A to Z Reflection: How it happened?

The post 'Blogging from A to Z Challenge, Reflection post: How it began' is written as part of the finale. Hope you enjoy as I hark back, tracing the challenge, which is nothing less than Hindi film pot boiler. Do let me know coz I am craving for the feedback!

How it began? A2Z Challenge this April is a definition and extension of my old 'self'. I have always been someone who never planned things in life and when opportunities came along, I dragged my feet. Success and failure has been more or less the same way in life.

Today, if I have been able to complete the challenge, the whole credit goes to dear friends Shalzz and Vidya who kept pushing me, telling how I can do it. It's past history now when I hopped on the very last minute to the challenge. When I decided to put the link, announcing my theme, romance and short stories, I had a panic attack when I headed on A to Z to put my link only to see the collection closed. Bad signal. I clicked on 2014 link.
I frantically checked the linked again and in a jiffy, signed it. It was done and now time to start writing. It was a Sunday and the sleepy head jotted two posts, for Monday and Tuesday. I am not beating the drums. But, the fact is I pre-scheduled my posts and was never late, to the contrary well in advance by 4 to 5 posts. I didn't suffer the blog fatigue at all. It quite surprising considering that last year I suffered when I wrote on the other blog (www.vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com). Pre-scheduling works big time and learned how efficient one can be.
To cut a long story short, I remember chatting with Shalini, telling how I can't and won't be able to do it this time due to crazy work schedule. We discussed and analyzed, found myself giving her some ideas and as the date inched closer, I cursed myself for not starting to write in mid-February, well in advance. Two days before the challenge, it was already decided that there is no way I can take part in the challenge and found myself on Vidya's blog. Her two cents worked magic on me, with her invaluable inputs. I was in. The rest is history.
That's the power of connecting with bloggers, they become our strength and I discovered countless bloggers, telling their stories, this incredible pool of super talented story writers and poets across the blog. A2Z for me is a journey in life where each moment was relished. Finally, it's done. Some of my stories are based on observations I made about life in metro cities like Pune and Mumbai. Of course, I gave my own twist when I weaved them into fiction. It's been a great journey. Nah! I ain't leaving you like that on reflection made. Here, another short story as I doff my hat.

Not Romance, Just a Short Love Story

I don't know why I am sitting in this marriage! Zoya is getting married and despite the fact that I threw away the card when I told her that I am not on the verge of sanity to see the girl I love the most getting hitched to an unknown guy. I am sitting in the marriage in the company of my best friend Adi. She is sitting majestically, along with the groom on the throne.
Adorned in jewelery and decked in a shining gold sari, Zoya looks stunning beautiful, flawless and like an angel. My heart is burning seeing her so perfect. How can she look so beautiful?! She never looked so perfect and divine, all these years we were together and she dressed on her special day for this unknown guy. Asshole! My heart is ripped apart seeing the bride and groom together, walking hand in hand, as they leave the venue towards the car.
I start growing hyper when Adi holds my hand, Dude! Chutiya! Don't make a scene.  I protest, "But, it's her, Zoya, my Zoya." I am almost in tears. Adi hug me, "No! Bro! It's not her. It's a Hindu marriage and Zoya is Muslim."
I try to protest and am speechless. Zoya is gone and so are the guests. It's only the two of us, smoking up and high on ganja and hashish. I am on the verge of passing out. I woke up in a jiffy, jumping out off the bed and almost doing a somersault. It took me a while to realize that it was just a dream. Zoya has been married long time back when she ditched me for her NRI husband, Amreeka returned. She took away my soul and I am sent back into nostalgic mood. I walk into the kitchen and open the fridge to pour myself a glass of juice. I lit a cigarette. After all, it's just a dream. Forget her.
Love
Vishal
PS: Hope you enjoyed the small gift. See you next year, A2Z-ers

Z for Zonked out

Today is the last day for Blogging from A to Z April Challenge (2015). The post Z for Zonked out is written on Day 26 for http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/


