FTC 2018

Promotion Banner #1 - Freelance Talents Championship 2018 (Season 4) in association with Nazariya Now

Check details here - NN Website

Freelance Talents Championship 2016-17 #update

Vacant Freelance Talents Championship 2016-17 title goes to ICFA 2017 Best Fanfic Writer Ankit Nigam

Congratulations! :)

Team Standings - Freelance Talents Championship 2015-16 #FTC1516

Freelance Talents Championship 2015-16

Final Team Standings

CHAMPIONS

Team # 20 (Behnam Balali & Karan Virk) - 442/600 (73.67%) 

2) - Team # 12 (Frank Heiner & Mark Trump) - 440/600 (73.33%)

3) - Team # 10 (Eric Vasquez & Joseph Andrews) - 431/600 (71.83%)

4) - Team # 14 (Ajitesh Bohra & Siddhant Shekhar) -  424/600 (70.67 %) 

5) - Team # 01 (Giorgio Baroni & Dharmesh Talwar) - 415/600 (69.17%)

6) - Team # 24 (Kapil Chandak & Soumendra Majumder) - 410/600 (68.33%)

7) - Team # 23 (Vibhuti Dabral & Manan Sharma) - 409/600 (68.17%)

8) - Team # 02 (Amit Kumar & Avijit Misra) - 391/600 (65.16%)

9) - Team # 07 (Tadam Gyadu & Ranjana Sharma) - 390/600 (65%)

10) - Team # 06 (Manabendra Majumder and Rahul Ranjan) - 385/600 (64.17%)*

11) - Team # 27 (Deepjoy & Rishav Adarsh) - 385/600 (64.17%)*

12) - Team # 19 (Dheeraj Kumar & Anurag Singh) - 383/600 (63.83%)

13) - Team # 16 (Akash Kumar & Ayush Jha) - 349/600 (58.17%)

14) - Team # 15 (Amit Albert & Rishi Sri) - 348/600 (58%)

15) - Team # 25 (Navneet Singh & Vaibhav Singh) - 335/600 (55.83%)

16) - Team # 26 (Abhilash Panda & Ashutosh S. Rajput) -  323/600 (53.84%)

17) - Team # 13 (Harendra Saini & Ankur Singh) - 321/600 (53.50%)

18) - Team # 05 (Dominik Gutzeit & Kuldeep Gupta) - 299/600 (49.83%)

19) - Team # 03 (Handika Taurus & Vyom Dayal) - 275/600 (45.83%)

20) - Team # 17 (Jorge N. & Ren Taylor) - 243/600 (40.5%)

--------------------------------

Participatory / Forfeit Teams

21) - Team # 22 - (Piyush & Neel) (122 Points)**

22) - Team # 11 - (Yohan & Jen) (55 Points)**

23) - Team # 18 – (Andrey & Jenny) (53 Points)** 

24) - Team # 09 - (Rory & Evans) (45 Points)**

25) - Team # 04 - (Jan & Moinac) (40 Points)** 

-------------------

Team 8) - Ana Rocio Jimenez Zepeda – Amend Aeson

Team 21) - Anand Singh - Yogesh Amana Yogi

---------------------

I would like to thank all the artists, authors and judges (Pankaj V., Mayank Sharma) for their efforts in this event! :) 

Prizes, Trophies will be dispatched soon!

Best Ranked Indian Artist Mr. Ajitesh Bohra wins a free website.

-----------------------------

*In case of tie team ahead in 2 out of 3 rounds gets higher overall ranking.

** Participatory teams forfeit after 1 or 2 Rounds

Round 3 - Team # 27 (Deepjoy & Rishav) #ftc1516

Metro

The marriage was on patchy path but no one had zeroed into the conclusion that she would take such a vicious step!

'Look at him, how shocked he is on her absence since morning, he hasn't even asked for her Mom, where would I find her if he does?' 

He said to his friend, who unsuccessfully tried to console him, the kid was unusually calm!

