Retired, not from love:

__________________________________________________________

The maid served their tea in the balcony and left.

‘You have achieved everything you have ever dreamt for, Narein! So, what’s next on your agenda.’ She asked as she prepared tea for them.

‘Well, now that I have got everything under the sun.' He glanced at his reflection in the window glass, 'and aged to retirement; all I now yearn, is YOU. I would like to make it up for all those moments that we spent separately, building our lives. I just wanna be with you, my wife.’ He took her hand into his trembling grip, while her eyes gave way to a couple of tears.

{Image: ShutterStock}

[Visit my website to explore my other works: www.srirom.in]

Gavya:

_______________________________

‘Tell me Shomesh, what’s the hullabaloo over cow and it's beef? Why it is haraam in you guys?’ She asked while watching the news, ‘Is this vigilantism & killing justified in the name of cow?’

‘It’s all about common sense Sanam, which seems to be absent in the era of “knowledge everywhere”. The sanatan scriptures revere Cow as mother. Obviously it’s figurative, but has some meaning to it.’

‘Then enlighten me, husband; I am all ears.’ She got up and sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around him.

‘A cow is benign in more than one way to mankind. She produces five products: milk, urine, dung, butter & ghee and every product benefits us & the environment in many ways.’

‘Oh please, that is so gross.’ Sanam distanced herself to the other end of the sofa, expressing disgust.

Shomesh smiled, ‘You know why cow dung is coated in outer walls, cause it shields from radiation. Atomic power centers in India and Russia use cow dung. In fact, when we burn cow dung, it balances atmospheric temperature and kills germs in the air.’

‘No kidding!’

‘Yes honey! And the cow-urine that disgusted you can cure many diseases, curable & incurable. Cow’s milk develops brain tissues, improves intelligence.’

‘Is that the reason why you people use mainly cow’s milk and its products to prepare the sweets and other dishes in religious ceremonies.’

‘Yeah dear, now tell me if in this rate the slaughter will continue, won’t milk and related products’ price inflate. I mean what will happen if beef goes off the menu; won’t affect a heck! But the rising prices will certainly devoid the poor from nutrition.’

‘You’re saying as if the country will run out of Cows?’

‘You’re missing the point, "Rising prices". And not every breed of cow has that effect. You know Desi Cow is the only being that has a Surya Ketu Nadi, passing through her backbone. It is believed that this vein absorbs the medicinal essence from the sun. This and many other reasons, why we treat her Holy. Also, you must know, thousands of cows are smuggled every day, in the most inhumane way possible, and the most literate state is too involved; ain't that hypocrisy. The treatment that those innocent animals receive will ruin the mascara of your eyes, so let’s not discuss that. The act of vigilantism cannot be justified by any way, that’s the act of pseudos. But why there’s no uproar over treatment of cows.’

The Suitable Bride:

__________________________

‘Bhai Sahab, we have nurtured our girl in a complete traditional environment; in complete stringent upbringing. You will never hear a single utter from her. You will always find her either in kitchen or household chores.’

‘Wah Trivedi ji! Your daughter is a gau.’

‘Ji bhai sahab.’ He grinned, while his palms remained folded.

‘Doesn't utter a single word, all day!’ Trivesh, immersed in his smartphone, turned to them, ‘Papa! I wonder whether you are looking for a life partner for brother, or a puppet…. Slave fits better though.’ He gave a sneer to both.

‘What do you mean, Trivesh.’ His brows narrowed.

‘Leave it.’ He got up to leave, ‘the problem’s with the centuries of oppressed mindset, that still inhibits us to think right; which turned a woman from ardhangini, to a mere daasi.’

Dress Code

___________________________

“And today, our Prime Minister met the German Chancellor. While the opposition pronounces it PM’s another tour; several contracts & agreements signed between the delegations of both countries, indicate the strengthening ties, heralding a new dawn!”

‘I must admit it; this man has definitely worked on our nation’s branding, changing perceptions!’

‘Wow Mom! You seemed to have developed a liking for our dude.’

‘Oh!’ Her face turned red, ‘What rubbish. It’s about our country, that’s it. There, another news breaking.’

“Meanwhile! A Bollywood actress on her promotional tour met our PM. Here’s the complete story….”

‘This girl’s my goddess! She’s so cool na mom?’

‘Now there, why am I not surprised? Any pretty face that garners overnight sensation is your idol. A real icon represents strength and endurance that comes over years and sometimes decades of labor.’ She frowned.

‘Ok Mom cool down!’ her eyes widened in astonishment, ‘We can deal with this success mantra subject some other time. What’s annoying you in actual?’

‘Just see her wearing, legs exposed. Is this how you represent our country? You are meeting in person with the PM, where’s the decorum?’

