Dream of life... A story.

Hey everybody, Hope you'll doing fair and fine. Well, this is a story I wrote a year ago. Had featured on N-zine then. Just re-posting it here on my space now..

Dream Of Life
 

There it was, right in front of her. She had aspired for it since she was a ten year old kid. Two more months, and she was gonna live it! The admission notification from the University of Duke, North Carolina, USA was in her very own hands! Megha, a young doctor,a fighter by default, knew that Duke would be the only place where she would train to become a Surgeon. 'To become a Doctor' was never her dream. "To become a Surgeon at 'The Duke'" was always what she had dreamt of. That had driven her through all her exams and all her grades, ever since school.

Megha, was from an upper middle class educated family. Her parents had got her everything she wanted. Everything she could probably have. But admission to the University of Duke, that too for General Surgery, was far from imagination. She realized this only after entering Medical College. Her parents couldn't do anything for her. Neither would Letters of Recommendations from India work nor would any money. She would be considered a Foreign Medical Graduate and she needed the highest scores and hell a lot of research papers and publications in medical journals. Her classmates said that she was being foolish that she was trying for this. She was told to shift to another university or another branch. Duke was the USA Top 4 after all! But Megha knew what she wanted. She had nurtured the dream since the time she had visited the University on a trip when she was just in class 5, and she wouldn't let go of it now. She knew this was all she had to do to make herself and her parents happy. This was their only purpose of living, and she trusted herself. She believed in her dream.

One fine day, while picking up a book at the library, Megha bumped into somebody. Somebody, who she felt was the most handsome guy in the world. Preet. A senior of two years. Silence ruled as though they were paying due respect to the library rules! Little did Megha know then, that Preet had felt the same way she did! College days passed by, two hearts and souls met. And as in all love stories, Megha and Preet never realised.

Visits to the malls and movies, those late night talks and rides on the bikes, smiles and tears, Megha and Preet had everything between them as every other couple would. The only difference was that they never thought about the future. Not even when they said "I love you for life". Megha cleared the Step one of the USMLE exam in her second year of college itself. She knew there was no turning back now.She had two more Steps to clear the exam, and she would even kill for it. Three more years of blissful love, Megha and Preet were the happiest couple their college ever saw. Preet got a Radio diagnosis post graduation admission in a prestigious institution in Delhi. All of a sudden it dawned on Megha that he would live in India for the rest of his life! What would she do in America? But Preet saw through her. He knew the depth of her dream. And he knew he wouldn't let that get shattered. Not for anything. He had then said, 'I shall take care of it. You don't worry." That was enough for her. She trusted him.

Megha strived hard. 'Duke' meant the world to her now. Nevertheless, she lost hope on quite a few occasions. She was backed up by Preet every single time she went low. She used to be back on her feet when he used to say, "Don't let anybody stamp on you. Not even yourself". She knew he was her back-bone and was more than glad to have him in his life. She gave all her exams, attended interviews and sat at home with fingers crossed. She was tired. She had done everything she could. She was sure nobody else would be more eligible than her. Be it research papers or scores or clinical skills.

And this day, this moment, when "The University of Duke" had sent a letter asking her to join in, the first phone call she made had made her smile vanish into thin air.

"Why can't you try USMLE? You're not particular about any university, so you can get into anything you get. And you sure will get into a good one!".

"It's not that Megha. My parents can't afford the expense. I can't burden myself with so much of a loan. Plus, I like the lifestyle back in India and I can't leave my parents behind."

"Preet, why didn't you tell me all this then?I would have tried to..."


"Don't Megha...I loved you. And I wouldn't let your dream get shattered. Not for anything in this world!"


"I dreamt of living with you too. Come on,don't you know that I love you?!!"


"Honey, In order to gain something in life, you ought to lose something"

Silence prevailed. It spoke for itself. Both of them understood what was being said. She went weak in her knees. She felt helpless, and hopeless too.

