Why do we fall , Bruce ?

I remember watching Batman Begins when i was a kid. These words seemed hollow then. It was like one of the random one liners in a movie which had no meaning in life. It was never to be thought upon. It was never to be argued upon. It was never to be talked about again in my long life.

Now a 8 years down the line the word comes back to me. It knocks on the door of my mind which has a myriad of things to worry about. It faces me blankly requesting me to answer the question.

I try to ignore it. My mind does not want to answer questions. My mind wants to enjoy what it enjoys doing. Then again the question looks at me. It wants to be answered.

I look for an explanation. We fall so that we learn from the fall. We fall because we are human. We fall because its meant to be that way . We fall because falling makes us stronger.We fall so that we can rise. These answers cloud my mind. In the end the world isn't utopia. We have to fall. Shit does happen. We do things. We regret things. We wish we hadnt done things. But that is not the end. Life does move forward does it not ?.

The answer seems to be forming up in my mind when another question stares at me.

What do we do when we fall ? 

One, we fall down completely. We give up. We keep blaming and think that our sin is too big to be fought back at. We let the fall get our life and twist it into a dark hole. 

Then quotes from Rocky make their way into my mind.

Two, we get back up and move forward. We regard the fall as another element of life and how it treats us. This one is tough. This one is rare. We dont forget it but we use it.

My mind wants to give up. Too many thoughts for one night. 

I finally give into Thomas Wayne :

" And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up " 

MISS HOPE

Recently my friend told me that he would name his girl Faith. No, that did not make me start thinking of a name for my daughter but suddenly I just did ponder on those lines and reached at Miss Hope. Not that that is a name but that is simply cool. Maybe cooler than Faith. Well anyways screw this worthless business of naming.

Hope is omnipresent. Hope is there when there is nothing left. Sometimes hope moves you on. Its the thing that keeps you going.

There are expectations from the world. But the world often does deny you of these expectations. There comes Hope with its persistent nagging ass which makes you think that the world might just care, that the world might just have a place for you, that the world is still what it was and feels the same way for you as it did.The world surprises you and you always hope for the best. The world seems dark and hope is the light that is not there.Hope in all its sense seems to make you weak. The world has this weapon in the form of hope. It presents you with this rosy hope which makes you weak and at the same time you look for this weapon.Its like the worst of drugs. You like it when it pays you back and then you get sick of it and cant let go. Well the world seems indifferent to what happens to you but you feel , you hope and you know that it is not indifferent. That there is something left which makes you smile. And that my friends is true. See the world goes through phases and has its own mood changes. The world in the end is what you completes you. The world is what makes you believe in good believe in the truth believe in the real. 

It also does make you believe in the bad parts of it. Every rose has thorns. Every thing has a flip side but not the world. Its a one faced coin. Its the way you see it. Its how long you want to see it that way. I would say the world is all rainbows and sunshine. Its sweet , its beautiful, its loving and its like the companion that gives you a pleasant smile. The smile maybe be induced by the memory of the "good world" but in the end that good part is what it is all about. Look  for that good part. The world has secrets that it does not want to share with you. Those things are not meant for you as according to the world it is harmful for you. But you have  to face these secrets and move over them, improve upon them.

That is because you live in the world.

I would any day go with Miss Hope. I would continue to hope. So should you all. The night is darkest before the dawn and the dawn always comes. Maybe late but still it does come. The world was born in contradictory pairs: there is matter and antimatter, there is love and hate, there is good and evil, there is world and world , there is hope and hope. Hope has no opposite. Its your best friend, its your partner, its your ally. I would go with hope because:

“Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies” – Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption.

The question is  What or How or When or Where or Who is your HOPE?

BEFORE AND AFTER

10 questions I ask myself BEFORE the results are announced:

1. How will the results be?
2. Will i get above 85%? ( the answer to which assure myself i will)
3. Will i be in the top 5? ( the answer to which  i again assure myself i will)
4. What will be parents reaction?
5. How much will my friends get? (important question)
6. Will i get more marks than my best friend?( the answer to which  i assure myself i wont)
7. What will my class teacher say in the parent teachers meeting?
8. What will be the implication of my result?
9. What will i do after they come out?
10. Again will it be good?

10 questions I ask myself AFTER the results are announced:

1. What the fuck?
2. How on earth is this possible?
3. Is this my result?(of which i convince my self it isn't)
4.  What went wrong?
5. What will be my parents reaction?
6. How much did my best friend get?( the answer to which  i know that he got more than me)
7. Again what will be the implication of my result?( the answer to which i know that they will be severe)
8. What will i do now?
9. What will i tell my teachers?
10. Again is this my result?(the answer to which i know is a big YES)

Many more questions pop up in my mind discussing which will take me the whole year and these will be joined by more questions from the next set of examination and this diabolical and addictive cycle goes on forever..

