ameyk

[ameyk]

Horse Rider

Alex, don’t run too fast, you will fall down. Gena screamed at him. He reverted, “I want to see Shankar riding horse on the hills! “   He disappeared slowly, Gena was puzzled at 6.30 am in morning, and with 10 degree temperature outside someone rides a horse which puts smile on his child’s face

Gena was a single mother living in pachgani and was working as a supervisor in Macro strawberry factory, leaving sybaritic life of Dehradun behind she was settled in pachgani post-divorce with her husband. Alex was only child and was studying New Era High School.

Alex was in 5th standard and very humble child. His Father being an army official he was fond of horses. Knowing this Gena got shifted to pachagani a year back, their house was near hills, where beautiful sun rays used to shower its blessing with gift of chilled weather.  This weather was fulfilling vacuum of Dehradun memories which this family had left behind.

Alex used to miss his dad however Gena’s efforts and love made him so mature, He never made her realized this. Gena being his mother knew so she took his admissions in New Era High school where Horse riding was part of school course.

Alex had no friends in new city they were trying to settle, being a hill area, sunset used to happen early and with sunset, Alex used to loose bliss of his mind with thinking one more day has gone with this loneliness.  

School started again post summer vacations, Joseph sir called Alex in school ground, from tomorrow every 7.30 am in morning, your new friend will be waiting for you in ground my child, with so much anxiety whole night Alex went to school next day.

Horses were standing in a row with more deciplines than anybody else, they has numbers on their back which was allotted to every student.

Looking at a tall black horse, Alex almost jumped on the ground; looking at Joseph sir’s angry glance he controlled himself.  Alex sat on horse and a boy almost of same age mummed from below, “Sambhalke, gir jaoge.  Hold him firmly, Chetak (Horse’s name), he is your new friend”

This is the day when Alex met Shankar; Shankar was poor living in outskirts of pachagani. He was working for steadfast farm which was providing horses to school. “Chetak” was owned by Shankar, which was recent generation of Horses’ named “Dolby” which was gifted to his great grandfather during British Empire.   Everyday Alex and Shankar used to talk a lot during these sessions.

One day, Chetak got furious when Alex was riding horse, everyone around was feared, Shankar whistled loudly and Animal paced down and stood calm. Alex was very much surprised by this.

When session ended, Alex asked Shankar with puzzled face, how he has done that.

Shankar started narrating a story , His great grandfather was a Horse rider , used to help British traversing through hilly roads when British officials used to come for vacations, They discovered this beautifully valley and gifted this as a hill station to India

His Grand Father, taught horse riding to his father who later became tourist guide in this area.

When Shankar was born, he was fond of horses, they have 2 horses in which chetak is recent generation same of his age. There was dwelling between Shankar and chetak since child hood.

Chetak was good breed so sports firm took him for Horse riding training and sports for Pachgani School and there where Alex and Shankar met with each other.

Shankar used to ride chetak early morning through hills and Alex used to love watching him, He used to summered, I can never be as best as Shankar in horse riding.

Shankar was studying in night school , Bhatia Kendra vidyalay and was a very sharp student and was supporting family during day time.

As time passed by Alex and Shankar became close friends ..

This morning Shankar was running with madness as he wanted see Shankar riding horse on up hills. Wondering where he goes every morning; gena decided to follow him.

She was thumped to see , a little boy is riding horse so fluently. She met Shankar and invited him for a lunch, She found him very sharp and sincere boy. Shankar soon became close to Gena and Alex.

She decided to help him in education and decided to take his admission in New Era School. Alex was very happy that he can be with his friend every day.

Shankar, hesitated for few days got mixed up with other boys; He was sharp in studies and also good at sports. Alex was also proud to see him growing and used to thank Gena for his decision for helping his friend to come this way long.

Gena was indeed happy to see Alex forgetting his dark memories of past and now very happy with this current present.

             Years passed, Schools got over... Shankar topped in school !.

           Shankar took admission in Army college where as Alex went to commerce college. Looking at Shankar’s personality, Alex used to feel jealous but he was happy for his friend.

Gena used to praise Shankar for his humble behavior and used to curse Alex for he not as best as Shankar. This had started developing bitterness for Shankar in Alex’s mind.  He made a mind his mom loves Shankar more than him.

.. Alex used to argue with Shankar, staying calm; Shankar used to explain and console him.

When Shankar stood first in army selection, Gena went to his award ceremony however Alex stayed absent... Hollowness started increasing in his mind.

The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy

In between, Shankar lost his parents and was now left alone with chetak. He got posted in Army and was now Ct. Shankar Chauvin. He used to send letters to Alex and Gena however Alex never reverted his letters

Shankar took a a small row house in pach gani , He called Gena and Alex for house warming and offered them to stay with him. Gena kissed on his head and said “ Beta , I am very happy for you !! Stay blessed “

Alex started cursing him, How a poor horse rider can become successful than me!!

He screamed on him - you were nobody, you poor House Rider. He threw glass of wine on his face.

Gena was shocked to see these behaviors of Alex, She tried to stop him however he did not listen and she slapped him... There was utter silence in room.

There of them was standstill at their places... Gena and Alex left the room.

..  Few days later, Alex realized his mistake and wanted to apologize to Shankar.

He went to hills to see if Shankar riding horse, He found him chetak near OAK tree... alone...

Chetak was crying, Alex was now worrying, many bad thoughts passed through his mind

“Is my friend OK? Hope he has not fallen from hills!! “

He ran to his house and reach to his door step, door was locked; He found a letter tagged to door...

 “My dear Friend Alex,

I am something today is because of you and your friendship, the day on house warming, I wanted to gift this house to you and Mom, papers for this you will find along with letter.

