Moonlight picture Contest.

Guess what we are here to make an announcement.But before that let me welcome all the new members in our Lounge.Hope that you all would love this place and cherish every moment here.I'm really happy to announce our 4th contest.Previously we had few contest based on specifc themes.We had "Rain drenched Lounge contest"which was based on short stories. It was then followed by the "Inspiration Contest" which was a poetry contest.Then we had the "Lol@lOUNGE" contest which was based on humour.Now we have decided to blend all these genre's and we present the "Moonlight picture contest".
Look at the picture below.All you have to do is based on the picture.

Yes you can write stories and poems based on the above picture.
Rules.
for Stories.
1) The central theme of the story is the given picture
2)The story should not exceed more than 500 words.
3)The story should contain a title that should be posted along with the story in writers lounge.
4)At end the participant is expected to write the word count.
5)Labels for your story would contain your name,WL-Contest,ML-contest
for Poems.
1) The central theme of the poem is the given picture
2)Poetry can be of any form
3)The poem should contain a title that should be posted along with the story in writers lounge.
5)Labels for your poem would contain your name,WL-Contest,ML-contest

Terms and Conditions:
1)This contest is valid for the members of this community.In case if you want to take part then you may leave your email id on the shout box .One of the administrator may invite you to the group blog.
2 )Entries should be made on or before 5th September ,2009.
3) Members can post multiple entries on the theme here. But you will mail us only the entry which you want us to consider for the award.
4) The contest will be judged by a writer whose name will be revealed later.
5)The results will be announced by 13th September,2009 .
6)The winners name along with the 1st and the 2nd runner up will be announced on 13th September 2009
The winner will get a badge from Writers Lounge and Ebooks of famous writers which would be announced later.

At the same time, the pariticipants are expected to mail their posts in word format along with the word count to writers.in.lounge@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE (MEMBERS @ WRITERS LOUNGE)
Please refrain from posting other stuff apart from the stories for this contest till 5th September, 2009. We will be closing the lounge for general posts/rants during this time period. This is just to ensure that the contributions for this contest don't get lost and people who contribute get maximum support as well as dedicated readership. If anyone does want to notify other lounge members of a new post on their blog, please feel free to use the Shoutbox. We regret the inconvenience caused. We guess it should be a great experience reading different takes on the given picture. We are just facilitating the same and ensuring that your stories get read. A humble request to all talented writers here on writers lounge to try their hand and churn up a story/poem for contest. Writers Lounge Rocks! And you all make it rock! Cheers!!
PS:Members are requested to send in their "Member of Month" entries to the admin mail id.

Red July contest

Hear! Hear! Hear!
As per the last post that the admin had posted, we have decided to have a mini contest to jumpstart our dearest Lounge.
The theme is simple yet complex, the rules extremely simple. Please, keep in mind that participation is what we need the most.

The theme is RED.
Simple?

Only rules to be kept in mind are:
1. Keep the post limited to 500 words.
2. Keep it around the theme of RED. Interpret it anyway you like. We wont even give you idea. Let your imagination get wild.
3. You want to rhyme, acrostics, stories? Anything and everything is welcome. We will have different categories for prose and poems.
4. You need not limit yourself to just one post. Keep writing. Keep reading. Keep lounging.
5. Contest is on from 1st July to 7th July. Yes, we are keeping it short.

We write. We read. We lounge.
Admin,
The Writers' Lounge!

A bug – a guru.

Here I sit, in this stranded cave
Having lost all –
My family, love, kingdom and people.
I have nowhere to go,
I await no one’s call –
In that bloody battlefield, I lost them all!

The battle so filthy,
It ruined me to dust –
My people betrayed, whom I trust
Still. Maybe it’s time
For me to bid goodbye –
After all that happened, I wonder why!

Where are you?
My loveliest –
The one to whom I sworn.
Traitor, yet my friend
Where have you gone?
Deceiving the land, where you were born!

Sitting here tonight,
I feel so low,
For, apart from the heavens, I’ve nowhere to go,
I flew from the arena
My people know
This shameful face of mine, I cannot show.

My sword, my friend
I plea to thee –
Cut off my head and set me free,
For, I have no choice
But to flee –
Tomorrow’s sunrise, I want not to see.

But stop. What is that bug on the wall?
Striving to climb up, yet so small,
Hurling a web and trying to mount
But each time it would surely fall.