She was still on the phone when she heard "Hurraayyy!!!" from behind her. It was her family and friends. Everyone important to her was present there, except for Preet. Cheering her for the "Big day", it was then. There were smiles on everybody's face, tears of joy in her parents' eyes. She was hugged and blessed and congratulated. There was a cake for her to cut, champagne to open, and a huge banner which read, "Congratulations girl, for achieving the only dream you ever dreamt!"

"My only dream?". She stood there. Unable to live the moment she had dreamt for, more than the number of times she had even blinked.

 

Until next time,

Chandana C. Shekar

My Write-up's On An e-magazine :)

Hello everyone :) I'm really flattered that you people keep track of the posts on my blog. And I'm extra flattered that you guys are kind enough to post comments :) . Feels really great. Now, let me take you to another blog. Oops!! An e-magazine actually. It's called N-zine. The No Nonsense N-tertainment magazine. It's second edition is out and I'm lucky enough to be a a wee-tiny part of it. They had a theme this time for their magazine and it was 'Dreams'. I wrote a story :). And it feels great to see my write-up elsewhere than my blog :).

Well people, please do have a read and keep the bouquets and brickbats coming. The story is at 'Dream of Life'.

Guess what? There is this intro about me and the other contributors also! That feels so much red-carpet. ;)

And finally, This is one magazine which is the output of pure passion for writing and nothing else. It's been close to the heart of the editors out there and there are really nice write-ups which are surely worth a read. If you're browsing the net, check http://www.n-zine.com/ n I'm sure it will be long before you switch to any other site.


P.s.- I dedicate this story to two people I very closely know. M and G. Love you both :)

Party hard this weekend people!!

Cheers,
Chandana C. Shekar

My First Take At Story Writing :-) :-)

To,
 Dr.Priya Raghavan
G-3, Gayathri Apartments,
Basavanagudi, B'lore.

.. read the address written on an envelope in her mailbox. Priya instantly recognised the handwriting. Her heart missed a beat. She wanted to open the mail right there; but managed to get to her apartment , so that she could read it in peace. She knew she would go weak in her knees after reading it. She always did, whenever it was anything from 'him'. Sharath , the only guy, whom she had ever allowed access to her life, a long 3 years ago. The only guy, she loved more than love. The only guy, to whom she had given more rights over her, than to herself. The only guy , who was synonymous with the world for her. That one person, who she trusted more than she trusted God. The only one ,who had managed to stay on her mind, heart and soul 24*7, even though he was miles away.

She opened the letter, her eyes already filled with tears of joy. It had been two months since he had called or even written to her. She never questioned it, because she could not. He worked with Merchant Navy. He was sailing. She couldn't call him on the ship's satellite phone.She did not have an address to write to. Her e-mails had bounced back, and she had no idea as to why. Yet, yet, yet, she had no complaints. She trusted him. She convinced herself that he is busy somewhere. She wished nothing had gone wrong with him..... And as she opened the letter, there it was,... the words, in black, on white,...

"Hey Priya, I'm sorry to say this. I don't mean to make things turn ugly, but.. we need to break-up! Can't give you explainations now. But trust me, this is how it was supposed to end. Sorry again. Take care -  Sharath".

Blank.. blank.. blank... Priya's tears of joy took less than a second to dry out. They also failed to come out of her eyes. She was shocked, awestruck, numb.. She couldn't believe this was reality. How could this happen to her? She had never sensed anything of this sort coming her way. He, among all people on earth couldn't have done this to her. How could he see her hurt? How could he leave so many questions unanswered? How could it be so easy for him? Just two lines and everything over? Had he even thought what would happen of her? How could it be fine when they were not together? Why this? Why her? Why now? She was supposed to go home to her parents that week, and she planned to talk to them about him. And now this? All the Hows and Whys swept through her mind like a hurricane. She sat there, as immobile as a stone, staring into nowhere.

