Nital Bhuva (Short Stories)

Stars shimmered in dark of moonless sky.. Ragbi peered out from under her veil.. it must be about quarter past midnight.. she thought.. a lamp burned bright far away in the wheat field, and numerous other tiny lights twinkling around village .. during the season of winter festival.. appeared as though teaming of stars on full moon of winter night sky.. putting an illusion of moon and stars bright in dark of horizon instead of blank moonless night, only a bit closer.. her veil lifted moving in a gust of wind, and zari border of her drape shone like a tail of a comet, she tugged at it pulling overheard.. then stepped down the porch and went to sit by neem tree in the front yard.. looking out to distant horizon .. her eyes searched for a sign of a horse advancing .. moved about pathway crossing directly across fields from village entrance and faraway to one of a street.. periodically.  She was waiting for her husband moko, to return from jama's village where he had gone to give fes

Satu.. set down under a large neem tree.. putting aside coir pot taking down from atop.. on a nearby flat rock.. and readjusted the red checkered print cloth.. On it.. She might not get well chance to pray at bhalka temple in the way.. between her aunt's village before few miles ahead .. winter days were short and night longer and cold as ice.. . she wanted to reach next village outskirts before dusk.. to her aunt's hut was just around outskirts.. and adjoining small farm.. she was going to live with her permanently after her mother died.. her aunt had insisted.. When she had come visiting her only sister ailing from incurable sickness.. Khimli: Satu.. please send a word as soon after your mother pass.. She wailed on the verge of breakdown.. sobbing.. Satu had realized her heartache .. greater as her mother had indicated putting responsibility to look after Satu.. to her younger sister.. "Look after her.. " she had croacked.. Satu notice

Kaali turned the comb in her hand.. the design of the goldleaf inlay on the rim of thin smooth wood bristles.. shone.. under the yellow lamp light and bright daylight from through Window grill.. she turned it up in her hair again.. smoothing the long strands.. .. long to set braids with thick ribbons. She put the comb on the shelf beneath mirror .. snuffing out the flame.. and redid her hair in single heavy braid and tied up.. " so much smooth.. " she thought looking at the comb while turning ends of the braid.. as she remembered Shambhoo.. who had given her that comb .. one of the precious item from loot .. he always gave her expensive gifts saved from loot that his gang offered him being gangster leader.. knowing well about his interest in the precious items.. Puran: Kaali .. Shambhoo is coming tonight.. his man sent word... Kaali: calm down.. Kaali shooed her walking to her near the door where she halted.. panting.. grabbing doorjamb and holding her daughter .. l

Saakar looked at the dull brown dusty ceiling of the Dome.. wild flower vines had grown in the dirt of limestone blocks .. shone green in earlier afternoon sun.. followed by monsoon.. unlike during Autumn or some other time round the year when the wildgrass dried and hung through dry stems .. that sticks to the stones surface.. the dome was painted red and green some where .. and yellow and blue.. multicolor.. faded patches that were so excruciatingly beautiful and remarkable that can take up to the visual torture and hallucinations of anyone's dreams.. Sikri: I can see now .. why you like to come here.. it's really a wonderful place.. to fill and follow memory in our solitude .. to mark and marvel at the precious moments of our life.. at any time later in our life to make a unforgettable experience in to a ... Saakar: you are a poet.. She Smiled.. They lay side by side for a long while.. on the cold floor of ruines of Tumbli.. their favourite place of solitude and res

Kesar looked at the brown pops that popped on the loaf .. she flipped it turning .. other side.. Batthho would be on his way back home.. he had spent last night at fields watering the grains.. and he would be hungry.. she thought.. as she tapped on the loaf awhile by flipping on the stove again.. she gnawed at her lips softly.. trying to concentrate as her mind wandered in the details of previous nights.. her insides twisted in to a tight knot at the thoughts of her husband.. as he had loved her whole night never letting her rest by excuse of his absence next night.. Batthho: i will be at fields tomorrow whole day and night.. Kesar: your lust is most primitive and your body untiring.. i can't satisfy you no matter however I tried.. Her voice cracked at the thought of spending whole day without him.. And she was afraid of the local bandit.. most.. She was exceptionally beautiful.. and people talked about her .. .. they were newlyweds.. just previous couple of months.. .

