Many years ago I came to this country.. Which country? It does not have much significance in terms of my story so I like to keep it a secret. Nevertheless I do not want people to raise their eyebrow. After all it may embarrass my granddaughter - Rebecca. The name is also a fictitious one for maintaining her privacy.
I came from a subtropical country where the average temperature is high and humid in summer followed by heavy rainfall monsoon and a dry cool winter. I arrived in this country to obtain a higher academic degree. Soon after completing my degree I was offered a job in an agro farm with lucrative salary. So I accepted the offer and never went back.
I used to visit my parents once a year during my yearly vacation. However after my parents' sad demise I became very irregular about going home. I was the only child of my parents and didn't have any other near relatives. Gradually I lost interest of going back to my motherland although sometimes I felt like I was a sufferer!
Days went by as I continued working here and busy building my career. I was living an otherwise happy life. After I arrived here, initially I used to feel very annoyed with the climate. Being in a temperate zone the weather in this place was somewhat unpredictable and more often than not the days got encumbered by lots of fog, chilly breeze and every year very short was the summer. It took few years for me to become acclimatized and coming to terms with the weather and the culture. Also my broken heart added salt to the broth and motivated me to remain here.
Back in 1999 I fell sick. I was suffering for few days with stomach problem. Later I got myself admitted in the hospital with severe stomach pain. The doctor kept me under close supervision for several days in the hospital. I was in good care of the nurses and doctors. I recovered rather quickly and discharged within a week.
There, at the hospital I met Natasha. She was the nurse assigned to take care of me. Along with her routine work she used to do some extra out of her work scope. She was a beautiful girl with long curly hair and blue eyes.. a perfect beautiful blonde of neither too tall nor too short in stature. Natasha was neither fatty, nor skinny.. She was just perfectly balanced and had the beauty of an innocent child. She used to accomplish all her duties with sincerity and utmost responsibility and 'something else', which I later analyzed as love and affection.
Above I mentioned myself as a sufferer. As it happened long time ago, I was in love with a boy. For few years we gossiped and roamed around with hand in hand. The boy was the first to propose. I had strong passion for him so I did not deny. We had regular interaction with each other. One day to my disbelief, through a letter he broke up our relationship. It came as a bolt from the blue for me. My dream to build a nest of our own was ruined. I wanted to be an affectionate mother. Though my love and my dream was shattered to dust but remained my great longing for a child who will call me 'mom'. However it was not fulfilled so far.
A relationship grew gradually between Natasha and me. Upon being released from the hospital the doctor advised me to follow a regular check-up.
Natasha bid me 'good bye' as I started for my home.
Saturday was my day off so usually I used to visit the doctor on that day for follow up. Every time I went to the hospital Natasha would come running to me like a child. She would give me a hug and invariably always brought hot coffee for me. I felt it was not only the coffee but the love of a child for mother. She also used to bring me a soft warm blanket and cover me as soon as I reached the hospital. It felt like she treated me as a child.
After few follow ups the doctor advised me that I was quite alright and there was no need to continue the weekly check-up. I think Natasha knew doctor's decision earlier than me. I looked for Natasha in the hospital but could not find her. I could not even thank her for what so far she did for me.
Long six months passed by. One day I was in my single bed apartment and watching a TV documentary. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I received a pleasant surprise seeing Natasha standing at the door! Happily I shouted: 'Oh! Natasha its you. Where you coming from?'
I gave her a motherly hug and asked how she was doing. Then my second thought came how did she find my address and why was she here! I did not give her my address. That meant she collected it from the hospital records.
With a low soft and nervous voice she begged: 'May I stay in your house, only this night'. and she desperately continued 'I am helpless, please only this night..'
I kept on thinking what big problem brought her to me. I saw Natasha very gloomy and pale. I was bit hesitant as I had no extra bed to accommodate her. I think she guessed my thoughts and said she can sleep on the couch.
Reluctantly I approved her prayer. She didn't bring any big luggage but just only a small travel bag. After all I did not forget her love, care and sympathy that she extended to me at the hospital. I had some soft corner in my heart for her.
Three nights went by and there was no sign of her leaving the house. It was getting very embarrassing for me. As the days passed by I found her to be more gloomy. She ate very little and started becoming pale. I did not know what I should do.
Later one evening I went to the hospital to inquire about her. The hospital authority informed me they are unaware of her whereabouts and she was absent from her duty for last few days and her husband was out stationed most of the times for his work.
Few days later Natasha told me that soon she was going to rent a studio apartment for herself and move there. I felt relieved.