{Image: polyvore.com}

‘First thing first! Dressing must never be a criterion to judge a person.' She rose, 'Second, she’s not a diplomat, nor she was in Germany for political reasons. Instead, I appreciate her for visiting our PM out of blues. Don’t you see goodness in that?’

‘But Beta….’

‘Have you researched our scriptures enough to claim her dressing as a sign of sluttiness. You once taught me that it’s our sanskaar that matter, and now you judge a woman for her dressing? That’s not you' She looked her in the eye, 'but centuries of oppression speaking, mother. As we failed to realize our heritage, our actual values.’

[Visit srirom to explore more]

Jingle all the way

“Hurry, we must make it soon, else they will catch us” Jacob was running restlessly.

“Wait! I am not an athlete, gimme a moment” Mishka stopped him, breathing heavily.

“Look, it was your idea; we have got the stuff, now we must deliver it to them. If father founds us, we are surely gone then.”

“Look, there’s a teddy bear lying there in the lane, good we got stopped here. She had it on her wish list you see.” she chuckled.

“We barely stopped for a minute and I am freezing, the merits of running are over, brrrrr.”

“Ha ha ha! poor you. Let’s go now, they are just two blocks away, it won’t take us long. We will deliver the stuff to them and return. Our fathers will never know.” They started running again.

“Yeah right, don’t know how I always get into your stupid plans. Look, there they are.”

Mila and Ronan were just like other street children, orphan and homeless. Their eyes twinkled when they saw Mishka.

“Here you go guys, MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Mishka shouted in a gala mood. Daughter of a rich dad, her heart was a pure gold; she befriended with both kids just a week ago and convinced Jacob to donate their gifts to both poor children. She and Jacob gave all their gifts to them, including the teddy they recently found.

“Thank you so much guys, you really made our day” said Ronan and Jones” it’s so nice of you, you both brought every single gift we wished since we were….I don’t even remember since when.”

“Just enjoy your gifts; here, I got the cake mommy made for me. I have already got enough gifts with me; wish Santa had gifted me personally, every year I try to wake but fall asleep and then he drops whatever gift I wish for.”

“Okay, we must leave else our parents will come looking for us.” Jacob said, waving goodbye to both.

They turned back towards their homes, but Mishka was sad, her wish to see Santa was not granted yet, the only thing she actually wished this year.

“Cheer up Mishi, there’s no Santa okay; it is our parents who arrange these gifts for us.” Jacob tried to cheer her.

There was dead silence in the street, they continued with their walk,. Suddenly, a gust of wind astounded them. They looked up in the air, and their jaw dropped, a flying sleigh with reindeers attached to it arrived and halted. A giant figure appeared ”Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas children!” This was Mishka’s moment and she was the happiest child in the world.

{Image: s3.envato.com}

Three words:

____________________________

'Marriages are made in heaven'; their affection & compatibility verified the saying. The whole world could see, how deep they were into each other. And the news of a new life augmented the merriment in their lives.

“My dear wife! Nothing more now I seek or aspire from life’ he pecked a kiss on her forehead, ‘When I will be back from abroad, I will see that our son gets all my time.’

Weathers passed and the awaited day arrived.

‘Congratulations husband, you're promoted to fathership. Our girl resembles you totally, especially her eyes, where I delve into for hours. So now come back soon, can’t wait to see you.’ She messaged him.

She waited for an hour anticipating his revert. Finally her cellphone’s message tone clanged. Her fingers made no delay in opening the messenger. It was his message where he compiled all his feelings in three words.

Those three words that started with ‘T’ were enough to wreck her life, shattering her dreams of a pleasant future.

[Visit www.srirom.in for more stories, quotes and access other social profiles]

A day not so far:

_________________________________

They knocked at the door hesitantly.

‘Please come in.’ a female voice answered.

They entered the room, closing the door carefully. He helped her wife to the chair, holding her hands.

‘Mr. & Mrs.…..’ she glanced at the application form closely, ‘Naadkarni.’

‘Yes Mam.’ They said in unison, gently; posing a smile.

‘Let me first congratulate you for choosing city’s prime & eminent school. Your child is certainly in the best hands where we will shape our pupils’ future in concord with their dispositions & aspirations. We believe in providing the environment where the tiny tots will fly with their imagination. In our tutelage, the naive minds will evolve towards the right direction, towards conviction.’

‘Yeah yeah, the hypocritical speech’ He thought, ‘Absolutely Mam!’ An admitting grin followed, ‘any directives for us as parents.’

‘Not much really, we don’t believe in enforcement. Just a few things, we will provide guidelines for child’s education; diet plan; attiring etc. for his all round personality development. Therefore, it will be our request to make the arrangements from our affiliates only.’ She donned a broad smile.

‘Certainly Mam!’ the mother nodded in agreement, ‘along came the demands’ she brooded.

‘Thanks for understanding. Now the most important question’ she looked at her, ‘when’s the due date?’