Spear of Hope

By Sankar Tripathy

Hope has no bound like a river. Sometimes the river is lost in search of the ocean and sometimes merged into the salt water.
Entities breathing within this ray of hope are sweta ,rupa and prabhas manjari.They are the leading lady of three diverse tale . Sweta , who dreamt of marital bliss is married to a man, who jolted her life into bottomless pit.
And Rupa victim of a plane crash is in the trap of death and there seems no route to escape.
Prabhas Manjari yester year leading lady. Once celebrated and revered , in her autumn of life is alone and solitary.
The story Spears of Hope is about the dreams, hope and aspirations of these three women.
They were dreaming of a beautiful dawn .But destiny had different plans for them. Pain ,sufferings and agony has made life claustrophobic.
This novel is built with an Indian backdrop. Story about womens struggle. Grief, regret & way of life of Indian women is explicitly depicted in the stories that will accord readers an inexperienced dimension.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Jan 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482816464

Sankar Tripathy

Sankar Prasad Tripathy is a name to reckon with, in the cultural circle of Odisha, the eastern province of India. He has written numerous plays and novels in Odiya, the regional language of the province, spoken by more than forty million people and has been active in the regional cultural circle for more than three decades. Acknowledging his contribution to films, television, radio and theatre, the Odisha Government has feted him with ‘Rajya Sahitya Academy Award’—a prestigious state level award for literary achievement.

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgement

Spear Of Hope

The Man Who Stood Backfacing The Light

The Changed Face In Mirror

Moment Of Lament

Misadventures Bid

Sanjay In The Play Ground

Faceoff With Reality

The Center Of The Circle

Shweta On Shaadi.com

At The Altar

Shard Of Life

The Splashing Waves And The Gust Of Wind

Back To India

The Touch Of Motherhood

The Retaliation

Epilogue

Sailing Down A Dead River

Chapter - 1

Chapter - 2

Chapter - 3

Dawn To Dust

23rd December, Puri

27th December, Puri

31st December, London

1st January, Scotland

3rd January, Mid-Air

5th January, Puri

5th January, Desert Area

6th January, Tryst With Tribal Folk

7th January,

8th January, Morning

10th January, Day Time

11th January, Morning

Acknowledgement

Dr. Pratima Hota and Sarthak Tripathy for their creative input and valuable suggestions for this book.

SPEAR OF HOPE

Translated By:

Subhra priyadarshini Sahoo

The Man Who Stood Backfacing The Light

The shadowy figure is standing there for quite some time now, under the neon lamp post at the far end of the colony.

The street road opens on the both ends, to the street end running through the woods and the main road on the either ends, running parallel to it is a side walk mostly used by the pedestrians. The pitch black night mixed with the deserted road aiding well to the figure to remain unanimous. Contrary to the situation, his eyes vigil and scanning the darkness.

*     *     *

Despite the street being lightened by the street lights, Sanjay had developed a strange kinship with darkness over a time, no matter how much light is around him either he strolls near the woods or spends time under tree along the main road. Mainly to lose his self from the himself.

But once this colony mattered him the most. There were Jasmine and night lily in the garden. He had also planted some jasmine around his house, as he loved jasmine the most. The jasmine vines spread on the walls were augmenting the beauty of his house. Sanjay used to sit here for hours together imbibing the sweet smell of jasmine within. He loved it when the shadows of jasmine bloom on his back like a dream. He had named his house ASHRAYA.

*     *     *

The colony, its buildings, community center, market complex nothing has changed in all these years, apart from the color of some building, and the neon light at the front, that got fused few days back.

He had developed a smear of attraction after a period of dwelling here mostly for its calm and silent beauty that vibrate the colony. Night down with a lapful silence attract Sanjay the most.

But something is haunting him for some days now like he is being chased vehemently forcing him to look out for a safe haven for himself. Something has changed in his life, but he couldn’t figure if out. He is feeling lonely inside despite of being around everybody. The reason behind this drastic change in Sanjay’s life is unexplained. His monotonous life has turned haywire and following some directionless path like a rudderless boat.

A sere of dusk, night was approaching creating a scene of light mixed slight darkness. Sanjay stood under a streetlight in jet black darkness. His heart crunched and churned every time he looked at the house. There was no noise, the hustle bustle, everything has faded into thin air. Its jagged and rough walls with the roosting bats on the terrace gave an impression of a haunted house. Sanjay covered his face with a very disgusted and scary thought: How much has his house changed? Removing the hand he asked himself: I am at the right place? Sanjay looked around. Mr. Mohanty and his wife are at the balcony enjoying the evening. From the opening of the window the faint light coming out and a lady watching T.V. The chemist shop is busy as usual, Everything’s as usual and normal, everywhere there is light except his house. Everybody is happy with their life. Jealousy took the violent form inside him seeing all this happiness around him. No one should be happy Sanjay thought. I will turn their happy moments into somber moments. This colony will be engulfed by darkness, I will destroy even the slightest source of light.

