The ice-cream stick house

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
87
Hi.
Hi.
...
Are you okay ?
I've been better. What about you ?
Same. Been a little busy. Work and all.
Oh. ok.
So.
So.
I heard your dad's pissed with me.
A bit.
A bit ?
Okay. A lot.
I'm really sorry.
It's okay. 
I didn't mean to...
Never mind. Leave it. So how is work ?
Bad. I really don't know how I'm supposed to carry on some days. 
Oh ?
Everything I do somehow always ends up going wrong and everyone then blames me.
It's okay. We all have bad days. 
Not like mine. I don't know what I did to deserve this curse.  
Come on.
I'm serious. What do I do ? If I try to help someone, his boss curses me. If I help the boss, the servant curses me. If I help two people fall in love, a third person's heart breaks. If I break them up, then they all hate me.
...
I'm sorry. I shouldn't be telling you all this.
No. It's okay. It's not like I'm going anywhere.
... Sorry. 
Hmm ?
About it. I mean, I know I should have done more. But I was distracted by someone else...
Is he okay ?
Who ?
The person who distracted you.
...
God ?
No... he.. they all died. He and his family were killed an hour ago... nameless faces in a war that didn't involve them.  
Does it piss you off ? Them using your name and doing all this ?
Every day... every day.
So why don't you do something about it ?
...
God ?
Have you ever made something ? Out of your hands... with all your effort and dedication and concentration... and love ?
Yes. This one time, me and dad
Dad and I.. not me and dad... it's dad and I..
Okay. Dad and I, we built this amazing house purely out of ice cream sticks. It took us all day... it was summer holidays..
Last year ?
Ya, you remember ?
Uh... yeah. 
Liar ! Anyway, I always remember how much I loved it. We took all day, had sandwiches for lunch and dad even missed his nap just to help me finish it. 
And how did you feel when you had to dismantle it all ?
... It hurt real bad. Mom had some important guests coming over and had to clear the dinner table. She just broke it all down with one swing. I remember crying for an hour.
But you knew it would have to be removed at some time from the table, didn't you ?
Ya, I kept thinking what if we had only used glue while making it ? We could have saved it.
That's the problem. All this that you see... this was my ice cream stick house too. I wanted it to be perfect. But slowly the sticks started to weaken on their own. And I could only watch helplessly.  
So why don't you...
I know. I know. I want to but I can't. You loved your house after just a Sunday. I have loved my stick house since forever. And I was so sure it was perfect when I created it.
...
...
It's okay. Don't cry. Please. Everything will be okay.
I don't know what to do. I don't have the will to break it down but I can't bear watching it like this either. What should I do ?
...
...
Do you know how I stopped crying ?
No. I'm sorry. I was... away. 
Dad went to the store and got me more ice creams.
...
More ice creams. More sticks. And the next Sunday we made a bigger better house. And this time, we learned our lesson and used glue.
...
It's still there at home if you want to see it.
I just did. It's amazing. 
I know, right. 
Wonderful.
Feeling better ? 
Yes. Yes. 
Good. You look really sad when you cry. And old.
I am old.
You look older.
You are a naughty one, aren't you ?
...
Are you ready ?
I don't know. 
It won't hurt. I promise.
I'll miss daddy and mommy.
No. They will miss you. But you will never miss them. I promise you that.
Won't they feel sad ?
Yes... but that is how you will know you were loved. 
God ?
Yes ?
Was I a bad boy ? 
You were the loveliest boy. 
Why did this happen to me ?
I don't know. I wish I could give you the answer but I honestly don't know. Those sticks called fate and free will... every day I regret placing them in my stick-house. They were meant for good but the way they have been so badly misinterpreted... but never mind all that. Don't ever think that it was because you were bad. You were the best child a parent could have. 
Thanks. And God ?
Yes ?
Are there dogs in heaven ? We never had a dog. Mom had allergies.
My child. There is no heaven without dogs. Of that, you can rest assured.
Cocker spaniels ?
I have them.
Golden retrievers ?
By the dozen.
Poodles ?
Sigh...Unfortunately. The missus loves them. 
Pit bulls ?
Now why would you want a pit bull ?
Just to see what a live one looks like.
Well. I know someone down under who has a bunch of them. I could ask him if you wanted...
No, it's ok. I'll select one once I get there.
Excellent choice.
God ?
Yes ?
Thank you. I had a good time. Some really nice memories.
No, thank you, my child. It's kids like you that make me glad I created this house...

