tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25771593633823214692024-03-13T15:28:40.361-07:00The Starbearer's Cave*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-10334899943012384852011-06-24T21:37:00.001-07:002011-06-24T21:37:59.154-07:00A Dancing StarThe evening light raced through the sky and under the orange glow people began to gather; people from near and people from afar,<br />
They all knew that their trip was worth the spectacle they came to witness, they knew that they had come to watch A Dancing Star.<br />
<br />
A man who moved for the world, a man who cried for the world and a man who lived just for the world, a man who could beautifully sing,<br />
He was known everywhere and by everyone not for his simple clothes and fickle nature but for the pleasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbhnoJBF0NVOzM-fTRwtg6vDDuEeW2NqlZqLyg02tZ14pStZm3fQKIispEOuSZHh7TJQuYBzW1SevFymTs4tvdg2wwlqf4wNHC7Lg1SwVfD15Idp0NQdKhUXrVds4Tx0DgTouLH_tYes/s1600/2750850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="265" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbhnoJBF0NVOzM-fTRwtg6vDDuEeW2NqlZqLyg02tZ14pStZm3fQKIispEOuSZHh7TJQuYBzW1SevFymTs4tvdg2wwlqf4wNHC7Lg1SwVfD15Idp0NQdKhUXrVds4Tx0DgTouLH_tYes/s400/2750850.jpg" /></a></div><br />
that, at the sway of a leg, he could bring.<br />
<br />
The way he told everyone to “Beat it” brought back courage to many and inspiration to some while some decided to become brave,<br />
Being Bad was always cool, he shouted out loud but little did he know that with his Walk for millions a life through dance he would pave.<br />
<br />
The Thriller he made each one sit through was a joyride and the zombies he had brought out showed that it was time to stop being scared and become tough,<br />
Whenever we felt low, whenever we felt like we weren’t up for it, he told us to get up, he told us ‘Don’t stop till you get enough!’<br />
<br />
Never did it matter if we were Black or white for that wasn’t important he said, all that was just useless talk,<br />
What is important, he sung, was how good we are at something and how better we can be … And for the world to do this, he did the impossible, he did The Moonwalk.<br />
We still had time, he prophesized, we still had hope to Heal the World, we still had time to correct our error,<br />
And whenever we thought that we had lost everything and that there was nothing else left, he told us to look into the eyes of The Man in the Mirror.<br />
<br />
Sometimes all we needed was a little Jam and sometimes all that was necessary was a Smile, sometimes we have to stop making a fuss,<br />
Because we could be all that we wanted to be, we could all be Dangerous, but honey, he said, they don’t really care about us.<br />
<br />
Look at what we have done, he said, crying, we had destroyed the one thing that gave us true happiness and the one thing that gave us complete joy,<br />
Earth had looked after us with all its might, the Earth cared for us like we were its children but we had used it as a play-toy.<br />
Remembering all the kind words, remembering that it was time to change, remembering that it was now or never,<br />
The hundreds came together to witness a true wonder and they kept looking at their watches until they realized the wait was over.<br />
Under the dim evening that now began to turn starry, the audience stared at the dark stage waiting impatiently for The Gloved One,<br />
A deafening blast, a striking of bright lights hit the ramp as a man walked out dressed in a shining gold jacket and as he raised his finger into the air and got his legs ready, everyone began cheering … “Michael Jackson”.*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-53800107045567546292011-05-28T21:23:00.000-07:002011-05-28T21:23:21.235-07:00The Righteous Gun-Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqYNoNHsK9Lgq3n5sAO_LOq_dpp8ijP3HcnBkOlaok6ImIASzXqoYBaMxYdTgoMxMyhPeQEHjr7yxnMcgqN5yxrIRBBmdoSTneV4is7IwdsJoGUagst09TtBQAWHbyRIpXfesmlPB5TE/s1600/thomas_ranch132004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqYNoNHsK9Lgq3n5sAO_LOq_dpp8ijP3HcnBkOlaok6ImIASzXqoYBaMxYdTgoMxMyhPeQEHjr7yxnMcgqN5yxrIRBBmdoSTneV4is7IwdsJoGUagst09TtBQAWHbyRIpXfesmlPB5TE/s320/thomas_ranch132004.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The full moon shined in all it's glory as an eerie calm took over the Earth, the grey-oak trees swayed to the wind; Amidst the corpses below tiny rats ran,<br />
Nothing mattered to him who rested amidst the graves with his hat over his face and his hands folded; At a rusty corner of the Graveyard in the Ghost Town of Carbon County sat The Righteous Gun-Man.<br />
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<br />
Dressed in a depressing dark blue overcoat and a boot-cut pair of pants, he adjusted his brown boots as he struggled to stand,<br />
The many scars of his body served as memories to the many battles he had fought for good, the pain they rushed into his soul had always helped him understand.<br />
<br />
There always had to be someone above the law, someone above the good and the bad, someone to do what's necessary - his father had told him,<br />
Humanity always needed someone evil so that they could appreciate the purpose of the Good; The people of this town needed someone to stare into Evil's eyes as it stared back grim.<br />
<br />
After many a battle and many a fight, The Gun-Slinger of Carbon County realized something that had kept him going, a truth that had kept him alive,<br />
The greatest Demons lie within us, haunting us and threatening us, daring us to live our life to the fullest; It is when we conquer them that we truly learn how to survive.<br />
<br />
Stretching both his hands to the tomb-stone on one of the graves, he picked up his gun-holster and rolled it round his waist and began walking amongst the dead,<br />
Jack Slaughter, with every heavy step, thought of the dangerous path that he had lived his days by - The path of destruction that lay ahead. <br />
<br />
Fear was a friend that had saved his life a number of times, Fear of his Legend and Fear of the device he had with him : Jack smiled as he kicked the grass encompassing the graveyard like fresh moss,<br />
He ran his hands over his chest as he felt the outline of his greatest ally and also his most fierce weapon - The Axe of The Holy Cross.<br />
<br />
Bright and shiny, made out of pure brimstone and shaped like The Holy Cross of Jesus, it worked only when Slaughter wanted it to, it Lived only through his will,<br />
A Cross small enough to fit in a man's palm but out of which arose a huge axe, an axe the length of a sword and an axe that swung around .... only to kill.<br />
<br />
While walking, he undid his holster that lay by his hip to remove his pistol and, checking it's bullets, he felt satisfied, The Righteous Gun-Man was all set for the night,<br />
Swirling the gun around his finger he swiftly pushed it back into his pocket and fisted both his hands to go out into the town and do what was right.<br />
<br />
With the divine power of The Lord flowing through his veins and with a train of courage wrecking through his heart, somewhere into the night, he heard a wolf howl,<br />
That was his signal; Something devil-ish had struck the town again, something strong and a hard challenger, something demonic had come back with a smell, oh so foul.<br />
<br />
Rushing out of the graveyard with the air struggling to throw his hat off his head, he whistled loudly from his lips to call out his ride,<br />
Jumping into the air out of nowhere a stark-black Bull with burning red eyes and sharp claws on it's hooves, landed by his side.<br />
<br />
Tapping the back of his partner, Jack Slaughter threw his feet onto the other side of the saddle as he climbed onto his dutiful ally; The beast felt, on her spine his heavy load,<br />
The Destiny he had set out for himself wasn't easy, the salvation he chose to attain wasn't simple and yet, leaving everything behind for The Greater Good; The Righteous Gun Man, out into the night, rode. <br />
3:D<br />
<br />
(Though The Gun Man is a figment of my imagination, Carbon County is a real Ghost Town [Ghost Town : An American Town where rumors of ancient ghosts revolve].<br />
I would love to continue writing about Jack Slaughter. Do let me know what you think.)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-27184350327807156252011-05-24T08:05:00.000-07:002011-05-24T08:05:25.895-07:00Hospitality Overkill[The protagonist in this story suffers from Hyper-esthesia, an over-increased response to the feeling of touch. Also, there are some elements of violence and blood involved in the story. So, if you feel uncomfortable reading anything here, please leave now.]<br />
<br />
<b>"FREE-FITS".<br />
<br />
That was the name of the clothes store I had gone to. How I wish I shouldn't have done that ! But ... I had to. Maybe if you heard my side of the story, you would understand. This is just a recollection, so some of it might be what I have made up in my own head. But the truth still stands. If only you had felt what I felt, if only you knew what I knew. If only ....</b><br />
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<i>A few months ago :</i><br />
<br />
It was a regular sunny day in Hyderabad. I decided to buy some clothes since college was starting again and I didn't want to go looking like a geek. So, after much persuasion and arguing and frustration, dad agreed to let me buy them this time at the coolest shop here. "FREE-FITS".<br />
<br />
The long transparent door stood in my way as I stared into the store. It was just like any other regular store, except it had a classy feel to it. I pushed the door and walked in as smiling faces greeted me on my way inside. Under a bright white roof, the entire store was filled with leather couches and a deep purple carpet ran the entire length of the store. Barely leaving space for people to walk, the whole space was filled with top-hangers and suit-stands, occasionally throwing in a cupboard filled with belts and ties of different sizes. The problem with these stores was one and one only : They made you feel really royal. Too royal. Something like over-doing hospitality, and spoiling it. Hospitality overkill, that's the word I was looking for.<br />
<br />
I made way and searched for my sizes. These shops, though pricey, had many sizes, especially for us big guys. Adjusting the rim of my glasses, I fumbled through the various colors. It looked like I was one of the few customers filling up today as the store was practically empty, except for a pompous short guy on one corner of the store and an annoying family with crying kids roaming around the store. Damn kids.<br />
<br />
From out of nowhere, a pale, grinning face pushed his face into my view as he came running toward me. Average height, hairy hands and an old tie hanging down his shirt, he approached and stood, just a few cm apart.<br />
<br />
"Hello sir, I am Rajesh. How may I help you?", he said, extending his hand.<br />
<br />
"Hey. I am Eshwar, and don't worry, I can take care of myself, thank ...." He broke my sentence as he grabbed my hand and pushed it into his, still smiling.<br />
<br />
"Dont touch me.", I said, with a serious tone in my voice as I pulled my hand back and wiped it on my pants.<br />
<br />
Now what I should have told you is that I suffer from a rare condition. Although not harmful, it's an extravagant sense of touch which leaves me irritated unless I respond properly to my stimuli. I hated anyone touching me, especially guys who forced their hands into mine.<br />
<br />
"Oh, come on, Eshwar sir. I am here to serve you only. Let me check your sizes." He spoke, over-compensating kindness, trying to calm me down. Hospitality overkill.<br />
<br />
"No, I actually ... Don't do ..." I was about to talk, when he swung the measuring tape around my waist and started taking down the lengths.<br />
<br />
The touch felt heavy, like someone had dropped a boulder on my waist-line. Although it never pained, an unexplained frustration rushed through my veins, leading me to push him away. I took a step back and stood, dusting myself off.<br />
<br />
"DON'T DO THAT!" I shouted. The silent aunty from the family suddenly started staring.<br />
<br />
"My my, Eshwar ji, you are big. Well, we always have stuff for big people here. Fat man!" He said, ignoring all my words.<br />
<br />
"Don't give me anything. I am leaving." I said as I began walking out, dodging his shoulder and again giving him a slight push.<br />
<br />
"Sir, I am very sorry, I didn't mean to ... Don't go, sir." He said, gripping my hand with his fist. This time, I felt even more irritated. The rusty hands rubbed against my skin, leading to another rush of blood.<br />
<br />
"Don't FUCKING touch me, man! Leave me alone!" I rudely exclaimed, as the other two servicemen looked over at me, staring to see what would happen. The others had already left and I was the only one left there.<br />
<br />
"Why ? Are you a girl, Eeshwar? A small girl, you fat boy? Here, let me measure your shoulders," He laughed, placing both his hands on my shoulders and pushing them down. This was it; no more, I decided.<br />
<br />
Beside me lay a glass table on which lay a black Reynolds pen. Grabbing it, I pulled the cap out and struck him in the face into the cheek. <br />
<br />
As blood spurted out, the cheek left a hole as I swiftly pulled it out. Falling to the ground, he began shouting and writhing in pain as he tried to stand up. I wasn't done yet. Sitting over him, I punched him, straight down the wound as blood now filled my hands. It was still flowing, I realized as I lifted my hand with the pen firmly in my grip. <br />
<br />
