Humor in Uniform – The Military “Cashless Economy” – “Black Gold” Cashless Transactions

Humor in Uniform 

Disclaimer: 

This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

PROLOGUE 

“Cashless Economy”  and  Cashless Transactions  were encouraged after  Demonetization  which happened a few years ago. 

I wrote this spoof at that time. 

Dear Reader: Here is the spoof once more for you to read... 

The Military “Cashless Economy” – “Black Gold” Cashless Transactions

Gradually – all “exclusive” military perks are being abolished or diluted. 

Sometime back – CSD Canteen Facilities (which were initially meant for uniformed Armed Forces Personnel and Military Veterans) – these CSD Canteen Facilities were extended to all Defence Civilians – even after their retirement. 

While Civil Services and Paramilitary/CAPFs keep getting what were once “exclusive” military perks – there is no reciprocity – and Defence Personnel do not get Civilian Benefits like Higher Retirement Age of 60 years, NFU (Non-Functional Upgradation) resulting in enhanced Pay/Pension, ACP (Assured Career Progression) resulting in Faster Promotions etc. 

So – day by day – in relative terms – the Civil Services are becoming more and more attractive compared to the Defence Services.

The military perk of “Ration in Kind” was discontinued for Defence Officers (I understand that efforts are being made to restore the same)

Now – it seems that the only “exclusive” military perk that remains is “Concessional CSD Liquor Quota”. 

Observing all this – a Military Wife commented that this gradual removal of military perks is the fault of Defence Personnel themselves – who misuse these perks and are “over-generous” in “helping” their civilian friends. 

She opined that Defence Personnel should stop misusing the “Concessional CSD Liquor Quota” facility – and – she said that Military “Faujis” should stop being “over-generous” in treating their Civilian Friends to “Fauji Booze” – otherwise even this solitary “exclusive” military perk would soon be discontinued. 

All this reminded me of a spoof I had written sometime ago during the Demonetization days. 

I am re-posting the spoof for you to read. 

Dear Reader: Please remember that I wrote this spoof a few years ago – and things may have changed now – so – just take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. 

THE MILITARY “CASHLESS ECONOMY”

“Black Gold” Cashless Transactions

A Fictional Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

The Military is always way ahead of Civilians.

It is a well-known fact that most of the “Cutting-Edge” Technologies and “State-of-the Art” Management Systems were first invented/developed by the Military and then put to civilian use (mostly in the USA).

But – do you know that “Cashless Economy” was in vogue long ago – since many decades – in Indian Military Environment – for so many years – and – Civilians are going hyper about “Cashless Economy” now – especially after Demonetization.

Of course – those “good old days” many decades ago – were many years before Computers were invented – and – the Internet was a long way off – so – there was no question of “Digital” or “Online” transactions.

The mode of transaction prevalent way back then – in the “Military Cashless System” was “Black Gold” aka “Military Rum” (which Military Personnel got at concessional rates in their Canteens/Messes).

(Yes, Dear Reader – like “Coal” is called “Black Diamond” in Mining Jargon – “Military Rum” is called “Black Gold” in Military Parlance)

In order to explain how “Black Gold Cashless Transactions” operated – let me tell you an “apocryphal” story.  

Long back – an Army Officer was selected for the prestigious “Staff College” course at Wellington.

The moment he came to know of his selection – he started collecting bottles of “Military Rum” aka “Black Gold”. 

(As I told you earlier – in military parlance – Rum is called “Black Gold”) 

The Army Officer (selected for Staff College) – he asked his fellow officers to “sacrifice” a few bottles of Rum from their Liquor Quota – he begged the Canteen Officer and Mess Secretary for a few bottles of Rum.

“I want to get through Staff College comfortably – and – for that – I need at least a few cases of “Black Gold”…” he said. 

(One Case = 12 Bottles of Rum) 

I was surprised that the Army Officer needed so many bottles of Rum to get through Staff College – so I innocently asked him: 

“Really…? Is Staff College so tough…? Do you need to drink so much Rum – to be able to perform all the studies – and complete all the assignments – to get through and qualify Staff College…?” 

The Officer laughed and said to me: 

“Are you crazy…? I am not going to drink all that Rum. In fact – I am a teetotaller – I don’t touch alcohol…” he said, “the Rum is not for me to drink – Rum is “Black Gold” – and – I need plenty of “Black Gold” to get things done out there – “Black Gold” is much more valuable than Cash – in fact – for some things they don’t accept cash – they only want “Black Gold”….”

