The Red Light

Ishan had slogged through a grueling day at work, the kind that drains not just energy but spirit. By the time he reached home, the clock had already struck midnight. He barely managed to eat, collapsed into bed, and drifted into a restless sleep.

The next morning, despite the fatigue still clinging to his bones, he got ready on time and slid into his car, determined to power through another day. But as he drove, the exhaustion blurred his focus. His eyes were open, but his mind was fogged—half-attentive, half-aware.

At an intersection, the traffic light turned red. Ishan, distracted and dazed, rolled through it without registering the violation. He glanced in the rearview mirror—no honks, no screeching tires. No harm done, he thought, brushing it off.

Minutes later, flashing lights appeared behind him. A police cruiser. He pulled over, confused but cooperative. The officer stepped out, stern-faced, and ordered Ishan to exit the vehicle.

“Sir, I know I broke the light,” Ishan said, palms raised in apology. “It was a mistake. I was tired. I’m ready to pay the fine.”

The officer’s expression didn’t soften. “Mr. Verma,” he said quietly, “the red light you ran caused a collision between a school bus and a truck. Five children died on the spot.”

The words hit like a sledgehammer. Ishan’s knees buckled. His breath caught. The world around him spun into silence.

He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming, whispering, “No… no… I didn’t know…”

But the damage was done. One moment of fatigue. One lapse in attention. And five lives lost forever.

The red light wasn’t just a signal. It was a line he never meant to cross.

Second Chance !!!

Like every morning, I started reading the newspaper. I was shocked to see my photo in the deads column. Seemed like a  bad joke from someone. 

But then I remembered yesterday night i had severe pain in chest. And that the last thing I could recall. May be I fall asleep after that.

I looked at the clock it was 8.30 Am already. I thought i will be late for office again. I will miss the team meeting again. 

But the home was lot more noisy that day. I went out to the living room. There were so many people. And i know all of them. My friends, my family everyone.....

They all look very sad. I tried to talk to them, no body replied. They were all looking at the center of the room.

There I was, lying in the middle of the room with white sheet all over me. Not moving. But hows that possible, I am standing right here. What is going on....I was shocked.....Not able to understand anything.

Am I dead ? But hows that possible ? I am too young to die. I have still to achive so many things. I have so much life left to live. Life that is out side my office. Life involving my family, my friends.

In one cornor of the room was standing my best friend, with whom I was not talking since long time. We parted ways after a big fight. His eyes were wet. He was trying to put a brave face. 

My mom was speechless, she was not crying, she was not saying a word. My dad was crying loud and my brother was trying to hold him. I wanted to tell everyone not to cry, I am standing right here. But no one was able to hear me. Why ? May be I was dead. 

I had so much life to live. I wanted to tell my mom-dad that I love them which I had never said. I wanted to hug my brothers. I wanted to say sorry to my best friend for parting ways with him. But none of these was possible anymore. I would never be able to do any of these anymore.

I started paying to god give me sometime to talk to everyone......

"Wake up son or you will be late for office " I heard my dad's voice.

I got up and hugged my dad, he was not able to understand whats going on. He just smiled. I smiled back and murmured "Thank you God, thank you for the SECOND CHANCE !!!

(Courtesy : Social Media message)

Love Story ???? Part-2

Love Story ??? -Part 1

Naman was still in these thoughts when the door bell rings. It was his roommate & college time friend - Viren. Viren knew all about the relationship of Naman and Sneha.  He was with Naman since the engineering   days. He knew each and every bit of Naman.

In recent times Viren was one of the very few people who were there with Naman.  It was Viren who was giving him the smiling moments these days even if that meant Viren had to make fun of himself.   Viren knew that Naman is not at his usual best so he was trying everything to keep him busy by teasing him, irritating him or even fighting him.

Naman tried to avoid the eye contact him. Without saying anything he gets back to his coffee and picks up the remote and increases the volumes of the television. Viren understand the situation, taps Naman on the back and disappears in his room.

After Viren disappears in his room, Naman again falls in those thoughts of Sneha again.

Although Sneha was not there with Naman in the new city physically, still she was always with him and watching the new city with Naman’s eyes and description. Naman used to tell everything about the new city, new friends and new happenings in the new world of his. On the other hand Sneha used to keep Naman updated about his home town and his friend circle. They used to talk the whole day over the phone, sms or chatting.

They also used to meet every time Naman visited his hometown. In one such meet...

Naman Said “Will you marry me? I can’t live without you.... “

That was the thing Sneha was waiting for....she happily accepted. Both of them decided to talk to their parents about it. Sneha was not sure how her parents will react, she was little uneasy. Naman suggested that let me talk to my parents first.

After reaching home, Naman talked to his dad. He told him everything about Sneha and how it started.

Naman’s father was not really happy with the things and said “Let me talk about it to your mom and other family members first”.


Naman's mom didn’t agree to Naman’s choice, not because she didn’t like Sneha but she had her own choice for Naman.  After long heated discussion and few days of fight Naman convinced them. And because Naman did not wanted Sneha to face any heat he asked his parents to initiate the talk. For the happiness their son Naman’s parents agreed to do that. And they also did it.

After few days Naman got call from his brother. From him Naman came to know that “mom-dad had gone to Sneha’s house with the marriage proposal and her parents have rejected it. And dad is very upset. He is feeling let down. Please call dad, he is very angry.”

Naman called his dad immediately and first thing his father said “You fought with us for this?”

Naman said “Dad, let me talk to Sneha. There must be some misunderstanding”

“If you still want to marry that girl, don’t show me your face.” said Naman’s father.

Naman was shocked but he kept his calm and he decided to first talk to Sneha and then think about the next step.

He called Sneha but she did not answer the call. He tried again and again but no use. He also left messages, there was no reply.  This continued for many days. Naman tried few of Sneha’s friend but no one knew anything. Naman’s family also was angry with him and no one was really talking to him except her sister.

After few months, Naman got to know that Sneha’s marriage is fixed and she is getting married in few months. He broke down. He neither had his love nor his family.  He knew his family is there for him always but he felt that he has hurt them for Sneha and she did not even responded to any of his messages or calls. He felt cheated. As if the pain of losing his love was not enough he also had to deal with his family’s anger. Naman had never thought about losing either of Sneha or his family but now he had none.

All of sudden, Naman comes back to his present, as his cell phone starts ringing. It was some unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Naman, its me Sneha.”

“Sneha, where are you?”

“Naman, sorry I can’t talk much so just listen. I wanted to give you so much of happiness and be happy with you but may be our destiny is not such. I am sorry. Please forgive me, Bye”.

As soon as the phone hangs up, the music channel had a song on it....

“Dil hote jo mere seene mein do
Doosra dil bhi main tumhe deta todne ko”

Naman listened to it with tears in eyes.......