Z for Zeal!!

      “I can't do it anymore mom” cried Jane as she stepped down from the stage. She had tried enough. She had suffered enough and now she could do it no more. She wanted to stop it all, the fear, and the humiliation! She would do it no more. She had decided to quit and no amount of coaxing from her mother could change her mind. The fame she loved dearly had become her enemy now.

       Jane was known for her sweet voice. When she sang, the crowd went mad. She was the singing sensation of her college. She was envied by everyone. And Jane enjoyed all this until the day when fate turned the tables for ever. Jane had been returning from one of her practice sessions, extremely happy about the upcoming concert that she would be performing in a few days. She was so lost in her dream world that she didn't notice the car until it was too late! That day she had lost her legs and was confined to the wheel chairs for lifetime. The blow was too much to take for and Jane had started to sink into her shell. She feared facing people and slowly she gave up her passion. She wouldn't perform anymore even after successive persuading from her mom and her teacher.

       One morning her teacher arrived at her home and asked her to accompany him to somewhere. He promised her she would love it. Jane had so many questions in her mind but she quietly followed him for she knew he always wished well for her. She had let him down when she had quit and she thought this was the least she could do. After an hour long journey, they reached a school for handicapped. At first Jane panicked thinking she would be left here but her teacher had different plans. As they walked in Jane noticed children of different ages, every one having some or other ailments. There was a boy who couldn't see but he was learning to write. A girl, younger than her had lost her hands and she was learning to write by holding pen in between her toes. There were many children like this who despite of being handicapped, were living life with Zeal. A lump formed in her throat as she saw them.

       At that moment her teacher faced her and said “Challenges are a part of life. Life doesn't end when something unfortunate happens. It ends when you give up. See these kids, they all are facing some or other difficulties but they never gave up. They don’t bother about what people think about them. They just want to live their life to the fullest. That is the kind of zeal you should have Jane. That’s what makes life worthwhile” Jane was finally understanding what her teacher was saying. She felt it was silly that she gave up her talent thinking people will mock her. She walked out as a stronger person, someone with zeal to live her life to the fullest without being afraid of people anymore.

image source: www.self-help-and-self-development.com

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Y for Yearning!!

       Jo sat there staring at the wall and thinking. She was all alone in her hostel room. A year back, she would have given anything to get this. She had always yearned for freedom; she wanted to lead an independent life. She had pestered her dad for a long time before she finally got him to agree upon this. On the day he agreed, her joy knew no bounds. She felt like her dreams were finally coming true. No constant supervision of parents, no need to ask permission of every little thing; it all had seemed like heaven to her.

       But now when she had got all that, she realized how wrong she was. She missed her home, the constant care of mom, the silly fights with siblings, and the home made food. It all seemed like a distant dream now. Of course she enjoyed being with friends but the love and care she received at home, that was something that no one could replace. She sighed as she thought again how wrong it was of her to think that she wouldn't miss all those moments.

       “Hey aren't you coming for dinner?” asked her friend who just came in. Jo got up reluctantly and dragged herself to the canteen wishing she could just go back home and have food from her mom's hands.

image source: inspirably.com

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

X for Xenophobia!!

He looks at her with eyes full of love,

Wishing he could hold her once!

She was looking so fascinating to him,

Ever since she had come home that dawn.

Pleading with his eyes he bends again,

Urging her not to cry this time

But just as he was about to pick her up,

She started screaming at the top of her voice!

Her mom came running and he hid again,

For he felt ashamed on his part!

All he wanted was to just hold her once,

But she seemed afraid and reluctant of that!

Don’t be guilty; it's not your fault,

Said the girl's mom consoling him later.

Babies are afraid of the unknown people,

But she will soon start recognizing her brother!

The boy felt at ease hearing those words,

For he was afraid of having hurt the girl.

How could he understand about xenophobia?

When the poor boy was himself just five!

image source: www.dreamstime.com

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Headlines

       I was up early today and since I didn't have classes to attend, I decided to pass time reading news paper in the morning. I usually don't do this but I badly needed a distraction today. So I decided to read it anyhow. And the headlines read:

"The famous actress Zeba Khan gave birth to baby boy last night and both mother and child are safe. Her husband Farooq Khan thanks fans for their blessings. The whole nation is celebrating this news jovially"

       I was confused for a while. What was there about this news that made it to the headlines? A woman has given birth to baby. That happens every second in our country owing to its population! Then why make a big fuss about it? There were so many other issues facing our country, but ironically, the media chose this to make as the headlines!

       And sure enough, people were going gaga over the news. They went to temples and offered thanks to God. They celebrated as if the country had won some war! Every paper, every channel had it as the headlines. There were huge sighs of disappointment when the celebrity couple refused the allow the medias to take a picture of the baby!