I am leaving chetak behind; He is witness of our close friendship

I am leaving for Cargill War where our country needs me...

You are and will always be my strength, Please take care of Mom and Chetak.

You’re Friend,

Shankar - Horse Rider “

 Tears fall on letter, Alex wanted to talk to Shankar but there was no number present.

Alex returned home with heavy heart.

On July, 1999, News flashed on TV, “Captain Shankar Chavan is no more “

Alex was numbed, He went to collect his belongings and busted into tears... when he checked photo in his pocket...  where they both were standing along with chetak... There was a caption in photo...

“ Horse Riders and Friends for life – batch 1987 “

Alex was calm, very calm, he felt something on his ears, and chetak was running his warm tongue over his ears

He looked at the sky and then at chetak, tiny smile came on his face…

[ameyk]

The Chosen One

9.30 am - Rainy Sunday !!! I woke up heavy headed and my cell phone rang. Phone was from unknown number ; I disconnected it with reluctance. From the kitchen was able to hear heavy mixer sound and my baby shouting was giving it a DJ Effect.

 I went to the mirror to see and recognize , “Its me , Young again !!” . Its 12 years since I finished college and have those habits which college days gave me. I smiled running my fingers through my hair. Ahh !! Could see some white hair now but was still happy to see me as before. My attention broke when my wife yelled at me , “You are getting older and not young anymore !! Stop staring into the mirror for God’s sake” , I smiled at her ; she smiled back. I felt happy. We developed this habit of returning smiles in first month of our marriage , time when spoke less.

 I picked up the brush ; “Tring Tring” .. My cell phone rang again. I kept the brush down and went to answer the phone. It was the same Unknown number again. With curiosity I received the call . An  unfamiliar voice greeted me at the other end. It was an absolving female voice . She asked with a humble note , “Amu , How are you my sweetheart ?” My hands started shivering ; did a double check on my wife ; She was with my kid busy feeding him the food. I went inside my room and was silent. Sweetheart?? Did I hear it right?

 Sweetheart , Its me , how can you forget me ?.. Voice from other side came. “ Sorry Madam , Do i know you in person ? “ I reverted.She smiled and said. “ Relax Amu !!! Its me Munni.. was just pulling your leg”. “Munni.. Its you!!”, Heavy relief flooded me and I smiled. “Its long time where have you been”.

 “We have shifted to kerala post my fathers posting and lost all contact with you. Today I called you to say , I came 2nd in state in 10th Exam and what I am today is all because of your words”.

 A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

 Munni was chattering with confidence , I was elated to hear every word from her. Yes it was the same little girl who was living in my colony 15 years ago.

 This little girl must be in 3rd or 4th standard;  was crying sitting on bench. I asked her what happened “Munni , why are you crying bachhe ?” She said tomorrow is the exam day and I am not prepared with all lessons , Its history paper ; which I hate the most. My father objurgated at me , “Its a tough comepttion and you need to score 100 at least in 4 subjects so I am scared”

 Munni’s father was an IITIAN and was a very ambitious man having great expectations from this little girl. I sat beside her and told let me tell you a story to relax your mind.

 I started my narration and Munni was paying attention to me like a obedient child.

 I was in my 3rd standard , same age as of you. Next day was history paper , I looked at clock it was around 11 pm and was not prepared with all lessons of history. My grandfather was giving me a company reading novel , “Mahanayak - Autobiography of Subash Chandra Bose”. I was yawning , seeing that Grandpa said , “Wash your face and come”. Looking at him, I asked him with saddened note;  Aajoba , I am not prepared for exams , 4 lessons are still pending. I am too much scared.

 My Grandpa said , Exams is duck soup activity for you why are you scared young man. See I am reading a chapter of Subhash chandra bose giving speech to Azad Hind Sena , Is writing exams bigger than fighting for nation. My Grandpa was a freedom fighter and his words were always inspiring to me.

 He further said , Dont worry , Go to sleep everything will be all right !!

I went to sleep and woke up for paper and started summarizing what i read the whole day yesterday.

I heard a school bus horn , went to Grandpa with question in my eyes , Understanding me , He said “ Don’t worry Son , It will be all right “

 Paper started , I got a seat near the window .Cool breeze blew on my face. I was praying paper should not be difficult however Grandpa’s words was giving me peace.

 Supervisor distributed papers , I was shocked !! I was aware of each and every question in paper. There was nothing which i had not read or studied before. Luckily nothing was asked from chapters which i skipped. I was elated and was jumping inside. I looked outside window for a minute and a man exactly same looking as my grandpa was smiling at me. Is it a God’s signal or Special gift to me ?

 I finished paper with solving all questions with best of my ability and came home.

Grandpa was reading the same novel , I went and hugged him. He said looking at my eyes

 “Looks like history paper went good” , I reverted with surprised tone , You are a magician how you guessed yesterday everything will be all right and he said “It’s because , “You are the chosen one , Nothing Bad can happen to you”

 I looked at him with a hairbrained face , How can can you say that , I asked.  He said , “You are God’s favourite child and he will support you”. I smiled and got answers to war zone questions disturbing my mind.

 So I said to Munni , We worry for small things but give less attention to our great efforts for our dreams.

Nothing can deviate us if we have positivity inside us. Don’t worry everything will be all right my little friend.

 My little child “You are the chosen one and nothing bad will happen to you” , Munni smiled said “ Thank Amu , You are a sweetheart “ and i could see dimples on her little cheeks , I tapped her head and went ahead for a walk.

 After so many years , hearing such a great news from her , I looked at my grandpa’s photo on wall and re-iterated , “You are the chosen one, Have a great life ahead”