ground for children, so they are usually One day, I went for delivery at night alone playing in the streets. After some days, I and I did it perfectly. But, while I’m returning I started playing with them with my niece. got stuck in the lift. It was a lift with an outer There are kids aged between 15-20. They sliding door and an inner sliding grill. I forgot were playing cricket and football alterna- my phone in the room and no one was there tively. They were good at cricket but poor at with me, It made me horrible. I hoped some- football. one will help me, But no one came. At that moment, I realised that the lift wouldn’t work NIGHT AT THE LIFT when the inner grill was open. So, I closed the grill and went down to the ground floor. In the daytime, I used to do work at my This time the outer wooden door opened brother-in-law’s shop, for helping him with a automatically and I walked out of that. It was guy called Ajmal. He was a good guy. Some- one of my nightmare experiences. times, I would go with him for home delivery. 51
A CAGED JOURNEY waiting for the visitors to move through the forest. The bus took us inside the woods After a week, we decided to visit Banner- where deers, lions, tigers, leopards and ghatta national park located near Bangalore. bears are wandering in their specific areas. I It was founded in 1970 and declared as a na- saw a bear right beside my window and it tional park in 1974. was a great experience to see it closer. But everyone was busy to take pictures of the We started our journey after our break- animals. After that ride, we headed towards fast. There was a minivan waiting for us and the zoo where all animals were caged. We we were heading towards the national park saw different types of animals including with the help of Google map. Everything leopards, tigers, crocodiles, snakes, turtles seemed to be normal until we met BBMP etc... The zoo gave me a wonderful experi- Force(Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Pa- ence and thoughts. After that, we went to like). They were dressed like the military. butterfly park but we were so unlucky that They demanded us 1000 rupees for not the park was closed. Finally, we got in the wearing the face mask while we were inside car to return. The Google map betrayed us the vehicle. The rule says that a person with the shortcuts. It was trying to take us doesn’t need to wear a mask inside the Car, faster, but it became worst. We took one and but this rule was changed hours ago. The half hours to reach home instead of one new rule says that every person should wear hour the mask even inside the car. After a great negotiation, they agreed to decrease the My mind started persuading me for re- fine to 200 rupees. After that incident, We turning to my homeland like every time. So I did not take off our masks except to eat. In and my brother headed towards God’s own the meantime, we reached the zoo. The sun country with our younger cousin, he came to was roasting us brutally when we were wait- Bangalore for his business needs. We ing for the ticket. I was bewitched when I saw reached home at 2:30 AM. The great journey the national park. It was a huge national park was ended with a great sleep... with three sections, we can see a zoo with different kinds of animals, birds and other creatures. We can also ride through the for- est where all animals wandering here and there. There was a bus with covering grills 52
POEM RAYS OF HOPE Hasan Kalpakanchery Let our all dreams pursue hope If there is hope, miracles happen Imagine, a light beyond darkness Carry a ray of hope throughout life Let hope accompany with best Just accept the finite sadness Hope eradicates disappointment Never lose hope; never be hopeless 53
54 Illustration: Basith M
STORY THE BLINKING STREETLIGHT Muhsin P Ichecked the time once again. It’s a quarter to six. The wristwatch hands are running fast. The setting sun gave a silhouette of a bird flock over the reddish horizon. Its last ray too left touching my face waiving the world to the darkness of the night. The city of New Delhi. I strode across the crowded street towards the rail- way station. I had to wait 30 minutes for my train to reach. The Hazrat Nizamud- din express straight from New Delhi to Kerala. I was very hungry so I went to one of the teashops stretched along both sides of the street. Then a weak sob dis- comfited my ears. “My son.....” I turned but I couldn’t see anyone at the first glance then I saw a grey-headed old man with torn dress sitting on the pedes- trian path under the street light. There is a tattered towel next to him and some coins in it... I put a new yellow note of 20 rupees and began to return. “Are you from Kerala? “ the weak voice detained me. He was panting deeply. Helplessness was tied up in his eyes” Yes, I’m ...” I replied dubiously. I could see a little light of hope in his face. I leaned down slowly and asked him, Who are you? Why are you here? The entire atmosphere changed abruptly... All stuck except the blinking street light. He bowed his head with his gloomy face. Sweat drops gathered on his forehead and tears dropped out and trickled on his dry cheeks. he began to tell his story breathlessly. “ I was abroad... I earned a lot for my kith and kin. I spent my whole delicate youth for their prosperity. As years passed, the job made me sick while my chil- dren grew up and attained quality education and profession. Finally, I returned to my own land with my diseases to live the rest of my life with my children and grandchildren merrily. But no one cured my pains, even they didn’t look at me kindly... One day, my younger son offered me a long trip to Delhi in his car. I got proud of him and my heart filled with joy and gratitude. Then, finally, he left with his family avoiding me on this street...” He couldn’t complete his words. I could feel that fearful silence. The whole street became stagnant. I re- gained my consciousness after a while. I stretched my hand towards him. held his hand and lifted him. Then I stepped to that teashop slowly holding his hands firmly. “ dada two tea...” I called. We sat beside the table face-to-face. The young guy came with the tea for both. He was staring at the cup for a while with an emotionless silence. Slowly... The one street light which was blinking frequently behind us slowly closed its eyes. 55
We thank everyone who worked, helped, wished for the completion of this magazine. 56
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