Reflection wr mag jan feb 2017 by Reflection W&R Mag

Advisory Board Chairman Brian Wrixon (USA) Members Angie Blake (USA) Elizabeth E Castillo (Philippines) Marilyn R. CaĂąete (Philippines) Sharique Jamal (India) Charles Darnell (USA) Editorial Board Editor In Chief Iram Fatima 'Ashi' (NRI, Saudi Arabia) Editor Vasanthi Papu (India)

Associate Editors Dr. Ruchida Barman (India) Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee (India) Dr. Indira Babbellapati (India) Dr. Ram Sharma (India) Jonali Karmakar (India) Dr. Sahab Uddin (India) Arnab Neogi (India) Research Editor & Magazine Coordinator Dr. Priyanka Mathur (India) Research Director Ruchi Chopra (NRI, USA) Art Section Art Director Raj Verma (India)

III

Associate Art Directors Neelam (India) Piyush Kumar (India)

Dear Readers, Greetings! A fresh new year is once again upon us. It’s the time to be thankful for the love given by our readers, authors, poets, artists, of the past year. At the same time, New Year 2017 is a brand new year to start afresh, from Reflection team; I wish you and your family a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous and happiest new year ahead! This time our theme is ‘black and white’ and our creative people penned and painted it so well that I am sure our readers would definitely enjoy this different issue. We have cocktail of melodies poems, inspiring interview, indulging short stories, thoughtful articles, pleasing paintings, covering, negative and mysterious shades of life though ‘black’ and touching purity, innocence by ‘white’ shade. I am sure that while entering into fourth creative year of Reflection, all of you will find it interesting and give your valuable feedback to inspire our creative team. My heartfelt humble thanks to Chairman of advisory board Mr. Brian Wrixon and other members, Editor Ms Vasanthi Papu and all associate editors, Art head Mr. Raj Verma and all artists, research director Ms. Ruchi Chopra, research director and magazine coordinator Ms. Priyanka Mathur, page layout makers Mr. Vikrant Kumar and his team for their complete support. Have a creative and blessed year ahead. Love

Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’

(Editor in Chief) Saudi Arabia (NRI)

Divya P.S. Rawat, born and brought up in Delhi is a Postgraduate in English Literature and a teacher by profession. She is an avid reader, and loves to read romance novels and poetry. She also has a passion for writing. Her writings are the reflection of her emotions and day today experiences. Her poems have also been published in an online magazine, and in a few poetry anthologies. She has also been a contributing author to a prose anthology, ‘Crush 2: An Incomplete Heartbeat’. Besides reading and writing, she spends her leisure in sketching, drawing, painting, and listening to music.

Black And White Divya P.S. Rawat (India) Black is beautiful Beautiful is white One emerges from dawn, While the other drowns at night. Black is graceful Graceful is white One can never be ignored While the other is always in sight Black is peaceful Peaceful is white One can never turn dull While the other is always bright . Black is powerful Powerful is white One can never concede defeat While the other is always full of might. Black is truthful Truthful is white One can never do wrong While the other is always right.

MIRACLE OF NATURE Dr. Ruchida Barman (Jaipur, India) The supreme power is a miraculous artist. He has bestowed the earth with so many colors. I often wonder had he not created this colorful world around us everything would be black and white, Can you imagine the world then? How drab it would be! I was reading about his amazing creation the other day when somebody had said, “God created eyes in black and white but gave colorful dreams in those eyes. This amazing observance stuck home the point that he is the supreme artist. This also brings me to another interpretation that life is not either black or white it is a mixture of the two. Meaning that things/ people cannot be either just bad (Black) or absolutely good (white). Another incident comes to my mind when I write this. I was doing my graduation that time. I had a tet by Thomas Hardy in my syllabus and that was Tess of the D’Urbervilles. A classic novel reading which is a pleasure any day. That was the first time I was reading it and was overwhelmed with the determinism presented by the author in it. The very next day when my professor came to the class she asked a very intriguing question. She said, “Were you to paint Tess how would you do it?” The question puzzled us. We had no clue to the answer. The answer she revealed surprised us and awakened us to a new sensitivity. She told us that she would start with pure white because white represents Purity and Innocence which Tess was as a simple village girl but as the plot progresses she will turn to shades of grey growing dark and dark which reveals the impurity which maturity brings into human beings. The climax when she kills Alec D’ Urbervilles, who represents the vices of the city give her the black color.

This is true of all the people in the world. No one is completely black or white. We are all a mixture of goodness and badness. No human being is born a criminal. I very strongly believe that it is their circumstances that turn one into a sinner. That is why Mahatama Gandhi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hate the sin not the sinnerâ&#x20AC;?. In order to make the world a better place to live in we need to understand the circumstances which drive men to commit crimes. Once the reason is uprooted the rate of crimes will reduce by almost half. It is the ulterior motive of greed, fame and power that drive men to use the poor and needy for committing crimes. These terrorist organizations tap the poverty of the lower class to make them commit the terrorist acts. To kill others, the innocent, the helpless women and children. They become heartless as they believe that once they are through their families will be well taken care of. So when they are doing this for their families can they be completely black? So let us understand this equation and work towards removing this unequal distribution of wealth and try to bring about a more healthy and safe world for our future generations. Also, it is important to sensitize our children towards this black and white concept and make them understand the existence of the grey. This will foster them towards the path of building a better safer and healthier world.

Lynn White lives in North Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. https://www.facebook.com/ pages/LynnÂWhiteÂ Poetry/1603675983213077?fr ef=ts

The light always seeks to hide the dark. The dark, the infiltrator of the light, the secret side emerging uneasily, ready to cast a shadow that will add to your mystery. And, just maybe shine a light inside your depths. The dark revealing what the light was hiding. Not everything, not all, but some things that were hidden by the light. Enough.

Sunshine And Shadows There are black clouds lingering over me. Casting shadows. Even though there’s a big red sun above shining down on me. Warming my face. Caressing me. reminding me of other sunshine days when the rays beamed more sweetly. The clouds make today too close, too hot, yesterday too far away. And the rays are stabbing me sharply. Hurting me. No longer warm and sweet but hot and sour. Piercing me. Cutting me like icy splinters. Because there’s cold there as well, coming from somewhere. This sun is too bright for me to see clearly, too red and swollen, like my eyes feel now. Heavy. Black with shadows. So I’m waiting for the rain to fall. Fall away. Drop by drop until they’re empty and cold. And I’m waiting for more cold days to come. And I’m waiting for the empty clouds to pass and the sun to shine again and warm me if it can.

Betrayal Nazish Kondkari

Nazish Kondkari was born and brought up in Mumbai. She is a dreamer by vision and writer by heart that wishes to write full time and travel the world some day. She wants to lend into her story telling and give everyone including herself a vital escape from the mundane life.

Looking at the barren land in front of her eyes she thinks it’s an amazing plot for the farm house, the dream of her life that she always wanted to fulfil. She plans everything with her manager and the architect who has travelled with her quite a long way from Mumbai to the small village outside Mumbai that is also close to Ratnagiri. They reach the farm land plot by mid afternoon to plan out everything and the architect finalises all the points conveyed to him by Vibha, the most renowned entrepreneur from Mumbai who has been going strong toward success with her hotel businesses. While the architect and the entrepreneur have their last talks with Vibha’s manager Sonali, Vibha takes a walk around the place. She explores the fields that are close to her future farm house, and mentally takes notes to imagine just how she would like to start her own farm. She explores the nearby lake with its amazing view and the small bridge that crosses the lake with its cheery charm. The sun begins setting and Vibha enjoys her alone time looking off into the dream of her future that is fast approaching within her mind, at the day’s end… She stands there for a long moment and notices her own reflection upon the water. The weather around had just started to get colder. She felt the cold breeze passing now by her fair skin, and moving softly across her straight black medium length hair. A feeling of malaise enters inside her slowly…. Her beautiful brown eyes had been filled…. She was familiar with this hysterical feeling, it occurred to her every time she had achieved something great in life. It was always her dream to have a farm house, to be a business woman and to have a sumptuous life that vibrates happiness toward the future. But from all these dreams, there was one dream with her that remained as well; a dream which every passionate woman dreams of. To be loved and give love in return.

Vibha came from a small village and middle class family. She was from Punjab. Agriculture and farming were her family’s business. While growing up, she used to read magazines and find articles about woman as entrepreneurs.This often continued to inspire her as this was she wanted to be inside of her life’s living. But there were also more things that added to such a decision of being an entrepreneur too. This feeling of exploration often coincided with her feelings of often being ignored by her parents. Her parents were often giving much preference to her younger brother Kunal. Her father used to say “Kunal is the one who will make our family so very proud.” He would never praise Vibha on coming first in class or even when she topped in her 10th grade class too. Her mother used to feed Kunal and be behind him all the day to have food, and used to do all his work for him, but she never found her mother even helping her out in any of her projects or work…. the support and confidence was being directed mainly on her brother, Kunal. Vibha often felt left out. She did not have many friends to confide in, because all the girls of her age, either used to gossip or mainly talk about their interest in the boys around or talk about dreams of marriages and mundane matters of the heart. But Vibha was different. She always had business on her mind and often these ideas in her head kept her fancy flying high into places other girls would not venture. She had to find vision and solace inside her books and dreams. She felt the need to get out of her home land and go to the city of dreams too… that is Mumbai. After her 12th grade, she applied for admissions in Mumbai colleges but did not properly inform her parents who had only been thinking of finding a groom for Vibha rather helping her further her studies. Her relation with her parents was very formal. She hardly spoke to them or only talked about important topics… Finally, when she received admission at one of the best colleges of Mumbai, she told her parents. As usual, they were immediately opposed to this

Vibha often felt left out. She did not have many friends to confide in, because all the girls of her age, either used to gossip or mainly talk about their interest in the boys around or talk about dreams of marriages and mundane matters of the heart. But Vibha was different. She always had business on her mind and often these ideas in her head kept her fancy flying high into places other girls would not venture

move of advancement and asked her to stop thinking about further studies and get to know more about cooking and take care of a household. Vibha anticipated that things would happen this way and so she collected some of her savings and ran off from her home one night to end up in Mumbai. She paid the fees of the college as well as her hostel fees for the 1st year through her savings money… Now she had to figure out how to handle the next two years of fees… Finally,she settled in Mumbai and became employed as waitress in a nearby café in the evenings. She studied at night after work, as she was a determined and hard working girl. She called her parents also and told them not to worry about her and that she would be fine and return when she completed her studies.As they couldn’t force her to come back home, they did not threaten her to go back with them either… Luckily her parents left her on her will and never contacted her back.

A year passed by, and it was the secondyear and mid semester where she was situated for studying in one corner of the college library and suddenly an unknown guy comes up to her table and sits down without asking her permission. She had been so engrossed in making her notes, so much so she did not realise this sudden appearance of a stranger. “Ahem… excuse me??” the boy said. Vibha looked up and over to the source from where this sudden voice arrives and was shocked to see a guy with deep and sharp features. His grey eyes blazed along with a casual smile curling on the smooth lips of his face. Vibha raised her eyebrows and replied immediately… “Yes?” “Well, I am in your class and my name is Parth. I need your help. I mean I have seen you, you have always managed to top the class and you always give the best and bright answers in the class. I am

able to fully understand some concepts so I approached our professors about this. Everyone informed me that they were too busy with some other projects and work and so they suggested that I approach you. They felt somehow you might be kind enough to help me out… with sharing your knowledge toward advancing my understanding more and more… so…” Vibha could not stop smiling at his cute but somewhat confused gesture. “Yeah, I will help you out but on one condition…” “What condition?” he asked, “you must do as I say and come early in the morning because I am not available in the evenings, after college…” she replied “Early morning? Like seriously?” he said in utter shock. Vibha raised her eyebrows with a very straight face to convey to him that… yes, she was most certainly very serious… “What are you busy with in the evenings?” Parth inquired. “Work.” She replied going back to her notes… “What work?” he asked again “Do you want me to help you or do you want me to just walk off now?” she said with a slight raise in volume of her voice. “Ok, ok… chill… I was just asking” he replied cordially for calming her down. Vibha took another deep breath, looked at her watch and started assembling her books and notes in her hand.She collected her bag to leave, and then she looked at Parth “Okay…Tomorrow morning 7 a.m. sharp… at this very place.” “Cool, I’ll be here.” Parth replied with a smile.

