It's Time....

I have to be free,
The apt moment to cut the chord,
To be today's Einstein,
I have to set a new record!

I have to fly miles and more,
And bid adieu to my nest,
I have to prove the world,
I'm one among the best.

The maze of life would offer me,
Numerous tricky dead ends,
Hardship and failure would be,
My new best friends!

In my life's hourglass,
There is not enough sand,
To realise my dreams,
I have to quit dream-land.

Putting the child in me to sleep,
I have to wake up,
To stand firmly in the real world,
It's time... TO GROW UP!

Sad Regrets....

All I gave her was,

Nothing but pain,
Yet she loved me,
Without seeking any gain.

I used to scream and shout at her,
Sometimes for nothing,
She used to just close her eyes,
And calmly hear everything.

She stood by my side,
When there was no one,
But when she needed me,
I was busy with everyone.

Neither did I gave her gifts,
Nor did I wish her on birthday,
Now I give her flower
When I visit her grave everyday.

I remember her every moment,

And the line she used to say,

"You realise the value of things,

When they are gone far away."

I apologize to her,

For troubles I put her through,

I just want to say to her,

"Mom.... I Love You...."

Apples and Apples....

"BREAKING NEWS..... The valley of Sufarachand experienced heavy showers but not of water but that of APPLES! It was strange that........" on hearing this Rahul switched off the t.v. and wondered what made him watch the 'Parso Tak' news channel? "It's their daily noon news. What can one expect? This Is 2112 people. No one will believe that!" he said while lifting his body off the couch. Sufarachand was a small town in a valley near Aamrudpur, where Rahul lived He went to his study table. Switching on the reading lamp he stared at the photo that was pinned to his bulletin board. It was a snap of his group clicked during the college trek to Sufarachand. He noticed two tiny red spots in the snap. Initially they weren't there. He tried to rub off them but they persisted. On viewing through a magnifying glass he realised that those weren't just pen marks but were miniature apples! He rubbed his eyes and took another glance. But those were apples. Thinking that he needs a break he set off outside to enjoy a bicycle ride. The moment he mounted on the seat something hit his head. He got off and bent down to check what was that object something hit his arched back. But this time the intensity was more. "Aargh...!!!" he exclaimed in pain and by that time he was hit in the head again. He shook his neck side to side with a perplexed expression on his face. He could see nothing. "That's strange" he said and mounted his bicycle again. The moment he started pedalling he tripped over something which seemed like a rock. "I won't spare those kids" he said to himself and looked around to see if someone was hiding in the hedges. But all he could see was a deserted street and round, juicy apples!

He didn't notice the apples before. It seemed like someone had strewn them on the road. He thought that the neighbourhood kids are playing a prank on him so he ignored everything and set off to refresh his mind.

But as he rode he felt something strange. Everything was quiet and calm. It smelled fruity. And yes apples strewn on the road. He heard soft bubbling sound. As he went ahead the sound before louder and clearer. It smelled like apples to him. When he looked around he saw river of gold silently flowing. It was crystal clear but was not of water. Rahul then summoned courage to dip his little finger and taste the liquid. "It's sweet, familiar taste.... Hmmmm..... " he thought. "It tastes like Apple Juice!" he exclaimed. Wondering wether it's reality or just a dream Rahul pinched himself to confirm. He didn't wake up. It was reality. He curled his palms so as to form a cup shape and dipped it in the golden river. It was the best experience for him. Unlimited apples juice and that too free! This really made him ecstatic. He decided to explore this mystic region and thus he rode ahead.

As he entered the town he noticed something different. The houses had no sloping roofs but instead had huge terraces. The people there were very fair and seemed cheerful. Rahul then went to a restaurant to get some water. He looked at the menu card and realised that a glass off water costed more than any other beverages. In fact the apple juice was free and all the apple dishes like apple pie, apple milkshake, poached apple etc were easy to cheap than he ever thought. He ordered a big slice of apple pie and a glass of free apple juice. He then asked an old waiter,"Why are there apples all around here? And how is it that the there is apple juice river?" The waiter just said, "Sir, it rains apples here."

Rahul was amazed and didn't know how to react. He asked the waiter, "How is this possible? What are other things happening around?" The waiter then said, "As it rains apples people carry baskets on their instead of umbrella. All the houses harvest the rain by collecting apples. Water is a priced commodity while apple juice is free." "All the kids here are very brilliant as on each one's head an apple had fallen. All are a stiff competition to Newton." he added jokingly. "But how is that there is a river of apple juice?" asked Rahul. The waiter said, "That is actually a case of pollution. Here in Sufarachand there is a huge factory named Dupple Inc. which extracts malic acid from the apples and then releases all the effluents in the river. The effluent is apple juice."

Rahul's apple pie and juice arrived. As the waiter served the pie Rahul noticed a small burn on that waiter's hand. "Why don't you consult a doctor for your burn?" asked Rahul. The waiter then replied, "Son there are hardly any doctors here. Those who are in business charge way too much than I can really afford. After it started raining apples everyone got apples for free. And as they say 'An apple a day keeps doctor away' is a very true statement. Don't worry it'll heal on it's own. The apple juice works wonders. As the city had apples all around the municipal corporation decided to supply apple juice. So people bathe, wash clothes, swim in apple juice. Occasionally during celebrations a bottle of water is opened." "Oh! That's why people here have got so fair and transparent skin as bathing is like a going to spa everyday. And maybe that's why everything smells so fruity!" thought Rahul. As he ate the last piece of the pie Rahul asked, "Since when is this all happening?" "I don't remember the year son but somewhere around early 21st century. That's what I remember my father telling me." said the waiter. "Bill please" Rahul requested. "Good day sir. Hope your hand heals soon." said Rahul to the waiter as he waved goodbye.