       Its funny how fandom can make people react! All the important issues takes back seat when things like this happen. So much commotion over something so trivial. I was lost in thoughts about this whole thing when my friend called me. "Hey are you coming for the party?" I was confused. Was I missing something? I tried to remember if today's date signified any important event but I couldn't recall anything. "What's the occasion?" I asked. 

       "Arey! Our Mona is throwing a party for the whole class as her favorite celebrity and her child are safe. She is all excited" What!! I couldn't believe it! "Is she stupid?" I asked. "Well does it matter? As long as the party is good, I don't mind it" I smiled hearing her reply. She was right. I got back to my work instead of wasting time, because now I had a party to attend!! After all we had been so busy over the past few days and party sounded like a welcome break.

PS: This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

W for Worry!!

       He saw her sitting quietly and looking out of the window, staring into the oblivion.

       The shock of miscarriage had been too much for her to take and ever since, she had withdrawn from the outer world.

       No matter how much he tried, she wouldn't let him break through the shell she had built around her!

       Worried, he looked at his doctor, seeking some solution, for he was ready to do anything to get her back to normal.

       
       That evening, he packed their bags and set out for a vacation, hoping the change would help her to recover as said by the doctor.

image source: www.marydemuth.com

PS: Linking this post to the Five Sentence Fiction, A-Z Challenge and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

V for Victorious!!

       This is my 50th blog post and just like the emotion for today, I feel victorious too :) Here goes my half century post :)
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       When she heard the applause, she realized that the endless waking hours and the hard work had finally paid off.

       It hadn't been easy to manage everything at once; there were just 24 hours a day for her as it was for everyone else.

       She had faced failures at many points but passion and dedication to achieve something had always driven her to pursue her dreams amidst all.

       Now she stood there victorious, beaming as she received the reward for her painting, a hobby she had put her heart into.

       "Just a small vacation to treat myself, then I would get back to practice again" she thought.

(The story is fiction but the painting is mine ;) I did it few days back for a competition)

PS: Linking this post to the Five Sentence Fiction, A-Z Challenge and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

U for Uncertainty!!

That was awesome,

There is magic in your hands!

You can conquer the world,

You are one of a kind.

She smiled at her spouse,

For her heart felt proud.

But that wasn't enough,

As uncertainty loomed behind.

Can I? She wondered!

Not once believing in herself.

Adept she was in cooking,

But doubt blinding her judgement.

Time passed by

And things slowly changed.

Situations and hardships,

Made her go with the trend.

From just a mom that she was,

To the queen of edible world!

She smiled plating the viscous liquid,

The transformation unbelievable!

image source: myfootpath.com 

PS: Linking this post to the Three Word Wednesday, A-Z Challenge and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

T for Thankful!!

       They clapped as he cut the ribbon and entered his new office. Even though he had been successful in life, there wasn't any glitch in his demeanour. He was modest and down-to-earth kind of person. Never did he try to exploit his power, as many would do.

       It was Tuesday and as usual he visited the school. But this time, he was associate with his P.A. He stood there waiting for the bell to ring and as soon as it does, a girl about seven years old, came running towards him and hugged him. He took his time to enquire about her well being and about her studies. He gave her the cookies he had brought for her and after some time, dropped her off.

       He saw his assistants' eyes filled with curiosity, and could literally hear the wheel's of thoughts running. "Sir, is she...?" He cut her off mid sentence and started to share his past, the one that none knew. He had a distant look in his eyes as he recalled those days. "I was eight when my mom passed away. I had never seen my dad's face. When she dies, I was totally devastated and didn't know what to do. Hungry and crying, that's how he found me; the man who became the light of my life."

  

        "I didn't know who he was but he was a kind soul. He gave me shelter and a whole new life. He thought me the importance of knowledge. He also said never to look down on people, everyone had their own struggles. Today whoever I am, it is because of him. If that day he hadn't helped me, I don't know where and in what state I would have been! I am so thankful for his kindness. So when I saw this girl begging alms, I saw my past! So I have been helping her ever since. That way I wish to pass on the fortune that was bestowed on me"

       There wasn't need to say anything much after that. They drove in silence; both of them preoccupied with their own train of thoughts.

image source: google images

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge 2014 and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

S for Surprise!!

       Zuni was visibly irritated. She had been planning so much about this day but the traitors had backed out. She wanted to enjoy, have fun, party hard. After all it was her day, her birthday but all her so called friends had miraculously forgot about it at once. Not even a single person in the group remembered to wish her. And the most frustrating part was, they did call her but not to wish her; instead to ask a doubt in chemistry! And when she herself called them and asked if they were free and could attend the party she would be throwing, they would ask her if there was anything special about the day! Did she buy anything new worth celebrating? Not knowing what to say, she would disconnect the call.