On the eleventh day when Natasha was out, an young man, perhaps of an Indian ancestry came to my house. He asked, 'Is Natasha here'? I became very surprised. Who was that man and what was his relationship with Natasha.
He requested, 'May I come inside, its very cool out here!' I allowed him and told him to be seated. 'Who are you? and what can I do for you?' I asked.
He paused for a while and then started, 'Natasha is my wife. She is suffering from some sort of mental sickness'. He continued, 'It is not her first time, in the past she left our house twice, but within few days she came back'.
I asked if there was any problem between them. He strongly shook his head and expressed negative. He told that they both love each other and added, 'Natasha is pregnant. This time I was out stationed for work and she left our house. I checked the drawer and found that in my absence she had not taken any medicine. And I think so perhaps her mental problem again relapsed. I want her back home'.
Coincidentally Natasha returned at that moment. Seeing Michael - her husband she became furious. I walked up to Natasha and gave her hug patted her back and said, 'Please sit down my dear, and cool down'.
Like a good girl she sat down. I offered her a coffee saying, 'Let all of us drink and then hear patiently what Michael has to say'.
A second round of coffee was on and quietly we finished it. Actually Natasha's coffee was mixed with medicine that Michael passed on to me in between our talks earlier and advised to mix with any food. After an hour or more I noticed a change in Natasha. Her eyes became soft and body language turned sober.
Michael approached her very near and uttered, 'Darling let's go home. It is already late and I am hungry'. The words acted like a magic. Natasha stood up and softly said, 'Let's go'.
She picked up her bag and said me, 'Mum, I go then'. Natasha behaved as if nothing happened so far. She did not forget to hug me and whispered in my ear, 'Mom, my mom, I wont forget you' before she left my place.
I heard the sweetest words ever said to myself. I felt like to cry but I controlled myself however. Holding her close to my chest I told, 'Wish you my dear, a happy long life.'
Few months passed. I remained busy with work and also had overseas trips for work purposes. Then on one Sunday when I was working in my garden I saw Michael - Natasha's husband coming towards my house with a bundle of clothes holding carefully to his chest. I got up quickly and greeted him, 'Hello Mike, how are you?'. I felt bit worried and inquired about the health of Natasha. On his brown face I noticed a shadow of sorrow.
I invited him inside. He got himself seated and unwrapped the clothes bundle. I was shocked to see a baby may be a month old in Michel's clasp.
With tears he told, 'It is our daughter, forty five days old. One night when I was asleep, Natasha left the house again. The baby was in her neonatal stage only'.
He paused for a while. I was in suspense and could not wait to hear about what happened to Natasha. So I asked, 'What happened then'?.
'Then I fell in big trouble taking care of the baby. With lots of effort and help of a kind woman so far I kept her alive. But the kind woman is about to go on a prolonged holiday and is unable to help me any further. Still I hope for Natasha's coming back. For these transitional period I beg your kindness. Can you please keep her with you for sometime?'
He gave his baby to me. At that point first time I saw the baby's face. She is the true copy of Natasha. When I was in the hospital I used to find my daughter in Natasha. I used to think if I had married in my early age, I could have a daughter like Natasha.
Mike went away leaving the baby in my care and never came back. One day I collected Mike and Natasha's address from the hospital and went to their home. The house looked deserted as if nobody has stayed there for a long time. I went about to look for their next door neighbor. They informed me that they have not seen Michael for a long long time. Ever since then 'Rebeca' is with me. I named her. From a baby she became a toddler and started trying to walk and speak..
Time passes by quickly. Rebeca is now fifteen and she calls me Grandma. Sometimes she would ask me about her parents. She is the child of my daughter Natasha. Mike called me once and told he will come soon. But he also haven't showed up yet. Until now there is no trace of Natasha. Police also could not trace her.
I remember near Natasha's home I saw a big stream flowing with strong currents...
Thursday 28 April 2016
Thursday 21 April 2016
Under The Banyan
I had to go to another part of the country to the branch station of my research institute. It was located bit far from the head quarter. In the past I used to work in the agricultural research.
On that very day, I received a late evening instruction from my superior to collect some data, photographs and specimens due to a national issue arising that time as infestation by unknown organisms on one of the crop.
Next day I started early morning so that I can finish my job and return to office by late afternoon. Unfortunately due to heavy traffic on way because of a road accident I got delayed. When I reached my branch research station it was almost past mid afternoon.
