Short Story #8: Bond

"Why do you love him?", I asked her after an hour of conversation.

She replied instantly, a smile on her eyes. "He is a man of strong emotions, yet he masks them by his childish grin. He has a heart that yearns for care, yet he doesn't expect it from anyone. No one is capable of giving a life that is bed of roses, but while walking with each other, I know, we will never ever sense the pain of thorns. And I knew, to love him, one needs extreme tolerance and intelligence, which unfortunately I possess.", she said with a wink.

I looked at him. He wasn't amused. Rather he held her hands tight and kept smiling. "Have you ever asked him why he loves you?" I asked her again.

"Never. I told you. I possess extreme intelligence. And, his actions always speak what was required and thus words lost their necessity." We spoke for few more minutes and they got up. She gently freed her hands' from his and put one around his waist. He held her close by her shoulders, and started walking together from the garden pavement to the old age home after weaving me bye.

I understood what made their 45 years of marriage so strong and why they refused to spend their last few years with their son abroad. At some distance, I heard their loud laughter and with a sense of delight, I dialled to my friend, their son, to say until they are with each other around, they will be fine and have the best times of their lives.

Ashwakann
June 2014

Short Stories #7: Step Up

He stepped down from the dais. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. People admired him for his extraordinary music sense. His concert was a big hit. As always.

Sheela was watching the concert live. She went to the backstage and gave him a tight hug. “The best thing about you is your simplicity, Rajesh. You'll reach soaring heights.”

For a minute, he traveled ten years back. “Ivanellam paadala nu yaaru azhutha? Kudumbathula kanji ke vazhi illa, ithula paatu thevaya? Avanum avan sattaiyum!!”, the words she spoke to her husband, his maternal uncle, when he had been to Sheela's place after his failure in the first audition.

“Come home after the concert Rajesh. Your uncle would be expecting you. Dinner is at our place only.”, she invited him with pride.

He smiled, thanked and waved her a Good-Bye. But someone within him was laughing out aloud.

*********
Ivanellam paadala nu yaaru azhutha? Kudumbathula kanji ke vazhi illa, ithula paatu thevaya? Avanum avan sattaiyum!!
Translation : Who gave a damn about his music? His family struggles for a single course meal and he cares only about his music. Look at him and his pathetic dressing sense.

Ashwakann

 April 2014

Click here for more short stories on the other world

Short Stories #6: iPhone jPhone.

“Dei! What da iPhone jPhone? End of the day, the purpose of a phone is to talk and convey the message. Look at my Nokia 6310i. It has got internet and mp3 player as well. What else do you need? Enough of showing off with your iPhone da. Don't spoil that kid Ammu with that Flappy Birds App.”
Ammu is our 5-year old neighbour. He told those words for the fifth time today, I guess. I was glad to hear that irritation in his voice. Yeah, the irritation that signified his interest and attraction towards the phone.
That night, he came to my room to check if I was asleep. “Dei! Where is your iPhone? Give me da. Let me see what is in it.”, he asked. Again. The moment I was waiting for. “Poda anna. I'm asleep. Play tomorrow. You don't know to handle a touch phone.”
He left the place. He couldn't let his ego down to his ten-year-younger brother. That's him. Adamant but selfless. I've never seen him satisfying his own needs and doesn't bother about it too.
For the last four days, I ensured he couldn't access my iPhone. This evening, when I came home, I saw Ammu playing Temple Run in an iPhone 5S. For the first time, he has bought something he desired. And for me, mission accomplished

