The Golden Hour

By Shetall Ramsinghani

This is my second book created with my imaginations and observations about life. It has short stories with situations we face in our daily lives. Some have the irony of life and some stories give you the strength and positive energy to move ahead , no matter how life treats you. This book is dedicated to my late grand father. The one who taught me how to live life with morals..

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Jun 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482834000

Book preview

Prologue

First of all, my heartfelt thanks to all my readers who enjoyed reading and appreciating my effort with my first book Love beyond Veils which was published in August, 2012. I look forward to your love and support with my second book and wish that the bond of love which I have developed with my readers maintains as we both as a writer and as a reader progress to another dimension from poems to stories.

Yes, this time I present you 14 short stories, which I have written in different moods and at different time. Resemblance to any person, living or dead is purely coincidental.

I was happy writing my poems and was happy with the reviews you all had given me and never thought that I could venture into writing short story’s.

Though, it was purely unpremeditated.

My darling grandfather, who passed away on 14th August, 2013 has shaped me as a person who I am now. I remember, when I started working he was retired and used to be at home. He enjoyed reading books a lot and he often used to buy book of short stories rather than a novel and every evening whenever I used to come home back from work he used to recite me a story from the book he had been reading.

Many times I used to sleep on his lap after listening to the story of the day which he used to recite to me in his own golden words however whenever I used to wake up I used to pick up the line from where I could recall and used to ask him daddy, what happened after that? He used to laugh at that time but always completed the end.

I personally feel that sometimes while reading or writing we get so engrossed in the story that we do not care of the present uneasiness of daily humdrum of who says what and all the politics from office.

I was so depressed when he left, that I gave up on my writing and suddenly one day I decided to give him a tribute. A tribute to the man who made me the person I am, and whom he love unconditionally. I may not show my pain to the world but yes I can show my love and respect I have in my heart for him.

We had our moments together, sometimes there were stories from the story book and sometime the stories were of partiotion. I used to hear his love story repeatedly and enjoyed those moments which I know now would never come back The time which I used to spend with my grandfather I used to call it my golden hour hence the name for this book came as golden hour.

I have written these short stories as I said in different moods and in different time, so if you are looking for some specific genre, this book is not for you however if you are looking for your golden hour which has random picks then yes, you have bought the right book.

I hope that you enjoy reading and smile with each story. Your feedback would help me to improve further, do leave your reviews for the book.

It’s time that we both get into the imaginary world together me as a writer and you as a reader. So are you ready?

Kind Regards

Shetall

Signs

A minute lived with good laugh is worth living life said Sarah a police officer to a criminal Jake who was stuck in jail for past 20 years now for a crime he never did. He had been quite since then. Never spoke to anyone, never argued, never laughed and never cried. Like a robot he was living his life

Sarah was a 35 years old police officer living with her partner who was working for a fashion designer on part time basis. They both had adjusted with the routine and were a happy couple.

Sarah was promoted as a jailor and transferred to Spain… She terribly missed her Partner who was her only family and often used to cry in lonely hours. Things wanted time and time was all she had.

She started having sleepless nights and depression was taking over her. She instantly chose to divert her mind and started having over time duty’s in jail. Watching criminals, sometimes reading their histories and sometimes talking to them. She started meditation classes in jail to help criminals to become better humans. She also contacted many agencies for handicraft things which could help criminals earn. Her work was noticed by the government and she was given an award for her good work in short period of time by the Minister of State.

As he was impressed by her work and wanted to bring some more changes so that criminal rate goes down in his state, he invited Sarah over a cup of coffee next morning.

She accepted the invite and met the Minister where he appreciated her work and discussed more ideas to lower the criminal rates. Sarah was very impressed by the minister’s attitude.

She continued with her work where she did notice that her love life was somewhere ending.

Once she was doing late night shift, she saw a criminal awake in the midst of night. Looking at his name tag on his shirt, his name was Jake Wilson

She was bit curious and asked him why you are awake? In return, Jake immediately slept as if a mother had scolded to a child and asked him to sleep. She found it to be a bit weird, however she moved ahead for her inspection and went back to her office.

In the morning at 6 am when she was packing her bag to move out as her shift was over, she saw Jake at the garden of jail. He was standing there and was continuously staring at trees. That made her curious as she had seen him awake at 3 am in the morning. How come he woke up so early?

She went near to him.

Hey, what are you doing here?

He looked at her and ran back to his cell. She looked at him and while she was contemplating her thoughts a junior officer came and told her that Jake never speaks with anyone. He is lonesome. Plenty of officers and other criminals had tried speaking to him but he never talked, never laughed and never cried.

This sounded a bit weird. But, why was he like this asked Sarah

There was a rumor that he had been accused for a crime he had never committed. He was 15 when he was caught and it had been 20 year now that he had been living here and not talking to anyone.

Well, when will he be released?

It’s life imprisonment for a rape and a murder case.

I want his file on my table on my next shift.

Yes Madam.

Jake Wilson you are weird said Sarah and went back to her home.

She was tired and she took a nice sleep and woke up during afternoon. Had her coffee but thought of Jake Wilson was still on her mind? She spoke to her lover and was happy that they both would both celebrate Christmas together in Spain. She was happy and since she did not had anything much to do, she went to her office early. After all she was curious to read Jake Wilson’s file.

She reached her office and the file was on her table, where she sat and read about his case. He was accused of murder and rape of his childhood friend Sera.

What the heck? She asked her junior to bring Jake Wilson to her chamber

Jake came, his body language was telling her that he was petrified.

Jake Wilson, I can help you if you tell me your story.

Jake turned his face towards the wall as if he could not hear.

Jake I am talking to you. I am your Jailor tell me what happened that night.

Jake stood up and started walking outside

This made Sarah a bit irritated. She shouted by banging her stick on table. Right here NOW

Jake turned and sat on the chair again

Listen, I want to help you and I can only help you if you tell me something. I can feel that you are not a murderer Jake.

Jake gazed into Sarah’s eyes. This time his body was not petrified. He was angry very angry. She could read his eyes. He started shouting and then all of a sudden fainted. The juniors dragged him back to his cell.

It was understood that Jake won’t open his mouth but Sarah wanted to know what the truth was. Why Jake was in a bad condition.

She chose to reopen the case and opted to interrogate the case on her own. She made a request next day to the judge and started working on the case

The lady was not aware of the consequences being faced; she was on Jake Wilson’s case now even before she received a formal confirmation from the court.

She reached at the house of Sera but there she found a new family residing. Her parents and brother has been shifted long time ago said the new land lord and they were not traceable too.

The first key turned her down.

She was on her way back home where she received a call from her beloved partner. They both discussed their lives and other stuff.

You are talking to me but you are not with me Sarah said her lover

Oh no I am little stressed out. I am working on a case which I have reopened it myself it is about the weird guy Jake Wilson I told you about

Why are you so bothered that you had to reopen the case?

I don’t know this man is in jail for 20 years and never talked to anyone, never cries or laugh and once when I forced him to talk he started shouting and then fainted

Well, what can I say? Try to make him write or try to find what makes him happy like his favorite food or something I am sure that will work.

Good Idea. I will ask the junior Jailor to find it for me. Thank you honey for being in my life

The pleasure is all mine sweetheart.

Sarah immediately called the junior jailor and asked him to find out Jake Wilson’s likes and dislikes. Also, if he could manage to find his favorite food then he must bring it on. She informed that she would be reaching Jail in another 30 minutes, Sarah turned her car back with a renewed energy which her partner had just given to her.

She reached Jail back and met another Jailor on duty, shared some laughs and then asked for the junior