Finding an Indian Bride

Defeat defeat

The other day one of my best friends visited my house. I was inside my bedroom talking to a friend of mine, who is always there for me. The one friend I can depend on even more than my best friend.
My best friend overheard my conversation from outside the room and knocked on the door. I said, "The door is open. You can come in."
He opened the door and asked, "Whom you were talking to?"
 I replied, "To one of my friends."
He said, "I could hear you talking about defeat and that you should never give up. Is everything OK?" 
I said, "No, that friend of mine. He is down and is fed up with life. He does not have any motivation to continue with his dream. All the years of hard work, he wants to give it away.
He said that he is defeated by life."
He asked, " So, what did you say to him?" I replied, "What is defeat? What does it mean to get defeated? Defeat is not real; it is just an illusion—an idea or fear of losing. See, losing and winning is real. But defeat is just a worm born in your head. It is losing well before you have lost. It is a doubt in your head. It is a daemon that would always remind you of your failures. Who would want you to give up? Because it is easy to give up. That daemon knows that very well. It is just feeding on your laziness. It is feeding on your insecurities. It is feeding on the negative things people say to you.
You can quit and believe in whatever the daemon says to you. But let me tell you this it isn't real. It isn't you. It does not even know you. You are not a quitter. Not the one I use to know. Cause you were the winner, you were the one whom everyone looked up to winning a lost match. You are a winner, not a quitter. Winner ain't quitters. You cannot even think of winning before you kill the worm inside your brain, which says you cannot do it. Who are you? You are an engineer. You are a trainer. You are a writer. You are what you want to be. So defeat defeat." I was on a roll. Anyone could hear the excitement in my voice.
He said, "Wow, that was some speech. Who is that friend of yours? Do I know him?"
I replied, "You know him very well."
He asked, "Have I seen him before."
I replied, "It is hard to say that. All I can say he lives within your best friend."
He looked baffled and said, "You are my best friend."
I just laughed.

Hrithik Roshan's defeat inspired me to write this.

Encounter with a ghost

I was chatting with a reader fan of my mine couple of days ago. Although, over the years she has become more than a friend to me. I guess more of a motivator to me.

After reading one of my blogs she said, “I had nightmare after reading your post, Don’t touch me.” 

I asked curiously, “Why so? There was nothing scary about it.” 

She asked, “Who was that girl?” 

I replied, “I am not sure. She never told me her name.” 

She said, “But she felt unrealistically real. Like I knew her. She is part of your imagination. She is Sophia. She talked to you like Sophia would have done.” 

Sophia is a character from my book. She continued, “She felt so much like her. It is her ghost that might have had that conversation with you.” 

I replied, “May be.” 

She said, “I cannot sleep if you do not tell me the truth.” 

I replied, “ I cannot. She could be as real as this conversation we are having or as fake as aliens(debatable). If you really want to hear about real ghost story that I encountered few days ago then I would write about it in a blog.” 

So here is the blog. It was after a very hectic interview session that I had returned home. Fully tired, drenched in sweat, more than half of my shirt stuck to my body revealing the athletic body that I had. It was damn hot and humid outside even though it was night. I took a bath and had a cold coffee before going to bed. 

It was around 3.00 am in the morning when I felt someone scratching on my legs. I opened my eyes to see no one at the foot of my bed. 

I thought to myself, “It must be a dream.” 

I felt someone's breath on my neck. I looked back and there was no one. I lied down back on the bed and covered my face with the bed sheet. Through the thin sheet I could see the fan, which was visible due to the dim moonlight coming through the window. I tried to look away from the darkness that lied beyond the shadows of the moving fan. I wanted to shut my eyes but I was too scared to close them. I gathered some strength and closed my eyes. 

But there was a feeling that someone was looking at me while I was trying to sleep. I opened my eyes slowly to see a figure coming down on me from the ceiling fan. I move the sheet over my face in fear. All I could see was an old lady figure with hair flowing in all direction and a bright lit face, coming down on me. She came close enough revealing her wrinkled face that had the most crooked smile I had ever seen. 

Suddenly, I feel someone crawling over my feet again. The long nails were piercing my skin and I could feel my skin coming off. I could see a young girl covered in blood crawling towards me. She looked straight into my eyes as she dragged her body with her big twisted hands. That was a devil's hand. She almost crawled like a spider over my body. I was now pinned down on my bed with nowhere else to go. I tried to shout but I could not. The old granny laughed as she floated in mid air over me. I could see the young twisted girl getting closer to me. The only hope was that her hair was covering her face. But the air blown by the fan took away the hair on her face. She had a pale white face with no blood under her skin. Her long disgusting tongue touched my face sending shivers across my body. I knew it would be a slow death and no one would know why I got a heart attack at such a small age.

“I would not die such a lame death, I need to fight back.”, I thought to myself.” Her long finger nails pierced my back and her long teeth on my neck was just seconds away from ripping my collar bone. My desperate hands moving in all direction find an alarm clock paced just above my head. I hit her on the head with the alarm clock, which takes her off guard. To be honest it was pure reflexes and I did not really think if a ghost would actually get hurt or if it could feel pain. But somehow, it worked. 

I thought to myself, “ They are in my world. This is my world not theirs. Here even gods would get hurt. No one can hurt me more than human beings. Ghost don't stand a chance in this world. 

The world where I live, where a person cuts off a child’s head because he is of a different religion, where a kid learns to fire a gun before he learns to walk, where basic right like education is commercialized, where politics has killed humanity in major companies. There is no value for a man's word. Even the man sitting in a highest position of your company would ditch you the moment his work is done. This is no place for a ghost who show their intention straight up. The unpredictable and cunning behavior that these cheap bosses had shown towards me, gave me the upper hand on the ghosts. 

She could not see the alarm clock coming her way. I try to move away from her when the old granny pushed me back on the bed. She brought her wrinkled face close to mine. I could see that she had bitten off her lower lips. I smiled to myself , my previous delivery manager Vicky Goda and the Hitler client manger Fredu Peekerson looked much worse in my head. You don't scare me . If you don't scare me, you ain't going to kill me. I am not getting a heart attack.” I started to imagine her as my delivery manager. Instantly, I was laughing holding my stomach. A thin clown face on such a fiery ghost was really funny and Hitler Fredu face on a tiny young girl really brought a smile on my face. I think she could read my mind because I could see fear in her eyes. Even she could not have imagined such a scary face on her body. Yes, I was bashing my delivery manager and client manager with all the willpower in me. I am sure my delivery manager would be wondering why I laugh a lot at him these days. His looks tell me everything as if he is confused to see me smile at him. He must be wondering why is he smiling at me when all I have done is bad for him. He does not know what I recollect when I look at him. 

Anyways, it must be my vision of her and my laughter that she lost her grip on me and started to fade away. This time it was my time to retaliate. I hold her hand and did not let her go. I said, "Where are you going disturbing my sleep?" The little scary face girl tried to bite me on the hand to loosen my grip on the grandma but it did not help. I was very determined to whoop her ass. I said, "Come here you devil son of a b....” Let me kick your ass, my delivery manager looking ghost and tiny little Hitler client. I still could imagine his face on her. I rolled my fingers into a fist and punched on her face. I could see her head bounce off her body and that is when I opened my eyes and woke up. 

I looked over my arm and laughed, "Damn, it was a dream." I looked at the clock and it was 8.00 am. I went to take a bath as it was really getting late for me to go the office. But her face, especially the old lady's face I could not forget. I opened the shower when I could feel someone's hand over my stomach. It was really scary. I knew the only way to make it funny was to imagine my delivery manager's thin face on the old lady's body. But, somehow it was not working in broad daylight. She was way more funnier during night. I just rushed out the bathroom taking a quick shower. Especially, after feeling someone's breath on my shoulder. I put on my crisped black pants and neatly ironed maroon shirt. I called a cab as travelling was making me go nuts. I got a call. I picked it up. I could hear a very troubled voice saying, “I will get you. You are mine but I need to kill you before that.” I looked back at the mobile and realized the call got disconnected. I looked up in the calling directory and the last call I got was the day before that. I really knew that all of this was just my imagination, nothing was real. I don't believe in ghost. So I just thought the dream is just being replayed in my brain. But getting over the call was not that easy. I got a message saying your cab has reached your place. You need to aboard within 3 minutes. Then it was time for me to do the most difficult thing. To find a pair of socks having the same shades. I usually wear two socks of different color. Of course, I  try to match their shades as close as possible. I rolled up the socks and as I was putting it on my feet, I could feel scratches over my feet. My feet had scratch marks all over it. I thought to myself, “ Damn that little girl.” Well, I am not sure if it was me just scratching my own feet in sleep while seeing a dream or it was a ghost. Whatever it was, it felt real.

