Sarfaroshi ki tamanna..

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 15; the fifteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

I was staring at all the blood and broken shreds of glass. I have never seen so much blood all at once. Panic, nausea and fear gripped me. What was I supposed to do? Run haywire like everyone around me? Stay there? Cry? Break down? Faint? To this day I cannot recall why that moment I was taken to that memory. That particular day

 ***

The sounds of vendors and distinct chatter startled me. I’m someone who doesn’t usually sleep during journeys. But this was a particularly long one and I had nothing better to do. Rubbing my groggy eyes, I woke up to see that the train had stopped at some place which I couldn’t identify. Half heartedly accepting the job at a construction site in some village at Jharkand, which would break my seven month stint of joblessness and more than that the daily dosage of scornful looks from the people who were family. I wanted to go someplace far off and this gave the right cue.

After splashing my face with water from the water bottle I had bought at the previous station I took a look outside at the station. It seemed there was some problem with the tracks a few kilometers ahead and the train would not leave until that was attended to. It was a beautiful weather. The clouds were like a little kid with a premonition that he wouldn’t be bought the toy he wished for, ready to cry, waiting for the perfect moment.

There was no beautiful girl in my compartment like I was taught by the numerous movies I saw through the years. One fantasy that never came true. I looked around the station, being an architect myself I found it hard to identify the pattern of construction. Nevertheless the view was breathtaking, similar to the ones you see in postcards from foreign countries. Tired of looking around, I tried to go back to sleep.

I heard voices right outside my window. Three men, must be strangers, were introducing themselves. Strange how people make friends in journeys like this. I have never been able to. May be because I don’t open up much. They were fellow passengers and remained just the same. I couldn’t help but listen to their conversation.

“Thanks so much bhai, my wife would become so worried even if I return an hour late. Can’t blame her. My area is full of extremists and I am equally scared to travel alone after dark” said one man to the other probably thanking him for a phone call.

“Is it always like this here? I have to report at 10 am tomorrow. With this problem I don’t think I will be able to”

“It’s the Government”, the third man joined in. “They take villages for granted. They hesitate to spend money like they’re spending it from their own pockets. Corrupt scoundrels”

“Very true bhai, electricity,water, everything is scarce over there. We have been living there for generations. The world outside is so different from what we call our world “

“ I’m from the south. Going on deputation. Mom and dad were so worried when I said Jharkand. Naxal problems and all that. But a job is a job. Its not like I’m in the army or something” He laughed saying that.

“Young men. You don’t fear anything. The country needs more of your kind”

“My grandfather was in the army bhai, 30^th infantry division. Shot to death in the sepoy mutiny. My whole family is proud to say that we are in his lineage”

“Nothing like fighting for the country. People downsouth are brought up being nurtured by stories of bravery and sacrifice. Its hard to be like that today. Honesty, patriotism all these have lost values”

Silence followed.

“Terrorism plays upper hand. Its so sad to see things like that everyday on tv”

“I see things like that happening right in front of me once a week. Got used to it”

“Terrorists think they’re more patriotic. Sad part is that they kill in the name of religion while no religion preaches them to kill nor take up violence”

“God is watching everyone. I pray everyday to make people better by giving them brains to think. When’ll God open his eyes? Cannot see that happening anytime soon”

“There is Judgment for everyone. God waits at the Palace gates to decide who falls where. Those cruel beasts will rot in hell”

“Qayamat holds all answers bhai. It pains to see kids and women falling victims to these barbarians”

The whistle blew and the voices faded away as I drifted off to sleep.

***

The memory unfolded in front of me. I realized I was standing in the middle of a pile of rubble. Screaming mothers and weeping wives. People of all religion bathed in the same color devoid of all differences..

Least did I know what Shankar Iyer, Muhammed Haneef and Johnson would be thinking after watching this on tv the following afternoon.

***

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Aye watan, Karta nahin kyun doosree kuch baat-cheet

Dekhta hun main jise woh chup teri mehfil mein hai

Aye shaheed-e-mulk-o-millat main tere oopar nisaar

Ab teri himmat ka charcha gair ki mehfil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Credits
Image - Alston Station by Wandering Soul
Courtesy - www.deviantart.com via www.blogaton.in

Return

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 14; the fourteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

 He was surprised.He was taken aback seeing that he had been doing it wrong all the time.It was supposed to be left foot forward and then bring your right foot once the bat connects the ball.The coach was explaining that to a group of students.


It was the sandy shore of one of the most famous beaches in the country.The hub for street cricket.Place where so many professionals can be spotted in the bud.Perfect weather all the time.Place where you can find people from all states of social positions.


He was listening intently,between the sounds(a lovely one that is) of the waves kissing the shore.He could not really hear much as there was a whole team of guys around the coach and he was not that tall.


The last minute lessons were over and the match begun.The ball was hit and the projectile ended near his feet.He did not make an attempt to pick up the ball.He recollected the day when he was shouted at by the coach and so many others for having caught the ball at the wrong time.


It was around 7 in the morning and yet there was a decent crowd.The usual sight for him.He usually was up by four or even three,around the time when his dad starts for his day's work.The church bell sounded seven times.he counted Seven using his fingers.


It is time he left.His mom would already be searching for him.There had been a heavy rain a couple of days back and hence today would be a long day.


