The Crocodile & The Monkey - "Re-told"

When I was small, I had read one story. A Story about two friends- a monkey and a crocodile.
To refresh your mind, click here and read the original story.

But now I would like to modify this story a bit, I really dont know for good or bad, but I would still like to. And this is how I will like to modify it:

Long long ago there was a river. At the bank of that river there was an apple tree. This tree was inhabited by a monkey and the river was inhabited by a crocodile. One fine day, the crocodile came to the bank of the river and ate an apple that had fallen down. He liked it so much that he requested the monkey for another one. This is how they got acquainted to each other and as the days passed by, they became very good friends.

One day the crocodile took some apples home and gave them to his wife. His wife was very greedy, and after eating those apples she started saying-
"Your friend eats these apples always right?"
"Yes, What a lucky chap he is" replied the crocodile.
"Ooh, so if the apples are so sweet, I wonder how much sweet his heart will be?"
"You are right my dear wife, My friend has a lovely heart."
"If this is the case then I would like to taste his heart" replied the wife.
The crocodile was stunned hearing his wife's response.
"Are you gone crazy, He is my friend, How can you think of killing him?"
"No. I dont want to listen anything, If you love me, you will have to get me his heart. If you dont do so I will go away and never ever return to you." saying so the wife went away.
The crocodile did not know what to do. He didn't have any more options left, He opted in favor of Love over friendship.

The next day he went to the bank of river.
"Hi friend, Good Morning" monkey wished him as always.
"Good Morning"the crocodile replied.
"What is the matter my friend? You look to be a bit worried"inquired the monkey.
"No, Nothing. Actually today I have come here to invite you for dinner, My wife loved the apples and she wants to meet you."
"Ooh! How sweet of you. Don't worry I'll come for the dinner."

That evening the crocodile came back to the bank in order to take the monkey with him. And the monkey sat on the crocodiles back as they were suppose to cross the river, when they reached the middle of the river the crocodile told the monkey the truth.

The monkey thought for some moments and said "Ooh! My friend, Why didn't you tell me this when I was on the tree, I would have brought my heart with me."
"What does this mean? You dont have your heart with you?" inquired the crocodile.
"See my Friend, I stay on a tree and have to jump from one branch to another, so I have removed and kept my heart safely in the trunk of the tree or else it might fall."
"Ohh, Is it? Now what to do?"crocodile asked in confusion.
"Nothing to worry my friend, we'll go back and get my heart from the tree trunk"
"Ooh ya, we can do that. "Crocodile replied happily, and took a turn, once reaching the bank of river the monkey jumped on the tree.
"Get your heart , Lets go, my wife will be waiting for us."
"Yes my friend we will, but before that let us eat some apples." saying so the monkey passed some apples to the crocodile.Crocodile ate the apples with tears in his eyes, because deep down in his heart he knew that he was on a verge of killing his friend and his friendship, He knew that he would never be able to forgive himself. But the monkey was smiling as he was having his apple.
"So friend lets go right, your wife will be waiting for us." said the monkey enthusiastically.
"But let me remove my heart first." Saying so he grabbed one dried branch of the tree, pierced his chest, removed and gave his heart to the crocodile. While doing so he fell down on the ground.

The crocodile hurried towards him, He could see his friend dying but felt miserable as he could not do anything to save him.
"Why, why did you do this my friend, why. Why did you lie saying that your heart was in the trunk, when it was always with you? Why did you kill yourself?" The crocodile said, he could not control his tears anymore.

"Don't cry my friend, Please don't. I had to do this for you and for our friendship. Remember my heart and my life both belong to you. If you had killed me at your place, People would have said a friend killed his friend to meet his own selfish ends.A taboo of selfishness would have been attached to our friendship. But now People will say a Friend killed himself inorder to save his friends home.Now our friendship would be known for selflessness and not selfishness." saying so the monkey died with a smile on his face and tears in the crocodiles eyes.

I really don't know if you people will like the changes done by me. But I felt this is how the story must end. I am saying so because I strongly believe that Friendship can't be totally based on selfishness. Even if down the line by any chance one of the friend becomes selfish the other becomes the epitome of selflessness. This statement of mine is based on the fact that friends know each other so very well that there is no chance of one cheating the other.

! My Heart's Child !

27 th October 2010
1800 hours
Panaji – Goa

As I am going through her pictures, I could literally see her growing up all over again. Today was a very important day in my and my daughter's life. Today she had gone to answer her interview for her Kindergarten admissions. Full day I was with my fingers crossed, hopping that she will clear it, or shall I say knowing that she will clear it, I know you people will be saying that Every mother says that her child is the best, But believe me no one other than a mother can know her kid better. She is the only one who knows her kid in and out, her weak points and strong points both. And the same applies to me, I know that my baby like all other kids has some weak points here and there, But they are negligible compared to her strong points. Her strong points are she is sweet, cute , smart, active and she has the flow of thoughts that is unmatchable to many other kids of her age. In short she is a fast learner, and it is my strong belief that as the time passes she will go on improving. So after listening to all this, don't you feel that there is no way that she wont clear this interview?
Now, I only hope that the principal takes the right decision....
For last two years,before she came in my life I worked hard on different projects as a QA Engineer which were so very much different from each other. I always tried to give my best in each and all of them but never really got connected with any one of them. And down the line in this journey I came across Goa E-Governance projects. Yes Goa E-Governance projects! Most of the QA team members then, did not like to work on Goa E-Governance projects.
The reason behind this is still unknown to me. And so with all sort of warnings, I started my new venture on Goa E-Governance projects, The first Goa Project that was assigned to me was Excise(Headed by Paa) and while working on Excise, I had this lovely opportunity to work with some of the best coders of our company Mr. Rajendra Barve (My Paa) and Mr. Harish Usgaonkar(My Bhaiya). By the time my tenure on Excise was over, Bhaiya had become my favorite coder and I hoped that in the near future I will get one more chance to work with him. Later, I was shifted back to Gateway Project.
After some months, we got the news that two more Goa E-Governance projects will soon go into production or speaking from my point of view, will be released to QA soon. The names of these two Projects were Zila Panchayat(ZP) and State Directorate of Craftsmen and Training(SDCT). I also came to know that ZP will be headed by Darshan & my Paa and SDCT by Bhaiya and there were good chances that I will get a chance to work on either one of them. Both of this projects were headed by my best friends or shall I say my family members, so, I used to call both of them as home productions.
I was happy that I would be able to work on one of these projects, but whenever I would think about it, I would vote for SDCT over ZP as Bhaiya would be coding it and as I have told you already I loved the challenge of finding bugs in what he had coded as it was indeed a difficult task. But when the time came ZP was assigned to me. At first I felt bad as if I had missed my chance, but then ZP changed my thinking forever.
In the month of October last year, Sir called me, Suprajit and Masha. Masha was supposed to lead our QA team for this project, and told us that we are supposed to start writing testcases for ZP. So from that day onwards ZP was officially given to us. We started writing test cases by referring ZP documents. By doing so I started knowing the project better and better, I continued doing this for nine months. Many things had changed in these nine months, Masha had left the job and Suprajit was shifted to development (ZP team). So for quite some time it was me, me and only me with my ZP. For these nine months together with ZP, I had worked on other projects too, But ZP had already started being special for me, something that I got connected with might be because it was the first project that was with me for such a long time, or might be because for the past some months, I had read ZP documents so many times that I had started knowing it very well, or might also be because of the reason that most of the developers in ZP team were my good friends and was owned by my best friend or might be just because we were meant to be connected.
Sounds weird right when someone says that she had got connected to Project? In the beginning even I felt so. But then on day when I and some of ZP developers were discussing some things regarding ZP it just came from my mouth that ZP is my baby and till date it continues to be the same ZP – My Heart's Child!
And believe me, I sort of believe in it. Before ZP, I was never passionate about any of the projects. It's true that I didn’t take any project lightly though, always tried to give my best, but ZP was totally different. Like any and every mother would, I wanted to see it growing into the best, and in the month of June this year when ZP was finally released to the QA, I was extremely happy. Now the QA Team for ZP consisted of Priyanka and me. The first version of ZP that was released consisted the technical section, I must say that it was designed and coded quite well. The hard work that the ZP developers team had put could be seen. Hats off to them! Paa was given the responsibility of technical section, he had given his best for this project. I had seen him working real hard. With that release, we started a rigorous testing mission, I call it a mission because we left no stone unturned for the betterment of this project, neither from development side nor from QA's side. Release after release, we were given a highly improvised version of its precedent.
Second version had Accounts section together with changes and bug fixes in Technical section, The third release was made up of Establishment section together with enhancements in previous two sections. For the third release three more members were added to our QA team, Darshana, Pritam and Sunny. All three of them were new joinees, but I must say after some guidance they had done exceptionally good work. All together, we had five such main releases and then subsequent point releases.
After each new release, my baby was becoming more healthy and beautiful. She had started growing up slowly, just like a human kid, she had started going through different stages of life: sleeping, sitting, crawling, standing and speaking with every new release and now after subsequent point releases, she could be compared to a three – four year old girl, who had so many things to speak, so much to explore and was ready to face the world, learn new things on her own.
Internal demos had already taken place, the management had appreciated the project and efforts of all related to her a lot.
But today is a very important day, Today Darshan had taken her to the Department for Demo ( Kindergarten admissions) where they will go through its properties and give their judgment (Approve/reject or tell us to do some changes). I know there are no chances that they will reject such a lovely project, but still, I am curious and waiting to hear the good news that it is Approved.
The time has come when my baby will face the world on its own, without our support, She has to join the Kindergarten now as her first step to new life, where she will be taught real time scenarios and the ways to face them.
Like Every mother my blessings will always be there with her...
…..Love You ZP...Seriously Do.....

