| Username |
Post |
| oys_chill |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 11:32 AM
“Ani k bhayo hajuraama?” my sister squealed in semi fear and semi curiosity. I cringed with fright moving closer to my grandmom who was giving us a scary recount of a monster in “Arun Khola”. “Ani babu, tyasle ta tyo manche ko kapal ma samatera, ghisarera, rookh ma lagera ulto parera jhundaidiyo!!” My grandmother went on with vivid fervor doing a similar act on my hair, giving me a cold chill. We had listened to many intriguing tales of Bhojpur but none as scary as this. I wanted to go to Bhojpur many a times, but my parents were not ready to send me there alone giving excuses of long trail in the jungle, bandits and hard life there.
“Ani tyo manche le k gareko thiyo ta, hajuraama?” I asked with heart in my mouth barely able to speak drenched in her fascinating tale. “Babu! Jhuto bolne, chori garne, paap garne lai ti arun ko rakshas le lagthyo ni ta. Tyasaile kaile jhuto nabolnu, kasaiko nachornu, bujis?”
I nodded my head in unison with my sister realizing her warning had come a little too late. My sister turned red giving me a guilty look. As we broke off from her story, I sinked into a greater despair. It was getting dark. I could almost feel the monster looming in that darkness with its razor sharp teeth and long nails coming to get me.
**************
We had set out real early. I was not a big fan of Pashupatinath, but my sister had dragged me along. After putting tika, roaming around the river and the zig zag maze of 108 shiva lingas, we decided to go for some “selroti” and “chiya”. While my sister and her friend were busy chatting about “Maine Pyar Kiya” that had created so much vibe in the city, Sabin and I had other ideas.
We had planned our little evil odyssey the day before. Sabin had told me how easy it was to “PUTCH” something from the vendors. He had given me a metal bala to wear in my wrist that I had taken to be the priceless token of friendship. It was my turn to return the favor. I had asked him once “kaha chorne yaar?” He’d said non chalantly “Chorne ho ta lata Oys. Jhapp hanne bhan na!!” I had been fascinated with the term “jhapp” then.
So four of us started trotting along often stopping by street vendors selling variety of trinkets, rings, flowers, and the portraits of numerous deities. As Sabin entered a shady looking store, I grew nervous. Sabin had probably become consummate in this art. He came back shortly with a big smile on his face. My eyes made its way to his pocket which had bulged making a shape of yet another metal wrist band. I knew sooner or later I had to join him. My sister sniffed that. “Sabin, pheri choreko, pakryo bhane k garchau?” He laughed it off.
**********
I checked my pocket before we approached her. I still had ten rupees. Sabin had brainwashed me. “Dhotini lai paisa dine ta chance chaina” I was in a big dilemma but I went along with him. We sat down by the vendor who greeted us with warm smile. Madisini, my prejudice jumped in. Along with the vendor was her semi naked young son, with just “Bhoto” on. Barefoot and running nose, he looked at me innocently not knowing what was going to unfold. I ignored them and started checking out the threads. Our obsession for friendship bands had taken new heights then.
Suddenly, Shivani crossed my mind. I remember her complimenting my sister on how beautiful the band looked. I wanted to make her the best friendship band ever. I had even learned the V design. I started picking the flashy threads. Soon, Sabin gave me the signal and started distracting the vendor.
(contd....)
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| oys_chill |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 11:33 AM
In my poisoned mind filled with guilt and regret, I began to wrap some threads in my hand. I was doing well. It would be enough. The child was still looking at me. I knew he could no way be able to convey this theft to his mother. Suddenly, his mother turned to me. “Tapain chai k linu huncha sauji?” in her typical southern tone. I stammered and managed to say “..hereko matrai ho didi” I gave my best shot as my sister and her friend joined us to see the entire fiasco.
She read my lie like my mother. “Jhuto bolnu huncha tapain, ye kya hai?” She forcefully opened my tightly clenched fist and out came threads of colors. Time stopped. World started to spin in a frenetic pace. I froze in irrational fear. I looked at the boy. He could not comprehend that his mother had just caught a thief who was robbing her of his son’s daily survival needs.
********
“Oyss k gareko yesto?” my sister looked appalled. Her friend gave me a disgusted look. Sabin was defending me “Hoina didi, hamle hereko matrai, kati bhayo bhannus na!!!”
She looked at me fiercely. Before she could say anything, I took out ten rupees bill and hurled it towards the boy and took off in the other direction. She started running after me with the words so clear that are still imprinted in my head “CHOR KAHI KA!” I looked back one more time with her giving me a revengeful look. Behind her was her semi naked son crying loudly. Sabin, my sister and her friend were stranded not knowing what to do.
