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

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

Pen love

This post P for Pen Love is written on Day 16 as part of Blogging from A to Z Challenge (April 2015). Click here to know more:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/



She: Do you think we will ever meet in life? It's been three years that we are pen friends. I wonder whether the term 'Pen love' exist!

He: It's a beautiful relationship we have....

SHE: I agree...two souls connecting with each other. The pen is a mighty sword yet a faithful lover. Just imagine we have never seen each other.

HE: How long my letters takes to reach you?

SHE: I dunno! How does it matter? As long as our souls cross the seas and oceans to reach each other. 

HE: Don't you think that we should meet this year? It's been three years.

SHE: Patience, my love. Everything will fall in place. One thing I want to be frank, stop sending me super expensive gifts and save the money for rainy days. I am a simple girl who comes from a super rich family who never miss an occasion to show how much money they have. I travel by expensive cars but hate it. I love the freedom of riding a bike, admiring the scenery, dancing in the rain and playing with street children. I am dying to move away from my show-off family in Lahore, free from inquisitive relatives who swears by the perfume of wealth. How I hate it!

SHE: Next year, I am moving to US for my Masters in performing arts and am so excited and glad that I won't come back home to have my marriage fixed with an idiot.

HE: So, you plan to forget me? 

SHE: You mad!! How can I? I love you. We should not raise doubts. I am sure you can try and plan it out to meet me in US next year. 

HE: Do you think they will agree to our love? I am a Hindu in India and you are a Muslim Pakistani.

SHE: Why are you so much bothered in breaking your neck to convince them? They will never-both my parents and yours-agree. For them, religion and ego is everything. They don't know the power of love. Hatred will beget hatred. It's our lives and we didn't seek their permission to fall in love. 

SHE: Listen! Let's set a date to speak to each other on phone. Let's make it special.

HE: Your birthday, on June 1?

SHE: Nah! boring. Birthdays are cliche.

HE: Wait, August 14, your Independence Day or on August 15, my Independence day.

SHE: It's not a neutral date. It's too heavy patriotism, love and then war, my country better than yours...bla bla! How I hate this whole India vs Pakistan thing.

Let's close our eyes and think for 30 seconds. Both He and She zeroed on June 14 that they said at the same time. It was the morning when HE waited for her call at the PCO in the small village in Punjab, at his Dad's shop. It was 7 a.m. He waited with bated breath. The phone rang and he said, 'Hello', voice stammered and choked with emotions. "Hi," she almost shouted loud enough for him to hear. I love you,"

He heard the most beautiful voice of love, the tone verged between emotions of crying and unlimited happiness. He shouted back, "I love you, too. Nothing can separate our pure and true love." Their love became their only prayer since that day where they stopped believing in Gods they were taught to worship.
They have two children, a boy and a girl, well settled in New York. Yes! Their parents has accepted their love and met on neutral terrain, often sharing a drink or two over the heated India-Pakistan cricket match. Politics, religion and terrorism are never discussed on the dining table.

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