The Tribute

Amol
Dated :4th September 2009

Some relations are not bonded by blood, but still they have an esteemed position in your life. These are the ones you cherish throughout your life. Because they are the ones that you choose, FRIENDSHIP is one of them and the other one is bonded by RAKHI. Yes I and Amol are strongly bonded by the rakhi that I had tied him last year.
I clearly remember the days when I was new in Zenith making new friends and acquaintances. I was working on the production line 7. All of them on line 7 were good, quite helpful and fun loving. Then after two days or so I happened to see two people coming on the line. They looked to be quite bossy, quite particular about the end products. After some inquiry I came to know that they were our seniors on the line and right now for that particular month was posted in the printing section of the line and would shortly join back the line. I remember on that day both of them had worn black casual outfits; indeed good looking but very intimidating. I was really scared of them and then I had decided that I would stay away from them. This two boys were Amol and Rohan.
After some days Rohan was absent and someone else was suppose to go as a substitute and our Line in charge Preeti told me to do so. “Oh My God that means I will have to work under Amol”. That was my first response to this development, I knew it was just the matter of one day but still I was not going to bear that stress for a full day. I was desperately trying to find my way out of this. Just then one of my friend Sahil came to me and told me that Amol has told him to come in printing section in place of me and also that he would talk to Preeti regarding the same. At first I was relieved, I felt so happy but then my happiness got converted into anger “How dare Amol says he would like to work with Sahil in place of me ” I was really furious, But after some time I cooled down.
The month ended and both of them Amol and Rohan were posted back to the line. Irsha and Shraddha were given the charge of printing for that particular month. And that day for the first half I was paired with the Great Rohan for the job allotted to us. Now this was inevitable so I started doing my work. I did not utter a single word. After some time Rohan started speaking to me, he asked me some basic questions I answered. Then we started speaking about more general topics. After some time I came to know that Rohan was as talkative as me. He was not at all intimidating but was quite cute and naughty fellow. After the discussion of some more topics, All of a sudden Rohan said to me that “You know what, You are quite talkative.” When he said that in the beginning my expression was that of a shock then I smiled and said “Same to you.”
After that myself and Rohan were good friends thanks to him I came to know a wonderful person Amol who was a sweet little brother to me. Both of them were cute little kids, shy of girls, they used to keep on pulling legs of others who used to do mistakes, this explained me the reasons behind why they were acting bossy on that first day that I had seen them and also behind why Amol had requested Sahil to act as a substitute for Rohan in place of me. Amol told me one day “When I came to know that Preeti is sending a girl, I was very uncomfortable so caught hold of Sahil” and I laughed. Through me they joined our group which was made up of equal number of girls and boys, slowly both of them started getting comfortable with girls around them. Every time I spoke to them, played pranks with them, One think was becoming clear to me that they were like my younger brothers. Yes they were younger to me by two years. Every time they made mistake I used to shout at them. Once I had even hit them badly for one of their pranks, And If anyone else use to say anything unjust against them, I used to fight for them, and they also did the same for me. The full line knew about our brothers and sister trio, all use to say “You people are beans of the same pod.” And we used to say proudly that brother and sisters are meant to be the same. Both of them were equally valuable to me, and I adored both of them. Both of them had done their diploma and the next year Amol had planned pursue his further education and apply for degree.
My uncle used to drop me to office and whenever he used to be out of station I used to call up either Amol or Rohan, mostly Amol and they used to come and pick me up and then later in the evening after work they used to drop me home, both of them were safe riders.
Days passed by Rohan got transferred to customer support team and after some days Amol was promoted to OS department. But all of us were always in contact and had lots of fun. Later on after some days Amol resigned the job as he had got a seat in R.I.T in computers stream.
Rohan used to come to our office only once a week, as for other days they were suppose to report to other office and as far as Amol was concerned either I used to call him or he used to call me up. Days went by and Raksha Bandhan came up...
I called up both of them as me and Irsha were supposed to tie Rakhi to them. Rohan promised me that he would come that day to office, I did not force Amol as he had to come from so far. He had told me that he will not be attending college on that day as he was suppose to go to his cousins place-- but still I did not force him.
Rohan fulfilled his promise and came to office. We had brought different type of sweets. We tied him Rakhi, he gave us our gift and then as he was getting late he ran away, so sweet of him to come. At the end of the day as we left the office premises Amol was there sitting on his bike and waiting for us with his million dollar smile on his face. As always he was looking handsome sitting on his yellow Glamour. All had gathered around him and were surprised to see him there as they asked him “How come after so many days he had time to come”. He said “A sister calls up and this brother doesn't come that was not possible.” His words had brought a tear to my eye. We tied him rakhi gave him sweets and he gave us the gifts, I opened up the gifts once I reached home Rohan had given me a vase where in you put different flowers to gather various fragrances in your house and Amol had given me a Ganapati – a divine idol of prosperity in our lives. I placed both the gifts in our showcase. Everyday when I look at them I remember my brothers, actually the gift was not necessary to remind me of them but still.
After few months one day Sweta one of our good friend and Rohan's Rakhi sister buzzed me and told me that Rohan had meet with a serious accident and was admitted in the hospital. I took a half day off and went to hospital. I couldn't think of any thing else. All the way to the hospital I was praying that he may be fine, when I saw him he was covered with all bruises. He had hurt his spinal cord badly and could not move. I was worried but then his father told me that after doing surgeries he would be fine after a couple of months. But until then he was suppose to be bed ridden this was what the doctor had said. I could not imagine a energetic person full of so much zeal to bed ridden for such a long time, but then this would be for only some couple of months, so I thanked God for his mercy as he had saved Rohan from further fatal injuries.
Days passed by and we used to always call up each other and after some days Amol stopped calling me up. I thought he was very busy to remember his sister & whenever I used to call his cell used to come as switched off. But then after some months he called me up and told me that the principle had confiscated his cell. “Not at my entire fault, it was my friends who were using it during class hours.” Was his hurried reply before I could shout at him, He told me that this was the reason why he could not call me up, I was happy to know that my brother remembered me till date. We continued our calling schedule,
As the Months passed Rohan also recovered, started going to work just like before fit and fine, I was very happy to know about his improving state, But as the days were passing due to our busy schedules the number of times we called up each others reduced quite a bit, but still we use to call up each other whenever time permitted. This Rakshabandan Amol had called up, but I could not receive his call, I wanted to call him up but could not, I wanted to tie both of them rakhi but could not.
But on 3rd of September 2009 everything changed, I had taken a day off as We had a family function, I had lot of fun, At 8:22 p.m I got a call from Sweta, I received the call, I felt as if She was tensed “Did anyone call you?” was her first question “No” was my reply. She did not reply at the beginning but then after some time she said “Amol met with an accident”. I was shocked “And what happened?” I could not frame any more words as I felt as if Sweta was trying to tell me some thing that I would not be able to cope up with. “What to tell you?” was her terse reply. I didn't want to hear this. I wanted her to say that he was fine but in the hospital. Something or anything that meant of he being there with us. If nothing else then that something like Rohan's accident had taken place. But she dint say anything like that “Tell me exactly what happened?” This was what I mummer ed at that point. I could feel my voice breaking up, tears filling my eyes, but I did not want to believe this.
“He was coming back home from his college when his bike skidded of and then when he was taken to the hospital he was declared dead on spot.”
These words were enough to prove me wrong; Amol was no more with us. He was taken away from us just like that by the cruel rain. Just like that without any warning without any word. Tears started rolling down my cheeks uncontrolled. I couldn't speak any more. I was feeling as if I was lost, still I did some more inquires and then disconnected the call. But could not stop thinking about that brother of mine Amol, about his million dollar smile, about the small pranks that he played. Nor will I be able to forget him for my lifetime.
I know that today I must go to see him for the last time, But I also know that I will not be able to see him in that state, You may call me a coward but somehow I cant prepare my heart to witness his last journey .This article of mine is a tribute to him. I can't do anything apart from saving his lovely memories in this write-up of mine. Amol you were the sweetest brother anyone can have and your memories shall always be cherished by me.

Independence Day

We are proud to be Indians ! But Is India proud to be our motherland?

12th August 2009
Time:11:00 p.m

Independence day is coming near, All the school going children will be participating in the Patriotic songs competitions, We also used to enjoy practicing. And today after so many years I feel like doing the same, But can't as there aren't any competition for office going people like us. As I am thinking on this lines I hear my cousin singing, He is doing his rehearsal for the same, I can here him singing:

तू ना रोना, के तू है भगत सिंह की माँमर के भी लाल तेरा मरेगा नहींडोली चढ़के तो लाते है दुल्हन सभीहँसके हर कोई फाँसी चढ़ेगा नहींजलते भी गये कहते भी गयेआज़ादी के परवानेजीना तो उसीका जीना हैजो मरना देश पर जानेजब शहीदों की डोली उठे धूम सेदेशवालों तुम आँसू बहाना नहींपर मनाओ जब आज़ाद भारत का दिनउस घड़ी तुम हमें भूल जाना नहींऐ वतन ऐ वतन हमको तेरी क़समतेरी राहों मैं जां तक लुटा जायेंगेफूल क्या चीज़ है तेरे कदमों पे हमभेंट अपने सरों की चढ़ा जायेंगेऐ वतन ऐ वतनकोई पंजाब से, कोई महाराष्ट्र सेकोई यू पी से है, कोई बंगाल सेतेरी पूजा की थाली में लाये हैं हमफूल हर रंग के, आज हर डाल सेनाम कुछ भी सही पर लगन एक हैजोत से जोत दिल की जगा जायेंगेऐ वतन ऐ वतन …

By the time the third verse is complete, I feel the tears stinging my eyes. All of the sudden, my throat has dried up. Fresh tears have started building up,Somehow the pictures of yesteryear's have started rolling up in front of me, I can feel the pride and the pain both building up within me,By the time the song ends there is a turmoil of emotions going on in my mind. It's crossed bed time now and I am feeling too sleepy and tired but even at this hour I want to figure out why together with pride and pain, there is anger building up in me,For God's sake from where does anger come in the picture. But right now I am not in the state of answering this question as I am really feeling sleepy, I can't do anything else other then going to sleep. I can feel the sleep reaching out to me and capturing me...So I put off the lights and go to sleep...Good night..Sweet Dreams.
The next thing that I see is utter darkness, All of a sudden I am placed in some unknown place, this place is dark and smoky but it is not at all scary, On the contrary I feel as if I am placed in the safest part of the universe , as if I am at a total peace with this world. I can see some light coming from a small opening, I go towards the opening, there is a closed door over here, I try to open it and it opens up It looks as if right now I haven't just opened a wooden door but I have opened a door to reality, As I enter the room I can see a silhouette of a lady, I cant recognize her, She is coming towards me, And with every step that she takes the place lights up and what I see is amazing this is not a room , It is an island on all three sides that I can view at this moment, it is surrounded by a huge ocean, Is it a ocean or a sea ?,The sound of the waves is sort of relaxing me,The beaches over here are so very beautiful, And look over there, there is a river coming and pouring its water into the sea, and over there too, This rivers are increasing my curiosity about the place, I do a turn about just to see the passage of this rivers and what I see is mind blowing, I can see a huge mountain range covered with ice, ooh this is so beautiful, I keep on looking in all four directions again and again, the scenic beauty is breathtaking, This place is not a island but is a peninsula , And look over there towards the North west I can see a desert, A huge desert ,And the best part is that somehow this desert adds to the beauty of this place .All in all I must say that this place is a paradise, It has got everything in it,the mighty mountains,rivers,lakes deserts,beaches, Sea and oceans , You name a terrain and it is present over here, And not to forget the trees, flowers and fruits covering this landscape, This is truly awesome, awesome indeed. As I start admiring my surroundings I feel as if there could never be any other place as beautiful as this one. There won't be any other smell as lovely as the one engulfing me right now, And now I look at the lady standing in front of me, And at this moment I am sure that there won't be any other lady as beautiful as her. The next thing that I find myself doing is I touch her feet and ask her for blessings
I have no idea at all of what made me touch her feet but the fact remains that as she places her hand on my head, I feel as if I have got everything that I was yearning for. I stand up and I say “Bharat Mata, Today I am privileged to be here and take your blessings” . As the words leave my mouth I am stunned to know that the person in front of me is Mother India...But the question remains how did I come to know? She smiles at me..Such a lovely smile, Looks like all the motherly feelings that are present in the world comes from this mother itself. But then why does her smile doesn't reach her eyes ? Why is that I see the pain in her eyes. Why?. I want to erase that pain from her eyes, I can feel my heart breaking into millions of pieces when I look into those tortured eyes. I want to know the reason behind that pain.
As I am absorbed in my thoughts, I happen to look at her again and I can see that she wants to ask me something,
“My child I want to ask you something , may I ?”
“What is it Mother?” I can't say anything other then this as I feel that my voice will crack if I try to speak more then this 'and why is it'? It is because today My mother called me her child, When she said those words I felt my heart pumping faster then usual,I feel the pride building up in me, It feel as if I was always waiting for this words.
“Are You proud to be an Indian ?”
“Yes Mother, I am proud to be an Indian.” There was no doubt what so ever about it. India was my pride , Is my pride and always will be my pride.
“Why are you Proud to be an Indian?”
Now this question surprises me, As I have never asked myself this question before, This particular feeling of being proud to be an Indian came naturally to me, just like breathing, Just like how I am proud of my parents. But I will still answer the questions, Because if reasons are that necessary then I have many many reasons to support my feelings about India.
“Yes at any time I am proud to be an Indian, Proud to be born in the country which gave world some of the best warriors like Maharana Pratap, Prithvi Raj Chauhan, Rani Laxmi Bai, Tipu Sultan and many more ,Proud to be born in a country which is the motherland of great souls like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashpakullha Khan, Subhash Chandra Bose and many many more who were so great and their patriotic feelings so deep that they sacrificed their lives for their motherland. I am proud to be an Indian because of its defense forces- Who are ever ready to sacrifice their lives in order to safe guard our nation. Proud to be an Indian because India is a holy land where time and again Gods have taken Incarnations in order to destroy evil and preach faith and morals of good livings. I am proud to be an Indian because it is in India that people of different religions stay together in peace and harmony. But the most important reason is that I am proud to be an Indian because You have always cared for us and nourished us, You have always protected us to the best of your abilities from all natural disasters, You have always taken care of us by providing us the required amount of raw material required for food, clothing and shelter, You have always gifted the farmers the proper fruits for their hardship and you are the one who have kept us united.. And there are many many more reasons for me to say that I am proud to be an Indian.”
I can visibly see her relaxing now, The smile that she gives me this time brightens her face all together, She is looking so calm and serene. But the traces of pain are still present in her eyes. This time I am not able to stop my self, so I ask her..
“What is it that is bothering you ?”
“Yes My child, I will tell you about it , But not now. Right now I want you to meet some people”
Now this is a surprise to me. There are people living over here? And still this place is so clean, neat and tidy, as if it is untouched, As I am lost in my thoughts Bharat Mata holds my hand in hers and starts walking towards the north. This feels incredibly good , her holding my hand in hers, just like how my mom use to hold it when I was a small kid.
We walk for a small distance and we reach near a lake, At the banks of this lake I can see some people gathered, they are talking to each other, As We reach near the group I can see them smiling and laughing, One thing I am sure of is that they are very happy over here, Somehow I am getting a feel that I know this people, I am sure that I have not meet them before but might be I have seen them before or at list seen their picture before. Just then one of them looks at us and informs others. The whole group comes towards us and one by one they touch Bharat Mata's feet and take blessings. I can see the changes in their facial expressions when they look at her their face brightens up. And then I have a closer look at them and I am sure that they are the once. Yes they are the Ones......
“Yes My child. The conclusion you have come to is right, They are the ones you are proud of. They are the ones whom I am proud of.”
This time I see pride on her face, She exactly looks like a mother who is proud of her children and indeed she is. And as far as I am concerned ,I am standing over there stunned and surprised, I can't believe that I am actually standing in front of the souls of all the great warriors and the great revolutionaries, I can feel tears rolling down my cheeks, I go to each one of them and touch their feet one by one, There are hundreds of them over here and every time I take blessings from each of them my strength increases. Today in real I have attained everything that life could give me How much lucky am I ?
I look at their faces which are full of love ,peace and pride, but their eyes are full of pain just like those of mother India
“Now My child, These children of mine will answer the question you had asked me some time ago. Ask them what you wanted to know.”
After listening to Mothers reply I do as she has told me to do
“Why are your eyes full of pain, What is it that is troubling you all?”
I am constantly staring at all the faces, hoping that one of them will answer my question, But what I can see over there is just pain, So much pain that my heart starts aching, Just then Chandra Shekar Azad ji comes in front and starts speaking.
“All of us being Indians make us siblings of each other. So today whatever I'll tell you will be like an elder brother talking to you,The thing is that during the era of British rule, Many of us came together and fought for our Independence. The reason behind this wasn't just our love for the motherland, It is true that we love our motherland much more then anything else, And given a chance time and again we are ready to sacrifice our life for her. But this wasn't the sole reason for the freedom struggle, Another important reason was that we wanted to see our future generations happy and prosperous. But now looking at state of India after Independence we have a question . And the question is what did we gain through this freedom.? Had we fought so much, went through so much of hardship, did so many sacrifices just to get a tag of free India . Is this what freedom is ? What did our motherland gain through this struggle-- freedom from a rule of foreign nation just so that she could be caught in the clutches of her own selfish, self centered kids ? We had never dreamed about such a freedom .Never ”
Now I can see anger in Azad ji's facial expressions, And the same reflects in other faces too..I can even see traces of disgust in their expressions, No one among them says these words but I can see the question in their eyes. The question is written in bold capital letters and it says “Is this the fruit you people are giving us for our selfless actions and sacrifice ? Who has given you the right to take the freedom as granted. We have sacrificed our lives so that you leave in a free India. And You people can't even respect and maintain that freedom...Shame on you all.”
Just as I am absorbed in this thoughts of mine, Bharat mata says
“My child, See I was hurt even then when British were ruling me, not because I was called a British colony but because injustice was done to my kids, I knew that my kids were feeling suffocated under that rule, There was no one to protect them and their interests, their rights were being robbed, they were not getting the right fruit for their hardship. And all this things were creating a havoc in me. But then some of my brave kids joined hands and did lot of penance for their and their motherland's freedom and got it too, I am proud of them, This is the reason why they stay with me over here in the real true Bharat (India) ”
Now the light has dawned on me and I do understand that the place I was admiring from the beginning was indeed India, My India free of pollution and dirt, free of political and man made barriers.
Just then I heard mother speaking to me again.
“After freedom I was very happy, The sacrifices made by my children had been fruitful, At least I thought so. At that time my wounded heart had started healing a bit from the pain that I had received due to partition, My heart was bleeding as my kids had opted to go away from me on the basis of religion. It was a slap on this mother's face and I knew that this wound would never heal completely, but I will live that was for sure. Slowly I had started dreaming about a better and prosperous future , Of unity and love among my children. But all my dreams were shattered within no time, Slowly some of my children started becoming self centered and selfish,.The rich started getting richer and the poor started getting poorer. Saam , Daam , Dandh , Bedh all this devils started ruling me now. Most of my kids started becoming too ambitious for their own good. Many of them joined National parties just because they wanted to rule and in order to do so they brought into picture all that which could make them victorious may it be religious discrimination,caste discrimination, arm power or money power. According to them everything was fair in the game of politics,They started calling themselves non-secular but in turn started increasing the discrimination by dividing the people into smaller groups, They started using people as puppets just in order to full fill their own ambition, And this continues till the date And the reason behind coming into politics in most of the cases is not social service or that they are thinking about me .the reason is they want to earn money, lots of it or it will be better to say that they want to rob money, lots of it. Corruption and bribery are ruling me right now,The situation has worsened to such a level that justice is done on the basis of money power and name power. There is no security what so ever in the country. In most cases the people who were supposed to safe guard the countrymen are the ones who are exploiting them. The situation is degrading at such a rate that the neighboring countries are trying to get benefited by this, You say that Indians worships goddesses but the fact is in many parts of India it isn't safe for girls to walk on the road, In many parts the girl child born is killed. Is this what is called free India ? If this is so I don't want to be free. ”
I can see tears running down her cheeks, I want to wipe it But I can't as knowingly or unknowingly I am also one of them who made her cry. I can feel tears running down my cheeks too..But I still continue to listen to her
“Child, Listen to me it hurts more when one of your beloved hits you ,rather then some stranger and this is what happening to me . See many people have sacrificed their lives to make you free, and you can't take this freedom granted, Please try to attain real freedom, don't work on making yourself prosperous , work on making your country prosperous and safe, See there are many, many people in India may it be politics or any other field who are good really good, All of you who are good will have to join hands together and save me all over again...Please child, Please”
Saying this Bharat Mata vanished and along with her the others too. There is total darkness all around me now. A chill ran down my spine. I want to call out to her, I am trying to call out too her but can't, My throat is choked. I feel the fear that is creeping below my skin., My heart is pumping fanatically. Just then I hear a loud screeching sound. This sound is quite familiar. What’s it? It is my alarm that is ringing. I try to open my eyes but can't. I open my eyes look at the watch it is already 6:00 in the morning. As I get up, I feel a bit disorientated.I am sweating, As I try to put myself in the sitting position, my palm still feels warm as if some one was indeed holding it. I can still feel the palms on my head as if I have really received blessings from many people. I can still feel the wetness under my eyes. I am left thinking was it just a dream? It wasn't a nightmare for sure. But was it a dream or was it an eye opener?
But the real question that we are facing today is whether it is just enough for us to celebrate Independence day by hosting the National Flag and singing National Anthem together with some patriotic songs or is it necessary that we take a pledge to free India from all the devils residing in it and a promise to maintain its safety and security. And if we are opting for the second option what are the steps that we must take ? So friends the choice is all yours as to what would you prefer living in Free INDIA with full safety and security by demolishing the evil deeds or just singing patriotic songs for name sake, earning money, supporting corruption etc. ? Now the ball is in your court.
I am proud to be an INDIAN and would always fight for injustice done in my country because it’s my duty to serve and make my nation a better place to live. Last but not the least I would just like to convey this message “BHARAT MATA KI JAI! JAI HIND!” as its coming from the bottom of my heart.

