Wounds from the grave - Part 3

Being a Saturday, the mall was filled with people. John looked around to comprehend the intensity of the damage if the bomb did burst before he could evacuate the crowd. 

"Jawaan, take the entire troop and start searching the nook and corner of the mall for any bomb. I want two of you to start checking the crowd if you find anyone suspicious”, he ordered his troop of officers.

John was busy searching for the reception of the mall when heard an announcement.

 
“WE ARE SORRY TO INFORM YOU THAT THIS PLACE IS UNDER BOMB THREAT. WE REQUEST YOU ALL TO KINDLY EVACUATE THE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" 

John couldn't believe what he heard. The crowd started to run helter skelter. He had no time to loose he had to see to it that the entire crowd was out of the mall. The walkie-talkie beeped and he picked it up to answer, “Sir the bomb is near the lift in the first floor. There is hardly any time to defuse it.” His junior spoke in a hasty fashion.

John kept the walkie-talkie and realized that he was near the lift. Before he could think of his next move he felt someone push him off the window and he was flying against the pull of gravity. His eyes closed and body light, he heard a devastating noise behind him and fell to the ground. He tried to open his eyes that had turned moist. 

Dirt particles were filled in his eyes while he tried to scratch them.
                                        

He was still in some kind of illusion when he heard someone familiar.“Are you ok John?”

John struggled to open his eyes. His vision initially blurred finally settled down and he could see Arvind fallen down next to him. “Dude..... Oh Man, was that you who pushed me down?” John asked him excitedly. He tried to get up and see if he was really safe. Turning around he saw that the mall was on fire but everyone was evacuated and he was happy that his mission was a success.

He went ahead to thank Arvind when he heard his mobile ring, it flashed Alina. “John, where are you?” Alina screamed crying on the phone. “Baby, what is it? Are you fine?” John was worried.

“John I am waiting at the restaurant near our house. Please come soon”, She spoke hurriedly and hung the call. 

Arvind agreed to accompany John. They reached the restaurant and found Alina sitting in a corner with the face covered. Seeing John she ran to his arms and hugged him.

 “Alina, What is it?”

Alina was shivering when she began to speak, “John, where have you been? I was alone in the house....” She continued to cry as she spoke in fear. “I ran to pick your call when the power supply went off. I suddenly heard a noise from the bedroom and went to see who it was when I realized that it was the stalker”

John’s eyes became wide open when he realized what Alina had been through. He made her sit on the chair close by and then she continued.

 “John, I couldn’t see his face clearly as he had a hat on his head. He came close John…. Very close….to… to kiss me.”, She crushed her fingers on her clothes as she spoke.

 “At that moment my hands grabbed the vase on the table and I hit him on his head and ran out of the bedroom. I am scared if I killed him John. I ran with no clue of what to do next. I immediately took my mobile and called you”, she continued crying and held him tightly.

Arvind who had been hearing the entire story suggested that they should go home and check if the stalker was still there. John held Alina’s hands and went with Arvind to their house.

He stealthily entered the house and switched on the lights to see that the supply was still cut. Arvind put his hand into his pocket and removed a lighter. Heled the way and John followed with Alina beside him. They slowly walked to the bedroom making as much less noise as possible. In the shadow of the light from the lighter he turned around to see Alina. She still had drops of tears left in her chin. But, her eyes looked a little fresh. He stared at her for a second and realized the fear she must have been through. Alina who was busy looking around to see if the stalker was anywhere stopped wandering when her gaze fell on John who had been noticing her. She gave him a slight smile and held his hands even tighter.

Arvind hid his lighter and opened the door of the bedroom slowly so that no one could see them entering. He slowly looked around the room with John following him. They looked at every corner of the room but no one was to be found. Alina heaved a sigh of relief that no one was there. Arvind left the two of them in the bedroom and ran to check the fuse. John made Alina sit on the bed and searched the room again. Within a few minutes the power supply was back and John found that the entire room was in a mess.

 “Thanks Bro. Thanks for all the help”, He thanked Arvind.

 Arvind left and John couldn’t sleep the whole night. Alina’s safety had become very critical. He had to shift her to a safer place where the stalker could not reach her and he could get enough time to search for the stalker.

He woke up by 5.00 am the next morning and packed Alina’s clothes in a small suitcase. He made breakfast and woke her up. “Alina, take bath and get ready soon. We are going to your father’s house”, He spoke in a flow as he was tying his watch on his wrist.

In an hour’s time they were outside “Varghese Villa”. Alina’s father who was in his 70’s stood outside to welcome them. John had called him early in the morning and informed him that he would be leaving Alina for a day at his place as he had to go on an urgent trip to Darjeeling. John had taken care not to inform him about anything that happened the previous night.

“Alina, you are going to be ok. Don’t let dad know about anything. I don’t want him to be worried. I will solve this case by evening” He assured Alina. She trusted him and hugged him saying she would be fine and brave.

John got into the car and waved her “Bye” when Alina ran to him. She stood near the car and whispered, “I will wait for you John. Come soon”

Alina sat speaking to her dad. She made sure that she didn't give him a hint about the stalker. She realized that it had been quite some time since she had sat and spoken her heart out to her Dad. They enjoyed the yummy Keralite lunch and Mr. Varghese left to his bedroom for his afternoon nap. Alina walked to her bedroom to see if it was still the same as she had left it 2 years back.

