Happiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances." - J. Donald WaltersOpening his eyes, Vicky gazed out the window at a bright blue sky above thousands of waves, creating a motion picture of sounds and surf. Flying seagulls with their piercing squawks over the mighty ocean were enhancing the vast view, making it more poignant and vivid. "What could I do?"He wondered what lay beneath the surface, where the ocean's pulse crashed against the dark brownish rocks and rebounded back to the swells of the sea. The powerful and colorful panorama danced around him, mesmerizing him. But could Vicky let himself be crushed by the burden of immediate obligations, or could he seize the moment and let joy in? His mind was overloaded with myraid questions. "O Lord, have mercy on me!"Finnally, the choice was his: to squander his time in procrastination or seize every opportunity on his way. With a new day ahead, he had the chance to harne
It was almost incredible that Vicky was so fortunate to avoid an accident that could have led to a serious crisis just before his departure to Greece, and it filled him with a sense of ease and seriousness. Are you really going?" "Yes, I'm really going; at any time I can fly to Athens. It's my cherished dream." Vicky was very happy that he had finally got his visa stamped for Greece. He was busy collecting some important documents, books and paintings, and packing his bags etc. Shandy was very sad and wished to see him more than twice a day. Vicky was also very worried about his old mother that he was going to leave her behind. With a very heavy heart, he was trying to satisfy everyone in the family. "Would you meet me alone somewhere?" Vicky reluctantly agreed. Before departing for Greece, he headed towards the park on his motorbike. As he approached the park, he noticed a gang of four boys harassing two girls - Shandy and her friend - who were chatting and walking leisurely on the
"What a nice aroma! All seems nice and delicious!" Without looking at Vicky, Jacxon answered Vicky's expression. The youth of Vicky's campus were chatting and enjoying the sumptuous meal. It was cold enough, they were demanding cold drinks. "One more please!" A group of intimate friends were eating their dinner and talking about some drawings anxiously. "Drawings?" Vicky's ears perked up instinctively. A group of eighty girls from the Girls' College was on an excursion trip to a hill station. They had been climbing up and down all the day and now seemed very tired. Some of theme did horse riding, too. Vicky, along with some colleagues, was with that cluster of young girls. It was a two-day trip. After dinner, Vicky overheard some girls requesting their group in-charge to accompany them down the street to pick up their drawings, which they had ordered from a shop. The artist promised them to collect the sketches by the evening. They were worried because the party would leave for anoth
Vicky's jacket got hooked on a cab while crossing the road, and his friend cried out, "Catch him! Don't let him go!" In a fury and chaos, Vicky chased the cabman, grabbed him by the shirt, and started bickering. In no time, one of his friends incited him further, and Vicky, without thinking, headbutted the cabman. Blood streamed down the cabman's face, and Vicky trembled, trying to let him go, but the cabman held tight. It was too late to retreat. Now Vicky tried to get rid of his shir front, but the cabman used maximum energy to close his first and had his own plan to wangle. Vicky is inside the cab accompanied by the cabman heading towards the cluster of cabs.When Vicky's friends saw him in a pitiful state, they attempted to step in, but the cabman stubbornly refused to release him.He gripped him tightly. Vicky was both severely injured and enraged, prompting his friends to try to mediate the situation. However, their efforts only led to further escalation. There was no use of i
One always forgets the pang and pain of one's current suffering, one's beautiful past always remains a permanent treat in the drudgery and humdrum of life. This episode of his is a glimpse into his life's journey, where his love for pets blossomed into a passion for art. he hopes to keep it afresh in the store of his memory before his final sleep. "Moma, dad, come, come and see, Vicky is not in his room!" his elder sister cried. Commuion and turmoil erupted at once as everyone yelled and taunted each other for their carelessness in letting the baby go missing early afternoon. The disappearance of the baby left everyone in a state of denial, with no one willing to take ownership of the mistake or acknowledge their role in the chaos that had unfolded at once.Faces were etched with worry, and no one knew where little Vicky could be. He left no sign that would help them to lead. "Where did you see him last?" mother asked. "I don't know." elder sis replied.Unaware of the frantic search
If this incident had unfolded in its entirety, this chapter would never have been written. As you may recall from Chapter 14 -An Adventure with Puppies- Vicky's adventure with the puppies at the age of one or so marked the beginning of his affinity for natural sorrundings . As he grew older, this fascination not only deepened but also had a great mark on his life. Around the age of five, Vicky's wanderlust led him to explore the nearby woods, where he'd spend hours discovering hidden brooks and flower-filled ponds. Vicky found solace in the gentle rhythms of fishing, the soft scratch of colourful pencils on paper as he sketched, and the warm companionship of pets and hens. These quiet joys became his loving sanctuary, a world where he could escape the disapproving gaze of his mother and elder brother, who saw only frivolity in his beloved pastimes. Their scoldings fell on deaf ears, as Vicky's love for nature and adventure only intensified.There was a vivid picture of catching his fi
Vicky was heading toward the wedding hall on his bike thinking about the expected meeting with Sara. His mind racing faster than his bike. "How exciting and romantic meeting it would be! " He would meet Sara the fist time after their arranged engagement. The more he came earer the hall the more he got his heart beat faster. "Suppose she might not be there?" "How many would observe and react this meeting?" "Oh, no, they would again talk about my previous affairs!" "Vicky?" he called himself. It seemed as his heart were not beating; however, he got hold his random feelings as he parked his bike, grabbed his little bag and phone, assessed the the gathering before entering the main hall of his freiend Neslson's wedding. Vicky congratulated him and tried not to look too much at his face because he a little too good looking and he didn't want it to come off as him staring. As he sat down, Vicky couldn't help but notice the curious glances from the others in the hall. He smile
'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