With my left hand stretching his right eye-lid, he shook his face, trying to get rid of me.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, how does it feel, man ? How does it ? I warned you. I warned you!", I roared into his face as he tried to speak. With his entire eye now open, I struck the pen-nib into it, as a white fluid mixed with spleen flowed out of it. <br />
<br />
"Don't touch people. Don't ..." I shouted and stood up as he cried in pain, with the pen still stuck into his eye-ball.<br />
<br />
"You bastard ..." a serviceman screamed, as he came walking to me. There was a pad lying on the table under the pen. Picking that up, I walked toward him and swung it right up from his neck. As he crashed down, the others looked bewildered.<br />
<br />
I threw the pad down and turned back. "Thank you very much, assholes." I said, with a smile on my face as I kicked the glass door and walked out. HOSPITALITY KILLED.<br />
<br />
<i>The police arrested me some days later. Rajesh died of a brain damage, apparently. The pen had gone deep into his skull, thus stopping the entire brain function. I will be executed tomorrow, this is the note I leave, for you to understand. If you do understand, then ... Thank you.</i>*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-50445809287609270752011-04-27T05:58:00.000-07:002011-04-27T06:03:13.050-07:00My School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCvVc8W7Wt7n9f7TYOdg4s7kZxTaNUcFir7Wgrq1i7tVRLpBenTHk0rYxDcRMlz9KAAf6e8qMCKEfmhA6fXir-1ZFVaTEDzkEsyTSREZiyJgQJHaz1vD9bv3VGSeyaoS2Tr5DLMdmFjc/s1600/school_writing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCvVc8W7Wt7n9f7TYOdg4s7kZxTaNUcFir7Wgrq1i7tVRLpBenTHk0rYxDcRMlz9KAAf6e8qMCKEfmhA6fXir-1ZFVaTEDzkEsyTSREZiyJgQJHaz1vD9bv3VGSeyaoS2Tr5DLMdmFjc/s320/school_writing.gif" /></a></div><br />
I looked up at the board by which we used to swear : St. Anthony's High School - it read, it was now rusty and old but nevertheless it looked fine, I just silently stood there,<br />
I realized I had completely forgotten how it looked and what it really meant as I walked around the gate kicking the sand - My School shined there brightly under the Sun's glare.<br />
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<br />
Walking to the class saying "Good morning Teacher" to everyone who now were just a faded memory, we learnt to read and write, we learnt what a book was, we learnt to receive and give,<br />
Amidst the broken buttons, amidst the untied shoe-laces, amidst the cute friends we had crushes on and amidst the half-full water bottles, we had learnt to live.<br />
<br />
Learning swear words and using them in code while laughing at others' foolishness felt amazing then, creating friend-groups and leaving a legacy; I realized we had made a mark,<br />
Reciting movie dialogs that we had so proudly portrayed and heard was wonderful, the sounds we imitated included a teacher's scolding or even the call of a dog's bark.<br />
<br />
Scolding a fellow mate for breaking my scale and then hugging him was heart-touching, teasing someone was good; saying "SORRY SORRY" when she felt bad was even better,<br />
Cool air flew as my heart went back to the moment I had first played WRESTLING in school, my mind took me back to the day I had forged my first leave letter.<br />
<br />
Telling friends to help us with our crushes and jumping out of joy when they smiled at us felt blissful; we were foolish enough to be happy thinking it was love,<br />
Now I realized would we ever have known what we would have become - it didn't matter then, all that we cared was the next cartoon episode or the number of pens in a pen-fight away we had to shove.<br />
<br />
Showing everyone at home that we received a GOOD in our book was equal to an award, running around the house smiling whenever we received a star,<br />
Throwing paper-rockets at people and then hiding while giggling non-stop, all those benches we scribbled our names on; everything was just a memory; everything we had left and walked afar.<br />
<br />
The endless hours of great-thinkers'-discussions we had about Pokemon, the awesome Harry Potter duels we had with our own broken tree-branches and our very own Superhero Dream,<br />
A silent tear slid down my cheek as I remembered the joy and the pride we had when we walked around the school wearing the uniform of the Scouts'-team.<br />
<br />
Writing essays about our favorite festivals and building up letters to book-houses to complain was something we were never perfect at, yet at the tries I can't help but smile,<br />
Raising our hand proudly when we knew the answer to a question was Divine; when the teacher nodded in accordance, our hearts in happiness danced in style.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sitting there, looking at that long-forgotten clock waiting for the bell to ring as teachers told us about Akbar and taught us how to add one with two,<br />
We never realize what we have until we completely lose it and we never cry a river until we don't know how to laugh completely - I now knew, it is all true.<br />
<br />
I now looked at the time : I had to leave, just like everyone else who ever came, I turned around and began moving away -still dodging, out of habit, that small empty snake-hole,<br />
As I slowly walked back into the wheels of time in the cycle of Life, I realized : Somewhere along those walls I left a part of my heart, somewhere among those School corridors still ran, my lost soul.<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-86200653785544895542011-04-02T20:41:00.000-07:002011-04-13T07:54:05.146-07:00Our Bravest WarriorThe evening Sun shined dimly on his face, he still looked as if he was sleeping, he still looked frightening, he still looked like a man who would never surrender,<br />
I sat beside him and looked into those lifeless eyes and thought : Why had Our Bravest Warrior left us when we needed him most ? I began to wonder.<br />
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<br />
He always told us that crying wasn't for warriors, yet I tried to hold my tears back, he always told us never to look down, never in the face of danger to cave,<br />
Yet today as the cool, soothing breeze flows through his silky hair, I can be cold; I can be heartless; I can be anything but brave.<br />
<br />
All those wonderful stories he told about the King were just memories now, they meant nothing anymore, even in the face of death he always stood up for what's right,<br />
To the fire in our hearts he was a burning fuel, to the sadness in our minds he was a wide smile, to the darkness in our souls, he was a bright light.<br />
<br />
This war was what kept him alive, he said, it was because he wanted to be here in the greatest army of the world that he was still living, he wanted to win,<br />
The world had made him a brave person for he always fought for his life, the world had made him stronger than anyone else for even in the face of death, his face had a huge grin.<br />
<br />
He told us he had a beautiful daughter, oh how she would cry for him, how would she live; Death was a horrible misfortune and yet it had come today,<br />
Death was a tragedy only for the living; We felt the loss for we had lost our leader, we felt pain for he wasn't with us anymore, he went away.<br />
<br />
He motivated us even in the most horrible of times and told us we would walk out alive no matter what, we would go back home with a victory, we would go back home to our wife,<br />
He had kept his word for we were still breathing, he gave up his own to save us; He had kept his word and he paid for it with his life.<br />
<br />
Come tomorrow, we decided, we were going to take this place down, we would fight with our swords like we never fought before; if not for anyone, we would fight for him,<br />
We would hold up our heads high and walk the long hard road, even if it fell dark for everyone; even if, inside our hearts we felt dim.<br />
<br />
The clouds now covered the evening Sun in all it's gray, it looked like it was about to rain, the sky began to thicken in gray foam,<br />
It was time, we were told and as we lifted his palanquin on our shoulders and began the journey, beneath silent tears, we realized - we were taking Our Bravest Warrior .... Home.<br />
3:D<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9D3evNvabjq_cBURQlAh7eeZEtMgco7w2FAuZw0zg_7BC7lonpr5ZQYubrw5Z5hqbgrjlRYjVi15PkRhT1jw8xUIKP9gC2ygnNCzqOdfGus7EoT47EE5xqwZXfFWXEuozx79sTIdu24/s1600/an-indian-funeral-procession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9D3evNvabjq_cBURQlAh7eeZEtMgco7w2FAuZw0zg_7BC7lonpr5ZQYubrw5Z5hqbgrjlRYjVi15PkRhT1jw8xUIKP9gC2ygnNCzqOdfGus7EoT47EE5xqwZXfFWXEuozx79sTIdu24/s320/an-indian-funeral-procession.jpg" /></a></div>*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-75147289002116712922011-03-25T21:06:00.000-07:002011-03-28T06:25:14.822-07:00Point Blank<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-qPlYDLu7qTxme-Y_9J7-RAMwr6-5JBdMHVrtJQOGIHCgjxceMD3_rCn_ml9vTXCM7ZKCHnHwSprFKTt7Mj1Yd80V68e8NnPdyiDunGI0l5BJfRi6NO07xfO-gVkCJJdcdjLDBW8DSU/s1600/shoot-self.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-qPlYDLu7qTxme-Y_9J7-RAMwr6-5JBdMHVrtJQOGIHCgjxceMD3_rCn_ml9vTXCM7ZKCHnHwSprFKTt7Mj1Yd80V68e8NnPdyiDunGI0l5BJfRi6NO07xfO-gVkCJJdcdjLDBW8DSU/s320/shoot-self.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588285027783459858" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style:italic;">Getting up from the couch, I looked outside. It was dead dark. It was time, I realized.<br />
<br />
I rubbed my hands together, for it was a cold night. I then picked up the .45 from the table and thrust it over onto my head, ready to shoot myself. I had nothing left to live for. Point blank.<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Five hours ago :</span><br />
<br />
The Evening Sun shined through the blue sky. It was a pleasant day, apparently. Not for me and Ravi. Well, if you call being kidnapped and handing over everything we ever earned pleasant, that's really your call. <br />
<br />
Our blindfolds were removed and I saw that we were in the middle of an old construction site. Masked robbers around us, everywhere, with guns in their hands. We were at least clever enough to understand that they didn't get us here to recite a poem. Sweat dripped from my forehead as I looked at Ravi. He was just becoming conscious and tried to open his eyes. We heard laughter and abuses everywhere around us as we looked around in confusion. This was it, I realized. We were being played.<br />
<br />
One of them removed their masks and began speaking, "You sons of whores .... Enough you have earned with your gun-running business. It's time to die." I looked up to see a man probably in his early thirties. With a bushy mustache and a bald head, he looked like a villain from the 70s. Wow, I did wish this was a movie set and I did wish we weren't brought to die like prisoners.<br />
<br />
"Start talking, you fools. From the past 10 years, you have carefully injected all your guns and all your bombs into our land and made killing people very convenient. Why the sad-ass faces now ? Start talking," he said as he walked toward us. We struggled in our chairs to set free, but in vain. Nothing was breaking the ropes. Nothing. He slowly came and stood in our faces. With a baseball bat, he swung it across my face. It hit the spot. Fuck, that hurt. My jaw went numb as I spat blood out.<br />
<br />
"Won't work if your mouth is closed, fat boy. Start blabbering. You either give us the money and your business or we beat the pulp out of you. Hey, lard ass, talk ! Or no more burgers and pizzas for you." He said and laughed, along with the others who gnawed and laughed with such loud voices, my ear began to pain. Was it them or was it the bat ? I will never know. Spit and blood flowed into my mouth and I kept throwing it out. With a weak voice, I began talking.<br />
<br />
"W .... We ..... No moneeeeee..... No mon ....," Damn, that bat did it's job. I felt pain like I had never felt it before. The skull began to ache too while the neck strained to hold up. Hot lava burst inside as it became harder to breathe. Eyes started to close down while I tried to open them and still talk. At least my sense organs were working, I realized, for I heard Ravi whisper.<br />
<br />
"6788. Beat it to the end. They will kill me. I will take the blame. Just walk away. Just. Walk."<br />
<br />
"What ? I didn't get that, Ravi. Another fucked-up joke of yours ?" I whispered slightly as the bald guy told another joke and laughter continued.<br />
<br />
"Shut up and listen, Shiv. 6788. Remember that. And remember to beat it to the end. The end."<br />
<br />
I was pretty sure he had gone delirious. 6788 ? Really ? That meant nothing. I and Ravi had been together for 10 years. We were gun merchants. Yes, gun merchants. We always shared our love for guns and weapons and women equally. To heck with engineering, we thought. Let's do something with life. We traveled, we met people, we bought guns, we sold them .... Well, that was 10 years ago. Now, we were here, tied to chairs in some godforsaken place in our city Mumbai. The city we had decided to conquer had conquered us at last. Irony, I thought, as I took a slap from another masked robber.<br />
<br />
"This balloon won't crack. He is acting too smart for his own good. Let me cut him into pieces ....", he shouted and pulled a clean, silver knife out of his back. "Abbe o ! Don't do it. We still need the money and we don't know if he has the goods or not. We can do it later, if necessary," said the bald guy as he pulled the masked man and the knife away from me.<br />
<br />
"But, Akbar Sahab ...." Ah, that was his name. Very funny, for a guy who shares a name with a peaceful Emperor. I decided we had come too far to talk ourselves out of this. Still, a try never hurts anyone, I knew. So, I wiped my mouth on my shoulder and stretched my eyes. Felt good. The BURGERS and the PIZZAS did something good. At least they kept me alive. <br />