Don't touch me - Just a casual meet up

It was a long drive from my work place to my home and as usual I was drop dead tired. I usually do not waste time outside when I am coming back home, as I prefer to lie down on my couch and have a cup of tea.  

But, today I was feeling very hungry and so I decided to go to a restaurant on my way back. I stopped my car near a very big restaurant as I wanted to try some new places. 

The entrance had very huge doors with a guard standing right next to it. The guard had very serious look painted on in his face with a huge mustache. The smile on the guards serious face was really unusual and creepy. I am not sure if he was really forced to do that by his manager or if someone complaint that he was starring at them and they did not feel comfortable to enter the restaurant. I really feel bad for people who have serious face. Most of the people I have met with a serious face are really nice people. 

He opened the door and said sweetly, "Good Evening Sir. Hope you have a great time." 

As he opened the huge doors, my eyes fell on the grand and magnificent white marble flooring. The ceiling was really high. A huge white marble pillar ran up from the white flooring to a magnificent dome, which had a painting of Egyptian gods fighting with each other. I was in a owe. 

I looked around to see many eyes starring down at my astonished face. I took a seat at the extreme corner, away from all the stares. They had dark maroon velvet sofa's that went well with its surroundings. The wall behind had transparent glass with pretty big fishes swimming around. It was really a good place to eat. 

That is when it struck to me, "Damn, it must be really expensive." I took out the menu and there was a waiter standing right next to me. I knew by now that I had to order something. There is no escape from it. I opened the menu and ordered, "One Tandoori chicken and a cold coffee." 

The ambiance was so good and huge that it motivated me to write something epic. I took out a book from my bag and started to write, "The cold winds of December took away the tears from his eyes. He was holding the dead body of his daughter in his hands, blood dripping from his hands. Her seven year old body gave away all the tortures she had to suffer before dying. He looked into her eyes that still had tears of pain and could not hold the tears of his own. He was the best warrior of the Akalious army and his own blood had betrayed him." 

Probably, I could have written an entire book there but somehow my attention was diverted to a couple sitting just beside me. The moment I looked at her, she got conscious and said to her boyfriend, "What are you doing? We are in public place. Behave yourself." But his boyfriend 'being a boy' was not in any mood to listen to her and said, "Nobody is watching. Everyone is busy in their own work." 

She replied, "Don't touch me.", and then looked at me. I did not realize I was still looking at her. She got up from her seat, came towards me and said, "Don't touch me." She was really tall with really good curvy body. 

I replied, "Sorry." 

She said sternly, "Don't touch me." 

I looked angrily towards her, rolled my eyes and said, "I do not wish to touch you. Not now. Not never."

Actually, I was just scared if she was a psychopath who took money from strangers by filing a wrong complaint of molestation. If she started to cry out loud that I was harassing her there is no way I can prove my innocent as in such cases girls have an upper hand. I started to look around to find at least a camera. 

She smiled and said, "But you did touch me. Not the way you are thinking now." 

I replied, "I was just looking the way you two were having a conversation. I was not starring or at least that is not what I wanted to do." 

She replied with a very big smile, "Don't worry. I know who you are. I have read your blogs and it has touched me." 

I did breath a sigh of relief ,but I hope my expressions did not gave away what I was really feeling. I said, "Which blogs did you like?" 

She replied, "So it is true all those blogs did happen to you. Even now you act as if nothing happened. You are trying to show me that you were not tensed at all. Isn't it? Like you did with the girl from the garden in face off blog." 

I replied, "So you have read my blogs." 

She said, "Don't change the subject?" 

I asked, "What do you want to know from me?" 

She said, "Are your blogs for real?" 

I replied, "Might be. Might be not. Some mystery is necessary." 

She said, "Is anything real in your blogs?" 

I said, "This is something that some of the readers have asked me. Let me tell you this, most of the things in my blogs has happened to me sometime, somewhere. It might not have happened exactly how I might have said it. But do not start to ask me what is real and what is not." 

She replied, "So, it is kind off real." I just kept looking into her eyes saying nothing. 

She asked, "Am I going to be in one of your blogs?" 

I said, "Definitely, yes. You ruined my chances to write a best seller book.", overconfidence was pouring through my voice. Although, I know I said it in a sarcastic way, and I did not really mean it. 

She asked, "So what were you writing?" 

I said, "Not sure. Something epic. Something with kingdoms, politics and revenge." 

She said, "So you are clueless." 

I replied, "Most of the fictional things I write about, I have no idea about it. The story sometimes just flows in." 

She said, "So you have no plot in mind?" 

I replied, "Depends. It is like you have a clean slate and asked to draw anything. Not confined to one thing but at the end everything has to come together." 

She asked, "So, what are you writing these days?" 

I replied, "Something on my life and a fictional epic story." 

She smiled and said, "I hope it is epic." 

I said, "I thought my blogs touched you." 

She replied, "Not all. But yes it did. It does not mean your book must touch my heart also." 

I replied, "Have you read my book 'Finding an Indian bride'? 

She replied, "No." 

I said, "I thought I am talking to a fan. I did not knew you just saw my blog somewhere and thought to have fun with me." 

She replied, "Actually, there is something in your writing that is compelling. Expect sometimes you use these long sentences that I loose track off. Keep it short and you would be all good to go." 

She got up and said, "If you are going to write about this meeting what would be the twist. I have seen that you always like to give a twist or some mystery at the end." 

I replied, "Some meetings are just meetings. There is a story to tell in everything and you do not need twist to end anything. By the way, I can make you a serial killer and say you try to poison me. It would be a good twist isn't it?" 

She replied, "I know where to find your blogs, and I would comment the real story. So be careful what you make me look like in your blogs." 

I said, "I would just reply to that comment saying it was not you." 

She said, "Can I know what you are going to call it?"

I replied, "Don't touch me." 

I said, "I am just curious how did you know it was me? I mean my photo in my blogger looks a bit different. I do not think anyone would have recognized me by looking at the profile picture. You see - I am not that photogenic." 

She replied, "You still do not remember me. Do you?"

I said, "What? Have we met before. Are you for real?" 

She replied, "Sometimes. Somewhere. We must have met. Don't ask me when and where." She had the biggest smile that I have ever seen on anyone's face and went back to her seat. 

I said to myself, "Damn, not again. I hope she comments."

It is not you, it is me

I was having my favorite meal in Mac D at around 11:30 pm and there was nobody else in the entire place. I like to be alone at times, with no one to talk to, no one looking or staring at me. I could be messy when I eat and do not have to care about tomato slipping off my burger when I try to have a bite of it. The only problem was that most parts of the shop was dark and the only place I was sitting was lit. The counter where they serve food was partially lit and there was only one worker. 

I was enjoying my burger when I got a ping from someone who had sent me a friends request about some months back. 

I looked at my phone and it said, "One message from Rossy Angel(Not her real name)." Rossy, was really a hot girl with curly long hair, fair complexion and a perfect body. I was more than happy to read her message and it said, "It has been one month since we are chatting. I think we should meet." I was more than happy. 

Couple of days back she had said to me that she really liked me but I was not expecting her to be that straight to me and ask to meet her. I thought I would reply in the morning as I did not wanted to look as if I am desperate. 

I went back to eat my burger when I hear someone moaning. If it was day, I would not have cared much about it as I didn't want to divert my attention off the tasty burger. But, it was night ,and I was alone. The darkness in the shop was enough to divert my attention towards it. 

I looked at the counter to check for that one worker but even he had gone off to washroom I guess. So I looked into the dark where the moaning was coming from. I couldn't actually make out if it was someone crying or someone making out in the dark. 

For a moment I thought to myself, "It must be the worker and his girlfriend." I would not deny I thought it could be a ghost as well. But then I thought he would not moan and it would be funny to have a scary ghost sound that way. Even devil would have some respect of his own. So, I thought to approach whoever it was slowly. I figured out very quickly that moving slowly would make less noise, and if someone is really making out then they would not get disturbed. Slowly but steadily the figure started to take shape, and I saw a man holding his head down on the table and crying. 

I went up to him and said, "Is everything all right?"

He looked up and said, "No, I am screwed. My life is screwed." 

I said, "Is it you Ravi?" 

Ravi, was my college friend whom I have not met for ages now. Ravi, was a very handsome hunk with really good physic and one of the best looking boy of our college. Any girls dream boy friend. I would have to admit most of the boys did envy him. 

Ravi asked, "Yes. Are you Vinay?" 

I replied, "Yes. You look so different now." 

Ravi had become fat and had lost most of his hair. As soon as I said it, I realized I should not have said it.

Ravi replied, "Yes. You mean I am no longer a hunk and lost most of my hair." 

I replied sluggishly, "No. That is not what I meant. So, how are you and why are you crying?" 