The old man wore a tired look and was drained of energy, plodding his feet among dead in the town lying in debris. He was deprived of sleep for days. He braved the rain and courageously exerted his naked feet soaked in the dust which once stood tall in the city frequented by hordes of locals and tourists, alike. Thousands fled the city and running for their life but nothing deterred the 85-year-old man, searching for his wife, two daughters, son and daughter-in-law buried under the shard of cement.
The man looked like a moving cadaver with his reddish eyes and battered soul, climbed the hilly slope. After all, the earthquake has destroyed his entire existence revolving around his family and shed a tear or two on the state of his country which is in ruin. Undeterred, he refused to gulp a single drop of water and forcefully helped the army men to remove bricks to unearth bodies of innocent men and women on his way. He always believed in the goodness of life and humanity. It's not today when he lost everything that he will put his values at stake.
He continued his journey against the advice of volunteers, police and army to take a rest inside the camp. 'It's my fight. It's my cross that I will carry till death and I shall never abandon my destination till my last breath.' They were speechless and admired his courage.
He stumbled upon few dead bodies and felt dizzy before he zonked out on the ground. Few rescue workers saw him and called for the medical emergency group, who checked his pulses and administered an injection. They thought that the old man who zonked out will never make it up and that he must have died. Miraculously, he became conscious after eight hours and looked feeble. He made an excruciating effort to wake up and his eyes stumbled on the bodies lying on the ground. The old man recognized them. It was his near and dear ones. Tears welled his cheek. He was pained and relieved at the same time, couldn't comprehend what was happening to his frail body. They were his wife, two daughters, son and daughter-in-law who collapsed to death when his house crumbled. He couldn't recognize his own house. His voice choked with emotions,"It's my family." The volunteers helped him bend down while he ran his wobbly hand, caressing their faces. It was his last journey.
The old man lied by their side and was adamant despite the people tried to lift him, away from the scene. He closed his eyes, thinking, "At this age, I have to see all this. Perhaps, it's my destiny. Life can be very unpredictable."
It was matter of few minutes before he zonked out for ever and his soul left his body. The buried him along with his family members.

NOTE: On another day, I would have grown jubilant for surviving the challenge and making it on the last day. Unfortunately, I am not feeling happy writing this fiction tale where so many people in Nepal died in the devastating earthquake. It has destroyed humanity who lost friends and family. In a way, the post is dedicated to the people who lost their lives in Nepal. I pray for the country and the people who lost everything. Hope such tragedy never happens to anyone ever. Though the theme is romance short stories, I choose to finish it with Z for Zonked out, in respect to the people who are struck by the tragedy.

Spread love and cheerz
Vishal

V for Vilified

This post V for Vilified love is written on Day 22 as part of the Blogging from April A to Z April Challenge (2015). For more, check the link:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/



