Memories of Shimla

It still seems like a pleasant dream to me…my trip to Shimla in the winter of 2009. It has to be, undoubtedly, one of the best memories I have.



As I looked out the window of our car, I couldn’t help marveling at the scenery outside. No wonder nearly everyone I know had been to Shimla and loved it here.



A journey often comes with a story of its own. This journey surely has one. That day, the 21st of November, as I walked into the hotel room and collapsed into bed, I wondered whether this trip would be as good as I hoped it would be. Little did I know then that I had a huge surprise in store for me…



*******



Keeping a close eye on my little sister, I followed my parents into the dining hall. As we sank into the sofa and Ashley was immediately absorbed into watching a cartoon, my eyes fell on a corner of the room…and I kept gawking like an idiot.



There was a breathtaking, gorgeous idol of Lord Krishna, on a slightly raised platform. It looked so beautiful, I could hardly take my eyes off it. I was mesmerized. And it seemed like a wonderful coincidence that I happened to spot an idol of Krishna, of all the Gods I worship. I was elated.



Then someone broke into my thoughts with a, “ Pooja, tie up your hair. HOW many times do I have to tell you?!”

Mum. Of course. I sighed. WHY do I have to tie up my hair, may I know? It’s not like I’m going to win a Nobel Prize for making my hair look tame. I dragged my feet to the table, sat down and tied my hair up before I could get another reminder. I sighed again when I heard Ashley squeal with excitement, out of the blue. What NOW?! I turned my head towards where she was pointing and OH.MY.GOD.



******



This just HAS to happen to me. I saw my so-called best friend from school, Kajal, enter the dining hall with her family. As if I really needed any cause for humiliation, I found out that my unfairly stylish, perfectly dressed, Barbie doll-like friend would be staying in THIS VERY HOTEL ( of all places in the world) for as long as we were staying. Wonderful.



“Oh, this has GOT to be my lucky day,” I grumbled.

“I know! Isn’t it great? Now you have company!” said Mum.

People have completely lost their sense of sarcasm, if you ask me. Thankfully, she quickly interpreted my silence. Thank god my parents know me so well that it’s scary.



Ashley went back to watching Ben10, Dad and Kajal’s father started discussing world politics while my mum and aunty began talking about the shopping prospects at Mall Road. I greeted Kajal and her elder brother, Varun, with fake enthusiasm. I didn’t see why she should be so happy to see me when she never bothered to get in touch after school, except whenever she needed help with her boyfriend.



We made small talk through dinner and finally decided to go shopping together the next day. For the first time in my entire life, I wasn’t psyched about shopping. This just kept getting better and better.



On Sunday, our families met at the lobby and, of course, Kajal looked perfect. She and I hung back and walked behind the group as the conversation turned to her boyfriend for the seven hundred and twenty sixth time. Believe me, her entire life revolves around the sad dude.



Thankfully, retail therapy always works for me. So my mood lifted when I rushed into the nearest bookstore. Aaah…I know it sounds totally weird, but it smelled really good. While Kajal was having a look at the M & B’s, I was drooling near the Mario Puzo section. We are so different, it’s a miracle we get along quite well. I checked out some other books as well. I looked up from the book I was ( already ) reading called My Friend Sancho, when I heard a guy’s voice.



He looked a little older than I am, and was he drop-dead-gorgeous! He had this really calm and sophisticated aura about him. But that wasn’t exactly why I was fascinated by him. I was, because he’d asked for a copy of the Bhagwad Gita.

I eves-dropped on his conversation with the shopkeeper and heard him tell the guy that he’d given his own copy to his grandfather and that he wanted to get another for himself.



Now, I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t find a lot of guys like this one. I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t even look away when he caught me staring at him. He smiled at me ( and my heart stopped) and then he left the store with his book in hand. I stood frozen ‘til I heard Kajal call me. I told her about the guy, nearly hopping on the spot. She asked me a string of questions about him till we joined our families at the local coffee shop. I thought about the guy all night and wished I could get to know him somehow. But that was nearly impossible.