<br />
"We are not telling you assholes anything." I barked, unmindful of the consequences. Another sweep, through the left part of the jaw.<br />
<br />
"Grrrrrrrrraaww!", I shouted, as it all came back. The pain came screaming back.<br />
<br />
"Let Shiv go and you will get what you want, Akbar. This is between us, not him." Us ? I wondered. He never told me anything about the bald guy or the knives flying around .... Or the wonderful pain x 2 I was having right now. Amazing.<br />
<br />
<br />
"No ! You don't start acting now, Ravi. 10 years ago, you escaped. Not again. Not today. You will give me everything and you will give it NOW, if you want to live while you still can. You and your damn guns. And your damn lazy friend. Nothing. Nothing more ! I will take it all, Ravi. I hope you are honest about the information. No stupid games, you ass. I shall have it all !", Akbar declared, and smiled while landing a punch to drive the lights out of Ravi's neck as it went up and fell again.<br />
<br />
"Ravi ! What the hell is this ? We are partners and .... Who is this gu-?", I looked at him and slightly whispered.<br />
<br />
"Shut up, Shiv. This is none of your business. You just sit there and think about the food being served to you tonight. If you live, that is. Kya bolte ho, yaar? Haan ya nahi? (What do you say, friends? Yes or no?)", he laughed again, this time with a snort. Laughter followed. Ah, this is how it ends, I thought.<br />
<br />
"Let Shiv go. I will tell you everything. I promise." Ravi said, much to my surprise. <br />
<br />
"No way. No way in Hell, Ravi. Don't start messing with me again !" Akbar said and loaded the shotgun in his hand. "Tell me everything now or I will shoot you dead ! Do it!"<br />
<br />
"Shoot me, you get nothing. Let Shiv go, I will tell you. Everything. Here is the account number ..... 6788." <br />
<br />
"R A V I ! What happened to our plan ? What happened to me .... -", he cut me again. "Akbar, call the bank to confirm, they will tell you."<br />
<br />
I felt worthless now. Money had tricked me all my life, it was leaving me again. Selling guns was bad, but we were the best. For 10 years, we were unbeatable. All that we had earned today was going to some guy who met Ravi a long time ago. He was giving up the money for this ? After all we had gone through ? I decided to give up thinking. I felt a shiver again. The pain was growing more and more horrible. Tears began falling from my eyes as my jaw went sore. We were dying. After 10 years, we were dying. This was ridiculous. After what felt like forever, I heard Akbar saying.<br />
<br />
"Yes. They confirmed it, Ravi. Now spit out the password, you clever oaf. You know we can't crack it without the password."<br />
<br />
"Let Shiv go. You will get what you want." Ravi said, coldly, while hanging out from the chair.<br />
<br />
"No ! That's not going to -", Akbar started, when one of his men swooped in. "Boss. It's a win-win. We will let him go and find him later if we don't get the money. We still don't get the password, we will kill Ravi."<br />
<br />
"Good idea. Men, let the fatso go.", he said, as two other men came running. One pushed me back to the chair while one removed the ropes from my hands and legs. I suddenly felt a rush of veins into my fingers as I tried to stand up. I fell down first. Dusting myself, I stood up to see it had begun to rain. <br />
<br />
Water struck everyone's faces as I looked at Ravi. He was still there taunting Akbar. "What now, Ravi ? I can't leave you here." I said, removing the handkerchief from my coat pocket to clean my face.<br />
<br />
"Shut up. Leave. We will talk later." Ravi said in a hurry.<br />
<br />
"Okay, we let the Panda alone. Now give us the password." Akbar said, as his men came closer at his signal.<br />
<br />
"Shiv. Run.", he stared into my eyes and said. "Password ? Your balls !", Ravi growled into the rain. It was his turn to laugh.<br />
<br />
I began to run. I turned back and took to the road. I didn't look back. I didn't wait to hear anything. I didn't know why I was running also; I had lost everything I ever had. Through the muddy sand and the wet bricks and the empty trucks, I ran. The site was abandoned, which made it easier for me to get out. I kept running and running until I slipped and fell. It was then that I heard a shot. I should know, I have lived with them. It was a shotgun. Akbar's shotgun.<br />
<br />
Bruised, bleeding, weak in the knees, I hopped. The fall had sprained the knee. I couldn't stop. Not now. Not after all this. I finally reached the road and saw people. I fell on the ground. I remembered someone going into my purse and shouting my address. The world was still kind to a gun merchant.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Present :<br />
</span><br />
<br />
They were just minor wounds, the doctor told me. Now, I sat at home and looked around. There was nothing I had left. They had broken into the house and searched everything. Taken all that we had. What would I do now ? There was nothing left for me here. I decided I would go back home and do something with my new life. Without Ravi. I then, remembered. Ravi. He had given up trying to save me.<br />
<br />
I sat wondering what was it that I could do now when I received a message. It was an unknown number. It was my death's number.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style:italic;">"We killed Ravi. We know where you are. We are coming for you. Akbar"</span> the message read. I realized I was falling. Into an abyss. I was going to die. I was going to burn in Hell.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Getting up from the couch, I looked outside. It was dead dark. It was time, I realized.<br />
<br />
I rubbed my hands together, for it was a cold night. I then picked up the .45 from the table and thrust it over onto my head, ready to shoot myself. I had nothing left to live for. Point blank.</span><br />
<br />
It was then that I remembered. 6788. Ah, they didn't get the money, otherwise I wouldn't be hunted. BEAT IT TO THE END ? Why did Ravi keep repeating that ? Why did he tell it to me before he told it to them ? Ravi loved puzzles and codes. I remembered all the simple tricks he had always told me. There was only one with numbers. I thought it was useless, until IT came back to save my life.<br />
<br />
6+7+8+8=29. 2+9= 11. 1+1=2. <br />
<br />
An ancient numbered cipher, this method was used by Greeks to convey a single digit security code. One digit in four. <br />
<br />
<br />
An hour later, I was at the bank, dressed in my favorite color. Black. I looked at the beautiful receptionist who walked back to me carrying a closed envelope. She wore a short top and a blood-red skirt. Blood kept meeting me today. Again and again.<br />
<br />
"What happened to your jaw, sir?", she asked sweetly as she examined the envelope. She sat in her desk as I stood outside with both my hands in my pocket.<br />
<br />
"Oh. I fell off the stairs." Yes, and they were Akbar and his baseball bat.<br />
<br />
"Sir, what is the password ?", she questioned as she placed the envelope in my hand.<br />
<br />
"2. The number two." <br />
<br />
"Correct. Let me get the account details," she said and went back inside. I ripped open the grey envelope on which my name was written. SHIV. There was a letter inside.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight:bold;">"Shiv, if you have received this, it means I am dead. I knew you would crack the code. I sent my half to my family. Your half will be yours. Spend it wisely. <br />
<br />
Ravi."</span><br />
<br />
I smiled and put the envelope in my breast pocket as the receptionist came back. "The total amount in the account is Rs. 10 crores. How much do you want to withdraw ?"<br />
<br />
I don't know if I am going to live after this. Akbar might find me. Or shall anyone. I decided guns where good, only as long as Ravi was by my side. <br />
<br />
"All of it."<br />
<br />
"Okay sir."<br />
<br />
"Do you have the airport's number, Miss ? Can you get me a flight tonight to Germany?", I said, adjusting my hair.<br />
<br />
"Sure sir." She smiled.*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-55243038730371863582011-03-20T19:12:00.000-07:002011-03-28T07:22:00.652-07:00Chanakya - The Kingmaker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZlL3GPIpnRZEM-Uebo9aCm7va0dUjX_kvbnw5cvwK7T5VXbLEgeaf6BPRzxlr_juj2TFVB4FukF32u9ExBqQjKxy8oiNVm6rrGqgL2sVwu7RciMbuMQjArJ1rG0vDfcoVsqjFa4f66w/s1600/chanakya.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZlL3GPIpnRZEM-Uebo9aCm7va0dUjX_kvbnw5cvwK7T5VXbLEgeaf6BPRzxlr_juj2TFVB4FukF32u9ExBqQjKxy8oiNVm6rrGqgL2sVwu7RciMbuMQjArJ1rG0vDfcoVsqjFa4f66w/s320/chanakya.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586364108009616018" /></a><br />
In the dead of the night, a brahmin, bare chested and eyes closed stood amongst an army of thousands thinking of the joys he would bring,<br />
Chanakya the Kingmaker stood outside the gates of Kishaganj smiling, tonight he would throw down another king.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Inside the kingdom, in a large dining room there stood a huge table fit only for royalty, so large and so beautiful it uplifted anyone's mood,<br />
Kishaganj's ruler Raman sat alone that night, waiting for the hunger to die, waiting for his feast, waiting to hog on the food.<br />
<br />
Everything was fine and good, he thought, as he sat waiting for his delicious meal, he would not go down without a fight for anyone, he would not cave,<br />
Raman had heard about the ongoing war and the surrendering kingdoms .... "But I won't give up!" he growled as he banged his fist on the table, little did he know - he was just foolishly being brave.<br />
<br />
He suddenly looked up as the food flew in, saffron rice and pickle on a silver plate along with flavored milk, ah ! This was going to be fun,<br />
It had been a bittersweet day, he decided, and it was surely a nice night; Once I am full here, I will go to bed with the Queen and rise with the Sun.<br />
<br />
The Meal Taster had arrived soon enough and bowed to the king, he took a neat spoon from his pocket and put the rice in his mouth, stood staring for some time,<br />
The hungry Raja sat there waiting eagerly like a lion, he watched the Taster eat and cursed him for ruining the moment, like it was some crime.<br />
<br />
"It's all good, Sire, it's all good," said the taster, gulping down the rice, "You may eat it ... Oops, sorry !",<br />
The spoon slipped from his hand and fell to the ground, disturbing the king who stared angrily, the taster cried, "I will get another one, oh Mighty King, not to worry."<br />
<br />
Ah, will I ever eat ? thought the king, with his head bowed under the table, he sat up at the sound of footsteps,he took a glance as the anger inside began to heal,<br />
He saw the young boy come back, along with a bright shiny golden piece of cutlery who pushed it into the rice and said, "Oh Lord, enjoy your meal."<br />
<br />
Taking in the first bite felt like heaven, he hadn't eaten in so long, it was a rough evening in the court : The Kishaganj ruler in the evening also had an argument with his son,<br />
Umm ... Turmeric was just right, the salt complimented the peanuts, he tried to count all the tastes : Rice, spices, sugar and .... Poison.<br />
<br />
Gasping for breath, he suddenly realized he had been tricked and deceived; he tried to look around and shout but words didn't come out; tonight was his last,<br />
He squeezed the spoon as he reached out for the milk but it was too late, he felt pain everywhere in the body, he knew he was dying and dying fast.<br />
<br />
Still trying to fight a useless battle, Raman stood up only to crash to the ground, he tried to crawl to get back up as his head begin to swoon,<br />
But how ?! He thought as he saw, through his blurred eyes, soldiers running toward him in panic, the king finally realized amidst shock : It was the taster and the spoon.<br />
<br />
Gathered and speaking in hushed tones outside the city gates of Kishaganj, led by ChandraGupta Maurya, stood so many warriors there was hardly any room,<br />
One man looked up to the stars which slowly began moving away, he calculated the time and faintly smiled, he had brought another empire to it's doom.<br />
<br />
He soon began to think of the money he had spent to bribe the taster to smear the spoon with poisonous paste but it was worth it, he knew so,<br />
His dream tonight, dream of a united India had come one step closer, he felt like a God as the adrenaline inside him began to flow.<br />
<br />
In the dead of the night, standing beside his protege, he whispered in the determined man's ear, "Tell me Maurya, of what use is a rose stem if there is no head?",<br />
Chanakya, the kingmaker, in answer to everyone including Chandragupta shouted at once with a might that shook everyone's ear, "Break these gates, rush inside and take this Kingdom for it's king .... Is dead."<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-59760714373662606342011-03-18T21:39:00.001-07:002011-03-28T07:22:38.955-07:00The Cruel Monarch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1sz5g4dM0Ap6a5UFBFCiNOnZzTWHxbyPknp60q9wfZK1KkE-WA2KusDf46iZtotr5qpZ6kiAvK4hoWTRq41vWVWxWddIs7csRCpXHeY986bOeaz4cXDFTsh0MgDjnoVmqulYOBUBcyI/s1600/011.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1sz5g4dM0Ap6a5UFBFCiNOnZzTWHxbyPknp60q9wfZK1KkE-WA2KusDf46iZtotr5qpZ6kiAvK4hoWTRq41vWVWxWddIs7csRCpXHeY986bOeaz4cXDFTsh0MgDjnoVmqulYOBUBcyI/s320/011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585646128005257490" /></a><br />
