The setting sun was spreading its last hues. The firmamental brightness was losing its lustre. Just like an actor wipes out the last trace of make-up from her face, the sky was melting into nothing but the darkest blue. I knew that was soon to disappear as darkness was slowly sneaking into my room. But I was savouring the darkness, slowly the bookshelf at the far corner was passing into oblivion eaten up by its own shadow growing enormous. I could hear the cheerful shouting of the kids playing in the park below. The small park, the only green speck left in the locality, is the place to unleash childhood. The chattering of the birds mingled with that of the children, both returning to their nests.
My coffee was getting cold. I didn’t feel the urge to finish it- I wanted it to stay a little longer, the approaching evening along with the warmth of the coffee.
The whiff of sambar hit me hard, the “dosa wallah” was down there. His regular customer, the elderly Mrs. Sanyal was giving instructions. The jubilant dosa-man, I assumed, was not listening to her, I could clearly make that out, for his head was nodding not according to Mrs. Sanyal’s words, but in perfect rhythm to the sound coming from his mobile phone’s FM, lying sheepishly in a plate on his make-shift shop. Of course, the young man deserved every right to have a virtual dance session with Alia Bhatt, the song played was locha e-ulfat from 2 States.
I looked at the room again. Darkness had devoured it, entirely. The sound of conch shells from neighbouring households was officially announcing the end of the day. Almost every window was glowing, except mine. Suddenly, I felt alien to the ambience, it was like witnessing the earth from a spaceship, an entirely different world, so close yet so far away.
The house was eerily silent. My kid was off to a friend’s house to celebrate his “happy birthday”, and, hubby was yet to arrive. A perfect time to exhibit laziness mixed with a palpable amount of imagination, the most prominent traits in me.
A sudden flash of light almost blinded me as I tried hard to identify the source squinting the eyes. Oh! It was hubby dear, seeing the darkroom and, knowing full well that I don’t have any camera for which “washing and developing” the negatives were needed, he got perplexed and just switched on all the lights!
In utter bewilderment, he asked if everything was alright.
“Oh! Yes, just an untimely Halloween”. I laughed and looked at the alien world outside.
Perfect !
I felt it , savoured each emotion, each sound and sight from the only green speck to the conch-sound and the locha-e-ulfat … then experienced that alien feel and was blinded by the sudden light !
ab kya ! Perfect 😀
And loved it Mani as its just the right length and intensity too !!
Bravo !
Oh !! I too got lost in my imagination of ur words…..
Watching the world from spaceship..wow !! Nobody must have thought the darkness to be that way..
Nice..
You turned mundane into such an interesting concept bestie…loved it to bits…i could vividly imagine the happenings as if i were silently there observing as you described each detail 🙂 kudos….my bestie!!
Now, that I work from home, it is my daily routine. I stay in darkness, till my hubby comes and nods his head in disappointment at my laziness. Loved your write-up 🙂
‘It was like witnessing the earth from a spaceship….’ Your words just like that take one to that feeling for a moment.. So engrossing and involving.. The best write-up, Maniparna!..
I like how we found out some personal information from you. If this was not ficyion, I learned about your child and husband. I liked this sitting, savoring the darkness creeping in and allowing you to rest and relax. Wonderful description and emotions expressed, M. ♡
The setting sun was spreading its last hues. The firmamental brightness was losing its lustre. Just like an actor wipes out the last trace of make-up from her face, the sky was melting into nothing but the darkest blue…..
No reader can get unstuck from here. You certainly had me captivated.
Such a lovely and detailed description! A perfect setting for a beautiful story! I could really visualize myself having a deep discussion with me. A dialogue with self. Discussing topics with my own soul, which I hesitate and am embarrassed to discuss with others…
…and the ultimate…
The whisper, pregnant with the promises of an encore… “We will meet again!”
I really find talking with my own self somewhat cathartic… 😀 May sound weird, but I enjoy it…a mental dialogue or a talking imagination..you can say… 🙂
I don’t know what cathartic means. Seems something not good. But, talking to oneself is not bad either. I do it all the time, so researched it to check if I’m gone full cuckoo! 😀
Then found out that all the thinkers and philosophers had this trait, aur khush ho gaya. 🙂
It improves the imagination and you always have a patient friend with you, who’s willing to listen to everything you say. 🙂
In fact, there’s an exercise in Zen. Keep asking yourself questions, which you don’t know answers of. When you are able to answer all the questions, you are a Buddha. Or, the enlightened one.
