God # Story

          I was waiting in the room browsing channels. Times Now was telecasting the weather report. It said 20 degree Celsius in Mumbai but then why was I sweating? My name was called. My heart began to pump faster and silently I entered the cabin.

           The doctor asked me to feel comfortable. He came to me and sat on the table. He gave me a glass of water.

“Relax Rajan”, he told me. I gulped the water. I was feeling better. He took a deep breath. “Rajan”, he paused for a second, “It is positive.”I almost broke down and I could not hold my tears. “Why is it me? I was never involved in any of the libidinous activities throughout my life. I always thought it is a sin to do such things before marriage. Then how can I be positive?” The doctor consoled me for an hour or so. After coming out of the hospital, I went to my home. I could not hold anyone’s sympathy, so I went straight to my room.

          I closed my eyes, and I found me in an edifice on fire. The building imitated like my home. Flames were hitting my face. I had almost left the hope; but then I could see a white light coming to me. But it vanished and again everything became as it was. I opened my eyes and was so terrified as if I was on a gunpoint. I held my breath and tried to relax. “What was that” I asked to myself. “What was the white light and where did it go?” I went to the doctor the next day and told him about the dream. He told me to relax. It was just a mental imbalance because of the shock. But I did not feel the same way. I thought that it was God.

          I thought that I will find out where is God and I will ask him; why me? But how do I find God? I thought for some time. I was really irritated. I saw a gentleman in a suit. I went to him and asked him a question. “Do you know where can I find God? I want to meet him.” The gentleman looked at me and started laughing. “God does not exist. You better go to the court if you want to complain.” he went away. I was not satisfied. I went to the temple. I asked priest the same question, “Do you know where I can find God? I want to meet him.” The priest said that he is there inside. I went inside. This was the first time in my life that I was entering the temple. There was a small sculpture in there. I thought this is god and I bent on my knees and bombarded him with questions. Why me? After some time I stopped. There was no reply from god. I got up, turned and went after looking harshly at the priest. I was walking along the road and saw a blind and paralysed man begging on one corner. I stopped there. I went to him and asked him the same question. “Do you know where can I find God? I want to meet him.” He said, “Sir, I do not know where god is, but he is there near you when you need him the most. You just need to know when you need him.” I stood up thought for a moment and then walked further wondering.

          I went to the beach. I was walking on the sand and the beggar’s words were pinching my head. I thought that do I really need God? Is he there? Will he help me? I was just pondering when I saw a strange scene; a small puppy was about to be attacked by the stray dogs. The puppy was feeling timid and was crying from its heart. I thought that I should go and save him. Suddenly a cat entered the scene and jumped like an outraged tiger. It roared and that was the first time I saw a cat in such a mood. When one of the dogs tried to attack, the cat gave a hit and the dog was on its face. The stray dogs vanished within seconds. The cat became silent and then came close to the puppy and then caressed it with its tail. This was the scene that hit my mind and gave me the answer to my question. I collected all the scenes and tried to link them.

·       God does not exist, only the court does.

·       Can a sculpture really talk?

·       God is there with you when you need him.

·       God does not come to you. He will send someone. God is always around you, with you.

I retained a devotional quote that when you do not have a solution to your problem, just close your eyes and God will come to you for help. I closed my eyes. I could not see anything. It was all murky. I felt my problem that I was positive. After a while I saw the white light again. It came to me this time. It was a lady. She came and hugged me.

           It was my mother. She was the one who was always there for me when I was in a trouble. She always talked to me and consoled me not like a sculpture but like a helping hand. I felt that day that she was my god. I went to my home straight and hugged my mom. It felt like all my trouble was gone. She kissed me on my forehead. I then knew “God could not be everywhere so he created mothers.” I cried.

                                                                             

"Happy" Anniversary # Story

 

Jaipur, the 13th May 2008

Morning:

Reading the newspaper and sipping my N'Cafe, I heard a sweet voice calling my name. I turned back and saw Ranjini appearing out of the shower room caressing her wet hair. she was looking no less than an angel. A gentle hug was what in store for me every morning but today it was a bit different. I didn't know why. After an hour I left for my office bidding good bye to my beloved.