After a while when everyone was gone, a crooked smile gleamed on his face, standing in front of mirror, his eyes didn't show any guilt but pride. 

The phone buzzed.

"Hey stop questioning nobody suspects nothing! I am the victim." He chuckled. "I'm not! she has eloped how can I be the sinister" he laughed devilishly in real, "in the backyard" laughter continued.

After putting the cell, he turned towards his 6 years old, "You wanna say something? Is it about your mother? You wonder where she went,yes?"

"No" the boy kept looking at his father with the regular affection, the man abolished the eye contact.

"I wonder though, why mom looks so pale and why are you giving her piggyback since morning" The toddler said with supreme serenity.

Suburbs

अंधेरा घिर चुका था और कॉलेज अभी 8 किलोमीटर दूर था,वरुण ने लंबे की जगह छोटा सुनसान रास्ता लेना बेहतर समझा।

"तुझे आरती याद नही आती?"

वरुण- वो क्यों आएगी भला, वो तो गयी बहुत तेज बनती थी, सारे पर कतर दिए साली के। 

"सुना अमर को दिखी थी कहीं"

वरुण- अबे smack ले रखी होगी फिर से, कहाँ से आएगी वो "मर्दानी" हमने मिल के उसे खील खील किया था, याद नही तुझे!

कितना चीख रही थी यार! हह् हमे पकड़वाने चली थी! उसका भाई एक-दो पैकेट और ले लेता तो क्या चला जाता है की नही? जान तो बचा लेती ख़ुद की!

पीछे से कोई आवाज़ न आई।

तू बेकार न डर राहुल, मरे कब वापस आते हैं?"

 वरुण बोलता जाता अगर उसका phone न बजता। उसने देखा- Rahul Calling'

अचानक उसे ध्यान आया उसने तो राहुल को पीछे बिठाया ही नही था!

डरते डरते उसने पीछे देखा कोई नही था!

उसकी हवा ही रुक गयी बड़ी मुश्किल से bike को गिरने से बचाया। 

सांस थामे वो आगे बढ़ा ही था की सड़क के किनारे उसने एक आकृति देखी,वरुण ने कद-काठी का अनुमान लगते ही, bike की speed तेज कर दी,पर वो आकृति उसी वेग के साथ दौड़ी! 

"वरुण" एक गूंजती सर्द सी आवाज़ जैसे उसके दिमाग को चीरने लगी।

अपना नाम सुनकर और उस आकृति की शक्ल देख वरुण का कंट्रोल bike पर से हट गया, वो बुरी तरह लड़खड़ाते हुए गिर पड़ा। 

आरती सी दिख रही वो शक्ल विकृत होने लगी; ठीक वैसा जैसा वरुण ने तेजाब डालने के बाद बना दिया था। 

वरुण उठा और चारो ओर नज़र दौड़ाई पर उसे कोई न दिखा, बेतहाशा दौड़ा वो की सामने से एक साया आता नज़र आया!

"मुझे बचा लो वो मार डालेगी मुझे!"

तो मर जा- आवाज़ एकदम आरती की ही थी, वरुण को अपने शब्द याद आये- मर आरती मर!

"नही आरती मुझे जाने दे देख मैं अब वो सब छोड़ दूंगा किसी को drugs नही दूंगा, please!"

साया गायब था! 

वरुण को कुछ सूझा नही वो पागलों की तरह चीखने लगा!

"आSSS!! मुझे जाने दो!" 

वो फिर आगे भागा, चीख लगातार उसके गले से निकल रही थी, पर कोई सुनने वाला नही था!

वो हांफता-भागता होस्टल पहुंचा और सीधा अपने कमरे मे जाकर एक कोने मे बैठ गया।

अमर और राहुल उसके हर कर्म के साथी जानकारी मिलते ही उसके पास आये!

