THE FUTILITY OF IT ALL

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This Was A Contribution For Creative Collaboration for

Bina Gupta on Sulekha.

Rules: 225 words. City is the speaker in the post.

I am a seat of power. I have been constant witness to the folly and foible of ambitious men and women who desperately seek to win me. I am the centre of major and minor conflicts. I have been such for centuries. Therefore, my moments of ecstasy are rare. Sorrow is more my providence.

Hence, a joyous moment that happened on my terrain on the midnight of August 14/15 remains strongly embedded in my memory. At that point of time, the yoke of subjugation of 400 years was lifted off my neck and my own sons and daughters took on the responsibility of looking after me. One of the noblest sons of mine in ringing tones proclaimed, “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny ….. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.” It was a moment of joy. It was a moment of inspiration.

However, it was short-lived. Alas, within less than six months the same son was saying, “Friends and Comrades, the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere.” It was a moment of depravation.

The apostle of non-violence had been felled. As the great messenger of peace sank into my bosom, I received him - the ultimate destination of the powerful and the helpless.

CUPID'S CAPERS

Their marriage was only six months old but already showing signs of foundering. Thus, the drive from Mumbai to Khandala was an agonizing experience with Paayal moaning all the way that it was going to be an unexciting get-away. After checking into the luxurious holiday resort, it was still the same story.

“It is so dull and boring here in Khandala. I am dying for some action. Rinku, think of something exciting.” whined Paayal.

“Let’s go to the Bushy dam” said he, trying to placate her.

“No way. The crowd there is full of eve teasers and you are no Samson to be able to keep them away” snapped Paayal getting back on to her cell phone.

“But all the same we will have some action” replied Rinku with sarcasm dripping from the corner of his lips. But it was lost on Payaal as she seemed involved in a cell phone conversation.

After she finished her over animated chat, she excitedly said, “BTW, Rinku, my office friend Jason is also in Khandala. I’ve invited him over. He is so witty and charming and such a delightful company. Not a recluse like you. You really are going to hate him” she added with a mean laugh.

Jason arrived. He was indeed a tall and good looking guy with an air of easy charm about him. Paayal went ballistic on seeing him. She hugged and air-kissed him. Rinku looked on resignedly.

Suddenly, Jason’s wife Rehana, who was at the back, shrieked and called out, “Hey, aren’t you, Rinku.”

“Rehaaaana” replied an equally delighted Rinku.

In no time they were transposed back to their college days, laughing and exchanging high-fives. Rinku bloomed and was in his element making Rehana burst into giggles all the time. Stories and escapades of days gone by were remembered, related and relished with great glee and amusement. At that moment of time, they were lost to the world. It was only as if just the two of them were there. The spark of the former days looked like igniting once more.

Jason, the lady-killer, had never seen this side of Rehana ever and was literally dumbfounded at the chemistry between the two.

Rinku and Rehana simultaneously remembered their college picnic to Bushy dam and how they had cavorted under the waterfall.

“And Rinku do you recollect how you carried me when my foot slipped?” said Rehana bursting into peals of laughter.

Jason now had enough of it. However, with a polished tone, he said “Rinku, can I have my Rehana back before you seduce her any further?”

There was laughter all around and to which Paayal added, “And Rehana, may I have my hunk back? I want him to take me to the Bushy Dam.”

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