He replied, "It is not me. It is her." 

I said, "Oh, it is about a girl." 

He said, "Yes. She dumped me." 

I said, "Is she Rupali?" 

Rupali, was one of the beauty queens of our college. She had the most beautiful eyes, deep and seductive. Her long hair bounced off her hip as she walked ever so gracefully and her smile, so innocent and addictive. You could see her smile all day and yet not get bored of it. You can see how much I was impressed off her. 

Ravi replied, "No, we mutually separated just after our college as we had different plans in life." 

I asked, "Then who?" 

Ravi said, "Rukmani." 

My jaws might have touched the ground. I am not sure if I showed him any signs of shock. Rukmani was a girl with round face and short hair. She was the stalker from whom Ravi use to run away. Even if she was miles away, he use to drag Rupali, his girlfriend then, in a different direction. 

I thought to myself, "Ravi, might have been really desperate to have her as his girlfriend." 

Ravi looking at my shocked face said, "She is different now. She is almost my size and is caring and a confident woman." 

I asked, "So why did she dump you if she cared about you so much?" 

He said, "Because, it is not me but it is her." 

It took some time for me to register that and after a while I said, "You mean it is not you but her." 

He started to cry louder and said, "Yes, it is not me it is her. That is what she said." 

Now, I was really feeling bad for him as that is the most common but insane line to break up with anyone.

I said, "So you mean it is not you why she broke up with you, but it is her shit that she could not handle so she broke up with you." 

He could sense my irritation and said, "Yes. You are right." 

I said, "Actually, to be honest, I cannot simply understand this line. I mean how can someone dump someone because they are mad on themselves. It is like -my boss is harassing me, and I cannot kick his ass so let me dump my boyfriend or girlfriend and have fun with them. I mean whoever came up with this excuse is a genius. No explanation, no fight just say it is not you, it is me and you are off the hook, off all the fights and proving what is wrong in your partner that you are leaving them." 

He said, "I do not know what to do now. I was with her for seven years now, and I was planning to start a family with her, I am 31 now and no one would marry a big fatty, bald guy like me and how would I forget her? I think she found someone else." 

I said, "She is right man. You have nothing to be worried about. It is not you, it is her and I am not trying to make fun off you. She dumped you for someone else because she thought he is better than you. She would find someone else tomorrow who is better than him and she could never settle for anyone. On the other hand, you are matured, a different person clearly and a person who values relationship. Just forget about her, you would get many and believe me the man she left you for would realize it one day and leave her as well." 

He said, "But, I cannot take her out of my mind." 

I said little irritated, "You must be kidding me. After what she has done to you, you must be burning her photo and throwing it in the wash basin. I know it is easily said then done, but without giving a proper reason she just left you after seven years." 

He said, "She was so nice to me. I am sure it must be the new guy who talks with her for long hours. Whenever I try to call her, I get a busy tone. Why could not I see it coming? He must have brained washed her." 

I said, "Do you know who that person is?" 

He said, "No." 

Now, my detective side took over and I asked, "Can you check her Facebook friends list? I am sure he must be her friend." 

He opened up his mobile went into her profile and checked her friends list but did not find anyone suspicious, apart from one.

He asked me, "Are you friends with Rukmani on Facebook?" 

I replied, "I have added most of our college friends, but I am not in touch with many of them." 

I tried searching her name in my friends list but could not find her and asked Ravi, "If you can tell me her Facebook profile name then I can chat with her and try to get that information for you." 

Ravi said, "Rossy Angel." 

I said to myself, "WTF. Why me? First of all I don't get it after so many years why did I run into him in a Mac D that also so late. Even if I did why did his girlfriend break up with him for me. I wanted to say to him that it is not you it is me. I fucking get it. I fucking get what it means. It is really not you it is me.

Now, I believe in all those Hindi movies where co-incidentally everything happens. Shit Happens." 

You are a little boat in a big ocean - You cannot do it - Motivational Speech

It was the release date of my first novel and I was really excited but not all of my friends were happy about my excitement over it. Especially, one friend of mine started to warn me about my excitement on our way back to home. 

I said, "I am working to become a known writer and probably, would like to become famous someday."

He replied, "Do you know how many authors are there in this world? Do you know how many books are published in one year?" 

I replied sarcastically, "Why am I feeling you are kind of threatening me?" 

He replied, "All I am asking is, do you really think you got a chance to make it big? You are like a little boat in a big ocean." 

"Wow, Einstein stop right there." is what I thought to myself and all I did was smile. 

I knew he is thinking that I would not make it big because he feels he cannot make it big. I mean, I don't mind constructive criticism but someone who has not even read one single blog of mine and judging that I cannot make it big is foolish from his part. 

Looking at my smiling face he said, "Do not smile and think about it logically if I want to marry Cameron Diaz then can I get married to her?" 

I said, "Did you try it in the first place?" 

He replied, "I am not you. I know it would be stupid because in that case I am a small boat and she is the ocean." 

I said, "You know people called Einstein stupid." and then I had to shut him up with the little boat comments of his, so I said, "Did you know a little boat can make waves in a big ocean. Oh, I forgot you never trust a small boat to sail in a big ocean." 

He replied, "It would be crushed in pieces and you know that." 

I said, "How the hell you know that? Have you ever tried it before?" 

He replied, "You know it is a metaphor but I guess you might not know what is Metaphor." Ouch, he was very direct in insulting me and it touched my heart in a sarcastic way. 

I replied,"However, the situation is no different than that. No entrepreneur was a big boat when he started his journey. Even a king was a child someday." 

He replied, "All this things look good in a movie and not in real life." 

I replied, "Dear, have you seen any inspirational movie at all. If you have done then you would realize all of the good motivational movies are inspired by real life stories." 

Finally, he leaves the small boat metaphor and says, "I am saying this so that you do not feel hurt when you do not make it big." 

I replied, "Have you ever read any of my article or blogs?" 

He said, "No." 

I wanted to bring back the boat example to torture him a little bit so I said, "Do you think Viking Cinderella can sail in big ocean." 

He replied, "I thought boat and oceans are over." 

I insisted and asked, "Just tell me what do you think?" 

He said reluctantly, "I do not know." 

I said, "Why do not you try?" 

He replied, "I do not know how big the boat is." 

I said, "I thought you are good at that." 

He said, "How can I say that? What are you getting up to with this?" 

I said, "As you knew how good my writing is without reading any of my articles with your super powers, I thought, you would be able to guess even that." 

He replied, I get your point but you are not getting mine. I am just trying to help you as I do not want you to get hurt if you fail." 

I replied, " You think I can write an entire book and cannot handle failure." (Note: My first book was not a success and I took it really good. Just to point out I am refraining from saying failure because when I used failure along with my first book some of my readers got really defensive and said that it was one of the best thriller Indian books they have read and it was far from failure. I just wanted to say I used failure as in not to say that book turned out bad but just that the sales were not that high as I expected.)

He said, "I have seen many people get hurt after seeing their dreams being crushed. I am just your well wisher."  

When he said that it did shift some cells in my brain. I did not say a word as I just hated such well wishers, one back at office where my delivery manager has not yet paid off the salary I was suppose to get and here a well wisher friend who does not believe in me. Both well wishers are thinking about me. One does not want to give me what I deserve so I work harder to get it and the second does not want me to write as I would break my heart. I fucking hate such people and I was pissed off, so what did I do. 

I thought why not piss him a little and so I started to sing, "Like a small boat in the ocean, Sending big waves into motion, Like how a single word, Can make your heart open, I might have only one match but I can make an explosion. (Lyrics from fight song)

It did piss him off and I did get solace in his irritation. Not sure if it was right but it definitely felt good. 

