Short Story 14 : The Birthday Gift

The Birthday Gift

                               - T ABRAHAM

    Pinky has turned nineteen years old now. Time has passed like a stream of river going at its own phase with rocks and obstacles in between. The Blossom cottage has been renovated into a bungalow and it looks like a palace of the royal family. Mr. Cephal has retired recently and has moved to his brother’s house in the valley to have some change from his static life. It was during the beginning of the month of May. Mrs. Cephal and Pinky were the ones who were there in the cottage.

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    Pinky had her birthday in the month of April and it is now almost a month since she had received the birthday gifts. She did not unwrap some of the gifts she had received from her friends as it was the time when she was having her exams.
    ‘When are you going to open the presents Pinky? It’s almost a month now’, said Mrs. Cephal to Pinky. ‘Once the exams gets over mama’, said Pinky and went to her room.
    All her exams got over. ‘Pinky…. your birthday gifts!’, said Mrs. Cephal to Pinky. ‘I will open them mama’, said Pinky to her mother. It was almost afternoon when Pinky had started to unwrap all her gifts. The gifts ranged from small keychains to a laptop. Mrs. Cephal was with her daughter all the while, ‘Aren’t you going to open that last gift which you have received from papa?’ asked Mrs. Cephal to her daughter.
    Suddenly Pinky noticed that she had forgotten to unwrap one of the gifts and began to remove its wrapper. ‘Who is this mama?’, asked Pinky. The last gift which she had received from her father was a portrait of a young teddy bear. ‘Give it to me!’, demanded Mrs. Cephal and forcibly grabbed the portrait from Pinky’s hands and went into her room.
    Pinky was clueless and she heard her mom crying from her room. Pinky went near the door and asked loudly, ’Why are you crying mama? Who’s that in the portrait? Tell me mama! Tell me!’. It was almost night and there was no sound from the bedroom. Pinky tried to unlock the door but it was locked from the other side.
    ‘Who’s portrait was that? And why did mama get angry and also started to cry?’, thought Pinky. ‘I should find out who it is’, then Pinky made a call to her father, ‘Hello Papa! Mama is crying continuously’, said Pinky to her father. ‘Why my child? What happened?’, asked Mr. Cephal to Pinky. ‘It was after seeing the portrait which you have presented to me as my birthday gift papa. Who’s that papa? Does mama know the teddy bear before?’, asked Pinky to Mr. Cephal. The call ended abruptly and Pinky was unable to find out the answer about this mysterious portrait being presented to her by her father.
    Pinky went to her room and had fallen asleep. It was during the middle of the night when she heard her mother talking to someone. ‘Why did you gift her this portrait? She should not know who he is. Pinky has to complete her studies and we shouldn’t reveal this to her now’, said Mrs. Cephal to Mr. Cephal over the phone.
    All the while Pinky was overhearing this conversation and was still clueless about what was going on. ‘Is there any mystery prevailing in our family history?’, she said to herself and went to sleep. Pinky had a nightmare where she was seated in a park with a little teddy bear and it was suddenly shot dead by someone who was holding a pistol in his hands. Then suddenly she woke up from her dream and she was drenched with sweat and was also shivering. Mrs. Cephal was already there inside Pinky’s room as she had also let out a scream while witnessing the gory sight in her dream.
    ‘What happened Pinky?’, asked Mrs. Cephal and hugged her daughter. ‘I saw someone being shot dead in my dream mama. A little teddy bear…’, said Pinky to her mother. Mrs. Cephal started to cry upon hearing this and revealed all that was behind the portrait. The mystery behind the portrait was revealed. It was none other than Pinky’s younger brother who was shot dead by a psychopath when Pinky was a little child. This incident had happened when they went to the park. The nightmare which Pinky got after seeing the portrait was a real incident which had happened seventeen years back in time.
    Pinky was shocked after hearing this but Mrs. Cephal consoled her and asked her not to worry about this. The birthday gift was something which was an eye opener for Pinky. The family history was presented to her by letting her know about the mysterious death of her little brother. Her memories were kindled by her father to make her into a strong woman. And he had succeeded in it as she was behaving more mature and responsible after this incident. Her father’s gift was forever a life changing one for Pinky.

Short Story 13 : The Last Call

The Last Call

                          - T ABRAHAM

    The cherry blossom trees were harbouring their pink leaves. It was the mid of April. The season of flowers and fruits with their energetic growth. Little Pinky was staying indoors with her new mobile phone. All her friends had invited her for the tea party hosted at Liddy’s house, but she was too busy with her mobile phone and she had totally forgotten about the lovely little tea party which was going to happen that very same day.

