Entwined Hopes - Part II

In that moment, time stood still.

When I…saw you, facing me, it was as if nothing else existed in that moment…

…Apart from you and me.

I gave nothing away, as I walked towards you, each step resounding with the caution of my impassive demeanour. There was…so much I could do. I could have ran towards you, demanded, asked a thousand questions of you, take you into a heartrending embrace, never to let go.

But I did nothing of it, except pouring all the intensity of the moment into my eyes.

I stood a passable distance from you. Not for an instant did your gaze break, nor for a moment did the breeze stop flowing. But it was for an eternity that my soul made its transition to the past…

…To the time when we saw each other for the first time, ready to fight. The clash of swords didn’t diminish our smiles at all. Love at first sight was a concept we never knew yet we felt it as strongly as we could.

…To the time when, hand in hand, we walked upon the plains, gazing across the moonlit horizon, assured that we would be by each other’s side for as long as we live.

An assurance that was broken as soon as it was made.

…To the time, when you… left me, for good. An embrace on your part, a tear on my part and our final greetings were said. You never turned back to glance and I stood there as long as I could see you, hands clutching the part where my heart lay, wishing that I could rip it apart.

That was our story. It had ended that night itself, with your departure.

But it didn’t. It was endless, up till now.

Now I’m going to put an end to this tale of love and affection, hurt and betrayal, and finally, sacrifice.

We are facing each other now, as enemies. There can be no leniency now.

I draw my sword. You don’t speak, but your eyes say a thousand words. They are questions, many questions, but you are asking them to someone whom you loved before.

I’m not the same anymore. To your questions I only say one thing in response.

‘”Love is irrelevant in a battle.”

To which you say. “Do you have the courage to raise the sword against me?”

I almost choke at my next statement but say it aloud. “As a warrior, it is my duty,” I recite my oath.

“…to kill my opponent, or be killed myself.”

There is no time for words as our swords clash in what could be termed as the final fight of our lives. There was no telling who will live through this clash.

Move and countermove, each strike of one weapon opposed powerfully by another weapon; the world around us is silent except for the clanging sound of metal and our heaving breaths.

As our blades collide once again we leap back to the same places where we had earlier stood. Gazes meet, swords raised to sky, our lips move to utter the final words…

The following strike may bestow the blessing as well as the curse of demise on whomsoever.

With that, the moment I would never forget till my very last breath culminated, right before my eyes…

…Right before my eyes, you lay impaled by my sword, in my arms. You were favoured by the gods and I was left to pick up pieces of my shattered heart.

There’s nothing I can do, nothing ever to change this moment.

All feelings vanish like the glow in your eyes. It is only emptiness I feel.

In that moment, time stood still. I only wish I could will it back to life.

..........................................................................................................

Needless to say, it's Ashura and Yasha again. Can be read as a stand-alone, though.

Entwined Hopes - Part I

A final touch, a final whisper, I await…

The breeze blows ever so gently, yet I quiver and tremble as if shaken by a storm.

Fragrance of flowers wafts into the air. The clouds leave their silhouette on the moon, gleaming as if richly adorned with silver.

Whom do I face now, in this exquisite ambiance? I’m lost in the seamless depths of dark eyes. It is almost as if those delicate vines all around are entwining me into eternity…

Eternity it is, for I do not how long I could be lost in that mystical world. The eyes are all I see, not the shadow of the person who approaches me, closer and closer.

Mesmerized by the sheer strength in those eyes, I stand still, offering no resistance.

The gaze loses it fascination, as I finally break away to glance around. This moment, this chance will not return, never.

I am swept into powerful arms, into an overwhelming embrace. The moment I waited for, the moment I longed for is here, but it brings with it a portent.

Tears roll down, breathless gasps shatter the silence. Love of a lifetime is encompassed into this tiny fragment.

A final touch, a final whisper, I await…

The whisper conveys the fate of my life, as a reluctant release leaves me staggering, down on my knees.

“We’ll meet again, only to see who shall craft a new beginning for the other. Demise shall govern each and every turn we make.”

My life is now no more in my hands. Dear, love of my life; it is in your stead from now.

