Melody of Dissonance

It's Ok, It's Alright

2011-12-04T04:24:00.001-08:00

You felt lucky...

When you put your
fingers inside the
packet of M & Ms
hoping to find a
brown one.

You crossed your fingers...

Before opening the
question paper
thinking you just might
know all the answers
this time.

You hoped it'll work...

When you first looked at her,
gave her a smile
she tucked a strand of hair
behind her ear and
smiled back.

You should've got that brown M&M
coz they taste the best.
You should've known all the answers
coz you studied everything.
She should be with you now
coz it was meant to be, right?

But there is a reason
they call life 'full of surprises'
and a 'big adventure';
coz no one has the faintest
idea of how things are gonna
turn out next.

So somedays you stare outside
your window and see the world
differently... realistically, as they say.
And realize -

All M&Ms taste the same.
You did skip a couple of chapters after-all.
And some girls just like to smile, and there's nothing more to it.

At that point you'd feel life sucks.

But it's okay, it's alright,
coz another day, another time,
someone will offer you M&Ms
and...

you'll feel lucky

as you put your
fingers inside
hoping to find a
brown one.

Coz brown ones are the best.

Stuck

2011-11-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Golden days were those
when I never used my toes

I sat all cushioned
Or snuggled in arms
Kisses were easy
I had that charm

Everyone was just
a giggle away,
or sometimes a cry.

I always had their
devoted attention,
didn't even had to try.

Toddler days, too were fun
for I was born son-of-a-gun

From one window to another
I used to chase the light
And mom always made sure
that I never lost her sight.

I had a snuggly cap
and scarf to keep
me warm

Journeys started from,
and ended;
into somebody's arms.

Walking days are blue
Why? I haven't a clue.

Paths were clear
with goals in view
till I laid
my eyes on you

Days were spent
finding love,
hours spent day-dreaming

Nights went by
sorting out if
life did have a meaning

Running days hazy
For by then, I had turned lazy

I never got
the point of it all
to run like mad
for you might fall

That was till
I said somethings
I couldn't take back

Till, I took
some actions
I couldn't retract.

Now again, I'm standing still
I could move, but lack the will

Don't know if it is a push
I seek
Or what it is, that made
me weak

It's up to me
to walk or run
or for fun, just toddle

But I don't know
where to go
and how not to wobble

I just miss the
worried eyes
telling me they care

And the arms
at end of every road
that made life seem fair.

Liar Liar

2011-09-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

I'd be lying
if I said
I've learnt to live;
without talking
my heart to you.

I'd be lying
if I said
You're still the person
I had thought
I knew

I'd be lying
if I said
it doesn't bother me
that our hugs have turned to shakes
and the shakes have turned to nods

I'd be lying
if I said
I'm good at math
and when I count our time
the evens trump the odds

I'd be lying
if I said
I never miss you
when I want to talk
to someone I knew would care

I'd be lying,
if I said
I don't keep aside
a piece of cake
every time I share.

But lie I do
coz thats what
the cool people do

And lie I do
coz thats what
people want me to

Lie too, I will
if we ever talk
coz it'll be the
right thing to say.

Lie too, I will
if we ever talk
coz truth made
us this way.

Happy Birthday Sarah

2011-08-06T00:34:00.000-07:00

I know its
very wrong
For me to
sing a song

But I'll sing
along for you
coz ya' know
I just have to

"Happy Birthday
o' Sarah
Happy Birthday
to you.

Sending chocolate
dipped wishes
with caramel center
to you."

Your words have
made so many
of my normal days
seem brighter

So cyber-hugs
my friend
Only, this time
lil' tighter

Thanks for being
the awesome you
spreading warmth
each day

Global warming
is good with me
As long its done
your way

Hope you have
a lovely day
with dear ones
close by

For other days
you must know
I'm never
email-shy. ;)

Rabbit Hole

2011-04-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

Between the
could-bees and
should-bees
I stare at what is.

At times like these
Being a writer
is a curse
i assure you sir
it sure is.

You play out all
the scenarios
with all the possible
endings

You play around
with the scenes
replaying the dialogues
revising
editing
you change the voice
you change the pitch
of what you said
of what you did.

You write suitable
narration explaining that
long decimating pause
then erase and rewrite
and erase only to
let it be - what it was
just a long decimating pause.

you try and try
till you reach a stage
where you are content
this is how
it should have turned out
this is how
it should be

and it would've been
it would've...

It would've in our world
where the characters
actually listen to
what you've got to say
play-out the way
you want them to
and never cross your way

in a world where
your wits and words
define the rules
or the absence of them
you rejoice everything
you put in there
pages dripping in
love, myth, mayhem

But when an ounce of that
skips to real life
and gets all filthy
and dirty
it loses all your love
as it gets adulterated
with the injection
of rules, of choice,
of unpredictability,
of reality

and it leaves you -

wondering

wondering

Between the

could-bees and

should-bees

and stare at what Is.

Soap-bubbles

2011-04-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

I like making soap-bubbles.

As a kid, I used to buy that soap-water mixture from fairs that made soap-bubble when you dipped a ring into the mixture and blew on it.

When I take bath, sometimes by closing that bottle of body-wash too fast, or rubbing that lather in between the fingers, or by a sheer miracle of the universe - a soap-bubble will form. And I take a moment to smile at it, look at my own personal rainbow that shines in it and watch the bubble fly away and then pop into air taking that rainbow with them.

When all good things end, they leave some sadness behind. Not soap-bubbles though. Not to me. I know they're going to burst as soon as they are formed. But I know that in their short life-span they're going to try and sore high and bear all the colors they possibly can.

I think they teach the perfect lesson of life. Try and soak in as many colors as you can, soar high before you pop into thin air and when you do that, try and leave a smile behind.

The only thing that makes me a little sad about them is that whenever a soap-bubble pops out, I try to create another one. But I never manage to do it. If I do, they're never like the one that popped out. They may be just as shiny or fly just as high, but they're never the same. I guess, there's a lesson in there too.

Regardless -

I like making soap-bubbles.

Something Stupid

2011-03-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

We all have done stupid things. Come on don't take that high ground and say you haven't? You know you have!

I have too. I've eaten that green chilly knowing I was going to breath fire later. I've jumped on a puddle knowing the shoes shall stink later and soaked feet would go numb. I've hit myself on my head playing with nun-chucks doing a Bruce Lee move, knowing one should not try that at home. I've done a lot more of those "stupid" things that defy logic and reasoning. But the frequency of doing those has reduced as I grew up. I wonder though whether it is a good thing.

Most of those were great experiences. The others are brilliant stories. They bring a grin on my face just when I think about them. My mom scolded me for half an hour for being that stupid to eat that chilly, as I drank glass after glass of water. But I grinned as I took each gulp. My colleagues made faces at my smelly feet and gave disgusted looks at my muddy feet. The damp feet were itchy. But I grinned thinking of that splash I had made. And my brother had to take me to the hospital over the nun-chucks accident, but all I could do was grin when the doctor asked how it all happened.

The point being if you don't overdo things (not everyone has to feature in a Jackass movie) and survive your stupidity. Its so worth it.

I feel stupid today and think I'll go ahead and do something I gleefully regret later. Go on do something stupid today and gift yourself a story to tell.

What is Love?

2011-03-29T04:27:00.000-07:00

Long time back my brother wrote - 'Love is that syncing feeling'.

Couldn't agree more. But I often still wonder.

If I meet a girl, I have the best stories about me to tell her. All the good jokes I haven't told her yet. And most importantly she doesn't know me or my past, so I could be at my best and do things the right way.

But what happens after we've spent some months together. The stories and jokes are all exhausted. The fun and mystery in the process of knowing each other is gone. And we know who we really are. Scary, eh? What happens next? We get back to the normal mundane life, which does not include spending hours talking over phone or eating out every second day and watching every god forsaken movie that's out there. All then is left, is weaving good intellectual conversations from everyday life - minus the hyperbole of awe and excitement.

I think of a relationship as climbing the top of a hill. The uphill road is tough and it takes a lot of time to get up there. But you keep pushing for you want to know how it feels to be at the top. You enjoy the thrill of reaching there.

Once you reach the top, its a surreal feeling. The cold breeze, the clear sky and the magnificent view is an awesome feeling. But after spending some time there at the top, you realize the hard fact that you have to get down. You want to stay up there forever but you can't.

The downhill journey is easy. Its fast. But its never exciting. You go down with heavy steps and a heavier heart.

I know that everyone who's climbing a hill, knows he has to get down. But they still go up for the thrill of it. And that its totally worth it.

But to me, love is finding that someone with whom I'll enjoy the downhill journey too. Someone with whom the stars will look just as bright and the sky just as clear standing in a deep valley as they do from that hill-top. For that one needs to know the other person well. Like, really well. And still love them for they are. That's tough.

And here-in we complete the vicious circle. You want to know, how you'd do, when things are not as exciting and the colors around you are not so bright. But to get there you must go through the rosy patch of blissful excitement. Only to find more thorns than roses, when you explore a little more.

Which brings me to conclude : Lyfe iz a beach!

She & Him - Data Transfer

2010-09-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

"Lets set-up a wireless LAN and initiate the data transfer", she proposed.

I grabbed a portable hard-drive from by bag. "No need. I've got this."

"You'll put the data from your laptop into the drive and then I'll copy from the drive. It'll be twice the hassle. We can do it in one go using LAN."

"Yeah. But it'll take twice as much time with the amount of data you want. This way is faster."

"We won't know for sure till we give it a try."

"Fine. Go ahead. Do what you want."

"Right. So do you know how to set it up?"

"You don't?"

"No. But how hard can it be?"

"We meet once in ages, and this is how you want to pass your time?"

"Fine. Lets do it your way. But swap the laptops."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want everyone in the cafe to see you holding an XPS while I'm still with an Inspiron."

"You're sick."

"What? I love new-powerful toys."

"Ever considered buying your own?"

"I will. In time. But for now, swap them."

"Fine!"

"So how's the job going?"

"Its the same old routine everyday. Mindless meetings, crappy coding and fruitless efforts."

"Why are you still there, then?"

"Because they pay good money. And its the same everywhere."

"You should start something of your own then."

"I know, I should. I always like creating something. Something I can call my own. But I don't know if I'd be able to pull it off. You know, I never aced in school or college. That was your department."

"You have a sharp mind. You just hated studies and I loved it. I'm sure you'll do great in anything you put your mind in."

"You sound like my mom."

"Well, sometimes... sometimes parents are right."

"You really think so?"

"Ye-ah. They are not always wrong!"

"No. I meant, you really think I can do it?"

"Hey, there's a reason I'm still friends with you after 13 years of knowing you."

"Right."

She & Him - Stronger

2010-09-08T02:10:00.000-07:00

"Hey!"

"Hey back!"

"You look... um... different."

"Don't start on the hair again."

"Oh yeah! That is different."

"Yeah. Yeah. It was long over-due. I finally got them straightened out."

"Kudos, to technology, eh? I bet if they can straighten that out, they can even build a machine to straighten the..."

"Choose your next words carefully, if you don't want to feel my wrath, " she interrupted.

"Point taken"

"I see you've lost most of your weight too."

"Yup. Hostel food - guarantees to keep you in shape."

"Ours is not so bad."

"I can see."

"What do you mean by - Aie khan zee. I play badminton for two hours daily. I'm the third seeded in my college."

"So I guess there are only three of you who play, eh?"

"Shut-up. I can beet you with a five point handicap."

"Puh-lease. Its one thing to brag and another to rant wishful thinking"

"You think you can beat me with this?" She pointed to my biceps, "I bet I've got an inch or more over yours."

"Okay now you are insulting my manhood."

"I'm just insulting your pathetic biceps. You'd know if I insult your manhood. Come on, lets measure them."

She starts to roll up her sleeves and pump her biceps.

"You can't be serious. We're in a mall! Everyone's giving us that crazy-eyed look."

"You chickening out? Afraid of being embarrassed in public?"

"We meet after two years and all you care about is measuring biceps! You do realize we guys don't dig masculine babes right?

I start to walk away, as she followed swinging her arms - "Puckak-puck-puck"

She & Him - Classroom Blues

2010-09-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

You know how dogs wag their tails and listen only to their owners. They pretty much just bark and chase away everyone else. That's how computers were to her. And me. We were those owners who loved them, understood them and spoke their language. So it was no surprise we always looked forward to our Computer Practical classes, when the sight of twenty PC-486s all lined up, shining pretty used to feel like paradise. What came as a surprise though was she looked bored. In front of a computer!

She kept pressing the enter/eject button of the CD ROM drive. Sliding the drive out. Sliding the drive back in. Now, I would have drown sexual references from that action. Come on, I know some of your dirty minds thought of that too. But I was in eighth standard back then. Probably the last year before all the girls discovered their power of seduction and realized they could control our hearts with just a wink or a nod.

"What do you think you're doing?", I asked.

"What do you think I'm doing?"

"Um. Playing with the CD ROM drive?"

"Wow. You're a genius."

"Okay. So you're in that mood today."

"Ya' think?"

"And who pissed you off this time?"

"No one...well everyone!"

"They made fun of your hair again?"

"You're walking on thin ice, mister."

"Then what? You couldn't write the program?"

"Very thin ice."

"Well, I give up. Whats bothering you then?"

"Why do we have to make these stupid programs always? Print Fibonacci series, check for palindrome, sort the numbers.... I can write these in my sleep!"

"May be, it has something to do with the fact that these programs are in our school curriculum and are going to be asked in exams."

"Still. I want to learn more. But we have to wait till the others stop forgetting to add semicolon after each statement and catch-up."

"Or we can create our problems to solve?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"How about creating a program that enters a persons name and tells his horoscope. We'll program it to say horrible things except when our names are entered?"

"Sounds like fun. I'll write the code. You work on the content to write."

"Hey, I want to code too. It was my idea in the first place."

"I still have my floppy disk that has the blaster worm. You know the one that automatically reboots your system every 15 min.?"

"Content it is."

A New Story

2010-07-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

She held her hands behind her back to avoid touching the ruby as she circled around it. Observing it from every angle.

“So just-like-that, they let you keep this?”

“You seem surprised? The scrolls we found along with this, have immense historical value. Since I turned them over to state, they offered me this, as a token of their appreciation. And I graciously accepted.”

“ Doesn't sound like them”, she snapped. “Did anything unusual happen when you removed it from its position?”

“Unusual how?”

“Well, I don’t know! Did the walls start shaking or pillars started falling down?”

Her voice was void of any sarcasm, so he studied her face making sure there wasn't any. “No shaking. No falling”

She rested her hands on her waist. “Are you mocking me?”

“Of-course not, hon.” He lied.

She squinched an eyebrow. “No poisoned arrows flew by either?”

“Nope.”

“Did the scrolls say if it is stolen? Or cursed?”

“Why would you think such awful things? Its just a really-old-rare-gem with nothing unusual.”

She fell backwards on the bed,”Well this sucks!”

The dancing lights did little to hide the disappointment in her eyes as she stared at the chandelier.

“I truly thought you'd like it.”

She sat back upright. “Don't get me wrong. Its beautiful and I love it. I really do. I just hoped... just wished it had a story to tell. That’s all.”

He placed the ruby in her hands and gently kissed them. “It has one now.”

Yertle The Turtle

2010-07-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Yertle the turtle

was the bravest of turtles

In the whole of turtle town

Yertle the turtle

was more than a turtle

so he left the turtle town

He traveled across

the criss-cross world

to find something not found

And he swam along

the lush-long waves

to live his dreams unbound

He swam and swam

and swam some more

till his voice clittered

He swam and swam

till he reached a shore

and his heart fluttered

His eyes went purple

Uncommon for a turtle

When he first saw Nancy

She sold sea-shells
On the sea-shore
A thing, he sure did fancy

'Oh wow, A turtle!'

She ran to Yertle

and ran she did some faster

Yertle the turtle

became Nancy's turtle

and happily lived ever after

The Clock strikes 13

2010-07-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Jason's 13th Clarity of Night - Short Fiction Writing Contest is 'Uncovered'.

Write a 250 word short fiction piece on the following photo prompt:

Prizes worth $290 and 2 signed copies of The Tavernier Stones By its author Stephen Parrish, who will co-judge the contest along with Jason.

Contest starts July 19th and then, you'll have 10 days to send him your entries.
Put on your thinking caps and join the fun ride HERE

The Time-traveler's Girlfriend

2010-06-16T01:35:00.000-07:00

Posted previously on Flash Fiction:

Gregory played with the glowing lights on the panel as Abby studied the bottle on the table.

“How is this supposed to work again?” Abby asked in a trembling voice.

Gregory shook his head and breathed out a sigh, “I’ve told you this, like a million times already. Leave the science to me. You just be prepared to be a part of the most historic moment of mankind.”

“No. I want to understand. Why do we need this bottle of scotch again?”

Gregory put his glasses down and walked to Abby, “Look. The reason time traveling always fails is there are just too many variables. Add to that - trouble avoiding getting sucked into inter-dimensional worm holes… what I’m trying to say is; there has to be constant involved.”

“Okay” was all Abby could manage, blinking her eyes as his hands clenched on her shoulders.

“I have been unable to perfect the equation so that it could teleport us to specific co-ordinates back in time. Right now, it requires a constant… an object that existed both in the current time and in during the timeline you wish to visit. The bottle is that constant.”

“How old is this bottle?” Abby picked it up to analyze it.

“DO NOT…”, he snatched the bottle back and kept it back on the table, “Do not touch it honey. I know that our family had had this bottle for at least six generations. Now, let me finish my work. In about five more minutes you’ll be witnessing a miracle.”

“Where would we be going. I mean how far back?” squeaked Abby, still not sure what she was getting into.

“We’ll be visiting my great grand father. I’ve been told he was one of the greatest geniuses of his time. As am I. Its always a pleasure to meet a fellow great mind. We all know how rare they are. Right then, I’ll pull this switch and here we go. We’re ready. Go to your spot and do not move.”

They both entered their chambers. As the red light on the panel turned to green, they were gone. Disappeared from the spot they stood.

Hardly a second would have passed by and then they were back.

Abby stormed out of the chamber and threw her purse at the bottle.

“Abby! Calm down. Do not throw anything at the machine.”

“A miracle! Historic moment of mankind, my ass!”, she shouted. “You took me back in time to show me your great grandfather fucking… sorry thats too cheap a word for a genius like you, right. Your great gradfather fornicating with some… some whatever…. what kind of sick pervert are you?”

“Abby… hon, I couldn't have known.”

“God knows where else the bottle had been in those six generation of yours. The things they were doing with it. Eww… I’m leaving.”

“Abby, wait. I also have my mom’s necklace. She said its atleast a 100 yrs old.” He heard the door shut behind Abby as he stood shouting, “Abby… Abby!”

One Up

2010-05-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

April is always good to me when it comes to blogging. Though I didn't do much poetry this year for the poetry month, but Flash Fiction saw some wonderfully written posts from friends Old and new.

Here's what you've missed :

Taking Baby Steps by Kirti Manian

With All Flags Flying by Karen

The Muse by Aditi

Like Never Before - The Heaven's Terrace by Abhi

Conquered by Margaret

The Holiday by Amrita

And to save you a click, here's what I wrote:

Married Life

“You had to bring him up here, didn’t you?” Susan said as Rufus ran circles around her

“What else was I supposed to do? Leave him alone at home while we go hiking for two days?” Mark defended.

“We could have left him with Sharon.”

“You know he hates Sharon!”

“He’s a dog! I’m sure he can adjust for a couple of days”

“Oh so he’s just a dog now?” Mark turned to Susan, “And who says ‘Come to Mommy’ a million times a day?”

“You know I love him and didn’t mean it like that. He is not just a dog, but he is getting old and I don’t know if he’ll be able to go through the trip.”

“He is not old. Look at him running those circles around you.”

“He is eight, Mark. That’s like 80 in dog years.”

“Dogs don’t have their calenders. Eight years is just eight years. He’s in the best shape of his life. Aren’t you Rufy?”

Rufus let his tongue out and wiggled his tail.

“See. He agrees” Mark proudly flashed his whites.