For obvious reasons – I will not spell out the “Cashless Transactions” which “Black Gold” could perform so seamlessly and economically.

If you have served in the military – you may have seen “cashless transactions” at various places for a variety of goods and services – in fact – in cantonments – most “service providers” insist on “Cashless Transactions” using “Black Gold”. 

Earlier – when Officers travelled by Train – and you had to move at short notice without reservation – instead of giving cash bribes to to get a seat/berth – haven’t you preferred “Cashless Transactions” using “Black Gold” to pay the bribe to get a seat/berth...?

When Handing/Taking Over Houses – haven’t you had to use “Cashless Transactions” using “Black Gold” to satisfy MES personnel who would otherwise enter “damages” resulting in huge recoveries from you...? 

Tell me – haven’t you had to resort to “Cashless Transactions” using “Black Gold” for so many things – especially in cantonments...? 

So – isn’t the Military the pioneer in “Cashless Transactions”...?

And now – as usual – after so many years – Civilians are emulating the Military in the domain of “Cashless Economy” – albeit – they are using “Digital Technology” instead of “Black Gold” for “Cashless Transactions”.

Cheers – have a good day !!! 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This story was written by me almost 3 years ago ago in Dec 2016 and Posted Online earlier by me Vikram Karve in my various Blogs under the title “CASHLESS ECONOMY” at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/humor-in-uniform-cashless-economy.html  and  https://www.quora.com/profile/Vikram-Karve/Writing-by-VIKRAM-KARVE/Humor-in-Uniform-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9CBlack-Gold%E2%80%9D-Cashless-Transactions  and https://karve.wordpress.com/2016/12/26/cashless-economy-military-style/  and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-military-cashless-economy-black.html  etc

Musings on Writing – Part 3 – Blogging – The Best Way of Creative Writing

BLOGGING – THE BEST WAY OF CREATIVE WRITING

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

WRITING

Why do writers write?

If you are a writer – you will realize that writers write for two reasons:

1. Some write because they want to earn money (commercial writing)

2. Others get the urge to write because they want to say something (creative writing)

In your case, which is the primary reason why you write?

Are you primarily a Creative Writer or a Commercial Writer?

There was a time when writers could earn enough money to make a living.

That is why writers could afford the luxury of full-time writing (and not doing a job).

But it was difficult to establish yourself as a “published author” since you were at the mercy of editors and publishers.

And only if you could establish yourself as a published author could you earn enough money from your writing to make it a full-time vocation.

It was a Catch-22 situation.

If an editor did not print your writing in a magazine or a publisher did not publish your book you were doomed to failure as a writer.

The print medium (Books and Magazines) were the only ways you could make your writing reach the reader.

Either you had to be a celebrity – or have the right “contacts” in the publishing industry – or get that “lucky break” – or keep peddling your writing doggedly despite getting rejection slip after rejection slip.

Publishers evaluated writing purely from the business point of view.

Your writing had to be “sellable”.

That is why “commercial fiction” is most sought after by editors and publishers.

The combination all these factors is the reason why many “wannabe” budding writers who tried their hand at writing, faced rejection, got frustrated, and fell by the wayside.

And since they could not financially sustain themselves – they had to give up “full time creative writing” and take up other professions to support their passion for writing.

To sum up:

1. Commercial Writers write to Earn Money

2. Creative Writers write because they want to Express their Inner Feelings

Suppose you observe something which stirs emotion within you – do you experience an urge to express your inner feelings – and tell others about it?

Well – you can write about it – in any form – as an article – or better still as a short story or novel.

BLOGGING 

Blogging is writing in digital space.

The traditional paradigm of writing changed with the advent of the internet, proliferation of information technology and innovations like blogging in the “digital space”.

Now, “publishing” is no longer the monopoly of a handful of publishers and the stranglehold of editors is over.

Anyone who wishes to write can instantly “publish” their writing on blogs and showcase their literary work to the world.

I feel that blogging is the biggest “blessing” for those who wish to write, especially creative writers.

Yes, apart from social media, blogging is the most significant innovation of information technology.

Now, with widespread proliferation of the internet, every person has the opportunity to write.

All you have to do is to set up your blog (which is simple and free of cost on a number of popular blogging platforms like blogger, wordpress, typepad etc).