No, wait! It is climbing now
Showing me the way exactly how
What a thought, that has crept in my mind!
“O Spider, my teacher, let me take a bow.”

Now I know! No need to fake it.
The world to you is the way you take it.
One thing that I have learnt for my life –
If you try, you will surely make it.

(250 Words)

Now, I Move Up

[This is my Entry to the "Ascension" Short Fiction Contest in Clarity of Night]

[Entry # 87]

I came back to consciousness when I felt the soft brushes of the escalator touching me over my jeans. I was standing on the stairs and they were ascending. The earth always moves; but I never sensed it before. How dumb I was! I kept on howling and repenting on my times of yore, when I was stagnant and everything else kept moving – in its own pace. Nothing stopped for me; none stopped for me. I wailed, when I found myself abandoned in life. I saw my people moving ahead and felt left out. I cried. I saw my life stuck in debris of faults, mistakes and losses. I stopped dreaming and I stopped craving for realizing them too. I had no aim in life. I lost all hopes.


This is when I met him – the man of my thoughts. He changed my life completely. He took me by my hands and led me into the world that constantly rotates and revolves. I no more expect people to stop for me and say a few words of praise. Now, I do whatever it takes to materialize my dreams and acquire everyone’s eulogy. How I wish to have met him earlier! He lifted me from the ashes as this escalator is lifting me to the next level. Today is the day I have been waiting for. Today is the day of triumph. I just need to reach the apex and step into a life where the escalators move up – only upwards!

Rain drenched Lounge '08 official results announcement

RAIN DRENCHED LOUNGE 2008 OFFICIAL CONTEST ANNOUCEMENT

Thanks a lot for the overwhelming response and glad to see you guys waiting for the results.First of all I would like to apologise for the delay.It happened due to unexpected connection cut due to some work.Now,I am back with the results.Its been almost one month since we started the contest and now we are ready to see who has won the contest.

Let me brief you with the result details.
We had around 31 entries.The judge has selected 6 posts that satisfied all the criteria's that a story should contain.
Creativity, Novelty in the way the theme was interpreted and the command over language was considered as a first fact.From the 6 stories ,each of the story was rated on a scale of 30 which comprised of these parameters.

Ok here are the official results.
Participation is an important factor.We ,at the Lounge are happy for the overwhelming response and active participation.If you didn't make it to the top 6 or 3 dont get upset .Ok, here is the participation badge for the contest.All participants are expected to place this badge on their respective blogs and link it to the lounge.



Firstly ,lets announce the winner of the "Members Choice" award.
There was tough competition between Tan,Hashan and Sandeep for the same.Ok,the winner of the member choice award selected by the members of the community is

Tan for A Visit

Tan gets the following badge


Ok ,now its the time to announce the 2nd Runner up.Would you like to guess ?? ehh!!
Here is the 2nd runner up...

The 2nd runner up is
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Ashwin for Blood and Rain

He gets this badge,Congragulations Ashwin.

The 1st Runner up is.

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Neha for Of dreams,hope,and the rain

She gets this badge,Congragulations Neha

Now,its for the big one that we all are waiting for since the contest got over.
Well here is the Winner...........

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Rajeev AKA Impressionist for The Rain Storm

The Winner gets this badge.Congratulations Rajeev

Now let us see the details on how the top 3 were selected from the 6.
Here are the 6 who were selected.

Super Six

31.Criss for Acid Rain
29.Riversouls for The Rains are a'coming
28.Ashwin for Blood and Rain
14.Neha for Of dreams,hope,and the rain
15.Rajeev for The Rain Storm
10.Faizal for Mid Summer Deluge

Marks out of ten were given for Creativity, Novelty in the way the theme was interpreted and the command over langage (metaphors used, description,crispness etc)

So ,final standing of the Super 6 are
15.Rajeev for The Rain Storm (Winner)
14.Neha for Of dreams,hope,and the rain (1st Runner up)
28.Ashwin for Blood and Rain (2nd Runner up)
29.Riversouls for The Rains are a'coming
31.Criss for Acid Rain
10.Faizal for Mid Summer Deluge

About the Judge...
Preeti Shenoy is a writer from Pune,India.She is an author of a book called "34 bubblegums and candies"'
You can know more about her by clicking here