Vibha took another deep breath, looked at her watch and started assembling her books and notes in her hand.She collected her bag to leave, and then she looked at Parth “Okay…Tomorrow morning 7 a.m. sharp… at this very place.”

The very next day they met at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Vibha explained to him the concepts on simple terms to help him gain clarity. She also gave him her extensive notes that she had specially xeroxed for him and asked him to revise them and come prepared to discuss these items on their next meeting day. They started continuing to meet and within this learning environment, their friendship too grew by leaps and bounds. Parth eventually also started answering inside the class and was often seen with Vibha. Helping Parth out in this learning arrangement, also helped Vibha advance in her studies too. Time passed by, and their exams came and went so well.Their results were quite excellent. Vibha ended up topping the class as usual and dear Parth also scored aresounding 80%. He was super happy and often humbly thanked Vibha too. Vibha was happier for Parth that their hardwork together had paid off so nicely. “I owe you a treat.” said Parth while following Vibha towards the gate of their college. Vibha looked at him in shock and then took another deep breath… “Yes, I have a waitress job in a small café that is on the other side of town and far away, in hope that no one within our college would come to know this.”

“Oh, don’t worry.That’s okay, you gave me the very best treat already… by your great exam results in itself.” Replied Vibha fidgeting inside her bag. “Oh, come on Vibha don’t be a spoiled sport. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Let us just relax… it is okay to give a little break to your ownself now and then and have some carefree fun…” Parth said firmly. “I know, but I am not in a condition where I can just sit back and relax… I have to do my job to really survive.” Vibha replied still busy searching in her bag, and then she realised that she said something that she perhaps shouldn’t have. “Job? You work?” Parth asked her… looking somewhat confused. Vibha looked at him in shock and then took another deep breath… “Yes, I have a waitress job in a small café that is on the other side of town and far away, in hope that no one within our college would come to know this.”

“And what about your parents?” He asked… “They live in Punjab. Come to the café in the evening at 8:00 o clock tonight. My shift finishes by 8:00 pm. I will tell you everything but only if you promise not to tell anyone about this too.” “Okay, I promise, should I drop you now?” Parth asked. “No, it’s okay I’ll manage by myself. It is getting late now. So I will see you in the evening… bye for now…” and she called out to him as she found her exit for leaving inside a great hurry… That evening they met near the café where Vibha was already waiting for him at a little past 8:00 pm. She had completed her shift and had already changed from her uniform into her normal clothes too. They met and went to the Marine Drive where they could talk more intimately about their life. They sat on the bench there and spoke with care about their dreams of life. Vibha explained all to Parth about her family issues and her ambitious plans for studies and life ahead. “You are a very strong and such a different girl” Parth said looking straight into her eyes. Vibha felt something unusual inside right at that moment, they were lost looking more deeply into each other’s eyes. That whole night they spent care to really know more deeply each other… As soon as the sun rose, Parth dropped Vibha near her girl’s hostel and they decided to meet in college later in the afternoon. Thereafter, they spent more and more time with each other, Parth started dropping and picking Vibha from college and transporting her to the café, and from café too and at night they used to spend a lot of time talking closely with each other. Vibha had never encountered with any guy before such as Parth.She hardly had very many close friends growing up in her life. Vibha was started feeling good about her life and began to feel that she was wanted, loved and cared too by Parth. He used to shout at her at times for being careless, for not taking care of herselfof for skipping meals. He used to spend time such a great amount of time with her. She had started feeling

“No, it’s okay I’ll manage by myself. It is getting late now. So I will see you in the evening… bye for now…” and she called out to him as she found her exit for leaving inside a great hurry…

so very special through his care. One night when both Vibha and Parth were talking on the bench at Marine Drive, there came a kid with a bunch of roses and Vibha simply refused the kid, while Parth bought the entire bunch of Roses and looked at surprised Vibha. “So, you have a girlfriend and you did not even tell me?” she asked. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend currently, but I might have one sometime in the future…” he replied with a naughty smile. “What do you mean by sometime?”

Vibha was shaking and feeling so stunned at all of this… She did not see any of this coming at all.But now, she had tears flowing in her eyes and butterflies inside her tummy too… She felt very happy to have someone who would truly love her and make her feel so wanted and very special inside.

He smiled got down on his knees and formally proposed to Vibha… “From a long time I have been thinking to tell you this, but I did not know how to say it, nor how you might react… looking at these roses now… says my heart is here and whispering to say it… here I am in the world… here I am for you, dear. Vibha from the moment you arrived into my life I wanted to spend every single breath with you.I want to be with the strongest and most beautiful girl. I love you, will you be my soulmate for the rest of this life?” Vibha was shaking and feeling so stunned at all of this… She did not see any of this coming at all.But now, she had tears flowing in her eyes and butterflies inside her tummy too… She felt very happy to have someone who would truly love her and make her feel so wanted and very special inside. She told him her reply. “Yes” and for the first time they hugged each other tightly and the beautiful night ended within their very promising and passionate kiss. On the next day, Parth asked Vibha for a shopping date and so they could spend their whole day out shopping with each other. Parth happened to show her a lot of places throughout Mumbai that Vibha hadn’t even seen yet, as she had been so busy trying to navigate and manage her previous messed up life. Now, she had Parth to help take care of things. They often watched movies together, had lunch and dinner together nearly every day too. Vibha wore a different kind

of smile that was much more relaxed and natural and it was flowing all the time now. She felt herself begin to take care of Parth more and more, and loved all the attention she would get back from Parth, as well. They would often study together, have their food together and do their assignments together too. The whole college began to know of their relationship and Vibha and Parth did not care either about seeking out anyone else inside their close and intimate life. These two were unified and whole and just enough for each other. It was the end of their degree term and they came off from school to begin their vacations. Vibha was immediately recruited and accepted a job from the college campus and Parth soon became busy within his dad’s business. They both used to either meet after their work in the evenings.At times Parth used to get some extra workloads during the week, so they began to postpone their meetings until the weekends. Parth began slowly getting more and more busy within his work. Vibha thought he was being matured and trying for takingon new and expanding responsibilities so that he could afford to eventually settle down with Vibha. Vibha was feeling very happy. She hadalso shifted her living arrangements to a workingwoman hostel fromprevious college hostel situation. Vibha began to make some good friends in her office setting too.She became close to Riya. Riya looked more like a model and was also very fashionable. She had sharp features with an almost perfect figure. Vibha and Riya became best friends. In just two months, they began to know a lot about each other. Riya too used to live alone in Mumbai in a flat and she was looking for a roommate. She offered Vibha to come and stay with her, and both agreed to stay together by both contributing into the rental payments. When Parth got to know about Vibha being shifted to a flat he was happy for her. By the weekend, he would often visit Vibha’s new flat and get to know her best friend.

Vibha began to make some good friends in her office setting too.She became close to Riya. Riya looked more like a model and was also very fashionable. She had sharp features with an almost perfect figure. Vibha and Riya became best friends. In just two months, they began to know a lot about each other.

Days passed by, Vibha and Riya began to take on different projects within different teams they work within. Both were busy now and Vibha began spending nights in office with her senior and team, while Riya never liked the idea to stay at night inside the office as she was somewhat lazy in many ways. One night when Vibha became tired and decided to leave for her home and do the remainderof her work at home. She directly left work and headed for home. When she arrived, as it was late at night she took extra care not to disturb Riya’s sleep. She opened the door with her spare keys, but to her surprise and shock of life, she saw Parth and Riya in a compromising state together on the flat’s couch.

Vibha would introduce her friend, Riya to her boyfriend, Parth during a small party. Vibha and Parth were then left alone in Vibha’s room. It was here that she and Parth had to deal with his office stress talks. Vibha did not like to see him so stressed.She had never seen him so tensed before. Parth told her that his father was giving him a hard time to plan to leave for a foreign country and obtain his master’s degree. Vibha encouraged him, “our love will pass through all of this too” Parth smiled and they hugged each other and then offered their kisses in tight embrace… Parth left her then, by saying he needed to wake up early next morning for his work… Days passed by, Vibha and Riya began to take on different projects within different teams they work within. Both were busy now and Vibha began spending nights in office with her senior and team, while Riya never liked the idea to stay at night inside the office as she was somewhat lazy in many ways. One night when Vibha became tired and decided to leave for her home and do the remainderof her work at home. She directly left work and headed for home. When she arrived, as it was late at night she took extra care not to disturb Riya’s sleep. She opened the door with her spare keys, but to her surprise and shock of life, she saw Parth and Riya in a compromising state together on the flat’s couch. It was the worst thing that had ever happened to her in life… Her first and only best friend was right there and now embracing so fondly with the love of her life. She could not hold back her tears now, nor could just stand there for anymore. She quickly closed the door and ran down the back stairs… she heard Parth coming towards her, but she had already closed the door and fled this outrageous scene… That whole night Vibha spent at Marine Drive, on their bench, crying all alone…For the first time in her life she had been broken… She was strong enough to fight with the world alone when she had left her home to complete her studies and build

her dreams. But now the dream had become a dark nightmare… She fell in love, and she thought she had a friend who had become just like family. Now, both had somehow betrayed her…When the sun rose, she wiped all her tears away and promised herself that until the time she had her own business or till she settled within her life alone, she would not let anyone and anything bring her down into this state again… She would find strength now and never show anyone her weakness from that moment onward… She left towards Riya’s flat with all the strength she had left inside her being. She opened the door and expected both Riya and Parth to have been gone by now but they were still there with all their clothes on… Vibha walked towards her room without looking anyone in the eye… “Vibha…we are sorry… we did not mean to hurt you. It was just that… last night I had a fight with dad and came here to you but you weren’t here and we just got carried away….” Parth tried to explain things to her and was now shaking and stammering… Vibha stood there… without saying a word she then walked into her own little room, locked the door… She next packed her bag and took all her belongings and walked right away out of the flat’s door. She wanted to be fresh and ready to begin her day at the office… While leaving, she left the keys on the table and pulled her bags together and walked off…. Riya and Parth both tried to explain and apologise, but Vibha would not give them any chance… She next shifted back to her women hostel and was back right away at her work. At work, Vibha became more focused on her projects and kept complete distance from Riya. She made it a practice now to hardly have words with anyone at the office unless it was work related. Vibha’s work began being noticed by her seniors and all her hard work began to pay off. Her

“Vibha…we are sorry… we did not mean to hurt you. It was just that… last night I had a fight with dad and came here to you but you weren’t here and we just got carried away….” Parth tried to explain things to her and was now shaking and stammering…

projects got approval within her team and she received a promotion too. Vibha would not let her personal issues affect her work at all…

Slowly Vibha had started working on building her own business plan for a hotel… She had contacts and she approached them with her plans and next sought to find some likely investors. At first, many gave her some rejections and negative answers but finally some small investors came forward to help the plan come through. She hired some hotel management students and slowly established her own business….

