A PERSISTENT DREAM
A classical Sunday morning dawned; with me still sleeping and snoring on my dusty unkempt bed. It was, at last, a much needed holiday after just one day of tiring lectures. Yes, one day, because just the day before yesterday was a holiday – some festival of the State – and the days before, I did not attend even a single lecture. The lectures were long and tiring; so what I needed was a nice and deep sleep. And this Sunday provided just that.
While most of my friends were getting ready for their MBA entrance exams or appearing for PO exams (PO is not post office, PO means probationary officers and they look after affairs in the banks, I am told though I have no clear idea on it), I lay on my bed.
Some of my classmates had gone to a two day trip to the beaches by the Arabian Sea; I was attending lectures. My roommate had come late in the night and tired; he went to sleep. I was busy writing my stories and sat up late in the night; with a jug of freshly brewed coffee by my side.
I slept late – my sleepy eyes could not see the time but I guess it would be three in the morning. The living room had been occupied by some guests who thankfully had access to a cooler which was so needed in the hot weather. I had to put up in the bedroom which unfortunately was devoid of even a fan.
But in the morning, it grew cooler, thankfully. Sun rose at six and began climbing the blue and clear sky. I was awoken by an alarm, at seven, a time when my alarm rings everyday – to remind me that I have to go to college – but it gets shut down anyways; sorry it doesn't even get the opportunity to be snoozed. But today I got up. I seriously don't know why. I unlocked the door and climbed down the stony stairs; my teeth slightly clattering in the cool breeze that blew. A few leaves of the trees outside rustled and my landlady swept off the ground the leaves that had fallen. How I love the Spring!
I picked up the newspapers which I always make it a point to read in the mornings. And I read it full, not just the headlines. But I read it in a particular order – business, economics, finance, current affairs, entertainment, fortune of the day and then lastly sports i.e. if anything is interesting.
I climbed up the stairs again after wishing the landlady a very good morning and then threw the newspapers on my bed which lay beside a huge pile of old newspapers – kept ready for instant reference.
I then took the empty bottles and filled them with cool and clear water that came fresh from the taps. And then I lay on my bed; looking at the ceiling. Then, sleep overcame me and my eyelids closed down.
And then, a dream took me. A nice dream in a cool weather; I guess everybody loves that and like them; I do too.
In that dream, I saw my old friends – old college friends – some from my graduation days, some from my pre-university days and some from my school days – in the order. How I loved meeting them! Joy was in my heart when they came with smiles on their faces; sadness when some came to me in grief. But even those in grief smiled a little for they were glad to see me, especially after so many days. And so was I; glad, very glad. Happiness brought me such an excitement that I smiled even in my sleep. My friend who was a little awake that time told me later that my lips had curled in a U-shape and he had thought that I was in a nice dream and thought best not to wake me.
So I continued and so did the dreams. The whole scene was set in my present college; which I actually never attended most of the time. I stood on the second floor of my college building overlooking a medium sized ground where some students played volleyball. But apart from those and us, everything was still and empty.
But the friends from my school brought me much joy; more than the others; well not to size down the importance of my other friends but well; some friends do get high priorities in life and some are really closer than most.
A huge group of ten such friends sat eating in my college cafeteria. But soon, my sight went abroad to ogle at a 5ft 6inch girl; fair, her hair curly black neatly shampooed, her eyes so cute and mesmerising, her lips so neatly clean, her nose sharp and a little pointed but for the most part it was round, her neck short and beautiful, her figure so nicely curved, her legs so nice and stood crossed, her hands thin and lay folded on the iron railings. She looked on the ground but the players were no more playing and had gone. Twilight had crept in; the sky already dotted with twinkling stars. And when I did look at her eyes, I did see or thought I saw a sharp twinkle – a reflection of the stars.
Her body language and attitude, her figure and her beauty, her intellect that radiated from her head like a soft white light; all these excited me in a fashion that I never felt before. I had not met her before; she wasn't in my school. I wondered who she was and how come she was presently in my college with us; but I minded not for her beauty appealed to me and I knew in my heart that I had started loving her ever since my eyes set sight on her.
My friends were chattering and gossiping. And then, I asked them who she was and to that, I got a reply that she was one of my friend's sister who stayed in the same city as mine and that she had wished to come along with him. My heart leapt with joy; a sudden excitement crept into me.
It was then that she set her eyes on me and smiled. I smiled back but then her smile was brighter and more beautiful. I kept looking at her as she came towards the table. The grace with which she came awed me and my eyes never left her until she sat down on a chair beside me and tapped at the table.
I shook myself and just muttered a "Yes" as if in a question.
"What is your name?" she asked.
I told her my name and in return got hers but again remained silent. Her voice was so sweet; almost musical; it was so entrancing that I lay basking in her spell. And I did not mind it.
I just kept looking; staring straight in her eyes. She blushed a little but then she started speaking to me and I was glad to hear; for she was speaking to me about her days in the college and how she missed her old friends. I would say she found a patient listener in me; but if you asked the others, you would get an exactly opposite answer.
It was some time that she spoke and I heard the tap on the table again. I shook myself again.
"Why don't you speak?" she asked.
I muttered something inaudible. I found that even though I longed to speak, my voice just didn't come out.
And then, there was a clatter at the table and many of my friends now wanted to go back home as it was getting late for already the night had been getting deeper and the dinner was finished.
I gave and received many hugs but one whom I did want to give so desperately, I could not give. She looked constantly at me with a brief smile on her face. My heart leaped again as my eyes saw her and her image lay embedded in my system.
And then she turned away, waving her hand and vanished from my sight. I kept looking in that direction for some time. Suddenly I felt a pang; as if I would lose her that instant. I raced against time that stays not, and climbed down the very stairs that she climbed down.
I saw her get in a small car; on the rear side. I ran towards the car; the engine was getting revved up. I tapped at the window and she opened it.
"Well," I told with deep breaths, puffing air out of my mouth, "May I have your contact number?" I hit my forehead hard with my right hand.
She laughed and it was shrill; my heart minced; it was like cold water splashing upon rocks and sometimes it felt as if cold droplets of water fell from the sky striking your face. My heart was filled with a transparent light then and I knew that I would like to be with her forever.
"Well, my number is -"
Before she could give me her number, I felt my shoulders being tugged heavily. I was being shaken and my dreams were shattered. My eyelids opened and looked angrily at my friend.
ASSHOLE I shouted in my mind.
I slowly got up and still saw the image of that beautiful girl in the empty airs that waved about in the room.
I closed my eyes and opened again but the image was persistent. I didn't know what to make of it.
"What time is it?" I asked my friend sheepishly.
"Ten thirty" he replied with a small laugh.
I got up rushing remembering that I had a workshop to attend in the afternoon. And if I would have been allowed, I would have been sleeping and when I would have woken up, it would have been late.
I soon got done my regular chores but the image persisted in the airs wherever I went. My heart still leaped and I could still hear her entrancing voice in my ears. I knew not how to stop it.
After lunch, I did attend the workshop but unfortunately or fortunately, I couldn't concentrate much for the memory of the dream lay heavy on mind and while the mentor spoke, I saw that girl dancing behind him with her hands in the hands of a guy who looked like me.
And when I came back home, I lay back on my bed; wishing for the dreams to return. But sadly, they did not.
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Saturday, May 29, 2010
A Letter From Nother Land
A LETTER FROM NOTHERLAND
It was another dull morning – the yellow sun had just dawned with the first shreds of light revealing an azure sky, driving away the darkness of the night. Strong winds blew away the pink curtains that overlapped the windows of my room. It made a sound that woke me who had been in a sleep, however light. The rays of the sun fell in a golden haze over the red tiles of the floor.
The winds were cold; my teeth clattered a little. I rose from the bed which was covered with a yellow bed sheet designed with flowers of various kinds. My feet moved slowly towards the windows; I was still in the mood for sleep – seldom in life had I got up so early – and in my sleep, the windows seemed far – but actually it was not, only some five feet movements would have had me to them but now it seemed many.
I slowly drew the curtains aside – they were plain, devoid of any designs. Looking outside, I saw the snowy grounds that lay outside and a small white hedge that circled my house. Huge pine trees grew beyond but on the right I could see traces of a small road, now covered with snow. In the distance, from between the trees, I could see several houses, some two miles by road from the place where I stood just now.
The weather was dull and dreary; it wasn't snowing now but it had, all the night, from the look of it. A sudden chill passed down my spine as another cold wind blew on my face. I suddenly felt the need to stay indoors; I was not able to withstand the cold weather. In fact, I had just moved in – maybe a fortnight had passed since then. I had come here on business. The small bungalow where I presently stayed was a property of the organisation for which I worked – the organisation dealt with providing business solutions for other enterprises – somewhat like a consultant. I had come here on an official tour - to consult with a Mr. Redmond who owned a construction company that was based in this city. During the fortnight, I had worked with him day and night, consulting with him and providing him solutions for the expansion of his business and on various other marketing and financial aspects. And all the fortnight, I detested the cold weather. I could not accustom myself to it – in the last two days, I was nearly struck down by cold and a light fever. I felt weak and rather pallid. I was not made for this kind of weather – what I really liked was a warm and humid climate; such as you find near the shores of the sea – refreshing and salty.