Doli walked quikly.. it was dark.. before sunset.. evening was tense .. filled with uncertainty.. her mind wandered in to the events of the past few days.. this was third once she had been rejected as a local c type model for some add filming rehearsals.. she had come to this city of glamour and gala to be a super model .. instead had spent 6 years spending to find work to survive.. the agent from the company that had recruited her in starting .. had misconducted her shoot twice in the lust and advancement creating partiality instead of helping her.. they hadn't employed her by another contract extension when primary expired.. and she had found herself to be job less.. trying to find temporary project based work.. She was a science graduate and she had found a part-time job as a lab assistant.. The traffic lights turned red and she hurried to other side of the road.. she had an appointment at Zero lights studios with .. photographer and chief editor.. Mayank Zala.. who seem

Pithi walked a step towards door at the farther end of extremely large room.. it had been an ordeal for her to sit waiting for her .. husband.. they had married today.. and this was their first night of marriage.. the bed was full of flowers.. she stood looking out the field.. the sugarcane farms.. in dark moonless night.. their house was three story .. and the room was on top .. a lamp burned in the courtyard on neem tree.. and the canes swayed in fast wind.. Earlier she had waited on second floor untill they made the top room in arrangement of flowers.. on the second floor amidst the storage of harvest machinery and obnoxious large stacks of cane.. the room smelled extremely sweet of fresh canes and grease and oil from machinery.. everyone was downstairs on first floor except for her sister in law who came a couple of times.. the house was three story each floor made in single giant one room.. as it seemed.. the plain architecture and wideness soothed her.. and she found the house

Fiki starred at the reflection in the mirror.. Kaalu had made for her in the earlier days of their marriage.. her face shone whitish pale in the lamp light set beside on the edge of window grill.. it's flame flickered in cold evening breeze.. Kaalu insisted to light up both oil lamps everyday before dark.. because of powercut.. the overhead electric bulb went off once in a while.. the lamps burned everyday through evening till midnight .. and he doused them after making love with her everynight.. he didn't like dark while during night .. he like to see her under bright light .. ever since he had once seen her accidentally.. once when the power cut during night had been remade.. the lamp had flashed bright suddenly putting the whole of room in brightness.. She had been mortified.. trying to cover herself.. Fiki: oh.. He didn't let her cover in shawls and later had developed a habbit of putting lamp on so much that he had made another lamp.. He was resting in front

Mohini stood at the brink.. near a tree.. looking at Vishmak as he did cut out logs from dry shrubs or bushes big enough.. and woods that were over grown.. He spoke from where he stood.. Vishmak: rest if you are tired.. i am going a little deeper .. further in woods.. you will still hear me.. he moved further .. away from the mass of piled chunks he had set near a couple of big trees.. Mohini felt a numbing as Vishmak whispered in her ears.. a croon.. a grey cloud engulfed her body .. and as she shied away.. her soul.. set on fire of his warmth .. that rose in her heart.. suffocating her existence in the surrounding filled with brilliance of multiple coloured flowers.. Mohini: let me go.. She jirked up and walked out from the edge.. The sun was about to set.. and it would be dark soon.. she looked at the hill and the small house above.. Vishmak had built for them as he had said yesterday.. when he had become sure that she was in this region.. he had a flash of vision .

The Vortex swished .. rising outside .. a whirlwind moving around figg tree in the front yard of Moori's house.. she set up straight trying to calm the thoughts that followed.. the hissing softened to a cyclic twirling of dry leaves and dust around as the lower branches thumped with a rhythm .. doldrums of a subdued trance .. she stood up and walked to front window .. the moon was shining bright above in the midnight sky.. with a bluish sheen that almost appeared cold as ice.. Winter night was cold .. and she was waiting for Yajmi .. he has gone to hunt.. and hasn't come back yet.. he might perhaps be back by daybreak.. before going away he had made protective markings and have asked her not to go outside at any point during night or after dark.. .. a dull glow shone over and under the tree trunk as she kept staring for awhile.. then returned to bed.. She slept restless and woke up by daybreak.. and started up routine as soon.. the air was still and cold in the winter mo