Vibha was rising in her work with such an extreme speed. After some months, Vibha received a transfer to Bangalore . She immediately took it to get out of Mumbai and distance herself from the people there. In Bangalore, Vibha had a flat given to her by her office and she had just settled there. Her neighbour, Richie was a guy about her age. He was notorious and funny, he always tried to be friendly with Vibha, but she never gave him any chance at all. She didn’t give a damn about him until one day. Vibha was out on the terrace standing near the railing, and Richie too came out on the terrace.Somehow Richie had misinterpreted that Vibha might jump off from the railing. Richie started shouting, and Vibha got scared by his shout… She was about to fall off the terrace but was immediately saved by Richie… He shouted her to prevent her from taking her life… Vibha explained him that she was just deep in her thoughts and was not taking her life. She would never do that!Then Richie felt guilty for taking all thisso wrongly… That day, they both opened to each other to share about their life’s problems. Richie was a gay man and had been thrown out of his house by his parents; he was a famous D.J. in the area clubs. Both Vibha and Richie became best of friends and began to live more like siblings who cared for each other. Slowly Vibha had started working on building her own business plan for a hotel… She had contacts and she approached them with her plans and next sought to find some likely investors. At first, many gave her some rejections and negative answers but finally some small investors came forward to help the plan come through. She hired some hotel management students and slowly established her own business…. Within a year, she also had the land deal too… She slowly established her business ideas and began successfully making a name for herself in Bangalore.

She expanded her businesses into other major cities and began being recognized as a highly successful and famous woman entrepreneur. After her success in Bangalore, she also visited her parents and told them about her pathway to success. They were happy and proud of their daughter and were also very remorseful and sorry for not believing in her… Vibha still insisted that she live alone in the city. She had offered her parents a home too in Mumbai. But only her younger brother had shifted to a Mumbai flat to complete his studies while her parents would visit occasionally to Mumbai. They really preferred to stay in their village home. Vibha had everything settled. She was taking care of her parents now and helping meet the fees for her younger brother’s studies. By that time, Richie then also shifted to U.S. but always remained in close contact with Vibha... With each successful step forward. she began feeling more and more alone. She would have no one to share her success and happiness with in years ahead. No friends, and there was no one she could trust. She had such a hard time trusting people emotionally… she would often think about how she could ever let anyone enter her heart again…each time led her to that veryunhealed scar of her past.She wouldleave it and pinch herself hard to try and help this feeling goby too. Now she stared at that reflection in the water. Vibha took a long hard look at herself… her eyes filled in… she closed these eyes and a tear dripped free…running onto her smooth fair pink cheeks…she thought to herself “I may be the richest woman, a very successful woman too… but I am the poorest of poor when it comes to being within love…” The next day, Richie had travelled back from the U.S. to visit India for few days and he had surprised Vibha. She had just come from her own village trip and met up with him. Now, Richie had some friends with him. He had Kate, Paul and Jay there with him. Jay was Indian, but had been in

Now she stared at that reflection in the water. Vibha took a long hard look at herself… her eyes filled in… she closed these eyes and a tear dripped free…running onto her smooth fair pink cheeks…she thought to herself “I may be the richest woman, a very successful woman too… but I am the poorest of poor when it comes to being within love…”

U.S. for the past five years.He was quite the successful businessman there too. Vibha was happy to have Richie back. Richie next asked Vibha to take some time off from work and accompany him and his friends to a journey to Goa. At first Vibha hesitated but later, she felt comfortable to finally agree to travel with them all for a little vacation to Goa.

They all flew to Goa and Vibha had got along with everyone. She told Kate and Paul about India and famous places and Richie and Vibha would have small fights in between, while Vibha and Jay would talk about how they build up their business and would talk about life…slowly, Jay and Vibha were getting along and were having the fun time together with others… Jay too had a heart broken past and found Vibha compatible, while Vibha too wanted to give her love one more chance. But both did not let the other know about it. They both wanted to give their friendship some more time to grow and blossom into love…

Black And White Dr. Rashmi Jain (India) God created black and white alike, It’s human who made differences wide Why such discrimination on the name of caste, creed and race? As the soul contains divinity alike. Crime committed by criminals symbolizes loss of soul Neither the color of face nor heart shows black and white. It’s the intensions which are black or white. There’s eternal combat between black and white Where does it lead the mankind? Though white symbolizes beauty, purity and light Dusk is no less bright. Why is black considered inauspicious, dark and ugly? White always doesn’t symbolize beauty of heart. Black and white has its own importance One can’t supersede the other. Voice of black or white echoes in one’s mind. It’s the perception and understanding of life that creates a difference. It’s the choice which leads one to the path of right.

Grey Noise Aarti Salian (Mumbai, India) My mind is complicated , oscillating between you and me. I am a glass, half empty. You are a glass that is half full. Yet , you want that we come together and complete the missing parts. Missing parts of us, that if come together can be disastrous. I am like fire, I will burn you. You are like air. Fresh and pure. But if we hold hands, we will rip our souls apart.

Have you ever seen sadness merge with happiness? Have you ever seen blessings feel at peace with curses? Oh dear! You don't realize. I am that ebony black who can destroy you. You are like milk white who can create a calm balance. You crave for us to merge into one another. But baby, we will create nothing but grey skies that will be full of curiosity and questions. Let us break away completely and walk on the path that is destined for us rather than the one that is meant for us. For it will be but a dangerous prospect if Black and White ever came together.

Black And White Zainab Bhoira (Saudi Arabia, NRI) What black covers, white uncovers..... After every dark night comes a bright morning..... Life is like a canvas for every individual where he can choose to paint his life with a stroke of black or white depending on life events which are not “completely disastrous” or “absolutely wonderful” but contain elements of both good and bad... Usually an optimist would see the white shade of colour in every aspect of his life as he would be thankful for the numerous blessings bestowed upon him by the Almighty...If fate has put him to face the test of hardships ,then too he would choose to paint his life with white colour by exercising patience..... A pessimist on the other hand would choose the black colour in every single aspect of his life as during happy and prosperous times he would forget to thank his Sustainer for the countless blessings bestowed upon him and while he is facing the trial of hardships he would keep complaining day in and day out.... Everyone should try an establish the habit of always remaining optimistic...Instead of lamenting that there are thorns among the roses, one should be grateful that there are roses among the thorns...A honey bee turns the same nectar into honey that a spider turns into venomto each his own...

White light splits up to give seven vibrant colours......so most of the people choose the colour white to brighten up their life.... At this time of the year, many regions have harsh and hard winter where the outside temperature is below 15°c ...Those artists who paint their lives with vibrant colours enjoy the white snow by being thankful to the Almighty for keeping them comfortable in their warm and cosy house and having let them escape from the fate of those homeless and poor people who desperately struggle to fight the blizzard by standing under the vent of the subway stations, trying to keep themselves warm... A single stroke of brush can change the shade of black to white ...this change can be easily understood from the story of a poor man who was walking bare foot on a hot summer day complaining to his Lord that he did not even have a single pair of slippers when all of a sudden his eyes fell on a one legged man hobbling along on crutches .He was filled with a sense of gratitude and immediately thanked his Lord for blessing him with two strong legs and a healthy body..... Thus it is only our thought pattern that makes us view our situation as white our black and as result generates a ‘flight or fight’ response to any situation... As each one of us has to paint our own masterpiece ....we need to remember that..... The black leaves us in a gloom.... Sad and lonely we remain in a room... Waiting for that moment of the white... As this would illuminate our lives with its light... Whether the moment “black or white” Do not bother as it is only our might.... Which fights the black and turns it into white...

No Bargain Nazish Kondkari Approaching was my first cousin Anu’s wedding in Delhi… Everything was going well it seemed. But there was something wrong with Anu… It’s supposed to be every girl’s secret dream to get married sooner or later. She should have so much planning to undertake and fevered excitement within. But this exhilaration was so very absent now in Anu’s eyes. She seemed to be lost somewhere… she was apparently not feeling happy. And to my surprise only I seemed to notice this. Everyone else was busy in looking upon themselves in their dresses, caught up in the fanfare of what to wear, selecting matching jewellery, partaking in gossips of the day, and speaking about the food they had evening last evening at the preparation function. But the one who should be more excited about her upcoming special day, about her dresses, her jewellery was now lost and appeared to be in another place and time entirely. She was least interested in what was happening all around her. I tried to

talk to her but to my surprise, she never even uttered a word…Till one day, just before her wedding… She came down from her room with a bag heavily packed with her… everyone became immediately confused and surprised… Her parents approached her to see what this issue was all about too. Her father inquired… “Is that the extra luggage you wish for me to keep in the car tomorrow?” She looked at him and answered wiping off her hot tears from her pale and anxious face… “No Papa, this is the luggage that I am taking with me but not to where you wish for me to go…” A complete silence was heard in the room at that pronouncement. Her mother feared something like this was coming and deep inside she had

She looked at him and answered wiping off her hot tears from her pale and anxious face… “No Papa, this is the luggage that I am taking with me but not to where you wish for me to go…”

already sensed it too…. “Deardear we should really sit down right now and talk…do come with us upstairs and we shall solve your problem immediately…”

up with all these false notions of love and care… when one day you will just ignore your own daughter’s voice and heart? Instead of standing up for your daughter… dear Papa, you asked me to Anu immediately refused… she replied to go and surrender as per your decisions them both “we already had a lot of talks or else be willing to pay you for all that this previous whole month and I tried to you have done for me up to this date? convince you and dear Papa… but you never even listened to me. Instead, you “humne tumhare liye itna kuch kiya hai hurriedly announced this wedding uska kya…uski bharpayi kaun without even giving credence to any of karega…so I’ll have to find way to pay my concerns… you both did not even you for whatever you did for me till date. care enough that I am not mentally Am I your daughter or employee or prepared for any of this at all… What you housemaid you will ask to bargain? To really cared for the most was to care only bring up that you paid for all my about the family name and what our education, and my luxuries and put forth society will come to speak of… if I were to that I must pay it back to you in the form get married to a guy who is of my choice, of now obeying your decisions…and get who is just one year younger to me and married and live with someone whom I to whom I love… what would people say? don’t even love or care for…it is all too So, you both refused to even understand much of a bad bargain! your very own daughter and her heart wishes. You gave priority to this cruel Your love was your real duty towards society which does not let any youngster your daughter and my right to get what live a life within their own wishes and is mine. If you had so much problems care conditions… Why then, do you even with that… than why did you even give birth to us? If daughters are such a bother to bring me up? You should have burden, then why do you even bring us left me somewhere in the dustbin or off

Am I your daughter or employee or housemaid you will ask to bargain? To bring up that you paid for all my education, and my luxuries and put forth that I must pay it back to you in the form of now obeying your decisions…and get married and live with someone whom I don’t even love or care for…it is all too much of a bad bargain!

Everyone present keeps on staring at them and talking in hushed tones… Anu decides to leave and her parents decide not to stop her or interfere with her final decision …”

at some orphanage at least so I would not have had to endure being asked to pay for your bringing me up in this lifetime…” She breaks down in exasperated tears and now so do her parents too… Everyone present keeps on staring at them and talking in hushed tones… Anu decides to leave and her parents decide not to stop her or interfere with her final decision …”

One week later at our home in Mumbai I was busy in my housechores and my husband Akash was busy on his laptop catching up on his persistent office work… We all were heading back into our routine lives again but I was somewhere in my own mind really worried about Anu and her parents… Anu was such an independent girl, living now at a working woman hostel these days, while her parents had gone back to their village to get over this sudden shock that their daughter had delivered them at the very last moment…

My daughter Astha now approached her own dear daddy and began asking him a few out of the blue questions, while I was cleaning the furniture in a nearby room…

Astha: “Daddy how much is my school I should have the accounting and try to fees?” keep proper money to return to you….” She replied with such intelligence and I was a little surprised at her direct innocence in her shining eyes… questioning… She was just six years old and talking “45,000 per year” he replied but was still like an experience adult on this so engrossed in his work and laptop matter…Both Akash and I were equally stunned by her reply… I was in tears and Astha: “How much did that doll house Akash moved his laptop aside and just cost that you and mom gave me last hugged his little Astha while he told her year?” ever so patiently. “My dear princess we won’t ever ask you to repay us for Akash: “emmm… I don’t remember whatever we do for you… None of the princess… do ask your mom…” parents should do this… It’s just that they were angry and sometimes people To which I interrupted… “Sweetie, what utter complete nonsense which they are on earth is making you ask about the not supposed to…” He took her outside money your parents are spending for on the balcony to help her understand a you?” little more…“My dear, I hope you understood what I want to convey Ashta: “Because I want to keep firm through these words… there will be… no accounting of these things that you both bargain!” will bring for me or do for me … if by chance tomorrow, you should ask me to repay you back whenever I don’t obey you or when I want to someday marry a handsome prince charming like you narrate to me inside the stories you tell me at night. In case you and dad don’t allow me to marry the man of my choice,

Darkness AbdurÂRehman Qadeer is a student, a hiker, explorer and photographer... With a dark personality he loves the darkness, beauty and nature. He listens Zayn and loves vampires.