Congragulations to all the participants and winner and runner ups and all those who made in the Super 6

A Visit

It was raining cats and dogs when I left home. I was hurrying through the drenched streets and making my way to where she lives now. She would be waiting, I knew. She would be getting wet too. I took the raincoat, but forgot the hat – was in such a hurry. Took a bunch of yellow tulips from the florist at the corner; she loves these. I moved nearer to her place. Making my way through the fleeing crowd was toil. I hid the flowers inside the raincoat, hoping they would not get soaked. And I rushed through. Many of the folks had umbrellas. Hush! Why did I not bring mine? – I thought. This small kid, walking with her dog in her lap was trying to get underneath her mother’s umbrella. She was playing hide and seek with the rain and getting drenched – the mother was too hasty to look back at her, as she passed me. Hope they live nearby. The other couple was too busy in each other that they could not see the rushing limousine. And as I thought, the car splashed all the water unto them. They looked at themselves, then the passing car, then at each other and laughed. Weirdoes! They found another excuse to hold each other more tightly. All the people were either walking swiftly towards their destination or running towards a nearby hideout. None had time to look at anyone; neither did I. She was waiting! I hurried faster. I did not have time to enjoy the rainfall. I thought of enjoying the shower together with her. It took me another couple of minutes to be there. I reached her place just in time. I went past her mates in there – they had no visitors. I was the only one there – wet, but happy. I could see the bluish cross – no mistake, it’s her! I went near; sat by her grave. It was all sodden in this evening London rain. I took out the flowers and laid them by her chest. She felt it close to her heart – still thumping as mine. I felt she cried in bliss, that I could make it on her 87th forgotten birthday – even in this downpour. Tears were in my eyes too, but thanks to the raindrops – I went unnoticed.
(384 Words)

"Rain Drenched Lounge" contest announcement

Ok,this time we have decided to arrange a contest for our members .Thanks to Asbah for coming up with this idea and Sandeep for suggesting the name for this initiative. And i thank myself in advance for making that elusive badge which will adorn the blog of the winner.

"Rain Drenched Lounge" contest

The rules and details are given below.
Rules:
1) The central theme of the story is rain.
2)The story should not exceed more than 400 words.
3)The story should contain a title and there should be an image associated with your story that should be posted along with the story in writers lounge.
4)At end the participant is expected to write the word count.

Terms and Conditions:
1)This contest is valid for the members of this community.In case if you want to take part ,then you may leave your email id on the shout box .One of the administrator may invite you to the group blog.
2 )Entries should be made on or before 25th December,2008.
3) Members can post multiple entries on the theme here. But you will mail us only the entry which you want us to consider for the award.
4) The contest will be judged by a writer whose name will be revealed later.
5)The results will be announced by 9th January,2009 .
6)The winners name along with the 1st and the 2nd runner up will be announced on 9th January 2009
The winner will get a badge from Writers Lounge.

At the same time, the pariticipants are expected to mail their posts in word format along with the word count to writers.in.lounge@gmail.com

Thanks "Pretty Me" n "Tan" for already posting your stories and helping us making this initiative successful. They have weaved beautiful stories and would like others to follow suit. Would request "Tan" to post the story from his id here and remove it from the comments section. Leave in your email id in the Shoutbox so that we could add you to the family.

PLEASE NOTE (MEMBERS @ WRITERS LOUNGE)
Please refrain from posting other stuff apart from the stories for this contest till 25th December, 2008. We will be closing the lounge for general posts/rants during this time period. This is just to ensure that the contributions for this contest dont get lost and people who contribute get maximum support as well as dedicated readership. If anyone does want to notify other lounge members of a new post on their blog, please feel free to use the Shoutbox. We regret the inconvenience caused. We guess it should be a great experience reading different takes on rain. We are just facilitating the same and ensuring that your stories get read. A humble request to all talented writers here on writers lounge to try their hand and churn up a story for contest. Writers Lounge Rocks! And you all make it rock! Cheers!!

Member of month - September & poll results

Well,now its the time to officially announce the member of the month for September.I am really happy to announce Mr.Sandeep Balan as the member of the month for September.
I would also remind the members of this reputed group blog that Sandeep Balan had grabbed the Member of the month badge for the month August as well.Here are the statictical details ...