Breaking the barriers of his thought, three men were approaching chattering. Seeing Sanjay there, one of them asked: Oh!! Mr. Sanjay. How come you are here, in the dark?

The other fellow said:Yes, it’s been long the street light is fused, we must have to complain with the BDA for the repair.

The other two in affirmation:Surely, tomorrow we can do it on the way to office.

The first one assuring: Don’t worry, we will ensure that it is done by tomorrow.

They left.

Sanjay didn’t feel any need to repair that light and felt very angry. He recalled the time when people managed to live without electricity and tried to find out why these bloody people are so much desperate to bid bye to the darkness? He got suffocate and decided to went to the end of the colony.

That stranger who has stood under the street light facing towards woods saw Sanjay. While looking around the place. He asked Sanjay where he wants to go?

He got a little startled by that strangers sudden question. he moved close and found the man is clean shaved, middle aged, who has dressed himself in a gentle manner with a pair of pant and shirt had put on some kind of perfume or cream. Before Sanjay could understand the situation that man came closer to him and again Where he wants to go ?

Sanjay said, it is none of his business. So he doesn’t need to know where Sanjay want to go!! But that man again and again asked him whether he wants to take the road that meets at the main road. Sanjay literally got irritate with that man’s frequent question & asked him who is he and why he is asking him these questions ? The stranger replied with an expression of fear that he is lygophobic and wants Sanjay to accompany him to go home. Sanjay showed him the way to the main road, but that man was reluctant to go alone as the road was dark.

Through all these conversations with that man Sanjay was trying hard to find strange reason for the stranger’s unexpected behavior.

What are you thinking about? Asked the stranger. Sanjay replied with a no. And continue to walk. After some time Sanjay saw that person was following him. A strange idea crept inside him, he started walking towards the jungle instead of the main road. He thought if he continued his walk this side, may be the person will stop following him. But the stranger proved him wrong and continued following him. Now Sanjay started to run. The person started maintaining the speed with Sanjay and fell over a bulky stone and screamed loudly in pain. Showing no mercy, Sanjay looked behind once but continued on his way. After sometimes Sanjay felt his hand being pulled by that man. He shouted to leave his hand. But the stranger’s hold got more tight out of helplessness. Sanjay got very much angry and pushed that man harder on to the bushes.

He was shivering with anger and all his politeness had turned to rudeness by that strangers behavior. There were many thoughts running inside of him for that stranger. He must have some wrong intention, he has came to take away his independency and so many things.

Any ways, Sanjay has decided not to spare him at any cost. he picked up the biggest stone from ground and was about to throw that on that man. The stranger stopped Sanjay and made him understand that he doesn’t have any wrong or evil intention. He just want his company to cross the road for he is lygophobic.

Sanjay could feel that mans helplessness and felt very bad for his idiotic behavior. The stone fell down from his hand automatically when he got aware of the depth and reality of the situation. He felt guilty by thinking the consequences of his doubting nature and felt exhausted.

He didn’t have the guts to look directly to that man’s eyes, because he felt like a convict. I am Sorry. Extremely sorry. He asked his pardon and left that place in a hurry not even waiting for that man’s reply. He started walking towards the main road not looking back to see whether that stranger was following him or not.

After reaching the main road he stood there for some time. The road was almost lovely because it was too late in night. Rarely some vehicles were passing. He stood there and felt a bit relaxed. Suddenly he heard Thanks from behind it was the stranger as he was following Sanjay and finally being able to cross the dark road. He left that place and went on the opposite direction to take the road which will lead him towards his home.

Sanjay was totally shocked by that man’s behavior. He moved on without thinking any more of that stranger’s behavior. Everything has been closed down. He saw the closed shop of Salim on the right hand side of the road. Salim sell mutton in this cabin. At dawn Salim comes here with 2 or 3 goats, slaughters them and hang them in front of his cabin. Number of customer grows with the growing hustle bustle of the morning time. Salim closes his shop and go back to home in evening after whole day’s slaughtering session. Sanjay went ahead and sat on the bench which has been tied to the wooden trunk used by Salim to vent the mutton into pieces. He lied down on that bench and looked at the stars and moon in the sky.

The changed face in mirror

At dawn Sanjay returned to his home. He has some duty towards his son as a father. On waking up his son will look for him. His son has a regular routine of brushing his teeth, taking bread omelet in breakfast and then getting ready for school. Sanjay will drop him at the bus stop and then after he is free. On reaching home, Sanjay found his son sleeping. Sanjay woke him up and asked him to get ready. His son enquired about his mom and asked when she will come and why doesn’t she respond to his phone calls. Sanjay replied that his mom is on a training and he will definitely call her today. May be he didn’t believe in the reply but went on to brush his teeth.