The sea had always been a fascination for me – its mysterious deep waters, its twinkling surface, and its foaming waves. The beaches were my favourite resorts; but sadly those that were near the metropolis were polluted and their beauty spoiled. I had always been on such social groups – online and offline – that spoke against such spoilage and pollution; but it was actually to no avail – for people never minded breaking the rules; if any were put forward by the municipal corporations that looked after the cities; the fines were paid however high – thanks to ever rising salaries and the posh style of living which made people so careless enough to destroy the beauty of nature that would have endeared them.
The winds still blew cold despite the rising sun. I closed the windows and brought down the shutters to a close but as I did so, I heard or thought I heard a small knock on the door. I first thought the knock was just some weird sound that sometimes people hear during early mornings and was about to sleep again – I found that I was already beside my bed - my feet had carried me to the bed at double the speed at which I had moved when I went to close down the windows. But I heard the knock again, this time a little louder.
I left my small room which had nothing save the bed and a small escritoire with a table lamp on it. I came into the living room after being on my way through a dining hall. The living room had a neat and small sofa and in front of it was a television with an antenna beside it. The brown door faced towards the south as did the windows in my room.
I slowly turned the knob, half-angry and half-sleepy. The door opened up with a lightly heard creak, only to show a tall, thin man on the doorstep. The man was of a cadaverous complexion, with a black beard with slowly greying strands of hair and wore a blue shirt and a black trouser. There was also a golden yellow epaulette on him and he had a pair of espadrille under his feet. He I had been introduced to a fortnight ago when I moved into this house. He was Mr. Kohler who looked after this house and had done so since a decade, if the records be true. He was an old man, somewhere in the late fifties but despite his complexion, he was a healthy old chap who sometimes when in his mood, was very good at his stories. He stayed in the outhouse yonder but in the lands that lay just a few feet away from the hedge. A pale lamp shone nearby showing where he lived. But as soon as I looked on it, someone switched off the lamp as the light of the sun pierced its round windows.
In his hands, he held a letter which was covered with an orange envelope marked with the requisite stamps. On it was written "URGENT". He handed it over to me and wished me a good morning. I nodded my head in a not so lively fashion. He guessed knowingly and with a wave of his pale hands, strode away to the gates where there was a small wooden shed; its roof covered with snow, as white as ever.
I shut the door slowly as I watched his figure withdraw into the shed. I wondered what the letter contained and what it was doing in the hands of so old a man in that early hour of this dull day. A postman had not been seen since five or six days; and if ever he had arrived in the past three days, he had not heard the bells. A postman, when he did come, used to come on a bicycle of Ranger Fame, always ringing the bells when he was at the gate.
I had half a mind to go out and ask Mr. Kohler about the letter but sleep overcame me. I was already weak although I was recovering from the cold which had embattled me for two days. I placed the letter – little did I recall the urgency – on the wooden table that lay in a corner to the west.
In two minutes, I already was on my bed, eyelids closing on my eyes and then I saw no more for another two hours.
After two hours, I felt strangely awoken – I know not if it was by instinct. I stood myself on my feet that still wavered a little and after rubbing my eyes a little, I rushed to the bathrooms. The bathroom was tiled with small pieces of marble – yellow hued. The tiles were shaped like a rhombus having small circles at the centre. A huge bath tub lay at the extreme end and near it was a small wash basin of Vitreous make. I washed myself and looked into a small mirror that lay just above the wash sink. I looked how thin and drawn I had become since I had come here. The food and weather – both alike – had not gone down well with me and I knew I had still much time to abide by here – maybe ten more dull days. But then, that would be decided upon the successful completion of my business.
Then a thought brought me the knowledge of a letter. I suddenly remembered it. At first, actually speaking, I thought it was just a dream. But on the sight of the letter that was placed on a table, I found that it was real (I had rushed into the living room as soon as the thought of the letter entered my mind). I pinched myself hard to bring me to my full senses.
I picked up the envelope and tore it at its ends. There was a small letter; written in a ruled page – maybe of a small book. On it was written many letters with an elegant hand. The handwriting was beautiful yet so familiar. The letters were so cursively written upon the white page that in many cases it was entwined in a manner of the Vivaldi font of MS WORD.
I unfolded the letter slowly and looked for the name of the sender – for no trace of his/her name could be seen on the envelope. I soon found it – the sender's name was Mr. Notherland.
I then thought why the handwriting had looked familiar to me. It was of my old school chum, a Frederick Notherland. He was a short and burly guy at the time when we had cruised through ten levels of the school. We had been friendly throughout the years – I still remember them; they were such golden and happy years; I still remember the fun we had; the trips we had gone to; the studies we had done together; the dinners we ate together. He was always and probably is, still an introvert.
But it was quite a time since I had contact with him – to be precise, I would think forty years at least and that would mean it was my graduation day when I had met him last, though once in a while we did contact each other on the telephone which is actually a wonderful invention. But this letter had come after so many days and I now wondered how he would be and what cause he had to send this letter. But soon doubt took me; questions that had many answers assailed me. How did he find me? How did he know that I was here? I had not a talk with him for days and especially the news of this official tour was not known to him. Then how did he know where I was? But to that I found no answers. Slowly, I drew up a conclusion that had the highest probability – that he had contacted my place of work and found that I was here.
The letters "URGENT" had a more visible effect on me. I had seen it also in the early morning – but then, I was sleepy and nothing urgent would deter me from my sleep. I thought I better read the letter at once.
But anyway, the letter read thus –
Dear Mr,
I know you are delighted to have this letter after so long a time. We have not contacted each other for a long while and ever since the day of our convocation, we have not met. But I deem that it is time to do so.
You were my best friend during school days and ever are and ever will be. And due to that credit, you know me well. So, you know also of what nature I am and from that nature, I believe you shall gather that I have not many acquaintances. Of the few that I have, you are the only one I could trust.
I have no family and so, I am alone. I have not wed myself to anyone and so am alone. But now, I wish to have you at my side for an urgent danger assails me. Therefore, I kindly request you to embark upon a small journey to my house which is just a few miles away from the place where you currently stay. Notwithstanding the danger, I would love to see you once more before the dangers beset me to their full might. Let not any doubts assail you or questions linger in your mind. Although I know you are also unwell for I know that you do not like the cold and dreary winds of the snowy winters, and also that you are busy in your work, I still make a humble request to you to be at my house at latest by today night. I hope that you grace me with your presence.
Thanking you, dear friend.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Frederick Notherland
25, East Lane, Leewich
The urgency of the letter drove a sharp sting into my mind. I looked at the time that was written on the letter – it said 4 AM and I had got the letter just some two hours back.
I ran to another room which was of the same size as of mine; opened the cupboard with a small key that I had and dressed myself with a red T-shirt and a dark blue jean. I then locked the cupboard and the house after taking necessary things along with the letter. I then sat in my car – it was a Mercedes C-Class. The engine revved up and I put it on a reverse gear. After slowly accelerating, I turned towards the left and then turned towards the gate.
Before driving out, I stopped by the shed.
Mr. Kohler came out and nodded his head.
"Mr. Kohler, Could you tell me how you came by the letter at so early an hour and with the postman being unheard of in the past few days?"
"I do not rightly know, sire. I just saw the letter at my desk as I woke up. As it was marked urgent, I deemed it fit to deliver it as soon as possible. I thought it was the right thing to do."
"Yes, it was the right thing. But you heard no sound? No ringing bells?"
"I swear to you that I heard no sound. Nor any ringing bells. The postman does not wake so early."
I found that questions still assailed me. But for answering them, I had no time. I was already excited.
"Ok, Mr. Kohler. I will be out for a few days, for two days at the most. I want you to take care of the house till I return and find one who could go down to Mr. Redmond and convey to him the same."
"That will do, sire. I shall send my son this very hour."
"Good. Farewell, Mr. Kohler."
"Farewell! Have a nice trip sire." And he waved his pale hands again.
I nodded and drove away into the pine woods.
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After a three hours drive on the snowy highways, I reached the town of Leewich. Leewich was a small town that had become a trade centre in the recent past and all knew that the huge benefits were reaped because of my friend, Mr. Notherland.
East Lane was not hard to find nor was the house numbered 25. It only took a small deal of enquiry. But I found that I was greeted with a strange tone whenever I mentioned 25 East Lane to someone. The tones were laced with sadness and I did not like it. A strange foreboding passed in my heart that there was something amiss with my friend. Some parts of my heart yelled to turn back – back to my home – but by that, only my curiosity hardened.
