Soul

Watching the chaos at peace,

Listening to Noises in silence...

I sat beneath my soul,

Witnessing life from yonder!

Chaos killed my reality,

Noises deafened my voice...

Life died but soul prevailed,

I witnessed dream from yonder!

When in Love, You know it! Really?

“I am in Love” said Reena. Her eyes gleamed in such a way that it could melt anyone’s heart. Not because it was dramatic, but because she was cute. Oh wait, she was just too cute because she was just 14 years old. “You should meet him once aunty, you will definitely approve to my choice. He is so graceful and handsome. Oh look! There he comes” jumped Reena while her aunt was admiring the newly blossomed second love of Reena and Rakesh. They merrily joined hands and strolling. The scene was a sight to remember. “I am 35 and I never had a partner till now. Is something really wrong with me?” thought Ritu worriedly as she witnessed the spectacular love in the air moment. There were too many questions for which Ritu needed answers. Her heart felt really heavy and she decided to stop Reena. “Reena!” called out Ritu “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?”. Without batting an eye Reena walked towards Ritu, “Yes aunty?”. The word aunty echoed in Ritu’s head as she blurted out, “How did you find Rakesh? How does it feel to be in love?”. Shy Reena started explaining with a wide proud smile on her face “It all started when Rakesh posted a funny Bitstrip about Karthik. It made me laugh when I was depressed. You know, Karthik ditched me because I decided to change my relationship status to “in a relationship” when I was in love with him. I told him I won’t add his name in it. Still he got so furious. He didn’t want the world to know about it but I did. Well, Rakesh understood me more and made me laugh. He was Karthik’s senior in school. He kept poking me ha ha ha ha and ...” and continued Reena while Ritu was lost. She couldn’t understand a bit of the whole story let alone the Bitstrip part of it. She started worrying more. She wondered if she had stopped evolving. She was so close to having a panic attack when Reena completed her story “when in love you just know it”. After that conversation Ritu decided to delete her Facebook account which she rarely used. “When I was 14 I was happy with my friends and books that I had to hang out with. May be I missed the point but it is better not to know it” thought Ritu when an unknown man asked her “I think I have seen you somewhere” and she replied “Sorry, I am not available online anymore!”

Lap and Nap!

“But, Ma! I need graphics. Can I get an app instead?” sighed Arya.  Arti was disappointed but she decided to do it today. “Ok. Let’s make a deal. You sit and listen to me for 15 minutes and you get to download all the apps that you want. How’s that?” said Arti. “Awesome!” delighted Arya sat still. Arti read the title of the storybook “Lap and Nap” and read articulately “In a digital jungle, lived a boy name Surya. He had cool virtual pals but no real friends. So, one day..”. Arya didn’t realise that it was past 30 minutes. From that day, Arya just needed a “Lap and Nap” at nights and no apps! Arti was so happy that she Whatsapp-ed her happiness with a Facebook friend of hers!

Woof!

“Girl, get ready. Remember, you have to steal a few hearts at the kitty party. Run now!” said Sundari. Obeying her instructions she swiftly ran to the nearest pond, jumped in and swam. Sundari saw her dripping wet and said “Fantastic! Let’s go to our neighbourhood and rock the show”. They promptly entered their neighbour’s home. Group of women, flashy and bored, looked at them with astonishment. That’s when they witnessed the most spectacular shake by Sundari’s girl - meticulous effort to sprinkle water all over them which lit that place with laughter and scream. In chorus they said “How Cute!”. Bailey said “Woof!” and thought “I was just drying myself. I am so glad that a petty thing like this can make people happy. Sundari is happy. I am happy!” Laughter continued and so did the woof woof!

I will live

     He couldn’t count his last breaths. He was tired. Physically but not mentally. His loved ones formed a protective shield. Love, sympathy, prayers and food overflowed. He didn’t have the stamina to tell them that he was “okay”. So, along with his age he gracefully accepted everything that came his way. “Is there anything that you would want us to do grandpa?” questioned Hari. “Ah, I wish I had few of you with me before. I want one good story to be told for the rest of my life and beyond. Take that pen and note down the title please”. “Sure” said Hari. “Words don’t die”. Hari wrote it down and looked at his smiling grandpa who said “and I will live”. He lived, died and lived gracefully.

Book O' Wine

The smell of books
As divine as wine’s
a step closer to addiction
with every droplet of word
Unlocking the shelves
flings dust of gold
I tell you my friend
It’s always better when its old!

- Inspired by Omar Khayyam

Intelligent Donkey!

“Stay away from me” brayed Montu. “No wonder you are stupid. You don’t associate with intelligent people. How will you grow if you don’t learn? You adamant donkey!” said Mr. Chathurnath. Braying continues and suddenly Mr. Chathurnath realized that Montu was actually laughing. The most shocking part was that Montu was laughing at Mr. Chathurnath. “What’s so funny Mr. Lazy ass” mocked Mr. Chathurnath. “I am adamant. I am lazy. I may be dumb. I don’t want to grow as I have grown to the best or worst already. But it’s a shame” brayed Montu. “Finally you are ashamed” smiled Mr. Chathurnath. “No. It’s a shame that all these years you thought I was a donkey but never realized that I am actually a Mule. You fool!” and the braying continued, happily ever after.