I shall await that day. Your love is what I shall seek, what I shall find. The day you shall set me free…

I will owe my life to that moment. Yes, we shall meet again.

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I'm back again. I don't think I was missed though. ^^"

Ah, well, in any case, I'm here to stay and God willing I will have more things to post once my sabbatical properly begins. 

This post, meanwhile, is again to do with my love for anime. It's loosely based on Tsubasa Chronicle and that too on two minor characters Ashura and Yasha (originally from RG Veda) 

Without a doubt, the four episodes covering the two are amongst my favourite. However it's not fanfiction, by any chance. 

Thoughts, comments, anyone? :)


Oh and before I forget. A very Happy Diwali and a prosperous New Year to all my readers!

Oh Writing, Why Must You Desert Me?

Yes, yes, I know. I return a month later to show my face and all I have to regale my readers with are...rants, to say the least.

Damn writer’s block. I only wish I could show you the numerous snippets of attempted writing in the past weeks which have not gone beyond a 100 words, mind you.

But, if I’m not mistaken, I’m entitled to use this space to ramble away. It was my main purpose for coming on here!

So, what has this person been up to since the last date of posting, I hear you ask? Oh dear, if only I could go to detail just how school has nearly been the undoing of me (so much for being in the Cabinet/Student Council; which is more like dancing to the tune of a puppeteer, I tell you) or how travelling for competitions has taken the life out of me – and here’s the catch, both of them were proper literary events! One, a pithy little essay-writing competition which was a part of an inter-school event, the topic being (oh kill me) ecological benefits of cycling. So much for creative writing. I still managed the third prize despite my not so cohesive writing.

 Then the other, a Model United Nations debate; this time part of a college fest. Now, world politics is a pet subject of mine and simulating the UN with all its complex procedure and completely formal demeanour is quite challenging and fun too – meant for people like me who love arguing to death, while striking a balance between varied perspectives on matters of international significance. The agenda being? Terrorism and the Israel-Palestine conflict. For those who have even a little inkling of what the latter issue is (it would be too presumptuous on my part to consider even asking about the first one) they will know how extremely complicated it is to try and resolve it like the watchdogs of our world do, that too within a span of two days. And if you’re representing none other than the country of United States of America, you’re in for a disaster – do not ask how. Which I nearly averted with another third prize; talk about 3 being a lucky number. Have you ever heard of a proper U.S. delegate not interfering in any issue whatsoever? Well, you just met one.

And here I had thought I was one of most astute debaters my school could boast of, sigh.

Extra-curricular aside, here come the bone of contention for every student (unless you’re a self-proclaimed geek/nerd). Exams! The rotten thing is, I will resort to writing in the most flowery language possible when I should be preparing for the next day’s paper. Too bad it is not working for me currently, or else you wouldn’t have to go through this sorry excuse for a blog post. This month has been absolutely frenetic and it is going to be so right up till Diwali. Then, of course, the withering rose will bloom again, so much that the thorns will draw blood even at the slightest of touch. For now, this is my situation:

I would gladly like to answer in the affirmative but I'm afraid it's not possible until the writing bug bites me while I'm supposed to be studying Economics and Business Administration. Seems more likely now, eh? The impromptu hiatus is now an official one, folks. See you around the corner. :)

Sacrilege

Cast aside your misgivings,

Your minion I’m surely not.

Neither am I unworthy

Of the pedestal you so gallantly adore.

Cast away, cast away

Your aspersions; they shall burn

In the blaze of my resolve.

I’m not scorned, neither do I seek vengeance

I only seek to silence

The scheming voice in your mind,

That blinds you to my makings.

Henceforth I break your bonds.

Do I see you tremble?

Behind the façade of bravado,

Hear, hear, your diffidence shows!

Do not make me reiterate

My avowal to turn my fate around.

I dare you, I shall not be buried.

...........................................................................................................

More thorns than petals much, eh? Oh dear. 

Unnamed, Unknown...

“I wish I could be like you.”

Words. Meaningless, utterly hypocritical. Do they even know what they are talking about?

She could have stated her mind. She simply chooses to smile in response.

“You’re flattering me.”

She knows they only want to be at the same receiving end as her. So does everyone else.

