Category Archives: Story

Short Story: Lavender Love

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The delicate purple buds swayed gently in the breeze, their calming scent wafting through the air. Amelia bent down and carefully plucked a few sprigs of lavender from the garden, running her fingers along the soft, fuzzy leaves. She inhaled deeply, letting the familiar fragrance fill her senses and soothe her frazzled nerves.

At 22, Amelia was navigating the uncharted waters of adulthood, and it wasn’t always easy. The pressure to have it all figured out, and make the “right” choices, weighed heavily on her mind. She often found herself lying awake at night, consumed by anxiety about the future.

But whenever the worries became too much to bear, Amelia would turn to her trusty companion – the violet lavender. She kept a bundle of the dried flowers on her nightstand, ready to be crushed and inhaled whenever she needed a moment of peace. The scent had a magical way of calming her racing thoughts, grounding her in the present moment.

As Amelia grew older, the lavender became a symbol of resilience and self-care. Whenever she felt overwhelmed, she would take a few deep breaths, reminding herself that she had weathered storms before and would continue to do so. The lavender was a tangible reminder that even in the darkest moments, there was always a glimmer of hope.

Amelia’s love affair with lavender began at a young age. Her grandmother, Violet, had a sprawling garden filled with fragrant purple flowers. As a child, Amelia would spend hours exploring the garden, mesmerised by the gentle sway of the lavender in the breeze.

Violet was a kind and nurturing woman, always ready with a warm hug and a soothing word. She would often pluck a few sprigs of lavender and tuck them into Amelia’s hair, telling her that the flowers would bring her peace and happiness. Amelia would giggle and twirl around the garden, feeling like a fairy princess in a magical lavender kingdom.

As Amelia grew older, she would visit her grandmother’s garden whenever she needed comfort. The familiar scent of lavender would instantly transport her back to those carefree childhood days, reminding her of the unconditional love and support that Violet provided.

When Violet passed away, Amelia was devastated. She felt like she had lost her anchor, her guiding light in a world that was becoming increasingly complex and overwhelming. The transition into adulthood was not an easy one, and Amelia often found herself struggling to find her footing.

One day, while sorting through her grandmother’s belongings, Amelia stumbled upon a small bundle of dried lavender. She brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply, and suddenly, she was back in the garden, Violet’s warm embrace enveloping her. At that moment, Amelia realised that the lavender was more than just a flower—it was a connection to her grandmother, a tangible reminder of the love and strength that she had instilled in her.

From that day on, Amelia made it a point to keep a bundle of dried lavender with her at all times. Whenever she felt overwhelmed or uncertain, she would take a few deep breaths, letting the calming scent wash over her. It was as if Violet was there with her, whispering words of encouragement and reminding her that she had the strength to face whatever challenges came her way.

As Amelia navigated the ups and downs of adulthood, she found herself drawn back to her grandmother’s garden. There was something about the peaceful, serene atmosphere that instantly calmed her nerves and lifted her spirits. She would spend hours tending to the lavender plants, pruning and watering them with a gentle touch.

One particularly challenging day, Amelia found herself in her favourite spot in the garden, surrounded by calming purple hues. She sat cross-legged on the grass, crushing a few sprigs of lavender between her fingers. As she inhaled the soothing scent, she felt a sense of clarity wash over her.

In that moment, Amelia realized that the challenges she faced were not obstacles, but growth opportunities. She may not have all the answers, but she had the strength and resilience to navigate whatever life threw her way. With a renewed sense of purpose, she stood up, brushed off her jeans, and headed back inside, ready to face the world with a little help from her violet companion.

As Amelia continued to navigate the challenges of adulthood, she found that her love for lavender was not just a personal passion, but also a professional one. She decided to pursue a degree in horticulture, determined to learn everything she could about the plant that had brought her so much comfort over the years.

