Sikharpur Days ( Bandit attack-5)

Parvati, the spirit girl, was swift with her feet. Partly floating, partly running, she was showing the places, or sites hidden from plain sight, or plainly ignored but could make a good site to plant traps. Traps were simple, as Dhanush knew to make some to catch smaller animals like rabbit or boar. Hunting was generally done for festivity and feasts, a event for the villagers to meet and have fun. 

Small branches were taken, Bamboo stalk, ropes to tie them up and conceal it as a trap. This time bigger and stronger branches were used as the target were men. It was only to slow down the pursuers or to prevent any reinforcements from the bandits if any. They had used sling mechanism, grasp the feet of any unsuspecting men and either tie them into the trees or pull them inside natural pits present in the forest. 

" I only wish that no animal get caught in it and interfere with our planning !" Dhanush said with a nervous smile.
"Don't worry, I have warned them off, and it's going to be evening anyway. They would have returned to their home." Parvati assured him.

The sun was setting and they had laid the traps. Their next task was to follow the leader, the big guy. Parvati knew his hiding place so the three children tread slowly near the location. Parvati went ahead to watch for their movement but couldn't find them.

"They are not here.' Parvati told Dhanush and Lata, ' The burly man with his associate were here near the rock."
" What will we do now, the villagers are in danger." Lata said in a worried tone.
"They won't attack until the reinforcement arrives. They need numbers and weapons." Dhanush added.


"Parvati, we are waiting here, you should go and check for Sambhu and Lochan and give any help if needed." 
" But I am concerned about Lata", Parvati protested, ' I had promised to protect Lata !"
" Thanks Parvati, but I can protect myself, you should go and save my father from them." Lata said in a gentle voice.

Parvati nodded and hugged Lata and left for the fields where their other friends Sambhu and Lochan were stationed. Sambhu had brought the village guard Sheru kaka as assistance they needed and if any attack comes from the bandit, the fields would have been first to be affected as the villagers would return in the evening. The bandits would have a surprise attack on them to stop them from reaching the village.

After Parvati was gone, Dhanush and Lata slowly proceeded towards the village from that location. It was not far, only few hundred meters, they could see the village gate. 

" The Bandit leader must have hidden somewhere, let's check around the place." Dhanush told Lata for when Lata simply nodded. 

They were silently moving between trees, slowly encircling around the village perimeter. They couldn't find the leader and Dhanush was getting impatient as he moved a little faster. Lata hold his arms tightly and pulled him back.

" What are you doing, " Dhanush was surprised by her sudden pull.
" Shhh, speak slowly, 'Lata requested Dhanush, ' look on the branches of the tree"

Dhanush saw the branches that Lata was signalling with her index finger. There they were, the two bandits sitting on top of a thick branch. They were cautious and looking intently towards the village area.

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

It's election time

So, it's the election time,
many candidates are in fray, 
announcing in loud speakers,
the significance they play! 

It's music and food, 
sloganeering in localities,
requests from many supporters,
voting for the candidates. 

Leaders come and go, 
acting as a star campaigner.
promises were being made, 
influencing voters into their banner!

We see, also hear,
words of despair and hope,
changing the perspectives,
and widening our scope.

So, it's election,
I want to care,
as a citizen of country,
work for my share!

But policies were disheartening,
issues that being discussed,
not the ones, we could relate.....
decisions that being rushed!

I, one of middle class,
bearing most of brunt,
not branded as weaker ones,
just being ignored.


Then why should I vote,
choose my elected ones,
not just sit back,
and keep doing my work?

Maybe...just maybe it's,
not about responsibilities,
not about the charms,
nor the advantages,
of money or social class....

It's matter of choice,
to avoid the worst,
some new expectations,
evaluating the cost.



So, it's election time,
I will give my vote,
for it is a democracy,
and I value my nation....the most !  :)

Sikharpur days ( Bandits attack-4)

Dhanush and Lata went to their hideout. They would later meet Parvati in the hideout but first they needed some preparation. Lata was sitting on the stone seat and Dhanush was searching for the things that could help.
" We would need the ropes, this bed sheet might help too, and ohh..this sling shot, I was searching it for a while. Let me take them all." Dhanush murmured as he was rummaging through their belongings in the hideout.
" Do you need my help?" Lata prompted.
" No, no..just seat outside and look for Parvati to come.' Dhanush replied, 'Call me if you hear any footsteps or other signs!"

Dhanush was ready bundling all the things he could find, a rope, slingshot, bed sheet, small kitchen knife, some pepper, chilli powder, some glue and other things that he could carry. Lata called him when she saw Parvati approaching the hideout.
" Was everything alright, where's Dhanush?" Parvati queried.
"He is inside, I will call him now." Lata replied.
" You don't have to, I am here. Seen anything suspicious?" Dhanush asked.

