13.The Weekly Magazine - Sept-24-2000

13.The Weekly Magazine - Sept-24-2000

The Twinkle T’s – The Grocery Break In

Tamara and Tamy cycled down the lane that was mentioned in the address. “Wow… rich society here, I bet!” Tamy said looking at the luxurious houses around. Then they came to the house of the thieves. Sure enough, the pickup truck was there, parked at the drive. “Shh… listen…” Tamara stopped her sister. There were shouts coming from inside. “HEY!! WHAT’S THIS BACKSIDE? I did not want THIS book! This is a stupid book on archeology! Blah..blah… you fools!”. Tamara and Tamy knew this was the time to call the cops. There is always the right time for everything when one is a detective and the Twinkle girls are very careful. Tee woo! Sounded the sirens and caught red-handed, the thieves were taken to the police station. Later, the so called Freddy (police inspector), friend of the girls, congratulated the girls, “Nice job and good timing girls, you’ve caught a very tricky thief.” “Seems like another case gets closed in our books, eh?” laughed Tamy.

- -- Nilu

Just men and Just Kids - Nina

Rachel & Lechar - Nilu

Arts Spot - Nadi

Poet's Corner - Nilu

Secrets - Nina

Rachel & Lechar 2 - Nilu

Always Yours

Cavin was not surprised to hear from Jaqy so soon. He was always expecting it, ever since he agreed to decorate the Luxury Apartments. He knew Jaqy would inquire directly. She was always so forward and direct. What Cavin did not expect was the Professor. Naturally he was curious.
“Who is this Professor?” he asked Jaqy on their visit to the new site.

“A guest actually, but a close friend too,” Jaqy explained as she carefully stepped over the construction materials. The roofs were just getting finished, and the row of apartments were as if staring at her, in welcome.

“Is he young?” Cavin asked. The first suspicions began within him, out of jealousy.

“Young?” Jaqy laughed, looking at him, “you don’t have to worry there.”

“Good.” Cavin grinned, and looked around. “This place is so good, Jaq. I am going to giv it a real finish.”

The rooms were airy, spacious with large windows that overlooked the valley below and the lake. In the mornings, there would be a thin fog gathered over the lake giving the area a great cold and misty feeling. There was fresh turf on the hill slopes on which herds of cattle and sheep graze. Jaqy looked from a balcony at the beauty of nature, the steep, blue, rugged mountain ranges far in the horizon caught her glance.

“I want you to see the villa I’m currently working on…” Cavin entered the balcony and took in the view, “it’s really wonderful.” Jaqy agreed for a visit.

“This is a piece of heaven on earth!” Cavin went on, but Jaqy was getting ready to go. They had seen the place, now the work must begin.

“When shall I meet the prof?” Cavin asked, his eyebrows raised and a smile playing on his face, twisting upwards his lips.

“I thought about that. What about Christmas?” asked Jaqy.

“Christmas is a time for the family, don’t make it a business occasion.” Cavin said archly. Jaqy frowned thoughtfully for a while, then said it would have to be Christmas.

Once back in the office, Jqy dialed the Professor. He had agreed on assisting the designing. Now, she wanted to invite him, but he was not there. If only she could get those apartments completed… oh… would not it be a dream come true!

Hyden and Maggy came into her office after a while.

“How ya going?” Hyden asked.

“Oh, hi guys!” Jaqy greeted them. She needed company after all that paper work.

“Everything’s just great, and I think we are about ready for Christmas.” Hyden began.

“I am staying home tomorrow to help Mum make the cake.” Maggy said, with excitement.

“Oh, yeah.. that cake!” Jaqy mocked. Her mother had a traditional cake recipe that was used down there generations and every Christmas the cake would be of this recipe. Jaqy thought it rather fussy. But Maggy had her fingers in the bowl. She would like the raw mix rather than the baked. So be it this Christmas.

That night, Jaqy lay thoughtful on her bed in the dark hours. She could not sleep, there was so much to do. She could not read for lack of concentration she could not go for a little stroll in the garden for there was a light fog rather freezing outside. She knew this restlessness. She was restless for no other reason than merely of being in love. The days are much more bearable, the burden is light and there is a freshness everywhere. Are the buds of romance blooming? She was falling in love all over again with the man she always loved.

- Nilu

12.The Weekly Magazine - Sept-17-2000

The Weekly Magazine - September/17/2000

Fool's Paradise – N.N

Rachel & Lechar – N.N

Just Men and Just Kids – N.K

One day, while me and my husband were relaxing on the porch, there was a sudden downpour. I told my husband to unpeg the washing, and he only said, “I can’t dear. I’m wearing only a singlet.” So I dashed off and began to frantically unpeg the washing. Suddenly, I saw my husband standing near in the rain. “I could let you get wet alone,” he said.