During her studies, Amelia discovered the many benefits of lavender, from its calming properties to its use in natural skincare products. She became fascinated by the science behind the plant’s therapeutic effects, and she knew that she wanted to share her knowledge with the world.

After graduating, Amelia opened her lavender farm and apothecary. She spent her days tending to the fragrant purple plants, harvesting the flowers and creating a range of products that she hoped would bring joy and comfort to others. From lavender-infused bath salts to soothing essential oils, Amelia poured her heart and soul into every creation.

As her business began to thrive, Amelia found herself surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals who shared her passion for lavender and natural wellness. She made new friends and forged strong connections with her customers, many of whom had their own stories of how lavender had helped them through difficult times.

One day, while attending a local farmers’ market, Amelia met a charming young man named Ethan. He was immediately drawn to her infectious enthusiasm and warm smile, and he couldn’t resist buying a bundle of her lavender-scented soap. As they chatted, Amelia felt a spark of connection that she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Over the next few weeks, Ethan became a regular customer at Amelia’s stall, and their casual conversations soon blossomed into a budding romance. Amelia found herself falling for Ethan’s kind heart, quick wit, and genuine interest in her work. He, in turn, was captivated by her strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her passion.

As Amelia’s relationship with Ethan deepened, she found herself dreaming of a future filled with lavender and love. She imagined a cosy cottage surrounded by a lush garden, where she and Ethan would grow old together, tending to the plants that had brought them so much joy and comfort over the years.

One evening, as they sat together on a bench in Amelia’s garden, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of violet and gold, Ethan turned to her and said, “Amelia, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You’ve overcome so much, and you’ve done it with grace, strength, and a whole lot of lavender.”

Amelia laughed, her eyes sparkling with tears of joy. “It’s true,” she said, “lavender has been my constant companion through it all. But you, Ethan, you’ve become a part of that story. You’ve brought so much light and love into my life, and I can’t imagine my future without you.”

Ethan smiled and pulled a small box from his pocket. “Then let’s make that future official,” he said, opening the box to reveal a delicate silver ring with a single amethyst stone. “Amelia, will you marry me?”

Amelia’s heart swelled with love and happiness as she nodded, unable to speak through her tears of joy. As Ethan slipped the ring onto her finger, she knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that would be filled with the comforting scent of lavender and the unwavering love of her soulmate.

From that day on, whenever Amelia caught a whiff of lavender, she would be reminded of the strength, resilience, and love that had carried her through the challenges of adulthood. As she and Ethan built their lives together, surrounded by the calming purple hues of the lavender garden, Amelia knew that she had found her true happily ever after.

Short Stories: The Red Rose – A Valentine’s Day Reunion

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Eliza sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers tracing the worn pages of her old school yearbook. It was Valentine’s Day, a day that held bittersweet memories of love lost and dreams deferred. As she flipped through the pages, a pressed red rose fluttered to the floor, its vibrant petals a stark contrast against the faded memories of her youth.

Her thoughts drifted back to James, her high school sweetheart, and the tumultuous relationship they shared. Their love had been passionate and intense, a whirlwind of emotions that swept them both off their feet. But with passion came turbulence, and their journey together had been punctuated by countless fights and tearful reconciliations.

Eliza sighed as she recalled the final days of their relationship. It had been a decision born out of necessity—a choice to break free from the cycle of heartache and uncertainty. As she graduated from high school, she made the difficult decision to part ways with James, hoping that time and distance would heal the wounds of their fractured love.

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Years passed, and life carried Eliza forward, leaving behind the echoes of her past. She built a career, forged new friendships, and found solace in the rhythm of everyday life. Yet, the memory of James lingered like a faint whisper, a reminder of a love that had once consumed her heart.

On that fateful Valentine’s Day, two decades later, Eliza found herself drawn back to the remnants of her youth. The pressed red rose, a relic of a bygone era, stirred something deep within her soul. With a sense of nostalgia tinged with longing, she decided to embark on a journey to find James, to seek closure or perhaps the possibility of a second chance at love.