The bedroom door was open and she found the fan running inside.

“Hello, Ms. Beautiful”, came a voice from behind.

Alina turned behind to see the stalker stand in front of her. She could feel her blood race through her veins. She knew she couldn’t escape today.

“You hit me hard yesterday, dear. But I made my way out of your house just when you’re so called courageous husband came in alongwith you.”

She couldn’t bear the smell as he came closer to you.

“Alina, my sweetheart. Who is going to help you today? You husband is on some mission and your dad. He can hardly walk.” He laughed out loud as he spoke. He came close to her and held her tightly on her shoulders. He began to hurt her. Today he was not empty handed. He had a knife in his tucked inside his vest.

Alina was shivering, she started praying her last wish when she realized that she wasn’t going to make it. He pushed her to the wall and held out the knife in the direction to strike her. She screamed as he came close enough to hurt her and exactly at that minute the bedroom door flung open.

 “Ravi Verma, drop your knife and turn around”, John stood at the door. He was accompanied by five officers who made their way inside the room and caught hold of the stalker. Alina let herself loose and ran to John.

“John...... John......(crying)  I thought it was all over.” She wiped her tears.

 “I thought I wouldn’t see you again, You made it John. You made it. You came to save me......... My last wish (sobbing)...John...”

She hugged him and continued., “My last wish was to see you …..” She continued to cry when John spoke.

“Alina, it’s not me whom you should thank. Thank my friend.” John summoned the man behind the door to come out.

“Arvind.....”,

Arvind walked from behind the door wearing a police uniform and a gun in his hand.

“Oh John!!! Don’t give me the credit. It was my duty”. Arvind spoke and turned around to Alina.

“Mrs. Mathews, we just saved you from the criminal who was on his run out of the prison.” Arvind spoke much to her amazement.

“Ravi Verma was caught in a drug smuggling case a year ago. And the person who had arrested him was none other than your intelligent husband, John”, Alina who was still standing close to John turned to look at him

“Ravi, the stalker was involved in a major drug racket. It had taken the department a hell lot of time and loss of civilary to arrest him. It so happened that Ravi’s wife was a kind woman. She had no clue about his wrong doings. She couldn’t digest the shock that her husband was a rogue.”

“ Ravi was arrested on charges of smuggling on the 16^th of June, 2011. She was completely devastated and his truth brought her shame. Unable to bear this humiliation, she committed suicide leaving her 5 year old son in the care of a nanny." Alina continued to give a kind ear to Arvind.

"In spite of Ravi being a criminal, he loved his wife very dearly and it was his love that had caused him to hide all this from her.” Arvind waved to the junior officers to take Ravi to the nearest police station.

Alina heard Ravi's past but she was confused as to why he was stalking her. “Arvind, I don’t understand why should he come behind me? What harm have I done to him?”

“It is not you Alina, it is John whom he wanted to take revenge off. He spent a year in jail and took sometime to plan the correct hour of his escape. His advocate, a criminal lawyer helped him in this plan." Alina who was still in a state of shock sat on the bed close to her.

"Now you must be wondering how do i know the entire story of Ravi?" Alina shook her head in acceptance.

"I was kept on a mission to search for him. I opened his case file and found that John had arrested him. On furthur investigation it was revealed that his wife had committed suicide on the day he was arrested. We knew that he couldn't have escaped without somebody's help. That was when we tracked his lawyer. On gun's point his lawyer accepted the truth and left us with a huge clue." Arvind had lost his breath and drank a glass of water.

"The clue was John. The advocate had blurted out that Ravi was in search of John. I concluded that he was going to harm John and since then I had been following John to catch Ravi red handed. I saved John a couple of times,from the truck accident and the bomb blast. This was the only way I could gain his trust. I was on a mission and I couldn’t have given John any clue about my identity.”

“On the day of the blast I revealed my identity to John when you had called to the restaurant. I led you both to the bedroom to find no one there. I went to turn on the fuse and noticed a photo lying near the switchboard. On seeing closely I realized that it was Ravi’s wife. That was when I confirmed that the person stalking you was Ravi Verma. I informed John about Ravi’s case  in your absence and we planned to bring you here.”

Alina’s question was still unanswered. “Alina I am coming to you. Ravi knew that killing John would give him a temporary suffering. He wanted to punish him for his entire life. He wanted him to endure all the pain similar to what he had endured when he saw his wife lay motionless before him. And hence he decided to kill you. You are John’s priceless possession and what could ”

 “We knew that he would come after you here and we caught him red handed”. Arvind heaved a sigh of relieaf as he finished.

Alina felt hard to digest what she had heard. She was happy that John was safe.

                                                                 

Ravi was put behind bars and held in charges of “Attempt to murder”. Arvind went back to Darjeeling after completing his mission successfully. Arvind continues to be John’s best companion.

“Jaan, come home soon today. I have a surprise planned for you” Alina walked outside the cake shop, speaking to John on the phone.

“I am sorry sweetheart. I have to rush to Darjeeling tonight. A drug peddlar is on his run.......”

Wounds from the grave - Part 2

"What's in your hand Alina?" John enquired.