The next day, we went sight-seeing at Kufri on horseback. The ‘rents were loving the cool breeze and warm sun and we were enjoying posing for pictures with a Python. Kajal was too scared to hold him so she sat at my feet while I wrapped the snake in my arms. I was having fun as it was, and to add to my joy, I saw the same guy walking our way!

I was so surprised, I nearly dropped the snake on Kajal. As its tail touched her shoulder, she jumped like a terrified rabbit and I burst out laughing. Better still, HE was laughing too!



Throughout our time at Kufri, I kept shooting glances at him. But I didn’t kid myself into believing that he’d actually be “interested” in me. I’m the kind of girl guys love being pals with. But I’m SO not girlfriend material. Before leaving, we decided to get something to eat. I was waiting in line when a guy came up to me and told me that his friend Mehul likes me and wants to be friends with me. HUH?! Where did THIS come from? I was sure this was some kind of a stupid joke-- or most probably a dare. I told him I wasn’t interested and that he could go and tell this Mehul that I said so. I didn’t say anything to Kajal. No need to embarrass myself when I was sure this was a prank.



That evening when Kajal and I were taking a walk near the hotel, another guy came to me and said the same damn thing. What was going ON here?! This was getting extremely annoying. Especially because Kajal was getting a real kick out of this. I sent the moron away and wished these guys would leave me in peace. I heard a phone ring, and while Kajal answered her boyfriend’s call ( yet again ) I looked in the direction the guy had called out to, and I stiffened.



He was talking to THAT guy. HE was Mehul



I felt my heart sink. I was sure he could see the extreme frustration and disappointment on my face. I couldn’t bare to stand there any longer. I told Kajal I was going to my room to pack my stuff. She nodded.



I nearly cried on my way up. I stood in the elevator with a morbid, defeated look on my face and kept staring at my feet. I didn’t even look up when the doors opened. So I nearly fainted when he said my name.



“ So you’re not scared of snakes?” said Mehul.

I cracked up. I couldn’t believe THIS was the first thing he’d thought of saying to me. That night, we sat in the lobby, chatting until it was time for dinner. I learnt that he too was in DU, that he was staying in Shimla for another two days, and that he’d found out my name from Kajal before talking to me. I was delighted to know that he lives in Delhi.



We exchanged phone numbers right then and promised to stay in touch, since I was to leave the next morning. I was happy to meet such an exceptional, chivalrous, SPIRITUAL guy. Before leaving for his hotel, he handed me a plastic bag which he’d been carrying with him. Mehul waved at me and left.



I opened the bag, and inside it was a copy of My Friend Sancho.



- PS - Written By Arpita! My younger sis! - word count - 1480 so definately not eligible for the contest but still it suit the theme and I wanted to share her first story with u, Thanks!
- PULKIT
( http://19goes20.blogspot.com)

The Avenge

It was Thanksgiving! Winter had just crept in! Father Arthur was ensconced in a corner of the Church. The pearly ivory of the snow and the festivities of the season failed to bring delight or comfort to his heart. With time he had become passive and phlegmatic to the world around.   

Tonight, when the whole world gathered with their families to thank the Almighty, he was in The Lord’s abode, but secluded and forlorn. It had been 15 enduring years since he had prayed at the altar, not because he had lost faith, because nothing was left to plead for.

In a flicker, he envisioned his lifetime, his days of youth, his integration into the Church as an Apostle, his wedding to the beautiful Sandra, and the birth of their baby boy. Everyday at the altar, on his knees and with folded hands, he prayed for his family’s well-being and complacency. 

Their lives had been immaculate, .... until an opulent and imperious brat, oblivious in his carousal had trampled his family under his screeching wheels and never looked back to say a word of remorse or shed a tear . It was 15 years ago, on Thanksgiving! Their lives were shattered. Sandra had succumbed to the loss of their child. Since that day he averted himself to The Lord’s service. He had always been a man of God, he sought no revenge for he believed in divine justice.

The door creaked, entered a middle-aged man, clad in black. His gait unsteady and hands trembling. He paced towards the Confession Chamber, on the other side of the veil was Father Arthur.