LADIES AND LAJPAT NAGAR: A LULLABY

I deviate from my usual short story writing just this once because I feel that it is necessary to bring to light an issue that many of us have experienced but due to some reasons have kept quiet about it. 

Lajpat Nagar according to wikipedia  is an affluent suburb of the South Delhi district of Delhi. It is named in honor of Lala Lajpat Rai, also known the Lion of Punjab, and is today most known for the Lajpat Nagar Central Market. It is strange that the place has been recognized by wikipedia, well so has been Delhi Haat. Lajpat Nagar is known for all kinds of shopping especially for Kurtis & Indian wear . This market is one of the most crowded and most popular market among Delhiites. Huge crowded shopping rigorously can be seen anywhere during anytime of the day here. The market attracts ladies, specially with all kinds of dress material, accessories etc. Well according to me this market ONLY attracts LADIES and nobody else. 

Today I had gone to Lajpat Nagar with 5 female companions something that my friends you should never do. Today was Monday and more than half of the shops were closed but it did not help much because whatever you do women can smell shops and are ever ready to lay their hands on any piece of cloth even if it is a 3cmX3cm cloth. We entered the market and they were off as if it was the last day they were allowed to shop. I chose a quiet place below a tree to sit down and sat down to wonder and observe.The market makes you feel that Ladies are meant for Lajpat Nagar and vice versa. You cannot spend 5 minutes in that market but a lady can spend 6 hours of complete solace. Lajpat Nagar is paradise for women.It is a drug like cocaine. It is an open addiction which women boast about. They are selfish when they invite those who are not interested to go to the boring place. They say that they will spend only an hour but the hour changes into 2 and then it goes on forever. I simply cannot understand what is in this place that makes women feel that they are in their blankets on a cold January night. I then walked on to KFC but my fears changed into reality when I discovered that there was another lane of these addictive (only  for women) market. I then convinced the folks not to go to KFC or else I would have to suffer for another two hours. I will soon put out a map for the people who want to reach the auto rickshaw avoiding the shops because when they set their eyes on the target they mean to acquire it. 

Today  I was dreaming of the Tennis Courts but most of the people are reminded of their Blankets. That is why Ladies and Lajpat Nagar qualify to become a lullaby.

                                             

The Final Goodbye Part 2

Stanford was 15 and lived in New Delhi. He was a student of class 11 in a nearby public school.He was tall, thin and a smart boy.His eyes were black and his hair was jet black. He was an ardent reader and loved to write.He stayed in an apartment with his mother. His father was no more. He had died when Stanford was 13. He had a special bond with his mother. Raising a teenager in Delhi was not an easy job. Mona had a tough time. She took strict care of Stanford. He understood what she was going through and helped his mother.

Stanford was loving his life.Eleventh class was fun. He used to study well , play well and was a sincere boy.He loved his mother and never wanted to argue with her. But a teenager would not be called a teenager if the life of a teenager was without arguments especially against parents. These days the mother son duo were having arguments on many small issues. Stanford did not want to argue with her. He wanted to have an argument free relationship.But he could not help it. They had arguments but all these were minor ones.

Stanford had started using a mobile for a few days now. He had never felt the need to use a mobile phone and he did not use it permanently. There was an extra mobile at his house so he used it just like that. He did not message anybody nor did he call anybody.

One night he was studying and then he went to the other room. He picked up his phone and messaged one of his female friend asking about a rumor he had heard about him at the school. He had just sent her 2 or 3 messages when he went to the other room and again returned after 10 minutes. He was replying her message when another message from one of his friends came. He replied to both his friends when his mother came to the room. He suddenly got scared and his heart was now beating fast. He knew that his mother would not appreciate what he had and what he was doing. She asked him  who he was texting with. He got really scared  thinking what mother would say. He immediately took the male friends name. She asked him again and he gave the same answer then she asked him for the phone. Just as he handed over the phone  he immediately  took name of his female friend. She seemed angry. He apologized but she did not listen. He told her that he did not mean to hurt her but she told him that he had broken her trust. She went to sleep. Stanford felt miserable. He was blankly staring at his mothers back. Thinking of a solution. He did not mean to lie to her. It was just at the moment. Fear got the better of his sane judgement. Next morning he went to school without meeting his mother. While returning home in the afternoon his bus met with an accident. Stanford was the only casualty.

As for Stanford, he died in vain.He died with guilt in his heart. It ended on a sad note.

As for Mona, she lived a sad life .Her last words to him was : "You Broke My Trust". Not even a Goodnight. She could not tell "THE FINAL GOODBYE".

The Final Goodbye

Chronos was 16 and he lived in New Delhi with his mother. His father was stationed at Jammu and Kashmir and served The Border Security Force. They lived in an two storied apartment in a government colony.