Alina tried to adjust her kurta while she crushed the paper within her fingers. "Oh this paper!!" she smiled and tried to get into the house. "It was just some flier, Johny. I think some salesman must have left it here."

She walked past him to avoid him.

"Alina, are you trying to hide something from me?" Alina stopped and turned to John

"Me!!! No John. Why would i hide something from you? Infact what is there to hide from you", She went close to him and tried to look into his eyes to make him believe her.

"Don't look into my eyes and lie Alina. We have been married for 2 years and I can very well figure out if u lie or if you speak the truth!! Damn it !!!" He turned away from her and banged the table that was next to her.

She was startled for a second. "If i don't open up to John now it would be late" she murmured to herself.

He turned towards her, his eyes red with anger. "Alina, I have figured out everything. It's better you speak up before I make assumptions. "

"John", her voice started to choke as he spoke. "John somebody has been stalking me lately". She started to tell him everything from what happened at the mall till the letter she crushed. 

"So much has happened Alina and you are telling me all this so late", he held her shoulders and questioned,"What if something would have happened to you? I can't even imagine Alina"

He continued, "Tell me Alina, is there anything else that you have hidden. Am sure this stalker knows you. Is he your ex- lover or someone? Tell me Alina. Why are you quiet? Damn it!!!"

He left her crying and walked out of the house without giving her a chance to speak.

Alina sat alone in the dining room sobbing. She was caught in her thoughts. She struggled to contact John. She cursed herself for hiding everything from John. "I wish i had told him everything. He wouldn't have suspected me. Everything is my mistake." She spoke to herself.

She sat in the sofa looking at the clock. It struck 10.00 PM and there was no news about John. He had been out since 7.30 in the evening. She had tried calling him but his mobile was not reachable. She tried to call his friends to see if he was at their place. But it was all a waste of time.

"I will take care of her. You don't have to worry", John remembered the words he had spoken to Alina's father when they were married and he had been true to these words. There had never been a day when he had left her alone. "How could she have hidden this from me?" He kept questioning himself. "Have I no been a good husband to her"

He had no track of where he was walking. Lost in his thoughts and in her's he just kept walking. He tried to cross the road. Without looking on both the sides, he started crossing the road when a truck crossed in full speed honking loudly. Whooooooosh !!!!

 It was a narrow escape and thanks to the person who had caught John's hands and saved him from going under the wheels of the truck.

"Hello Mr. Are you trying to get yourself killed or something?" The good samaritan who had just saved him asked him. 

John who was still not able to come out of the shock was trying his best to speak. "I.... I ...." he muttered. "Thank you so much Sir." He tried to let out words..

"I was just lost in some thoughts. Thank you very much for saving my life" John smiled.

"You are lucky that I saved you today. You can't get lucky always. You got to watch the road and walk man." The man cautioned John.

John said he would be safe and took a taxi home. He didn't speak a word to Alina and slept on an empty stomach.


Alina got up the next morning to see that John had already left for work. John was the "Officer" in charge at the Crime Bureau of Investigation. John was known for his intelligent actions taken while cracking any investigation cases. He was smart, quick witted and always on his toes where he smelt crime.

The day had started on a sad note. For the first time in two years he had left his house without kissing Alina on her forehead. But she was all who was on his head. He hated lies and she had lied to him. 

"Green Park" restaurant across the road was famous for continental cuisine. John had almost fainted in hunger. He walked in to the restaurant and ordered for a bread sandwich and a cup of tea. He paid the bill and started to walk out when he could sense some confusion behind him.

"Sir, I am extremely sorry. I forgot my purse. Give me sometime I shall come back and pay the bill", the customer pleaded.
"Sorry Sir we can't let you go", the owner spoke rudely.

John gave a closer look and realised that the customer was the same guy who had saved him the previous day.

"Sirji, what is the bill amount? I shall clear it."He asked the owner.
"Rs. 200 Sir", the owner replied.

"Thank you so much for helping me out", the customer thanked John.
"Sir, don't you remember me. You saved me from going under the wheels of the truck yesterday. This was just a small help i could do for you", John replied calmly.
The customer smiled and stretched his hands forward to wish him, giving his introduction, "This is Arvind. And we have been meeting each other often? No wonder the world is indeed very small"
John smiled, "Hey Arvind!! I am John Mathews" They spoke for a while and parted.

John walked into his cabin and found his lunch box in his table with a small note.

" Please eat your lunch. I am sorry for everything. I don't have words to express how guilty I am. Hope you forgive me soon. Eat well.

Love,
Alina. "

John smiled as he read the letter. His love weighed more than his doubt and anger. He left home early that evening and bought her orchids. Alina was all the more happy that everything was fine between them now and the stalker had not troubled her the whole day.

The next day morning she opened the door to find another envelope. Without opening it she took it to John. John opened it and read,

" Alina, don't think I am quiet. I haven't forgotten you. I will come again soon."

Alina was scared but she knew John would take care of everything. John decided to find out who it was.

He reached his office and began with the investigation the save the woman he loved.

It was 6 in the evening and he had not found a clue yet. His mobile rang and he picked it up.

" Sir. I have information that there is a bomb at phoenix mall. I can't give you any more information." before John could say anything the call was cut.

He immediately left with his team to the mall and tried calling Alina to inform her when she didn't answer.

