The sweet face of Rosa engulfed Shiva’s mind.He was eleven when he first met her.She had perhaps lost her way, or even home ;how she reached this place he didn’t know. She was just nine then. She had,most probably, lost her voice. Shiva took her to the nearby destitute home. Nobody knew who she was and was named Rosa. Shiva became a good friend of her and they went to the same school. Years rolled by but Rosa could never speak again. Yet,there was a mute eloquence in her eyes, which only Shiva could comprehend.She had a sort of charm that enticed young Shiva like never before. He spoke to her without words. Often they stood together still, in silence. School was over and Shiva’s family had no plans to enroll him in a college. But he pleaded with his parents and they gave in. Thus began a new life for him, he would go to college in the mornings and work in evenings at a nearby stationery shop. Rosa, in the meanwhile, had blossomed into an industrious young lady. She passed her intermediate with flying colours and pursued her graduation. She earned some money by tailoring too.
Shiva, also called Happy, often talked to her about his aspirations and dreams. She consented and Happy was really happy that day. He was nearly 20 now, a year to go and then they would be one. The in-charge of the destitute home was too happy to hear it. But he suggested that Shiva must search greener pastures if he wanted to live comfortably. Shiva gave it a thought and moved to Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh. There he started a small garage and fortunately it clicked. Almost a year passed and he felt that he had, indeed, become an eligible bachelor.
He visited his parents in his hometown once in every two months during that gruelling year, but just had glimpses of Rosa. That fateful day, he walked into the destitute home and was waiting to see Rosa. Just as he saw her coming, a group of vandalists entered the place. Rosa immediately went upstairs and locked herself. The hooligans held Shiva,dragged him out of the building and cried, ”You want to marry her; she! God knows who her wretched parents are. You’ll go to hell!” Another quipped, ”Why do you rough him up? Its all due to that bloody woman. Come on, kill her.” Shiva’s blood boiled now, he hit someone very hard. The mob lost its temper and badly manhandled him. A gruff voice cried ferociously, ”You dumb woman ! Come down.” Rosa came to the window, opened it and gave her Happy a last look, eyes full of tears. The two little lamps said, ” Goodbye, Shiva. Its better to die with honour than live a life of suffering and pain.” And she shut the windows. He rushed but was stopped by the pack of wolves. In front of his very own eyes, he saw his life on fire. The destitute home was burnt down and in it, Rosa too. A loud wail followed, amidst the flames. All came to an end for Shiva. He could never be happy now. The mob hooted at this performance and then broke down on him. Shiva thought at first, why should I live now? Next moment he remembered Rosa’s last words. He must die with dignity. He defended himself and perhaps, the mob was too tired by now. So they let him off, injuring him grieviously. He jumped a high wall and was here. He was jilted by the events of the day. He was determined to avenge the death of his beloved. What should he do? Loot the mob? Kill? Plunder? Then what would be the difference between him and those wretches? Rosa would be so angry with him. Tears welled up. He wailed again, ”Rosa….” At the darkest hour of the night, Shiva felt something in his pocket. He took it out- a chain!!! The silver chain with a lovely locket- he on one side of it and Rosa on the other. He wept again. Thinking of something, he slipped into the darkness of night.
He had visited a friend’s home that night. Gifted her a vague sense of security. Only he didn’t know it.
Shiva, also called Happy, often talked to her about his aspirations and dreams. She consented and Happy was really happy that day. He was nearly 20 now, a year to go and then they would be one. The in-charge of the destitute home was too happy to hear it. But he suggested that Shiva must search greener pastures if he wanted to live comfortably. Shiva gave it a thought and moved to Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh. There he started a small garage and fortunately it clicked. Almost a year passed and he felt that he had, indeed, become an eligible bachelor.
