RAINING TEARS

Akil, Inga va da (come here) shouted his mother on top of her voice for the umpteenth time, from inside the kitchen. It was probably the second or third time did Akil actually hear that feeble squall. He never paid much heed to his mother’s call. He was busy playing with the wet soil in the garden, which was a result of yesterday’s rain. He was in his own fantasy world, talking and playing with his mini sand creations, which existed only in his world.

Akil is 5 years old. He is this cute, chubby little guy, whose cheeks, almost everyone, wants to pull and which when done, frustrated Akil every single time. He was the kind of kid, who no one could even have the slightest thought of hating. It was a Thursday and all schools were declared holiday because of yesterday’s torrential downpour. Akil was one among several thousands of students, who were extremely delighted due to the day off. Even though he is just five, and doesn’t have even the slightest clue of how it rains. He knew for sure that, heavy rain could get him a day off from school and he could play with those wet soil in his garden, which he loves doing. He looked up at the sky, time and again, innocently hoping, whoever is up there would pour out water again, tonight.

His mother’s umpteenth call almost doubled and Akil finally heard it for a good enough fifth time. He got up to leave inside with a smirking face. He strolled into the house leisurely looking for his mom. Those small feet and even smaller palms were full of dirt and he kept moving around unmindful of all that. He finally found his mother in the Bedroom and he went near her. The very second his mom laid eyes on him, did it strike him suddenly, that he should go and get himself cleaned real soon. And as the thought came rushing through, he just saw his thought transforming into words, which came right out from his mothers mouth. This was exactly what he dint want to happen. He sheepishly ran into the washroom and started playing with the water there, repeating the first two lines of his current favorite song.

The phone rang and his mother picked up, while Akil came running behind creating footmarks all the way….

*******

The ground was sordid with blood stains. For as long as the straining eyes could see, there was no pleasant scene. It was nothing short of complete chaos. He was laid on the ground, hurt, bullet wounded, bleeding and hoping for help or quick death. No man who is afraid of death can make for a good soldier and he was one hell of army man. His eyes pleaded the mind that it shall be closed but the mind resisted. He hoped help would come, but soon realized it was too late. He saw buildings ablaze, some partially worn down and the rest hanging on without any bolster. He saw so many bodies like his, just lying there like garbage. After few minutes, he saw people emerge out of their half dazed houses. He realized it was ceasefire and also knew he couldn’t be saved even if help arrived any soon. He saw people wailing, and praying god with mixed emotions of pique and despair. He saw people yelling out for their loved ones. Some were pulling out people from under mounds of debris. Some were carrying their wounded loved ones on their back. They helplessly longed for medical help which they never got. He seriously doubted the existence of god, for he firmly believed no one could just look at those completely lost people and simply do nothing.

He was seeing the battle ground as his end was nearing. He remembered all that he was as a kid, as a teenager, his decision to join the army, families retaliation, his training camp, the pleasure and pride he got when he said he was a comrade-in-arms fighting for the country, and finally his family. He envisioned his lady love for one last time. He vividly remembered the scene, when he held his baby boy in his hands and decided to name him Akileshwar(King of all) . Inadvertently, tears started pouring down his cheeks. He knew quite well those tears were not due to the bullet. These were something else. A juxtapose of thoughts, emotions and memories just appeared before him and for all of which his tears were the only answer.

*******

Akil came running and hugged his mother from behind and asked if it was his dad. Tears just flowed down his mothers cheeks. She didn’t know what to tell him. All of a sudden her entire life lost its meaning. Akil saw his mom crying. He obviously had no clue of what was happening and suddenly his attention shifted outside, as rain apologetically poured down for innocent Akil….