After reaching the branch station I had a quick brunch and rushed for the field. At that time we were researching multiple crops on that site. As I didn't get any site stay order I was obliged to return back the same day and I had a seminar next day to report back my findings.
On way I carried tags, specimen collection kit, a record book and a camera with me in my ruck-sack.
As I reached the banyan tree near the field I saw a woman in red dancing joyfully on her own. I stepped towards and shouted, 'Hey, who are you? What you are doing here'?
She stopped dancing and froze. I repeated 'You know you can be charged for trespassing. Unauthorized person is not allowed to enter this place.'
She turned, stared towards me and angrily pointing her finger said, 'You bitch you are the trespasser and will be charged and punished'.
She continued, 'You entered my territory without my authorization and you better get lost.. fast!'
I noticed her eyes become reddened with anger as if like two fire balls. Considering her a crazy woman I felt it was better not to argue any further. I turned back and walked on the isle of my concerned piece of land.
But to my astonishment I felt my body as becoming very heavy. I was sweating tremendously. Soon I started feeling my legs are getting glued to the ground and my vision becoming blurry.
And then suddenly the nice breeze stopped. I wasn't sure why but I thought that it was happening may be due to tiredness and long distance travel of the day.
After having finished data and specimen collection and some photographs, I started walking back to the office. I did not see that woman. I felt happy thinking at least the woman did not dare ignoring me.
Feeling happy, I reached and opened the door of my temporary resting cabin assigned by my office and a sudden chilling shock made me numb. I saw that same lady from the vast crop fields was tearing apart all of my valuable papers.. It was the same woman under the banyan tree that I saw. I realized the room was icy cool and also the bed was pulled to the middle of the room.
I was shocked, puzzled and also felt quite afraid.
I gathered my courage and shouted out loudly, 'Hello, You.. You There!!' She turned her face towards me and then came rushing to the door. She gave me a hard slap on my face and vanished within a twinkle of eye.. and suddenly I felt the walls crumbling towards me.. the world getting dark.. and sound stood still..
I do not know how other people found me but next thing I remember that some of the people working in that remote substation helped me to revive me to my senses.
I could not return home that day. I discovered some broken pieces of red glass scattered on the door front and I could recall that those shards belonged to the bangles of that mysterious lady.
Next day in my office desk I pulled out all my data sheet from the previous day in a haste together with the specimen kit and photographs that I had collected the earlier fateful day.
To my utter shock I discovered the data sheets completely blank and the specimen jars empty! I felt like to faint a second time as the world started circling all around me.
All my colleagues stood surrounding my desk to see my findings they were staring down at me with an inquisitive look. I thought 'Oh, thanks God! I at least should have the photographs with me to shut their mouth and produce some proof that I didn't escape my duty.. which might go in my favor somehow'.
Then came the last nail in the coffin, all the photographs that came out from the negatives shown a superimposed figure.. none other than that of that wicked woman.. with a bewildered peculiar and mocking smile on her face..
The woman was successful in her challenge and revenge.
On that very day, I received a late evening instruction from my superior to collect some data, photographs and specimens due to a national issue arising that time as infestation by unknown organisms on one of the crop.
Next day I started early morning so that I can finish my job and return to office by late afternoon. Unfortunately due to heavy traffic on way because of a road accident I got delayed. When I reached my branch research station it was almost past mid afternoon.
After reaching the branch station I had a quick brunch and rushed for the field. At that time we were researching multiple crops on that site. As I didn't get any site stay order I was obliged to return back the same day and I had a seminar next day to report back my findings.
On way I carried tags, specimen collection kit, a record book and a camera with me in my ruck-sack.
As I reached the banyan tree near the field I saw a woman in red dancing joyfully on her own. I stepped towards and shouted, 'Hey, who are you? What you are doing here'?
She stopped dancing and froze. I repeated 'You know you can be charged for trespassing. Unauthorized person is not allowed to enter this place.'
She turned, stared towards me and angrily pointing her finger said, 'You bitch you are the trespasser and will be charged and punished'.
She continued, 'You entered my territory without my authorization and you better get lost.. fast!'
I noticed her eyes become reddened with anger as if like two fire balls. Considering her a crazy woman I felt it was better not to argue any further. I turned back and walked on the isle of my concerned piece of land.
But to my astonishment I felt my body as becoming very heavy. I was sweating tremendously. Soon I started feeling my legs are getting glued to the ground and my vision becoming blurry.
And then suddenly the nice breeze stopped. I wasn't sure why but I thought that it was happening may be due to tiredness and long distance travel of the day.