My daughter, 4, pulls out more black than white hair off my head. When I reproach her, she says, “It’s okay marmee, they would turn white anyway.”

When my daughter was 4, she had her own version of words. Mosquito was mostiquo, sugar was suker, hospital was hostipal and so on.

Once when I reproached my son, 3, on his bad behavior, I said, “You had better pull up your socks.” He looked down at his stockinged feet and said, “They’re already pulled up, mom.”

Beauty Tips – N.N

Poet's Corner

Epitaph

Here lies a most beautiful lady

Light of step and heart was she

I think she was the most beautiful lady

That ever was in the West Country.

But beauty vanishes, beauty passes,

However rare – rare it be.

And when I crumble, who will remember

This lady of the West Country.

- N.K

Remembering

What can I do?

I’m so bored sitting here

What can I do?

There seems nothing, I fear.

I cannot dance,

I’m too old for that.

I cannot bounce,

I’m so stiff and fat.

I guess I’ll just sit and read my book

For being 83, I’ll just have to look

At the others playing bat.

And my! I remember my youth and days gone by.

- N.A

Always Yours - N.N

The next morning, Lowel was summoned into her office, and he arrived immediately.

“Ah, what is it?” he asked impatiently and sat down, adjusting his trousers. Jaqy finished off with her signature on a bill and looked up. Her eyes danced in excitement, Lowel’s in curiosity.

“I want the Indian professor to plan our interior designing. What do you say to that?”

Lowel took the words in quietly, and thought over again, while his employer watched him. “What’s so much change for?” he asked.

“Am I hearing you right?” Jaqy frowned crossly.

“All our plans will have to be changed,” Lowel said.

“A little, it’s the person who does the work and not the work itself that has to change,: Jaqy said as she picked the receiver to dial Maggy. Lowel watched while Jaqy spoke into the line. He admired this young lady. She really had spirit. But her life is in darkness. It was evident that she strived for the business. All the staff had daily talks about their young mistress. True that nothing was definitely known about her private affairs, but a heart-break was what all suspected. “Poor, little rich girl.” Some would say. Here she was, now introducing another ‘change’ as she calls it.

“What are your reasons for disagreeing?” Jaqy asked Lowel, she could see some disappointment in his face. Lowel just shook his head. He thought Jaqy was missing the nice side of life. He himself was happily married with a lovely family. He pitied his little mistress who craved in business, with an empty life. Getting no proper answer from Lowel, Jaqy just remained quietly till Maggy came in.

“Phew! What’s up?” Maggy asked carrying a file. Jaqy explained her ideas and again Lowel listened. This time he saw something in what she said.

“Indian decors! You can’t do that!” Maggy stood gaping. “I have already appointed an Italian decorator.”

“We’ll just send him home,” Jaqy replied flatly. “I can’t do that,” Maggy smiled uncomfortably, glancing at Lowel’s direction. Getting the hint, Lowel excused himself out. Jaqy crossed her arms and waited for Maggy to explain the fuss.

“Jaqy, everything’s settled, I can’t send Cavin home.” Jaqy saw the whole thing now.

“Good lord. Who asked you to get Cavin for this?” Jaqy asked, seeing the situation jamming. Maggy shrugged. “I’ll tell him, if you can’t,” Jaqy said, walking over to the phone, “I want the professor there, not Cavin.”

“Oh, you selfish creature.” Maggy cursed, with hatred in her tone, “no wonder he left you. Yes I always thought Dian was more human.” Jaqy stopped and looked at Maggy who was furious now. “I thought you loved Cavin.”

“What has love got to do with the new project?” jaqy voiced the absurdity. She stood puzzled. Of course Cavin can do miracles, but not as the Professor when it comes to Indian stuff.“Hyden and I went through a lot to get Cavin agreed, and now you are going to spoil it all!” Maggy cried, “So much for trying to help.” Jaqy was quiet, her head bent low. She could not understand Maggy. “Maggy, Cavin and I will handle our private problems alone,” Jaqy sighed, “.. as for the project, I want Professor Rai on it.”

“Please take Cavin too, it would be humiliating otherwise.” Maggy begged, slowly recovering from her anger. “They are so different.. but wait… that would bring a brand new style – wow!” Jaqy dialed the numbers fast. Maggy watched her sister in utter confusion. What is it that Jaqy wants? Only money and nothing else? Maggy felt rather disgusted with Jaqy’s odd behavior. However, all in all, Cavin would be given the job she though, else she would have to do a lot of explaining again.

