Scattered Thoughts

Sunday 27 September 2020

Normal Days #87

 Flyers

 

I am stuck in Abu Dhabi now since Sept. 6th, 2020 and no idea when all the visa formalities will be concluded so that I could go home. It is really getting on my nerves but this is not what this write is about though. It is about my love for anime and the one which I am watching are just exceptional.

First I watched Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma and believe me the way it is portrayed it is just b'ful. I can understand why some of people might find it, umm, how to say it, typical anime show but once you get past that you will find all the emotions there and for me it has always been about that and it always will be about that. I am a heart break kid, I need that longing, that wistful thinking, the imagination where it all happens without the harsh realities. You know my craziness.

 Anyway..moving on..

 The thing is when I like something (be it a book, movie, show or a celebrity in that movie) I read everything about it / them, every single thing available on the web. The creator interviews, the actors' interviews, their IMDB profile, Wikipedia profile, magazine articles everything, even fandom pages (for books and authors and shows). So there I was reading about the Food Wars when I suddenly found a recommendation of a movie Kimi-no-na-wa (Your Name) and when the opening credit rolls there is this song, it is in Japanese but damn if it doesn't pull at the strings of your heart.

So here I am stuck b'ween nothingness and unknown time of frame and I find these pieces of beauty spread around. I do not know if it means anything to anyone but for me it is amazing and like Bryan Adams once sang

Well, I don't believe in miracles but that don't mean they don't come true
Well, I may not get to Heaven
But I get a little closer when I'm with you

So, no matter what I say & do always remember you are always with me even when I am the one who pushed you away and it will always be about love with me no matter what I say.

I find you amidst all the hardships going around with me & my life and I find you in places & songs and I find you in the brightest of stars and darkest of hours, I will always find you in my heart even when you are not with me right now.

 

Finding Miracles

(To be Contd..)

Thursday 10 September 2020

Normal Days #86

 Big Bad World


I thought whenever I would write next it would be a good write, the way I look at the world with them rose colored glasses and all and I even had some thoughts I had penned down and I could have shared those instead and no matter how much I try to hide from the fact that there is no place where I could go and ignore this harsh reality I had to witness today.

Someone on one of the social media app today shared some disturbing stuff with some kid involved and I am raging, I am furious and I am angry at myself that I can not do anything about it. I mean what kind of world we will leave behind us. Some people justify killing poor animals, I want to know are these people who do stuff like that to a kid are they human and if anyone needs to feel manly or strong or justifying how killing a buck is so useful please let me know how killing these creatures is not justified.

I can go on and on and on about all this stuff, but if there is anything I am scared of the most is finding myself in that corner of world where someone approaches me and ask me do you like 'em young, I have 6 years old to 15 years old girls & boys for your pleasure. I would gladly do violence to that person and damn be the consequences.

I do not take pride in killing some squirrels, deer, bucks, alligators, birds, I mean, c'mon who kills poor geese and ducks, but if I had to go down I'd go down taking some of these creatures who violate kids.

And this is my space I can abhor whomever I dislike. And especially these creeps.


Death in Fire

(To be Contd..)

Wednesday 5 August 2020

Normal Days #85

My Slumbering Heart

You know I am a crazy guy. I always go back to the things I said I won't do. But, in my defense, who has not fallen into the hands of love over & over again.

And I also know I should not be writing about love after my last outburst here but I am noting but predictable and a hopeless romantic at that.

**eye roll**

Shoot me now!

Lyrics, it was the lyrics this damn time. I am at shutdown; in case you are wondering what that is I won't be wasting my breath to explain that here, just know I am busy. I do not even know when it is lunch time & when the day is suddenly over & amidst all this craziness is hopeless romantic me, listening to this song (no not the one I mentioned above, totally different song. But then why didn't I mention that song in my write? We have already established I tend to confuse people, haven't we? Why am I writing in brackets again?)

Phew!

So I was listening to this song, this sweet innocence of a feeling , this feeling when you actually can feel your heart swelling in your chest, I was having that moment of pure bliss and fervently hoping one of these days you'd be in my arms.

Somebody once very close to me told me I can not love anyone as I have this insane idea about love & how to be loved, this crazy thing no human can find within themselves to portray and trust me it was told in whole other level of contempt. And then I found you, so far and yet so close to me every time I draw a breath. Our own galaxy & space, our own world and realities and I, I am listening to you amidst all those lyrics.

You Sang to Me

(To be Contd..)

 

Saturday 27 June 2020

Normal Days #84

Junk Food Junkie

Whenever I eat broccoli I think I am eating oh, so healthy! And I mean I eat just a bud.

Wait! Do you call it a "bud", the only bud I love to eat is..ahem

Let's not make it dirty. I mean I do not know who reads my weirdness but can not gross those poor people out. But really, now I am intrigued what a lil piece of broccoli or cauliflower is called?

Let me know please.

And it all started while I was sipping water and wondering if I am drinking the right amount. There is so much pressure about the right amount or way of the things.

Right amount to drink water.
Right time to have dinner.
Right food to have for b'fast & lunch.

Right ways to make love.

I mean where is the spontaneity, where is the fire, where is the hunger (& I mean for food, not for body, though I like both in abundance).

Anyway, again, let's not make it dirty.

Why can we not uncomplicate our lives a lil, why can I not screw up, though I am perfect at that. The screw-ups, not perfect in doing the right things. So today I will have boiled vegetables & spinach (ewww) for dinner and will not even look at them again for a month or two and pretend I have done my bit towards helping myself to be healthy and cleanse my body of all toxins.

I believe in believing and also that when you believe things start to happen.
Abracadabra! 😉

Let's Eat Out

(To be Cont'd..)

Friday 22 May 2020

Normal Days #83

House on Fire
 
Today I am on berserk mode. And not in excited way, the destroyer one. I am destroying the bridges I built for people. Not in the architectural sense, the metaphorical sense, like people pleasing bridges, when you allow certain latitude to let people walk all over you, those stupid bridges. I am burning them all down. And trust me it is a long process, I mostly have to depend on others' intelligence, for example, if they sense the destruction I am on and avoid me on their own or do I have to be the direct and my own true demonic self while hurting their delicate sentiments.
 
I was reading my older posts a few days ago and God I was a pathetic guy. I mean how delusional and out of focus one can be. And I used to feel so high and mighty about them too. Like they say I was wet behind my ears, too busy seeing the world through rose colored glasses, believing every one is good inside and all those crazy things. Now I cringe when I read all that I have written. But that was the purpose of it, to teach me wisdom later on. I know deep within my heart I will always be that pathetic self but I can try to cover it up, put my energy to good use after all. Make myself feel invincible of all those crazy emotions. The thing which brought this on actually, all this "reform", please do not blame it on me, blame it on universe.
 
It is true!
 
See this is where I am jogging right now, to burn those calories and to remain a lil upbeat amidst all this crazy COVID-19 lock-down situation.