With trembling hands, Eliza typed James’s name into the search bar, her heart pounding with anticipation. To her surprise, his profile appeared on the screen, a testament to the passage of time and the interconnectedness of fate. They were both in the same town, separated by mere miles yet worlds apart.

Gathering her courage, Eliza reached out to James, her fingers hesitating over the send button. Would he remember her? Would he be open to reconnecting after all these years? The questions lingered like a lingering fog, obscuring the path ahead.

To her relief, James responded with warmth and sincerity, his words a beacon of hope in the darkness of uncertainty. They agreed to meet for coffee, a tentative step towards reconciliation and rediscovery.

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As Eliza entered the quaint café, her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation. Would James still be the same person she remembered from her youth? Would the years have softened the rough edges of their past, paving the way for a new beginning?

Her questions were soon answered as James walked through the door, his smile as bright as the sun on a summer’s day. Time seemed to stand still as they embraced, the years melting away in the warmth of their reunion.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, each word a bridge connecting their shared past to the present moment. They laughed over shared memories and reminisced about the innocence of their youth. For a brief moment, it felt as if no time had passed at all, and they were once again the young lovers who had dared to dream of forever.

As the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, Eliza and James found themselves lost in each other’s gaze. It was a moment of clarity, a realization that despite the trials and tribulations of their past, their love had endured, resilient and unwavering.

In the days that followed, Eliza and James embarked on a journey of rediscovery, exploring the depths of their shared history and the possibilities of their future. They laughed, they cried, and they navigated the complexities of love with grace and understanding.

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With each passing day, their bond deepened, a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness and redemption. They learned to embrace the imperfections of their past, understanding that it was through their struggles that they had grown stronger, both individually and as a couple.

And so, on a bright and beautiful Valentine’s Day, one year from the day they reunited, Eliza and James stood hand in hand, surrounded by the ones they loved most. It was a day of celebration, the culmination of their journey from heartache to happiness, from separation to unity. And of course, Eliza had a bouquet of red roses, which reminded them both of their long journey to get there.

As they exchanged vows beneath a canopy of blooming roses, their love blossomed like the petals of a flower, vibrant and full of promise. Their hearts beat as one, a testament to the enduring power of love to heal, transform, and bring two souls together in a journey of everlasting devotion.

In that moment, as they sealed their love with a kiss, Eliza and James knew that their story was just beginning. For in the garden of their hearts, the seeds of their love had taken root, destined to bloom and flourish for all eternity. And as they danced beneath the stars, surrounded by the fragrance of roses and the whispers of the wind, they knew that their love would always be their guiding light, illuminating the path ahead with the promise of endless possibilities.

Short Story: The Purple Balloon

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Rohan
I have always loved Ganesh Chaturthi. The noise, music, and dhol, all add to the excitement and even though it’s school time, I always try to visit as many pandals as possible. I am a big boy now and after pestering Mukesh chachu for almost a year, he finally agreed to take me to see the Ganesh visarjan at Chowpatty. We will be taking a train and then walking to the beach. Ma and Baba are angry with chachu, and dada and dadi also don’t want us to go, but I am bih now, so this year I will go, come what may.

Today is Anantchaturdashi, so after having a hearty lunch, we set off for Chowpatty, the air buzzing with anticipation. My heart raced with excitement as we navigated through the crowded streets of Mumbai. Chachu held my hand tightly, guiding me through the sea of people, each one carrying a Ganesh idol towards the sea for immersion. On the way, we also saw some big idols, including Lalbaghcha Raja.

As we reached Chowpatty, the sight was breathtaking. Hundreds of colourful Ganesh idols lined the beach, surrounded by eager devotees singing and dancing in devotion. The scent of incense and the rhythmic beat of drums filled the air, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

“Look, Rohan!” Chachu exclaimed, pointing to the sky. “See those kites flying high? It’s like a festival in the sky too!”