News traveled fast in the obscure village that superstar Ravi Kumar was shooting for his next film in the creepy bungalow, haunted by dead souls and ghosts. The bungalow, 'Bhoot Bangla', dreaded by locals who avoid walking past the dark gate since many of them felt a chill down their spine. Tales of young children disappearing and lost forever, humans freezing to death and lying inside the bungalow are famous in the village
It was no ordinary day when the dark blue BMW of Hindi film superstar Ravi Kumar drove in front of the gate and the locals forgot their fear to catch a glimpse of their hero. The car drove in front of the bungalow and at the sight of the drone-like crowd, Ravi Kumar didn't want to pass through the gate and signaled his driver to take the back entrance.
He got out of the car in a jiffy and jumped straight into his vanity van for the make up and got ready for the shot. The actor scampered inside the bungalow where the cameras zoomed, lights checked and decorations that give the scene the set up of a re-incarnation drama. The director handed Ravi Kumar the script to mouth his line and said, "Sir! Repetition! One, two, three. Ok sir. Shot ready."
"Ready," Ravi Kumar nodded.
Lights! Camera! Action! Take 1. Rolling camera
The camera rolled. Ravi Kumar hands perched in his pocket, wore an expression of disappointment and shouted in a dramatic manner, "Don't leave me and go. I waited for the day and can't live without you, Roshni."
"Cut," The director shouted and gently reminded Ravi Kumar,"Sir! Character's name is not Roshni but Sukanya. You ok, sir." Ravi Kumar felt dizzy. The director knew something was wrong and patted the superstar on his back, "Sir, things don't seem to be right. It's ok. We will do it again tomorrow."
Pack up! The director shouted and urged the crew to leave the set and move away. The superstar was standing alone in the bungalow amid the lights, camera and film equipment.
Ravi Kumar lit a cigarette, his back perched to the film crane when he heard the song, 'Jeet Lenge Baazi Hum Tum Khel Adhura Chute Na, Pyar Ka Bandhan Jaanam Ka Bandhan Chute Na' playing from a distance. It brought back images of Roshni in their small village where they grew up together. and fell in love. How their love was vilified by the uneducated village folks! He was still a struggler in what was called, 'Bombay' at that time when he came back to his village to meet Roshni and both sneaked near the paddy field and the lake. Ravi Kumar held her her hand, "I have come to take you with me to Bombay, Roshni."
Roshni turned around, "No! Ravi. Your dream matters the most. I will wait for the day when you will become the greatest superstar in the country. I can wait for you, my love and don't want you to be distracted.'"
He held Roshni hands, caressed her lip and they kissed passionately. A villager who walked past them saw the lovers kissing and raised a hue-and-cry that alerted the whole village. Ravi and Roshni were brought in front of the village Panchayat who told that the girl has brought disgrace not only to her family, caste but whole village and lost her honor. Ravi would be banned for defaming the village and Roshni would not be allowed to step out of the village for she is a sinner that would pollute the minds of the pure girls in the village.
The next day, before going back to 'Bombay', Ravi wanted to meet Roshni but she refused and told him to forget her. He was heart broken but knew deep inside that Roshni has sacrificed her love for his dreams. The phone rang and superstar Ravi Kumar was shaken up from the vision and told himself, "I must go and find Roshni."
He was getting ready to go back to the village when the director knocked and came inside the vanity van, "Sir, a new girl is here and we have taken her as the Assistant Director."
Superstar Ravi Kumar washed his face and turned around when he saw a tall girl, dressed in blue denim and colorful Kurta, sporting long black hair. He felt a jolt in his heart and jumped on his feet when he saw Roshni who was equally shocked to see her lover. They couldn't speak for a minute and hugged each other, Roshni recovered her voice and kissed him on his forehead and face, "I always knew I'd find you someday, Ravi. I told you that one day you will become a superstar."

They hugged each tightly, embracing and tasting the nectar on each other lips' passionately. "Roshni my love, today no villager will stop us and we will kiss like there is no tomorrow." They walked together, holding each other tight in front of the huge crowd which Ravi Kumar's security had a hard time, keeping away from the couple. They entered the BMW that whooshed away from 'Bhoot Bangla' as music played in the car, "Jeetenge Baazi Hum Tum Pyar ka Bandhan, Jaanam ka Bandhan Chute Na."

PS: Today's post is inspired by my love for films, film sets and romance set against the backdrop of this beautiful song from Shola aur Shabnam. The story is a small tribute to this beautiful song from the Dharmendra-starrer and of course, to our movies. I hope that I've done justice to the post.

Love. Keep the faith
Vishal

D for Devil's love

D for Devil's Love


This post is written as part of http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/ and today Day Four for Letter D for Devil's Love.