“Don’t you agree that your Paa is a stubborn old man, Rufus?” asked Susan with her hands on her waist.

Rufus turned to her and wiggled his tail again.

“And he agrees” she retorted.

“Guess you’ll be staying at Sharon’s next time, eh?” Mark gruffed.

With that Rufus sprinted across to the other side of the bridge.

“Told you he didn’t like Sharon”, Mark grinned, “I’ll go ahead and see he doesn’t wander off too far.”

“Wait for me Mark. I can’t cross this bridge on my own.”

“Guess Rufus ain’t the only one getting old.”

“Its got nothing to do with my age. I’m scared of heights.”

“Why the hell did you agree to go on a trek then? What did you think, we’ll be going to the middle earth?”, said Mark, who was already half-way across the bridge.

“I can see now that it was clearly a mistake. Now you’re coming back here or what?”

“I better check on Rufus first. Come on wifey, you can do it. Its just a bridge.” Mark got off the bridge and went after Rufus.

“Mark. I demand you come back here… please. Please, come back. Mark! Maaaark! There’ll be no breakfast for you for a month. Six months! I mean it!”

I'm feelin good

2010-04-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

I am super happy with the turnout of Stories and Poems on http://flashfiction.in for its first prompt.

If you've not joined the party so far, here's what you've missed (and you're only chance at redemption :P) :-

Postcard by Joaquin Carvel
(One of his best... as always)

Sanatorium by Sarah Hina
(The lady never disappoints, does she?)

Entombed by Metaphoracly
(She never left a link to her blog, would love to read more of her work.
She might be Jen for all I know. Whoever she is, she writes super!)

Vacation by Lena
(The creator of The Colors Magazine herself, ladies and gents! :P)

Homecoming by Margaret
(One of the kindest souls I've encountered. By encountered I mean kinda met... not like shot in a cold alley or something. And the gentleness flows in her writing through her words.)

Coming Home by Karen
(She excels in pretty much all forms of writing. But she Rocks with a big R at Nature poetry. If you haven't paid her a visit yet, slap yourself on your head 3 times and rush now.)

And

The Right Thing by Your's truly! :P
(I know... I know... roses and thorns. All in the name of learning. :) )

Still plenty days left for the second prompt to write on, if you feel like it.
Thanks for all the love!

Identity - Katha Sagar Contest

2010-04-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Have submitted a short story to Indimag's Katha Sagar contest.

If you are interested in reading it, it is up here.

Oh, and of course, make sure you read the post before this one. (What can I say, I'm a tough salesman!)

There and back again...

2010-03-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I moved to http://flashfiction.in and then got back here.

It was for the reason that I always wanted to make Flash Fiction as a writing portal where people could interact and share their work. I kept putting it off due to lack of time.

Also, handling two blogs together was taking a toll on me.

So now, I've set up the one thing I had been wanting to for a long time now.

And the best part is, I am not required to keep it running on my own. We all would be required.

Now, I know that everyone is busy with their own lives, and its hard keeping a blog up.

But if you think you can donate one piece every fortnight and help some newbies on the block like me, then please please please pay http://flashfiction.in a visit and see if you're interested to play along.

Looking forward to see you all there, but I'd understand if you're not up for the idea. :)

Hero

2010-03-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

At that very moment, if anyone would have come to shoot me - I'd have let him.

We were outnumbered twenty-to-one by the enemy side. They had told me to stay back because I was the youngest in my unit. Because they wanted to keep me safe. Wanted to keep me alive. And when I saw them fall one after the other, I ran. I ran till my feet gave away, and then some more. I fell face down on the grass and I just laid there. Ashamed. Disgraced. Defeated. I half wished someone would come and put a bullet in my chest. Wishes, they never come true.

I didn't know where I was, or I'd have told you. I don't think it matters anyway.
But I was barely conscious when I heard a woman and a child scream for help.

I couldn't just lie there and do nothing. Not again. I couldn't just stay and do nothing...again. So I gathered all the strength I could and I ran towards where the screams came from.

I saw an old farm house with a lady sitting by the door. The screams had stopped.
I approached the house with my gun in my hands.

"I heard the screams. Who is inside the house?" I asked her.

She did not reply. I could see two pairs of glowing eyes from inside the house.
I clutched my gun tight and asked her again, "Who is inside? Why were they screaming?"

The lady whispered, "Go away. Leave us alone."

I could see the sadness on her face. Her mournful voice echoed in my ears. I stared at the two pairs of eyes. I couldn't just walk away. I thought it was just some asshole beating up his family and I entered the house. I thought I could save them.

I joined the army because I wanted to be a hero. To save at least one life.
I couldn't, while I lived.

Maybe now is my chance of saving one by haunting you in your dreams.
If you ever hear those screams, if you see three pairs of eyes staring back at you and there's a lady that asks you to go back - Listen to her.

Other side

2010-03-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

Dearest Diary's Feb. accounts
On tired fingers here I count

On my feet, again I stood
New job, new friends, life is good

Work is a bit more than one would like
But would it still be 'work', if I did like?

Then came my birthday and celebrations with friends
We played and partied, oh, to no end.

I had checkpoints for self, on completing twenty-five
They were dreams about work, writing and a probable wife

I didn't do great, it wasn't that bad either
I have somethings, its still better than neither.

Looking forward to the other side
Hoping they too shall slip and slide

Thats pretty much my current and mine in queue
Rhyme you must, wassup with you?

Charlie

2010-02-20T00:13:00.000-08:00

"That's such a lovely dog, Susan! What's his name?"

"Charlie."

"Hulloh Charlie! Its an English Seltar right?"

She stared at Charlie as he ran circles around her legs. "Could be. I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? You must have asked before buying him?"

"I didn't buy him."

"Did someone gift him to you?"

"What do you care, Milly?" She picked up Charlie and patted him, avoiding Milly's stare.

"Oh, come on Susan. I'm your best friend. Your only friend for all I know.

If someone gifts you a dog, and such a beautiful one at that, I deserve to know who he his."

Charlie was now curled up in her laps and was licking her cheeks. Just as he did the first time she saw her a week ago.

She was sitting on the same park bench as she sat today, when Charlie came running towards her. She screamed when he first jumped on her lap, which was soon followed by her, laughing her heart out as he kept licking her cheeks. And then he came chasing Charlie.

"I am sorry if he scared you. He never misbehaves.

Come on Charlie. You don't wanna make the nice lady angry"

She couldn't help but flash a smile. She caressed Charlie. "It's no trouble. I like dogs, I always wanted to own one. And Charlie here, is very cute. I am jealous of you."

"To be honest, right now I'm jealous of Charlie", he smirked.

She couldn't hide the blush on her cheeks.

"I'm Albert"

"Susan" She said as she handed Charlie over to him.

"I'm walking Charlie home Susan. We live just couple of blocks down.

If you want you can walk me down." He grinned. "That way, you'll know where to find him if you miss Charlie."

She bit her lower lip as she gathered her thoughts. "Are you this straight forward with all the women?"

"Not all. But I trust Charlie's taste."

She pushed her hair from her face and tugged them behind her ears. "Can't argue with that logic. And since I have to go down the same road. Lets have that walk."

He kept flirting and made her blush twice again as they walked the two blocks.

"Well, this is it", he said, "We live right across the stree..."

"Why are there Cops in front of your house? Is everything okay?" She enquired.

"I'll have to hurry Susan. Take care of Charlie. I'll find you soon." He handed over Charlie to her and ran away.

She just stood there, trying to soak in what just happened.

"Susan! Are you okay?", asked Milly. "Its okay, I wont ask who gave you the dog."

"A stranger gave it to me last week. He was a felon of some sort. i think.

He handed me the dog and ran away." She blurted gasping for breath.

"Its alright if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to make up bizarre stories."

Blip

2010-02-08T02:36:00.000-08:00

Hershey's or Toblerone? Always, a tough choice.

Dave rubbed his chin thinking it over

Why do these super-marts keep chocolates over at the check out counter? I'm at the check-out counter! I've already have all I want to purchase in my sweet little cart. But no, they have to play that trick and show these chocolates, right at the end, when I have cash in my hands and a moments time to decide. I won't fall for it. I wont buy them this time.

Dave bought two of each. He pushed his shopping-cart towards the exit.

He had only taken a couple of steps that he heard it. THUMP!

What the hell was that?

He heard people shouting 'earthquake', 'bomb', and taking cover.

It wasn't an earthquake! The ground didn't shake.

But everything else did.

Before he could figure out what it was there was another. Way louder than the previous one.

There were screams and curses all over the place.

The whole place started rising from the ground. Tilting at an angle.

People fell, sliding across the floor.

May be the mall itself is crashing down...

Dave dashed for the exit avoiding the shopping carts and goods that rolled towards him.

It wasn't just the mall!

Outside looked like a ride at an amusement park. The one all scared to take.

Roads rising at an incline. Cars sliding into crumbling houses.

He stared up, towards the rising road. What the hell...

Imagine the sky as one big-huge theater screen. The largest one possible.

A face covered half of it. Face of a baby, laughing at the whole place was getting destroyed.

Two more shock waves followed as the baby banged his hands on the sky.

Yes, ON THE SKY. The sky seemed to be covered by some sort of...um...glass. As if, we all were inside a snow globe.

A school bus came sliding straight at Dave. He had nowhere to run.

He didn't even try. He kept staring at the baby... up in the sky. He saw two hands grab the baby and taking him away.

Dave thought it was a baby boy, could have been a girl.

The school bus was a couple of feet away from Dave. He was too much in shock to comprehend death.

That's when everything went dark with a blip. Every thing.

The next moment...

Hershey's or Toblerone? Always, a tough choice.

Dave rubbed his chin thinking it over.

"Wait a second, Professor. You mean Dave was dreaming all this while?", a student asked.

Professor adjusted his spectacles with shaking hands. He looked up, at his students, "I'm afraid not. I thought the same when I first met Dave as my test subject. But now, after 17 years of research, I can say without a doubt that he wasn't dreaming.

"Then what exactly happened? You don't believe his story do you? I mean a baby in the sky and the world getting restarted back to normal after getting all broken up! Come on!"

"That is exactly what I believe, did happen, as improbable as it sounds. He remembered bits and pieces of the incident and I helped him connect them all.

After years of research, and hunting the truth, I remember it too.

Prepare yourselves,for what I'm about to show you will change your beliefs, your ideology and your life, forever."

He turned towards the projector screen and pressed the play button on his remote.

That's when everything went dark with a blip. Every thing.

(Oh, and for those who don't know but care, I got a new job last week. Working with one of the leading Television studios in India now. Good money. ;) )

Family Matters

2009-12-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

We stood there staring at the canyons and the mountains scattered in front of us.
It looked like a child has had his way on the canvas, mixing all the colours - splashing them around and created a masterpiece.

"You know, everyone said I wont be able to pull off this trip at my age.
They kept saying that I'm too old and should just rest." Grandma said.

I put an arm on her shoulder and said "Well they are not entirely wrong. You should be taking much more rest than you usually do. We all care for you."

She reacted in kind and said, "I know that. I haven't painted my hair white.
I've seen the world change, seen the people change.
But family... you can always count on them. Always, keep family close, okay?"

"You know you're sounding so much like The Godfather!" I teased.

"The who?"

"Never mind. I promise to keep the family close."

She gave a warm smile and continued "They might see an old hag when they look at me, but when my grandkids are around. Am strong. Am proud. Proud that I did okay in life.

I've made my fair share of mistakes in life. Took plenty of wrong turns.
But looking at how you and your brother turned out, I feel... content.

I may not know many things. But I know how to raise my kids."

"That, and how to cook the most delicious food. You're the best cook ever."

She beamed. "Yeah. That I am."

Ha-haha-ha- ho-ho- hi - ha-ha! (The Joker way) Ho Ho Ho! (Or the plain ol' Santa way) You wanna know how I got these chocolate-bars? :)

A merry Christmas to you all, your family & loved ones.
Hope you all have the best of times ahead.

And who knows, if the bar for BAD set so high these days, we might just sneak in to manage to land on the side that was GOOD last year. I smell gifts. :D :D

Tea-Time Story

2009-12-03T03:08:00.000-08:00

The red haired witch and
Half-tooth wizard
Chatted for a while.

They revealed a few secrets
Shared some spells
and exchanged wicked smiles

"The prince has been
a bit too charming
Its time -He must die!"

"Don't forget the damsel
He holds so dear"
The wizard coughed a sigh

"A curse, a trick or
One of the new daemons
What then shall we choose?"

"Good ol' poison
Could also do it,
Oh, I'm so confused!"

They plotted and schemed
and planned it all,
casually sipping their tea.

And never noticed
the spying couple
Now smiling with glee

The witch and the wizard
both dropped dead
Out-schemed, poisoned and choked

The damsel and prince
kissed in delight
Relieved, smitten, love soaked

Whats the point?
You may ask, sir
Whats the moral of story?

"Times have changed"
My answer will be,
The gracefuls have now turned gory!

Randomness II

2009-11-19T01:51:00.000-08:00

Vesper tagged me to tell 7 random things about me:

Now you probably know how the award policy goes over at MoD.
For those who don't:
1. I no longer display awards on the homepage for the simple reason - They make the page heavy and increase the load time , thereby irritating the few readers who take the pain to come here.
2. The award by default goes to anyone who comes over here and drops a nice comment. I know, ain't I generous.
3. Many a times tags become obligatory and since we are a bunch of super-nice people we do them, so as not to hurt the feelings of one who tagged them. I however, do only those tags that interest me. (This one does enough, to make me do it twice)
So going by the same policy, consider yourself tagged if you think it'll be fun. I'll be very much interested to know a little more about you. Curious, that's me. Always.
So now -
I have already done a similar tag, log time back. I believe it was 25 random things about you. But well, I’m a pretty random person, so 7 more should be easy.

Here are some random facts that will help you with nothing as you never needed to know them in the first place.
1. I collect souvenirs for all my happy memories and keep it in my wallet.
I have movie tickets to my first date, a song dedication card to ‘The lady in the pink’ we met at a restaurant (the prettiest girl I’ve seen till date, don’t even know her name. But being a good sport, she raised a toast at the dedication. Perfect ending, if you ask me), receipt of the birthday cake I bought for a certain someone, and other tit-bits like that.

At times, when am down I just look at them and they always give me a smile. Trust me, it always works.
2. I always keep my books in such a way that the bounded side faces the ceiling fan. Because the air makes the pages of a paperback fluff up. I hate that. I love reading virgin books.
3. I am a mimicry artist. I actually do pretty good voice imitations of Scrappy Doo, The Mask, The Joker, Optimus Prime, Master Yoda and a few others. It fetched me a free laptop in a competition I took part in. I love to talk in a Russian accent, just forrr fan.
4. I love driving my motorbike. (Vesper, You liked fast rides, right? :P) Driving to nowhere on the highway, driving post midnight, driving in the rains – I love it all. Going on bike trips was pretty much the highlight of my college life.
5. I often complain how I never had a girlfriend, and what it is I do wrong with women?
My sister answered me: Sit on your bike. Don’t comb your hair. Don’t give a 5 inch smile when a girl looks at you. And, keep your mouth shut. If you do talk, talk more about her and less about yourself.

It’s the best piece of advice I ever got. I try follow it to the letter but the last bit is the hardest part.

While we are at this topic - The second best advice was given to me by my High School English teacher, Mrs. Geetha Krishnan. She said “My dear Aniket! The fact that god has given us two eyes and two ears but only one mouth; itself suggests that we should see and hear twice as much as we speak.” She is my fav. Teacher, along with time.
6. I was hopelessly in love with a girl for 8 years. We are not in talking terms anymore. I started penning down those 8 years and mid-way turned it to fiction piece cause I did not like the end, reality offered. I didn’t want to recall or write the end of it. It is the first post on this blog. I found Sarah’s blog while writing it and started experimenting with my writing. Then Jason’s contest happened and I met most of you all.
7. Whoever thinks blogging is JUST a tool to vent out your emotions and crib about the social scenario and your daily life, should go through my blogroll and meet my blogger friends. Some of the best things that happened to me over the last year:

a. Jason and Sarah proof read some of written pieces and gave me pointers on how to improve. They had no obligation to take that extra effort or to go that extra mile. But they did. For that I’ll be eternally thankful. I have not kept them as my inspiration and mentor on the blogroll for no reason. Getting into the forties club gave me such a high!

b. Cindy Pon (is Awesome) sent me signed artwork and book mark when I got her novel “Silver Phoenix” (is awesome too). It is till date my only book signed by the author. (Hope you’re listening Joaquin.)

c. Margaret gave a call on her visit to India and totally made my Diwali. Okay, I might have emotionally blackmailed her into doing that but still, it counts.

d. My interactions with Aine over her blog finally helped me move on from that 8 yr long stint. It wasn’t easy. You’ll get the picture if you read some of my awfully sad poems (both literally and figuratively) I used to write in the early days.

e. Jennifer and Kriti (for sure), Margaret too (I guess), even Mahesh (I think) have gone back and read all of my posts. A torture I would have never undergone willingly. Many thanks for that.

People often compare the real life friends over the ones in the virtual world. I seldom do cause they have impacted my life, thinking and morality equally. Honestly, I don’t see much of a difference apart from the fact that I have drinks with half of them on facebook and in a bar with the rest. :D

Told ya’ I like to talk about myself. :)

I suck at keeping promises!

2009-11-10T23:56:00.000-08:00

Not bacon, not sausages
Not even Ham…
Come on you know me
Who I am?
I come between the E and the O
In what rhymes with towels
And no I’m not one
To write about bowels!

Now that you’ve figured out
My message's first word
Let's play some more for
The second and the third

I am the second in this
Right very sentence
Just say out loud Eminem –
That’ll end all the suspense.

The third one’s the one
Makes me hang my head in shame.
For having disappeared writing novel
And be busy playing games.
It’s been a busy month
Much like the African safari.
So the last word, says it all
How deeply I am - ….

Guess you've figured out what I meant to say by now. :P
All the cryptic stuff coz I've been playing my fav. game of all times - Klueless http://www.ahvan.in/ahvan/klueless5/
It's an online treasure hunt game. And yours truly is again in the Hall of Fame this year for being in the top 25o (#95 actually out of the thousands who play it) to complete all 38 levels.
That took only 3 days (of no sleep, minimal food and lotsa rants from family, friends and bosses) though.

So for the rest of the days I've been away I'll blame it on Cat for making me enroll into NaNoWriMo. I sucked at that. Have only written around 6000 words.

Also, I've resigned from my job with no back up option mind you.
Call it a leap of faith. I am totally sure that the job I was doing I didn't want to do that.
Am pretty confident I'll be able to make it well into the work I love doing.
Most probably I'll be moving into a small firm of 10-15 people.

So there. Too many things to do. Too little time. But would never want to let my blog die. So I'll make time. Next week is my last in the current company. Hopefully, things would be smoother from then onwards. So 'forget me not' while am away okay?

I'll be Back! (Or may be, I am.. :D)

Quickie - Contest Info

2009-10-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

First of all, sorry being late to inform. You know am doing a million things right now.

So the thing is that there is this awesome 55 word fiction contest happening over at Lena's place here http://www.thecolorsmagazine.com (come on, you do know her from her Tuesday Love ramblings don't you?)

Now if you know me well enough, you know am not that big a fan of 55WF. It doesn't mean I don't like reading them. I do. Its just at I suck at writing one. Maybe that's the reason I've only written 2 of them yet. And if you want to shower in some love the second one (being my last minute contest entry by the way) lies here MY CONTEST ENTRY.

So if you love 55WF be sure to check out the fun event. :D

Fair warning: Its not for the weak hearted, mind you. Plenty of babies dying out there! (Just kiddin' :P)

PS: Oh, my brother got me a katana! Yatta!!!!!!!!!

He told me over the phone. He's gone on another trip and would be back next week. I can't wait to get my hands on it. It doesn't have all that sharp a blade though. Or so he says. Whatever be the case, I'll handle it much more carefully than the nanchakus. I promise. :P Will try and post a pic soon.

This is my way of the Ninja!