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    ‘Pinky… stop scrolling with your mobile phone and help me with some gardening work this evening’, said Mrs. Cephal to little Pinky. ‘Mama I have a tea party this evening at Liddy’s house. I am going there and would be back home by six o’clock’, said Little Pinky to her mother. Mrs. Cephal was happy to know that her daughter will be away from her mobile phone for some time if she is going to spend her time with her friends. ‘Get ready once it is three o’clock and reach the Lydan’s residence by four o’clock. And also, come home before it gets took dark’, said Mrs. Cephal to little Pinky who responded with a nod but her eyes were still glued to her mobile phone.
    It was two o’clock when Mrs. Cephal started to get ready and go to her sister’s house which was located in the Platter City. ‘Pinky… I will be back only by tomorrow evening. After the tea party water all the plants and keep all the lights on until tomorrow morning. You can get some honey and bread from the Talton Supermarket on your way back home’, said Mrs. Cephal to her daughter before going. Little Pinky was still scrolling and was absent-minded at this point of time. She did not even realise it was nearing three o’clock and suddenly she received a call from Little Liddy. ‘Hello Pinky! Are you coming for the tea party?’, asked Little Liddy. ‘Hello! I will come to your house by four o’clock Liddy’, said Little Pinky and ended the conversation with a good bye.
    Little Pinky started to get ready. It was almost half-past three and she had started to walk towards the Lydan’s residence. She has left her mobile phone at the Blossom Cottage and was unable to attend the call from her mother who wanted to remind her daughter about the dinner. Little Pinky reached little Liddy’s home on time. At the tea party all of them were having a good time. It was almost half-past five and little Pinky bid good bye to little Liddy and to all her friends. On her way back home she started to feel hungry and was thinking about the dinner. Suddenly she started to feel words ringing inside her ears.
    ‘Get some honey and bread……. I will be back only by tomorrow……. I called you. This is my last call….. and there is no signal here’, she heard a feeble voice of a woman from within her ears. Little Pinky did not hesitate to do the things mentioned by this voice.
    Finally, after the shopping she reached the Blossom Cottage and noticed the call from her mother. She tried calling Mrs. Cephal but there was no signal from her mother’s side. Little Pinky just followed the instructions given to her by the feeble, but a firm voice. Little Pinky completed all the chores and went to bed.
    The next morning little Pinky did not scroll through her mobile but started to read a book. Little Pinky started to forget about her mobile phone and was totally engrossed with reading. By afternoon she received a call from her mother.
    ‘Did you eat honey and bread for the dinner? Have you watered the plants and also kept the lights on?’, asked Mrs. Cephal to her daughter. ‘Yes mama, I did everything you had asked me to do’, said little Pinky. And she finally remembered the tasks given by the voice. ‘It was mama who had told everything to me before her journey. I was absent-minded, but managed to get those words into my brain unknowingly. Anyways, I have completed all the tasks’, little Pinky said to herself.
    It was the last words spoken by her mother before she had left for the Platter City. Last words are no more considered to be lost words, but they remain forever until the task is accomplished. Little Pinky managed to get her mother’s words and it was her last call for little Pinky to get away from the mobile addiction. Finally the addiction left little Pinky once she had completed all the tasks and also she had realised the power of her mind.

Short Story 12 : Tragedy In Darkness

Tragedy In Darkness

                                   - T ABRAHAM

    It was an evening during the time of winter when the darkness surrounds a little early than its usual phase. There were frequent power cuts during the day time and also sometimes during the evening and night as well. The Blossom Cottage was situated in the heart of the Lily town where Little Pinky lived with her mother Mrs. Cephal.