In shining armor and wrapped from head to toe sparing the neck, The Brave Knight walked the long corridor, all he heard were his own footsteps, all he saw was an empty hall; tonight he would set things right,<br />
He looked out of the window : It was dark while small stars twinkled in the sky, the clouds swayed calmly; The Knight was going to make sure it was The Cruel Monarch's last night.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Strolling down the long hall - silence filled his ears as he adjusted the sword by his hip and strolled down, he stared at the empty chairs and remembered how everyone finally abandoned the monster; he remembered his Demon-like face,<br />
The Knight felt elated; for he was making a change, he was heading a revolution, he was transforming the lives of millions, he was making his own kingdom a better place.<br />
<br />
<br />
Horrible memories of dead soldiers came crashing back; brave warriors had died because of the ruler's fancies; valiant knights, just like him laid down the lives just for his fancies; his happiness was more valuable than anything,<br />
And he had repaid them with wonderful presents; destroyed homes, lack of shelter, great lives put in jeopardy; misery had been brought by The Evil King.<br />
<br />
<br />
All the tortured souls; all the just hearts; all the kind hearted men and women reduced to mere dust; all the bad days the kingdom had seen; not anymore, the Knight decided, not anymore,<br />
Standing at the entrance to the courtyard, with pride filling his heart and power filling his soul; The Knight kicked open the door.<br />
<br />
Inside, a short path - chairs on either sides which were once occupied by clever ministers were now empty; the carpet had been laid, blood red in colour, illuminated by the moonlight; wind flowed in, carrying with it a little heat,<br />
At the end of the road lay a gigantic throne - clad in pure gold and studded with rubies, on the handles there stood two skulls engraved, the Knight saw The Monarch in the seat.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Knight looked at The Devil himself - Huge, flowing hair, dressed in a royal robe that covered the entire body, the Monarch sat erect on seeing the Knight, with a straight smile he continued to stare,<br />
Removing the helmet and bowing to the ruler, the Knight said, " Sire, all your life you treated us like scum, we are done serving you, to your death you must lay tomorrow, your body will rot in the gutter and we won't even care."<br />
<br />
<br />
Clearing his throat, without even changing the emotion on the pale face, the Monarch whispered, "Is this what the people want? Is this what my kingdom has brought me down to? Is this the End ?"<br />
The Knight shouted, "You played with our lives, oh Wicked one, now comes our turn; no more to your wants we attend no more to your whims we fancy, no more to your ways we bend."<br />
<br />
Slowly rising from the throne, the King went and stood right in the face of the Brave Knight and said, coldly, "Well, there is one more thing I want; one more message I have to deliver, one more wish before we go ahead",<br />
He took his enormous axe lying by the throne and, lifting it with all his might, swung it across the Knight's neck; the next moment, the brave warrior lay dead.<br />
<br />
<br />
In shining armor and wrapped around the body everywhere in metal; the Knight's lifeless body lay on the floor as his head fell aside, there was nothing else left to believe for the people; no leader left to forgive,<br />
Wiping his huge bloodaxe clean of the blood of the useless Knight and brushing the dust from his shoulders, The Cruel Monarch sat back on the throne and lay the weapon aside; at least throught the night he would live.<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-34988691384504860022011-03-09T08:57:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:23:32.772-07:00The Ghost Rider<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYkULYDR3bsrMvcs8BpNmKRNTYQNAeprLa_RZXs_wd7xm7fcI6Uf36ap28dAOgXPZ7-2xsmF7ZtPK0j73JdLKzA3eSBaTEuyxWO2mcJqrDvluFWGRzLuWbcYiFzaowMu8Y1GXWYRyl70/s1600/342981-158396-ghost-rider_super.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYkULYDR3bsrMvcs8BpNmKRNTYQNAeprLa_RZXs_wd7xm7fcI6Uf36ap28dAOgXPZ7-2xsmF7ZtPK0j73JdLKzA3eSBaTEuyxWO2mcJqrDvluFWGRzLuWbcYiFzaowMu8Y1GXWYRyl70/s320/342981-158396-ghost-rider_super.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582128217189232466" /></a><br />
Standing at the gates of Hell, I shouted out to Devil to give me my life back, to give me my damned soul back, to remove this pain; My life wasn't one filled with glory,<br />
A burning skull, fire rushing through every vein in my body - ruthless, senseless and heartless; My name is Ghost Rider - Welcome to my side of the story.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Hell was no stranger to me : It's cries filled my dreams every night, the horrid tortures were my morning's breakfast, the stinking smell of it, my lucky dinner,<br />
I have gone through this wretched place over and over to tell you this, my friend, once you get stuck here; there is just regret and there never will be a winner.<br />
<br />
I now remember I used to have a name, a name destined a fame, a life destined for greatness, an enternity destined to be written in history, a name : Johnny Blaze,<br />
I still remember the night I sold my soul to The Devil to save my father, my life has been played by Him since then : I am a rat walking in a freaking maze.<br />
<br />
He has taken me for granted all my life; tonight, I take that back; He has burnt my body over and over again; tonight I take it back, my life spent as a slave; I take it all back,<br />
The Devil is no longer my friend; he is my enemy and tonight I will take my revenge on him, his body I will writhe in pain, his smile I will wipe off, his head I will hack.<br />
<br />
There was a time when I was in love too with a beautiful woman, today she's just a memory; there was a time when I had a face too, today it's just fire everywhere, today it's just hollow,<br />
I am a Demon; I used to be human before but now I am hellbent to take my life back; for after the bad the good will come and after the rain The Sun will follow.<br />
<br />
I am no hero; Revenge has taken over me, today - that's what keeps me alive, revenge keeps me going, in life there is no redemption for the curse I bear, for the horror I bring,<br />
I am no hero; But I am trying to snatch what's rightfully mine, I am trying to be a person again, I am trying to feel humane again, out of nothingness I am trying to make something.<br />
<br />
So, tonight, under the horrible bloodshed and the fiery fires that fill Hell, I will do what no man has ever tried; I will do what no God has ever thought of, I will tear the devil down,<br />
Tonight, under the Great Orange sky and amongst the Evil monsters that inhibit hell, I will do what no soul will ever try; I am not afraid anymore; I will see the Devil - Eye-to-Eye, with a horrible frown.<br />
<br />
All my life I spent on others' fear, all my days I have spent mastering the puppets in the wicked's hearts, all my nights I have spent as the Ghost Rider; not anymore, no more fearing The Devil's might,<br />
With The New Dawn, a new Rider will rise, a new Soul, a Rider - filled with unlimited power, a Rider who is not The Devil's own, a Rider who will spend his Forever and Ever in good, a Rider who will make things right.<br />
<br />
Standing at the gates of Hell, I call out to The Devil; not to do his will but to end his evil Reign, silence is all I hear from his side, He doesn't care anymore - well that's fine, that's very nice,<br />
Sitting on my HellCycle, burning from head to toe, I break the doors open with my bare hands and rush inside; I have lived my entire life under Him, tonight, I will die if that's what it takes to make him run away from people, like scared mice.<br />
<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-40133965096384859872011-03-07T05:27:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:29:09.199-07:00Burn for a Burn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ_k6wHdekjezl9FCNYorbpftmlF6ASAJuiIBb3ydecX_gTH8E6BG9zoN2XnPX87T98v_uNtrVM_kIIZ5MrwmIj4PldGZoVyXthgMYWcmJTujhKmgOYbnkVBeaaHQWw-591h0NY2JFh0/s1600/darkman-trilogy-darkman-darkman-large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ_k6wHdekjezl9FCNYorbpftmlF6ASAJuiIBb3ydecX_gTH8E6BG9zoN2XnPX87T98v_uNtrVM_kIIZ5MrwmIj4PldGZoVyXthgMYWcmJTujhKmgOYbnkVBeaaHQWw-591h0NY2JFh0/s320/darkman-trilogy-darkman-darkman-large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581395396831457474" /></a><br />
Hyderabad,<br />
May 2nd.<br />
<br />
I stood still, with my eyes staring into those in the mirror. To hide all the scars, , I slowly wrapped the cloth band-aid all around the face. They used to hurt. A lot. But now I am used to it. I live, to get rid of that pain I have scarred. On my heart. Life is never meant to be a joyride. It's full of pain. Pain that you can only get rid of by revenge. I believed in that and it has served me well so far. I don't know if I will be sorry for what I am going to do, but I sure as hell know I will be happy. Happy to get rid of the pain. The pain that had tortured me for 10 years now. Tonight, I was going to let it go. It all ends. Tonight.<br />
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<br />
Putting on a hat, I got ready, put on a coat and looked at my watch. 7 30 pm. The night was still young and heartful. Stars twinkled beside the gloomy moon as I locked the door and got down the stairs. I walked, and with every step, the scar hurt as sweat ran over them. My frustration grew. This happened every time but tonight they shouted out. They writhed and cried out. Stopping myself from going into a rage, I took a heavy breath and looked up. The wind blew through my hair and flew around. It was cold. Well, life was cold and I was gearing up for it. The busy road with it's busy lives again made me invisible as I crossed it and started walking toward an auto. I walked up to it and looked inside at a half-sleepy, pissed off auto driver.<br />
<br />
"Bhaiyya, Inorbit, Banjara Hills ?"<br />
<br />
"No." He growled. I decided I would sugar him up. "Please yaar, I am running a little late as it is. I would ask the other autos but I don't want to waste my words with them. Dumb bunch they are."<br />
<br />
"Right you have said, Seeth." He said with a smile. I smiled in return with a happy thought in my head. I didn't know if he was dumb but he certainly fell for my trick. "Sit. But it will cost you 50 rupees. Nothing less."<br />
<br />
"Give me a minute, bhai ...." I said, as I struggled through to get to my wallet. I opened it and looked inside. A 50-rupee note, bright in color shined with glee. I was having a good night. It was going to get better.<br />
<br />
As I raced past the city with it's neon lights everywhere beating the darkness, I realized I had become a nobody. All my dreams, all my ambitions turned into dust. All I had wanted, all I wanted to win, all I wanted to give in to were nothing but weird thoughts in my head today. In my dream of conquering everything, in my largest dreams I couldn't have imagined it would all remain a dream. Because of him. I was beginning to anger myself again. Anger had been keeping itself above everything for 10 years, everything. I had given up everything else as I read about him in the papers, watched him on TV talk about his success stories. Anger had filled my heart and my mind. Nothing else mattered now. Anger had conquered me before I could conquer anything else. Tonight, with anger, I was going to get what I wanted.<br />
<br />
We soon reached INORBIT. I got out of the auto, paid the driver and walked up to the entrance. I steadily made my way through the eager crowd, all waiting to see him. Rahim Khanna. The owner of Cuba Limited, opening his new pub tonight here. A very efficient businessman with a wonderful tale he had spun out about his life. A life he had managed to hide from everyone else. A life in which I played the front-man. A life he had built on everything born out of my mind. A life he had built on my ashes. Everyone was eager to meet him tonight. Men, women and kids. I was eager too, but for different reasons. I finally got on the elevator and it lifted us all up to the top. People looked at my face weirdly inside. I didn't care. Like many horrible things fate had gifted me, I was used to this. With was my left on the face, I smiled at everyone. Some smiled back while some turned their faces away. Ah, Hyderabadi hospitality, I thought as I got out at CUBA.<br />
<br />
Pushing the large doors open, I was welcomed with dim lights, pretty ladies and "I can transform ya" booming into my ears. It was so dark, people didn't even notice the clothed mask I wore. I walked up to the bar and grabbed a seat. "Pub's getting a grand welcome, huh?", I said to the bartender who shouted back. "YES ! People are crowding in. The more the better. It's actually free tonight for select people only. You got in easily. It's hard otherwise." Self-praise. Classic, I thought as I replied,"Yeah. It's going good, you know ? I know people who got me in. Life has been good." I lied. <br />
<br />
"Can I get a vodka ? I am dying of thirst here ! And a pretty large glass. A shot won't keep me down. Nothing less than a pitcher. I need the bottle. Just put it here, I will help myself." <br />
<br />
He followed put and got everything. "Cool mask, although I am sure it's not a hit with the women. It would be better if you showed them what you have." "I am sure they aren't ready for that. Not yet, anyway." I nodded as he got back to serving customers. From now on, it was wait. Just wait. Until he came. I kept drinking the vodka and sip by sip, the ounces of fear changed into rage. My mind went back to the night when it all began. I replayed everything in my head and before I knew it, it was close to 12 am. Time does fly when you are something you love. Revenge. That's what I loved. Revenge was my wife, it slept with me every night. Revenge was my bitch, I slapped her around and revenge was my lover for I cried to it every day. <br />
<br />
"Rahim Khanna is here !" "Yes !" "Woohoo" and many other voices brought me back to the present as he waved and walked toward the bar. Nothing had changed. He still carried that air of deception and reserved ego around him. He had removed his moustache and gained a little weight but it was all the same. Nothing had changed. He still was a loser. Nothing had changed. He pushed his legs through the small bar door and began talking to the guests. I silently adjusted my hat and the mask and sipped the vodka at the end of the glass.<br />
<br />
"Hey bro, think you can get sir here ? I am a big fan. Have been following his career for long."<br />
<br />
"Sure. One minute." The bartender, seemingly happy called Rahim over. He looked at me curiously. For a minute, I thought he recognized me and was startled but I deduced it was not me. It was the mask. I looked up to him and shouted, in a changed voice, "Sir ! So glad to see you, Mr. Khanna. You are an inspiration and have been one all my life. You are awesome, sir. Just awesome." He smiled. My voice mimicry worked like a charm. It should, I thought. He had worked many of his charms on me, it was about time I returned the favor. <br />
<br />
"Ah. Thanks. I am glad I have touched your life. And you are .... ?"<br />
<br />
"Shank. I am a freelance writer. Work for a newspaper." Another lie. <br />
<br />
"Oh. Then I should be careful when I am around you I guess, Shank. You have a cool name ! Anyway, I should get..." he said, when I cut his voice. "Sir, please, can I have a few minutes ? I have worked long and hard to get here. A little time won't hurt."<br />
<br />
He laughed. "An honest man, eh ? Nice. I like that. Although I am a little alarmed. Why the mask ? It isn't a costume party and it's not the 31st of October." I bent my head a bit and said, "I have a facial deformity I don't really like showing. Makes me uncomfortable. One of the reasons why I chose the life of a writer. Working to make a difference, faceless." "I admire your courage. So, tell me, what can I do for you, Mr. Shank ?"<br />
<br />
"First, an autograph. I will treasure it forever." "Surely." He motioned to the bartender who brought him a tissue and a black Parker pen. Signing it "WITH LOVE, RAHIM" he gave it to me. I put it aside and adjusted my seat. I pulled my overcoat closer and started to talk.<br />
<br />
"There is one thing that troubles me a lot though. And don't worry, it's all off the record. Tell me, you still remember Shashank ? You still remember what happened to his family ?"<br />
<br />
His smile changed into a sudden shock and calm when he heard SHASHANK. He adjusted his glasses and began saying, calmly.<br />
<br />
"You have done your homework, I can see. What happened to him was unfortunate. I certainly miss him. I always wish he was with me, sharing our success together. He had heart. It was horrible."<br />
<br />
"Sir, sorry, but can you tell me what happened in detail that night ?"<br />
<br />
"Well, we both are from a village which is a town now. Warangal. Not far from here. We were kids when we first became friends. We both grew up together. If you know Shashank, then you know what we were meant to achieve and how much I respected his life and his ideals." Respect, my ass, I thought.<br />
<br />
"We both came out with our Bachelor degrees and had decided we would start our business. Finally. He had handed me all the money he had saved and asked me to get this on the road. He said he will meet later. His father was a farmer so, he had to go back home to meet his old and tired father. Shashank bid farewell. For the last time. A fire accident had broken their straw hut into pieces. Too unfortunate. His father used a lot of fertilizers and they must have been eaten by the fire, making it stronger. His father, his sister, his mother .... Everyone had died that night. I left town unable to bear the loss and came to Hyderabad. Shamelessly, I started everything with what I had got from him and the rest is all that you know."<br />
<br />
I lifted the pitcher towards me and started pouring Vodka into it. "You are lying, Rahim sir, aren't you ? Please tell me the truth."<br />
<br />
"Hey ! I talked and acknowledged our meeting but if this is how you want to behave ..."<br />
<br />
"Shut up. What happened that night, Rahim ? You set it on fire, didn't you ? With his own money you bought the petrol and enjoyed the lives go up in the air, didn't you ? Your master-plan had worked out perfectly, didn't it ?"<br />
<br />
Rahim now took a step back and gasped for breath. "What ... What are you ... How did you ... ?"<br />
<br />
"Yes Rahim, how could I ? If only you had stayed for the morning, you would have known that only two bodies were found in the fire. One had mysteriously vanished. Where did it go, Rahim ? What happened to it ? The vodka was now filling the glass, nearing it's half.<br />
<br />
"I don't know what you are talking about. Goodbye. SECUR... "<br />
<br />
"Rahim, wait, calm down. I will tell you how I know. Please. Sit down." I said as I removed the hat. Layer by layer, I unwrapped the band-aid as he watched in curiousity. I looked down the whole time and put both the whole cloth and the hat down on the bar-table. I looked up. He saw me. His eyes met mine. Amazement had gripped his entire face.<br />
<br />
"S H A S H A N K?" He said, silently.<br />
<br />
"Yes Rahim. And it's good to see you too, you undeserving, waste-of-life piece of shit, ungrateful fuck." The Vodka had filled the glass. It was overflowing.<br />
<br />
"You took everything I had, Rahim. You took everything. And tonight, I take you." I picked up the pitcher and splashed it on his face. Dripping from the head to the shoulder, he looked shocked and tried to look for words. "Shashank, I couldn't .... I had to .... I wanted to, but ....."<br />
<br />
"Yes yes. I am convinced, congratulations." I said as I took his autographed-tissue. I folded it back and wrote a line on the back. Folding it, I stuffed it into the hip-pocket of his blazer.<br />
<br />
"The pleasure's all mine, Rahim Khanna. It was nice meeting you. And now, you DIE." I growled. The bartender looked curiously, just like everyone else who didn't dare touch Rahim Khanna. I stuffed my hand into my overcoat pocket and took out a matchbox. I grabbed some matches, lighted them and threw it on his face.<br />
<br />
Fire shined as Rahim struggled with a little bit of life felt and walked blindly helter-skelter. Everyone started shouting as some started running out while some walked towards me. Pulling the hat and the band-aid, I stood up and walked briskly to the back-exit.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight:bold;">MILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN DIES MYSTERIOUSLY </span><br />
<br />
(Hyderabad) <span style="font-weight:bold;">May 3rd</span> : <span style="font-style:italic;">Bigwiz businessman and owner of Cuba Group of industries Rahim Khanna died suddenly of a freak-murder when his whole face was lit on fire by the criminal. Struggling for life, Rahim walked a little before he fell on his face. Futile attempts were made to restore him back, but in vain. His own pub-launch had been stopped as the struggling Rahim was rushed to near hospital where he was declared dead at 3:10 a.m. While the police is on the lookout for the murderer, a piece of paper which was Rahim's autograph was found in his pocket. Behind it, however, a line was written. Four words. <br />
<span style="font-style:italic;"><br />
"BURN FOR A BURN."<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />
<br />
Who did this ? What was the reason ? Only time will unravel the mystery. Rahim is survived by his wife and his only son.</span>.<br />
<br />
10 years was mine. My anger was mine. Revenge was mine. Rahim was mine.<br />
<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-76754226660063412672011-03-05T11:23:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:24:31.077-07:00The puzzle of Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lIp8dzayd-NmS7nWPebSsgJ3-SW8zboH4CXNSG-qNYVhv2dZhSpbYlJqZLUqdv_IBeJUytR21KM5zuHlzhcJG1niXOJwdD1cvlgCc7j7ISZuc2EhpGDJERqMWzd72z8NagnI7NUKVxY/s1600/life_puzzle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lIp8dzayd-NmS7nWPebSsgJ3-SW8zboH4CXNSG-qNYVhv2dZhSpbYlJqZLUqdv_IBeJUytR21KM5zuHlzhcJG1niXOJwdD1cvlgCc7j7ISZuc2EhpGDJERqMWzd72z8NagnI7NUKVxY/s320/life_puzzle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580679020739097554" /></a><br />
Silence. Everywhere. I just walked around, clearly not knowing what I would do when suddenly I saw a large wooden table. Oak-brown, the table was bigger than anything I had ever seen. I walked over to it and to my surprise, there was pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.<br />
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<br />
Now, this wasn't your regular Jigsaw puzzle piece. Each had it's own weight; each had it's own pressure. I decided I would make it complete, no matter what it took. Determined, arrogant that I was, I lifted each piece with all it's weight on my shoulder. Sometimes I laughed; sometimes I cried; Sometimes I was angry; Sometimes I stood plain confused while sometimes I jumped with joy. I didn't really understand why all this was happening or why all these came out of me but it was like some force inside pushed all this outside. My strongest instincts betrayed me as I laughed or cried for no reason. But there was no giving up. No failure. Sweat dripping, bones aching, I still picked up every piece with even the last ounce of strength left inside me. I put it together and whenever I felt it was wrong, whenever I missed, I removed and fixed it. Finally, after what seemed like a long long time, I completed it. I looked down to admire what was the result of my hard toil and labour. I was shocked. To my very soul.<br />
<br />
It was a picture of me standing happily looking down at the puzzle I had just completed. I was smiling in the picture. Every detail had been brought in with perfection. As I looked the picture, I couldn't help but wonder why this had presented itself. Now, of all the other moments in my life. And suddenly I realised. The piece was a part of my life; each brought out what I had gone through in life, the laughs, the cries, the elations, the depressions. This was meant to be. This puzzle had bought about a wake-up call.<br />
<br />
Just like I had created the fate of the Puzzle by putting it together, it was time to do the same to my life. It was time to put my life together. Still arrogant, still determined, I smiled and walked away.<br />
<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-89370696237987204852011-03-05T11:19:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:23:58.272-07:00Apocalypse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOBC6yesUayCGDYGZ15rJ-oa8LtFH-xzPJ7fC7moE8bbB7DTXg-SVKpDWyF5_a10qm2J5FrUX4TQqMieA_G2i940arr5-fTFrWWJKajyD02Q1nI1hP_PRyEEwHy7iiyYvdsBnfXJV2nI/s1600/burning-land.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOBC6yesUayCGDYGZ15rJ-oa8LtFH-xzPJ7fC7moE8bbB7DTXg-SVKpDWyF5_a10qm2J5FrUX4TQqMieA_G2i940arr5-fTFrWWJKajyD02Q1nI1hP_PRyEEwHy7iiyYvdsBnfXJV2nI/s320/burning-land.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580678552481229074" /></a><br />
Mother always told me that Hell was a horrible place to be in, made up of fire and brimstone; Fire and ashes everywhere; nothing but heat and blood flowing through the ground,<br />
Today is The Day of the Apocalypse, I am still alive and dead bodies, crying people, burning houses and chaos, that is what I see all around.<br />
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<br />
Half-dead from the inside, I watched as everyone around me kissed death in the mouth and paid with their own lives, their cries were still ringing in my ears; their faces were still moving in my eyes,<br />
I wiped my tears and rose, brushed off all the dust off my now bloody body and tried to run but couldn't, my hands and legs were numb, my body had become cold like a block of ice.<br />
<br />
Walking in search of help, I saw a young boy who was running around, sad, confused; he came running the instant saw me, I stopped him and asked, "What happened to you?",<br />
Amidst the cries, he fumbled and said, "I was playing with my brother; He asked me to hide and he said he would come seek me, now he has been burnt to bits, what should I do?"<br />
<br />
I grabbed him by the hand and proceeded ahead, in blind hope of finding some solace somewhere on this land, we soon saw cows - both dead and dying, some dead in slaughter,<br />
We stood, silent and amazed as they fell down to ground like flies; Death was in the air today; we saw the blood flow like water.<br />
<br />
Trees with no leaves left, flowers with no fragrance left, grass with no life left; this was what we turned the Earth into, we realised, as we saw thorns that grew up from under and stood like a sword,<br />
For being human, for playing with lives, for spoiling what we were never meant to spoil, for destroying everything we were given, THIS was our reward.<br />
<br />
We looked till we couldn't look anymore, we walked till we couldn't walk anymore, there was no more food; there was just fire and molten lava, there wasn't air anymore; it was just carcusses' stink,<br />
We finally decided to run until we found something and so we ran; ran until we came to a sudden halt, we had reached the end of land and what we saw made our hearts sink.<br />
<br />