Experiment No. # 42: Spirit of Adventure

2009-09-29T03:54:00.000-07:00

Aim:
To practice all the cool moves of Nunchakus in one night with minimal Karate training.

Apparatus Required:
A pair of Nunchakus, a drunk Karate sensei and a willing idiot (that’s me)

Procedure:
Get someone who knows Karate (No problem there. My room mate is a Brown belt)
Get a pair of Nunchakus. (No problem there, too. He owns a pair.)
Get drunk like hell. (Easy. My elder brother is a saint. He doesn’t allow me to drink, not even a sip, in front of him. So with him gone on tour for a couple of weeks, it was party time!)
Now to learn the cool moves from the drunk karate master who surprisingly in his subconscious state still manages to pull them off quite easily.
Practice them with perfection (Now THIS was not that easy. I thought I had pulled it off quite well and slept proud of myself.)

Result:
Woke up next day with a head injury, some internal bleeding and a swollen eye. Got a bashing from big brother on his return. Got even greater bashing when he caught me looking at the swelling in the mirror and saying ‘So Cool’!

Conclusion:
When they say ‘DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME’ they are probably right.
But then again, one should never let the spirit of adventure die. Watching ‘UP’ just re-instated that belief. Am still practicing, but only when am sober.

Flower and the Bee

2009-08-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

You won’t believe
What I saw
The prettiest flower
With the ugliest bee

It buzzed its wings
And clanked its claw
The flower sat pretty
And smiled with glee

I shouted ‘O flower,
Don’t stare in awe;
It’ll feed on you,
Then it’s going to flee’

Flower smirked
To let me know
Her life story
A secret to keep

‘All the chemicals
You spray for me to grow
Make me pretty but
Are poisons to me.

They feed on me
But little do they know
Die they will soon
And will die saving me

Don’t give me that look
You reap what you sow
If you want the same fate
Go on, Kiss me’

I ran as it laughed
A ‘hee-haw-haw’
Ran hard, as it laughed
A ‘hee-haw-hee’!

Life updates time (Okay, most of you already know this all so you might wanna skip this):
I had an accident and hurt my hands. That prevented me from typing for a week. But now am as fine the morning sunshine (I Hate mornings with a capitol “H” by the way)

I also shifted cities and am now staying with my brother. Met some old friends in the new office and made some new friends too. Life is good here, apart from the fact that I have to wake up at 6 in the morning to catch my bus to office. 6 in the Morning! Did I mention I HATE mornings?

I wish I was a vampire. Apart from good looks, eternal life, blood sucking orgies, etc one thing I would most relish is not to see mornings… ever!

Okay, I believe I got a bit carried away by emotions there, coming back to updates I also have an exam I am preparing for sometime mid October.

So in short the plate is full on my end. So please bear (or drink beer) with me for a while. Will be back on full throttle around October end. I will be posting and reading till then but wont be able to do so at a pace I would like to. Peace out!

PS: Do make sure to drop by my other blog www.flashfiction.in if haven't done so already. :)

Awkward Lift Encounter

2009-07-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

(If you are interested in my fiction writing, I have moved to www.flashfiction.in

New post is up!)

I had my Awkward Lift Encounter today.

I presume you all must be aware of that at one time or the other in life we all have these:

1. Slow Motion Walk

When you are totally in love with someone. And see him/her looking exceptionally beautiful/after a long time/both, you may have this moment.

When you are caught cheating/beating/flirting/dozing/basically anything you are not supposed to in school and are asked to visit the principal/some teacher you surely don't wanna meet, you surely have that walk.

Or when you are in a college of some freakishly old university where results are still published outside the gates of university building first, and are on net a month later and you go to check your exam results.
You will most certainly have that walk.

Or... okay I guess you got the point.

I've had that slow motion walk plenty of times. (Also, apparently I am that much of a slow-walker that people think I'm having that slow motion walk all the time.
Hmm... Anakin Slowalker. How does that sound? :D)

2. Extreme Slow Motion head turn

When you are desperately waiting for someone and your heart is aching for that one glimpse.
Right then he/she appears just behind you and calls out your name.
Quite often than rare, instead of jumping up, you'll have that Extreme slow motion head turn. When you're in love, you'll know.

Alternatively, if you totally engrossed while watching stuff you-shouldn't-be-watching on your computer and you sense your Dad is standing right behind you.
Again you'll have Extreme slow motion head turn, but the feeling is not nearly as same. Trust me!

There can be other examples too but owing to your great intelligence and my greater laziness, we wont cover them here.

3. Awkward Lift Encounter

And lastly, ladies and gents comes the (in)famous Awkward lift encounter.

We all have them sooner or later in life.
Okay we will not consider kid pressing random buttons or the next guy farting as awkward moments here because... um... just because I don't feel like it, and they are just too common.

So the moment I am talking about is When the lift door opens and you find that a super hot lady (Yes, This is my story, so just male POV here) is standing inside...alone.

You are stupefied debating whether to enter or not. Of course, its not like you are entering her house or something, but your sense of thinking straight vanishes that very moment.

You then enter the lift and find a place to stand in a macho style, not eying her directly, trying to act cool.
Only to realize a second later that you haven't pressed the button to your intended destination (which in my case happened to be the ground floor).

You soon realize that the gods are conspiring against you, as when you take those two steps and stretch your hand to press the button, you find its already pressed.
You look like an idiot but you feel for a moment "Yes, she too is going to the ground floor" and then you feel "She is only going to the 'Ground floor' you moron. Its not like she's going with you to your home."

You then go back to the place you stood before and stand in the same macho position.
Now this all happens in about couple of seconds, mind you (Trivia: Super hot chicks have the ability to slow down the time. )

Now, the lift door is finally closing (Yes, its a very slow lift, stop interrupting me!) and you find a friend of yours is running to catch the lift.
You try to put your foot between the closing door, but fail. Only you hitt the door with your leg.

As if that wasn't enough to make you feel like a dumbass you decide to say "Whoops!" as a reflex action.
You give her a glance and find her smiling at you.

Now your mind is debating that she is smiling coz maybe Aphrodite,Isis, Venus, Shekinah or Havah is feeling over generous today.
Or may be she's just trying not to laugh on your little stunt.

While you are debating this, the lift has traveled those two floors and the door opens.
She gives a glance at you smiling as she steps out and you go a different way thinking "What if?"

PS: Feel free to share any of your moments in above categories. I wont breach the writer-commenter confidentiality agreement. Junior wood-chuck promise.

Welcome

2009-07-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Just uploaded the one that I considered but didn't send to the contest on www.flashfiction.in

It still needs much editing and brushing up though- Fair warning.

PS: I only have Jason's link-back to flashfiction.in (Yes, am watching you :D)

And please add flashfiction.in to your Feed Reader already.

I want to do more here than just give links you know. :D

PPS: Really love you folks!

Wine Girl

2009-07-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

My entry for Jason's Short Fiction contest In Vino Veritas is Entry # 45

Do read it there and show me some love. :D

I have also posted the same on www.flashfiction.in

Announcements, Contests & a Goodbye

2009-07-05T03:36:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Sorry for not being over your blogs for a last couple of days.

I was working on creating my own website www.flashfiction.in.

I would no longer be posting fiction stories over here at Melody of Dissonance.

I might just keep dropping a personal post or two here, coz I love this place so very much, but am not quite sure at the moment.

I request you to please take the pains to subscribe to www.flashfiction.in

All of you, better be there, okay? :D

As for what prompted this? It was my interaction with others at BlogCamp Pune.

I've tried to explain some of the benefits in the comments section, and since most of you skipped the post on Blogcamp before. I would recommend interacting with the swell people mentioned their for any help regarding creating, managing or marketing your blog.

They are people working towards enlightening people about the power of blogging and the fun that comes with it.

Also, I am sorry if I have missed out anyone in giving the Linky love. Do let me know if that's the case. I'll be happy to to make amends.

I got into fiction writing after Jason's 10th Short fiction Writing contest "Ascension". Its been very good 6 months.

So I wanted to start over the new site dedicated to flash fiction with the 11th contest.

My first post there shall be my entry to Jason's 11th short fiction writing contest.

I have big plans for the site to grow a community of flash fiction writers.

Don't worry, I love my poet friends just as much and they'll be treated with same slap stick remarks and quirkiness as the others. :D :D (I can imagine Catherine running towards me with a baseball bat :D)

I have been wanting to strike a balance between fiction writing and personal posts.
I love doing both and wordpress gave me the interface to categorize all and give a good feel.

Do drop in any suggestions that you might have and I'll try to make improvements.

Oh and did I mention, Jason has made a formal announcement about his 11th short fiction writing contest.

Be sure to check out if you haven't done so already.

Jason, One day soon I hope to hold one contest too. But I'll have to hire a judge I guess. :P

Also, Ello is hosting a Where the Mountain Meets the Moon contest.

Spread the word to help budding authors and win free goodies.

Hopefully you'll be wearing their shoes when your book gets published, right?
So better earn some brownie points while you can.

Spaceman Spiff,
Signing out.

Small Talk

2009-07-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

“Whoa! Look at that!”

“Look at what?”

“Come on whiskey isn’t going anywhere. Turn around man.”

Chris coughed a laugh “Man?”

“Well you are almost a man. And what that almost man needs, is a lady like her. Check out the girl in red.”

“One more joins you tonight then, right?”

“Right you are, my friend. How do I look?”

“The same as you looked three hundred years ago. Only you dress better now.”

“Why are you so whiny?"

“I just hate being a werewolf.”

“Hey we vampires don’t get an easy life either. You know how choosy girls are these days?

It’s hard to get them. We can’t even afford a castle now.”

“Yeah, that’s a big problem, no castle! You get immortality and good looks and what do we get?

Do you even realize how many Versace’s I have torn while transforming? And why the hell do we have to turn wolves at night? I never get to party.”

“Look at the bright side mate. At least you can walk in day light.

Otherwise you would have not even been able to buy those Versace’s. I have to trust your fashion sense to buy me clothes.

About time they started 24 X 7 outlets .”

Now that would be life changing!"

“Well, you should get going. See you tomorrow evening. Have a howling night. Awoooooooo!”

“Know what Frank, one of these days I’m gonna put your immortality to test.”

Frank chuckled and flashed his canines. “What are you gonna do? Bite me?”

FOUR POINT GreatOne

2009-06-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

I got tagged by K at oldmossymoon

I liked the meme at Vesper's who tagged K in the first place.

And later enjoyed a lot over at K's.

Now, it's my turn:

Four Places You Have Lived

I have stayed in many parts of India. But lived hmm...

Bhilai, India (A small town where I grew up and did my schooling)

Goa, India (Need I say more?)

Memorial Union, Madison (Wisconsin) (This is where i got the name of my blog URL from. There's a poster there that says "Let us linger here a while, in the foolishness of things" Its a beautiful place.)

The Capitol Square,Madison (Wisconsin)
(The pic on my profile is from there. You can see the smile I have. :P)

Four TV Shows You Love(d) to Watch

Ahh there are MANY! NCIS, Criminal Minds, Heroes, 24, The Big Bang Theory, etc that I watch these days.

And Street Hawk, Different Strokes, Small Wonder, Bewitched, The Three Stooges, Perry Mason from my salad days.

Also the reality shows like The Crystal Maze and So you think you can dance.

But if I had to pick four:-

I dream of Jeannie (I love Barbara Eden)

F.R.I.E.N.D.S (I love 'em all)

Star Trek - The Old Generation (Spock rules!)

The Family Guy (Peter Griffin is my hero! :D Hope you know about the bird? :P :P :P)

Four Places You Have Been on a Vacation

Fascinating! The places I have lived are mostly the places I've been on vacation. :D

Goa (Love the beaches. Love how full of life it is.)

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Again love the beeches and the spices)

Madison (Luckily I went in summers. The taste of Madison. I was there. :))

IIT Mumbai (For my non-Indian friends: IIT is the premier institute in India. Its the Indian version of MIT.

So you can gather that average guys like me can only go there on vacation to visit their elder brother. :D Best 2 months evvvver!)

Four of your favorite foods

Paani Puri (Wins hands down. Yummmmmmm!)

Dal (Cooked by my Grandma. Elixir in every drop.)

Dosa (Yes I love both North-Indian and South Indian food)

Pan Cakes with Maple Syrup (They make 'em real good at Denny's)

Four Websites You Visit Daily

Google - Google, GMail, Blogger, Google reader, Youtube, Google Docs and All the blogs in my Google reader

www.imdb.com

www.tv.com

CUNA Mutual Group - My client. Have to log on to work you know. :D

Four Places You Would Rather Be

These places don't need any introduction nor any reasons for my liking. :)
But I also want to visit Munich and see where Margaret clicks those gorgeous pictures.

Paris, France

Rome, Italy

Las Vegas, USA

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Four Things You Hope to Do Before You Die

Actually I wrote 50 a while back here.
But picking up four.

Watch a match between Brazil and Argentina at the stadium. (Kaka and Messi should must score at least 2 gools each)

Learn to break the Time-space continuum

Publish a book and blackmail at least 50 people into buying it.

Dance a tango with Chelsie Hightower (after learning the tango myself... of course :P)

Four Novels You Wish You Were Reading for the First Time

Harry Potter (As much as I think Rowling cheated and made Harry win,Voldemort was much more powerful and worthy of winning;
the excitement when my bro. presented me The Goblet of Fire was priceless!)

May be, May be not (Robert Fulghum)

To Kill a Mocking Bird

The Magic Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton) - The first novel I ever read. Magical Indeed!

Four Movies You Can See Over and Over

I refuse to answer this question. This for me is the Kobayashi Maru test.
If you dont know about the Kobayashi Maru test then smack your head three times and go watch Star Trek or just wiki it.

In short it represents a no-win scenario. I am big time movie buff who has been watching 15 movies a week for the past 6 years.
So to name FOUR is an overkill.

So I'll do what Captain Kirk did to pass the test. When the question presents a no-win scenario one must change the question in order to win. :D

Four Movie Series You Can See Over and Over

Star Wars

God Father

The Matrix

Lord Of the Rings

Okay I break the rule and slip in a fifth... come on I've spent countless days watching these back to back.
And have to include:

Die Hard

Four Romantic Movies You Can See Over and Over

Before Sunrise/Before Sunset

My Sassy Girl (Korean version)

Love Actually

Serendipity

Four Classic Movies You Can See Over and Over

The Shawshank Redemption

The Emperor's Club

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

The English Patient

Four Animated Movies You Can See Over and Over

Monster's Inc

Wall-E

Finding Nemo

Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children

Four All Genre Movies You Can See Over and Over

The Dark Knight (Joker Rules. Period.)

Into the Wild

Euro Trip (Sheer awesomeness in its utter idocity)

A Few Good One

Okay, I shall stop now before I bore you to death.

Tag Four People You Believe Will Respond

Hmm. I had stopped tagging people cause I didn't wanna force anyone.
But I shall name four I believe would do it happily. But feel free to take a pass. I promise I'll only curse you once and then wont mind a bit. Also, if anyone who would like to take a try on this, consider yourself tagged. I would have named plenty more, but people usually avoid getting tagged these days. :) (Dun worry K, I am not one of them :P)

Kriti

Zeba

Richa

Aditi

Eyes Wide Shut

2009-06-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

“Jack! You okay?”

“Ugh. Yeah Bill, am okay. As okay as I can be after almost getting killed.”

“I don’t know what happened back there man. I checked the weather forecast before we left the shore. I always do.”

“Well I guess the Gods just had other plans”

The clouds replied with a thunderous roar.

“Where the hell are we anyway?” Jack grunted.

“I don’t know man. I didn’t plan to be ship-wrecked either.

What I do know is we better get cover. Fast. Things are going to get bad here.”

“Um. Don’t you mean worse? I call this pretty bad already.”

“Well you wanted an adventurous weekend, right?”

“I didn’t particularly have this in mind when I called you”

“You wanna drown here fighting or hunt for cover?”

“I was thinking more of drowning you and then hunt for cover.”

“You are still short of a decade spent in gym to pull that off. Here I’ve found an entrance it’s a cave I guess. Come on.”

“Alright Mr. Know-it-all, lead the way. But I’m telling you, if there’s a bear in there; I am gonna try and negotiate with him by selling your corpse”

“Good luck with that... What is this... Oh my god.
Look at this place. I think we have found an old palace. We are going to be rich.”

“Um Bill. Sorry to snap you out of your dreams but I don’t see any gold here.
With any luck this may be some tourist attraction of sorts and someone will find us.”

“No Jack! I’m serious. Look at these statues. This is exceptionally good craftsmanship. They are almost like real people.

And come over here, it looks like a mummy or something”

“Yeah it is definitely 'or something'. We don’t do mummies around here and a headless one at that.

She still has a killer figure, I’ll give you that. She stinks but she still looks damn beautiful even without a head.

Now my wife is also headless, figuratively of course, but she aint no beauty”

“For once, be serious in your life Jack. This is big. This is huge. This is… ”

“What ran out of adjectives? Want me to give you some more Gigantic, Elephantine…what? what are you staring at?

Right then Jack heard a thousand snakes hiss right behind him and Bill uttered his last words before he turned into a statue, “Me-du-saa…”

A shriek pierced the silence “Argh. Why do you mortals assume every snake-haired woman to be Medussa. I'll let you have the honor to know who killed you. I’m Stheno, her sister.

We immortals take long sleep, but I think I slept a little too long. I shall now avenge my sister.”

Jack knew the legend but wished he didn't. He didn't even have to look at her to be stupified.

He stood there with his eyes closed tight as Stheno’s laugh echoed in the cave.

The snakes licked Jack’s cheek as she whispered, “How long can you keep your eyes closed mortal?”

I need love!

2009-06-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

My brother, "Thakkar Sr" he calls himself around me (No points for guessing who "Thakkar Jr" is) entered into a competition to tell a story in 30 slides or less.

He encouraged me to participate to but am not nearly as skilled in designing as he is. Well he a Web designer by profession so he kinda has to be.

The long and short of it is the winners are chosen based on public voting, so he has this for a Google status message "I need love! Please vote for me: http://www.slideshare.net/thakkar/webbys-day-out-1585564 "

Now am often blamed for not being as much a 'Family Guy' (pun full-on intended) as I should be.
So I urge you all to please pay his presentation a visit and vote only if you like it (which am positive you would).

I'll throw in a fair warning though. He is a geek to the core so expect geek-stuff in it.

Go on, show me some love and inturn to him too. :D

PS: And I so very intelligently hide the fact that nothings coming to my mind today by posting this post in the name of brotherly love. [Evil Grin]

PPS: Also if he wins he'll get an i-Phone which later I shall cry and whine for and eventually get from him in a month or two. Tee Hee.

Identity

2009-06-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Was dreaming and wondering

what to write down?

Of rose cheeked princesses

Or kings with thorny crowns.

Discovering that inspiration

Its more than half the part

Luckily, I was saved this time

Just as I thought of art.

I remembered our art teacher

who taught us how to paint

Obviously either she failed or I

For the attempts died in vain

Me, I blame her, for showing lousy objects

And asking us to imitate

How was it supposed to be MY art

If I could only recreate?

So what if am not a painter

Writing suits me fine

I can type the red and blue here

At least, they'll be MINE!

In Vino Veritas

2009-06-13T04:45:00.001-07:00

For those who don't know already, The "IN VINO VERITAS" (TRUTH IN WINE) CONTEST is just around the corner (July 8th). It is the 11th Clarity of Night Contest hosted by Jason. This time around it is co-hosted by Jaye Wells, to honor her and the release of her book Red-Headed Stepchild

Why I love the Clarity of Night contests:

1. It is an awesome event where Jason gives us a picture prompt and we have to send in a 250 word fiction entry for the same. Its super interesting to read everyone's take on it. One picture inspires love stories, murders, ghosts, aliens, dragons and more than you could have ever thought possible.

I am an ardent believer of "A good writer must also be a good reader" theory. And this friends, is the Eldorado for readers. Awesome stories guaranteed.

