Short story by Juju's Pearls : “ Must have been love !”

“ Must have been love !”

In one corner of a country, a boy was born after three girls in an affluent family. It was festive like feel in the entire village. Month long celebrations went on and literally none of the household in the entire village cooked any meals for a month.

This blue eyed boy, Jared was everyone favorite. He was brought up with lot of love and pampering by his parents and sisters. He was not used to the word “No” being said to him as everything was in affirmative as far as he was concerned.

Years rolled by and time came to leave the nest. He was an average student in academics but excelled in sports. This helped him secure a admission in country ‘s reputed college. It was the first day in college. Jared’s heart skipped a beat and he experienced butterflies in his stomach when he saw a beautiful girl with long hair, holding books in her hands crossed against her chest, come towards him. She seemed like a fresher just like him. She asked him very politely, “Please help me in finding the lecture hall for first year.” Jared could not control his excitement. Trying to keep his calm and compose, he just guided her in the wrong direction. 

Later in the lecture hall, his eyes kept searching for the girl. After lunch break, he saw the girl in the hall with red, swollen eyes. He mustered courage and walked up to her. Immediately, she looked up and spoke, “Please let me know the real reason why you misguided me? I entered final year lecture hall and was ragged. You have hurt me a lot. I missed my first two lectures because of you.” She sounded sad and left without a word.

Jared felt deeply hurt. The girl who had stirred some different feelings in him was angry with him. He befriended her best friend with aim of getting to know her and to apologize. He came to know Jass came from an educated family and was a topper in her state. Jass was very clear in her goal in life. Jared sent her sorry notes,  flowers and chocolates. Jass was oblivious of Jared’s feelings towards him. So, she assumed them to be for her friend Lim, as she had seen Jared and Lim together few times in cafeteria. The flowers and cakes kept coming on regular basis. Both Jass and Lim thought, it was for the other one. Finally, one day, both decided to talk about it openly. Jass told Lim, “Jared was not as good as he looked. She felt he was stalking her too inspite of being committed to Lim.” Hearing this, Lim bursts out into laughter in disbelief and spoke, “Jass, how could you ever think like this ? Right from day one in college, ever since Jared saw you, he knew you were the one. “ She continued, “ Jared was just seeking my help in delivery of flowers and chocolates. Now I see why you never touched them, Hope you must have read his sorry notes which were addressed to you?”

At this point, Jass was in tears and she hurriedly went inside the room to search for sorry notes. All the sorry noted were addressed to her. Almost, like a flash of lightening, everything became clear to her. All this while, Jared had his eyes only for her. She misunderstood him as she had seen him with Lim few times sipping coffee together. Deep inside, she had liked him a lot and was jealous of Lim.

 Lim arranged a date for both of them. When they met, only their eyes made contact and all the vows were exchanged. They both realized, how true love actually felt like.      

 

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Short Story by Juju's Pearls : First love # Born to travel

First love # Born to travel

The trance of a hot summer evening was broken by cry of a new born. Many years ago, somewhere in a government hospital in maternity ward, a lady gave birth to a beautiful child, fair as ice and smile like Buddha. The day she was born, her mother had noticed a wheel like configuration on her right sole. She had remarked, “My daughter is born to travel far and wide, travel will be her first love."

This little girl was named Trivia. She was a beautiful, cheerful happy child. During her early childhood years, she would spend time exploring every nook and corner of her house and the play area. The sight of birds, animals and plants stimulated her and she always yearned to go out of house. She excelled in school in academics as well as extra-curricular activities. Her favorite hobby was organizing school picnics and trips. Her parent’s life mantra was to travel to different places. Exploring new places, meeting new people and witnessing different cultures were the most invaluable lessons in any child’s life.

Trivia had a habit of writing all details of her travel in her personal diary. By the time she became a major, her diary was beaming with many itineraries. She was all set to explore the world on her own. She joined a reputed flying school, became the ever first lady pilot from her state. Her passion for travel earned her high flying mileage scores in a short duration of time. This led to shift of her department from flying to non flying area, ground staff. Her heart beckoned her, she took early retirement and set up her own travel consultancy by name of Trivia Travels. She is busy helping people realize their love for travel.

Sabbatical#MOMSIE POPSIE DIARY

New year , January , february months - exam time , that time of the year when the school session is coming towrads the end and there is excitement to eneter a new class. Both mother and child are equally excited. New grade, new books , new tiffin box and water bottle. The happiness level is maximum and at times, the mother misses out on things she loves. That,s right, I took a sabbatical from my blog as I was busy in publishing my first book, MOMSIE POPSIE DAIRY- Tea time chit chat over tea.

This book maintained rank #2 on Amazon Hot new sellers for more than sixty days and has touched lives of many souls. The journey is still going on.

I have started writing short stories to keep my blog activity.

Soon, I will be taking another sabbatical when I will write my another book.

Till then, take care. Keep loving, keep reading , keep sharing .

Juju. 