...

It’s strange. Fear is all pervasive. And more than anything else, it is the fear of rejection that permeates through the strongest wills.

No wonder, the dying art of being oneself...

She is no exception to the rule. The flame of accomplishment has engulfed her entirely.

But she knows who she is.

It takes her a mere glance in someone’s eyes to figure they had already traded their souls for the drudgery of a cut-throat life.

“You...you really don’t know what you truly desire, do you?”

A sigh, often a sad smile in response. Voice tingling with untold emotions.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?”

...

Victim. An ugly word – speaking of injustice and aggravation meted out from the hands of others.

Who dares to call destiny the victimiser?

 “No one gets you. How can you be so calm in the face of such provocation?”

She smiles yet again.

“I don’t believe in others controlling me. I call the shots.”

...

“Who has the time to waste after such frivolities?”

She sighs. Those blind, ignorant creatures, audacious enough to call something as basic as pleasure, 

scratch that, satisfaction as ‘frivolous’.

They don’t know when their own grave will catch up with them, forcing them to lie forever in the cold gloom while they had hardly begun to clutch at the warm sunshine.

“Perhaps you would live...if only others chose to do the same.”

...

Eyes closed, breath withdrawn...she tiptoes, arms stretched wide, hair fluttering in the breeze.

The world before her is still, bathed in the effervescent glow of nature.

She’s a part of that world.

She doesn’t belong here.

“If only I look as good as...”

She laughs mockingly. This time she doesn’t mince her words.

“Look within or you will be another living mannequin.”

...

“Help me. I’m lost.”

She searches their eyes, ‘the window to the soul’. The fire has died.

She looks away.

“Even if I were to help...you would be lost again.”

...

“I need another chance.”

She pins them with a questioning look.

“Chance? What did you with the one already given?”

Obstinacy finds its way here too.

“We haven’t lived for ourselves. No one does.”

“Then why need another life?”

...

“I don’t want to die.”

“Why?”

“Because, because...there’s no reason why one would leave life!”

Her eyes are downcast as she mulls.

“You’re in love with yourself.”

Confusion. Puzzlement. Isn’t one supposed to love oneself first?

She smiles, softly, gently. Like an angel. Like a fairy.

“You’re not the role, as memorable as it might be.”

The role is cast away. The essence glimmers.

Her eyes close.

...........................................................................................................

I wonder how much it makes sense. Oh well, but I had to post this. 

Love Enchained

Wound my heart, sear my soul,

Did I not claim I was yours to take?

Like a lovely rose drawing blood

With its piercing thorns,

Your embrace stings me to the core,

And yet…I remain where I am.

Your insidious lust binds me

I sing of chaste love, blithely

Ignorant of those bonds

That ravage me of my strength

Only to be immersed

In the inferno of your self.

Flames tinged with the dying blush

Of fading memories, speaking of days

Humane and generous in their wake,

Your reflection is distorted,

Your spirit is singed.

In your pursuit of dominance,

Making me a willing slave

Would my demise sate your thirst?

Nothing more would please

My twisted yearning for vengeance

Than to see you lost

In self-immolation

Oh, would I not forsake my fragile existence!

To see you soaked in my life-blood,

So near and yet so far…

Your endeavour could never make me yours.

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No, I didn't think I could write something like this. Call it expiation, call it catharsis, I don't know how to define it. 

That said, I shall only reappear when the rains are kind enough to nurture the sapling of creativity to the fullest. :)

Nemesis

Words aren’t needed, yet

Who said you would escape quietly?

Under a guise of adoration,

You cast your spell.

Did you take me to be so weak,

So as to simply buckle

Beneath your intimidation?

Your rivalry would have been an honour,

But I’m content to smile back.

You don’t realise, do you?

The favour you did me.

Your resilience burns through

A pervasive aura of merciless strength.

It is nothing but one of your tactics

Leaving me defensive.

I envisage you standing over my shoulder,

Smirking in delight,

For each step I take, each word I speak…

Someday, I will be where you are.

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I'm still not happy with my writing. *sighs* 

Other than that, I realise that words have power. I must be careful with my author's notes in future.