अबे तू पकड़वा देगा क्या" राहुल ने फटकारा

मैंने कहा था वो आ गयी है" अमर घबराते हुए बोला।

सब वहम है तुमलोगो का तु इसके पास बैठ मैं ताज़ा माल लेकर आता हूँ कश मार सारा नशा renew हो जायेगा, बासी माल लेकर बहक गया है ये"

राहुल बाहर corridor मे आया ही था की सामने कोने मे से कमर तक लंबे बालों वाली एक आकृति उसे गुज़रती दिखाई दी। वो भाग कर वहां पहुंचा पर कोई न था, वो जैसे ही मुड़ा एक जले चेहरे वाली लड़की पल भर के लिए नज़र आई, वो सकपका गया! तेज़ सांसो को किसी तरह काबू करते हुए वो अपने कमरे मे पहुंचा तो एक ladies perfume की गंध उसके नाक मे भर गयी, उसे आरती याद आई! ठीक यही cologne उसने महसूस की थी जब वो आरती के बेहद "क़रीब" गया था।

वाह perfume तो अच्छी लगाई है इसने" उसने कहा था।

"पसन्द आया" एक आवाज़ गूंजी; राहुल की धड़कने उसके कानो मे सुनाई पड़ने लगी!

उसने मुड़ कर देखा, सामने आरती मुस्कुराती खड़ी थी!

फटे कपड़े, उधड़े बदन और जगह-जगह से रिसता खून! धीरे-धीरे वो बदहाल शक्ल और बिगड़ गयी, आरती का पूरा चेहरा फफोलों से भर गया।

राहुल चीखा और टेबल पर रखी हनुमान की फोटो लेने के लिए आगे बढ़ा पर फोटो औंधे गिर पड़ी, जैसे हनुमान जी अपनी मौन स्वीकृति दे रहे हों आरती को! 

दरवाज़ा lock हो गया, अंदर बस राहुल की चीखें गूंजी, पहले तीव्र और फिर घुटी घुटी! बाहर दरवाज़े पर भीड़ जमा हो गयी, लाख कोशिशों के बावजूद दरवाज़ा नही खुला, और जब खुला तो दृश्य देख कर सबकी आँखें फैल गयीं!

अंदर राहुल की क्षत-विक्षत लाश पड़ी थी चेहरा बिल्कुल जला हुआ! अमर और वरुण के तो होश फाख्ता हुए पड़े थे! ये दृश्य उन्होंने पहले भी देखा था, अंतर बस इतना था की पिछली दफ़ा वो 'डर' थे और इस बार 'डरे'।

कुछ देर बाद वरुण के कमरे मे अमर बैठ कर अपनी गलती और उसके परिणाम को रो रहे थे।

रात के 1:30 बज रहे थे की तभी उनके दरवाज़े पर एक दस्तक हुई!

दोनो ने दरवाज़े की ओर देखा तो, 6 फुट दरवाज़े के ऊपर से एक चेहरा झांकता दिखा! 

दोनो की चीख उनके हलक मे ही अटक गयी!

नीचे दरार से आती रोशनी भी पैरों की परछाई से थम गयी!

धीरे-धीरे वो चेहरा दरवाज़े के अंदर दाखिल हुआ!- क्यों वरुण डर गए?" सर्द आवाज़ गूंजी!

"त त त्...तुम तो मर चुकी थी, मैंने तेज़ाब डाला था तेरे हलक मे!"

"उसी दर्द ने तो मुझे वापस तुम तक पहुंचाया है, उसी दर्द से वाकिफ़ कराने आयी हूँ मैं!"

"तो मार डाल न, डराती क्यों है" डर की पराकाष्ठा से फुफकारते हुए वरुण गुर्राया!

"डर?डर जानते हो क्या होता है?