I grinned and pointed to a group of children trying to fly their kites. Chachu, always playful, bought me a beautiful purple balloon from a vendor nearby. “Here, hold onto this, Rohan,” he said, tying it to my wrist. “This way, I’ll always find you, no matter what.”

The purple balloon floated above me, like a guardian angel watching over, as we continued our journey through the chaotic crowd. I felt safe and happy, knowing Chachu was with me and that the balloon would lead him to me if we got separated.

Mukesh
Being the youngest of my siblings, I felt a special bond with Rohan. He was born when I was in school and because the age gap is not too much between us, so we behave more like friends rather than uncle and nephew. When he pleaded with me to take him to Chowpatty for Ganesh visarjan, I couldn’t resist. I knew bhai and bhabhi and ma and baba wouldn’t approve, but I wanted to give him an unforgettable experience.

As we reached Chowpatty, I marvelled at the vibrant spectacle before us. The sea of colours, the sounds of devotion, and the spirit of unity overwhelmed me. Rohan’s eyes lit up with wonder, and I couldn’t help but smile at his excitement. I was so glad I was able to give him this experience he will not forget in a hurry.

To add to the magic of the moment, I bought him a purple balloon. His joy knew no bounds as he clutched it tightly. “Thank you, Chachu! This is the best day ever!” he said, his eyes sparkling like stars.

With Rohan holding my hand, we manoeuvred through the bustling crowd. But as the immersion rituals began, the chaos intensified. Chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchyavarshi Loukar Ya” filled the air as people bid farewell to their beloved elephant-headed God by carrying them into the sea and bid him goodbye.

Someone pushed me from behind and I felt a tug on my hand. My heart skipped a beat and I looked down, but Rohan wasn’t there! Panic surged through me as I frantically searched the surrounding crowd, calling out his name. But the noise of the festival drowned my voice.

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Rohan
Suddenly my hand was torn from chachu and I found myself alone in the crowd. My heart raced as I realized I had lost Chachu. I tightened the balloon in my hand and started crying. I was scared, surrounded by strangers, and unsure of what to do. I walked a while, pushed and prodded by people who were eager to immerse their idols and get home.

After a while, I noticed a group of men and they, on seeing me crying came up to me. They knelt at my level and smiled reassuringly. One of them patted my shoulder gently and said, “Don’t worry, beta, tell us why you are crying”. When I told them my chachu was lost and I was missing my ma and baba, they laughed and told me “We’ll keep you safe until we find your chachu.”

They formed a protective circle around me, like guardian angels. One of the men lifted me and put me on his shoulders so that I could look out for chachu. He also took the purple balloon, which had become my lifeline and held it up as a beacon to signal Chachu where I was. With their reassuring presence, my fear subsided, and I felt a glimmer of hope.

Mukesh
My heart pounded in my chest as I continued searching for Rohan frantically. The festival seemed to have swallowed him whole, and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me for bringing him here against his parents’ wishes. I knew I had to find him before anything happened. I started thinking of all the worst things that can happen. An image flashed across my eyes of Rohan in the clutches of a gang which made children stand in the road and beg and I shuddered with anguish. I ran here and there trying to find Rohan, but could not see anyone resembling him in the crowd.

As I ran, my eyes caught a glimpse of a purple balloon floating above the crowd. It looked like the balloon I brought for Rohan and I was relieved to see it. “Was it Rohan’s balloon?” I didn’t know, but ran towards it because it gave me some hope. I followed its trail to a group of men, one of whom was holding the balloon like a beacon and another holding Rohan on his shoulder. I rushed to his side, my heart swelling with gratitude for these kind strangers.

“Chachu!” Rohan cried out, tears of relief streaming down his cheeks. I hugged him tightly, whispering words of reassurance. “I’m here, Rohan. I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” The men smiled warmly, patting Rohan’s back. “He’s a brave boy, and the balloon helped us find you,” one of them said.

