Whispers Of Life

 In the quiet hours of night’s deep sigh,

We learn the truths that make us fly.

Not in the books, nor carved in stone,

But in the heart’s pulse, deeply known.

A step, a stumble, a rise once more,

Life is the teacher behind each door.

The scars we bear, the tears we shed,

Are paths we tread, where wisdom’s led.

Patience speaks in moments still,

While time’s soft hands shape iron will.

Love once lost, but found anew,

Teaches the strength to see things through.

In silence, we grow, in pain, we heal,

In fleeting moments, life’s truths reveal.

Not written in ink, but felt in the soul,

Life’s whispered lessons make us whole.

Till We Meet Again !!!!

I have been lost and unsure since my dearest friend  mentioned that she would be moving to another country soon !  

There was time ...and we all were just creating memories each passing day with her so that we can treasure the moments for life ...

Even when you know it’s coming you are never prepared for how it feels ..

But the day has arrived ..and she would be leaving in few hours .......

She walked into my life at the most unexpected circumstances...and she has been always been there since that day .......

With her moving away I will be left with a hole in my heart and a big piece of my life will be missing ..

She has always been listening to my 

Bakar....bakar......and bakar and bakar ....who will tolerate my insane bakar bakar ? 

And my funny  acting?

And my crazy laugh? 

And my expressions ? 

And will tell me to just have faith ...!  All shall pass !!

And most important I will miss her warm “HUG”.....

Her hug just melts away all the stress..all the pain .......

She has just not touched me ..but all around her through her kindness and selflessness ....

She has made me believe that Angels exists, they walk among us in form of a friend .... 

She is that ANGEL !!!! 

I am blessed that she is part of my life !

Her friendship has given me so much over the years that I don’t have an idea how will I ever thank her ....

As she also will be navigating her way through this Change and all that comes with  it . She will be Spreading Love, Kindness  and warmth. Inspiring all to be better people.

And here ........

There will be dinners ,birthdays and movie marathons,  she will be right beside us always !!! Unheard and unseen ..but right next to us ...

So here’s to all the good times we have spent ...

To all the memories we have created......

वक्त की हो धूप या तेज़ हो आँधियाँ,

कुछ क़दमों के निशाँ कभी नहीँ खोते,

जिन्हें याद करके मुस्कुरा दें ये आँखें,

वो लोग दूर होकर भी दूर नहीं होते ।

No ! I am not saying BYE OR GOOD BYE .. its just that I will miss you till we meet again !!

Just A Dream!!!

 

  He was near the snowy pond among the snow clad mountains, He made a happy Snowman and He was riding on a sledge.

It’s was all that he ever dreamt.

He heard a voice, Wake up Wake up and start cleaning

He wiped that tear and began cleaning.

Yet again it was Just A Dream.

I write this for #55WordChallenge Frozen Week One 2018

A Mug ! Full of Love

Gifts always bring that smile on your face, they are always special in a way.

A few days ago I got a gift, this hand painted "MUG" which is full of love , thoughtfulness and wrapped with all the warmth.

I don't have enough words today to show my gratitude and thankfulness on this sweet gesture by 9 year old Anoushka, my dear Angel Friends daughter.

Teaching them that making a gift is an act of thoughtfulness and it takes time and patience. The values taught at this age stay life long, I believe that words are important to show or express things but actions speak louder...

This  gift makes me feel that I am cared for, thought for and there is a moment of connection.

Yes ! God has been a bit selfish in depriving me with a daughter ! But I have my moments with few super cute daughters of my some dear friends who share a bit of bonding with me.

Makes me feel special.

Then gift which locks in wonderful memories that I am going to cherish for  lifetime.

An Empty Nest

Since morning my phone as been buzzing with pictures, amidst the teachers day , ganesh chaturthi messages , my entire focus was on the messages from my nieces.

They move in to an university campus today, makes me happy as they are going on a different journey all by themselves from today. A different world, different people and the most important different country. But happiness is coupled with sadness, the thought of walking in to my sister’s home and not seeing them, the thought of not seeing them for a while now, and the idea of what my “Sister “ a "Mom” is going through today, at this moment.

Thousands of young children are about to start getting settled into their new lives at the university, making new friends walking the new path of their lives. But what about the “MOTHERS”, it’s a new beginning for them as well. Mothers who have changed their kids nappies , have seen them through their sickness, have pulled them from the betrayed friendships. What about her  the “MOM”.

The prolog of your child leaving for the University can be or should I say is “ Stressful”. Having a child leave for university is generally regarded as measure of success, a sense of satisfaction that  you have prepared them for the world. But it satisfaction is followed by the grief, yes you definitely grieve over them leaving the home. We all dread that moment , but we all have to face that  DAY  in our life.