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    ‘Mama, why are there frequent power cuts nowadays. I am afraid of the dark and what will happen if they do this during the middle of the evening’, asked Little Pinky to Mrs. Cephal. Her mother was not very much concerned about this and knew that children run in their own fantasy when it becomes dark. ‘Nothing will happen my dear’, assured Mrs. Cephal and she continued to chop the vegetables for the dinner.
    Mr. Cephal who is little Pinky’s father was not in town as he has gone for a business trip to the Acrylic Valley and would only return after a month. Little Pinky always feels safe and comforted when her father is around and she is well assured that no one can harm her or her mother when he is with them.
    During the frequent power cuts happening in the Lily town there was a rise in thefts and crimes taking place during the evening. Little Pinky was afraid of the darkness as she runs behind her philosophy of darkness as ‘Darkness is evil and horror. Every tragedy, misery, pain and suffering happens only when the darkness surrounds’. She is always reminded of these lines whenever there is a power cut and feels panic stricken and anxious. It was hard for Mrs. Cephal to deal with Little Pinky when she gets afraid and starts to cry. Whenever little children cry it was hard to calm them down unless the thing which has made them cry is being removed from their sight. But darkness was something which cannot be removed voluntarily as the power to control the electricity is not within one’s reach.
    ‘Today papa will return home. I am going to play hide and seek with him’, said Little Pinky to her mother. ‘Wait a minute, papa will not come today my child. He will start his journey today and will only reach home by tomorrow morning’, said Mrs. Cephal to her daughter who was overjoyed by her father’s arrival. ‘But you told me today mama?’, questioned little Pinky to her mother. Mrs. Cephal did not reply back to her daughter’s question but smiled it off and continued towards the kitchen.
    Suddenly there was a power cut and little Pinky began to cry. It was the most dreaded moment by little Pinky and her worst nightmare was in action today. There was a power cut in the middle of a dark evening. Little Pinky began to cry and there was a sudden knock on the door of the Blossom Cottage. There was a crowding near the door and several voices were heard. ‘Pinky… be quiet! it might be the bad characters of the town who are in search of the right place to complete their mission’, whispered Mrs. Cephal. Little Pinky realised that her philosophy of darkness was coming alive right in front of her eyes. She was suddenly becoming silent, as the knocking became louder and louder.
    They did not have telephone at their home to call inspector Ruddy as it was a time when mobile phones were only used by businessmen for their professional needs. In a few moments there was a car which stopped by the door of their cottage and they heard a familiar voice. ‘I will call the police now. Who are you standing near my cottage? You cannot harm them till I am alive’, it was none other than Mr. Cephal.
    The inspector arrived and handcuffed the men who were knocking at the cottage door. As the whole of the townsmen came to the cottage and held these men they did not get a moment to escape. ‘Finally, we have caught you. No more thefts and crimes will happen in the Lily town’, assured inspector Ruddy. ‘Good work Mr. Cephal, you have arrived at the right moment to help us catch these men who were the cause of all the trouble going on in our town these days’, said inspector Ruddy and Mr. Cephal thanked him and went inside his cottage.
    ‘Papa is back!’, shouted Little Pinky in joy and went and opened the door. ‘It was good that you both did not open the door when the thieves tried to break into the cottage’, said Mr. Cephal to Mrs. Cephal. ‘I thought you will be back home by the middle of the night’, Mrs. Cephal said to Mr. Cephal. ‘Mama told you will come tomorrow only papa’, said Little Pinky.
    ‘It was good that I returned a little early than usually I do. Some of the tasks got cancelled and we were asked to return before tomorrow morning. I was quite worried about you both and returned early. Good that I stopped the tragedy’ said Mr. Cephal to his wife and daughter.
    Little Pinky started off with her philosophy of light, ‘Whenever the darkness conquers and brings the utmost misery and fear. My shield will come and rescue me. Darkness is temporary and light is a sword to kill the darkness. Light is immortal but darkness is only a mortal being’.
    All three of them began to laugh hearing Little Pinky speak like this. The sun was rising and the darkness was fading away. The Blossom cottage bloomed with the light of happiness and joy with the union of all the three dwellers of the place.

Short Story 11 : The Blossom Cottage

The Blossom Cottage

                                   - T ABRAHAM

    The season of spring with its new beginning has started. It is the month of April and the flowers have started to bloom and there was a pleasant sunshine accompanied with a breeze to soothe one from all their worries. Little Pinky with her mother Mrs. Cephal is in the garden admiring the beauty of their cottage with the flower beds all around it. ‘Blossoms are there in our cottage mama’, said little Pinky to her mother. ‘Yes my baby girl. Our cottage blossoms with joy and happiness like these flowers’, said Mrs. Cephal.

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    The Blossom Cottage in which little Pinky and her parents lived is closely connected with their garden. The happiness is seen in spring and a drift is seen when there is a seasonal change. Once the autumn sets in there is either disease or sadness conquering the household. Since, the cottage was successfully constructed and the family moved to the cottage in the month of April and it was the start of spring season, the cottage was named as ‘Blossom’.
    ‘Mama what will happen when all the flowers in our garden perishes?’, asked little Pinky to her mother. Mrs. Cephal was terrified and shushed little Pinky straight away by telling, ‘Don’t talk like that my child. It would be a season of tragedy if something similar happens to our flowers. I don’t want you to talk anything negative like this again. As a token of punishment you’re not going to speak to me till tomorrow evening. Now go to your room!’. Little Pinky went to her bedroom in tears and locked herself up and went to sleep.
    The next day Mrs. Cephal began to notice that their flowers were suddenly dying out one by one. ‘What’s happening? Something bad might happen!’, said Mrs. Cephal to herself. Little Pinky came into the living room and as it was almost night she was finally released from her punishment. ‘What happened mama? Why are you looking distressed?’ asked little Pinky to her mother. Mrs. Cephal did not respond to little Pinky as she was looking very pale and did not get any words to speak.
    The days passed by and each day plenty of flowers were dying out. ‘Something bad is coming towards our cottage. A great distress…’, Mrs. Cephal whispered to herself.
    But the days passed by and no tragedy has come till now. Suddenly one day Mr. Cephal brought home a news which shocked all the three of them. Mr. Cephal’s father has been diagnosed with an illness which has no cure. ‘Doctors told me that it is hard for them to help at this stage. He is going to die in a few days. I came to know about his poor health condition only a few days back’, said Mr. Cephal in a tone of sadness.
    Three days have passed by and all the flowers in the garden have died out. Mr. Cephal came home that evening with the expected news of tragedy. ‘Father passed away this afternoon. His limbs were amputated, but nothing could help him. It was very hard to see him suffer in pain continually for days. Now he is gone forever’, said Mr. Cephal to Mrs. Cephal.
    The time when the last flower died out. Little Pinky’s grandfather has gone into an eternal abode. Mrs. Cephal knew this already as the flowers were closely connected with them and every blossom and every death was witnessed in the season with which they were associated every year.