The Other Side

It had just finished raining. The sky was pitch dark with black clouds just hovering over and impeding the moon and stars from the night sky. The roads were wet. The street dogs were smitten by the harsh rains and were curled up under the chassis shelter of the cars. They had no plans of venturing out. The streets were dimly lit up by the street lamps, most of which were just flickering for life but failed trying. The wet tar shone back brightly at the sky, reflecting it’s strong hard nature. After striving the tormenting endeavor of the ruthless skies, it just smiles back at it with complete confidence asking for more. The always busy road was still and calm. The silence that filled the air was horrific. The occasional sound of the wind complemented the silence and made it worse

It was a long straight road that just curved on to it’s right and the winding path straightened and continued in a straighter line as if it was never ending. There was a small shelter on the verge of the curve, in a dark corner. It was just a projection from a temple wall, A dark yellow color polythene cover supported on a pair of dark brown wooden logs. The sheet was partially filled with water due to the rain, the logs were drenched. Under this micro shelter was a man…

He was covering himself with a thick black rug. It was only a few days old, but still, offered minimal resistance against the cold. He thrived hard to withstand the chillness in the air. He couldn’t sleep. He had a dark brown complexion and grew a thick beard that was just about to grow past his face and downwards. The hair on the head was equally dense and was messed up by the wind. He was least bothered. Beneath the black rug was a loosely worn pale white shirt. It bore no holes but was pretty much archaic. Underneath was a bluish green lungi over which the shirt just wavered. There was a pair of hawai’s beside him. He was sitting on a pale yellow bamboo mat and his white cotton shoulder- sling bag did the job of cushioning his head.

He couldn’t sleep. He sat, partially resting his back on the wall, his hands curled around his knees. He was oscillating back and forth in this position, his eyes wide open and staring at the dark emptiness. He was beautifully camouflaged in the surrounding dark environment. He was able to see both the roads that continued away from the curve. It was deserted, dark and wet. Few minutes passed by and he heard a vehicle approaching towards the curve. Few seconds passed, and he could see to his left, the bright yellow light from the distant approaching vehicle. It was accelerating fast. It was a Black Scorpio. He was able to see even the registration number, thanks to the minimal scattered light from the fog lamps and the head lamps. It was inching closer and slowed down to negotiate the leftward curve…..

His hand went to his waist and he drew out a black pistol. He got up swiftly and simultaneously loaded the gun. He was barely visible to anyone. He had sharp vision. He aimed and shot at the front alloy wheel, perfectly striking the MRF rubbers. The car made a huge screeching sound. Within seconds, another bullet was fired at the rear wheel, but this time, it was from a different gun belonging to a different person. He fired from the opposite side and from a higher altitude. The car just skidded and turned almost close to ninety degrees, towards it’s right before it came to a stop. 

Our man, was already walking towards the car, and as soon as the car came to a halt, he raised his hand, exactly in-line with his shoulders, steady and cool, paused just for a few split seconds, and fired two bullets in quick succession. Each claimed a life; one that of the driver and the other that of Raj Murugan. During those few split seconds he paused, he fixed his gaze right on the eyes of Raj Murugan. He saw fear, He saw that Raj was baffled. Raj dint know what was going on, how it all happened in a matter of 2 – 3 minutes. But soon, his eyes clearly understood that his end has come;

Raj was the most notorious criminal. There were several cases on him on almost all sections of criminal offence. He had the guts, energy and all that it takes to lead such a life. He ruined the lives of several other people directly or in-directly. He disrupted peace, established arrogance and created fear. He was young, aged just around 35 years. He was fair, tall and had a well-toned physique. He built this black empire of his in a breathtaking pace. He grew so fast. What made him do all this, is an entirely different subject, but he turned into someone totally dark and evil. He was supported by so many people in his journey, all powerful people for their selfish desires. Raj knew very well his end would be something like this, only that he dint expect it this soon. That’s why he was never surprised as everything happened. He was witty enough to guess pretty soon what was happening. And as soon as he guessed, he was proven right.

Soon five people from their hideouts surrounded the car. It was 19^th April, half past midnight. A new day has just begun, and people would soon have a sigh of relief.

