The Silence – Excerpt (Mirror 2)

The Silence

Everything was going fine. They were eagerly waiting for their wedding day when finally they would be pronounced man and wife in a holy matrimony when fate took a U-turn. They had no clue what was in store for them until the time arrived when their relationship was put to test. The call came uninvited and unannounced. Thankfully they had had enough good memories to keep them going strong during the crisis. But will they survive the challenge was the question.

Mirror 2

#comingsoon #loverelationshipquotes

Excerpt: Mirror 2 (Coming soon)

Here is a brief excerpt of my upcoming book #mirror2 #love #relationship #quotes and other #lovestories

What am I doing?

This post is for self.

I want to know what I want from myself. A very harsh statement indeed for after so many years of writing I still don’t have a clue where to start from. It seems like my think tank fuel has come to a halt or I might be redirecting it elsewhere. Whatever be the case, I can concentrate on one thing at a time. Since corona time my writing career has taken a back seat. Its not that I am not writing anymore. I am. Everyday. Little by little. But I am not taking the pain to publish it. It is so fearful. Like my fingers freeze the moment I choose the publish button. Why this ambiguity? Maybe it is the fear of being judged. Of late this syndrome is taking a toll on me. People’s reaction. It was something that never bothered me earlier. I was always doing what my heart wanted me to do. However, now I have started pondering whether it will be wise enough to go ahead or not. As if waiting for someone’s approval. But it never came. And my ideas kept taking back seat. Is this the way I dream of 2023?

No I don’t think so.

This year I have promised myself a lot of things and my books is certainly on top of my priority list. I have a couple of them that are waiting to see the light of the day. My books are me and I can’t let me die so soon so easily. Let me tell you about my writings.

I love writing for those who are unheard of , uncared, emotionally deprived, with a huge turmoil inside, those who don’t voice their pains. Yes I write pain. Pain that aches the soul even if the wound outside has healed. There still remains a scar. That pain one goes through every night when they finally get off to sleep. When they have just themselves to speak to. Just them to hear.

Even if you are surrounded by people, even if you are are sound professionally, even if you are a public figure, even if you are the topic of all the gossip, the moment you hit your pillow it’s just you and your soul, a soul session. Where nothing is veiled and your wounds are as naked as they have always been. A pain that doesn’t let you sleep at night. A pain that always take you back to it’s origin every damn night. You struggle alone every night for it to be over. Only to relive it the next night.

I want to write about it. I have written about it. I am writing about it.

You can portray to be very strong to world but you are a helpless child within, looking for warmth, looking for a secure home and happiness. I want to be there for you. I want to write for you. I want to share this pain to the world. Maybe it gets a chance to get healed.

My upcoming work is

MIRROR 2

50, Love and Relationship Quotes & other stories.

Due in February 2023. Stay tuned for more.

Book Quote: The Kiss Of Death (Short story) #3

My Year Round-Up 2019

2019 has been a very memorable journey for me both professionally as well as personally. Professionally I got the chance to participate in a few literary Meet and Kids Carnival. Also I got a chance to perform based on my voice. Personally, the year has been a milestone in my life.  I was blessed with some of the most beautiful moments of my life. I have seen the work of art on paper coming to existence in structure formation in the real world. A dream come true. Emotionally I am satisfied with the progress in which the structure is shaping up eventually. So without wasting time lets unravel the mystery.

January

I was invited for storytelling in Kids’ Carnival 2019 organized by Vichakshan Jain Vidyapeeth. I got an opportunity to share stories from my books Grow Up Messy! and The Santa’s Gift.

Students of the school

February

It seems I didn’t do anything that month. Probably exam time ate up all my excitement to look forward to life. Aaouch!

March

Yeah, I can hear the birds chirping. Of course the arrival of springtime. And who can forget the festivals of color HOLI. Had a fabulous time with gulal, pichkari and baang thandai. Did you have fun?

A weekend trip to Vizag and Araku Valley with family friends needs a special mention. It was never so hotter before in the Valley.

Rama Naidu Studios, Vizag

INS Kurusura Submarine Museum Vizag

Fish Trailor, Vizag

Tribal Museum Araku valley

 

April

“The Booknerds organized a hangout dedicated to children books and authors at Little Flower School, Dehradun. The event focussed on the reading culture and reducing screen time among kids. In the panel were some prominent authors, Ratna Manucha, author of more than thirty books and principal of Little Flower School, Paromita Goswami, author of Grow Up Messy and Roshen Dalal, a prolific writer and historian. Students from Olympus High School, Little Flower School and Doon International School were present at the event.” _ The Booknerds.