The reality sinks in when after days of sitting on the coach and watching T.V, those late nights end and one fine morning they start cleaning up their room and what all they need goes in those “ Bags” placed on the bed. What is left behind are empty cup -boards and book shelves.

The reality sinks in when in the University all the doors welcome you with all that “Smiles”.

The reality sinks in when all of the sudden you stand right there and all these doors began to close. The corridor becomes empty , you stand there, that hug when you are trying to balance your emotional and physical self !! As your child walks pass that empty corridor making a divide between the family and university.

What flashes in front of you ?

The first day at the kindergarten !!!

The first day at the school !!

The first day at the dance class !! and many other first times.

You want to shout , with those wet blurred eyes, “No !!! Not Yet !! Its too soon !!!!

I am sure you all agree that goodbye hugs are not good they are heart wrenching , though we know that this good-bye does not meant that they are gone forever, but yet it means we are not going to meet for a while.

On your return!!! The  “HOME” isn't the same.

On dinner tables , you have those two empty chairs, the back seats in the car is empty when you have to go for a social family visits!!!!

How much we have taught them to be independent and confident in their lives, all that lessons seems to be hopeless!!! Isn’t it ?

THE NEST IS EMPTY

And we all go through or will eventually go through the Empty Nest Syndrome !!!

You will find few more who are in the same situation as you, you share a tear, a laugh and create a bonding a kind of a connection that makes you realize “you are not alone”.You have faith that they will flourish, they will become young adults , because you have given them what all they needed.

We all learn !!! We all accept !!!

We  accept that they have embarked on new journey learning to make a new nest.

Yes, leaving behind “AN EMPTY NEST”!!!!!!!

You Read It and It Reads You

Literature is not just words ...

It's more than words ....

It's your interaction with your thoughts and these thoughts become live on paper .........

With great pride , I would like to share with you all a blog http://smallgirlstories.blogspot.com

of a 12 year old girl Anoushka Mankodi,a voracious reader and a budding poet

who in today's world, where the technology has taken over the reading brains of the teenagers aspires to be writer / author.

Her poems are her self expressions... More like paintings in words with quality of being amusing.

   

I Believe !!!!

I generally do not insert pictures on my blog !! 

But this one I couldn't resist , had  to share with you all !!!

 

It says ..all that  I want to write !!!

Sometimes there are stormy moments in your life. Times when everything just  does not seem right, and that's the time in your life when your friends do more than just walk with you..... 

They become Angels ...with no wings just in disguise of ordinary person living an ordinary life ....

Who says they reside only in heaven few walk among us on the earth to share our happiest hours and deepest sorrows !! 

Some just dream ! Some just feel ! I have held her in my arms !  

Angels do exist !! I met mine !  

Hope you all meet your's soon !! 

A Hope Not A Promise

She was sitting in her balcony, with a hot chocolate mug in her hand, watching the last sunset of 2015, wondering how life has changed in the last few months. All her friends were to go for the New Year’s Eve party, but she had decided to stay home this 31^stdec. As she watched the sun slithered behind the cloud clad mountains, so did she slip into the flashback!!

Just a day before the Festival of Lights, Diwali as we all Indians call, she had visited the gynecologist thinking she had some hormonal issues, hence did the blood test followed by an ultra sound.

“It can’t be pregnancy!!”  She told the radiologist. ”May be some cyst or an ineffective organ needs to see its way out from my body!!”  She added laughing.

The next minute, what she heard was very familiar sound …. “Heartbeats”!!! Yes it was the sound of the “heartbeats”.

She looked towards the monitor screen dazed, shocked and happy all at the same time.  The radiologist standing there smiling looking straight into her eyes…….

 They drove back home, with “Pin Drop Silence in the Car “.The silence was finally broken.

“Does this all mean that I am going to be an elder bro”? Asked her 10 year old while getting out from the car’s rear seat.

She and her husband preferred not say anything as yet to their son till enter the house.

She was happy and so was her husband. They sat and discussed for a while and finally settled down a bit. She was wobbly, quivering but she had to share it with her “Angel Friend “.

She dialed her number.

In few minutes, two of her friends were at the door hugging her. 

Since then it has been time of bliss. She has been dreaming about a complete family. She has been dreaming about a girl child.

“Mom !!! There’s someone to see you”! her son said. And she returned to the present .She got up rather carefully from the balcony chair and made her way to the hall room.

She had received a call from the hospital that the long awaited; few pending test results were ready.

Time had passed and now she was in the 19^th week She was young she thought, if 42 was new 22 as told by her angel friend..Her first pregnancy was all ok, some normal placental issues were there but nothing was wrong, so she was sure all is going to be fine this time too. She had almost passed her 1^st trimester being completely unaware that she was pregnant. She had not taken and precaution, which needs to be taken and nothing had gone wrong. Her immense faith in god made her believe that nothing can go wrong now.

