Missing (Part 12)

This post is a part of BlogAdda Activity Game of Blogs.

Group Name : Tete-a-Ten

Please find the Part 11 HERE

For Fanus, Cyrus was not just his best friend, he was a very special friend. They knew each other from a very young age. They bonded the very first day they had met as kids. It was a beautiful camaraderie. Growing up, they shared similar interests in literature, sports, movies and sexual orientation.  They both realized they were homosexual. Cyrus knew that he was gay at a young age. He knew his parents, friends, society were not going to take it well. So he mostly kept it to himself. He tried to act normal around Fanus too. However no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t. He was attracted to his best friend. He knew Fanus might freak out and hence hid his emotions, or rather attempted to hide them.

It was at one of their sleepovers, that Fanus realized he was attracted to Cyrus as well. They both felt the tingles as they kissed. Their eager mouths devoured each other. The moon smiled upon their love and bathed their bodies in moonlight as they rose and fell like waves in passion. They both knew that words were unnecessary. From then on, they turned even more inseparable.

Fanus was frustrated and indignant at the way Boman had reacted to the entire news. How could he stop looking for his only son?, he thought aloud. He paced around in his room, every corner reminding him of Cyrus even more. He slumped on his bed and tried to clear his mind. He had to think of a way to get to Cyrus. The cops would definitely not help now. He kept thinking of every possible way , he just had to figure out something. His helplessness made him angry. He turned on his sides, and pulled his knees closer to his chest.

 “Where are you , my love” , he whimpered.

He couldn’t help himself, he cried his heart out.

“Sush fanny ,  I never want you to cry alright, remember what Dr. Sneha told me, ‘Never be ashamed of your tears, but embrace them and let the wounds heal’ , so stop crying now” . Fanus opened his eyes, and looked around for Cyrus’ voice. But he wasn’t there. However, he knew what he had to do. He got up, embracing the wounds. He knew who would help him. A smile spread across his face as he ran out of his house to meet Dr. Sneha.

Dr. Sneha Phadnis was one of the most sought -after Clinical Psychologists in Delhi. Cyrus was being treated for mixed anxiety-depression syndrome for the past couple of years.

Cyrus’ started becoming detached, when he realized he was homosexual. He knew his parents were never going to accept him for who he is. He started being detached. His sleeping and eatng patterns were erratic. Sherry having a background in Psychology, was quick to notice the changes in her son. She was referred to Dr.Sneha.

Since then Cyrus has been a very loyal patient. He developed a very strong bond with Dr. Sneha. Though counter transference was considered ethically inappropriate for her profession,she pursued it, as she knew that her friendship with Cyrus helped him immensely. She was more than a doctor to him, she was a friend , a confidante and a mentor. She was aware of Fanus and Cyrus’s relation as well. For Cyrus, she was the first person apart from Fanus, who saw him and accepted him for who he was.

Fanus rushed to Dr. Sneha’s clinic. He was glad to be on time. She was reviewing a file when Fanus stormed into her office.

“He is gone”, he said, trying to catch his breath.

Dr. Sneha knew it was about Cyrus. She motioned Fanus to sit, and relax, before she heard everything. She wanted to know every detail.

She gritted her teeth, when Fanus told her about the gang rape and the torture Cyrus had gone through. She was angry when she was informed that the manhunt was called off. However, years of experience held her emotions in check. She heard everything Fanus had to offer without the slightest change in expression.  She closed her eyes for a moment breathing in a rhythm. When she opened her doe-shaped eyes, it held a steely gaze that was filled with determination.

“Let’s go to his house, am sure we will find something that would help us”, she said.

“But , his ..Dr. his parents, uncle would not ..” Fanus stammered.

“Let's see to that, when we get there”, she smiled.

She dialed her assistants number. “Pooja, cancel all my appointments for a week”She listened to her secretary’s surprised stammering reaction, she smiled “That’s what I pay you for, and It might extend for more than a week, I will keep you updated. Bye”.

Dr. Sneha was a no-nonsense person. She knew how to get things done. They pulled over at Cyrus’ place. Sensing Fanus’ apprehension, she smiled at him “Don’t worry, I'm here now. Come”.

 Boman opened the door and stared at them in disbelief when Sneha explained the reason she was there. Fanus thought Boman wouldn't budge, but after a while, he moved letting them enter.

• “Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”

Read Part 13 HERE

Missing (Part 11)

This post is a part of BlogAdda Activity Game of Blogs.

