tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14135340768575123122024-03-20T15:36:17.470+05:30Darkly DreamingKshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-83809426939670831202019-08-07T22:54:00.000+05:302019-08-08T18:35:19.715+05:30Teacups<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy2IEdybnnG7bTvbinGA4FBLNLh3HBM6-tPuImHSqaTOfvoU1gUV1RVaf2hnGl2vsdbd-4nE8iAb8iSm6MZc3Uy4jQYVhm0YLEPpkZb_Si5pD3iivaSAdO6LGwiLqjSjx12Nf0vOV01XR/s1600/Adobe_Post_20190807_220347.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy2IEdybnnG7bTvbinGA4FBLNLh3HBM6-tPuImHSqaTOfvoU1gUV1RVaf2hnGl2vsdbd-4nE8iAb8iSm6MZc3Uy4jQYVhm0YLEPpkZb_Si5pD3iivaSAdO6LGwiLqjSjx12Nf0vOV01XR/s320/Adobe_Post_20190807_220347.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey.</div>
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How are you?</div>
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I'm great, what about you?</div>
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Shall we talk about how times have changed;</div>
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Or of how crazy work's been of late?</div>
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How long do we continue this banter?</div>
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Like pebbles skipping across the surface our lives</div>
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Both of us wishing, yet knowing</div>
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That we won't be dipping past the surface today.</div>
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Because real conversation doesn't happen</div>
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In fancy cafés or loud pubs.</div>
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They rise as bubbles from their depths</div>
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On nights spent camping </div>
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Under starry skies,</div>
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Or when the are lights are off and the world is quiet and cold</div>
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But the four walls around you are kept warm</div>
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By the whispering of words to shy to peek out in daylight</div>
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Sometimes on long drives back home</div>
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When the destination is assured</div>
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And the journey is a pocket of time</div>
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Dissociated from the mundane</div>
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The conversations that live in 3 am texts</div>
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Born of just the right proportion</div>
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Of alcohol and loneliness-</div>
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Those are the conversations that take a life of their own</div>
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That all the noise the world will make cannot obscure.</div>
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But we'll give this Café a chance, just like every other,</div>
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So take your time, tell me how you've been,</div>
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I like my tea cold anyway.</div>
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-29853778928864113392019-03-15T20:23:00.001+05:302019-03-15T20:23:23.659+05:30Fracture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
I did not know the frailty<br />
Of my soul until you left<br />
And it shattered into<br />
A dozen fragments;<a name='more'></a><br />
With jagged edges piercing me<br />
Stabbing me from the inside.<br />
One fragment wants<br />
To celebrate my solitude,<br />
While another is distraught at the same.<br />
One tries<br />
To weave a future without you,<br />
While one lies hopelessly tangled<br />
In our past.<br />
One wants to introspect, cut off from the world,<br />
Yet one craves company<br />
To numb itself.<br />
One wants to mask the pain with laughter,<br />
One cries<br />
Quietly in the corner<br />
And every fragment screams for attention,<br />
Yet, every fragment I try to hold on to<br />
Digs deep into my skin;<br />
Hurting, then shattering<br />
Into a dozen more pieces until<br />
All that's left is sand<br />
In an hourglass<br />
That's out of time.<br />
<br />
</div>Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-14569511073055665062019-03-13T13:32:00.002+05:302019-03-15T07:33:52.042+05:30Muse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpNykSfu3WnKWCVA56ms0V0_A2G2KWNeAONyaIG2cNbtsbKSEbPnOkYwFeziLAryNKbpLBjr9C8fsnOCb58P6QQ9oQnxu1w447wLcvMVI9VHDsZxbnU6EuOc2KlY0jc0vN5uDK2DiQG_T/s1600/Adobe_Post_20190314_232210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpNykSfu3WnKWCVA56ms0V0_A2G2KWNeAONyaIG2cNbtsbKSEbPnOkYwFeziLAryNKbpLBjr9C8fsnOCb58P6QQ9oQnxu1w447wLcvMVI9VHDsZxbnU6EuOc2KlY0jc0vN5uDK2DiQG_T/s320/Adobe_Post_20190314_232210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My words are rooted in silence,<br />
They stem from the unease I feel<br />
When I think about you,<br />
And grow into poetry.<a name='more'></a><br />
The words I wish to say to you<br />
But do not have the courage to<br />
Fester in my mind and break free<br />
To live on as poetry.<br />
So if ever I dare to bare to you<br />
The treacherous whisperings of my heart<br />
I implore you to break it, make it<br />
Weep tears that I'll forge into words-<br />
And turn into poetry.</div>Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-10070576798382171122019-03-08T21:17:00.004+05:302019-03-08T21:17:57.490+05:30Highway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSisjzJ9-2q0MBAYF7saW0HkwQ4Wu-ZSG_x-qi56T1iCXsi2jJCsuDm8sWdAIdUkbhPV28hoKlf8ufHIiCrtDW5TPzo3qv_mBJko1oR2A6AIL1mSuHIXQl-U_YgeiPrXzpQJb6fy4vdMY/s1600/Highway.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSisjzJ9-2q0MBAYF7saW0HkwQ4Wu-ZSG_x-qi56T1iCXsi2jJCsuDm8sWdAIdUkbhPV28hoKlf8ufHIiCrtDW5TPzo3qv_mBJko1oR2A6AIL1mSuHIXQl-U_YgeiPrXzpQJb6fy4vdMY/s320/Highway.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some people like to fall asleep<br />
Gazing upon a starry sky,<br />
While some prefer the tender embrace<br />
Of absolute darkness around them,<a name='more'></a><br />
And some like to drift off to<br />
The rhythm of the ocean caressing the beach.<br />
But to me the vastness of the universe<br />
Is too incomprehensible,<br />
The darkness too lonely,<br />
And the ocean too intrusive.<br />
What I like to see out the glass while I lie in bed<br />
Is a highway, busy at all hours of the night -<br />
To watch the trails of red and yellow lights rush by,<br />
Punctuated by the occasional whine of a horn.<br />
Through trials and losses aplenty,<br />
Through late night conversations<br />
And random spells of insomnia,<br />
The Highway has kept me company -<br />
Reminding me that while I lie here<br />
Engrossed in my microcosm,<br />
Life still goes on for thousands.<br />
Each in their own little worlds<br />
Driving on at night -<br />
For money, for love, for necessity -<br />
And though I may be lost in the maze of my dreams<br />
The world does not sleep.<br />
The highway pulses with life, come what may,<br />
Beckoning me to rest - for later<br />
I too have to play my part in this glorious struggle<br />
To define myself amidst this crowd, and in doing so -<br />
Become a part of it.<br />
<div><br />
</div></div>Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5463286 73.90331390000005718.5312746 73.883143900000064 18.561382599999998 73.923483900000051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-27710182112915042732018-11-06T16:45:00.000+05:302018-11-07T22:08:46.249+05:30Devi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oRFkTU7bSxFFDvsR8HMKAzuZFook0t4pTY6QXviInnu3oPBaKx-UO62XRn1aOgZqIBKBArlsG3vATB_-Uaks2aRoNzvzXispM3vYcwbPUyEK1fvOcQUTxkFefHv0k0MlC7H6FhOs9J_K/s1600/Devi+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oRFkTU7bSxFFDvsR8HMKAzuZFook0t4pTY6QXviInnu3oPBaKx-UO62XRn1aOgZqIBKBArlsG3vATB_-Uaks2aRoNzvzXispM3vYcwbPUyEK1fvOcQUTxkFefHv0k0MlC7H6FhOs9J_K/s320/Devi+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The Labor Room was in a state of restless silence. Heavy, grey clouds were gathering outside and a cool breeze was blowing, promising relief from the sweltering October heat. Yet, the interns and residents on duty were on edge. When things got this quiet, it was always either followed or preceded a storm - and no storm had struck yet.<br />
<br />
At around 3 am, the Registrar, Priyanka, roused herself from her nap on the table and started her round. There were only 3 patients currently in labor, all in the latent phase – meaning that it would be quite a while before they actually delivered. Having taken care of their paperwork and blood-work, both interns on duty were enjoying a rare few hours of sleep during their 12 hour night shift. Luck had run out for one of them though.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
A Resident prodded Akshay awake.<br />
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“Priyanka ma’am wants to shift that Varsha Tunkawale for a Cesarean,” Sapna, a second year resident, said to the groggy Intern. “Prepare her fast and come to the OT with me.”<br />
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“STAT!” she added giving him another firm shake.<br />
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The intern pulled himself up, grumbling under his breath.<br />
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He quickly secured a urinary catheter, scrubbed her abdomen and went to check whether her relatives had signed the consent forms. Sapna was explaining the situation to the relatives outside the Labour room.<br />
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“Her child’s heart rate is fluctuating and its life may be in danger if we don’t operate immediately, especially considering that she has already undergone two Cesareans,” she said. The patient’s relatives were from a nearby village. They couldn't comprehend anything beyond the fact that their child would need a ‘Caesar’.<br />
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“But Sister, nothing will happen to the child right?” mumbled the patient’s father.<br />
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“I’m NOT a Sister, I’m a Doctor,” shouted Sapna at the cowering parents. “We’re gonna do everything we can but we can’t make any guarantees.<br />
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They signed where it was necessary and the patient was shifted to the OT.<br />
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“Is the foetal distress very severe?” Akshay asked Sapna as they were scrubbing in for the surgery.<br />
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“I have no idea,” she said. “She seemed fine to me, Priyanka ma’am noticed the foetal heart rate is on the higher side and ordered a Cesarean.”<br />
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“Oh… Which criteria is this a part of?” asked Akshay eagerly, hoping to learn something useful for his PG Entrance exam.<br />
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“Her instinct,” grunted Sapna, as she pulled on her gloves.<br />
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===========<br />