AbdurÂRehman Qadeer (Sialkot, Pakistan) Darkness is an amazing place... You will never know... Darkness protects from unwanted eyes... So no one hears your deep sighs... Darkness frees you from the boundaries... Between lying truths and true lies... What is the point of light... When you can't see the stars or fireflies... Mark my words and you will see... It's living in the darkness, only wise...

The Picture If light was mixed with light No one could've borne that dazzling bright. If darkness was mixed with darkness, It would be blind black hole. The Gatherer mixed the light with the darkness, So it became the most beautiful picture, Called the universe.

He can be seen at the blogÂ AbdurÂRehman Chughtai's Three Wonders and followed at @ARBINQADEER.

Dr.Neelam Malik is working as senior lecturer in Applied Science Deptt. (English) in C.R. Polytechnic for the last twenty years. A voracious reader has deep interest for poetry and love for oratory, tries best to mould the youth towards spirituality and meditation, so that the coming generation may try to abolish all forms of violence. As a motivational mentor to her students, she tries to liberate them from vices like smoking or any other type of addiction. The main task is to teach the word of God and to build confidence among her students.

Swinging Waves Dr. Neelam Malik Darkness is death, in heavens sapphire 足light is white Amidst the footsteps of the hours , it's a battle of two wolves inside Black is evil and rotten smell, honeyed lingering joys ruminating scattering fragrance is white The black abyss to aurora.. the limelight Mortal to immortal, we enter ...adorning the rainbow radiance A sojourn within swinging waves from black to white in the realms of poetic pigeons Infinite grips the finite in its palms with pain pleasure and piety Corporal is the chrysalis of soul Imperfection towards perfection toils Bliss is watered with tears , entering realms of ethereal music Rendezvous is upon the situation, eternal verities When thou cross the boundaries of black Thou enter the eternal sanctuary of white light Wrapped eyes has a black hole, meanderings ... There arises an oasis of white ball in the mural lands Here thou enter the kingdom of eternity....A brave new world with sages and seers Ego dies with anger, lies, vice and inferiority Soul the ruler 足足 prevails with joy ,hope and humility The wolf we feed and then it wins Adorning bountiful boundaries of unflinching vibes of chains of beacons Black is mortal, white the immortalized regime Whiteness enhances beauty pearl, shell足 shocked A white stone marks a joyful day It is made the emblem ........... Innocence of brides and honours, aligned harmonies and melodies Black ...macabre, satanic and a mischievous doctrine die Sans possibilities of love and Light amidst the swinging waves from black to white.

Iram Fatima 'Ashi' Dr. K. K. Sharma is a simple man who is a dreamer, writer, teacher, mentor, speaker, philosopher and a student for lifetime learning. He is Ph.D in History along with M.Phil in Education. Presently he is working as an officiating Principal in a Haryana University College. Then he is also a Sr. Academic CoÂordinator with one of the premier educational institutions of Eicher Group in Faridabad, Haryana. With a successful career of almost 20 years in the skill areas of Strategic Education,Team Building, Budget Preparation, School Planning and Research areas hehas also worked for Ministry of Education in Republic of Maldives and in a Danish schooling institution in Denmark, Europe.

Ashi: Greetings to you Dr. Kanwal Kishore Sharma! At the outset, on behalf of ‘Reflection Magazine’, I would like to thank you for accepting my request to interview you. Please tell us something about the place you belong to, your childhood and education. Dr. K. K. Sharma– Basically I belong to Meerut, a small cantonment in Western part of UP. The place has its historical importance as it is associated with the first independence war of India in 1857.

As I shared, my schooling was very different but that fun ended when I started my college. My father had opted for retirement until then and thus we were back in our ancestral town. Then I completed my college education from MM College, Modinagar and was a topper for five years there. After that came the research work which certified me a Doctoral degree.

Though I was born there my father being a Naval Officer with Indian Navy was always on the transfer mode and thus my childhood memories are of Goa, Bombay (now Mumbai), Cochin and so on. There was a time when I, as a student, used to appear for my half yearly exams in one school and then my annual exams in some other school of some other city. But I loved it. I love travelling and probably that has come to me from my childhood days. To visit new places, to meet unknown people in a totally alien place.... all that is something I still enjoy and enjoy a lot. As I shared, my schooling was very different but that fun ended when I started my college. My father had opted for retirement until then and thus we were back in our ancestral town. Then I completed my college education from MM College, Modinagar and was a topper for five years there. After that came the research work which certified me a Doctoral degree. Ashi: That’s interesting. Please share your writing experience the age you started writing and what inspired you to write. Dr. K. K. Sharma– Reading was something which I enjoyed a lot and so writing was always there in my mind. While going through my education – from schooling to college – I was constantly writing for my school magazines and all. Then during my college days I was totally into my subject and wrote about thirty research papers in various national and international journals.

But then – yes fiction writing – came a bit late in my life. Once I was done with my education and was settled with a proper job, I was free to enjoy my passion of reading and then to pass it on to writing. This again was a very gradual move which started with translations at first and then coming out with my own book. Ashi: Great! I have read that you have keen interest in spirituality too, please share that. kindly tell us something about any other hobby of yours. Dr. K. K. Sharma– Spirituality for me is to come closer to the creator of this world and for that I need not feel to have a ‘Guru’ at all. Spirituality is something you learn by age, by experience and not by listening lectures by a Godman or so. Though I follow Hindusim that does not stop me respecting the philosophy of other religions of the world. I think my studies of the subject History gave me that kinda flavor. As a student of world history, when you learn Sikhism, Jainism, Bhuddhism and Islam it’s very natural that you develop a tendency of understanding various religions and also the fact that each and every religion takes you towards a common goal through their own designated and designed path. So to understand that – is the real spirituality for me. Something you realize that there is someone up right there who is called by different names and still is One Divine Supreme Power which is further guided by none other than your own deeds, your own karma. This thought makes you to feel the importance of your doings i.e. the karma and makes you more diligent in your professional life and more zealous in your personal life. That’s what spirituality is for me. To try to understand myself and to make out the reason of my existence here in this world.

Ashi: However, poetry or prose is a medium to express one’s inner feelings. Is there any specific moment or event that made you write? Dr. K. K. Sharma– Poetry though is beautiful, magnificent and magical it leaves the reader with a lot to understand. That’s something you will not find in prose. For me prose is something which – as a writer – gives you more freedom to express one’s feeling. Another thing is that though I love poetry I don’t find myself capable to write some. To be honest I never thought myself as a writer. It just happened, say by chance. A publisher was looking for someone who could translate some English crime stories into Hindi and he landed on my door. The opportunity further expanded when I wrote my own story and very politely asked the publisher if he could publish it, and he – though very hesitatingly obliged.

To be honest I never thought myself as a writer. It just happened, say by chance. A publisher was looking for someone who could translate some English crime stories into Hindi and he landed on my door. The opportunity further expanded when I wrote my own story and very politely asked the publisher if he could publish it, and he – though very hesitatingly obliged. Rest is history. Ashi: What is your favorite topic to write on? And do you have a specific writing style? Dr. K. K. Sharma– I, in my writing, deal with crime stories. Crime committed by a common man for a reason or two. I create circumstances where a character gets involved into a crime for a reason and then try to get away with it but then the karma follows him and in the end nabs him ruthlessly. The end of my stories gives a message that – crime does not pay. So – what I do is that I develop a story where it may look for a moment that the crime rewards handsomely but then the deeds will follow and the end will be just. I adore, admire, applaud, praise, appreciate, commend, respect, regard, cherish and enjoy the works of Surender Mohan Pathak ji in Hindi. In fact I worship him and his style of writing. I idolize him. He is The Master, the Grand Master of Hindi crime fiction and no one other than him influences me and my style of writing.

Ashi: Nice to know this. Would you like to share something about your personal life with our readers to know you more closely? Dr. K. K. Sharma– Well, am a bit introvert in that regard. I have always maintained that thin line that divides my professional and personal life. So as of my personal life and my family I would like that to be with me and myself. Ashi: I respect your personal life. Please share who your favorite writer/poet is. Dr. K. K. Sharma– As I have said, in Hindi I am avid follower of Surender Mohan Pathak Sir. But in English I enjoy reading Agatha Christy, Sue Grafton, James Hadley Chase, Mario Pujo, Alister McLean, KiegaHigashimo, Jo Nesbo, Jacques Abady, Manning Coles, PD James, Margret Cole and Lee Child. Ashi: According to you, what are important elements of good writing?

the

most

Dr. K. K. Sharma– Very hard question for me. To be honest I really don’t know this as I am myself searching for those specific ingredients which make any writing good.I am uncertain about the elements that make the status of a writer more popular and more sensational. As per my mind there is only one element of good writing and that is – there should be a story to tell. A story which is human, which is simple but sharp, which is believable and also able to keep you engaged. So much so that you forget to take your daily dose of nap, or you keep delaying your nature call. For a crime thriller the only funda, the only essence of good writing is that the events in the story should flow flawlessly which keeps the reader betrothed and occupied.

As per my mind there is only one element of good writing and that is – there should be a story to tell. A story which is human, which is simple but sharp, which is believable and also able to keep you engaged. So much so that you forget to take your daily dose of nap, or you keep delaying your nature call.

Ashi: Did you always have full appreciation and support for your talent in writing? Dr. K. K. Sharma– I would say yes. My family always supported me unconditionally and my readers, thankfully, have liked and appreciated my works – may be translations or now my own stories. Ashi: Lucky you! According to you, which novel of yours is your masterpiece? Kindly share something from book which is close to your heart. Dr. K. K. Sharma– I had done a bit of translations which were well received by readers. I think in those translations the one which I liked most was – ‘Shock Treatment’. Then my book ‘One Shot’ was also praised by the readers and specifically the introduction scene of the protagonist where I had written a detail conversation between him and his friend. There’s a dialogue there which I would like to share –

That you can create a world and make it run as per your ideas and wish. Being an author allows you to create a story where the characters and their deeds are decided by you. That’s something I really enjoy.

Ashi: Interesting. According to you what is the best thing about being an author? Dr. K. K. Sharma–That you can create a world and make it run as per your ideas and wish. Being an author allows you to create a story where the characters and their deeds are decided by you. That’s something I really enjoy.

Ashi: Great! Why is your theme mostly based on suspense thriller? Dr. K. K. Sharma– (laughing) Now that’s again a very difficult question indeed. I had gone through the times when I enjoyed reading Mills and Boonkinda love stories and all, but then you see – there’s an age factor I think. I am old now and obviously will not enjoy those rosy love stories any more. On the other hand these thrillers keep me gripped and occupied in their fast pace of events and thus what I love to read, is what I love to write. For me I love that way of storytelling. Then there is something which you call ‘Poetic Justice’ and in a crime thriller this is something which is delivered in the end. So you see – while a suspense crime thriller is basically a story of greed and passion, the basic idea is very same as of any social story – that any crime done will come back to haunt you and will claim the price. Ashi: Old man… no I strongly disagree by this statement of yours, as you seem full of life and an inspiring person. Now tell me as the theme of our issue is ‘Black and White’ please share your personal views on this. Dr. K. K. Sharma– Oh – now for a change I would love to answer this question and I would love to answer this in context to my way of writing characters. See – as a crime fiction writer I deal with characters which are involved in unethical way of life. They bribe, they rob, and they loot, and kidnap and even kill. These are ruthless shady characters which many claims are of ‘Black’ shade but I don’t agree to this term associated with them. In a crime thriller there are human beings and human beings which are a part of our own society. They have learned their way of life from our own society and thus when they are given a tag of ‘black’ characters, I disagree and I disagree completely.