2. Its a great chance to meet fellow like minded great people and build a community.
Here's Aniket's guide to "How to make friends and influence people": (No offense to Dale Carnegie but my approach is much shorter):

Participate in the contest, Read the entries, comment on what you like and you've made a new friend. Simple.

I met most of the blogger friends I have, I met them at the last contest. (And you all know, how I love to gloat about my friends, don't you? :P)

3. The contest focuses on improving the writing skills of a writer. You can read a more detailed post on Jason's approach on this HERE and the scoring system HERE.

And if you ask nicely, Jason is always ready to point out the weaknesses in your piece and advices how you can build upon the talent that you all already have.

4. Well if any of the above reasons are not good enough for you then Yes, there are great prizes to be won too. :D But trust me, prizes would be the last thing on your minds once the contest commences.

I have been eagerly waiting for it for quite some time and now the wine glass has been giving me nightmares. :D

Make sure you join the party.

I have done my preparation well:

1. Got into the good books with Aine - CHECK

2. Posted this post to make Jason Happy - CHECK

3. Jaye.... Um...well sorry... Still haven't got my copy of Red-Headed-Step-Child. But I've asked a friend to get it for me from US. :D. Hoping that its good enough - CHECK

Now, to go and improve some writing skills. Bah, who needs it when I have checked all the other points... Mwuhahahahaha!

But sadly in reality they are unbiased. (Damn!) So work on your piece well. There's fierce competition out there. And not speaking as a Dad to a son who just lost a game, but seriously, every participant goes away feeling like a winner. At least, so is my perception.

See you there. :D

More Than Just...

2009-06-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am pissed

More than the wayward arrow

The target that missed

More than the non-venomous snake

Who only could hiss...

More than the straight drunk

A transvestite who kissed...

More than the argument

you decided to dismiss

More than the cheek that

met Mohammad Ali's fists

More than the story

you couldn't write a twist

More than a temptation

You managed to resist

More than a foreplay

without a single good kiss

You bet, I am not just Just,
But much more than just pissed.

And I would be even more,

If a smart ass points out

That to force it to rhyme,

I twice used 'Kiss'

Vantage Point II

2009-06-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

In my the previous post Jason commented:

"My challenge here would be for you to deliver little doses of exposition through action and dialogue, rather than giving the background of each character directly to the reader"

It seemed like a fun task, so I took up his challenge. Here is a similar story (not same mind you :P). Last time it all played out in narration, this time I've tried to do it with dialogues.

Feedback, as always, is most welcome. :)

"Mom, I’m going to play with Jim; will come back in a couple of hours.”

Kevin shouted on top of his lungs and rushed out, grabbing his football on the way. Jim followed.

"Are you sure she heard you?" Jim asked.

"Yeah. She always does."

"I mean won't she be worried about you, if she didn't?"

"Oh, she'll figure it out. Come on lets check out the market place"

"Were we not headed for the field?"

"Yes we are. Its just a detour for site-seeing... getting some eye-tonic; if you know what I mean." Kevin winked.

"Oh, I do."

"Whoa! Dude, check out that babe in pink. She is HOT!"

"You bet she is." Jim said as his eyeballs grew to the size of of ping-pong balls.

"I've got an idea", Kevin said with a devilish grin as he clutched the football , "Go long"

Jim started running and Kevin pitched the ball.

Pitched, he should have...

-- -- --

Officer Davis entered the the restaurant at 10:15 like he usually did.

"Hi Mary! How are you doin' today?"

"Same old Officer... Same old. What can I get you today?'

"The usual would do just fine" said Officer Davis sipping his coffee.

"Al right. One Caprese hot-dog coming your way."

Officer Davis came out of the restaurant with hot-dog in one hand and his coffee in the other.

That very moment, Jim ran past him.

"Hey, easy there kid!" He shouted at him.

Shouted, he should have...

-- -- --

"Keep the engines running; I’ll be back in a flash” said Kurt.

"Hey, may be robbing this store is not a good idea Kurt. Its broad daylight Man" Joe said trying to hide his nervousness.

"Pull yourself together Joe. I show the knife, he gives the cash and I come out. Its that simple."

"I hope it is."

"Its not my first time Joe. You better do your part, or else you'll have more than cops to worry about."

Two minutes later, Kurt ran out of the store with cash his hands and dropped a 20 on his way.

He stooped down to pick up the bill.

Stooped, he should have….

-- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- --

The shout from Officer Davis made many heads turn. One of them was of the babe in... Um... the girl in pink.

"Officer watch out!" She took a leap in front of Officer Davis and took a great catch.

"Wow!" Kevin stared at her open mouthed.

"Did you aim that ball at me kid?" Officer Davis frowned at Kevin.

"No sir. Most certainly not. Honest mistake Sir." Kevin stuttered.

"Am sure he didn't mean that Officer." the girl said.

"Very well. You be careful son. This is not a playground."

Officer Davis decided to rather have his breakfast at the nearby park at peace and left in his car.

"Don't you say a 'Thank You' to the one who saves your ass around here?" the girl teased Kevin.

"Um. Thank You. That was one awesome catch!"

"I have three older brothers. One has to learn to catch things to avoid getting hit. So you guys wanna play catch?" she said.

"Sure thing." Kevin managed, thanking the gods.

Meanwhile, Officer Davis drove by the market and just glanced outside.

Any other day , he would have spotted a hooded guy with a knife and loads of cash in his hands and stopped.

But today, Kurt was stooped behind the Jaguar and Officer Davis drove by.

Vantage Point

2009-06-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

“Mom, I’m going to play with Jim; will come back in a couple of hours.”

Kevin shouted on top of his lungs and dashed out, not waiting for a reply.

He loved the fact that he lived in down town.

The streets were always bustling with people; even on a bright Saturday morning.

He loved watching the college girls who used to hang around.

He took a detour just to walk by the shops, for just that.

He trotted his way, his football clutched in his hands when he heard Jim about ten yards away, “Hey Kevin, over here!”

Kevin eyed a girl window shopping and shouted “Go long!”

He got into his stance and pitched the ball. Pitched. he shouldn’t have….

* * *

Officer Davis liked consistency. He went about it his days pretty much in a routine.

His shift started at 11 a.m. He went to Starbucks at 10 to have his coffee and to Gourmets for his Hot-Dog by 10:15.

He relished his breakfast and hated if anyone bothered him while he was at it.

He walked out of the shop with his coffee on one hand and hot dog on another.

He spotted a kid running backwards and he just stopped for a moment as he watched him run past. Stopped, he shouldn’t have…

* * *

“Keep the engines running; I’ll be back in a flash” said Kurt.

Kurt was a junkie and a small time crook.

His addiction was one of the reasons for his criminal life and his criminal life for his addiction.

He covered most of his face with the hood and stormed into a store.

Kurt specialized in petty thefts. He targeted small stores. No planning required.

Mostly the owners are happy to empty their cash drawers at the sight of a knife and dangerous looking kid.

The catch wasn’t much, but hey, you can’t have the world.

He grabbed the cash in his hands and ran towards the car.

He dropped a 20 on his way.

He gave a moments thought and then stooped down to pick up the bill. Stooped, he shouldn’t have….

* * * * *

Officer Davis saw Jim rush by and thought “Kids these days!”

As he turned, a football hit straight on his face and he spilled coffee all over himself.

A streak of Mustard marked its territory on his trousers and the hot dog landed on his left shoe.

He gave out a loud growl, less frightening than that of the tigers but way more that that of a mad dog.

Kevin knew that this was bad. And he started running away. Officer Davis rushed behind him, determined to teach the kid a lesson.

They ran for a couple of blocks when Kevin looked back only to realize that Officer Davis was catching up on him.

‘Wham!’ He dashed into Kurt who stood in his path.

Joe knew well not to wait to see what happened to Kurt.

Time Bomb

2009-06-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

Bottled strangled soul

Countdown to freedom commences

Tick-tock tick-tock tick-...

(Sorry couldn't find a video with better sound. Do listen to the song. I've been addicted to it for quite some time...

And in case anyone's wondering who's the guy in the video: this song was used in the series "Burn Notice" which is quite good too and he's the hero.)

Worst Day Ever

2009-06-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

"This officially has to be the worst day of my life.

The series of unfortunate events started this way.

I had these horrific nightmares all night long, so I woke up drenched in sweat.

When I went for a bath there was no water supply to home. Weird right?

I even called the maintenance guy but he said he'll have to investigate on it and that would've taken time.

Time, that I didn't have.

So I put on perfume in crazy quantity and got ready.

That's when things went really bad. And I mean really really bad.

I never lighted the fireplace. I can swear on it. But there it was burning in front of me.

And as I stood their wondering who lighted it, I saw the flames go berserk and they leaped out uncontrollably.

The fire caught hold of the curtains. Yes, my house was on fire.

Lucky for me. I do take care of necessary safety measures, so I had a fire extinguisher handy.

I put off the fire before it could do more damage and left the house with a burnt wall and scorched couch.

Then I went for my car and the junk wouldn't start. Go figure the odds.

I cursed my luck and called a cab and here I am now. I'm right outside my company.

I called you up as soon as I could, honey. Trust me."

"You honestly expect me to believe that. That, all this happened to you in one day... one morning to be precise?

You know what? Its enough. Am tired of your lies now. I wont be taken for a dumb person you think I am. Its over."

She hung up on him. He looked up at the skies and said, "Great...Just great! You have any more trick up your sleeves? Bring it on!"

And that's when heavy rains started pouring over him.

Meanwhile... far far away.... up and above... In Olympus:

"I can't believe I just did that. I broke the poor mortal's heart", Aphrodite grinned.

"As for the rains. He can't blame us. He asked for it", Poseidon said controlling his laugh.

"The fire from the hearth, trick was cool too right?" Hestia said hesitantly in company of the mightier Gods.

"As were my nightmares" Morpheus said.

"Don't forget the car" Hephaestus smirked.

That's when Athena barged in. "Come on. Leave the insignificant mortal alone. I can't believe even you joined them mighty Poseidon. Don't you all have anything important to do."

"Sure we do Lady Athena. But its not like we have a deadline to meet or anything" Apollo remarked, and they all burst into laughter.

"Come on Zeus. You don't wanna get rusty, do you?" Poseidon urged his brother.

Zeus frowned and a thunder shook the Olympus, then subsided. He looked down and just frisked his finger.

A lightening stroked meters away from the poor mortal and he ran inside his office.

Calling the shots

2009-06-04T02:59:00.000-07:00

"Luckily its not that deep a cut. Bring me the bandages and more cotton. Hurry!"

"No need to rush so much Mam. Its just a scratch."

Officer John smirked at her as nurse Betty treated his hand.

The cut was on his hand but pain showed all over Betty's face.

"And what was it this time? Another robbery? Gang war?"

"Actually, it was just a kitty who got on to the roof and..."

John didn't want his partner to complete the story so he cut him short in his sentence "Didn't you say a while back you had pressing matters to attend to, Jimmy?"

"Yes. Um. I do, but of course. Urgent... important... pressing matters. I'll scoot then." He winked at John, while saying "I'll leave John in your good hands."

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes she teased, "Good luck with you Urgent, important and pressing matters, officer."

"Err. Thank you mam. It was nice to see you again."

"For the umpteenth time, the name is Betty", she sighed, "and it was great to see you again too Officer"

"Go on. See him off to the parking lot. No one cares for the sick patient!" John said.

"Well, well. Was it not you who said it was merely a scratch, officer?", she giggled, "So a cat did this to you?"

"Oh it was nothing like Jimmy was saying. There was this cute little girl, who was crying because her Kitty had wandered off over the roof.

Now I couldn't see the poor little girl stay there crying, so I climbed on to the roof and got Kitty down."

"And how did you manage to cut your hand in all this?"

"Oh, That! Um, I just slipped a bit on my way up so got my hand on a broken bottle over the roof."

"That's more like the Officer John, I know. There are easier ways to see me you know."

She handed him a prescription of painkillers. She had scribbled her number bellow it.

She saw the glee in his eyes, as she said "I would like to have a conversation when am not treating you, you know."

John had that look in eyes as he said, "You know you've just cured me. But I want this nurse to watch over me... for life."

"Well see how the coffee goes first, Romeo. One step at a time."

"Sure. Right. Coffee works for me. I love coffee. Just wondering though. Romeo? Was it that cheesy? Whatever happened to calling me Officer John?"

Betty covered her smile with a file and turned. "See you at 7, tough guy."

Drive

2009-06-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

"You probably don't want me to drive, right?"

"You've got your license today. I would never stop you."

"Dad, I know you are worried about me. I promise I'll drive safely."

"I know you will son. I just wanted to give you one last lesson before you go for a spin.

You ought to let your old man have this pleasure."

"Of course, Dad. I'm all ears."

"Look son, you might not feel the urge today, may be not even tomorrow; but a time would come when you would be tempted to test how fast can this lil' birdie go.

It may come due to the temptation to feel the wind, to have the thrill or even out of some urgency. But the time would surely come.

And its not just the car that am talking about son.

We all test our limits and go real fast in life sometime or the other. Someday you would too.

When that time comes just remember, any dumbass with a good foot can step on the accelerator and go real fast; but it takes a good head on the shoulders to know when to pull the brakes. Just know when to stop son... just know when to stop."

Tim was lost in thoughts as his father turned the wheels on his wheelchair and went back inside.

Hook - Line - Sinker

2009-05-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hook

Promises of a future

Golden as the sun

Dream of a home

Forever to return

Line

A heart full of love

Seemed the only cure

A quest, a journey,

Magical, seemed sure

Sinker

Heavy is the burden

Of agony, of defeat

Heavier is the heart

Alone it weeps...

Just don't ask me if its fiction or visceral. :-)

Trick or...

2009-05-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

“Nick”

“Um”

“Nick”

“Hmm”

“Nick look at me.”

“Hmmmm”

“Hey Nick!”

“What??” He took his eyes off the television to look at her pestering sister.

“I wanna watch the TV now”

“Sure. There’s the couch. Make yourself comfortable”

“I mean I want to watch MTV. Give me the remote”

“No chance of that happening. It’s the Champions League finals today. You can have the TV to yourself after an hour”

“Are you giving me the remote or not?”

“Jenny. Please let me watch the finals and you can have watch the TV as long as you want for the whole week. Okay?”

“I am gonna switch the power off!”

“You touch that switch Jenny and I’ll make sure that your Barbie suffers an unfortunate accident tonight”

“Mommmmyyyyyyyy…..”

Two minutes later.

“Nick! Give that remote to Jenny.”

“But mom…”

“NOW, young man! You should not bully your sister and make her cry.”

“But mom it’s the finals! Can I go to Tim’s house and watch it?”

“You should have thought of that before you shouted at her. Now, go up to your room.”

A couple of hours later.

“I’ll get back to you for this, Jenny. Just you wait. I have a few tricks up my sleeves too, you know.”

She winked at him wearing that wicked smile, “Well you may have your tricks, but I’ve got the tears!”

Mr. Perfect

2009-05-24T05:34:00.001-07:00

"You are always so perfect!" She said.

She was not so perfect herself.

Her nose was a bit more pointed than it should be.

Hair a little too curly.

Ears a bit too long.

Lips somewhat too broad.

I could go on with this forever.

But she had those eyes.

She had the most beautiful pair of blue eyes.

One could stare at them forever, admire their beauty and sink in their depth.

They sparkled and twinkled in a magical way, they were marvelous...they were perfect.

Yes, perfect!

It was my love for those eyes that I invited her home after a couple of dates.

And that's when she said those words upon entering the house "You are always so perfect!"

I took a moment to reply, "Hardly, my dear. Perfection is so hard to achieve. People just underrate it these days and undermine its significance.

The quest to perfection is most satisfying indeed."

"Well. So far I think you are doing a great job.

Your mannerisms, your chivalry, your house; they are all just perfect."

"I do try my best darling. But I am creating something perfect for me.

It's most fascinating. Would you like to see?"

"Of course. I'm very much interested"

"Be careful down the stairs. Its a bit dark in here.

Here it is. Right behind this door, have a look"

And that's when she started screaming. They never understand how hard it is to achieve perfection.

They never appreciate it enough.

I gagged her in time before those scums in the neighborhood took any notice.

Even in horror and full of fear those eyes looked so beautiful. Wide and teary.

"Sssshhh honey! It'll be over in a minute" I said as I pressed the scalpel deeper.

She stopped moving.

I went to the center table where laid my masterpiece.

I pushed those eyeballs to the socket. They fitted in perfectly.

Now to find those perfect legs. I'll have my perfect lady soon.

50* Not Out

2009-05-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Ta tatara tara ra ra raa ra ta taa tara….

Ta ra ree ree…. Bum Badum…. Ta ra ree reeee Bum Badhum….. Ta ra ree reee….. Tain dein dain!

(Okay, that was supposed to be the theme for 20th Century Fox…. Cause that’s just the music I love to hear before the start of something special)

This marks my 50th post here [Applause Applause] (See Catherine am half way there. :D)

Now for the Oscar winning speech, I thank you all for being there throughout this wonderful journey and ....... well, you know the drill. :D

Thank you one and all.

Also, the award from Karen couldn't have come at a better time. Thank you so much for it Karen.

Even though I have joined the 'Not passing awards' society, this one is special because of what it stands for.The award recognizes the following attributes:

1) exemplary attitude, respecting different cultures and beliefs;
2) inspiring contents; encouraging and offering solutions;
3) clarity of purpose; fostering a better understanding on social, political, economic, the arts, culture, sciences and beliefs;
4) refreshing and creative, and
5) promoting friendship and positive thinking.

I am honored to have received it Karen.

And I take this opportunity to pain you to death by giving you the current status on my bucket list in no particular order. (Shamelessly copying the format from Sarah's post and calling it inspiration)

The ones in bold are the ones I've completed:

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars on a deserted road

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Las Vegas & Amsterdam

5. Watched a meteor shower and/or a tornado

6. Been to Disneyland/world

7. Climbed a mountain

8. Jumped off a mountain

9. Visited Paris

10. Watched a lightning storm at sea

11. Taught yourself to play elementary guitar

12. Hitch hiked on a truck

13. Seen a total eclipse

14. Scored a golden goal

15. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

16. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Huh, Now that would be the day!)

17. Sung karaoke

18. Walked on a beach by moonlight

19. Walked on a beach by moonlight with the love of your life

20. Been hit by a car

21. Gone deep sea fishing

22. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

23. Kissed in the rain

24. Played in the mud

25. Played in the mud

26. See the mummy of Tutankhamen

27. Started a business

28. Bounced a check

29. Crashed a helicopter (Launchpad McQuack Rocks!)

30. Saved a precious memory

31. Been fired from a job (That could happen sooner than I would have liked :D )

32. Jumped motorcycle over a car

33. Committed a murder and got away with it

34. Published a book and convinced 10 people to read it

35. Owned a Ducati

36. Had your picture in the newspaper

37. Had your picture in the newspaper in the 'Wanted: Better Dead than Alive' Section

38. Visited Area 51 and CIA headquarters in Langley

39. Saved someone’s life

40. Lost a loved one

41. Stolen an ice-cream from a kid

42. Found the answer to 'Life, the Universe and Everything...'

43. Time Traveled

44. Be truly loved by someone apart from family.

45. Been on a cross-country ride on bike

46. Won a Jackpot

47. Buried alive

48. Stayed a week in the Jungles of Amazon

49. Sold the soul to Devil

50. Married the perfect lady

Feel free to share your list.

Also, if you don't know about Anti-Gravity Cats, You MUST read this:

Murpy's Law states that: "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong"
And in Murphy we Trust.

So, if we apply butter on one side of the toast and throw it up in the air. It'll always fall the butter side down.

Also, its a known fact that a Cat always lands on it paws.

So here's the master stroke: Stick a toast on the back of the cat with butter side up.
And throw them in the air. Both will apply Torque to try and land on opposite sides resulting in anti-gravity cats. AWESOMENESS!!!!

Read about the complete experiment in detail here:

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Murphy's_law_application_for_antigravitatory_cats

In the words of the Preacherman, Laterz and lets be careful out there. :D

The Wow! Signal

2009-05-18T05:30:00.000-07:00

“Honey it’s late. You should get some sleep.”