His dad would come home with a good catch.He with a  half-heart left the place.He had to join the other kids of his age.Would be a long day in the market.


And at a distance he saw his dad's and a couple others' boat.


He knew it was time for him to return.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Goodbye

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 13; the thirteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

 Finally the day arrived,something which she was looking forward to for over five months.Excitement,fear,sadness.. she loved that rush of adrenalin.After all its only once in your lifetime that you get married.It was a sunday,as she wanted it to be.She wanted all her kith and kin to be present.Most of them had arrived early the previous evening.She was the first girl in the family after a generation and was loved by even the distant of relatives.She woke up early,real early.She did not sleep much actually.With her own excitement and those of friends and family who spent the night speculating about how wonderful her marriage life was going to be.Also she had her own dreams about her marriage,which had kept her sleepless for most nights in the last few months.


  The last few hours of her 'Daughter phase' flew like time never had.The knot was tied and the 'Daughter-in-law' phase begun.Thus started her journey as a wife and here she was at her mother's place for bearing her first child.The beginning of a new phase 'Mother'.




                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~
 Its been a while since she visited her childhood home.She had spent almost her entire childhood there.She still remembered the first few years they spent here.She was not the daughter of a millionaire,yet her father treated her like a princess.They were an ideal family,similar to the ones you see in advertisements and movies.Mom,Dad and a brother.Perfect two years difference with her brother,an elder one.The two year difference made sure she had a friend around her all the time.The place had two bedrooms.A small but a happy place.


 First day of her arrival.She was sitting on her brother's bed,waiting for her mom to bring her lunch.Was looking around,recounting those days as a kid.This was the room where she used to get ready for school.Lovely memories.She remembered the old study table which was as old as her.She started exploring the things on the table.Her brother hadn't changed much.Pens of so many colours,used,unused,decades old found a place on the table.Most of which were hers,she knew.She came across a mess of papers.It had greeting cards,letters(to her surprise) and others which had stuff written she did not understand.Among those was one which seemed crushed,mostly because it was folded and unfolded frequently.It was handwritten like most of the others,with the same tiny alphabets.


                                                       ~~~~~~~~~


 The big day had finally arrived.He wanted it to be the happiest day of her life.She always dreamt big.He wanted her to.He always promised her things at an age he did not even start college.He really wished he could keep all his promises.He thought he did.She did not complain.That made him sure.He woke up early,even before the sun was up.He hadn't really slept.Not only the previous night,but since she crossed the threshold age for marriage.He cannot be blamed.She was all he loved.She was all he lived for.


                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~


I always wanted to say a few things to you,my little sister.You don't know how many times I call you this way every single day.You hate it when I call you that way don't you? Those first few days with your new mobile,I used to send 'Goodnight little sister' and get scolded by you in the morning.I don't remember the first day i saw you.I really wish I did.Got to know from Mom and Dad that the kept me waiting outside the hospital with Uncle because they did not want me to see Mom in pain.They did not know you could wipe away all the pain and sadness like you did for these many years and keep doing so.You defined the world to me.I write well,people used to say.But now I can't express what I want to.I always knew this day would come.I cry easily.I break down soon.May be I have cried more than you ever did.Wouldn't be a surprise.Considering that I cry everytime i see you crying,definitely I would've shed more tears than you.But all I wish is that I have wiped more of your tears than stood as a reason for.I still remember one of your birthdays,fourteen or fifteen,I was crying all night because I couldn't buy you anything.I still remember the first time I had to feed you dinner.You had mehendi on your hands.After that now and then I started feeding breakfast when you got ready to school.Those moments,I was the happiest on earth.I did not realise much till I reached class eleven.I lived every moment after that for you.To keep you happy.I cried more than you when your class ten results came.I fight hard with my tears everytime you cry to make you stop crying.Damn,I'm crying now!


The first time you hugged me was when Grandma passed away.Broke my heart.And then the day when you consoled me about college.That's one of the days I noticed how big my little sister had become.Those singing lessons you gave me.Really funny when I think about all that.We grew up together.We were infants together,teens together.Now we are two grown ups yet I feel like a kid all over again.


Wish we get to grow up once again.I'm really sorry for all the times I hurt you.I think i got you enough handbags and jeans you asked for.Will be eternally happy if you continue to ask me for more.


You have been the reason for my happiness for these many years,wish the other family,your new one feels the same after a while with you.


I have never said 'I love you' to you.But I have said that to myself more than a million times everyday.


You are the daughter I never had and you'll continue to remain the same..


I won't be giving this to you today.I don't want to see you cry for one more reason.


                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~


She had the crushed piece of paper in her hand.It took a while for her to take all this in.Mom came inside with her plate.She asked why she was crying.She realised she was.Wiped her face.Did not speak anything.Hugged her tightly and cried even more.


                                                     
He stood on the terrace with the letter in his hand.Crushed it and put it in his pocket.


                                                   
Mom asked why.She did not answer.All she could do was cry.


                                                   
He heard her calling him.Wiped his tears,tried hard to smile.the knot would be tied in a few hours.The day had not yet broken,but he was.


                                It was time to say,"goodbye"

PS: I don't think I would be emotionally strong to write such a letter when my Little sister gets married,but if I write one it would certainly be this.She is fifteen now and she is all I got. Love you :)

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.