I found the house numbered 25. It was not a house but a huge mansion. A five feet high wall encompassed the mansion and the entrance was through a single gate. That gate stood open today. No sound was heard nor was there any gate warden greeting me. All was silent but for the noise of my car's engine.
I could see that there was a garden dotted with many trees that would have grown many a fruit in decent weather. There were apple trees, pine trees and there were many grape orchards. But now, all was covered with snow. The mansion stood in the middle of all. A white concrete road led from the gate to the arches of the mansion. By the look of the mansion, I gathered that my friend had not suffered from any monetary weakness. The mansion was so rich in colours and the spirits rose within me. I wondered at the richly carved arches, under which there was a small patch of road between the stony pillars and the door steps.
I parked my car on that small patch in a corner. No servant – I wonder if he had any – came forward to greet me. Though the richness of the mansion raised my spirits within, I distrusted the silence.
The steps were stony and covered with a red carpet – I could see that it was of a Persian make. I slowly climbed up the steps which led on to a huge platform before which there was a huge red door of rosewood make. The door was plain, just plain and there were no signs upon it. There was a small handle in the centre and a little away from it was a small bell. I rang the bell twice but received no answers from inside. A golden knob presented itself just below the handle.
An urge from within beckoned to me to turn the knob. I turned the knob towards the right and the door gave way. A small passage lit with many lamps led to a huge hall beyond. In between the lamps there were several escutcheons placed – marvellous ones at that. I walked down the passage and came to the hall.
The hall was huge – it was more of like a palace or some mighty place of kings. The flooring was of Maplewood and the walls bearing a richness of hue. Huge curtains dotted many places in the wall covering the huge window panes that were now closed. A huge table was at the centre surrounded by as many as eight chairs, placed distantly apart. These chairs had elegant and comfortable cushions. There was also a L-shaped sofa, black in colour, that was placed on my right hand side. On my left hand side, I could see three more passages that led inside to some unknown rooms.
I wondered at the emptiness of so huge a house. No servants, no maids, no chefs and most of all, no sign of my childhood friend.
When I was busy wondering about the emptiness, I heard a coughing on the floors above. The house was not empty after all. I heaved a sigh.
I saw that the floors were accessed by a small marbled spiral staircase. I climbed up faster with my heart beating more than usual. An earnest desire to see my old friend came upon me and I ran more than walked.
The coughing came from a small room on the first floor – there were two above it. I walked down a small passage before I found the room. Its door was open and I knocked on it.
"Come in" said a hoarse voice.
I walked in as fast I could and after so many years, came face to face with my old chum. He was ghastly white and his hair was greying faster. A lot of rashes were upon his face and he had a red towel always upon his mouth, constantly coughing.
His eyes were bent towards the ground and he never once looked upwards.
"Oh! My dear friend! What have you brought yourself two?"I shouted.
Upon hearing me, he looked up and a thrill went inside him so he was full of joy. But in that excitement, a great weakness hailed him from his insides and fell down from his bed where he was sitting.
I felt pity for him and sympathy. I saw that he was suffering from a terrible disease and so had written a letter for me – for I guessed that he wanted to see me before his end, before the inevitable strikes him.
I slowly raised him up but in that moment, his towel fell to the ground. I sat him on the bed which was covered with a white bed sheet. I bent down to pick up the towel that had fallen. But I found to my horror that it was a white towel made red by his blood. Then a thought occurred to me – that he had been coughing blood all along.
I suddenly found his left hand on my shoulders. And then he spoke, albeit feebly.
"Welcome, friend. I knew in my heart that you would respond in a manner you would deem right. And so far, you have. I brought you here on a sole purpose. That I would have you do ere I see the world no more."
I cried in my heart; tears welled up in my eyes.
"Do not cry, O friend of mine! For tears are of no use. It will only bring you grief and sadness and it would be my wish that you should not be so during whatever life is left to you. I guess that in this you shall abide."
I wiped off my tears and nodded my head.
"Are you unwell?"He asked.
I nodded his head.
"I hope you get well soon. Let it be my boon to you. But now, I must get back to the topic that is near at hand. I shall be dead soon; for this disease kills me. "he coughed again.
"I am alone, you know that. I have neither kith nor kin and I have not yet been betrothed to any. In this wide world, you are the only one I can trust and hold dear and by you only shall this deed be performed."
"What deed?"I asked.
He raised his hand slowly. "In the next room you shall find a charred body along with a shovel. With the shovel and the body, go to the garden and dig deep. A few men shall come to help you as you do. Then you must bury this body in the trench that you would have dug. And then cover the trench with what best you may find. I would prefer the soils of the earth. And then leave this land, my friend. Do not come back here for I shall be long gone."
I had to obey his last wish. I sensed how uncomfortable he had become. He coughed again, this time louder than before.
"Quick, friend. There is so little time."
I embraced him one last time and walked fast out of the room with one last look at him. He saw me with tears dropping out of his eyes.
I found myself crying as I entered the room next to his. I found the charred body. Just looking at it gave me the creeps. I wonder who it was and what he had to do with Mr. Notherland. Doubts assailed me. Questions arose within me – how did man come to be so burned? To that I found no answers and grief within me was deep.
I found the shovel also at a corner. Then I wrapped a small towel on my hands and dragged the charred body out of the room.
After much toil, I reached the garden. There I found a suitable place in between two apple orchards. I began to dig when I heard voices coming towards me. There were two men who came by, chatting with each other, laughing gaily.
"I was told you would come, sire. Let us dig for you. Then you shall cast the body deep and offer your last prayers. Your car is already at the Gate and you shall drive away the happier. Hand me the shovel, sire."
They quickly moved the snow and dug the ground deep with a speed that I marvelled at. And then, I cast the body deep into the ground and covered it with the soils of the earth and then over it, the snow that had been moved.
I turned back towards the mansion but soon, I let out a cry. The mansion burst out with fire, charring it and slowly only remains of it stood on the ashen ground.
My eyes widened with fear, grief and shock. My heart beat slowly. My breath became deeper.
Then a man said to me, "O sire, do not wonder! Go away from here and forget the grief that has laid itself on you. For your friend, Mr. Notherland, passed away two weeks ago. A great fire took him and the entire household. None were left alive."
"What rubbish? I just met him."
"It cannot be sire. He is dead. The fire took him. And the mansion has remained charred since then. You went inside, didn't you sire? Did not any distrust assail you? Did not you feel unwholesome inside? The silence has long been distrusted and misconstrued. The person whom you just buried just now – was Mr. Notherland, sire."
Surprise and shock took me. I gaped.
"Yes, sir. But now you should go as he wished."
"How did you know I would come?"
"Dreams summoned us, sire. Often of late, it has been coming. And now it will stop. He wanted a family member to bury him and for him, it was you. Think of it and be happy, sir. Drive away from this sad place and let the lamps of joy be lit in your heart for whatever time is left to you. That is what he would have wanted and what we want. Will you not go to your car now?"
"I shall."I felt satisfied and happy somewhat. I turned my back towards the mansion and I let out a cry again. The voices seemed to have come from nowhere and the men had disappeared.
I bowed my head once more, got in my car and drove out of 25 East Lane.
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It was another dull morning – the yellow sun had just dawned with the first shreds of light revealing an azure sky, driving away the darkness of the night. Strong winds blew away the pink curtains that overlapped the windows of my room. It made a sound that woke me who had been in a sleep, however light. The rays of the sun fell in a golden haze over the red tiles of the floor.
The winds were cold; my teeth clattered a little. I rose from the bed which was covered with a yellow bed sheet designed with flowers of various kinds. My feet moved slowly towards the windows; I was still in the mood for sleep – seldom in life had I got up so early – and in my sleep, the windows seemed far – but actually it was not, only some five feet movements would have had me to them but now it seemed many.
I slowly drew the curtains aside – they were plain, devoid of any designs. Looking outside, I saw the snowy grounds that lay outside and a small white hedge that circled my house. Huge pine trees grew beyond but on the right I could see traces of a small road, now covered with snow. In the distance, from between the trees, I could see several houses, some two miles by road from the place where I stood just now.
The weather was dull and dreary; it wasn't snowing now but it had, all the night, from the look of it. A sudden chill passed down my spine as another cold wind blew on my face. I suddenly felt the need to stay indoors; I was not able to withstand the cold weather. In fact, I had just moved in – maybe a fortnight had passed since then. I had come here on business. The small bungalow where I presently stayed was a property of the organisation for which I worked – the organisation dealt with providing business solutions for other enterprises – somewhat like a consultant. I had come here on an official tour - to consult with a Mr. Redmond who owned a construction company that was based in this city. During the fortnight, I had worked with him day and night, consulting with him and providing him solutions for the expansion of his business and on various other marketing and financial aspects. And all the fortnight, I detested the cold weather. I could not accustom myself to it – in the last two days, I was nearly struck down by cold and a light fever. I felt weak and rather pallid. I was not made for this kind of weather – what I really liked was a warm and humid climate; such as you find near the shores of the sea – refreshing and salty.