_____________________________________________________________

Abigail : When did he die ?
Shilpa : Last night. The leukemia had gotten worse since evening. He was unconscious and on ventilatory support since late night.
Abigail : Poor child. How he suffered these last few months.
Shilpa : I know. But he died so peacefully in the end. We never even knew till this morning.
Abigail : Well. He's with God now.
Shilpa : There was something weird though.
Abigail : Oh ?
Shilpa : His forehead was wet. 
Abigail : Was he feverish ?
Shilpa : No. Not sweat. There were three droplets just resting peacefully on his forehead when we came to check up on him. They were still warm when I wiped them away. If I didn't know any better, I would have said someone had been there in that room, crying over him.

______________________________________________________________  

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87Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. Heart-touching.

    I wonder why the tear drops on the forehead though. Was it God's? Why? The boy was coming to him anyway.

    Our creator must really be frustrated with how we are treating his beloved house. Sigh.

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    1. now there's a name for sore eyes.. where have you been all these ages ? kid all grown up ?

      regarding ur question, yes it was God's... not from later on, but rather a moment in between itself when he breaks down.

      And +1 to your last lines

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  2. Beautiful!! How do you manage to always get it bang on?? To tell you the truth, I need God right now to answer me! I wish he comes over in my dreams and shows me what he has in store for me :( OR maybe he already has answered in his own way.. through you :)

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    1. trust me.. u and i both could use a little Godliness and a direction to a radarless ship :)
      and trust me, God works in mysterious ways... but im definitely not in his 'top gazillion angels' list :)

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  3. Replies
    1. thanks Nisha. So whats the first prize winner getting with her coupon ? :)

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  4. Touching post Doc!
    I am sure God is gonna screw your case asking you royalty for all the times you used His name in your blog! :P

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    1. he's been taking it in regular installments - not the royalty, the 'screw this guy' downpayments :s

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  5. *gulp* lump in throat... :(

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    1. That was kind of the aim of the post.. so I think I can say it worked

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  6. Wow, that was lovely. I went back and re-read the whole thing. Beautiful writing!

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  7. If I write anything more than BEAUTIFUL...it will take away from it...........and yes I read and re-read. Not because I did not understand....but because I fully wanted to understand...yet again!

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    1. Thanks Blogwati Gee. Yes, I did leave little bits and pieces across the beginning which I felt would give it a new meaning/symbolism once people realised who the two characters were and what their circumstances actually were.. glad you appreciated it.

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  8. Rosh... my eyes filled... no words!

    Sharni.

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    1. Thanks Sharni.. been awhile since I had fiction... or religious concepts, I guess

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    2. Roshan, I came again and read once more... just to ensure on which part actually my eyes filled... it was on "God? Was I a bad boy ?" :)

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    3. I don't know whether I should be pleased or sad that I'm making people's eyes water :S

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    4. Don't be sad... coz u r making us sit back and think for a while :)

      Keep going!

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  9. Honestly..what a theme..This makes me think about God's version of the justifications I make for wrecking my ice cream stick house.

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    1. Thanks... you know me. Never take the normal road. Just wanted to see it from the point of view of a God weighed down by his own decisions/choices.

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  10. Wow mind blowing. This was a touching story. Simply loved it:)

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  11. Roshan,
    Somehow I hate the idea of God being so helpless. I would rather believe that he does not exist.
    I sympathised with God more than the child.
    The story was beautiful by the way. :)

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    1. Amit, in a way, sympathising with God was part of the plan.. I guess I put too many themes in there as I started writing it all down.

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  12. This is such an awesome read, so delicate and touching! Just perfect, Roshan!

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    1. Thank you Rachna :) glad u liked it... was trying for a simple narrative.

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  13. I read this post twice over and absolutely loved it ! It brought a lump to my throat ! I had read your story in Bright Lights and thoroughly enjoyed it too. Glad I discovered your blog as well!

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    1. Thank you very much Ruchira.. glad you liked this as well as 'FomS' :) Touchwood, there's more coming so do stop by once in awhile

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  14. love post!! I too am glad to discover your blog!

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  15. so beautiful and sweet...loved reading this...

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  16. This is simply a wonderful and poignant story! Liked it a lot!

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    1. Thank you.. was aiming for a simple narrative. looks like it worked :)

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  17. Simple, beautiful and heartfelt. I felt lucky just to have read such a lovely piece of work

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  18. It was so heartwarming and felt really real. Having a conversation with god could have never felt so natural. Really poignant and beautiful,please keep writing like this.

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  19. Deeply moving, Roshan. You know I'll be coming back for more!

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  20. Thank you for making me believe in God's humanness ... He feels..He sighs..He smiles..
    Left a tenderness in my heart. Wonderful post Roshan!

