At First Sight

Standing on the pavement, she waved frantically, at least as much as her hands full of shopping bags would allow. No taxi was vacant. Sweat trickled down her brow and her consternation seemed to be reaching its peak as she started cussing under her breath, looking at her watch about a hundred times every minute.

He stood there, tall and handsome, watching her and smiling to himself. He was admiring her pretty features and seemed bemused by her agitation. She turned back suddenly, was she aware that someone was watching her? He smiled at her, she turned away and continued her efforts to flag down a vehicle.

She turned back again after a while, only to find him still watching her. If looks could kill, he would have been dead by now. He did not seem to mind and simply beamed at her. She pretended not to notice. This happened again a few more times. And then, slowly he walked towards her.

The next time she turned, he was standing right behind her. She dropped one of her bags in surprise. He picked it up and asked her something, gesturing towards the car parked nearby. She looked at the road, then at him and then the car, uncertain. Suddenly, she smiled shyly. Taking all the bags, he led her towards the car.

Was this the beginning of a whirlwind romance of the love of a lifetime or was it just a crush that would fizzle out soon? That I do not know because the signal had turned green and I had to drive on…

*Image Fate At First Sight by PoisonedPurity

Short Story - Road To Nowhere

It was all over. There was nothing to live for, nothing to hope for anymore. She kept walking aimlessly on the hillside. The stars were shining so brightly but it seemed like doomsday to her. The full moon was menacing, laughing at her pain in all its glory. How cruel could nature get?, she thought.

One could not blame her state of mind. The earthquake had taken away all her family and friends. She had miraculously escaped but it only seemed like a bane to her. She had no means of making it all alone through the tough road that lay ahead and at the risk of being remembered as a coward, had taken this decision.

On second thoughts, who would be there to remember her? Life could be so cynical and harsh. She, who had been the strength and hope for many and had averted hundreds of suicides in her successful counseling career, was on the verge of committing one herself.

There, the cliff was not far now. Very soon she would be with her loved ones and free of this misery. There was a single deciduous tree and beyond that a ledge from where she would descend into the inviting clutches of death. How alone that tree was, just like her. How harsh a season it had withstood and yet it survived. Not a living thing in sight and yet it swayed, full of life. She stopped in her tracks, suddenly ashamed of herself, uncertain...

Note : The above was my entry for the Whispers Short Fiction Contest held in February. The story had to be of two hundred and fifty words based on this picture.

A New Beginning, A Vision Beyond

Break free, free from the shackles of the past
Step into a new world which awaits inviting
So much which has been said and done then
Let go of them even if they seem so haunting

The warmth of his eyes, the touch of his hand
Make up for the pain inflicted by those fiends
Those truly caring souls who always stood by
Will stand till the end of days as real friends

Beyond this gate a beautiful tomorrow beckons
In its wilderness lies all that is true and pure
The path ahead is not vouched for permanently
Yet it smells of a promise of being firm and sure

Go on, seek your fortune at the touch of dawn
As life lures you deeper into its clutching bond
Blessed are they who have faith and can sleep
And await a new beginning, the vision beyond

This poem is dedicated to my dear friend Nicky, who tied the knot last week. Wish you all happiness my dear. The picture is from her amazing collection of photography, and the post, which has been due since long, was inspired by this post of hers. God Bless You both always :)

P.S. Dear friends, sorry for not being able to update nor visit any of you. Will catch up soon. Have a great weekend!

*Image by ShadowDreamer - Nontraditional Wedding Dress