 
Do you see all that sea spread around me while I run, who has that view in this world, who feels the smell of ocean mixed with oxygen while they run, who sees the miracles of nature every other day, who can be here and not feel invincible. Yes I am on top of the world. And this is how I will feel.. Infinite like horizon and you..you can pretend you have an awesome life. 

P.S. I think this is my first write without a single word of "love" in it. 

On Top of the World

(To be Cont'd..)
 

Saturday 2 May 2020

Normal Days #82

Straight From the Heart

You will mostly find Bryan Adams's songs in my write and do not worry this is not about one of his song I am obsessed with right now.

It is so much more, so much bigger.

Well as I am writing this I am imagining in my head how exaggerated it sounded what I wrote up there and how dramatic, and I can sense your eye roll from over here. But it is all about love. It has always been about love. Has anything I have ever written been about something else? (Is it wrong that I am turned on by the grammar of this sentence and FYI this sentence has its own story, that is for some other time though, other wise this whole write will be in the brackets, and no, no rolling of eyes at me. Damn I need to get out of this bracket thing).

Finally, huh?

Whenever I feel boxed in or thrown into a room with reality I try to fade away from there, leaving those scenarios and situations happening to me & I transport myself to you. I guess I still am thinking of you. There will always be certain triggers to take me there, some songs, some movies, some books where I find you. Wait, scratch that, not some, same. I always return to same songs, same movies, same books when I have to meet you away from everyone's prying eyes. And I wonder what it would be like to finally meet you after all these years and talk to you and have some conversation. Will we be polite, like how are you and I am fine, thank you type. In the calm, in the silence, when you are really alone, even amidst the crowd (that is my favorite thing to do by the way), do you ever remember me.

Well is it not the question for ages and there is no answer to it till now & I think I have to wait till kingdom comes. Whatever it is and how much I have to wait, it was the best heartbreak one could ask for. Shall I thank you for that? (And please do not take it as an opportunity to break my heart in a better way, yes it is for you darling.)

This time it is a regional language song I will post, may be you will relate to it.

Will you cross the skies for me

(To be contd..)

Wednesday 8 April 2020

Normal Days #81

I'd Write a Letter

I do not even want to get into the discussion of how late I have been in writing a new post. I already explained how I am with confrontations.

**ahem** 
Anyway, the place I am right now, spiritually, I mean and before I move further with this write let me tell you that I rarely speak in physical terms. For me it is mostly spiritual, emotional presence that matters. I can be with you but I might as well be on Pluto and speaking of Pluto, it is my favorite planet and if you are going to tell me why I am being weird or crazy, well we will never be friends, acquaintances yes, and that too we will fade away like ambers do, you have to respect Pluto when you are with me. Coming back to my presence, right now whole world is still and it reminds me of The Weepies song, 'The World Spins Madly On'. 

The world has almost stopped spinning, once again in metaphorical term, everyone is under lockdown coz of COVID-19, or as cool people are calling it RONA. And I am on my Barge in middle of ocean watching dolphins swim for me and sun shining on to their fins.. No really I saw one dolphin today.

I am witnessing wonders of nature and thinking God I am so rusty. Make me magic. 

Love Potion #9
(To be Cont'd..)   

Monday 12 November 2018

Normal Days #80

Paperback Writer

Oh! How do I say it? Word seems to fail me. I do not know from where to start actually, how to pen down the thoughts raging in my mind since 2 days & 3 nights now. I have worked down the middle of this write & I am confident ending will sure come along. It is the beginning I can not seem to fathom for everything, relations, writes, thoughts, life, you name it I have screwed it.

Anyway, this is not about what I do wrong always, it is about those things every human being should have, a recluse, a safe place to go to. For some it is their loved ones, for some, it is their family but for some, some nomadic souls like me it is the books. And not the self help crap, I am confident (rather over confident) that there is nothing in those books which can improve the way I live. At least I will not change the way I approach the problem just because some douche said it so. But give me stories, give me fiction, give me the world where there is hope, anguish, dreams, love, lots of love coz the romantic in me does not want to give up on the mirage in lieu of reality.

I have been blessed with good friend of mine who is the reason I found all those books and all those people. And of course my mums when she introduced me to that world when I was a kid. I still believe Sherlock Holmes is real, I find Jack Reacher, Elvis Cole, Harry Potter and so many more wonderful literary creations alive even when I have finished the book. And then there is Ms. Ellen O' Connell. She gave me a thing, a love, one of its own kind which has destroyed the reality for me and I so much relate to this quote here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
There is this ache in my heart to feel like that, to be that much in love, to have that much of love, to build that much love, but then life happens and I am left running to more of the hideouts (read books).
 
So here I am fighting reality, immersing myself in some parallel universe, detaching myself from everything and wondering how much high I can get before reality brings me down again.
And I am reading Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold yet again.
 
Same Drugs
 
(To be Contd..)


Saturday 20 October 2018

Normal Days #79

I am Gonna be (500 Miles)

Infinitesimal. A small speck in this large and unknown cosmos. Everything & then nothing in this giant scheme of the universe. This and so much more I felt when I traveled to Ras Al Khaimah today from Abu Dhabi. It was a car ride and hence I could experience the infinite of sand spread around me everywhere. It was a feeling I will never forget.

I have seen oceans. I have traveled a lot and I rarely wrote about all those experiences of mine coz I feel such intense feeling that when I wish to pen 'em down I seem at loss of words. That says a lot about my vocabulary though!

Jokes aside, I feel blessed that I have seen so much and experienced the beauty & destructions of nature at first hand.

How am I blessed when I have witnessed the destructions, you ask? Well, it will be a long answer and I do not really wish to go off course with this write anyway. Coming back to Ras Al Khaimah. It is a province under UAE, same as we have states in US & India. It is one of the states of UAE. It is like one of those quaint and quiet towns where you cannot be anonymous. Consider it is a small town. Two-way roads, greenery, silent streets and the one which I admired the most is the unsynchronized way nature is here. I have been in UAE for more than 5 and a half years now, I have seen the planned cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, though I like 'em all I never would have thought that RAK will be so wonderful and magical. When we first entered the boundaries of this wonderful city it was sand on both of the sides of the highway and I never would have imagined that it would glitter like gold and suddenly it would turn into a shade of red stone. That is when I knew I had to write this down to remember this journey.

And why I took this journey? Well there is a meeting in Abu Dhabi and I am traveling with my boss and he is from RAK so I got this opportunity to see the wonders of nature on my own. The experience is so unique coz all those years I am here in UAE I had never traveled to any of the places. I left 'em to enjoy with a b'ful company. Anyway, experiencing this unsynchronized city after all the order and planning felt so refreshing. And the sand dunes, oh! if only I had a camera with me. I would have shared the beauty of the place.

Tomorrow we leave early morning and I hope to see the rising sun across the horizon and welcoming me to the new day and to the better life.

Till then like Frank Sinatra said

Come Fly With Me...

(To be Contd..)