       She wondered how on earth everyone was busy on that particular day itself! Someone had been to their native, someone was going shopping and someone else couldn't come as she had to take her dog for a walk!! Huh!! The reasons they gave! She was tired of hearing them and she just gave up. She didn't care anymore; she had stopped expecting.

       Thus the day which was to be spent happily was now spent alone. She locked herself in her room; she didn’t feel like speaking to anyone. She started reading novels, thinking how they are more loyal than her friends. Just when she was about to fall asleep out of boredom, she heard the commotion outside on the otherwise calm street. At first she ignored it but when the voices got louder, she came outside to check what was happening and she was shocked!

       There stood her friends, her whole group, with cake and all other items needed for party. They started singing ‘Happy birthday’ right there on the streets while she stood there still surprised to even move. Tears brimmed her eyes as she realized how they had planned the whole thing together while she had sat there cursing them for not calling her. She was touched by the lengths they had gone to arrange all this. Obviously the element of surprise added all more to the scenario. Later while blowing the candles, she thanked God for such a wonderful bunch of friends.

image source: google images

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge 2014 and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

R for Regret!!

image source: google images

She cries out loudly,

As she remembers the past!

For a millionth time again,

She regrets her part!

She craves for a second chance,

To set things right!

She wishes to go back,

As she longs for her better half!

I wish I wouldn't have done it!

I shouldn't have fought!

Neither he would have gone out,

Nor would he have died!

It wasn't your mistake,

She was told by her friends!

It was just an accident,

Which you can do nothing to mend!

She tries to believe it,

That it wasn't her fault!

But! Oh but! She longs afresh,

As the flames of regret lash at her heart!

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge 2014 and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Quite Quietly...

The bony face with bloodshot eyes stared back at her as she looked in the mirror. Yet again she had spent her night crying.

The endless fights with her husband and the jabs from her in-laws had sucked the happiness out of her soul. The only thing that had kept her anchored was her children.

She had stood rock hard and faced every situation. But now they had grown up, instead of easing her pain, they added more to it.

She walked out into the night quite quietly, as for once she decided to live for herself instead of others!

image source: google images

PS: Linking this post to the 100 Words on Saturday #12 by Write Tribe.

Lights Out!!

       I looked at the pile of files laying in front of me and sighed. It had been a tiring day. The project we had been working on was nearing the deadline and there was still so much work to be done! Especially I was lagging behind, as I had taken leave for the past two days because of some unavoidable reasons. So that day I stayed back till late, for I had to somehow complete my task. I didn't like lagging behind. I was so much involved in coding that I forgot to look at the time. It was only once I finished my work did I realize that I was all alone and it was nearing midnight! I wondered how worried mom would have been if she was staying with me. But since I was staying in PG, there was no one who cared at what time I came back or even if I come back! As long as the monthly rent was paid on time, they wouldn't bother interfering in your personal life. Phew! I missed home.

       I finished filing my work and got ready to leave. That's when I felt for the first time, that someone else other than me was present there. I turned around and searched but I saw none. May be the tiredness was making me imagine things! I reached the lift and just when I was about to leave, the lights went off! I panicked at once! Then I tried to calm down and think of something. Cell phone! I reached for my cell phone and tried to switch on the light but it was dead! The battery had given up right at the crucial moment! Now I had no source of light or way to contact someone.

image source: google images

       There was still the office land line but these technology has occupied such a prominent place in our life that I didn't know any number. I was the slave of my phone, without which most of my works wouldn't be done! I was freaking out totally. I had to find a way to get out of here before something happens. Just at that moment, I heard a movement in the dark. "Who is there?" I shouted. No answer. Obviously if someone was sneaking up on me, its not likely that they will answer such questions. When I was turning frantically in the dark, I felt someone pass close to me. And I started shrieking! I gathered all the pent up energy inside me and yelled at the top of my voice. I knew that no one from outside could hear it; I was on 8th floor but at times like this, our mind can't rationalize. A small hope that someone would hear me was making me yell like crazy; and hear did someone!

       I felt a hand close my mouth and I could no longer shout! Oh no! The only weapon I had was taken away from me. I was getting all kind of bad thoughts and the fear inside me was growing in magnitude  with each passing second. I wanted to escape from the clutches of this man but the person was obviously stronger than me and no amount of wriggling helped me. So after a minute I gave up and just when he eased his grip a little thinking I had stopped fighting, I kicked back and I guess it hit his knees. Since I was wearing pointed heels, it had caused huge pain and the person shouted in pain. "Damn you Idiot!" I stopped in my tracks. It was a voice I recognized well. I slowly moved forward in the dark by feeling the desks till I reached the wall and switched on the lights. I saw the person and gasped!