It was such an esteem moment to meet some of the prolific writers, Roshen Dalal and Ratna Manucha. Neha and Rohan the founder of the Booknerds really need a lot of applause for taking the initiative.

I got the chance to meet my childhood friends who have always been the anchor of my life. It never felt like we were meeting after twenty-five years.

May

Released the preview of the first book of my upcoming jungle series.

The TIMEPIECE.

Available for free download.

Released the first book of jungle series.

The Clockmaker

 

June

Had a storytelling session in a summer camp organized by Chalk and Dust

 

Hosted my first Summer camp – Gathri for kids. It wasn’t successful yet it gave me a good experience.

 

 

July

The Clockmaker comes out to be # 1 in amazon.in the horror category. This was the first time one of my books grabbed that position.

August

Unplanned trip to Sirpur on occasion of 15th August and Rakhi.

Laxman Mandir

Stone carvings at Laxman Mandir

Released my Second book of the jungle series

A Night At Achanakmar

September

Practically no contribution professionally. Motherhood takes precedence here and time to catch up with my son’s demands.

October

With the onset of Navrathris and the knocking of Durga puja round the corner, all jazzed up for shopping. This year donned mostly shopping glass bangles.

 

Enjoyed fabulous time during Durgapuja with boudis and sarees.

November

Diwali celebration marked the biggest celebration of the year.

Had a quick getaway to Barnawapara forest. This time we stayed in a resort and enjoyed the fabulous natural setting and wildlife.

It was also the time when I cleared the tests and got selected for All India radio.

December

The month celebration starts with my birthday which falls on the eighth. Enjoyed picnic with friends.

Announced the release of my next short story.

The Kiss of the Death.

To be released soon.

 

Had my first radio show on the AIR. Also got the opportunity to record my first song for AIR.

Old radio

 

 

I wish for a solid beginning in 2020. May my manifestations be granted from the spiritual world to the 3D. Los of expectations and aspirations for the coming year 2020.

Have a set of books to be published. My music career gracefully elated. The kids club more active with lots of events and last, peace and harmony should prevail in all parts of the country.

 

 

The Kiss of Death (Coming Soon)

Sometimes life gives us surprises. Are we prepared for it?
#comingsoon #shortstory #Singlewoman #litfic

The Kiss of Death

 

Book Quote: A Short Story (Coming Soon)

Sharing with you a quote from my upcoming work. Its a short story and not horror this time.

Letter W: Weary Feet (AtoZ2019)

I am doing #atozchallenge2019 on my blog. Everyday in the month of April In will be doing the letters from AtoZ with the with small scenes from my WIP The Sibling Saga. Hope you enjoy with Misry and her sister Moon.

Misry and Moon always loved going to the Officer Mess with Anurag. He usually took the girls along.  They loved watching TV or listening to records on the stereo while Anurag spent time with his fellow officers. The girls had special liking for Nazia Hassan’s Disco Deewane.

Both the girls listened to the whole record and danced too while Anurag enjoyed football match on TV with the other officers. The speciality that evening for both Moon and Misry was a bottle of Thums Up, Limca or Gold Spot.

Back in the eighties fizzy drinks were not that easily available in the stores as they were available now and the campus where Anurag lived was in the countryside. So he made sure his daughters were well treated in the Officer’s Mess and get what they ask for.

Finally it was time to go back home and they were all very excited after a fabulous evening together. They headed for home where Madhavi was waiting at dinner for them. They quickly crossed the long varanda and took the steps leading out to the road to their home.

As it is home was at a walking distance from the Officer’s Mess but as it was dark and Moon as usual cried on “lappy lappy” to Anurag.

As a doting father, Anurag didn’t waste a minute fulfilling his younger daughter’s wish. He sat down on the step lending his back for a ride home. He said with his back towards them, “Here, come on dear.”

Misry saw this as an opportunity she had been waiting for so long. She had always longed for Daddy’s lap but Moon had always ruined her dreams. But this time she was going to avenge it. Even a ride home on Daddy’s back was a big moment for her. Unannounced she shoved aside Moon gently and clung to Anurag’s back.

“You have put on weight,” said Anurag putting his hand around to balance the child. Never did it occur to him that it could be his elder daughter on his back. He blamed it to his long absentees at home that he didn’t get a chance to watch his children grow. He got up and started walking towards home.

Moon was too small to understand what had just happened and kept waiting for her turn where Misry had left her. When she saw Anurag leaving she realized she was left behind. Panic griped her and she cried out,”Daddy, what about me?”

Anurag was stunned hearing her and turned around immediately. He found Moon standing in the veranda. He understood that Misry had played a prank. He turned to Misry at his back and said laughing, “So it’s you and I assumed you to be Moon. No doubt you have grown up child.”