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/dr-reemanshu-bansal/

INDIA ,s links

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https://notionpress.com/read/momsie-popsie-diary

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https://www.flipkart.com/momsie-popsie-diary-tea-time-chit-chat-living-life/p/itma70341551be39?pid=9781649516954&affid=editornotiMOMSIE POPSIE DIARY 

INTERNATIONAL LINKS

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For UK

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Short story by Juju,s Pearls # Frozen

Time seemed to stand frozen for residents of a small village, Maana. It was at the highest altitude where human life was medically possible to survive. Due to heavy snowfall for almost six months, the residents had to shift base to plains approximately fifty kilometers downhill. For them, it was a routine year after year. There was loss of human life as well as of animals. The scenic beauty was divine, which attracted tourists for the six months when it was summers. Main source of income was from tourists. Over the years, residents converted their homes into home stay and rented out rooms or houses for tourists.  

A young couple- Shaun and Lea from Athens, Greece came to celebrate their first anniversary. Lea was seven months pregnant. They had rented home stay of the local villager, Lhasa for a month. Shaun, the husband wanted their unborn daughter to be a mountaineer and thought this would be the best way he could connect to mothernature. Post dinner, Shaun and Lea were sitting in the patio enjoying hot coffee. Their trance was shattered by impatient call form Lhasa. He was urging them to go to their rooms as there was forecast of bad weather with rain and thunderstorm. Lea got up to go to their room, Shaun requested her to stay for a while as it was a starry night. They sat with eyes locked in gaze. Neither of them realized when the sky became overcast and black. They did not see Lhasa coming towards them and shouting to move inside as wrath of God was inevitable. Suddenly, there was cloudburst and gush of water pulled Shaun along. Lea was saved by Lhasa by a fraction of moment. All their screams were drowned in the thunderstorm. That night was like scene straight from Hollywood film.

Lea was shocked and lost her memory. Shaun was not untraceable as were other tourists and villagers. Lhasa started taking care of Lea as his own daughter. Lea lost her voice due to shock. After few days, a beautiful daughter was born. Lhasa named her Shea in memory of Shaun. The most cherished moment of Lea,s life passed like a routine moment due to her mental state. She refused to pick Shea or attend to her. Lhasa was left with no choice, other than bring up Shea. Shea was a gifted child. She was quick to learn about the village life style and adapted well with Lhasa. There were no schools in the village. Lhasa shifted to plains so as to give Shea the best possible education. Gradually, his health started deteriorating. He had kept no secrets from Shea. All this while Shea knew Lea was her biological mother and Lhasa was her caretaker.   

Just before Lhasa breathed his last breath, he handed over a metallic box to Shea. It contained few pictures and boarding passes of her parents. Shea made a resolve to search for her lost identity. The boarding passes bore signs of poor kept and had faded in most of the parts except for passenger name, flight number and date of travel. A lot had changed over two decades in IT sector and technology. With the help of her friend in Embassy, a search was started to trace the list of tourist washed away in village Maana two decades ago. One clue gave lead to another and so on. Shea,s search brought her to a mental asylum in city where she found a patient registered under name Shaun. Keeping her fingers crossed, she gathered courage to face this patient.

Her feet felt heavy as she consciously lifted her foot one a time and inched towards the cell. The guard unlocked the heavy lock and the iron gate opened with a squeaky noise. In front of her eyes, a frail figure was lying on the bed with back towards the gate. The guard called out, “Hey, Shaun! Somebody has finally come looking for you .” Shaun turned very slowly as if this little act consumed a lot of energy. He looked beyond Shea and uttered, “Lea, where are you? I can feel you but cannot see you, Lea, Lea?” And he collapsed on the floor, and Shea caught him just in time before he hit the floor. Her eyes were in disbelief as tears rolled down her eyes. This frail figure was her father who was frozen in time just like her mother.

After completing the formalities, she took her father along with her. With care and medical treatment, Shaun regained health. But his eyes were always searching for Lea. He too had lost his memory due to shock. He remembered only two things Lea and their unborn daughter. Shea had mixed feelings. The joy of finding her father diffused because of his inability to recognize her. She considered herself the most unlucky child who was blessed with both living parents, but they had memory loss.

The idea of reuniting her father with her mother was exciting as well as filled with fears. With the help of doctors she knew she had to do this part.  She planned the meeting to be in village Maana in the same home stay. With the help of her friend, she recreated the same night of horror. This was the best effort she could do to get her parents out of shock.

With great care and patience, she brought her father. Her friend was already waiting with her mother. Shaun and Lea looked frail with expressionless face. In the patio, two chairs were kept and an artificial starry night was created. Two mugs of coffee were kept on side table. With lot of resistance and hesitation, Shea and her friend guided them towards the chairs. Shaun and Lea sat on their respective chairs. Spontaneously, they reached out for coffee and their hands brushed against one another. There seems to be an electrifying effect in the atmosphere. Both started looking at each other with great curiosity. Suddenly, there was a roaring sound of thunderstorm and rain (as pre-planned by Shea and her friend).  

At that very moment, their trance was broken as if the evil spell has been weaned off. Lea was screaming out Shaun,s name. Shaun was shouting, “Hold on Lea, hold on.” Lea,s hand went on her stomach and she started crying uncontrollably. She let out a cry of pain and agony of losing their child. Shaun bent and kissed her belly, “Baby, we are sorry , we could not save you . It was your dad,s idea to come to this place and look what has he done?”. Lea lifted up Shaun and put her head against his heaving chest. Both were breathing shakily. They sat together, holding hands and cried through the night. Shea was a silent spectator who witnessed her parents mourning her death.