Both the girls denied the same. 

" Now that we have all the things available, let's teach these bandits a lesson!" Dhanush proclaimed as they proceeded for their journey.

They slowly walked behind Parvati, trying not to make any noise. Parvati would go ahead a little and check for any activity and then signal both of them about it. They reached the Bandit's camp sooner than expected. Parvati showed them a hiding place behind a rock, Their were small scrubs giving excellent coverage. It was opposite of the camp so, the Bandits couldn't detect them too.

There were 2 Bandits, the average built 5 & 6. They were doing some maintenance of their weapons, like knives, swords, hatchets and others. The swords were kept inside their scabbards, which were rough and not like the beautiful ones that the soldiers use.

They had a couple of cloths and weapons kept aside. The two Bandits had already prepared and dressed in black cloths, with daggers, swords hung on their waist. The children waited till they left the camp for some reason, but they were not leaving.

" These guys are not leaving their post, what should we do now?" Dhanush was frustrated.
" It looks like they were waiting for someone and ordered to be on post.' Parvati explained her observation, ' but we can make them move."
" How?" Both Dhanush and Lata asked in unison.
" Just surprise them, and make them move." Parvati said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Parvati went into the scrubs just near the camp, and hustles started to happen around it. It startled the bandits and they stood up. One of the bandit went near it to see what's there while the other bandit tried moving round the corner with holding his blade.It was what the children were waiting for!

" Lata go and put chilli powder in the cloths and I will put glues in those weapons." Dhanush ordered as he slowly run towards the camp.
" Alright, I am on it." Lata answered as she swiftly moved towards the cloth chamber.

Dhanush put Glue inside the scabbard and all other weapons. He made some attachments and system, so that the cloths and sandals will break or become clumsy if some force applied to it. They want to make their actions inconspicuous and undetectable or else the plan would have fell. 

" What is the sound" Bandit 5 was talking loudly and irritably, as he couldn't find anyone. " Did you find anyone Raka?"
" No one's here, Cheetah.." Raka answered back, " wait, I see it a wild cat running away." 

Both the bandits returned back soon as they were ordered to remain in the camp waiting for their boss signal and also act as rendezvous point for other two joining them in the evening hunt. They checked the cloths and weapons again to make sure that nothing changed. They found them in th place where they had left, which assured them and they went back to their post.

" And that would be your mistake," Parvati laughed as she looked towards Dhanush, " Great job."
" Lata is as much responsible as I am." Dhanush pointed at Lata as she had done some brave work.
" Yes, yes, Lata is my brave friend" Parvati hugged and kissed Lata.
" Shh..don't make noise. Let's make some traps in the forest and look around for their boss...The big guy, right Parvati?" Dhanush cautioned both.
" Yes, the big guy...I know where he is." Parvati said, ' Let's go and also make some traps to welcome these fools." 

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

Sikharpur days (Bandits attack-3)

Her feet were floating in the air. As the children had decided, Parvati was getting ready to explore the surrounding jungles. Bandits could have been anywhere. Some of them must have spread to survey the location, some might have weapons. It was a very dangerous situation for the children but they have Parvati,their very own spirit friend who is invisible to others. 
" I am going, wish me luck!" Parvati said in a motivated voice. They had planned in detail about all the steps to be taken and Parvati was central to it all.
"Yes Paravti, go and see how many of them are present. Only obseve and come back, we don't want to startle them!." Dhanush said in a concerned voice.
" Parvati, please be careful and come back soon." Lata cheered her.
"We are waiting here, so take your time." Sambhu added. Lochan was waving his hand as Parvati went out. She smiled and waved back, it was like an adventure.

Parvati was moving swiftly through the jungle, passing through trees and other obstacles. Thanks to her training, she could control her emotions and focus to change her energy between spiritual form and physical form, with physical form only for handling the things and stuffs.
It was not long before she encountered her first Bandit. She named him Bandit 1.
Bandit 1 was dark and big person with lot of body hair, wearing a pagadi (turban like) and holding a big machete. Parvati even being invisible, had a big fright and hide behind a tree just in case. He looked like a leader or sub leader with his menacing look. He was sitting on a rock probably waiting for his subordinate to come back.
A little further than the place, Parvati encounter Bandit 2, a thin young lad, with a long knife placed on sides. He was cautiously moving towards the village, looking around for other villagers. He was one of the spies who was given the task of gathering information. Their we no further Bandits on that side of forest.