Bhuli did light a lamp in the dry river bed of Arroyi river.. while her husband Sukho teathered their cows.. buffalo cattle and oxan.. and started tying a tent nearby some trees.. inlined further deeper in river bed due to land reform around by the floods in past few years that this region has seen.. they have come travelling up north when their farms were seized by authorities due to falling in the upcoming dam construction site.. their son did played joyfully around .. as Sukho looked at his young and beautiful wife.. Bhuli was exceptionally beautiful.. and he marvelled at her presence in his life.. she had agreed to marry him only for small amount of dowry security .. ensuring her grandfather's well-being.. she didn't have any relattives.. her whole family passed away in last decade due to various murky that fell in her region.. though Sukho's father tried to convince the old man to come along .. he persisted his denial firmly.. her village was 36 hours by bullock ca

The hill appeared sparkling green and colourful with trees that shone yellow and red in daylight.. the narrow path as well rocks.. shone alike the glow of pearl stones of onyx and Amber .. by the humm with birds of spring.. Mohini looked at the arch afront the steps of stairs that curved and rose to the top of hill circling around.. her heart did beat faster at the thought of facing Vishmak .. so much a long period of seclusion after escaping from the place he had built in north to live with her. .. she had spent six.. long years of his presence and so called pursual of her in the advancement of his boast of love and belonging to cherish forever.. as he had said once as to express his will to be with her forever.. and then she had left him to escape when she grew stronger as a woman to illude him.. deciding it was a best time to hide from him forever.. she could at last gain by living among other here on earth.. however limited but she had chance to drift away from him forever if only

Madhu flipped the glass in her hands.. the reflection in the mirror paled from overhead lamp by ceiling.. she felt weak.. and very dull.. she didn't want to go to dance floor of "navraatree " .. all night nine days long festival of diety Durga celebrated in common open yard or ground of a village .. but she had to.. otherwise her husband Bakho would be angry.. she stared at her damp hair and dark circled eyes.. and sighed as she put down mirror on the parapet.. of the wall against cupboard.. her mind tripped at the thoughts as her imagination shifted .. and the black and white wall tiles boundary of edge around the room moved halfway through wall from ceiling to downwards and up again.. and she rested against mentle.. Bakho knocked.. Bakho: aren't you ready yet.. ? He spoke from corridor.. he appeared irritated.. he hasn't talked with her ever since day before yesterday night when she told him that she didn't want to go to the festival.. and she will pray

Silni bent down carefully to pickup a small bright coloured object that fell off from an open pot set atop her head.. filled with children's toys .. and sweet chocolate toffeis made in saccharine and jaggery.. the noon sky flashed a sharp sun that had just come out of thin clouds.. summer flared on hot earthen surfface as shrubs and bushes exurbs.. small brilliant berries.. and wild cactus with red prickly dotting golden flats in red green and dusty.. heat burnned softly on her shoulders as sweat trikkled down her neck.. She looked About as she pikked up the object.. that had fallen out.. on earth.. putting it back.. a yellow and fluorescent toy inside coir pot .. searching for a spot to rest.. spotting a neem tree a little ahead.. standing on roadside path on a walk towards a slightly big hut .. few children played afront. Ahead a little further away from roadway to a big farm . the roof shade.. with a couple of cattle.. she walked to neem tree and set the container beside a fl

Fiki got out of her hut.. moon was shining bright above.. in winter sky.. few smaller.. campfires were burning in vicinity nearby.. she came up to ficus tree in her house front.. and set on her husband kaalu's bedstead she had just made.. where he rested for awhile after dinner every evening till nightfall.. she was agitated.. he hasn't come home yet.. he normally came around nightfall whenever he went to jungle for collecting gum and sandalwood.. he was a sculptor.. he worked well with wood during off season from his farms.. Fiki set restless.. cold.. and even though she had prepared dinner a couple of hours ago.. she set waiting.. hungry.. she always remarked him to take Thindo to accompany whenever to go to jungle.. she thought wryly.. " anyway .. if he would be eaten by some animal.. i wouldn't have to be homeless.. " .. " nobody will bother".. her husband had no other family .. and neighbourhood was quite well with her.. the hut will be all of on

Moori came up to surface out of water.. in a single plunge .. the water was cold.. and the summer night smoggy and humid.. filled with October heat.. sea roared a humm of a lover.. as she surfaced and walked out to sands.. water ran through her form wrapped in white.. fabric.. a light reflected on her as she neared large trees .. forming a dense jungle coastline woods.. her clothes flashed yellow in light from fire near a opening to jungle from seashore.. as she neared the fire she had started before taking a plunge into sea.. nearby.. trees.. a shadow moved out behind her.. and disappeared a little further down the line.. she continued looking ahead .. Yajmi stood beside a large tree looking directly by fire.. his mind in the claws of questions and thoughts of this female .. he trembled as his legs wobbled under the vision in front .. of him.. She neared the pyre and climbed a small step of logs and set on heap.. she always set up as long as the fire burned out in cold black stu

