Sikharpur days ( Visit to village 2)

" Lata, where are you looking at? Have your food !" Lata's father Shyam Singh said in a stern voice.

Lata have been looking at Parvati as she explored her house. Parvati couldn't have the meal as she was a spirit, a reality that Parvati had accepted for herself now. Dhanush, Sambhu and Lochan had returned to their respective home as it was dinner time. They had planned a meeting after dinner as they could freely talk to Parvati and explore the village without raising any suspicion. 

They reached village in the evening and at first went to the village merchant shop to sell the consumables and then return to each of their homes to keep their share. Parvati being invisible to other people, was simply following them while floating over the ground. Floating? yes, she just found that she had this new skill just by accident. After that Parvati went with Lata to her home as they dispersed to respective homes for dinner.

" Parvati, go to my room. I will come after finishing my food." Lata told Parvati in a hushed voice as her father went outside for some work. 
" Alright, but please come soon.' Parvati answered, ' I can't have food here, but I want to have some fun in this tour."

Lata hurriedly ate her food and entered her room. She showed her toys and then chatted for a while. As the clock stuck 9 PM, they come out of their house and waited for others under a big banyan tree located at the center of the village. The tree was encircled with stone, where they could sit and wait. Dhanush came first followed by Lochan and Sambhu. 

" All of us have gathered, now let's move." Dhanush ordered as they walked on the small trails around the village. The village was not large but was of a sizeable side. It comprised of similar looking houses with roof made of tiles and having a big veranda. Every house had thatched huts behind them where cows and goats were kept. Some also had bamboo enclosers where hens were kept too. Every person had a small land where they grew some vegetables. There was a Tulsi plant in front of their houses with Rangoli made below of different patterns.

As they move farther, there were some isolated huts, near the farmland probably made for night watch against wild animals. The village had two ponds, one smaller and the other one larger. They had a wooden plank that stood in the center of the pond. Parvati was told that the first pond was for washing clothes, animals and other purposes while the larger one was for their bath. Although each house had their personal well from where they brought water for household activities. They explored a lot of places tallking and laughing together while encountering occasional pedestrians. The people saw these kids happily strolling and chatting together with something strange about them. 

" Look the children walking there in this dead of a night." said one man to the other as they crossed them.
"yeah, they looked pretty much happy looking around places. That is Dhanush and Lata there, but isn't it strange?" queried the second person.
"What's about it?" the first person was puzzled by the question.
"Is it just me or they were looking and talking with invisible person. Just look, they had left an open space for someone as if they were showing around." explained the second person
"May be its just an illusion, don't talk about it."  the first person hasten his pace to his home. Villages can be scary at night.

The children spent about few hours outside and decided to return. Parvati and Lata went together for their sleepover while the other wished them goodnight as they went home. 

"It was fun.' Parvati exclaimed, ' You have a lovely village. I wish to live here." 
"You are always welcomed. My room is always there for you." Lata supported her.
"Only if I could run and play like others. I also wanted to try the food here." Parvati said with a sad smile.
Lata couldn't answer back. Parvati could partake the food she took to Parvati's house but here she can't even touch them. They decided to sleep as it was late night.After Lata slept, Parvati woke up and leave the bed to move around the house. In her spirit form, she could pass through the walls, so move without making any noise. She saw Lata's father sleeping in the veranda as it was warm outside. She could feel it as she sat there and watched the moon.

After a while she decided to return back as she was feeling sleeping. The despair of the morning and sadness of not enjoying the food, games, toys like other kids were all gone. She absentmindedly went inside and grabbed the bed sheet. She adjusted the pillow, and tried to lie. She felt a resistance, it was Lata's toys. She took the toys and put them near the table, and finally slept.

" Parvati, parvati....wake up. " Lata called.
" Umm, ohh morning Lata, what's going on?" Parvati said as she saw everyone looking at her with expectations. 
"Parvati, look around" Lata almost shouted in an excitment.

Parvati looked below as she felt a solid mass around her hand. In one hand she was holding Lata's toys and other hand was grabbing the pillow. 
"Yes Parvati, you can touch them." Dhanush answered as if understanding her puzzled look.

------- to be continued.-------  

Sikharpur days (visit to village 1)

She was always alone. From her early memories, she was living in this small hut like place inside the cave in the mountain. But she was always felt someone with her. Whenever she was scared or felt lonely, she was engulfed in a warm embrace of her invisible mother. She could call her and talk with her whenever needed but had never seen her physical appearance. Her friends were small animals like squirrels and rabbits hoping around in the valley or the beautiful flowers growing in the field. She could quench her thirst from the stream flowing near the valley and her hunger from the fruits, nuts and tubers she was growing in the field. Now that she think of it, she never required much to eat and it was a daily routine she followed to keep herself busy. It was when she could no longer tolerate the loneliness and wanted some friends of same age or appearances, the kids showed up. 