<br />
5 minutes into the Surgery, Akshay and Sapna were in a precarious position. The patient’s pelvic cavity was, to put it mildly, a jumbled mess. The previous 2 Cesareans had wreaked havoc on the patient's anatomy. A thick web of adhesions had spread through the pelvis. The patient’s abdominal muscles, uterus, bladder and bowels were all stuck together like a tangled web.<br />
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Sapna explored for about ten minutes, trying to make sense of it, to separate the muscle mass from the uterus.<br />
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“It’s no use. Call Priyanka ma’am,” she said to the anesthetist. “Akshay get de-washed and go tell the relatives the situation. Tell them that the patient may bleed more than usual and that we can’t guarantee the safety of the child either.”<br />
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Akshay pulled off his gloves and hurried to the door of the OT and called for the patient’s relatives. He told the relatives what was necessary, struggling to stay calm while finding the right words to use in the situation. Once again, only about 50% of what Akshay said was being registered by the relatives.<br />
<br />
Priyanka ma’am appeared at that moment, yawning and stretching while rushing past them to enter the OT.<br />
“Madam please, you do something for our child,” they called after her.<br />
Priyanka cast a glance at them, nodded reassuringly and hurried to change.<br />
<br />
Her small gesture put the relatives at ease for now.<br />
<br />
Akshay got back as Priyanka was scrubbing in. As she rinsed her hands, Akshay could see the sleepy exhaustion under her eyes fading away to make room for a steely determination. Her posture straightened as she flicked the last few drops of water off her hands and donned her surgical gown.<br />
<br />
She marched into the Theater, gloved hands folded in front of her and assessed the situation.<br />
<br />
“Akshay call the Blood Bank and ask them to issue this patient’s blood. And I’m going to need a LOT of Chromic Catgut stat.”<br />
<br />
As the Intern rushed to follow her commands, Priyanka grabbed a scalpel and a pair of forceps and dove in without missing a beat. Using precise, calculated movements, she started separating the rectus muscle from the uterus. Sapna was assisting her with almost unbelievable speed and precision. Together they separated the bulk of the rectus, splaying it open to either side like curtains to reveal the uterus.<br />
<br />
Akshay watched wide-eyed; the wall of the uterus was stretched paper thin and the liquor inside could be seen in flux as the fetus moved. The scar on the wall of the uterus from the previous Cesarean had all but ruptured. All it took to open the uterus was a small jab with the blunt end of a scalpel. The uterus burst open like a balloon, spewing forth amniotic fluid in all directions as Sapna hurried to suction it off.<br />
<br />
Priyanka reached inside and pulled out the baby, as everyone in the room held their breath. They clamped and cut the umbilical cord. The humidity and tension in the room reached a fever pitch. An excruciating moment passed before the baby gave a gurgling cry, proclaiming its survival to the world. All those present gave a collective sigh of relief.<br />
<br />
Had the patient been allowed to go progress into normal labor in this condition, her uterus would have ruptured internally, causing massive bleeding and almost certainly ending the life of both mother and child. Priyanka’s instinct had saved the patient’s life.<br />
<br />
The procedure that would normally take 30-45 minutes was finally completed 2 hours after it began. A neat 10 cm long scar was all there was to show of the chaos that had transpired in the last two hours. Priyanka finally walked out, pulled off her gown, breathed a huge sigh of relief and sat on the rickety wooden bench outside. She pulled off her sweat and blood stained scrubs and gulped down the water Akshay offered her.<br />
<br />
“Thanks,” she panted as she rose and went to change. Akshay hurried to get the signature of the assisting Nurse, hoping to grab a cup of tea before the early morning rounds. A strong, familiar fragrance tickled his nose as he walked by the open window of the Nurse’s room.<br />
<br />
===========<br />
<br />
Priyanka was leaving the OT the same time as Akshay, they were both accosted by the patient’s relatives outside.<br />
<br />
“How did it go doctor?” they asked looking at him, “Is our daughter fine? What about the child? And…”<br />
<br />
“Things went well. It was a complicated procedure but we’ve done as good a job as we could. The mother and child are both stable now, we’ll be shifting them to the ward soon”<br />
<br />
The patient’s mother had tears in her eyes.<br />
<br />
“Thank you so much, doctor, you are like a Devi to us,” she cried and tried to touch Priyanka’s feet. Priyanka jumped out of the way, flustered.<br />
<br />
“Stop please, you are twice my age and I’ve only done my job, take care of your daughter now,” she said and walked away.<br />
<br />
“And what about the child, son?” asked the patient’s father to Akshay.<br />
<br />
“You’ll have to ask the Paediatrician for the details but as far as I know, the baby is healthy. It’s a girl, congratulations!” smiled Akshay.<br />
<br />
Akshay didn't miss their smiles fading and shoulders slumping. He stared down at them.<br />
<br />
“Why do you seem disappointed now,” he asked the father.<br />
<br />
“Nothing beta, it’s… her first two children were girls too so we were hoping…” his voice trailed off.<br />
“At least we didn’t opt for the tubectomy. Maybe God will bless us next time,” added the mother.<br />
<br />
Akshay detached himself from the pair and walked away, down the stairs and out of the building.<br />
<br />
He realised what the familiar scent was now - Petrichor. It had rained for almost two hours. As Akshay breathed in the cool air, his thoughts turned to the child. The womb that was supposed to keep her safe had almost failed her, but they had intervened and brought her out safely. As he sipped his tea, he offered a silent prayer, hoping that the world they had pulled her into wouldn’t prove to be equally hostile.<br />
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=========<br />
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<br /></div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-11365213102655287352016-04-21T21:43:00.002+05:302018-11-07T20:36:10.746+05:30Dark Romance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPAbHyYDd_kQ5lbwYmK2z0wAfC5-TWOyYh1MLGy0JlTbeyvsk2YE-l8EQMuwtgFREnPXdnL6s6mQZsou0WLRS-nE_lPAMQzAMgCCnSsOjZw-feRzb_QH39rm-td0K2ykto4HT10SELE6r/s1600/fa8bef49867033.56086e21be686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPAbHyYDd_kQ5lbwYmK2z0wAfC5-TWOyYh1MLGy0JlTbeyvsk2YE-l8EQMuwtgFREnPXdnL6s6mQZsou0WLRS-nE_lPAMQzAMgCCnSsOjZw-feRzb_QH39rm-td0K2ykto4HT10SELE6r/s320/fa8bef49867033.56086e21be686.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He turned off the lights and sat in the darkest corner of the
room, laptop in hand. He plugged his headphones in and took a final glance at
his phone before commencing his ritual. The first notes of Lateralus completed
his cocoon, cutting him off from the world. All that existed in his universe
was the empty screen staring at him and the haunting tune of the electric
guitar. He lay his fingers on the keyboard, closed his eyes, took a breath and
opened them again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The white and brown of his eyes had been replaced by a deep
inky black. His fingers started tapping the keys, his beetle-like gaze fixed on
the screen. His breath caught as the first of the ghostly hands stretched from
the floor towards the ceiling, fists opening and closing. They wrapped
themselves around him, barely distinguishable from the well of darkness
surrounding him. He could feel them holding him tightly. He was smothered
completely. The wailing of a thousand souls filled his ears, drowning out the
music. Only his fingers continued to skitter across the keyboard.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was afloat in an ocean of darkness. The darkness without
embraced him drawing out the darkness within him, his fingers dripping the same
darkness into the screen with every calculated stroke. He had ceased to exist
as a person. He was an extension of the darkness that permeated every living
creature. All life had ceased to exist in his universe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was not a writer anymore. He wasn’t typing keys anymore;
he didn’t need to. He was a conductor, waving his wand and directing the flow
of words. They weren’t his words, he was merely guiding them, shaping them,
structuring them into sentences and paragraphs. He was an artist, running his
brush across his canvas, painting pictures craved to be painted. Each line on the screen was more alive than
he himself. He was nothing but a tool, a channel for the darkness encompassing
his universe to rage and rant against the light. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His breath grew shallower as his fingers raced across the
keys like a pack of spiders, scuttling to complete their purpose before the
light could reach through. Darker and darker his words grew till they seemed
powerful enough to swallow the entirety of the living world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He pushed harder still. The darkness squeezed the breath out
of his lungs and threatened to suffocate him. He couldn’t hear his own rattling
breath over the riff playing in his ears. He continued to fill the white before
him with words as black as sin, typing frantically as his vision grew hazy and
his mind started clouding over. The song was nearly over, he could sense the
end approaching. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With one last masterful exertion,
he raised his wand as the music swelled. He swept his brush against the canvas:
one last glorious stroke. As his consciousness faded, he registered the last
few strokes of his fingers on the keyboard. His vision faded, his soul
completely embracing the darkness he lay in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He looked up at the bright young face smiling nervously at
him as he signed his name on the inside cover. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I really love your stories,” she sputtered, “No one can
quite manage to write romance as you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He smiled, a few dark spots still dancing in front of his
eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Jagadamba Chowk, Solapur, Maharashtra, India17.6599188 75.90639060000000917.5388768 75.745029100000011 17.7809608 76.0677521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-60355578868019126442016-01-16T21:36:00.000+05:302016-02-14T12:16:07.495+05:30Cliché<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPRwr5djvC0egkHXQy4a_eTrfdqyui7hNHJ_fA0TxQqs3Cr6T0TmbnCqNjDh4_a6CVNDx9rEwf85mrNSf6VsnZCP01z6CuE1vbS_sfT86dc7dRYHKX-j7oGQfx1slDckMC0IFooOo0fti/s1600/ClichePic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPRwr5djvC0egkHXQy4a_eTrfdqyui7hNHJ_fA0TxQqs3Cr6T0TmbnCqNjDh4_a6CVNDx9rEwf85mrNSf6VsnZCP01z6CuE1vbS_sfT86dc7dRYHKX-j7oGQfx1slDckMC0IFooOo0fti/s320/ClichePic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Do not buy her<br />
Rings and roses;<br />
For she will fall<br />