Down the hill, outside gausala, back to bhandar khaal, down to HVM, across the kalo pul, sharp right to Maligaon, up the ukaloo—I couldn’t stop running panting heavily and indelible deep seated wound that made tears sieze my eyes. To my utter disbelief, Shivani was coming from the other way in her usual vibrant color like the sun that had jus risen in the east. She had puja ko thali in her hands. She looked so pure and naïve just like the boy. I felt worse. I pretended not seeing her and continued to run towards home as she looked at me in total confusion.
*******
“CHOR KAHIKA!!” The monster was repeating her words. I could feel the heavy breath. I knew it was approaching. I had not slept. It was coming solely to get me. I was accepting my fate. After all, I had tried to rob from the poor and the helpless in the street. Soon, it would be all over. I would be hung outside down probably in “parijaat” outside our house. Everyone would find out what I’d done. I was almost choking when the cold fingers touched my skin.
“babu, talai sanchai cha?? Jworo aayo jasto cha ni. Pasina ni aako cha.” I opened my eyes. Maami was there coming to check on me like most other nights. “Mausam ko raus leideko chu…la uthera piee…exhaustion bhako hola…dherai yeta uti garchas khali.” I hadn’t given the verdict. I was just so happy to see her. I did not say a word but gulped down the juice. “Batti nibhayera jaun?”….She was about to leave. I caught her fingers lightly “Maami, alik tauko ni dukhi racha, ek chin yehi basnu na!!” She smiled at me. “ La ekai chin ta, tori ko tel liyera aauchu!!”
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| lizardking |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 12:25 PM
I have been following your memory lane from some time. Very vividly narrated. A very original piece after so many politicals and cut and paste threads going on here. I say 'maami' to my mother too. :)
Lizard King
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| Rosie |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 12:36 PM
Another masterpiece...
I distinctly remember those times...the maine pyar kiya days, the friendship bands, and the "pauch" parne mania...I can totally relate.
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| jyotsna_manorama |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 01:48 PM
awwwwwww.."“Maami, alik tauko ni dukhi racha, ek chin yehi basnu na!!” .isnt that the most loving words in such an innocent voice, cant stop saying anything but awwwwwww.
very sensational and glorious. have had read many of your memory lanes,I would not be surprised to read more of your magnificient memories.
"Down the hill, outside gausala, back to bhandar khaal, down to HVM, across the kalo pul, sharp right to Maligaon, up the ukaloo", a fascinating description of " JHAAP" parne adventure,You sure do have a strong memory power: down the hill, outside gausala, up the ukaloo, back to bandar khaal.wow!!! thats quite a portrayal!!!
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| psychodreamer |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 01:56 PM
Enjoyed it, Oys :)
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| EKAR |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 02:21 PM
I still remeber those days when me and my freinds used to jyapp stuffs from poor vendor and how we would be happy after we get some jyapp stuff and talk about it without realizing the things we were doing is so called "theft"
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| confused |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 03:47 PM
haha oys dammi thiyo...esp the JHAP thing :P malai ta merai afno life story padheko jasto lagyo :P :P
Another awesome piece..Kahani ta sabai ko huncha, .but your writing and your words that give so vivid expression to your writings, pour out feelings of all of us, from underneath :) enjoyed:)
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| Zen_Kundan |
Posted
on 18-Apr-04 10:38 PM
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
There's a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If ya give this man a ride
Sweet memory will die
Killer on the road, yeah
Girl ya gotta love your man
Girl ya gotta love your man
Take him by the hand
Make him understand
The world on you depends
Our life will never end
Gotta love your man, yeah
Wow!
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
asd
fsdsdfas
sdaf
s
sa
asfasfssfs
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
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| jellybeans |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 01:23 PM
oooooooooooori baba!!
here he goes again:)! another enthralling piece.. balla balla padhna payein.. hijo sajha down:(
--jellybeans!
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| oys_chill |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 01:27 PM
THank you all! dherai pachi lekhum lekhum lagera dya ni...aba kaile fursat hune ho:S
Lizard king bro, are u the same guy in chiyapasal? jus wondering!
Rosie , jyotsna, psychodreamer, confused and ekar...your encouragement are always warm :)
zen_kundan, that's some lyrics aint it? jimmy dai le gacchi nai dincha sadhai. Thanx for your post!
TMA bro, you and I have many similar experiences :). Lau ba, yesle nai ruwayo bhane ta...ruwane lekhyo bhane chai k garne hola? :P (re kya)
loo aroo pachi..basi bhat khane time bho!