Short Story 10 : Purchased In A New World

Purchased In A New World

                                         - T ABRAHAM

    It was a long awaited time. The spring has come and all the flowers started to bloom. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have already left the stuffed animals world and have been forcefully deported into the human world. Stuffy is in search of his mother and father, but he could not find them anywhere.

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    There is a rule by nature which is forcibly being put into action in this world. Whenever a stuffed animal has attained the requirement for its existence in the human world they are being transported by a time traveller who takes them to this world. Here, they are being placed in any shopping complex to be bought by the humans. When they get transported into the human world, they are still alive but they lose their ability of voluntary movements and they appear to be lifeless.
    ‘Where are you mama and papa?’, cried Stuffy. He was unaware of the fact that they got transported into the human world. The days went by, but Stuffy could not find out the reason for the disappearance of his parents. Even though he was feeling very low because of the long separation from his parents he did not look pale but looked energetic and happy as ever. Stuffy is known for not showing off his grief and pain outwardly but he is suffering internally.
    One day inspector Ruddy arrived at Stuffy’s home. It is seen that Stuffy has filed a complaint stating that his parents went missing and it has been around a month and he had not heard anything from them. ‘Stuffy, I think….’, started inspector Ruddy. ‘Yes sir, tell me. What have you found out?’ asked Stuffy to inspector Ruddy. Inspector Ruddy was a little hesitant and thought for a moment. ‘Stuffy.. your parents had been transported into the human world. It is around a week and they are placed in one of the shops which sells stuffed animals. This has happened to them because they have reached the requirements to get transported. It seems that this has been a forceful deportation happening in this world and no force can stop this’, said inspector Ruddy to Stuffy. ‘Is there any way I could also travel to the human world?’, asked Stuffy to inspector Ruddy. The inspector was shocked to hear these words from Stuffy.
    Inspector Ruddy was able to witness a true bonding and love which is existing in this family and finally revealed the method of travel towards the human world. ‘There is one thing you have to keep in mind. Once you have entered the human world there is no turning back. You will lose all your qualities and the control over yourself. The humans will take care of you’, said inspector Ruddy. Stuffy stood firm in his decision and he willingly went to the human world.
    Finally after a long journey Stuffy was turning into an object of the human world. ‘Finally, I am reunited with my parents’, he said to himself but words could not be heard.
    All the three of them have finally lost all their autonomy and control over themselves. Their only wish was to be bought by a loving family and all the three of them should be purchased and taken into the same home.
    Mrs. Sherlock came to this shop where all the three teddy bears were there. She asked the shopkeeper to pack Mr. Eddy and Stuffy. Mrs. Eddy was left out and they both felt really very bad for the separation which they had to undergo. Little Scarlet who was Mrs. Sherlock’s daughter asked her mother to get one more teddy bear for her. And luckily only Mrs. Eddy was the only one left in the shop and was taken home by Mrs. Sherlock.

    Even amidst this transformation and separation the three teddy bears were united forever as per their wish, it was a small family but a happy family which has bought them. Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock along with their daughter took care of the teddy bears and all the three of them lived there forever.

Short Story 9 : Story of Celestial Bodies

Story of Celestial Bodies

                                   - T ABRAHAM

    Twenty years have passed. The world has changed a lot and Little Stuffy has grown into a big bear. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have gone to their hometown at the Neon valley. Stuffy is all alone by himself as he cannot afford to absent himself for his classes. ‘I have to complete this assignment. A story on stars and moon’, he said to himself.

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    Stuffy began to write but fell fast asleep. It was late in the evening when he came back home. His level of inspiration was a bit lowered by the weariness caused by the day’s work. Then he started to visualise in his dream. A dream which was influenced by stars and moon.
    He was standing in front of an audience for a storytelling competition and he began, ‘There was once a time when the stars lived with the moon. Millions of stars were present but there was only one moon. All the stars were living peacefully in the sky until one day. It was the black hole which was suddenly being formed in the middle of the galaxy. It was gulping all the stars of the sky. An evil black hole which was hiding itself in the midst of darkness surrounding the skies.
    On each passing day around hundred stars were getting trapped inside the black hole. It was about a year and there was a sudden increase in darkness on the earth where the humans lived. The moon was seen as a mother who sacrifices herself for her children to live long by risking her own existence. ‘Mother! mother! what can we do? Each day a plenty of stars are getting captured inside the black hole where they are being stuck up and could not find their way out’ cried the stars to the moon. ‘There comes a day when the black hole will burst out and spill out all the stars captured by it, wait patiently’ said the moon. Each passing day the black hole was getting bigger and bigger but was not bursting out to relieve the captured children of the moon.
    The darkness was becoming thicker each passing day. Finally, one day the moon had taken a decision, ‘I will go inside the black hole and it will definitely burst open and relieve all my children’ said to herself and waited patiently. The night has come and the black hole was capturing the stars. It was the most dangerous decision taken by the moon. If she too gets captured and the black hole does not burst open the whole earth will be suffering in complete darkness.
    She bravely went forward and straight did she enter the black hole. There was complete darkness for a moment. Nothing happened. ‘Mother! mother! what have you done?’ cried the stars. Then all of a sudden the blackhole was stretching back and forth. ‘All the remaining stars! Go straight into the black hole’, said one star. All the stars went straight into the black hole and it was gurgling aloud.
    Finally the gurgling stopped. The black hole was bursting into pieces. All the stars came out. And also the moon. The whole sky was back to its complete form. The black hole was shrunk and it has finally perished.
    Seeing their mother risk her life had made all the stars to take up this risk and to finally end the evil which was capturing all of them’.
    Stuffy was applauded by the crowd and he was given the first prize for his story. Suddenly when he tried to feel the trophy he was unable to feel it. Then he woke up from his dream.
    ‘It was just a dream’, said Stuffy to himself and it was almost ten in the night. He went straight to the balcony and watched the night sky. ‘I will write’, he assured himself. Then he started to write the narrative which was envisioned by him through his dream. And the very next day when he had submitted his assignment to his teacher Mr. Clark and asked for his remarks he did not tell Stuffy anything about it. During the break hour he came to the classroom with a trophy and certificate.