Group Name : Tete-a-Ten

Please find Part 10 HERE

"Raped!!” She echoed in disbelief.  “What do you mean by rape?” she said raising the pitch. The vein on her temple became increasingly prominent with her accelerated breathing.

“How can our son be raped Boman?” She clawed into her husband’s arms for support. She tried to steady herself, but her emotions defied her grace and raced to her jaws.

Fanus looked up at her, and thought of the what to say, that might pacify her.However the day, that unfateful day, rolled in front of his eyes like a motion picture. He felt so helpless when he heard the perpetrators recall the incident with jest. It induced bile in his throat. He had nightmares of the conversation. He felt so helpless, so pathetic, that he wasn’t there to protect his friend, to protect the one person who meant the world to him.

Two days ago

Studying Law wasn’t something Cyrus wanted to do. He did it just to appease his parents. What he really wanted was to make movies. He wanted to create that magic on screen. Everything about Films, right from scripting, pre production, casting, shooting, post production, made him happy. Just the very thought, that people can breathe life to words on paper gave him a high. It was an intoxication that made him yearn to be the captain of the movie making ship. He wanted to be a Film Director, and not just any film director He wanted to be a director of a film, which had the legend Amitabh Bachchan in it.

He came closer to his dream everyday by capturing people and their emotions, then consolidating it over the weekend. He was always good at editing and linking the parts together, making it seem like they all belonged together.

His seniors always ganged up on him, and teased him whenever they saw him recording. However, it wasn’t just teasing for two of them in the group. Cyrus realized it later, and by then it was too late.

Cyrus always loved empty spaces. He always felt it added to an element in his story. Whenever he had to convey emotions, that were absent in his shoots, he used apt background music, and vacant spaces. The deep meaning it conveyed fascinated him, especially how everyone interpreted it differently.    

Cyrus’ college had the reputation of being one of the best colleges in India, not only because of the educational system, and all the inter-collegiate wins, but also because of its campus.

St. Xavier’s was definitely one of the best places to study law. The college had space for everyone, irrespective of their religion, social status, views and so on. The college was famous for churning out the best students, both academically and personally. Though a Law College, they did not just restrict themselves to moot courts and debates. They had everything an individual wanted to stir his creative soul. There were clubs, societies, groups , you name it,it had it. From athletics to fashion, from debates to social work, students at St. Xavier’s strived to go that extra mile not just with academics , but also extracurricular activities.

The college canteen or foyer, as it was known buzzed with activity from morning to afternoon. Conversations ranged from politics to love. The foyer had the energy of young minds eager to absorb knowledge and a desire to change the world.

The Foyer was sandwiched between the woods and a basketball court. Woods didn’t refer to “woods”, it was basically a lingo that only Xavierites would understand. A cozy space with loads of shade provided by trees was the perfect spot for romance, and quiet getaways.

If you had to ask any student about their favorite place in college, it would either be the foyer or the woods. But Cyrus chose to differ. He was always intrigued by the architectural grandiose that the college offered. Most of the pillars supported beautiful arches that had intricate and delicate designs. For Cyrus , those patterns held a story, a story when captured in silence would speak for itself.

As always, he stayed back after college, to film some more of his favorite place. He loved the stillness that the college offered after classes. It was ironic, how this very silence was filled with laughter and noise before.

Cyrus was busy filming the beautiful arch, with intricate designs. He felt a shiver around his nape, but dismissed it. No sooner had he done that than he felt a strong palm around his mouth. Cyrus’s eyes bulged in horror. The grip of the person was really strong. Cyrus felt the angry tug, as his arms were pulled back and tied roughly at his wrists. He was turned to face two of his seniors. He tried retaliating and pushing against the force of his captor,but to no avail. One of the seniors shushed him, by running his finger over his face. That touch scared Cyrus. He didn’t know why. He realized he was being forced upstairs. Many thoughts flashed in his head. ’ Are they going to throw me from the building?’, ‘Or is it some silly thing they have planned’, ‘Are they gonna leave me stark naked, and embarrass me’ ‘Oh Fanny, I wish you were here’.

Cyrus really wasn’t prepared to what they had in mind. He couldn’t have guessed even in his wildest dreams, of what was in store for him. They pushed him to the terrace, and circled him like vultures ready for their prey. “What do you want from me” he whimpered. “What have I done to you?”.