I’m still struggling at childish questions. Koi lakshan nahi dikh rahe enlightenment ke! 😦
“the only green speck left in the locality” this had me crying from within.
This post of yours just explains why you are loved so much by all. I just love your writing style, your perspectives and the language. I felt like I could hear all those sounds and see all those views. I was the one in the room plunging into darkness. Beautiful Mani 🙂
So happy to see you here after a long hiatus. Hope we will have the pleasure of reading your wonderful posts once again 🙂 And, do post some more pictures of your quilling creativity… 🙂 Thank you so much for the nice words, just made my day…
And as usual your comments are heartwarming Mani 🙂 I too hope that I can post frequently. I am suffering from a block and I am trying to overcome the same.
I want to do more of quilling. But am unable to find the time. I will surely post if I manage to do something. 🙂
Interesting to note that households at yours blow conch shells at dusk. In my place, one hears it only in the temples, sounding in the evening ‘deep aradhana’.
Aare, I’m lazy to the core. If given a chance, I can sleep for at least 10 hours at a stretch… 😀 😛
Yes, he later asked me whether I was plotting for a ghost story… 😀 😀
beautifully penned. Right now I am longing for a cup of coffee and hot dosa as I sit in my clinic this cold morning 😀 http://www.docdivatraveller.blogspot.in
dusk is always the most beautiful time. It has a melancholy feel that doesn’t gel well with any other time of the day.
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Rightly said… 🙂
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beautiful post…liked the ‘laziness & imagination” part – perfect combination..
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Hehe…that are two prominent traits of my character… 😀
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and the combination is producing wonderful results…
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Mani, you almost made me wanna come and say ‘bhoo’ from behind, and your hubby walked in 😉
Gripping, gripping, gripping dearie!
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Hehehe..:-D A ‘bhoo’ would be very much in sync with the ambiance 😛
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😛
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That was a beautiful read!
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Thank you… 🙂
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This was an awesome read Mani 😊
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Thanks, Archana… 🙂
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Perfect !
I felt it , savoured each emotion, each sound and sight from the only green speck to the conch-sound and the locha-e-ulfat … then experienced that alien feel and was blinded by the sudden light !
ab kya ! Perfect 😀
And loved it Mani as its just the right length and intensity too !!
Bravo !
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Thankkk you…I knew that you would love it.. we share an identical vibe…:-D So happy that you really liked it… ❤
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It seems like opening of a bestseller. And please don’t make a face saying, “Not again.” Please start writing
Btw, I stuck in this song “lazy lazy lamhe” after reading the title 🙂
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Hahaha…:-D It’s difficult to overcome the laziness…:-P
That song is a nice one… 🙂
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Wow….what a lovely imagination of darkness…..
Love it a lot.
So nice.
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Thanks, dear… 🙂
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Oh !! I too got lost in my imagination of ur words…..
Watching the world from spaceship..wow !! Nobody must have thought the darkness to be that way..
Nice..
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I’m really glad to see you here, Sraddha… 🙂 welcome to my blog… 🙂
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You turned mundane into such an interesting concept bestie…loved it to bits…i could vividly imagine the happenings as if i were silently there observing as you described each detail 🙂 kudos….my bestie!!
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So happy you liked it bestie… ❤ Your words mean a lot to me… 🙂
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Now, that I work from home, it is my daily routine. I stay in darkness, till my hubby comes and nods his head in disappointment at my laziness. Loved your write-up 🙂
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Thank you…unfortunately, I seldom get the opportunity to enjoy such lazy moments…. 🙂
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This is so beautifully penned dear.. quite heartwarming! ❤
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Thanks a lot, dear… 🙂
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🙂 Is that a memoir or fiction?
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A memoir written in the form of a fiction… 🙂
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‘It was like witnessing the earth from a spaceship….’ Your words just like that take one to that feeling for a moment.. So engrossing and involving.. The best write-up, Maniparna!..
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Thanks so much for the generous words, Sir…made my day… 🙂
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Great story.
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Thank you… 🙂
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Lazy is the best way to be and a coffee, I could do with one of those now!
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:-D.. wish you a happy happy lazy hour…
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I like how we found out some personal information from you. If this was not ficyion, I learned about your child and husband. I liked this sitting, savoring the darkness creeping in and allowing you to rest and relax. Wonderful description and emotions expressed, M. ♡
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No, this is not fiction 😀 Glad you liked it…a glimpse from my everyday life… 🙂 Thanksss a lot… 🙂
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Well, sometimes we practice writing about characters. So, is your child a girl or a boy? 🙂
Thank you for your sweet comments on my posts. ♡
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A boy, very naughty and a great fan of computer games 😀
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💚
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I was waiting for your wish, Rinaldo… thank you… 🙂
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Happiness my friend ! ciaociao from Italia.
