The Courtyard

 

 Photo credit: Rod Long, Unsplash

It's an old mansion, with a big, open courtyard. So many people are milling around. I do recognize a few faces. Ah, Sumi bua is here! Sumi bua is my father's youngest cousin. She's just 7 years older than me, more like a friend. 

I actually recognize this place. I have visited this place a few years ago. With Sumi bua. It was someone's funeral. It's Sumi bua's maternal grandparent's house. Haveli.

It seems like a family function. I look around and ask, 'Why are we here?'

And right then, like an answer to my question, a face flashes in front of me. A woman's face. A familiar face. I have seen her somewhere. Here, in this very haveli. 

I woke up with a start only to realize that it was a dream. A vivid dream. Oh yes, I am a dreamer. And I was at my masi's place. I remembered the woman who was in my dream just a few moments ago. Why would I see her in my dream? I never ever thought about her?

After two days, I was sauntering at the rooftop terrace of my home, engrossed in my own web of thoughts. The silent night was shimmering under the moonlight. The patio next to my house looked unusually deserted. I felt odd, as it was Sumi bua's house. The good thing was that our houses were interconnected so that we could visit each other whenever we wanted.

 I was still wondering when I heart someone's footsteps. Sumi bua was here.

'Hey, I was just thinking about you?' I said.

'Yes, I saw you. Felt like talking.'

'Yes, I just arrived. I thought I'd see you in the morning,' I said. 'Has Dadima gone somewhere? The house looks too silent.' I gestured towards her house.

'Yes, she has gone to Haveli. You remember Ma's aunt? The very quiet one who used to sit in a corner and seldom talked to anyone?'

My mind started to flicker. Of course I remember her. I saw her in my dream just two days ago. I was about to tell her when she continued, 'She died two days ago.'

'What!? How?' I asked, baffled. My dream, still very clear flashing in my mind. The Courtyard. Dadima's aunt. Her eyes closed. Blood stained, bandaged forehead...

'She fell from the rooftop.'

(It's a true story. I'm not exaggerating. My dreams are weird, I remember them, well mostly. But this one was the weirdest)

The Couple Outside The Door

Photo by Mat Reding from Unsplash.com

What time is it? I can't figure it out. Day or it's dark already? It doesn't look very bright. I faintly remember there was a party on the terrace of our building. I don't remember what I did there. I don't even like going to parties. But, if I remember about the party, it means I was there.

And who is this woman inside my house? Standing in front of me. I do not recognize her but it seems that she wants to say something. Right then, a sharp conversation attracts our attention. She turns to look at my main door and I am still wondering who she is.

Two people are talking right outside my door. A boy and a girl. Soon, the conversation turns into an argument. A heated argument. I cannot comprehend what they are saying but it sounds like they are in a relationship, and the girl is demanding an explanation and the boy is unable to explain.

Now, they have started shouting. It really irritates me and I want to go and tell them to stop fighting, but it's their personal matter, you see. So, I'll just go and tell them to fight somewhere else. Right then, I hear a deafening sound, like someone has hit something with a heavy object. Again, again and again. The sound seems to be travelling to me, hitting my ears with a painful ringing.

The door is slightly ajar and I look through the closed grill door. The boy is hitting the girl. The image is blurry but I, somehow, know he is hitting her. Suddenly, I wonder if the grill door is closed properly. I wonder if the boy has seen me. That I am the witness to his heinous act. A sense of fear grips me. I am about to approach the door when my eyes meet a pair of bloodshot eyes. The boy spots me looking at him. I feel like my shuddering heart has wedged itself in my throat.

The next thing I see that the boy, I do not recognize, is inside my house, his hands smeared with thick blood!

My eyes fly open, my heart still thundering.

Yes, you got it right! This was my dream two days ago. Considering the events I dream about these days, I should be writing crime thrillers. I will, someday. Hopefully. I have noted all my dream ideas, kind of a dream journal. Also, the unknown people I see in my dreams. Sigh!

Do you remember your dreams? Do you see unknown people in your dreams? Have you ever written any story that is inspired by your dreams? Please share, if yes. I'd love to read. I have written a story titled 'Not Without You' {that's inspired by one of my weird dreams}, published on Juggernaut reading app. Click the link, in case you want to read. It's short and free. :)

The Shadow On The Stairs

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Many years back, we had a courtyard in our house, and our bathroom was situated in the far corner of the courtyard (Some people in India still prefer to keep bathrooms away for hygiene purpose or whatever). We needed to come out of our rooms and walk through the courtyard to reach the bathroom.  

I was in school. While studying until wee hours at night, whenever I came out of my room and walked toward the bathroom, my grandmother, sleeping in the room next to mine, would call me asking questions like “Where are you going?” or “You are still awake?”.

 One day I asked her “Why do you ask me questions every single time I am out?”

 She said, “So that you don’t feel scared.”

I didn't feel scared , but it made me thinking. True that! Darkness, silence and solitude enhance the impact of fear. Why is it so? I wonder. When you hear someone's voice (er..human voice), you don't feel scared even in the complete darkness or solitude.