The sea had always been a fascination for me – its mysterious deep waters, its twinkling surface, and its foaming waves. The beaches were my favourite resorts; but sadly those that were near the metropolis were polluted and their beauty spoiled. I had always been on such social groups – online and offline – that spoke against such spoilage and pollution; but it was actually to no avail – for people never minded breaking the rules; if any were put forward by the municipal corporations that looked after the cities; the fines were paid however high – thanks to ever rising salaries and the posh style of living which made people so careless enough to destroy the beauty of nature that would have endeared them.
The winds still blew cold despite the rising sun. I closed the windows and brought down the shutters to a close but as I did so, I heard or thought I heard a small knock on the door. I first thought the knock was just some weird sound that sometimes people hear during early mornings and was about to sleep again – I found that I was already beside my bed - my feet had carried me to the bed at double the speed at which I had moved when I went to close down the windows. But I heard the knock again, this time a little louder.
I left my small room which had nothing save the bed and a small escritoire with a table lamp on it. I came into the living room after being on my way through a dining hall. The living room had a neat and small sofa and in front of it was a television with an antenna beside it. The brown door faced towards the south as did the windows in my room.
I slowly turned the knob, half-angry and half-sleepy. The door opened up with a lightly heard creak, only to show a tall, thin man on the doorstep. The man was of a cadaverous complexion, with a black beard with slowly greying strands of hair and wore a blue shirt and a black trouser. There was also a golden yellow epaulette on him and he had a pair of espadrille under his feet. He I had been introduced to a fortnight ago when I moved into this house. He was Mr. Kohler who looked after this house and had done so since a decade, if the records be true. He was an old man, somewhere in the late fifties but despite his complexion, he was a healthy old chap who sometimes when in his mood, was very good at his stories. He stayed in the outhouse yonder but in the lands that lay just a few feet away from the hedge. A pale lamp shone nearby showing where he lived. But as soon as I looked on it, someone switched off the lamp as the light of the sun pierced its round windows.
In his hands, he held a letter which was covered with an orange envelope marked with the requisite stamps. On it was written "URGENT". He handed it over to me and wished me a good morning. I nodded my head in a not so lively fashion. He guessed knowingly and with a wave of his pale hands, strode away to the gates where there was a small wooden shed; its roof covered with snow, as white as ever.
I shut the door slowly as I watched his figure withdraw into the shed. I wondered what the letter contained and what it was doing in the hands of so old a man in that early hour of this dull day. A postman had not been seen since five or six days; and if ever he had arrived in the past three days, he had not heard the bells. A postman, when he did come, used to come on a bicycle of Ranger Fame, always ringing the bells when he was at the gate.
I had half a mind to go out and ask Mr. Kohler about the letter but sleep overcame me. I was already weak although I was recovering from the cold which had embattled me for two days. I placed the letter – little did I recall the urgency – on the wooden table that lay in a corner to the west.
In two minutes, I already was on my bed, eyelids closing on my eyes and then I saw no more for another two hours.
After two hours, I felt strangely awoken – I know not if it was by instinct. I stood myself on my feet that still wavered a little and after rubbing my eyes a little, I rushed to the bathrooms. The bathroom was tiled with small pieces of marble – yellow hued. The tiles were shaped like a rhombus having small circles at the centre. A huge bath tub lay at the extreme end and near it was a small wash basin of Vitreous make. I washed myself and looked into a small mirror that lay just above the wash sink. I looked how thin and drawn I had become since I had come here. The food and weather – both alike – had not gone down well with me and I knew I had still much time to abide by here – maybe ten more dull days. But then, that would be decided upon the successful completion of my business.
Then a thought brought me the knowledge of a letter. I suddenly remembered it. At first, actually speaking, I thought it was just a dream. But on the sight of the letter that was placed on a table, I found that it was real (I had rushed into the living room as soon as the thought of the letter entered my mind). I pinched myself hard to bring me to my full senses.
I picked up the envelope and tore it at its ends. There was a small letter; written in a ruled page – maybe of a small book. On it was written many letters with an elegant hand. The handwriting was beautiful yet so familiar. The letters were so cursively written upon the white page that in many cases it was entwined in a manner of the Vivaldi font of MS WORD.
I unfolded the letter slowly and looked for the name of the sender – for no trace of his/her name could be seen on the envelope. I soon found it – the sender's name was Mr. Notherland.
I then thought why the handwriting had looked familiar to me. It was of my old school chum, a Frederick Notherland. He was a short and burly guy at the time when we had cruised through ten levels of the school. We had been friendly throughout the years – I still remember them; they were such golden and happy years; I still remember the fun we had; the trips we had gone to; the studies we had done together; the dinners we ate together. He was always and probably is, still an introvert.
But it was quite a time since I had contact with him – to be precise, I would think forty years at least and that would mean it was my graduation day when I had met him last, though once in a while we did contact each other on the telephone which is actually a wonderful invention. But this letter had come after so many days and I now wondered how he would be and what cause he had to send this letter. But soon doubt took me; questions that had many answers assailed me. How did he find me? How did he know that I was here? I had not a talk with him for days and especially the news of this official tour was not known to him. Then how did he know where I was? But to that I found no answers. Slowly, I drew up a conclusion that had the highest probability – that he had contacted my place of work and found that I was here.
The letters "URGENT" had a more visible effect on me. I had seen it also in the early morning – but then, I was sleepy and nothing urgent would deter me from my sleep. I thought I better read the letter at once.
But anyway, the letter read thus –
Dear Mr,
I know you are delighted to have this letter after so long a time. We have not contacted each other for a long while and ever since the day of our convocation, we have not met. But I deem that it is time to do so.
You were my best friend during school days and ever are and ever will be. And due to that credit, you know me well. So, you know also of what nature I am and from that nature, I believe you shall gather that I have not many acquaintances. Of the few that I have, you are the only one I could trust.
I have no family and so, I am alone. I have not wed myself to anyone and so am alone. But now, I wish to have you at my side for an urgent danger assails me. Therefore, I kindly request you to embark upon a small journey to my house which is just a few miles away from the place where you currently stay. Notwithstanding the danger, I would love to see you once more before the dangers beset me to their full might. Let not any doubts assail you or questions linger in your mind. Although I know you are also unwell for I know that you do not like the cold and dreary winds of the snowy winters, and also that you are busy in your work, I still make a humble request to you to be at my house at latest by today night. I hope that you grace me with your presence.
Thanking you, dear friend.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Frederick Notherland
25, East Lane, Leewich
The urgency of the letter drove a sharp sting into my mind. I looked at the time that was written on the letter – it said 4 AM and I had got the letter just some two hours back.
I ran to another room which was of the same size as of mine; opened the cupboard with a small key that I had and dressed myself with a red T-shirt and a dark blue jean. I then locked the cupboard and the house after taking necessary things along with the letter. I then sat in my car – it was a Mercedes C-Class. The engine revved up and I put it on a reverse gear. After slowly accelerating, I turned towards the left and then turned towards the gate.
Before driving out, I stopped by the shed.
Mr. Kohler came out and nodded his head.
"Mr. Kohler, Could you tell me how you came by the letter at so early an hour and with the postman being unheard of in the past few days?"
"I do not rightly know, sire. I just saw the letter at my desk as I woke up. As it was marked urgent, I deemed it fit to deliver it as soon as possible. I thought it was the right thing to do."
"Yes, it was the right thing. But you heard no sound? No ringing bells?"
"I swear to you that I heard no sound. Nor any ringing bells. The postman does not wake so early."
I found that questions still assailed me. But for answering them, I had no time. I was already excited.
"Ok, Mr. Kohler. I will be out for a few days, for two days at the most. I want you to take care of the house till I return and find one who could go down to Mr. Redmond and convey to him the same."
"That will do, sire. I shall send my son this very hour."
"Good. Farewell, Mr. Kohler."
"Farewell! Have a nice trip sire." And he waved his pale hands again.
I nodded and drove away into the pine woods.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
After a three hours drive on the snowy highways, I reached the town of Leewich. Leewich was a small town that had become a trade centre in the recent past and all knew that the huge benefits were reaped because of my friend, Mr. Notherland.
East Lane was not hard to find nor was the house numbered 25. It only took a small deal of enquiry. But I found that I was greeted with a strange tone whenever I mentioned 25 East Lane to someone. The tones were laced with sadness and I did not like it. A strange foreboding passed in my heart that there was something amiss with my friend. Some parts of my heart yelled to turn back – back to my home – but by that, only my curiosity hardened.