                                                                                  

                                                        *********

All news channels carried this incident as their headlines. It was a long planned and perfectly executed police encounter. The man who was behind the operation was all over the channels, attending press conference and receiving accolades. He was the man under the polythene shelter, covered in a black rug; Mr Senthamizhan, Asst Commissioner of Police and an encounter specialist. He along with his team of 5, worked day and night on this operation for almost 6 months, collecting all possible info on the deceased. His son was proudly watching his dad, his face gleaming with complete happiness.

And on the other side, there was this young boy, about 5 or 6, who was watching TV along with his mom, and was so excited on seeing his dad Mr.Raj Murugan. He showed to his weeping mom, with complete innocence and excitement his dad’s photo appearing on the television. What he would grow into in future, only time knows...

A WONDERFUL DAY AHEAD...

He wore a pure white shirt and dark blue denims. He was about five foot eight inches. He had a broad forehead, clear face, dense hair which danced up and down as he walked forward. The light beard left untrimmed was distinctly visible on his wheatish skin. He was walking towards her. It was Shiv. “How could I ever forget that face?” She thought. He kept coming closer and closer and her nervousness grew with every step of his. She could feel her heart beat climb. It was quite fast and out of her control. Finally he was there, right in front of her. There was less than a foot’s distance between them. He caught hold of his breath. He was rock solid, muscular and well built. He had some kind of magic spell that his eyes alone spoke. With that magical spell, he looked into her eyes and she was completely lost. “Every girl would be”, she thought. He came as close he can, and there was no more room. Anxiety spread like a fire inside her and she was almost out of breath. She just loved his presence more than anything else, even more than her own self. What she feels like when she is with him is like how the sky feels, when the sun kisses her good morning every dawn. Only the sky knows how it feels. It’s the same here. It is not something to be written, read and comprehended. It has to happen to you, to know what it is. “It’s amazing just to have the feeling”, she thought to herself.  He gave her so that much. He too felt the same with her. His life, after it became theirs, had a lot of change. He was madly in love and did everything for her.

Shiv just leaned forward and gently kissed her on her forehead and that very instant, waves of mixed emotions just ran all over her body. He came further down and her phone rang. She pushed him away mischievously and attended the call.It was her mom and she had to leave...

Soon they were cruising on Shiv’s bike. The evening air just rushing through her duppatta covered face. She hugged him tight and chatted all way through.  He used to pick her from work almost every single day and they would go somewhere or he would just drop her near her house. They worked in different offices, but on the same complex. That’s how love nurtured. The complex was the trump card to the cupid win.

It was just another fine day and they went to a small park nearby, their  favo spot among all other places, just to spend some time together  filled with silly chatting(s) , small fights and  lots of love. Their wave lengths matched in perfect frequency.

Shiv  told her that he had to make a presentation  of his new marketing strategy in a conference this weekend in Banglore and that,  if it gets a good response from the company heads, his promotion would soon be on the cards. She got excited on hearing the news and wished him all luck. She knew how eagerly he waited for this day. She wanted to be beside him on the big day and he also wished the same. She made some excuse at home and they were all set to leave the following Friday night.

It was Friday evening and she was getting her things packed.  The land line in her house rang and her mother picked the call. Soon, she yelled her daughter’s name aloud and was in total tears. She took over the phone and learned that her father had met with a tragic accident and was admitted in ‘Govt General Hospital’. She was in total shock. This news came from out of the blue. She was perplexed and knew she could not go with Shiv. She immediately hailed an auto and rushed to the hospital along with her mother. On her way, she called Shiv and told him what happened. He said he would be there in no time. She talked him through and told him not to come. She politely told him to relax and that she would take care of everything. He wouldn't budge, and he came to the hospital before her. She introduced him to her mom as her friend. “Ahh…What a time for introducing her man” she thought. The condition of her father was critical and they decided to shift him to a private hospital for better treatment.