“I will… In a while.”

“How long will you keep staring at that stupid signal? It’s been 30 years!
What do you expect to find now that no one else could for so many years?”

“I don’t know, okay! It’s just that I know it means something more, something big.
We are missing something. I can feel it."

“Well whatever it is… I think it can wait till tomorrow.
It’s just a bunch of stupid numbers. To tell you the truth I think it’s a prank.
After all, no one was there at the station when it was received right?”

“It’s impossible for the Big Ear to have registered such high frequencies.
No one could have possibly doctored it.”

“I can’t talk you out of it can I? You love those aliens more than me.”

“Huh. Its Extra-terrestrial Intelligence and not aliens. Why don’t you go to bed and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

She gave him a dejected look and strolled to their bedroom, leaving him alone at his desk.

He stared at the screen and cursed “If only the signal was received in both the horns. We could possibly trace it back.”

He hung his head down after a few futile attempts to make some sense of the signal and logged off from the system.

The webcam on the desk turned slowly and followed him as he walked away.

A few thousand light-years away a humanoid figure asked his commander in a mechanical voice,

“This earthling is getting close to finding us. Shall we terminate him?”

“Not yet. We have been conducting experiments on them for over a century now. And they still think of us as slimy creatures that spit poison. They have no idea of who we are and what we are capable of. They pose no threat to us.

They intercepted one of our transmission 30 earth years back but have still got nowhere close to spotting us.

Let them come up with something more than just, ‘Wow!’"

Love Actually

2009-05-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

"Wow! You are really looking gorgeous today."

"What do you mean 'today'?"

"I mean you are looking exceptionally beautiful today. More than your usual best. Which is quite exceptional too, in its own way."

She smiled, "Look at you all so nervous."

He ignored her remark and continued, "Um. So what would you have to drink?"

"Aha! Planning to get me drunk straight away? You're having high hopes of getting it tonight don't you?"

"What?"

"Oh, come on. We both know where this is going?"

"I know where this going, but it doesn't mean you have to just throw it out there in the open, like that."

"Well whats the use of beating around the bush?"

" 'Beating around the bush'? That's what you think this is? I'm trying to have a nice conversation and enjoy the evening with you."

"But we always enjoy each others company. Why do the pretending,fancy restaurant, getting dressed up and all that stuff?"

"Because all that stuff is what called romance."

"Ooooh! Signor Casanova seducing me with his charm"

"Look, we both agreed to give this a try. We've been friends for what, 14 years?"

"And still you can't tell when am pulling your leg just for the fun of it?"

He blushed through a smile. "But you are right. This does feel awkward. Pretending and all.

I love you just the way you are.

In your shabby hair, torn floaters and your awful dressing sense."

"You think MY dressing sense is awful?"

"You wore a WHITE t-shirt to a Metallica concert!"

"Once, Okay! That was long time back. Stuff happens."

"So what do we do now?"

"Well doing it tonight is still on the table. Just so you know." She twinkled.

"I'm in."

55WF : More than meets the eye

2009-05-13T04:39:00.000-07:00

“Got late again?”

“Yeah, been having 4-5 meetings everyday”

‘At least one of them involves getting lip marks all over your shirt’, she thought.

She stirred till the poison dissolved.

“Have some tea. It’ll give you relief.”

Maid found the couple dead next morning.

She flushed her lip stick and called him “It is done.”

Bee-cause

2009-05-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

Rose flushed cheeks

Glorious suicide –

My ass targets them

What's in a name?

2009-05-09T06:13:00.001-07:00

"Do you always keep your house so dark?"

"Mostly yes, my lady."

"Okay now you can cut the 'My Lady' part, off. I am already at your place" She bit her lips seductively as she said it.

The glint in her eyes shined brighter than the candles that burnt in front of the portraits that hung on the wall.

"Yes you are, dear." He said in a cold voice.

"I must say its a great place you've got here. Most guys I've went out with lived quite dirty."

"I like to clean up after myself. Come, let me show you around."

"Wow. Some of the antiques you've got seem really old. You must be quite rich.

I mean I already got that from the drive you've got, but are you like really really rich?"

"If I am to confess... I do have a rich heritage."

"Well I can see THAT.

Your forefathers look quite a lot like you.

I mean they all are extremely handsome. I guess it runs in the blood."

He lifted her in swift motion and pushed her against the wall, as he showered kisses on her.

"And you are extremely beautiful yourself." He managed between the kisses.

"Oh. You sure are something. My! Don't stop. I haven't met a man such as yourself... ever.

Something about you just... makes me your slave! And I don't even know your name."

She let out a moan as he tightened his passionate embrace. She was so drowned in lust that she didn't even notice his growing canines.

"The name's Vlad, my lady. Count Vladislav Dracula..."

Battle of Dhaghkretar

2009-05-06T03:20:00.000-07:00

Not so long ago… In a galaxy few light-years away…

The life-forms inhibiting the planet of Dhaghkretar lived in fear of Edjergoth.

Edjergoth was a fire-breathing dragon that possessed magical powers.

The swirl of his tail could shatter the mountains and his nostrils emitted venomous smoke.

No one had the courage to face him for all who tried were roasted in his fire and got eaten up in a jiffy.

For centuries they prayed for a hero to save them and at last their prayers were answered...

The following takes place between ‘Before the slaying of Dragon’ and ‘After the slaying of Dragon’.
All events occur in real time.

Darth Nicholas Wolfwood, the Inter-galactic Dragon Slayer landed his tripod on the rocky terrain of Dhaghkretar.

He checked for any heat signature for the Dragon. Given the size of Edjergoth it wasn’t hard to spot him.

He hopped on his land rover and flew to face the Dragon.

“I have heard many rumors of you power Edjergoth. Now it’s time to find out if any of them were true”

Edjergoth growled at him and sent a fire storm towards Wolfwood.

Wolfwood shielded himself behind the land-rover.

“Not bad at all little beast. You’ve definitely got spark.”

Wolfwood took out his light saber and jumped on Edjergoth.

He slashed him and again. The Dragon cried in agony.

But the scales on his body prevented the dragon from getting any fatal wounds.

His magical powers would have healed him soon.

Wolfwood knew it was the right time to use it and so he chanted the spell.

“Let the waves be my shield, lightening be my sword… transform Shehikin Mrowku!”

His light-saber changed color and became a double edged sword.

He hurled the saber towards the dragon and it pierced his heart.

Edjergoth dropped dead and Darth Nicholas Wolfwood raised his arms to the sky to claim his victory.

* * *

Her room was wrecked by a baseball bat and smoke rose from her burning dress, over which laid the broken electric iron.

“NIIIIIIIICKKK!!!” Jenny screamed on top of her lungs as she watched her brother staring at the ceiling… arms raised and smiling to himself.

Other posts in Nick and Jenny Series:

To Be or Not To Be and Survival of the Fittest

Apollo 13

2009-05-04T05:25:00.000-07:00

I longed to see, up close by

The shiny twinkling stars

And may be with a stroke of good-luck,

A peak at the good ol’ Mars.

11th of April, year 19 and 70,

All my dreams came true

To the moon we proudly flew

3rd manned mission with a three man crew

The view was spectacular and enchanting

The earth, the moon and the stars

I was stupefied at the sight of it all

Oh and I even saw the Mars!

Whoever said that space is void,

Should once again look at the universe.

Stars, the planets, possible aliens too

Nothing could be more diverse

But fate played a trick and

We were destined for doom.

As we suffered a malfunction

With a spark and a boom.

We said our prayers

And fought to survive

In the shuttle sought refuge

Back to the earth we took a deep dive.

How we made it alive?

Even to us was a mystery!

For all the wrong reasons

We had created history.

On our not so successful failure

Movies were made & stories were written

Tom Hanks wooed the crowd

The ladies were smitten

No one cared for our lost dreams

Nor for the tragedy we suffered

It scarred our hearts for a lifetime

The pain we had incurred

It was not as much as the failure

That caused us that pain

But how people cashed on our story

And altered it for personal gain.

From gentlemen to the ladies

The good ones to the blokes

They only remembered one line…

The words I never spoke

They kept shouting at my face

“Houston, we have a problem”

For the last time, damn it! I corrected,

Its "Houston, we've had a problem"

What Lies Beneath

2009-05-01T00:31:00.000-07:00

"Grandpa"

"Hmm..."

"If I did something bad, can I become good again?"

"Now what did you do lad?"

"Um. Nothing. Just curious."

"Ah. Good thing, being curious. Well it depends how you feel about it son.
Once you realize what you've done is bad, it becomes good.
You just need to be able to tell the difference."

"Can all bad people turn good too?"

"I guess they can son, but its harder for most people to turn back."

"Why so?"

"What do you see in front of you?"

"A dirty pond. It has algae all over it!"

"Now throw this stone in the pond and observe where it lands."

"The algae scattered."

"And what do you see underneath son?"

"Blue water!"

"The water still fights to retain its purity, no matter how much dirt is thrown at it...No matter if algae covers it all.

Because if it keeps itself pure inside, all it requires is a rush of wind to make it clean again.

Keep yourself pure inside and you can always return. Just don't let the dirt sink in."

"I wont grandpa... I wont"

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

2009-04-29T03:17:00.000-07:00

Its time to show off!

Four months and forty posts since I stepped into fiction writing, I am so proud to say that I now have friends in high places. :-) :-)

For those who don't know, I just stumbled onto Sarah's blog last December and quite naturally was left in complete awe.

It was a level of writing I had never seen before in the blogging world.

That was because I had only been reading and following the blogs of my "known" friends.

Then Sarah put up a post informing of Jason's contest "Ascension" where I made many new friends each exceptional as a writer/entertainer in his/her own way.

And it was then a sort of community started building up through which I at least meet a couple of new friends a week.

So the reason I am writing this post is because we are all here because we appreciate each others work and love to meet interesting people.

And when some of these interesting people do big things... it gives me immense joy to spread the word around.

Also, if anyone has not read their work I would highly recommend them (That goes for each and
everyone on my Blogroll, I can vouch for all of them :D)

Jaye Wells had her book Red-Headed Stepchild released last month.

I don't know Jaye much personally but I've read some of her stories and they were awesome. Also Sarah's word is enough for me. :D If she says its great...trust me, its great.

Though I must admit that I haven't read the novel yet. But I should be getting my hands on my copy soon.

Sarah had put up a post that covers all you need to know about how great the book is. So make sure you read it here .

I can assure you that you wouldn't be disappointed. :-)

I met Ellen Oh popularly known as 'Ello' via Sarah again (I've been hanging around Sarah's blog a bit too much I guess :D).

If you want to know the truth behind terms like LOL, LMAO, ROFL, ROFLMAO, etc etc. then you MUST visit Ello.

99% of the comments she gets have these terms embedded somewhere and the rest 1% find some other adjectives to praise her sense of humor. She is one of the wittiest people I've ever met... blogging and non-blogging worlds combined.

And since this is coming from a descendant of the Thakkar Clan,it is big time appreciation.

So when Ello said Cindy Pon is amazing, I believed her and paid Cindy a visit.

She truly is a genius.

You must see her brush art here and you'll be awe-struck.

Cindy just had her book released yesterday, which goes by the name of 'Silver Phoenix'

Ello is hosting an Uber Cool contest and has also put up the Uber Awesome video for the novel here. Make sure to check it out.

Since a lot has been said about the lady (read Sarah) already.

The post would be incomplete without saying that she has her novel 'Plum Blossoms in Paris' scheduled to be released next year.

And I can bet on it that its going to be a bestseller.

So if you want to have an extremely rich and famous author for a friend, I would direct you to please Sarah. :-D

I would have loved to share her synopsis of the book but would ask her permission first.

She's a great friend but she can give a nice scolding when she is in her groove. (Fair warning!)

The man doesn't brag about it much but Jason has his book lined up for release next year too, which is titled 'So This Fish Walks Into A Cemetery'.

And those who know Jason, know it in their heart how huge a hit its going to be. Those who don't
know him... Sense the Tone and pay him a visit. :D

Catherine is working on a book named 'Maddening Hearts'. She is also submitting a movie this year to Sundance based on her tea poem and using the footage she shot in her home country. Knowing what she did with A Tapestry of Spring one cannot possibly predict the heights she is going to achieve.

Apart from them I know that Jennifer, Shuchi & Vesper are working on their novels.

So they are all going to be in the limelight soon enough.

And since we are talking of friends. My best friend from College (and overall too) has recently stepped into the blogging world.

Please welcome Gagan to the wonderful world of blogging. Knowing him so well personally; I know he's going to do wonders here.

If you have read my first post Lost in Life... you would know much about Gags (short for Gagan) already. For he was one of the characters in my story.

But then again most of you haven't read it (even after my repeated pleading *sob sob*) so you might as well do so now.

I am glad to have met all of you such fine people through this wonderful medium. :D

In Between The Lines

2009-04-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

“Preparing to leave? You don’t mind pulling in an extra hour today do you?”

(Like you have any choice? Ha Ha)

“Not at all Boss . What is it that you want me to do?”

(Bastard! Always hunts me down when am about to leave.)

“Here are the specs. I want the report on my desk first thing tomorrow. So finish it up by EOD.”

(Or end of night…huh)

“Sure thing Boss”

(One day I’ll show him who’s the boss)

Four hours later.

“Honey, am home.”

(Please God, don’t make her start today.)

“Oh, you look like hell. Your boss again, han? Let me get your bag”

(When would he ever stop being a wimp and stand up to him?)

“Yeah. Sorry to have kept you waiting. I know I promised to take you out today.

Just give me ten minutes. I’ll get fresh and then we’ll go out.”

(Just look at me woman! Please call the night off. I don’t feel like going.)

“Oh we can go out on a weekend, its no big deal.

I’ve already prepared dinner for us. I made your favorite dish tonight.”

(Better eat up nice before I break the news)

“You are the best, honey!”

(At least, something is going nice today.)

After dinner.

“That was a lovely meal Darling. Am glad we didn’t go out.”

(The pains to go out would have been worth it, if I knew I’ll have to eat this.)

“I have something to tell you.”

(Okay, here we go.)

“Yes?”

(Don’t say you bought that washing machine you had your eyes on.

I can’t afford such spending anymore.)

“I am pregnant!”

(Say something damn it!)

“That’s… That’s great news honey. I am so very happy for us!

I love you so much!”

(Am I ready for such responsibility as a BABY? Why not just shoot me and be done with it.)

I love you too darling.

(Phew! That was close! Sucker didn’t suspect a thing.)

The Golden Teapot

2009-04-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

On the second shelf, no third

Lies my precious catch

My gifted hen's golden egg

Waiting to be hatched.

Okay its not an egg

and no there's no hen

But I like to talk in metaphors

And so does my pen

Its a shiny golden teapot

My mom loves it so much

So she keeps it someplace

Where am not able to touch

The third shelf is up six feet

Or it could be seven

What was my height again?

Oh yes, three feet and eleven

Damn it, she's intelligent

Knows me all too well

But I'll outdo myself today

And cast my evil spell

On the chair I get up, then

Onto the kitchen platform

Stretch my toes a bit

And break all the norms

I tried to bring the pot down

For I didn't foresee any harm

I desired to have a look inside

To know its hidden Charm?

Why my Mom loved it so much?

I always desired to know.

Today I shall know the secret

A Ha, My friend, Hello!

A wriggle and a juggle, and

Through my fingers it slipped

In my attempt to catch it

From the platform I tripped

I had twisted my ankle

I cried lying on the floor

My mom, she heard the noise

and rushed to the kitchen door

I thought she'd be real mad

She'll cry for the teapot

Cry she did

But not for the teapot.

She got down on her knees

and gave me a tight hug

It took all the pain away

Worked like a magical drug

I gave her a smile

and she forgot the rest

Mommies are strange

But they really are the best.

I learned my lesson

That day,

When something precious breaks

Love flows...

Survival Of The Fittest

2009-04-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

Nick & Jenny are back at it again...

"I look beautiful don't I?"

"Jenny, this is a bad idea."

"Oh come on. Stop being such a whiny loser.

This lipstick looks good on me or what?"

"I seriously think you should not do this."

"WE Nick, WE should not do this. We are a team remember?

And Mom wouldn't probably even notice that I tried her make up on.

Here try some of Dad's cologne."

"I don't know. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Stop sniveling or I'll make all your nightmares come true.

Now shut up and you might as well try this perfume while you are at it.

Boy this smells good. No wonder Mom never lets us touch it."

"She is going to get really pissed when she comes back and she is going to fire the baby-sitter. I kinda like Jana."

"Having hots for Jana now, are we? Okay, now I am just gonna pretend for a little while that you are not here; while I try this necklace on.

Voila, the princess is ready to steal the hearts!"

* * *

"What in the world do you think you kids are doing? Janaaaaa come up here!"

"I am sorry Mom! It was Nick's idea."

Love Struck

2009-04-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Oh Madam this is love

I am so sure

But why? I haven’t a clue..

The glance as you danced

The blush of your cheek

Or may be your eyes so blue…

I don’t say this so often

I swear am not drunk

I’ve had just a drink or two…

* * *

Oh, I believe you mister

I can hear love whisper

As my feet tap the floor

A look at your face

And you made me feel

Like no one ever did before.

Now as I walk this street

My heart skips a beat

A One, a two and a four!

How About You?

2009-04-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Jason had the following image as an Image prompt for his contest "Lonely Moon" Short Fiction Contest And since the contest is closed, I'm posting my take on it here. Though I highly recommend everyone to read the entries posted on link provided. It would time well spent for sure.

"So how about you, Jim?"

"Its a long story..."

"Well its not like we have to go somewhere?"

Jim gave a hollowed laugh,"You have a point there. I guess I could tell the shorter version.

It was a night much like this...the moon shined bright but the scattered clouds tried to cover its light.

Stella and I went out to dinner at our favorite place... the place where we had first met.

Back then, I never imagined myself getting married... leave alone, to her!

But she was the smart, intelligent, funny and not to forget pretty damn hot!"

"I've seen her. She really is hot!" Tom smirked.

Jim gave him a glaring stare and continued "So one thing led to another and before I knew I was married to her.

And that night visiting the same place we met brought back fond memories.

So we danced, we ate and we drank. It was a perfect evening...Almost.

While returning home she said lets stop somewhere quiet and just talk for a while under the night sky.

Sounded like a great idea to me so I asked, if she had any place in mind?

She said lets go over to the cliff top and sit there.

And so we talked for a while gazing at the sky and she asked me to close my eyes.

I did.

And that's when she did it.. 'Wham!' straight at the back of my head. Hit me with a plank and pushed me down the cliff"

"No shit, Man! I feel sorry for you", James sympathized, "Didn't she ever say why she ever did it?"

"At my funeral she leaned on my corpse and said 'I always loved you honey, but I loved the money more'."

"At least she left you the Rolex" Tom cracked.

"Find that funny, Tom? Let's hear it then, how about you?"

* * * * * * * *

PS: As some of the readers have already identified that this post does bear slight resemblance to a prior post The Dark Night with the cliff and all. But as Jason suggested for 'The dark Knight' that I could dig deeper to get a better plot. This was a try out. So would love to hear the feedback. :-D

A Tapestry of Spring

2009-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Lady Catherine was a Captain

Knew damn well, how to sail

She led a crew of sailors

Determined not to fail

She was on a voyage

For what seemed like ages...

Witnessing a world,

Of People and Places.

She wanted a treasure

For the world to see

It would be everyone's desire

But her's to keep.

She ordered her sailors,

To search and explore.

Bring her back a gem,

Each from the shore.

'I give you three days' she said

'And I'll wait no more'

But Captain its not enough

The sailors implored.

She was one to keep words

She didn't bulge

So the sailors they took off

Singing a dirge

In three days they returned

Each with a gem

To please their captain

Who waited for them.

"O' Amritorupa of 'Rivers I have known'

What have you got... a jewel or a pearl?"

"lt'll sing to your heart my lady,

Its called 'Little Girl'"

Delighted was the captain

She turned to the rest

Each of the sailors

Who had tried their best.