“Ma’am the doctor is waiting for you “, the lady at the front desk counter told her while handing over the printed report.

“Oh!! But she doesn’t even know that we are here to collect the report “she replied while going through her reports, trying to understand the medical jargons.

“Yes! Ma’am she left a message for us, that when you come to collect the reports, we should direct you to her”, replied the lady without taking her eyes off her computer.

“Thank you”, she and her husband responded in chorus made their way to the elevator.

The room on the first floor was full of happy pregnant ladies. They waited for a while, and then the doctor, called them in the cabin.

She and her husband were curious to know about the reports.

They wished the doctor, and with a brief eye contact and a smile, “doctor, hope all is ok? Asked the husband sitting next to his wife.

“ Hmm !!! it does not look too good “ the doctor replied. The reports state , “ Trisomy 21 “ is above cut of range, which means that there is a very high risk that the baby is not normal.  I can’t guarantee, that the baby at the time of delivery would be a normal kid”, she added.

She and her husband , staired at the doctor in disbelief. No genetic history , the first kid is a normal kid, no family history of abnormality than how could this happen. She asked the doctor.

Doctor said,” Yes to my surprise also!!!”, But we can’t ignore the report. I suggest we do some further tests which unfortunately are not done here, I suggest you go to your home country ”.

They took the next day’s flight to the motherland, with wet eyes, but with lot of hope and faith.  She was confident that the test reports were wrong, the pathology had goofed up big time, and she needs to be doubly sure before they come to any decisions.

They did the entire tests including the other few tests in India, and the results arrived in two days.

When they walked in the doctor’s cabin, he looked at them and confirmed their worst fear.

The reports were 98.9 percent positive, meaning she had a Down syndrome kid. No further tests or surgeries could change what was already done.

 Pregnancy is a gamble, who said it was a guarantee.

They knew what had to be done, a decision which killed them a thousand times, and it will keep killing them all their life.

 Yes the baby might live, but that’s not the life they had chosen for their kid.

Nobody told what was inside her was just “A HOPE NOT A PROMISE “.

This is “HER” story, and it might have no significance to any!!!

But it did teach me Few Lessons!!!!!

We all go through painful times in our lives.

We start expecting a lot in life, but life like pregnancy is very unpredictable. Expectations are the root cause for all heartache. And more worse is the hope. Hope is a very dangerous thing, not always but sometimes hopes just sets up for huge disappointments.  Once you start hoping, with each passing day your expectations increase as well. So the best thing is “no expectations no disappointments”.

How great it would be if the things just turned out the way you had planned it, but it does not happen all the time. Things do go wrong, and they don’t get always fixed. You can’t put it together like it was before.  

The result is you loose your smile, you end up crying, and you end up in Grief. There is no specific rule book to grief; grief is as individual as your fingerprint. Your grief can never end, but it does changes. If you are going through grief, never think you are weak or you lack the faith. Just remember one thing that if you are in grief you are paying the price of love.

The pain will stay with you, in your heart as a memory.

 Generally grief and pain tend to change you as a person; you either get bitter or better. Whether you let it make you a better person or tear you down is going to be your decision, fate cannot decide that.

I feel the experience of grief has neither  any rules nor has any shortcuts. What needs to be done is forget about the past, like the trees shed the dead leaves and creates new ones. It will take its own time; it’s not that you are going to come out of the pain in a day. It might take you days, weeks, months or years!!!

Take your time!!!  Strive to become a better version of what you were created.  Refuse to be held by pain.

Breathe life!!!  Dream Again!!!  Let the hope and faith get stronger!!!

Show that you can overcome!!!

Because, Without Faith, Hope and Trust... there is no promise.

Happy Best Friends Day - Ode To A Friend,

   

We all have a huge list of friends, but today is the day for that one special friend who has always been there for us, life just wouldn't be the same without them. 

Lot of friends I have had,

Few stayed and few fled,

We met as strangers, in the journey of life,

Thinking each other, we would never like.

Through thick and thin, worse of me,

You were there besides me.

The relation is rare, but is true,

It’s because we care, we made it through.

You taught me the meaning of a friend,

You were the one holding my hand.

You made me laugh, when I wanted to cry,

Giving wings to my dreams and make me fly.

It was easy together to fight life’s fears,

Embarrass the failure, and wipe the tears.

As the years trundled by, our paths certainly spilt,

I can never refute, but proud to admit.

God sent an angel, as a friend,

Always to belong, till the end.

Friend like you makes the world a better place,

An extraordinary gift, someone I could never replace.

Miles have definitely kept us apart,

We are always there in each other’s heart.