Alina was in her bedroom when John had called. She reached late to answer the call and the call was cut. On trying to call him again, she realised that her phone was dead and current had suddenly gone.

She walked to the kitchen to light a candle and "Dhadham!!!" A loud noise was heard from the bedroom.

Alina slowly and cautiously walked to the bedroom when she started to get the weird smell again. Her body began to perspire.

" I will come again soon ", she remembered the stalkers words.

" Is he back ?" Her thoughts surrounded him.

The smell had become strong by now. He was somewhere close to her. She tried to search ford her mobile but she couldn't find it.

Her pulse raised as the scent became strong. Her leg hit the corner of the bed and she fell with the candle burning out.

" Is this what you are looking for Alina ? " she heard a voice from behind.

There stood a man with a hat on his head holding her mobile in h hand and a candle in his left.

" Who are you ?" Alina screamed.
" Sshhhhhh !!!!Don't scream honey someone may hear", he spoke softly.

She tried to see his face but she couldn't because of the hat. " I have been so eager to meet you " he spoke and came closer to her. She started to move back.

" Wow. It would be nice to have a feast over you", he went close enough so that his lips could touch his.......

                                                   

To be continued.........

Wounds from the grave

The sun had set and the moon was making its way to enlighten the dark sky. The mild thunder and the wild breeze had made the weather pleasant. Hearing the thunder she ran to the terrace to pick the clothes she had put for drying. Switching on the lights in her bedroom, she sat folding the clothes.

Alina Mathews, a tall slender woman in her late 20's looked much younger than her age. Her black silky hair was long enough to touch her arms. She looked at the clock, it showed 7.30 and she knew John her beloved husband would be home soon.

The breeze had started to turn into a whirlwind by now in the hill station where they lived. The windows began to bang as the winds began to bang and show their magnificence. Alina decided to close it and walked towards the window. She struggled to fight with the strong winds and close the window when something caught her eye. She could see the lights in her neighbour's house and the shadow of a person with a hat on his head.

" Mrs. Khanna had said they would be back only after a week from Darjeeling. How are the lights switched on in their house ?"  She thought to herself.

She gave a closer look to confirm what she saw. The shadow began to move and she could feel her pulse increase. Alina couldn't believe what she saw and was almost going to scream when she felt someone's hand in her shoulder.

Startled with the touch she screamed and turned around to see John standing in front of her. "Alina you are here and I have been searching the entire house for you " John enquired. She didn't hear what he spoke and in the fraction of a second hugged him tightly.

"What's it sweetheart?" John questioned.
Alina's voice shivered as she spoke. "John I saw a shadow in aunty Khanna's house. It scared the hell out of me. Come here”, she pulled his arm hurriedly, “Wahan dekho”, she pointed to the direction of aunty’s house.
“Can you see him, John? ", she held his arms and questioned.
" No one’s there Alina.  You must be dreaming dear. I am very tired. Can you get me a cup of coffee please Love ?" John tried to divert her attention.

A confused Alina was still finding it difficult to accept what she had seen. She finally concluded that it was her imagination and hallucination.
She was busy making coffee in the kitchen when John came and hugged her from the back and whispered into her ears. " Alina its been long since we have gone shopping. Shall we make it tomorrow love ?"
She turned back held his face between her palms and replied, " I am the luckiest girl J in the world to have a husband who is so eager to take his wife for shopping " She went close to him and passionately kissed him.

Alina wore a blue denim and a pista green t-shirt which covered her body just perfectly to reveal her curves. She had tied her hair like a pony tail and wore matching accessories. She waited outside the Phoenix mall for John.

John finally arrived half an hour late to meet Alina who had been boiling in anger waiting impatiently for him. "John how long will you take? Why do you like to keep me waiting all the time?"
"Sorry dear I was caught up in heavy traffic." He managed to calm her down.
She picked up two kurtis and went inside the trial room. Her first kurti was small in size and the second one didn't suit her. She opened the door and asked John to bring her another kurti. She tried it and it was elegant J.
Walking out of the trail room she was busy setting her dress right when she felt a strange smell of scent and that someone was noticing her. The smell was weird and something very unique and strong. She turned around to see who it was. But again it was her imagination as no one very peculiar was there. The customers were busy shopping.

 She began searching for John. He was nowhere to be found. She paid the bill and walked outside the shop still searching for him. John was busy talking on the phone. Seeing her with bags john came to her rescue, "Where were you John ? I was searching for you.", she enquired raising her tone. 
"It was an urgent call Alina, I had to receive it. Sorry dear.” He replied leaving her wondering, “This was the kind of shopping you wanted to take me?”.

“Hmmmm it’s fine, anyway I chose the kurti you gave me in the dressing room Honey, It was so pretty.”, she went close and cuddled him. “How do you find such cute stuffs?” she continued.
“Which Kurti, Alina? I didn’t give you any. I told you I was on an urgent call ",(Bang……) He replied leaving her bewildered.
“What!!!!!” She screamed with her eyebrows raised. “If you were out on a call, then who was it who gave me the  kurti ? " she was awestruck. John looked at her wondering. (Why was she so astonished and serious!!)
John thought for a while and replied "The sales girl would have given you honey ".
                                          
Alina was lost in her thoughts again, she thought if she was imagining things or was it really happening. She held John's hand and calmed herself thinking , " Nothing can happen to me when he is with me ".