    ‘The results of the intra-college creative writing contests are out now’, announced Mr. Clark. Then all the students followed him to the Assembly Hall. Stuffy’s name was announced and he was showered with a loud applause. But he was clueless as he did not submit it for the contest but it was just an assignment. When he turned and looked at Mr. Clark he too congratulated him but did not tell him what has actually happened.

Short Story 8 : Misery Of Playfulness

Misery Of Playfulness

                                        - T ABRAHAM

    Misunderstanding has been the cause of all this misery. It was very common amongst the families which lived in the Woolen Valley to get heated up for silly issues and one such thing has turned into a great tragedy. Little Stuffy was getting ready for his exams and he had prepared very well. Mr. Eddy had reminded him not to play in the ground while it was raining. It was a season where the dampness and coldness present in the air was flooding sickness amongst the ones living there.

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    ‘Papa, I want to go and play with Ricky and Pinky’, asked Stuffy to Mr. Eddy. But Mr. Eddy gave him quite a serious look and nodded disapprovingly. Mrs. Eddy had gone to Acrylic Valley for attending one of their relative’s wedding and it was only Mr. Eddy and his son all alone. Since, they were already relying over the restaurant for their breakfast, lunch and dinner Mr. Eddy was very particular that little Stuffy is not going to go outdoors to bring home any sorts of sickness.
    ‘Stuffy… you are not going out till your exams gets over. You cannot afford to fall sick during this crucial time and afford to lose your grades’, insisted Mr. Eddy to little Stuffy. Little Stuffy did not like his father’s choice for him and wanted to play in the rains. But his father knew well about him. He was a different kind from his friends. Little Stuffy is known to fall ill very frequently and it is because of his lowered immunity level. It is seen that he is rather a pale looking child and does not like much of physical activity but always likes to be around with his books. Sometimes, he just feels good when he is going against the will and wish of his parents and many-a-times ends up in a tragedy.
    ‘I will somehow sneak out tomorrow when papa is asleep’, thought little Stuffy and went to bed merrily. Once the sun rose up and the day began little Stuffy was planning about the whole thing he had been dreaming about yesterday. Once it was afternoon Mr. Eddy went for his afternoon nap and instructed little Stuffy to go to his room to study for his exams. Little Stuffy nodded to express his obedience, but deep within he was waiting for the right moment to sneak out.
    ‘It might rain today and there might be a power cut, don’t waste your time my boy’, said Mr. Eddy to little Stuffy and went into his room and was fast asleep. Little Stuffy peeped into his father’s bedroom to check whether he was in deep sleep and slowly went to the living room and locked the house and went to Ricky’s house. The sky was dark and the clouds were roaring all aloud. There were thunderstorms and lightening accompanying each other. But nothing could stop little Stuffy from reaching his friend’s house. It was quite a long walk to little Ricky’s house, but when he had reached the place and knocked at the door there was no sound. ‘They might be asleep, let me try once more’, said little Stuffy to himself and knocked harder and harder. The clouds were crowding more and more. A terrible darkness was surrounding all over the place. Little Stuffy grew panicky and began to cry.
    Pitter patter of the raindrops was heard. A roaring thunder and whirling winds were accompanying the heavy downpour. Little Stuffy was rushing towards his home, but it was too late. He was almost wet by now, sneezing and coughing because of the cold weather. Mr. Eddy was waiting in the living room and was much worried about little Stuffy. Finally, he reached home and Mr. Eddy was relieved once he entered the house.
    ‘Where did you go my boy? In spite of my continual warnings you have went out and have fallen ill’, chided Mr. Eddy. Little Stuffy was really worried as he was not feeling well and even after he was refreshed with hot bath.
    ‘I am not feeling well papa’, fumbled little Stuffy to Mr. Eddy. ‘This was the only thing I was worried about and you had disobeyed me. Stuffy, you are having your exams and now you are ill. Now definitely you cannot outperform but can only just give your average. If only you have obeyed me you would have become a shining star and would not have become a disgrace’, said Mr. Eddy.
    Little Stuffy was crying and Mr. Eddy put him to sleep and the lights faded out gradually as the night was drowning the lights off.