Emotional Outbreak - Motivational speech

Today, I came back from office and just yelled out, "Fuck off." Nothing personal just the things going on in office were slowly crawling into my head. Slowly but steadily making me angry and impatient. And I think it was not only that but also the frustration to not give my passion writing a chance. Probably, a second chance to make it big in the field of writing before I bid a last farewell. I sat down with a cup of tea in my hand and was thinking about what my mom had once asked me, "Why do you keep writing? It is just a hobby, do it when you are free." I replied, "Mom, it is my passion." My mother asked, "What is the difference?" And I could not really give a definite answer as I was too young to answer. But in this chaotic life with politics, betrayal and many more lies hidden behind so many faces, I could find that answer which I did not knew ten years ago. I knew no matter what I do writing would be always waiting at the door step. All it takes is small things in life, like a unknown person liking your blog or a message from someone saying, "You know what, I read your story on Mumbai spirit." That is all it takes for me to pick up my laptop and start typing and pouring my emotions into my writing. I realized over the period of time I can never quit writing. If I am angry I think of writing, if I am sad I want to write and if I am happy I still need to write about it. And I am bloody thinking about quitting it, I should be way off my mind. I know now what is difference between passion and hobby. My mom was right hobby is something we do in leisure but passion is something you would do even if you do not have time. I have been through many sleepless nights as I did not write and could not sleep. Something felt incomplete without it. I wanted it more than I wanted to breath. I was just thinking about my characters in the novel all the time. Even when I was working, when I was sleeping and even when I was eating, I was just thinking about the plot ahead and till I put that on paper I was not satisfied. So what did one failure change. To be honest absolutely nothing, it moreover made me more determined. Of course, there were too many days of disappointment, of thinking am I wasting my time and could be using that time in something productive. But as said it keeps calling you, you cannot escape your passion. It comes from within and failure does not make it stop it. I am talking about true calling. It is then I realized what failure meant to all those contestants in American or any other talent shows. Even though you know they suck, they might have put in so much hours of sleepless night into their passion and all the hopes of making it big just crushes in a couple of moments. You know that they did not sing well but for them they have sung well and also you did not see all the hard work behind it. For me my writing is outstanding :), I almost write every night from 12:00 am to 02:00 am when everyone sleeps at my home and I can hardly see any lights outside on the street. You have not seen that, you just see the end result and judge on why I cried over a book not working. I work from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm with almost four hours of travelling (to and from office), which means I reach home by 8:00 pm and after that you have no idea how much of passion it requires to pick up the pen and think. It is not like a work out where you just plug on music and do not have to think. Writing requires you to use your head and doing it over and over every night even if you are so tired showed that it really meant a lot to me. SO I SAY IT TO YOU, if you have a dream and you are just thinking and not working on it, you would never get there. I am not saying I would be successful just because I put in so many hours but every morning when I get up, I know one thing for sure, "I TRIED MY BEST TO MAKE IT WORK." You know how soothing it is to the heart to hear that. You did everything you could and still if it did not work so be it. I would not lie I really want to make it big in writing and I know not trying would definitely not help me. SO if you have a fucking dream and you think about it every time and do not do anything about it you do not have anyone to blame. Even if you are reading this right now and not doing whatever you are suppose to do for your dream to come true, you are just wasting your time. I sign off, I have emptied my heart and I feel lot lighter writing it down. Hope you do the same.

Remember, the outcome always lies in your hand. You could look at the bed and go to sleep it is the easy way out or do something about the one thing that would not allow you to sleep. I made up my choice when I could have easily gone to sleep and instead I wrote this blog. I know it is not easy but if it was easy everyone could have done it, The fun in achieving something is the very fact of how hard it was to get it in the first place. See nobody cares about my pity problems of working hours or my travelling schedule, we all have this pity reasons for not doing something but I have seen a person having no legs dance, so I guess no one of us have the reason to say that we are not able to do this or that because of someone or something else. Get your shit together and do whatever it takes to get to your dream. Life isn't just about rainbows, it is also about facing the rain that was the reason why you could see the rainbow on the first place. No pain, no gain. If life knocks you down, just take a moment and in that moment you would realize how much you want to get back on your feet and remember it. But not for long else you would start to enjoy and would become happy with the situation and remain there. You need to fight back to get to your feet and when you do, you would surely love that moment and it would be just yours and no one would get it, so it is for your to cherish. I remember one such moment from pursuit of happiness when he gets the job and all the hard work and pain that he had gone through comes right in front of him and he realizes no more. No more of that.......

Chapter 5 - Scary woods - novel - A tale of mysterious Greenfield woods

This is a copyrighted material

Sam tries to keep up with Sophia into the secret passage and runs behind her but she stops as the path reaches a pond. "This must be the magical water else no reason to bring me here.", says Sam trying to mock her. Sophia laughs and jumps into the water and does not come up even after a long time. Sam had no choice but to jump in and find out for himself but he could remember the unknown man’s words stay away from water. But after waiting for a long time he jumps in and sees a small opening beneath to get to the other side. He swims towards the light and comes out of the other side. A dim moon light that came of the hole in the dark unclean water guided Sam to the other side of the pond. Sophia was waiting for Sam to arrive on the other side. She holds his hands and says, "How did you reach so far? I did not expect you to reach here. At Least, not this quick." Sam replies, 'The Light..." Sophia interrupts and says, "Yes, always follow the light as they generally get you out of trouble. Anyways, I want to show you something.", and then drags him deeper into the Greenfield woods. Greenfield woods was known for being haunted and hardly anyone dared to go deep into the woods.

A small lane in a ziczac pattern ran through a dense coconut tree plantation and at the end of the plantation there was a broken bridge floating over a small lake. The mist cover gave a magical look to the broken wooden bridge which seemed like no one had dared to walk on it. It was scary with the moonlight falling over the lake and the reflection of the stars making it sexy at the same time. A wolf roar in the background made the night even more thrilling for Sam.

Sophia says, "Sam wait here for a minute." Sophia went into a small hut nearby with strict instruction that Sam didn't open his eyes. Sam lies down on the end of the bridge and closes his eyes when suddenly Sam's phone rings. The Voice says "Are you still alive?" Sam didn't mind much and replies, "No, I am dead. You are speaking to a ghost. Who are you?" The unknown voice replies, "I am the one trying to help you. Get out of there as soon as possible, your life's in danger. You would die a horrible death, one that even death would fear." Suddenly, Sam's phone network goes down and the line disconnects.

Sam could hear footsteps coming from the other side of the bridge. Sam shouts with fear in his voice, "Sophia, come out and do not play games with me." Sam sees a shadow moving behind the trees and gets up on his feet. He then tries to run but freezes not knowing where to go, whether to run towards the other side of the bridge or towards the woods. He could see a shadow with long hair weeping behind the tree and moves towards the tree to get a closer look. Sam could feel someone's breath on his neck and turns around but finds no one. He turns around towards the trees but there was no one. The sound of grass being crushed comes from behind but this time Sam didn't have the guts to turn around. Sam felt something was wrong and runs towards the hotel. Sam could hear footsteps approaching him from behind, so he runs faster but trips over a stone and rolls down.

Sam looks up to see a small girl being hung on the tree trunk with her own hair. She waves and winks at him. She then releases her hair and comes down onto him. Sam stumbles onto his feet and continues to run towards the lodge. He runs even faster with the hope to reach room 101 safely and get back to all the alive people. He hits something on his way and falls right back onto the ground. He looks up and blood spills on his face. He could see a man with a burnt face standing in front of him and cutting his own neck. The man says, "You are next Sam.", walking towards Sam with a limp. Sam gets up and sprints again and reaches the pond. He then tries to dive into the pond but something was holding his leg from below. The hair just pulls him back into the forest and raises him from his arms onto a branch next to the small girl. The swing close to the tree was swaying back and forth in the wind. Sam's legs were furiously flapping around trying to find power to free his hands which reminded him of his suicide attempt. He could hear people clapping and drinking beer, but he couldn't see anyone. Even in this noise there was a perfect silence and Sam could hear every sound, the sound of the crickets and wolves howling in the background which made him feel more nervous.

He could see an old woman standing far away combing her long hair, but he could hardly see her face from that distance. He could see her coming closer to him, but he could not do anything. Within few seconds her face was right in front of his. His heart misses few beats, almost stops for a second. She removes her hair from her face to let him see, her dark blue eyes with nails that has outgrown her fingers. She has a bright white face with wrinkles all around it and only had upper lips as she had bitten off her lower lips.

-------------------------------------------------Rest to be continued------------------------------------------------

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

Copyright © 2014 Kallat Vinay Surendran

Chapter 4 - Secret Passage - Novel - A tale of mysterious greenfield woods

This is a copyrighted material

(Warning Garpical content)