To be continued...

Aunty Moonlight – N.N

The Twinkle T's - The Grocery Break In

Next morning, the Twinkle girls dropped in at Jroffrel Stores. It was closed of course, but the owner let them in. They looked around, "Hey Tamy, come over here," called Tamara, she had found something important. Tamy saw that it was a wallet. She pocketed it, and told her sister to be quiet. "We'll come again Mr. Jroffrel," they said and sped off. Back in their own room, the girls pored over the wallet. "Wow... look at this," Tamy said, holding a card in her hand with the name of Gerard and address on it. "Here is a note too, look what it says!"

- Rick, bring the book to me. Gerard. -

"So, Gerard must be the boss, and Rick is one of the thieves. This must be Gerard's address, and he owns the truck." Tamy said. Tamara agree, "Gerard is in league with the thieves." "Let's go and check out the address." decided the girls.

To be continued... N.N

11. The Weekly Magazine - Sept-10-2000

The Weekly Magazine - September/10/2000

Aunty Moonlight - N.N

Secrets - N.K

Kamal Adarachchi writes:

“When I was around ten, there was this dog called Bulto. He would fetch anything I threw. If I threw a stick into a big bus, he would go scampering after it and after a tedious process of work lo and behold! He comes with it in his mouth. One day, there was a well that was dried up and not so deep. When I saw it, I was tempted to do a mischievous thing. Seeing Bulto by, I threw the stick into the well and snakes alive! He jumps in after the stick. Well, I did not tell anybody for fear of being bashed up, but thereafter, I never did anything like that again. And the dog was pulled up, quiet unhurt.

Just Men and Just Kids - N.K

Poet's Corner - N.K

Rachel & Lechar - N.N

Short Story - Hearts on Fire - N.N

I hear that song in every shop, from every corner, and now I listen to it at home, on my cassette. The whole room is in a mess, and while I run about putting things in their places, I listen to my voice singing the words in that song – ‘Hearts on Fire’. For a moment, I stop all my work and listen, is that me? Me – a mousy little person, who has made her life upside down. There is Jimmy, my husband who loved me so much that he was good. So good to marry me; but all I could give in return was – to leave him. I said goodbye to Jimmy two years ago. I wanted to have a life of my own. I had dreams, my passion was music. Loitering in the streets was not so easy. For some time I had no income. I felt like running back to Jimmy but by chance, I got a job at the bar. It gave me an opportunity to sing. I sang to the crowds, and they began to love me. Things were getting better. Even with a very low salary, I felt happy. I had a room for myself, I could afford three meals and once a month I got a dress for myself. That was how I began my singing career. I was independent, I had got what I wanted. From morning till noon, then throughout the night I would sing, practice and do more lyrics. Days passed by without my noticing. I was doing good. That was when I came to meet Jesse. He was a manager and had his own recording studio. He spoke with me on several nights are the bar, then he asked me if I would like to do some recordings of my own songs. He was just voicing my very dreams. I was so thankful, I fell in love with the idea. But it was not easy. There was so much to do. I had to refine myself. I had to adjust my voice and all these took hours of hard, tough work. When I had passed these tests, then we began to work on my lyrics.

Jesse was very experienced in music and he guided me through. He was young, very tall and had curly black hair that reached to his shoulders. Jesse was very thin; he never slept proper hours and he never ate proper food. He would not take care of himself. I got suspicious of him using drugs. It was not drugs that was ruining him. Jesse had no purpose in this life. He had no family, and there was no one to love him and he did not care for anyone. But he spent enormous time on my work. Sometimes he got so worked up thinking that our songs would not do well… at times we argued and either Jesse or I would walk out of the studio. but then… we were falling in love.

We realized it in the hard way. Our anger, frustration and fear was because we loved each other. We had only each other for comfort and to care. Jesse cared for me and in return I took care of him. That was a period in my life which I would not forget. I was the source of his happiness, the meaning to his life. He was very special to me. While things were so, I met my former husband Jimmy down at the country. He was surprised to meet me. I told him about Jesse; he was happy for me, but he still wanted me back. But he understood that things have changed for me, my life was different and I was going my own way with Jesse.