Rohan
With chachu’s reassuring presence, the purple balloon back in my hand, and the group of kind men by our side, I felt safe once again. We continued to witness the visarjan of the Ganesh idols and I said a little prayer for bringing my chachu back to me, tightly holding chachu’s hand, not wanting to let go. As the sun set and the festival came to a close, we made our way back home, weaving through the now calmer streets of Mumbai.

I knew I had experienced something extraordinary that day, and it wouldn’t have been the same without the purple balloon and the caring strangers who protected me. I looked up at Chachu, grateful for his love and for keeping his promise to me.

ukesh
The experience of losing Rohan and finding him again had been a rollercoaster of emotions. I knew now, more than ever, that my duty as his uncle was to protect and cherish him. The purple balloon had played a crucial role in reuniting us, and I couldn’t help but smile at its significance.

As we walked back home, I held Rohan’s hand tightly in mine, vowing to never let go. The chaotic festival reminded me of the fragility of life and the importance of treasuring our loved ones. I sent a small prayer to Vignaharta, the remover of obstacles who brought my nephew back to me. Though we returned to the safety of our home, the memories of the festival and the purple balloon would forever remain etched in our hearts. I recounted this experience to my brother, bhabhi and parents and we all hugged Rohan once again, knowing that without the kindness of these strangers, our little boy may have been lost to us forever. The city of Mumbai, one again, showed us what it is made of. Exhausted, as I went to bed, the strains of the songs “Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan, Zara hatke zara bachke yeh hai Bombay meri jaan” came through the television of our neighbour and I smiled at the expansiveness of the city of my birth as sleep claimed me.

Writing

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if-word-clipart-1024x627One of the things I want to try my hand in during the next month or so is to start writing seriously. I’ve always loved writing and one of my favourite periods in school used to be the English composition period. In fact, I can remember myself in school, during the English exams, once we get the paper, the first thing I’d do is see the options for the composition section. Only after I made my choice, would I start to attempt the rest of the paper, wanting to savor the composition right at the end. All the while writing the paper, the composition would be writing itself in my head and I would pen it down once I’d done the other boring parts like grammar and the literature section.

In college, I wanted to do English Literature, but got suckered into doing Economics and Finance as I felt that’s where the nicer jobs were, but writing was something I did in secret. When Blogspot and later WordPress started, I was elated. This was a chance for me to start writing and this is where my blogging journey started. However, with the exception of last year, I’ve been more of an indifferent blogger, preferring to remain anonymous. I still prefer to blog anonymously, but my writing has started to get better in the last eighteen months or so of blogging regularly (or so I’d like to think)….

writing-a-book-two-people-clipart-1Like my reading, my writing is all over the place, but if I have a soft spot, then it will be for children’s books. I know that there are not many famous children’s book authors, but I love penning down small and sweet stories for the young. If the story has a kernel of something they learn in the process, that’s icing on the cake, as far as I am concerned. I have some stories written in this blog about a couple of monkeys called Chica and Chiki, modeled, as you’d probably have guessed correctly, on GG and BB!

I’d love to write more stories on my monkey twins and maybe some others. I know I have to do some research on how a children’s book is written and will do so. One part of this research will be to read more children’s books, but I am also planning to search for books on this subject as well as perhaps on creative writing? I am also looking for some courses in creative and writing, need to check the local universities, but I am not too optimistic about this. I will go online and maybe Coursera may have something for me.

I’ll definitely update once I start writing and who knows you people will be subjected to my stories here. When I do, please be honest in your reviews and critiques…..

Chica and Chiki are Brave

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Chica and Chiki woke up with a sense of anticipation. They, along with their friends from the Jungle school were going to be going on a picnic to the new waterpark which had recently opened. They had never been there and so were very excited to go there with their friends and play.

