River of life

[ Inspired by Cauvery water issue and some personal experiences, of course ]

I'm life!

I don't come with a plan. I don't come with a schedule.
I have a destination but that's not my end.
I die everyday when I meet the ocean. I'm born everyday too.
I flood. I narrow down. I slow down. I flatten. But I never stop! 

There are bridges, which stay aloof.
They keep telling everyone to stay away from me and be safe.
They frown upon my vastness and depth.

There are dams, which try to stop and contain me.
They try to use me in ways - they think - that will help people.

My most valuable possession lies in my heart - the fishes, plants and micro organisms.
They fill themselves with me.
They are there for me wherever I go.
To an extent, may be, I exist for that love.

There are boats that flow with me and share some of my love!

People fight over me. I don't take sides.
I'm for those who need me.
People try to change my course. I oblige as long as I support my love.
I hate wastes from people and industries. They pollute me! They harm me and my love.

I AM life! 

Love,
A River

Grad School (Another short story)

[A story once written is never as beautiful the second time.]

It still feels like a dream. He still has his wife's words ringing in his head, "It's time for her to become a woman." He has never left her all by herself for more than a week. Now he'll have to do it for a semester. He wanted to ask her how long their semesters are. 3 months? What if it's 6 months?

He pulled down at the university hostel. It's a simple building with girl students gossipping. He also spots the warden who spoke to parents during their induction session for newly joining students. His mind is switching between the present and his arguments with his wife.

He: There are 2 top-rated universities in engineering nearby. We can drive there in less than 3 hours. Moreover, what's the scope for a career in literature? A journalist? A writer? A teacher? It looks to me like she wants to run away from home!

His wife (Interrupts): The whole world is not made up of only engineers and scientists. Let the girl follow her interests.  

He: Do you think she has a boy friend?

His wife: Not any that I know of. Honey, she's our daughter. She can face the world. You are just over-thinking. 

He: It's a 10 hour drive from here. I want to be there with her and see all the on-boarding myself. 

His wife: Johnny has his mid-term. I need to be here. 

He realizes he went blank thinking about their conversation. She is still looking at him silently not interrupting his thoughts. Just like him, she is not able to speak.

The dad in him takes over. "You have all the stuff packed. Clothes, books, tab, mobile... ummm... some stuff your mom prepared. Make sure you check if the SIM is active by the evening", he speaks quickly trying to suppress his urge to ask her how long her semester is.

"It won't be too long, pa! I'm going to be home before christmas.", she replies as if she heard him.  He supresses his reaction. She continues, "Home's been my world. I want to see more. I will meet students from across the world. Learn. Make friends. Learn from professors. I looked up so much about this university and their curriculum in this area. I made more than 10 calls over phone and skype to my seniors from school".

"But, baby, you have never been out of home for more than a week." He regrets why he said that. She is in tears. He hugs her. She doesn't let go. He pats her on the back of her head.

After a pause, she starts "Honestly, pa, I don't think I can last a day here. More than anything else, I don't know how I can spend a day not fighting with Johnny. I'll skype you every day at 7 PM. Remind Johnny to pick another slot for basket ball. I looked up trains which come over to our place. May do a couple of trips home over the weekends before christmas. I know mom didn't want to come here because she doesn't want to show that she misses me." 
 

He takes a pen from his pocket and gives her. "This thing, honey. This little thing here is very powerful. This made regimes fall. This liberated many lives. This has pushed the limits of thinking, imagination, creativity and reality. Let this be the light for your future." He couldn't believe he just said some deep stuff. He guesses it's part of being a dad. 

She doesn't let him go still. He wriggles out and kisses her on the forehead. With a heavy heart, he steps back into the car. The warden comes swiftly and holds her hand.  She assures him that this young lady is going to be a strong woman. He drives a 100 yards and stops to see his girl walk into the hostel glancing backwards mirroring the heaviness in his heart. 

He never thought about how he'll feel not seeing her at dinner everyday. Johnny and his wife seem to have already prepared themselves for it.

A Short Story

He senses her moving sharply behind him. She's not speaking a word but he knows she's furious. She calls his friend, Vijay, who was sitting in the other room on a couch comfortably, with amplified artificial sweetness in her voice "Vijay, let's go out for dinner today. I didn't cook anything". Vijay, to his utter dismay, is grinning widely. She signals Vijay to come and help her with folding her clothes. While Vijay is still at his job, he goes to her and asks if she's fine. She feigns another artificially sweetened smile saying everything and everybody is absolutely fine.

He knows he's made a mistake. May be he shouldn't have told what's on his mind. He is not clear if she is angry about what he told or how he told. He wished girls (especially this girl) were more patient and explain what's on their mind. He feels as if he has crossed the line but doesn't know how!

He walks slowly to her while she's combing her hair. She sees him coming in the mirror. She chooses to look at herself. He tries talking to her while framing all the sentences in his mind. He just can't. He clears his throat loud so she could hear him. She simply ignores him as if she didn't hear anything. He brunts out another "Ahem" before he mutters "Sorry. I didn't think it'll make you so angry."

She turns to him immediately at a speed he has never seen her move. Her face is now red. Before he even realizes, a storm is upon him. She is at him, "We have been living in the same place for over an year. Our families know each other. We have atleast a 100 common friends on facebook. We hangout almost every day. Even Vijay knows what's wrong! Sorry for what? Why are things so complicated with you?"

His frown turns into a smile.
She doesn't wait for his reply.
While she walks off angrily with Vijay, he knows it's time for him to get into action.