She had felt instant liking towards Lata and enjoyed the time she spent with the children. Her loneliness had vanished and she looked forward to their visits. She was one of them and just thinking about it made her immensely happy. She wanted to know more about them and also visit their village. She fought with her mother goddess Sikhareswari and finally convinced her and also the children to visit their village. She also had dreams of playing in the village with other village kids, meet and eat together with their parents and know more about the families that Lata was telling her about.

" This is not true, it was supposed to be pleasurable journey. Then why do I feel so much pain??" Parvati said as all her dreams shattered into pieces. 

Lata hurriedly catch up to Parvati and tightly held her hand. She knew about Parvati being a spirit and wished her to remain oblivious to that fact. She wanted her to smile and laugh like she used to do. But Parvati was inconsolable, as she realized her to be different from other kids. She couldn't even touch a flower, how could she play with other village kids. How could she experience family time with other villagers?

" What should I do? I shouldn't have come out from my home, then I wouldn't have to feel the pain. Why I am so different? " Parvati rued as tear flowed on her cheek.

" It's going to be alright. Look how I could touch you, hold you. Nothing will change between us, we will be always there for you." Lata whispered on Parvati's ear as she hugged her.
 "Yes, we will take you to our village and play with you. Right, Sambhu?  Lochan ?" Dhanush said with a smile which giving a questioning look to Sambhu and Lochan. 
"Yes, yes...we will help you explore the village. We will also show you our secret spots." they added.

Feeling of warmth of Lata's hand calmed Parvati and her sobbing subsides. She looked towards Lata and then to others, giving a faint smile.
"You will play with me, and show me your house?" She said while clasping Lata's hand tightly. Everything is not lost, as she felt a new hope in her heart.
" Yes Parvati, let's go now." Lata said as she pulled her with her.

It was early evening when they reached the village.  The sun was setting and it was time for the herds of cow to return. The place was filled with dust as cows and small calves walked slowly to their respective homes. Some calves were  impatient and running astray from their path, which were promptly corrected by the herdsman. The children coughed as they run towards the village courtyard. They wished the village elders and first went to Lata's home. Lata's father was sitting on the veranda waiting for her daughter. 

As they all suspected, no one could see Parvati.

------to be continued------

Sikharpur days ( Realization )

"I asked!" Parvati said cheerfully with twinkle in her eyes. 
Dhanush and Lata were surprised by this sudden declaration. Parvati had come to meet them when they reached the entrance of cave. Although it was more of a teleportation rather than reaching by themselves.

Parvati was a spirit girl living in that mysterious place near the mountain. It was as if another dimension with strange and rare flora and fauna and was probably created by the resident diety goddess Sikhareswari for Parvati. Their group were first teleported here when they entered the caves of mountain Sikhareswar. Goddess Sikhareswari had brought them to meet Parvati and also be her friends. They all know about it but Parvati think herself as normal girl and had her physical appearance in this dimension. This is precisely why the kids fear to bring her outside as she might change to a spirit form, and the truth might hurt her.

Parvati was adamant, to visit the kid's village. She loved Lata as her best friend and Dhanush, Sambhu and Lochan too as her friend. She too wanted to visit their home even though she could feel the reluctance in the expressions of  her friends whenever she brought up the topic.

"You asked ?" Dhanush was perplexed. He had no idea about how Parvati and the goddess communicate themselves but he presumed that it would take more time and before long Parvati might forget about it.
"What did she said? " Lata added, curious of goddess response to Parvati's request. 

" She agreed.' Parvati continued, ' At first she denied it but then I cried, requested her sincerely and then she said with a smile, that it would be my decision. But Lata and you friends should agree to this as it would be your village I would visit."
" She also said something about secrets and truths" Parvati added.

The thing they all feared, to tell the truth to Parvati. Dhanush called everyone and signaled them for a meeting. Lata came hesitantly while Sambhu and Lochan came together as they were at loss of their words.
"Parvati, we will take you to our village but first you must bring some water for us, as I am thirsty." Dhanush told Parvati, so that it will give them some time.

"Now listen, how are we going to tell her?" Dhanush asked
"I think we will tell her directly as goddess want us to tell her." Lochan said.
Both looked towards Lata as it was her best friend. Lata was young but she cared for Parvati. So she answered, 
" I think we must first warn her about dangers and prepare her for it and let her realize it herself . If anything happens, we would be with her." Lata was very calm about it.