Rahul decided to follow the path which led him there. "Early 21st century? Hmmm.... that's the time when Steve Jobs died. I guess God is trying to compensate the loss by making it rain apples." thought Rahul as he pedaled back the same path.

Homeward Bound...

Miles away from home,

And ambition driven mind,

New goals to achieve,

New friends to find.

Compete with mighty brains,

Demon of homesickness to fight,

In pitch black darkness,

Paving a way towards light!

Peer pressure at its max,

The quest to find inner spark,

The dire desire to prove myself,

the persistent efforts to leave a mark!

The feeling of walking on a rope,

A wrong step and inevitable downfall,

The lonely moments to introspect,

Efforts to keep smiling among all.

A gust of wind and rustling leaves,

Coupled with a silent walk in the rain,

Transport me to a serene world,

Relieving me of the agonizing pain.

That light drizzle,

The fresh scent of  loam,

I simply close my eyes,

It just feels like home!

Ode to HER......

I still remember,
that cold morning of fall,
When everything changed,
It seemed I lost it all!

Teary eyes blocked my sight,
Sleepy brain controlled my walk,
I went and sat next to her,
I begged her to talk!

Neither did she speak,
Nor did she took me near,
It was a nightmare come true,
Realization of my worst fear!

Glistening drops rolled off my cheek,
Logic seemed to abandon me,
I kept questioning myself,
"How could HE?"

Although its been many years,
She still is a part of my life,
Her memories and teachings,
Guide me in my strife.

Her caring nature taught me,
To understand other's tear,
Her selflessness taught me,
To spread joy among people dear!

I know she is up there,
Silently keeping an eye,
She is always with me,
The brightest star in the sky!

At times when I need her,
Times when I deeply miss,
I just look up,
And there she is!

Freedom In Confinement

I vaguely remember standing in the courtroom mad the judge holding the list of accusations. Well as far as I can recall it was a long scroll of paper which might have been as old as me! The bright light in the surrounding made it difficult to see the judge's face. But there was a soft music playing in the background. Though the music and place didn't c compliment each other that well, it kind of soothed me. It was a harp I guess, no lyre... huh cannot recollect. But I definitely remember the judge's voice, deep and calm, which scared the hell out in me.

The next thing I heard was a gavel strike the desk and then I blacked out. I woke up in a chamber quite dark, scary yet pleasantly comfortable! I figured that's this is how I had to repay for my mistakes stated. Well most of my time I was asleep as I barely could do anything. Getting food at regular intervals was the only bright side. I had no clue where I was but after a time I didn't even bother to know.

After few months it started to feel like home, maybe I felt an attached to this place.

I loved staying in there. Nothing to worry about, no one to care for! It was peaceful, serene! No responsibilities, no judgmental crowd, no one to question and answerable to none! To top it I was even fed at regular intervals. That felt like heaven. All you want and do nothing to repay. I was just tied to my home(as I called it then) maybe so that I won't escape! But I always thought who would want to escape?

As months passed I could hear some noises. Those voices very low and I hardly could understand what it meant at first but later it did make some sense! It mainly talked about the world outside, things happening lately and all that. I was keen to hear more. I thought I'm being rewarded with some kind of mystical radio but in reality I was just eavesdropping! One day I heard that I'm going to be set free and that time is not far away. It thrilled me! I had lost the count of how many days, months or years I was in here.

While  lying down I was thinking about what is in store for me.  I did not know what  was outside. The world wont accept me was my greatest fear. The world.... huh..!! It always fancied me whether it's the same or has changed. From what I remember it was not so good place. There were wars going on, struggle for freedom, establishment of new countries.... But yeah the world had a bit of humanity too. The wars fought were war against oppression and tyranny. They were for good cause. People also lived harmoniously. Though there were minor conflicts they used be resolved in a jiffy. Back then it was a great place.

But now I hear about things which makes my hair stand! Betrayal, corruption, crimes all these not in one place but all over. Poor people are dying in search of food while the wealthy ones are just wasting it. There is no sense of belonging. People have become so self centered that they'll be nice to you only when they have some motive. Otherwise no one has time to spare. Gone are the days when eating meals together as a family was followed like a ritual. Today parents have become so busy that they have no time to spare for their families but have plenty of it while attending a corporate party! Sometimes I feels it's best that I'm here, inside, oblivious to the whole world.

I really don't want to go out in this world. I'll have to struggle the moment I'll step out. I'll have to prove myself at every point in life. Even though I might have achieved it won't be considered when I fail. There will be no helping hand to pull me up when I fall down. There will be no one to share when I'll need someone in lonely times as everyone will be busy fulfilling their means. Unconditional love, unity, peace of mind seems like a myth. In spite of millions of people out there I'll be lonely, lost somewhere.... I don't want to face the cold bitter outside world but deep within I knew I had to.....

                                                             *******************

The doctors said, "Congratulations....!!! It's a boy...!!!" Though I was surrounded by smiling faces all I could do was cry...!!