"O' Rachel of 'The Waxing Moon'

Is it a staff? Is it a crown?"

"It'll leave you in awe, am sure my lady!

Its called 'All fall down' "

"What about you O' Karen of 'Keeping Secrets'?

Show me some sparkle, show me some shine"

"I assure my lady it was my sweetest crime.

They call this pearl, 'Jonquil Time' "

The Captain was happy

She looked quite pleased

But her urge to see rest

Never did it cease.

"O' Joaquin of 'Lyrics and Maladies'

What have you brought?"

"Its called 'Ides' my lady,

Was the best they had got!"

"And you O' Aniket...

Come on, let it show!"

"Its called 'Promise' my lady,

It'll make your eyes glow!"

"O' K of 'Old Mossy Moon'

It must be great, is my assumption."

"Right you are my Lady,

And its called Resumption"

She turned to Steve of 'Another Sober Alcoholic'

"Am sure you excelled in your part?"

"Its called 'Fly Little Bird ' my lady,

And its beauty almost, stopped my heart."

"O' Sarah of Murmurs

Show me something precious, forbidden"

"I've got just the thing for you, my Lady,

And its name is Eden"

She took all the gems

to build her treasure.

That'll make her a person

For the world to remember.

What she created was unique

Not something unoriginal and stale

It was not a song,

Not a poem, not a tale.

For the world to see and savour

The love filled sweetness it brings

She gave a legendary saga

Called 'A Tapestry of Spring'

The Dark Night

2009-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Jason had the following image as an Image prompt for his contest "Midnight Road" Short Fiction Contest And since the contest is closed, I'm posting my take on it here. Though I highly recommend everyone to read the entries posted on link provided. It would time well spent for sure.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out soon.”

“Don’t spook me John. I’m scared of this weather as it is.

I’ve never seen the sky so dark before.

It seems like a storm is coming.”

“Want to see it darker?”

“John, this is not funny…Turn on the lights.”

“What are you so afraid of?”

“Well about dying in the middle of nowhere… now would you please turn the lights on? You are freaking me out!”

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course, I do. But I don’t trust your driving skills to be that good that you can drive without lights in the middle of the night.”

“And do you love me?”

“Do you honestly want to have this conversation right now?”

“Wrong answer” John shifted gears and stepped on the accelerator.

“Yes! Yes… I love you! But please don’t do this. I’m scared.”

“You won’t be for long. I was scared too you know… I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“Of losing you…”

Tracy’s ashen face glowed in the dark.

“And the funny thing is even after knowing about you and Steve… it’s me who can’t look at your face while doing this”

Tracy’s shriek tore the silent sky as the car jumped off the cliff.
2000 ft below, burning fire stole the night's darkness away.

Acrostic Poetry: ICARUS

2009-04-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

I know the wings can melt away and that I can fall, but I

Can't go back to that world of anger and hate.

Away from this pitt of darkness I'll go high... I'll fly

Rise up from my ashes, attain the freedom that's mine

Up I'll go to my dreams, till my wings they burn,

Soaked in my passion, I steer to the sun... I steer to the sun.

Painted love

2009-04-10T23:36:00.000-07:00

Jason had this image as an Image prompt for "Two Lights" Short Fiction Contest Sadly, I wasn't around blogging at that time when the contest was on. So I wanted to post my take on it here.

"Jessie, stop it! You are going to spoil it all."

"All I want to spoil tonight is you honey"

"Shut up and let me finish this." she said with her cheeks flashing red.

"Come on... you can finish this tomorrow"

"Oh its almost complete, I just need to sign my name below"

"Guess what? Me too..." he teased and ran his paint covered hand all over her face.

With a turn and stare, she raged fury "That does it" and her paint brush splashed on his face.

She began to run giggling and bantering. With three paces he caught up with her; lifted her up and took her to the bedroom.

* * *

Tears ran down the deep brooding eyes and a smile ran on his wrinkled face, as he stared at the picture.

"Dad, are you okay? We should get going now for the ceremony"

Just give me a moment son. He got another lamp below the painting so he could see it clearly.

It was signed 'Chel'.

He took out his pen and completed her signature.

"Will be back with you soon honey..."

Stranger

2009-04-09T06:17:00.001-07:00

Shattered I sat on a lonely path
Watching people go by
Remembered all the promises to keep
And all the duties to comply

The guilt, the shame they were in strife
Over what was lost and gone
I wondered what was left of life
Was there enough to go on?

People came to embrace life here
To savor the sea side view
I tried not to cry as I sat there
But my tears betrayed me too

May be it was the time to leave
Escape this world, I thought
The heart no longer desired to beat
And the mind had gone distraught

A hand on my shoulder comforted me
Told me it was going to be, just fine
I glanced to see who cared enough
With a touch that seemed divine

There he sat right next to me
A man I had never seen before
Yet he saw right through me
I wanted to know him more.

He assured "Its going to be Okay
You can’t give up without a fight."
With that he smiled and walked away
As he faded from my sight

I’ll never know who he really was
Was he the lord’s messenger?
I hated how strange life was…
Till it became stranger.

Life is Beautiful

2009-04-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

“Bob! Will you come down here?”

‘It’s always me…taking care of the kids, doing the chores, cooking food, doing laundry…everything.’

‘And what do I get in return?’

‘Not even a “Love you Mommy!” or a “Thank you sweet-heart”’

“Bob, I could use some help with the dishes!”

‘He’ll just drink beer with his buddies, watch baseball all day.’

‘Nobody cares what I want to do. No one even cares about what I do.’

‘What about my life… my happiness!’

“Bob, Trisha would wake up, if I shout any louder.
Will you come down? We need to talk.”

‘Does he even know what it takes to raise a five year old? Get Trisha ready, get her to school, bring her back and help her out in her homework, and where are you? Meetings with colleagues,bowling with friends; While I wait. I just… wait.’

‘And he won’t even get down, not after I asked to help with the dishes. He must be watching TV lying on the bed, as I work my ass off here.’

‘Guess, I’ll have to bring him to his senses. He needs to realize that his family needs him.’

She checked the bedroom, but didn’t find her husband there.

“Bob… Bob. Where are you?”

She slowly opened the door to Trisha’s room.

Bob was sleeping on the bed, with Trisha’s story book in his hand.
Trisha was bundled up in his arms, sleeping peacefully like an angel she was.

She tip-toed her way towards the bed and sneaked in beside him.

“I love you Bob” she said teary eyed, wrapping her arm over him.

“I love you too honey” he murmured in sleep.

Clerihew Blues

2009-04-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know (Like I didn't till I read Aerin's post, a couple of days back):-

A Clerihew is a comic verse consisting of two couplets and a specific rhyming scheme, aabb invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956) at the age of 16. The poem is about/deals with a person/character within the first rhyme. In most cases, the first line names a person, and the second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person.

As you already know I am experimenting with almost everything I can get my hands on these days. So here are my attempts at Clerihews:

One for Kate Beckinsale, one of my fav. actresses:

Kate Beckinsale is damn hot

Often pretends what she is not

She sets all the coolest trends

But remember in Pearl Harbor, she did both friends.

Now one for ol' pal Humpty Dumpty:

Humpty Dumpty was a junky

Always liked to dress up funky

High on dope, he sat on a wall

And some freak wrote a poem on his fall.

One for Jason, for being Jason (You need to visit his blog to find the humor in this one):

Jason Evans is extremely talented

Genius photographer and a writer enchanted

He once went on fishing and caught a red snapper

Only to realize he’s not the worlds best tanner.

One for me, because a comedian should always be able to laugh at himself.
And as said in Watchmen "Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense."

Aniket Thakkar went for a dinner

With a bunch of people, they all were sinners

They drank a few beers with slices of lime

Like-minded people had a great time.

Well one for Jennifer, because a post is incomplete till I pull her leg (at least once :-) )

Jennifer the ranter

She likes my banter

She loves a debate or a healthy conflict

Can’t leave blogging, coz she’s an addict.

And lastly, one for Catherine (sorry not you Catvibe. I wont pull your leg you are too sweet. :-)) Zeta Jones. My favoritest actress:

Catherine Zeta Jones

They should make her clones

She has got the grace and the looks of a deity

Ok enough poetry, she seriously is a beauty!

To be or not to be...

2009-04-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

“What if she says, No?”

“What difference would it make to your already pathetic life?”

“Well, if she tells on others, I’ll become the laughing stock of the school.”

“Oh, you have already climbed that mountain my friend... that too on more than one occasions.”

“I’ll never be able to bring myself to look at her face again.”

“But just think of what you might get to look at apart from her face, if she says Yes!”

“Stop saying stuff like that! I really like her, you know.”

“Oh, you really like her?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you really realllyy like her?"

"Umm... I guess, yeah."

"So would you be able to live with yourself, when she goes out to prom with some jerk from the highschool football team?

Would you be able to live with yourself, knowing that you were such a coward that you couldn't even bring yourself to ask her once?"

"No"

"Then BE a Man! Do the right thing. Ask her out."

"Hmm... Yeah"

"Don't give me that sissy 'hmm... yeah'. Give me a Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Who’s the man? You're the man! Come on, whose the man?"

"I'm the man"

"Again! Louder!"

"I am the Man!"

"Nick what are you doing up there? Jenny, I think I asked you to call your brother down for dinner!"

"Oh, he is talking to himself in the mirror mom.

He’s trying to bring himself to ask out a girl for prom. Poor soul.

Oh my god, I've turned red trying to control my laugh.

Its too funny mom, you should come up to see it.

You’re the Man… Nick! You’re THE MAN!!!

Oh my god, am gonna die laughing."

“Jennnnnyyyy! I'll kill you.”

“Mommmmmmyyy”

Mixed Bag

2009-04-01T02:37:00.000-07:00

As April is the month of poetry, I had to put the first post with something that remotely fits into the section 'poetry'.

So here is the first attempt at Haiku and Senryu on MY blog , as I have previously experimented with them on Catherine's blog (on more than one occasions) and also at Jana's.

Also I hope you noticed the new chick template I've put up. :-)

For the last couple of days, Its been really hard for me to put up my mind on any one particular topic, so am sorry but this post doesn't fit into any genre at all (hence the title :-) ).

So here's the first one to dedicated to my mind, which I use so very scarcely. :-)

The mind wanders freely
Abandoned-
Thoughts and dreams alike.

The following popped up into my mind when I saw the new painting put up by Catherine

Rainbow colored leaves
Rejuvenate-
Nature's little musings

And well, the last one I've been wanting to write down for a long time.
For I am a die hard fan of The Joker. Joker Rules. Period.

Heath Ledger ascends
The Joker turns immortal
Irony of Life or Irony of Death?

Meme Time (Title stolen :-) )

2009-03-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, confession time.

I started of writing this as a list of top 5 or top 10 of everything that inspired/influenced me in any way.
Like favorite authors/novels, favorite movies, songs, dialogues, quotes, everything. But ended up completing 'Little Girl Lost's' infamous Tag, because of the following reasons.

1. I got tired writing this down, its 2.30 a.m in the night here and I am feeling sleepiee... (yawn)
2. I believe in Barney Stinson's law of 'Nothing Good happens after 2 a.m'
3. It would have been too much of ME thingy writing everything. One should not reveal all about oneself in one go. :-)
4. I am just a lazy bum, expert in crafting excuses for my laziness.
5. All of the above.
6. You really like confessions don't you?
7. Come on now seriously, stop reading this list...
8. Me, not saying anything now...
9. Nothing!!!
10. Egaaaad....!!

25 Authors/Novels that made crazier than usual:

1. Richard Bach (Illusions/Jonathan Livingston Seagull/The One)
He changed the way I looked at life. And his description of religion in 'The One' rank among the best 4 pages, I've ever read.

2. Enid Blyton (The Enchanted Wood/The Magic Faraway Tree/The Folk of the Faraway Tree & The Wishing Chair series)
She introduced me to the world of fiction and fantasy. And reading was never the same again.
I still love the Faraway tree to the core and 'Angry Pixie' ranks as one of my all time favorite fantasy characters.

3. Sir Alfred Hitchcock (The Three Investigators Series)
He introduced me to mysteries, and Oh Boy, did I loved them! Jupiter Jones used to be my idol and I used to love the last two pages, where Sir Hitchcock explained the mystery.
'The Mystery of the Screaming Clock' was the first proper novel, that I ever read. And I owe much of my reading enthusiasm to it.

4. Erle Stanley Gardner (The Perry Mason series)
82 novels read, over 50 episodes of the series seen, and I still never get bored with the characters of Perry Mason, Della Street and Paul Drake.
We were cleaning up some stuff when I found 5 novels of Perry Mason (in very bad condition mind you) in a very old bag. And my dad said, "You should try reading one of those, I used to love them when I was in college" And I got so involved with the series ever since, that I wanted to become a lawyer myself. But then, I realized that becoming a lawyers requires years of practice and not all criminal cases had such mysteries involved. And most importantly, there was negligible chance of me finding a secretary, as dedicated and beautiful as Della Street. I am so in love with her.

5. Sir Isaac Asimov (I,Robot, the Foundation series,etc)
He introduced me to the fascinating world of science fiction. He gave us the three rules of robotics which I believe in more than anything else.
He gave my imagination topics like robots, spaceships, lasers, light speed, toxic waste, etc, in short, a whole new world.

6. Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, May Be May Be Not)
He inspired me to live a fuller life, and find happiness and learning from small things that go unnoticed.
His work makes the heart smile with every line.

7. Douglas Adams (The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy)
Well he wrote "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy". Need I say more?
He wrote a book about a question, no correction, he wrote a book about THE question... "The answer to life, the universe and everything"
Ever since I read this I tried to get everything related to the number 42. My room in hostel "42", my bikes no. "5242", I even bought T-shirts having 42 printed on them.

8. Frederick Forsyth (The Day of the Jackal, The Devils Alternative, The Fist of God, The Odessa File, The Avenger, The Fourth Protocol, The Negotiator, The Deciever)
I missed to mention a few above, yeah I loved those too. This is one guy who believes that god really is in the details.
When he writes a plot, he explains... where can you get a gun, how do you load it, how you get a fake passport, how to get a bomb past customs, everything.
Jackal is one of the immortal character's, I'll be a fan of for the rest of my lifetime. One the most entertaining writers I've ever read.

9. Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna (The Motorcycle Diaries)
This novel changes you, your thinking, your mindset, and makes you think on a number of levels.
One man can bring a change. THE man... Che Guevara. Join the rebellion.

10. Harper Lee (To Kill a Mocking Bird)
A tale of sweet relationship between brother and sister, a tale of father and his children, a tale of society, a tale of people, a tale which a shames discrimination.
There is something for everyone in this book.

11. J.D.Salinger (The Catcher in the Rye)
An outstanding tale about accepting change and growing up.

12. Alaxandre Dumas (The Count of Monte Cristo)
The epic tale of love, betrayal and revenge. Love it to the core.

13. William Shakespeare (everything)
I am a person who loves theater and acting. And anyone who loves theater can not possibly ignore this man.

14. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (The Hobbit, The Lord Of the Rings, The Silmarillion)
He changed the fantasy world and created a new genre. Storytelling was never the same again.

And well, everyone knows about the people below and how they can effect ones mind, heart and soul. :-)

15. Paulo Coelho (Alchemist)

16. Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez (Love At the Time of Cholera)

17. Joanne Kathleen Rowling (The Harry Potter Series, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages)
Its a story of a boy wizard who... come on, now, seriously? Smack yourself on head three times before reading any further. Its Harry Potter we are talking about!

18. Jonathan Anthony Stroud (The Bartimaeus Trilogy )
Now ask youself these questions: Do I know English? (HINT: If you are able to read this you do!) Do I love fantasy? Have I read this series already?
Now if the answer to first two questions is a "Yes" and for the third is a "No" then you are SERIOUSLY missing out on loads of fun. Bartimaeus Rocks. Period.

19. Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl Series)
Fowl is Fair. "Aurum Proteas Estas" (Gold is power). 10 year old, mastermind criminal of a genius with fairies and pixies. Awesomeness.

20. Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & The Olympians)
Half human. Half God. Full hero. The Greek gods live on the 600th floor of the empire state building. They have modernized and how?
Awesomely funny and ingenious.

21. Tom Holt (Snow White and the Seven Samurai)
Yes, S-A-M-U-R-A-I there's no typo there. Read it to believe it. You'll die laughing, and the rise through the ashes to appreciate it.

22. Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (Lolita)

23. Sarah Hina and Jason Evans (Murmurs and The Clarity of Night respectively)
While Sarah writing influences me to try different things out and teaches to actually love what you are writing; Jason's inspires to be efficient and elegant with more structured and powerful writing.
Its like Sarah's work is a Da Vinci and Jason's a Piccaso. Eventually, they both make you love the art.

24. You (Following the trend :P)
Because...
a) I don't want to sound like an arrogant bastard. b) I am not an arrogant bastard. c) Okay, I am not even arrogant d) I love you all (with all due respect and sincerity. Again no need to put the lawyer suit on. :) )

And last, but not by any which way the least...

25. Jane and Ann Tyler (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
Oh I still wonder what they are...

Sorry to have disappointed you by not naming all the big-shots in here...
But when you talk of influence, had these not been there, I would have never tried the big shots. I owe these guys this much. :-)

And Since everyone has been already tagged (some multiple times too...) me not tagging anybody. Unless, someone actually wants to write this. Such people can inform me via telepathy and I'll tag them. Don't try now, I don't receive telepathic signals while sleeping.

Okay, well anyone who has not yet been tagged, is tagged. :-) Revenge is sweetttt!!!

Limerick Time

2009-03-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

Ahem Ahem, before we start... Let me explain (as has been the trend in some of my latest posts):

1. I did not know how to write a limerick. I learnt it from Wikipedia. But then most of the things I wanted to learn, I've learnt from Wikipedia. So I think I broke the syllables rule in all of them, but I tried to follow the rhyme rule. So go easy, am learning. :-)

2. The names used out here, are purely fictional and bear no resemblance to any person living and blogging. I don't want any law suits to deal with later, as I see plenty of people around here are lawyers.

3. I mean it, what I said in point 2.

4. Okay, I know I walk on thin ice, when it comes to humor. But come on, be a sport. :-)

So here are the limericks... (One more down on the list... Booya!!!)

A little girl lost, knocked on my door,
She looked a bit shy as her feet tapped the floor,
I smiled 'Oh look at those beautiful pearly eyes',
Never did I know they'll train children for spies,
She stabbed me till I died, settled was the score.

Princess Jennifer of never land hated to be called Jeni,
She longed for her prince charming but never found any,
Then a Prince came along with looks of King Lear,
In a deep voice he asked, 'Does Jeni live here?'
She breathed out a low sigh, and beamed 'Come on in honey!'

Sarah was her name she was young and pretty,
Elegant and a lady, sometimes, Wicked and flirty,
A bully didn't like her, he put a mud slug on a sling shot,
He stretched it and shouted, 'Hey Sarah, Look what I got?'
She just winked at him... he squeezed, and mud got his face all dirty!

Catherine was an angel she resided in heaven,
She saw once an earthling being chased by a raven,
Looking at the young man her heart just melt,
She saved his life and told how she felt,
'Thank you' he said, 'but am gay and am taken.'

She lived in the mountains, her name was Aine,
She commanded the sunshine and could control the rain,
An old lady came finding her, she came from the wild,
She wanted Aine to reincarnate, her long lost child,
Rains are easy Aine thought, if she could only control pain.

Conflict

2009-03-23T06:10:00.001-07:00

Well Jason, a visceral poem it is (there isn't a particular format for it, is there? ). Ok I just learnt that idealy it shouldn't rhyme. But I guess I have not yet developed a flair to write such a piece. Will have to do much more reading for that. I just wrote down the words that flowed from the heart (Am sure Aine would use this to analyze my state of mind :-) ). One down on the list. :)

==========================================================

I stared at my reflection, of what I had become...

The person in front of me I didn't recognize any more,
Was it me really or just some stranger at my door?

He smiled at me charmingly and held out a friendly hand,
But something stopped me from moving, as if the air tuned to sand.