“Shush”, it’s not what you have done; it’s what you will do, and what you will get in return for it. His senior sneered with a gaze that screamed of hunger, one that was about to be satisfied.

His soul was ripped away along with his clothes. The vultures preyed on him ravenously, ignoring his painful cries. He begged them to stop. But they went on and on. Touching him everywhere, making him cringe. Cyrus would never be able to erase that day from his mind.

The lights around him faded, and slowly so did the noises. Cyrus Daruwala had been preyed upon by human predators.

------------------------------------

Fanus snapped out of his stupor with Boman’s outrageous sentiments.

“He is such an embarrassment to our family, I’m disowning him ",his voice boomed.

“I don’t want to search for a gay boy. My son is dead he screamed. Cyrus is dead, you understand”, he shook a weeping Sherry by the arms.

“I’m going to call the police, and withdraw the manhunt “, he said shaking his head in frustration.

Fanus got up, went over to Sherry, “I have to go, I have to find him” .

He walked out and heard Boman talking to the cops. He walked faster and faster and Boman’s voice faded away.

He had to find Cyrus. His Cyrus. He knew he would find him and when he did he would hold him and tell him that everything is going to be just fine.

• “Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”

Private India - A Review

Title : Private India

Author: Ashwin Sanghi & James Patterson

Publisher: Arrow Books

I really wanted to put off writing this review, hoping against all odds, that I can escape doing so. You know why, because I'm utterly disappointed!. An Ashwin Sanghi getting a not so good review from my end, would be the first (hopefully the last) .Especially when this is a Partnership between an awesome Indian writer and an Internationally acclaimed writer like Patterson.

The prologue starts off with a mention of Bomb attacks, and I feel, I'm in for a great read. The first chapter starts of with a murder, and not just  ‘a murder’ , it’s one which chills you. The victim is left with props (Yay, good start huh?). Enter – Private India –  who are brought in to investigate the murder, as the murder is committed in a Hotel, that is their client. Enter – Santosh Wagle, worn out, leans on alcohol to forget a past, but a clever, almost Sherlocky Investigator.

His team members include a very gorgeous  Nisha  Gandhe, who is shrewd and knows to get her way around things. Mubeen Yusuf, their forensic expert and the youngest member of their team, the Tech wizard  - Hari Padhi. Private India iscaptained by Santosh Wagh , however its direction is determined by Jack morgan.

Furthermore we have Rupesh, a cop and Santosh’s friend once upon a time.

Private India comes face to face with murders one after the other, however in the same pattern.  Suffocated with a Yellow scarf and finally left with Props. Was the killer leading the investigators on or just playing around with them, was yet to be known.

The entire plot revolves around fine, till we have confused Identity / muddled character sketch. It makes you wonder why it was created in the first place, why certain characters were introduced too. Hari Padhe’s character comes under the suspect category , in relation to the murder. Did we really need that?, that was really uncalled for. And especially the end to Hari’s character.

Introduction of munna and nimboo baba, were , I donno, was it needed. Ok munna maybe to a certain extent. However munna’s character is confused as well. He says he doesn’t help terrorists to bomb his city, and tehn he does! Why?. Nimboo Baba, is a lost case.

Rupesh’s link with Santosh’s past was another “what !!” . It was almost like a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, going on, forever and types.

All the murders and reasons were mentioned (which was very loosely crafted , in my opinion), except one. I guess trying to link them all, was a herculean task. And the reasons were , Funny. Except a few, the rest were , funny.

So yea, its basically a Hyped Firecracker , which is supposed to rocket in the sky and have a display for about 5 minutes. What you get , is just a very faded noise, and no display at all.

It is a disappointment, maybe I did expect a lot from the author of Chanakya's Chant, Rozabal Line, The Krishna Key!!If you are an Ashwin Sanghi fan, this book is disappointing . If you are not, this is not the book you should read. Try reading his other books and come over for this. Will I recommend this?? I'm in two minds honestly. If you are reading his work for the first time don’t judge him by this book. Well it’s a joint collaboration , isn't it?? So I guess , it wont hurt .

My rating : 5/10.

This review is a part of the biggest <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank"> Book Review Program </a> for <a href="http://www.blogadda.com" target="_blank">Indian Bloggers.</a> Participate now to get free books!

MISSING (PART 7)

This post is a part of BlogAdda Activity Game of Blogs.

