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16| Beyond the Surface
Masood Some of the events of this story have an autobiographical tinge of writer's life. You are welcome to give your valued feedback and suggestions. Thanks for reading.
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Striding Spirits 18| A Stoke of Luck - Part 2
'Hi, why you've turned up here?" Ashley's arrival stunned Vicky."Just for you," Ashley murmured. "I visited the Mayor's office for some family issues.""Have a seat, and wait for a moment, I have to see the Director" Vicky excused her.The Director had already met with Ashley as he had some family terms with Ashley's grandfather. So Vicky had to welcome her in his office instead of in the staff room. After a few minutes, Vicky and Ashley were also chatting carefreely as Sara, a newly appointed teacher, knocked at the door and entered. She paid a little attention put her lesson plan on the table for Vicky's approval and left the office immediately.He requested to leave the office immediately because he was worried about his reputation in the institution. Ashley's arrival was a nuisance for Vicky as both of them were alone, chatting and laughing. Ashley left the office by assurance of Vicky's meeting with her in the café in the evening. Vicky promised but his mind was blaming and s
Striding Spirits 17| A Stoke of Luck- Part 1
"What a pleasant day!" Vicky exclaimed pleasingly as the sun's rays slanted towards the horizon, signalling the approaching noon heat, Vicky made his way to the office, his mind absorbed in planning the first-term break-up. Unintentionally, his eyes glanced over the sight of a waving hand but dismissed it and continued his relaxing ride. After crossing the overbridge, he noticed an elderly man sitting by the roadside, massaging his weary legs, which had been the sole energy that had kept him walking since very early dawn.He had almost covered fifteen miles on foot. The old man, too fatigued to walk further, had waved at Vicky in hopes of getting a ride. Vicky pedalled his bike with the elderly man sitting behind him, wondering what had compelled him to stop and offer a ride to a stranger. The qualms of his conscience had pushed his right foot down, and now he felt a sense of calm and purpose at once. The old man, seemingly grateful for the ride, began to speak in a low, raspy fatigu
Striding Spirits 19| When Opportunity Knocks
"I'll come back, just wait here," the head of the vocational institution advised Vicky in the lobby. "Right, Sir," Vicky assured him politely. Vicky remembered his day of the interview while waiting for the principal, fidgeted with his tie, his undue anxiety escalating as he waited to be interviewed by the selection board of Vocational Institute. The principal's query threw him into a brief dilemma: "If you're let go from this private institution, what's your plan?" But Vicky's confidence quickly resurfaced, and he replied without hesitation, "That's not a concern; as a teacher, I have the skills to create my own opportunities wherever I go." The head of the institution, Mr. Benjamin Russell, had recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh. He also obtained his Master's in Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow. Having both technical and administrative degrees, he was an excellent principal at the institution where Vicky got
Striding Spirits 20| Beyond the Battlefields
"Vicky, hurry up, come on!" he was yelled at as he was being dragged away with his eyes still closed, lost in sound slumber. The voice broke his stupor and started walking with his mother's instruction. There was no time to linger in bed for some moments longer.There was cold outside but the inside of the dugout was better. He was torn from his peaceful dreams under the blanket, forced to leave his cosy heaven behind with all the other members of the family. Everybody was supposed to feel the urgency of quick action. So did he.Moonlight bathed the night, casting an eerie glow over the simple-structured houses. Then, a shrill air-raid warning shattered the stillness, its wail echoing through the streets.Vicky's heart raced as she sprinted towards the dugout beside his house, the thud of his feet mingling with the frantic footsteps of his neighbours. The night erupted into chaos: guns boomed, anti-aircraft fire screeched, and Vicky's breath caught in his throat.He couldn't help tremb
Striding Spirits 22| A Great Lesson of Life
Vicky's eyes widened in frustration as the precious water spilt onto the dry earth. He glared at Akira, who landed beside him, her eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity. 'Why, Akira? Why?' Vicky asked, exasperated with some anger.Akira cocked her head as if to say, 'You know I'm trying to protect you, Vicky.' Vicky's thirst-addled brain slowly couldn't grasp the truth - Akira was trying to save him from something. He looked at the cliff, the moist patch, and the cup lying on the ground.Vicky's face darkened with anger as he glared at Akira. 'Why did you stop me from drinking?' he demanded, his voice low and a great menacing.Akira, sensing Vicky's fury, took a step back, her feathers ruffled. She let out a soft, placating cry, but Vicky was beyond reason. 'You always do this, Akira!' he shouted, his fists clenched. "You always try to control me! I'm the master, not you!"Akira's eyes flashed with a fierce inner light, and she spread her wings, as if ready to take flight. Vicky's ang
Striding Spirits 23| On Death of a Dear One
A public announcement to all inhabitants and citizens: "Mr. Brown passed away last night, and his funeral service will be held at 2 P.M." The words barely noticed by Vicky at first; he took it casually and walked to the house to teach, but when he heard the announcement again, he was taken aback. "How could this be? How could this be?" he repeated, stunned and disbelieving.Vicky walked towards the gathering, his curiosity piqued by the news he had just heard. "Was it really Mr. Brown whose funeral was announced?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. His mind reeled as he struggled to comprehend the news, and he couldn't help but feel appalled. The revelation was too much to take in, and he found himself grappling helplessly to come to terms with it.The entire scene unfolded something else before his eyes like a vivid flashback with heartfelt voices. Just a few days ago, Vicky's face had gone slack, and he stumbled backwards as if the ground had been yanked out from under his fee
Striding Spirits 24| The Simple Thrill
Fishing:The group erupted into cheers, hugs, and high-fives, their whoops echoing across the seasonal pond. Vicky beamed with special pride, his eyes shining with excitement. They had done it! Their crazy idea had worked!As they carefully collected their achievement, Vicky's friend, Tim, turned to him with a grin. "This is just the beginning, Vicky! We're going to be the best fishermen in the town!" Vicky chuckled, feeling a sense of camaraderie wash over him.The group's cheers and laughter echoed across the pond, giving a mellow smell of mudy water , attracting the attention of other visitors. Soon, a small crowd gathered to witness their remarkable achievement. Vicky's friends, Jim and Jeary , began to dance and sing, holding up their fishing satchels like trophies."This is the best day ever!" Jim exclaimed with joy. Vicky grinned, feeling proud of their ingenuity. The elderly man from earlier approached them, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You boys have indeed created somet
Striding Spirits 25| When Fate Reunites
As Julia's life quite slowly drained from her eyes, turning them motionless and blank, she gave Vicky a faint glance and a longer one as she was suggesting him to take care of her baby, lingering look at the baby in her arms, her little girl, before her gaze fell out. Vicky, holding her waist in his lab, tried to console her, reassuring her that everything would be fine and smooth and that the fiat aid was on its way to take her to emergency room....Ten Year AgoJulia and Vicky had been inseparable best intimate friends during their studies at the Art and Science Communal College in Glasgow, where they reasoned natural sciences together with all devotion and future dreams in their fifth semester, nearly ten years ago, unbeknownst about their fate. However, their friendship was put to the test and ultimately cut short when Julia's stepfather arranged for her to marry his cousin, a wealthy car dealership owner in the West Indies, near the coastal line. It was feared that this sudden t
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Striding Spirits 46| New Beginning and Redemption