Saturday 14 July 2018

Normal Days #78

Live Like You Were Dying

Today I wanna write about some scary stuff. It is the most dangerous thing after humans & I do not have much knowledge about it, not because I am ignorant about the magnitude of its graveness, it is more of an Ostrich kind of an attitude. "If I can not see 'em, they can not see me." I know it is not practical or realistic but neither am I. Again, it is not about my attitude towards life & its various problems, it is about CANCER!

Lately I have been hearing / reading this word way too often. I lost my colleague's sister to this disease. One of my other colleague is also fighting a battle against it. There are so many ways everyone thinks to leave this world, to make a difference, to pass on all the knowledge they have to their loved ones but this disease robs so much from everyone. I have known a survivor of this battle and yet I still refuse to acknowledge or give cancer the attention to be that important in my life.

I am scared of this disease.

I have seen it raking havoc on ppl you love. And as I am not a fighter, I do not think I would want to hang around to see ppl who love me, watch me wither away. I would just give up coz I have never been good with ultimatums & threats or someone making me to do things while holding a gun to my head. Cancer is just like that. I am scared of hospitals!

This disease, even when you defeat the crap out of it, never leaves you. Some corner of your heart always have this fear, this nagging doubt whether it is all gone or not. I send a prayer for everyone out there, every single person please never stop living your life. I know there are plans and there are schedules and there are deadlines but never, ever stop experiencing love. Tell your kids, your parents, your florist, your colleagues that you appreciate 'em, their efforts, their patience with you. And even when you can not be nice never forget ppl will forget what you said to 'em but they will never forget how you made 'em feel.

Me?

I'm Gonna Love You Through It

(To be Contd..)

Saturday 23 June 2018

Normal Days #77

Seven Spanish Angels

As I sit down to write this I am listening to 'Seven Spanish Angels' by Bryan Adams. I do not usually write about the songs as I always dedicate at the beginning and the end of each post. I do not exactly know when I started doing that and I am too lazy to go back and figure that out but I know I have written another post about a Kodaline song 'All I want'.

So here I am again writing about this song and the reason that I am doing this might contribute to the fact that I am high on emotions (good, bad, anger, love, masochism, etc..). Lately I have been reading good books, positive books and I am dreaming of this perfect world out there not worrying about the reality already knocking on my door, not worrying about anything in this moment save focusing on the lyrics and wondering the love and the times and the history of Texas.

It is no secret that I love Texas, especially those times when it was nothing but wilderness out there. I know those were terrible times & the cheapest thing out there was life and all kind of dangerous men lived out there but the hopeless romantic in me believes that life thrived even after then, even after everything was against them and later the Yankees coming down with all the force and means to destroy the independence. I have to believe there was love coz otherwise what would there be if it was not love. How would there be songs & stories like this if there were not hopes & dreams?

I am listening to this song and wondering if I am capable of loving like this. Lately I have been thinking more about what I do for ppl instead of what ppl do for me. May be it is a part of growing up and being mature but I will not think that high of myself; yet. So if I am not giving everything in love, not giving my heart out for you to do as you please with it and keep guarding some part of it how can I ask you to give it all to me?

And as I listen to the song again on repeat there are so many thoughts about those times and I am thinking that what would you think if I write here all those but then if I can't be crazy enough here where can I be?

Break my heart or keep it safe, it is all up to you coz I am giving it all this time, risking it all to love you completely and like they have said

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Love never fails.

I wanna grow old with you

(To be Contd..)

Thursday 8 February 2018

Normal Days #76

Pretty Good Year

So, again, after six months or so, huh.

Yes, I am alive and I am active. It is just a habit of mine I want to shrug off, this habit where I refrain from certain good habits and then it gets too difficult to go back and yet here I am.

So 2017 was a pretty mixed year for me, professionally it was a mixed year but I passed it without any hiatus. On the personal luxury front, well, I do have some good news to share. I do not wanna boast about it but I bought a car, full payment no loans or whatsoever. It is the best feeling. To not to owe anyone. I do still feel some remorse whenever I drive it though. The carbon emission and all. Hence I don't drive much and that is why I have only 2500 KMs on it ( for my metric friendly readers  1550 miles) and it has been 9 months now.

I bought gold also, very b'ful gold earrings. I love gold, call me old fashioned but gold is what makes my eyes shine. Not the craze of diamonds or platinum, it is the luster of gold I crave for. I shall upload the pics of those earrings later it is late right now.

And finally, I bought myself the future of phones, iPhone X. I bought it and I am loving it.

Also on literally level, I am 48% fluent in Spanish. I am learning the b'ful language, maybe to impress you ;)

So if we talk next time and I greet you like hola! Cómo estás?
Don't fall in love with my accent and my broken Espanol.

Te Amo :)

To be Contd..

Saturday 21 October 2017

Normal Days #75

Human

One of the most amazing feelings I experienced today, in fact just now, gave me a slight hope and made me happy about myself. You know in today's world the most missed adventure is that we don't love ourselves. I know we say it a lot in our social media posts, we write and read about it almost every day but when we think about it, we usually either are very selfish or totally oblivious to what loving ownself means. I do not know if I love myself or not or the technicalities of the definitions set by the world of many things but I do know that I am a selfish person. A very selfish person.

No this is not one of my self-loathing posts. On the contrary today I wanted to share or tell my future self, that I still am a lil bit of human inside, not all corrupt or soulless or without morale as I project myself to others or they get the perception or whatever. I still read, though not as quite earnestly but I get by. Today when I was re-reading Without Words by Ms. Ellen O'Collenn I felt the same what I had felt when I read it the last time and it gave me hope, it gave me this feeling, a certain degree of happiness that yes I feel. I feel the pain for others, I feel this feeling of longing, the feeling to belong to someone, the feeling of loneliness and most importantly the feeling of letting go. I felt all of these feelings and before I become the person I am today, I wanted to save these dying pulses for forever so that when I would be so far along on the road of never coming back to the light again, I would know that once upon a time my heart wrenched and it was a very good feeling.

So, to my future self, read this when the world will point fingers at you and call you all kind of bad names and you go into the rabbit hole of self-hatred and rejoice in the fact that you are a very good person and those you love they can always count on you when it matters.

My Next Thirty Years

(To be Contd..)

Sunday 15 January 2017

Normal Days #73

The Circle of Life

So, 2017, eh? After all that happened last year from Oil crisis, to ISIS getting stronger, for some ppl Mr. Trump got elected, it was, well, to say at least a very happening year.
Resolutions? For me?
Like Calvin said in Calvin & Hobbes: I am perfect the way I am, I don't need the change.

So what now? This year sure brings us some new challenges, new hopes, new dreams to see & live, new destinations to explore, read new books, learn new language, pray, try new dishes and blah, blah, blah you have already read and being advised about.