Those moments spent with you I cherish,

To meet you soon is the only wish.

My Husband's New Found Love 🐓🐓

Being born in a typical Parsi family, every other day the meal consisted of dhanshak, chicken farcha, sali ghosh and the list just goes on.

Marrying a vegetarian Brahmin ! Yeah sounds a bit difficult isn't it ? But It was smooth transition !!!

He is a vegetarian by birth but yes eats eggs ....

And we parsis add egg to every possible dish.To get us to eat vegetables is necessary to break an egg on it . We have "bhida per eedu" ( eggs over ladyfingers ), "papeta per eedu" ( eggs over potatoes ), tameta per eedu ( eggs over tomatoes ) and if you all are wondering what " eedu " means ...it means the "egg" in our typical Parsi style Gujarati.

With great determination and pride, I bid goodbye to non vegetarian food.Not because of any other reason, "it was a personal choice" reason obvious I use to feel lazy to cook for me alone.

My husband has been asking me and a lot of other people , to convince him with one good reason that he should try eating " chicken " . And all of us have been telling him just one thing "It Tastes Nice".

Our house has been a battlefield where he would say how cruel we were to kill animals and eat them too !!!  And in defense I would say, oh so what veggies kill Mosquitos, those rats found in the house not to forget those " lizards " crawling on the walls too!! How cruel is that ?

Ok so after living in an animal free existence for many years, "chicken" made an entry again in our lives when my son grew a little older and his taste buds nodded a yes to eating a chicken .

Now , with the 2:1 ratio in the house for chicken ! My husband finally decided to take that tiny little step of eating "chicken" yet with the true soul of a vegetarian !! 

A few months back , he had a camping night with his friends, with a lot of internal debating between the mind and the soul as to eat or not to eat, I believe the mind won and " try it man " voice took over the soul .

It was difficult to manage the first bite, but than its mouth watering taste was irresistible and he took on more .

( it tastes nice ! Proves right isn't it )

Since that day any Indian restaurant's  we have visited, we have reshmi kababs and in an Lebanese restaurant we have 

"shish-tawook".

And a lot more " chicken dishes " are awaiting their trial.

Well what can I ask for ? Or what can I say ? But .........

My husband's new found love 

SPICY , TANGY AND JUICY "Chicken" 🐓🐓🐓

Munch Crunch and Slurp

Do you love food ? Do you think food ? Do you love cooking food ? I mean loving food is like loving any other thing in life .

And so you have to treat food with all the trust , respect and dignity and enjoy every bit of it ! Making it as well as eating it !!!

I am sure you all will agree with it ! 

So if you are looking for mouth watering recipes , no better place than to visit my friends Facebook page !! And try those yummiest recipes ! Don't forget to hit the like button 😄

The link is below 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Munch-Crunch-Slurp/1411150502526702

Plate the food !! Close your eyes ! Take that one big breath !! Begin to eat ! Chew each bite ! Taste all the flavors !! And say I LOVE FOOD 

Angels Walk Among Us !!!

Do you believe in Angels ? Well, I do !! 

Everyone should believe in Angels!! Everyone needs them , at least one good one !

Today , my soul was lifted by that one Angel. She made me believe that Angels do really walk among us .

Friends are those precious people that make a second home away from our home . They are our family by choice. I am convinced that I have greatest friends in my life and and they have been there for me always ! 

But , She walked into my life at the most unexpected circumstances. It's difficult to explain sometimes how and why people end up together . They just do !! They come into your life and you know right away that they are meant to be there  " SHE " is one of them . We just know each other for more than a year now , but since the time we have met , she has amazed me with her unconditional support !!

I believe everything happens for a reason. Illness , injury , love , heartbreaks , some foolish and sheer stupidity all of it occurs to test us , test the limit of our soul . And in these testing times , today I had her holding my hand praying together with me for me and my family and telling  me " it shall pass , it's just a phase " !!!!

What a beautiful gift , she has given me !!

Her gentle loving kindness has greatly touched my heart !! She made me believe and experience that ,

" Angels do exist , they walk among us " 

Control Your Anger !!!!

Anger!!  What it is it? It’s not a new term to anyone of us. WE all have known what it is as we all have been angry at some point of time. Anger can be an incapacitating condition which can even be paralyzing. The most petrifying situation arises when you end up taking out your anger on your children. Whenever a child is abused verbally or physically it can leave fatal effects on them.  It is very essential that we keep our self under constant “ANGER CONTROL “.

 It could be that as a child we had angry parents, conceivably, our past is packed filled with unresolved hurt and because of that there could be tremendous anger within us or maybe we aren’t happy at the work place, perhaps you are not getting along with your spouse, there could be relationship issues!! There can be disgruntled goals or any other personal issues.  Identify the problems from the past and even look at the current issues which trigger your anger.