For them, not you.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Do not make him<br />
Cards and cupcakes;<br />
For he will fall<br />
For them, not you.<br />
<br />
Do not give her<br />
Cuddles and kisses,<br />
Or she will crave<br />
For them, not you.<br />
<br />
Do not give him<br />
Pretty pictures,<br />
Or he will crave<br />
For them, not you.<br />
<br />
Show her your silly childhood crush,<br />
Tell him your favourite shade of blue;<br />
Humbly reveal the mistakes you’ve made,<br />
Proudly display the scars of your past.<br />
<br />
Lay bare your soul,<br />
Piece by precious piece;<br />
Meld their scattered pieces with yours<br />
And you will never want for more<br />
Roses, cards, or even words.<br />
For when your hearts can beat as one,<br />
Is there any need for you<br />
To proclaim once a year that you're<br />
Madly, truly, and deeply entrenched<br />
In the most clichéd cliché of them all:<br />
<br />
Love.<br />
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5463286 73.90331390000005718.5312746 73.883143900000064 18.561382599999998 73.923483900000051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-84955923856292384212015-11-22T13:53:00.000+05:302016-02-14T20:19:38.579+05:30The Waltz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAjGGr8OjM2Unyh2bOOqn6lFRZnBQrzNeef23z_XJ83WHuRwVMBhZrMTeSD3PaP4wlJXe76rZbHASn9nHmwxabRQ5RELZF6oMtTenJWIhZHfYACoE0rDpYcQzTrk84LTfnz5KPncAgIvU/s1600/TheWaltzPic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAjGGr8OjM2Unyh2bOOqn6lFRZnBQrzNeef23z_XJ83WHuRwVMBhZrMTeSD3PaP4wlJXe76rZbHASn9nHmwxabRQ5RELZF6oMtTenJWIhZHfYACoE0rDpYcQzTrk84LTfnz5KPncAgIvU/s320/TheWaltzPic.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">A step ahead,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">A step behind,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Your hand in mine,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We waltz to time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I lift you up-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I put you down;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">You take my hand,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">You spin around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We pull apart,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Held by a touch,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We're back again;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We feel the rush.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Pick up the pace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Nearing the end,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We trot and glide,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">You spin again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Reach fever pitch,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Look in my eyes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">And in their depths</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">You'll see yours shine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Without a word</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">You gently fall,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I hold my breath,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I find you gone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Before you hit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The bitter floor,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Our fingers touch,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">So there we stand,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">A minute more,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Counting the times</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We've danced before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We rise back up,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The music swells,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">We trace the beat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">And dance again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Eternally,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Your hand in mine,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">A step ahead,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">A step behind.</span></div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Solapur, Maharashtra, India17.6599188 75.90639060000000917.5388768 75.745029100000011 17.7809608 76.0677521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-13834377002168725752015-06-21T10:24:00.001+05:302015-06-21T11:19:51.253+05:30Turquoise Transcendence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.yucatan-holidays.com/yh/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/caribe-mexicano-destinos-cancun-playas-atardecer-vacaciones-familia-vacaciones-inolvidables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.yucatan-holidays.com/yh/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/caribe-mexicano-destinos-cancun-playas-atardecer-vacaciones-familia-vacaciones-inolvidables.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sand crunched in protest under
his feet as he walked. The sun beat cruelly on his brow, calling forth new
beads of sweat to replace those rolling down his cheeks and into his shirt. The
dry wind smothered his clean shaved face with a veritable tempest of dust and
sand that precipitated on the sweat, serving to dull and age the man’s visage.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The scorching heat had bent his
lean frame; his knees trembled with every step he took towards the ocean. A
complete picture of exhaustion, he stumbled every now and then, teetering
precipitously like a drunken ballerina. Yet, with an indomitable will, he kept
pushing one foot in front of the other, leaving a trail of awkward footsteps
that were soon lost amongst the others’ on the crowded beach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He paused as he reached the
shoreline and gazed at the horizon, staring with a great longing in his eyes as
the sky lost itself in the ocean’s embrace. He peered into the Rolex on his
arm: it was nearing 2 pm. The lunch break would be over soon. It would take him
at least 20 minutes to make his way back to the office, the conference was
scheduled for 2.30. He gave a dry rasp of a laugh, his body quaking at the
effort, and took a step forward.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He undid the clasp of his watch,
shook it off his arm, and tossed it casually into the sand. With a few
well-practiced movements with his feet, his shoes and his socks joined his
watch in the sand, both glittering equally brightly in the sun. A few of the
revelers on the beach paused and took a moment to observe this impeccably
dressed young man walking steadily towards the water as if in a trance. As they
watched, the man shrugged off his blazer and let it cascade off his back and
fall to the ground with easy grace.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A shiver ran up his spine as a
wave licked his bare feet. He took another step and paused, holding up his
palms to his eyes. The platinum band reigning on his perfectly manicured right
ring finger caught the sun’s rays and sent them piercing into his eyes,
reminding him of the significance of its existence. He tugged it off his finger
and set it to rest on his palm, considering it. He knew in a matter of moments
that it was futile. He had been a fool to have allowed it in the first place.
As the waves sent tendrils that wrapped themselves around his ankles and pulled
him ever closer to the bottomless sea, he knew for certain that his soul
belonged to another. With a heavy heart, he tossed the ring back to dry land
where it was swallowed whole by the voracious sandy bank.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">His burden now reduced substantially,
he continued to make his way forward. He could feel the heat of the world
behind him stripping away as he answered the siren’s call that sounded from
somewhere far beyond the horizon and at the same time from somewhere deep
within his soul. He quickened his pace as he felt the ocean embrace him like a
long lost lover, filling him with a warmth the blazing sun could never compete
with.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As he felt the pain coursing
through his body seep into the pacifying waters, he knelt and planted his palms
onto the welcomingly soft sand. A few onlookers on the beach shouted out to
him, their voices lost in a rush of incoherency. He could hear the ring in the
sand calling out to him in a beautifully familiar, feminine voice. But none of
this could drown out the beguiling melody in his ears, getting louder with
every passing second as he crawled on all fours steadily to the place where it
had all began for him, his head hanging loosely, betraying not the slightest
hint of an emotion.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And when crawling did not give him
the pleasure he sought, he lowered his body into the sand and propelled himself
forward by rhythmically twisting his body in the water, not unlike a snake or a
worm, and then settling for a lazy breast-stroke once the water was too deep.
He carried on in this way till he was satisfied with the distance between him
and the shoreline. He floated freely and looked up defiantly towards the sun
one last time, filled his lungs with air, turned his head and dived into the water.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">With a sudden display of strength
and energy, he used his legs to propel himself as deep into the ocean as he
could, his eyes shut tightly. The music sounded loudly in his ears, in spite of
the water muffling his ears. When his legs could not carry him any further, he
stopped all attempts to move and held his position in the water. He opened his
eyes.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Darkness.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As his eyes slowly adapted to this
new challenge, he began to make out vague shapes in the dark purple haze around
him. The first thought that struck him was that it was remarkably empty. The
few fish could make out were miles away from him and from each other. He could
see a few branches of seaweed, scattered throughout the abyss, reaching upward
foolishly for the sun. The space he occupied was free from any interference: it
was completely his own, save for the icy warmth of the water cocooning him.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A feeling of elation surged
through him. He opened his mouth and loosed a laugh borne of pure ecstasy,
laughing louder than he could ever remember laughing. Bubbles of air escaped his
lungs and coalesced to form larger units that bounded towards the surface. The
water rushed in to fill the void left in him. His face was lit with pleasure as
the weight of the water filling him pulled him deeper, closer to the source of
the music filling his ears than ever before.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As his chest burned with the
futile strain of keeping him alive, his mind grew peaceful. He had found what
he was looking for, what he had missed all his life. He was no longer a
creature laboring and sweating to serve his fellows, he was not a symbiote
depending on others for survival, bound to the rigid rules and conventions
imposed upon all of his species; he was part of something much, much greater.
