Aathira Jim's Blog, page 15

Petrichor

Walking by the Seine In the city of lovePetrichor and you Murky depths I seeReflect the turmoilIn your eyes
Seems like ironyA cruel twist of fate That I have to lose you hereThe very place I came To search for love Love that fills my soulAnd consumes my body With passion for you 
I want to reach outTake you in my arms Watch the night lights Twinkling on the EiffelI wish to walk with youOn these vintage streetsAnd have coffee and croissantsWith you on a Sunday morning
But like so many things in my life, You are not meant to beI see a dash of color on your lipsThat blood red on your pale face Is all the color I need In this city of greys and blacks That wistful look you give Before hurrying insideClutching your umbrella By your sideIs enough to last me a lifetime...

Book Review - The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

Image: My own
From the book cover: Miss Marple takes a vacation. 
The blonde, in a white evening dress, lying on the hearth rug in the library, had been strangled with her own sash. 
Reports of missing persons filtered into the police station. Under the eagle eye of the Chief Constable, the police follow these leads. The suspects multiplied. 
The owners of Gossington Hall call in their friend from the village for advice. And it is Miss Marple who finds the thread linking all the clues.
My thoughts: This is the first Miss Marple mystery that I read. Yes, I know I'm late to the party. But better late than never. Anyway, the title alone was enough for me to pick this book up. Isn't it interesting? There were a lot of good reviews on this and I went into it with high expectations. 
I sat down on a warm afternoon expecting a good old murder with Miss Marple. However, a little bit into the book and I was disappointed. No, the story line was excellent. The only problem was that Miss. Marple doesn't make much of an appearance until the second half of the book. 
There were far too many detectives and police officers handling the case and it was difficult for me to keep track of all their names and roles in the story. Like all classic Agatha Christie novels, you get absolutely no clue as to who might have actually committed the murder until the very last chapter. Almost all the characters that we are introduced right from the beginning can be a considered a suspect in ways more than one. 
As the case unravels, we meet a lot more characters, be it the dead girl's cousin- Josie, the wheel chair bound Conway Jefferson and his in-laws- Adelaide Jefferson and Mark Gaskell, the Bantrys to name a few. All of whom has a motive for murder. But the real twist in tale is when a second body is discovered not long after the first one. 
Now, I don't want to give away too much of the plot as it will take all the fun out of a crime mystery. I was totally satisfied upon completion of the book as we are given a proper explanation as to the motive for the murder and all loose ends are tied up nicely. Now, only if there was some more of Miss Marple and her brilliance, I would have declared the book perfect and given it an additional star. 
Should you read it? Yes, if you are a fan of Christie and Miss Marple (no matter how small a role she plays, it is crucial to the book), then this one is not to be missed. 

April - A month of learining

When I signed up for the A to Z challenge this year, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Though this was the second blogging challenge that I have undertaken, this was my first A to Z. I didn't have any theme and decided to go randomly. 
I didn't schedule any of my posts; taking one day at a time. Posting daily except on Sundays quickly took its toll on me. Yes, some days were exhausting, on some others I faced the dreaded block where my mind was completely blank and clueless as to what I should write on. 
The only thing that kept me going were the constant encouragement and feedback from each one of you. Yes, each comment counts when you are in this journey together. The comments and views for each post were a motivation to go further. A huge thanks to Soumya, Titli, Preethi, Leo, Sundari, Devika, Ruchi, Vidya, Pratikshya, Rajlakshmi and all others who were an encouragement for me all throughout my journey. So sorry if I have left out any names here. There have also been some new blogs that I discovered during this challenge. Always glad to discover new (for me) and talented writers from all over the globe. 
There have been times when visiting and reading all blogs, as much as I would have liked, were not possible. I would like to apologize for that. I shall be hopping over to those blogs to catch up on lost time. Soon :)
April was also a month that gave me Gouri. Which reminds me that I should get cracking on the rest of her this month. Fingers crossed for now. I just hope the end result is not disappointing. 
Would I participate next year? Definitely. Though I have never been a person to schedule posts in advance, I would like to follow a theme and plot on at least some posts prior to the challenge from next year. Also, a special mention to the hosts of the A to Z challenge for being there for all of us. I shall look forward to the journey next year. 
The challenge may have come to an end, but we can continue to support each other throughout our blogging journey, right? Once again, a huge heart felt thanks to each and everyone of you. For being there. Thank you. Thank you for gifting me a beautiful April :)