Heart's Desire
17 years back...
Dated:15th May 1992
PriyaNiddhi Mansion
Manalli
It was a joyous environment as Rajpal Singh Alluvallia and his family entered the wedding pandal. The bride looked as beautiful as ever, It was Amar Sharma's elder daughter Priya's wedding, Both the families were neighbors and personally very close to each other, Sharma's wife had expired when her second daughter was 1 year. old, So from that time itself Rajpal's wife Aarti had taken care of both the daughters. Rajpal and Aarti had one son named Aarav, So as all three of them entered the pandal ,Sharma's younger daughter Niddhi came running to them, straight to Aarav.
“See Aarav when we will grow up, Will you marry me?”This were the first words that were spoken by Niddhi when she reached near him, and all others laughed all but those two. Aarav couldn't laugh because he was looking into her eyes and he knew that she was not kidding, he knew that she was waiting for his answer, He could see it in her eyes, could feel it in the way she had clasped his hand in hers.
“What are you saying Niddhi?” This were the only words that Aarav could say in front of all, Aarav and Niddhi were exactly opposite to each other Aarav was soft spoken,matuared ,smart but shy type character, whereas Nidhi was bold, straightforward type, She was in a habit of expressing her emotions and Aarav of hiding them. This was the exact reason why till date he couldn't tell Niddhi that he loves her and would like to marry her one fine day, He wanted to give her time,He taught that it might just be her infatuation She just liked him and taught that she loved him, She was too young to be in Love, For the matter of fact even he was..
“What am I saying means what Aarav? Look now you are 13 years old and I am 9 years old. That means we cant get married now, But we can get married when we will be big say you will be 30 and I ...yes I will be 26..When will that be ..Hmmm..after 17 years ..What say?”.
“Stop day dreaming Niddhi..See we are good friends right, So..”
“Stop both of you,” Mr. Alluvalia interrupted Aarav , “Nidhi beta ,I promise you that after 17 years Aarav will marry you. What say Sharma?”
“Yes, Sure my friend, Today you have made me the happiest man on earth.”

Present day
Dated: 5th April 2009 Time—4:00 pm
14th square
Manalli

It is a bright sunny day, And as usual there are very few people in the super market and Niddhi is sitting behind the counter, trying to control her nerves, Every time anyone looks at her, She can see the unspoken question in their eyes, their expressions depict their hatred towards her, It has been Two months since people came to know her secret, The secret she tried to hide but knew from start that she would never be able to hide, And now she has to face the consequences, But at list its better now,For the last 15 days people have started coming to her super market or else it looked like she was totally boycotted from the society. Her supermarket---Yes Her's, Six months back Mr. Sharma died and left this super market and their bungalow on the hilltop for her. What was the use of this things now when she had no one with her, not even her dad, The only thing that she had with her was her guilt and peoples hatred, But she could not blame anyone else for it because it was her own wrong doing, And this guilt would remain with her for her lifetime, This very guilt and nothing else, no she had something else with her ,in her which would stay with her for her lifetime and she would cherish it always and not hate it.
Niddhi was deep in her thoughts, when she felt like as if some one was eying at her, She looked up, tried to scan each and every face present in the supermarket, But none of those customer were looking at her, Why would they?. She started reading the book, Actually tried reading the book as always there was nothing else to do. But again she felt as if some one was looking at her. But if so then who was it? This time she looked out of her glass doors, And on the other side of the road she could see a man standing, He was a stranger, She was sure that she had never seen him before, But then why did she feel like she knew him, felt like as if there was a bond between them, a pull that was pulling her towards him or was it the opposite because right now he was crossing the road and moving towards her, and all along he was looking at her not even for a single moment did he remove his eyes off her.
As that man opened the door of the super market she felt the prickling of her hair at the back of her neck, Who was he ?and why did he come over here? was the only question disturbing her. He entered the premises, removed his shades and directly went to the chocolate counter and started selectively picking up some chocolate bars, Was it a mere coincidence that he was picking up her favorite chocolates or was it something else? She was totally confused by now, Then he came to the counter and placed the chocolates on the counter, Niddhi gathered her wits, made the bill of the chocolates and handed both the chocolates and the bill to that man, When she looked at him she felt as if he was trying to control his smile, and then when she looked into his eyes, She saw it again the expression of recognization, It looked as if she knew him but didn't know when and where she had meet him. But she couldn't ask him the question because for a long time she had stopped talking to people or was it the other way round, yes it was the other way round because now the people had stopped talking to her, they only spoke about her behind her back, So she opted not to ask anything to the stranger and continued reading,He payed the bill and just as the stranger was about to leave the premises, Ragav and Vicky entered in and directly came and stood in front of the counter, They had not come to buy anything and she knew that quite well, they had come here to insult her , They had come here to list her wrong doings, This was their favorite pastime, and so Niddhi was readdy once again to face the music, But God only know why she dint want this to happen in front of that stranger, For the last two months this was the first time she wanted to save her face from this proceedings, But she had to face it, there was no other way.
“Hey Baby, Will you come with me to night or would you like Ragav's company?” Vicky was the one to say this words and Ragav statrted laughing and then both winked at each other.
“Both of you either buy some commodity from here or else get out from here” Niddhi replied , Her eyes were burning with the unshaded tears but she could not cry, at list not in front of this loffars, she couldn't.
“Ohh! Someone is angry on us? So was he better then us ? Was he ? The person who gave you the gift of lifetime, Yes the gift that you are hidding behind the counter , Was he that good that you are not telling anyone his name?”This was Ragav's comment to what Niddhi had said
“Come on Raghav lets see, How big the pot of dirt has grown into ” Saying this Vicky started dragging Niddhi out of the counter, Raghav joined him. Just as they were suppose to drag her out completely, Raghav was badly punched by someone, he fell flat on his face, The same suit was repeated with Vicky, it was the stranger that had come to her rescue, It looked as if there was fire in his eyes, The stranger started kicking both of them big time,Blood had started oozing out of Vicky's face and Raghav had received a deadly punch in his mid section, But the stranger continued hitting them, Niddhi did not know what to do , Other customers had already left the premises when Vicky and Raghav had entered so She moved out of her counter and tried to stop the stranger.
“Please stop it Mister, please” Niddhi kept on repeating but he did not stop, Niddhi didn't know what to do.? How to stop him?
“Please leave them, Please Aarav leave them.”The words just left her mouth and Niddhi felt as if she was hit by an thunderbolt. She stood there in the state of shock.
But the stranger stopped hitting them, Vicky and Raghav ran out of the super market, it looked as if the stranger wanted to tell her something when he looked at her his eyes scanned her face and then his eyes trailled down her body and then she saw the expression of shock, anger and disgust on his face when he saw her swollen belly. He dint say anything, He just wore his shades and left the premises.
And Niddhi was left wondering about why had she called the stranger Aarav, and that brought back the memories of Aarav..