Ashwakann

March 2014

Short stories #5: Ma's trip to YamaLok

While her corpse had been laid in the drawing room, I felt impassive. People expected me to burst out. I dint. Not that I couldn't emote. I dint feel like emoting. I felt detached. Unmoving. That is how our relationship had been. I was completely estranged from her though we lived together.
“You'll understand my pain only when you give birth to a kid and when she spits fire on your face. ”
“Let me see how you bring up your kid.”
“I'm sure your life is going to be screwed up so badly.”
“With this attitude and pride, you'll never come up in life. You'll repent for your words against me.”
All these phrases kept resonating in my ears. She had always used either one of these to end our argument and left the place. The same happened a couple of days before her accident. Once again, we weren't in talking terms. All I received was a phone call that she met with an accident and she lost her life on spot.
I made arrangements for the cremation. My dad and brothers couldn't recover from her demise. They loved her better. I loved her long back. Though she was my mother, things never worked between us. For some unexplained reason, she cared less about me. At times, loathed me. It took sometime for me to accept that not everyone is blessed with a perfect mother. I started being neutral about her.
She was a very sweet woman in the society. Innocent. Caring. What-not? My brothers felt the same, but never did I. My parents never shared a healthy bond and she kept whining about dad always.
Whatever, exactly a year after her death, I was 25 and married a guy of my choice, Sathish. At 27, I gave birth to a beautiful baby, Aradhana. My conscious always told me I would make a great mother. I was determined to be a mom Aradhana would want me to.
My mother's words were pulsating on my ears every now and then. I badly wanted her soul to see the way I brought up my kid. I knew bringing up a kid isn't an easy deal. I paid immense attention on Aradhana's growth.
But during every phase, mom kept flashing in my mind. The way she taught me to walk, to read and write. Her culinary skills. Her sweet voice. Brilliant administration skills. Finance management. I started realizing how my mom had managed every single crisis at home in spite of her limited education. My dad never bothered about my schooling or about our family in the initial days. Her work had never been recognized, never appreciated.
On the contrary, Sathish was everything to me. And to Aradhana. He knew our every step. He took care of all the financial management. He encouraged me to pursue my passion. He was there every time, whether I needed him or not. I started realizing what my mom had missed.
Aradhana grew up. She was clever, talented and an achiever. She excelled in her passion. She had those expressive green eyes. Just like my mom. Extremely sweet voice. Just like my mom. And she often told me “I love you Ma. You are the best”. Unlike my mom.
Years rolled on. I was on my death bed. I had a happy, contented life. Every single happening in my life, after my mom's demise, was exactly the way I wanted it to be. I'd been an awesome wife. A caring mom. Sathish & Aradhana's tears made me feel that I'd served my responsibilities right. None of my mom's curses came true. But, somewhere I felt my life had been incomplete.
My mom's image again flashed on my mind. That beautiful face. That child-like smile. If only my mom had had a mother like me and a father like Sathish, she would have been as successful as Aradhana.
Aradhana kept uttering my name and holding my hands. I could barely hear her voice or feel her touch. Finally, my soul was out of my body.
Here I'm traveling to Yamalok. I'll reach ChitraGupta's office in few minutes. I'm feeling heavy. I've no clue why. I believed in life after death and I wish I could see if my mom's soul is around. I wanted to know why we weren't getting along together. I've reached CG's office now.
ChitraGupta : Welcome to Yamalok Lalitha Ma. Our records say you've been tremendous on Bhoolok. We would like to send you directly to Swargha without any investigation. Is there anything you'd like to ask me?
Me: Thank You ChitraGupta. I'm deeply moved by your words. I would like to know if I could meet my mom, Yashoda's, soul, by any chance? I would want to apologize for failing to love her. I could've been a much better daughter to her.
ChitraGupta: Ha ha ha. Yashoda Ma's soul? You were with her all these years Lalitha Ma. You never recognized?
Me: I don't understand ChitraGupta.
ChitraGupta: Yashoda Ma is reborn on Bhoolok. As Aradhana. Your Kid. She repented for the way she had treated you and wanted to nullify her mistakes. Hence she requested for reincarnation. You've been a wonderful mom and a fantabulous wife Lalitha Ma. That's the reason why you've been allocated to Swargha directly.
I'm struck again. I don't feel like emoting. Not that I dint want to, I couldn't. Now I realize. Those green eyes. That sweet voice. And specially, that I Love You. My soul will rest in boundless peace.

