Nital Bhuva (Short Stories)

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...

Boohri entered the old temple's courtyard square.. dry leaves Rusteled.. under her feet.. touching the cold rough marble.. the ruines of Kalya temple.. an old stone structure made in black stone and marble.. atop a slight earth rise.. climbing just a few steps.. on the gomti river bank.. she had mesmerising blue eyes.. hardly anyone talked with her .. she was said to be an angry person .. and similar of the angry god she worshipped.. She was of middle age.. in her thirties.. young but hardly anyone ever bothered her.. they feared.. because if ever anyone tried to talk with her.. she always abused and cursed angrily.. She looked dull with rough uneven hair.. and plain clothes.. and rough skin.. she was fasting for 10 days.. frequently to appease an angry God.. and further to earn favour.. she came to temple as many times during one day.. as she had to.. sitting by one pillar.. for a longest of hours.. with chaplet strings moving wampum.. around her fingers.. she rested her h...

Paarya went to the cliff everyday.. in the hope that she would hear the melodious cadence once more.. just once more.. please.. God.. she prayed.. as she climbed the steep clear trail.. to the top of the hill nearby her house.. she went regularly to see the sunrise or sometimes sunset mostly in the evening.. please as she urged herself forward.. the stiff cotton folds of her paticote flipping by her legs... she hardly payed any attention to the side.. the shrubs looked extremely still as she moved .. appeared yellow sometimes.. she wondered .. if it was flowers or the drop in her false vision.. both sides were flooded with spring blooms... lightly sprinkled.. . shrubs and bushes... somewhere.. right from out the gate of her house to the steep incline.. then a rise.. really was a small span of substantially wide strap to the base of earth rise to hill and then a little awkward steady incline up to the small flat ground atop hill and uneven extension of the hill side in all ways.. the...

Radhey burned with fever.. she missed her doll.. she wanted to play with her doll.. when she is good she will make new clothes for the dolly.. she looked cool in her spaghetti dress.. and the other dress with black straps.. she needed a new gown maybe a couple of more slideover dresses.. .. and.. she thought.. She felt her mother's patting .. her touch ignited unexplainable dislike in her mind.. she wanted to run away.. she turned her head. .. and further yet wanted to face away.. to the wall. She liked wall.. it was milky white.. and safe to keep staring at.. she had seen the wall move sometimes.. sometimes in different colour the light yellow or ... or medical blue.. from light above .. whether the yellow lamp in passage or from the stick above from the another wall back. ... near passage.. whatever was on.. but mostly it moved.. . before falling to sleep.. or when she can't sleep.. it made the room bigger by moving back.. and her bed moved ahead too.. she could feel he...

 The edges of Tillu's corridor .. The clouds looked very heavy, ash black and soot silvery, fluffy bursting with promise of wet afternoon to come by.. Nytili looked at clouds for a long while.. observing how the edges looked silver and grey .. with a black border .. as she noticed.. slowly the sky started turning to be flattened in her vision.. it lost all the dimensions and promises. .. as the anticipation started to subside the background looked very much like beautiful dull ash blue and flat... and clouds appeared to be moving, engorged and looming With possibilities.. she tried to clear her head.. wondering about the effect of whether rain falls or not and how much on crops .. in her farms. birds and animals moved with desperation to find shelter in rain.. everything moved as if by silent panorama of winter morning.. only that, the cold then, now felt wet too in monsoon.. She has planted ground nut and.. beans.. She went in to her house.. set atop small earth rise arou...

The Peacock. .Nytili.. had a beautiful pet bird. A big peacock with thick feathers that shone brilliant hues and golden yellow, and long violate crown of five stems and ruffled bronze coloured base.. it dansed always to cheer ... Nytili.. happily they went to roam along the river with their other friends.. Raakshi: Nytili i am making new weaving tonight a woollen piece to accommodate come winter .. and one to gift my mother's birthday.. you would have to come without excuse unlike last year.. would you..? Nytili: i must.. least you forbid me further if i won't.. I swear i missed last year your birthday as well on the same day as your mother's... how wonderful it is.. truly.. we have always enjoyed our celebrations and festivities together.. haven't we.. Raakshi: i asked my father for the gift of similar giant pet bird as you have.. to bejoy.. but it might encumbere me and my father suggested to buy a droffet instead.. To ride and accompany me.. Nytili: it...

The Bridge ... Once upon a time there was a piece of flat land standing aside a river bank of northern bridge that hung in misty valley of central Asia.. fog engulfed the shores in twilight every time by dusk and dawn.. each fortnight shone in the orange yellow lights from day and afore night.. while pearl white during the hours.. It was called mystical valley of old people who were named after the plants that grew under shade of the bridge in flat land called.. idinra.. of silva.. the plants were told to be supernatural life giver among people.. and it was said that one can become immortal by drinking nectar.. but rarely were the brew made and used commonly.. The ethereal beautiful and fertile land was reveared among tribe that provided and nourished.. and young Nsytia daughter of village black Smith came to river bank woods strolling everyday with her friends.. swinging on trees and wild animals.. they rode in foray of youth and celebration by alternate vigil of their people...