Where are we today?

It was not under my interest to see what was going on around. But many recent encounters that I had to see and hear made me go to the depth of this incompetent life lived by many, suffered and tolerated in all sense, for the one single word which’s meaning is not yet understood by many of the ones I see. They call it, just LOVE.
Love used to be a divine thing long ago. I still find love as an attractive thing, but what I am going to discuss here is not just my views, but what I have heard and seen all around. And once I account this, you may feel like these are stories heard. Let me tell you one thing. These are not stories. These are realities that happened.
The shocking part is the age group. It varies. It starts from the age of 12-18, and in colleges, goes ahead. The approach is the first step from boys, and sometimes girl, and then they call themselves in a relationship. Fine! Then they say they are in love. Fine again! Then they kiss! Can be avoided for no harm is done except for bad breath and farts. But next is the worst part and to think these are only kids.
There are many kinds in this form. But eventually they end in only one result. Not many relations reach there I say, but how many can be careful as they claim to be? And this carelessness is the factor that leads me to this little article. I am not allowed to state names so I just shall narrate the events, and rest can be assumed.
Even in news we hear how girls are being exploited. But the fact is that girls are being exploited for their ignorance over how they should see themselves, I would say. And boys, well, they would try to get anything for them to get in. Who is wrong is a question I rather ask and not answer. Sincerity is a factor died long ago.
Recently a boy in a school killed himself due to matters affecting his so called love life. And to think he was only 15 to think so deep as a Romeo. This was in news. Also was news about a girl who had gone out with a boy and came back with a swollen belly and many names to the result. She was only 14. What is to be done with such ladies and gentlemen?
The culture in America is kind of different, I know. They have got their own ways of handling sex and relationships. It is their matter. Good things and bad things happen everywhere. But today teenagers see more of bad and get anticipated and excited at the same time over them, with the eagerness to try more over the factor. This is what is referred to as incompetence of the kids.
Love has turned out to be an instrument for practicing sex and nothing less. Recently I met a teacher who mentioned about how students go wrong. The teacher said so about their miserable parents who cry out about their children, taking leave from class together, and go around. Some go behind the auditoriums, while some go to their houses with no one else in there. A camera and a bed, and everything are set for 20 minutes entertainment. The worst part, they are not the only ones to get the clips. Children who have been taken aback as such are many.
Recently in a school a few kids were found to be absent for a couple of days. But when the authorities enquired to their parents, they were shocked to gear that they would also dress up and go to school. The matter was stopped by having some police officers who solved the case. The girls would land at the bus stop where someone else would be waiting for them in a car, who would take them away. What was precious was already lost by then.
In Gujarat, a girl was killed for prostitution. But the fact remained that the one who was killed was actually raped by the ones who killed her. By when the truth was known, it was too late. And in London, a 13 year old became a father. In Pakistan, only the ladies are punished for prostitution, and so in many other Arab nations. Whatever has happened to “Only they who are not sinned shall throw the stone.”?
18 years for girls and 21 for boys was set by the government and the olden sages under the realization that it is at that time that sexual and physical developments come to a better stage for practice. But eagerness draws the children to a rather awkward state as how it is seen around.
Under-aged kids are forced to practice the illicit acts. Sometimes in the name of love, and some other times simply for pleasure. Numerous news and clips are available on such matters and yet everyone is eager to do the wrong alone. Like the wise men say, “Bad is tastier, while good is healthier.”
It is time that we wake up and come to the realization, before it gets too late in any case. Respect for women is to be regained. Childhood is to be returned for kids. Prostitution is to be checked under strict ideals. (I am not against prostitution, for it is actually something going on for many years which even has license. But if it goes off hands, like involving kidnaps and children, then it is serious.) Children have to undergo compulsory sex education and should consult proper psychiatrists to discuss their tensions, the present times being more complicated than earlier. And that’s all I got to say.
P.S. I ain’t into social works. But this is a serious matter of concern which I thought I would share. This is just the beginning though. Probably, next time I post something, it will be a story upon this. See you till then.

Manu's letters

This is my new short story. The idea was given by a dear freind Sajal. It had been a bit of work for me, and now that is complete, I have a small excerpt from it for you all.

Manoj walked around the corridor, tensed as usual. Dr. Saritha was inside Manu’s room, checking up on him as usual. Manoj’s tension rose up as usual. It was unlikely for him to take a leave, and so for him to be not tensed. And here he was tensed again, for no one else but his young brother.
Manoj was a thin man, he never ate much. He was tall, but not strong. His eyes had sunk inside and his lips were dry. He was 25, but looked older than that. He wore simple dress, yet elegant, which enabled him to even go to office at that instant. His house was big, with lot luxuries, only he never enjoyed any.
Hearing the door to Manu’s room open, he turned back, to see Saritha walk out. She closed the door behind her and saw him move forward towards her. As he stopped near her, she said, “I really think he should be taken to the hospital. For heaven’s sake…”
“He doesn’t want to go.”
“It is no more a patient’s choice, but of the doctor.”
“I will not act different from what he had asked me to do.”
Saritha looked away and said, “I don’t have anything to say. It is his choice.”
Manoj closed his eyes and asked, “What is the assurance that he will survive if I take him to you?” She looked back at him. He opened his eyes and continued, “It won’t change, so let us have it his way.”
Saritha didn’t smile. She simply said, “Now it is in your hands.” Manoj smiled and corrected her. “No! It is his choice.”
When she left he walked to Manu’s room and watched him. He was simply lying there, tired and still, but still young, just 24, and still looked the same in all ways.
He sat near him, and he opened his eyes to see his elder brother. Manoj looked at him and smiled. In a tired voice, Manu asked, “What did Saritha say?”
Manoj looked at him and replied, “She said everything is going to be fine.”
Manu smiled and said, “That girl really has a big ass and two nice pieces of boobs. Have you ever noticed that?”
“Shut up, Manu!” Manoj never liked the guy’s talk. Manu smiled more and said, “You know…you have missed a lot in your life, Manoj, really a lot.” Manoj didn’t have anything to say.
Manu’s smile vanished and said, “I have something for you.” He coughed a bit and slid to the other side of the bed. As Manoj was looking, Manu took out a piece of paper and said, “When I am gone, I want you to read it.”
“Why are you..?”
“Take it, Manoj.” That was an order. Manoj took it from him, as Manu continued, “And get out of here. Be back at 8. Do not read it until I am gone. And my words for you…I hate you.”
The words were indeed a shock for Manoj, but he didn’t know why he said that. Manu turned his head away and said, “Now go out and come back at 8. I have work to do.” And he said no more. Knowing how arrogant he could get, Manoj stood up and walked out of the room.
When he walked back to his room at 8 in the evening, Manu was not there to bid him goodbye.