Parvati came with glasses of water which they drank and then went for their play in the valley. Everything was normal as they played and ate together. Finally they decided to return together to the village.

Parvati was nervous as they reached the cave entrance. A magical passage opens whenever they return and it vanishes after the children were gone. Parvati at first searched for that passage but later decided to give up on it as it would be against mother Sikhareswari's wishes. She was like a mother to her and didn't know why she was revered as god. But this time was different, as she was going with her mother's permission. This time the passage will open for her too. 

As they entered the passage, which came naturally on the right side of the wall, Parvati got excited and started running.
"Wait Parvati, let me come with you." Lata said as she tried to catch Parvati's hand. Dhanush too started running. 

The path was short and they reached their side of cave entrance within few minutes. They could see the temple of goddess Shikhareswari and they all felt her presence inside. They prayed as they touched their both hands and bowed to the temple. And so, Parvati begin her journey to human world. A gentle wind flowed behind them as if goddess Sikhareswai was seeing them off. 

As Parvati went out of the cave, a new land was there to welcome her. It was similar yet with a different feeling than the valley she was brought up in. She was beaming with joy, running with excitement. Her joy was transferred to other children too but it was short lived one.

"Hey look, that's a nice flower." Parvati said as she tried to hold that flower from it's base. But she couldn't as her hand passed through it as if nothing is there!!
"Why?' Parvati was silent as she panicked. Lata and others were standing with their shocked faces as they saw Parvati trying hard to hold even one flower. 
"Oh god, not this soon.' Dhanush thought, ' at least give some time for us to prepare."
"Why? Why can't I hold this flower,' Parvati said as she stood and tried a nearby tree for support but again she passed though it!. She looked with her pleading eyes towards Lata.
"Parvati we need to tell you something," Lata said as she glanced towards Dhanush.
" You  said that goddess Sikhareswai was saying about some secret or truth? Danush said with a grave expression."
"Yes yes, what about that..." Parvati was slowly understanding her situation and her friend's reluctance.

" Parvati, you are not a human but a spirit." Lata said while holding her hand. For some reason, they could touch her. 
"What do you mean by spirit?" Parvati was confused. She didn't have much knowledge about the world.
"It means that you don't have a physical body. You can't touch or be seen normally by people." Dhanushsaid as a matter of factly.
"It means you are special." Lata added as she saw Parvati's panicked face.
And that's how the realization of the reality stuck Parvati. This was not the way she wanted to feel about the outside world. She didn't knew what to do anymore. She felt so cold and lonely with heart in pain. It was then she felt a warm feeling in her palms, Lata was holding her hands tightly.

----- to be continued----

Under the Starlight

 hello friends, I am trying to write a song, hope you all like it. :)


Oh..it was a time,
we... at our prime,
the moment we had,
holding hand in hand,
when we made a promise,
under the starlight.


The glittering stars,
spread on the vast sky,
the night was warm,
as we together lay.....
the wetness of grass,
or cool night breeze,
didn't even made me waiver...
when I was immersed in you eyes!!

Oh..it was a time,
we... at our prime,
the moment we had,
holding hand in hand,
when we made a promise,
under the starlight..... 

Those were the life,
gone with the years,
the charm of the young,
magic of the teen,
as we laughed with joy,
always together.... passing our days!

Oh..it was a time,
we... at our prime,
the moment we had,
holding hand in hand,
when we made a promise,
under the starlight..... 
.
..
...

But now we work,
seldom do talk,
with awkward smiles,
lost in virtue and the vile.......
And we falter, no wonder,
becoming so distant altogether!!

I missed those moments,
etched in my memories,
I cared for them so much....
I tried so hard,
failed from the start,
but I ain't backing down.........

That was a time,
we... at our prime,
the moment we had,
holding hand in hand,
when we made a promise,
under the starlight.....  

Yes, it was long ago,
but I will hold it tight,
for..it was,
the promise we had

Under the starlight!!! :) :)








 
 

Sikharpur days (Fun times)

" So, where have you been? I thought you were playing but you all went separate ways. " Lata asked as the boy came for having lunch together.
"We had a great time here. You should have joined us." Parvati added.

The boys had went on a exploration spree as they wanted to know more about the mysterious place. They had encountered some strange vegetation and small animals in wild devoid of any cautiousness. But what was most strange about the place was that, it always ended with an invisible wall and they couldn't go any further. This was something of a mystery to them but they don't want to tell this to Lata or Parvati. Both of them were having a great time together, so they didn't want to worry them.