She loved with passion and could not bear the separation. The innocent girl lived with anguish for ten years yet she remained flawlessly beautiful. Her love for him grew more intense and pure as every single day passed. Tears rolled down her cheek, thinking how he always loved her and can't even think of being unfaithful to her. He rejected the advances of damsels in distress, sizzling hot women ever ready to pounce themselves on him. She decided it was time to act.
The time has come for them to unite and conquer time and fate. No power on earth could stop them from being together again and she knew that she had to impersonate a living being, donning the garb of the unknown, another beautiful face.
They crossed each other's path in the business meeting and she felt sad to see him aloof and withdrawing from the world. She wanted to tell him, "It's just me. We are so close and why are you creating this distance  between us?" But, she was powerless. It took her a year to slowly become close to hi, the time he realized that he found a genuine friend and confidant.
One day, she mustered courage and asked, "What's bothering you? I am a friend and share your worries with me.  Please don't harm yourself or else, you will destroy the person that you have always been. You don't consider me to be a friend."
He hesitated but finally broke into tears, telling her about Saloni. He cried and she hugged him, thinking, "If only you knew I am with you and has never gone anywhere."
She invited him to her house and kept the light dim in the dining room. The delicacies were laid on the tray and red wine was poured in the white glasses.  It was time to reveal herself and she smiled in a seductive manner, "Amar! You are my Amar. I am Saloni."
Amar took a sip of wine and protested, "What rubbish is this? I hate this joke. You know na, Saloni, died when our car crashed at Lonavla."
She revealed her true form to him, the way he saw her when they left in the heavy monsoon to their best friend's wedding.
Amar felt a sensation in his throat, tearing his life into pieces as the poison spread into his body. Saloni held his hand and gently caressing his forehead, "It's okay, baby. I have come to take you with me. It's a matter of time, the pain suffered for years will be over and we will make our way into heaven."

Ten years ago:

Amar and Saloni walked together towards their car. He held her by the waist and she shone in her black sari like star in the sky. They held hands in the car, occasionally stealing glances like teenage lovers. As the car rushed towards Lonavla, it started raining mercilessly and Amar tried to apply the break at the sight of the truck speedily coming in their way. He lost control and the car cascaded inside the deep gorge. The vehicle was crushed and caught fire. Amar and Saloni clutched to each other tightly. He woke up after two days in the hospital, partially losing his memory. It took him three months to recollect that his life crashed and got a shock when he learned that his fiance died on the spot. Little did he know that his Saloni would come one day to take him in a beautiful and perfect world. They walked hand in hand, sharing happiness in the perfect world they always dreamed about.

With Love
Vishal

A to Z challenge Theme Reveal: Short (Romantic) Stories

I am participating in the #AtoZ Blog Challenge. To cut a long story short, I was more than sure than this time I would not be able to make it. The hectic work pace was killing me and to register was almost suicidal, what if I am not able to make the cut? 

In fact, I was planning to schedule my posts by mid-February but things started to fall apart. There was no way I could do it and got chatting with Shalinee on how to do it. One thing led to the other: She prodded me to get on it. I was in still in two minds when I hopped on Vidya's blog telling her how to do it, owing to the fact that the hectic work pace won't allow it. I was in two minds and asked her to motivate and help me. Vidya's words worked like magic on me and deciding to hop on the train.

Vidya's words:

Work will always be hectic....If you are worried about what to write about-you have a thriving blog-just go through your oldest posts-you'll find you have more to say about those topics....There will be days when you think you don't have time..truth is, we can always find 10 minutes...you can do it!

The fabulous Vidya is a magician and couldn't believe how her motivating and inspiring words is leading me to sign up for the challenge. Till you have people like Vidya and Shalinee (https://taleoftwotomatoes.wordpress.com) prodded me to sign up.

#AtoZ theme: Short (Romance) stories

Quoting from http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/, the credit goes to Arlee Bird where participants post every day except Sunday which is fun day. 26 days of blogging, posting daily on a single alphabet. The fun starts on April 1 with letter A, April 2 with letter B and it goes on Day 26 with letter Z.

For more on the challenge, click on

 http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2015.html#sthash.wC8snPuJ.dpuf

Theme Reveal:Short (Romantic) stories

This time, I have decided to write short (romance stories). I have decided to write 26 stories between 500 to 1000 words. While most stories would be my favorite hot topic love and romance, some of them will be short stories, moving away from love. You see, too much of nerve racking and getting in that mode of dabbling with alphabets, can be a tough call. Here, I am. Can't believe I am signing for it. Do sign up and for more jump on Vidya's blog:

http://vidyasury.com/2015/03/a-to-z-challenge-theme-reveal-2015.html

Wish us luck and hope I do justice to the challenge.

With Love

Vishal