Reminiscence

Let me wake up toThe sound of waves crashing on the shoreAnd the smell of coffee and fragrant butter rolls Let us spend some more time holding each other in our bedThe duvet covering us providing the most comfort in this world 
Let us take long walks by the seaWith waves frolicking at our feetA gentle caress, a forbidden kissToday let us leave reality behind 
For today let us just beMan and womanWithout the definition of labels smothering usNot allowing us space to breathe 
And when it starts to drizzleAs it surely would, the rumble of a thunder I heard is not too far awayLet us not rush back to the safety of a roof above our heads Get wet it the rain with me Let us leave adulthood far behind 
The expectations, commitmentsLet it all cease to exist Even if for just a single dayAnd when evening comes, as it inevitably wouldFor all good things must come to an end in our hasty lifeLet me find the warmth in your body by the Bon fireAnd fall asleep with your hands around meWith just the stars watching over us on a moonless night
For tomorrow we must head backTo the stark reality that awaits usTo the harshness of wasted time, maddening traffic and dirty politics 
But for today let us just be You and me...

Z - Zoya

Image Source
Zoya applied the black eyeliner carefully, giving more precision to her already smoky eyes. Last year, this time, she had been a pathetic mess. Drowning in a pool of self-pity and random strangers with whom she had shared her bed with. The best way to mend a broken heart was to numb the pain, at least that was what she had felt like then. 
Though temporary measures such as seeking solace in men and alcohol, had no long term effects of lifting her spirits, she had turned to it. If anything, she would wake up feeling more depressed the next day. All that had changed the day he had walked into her life. 
With him by her side, she learnt that life was not all grey skies and looming clouds. That when the rays of sunshine would finally break through them, things would take on a magical sheen. And slowly, the days seemed bearable, the nights longer and filled with promise, the words she read in books and the musical lyrics she heard spoke  to her in a language that she hadn't understood before. 
And today, she was getting married to him. The one who had taught her that life was not all lows, that there were highs as well. The dreaded wedding attire suddenly seemed beautiful. Those gold ornaments that she had shied away from all her life glittered on her hands and neck as she moved, reminding her of a symphony that she had heard, and thought forgotten, long ago. 
With a final satisfied smile, Zoya turned and headed down to be with the one person who made the world, her world a better place to be in. 

Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge. 

Y - Yesterday

Image courtesy: Google

I have learnt from yesterdayJust like the challenges undertaken todayI have hope, faith and belief That we are going to emerge winners tomorrow
April has been a memorable month gone by usOne that I stepped into with uncertainties a lotThere have been friends who had my back And some new made along the path 
Today I'm a little sadThe journey comes to an end tomorrowIt doesn't have to be so We shall continue to walk hand in hand
So many lessons learnedWriting has been grueling on some days We never gave up, continued at our own strideAnd tomorrow we shall hold victory in our hands...
P.S. Am I the only one feeling this way? The challenge shall surely come to an end tomorrow but our journey doesn't have to. 

Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge. 

X - Xerox

Image Source

"Sasha!" their mother called out. 

"Yes, Mom?" one of the twins went and stood in front of her with a straight face.

As always, it was not easy to tell them apart, even for their parents. Sasha was a spitting image of Shayna and vice versa; one a xerox of the other. Two peas in a pod. 
Like most twins, growing up, they were always dressed identically by their Mom. They got into all sorts of mischief together and had each others' backs all the time. However upon reaching college, the twins were forced to go their separate ways. Sasha wanted to study the arts. She wanted to follow her passion to be a painter and artist. Shayna, on the other hand, was interested in the cut throat world of politics. 
Though they spoke to each other regularly, the physical distance soon turned into an emotional one. No matter how hard they tried to bridge the gap, it was always there, making its silent presence felt each time they came together at home for their vacations. 
Sixty years later, when the call came at midnight, it was certainly not what Sasha had expected. She knew that the choices she had made at a young age were not ones to be proud of. 
Hanging up the phone, Sasha wept for the sister she had and lost, for her other half, for the lost time that had flowed through her fingers like running water, for keeping things until it was too late to change any of it. 
As for Shayna, she had said goodbye to the world surrounded by her children and grandchildren. In those last moments, as she looked around at the familiar faces around her she realized that the one that she had wanted to see the most was missing in the crowd. 
As Shayna turned her head and looked into the mirror that someone had placed on her side table, she smiled seeing the wrinkled face looking back at her and closed her eyes for the last time. 

Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge. 

W - Wild

Wild was a movie that I had been looking forward to watching for quite sometime. There were so many good reviews going around and the story itself seemed interesting to me. So I finally sat down to watch it sometime last month. 
The film is based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Like all bibliophiles, I would have liked to read it first before watching. Unfortunately, I didn't have a copy with me. I plan on buying one soon though. Anyway, coming back to the story, Cheryl (played by Reese Witherspoon) is a twenty six year old who sets out to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone in order to heal and find herself again. 
We all react to grief in different ways. When Cheryl, at twenty two years, loses her mother to cancer, she is devastated. As she says in the movie "She was the love of my life". In order to cope with the loss, she gets involved in drugs use, cheats on her husband with other men and eventually gets divorced. When there is a void in our life, we try to fill it with whatever things that we imagine will help us even in a small way. 
Finally, at twenty-six, after years of self destructive behavior, Strayed sets out alone on a hike seeking some sort of closure as a means of healing herself. The film alternates between the past and the present, showing us glimpses of her life as a child, teenager and young adult. The special relationship she shares with her mother is a central part of the story. 
We are also subject to some of the desperate measures that one is subject to while hiking alone on such a long journey. She breaks down, endures physical discomfort to a great level but holds on and comes out of it. Is this a light and entertaining movie? No. It will stay with you for a long time. Some of the images are quite graphic in nature. If you are up for it, do give it a watch. Wild is a movie that will make you introspect and think. 
This is a movie that shows us that we are not alone. It is possible to overcome grief. Even when it feels like you won't be able to make it to the next day. One step at a time and before you realize it, you shall be at the end of a reckless journey. Reese Witherspoon has done a very convincing job at portraying Strayed. If you are looking for a movie that makes you think, in ways more than one, give it a try. It may not be for everyone, but I sure liked it. In case you have watched it already, do let me know your thoughts below.


 
Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge. 

V - Voyage

Image courtesy: Google

Life is a voyage and we are all tiny vesselsSailing against the wind called time The current may be rocky, sometimes smoothBut the trick is to maneuver, to remain steady
The journey is bound to be filled with adventureWe may have to sacrifice some in order to gain someIn the end all that matters is the journey Take in those sunsets and sunrises
Drink in all those sights along The sound of water lappingTiny fishes swimming afloat Never give up hope, have faith
There are unseen hands at playThose dark and stormy nightsWon't last forever, they too shall passFor the voyage must go on...

Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge. 

U - Umbrella

Image courtesy: Google

I watch her walk in the rain, the blue umbrella in her hand threatening to fold backward any moment in the wind. She is dressed in an emerald green dress, but it's wet, clinging to her curvaceous body, the shade in the dark looks almost black. 
She waits at the bus stop. Whom is she waiting for? A flash of lightening illuminates her face. I'm not sure if it was the rain, but her face is dripping wet. Is she crying? Or is it my mind playing tricks on me like always?
I don't go and talk to her, though that is what I'm dying to do. She is my addiction, an elixir in my otherwise dry life. The fragrance of wet earth and rain surrounds us. The bus stop is deserted. There is no one but me and her. I want to push the wet hair from her face, I want to know what her skin would feel like beneath my fingers. Will her hands be rough from conducting daily chores? Or will they be soft and supple like the jasmine flowers that she sometimes used to adorn her hair?
I watch a car stop not far away and couple of men getting out and approaching her. I'm angry, yet I do nothing but watch them. There seems to be some sort of argument. After a few minutes, she gets into the car with them. She catches my eye before closing the car's door, a wistful look on her face. 
What does she see when she looks at me? My torn clothes, the broken umbrella that has failed to keep even a strand of hair on my head dry or my begging bowl? I bid her goodbye silently; I know she will be back tomorrow. Just like yesterday or the day before. Just like how I know she is going to be cursed for the rest of her life. Like me. We would make a great pair. Me and her. Only if she would realize that. 


Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge.