He was sinking down, down, down. The bottomless abyss was devouring him. The dark, intense feeling churned his intestine, wanting him to shout out for one last time before the dense blanket of greyish fog could make him disappear, but he failed to utter a single word. Staccato groans came out of his mouth and, he jolted upright on his bed, startling out of his nightmare.
With parched lips, numerous beads of sweat on his forehead, and an insatiable thirst, he fumbled for his spectacles. He expected to find it on the bedside table, but it was not there. A faint light was oozing through the curtains indicating the end of the nightmare and the beginning of a new day. He took deep breaths, emptied the bottle of water kept on the table and, thought about the dream he just saw; for the umpteenth time.
He was feeling tired. As if, he had not been woken up after a night’s sleep, but had been through some strenuous job. Each time he had this dream, it squashed the last drop of energy and life-force from within. He wanted to have some sleep again, but a strange trepidation was there; he was afraid to close his eyes. He got up and braced himself for the day. A new one with the same tedious routine, mundane monotony.
On his way to the office, he managed to get a seat by the window. He took it as a good sign. Maybe the boss would not be harsh with him today, maybe the smart-aleck new engineer who had joined a few months back would not make him the butt of a joke, maybe the prissy receptionist would greet him with a big smile…. he closed his eyes, unconsciously.
He proved himself wrong as he entered the office. The receptionist gave him a grumpy look as he signed the register, he was five-minute late. The rest of the day followed the same tedious recital. The only exception being his thoughts about the dream, coming and going as the flickering of an erratic bulb.
It was quite late when he got up. He worked all day with the pending files as per the boss’s order and, as he stepped out of the almost desolated office building, a light drizzle greeted him.
“As expected”, he thought,”for I’m not carrying the umbrella today”.
The rain was gaining its strength and, before he could take refuge under the shade at the bus-stop, he was drenched. A group of four young men stretched themselves lavishly on the bench. They showed no sign to make space for him neither did he bother. A strong, off-putting smell made him cringe, “they are surely having weeds or something! Bunch of recalcitrant rogues”, he mumbled. But he knew he could never have gained that strength to protest.
Now, the rain was pouring itself down violently, covering everything up in a translucent veil.
He was praying for the quick arrival of his bus.
A lean figure suddenly appeared from among the thick veil of rain and took shelter under the shade. He looked at her. A woman in her 20s, drops of water were falling from her tresses making the face beautiful. The rain had made the fabric of her dress diaphanous; the décolleté neckline was revealing a lot than it was meant to. He averted his eyes. He didn’t want to make her feel uneasy.
A sharp whistle from the bench startled him. One of the young men was gazing at the woman; a devouring look in his eyes, a ghastly smile on his lips. The woman took a step back, but there was nowhere to go.
“Come on guys, we can have some fun in the rain,” said the man to his companions. With half-closed eyes, two of them showed reluctance, but the other one stood up taking his position intimidatingly behind the lady.
He could see sheer terror written on her face. But, he didn’t want to get himself involved in a ruckus with those drugged scamps. The very idea enervated him. Never in his life, he had himself stuck in any sort of quarrel. A commoner, like him, with no wealthy parents, no political clout, no degree from a world-class institute, should live an insignificant life and never deserved the right to protest against the powerful- that’s what he had learnt in his life.
He was praying harder now, for his bus.
One man said something to the lady, making the filthiest gesture with his hand.
The terrified woman, perhaps, tried to shout, but nothing came out of her mouth except some wild groans.
He looked at her, startled. Her groans were his own! He had experienced the horror, the panic, behind those staccato sounds! He knew the exact feeling which could bring them out. The only difference being, his was a dream, hers was a reality.
He lurched his body towards the man standing behind the lady making him topple down. Standing up, he shoved another with the heavy bag in his hand.
The sudden aggression surprised the group. It took them less than a minute to get back, then all four of them started hitting him blindly. Blood from his nose made a red puddle near his feet. A hard fist hit him in his right eye making him half-blind.
He could sense the headlight of the approaching bus. The woman was now shouting at the top of her voice; she saw the bus, too.
He could feel the vicissitude changing around him. The rain stopped, the bus arrived, a number of people gathered around him as he was lying on the ground saying a lot of things together…. he tried, but could not decipher.
He was losing consciousness. He closed his unhurt left eye. He wanted to sleep. He knew that the dream would not haunt him anymore. He had shown his strength. He had challenged life. He had raised his voice.
Image Credit: Here
Loved it
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eventually each man has to fight his ghosts, there’s no reprieve in life
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So true words, Sir. Thanks for stopping by… 🙂
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touching tale, excellent choice of words…. the revelation of inner strength was brought out nicely!