Her friend patted her back and told her to catch on some sleep. The thunderstorm which had sent her parents into shock twenty years ago, had managed to hit her in the same way. Next morning, Shaun and Lea behaved like newly married couple who had just lost their child, came to Shea and requested for the bill of home stay. They were planning to return to Athens after this mishap. Twenty years had vanished from their lives. They felt some awkwardness in the atmosphere when they enquired about Lhasa. They feared Shea and her friend had done something wrong with Lhasa as it was Lhasa who had cautioned them regarding the weather forecast the previous night (really! It was way back twenty years ago). Lea insisted on calling the cops when she saw her portrait  with Lhasa and a small girl. Few other photo frames were there and the little growing girl in frames looked like Shea. Shaun was confused as well. They walked towards the patio and were taken aback by the sight. Where once mighty mountains stood, the whole area was cramped with Holiday resorts. There were sounds of machines making all sorts of noises. On their way back inside, they saw their reflection in the glass. The young skin had given way to fine lines and wrinkles. Lea looked at her dry cracked skin. She felt her face and ran her hands over her head only to feel thin hair. Once, it boasted of heavy crop of shiny hair which had made Shaun fall in love with her.

They walked to Shea with questioning glances seeking answers to all that had happened in one night.

Shea is still trying to convince her parents that she is their daughter and that they had come out of hibernation after twenty years. With persistence, love, patience and medical help, Shea is hoping for the much awaited rainbow in her life. 

" Born to rule"

Short story by Juju’s Pearls



There is thunderstorm, lightening is playing hide and seek with dark grey clouds loaded with rain waiting for a fierce outpour. The winds are blowing crazily to sweep away the heavy clouds. In the middle of a remote village, a tiny lamp is swaying and trying it’s best to keep the flame burning. A young lady, Regina is in labor pain, about to deliver. The local village doctor is trying his best to do the procedure in the hut. There is water everywhere and winds are lashing at high speeds. It seems like a near impossible task. “Where there is a will, there is a way” is a famous saying. Praying to almighty, all three of them pledge for a positive outcome. The doctor and her husband, Richard helps her in pushing. She is nearing exhaustion and almost on the verge of giving up, when her husband gently presses her hand and says, ‘Dear, just one more effort.” The lady closes her eyes and cries out loudly into the wild dark night. Suddenly, there is cry of a baby. Finally, the mission has been accomplished and a baby girl takes birth in the small hut on that dark rainy stormy night in a remote village.

Next morning is bright and sunny. Many of the huts have been blown away by the storm, people are stranded, their cattle have gone missing and everywhere, there is hue and cry. Regina’s husband takes a decision to shift to his uncle’s house in city. He packs up whatever little things they have and set off in their bullock cart towards village. Near the river, the get down to refill their drinking water. As Regina alights from the cart, she hears a whispering sound. It seems as though someone is chanting something. She picks up her daughter and goes in the direction from where sound is coming. Gradually, the chanting becomes louder. She reaches a big tree underneath which a hermit is sitting chanting religious excerpts from books. As he senses her approaching, the hermit opens his eyes wide and commands her to stop in her path. He gets up from his meditation position and walks towards her. He touches her daughter feet and starts crying aloud. Regina is confused and in a state of shock. She asks the reason for such behavior. The hermit calms down and remarks,” All this while, we have been waiting for this pious soul to take birth in human form. She will lead and make this planet a harmonious place to live.”

Regina shrugs and replies, ‘Then why are you crying, oh learned sage?”

Hermit replies, ‘ Because, I won’t be alive till then, to witness this grand moment which will lead to transformation of mankind and will go in history as one of the most memorable era.” With this, the hermit leaves and starts walking towards north east direction.

Richard returns with water to his cart. On finding his cart empty, he starts screaming aloud, walks towards the forest. There he sees his wife walking towards him with their daughter in her arms. The radiance is around his daughter’s head. Their daughter is smiling. Regina shares the prophecy of the hermit and describes her meeting as an exceptional moment. Shrugging his shoulders, Richard takes his daughter and walks towards the cart to continue their onward journey. After two days, they reach his uncle’s house. They promise to keep this prophecy as a secret.

Years pass by, Richard’s hard work and motivation helps in getting a good job. Soon, he starts his own workshop. Life is comfortable and the prophecy is deep buried their minds. Their daughter, Rachael is a bright child who is happy and joyful. She is hard working and has a sharp intelligent quotient. Her warm and caring nature makes her win hearts. She always plays around with everyone. Her understanding of body language of birds and animals leaves everyone dumbstruck. The flying birds rest on her shoulder in a carefree way. The pet animals seem to understand her language. Rachel is everyone’s favorite. 

Once, while returning from school, she witnesses a bad road traffic accident. Lot of people gather but none is willing to help the injured people. She rushes to the site and offers help. After lot of motivation, few people come forward to help the injured and take them to hospital for treatment. Her timely intervention leads to saving of lives of injured people. After this incident, Rachael withdraws into her shell. Something inside her transforms. She decides to search the reason for this lack of empathy amongst human beings towards their fellow beings.