I had gone through the times when I enjoyed reading Mills and Boonkinda love stories and all, but then you see – there’s an age factor I think. I am old now and obviously will not enjoy those rosy love stories any more. On the other hand these thrillers keep me gripped and occupied in their fast pace of events and thus what I love to read, is what I love to write. For me I love that way of storytelling.

They say – no human being is perfect….. and not a complete waste either. People when placed or thrown into a situation usually react to it and that reaction is what may be described as ‘Black’ or ‘White’. So in my stories a man kills his friend and fellow staff but then leaves another man unharmed who is associated with the gang of criminals. He is infuriated and flared up for a revenge for his brother’s death but then he is calm enough to attend his friend’s funeral – the same who died because of him only. So basically the term ‘Black’ and ‘White’– in my writing does not exist at all as my characters are ‘Grey’ human beings who are pushed or allured by greed and then punished by the karma. Ashi: Very well defined. What advice would you give to emerging authors? They say – no human being is perfect….. and not a complete waste either. People when placed or thrown into a situation usually react to it and that reaction is what may be described as ‘Black’ or ‘White’. So in my stories a man kills his friend and fellow staff but then leaves another man unharmed who is associated with the gang of criminals. He is infuriated and flared up for a revenge for his brother’s death but then he is calm enough to attend his friend’s funeral – the same who died because of him only. So basically the term ‘Black’ and ‘White’– in my writing does not exist at all as my characters are ‘Grey’ human beings who are pushed or allured by greed and then punished by the karma.

Dr. K. K. Sharma– The very first is that learn to read, and love to read. Until you yourself are not a good avid reader you cannot be a good writer. That’s for sure. So before you write make sure you have read enough to understand the genre. Secondly – before you start writing a crime thriller make sure you have done your homework properly and your story is – at least clear in your own mind first. Very often writers say that they are stuck in between of a story as they cannot find an idea to take the story forward. Now for me that is weird. For a thriller – you have to make the sequence of events very clear in your mind first. Make notes of events, the steps, create a climax and then move back to the starting point. This will help immensely. And last but not the least – write stories in which you believe. People love reading stories which are realistic but mixed with adventure. So – your protagonist should be good enough to fight with a gang of four goons but then he should not be a super human to defeat an army single handedly.

Ashi: Give your opinion on Reflection magazine and would you like to give any advice for improvement. Dr. K. K. Sharmaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; The magazine is awesome and that comes from the people who are associated with it. Say â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a galaxy of likeminded thinkers can create such a good and vibrant magazine. As of suggestion for improvement I would love to see this magazine in a hard copy format. This could be another stepping stone for it. Ashi : Thank you for sharing your true words of wisdom in the field of art and for improvement of our literary magazine. The budding artists are sure to draw nourishment from the radiance of your spirit and your gracious advice would boost up their enthusiasm to be creative. Profound thanks to you!

The magazine is awesome and that comes from the people who are associated with it. Say â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a galaxy of likeminded thinkers can create such a good and vibrant magazine. As of suggestion for improvement I would love to see this magazine in a hard copy format. This could be another stepping stone for it.

Links to purchase Dr. Kanwal Sharma's books足 Ek hi Anjaam (Like a Hole in the Head) translated by Kanwal Sharma now available on Amazon.in http://www.amazon.in/dp/8177890670 Benaqab Chehra (The Joker in the Pack) translated by Kanwal Sharma now available on Amazon.in http://www.amazon.in/dp/8177890689 Maut Ka Khel (No Orchids For Miss Blandish) translated by Kanwal Sharma http://www.amazon.in/dp/8177890336 Duniya Meri Jeb Main (The World In My Pocket) translated By Kanwal Sharma http://www.amazon.in/dp/8177890328 Vishkanya (The Guilty Are Afraid) translated by Kanwal Sharma http://www.amazon.in/dp/817789031X Shock Treatment translated by Kanwal Sharma http://www.amazon.in/dp/8177890301 One Shot http://www.amazon.in/One足Shot足Kanwal足 Sharma/dp/B01G6UVOL6

Next Book By Dr. Kanwal Sharma

Battle Dr. Diwakar Pokhriyal (Mumbai, India) In the battle between, Black and white, Humanity dies insane, In hopeless plight, Why should I choose? When I am free, Let me experience the Satan, Let me experience the glee, Feel your presence, Life is more than these twins, Stop inner discrimination, Someone loses when one wins, Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enjoy each color, Painting beautiful sight, What meaning a day has If there will be no night? Feel the essence of life, Raising the spiritual bar, Black and white arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t glued, Neither is packed in a jar.

The Dark And The Light Charles Darnell (Texas, USA) My wanderings took me On the trail, A winding path Through bush and trees Beside a dry creek Waiting for rain. A downward slope Slips under a street bridge, Cars streaming above Know nothing of me below Trudging along on my third mile. Shadows grow right to left Across the path, A stark contrast To the white cement Beneath my feet. Above, the underside of clouds Defy the snowy puffs atop, An allusion to what lies beneath. As I pass under the bridge, A black vulture roosts on A lamp post, A living symbol of the dark Against the metal and glass Of light.

Dreams of Joy (Written by Lisa See)

Unveil the true color of China under the Great Leap Forward

Review By Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Vietnamese writer and a traveler who has a big passion to see the world. She has had 5 published books. To her credit, she has already finished cycling from Vietnam to Paris in around 10 months in 2015.

Scotland, where in winter the sun appears at 9 am and darkness comes at 3.30 pm, and it usually rains every day. My days here are busy in choosing which books I should read because there are so many kinds of books in this beautiful house, like a small library, which is located just next to the river. I found ‘Dreams of Joy’ among the enormous science books by chance. At first when I looked at the title and name of the writer, Lisa See, both of them were too strange to my mind. But then I read one of her novels called ‘Snow flower and the Secret Fan’ on the back cover, a sudden thought came to me. Well, maybe I had already heard about this book somewhere, so why shouldn’t I take this book and see who Lisa is! This unputdownable novel saw me reading day and night to finish over 350 pages in just one and a half days. This book describes how Pearl tries to go back to China to save her daughter but also to unveil the real face of China under Mao. I can’t feel sympathy for Joy, the nineteenyearold girl with her stubborn and blind mind who leaves a good life in America to come back to China according to what she believed is the call for Returning Patriots. But then I was less angry with her because she tried to escape America and her family where she blamed herself for causing her adopted father's suicide and to find her real father. She lost her adolescent life in China. Pearl had to come back to the places where she wanted to forget her miserable history: the arranged marriage, her own rape and the rape and death of her mother by Japanese soldiers. To me this is a wonderful novel because Lisa has a special talent in creating and building characters and the tragic events. An example is the marriage between Joy and Tao. This is her biggest mistake

which leads to the most terrible catastrophe later. The relationship of May, Pearl, and Joy is so complicated, full of hurt and teardrops in happiness. Sibling jealousy between May and Pearl, together with their bitter triple love affair in those young days in Shanghai, are very sorrowful. Anyways, I cannot blame Joy because she is so young and lacks experience in life. Instead of disliking Joy, I respect and sympathize with Pearl. Even though Pearl is not Joy's real mother, she sacrificed and threw her life into those terrible situations. Not like the real mother, May just always can be a better aunt than a good mother for Joy. So, it is only Pearl who can save Joy's life. Furthermore, this novel was written based on the true history of China when Great Leap Forward operated under President Mao. This unhealed scar was not only for Mao, but applicable for China's history as well. Millions of people died of starvation. Failure of work camps because of dullheaded and greedy people; comrades killing each other by criticism and selfcriticism; and the climax of the affliction being people exchanging their infants for food to save adult lives — it reminded me about the time when millions of Vietnamese died of starvation under Japanese invasion. Year after year from Mao dynasty thousands of Chinese have been trying to escape their country as refugees or in other shapes. As the old Chinese saying goes, ‘falling leaves return to their root,’ there must be a reason for those who choose to stay or run away from their ancestral home. I have already read Animal Farm by George Orwell and I know a little bit about the history of China. Therefore, I had no trouble understanding this novel. But it is my regret —not reading her novel Shanghai girls before Dreams of Joy. The Shanghai girls are Pearl and May when they were beautiful carefree sisters and sharing their love with the only one artist named Z.G. who is the real father of Joy.

Year after year from Mao dynasty thousands of Chinese have been trying to escape their country as refugees or in other shapes. As the old Chinese saying goes, ‘falling leaves return to their root,’ there must be a reason for those who choose to stay or run away from their ancestral home.

In brief, Dreams of Joy, a novel written in 2011, is an excellent historical story based on heart touching motherhood. Once again, I have found out another master storyteller named Lisa See.

Talking Of Despair: Hope Defeats The Failure Anurag A Sharma ( Rajasthan, India) Wind blows across the log woods To ruin its every obstacle, You look at the swaying trees You swear the branches be dead But the firm stem stands still Stirs not endures the wind, O man, be a stem with firm will. Tough wall tries the best One day tires, retreats Cracking cleft sprouts a seed, Grows along the wall beneath Until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heavy to the wall in weight, O man, break down the wall Sprout high be dominant. "Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting worst, you could die" A survivor was told Later day his coffin unfold (No use of healing vials) Learn From a one legged ant, Can go across the miles.

She â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Story Nazish Kondkari She was sitting on her comfortable cushion chairÍž her table was neatly arranged with files and her Apple laptop was properly placed at the centre of the table. And also there was a family photo frame which had her mum, dad, one sister and one elder brother. She was dressed formally and was in perfect figure. Behind her chair were files and novels and book related to business. All of them were neatly placed on a shelf, rising behind

her. These books had often inspired her to be what she was today. Also, there were various trophies she kept in her office in a corner and her certificates were properly hanging and neatly placed there on the walls.

But there was always something that kept her away from the innerÂ happiness of triumph whenever she reached an achievement. What was it?

It was the deep loneliness that still surrounded her. She had a family but she She was a known business was still very much alone. woman. Famous, intelligent, and with quite She had no friends sharp with her cosmetic because the time she features that blended so spent to prove herself and naturally to adorn her her ability inside what she neat and organized presents today, would personality. often make her forget to socialise and interact

It was the deep loneliness that still surrounded her. She had a family but she was still very much alone.

It was hard for her on many levels, because she needed someone to really know intimately and enjoy life together. She needed a confidante and soulfriend. Finally, she decided it was high time now. She would need to socialise more. But deep down inside, she was afraid and so very scared. Being open, vulnerable, and social was so very different – as it was not like a business deal.

with others. People often took her as being somewhat rude, grumpy and unsocial. But she wasn’t really that bad off. She was just determined for achieving whatever she desired to achieve. She could always be found with her books and pen and her little notebook where she continually was drafting out all her business plans and ideas into various methods and strategies. She always had nerdlike people around because she always felt compelled to run and race intellectually and sought to come first among them. She would take on every better person as a

personal growth challenge more. But deep down too. inside, she was afraid and so very scared. Being But today when she open, vulnerable, and reflects, she has no real social was so very different fond memories to smile for – as it was not like a within. Infect, she business deal. It was a wholeheartedly cannot matter of heart, friendship remember when she last and functioning smiled. Every time she relationships. All the came to achieve success, intimate areas of life and she would become even she lacked this type of real more lonely, because she experience and depth. Her felt the emptiness of not fear of new social ventures having anyone around to might make her appear share her life with too. weak... Weak so much…like she was years It was hard for her on ago, while she knew the many levels, because she importance of friendship needed someone to really but later was never really know intimately and enjoy bothered about all of this. life together. She needed a There was something that confidante and soul she hid away inside for too friend. Finally, she decided long and now it was high it was high time now. She time to get it out... But would need to socialise what was it really?

