And then mamma I was dragged there by my collars. It was a huge room with stars all around. I have never seen so many stars before.
But then baby, don’t you know stars reside only in the sky?
And that’s why I was scared mom, and you know I could even touch them.
Oh! I see! So did not your fingers get burnt?
Umm…. I do not remember that. Did it? But mom, that’s not important.
Ok! My darling, then what is it that’s important? Tell me sweetheart!
You interrupt so much that I tend to forget. Now shhh… and listen to me.
You interrupt so much that I tend to forget. Now shhh… and listen to me.
Shhhhhhhh!
There he was…. An alien with horns.
There he was…. An alien with horns.
An alien with horns? Eh?
That’s what! A huge pair of horns and blinking red eyes.
But that’s how ghosts look like and not aliens! No?
But mom ghosts don’t keep remotes to close the spaceship's door. Or do they?
So it was some hi-tech ghost you mean, right?
And he had a spaceship. You know mom … lights like this coming out of it. I was scared and I closed my eyes. I wanted to shout. Shout out loud. But before I could, he abducted me. He, the alien. Like it happens in the TV.
And as soon as the audio recorder stopped with the sobbing sound of the child, the parents looked up at the psychiatrist for his much awaited verdict. They were bemused at the story but the slight marks that were present on various body parts of the child had definitely made them worried.
Paracosm it is, the doctor told them. A child’s mind is very imaginative, he continued, and it often lands them in their world of fantasy. As they are too young and innocent, they cannot differentiate between the two worlds. But there is nothing to worry about as with age it eases up.
But what about the body marks, doctor? They are of course not left by some imaginary alien!
Not at all! She must have hurt herself while imagining things. Remember that they cannot differentiate between the two worlds and unfortunately many a time end up hurting themselves. For them their la-la land is for real. Make sure she does not have access to harmful and sharp objects and better I advice you to not leave her alone, lest she harms herself again.
But she is scarred and ends up crying after telling her story? What to do about that?
Hmm, in the next session bring her along. I will......
***
Meanwhile, back at her cousin’s place, li’l Diksha was again abducted by that hi-tech alien. All of five, the poor child could not differentiate between the real stars and the glow-in-the-dark ones. The alien this time took extra care to leave no such marks on her petite body. While she was too scared to even attempt at making a feeble cry, he, his uncle kept on devouring her to satiate his filthy desires. While the khol mixed tears smeared her face, this way it was much easier for him to trample her innocence in the garb of paracosm.
~*~
"A paracosm is a detailed imaginary world, or fantasy world, involving humans and/or animals, or perhaps even fantasy or alien creations. Commonly having its own geography, history, and language, it is an experience that is often developed during childhood and continues over a long period of time: months or even years." Source: Wikipedia
~*~
I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of Words 1st - 7th September 2013.
My Theme: To write on seven words that
- We/I don't hear generally
- Preferably Non-English words that are untranslatable in English
- Let's see, how can I include more varieties.
- And in the process to self-discover myself.
Let me know what do you think about my choice of theme for this Seven days of Writing Festival.
Word suggestions are highly welcomed. So com'on bring it on. :)
P.S: I am not too happy with today's work as my muse simply refused to work and after much nudge this is what my muse led me to.
Pree as I began to read this, my heart was in my mouth...Unfortunately the story went the way I thought it would - such a reality for so many young children and the worst is the disbelief by the adults.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, brilliant writing!
I didn't quite see the Child Abuse part coming and took me back completely by surprise.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, this was such an intense powerful post with an unimaginably intense ending. Awesome use of the prompt and the word Paracosm.
woah!! Brilliant writing Pree!!
ReplyDeleteand I learnt a new word today! :)
:( it's a sad reality in many parts of the world...
ReplyDeleteThis was very powerful writing dear...brilliant!!
I want to thank you for the knowledge of words...I've mentioned you in my last post to pay my gratitude :) :)
Paracosm. A new word learnt today and thanks for it.But the story is sad. Child abuse is carried in the safe walls of the house by a known person and hence is detected late or never detected. The victim suffers in silence.
ReplyDeleteI decided never to watch or read any science-fiction horror film or book, after Alien 3 when , Sigourney Weaver , one of my favorite actress scared me to death
ReplyDelete...
Keep your Muse alive...
wow .. brilliant post ! n with every new post .. i'm learning one new word .. thank you !
ReplyDeleteOh! How sad that this behavior is becoming common enough that a happening like this seems possible.
ReplyDeleteThese paedophiles are ruining the childhood of many little kids. It's so sad that such people exist in society.
ReplyDeleteThe story was gripping and wonderfully written too.
Brilliant writing, Pree. The child abuse is such a sad and gross thing but it is a reality for so many children and they continue to suffer the pain and trauma in silence!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see that coming. this was a powerful though very sad write. But a new word is a good thing to learn.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant ... I just knew it coming ... Kids at home go through this abuse and the worst is no one believes them many a time..Brilliant Kalpana ...I was just telling a fellow blogger yesterday that why I love your theme is because it enriches me so much more as a writer n a reader ...Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteParacosm. I have heard of that condition and its so hard to think of what they wud have gone thru too. This post reminds me of a konkana sens movie !
ReplyDeleteTitled Park something whr she imagines stuff like this
Brilliant story and tragic too. Loved that I learnt a new word though, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI learnt a new word indeed. But the way the write up went was a bit sad.
ReplyDeleteA child of 5 does not really understand abuse the way we do and hence is left confused and scared, obviously scarred for life. (P.S. I have tears in my eyes)
Preeti this is an absorbing story. I have learnt a new word today.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great twist!
ReplyDeleteI love the way u have chosen to highlight parcosm. So well written and simply brilliant:)
ReplyDeleteA brilliant write Preetilata. The reality is hard to accept but it is there in every nook and corner of our valued nation!
ReplyDeleteEven I thought the ending would be something like this. It is a crazy world out there!
ReplyDelete*sigh* it is so unfortunate that adults don't listen to what their children try to tell them.
ReplyDeleteVery poignant post, even though your muse did not help out! :D
The post was way too good I liked it a lot. I also feel that when children complain we need to listen to their problems and see things in different light...
ReplyDeleteRicha
Awsome dear.. how imaginative you are :) hearing of the word for the very first time..thnx for updating.. very well written and meaningful in fact. hopes the message reaches every one!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and a new word!
ReplyDeleteSad even innocent children have to face all these...
and we all Alas! would love to live in a world define by our childhood imaginary thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging!
Weakest LINK
i wasn't aware that this behaviour is so common among kids...and i'm glad that the story ends on a right note :)
ReplyDeleteyou can check out my post here-
Karan - Brother
New word and a sad story.
ReplyDeleteSweet beginning, but end up with sad reality. A wakeup call!
ReplyDeleteI am so sad I immediately related to child abuse. Your muse definitely was at work, Preetilata! You just didn't know it. Your muse works subconsciously too! Wonderfully written. Squeezed my heart.
ReplyDelete