Prologue - "THE RIBBON TRAP"

 
Murder is not a crime. How can it be? It is the best way to save
someone from the hell called earth. I am not doing any crime, the man thought staring at the couple on bed.

The room was chilled. They lay cuddled on the king-size
bed. A woollen sheet covered the lower portion of their body.
Above that, they were naked. His head was resting on her
perfectly carved bosom.

Pale streaks of light from the table lamp, kept at right
corner, spread across the room. That ensured participation of
all the senses in the game called sex. He had to wait for about
two hours outside, for their game to finish.

How peaceful is his world, the man, who entered the room
through the window, thought. Every pleasure of this world would
be at his doorstep in the blink of an eye.

He recognised the girl. Of course, he had seen many of
her movies. He admired her acting. More than that, her ease
in rendering any role entrusted was worth lauding. She was
always a perfectionist.

She must be the same in this field too. Perfect.

The man walked towards them. He felt for the revolver on
his waist. Yes, it’s there. He was there to kill the male. He could
do it without waking him up. But he was not ready to do that.
He wanted him to get up.

I want you to see me. Ask me who I am.

There was no movement about them. He must be savouring
the softness of her flesh. The man went closer. He pulled a chair
and sat down. He took out the revolver, a locally made one.

None of the guns made by me has ever failed. But there is no
guarantee. There are incidents where the barrel explodes and causes injury, sometimes death, to the user, the seller, an old bandit, had cautioned him.

‘Once only it will be used,’ he said to him. ‘Not more.’

‘Then there is no problem. I can guarantee that,’ the bandit said.

He lifted both his legs and kept it on top of the bed. He
remained in the position for about half an hour. The target was
in front of his eyes. Anytime, I can decide his fate. A cool breeze
passed through his heart.

It was the girl, who woke up first. She cried at once seeing
the stranger at the foot of the bed. Her voice echoed in the
silence around. She pushed the companion aside and jumped
down from the bed.

‘Sit there,’ he said, as she was about to run. She sat covering
her nakedness with both her hands. The hands shivered
uncontrollably. ‘I am not here to kill you.’

Her partner opened his eyes slowly. The stranger in their
room shocked him equally. He looked at the girl. Then turned
towards him.

‘Who are you?’ he asked grinding his teeth. ‘Who the hell?’

‘Chant Mrityunjaya mantra and pray for your peaceful
death,’ the assassin said pointing his revolver at him. The
actress closed her eyes tight afraid of the murder she was about
to witness.

‘Has he paid you?’ he asked her.

She did not respond. But opened her eyes and stared at the
man. She gulped. Nervous she was, sure that the man would
kill her too.

‘If not, take it from him now.’ He leaned back authoritatively.
‘Dead people don’t pay.’

WHEN BRETAH BECOMES AIR- “POETIC, POIGNANT, PAINFUL”

I picked up “When breath becomes air” by Paul Kalanithi with a heavy heart. Since I knew that reading one’s encounter with the only reality, death, would be neither easy nor entertaining. The realization that we all are mortal would be frightening to core. Except that we do not know that number of days we are left with. 

Then, Paul Kalanithi was not another man: he was a doctor, the one who saves lives. How it would be to turn a patient from a doctor. That also when he least expected it, when he is considered GOD by the ailing patients.

 It is nothing less than a thunderbolt from a clear blue sky.   

The book begins with a brief description of his childhood at Arizona. His keenness in understanding the essence of human existence since childhood. And his confusion in selecting the career ahead. A part of his soul wanted him to be writer, another part suggested him to be a doctor. Ultimately finalizing Neurosurgery as his path, his destiny.

And deciding to turn a writer at a later stage, once he becomes a successful neurosurgeon.

He never portrays himself as a super-human, who shrugged of the fear of death. But the image he draws is of a real human being, fragile, but fighting, strong, yet weak, determined, still faltering.  The book is the account of his dreams, his thoughts, and the pain he encountered whilst undergoing treatment for the unforgiving illness.

It will touch your heart, will make you cry, perhaps inwardly, and will scare even the strongest. I wanted to write more about the book, but am falling short of words. Then, no word can describe death, it can only be felt. 