We stood, bewildered out of our own goddamn minds as we saw what lay ahead of us; I knew that if there was The Devil then this was what he wanted, this was his innermost desire,<br />
Cities, buildings, cars, barking dogs, people - some crying, some running and some shouting; all lay below us being ENGULFED IN FIRE.<br />
<br />
Dead bodies, crying people, Bloodshot Red skies and fire, this was what I stood in the middle of - everything was being reduced to ash, all that lay was hot Brimstone; everything fell without a trace,<br />
I don't know if I will even survive this but, for now, the one thing I can tell you is; Apocalypse happened, Earth isn't Earth anymore; it has become Hell; and Mother was right - This is a HORRIBLE place.<br />
<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-34637098940660749302011-03-05T11:17:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:24:14.019-07:00Living by the Gun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiQLIf2epRKtZs8rquwemNE5q4L9vtKhuibUn38c7LRUvqDzTfHUHw_PIDeKDK_qy8sm_v_Wt3P9Fm2ySEr2hCno6a57f5Y15ye94KQmMldihIIhLdqVrwkeaL86rzNLdEI43oOgAm-U/s1600/gunpoint.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiQLIf2epRKtZs8rquwemNE5q4L9vtKhuibUn38c7LRUvqDzTfHUHw_PIDeKDK_qy8sm_v_Wt3P9Fm2ySEr2hCno6a57f5Y15ye94KQmMldihIIhLdqVrwkeaL86rzNLdEI43oOgAm-U/s320/gunpoint.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580677702972805970" /></a><br />
The revolver stared into my eyes as I sat, bent on my knees with tears in my eyes, looking for forgiveness in his eyes but in vain, for all I had done, Fate had seen fit,<br />
He calmly said, "Die" and with that it had all come down : The money, the power, the danger; Living by the Gun - this was the Grand Finale, this was it.<br />
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<br />
Can I ever forgive myself ? I thought as he gave me time to think, I decided I would go out brave; I would go out like a man and so I put up a brave face and knew there was nothing I could do,<br />
I thought of all the lives I had taken for the Devil in Green : Money, I cursed myself for all the human stories brought an End to.<br />
<br />
The Lady in Red - we called her that, was the first one I ever shot with my own hands, I could still hear her voice inside the head, she cried her heart out and begged us not to kill,<br />
But money; Oh, the dirty, green, filthy money had covered our hearts with greed, we laughed as we shot her one by one and watched her blood spill.<br />
<br />
We taunted her husband and smiled at his wife's dead body as he broke into tears, he said he would give everything he had but asked us to spare his daughter,<br />
We pulled the girl to our side and asked him to shut up, he ran but we had caught up soon : I had enjoyed watching his slow slaughter.<br />
<br />
I now closed my eyes as my mind went back to the daughter, the pretty little girl in the blue frock who, with sparkling eyes, crying asked me what was in my hand, <br />
I told her it was a gun, I told her I was going to kill her, she innocently thought for some time, held up her hand and cried, "Sir, please, after this, bury my little bear in the sand."<br />
<br />
Killing was never by choice; it was by desperation, this power was not a want; it was a necessity and a need, I had to do all that - I told myself; to receive something - I first had to give,<br />
But was I really right, I had never thought before, when something's lost, you find; when you win, you see others lose; when you kill, you get to live.<br />
<br />
I vaguely recall taking something from that family on the day, what was it I couldn't remember now; it was the thing that kept me alive through the years, it had livened my joy,<br />
My eyes searched frantically through the room and on the floor, I suddenly smiled, there it was on the table : The little Bear Toy.<br />
<br />
A small tear fell on the floor as I heard myself speaking to him, I said, "Will you grant me one last wish ? Will you do me one final favor ?", I said, sadly,<br />
"After this is over, after you make sure I am gone, will you b.. b.. bury that little Bear in the sand ?' I asked and pointed, he looked across and said, "Gladly."<br />
<br />
I wiped the sweat off my brow and decided I was to burn in Hell for all I had done, all the sins I had done, all the people I killed, all the lives I ruined and all the times I had to lie,<br />
He cocked the revolver in my ear and whispered, "It's time" as it all came thumping down : I spent my life Living By the Gun, tonight, by it, was time to Die.<br />
<br />
3:)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-39808358127821867182011-03-05T11:15:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:24:48.415-07:00I can Fly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL8sYuWqTa07ce4dJyf_bqnCGYp50zy_mld87ZBj8DKZvwLomi9z7z4TbqyL9RRM6MCr7UCTtBKVbB1CBX4RmU4o3OCriShmwdu1fpQ3v7ZmciSakdE2BNXCLCi2cZjD3iX-kLy1WjhA/s1600/epperson-greg-silhouette-of-man-jumping-on-top-of-rock.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL8sYuWqTa07ce4dJyf_bqnCGYp50zy_mld87ZBj8DKZvwLomi9z7z4TbqyL9RRM6MCr7UCTtBKVbB1CBX4RmU4o3OCriShmwdu1fpQ3v7ZmciSakdE2BNXCLCi2cZjD3iX-kLy1WjhA/s320/epperson-greg-silhouette-of-man-jumping-on-top-of-rock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580676926685353858" /></a><br />
Standing on the edge of a cliff, I steadied the wings on my hand and took a deep breath; This is what I wanted, I realised all along :this was what my life was all about.<br />
Fresh wind flowing in the air, the chill was settling down as the Sun was rising into the majestic skies, I wiped my eyes and shouted "I CAN FLY !", as I decided : no matter what, I would jump out.<br />
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<br />
I might die today but I knew I had never Lived until, I might lose everything but I felt that I already had what I wanted, if not for anyone, for me, I had to do this,<br />
I am done sitting in the box thinking something will happen soon, I am done dreaming and imagining, I am done seeing others make it; I am done thinking Ignorance is bliss.<br />
<br />
They always told me I was crazy; people, they always said I am no one but a fool, just a mental man with a mental dream, just another nobody,<br />
I decided they will be wrong, they might have broken others' will but not mine, they might have stopped a many but not me, I was going to make it, I was going to be somebody.<br />
<br />
You will always have others letting you down, others telling you you are wrong, at that moment, believe me, you can never be more right,<br />
When they tell you you are a failure, BELIEVE that you will be a success, when they tell you you are blind, BELIEVE that you are the one with the best sight.<br />
<br />
I am mad to think I am a bird, yes, but this is who I am, I am foolish to think I can do something no one can even do but this is what I want, this is my dream and this is why I live,<br />
If you think you can silence the world, I tell you go for it, if you imagine you can swim in the deepest waters, I tell you, just jump and try, all you have to do is believe.<br />
<br />
The wind began moving swiftly now, it was time; morning had arrived and so had a smile on my face, I could feel the song of the clouds calling out to me, I looked up high,<br />
I don't know what will happen or what will be the consequences, it didn't matter; I took a deep breath and steadied the wings on my hands, "I CAN FLY !" I shouted as I jumped, aiming for the sky.<br />
<br />
(Just an inspiration to all those people who still think they can't get what they want. You will, just BELIEVE.)<br />
<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-34233604589074312852011-03-05T11:06:00.000-08:002011-03-05T11:15:25.267-08:00Getting away with Murder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFcXTCU3NZRpkLgw4jeFzgp2p1YJ8O0WTWdbV5dSGXDFqu8unrRoDu0Jqqoj-pnuZ-wXwaN2rvc9vDOh-O_bqBSkdnFQwnKYPzk-A2pHDWXwIQv2FjLURAnxS_kN0a0XtNBqLA_Ko_w/s1600/Silhouette-compositions-Silhouette-of-man-running-pop-poster-print-14-painting-artwork-print.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFcXTCU3NZRpkLgw4jeFzgp2p1YJ8O0WTWdbV5dSGXDFqu8unrRoDu0Jqqoj-pnuZ-wXwaN2rvc9vDOh-O_bqBSkdnFQwnKYPzk-A2pHDWXwIQv2FjLURAnxS_kN0a0XtNBqLA_Ko_w/s320/Silhouette-compositions-Silhouette-of-man-running-pop-poster-print-14-painting-artwork-print.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580676578978264178" /></a><br />The clock ticked in silence as I looked in awe at what lay before me, it was all dark except for a candle in the distance, I decided it was time to run,<br />I was scared, I was horrified, I was excited, I was feeling Evil again, I stood in horror as I realised I had to get away with Murder tonight; this was going to be fun.<br /> <br />I tried to forget what happened, but no, soon it hit me - I tried to place it in my head, I realised he was begging, he wanted me to make it go away, he was on his knees, <br />He told me he was seeing things again and they were scary, he told me in the light of the Moon he saw them, humming silently amidst the calm trees.<br /> <br />He broke into tears as he told me he lost everything in life, he told me how horrible the voices were, how cruel their treatment was, how sick their burning faces,<br />He told me that he tried to flee, he tried to sleep through but he still couldn't escape, he tried to forget but he still remembered the times, the pleasures, the places.<br /> <br />Death : that was what he had brought about, killing : that was what he had done, he said he was very sorry but they wouldn't forgive, the voices killed him inside everyday,<br />Amidst the childish cries, he told me to make them go away, he wanted me to talk to them, he requested I try and find out a way.<br /> <br />Suddenly he broke into endless laughter and pushed me away, suddenly he began to rise slowly and said the voices said they needed me, he ordered me to lay down my life,<br />I stood confused as he told me he was going to kill me, he said he had seen enough and heard it all, he silently walked toward the table and picked up a shiny Butcher knife.<br /> <br />He threw it toward me and asked me to cut through my neck, I began to panic and said this was madness, I said this was insanity, I told him how stupid was bliss,<br />He said Death was beautiful, Death was silent and peaceful, he asked me to just lay down and wait for It's song, that moment of Bliss.<br /> <br />I stood up and tried to run when he smiled and asked me to see the door; it was locked, I told him to stop all this as he began saying my life he would live, my mistakes he would mend,<br />He brandished the knife against the wall as he came walking neatly counting the seconds, he said he would tell me a wonderful story about a tiger and a goat and said wonderful would be the End.<br /> <br />I tried controlling him as I said this was not the right thing to do but he wasn't listening, he said the tiger killed the goat and Death today was the Tiger, and I was the goat,<br />He laughed again as he rose the knife and aimed for my heart, I pulled the knife and swayed it through this neck, he fell dead as I realized; I had cut his throat.<br /> <br />I looked around; the lone candle had burnt out, the key was lying on the table but as I walked toward the door, I began to listen to his voice, it grew harder and harder,<br />Running out of the house, I sat in the car and punched the accelerator, I didn't know about the rest of my life but tonight I was getting away with Murder.<br /> <br />3:)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-62914594336297678692011-03-05T11:04:00.000-08:002011-03-28T07:25:03.756-07:00The Hunter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMiyt8ZfeB5YdZj8zDAlhAHHcfptnLtSlVtPVqzrMzZHIOr32QOZNtnek1iq5wg8CMe4P6qFNb2YvM_gTM0kPRLIuuSCEXeEQ6TxWHSy-R5QfaI_E0TTpQIjYESPW5-sziCSQqh0nDhQ/s1600/native-american-hunter-on-horseback-hunting-buffalo-with-bow-and-arrow-c-1844.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMiyt8ZfeB5YdZj8zDAlhAHHcfptnLtSlVtPVqzrMzZHIOr32QOZNtnek1iq5wg8CMe4P6qFNb2YvM_gTM0kPRLIuuSCEXeEQ6TxWHSy-R5QfaI_E0TTpQIjYESPW5-sziCSQqh0nDhQ/s320/native-american-hunter-on-horseback-hunting-buffalo-with-bow-and-arrow-c-1844.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580674257005561442" /></a><br />
I stood amidst the woods, the Sun hitting my face, the heat burning me down bit by bit, I was only trying to blend in and submerge, I had to become one with the jungle, I had to stay still,<br />
I was born for the woods, brought up for this game, tamed for the art of getting what I want, trained to be The Hunter and taught to live only to Kill.<br />
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<br />
Crawling down to my knees I let every thing around me die as I decided to become Earth itself, I left everything to my keen eyes and my sharp ears,<br />
In the woods of the world, if you aren't as wild as the beasts themselves, they will smell you and find you, they will eat you raw and feast on your fears.<br />
<br />
The leaves swayed amidst the wind, the wild grass moved hitting the air back and rabbits ran around trying to find food, but nothing mattered, nothing bothered me,<br />
Suddenly I picked up a sound, suddenly I felt the legs move, suddenly I sensed it's movement and I pulled myself up to see.<br />
<br />
A handsome deer had walked down, probably to taste the grass and go back, probably smell the lush green grass, probably trying to keep himself alive,<br />
All his life he had escaped so he could breathe, all his time he had run to sleep peacefully, all through his battles he had tried to survive.<br />
<br />
I became numb inside, I sat as silent as Death as I felt his mind working with my mind, his heart beat with my heart, his life blending into mine,<br />