He was one with the ocean, he was one with the universe; he could feel its
every pulse, every whim, every ebb and flow of life for they flowed through
him. As his vision faded to black, he could see every pinprick of life
populating this world struggling futilely against their ultimate destiny,
fighting desperately to overcome the grip of the chaos he had welcomed with
open arms. He smiled faintly as he drifted lower into the endless, comforting
belly of the ocean.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His
body floated back up a few days later and was noticed by the coast-guard who
was on the lookout. He found him drifting peacefully, half a hundred miles
away from the shore, a beatific smile gracing his face. He was cold despite the
unchanging ravages of the sun. His body rose and fell with the tide; a
marionette with his strings cut off, free forevermore.</span></div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Vazhamuttom, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India9.2395911 76.7769323999999649.2239181 76.756762399999971 9.2552641 76.797102399999957tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-20331128970839439752015-05-05T23:49:00.000+05:302015-05-05T23:49:16.759+05:30Tempest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A drop of rain comes trickling down<br />
The mist upon my window pane;<br />
As with every falling drop<br />
Come pouring down a thousand thoughts,<br />
That constellate before my eyes<br />
And set my mind aflame.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
A flame that outshines every spark,<br />
That lights my soul on fire,<br />
That drowns out every thought until<br />
All that I am is lost to me:<br />
Just a raging fire in the rain,<br />
Fuelled by thoughts of you.<br />
<br />
The distant thunder rumbles on<br />
Without a care for you or me,<br />
For the world will live on without us,<br />
Though <i>my</i> world is crashing down;<br />
For until I feel your love again<br />
I'll stay here, burning, in the rain.<br />
<br />
Alone and drenched, in endless wait,<br />
Misting up the window pane.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5463286 73.90331390000005718.5312746 73.883143900000064 18.561382599999998 73.923483900000051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-17078786334916878972015-04-02T19:22:00.001+05:302015-05-01T21:32:12.331+05:30Muffled<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
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Was an extraordinary girl;<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d recite all the alphabets<o:p></o:p></div>
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While giving her hair a twirl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But, Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
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Was quite naughty as well;<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d go door to door, and run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After pressing on the bell.</div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, Eight year old Myra</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Was loved by one and all,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even grumpy old Kumar,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who’s still got our ball.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
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Was smiling all the time,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her chubby cheeks were always pink<o:p></o:p></div>
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With a gentle smile sublime.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was once invited upstairs,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the kindly old landlord,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nearing the end of his affairs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was happy as could be,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To go and hear a tale or two<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reigning atop his knee.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was not disappointed,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As he told her many a story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And her head with sleep anointed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s enough for today, please;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now hold me in your loving arms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And let me sleep in peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What are you tickling me for?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re barely being gentle, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not as fun as before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I no longer feel at ease,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t touch me there please,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can’t you see my troubled brow?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re scaring me now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where’s your love and care,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Please</i> don’t touch
me there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your eyes have lost their gleam,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandfather, Grandfather,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stop or I will screa-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A hand over her mouth,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A slap across her cheek,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Made sure she couldn’t make a sound<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Save the occasional, painful squeak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An evil mind,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A leering smile,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A hand that did<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her soul defile.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And her eyes pleaded for help, but in vain,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As she flailed and tussled,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For they fell upon a soulless pair,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As her voice lay muffled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wasn’t smiling anymore<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As she fled, limping and crying,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of her Hell’s door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was still brave enough<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To confess to her parents<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of the old man’s bluff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ashamed, perhaps,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or perhaps fearing his tenants,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old man climbed down<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And apologised to the parents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A simple apology<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all the pain she endured,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A simple apology<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For her trust that couldn’t be cured.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A simple apology <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That stabbed her like a knife,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A simple apology<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For scarring her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Myra’s parents decided,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After some debate,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To accept the apology<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And make peace with her fate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the sake of her name-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the sake of theirs too,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the sake of their honour-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the sake of hers too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Eight year old Myra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like millions before<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had her loved ones ensure her voice</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lay muffled forevermore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-6431063800109173602015-03-22T01:22:00.000+05:302016-04-22T21:50:45.580+05:30 Flamenco at the Fulcrum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.spain.info/export/sites/spaininfo/comun/carrusel-recursos/genericas/baile_espanol_s17789410.jpg_369272544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.spain.info/export/sites/spaininfo/comun/carrusel-recursos/genericas/baile_espanol_s17789410.jpg_369272544.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mumbai, the City of Dreams, yet, the City that Never Sleeps. One
adamant soul however, lay deep in the clutches of Morpheus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav Mehta, student extraordinaire, the Golden Son. Not much
to look at, but a boy with an evidently bright future. He had secured admission
at a prestigious college in Delhi in his first attempt and had spared no time
in establishing himself to be one of the top minds in the institution. Back home
after 3 straight months of toil, he intended to spend every ten days of his break
curled up in bed, taking a well-deserved rest.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Destiny, however, had other plans for him. A loud noise
pierced the thin veil of his dreams, jerking him awake. Spewing curses, Aarav
reached for the phone under his pillow that was blaring the opening chords of
Boulevard of Broken Dreams and peered at the screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was Diva.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Diva Saxena was Aarav’s childhood friend. Unlike him, she was
an average student: both academically and popularity-wise, both of which she
yearned to change. But she was never particularly bright; one of those hyperactive
girls, always craving for attention and trying to get with the popular band of
people. Yet, she was at heart, a good person, though slightly foolish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav and Diva used to be neighbours and they grew up
together: playing, fighting and learning. Their friendship was one that most
could not comprehend; they were often mistaken to be romantically involved, but
the relationship they shared was purely platonic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav would not consider picking up a call from anyone
else at this time of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">‘H’lo,’ he mumbled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Aarav, guess what?” said a cheery voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He glanced at the digital clock on his bedside table. It was 2.47 am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You’d better be dying or something,” he muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“No, no… Guess who just texted me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Obama?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“No, smartass. Aarush Singhania!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He had heard quite a bit about this fellow before; the
current “Mr Popular” of her college. Handsomely rich, richly handsome and, of
course, a complete A-Hole. That last part, though, was completely wasted on the
girls who worshipped him day and night, swooning at the slightest return of
affection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As seen here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What does he want?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“He texted me to personally invite me to his dinner party on
Friday!” she announced, sounding happier than the time he had flown in from
Delhi to surprise her on her birthday. A slight twang of jealousy ran through
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Calm down, he probably sent that message to dozens of
people.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“He did?” she mumbled, struck by the possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Probably, yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Oh… I hadn’t thought of that,” she said, her excitement
fading fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav acted on reflex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“But you said it was personally addressed to you, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Yeah, it was,” she said, sounding hopeful again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Then it was probably meant especially for you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You think so?” she chirped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Yup, No doubt about it!” he said, trying to match her
excitement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Yay! You’ll be here in the morning, right? I need to go the
salon and get some stuff too and Mom’s going to be busy all day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Yeah, sure… If you let me get any sleep tonight, that is,”
he muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Okay, okay, cool. I was thinking of wearing that white dress
with those shoes that…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Goodnight, Diva!” he said and cut the call. Aarav threw the
phone back near his pillow and collapsed on his bed, fast asleep in a matter of
seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[2]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Diva didn’t really hear the doorbell ring the following
morning as she was in a state of panic. Her mom opened the door and let Aarav
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“There you are!” shouted Diva as he strolled into her room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Now, help me decide,” she said thrusting two pairs of shoes
under his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Umm, the one on the right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“No, don’t be ridiculous; these ones are way better!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav sighed and plopped himself onto her bed, smiling as he
watched her run around, sampling and rejecting various pieces of jewellery and
accessories. A quarter of an hour later, he was shooed out of her room to let
her change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav had a chat with Diva’s mom for about half an hour
before he was summoned again. He walked in and glanced up at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Diva was dressed in a tight white dress with an embroidered
neck and sleeves. The fabric hugged her body, gently accentuating the curve of
her hips. She had paired it with a pair of midnight-blue heels and earrings,
adding a burst of colour to her frame. A thick coat of mascara added another layer of depth to her glittering eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I’m not sure about these sleeves,” she muttered, glancing at
her feet, “And I don’t think the blue goes well with the white…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">She was cut off by Aarav placing his arms on her shoulders,
his eyes looking straight into hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You look beautiful,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Diva stood still for a moment, taken aback, and then smiled
coyly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Now let’s get moving! Don’t you have an appointment at the
salon in ten minutes?” he said, jerking his arms back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Diva gave a squeal and ran to the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Wait, did you have any lunch?” called Aarav as she stuffed
her wallet and keys into a clutch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“No time, no time! Hurry up!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav sighed and walked out as she locked the house. “Oh by
the way, you don’t have to stay for long. Aarush said he’ll send a car to pick
me up,” she said, grinning like a cat as she sat slammed the car door shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“That’s great!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I know right…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
for the next ten minutes, Aarav sat and heard Diva sing Aarush’s praises as he made
his way through the afternoon traffic.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[3]</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A light drizzle had established itself by the time Aarav got
back home. As he went up to his room and lay in his bed, it began to pour in
earnest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the music
made by the rain pattering against his windowsill in the cloudy darkness of his
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Beautiful.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There was no doubt about it, s</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">he was beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Skin deep
though,” </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">he thought with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He seriously doubted he would’ve ever liked her if he hadn’t
always known her. He couldn’t possibly like someone so foolishly immature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Like her?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Did he?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Can’t be! It was probably just brotherly affection he was feeling.
She wasn’t really his ‘type’ anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But all the same, she was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aarav
dozed off.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[4]</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For the second time in 24 hours, Aarav was rudely woken up by
his phone. The culprit was the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Hello? You reached yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Aarav, please come and pick me up,” she said, sounding on
the verge of tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav bolted out of his bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What’s wrong? Where are you?” he barked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“At the bus stop near the salon,” she sobbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav was already at the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Stay put, I’m coming,” he said as he turned the keys in the ignition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav drove furiously through the storm. The fifteen minute
long journey seemed to last an hour as his mind constructed a dozen scenarios
and possibilities, each getting progressively darker, about what fate had
befallen her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He could see her form from afar, her white dress visible
through the pouring sheets of rain. He pulled over and she got into the car. He
stared at her in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">She was drenched from head to toe. Her hair was plastered to
her face, her makeup had run down her face in rivulets. Her mascara had run
down her face too, though he suspected that to be the work of tears rather than
rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What happened?” he asked, putting an arm around her shoulder
with some difficulty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“He never came,” she sobbed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Well he did, actually,” she said with an edge to her voice,
“I saw him pass by in a car with some other girl. I waved at him too but he
didn’t stop. And I tried calling him too but he didn’t pick up. So I thought
I’d try and catch a bus to his place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“In this rain?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“It started when I was halfway to the bus stop and I had
nowhere to hide from it. And look at me now, I look pathetic,” she added,
bursting into fresh tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Diva, listen to me! It’s going to be alright.” He took off
his jacket and wrapped it around her shivering arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“If he thinks you’re any less beautiful just because you’re a
little wet, then he doesn’t deserve you anyway. Now, come with me. Let’s go
home and you can change into something warmer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“No. Take me to Aarush’s party.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“But Diva…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You don’t understand. I need to give him a piece of my
mind,” she said, with a venom that surprised Aarav.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I’ve had enough of this business now,” she said, sounding
tired rather than angry. “All of this!” she said, grabbing her sleeves and
pulling at them till they tore and hung loosely on her arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav stared in silence and turned the car towards Aarush’s
locality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Keeping up with these so-called ‘popular’ people. Pestering
and brown-nosing them day in and day out, craving for their approval.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What have I become, Aarav?” she cried, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“I always knew they weren’t the decent kind of people, you
know. But it’s so damn tempting! All that fame and glory. And this is what I
got for trying to be a part of it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“A night alone in the rain,” she sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“And then there’s you, Aarav. You’ve always been there for
me, even when I didn’t know I needed you. And look at the way I’ve been
treating you. I’ve reduced you to nothing more than a driver, these days,” she
choked, laughing weakly between sobs, pulling his jacket tightly around her arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I should listen to you more. You’re right. If he thinks I’m
ugly just because of a little rain, he doesn’t deserve me anyway.” She smiled
and put her hand over his on the gear stick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav felt his heart race faster than he felt it should.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You always look beautiful, Diva, rain or not,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
blushed and bowed her head.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[5]</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav pulled over outside an imposing bungalow with loud
music blaring from within.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“It’s so big,” whispered Diva as she got out of the car.