In Greek mythology Chronos was the God of Time and Rhea was the Mother of Gods.Chronos and his mother Rhea shared a very unique bond.  They loved each other and unlike many mother son duo's, they never argued. Rhea cared about Chronos as a lioness cares about her cub. She never wanted her son to get into bad company and took many measures to see that her son remains untouched by the black sheep of the youth. Chronos also supported his mother. He never complained and knew that all  his mother did was for his best.Their relationship was forged into a strong chain a strong bond which was never to break.

Chronos studied at a nearby public school and Rhea was a Counselor at a Private School about 30 minutes from their house. Chronos went to school by the bus and Rhea drove to the school.Chronos studied in 11th class and was enjoying every moment of his school life. He used to have a lot of fun. Off late Chronos started liking a beautiful girl in his class and yearned to go to school every morning.

One morning Chronos got ready to go to school and sat in the Dining Table. He told Rhea that he did not want to have the porridge that she had made for him. Chronos started walking towards the door when Rhea called out told him to eat the porridge. This was the first time they were arguing. Chronos was at an irritable mood and back answered by saying that he will have half the porridge. Chronos sipped half the porridge and Rhea told that it was for his own good that he finished the porridge but now Chronos was angry retorted by telling his mother to shut up. Rhea stayed quiet as she saw Chronos leave the house.  She consoled herself by telling that it was the FIRST and  LAST time they argued.She left for school after some time.

Chronos, as he was walking towards the bus stop realized his mistake and wished to go back to his mother and apologize and say " Goodbye, have a nice day..! " but it was already too late as the bus approached the bus stop. He then forgot about his mother and thought about his beautiful classmate who he was going to meet  in some time, thinking what he would say to her.

The day passed and Chronos came back home and was watching television. Rhea left her school eagerly wanting to tell her son about a school activity. She was driving her car and she took the final right turn towards her home thinking about Chronos when a Sumo skipping the red light banged into the driver side of her car. She DIED on the spot.

Chronos got the news by his relative and broke down and went unconscious. He regretted what he had done that morning, wanted to stab himself for that, called up his dad and said sorry and in every corner of his heart haunting him was regret, remorse and guilt.The last words that he had told his mother was Shut up, not even a smiling goodbye.. The Albatross hung around his neck for eternity.

As for Chronos, he could never say THE FINAL GOODBYE..
As for Rhea, her wish did come true. It indeed was their FIRST and LAST argument.

Beautiful Eyes

Nikita had been excited about buying herself new shoes. At 11 she had a fascination for Actors and wanted to wear what they wore. She was born with a silver spoon as her parents were rich enough to grant her these wishes. She was very beautiful and had a pretty face with perfectly shaped blue eyes.Her perfect skin was complimented with a pinkish shade which made her look even more appealing. Her lips had the gentle curve and her smile was just beatific. Her long hair rode her skull in full pride and was like the icing on a perfect cake.

She lived in New Delhi and studied at a very expensive boarding school. She was an ardent fan of Katrina Sharma who at the ripe age of 19 had won Two Filmfare awards and had been nominated for an Oscar. She was Nikita's idol and her god. As some tennis player would like to wear a RF shirt she too wanted to be clad like her idol actress. This wasn't easy and demanded a lot of following and looking up for things. Nikita was up for this challenge and enjoyed tracing and wearing what Katrina wore.

In one of her similar quests she had traced the shoe that Katrina wore and had gone to South Extension to buy herself the very shoe that Katrina had worn. She went to a very posh shop and bought those shoes with a feeling of triumph. She was just too happy and told her mom to treat her at a nearby restaurant. Nikita's parents and herself enjoyed the delicious lunch.Then they loitered around in the nearby shops. Nikita's father observed a large crowd in front of a jewelry shop and went to check out what was happening. When Nikita's father inquired he got to know that Katrina had come to the Jewelry shop for its inauguration. Nikita was delighted to hear this. She raced to the door of the shop but was disappointed when she was not allowed to enter. She decided to wait for the star to come out so that she could get a glance of the real life Katrina. She waited for ten minutes but now the crowd was getting out of control. She didn't let this spoil her spirits and waited on. She was just standing there for 45 mins now drenched in sweat. Her curiosity was increasing and she started wondering about Katrina's beautiful eyes. Her wait was rewarded as Katrina was now reaching the door. But before she came out the bouncers started performing their duty. They pushed the crowd violently as Katrina walked out of the door. Nikita was excited on her fathers shoulder. Some people were trying to break the band of bouncers but the bouncers struck back violently. They pushed the crowd and Nikita's father stumbled on to the ground . Nikita's eye hit a sharp stone and started bleeding. Their was chaos all around which ended when Katrina's car rolled out. Nikita was rushed to the hospital with both her eyes bleeding. The doctor said there was no possibility that she could see again. She was blind for ever.

The last thing that Nikita remembers seeing, was a pair of BEAUTIFUL EYES.