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

Sophia says, "I remember my father taking me to this hotel since childhood and it was then he showed me a secret passage to a secret world." She takes Sam to the back of the hotel into Greenfield Lodge, which was attached to the hotel. "Here, this is my favorite room, Room Number 101 and I have the spare key to this room. Let us go inside and have some fun.", says Sophia winking at Sam. Room Number 101 was placed right at the center of all the other rooms in the Greenfield Lodge. Sam says, "You have gone mad, there might be people inside." Sophia replies, "This room is never opened or given to the customers. You might be wondering how I got this key. Well, let's just say I am very close to the owner of this Lodge. Do not worry, just trust me and follow me."  Sam hesitates but Sophia's confidence overpowers his hesitation and they both enter the room. There was nothing extraordinary about the room, just a plain old wooden flooring house with old long watches. Seeing this, Sam asks, "Why did you bring me here? There is nothing much to see in here." Sophia replies, "Patience, my Love" and walks towards the new radio, which was looking out of place to the old architecture. Sam's heart was pounding as he could remember the words spoken by the unknown man. Sam slowly strays along the walls of the room and reaches for a nail cutter that was placed on top of an old antique table. “Every time that you get undressed, I hear symphonies in my head. I wrote this song just looking at you.” Sam exclaims, “I have heard this song before from Trumpets by Jason DeRulo. What are you up to, Sophia?” Sophia turns around, drops her gown and moves closer to him. Sam had not expected it at all and gets caught in the moment. Sam drops the nail cutter in his hand, moves closer to her and  pulls her towards him from behind. (Warning graphical content) Sam moves his hand over her stomach and kisses on her neck, which sends shivers across her body. Sam holds her firmly and turns her around. Slowly, he moves towards her lips and gently kisses her lips. He could feel the tenderness of her lips and then slowly moves down to her neck. He pulls her even closer with only his clothes separating their bodies. He could feel Sophia’s increasing anxiousness and her eagerness as if this was the time she had been waiting for long.  He stops for a while just enough for Sophia to react and her naughty look was enough for him to move forward and unhook her bra. She on the other hand was smiling and enjoying the act in sub-conscious state of mind, which made Sam feel more confident of what he was doing. He then moves her slowly towards the bed, stretches her hand behind her head and make her lie down in a comfortable position. Sam slowly moves down and removes her lingerie. She could feel his tongue rolling over her jugs and his hands moving between her thighs towards her there and then slowly moving inside it. Sophia could feel Sam's long finger going inside her and touching the sweet spots. She was coiling in out of pure pleasure. 

Come here rude boy, boy

Can you get it up

Come here rude boy, boy

Is your big enough.

Sam exclaims, “Thanks Rihanna for hinting me what to do next.” Slowly widening her legs, Sam goes on top of her and slowly moves into her. "Holy Shit. I can feel him moving inside me.", Sophia says to herself.  He bends over and kisses on Sophia's neck which sends shivers across her body right till her there. Sam could feel every bit of it and knowing Sophia crumbling down below him, he makes his movement faster and every sweat of his on her was hot. “Droplets of pure Love.”, says Sam in a whispering tone. Sophia on the other hand was cheering him on in a sub conscious mind. Sam moves his hand from behind her thin sexy back to her neck and gets a firm grip on her shoulder. Every move of his ended with a sound of pure pleasure that came out of Sophia’s mouth. Sam rests his body on her for a few more minute and then rises to his feet to watch satisfied Sophia lying on the bed. Sam moves away towards the mirror just to get back to reality of what had just happened. Sophia comes and hugs him from behind. Sam whispers, “You are the one I was waiting for.", and slowly moves more closer. He picks her up on his thighs and says, "I am in you." He could see Sophia coiling in out of pleasure as if she didn’t wanted this to end. And that is when the magical moment of being human is unrevealed to both of them. She arrives at the same time as Sam empties himself into her. He could see a tear droplet coming out of Sophia’s left eyes. He slowly kisses that tear from her eyes promising Sophia that he would never make her cry. Sophia relaxes her sweat driven body on Sam with most part of their body touching each other. Sam was leaning back onto to the table that gave him some support. Sophia then slowly raises her leg over Sam's legs and suddenly she could feel Sam growing inside her again. She clinches onto Sam and feels the marks which was made on the back of his body that she had not noticed at all during the act of submission. She looks at the mirror right behind Sam and says, "What are those marks on your back?" Sam replies, "I am not as good as you think I am. I still regret.." Sophia stops him and says, "Not today. This was the best day of my life and I do not want it to end it this way.” They make love for one more time and let go off their body, which by now was drenched in sweat. Sophia says, “Now you need no perfume, you have my smell on you. Sam you complete me.” They just hold each other and sleep for a while without talking. After a while Sam says, "Sophia, you brought me here to show some magic. Although, this was not less than magic but why did you bring me here." Sophia giggles and says, "If you feel I brought you here to do this then you are not wrong but the real reason was to show you a secret place." She looks back and points towards the mirror and says, "This is the magical mirror that would take us to the secret place. Why don't you try to move that?" Sam moves the mirror and finds a box with numbers on it. Sophia says, " The pass code is 2 9 0 2." Sam eagerly keys in the code and waits for something to happen but nothing happens. Sam says, "Are you kidding with me Sophia." Sophia says with a smile, " Oh, well yes. A little bit." Sam says with a little anger, "A little bit." Sophia replies with a little naughtiness in her eyes, "Yes, only a little." Sophia pulls his hands and pushes him away from the table in a playful manner and then pushes the table down. The tables moves into the ground forming the first step of the secret passage. Sam admires the entire arrangement and then follows Sophia into the tunnel. She runs ahead of him and says, "Catch me, if you can."

Copyright © 2014 Kallat Vinay Surendran

Chapter 3 - Mysterious Hotel - Novel - A tale of mysterious Greenfield woods

This is a copyrighted material

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

The next day, Sam decides to make it up to Sophia and asks her out for a romantic dinner. Sam was wearing short sleeve button down shirt which was tight and a Jeans, while Sophia was wearing a ground length  sequined ball-gown which was black in color a perfect date dress. They met and started walking towards Greenfield Hotel  with their hands almost touching each other. It was a cold evening, but his eyes were rooted to her hands moving closely to his. He wants to hold it but innocent touches were even more engraving. They enter the Greenfield Hotel which was famous for Sushi. Although, Sam didn't like sushi much, he had come to know that Sophia liked it from Leena and he wanted to make it up to her desperately. Sam had never seen so many Japanese eating together, so seriously, ever before. The silence in there when they both walked in was making Sam a bit nervous, while Sophia was confident and happy as always. Being the only non - Japanese couple in the sushi mushy counter, they earn lots of look. Sophia sits right in the middle of the hotel, while Sam just wants to run away to the bar section, away from all the drama. Sophia senses his embarrassment and holds his hands to calm his nerves down. Chef Daichi was giving a very good show right in front of their seat. Sophia always liked to be at the center of the party where all the fun part took place whereas Sam always preferred to be in corner where no one would be noticing him, holding a bottle of Budweiser. Sam knew they were not similar at all and also knew he needed Sophia more than she needed him. Daichi was a thin muscular guy with lots of piercing on his body and looked like Jackie chan. He was moving like a samurai chopping down vegetables with his four different sets of knife. He tosses a fish in air, made four cuts while it was in mid air and the fish falls right in front of him, intact in one piece. Daichi’s attention gets diverted towards Sam's chuckle who by now was feeling jealous of him. Chef taps the pan below and it breaks into four pieces. Sam whispers, "How did he do that? It should have broken into pieces the moment it fell down." Sophia whispers too, "Sam, I am also trying to find that answer from a very long time. Chef Daichi is the best and has the fastest hands that I have ever seen." This irritates Sam even more as Sophia's eyes were following Daichi and not him. Sophia takes his hand, places it right between her hands and says, "You have nothing to worry about, I am all yours." Sophia then gets up and says, "Let me freshen up," and leaves for the washroom. Suddenly, the lights go off and the entire hotel goes pitch black. Sam looks right out of the door as he starts to drift into his past of lonely dark nights in the jail. Sam, since childhood was always afraid of dark and that is when he thinks, "Should I just make a run to the door? Why the hell did they switch off the light? Where is Sophia?" Sam shouts, "Fire, Fire." Then after a few seconds he realizes it was just part of Daichi's show. Realizing all were looking at him, he shouts, "Oh, wow fire.", which fills in more energy in the room. Daichi starts to juggle vinegar, soya bottles, knives, sea fish and cooking handle all at the same time. He cuts, cleans the sea fish and cooks rice simultaneously without much effort. Sam realizes Sophia was right; Daichi really has the best pair of hands and the yellow orange flame just added glamour to his show in a pitch dark hotel. Sam actually starts to like the show. Sam has a very uncanny nature of attracting trouble especially when everything's going good in his life, that is how his luck is. An unknown person comes and sits right beside him without looking towards him. The unknown person looks strange, someone right from CIA who was in his late fifties. The unknown person says, "Don't look at me and look straight." Sam questions, "What?... Why?" The unknown man says, "Just do not say anything and just listen to me. Sam your life is in danger and my advice to you is to stay away from her." Sam asks curiously, "Whom should I stay away from?" The unknown person replies, "Just stay away from her; it's for your own good. What you see is not what it is like and.also try to stay away from water. Your friend ..."and he just leaves. Sophia comes right behind him and looking at Sam's stunned face asks, "What happened? Who was that man you were talking to?" Sam replies, "Just an old friend of mine. I was just thinking why did you take so much time to return? You missed the entire show." Sophia says something but Sam could not concentrate on what she wants to say. The unknown man's words were stuck in his brain, which forces him to think, "How does Sophia know so much about me? Why did we keep meeting each other with no information of each other at all? Was it just a coincidence?" Sam stops himself before ruining such a beautiful evening just because of that unknown man. And even if Sophia is an assassin, he would love her to take his life. After all it is better to die from the hands of a person you love. A beautiful Japanese girl passes and Sam just glances over her. Although, it was just for a second that Sam looks at her, Sophia didn't like it. Sam could see a little bit of discomfort on her face, which he kinda likes. Sophia asks Sam, "Why are you smiling?" Sam replies, "It is just you. You make me smile." Sophia replies, "Oh Sam, stop it now. Do not start it all over again." Sam couldn't resist the way she was looking at him and that made Sam dedicate a song for Sophia 
Baby I don’t wanna miss your smile,
I don’t wanna miss the taste of your lips,
Nothing else in this world can replace it.
Soft as butter, red as cherry,
Addictive as wine, Sweet as honey,
I surely don't wanna miss you baby,
Even if it means missing heaven,
I am gonna come with you.