“Father, I seek forgiveness, for I have sinned, for I have sinned and never lamented. Several years ago, when I was callow and frivolous, I had obliterated a credulous life on this day, before this Church. I panicked, so I fled. Ever since, I have evaded the truth. Few months ago, my 8 year old son was diagnosed with B-type Lymphoma. I had abundant money but I was helpless. He left for his heavenly abode today. I discerned, it was the God’s will.”

“Amen” uttered Father Arthur and smiled. His unspoken prayers had been answered. Today, he had revoked his consecrated values and conceded to the grieving father within him. His apathetic eyes gleamed with gratification. Finally, he had something to be thankful for. Time had avenged his bereavement !!

Word Count: 399                          

a white christmas

There was something different about Anya. Everyone noticed it. She was plain. Her eyes seemed almost empty, sad. Like she was always thinking. She spoke only when spoken to and generally in a syllable or two.

Today, when every other child in her home was getting ready. New people were coming. There was hope that one of them would get a home, a proper one with a mommy and a daddy.

Anya was 12. Too old. No mommy-daddy would want a grown up child. They all went straight to the nursery to see the younger children. Though, most of them did bring sweets for all of them.

Mr and Mrs. C always wanted kids but couldn't have any. They finally decided to adopt and had come here. While walking toward the office, they passed the nursery and saw this little girl. Her eyes caught Mrs. C's fancy. She was drawn to them. She squeezed her husband's hand. He smiled and nodded. They spoke to the authorities and entered the nursery. Anya felt happy they were going to pick this child she had named Amy. They wanted to pick Amy.

What happened next neither Mrs. C nor Anya really remember. Anya found herself in the cold valleys and a family, with a little sister Amy. Her parents were really nice. They tried very hard to get Anya to open up. She spent time with Amy and played with her but that's it. She went to school but never made any friends.

One cold day, Anya sat on the porch with her coat on. She looked up at the sky. And a small snowflake fell on her nose. She was scared and amazed. She ran home and looked at Mrs. C holding Amy. She wanted to tell Amy but Mrs. C was there. Suddenly, there was thunder. Anya's emotions couldn't hold it any longer. She went and hugged Mrs. C. She didn't know why but she felt a comfort that she never had. Mrs. C was surprised but relieved. She kept the baby in the cradle and hugged Anya. The years of silence came tumbling back. Anya cried and she laughed and started talking. Talking about the snow that was slowly falling down. She spoke about her new school and her teachers there. She spoke like she had never spoken before. And it was truly a white white Christmas.

The Danish Open

The evening sky smiled as the players left for the center court.It was the final leg of the Danish Open where world number 1 Rader was going to face Vivian Songs.Rader was Vivian’s childhood hero.He grew up learning a lot from Rader.

A crowd of 5000 assembled to witness the greatest match of the Danish Tennis history.Every emerging player would dream to play with his idol,but today it was a dream come true for Vivian

“Don’t worry Viv ,you’ll win ,”I said to him. This was his comeback tournament after winning the Mexican Open.I was serving as a ball girl for the MTA. The Association would utilize us for major tennis event. Vivian may not be famous ,but his skills inspired me.I would love to confess that I had a crush on him since day 1 of the Mexican open.I just wished to see him winning the trophy. I would stare him from the ground where we were posted. He won the tournament and my heart. Later, the same evening he confessed his love for me. I was shocked and perplexed. It was an unexpected gesture.

“Are you kidding me Sir?,” I asked Viv.

“No girl,seriously,” He replied.

It was a dream for any girl to marry a popular person. Viv may not be popular but I was sure that he would be. He was just 19 and an emerging player.

We started hanging out together.It was a cold night and we were at the Costa beach.

“Isabelle,I want to marry you baby,” he said with a soft voice.

“Umm,I want to but I have to complete school,” I smiled back.

“Promise me that we will tie knots only after you win any major tournament,” I said and our lips locked.