17 years back...
Dated:25th May 1992
Alluvalia Mansion
Manalli

Ten days after Priya's wedding both Sharma and Alluvalia families had decided to have lunch together at Alluvalia's place,
They had lunch, watched Priya's wedding videos and played the game of cards, Mr. and Mrs. Alluvalia had already started treating Niddhi like a daughter in law, And Niddhi was happy about it, Aarav was still a bit shy, but talked more to her now and cared about her, But Aarav had always cared about her , All the things were going smooth and happily, It looked as if Niddhi was in her dreamland, But Aarav was a bit unsure about the relationship, He always thought that might be that once they grow up Niddhi might like someone else, some one better then him and so he had decided that whether they will marry or not the decision will always be in Niddhis hand, As far as his feelings were concerned he knew that he really loved Niddhi and that would not change ever.
The only thing that spoiled everyone's mood on that day was the call from Raghuvir Singhania. Alluvalia's were one of the rich families in Manalli, and on the outshirts of Manalli they had purchased some land, And now Singhania was trying to procure the same land illegally so Mr. Alluvalia had filled a case against Singhania which everyone knew would be won by Alluvalia, But Singhania was a cruel man, Who could stoop down to any level to full fill his dreams.
Two days latter Mr Sharma came to Aarav's and Niddhi's school to pick them up, One hour was still left for the school to get over .
“Uncle why are we going home early today” Aarav asked a bit suspiciously, Everyone knew that Asarav was quite a matuared boy so Sharma knew that he must tell him the truth,
“Aarav Rajpal and Aarti have met with an accident and are in ICU”

Present day
Dated: 5th April 2009 Time—4:00 pm
14th square
Manalli

Niddhi was sitting at her desk wondering what was happening with her. She remembered clearly that 17 years back Mr. and Mrs Alluvalia had succumbed to their accidental injuries, and due to this Aarav had gone in mental depression, The Doctor had advised them to sent Aarav away from Manali and away from all the people and things that remind him his days in Manali, So it was decided that Aarav would stay with his maternal uncle in U.S and that Niddhi will have to forget about Aarav and she was instructed not even try to be in his contact, And she agreed to do so as this was the only way they could have saved Aarav. But deep down in her heart she knew that she would never be able to stop loving him and neither did she do that, till date her every prayer was for Aarav's well being and nothing else. And here there was a stranger coming in her life out of no where and She calls him Aarav.

Present day
Dated: 5th April 2009 Time—4:45pm
Lake view
Manalli.

After 17 long years he had seen his Niddhi, She was really beautiful now, He looked at her once and and couldn't take his eyes of her, But then he had seen her fully and came face to face with the fact that she was pregnant,and this meant that someone else was there in her life. When he was small even then he had thought that might be when they will grow up Niddhi might fall in Love with some other guy, But then why does it hurt now?.
Some days back he met with an severe accident and when he was in the hospital fighting for his life he remembered his mom and dad, he remembered Niddhi and the most important he remembered Singhania--- the person who was behind the accident 17 years back. Now Aarav wanted revenge, He wanted to destroy Sighania and that was the reason why he was in Manalli now, And as far as Niddhi was concerned his feelings for her had not changed, only for some time the sand of time had just covered it, But all through his journey he had prepared himself to face a married Niddhi, but now after looking at her and knowing that she does not belong to him any more was hurting himso much, But he was more worried about the pain that he had seen in her eyes he he decide to go back to her and speak to her...