The next morning Alina was fresh and began her morning chores. Sharp at 7.00 AM the milk man would drop milk packets at the door and as always she went to pick them up. Opening the door she could smell something weird. The smell of a strong scent, she felt it familiar. She kept wondering something strange was happening. The smell was similar to the one at the shopping mall.

She bent down to pick up the milk packets when she saw a white envelope outside her door. She turned to see who it was addressed to.  The envelope was blank. She turned to walk inside her house when she heard footsteps running fast and the smell was even more stronger.

“I think it is the same person at the mall. I can find out who it is”, she ran to the steps to figure out who the stranger was, alas there was no one to be seen. Disappointed she went back home and opened the letter with an inquisitive look in her eyes. The letter was written in black ink and the handwriting looked very familiar. It read,


" Alina hope the kurti fit you yesterday, remember the one I gave you in the trial room ? It must have looked so good on you !! I failed to see it yesterday. Can you wear it for me today evening and come to meet me at Eden gardends at 6.00PM.
A king request please come alone.


Yours,
Your well wisher "

Alina's heart beat fast, she was confused whether she should share it with John. She was scared if this may hurt john or the unknown person may hurt john. She finally decided to tell john later and decided to meet the "Mr. X" alone.

At 6.00 PM sharp she stood outside the gates of Eden gardens wearing the same kurti he had asked her to wear. A foray of thoughts crowded her mind. "Why I am here? Why did I come here without informing John? What if someone is playing the fool with me?"
She kept questioning herself and looking at her watch. The strong smell again started to linger around and she was sure “Mr.X” was around. She turned around but she couldn’t see anything unfamiliar, but she was sure he was around. It struck 7 and she realized that she was standing at the same place and no one had turned up.

Impatiently she left the place and took an auto home. She reached home to see John inside the house and another envelope at her door step. Worried and scared she picked it up. It read,


 "I told you to come alone. Why was John at the garden ?"

She felt the earth move beneath her feet. Had John come to know about it. She crushed the paper in her hands hoping nobody had seen her. Just then she heard someone open her house door,
 "Alina where were you?" John stood at the door......


Who was it following Alina? How did John get to know about the haunter?
To be continued….

How about playing needle and thread???

Welcome to my “Activity Post”!!!

Moving from writing short stories to events about my life and from entries for contests to social stuff, I decided to try a different genre this time. Here, I present you my very first “Activity Post”.

 I am going to blog about the things I do in my leisure time. When I was in the 4^th std, I remember we had “Needle work” classes every Tuesday in the last 3 hours. I can reminisce that I would look forward to these classes and would enjoy it. Learning the basics in school I would try them out during summer vacations and slowly I started learning embroidery too from my mother ( My teacher in every aspect of life! Love you MOM). She taught me the basic stitches and taught me how to learn discover new ways to use those stitches.

Embroidery and designing my clothes with beads and sequences comes naturally to me. You can call it my hobby or my leisure time activity. Although I am not trained in it, I work on small designs in my salwars just to add to the beauty.

Have you thought while buying a dress that you could actually spend some time in designing and making it look elegant? How about making your clothes into something that could define you?

 So here are a few samples of the same and a few tips to make your clothes look even more beautiful.

 Not to forget, it is always advisable to use “ANCHOR” embroidery threads. They give you a specific shine to your stitches and they don’t leave color stains on your clothes when you wash them.

In a recent salwar that I had stitched I found that the sleeve of the salwar could be designed. So I took golden colored thread and used the chain stitch to make small flowers. To add to the beauty I used beads and sequences too.

Back stitch and outline stitch works well when you have to give an outline to a design.  In one of my salwars I had a purple border which was quite broad and I wanted to give it some essence. I used the outline stitch to make the following design.\

 

A month back I had to buy a saree for my cousin’s wedding. I went in for a designer saree, cream in colour with light golden polka dots and  patch zardosi work in gold and red. The blouse of the saree seemed to be very simple after I got it stitched. I decided to buy some readymade sequences that I could stitch to the blouse and I must say it turned out to be a great idea!!!

                           

 

I initially found it difficult to buy beads and sequences in Chennai, however I found out two shops which made it very easy for me.

>>ALANKAR in Chintamani, Anna Nagar is a great store where you can get all the materials related to designing your clothes the way you want.

>>Pondy Bazzaar is another stop for such articles.

>>For my Pune friends the best place you can find this is either in Laxmi road or in “YaKub and Co” in M.G Road, Camp.

For information on the various embroidery stitches you can visit www.needlework.com. They provide videos and you can learn to stitch online.

Hope you found this post informative. This is just an insight for beginners because I am a beginner too. Why not try a few stitches on your own?  Well this is the time pick a needle, make the right choice of colors and beads and play with your creativity.

Mania of Maniacs - Part 2

“What happened anna? “, Trisha enquired worriedly when she saw Vikas hold the phone to his ears and not speak a word.

 “Nothing Trishu, I don’t know who was online I couldn’t hear anything”, Vikas tried to manipulate and walked to the other room.

Trishu sensed something was wrong but she trusted her brother and knew he wouldn’t break the promise he had given her.

