Walk Back

Take me back

To those forgotten lanes

Of lazy Sundays and mundanes

When business was just a word

We seldom heard

Take me back

To those roads with no ends

Boundless laughter and endless friends

Of games that never end.

Take me back 

To those highways

Wind on my face and  getaways

Those trains and torrential rains.

Take me back

To those uncased moments,

From that fluttering heart 

to that unbroken dream...

Take me back
To that first look
That magical feeling
Reading a little storybook.

Take me back
To that tender hand
The clenched fist
and that draining sand.

Take me back
To never come back
To stay and remain
In the corner house
down the memory lane...

Gyanban Thoughts - Just a few lines dedicated to the memories strewn through the journey of life.All of us at some point sit back and reflect on time that has passed and the time yet to come.

For Getting Her...

Hetal,When will you go?

I will, I will, just a little bit more time.

I cant wait any longer.

Why are you getting so impatient?

Because It hurts.I can’t eat.

Ma,I will change the nurse.

Hetal Desai,42,CEO of Jamnabai Industries walked out of the room.

Jamnabai slumped back on her pillow with a glass of water.Trying to wash away the bleeding gum.Her tooth ache was unbearable, like a nail hammered into a bone.

She knew the pain quite well.She’d first felt it thirty five years ago. First for carrying 

Hetal and a scorching sun on her back for 12 kilometers  and second, for getting her to the dentist to remove her wisdom tooth.

But today,she did not recall any of it though,she was just another bed-ridden old woman.

Gyanban Thoughts -  Little do parents realise,that the race they make their children ready for,is sometimes the same reason they are left behind.There are scores of small incidents strewn through our lives which we realise only when the tables turn.This Mother's day lets celebrate the precious moments we ve missed out.

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

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Happy Apple

Lunches were always eventful at the Pandey residence. That afternoon was no different.Some debates,some observations,some jokes and some plans as always.

‘Listen son,I have found out the details.Its a superb deal – a steal perhaps.’
‘What is it Papa?’
‘Its Happle – The Happy Apple’
‘Now what is that?’
‘It’s the local Apple juice – it sells like hot cakes. I am going to start a business selling those. Maybe I’ll reduce some of your burden.’
‘Thanks Pa,but there isn’t such a need, why don’t you relax at home,I will figure something out soon.’
‘Listen to me,its not a big investment,hassle free trading, buy from the dealer and sell it in the apartment complex, and perhaps the park in the neighborhood.’

Mom snapped ‘uff how long will you be absurd? Why don’t you go inside and write or read newspaper- something you do best’.
‘Don’t be negative,don’t criticize me all the time’Papa said raising his voice.
Mom went inside the bedroom dismissing the comment.

‘So, as I was saying,I went and researched the brand, and at Rs.10 a pack, its not costly, and works wonders in the summer’ Papa continued undeterred.

‘Listen Pa,just because I am going through a tough phase at work,does’nt mean we don’t have food to eat,its ok – I will manage.Besides ,I need you to be healthy and fit – that will be a bigger support.’

‘You are not understanding my son.Its not such a complicated thing. You see,I did a pilot project with sandwiches earlier, remember,and that was a learning experience.It taught me that people feel thirsty, or more thirsty than hungry. Ah – such a simple thing.We can get started with 10 cartons.’

‘Yes but how would you do inventory control, supply ,deliver and what if it does’nt work? What will you do with all those Happy Apple cartons?

‘Oh they will sell I tell you – people get thirsty don’t they?But be careful not to share this with anybody,I mean why attract competition when we can rule the market?’

Exasperated, Sameer Pandey,got up and went to his room,leaving his father alone in the dinning hall.

‘I don’t get it, I think he’s shy, or maybe its his ego,I’ll have to try and explain it to him again,after all I am his father,if I don’t help him, who will?I will have to show it to him.’