Present day
Dated: 5th April 2009 Time—9:00 pm
14th square
Manalli

It had been four hours since she had seen the stranger, But still she couldn't stop thinking about him,his looks he was too handsome to describe, he was tall, couple of inches more then six feet, broad shoulders, most of it she could not forget the dark piercing eyes and with every passing moment she was becoming sure that he was Aarav, The moment she was fully sure she was very happy about it, Her Aarav was totally fine and the best part was he had come back to her, She could not restrain her happiness from appearing as a smile on her face,She had smilled after so many months and that was because her love was back, back to her for ever and ever, But the reality couldn't be so sweet,could it?
It was true that her Love had come back,but it wasn't her love anymore or to use the exact words she wasn't worth it any more, She herself had destroyed her happiness and future and she had no one else to blame,However much she would try she couldn't forget the pain and regret that she had seen in Aarav's eyes just a few hours ago, She knew that just like other people he to would hate her and consider her to be a fallen woman. Today she really felt that she was degraded, indeed degraded. The time had come to close the shop, her assistants had already left so she turned off all the lights, locked the main door and started moving down the street, As always the street was deserted, She didn't like it, but still had got used to walking alone down the street, her house was at the outskirts of the city on the hillock, just a few more blocks to go and then up the slop, As she crossed the first block she saw a silhouette of a person standing on a pavement, A nauseating feeling
engulfed her, Who could he be? He could be anyone? What if he was Raghav or Vicky, They were used to this things, There was no one near by what will she do?, She caught her bag tightly and started walking really fast, she crossed the man , he dint do anything he dint even move But she did not decrease her pace, she din't want to take any risk..
“Niddhi”
He had called her, She had never heard this voice before, She dint stop.
“Wait Niddhi wait, It's me Aarav.”
Hearing those words she froze at the spot, She felt as if she was rooted, Then Aarav started moving towards her.
“How can you do this?” There was anger in his voice, And now she was waiting to see the glimpses of his hatred.
“How can you be walking down the street all alone at this time of the hour, Where is your husband, Cant he come to pick you up?” Aarav could not control is anger by now.
“I don't have a husband, I m all alone.” Now it was Aarav's turn too froze, There were too many questions creating a havoc in his mind but he could not ask her, at list not now, she looked to be tensed . So he asked her only one question
“Can I walk with you ?”
“No Aarav, It's o.k, I am used to walking alone .”
“Where am I saying that you are not, What I am saying is that I am not, Can you please accompany me till your house?”
That brought a smile to her face, And Aarav noticed that the smile was making her look more beautiful, In the moon light she was looking like a fairy, His fairy.
“Yeep,Let's move” Niddhi's reply pulled him back from his line of thoughts. Both of them started walking , In the beginning neither of them spoke, They were walking in silence, Aarav liked that silence to , Walking with Niddhi at his side brought a totally different feeling to him, It looked as if he was at a total peace, Just as they were walking up the slope, Niddhi was deep in her own thoughts and did not see the pebbels that were scattered on the road , and she slipped over them,She was about to fall on her stomach when a pair strong arms supported her.
“Niddhi what were you thinking about .See your priority must be to take care of yourself and your baby now”
Niddhi could see that Aarav genuinely cared about her and her baby, Knowing this she could not stop herself, and the pain and loneliness that her heart was full of started flowing in the form of tears, She could not stop herself, She started crying bitterly, Her sobs got converted into hiccups,
“Why dint you come six months back Aarav why? You could have stopped me from falling then too..why dint you .?”
Aarav could not stop himself he took her in his arms, and she cried on his shoulders, It looked as if all her pain was getting drained out of her in the form of tears, non stop tears, All of sudden she had become weak and fragile, The facade of strenth she had build around her had broken and Aarav could feel it, so he lifted her and carried her to her house. When they reached her doorstep he placed her on her feet.
“Go in Niddhi, Good night ,We will speak tomorrow morning”
“Once you know my truth, you will not want to speak to me ”
“And what is that truth, may I know.”
“My baby is illegitimate” The words were out of her mouth and she knew that The time had come when she really would part with Aarav for ever, Now he will never want to see her face again.
“I'll come to pick you up at 8:00 am, You open the store at 8 :30 right, so be ready”
“Didn't you here what I said just now, Didn't you?” She was totally confused and upset now.
“I did Niddhi, I did, Good night , See you tomorrow,bye” He said with a smile,kissed her forehead and went into his house which was just opposite to her's. And Niddhi entered her house wondering what was going on with her and remembering the pain that she had seen in Aarav's eyes when She had told him about the illegitimacy of her baby. She knew that even though he had not reacted in front of her he would surely blame her for what was done, And deep within she new that he would be right.
Aarav entered his bedroom but he was totally lost , dint know what to do, How to react, Even though he had kept a check on his feelings and reaction in front of Niddhi , But now he couldn't, His anger was rising ,boiling actually. He smashed whatever he got at his hand unto the wall, He was getting furious with every passing second ..He took the photo frame which had his and Niddhi's childhood snap, hugged it and started crying, He was crying like a kid..
“How could...”
“How could I do it?”
“How could I leave Niddhi, When she needed me the most , How could I”
“Sorry Niddhi, Sorry” He screamed holding the frame close to his heart..
Niddhi could not hear what Aarav was saying but she could see his silhoutee through his window panes, She saw him throwing things at the wall and then holding the frame close to his heart and crying, She felt sorry for Aarav, She knew that she had broken his heart and now she was ready to face his outburst, She was ready to take the blame and she was ready to tell him the whole truth, The truth that she had not told any one. Tomorrow morning she would tell him everything and then let him go forever.
The next day morning Sharp at 8:00 doorbell rang and Niddhi new that it was Aarav, She opened the door,
“Good Morning ” Aarav greeted her with a smile
“Good Morning , Come in” Niddhi had not missed the dark circles that had formed around his eyes, she came to know that he had not slept for the last night, The same was observed by Aarav.
“I want to ask you something Niddhi?”
“I know what you want to ask, And I have decided to tell you everything”
“But wait Niddhi. I..”
“No let me tell you everything please, I am tired now, I can't carry this burden and guilt anymore, Please”
“Okay..Go ahead” He said a bit uneasily, He knew that he wont like what was coming next.
“This all started 8 months back, When Akshay came back from Australia, He use to frequently come to the super market to buy stuff. He tried to talk to me too, actually many times, but I used to always avoid him, I used to feel uncomfortable around him, Days passed , Dad had started forcing me to get married , He had brought different proposals, But I refused , I told him that I dint want to get married.”
Niddhi had not looked at him, But he knew that he was the sole reason for her refusal and his heart started aching even more, He did not interrupt her.
“In the meantime, the formal greeting routine of me and Akshay continued, Then slowly we started talking to each other on neutral grounds. Everything was going on in the same manner, no complications what so ever, But six months back, Dad succumbed to heart attack and everything changed.” Now Niddhis eyes were full of tears, her voice had become hoarse.
“I had stopped going out of the house , I was missing daddy like any thing , I couldn't even go and open the stores, then one day the door bell rang and I opened the door, Akshay was standing at the door step with bunch of white lilies in his hand, I called him in, we talked for quite a long time, He consoled me and advised me to stop moaning and start opening the stores all over again, I agreed.” She had literally started crying by now, She wiped her tears and continued telling him..
“From that day a new routine had started, Akshay used to come every morning pick me up and take me to the stores, Every evening he use to drop me back home, He sought of had become my life support, I had started smiling with him around , He had started taking care of my likes and dislikes.”
After hearing this part of the story Aarav had started becoming curious because by the look of what Niddhi had told him by now, It looked like Akshay was a good guy, But then where was he now? Was he dead? Aarav forcefully came out of his thoughts and concentrated on what she was telling him.
“And one day he proposed me, I did like him but could not marry him as I had always loved...”
She did not continue the statement but changed it completely
“I refused, But it was like he was reading my thoughts, and told me to let go of the past and to think about my present and future, He told me that he really did love me and would die if I say no, I had no options other then saying yes, and like that also I needed support, who could be a better support other then a good friend so I said yes. After that we had series of dates , Life had become quite colorful, I felt as if I was on cloud number Nine, On one such day we had gone on a dinner date, after that he came to drop me, On that day there was a heavy snow fall so he couldn't go back, so I told him to stay at my place, and that was my biggest mistake, It was the darkest night of my life, That was the night when I crossed my line and degraded myself for lifetime, Next morning Akshay left the house, I couldn't even look at him, For the next few days neither did I call him nor did he. But then I was worried , I thought might be he was not well or something, So tried to call him up, but he dint receive any of my calls, So on one day I meet him on his way to office, he was totally fine so I asked him about why he was avoiding me.”
At this point Niddhi was crying bitterly she could not control her sobs anymore, It looked as if a deep wound had opened up, she tried to control her sobs and said “He told me that he wasn't in the habit of caring used Toilette papers he uses it and then throws them in a thrash and that is what he had done to me, He told me that he had never loved me. It was just a lust, and once fulfilled there wasn't any place for me in his life.I dint know what to do, I came back home, My whole world had come to a stand still , I did not know what to do, where to go, so I went to priya di's place, but I was so upset that could not stay there for long, so I came back after fifteen days, started my routine of home to stores and back to home, My life had become robotic, After a month or so I came to know that I was pregnant, By then I knew that I had reached the dead end of my life, there was no way out , I tried to attempt suicide but at the last moment I could not get the guts to finish a unborn life which was growing within me, I had done a mistake, why would it pay for my crime so I decided to leave life, But after two months or so people came to know about my pregnancy, By then Akshay had already gone to U.S, All of them wanted to know the name of the father, But I did not tell them, so they thought that I had done something wrong when I had gone to di's place so they stoped asking me and talking to me. Akshay had called me a thrash, People believe me to be a trash and that is exactly what I am right Aarav?”
“No you are not a thrash, but he surely is one, Tell me his full name?” Aarav asked angrilly
“Akshay Singhania, Son of the Great Raghuvir Singhania, I was mad enough to have faith in the son of such a cruel person, Like father like son.” saying this she started wiping her tears and controlling her sobs.
Aarav's anger knew no bonds now, The Singhania's father and son had destroyed his total happiness, But he pledged to take revenge.. he would surely make them cry for all this things..
“All your questions are answered now right?” Niddhis question stopped his flow of thoughts.
“What?”
“This was what you wanted to ask me right?” She replied in a soft broken voice
“No, this wasn't what I wanted to know, I wanted to ask you whether ...”he came near Niddhi and went on his knee..
“Will you marry me?”
“Are you gone nuts, Look I know that we were good friends, but I am not the same any more, I am a fallen woman”
“Stop it Niddhi, stop that bull shit, Firstly we both know that we not just friends I loved you and you loved me too and secondly You are not a fallen woman, Yes you have done a mistake, A big one I agree but you are not fallen and remember for once and for all A boy who seriously loves you would have respected you and wiould never do anything that will affect your image, will not do anything which will put you down in your own eyes , So it means that he was never worth your trust, so forget about him, and stop blaming yourself.”
“Okay, I promise you that I wont blame myself anymore, but I cannot marry you, I cant spoil your life Aarav, I am sure God has planned something good for you, There will surely be a special girl made just for you.”
“I know that the god has made a beautiful and special girl for me, Whom I will love and cherish for my full life and that girl is standing in front of me right now. Don't Say no Niddhi, please don't say no, If anytime in your lifetime you have loved me and if you have a at list a little faith in me say Yes. Please .”
Today Niddhi was facing the moment that she was waiting for, Her hopes had come true in the form of Aarav's proposal, She had always dreamed of this day, But today she could not feel the happiness anymore, How could she say yes to him, He was too good for her.
“Say yes Niddhi, I am not doing this for you, I am doing this for my own love, believe me and say Yes”
“Yes” The words just came out of her mouth and Aarav hugged her.
Within a few days a court marriage was arranged, Some of Aarav old friends came in as witness, Which was followed by a grand party given by Aarav in which almost all the people were invited and all did come, Sometime you feel so strange right, Those were the same people who were criticizers,and now they were here with all smiles and blessings, was it just because she had married to one of the richest person in the town. One of them asked Aarav
“Aarav where were you for all this years and How come all of sudden you remembered us.”The question was asked by one, but all were waiting for the answer. And as far as Aarav was concerned He was waiting for this particular question.
He smiled “Actually Aunty, I was in U.S, and Five months back when I came back to India, I meet Niddhi in Delhi, That time Niddhi was in Delhi with her sister, I proposed Niddhi , and she said yes, Then after a few days Niddhi came back to Manalli, I was suppose to follow the suite but I met with a accident so I was delayed ”
Niddhi was shocked hearing this from Aarav but then when Aarav looked at her and winked she realized what message he was trying to give the people and looking in their eyes she came to know that they had received that particular message.
After the party they went to Aarav's house, meaning their house, Niddhi was traditionally welcomed in. After some games and all Niddhi was taken to her room, Wherein she was waiting for Aarav to come, In the meantime she was scanning the room, Aaravs room was full of their childhood snaps, Tears of happiness field her eyes, Aarav entered the room and she touched his feet, and this wasn't just a tradition, She did so because she really respected and loved him for what he had done for her,and from that time they started their married life, Every morning they used to have their breakfast together, mostly Aarav used to help her in making the breakfast, It was real fun and quite romantic, then he used top drop her to the stores and come back home, He used to work from home, He had converted his study into his office, wherein he used to continue sly get calls and mails from his clients, Then he used to pick up Niddhi and get her home for lunch then again drop her and get her back in the evening then they used to have a long chat before dinner.
“Aarav, you have told me that you are a owner of a small firm in Delhi but you have not told me yet what your firm does?”
“Nothing much sweetheart, We are in Finance, that's it”
“Okay”That was what Niddhi knew about Aarav's work and she was satisfied with that information, But what she did not know was that he was a corporate giant and neither did she know about what he was planning to do.
One day when Aarav had come to her stores to pick her up and as he was locking the door of the stores Aarav happened to look at Niddhi, She had a Sweet expression on her face, as if she was experiencing something,
“What is it sweet heart?”
“Aarav I...Nothing,”
He was sure that Niddhi wanted to tell him something, But then why did she not tell him, He wanted to ask her that but din't.
This was not the first time that she had felt her baby moving within her, And every time it happened she wanted to share her happiness with Aarav, But like today every time she stopped herself thinking about the fact that Aarav wasn't the father of her baby so what would be the affect of it anyways on him, and that saddened her. So even today she had not answered his question.
Days passed in the similar manner, one night after dinner both of them were watching T.V, And in the middle of the show Aarav saw the same expression that he had seen few days back crossing her face all over again.
“Niddhi, This time I want the answer , What is it?”
“No...” She wanted to say nothing but couldn't say so as she could see Aarav's eyes full of love. So she called him near her
when he came and sat next to her , She placed his palm on her tummy. In the beginning Aarav dint feel anything and then it moved , yes indeed it moved,
“The baby is moving, Niddhi, its moving”
Aarav could not control his happiness, He could feel it , He placed his ear in place of his hand, he could hear sounds, He felt as if he was experiencing a miracle, he felt as if he was somehow connected to the baby, He looked at Niddhi and asked.
“Oh God, I can here something, Does this happen often”
“Yes”She said with tears in her eyes as she could see pride and happiness in his eyes, But just then his cell rang , he received the call and his mood changed, and he went into the study. And Niddhi was left wondering about what had happened just now,Was it the pride that she had seen in his eyes or was it expression of surprise, She had always hoped that somehow Aarav might start liking the baby, but she could not force this wish on him.
The next day when she went to the stores, She came to know that Singhania mills was been ovettaken by someone else,
A few days back she had heard that Singhania had to sell out all his plantations and now this, Looked like Singhania had entered some Danger waters, And all people were happy about it as all of them hated Singhania but could not do anything against him. Singhania was a dangerous man, He had illegally occupied other peoples lands and plantations, He had acuired his power by cheating and killing innocent people, And now people knew that there was someone somewhere who had come back to destroy Singhania, No one knew who he was , Neither did Niddhi knew it , But Aarav surely knew it but did not plan to let other people know about it not even Niddhi..
Niddhi was dreaming that night, the same dream that she was having for a couple of nights, She used to see a dream that Aarav used to nicely keep his hand on her stomach talk to her baby, It always looked like it was happening in real but she knew that she was dreaming and she dint want that dream to break so she never opened her eyes. Today again she was seeing the same dream, In the dream she heard Aarav saying
“Hi baby, Its your Dadda over here, Love you baby”
“What You love me too.Thanks”
“How did I come to know that ?,I can know it from your movements beta ”
“Now tell me one thing ? Do you sleep when your mom sleeps?”
At this moment Niddhi opened her eyes, And she saw Aarav sitting next to her with his palm on her tummy and he was literally and in real talking to her baby it was not a dream,it was never a dream, But when Aarav looked into Niddhis eyes , He sought of gave a guilty and shy look, as if he was caught red handed, he removed his hand off her quickly and went to sleep on other side of the bed.
One day Niddhi saw Aarav coming out of their attic, She asked him about why he had gone there, but he told her that he had gone to search something which he thought was kept in the attic. So Niddhi changed the topic but for the last few days she had seen Aarav many times going in and out of the attic.
After a few days they had gone shopping, Aarav bought all sought of toys ,soft toys baba suits, baby powder,oils, kitty and bears bedsheets, towels and every thing that money could buy for their baby , He had even ordered a small bed ,That had left Niddhi laughing,, but when Niddhi told him that she wanted to buy a craddle, he had avoided the question and moved, Niddhi was confused, but then she taught that after buying all this things might be that the cash he carried was over or something so she kept quite.
Both of them had gone on a dinner that night, When they came to know that Singhania had become totally bankrupt, not only that, some of his fraud and murder cases had opened up so police had arrested him and his son Akshay who had just now returned from U.S and the news was out that there were very less chances that they could prove their innocence this time. Niddhi was happy to know this not because of any personal reasons but because of other peoples innocence too.
That day when they came back, she happened to see that the light was ON in the attic, so she went in the attic to put off the lights, Go to see she saw a lovely antic cradle over there which was freshly polished and painted , It was such a beautiful craddle that no other craddle could match it, Now she understood why Aarav had not bought the craddle in the shop, it was because he was preparing one, Looking at it tears filled her eyes, because that cradle depicted Aaravs love towards her unborn child. She left the attic and went to Aarav's study, where he was on a call, she waited for the call to get over and then
“why did you not tell me about the craddle Aarav”
She could see the same guilt that she had seen in his eyes before.
“Niddhi,I know that it is your baby, I am not the biological father, But I want to be his father”
“Aarav....”
“No Niddhi, Don't say anything, I promise you that i'll love our baby much more then any other father loving his kid in this world, I have already fallen in love with this kid.From when I am waiting for him to come in our life, and now I want your permission to enter his life, Will you permit me? ”
“Today you have made the happiest person in the world, Till date I was filling guilty that I have burdened you with an unwanted child, But today by saying this words you have relieved me from this tension, thanks Aarav Thanks”Saying this Niddhi hugged Aarav
“Niddhi I want to tell you one more thruth , Niddhi the reason behind mine coming to Manali was a revenge,I had come over here to destroy Singhania,He had robbed me of my Family ,And see today I have destroyed him completely and god gave me my Family”
“I love both of you Niddhi, ”
“I love you both too”
And from that day they lived happily ever after........