After having finished data and specimen collection and some photographs, I started walking back to the office. I did not see that woman. I felt happy thinking at least the woman did not dare ignoring me.
Feeling happy, I reached and opened the door of my temporary resting cabin assigned by my office and a sudden chilling shock made me numb. I saw that same lady from the vast crop fields was tearing apart all of my valuable papers.. It was the same woman under the banyan tree that I saw. I realized the room was icy cool and also the bed was pulled to the middle of the room.
I was shocked, puzzled and also felt quite afraid.
I gathered my courage and shouted out loudly, 'Hello, You.. You There!!' She turned her face towards me and then came rushing to the door. She gave me a hard slap on my face and vanished within a twinkle of eye.. and suddenly I felt the walls crumbling towards me.. the world getting dark.. and sound stood still..
I do not know how other people found me but next thing I remember that some of the people working in that remote substation helped me to revive me to my senses.
I could not return home that day. I discovered some broken pieces of red glass scattered on the door front and I could recall that those shards belonged to the bangles of that mysterious lady.
Next day in my office desk I pulled out all my data sheet from the previous day in a haste together with the specimen kit and photographs that I had collected the earlier fateful day.
To my utter shock I discovered the data sheets completely blank and the specimen jars empty! I felt like to faint a second time as the world started circling all around me.
All my colleagues stood surrounding my desk to see my findings they were staring down at me with an inquisitive look. I thought 'Oh, thanks God! I at least should have the photographs with me to shut their mouth and produce some proof that I didn't escape my duty.. which might go in my favor somehow'.
Then came the last nail in the coffin, all the photographs that came out from the negatives shown a superimposed figure.. none other than that of that wicked woman.. with a bewildered peculiar and mocking smile on her face..
The woman was successful in her challenge and revenge.
Tuesday 19 April 2016
The Little Girl and The King
I was saturated in a novel. Then my beloved affectionate granddaughter walked in who recently turned to three and half years old. She just woke up from her siesta. Having the door shut behind she crawled up my bed and coiled into my lap. I asked her if she had a good nap. She answered positively. I asked ,'Did you have a dream while you were in sleep?' She shook her head sideways. I showed my interest in listening to the story. With a sad expression she said, 'I saw a king .. a 'bad' king and I went to his palace, I just played; I did nothing but yet he scolded me'.
Naturally I felt very sad for her and wanted to say some comforting words.
Before that I happened to have asked her if she did any damage or plucked flowers or leaves from the king's garden. Confidently she replied in negative.
To ease her and to bring back her heavenly smiles I told that I would definitely talk and scold the king that night in my dream. A bright sunshine elongated on her face and my granddaughter looked very happy and de-stressed.
The story could have been finished here but rather here's a little extension regarding child psychology.
Since my heatlh is not good in my late age, soon after above conversation I had to retreat back to my overseas home for a respite. And later I sent a letter to my granddaughter narrating my visit with the king:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Me: 'Hey! king, why you scolded my granddaughter.?'King: 'Who is your granddaughter?'
Me: ' ..Strange! You should know her. She is the beautiful loveable child living beside your palace
The King went silent and I reiterated 'You did not answer my question'' and I
kept on asking and asked: 'Did she pluck flowers from your garden or any leaves thereof got damaged by herself?'
'Nothing she did', answered the king
'So why you behaved like this, you should know that such a cruel behaviour with a child is a crime'.
The king told that he really felt very sorry.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above letter made my granddaughter extremely happy.
There is a little more to this narrate. Actually when she told a bad king scolded her, my heart started bleeding. I thought that the king might be me, because that very day I actually scolded her for her naughty deeds.
My granddaughter relieved me saying, 'It was not you Nina, It was the king because he had the crown on his head'. Later I came to knew that after receiving the letter my granddaughter became very happy that she repeatedly kept asking the elder ones of the house to read the letter for her again and again.
But yet till date at the back of my mind I actually think the bad king was me and what she experienced in her dreams was just a mere reflection of my scolding that day..
I love you my baby.. I'm sorry for that day
Naturally I felt very sad for her and wanted to say some comforting words.
To ease her and to bring back her heavenly smiles I told that I would definitely talk and scold the king that night in my dream. A bright sunshine elongated on her face and my granddaughter looked very happy and de-stressed.
The story could have been finished here but rather here's a little extension regarding child psychology.
Since my heatlh is not good in my late age, soon after above conversation I had to retreat back to my overseas home for a respite. And later I sent a letter to my granddaughter narrating my visit with the king:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Me: 'Hey! king, why you scolded my granddaughter.?'King: 'Who is your granddaughter?'