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    1. Thank you Priyanka .. glad it touched your heart.. and yes, really wanted to show a God whom none of our big guns would care to show about - a person just like us plagued with self doubts, inspite of being omnipotent

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  21. It's amazing....thanks for sharing....

    Did you get a chance to check the website www.ezedcal.com to manage editorial calendar easily for your blog and show your editorial calendar in your blog easily (optional)
    Thanks & Regards
    Malar

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    Replies
    1. Thanks.. will check it out once I get back on a laptop :)

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  22. oh my god!! my eyes are all wet..this was so very beautiful doc.
    the innocence and purity of a child..captured so well..
    and you gave such a humane touch to the Higher Entity..simply heart warming..

    sorry have been a lil lame in commenting here..was too lazy to write my own blog only :P:P

    hopefully will make better of it soon..
    tc..god bless..keep writing :)
    cheers!!

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    1. Haha.. you too keep writing.. August is a long time back you know for a last post :)

      And yes, was definitely going for a more humane God approach.. a guy , just like so many humans, disillusioned with his lifes work.

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  23. I simply want to tell you that I am all new to blogging and honestly loved this web page. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You definitely have remarkable stories. Thanks a bunch for sharing your web page.

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  24. Are there dogs in heaven? Awww :)
    Very insightful too... Loved reading it like most of your posts :)

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    1. In a story written by me, you just knew that there were gonna be dogs in heaven :D

      Thanks Ankita.

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  25. Somehow I found it deep - a sattire of our own selves.

    www.anucreations.blogspot.in
    www.facebook.com/VolatileSpirits

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    1. Thanks Anupama... was going with a single theme but then as usual many cropped up in my head ( God trying to save a soul,wars in Gods name, God disillusioned and in need of comforting after a rough day at work, child accepting peace, child teaching God a valuable lesson on not giving up, maybe a more darker Armageddon bit, after-life and of course, dogs in heaven :D )

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  26. ok..I am emotional...cannot comment. You write lovely..had heard of you from Danny but never visited this site before. Glad I did today..

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  27. This is..... Beautiful. I know I want to cry but I just can't. If nothing, I pray that everyone gets this beautiful conversation before they accompany God.
    Really beautiful. Thank you for touching us through this.

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  28. Very touchy and sad in a way ...

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  29. Lovely... lol dont agree on the fate bit... We create most of the messes that we get into! And God does everything for a purpose ;)

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    1. Thanks Dan.. just wanted to give a different picture :)

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  30. Damn you Roshn!!!!! I HATE crying in the morning! But you should know something - you are gifted! Kinda envy Seema for having knowm you better :-) !

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    1. Ironic you should say that.. I've always felt it was the other way around - that I'm lucky to know her.. I've said it quite a few times here too in the blog, right.

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  31. Oh Roshan, I did not expect that turn about the child meeting God at the time of his death. Feel so sad , it brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful writing. And hope we find a super glue that can help heal all the horrors we have created in this lovely icecream stick house.

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    1. not be a party pooper Jaish, but I really dont see that magical super glue coming any time soon, if at all.

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  32. Too Good Doc, It surely left a gulp in my mouth.......
    Amazingly well written......

    Vidya

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  33. Lovely!!! and am soo glad there are dogs out there too!!

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  34. I came, I read and am very deeply moved

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  35. It was reassuring to know that the ones who leave are not sad

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  36. Lovely Rosh.... Good way to explain all the weird things happening in our lives:I

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Seema :) If only there were a proper explanation to all that we've seen :s

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  37. Beautiful. This one made me teary-eyed. :)

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  38. What a wonderful way to humanise God, if one might use such a word! It took a while to understand who the conversationalists were but as it became clear, the narrative took over. Lovely, Roshan!

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    1. Thank you Zephyr. The part about taking time for the reader to understand where they were and what was going on - that was purely intentional. It was part of the whole storytelling attempt here - Glad you enjoyed it.

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  39. Reminds me of all the terribly sick patients in medicine ward where I'm posted for the first time.
    This post left an impression in me.

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    1. i know Sindu... a part of this post definitely has its origins from all the patients we've watched suffer and pass away...

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  40. Started the read assuming it to be to be just another fiction that involves chats and conversations, later it actually brought me more closer to the screen, reread every line to grasp it fully,
    A very emotional write up indeed . While reading second time , I could feel d lump in ma throat. Lovely Post.

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    1. Thanks TM... lot of influences behind it - watching small patients pass away, questions on God and how he would be like if he were like us...

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  41. Lovely post, Roshan!! Very touching..

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