The pain grew, But she went through. The wounds were afresh, Which time could not thresh. Deep insideÍž she knew, She needed to heal. But had no way out, Because the pains were sealed. Years ago, when she was just a teenager. She had no real clue what the world was all about. How cruel could one turn be? She was very innocent inside, which often reflected in her curious light brown eyes. She was a happy, smiling, and most cheerful girl. Having no real worries around her, she was intelligent

and bold enough. She loved to read books of mystery and would often explore ways to solve them within a group among her friends. She always imagined how the group would work together to solve the mystery around area where she lived. After narrating the mystery story to her friends, she soon discovered there were none who seemed to be so interested like she would be. She continuously changed and shifted from one group to another in highÂhope she might find one among her to be a secret agent friend and mystery story companion.

This longing for a fantasy story type friend made her deeply depressed too. One day while walking at a nearby garden alone, she was watching everyone playing around her age. They were laughing, talking and playing among each other. But she had none to accompany her. She had only one friend named Kate, but Kate was out of the city at present and on vacation with her family. That night, while looking at the moon with such innocent and wet eyes she decided to let her fantasy world remain deeper within and come out and

act normal with others 足 just letting them be the way they were and not expecting them to really enjoy the same things as she did.

who had previously trusted her and began to laugh and tell everyone she was somehow probably mentally challenged because she felt that mere fiction On the next day, she went stories could somehow to see one of her childhood come alive. friends and told them she wanted to be a part of Kate continued and told their group and very much everyone all the secrets wished to come and they had once shared too. apologise for her All the ideas that she often sometimes weird imparted to Kate about behaviours with them. being a secret agent and high profile mystery Her friend took her among solver. the group in the garden that day, but turned on After enduring such a her and made fun of her in shocking betrayal, she ran front of everyone present. away from the group with This so called足friend was such painful feelings. How Kate, with whom she had could she live through spent almost all her such a dire embarrassed childhood days and had in front of those who were trusted the most above continually laughing and anyone too. Kate had bullying her on and on. somehow changed inside. She cried for days and had She now laughed so much anxious nightmares too. more viciously upon her She cried for not being friends. She cheated those strong enough to face

anyone anymore and would not even going to school. She became so dark and clinically depressed 足 so much that her entire family had to shift to another city, just to start up a new fresh beginning. This is the reason Julie, never ever attempted to socialise or make any new friends. Though with therapy and her family's dedicated love and support, she came out of her depression and today is known as a successful business woman, she still gets occasional nightmares of this very same incident, and nothing can truly wipe out the mean memories of these darkest days. Even today, deep inside 足 she holds on to her love for being a secret agent. This fantasy too lives on but it remains so hidden inside her.

A Tribute To Amma Vasanthi Papu (India) Having captured the bereaved hearts of every kith and kin You, the mother of the entire Tamilians now lay still in a coffin! Be it a royal throne or a big challenge itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s you who would win Stating crystal clear that you would spare none who crosses in. Not even a single soul dreamt that you would depart so soon For you shun darkness in the lives of many as a gracious moon To the poor and the needy you were indeed a miraculous boon Now that you are no more we sink in tears and almost swoon. Known as an embodiment of power and an indomitable spirit You could easily shatter all shackles with your innate wit Be it the role of an actress or an able queen you can easily fit And rise as a shining star with the strong devotion you put for it Even your rivals praise you for your confidence and courage And the entire world admires your talent irrespective of age Amma, without you we feel we are shut in a concrete cage Come back and lift us or we may slump into a falling stage.

Black And White Tapan Ghosh (West Bengal, India) We can write white in black paper, But in this way we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t whiten our nature, Every unethical job is significantly black, It remains in our soul like a shark. There are two minds in us, One is devil and other is God, Being a human we should know what is good or bad, Doesn't matter nothing is in our hands. Whatever may be the situation, we should remember, Anybody anytime may be devil, rather, Not necessary to be God, only be a good person, Evil mind will persist, that is shark of an ocean. World is so meaningful, we should think of its beauty, Beauty remains in our heart and reflects in the society, Kill the inner devil of our soul and make the universe wonderful, After every black night aurora will come, so cheer up all.

Gender Jihad Dr. Sabreen Ahmed In the name of Allah some men fight Jihad While most women pray for peace in a milad Allah doesn’t want bloodshed Where His followers float in a pool of red Why is this mindless vengeance? In the name of religious grievance The Holy Book doesn’t say so It is blasphemy to spread awe. Sinners hide their women under a mask While they openly perform brutish task. Phobia has now a religious color Armed masculinity is not valour. In the name of political Islam The true essence of the religion is losing charm It is a serious cause of alarm For futurity is at harm. Can gender jihad bring a change? If liberal intellectuals promise to avenge The ruthless killings of mankind The brutal lawlessness of its kind. By fostering the message of equality Through knowledge of advanced quality The tradition of seclusion Needs a progressive conversion Be it the harem or hijab Right individual expression doesn’t need niqab. When bomb and bullet hold the reign A voice of peace threatens their sovereign It’s not blood for blood and gun for gun Separatism should end its run. For an egalitarian society Where women and men share equality By dismantling the codes of masculinity and femininity. We must fight this gender jihad Holding hands in a universal milad.

CLASSIC REVIEW: The Apu Trilogy Fahmid Hassan Prohor (Bangladesh) Some people might ask me where my change of taste arrived regarding the color of cinema and my answer would plainly be this: Since watching Citizen Kane, I have come to realize the true value of ‘real’ movies. The Apu Trilogy is one of these too, because of its essential concept into full depth perception inside of realism that valiantly presents reality on so many levels. This film is a series of three films that are considered as a singlestory arc, because of its ‘coming of the age’ theme. It was directed by the Honorary Oscar Legend, Satyajit Rai and based on two wellknown novelssuch as Pather Panchali (Singing in the Little Road) and Aparajito (The Unvanquished) by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. Interestingly, ApurSansar (The World of Apu) is an original screenplay by Satyajit Rai and it was considered as an epilogue of the first two such as Godfather III and The World of Apu and marked the debut of these two legends, Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore, respectfully. The movie chronicles the life of a boy named Apu, who is in search of his identity while traversing the obstacles he faces towards life and how to overcome these within his undertakings and deeper understandings of the world creating them. Therefore, the tragedies of his both personal and professional lives make him more experienced than he could ever imagine.

Set for a modern audience, the movie uses black and white film to tell this story, and really sets the bar high to break through barriers too that are challenging within the entire history of black and white cinema. The hearttouching and realistic elements are often so fleshed out that we can easily relate to the problems that are presented within them. The screenplay that was used was portrayed in such a versatile style and manner. The depiction of the rural area was such that it really gets into the head of the viewer and the camera angles are often utterly creative that one feels to rewatch these scenes all over again, within the mind. Of course, the acting was the very best of all and blended so well with the technical aspects of this film. Superb music by the renowned composer, Ravi Shankar also accompanies this movie’s compelling story line. The raw emotions are easily etched in mind and fleshed out that some may cry.Some might not even understand these raw emotions or even be fully familiar with the Bengali Culture or the themes of humanity, friendship, identity, love, forgiveness, knowledge and culture that shook the world and often inspires millions of filmmakers, critics, writers and audiences around the world. This movie is such a powerful rendition that it can be easily interpreted by anyone just like a book and it has also expanded my view on its adaptation, as well, and gives some personal perspective and intimate understandings too. It must therefore also be categorized by me…as truly a ‘life changing movie’.

It is one of those landmarks of the cinematic world and it is now being taught in many filmmaking universities such as the University of California. If modern audiences really want to watch this movie, I would suggest they watch the Full Restoration Edition which provides the real experience of the making of this film inside itself. We can better understand the Bengali Culture through viewing it and gain deeper experiences as well into the reality of our emotions. It is really a must watch movie and not to be missed! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never give up your dreams.â&#x20AC;?

She is a woman of high aspirations. Her world revolves around creativity. She is a professional writer. She writes articles and blogs in UK and US official websites. Her poems are published in the renowned international eÂ magazine, Reflection and Indian literary website, Syahee.com. Her short story got published in the anthology "Memoirs of Love". Writing defines her personality.

Her soul was as pious as white, Her eyes were gleaming bright, Her wings when flutter, Amidst vibrant flowers, Bountiful bliss there she showers. She leaves her cozy nest, To get and give her best, But, the brutal world, Has no time to pay heed, To look at her fruitful deed. Nature painted her, With the unacceptable hue, The color bestowed, To a selected few, The color black, Looks so dark, Where in the world, There are colors so bold, Hers was the black, Which was reckoned so cold. No matter what, She dares to combat, She does battle, With her inner turmoil, In the colorful world, She knows so well, How to make her place, And to win the challenging race. The halo of her white soul, Dazzles her pious heart, For, someday it will, Cover her black demeanor, And will forever, Make her shimmer.

Nameera Ahmad (Saudi Arabia, NRI) 15 year old, self taught artist. Creating art isn't just a hobby of her but it's her passion. She is inspired by her family and friends.

Painting By Nameera Ahmad

Rape Dr. Sabreen Ahmed (Assam, India) They killed her brain In ravishing strain Penetrating the heart Their shameful dirt Her honor flows through the drain Humiliation is much more than pain Leaving her devastated Her ego castrated If revenge is wild justice Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it abnormal and injustice? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiendish to pollute a clear spring Shuttering a balanced being Is this a civilizational crisis? Some eternal cirrhosis, An incurable neurosis, Or a deadly and fatal psychosis.

Yellow Curse Kumar Vikrant Gold gathers more than a shovel. Edward Counsel, Maxims

The Racketeer Bhau collected his stuff from the jailer and came out of Raj Nagar jail. His destination was Will city, the city which he ruled almost for a decade under the shelter of Deva. Deva's gang was destroyed three years ago by lunatic Jack. Moosa had taken over all their operations including illegal bets, prostitution and drugs. He refrained himself from extortion and kidnapping; perhaps he was afraid of mad man Jack. Anwar and Akbar Ali were main hammers of Moosa gang; they had been appointed to kill Bhau. Raj Nagar jail was a perfect shelter for the former racketeer, it was hard to kill him out there so they had been waiting patiently for his release.

Bhau knew he was in a grave danger so he surrendered before the DIG of the city and his advocates requested the judge to transfer him far from Will City to save him from the killers of Moosa. The judge was reluctant but Bhau's money persuaded him to transfer him to Raj Nagar jail, 1600 km south of Will City. This transfer saved his life for the moment but Moosa killers shall come after him to kill him, was sure. He was not safe anywhere in India, he wanted to flee from India and for this purpose a lot of money was required. There was no place in India where he could make money except Will City. He decided to go back to Will City to make some money. Ali Brothers Anwar and Akbar Ali were main hammers of Moosa gang; they had been appointed to kill Bhau. Raj Nagar jail was a perfect shelter for the former racketeer, it was hard to kill him out there so they had been waiting patiently for his release. The killer duo missed him as he was released two days before his actual release date and had lost in the thick crowd of India. They had no option but to go back to Will City and wait for any news about him.