Then, you upload and publish your writings on your blog.

And, instantly, your writing is available throughout the world for people to read.

You feel a sense of “instant gratification”.

And you experience a sense of creative freedom since you have full control on what you want to write on your blog (without any external “editorial intervention”).

By removing the opaque barrier of editor/publisher between the writer and reader, blogging has enabled the reader to connect directly with the writer and facilitated mutual interaction between the two.

Blogging has proved to be a big boon to writers (who write because they want to “say something”).

If you are a writer, blogging is the best medium to satisfy your creative urge and demonstrate your literary skills to the world

Blogging is also of great benefit to readers as it has made so much material available for them to read free of cost.

Apart from blogs, there are many websites which contain a deluge of reading material in the digital space.

Many people have stopped reading printed paper and do all their reading from screens.

Technology has also progressed fast by leaps and bounds.

First you had ebook readers, and then you read on screens of PCs, Laptops and Tablets.

Now you have Smartphones.

Nowadays, people spend more time reading books on Smartphones than they do on tablets, ebook readers, PCs and laptops.

New sophisticated “eReader” applications for reading books on electronic screens are being developed in a big way to offer a superior reading experience on handheld electronic devices, especially mobile smartphones and “phablets”.

Handheld digital screens are edging out paper books

With increasing trend of reading on handheld digital screens (especially smartphones), paper books are being edged out of the market.

The shutting down of many bookstores (including the iconic Manney’s in Pune) and downsizing of bookshop chains (which restrict their stock to recent commercial fiction) bears testimony to the increasing ascendancy of the digital literary space vis-à-vis the traditional print medium.

WILL BLOGGING REPLACE CREATIVE WRITING...?

What does this all mean for budding creative writers?

If you are a new writer then it is better to forget about “publishing” your writing in the print medium.

You will be better off if you start blogging your writing in the digital space.

A few months ago, I met a columnist who used to write columns on topical issues for print newspapers.

He told me that owing to financial considerations, newspapers were becoming thinner, both smaller in size and with lesser number of pages.

Also more pages had to given to commercial features which financially sustain the newspaper like advertisements and sponsored features (“paid news”).

The result was that there was less space for content of columnists and writers.

So the columnist was repeatedly told to keep reducing the length of his article and make it shorter and shorter, till the word count became so less that it was not possible for him to properly express what he had to say.

Finally, things reached a stage where the e-version of the newspaper (in digital space) would carry his full article and the print version would be abridged to fit into the miniscule space available.

So now, the columnist has started blogging where he can write in an unrestricted and unrestrained manner.

Let me tell you about another friend who is a voracious reader.

He travels extensively all over the world as a part of his work and he spends a lot of his time waiting at airports, in hotels or in commuting to and fro to airports.

Earlier he used to carry a book to pass time during these long waits.

Now he carried his Smartphone – he can multitask, he can network, and also read a wide variety of things via the web since internet connectivity has become so easy and accessible.

He regularly reads my blog wherever he is in the world, and he can access literature and information from websites and also read a variety of blogs and writings of his interest.

WHY YOU MUST BLOG

Suppose you observe something which stirs emotion within you and you experience an urge to express your inner feelings and say something, tell others, so you write about it – say, a short story.

In the “good old” pre-internet days, you would send your piece of creative writing, your story, to a magazine for publication.

And then, the agonizing wait would begin.

Some decent editors would acknowledge your contribution, and then let you know of acceptance or otherwise.

Others would not even have the courtesy of acknowledging receipt of your story.

Sometimes, there would be so much delay by the time your story was published that you yourself would have lost interest or the story would have lost its topicality.

It was similar with a manuscript of your book, if you were a new budding author.

Everything depended on the whims and fancies of the all-powerful editors and publishers.

Most unsolicited manuscripts were consigned to the slush-pile and forgotten.

Hapless authors who wanted their writings to see the light of day had no choice but spend time and effort to make the rounds of editorial offices, swallow their self respect and be ready to be pushed around.

Not anymore.

The advent of blogging has changed everything.

Now – the moment you finish writing your story – you can upload it on your blog – and – hey presto – your story will be instantaneously available worldwide for all to read.

Readers will connect with you – just like my friend can read my writing on his Smartphone – wherever he is in the world – he can instantly read my writing the moment I post my stories on my blog.