As a parent, there lies a wonderful opportunity to undo the wrong!!!

A child learns what he sees, and that’s what they are most likely to grow into. He/ She thinks that it’s alright! As they have seen us doing and for them “Parents are the role model ".

That definitely doesn’t mean that misbehaviors are to be tolerated, a child hurting himself or others, damaging property, of course will need a quick and firm response from us. We need to continually remind ourselves that small stuff isn’t worth getting worked up on. And we also should remember that we are the ones in control of anger and the anger should not control us.

Best way to handle is take a time out, walk away , or do whatever you have to when you thing anger is coming on to you Strong.

It’s important to pick our battles when parenting.

Control your Anger, Don't let it Control You!

Duplicity – Chapter 11

 Team “ Writers’ Express " 

                                               Read the previous chapter 10 here 

                    

        

The silence on the other end disturbed Jennifer a bit; she checked her phone once, just to be sure that the line wasn’t disconnected.

“YES” Tara’s reply brought Jennifer back into reality.

“I tried to search Maya all by myself, the night she went missing. I got out of the hotel and started walking on the road checking with few shops/people about Maya. After a while I realized that there were three men constantly following me. I got scared like hell, taking long steps tried to reach my hotel fast as possible and eventually got lost on the streets of Delhi. An old couple who was taking a walk on the street helped me to reach my hotel that night, so I eventually called up Cyrus and decided not to do anything till he arrives. It’s better to stay safe then be prey to the leering men on the streets.”Jennifer sounded petrified.

 Actually I wanted to meet Cyrus as soon as he landed as searching for Maya was most important of all, but I could not do so as I had a prior commitment which was undone, as I had accompanied Maya to Delhi, and I could not decline in any chance “Sorry” I can’t make it would not have worked with the clients” Jennifer continued.   

“I had called Cyrus in the evening as soon as I got a speck of time from my unfinished job and we decided to meet over coffee next day morning and I wouldn’t finish my work till late night” said Jennifer. Being in the same vicinity where Cyrus lived so we thought will save on time and decide the further action plan” Jennifer tried to sound convincing.

We met at the coffee shop Cyrus was accompanied with Shailesh, and I think you all know him very well.  He is a wonderful person, Cyrus and you all are lucky to have him as a friend “added Jennifer.

“He is a Gem!” Shekhar did not need even a minute to second that.

“OK! Not deviating, we decided that first thing first, we needed to lodge a police complaint. 24 hours had passed since Maya was missing, so we were sure police would not have an issue doing that - we are all aware how stingy police procedures can get,” said Jennifer.

Tara and Shekhar responded in chorus “Yes”. Cyrus was amazed at their compatibility and how their minds worked alike. Tara did not want to intrude in between, so she let Jennifer continue without probing anything in between.

Jennifer further said, "We finished the police station formalities, but deep down we knew that police will follow their protocol systems which will take its own time. We could not wait till then hence, we decided that we will give our best shot to find Maya on our own”.

“Not a wise thing to do though,” Tara said, “But I can relate how it is when  someone so dear who is in trouble, you just can’t sit and wait for things to happen,” warmth was reflecting in Tara’s voice.

“Yes, exactly my thoughts! I could not wait for something bad to happen for Maya,” Jennifer confirmed.

“It was a difficult task on hand and none of us were detectives, but thanks to Cyrus and his “crime serials” gave us a start” replied Jennifer.

Tara and Shekhar looked at Cyrus for the first time, since the call had started. They all had a smile on their face though for a short while but it eased the tension in the house in Mumbai.

“Since Maya’s disappearance, we had been hanging on the hope that she was fine,” Cyrus added. “We needed to do something and that also immediately”, Jennifer punched in.  Tara and Shekhar were listening to the conversation in utter silence though their minds were ocean full of questions. 

Jennifer’s voice was shrill on the other end , “When I had spoken to Cyrus the day before , I had asked him to collect Maya’s photographs from a photo gallery near his residence , you know I thought if we had Maya’s pictures, it would be handy to show around to people and even for the police”. Jennifer said.

"We started our hunt from the coffee shop itself but no clue; we approached almost all the nearby shops and the vendors but no success. My mobile needed to be recharged, so I walked into a shop, recharged my phone and before I could ask the person sitting on the counter, he asked me "Madam, inko dundh rahi ho?" (Madam, are you searching for this woman?) pointing at Maya's photograph which I held. Suddenly there was ray of hope, my immediate response was "YES".

The shopkeeper said Maya had recharged her phone as well from the same shop the day she went missing. Jennifer was narrating the whole incident in one flow; there was no chance for Tara and Shekhar to feel that she was making it up.