Me: ' ..Strange! You should know her. She is the beautiful loveable child living beside your palace
The King went silent and I reiterated 'You did not answer my question'' and I
kept on asking and asked: 'Did she pluck flowers from your garden or any leaves thereof got damaged by herself?'
'Nothing she did', answered the king
'So why you behaved like this, you should know that such a cruel behaviour with a child is a crime'.
The king told that he really felt very sorry.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above letter made my granddaughter extremely happy.
There is a little more to this narrate. Actually when she told a bad king scolded her, my heart started bleeding. I thought that the king might be me, because that very day I actually scolded her for her naughty deeds.
My granddaughter relieved me saying, 'It was not you Nina, It was the king because he had the crown on his head'. Later I came to knew that after receiving the letter my granddaughter became very happy that she repeatedly kept asking the elder ones of the house to read the letter for her again and again.
But yet till date at the back of my mind I actually think the bad king was me and what she experienced in her dreams was just a mere reflection of my scolding that day..
I love you my baby.. I'm sorry for that day
How to preserve banana longer
I watched the video and found it as very helpful. I kept 4 bananas and consumed at 4th-6th day of storing. Colour of the skin changed but the taste, flavour and texture remain as same as a fresh one.
Friday 15 April 2016
A red bird and a coconut
Narrator of this story was my preschool going granddaughter...
A Bird.. a B-i-g Red Bird and a coconut was her story. My granddaughter possesses very strong imaginary power. She thinks the whole world is for her and so everybody should care for her and she also feels and cares for everyone. She will often mix her colourful imagination and interrelate herself with birds, plants, animals and weave an interesting story.
Last summer all of us went for a holiday to a very calm and peaceful place called Langkawi in Kedah district of Malaysia. It was an island, much secluded island.. rich with vegetation grown in tranquillity surrounded by a calm vast tropical turquoise sea. The long white sandy beaches were lined by many coconut trees with flowers and fruits on. The beauty of the island was just like a shy young woman with attractive youthfulness. We stayed at wooden beach front chalets in a very peaceful holiday resort. Red brick paths snaked through the gardens, pools, lakes and enclave of chalets.
One afternoon I was very tired and resting in my chalet. Then my granddaughter
stepped into my room with her tiny toddler feet. She walked up to my bedside. Then I noticed a small green coconut in her hand. With her tiny little palms she was holding the fruit to her chest very affectionately. The size of the fruit was a little bigger than a tennis ball.
Surprisingly I asked her what was there in her hand. To my astonishment without any hesitation and time spending she answered, "Grandma you know? There... 'oooh.. there' it was lying under the tree. There were two of these.. one very big and this one".
Keeping the coconut on my bed she tried to explain the size. Then she continued "But very neear to the fallen fruits a big red bird was sitting under the tree. As I walked to the coconut the bird said, 'Little Girl! do not take the big coconut, if you like you can take the small one. I would not mind'. So I collected this one and bring for you, Nina" lovingly she told.
I was amused and asked what bird was that. If it was a crow. With her eyes big and bright she answered confidently, 'No, that was big red bird'.
The story is very small , but explanation with her expression was very interesting.My grand daughter lives in her own world with lots of beautiful imaginations..
A Bird.. a B-i-g Red Bird and a coconut was her story. My granddaughter possesses very strong imaginary power. She thinks the whole world is for her and so everybody should care for her and she also feels and cares for everyone. She will often mix her colourful imagination and interrelate herself with birds, plants, animals and weave an interesting story.
Last summer all of us went for a holiday to a very calm and peaceful place called Langkawi in Kedah district of Malaysia. It was an island, much secluded island.. rich with vegetation grown in tranquillity surrounded by a calm vast tropical turquoise sea. The long white sandy beaches were lined by many coconut trees with flowers and fruits on. The beauty of the island was just like a shy young woman with attractive youthfulness. We stayed at wooden beach front chalets in a very peaceful holiday resort. Red brick paths snaked through the gardens, pools, lakes and enclave of chalets.
One afternoon I was very tired and resting in my chalet. Then my granddaughter
Surprisingly I asked her what was there in her hand. To my astonishment without any hesitation and time spending she answered, "Grandma you know? There... 'oooh.. there' it was lying under the tree. There were two of these.. one very big and this one".