But I want you to do one of these thing from the above list try to think yourself in a bigger picture. Pls leave your body for a minute, go up there in space and see the situation of this planet and of universe in general. Pls be the responsible person for yourself, plant some trees, there are always lesser trees anway.
Try to talk to animals, it might sound crazy, but they do listen. Try to talk to ocean, the rivers, sky, stars ask 'em what they think of you and then you will know whatever you think of yourself is not relative to that bigger picture. In simple words you, I, this whole human race is nothing. Well we all know it and yet we think of ourselves the ultimate being. So it is about time we do something like that. Like save the environment, the animals, the eco-system.

Too heavy? Well that is why I waited for the festivities of New Year to worn  out first.
See? I did my bit here. C'mon wake up move your lazy ass.


Help yourself coz acc. to Mufasa (Lion King): so we are all connected in the great circle of life.

And most important of all, LOVE. Fall in love with yourself and me too. I'm a lovable person, well I sure think of myself that way, and sing these lines to me

जानती हो हिन्दी में प्यार के कितने अक्षर,
बोल दो मेरी ख़ातिर प्यार के दो ही अक्षर


(How many words of love do you know in Hindi, speak just two words of love for me)

I'm waiting..

My Love..My Love
(To be Contd..)

Monday 28 November 2016

Normal Days #72

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Well, I'll be damned. ;)

I know what you are thinking or what you think that I want you to think. Wait, I don't want this write to be confusing. This is about my love for wild, wild west. God I have been crazy about this era since I read Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O'Connell. I always wanted to witness those scattered town, the rail-roads, the words which were scarce too like the vegetation, the salons, the mercantile, every single thing.

I am just fascinated by that and watching the western movies like crazy. Thank God for Clint Eastwood. And thank the Hollywood for those magical days.

You know when I read those books I wanted 'em to never end and same is with movies. Honestly I don't like movies based on books, except The Godfather & The Ultimate Gift, those two are exceptions. Anyway, I am glad that the movies I am watching are all just, there is just one word for it, perrrrrrfect.

The scene in movie Pale Rider where in the end the shooting happens, the ultimate thing is no one speaks before & after the shooting, no heavy dialogues, no prologue or epilogue, just shoot, shoot, shoot, end of the story. Every thing was same as I had pictured in mind while I was reading the books. Equines, even the animals felt like they are right out from the book and the dreams I saw about that era.

The love, even the love is magical. You know, no one speaks of it & yet you feel it radiating in that silence. God I am happy. Every night I sleep better coz the next evening I am travelling to those duty roads, less travelled towns, hot trains and when I'd see you I'd tip my cowboy hat towards you. Well, in my case my helmet, as I'm at offshore :P

Howdy ma'am.

(To be Contd..)

Thursday 17 November 2016

Normal Days #71

Can't Win 'em All

Changing..Everything is changing. Around me, concerning me, not concerning me, even I am changing. The question is, is all this change for good?

I do not know. It has been so long, so much has happened and is still happening. Governments have been changed, countries are being pushed, I guess it was always happening I was just being an ostrich about it.

And there is one change which no one talks about, any guesses? Well let me tell it anyway, climate change?

Something is going on and it is worrisome coz no one is talking about it and you know you are in trouble when no one speaks about it anywhere. The normal population attention is not being directed towards this issue so there must be something weird going on. Is there any way to know?

Of course there is. Follow the websites, articles, organizations talking about the climate, the adverse situation and are really, really worried. And when you will go through those you will realize everything else is so trivial in comparison.

So, leave this world a better place when you go for your future generations.

Ain't Nuthin'

(To be Contd..)

Tuesday 26 April 2016

Normal Days #69

Welcome To The Jungle

If you ever get a chance pls do see a scaffolder working on a Oil Well Head Tower. But wait, you can not, I mean those who are not in oil & gas industry won't have this chance. I feel sorry for your loss because you'd never witness the great ocean spread around you under the infinite blue skies, smell of it filling your mind, the flora & fauna and amongst all this wilderness there are some ppl who do this amazing work of scaffolding. (You can check the YouTube). The sad part is they are the one who are the most underpaid.

Harshness of life, eh?

So, why am I suddenly bothered with all this? Coz since I joined here in 2013 y'day was my first chance to witness the uninstallation of boat fender from a WHT and it was a scary experience. There it was blue spread all around me and all mechanical & technical stuff flowing through. It is my habit to detach myself from the moment and visualize it from outside my body, it is a metaphysical thing you simpler minds don't worry about it, I felt it in my heart how lucky I am to be able to view, to participate in this. This complexity of oil industry, the depth of it and also the politics ;)

Well sometimes it gives me a sense of pride also that I can visit any office in the world but to visit my office, forget about it. I'm there, where normal living ppl, 9-5 job they can't come. So, just stand by the sidelines, think how awesome my job is, or not, you can just pretend that having 6 months paid vacations is nothing compared to what you're doing of course.

Too egotistical for your taste? Guess what? I don't give a crap!

I'm feeling specially great today, I don't know why. I can take on anyone and anything now. I'm arrogant, I'm stubborn, I've a temper, I don't give a single fuck what you think of me, the world is under my feet today. Today I'm the God. No, wait. I'm always the God.

So, if you think that you're being loved and being fucked right, I guess you deserve that. Not everyone can have me. So, settle with whom you have. I am going to pretend that your life is great.

Me? I'm on top of the world and by the grace of God I'll stay there.

All The Small Things

(To be Contd..)

Friday 15 April 2016

Normal Days #68

Sultans Of Swing

I don't know what to write today but there is this feeling that I must coz I love to write. When I'd grow old I'd love to read how important I thought every silly thing was.

What about life? Shall I write about that? But no it'd be too heavy for a day like this. It is raining here.
 

It is from the other day. You can see the faint rainbow and I always loved me some rainbows. Always. Being a science student I know it is all reflection, refraction & dispersion of light and what not, yet the dreamer in me doesn't let go the part where I believe that at the end of this rainbow is the pot of gold.

So today I'll appreciate all those lil things, all these happiness which I can witness, all the greatness surrounding me which I breathe in daily. The vastness, the limits, the microscopic being to giant dinosaurs. Sometimes I wish there were dinosaurs who would eat p ppl who eat animals and give the reason God created 'em for us to eat. I hate ppl.

Well like I said today will be about good things. Fewer ppl, more animals. Sometimes I wish I could understand the language of every animal. I know it'd be so hard to survive coz of the misery they all face, and of course the constant noise, the ever present noise no silence at all would be deafening too but may be we would adjust that way then. I don't know.

The only thing I know that today I'm feeling too much. And all what I said up there..let it be just some random thoughts coz I can't say 'em aloud for everyone to hear.

 Bad Habits

(To be Contd..)

Monday 11 April 2016

Normal Days #67

Coming Alive

If you have read my blog post which I wrote last year about the sea survival training which I had to go through you know how scared I was of it. And as I'm writing this post you also know that I've come alive from that experience and for next 5 years I'm free of any more of that ordeal.

Why would I start my write with that thought? You must be wondering, you are not concerned with all that, right? But trust me it was the scariest experience of my life. And of course it is my blog I can write whatever I want.