The shopkeeper told us that Maya was very upset that she was not able to use her “Facebook”. It was now clear to me, why the day she was missing there was no update on the social site. I had completely missed to check that yet again after the day she went missing.

When I checked her Facebook account, her last post was near Rajouri Metro Station. Jennifer stated. “When we arrived near the Rajouri Metro, it was almost late evening, but we finally had some clue and a point of start. We again started the trail of search, somewhere with a hope that Maya was waiting for us; she was waiting for help,” Said Jennifer in a choked voice.

We got success, after a long day and so much of walking and searching, we stopped near an isolated lane where, an old man in his eighties, who was selling tea, slumps on crate. We ordered tea and showed him the picture of Maya; he kept staring at her, as if trying to recollect his memory and then showed us a bungalow straight at the end of the lane. He mentioned that, Maya had inquired about the bungalow to him and he had guided her to the place. His confidence did not make us think otherwise.

We were relieved, that we finally have managed to find Maya; our search had finally come to an end. We dropped the tea cups, paid the old man more than his tea, and straight headed towards the bungalow.

“We were happy but even scared, our mind was not in chorus with the heart, but three of us decided to remain shut and not let the thoughts reach the mouth .When we reached the bungalow, it was dark, no lights and we were surprised as who in this time of the season, leaves the windows, and the gallery doors open and that also at almost in the late evening. We thought we have been directed to a wrong place, blaming the memory of the old man, we turned to return." Jennifer continued, but it was Cyrus who said, ‘Why not have a look, we might just get something, or maybe we won’t but any harm in going inside,’ and we all agreed.

Shailesh was pretty scared; he had been very quite the entire day.

 “We rang the bell first couple of times with no response, we knocked the door, but yet another surprise, the door was open and with the slightest knock it slide open, we entered into the dark hall room, looked for the switchboard and Shailesh switched on the light, and what we saw next is beyond explanation” Jennifer broke into tears finally.

“ What lay near our legs was brutally murdered Maya’s body , she was stabbed on the back , her body soaked in the pool of blood, and the room smelling like copper”.

Jennifer was still crying. “I felt my breath go out of me, I was standing there still, crying and angry but Cyrus and Shailesh handled the situation. They called the police and informed about the murder site and Cyrus took some pictures with my camera, Jennifer had gathered herself by now and it was evident in her voice to Tara, Shekhar and Cyrus.

“You get hold of yourself Jenny; I hope this conversation satisfies you Shekhar Bhaiya  ... Tara Bhabhi?”  Cyrus finally broke the silence.

“Please we are so sorry, we understand and empathize with you” Tara said.

“I can understand how you are feeling right now; the loss is beyond words. Jennifer you please take good care of yourself and let us know if we could be of any help. And thank you for telling us everything,”Shekhar spoke this time and hung up.

Tara felt they had been cruel to make Jennifer go through the entire episode yet again, but they were left with no choice. “Does that make me heartless?” Tara thought for a moment.

____________________________________________________________________

                                        Read the next chapter 12 here  

You can read the previous Chapters collaborated by " Writers' Express "

Chapter 1   Pawan Hegde 
Chapter 2   Partha Sadhukhan
Chapter 3  Sujata Tawde
Chapter 4   Shilpa Halwe
Chapter 5   Manjulika Pramod
Chapter 6   Shazneen Pathak
Chapter 7   Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli
Chapter 8   Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli
Chapter 9   Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli
Chapter 10  Partha Sadhukhan 


Me and my team are participating in the " Game of Blogs " at "Blogadda.com " #CelebratingBlogging with us 

The Story By " Writers Express " # CelebratingBlogging.

Random bloggers across the country brought together as team, to play the ' Game of Blogs " at Blogadda  this September.

These bloggers share their ideas, weave and complete a story with the characters provided .The process will continue over the period of 3 weeks with elimination happening every week, till the best story is selected 

by the Jury. 

The selection of the bloggers though random but has brought some wonderful bloggers under our team “Writers’ Express “.

 I  present to you the chapters of our story “Duplicity”.

Chapter 1 Pawan Hegde

Chapter 2 Partha Sadhukhan

Chapter 3 Sujata Tawde

Chapter 4 Shilpa Halwe

Chapter 5 Manjulika Pramod 

Chapter 6 Shazneen Pathak

Chapter 7 Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli

Chapter 8 Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli  
Chapter 9 Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli
Chapter 10 Partha Sadhukhan
Chapter 11 Shazneen Pathak
Chapter 12 Manjulika Pramod
Chapter 13 Sujata Tawde
Chapter 14 Pawan Hegde
Chapter 15 Pawan Hegde
Chapter 16 Manjulika Pramod
Chapter 17 Shilpa Halwe
Chapter 18 Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli

 If you like what we have penned and decide to follow us us in our expedition towards the finale, do visit this page (Book mark it people!!) for easier access to our story as it unfolds……

Duplicity – Chapter 6

 Team “ Writers’ Express " 

               

                                             Read the previous chapter 5 here 

 “Roohi, you are a rock star!!! You managed to finish 6 fraction problems in 15 mins!! Bravo girl “Cyrus saying that gave her a hi five.