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hey, this is something so disturbing and yet. i feel, perhaps this is the biggest threat that we face today!!এটা ম্যাডামের নয়??
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I didn’t get you. What are you trying to say?
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oh, just sought help of my google translator friend for ‘Is it not, ma’
am?’ in Bengali.. (guess it did not work)
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Ohhh…now I understand 😀 Google translator is a dangerous thing!! Once I used it just like you for a French friend, and it translated something weird 😦
Here, what it translated for you in Bengali meant, “does it belong to ma’am? ” 😀 😀
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omg… so sorry! (hahaha)
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😀 😀
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Very inspiring story Maniparna Ji. Being a hero in own eyes is far more important than becoming a hero in the eyes of others whose opinions are more often than not biased and motivated by self-interests. I am awestruck by the courage shown by the protagonist of your story. Hearty compliments to you for penning such an extra-ordinary stuff.
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You’ve rightly said, “it is far more important than becoming a hero in the eyes of others” That was exactly our Mr Nobody wanted to achieve. Only then he could have a good night’s sleep. Thanks so much for your kind words… much appreciated… 🙂
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Great that he stood up & became a hero!
We need more heroes, Mani 🙂
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Surely we do…thanks, Anita… 🙂
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Rising in his own esteem
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Precisely that is…. 🙂
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You are a master of this art Mani,the whole narrative took me to all the places he was present at.And the ending?What an unexpected fall-out.
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Thank you for your generous words, Indu. They made me really happy… 🙂
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Beautiful article. It was a nice read
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Thank you… 🙂
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What an inspiring story, dear Mani! To show courage by doing the right thing can change a man’s life so powerfully. Absolutely captivating till the last word, bravo!
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Thank you. We need to rise to become a hero to our own selves… 🙂
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Spicy saturday के लिए पोस्ट का चुनाव होने की बहुत बहुत बधाई, मणिपर्णा। बढ़िया लिखा है आपने।
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Bahut shukriya, Jyotiji… 🙂
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A riveting read!
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Very well-narratted, Maniparna. Kept me glued. Your fiction pieces are simply awesome.
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This is so powerful dear. Loved reading it to the core! 🙂
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Powerful Narration.Well written.Awesome.
Cheers,
Sriram & Krithiga
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First two stanzas are mind blowing, loved the post, it kept my breath hold until i finished.
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Thanks for the words of appreciation, Jyotirmoy… 🙂
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Many people hope not to get involved but sometimes we have to face the fear and do what is right. A wonderful story, excellently written.
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Truly, we sometimes just have no option but to face our darkest fear.
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Hi Maniparna,
Congratulations!
You have been featured in Spicy Saturday Picks on 30th July, 2016.
Thank you for this amazing post.
Regards,
Team BlogAdda
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Thanks a lot, Team BlogAdda… 🙂
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As they say, the best way to beat your demons is to face them. Loved your narration.
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Yes, rightly said. Thank you, Saru… 🙂
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A very well written piece, Maniparna! Impressive details and it was intense read!
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Thanks, Indah.. 🙂
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What a creative and wonderful story!
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Thank you so much… 🙂
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It takes guts to stand up for a stranger. I used to have guts before they decomposed. Mesmerizing story!
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“I used to have guts before they decomposed.” hehe…you’ve a great sense of humour… 😀
Thanks, glad you liked the story… 🙂
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A wonderful story with a powerful narration. Loved reading it dear 🙂
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Thanks, Purba… 🙂
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A lovely read and well written.
Violence is not restricted to women but to men, too. It can be an uncomfortable experience when one has to witness it regularly especially when one is in the home of someone we don’t really know.
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True, men can be the victims as well. Thank you for adding your valuable thoughts… 🙂
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That last paragraph really got me!
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Thank you so much!
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Dear friend, this is captivating. Beautifully written and I just love the way you made the man’s dream into the woman’s reality to spur him into his courageous self. Brava!! ❤
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Thanks a lot, Amy. Sometimes, it takes a lot to lend out a hand. But, we should try to do that often… 🙂 ❤
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A wonderful story Maniparna with much hidden meaning woven within its tale my friend excellently told.. ❤
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Thank you, Sue. Glad you liked the way the story was woven… ❤
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It was wonderful to read xx
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❤ …
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A gripping story, Maniparna, with great characterisation. 🙂 It’s too easy to simply stand back and watch as bad things happen around us. I’m glad he stepped in to help the woman, even though he paid a painful price for his actions.
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True, while we step forward to do something different, we often have to pay a price. Thank you so much for dropping by and sharing your thoughts….much appreciated… 🙂
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What a good read.
