Not Alone

Prabhu was a simple person, living in his village along with his wife. He used to work in the other people's fields when ever they needed. Rest of the time he did petty works for all in the village. In return they used to give him food.

He was happy in his small world with nothing much to aspire. He was elated when his wife Promila declared that she was pregnant with his child.

Their joys knew no bounds. But now the question of surviving along with some extra money became their priority. Prabhu, started working hard by working in a barber shop.

He was now saving for their child. Time passed and his wife suddenly started having severe pain in her womb. He shouted for help. No one provided any help and they all suggested to take her to the hospital, which was across the hill. There was no proper road and no mode of transportation available.

He felt helpless looking at his wife who was in terrible pain. He borrowed a hand cart from a neighbour and made her wife lie on it. He started running towards the hospital which was more than twenty kilometres away and that too without any proper road.

He kept on running and running. His wife was in deep pain and was crying. Suddenly her cries stopped. He looked at the cart and found her lifeless lying on it.

His entire world crashed and had no inkling what to do. He was all alone in the world. Villagers came and helped him do the last rites for his wife. He was torn deeply. He lost his wife and his child due to the lack of resources.

This did not break his determination. He took a loan and bought a bike and then helped all the needy reach hospital in time. He converted his bike into a mobile carrier for the patients. Looking at his good work and selfless service the villagers commended and appreciated his service.

He was now not alone in his journey of service. Mankind was with him. He was no more dependent he was an Independent person who had dedicated his life to help others.

Bond Of Love

Shagufta was sitting quietly on her terrace looking at the stars. Soft summer breeze was playing with her locks. Shagufta all of thirteen, she felt trapped in the house.

Everyone was fast asleep and she stole few moments for herself. She had been married for five years now. When she was just eight she was engaged to her first cousin. Few days later she was married and sent to this house.

At that time she did not even knew what marrige meant. But her father wanted to get rid of his responsibility as soon as possible. Her mother could not utter a word as her father threatened that he will give Talak if she disagreed.

Her mother Bano was quiet and sucked in her tears and fears. Shagufta had no inkling what was happening to her.

She was married to her cousin fifteen years older. He had lust and unending hunger for her body. She cried endlessly but all in vain. No one was there to help her or hear her cries. All ears were deaf.

She found solace in the soothing embrace of the night stars. They listened calmly and helped her tears dry in their embrace. 

Slowly she found a deep love and a serene connection with the night sky. Stars were her bond of love and her saving grace.

She vowed to herself, she will stand tall for a better life. Maybe her twinkling friends will help her gain courage and strength to fight for her rights.

*******

Reunion of Memories

Sitting quietly at a corner table, Suman was deep in her thoughts. She was far away somewhere. Her eyes were fixed on a small blue boat outside her window.

It was tied to a plank secured with a strong nail. Boat wanted to set free and sail into the river. The water was calling her and she was helpless tied to the shore. Boat knew her happiness lies in the free flowing water. 

Suman felt connected with the boat. Even she was tied to the shore and waiting to sail freely into the vast ocean. Her wings were clipped with responsibilities and vows of sacred band in her finger. Yet she yearned to open her wings and scale the heights.

She felt suffocated. Feelings of love have taken backstage with time. Now her past memories haunt her, they call her towards her dream. Dream to conquer the stage as an artist.

That blue boat has meddled with her brain and held a reunion of lost memories. It's time she needs to spread her wings and break the shackles to sail in the river once again.

She came to some conclusion and stood firmly with a strong dedication. Atlast she feels free.

One

It's raining outside

Come let's dance 

to the tune of raindrops

Let our hearts melt

With the music

Reverberating in our souls

Let us laugh

On the rooftop

Watching the sun going down

Let us breathe

Under the sky

Gazing the glowing stars

Let us be one

And live in the moment

Of silence and grace!

19/09/2021

© Deeप्ती 

Legend

Little Pinky was admiring the fun activities of the squirrels dancing on the tree and ground. Squirrels were chirping merrily picking up food grains from the ground which her mother Sunita had sprinkled on the ground for the birds. But before any bird could see the grains squirrels came hopping and started gobbling the grains. 

Pinky was excited to see them filling their mouths continuously. Her mother Sunitha approached along with Chintu. Chintu lived two houses away from them. He was of same age as of Pinky. Together they played almost everyday.

"Pinky see what I found near my gate." Saying so he produced a peacock feather in one hand and grains to feed the birds in another. Bit almost all the grains had slipped from his hand 

"Ahaa.. it's so beautiful." Pinky clapped gaily. " What is in your other hand I cannot see anything. You think with your tiny hands you can feed the birds. And that too with only two three grains" she mocked.

He was disheartened yet he came forward and said "They are so cute. I love their backs as they have those beautiful lines on which I feel like riding my cycle. "

And they both laughed in their joke.

He further added " I always feel as if my cycle has created those lines on their back. Exactly the way my tyres mark the ground after rains. I could carry grains on cycle to feed them."