Both quickly woke up and got ready for school, much to the astonishment of their mama, who normally had to prod them to get ready. They quickly got the essentials ready – swimming costumes, towels, soap to clean up later, clean clothes, some food and water and went outside to wait for the bus to pick them up. The bus came with scores of happy children and kissing their mama good-bye Chica and Chiki got in to have the best day of their lives.

They reached the water park and teachers grouped them so that everyone could play in the various areas of the park without creating havoc and so everyone got a chance to play in each of the rides. Chica was initially upset that she was not with her best friend Rumi, but she quickly got over her snit and started enjoying herself.

Lunch time came and the teachers herded the children to have lunch. They also strictly told the children to have a nap after lunch as it was not good to play in the water immediately after eating. The children all obediently closed their eyes and went to sleep. Chiki was not sleepy and so started to slowly open his eyes to see what was happening around him. He found Chica also doing the same thing and both looked at each other started laughing, silently because they didn’t want to wake up the other children and get in trouble with the teachers.

Suddenly both of them heard faint shrieks. It looked like it was coming from the giant water slide. They looked at each other, unsure of what to do. The teachers were still asleep and so Chiki and Chica decided to investigate. They quickly ran towards where the noise was coming from and found Rumi struggling in the water. There were no life guards around as everyone was resting after lunch. Chica tried to enter the water to help her friend, but the water was too deep for her. She quickly made a decision, “Chiki, quickly run and get help and I will wait here with Rumi”. Rumi was scared and crying and her stomach was also paining from drinking all the water.

Chika ran as fast as his little legs would carry him and went back to where the teachers and other children were resting. He ran to his favourite teacher, Mrs. Cat and shook her awake and cried, “Mrs. Cat, please come quickly….Rumi is in the water at the giant slide and her stomach is paining” Mrs. Cat was initially disconcerted and woke up with a start. She started scolding Chiki for being awake when all the other children were sleeping. But then the importance of his words penetrated and she soon woke up the other teachers. Two of the teachers ran to get help and Mrs. Cat and Mr. Hare ran with Chiki to the giant slide.

At the slide, Chica was frantic, Rumi’s cries were becoming fainter and she could see that something was wrong, but she didn’t know what to do. She thought hard, probably the hardest she had ever done, harder than when she thought for exams and suddenly had a brainwave. She tried to grab some of the umbrellas which were strewn outside the slide to help shield people from the harsh sun and tried to throw them to Rumi. “Rumi” she shouted, “Open the umbrella and try to use it as a boat”. Rumi was tired but tried her best to grab atleast one of the umbrellas. She tried hard and just when she wanted to give up, she finally caught one and opened it upside down. She hopped on and soon was floating on it.

By this time, the teachers, with Chiki in their wake, along with lifeguards were at the slide and the lifeguards swam to Rumi and brought her safely to ground. On the ground, Rumi put her down in shame as the teachers started scolding her. With tears streaming down her eyes, she apologized to them, “I am so sorry” she said “I know I was told not to get in the water immediately after eating, but I so wanted to play in the giant slide” She looked at Chica and Chiki and continued “Thank you Chica and Chiki for helping me”.
The teachers also praised Chiki and Chica for helping out Rumi, but they also got scolded for not resting when told to. However, since their misdemeanor meant that they could save their friends’ life, they did not get scolded much.

On the way home, all the children were tired and quiet. Mrs. Cat took the opportunity to teach some life lessons to them and said, “Children today was an important day and we all learnt something. Can anyone tell me what it was”. For a few minutes there was complete silence and then a small voice piped out, “We should listen when our elders tell us something”. “Correct, replied Mrs. Cat. Older people know what they talking about, so when they tell you to do or not to do something like today, they say it from experience. What else?” Noone spoke up, so she continued, “Chica and Chiki also showed bravery when they tried to save Rumi and got help, so if you find yourselves in a situation you can’t handle, get a responsible adult to help you”. All the children nodded their heads as they started to leave the bus, happy with a day well spent!