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| oys_chill |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 01:29 PM
ohoo jellu ta jhandai miss bhai ra! mithai khana aam bhanya :P aaba ta mamaghar ni dekhen :P
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| jellybeans |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 01:34 PM
Hehe! Oys dai
ur always welcome.. re kya:P
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| n_b |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 01:41 PM
Very good indeed !!! keep up the good work oys :)
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| kalankisthan |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 05:12 PM
"chor kahi ka"!!! hehe...
Diyo diyo oys le diyo... memorylane chodi saki bakshya raicha sarkaar le, jhannai miss bha!! Outstanding piece hau.. eh.. sidhai mutu bata sajha ma utari bakshya jasto cha sirkaar le! ;)
You talking about Maine pyaar kiya makes me feel like I am still young... oooh, chanas cha la ta...
Next jaawosh! :)
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| czar |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 05:49 PM
Captivating vignettes of days gone by. Gifted writing that evokes a response from the heart. A welcome respite from the turbulent times in sajha and the world at large.
Your stories are as soothing to the reader's spirit as your mother’s touch was to your fevered brow.
Bravo !
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| wateva |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 06:02 PM
Loved it... sukka sukkka re kyaaaa!!!! :)
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| batuli |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 07:19 PM
Great piece oys,
you made me cry too...."maami ,alik tauko ni dukhi racha,ek chin yehi basnu na."....these words really touched my heart , i felt like i was telling my mom and felt like i was laying my head on her lap ....
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| scatterbrain |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 07:31 PM
There're a few whose writing makes you feel it's your story that's being told. They make you see the beauty in the simple coining of words that you yourself were not able to perceive, touching your very soul everytime without malice, without greed. Oysta bro, I have seen you do more than that when you give Sajhaite passengers a ride down your memory lanes. Keep it coming!
Peace!
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| Sonika_NY |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 07:44 PM
Yawnn yawnnnn
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| scatterbrain |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 07:50 PM
How come I sense an ugly duckling quacking and yawning beside me? :)
Peace!
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| Thinlazy |
Posted
on 19-Apr-04 08:09 PM
Saasai naferrera yekai patak kharra sidyaidiye.. kasto ramro lekhna janeko... yekdam mitho oys chill :)
Jai Hawos timro bro
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| Hellbound |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 07:39 AM
Oys
nicely put and touchy indeed.
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 10:14 AM
Oys... beautiful narration!
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| Sonika_NY |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 10:39 AM
scatterbrain, get life ugly thing, will you
************
yawnnnn yawnn again
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| Rusty |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 11:09 AM
Awesome
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| scatterbrain |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 01:21 PM
Sonika dear, my ugly little duckling, if you had peas for brains instead of dinner, maybe you'd have a clue as to why your quacking has no tenor.
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| Sonika_NY |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 08:22 PM
Scatterbean, stop calling me dear. You're not lucky yet to call me my dear, you ugly face. Mind your own business. Moron
******
Yawn yawn again
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| hamisabai |
Posted
on 20-Apr-04 11:29 PM
beautiful as always, oys
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| DWI |
Posted
on 21-Apr-04 01:06 PM
OYS,
Been a while since I read your "Wonder Years." I might have missed
your few.
As always, well narrated. Is there a memory lane in route 44 (USA)
coming up next?
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| wateva |
Posted
on 21-Apr-04 01:21 PM
OR I-95.... Route 5.. OR Memory Lane for the Future: San Fran?????
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| Deep |
Posted
on 21-Apr-04 02:31 PM
Oys bro le feri diyechha memory ko danak-dimag nai jham jham bho.
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| oys_chill |
Posted
on 21-Apr-04 02:31 PM
Thanx n_b, kalanki bro, czar dai, scatterbrain (Dai? i suppose), batuli fupu, thin lazy, rusty dai, sitara, hamisabai and hellbound!
DWI bro, you haven't missed any :) cause paving road to route 44 has been very very arduous and its far from complete, and i hear its a superhighway, not fit for people like me who only have 11 no ko gadi :P
Wateva, I still have one memory from i 91 N:)
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| oys_chill |
Posted
on 21-Apr-04 02:33 PM
Deep dai, yehi dimag jham jham bha bela, ek choti tyo ARKO thread ma pasera "suntali ko bhyarluk" explain gardinus re sablai ;)...
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| AX |
Posted
on 21-Apr-04 02:56 PM
enjoyed it as always CHOR :p
aarko chai kahiley?
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