The long ropes did take another fling and the swing turned up higher in the air.. and back again falling to other side .. just a slight afloat felt like a longer buoyancy in the ethereal oblivion.. moonlight doted a thousands of tiny pearls around the moss and grass dusted green floor.. as the tree trunk grew longer the branches flared around in sparkling light from above.. and greying reflection of tree on earth floor kept up looking like a stone still cradle.. soft and warm and inviting.. Nytili thought she might fall.. if she did.. it wouldn't be as harmful as it appeared.. but.. as the swing set on speed.. it became impossible to fall.. Her house too shone stone silver in midnight moon.. and the lone tree standing in it's courtyard appeared taller than under noon sun.. the sky disappeared frequently plunging into bluish black vastness.. shifted through the grill of leaves stems and the rope.. it was the most beautiful vision Nytili had ever seen.. dark yet mesmerising

Mithila had a beautiful crow.. Erawan.. it's raucous caw filled surrounding at morning and in the evening.. it cawed cheerfully as if the world was most leisurely place to argue and to entertain .. filling her with thoughts of her school.. last bench and her friends.. It lived on neem tree in the courtyard of her house.. and it was their buffalo Boofo's ... best friend.. it always spoke out jubilant.. and did prattle quite a bit before whenever aunt Jeevi visited.. aunt Jeevi usually came to purchase supplies.. for her small shop.. She always spent her vacation with aunt Jeevi . Neighbouring  village .. one winter vacation.. the morning day before she was leaving with her aunt to spend vacation at her aunt's place.. Erawan made quite a commotion jumping this to that then another branch of neem tree.. every single minute.. and cawed aloud.. Mithila called out.. Mithila: oh.. Ero . .. what's the matter.. Erawan flew down from neem tree branch.. and perched a

Bhima went inside his cave.. interior was dark.. well before sunrise.. he did light up ..torch by wood stump.. and fixed it by opening to ward off predators.. he wanted to sleep before midday to rest enough for night patrol.. this was one of the vigilance posts over the outskirts of his village.. Bhogal.. was a small village near the river Gomti.. Bhima's father was chief of his clan.. they were taking night vigilance forever to ward off predators and other dangers like stray cattle.. loners and hunters.. who mostly looted on farms.. Bhima took turns to patrol during night and worked on farm by day.. he had planted oats.. this year.. the shining golden crop full of seeds.. flashed in his mind.. his brother looked at in night.. with other farms... he didn't like campfire and snacks party .. so he avoided going to farms during night.. and instead went on outskirts vigilance.. he was tired.. the soft hay bed felt so very restful.. Gori has went his turn .. he will rest for a

Mohini floated down from Rohini constellation further towards bend of white disk.. the smart rounded objects spinning around yellow sun.. the bunch looked pretty much as always like dice played by Vishmak to entice her.. Vishmak  always tried to cajole her to accompany him  roam around milkyway. .. once he had tried to trap her near silver horse .. by the violet all.. and tried to love her forcefully.. she had since then on started hiding away from him.. taking any possible shortcut to avoid him.. though he succeeded in getting her alone once in a while.. She recognised a brilliant star and some other objects spinning .. in Sun's cluster.. as always.. she had a promise of some company.. If she went on earth.. she did alway find someone here and that's why it's good to be here and less lonely.. it was rare that Vishmak will find her here.. and she can spend some time.. Vishmak's thought put chill in her .. she breathed a sigh.. and floated towards her destination..

Beri was a slight deaf.. from childhood.. but she still recognised footfall.. from even farther away.. then average.. she jirked up from over stove she was lighting for cooking in earlier morning.. one winter.. Godho was coming.. her husband.. they had married just last year.. and he doted on her.. he always helped her work at home though she asked not to many times.. neighbours did teased her for .. Soni even more relentless.. she was her childhood friend who also married in neighbouring house.. her farm was a couple of farms across near the "Bhulima devdi.." local diety temple.. Godho: here . .. use fresh brisk tinder .. Beri felt a jolt and a slight flutter in her heart.. he bent over the wall from across the stove.. to set down a bundle of fresh tinder.. his persuasion despite her complaints about neighbours teasing.. was relentless yet innocent.. she felt older.. and perhaps she was older .. a couple of years.. she remembered him to be toddler.. he was her paternal