She finally managed to convince Shiv  to go to Banglore. She managed this by threatening him, saying that it will be the end of their relationship, if he doesn’t make it to the conference. She dint want him to miss this opportunity. He knew it was a loving threat and finally gave in. He walked down the ramp to the exit. He stopped, and turned to wave her bye and she looked into his magical eyes lovingly and said to it that she would handle everything. He hated himself for leaving her in such a bad time.

He boarded the train on time and spoke to her frequently on the status of her father. She had transferred him to a private hospital and he was responding well to the treatment given. He was relaxed on hearing . She was too tired and slept the night off in the hospital. The following day, she got up and checked on her father, He was still unconscious. She checked her phone, No texts. She just let it pass and came to the waiting hall in the hospital. The television had “Times Now” running and she was least interested to know what was happening in the world around her. She thought of grabbing a coffee and went to the canteen. She settled on a chair and started sipping her coffee. The television had the same channel running and she was left with no choice but to watch that.

She saw the headlines and was for a second taken aback. She looked engrossingly on the television screen for some time. And then, she just prayed to god that whatever she was seeing was false. She could not help, it all has already happened.  All the A/c compartments of the train that left to bangalore the previous night had been caught in fire due to some short circuit and the coaches were completely burned down. The survivors were none as the incident took place in the night and almost everyone were asleep to realize they were on fire. The rescue operations were going on full swing and no survivors were found till then.

Her eyes were fixed on to the screen. She couldn’t believe all off this was happening. She was depressed, lost, sad, and angry. Tears flowed down her eyes unknowingly. She had lost all hope. The world around her ceased to exist and she fell down then and there. She was rushed to the general ward and administered drips.

She felt a hand touch her shoulder. She opened her eyes to face the textured blue color wall. She turned to look at the clock. It was 4:05 AM. She heard a soft voice “Hey Shivangali, Are you all right?”.  She then gently removed his hand from her shoulder and turned back. ” I am fine Arun” she said. She turned right to see her 2 year old son sleeping innocently. She then got down from her bed for some water. While walking, these words of Shiv was just lingering in Shivangali’s mind “Whatever happens, Life has to go on”. She drank some cold water and looked into a wall hanging picture of her hubby and her son; One amazing reason for which she is still breathing in this world. She thought about destiny and how cruel god was with Shiv and, she hated God for that. Once again those words lingered in her mind “Whatever happens life has to go on…” 

She got up, went back to bed and lay awake till the sun rose, for she knew a wonderful day was waiting for her as it had begun with a wonderful person...

She knows it all....

The time was dusk and the sun was going to perform it’s duty to the other half of the world very punctually as usual. The waves seemed a bit more aggressive than normal and increased it’s aggression as it lost the sun. The sky was bright orange in color, and the colors just scattering away unevenly to give out the dark. The distant ships moving slower than the oldest tortoise and the birds above flying swiftly back home. One another hot sunny day of the monsoon is in the verge of ending. This scene is being witnessed by people from every walk of life. Some people come here without any thoughts and walk back with their heads full, Some people come for joy, Some for sorrow, Some for anger, Some for failure, Some for silence, Some for the air, Some just for a good ride, Some for love and Some even without any specific reason. This place has seen everyone, right from the richest of rich to the poorest of poor.

Just imagine how much she knows ……. she knows that giving lakhs and lakhs of money to a single engineering seat is a total waste and she also knows that people get to know this damn simple straightforward truth only a year after they end up paying that voluptuous amount and never before. Perhaps she even knew about the placement eye wash. Arrrghh!! GOD, A guy today feels on top of the world bagging an IT job which pays him three lakhs per annum. He feels he has at last been recognized for his hard work in learning mechanical engineering for the past four years. Now just hold your breath here, he gets fired at the end of his second year in job, and that is when this great truth dawns on his mind; He has paid six lakhs in cash and four “never-coming-back” years of his life to do what ?? Yes, To earn back the six lakhs his dad paid four years ago. She knows all……