Seeing their daughter change in behavior, Regina reminds Richard of the prophecy. The more they try to dissuade their daughter, the more firm she becomes in her resolve. Finally, she decides to leave the house in search of empathy. Her parents are heartbroken as their only child had renounced the world. However, accepting it as a will of God they promise to support her in every possible way. Somehow, they persuade her to stay with them till she finds her new path.

Rachael goes into a silence retreat and starts meditating. She had learnt from her teachers that “All that you seek outside is within us. God has created a masterpiece by the name of human being.” After days of meditating , Rachael attains enlightment. Her aura is so divine that it radiates in all directions. Regina sees an unusual bright light emanating from Rachael’s room. She calls her husband Richard. Together, they move quietly towards their daughter’s room. The door is wide open. Rachael is sitting cross legged in meditative posture and a bright aura is radiating around her head. Suddenly, the hermit’s prophecy flashes in Regina’s mind. Her daughter had attained the supreme level of spirituality. Rachael opens her eyes and smiles on seeing her parents. Her parents bow their heads in front of her. The image they see now of Rachael is no longer of their daughter but that of a learned hermit.

Rachael sets out on her new path of compassion and empathy. Gradually, her followers increase in numbers. After few years she becomes a world renounced spiritual leader with her centers in almost every nook and corner of the world. Her parent’s efforts to give her a normal childhood could not stop her from becoming what was written in her destiny. Her parents move back to their old remote village. Rachael’s organization adopts the village and brings about reforms and changes in terms of building concrete roads, giving good connectivity to city, hospital with world class infrastructure, a school and college etc. 

Every year, Rachael returns to her village on her birthday to be with her parents. Regina can see the hermit’s smiling face in the sky giving blessings to her daughter.

 

Fertilized eggs- The future of human race

 Short story by Juju's Pearls

I love myself !thought Adriane. She was her own favorite and always fantasized about having her own replicas. What a beautiful world it will be? With so many fun loving Adriane’s in this universe, what a wonderful this blue planet will be! With these thoughts in her mind, she rushed out of shower. Quickly blow dried her hair, grabbed the first T-shirt and rushed downstairs juggling with her jeans and missed the last step and boom and thud! She fell flat of the ground. Her younger brother, an ace baseball player threw a cushion from the living room sofa, Adriane’s face safely landed on the cushion and she was saved by few centimeters. Their mother came running out of the kitchen and sighed, “Adriane dear, I know yet another idea has come into your mind and you are in extreme hurry to reach your laboratory. Please try to reach in one piece as an idea without a head is of no use.” Her brother giggled. She made a crossed face and went upstairs to change her dress. Inwardly, she was working on her idea of time capsule and she was just close to finish it.

After half an hour, she walked downstairs with her head held high and an air of perfection. She sat on the breakfast table. Her favorite fruit juice and scrambled eggs were in front of her in her plate. As soon as her eyes saw eggs, immediately her face lit up and she knew the day was not very far when she would release her time capsule. She gulped the juice and packed her breakfast. Kissing her mother on forehead, she picked up her car keys and was on her way to laboratory. Her cell phone rang. She was so busy in her mind that no other sound was audible to her. As she parked her car in the parking, she picked up her phone to see at least ten missed calls from her professor.

She rushed and went straight to his chamber. Dr. Kohler saw her through his monocle, forehead full of creases. Obviously, he seemed worried. Drumming his fingers on his table, he paused, inhaled and exhaled. After exactly sixty seconds, which seemed liked eternity, He opened his mouth, “So, Dr. Adriane, where do we stand right now? We are almost in the last phase of our trial. What do you think we should put in time capsule? There is immense pressure from the government and we are on the verge of running out of funds. We have to release this time capsule within next eight weeks.”

It was Adriane’s turn to create a more tensed atmosphere. She took her time and slowly smiled,” Professor, I know what we need to put in the time capsule.”

Professor replies “Let me hear you out my dear doctor.”

Adriane smiled and said, ‘Dr. Kohler, we will put fertilized human eggs from people in different fields. The whole idea is to have the best lot of humans in future.”

Dr. Kohler removed his monocle and looked up, “Now, what is your criterion of best human eggs?”

Adriane replies, “I have a full work up plan for the same. Let’s first get assurance from the government. After that, we will pick up at least five best persons in terms of health, intelligence, looks etc ,from each field of work and call them for assessment. After short listing, we will run the data in our software. The computer will make permutation and combination. By this we will have a list of best eggs and sperms of human race. The major question which will arise is the consent part. I have created a presentation, which will focus on the benefits of this whole procedure. Initially, we will keep hundred fertilized eggs in different stages of development in one time capsule. I have another plan. We need to build a bigger time capsule, which can accommodate fifteen to twenty human from different spheres of work. The smaller time capsule will be created first followed by larger capsule.”

There is pin drop silence as both look at each other. They exchange glances. Adriane’s worst fears seem to come true. She was afraid that Professor will reject her idea out rightly. Adriane slowly takes her laptop and gets up.

As she reaches for the doorknob,

Professor Remarks, “So, Doctor who are you planning to call upon first?"

With tears in her eyes and expression of disbelief, she cries aloud, “Do you believe in me?”

“Cent percent” comes the reply from Dr. Kohler, he continues,” The real challenge is how to convince the Governor and then people. And, how soon you can start?”

