Give me just one day...

Take away my dreams and take away my smile….

Take away the rainbow and take away the butterflies…

Take away the sunshine and take away the song …

Take away the spring and take away the flowers…

Take away the time and take away the tide

Oh God! But give me just one day which is mine.

One day to lift my head high and walk

One day to live without fear

One day...

Saving Grace - Short story

She stood on top of the hillock and looked down. Her gaze briefly rested on the church nestled among the trees. She felt the gust of the cold December wind on her face. She was dressed in ethereal midnight sequined with shimmering stars. Her luscious black mane played along partially covering her face. Her eyes were an astonishing blue piercing into the deepest shadows. They looked like aquamarine gems immersed in satin soft skin. Her red lips pouted in confidence. She knew victory was just a step away. She will soon be Selfinia the queen of the Universe. The first rays of sunlight were slowly trickling in. She turned and started walking down the muddy path towards the church. She opened the small black book and checked again. Yes… only babies were left.

The bell pealed in celebration and the grounds were soon filled with different hues… of people dressed in their Sunday best. Sleepy toddlers were being dragged in looking like drowned kittens. Veiled figures deep in adoration moved forward in a trance. People spoke in whispers.

Selfina looked around and her eyes caught a young mother. Cradled in her arms was an angelic baby smiling and crooning in delight listening to the soft lullaby. The mother looked divinely happy and in bliss. When was the last time she felt this way? This was her first day out with her little bundle of joy. Her companion stood nearby feeling a little lost at the rapport shared by mother and child.

A strange hush fell as Selfina snaked her way forward. There was a chilly stillness and everyone stopped and stared. Who was this beautiful creature? Her stride stopped near the baby and for a moment her gaze locked with the baby. The baby looked in awe … there were so many reflections on her face which caught his fancy. There was a clown trying to make him laugh with different antics. There were balloons floating in the air. There was a swing which rocked him to and fro … Wow this is amazing … Then he saw something else which made him weary and restless. It was the tired face of his mother and he felt bitter and angry. He did not want to see her… he wanted the other amazing sights. The mother was shocked and anguished. What could have gone wrong? She rocked the child to and fro but the baby cried with more force….The harsh cry rang echoed throughout. Selfina had won!
Miles away Grace walked the sandy path towards the lighthouse. There was despair and pain in her eyes. There was nothing to look forward to. The simplicity of her features made her look more fragile and delicate. Her head bowed she kneeled and prayed and begged for forgiveness as she had lost. She could do no more and there was no one who understood her plight. Slowly she walked up the winding stairs of the lighthouse. From the top she could see the beauty of the universe. But she was helpless and she had no choice. The pain in her heart increased and she stepped on the thin ledge and lifted her hands high. All she had to do was let go and she would suffer no more.

The Boy had come to the light house as he was bored. He was all of nineteen had nothing to do. He lit a cig and inhaled the aroma. He felt a high. Was he on the top of a light house or floating on a cloud? He was confused. He edged towards the open window and was surprised. He was not alone. There was someone there enjoying the heights. That’s nice. But what was she doing ? She looked like an angel with broken wings… He felt something strange in his heart. He saw her falling and then he jumped forward and caught her hand. Her eyes were imploring him to let go and ease her misery. But he couldn’t… he pulled harder trying to bring her in. He wanted to save her. And then she asked him one question that caught him off guard…
When was the last time you were grateful? When was the last time you said Thank you?

Then he understood who she was. She was grace and her life was in his hands. He pulled her forward and said thank you.

When was the last time you were grateful for the food you eat …For the clothes you wear… for the roof above your head. To your parents for their selfless struggle … To your friends who were always there for you? To your teachers who taught you the values of life…To the maid who served you dutifully, to the pet who never let your side And above all to The Almighty God for the wonderful miracle called life. Do not let Selfishness conquer you… Let Gratefulness be your way ! Love everybody and do not take anyone for granted.

