< / manuscrypts.blogspot.com >

On Independence Day, I realised that there comes a time to shake free, of even things that you hold dear. That’s how you come here on a Monday only to figure out that this is the end of manuscrypts.blogspot.com. But, in case you thought you’d gotten rid of me, check out the spanking new www.manuscrypts.com

until next time, adieu, and see you there :)

Worth

The movie played in the background. The hero, playing a young martyr, mouthed his final words, “I give up my life so that my countrymen can understand what being free means”.

Oblivious to all this, she scanned the paper. “Buy one, get two free” screamed the headline. “Now that’s what ‘free’ really means”, she exclaimed.

until next time, free*     

*Conditions apply

Joy

The compartment echoed with the child’s cries despite its mother’s and others’ efforts, as the vendor slowly made his way around hawking his toys. He stopped near the child, trying to cheer it. And slowly the cries turned to gurgles, and laughing. The vendor smiled, the smile of a blind man who could create happiness.

until next time, and we turn a blind eye

News Updates

He saw the battalion of police in front of the theatre and immediately smsed his reporter friend. After the terror activities recently, there was no telling what’d happen and when. He could imagine the contempt on his friend’s face as he read the message and replied “Don’t you know there’s a Rajni movie release tomorrow?”

until next time, filmi... very filmi :|

I do?

“I am getting married”, she said. He wasn’t ready for dealing with this, their relationship wasn’t that defined yet. ”If that’s what you want.”, he managed. “..to you” she continued, “if that’s okay with you”. He wasn’t ready for dealing with this, their relationship wasn’t that defined yet. ”If that’s what you want.”, he managed.

until next time, decision makers

PS. Inspired by this

Bang Allure

She was tired of this place. Yesterday, an announcement about more power cuts. Great, no lights. And what was with the city today? Why was there such an eerie silence around? Great, no sound too. God, was some light and sound too much to ask for in a metro?  That was when the bomb exploded.

until next time, careful what you wish for

Burning Issues

While checking out the classifieds, he wondered why anyone would apply for a job selling ‘Cease Fire’ to homes. Offices were fine, but would people buy fire extinguishers for home? He was startled out of his reverie by the loud sound of the transformer exploding outside, and the thick smoke coming from his burning adaptor.

until next time, quickfire answers

Increased Mobility

He was surprised to be told that he was showing off. Wasn’t it a regular custom to send an sms to announce a mobile number change? Of course, this time there was a twist to it. The message said, “My mobile number has changed from W910i to E71. No, you don’t need to save it”

until next time, numeric only? ;)

Horrorscope

He wasn’t superstitious, but the day’s Career horoscope spooked him. With the elections approaching, his role as PM meant holding the fort till then, and building a positive image in the public’s eyes. He was betting heavily on the nuclear deal, so it really wasn’t a good time to be told “You’ll feel Left out”

until next time, leftovers

Timebound

He’d always been fascinated by time travel. So it wasn’t surprising that he decided to see a sci-fi flick even if there was some apprehension on how Bollywood would handle it. The movie was very inspirational. Halfway through the movie, he wished he could time travel, back to the time he bought the damn tickets.

until next time, not even timepass

Wake up call

He liked watching her sleep. She looked so much at peace now, wrapped up in that something-like-a-shawl thing. But he’d have to wake her now, to tell her that he’d finally cracked a puzzle. Now he knew why reality shows worked. People would rather watch someone sleeping than the movie for which they paid Rs.200.

until next time, in reality....

The Art of Breathing

‘Breathe in’ said the instructor. A collective intake of breaths followed. ‘Now hold until I tell you’, he continued. The stillness followed for some excruciating seconds. Just as he said ‘Exhale’, a sound erupted which prompted quite a few giggles. ‘..through the mouth’ said the instructor, with a deadpan expression, and without missing a beat.

until next time, gas chambers

Urban Yogi

He couldn’t believe he’d reached a higher plane so fast. While Yoga was known to be effective, it took people years of practice to get there, but he’d briefly glimpsed it in his first session itself. He was safely brought back to earth, when his trainer told him that weakness had possibly caused his blackout.

until next time, kickaasana

Panchvi Pass

They asked him about his new fad. He said it was a 55, a concept/story told in 55 words, no more no less. They said, okay when would he stop. He said, soon. Actually, it was just a quirky race, to complete fifty five 55s before his blog turned 5. That day would be tomorrow.

Until next time, ab tak pachpan :)

GeneRations

The lights went out, followed immediately by the drone of the apartment’s generator. Now there’d be sound and smoke,but yes, there would be light too. It would get the lamps in the apartment compound going, and he could study. Anyway, it was better than in his house, in the slum next to the apartment.

until next time, let there be light

The Journey

And they walked on, through the twists and turns of joys and sorrows and mundane experiences. They were happy, they knew that such was life. The only sadness was that through the twists and turns, they lost sight of who they were when they started out, and now there was no time to go back.

until next time, keeping track

Paradox

There are times, usually on those starlit nights, when one realises the insignificance of his own self in the context of the cosmos’ vast expanses. But then one sees events around him, considers his own actions, the effects it has on others, and the butterfly effect that starts from then on, and realises his significance.

until next time, signatures in the annals of time

Thus began April

She answered the doorbell, and told him he was wanted. In his foggy early morning state, he reached the door and found a woman blinking at him. He blinked right back. To diffuse the stalemate he asked what she wanted. She said his wife had told her to wait while she sent the waste outside.

until next time, not fool's proof

Sorry Bob

He loved wedding lunches, and was disappointed when work kept him away from one, especially since all his friends would make it. But that was nothing compared to his bemusement, when a casual enquiry on how it went got this Bob Dylan response from his friend ‘the answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind’

until next time, fart attack

An Affair to remember

Their relationship started during his post graduation days, but like many relationships, it seemed it couldn’t stand the test of time. He felt he hadn’t changed, but she had. These days, she entertained far too many people for him to feel special in the relationship. And that is how his love affair with Goa ended.

until next time, they're still friends :)