Birthday Surprise

          In a small town called Hattiesburg in Mississippi was a house that was at the end of the farm. The house was on the border of the town. It belongs to a Hastings family. They were Australians and had moved to America in the early 80’s. Since then they have made Hattiesburg their home. The Hastings had two sons Sean and Michael they were 16 and 12 years old. Both the brothers loved each other very much. It seemed that they were two bodies but one soul. If Michael wanted anything Sean made sure that Michael receives it. Such was a scenario when Michael wanted a large mirror hanging on the wall of the study which was opposite to their bedroom door. Sean had to convince his father and finally he gave in. When Sean turned 16 he moved to Connecticut for his higher studies. Michael was not happy about the decision but never showed a hint of sadness on his face. He knew how important that was for his brother. Moreover he was sure that in a couple of more years he would join him in the same college. But they made a pact before Sean left that he will call Michael everyday and discuss everything.

          Sean usually used to call after finishing college and before going for football practice. It was late than usual and Sean had not called. Mother was trying to explain Michael that his brother might have slept or would be busy. Soon it was time for bed. His parents were in their bedroom and he was in his room staring at his older brothers bunk. The door of the room was wide open as it was a full moon night. He saw a shadow on the mirror. He went out of the room to see what it was and followed it to the kitchen. It was his brother, trying to scare him as a ghost. Suddenly the sad and gloomy face of his cheers up. He was happy that his brother had arrived home a day prior to his birthday. He finishes his glass of water while his brother waits for him. “You know I have learnt a few new magic tricks that you might like” he tells Michael while juggling 4 lemons at a time. Come lets go to the study and play, otherwise our parents might wake up. And they head towards the study

          The study was just opposite to their room. Right next to the door of the study the wall had a large mirror hanging for them to look at themselves before leaving the house. Michael had insisted the mirror to be placed there. He saw it in one of the movies and it looked appealing to him. During the full moon night they would leave the door open of their room so that they could see the reflection of the moon on the mirror when it would be a certain angle. Before they entered the study Michael took out all his toys and brought to the study. While he was entering he saw his brother was able to float the lemons in the air. As he entered he hugged him and asked him to teach him the magic trick as well. His brother promised him that he will certainly teach him the trick. They played and talked all night. Michael told Sean all about his day and his plans for the next day. He also told him that he was angry with him when he didn’t call him last evening. The time just flew past while they were talking and playing.

           The reflection of the moon on the mirror was fading away. The sun was marching his way up. Michael was feeling tired and sleepy. He convinced his brother to make a castle out of bed sheets. It looks more like a tent and less like a castle Michael said to Sean. They both burst into laughter at his statement. In some time they both slept in the castle that appeared as a tent. In the morning Michael was unable to find his brother Sean. He looked for him in the entire house. 

          In the mean time his parents were also up. They were unable to understand Michael but they noticed that he was missing his elder brother as he was lying next to his brothers photo frame. They tried to tell him that all the events that he is talking about are just a part of his sheer imagination. Just them the phone rings and on the other side of the phone is the principal of the College in which Sean was studying. She informed her that their son had died in a tragic accident. Sean had drowned in the college pool. It was Michael's birthday that day. The date was 11 January. He had bought a beyblade for Michael as he loved playing with it. The parcel arrived just when their mother was talking to the principal over the phone. They all looked at the parcel and cried out loud. Michael had gone into a shock and just then he saw his brothers image in the mirror. It looked as if he had come to wish him on his birthday. After that day Michael had seen Sean in the house many times.

          Even after so many years the day brings chills to his spine. Making it difficult for him to sleep in the night. He often goes for a jog in the cemetery whenever he is unable to sleep. His eyes wide open and always looking out for someone. As if he is following someone or trying to catch up with him. He stops at a known grave. The headstone was all muddy and the name was hardly visible on it. It had rained last night and the dirt rose on the headstone because of it. Otherwise the family has been given clear instructions to keep the grave clean at all times. 
          He stood there for a while, tears rolled down his cheeks and fell on the grave. He went ahead and started cleaning himself until it was free from all the mud and dirt. The name on the headstone read Sean Hastings a loving brother and son. He told Sean about the sleepless nights and said to him that this has to stop now. I will have to let you go. And so he takes out the beyblade, which he had kept safe for the last 40 years and placed it next to the stone. He sat there for a while crying and trying to compose himself. After a couple of hours as the stroke of the sunlight reached out of the shadows in the sky, he left for home. 

          Michael now visits the cemetery only on January 11 to pay his respects. He hasn't seen Sean around the house lately. After all Sean was a loving and understanding brother.

Papa - The P in Patriarch

This is for the man who never gets tired.

Carrying out the responsibilities charmingly, 

to which he is wired.

You see the world from a 360 view on his shoulder.

He keeps the family warm when it gets colder.

He is tall, broad and huge for the tiny us.

Our cribbing is handled without a fuss.

He is tough and at the same time he is gentle,

He supports us at every step, he holds the mantle.

He teaches us how to play the ball,

Ensuring that we set a goal.

While growing up he is our idle.

Mostly he preaches like the bible.

He is your first pillion rider.

Always making sure that your grip is tighter.

