Wednesday, 17 August 2011

LIke the Silent Breeze

please leave your comments for inspiration.... 
26th September is just like every other ordinary day. I am on a train that takes me to my usual destination. I was on the side seat with a view over the platform reading ’The Zahir’ by Paulo Coelho. The book was very good. Some where it touched me. The journey is as usual boring.
The train stopped at a intermediate station. Here something interesting happened. A guy, an ordinary guy stepped into the train. He wasn’t extremely handsome or attractive but something in him caught my eye. I wanted to start a conversation with him. But I didn’t want to alarm him or make him think that I am one of those girls who are hungry for making friends out of strangers. So I waited for him to speak first.
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I was waiting at an intermediate station. This station was an ordinary station. The only reason one would step on these platforms is either to go home or to do some small time business. If you get on a train from this station to Mumbai the girls on the train will ignore you because they think we are the few who will never make it big time. In my case I am here for doing a small business in local neighborhood. I waited for the regular train. Finally after long waiting the train arrived .it was not a usual busy time so I was able to get on the train without much ado. I finally found a seat facing a charming girl. Actually she wasn’t that pretty but something in her caught my eye so I settled down and waited for chance to speak. Finally I found one.
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I closed the book that I was reading then I paused and looked out of window hoping he would ask for the book. And you know what, he asked.
“Can I take a look at that book” he asked.
I pretended like I haven’t heard him. I waited for him to speak louder otherwise I thought he would think that I was eager for him to talk. But it turned out to be a bad idea. Because he didn’t   ask again.
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I made up my mind. I took a draw at all the courage I can amass and asked the girl for the book. She pretended to have not heard what I said. Well, that is it. She is also another one of those girls who belittles the men with 5 digits salary and honest job, the new found trend of Mumbai. Suddenly she lost all the charm in my heart.
But I was wrong, she was different.
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He seems to have taken air of self importance suddenly. For him all of a sudden I was nonexistent. Now I must make a move before the train reaches the station.
 “Have you asked the book?” she said.
“Yes. I have. You seems to have little hearing problem. Or is it that you perceive everything late.”He spoke with sarcasm.
“I was not finished reading it then. So... but you may take a look if you need” she said.
“No thanks. The station approaches in minutes” he said. “Are you a fan of Paulo Coelho” he asked again.
“Yeah  ... But I read all kind of book” she said
he slowly winked “it seems you have so much free time”. She just smiled.
“Who are your favorite authors” he asked. ”I read a lot. So I don't keep track”
She replied. “Who are yours?”  
“mine! I read only a little....” and with a small smile he listed about 100 names, many the girl had never heard. She bowed her head ashamed. “Apart from reading a 'LOT' what else do you do?” He asked.
“I have finished my degree and is doing social service.” she said.
“You mean you have a club to hang out with a group” he said in half mock.
“No. We go to villages and teach children freely. We provide books and materials as well guidance for future. We do it part time basis. Most of us have other jobs too. But I am now into it full time” she said it with pride.
The reply was a respectful smile. “What do you do?”
“I am a publisher’s assistant. I also write for some dailies, weeklies etc.”
The girl nodded with some respect.
The conversation prolonged as the train moved on in its rhythm. Finally the train stopped with shrill whistle signaling the arrival of the Mumbai station. And both passengers stood up wishing the journey was longer for first time in their life.
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The moved towards the pavement. Suddenly a loud noise was heard. People stared to run around. And suddenly he grabbed her from behind and fell on the pavement rolling. She raised her head when the commotion has subsided to find a bullet wounded him next to her. The light in his eyes was fainting. He didn't say the word and she hasn't given him that kind of thought but she knew she has lost something that she will never find again something very precious. The ambulance came she went with the body in shocked silence. She didn't reply to the queries of many. In her heart she cherished the small hope that he could be saved. All the channels were there. The reporters were talking about some terrorist attacks. She was asked to comment but she didn't. In the hospital the doctor declared him dead. Without a word she walked to the open. All of a sudden rain started to pour down. And then as if awaken from a dream she was shocked into the reality. She wept and wept again. She continued to walk. A taxi stopped in front of her “madam why get wet... please  ...” the driver said. She got in.”The beach”She said. The driver gave her scornful look. He might be thinking who goes to a beach in rain. But he took her there. When the taxi reached the beach the rain has stopped. She stood there rubbing the tears of her cheeks. She used to come there when she gets upset. When it was dark and the sun has sunk into the sea, she slowly left the beach. The wind seems to be murmuring in her ears something.
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The sea asked the wind. “What a loss! Do you think that she shall find someone who shall make her feel the same.” the wind blow gently over the sea like caressing her and with a small kiss he told. “Yes my dear. She will. Love is a strange feeling. Many people have tried to put that into words but haven’t been able to conjure up something that can define everything that is love. And now it has entered her life all of a sudden and left the same way. it was like a silent breeze that sooth you for a second and then it is gone but memory stays. Love makes you feel everything else unimportant. It is that one emotion that makes you feel that someone else is more important than you. That person fills your world. You don’t own he but you are his and he is yours. It defines every love in the universe let that be between mother and child, couples, true friendship, siblings. But it is strongest in “The Love”. Sometimes it doesn’t matter whether you are together or separated by great distances even when you know that it is long gone as in death. Like the memory of a breeze stays with you and warms your heart, make you wonder how something that is natural and insignificant as a breeze is priceless, the memory of the love stays with you.
Yes, it will be difficult for her to find life as it was before. But she will find happiness again. When the rain has fallen, and hot days of sun are over, the autumn will come again. She shall experience the breeze again. And when it kisses those soft cheeks it shall find it wasn’t the first. But it won’t turn into a gale but it shall understand and feel lucky it wasn’t late. He shall understand even though the heart has another memory that it cherish, it will truly be filled with his. Because love is never shared but given in full, like everyone at the beach perceives the same gentle touch of the breeze and feel it special when they spread their arms and close their eyes to welcome it. She will find someone who can perceive what her love is.”
sea gave slow murmur and said “but wouldn't it annoy the other that she feels a presence though not visible to any eye, deep in her heart”
The wind smiled. “Oh yes. Hasn’t for centuries the poet have sung songs about the sun's love to you. The way he rises from you at dawn with a kiss and returns to you at twilight again kissing. Some says that he sleeps in you. But The Sun knows that it is me that gives you your song, makes you dance in merry and lets you charge with spirit. It's I who lets you have your silver braces of foam on your shoreline; it's I who is always with you as your rhythm, your breath, always caressing you, riding with you in your fall and rise. Nobody sees me and everyone feels me through you. Together we exist as a whole but still the sun shows his shiny face over you, gives your skin the glint of gold and shine. He never complains, never show a dark face. So she too shall find another.”

9 comments:

  1. this is a good 1....

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  2. good work! but i think dat description abt love by the wind is a bit too prolonged. it could hav been made small, catchy n beautiful. ezhuthukaarante swathanthryathil kai kadathuvalla tto. oru vaayanakkariyude abhiprayamenne ullu. expecting more wrks frm u.. best wishes :)

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    1. thanks...valinju poyathanu... churukan nokam .. aduthathu almost ready annu.. pakshae time kittunilla.. keyboard upayoghichu pakarthan..thanks again for actually reading it ..;)

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  3. Nice.! Chosen Style of speech suited the story well..

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  4. The story style, especially the first part depicting the mental thoughts of the characters are looking different and beautiful. The ending part though looking more philosophical I personally felt like not sinking with the story flow, it may divert the readers attention. Overall good and variety piece of work... Keep moving....good luck...

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  5. thanks again vipin...will make the next one better

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  6. good work Arvin..as usual your start up is excellent..the way you narrated 2 different thoughts of mind was really wonderful..but towards ending it was little dragging..love between sun sea and wind was really new and interesting..keep up the good work..all the best for your next article

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