Aarav walked over to her side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What do you plan on telling him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Just a few words on how he kept a girl waiting and about how
much of a pretentious asshole he is,” she muttered with a frown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I’m proud of you,” he said as he pulled close and hugged
her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And he meant it. She had finally grown up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hand in hand, they walked up to the door and rang the bell.
They got a glimpse of the party as the door opened. Diva’s jaw dropped as she
saw the large, posh, decorated room. It took her a moment to register the boy
holding the door open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was Aarush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Wow, you look HOT!” he said, shouting to be audible over the
music. “Wait let me guess… A drowned bride?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What?” she mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You’re a drowned bride right? For Halloween?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Halloween? Oh yeah, that’s right!” cried Diva as waves of
realization washed over her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Thought so,” said Aarush with a charming smile. “You look
absolutely stunning, except…” He reached out and pulled off the old coat
wrapped around her shoulders. “There! Much better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“And you’re a vampire…” said Diva, after taking a moment to
recover and notice his costume and fake incisors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Yup,” he said, flashing her a devilish smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“And who’s this?” he added, noticing Aarav.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“No one really,” gushed Diva, “Just a friend who came to drop
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Oh! Are you planning on staying?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Oh no, he was just leaving,” said Diva, elbowing Aarav’s
ribs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Well that’s alright then, you don’t need to come back, I’ll
drop her home,” said Aarush with a dismissive nod toward Aarav. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Now, let me show you around,” he said, proffering a hand to
Diva. She took it, blushing furiously and went inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aarav stood and watched as she was slowly sucked into the
glittering web inside. As he turned around, the door slammed shut, with the
authoritative sound of reality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He knelt to the ground to pick up his coat and paused in
silent introspection. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Was Diva to be blamed for the emptiness he was feeling? After
having seen him, Aarav couldn’t bring himself to blame her for choosing Aarush.
Aarush was the embodiment of all that he could never be, all that he shunned, and
all that some part of him regretted not being. Perhaps, that was why he could
never bring himself to like him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So was it his own fault for getting his hopes up? Was it his
adamant foolishness, in believing in that which could never be, to be blamed
for his pain? Was he just not good enough for her? He twisted the fabric of the
coat and flung it across the front porch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He got
up slowly and glanced at his watch. It was late. He shuffled his way across the
porch, picked up and dusted the coat and began the long walk back towards his
car, as the rain embraced his lone figure once again. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Solapur, Maharashtra, India17.6599188 75.90639060000000917.5388768 75.745029100000011 17.7809608 76.0677521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-63821292885817864962015-02-16T23:41:00.000+05:302015-05-01T21:34:46.122+05:30Dreamless<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Snugly blanketed, save her head,<br />
Peeking out like a rabbit from her burrow,<br />
Her hair falling carelessly onto her face,<br />
Rejoicing at the allowance of such trespass.<br />
The curtain-filtered aisle-lamp,<br />
Lights her face with faery glow;<br />
Her eyes tightly closed.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
As I gaze unto her face, the train gives a jerk,<br />
Her eyes snap open and find my hungry pair.<br />
I stare back, transfixed, a deer caught in headlights.<br />
She holds my gaze a moment, eyes sparkling,<br />
And her lips curve to form a coy smile.<br />
In the semi-darkness, I smile back, sadly,<br />
For I know she can't perceive the beauty I behold.<br />
<br />
I avert my gaze to allow her peace,<br />
And stare a while at the humming fan,<br />
The tube, the curtain, the roof, the floor.<br />
But I can't resist the urge for long<br />
And steal a glance at her eyes again,<br />
And find them to be shut once more,<br />
Earnestly in sleep.<br />
<br />
The backward tilt of her head,<br />
The backward slant of her nose;<br />
Effortlessly exuding regal grace.<br />
Her brow relaxed, her lids at rest,<br />
The ghost of a smile still upon her lips,<br />
Reflecting neither sorrow, nor joy, nor fear,<br />
But serene tranquillity;<br />
Adding to her pristine glow.<br />
<br />
And as I lay on the upper berth,<br />
Facing my love who lay across,<br />
I slept in peace, for I knew I'd found,<br />
Such a wondrous sight to gaze unto<br />
Such a beautiful face to wake up to.</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-36435123845889637712014-12-29T22:39:00.000+05:302015-05-01T21:34:56.199+05:30The Pink Notebook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_510167560"></span><span id="goog_510167561"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was at Crossword the other day, window-shopping with my Mom. We were bored of sitting at home and Crossword was pretty much the only
place where my Mom and I could both enjoy a good hour or two of staring at
things we have no intention of buying. I had a quick glance through the latest
titles, completely ignoring the Non-Fiction and Chetan Bhagat sections and made
my way deeper into the store. By and by I reached the stationery section.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mc3mQ1sSeaoCyxwjpfLiJOTgqKKzo5s9imR5NLOwkf_f_veWdOH4KErEXBP_WB9UXE8U9C5d5DhT9dFgdIE0DJkkMKCnwRjM5MP3f73gAzp1Jhpp3j3RiPXOhrvwajBdsD3MBdBe2m7d/s1600/20141229_204044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mc3mQ1sSeaoCyxwjpfLiJOTgqKKzo5s9imR5NLOwkf_f_veWdOH4KErEXBP_WB9UXE8U9C5d5DhT9dFgdIE0DJkkMKCnwRjM5MP3f73gAzp1Jhpp3j3RiPXOhrvwajBdsD3MBdBe2m7d/s1600/20141229_204044.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Now the rest of this probably won’t make much sense to you
if I weren't to tell you that fancy notebooks are one of my only vices. I have
a large pile of them, half written in, and half untouched as I didn't wish to
ruin them. It’s my “collection thing” as a friend of mine puts it. She herself
has a large collection of key-chains while another friend swears by his
collection of bottle caps. I'm rather proud of my quirk, as I fancy notebooks
to be a hell of a lot more useful than key-chains and caps; but I promote their
ridiculous behaviour anyway as it makes me seem sane by comparison.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I digress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point is, notebooks are my weakness. Needless to say, my
mind exploded with joy as I saw the 3 shelves packed with notebooks of all
shapes and sizes. My Mom heard my squeal of joy, raised an eyebrow, rolled her
eyes and walked away. Probably to look at the latest Mills and Boons Novels (bet
she regrets that eye-roll now!). I began my examination of the notebooks
feeling the pleasure of the connoisseur.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the next 10 minutes or so I had mentally sorted out what
I considered to be the “decent” ones of the lot. As I began the usual fight
with my conscience regarding the wisdom of actually <i>buying</i> one, my eyes
came to rest on a book I had missed in my preliminary examination. My arm
reached for it as if in a trance. It was a ruled book with a soft leather
cover. The front cover had embossed cartoon designs and a line from The Sound
of Music, “These are a few of my favourite things!” A strip of leather served
as a clasp with a concealed magnet. The pages had a pleasant off-white tinge to
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was <i>perfect</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt like writing in it just by looking at it; I had never
seen a more inspiring book in my life. I could picture it, full of stories and
poems written by me, being discovered in the attic of some old mansion a
hundred years later and people mourning the loss of such a (modesty aside)
wonderful writer. There was just one problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was bright pink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, in a perfect world, this wouldn't be a problem at all, but
right then and there, it made me stop to reconsider. My mind was immediately
full of voices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could hear my Mom and Dad exclaiming, “But it’s pink!” in
honest surprise while they exchange secret, worried glances seriously questioning their son's heterosexuality.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could hear my male friends laughing at me for having
something so blatantly feminine. Mocking me for claiming to be MAN while owning
a <i>pink</i> book! If boys don’t cry, they definitely don’t own pink
stationery.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could hear my female friends going gaga over so “cute” a
book. Subconsciously categorizing me as either a feminist or one of those
“girly guys”, pushing me to the deepest recesses of the friendzone.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could see myself bending to their criticism and opinions,
probably burying or burning the book to erase all evidence of my heinous crime.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked around guiltily and replaced the notebook on the
shelf where it had lain peacefully before my lustful eyes had seen it. I walked
away and went to find my Mom, I could not bear to stay at this store any
longer. The cool air in the store felt oppressive, the books all around glared
at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I let my lungs expand with the dusty, polluted yet comfortably familiar air as I
stepped outside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leaving the store had done nothing to ease the strange feeling
of guilt coursing through me. What did I have to feel guilty about? It was the
people around me who needed to change their world-views. I couldn't help what
they thought. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lost in my thoughts, I did not notice the scooter coming
towards me as I crossed the road until it was far too late. I stared wide eyed
as the bright yellow light came towards me, my ears ringing with the sound of a
blaring horn. I felt the dull pain of the vehicle hitting me and dimly recall
the sensation of flying through the air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next thing I was conscious about was someone splashing
cold water on my face. I was lying on the side of the road, my Mom crouching by me with tears in her eyes. She sobbed with relief and hugged me when she saw I was
conscious. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I'm a’right Ma,” I mumbled and noticed another woman
looking on with relieved eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn't hurt, just a bit sore from the fall. The tall,
young woman came to me and apologized profusely for knocking me down. After 5
minutes of her apologising and me reassuring her that it was fine, she mounted her bike and rode off. A couple of
onlookers who helped me get onto my feet shook their heads in sympathy and
clucked their tongues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“These women drivers! There ought to be a ban against them”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know. And did you see the clothes she was wearing? One of
those new hi-fi girls. Absolutely no sense of decency.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I heard their words through the haze of thoughts surrounding
me. Something clicked in my mind. I asked my Mom to wait there and ran back to
the store, taking care to look before crossing the road this time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I barged into the store and sprinted to the stationery
section where I found the pink notebook, exactly where I had left it, waiting
for me. I grabbed it and took it to the billing counter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't buy it to be a rebel or to declare that I'm a
feminist. I didn't buy it because I wanted to instigate anyone. I didn't buy it
because I'm a girl at heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I bought it because I liked it and I couldn't care less what
the world thought about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I handed over the money to the cashier, I could feel Woolf,
Friedan and Greer looking down at me and smiling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moral (In case I haven’t been clear enough) : Always look
before crossing the road.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5463286 73.90331390000005718.5312746 73.883143900000064 18.561382599999998 73.923483900000051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-7102895623038798672014-12-27T22:32:00.000+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.415+05:30Crimson Streak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">How can I be happy when</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Each thought I have is brushed away</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">By the flitting of a gentle nymph?</span></div>
<div>
<div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><a name='more'></a></span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">When every word I try and utter,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Every rhyme I string together,</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Every silence I embrace is stained</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">By a fleeting streak of red</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">In vain I try to reason with</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">My heart against such treason, but,</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The fool is still stuck dwelling on </span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The black beneath her eyes.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">I try to quickly glance away</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">For my hungry eyes betray my need</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">To linger on each spot upon</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The smoothness of her skin.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">My fears have flown away for good</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">My mind dreams once again</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">For all my joy's contained within</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The dimple on her cheek.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<a href="http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/1650499-bigthumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/1650499-bigthumbnail.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Civil Lines, North Sadar Bazar, Solapur17.654311212481772 75.90864022920413817.654311212481772 75.908640229204138 17.654311212481772 75.908640229204138tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-88375964156882833592014-11-30T21:33:00.002+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.431+05:30Homecoming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been a long and painful week<br />
Denying her both calm and sleep,<br />
Yet as she spies the setting sun<br />
A hopeful smile begins to peep;<br />
Because she's going home.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Her head is pounding ruthlessly,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
A dozen troubles on her mind;<br />
Her face is pale, her eyelids droop,<br />
Her body's begging to unwind;<br />