The UndyingLove

The Shattered Dreams
CHARACTER 1:
Wow!! It feels so good, I have heard time and again people saying that it feels really good when you come back to your birth place after so many years. It is indeed such a lovely feeling, It looks like the pages are turning back and all of sudden I am placed back into my Yesteryear's, back into my childhood. Six years back my Dad got transferred to Delhi, and so we had to move to Delhi, Leaving my loving and beautiful Goa behind. Then three years back I moved to U.S. Such a long time and now I am back in Goa, I know that it is just for a small duration of time but I am back, I have called up all of my friends and planned a get together, All are really excited about it, And all of us have planned that we will be meeting at CCD-Miramar, We selected this point because this was where we usually passed a big part of our weekends, So everything was planned, After CCD we would go for a 6-9 show and have dinner at Marriott's ,All the reservations are done, But what surprises me is that , Neither did Dhruv receive my call nor did he call back, Dhruv is the most handsome, happening and caring boy I mean the man that I have come across till date, Actually he was our senior, but we became friends quite fast, He was our rescue ranger, any problem and we used to run to him and he used to solve it like anything, Sometimes we felt that he had some sought of magic, So I am actually waiting to meet this magic boy all over again. Here I have reached CCD, oh I am ten minutes late and I know that this people will kill me, so lets run! As I enter I can see them, They have occupied our usual spot, I must say that the interior has been changed quite a lot, As I am moving towards my group I can see all the smiles, All of us exchange our greetings and hugs, But where is Dhruv? As far as I know Dhruv, he will never want to miss a get together, He was quite particular about reunions, So I inquire about him, and just as the question left my mouth I see the facial expressions of one and all changing from that of happiness to that of surprise and then to sadness, And I am left to wonder that was has gone wrong, What has taken place that only I am ignorant of. Till three months back me and Dhruv were in regular contact, He was the one who had invited me to Goa in the first place, then what happened in this three months that I don't know? I wanted to know the truth so I asked them again and again, they tried to avoid the question but at the end they were forced to answer and they told me that Dhruv was hospitalized, I felt as if a Thunderbolt has hit me. This couldn't happen, It feels as if my throat has dried up, I want to speak but can't form any of the words, I want some one to reassure me that he is fine and had some minor injury, Dhruv wasn't just my friend he was like an elder brother to me, whom I loved very much, Just as I am going through this turmoil of emotions, one of my friend tells me that he is fine. But it looked like this was not the full truth, But for this moment that will be enough, There and then I decide that in the evening I'll go and visit Dhruv.
As I enter the hospital premises my heart beat is increasing. “This is how usually the hospital environment plays with me and this heart beat has nothing to do with Dhruv”, This is what I am trying to tell myself, With every step that I take towards Dhruv's ward I am getting more tensed, My friends have already told me that Dhruv is fine then why is it that I feel as if I wont like the sight that I will see inside? I have reached near his ward but why are my palms sweating? Why are my hands trembling as I try to open the door? Why?
At last I opened the door, but Dhruv was not to be seen at all. Yes the bed is empty and so does the room. A chill passes through my spine on the other hand I’m trying to control my nerves. Why are all sought of negative thoughts coming to my mind? It can so happen that Dhruv might have gone for a walk. Isn't it? So it will be better if I go out and search him. Just as I’m supposed to move out of the room I can here some noise. It sounds as if someone is murmuring. Suddenly I hear a screeching noise as if someone is trying to imitate a train whistle that is followed by noise that depicted a train that was in motion and then the firing of machine gun and then this sequence is repeated. Where and who is making this noise? While tracing the noise I reached the other side of the bed and what I see is more then enough to torture my mind and my soul. I can see Dhruv cuddled up like a small kid on the ground making all sought of noises. Looking at him I felt as if my knees have turned into jellies. At the next moment I find myself sitting right next to him. Though I didn’t want to cry but emotions filled my eyes with unwanted tears.
I know it! I know that it’s his new prank. This can't be true. But if this is just a prank then how come Dhruv has become so weak? What is the cause of those dark circles under his eyes? I can't think anymore, I just hugged Dhruv tightly and start repeatedly asking him “What’s wrong with you?”, but he didn’t reply. He just continues making those weird sounds and noise. He doesn't even recognize me. Now this is not possible. “Dhruv please look at me. Dhruv… Please Dhruv tell me what has happened please for heaven sake.” But he didn't reply. I am waiting for his reply with tears in my eyes and looking at him just to see if he can recognize me but he doesn't. I am totally shattered looking at him in such a state. Suddenly I happen to hear someone addressing me. It thought it could have been Dhruv's doctor. I will speak to him, he might be able to explain me Dhruv's condition. So I stood up and turned to see the Doc, but there is no one in the room leaving me and Dhruv then how come? I had indeed heard someone greeting me, I am sure about it, It wasn't my imagination at all. Now I can feel the chill in the air, as if I was having a nightmare or is this room haunted. Again I heard someone calling out to me. I am sure there is someone else in the room but why can’t I see him?