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Happiness to you too… 🙂
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Nice one…
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Thanks… 🙂
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Excellent…very original and natural. I was with you…the description was so real..Great write. Keep it up!!
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I’m so glad you liked it and, thanks a lot for the inspiring words… 🙂
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The setting sun was spreading its last hues. The firmamental brightness was losing its lustre. Just like an actor wipes out the last trace of make-up from her face, the sky was melting into nothing but the darkest blue…..
No reader can get unstuck from here. You certainly had me captivated.
Best wishes
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Thanks a lot for the words of appreciation…:-)
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Such a lovely and detailed description! A perfect setting for a beautiful story! I could really visualize myself having a deep discussion with me. A dialogue with self. Discussing topics with my own soul, which I hesitate and am embarrassed to discuss with others…
…and the ultimate…
The whisper, pregnant with the promises of an encore… “We will meet again!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really find talking with my own self somewhat cathartic… 😀 May sound weird, but I enjoy it…a mental dialogue or a talking imagination..you can say… 🙂
Glad you liked the words… 🙂
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I don’t know what cathartic means. Seems something not good. But, talking to oneself is not bad either. I do it all the time, so researched it to check if I’m gone full cuckoo! 😀
Then found out that all the thinkers and philosophers had this trait, aur khush ho gaya. 🙂
It improves the imagination and you always have a patient friend with you, who’s willing to listen to everything you say. 🙂
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Hahaha…. 😀 yes, no harm thinking for a while that we are on the same level with all great thinkers and philosophers 😛 mein bhi khush… 😀
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In fact, there’s an exercise in Zen. Keep asking yourself questions, which you don’t know answers of. When you are able to answer all the questions, you are a Buddha. Or, the enlightened one.
I’m still struggling at childish questions. Koi lakshan nahi dikh rahe enlightenment ke! 😦
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Once you attain enlightenment, let me know the process…. 😛
Mujhe bhi chahiye!! ( Maniparna makes a face and throws childish tantrums) 😀 😀
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“the only green speck left in the locality” this had me crying from within.
This post of yours just explains why you are loved so much by all. I just love your writing style, your perspectives and the language. I felt like I could hear all those sounds and see all those views. I was the one in the room plunging into darkness. Beautiful Mani 🙂
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So happy to see you here after a long hiatus. Hope we will have the pleasure of reading your wonderful posts once again 🙂 And, do post some more pictures of your quilling creativity… 🙂 Thank you so much for the nice words, just made my day…
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And as usual your comments are heartwarming Mani 🙂 I too hope that I can post frequently. I am suffering from a block and I am trying to overcome the same.
I want to do more of quilling. But am unable to find the time. I will surely post if I manage to do something. 🙂
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I’m pretty sure that soon you’ll soon recover from the block. Not to worry, it happens with all of us. 🙂
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Interesting to note that households at yours blow conch shells at dusk. In my place, one hears it only in the temples, sounding in the evening ‘deep aradhana’.
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Yes, there are a few families left, with elderly and religious people, where they practice the ritual daily… 🙂
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You are lazy? 😛 I thought you were more like someone who doesn’t stop… hehehe. Well, little did you husband know that you were in some other world 😛 😀
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Aare, I’m lazy to the core. If given a chance, I can sleep for at least 10 hours at a stretch… 😀 😛
Yes, he later asked me whether I was plotting for a ghost story… 😀 😀
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But you never sleep for 10 hrs, that is the point … hehe
You should think of writing a short story. Been a while ….
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I never get a chance…![:-/](https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/uneasy.svg)
Yes, will try to write one…
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Great 🙂 Hope you get your well deserved 10 hr sleep soon 😛
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😀
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beautifully penned. Right now I am longing for a cup of coffee and hot dosa as I sit in my clinic this cold morning 😀
http://www.docdivatraveller.blogspot.in
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Oh..do you practice regularly? That’s really great..not only great..that’s awesome..(y)
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Lovely narration Maniparna. The sound of conch, the chatter of children playing in the park….the scene comes alive in front of the eyes.
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Glad you liked this account, Somali…the most common and regular scenes of everyday life… 🙂
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Beautifully written. 😊
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Thank you… ^_^
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