That sunny afternoon Nirmal Pandey, went out for a walk.Wore his favorite red cap,took his walking stick,and trotted out quietly while the house was sleeping.He had decided to surprise his son.
He walked in the hot sun,till he reached the local grocery shop.
Careful not to give away his business secret,he asked ‘Errm how many Happy Apple cartons do you have?
‘How many do you want?’the shopkeeper retorted.
Restricting his frown he asked ‘if I ask for 100 will you give me 100?’
The shopkeeper looked at him without an expression.

Mr.Pandey thought ‘this guy is wily, he is trying to get my business plan’ his forehead frowned.After a brief moment of silence,he finally spoke‘Uh mm, actually we re having a party at home,so let me call and check’.

The shopkeeper did not respond again.

Nirmal Pandey turned his back, pretended to dial his mobile phone.
‘Hello, Hello who’s this, Sameer? Listen son, how many people will come home tonight?’ 
What?  B-but what about the rest? Hmm ok ok, now keep the phone’.

He turned around and said ‘give me 20 for now, looks like some guests dropped out’.

‘How much will it cost?’

‘Rs.15 but I will give it to you at Rs10’ the shopkeeper lowered his voice.

‘Oh really?’he said, clearly taken aback.

‘But Mr.Pandey, since 20 cartons will get too heavy for you,why don’t you take these 2 in your hand,and I will send the rest to your residence.’the shopkeeper said.

‘Ah that swine is trying to cheat me, eh,but I am not falling for that, I think he’s realised that he’s making a mistake selling this to me at Rs.10’ Nirmal Pandey smirked quietly.

‘Errm No,I will push it in the trolley’he announced.

The shopkeeper did as he was told. Nirmal Pandey took those cartons in the trolley from the shop and headed towards the park.Nirmal pandey walked along the roadside muttering to himself along the way ‘This is good,I got a good deal.Now I will show to Sameer that all of these will sell in no time –then he will realise my worth’.

Nirmal Pandey reached the park and spotted a strategic location – the park bench.He dragged the trolley and parked it behind the bench and sat down with an air of accomplishment.

He looked around,strained his neck to find a pair of eyes he could connect with.He only saw the security guard and park in charge looking at him. He chose to ignore them.

Nirmal Pandey was getting a bit worried.It was almost 5PM and there was no sight of any customer.Some kids played cricket in the distance and some toddlers babbled with their nanies.

Just then a bunch of young boys walked into the park with a football in hand.They looked tired.Nirmal Pandey was overjoyed – he knew he had found his customer.He turned back to take a glance at his business and adjusted his shirt and cap quickly.

‘Boys come here’he shouted.
‘What is it uncle?’one of them said.
‘How was the game?’
‘Oh it was great-we ran a lot and now we are tired’
‘and thirsty?’Nirmal Pandey interrupted.

‘Yes yes,we are- do you have something to drink?’
Nirmal Pandey couldn’t believe his luck , ecstatic he said ‘I have just the right thing for you –but it is going to cost you money’

‘Oh uncle, we only have Rs.20 on each of us,our playing allowance – will that help?’
Nirmal Pandey calculated mentally – ‘Rs.10 for each pack, add profit of Rs.5 and sell it for Rs.15 bucks.Bingo!’

He looked up and said ‘ah don’t worry just pay Rs.15 and I will give each of you Happy Apple juices’.

Soon the cartons was empty and Nirmal Pandey had earned enough money to go back and talk to Sameer.He cleaned up the park bench of wrappers and litter.Dragged the trolley out of the park and walked home upbeat with a spring in his stride.

It was 7PM when he reached home and called out ‘Sameer come here my boy,let me show you something’.

Sameer was standing in the corridor ‘Yes Papa what is it?’

Nirmal Pandey took out a bunch of notes from his pocket and gave it to his son ‘here take this – and guess where I got this from ? My business idea of selling Happy Apple juices worked! Come sit here,let me tell you all about it’

Sameer interrupted ‘Oh Papa, please sit down first,relax and I will listen.But first its time for your medicine.’

Mrs.Pandey came out of the kitchen and gave the medicine. Mr.Pandey promptly obeyed and sat back on the rocking chair.
‘Give me your cap and stick, I will keep it safely, you might need it tomorrow’said Mrs.Pandey.
The rocking chair relaxed him and slowly he closed his eyes.