1. sandeep 24 (48%)
2. rajesh 16 (32%)
3. ani 12 (24%)
4. tsharr 9 (18%)
5. shruti 7 (14%)

Sandeep Balan ,now has the hat trick opportunity :p .
I would also like to announce the members who have left out Lounge due to some assignments.

1. Tsharr
2. Gauri Mathur.
3. Aquagurl
4. Sheetal Madaan
   

These are the members who have joined our lounge recently.

1. Priyanka
2. Naren

Now, I am going to announce the winners of the polls conducted in the blog.
1.

Category 1-Most popular blogger

1. Sandeep 30 (46%)
2. Rajesh 19 (29%)
3. Shruti 14 (21%)

Category2-Frequent posts award

1. Rajesh 18 (40%)
2. Shruti 10 (22%)

Category3-Active Member award

1. Sandeep 24 (40%)
2. Rajesh 20 (33%)
3. Shruti 14 (23%)

Category4-Writer of The Writer's Lounge

1. Sandeep 34 (60%)
2. Shruti 31 (55%)
3. Stephen 16 (28%)

Category5-Poet of the Writers Lounge.

1. Mona. 38 (86%)

Category6-Most Loyal Member award

1. Sandeep 29 (50%)
2. Rajesh 18 (31%)
3. Shruti 16 (28%)

Category7-Commenter award

1. Sandeep 28 (47%)
2. Rajesh 22 (37%)
3. Ani 18 (30%)

I CONGRAGULATE ALL THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS UP.

The polls for the member of the month - October will start from today .
The nominees are Rajesh,Shruti,Priyanka,Stephen,Asbah,Mona,Anurag,Sandeep,Ani,The Lover.

Please check the orkut community for more details.More contests coming your way.
We would like to hear it from you

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow-2

(*To read the first part please click here: http://weandwords.blogspot.com/2008/08/yesterday-today-and-tomorrow-1.html)

{This is the final installment of the two part story for the contest "Best in the lounge"}

“Where is Adrian?”, I questioned Rashid. It was Rashid who had coordinated with the others of my gang. I had left it on him to make all the arrangements. He hadn’t disappointed me by getting all of us under a single roof. All of them…except one!

Adrian D’Souza aka Adi! My roommate for 2 years was conspicuously absent from the get together. To be very frank, apart from sending occasional mails to the group, I had not gone the extra mile to call any of my friends for the whole of last year. I was made to sweat out so much on my offshore project that the only thing I loved to do after getting back to my apartment was to play dead on my bed. Nothing could beat the comfort it offered after slogging hard for the entire day. The fatigue would kill all my thoughts of calling up Richa at the end of the day and I would postpone it for the next day. This would carry on for the entire week. After all the postponing I would end up adding a word or two to my limited list of abusive words every weekend when I would muster the courage to call up Richa. Then she would burst out crying. Over the next hour she would race me through memory lanes, reminding me of the best times we had spent together. All the while making me realize how much I had changed.“I love you baby, I very much do! I am waiting for the day I will be done with this dreaded project of mine and head back home. Head home to be with people I love, to be with you who is my life. It’s not that I don’t like chatting with you everyday sweetheart. It’s just that I am so shit tired at the end of the day that all my thoughts and feelings die a silent death. Day after day after day. But I try making amends on weekends. Don’t I? It has been an hour since I am trying to explain things to you and all you tell me is that I don’t love you anymore! Come on yaar.”, I was trying desperately to calm Richa. Richa had this wonderful ability. The ability to start a new argument every time borrowing a line from me. She blasted off, “San!! See!! That’s just what I was pointing at. You have been keeping a tab of time. I am so sorry to have taken an hour of your precious US time darling. I really am. There used to be a time when we would chat for hours together. And here you are, reminding me that it has been an hour! Thanks for your time Mr. Sandeep”. Richa slammed the receiver. I wondered what my mistake was? I was making an ISD call after all and had to keep a tab on time. But I had never meant to hurt Richa. Never even in my dreams. There were times when she understood and gave me strength. There were times when I would be blasted off. Distances do make patching up after fights all the more difficult. I would still try in full earnest. Sometimes I would succeed and I would be showered with kisses over the phone; sometimes I would fall flat on my face and see Richa drifting apart. Somehow I had seen the dreaded year through. And what timing it had been. It was her birthday the next day. I had finished off my project well before time to get a reprieve. I had not told Richa about my arrival in Delhi and had warned Rashid from telling her as well. I wanted to surprise her. The love and longing that had accumulated in me in the past year had enough horse power to keep me going after a long flight. I was not feeling jet lagged at all. I had slept throughout my flight anticipating this night out.