Office:

All was looking so different today at office. My cabin decorated with flowers and Gifts all around. I was taken aback. What was wrong with me? Was I in a hangover? Why didn't I know why this celebration? Rahul entered the cabin and gave me a bump on my shoulder. I hate it when he does that.

" Hey buddy, Whats this all about? Am I being promoted? U are an HR. U must know it".

"Dont tell me that it happened again... U don't remember what is it today?"

"No, But why?"

"Dude its your anniversary.."

I looked at him in a mixed expression disgust, surprise and fear. Fear because if this was true I was screwed up... coz I have not even wished her.

" But it is on 13th" I looked at my watch" and today is..."

"13th he said laughing..."

Before we finished talking all my colleagues entered the room and flooded me with wishes. Finally my wife entered the cabin in a beautiful black dress, looking as lovely as ever with a gift in her hands. I was glad and surprised at the same time, finding that all of them together planned this for me. Rahul went to my computer and played my favorite song. It’s a soft one which I used to sing for my wife when we were just unmarried love birds. Someone pushed me towards Ranjini. Suddenly Silence fell across. It was all so romantic. I danced with my wife as if we were alone.  Soon two more couples joined us. There was a prom going on in my office cabin. Phew!!Ranjini came closer and whispered to me. Rahul heard it and shouted “Someone’s going home early today.” and more hoots came our way and she shied away and left for home.

Back to work:

I browsed the files in my drawer and Rahul entered again. There was a smart young boy in black shirt accompanying him. I was impressed. Sharique introduced him to me, "Satish, our new accountant.” he said. I spoke to him for about half an hour to make him familiar with the policies of the company. He then went out. I looked up at the clock; it said 5:30 PM. As soon as the clock ticked 6. I packed my bag and left. I could never forget the wicked smile Rahul gave me.

 

Time to Go home:

 

I decided to go to Johari Bazzar to get a gold ring for my wife. I told the attendant to show me a gold ring for my wife. That day there were not many customers in the shop. One of them was verbally abusing the attendant but he was pretty well to handle him politely. Soon the other attendant came to me with a glass box to show me the ring. I opened the box and began to choose a ring. Finally I chose one.

I made the payment and was moving towards the door. As I opened it. Boom… A very loud sound. I felt as if I had no ears left. Puzzled and terrified I saw everyone running, trembling with fear and I followed, don't know where..

What was it? where did the sound come from? People were colliding with each other and in minutes, the entire market was a picture of total panic. It was a bomb blast and before I could think again...Boom!!! one more... this one was louder. People ran screaming, jumping over dead bodies and severed limbs, skirting mangled rickshaws and damaged cars. I felt as if only God could help me.

A thought went through my mind. “Ranjini”… I dialed her number. .. Busy… “Hell…” I shouted. I was running towards my home. I saw, someone banged into an old man and he fell on his face. .I went and gave him a hand. He thanked me and started to run again. I felt good as I did something good in such a chaos. Boom… One more blast. This one was around 50 meters away from me. While running I closed my eyes and shouted “God, save me.” I opened my eyes and Bang… I banged into a pillar and fell down. I felt giddy. I got up again started to run for my life.

Reached Home:

I reached home sweating and terrified. It was around 8:00 PM. I banged on the door and shouted “Ranjini...”. She came out running. I hugged her hard and she started to cry. I kissed her on forehead and tears rolled out of my eyes. I narrated the whole incident to her. I got up and switched on the TV and got annoyed by the head lines. Eight blasts within 12 minutes! I was there at 3 spots!!! lucky me. I started to dial the numbers of my friends and relatives. The networks were busy. It took around two and a half hours to contact all my relatives and friends. It was 11:00 PM; both of us went to our bedroom and slept in each others arms. I thanked god for the life he spared me. I decided not to go to the office the next day.

Next Morning:

I woke up early next day. My wife was still sleeping. I called Rahul. He did not pick up the phone. I dialed the number again. “Hello” I said. he replied in a fuzzy tone, “Have you read the newspaper.”.“ No” I replied. He then hung the phone. I turned to pick up the newspaper in anxiety. The headlines of the newspaper said “Two Terrorists Arrested.” The pictures shocked the hell out of me. One of them was the old man I had helped. The other was Satish. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.