It was winters in Denmark.The match was probably delayed because of heavy snowfalls. Finally at 7pm the match started. Viv went on to win the first set.The game was stopped for few hours owing to cold weather condition. Later on when it started again ,Viv was at the backfoot. Rader won the next two sets. The final set was decisive and everything depended on the crucial tie breaker.Danish crowd supported Viv ,but Rader was the favourite. Rader went on to win the tournament. My face got drenched with tears. I hugged Viv as to soothe him

“Its all in the game,you’ve the potential to be a champion,” Rader said to Viv and left.

Word count : 400

Love at first snow!

When i reached my stop, I exchanged a shy look with Joshua. His deep blue eyes have left me numb since the day i saw him. Now i knew, why all the drama about my dressing this early morning. Joshua was back to office after a very long vacation. I wished he didn't get engage to some one during his vacation. So as i sat beside him waiting for the bus, i checked his finger. When his honey filled voice called my name, Hey Zoeeeeeeee, i smiled. I started blabbering about everything that happened in his absence.

That's when the bus arrived. We both boarded the bus. I was shy to sit beside him. My loss was her gain. A young beautiful girl sat beside him. Which made m jealous as hell. and my mind stopped working, I was not sure if my heart was working. That's exactly when i realised two things, that i am madly in love with him and its freezing cold outside.And i am dressed for summer. Huh! The castle i built in the air vanished just like the air. I hit the rock bottom.

The whole day in my work place i was not sure if i knew what was going on around me. I was completely lost.I just wanted to go home and cry loudly. I left office early. As i stepped outside i saw the snow flakes.The first snow fall of the year.The beautiful snow didn't change my mood.I sat alone in the bus. Slowly the bus started getting filled. I saw Josh getting in. When he sat beside me i didn't know how to react.

I felt warm sitting beside him. When i saw his smile, i forgot that i was angry. He started telling me about his trip. When we got down, he asked me if i would like to walk with him. I nodded my head in response. He laughed at me, and gave me his coat. As we walked he held my hand.I was not quite sure what was happening. We sat by the tree side. The view was breathtaking.

He said, Zoe, "she is not my girl friend".

My face went all red. He took my face in his hands and kissed me on my lips.

I felt warm and safe in his arms. My Love at first snow!

Word Count: 398.

“I never did abandon you”

‘Father, why have you abandoned me?’

His pleas went unheard. None of his friends stood by him. The promises of giving up their lives for his sake, were broken without even so much as a thought and they all abandoned him, each lucky to save his own skin. Guilt would overtake them later, and they would hang themselves from the branches of dead trees. But he forgave them all. He was after all not like any other man.

And while they shouted, ‘Traitor! Satan!’, there were other plans for him. Three days later, he would rise and meet his father and he would then rest in peace.

I saw this vision, as I lay hurdled among the rocks. As far as my eyes could see, was the endless white of snow and ice. Even the light breeze felt like the edge of a dagger piercing my skin. My friends had left me here. I could not walk any longer and none of them was strong enough to carry me down through dangerous tracks that ended abruptly in crevices and valleys. ‘Each man to himself, mate’, was what I had heard about people who came this high in the wilderness in the cold. And so I sat, shivering and dying. I then did the only thing I knew I could do. I prayed. I have always been a non-believer and I wondered if there was any reason for the Lord to change my belief right then.

In desperation I cried, ‘Father, why have you abandoned me?’ I remember the chill, outside first, then in my bones, then in my heart and then it stopped. And as the vision ended, I saw my maker. I smiled then, for knew that my real winter was here.

Post Script:
I wonder how I got to the hospital. People tell me that I had walked in on my own but I’m certain someone had come this far with me. As for, whether I forgave my friends… Well, I admit, I’m just human. So yes, I did forgive them. Guilt and abandonment are heavy burdens indeed. Just that they are not my friends anymore. As for thinking that it was my real winter, I just didn’t how right I was, back then. It indeed came with Christmas and all.

WORD COUNT - 383

End of the fog

‘The window is hazy, its fog again.’ He thought as he removed his thick blanket and got out of bed. He looked at his face in the blurred mirror. Hi eyes felt like hollow sockets. He was feeling a little nervous now. He was to meet her today.