I slowly bent back and took my bow over from my shoulder and fixed my eyes upon the neck, I pulled an arrow out and aimed for his spine.<br />
<br />
Dragging the bowstring back careful not to make any noise, I let go of the arrow as it went swooshing in the air and in to his spine, he cried as his blood dripped down and shone in the Sun,<br />
He saw me : I saw him and he began to limp, began to try to escape but I knew he wasn't going to make it this time, he was mine; behind him, I began to run.<br />
<br />
3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-87914566370412398382011-03-05T11:01:00.000-08:002011-03-05T11:04:00.646-08:00Blood Lust (Not for the weak-hearted)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaKLOrevRzdKwd_cTrSwY_YODZbKGo6sHRZhuW2rEu2iQ83NkqN2Ziup0SVuYlxc6aDF7xb14EWn7AtzlC4qVYOHEd8k_PeiJ895xg9BbWMBJ4NthEXafgfdaxtukBhrSX6Du9xA7KUM/s1600/christian-bale-pulls-an-american-psycho.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaKLOrevRzdKwd_cTrSwY_YODZbKGo6sHRZhuW2rEu2iQ83NkqN2Ziup0SVuYlxc6aDF7xb14EWn7AtzlC4qVYOHEd8k_PeiJ895xg9BbWMBJ4NthEXafgfdaxtukBhrSX6Du9xA7KUM/s320/christian-bale-pulls-an-american-psycho.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580673643261729474" /></a><br />I looked intently at my knife shining in the evening light, it's glare piercing my eyes, I waved it around, cutting it through the silent dust,<br />I couldn't wait for it's cleanse, I couldn't wait for the deep red to flow, couldn't wait for the majestic glow, the wonderful feeling : They call it Blood Lust.<br /> <br />She slept across the room like a baby, her soft lips laying still and beautiful strands of hair falling on her face - Oh ! How I loved the sight,<br />I gently walked towards her and shook her awake, she opened her eyes to realize she was tied up - she started screaming in fright.<br /> <br />Her sweet screams were music to my ears as I said, "Honey, don't stop the shouts - keep shouting, because these are the sounds I will remember you by",<br />I felt elated when I heard her groan, I felt powerful and blessed, as I sat next to her I touched her with my gloved hand as she began to cry.<br /> <br />I ran the knife over her mouth and cut the cloth open as she began to scream "You freak!", oh how soothing her touch was and how comforting her tears, she was cold with fear,<br />I sang her a lullaby, told her she was sleeping once again, that the night had already come, it was time to say goodbye and her sleep-time was near.<br /> <br />I untied her hands and legs, she kicked me in the chest and tried to stand up, competition - she knew I loved it, she knew how much I craved for a chase,<br />She began throwing things and started running toward the door - I caught up with her and told this horror was only for sometime, only a small phase.<br /> <br />I explained to her as I caught her in my arms that this was just a nightmare and she would soon feel better, all that this world was was just an illusion, just a dream,<br />I dragged her across the room and put her on bed careful to tie her before she started playing again, I warned her not to talk to strangers - no matter how nice they seem.<br /> <br />I pulled the knife out and I showed it to her, it was time to end her nightmare, free her from her worries, relieving her of the pain was for me a must,<br />I lifted the knife and slit her throat open as her screams stopped and the tears ended, a lava sput out of her body and hit my face : Blood Lust.<br /> <br />3:)<br /> <br /> (Happy Halloween)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-12954852995459996352011-03-05T10:57:00.000-08:002011-03-05T11:01:28.322-08:00I walk free - Bhagat Singh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2LiST-0vxYejjsVFQGS_cN-Aorc-UIwpCPwOLgfR1ESc0TgNN41HmK5cl64EkRdOt2hkTrA11sWfpMtdpIM5nvUkQyB35ABRDj3ez0wxr8_EvcH9ioSrqPytN2S7w4XpLjY9WsNTLZQ/s1600/Bhagat_Singh_300.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2LiST-0vxYejjsVFQGS_cN-Aorc-UIwpCPwOLgfR1ESc0TgNN41HmK5cl64EkRdOt2hkTrA11sWfpMtdpIM5nvUkQyB35ABRDj3ez0wxr8_EvcH9ioSrqPytN2S7w4XpLjY9WsNTLZQ/s320/Bhagat_Singh_300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580672987767015362" /></a><br />I woke up this morning and saw the Sun rise, saw it until it hit the Earth with it's ferocious rays, saw it until my eyes burnt, saw it until it looked back and smiled at me,<br />I smelt the crisp morning air from the small window, this was my last morning and my last day, this was the last time I would walk free.<br /> <br />I remembered all those people who told me my life is a disgrace, who told me I was dying too young and who told me to give up this struggle , lose this fight,<br />How could I see someone rule me in my heart and on my land, how could I see a child being beaten up with his mother watching, how could I sleep every night.<br /> <br />They came for our spices, to taste our food and beg for our riches, they crawled into our country like little rats to eat the leftovers, they now took over my land,<br />I couldn't bear to see this happen and so I shouted out, I decided I would fight - even if it meant alone, even if it meant rotting in the sand.<br /> <br />This freedom we crave for, these cries we cry and the torture we bear, the pain we take in, I believe in living them, I believe that there will come a bright new day,<br />Within every bruise on my body there is liberty, within every death there is revolution, I am now certain that the future is certain and clear is the way.<br /> <br />Our women being treated like slaves, our men like dogs, our houses destroyed and our farms burnt, my soul burns up with sheer fury,my blood boils at the very thought,<br />I have seen enough white men smile in glee, I have heard enough of the Queen's Anthem, we will be free even if it means war, enough appeals I have heard and enough non-violence I have sought.<br /> <br />I know that my time has come now, but there will be others, this Inquilab won't end here - it will only get bigger, this train of thought has begun and soon it will get loud,<br />Every brave mother will send her son to war, every child will play on a free land, every farmer will cut his own crop and today, Comrades, this feeling is just making me proud.<br /> <br />The Sun is about to set and the evening air is still as crisp, I can smell the tasty food at home, "Bhagat" I can hear mother calling out - from afar her smiling face I can see,<br />I walk down as I see everything now - this was what my life was about, this was my destiny and even as I walk to my death, I walk on my land, I walk free.<br /> <br />3:D*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-53154850920166628902011-03-05T10:54:00.000-08:002011-03-05T20:14:23.382-08:00Too young to Die<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrERoIMpy5mEJ2W9qJKMNPNIvY7OOlf5igT4afO9GvlDXn9Pm4N3qjFpPJjWuC3WSDFuhMHlGHkCMjhTb0R1KdSkSDwdPm4V6Q8R2XdtZAMaegy9aao_RdvUF-xbmfSUQqNsb5I954Y7k/s1600/brogden_road_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrERoIMpy5mEJ2W9qJKMNPNIvY7OOlf5igT4afO9GvlDXn9Pm4N3qjFpPJjWuC3WSDFuhMHlGHkCMjhTb0R1KdSkSDwdPm4V6Q8R2XdtZAMaegy9aao_RdvUF-xbmfSUQqNsb5I954Y7k/s320/brogden_road_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580671959025254402" /></a><br />The tall fortresses, the clear blue waters, the majestic animals, the huge mountains, the sweet smell of rain and the big wide sky,<br />They all called out to me as I put on my hat and decided to travel the world - I was too young to die.<br /> <br />I saw the beautiful Himalayas where the sages spent lives in prayer, I saw the snow-capped hills and the deer, I saw the wondrous Ganga river - the river of life,<br />I met the great king of my country Bharat, I roamed in his Royal Gardens and heard his jester's jokes, I had the pleasure of talking to his wife.<br /> <br />I travelled with the Great Chinese Monks as they told me all about peace and the outer world, I fought with them as they taught me Kung Fu - a form of fighting and a wonderful art,<br />I survived the dragons I had heard so much about, I jumped the walls along with the other kids of Mongolia, I ran into a stranger who offered me a sweet tart.<br /> <br />I walked through the cold lonely roads of Russia and escaped the Russian Mafia, I felt the furry clothes they claimed to have discovered and sat with the rebels, chatting in the shade,<br />I swam through the icy rivers to see Russian markets in sale, I sneaked in to houses and learnt how Vodka was made.<br /> <br />I sat and prayed in the cathedrals of Vatican City, I met the beautiful women of Italy and learned their language, I feasted on the lovely Italian food,<br />I learnt how to row a boat and how to paint, I couldn't believe how they built lovely chairs out of simple wood.<br /> <br />I drank and rejoiced with the Scottish Bagpipes, I wore their skirts and tried to dance to their music, I rested in the fresh forests and watched the Sun rise,<br />I laughed as they spoke funny words I never understood, I argued with people about the Earth being round and found out how some acted to be wise.<br /> <br />I travelled all along the England and saw people in hats and coats, I saw the big walls with strong men's pictures pasted asking me to join the lumberjacks, I decided to try,<br />I travelled in carriages run by horses and talked to Sherlock Holmes, I learned that they had small sticks that would burn up in an instant, I realised they could now make metal birds that could fly.<br /> <br />I worked on a boat that sailed into America, I came onto the coast to find people wearing feather hats and how men rode on horses in the deserts, trying to remember their own names,<br />I met the Yankee Doodle who asked me to join the army, I wore a cowboy's hat and learnt to tie a Lasso, I tried to use a gun and joined the Sheriff in stopping the locals' war games.<br /> <br />I sweated my way to Mexico to see Spanish men calling me lovingly, I ran through Mexican streets trying to escape the hot sun, I ate their Nachos, met some Mariachis and sang with them a song,<br />I kept my heart in my mouth as I saw people dying trying to kill and run, I begged people to leave me as I saw them smoke leaves they called cigars - fat and long.<br /> <br />I rowed to Africa and saw nothing but jungles until I met people who were stark naked, I stood without any clothes in the blazing heat and hunted for food, swam to catch fish,<br />I ran for my life from the Man-eating men in the deep forests, I shared my sorrows with a ghost who asked me my wish.<br /> <br />I then rode on a camel to Arabia where I saw black water come out from sand, I met Sheiks who told me about the Quran, I stared in wonder as I saw the Magicians remove from the small bottle a big black snake,<br />I was called into meet rich merchants who offered me food to work, I saw women wearing black, I drank their tasty wine without even taking a break.<br /> <br />I had seen everything, the mountains, the rivers, the women, the tall trees of Russia and the great warriors of Rome,<br />I now came back to the land of cultures, the land of spices, the land of unity - the land they call Bharat, I now came back home.*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-59557778450322574632011-03-05T10:50:00.000-08:002011-03-05T10:54:24.717-08:00IRON MAN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2KEzapEwDj_djRA-zC2RgC8DqIWwmhSwHfsGZgoYzbUHp0A9NI03mlj_aTO6dnVW65YVY3DA3VxdLiAQZbnDKfIPf7N5xKMnNDEmeLZnMP5G4gwlqI4o3drInrJR-WO7gDsOTb8vRVo/s1600/InvincibleIronMan01_QuesadaCover.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2KEzapEwDj_djRA-zC2RgC8DqIWwmhSwHfsGZgoYzbUHp0A9NI03mlj_aTO6dnVW65YVY3DA3VxdLiAQZbnDKfIPf7N5xKMnNDEmeLZnMP5G4gwlqI4o3drInrJR-WO7gDsOTb8vRVo/s320/InvincibleIronMan01_QuesadaCover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580671168200476482" /></a><br />Staring into the sky, he saw the star studded sky and smiled, he loved being up there, he loved flying like an eagle, now was just another night,<br />IRON MAN - he lived for the name, the respect he got, he lived for the moment, he lived in the darkness of captivity for Freedom's bright light.<br /> <br />He believed that Domination was never the right way, killing was never human,he knew that War was never correct - until fought for peace, he knew the worst thing was fighting for your life,<br />Deep down, every man was afraid, deep down everyone had fear, he lived in that fear - fear that a good man would die in vain, fear that a kind word would be slaughtered by Evil's knife.<br /> <br />Everyone told him he wouldn't live to fight another day, everyone told him he would just be another nobody in life, everyone were wrong - he proved them wrong,<br />His heart had been taken out, his courage grabbed from him and yet he fought every minute inside to rise, to be better, he walked down the road to peace, sometimes alone and remained strong.<br /> <br />He knew that one day he would die - he knew he would burn, he didn't care much, he would be a dead soul one day and all his life would just be thrown into a sack,<br />But he never believed in living for himself, he knew that all that mattered was things we leave behind, it never mattered what we took - The world will only remember what we give back.<br /> <br />Looking down from the sky, he saw the lovely city - at rest under the stars when he suddenly saw a fire, he immediately made up a plan,<br />He lifted up slowly in the armour and as he got ready to fly, he put on his mask he smiled, this was his journey, his legacy - he was IRON MAN.<br /> <br />(To Srikar Kandalam - my brother, the best man I have ever known.)<br /> <br />3:)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-90007938602165327272011-03-05T10:44:00.000-08:002011-03-05T10:50:05.118-08:00James Bond - Try Dying Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzvSTjnVFfFH3V8h5BL5F3fOHNDfsQUtIb4ZAiVF1ncqFrjQjN2AUp-E0lFK-L-E4TRbrTsJ-GLInT-Ze1ezWzN0yIi0LxXbAJ90d8oorp2G50Go8LCCc8nSjDHblafLM1uV605BYXG8/s1600/silhouette.