" Nothing much, we were just searching for some fruits and other things that we could eat in the lunch." Sambhu said as he shared some of the wild berries with all of them. "Now, we must start our lunch as its already so late and food will get stale."

Lochan had brought water from the stream. Lata opened her lunch pack in the center as they sat in a circle. They had Chapati, with it's soft texture and round shape. Dhanush had brought Paneer curry and fried vegetables to go with it. Sabhu had brought Rice, Papad and Achar (Mango pickles). Parvati added dried nuts and fruits for dessert. They chatted for a while as they ate together.

"Ahh, I had my fill.' Sambhu said, 'I can't eat anymore."
"Sambhu clean your plates, there are still some rice left." Lata scolded. ' You too Lochan, complete your chapati."
"Alright, I will do it. Don't act like my mom." Sambhu said while Lochan silently ate his Chapati.

After eating and drinking water, they cleaned their plates and rested for a while. Before they knew it, it was late afternoon.

"Lata, see the sun is setting. We must return home." Dhanush said as he knew Lata wanted to be with Parvati for some more time.

Lata and Parvati looked at each other. Parvati nodded and smiled,
"It's alright Lata, we will keep meeting. I had a great time."
"I will come again, but I had to go or my father will worry." Lata said with a sad smile.

And thus they all said their farewell to Parvati and went home.

.....

They continued coming in their free time, whenever given the opportunity to enter the valley. Their routine was simple, start early morning, complete their collection before noon, meet Parvati and play till lunch time. After the lunch, chat or play little more and return before evening. And so passed few months while they had a happy time together.

" I want to visit your village." Parvati said one day while they were middle of their chat.
"Our village?, ' Lata said, a little taken aback. She knew Parvati was a spirit which was materialized in physical form, but Parvati was unaware of the fact. She looked at Dhanush to help her. Dhanush understood and said,
" Yes, you can come to out village but it's not very welcoming to outsiders."
"I will explain to them that I am your friend. I want to see the outside world." Parvati persisted.
All four of them were little confused as to how to answer that. They loved Parvati and want to take her to their village. But they don't even know that she can come out from that valley.
"Why don't you ask Sikhareswari devi, if she allows then we will take you." Lata said as she hugged Parvati to calm her.
" Alright I will do that." Parvati beamed showing her teeth.

And so, the day passed and they went home. It was in their next meeting, they knew what trouble they had put themselves in.

--- to be continued---

Sikharpur days (Exploration of mysterious valley)

Lata and Parvati were chatting happily as they were sited on the grass. They had so many things to talk about and also had enough time to play. Parvati was the first girl friend of Lata with similar age. She normally had to play to boys. She do enjoyed playing with them but still seek some acquaintance with girl of her age too. Parvati on the other hand was simply happy to finally have a friend with whom she could play as she normally got bored living alone.

The were again making some garlands and eating some home made crackers that Lata had brought with her. They turned their gaze towards the boys who were playing on the far corner of the valley, near the forest.
" These boys were always running around. " remarked Parvati as she looked at Dhanush leading the pack.
" Yes, yes.. and they don't even care about how tired I become following them around." Lata said while complaining about her struugles.

They both started giggling and started making flower garlands.

Dhanush and co, had some other plans than playing around. They wanted to know more about that mysterious place. They had decided to first, to go near the forest edge and see how far they could go.
They knew this was safe for them as it was under the supervision of Goddess Sikhareswari.
"Sambhu, Lochan....lets go separate was and meet here, in front of this tall Mango tree." Dhanush gave instructions and both the boys agreed to that.
"Hmm...and I will search for any new fruit or herbs that I can get hold of!" Sambhu added as they went on their ways.

Dhanush went deeper ionto the forest while Lochan walked towards the stream. He was thirsty and took the easiest way to get quench his thirst. Sambhu on the other had took the opposite side and moved towards the mountain as he had seen a small path going below it and was filled with small vegetation and wild flowers.

"The trees are so different here, even though they have the same shape but the leaves and fruit looks different." Dhanush thought when he was screening the forest.
The whole region felt magical which was even more than he anticipated. Sambhu too had similar experience with discovery of many kinds of new herbs and berries which he had never seen. Lochan on the other hand hadn't gone much far and had satiated his thirst only to be pleasantly surprised. The water here was cleaner than the cleanest stream they had ever encountered in their life. The stillness and sweetness overpowered him and he drank a lot. 