“Sir, we can start immediately and I promise you that we will do it successfully as long as we work as a team,” replies Adriane.

With a sense of accomplishment, she goes to café. The scrambled eggs have started giving out a fishy odor and find themselves in waste bin. Adriane picks up a cup of black coffee and starts working on her presentation. After working nonstop for many hours, she makes a convincing presentation.

Meanwhile Dr. Kohler fixes up an appointment with the Governor. Finally the day comes when their team’s hard work of decade will be presented for Government’s approval. Keeping fingers crossed, Adriane starts off it a motivating manner and manages to capture the attention of everyone throughout. After concluding, the house is made open for question and answers. There are no questions; everyone seems to be in a state of stupor. Dr. Kohler clears his throat loudly to break the silence. The Governor comes to his senses and remarks, “Dr. Kohler, how soon can you start with the selection procedure? This seems to be noble cause as far as human race is concerned. Darwin’s theory is “ Survival of the fittest “ yet another theory says, only the species which adapt to change will survive. Your time capsule will prove both. ‘

He further elaborates, ‘Please, send a quote of how much more funds does your laboratory needs? I will get it sanctioned at the earliest.”

The gathering disperses. There is a feeling of celebration in the lab.

Dr. Kohler invites Adriane next morning and asks, “So doctor whose eggs will be first on the list?”

Adriane smiles and replies in affirmative, “Obviously mine Sir!”

With this, she barges out of the office with a sense of pride in her heart and a smile that finally in her dream project, a part of her will travel as the first passenger.

Lavender Love

 Short story by Jujus Pearls

God has bestowed us with a wonderful sensory system. All the five senses play a pivotal role in our lives and are connected with our emotions and certain situations, be it happy or sad. Sharon was a preterm baby. Her mother delivered her during her seventh month of pregnancy. She stayed in neonatal intensive care unit for two months and was discharged once she weighed two kilograms. She was born after a gap of twenty years of marriage. So, in this way she was a special child. Her mother was devoted and gave up her job to raise her. Her mother wore a particular lavender fragrance and Sharon used to find warmth and security in that smell. She felt her mother’s presence nearby. Gradually she gained strength and was at par with children of her age. After completing her schooling, she enrolled in a university across the other coast of country. After graduation and masters, she joined a Doctorate program. Contact with her parents decreased as she was riding uphill of success and her parents were treading downhill in the journey of life. 

Sharon started enjoying her life and gradually started drifted towards the ills of society. Once she was arrested for driving while drinking too. On her parents, golden jubilee anniversary celebrations, her parents, she celebrated with full enthusiasm, seeks forgiveness for her irresponsible behavior. With a promise to be in regular touch, she flies back. Her parents were overjoyed by her mere presence and did not disclose the terminal stage cancer her mother was fighting with. Her mother’s deteriorating health troubled her father and he called up Sharon. After unsuccessful attempts, he left a voice mail message to contact him immediately. His wait stretched into weeks and one day his wife got defeated in the fight with cancer. He was devastated and full of remorse. After so much difficulty, his wife had born Sharon, their only child and his wife died waiting for her. Honoring the promise with his wife, he sent message to Sharon to come home taking the very next flight.

His wife had taken the promise that her body would be buried only after Sharon arrives. The whole house should smell of her favorite lavender fragrance, no one should break this sad news to Sharon until she arrives and sees for herself. Sharon called back and informed about her travel plans. When she reached her hometown, she felt a feeling of anguish and sadness. The driver was waiting for her. With head bowed, he kept her luggage and silently drove towards home. Sharon’s attempts to break the silence failed. As she reached her Porsche, she saw swarm of people with sad expressions. Her heart pumped louder and louder. Slowly, she opened the main door; the same lavender fragrance hit her. This had a calming effect for she was relieved that her mother was nearby. She felt the same security and comfort as she gad felt in her childhood. Paving way amongst relatives, her eyes searched for her parents especially her father. Inwardly, she was feared the worst. Suddenly, she saw her father in a somber mood in one corner. She hugged him from behind and almost yelled, “Dad, where is mom?” Her father turned his face towards left side and pointed his index finger of right hand towards the lawn. Sharon rushed outside. The lawn scene swept the ground underneath her feet. She saw a glass chamber. A woman in bridal dress was inside in sleeping posture. Her feet seemed to stick to ground. With great effort she inched her foot one by one towards the coffin. There were lavender plants everywhere – English and French variety- her mothers favorite. Inside, she knew what she was going to see. She ran towards the chamber and slid the cover open. There, inside the chamber, her mother was lying in a peaceful poise with a piece of paper in her hand.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her left shoulder; she turned and hugged her father. All the while she was running around in making a life for herself that she forgot her parents were growing old and they might need her. Feeling of remorse and bitterness engulfed her and she started weeping loudly. Her father comforted her and asked her to read the last letter by her mother. With trembling hands she opened it. Her mother had written a beautiful paragraph for her.