“You moron! Wake up!! Day dreaming about your lady love eh! Hey Alaena, it’s Richa’s birthday tomorrow. And our prince charming would be heading to her flat in an hour to surprise her. She will be swept off her feet; I tell you bro. Especially after seeing this bouquet that my lady love has personally selected for you. Take it bro, gift it to her. 200 roses in it, right Alaena? You are a darling my cutie pie”, Rashid kissed her again. Alaena blushed. The couple looked very much in love. It had been only a month since Rashid and Alaena had started going around. And it showed. Alaena had this natural glow on her face. Something which can never be achieved through cosmetics. Something which only love brings forth. Rashid couldn’t take his eyes off her for a single moment. He was completely smitten by this lady. I could see that in his eyes. I could very well do that. Even Adrian had seen my love for Richa back then. Now I realized that eyes give you away. You simply can’t train them to lie.

“Will you tell me the truth Sandy? Come on, don’t hide this from me. Tell me everything about your newfound love. And keep that accounting book aside if you don’t feel like going through it brother. It’s an insult to the author that you are thinking of someone else while reading the cases he took years to pen down. Look here Sandy. It is Richa, right?” Adrian looked at me questioningly. He had that “I know it all” look on his face. I had not shared the latest developments with Adrian. Richa was no more just a friend. She had transformed into the most important person in my life. I knew this would hurt Adi a bit. He had a crush on Richa from the first day of college. He would get angry whenever I abused her in front of him after our famous presentation run ins. Sharing the room with Adi was suffocating me from the day Richa had given her approval. I did not know how to confront Adi after that. And here he was demanding an answer. “Yes. I am going around with Richa yaar”, I mumbled. Adi had never accepted openly that he liked Richa. But I knew deep within that he did. I felt guilty. But then, why? Had Adi told me even once that he liked Richa? That I must allow him to play his cards before I did. It had been a year into the course and Adi seemed to be going nowhere. I should not feel guilty. Richa has to choose. She has made her choice. I got the courage to look him in his eyes. Adi was smiling. “I am happy for you. You should have told me of this earlier. Richa is lucky to have you. Never dare you hurt her. I will forget you were my roommate brother” Adi hugged me. Adi was like that. He was the most silent one of our gang. He was an introvert to the core. I am yet to see someone who would switch off his phone on his birthday, tired of taking the wishes. He did what his heart felt was correct. He never thought of the pros and cons of his decision. That was Adi….Adrian for the world!

“Adi is mad yaar. He seldom takes our calls. It’s only once or twice that we have met him in the past year. He was in Delhi till last month. Now he is posted in Bangalore. And worse still, we get to know this from Crystal’s friend who is working with Adi in the same department in Bangalore. He leaves from office early every Friday to catch the 6 pm flight for Delhi. He has been in Delhi every weekend since he was packed off to Bangalore. The airlines are surviving because of him…he he he! His phone is engaged most of the time, and that bugger does not care to call back or drop a message in return. Grapevine is that Mr. Adi has a girlfriend now……he he. Crystal’s friend is our detective who snoops on him you see. She claims he caught him getting all mushy on the phone. Imagine our silent Adi getting all mushy. If I bump into Adi for once, I am going to slap him hard on his face”, Divya growled. Divya, Adi and me had been in the same group in college and were close. Richa was never a part of our gang. She never got along well with my group. Richa was very clear about it and stayed away whenever I used to spend time with my gang. I appreciated her for being frank enough to admit that. I loved her for that. She was perfect for me. Richa……..oops! I glanced at my watch. It was almost twelve. A few more minutes and it would be Richa’s birthday.