Today – More People Read on Digital Screens than Paper

The ascendancy of online Digital Literature is an undeniable reality.

It looks like: 

BLOGS ARE IN and BOOKS ARE OUT

Yes: 

DIGITAL LITERATURE IS IN and PRINTED LITERATURE IS OUT

That is why Blogging is the best way to showcase your Creative Writing.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

The above post is an updated version of my post REVOLUTION IN PUBLISHING  –  THE ASCENDANCY OF DIGITAL SPACE posted by me on this blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal on Saturday, September 28, 2013 Posted by Vikram Karve at 9/28/2013 02:53:00 PMat url: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/09/revolution-in-publishing-ascendancy-of.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2015/02/blogging-best-way-of-creative-writing.html

Difference Between Aadhaar Seeding Linking and Updation

Please click link below and read in my blog

https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/aadhaar-and-bank-accounts-seeding-linking-updation-which-one-should-you-do/amp/

Infatuation – Romance – Love : A Story

INFATUATION ROMANCE LOVE

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Here is an “ancient” story from my creative writing archives. 

I wrote this story before the advent of internet – for the print medium – so I have suitably abridged, updated and edited for easy reading on the digital screen.

Yes – I wrote this “old fashioned” romance long back – more than 25 years ago – in the early 1990’s – so you may find the writing style a bit archaic and amateurish.

Dear Reader: 

Indulge me – please read the story – and do tell me if you liked it.

INFATUATION ROMANCE LOVE – Fiction Short Story By VIKRAM KARVE

PART 1 – INFATUATION

Jayashree entered my life the moment I saw her photograph on Sanjay’s desk. 

And – she my life changed forever.

Till that moment – I had never wanted anything belonging to anyone else.

I stared transfixed at her photo – enthralled – captivated by her beauty.

“Sir – this is Jayashree – my wife...!” Sanjay said, getting up from the swivel chair.

He picked up the framed photograph – and he showed it to me.

I took Jayashree’s picture in my hand and looked intently at her – totally mesmerized.

What a stunning beauty she was...! 

Never before had the mere sight of a picture of a woman aroused such strong passions in me – and a yearning desire – to this extent.

Sanjay was talking something – but it did not register.

I hastily said: “Cute...!” – for I believe that thoughts can transmit themselves if they are strong enough!

I thought Sanjay seemed just a trifle taken aback at hearing me say the word: “Cute...!”

But – he smiled – and he pulled out a photo-album from the drawer. 

He began showing me the photographs and started describing his home – his family – his wedding – his honeymoon – the wonderful days Jayashree and he had spent together in Goa.

I took the album from him and looked at a photograph of Jayashree in a bathing suit which was so revealing that she might as well have worn nothing, but she conveyed such innocence that it was obvious that she had no inkling of this.

She looked ravishing. Yes, she was absolutely breathtaking. Her breasts were boldly outlined under the flimsy fabric and she radiated a tantalizing sensuousness with such fervour that I could not take my eyes off her.

“Cute...” I uttered instinctively – and unthinkingly – once again – and I bit my lip. 

It was the wrong word – but Sanjay didn’t seem to mind. 

He didn’t even seem to be listening.

Dear Reader – before I proceed further with my story – let me tell you something about myself.

My name is Vijay – Captain Vijay. 

At the time of this story – I was the Master of a Merchant Ship – an Oil Tanker. 

Sanjay was my Chief Officer – my second-in-command.

He had joined recently – and it was our first sailing together. 

I had not met him earlier – but in due course – he proved to be an excellent Chief Mate. 

He was young – just 30 – but he ran the ship efficiently – and I liked him for his good qualities.

There was something in his eyes that I could not fathom – but I shut my mind to it.

It’s extraordinary how close you can be to a man – and still know nothing about him. 

Sometimes I wondered whether he was much more naïve than he looked – or – was he a lot more shrewder than I thought...?

“Captain – may I ask you a personal question...?” Sanjay asked me one evening – the first time we went ashore.

“Sure...” I said.

“Captain – I was wondering – why didn’t you get married so far...?” Sanjay said with childlike candour.

I sipped my drink – I smiled – and – I said to him: 

“I don’t really know. Maybe – I am not marriage-material.”

“So you tried to get married...?”

“Yes.”

“You loved someone...?”

I didn’t answer.

And – as I thought about it – I felt depressed. 