I found the house numbered 25. It was not a house but a huge mansion. A five feet high wall encompassed the mansion and the entrance was through a single gate. That gate stood open today. No sound was heard nor was there any gate warden greeting me. All was silent but for the noise of my car's engine.
I could see that there was a garden dotted with many trees that would have grown many a fruit in decent weather. There were apple trees, pine trees and there were many grape orchards. But now, all was covered with snow. The mansion stood in the middle of all. A white concrete road led from the gate to the arches of the mansion. By the look of the mansion, I gathered that my friend had not suffered from any monetary weakness. The mansion was so rich in colours and the spirits rose within me. I wondered at the richly carved arches, under which there was a small patch of road between the stony pillars and the door steps.
I parked my car on that small patch in a corner. No servant – I wonder if he had any – came forward to greet me. Though the richness of the mansion raised my spirits within, I distrusted the silence.
The steps were stony and covered with a red carpet – I could see that it was of a Persian make. I slowly climbed up the steps which led on to a huge platform before which there was a huge red door of rosewood make. The door was plain, just plain and there were no signs upon it. There was a small handle in the centre and a little away from it was a small bell. I rang the bell twice but received no answers from inside. A golden knob presented itself just below the handle.
An urge from within beckoned to me to turn the knob. I turned the knob towards the right and the door gave way. A small passage lit with many lamps led to a huge hall beyond. In between the lamps there were several escutcheons placed – marvellous ones at that. I walked down the passage and came to the hall.
The hall was huge – it was more of like a palace or some mighty place of kings. The flooring was of Maplewood and the walls bearing a richness of hue. Huge curtains dotted many places in the wall covering the huge window panes that were now closed. A huge table was at the centre surrounded by as many as eight chairs, placed distantly apart. These chairs had elegant and comfortable cushions. There was also a L-shaped sofa, black in colour, that was placed on my right hand side. On my left hand side, I could see three more passages that led inside to some unknown rooms.
I wondered at the emptiness of so huge a house. No servants, no maids, no chefs and most of all, no sign of my childhood friend.
When I was busy wondering about the emptiness, I heard a coughing on the floors above. The house was not empty after all. I heaved a sigh.
I saw that the floors were accessed by a small marbled spiral staircase. I climbed up faster with my heart beating more than usual. An earnest desire to see my old friend came upon me and I ran more than walked.
The coughing came from a small room on the first floor – there were two above it. I walked down a small passage before I found the room. Its door was open and I knocked on it.
"Come in" said a hoarse voice.
I walked in as fast I could and after so many years, came face to face with my old chum. He was ghastly white and his hair was greying faster. A lot of rashes were upon his face and he had a red towel always upon his mouth, constantly coughing.
His eyes were bent towards the ground and he never once looked upwards.
"Oh! My dear friend! What have you brought yourself two?"I shouted.
Upon hearing me, he looked up and a thrill went inside him so he was full of joy. But in that excitement, a great weakness hailed him from his insides and fell down from his bed where he was sitting.
I felt pity for him and sympathy. I saw that he was suffering from a terrible disease and so had written a letter for me – for I guessed that he wanted to see me before his end, before the inevitable strikes him.
I slowly raised him up but in that moment, his towel fell to the ground. I sat him on the bed which was covered with a white bed sheet. I bent down to pick up the towel that had fallen. But I found to my horror that it was a white towel made red by his blood. Then a thought occurred to me – that he had been coughing blood all along.
I suddenly found his left hand on my shoulders. And then he spoke, albeit feebly.
"Welcome, friend. I knew in my heart that you would respond in a manner you would deem right. And so far, you have. I brought you here on a sole purpose. That I would have you do ere I see the world no more."
I cried in my heart; tears welled up in my eyes.
"Do not cry, O friend of mine! For tears are of no use. It will only bring you grief and sadness and it would be my wish that you should not be so during whatever life is left to you. I guess that in this you shall abide."
I wiped off my tears and nodded my head.
"Are you unwell?"He asked.
I nodded his head.
"I hope you get well soon. Let it be my boon to you. But now, I must get back to the topic that is near at hand. I shall be dead soon; for this disease kills me. "he coughed again.
"I am alone, you know that. I have neither kith nor kin and I have not yet been betrothed to any. In this wide world, you are the only one I can trust and hold dear and by you only shall this deed be performed."
"What deed?"I asked.
He raised his hand slowly. "In the next room you shall find a charred body along with a shovel. With the shovel and the body, go to the garden and dig deep. A few men shall come to help you as you do. Then you must bury this body in the trench that you would have dug. And then cover the trench with what best you may find. I would prefer the soils of the earth. And then leave this land, my friend. Do not come back here for I shall be long gone."
I had to obey his last wish. I sensed how uncomfortable he had become. He coughed again, this time louder than before.
"Quick, friend. There is so little time."
I embraced him one last time and walked fast out of the room with one last look at him. He saw me with tears dropping out of his eyes.
I found myself crying as I entered the room next to his. I found the charred body. Just looking at it gave me the creeps. I wonder who it was and what he had to do with Mr. Notherland. Doubts assailed me. Questions arose within me – how did man come to be so burned? To that I found no answers and grief within me was deep.
I found the shovel also at a corner. Then I wrapped a small towel on my hands and dragged the charred body out of the room.
After much toil, I reached the garden. There I found a suitable place in between two apple orchards. I began to dig when I heard voices coming towards me. There were two men who came by, chatting with each other, laughing gaily.
"I was told you would come, sire. Let us dig for you. Then you shall cast the body deep and offer your last prayers. Your car is already at the Gate and you shall drive away the happier. Hand me the shovel, sire."
They quickly moved the snow and dug the ground deep with a speed that I marvelled at. And then, I cast the body deep into the ground and covered it with the soils of the earth and then over it, the snow that had been moved.
I turned back towards the mansion but soon, I let out a cry. The mansion burst out with fire, charring it and slowly only remains of it stood on the ashen ground.
My eyes widened with fear, grief and shock. My heart beat slowly. My breath became deeper.
Then a man said to me, "O sire, do not wonder! Go away from here and forget the grief that has laid itself on you. For your friend, Mr. Notherland, passed away two weeks ago. A great fire took him and the entire household. None were left alive."
"What rubbish? I just met him."
"It cannot be sire. He is dead. The fire took him. And the mansion has remained charred since then. You went inside, didn't you sire? Did not any distrust assail you? Did not you feel unwholesome inside? The silence has long been distrusted and misconstrued. The person whom you just buried just now – was Mr. Notherland, sire."
Surprise and shock took me. I gaped.
"Yes, sir. But now you should go as he wished."
"How did you know I would come?"
"Dreams summoned us, sire. Often of late, it has been coming. And now it will stop. He wanted a family member to bury him and for him, it was you. Think of it and be happy, sir. Drive away from this sad place and let the lamps of joy be lit in your heart for whatever time is left to you. That is what he would have wanted and what we want. Will you not go to your car now?"
"I shall."I felt satisfied and happy somewhat. I turned my back towards the mansion and I let out a cry again. The voices seemed to have come from nowhere and the men had disappeared.
I bowed my head once more, got in my car and drove out of 25 East Lane.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The History Is Quite A Support To The Future
The History is Voluminous in bearing and people today rarely read such voluminous stuff, save for the academic ones. For the most part, these voluminous stuff, they say, it is heave language, full of philosophy, wisdom etcetra etcetra.. Only those who are avid readers go delving into these stuff. People start in their late ages, thanks to the education system, not understanding reading improves vocabulary which is so essential to professional upbringing. They nevertheless start with Chetan Bhagat and then move up to Harry Potter by J K Rowling and then slowly towards the authors of brilliance. ( no offense to those mentioned...not that they arent brilliant but that I dint find them so attractive) My favorite is Tolkien who has written a voluminous epic.
But coming back to the topic, History. I mean why shud'nt we know history? Some say it has no bearing our present life nor our future. I would like to contradict this fact. History gives us enough experience and wisdom to deal with the problems of the present.
Today, there are a lot of problems, mostly those of proper governance - whether in administration, whether in corporate, whether in individualism. And these problems, can be solved, I believe from historical experiences. For example, religious tolerance which is in a sorry state in the world of today can be learnt from Asoka's time. Politics for a great cause and the upholding of Dharma an be learnt from the Mahabharata.
Whether one is a believer, an agnostic or an atheist, epics like Mahabharata and the Ramayana have a lot to say. If we apply even 10% of what Krishna preached to Arjuna in the Bhagavada Gita, a lot of our problems would be solved. It is as Krishna said, "The preservation of the knowledge lies in the hands of mankind. IF preserved in good, it would lead to human progress, but if it is not, would lead to turmoil and a world full of sins."