He visited his parents in his hometown once in every two months during that gruelling year, but just had glimpses of Rosa. That fateful day, he walked into the destitute home and was waiting to see Rosa. Just as he saw her coming, a group of vandalists entered the place. Rosa immediately went upstairs and locked herself. The hooligans held Shiva,dragged him out of the building and cried, ”You want to marry her; she! God knows who her wretched parents are. You’ll go to hell!” Another quipped, ”Why do you rough him up? Its all due to that bloody woman. Come on, kill her.” Shiva’s blood boiled now, he hit someone very hard. The mob lost its temper and badly manhandled him. A gruff voice cried ferociously, ”You dumb woman ! Come down.” Rosa came to the window, opened it and gave her Happy a last look, eyes full of tears. The two little lamps said, ” Goodbye, Shiva. Its better to die with honour than live a life of suffering and pain.” And she shut the windows. He rushed but was stopped by the pack of wolves. In front of his very own eyes, he saw his life on fire. The destitute home was burnt down and in it, Rosa too. A loud wail followed, amidst the flames. All came to an end for Shiva. He could never be happy now. The mob hooted at this performance and then broke down on him. Shiva thought at first, why should I live now? Next moment he remembered Rosa’s last words. He must die with dignity. He defended himself and perhaps, the mob was too tired by now. So they let him off, injuring him grieviously. He jumped a high wall and was here. He was jilted by the events of the day. He was determined to avenge the death of his beloved. What should he do? Loot the mob? Kill? Plunder? Then what would be the difference between him and those wretches? Rosa would be so angry with him. Tears welled up. He wailed again, ”Rosa….” At the darkest hour of the night, Shiva felt something in his pocket. He took it out- a chain!!! The silver chain with a lovely locket- he on one side of it and Rosa on the other. He wept again. Thinking of something, he slipped into the darkness of night.
He had visited a friend’s home that night. Gifted her a vague sense of security. Only he didn’t know it.
Comments
Gal,trust me you are amazing...I was so lost in Shiva's story that I almost forgot that where was I...
Ah!you are SOME author...All I can do and say is I bow down to you in respect and appreciation...You rock!!
I am so proud to knw someone like you.
Best Wishes
Harshita
i'll swoon now..wat a praise..i just cant tell u wat i feel..luv u 4 ur beautiful comment.i'm xtremely blessed happy 2 hav such a nice reader.
now i know its not a short story but continuation!
Its going good then...
waiting for the next part!
too goood..you're really good at weaving a beautiful chain of words!
sorry gal,many a flowers r born 2 blush unseen..not all love stories end happily.hope u'll find the next part somewat better..
a biggg thank u!!i hope u get d answers of all ur questions in the last post..thanx agen.
well,this is the 1st long story i'm writing.so,i'm xtremely flattered by ur n harshita's words.thank u ..thanx a lot..
totally captivated my imagination...i had pictures runnin in my mind...
this piece calls for an applause
But i felt like scolding you.. why can't you give them a happy ending..
:(
i am having goosebumps..
trust me i Don't heve them easily..
take care and rock on
thanx 4 d encouragement..
thanx a lot dear!!!!
thanx 4 the compliments,n 4 d scolding u gave me,i hav no words.
i consoled myself with the thot that she died a death of dignity, not that she was an escapist,but honor is much mor important 4 a woman than life.at least,she made a man out of shiva.
well thanx a lot.i was too senti while riting d last few lines of this part.
thanx..of course not.
thanx..
C.
Keshi.
This is one helluva story......
Thats one tragic ending you have given to rosa though.
Gr8 work, dear.
:)
Ps. Blog updated
:)
and the emotion was beautifully expressed through out the post ..
wat do i say more
wen such good writers of the blogsville hav appreciated u do u need ma stamp on ur super cool work.
i cant really tell just what im feeling...
ive goosebums all over me now...
*HUGS* babes you are one helluva blogger..and im mighty proud to know you
Lovely way of writing yaar.....The scenes just unfold before my eyes while reading this.....keep it up....
thanx 4 reading,d next part will satisfy ur curiosity abt d gal in d wardrobe.
thanx..
thanx dear!
yes,its my imagination based on d topic.thanx 4 reading it..
@other comment posters whom i'vnt replied,
i'll reply 2 ur comments asap.till then keep smiling.
urs..hemu..
i hope u cud make out dat d gal in the wardrobe was a childhood frnd of shiva.i meant her as the "friend" in the last 2 lines.
thanx 4 reading!!
thanx sweetie!i really luk forward 2 all my readers n i'm happy dat u lyked it..
thanx 4 reading!der is anuther part 4 to follow..
thanx a lot dear!!
thanx a lot!!i hope u'll keep smiling n blogging 4evr!!
**it was like watching a gud video on youtube**
thanx a lot!!!!!!!!
U've left me in such awe now.... really well written.... creative genius!!!
lookkin fwd to more here :)
:)
You are a great author, really beautiful piece of writing.
if you can visit my blog and share ur comments on my collection of writings..http://subhadip-writerscolumn.blogspot.com/
came very late it seems...
this piece was wonderful..now heading to the next part...
:)
yeah,d topic was too emo!!
thanx..immmensely..
thanx..ur words sum up d narrative..
ur quick enuf!!
thanx a lot gal!!n welcome 2 d blog!!
thanx..
i bow down 2 ur praises,i'll surely visit ur blog..
sorry,i was a bit busy..
thanx..but it wasn't late,only a week apart 4m d prev post..