But at last</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, she's home.</span></div>
<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
Each breath she takes lightens her load,<br />
She feels the warmth push out the cold;<br />
The creases on her face ease out,<br />
Her hair hugs tight the pillow fold.</span></div>
<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She cares not when she'll leave again,<br />
Her eyes are shut, she dreams again;<br />
Because, at last, she's home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Big Thanks to the girl who inspired this :D </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Solapur, Maharashtra, India17.6599188 75.90639060000000917.5388768 75.745029100000011 17.7809608 76.0677521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-25179104169226157812014-11-10T15:10:00.000+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.384+05:30Nocturne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Darkness.<br />
And in that darkness, silence.<br />
The silence of a thousand souls<br />
Resting low their weary heads;<br />
The silence of a million stars<br />
Burning bright with thoughts unsaid;<br />
The silence pressing on my ears<br />
Calming down my restless brain;<br />
The silence spreading through my soul<br />
Brushing away both joy and pain.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Silence.<br />
And in that silence, shadows.<br />
The shadows spreading through the town<br />
Blessing strays with space to sleep;<br />
The shadows flickering in the homes<br />
Where awake some laugh and awake some weep;<br />
The shadows creeping up my arms<br />
Comforting me with silent grace;<br />
The shadows spreading o'er my soul<br />
Cradling it in Night's embrace.</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Solapur, Maharashtra, India17.6599188 75.90639060000000917.5388768 75.745029100000011 17.7809608 76.0677521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-65625228326278106842014-10-31T00:00:00.000+05:302019-02-06T01:36:49.273+05:30The Artist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doors to the double storey mansion slammed open,
flooding the courtyard with a warm glow. A tall, lean silhouette emerged from
inside. A large sack was slung over his left shoulder and he carried a shovel
in his arms. A loud rumble from above made him glance skyward. Dark, heavy
clouds were filling the moonless sky.</div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
He muttered a curse. The man kicked the doors shut and made
his way towards the courtyard, walking with a slight limp as he struggled to
carry his load. He set off at a brisk pace towards the woods to the west of the
estate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The storm broke just as he reached the trees. The clouds
began to pour sheets of rain onto the parched earth. The wind howled and tugged
at old, gnarled trees that creaked and groaned in protest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man made his way through the dark glade with practised
ease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something was off today. The woods felt hostile. Branches
scratched his face as he ventured deeper into the glade. The knotted roots
carpeting the forest floor threatened to make him trip. The leaves whispered
dark secrets as he walked past them but, the man’s resolve was strong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was aware only of the weight on his shoulders and the
steady movement of his feet as he made his way past the trees. Soon, he reached
a wooden cabin built in a small clearing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rain assaulted him as he left the protective shade of
the trees. He rummaged in his pockets for the key, opened the door of the cabin
with great difficulty and stumbled inside. The sack fell on the floor with a
dull thud which was inaudible over the sound of the wind blowing in through the
open door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man heaved the heavy wooden door shut against the storm
and collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tube light in the cabin flickered on. He had built the
cabin a workroom for himself, cut off from all worldly disturbances. Artists’
supplies littered the room. A rack holding jars of paint and painting oil
occupied one of the walls. Many finished, covered paintings stood on an
old-fashioned desk. A stack of blank canvases was piled in a corner of the room
along with tubes holding an array of brushes. A lone easel stood in the middle
of the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having caught his breath, the Artist knelt on the cold, hard
ground. With trembling fingers, he undid the knot holding the sack closed. His
hand snapped back as a pair of feet rolled out of it. He got up and with a
swift motion, pulled the sack free of its contents. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His breathing quickened to match his heart rate as he stared
down at the corpse of his wife. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She had retained much of her beauty even in death. Yet, her
porcelain skin had acquired an unnatural pallor now; blood and rain plastered
her golden hair together. Her lids were
shut tight, hiding her midnight blue irises from the world forevermore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist chewed on his lower lip as waves of guilt, regret
and sorrow washed over him. He had loved her, hadn't he? He had grown
dangerously obsessed with her over the past 4 years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>She </i>was responsible for his meteoric rise to fame.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>She</i> had rekindled the spark and lit the flame in his
mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>She</i> had transformed him from a street painter to a
world renowned artist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>She</i> was his Muse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was <i>his</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His and his alone!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How could anyone blame him for losing control when she kept
hankering around with other men behind his back?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His rage calmed him down. He had done nothing wrong but he
didn't expect the police to understand. He was doing the right thing. This was
the perfect spot to bury her, no one would find her in a hundred years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The storm, however, posed an unprecedented problem. He would
have to wait for it to subside before venturing out to do the deed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He pulled himself a stool and took deep breaths to calm
himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prospect of waiting alone in the cabin with the corpse
of his wife was not a pleasant one. Try as he might to avoid it, his eyes
always came to rest upon the body. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He got back up and began pacing the length of the cabin, his
nerves approaching breaking point. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He almost had a heart attack when he mistook the indistinct
shapes of trees through the window to be a person. A loud clap of thunder
rattled the window panes, making him jump. His restless gaze fell upon the pile
of empty canvases and a dark idea took root in his troubled mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 234.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK3"></a>He worked mechanically for the next few minutes,
judging the size of canvas, the paint and the medium he’d require for the job.
He mounted the canvas onto the easel and mixed a few basic shades onto his
palette. He painted a dark base for the portrait and finally turned his
attention to what he’d been putting off for the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK2"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The subject.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He couldn’t paint her in her current position, sprawled on the
ground. With a sigh he dragged the only chair in the room near the corpse. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With trembling hands, he heaved the stiff cadaver onto the chair.
Trying desperately to ignore the bone chilling cold clinging to her wet skin,
he forced her into a sitting position. The Artist balanced her neck upon her
head, thanking whatever Gods there may be for keeping her eyes shut. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He repositioned his easel to face the chair and with his back to the
worktable, began to paint.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist’s hand grew steadier with every stroke of his brush, his
mind taking pleasure in the familiar activity. He lost all sense of guilt,
sorrow and anger as he focussed his attention completely onto the canvas. He
heard himself hum a familiar tune as he lost himself completely in his work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The painting progressed at a rapid pace, he had plenty of practice
with this subject. However, his composure began to waver as the picture increased
in definition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He couldn't help but remember the countless times he had run his
hands through the golden hair he had just spent a half hour composing. The
slant of her nose and the delicate curve of her cheek that he was intimately
familiar with gave him pause as he painted them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As he finished the lips, his
mind gave up completely. He found himself lost in a painful labyrinth of
memories of his lips against hers, losing himself in their gentle, soothing
touch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He gave his head a shake to stem the flow of memories and looked at
the canvas with a critical eye. Modesty aside, it was beautiful. The painting
seemed to breathe on the canvas. All that was missing now were the eyes. The
Artist gave a sigh and raised his brush again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’d have to paint from memory here as he didn't have the stomach to
open her dead eyes. It wasn't a difficult task for him, he had painted them
plenty of times before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The eyes are the windows to the soul,” echoed a musical voice,
crystal clear over the steady roar of the rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist’s pupils grew wide. He jumped backwards and glanced
around at the room like a cornered rabbit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It took him a moment to realise that he had heard it in his mind,
the echo of a long forgotten memory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He uttered a nervous laugh, more an attempt to calm himself than out
of humour and got back to his painting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist laboured in silence for the next 30 minutes or so, adding
stroke after stroke to the canvas, watching the eyes take shape. He stepped
away from the easel and examined the painting with a frown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something was off. He painted over the eyes and made them again from
scratch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something still wasn't right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The eyes were not like they always were, sparkling with the promise
of an eternity of smiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were much brighter than normal, reflecting a much simpler and
primal emotion that he had seen but once.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The eyes in his painting shone with Fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He painted over it again and again but every time he tried, his
hands produced the same horrified expression. The expression he had seen on her
face, moments before he had brought the bottle crashing down on her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist stepped away from the painting, his brush clattering to
the floor. He raised his quivering palms up to his eyes and looked through them
at the face of his beloved, marred by the horrified expression on her face. Her
accusing eyes bore through him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As he shifted his gaze from the painting to his unmoving subject, a
bolt of lightning struck the cabin. The tube light went out with a pop,
cloaking the room in a thick shroud of darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All was quiet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frozen in place, the only sound the Artist could hear was that of
his own ragged breath. it took him a moment to realise that it signalled the
end of the storm; it was time to accomplish what he had come here for.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He turned and groped around to reach the worktable and began
rummaging inside one of the drawers for a candle. He found one after a few
seconds but couldn't locate a match to light it. He cursed himself for the mess
as he started pulling out things at random and discarding them in his
impatience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Tap Tap Tap-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist’s blood froze in his veins. He swung around, brandishing
the unlit candle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wh-Who is it?” he called out into the darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody knew about this place and none would be foolish enough to
venture this deep into the woods in the storm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps he had just imagined it again, or perhaps, even likelier, it
was the wind. He didn't have to console himself for much longer as his probing
fingers found a matchbox. Breathing a sigh of relief, he lit the candle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Tap Tap Tap- <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist froze again as the sound rang out clearly from behind
him. He turned around to face the source.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His trembling hands caused the flame to flicker, casting a host of
dancing shadows on the walls. As he raised the candle to illuminate the door of
the cabin, he was met with a sight that almost stopped his heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A pair of bright blue eyes, glimmering in the candlelight were
staring at him from across the room. Their gaze penetrated his flesh and seemed
fixed upon his soul.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fear paralysed the Artist's mind. He screwed his eyes shut and shook
his head, willing it to be just a figment of his imagination. But, the
nightmare still persisted when he opened them again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her skin emitted an opalescent yellow glow as her moist skin reflected
the candlelight. She held her left arm poised over an armrest and struck the
wood producing the familiar tapping sound. Her right arm rose, like a puppet
pulled by its string, and pointed straight at him. She curled her fingers in a
jerky motion and beckoned him to come closer in a gaunt imitation of seduction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His mind screamed at him to stay there, to run the other way, but
his legs moved towards her of their own accord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He reached the armchair and knelt before her, looking straight into
her bright, soulless eyes. She raised both her arms and cupped his face, a
tender expression on her face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Calliope,” he whispered, drawing his face closer to hers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You…Killed me,” she whispered in a cold, rasping voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Calliope,” he moaned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You…Loved me,” she continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Calliope”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I…Forgive you,” she breathed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Calliope,” he moaned yet again, tears streaming down his cheeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His trembling lips met her icy ones. The cold shot through him like
an electric shock but he couldn't pull away. His awakening desire kept him
rooted to the spot as one of her arms left his face, brushed his torso and
unbuttoned his shirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She ran a cold hand against his bare chest moaning through her lips.