Seeing him sleep Sameer said ‘Ma please be here,and take care of him,I’ll be back soon’ Mrs. Pandey nodded with a hint of sadness. 

‘Thank you so much all of you – here’s your money Ramu kaka,please keep your happy Apple stocks handy – and don’t overact’

‘Oh you should’ve seen me, I did just fine’he said.

‘Bahadur and Pinto you guys need to keep a closer watch – those boys were playing cricket,the ball could hit him no?’
‘Arrey Saheb, we are there, has anything happened ? No ? Then don’t worry.’
Sameer pursed his lips and said ‘Anyways here’s your money and be alert’

‘Thank you Sameer sir’ they said in unison and left.

‘And Joobi – you better look more convincing’

‘Arrey Sameer Bhaiya,I told you Tennis team would be better,one does get thirsty after playing those cross courts ?

‘Nothing can beat football – that’s it. Here’s your money,and next time pick up my phone a bit early ok?’

‘Yes Bhaiya’

Sameer smiled with a lump in his throat. It was 5 years since Nirmal Pandey had Alzheimer's,and he didn’t have the heart to break the news to him.

Gyanban Thoughts - Some relationships are so delicate that they have to be handled with extra care.While it is tough for the patient,it is probably tougher for the people around him or her.This story attempts to touch the sentiment of people who give unconditional love and support,years together,just to keep someone they love,happy and smiling.Salut.

Irony

Jogi shouted from the cliff – ‘see you bastard, I am alive’.

The path to freedom lay in front, he was about to be a free man now.

Serving a life term on a remote island was a curse in itself. But Jailer Romero made it a life worth giving up. On the first day of a prison term Jailer Romero would greet the new comer with a warm hug,clean him, inspect every crevice on his body,then dress him up and finally walk him to his cell and utter those famous lines- ‘You die only once,but I can make it happen every day’.

Jogi never fell in line.Obedience was the missing chromosome in his body.He tried escaping 22 time in the last 14 years.Solitary confinement,ice blocks confinement,food deprivation,the mummy trap and split eagle – these were Jailer Romero’s torture techniques or work of art,as he’d like to call it.

That day, Jogi came out of yet another solitary confinement. He was given water,some food,and a bath.He slipped in the bathroom and injured himself.He lay there motionless,not enough energy to scream,not enough resolve to pick himself up.The attendant promptly forced open the door and alerted Jailer Romero.

Jailer Romero remarked‘Slippery when wet, eh?’ 
Jogi looked up feebly and smiled ‘its easy to enter or exit when its wet’
Jailer Romero landed the baton on his shin and said ‘well we need to make the surface rough in that case’.

Jogi had to be taken to the hospital to repair the shin bone and ruptured veins. Not the one to sit still,he created a ruckus in the helicopter.It crashed  and with it, his hopes of escaping the island.

But he picked himself up yet again.

Jogi shouted seeing Romero running towards him ‘See you bastard,I am still alive.’ And then he jumped into the blue ocean below.

Jailer Romero stopped running,he paused to catch his breath and then smiled.He thought about the long iron spikes he’d nailed into the surface of the mountain.Each bent skywards to catch the prey.

Convicted rapist Jogi lay blood-splattered, spread eagle on the iron spikes, much like Kimberly Romero,whom he pushed from a construction site 14 years ago, and Jailer Romero laughed looking down from the cliff and said ‘rest in pieces - ironic isn't it?'

Gyanban Thoughts - inspired by Papillion or Shawshank , such great works of art. This is more of an ode to those masterpieces.

Ten Bucks

‘What’s your name again?' he said raising his right eyebrow. 

‘This is the first time you asked’ she said with lowering her eyes.

‘Rohini Dev Burman’she said after a brief pause. 

‘R D Burman eh?’he said puffing smoke rings.

‘Yes Rohini Dev Burman’.