Keeping the coconut on my bed she tried to explain the size. Then she continued "But very neear to the fallen fruits a big red bird was sitting under the tree. As I walked to the coconut the bird said, 'Little Girl! do not take the big coconut, if you like you can take the small one. I would not mind'. So I collected this one and bring for you, Nina" lovingly she told.
I was amused and asked what bird was that. If it was a crow. With her eyes big and bright she answered confidently, 'No, that was big red bird'.
The story is very small , but explanation with her expression was very interesting.My grand daughter lives in her own world with lots of beautiful imaginations..
Thursday 14 April 2016
Turbulence
That was the last evening after five monotonous hard working days. Mind blowing wind swinging the window curtain. On the window sill some vines enriched with violet flowers creeping down. Atmosphere inside the house very calm and quite. Only the words of her toddler daughter "Rasu" breaking the serenity of the house. Razowa was feeling very drowsy and lazy.. very relaxed actually.. "ohh, two days off.. time to relax.. and relax". Sitting on the couch she was almost sleepy, then the notorious house phone started ringing. Reluctantly she stood up and rushed to the phone "Oh, Razowa, hope you have not forgotten our plan on Monday. All will be in red and that'll be fun". Positively Razowa shook her head and started thinking about which red she will wear that day. Obviously she will have her red tops and ruby and that will be enough. She kept her eyes on fingers but nothing was there. And it was a precious ruby on twenty two karate gold. One of her favourite and was presented by her hubby on her last birthday. She started looking for the lost gem. She often used to wear that very precious gem. She searched the vanity corner of her dressing table, the big office bag and even the purse inside. But it is no there.where! Is it vanished? It couldn't be found anywhere. Where is the precious hiding! A cold chill sparked from toe to head of her body.. She felt as if she was on a roller coaster. She felt very agitated and felt very disturbed. Her blood pressure shot up and she felt as storm-tossed "My beautiful ruby...my beautiful ruby" she groaned within herself. Then the suspicion started to fall on everybody.. Every possible man and woman. She asked Farida, the teenage if she had seen her ring. The girl denied. Is it Fatima who entered her bed to give the bed tea and eventually picked up the ruby that she might have carelessly left on the dressing table top, or had it might been the part time cleaner!
Why not the typist came to show the draft? She asked the cook with hoarse voice about the ring. Trembling in fear she answered negatively in her colloquial language. The list of suspects became bigger and bigger. But in vain...
Feeling fatigued Razowa sat down on the couch with her daughter's toys at her step. She was staring at the dolls with blank eyes and mind. Suddenly.. yes.. sudenlly she saw something sparkling on the neck of home made fabric doll. Tomorrow is the wedding of her daughter's doll. She bent down and discovered the ruby!!! Oh God, thanks i got it!! - Razowa thought.Without any reason she suspected and mentally tortured and humiliated so many persons. Why? How she dare to behave so savage because she hold the upper status.. and they..If i could draw an end of the story here that could be fine.but alas!something pathetic happened in Razowa's life. then came monday,the whole day she spent very busy.But while returning home Razowa met an accident.A road accident and she lost her finger.She did not lose the ring but lost her beautiful ring finger on which she used to wear the ruby-the favourite.
Why not the typist came to show the draft? She asked the cook with hoarse voice about the ring. Trembling in fear she answered negatively in her colloquial language. The list of suspects became bigger and bigger. But in vain...
Feeling fatigued Razowa sat down on the couch with her daughter's toys at her step. She was staring at the dolls with blank eyes and mind. Suddenly.. yes.. sudenlly she saw something sparkling on the neck of home made fabric doll. Tomorrow is the wedding of her daughter's doll. She bent down and discovered the ruby!!! Oh God, thanks i got it!! - Razowa thought.Without any reason she suspected and mentally tortured and humiliated so many persons. Why? How she dare to behave so savage because she hold the upper status.. and they..If i could draw an end of the story here that could be fine.but alas!something pathetic happened in Razowa's life. then came monday,the whole day she spent very busy.But while returning home Razowa met an accident.A road accident and she lost her finger.She did not lose the ring but lost her beautiful ring finger on which she used to wear the ruby-the favourite.
Wednesday 13 April 2016
SHREDDED MEAT OR FISH STIRFRY
KULSUM'S (MY MOTHER) RECIPE
Often at the end of the day (after lunch / dinner) some pieces of meat or fish are left (without any gravy). My heavenly mother used to prepare very tasty dish out of that left over meat or fish. Now I mention below her recipe from our golden childhood days.
INGREDIENTS:
Fry the potato lightly with a pinch of turmeric and little salt. Keep aside.