I had to rush. I realized that Rashid had gone to the bartender to collect our next round of drinks. I waited for him to get back and then leave for Richa’s place. I scanned the disc. As it was Saturday night, Turquoise cottage had more than three hundred customers. There were lots of couples who had taken to the dance floor. A remixed version of “Pappu Cant Dance” played in the background. Alaena handed me the bouquet realizing that I will be rushing in a while. Rashid was taking long. The clock struck twelve. Suddenly the volume of music went down. DJ’s voice echoed in the disc, “We have a bday girl in our midst. Wishing Richie a very very happy birthday. And one thing lady…your boyfriend loves you like mad. This is the fiftieth time he has reminded me in the past 5 mins. This one’s dedicated for you.” The hindi remix made way for Butterfly(Crazy Town) and everyone clapped as Richie’s boyfriend picked her up in his arms. She embraced him. People were still clapping. Seemed there was only one birthday girl in the disc today. Seeing the attention the couple was getting, the DJ signaled the light man to put the spotlight on the couple. In a minute, the couple took the centre stage. We also joined in the clapping. The couple had their back towards us. Richie was still up in her boyfriends arms. Then he let her stand on her feet. She put her arms across him and pulled him closer. As my eyes got used to the sudden flash of light, I saw the couple more closely. My heart skipped a beat. It was Richa! I felt as if someone had stalked me with a sharp weapon in my stomach and pulled out all the intestines. I had never felt this much pain. My soul was twitching with the pain. Divya and TJ had already recognized Richa. I felt their touch on my hands to comfort me. I felt betrayed. I felt hurt. I had collapsed in my seat. Divya was trying to pull me towards her to shift my attention from the scene. TJ tried to hug me. I had frozen in my seat. I could hardly breathe. It was then I saw her boyfriend. The one who had replaced me in her life. He looked familiar. Very familiar. Wasn’t it Adrian? Yessssss…it was him. It was Adi.

People started whistling loudly. DJ was egging the crowd on. Richa was kissing Adi. She was kissing him like mad. I don’t know how long it lasted. Time had stopped for me. Rashid was back and my gang was helping me get back to my feet. They were trying to pull me to the exit door. I was still frozen. I didn’t blink even for a second. No tears trickled down my cheeks. My face was expressionless. It had just frozen in the motions. I felt my soul escape from the body that encaged it.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow-1

(*All characters and situations are fictionary. They bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead. This is my entry for the short story competition at Writer's lounge. This is the first installment of the two part story)

I checked my watch. It was only 10 in the night. I had headed straight from the airport to Turquoise Cottage. It was a special night. I was returning from the States after completing an offshore project for an year.

It is tough staying away from everything you love. The smell you are so used to, the roads with their potholes, the traffic, the maddening rush, the cutting tea, hanging out with friends, those gossip sessions, and those idle moments with Richa…the spark in her eyes, the smell of Charlie which for me had become synonymous with her, her curly locks which I admired..

“Sir! Would you like to order something? You won’t be able to avail the happy hour benefits later. This is the last order”, the waiter had broken my chain of thoughts.

"Ah..ummm…huh…yaaa! Get me a Bacardi please…small….with sprite yes!" I placed the order. I glanced at my watch once again. It was 10:15! "Where the hell are these morons? What had Rashid said? Dude, you be on time! We will be there in TC(Turquoise Cottage) to welcome you. Damn! And here you go! I will be having my drink all alone!" I had asked them not to come to the airport fearing that the girls would need another session of make up before heading to this popular discotheque. My attempts at time management for my gang had failed miserably. The results were evident from the empty cushions surrounding me.

The interior design of TC had me in awe right from my MBA days in Delhi. Ultraviolet bulbs gave this place a dark and cool look. That along with flickering candles created the perfect ambience for greeting alcohol. Your eyes didn’t take long to adjust to the semi-darkness.

TC was our favorite hangout. It was here that we had celebrated the end of every dreaded trimester in our MBA days, sticking to shoestring budget. And today when our monthly earnings were much more than the amount we spent on drinks at TC back in our student days, we didn't have the precious "time" to catch up. Strange are the ways of nature. It always keeps you deprived of one or the other thing. And you continue living in the hope that one day; everything would be according to your wishes. Hoping that one day, everything would be fine. And you slog on, till the realization dawns! That too, when you are on your deathbed. And you continue hoping for a better life in your next birth! Hope…hope..hope! How much I had hoped and prayed that I would not be the one packed away for the offshore project to States. Everyone back in office wanted to go. I didn't. Because I loved it here. Because dollars never excited me. Because for me, being close to people who mattered was top priority. I wanted to be with Richa. Richa, my enemy!! She used to question my every presentation in the class. I would put in hours to research my part, fearing Richa would take me on. I never knew when that enmity turned into friendship.