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Thanks, Fiona… 🙂
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How I wish I could write Fiction and that too so beautifully. Great read Maniparna. You have poured out the heart of all who want to speak out for others but cannot.
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Thank you, Upasna. Even though you don’t write fictions, I believe, you can weave one more beautifully if you wish… 🙂
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well put Maniparna…
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Thank you, Sumanadi… 🙂
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Beautiful changes brought around in a short story. Beautiful development of characters. Loved the read.
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Thanks a lot, Hemangini. Glad you loved the character development of the protagonist here… 🙂
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🙂 I hope more people find courage like that.
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Truly, I hope so, too…
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What a powerful narration and nuances on the lesser humans that life love to defeat but the man won his battle. Engrossing from start to finish, Maniparna. Superbly done.
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Thanks so much, Vishal, for the nice words of appreciation… 🙂
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Very powerful…wow!!
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Thank you so much… 🙂
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Loved the narration Maniparna. Your story reiterates that all actions start in the mind ..and probably some of those have the capacity to change Mr Nobody to Mr Somebody.
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Sometimes it’s better to follow the heart rather than the brain. It helps us to hep others. Mr Nobody to Mr Somebody…yes…rightly said…. 🙂
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I wish there could be more Mr. Nobody’s around us!
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True! I wish so, too… Thank you…. 🙂
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Simply AWESOME…that’s all I can say!
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Thank you, Moon… you made me happy… 😀
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Thanks Maniparna…such a wonderful read. Great characters!
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Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts… 🙂
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Riveting read, Maniparna. 🙂 It takes a lot of courage to do the right thing.
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It really does. Thanks, Kiran… 🙂
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wow Maniparna, a great read and powerful message behind the story 🙂
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Thank you so much, Neha ❤ 🙂
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Speechless<3
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Thank you!
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This was top-rate writing Maniparna, powerful and kept my attention.
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Thanks, Mary, for the good words… 🙂
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The virtual characters in this gripping story came alive and did cause some flutter in my brain and I too longed to help the commoner in protecting the damsel in distress! Fortunately the nightmare on …street ended for all the readers too!
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Actually, we, the common people, always hesitate to raise our voice. More so when we are alone. Hopefully, the time is changing and we are now braver than we used to be… 🙂
Thank a lot, Sunita… 🙂
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An interestingly woven moral tale, Mani, revealing amongst other things the price of empathic sensibilities. Yet who would not be prepared to pay such a price, when in any case compelled to do what is right? Too many, sadly, do not feel that compulsion, and we can only (perhaps selfishly) hope that enough around us do. Many congratulations on this work. All best wishes, Hariod.
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We are selfish, Hariod. As long as the fire didn’t touch us, we love to keep a safe distance from it and seldom think about those who are suffering. Of course, there are dilemmas of the common man and, as you’ve said, we have to pay a price when we do.
The recent happenings across the globe make me feel sad, and helpless. Perhaps, it’s time we should raise our voice,
Thank you so much for dropping by, I always look forward to your comments… 🙂
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A powerful and gripping story
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Thanks a lot, Derrick… 🙂
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A great story, loved every bit of it but also felt the agony of the woman.
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Thank you… 🙂 Women have to face so many things when they are out in the world and not that they are safe in their homes. 😦
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Unfortunately, you’re right.
Sexual-harassment is about feeling superior and treating a woman as a commodity without regard to her personality or dignity. Harassment has nothing to with desire. It’s said that the cases of domestic exploitation or harassment by known males are more, and that’s really tragic.
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Yes, I absolutely agree. In India, statistically, 70% of the rapes are done by some known people and not to forget marital rapes which are still overshadowed here…
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the story has no words, joyful, well introduced and creative…
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Thanks a lot, Miran…great to see you here… 🙂
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What a story! You made me feel like a spectator standing by, while the drama unfolded. Made me feel the helplessness and then the sudden surge of anger of the guy, and the mute terror of the lady! Made the characters come alive and breathe! Awesome detailing!
Loved it!
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Thank you, Rakesh, Words of appreciation from a great story-teller like you always make me feel elated…. 🙂
By the way, it’s been a long time since you updated your blog. Waiting for a new story… 🙂
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Yes, just stuck in a timewarp called life! 😀 Hope to resume soon. You should write more stories.
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Wow, what a intriguing read. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Natalie…. 🙂
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You’re welcome ❣ 😘
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Fabulous! I was petrified.
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Thanks… glad you liked it… 🙂
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This is such a captivating read.
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Thanks for the appreciation, dear… ❤
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