Sanjay went on to prepare his breakfast. The maid came and asked him about his wife’s return. Sanjay got irritated with these regular queries of everyone about his wife. Everybody has got the same question. As if except her there is no one else at his home. The maid asked about the plates. But Sanjay said that they are bringing the meals from hotel; they don’t cook at home, so there is not much work to do and asked her to come by tomorrow. The maid had smelled something wrong of his reaction and left the house.

Sanjay was relieved as he didn’t want that maid in his house. But she is Shweta’s favorite. If she wouldn’t come in morning Shweta felt like her whole day was stuck in a place. On her walking up Shewta used to chant malati instead of God’s name. Malati’s gesture on the calling bell made Shweta’s face bright as if she is her stimulator for the day. If she wouldn’t come for some reason, Shweta took the whole house an her head. She used to have a big complaint list how to clean the utensils, how to manage both office and home she felt so confused as if she has turned mad on Malati’s absence. But Sanjay doesn’t ever feel her necessity rather he consider her as an irritating lady who has always been a disturbing element in his independent life.

A smile came on his face as he felt he is following the stream of Shweta. He felt that his thought about Malati exceeded a bit more. Sanjay tried to came out of that silly thought.

He gave his son his breakfast and got ready to do his duty, as a guardian, of dropping his son at his bus stop in absence of Shweta. Normally in a middle class society it is a type of jolly moment for mothers to dress up in different sarees, wait for their children at the bus stop and having a gossip with each other over their waiting time.

Sanjay locked his house and left for the stop with his son, holding his hand like a responsible dad. He met Mr. Ranjit on their way to the bus stop. He asked Sanjay about his health observing his deteriorating health, bearded face and the irregularity in morning walk. He further enquired for Shweta’s return to home. Sanjay tried to assure him that everything is all right and at its place. Mr. Ranjit sneered and said that he must not have seen his face in the mirror for long, otherwise he wouldn’t have said that he is O.K. Sanjay did not like the conversation and to avoided that man’s mockery left the place by giving the reason of his son’s school bus timing.

They stopped at the bus stop and waited there for the bus to come. There were some other students with their mothers who all have wore the night gowns and stood there with their straight off the bed look. One of them asked him about Shweta. May be she was looking for a topic for their next day’s gossip.

Sanjay felt Shweta’s importance in his family. Everyone is asking about her. It feels like his whole family is running around her and his identity, his importance is not in the list. He is just the head of the family in the papers like voter list and all. But in real he isn’t remotely connected with the phrase head of family.

Breaking all his thoughts, the school bus approached. He took a deep breath after his son entered the bus as it he has done his task for today.

Now he is free. He has a good amount of time in his hand till his son’s returns at 5’0 clock. He was wondering what to do, whether to return home or to sit somewhere and spend time. Weighing the options at hand and overcrowded places in the city he thought it would be better to return home. He turned towards the colony.

Good morning!!

Sanjay saw the stranger whom he had met last night.

Oh shit!! where did this man come from?

Sanjay reacted. With a grave voice he asked.

What happened?

The stranger replied him that he saw him during his morning walk and stopped to have a chat with him. Sanjay wanted to get rid of that man as soon as possible. So he told him not to get afraid in a bright and sunny morning and carry on his way.

The stranger felt a bit awkward and said that he truly is lygophobic that he is afraid of darkness, and said to Sanjay, that he is totally opposite of him as he is afraid of brightness.

Sanjay was shocked to see that man’s judgmental power. How could he know about his perceptions? Is there any scanner got fitted in his eyes or what?

The stranger invited Sanjay, by interrupting his thought, to have a cup of tea together.

No thanks! I have a lot of work to finish. So I have to rush said Sanjay.

Ok!! then lets have a walk together to your home, while we can chat also. Said the stranger.

Who the hell are you??

What do you want from me?? shouted back Sanjay as he didn’t want to have any talk with him. That stranger introduced himself as Asish Gadnaik and said that he loves to make friends with a smile on his face.

Do you even know who am I?? Then how could you think that I am going to be friends with you? said Sanjay.

But I am interested to know about you… said Asish. Just go to hell!! I don’t want to talk to you. Roared back Sanjay. These words come out like a thunder from his mouth and loud enough that it made the ladies stop and take interest in their talk.

Within a few seconds Sanjay got conscious and could feel the situation is getting awkward for his idiotic behavior.

Mr Gadnaik assured those ladies that they are friends and these things are very common with them. The convinced them to leave them on their way.

You are very short tempered. Asish said to Sanjay

This time Sanjay got a shocked like hit by 440 volt. He was very confused. How come this man know about my nature so clearly?

Who the hell is he?

Is he a psychiatrist, Critic or a dan?

All these questions were playing cricket in Sanjay’s mind. Oh God! This bloody Asish Gadnaik is getting mysterious. He is trying get in to the personal zone of my life.

These kinds of feeling were storming inside Sanjay’s mind. But still he couldn’t collect enough guts to ask him straight about his identity.

Perhaps Asish could gauge his awkwardness, so he took his leave. After Asish had gone. Sanjay ran away from there so fast that his heart came to his