The other thing which is worrying me is downsizing which is going in offshore industry coz of oil prices plunging down. I'm worried, I won't lie here. I hope I get through this phase. Pray for me if you're reading this, send a small prayer up there. And that's why my all heart isn't in here to write something. This constant nagging has me worried. I want to come alive from this phase too.

Damn the world politics!

OK, let's calm down a bit but in my case there is no such thing. I'm either this way or that way. Oh! in case you are wondering why a talented guy like me is worried let me tell you talent has nothing to do with that. All you have to have is approach (I don't know a single guy), you've to be good with ppl  (hahaha..you must be kidding..me? good with ppl?), or someone's relative. Alas! I fail in all those criteria, very badly too.

I know this was to be about you my krasivaya but trust me I need your support and love and what not now.

So hold my hand, hold me to you, hold me tight and never let go. I'll always be hoping.

(To be Contd..)

Sunday 6 March 2016

Normal Days #66

The Man I Want To Be

Here I am. Writing for you, for the love I have for you and praying that one of these days you'll feel it in my smiles, my actions and most importantly in the words I write just for you. Coz baby it's only words..and words are all I have to take your heart away..

Being said that I'm on a road to recovery and I'm praying to God that you'll feel it in your heart that how much I love you. There are times when I wish I was there listening to your voice saying my name, the way you used to say it. A lil sweet, a lil different accent and with a lot of love. That is the thing I remember the most. I cherish that voice of yours. I go back in time and be in that moment again and again. I still remember it, like it is happening now, I was standing in my cabin by my bed and you were talking to me. God! I wish, I just wish to go there and kiss you right there and then. Kiss you like I'd die without you, like to be in you, you know, like I'd cease to exist if I'm not in you, my mouth covering yours, your arms around me and your soft sighs mixed with my name melting on my tongue.

I want that.

I want to love you, only you. I'm yours and without you I'm completely alone, devoid of this love which makes me complete. There are some relations which are to be appreciated and there are some which you can't help but love, you just can't stop loving the person, no matter how hard you try. I made a lot of mistakes, I still do but I'm sure the way I love you, baby, with everything I'm, with every fibre of my being, it is the only thing that matters.

So if you read this, pls know I'm still waiting for you, to come & hug me and kiss me and sing my name. Sing my name baby, sing my name and call it out when I'd let you touch the skies, the stars and you'd slowly return back here and I'd smile feeling lucky to have you with me.

Make me the luckiest guy on this planet my love, be with me always and forgive me.

I'll be right here waiting for you

(To be Contd..)

Sunday 28 February 2016

Normal Days #65

Please Forgive Me

Something is really wrong with me of that I'm 100% sure. I hurt the most beautiful girl on this planet and I've nothing to work on to. Words were my sanctuary but seems like I've used all those for everyone else. I saved nothing for her. Nothing special from me for the special lady in my life. So, how do I win her back? How do I make her laugh the carefree smile which she used to and of which I deprived her? I'll die trying that is for sure.

I have to admit God has been very generous to me. He has helped me even when He shouldn't and I did hurt His most special child. The love of my life. I hurt her and I've no excuses. I feel ashamed and dejected and scared. For the first time in my life I'm scared to death to lose what the good thing I've, a good soul who always keeps loving me no matter what.

So, here I'm apologizing to you my lady. My words have lost their values for you but I swear that I'll always be true to you and I'll always make you smile, through your tears also as I'll never be the reason for 'em.

Times and times again
Through tears and strains
We've stayed together
And I'm asking again
To be with me always
Take my hand
Guide me to light
To your smiles
I'll follow you
Every alley, every lane..
Hold me tight
Hug me to you
Sing my name
Baby sing to me again

I love you and I hope someday, no matter how far from today, you'll smile with love shining in your eyes, where no words are needed, no assurances, I'll know like I know that I exist that you believe I'm all yours, heart, body, mind and soul.

You Haven't Lost Me Yet
(To be Contd..)

Friday 19 February 2016

Normal Days #64

The Gambler

Everyone has his or her own vice. And during my late 20s years, I found one. I know I'm God and I shouldn't be having one but every now and then I act like a normal human being and fall into the traps of, how do you say it, giving to my desires. Yup, that is how they said it during good ol' days.

And I said it with a heavy Texan accent and southern drawl, you know why? Coz baby, I'm going to be the greatest poker player this world has ever seen. Yes! that is my vice. I have been trying to learn poker for a long time now, there was no way as I work in UAE. Here, I think it is banned, not that I looked for someone. But God Bless the app developers and God Bless those who developed an offline app for the same. Now I'm playing poker like crazy.

I don't sleep, I skip meals and to do what to win the next game, worry about the chips, to buy the cities (FYI I've Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock, Fort Stockton and I'm on my way to acquire Wichita), to build my reputation as a poker player. It is not like it is all bad. Not my reputation, I mean. I do not care about it much. I was talking about the game. I learned that I can never play real poker as I am not a patient man and someone can rile me very easy to put all my money in the pot. Though I'm trying to keep my cool. I have not won all those cities for nothing. It is good actually to feel this urge to go all in but you hold back coz how will you play if you throw away the money you have now?

I'll get the hang of it and guess what, we can play our own version of strip poker then ;)

What do you say? Are you ready to take me all in baby ;)

Luck Be A Lady

(To be Contd..)

Sunday 31 January 2016

The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy

★.•**•.★★.•**•.★ The Avalonia Chronicles Book Tour ★.•**•.★ ★.•**•.★


About the Book:
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever. 




Book Links:

Goodreads I Amazon I Flipkart


World of Avalonia



Read an Excerpt:



Chapter 7
The Midnight Market


Later that night, after I had eaten well and rested, we set out for the midnight market. I followed Kalen along the small path, from Pixie Bush into the very heart of Goldleaf Forest.


It seemed to me that we had been walking for quite a while when I could suddenly hear voices and noises quite clearly in the quiet forest. We came to a large clearing, and the delightful sight left me spellbound. The forest was alive, radiant and subtly lit by pretty, different-colored lanterns hanging from the towering trees. Beautifully decorated stalls and multicolored tents had sprung up all over the place. Some were nestled between the tall trees, and some were haphazardly placed around the edge of the clearing, forming a slightly wonky circle. Fae of all sizes, shapes and colors wandered around, having a marvelous time. There were dryads, naiads, brownies, and little pixies with wings who flitted about the place in groups, laughing and eating at the food stalls.

We came to a stall, which was manned by a small, funny-looking fae with a pointy nose and long ears. Kalen identified him as a gnome. He was selling some strangely colored liquid in glass bottles and was haggling unashamedly about prices with two old ladies, whom I thought were very sweet.

As we walked through the market, Kalen chattered on.

“Although some of the larger towns have shops that sell magical ingredients for potions,” Kalen was saying, “this is the only place you can find some of the really rare items.”

I followed Kalen, who was entering a green tent, where the sign outside read: “Buy a plant for your home and garden.” That sounded quite interesting. Maybe I could buy a plant for Kalen’s mom—she had really helped me, after all—but I remembered I didn’t have any money.