It was early afternoon, when they returned to the tall mango tree. Lochan was first, who came hours ago and was waiting for their return. Sambhu was second, who returned some half an hour ago, along with the crackers that Lata shared with him when he was passing her. He had a small talk with them, telling them that they were playing hide and seek. Dhanush came last as he saw both Sambhu and Lochan were gobbling up the crackers. 

"So, lets share our experience. What do we know? " Dhanush said, " I will go first. The tree and plants here were similar to ours but their leaves had some interesting shape and size. Their were some beautiful birds here that I hadn't seen before. Even the smaller animals had a great variety in them. What was more surprising was that they didn't feared me, and kept on doing their activities while ignoring my presence. I went to the farthest of the forest which was similar to ours but with one exception...a invisible wall!."
"Next I will go.' Sambhu followed, ' I went trough a small path near the mountain. I too had similar experience. The herbs and shrubs were so different here. I couldn't find thorns in them as if they don't need much protection. I also have collected some to take home. Hope Parvati won't get angry. Add to that I also got stuck at the end of the path by an invisible wall. That's why I returned early as he couldn't go any further."

Both now looked at Lochan. Lochan was sitting there dumbfounded as he was listening to their adventure. Finally he said,
"I just drank the water from the stream and collected it in the bottle. It was very sweet." 

------- continued....... 

Sikharpur days (Next meeting)

It was early morning with dense fog occluding their view. They could see the remnants of morning dew on the leaves. Small nocturnal insect were still active in the scrubs over the sideways. Dhanush was walking in the front holding Lata. He had to take the lead to support Lata and be vigilant as Sambhu was still half asleep.Why do they need to start their morning so early? Well that was for their mutual shared secret!

"We need to increase our pace, come on Lata, Sambhu and Lochan,' Dhanush called as he tried to walk faster, 'Sun will soon rise."
"Yeah yeah, I am trying too." Sambhu retorted, as he rued his morning sleep.
"Sambhu, don't put your head on my shoulder, it hurts" Lochan pushed Sambhu head away.
 " Just a little more Lata, we have reached the valley, and hill could be seen." Dhanush supported Lata as he knew Lata too was feeling tired but her desire to meet Parvati overpowered it.

Once they reached the valley, they commenced their routine task of collecting the consumables and herbs. First they collected fresh water from the stream, and picked some wild berries growing near the stream. After that they searched for medicinal herbs, mushrooms and other consumables. Normally it keep them busy till the noon after which they had their lunch, but today they started early so they finished earlier. They secured everything in their bag and kept them safe on the branches of the tree. After that, they went to the hill and reached before noon. They prayed to Goddess Sikhareswari and then went into the passage behind it.

"We have finally arrived here but how are we going to find Parvati." Sambhu asked.
"Even I don't know,' Dhanush shared his concern, ' let's move ahead for now."
"Why don't we call Parvati, then may be Sikhareswai devi will let us meet her." Lata said.

They all started to walk while calling Parvati. Their voice echoed, as they could hear their own call in the hollow passage. At first nothing happened but slowly a thin mist started to surround them and before they knew it, they were near Parvati's home. Parvati was delighted tom see them and called them hysterically. Lata ran towards Parvati and they hugged each other. 
"I was really missing you all today. Thanks for coming, let us go and play!!" Parvati said as she pulled lata's hand and went outside to her side of the valley.

Dhanush remembered the valley, and it's rare and mysterious vegetation. When he came earlier, it bewildered him and his only concern was to bring back his memory. But today, he wanted to enjoy the scenery and explore the place. After leaving Lata and Parvati together as they laughed and chatted together, he called Sambhu and Lochan.
"Sambhu, I want to explore the place, come with me. You too Lochan" Dhanush asked them.
"Sure do, I too wanted the same." Sambhu replied. "So, what are we waiting for, let's go."

------Continued----
 

 

Happy new year 2019

It's morning,
the birds keep singing,
as I climbed on the roof...
to get my first sunshine.
and that's how it begin,
my new year of 2019.



What's in a new year,
it's just another day,
as I would carry on,
my routine ways...
Celebrations of night,
wishes of the morning,
messages and phone calls,
in the daily running.

I wondered as I watched,
the butterflies on the roses,
grown in the flowerpots,
flourishing with the sweetness..it possess.
Neither the rustling of the leaves,
from the morning breeze,
nor the warm sunrays,
showering the earth as it please..
Had the markings of a new day!

May be,
it's in the mind,
a making of perspectives,
from my way of life.
With friends or close ones,
and some plans of adventure,
could have made things special,
even bringing me..feel of rapture?

But I will wait,
for the day to come,
when I could also enjoy,
the magic of the new year!

Happy new year 2019 :)