I want to feel your nervousness,
When I come closer,
Your breath getting heavier,
And see your failed attempts to keep it lower,
I want to feel it,
If you are going to hell baby,
I am coming there to get you.

 You should know one thing by now,
I need no perfume,
Cause I have your smell beneath my skin,
Everyone thinks it’s a sin,
So I guess, I am going to hell with you,
You are not alone.
I can't miss the look,
That you give me when I look at other girls,
The way you blink it softly, lower it
Just to let me know your shyness,
I don't wanna miss it,
If you are going to hell baby,
I am with you in that journey,
To hell,
To hell,

I am with you,
Till the end


Sam opens his eyes to see Sophia's face red as a cherry and the way Sophia was blushing said it all. A loud round of applause went through the room. They could not understand a word of what he sang but they could feel the love in the air. Sophia says, “The poem was good but Sam but the way you said really touched my heart. You want to taste my lips Sam, just wait a little longer I am sure you would get more than that.”

Copyright © 2014 Kallat Vinay Surendran

Chapter 2 - Greenfield Garden - Novel - A tale of mysterious Greenfield woods

This is a copyrighted material

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

Greenfield Flowers was a beautiful garden placed closer to the lake of Greenfield town. It was the best place for anyone to hang out and one of the places where Sam was hoping to meet Sophia again. The jogger's footpath ran through the entire garden dividing the garden into smaller blocks and each block had its own unique identity. The first block has swings and slides and a sign “Fun time” in front of it. It is always filled with children and their parents. It reminds Sam of his childhood days and brought some of the dark memories back. He jogs ahead and sees a field, full of red roses, with benches right at the center and a pond by the side, which made it a perfect romantic place. A couple in their late sixties were sitting there, holding their hands."Lovers Nest" that is what it read in the sign above. The next block was little dense with bushes for children to play hide and seek. Although, it was generally occupied by teenagers who played something else over there. Sam would have liked to play it with Sophia, if she was there. The sign above it read "Enter at your own risk. Use protection." The next block brought a smile on Sam's face every time he passed by it. Some people were doing yoga by one side and the other groups of people were laughing out loudly without any reason. They called it the laughter club and their motto was "Laughter is the best medicine." You can easily make out, the teenagers had newly joined the group from the way they were checking themselves. They were trying not to make a fool out of themselves. The other members were laughing their butts off, as if somebody had told them the biggest joke of their life. Sam couldn't stop himself from laughing as it was really addictive. The end of the footpath was the most beautiful part with an uphill run and on either side of the footpath there was yellow and orange flowers resembling a sunrise. It felt as if one was running into the sky with the sun rising in the background and the sign rightly read "Paradise". A beautiful figure went past Sam, running down the paradise and the thing that diverted Sam's attention was that she was not running but hopping around. It was like a hip hop dance; she was skipping and running at the same time. The long bouncing hair reminds Sam of someone else and instead of staying in the path of paradise, Sam decides to descent and follow the cute rabbit. Sam didn't knew the reason why he was imitating her style of running but it looked like a lover kangaroo following his love.She was wearing a simple green halter-neck top paired with denim shorts. If it were not for her hopping, Sam would not have noticed her shorts. She feels someone was following her and turns around. Sam did not know what to do so he continues hopping and got closer and closer to her. His brain had gone into multi-processing mode, every process trying to figure out what would be the best answer. He tells to himself, "This is my jogging style and I am not imitating her." The worse thing was he could not stop hopping even after she was looking straight at him and he was kind of enjoying the ride. The beautiful girl says, "Excuse me, are you mocking me?" Sam replies, "Me no, it's my jogging style." She says, "Hey, you are the guy who was looking at me dancing in rain, the other day. Sorry, I forgot your name." Sam thought to himself, "Oh, she doesn't remember my name. She surely remembers everything, even the tiniest of things, the dress I was wearing, which brand, was my shoe matching my jeans, everything and she tells me that she does not remember my name." Sam was up for the 'I don't know you' game. Sam says, "Sorry, I didn't recognize you either. Should I have known you by any chance? Have we met before?" The beautiful cute rabbit replies, "I am Sophia; you met me four days ago. You were watching me dance in the rain." Sam talks to himself, "She remembers the number of days and she doesn't remember my name." It was quite hard for Sam to believe it and Sam avoids that question by looking away nervously. Sam could see her smile from the corner of his eyes. She waits for an answer with her arms crossed. Sam knew only she could break this silence but somehow she was enjoying it to. After few minutes, Sam gathers the courage to looks into her beautiful glittering eyes, anxious for reply, yet playfully doubting his intention of stalking her. Although, she had her lips closed, Sam could feel her laughing from inside and worse part of it was he could not even blame her for doing that. Suddenly, four more brunette kangaroos join Sophia to make the situation even more harder for Sam. They were looking at Sam so suspiciously that he almost felt like a villain trying to kidnap this cute kangaroo-rabbit and Charlie angels are here to free her. The smallest of the kangaroo from the lot comes up to Sam and says, "Are you stalking Sophia? Hey mister, are you laughing at me?" A four feet sweet little girl was pointing finger at Sam trying to intimidate him. Now from being scared he could not stop laughing.  Sam replies, "No, I am not laughing." The cute brunette asks again, "Were you troubling Sophia?" It was probably her tone that made Sam call her madam. "No madam, who is Sophia?", asks Sam. Sophia interrupts this time, "It's just a stranger." Sam could feel the irritation in Sophia's voice and what was troubling Sam was, she didn't even refer him as he, but as it. In the past four days, Sam had been dreaming of meeting her and planning the ways he would approach her and ask her out. Sam realizes she might have too dreamed something about the next meeting. Sam not knowing her name would be the last thing she would have thought about. Sam feels stupid about the whole incident and he could see the little watery eyes that were trying to convey him something that no words could say. All the other members of the kangaroo family were confused and there was only two people over there who knew why Sophia had tears in her eyes. Sam knew she couldn't explain it to her friends why she is upset for a stranger not knowing her name. Sam moves forward but her friends formed a wall around her. Sam says firmly, "I need to talk to Sophia." Sophia replies in a very small voice, "But, I don't want to talk to you Sam." Sam could feel now that she had been thinking about him all these days, every minute every second. Sam had not realized that their first meeting would have left them dreaming about each other so badly. Sam could see her resentment to talk to him as she didn't even look at him and it was killing him. Sam says, "I am sorry, I have been a jerk. I have been dreaming all these days about you and hurting you was the last thing I could have ever thought about." Sophia looks away to hide the tears that her eyes could not hold any longer. Sam says, "Please give me a chance and let me make it up to you." Sophia gives Sam a look and he knew all she wants was him to comfort her. Sam took Sophia in his arms and whispers in her ears, "I love you." Sophia replies in a similar whispering fashion, "Sam, are you scared of saying it loud?" Sam shouts for everyone in the garden to hear, "I AM DEEPLY EMOTIONALLY LOGICALLY DEADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU MISS SOPHIA." She had a smile with some tears still rolling down her cheeks. Sophia wipes off her tears and says, "How can you deadly love a person that you have just met four days ago? You are an idiot Sam." Sam replies, "Your deadly smile can kill any living thing and I am just an ordinary guy, I had no chance but to fall for you." Sophia replies, "Come on Sam, be truthful and do not make up things now." "Sophia," Sam says, "I really do feel that you have the most beautiful smile and I cannot take it out of my mind." She tries to look away as Sam was continuously staring at her. 

"Sam," Sophia asks, "What are you doing?" 

Sam replies, "Nothing.". 

Sophia asks, "Sam, Can you stop it?".

Sam replies, "Sophia, stop what? ".

Sophia replies, "Sam, stop staring at me?".