I felt paralyzed, being choked by an insurmountable force,
Was it the guilt in my heart or past deeds' remorse?

The ghostly shadows clanged on to my thoughts,
Began chanting past memories and the pain along it brought.

I used to be the guy who liked to, drive around in rain,
Insanely in love with the one... who drove me insane.

Around her I could speak my heart, I could sing, I could fly,
She taught me how the heart could laugh, and how dry eyes could cry.

I never thought a day would come, when I'll bid her goodbye,
That day she made me learn, how a dead man could die...

May be I missed something, something I couldn't see,
Why I thought it was meant to, when it was not meant to be.

The reflection reappeared amidst the smoke,
With a slow croaky voice the following it spoke...

"Come with me, unless in this sad world, you do want to stay,
I can make her memories, your past, and your pain to go away."

I stretched my hands towards, the reflection that I saw,
Not knowing it was the beast inside, who held out its claw.

But the heart raised concerns, if I really wanted to forget,
If falling in love with her, really did I regret?

Before finding the differences... after sharing our first glances...
She gave me my first love, and the accompanying romances.

I wasn't sorry to fall in love, not a chance I could be,
She shall forever hold a place in my heart, rightly as it should be.

The reflection stared with menacing eyes and my fingers they curled,
Love I'll find again, but I won't let go of her... wouldn't do it for the world.

I smashed the mirror of darkness, and the shadows disappeared,
I walked my way towards life, now that the mist was cleared.

Foolishness of things...

2009-03-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, before you read any further, please bear in mind that this is my first attempt at poetry (I guess am no longer a virgin poet now :) ). So Sarah, Jason, Catherine, Margaret, Janey, Vesper, K, Lena and any other "giant" poets who might stumble here and whom I might have failed to mention, please pardon me if this hurts your idea of poetry. You've still got a chance to walk away. :-) And if you think, there is any chance of me writing a "proper" one someday, holler in all the tips you can.

Hmm... still reading?? Don't say I didn't warn ya?

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

I look... I hunt... I search within my soul,
I listen to the murmurs my heart tends to pour.
The random complexities of my thoughts are my plight,
I seek the meaning of life... in the clarity of night.

I stand on my toes trying to reach the shiny twinkling star,
That smiles at me teasingly, tantalizingly close yet so far.
The good old mossy moon then jumps in to end our battles all,
As we dance out there happily, in the bliss of the moonlight that falls.

I have finally stopped running, to give the world around a look,
Life was always this beautiful, only my acknowledgment it took.
My worries were washed away by the rivers I had known,
Perky thoughts came in when all the fears were blown.

I remembered the day, Back and worth together for hours we swung,
Whistling that tune, the old preacher-man had sung.
The winds just flirted when our shyness was crunched,
Promises were made and keeping secrets was dumped.

We then crashed that wedding where the bride wore magenta and the groom a grey suit,
We danced and we laughed like pirates with Eldorado for a loot.
Cordoned by me are those good times we had,
but hey, when you are around how can anything be bad?

In all my dreams of coming years, you play the greatest part,
Like a chick with a quill you carved your story, all over my heart.
Around you, I feel I am crazy, full of love I can't control,
Coz only you can paint a rainbow with the colors of my soul.

Now that I have witnessed a world of people and places,
I know that you are All I need, the rest are just faces,
So as we wait for the adventures, the thrills and the tests life brings,
Let us linger here a while in the foolishness of things...

SE7EN: "Sloth"

2009-03-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Chapter 7

There was no movement in the smoke filled room, or what was left of the room.

Shrieks were coming out from the back side of the mansion as other gang members searched for any survivors.

But all they found was blood spilled all over and body parts lying around. They decided to escape before the police arrived on the scene.

A hand came out of a pile of rocks,behind the broken desk, followed by a series of coughs.

Mike limped his way through the mess. He had severed no fatal wounds but was cut through many places.

No one paid any attention to him as he made his way outside the Mansion, wiping his face of all the blood.

He saw a woman clapping and laughing at the sight of explosion, crying out curses at the Costello family.
Her cloak suggested that she was the same woman who was crying besides the gate when they had entered, but it was hard to tell with all the smoke.

He limped his way towards her, only to find it was Jane, his sister.

He tried to walk as fast as he could to reach her and gave her a hug.

"Jane, what are you doing here? Did they do this to you? Where's Bill?"

Jane started crying out loud at the sight of Mike.

"Come on Jane, lets get out of here. You wait here and I'll just pick up a car from here.
We need to run as far away from here as we can."

He turned away and strolled towards the black sedan John drove him in.

He had barely taken a few steps when a wooden log hit his head and he fell down.

"Jane... you...why did you?" was all he could manage with all the pain rushing through his head as Jane kept hitting him with the log.

Jane cried out loud in agony, "All my life, I did nothing but take care of you. Managed your house. Moved town to town when police chased after you.
Did everything you asked me to do...everything. But you always kept screwing around.

I told you the mob would get you in trouble but you wouldn't stop...you would never stop.

You took away my life.

Bill was the only one I cared about in life... and he is gone. Gone because of you.
Now I have nothing to live for...Its all over, because of you. I hate you... I hate you."

And she kept hitting him, till he was drenched in a pool of blood and his body went still.

Jane sat there crying out in grief, hugging Mikes body, as the police sirens got louder and louder.

SE7EN: "Pride"

2009-03-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

Chapter 6

"So you saved me from wolves only to feed me to the Lion?" Mike blurted out, not able to control his anger anymore.

"Look kid. Just do as I say and you might get out of this alive. Besides you should have thought of the consequences before you pulled into this shit." John grunted.

"You are fucking insane. Just barge in there to meet Frank, that your plan?
You might just shoot me here to save him the trouble."

"If you don't shut the fuck up kid, trust me... I will. Is this the place?"

"Yes, that's Frank's mansion. He takes care of the business in those quarters out there."

"What about his family?"

"Well the wives and kids of the family, stay on the rooms back of the house. No body ever goes there."

"That's the first good thing I've heard of your shitty mouth all day. It seems we are in business."

"Why are you doing this John? You have everything to nail him now. Why not wait for the warrant?"

"You'll know soon enough kid. Now let's give a call to uncle Frank now, shall we?"

John called Frank Costello from Joseph's cell, and a coarse voice answered in a couple of rings.

"Yes Joseph. Do you have him?"

"Unfortunately, Joseph is not here Boss, because I killed him. But I have what you want, I have Mike."

"Who is this?"

"My name is John. I wanted to make a deal."

"You should have thought of it before you killed my man John. But, I must say I admire your bravery of calling me and confessing your crimes.
Business would have been ten folds if all of my men had the balls to pull such a thing off."

"I tried to talk sense to Joseph, I said I wanted to meet you, but he just wouldn't listen. And I hate talking to pricks.
Personally, I think you are better off without him."

"And why was it that you wanted to meet me, Mr. John"

"I am tired of pulling of short scams now. And I want to join the big game.
I want to work for you, so I had to do something to get your attention.
So I got Mike, when the word spread you wanted him down, sadly Joseph got in the way."

"Well, you now have my undivided attention Mr. John.
And if you took Joseph down by yourself then you surely have proved your competency. Very well I'll meet you.
Where are you at the moment?"

"I am right outside your mansion Boss. The cops are sniffing hard for Mike, so I took the liberty of getting him here with me."

"How insightful Mr. John. Show Mike face at the door and my men will let you in. They'll bring you to me."

As soon as John cut the call, Mike started shouting.

"I can not fucking believe you just did that? You just killed me and committed suicide. He's gonna kill you too, you know."

"Now we haven't got much time so I am explain it to you only once. Listen to me and listen to me good, and then if you're lucky you might live."

John noticed a woman curled up by the gate, weeping out laud, and his jaws clenched in rage.
They drove inside the Mansion after the men at the gates confirmed Mike was in the car.

There were about fifty guns pointed at them, as soon as they got of the car.

A man came and searched John. He took out two guns and a knife off him and threw them on the ground.

They were then escorted to the quarters by 20 armed mobsters, where Frank Costello waited for them.

To any average man Frank's face would seem to be expressionless. But John looked into his eyes and saw hate, disgust and even fear.

Frank was gazing down at John trying to judge his character.

"Quite a warm welcome you have given Boss" John smirked.

"One has to be careful in this line of business Mr. John. I'm sure you would understand that."

"But of course, I do Boss."

"I am a man of few words Mr. John and I hate men who beat around the bush. So I'll cut the chase and come straight to the point.
There is no small timer in this state who is skilled enough to take Joseph down, if there was someone would have brought that to my notice by now.
And even if there was, no one would have dared touched him, knowing his position in my organization.
Yet you took him down, resisted the temptation of a million dollars and here you are standing in front of me.

Only an extreme maniac or an extremely intelligent professional would try to pull a stint like you have today.
And you obviously don't suit the former profile Mr. John. So why don't you tell me who you really are and what brought you here?"

John's expression suddenly changed and hatred burned through his eyes.

"I am Special Agent John McClain, FBI."

Twenty guns clicked the safety open, ready to shoot when ordered.

"John or would you prefer Agent McClain? Now, that we have established your identity. Tell me, why did you plan on coming here?"

"Officer Dave Turner. You remember him Frank?"

"Yes. He became quite a nuisance a couple of years back, so we had to take him down. Was he something to you?"

"He was my oldest friend. But that's not the complete picture Frank. Did you confirm who all were in the house before your man Joseph blew it up?
Dave's wife was there too, along with my family, my wife... my son... my 4 yr old son. We had gone over to his place for dinner.
Only I got saved with a scar on the face to remind me of your sins, each passing day. I was saved so that I could finally confront you."

Franks face grew grim and his eyes went stiff.

"I am sorry that your family got involved in the unfortunate incident John.
But you should have made better plans if you sought revenge, there is no way you are going to escape this place alive."

John had a huge grin on his face, as he retorted "That's where you judge me wrong Frank, you think this is only about revenge?
But this is about my pride and I wanted to look into your eyes when you faced your death. I never planned to get out of here alive."

John pulled out the grenade from Mike's jacket and pushed him aside.
Mike dived to take cover, as hundreds of bullets raced towards John.

John went down, smiling towards Frank, as a grenade rolled of his wrists towards Frank.

"What the..." Frank never got to say his last words as the whole place blew up to pieces.

What goes around, comes around.

SE7EN: "Greed"

2009-03-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

Chapter 5

A car screeched to halt after crossing the SUV on the side road.

Joseph came out of the car with a pump-action shot gun in his hands.

He seemed in no hurry as he strolled his way towards the SUV. His eyes showed the excitement of a predator closing in on his prey.

He checked the driver’s seat, but found no one there.

He decided to give Steve a call. He heard his phone ring; the sound was coming from the cargo storage of the SUV. He went back and opened the trunk, to find Steve’s body stuffed inside, with half oh his head missing.

“What the fuck!” he said as he released safety of the shot gun.

But before he could turn, a bullet pierced his hand, forcing him to drop the gun.

“Well, you won’t need that shot gun of yours today Joseph”, said John as he came out of the bushes, with a gun pointed at Joseph.

“Who the fuck, are you? What do you want with me?” Joseph said holding his bleeding hands.

“You don’t need to know who I am. You are not even worthy, that I grant you your dying wish. Nor, do I want anything from you, as I got all I wanted from my good friend Mike over here.” John said pointing towards Mike, who tried to hide behind a tree.

“You don’t know who you are messing with? Frank will have your head for this.

But I can still save you. I’ll talk to the boss. Just walk out of here.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you think I’m that dumb that I’ll for that crap.

Now, I don’t want to waste time chatting with you, I’ve waited too long for this.”

John charged towards Jospeh and pinned him on the SUV, and threw a series of punches in his guts.

Joseph kicked on John's elbow that made him lose his gun.

"You should have used the gun when you had the chance" Joseph said menacingly as he threw a punch on John's face.

"And what? Lose out on all this fun? No thanks!" John retorted, as he licked his blood that was bleeding from his lower lips.

John kicked on Joseph's left knee that made him crouch, and he then threw a hard punch on his face.

"How does the mighty 'Jaw-breaker-Joe' likes his jaw broken?" John said full of sarcasm.

Joseph took out his knife that was strapped on his legs and tried to stab John.

John got out in time, so that all Joseph could manage was a cut.

"I figured you won't go down quietly. It would have been so disappointing if you did."

With that John caught his hand that held the knife and twisted it, forcing Joseph to cry out in pain as he released the knife.

John stretched out Josephs hand and made a dash at his elbow, breaking his bone.

Joseph was lying on ground now crying in pain with his one hand shot at, one elbow broken and a twisted knee.

He was now at John's mercy, and merciful he was not.

Mike came out of the bushes to join John seeing he had everything well under his control, and looked at him with new found respect.

"I cant believe you took him down." he said with excitement and relief.

"Don't push your luck too hard kid" John said lighting his cigarette.

"What do we do with him now?" Mike said, carefully weighing his words.

"You still got those bottles of booze you got back the Motel?" John questioned.

"Yeah, I kept it on the back seat of the SUV. You want me to get one for you?"

"One? Do I look like I want to fuckin' celebrate right now? Get all the bottles out here."

Mike did as was told, and got the whole crate from the SUV.

John started pouring the contents of the bottles over Joseph.

Joseph started screaming, begging for his life, but found no ears willing to listen.

John took the last puff of his cigarette and threw it on Joseph, that put him on fire.

"I couldn't just let all that Jack Danial's go to waste! Let's go kid, get in the car."

Mike did as ordered, his face was now white as a corpse in fear.

John and Mike got into the car and drove away, as the shrilling screams of agony stopped.

John took out his cell and called up Casey, "I want you to meet me at 21st and 5th Richmond Drive. How soon can you be there?"

"What is it about?"Casey asked.

"You'll see. I got Mike. He is ready to talk."

"Good work John. I'll meet you there in 20 minutes."

"And one more thing Casey. You'll find two corpses about ninety miles west on highway, from Motel Mondegar. Just cover it up okay, I'll fill you in later"

"Jesus! John you didn't..." Casey couldn't complete as John cut the call and accelerated towards the rendezvous point.

Mike had written down all he knew about Frank Costello. He never needed any more convincing after he saw what John was capable of doing.

They had waited for only a couple of minutes when Casey showed up.

"You have no idea, how much trouble you have caused me today; have you John?"

"Well, they both were on the wanted list wont they?"

"Yeah, but not on wanted dead list. If we had something on them, we would have apprehended them long ago. But they have got contacts high up the food chain."

"I think you should be all the more relieved that they are dead now. Listen, here is the list of everything you need to get the destroy the crime circuit.
Everything on Costello, place he stores his weapons and drug , his contacts higher up in police and government, his hide outs, places where the dealings take place, is right here.
This would be the biggest scoop of your career Casey."

"This is big John. This is great. But we would need Mike to testify to this, so that we can get a warrant against Frank.
We can't just barge into his place, you know he holds a big position in public."

"I'm afraid Mike wouldn't be able to do that. And you know, whats going to happen as soon as you take custody of Mike.
Either he is going to get killed in jail, or some wise ass lawyer will get him out.
Frank would cover up his tracks as soon as he knows that Mike has started talking, so you need to get the warrant of yours today"

"That would need a lot of convincing on my part, and I don't know if I can pull it off John"

"You know whats the best and the worst thing in our line of business Casey? Everything is for sale and everyone bets on the winning horse.
Here's one million dollars in unmarked bills. This should help you get that warrant of yours."

Casey was thoughtful for a minute, and then said, "It'll surely help a long way. Lets nail that Costello once and for all", he said as he shook Johns hand on that.

"Leave the nailing part to me Casey. Its the only thing I am good at."

"I'll give you that! But what are you going to do with Mike?"

"Mike and I, are going to pay a friendly visit to uncle Frank to discuss his Family issues."

Casey started to say something but stopped. Knowing John, he knew he wouldn't stop.

And Mike was staring at them with eyes wide open and his jaw hanging down.

For the first time he wished that may be, he should have let Bob kill him.

John pushed Mike into the car and got in pushed the car into gear, "Buckle up kid, its going to be a tough ride."

SE7EN: "Envy"

2009-03-11T11:27:00.001-07:00

Chapter 4

"I had an affair with Bob's wife" Mike confessed.

"Our Bob? Bobby the 'Claws' Bob?" Steve was startled.

"Yes"

"What were you thinking? Were you out of your mind? You know what he'll do to you when he finds out?
Wait a second, he's already found out hasn't he? That's why Boss gave the order to take you down?"

"Bob caught us earlier today, and tried to kill me. We had a fight, and he killed his wife. I had to protect myself, so I killed him by accident."

"You did what? Oh Jesus, you ought to be kidding. And you dragged me into this? You son-of-a-bitch!"

"Look I didn't know whom to turn to, Steve. We have been friends since we were kids. Please help me out here."

"Actually, its you who has helped me here Mike" Steve's expressions changed and he now scheming smile on his face.

He pulled the safety off his gun.

"What are you doing Steve. I am your oldest friend... you are my brother Steve"

"Friend...do you even understand its meaning, you sick fuck? All of my life, I've been compared to you.
And all you fuckers needed me for, was to make fat jokes. Well whose laughing now?

I busted my ass off to rise up in the gang. I've more connections with the cops than anyone. Still it was you who was everybody's favorite with your smooth talking and charming smile.
And look at you, you are so pathetic that you can't even last a day, without anybody's help.

I'll take you down and then the Boss will give me the respect I deserve.
And if its any consolation, Joseph already knows about your little plan to go to Mexico and he would be here any minute.
Even with my help, you would not have made it out of here. "

"Steve, trust me you don't want to do this.
You know what? I took the briefcase over there from Bob's house. It has over a million dollars there.
You can take it all, just let me go. Please, for old times sake."

"Well well well... this gets better and better. Not only I get to take you down, but I also get a million bucks to keep for myself.
All I got to say to Boss is I didn't find any money on you.
And don't worry friend... I'll make it quick, for Old times sake."

And just when Steve was about to pull the trigger, a bullet shattered his skull and he fell over Mike.

It took a moment for Mike to suck up what happened. By that time he was being pulled up by John McClain.

"Who... who are you?"

"No one you need to know kid. I need to know everything you have on Frank Costello. You get me?"

"I'll tell you everything. Whatever you want to know, just get me out of here. Joseph may come here any minute."

"The 'Jawbreaker Joe' Joseph? Frank must be real pissed to send him for a scumbag like you?"

"Seems like going after you wasn't such a bad idea after all. Get in the car."

They sat in the car and John, pulled the car over to the woods by the side till it was not visible from the road.

"What are you doing? Didn't you hear a word I just said?"

"Actually I did hear you. Here is a pen and a paper.
Now sit in the car, and write down every single place where Costello keeps his weapons and drugs.
Don't make me regret the decision of sparing your life. As you might have already noticed, I don't minding bending the laws myself.
And I don't need to tell you that, I am all you have between your life and Costello right now, so trying to run would be a bad...bad idea."

"But why are we staying here?"

"Because, I need to have a talk with Joseph to settle some old scores. So now, we wait."

SE7EN : "Gluttony"

2009-03-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3

"John, This is Casey. I have a lead on the Jaguar you wanted me to trace.
We have it on surveillance tapes parked at Motel Mondegar on 5th Avenue. You want me to send a team down there?"

"No need to send a team, its nothing I can't handle myself."

"Try not to kill him John", Casey sighed on the phone as John hung up.

The Sedan headed its way to Motel Mondegar in full throttle.

John took 25 minutes to reach there, the Jaguar was still parked there.

He went inside the Motel and headed for the bar. That was the most obvious place to start when inquiring about a thug.
He gave Mikes description and showed the bartender his badge.

"Now, I don't want any trouble here. I just want to know if you've seen such a man here?"

"Well yes officer. He left here about an hour ago with another guy, heavy built, about 6 ft tall."

"How are you so sure?"

"I clearly remember him sir. Well we don't have many customers at this early hour.
On top of that, he ordered the 20 bottles of the Jack Danial's for take away and asked to bring the most expensive dish served out here. He practically ordered food for 10 people for just the two of them.
That's why I remember him so distinctly. We seldom get such customers. Gave us very generous tips, he did sir. A good man he is."

