I will narrate to you as to who I am and perhaps in process discover myself for the first time.
What is the one thing that defines me? What is that one thing that defines anyone on this planet? A need to prove themselves. A desire to be someone else’s desire. An object of conversation. It is what explains me too. It will throw light on a lot of my actions over the years. Times and moments I am not very proud of now.
My earliest memory is of walking down the road towards school and watching my father beg for money from a moneylender. His feet shook and his hands wavered but the coarse looking man did not look up once to acknowledge him. I never went back to school again. It was my fees which had subjugated my father to this action. I quit the next day.
Ramya could not write anymore. Her eyes had watered to the extent of spilling tears onto the sheet now.
But could I ever tell my father this? Could I tell him that I had watched him beg? No. And so I walked down to the school that day and fought with the principal’s daughter. The spoilt brat made sure I was ceremoniously thrown out of the school. I always knew how to get my work done. This no one had to teach me. Was that my purpose? To always get my work done?
Its this clarity I see in many which surprises me to no end. The sheer force to know what they want. Rich and famous. Is that what you think I need? I don’t know. Perhaps reciting it for so many years has finally made me believe so. That the solution to all my problems is money and fame.
Love
Ramya.
* * *
Did you know that there is something very deep inside human mind which needs no impetus to work? Its the sense of survival. It identifies it and follows a path to facilitate it to the maximum. I watched the women go about their everyday tasks. A bunch of them cleaning clothes, some of them running common errands such as buying groceries and a few only sitting, perhaps contemplating on the basics of their life. These thoughts encircled her mind for long as she watched them from the office balcony.
Ramya found this sight always giving a sense of peace to her. She knew there would be many things wrong with their world and yet the found time and energy for simplest of things. The mundane, routine life provides much solace to heart than the irregular paths of adventure. She could judge it knowing how much she had already faced and yet calm and quiet were as distant as rich and famous.
“Anjali called today, apparently she is still insisting on a raise. Did you or did you not speak to her?” Suyash’s thunderous voice provided a disastrous distraction.
“I tried to convince her. There has been no affect on her mood so far,” somehow Ramya didn’t feel like sharing the ‘happy’ news of the auditions with Suyash. She was apprehensive he might try and negatively influence the development.
“Apparently the try was not good enough. Another trip needs to be undertaken. And I want results. This way I would soon be running a bloody charity to only take care of these women,” and he stormed out of the room.
* * *
“Anjali, but he will never give in. Believe me. And also soon things will work out for you, who knows if you need to continue in here or not,” Ramya tried reasoning.
“He will give in. I know I am one of his prime ’employees’, he would relent eventually. He did take time in Mallika’s case too,” she replied candidly.
to be contd. at Reset button-Part 15
I can imagine that a Blog Challenge would be a good way to get in the habit for writing a story more regularly! I like your writing style…very descriptive.
I love stories. And, I loved this one. I believe in Christianity, we need to get back to storytelling for it reaches the heart of people. Bravo! Be creative and flow which you are doing. Loved it.
She fights with the Principal’s daughter so that she could be thrown out of the school and so the problems of school fees would not arise. so sad.
How awful that she found a way to be kicked out so that she wouldn’t have to worry about paying fees for school anymore. The more I read, the more I feel that Ramya does not belong in this world and will do something to help these girls escape. Can’t wait to read more. ♥
Interesting story so far! What an awesome perspective on blog writing. Love it.
Thanks again for sharing
Power Coach Alishia
http://Www.Livemylifefree.Com
Now here we are again. What was Mallika’s case? Can you please write more? and soon?
Is it possible to put the entire story on another page as well? I know, you may do this at the end of the story… but would love to read earlier parts together before I read today’s story. Know what I mean?
So far, I love the way story is going. Intriguing character-sketches, intimidating situations, simple yet assertive language used to narrate the story. Wonderful.
I kind of pictured the incidents in my head as I read; this is the prerequisite for me when I read a story, if I can’t picture it in my head, I know I don’t like the story. So I guess it’s a thumbs up from me.
There are certain sentences that I really liked.
// If someone told her she had come to a different planet where men now had no relevance she would have believed it. And ironically these women are all living together under one roof because men are so relevant today. //
//They say I lack clarity of thoughts. It seems like the joke’s on me now. I left home precisely because I felt I had it.//
//But this pen and paper has remained always. In times when there was no one to speak to, like now, they have been the perfect companion.//
//The loved each other a lot. Which was for them the only saving grace of their lives.//
//
I am Mallika. And for as long as I can remember I have been treated anything but this. So when people ask me as to what exactly is that I hope to achieve, my only reply is that ‘I hope to live up to my name.’//
//And with the departure of these commodities went the luxury of having friends. And along with deprivation came determination.//
So many deep thoughts… something we all asl ourselves at some point.
nice post!!! interesting story