Dear Sharon,

We waited for twenty long years before God blessed us with you. With your birth, I felt complete and it gave me a purpose of life. Our lives revolved around you. We know you were embarrassed at times during your parent teachers meeting because we looked older than other young parents. We always wanted you to have a flight of your own and build a nest wherever you wanted to. In this process, I forgot to mention that when a bird flies away, she knows about her nest and where to come back. Your nest is in our arms, our house where you grew up. Each and every nook and corner has a story to tell. I stopped your father in letting you know about my cancer – terminal stage when you visited us on our Golden Jubilee anniversary. I always wanted to leave this world with you smiling face as my memory. Please forgive your father. He was honoring my promise. I got lavender plants planted in our lawn so that whenever you come home to visit your father, you should always feel me. Please forgive me for hiding my illness. I love you my darling daughter for you made my life worth living. God always bless you,

Love,

Mom.

Sharon read the letter umpteen times, sat with the plants, touched them with her finger. She felt connected as if her mother had left her mortal coil only. Her mother was everywhere in this fragrance

It was time to bury her mother. She walked with her father and laid her mother’s coffin to rest. With her father, they planted lavender plants near the grave with a message: ‘Laid to rest only in physical form, her fragrance spreads in all direction. love, Sharon and Dad.”

After the church ceremony, she went back to west coast. She shifted her base to her hometown and started living with her father. Having tea together in the lawn with lavender fragrance in the morning air entering their nose reminds her that her mother is nearby and giving them company.

"Do you love me !"

 Short story by Jujus Pearls



High school reunion – These three words cast a magic spell. It’s a moment of celebration, which many a hearts yearn for, and do preparations for the same. For few, it’s a happy trip down the memory lane. For some, it’s an occasion to be completely avoided. There is one class of middle benchers who are happy go lucky kind of souls who end up everywhere.

Steve was a healthy boy who was a favorite of his kindergarten teachers. He was good in academics and took part in all extra-curricular activities. He was popular in class. As puberty changes started, he developed a liking for girls and wanted to spend more time with them. Gradually he started withdrawing from his boys group. His keen interest in girl talks and their pubertal changes irked many of his class mates. A complaint was lodged with the class teacher. Steve was left with a strict warning and was ordered to stay with the boys of the class. From a happy, focused child, he became a withdrawn introvert. To take things in control, his parents changed his school. But his heart was in his old school. He took admission again in next session. This time he seemed confident and happy. He had long hair, just like pop stars and always smiled. Pubertal changes were missing in him, which normally happens in boys of his age. He had silky smooth facial skin and there was no sign of nay beard/ moustache. Everyone labels him as a case of delayed puberty and never bothered him. High school period came to an end. Everyone exchanged their slam books, and left with a promise to be in touch for the rest of their lives.

Fast forward, ten years. In some place is western world, a glamorous top model walks down the fashion show ramp with utmost grace and poise. The crowd is cheering madly and calling her name “Stevie”. Suddenly, the journalist (Alan) in the first row who is there to cover the fashion show wakes up from his trance. This name sounds familiar. He scratches his head and fails to remember and pin point the connection. The next model walks down the ramp and so on the show goes on. At the post show dinner, he meets with Stevie and is totally bestowed by her beauty. There is a sense of faint familiarity. Thinking it to be alcohol after effect, the journalist goes home. Before going home, he exchanges his mobile number with Stevie.

Next morning, Alan wakes up with a severe headache and is unable to get Stevie out of his mind. He prepares black coffee and sits on his working desk. Scrolling through internet, he is unable to procure information beyond ten years. This sets him thinking, that there was some mysterious past of Stevie. The more he tries to kick Stevie out of his mind; the thought comes back like a boomerang. He makes up his mind to dig out the past. He starts dating Stevie over coffee or movies. Somehow, Alan is unable to go beyond the dry good night. He is more determined and decides to check her apartment in her absence. On a routine coffee visit to her house, he manages to get her house keys impression and gets a duplicate key made. Once she is away on a weekend shoot to a distant place. Alan stealthily enters her house and begins his search. There is no record of her childhood/ school days. As he was about to abandon his search, an old album drops form the top shelf. Immediately, he recognizes it to be his school album. He glances through school class pictures. He is spellbound by what he sees. This was his class picture. He could recognize himself, but there was no face similar to Stevie. Alan takes out his magnifying glass and scans through all children faces. He finds a striking resemblance with Steve. Chain of thoughts cloud his mind, is she Steve’s twin sister or is she Steve himself?

He stumbles, gets up and leaves the house. A notification icon on his mobile breaks his trance. There is a mail from High school Alumina group informing about the high school reunion in a week’s time, Alan is perplexed by the recent discovery. He texts Stevie, requesting her to be his date for the reunion. There is no reply. He impatiently waits for Stevie’s return. Unable to hold the suspense any longer, Alan goes to the airport arrival lounge to pick Stevie. She seems visibly impressed by his gesture and smiles. They drive to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Alan pops up the question about his high school reunion. She stops eating in the middle and excuses herself to go the restroom. She goes to her house. Alan patiently waits for half an hour at the lunch table. He requests the lady staff to check the ladies restroom. To his dismay, there is no one in the restroom. For the next few days, he is unable to contact Stevie as she had blocked him.

His fears seem to be coming true. He gathers all his courage and goes to see her at her house. After much perusal, she opens the main door. The sight Alan sees is heart rendering. Stevie is standing in front of him with swollen eyes, her eye makeup had smudged all over her cheek, her hair was unkempt and she was sobbing. His heart tore and he hugged her tightly in his embrace. Slowly she looks up and remarks, “Alan, I had a crush on you since kindergarten. Do you remember Steve? The boy who enjoyed Girl Company, changed school, returned back and became an introvert!”

