All Chapters of Striding Spirits: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"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

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

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

"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

"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