Now pour some oil in the pan, add finely chopped onion, garlic, ginger, salt, bayleaf, cinnamon, cardamom, little turmeric and little water. Stir them well. When it is about to dry, add the meat or fish.
Stir well again and add water (if it is fish then only 2 tablespoon full water is enough).
When water recedes down to the bottom of the pan, add all the potato (fish shreds are better without potato).
Reduce the flame, after a while add the big pieces of the onion. When water almost dries up add lemon juice, lemon leaf. Fry well. Taste it. If needed add more salt and add a pinch of sugar, black pepper and cumin powder. At last mix coriander leaf and green chili. Cover the pan and leave it on the oven. Now it is ready.
You will feel happy as you could make use of the left overs and can add a very tasty extra recipe on the table.
- Meat -Bone removed and mashed manually or hammered; or
Fish -Bone removed and mashed - Potato 2 medium size chopped to small cubes
- Ginger paste 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic Paste 1 teaspoon
- Oil as required
- Bayleaf 1 leaf
- Cinnamon 1 inch size stick
- Cardamom 1 piece
- Ground Turmeric 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground Cumin 1 pinch
- Ground Black Pepper 1/4th teaspoon
- Green Chili 2 whole
- Chopped Coriander Leaf - as required
- Lemon Juice 1 table spoon
- Salt according to taste
- Sugar little only for the meat / not needed for the fish
- Fine chopped onion 1 Tablespoon
- Coarsely chopped onion 3 Tablespoon
- Lime leaf 2 or 3
- Water
Fry the potato lightly with a pinch of turmeric and little salt. Keep aside.
Now pour some oil in the pan, add finely chopped onion, garlic, ginger, salt, bayleaf, cinnamon, cardamom, little turmeric and little water. Stir them well. When it is about to dry, add the meat or fish.
Stir well again and add water (if it is fish then only 2 tablespoon full water is enough).
When water recedes down to the bottom of the pan, add all the potato (fish shreds are better without potato).
Reduce the flame, after a while add the big pieces of the onion. When water almost dries up add lemon juice, lemon leaf. Fry well. Taste it. If needed add more salt and add a pinch of sugar, black pepper and cumin powder. At last mix coriander leaf and green chili. Cover the pan and leave it on the oven. Now it is ready.
You will feel happy as you could make use of the left overs and can add a very tasty extra recipe on the table.
Tuesday 12 April 2016
Paranormal
Supernatural stories attracts people of all age and gender. Since ancient times people fascinates on supernatural things. People love to be scared by the thrilling stories. I do not believe in paranormal things like ghosts, fairies, zombies or any other other worldly entities. But I love to listen to the mysterious stories and love to watch movies on such topics. My body and hair stand up, and my heartbeat becomes faster. I am going to narrate a mysterious thing that I witnessed together with my mother..
Its a true incident and I do not have any explanation of it. It was the year 1972 and I was at in my twenties. During a vacation that year my parents intended to visit our village home and i accompanied them. The village was far far away from the city and was devoid of any modern amenities like electricity and direct water supply etc. With the sunset the whole community used to plunged into complete darkness.
After whole day travelling by the time we reached near to the bazaar set at the vicinity of the village it was already very dark. It was mid summer and there was no breeze at all. Most of the shops were about to close down for the evening and some already shut down. Luckily we could buy some sweets from the sweetshop.
Our village home was just about a mile away from the market. After proceeding few yards we felt the dark. The moon was casting a very feeble light. It was even hard to see what laid ahead or even the winding pathway. Luckily my father brought a torchlight with him and that became handy to help us keep walking.
We formed up to walk in a line and follow my father's lead with me being the last one in the troop. We walked on top of a very narrow isle rising between recently harvested paddy fields. We could spot different localities by patches of faint lantern lights trying to spear through the darkness. The walk felt like an endless venture..
I was carrying the sweets in my hand suddenly I heard a foot step just behind me.. I felt somebody's presence. I thought it might be a local dweller returning from the market. I looked behind and could not see anybody. I thought maybe I heard wrongly and I continued to walk. Shortly afterwards I again started to feel someone's presence behind me. I started feeling scared and ice-cool wave shivered down my spine. Although scared but out of shyness i did not draw my parents attention thinking I might become a laughing stock later. After a while thanks to God my mother asked me if i would like to go in the middle. I happily agreed and changed place.
After walking another quarter of an hour we reached our family graveyard which marks the boundary of our village. After reaching our dwelling I forgot everything about the weird feelings left behind.