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzvSTjnVFfFH3V8h5BL5F3fOHNDfsQUtIb4ZAiVF1ncqFrjQjN2AUp-E0lFK-L-E4TRbrTsJ-GLInT-Ze1ezWzN0yIi0LxXbAJ90d8oorp2G50Go8LCCc8nSjDHblafLM1uV605BYXG8/s320/silhouette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580670051248698514" /></a><br />Walking silently, I crawled up behind, lifted my gun to aim on the head - point Blank, that was where you get no sound when shot but maximum pain,<br />My name is Bond. . .James Bond, this is what I do - kill to live, kill to safeguard, James is already dead, Bond tries dying, again and again.<br /> <br />Slaughtering, catching, escaping, burning, destroying, re-building is nothing new, breaking codes and murder is no different, this night is just another task,<br />I am used to this now, my mind doesn't feel anymore - it calculates, my mind doesn't move anywhere - it travels, I don't cry anymore - I just work under a mask.<br /> <br />I walked across the dimly lit corridor and made sure I never made any sound for people committing crime heard the slightest of sounds, sensed the lightest of movements, bad men were like wolves - keen,<br />But tonight I was the one with a plan, I was the one doing what I do best, never did I fail, never did I break out, neither was I heard nor was I seen.<br /> <br />I stood by the door and listened to the voices inside - 10, maybe 15 people, all with guns probably, two of them women, women so beautiful I could smell their sweet sense standing here,<br />Bad things were about to happen later in the night, this was just the beginning, I now heard clicks from inside - clicks of guns loading, I knew failure was no option - I loved seeing them fall, I feasted on their fear.<br /> <br />I slowly turned the door knob and pushed the door inside careful to stand out and I saw bullets fly through the door, I watched them as they flew past me, I waited and saw them run,<br />Until the sound stopped, until the bullets took a hike, until I heard empty triggers, now they were empty and I was the one with a gun.<br /> <br />I entered the room and ran amidst confused and angry faces - killing them in cold blood, shooting them in the crisp night, ending them like infected cattle and trying to live, trying to make it out,<br />There were two women indeed and they were beautiful before they got a hole in the head, it was for them I came out tonight, their death was what this all about.<br /> <br />Bright lights, neat chairs, broken glass, piles of money and drugs, all their bullets spent - what a waste, all their lives now useless, all their efforts to cheat Death now in vain,<br />Bodies down - 10 to 15 people (2 women) shot in the head at POINT BLANK, I put my gun down, adjusted my suit and realised, this night was just like the rest - Bond tried dying. Again.<br /> <br /> <br />3:)<br /> <br />(James Bond - The name says it all.)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-79840521806441819482011-03-05T10:41:00.000-08:002011-03-05T10:44:41.442-08:00The Gambler<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCgno4q5IOa4CDV33FWMopiWvbvHl0w4KQr4T5DMutSeSErvymMU9FlZq6UbhFhTenrZWpczW2qtq2YlnNowuLAw_MZ58BoJrDXa9ak4-wDe5zqRIMkbydQG8yfBwgrSEbVcPpBnWbm8/s1600/78.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCgno4q5IOa4CDV33FWMopiWvbvHl0w4KQr4T5DMutSeSErvymMU9FlZq6UbhFhTenrZWpczW2qtq2YlnNowuLAw_MZ58BoJrDXa9ak4-wDe5zqRIMkbydQG8yfBwgrSEbVcPpBnWbm8/s320/78.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580668660511244306" /></a><br />Sweat dripping from my forehead, I didn't care, I was scared to death, I didn't care, all I wanted to do was walk out tonight with a victory and spit in his face,<br />I wanted to beat The Gambler, beat him at his own game, and tonight, as I sat down I knew I was I would beat The Devil, in his game, at his pace.<br /> <br />He was the best at this game they called Teen Patti (3 Cards), and tonight I knew I was lucky, I felt lucky, all I wanted was a win,<br />Winning is everything, everytime, and for some of us, winning is what Life is all about and I never cared how I did it, hard work, betrayal, or even pure sin.<br /> <br />I didn't even look at him as he entered, I wanted his money, that's all, but as he came I couldn't help, I had heard so much, heard much about him and his legend,<br />I saw it in his eyes as he walked through the room, he had a snake's eyes, tonight, I said to myself, tonight his reign would end.<br /> <br />He came and sat down, I looked at him with pure vengeance, all his money was mine, he looked at me and smiled, I gave him a cold stare,<br />He continued smiling, he thought he owned me with his wins, this game would change his life, after this he would be out with hands bare.<br /> <br />They dealt the cards, I was going to play even without looking at my cards, this was my speciality - I would play blind,<br />He glanced at me - he looked afraid, that was what I wanted, I wanted to make him die in fear inside, I wanted to ruin his mind.<br /> <br />I put all my money in, I couldn't wait to get a whiff of sheer pleasure, I couldn't wait for that smell of success, I had put everything I had on the line,<br />He counted his money - dejected while doing it and he coughed slightly, he put all his money in and silently ordered some wine.<br /> <br />I looked at my cards and flung them confidently on the table - three Kings, but as I looked at him, I knew he cheated and I knew it was a bluff, in horror I realised his sadness was his Poker face,<br />Sweat dripping from my forehead, I saw him - I looked him in the eyes, he gently smiled and put his cards on the table, all of them ace.<br /> <br />(A poem written to express my love to the wonderful game of Teen Patti, played in the Indian Underground)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-70457989031343068942011-03-05T10:40:00.000-08:002011-03-05T10:41:35.386-08:00S A W<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAzpJRLTB7FDeAApNMfvVM-9_l5F_7XS7S8y6Re6y55CFLjnxK7njNLe9_s0b2ZBf-ou8goi_39MRPf7Y4yiUxQP9BD_WtHpNwbXFBrjI_mjczUHNRqqfjG5vbXs7pdrvVZrISimvIsg/s1600/saw-v-movie-poster1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAzpJRLTB7FDeAApNMfvVM-9_l5F_7XS7S8y6Re6y55CFLjnxK7njNLe9_s0b2ZBf-ou8goi_39MRPf7Y4yiUxQP9BD_WtHpNwbXFBrjI_mjczUHNRqqfjG5vbXs7pdrvVZrISimvIsg/s320/saw-v-movie-poster1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580667866772113410" /></a><br />Waking up, I looked around and saw nothing but abyss, I heard nothing but silence, I tried to shout but no voice came out, I tried to cry but I couldn't feel the tear in my eye,<br /> I tried to look around but to my horror, I saw bloodthirsty fire screaming below, I realised I wasn't standing, I was hung above, high.<br /> <br />I didn't even know if I would survive this nightmare, I didn't even know if I would be alive again, tonight I had to get out or the Devils would eat me raw,<br />And all because of the mazes he created, all because of the "challenges" he made, all because of one man and his legend - Jigsaw.<br /> <br />As I struggled to draw breath and pull myself up, I heard the voice - the cold, sickening voice, he told me he wanted to play a GAME,<br />I wasn't worthy of the life I got, he said, I was going to be enlightened, he said, tonight I had to prove my worth and clear my name.<br /> <br />I was soon going to be put down in the freakshow I was told, I had to find out how to stay alive or I would be burnt like dead grain,<br />I was supposed to be human again after this game, he promised, I was supposed to brave this bloodbath and learn from the pain.<br /> <br />I was in his field tonight, playing by his rules, living his moments, all my life I had seen the others be in his tests - tonight I had become one,<br />Hell was upon me and there was nothing I could do, I was going to be slaughtered part by part alive, I couldn't even run.<br /> <br />The room shone with brightness as the chains from my hands began to let go, I saw the flames smiling below and realised I had to walk out in one piece, I had to survive,<br />I fell down to the cold floor, I tried to feel myself again, tried to touch my feet and deep down my pounding heart, I tried to stay alive.<br /> <br />I saw that there was a door at the end but it wouldn't be easy, I had to burn myself to resurrect again and even though I wouldn't live, I realised I had to try,<br />Standing up, I saw nothing but fire around, heard nothing but it's cruel laugh and I knew - Tonight I would win this game, tonight I wasn't going to die.<br /> <br />3:)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-64102190611321495622011-03-05T10:37:00.000-08:002011-03-05T10:40:17.287-08:00The Exorcist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2dEkCXGurF_V4hVURDObOR3ZQ5cpDijDtI-AQ-ZC_p8_w1Vv94TNK0MqklDxKSLgSIag8bhtyAHZyNHgdx9VzAOSOe0AfUJESNdkLWb0v5DPk6bE3UPuBiKGFV2J6zFMmN8vsT1DAc8/s1600/17039_400x600.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2dEkCXGurF_V4hVURDObOR3ZQ5cpDijDtI-AQ-ZC_p8_w1Vv94TNK0MqklDxKSLgSIag8bhtyAHZyNHgdx9VzAOSOe0AfUJESNdkLWb0v5DPk6bE3UPuBiKGFV2J6zFMmN8vsT1DAc8/s320/17039_400x600.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580667533233303666" /></a><br />Sitting down, enjoying the calm silence in the dark, listening to the Devil's voice is what I long,<br />I am The Exorcist and devils, foul spirits, all of you horrible ghosts, hell is where you belong.<br /> <br />The cool wind blows through my body, what blows through you, you sick prick ? Torture, pain, useless desire,<br />You pathetic pest - leave the girl alone, I know the humans you fear, our water you run from, leave her alone or you will burn in holy fire.<br /> <br />Scream all you want, laugh all you want, you don't scare me and your tactics won't work, I have played this game before,<br />I know your weaknesses, I know your fears, I know how to make you feel pain, I have perfected myself, I even know how to quieten your disgusting roar.<br /> <br />What do you know about us ? The happiness we have, the pain we go through, the victory we share, the love we share,<br />We feel guilt, we regret our mistakes, yet everyday we try to be somebody, every moment in Death's face we bravely stare.<br /> <br />Leave the girl alone Spirit, I am warning you, leave her and this world alone, leave us and go back to your fate,<br />Get out now - run if you have to, before people learn your ways, before we squeeze you with our hands, use you as bait.<br /> <br />For me there is no night, for me there is no day, I don't feel things anymore, your cries are my life, you are the reason I stay awake,<br />I fought greater evils, I have made them cry, I have faced stronger ghosts, every time I have put my life at stake.<br /> <br />Now, sitting in this dark amongst the silence, I order you "friend" to walk away, to go in fright, to flee,<br />I, the Exorcist, have been to Hell and back, have tasted your blood and if you don't go now, your pain I will make sure of, your ashes I will see.<br /> <br />3:)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577159363382321469.post-28070146620087975142011-03-05T10:35:00.000-08:002011-03-05T10:37:50.661-08:00My Train to Hell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks4qBKovN96nRYyHmxb7TzhEIR95F8jpj8UCITRCXBdJ6F2J9UMRm8InclpNJ8VLraLV6BNW7AT5JMozHG2fN-q6muHZCGSrD4QQIs-mOzxDTWtDoNxH-aSsUzW2CHEXR-E8kNCIGVms/s1600/hell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks4qBKovN96nRYyHmxb7TzhEIR95F8jpj8UCITRCXBdJ6F2J9UMRm8InclpNJ8VLraLV6BNW7AT5JMozHG2fN-q6muHZCGSrD4QQIs-mOzxDTWtDoNxH-aSsUzW2CHEXR-E8kNCIGVms/s320/hell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580666856915611186" /></a><br />I sat at the stop amidst other people like me, sinners, looking at the blood on the tracks, waiting for my Train to Hell,<br /> <br />It finally came, 666 written on the top, spitting out black smoke, it finally came with The Devil hanging beside - smiling, and we thought, "Oh well".<br /> <br />I got in, found myself a seat next to a hot girl, put on some AC/DC, and prepared myself for the best ride,<br /> <br />This place really smelled like shit, I didn't care, we were all going to burn and I still didn't care, for I was finally meeting Hitler and would finally be sitting by his side.<br /> <br />I had slaughtered all my life to survive, me and my Machete, I had killed people just to watch them dying,<br /> <br />And today I was here on this Express, listening to people talking about their regrets and seeing some of them crying.<br /> <br />I looked outside and I was amazed - we were on a bridge, Hell's residents watching us from their cages on one side, mountains of bones on the other,<br /> <br />Once you are here, there is no turning back, once you are here, there is no happiness, there is no friend, there is no brother.<br /> <br />This journey was one I felt nice about, this journey gave me a front row seat to torture - skulls being crushed, strange smells in the air, throats being slit,<br /> <br />The sky was fire itself, burning above and below us, there were people being thrown into Lava, there were bodies being lit.<br /> <br />The Demons looked just like we had read about them - sick, huge, bones in the neck, filled with hate,<br /> <br />They were laughing at us, shouting, cursing and spitting at us, they were laughing, they just couldn't wait.<br /> <br />The train stopped and we all got down, just when we stepped on the floor it opened wide and we fell,<br /> <br />We looked around us and we were there, we realised, we stood up to find The Devil smiling and saying, "Hope you enjoyed the train. Welcome to Hell."<br /> <br />3:)*The Starbearer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/06313286469913119756noreply@blogger.com0