(I refer to Krishna as Krishna and not Lord Krishna, because since reading Mahabharata, it is more like I have known him for decades).
True in Mahabharata, Krishna plays by the mind. Mahabharata deals with the egoistic realms of today, which is so widespread. This is Kalyug, the era of practicality. But blinded with practical and egoistic wants we have forgotten wisdom. Everything has become a business with material and monetary wants. Consider a blood bank. People donate their blood for free and the hospitals sell it to needy patients for Rs.200. In their quest for such wants, people forget satisfaction from the inside, their spiritual wants. In order to satisfy their greedy minds, they hardly feed the soul.
Stress, unhealthy life styles are the effects of such brash living. Happiness is hardly found. The world is stricken with wars and griefs. People are hard to forget and forgive.
Religion has been an issue of contention. Whatever the religion be, it is the path to salvation, to Him who we owe. Asoka might have been aggressive in his younger days. But in his later years, he did teach us many good things.
The only thing which can lead us to happy lives is having practicality in one hand and wisdom in the other, patience in the heart and self-control in the mind, self confidence in the eyes and focus on your brows. This is the only way with which happiness can be endowed within yourself.
History teaches best. Yes, it does. Read from the epics and gain knowledge from them. Then there wont be anyone who can stand against you.
But coming back to the topic, History. I mean why shud'nt we know history? Some say it has no bearing our present life nor our future. I would like to contradict this fact. History gives us enough experience and wisdom to deal with the problems of the present.
Today, there are a lot of problems, mostly those of proper governance - whether in administration, whether in corporate, whether in individualism. And these problems, can be solved, I believe from historical experiences. For example, religious tolerance which is in a sorry state in the world of today can be learnt from Asoka's time. Politics for a great cause and the upholding of Dharma an be learnt from the Mahabharata.
Whether one is a believer, an agnostic or an atheist, epics like Mahabharata and the Ramayana have a lot to say. If we apply even 10% of what Krishna preached to Arjuna in the Bhagavada Gita, a lot of our problems would be solved. It is as Krishna said, "The preservation of the knowledge lies in the hands of mankind. IF preserved in good, it would lead to human progress, but if it is not, would lead to turmoil and a world full of sins."
(I refer to Krishna as Krishna and not Lord Krishna, because since reading Mahabharata, it is more like I have known him for decades).
True in Mahabharata, Krishna plays by the mind. Mahabharata deals with the egoistic realms of today, which is so widespread. This is Kalyug, the era of practicality. But blinded with practical and egoistic wants we have forgotten wisdom. Everything has become a business with material and monetary wants. Consider a blood bank. People donate their blood for free and the hospitals sell it to needy patients for Rs.200. In their quest for such wants, people forget satisfaction from the inside, their spiritual wants. In order to satisfy their greedy minds, they hardly feed the soul.
Stress, unhealthy life styles are the effects of such brash living. Happiness is hardly found. The world is stricken with wars and griefs. People are hard to forget and forgive.
Religion has been an issue of contention. Whatever the religion be, it is the path to salvation, to Him who we owe. Asoka might have been aggressive in his younger days. But in his later years, he did teach us many good things.
The only thing which can lead us to happy lives is having practicality in one hand and wisdom in the other, patience in the heart and self-control in the mind, self confidence in the eyes and focus on your brows. This is the only way with which happiness can be endowed within yourself.
History teaches best. Yes, it does. Read from the epics and gain knowledge from them. Then there wont be anyone who can stand against you.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The stories of MY Mobiles.
There was a time when mobiles used to be as costly as an imported luxury car.Time has passed, the world has changed and with it, so have the prices of mobiles.
It was in 1994 when I heard the term mobiles coined, to be exact, let me say cellular phones. I remember the day that my parents brought home a wireless cord phone and I also remember I was excited. I was a small kid then but curious. I was happy to see that the phones had shrinked. When I used to boast of this to my rich kids of rich dads at school, some used to laugh and say that their dads had bought for themselves cellular phones. Cellular phones!!!I used to wonder then the nature of these and they were costly mind you.
I used to come home and ask my dad about them cell phones and why we could not buy them. My parents always replied then that we could not afford one and the cordless phone was something that we did manage to afford. Those were days I guess when we belonged to the lower middle class and my dad was a manager at a low level, the company which he worked in had'nt yet made the mark.Moreover it was only 3 yrs since the 1991 economic reforms, which thankfully made the inroads for electronic devices.
And, so I gloomed, thinking that I would never have access to these cellular phones which are being now so popularly called mobile phones.
Ten years gave way, the dot com boom, the US tragedy, the Afghan War and India's booming economy. It was in 2001 that my Dad brought a Nokia 3310. A sturdy phone with the basic features which would now be considered a waste but it was a hell of a popular phone those days. I rejoiced. Wow! A mobile in my home!! But the irony was that I did not crave for a mobile phone. I never wanted to own one but I was happy to see a mobile in my home. There was mostly Nokia in the mobile stores and a few Motorola's and a few Sony Ericsson. But there was a hardly any others.
Year 2006 - the beginning of the 2nd year of my graduation. I inherited the Nokia 3310 from my father whereas he had been promoted and given a Reliance phone. I chose Spice Telecom as the operator but soon found to be unsatisfying. I shifted to Bharti Airtel and found its network valuable. Besides the 100 SMS / day scheme enabled me to be a frequent mobile user. This went for three years when in November 2008 I changed to Nokia 3110 Classic which is again another excellent phone. I never know why, but Nokia has been my brand phone for the years, even though there were several mobiles available in the market at competently low prices - Samsung, LG, Onida, BPL, etc. I brought the Nokia 3110C for Rs 4500/-.
And now it is May 2010 - I brought another Nokia 2700C - wow excellent features with bluetooth, 2MP cam, 3.5 mm audio jack, excellent display, with 1 GB memory card for just 3.5K. Cool!!! Now the mobiles are in everybody's hands. They are selling like vegetables. and the prices have also come down. Great!!!. Gone are the days when mobiles used to be a luxury items. Now with IPhones, Blackberries, the mobiles phones have reached new levels. With such great abundance of mobiles in the market, one has a variety of choices. You dont need to go far, a store is just to you.
God knows what next!!! With the 3G and 4g Spectrums in place and the ongoing tariff war ( I got 3 Sims at present for diff purposes - Airtel, Reliance, Tata Docomo), the world will LEAP!!!
It was in 1994 when I heard the term mobiles coined, to be exact, let me say cellular phones. I remember the day that my parents brought home a wireless cord phone and I also remember I was excited. I was a small kid then but curious. I was happy to see that the phones had shrinked. When I used to boast of this to my rich kids of rich dads at school, some used to laugh and say that their dads had bought for themselves cellular phones. Cellular phones!!!I used to wonder then the nature of these and they were costly mind you.
I used to come home and ask my dad about them cell phones and why we could not buy them. My parents always replied then that we could not afford one and the cordless phone was something that we did manage to afford. Those were days I guess when we belonged to the lower middle class and my dad was a manager at a low level, the company which he worked in had'nt yet made the mark.Moreover it was only 3 yrs since the 1991 economic reforms, which thankfully made the inroads for electronic devices.
And, so I gloomed, thinking that I would never have access to these cellular phones which are being now so popularly called mobile phones.
Ten years gave way, the dot com boom, the US tragedy, the Afghan War and India's booming economy. It was in 2001 that my Dad brought a Nokia 3310. A sturdy phone with the basic features which would now be considered a waste but it was a hell of a popular phone those days. I rejoiced. Wow! A mobile in my home!! But the irony was that I did not crave for a mobile phone. I never wanted to own one but I was happy to see a mobile in my home. There was mostly Nokia in the mobile stores and a few Motorola's and a few Sony Ericsson. But there was a hardly any others.
Year 2006 - the beginning of the 2nd year of my graduation. I inherited the Nokia 3310 from my father whereas he had been promoted and given a Reliance phone. I chose Spice Telecom as the operator but soon found to be unsatisfying. I shifted to Bharti Airtel and found its network valuable. Besides the 100 SMS / day scheme enabled me to be a frequent mobile user. This went for three years when in November 2008 I changed to Nokia 3110 Classic which is again another excellent phone. I never know why, but Nokia has been my brand phone for the years, even though there were several mobiles available in the market at competently low prices - Samsung, LG, Onida, BPL, etc. I brought the Nokia 3110C for Rs 4500/-.
And now it is May 2010 - I brought another Nokia 2700C - wow excellent features with bluetooth, 2MP cam, 3.5 mm audio jack, excellent display, with 1 GB memory card for just 3.5K. Cool!!! Now the mobiles are in everybody's hands. They are selling like vegetables. and the prices have also come down. Great!!!. Gone are the days when mobiles used to be a luxury items. Now with IPhones, Blackberries, the mobiles phones have reached new levels. With such great abundance of mobiles in the market, one has a variety of choices. You dont need to go far, a store is just to you.
God knows what next!!! With the 3G and 4g Spectrums in place and the ongoing tariff war ( I got 3 Sims at present for diff purposes - Airtel, Reliance, Tata Docomo), the world will LEAP!!!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
AP - DOOMED?
Andhra Pradesh - A state known for its first foray into the Information Technology under the rule of the then chief minister Mr Chandrababu Naidu. IT's capital, Hyderabad, along with its twin city Secunderabad, are known for its welcoming culture, its pearls, its biryanis, and many other things besides, moreover it is a tourist centre that attracts many, its Birla Temple, Golcondo Fort, Char Minar, The Khao Galli of Hyderabad, Old Hyderabad and its fortress like scenery. The Jyotirlinga of Srisailam, the richest temple of Tirupati, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam dot the State.
But this gem of a state is under trouble, political crisis has hit the State hard, harder than imagined. Three major factors contributed heavily to this Situation.
Firstly, the demand to carve out a separate State of Telangana. As we already know, there is Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, which are carved out of old states. Same here. All they did was sit on a bhuk hadtal. LOL. If every one started demanding separate States for themselves, it is not good since there is a loss of national integrity, let alone the development of the new State. However the latter point can be contradicted if one looks at the growth rate of Jharkhand which has successfully projected itself as an industrial state. But can the same be said of the other two? To an extent maybe. But what about Telangana? Can it succeed in the same way? A huge question mark hangs around. Moreover, this situation made it difficult for the Congress which is the ruling party.
Second count is the affair of the Reddy Brothers. Seeing the business doing through unethical ways, AP banned the Reddy Brothers, who are among the most influentials of the neighbouring States, and who did business with the late chief minister.
Thirdly, the sexual harassment by the Governor in Raj Bhavan, causing him to be sacked. The Same Old Clinton Tactic.
A bandh is called now in Hyderabad, affecting business, holding people to ransom. Can you understand, it is like a house arrest. AP is DOOMED!!
But this gem of a state is under trouble, political crisis has hit the State hard, harder than imagined. Three major factors contributed heavily to this Situation.
Firstly, the demand to carve out a separate State of Telangana. As we already know, there is Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, which are carved out of old states. Same here. All they did was sit on a bhuk hadtal. LOL. If every one started demanding separate States for themselves, it is not good since there is a loss of national integrity, let alone the development of the new State. However the latter point can be contradicted if one looks at the growth rate of Jharkhand which has successfully projected itself as an industrial state. But can the same be said of the other two? To an extent maybe. But what about Telangana? Can it succeed in the same way? A huge question mark hangs around. Moreover, this situation made it difficult for the Congress which is the ruling party.
Second count is the affair of the Reddy Brothers. Seeing the business doing through unethical ways, AP banned the Reddy Brothers, who are among the most influentials of the neighbouring States, and who did business with the late chief minister.
Thirdly, the sexual harassment by the Governor in Raj Bhavan, causing him to be sacked. The Same Old Clinton Tactic.
A bandh is called now in Hyderabad, affecting business, holding people to ransom. Can you understand, it is like a house arrest. AP is DOOMED!!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Legolas The Elf
A great son
Of An Elven Lord
Cute He was
And Tall And Fair
Came he
summoned he was
To the Council of Elrond
but there was also some news
which was bad to all
Came he to say
that Gollum was freed
Recounted did he
the pursuit in the forests
Learn he did
Of the Great Rings of Power
Amazed he was
For he had never heard it all before
Determined and resolute
he joined the Nine
which was set
Against the Nine
Journey he did
With the Ringbearer
but never was he lured
towards It
Wisdom he had
his words were golden
He could see far
as could his kindred
Stand he did
On Caradhras the Cruel
Listened with intent
The malice of the Wizard
Leapt over the snow
For the first it noticed
that his shoe was light
and his feet were nimble
Good news he bore
of the Sun and the Light
Fought he did
Against the Warg Riders
Went with the Nine
needless it was
to go into
the nets of Khazad-dum
Contempt he had
for the dwarf that was along
the seeds of which
were sown long ago
Many he killed
His bows twanged
Heavens thundered
His arrows always accurate
Troll he downed
And with pity and sorrow
he saw
The spearing of Frodo
Joy was in his eyes
To know the fate of the Bearer
And run he did
To the Great Bridge
There he saw the Great Enemy
OF the Elf-banes
the Greatest
Fear in his heart
There he lost
his friend, the wizard
Cry did he
On the stones of the Dale
Lothlorien he found
tales he told
songs he sung
trees he tapped
With elves he spoke
With Lady he met
White light was around him
Speaking of his kind
A bow he recieved
and a quiver also
full of arrows
ready to gut down enemy throats
Over the River he rowed
Argonath he saw
To Parth Galen he came
And Saw the Breaking
Orcs he killed
Uruks also
With Gimli the dwarf
who was now his friend
For Boromir he cried
Sorrow in his eyes
Arrows he gathered
Riddles he solved
With the Two he ran
over the leagues of Rohan
To Fangorn he came
Which made him feel young
Into the glades he went
Full of surprises met
the wizard was back
And to Edoras he would go
Come he did to the golden hall
of Meduseld
Speak he did
with Theoden the King
To the Hornburg he went and
lost the count to his friend
But he grudged it not
For happy was he to see the dwarf
Then to Isengard he went
Found the two merry halflings
who were what he had sought
who were captured by the orcs
Many a talk he had
Many a tale he listened
Many a riddle he got answers
Many a joy he gave
He took the Grave Paths
Which the Dead took
Without any fear
For he did not the shadows of men
To Erech he came
Saw the Power
Ride he did
Over the green Fields of Gondor
Sea he saw
Gulls he heard
The sea longing came back
to his elven heart
To Minas Tirith he came
Fought the Great Battle
Oliphaunts he downed
Joy was in his heart
He was in the Last Debate
Counsels he sought
Counsels gave
Whatever be the decision, he would abide
He came to the Dark Gates
On the Last Battles
Of his time
And that was won
For the Ring was unmade
and so he witnessed
the crowning of Elessar
his friend
He took the tour
Of the Caves of Aglarond
And then he took Gimli with him
To the Fangorn
And atlast
we heard
that the gulls took his heart
And at the end of the Age
he took away into the West
With Gimli his friend
Of An Elven Lord
Cute He was
And Tall And Fair
Came he
summoned he was
To the Council of Elrond
but there was also some news
which was bad to all
Came he to say
that Gollum was freed
Recounted did he
the pursuit in the forests
Learn he did
Of the Great Rings of Power
Amazed he was
For he had never heard it all before
Determined and resolute
he joined the Nine
which was set
Against the Nine
Journey he did
With the Ringbearer
but never was he lured
towards It
Wisdom he had
his words were golden
He could see far
as could his kindred
Stand he did
On Caradhras the Cruel
Listened with intent
The malice of the Wizard
Leapt over the snow
For the first it noticed
that his shoe was light
and his feet were nimble
Good news he bore
of the Sun and the Light
Fought he did
Against the Warg Riders
Went with the Nine
needless it was
to go into
the nets of Khazad-dum
Contempt he had
for the dwarf that was along
the seeds of which
were sown long ago
Many he killed
His bows twanged
Heavens thundered
His arrows always accurate
Troll he downed
And with pity and sorrow
he saw
The spearing of Frodo
Joy was in his eyes
To know the fate of the Bearer
And run he did
To the Great Bridge
There he saw the Great Enemy
OF the Elf-banes
the Greatest
Fear in his heart
There he lost
his friend, the wizard
Cry did he
On the stones of the Dale
Lothlorien he found
tales he told
songs he sung
trees he tapped
With elves he spoke
With Lady he met
White light was around him
Speaking of his kind
A bow he recieved
and a quiver also
full of arrows
ready to gut down enemy throats
Over the River he rowed
Argonath he saw
To Parth Galen he came
And Saw the Breaking
Orcs he killed
Uruks also
With Gimli the dwarf
who was now his friend
For Boromir he cried
Sorrow in his eyes
Arrows he gathered
Riddles he solved
With the Two he ran
over the leagues of Rohan
To Fangorn he came
Which made him feel young
Into the glades he went
Full of surprises met
the wizard was back
And to Edoras he would go
Come he did to the golden hall
of Meduseld
Speak he did
with Theoden the King
To the Hornburg he went and
lost the count to his friend
But he grudged it not
For happy was he to see the dwarf
Then to Isengard he went
Found the two merry halflings
who were what he had sought
who were captured by the orcs
Many a talk he had
Many a tale he listened
Many a riddle he got answers
Many a joy he gave
He took the Grave Paths
Which the Dead took
Without any fear
For he did not the shadows of men
To Erech he came
Saw the Power
Ride he did
Over the green Fields of Gondor
Sea he saw
Gulls he heard
The sea longing came back
to his elven heart
To Minas Tirith he came
Fought the Great Battle
Oliphaunts he downed
Joy was in his heart
He was in the Last Debate
Counsels he sought
Counsels gave
Whatever be the decision, he would abide
He came to the Dark Gates
On the Last Battles
Of his time
And that was won
For the Ring was unmade
and so he witnessed
the crowning of Elessar
his friend
He took the tour
Of the Caves of Aglarond
And then he took Gimli with him
To the Fangorn
And atlast
we heard
that the gulls took his heart
And at the end of the Age
he took away into the West
With Gimli his friend
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
One Of The Biggest Pains Of Life
One of the biggest pains one can endure in life when someone close to the person does not believe in what the person can do. That someone close, though might acknowledge the person's talents, might just snub the person for it. That someone close may just vent out negative vibes for the person, that someone close, whom the person trusts so closely, distrusts the person. That someone close might just hurt the person only because that someone close is jealous.