Her fingers came to stop just above his heart and she dug her nails into his
skin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He tore away from her grasp and staggered backwards, clutching his
chest. He held the candle closer to examine his chest, his heart pounding as he
his wife’s face contort to form a malicious smile, twisting her features beyond
recognition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was no mark on his chest where he had felt her claw him. But
the pain was becoming unbearable, his chest was on fire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist watched, transfixed, as his skin began to wriggle and
form lumps that stretched painfully as something pushed against it. There was
something struggling within him. He had to let it out before he died of agony.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Artist stumbled back to the table, clutching his heart and
groaning with pain. He went through the junk on the table in a violent hurry
till his fingers latched onto the handle of his palette knife. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moaning with pleasure, he plunged it hard into his chest, sighing in
relief as the pain decreased in intensity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again and again he stabbed himself
till he grew too weak to grasp the knife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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As he fell to the floor, the candle fell from his hands and set the
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Wife, Commits Suicide</span>”</b> </i><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b><br />
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5463286 73.90331390000005718.5312746 73.883143900000064 18.561382599999998 73.923483900000051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-85030713133033808822014-10-18T18:40:00.000+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.428+05:30Chitter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cockroaches.<br />
Scuttling along the floor,<br />
Up the wall and down again,<br />
Six legged monstrosities,<br />
Flying in our faces, eating all our trash.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Patiently biding their time,<br />
Waiting for the gradual collapse of humanity.<br />
Chittering with malice as we kill one of their brethren,<br />
Brandishing their antennae with threats incomprehensible,<br />
Talking to us through their razor sharp mandibles:<br />
<br />
"Kill us now human.<br />
Kill us while you can.<br />
Kill as many of us as you can.<br />
Poison us and lay traps for us,<br />
Crush us beneath your lowly feet.<br />
<br />
Kill us now human.<br />
Kill us and <i>weep</i>.<br />
Weep, for when your civilization collapses, as it inevitably will,<br />
<i>We</i> shall scuttle upon your graves and rule the world.<br />
Our children shall feed on the marrow from the rotting corpses of yours<br />
And flourish for long after your pathetic race bites the dust.<br />
<br />
And when our planet's life is at an end and the glorious sun decides to swallow it,<br />
<i>We</i> shall be the ones the greet it and die along with the Earth.<br />
So kill us <i>now</i> human.<br />
<br />
Kill us while you wage your futile wars and struggle with your pathetic lives.<br />
Kill us while we raise you like pigs for slaughter.<br />
We do not begrudge you our lives, insignificant creature,<br />
For you are the fast fading past and <i>we</i> are the ever rising future.<br />
<br />
Crush us while you can human, but know,<br />
That we, and we alone, will have the last chitter."</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-52823290652350361712014-10-17T14:39:00.001+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.401+05:30Trickle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Trickle little drop of rain<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dancing on my window pane,</div>
Trickle slowly down the glass<br />
Till at last the sill you pass,<br />
Trickle down the wall below<br />
Conceived of sky of indigo,<br />
Trickle down into the earth<br />
Quench its thirst and promise birth.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Trickle little word divine<br />
Dancing ceaseless in my mind,<br />
Trickle slowly to my eyes<br />
Till you're all my sight belies,<br />
Trickle down my fingertips<br />
Conceived of a fair maiden's lips,<br />
Trickle down my dusty pen<br />
Quench its thirst and live again.</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5204303 73.85674369999992518.2795358 73.534020199999929 18.7613248 74.17946719999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-15072873637317475962014-07-04T08:49:00.000+05:302015-05-06T00:03:53.294+05:30Letters <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The pale rays of the harvest moon fall upon the fluttering
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mansion. Her flowing white dress reflects them, making her glow like a pale
beacon in the dark room in which she sits. Her poise has not faded since she
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And she smiles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A silent gust of wind, knocks over a stack of letters kept
on the corner table. They fly across the room to lie at her feet, breaking her
trance. She slowly leans down, picks them up and quickly glances through them to
find what she wanted. An old letter, the wrinkles on the onionskin paper testimony
to the number of times it had been read. The blots on the paper, testimony to
the care with which it had been written.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first time he had written.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dearest Elle,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am doing well and I
hope you are too.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We’ve finally reached
our base camp I’ve just got settled in. the people here all seem very welcoming
and brotherly. I guess we have no option but to trust each other when we depend
on each other for survival. The food here leaves much to be desired but I’m not
one to nitpick!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sigh. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Here I am rambling
about the food here because I haven’t the slightest idea how to put into words
how much I miss you already. Hopefully I get better at doing this over the next
year. Perhaps it’s better to hope that this thrice blasted war gets over before
the year is up, so I can hold you in my arms again.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The memory of your
eyes has kept me awake all week during transport. If it were up to me, I’d
march on to Berlin myself and kill that German imbecile for keeping me away
from you! Then again I guess that’s what everyone in our regiment wishes to do.
</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I would’ve written
more about this place right now but I’m exhausted at the moment; my eyelids are
drooping even as I write this. I promise to write to you again as soon as
possible. Do take care of yourself till then.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yours and yours only,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Andy.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She pulls out another letter from the stack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dear Elle,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy New Year!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How were the
celebrations back at home? We had a small party of our own at our barracks.
Nothing much really, just some wine your dad got for us and the company of my
brothers. In retrospect, it was perhaps the second best New Year’s party I’ve
attended, actually.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I assume you remember
why it’s only the second best? I for one will never forget that fateful day,
exactly a year ago when I met you. Didn’t you look stunning in that white dress
of yours! I remember the looks my mates gave me when I asked you for a dance,
can’t blame them, really. Who the heck asks the Captain’s daughter to dance
with him! In fact, I was more than sure that you’d refuse. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But you didn’t. I
remember every minute we spent dancing together. Though I don’t remember the
song they were playing, the memory of your bright blue eyes, looking into mine
through your mask, has been seared into my memory forever. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I still remember the
soft caress of your lips on mine when we kissed as the New Year began. I had
never really believed in the whole concept of “Love at first sight”, so I was
more than a little surprised when I fell for you that day.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The rest of the year
is a blur in my mind, with you being the only constant in it; those long walks
with you in your garden, the silly little rhymes I wrote for you, the warmth of
your hand in mine, the way the sun seemed to shine brighter when you would
smile. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sigh. The more I dwell
upon these memories, the harder it is for me to force myself not to just slip
away in the middle of the night and jump onto the next ship home. But these
memories are all what keeps me here too. I want to fight, Elle, I want to fight
these monsters. I’ve seen the heinous crimes they commit in the name of justice
and I want to do my best so that you may live in a world free of such monsters.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m sorry to have
plagued you with such dark<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thoughts.
This war seems to be taking a toll on everyone these days. Perhaps I should
take up writing again, to keep myself away from such morbid musings.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do take care of yourself.