Old Flames JD (Jawala Das), the bullion trader of Will City was out of India and these were the days of freedom for Anita, his mistress. She was having all the fun with her lover Sudeep. It was already dark when she returned to her apartment. She wanted to sleep as she was dead tired after a daylong love making. She threw her stuff on the dining table and entered the bed room. She switched on the light and was surprised to see Bhau in a corner chair. "Surprised my love?" asked Bhau. "Not at all, but Will City is not a safe place for you now." said Anita sitting in the bed. "So you are now with JD?" asked Bhau ignoring Anita's advice. "Yes, I had no option." "I'm not asking for an explanation; just tell where is my money?" "I was your girl; I spent money on my clothes and food. This is an expensive city." "You are a bitch; I couldn't expect anything else from you. Now tell me when is the next consignment of JD’s gold coming?" "I don't know, he doesn't tell me about his business." "You dumb fool use your wit and tell me how can I lay my hands on his gold? Don't worry you'll also get your share." "I'll try." said Anita. Gold Anita called him after a week. They met the same evening in a deserted park. "Tell me where is the gold?" asked Bhau. "Gold is likely to come in Will City within a week." "Details?" "JD imports gold from Switzerland. From Switzerland to Delhi in a cargo plane and from Delhi to Will City in a charter plane. He keeps his gold in government treasury.” "Treasury is 17 km east of airport in the heart of city, how do they transport it?” "In a bulletproof cargo truck." "Security?" "Two guards, one of them drive the truck and other sits beside him with a powerful gun." "Only two guards?" "Yes the haul of the truck is a powerful vault, which cannot be opened. It is said that this Swiss made vault is

"I'm not asking for an explanation; just tell where is my money?" "I was your girl; I spent money on my clothes and food. This is an expensive city." "You are a bitch; I couldn't expect anything else from you. Now tell me when is the next consignment of JD’s gold coming?" "I don't know, he doesn't tell me about his business." "You dumb fool use your wit and tell me how can I lay my hands on his gold? Don't worry you'll also get your share." "I'll try." said Anita.

atomic bomb proof." "Okay, do you know the name of the maker of vault?" "It is Cobra Mark 10." "Anything specific?" "He often brags about black mamba security of his gold." "What is that?" "I don't know." "Okay, let me know when the gold reaches in Will City?" "I'll" Seven Days Drill "The gold is arriving on December 17th, seven days from today." said Anita. “Worth?” asked Bhau. “More than 500 hundred crore.” She replied and disconnected. Bhau thought for a while and came out of his hotel, now he needed some money and people to make this gold heist possible. "The gold is arriving on December 17th, seven days from today." said Anita. “Worth?” asked Bhau. “More than 500 hundred crore.” She replied and disconnected. Bhau thought for a while and came out of his hotel, now he needed some money and people to make this gold heist possible.

Pawan Chandey Bhau looked at the bulky Pawan Chandey the king of Will City grey market. "What do you want?" asked Pawan. "Wanna buy gold worth rupees 500 crore?" said Bhau. "Where did you find that much gold?" "Just tell me whether you are interested or not otherwise I'll find another buyer?" "If you really have gold, I'll purchase it at its 1/4 market price." "Make it 250 crore." "That is not possible I'll be able to sell it for 300 crore myself. My offer is 150 crore, take it or leave it." "My last price is 200 crore." "Show me the gold." "You'll get the gold on December 17th; keep the money ready by then. Right now I want one crore in advance." "Not a penny until I see the gold." "One crore advance right now, otherwise I have other buyers who can buy this gold and can give me any advance." "Okay, but if you tried to ditch me I'll cut you into pieces." Sidharth First of all he'll have to find Sidharth, who busted Will City vault and stole fortune from Deva's locker. Furious Deva announced fifty percent of his stolen treasure as reward for the one who tells him the whereabouts of Sidharth.

At the very time Deva got into a dispute with Jack, there was a historical fight in the Kali valley. The legendary Jack managed to kill Deva, his younger brother Jeeva and their henchmen just in one night. Last week Bhau saw Sidharth in Devdurg working as a locksmith in the main market in a Sikh disguise. But today Sidharth was not at that place. He decided to wait for him. After one hour Sidharth appeared in the same Sikh disguise. "Sardar Ji can you open my suitcase?" "Sure, where is the suitcase?" "In my car." "Please bring that suitcase here." "That is very heavy, please come with me I'll pay you double. "I don't need the double; just take me to your car." Within five minutes both of them were in Bhau's car." "Where is the suitcase?" asked Sidharth. "There is no suitcase to be opened Mr Sidharth." "What the hell you are talking about?" "Don't worry, Deva and his gang is no more. You need not to worry about the Will City vault heist." "Want to blackmail me? I don't have a penny." "I have a vogue idea that you have nothing, otherwise you'd have not been mending locks in a Sikh disguise." "What do you want?" "I want you to open a safe for me." "I don't do any illegal work." "I'll pay you twenty crore for your service." "I'm not interested." "Don't you want to punish the people who snatched the loot from you?" "That is not your business." “Not at all, but twenty crore can solve a lot of your problems." Sidharth kept quiet for a while and thought how Devika and his gang misled him to break into Will City vault, snatched the loot from him and shot him to die on the road. They must not go unpunished. "What is in the safe which you want me to open?" asked Sidharth. "Gold worth rupees 500 crore." replied Bhau. "Where is the safe?" "No details until you say yes." "I have no plan to jump into a blind well, tell me everything

"Sardar Ji can you open my suitcase?" "Sure, where is the suitcase?" "In my car." "Please bring that suitcase here." "That is very heavy, please come with me I'll pay you double. "I don't need the double; just take me to your car."

or count me out." Bhau knew there was no plan without Sidharth, but he couldn't reveal everything to him so he said, “The gold shall be taken from Will City airport to government treasury in a security truck. I have a plan to capture this truck." "Crazy plan!" "You don't worry about the plan, just plan to open the Swiss made safe, 'Cobra Mark 10." "No one can open that safe without the combination number, give three wrong try to open it and it will be locked forever, after that only company engineers come to open it. "So you cannot open this safe?" "I didn't say that, but I told you the possibility." "We'll take our chance." Aditi Dutta, a professional hacker made some scores, but got caught and served three years in jail. She was practically ruined, there was no job for her, police always harasses her, constables to high officials of police had been exploiting her sexually from the very day of her release from the jail.

Damsel In Distress Aditi Dutta, a professional hacker made some scores, but got caught and served three years in jail. She was practically ruined, there was no job for her, police always harasses her, constables to high officials of police had been exploiting her sexually from the very day of her release from the jail. Her beauty was her enemy, at 26 she was most sought after sex slave in Will City police department. She was coming out of sub inspector Dhama's quarter when Bhau found her. "Miss Dutta?" Aditi was surprised to see the tall lanky man who was calling her with respect." "Yes, what is it? She replied gruffly. "Wanna earn rupees five crore?" "Is it a gimmick?" "No, what I'm offering you is genuine." She wanted some money to get out of this city so she said, "Why are you so generous to me?" "I'm not generous; you'll have to earn it." "What do you want me to do?" "Just a motorcycle ride with another guy." "Sounds fishy; show me some money or fuck off." Bhau gave a bundle of fifty thousand to her and said, "This is just the token money which I'll cut from you due." "Okay...okay, when do I have to ride the bike?"

Five Shooters Mohan, Daleep, Raju, Aslam and Manjeet were once trap shooting stars of India, soon new shooters replaced them and they were forgotten. As there was a condition of survival, they together plan a bank heist. As the heist began the manager of the bank locked himself in the strong room. The heist was a failureÍž they were arrested by police and sent to jail. The judge awarded them five years term in jail. After three years they were released on parole. Now they were visiting parole officer every week and working as manual labourer to meet their both time end. "Guys want to have a cup of coffee with me?" a shrill voice startled them, there was lanky tall men looking at them. After thirty minutes all of them had fifty thousand each in their pockets and a prospect of earning rupees five crore each. Wounded Riders Kapil and Sukha were death ring riders in a circus. They used to show their stunts on their motorcycles in the death ring. Just one accident and they were kicked out of the circus, now they were street vendors. Bhau caught them in their dirty neighbourhood. After fifteen minutes they had one lac in their pockets and a chance of earning rupees ten crore in a few days. Junk Trader Junaid Khan was the biggest scrap dealer of Will City but a few people knew that he deals in illegal weapons as well. He saw Bhau entering in his scrap yard. Bhau placed a list before him and sat in a chair in front of him. Junaid went through the list which saidÂ Five sniper rifles, two mouser guns, 9 ankle bombs with remotes, one police jeep, two motorcycle, two Chinese dart guns. "What is all this?" "No question, can you provide me these things or not?" "I can, but all the money in advance." "How much?" Junaid took a calculator and after five minutes he announced, "Seventy lac." "Outrageous, make it fifty lac" "Not possible, sixty eight lac, last price." "Okay." said Bhau and put a big bag in front of him which contained rupees fifty lac.

Kapil and Sukha were death ring riders in a circus. They used to show their stunts on their motorcycles in the death ring. Just one accident and they were kicked out of the circus, now they were street vendors.

"Junaid took his time to count the money and said, "When do you want all this stuff?" "On December 15th." "Okay, come in the evening of December 15th with my remaining money."

The truck was itself like a security vault, once they entered the truck box, no power in the world could make them stop and open the door. They stopped at the last red light before entering ten km long deserted road of kali valley.

Thugs At Work Dheera was alert with his gun in the passenger seat and Pala was driving the truck with a steady speed. They had been driving this security truck for three years and most of the time they carry precious metals which JD imports from other countries. The truck was itself like a security vault, once they entered the truck box, no power in the world could make them stop and open the door. They stopped at the last red light before entering ten km long deserted road of kali valley. Kapil was just behind them on a motorcycle. Kapil got off the motorcycle and inserted a big cork ball in the tailpipe of the security truck. Dheera and Pala saw nothingÍž they were alert when they entered the deserted road of Kali valley. One open jeep came behind the truck and honked for the side. Pala gave side to the jeep and let it go. One motorcycle also appeared behind them, Pala let it go also. Dheera saw there was a beautiful woman on the pillion. Normal traffic he thought. All of a sudden that motorcycle collided with the open jeep and fell on the road and the road was a bit blocked. Pala slowed the truck speed and waited the motorcycle riders to get up. By that time the jeep occupants have also come out of the jeep to see if there was any damage. Idiots thought Dheera. All of a sudden the security truck's engine stopped and it came to halt. "What the hell......" murmured Pala and tried to restart the engine but it didn't start. He tried to restart it several time but no gain. "Should I go check the engine?" asked Pala. "No, it could be a trap." replied Dheera looking at the jeep and motorcycle people. Who have perhaps settled now and ready to leave. He saw them going and said, "Go check, I'll be on alert." Pala unlocked the security system and jump out of the truck. That very moment Jeep occupants, who were Bhau and Sidharth, came out of their jeep and came running towards them, they had Chinese dart guns in their hands

which they fired at Pala and Dheera. Both the truck men took the tranquilizing darts in their necks and fell down on the road. Kapil pulled out the cork ball from tailpipe which has stopped the engine of the truck. Within two minutes Bhau was driving the security truck. Sidharth and Aditi were following the truck in the open jeep. Sukha and Kapil were busy dragging Pala and Dheera's unconscious bodies off the road to throw them in the thick bushes far from the road. After finishing their task they also started following the truck. After one km the truck left the main road and entered the dreaded Kali valley. Love Birds Anita and Sudeep saw the deed of Bhau gang from their car. "Let them take the gold out then we'll strike." said she with a smile. "Sure my love." answered Sudeep. Old Fox JD, who was one of the captains of Moosa gang besides the bullion trader, looked at the red point which was drifting from main road to the Kali valley on his laptop screen. "These tracking devices are wonderful, they give you minutely details of your stuff." said JD to the Ali brothers, who were also with him in the big SUV. "So your hunting game has begun?" asked Anwar Ali. "Yes, please call our air aid before they find the tracking device and destroy it. I want to hunt down all these bastards who dared to think of looting my gold." said JD. "Why are you risking your gold just to enjoy your hunt? Asked Akbar Ali. "No one can open the truck safe and if someone does it, they shall not be able to take my gold out of the safe alive." "You are an old sinner JD, now hurry we don't want to lose our target Bhau alive." "Guys sit idleÍž I'll hunt that bastard for you." Said JD. Black Death It took them thirty minutes to reach the silt waters, which was also a part of Kali Valley, covered with thick trees. Police jeep was hidden under the thick bushes. Security truck was also under a thick tree and Sidharth was busy opening the safe of gold. Rest of the people were looking at

"No one can open the truck safe and if someone does it, they shall not be able to take my gold out of the safe alive." "You are an old sinner JD, now hurry we don't want to lose our target Bhau alive." "Guys sit idleÍž I'll hunt that bastard for you." Said JD.