“When breath becomes air” could only be the title of the book, I felt. Nothing else could have depicted the crux of the book. Helplessness of ever powerful human being, When breath, that contains life, turns to nothing, but lifeless, meaningless, air. 

Pros: Everything, from the prologue to the epilogue written by Lucy Kalanithi.  The heart-wrenching narration would move you; make your heart writhe in pain.

Cons: The repeated usage of medical terms, for which I had to look up at Google, interrupted the flow. 

Rating: 5/5

Embrace those Magic Moments

It has been told many a time that “each moment has a magic in it.” You only need to have the “eyes.” It is not a superficial statement at all. 

It’s a reality.

Most of the time we are stuck in our bitter past that we miss the magic. The heavy load of past pull us back from growth. The sad part is bad memories overpower the pleasant things that had happened in our life. 

Life is all about this, very, moment. Neither the days that passed nor the days to come. Past and future, both are myths. That’s why it is said that “present is the present.”

How many of us would like to eat days old food?

None. 

We love eating fresh, warm, food. When such is the case with physical, tangible, thing why we cling on to a mythical past. Why do we keep on chewing the waste of past? And what pleasure that gives you. Just break you internally. Stop you from progressing.

The burden of past will be the biggest, and only, impediment in your moving forward. 

I agree that some of the incidents from the past may have affected you negatively. It may have changed the course of your life. You may not have become as you hoped. But, believe me, it has not destroyed you.

Nothing can destroy you unless you allow it to.

Once you permit the negativity to seep into your heart, it will occupy most of the space and force the creativity out. It will start controlling your thoughts. And ultimately you will be scared to attempt anything new.

You will not be successful even if you amass all your courage and go ahead with your passion.

But, why?

Since the fear has entered your subconscious mind, it has the control on everything you do. Everything you think. Unfortunately, your conscious mind is not strong enough to recognise it. 

Then, there is a solution to every problem.

I consider that solution came before problem. Hence, there is a solution to every problem. You only have to calm down, take a long breath and look around. Think.

You have to start with a conscious effort. ‘It’s just past. It cannot destroy me,” you must repeat it to yourself every time the bad memories enter your mind.  Initially it may be tough. The bad memories would be stronger than your optimism.

That will be the case for a few days. Only. 

Then, slowly, and surely, you will be strong enough to walk forward. To a successful destiny. In no time, the magic would become a reality. You will grow to the level that nothing can stop you from winning. Key is in capturing the magic moments and holding those close to your heart. 

Capture. Create. Conquer.

Hates Off

Get rid of hatred. 

One of the most important traits you must practice while preparing yourself for the achievement. 

“Hates off,’ I would rather say.

Hate is (one of) the most destructive feeling one can possess. It will not deliver you any result. Instead, strangle your soul and rip you off from imagination and hope. Hatred has the ability to destroy your inner peace. It will tire you even though you are sitting idle.

Eventually, you are hammering yourself to destruction!

There are people who constantly think of ways to put the other person in trouble. The sadistic pleasure rejoices them. They are futilely spending the space of their brain, for others’ destruction. Their brain molded in such a way that the momentarily pleasure satiates their ego. 

And what’s the end result?

Nothing! 

Their life continues as it was. Without any soulful music. Without any kind of change. How can the things happening in others’ life have any effect on your life? 

Try to divert at least ten percent of the energy, you spent to nurture hatred, on positive things. You will find a tangible change in your life. Hatred and success do not go hand in hand. Your brain cannot carry too many luggage. It only carries what is considered essential. It’s your choice to drop either.   

After all, you are responsible for your luggage.

As you know, it’s your life and none else can live it for you. They may walk along. But, you are the only person to shape the life and brighten your prospects. So, don’t decide to be a scumbag. 

Yes, I mean it.

Don’t. Be. A. Scumbag.

And you think such people are accepted in society. Definitely, no. Who wants scumbags in their friend circle? They’ll just shrug you off. 

Walking the path with a fake smile pasted on the face is not life. It’s about loving, being loved, and walking together. Make it a point to cleanse your heart off hatred. At least partially, if not fully. It will relieve your stress and relax your brain. 

“Hates Off.” Repeat the mantra in your heart. 

Love. Laugh. Live.