She even knows the exact bank balance of the country’s top most political big-wig, whose house would most probably be facing the sea, somewhere along her long shore. Today’s corruption,the people’s mindset, just almost everything. She also knew for sure that congress would have never won the Delhi elections. Ahh!! That was a cake walk prediction. Almost everyone knew that, even the congress. But even she herself was a little taken aback when congress offered it’s support to the AAP (This, I personally guess, even the congress dint know, till some MP spoke it out without his own knowledge). She has seen all of these dirty politics for years after years. She cried and wept, when her own sons were brutally killed right on her very own lap. She was surging up with anger and could not accept the fact that the tragedy was caused by the same kind (humans). She never understood how the game of politics worked out, where innocent men get killed for selfish reasons of a very few people. She just watched all of this….

She knows that Indian cricket performs drastically well only when it is playing in India. It also knows that people curse the players for their embarrassing ‘away’ loss and forget it the next moment they win a series at home. She is also quite sure that we are never going to win any hockey tournament in the immediate future except maybe if Shah Rukh Khan goes on to make a “Chak-de 2”, or if Rajnikanth decides to play hockey.

She knows that the purest love is that of a mother to her child. She also knows all the just- for- say words of love of others to “woo” and get “wooed”. She knows the love of an old man for his wife.She knows the people’s love for money. She knows the value of money. She knows it’s completely valueless. But she senses that everything happening around is just for this valueless piece of something. And do you know how she knows all this?

It’s because she has laughed with the happy beggar, wept along with the multi-millionaire, lived along with the cherished memories of the dying man and slept listening to the lullaby of a mother.

Are we on a high?

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 40; the fortieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is "MAKE A WISH"

Dark sky, deserted road, dim street lights, dull stars, slight drizzles, two pairs of legs walking hastily wanting to get back home as soon as possible. There is just this occasional swish of vehicles and the gentle touch of the drizzling rain water blended with the cold wind. The desperate eyes of the ageing man look through those old-fashioned spectacles in shear hope of hailing an auto or bus to head home straightaway. All this tensity and tautness is because of this beautiful young girl by his side, his daughter. The nervousness of the old man is that of every single father in this world.

They are pretty late and they are very much aware of it. The gorgeous girl has this instinctive sense of safety shimmering in her eyes. The presence of her childhood hero right beside her gives her the strength, but the fact that she is no more in her childhood, keeps sending a chill down her spine. Time is moving at snail’s pace and the road ahead looks ever ending.

The beaming headlight of a fast approaching car passes them, comes to a halt and returns back. The stench of booze and cigar fill the air. Fear builds up along with tension and sweating accompanies. They continue to walk as fast as their legs could. The car moves along, keeping pace and the men inside start to verbalise filthy comments on the girl. As feared, the men get down and start walking along with the duo. One just pulls the girl aside and the other kicks the old man right on his chest bringing him down. The helpless old man pleads them to leave his daughter. They do not even pay an ear to his plea. Driven by alcohol and mad-man desire, they just beat down the old man till his cry of love stops.

The girl is in total state of shock. Things she never would have even dreamt were happening right in front of her eyes. She was down there, totally helpless. They were five men against her. There was no question of her fighting back. That was simply impossible. There were no heroes down there to fight and save her. They strangled her into the car and sped away. She was forced to succumb. She had no choice.

All those memories just came before her eyes. Her childhood, Her first day in school, her first cycle, her first friend, her birthday celebrations, hangouts, her college days, her first crush, her first proposal, and one person she loved the most in her life; her mother. All those moments of happiness, sorrow, joy and embarrassment flashed before her eyes in a jiffy and vanished. She cried so loud. She fought knowing very well that she was going to lose. She was in total anger with god, for she had done no sin in her life to deserve such a thing.

She had just one thing in her mind when all of this was happening. Just one thought prevailing over everything else. Faith overcoming anger, she made a wish. She wished not for herself but for every other women in this world. She wished that none of them, in their entire life, must go through what she is undergoing right now. She just wished.

When will that humble wish become a reality or will it ever?

                                             ****************************

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