CHARACTER 2:
Hi,
Hiii!!
Look here right over here!!
Arreah Baba! Why are you so scarred as if this is a haunted room and you are about to see a ghost? Don't worry. I am not a ghost. Look I am here on your right hand side. Come close to the table. Good ... See I am right in front of you on this very table. Where? Are you asking me? Okay I am the cell phone that you can see right in front of you? What a cell phone? Yap. I am the only way through which you can know what has happened to Dhruv.
Why are you so surprised? Aah-ha! Okay this is the first time you are hearing a cell phone talk. Well usually we are not designed to talk neither was I designed so. But some times you are surrounded by so much of pain that you are forced to do things that usually are not a part of your character. Anyways, I’m Lucky. Yaa Yaa Lucky, Dhruv had named me as Lucky. I shouldn’t be talking about myself, It’s Dhruv about whom I’m suppose to talk, And yes I'll tell you each and every detail joys and sorrows, narrate to you this full episode in such a way that you will feel that it was you in place of me with Dhruv for last 3 months.
It was on 11th of October 2008, my first day at the showroom on a nice lovely central shelf. One of my batchmates had told me that our model was launched in a grand fashion and people were waiting to see us come in the showrooms. We would be sold like anything. I was the only one piece of my type left feeling all alone. I was thinking about this when I felt some ones hands on me a girls hand, wait it was not one but they were two who had removed me from the shelf at the same time a girl and a boy. Ooh I know its quite Filmy but this is what had happened on that fine day.
And the quarrel began. Well I knew both of them wanted me desperately. I swear desperately. I think that's what is called love at first sight ...ooh... I dint tell you who were the people fighting ...Those were the two people that I value the most they were Dhruv and Dhara and then after a very long discussion Dhruv bought me, and then Dhara bought one sleek and beautiful metallic pink cell, looking at which till date I miss one or two heart beats no in my case my paging signals. That’s the day when two strangers fell in love. I mean two pair of strangers fell in love and gave birth to two new love stories. Yes What I am saying is true but if I had said this on that day in front of Dhruv he would have said that I have gone crazy...But I knew it was true I had seen it in Dhara’s eyes. I had felt it in the tremor that had passed through Dhruv when he had looked in Dhara's eyes. But the fact was none of them were ready to accept the truth, and that's what actually happens, people usually don't believe in Love at first sight sort of things, but I do. We parted. I came to Dhruv's place with Dhruv and Pinky went with Dhara, but somehow I knew that we will surely meet again.
After some time, I was in Dhruv's home. Correction. My home. Dhruv was excited as he wanted to share his news with everyone NEWS---That he has bought a new cell...Do you Know what that means??...It means that I was the celebrity for the day....But what did he know that one more news was already waiting for him...A news of bigger caliber, and do you know what does this mean??....This means that I was not the celebrity for that day. The news was that Dhruv's parents had seen a nice girl for him to get married to and so they had fixed a meeting on the next day, I could really feel Dhruv's temper rising. Oh My God it busted to, Dhruv was not ready for marriage yet, but his parents didn’t want to wait. So the quarrel begins. I was wondering about how god had planned my first day at home? At the end of the quarrel my mom ...oops I mean Dhruv's mom I call her mine because she has always cared for me. So at the end of the quarrel mom and dad placed the girls snap upside down on the tip-poi and went away. After some time as Dhruv cooled down he took the snap and. Jack pot! It’s Dhara's snap. Wow I knew it. I knew it that we were supposed to meet again me and pinky. But now what?? Dhruv had already told his Mom that as of now he doesn’t want to get married and here he was continuously starring at Dhara’s snap as if it’ll disappear at the drop of his wink. And as he was staring Dad came and asked Dhruv “So what's your answer?” Look now the ball was in Dhruv's court and Dhruv answered “How can I say no to both of you? I am ready to meet the girl”. See the diplomatic way in which Dhruv tried to handle the case. But the Smile that Dad gave him back spoke volumes. So the next day we all went to officially see Dhara. The venue was supposed to be Mahalaxmi Temple. So when we reached over there Dhara's Family was already over there. Dhara wearing a beautiful pink saree looked really beautiful. When Dhara looked at Dhruv I saw the feeling of recognition in her eyes. After some introductions, small talks and the green signal from the elders it was decided that in 15 days time an Engagement party will be held and then in around December-January the wedding. Ooh such a joyous atmosphere I was happy for both of them and even for myself because now I would be able to communicate with my Pinky. As that happy moment arrived Dhruv asked Dhara for her cell number. Do you know what is coming next?? Dhruv will be calling his Dhara and I will be talking to my Pinky and from that day onwards there were incoming and outgoing calls from both the ends, and not to forget the dates. On our first date I and pinky went to CCD, and well Dhruv and Dhara had accompanied us. It was a lovely date, Dhara really looked good that day. She looked so pretty and then there was a lovely pink blush on her face and mind you it was natural, Dhara was such a shy person and such a soft spoken one that anyone would fall in love with her. She had a sweet voice; her shyness could be seen in her eyes, felt in the shivering of her hands and also in the trembling of her lips. But that day it wasn't only Dhara who was shy Dhruv was also a bit, that day I had seen a different Dhruv all together as I was facing him who was quite considerate and also caring as always. He thought twice before saying anything just because he didn’t want Dhara to feel bad. Both of them ordered the Tropical iceberg. That day was real fun. Dhruv and Dhara spoke about all different types of thinks, their likes, dislikes, passions and hobbies, they even discussed their professional life, but all in such a polite and soft spoken manner. I bet that Dhara’s profession was much more interesting then that of Dhruv’s as Dhara was a Doctor who had done her M.S in surgery. The way she spoke looked like her profession was her passion. Dhruv was a Mechanical Engineer. He was also passionate about his profession. The best think about them was that both of them respected each others profession. Dhara was a real good doctor and a wonderful person. We came to know this on our second date I remember it was on 20th October and we were suppose to go for a movie. But on the last moment we planned to go on a beach first and then to the movie, it was such a pleasant evening. The sun was setting, the sky had turned to its twilight colours, and there was soft breeze blowing, That was the first time that Dhruv had taken Dhara’s hand in his hand and they had walked quite a long distance, and they had discussed their future, planned the interior of their rooms and many more things, And then while driving towards the multiplex we saw some crowd, so both of them got down of the car, inquired about what had happened. People told them that a lady met with an accident and nobody was ready to take her to the hospital in the fear of police. At that moment Dhara requested Dhruv to take the lady to the hospital. Spoke to the respected Doctor and waited there in the hospital till the ladies family arrived. By the time it was already 9:00 p.m so Dhruv dropped her home and we came back to our place. And that day itself I was sure that Dhruv is really in Love with Dhara. After that day there were series of dates, and many get-togethers as far as families were concerned. Members from both the families mixed up as if they were a single family. They used to go for shopping together, had dinners together. And in the mean time Dhara and Dhruv had become the perfectly made for each other couple, loving each other, dreaming about each other day and night and waiting for their wedding day to come. It was on 10th November that day when both the families met once again, invitation cards pattern from both the sides was finalized and the Hall where the wedding would be held was booked, and then as usual a dinner for the celebration of finalizing all the things held, I know it sounds so funny but this exactly how both this families were—Happy Go Lucky. Enjoyed every moment to its best, over the period of time both this families had form a strong bond. Now it was decided that the final shopping for the wedding will be done at Mumbai, but before that we had to distribute the invitation cards to the invites along with some petty tasks which were supposed to be completed. So it was decided that all the family members will go to Mumbai on 22ndof Nov. by 22nd the cards were distributed, both the houses renovated, menu's finalized, reservations for Mumbai trip done almost everything was covered now only the shopping was left, and all of us were ready to go to Mumbai, But at the last moment there was a call from Dhruv's company saying that there was some sort of breakdown and so Dhruv was supposed to cancel his leave. So at the end it was decided that I and Dhruv will stay back while others go to Mumbai. As planed it was a 5 days shopping trip. Every night Dhruv used to call them and inquire about their whereabouts. From the call summary we knew that they enjoying their shopping trip. I remember it was on 26th and Dhruv was very happy and excited as these people were suppose to board the train that night and reach to Goa the next day. This would mean that he could meet Dhara all over again and spent quality time with her. He had planned to take Dhara for a candle light dinner the next day in order to express his deep thoughts of he’s not able to live without her not even a single day as he realized that Dhara is becoming an important aspect of his life line and had decided that from now onwards he wont allow Dhara to go away from him not even for a single day. Like always Dhruv called up Dhara at around 10:00p.m, we knew that they were suppose to board their train from Shatrapati Shivaji Terminus at 10:45 pm, So it wasn't surprising to hear the train whistling in the background neither the sound of the train leaving the station, We could here people shouting, the usual noise that surrounds a railway station, Mom had to literally shout and talk to Dhruv and then she gave the cell to Dhara, I always liked it when Dhara and Dhruv spoke to each other through me and pinky, I always felt that as if I am also a part of their Love and that it was the same too. The way Dhara spoke I knew that she is also waiting for the moment when she will be meeting Dhruv. She was so happy and that day it was the first time that Dhara told Dhruv that she loves him. We had seen it in her eyes but it was the first time we had heard the words. Dhruv was very happy his happiness had no bounds. Dhruv too reciprocated and told Dhara that he loves her, but even before his words would reach Dhara we heard some different noises from the other side. The noises were uncommon on a railway station. It was like someone was firing, continuously firing there were screams coming from Dhara's side, but these were life threatening screams full of pain. We dint know what was happening on other end. Dhruv was calling out to Dhara again and again but there was no reply, what we could here was only the distant whistling of train, the sound of train moving and a load firing sound continues it looked as if the firing wont stop forever and that time itself I felt a void forming in Dhruv's life, I don’t know if Dhruv knew it that time or not, but I knew that bloody firing had robbed us of everything that was dear to us.Our Family,our Love everything. I knew that at that moment itself our past, present and future all was destroyed and that to by the people that were not related to us at all. Yes that was the black day of Dhruv’s life, 26 November 2008.what right did they have to kill innocent people, destroy the life of others, what did they gain by doing all this?WHAT?
CHARACTER 1:
I did not know what to do? How to react? Or How I was suppose to answer that question that a cell had asked me, I was dumb folded, actually I was in pain. I could feel Dhruv’s pain. I could see his shattered dreams, his shattered life, I could see his tearless dry eyes which were asking me the same question why? But even I don’t have the answer, On what basis can the terrorist justify themselves and say there was a reason behind those mass killing? What are they actually trying to gain by this doings; I know that neither will you be able to answer my question, because no one can, not even the terrorist themselves. They actually don’t want to gain anything, They just want to make people loose everything that was dear to them isn’t it?