Life was passing me by. 

I looked around the restaurant. 

The atmosphere was gloomy-dark and quiet. 

It was late – almost midnight.

Sanjay offered me a cigarette. 

His hands were unsteady. 

He seemed to be quite drunk. 

As we smoked – he lapsed into silence – his eyes closed.

When he opened his eyes – I observed a strange metamorphosis in his expression. 

He looked crestfallen – close to tears.

Suddenly – Sanjay blurted out: 

“I wish I had never got married.”

With those few words – Sanjay had bared the secret of his marriage.

I attempted to smoothen my startled look into a grin.

I was ashamed to find that – inwardly – I was glad to hear of his misfortune.

I wondered how could I desire and yearn for Jayashree to this extent – without ever having met her in flesh and blood – merely by seeing her photograph.

But – it is true. 

My heart ached – whenever I thought of her. 

PART 2 – ROMANCE

We sailed from Madras (Chennai) port next morning – and – we headed for Singapore. 

It was the monsoon season – and – the sea was rough. 

As the voyage progressed – the weather swiftly deteriorated. 

The ship rolled and pitched feverishly – tossed about by the angry waves.

As we neared the Strait of Malacca – I began to experience a queer sensation – a strange foreboding. 

Though I was moulded in a profession where intellect habitually meets danger – I felt restless and apprehensive. 

I had felt and fought occasional fear before – but this was different – a premonition – a nameless type of fright – a strange feeling of dread and uneasiness.

I tried my best to dispel my fear – thrust away the strange feelings. 

But – all my efforts to get rid of my fear failed. 

The nagging uneasiness persisted and soon took charge of me. 

It was so dark that I couldn’t even see our ship’s forecastle. 

The incessant rain and treacherous sea created an eerie atmosphere. 

I was close to panic as we negotiated the treacherous and hazardous waters of the Strait.

As I stared into the pitch blackness which shrouded the hour moments before the breaking of dawn – a strange tocsin began sounding in my brain. 

It sounded a warning I could not fathom.

The ship was pitching violently. 

I felt sick with fear – and I stood gasping for air – clutching the telegraph. 

I had to get outside – into the fresh air – or I’d suffocate.

As I groped my way along the rail in the bridge-wing – I heard a shrill voice behind me: 

“Don’t go away, Captain...! Please stay. I can’t handle it alone. I can’t. Please, Sir. Don’t go...!”

I turned around. 

It was Sanjay. 

He looked at me beseechingly – with terror and fright in his eyes.

It penetrated to me in flash of revelation what I had done.

I had transmitted my own fear into my crew. 

Sanjay was the Chief Officer. 

For him – to confess in front of the crew – that he could not handle it – brought home to me the fact of how desperate he was.

I had to take control at once.

“You are not supposed to handle it as long as I am around...” I shouted, “Go down to your cabin and catch up on your sleep. I don’t want useless “passengers” on my ship’s bridge. You just get out of here.”

The moment those words left my mouth – I instantly regretted what I had said – but it was too late now. 

Sanjay was close to tears – humiliated in front of the crew. 

He shamefacedly left the bridge – and went down to his cabin.

Suddenly – a searchlight was switched on, dead ahead. 

Instinctively – I shouted an order to the helmsman to swing the ship across across to starboard. 

I crossed my fingers – desperately praying to avoid a collision. 

It was a near-miss – but the searchlight kept following our sheer to starboard.

I was angry now. 

I stopped the engines – I picked up the loudhailer – I rushed out the bridge-wing – I leaned over – and I shouted at the boat below: 

“You stupid fools. Are you crazy...? What the hell do you think you are doing...?”

“We are in distress...” a voice answered from the boat below, “Please throw us a rope.”

I called the Boatswain (Bosun).

I told him to throw over the monkey-ladder.

“Be careful – and report quickly...” I told the Bosun and the crew.

10 minutes must have passed – but – there was no report from the Bosun. 

The silence was disquieting, ominous. 

I decided to go down to the deck. 

Before I could move – four men entered the bridge. 

They were wearing hoods. 

As I started at the nozzle of a carbine pointed at me – comprehensive dawned on me pretty fast. 

This was piracy on the high seas. 

Incredible – but true. 

I had never imagined it would happen to me. 

Undecided as to my next move – I stood there feeling far from heroic. 

There was no question of resistance. 