“I need to meet you Vicky, It’s important. Please don’t say a no. I know you are bound with responsibilities but I want a favour from you….. a last one…… Please meet me at Elliot’s beach today evening by 7.” Vicky tried to recollect everything that Sashi had spoken on the call.

He walked into the bathroom for a shower. He switched on the shower and as the water splashed on him from head to toe he tried to compose himself to make a decision. A number of voices echoed in his ears. “You are all I can leave for maa and Paa………”, “I know you are bound with responsibilities but I want a favour from you….. a last one……”

His mind was caught between the love for his family and his passion, his dream.

“I would land in the asylum if I don’t figure out what Sashi wants”, he consoled himself and decided to meet Sashi.

“Thanks Vikas for coming, I knew you wouldn’t have denied a favour for me.”Sashi stood at Elliot’s beach on the shore and thanked Vikas. The waves were calm and slightly kissed their feet.

The evening sun fell on their face and Vikas turned to Sashi to reply, “Don’t thank me Sashi, I only agreed to meet you, I didn’t agree to help you.”

Sashi was stunned to see a new Vikas in front of him and was a little worried that he shouldn’t back out. He thought it would be easy to convince Vikas and have him say a yes. A “yes” to what he wanted. However, not everyday is Sunday.

“Vikas…”, He folded his hands and started weeping. “Vikas, Amma is sick, I need a lot of cash to treat her.”

Vikas couldn’t believe what Sashi spoke and asked, “Sashi, what happened to amma? What is wrong?”

“She is sick and the doctor has asked her to undergo a surgery and Appa can’t afford that. I need some cash Vikas and you are the only person who can help me out.” Sashi spoke praying to Vikas.

 “I don’t have so much money Sashi, how can I help you?” Vikas was helpless.

“You can Vicky…. You are the trump card for Jerry.  He said if the team wins the next race and won he would give all the money earned to me. And I know the team would win only if you race. Don’t say a no Vicky. It is just for my mother or else I wouldn’t have forced you.” Sashi continued.

Trisha’s voice was all he could hear. But he knew his sister would support her for this cause.

He came close to Sashi and kept his right hand on his shoulder giving him an assurance. “Yes Sashi I will race for your Amma one last time”. Sashi broke into tears and hugged his friend.

The race was a week away and Vikas had started to make all plans for it. He tuned the bike with oil and ready for the big day. Meanwhile he hid all this from Trisha. He decided to tell it to her once the race was over. He knew she would understand him. He was excited that he was going to hit the roads again. However he knew this was the last time.

The day finally arrived and as always Vikas reached the Thiruvanmiyur signal with Sashi. Jerry stood at the post to welcome his “Bishop” once again.

“Welcome back, Vicky”, Jerry hugged Vikas. “Thanks Jerry”, Vikas replied in a friendly gesture.

The three signals were given and Vikas knew he had to bring in the charisma again. He began to start his bike when he remembered that he had forgotten something very important, “his lucky charm”.

“Oh freak, I forgot to kiss Trishu before I race. How could I forget this?”He had been superstitious when it came to winning the race.

He closed his eyes and saw Trishu’s smiling face cross him. He was at peace now. The race began and as always the king ruled the race. Jerry was confident they would win with his trump card racing for him. Vikas could see his destination from quite a distance and he knew he would win it this time too.

                                              

He was just half a kilometer away, he had to cross a signal, Vikas raced his bike in a speed where he couldn’t have been able to take a sudden brake. The speed had almost blinded him and he failed to see a flash of light coming from his left. A white car headed from one of the lanes beside the signal. Both Vikas and the car were in similar speed. Vikas had to decide. He knew losing a second of time also could cost him his race. He closed his eyes and raised his speed to cross the signal before car could.

It was a close finish and Vikas succeeded in crossing on time. Vikas heard a screech and could 

hear the car hit somewhere and stop. He dint stop to look behind but kept driving to his destination.  He was driving for his friend’s mother. She was all that was in his mind. He tried to concentrate on the race again and reached the finish line just in time.

“Here you go Sashi, take this money and treat Amma. I will pray for her.” He consoled Sashi and drove back home. On his way back he crossed the lane where the car had lost control to see if anyone was there. He parked his bike below a tree and all he could see where a few pieces of broken glass. He prayed that he shouldn’t have hurt anyone.

Nearing his house he saw that the lights in Sashi’s house were still on. “Maybe Aunty is still awake, i must go visit her”, he thought and parked his bike outside Sashi’s house. He opened the grill door and he heard Sashi’s mother come running out. “Vikas, Son what are you doing at this hour? Sashi is not at home”, She spoke with ease. Vikas was confused that Aunty was speaking as though she was completely fine. “Aunty How are you? Sashi said you were not well, so i thought i must drop in to check”, Vikas enquired.

 “Who said i am not well, son? I am completely fine. Nothing is wrong with me.” She replied. Vikas was taken aback. “Had Sashi lied to me?” he murmered. He didnt want to conclude till he heard it from him. He went back home and thought he would deal with this in the morning. Parking his bike without making any noise, he entered his house to see that all the lights were switched on. His house looked like it was 12 in the noon. He entered wondering, “Did trishu find out that i went racing? Has she told maa and paa? Will she give me a chance to explain?”