"And did the gentleman mention where he was going when he left here?"

"Well yes, as a matter of fact he did. There was an exceptionally good looking Mexican lady on the next table.
And he said, he always had a thing for Mexican ladies, and said he was happy to be going to Mexico, for he'll find them in plenty there."

"Could you tell me what was the make of the car this other man came in?"

"I'll ask the wallet and get back to you in a minute." With that he went out for a while and returned "Its a black SUV Sir. The wallet saw both of them in go in the same SUV."

"You did a swell job. Here's one for the help", said John and passed on a $100 bill to the bartender.

"Well, today is certainly my lucky day sir. A very good day to you"

But John had a feeling, that the day was not going to turn out so good. And he took the highway out of the state and the engine screamed he started his chase.

Ninety miles ahead of John, Steve started pulling over his SUV from the highway.

"What the hell are you doing, you need to get me out of the state, as soon as possible."

"Not until you tell me exactly what's going on Mike?"

"Look Steve, you are my best friend, and I need you to help me. You have contacts in the police. Use it to get me out of here.
I promise I'll let you know everything"

"I am not doing anything or going anywhere until you tell me how deep a mess you are in. So whats it going to be?"

"Come on Steve, for our friendship, just do this once."

Steve sighed, and took out his gun.
"There is an order to take you down, given by the Boss himself. For our friendship I give you 5 minutes. Start talking."

SE7EN: "Wrath"

2009-03-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

Chapter 2

It was hard for John McClain not to grab attention with his towering personality. He stood 6 ft 2 inches tall, square shoulders and a scar below his left eye.

But having heard a gun-shot the locals were too scared to notice anything. And no one wanted to be a witness to whatever happened in Bob’s home.

John parked his Sedan and strolled towards the house. The door was open; he took out his Smith & Wesson Sigma and unhinged the safety. He walked inside stealthily, only to find two dead bodies. He identified one to be of Bob’s; he was following him for a month.

He made a call to the department, “Casey, this is John. We have 2 down at 53-B Gammon. Bob, the fixer for Costello family I was following, is dead. I was the first on scene, but I am leaving to follow a suspect. Send in back up as soon as you can.”

“Please tell me, you did not do this to Bob, did you John? I can’t cover your back anymore in this you know that right?”

“Yeah, I know that and no I did not kill him. Listen, I need you to put out a word for a green Jaguar, license plate says BADASS-1.”

“Huh, that shouldn’t be hard to find. Does this has to do with Bob getting killed?”

“May be, may be not. Am playing on a hunch here, so don’t let this on the chief.”

“I hate your hunches. It mostly involves someone getting killed.”

“Hurry up on this, and it won’t be you”, John said and hung up.

A couple of hours later…

“Boss, Bob is dead. One my men says he saw Mike leave his house immediately after a gun shot.”

Frank Costello, the Boss of Costello crime family, was a man who seldom showed any signs of emotion. But Bob had served him well for many years. Anger was evident on his face. He said in coarse voice, “And what did Mike had to say about this?”

“We have not been able to reach him Boss. He is not at his home and his cell is switched off. The money you gave to Bob for tonight’s deal is also missing from his house.”

“Does Mike have any family here?”

“Only his sister Jane lives here with her husband. I picked up from their house and have got them here.”

“Good work Joseph, bring them in.”

Jane’s face was drenched in tears as she was brought in with her husband Bill, who was shaking in fear.

“Now, you know all to well, what we do here in this business Jane, don’t you?”

She just nodded in fear, not meeting his gaze.

“So let’s not waste our time Jane. Mike did something wrong, very wrong. And he needs to face the consequences like a man. All you got to do is tell me where he is and you can leave. Now, I may be a million bad things in the world, but a liar is not one of them. I always honor my words. So tell me where he is?”

“I… I don’t know sir. He…he had not called me in months.”

Frank picked the gun on the table in a flash and put a bullet right through Bill’s head. Blood scattered all over Jane’s face.

“Now, you must not misjudge my competency to seek the truth, Jane. So let’s give it another try only this time it’ll be your head on the line.”

Jane had turned white in horror, her lips trembled as she uttered the words “He just called us and asked us to leave the state and go to Mexico. He said he would find us later. I don’t know anything else, I swear. Please don’t kill me.”

“Now that wasn’t so hard was it? Joseph, escort the lady out of here and let her be. She is of no use to us anymore. Let her feel the pain of putting his brother before her husband’s life.

And Mike will try to find a way to reach Mexico, find him. Do not disappoint me Joseph.”

“No one ever escapes after crossing the family Boss. I’ll find him.”

SE7EN : "Lust"

2009-03-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1

Susan was eying out of the kitchen window, her heart-beats exposing her disguised emotions.

There was a glint in her her eyes as she saw the Jaguar turn in on the driveway.
She looked at her reflection to check on the make up and hurried to open the door to let Mike in.

"What took you so long? I was..." Susan was unable to complete her accusations as her lips were stormed by Mike's.

He lifted her off her feet, slamming the door behind him and took her to the bedroom.

"I came here as fast as I could, but you know how it is. I had to make it such that no one gets suspicious. Oh, how I missed you", he said, as he kissed her.

"Lets not waste time talking honey, Bob would be here in an hour. You need to get out of here in thirty minutes."

"That's all I need to make all your fantasies come true my princess." Mike said, jumping out of his jeans.

"You are quite a charmer for a thug. Now you better come true to your words" she giggled as she started undressing.

They were too busy riding the high waves of lust, to have heard the click on the door, as Bob walked in.

"I knew you were fucking behind my back you filthy whore. And you Mike? Of all the people... it is you? I treated you like a fucking brother, you bastard!
Now you shall die along with the slut. You know the code." Bob was raging fury, as he put his hand inside his vest.

Susan was crying out aloud, afraid of what was going to come her way.

Mike knew Bob all too well to know, what he was fetching. Bob was always true to his words, everyone in the town knew that.
When he said he would kill, he killed.

Mike threw the bed sheet over his head and leaped on to him; taking him down to the floor. A shot was fired, and the screaming stopped.

He took the lamp on the side table and began hitting Bob with all his force, again and again... till the sheets were covered in red. He removed the sheets to confirm that Bob's head was smashed to pulp.

He looked back to see Susan body lying against the wall, with a bullet in her chest.

"Fuck! What am I supposed to do with this mess?" he cursed to himself.

Then he calmed himself, after all he saw gunfights, dead bodies, blood on a daily basis. Work was tough in his line of duty.

He put on his clothes, and searched the house for cash. He knew he had to leave the state. Bob had served The Boss for 15 years and had many old friends in the gang.
They'll all be searching for him in an hour... and Boss always got what he wanted, but Mike wanted to make this an exception, because this time he would want him dead.

Lucky for him, he didn't have to search too hard. He saw a briefcase by the door and upon opening found it to be stacked with hundred dollar bills.

"Oh, I love you Franklins." he said, kissing the briefcase. He grabbed his car keys and stormed out of the house.

He started his car and zoomed away. A pair of deep set eyes in the black Sedan parked a block away, kept staring at his car as it went out of sight.

I wish...

2009-03-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

“Huh, uhhh! You can’t escape. I’ll get you, you know?”

“What are you doing in the garden Nick? Your mom has been calling you.”

“I am trying to catch that butterfly Pa. But she keeps on dodging. Would you help me catch it?”

“Now son, why would you want to catch it?”

“Because she is beautiful, isn’t she? And I want to keep it with me forever.”

“If you touch her lad, she wouldn’t remain the beauty that you now admire. Her wings would crush, and her color would wear off. She would no longer remain the object, that you desire.”

“But that’s not fair. A thing so beautiful, yet I can not even touch it?”

“Someday you’ll realize lad, that a part of her charm is the fact that you can not capture her beauty. That’s what makes her so special.

And I’ll let you in on a secret. She’ll let you touch her, if you appreciate her beauty in the right way. Look carefully. I’ll extend my hands towards her, and appreciate her for being a thing of beauty without any intentions of harming her.”

“Wow, Dad! That’s so cool! How did you do that? She is sitting on your hand. Can I do it too?”

“Yes, my son. Of course, you can. Just raise your hand and feel her beauty from your heart. Learn to appreciate and not to capture.”

“She’s coming over here dad. She sat on my shoulder. She is sitting on my shoulder! She is soooooooo beautiful. Oh no...she flew away. I guess I scared her.”

“You can come here anytime to play with her son. Just let her know she’s safe around you.”

“Yes Dad. I got it. Apreciate from heart. Appreciate not capture.”

“Well, you are the smartest one in the family. Just don't tell mom, I said that.”

“Dad, will Claire from my class also come to me, if I appreciate her?”

“Err… Things are not so simple when it comes to girls, my boy. You’ll have to learn more than just stretching of hands. That is another lesson to learn and a very big one at that. We will have a man to man talk on that, some other day. Right now, lets go inside, your mom has made us pan cakes.”

“Sigh, why is everything in life always so complicated?”

“I wish I knew the answer to that son…I wish I knew.”

Randomness...

2009-02-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

I know I had decided to write only fiction and avoid writing personal things on the blog, but well My Blog… My rules… right? I’ve been tagged to write 25 random things about myself by 'Serendipity' (Whom I just stumbled onto a couple of days back which was again Serendipity). So here goes my list… (This shouldn’t be that difficult as I am a pretty random person myself… People who know me in person would confirm how I have fundaz behind everything in Life):

1) I am a non believer of God/Religion. I do believe in the one power, that channels its way through into our lives in the form of dreams, fate, luck, destiny, etc. But I hate idolism. I couldn’t agree more with Richard Bach, when he wrote in ‘The One’ that religion cannot be named or preached. The moment you give it a name, a symbol, or copyright it… its essence is lost. Religion is what we believe in, what we have faith in. My work, my parents, my friends… they are my religion. I define my religion…. It does not define me. (Sigh…Too much spirituality on the first point itself… But had to get it out)

2) Any tiny winy little thing that happens in my life… I have to say it to 5 of my closest friends. They all get to know what’s happening in my life sooner or later. And they are my esteemed council in any decision I take for I always get a bizarrely different take on life from each of them.

3) Okay I know this one’s a bit stinky… but well randomness it is… I get all great ideas about the fiction I write or games I create or anything creative at the restroom. Either while bathing or while doing what we all do each morning. :-D All my Eureka moments occur there.

4) I walk like a robot… with straight face… blank eyes and stiff shoulders… (at least so I’ve been told). And I don’t know why but if I’m walking alone I’m always either singing to myself or thinking more than one thing at a time and that makes me walk like a dreamer. All my efforts to improve it have gone in vain!

5) I have committed Orkut and facebook suicide a couple of months back. Now I use them to be in touch with only the friends whom I can’t call often. (Like those up states). I was too bored of playing Likeliness quizzes, and asking others how hot/funny am I? and answering random people’s ‘Wazzup’s’ and ‘Howz Life’s’! I keep in touch with everyone I care about on phone.

6) I had hit a bad patch on the emotional front of my life when I was in 3rd yr of my college. Experts suggested me to take up something to keep my mind off things and keep myself occupied. I picked up learning Guitar and have been in love with ‘Elanora’ (my Guitar), ever since.

7) My bike is my other love…one that got hurt badly only recently. She has been a witness to many memorable trips and landmark events of my life. And all the people in world I care about have at least once cherished a ride on it. So she has been a great companion all the way. In the past 6 years she has never disappointed me. And I took me 2 yrs to convince my father to get me one.

8) My granny says that I am married to my Laptop. And that’s because you’ll always find it on by bed lying next to me. I wake up by trying to read mails battering my eyelids and whining how I don’t want to go to office. And I sleep watching a movie daily.

9) I am a huge… huuuuggeee Movie Buff! I don’t watch Indian Movies a lot, but English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, Latin , Brazillian… I see them all! I have been religiously watching about 15 movies a week since my college 2nd year now. Sometimes Movies take a back seat when I indulge myself into seeing a particular TV show after downloading it like f.r.i.e.n.d.s, House MD, Heroes, 24, Prison Break, Hustle, Coupling, The Mentalist, Fringe, Lie to Me, How I met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory… the list goes on and on and on.

10) I use Japanese quotes just to show off at times…. The ones that I learnt watching anime all the time. I still read comics and Manga. And love to watch animated movies. One should never let the kid in you die.

11) Here comes a bummer again… I had a secret desire (well not so secret now) to just step into the girls toilet once. Just to have a look around. But could never build up the courage. One day, I went to the Career Launcher classes for MBA coaching, and the power was off. I was a bit early to class and had to visit the washroom. Now this was a newly constructed center… so they were yet to have the traditional His & Her tags for the door. Right now they had scribbled that using a ball pen. (How on earth was I supposed to read that in the dark) So I stepped in and it took me a moment to realize that something wasn’t right! Well if this isn’t random…I don’t know what is!!! :-D

12) I maintain a black book, in which I jot down ingenious ways of killing people and not get caught… ways I learn by researching over the net… I figure it’ll come handy some day.

13) It’s a part time hobby, to learn about serial killers and how were they tracked or at least attempted to be tracked. I like researching about profiling as I always get fascinated thinking about what must go into their minds?

14) Well… one thing that fascinates me more about what goes on in a serial killer’s mind is what goes on in the minds of the fairer kind! Honestly, I fail to understand what exactly it is that women want? They would never give you a straight answer to anything and talk like they are sphinx and want us to guess the right answer!

If I would ask “Do you prefer object A or object B?” They’ll say “For what occasion and purpose and what do you think I would prefer…. Let this be a test to how much you know me?” Why can’t they just pick one and get over it!

15) I have decided that rather than growing old and dying on a sick bed... I'll start living my bucket list once I cross 50... once I have left something for history to remember me by. And my bucket list includes things like driving my bike over the top of a really high building... and diving of a plane without a parachute... and my tombstone would read something witty like "Burried Alive" or "I am hiding inside... don't tell anyone".

16) I am allergic to raw Onions. Being a veggie… it slashes half the menu for me. I can tolerate it in gravy but that’s my limit. My bro. forced me to eat Onion Pizza once, insisting that it had more to do with my mind than allergy… I puked all night long. I'm crazy over Potatoes!

17) I hate two faced people. I mean we all have to be nice to some people out of compulsion. But I hate people who reach out to you by choice…. Say you are a friend and then say shit behind your back. I believe the term Friendship is too under-rated these days.

18) I cannot sit in a place for more than an hour or concentrate on anything for more than 15 min. My mind teleports to Neverland and I have to go have a break and come back.

19) I often get dreams of world domination and being in a land where we all live in one large kingdom… back together with Elves, Hobbits, Fairies, Orks, Ogres, Urukhines and all.

20) I often visit the places I've had severe accidents in life (there are 3) and just wonder, what if there were a few factors changed here and there. Somehow that makes me appreciate life a bit more.

21) I got so hitched by the movie ‘Serendipity’ that I actually sold a few books in the flea market with my name and clues to find me, hoping someone would decode them someday.

22) My first love (and only yet…) had gifted me a gel-candle once on my B’day and I broke it by mistake. I collected all the broken pieces and got it back together. But I could not find one small piece. I still keep it with me… it reminds me that not all broken things can be mended.

23) There is nothing in this world that I am more afraid of, than the idea of me having an arranged marriage. I cannot possibly decide to marry a gal just after meeting her for a couple of times.

24) Whenever am sad and want to be left alone, I pick the nearest highway and drive exactly 52 km on it. Park my bike on the side and stare at the stars. If I can spot Orion up there, nothing like it. I can keep staring at it for the whole night. (And no… I seldom get sad in the day time… Huh)

25) Hmm… last one…ever since I read ‘The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ I try to get everything related to the number 42… from the room no. in my Hostel, to my Bike’s no. to everything. For it is my quest to find the answer to ‘Life…the Universe and everything’.

Hmm… that’s about it. See I can go on and on talking about myself. And thought I’ll write funny stuff following the footprints of Serendipity, but I guess I got carried away somewhere around in the middle.

Some Magic!

2009-02-18T05:40:00.000-08:00

“Congratulations man! You have done what no man has done before! At least no man I know personally!”

“Thanks Mate! Though there was never a doubt in my mind that loved her to the core, it still feels magical today!”

“Hell yeah its magical brother, how else can you explain, you both being together since high-school; and marrying your first love? I mean who remains faithful to their girlfriends for so long, man! Honestly, I thought you were a douche till now, for believing the ‘Woman of my dreams’ crap, I mean ‘Catherine Zeta Jones… Monica Belucci’ these are the women one should dream about! But now, after seeing you go all the way… I wish I believed too…”

“You’ll find that special someone soon, I’m sure! Sooner or later, destiny even blesses the assholes!!!”

“Wo wo…. you don’t want to say ‘I do’ with a black eye now, do you...that too given to you by your best man. But honestly, was there never even a shred of doubt in your mind whether Renee was the one for you or not?”

“Well yes there was… it was back in high school, when we were applying for college. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next… I mean we all know what happens if a girl and a boy live in different zip codes, right? They talk daily at first… then once a week and then eventually they find someone else! I wanted to stay close to her but I wasn’t sure if I should compromise my career for a prospect, I wasn’t sure would come through. I mean I didn’t know back then if she shared the same feelings, as strongly as I did.”

“So what made you change your mind?”

“On the third last day of high-school she shouted my name in front of my hostel and called me out on the balcony. She had brought a guitar with her that day, and sang 'Love me do' to me, standing on the front lawns.”

“Wow… I never imagined that she knows how to play a guitar! She looks more of the violin type. But that was awesomely sweet of her! “

“Well…. Eh… she doesn’t actually know how to play a Guitar, or a violin at that!” said Steve; blushing.

“Boy, this keeps on getting better and better”, Jimmy tried hard to control his laughter. “So how was it… the song I mean?” he barely managed to complete the remark before he burst out laughing again!

“Oh… It is the single most embarrassing moment of my life and the most loved one too! She was extremely awful, and completely butchered the song. I was afraid that some of the Beetles fan might get agitated; but it seemed enjoyed the show. I ran down to take her in my arms and the world was never the same again.

You know, I loved that song before and well it’s the rhythm of my life now, but the idea of her coming out at pulling such a stunt! That was all the sign I ever needed… That day onwards I was never surer about anything about my life than the fact that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her! Like I said it was... magical!”

"Oh my God...Oh my God...Oh my God!!! Renee, darling... You are looking like an angel! I can't believe you are getting married! Oh my god, I just had my make up done and I think am gonna cry!!!"

"I know... we did come a long way... didn't we! But Steve still makes my heart flutter each time I look into his eyes."

"You really grabbed a keeper honey! Though I can never possibly imagine how you did it... Men cheat the first chance they get these days... I honestly don't know what spell you cast on him!"

"Well actually the spell was originally created by the Beatles, and is named 'Love Me Do'! All I did was make an ass of myself by trying to play that stupid guitar of yours and sing the song in front of a 100 men!"

"Oh yes I remember... that created ripples in high school! If that had not touched him... I don't know what would have. You were very brave that day." Susan giggled to tease Renee.

"Yup... some night that was! And Steve confessed that it was that act that did the thing for him!"

"I have known you for all my life but i don't know what had got into you that day, which made you do such a thing. Its very unlike you!"

"Well...ahem... what the hell... Am getting married tonight... And am a girl, I am not expected to keep secrets anyway! Here's the thing I haven't told anyone about... I had been to Steve's room and read his personal diary. He had written how he fantasized that girl of his dreams would someday come and sing for him to take his heart away!"

"Awwwww... Thats so sweet of you to do! You made his dream come true! Oh my God... am crying!"

"Yeh... but you see the thing is... when the last day of high school I went to his room to help him pack. His room-mate picked up THE Diary.... HIS diary and kept it in HIS bag!"

"Oh no... so you had picked up the wrong..."

"Yup...."

"It was not his..."

"Nope..."

"And you haven't told him?"

"Nope..."

"And I am supposed to keep this a secret!"

"Yes you are!!! You see, I may suck at playing a guitar... But am really good at beating the hell out of people who cross me!

And besides... In Life we all need to believe in some magic... don't we?"