He is your very first super hero.

The one that never thinks of you as a zero.

You often see him coming home late,

He might have made you wait 

a lot but,

He is committed to put food in the plate.

And the dues too, need to be paid.

But after all this he may never show his pain.

All he wants from us is to certain 

that

All his efforts will go in vain.

He demands us to be a better person in life.

He dreams for you to have children and a happy wife.

But Dearest Dad,

You have been growing old as I am catching up with your height.

You should know that my career has taken the flight.

But I still need you by my side. 

And

To go on another bike ride,

To the look at the ocean and its tide.

I am used to seeing you young and strong.

You’ve grown frail all along.

Eat healthy and enjoy now, as this is your turn 

to sit back and watch your son come along

the life you had foreseen.

This is for the man who never gets tired.

It is a failed attempt to show that your efforts are admired.

Your Loving Son

THE RE - ENGINEERED MAN

   Eventually, the day will come when the human race will be ironically eliminated by the so called human creations. This thought sounds far fetched and unreal to most of us. But it is true to a certain extent. When I was young about 6 years old, my grandfather told me this and I quote “these machines have taken our jobs and the time will come soon enough that these contraptions will rule us and we would be mere puppets in the hands them”. It was just another one of the statements that my grandfather used to recite a lot. It didn’t bother me much as I was busy figuring out how the Centurions will be able to save the day and will Ash be able to win his next badge with the help of Pikachu.

     In the year 2003 when Terminator - Rise of the machines exhibited the future to be in the hands of Skynet. Skynet was a computer programme built by the humans to increase efficiency which was later the reason for the extinction of the human race. The plot of the movie was as bad as the money it made for the production house. No one would have thought that we will be facing such a situation where the software and gadgets made by the humans will be used against the eliminating humans from their jobs. The difference between the reel and the real story is that the humans were hunted down by the machines in the movie, whereas in the real life the human race is being killed indirectly i.e. by being left out to dry without jobs.

    Technology has advanced terrifically in the last decade. New software and gadgets have challenged the wits of every individual irrespective of the generation they belong to. My parents find the video calling feature to be a boon. I appear to be so far yet so close to them during our video calls everyday. My mother never fails to praise the good lord for inventing such a technology during her every call. Earlier she used to complain about feeling lonely during the day. But now she is eager to finish her work, just to complete the game from the last saved point in her phone. Technology has surely come a long way for her and is continuously surprising as each day progresses. 

      Coming to the present day, I see a lot of worried faces around me in the office. I had always heard about the tension and stress the term recession attracts but have never witnessed the same until the last ten days. The media has only added fuel to it by flashing news of thousands of employees being laid off by the multinational corporations. This activity is being effectuated basis a report that postulates about an economic meltdown which might take place in the coming years. I really find it hard to gulp it down my throat, that a set of senior managers sitting in their cushioned chairs, high up the ladder with questionable forecasting skills believe in a report published by another organisation about the turmoil that has a probability of 50-50.

    It has been nearly two decades since I heard the statement from my grandfather. And I believe that the prophecy is turning out to be true. I feel like the John Conner being warned by the terminator about the future, but it was the terminator who was sent to kill him in the first part. I doubt his intentions today. 

     Will there be a silver lining to all this or the Judgement Day has arrived and awaiting at the threshold. And it is just a matter of time for the hell to break loose and the humans will be re-engineered?

ECHOES

I saw you on my first day of college. 

You were sitting in the forth row 

from the front,

and I heard you shut a boy, with an answer

that was blunt. 

Your top was white with green leaves 

drawn over it. 

All my efforts to sit next to you

went down the pit.

Finally at 1 we were two seats away

from each other. 

I saw you go out to take a call,

maybe it was your mother. 

I was called to another room 

to verify my documents.

I saw you sitting on the other end and

boy I was eager to pass a compliment. 

Next day I saw you in the auditorium and

you were wearing an orange t shirt. 

And I looked at my self and 

found my shoes full of dirt. 

It was hot outside and 

you had your hair tied.

I was a few rows away from you,

I could feel my heart swell and 

I swear it is true. 

I was sure it was fate

When I saw you walk into the class late. 

Our classes were bang opposite,

She studied journalism and

I was learning about alcoholic composite. 

One fine day I gathered enough courage

to say Hi

My heart was beating faster than the bullet train and only I know why. 

We bonded over art

and your glares were sure like dart

piercing right into my heart.

Waiting for you at the bus stop was a daily chore,

My friends would laugh at me and call me a bore.

Handing you the chocolate on our way to the class,

That smile could make diamonds out of sheer glass.

How can I forget that first kiss,

it was completely bliss.

Taking you out on my friends bike,

Where you told me you don’t like spikes.

The way you hugged me on your graduation,

I knew I had to start my preparation,

for a life without you.

You marching into my class and 

asking my professor to see me was real bad ass.

My friends envy you till date, for that gate crash.

I am sorry that things didn't work out 

as we expected amongst our religions.

I think that love still has to fight against these legions.

But we shall meet once we rise above these differences.

And hope that love brings down these fences.

Until then I will reside in the palace 

of rapture.

We shall meet again in solace.

I saw you on the first day of my college.