But after several days I shared the story with my mother. With big eyes and breathlessly she listened to the story and said she also had the same feelings that evening after she switched her position and moved to the end of the line. Later, we shared our experience with our relatives. They told actually almost halfway of the path there is a tomb..
We came to the conclusion that ghostly presence picked up on us and followed as we had been carrying sweets. And when we reached near the family graveyard it might have been that our spirits of our ancestors from the graveyard chased the unearthly follower away..
Still to date I do not have any explanation of this whole experience..
Saturday 9 April 2016
Waiting
Yes, I knew her..
I met her quite a number of times. Sometimes with reasons and sometimes without. We met and spoken with each other several times. A beautiful woman she was. Neither too tall nor too short, brown complexioned, big poetic eyes and long black curly hair. She was not a paragon of beauty but was attractive. Modest was her attire and soothing was her behaviour. She was passing her days and I was mine. The clock was moving its own way. I was busy and nothing mentionable happened for long time..
One day I saw her going from pharmacy to pharmacy. Out of curiosity and courtesy I asked her what good medicine brought her here from long twenty five miles from her home. Sadly she answered "An injection". I did not go into any further query.
After few days I came to know that beauty is suffering from cancer. The dreadful disease was grasping all her energy, devouring her beauty and slowly killing her. I had chance to visit her. Lowly paid the woman... let us call her Latika, she had a very artistic mind. Every nook and corner of her house carried the impression of her sense of beauty. I knew as a cancer patient she is progressing to the land of no return. But I could not think that it will happen so quickly and her end will be so pathetic..
At her death bed Latika was waiting for her husband, who used to work far away from Latika. She waited for quite a long time. She was waiting and she was waiting. Her thumb keep on counting.. one hour.. two hour..
The train her husband was travelling on was not coming yet..
With her thumb in counting she expired.. Started her journey to the other world. Still she is counting, and waiting for her beloved husband.. one hour.. two hour.. when the train will reach!!!
I met her quite a number of times. Sometimes with reasons and sometimes without. We met and spoken with each other several times. A beautiful woman she was. Neither too tall nor too short, brown complexioned, big poetic eyes and long black curly hair. She was not a paragon of beauty but was attractive. Modest was her attire and soothing was her behaviour. She was passing her days and I was mine. The clock was moving its own way. I was busy and nothing mentionable happened for long time..
One day I saw her going from pharmacy to pharmacy. Out of curiosity and courtesy I asked her what good medicine brought her here from long twenty five miles from her home. Sadly she answered "An injection". I did not go into any further query.
After few days I came to know that beauty is suffering from cancer. The dreadful disease was grasping all her energy, devouring her beauty and slowly killing her. I had chance to visit her. Lowly paid the woman... let us call her Latika, she had a very artistic mind. Every nook and corner of her house carried the impression of her sense of beauty. I knew as a cancer patient she is progressing to the land of no return. But I could not think that it will happen so quickly and her end will be so pathetic..
At her death bed Latika was waiting for her husband, who used to work far away from Latika. She waited for quite a long time. She was waiting and she was waiting. Her thumb keep on counting.. one hour.. two hour..
The train her husband was travelling on was not coming yet..
With her thumb in counting she expired.. Started her journey to the other world. Still she is counting, and waiting for her beloved husband.. one hour.. two hour.. when the train will reach!!!
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| {{PD-1923}} | Copyright: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/deed.en |
Tree Whispers
Not only the plant itself, also the leaves and flowers do talk. It only takes one to be attentive and a good listener to hear their magical whispers.
They whisper and they talk with each other in gentle murmuring. They have their own language that a good listener can translate..
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| A giant Spanish Cherry Tree |
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| Spanish Cherry Flower |
chased by obsession.. I used to collect those cherry flowers, keep them on the table or place them in between the pages of my school text books. I heard the whispering of flowers under this tree for the first time. While collecting the flowers they called me "Hey.. come.. we are here". Then another call I could hear "I am behind you.." and another low voice.. "Please, do not forget me, I'm just near your step".
I had a friendship with them. You may ask about the voice. I promise it is neither the voice of a man nor a woman, that of neither a boy nor a little girl. It was something soft, clear, soothing but loud enough to unmistakably pickup.
Through out my life I had these types of conversations with plants, trees, vines and even grasses! So many times they spoken with me, and there are so many memories I have! But least I want to elaborate to let you loose your patience..
You just take a walk to the trees with an open heart and try listen to the plants whisper! ..I'm sure with the perfect love for nature you also would..
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