 It was 3:30 am. I woke up before the alarm. I had to take an important test, so I wanted to freshen up. I opened the door of my flat and came out in the open courtyard. There were four more flats that shared the same courtyard. It was moonlit night. No one was awake. Crickets were chirping, breaking the stunned silence of the night.

I approached the tap and started brushing. Suddenly, my eyes landed on the stairs of another flat nearby. A woman, wearing white, flowing dress, sat on the stair. My heart skipped a beat. 

This fear is a monster, always ready to overpower you. We need to handle it bravely. 

In this condition there could have been two options.

One: I would have panicked out of fear and raced towards my room, closing the door with a bang.

Two: I could have given my conscience some time to think and analyze.

I chose the second option. With throbbing heart I had an intent look at the woman. Who could that be at this hour? After a few seconds of analysis, I realized that the woman was actually my illusion. Moonlight, filtering through the pillars, landed on the stairs in a peculiar way that it created an impression of a sitting woman.

Had I chosen the first option, I would have believed for the rest of my life that I had actually seen a ghost!

In maximum cases, ghosts are illusion. It’s just a state of mind, sudden fear and panic that tend to overpower our conscience and we fail to comprehend things logically. 

What do you think? Share your moments of illusions. Or have you actually seen a ghost?

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The Curious Case Of Déjà Vu

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Lord Ram refused blatantly to take Sita along when going for his 14 Years exile, but Sita was adamant, especially upon hearing that Lakshman would accompany him.

Out of reflex, she said, 'I go with you in every Ramayan, then why not in this Ramayan?'

She surprised herself. 'Every' Ramayan?

Was that a case of déjà vu, which means 'already seen' or 'been there before'?

Life is a vast cycle of occurrences. And mythically, history does repeat itself. Every moment we are living now has been lived before and it will be lived again in future. Exactly the same. And, the cycle goes on. Isn't it spooky? I wonder if this is related to déjà vu.

It happens with me a lot. I still remember the first time I felt it in my childhood. I was sitting on the threshold of a door, my feet crossed in the corridor that stretched along and my eyes were on the sunny courtyard. And right then, my grandmother said something to me. I looked at her and she was smiling. This was the moment! I felt that it has happened before. Obviously, talking to my grandmother and her smile was not new, but that exact setting, our positions and the moment made me feel like that.

Also, while listening to any song, certain tune or lyric creates a sudden imagery, an unknown picture, place or setting in my mind, and then a flood of emotions hit me. Like I have seen that setting before. Like I had been to that place before. Like it is related to my life.

Is this anything psychological, something related to the (dis)functioning of our brain? Or something related to previous/next life?  Does this happen to you? Do you think I am insane?


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P.S: Maybe this post seems unconvincing, but if you like reading romance with convincing situations and realistic characters, you will like my book, We Will Meet Again.

People From Your Dreams. BarAThon Challenge

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I have always been fascinated by dreams. Dreams that we see while sleeping. I dream a lot (both while sleeping and while I am wide awake). Some of my dreams have come true, actually! And, it was shocking!

Do you remember your dreams? I do. I even remember some of my childhood dreams, and some of them are so clear! It means usually wake up in the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (REM), which is psychologically not good. Psychology says that people forget their dreams within five minutes (sometimes, in a blink) since they are up from their sleep.

I always wonder who are those people whom I often see in my dreams and don't recognize them. Some faces are so clear. Once I wrote a fiction based on this thought. One comment that I received on this post left me flabbergasted!

One of my readers said that she had a recurring dream of a German man, walking towards her car. She saw his face clearly. And, after some years, she married that man!

Isn't it stranger that fiction?

Psychology says that a person only dreams of people whom she/he has seen in real life. It is just difficult (impossible) to remember those faces we come across in our lives.


Sharing with BarAThon Challenge. Theme: Stranger Than Fiction

Dealing with the Emotional Burden of Your Child. BM Day 11

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There are several cases when children experience and stifle mental/emotional torture. It can be more painful because if they can't share their thoughts and agony. Why? Maybe because of fear or shame, or lack of friendliness in parents’ behavior. It is important to know what's going on in your child's mind. It is not just about their mental disturbance, but sometimes, it is related to the child's safety in schools or many such places where the child spends time, away from the parents.

It is true that nobody can understand your child better than you, but you need to keep a watchful eye for any striking change in your child’s behavior.

“Behaviour may vary from child to child,” says Ms. Abha Singh (M.Phil, NIMHANS), Consultant Child Psychologist, Confidence Clinic, Gurgaon. “They may turn into a recluse, or decline involvement in any activity. In some cases, children behave aggressively,” she continues.  “Parents should avoid blaming their children for every emotional/mental trouble they face in school, and adopt understanding approach,” Ms. Abha Singh suggests.

What could be the possible causes for child's mental trauma?

Abusive behavior of teachers or any other school staffs. 

Sexual harassment

Bullying

Academic pressure. Expecting them to be super-star kids.