Sunitha was hearing their conversation, she wanted to make them understand the importance of effort so she smiled and asked them "that is interesting Chintu. But, do you know, how the squirrels got those three stripes on their back?"

"No, please tell na ?" Unitedly both asked.

She sat beside them " As per legend when Sita was abducted by demon Ravan, Rama reached the tip of the land. With the help of Hanuman he knew that Sita was across the ocean. All the vanars started building a bridge on the ocean by adding large rocks aa a bridge.

Seeing all this a little squirrel came there and she too wanted to help. As she had played a lot with Sita when they were in the forest. In those times squirrels were with plain back. They were in single plain colour.

That squirrel started picking pebbles and started adding them to the bridge. She kept on working day and night. Looking her work all the vanars started making fun of her. 

"Look at this squirrel, she is picking such tiny pebbles and throwing in the ocean and she thinks she is building the bridge. Ha ha ha..."

Of course she was disheartened with thier words. She really wanted to help but she could not pick large rocks as the vanars could. She started crying silently and sat away from them.

Prabhu Shri Ram was watching all this he went near her and said " why are you crying. Your work is equally important. No work is big or small. Let them say whatever they want to say. They do not know how precious and important your small pebbles are to the bridge. Because of your small pebbles their big rocks are getting support as it is filling the space between them." Saying so he picked her up gently and made her sit on his lap. And then he gently stroked her back with his fingers. And rewarded her with three beautiful stripes in return.

And as per the legend, that is how she got her stripes."

"Yes mummy now I understand every work is important. Said Pinky

Chintu loved the legendary story. He now knew even his work was important.

********

Language of Love ❤️

Unforgettable Childhood Games

"Hey, Mishti... Hey.. hey.. listen.. come on . Let's play our favourite game. Aunt Sonam has gone to the market. See, I got this piece of chalk.." Tabbu smiled mischievously holding a small piece of chalk.

'kilkil kante' was their favourite game. In which they chose a surface, like cupboard, table, chair... Etc etc, and make hidden marks, with a chalk. And the opponent must find all the marks in a speculated time. Well.. Yes it was kind of their 'Treasure Hunt game'. 

Their Aunt Sonam was a meritorious  medical student.. she ensured that all kids at home must give their hundred percent to studies. She despised their innocent game. 

She was a tall slim woman, with sharp features and lovely smooth wheatish complexion. She had straight long hair which touched her knees. In all she was an intelligent beautiful beauty.

According to her .. this 'Stupid' game was played by the street kids. BUT,  Mishti and Tabbu loved to invest their time playing their own miniature version of treasure hunt. They could spend hours playing it. After all,.. the loser used to buy icecream for the other. Ahem..ahem.. that was a HUGE incentive.

"Wow really.. she has gone to the market.. I know she will take atleast 2 to 3 hours to return. Let's play. Yayy!" 

Both happily left their books and rushed to the terrace. Today, they had selected a wooden cupboard on terrace, which stored pillows and mattresses for the night.

Summer nights were absolutely fun. Everybody slept on the terrace... Right under the dark blanket full of sparkling diamonds.. and one big white dimond, which changed shapes everyday.

In the evening the terrace was sprinkled with water to let the heat evaporate and thereby, it got ready to spread the matresses.. 

An earthen pot was filled with water and left there... After an hour or so ... With magic.. it had the coolest aromatic water.. water tasted like the Best cool drink. 

To jump and roll on all the matress at one go was the happiest game they had ever enjoyed. Mishti loved to gaze at the stars and form different patterns joining the sparkly dots with her imaginary pencil on the skyline.

******

They had started their game when suddenly Tabbu shrieked.. "Aa..aa.aaa.aaàaa" 

Mishti looked up to Tabbu.. and turned white immediately.. to her horror..

Aunt Sonam was standing behind and  pinching Mishti's ear.

"How come you have come so early??" Mishti asked crying with pain.

"Ahaa.. so.. you wait for me to go out and play This game... Why can't you play better games..?? Like Chess, Carom, badminton, Guess Guess..." Aunt Sonam was furious... "It was good that I returned home.. and caught you in the act.."

Mishti and Tabbu were feeling sorry now.. they admitted it was bad of them to wait for her to go out..

"Well.. Now when you both are sorry I must tell you that, I returned because I remembered.. you both wanted to see Movie Jungle Book." Smiling she continued "Come.. let's get ready and we will go together to watch it. I bought the tickets already. And promise me... you will play good games."

" Yes we promise Aunty.. but, if we want to play this game sometimes .. will you let us play for just once in a week..maybe.." Tabbu asked sheepishly.

Aunt laughed heartily and hugged them both.." see... now you know, how to do things. If you want to do something then it should never be done in hiding. I love you both"

Both smiled and said sorry and never to repeat.. a lesson learnt well in abundance ....with Love.. ❤️

*********©Deepti******