‘Hey’ she said as he saw him coming, and gave him a light hug.

‘It’s been a long time’ he said.

‘Yeah, sit, you look very weak’ she asked.

‘Yeah I am a little.’

‘Your cap looks good’

‘Well I had a little hair loss that’s why.’

They talked for a few minutes about college days and as he thought he should say what he has to, she stood up.

‘Ok Ravi, I would be leaving’ she said.

‘Kavita, I have cancer.’

‘What?’

‘Last stage.’ He paused and looked into her eyes. ‘I would live for not more than a month.’

‘Docs insist I stay in the hospital but I feel irritated by that place.’

‘Oh, you should stay there if they say so.’ She sat down.

‘Well I was thinking . . .’

‘What?’

‘If I could spend the rest of my time with you?’

‘What?’

‘You can come over to my place and . . .’

‘And what will we be doing?’

‘In mornings you go to work, in evenings, we will spend time together, and talk, and roam about.’

‘Are you crazy?’

’What ...’

’No tell me, are you mentally retarded?’

’See...we were friends... I thought..’

’What friends, one talks to you for two days and you morons just climb up the sleeves?’

’I thought. . .’, his throat was heavy.

‘Shut up, just shut your foul mouth, I already have a boyfriend, and you know that.’

’I won't even touch you, I swear.’

‘Ahan?’

‘I’ll cook for you.’

’Oh? What else?’

’I’ll bring flowers for you, and put them in your hair.’

’ha ha ha !’

’We will talk all day.’ His eyes were red with tears

’Get lost moron.’

She stood up and started to walk, he caught her hand.

‘Kavita, wait . . .’

She slapped him on his face.

‘Why don’t you commit suicide today, you are going to die anyways.’ She walked away.

The sun was out and the fog was disseminating. Teary eyed, he saw her walking away, he believed she was right, he knew what he had to do now.

Word Count: 398

A Battle Lost, is Another’s Victory

It was that time of the year again, when the world was engrossed in festive and revelry. It was the time of the year he spurned. The world draped in silver and adorned with resplendent ornamentations sparkled. Despite the dreary gloom cast by the gray sky, the incandescent smiles on elated faces rekindled the milieu.

Throughout the year, his hands to mouth existence did not perturb him. It was this time of the year when his compunctions and frailties confronted him. Inspite of striving hard, he had failed to give his ‘Little Angel’ what she wished for. Every year she hoped for a Christmas with a garnished Christmas tree and presents in a sock, and was disheartened. Today, on Christmas-Eve, perched on a quarantined bench, he prayed .. for a way.. to bestow his ‘Little Angel’ with the joys she deserved and coveted.

A tall, young man in a beige suit strolled down the archaic and bygone path. Bemused and flustered, he sat on the other end of the bench. Despite the icy evening breeze, droplets of sweat trickled down his brow. Few minutes later, he walked away abruptly. On the bench lay a chestnut leather bag. The bag was rammed with wads of banknotes and a card, on which with golden letters was carved a name and address. 

The forthright and righteous him was compelled to deliver the bag where it belonged. But his paternal instincts were transcendent. The euphoric gleam in her shallow eyes would be priceless. His prayers had been answered, a path had unfolded, to tread or not was his choice. His heart delivered the verdict. Tonight, for once, his ‘Little Angel’ would have the Christmas she wished for. On this day of Christ, his inner demons had taken over him.

He was baffled. He had never traded his values for corporeal contrivances. Abdication could cost him his career, but ceding to their demands would mean forfeit of his morals. He accumulated the cash in a leather bag and set off. With a tormented and oblivious head on his shoulders, he meandered away. He was battling his inner demons. Lost in scuffle, he walked away from a bench, forgetting his bag. When realization struck, he smiled and reckoned, perhaps the choice was made for him. On this day of Christ, he had evaded his inner demons.

One man’s lost battle, is another man’s victory :)

Word Count: 399

Mommy ,I saw 'Bogey Mon' !!!

“Vinu ,where are you, daa?,” The young mother of 23 screamed at the top of her voice.

