tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32972874700447971562015-07-04T00:02:12.454-07:00Reminiscence the pensive storiesArnabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16099317598678273864noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297287470044797156.post-76245491410869519392015-04-17T06:22:00.000-07:002015-04-27T07:16:37.201-07:00ABANDONED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">The car came to a halt. I didn't even open my eyes to see how it looks like. I was sure no matter how beautiful that place was I was never going to like it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Get up. We have reached”, said father, who looked at me for the first time since a fortnight.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I opened my eyes and faced him. I looked straight into his eyes. I was trying hard to find some warmth in it. There was none rather they looked strange. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“See I know you don’t want to stay here. Even I don’t want you to be here but you haven’t left me any choice. I never expected anything of this sought from you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I said nothing. He paused a little and then suddenly his tone changed. He spoke as if he wanted everything to be normal again. As if, like me, wanted everything to be normal as before.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“What happened to you? You were never like this before. You were such a well behaved kid. I was always so proud of you. Contrary to that you have become so difficult to understand." His tone was again harsh. He continued. "Thus I don’t think I’ll be able to handle you any more.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I said nothing and turned my face. Though I wanted to protest but I didn't. I knew it was useless. It’s almost a month I have been trying hard to convince him but his is not ready to accept it. Forget accepting it, he is not ready to listen to me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“You are a big girl now. You should act more maturely. For god’s sake you are 15. How many young kids like you have been seen doing stuff like yours?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Every bit inside me was aching. His words were no less than thousands of arrows. He sounded as if he caught me consuming alcohol or drugs. I know the way I behaved with uncle was not the right. I shouldn't have shouted at him in front of so many people around. But he was continuously asking about my "mothers".</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“From now behave properly and stop telling lies. See I don’t want you to get indulge in any more wrong sort of things. So please stay away from things which do not concern you.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I remained silent. I think he was expecting me to cry or argue or make a scene. He was disappointed. I knew he is not going to change his mind, I also knew the reason behind it. So why waste his time and my energy? I just nodded and got down from the car. He brought my luggage and we went in. He completed all his formalities. And before leaving he came and talk to me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Stay safe,” said he.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As he said this I was searching in his eyes for the lost warmth I was trying see for such a long time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I don’t want any complaints from this school. They are good people they will take care of you. After all this is the best hostel in the city.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was looking at the floor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Listen, look at me.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I turned to face him. He looked so convincing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Promise me you’ll behave properly. If you promise me so then I promise you I’ll take you back home forever but, at the end of this session. Till then I’ll observe you through your teachers and matron. Okay?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was still quite. He got irritated and said.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Oh common say something.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I had many things in my mind. I wanted to say everything that came up to mind but I ended up saying this.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“You know Papa what Mum used to say when she was alive? She said not to make promises that we won’t be able to fulfil. I know you are not going to take me home except may be for holidays. You wanted an alibi and luckily you got it. Don’t try and make me believe things which would never happen.Bye Papa”<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I walked towards the door. I stopped at the door. Looked at him and said.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Congratulations Papa!! On your wedding.” </div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">I saw his shocked expression and then his face drop a little. I closed the door while I left the room and headed towards my new room.