After all – this was a merchant ship – a tanker – not a “man-o’-war” warship. 

Saving the lives of the crew was of paramount importance. 

The man pointing the carbine at me said softly to me: 

“Captain – we are taking over. Don’t try anything foolish. Tell the crew.”

Suddenly – there was deep shuddering sound followed by a deafening roar. 

The ship rose – as if she was being pushed up on top of a steep quivering hill.

And then – she slithered down its slope. 

There was a resounding thud – followed by reverberating screeching vibrations. 

We had run aground.

Suddenly – the ship lurched wildly – throwing everyone off-balance. 

Sanjay suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

He made a running dive – and he grabbed the carbine from the pirate. 

It happened too quickly – and so unexpectedly – that I was totally dumbstruck. 

Everyone seemed to have opened fire. 

Bullets wildly started the bridge. 

There was pandemonium – as crew members joined the melee – grappling with the pirates. 

I hit the deck and froze.

I don’t know who pulled me up – but by then – everything was calm and quiet. 

“The pirates have been overpowered,” said the Boatswain, “But the Chief Officer...”

I followed his gaze. 

Sanjay lay on the deck – in a pool of blood. 

I knelt down beside him. 

Sanjay’s face was vacant – but he tried to focus his eyes on me – whimpering: 

“Jayashree, Jayashree, Jayashree ...” 

I shook him – he tried to get up – but he slumped back – Sanjay was dead...!

PART 3 – LOVE

6 months later I knocked on a door.

There was long wait. 

Then – Jayashree opened the door.

Her gorgeously stunning dazzling face took my breath away.

She was even more beautiful than her photographs.

Dressed in white sari – she looked so proud in her grief – that I felt embarrassed. 

I had myself not yet recovered from the shock of Sanjay’s sudden death.

I said awkwardly to her: 

“I am Captain Vijay.”

Jayashree looked directly into my eyes – and she said to me: 

“So I see.” 

Her dark eyes were hostile.

“I am sorry about what happened. Sanjay was a brave man – and we are all proud to have known him...” I said to her.

My words sounded insincere – and I felt acutely uncomfortable.

“Proud...!!!” she exclaimed, her magnificent eyes flashing, “Some people might feel grateful – especially the person whose life he saved.”

I was stunned by the sting of her bitterness. 

Never before had I felt such a burning shame – the shame of being held responsible for someone’s death.

I looked at Jayashree helplessly – pleading innocence.

But – it was of no use. 

It was hopeless now to try and explain. 

The hurt was deep – and I had to let it go in silence.

Jayashree excused herself,

She turned – and – she went inside.

It was then that I remembered the real reason for my visit.

I wanted to hand over what remained of Sanjay’s personal effects – the unfinished letter – his diary – the framed photograph. 

I would give her the letter first. 

Then – probably – she would understand the real reason for Sanjay’s reckless bravery – his suicidal heroics – and – his desperate concern about proving his masculinity.

When Jayashree returned – she was composed. 

I gave her Sanjay’s unfinished letter.

She took the letter in her dainty hands – and she started reading it.

As she silently read on – I saw tears well up in her eyes.

I do not know whether I did the right thing by giving her Sanjay’s unfinished letter.

Maybe – it would have been wiser to destroy the letter and the diary.

It would have been better to leave things unspoken and unhealed.

But – I had thought it would be better to exorcise the sense of guilt and shame.

Better for me. 

Better for Jayashree. 

Good for both of us.

It was not easy – but we both had to come to terms with ourselves.

Jayashree finished reading the letter.

Then – she looked at me.

She had a cold look in her eyes.

I looked at Jayashree – deep into her intoxicating eyes.

Jayashree looked into my eyes too.

We looked into each other – transfixed – in silence – a deafening silence.

And suddenly – Jayashree’s frozen eyes melted – and she smiled.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This is a Revised Version of My Story written by me Vikram Karve 25 years ago in the early 1990’s and Earlier Posted Online in my Creative Writing Blogs by me Vikram Karve a number of times including at urls: https://karve.wordpress.com/2006/05/26/the-revelation/  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/jayashree_69166_blog  andhttp://creative.sulekha.com/the-unfinished-letter_83782_blog  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/01/jayashree-my-favourite-short-stories.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/08/adventure-on-high-seas-and-passionate.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/10/romance-and-love.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/infatuation-romance-love.html etc