BEYOND EVERYTHING…

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 50; the fiftieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with ​Soulmates: Love without ownership by Vinit K Bansal. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Kenneth was staring anxiously at his Facebook news feed on the laptop screen. It had nothing to do with the things on his feed. It was the result of a small single green dot beside the magic name Annie Joseph. He was all nerves. He had just sent “hey” and was glaring at “Seen 18:07”.First Impression is always the best, his mind quietly kept saying. Kenneth was not the exact playboy material. He was reserved when it came to girls. He dint know to flirt nor did he know to just sweep someone off their feet. He was actually quite inferior. To sum it all, he was no Bradley Cooper. Not even quite near.

Likewise, Annie was not the queen among girls. She had the traditional looks, not exactly the ultra-modern, up-to-date one. She had a subtle elegance for which Kenneth fell. It was not exactly love at first sight. He wasn’t that kind of a guy. But something happened when he saw her. Something like a small tickle, a little touch, something very nice. He loved the feeling.

The journey that started with a “Hey” travelled steadily for several months. He started knowing things about her. Her branch of study, her class, her tastes, likes, dislikes etc. He totally admired her simple yet gorgeous dressing style, felt her smile when it formed a small little dimple for just a micro second, took delight watching her walk though it wasn’t the most gracious. The Facebook chat grew and they occasionally started meeting for lunch in college and took walks just rambling about things. He totally loved her small forehead and the way it used to form random patterns when she spoke frantically about something. And….Ahh, the eyes, those pair of dark black pupils just never failed to floor him. He did not know how she felt about him, but his love for her grew leaps and bounds. He learned that she was very traditional, loved her family and would not even think of doing something that might disappoint them. He also realized that she came from an extremely well off family. She had no necessity to work or even study for that matter.

Kenneth was quite the opposite, he wasn’t penurious and impoverished, but he could not afford the luxurious life and be carefree about what is next. He had to start supporting his family soon and had to work his ass off for a good few years to get settled with a nice decent setup. Naturally he had his apprehensions. He thought at great lengths about all of these, because he knew she would think about all of this.

Giving himself strength that he would manage whatever may come, he decided to the next big thing. He did not plan anything special. Though they knew each other very well, he had his jitters which are inevitable to every single man who is in the advent of proposing to his lady love. He did not write any special lines to woo her. He did not even plan on the right place. He just waited for the right moment, the time when he felt was right.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, nothing prominently spectacular, just a hot afternoon and they were having lunch. He said Hey Annie and she was busy fighting the noodles that were dangling out of her mouth. She absent mindedly acknowledged him. He again called out her name, for her to raise her head and look at him. She did so and made a cute expression with her eyebrows, unable to talk, signaling him to go on. He casually and calmly told, “I think I am in Love with you”….paused and with a more firm tone said, “No, I actually am pretty sure, I Love You Annie”. She was taken aback to hear that all of a sudden out of nowhere, that too in a very inappropriate place. She knew he would propose, but she definitely had no clue that it would be this abrupt. She had never dreamt of a filmy proposal, but also she never imagined it to be in the college canteen while having instant noodles. She definitely liked him, but dint know how to react at that awkward moment. She was just staring at him, and smiled coyly and that said all. Kenneth was ecstatic. He wanted to jump and shout and run till his legs would carry him. Thousands of emotions just rushed to his heart. He felt like he was the happiest person in the entire world at that moment. Everyman feels alike, when his love accepts his love. He was smiling widely, the blush distinctly evident in his bearded face. The Wednesday was still ordinary, but not anymore for Kenneth. He did not know what to do next. He got up all excited and simply left, the blush and happiness completely overflowing. The cute little humble love that just set sail had a steady voyage. They had their own lovely moments, small arguments and silly fights which eventually bonded them more and everything was just perfect…...

A year passed by and they were going to finish college in 6 months. The past apprehensions came into thought, not for Kenneth, but for Annie. Some serious talking took place. Annie was very very very sure that their family would not approve of him, the reason being their deeply devout family background. She was also certain that she would be married to, in a couple of years or three, maximum. And that time was definitely not suffice for Kenneth to develop a repute position for himself, to ask her hand in for marriage. These were all very practical issues they were bound to face in the near future. And being the practical couple themselves, they wanted to talk through and arrive at something congenial. This is where they started breaking. Kenneth tried his best to infuse some hope into their withering relationship, but Annie was very pessimistic about the outcome. She thought it was best to part ways now than later. Kenneth pleaded that at least they would give it a try, but Annie wanted to avoid much worse pain later on. Both had their point, in the end Annie succeeded……

 She stopped texting and meeting him, and also asked Kenneth to do the same. He couldn’t. How can I ever stop loving a person who meant everything to me, How can anyone do that? He asked himself filled with devastation. He was raged with agony. He had so many questions to which not a single soul had answers. He knew she would feel the Annie. He cried thinking about her and for her. He was mad at her for being a coward but still loved her more than the madness. He was angry at the stars, god and fate. He asked them, “Why did u make me see her, fall madly in love with her, her with me? Why did u create some delightful memories that we can never forget? Why are you making us endure such pain? He asked these weeping helplessly…..

Few Months Later…..

The sultry afternoon sun was slowly descending, kissing bye to yet another selfless day. The partial orange-ish sky, the serene winds, birds scurrying back to their nests and the pale abstract beauty of the pebbles beneath were accompanying Kenneth and the gorgeous lady by his side, as they were strolling in a neighborhood park. They were just taking a walk, a walk filled with tranquil silence. The woman beside Kenneth was the answer for all the questions he asked the stars, god and fate.

She went through everything that Kenneth did the previous year and, so many years prior to this. She had stayed beside him at all times. She laughed with him, shared with him, fought with him, and wept with him. It is just that she never failed to wipe his tears. Kenneth was the same with her. They shouldered along whatever the case might be. Kenneth knew he wouldn’t have come out of the mess he was in, if it was not for her.

As he strolled along watching the abstract pebble pathway, Kenneth had no clue about how is fate with Annie would pan out. He did not even think about what the stars had in store, he was much less bothered. But he thanked god from the bottom of his heart, for he knew everyone wouldn’t be as lucky as him to be blessed with such a friend, with such a soul mate. They never felt as conventional lovers, but loved each other so much. They were totally selfless, when it came to the other. They were more than friends, they were soul mates.

On that sultry day in the park, Kenneth realized this, “Having a soul mate was not always about love and one would find it in friendship too”.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Participation Count: 02

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.