“All credit to you Cyrus Uncle “Roohi said. “ She is right Cyrus you have taken the burden of my shoulder by helping Roohi in her studies, especially mathematics “Shekhar endorsed what Roohi had said.

Roohi had been an “A “Grade student but since Cyrus moved in with them, she had shown tremendous improvement in Mathematics.

“Roohi, you should be doing your studies on your own now. Without anyone’s help “Tara said keeping her purse on the dining table and sitting on the empty chair next to Roohi. “And if you have problems, then papa and I are there for you correct?” Tara finished her statement. Ignoring the presence of Cyrus totally in the room.

“And Cyrus Uncle Roohi added.  Tara behaved she hadn’t heard what Roohi had just said and started flipping the pages of her books. Cyrus got up and made his way to the Kitchen to see if he could help Shekhar.

Tara and Cyrus were not able to meet eye to eye, since Cyrus had returned from Delhi last month .He had practically taken all his belongings and to Tara’s surprise had returned in 4 days with just a single Backpack.

Everyone was awkwardly silent on the dinner table. “Voila Madam Tara, You should try this special desert on the menu today”. Shekhar tried to break the silence. “It’s one of the iconic desserts Parsi’s are known for “.he said and all credits to none other than Chef Cyrus.

What is it called Cyrus?  Yeah “Lagan nu custard” right? Shekhar got that right he was sure.

Cyrus lifted his head, while eating and said, “Yes Shekhar Bhaiya, but when this is made at the Parsi weddings its more rich, with almonds, pistachios and stuff “.Cyrus replied.

“I am too stuffed today to try anything more, may be tomorrow Tara said in a cold voice and got up to wash her hands.

In the morning, as Tara reached the dining table with the tea cup in her hand, she saw a note under the flower vase placed on the table which read:

“Shekhar Bhaiya / Bhabhi, some urgent work has come up and I have to leave for Delhi by the morning flight! Didn’t want to disturb your sleep hence leaving a note!!  Regards Cyrus.

She kept staring at the note for a while and then she crumbled it and threw into on the ground.

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 Crew announced to fasten the seat belts, Cyrus opened his eyes stretched his legs and followed the instructions. The flight was about land, he looked outside the window, still feeling a bit somnolent. The choking winter fog had blanketed the Indian capital New Delhi.

His diagnosis was quite simple, the Delhi winters have arrived!

The aircraft touched down, Cyrus looked at his watch, in spite the fog the captain had managed to land on time. As usual ignoring the cabin crews request to remain seated, till the seat belt sign was on and aircraft came to a complete halt passengers were already removing the hand baggage from the overhead lockers. Cyrus was in no hurry to deplane early or play the game of push and squeeze, so he waited for queue to clear. Thanked the crew and walked down the aerobridge.

He could already notice his bag revolving on the conveyer belt when he reached the baggage claim; he picked it up and walked towards the exit.

The morning zephyr took its first gash on his bristled cheek!!.

“Taxi “he called out. “ Rajouri  Garden " he told the cab driver.

The driver carefully kept the car centered over the white dotted line, and Cyrus marveled at his calm while the other frantic drivers jolted to the left and right.

“Are you visiting Delhi, sir? The driver asked “No, I stay here “Cyrus responded.

Cyrus realized he had not yet switched on his mobile, he removed it from his shirt pocket and switched it on, just to find out he has 5 missed calls from Shailesh.

He tapped the touch screen, and redialed the missed called number!!

“Hello! Where are you? I am trying to get in touch since long? Thought your flight might be delayed? Asked Shailesh.

“No, landed on time! I just switched on the cell!  I have stuffed the house with the basic necessities; I know you will need your “COFFEE “first thing! Shailesh told Cyrus!!

“Yes thanks! I will talk to you later Shailesh “and Cyrus hung up.

He wanted to keep the conversations limited, and wanted the phone to be free as if expecting some urgent call or a message which he did not want to miss.

The taxi driver stopped in front of a huge building offloaded the luggage from the boot .Cyrus paid the taxi guy and pulled his trolley baggage towards the elevator.

He opened the door, of his apartment on 15^th floor, picked all the leaflets and home delivery menus and tossed them to the table next to the door along with the house keys!

Home finally!! 

The only thing he could think of at that time after quick hot water shower was a hot cup of coffee.