Waiting impatiently for your reply. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forever yours,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Andy.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">P.S. Just wrote this
for you before posting, hope you like it!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I envy the breeze caressing your hair,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It
mocks me with every stroke;</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
envy the sun that dare look down upon,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your
face so wondrously fair.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your
eyes are like starlight,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twinkling
high above;</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
clouds which pale before</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your
beauty, my love.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let
me take you away to where we’d be alone,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Away
from the elements that stare;</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
say that I love you, and kiss your sweet hand,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before
the angels claim you as their own.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her fingers trembling
with emotion, she rummages through the remaining letters, 4 for each month that
had passed, until she reaches a sheet, written 6 months after the previous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dear Elle,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No doubt you’ve
already heard the news by the time my letter reaches you. I cannot believe it’s
finally over! You know what this means don’t you?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’M COMING BACK!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I also have some more
news to give you. I know you didn’t want me to do this until I got back, but I
couldn’t stand it any longer. Last night, after the end-of-war celebrations
were over, I approached your dad and asked him for your hand in marriage. I
know it sounds a bit formal and everything, but I would not be at peace till I
did it. I must say I was pretty nervous; I was mentally braced to be shouted
at. But your family seems to have a habit of surprising me! He said he would be
proud to have me as his son-in-law; if you agreed, of course. He was a bit
surprised to know that we had been in love for the past 3 years but he laughed
it off and said that we could be married as soon as we’re home again! He also
said something about killing me if I ever hurt you but, never mind.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So, let me ask you
once again, “Estelle Burke, though it may imply a lifetime of cheesy rhymes and
endless nights of me looking into your eyes, will you marry me?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your next letter won’t
be able to find me as we’re starting back tomorrow, but I will be coming
directly to your house with your father. If your answer is still the same as it
was when I had asked you a year ago, be there when I come, wearing the same
white dress as that night when I met you, with that radiant smile on your face
that I’ve missed so much.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I hope I’m not
rambling too much so I’ll end what will hopefully be the last letter I’ll have
to write to you with something I wrote a while ago.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
think of your face as the day turns dark,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
think of your smile as the night turns cold,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
dream of your voice that has changed my fate,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As
alone I sit in endless wait,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As
alone I sit in endless wait.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lots of Love,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Andy.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’s reached the end of the stack. Only one letter remains.
It’s different from the other letters as this one is typewritten. Fingers
trembling, she extracts it and read it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Dear Miss Estelle Burke,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>It
is with real sorrow that I write this letter; for it brings you, I am afraid,
very bad news about your fiancé, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Richardson.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>It
is indeed deeply unfortunate that his battalion was ambushed, as they made their
way back to port, by a group of German refugees. He played his part gallantly
and helped carry your father to a place of safety when he was wounded. However,
shortly afterward he was himself hit by a piece of shell and soon succumbed to
his injuries; I am deeply grieved to say.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>I
cannot tell you how sorry I am; in fact I assure you that there is not one who
doesn’t feel his death as a personal blow. Everyone thought so much of him, and
admired his fine sturdy character and his unfailing cheerfulness. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>I
wish I could help to soften the hardness of your sorrow, especially as this
occurred when we were all under an illusion of safety. There is one comfort at
least in knowing that he gave his life in a sacred cause, fighting for justice
and helping his comrades to the end. It is the greatest sacrifice that a man
can make.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></i>Let
pride then be mingled with your tears. We laid him to rest in a little military
cemetery at Betancourt by the side of several of his comrades who have died so
that England might live, and a cross now marks his grave. His soul we commended
to the loving care of our Heavenly Father, who will keep him until that day
when you will find him again, never more to be parted.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>May
God comfort and console you in your sorrow. The prayers of all who knew your
fiancé are with him and also with you in truest sympathy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">M.P.G. Leonard</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">CHAPLAIN</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">8<sup>TH</sup> Kings Own (R.L.) Regt.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A tear trickles down her cheek and splashes onto the page.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Words. Hollow, empty, mechanical words to soothe the pain in
her heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She chuckles and lets the wind blow away the sheet of paper
and watches it flutter across the courtyard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lies. </i>She thinks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He’ll come for me. He
promised.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She settles back into her silent vigil, smoothening out the
wrinkles in her dress as she lowers herself into the armchair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alone I sit in endless
wait</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lump rises in her throat but she swallows it, stemming the
flow of tears with an impatient shake of her head. He won’t like to see her
cry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The wind calms down, restoring the stillness in the room.
The moonlight shines, as bright as ever, illuminating the folds on her dress,
making her pale skin glow. The raven on the parapet had flown away. The mansion
was drowned in tragic silence again. She stares at the moon till, overcome with
weariness, she drifts off to sleep, her neck hanging at an uncomfortable angle
off the chair, losing herself in the world of troubled dreams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet she doesn’t forget.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eyes closed, she smiles.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>
</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Bangalore, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-49644124819505459322014-07-02T19:29:00.001+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.397+05:30Beautiful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Why do I think you’re beautiful?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not your silky, satin dresses,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your curly curtain tresses,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or the glow that gently blesses</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whichever path you tread.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do I think you’re beautiful?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not your sultry, smiling lips,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your dainty fingertips,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your gentle nose that dips</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you bow your rosy head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do I think you’re beautiful?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not the clasps and clips galore,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your chuckling cheeks I adore,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your eyes that come before</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every little rhyme I make.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do I think you’re beautiful?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not your spectral, sober face,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your skin as smooth as lace,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or the callous, courteous grace</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You flaunt with each step you take.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do I think you’re beautiful?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not your soothing summer’s shine,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your voice, like sparkling wine,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or your sweet, warm hand in mine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s driving me insane.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do I think you’re beautiful?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not your bouts of stunning wit,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or the frequent childish fit,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or the thoughts of you that flit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like radiant, rippling rain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then why do I think you’re beautiful?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because, my dear, you’re beautiful</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that’s all there is to it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Bangalore, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-55781187502396728612014-06-17T22:59:00.000+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.408+05:30Echo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The stars, cloaked in midnight blue,<br />
Twinkle merrily without a care;<br />
But as I close my eyes to sleep,<br />
I'm haunted by an echo's glare.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
From the darkest confines of my mind,<br />
To the brightest entity;<br />
The echo echoes as it's wont<br />
And lulls me to insanity.<br />
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Overcome with strain as I give in<br />
To the soothing blanket of sleep;<br />
The echo echoes in my dreams,<br />
Sweet and shallow, dark and deep.<br />
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I try to lose myself in words,<br />
I try to quell my rage;<br />
The echo echoes through my pen,<br />
And fills in every page.<br />
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I laugh to drown the haunting sound,<br />
It does nothing, so I cry;<br />
The echo echoes through my tears,<br />
Even as they dry.<br />
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I withdraw into myself for I<br />
Don't have another choice;<br />
The echo echoes through my soul,<br />
The echo of your voice.</div>
Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Solapur, Maharashtra, India17.6599188 75.90639060000000917.6599188 75.906390600000009 17.6599188 75.906390600000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-1410709794710570882014-05-09T10:00:00.000+05:302015-05-06T00:03:53.289+05:30The Writer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
He sat, hunched, over the blank sheet of paper, a pen poised over it. He had been sitting there for hours but, no great stroke of inspiration came to him. One could see his mind working desperately through his unfocussed eyes. Yet it only drew blanks.<br />
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A parade of people marched across his mind’s eye. Some he knew intimately, others had passed by him on the street. He searched desperately among them, looking for a face that could spark the fire of his imagination. He tried, in vain, to fit their characters into a story. He began writing, only to stop after half a page as the fire sputtered out.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br />
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The events of his life played out like a reel in front of him. He hunted for a memory worth writing about. Right from his childhood, to the day that was coming to a rapid end, he analyzed them; looking for something, anything, that might interest people. A scene he could mold and dramatize. He caught hold of a thread, clinging to it for dear life, and began to write. The thread held for a page before he crumpled it and threw it into the bin.<br />
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He delved deeper into his psyche. He saw excerpts from works he had read. They usually greeted him as an old friend, but today they possessed an air of unmistakable hostility. Words and phrases jumped out at him teasing, taunting, abusing him; asserting their dominance over him. He tried to push them away, to gain some measure of control over them. They retreated temporarily, only to return with his own writings, finished and unfinished.<br />
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Battered and bruised by their assault, he crept deeper into his mind, following the one golden ray of light that shone through the molesting shadows. He followed it blindly, as a hungry dog might when offered a scrap of meat. And there in the deepest recesses of his mind he came upon a precipice. He peered into its endless depths and saw the source of light deep below him.<br />
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It was a point of no return. The shadows behind him changed color. They beseeched him not to take the leap, that they were all he needed; only fools ever made the jump. He could see himself picking out ideas, passages and sentences from the vast array of shadows before him; merging and shaping them into a work of his own. He could see people loving it, for it was made out of something they already loved.<br />
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The thought sickened him.<br />
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He laughed a hollow, maniacal laugh that scared him more than it did the shadows. He turned away from the cliff, looked mockingly at his tormentors, spread his arms and, fell backwards into the unknown. </div>
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He soared through the abyss at an alarming rate. He could see the light getting closer, almost blinding him. And then he was encompassed by it.</div>
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Every fiber of his body ached with ecstasy. He was flying in the light, his body screaming with joy. He laughed with a visceral happiness, the likes of which he had never known. He could feel the light pouring into every crevice of his mind, obliterating the shadows. He had found something he had never truly tried to. He had found himself.<br />
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He opened his eyes with a jolt. They were focused and, possessed a new gleam within them. He caressed the paper with his pen and wrote like he had never written before. The words he formed were not listless and dead. </div>
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They were alive with the fire of his soul. He wrote, “He sat, hunched, over a blank sheet of paper, a pen poised over it…..”</div>
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com2Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5204303 73.85674369999992518.2795358 73.534020199999929 18.7613248 74.17946719999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413534076857512312.post-42215502453247480982014-05-02T23:03:00.001+05:302015-05-06T00:01:21.393+05:30Nymph<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I sit alone on rocky shores<br />
Watching the tides rise and fall;<br />
Alone I sit in endless wait<br />
For he who owns my heart, my all.<br />
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People concern me no more,</div>
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Busy with lives of joy and fun;<br />
I've forgotten them, and they me,<br />
I'm known just as the nameless one. </div>
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I glimpse into the turbid pools<br />
To behold my timeless face,<br />
Aged with grief, aged with longing,<br />
And my form bereft of grace. </div>
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I recoil, horrified, for<br />
He wouldn't like to see me so;<br />
I compose myself and wear a smile<br />
Though I have no real joy to show. </div>
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<br /></div>
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My mind, it tortures me unfailing,<br />
Claiming he is not my fate;<br />
It teases me and taunts me asking<br />
Is he truly worth the wait?</div>
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But my heart wins out at last,<br />
As the waves rise and fall apart,<br />
And I sit and wait alone, for him<br />
Who rides the waves of my heart.</div>
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Kshitij Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155853630858675010noreply@blogger.com0Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5204303 73.856743699999925-11.055709199999999 32.548149699999925 48.0965698 115.16533769999992