Sam replies, "Sorry, I could not take my eyes of you." Sophia asks again, "Sam, could you quit looking at me like that?" Sam replies, "I couldn't and I am trying hard not to look." Sophia knew this time Sam was telling the truth. Sophia introduces her friends to Sam and says, "This is Leena, the strict one and this is Sam." Leena stepped forward and says, "Yes, we know." and warns Sam, "If you hurt Sophia again, I am going to kill you myself and I mean it." Sam replies, "Yes madam, I would never ever do that again." 

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

Copyright © 2014 Kallat Vinay Surendran

Chapter one : Unusual meeting - Novel - A tale of mysterious Greenfield Woods

This is a copyrighted material

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

Sam felt nervous looking at the storm outside and the wind smashing on the window pane of his old building. It reminded him of the sinking Titanic where people could see death standing in front of them and ironically it was narrating his condition too. The wall hangings and pictures were falling all around the place. The rope hanging on the fan made a stretching sound and at the end of the rope, Sam was desperately trying to take his last few breaths. It was as if god wanted to make his last few seconds even more dramatic. His legs were tired of moving vigorously and his neck almost wrecked and bent forward. He starts looking into heavens through the window, when his eyes fall on a beautiful girl dancing in the rain outside his building. She was enjoying every drop of rain that fell on her as if she was embracing the storm. The cute white frock she wore was almost taken away by the wind and each raindrop that fell on her body made Sam think of touching her hot body. Her hair bouncing in harmony to the rains made him feel like, he was in heaven. It gave Sam the strength to fight a little longer, to stay alive. With the last breath at his disposal, he slashes the ropes with a sword and he falls right on his back. It was his fate that a sword of King Ashoka which he had brought from an auction, to take his life was the reason that he was alive. But, Sam being pessimistic had always denied fate and destiny, as luck was not something that was on his side since childhood. The sword was placed right in front of him, at the top shelf of antiques, which was the first sign of good luck to him. The girl had appeared as an angel in front of him and the only reason that he was still alive. Sam takes few deep breaths, which brings him back to life but his face had gone pale due to lack of oxygen. This was his tenth unsuccessful attempt to take his life, which had left many marks on his body and this time it was a cut on his neck but this does not stop him from trying to get up, as his eyes were still glued to the girl dancing in the rain, which he could see from his window. He dashes off his room, with very weak and tired legs. As he was going down the stairs, he could feel the level of oxygen in his body was getting low and after taking few steps his body gives up and he falls down the stairs. Looking at her body move so unreal in the rain, he gave up all his desire to die. His vision, which had not yet fully recovered was only trying to have a glance of her. He tries to get closer to her and hearing someone approaching she turns around. There were rain droplets all over her face and a few rain drops resting peacefully on her lips. It instantly diverts Sam’s attention towards her lips and somehow it made him feel thirsty. Realising where Sam was looking at, she takes the drops right in, before he thought of doing the same. She moves her head precisely to make her hair sprinkle water on Sam’s face and she knew exactly what she was doing. It was a signal for Sam saying you could afford to have those to quench your thirst. Sam feels like holding her and removing the wet hair off her face, but he couldn't come up with the courage to do so. In the sheer act of fear and shyness, Sam starts looking away from her but it did something good for him as it came across as an act of ignorance, as if to say that, "I am not impressed with the show that you put up in this storm." It surely annoyed her, for her, she had given a breathtaking performance. He continues to ignore her and walks away from her. She moves her head for the second time, sprinkling the water on Sam's face, which breaks Sam's show of ignorance. On a cold rainy day, the water that fell on his face felt hot and for the first time, their eyes met and he was instantly drawn towards her mysterious deep blue eyes, which conveyed that she had lot to say about her. Sam could feel his breath getting longer almost feeling his anxieties increasing. He checks his breath and tries to control it and keep it down. By now, she had stopped dancing and was watching Sam's failed attempts in keeping his nervousness down. Sam knew it by then, there was an unseen, untold connection that was being formed between them. She wants to keep looking straight into his eyes, trying to give a message that she was bold and not shy. But, somehow she was also feeling the nervousness running through her veins and she lowers her eyes and smiles. Although, they both wanted to show that nothing had happened since the time they met, they both knew something changed, for some reason, time had stopped moving. He wants to break the awkwardness, but the warmth and smell around her on a cold, wet day, didn't allow him to leave her. She removes her hair around the ears, showing off her long earrings touching her neck. It was teasing Sam of living his dream, to kiss her neck. He stands there doing nothing, trying to find a way to start the conversation. "Sophia," he could hear a broken voice of a very old lady calling out. The sound was like that of an old lady from a horror movie and her looks complimented her voice. She looks like a woman from a witchCraft movie, with wrinkles all over her face. Sam could not believe that they were related at all. "Sophia, come back in, it is raining heavily," said the old lady. "I would be there in a minute," Sophia replies. Her voice sounded happy, almost giggling and Sam was not a happy person and happiness is something he had always hoped for in his life. A man who was trying to kill himself would have lost all hope of being happy. But that giggling sound, it turned him on. Sam turns around with a smile; it was as if god wanted to help him know her name. She sees him smiling and raises her eyebrow, as if to ask, "Now, that you know my name. Can you give me yours?" Sam waits for some time and gives an expression, as if to say, "I don't know what you are trying to ask." Sam was getting confident, which could be seen from the way he looked and stood.  The knowledge that even Sophia liked him had given him a new spirit and confidence. She rolls her eyes over and walks away from him. He yells out just in time, "Sam, My name is Sam Martinez." Sam was sure that's what she was trying to ask. He confirms it, with the fist thump she gives to herself, while running back to her house. It was as if she was waiting to hear that name from a very long time. 

Series : Love, Intimacy and Betrayal - Twisted Heart Saga

Title : A tale of Mysterious Greenfield Woods

 Copyright © 2014 Kallat Vinay Surendran

College Days - My story - Last chance to propose

I was sitting alone in the corner of the canteen floor of my company with cash in my pocket and still I was not satisfied. I could quickly remember those days that I use to spend in college canteen with very few bugs in my pocket and was still way more happier than now. One does not realize the value of something unless its lost. It's so true because when I was in college, I use to wish the college to end quickly and dive into the world of opportunities, travel into uncharted areas. Stop there. Whoever told you this was high on cocaine and just ignore him. While in college I had always felt this to be true and wished my college to end whenever assignments deadlines or VIVA's Tension use to get to me. I still get nightmares of submitting my assignments late. But somehow after ten years(2007 batch) now I am missing my college more than ever. The things we use to do back then like writing journals in the canteen, banging the benches in the last row and singing Sutta songs. Looking from the corner of the eyes, judging which girls are single and talking about each other crushes. World seemed so much easier back then. Now, sitting alone and seeing friendship being used for promotions and various other evil reasons, it really hurts and I believe the purity of friendship is lost. It has become convenience more than want. And it was in these silent moments that you remember things from the past. One such incident took place during the IV of 2007 Vartak college computer branch . (Note:IV is an industrial visit done in last year of engineering college, which is used by students as an opportunity to go for a college trip and it is the last trip when we had all gone together.)

Now, if you take moment and try to understand you can contemplate what was going to happen next, psychologically. We were going to Goa for the IV, which is like a known place for cheap liqueur and it was "THE" last chance for anyone to propose to his crush. Boys fell like a pack of cards in casino, like the leaves in autumn. It was one of the biggest known proposal failures in a single trip in the history of student trips. So many hearts were broken in one single trip. Fine, I am exaggerating but it was very close to this exaggeration. And the award for the most dramatic failure goes to David -the hero (Made up name. Cannot reveal the actual name). I would have to give you some history in this case. David had already proposed Sarah-the heroine once a year back but she rejected him not because she hated him or something but in those days it was a fashion to have no boyfriends. It was against our cultural heritage, which in ten years has gone done the gutter. Times it change so fast.

Twenty four hours before the incident:

David's friends had bought some cheap vodka and beer, which many were trying for the first time and it was obvious that there would be many outbreaks. I just saw some awkward pictures of many people that I am not able to put up over here for security purpose. I do not want to die. : D One of my friends said, "Did you see our teacher in the beach, she was looking really hot." One of the very scholar student said, "That bitch. Even if I see her naked I would feel nothing." (Of course his language was not that good) Some background on this, he usually scored good marks in theory but this teacher always use to give him less marks in viva(Orals) because of which his total score was getting hampered. Most of us did feel that he was wrongly treated. Anyway, when the scholar was going at this teacher there was a group who were trying to motivate David. David had a mediator who was trying to stop David from proposing as he had seen David heartbroken before as well. But there were some initiators who  were saying, "What are you doing? This is your last chance. Be a man and do the right thing. Go take her in your arms. She is the love of your life." David replied, "She is traditional in nature. I do not want to hurt her." One of the drunken motivator Jai (When I say drunken, it means he was in his last stage just after he threw up in the wash basin) said, "You are not worried about hurting her but hurting yourself. You do not have the balls to propose any girl. I can assure you, you do not have it in you to even propose Farah-the unknown." Some background on Farah, "Farah was that one typical girl which is present in almost every class who does not talk to anyone and is almost like a ghost. You ask anyone who is Farah and they would look at each other. I do not like to comment on looks or anything, so leaving that part alone. That last line seemed to work, he was hit by that line.