सुनसान सड़क पे बेरोक दौड़ती तुम्हारी motorcycle! न आगे कहीं मुड़ने का रास्ता न पीछे,अलबत्ता कुछ देर से एक गाड़ी ज़रूर तुम्हारे पीछे जा रही है, उसकी headlight तुम अपने rear view mirror पर देख रहे हो, उसके engine की घरघराहट साफ तुम्हारे कानों मे पड़ रही है, की अचानक वही गाड़ी रफ़्तार पकड़ लेती है! घबराहट मे तुम break मारते हो की तभी रोशनी गायब आवाज़ भी ग़ायब! पीछे देखो! मुड़ने का कहीं कोई रास्ता नही कहाँ गयी तो गाड़ी?

डर लगा? लगेगा ही, पर क्या वो सच था? क्या करोगे तुम? भागोगे!

क्या भाग सकते अगर वो गाड़ी अपनी रफ़्तार तुमसे ज़्यादा कर लेती? नही

कुछ नही कर सकते तुम!

चलो माना वो भूत था, या भरम था! डर गए तुम!

पर मैं? मैं तो तुम्हे इंसान समझती थी, तुम मर्दों को! ऐसा डर तुमने मुझमे क्यों पैदा कर दिया की किसी सुनसान डगर से गुज़रने मे मुझे अपने जैसे इंसान से ही भय ज़्यादा लगे! किसी भरम या भूत से भी ज़्यादा जो दिखने मे कहीं ज़्यादा विकृत है, पर डर तो तुमसे ज़्यादा लगता है! ज़्यादा विकृत तुम दिखते हो, जबकी शक्ल सूरत तो वही है तुम्हारी दिन मे भी रात मे भी!

 फिर जो डर तुम अनजाने मे महसूस करो हम हर पल हर समय महसूस करती हैं, अंदाजा लगाती हैं! डरने के लिए सुनसान राहें या रात तक ज़रूरी नही हमें, ये होता है डर।

आरती की सर्द आवाज़ उनके कानों मे पिघले सीसे की तरह पड़ी।

अगले दिन दो और लाशें होस्टल से बरामद हुईं!

RURAL

का जादा मांगे हम तोसे?

एगो घर, उमा एक कोना,

जरा थोड़ा प्यार, कोई चांदी ना सोना,

तुम का दिए? कोना अंधार का और उमर भर का रोना!

उमर भर भी काहे बोलें!

सुरु ही कहाँ होने दिए तुम हमका!

कभी आगे आये तो भी का मांग लिया तोसे?

रत्ती भर पाठशाला और एक रत्ती भीतर चौखट मा

का का नाही बोले तुम!

कभी कमाल कभी "माल",

तोले हमका जाने कौन कौन काँटा मा!

चाहत रहे पढ़ना एक कालेज हम , पर चाहे टांगना तुम एगो खूंटी मा!

का थी या का है हमरा गलती?

उड़े की चाहत ही तो पाले रहे,

और दराती फेर दिए तुम ई पंखन मा!

हम भी बन सकत रहे तोहार टेक डंटा,

तुम लाद दिए इज्जत-संस्कार का बोझना।

फीर ले गए तुम्ही बईठा के डोलना,

तो काहे ना रखे किये रहे जइसन वादा?

और धर दिए रहे कई हाथ 

जो चाहे हम कछु बोलना।

एगो बात समझ मे ना आवत है हमका,

तोहार माइ भी हम,

बीवी भी हम, बेटी भी हम,

और डायन चुड़ैल भी हम!

डराते हो तुम, जबकी चाही तोका खुद डरना!

लेकीन

एतना भीसन बनाये रखे हो सकल

की डर से जादा हो गए डरावना!

कईसे कह लेत हो मरद खुद का?

ज़बान कांपती नाहि?

जो हाथ तोका सुख दिए!

ओका पर ही कालीख मलते हो

जौन नजर तोसे उम्मीद रखे,

उका मे धोखा बांध दिए!

अब बता डरे तो हम डरे किससे?

भूतन प्रेतन से की आपन अपन से?

हम काहे डरे लेकीन!