Why does this happen? Is it a normal human tendency that makes one so hateful of another just because he/she has arrived with gifts suited to him/her but not to the other? Or is it a proven psychological factor? Do they not understand how much hurt one must endure in these cases? One suffers such mental trauma that only the strongest in heart can endure. The weak, I cannot say, what they can do? Sometimes, solutions are thought of that are not to best individual or societal interests.
Yes, sometimes, it may be misinterpretations of other's feelings towards you, but it is not so always. Why are you made to suffer just because the other is not endowed? Why are you made to understand that you are inferior just because you make mistakes in life or you take certain decisions in a chaotic way? Everyone makes mistakes, yes, even I do, but so they do also. Does jealousy lead them to believe that they are superior or is it that they tend to believe they are superior? It is okay if someone you do not know for long does that to you, for you do not feel much. But if someone close to you, like your family, or your friends(close ones) do, then would you not feel hurt?
With greatness comes a price, it is said. Is it this price that we have to pay for our gifts? If these people think they are perfect, then they are wrong but at least I am not straightforward enough to tell them so. For I am enduring and have endured till now, this same pain of life, carrying its burdens over the long years and have stood the ravages of time.
All along my life, I have lived more for others, less for myselves, obviously taking care of my own interest. But what have I got in return? Misery, sorrow and snubbishness. I have always looked to earn profits for both me and my close ones, but what is my profit in the bargain? Jealousy, inferiority and a use-for-nothing feeling.
The fact is that even my very close ones do not trust me to do anything. Yes, my close ones are cool, no problems on the personal front, they pamper me a lot. But what use is it anyway? I like to live a hard life, full of challenges. I like to be Practical and Logical and any problem exists, I deal with reason. But still, the same people I talk about, it is always a feeling that I have that I am always ignored for certain reasons. What have I done to make them so? Have I not taken care of them? There are some, yes, some, who thinks maybe like this, "sala kuch jyada hi shana banta hai" If I think logical, what is my fault in it?
People ask me to be sentimental. Probably some of them are. Maybe that is the reason. But I cannot be. Because, till now, I have been a little sentimental, all these 21 years. But for the last 2 years, I tried to work towards myself, towards achieving my goals, towards setting my objectives in life. What is my fault here? Still, I go with the flow in life.
Yes, I like my close ones, have not got any problems with anyone but still, certain misunderstandings have to be cleared. Many people tell me I am intelligent, maybe, because they deduce from what they see. But I am a better judge of myself. A person is a better judge of his own. That is a fact.
My very close one, with whom I had roamed around far, now thinks I cannot do anything. Why? Just because I made some mistakes in the past? How does that make one lose respect? They would have made several themselves, and there maybe some which I have noted, but does that mean I should stop giving them respect? There is only one funda in life, Give respect, you will get respect. But this funda has been proven false in my life.
True is the fact that I have made wrong decisions in the past, the after effects of which I am facing even till now. True is the fact that my close ones would have told me to be sentimental in order to make a good human being. But I need to have a chance to live for myself, to live independently, free of any pampering, full of hardships and challenges, sorry, I do not want an easy life.
The topic drifts to my close friends save some who come in the best friends category ( who I can say truly understand me and motivate me, they care for my best interests and I them.) Actually, many support me in my ways of life, many even look towards towards me, but from whom I always expected to have support from, they have just disappointed me. There is a saying, Do not put the stamps of expectation on anyone. How true the saying is!!!Maybe I should take a leaf out of it. After all, this is a practical and competitive world. In the world of business, there can be no emotions. And oft said is the fact that personal and professional lives are not to be mixed. Maybe that is what I have been doing these 21-22 years. Now I am changing my attitude for the best, make a new world for myself, to concentrate on my entrepreneurial ventures and treat them as if they are the children of my imagination, as if they are the children that have come through my flesh, I shall dedicate my mind, my brain and my body to these children of mine so that they flourish and with them, so do I and those for whom I care.
Why does this happen? Is it a normal human tendency that makes one so hateful of another just because he/she has arrived with gifts suited to him/her but not to the other? Or is it a proven psychological factor? Do they not understand how much hurt one must endure in these cases? One suffers such mental trauma that only the strongest in heart can endure. The weak, I cannot say, what they can do? Sometimes, solutions are thought of that are not to best individual or societal interests.
Yes, sometimes, it may be misinterpretations of other's feelings towards you, but it is not so always. Why are you made to suffer just because the other is not endowed? Why are you made to understand that you are inferior just because you make mistakes in life or you take certain decisions in a chaotic way? Everyone makes mistakes, yes, even I do, but so they do also. Does jealousy lead them to believe that they are superior or is it that they tend to believe they are superior? It is okay if someone you do not know for long does that to you, for you do not feel much. But if someone close to you, like your family, or your friends(close ones) do, then would you not feel hurt?
With greatness comes a price, it is said. Is it this price that we have to pay for our gifts? If these people think they are perfect, then they are wrong but at least I am not straightforward enough to tell them so. For I am enduring and have endured till now, this same pain of life, carrying its burdens over the long years and have stood the ravages of time.
All along my life, I have lived more for others, less for myselves, obviously taking care of my own interest. But what have I got in return? Misery, sorrow and snubbishness. I have always looked to earn profits for both me and my close ones, but what is my profit in the bargain? Jealousy, inferiority and a use-for-nothing feeling.
The fact is that even my very close ones do not trust me to do anything. Yes, my close ones are cool, no problems on the personal front, they pamper me a lot. But what use is it anyway? I like to live a hard life, full of challenges. I like to be Practical and Logical and any problem exists, I deal with reason. But still, the same people I talk about, it is always a feeling that I have that I am always ignored for certain reasons. What have I done to make them so? Have I not taken care of them? There are some, yes, some, who thinks maybe like this, "sala kuch jyada hi shana banta hai" If I think logical, what is my fault in it?
People ask me to be sentimental. Probably some of them are. Maybe that is the reason. But I cannot be. Because, till now, I have been a little sentimental, all these 21 years. But for the last 2 years, I tried to work towards myself, towards achieving my goals, towards setting my objectives in life. What is my fault here? Still, I go with the flow in life.
Yes, I like my close ones, have not got any problems with anyone but still, certain misunderstandings have to be cleared. Many people tell me I am intelligent, maybe, because they deduce from what they see. But I am a better judge of myself. A person is a better judge of his own. That is a fact.
My very close one, with whom I had roamed around far, now thinks I cannot do anything. Why? Just because I made some mistakes in the past? How does that make one lose respect? They would have made several themselves, and there maybe some which I have noted, but does that mean I should stop giving them respect? There is only one funda in life, Give respect, you will get respect. But this funda has been proven false in my life.
True is the fact that I have made wrong decisions in the past, the after effects of which I am facing even till now. True is the fact that my close ones would have told me to be sentimental in order to make a good human being. But I need to have a chance to live for myself, to live independently, free of any pampering, full of hardships and challenges, sorry, I do not want an easy life.
The topic drifts to my close friends save some who come in the best friends category ( who I can say truly understand me and motivate me, they care for my best interests and I them.) Actually, many support me in my ways of life, many even look towards towards me, but from whom I always expected to have support from, they have just disappointed me. There is a saying, Do not put the stamps of expectation on anyone. How true the saying is!!!Maybe I should take a leaf out of it. After all, this is a practical and competitive world. In the world of business, there can be no emotions. And oft said is the fact that personal and professional lives are not to be mixed. Maybe that is what I have been doing these 21-22 years. Now I am changing my attitude for the best, make a new world for myself, to concentrate on my entrepreneurial ventures and treat them as if they are the children of my imagination, as if they are the children that have come through my flesh, I shall dedicate my mind, my brain and my body to these children of mine so that they flourish and with them, so do I and those for whom I care.
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