A man like me does not languish in the memories of the pleasures of his past. Moreover, the life of a gaunt and wizened age, of a wretched state in which yearnings and life breaths all slowly recede, holds no charm to me. So if end must come, may it be now.

By now you must know that this girl is not one who lives on just the fragrance of flowers. She wants the entire garden for herself.

Books talk about the tortuous nature of a woman’s mind. Why must this charming one be different?

I know that I am born low and that my misfortunes were written in my destiny. I, born to be a slave, walk a path alongside the path of a queen and our two paths do never cross. The lines of fate cannot be effaced for anyone, everyone knows that.

Motherland!” He laughed, now feeling fully at ease. “I leave the job to serve the motherland in the worthy hands of the grandees. People like me, of the country, our lives are embroidered to our villages.”“Villages like yours together form the country, our mother.” She retorted.

In the sky splashes of clouds obscured the moon in such a way that only a white wedge of light was visible – as if placing her hands upon her face, a lady in the sky was watching a dreaded scene.

She kept him close to herself. She wanted me to be near her as well, only on a longer leash. What madness it was, to see her from so close and not to have her!

on the blessed day of Dushehra when all great undertakings are commenced – when armies begin their march and teachers accept new students– a time when rains having broken up, promises of new adventures frolic in the air, so on that cusp of a day, Firangia who had thrown all his concerns aside and had made his choice, was initiated as a Thug.

Before the trip he would be a dispirited person and when after a period of half a year he would return home he returned a completely invigorated man; a pleasing sight, much like the parched earthen pitcher after being dunked into the waters of happiness rising up from the well.

Do you know I have lost my heart to you?” His voice rustled like starched silk when trampled upon. “I am losing my sleep as well. And when sleep does come, I dream only of you.” He murmured.