डर तो जाओगे तुम जब देखोगे,

जब दीखेगा असली डर का सकल,

कहाँ?

जरा झाँको आईना!!

===============================

Rating - 136/200

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 385/600 (64.17%)

Judges - Mayank Sharma, Mohit Trendster and Pankaj V. (Shaan)

Round 3 - Team # 16 (Akash & Ayush) #ftc1516

आई एम डेड ! 

दृश्य १ 

एक लड़की अपने कमरे में बंद होकर चहलकदमी कर रही थी । अजीब से उलझे बाल, बड़ी-बड़ी आँखें और चेहरा नाराजगी में लटका हुआ ।  शायद अपने अकेलेपन से ही वो नाराज होकर ...ख्यालों में डूबी ,  चलती हुई  पहुँच गयी  दीवार के पास... पर ,  वो वहाँ भी नहीं रुकी !  बिना किसी परेशानी के वो दीवार  पर चलते हुए छत की सीलिंग से चिपक कर  आगे बढ़ने लगी ।

अपने ख्यालों  में खोई उस उदास  लड़की का ध्यान अचानक से उसी कमरे के दरवाजे के  खुलने से आई आवाज की ओर जाता है । 

" आईये सर आईये, देखिये जिस तरह के घर की आप डिमांड कर रहे हैं ...ये घर उस पर पूरी तरह खड़ा उतरता है ।.........."

जी ...बन्दे का नाम गिरिराज है और ये महाशय पेशे से ब्रोकर हैं जो नए और मनचाही घर की तलाश में भटकते लोगों को लुटते ( मेरा मतलब घर दिलाते हैं ) हैं !

गिरिराज ( ग्राहक को घर पूरी तरह दिखलाने के बाद ) – " तो ...क्या आपको ये जगह पसंद आई ? "

मोहित ( थोड़ी देर सोच कर ) – " जी ...घर तो सच में मेरे पसंद के मुताबिक है । " 

जी ....बन्दे का नाम तो आप पढ़ ही चुके हैं , फिर भी बता देते  हैं , इनका नाम मोहित है पर ,  ये शर्मा नहीं वर्मा हैं ! पेशे से एक ब्लोगिस्ट हैं... माने , ब्लॉग चलाते हैं और ब्लॉग इतना चर्चित है की इनकी जिन्दगी भी इसी ब्लॉग से हुई कमाई से आराम से कट रही है ।   महोदय , दुनिया वालों को  अपने ब्लॉग पर भुत प्रेत  के सच्चे-मुच्चे किस्से बताते हैं । 

हीहीही ...अब और कितनी तारीफ करें बाकी आप खुद समझ लें, आखिरी  राउंड है और हम एंट्री देने में  भी देर हो चुके हैं इसीलिए , कहानी में ही इनकी इतनी तारीफ कर रहे हैं  :p ,,,,,, गलती से पॉइंट ज्यादा मिल जाएँ :p इस आशा में ...हीहीही 

दृश्य 2

मोहित और गिरिराज आपस में बात कर रहे थे पर ,  उन्हें इस बात की जरा भी भनक नहीं थी कि  किसी का सर ठीक इन दोनों के  चेहरे के सामने लटका इन्हें घुर रहा था । 

मोहित के डिमांड के मुताबिक गिरिराज ने ऐसी जगह खोजी थी जो आबादी से थोड़ी दूर और शांत थी जहां पास  - पड़ोस में गिने चुने लोग रहते थे । अपने काम को लेकर मोहित एक शांत माहौल चाहता था जोकि उसे इस जगह से पूरी तरह मिलने वाला था ।

दोनों ने डील फाइनल की, चाहे गिरिराज ने जरूरत से ज्यादा रकम ऐंठी हो पर  , मोहित इस डील से खुश था । 

गिरिराज – "  आपके साथ बिज़नेस कर खुशी हुई ...मिस्टर मोहित । "