Group Name : Tete-a-Ten

Please find the previous parts here :-

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

Tara felt as though she was hallucinating. She saw her, she saw her daughter! She had imagined the worst to happen, and here she was standing in front of her, in her uniform slightly creased. Her hair neatly parted in a ponytail, with a few strays, that was tucked neatly behind her ear. That beautiful smile, which lit up the otherwise dim warehouse, called out to Tara.  Was it really Roohi, or was her mind playing tricks .If it was a trick, it was a wonderful one. Tears trickled down her otherwise blank face. She told her mind to move her legs and walk over to Roohi, but they somehow, stood rooted on the very spot, staring at her beloved daughter.

She felt a gust of wind as Shekhar ran past Tara, and scooped Roohi in his arms.

“Roohi, roohi, oh my God, Roohi”. He hugged her “Are you alright?”

The illusion broke. Tara bellowed and her legs gave away. She fell onto the floor, crying in relief. She could make a faint outline of silhouettes in front of her. Her eyes misted with relief.  All Tara could hear were faint mumblings.

She felt a familiar touch on her shoulder. She angled her face to her shoulder. Shekhar tightened his grip on her shoulder reassuring her, that it’s all ok.

 “Mummy”, Roohi whispered.  Tara gathered herself and pulled Roohi close to her, hugging her tight and kissing her all over her face.

“My Baby, I’m so sorry….” She howled. “If anything….” She did not finish her sentence; Shekhar hugged them both and pulled them to a warm embrace, for the first time. When the feeling of loss overshadowed them, they found each other. Life was definitely ironic. Today they had become a family, an actual family. His warm embrace enabled them to be lost in their own world of happiness and solace.

Their Friends comforted each other, and heaved a uniform sigh. They all smiled at each other, happy that they found her. Some engaged in informing others via texts and calls, while others gave away to exhaustion and sat on the floor.

“We found her”, Shekhar’s friend piped into the phone smiling. The question from the other end, wiped away his smile. He looked towards the trio in embrace. “We don’t know”, he said running his fingers through his hair “hmmmm, yea… alright. I’ll hmmm…let me call you back... Ya, bye”. He hung up and looked at Shekhar, not knowing how to ask. He rested his hands on his hips.

 “Shekhar” his friend called out, “She is alright, right?” his friend asked hesitantly.

Shekhar released Tara and Roohi from his embrace, mindful of what exactly his friend meant. He held Tara around her waist and cupped Roohi’s face, “Did the stranger touch you badly?” He asked. Though he seemed calm on the exterior, his voice gave away the pain and fear of what he might hear.

Tara looked anxiously at Roohi, and then at Shekhar, and exhaled deeply. Their friends stood behind them, looking down at the family waiting to support them, if they needed it.

“Papa, which Stranger?” she asked innocently. Her eyes were wide and questioning. Shekhar looked at her and looked away, palming the sweat of his forehead. He was unsure as to how he was to proceed. How could he ask her if she was, if the stranger had … The very thought chilled his spine. He gritted his teeth, imagining the worst. Silence fell like a dagger in the warehouse. He looked at Tara and he knew he just had to put them out of misery. He cleared he throat and toyed with the sides of his spectacle.

“Roohi”  he exhaled, “after you left from school, you went out to eat ice- cream with a stranger, right?, Did he do anything to you dear?” he asked , hoping against all odds, that she was alright, that nothing untoward had happened to their daughter. His thoughts raced from guilt to anger.

“Papa”, she chirped, shaking her head, “No Papa, Cyrus is not a stranger”, she emphasized on stranger. She looked at Tara, and everyone around, and smiled “Cyrus is my friend”. She smiled exuberantly

“Cyrus!!” Tara mumbled looking helplessly at Shekhar.

She ran her hand through the strays behind Roohi’s ear, “Who... Who is Cyrus, baby? What were you doing with him?” She quizzed ”Haven’t we told you to stay away from people whom you don’t know, You were supposed to wait for either me or Papa, weren’t you dear” , She whimpered, anger mixed with hope and love.

“Mummy, but I know Cyrus. Infact I was helping him”, Roohi puffed her chest with pride, and looked around at her audience hoping to be applauded. She pouted and dropped her shoulder, when she realized that no one was going to appreciate her.

“Baby, tell us what happened after you left from school”, Tara asked her. “How did you reach here?”