Parvati moved further, towards the farm and found Bandit 3 & 4 , keeping a stake out in between the trees. They were both tall, muscular and were holding sword with them. They also had small knives on the side. Parvati could sense the danger these men possess, for they were focused and completely observing the villagers in the field like a wild animal.
She could feel the urgency to alert the villagers but no one could see her. So, she decided to complete the rounds and check for any other bandit hidden or not and report the same to the children as soon as possible.
She went back to the hideput as further down the place, they had discovered the camp of those bandits. They had only seen one bandit, Bandit 5 and another one, Bandit 6 she found out near the streams, collecting water. They were of average built and probably were left behind to watch their belongings and also act as back up.

Parvati couldn't find any more, so she decided to went back. The children were waiting for her anxiously. 
" Parvati, welcome back, how was it?" Dhanush asked nervously.
" I found out 6 Bandits in total, 2 were looking out near the fields with swords. they were dangerous and probably want to block the villagers to return or capture them."

"Another two were at the outskirts of the village," Parvati added, " with one looking like their leader. He had a big weapon in his hands. The camp had two."

"Alright, I get the idea. We have six bandits and may be more but not in the jungles. The two near the fields will be Sambhu and Lochan's responsiblity. Bring Sheru Kaka near the field by any means and then other villagers might help in capturing the Bandits." Dhanush said.
"Parvati, show us the location now, and we will bring Sheru uncle there. The bandits will probably attack by the evening when they get together with other bandits." 

" Parvati, me and Lata will follow the Bandits near the camp. They must have their weapons there and we will try to stall them as much as possible. " Dhanush planned the course of action as he was their leader. " Lata, you should hide as it's dangerous,"
" No, I will help too. It's my village and my father is in danger too." Lata protested.
"Don't worry, I will protect Lata." Parvati said confidently, " Now Sambhu and Lochan, lets go and I will show their location." 

Parvati, Sambhu and Lochan went away.

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

Speak not..

Speak not,
for you will be heard,
things you had sought.

There's a lot,
from where I have come,
remember it, when 'm gone!

But I am living the life,
for the present..right now,
and I am seeking it out,
things that were missing till now!
.
..
...
Tell me what to do,
tell me the way too soon,
of the choices to choose...

Show the path to pursue,
for me to get my due,
clearing my way...widening the view!!

But I am trying hard,
figuring from what I have,
waiting for the boat to sail,
in this windless night!
.
..
...
Is it the hope,
the power of optimism,
or the entertainments,
keeping off the pessimism.

The tricks of distraction, 
innocence of ignorance,
the things that will help,
to hide the desires!


Speak not,
for it will rise,
the thoughts not open,
words not spoken....
from the whispering heart!

Sikharpur days (Bandits attack-2)

The children were running fast. It was mostly downhill. They had to be cautious when they left the hideout, wary of being discovered. So, they had lost some time and wanted to reach their village as soon as possible.

The moment they reached their village, they first went to the house of village guard Sheru. Sheru Singh was a tough middle aged man with a thick mustache. He was sitting on a Charpayi (wooden bed) smoking a hookah. The village had a laid back life with seldom any threats, which made them relaxed. 

"Sheru kaka(uncle), there is an emergency, bandits.... danger...!!" Sambhu uttered with an exhausted voice.
Dhanush came behind him followed by Lochan and Lata. 
"Calm down kids, what's the matter?" Sheru asked in a heavy voice.
"Uncle, we saw some suspicious people outside in the jungles, they could be dacoits,' Dhanush said in a slow tone.' Please do something." 

It was very difficult for him to say it in single sentence, they were so tired. Parvati was there standing behind them but she was invisible to Sheru. It was noon and sun was overhead, people prefer to remain inside or in the shelter near the farm.

" You must be seeing things, who will come this far for a loot." Sheru singh said in an arrogant reaction, ' now leave me alone." 
"But uncle, we were sure about it." the children requested but for no avail. Sheru singh was busy smoking his hookah as they returned dishearteningly.


"Let's go to my father, he will listen." Lata said. His father Shyam Singh too was a big man and strong enough to protect them. 
"Isn't he in the field right now." Dhanush questioned.

Indeed, most of the adults in the villages were working in the field and only a few remained in the village. They would have returned in the evening, tired and might be caught unaware. The children went to village chief's house but it was closed. Apparently he went to his cousin's village for some function.

"There are no one here, who will help us?" Lata was worried.
"Why don't we do something about it." Parvati added as she supported Lata.
"But we are children, what can we do? Besides I don't want to put Lata or any other my friends in a harm way!" Dhanush said in a serious tone.
" But I can do something, they will never discover me!" Parvati said with confidence.

The children didn't realized the fact that they had a ace in their sleeves. They started discussing the idea and Dhanush made a strategy.

"We first need information, Parvati will go and bring it to us and then we will decide what we can do to stop them." Dhanush announced in the end of the meeting.
"Yes, I also wanted to show off result of my training." Parvati said eagerly.

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