‘Do you have the talent like him, can you sing like him?’ he said narrowing his eyes. 

‘I am a woman’

‘So you re like Asha?’ 

No sir, I am Rohini’ she said looking up. 

Attitude huh?’

'Confidence sir’ she said lowering her head again. 

‘You can wait outside’ he said gesturing towards the door.
 

‘Its been 6 months,she comes in every single day to meet me -she'd do anything to get a chance to sing - I bet ten bucks she will be better than Asha’ he said while stubbing his fifth cigarette.

‘Rajinder, don’t be silly, you’re just infatuated with her looks, not her voice’ said producer Ramnathan. 

‘Anna,ten bucks,the most precious ten bucks in the history of this music industry – why don’t you take the bet?’ Rajinder said. 

‘Raji, relax,how can you forget your history of losing bets?’ 

‘Ten bucks, and I will make this ordinary nobody, in to the next superstar of playback singing’ he said.
 

‘I am not taking any bets, its an open and shut case, she will sing a few songs here and there, and then she’ll be forgotten just like hundreds before. We will probably see her at some award functions or some jokers marriage ceremony standing in a corner desperately trying to get some attention with her failing body and ageless voice’ Ramanathan opined and stood up to leave.
 

‘Wait – ten bucks, the last time I dare you – don’t chicken out -my heart will weep’ Rajinder said. 

Rajinder knew exactly how to entice  Producer Ramanathan into a deal,this was not the first time.But this time he needed this to work more than ever.

‘Is she doing you ? Are you sleeping with her ? Is she pregnant or something?’ Ramanathan said. 

There was silence and the two exchanged glances for the first time. 

‘OK done – but we'll do it my way -ten bucks it is. Here  is my ten bucks right on the soft-board.It stays there only till one month – I will collect this back on 30th April and you will lose your house, your job, your life and of course the ten bucks – deal?’

‘It’s a deal’ Rajinder said.

Producer Ramanathan smirked ‘Let the games begin.’

‘Rohini come in’ Rajinder gestured standing at the door. 

‘You are going to be the next superstar of playback singing - I got you your deal - a chance to sing in Ramanathan's next movie' he said looking deeply into her eyes.

‘I know’ she said. 

‘What is it that you, want?’ Rajinder asked. 

‘I couldve said you heart, but its Money that I really want. Regular money and if you miss a payment, the photographs go to the press.’

The mood in the room had changed.

 ‘Ah so you are going to blackmail me?’he said.

‘Yes if I need to’ she said.

‘Let’s just say I don’t agree to your terms and conditions’ he said. 

‘Why are you bent on getting screwed, no pun intended Rajinder’ she said. 

‘Ah darling its not me, its you who is going to get screwed – I have those negatives with me.’Rajinder said with a hint of a crooked smile.

‘That’s impossible – you can never get to them – show it to me if you really have them?’she said.

‘You can go to the press with your negatives, that is if you can find them again’ he said winking.

‘You are lying you can never have those negatives, ever’ 

‘And why so my dear?’

‘Because they are…’
 

‘Yes…they are..What? Let me tell you my dear – those negatives were picked up from your now ransacked home, and right now they’re on their way here’Rajinder said looking at his watch. 

‘What?’ Rohini exclaimed wide eyed.

Rajinder smiled.

‘Now you will do exactly what I say – take off your clothes.’ 

Rohini stood still for a while and then obeyed instructions. Rajinder didn’t take too long to get into the act and soon he was panting for breath. He expected her to resist a bit, but she did not. Instead,it seemed like she was enjoying. The momentum increased, he rode her well, she moaned and asked for more. 

'Faster,faster,you bastard,do it to me,now faster...'Rohini screamed.

The heartbeats knew no bounds and at a point they choked.Rajinder died of a cardiac arrest in the middle of their torrid love making session.
 

Rohini sat up on the bed breathing heavy and said ‘Rama sir – you can come in now, the job is done – where’s my ten bucks?’

 

 

Gyanban Thoughts - a quirky love story after a long time.The double cross was the key point,and the setting deliberate.