“Well after school”, she crinkled her forehead, recollecting “After school, I walked with Cyrus. We went out and had Orange Juice , from that place mummy, where we had gone once to drink juice” … “mmmhmmm, then” Tara asked “ Ya , then we were walking again, Cyrus was talking about Delhi, Papa, I want to go to Delhi ok”, she pouted at Shekhar, unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

“Sure” He said “What happened after that baby. “ We had ice-cream after that, and then we went on the merry-go round too, Cyrus was scared “, and she laughed.

“Then we got into the bus, and came to a place, I don’t know where” she added candidly. One could hear everyone’s heart beating away wildly “Even Cyrus did not know where. Oh oh, we bought chips and soda too. Then we both were tired too, so we came here”

“We”, Shekhar exclaimed, looking around.

“Yes Papa, Cyrus was so tired, he went off to sleep” She pointed towards the end.

“Did you sleep too” Tara asked nervously

“No mummy, I did my homework”, she smiled at Tara

Shekhar got up and walked over to the direction Roohi had pointed, along with his friends.

“Papa, don’t go there”, she stood up “Cyrus will get scared, Wait, I’ll go and get him”. She started walking towards Cyrus.

“No” they all exclaimed, “you are not going there alone” Shekhar and Tara echoed in unison.

“But Papa! He will get scared if he sees all of you together” she said nodding her head.

“Call him from here then” Tara said.

“Uff mummy, don’t worry. I’ll go and get him ok”.

They were not letting go of her, no way was she going in there alone.

“I’ll go with Roohi”, Tara said and walked towards Roohi, and held her hand.

“You be right behind me” She whispered at shekhar.

Tara and Roohi walked towards the end. Tara, Shekhar and the rest were alert and ready for the slightest movement or noise.

“Cyrus” Roohi called out. Tara tightened her grip on Roohi’s hand.

They all heard a whimper and an effort to get up, they heard rustling of paper , some of it tearing as well. A Shadow appeared at Roohi’s feet, growing bigger and bigger, as Cyrus approached her.

“Yea Roohi” Cyrus called out, rubbing his groggy eyes .

His voice chilled and scared Tara beyond measure. She didn’t realize when Roohi slipped away from her grasp.

Roohi walked towards Cyrus, held his hand and exclaimed “ Papa see, I found Cyrus, he got lost”.




Do find PART 8 here

“Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”

TAG for Change

Challenges are doing the rounds everywhere , from ICE to RICE. Everyone is so excited about doing them!! Good!, but why exactly are YOU doing them. Is it really to help the needy? or just for another picture on your Social media, or a branding for your Product/organization?, or a very pathetic attempt to "Tag" your friends and see them enjoy as well?

Yes, I do agree, that the "Ice Bucket Challenge" has generated knowledge with regard to ALS, which like many, debate is only because of the Ice bucket challenge. Im sorry  - Doesn't that sound Lame to you. The reason you claim that people are aware of an Illness is because of a challenge!. What is the world coming to ? Seriously!!.

People now need to be "Tagged/challenged" to be "Inspired" . How pathetic have we become??.

And now move over, we have another challenge, the Rice bucket. Initially I was all Happy about it. But again, there is a Tag/pictures. Why do we need to tell the world of what we are doing? especially helping someone in need. Would you like to be clicked in a similar manner?. They are doing it because they have have no option .They  "pose" to get that supply, What the FUCk are YOU doing it for??For people commenting and saying Bravo??

For people who need to be tagged to be inspired, let me tell you, it lasts only till the picture is clicked. What after that? Do you bother about that Family?? Do you help them avail of more supplies, or do you just sit back in front of your Laptop and forget about it??.

You know there are millions of people who help the needy without being Tagged , or without posing fro pictures with them. Its not that they don't want to "inspire" people with their pictures, Its just that they know that it's not needed.For them its more of genuine help.

Today we are so bound by Social media and the image that we project that we forget to realise that we are Human too. We are able to do something for the less fortunate , because we have been blessed with a little more than them.

All those who get inspiration with senseless Tags, and those who are using it well to promote your organization and etc, YOU really need a Rain check with yourself.

Yes , this is an angry Post, However  its more of a wake up call.

All of our Holy scriptures have beautifully mentioned, that when we help the needy - do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. For the world obsessed with Social media " Do not let the Social media know what you have done" .

So let me end up with another Challenge for you all. When you do some good, just TAG two people , YOU and the person receiving it,and if possible TAG them with a Smile , TAG them in their Hearts