       There lying on the floor, holding his knee and withering in pain was my best friend! He was cursing the person who invented high heels. I couldn't understand what was going on! Seeing my puzzled expression, he managed to stand up slightly with the help of the chair next to him and said "Happy birthday" and groaned! I stood there shocked for a minute and then burst out laughing. I was hysterical! "Seriously girl, I was planning some surprise for you and see what you gave me in return" he said still holding his knees "And look at you laughing!" He was obviously irritated. When I finally managed to get out of the hysteria, I said "Well now you know better than to just sneak up on a girl like this again" Needless to say, the celebrations continued once the initial shock wore off.

PS: This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

             

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Q for Qualm!!

       “You can trust me hon! I won't cheat you” said Arnav. He was very sweet and Shruthi can't help but fall for his every word. Arnav was her Facebook friend. It hadn't been long since they started chatting and he was already claiming that he loved her. “Just one look at you and I couldn't stop myself. You are so beautiful! I love you!” he had said. Shruthi had denied it, she didn't believe a single word he said but he was good at persuasion! So here was Shruthi falling for him, even when her gut instincts screamed at her that this couldn't be true! She had always longed for someone who cared and when Arnav was proving to be that person, how could her heart not accept him? She was in Qualm!

       “What’s the matter Shruthi?” asked Monica the next day seeing her confused and low. Shruthi couldn't bear the qualm anymore and she blurted out the whole story to her friend. “I don't know what to do Monica. He seems sweet and genuine but my instincts tell me that it's fake!” said she as she cupped her hands and hid her face. “Don't worry dear, we will soon find out! Till then just hang on. Don’t jump to conclusions” Shruthi continued to chat with Arnav and everyday it was becoming difficult not to fall for him. Such a sweet heart he was. She could no longer deny his love!

       “I think he is good Monica. He cares for me a lot! I don't think he is faking it” said Shruthi when she met her friend next day. Monica was very calm as she spoke “I sent him request the day you mentioned about him and I have been chatting with him ever since. You won’t believe anything I say, so I want you to have a look at it yourself” she said as she handed over her phone. Shruthi sensed that something big was about to happen as she took it and started to read. There were same messages of love in the chat that he had sent to her. He had promised Monica that he loved only her and it was true! All those cheesy things he had sent her were here too. “I didn't want to chat with him like this but this was the only way for me to find out if he was honest! And you know the result! It is right in front of you!” said Monica as she saw her friend’s face contort in pain.

       Shruthi cried for a while but she was sadder that she had been stupid enough to believe in some random stranger.”It’s not your fault dear. People like Arnav are all over the social sites, trying to fool innocent people. It has happened with most of us. But isn't it good that you realized it before it was too late? From now on lets be careful before trusting some random stranger we met and falling in their traps!” said Monica as she gently caressed Shruthi's head for she knew her friend would be fine.

image source: palmandassociates.blogspot.com

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge 2014 and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

P for Pride!!

       Anand tried hard to recall what he had read! But he couldn't remember it for he had not understood it! He had mulled over that particular problem for hours but he hadn't got the gist of it. Finally he had given up trying thinking it wouldn't appear in exams, after all there were many more questions and this one probably shouldn't matter! But call it bad luck or fate’s weird sense of humor, now Anand sat with his head buried in his hands for he knew he was doomed. Just this one problem and he knew he could ace the exams, but there he was totally clueless, left with regrets as memories flashed by.

       “Oh I know that. It’s easy. I can teach you if you want” those words kept echoing in his ears. His friend Poorvi had offered help graciously. But Anand had brushed it off. If he, the topper didn't know it, then there was no way for Poorvi to know it. So he had totally ignored her offer. He had restrained from asking teachers too, for his pride didn't allow him to admit he didn't know something. So now he sat there, cursing his fate for all that was happening.

       Weeks later the results were out. Anand stood there near the notice board, staring hard at the result sheet. He was cursing the vile fate for he had missed topping the state exams just by few marks. “If only you had kept your pride aside and had been humble enough to seek help, this day wouldn't have come” said Poorvi as she stood by him watching her friend buried in thoughts. “I may not be as brilliant as you, but I do know few things. And there is no bad in learning what you don’t know from others” Anand realized she was right and for the nth time, he regretted the day when he had thought otherwise!

image source: quotes-lover.com

PS: Linking this post to the A-Z Challenge 2014 and Ultimate Blog Challenge April 2014.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)