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Not Just Games
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Chinkesh
and Chandru, both 10 years young could never tire of playing
with marbles and tops. At a nice courtyard that separated
the nice little houses of these two, everyday the sight of
the revolving top and noise of marbles caught attention of
passers by. Every day, from morning to dusk, Chinkesh and
Chandru, clad in shorts and summer tee shirts immersed themselves
in these two games. When there was a reason to celebrate,
the activities continued a little longer.
For example,
when Chinkesh scored the first rank, his idea of celebrating
it was to release the top ‘Anand’
from the string which was wound around it and then with
a stroke, pull it directly to his palm.
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Chandru decided to
strike a marble at a faraway distance with his special
white coloured marble, which he affectionately called ‘charmy’,
whenever he wanted to celebrate his success.
Many years passed.
Chandru and Chinkesh now were now in their junior college, -but
continued to be in touch through these games - though as much as
their busy schedules could accommodate. These two activities meant
more to them than just being childhood games. Anand and Charmy continued
to be part of their lives day in and day out. After their college
was over, a sudden phase of trying times hit both the friends. Their
lives became busier, they found little time for their games and
even to meet each other, once in a while. Moreover, with the pressure
of studies mounting on them, they seemed to become more irritable
with family members. Somehow, slowly and gradually, joy seemed to
be moving out from their lives like air vanishes from an open balloon.
The sadness could be read on their faces every day.
Once, the two of them decided to meet as they felt that would help
them sort things out. The two of them met at one of their favourite
hangouts affectionately called ‘Find yourself-unwind yourself’.
Chandru started off first-‘Chinkesh, since the past couple of years,
life is not all that great. In fact I strongly feel something is
missing.”
Chinkesh echoed similar feelings saying, “Yes, Chandru. We are both
keen to get the life we had earlier.” Both of them asked each other
- what is missing from our lives? Chandru asked Chinkesh whether
he used to spend time with ‘Anand’ anymore? Chinkesh said that he
didn’t know where he misplaced Anand two years back. Chinkesh asked
Chandru whether he still shared his success with ‘charmy’?
Chandru said his life had left him with little time for ‘charmy’.
Both of them realized that what earlier used to be an integral part
of their lives was now missing. They decided to once again find
time for their ‘faithful friends’- Anand and charmy in the hope
that life would once again smile at them. It did. However, Chandru
and Chinkesh were both confused - was the remedy to their problem
so simple - a top and a few marbles?
They were discussing this once again at ‘Find yourself-unwind yourself’,
when their school professor ‘Vidyasagar’ passed by. He recognised
Chandru and Chinkesh immediately and shared warm greetings with
them.
Chandru and Chinkesh asked their query to Vidyasagar, to which he
said, “Chandru, I remember how charmy used to hit out other marbles
as a way to celebrate your success. Chinkesh, I also remember how
every moment of joy used to find itself wound around ‘Anand’ your
beloved top. Let me tell you, charmy wasn’t just a marble and Anand
wasn’t just a top. Charmy was Chandru’s confidence - his self-belief
while Anand was Chinkesh’s heart dancing round and round in joy.
Tell me guys, how can a person’s life be happy without his confidence
and a happy heart? Chandru and Chinkesh took blessings from
Vidyasagar and from thereon, Anand and charmy were attached to the
two friends forever
Contributing Story Teller
Saurabh Niranjan Turakhia is a 28 year young poet
and has lately been dabbling in short story writing. I am thankful
to Contentwriter.in
for providing a good platform for writers like me
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