मोहित – " जी ...मुझे भी आपके साथ डील करके खुशी हुई.... मिस्टर गिरिराज । " 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, मुझे भी खुशी हुई !  ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

अचानक से दोनों के कानों को एक तीसरे शख्स  की आवाज सुनाई दी और दोनों ही डर के मारे उछल पड़े ।     

दृश्य 3

मोहित ( घबराहट में ) –  " य.... ये किसकी आवाज थी ? " 

गिरिराज ( हकलाते हुए ) – " म ....मुझे भी नहीं पता सर । " 

मोहित –  " क्या मतलब ?  " 

गिरिराज ( अपने डर को दूर भगाते हुए ) – " मतलब....मतलब....सर घर काफी दिनों से खुला नहीं था ना, अब लम्बे वक्त से कोई घर बंद हो तो आवाजें तो गूंजेगी ही, ये हममें  से ही किसी की आवाज होगी और क्या । " 

छत से लटकी हुयी लड़की जो की थोड़ा सा  घबरा गयी थी....यह सुन उसने   चैन की सांस ली ( बच गयी, वरना डर के मारे ये लौंडा गृहप्रवेश से पहले ही गृहत्याग देता !  )

मोहित को ना  जाने क्यों गिरिराज की बात अटपटी लगी पर  , फिर भी उसने इस बात को  ज्यादा तूल नहीं दिया ।  दोनों साथ में , घर से बाहर चले गये इस डील के साथ कि गिरिराज अगले दिन घर को अच्छे से  साफ करवा देगा ताकि जब मोहित रात तक अपने सामान के साथ आये तो , उसे कोई दिक्कत ना हो । 

उनके जाने के बाद छत से लटकी लड़की धीमे कदमों  से आगे बढ़ते हुए नीचे खिड़की के पास आती है और दूर जाते मोहित को देख अचानक से हँसते  हुए अपने कई सालों से ब्रश न किये दाँत दिखा देती है हीहीहीही ! 

दृश्य ४

जैसा की तय हुआ था । घर की साफ़  - सफाई के बाद , शाम को अँधेरा होने से ठीक कुछ वक्त पहले मोहित अपने नये घर में आ चुका होता है । 

वो लड़की जो बेसब्री से मोहित यानि की अपने शिकार के आने का इन्तजार कर रही थी.... मोहित के आने के बाद ,  उसके अपने साथ लाये चीज़ों  से घर को व्यवस्थित करते समय ... हर वक्त , उसके आगे - पीछे ही घुमती रहती है । 

हर गुजरते पल के साथ उस लड़की के चेहरे पर एक हैवानी हँसी फैलती जा रही थी । 

घर को व्यवस्थित कर मोहित रात के खाने का इंतजाम करने चला गया ।  शहर से दूर होने के कारण उसे आस  - पास कोई होटल या खाना खाने की जगह नहीं मिली तो वो शहर ही चला गया । एक होटल में पहुँच  उसने अपने लिए कुछ खाने का आर्डर दिया और उसी वक्त उसकी झड़प कुछ शराबियों  से हुई जो होटल में आते ही , कैश काउंटर पर उधम मचा रहे थे ।

विवाद बढ़ते-बढ़ते झड़प में बदल गयी और इसी झगड़े में मोहित के सर पर एक बोतल उन शराबियों  ने फोड़ दिया ।  होटल स्टाफ ने जल्दी से झगड़े को काबू कर मोहित को हॉस्पिटल पहुंचा दिया और पुलिस के पचड़े में पड़ने के डर से  उसे वहीं छोड़ भाग गया । 

दृश्य ५

सर में उठते दर्द से मोहित बहुत परेशान था और घर पहुँच  कर बड़ी मुश्किल  से वो अपने कमरे का ताला खोल पाया था । अन्दर आते ही ,  वो बिस्तर पर लुढ़क कर  नींद की आगोश में खो गया । 

जब उसकी आँखें खुली तो उसने अपनी छाती पर एक अजनबी लड़की को बैठा पाया ।  वो लड़की लगातार उसे घूरे जा रही थी ...