The tent was not what I expected at all. The inside was bewitched to look like a large green house; like the forest, it was much larger inside than it appeared from the outside. The moonlight shone through the glass ceiling, and rows of plants and flowers lined the sides of the tent. We decided to explore.

I walked through the rows of plants, looking at the labels that were written next to them. There were strawberry plants in a small tray, growing wonderful, juicy strawberries, each one of which had a dollop of cream on the top. The sign near it said: “Grow your own strawberries and cream.”

“Try one,” said Kalen. “No one is watching.”

I couldn’t resist; I loved strawberries and cream. I popped the whole strawberry into my mouth. It was delicious and the cream was thick, fresh, and sweet. It was wonderful.

“Lovely, yes?” said Kalen.

“I nodded, since my mouth was full.

“Ms. Herbchild is wonderful at growing things. These strawberry plants with cream are one of her new inventions, but you can only grow them on trays inside the house, or the gnomes lick off all the cream.”

I made a face at the thought of eating a strawberry that had been licked by a gnome.”



About the Author:
For Farah Oomerbhoy, writing is a passion and reading her solace. She is a firm believer in the fantastic and magical, and often dreams of living in Narnia, Neverland, or the Enchanted Forest.

When she was pregnant with her first child ten years ago, a story popped into her head she could not ignore. “I was at my grandmother’s house, and as I looked at the image of a beautiful forest with a castle in the distance on a tapestry hanging on the wall, I imagined myself being whisked away into another world,” she said. It was at that moment the world of Avalonia, with its powerful mages and fae and the evil Queen Morgana, was born. Farah Oomerbhoy’s debut novel, The Last of the Firedrakes, was released in the summer of 2015.

Farah lives with her husband and three children in their family home in Mumbai, India. She has a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Mumbai. Her first novel is The Last of the Firedrakes, Book 1 of the Avalonia Chronicles.
  

Contact Farah:





Giveaway:
One Amazon Gift Voucher worth 1000INR
One Amazon Gift Voucher worth 500INR
Three Signed Paperback Copies of The Last of the Firedrakes


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Wednesday 30 December 2015

Normal Days #63

First Time

One year has passed since I first saw you. It was a pleasant evening, not very cold, neither stifling heat. It was the perfect evening to meet the perfect girl. There comes a time in a life of every man when he look at a girl and find his heart is no longer his. There I saw you smiling and I suddenly became aware of the sounds which were never there, the softness of your laughter and the way it warmed me till my core. How we touched hands for the first time and how I dreamt it to be in my head.

Too sappy for your taste? Well you know me and how I like it but this is not about any of those things. This is about that moment which I'll always cherish coz that was the time I decided to become yours. I sure didn't do anything to show you that, in fact I did almost opposite but then it is always hard to love me. I can be hard to live with. I don't mean to, but I can be... critical. Sometimes I think I'm just not good for people, that it's not good for them to be around me. I wear 'em down. They... they get unhappy.

 I don't know how to be with you right now, and that scares me. Because if I'm not with you right now, I have this feeling we will get lost out there. It's a big bad world full of twists and turns, and ppl have a way of blinking and missing the moment - the moment that could have changed everything. I don't know what is going on, most of the times I also have no clue about my thoughts and I'm so very confused but I need you. I need you to have faith in me coz I cease to exist if it is not love, complete and unadulterated love.

It is possible that longing for something is better than actually having it. I want to have love.

Love me like you do..

(To be Contd..)

Tuesday 22 December 2015

The Krishna Challenge


The man who became a Brahmarishi...
The curse that banished him to the hell of hells...
And the revenge that threatens to destroy the three worlds...

When Lord Brahma, the God of Creation, banishes his star pupil from Swarglok in a fit of rage, he does not foresee that his decision will alter the fate of the three worlds. Mortally wounded, and anguished at Brahma's unfair punishment, his pupil struggles to survive in Tamastamah Prabha, the hell of hells. In time, he becomes the Dark Lord, the most feared figure in Pataal Lok, who swears to destroy Brahma.

The power of the Dark Lord soon begins to make its presence felt in the mortal world. Vasudev, the brave prince of Bateshwar, becomes the hunter of Asura assassins; his closest friend, Kansa, almost dies while trying to save his sister from a group of deadly monsters; and the most valiant kings in Mrityulok turn over to the dark side, driven by forces beyond their control.

Only one person threatens the Dark Lord's well-laid plans - Devki, the beautiful princess of Madhuvan, who is destined to give birth to the warrior Krishna.

Will the Dark Lord allow Krishna - the person who has been prophesied to destroy him - to be born?


The Krishna Challenge

We’ve all heard this theory endless times, that one act of kindness can make a man happy who will in turn set upon a chain of kind acts, creating a domino effect and making the world a more bearable place to live in for those people directly and indirectly affected by it.

The Krishna Challenge has its genesis in this very theory, however, this time, the challenge urges people to act on it and spread the word about it, which will motivate people to act out of the purity of their hearts, to make life better for people, without expecting anything in return. The second part of the challenge urges the participants to tag or nominate people to take part, which will increasing the circle of influence and encourage people to bring joy, warmth, relief in the life of those they come in contact with, thereby enhancing the quality of life in their eco system.

This challenge is more relevant today, more than ever, as we wake up to news of lynching, bombing and killings on an everyday basis and another world war seems to be dawning on us. The idea of the challenge is to not sit back waiting for the world to fix itself, but to proactively participate in fixing every small and big thing, within our power.

Author Jagmohan Bhanver best describes this challenge as a social consciousness effort, which aims to drive change in society and heighten people’s awareness towards their responsibility as citizens.

You may wonder why such a challenge is named after Krishna.

Krishna is considered synonymous to the one who intervenes when there is an excess of misery, turmoil and wickedness in society.

So come be a part of the challenge and help us make the world a better place.


Here is what you need to do, if you want to become a part of the challenge:


1. Undertake an act of selfless kindness, however small, and post about it on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or anywhere visible.

2. Tag 3 people you want to be a part of the challenge.

3. Follow up and understand the impact your network of kindness  is having upon the world around you.



Jagmohan’s first book (self help genre) titled "Get Happy Now" was on the best selling lists of most countries and on the Top ten list of leading bookstores in India. His second book, titled "Think your way to Millions" which is on the subject of Behavioral Finance was nominated for the best non-fiction award by Hutch-Crossword in India. This is one of the few books on behavioral finance. His third book was titled “Nadella – The Changing Face of Microsoft.” This book was published by Hachette, the largest publishers in the world. Jagmohan’s latest book is part of a three-volume trilogy on Krishna and is considered as the most awaited book in 2015. It is titled, “The Curse of Brahma.” 