Short Story 7 : A Deadly Sickness

A Deadly Sickness

                                 - T ABRAHAM

    It was not like the usual weekends with a cozy couch and a bottle full of honey. The day was damp and dry with the approaching monsoon. Little Stuffy was unwell and had bouts of vomiting from Friday afternoon. It was unusual and he had hardly eaten any food because of his severe stomach ache. Mrs. Eddy was worried about his little son, throwing out all the solid food being ingested but unable to digest any.

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    ‘What happened to my dear little one?’, asked Mrs. Eddy to little Stuffy who was unable to speak because of his weakness. ‘I will be alright mamma’, assured little Stuffy with his feeble voice. It was almost a day spent without food but only fluids, as little Stuffy was unable to eat anything. Mrs. Eddy knew that something was disturbing little Stuffy which had made him sick and was also hindering him from eating any food. But she knew that the doctor was not required to cure him, but words and happiness can cure him.
    During the afternoon little Stuffy was fast asleep and Mrs. Eddy did not want to bother him while he was sleeping. ‘My poor little child, what is it that’s bothering you? I do not understand what’s happening’, said Mrs. Eddy to herself in a very low and tiresome voice. Mr. Eddy was not at home since morning and little Stuffy was gradually getting cured.
    In the evening little Stuffy was able to eat some hot porridge and also took some medications to gain his regular appetite. As it was nearing the dinner time. Little Stuffy was getting better and Mr. Eddy came home. ‘Where have you been all this time? It’s time for dinner’, said Mrs. Eddy to Mr. Eddy. He nodded his head but did not say a word in return. ‘Stuffy… are you alright?’, asked Mr. Eddy to little Stuffy, and in reply he just nodded his head. Mr. Eddy continued to speak, ‘I caught hold of the man who is the reason for your sickness. The trauma which you have underwent these days have come to an end. He has been brought to the notice of the authorities and no longer he can harm you in any aspect my boy’. During whole of this conversation taking place between little Stuffy and his father, Mrs. Eddy overheard everything and finally got the answer regarding the sickness of her son.
    The next morning little Stuffy has recovered from his sickness and also he had come back to his everyday routine. He was able to have a hearty meal without the fear of throwing out. During the afternoon Mrs. Eddy asked Mr. Eddy regarding the reason for little Stuffy’s sickness. Mr. Eddy’s reply shocked Mrs. Eddy as he began to narrate the whole sequence of incidence which was bothering little Stuffy.
    ‘I came to know this, but it was terrible. There was a psychopath in our street. This man was seen bullying the children and men going past his house. He also hurls insults upon anybody whom he sees and threw sticks and stones and also broke some of the bones of little children seen near his gate. This Friday when Stuffy was walking past his house he noticed a young boy being abused by this psychopath. When he had tried to relieve this little one he got into trouble. The psychopath started to hurl insults and used foul language and words upon Stuffy and had also threatened to kill him’, said Mr. Eddy to Mrs. Eddy.
    Mrs. Eddy who knew the rest of the narrative keenly watched the expression on his face. She suddenly stopped him and asked, ‘Did Stuffy take it quite seriously and became restless?’, ‘yes…..’, said Mr. Eddy in quite a low voice. Little Stuffy was asleep.
    There was complete silence surrounding the house. Mr. Eddy described how he had approached inspector Ruddy and solved the issue by forcibly admitting the man to an asylum. Mrs. Eddy said, ‘Only words were the problem, the deadly sickness by ill words spoken by some stranger?’. Little Stuffy suddenly woke up and said, ‘Yes mamma, those words were the very cause of my sickness. No germs nor virus, but only those ill words’. Then suddenly little Stuffy fell down and Mr. and Mrs. Eddy started to panic. They placed their fingers on his nostrils to check whether he was alive, but no air came out.
    ‘It was a new sickness found in this world, a deadly sickness which is caused by words’, cried out Mr. Eddy with little Stuffy being held motionless in his hands.

Short Story 6 : The Hand Which Held

The Hand Which Held

                                        - T ABRAHAM

    It was a great escape from the disaster talked about in the Candy Bazaar. This day was the very beginning of the spring season. The day when the crowds of tiny toddlers to young adults gather together and play in the Fluffy Park, which is almost full during this time of the year. Happy moments are said to come to an end sometimes and this has happened in this place of energy, joy and happiness.