“I am not getting down Daddy,” said Misry with conviction.

Anurag realized that the child needed his attention. “You don’t have to dear. You are my angel. Both of you will get a ride from Daddy. Come on Moon jump into my arms and Misry hold on tight to me.

Moon didn’t waste a second and got into Anurag’s arms.

Anurag walked home with both the girls- one on his lap and the other on his back while the kids clung on to him proudly.

When they reached home Madhavi couldn’t stop herself and asked, “You didn’t have to do it? They could walk.”

“I am a father Madhavi. I can’t let them down. See they are so happy.”

Letter U: UuLala (AtoZ2019)

I am doing #atozchallenge2019 on my blog. Everyday in the month of April In will be doing the letters from AtoZ with the with small scenes from my WIP The Sibling Saga. Hope you enjoy with Misry and her sister Moon.

 

Rita, Moon’s friend

 

“And then it flew off the window, there,” said Moon turning her head towards the window so that her braids tap her cheeks. “And then the big dog jumped over the gate to gasp the birdie,” she continued slightly tilting of her head so that one of her braids touched her arms.

Moon continued her story session with her friends while her braids irresistibly followed the way she titled her head on either side. In a way Moon was enjoying her new hair style and it was not hidden from her friends either.

“You look lovely, Moon,” said Rita.

“I know,” answered Moon smiling.

Rita and a couple of more students were waiting for their private vehicle to fetch them from school and Moon stayed back with them at her own free will.

When Madhavi entered the reception area of the school she was relieved to see Moon sitting there. Quickly she went to her.

Moon was very happy to see her mother. “Ma you came to take me home? Here meet my best friend Rita,” saying Moon introduced her friends one by one.

“Hello Aunty!” said Rita.

“Hello dear,” replied Madhavi patting the girl. Then she turned to Moon, “And why are you still here? Why didn’t you board the bus?”

“I was waiting for Rita’s mother?”

“and why would you do that?”

“Because Rita loved my hair style.”

“So?” Madhavi was surprised.

Rita jumped in to explain. “Aunty I loved Moon’s hair style. So I wanted mommy to see it so that she could do my hair too. Hence we are waiting for her.”

When Madhavi heard it she didn’t know what to say to the girls. How can they be so fashion conscious at this age? “Alright we shall wait then,” said Madhavi sitting down with them.

Letter T: Trouble (AtoZ2019)

I am doing #atozchallenge2019 on my blog. Everyday in the month of April In will be doing the letters from AtoZ with the with small scenes from my WIP The Sibling Saga. Hope you enjoy with Misry and her sister Moon.

“Ma I want you to style my hair like this one,” said Moon while dressing up for school.

“What’s the fuss dear? You might be late for school,” warned Madhavi. She had just finished parting Moon’s hair in the middle and was making a pony tail.

“No. I don’t like it. I want this one.” Moon was holding a page from the magazine and showing it to her mother. The page had a picture of a girl off to school. Her hairstyle had two thinner braids, starting right near the temple on either side of the head, merging into the main braid at the back.

“But Moon, your hair isn’t that long dear.”

“Ma please.”

“Okay shona.” And Madhavi styled Moon’s hair just as in the picture. When Moon checked in the mirror she was mesmerized. She hugged her mother and kissed her thank you. Then she went off to her school.

Madhavi got back to her house work. She had ounce to finish before her daughters would be returning from school. Both the girls followed different timings. Misry went to school in the early morning shift and came back by lunch while Moon left for school late in the morning and returned half an hour after Misry.

After finishing her work Madhavi waited for her daughter to return from school. Misry came back in her speculated time. As a dotted mother Madhavi took care of her and then waited for Moon to return from school.

Moon had now joined the kindergarten and she was going to a new school in the neighbourhood. And luckily it provided school bus service however the school was not very far from home either.

That day the school bus returned home without Moon. Madhavi was worried when she saw her child missing in the bus.

“Where is Moon? Why isn’t she in the bus?” demanded Madhavi to the driver.

“Memsahab, Moon doesn’t want to come home. She is still in school with other children. We tried a lot but she would run away every time we went to get her. In the end we decided to drop the other kids home first before getting her home,” replied the driver affter getting down from the bus.

As it is, it was the campus school and everybody knew each other well. However, Madhavi was still very worried. “But why did she stay back? Did the teacher ask her?”

“I have no idea memsahib. But I will get the information if you want me to.”

“No. You carry on. I shall visit the school myself and see what is going on.”

“Ho, memsahib,” said the driver as he got up in the bus and drove away to drop the kids at their home.

Madhavi reversed her car from the parking and drove towards Moon’s school.