अचानक......

उसने “क्या आप क्लोजप करते हैं! ’ का प्रचार किया :p और अपने चमकते हुए दो ड्रैक्युला  के खून चूसने वाले नुकीले दांत दिखा दिये । 

डर से , 

मोहित की हालत खराब हो गयी थी । उसके बदन में एक अजीब-सी सिहरन दौड़ लगा रही थी, वो घबराहट में अपने खुद -  के धड़कते दिल की तेज हुई आवाज को भी सुन सकता था ।  भूतों  के किस्से तो कई सुने और सुनाये थे उसने पर , ....पहली बार , आज जब उसका सामना खुद एक महिला :p भुत से हुआ तो उसकी बैंड बज गयी । 

क्लोजप का ऐड तो वो लड़की कर चुकी थी, अबकी बार “क्या आपके टूथपेस्ट में नमक है ! ” का ऐड करते हुए वो मोहित के करीब आ गयी और उसके गरदन में अपने लम्बे दांत घुसेड़ने की कोशिश करने लगी  । 

उसका जबड़ा एक सौ अस्सी डिग्री के एंगल पर खुला और डर से बुत बने मोहित के गर्दन में जैसे ही घुसेड़ा गया वैसे ही , दोनों दांत और जबड़े आपस में टन से टकराए लेकिन मोहित की गर्दन में घुस नहीं पाए ।  उस भूतनी ने दोबारा कोशिश की , इस बार ....उसका जबड़ा नब्बे डिग्री के एंगल पर खुला और खटाक से बंद हुआ पर फिर भी मोहित के गर्दन में उसके दांत नहीं घुसे । 

आश्चर्य से भूतनी की आँखें और बड़ी हो गयी ................ !!!!

दृश्य ६ 

मोहित पहले से ही बहुत डरा हुआ था और डर के इस माहौल में उस भूतनी की बड़ी होती आँखें  देख उसका दिल दहल गया और उसने हिम्मत करके  एक जोर का चांटा खींच  कर भूतनी के गाल पर दे मारा । 

चांटे की गूंज किसी हॉरर फिल्म में गेट खुलने पर स्लो मोशन में आती आवाज की तरह काफी देर तक सुनाई देती रही । 

उस चांटे से भूतनी झटका खा कर बेड से नीचे  गिर पड़ी और अब,  उसके आश्चर्य का पारा बुखार लगने के बाद एक सौ पांच डिग्री से भी ऊपर चला गया । 

भूतनी ( अपने गाल को सहलाते हुए ) - " कैसे ...कैसे, आखिर कैसे एक इंसान मुझे छू पाया .....कैसे तुमने मुझे चांटा मारा?????????????????? "

मोहित ( खुद भौचक्का होते हुए ) – " क्यूंकि ,  मैं ... मैं ......म...म....मर चूका हूँ । "

अचानक से ही , मोहित के नज़रों  के सामने वो बातें घूम  गयी जिसे शायद वो भूल गया था ।  होटल में शराबियों  के हाथों सर पर बोतल फूटने के बाद उसे हॉस्पिटल नहीं ले जाया गया था ।  होटल स्टाफ उसे हॉस्पिटल के गेट के पास ही पटक गये थे क्यूंकि हॉस्पिटल पहुँचने से पहले ही सर पर चोट लगने के कारण उसकी मौत हो चुकी थी । 

यादों  से बाहर आते ही ,  मोहित का ध्यान खुद पर गया....अब उसके सर पर कोई पट्टी नहीं थी बल्कि सर पर लगे चोट से खून टपक रहा था । 

सामने खड़ी भूतनी पर उसका ध्यान गया और वो हँसा । 

भूतनी ने भी उसे देख स्माइल दी । 

मोहित –  " आई  एम डेड । " 

इतना कहते ही मोहित का चेहरा किसी आम भुत की तरह विकृत हो गया । मोहित और भूतनी दोनों खिलखिला कर हँस पड़े । 

समाप्त

============================

Rating - 130/200

Judges - Mayank Sharma, Pankaj V. (Shaan) and Mohit Trendster

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 349/600 (58.16%)

Round 1 - Team # 22 (Piyush & Neel)

प्यासे कौवे

गर्मियो का मौसम था,,, सूरज आग उगल रहा था.. रही सही कसर सूखे ने पूरी कर रखी थी..