He grabbed the coffee mug in his hand and picked up the phone.10 missed calls it was not from Shailesh this time but an unknown number displayed on the mobile screen. Cyrus was about to dial the number back!! And the number started to flash again on his screen!!

“Hello “Cyrus said.”  YES !! YES  " !!! I know. I am aware!!  His voice was getting louder.

I had to be in Delhi again, so what "? Cyrus answered.

“I know I have to be in Mumbai, but I had some unfinished work here in Delhi and it needed attention so I had to take this trip “Cyrus replied

“I am working on it; Give me some time “his voice was stern this time.

“IT WILL BE DONE “replied Cyrus and hung up throwing the phone straight on the bed.

____________________________________________________________

Cyrus woke up to a dark room .he emitted a bit and turned on the side. He sighed with anger when he saw the unknown number flashing on the mobile screen, 6:00 p.m. he checked the time on the mobile , he realized he had practically slept for a long time and picked his phone .

“Hello, I am sorry I slept off ".he said in a groggy voice.

“What time should I collect it ? “ Cyrus asked yet drowsy. “Ok! Its fine by me “he said and disconnected.

He made himself a cup of coffee, looked down from the balcony and saw some meticulous health mutants, donned with woolies were taking a walk. Cyrus was disturbed in his thoughts when he suddenly felt a human presence behind him.

His visit to Delhi was quite fruitful, he was able to finish almost everything on his “ to do “ list .He once again checked that if has kept all his belongings in his bag pack and noticed the Big Brown Envelope was left on the bed , he gently picked it up and placed it in the bag.

___________________________________________________________________

Cyrus landed a bit late than the expected arrival time in Mumbai, reason obvious as the flight took off late from Delhi due bad weather. 

“Cyrus Uncle “exclaimed Roohi and was about to get up and run towards him!! Tara held her hand and said “Roohi! Finish your dinner first “! Without making any eye contact with Cyrus and continued eating

“Hey, Cyrus!! You are back? How was Delhi? Pretty cold, I saw in the news! Come join us for dinner?  Shekhar said in one breath.

“No! Bhaiya, I am a bit tired will freshen up and sleep!! Thank you though!!

Tara picked up her and Roohi’s plate put them for wash!! Grabbed the bottle of water in one hand and pulled Roohi with the other!!!

Good Night!! Papa!! "Good night Cyrus Uncle “before Roohi could finish, Shekhar and Cyrus could hear was a big bang of the bedroom door being closed.

“I will also call it a day Good Night Cyrus “Shekhar said placing his plate in the sink as well.

Good night Bhaiya replied Cyrus and making his way towards Roohi’s room …….

_____________________________________________________________

 “What on the earth was that behavior Tara?!!!   It’s unlike you? Shekhar said trying to keep his calm.

My Behavior?  That’s what you are saying Shekhar? Can’t you see what I am seeing?

There is something terribly wrong!!  He is not what he is trying to project?   Trust me Shekhar!! Tara’s anger was boiling, after all this fits of rage did not come every day.

“Shhhhhh, keep your voice low, Tara! Please!! Shekhar said in requesting tone.

“I don’t care, even if my voice reaches him. Which law student gets to go in and out of cities the way he does? I wonder. I need him out of this place, Shekhar!!  ASAP!!!  Do you understand!! I don’t sense good!! Tara’s voice was louder now!

 Did you not notice,  the last time he went with his entire luggage and returned only with a backpack? This time he left leaving a note for us without mentioning anything a day before on the dining table? Does this all look normal to you? Tara said arguably.

Tara I will see what I can do, I just can’t tell someone to leave!!  And more over what will I tell Shailesh, you know how old our association with him is, Yes I can understand you are not able to trust this man called Cyrus , but  you can at least trust Shailesh , will he ask someone who is not worthy of trust to stay with us “ Shekhar snarled .

“You do what needs to be done and as soon as it can be, Talk to Shailesh if you have to “.  Tara replied in rage.

“Ok!!! There is no end to this argument!!! Shekhar walked out of the room!!

Cyrus was just right there, standing in the kitchen with a bottle of water in his hand overhearing the entire argument Shekhar had with Tara.

“Don’t mind!! Cyrus!! She is just a bit upset!!!  Shekhar tried to cover up.

“That’s Ok with me Bhaiya; I will see how fast I can find another PG accommodation” saying that Cyrus switched on the television.

Shekhar walked out of the house closing the door behind him.

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Read the next chapter 7 here 


You can read the previous Chapters collaborated by " Writers' Express " 

Chapter 1 Pawan Hegde
Chapter 2 Partha Sadhukhan
Chapter 3  Sujata Tawde
Chapter 4 Shilpa Halwe
Chapter 5 Majulika Pramod



"Me and my team are participating in the "Game of Blogs  " at "Blogadda.com ". #CelebrateBlogging with us "