Six hours before the incident

That morning David was feeling high on alcohol and was not fully in his senses. The motivators were back into action and were saying, "This is the good time as you are not even in your senses. Girls like boys who are rough and you need drinks to roughen you up." The mediator came in said, "First, you have some lemon and hope you would feel good." Actually, the three day trip was going to end on that day and we had two separate buses back to our hometown. One bus on which there was a group of people determined to motivate David and on the other bus his crush the target. They were motivating him, "Come on, pick up the phone and call her. If you cannot face her, tell her on phone." David replied, "But.." They said, "No if's and no buts. Believe us, if you do not man up today you would regret this for the rest of your life. What would have happened if you would have asked her?" David said, "But.." Motivator replied, "Jai was right about you. You cannot propose even Farah."

Ten minutes before the incident

We had a pit stop at a restaurant for dinner and the last chance David could propose her. Jai the motivator said, "Think about it.You last chance." David looked up but did not say a word. The second motivator said, "I am telling you, he does not have the guts to even propose Farah - the unknown." David just gets up from the table and shouts, "Where is Farah? Bring her. I would propose her right in front of you all." I still remember how silent it was in the restaurant before a burst of laughter spread across the room. What made it an epic was Farah was sitting in the table just next to David's along with Sarah-his crush.

After story:

David did not marry Sarah as Sarah remained true to her traditions and did an arranged marriage.

For Farah-the unkown, she is still unknown to me.

David did overcome that incident although he was the point of discussion for some months after which the 2007 batch dispersed away to start their own life.  

Mumbai Spirit - my experience

I had written this article long time back during the Mumbai train bombings of 11 July 2006, when a series of seven bomb blasts that took place over a period of 11 minutes on the Suburban railway in Mumbai, the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the nation's financial capital. The bombs were set off in pressure cooker on trains plying the Western lines of the Suburban Railway network. 209 people were killed and over 700 were injured(Information from Wikipedia). I tried to find the original piece of my writing as my writing style has changed over the course of time but I could not find it so I decided to narrate the story again. It was 14th July 2006, three days after the sad event and everyone close to me had gathered at my house, before I was suppose to leave to meet one of my close friends, to support him in this sad times. My brother said, "I was lucky as my office shifted only a week ago to a new location. It was the same first class compartment, which was shattered into pieces."

He continued, "I was suppose to travel in the same compartment and I knew many people over there. I am not sure how many of them are still alive." My best friend joined in and said, "My father use to travel in the same train everyday and he still travels in the same coach. He was lucky that day to have missed the train by a few seconds. He cursed his boss for giving him extra work right when he was about to leave but he still thanks his boss for saving his life. My father says that he could not see any familiar faces in the train. He use to see a young couple who looked like they were just about to get married and use to smile at him everyday. They use to get down only a few stops after my father got into the train but even in that short duration they never forgot to return a smile. My father said he remembered; the first time he saw them, very vividly. Being young, my father had thought they are just girl friend and boy friend and my father being traditional did not like it all. Somehow, the young girl realized why he had turned his face away and raised her hand to show my father her engagement ring. From that day for past three months they smiled at him everyday. Once when my father did not show up, they confronted him and said, "We were really worried about you." My father replied, "I had gone out to Kerala for a week." The young boy replied, "Next time if you go at least tell us so we do not have to worry." The girl said, "Wow, Kerala. We have a wishlist to travel across the world together. Kerala, Kashmir, Leh Ladakh are some of the places in India that we have in our wishlist." I could see tears in my father's eyes when he narrated this story to me. He missed them a lot and said, "They were very young to die and very happy with each other. Why did not god take life of people who are miserable and willing to die? Why did not he kill me instead? I am old and lived my life to the fullest. I have seen everything in life but they had so many things to do together. They had their wishlist to complete. Now, who would live that life for them." I had listened enough and just blasted out in anger that was filling in me, "Fuck those terrorist who kill innocent people. What did they gain killing so many innocent people who they have never met before. Who had nothing to do with politics or in anyway affect them. This terrorist do not have the rights to decide if I die or live by pressing just a button. My life is way more precious then that." Anyway, after a good round of discussion, which might be a blog in itself I left to meet my friend. It was my first day in local trains after the blast and I still do remember some things that happened that day. I sat nearby an old guy who looked at everyone in suspicion as if every other person is a suspect. I placed my bag in the baggage area of the local train as shown below:

A man with thick mustache was sitting opposite to me and was feeling discomfort when the old man sitting beside me started to stare at him. The man with thick mustache said, "What is wrong with you old man?" Of course his tone in Hindi was way funnier to hear. The old man with no teeth said, "You do not scare me. I have lived for eighty years now. Do you think I am scared of dying and terrorist like you scare me." Wow, I knew I was in for some good action. The thick mustache guy replied, "Do I look like a terrorist to you?" The old man replied, "All this terrorist are well educated and look way more handsome then you but I still have a feeling you can be one of them." Now everyone in the coach turned their head to the conversation. Everyone taking sides but most of them wanted the old man to win. Even me. It is just the way he pronounced words so slowly almost making the other person wait for his response. The guy with a thick mustache replied, "Do you think If I was the terrorist, I would have shown up today just after the bombing." The old man moving his hand left to right and making weird noises said, "No no. Do you think I am a fool and I do not understand what is happening? After the crime, criminal always returns to the crime scene and checks whether someone doubts him or not. I caught you red handed now." We all were just laughing while the man with mustache was really having a hard time to keep his cool. He said, "Fine, I am the terrorist. Now what?" I could see a change in his attitude and now almost accepting he was a terrorist. He continued, "I am going to get down in the next station after that if anyone travels in this train, it is in his own risk." I am pretty sure he was just kidding but believe me everyone was looking around as if to say, "Do we really need to get down." The old man was pleading with everyone now, "Do not let this man get down. Stop him." It was his pronunciation, which was so funny that no one actually took him seriously. The old man continued, "Fine, if you guys do not want to catch him then don't but at least give him his bag." Now the man with mustache turned back and said, "Can someone give me my bag? It is black and blue in color." The old man replied, "No, first check his bag. There might be something you will find in it as a proof." A man with specs and in his late forties, who was holding bag, looked suspicious and was thinking to open his bag. The man with thick mustache replied, "Why not? But then I am not responsible for what happens next." The man with spectacle just passes the bag forward to another guy and like a Mexican wave it reaches the man with a mustache. Everyone in the train clears his path and he gets down very easily. After getting down he replied for all to listen, "This is the first time anyone else has reminded me of my bag and taken so much care of me in the local train that I would surely come here everyday." Everyone shouted back, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". I had a good laugh and so did everyone else. It is not that we did not remorse for the ones who died and were not angered by the whole incident but it was just that we were not scared of it. Mumbai never stops or sleeps and we proved it again. A bomb blast would not stop us from travelling or doing our day to day job, neither would it bring our morale down but I assure you we would fight against these criminals and hopefully, our Mumbai police would hunt them down and make them pay.

Remember, this incident took place in 2006, ten years after that a lot of them are convicted.

(Below information from Wikipedia)

Involvement of Indian Mujahidee

On 27 February 2009, Sadiq Sheikh, an arrested leader of the Indian Mujahideen confessed to his alleged role in the bombings in a news channel broadcast. He claimed to have engineered the pressure cooker bombs with his associates in a flat in central Mumbai. If verified, these allegations could invalidate the previous claims by the ATS that the ISI or the SIMI were involved. Sadiq states in his confession, ‘‘All five of us arranged local first class train passes beforehand. We also had the local train time table with us so that we could choose a train as per our convenience. We purchased bags and pressure cookers in Bombay.’’ He also claimed to have misled investigators by blaming the attacks on the Al-Qaeda. On 6 April 2013, IM co-founder Sadiq Sheikh declared hostile witness by defence advocates.

Convictions

In September 2015, 12 people were convicted in this case. On 30 September 2015, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court sentenced to death Faisal Sheikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Sidduqui and Naveed Khan who planted the bombs in various trains.The other seven convicts—Mohammed Sajid Ansari, who prepared the electrical circuits for the bombs, Mohammed Ali, who provided his Govandi residence to make the bombs, Dr Tanveer Ansari, one of the conspirators, and Majid Shafi, Muzzammil Shaikh, Sohail Shaikh and Zamir Shaikh who provided logistical support – were sentenced to life.