 Alan was silently listening, waiting for her to continue and complete. She continued, “Alan I am Steve! Do you still love me?”The ground below Alan’s feet seemed to give way and he lost his balance. His eyes popped out in disbelief, “Stevie, you are the same old Steve, now a top model! Oh gosh! I fear this.”

There was a period of few minutes’ silence which seemed like eternity. Finally, Alan spoke, “So, that’s the reason you were avoiding the High school reunion? Now I understand your inhibition. Well, I respect this and promise that we will never let the past spoil our present. Will you be my date Stevie for the high school reunion? “

Stevie smiles shyly and gives an affirmative answer. Post dinner, she reveals about the difficulties she faced due to her inclination towards being a female. So, she left her hometown and settled in distant place. Got her required surgery and gave herself a new identity. Both of them locked their hands and looked up to God. High school reunion here we come, Alan with his date Stevie. Identity of Steve was left out and everyone enjoyed reunion. Alan was eager to show off his most beautiful date. Stevie never wanted to be recognized as Steve and enjoyed as his date.

The Emotional Rising

 Original Short story by Jujus Pearls

Just like a tsunami slashes and disrupts whatsoever, who sever comes its way; similarly, an insight into our past causes a blast in our present.

A dynamic, enthusiastic, young girl in her mid thirties is the new entrepreneur holding a high position in a multinational company. With head held high, looking up at the sky, she seems to skid on the ground. Lady luck is shining bright and on her side. After all, she worked really hard with grit and determination to be at the position she is in. Despite limited resources, she climbed up the ladder of success, much to astonishment of her colleagues. Soon, she was the new Vice President of the leading law firm.

One day she received a letter from an unknown source dated twenty years ago. Moments of suspense followed as she slowly opened the seal. There was a birth certificate from a government hospital in distant town. Her hands trembled as she slid out the certificate with a covering letter. She recognized her mother’s handwriting instantaneously. Her mother had addressed the letter to her. The letter read as,

Dear daughter,

If you are reading this letter, it means I have left for the heavenly abode. I pray to God that you must have achieved whatever you always wanted to achieve and must be riding the success wave. (Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She knelt down and started crying loudly. This Christmas, she had made plans to reunite with her mother and reconcile. Now this letter was like a direct hard slap on her face. Restoring her courage she continued reading).

Sarah, my daughter! Do you remember, I used to buy toys in twin sets? And you used to ask me the reason. Well darling, the truth is, I gave birth to twins. Yes, Sarah! You have a brother who also happens to be your twin. God had other plans for him. Sam, your twin brother was born with Down’s syndrome and needed special care. Your father was not willing to keep him and we had continuous fights over this issue. One fine day, when I was nursing you, my mere six months old angel, your father snatched you from my arms and stormed out of the house. I did not see him after that. Some common friends used to give me news about you. I was left all alone with Sam. Life had hit a rough patch and unwillingly, I had to give Sam in orphanage for children with special needs. I came to know that you always despised your mother for she left you when you were six months old. Sarah, my love, please remember your mother always thought about you every living second. I thought of explaining all this twenty years ago, when you were in High school. Do you remember my love? Your father once again intervened and you left without looking back. I had given this letter to your father. I know the letter never reached as you never contacted me.

I wrote another letter and kept it safe with my lawyer with instructions that it should reach you when I am no more. So, you see, I never did any wrong to you or your brother. Situation was difficult and this was best I could do as a teenage mother. My lawyer will get in touch with you to hand over my house (my sole possession) and my car keys to you. You will see a twin admirah in my room named Sarah and Sam. All the gifts for the last thirty years are there for both of you. This birth certificate will stand by my truth. You can ask your father too. He will explain the whole truth. Please forgive your mother and your brother Sam. I am writing down address of the Orphanage where Sam lives. Now he is the General Manager of that orphanage.

If you can forgive me in this lifetime, my darling, please arrange a prayer meet in the church after my funeral, so that I may rest in peace. Please bring Sam along, and your father too if he willingly drops his anger towrads me.

Please remember, mom always loves you, remembers you and is always proud of you every single moment.

Love,

Mrs. Smith (Your mother).

By now Sarah was unconsolable. She had always thought that her mother her left her for greener pastures. This story was told by her father since childhood and endorsed by her paternal grandparents. When her father was fighting for his life last year when he was diagnosed with brain tumor, he was often seen mumbling, “I am paying for my sins! God please forgive me. “He had stopped recognizing her, used to call her Sam. Gradually, he lost his speech coherence. Her last memory was of her father’s finger pointing towards the sky and seeking forgiveness with folded hands. Thereafter his soul left his body.

This letter was like an electric jolt Sarah. All these years she had hated her mother for leaving her as an infant. Now the truth was clear in front of her eyes. She could visualize the entire life her mother might have had to face, being a single parent and later being single. She wiped her tears, read the birth certificate. A feeling of bliss and happiness ran from head to toe. In this very moment she forgave her mother and father. Both had their own reasons and behavior responses.