Ashwakann

March 2014

Short Stories #2: Marriage Invitation

We met on the induction day. Gawtham and Prakalya. There was an instant spark within me the moment I saw her. She was bold and beautiful. God always answer my prayers and hence we were deployed in the same project.

It took 5 months for me to propose her, and as any other girl, she dint accept it first place. I knew she liked me yet she kept denying. 

After 2 years of struggle, pain and acceptance, she and I are getting married next week. Yeah, fate brought us together. Please do come and grace the occasion. Here is the invite.

Gawtham weds Ragini & Shriram weds Prakalya. 
The 8th of April, 2014. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Onwards.
The Golden Towers, Anna Nagar.

Oh dint I tell you, Ragini and Shriram are siblings!

Ashwakann

March 2014

Short Stories #3: A sudden contentment

She felt nervous. Confused. She wasn't sure if she had found the right one, but she wanted to see if this could work. She knew she deserved a good companion for life. She decided to meet him again the next day.
She woke up in the middle of the night, gasping for breathe. Nocturnal awakening wasn't new to her. She could wipe those beads of sweat over her forehead and neck, but she couldn't expunge those four faces off her mind. The pain. “No. Don't think”. She told herself. She cuddled with her pillow and tried to sleep.
Morning rays were beautiful. And she looked stunning in her orange chiffon saree. After three long years, she felt her skin glowing and radiant. An inexpressible wave of happiness spread within her. With strong intent, she headed to the place where she met him the previous day.
Her mind was occupied with Kalyan's thoughts. The happiness, love and bondage they shared. It was magical! 2 years of married life. A loud honk. The driver announced that she had reached the destination. She got down the cab and walked towards the office.
He was there. Neatly dressed and laughing out loud. She smiled at him affectionately and he sprang towards her. A sudden contentment. A new meaning to life. There wasn't any confusion now. Somewhere she felt Kalyan smiling at her. She started filling out the form.

Name: Mrs. Adithi Kalyan
Age: 26 yrs
Maritial Status: Widow.

She filled rest of the particulars and signed the adoption papers. But there were few more things she couldn't mention in the form.
Yes. She was the victim of the brutal gang rape that happened three years ago. And the one who lost her husband in the attack.

Ashwakann

March 2014

Short Stories #4: Fastest Fingers First

He was sitting amongst the other contestants in the studio. The question for Fastest Fingers First had just flashed. He realized it was the toughest and yet, he could crack it up in 3 secs. Faster than any of those contestants around him.

The moments passed. It was his game. He is now with his favorite host on the hot seat and the magic moment has come. “Option 'C' is the right answer! You've won 1 crore rupees Mr. Srikanth”. A blast of glitters and color papers were showered all around. He overwhelms with the joy of winning and his family beams with pride.

All in few moments! The buzzer goes up and he could see..

Venkatarajulu Narashimma Reddy : 5.23 seconds
Srikanth Velappan : 5.41 seconds

Huh! That was the last round of Fastest Fingers First for this batch! Two seconds of daydreaming has resulted in perfect disaster! :( :(

Ashwakann

March 2014

Short Stories #1: Salary day

Salary day. It was her first earning. A wallet filled with fresh currency notes. She boarded a bus in order to make an offering to God on account of her new job.

As she got down from the crowded bus someone from behind snatched her wallet and raced into the streets. She instantaneously realized what had happened and ran after the pickpocket. Hopes of providing good food to her kid for next few days flashed before her eyes. She had to get him. She cried for help. With the aid of the gathering, she caught him quick and got back the wallet. She awed at her courage. The crowd took charge of the thief.

She was panting heavily. She walked to the temple and made her offering. Indeed, it was her first earning and probably would be the last as well. As a pickpocket.

Ashwakann

March 2014