His mother sat in the porch. Her eyes looked moist and her cheeks were red with drops of tears. Vikas went close, “Maa, what happened to you? Why are you crying?”

“Vikas....”, she went close, hugged him and burst into tears. “Trishu’s pulse suddenly decreased by 11 in the night, We came to your room so you could take her to the doctor but you were not there. We were worried and Trishu fainted seeing your room empty. Your dad took her in the car to the hospital...” Her voice trailed and she wept even louder. Vikas tried to calm here, “Then what maa.... ? Is Trishu fine?”

“No .....”His mother shouted. “Our Trishu is not fine. On the way to the hospital near War memorial some goons were racing bikes at this time in the night.... “ Vikas’s heart started to beat faster. He wished he had not heard the next sentence his mother was about to say.

“And your father tried to stop the car and it skid hitting a tree. He was saved, but Trishu is injured.” His mother moaned. Vikas couldnt believe that the car he had hit during the race was the one which his father and sister were in. He suddenly got a call from his father saying, “Vikas we need blood of the group A1-. It is a rare blood group and we need it immediately for Trishu.” Vikas tried calling all his friends but to no avail. He then remembered that Sashi shared the same blood group.

He raced to Sashi’s house when at a distance he saw Sashi get out of Jerry’s car, he was drunk. Vikas tried to go closer when Sashi waved to Jerry saying, “Finally your right hand was caught in to our trap. Vikas got fooled just by my tears. He thought he could give it  up. No he is going to ride again and we are going to earn more and more and enjoy.” Vikas couldn’t believe that Sashi had cheated him for money and he was the reason that Trishu was fighting for her life in the hospital.

The next morning he convinced Sashi to donate blood to Trishu and then he spoke, “Sashi, thanks a lot for your favour, you saved my sister. I need another favour, Can you ask Jerry if i can ride another race? I need money for Trishu.” He pleaded in the same manner as Sashi as he really needed money for Trishu. Jerry agreed and Vikas drove another race. Jerry was all the more happy to have Vikas back. He had incurred a heavy loss in Vikas’s absence and he wanted to make all the profit he could now.

He walked into the ICU were Trishu lay and kissed her before the race.  The race began and as always RSR won it as Vikas, their HERO was back. Jerry came to hug Vikas on his victory when suddenly Jerry heard someone call him from behind, “Jerry Sequera, Sashi Chinnappa, we are officers from Thriuvanmiyur police station, You are under arrest for illegal bike racing, Thanks to Vikas for helping us in this mission.”

Vikas had succeeded in his plan, he had purposely asked Sashi to donate blood similar to the way Sashi had convinced him to race for Amma and got help from Jerry to race again and he was the one who had informed the police regarding this.

He drove to the hospital thinking, “Trishu is going to be fine soon and she will be so proud of me for getting those goons caught”. He smiled and raced on his Yamaha R15.............

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Street racing is illegal in India, however many such incidents do happen even now. These incidents pushed me to write this post. Innocent people become victims to this heinous act. Many a times the culprit stays within the walls of our house. It is upto us to be watchful. Like Vikas the youngsters of today must take a decision to stop playing with the lives of others and theirs too.

Have you thought that this story could be any of ours and we may have brothers like Vikas and Sashi? We could also become victims like Trisha. This story is a work of fiction, however, the concept is a bitter truth.

 

Mania of Maniacs - Part 1

Washing his hands after dinner he noticed his mobile vibrate. A message beeped,

“Everythingready!! The road is set!! See you at 11.00 PM sharp “

His heart raced as he watched his mobile. He had to make his movements fast. He looked at his watch to see the time, there was an hour left for him.  Everyday had become a challenge for him since he had started this game, the most daring sport. It meant life and death. But he wasn’t scared anymore. It had started with excitement, pulse racing speed, a desire to be ahead of all but now it was addiction and the sheer need to calm his burning desires.

He stealthily walked to his room and tried to avoid any conversations with the members of his family. Locking the door of his room, he switched on the table lamp and sat in the light that shone from it. The time started to pass and he waited for the final signal after which he would be gone into a different world. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice his mobile beep. It beeped a second time and he stood up astonished.

 “Assemble at the Thiruvanmiyur signal in ten minutes”

He took the keys of his vehicle and checked to see if everyone had slept at home. He walked to the door when he remembered he had forgotten the most important thing.

“I forgot to kiss Trishu”, he thought. He walked into his sister, Trisha’s room and kissed her on her cheeks and ran to start his bike. “His bike”, was the instrument in this game. He rode fast as being late would cost 

him his life.

Far at the Thiruvanmiyur signal there were members of RSR (Royapettah speed racers), boys in the age group of 18 – 25 stood with bikes making the loudest noise as possible and that were made to race. He reached the signal on time and joined the rest of the group.

                                           

The road was dark and lonely. The streets lights were bright and the wide road was an advantage to race in a spree. 10 bikers stood across the lanes. 5 in each group competing with the other 5 in the other group. The entire city slept when these bikers woke to play the most dangerous sport. Brakes were not meant to be taken, gear was the key and the accelerator was epochal.

The bet was made for Rs. 50000 and the “winner would take it all”. The race was a 12 km one from 

Thiruvanmiyur  to War memorial. Three signals were given after which the race would begin. The first signal was given and the bikers started their bikes. The second signal was given and the accelerator was raised to the most formidable limit. The third signal and the bikers set the road on fire.