(SOURCE: AI GENERATED IMAGE)

    There was a threat to all the children of Candy Bazaar these days. It was because of the asylum breakouts increasing each day in their locality and these insane animals ravage upon these budding minds playing innocently inside the park. One such incident has happened in the recent past and then it was followed by many more. Their parents were very much concerned about these incidents of rising number of crimes and many were unwilling to let go of their small ones to play in the Fluffy Park. Amidst this growing darkness in the air, little Stuffy and little Pinky went all alone to the Fluffy Park during one afternoon.
    ‘Why are these people afraid nowadays Stuffy?’ asked little Pinky to little Stuffy. Little Stuffy did not give any reply but they both kept on walking until they reached the Fluffy Park. Once they reached the place, little Stuffy saw the Lemon Tea stand which was parked nearby. ‘Let’s have some lemon tea, and then go to the swing’, said little Stuffy to little Pinky who was still waiting for an answer from little Stuffy about the tragedy which makes the elders of their neighbourhood shudder. Once they both were refreshed by the drink, both of them went straight to the swing and stood beside it.
    Little Pinky was really very annoyed at this moment and repeated her question to little Stuffy. ‘Really? You don’t know what’s happening all these days’, asked little Stuffy to little Pinky and continued, ‘it is because of the recent asylum breakouts, which has caused a great havoc and disaster all around. But you need not worry until I am with you. We both are safe until we are together.’ Little Pinky started to panic and the words inside her mouth crept deep within her. ‘Cool down Pinky, but it’s alright. We don’t see any creep or a weirdo. Isn’t it?’ said little Stuffy. ‘But what if they are really crazy as a lion and… and…’, stuttered little Pinky. ‘Stop stuttering Pinky! They are not as insane as you think them to be’, assured little Stuffy.
    They both started to play in the swing and it has been thirty minutes. ‘Stuffy…. Stuffy…..’, called little Pinky. ‘What happened?’, asked Stuffy. The swing in which little Pinky was seated was being pushed by someone who came from the nearby tree and the mysterious person stood hiding behind. ‘Who’s that?’ asked little Stuffy and went behind the tree. The mysterious person had gone forward and took hold of little Pinky. ‘Help….help…..’ cried little Pinky as her mouth was being covered with a cloth to prevent her from screaming. The mysterious person along with little Pinky on his shoulders started to run towards the gate.
    Little Stuffy was shivering and crying. He started to run behind the mysterious person and started to cry ‘help….help….. kidnapper….’. It was the time when inspector Raiden was on his regular rounds. Mr. Raiden caught hold of the mysterious person and handcuffed him immediately. He took little Pinky, little Stuffy and the mysterious person to the Tedding Police Station.
    ‘Why were the children left all alone in the Fluffy Park?’ asked Mr. Raiden to Mr. and Mrs. Eddy. ‘They both have sneaked out when we weren’t in the garden’, said Mr. Eddy to Mrs. Eddy. ‘My girl is safe now’, said Mrs. Cephal, who was none other than little Pinky’s mother. After a short interrogation with the Eddies and Mrs. Cephal, the inspector started to question the kids. Little Pinky started to describe how she was been carried away by the stranger and how terrified she felt. But suddenly she said, ‘I felt like I knew him already. Those hands which held me, were like the hands which held me two years back in time. It was as gentle as papa’s’. The inspector talked with Mrs. Cephal for a while and came to know that Mr. Cephal is still alive, but he has been admitted in an asylum after an accident which has made his face distorted and beyond recognition.
    Then, finally he brought in the mysterious person for an interrogation. It was clear that he was from an asylum and had been admitted there for around two years. ‘I was nearly smashed to death two years back in time. But my face got smashed and my mind as well. I am not myself and I like to roam around laughing out aloud’, said the mysterious person. ‘I felt my daughter in that little girl when I carried her on my shoulders. She is my daughter….’, and the mysterious person was sobbing. As he was wearing a black cloth covering all over his face none of them got a chance to look into this stranger’s face.
    ‘Remove it and show us your face’, demanded everyone. Once the covering was unleashed, it terrified all of them except for little Stuffy and little Pinky. Seeing the frozen look on the crowd present in front of him, Mr. Raiden asked, ‘Do you know who he is?’. There was silence, which was broken by the sobs of Mrs. Cephal.
    Suddenly, little Pinky jumped and hugged the stranger and shouted ‘Daddy……, you’re back!’. The stranger started to laugh along with little Pinky. But the sobs of Mrs. Cephal was still in motion. Even though two years have passed, even amidst the distorted face and insanity the smile blossomed out which made Mr. Cephal come back to life. ‘I had been watching you a few weeks back my girl. The security of the asylum had been sick and it was fortunate enough for some of the inmates to breakout. But it was a gift to reunite with you. My lovely daughter’, said Mr. Cephal.
    Amidst this Mrs. Cephal and all others began to laugh their hearts out upon this weird reunion and the darkness faded away from their lives. The darkness found in the Candy Bazaar no longer worried the family.

Short Story 5 : The Crash

The Crash

                           - T ABRAHAM

    The days were running past, and it was the start of autumn. It has been months since the Eddies were admitted in the Tedding Hospital and there has been a gradual recovery seen upon both Mr. and Mrs. Eddy but little Stuffy has been in a coma and has not yet opened his eyes. ‘Will he ever come back to normalcy?’ asked Mr. Eddy to Dr. Ruddy who has been a constant aid in bringing back them to the state they were before the accident.