If all you teens put your heart together you can save Grace
Zeidi

Psalm of the Phoenix

It was a sight, that would make one

wonder with a pang of sorrow about

The girl in her prime, who sat in solitude,

gazing deep into the dark beautiful ocean

The waves went up and down, just

like her swirling emotions

And slowly a tear drop trickled

Down her eyes, as it dawned on her

All that she missed in life; a

Mother to talk about the

Beauty of being a woman and

a shoulder to cry on, A Father

to gain respect from,and to babble on

the endless stories in school

And a Brother to fight with, always

knowing deep inside that

He loves you more than any girl.

One look into those eyes, which

were as lost as the clouds, would

Show how desperate she was

To find Love and a "Home"!

Dreams they would remain, she knew

And so, like a Phoenix bird reborn

Out of the ashes, she stood up

and with fury in her eyes, she

Walked away.. Determined to face

All the troubles that were

Yet to find her!

By Mariam Henna

Mannat

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
— Paulo Coelho

When I was a little girl, I thought the woman was a homemaker…cooking meals , doing the laundry, washing the dishes, feeding my little ones… Regular chores they could be, but they gave my small world and tiny mind a sense of absolute delight.
My childhood was spent shuttling between different homes. And with each day my heart yearned for the place, the hearth I can find solace. I waited and waited to get married and finally dawned the great day.

Of course I became the homemaker … washing , cleaning, cooking . It’s then I realized that Indian marriage ads for prospective grooms should read. Looking for a maid. Full Time. Three times food. No Salary.

This is not the home making I read in mills and boons nor the chick flicks which nourished my heart. I smelt of onions and smoke. Oh yes! this is the most selling scent of an Indian woman.

I wondered? Why on earth am I treated like a maid? Why was I not allowed to sit in the living room when all the other daughters of the home were allowed? Why don’t I deserve a hug or a caress? Why am I treated so shabbily. Why am I not allowed to even laugh? What makes me different from a daughter ?

And why on earth was the word In law invented?

If I could have one day back of my past life I would have done the homemaking bit a zillion times over. But with respect - as a daughter not a maid. It’s high time the dictionary was revised with titles as Daughter-by -choice instead of Daughter-in-law.

They say if you live truly then God takes over and gives you what is best for you. I vouch that. For everyone else I could be a most sympathized divorcee but for me I am one lucky woman saved from the worst disaster. It’s not that I don’t believe in the institution of marriage. I do. I am definitely old school. But I don’t belong to a home where I lose myself as someone I can’t recognize.

If you have a dream you got to live the dream. I did. Alone.

Some love stories are happily ever after even alone.God gave me my mannat. My own home. Totally made in India with hard work and just my love for my creator. My God.

Rupees Six hundred and sixty

What do you do with Rs.660/-? Being me I would have been there standing in a musty book store confused If I should take home my own copy of Rhonda Byrne’s ‘The Secret’.

Needless to say, it wouldn’t have taken me long to realize that I have attracted all good things in life without having read it.

For more colorful divine creatures, Rs.660/- might mean another pair of not–so-sensible feelers to limp the concrete ramps. Or for all that scrubbing and peeling which makes you glow 90 watts for a week. For guys or gays (can’t differentiate both nowadays) Rs.660/- can get ‘em cool slim-fit shirts or cooing on a summer date. It’s as hot as it gets!

There I was standing at the Counter of Air India with Rs 660/- in my hand. I felt a gentle nudge on my kurti sleeve imploring me … it was my turn at the cash counter. I counted the amount again and again and again. I saw the bemused expression on her face – the customer service exec … little did she know what the amount meant for me, what it stood for and what it could do for me.

They say your heart stops for a moment when you sneeze…and you habitually thank God as you come back to life ‘Al Hamdullilah’. Others say a diamond can take your breath away. Don’t know if that’s what makes it a girl’s best friend.

I didn’t sneeze nor did I have a twinkling rock weighing down my neck. But, my life did stop for moments with just Rs.660/- in my hand …It tugged at my heart, wrenched my beliefs and moved me through a myriad of emotions.

Rs.660/- for my ticket to be postponed to 3 days ahead - to accommodate the court date for the much anticipated D Day. The day when heaven came down and soothed me with a new breath of life…

Monday noon 9/11/2009 the day I got my divorce.

Al Hamdulillah. Thank you God for being there every step of the way!



Now, deep down I know that I would rather be a Mother Theresa serving mankind than a senseless Indian wife serving one man.

Zeidi