 He was always the king when it meant to race. He had been trained better than the rest because he had the potential to be the best. He was the lead and when he raced he felt the road was a magnanimous mystery which had many unfolded secrets. His eyes were blind to any disturbances and disturbances meant just anything and anything that would make him use something that he hated, “The brakes”.

There was a style in which the entire team rode; it was a zig-zag fashion and not a linear one. This style was maintained to divert the opponent and anyone who missed the fashion ended up giving his life. Sparks of fire were emitted from the bikes which was a sense of pride for every raced.A myriad of images gazed in front of him when he rode and the road was his fantasy. When he rode, he rode with a zest and passion as thought he was born to rule the roads.

 The destination was not far and he had already decided in his mind that he would make it and victory would be his. As the finish line approached he was sad that his drug would come to an end and he would have to wait till he would hit the roads again. He cherished the last minutes of his celestial journey which he finally won. He raised the accelerator in his right and held the clutch with his left hand and watched as the opponents stared at him and his charisma.

He picked up his cash that he had earned and walked towards Jerry, his mentor and his master. For Jerry, he knew his “bishop” would win the game for him. Jerry hugged him and paid him for his win.  His mission accomplished, he knew he could rest in peace.He drove back home and opening the door of his house, he stood astonished as there was someone waiting for him. The person who according to him should have been the last person to know about his late night mystery was standing in front of him with inquisitive eyes.

 “Vikas anna, would you please oblige and tell me where were you so long at this hour of the night?”, Trisha his sister enquired with gleaming eyes.

 “Trishu, I had some important work outside. Listen just let this be between us don’t take it to Dad and Mom”, pleaded Vikas.

 “Okay anna, I promise I wont tell it to Dad and Mom, but on one condition that you have to tell me truth about your whereabouts”, Trishu played her card right.

Vikas thought about the deal, it was a difficult decision to tell everything to the person whom he loved the most. His sister had always been his life since she was born. But racing was none the less important to him. When he weighed his love for both of them he realized that he could give up all his aspirations to the girl who sat in front of him.

 “Trishu, I was street racing!!!”

The words hit harder than a thousand bells rung together. “Anna, are you kidding me, I knew biking and bikes were your passion, but does that mean you can risk your life and others too?”, Trishu reminded.

She glared at him and walked off to her room. Trishu was more than his little sister. She meant more than anything in the world for him. He had waited for 7 long years for her to be born and ever since she was his most important responsibility.

Vikas sat in the porch of their house and focused on what Trishu had just said.Many a time he wanted to give up this madness, but now racing had entered his blood and veins. He gazed around and his eyes fell on his bike. His thoughts ran back to the time when he was 15 years old. He had watched Sashi his neighbor race the bike and ever since then he wanted to own one. He waited till he was 18 to get a license and even scored well in his engineering exams as this was the condition put by his father if he wanted a bike.

It was his 18^th birthday and the day his dream had come true. Trisha had tied his eyes with a scarf and led him to the porch where he now sat. She had screamed in his ears, 3….2……………….1 ½……………..1…. and pulled the scarf from his eyes. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw a Stylish black and blue Yamaha R15 standing in front of him. He walked and knelt beside it. He touched it as though it was a new born baby. He was going to cherish it for a lifetime. And since then his bike had been his all, his love, his life and his passion.

“Vicky, you ride really well, why don’t you show your skills to my friend, he loves bikers”, Sashi suggested to Vikas. Sashi had always been an inspiration to Vikas when it came to bikes. Sashi introduced Vikas to Jerry. Jerry had heard a lot about Vikas and wanted him in his group in any cost. Jerry owned the RSR group and he was always in search of bikers. He showed Vikas a whole new world of biking and Vikas was overwhelmed and decided to drive for RSR.

                         

He got his bike sophisticated with a lot of essentials from Puddupet the land for bikers where they enhanced the ability of bikes and gave them extra effects. Vikas had done well from the very first race and had held a special place in Jerry’s heart. He was Jerry’s right hand and his trump card as well.  Ever since then there was no looking back for Vikas. The roads and his bike had become his life.

The next morning Trishu behaved a little abnormal with Vikas and this hurt him. 6 months back Trisha was diagnosed with leukemia and Vikas had almost died when he had heard the doctor say this. He knew it would give her more pain if she had heard her brother woke up every night when she slept and risked his life on the streets. He gathered courage to speak to her and end the silence.

“Trishu what is wrong with you? Why are you not speaking to me?” he enquired.

“Anna, dad and I met the doctor yesterday, he said my chances for survival are vey meager. I don’t know how long am I going to live. You are all I can leave for maa and Paa, but instead of being responsible you are ruining your life on the streets” , Trisha spoke without a pause.

 “You have to promise me Vikas anna that you will give this up and never take up this dangerous game again”

Vikas took time to reply and again the love for his sister outdid his passion and he promised to give it up for her. At the beginning it had been difficult for him to forget his addiction but he slowly started spending more time with his family and came out of the death hole. He had almost forgotten everything when one day he received a call from Sashi..……

What could the call have been? Will Vikas go back to the streets? Will he break his promise?......

To be continued……….