Adit and Sukha took two bricks in their hands, but two black mamba snakes jumped out of the bricks and bit on their faces. Both of them screamed and fell on the ground. Snakes had disappeared in the jungle. All of them saw dying Aditi and Sukha but could do nothing for them. Now they all knew what black mamba security was.

him with curiosity. Sidharth was working on the combination keys. His first attempt went to nought. He wiped sweat from his forehead and started his second attempt, which was also futile. Bhau went close to him and said, "Take care; this is your last chance." Sidharth kept quiet and took a deep breath. This time he placed a stethoscope on the body of the safe started again with the combination keys. After ten minutes he heard the wonderful sound of click and he told Bhau to open the safe. Bhau went close to the safe and opened its door. The safe was full of gold bricks 14.44 kg each. There were at least 100 gold bricks. Other people have also come close to the safe to see the gold. Aditi and Sukha pushed Bhau a little and tried to pick gold bricks in their hands. "Don't touch the gold otherwise I'll blast your ankle bombs." warned Bhau. "We are not going to eat the gold." said Aditi thinking about the ankle bombs which were attached to the ankles of all of them except Sidharth. And the remotes were with Bhau who could blast them anytime. Adit and Sukha took two bricks in their hands, but two black mamba snakes jumped out of the bricks and bit on their faces. Both of them screamed and fell on the ground. Snakes had disappeared in the jungle. All of them saw dying Aditi and Sukha but could do nothing for them. Now they all knew what black mamba security was. "There may be more snakes in the safe." said Bhau and ordered Kapil to bring some petrol from the jeep. Within five minutes he sprinkled at least one gallon petrol on the gold and threw a burning matchstick on it. The petrol started burning with a blast and swarm of snakes started coming out of the gold bricks. Most of them burned in the petrol flames, some tried to escape but they were shot. Drifter "What are you waiting for? Just take the gold and move from here; we have lost two of our friends?" said Sidharth. "The buyer is about to come here, we'll exchange the gold for money and leave this blasted place." replied Bhau. "Sounds fishy, please give me gold bricks worth rupees twenty crore; I want to go right now." said Sidharth.

"Nothing is fishy; we have Mohan, Daleep, Raju, Aslam and Manjeet around us to handle any unwanted situation. But if you want to go; take four bricks and leave." said Bhau. Sidharth silently took four slightly hot gold bricks, put them in a small satchel and left. Crook Buyer After ten minutes or so a big black SUV halted close to the security truck and Pawan Chandey came out of it with his five armed guards. He looked at the gold and said, "Guys put the gold in my car." "Not so fast Pawan, where is my money?" asked Bhau after taking his gun out. Pawan gestured one of his men, that man opened the back door of SUV and took out a big box. He dragged that box towards Bhau and left it ten feet away from him. Bhau opened the lid of the box carefully; there were bundles of two thousand notes in it. Bhau thought for a while and said, "The box doesn’t have more than hundred crore." "Smartass, yes it has hundred crore in it and I'm taking the whole gold for hundred crore." "You cannot do that." "I'm going to do it in front of you, stop me if you can?" "You are a crook Pawan but I know to deal with people like you. Just look around; my shooters have taken aim of you all, just one wrong step and you'll die right now." warned Bhau. "Bullshit, you have nothing." Bhau said nothing just raised his right hand and a bullet from nowhere killed one of Pawan's men. Pawan was astonished at the violent death of his man, he looked helpless. "Now take twenty gold bricks, worth one hundred crore from the lot and get out." said Bhau. Suddenly sound of a passing helicopter startled them all. Hovering Death JD's chopper was flying at a very dangerous height. All the snipers and goons were in their sight. "Kill them all, they are playing with my gold." said JD to Ali brothers who had powerful Tommy guns in their hands. JD told the pilot to take a round of all the standing men

"Smartass, yes it has hundred crore in it and I'm taking the whole gold for hundred crore." "You cannot do that." "I'm going to do it in front of you, stop me if you can?"

near the security truck. Anwar took the aim of people around the truck and Akbar took the aim of snipers who had covered all the people on the ground. A rain of hot bullets tore the tender bodies of the people on the ground. JD saw all the falling men, he laughed a dreaded laugh. "I think all the thugs are down, now we can take our gold back." said JD and he ordered the pilot to land the chopper.

Anita opened the passenger side door but was astonished to see that Sudeep had a gun in his hand which was aimed at her. "What......? She blurted but a steel bullet from Sudeep's gun smashed her face. "You two bit whore don't deserve this gold and money." said Sudeep with a blank face and closed the passenger side door.

Last Nail In The Coffin Bhau was writhing in his own blood pool. He saw how the death came from air and finished everything. His vision was blurred and death was near. The chopper landed near the dead body of Kapil and Bhau saw the blurry face of JD and Ali Brothers inside the chopper, who were waiting for the rotator to stop. Bhau had a wicked smile on his faceÍž he took out the remote of Kapil's ankle bomb and pressed the bomb activation button. Within a few seconds Kapil's body blasted along with the chopper on the ground. Before dying Bhau saw the burning bodies of JD and Ali brothers. Consenting Couple When Anita and Sudeep reached the silt waters, everything was over. There were dead bodies all over. They crossed the dead bodies silently and started taking gold bricks from the security truck and placing them carefully in their car. There were ninety six bricks and a box full of thousand notes. Anita helped Sudeep to load the heavy box in the car. By the time they finished they were tired and sweating profusely. "Let's go now." said Anita with a smile. "Yes darling." said Sudeep with a wicked smile as he entered the car. Anita opened the passenger side door but was astonished to see that Sudeep had a gun in his hand which was aimed at her. "What......? She blurted but a steel bullet from Sudeep's gun smashed her face. "You two bit whore don't deserve this gold and money." said Sudeep with a blank face and closed the passenger side door.

Marsh's Share Sudeep was driving carefully through the Kali valley. He knew his car was heavy and there was a danger of sticking it in the loose soil. The December sun was getting down swiftly and leaving the valley in the grip of darkness. Sudeep had been driving for one hour but there was no sign of main road. He got worried, perhaps he was lost. He took a deep breath and resumed his driving. There was a big dirty water pond just in front of him. He took a turn and started driving ahead a bit far from the pond. That was the biggest mistake of his life. The pond by his side was the deadly marsh, which was ready to take its share. All of a sudden he got stuck in the loose soil and he tried his best to take his car out of the loose soil but he was drifting swiftly towards the pond and within thirty seconds he was in the deadly grip of the marsh. He tried to open the door of his car to save himself but the door was stuck in the mud of the marsh. His entire struggle went to nought and the marsh devoured him along with the gold and the cash within five minutes. Sole Survivor Sidharth was walking swiftly on a manmade trail. He knew that he could easily be lost in the 500 km vast valley. Silt waters was just five km east of the outskirt of Will City, soon he saw the city lightsÍž unaware that rest of his allies shall never see any light.

All of a sudden he got stuck in the loose soil and he tried his best to take his car out of the loose soil but he was drifting swiftly towards the pond and within thirty seconds he was in the deadly grip of the marsh. He tried to open the door of his car to save himself but the door was stuck in the mud of the marsh. His entire struggle went to nought and the marsh devoured him along with the gold and the cash within five minutes.

The Captives Of Darkness Shahid Khan (India) A seal of darkness on their hearts, On their eyes, an eternal veil, A plug of deafness in their ears, On their filthy tongue, a deceitful tale. They hail darkness, in the illusion of light, Only false perception is their paradise, Truth cannot reach their liesÂplugged ears, Nor can they see it with blindfolded eyes. Their heart suffers from illness of greed, Propagation of lies, their only goal, Their brain, a depot of mischief and lust, To the devil, they have sold their soul. After deceiving only the fools, They contemplate to deceive God, They know, yet not ready to realize, That they could never fool the Lord.

Thanks Reflection W & R Mag, Iram Fatima Ashi, Editor and Reflection's staff for publishing care of our duet poems (with coauthor Dr. Ram Sharma). We appreciate divine sharing together! Our poem 'Sweet Kind Breaths' appears on pages 5455 Love love love bliss Jen Walls (US) Another issue .... Another motivation to the writers and Artists .... keep it up! Praveen Gola (India) With a beautiful 'Reflection Magazine' Spirituality issue, I have completed the CENTURY of the book/anthologies/Magazines of which I am a part as a poet/writer. My 'Story in Poetry' is a part of this magazine Thank you for this Dr Diwakar Pokhriyal (India) .

Wow....great to see the Reflection Nov Dec Issue. Any good work can never see the light of the day overnight. Behind it remains meticulous hard work of many dedicated worker's brain drilling. Thanks to all whose untiring effort s make the Reflection reflected in such successful and innovative way. My special thanks goes to the Chief Editor who works relentlessly to give the magazine a good reading all the world over. Sahab Uddin (India) The art and poetry in this magazine is wonderful. We showcase a variety of talent and skills in Reflection. Proud to be a part of this wonderful magazine. Angie Blake (US) Congratulations everyone!! Lisa Ayers (US)

Guidelines For Submitting Your Manuscripts 1 You should have a proper pen name, 7 This is a free online magazine so we pen name like girlie2000, lifeisadream, shall not pay any money for any of your will not be accepted. If you use your real published work. name, it will be highly appreciated. 8 Presently we are doing only six online 2 You can send us stories, poems, issues a year. essays, interviews, reportage, novel summaries etc. 9 Our long term dream is to publish unpublished writers, please do your best 3 Be original, plagiarism in any form is to provide us with your best work. unbearable so it will be your responsibility to deal with, if someone 10 By sending your manuscript to us claims or complains about your work the you simply give us the right to publish it editor and the publisher will not be in our magazine. You continue to own responsible for any of the published the rights of your work in your name work. and Reflection does not make any claim or restriction on the ownership of your 4 It is necessary to provide your contact work. details with your manuscript. But if you like your contact details will be published under your work so that it will enable the readers to interact with you directly. 5 You can write in any genre but vulgarity, erotica, profanity is not allowed in any form. Besides propagating any religion, an ethnic group or terrorist group in your work is strictly prohibited. Our magazine is for general reading so the use of four letter words is not permitted. 6 It is advised that you must send your manuscript fully edited and grammatically checked. Our editors will not be able to edit or amend it so they have the right of rejecting your manuscript.

Information To Be Provided With Your Manuscript Please include the following information with every manuscript. If you are submitting as a word processor file, such as Microsoft Word, the best approach is to add points 1 & 2 to the top of the manuscript and the bio information to the end of the article. Please supply a separate file for the image captions or add them to the end of the article after your bio: 1) Your complete name, mailing address and telephone number, which will not be published without your approval. 2) Your email address, which will not be published or disclosed to anyone. 3) Supply captions for all images, illustrations or photographs you supply. 4) Supply a short biography of yourself in about 40 to 50 words, if you like we’ll append it to the end of your work. Important Some writers show their reluctance to provide their personal details. That is okay, you can still submit your work to the editor of the magazine. It will be the editor's sole discretion to accept those entries or not. Besides such entries will only be entitled for the online issue of the magazine. Please send your manuscript to reflection18@ymail.com

Reflection