A good relationship burgeons with good communication. If you notice any absurd behavior in your child, talk and share your concern with your child’s class teacher or even the principal or maybe your child's friend's parents, if needed. 

And, most importantly, talk to your child. Make sure you ask about his/her day in school every single day. Stay closely attached. Show your interest in your child’s friends. Talk to them when they visit. It’s not just about courtesy. You must know who your child’s friends are.

Psychological Tricks to make your child comfortable

Don’t pester him with your urgency. Give him some time, but watch him silently yet intently.

Keep your tone and approach friendly. Being strict is essential at times but in such cases being stern won’t help.

Spend some quality time together. Maybe a walk or gardening. Share your own childhood stories and tell him how you made some silly mistakes. It will encourage him to open up.

Don't disagree right away. Show that you agree with his thoughts and understand him completely. You can make him understand later.

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Natural Alarm in Our Brain

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If you are anxious or over-exited about any forthcoming event before sleeping, you are more likely to wake up far before the alarm buzzes.

But, some people have natural alarm installed in their brains. Just tell them, "Please wake me @ 4 in the morning." and they can schedule themselves to do it just like an alarm. Not that they stay awake to wake you up.

I have never been a morning person (Except it's absolutely necessary like exams or something like that). I prefer staying awake till 3-4 am. rather than getting up early in the morning.

One of my family friends wakes up (too) early and cleans everything like a maniac.

"You know, I woke up late today." She said one day.

"When?"

"4:45 am."

I know your days are more productive if you're an early bird (Except writing). Mornings are beautiful and refreshing, and it gifts you your much deserved 'me time'.

During my boards, my grandfather used to wake me up every morning even before my alarm. I felt that the alarm in my clock was useless. I used to tell the time (I wanted to get up at) and he was right there knocking at my door. Every single time!

How could he do that every single day? It's true that sleeping pattern changes with age, still...

"How does he do that? Every single day?" I asked my grandmother, one day.

"Meditate, and tell "Tarang, wake me up @ 5 in the morning" before going to bed, and see the magic!" She said smiling.

Of course, she was joking! Right?

"Tarang, wake me up @ 5 in the morning." I took a deep breath and said this to me.

At 4:55 am, I was wide awake. Sounds creepy, isn't it?

Later, after trying a couple of times (with 90% success rate), I forgot about it.

Recently, again trying to be a morning person (I love that silence and me time in the morning), I tried this and surprisingly, it worked. But, the thing is that I tend to forget about it!

Psychology says that human brains have natural alarm. Just, our body and brain need to coordinate and cooperate. And, it seems my body and brain have started to do that! I've managed to some extent.

In doing so, I have realised:

That for getting up early, you need to have something to look forward to.

That you should go slow. Don't try to get up @ 5 if you generally wake up @ 8. It won't work. Try shifting by 10-15 minutes.

And, if the sound of alarm irks you, you can always try telling yourself every night, ""Your Name", wake me up @..."

Did you know about this? Do you have any such quirks? Would you like to try this? If you do, please come back and tell me if it worked or not?

Fear of failure

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We always hope to win the game of life. We always want to achieve success. We always wish to fulfill our desire but many of us hesitate to do something substantial because we are scared of failure. The one question whirls in the mind “What if I fail?” Struggling and fighting with this big question mark, some people hesitate to even make an attempt and sometimes they attack their desire brutally and stay sullenly restless.

Just think, if we try to succeed, there are two options. One, you may fail or you may succeed but if you don’t even try, there is only one option. You fail. You accept the defeat. Without even trying. Which option is better? Needless to say.

Fear of failure inhibits the success and hesitating to make an endeavour is a kind of weakness. So, don't let the fear of failure conquer the pleasure of participating. We should trust our ability and develop our confidence. Success and failure are two aspects of life. You never know what you’re going to receive. But the one thing you must know that you can make every attempt to succeed with invincible faith and unbeatable determination.

Shared @ Three Word Wednesday

                   One Single Impression

Fear

Rainy season was approaching and Geeta was worried about her clay tiled roof. Last season, it was leaking from many sides. She anyhow managed many years but this time it has to be revived. In the market, laborers were charging too much that they could not afford. So, Dinoo, Geeta’s husband, decided to do it himself.

Dinoo brought some new tiles as some of them were broken. It was a bright sunny day. He climbed on the roof anyhow, handling his scrawny body with much difficulty. He was panting and few drops of sweat trickled down his temples. Geeta was watching shading her eyes with her hands. 

Dinoo started to disarray the old tiles and cleaned the thatches inserted within. Suddenly, his hand felt a moist surface. He yelped to see a filthy snake struggling to set out.

“What happened?” Geeta asked anxiously.

“S..s..snake!” Dinoo stammered.

The harmless snake slithered off and Dinoo fainted over there.

With the help of some villagers Dinoo was brought down. Alas! Geeta cried bitterly to find him dead. He died of heart attack perhaps.


(Unfortunately, many people die due to fear and shock of the snake, not the actual bite.)



Prompt@: 3WW (Harmless, moist, yelp)