Three days passed. She sat in her living room, staring at the newspapers at her door, which she hadn't bothered pick up. Her colleague called to tell her that her Professor was really mad at her for staying absent without a notice. She knew that would come. Being a Post Graduate student in Medicine, when she had patients under her care, emergencies to handle and a lot more duties, she just couldn't stay away from hospital like this. Not without assigning somebody else to handle her duties. She had got leave for only 4 days for her sister's wedding too. And that was starting tomorrow! She knew she was in trouble. But nothing seemed worst than what had happened to her. She had lost her 'everything'. Life itself had come to a stand still. What would she do after becoming a physician? All her dreams of the future were associated with him. And now, how could she live life with his slot empty?

Just as she thought of that, 'Sindhu' blinked on her phone. Her elder sister was calling . "Hey Munni, when are coming home? I'm waiting for  you to come and apply mehendi for me. You know that I'm not getting it done at any parlour right? Come soon da!". .. Priya thought for a second and said, "Yeah, almost leaving". Sindhu was getting married. Unlike Priya, Sindhu always wanted to get into an arranged marriage, to see her parents happily bid good bye to her, and then, open up her life for the person, who the world thought suited best for her. Love for her, was too risky. Whenever Sindhu had said this, Priya always thought to herself, 'My love isn't risky. It's bliss'. Priya couldn't let her sorrow ruin Sindhu's wedding celebration. She packed her bags, and left,...for home... for Chennai.

Two days later, the D-day finally arrived. Priya had never seen Sindhu as happy as she was now. She wondered if she herself could ever ever be this way. She hated it when people said, 'So priya, you are the next one in line!".It made her heart bleed again and again. She helped the bride get ready, to look her best. Sindhu looked gorgeous, the perfect bride -happy, smiling, calm, anxious and shy. Priya felt really happy for her. She said, "Akka, sometimes in life, we fail to understand the value of  people who are always there for us. We never wonder what would happen of us if not for them. I just can't think of being what I am, if you weren't in my life. Sorry for the times that I hurt you. And Thanks for all the times when you lost, just to make me win. Thanks for everything. I love you". Sindhu's eyes were moist. Her little kiddo sister had grown up. The same girl, who she had taught rhymes to, was giving speeches now!. They hugged each other. They realised that they loved each other a lot lot more than they themselves knew.

"Munni, the Groom's arrived...get the aarthi thaali", Priya's mom shouted from the across the hall. Priya flashed a smile and went to welcome the Groom and his family. She hurried to the entrance,and there, ... she froze.

She remembered telling Sharath on the phone, 6 months ago, "I'm so dying to see you honey, that when I finally will, I'm sure the ground will slip off my feet".. And it happened. Right then. Right there.

Her 'akka' was getting married to 'her' Sharath!! She recalled not hearing to anything abour Sindhu's fiance, and not seeing the snap Sindhu had mailed her. She had then teasingly said, "Let there be some excitement and mystery. I shall see the 'arranged-marriage-hero'on the big day itself". Sharath knew that Sindhu had a sister called Munni. He hadn't even vaguely imagined that Priya and Munni could be the same. Maybe the once-in-a-fortnight, 15-minute-conversations on the satellite phone,that he and Priya had, never gave them enough time to talk about anything other than the love they cherished.

Priya had always taken everything from Sindhu. From parents, to clothes, to books, to dolls, to nail colours. And now, Sindhu had forver taken from her, the only thing that she truely wanted, the only thing that was solely 'hers'.

A week ago, after readin that letter, Priya had thought that she had lost everything in life... But now she realised, she had some more to lose,.... and she lost that too.

Yours truly,

Chandana C. Shekar

p.s. 1- My First time at story writing. Maybe it went a bit longer for a short story.Hope you enjoyed reading. I'm dying for feedback. Do comment. Bouquets and Brickbats most welcome :)

p.s. 2- And yeah, my creativity is tired after writing this story, and it's taking a nap. So, suggestions for the Title welcome too :)

p.s 3.- I love the last picture, It's my fav since months :). It speaks a lot.

Cheers :)

Chandana