Giveaway

- 500 INR Flipkart Voucher
- Signed Paperback of the Book
(Open to Indian Residents Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday 11 December 2015

When Our Worlds Collide by Aniesha Brahma

About the Book
Akriti has led a pretty much sheltered life. 
Zayn has been shuttled from city to city when he was growing up. 
She is comfortable watching her life from the sidelines. 
He wants to feel rooted to a place he can call ‘home’. 
They meet each other quite by chance. 
And both seize the chance to be someone they both need in their lives: 
For Zayn, it’s a 'Partner-In-Crime'. 
For Akriti, someone who just knows how to be there for her… 
When their worlds collide, 
It is not what either of them expected it to be. 
Zayn has a steady girlfriend. And Akriti has a crush on him. 
What happens when these two become friends? 
The biggest adventure of their lives? Or the road to heartbreak? 
What happens when two completely different people collide? 
Do they become friends? Or, is their friendship doomed from the start? 
When Our Worlds Collide' is the story of two twenty-three-year olds, Who are finally growing up and finding their feet in the world. 
A tale of friendship and love, crushes and betrayals, messes and second chances, Marriage and divorce… and the elusive happily ever after! 

Book Links


Character Interview: Akriti and Zayn

Tell us what When Our Worlds Collide is about?

Zayn: It’s about how I am the hot stud and this writer here falls head over heels in love with me.
Akriti: Grrr. Not at all. It is about a twenty three year old girl who is afraid to let anyone into her world. And then she meets  guy who forces her out of her shell…

What is the one thing that you love about yourselves?

Zayn: That I am smokin’ hot? No, jokes apart. I like how Zayn feels rootless because he was never allowed to settle down anywhere. I think a lot of children who have parents with transferable jobs would relate to that.
Akriti: I like the fact Akriti just pretends to be lost. She basically does not let anyone close to her because she knows the scars can be seen up close! She is so afraid of getting her heart broken, she plays it safe all the time.

What is your favorite book?

Akriti: It is hard to choose just one. I love reading.
Zayn: The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Akriti: Being a success, I guess.
Zayn: Settled.

Do you think we would read more about Akriti and Zayn’s adventures?

Akriti: More like misadventures. I am not too sure about that.
Zayn: I doubt we’d make it to another novel or novella. But, we just might be featured in short stories. Just keep a lookout for it!


About the Author

Aniesha Brahma knew she wanted to be a writer since she was six years old. She was schooled in Dolna Day School and went on to pursue B.A., M.A., and M.Phil in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur Univeristy. She currently lives in Kolkata, with her family and five pet cats. The Secret Proposal was her debut novel, followed by The Guitar Girl. She was a contributing author with her story The Difference, in the anthology: Voices, Old & New. When Our Worlds Collide is her third work of fiction, and first novella.




Stalk Links



Giveaway
Prize 1: One really Lucky Indian Resident can win a Handmade Book Jacket made by Diptee Raut of DIP & DIY
  

As Diptee says, its ideal to ~ "Keep your books cozy and warm and away from prying eyes with this book cover. A classy way to carry your book to your favourite coffee shop/library/park for a quiet read."


Prize 2: One really Lucky Indian Resident can win a  Surprise gift from the Author 


Lets keep you guessing ;) Rest assured, it is going to be something pretty!



Check out the Tour Stops





Monday 7 December 2015

Interview with Falguni Kothari

★.•**•.★★.•**•.★ The Age of Kali Book Tour ★.•**•.★ ★.•**•.★

About the Book

Twisted myths. Discretion advised. 

Fight fate, or succumb to destiny?

In the dark Age of Kali, the Soul Warrior alone stands guard over the Human Realm, protecting its denizens from evil-willed asuras or demons. When a trick of fate appoints him guru to a motley crew of godlings, he agrees to train them as demon hunters against his better judgment. Suddenly, Lord Karna is not only battling the usual asuras with sinister agendas, but also rebellious students and a fault-ridden past.

Spanning the cosmic realms of mythic India, here is a tale of a band of supernatural warriors who come together over a singular purpose: the salvation of Karna’s secret child.






Book Links


An Interview with Falguni Kothari

When did you decide to become a writer?
It wasn’t a conscious decision, per se. I fell into writing quite by accident when my mother insisted I “do something with my life” beside “be a homemaker.” In other words, she wanted me to stop hiding behind my children and grow up. In a quirk of fate that I now attribute to my Writer Destiny, I actually listened to my mother and searched for some short online classes I could take to finish my degree. (Yup, I am quite degree-less, even now.) While searching for classes, I stumbled on to the “Romance Writing Secrets” class, and it absolutely was as much fun to take as it sounds. I got addicted to writing and creating words in that class. Then, I took a couple of classes on grammar and novel structure, and long story short, I had a full manuscript on the laptop within a year. A manuscript that my friend read, and encouraged me to publish. I was actually shocked when I got an offer for publication, as until then I hadn’t really thought I could manage or have a writing career. It still shocks me sometimes, but I am far more confident of my story-telling mojo now than I was in 2009. So, yeah, I didn’t really decide to become a writer. I just became one.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I want many, many readers to read my stories and love them. I want to write many, many stories to keep my readers busy.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
My main character, Karna, is the tragic hero from the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. I have tried to stay true to his character of legend—in that he doesn’t fit in with the Celestials (is almost an outcaste) and hates his birth family; he is a warrior first and foremost; that he loses his temper at the drop of a hat; he’s generous; and mostly invincible. In Soul Warrior, he’s special because he alone has stood guard over the Human Realm since the start of the Age of Kali. He has special solar powers that he wields against the asuras or demons. He works for Yama, the God of Death, and brings the bad demon (red) souls to the Hell Realm for their comeuppance. He also cannot seem to help be snarky to the Gods, and invariably gets punished for his insouciance. The most special thing about Karna is his generosity, his capacity to forgive and to love.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I write in the middle of the night in absolute darkness and silence.

Where do the ideas come from?
From my head? Seriously, they come from anywhere. I’m at the stage in my career where I’m inspired by camel poop.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I do both, depending on the type of book I’m writing. With my contemporary romances and women’s fiction I let the idea or character take over the story. But with Soul Warrior, which is mythic fantasy, and TMCRA (my current WIP) which is romantic suspense, I had to plot because I had a specific pattern the story needed to follow.

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
Sit down and write. Even garbage writing is better than no writing. Garbage writing can turn into a decent enough paragraph with consistent editing. If you don’t feel like writing, speak to yourself. Talk it out with a friend. Talk to yourself in the mirror. Somewhere, you’ll unlock the block. Just don’t give up.

What can we expect from the series?
More madcap adventures. The next book will take us into the land of pisachas or blood-drinking, soul-sucking demons. And into the story of Bhim and Draupadi’s child.

Thanks for having me on your blog!
Best,
Falguni.


Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER ZERO
DWANDA-YUDDHA: THE DUEL

The Himalayan Mountains.

Five thousand years ago.



Absolute darkness shrouded the Human Realm, and had for three days and three nights. Some believed the occurrence was prophetic, like the prolonged amavasya or new moon night that had heralded the Great Kuru War two thousand years ago. The war had given birth to the dark Age of Kali, the age of asura. In contrast, hope was ripe that this event would trigger the Age of Light. But the Bard wasn’t here to succumb to superstition. 

