factories, on-sites are not among the list of corrupts.”
“True, not even are the farmers working in field.”
“If they can support their family without being corrupt – family can not be the reason.”
“Then..?”
“It’s basically because you are thinking only of yourself”
“They are selfish, you mean.”
“Yes, I think he is immensely self-concerned. That’s why he cannot see the vices attached with this greed.”
“So we need to correct this SELF factor.” Fa said ….
Yes. Ma commented relieved. Identifying the root cause and motivated with their success. “Let’s move to another problem.” He said.
“Terrorism – Fa stated delighted.”
“Killing masses indiscriminately!”
“So ghory and inhuman” Fa sighed in disbelief. Do you mean they kill the children and women too.”
“Yes, anyone! Even new born becomes a victim.”
“By some special group?”
“No, mostly they are young people, at times, even well educated.”
“Is it in some special part of the world?”
“No, this has engulfed the entire world.”
“But why? Aren’t they afraid this way the world would be devoid of civilization altogether in days to come.
-“Different reasons, some do for religion (faith in super energy), others for their country (the piece of land they are living in).
“What religion … country”. Are there more than one faith here?
“Yes there are many now.”
“But SG when sent Adam and Eve, to flourish mankind had entrusted only one faith – belief in SG.”
“Yes that’s true. Now too, they believe in the same eternal power, but have their own ways of showing the faith. And thus they treat it different.”
“So foolish.”
“And to prove ones belief as more powerful – they resort to killing others.”
“You mean, they kill people with a different belief.”
“No, they kill indiscriminately so all are affected.”
“Then what’s the benefit?”
“I think they display power and control and try to frighten others to follow them.”
“You mean they demand others to follow them”
“Yes!”
“To prove their faith to be better or truer, they could do things like our Rishi – Munis. They lived in the woods and had power that spread in the world. People came on themselves for their wisdom and followed them.”
“Yes, but don’t you see our Munis didn’t want anything for themselves. They just helped the others who came as a true guide. Here the case is different. These people want themselves (their faith / group etc.) to be in limelight. They are in no way concerned about the up-liftment of even their followers.”
“Then they are again self-centered.” I mean they want to prove their own superiority over others.”
So here too the cause is SELF.
“And country” Fa asked convinced.
“Some do this for country… I mean the piece of land they live on.”
“Do you mean, they don’t have enough space to live and so they fight.”
“No!” World is still too big to accommodate many such generations.”
“Then?”
“Actually in due course Adam’s and Eve’s descendent demarcated large pieces of land as their own and named them Countries. As time is passing they are getting concerned about only those land and fight to make it their own.”
“But this land belongs to SG” And would they stay in only that piece of land. Don’t they go to the other parts or to the water bodies throughout their life.”
“They do”
“So how is this country so important that they start killing people and how is this benefiting into getting that land.”
“Actually here too, they want to show the people there that they are strong and so they should again be ceded what they want.”
“So you mean – here too the cause is SELF.”
“I suppose” Ma agreed
So let’s first try to correct these problems by removing these SELF from people. Fa exclaimed.
“Should we spray – over the world as to remove this self from them. Ma asked enthusiastically.
“No, then they would have no aim and ambition to live and work for”
“Right.. then what do we do?
“We'll have to balance its effect. SELF should not affect OTHERS negatively. SELF should be a power to guide for a brighter society – better well being so that one can be reckoned as power.”
They started working on it. and came with the remedial idea – Let's spread the message:
“DO WHAT YOU WANT OTHERS DO TO YOU”
“We hope this would remove the SELF from people and bring OTHERS before SELF.” MA and FA shook hands on having their first step towards spreading HAPPINESS.
They moved to SG to get their idea cleared from him.
.................................................................................................................................................
Originally written for EYC 62 on Sulekha
Aditya Sinha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)