“Oh god!!,” she was worried for some reason.

Their life changed as they shifted to Sydney. Vinu was just a baby and she had a lot to worry about. Aaina’s husband was a chartered accountant in a bank in Australia.

Her heart beat rapidly as her eyes failed to locate her kid.

“Hello Abhi,please come home,I’m worried,” she spoke to her husband Abhijit.

Little Vinu was an adorable and a naughty boy. Her eyes scanned through all the rooms,balcony and the corridors.Aaina started sweating profusely as she could not find her baby anywhere.

She tried to fulfil all basic needs of Vinu.Vinu was her life. Vinu was just 2 yrs old and what if some one kidnapped him. Several thoughts were running through her mind. Time flew like anything . The clock struck 5 and she was weeping.

Last week Vinu wanted to meet St.Nicholas, the Santa Claus. He used to call him as ‘Bogey Mon’. Aaina and Abhi were so busy that they could not fulfil their little kid’s wish of seeing Santa Claus.

Her eyes displayed a gamut of emotions.Her cheeks were moist with tears. She started cursing herself. Aaina’s frustration mounted high as time passed. Abhi’s number was still unreachable.

The fear of losing Vinu would not let her stop crying.

“Hello,Hello!,” she was tired of calling her husband again and again.

She locked the door and tucked the key on her blouse.She started searching for Vinu admist heavy snowfalls.It was winter in Australia and the temperature outside was unbearable.Despite of such harsh weather conditions ,she did not give up She was upset. Her face was red as she came back to home.

‘Mommy!! ‘Bogey Mon’ came to our house,” Vinu hugged his mother tightly.

She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw her kid back in home. Vinu showed the gifts that Santa gave him.

“Aww Baby, you met Santa it seems,” she kissed her son on his cheeks.

“Where is your’ Bogey man’ ?,” Aaina smiled.

“He ran away,” Vinu was playing with the gifts that Santa presented him.

She called Abhi to inform him about Vinu.

At night ,she told her husband about Vinu’s sudden disappearance.

“Aainu, so any guesses about Vinu’s ‘Bogey Mon’ ? ,” Abhi winked and they cuddled.

word count: 396

P.S- Snow, for me is Grey..!!

Some kind of a realization dawned. He troubled his old muscles as he glanced up at the somber sky and scratched his chin- “It will only get worse.” His cheeks were sunken and hollow; his eyes depicted poverty. It was Christmas and he was at work; he poked at the far side of the grave with his spade and it split wide open.

I love Christmas, more so for the gifts that continues to flow into the next day, my Birthday. Adoring the season’s first snow fall outside my little window, I awaited my tenth birthday. My dad owns a bakery, my mom’s a school teacher. There’s another boy in my home; dad says he’s my brother. My mom's love towards me is infinite. I love her but I hate my dad. For two reasons- he gifts nicer things to my brother; He never talks to mom. Meanwhile, the snowfall intensified and I noticed mom. She sat in a corner, her eyes, as though set deep inside their sockets. I waited for dad as she sat still, dangerously still.



He cursed the relentless snowfall, which was making his job tougher. But he had to do it, for his living. His face appeared as though it had lived with pain as a constant companion. He leaned over his spade and started to dig again.

My mom hadn’t moved an inch, I got tensed. Just then my dad arrived. He surprised me with a hug and hurried towards mom and put his arms over her shoulder. Her head collapsed into his chest. For the first time I noticed a tear drop down my dad’s cheeks. He shook her face vigorously until finally mom moved. That relieved me; the snow outside appeared better now.

He finished his job of digging, covered his face with a scarf against the snow and waited impatiently.

Within a minute, I saw my mom burst into tears. My dad hugged her and brought her to me. My mom hugged me tight; she didn’t want them to put me into the coffin. I couldn’t hug her back, I couldn’t say I loved her, I couldn’t even cry. The snow turned grey to my eyes yet again.

I had to be taken to the graveyard; the old man was waiting. I made him struggle, but I made his Christmas. My parents, I love them. By the way, my name is Kevin.


WORD COUNT - 399