Feeds

"Ma, today my school principal handed over this scholarship letter. We don't have to pay the fees till I complete schooling." Thirteen-year-old Varun spoke in excitement.  "Keep it in front of your father's photo. He always said the deeds we do would reflect in our kid's life, something passed onto him from his father. He ensured his actions resulted only in goodness to others so that your life will be blessed. He handled double shifts to save money for your education to see you as a doctor." Wiping her tears, Latha spoke looking at her husband's photo. Three months had passed, but the incident stayed fresh in her mind. She sat on the chair and closed her eyes, the visuals flashed once again like every other day.   "Where are you? The wind is so high. The storm is predicted to cross tonight. Come home soon, please." Latha spoke with fear as her hands trembled, holding the phone. "I was heading home when I noticed an old man lying on the road. He was severely bleeding but had a weak pulse. The traffic signal post had fallen on his head because of the strong winds. Good, I noticed him. Now I am driving back to the hospital. After admitting him, I shall return home soon. Don't worry unnecessarily." Her husband, Ravi explained the situation and ended her call.  Later that night, Latha received a call from the hospital where Ravi worked as an ambulance driver. They informed her that, on his way, he possibly had suffered a heart attack, despite which he managed to drive and reach the hospital. Only after when the patient was transferred to the stretcher the doctors noticed Ravi, dead on the driver's seat. *** "Rahul, did you speak with Varun's school principal?" seventy-year-old Rajesh asked his son. "Yes, Dad. Once he finishes school, he would be entering medical college without any hassle. Not only that, he will get placed in the city's best hospital. Now, I have ensured his mother gets paid more than their actual expenses where she is working as a cook in the government school. Except for his marriage, everything is in place, dad. Please don't worry and rest now." Rahul spoke after giving the needed pills to his father. "How can I forget, Rahul? When I was driving that evening, our car stopped on the main road. People were running to get back home, and all the shops were shut. The weather was gloomy, and I got down from the car to call you but the signal was weak. Feeling tensed I was walking on the pavement when suddenly out of now where the wind raged like a monster. I looked above. I felt terrified as the traffic signal post was reaching out to me. That was the last scene I remember. Later I woke up in the hospital bed and you were there by my side."   Rahul held his dad's palm comfortingly. They felt grateful to Ravi and his family.

"Aunty, the red roses need trimming. I will shift the white begonias to the shade and remove the withered milli flowers. I have got fertilizer for the yellow hibiscus." Saying so, Amit continued his work while she smiled, watering the plants. She could feel the colors as he spoke. Before Amit became her neighbor, all she saw was black. Amit relocated to bring her out of the shell she pushed herself into. He refrained to tell her that he was the kid she saved in an accident, thereby losing her eyesight ten years ago. Their bonding and the garden bloomed.

Clutching my handbag, I stepped out The fragrance from the hanging garlands Makes me pause to take a glance through Reminding my sister with the nuptial thread Two days passed by, the decorations stand fresh I cannot wait and embrace the moment My workplace is calling, to fulfill the promises Made to all my loved ones in my circle To the world, I stand in a faraway land, All alone, dressed as a bride, A garland caressing my neck, with fake flowers To me, my priority stands as my concern I put my family in front of me, that joy Completes who I am, 'cause for me, Marriage is a choice, not a need

"See how he has dismantled this toy car into several parts. I often buy toys. In few minutes, everything lay as pieces, such an imperfectionist," scowled Arjun looking at his five-year-old son. "He is just a kid," Anand, his friend, tried to calm him. "How will he succeed in the future? I am worried." "Watch him carefully. He perfectly separates the parts but does not break them. Who knows, someday, he can join the bomb squad and defuse bombs, saving many lives. As parents, we have to identify their skills and guide them accordingly." Arjun found the key to parenting.

I sat at the table, my fingers caressed through the plate, My sole companion all these while For the choice I made to remain single, regrets trashed A beam of sunshine gently poked through the window Leading me to an unknown destination Urging me to find thy inner self Compelling me to hear the eternal desire I looked up, it's my future waiting to be rewritten She appeared special amidst the blooming buds I welcomed her into my sealed life. Leaving behind her abandoned past, we dwelled in joy We sat at the table, her fingers caressed through the plates. My world expanded with her addition. People named her autistic To me she was artistic.

Any parents would be furious upon hearing that their daughter reported an accident she witnessed and also accompanied the victim to the hospital. How do I convince them that it is just human to save an unknown lying in a pool of scarlet fluid? After answering the questions of the police officials, I anxiously sat on the corridor waiting for the doctors to return from treating him. Finally, a nurse gestured to me and I rushed to see him. He turned towards me with a slight smile that conveyed gratitude. My hours of stress and agony melted in a jiff.

"Why are you giving way to everyone on the road, allowing people to cross at every junction?" Nithish frowned seeing his friend drive leisurely. "What are we going to do saving that one minute by getting past these vehicles? My father never listened to my mother who insisted on cautious driving and was always thrilled to overtake trucks and cars on highways that led to my parents die right in front of my eyes. Society renamed me from 'Arjun' to 'An Orphan'. I was just twelve. Something that happened within seconds but could not be changed even after fifteen years."