The first day without the sun’s light had spread confusion and chaos across the realm. The second day had brought desperation in the breasts of humans and fear in the belly of Celestials. The third day—today—was a feast for the asuras. Death lay everywhere. 

The human world burned without its sun. How soon before the Heavens went up in flames?

The Bard’s troubled eyes reread the last line. Then he deliberately scratched it off, lifting his long, pointed talon from the parchment made of dry palm leaf. With a sigh, he rested his aching hand on his trembling thigh. He would spare a moment to ease his body, and his mind from the strain of observation and due recordkeeping. If he didn’t, he’d forget his duty as Witness of the Cosmos, and begin to question fate. 

Despite the fire that crackled close to his right knee, and the feathered form of his upper body, he was cold. An icy wind had settled around the Pinnacle of Pinnacles, where he sat cross-legged on a seat made of rock and snow. He’d chosen this perch because it gave him an impartial view of the events happening in the world. He was the Bard, entrusted with keeping the Canons of the Age of Kali, just as the Soul Warrior was entrusted with keeping the Human Realm safe from asuras. Would they both fail in their duty today?

The Bard shook off the heavy despair the darkness had brought into the world. He mustn’t judge. He shouldn’t question. He would sharpen the talon on his forefinger, dip it into the vessel of ink kept warm by the fire, and write this tale. That was all he could do. Be the witness to history.

So he raised his feathered hand and began to write again while his eyes, sparked with power, knowledge and magic, saw clearly events unfolding from great distances. A thousand kilometers to his right, Indra, the God of War and Thunder, fought the Dragon. Indra did not fare well. But that didn’t concern the Bard as much as the clash between the Soul Warrior and the Stone Demon. Over and over, his eagle eyes were drawn to the duel taking place in the heart of the world, not only because it was a magnificent battle to behold, for it was, but because its outcome would decide mankind’s destiny.

The Soul Warrior was more than a great warrior. Karna was a great soul. Fair, honorable, brave and resilient, he was the perfect protector of the Human Realm. Of course, there were other reasons he’d been chosen to fill the office of Soul Warrior—there always were when Gods and demons were involved. But Karna’s existence was a testament to righteous action and if anyone could bring back the day, it would be him. 

But how did one vanquish stone, the Bard wondered?

Avarice and cruelty, two nefarious desires, had made Vrtra and Vala attack the Human Realm. Three days ago the Dragon had swallowed the Seven Rivers in the north, and the Stone Demon had imprisoned the Sun God, his daughter, and all the cattle of the region in his cave.

The Bard paused his writing as a thin vein of lightning winked across the skies, but without the accompanying roar. Indra’s strength waned. His thunderbolt hadn’t left Vrtra screaming in pain this time. The Bard spared a moment’s attention on the duel, just enough to note that the Maruts, the Celestial Storm-gods, waited in the clouds to rescue their god-king in case of a calamity. Indra would survive even in defeat. Of that, the Bard was sure.

But Karna had no one at his back. His might and god-powers had depleted without the sun’s healing warmth and light. His divine astras, weapons, had not slowed the Stone Demon down, at all. Only the conviction that he could not fail his godsire, his sister, and the innocents under his protection drove him now. His birth family had once abandoned him to his fate, but he would not abandon them to theirs—such was the greatness of Karna.

The Bard crossed out the last observation. No questions. No judgment. No praise, either. The canons would be free of all emotion. He wasn’t here to embellish history or glorify the history-makers, as some bards were wont to do. 

It wasn’t embellishment to write that the foothills of Cedi were drenched in the Soul Warrior’s blood. Or observe the gushing wounds on his body, despite his armor, that would make the hardiest of warriors bellow in agony, but not him. It wasn’t embellishment to write that the Heavens were empty for the Celestials had come to Earth to watch the battle, firelight cupped in their palms to light the warrior’s way. 

The Naga, the Serpent People, also looked on, hissing from the mouth of the portal that led to their underground realm beneath the hills. The Serpent King will not choose a side. Vrtra and Vala were half Naga, after all. All across the Human Realm, demons roamed free, taking advantage of the darkness and preying on human flesh and human souls. It was a terrible moment in history. The asuras had the upper hand in the eponymous age of Demon Kali.

Vala did not have arms and half a leg, but still he came at Karna. He had an ace up his sleeve. There were plenty of creatures about, an entire mountain close at hand. He began to chant the spell of soul transference. It was the darkest of all magic, the possession of another’s soul. Soon, he would be whole again and stronger than before.

Battered and bleeding, the Soul Warrior veered away from the Stone Demon. He leapt over boulders and charred vegetation. The onlookers called him a coward. Had he forfeit the duel? Has he forsaken mankind? 

Karna dove for Manav-astra, the spear of mankind, he’d thrown aside yesterday after his bow, Vijaya, had shattered under repeated use. In one smooth motion, he rolled, picked up the astra, coming up in the spear-thrower’s stretch. His tattered lower garment billowed about him as a gust of wind shot through the air. His muscled torso glistened with blood and sweat, tightened as he pulled the arm holding the spear back. 

He meant to throw Manav-astra at Vala. A futile attempt, to be sure? As long as Vala was made of stone, broken or not, his body was impregnable. Karna should have waited for Vala to transfer his soul to an onlooker. Then Karna should have vanquished the possessed creature. 

Taunting laughter reverberated through the foothills of Cedi. Vala had reached the same conclusion. The Celestials looked at each other in angry silence, unable to interfere. A dwanda-yuddha duel was fought between two opponents of equal size and strength alone. The humans hadn’t stopped screaming in three days, the din simply background noise now. 

The Bard scribbled the observations onto the parchment in no particular order. He wished he was a painter, for surely this was a picture worth a thousand words.

The demon hobbled toward the warrior, who stood still as stone with his arm drawn taught behind him. Then finally, with a roaring chant the Soul Warrior shifted his weight from his back leg to his front and let fly Manav-astra at the Stone Demon with all his remaining might. 

Karna didn’t wait to see the ramifications of his action. And there were plenty to come. He ran into the mountain cave to free Vala’s hostages. Within moments the rock face rent in half, and bright streams of light speared through the terrible darkness. A new day had dawned on the Human Realm after three days of perpetual night.

The sun’s power was too bright, too full of hope. Yet, the Bard looked on pensively, wondering if the Soul Warrior knew this wasn’t a victory. It was merely a reprieve.

About the Author


Falguni Kothari is a New York-based South Asian author and an amateur Latin and Ballroom dance silver medalist with a semi-professional background in Indian Classical dance. She’s published in India in contemporary romance with global e-book availability; Bootie and the Beast (Harlequin Mills and Boon) and It’s Your Move, Wordfreak! (Rupa & Co.), and launches a mythic fantasy series with Soul Warrior (The Age of Kali, #1)

I’m embarrassed to admit how many social media accounts I own :

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