She placed the letter and certificate inside the envelope carefully. She cancelled her meeting schedule for the whole next week and booked a flight to the city where the orphanage was. As soon her aircraft landed, her heart started pounding at the mere thought of meeting her won brother. This feeling of “I am not all alone ‘, gave her immense power. The airport taxi was waiting at the pickup counter. She settled and let the wheels of the car take charge. City roads gave way to countryside roads, lush green trees and bushes swayed with gentle wind as if playing. Sun rays played hide and seek. Slowly, the taxi maneuvered through the curvaceous path and she found herself right in front of the orphanage.

Gathering courage, she asked for way to General Manager’s room. The bell boy smiled and said, “We all knew you will come one day. Sorry to know about Mrs. Smith’s loss.” Sarah was taken aback. As she entered the room, the chair rotated and she felt as if she was in front of the mirror. Sam was an identical twin. Sam gave a confused expression. He exclaimed, “Sarah, my little sister, not so little now.”

Sarah felt an ocean of emotions and heaviness in her heart as if her chest would explode. She regained her calmpose and hugged her brother. She felt complete. What life could not do, death had done.

Bidding a farewell to Orphanage, she flew back with Sam. They rested their mother,s coffin near their father’s grave with a message, “Life kept them apart, united by death: Mr. & Mrs. Smith." The prayer meet was attended by family and friends. Sarah felt her mother smiling from the abode of Lord.

Sam went back to the Orphanage and she continued with her work in the city. Both look forward to celebrating Christmas at their mother’s house.

The mere act of opening of one letter from the past changed Sarah’s attitude and life in that present moment forever. 

The Happiness Bubble

 Happiness Bubble

Over the past four decades, I have realized that we all live in our own minds and create a bubble which acts like a shock absorber in adverse situations of our lives.

I often used to discuss with my mother that she would portray her life as perfect and happy. She would praise her children, grand children, relatives and everyone associated with her. For her ( my mom), her husband was the best, her children and their spouses were excellent and everyone loved her and respected her. I would often remark, ‘Mom, things are not so perfect as you say so!”. She would gently ignore and reply, “ My life is blissful and God has been very kind with me always.” This continued for some years till few months before she left on her higher journey.

On a routine short visit to Delhi, over evening tea, I told my father, “ Popsie, mom lives in a make belief world where everything is perfect . Why doesn,t she face the reality ?” My Popsie replied, “Your mother is happy, why do you want to disturb her? She is in a positive, gratitude state of mind.”

Momsie came with tea, her usual smiling self and we all sipped tea in pure bliss. After this short conversation, I never ever brought up this topic with my mother and I am happy about it. She left few months later.

Seasons changed, years flew by. It,s been almost 63 months ever since my mother left. Now this same thought resurfaced. Every time, I speak to my father, he is always happy and contented, all praise for everyone. For him, his life is perfect and he feels blessed and thankful every single moment. I was on the verge on making the same mistake about showing him the harsh reality. Some unseen force held me back tightly. It seemed as if my mother was conveying from the parallel world , “ Raju, your dad is happy, let him be, why do you want to break his happiness bubble! Everyone lives in a bubble in their minds. It is very important for their emotional and mental security. Never ever puncture anyone,s happiness bubble.”

My lips curved and smile came on my face. I have a happiness bubble too.

I pray to almighty that, nobody,s happiness bubble gets punctured. Lets all stay afloat in our bubbles, bouncing higher in our lives whenever we hit a rough patch.

Love,

Juju.

The Last Promise

The Last Promise

There are promises, which we take when we solemnize the marriage. Another promise, when we see our first born and so on. Have you realized one continues to make promises during different spheres of life – sometimes with oneself, at other times with someone else or with the outer world. The authenticity of one,s life can be measured by the number of promises one honors and not makes !

Day in, day out, we are making promises, its time to wonder and question oneself – “ How many of them have we honored ?”How soon we reach the sunset of our lives, one never realizes till it,s time to bid good bye. Lucky are those who have this much time to see their final destination. For many, life is snatched untimely, accidentally and suddenly.

Whatever you want to do, please go ahead and do it. When I was about to start my college journey, besides a lot of many advises, my father gave me one very important pearl which I have kept safely. The advise was, “More than the failure, what hurts more is the regret of not doing it . I wish and pray that you try whatever you aspire for, if you fail, it s not a bad idea as you will be spared of the regret of not trying, when you are in your forties. At the maximum, the worst outcome will be failure. If you don’t try, then as it is you have lost it. Go ahead and try.”  This gave me immense strength and power. I was armed with my parent’s wishes and God and books as my soul mates as I set on this worldly journey.

Drop the excuses, start honoring your promises and witness the infinite power of your mind and soul. Let every promise, be like your last promise. Unburden your heart here and now.

The last promise my momsie took from my popsie was to be strong as she was handing over her duties to him. To take care of himself well, so that their children could focus on their goals, to dress her like a bride during her last journey as he had brought her into the house, when they got married. The beautiful bond of more than fifty four years was concluded with this last promise. To this day, popsie is honoring this promise in full faith and spirits. At times, he does feel tired and requests her that he wants to join her. My momsie, strong determined lady, discourages him and says, ‘ Our children need you more, I am fine , don’t worry !”.

As I write the concluding part of my first book as “An Ode to my momsie”, tears get dried up in my eyes as I am reminded of my last promise.

Love,

Juju