Richa was a rare breed. A blend of someone who is modern yet so simple, who is cute yet headstrong, who looks dumb yet may stump you with her intelligence. I secretly admired her. I secretly wished she would be mine. That one day changed everything for me. We were crossing the road when she had pulled me back seeing a speeding truck. We stood on the divider for the next 15 mins where I was pacifying her that I was fine. She looked even cuter with the tears spoiling whatever make up she had put on. She was punching me hard and I kept holding on to her. It was that moment that gave me the courage and I proposed her in a single breath. Richa was the craziest person you would ever meet in your lifetime. She didn't take even a second to reciprocate my emotions. She slapped me! Right there…on the divider! The lucky souls who noticed this had frozen in their motions, their jaws dropped and stares fixed. The impressions of Richa's fingers were still fresh on my cheek. My face was moist with tears that had trickled unknowingly due to the impact. She was not looking at me. She had her gaze fixed on the traffic signal. It had turned red and still our feet were cemented. We didn't cross. I didn't know what to do. I later realized I never needed to! The light turned green. Richa turned and fixed her gaze on me. She pulled my hair, as hard as she could. I screamed in pain and more tears trickled. She pulled my collar. She put her arms around my neck and looked menacingly at me. "Couldn't you find a better place to confess your love you pigeon head? Now bear the consequences Mr. Sandeep." No sooner had the words escaped her lips that she pulled me closer towards her. I could feel her breath on my cheeks. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for another blow. And she didn't disappoint. The only difference being this one was far more pleasurable. The lucky spectators who had witnessed the slap and were patient enough to wait for a few more minutes would have nearly missed their first heart attack. Richa kissed me passionately and kept hugging me for the next 5 minutes right at the divider. Some started whistling wildly and clapping. There were some morons who booed. I am still grateful to them that they didn’t throw stones at us. I was lucky not to be caught by the so called guardians of Indian culture at this passionate public display of affection. The vehicles on the road had deliberately slowed down and the occupants had theirs heads stuck out of the windows…each one of them. I could neither see them nor hear them. I had turned blind. I had only the sense of touch intact. And that department in my brain was working well beyond its capacity to ensure that I felt every moment of that passionate kiss. I still feel the taste of her peach lip-gloss…the touch of her soft lips…..i still…..Aaaaaaaaaaaah! A blow landed on my face. I was caught totally unaware…

"Sandyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! Broooo!!! Man…you seriously look a US return man!! Ooooooh!! Just look at you…you have put on man!! I bet you were on meat 24 x 7…Just look at your one pack flab…or should I call it a family pack??…Don't you…don't you pull in that paunch of yours! Let it meet your gang……Hey paunchie…This is Rashid…Hello…and meet my sweetheart Alaena. Don't you stare at her paunchie…don't you! She is mine. See…sealed with a kiss…muah! And hey, this is Divya…hey, Divzz…say hiii to Sandy's paunch! He he….And hey hey hey..how can I miss TJ!! Stop smiling you moron and say hiii to Sandy's lil paunchie…and hey…this is my colleague Crystal. That's it dear…wow! You already waving! Oyeeee..Niyati Moti…will you continue being a spectator like always or will you give paunchie a hug…yaaa…that's like it…Cheers!! And now take this dear paunchieee!! Punchhhhhh!" Rashid had punched my stomach hard. I buckled with the pain. I got some more kicks on my ass. TJ, Moti and Divz joined in the assault. Putting up any resistance was futile. My gang was nuts!

There was someone missing. I could feel his absence. Hey, where was that idiot friend of mine? Where was that roomie of mine who had been like a shadow for two years? Where the hell was Adrian?

 By
Sandeep Balan

The story that didnt bear the 'happily ever after' as its epilogue

Few stories are less fairy-talish, they don't deserve 'once upon a time' as a prelude, or for that matter a 'happily ever after'.

It is a rainy November night, the hands of the clock unite at 12 and I leave my chair; put the knitting needles and specs on the side table, wrap the shawl around my shoulders and watch the rain droplets tracing unknown patterns on window panes, I try to follow them. I smile. I cry. The butterfly of yesteryears spread its wings and takes me to the life I once lived.

