Tamarind Rice-d

Tamarind Rice , an emerging online e-zine has published my story "The Last Day"  . You can read the story and all of the super cool contributions from other authors here.

 
Happy and excited !
You can also read it here The Last Day



The Last Day

I walked with a brisk pace to my cubicle. I was already late and Today was the day I had chosen to present my new algorithm to my boss. In my hurry, I almost bumped into a couple of people on the stairs. What was up with everyone, trying to bump straight into me (?). I had no time for that. What with all the talk of mass layoffs and the big boss's knowing glances, I didn't want any more reason for them to take me out.

When I finally reached my cubicle, something made me stop on my tracks. My team lead Akshay was asking a facilities worker to take away all my belongings and put them in a box. All my nightmares since I overheard that conversation between my managers last week had suddenly come alive. This is what it felt like, being told to go. Being told that the place I frequented or even haunted if you count the number of midnights spent here, was no longer mine. I looked at him closely. There was more than a twinge of sadness on  Akshay's face. It must be the big boss, who's making him do it. Akshay always liked me.  Maybe, they sent me a mail this morning. I'd heard that’s how it was for a bunch of people in the customer care department when they got fired.

I decided to wait, to compose myself before meeting any of them- my (ex) team mates. Then I saw them all huddled together in the conference room. Not a single person had a smile on their face. It was obvious even from a distance that usually cheerful banter was completely absent. Reena and Shashank almost looked like they had been crying. I wondered if they were all being fired.

As soon as I saw Akshay get into the meeting room, I decided to go to my seat unseen, one last time, before they cleared it out. I looked at my cubicle with wistful eyes. “Good Bye, my Second Home“. My gaze shifted to my locked computer screen and realized that more than anything; I wanted to log in and see my layoff email. Maybe I should delete my personal stuff too before somebody realizes how many copyrighted Bollywood songs I have downloaded. I sat down on my chair and typed the password. Nothing happened. The ever familiar key board and mouse were refusing to do my bidding. I bent down and verified that the cables were connected. Then the unthinkable happened. The two facilities people walked right through me and picked up the chair I was sitting on, as if I didn't exist.

Then it hit me, precisely like the bus that hit my bike as I was rushing through peak traffic to reach the office. I was not solid anymore, only a meager spirit that lacked even the power of touch, which people walked right through, someone of no earthly consequence. As I was walking despondently away towards the exit door wondering what was ahead, I noticed my notepad on the floor. My algorithms ... my designs...my solutions. I wished there was some way I could save them from certain death at the jaws of the paper shredder.

It  was only inches from Vineeth's' cubicle. Vineeth, my best friend, who had worked with me on this project. I’d overheard the bosses talking last week that he'd be laid off in a week if he didn't present a working algorithm by then. He was absently walking back to his cube with some print outs, sense of direction obscured by the mist in his eyes. I wished, with all my might, that he would see my book. On perfect cue, a wind blew out of nowhere knocking down the print outs in his hand. As he bent down and examined my notes, I could almost see him smiling through his tears.

With one final glance back, I made my exit. It was my last day after all.

Happiness

The happiness  butterfly,

It would not just stand by

With a butterfly kiss and a perky flap,

Take off it did , not wait on my lap.

Chasing after its elusive scent

Captivated by the sights en-route I went

In the crowded beaches,

Making castles of sand and dreams

On the platform , enjoying the rain

While waiting for an unduly late train

In the park , having fun

Blowing a bubble or two in the sun

Staring up, filling my eyes,

With orange-blue oils in the skies.

Walking across crowded street,

With a spicy roasted peanut treat

Looking in awe at the full moon sky

Enchanted night that stars twinkle by.

As I sit down and pause

To enjoy little things with out a cause

With a butterfly kiss and flutter of wings

Happiness , my little butterfly brings.

When you say nothing at all..55 Fiction Again

I had forged a thousand reasons in my mind , a million justifications , why she could be the only woman in my life. Why I wouldn't surrender to your wishes this time.
But you just looked at me with those wistful eyes in silence.
When you say nothing at all, how can I defy you , mother?

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He looked for her every where . Flew high and low. Called out her name . No tweet came back.
"When you say nothing at all, something is not right". He worried.
He understood the ominous, as he heard the light footed hunter walk away and an anguished sage say "Ma Nishada Prathishta Twam gamaha".

*********************************************************************************
"I love you. Will you Marry Me ". He said kneeling down .
She did not reply. In fact she gave him the same playful smile as always.
"Say something , sweetheart ", he coaxed. "It kills me when you say nothing at all."
"Are you proposing to her photo again , you moron? When will you grow a spine!"

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Another set of tiny stories , this time for the topic "When you Say nothing at all " for BloggAdda.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda and has been selected as a WOW Post

Rain Snippets - My attempts at 55 Fiction

"On a rainy day , Incy Wincy spider climbed that water spout. But the rain came down and washed him out. " Chanted my son.

"Will the spider be able to climb up again when the sun comes up?" He asked.

"Oh Yes". I said, smiling, as I kicked the dead spider out of the puddle.

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On a rainy day , she got into the bus as usual , and sat on a  window seat.
Feeling the beauty and romance of the rain on her face, she fell into a contented sleep, oblivious of her co-passenger, who got down before she woke up.
She was happy , until she found her umbrella missing.

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On a rainy day, he was making paper-boats to sail in the puddles.
He hoped the rains would continue tomorrow , so he could play them with his grandpa.
He didn't understand why his parents were anxiously scouring news and making frantic inquiries.
All he knew was that grandpa was supposed to return from Kedarnath today.

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On a rainy day , she saw him . As she did every time it rained.
He offered her his umbrella and they walked away together in the rain.
One day she asked . "Who are you? ". He smiled showing off his vampire teeth.
She reciprocated..her fangs making her wickedly beautiful. And they faded into the rain.

********************************************************************************************

On a rainy day , I saw her for the first time.
It was raining too the day she became mine.
On another rainy day , I lost her for ever.

I was distressed beyond words. I had to think of another excuse for losing my third umbrella in a month.

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My first attempt at writing stories under 55 words. And I wanted to stray from the usual Rain/Romance saga.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

Yeah!

Rain Fury

On a Rainy day, my heart skips a beat
Relishing a respite from the heat

[Source :http://wallpaper2021.blogspot.com/2011/05/rain.html]

As raindrops on my cheek
Murmur a gushing sweet speak
The wind pulls my hair , teasing
As it splatters droplets ,  adorning
Spring's white  flower bequest
With a pearl ornate chest

As the wind , changes its tone,
From a treble to a baritone ,
Rhythm of the falling rain
Picks up beats, quickens again
Watching the skies rapidly shift hue
Washing a dark grey blue
Colors from my rain speckled cheeks drain,
I try to protect my flowers in vain.

Rain , Wind , I beseech , I pray ,
Do not take my spring flowers away.
Thunder guffawed , mocking me anew
With strength and vigor , the thunderstorm blew.
With vengeance it crushed my flowers to ground.
In to the sea of mud where everything drowned.
"Your flowers are mine" , it seemed to say
"As is everything that stands in my way."

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

The Road to Success

If you want the thrill and excitement
Of roads seldom traveled,
Of novelty, ambition ,
May be a  morsel of fame

In paths un-traversed by men.
Foot prints , mark your own
Reach for the stars , the sky,
The end of the blue horizon.

It will be a long journey ,
I must warn you though.
And it is not for quitters
Who stop when things get rough.

May perseverance be your virtue
And hard work be your friend
The fairy tale will come true
You will succeed in the end.

Adulation , admiration , will follow.
Future will , in awe look
But you will be the pioneer
Of a route that no one took.