</div></div>Arnabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16099317598678273864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297287470044797156.post-26654796816530455452015-03-13T00:08:00.000-07:002015-04-14T07:40:23.599-07:00The Choice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLbvEw2Xh2s/VS0eMhF4m9I/AAAAAAAAA2o/UR5KPL3ngsI/s1600/download%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLbvEw2Xh2s/VS0eMhF4m9I/AAAAAAAAA2o/UR5KPL3ngsI/s1600/download%2B(2).jpg" /></a><br /><h2></h2><h3></h3><h4></h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I was asked to sit on a bench in the corridor. At end of the corridor there was a room. I was supposed to enter the room after someone came to fetch me. I was a little scared. Father told me to be calm and quiet. Mother said there was nothing to worry about. They both said everything will be fine after I answer the questions correctly. I had some vague idea what they would ask me. What I </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> know was the “correct” answer to that question.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a long time, a lady came to me and asked me to follow her. I could see something in her eyes. Was it sympathy or pity? I don’t know. As we approached the door, I could hear some voices; one was my mother’s second my father’s, there were few other unknown voices as well. As the lady opened the door, the room felt silent. Lady gestured me to enter and I did so. I was a little relieved to see my parents. They looked at me and remained silent. They were sitting on one side of a table and one man each were standing behind them and there was a third man who was sitting on the other side of the table. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The third man asked me to come and sit on the chair near to him. I did what I was told. He then started talking to me quiet pleasantly. He said, “Hello son. I hope you know why you are here?” I nodded and he continued. “Then tell me with whom you want to be: your mother or your father?” I remained silent. He asked me again to answer. I still remained silent. He asked,” why are you silent son? You must have a choice? Whom do you love more? With whom you would like to be for the rest of your life?” I remained silent. A little irritated he said,” say something, anything? Tell me what you are thinking.”<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yva3bi_3AGI/VS0mltoKqgI/AAAAAAAAA3c/JF8YL3wKfco/s1600/download%2B(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yva3bi_3AGI/VS0mltoKqgI/AAAAAAAAA3c/JF8YL3wKfco/s1600/download%2B(4).jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally he asked something for which I had an answer. I said hesitantly,” I.....I am a little.... confused sir.” I </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> know what to say further. I swallowed before I could gather my thoughts. My class teacher in kindergarten had taught me this....This had worked when I forgot the poem I was supposed to recite in annual day function last year. I took a deep breath, gathered my words and said. “I wonder what would be the “correct” answer to this question...Sir. On my last birthday mom and dad took me to the Zoo. There were lots of animals... elephants, giraffes, and tiger too.” All the good memories of six months ago flashed in my mind. I could speak more freely and felt happy. “And there were lots of cages and dad held me up while showing me the animals over other people’s shoulders. Mom used to hold my hand while we walked from cage to cage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I almost </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> notice that the man in the black coat was getting irritated at my rant. “My child”, he said sternly, “I don’t wish to hear about your last birthday, just answer my question”. I had grown in confidence a little by the memories. I told him, “Sir, please...please let me say...it’s very important to me”. I saw his face soften a bit. He curtly said, “Go on son”.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I continued with renewed vigour. “We spent the whole day together. Mom gave us the sandwiches she had packed from home. Dad said we all can have ice creams after that. I love ice-cream sir”. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We all do son”, this time the man was more kind.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But I always get confused between a vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream. I asked Mom and dad which one I should take. They helped me out with all the cones and bars and cups and I finally chose one”. He again got a bit impatient and asked, “Drive home your point son”.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I swallowed again and said, “Sir, every time I chose my toys, my ice-cream, my dresses and even friends, I was always helped by either mom or dad”.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I paused as my voice choked, “But... But today sir... none of them told me whom to choose.....”<o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div>Arnabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16099317598678273864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297287470044797156.post-61430432076614606272015-03-12T08:08:00.001-07:002015-04-14T07:35:13.563-07:00I Cannot Say No<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />“Every morning is a new beginning and comes with a new promise.” said mother while we were preparing the breakfast. “Every day you get another chance to fulfil your dreams. Knocks on your <br />door and seeks your permission. Don’t let the opportunity go away from you.” just when she said that the call bell rang. Perfect timing I must say. “See I told you. Now run and open the door. Let see what this morning brings for us.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLr3iWqZld8/VS0lYNVRa4I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/D-9t9zD1FbM/s1600/images%2B(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLr3iWqZld8/VS0lYNVRa4I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/D-9t9zD1FbM/s1600/images%2B(15).jpg" /></a>I opened door only to find my neighbour cum classmate, Shalini. We had a conversation and she asked for a favour. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Hey! What’s up? Hey I need a favour. I was In the middle of a very important conversation with my aunt from Jabalpur. You remember her right? And the land-line hung up. I tell you this digging up the whole grounds for so called repairing of wire system is taking on my nerves. Anyway so where was I? Oh yes my aunt. So now what I need to do is finish my conversation. Otherwise you know I will have a heart attack out of suspense. So can I use your land-line? I know you would not deny me. I was asking just out of courtesy. Thanks. “</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">And before I could say something she was already dialling the numbers. I knew a thrashing was coming my way.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Who’s there?” asked mother while coming out of the kitchen. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">‘Maa its Shalini. She wanted to use our phone and so she is....” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“You should have at least asked me once before allowing her. You know she Is, a complete chatter. Now she would talk about petty things as If she is discussing world economy with the prime minister.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“I tried to stop her but she didn't give a chance to even say a word.” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“You should have said a no.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“What I can do, I cannot say no.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Shalini discussed about her new fairy dress for next half an hour and mother continuously gave me that stern looks of her.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzcSW45ceuI/VS0itwwm_OI/AAAAAAAAA3E/VUWMO9onDcg/s1600/download%2B(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzcSW45ceuI/VS0itwwm_OI/AAAAAAAAA3E/VUWMO9onDcg/s1600/download%2B(3).jpg" /></a></div>In the afternoon I went for a cycle ride. In winters with some of my friends I always like to do so at this time of the day. That day nobody turned up. Later it struck me that we decided not to come because later this evening we were supposed to attend New Year’s party organised by central bank of India. That’s where my father worked. Disappointed I turned my cycle towards home when I saw Subodh coming this way. I stopped to say hi (I shouldn't have done that). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Hey Damini! Happy new year!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Same to you Subodh.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Coming for the party tonight?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Yes of course. That’s why returning home early. Just came for a cycle ride.” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Lucky you. My cycle is in garage thus can’t ride mine. Huh Damini can I borrow your cycle? Just a round. Please for five minutes only.” He said with a puppy face.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“Okay.” I said with a hesitation but that was an invitation enough for him. I waited for him about 45 minutes sitting under a tree. I was wondering what mother would say. Second thrashing of the day and this year. I decided not to tell her about this incident. Again she would scold me for not using the word ‘no’ and again I would end up saying the same thing-what I can do, I cannot say no...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TO0GN-7jKbI/VS0h8hOX-KI/AAAAAAAAA20/WoqJYjapv4E/s1600/images%2B(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TO0GN-7jKbI/VS0h8hOX-KI/AAAAAAAAA20/WoqJYjapv4E/s1600/images%2B(12).jpg" /></a></div>After a long wait, evening came, and we were all dressed in our best attire. I chose my pink frock. It had frills at the bottom end and a pink flower on left hand side of the waist. When I entered the venue everyone said I looked pretty. I met my best friend. Best quality about a friend is that they never ask you anything which you would wish to say a ‘no’.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> After a while my friend wanted to go to the wash room so we went there. I waited at the lounge sitting on a sofa. One of my mother’s acquaintance came with her little daughter and asked me to take care of her for while till she uses the wash room. As you all know by now I said “yes”. Well the baby was so cute, cuddling, beautiful, and wet? No way, that baby used my lap as her toilet seat. And just then my mother and the baby’s mother came. One apologised and went back to the venue hall and the other gave the second thrashing of the day (which could have been the third) and yes it was the thrashing of the lifetime too. I just not ruined my dress but the first day of the year too.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“This is heights. Why can’t you say a ‘no’? A short and simply ‘no’?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">By that time my friend came to my rescue and convinced mother that she will definitely make me say a ’no’ whenever it would suffice. Mother left the lounge a little irritated. And my friend ended up asking the same question with a naughty smile on her face-why can’t you say a ‘no’?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">And I ended up giving the same old answer with immense helplessness-what can I do? I can’t say no.</div></div>Arnabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16099317598678273864noreply@blogger.com2