I am Alaena, I have thinning hair, reading glasses, a little towards chubby frame and I'm 67. I live in hill-view plaza, Building no 14, floor no 6 apartment no 174 A. I have been living here ever since they were constructed - a good many years ago. It is still pouring down; Novembers to me are always nostalgic.

 He was Rashid Amin, a little less than 25 and a little more than 6 feet, had deep intellectual brown eyes that sometimes appeared green, a caramel colored skin, chocolate wavy hair and a very generous warm smile. He lived in the apartment right opposite to my room's window; far enough that he could never notice me still near enough that I always knew him well – very well.

He was the most handsome and noble man of the plaza, with a square jaw and very well define features, I could have said cute but cute suits for 5 year old and he was very masculine for cute. He topped in the university majoring in accounts and was immediately taken by one of the most prestigious firm of the country. It was late that I realize that he was awfully rich too (better said, awesomely rich) living alone in the apartment and owning his father's entire estate yet he had courteous manners (opening car door for women, holding glass door for elders and nodding, smiling and killing hearts) Every morning I would see him in his navy jogging suit, he would greet any one he pass with a smile and gentle nod and would sometimes stop to pat a young lad. He was such a healthy person I wonder if he had ever been to doctor in his life? Never - but once, and for the last time.

He was so good to be true and so unmatchable that I never dared to step ahead to know him or be friends with him. Time fleeted akin to the sand escaping from the grasp of fist. And it brought me grief. He picked his life partner, the lucky Crystal Koya and invited everyone to attend his wedding ceremony; in the flood of colors and smells the ecstatic man was sitting next to his bride, joy was dripping his eyes and smile, radiating and mesmerizing. No one noticed my tears; it was the first time I saw him from near, even less than three feet away. He was so charismatic and charming; no wonder why he was the throb of every young heart.

The minute I saw the bride, I knew she was his perfect match. I had never seen someone as beautiful as her; sleek, slender as if made of most perquisite porcelain. I came back home with a heavy heart, darkness engulfed me.

His room was theirs now. I sealed the window and the Pandora box of my hopes and flew to another city for a change. It took me three weeks to get back to normal, to accept life as it is, three weeks to lit fire to my dreams; for life then was not dreams, it was nightmare.

When I came back Sandeep, a next door neighbor by chance and a dear friend by choice, visited me. His favorite sport, after retirement, had been sitting next to his window and observing people, he hence, knew all. Who was going out with whom, who was doing what, the new borns and the deads; who were engaged and who were broken up. He, to me, was a gossip monger, a cheap local newspaper; that day we sat over the coffee and he told me about Crystal's suicide.

Sometimes facts hit you in your pit so hard to digest, despite everything I felt so sad for her and for him. She was a schizophrenic, been hallucinated and had anhedonia, inability to experience pleasure. One random day when he was off for office she killed herself. Just like that, as killing yourself is a matter of fact.

I broke down, I cried like I had never cried and that day I realized something I never did, I loved Rashid Amin.

 

 

 

Asbah Alaena

http://charcoals.blogspot.com

Best in the Lounge - story writing competition

Announcing our very first contest called " Best in The Lounge " .This is a short story writing competition and all bloggers are invited to pariticipate.This is a very challenging contest as it will see some sort of rules and restrictions.

Let me brief you about the rules
1) Each participant is supposed to write the story in 2 parts.
2) Each part should not exceed  1000 word limits.(word count  should be written after each part ).

3) The Story should contain all sorts of emotions and humour and relevant factors.
4) The author of the story is allowed to use just 9 characters of which 6 characters should be having names as provided by us.

The following names can be used for the 6 characters.
Alaena,Divya,Rashid,Sandeep,Adrian and Crystal.

And the remaining 3 characters can be any names as assumed by the author ,but the 6 characters name should be the one provided by us.

The writer can assume any age for the characters and relate them. But no abusive words .
Well,this is challenging as the writer is supposed to follow all rules and care should be taken while writing the story.
Each Participant is allowed to make only one entry.Each entry will be given a specific code.

Entries can be made from now onwards.
First part of the story should be submitted by 5th August,2008
Second part should be submitted by 18th August,2008.
Winners will be given a Badge.


Entries should be mailed to
writers.lounge24@gmail.com

and attached usign wordpad.

From 25th August to 15th September ,Voting will begin.
Details regarding voting will be updated later.

Winner will be officially declared on 18th September ,2008


Happy Writing.