Paarya woke up by flipping of pages, of the book, lying nearby on bedside table, she had fallen in a slumber around five evening, the wind blew faster making the book noisy, she got up to check out the setting of gyrometer, it indicated 14 to 89 by one 10th, making her sure of possibility of catching a sight of grey giant cyclone, she had arranged the analog meter readings converting to numerical input in possible display. She delighted in it's design and was later promoted as it's operating officer, as she checked and noted.. the rings and pendulums had delightful trinkling as it made conversion for input signals.. the conversion was made for adjustment and accuracy in position of scope to automatically detect and follow priority wavelengths.. the scope was installed on side floor of her apartment.. and she was allowed to make connecting balcony passage by a door.. hardly any other officer bothered with scope without her permission.. apart from two attendants that mostly alwa

Amal was tired .. Yesterday night was long on site.. he had taken two shifts straight for monthly overhaul and routine check as well for machine two's restart after fault clearance.. this has been a very busy weekend.. he climbed down from third floor.. to check out.. slightly.. hoping that there won't be any emergency calls afterwards.. the railing shone white as the floor appeared.. closer.. .. it was 2 am.. Maalti would be sleeping.. he hated to disturb her.. instead he could spend some time in the parking.. perhaps.. but it was too early in the morning anyway.. He walked slowly.. the parking was dark.. the pole lamp few yards away farther on both side of the turn.. yet bright enough.. as he neared his bike.. a wild mongoose ran after some thing in shrubs as well night birds shrill voice pearced.. chill in dark night.. he took out a cigarette.. and lounged on concrete bench.. tomorrow will be free.. he will have rest and.. continue with his book.. he loved reading fiction

Sira had left her home catching afternoon bus to go to her grandparents house.. a village nestled in the eastern coast lines hills.. from the edge sea roared pleasantly always.. she remembered looking at.. as her grandfather took her to beachfront.. always deserted.. normally.. the small walk from her grandfather's house to coast was covered by large trees and coconut.. the lush coastline plants and flora of different variety.. the smell of salt and chlorophyll clinging to air.. this winter she had turned to 19.. she was going to Selvasa to meet a groom her aunt suggested for marriage.. and about her grandfather was very excited.. as he cheered loudly in phone.. trying to convince her.. Fidor: Sira .. my daughter.. this is a unique man .. i am sure you will like and be happy with.. Sira: yes grandpa.. i will be there by evening.. tomorrow .. Fidor: yes.. cu soon.. Sira: bye.. She hungup.. Her mother left her to station.. all the way trying to confirm that she didn

there was a small (little) hummock nearby sheetla's village.. she went there everyday directly after school.. to find colourful rocks.. she liked very much.. she would carefully search different coloured stones and bring back her school bag full of rocks in different size and shapes.. her mother would say. .. Mori: sheetla.. these rocks are useless.. why do you work so much to go find rocks.. my daughter.. Sheetla: mother.. they are so colourful.. i like.. Mori: alright sweetie.. now do eat something.. before you go to hill.. you haven't eaten anything.. whole day.. Sheetla: i am not hungry.. She would answer bouncing out the corridor and crossing courtyard to go along play with her awaiting friends.. outside the gate.. She never skipped to go to the mound .. mostly her friends accompanied her but even if by chance they weren't there.. she would go alone.. Once.. she came home early to go to hill.. Mori: why you skipped school.. ? My daughter.. these st

Around midnight.. Nytili went to balcony facing street in front her house.. the wind blew cold .. it did snow nearby mountain last week.. and the swarm of heat hasn't picked up yet.. it was empty obviously and dark.. with poles shadowing in yellow lamps.. farther nearby crossing.. winter nights are so long.. she thought.. chilling.. the clock rang two thirty.. so it wasn't midnight.. but well past .. she went to bed again in her room.. she lay thinking about ... voice.. of the clocks.. it sounded so much like.. the bells in temple.. only that.. the bell strings needed to be pulled but the clocks did strike automatically... and the fact that they were set manually once during day seemed none existent somehow.. it was like the haystacks in her field.. .. they looked beautiful and set.. under sun.. But they were totally flat when rolled.. against the dark background of woods.. She fell in restless slumber.. and wokeup in an hour.. getting up.. she tried to setback.. she pe