(SOURCE: AI GENERATED IMAGE)

 

   Moving back in time to the month of June. It was the time when the Eddies had decided to take a long drive to the Bearling Hill Station which was located in the Cotton Nagar. Mrs. Eddy as usual started with her dull speeches and asked Mr. Eddy, ‘Should we go to the hill station during these holidays?’. ‘Why, don’t you think it is a good idea?’, asked Mr. Eddy. Mrs. Eddy felt something disturbing her from deep within and she could sense something wrong might happen. Mr. Eddy notices the gloom conquering over Mrs. Eddy’s face and he understood that she is worried, as usual. Mr. Eddy asked, ‘Are you not feeling well?’. Mrs. Eddy did not answer him directly but she said, ‘I think we can better go to your parent’s house for this holiday and can consider the hill station for a later date’. ‘Why my dear? What’s wrong?’, asked Mr. Eddy, with a rather more troubled look she just nodded her head and just accepted his decision.
    Stuffy was not around when his parents were discussing about their trip but has gone to meet his friend to spend some time at their house. The very next day when Mr. and Mrs. Eddy woke up very early and Stuffy, getting distracted by the chaotic routine with its noises all over, understood that they were going for a trip. ‘Mamma, Pappa, where are we going?’, asked little Stuffy. But his mother and father were really very busy in packing up their bags with the food which they would need during their long drive to the Bearling Hill Station.

    Then, Mr. Eddy noticed little Stuffy asking something to them. ‘What’s the matter my boy?’ asked Mr. Eddy. ‘Where are we going papa?’ asked Stuffy. ‘We are going to spend a week at the Bearling Hill Station my boy. Since it is a very long journey for us, your mom and I are getting things ready for all three of us’. Little Stuffy was overjoyed after hearing these words from his father and had started to help his parents to speed up their preparations.

    It was already evening, and the darkness started to conquer the sky. All the three of them were carrying all the luggage and other stuffs which were needed during their stay at the hill station. Mrs. Eddy locked the door and headed towards the car. She had suddenly noticed that Mr. Eddy seems to be very tired. A weariness and burden was pulling his eyelids to close partially and then open up. ‘Will you be able to drive to the hill station?’ asked Mrs. Eddy and suddenly Mr. Eddy woke up and said, ‘Yes, we are going today. To the hill station’. Mrs. Eddy was a bit worried, but made up her mind and lighted the lamp of hope and optimism inside her.

    They had started off from their home at six o’clock in the evening and it was during the middle of the night when the car was speeding off and when Mrs. Eddy woke up due to the irregular motion of the car. Mr. Eddy was fast asleep and the steering was in his hands. Mrs. Eddy was terrified and tried to wake him up, but the car drifted apart and also their lives drifted apart along with it. The car went in front of a huge bus and the whole of the sight was flashing upon Mrs. Eddy and everything went dark for her.

    The whole of the accident was caused because of Mr. Eddy’s bad health. That morning when he was getting things ready he took a certain dose of medicines to relieve himself from the mucus which was deposited in his nasal cavity. Since, the medicine causes drowsiness and puts anybody to fast asleep he was feeling tired before the start of their drive.

    It was the beginning of August, when Mr. Eddy woke up from his deep sleep after the accident. Mrs. Eddy who had escaped with minor injuries was still fast asleep in the hospital bed. It was around the mid of August, Mrs. Eddy woke up. ‘Where is Stuffy?’ asked Mrs. Eddy to Dr. Ruddy who was standing beside her. Mr. Eddy was relieved to see her wake up from her deep sleep but was conquered by guilt and sadness once her question ringed upon him. ‘The little one might not survive Mrs. Eddy’, said Dr. Ruddy in a tone of resignment. Tears started to fall from both Mr. and Mrs. Eddy’s eyes. Dr. Ruddy was working upon little Stuffy’s recovery but there was no improvements.

    After around a week’s time Stuffy was able to stir a little, but there were no other movements possible. Then when Dr. Ruddy examined little Stuffy he said to Mr. and Mrs. Eddy, ‘The little one might wake up from coma in a day’s time, but his kidneys are damaged’. This has shocked Mrs. Eddy and she started to cry. Dr. Ruddy consoled both of them saying, he already knew a donor who is a compatible one for their son and he went out.

    The following day little Stuffy woke up and Dr. Ruddy was on leave for around a week. Then one day he appeared, very weak and pale. Dr. Ruddy started to operate on little Stuffy and he was back to normalcy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eddy were overjoyed and asked whether they could meet the donor. ‘You have already met him. He was with you all this time during your illness and recovery’. Both of them were confused, but suddenly little Stuffy started to cry and continuously uttered without stopping for a moment, ‘thank you doctor, thank you so much. I will never forget this for all the days of my life till I am alive’.

    Mr. and Mrs. Eddy looked upon Dr. Ruddy and were struck from deep within. Their son’s donor. It was none other than him.