We began recording my latest album. It had ‘Hearts on Fire’ in it. Jesse watched me sing it… a slow rhythm. He got really mad. ‘Hearts on Fire would freeze at that tune.! Work it up! Give it a beat!’ he yelled. That was how we worked. I walked out, returned and began with fresh energy. Jesse could not believe it. I was doing it so well. I sang it with a lot of force… yes I can hear that power now. I am to move to a big house in the country these holidays, I wanted some big, empty and quiet place so I could write more songs and also for Jesse. We should be considering marriage now.

With my bags in the truck I drove down towards the highway to the country. Jesse would be waiting by the road then we would both go in my truck down to the country. I smiled at seeing him there and stopped. Wanting him to drive, I got down but he was not going. It was over between us, he said. His lips touched mind for the last time and then with his hands in his pockets and head down, he walked up the road away from me. Neither of us were happy. Only red leaves of Autumn danced between us to touch winds of winter.

Beauty Tips - N.N

Indian Stars! - N.N

The Twinkle T’s - N.N

When the men in the truck saw Tamara and Tamy, they took off. “Hey! They are going!” Tamy began to follow, gaining speed with every pedal. “Tamy… you can’t get them! Here, I got their number!” that was the big sister, Tamara. Tamy slowed, but she still had second thoughts. Anyway it was too late, the truck had turned the corner. “Phew! They are fast!” Tamara said to cheer her sister at failing to follow.

The sisters decided to go home for they were hungry and it was nearly tea time. But all the way, they spoke of nothing but the robbery. “After tea, we will go and check this number,” they agreed. So they did. The lady at the office gave the name Mr. Gerard, as the owner.

Fool's Paradise - N.N

Always Yours - N.N

Cavin watched Jaqy till she turned the corner then walked back into the house. Shutting the door after him,he came and looked into the same photograph that took Jaqy’s attention a moment ago. He was there with Dian, and little David was just beginning to speak. He picked up the picture and went to the sofa and sat himself down.

He traced Dian’s every feature, she was pale and just fighting through her last days when this was taken. He remembered those days so well. It was a fighting period for him as well. He was getting himself ready to face the end of.. of a very beloved friend. Dian was a friend. She was only a very close person in his life; she did not have first place. No. there was Jaq. Taking a deep breath, Cavin rested his head on the back of the sofa, and stared at the ceiling. After all, he remains all alone, he thought. The only reason for his living was David… and he had hopes. His only hope is that Jaqy returns to him. But Jaqy is as distant as the moon. ‘No’, he told himself, ‘she is coming back.’

Cavin got up and returned the photo frame. He had work next day, so he needed to rest. He went up the stairs and switched on the light, then sat himself on his desk. There were some blueprints to complete on a mansion house. It was a big contract. He thought about indoor decorating. It was to study this that he left for USA and met Dian for the first time after they parted. She was his childhood love, and there was something magical in her that he could not resist. It was at their first evening together that she spoke openly to him; it was then that he realized how much she cared for him, how much she suffered after leaving him. Cavin ran his hand through his dark hair. Was it that he could not choose between Dian and Jaqy? No. there was more ground for his actions. He loved Jaqy and pitied Dian. He left Jaqy to take care of Dian who was carrying his child and dying of cancer.

When she arrived at the late hours, everything was just as she left them. The house was all asleep. Jaqy stole in from the side door into her room and in doing so, got her bracelet stuck in the lock; she jerked her hand free and her precious bracelet slipped off her wrist onto the ground.

“Stupid of me…” she muttered to herself, stooping down to pick it up. The bracelet had broken at a point into two. Taking in a deep breath rather regretfully, Jaqy pocketed the piece of jewellery and went into her library. She sat down at her desk and brought out the broken bracelet once again. It was beyond repair, yet she fumbled with it. Her fingers played with it, and her mind wandered far off.

“He is a cheat!” she said to herself of Cavin. She pulled out the top drawer and dropped the bracelet in and cast her glance at Cavin in the frame, then shut the drawer with great force. The second drawer had her diary which she got out to inspect. She turned to certain pages, she knew them by heart. Then she stopped at middle page; she held her breath while reading the lines, yes she remembered every word, she had written in hurt and pain. There were tear stains on the pages... tears shed on losing Cavin. But now the tears have long dried, Jaqy put the dairy back and got up with unexpected energy. There was a stack of files on the edge of the desk, all on the new apartments. She opened the top one, and as usual as it always happened she buried herself in the files to be free from heartache. To escape from her sorrow. Cavin nor anyone mattered any more. She had to complete the project by next June, and there was no time to lose. She just thought of doing something different on the project, she would put an Indian touch to it as well, the guests would love it. She picked the phone to called the professor but no… he would be asleep now. She had to wait till tomorrow.

To be continued…