दूर दूर तक पानी का निशान नही.. एक पुराने कट्टरवाद कौआ धर्म के अनुयायी कौवे का प्यास से बुरा हाल था,,, यहा वहा उडता फिर रहा था,,,,तभी उसे एक जगह तीन भिन्न आकार के घडे रक्खे दिखाई दिये.... उनके पास पहुचा तो पाया कि पानी सब मे है.... लेकिन बहुत कम मात्रा मे... अंदर जा के पीना भी संभव न था और चोच से पानी तक पहुचा नही जा सकता था,

तभी उसे अपने पूर्वज पैगम्बर/महात्मा कौवे 'बोहनी सांणे' की कहानी याद आई जो जो उनके धार्मिक काग-ग्रंथ मे लिखी थी,,,कहानी यु थी एक ऐसे ही गर्म सूखे मौसम मे पैगम्बर/महात्मा को भी प्यास लगी व ऐसे ही घडे मिले थे,,,,समस्या भी यही थी,,,, तो उन्होने कागदेव से प्राथना की और उनपे आसमानी समझ आई,,,, उनहे पास पडे कंकडो से घडा भर दिया व जब जल उपर आ गया तो प्यास बुझाई,,

इस कट्टर कौवे को अपने इस धार्मिक कहानी पे पूरा भरोसा था,,,उसने भी कंकर व छोटे पत्थरो से सबसे फैले घडे को भरना शुरु किया....लेकिन गर्मी बहुत ही ज्यादा थी,,,पत्थर सूखे थे,,,,वे जल मे जाते गये व अपने पोरो मे कुछ जल सोखते रहे,,,,,इस तरह आधे तक ही मे सारा जल पत्थरो मे सूख गया... इस समय तक कौवे बहुत हताश हुआ,,,कि पूर्वजो की कथा ऐन मौके पे दगा दे गयी,,,क्रोध मे आ के वो बडे घडे मे घुसने की कोशिश करने लगा लेकिन मुह मे फस गया,,,, इससे पहले पत्थरो को डालने की मेहनत व अब घडे के मुह मे फसे होने की घुटन , उसकी हालत पतली होने लगी....पानी सामने लेकिन पहुच नही सकता था....निराशा व घुटन से वो छटपटाने लगा...आखिर किसी तरह बाहर आया ,,,लेकिन अब हिम्मत व सांस दोनो नही बची थी,,,वही गिर के बिखरी, टूटी सांसे लेने लगा...

तभी एक और प्यासा कौवा वहा आया,,,ये कट्टर नही ,, नई रोशनी का था,,,धर्म मे पक्का,, किताब पे भरोसा रखने वाला लेकिन उसकी हर बात को आंख नाक बुद्धी बंद कर के मान लेने वाला नही... उसने सभी घडो का निरक्षण किया...व कट्टर कौवे की हालत देख माजरा समझ गया,..

वो अब छोटे पुराने घडे के पास आया,,,,उसके तल के पास की जमीन को पंजो व चोच से खोद के एक छोटा गड्ढा बनाया व फिर चोच से उसके उपर के घडे के हिस्से पे प्रहार करने लगा....थोडी समय की मेहनत के बाद उस जगह की मिट्टी टूट गयी व वहा एक छोटा सुराग हो गया, जिससे पानी की पतली घार उस गड्ढे मे जाने लगी व वहा पानी भरने लगा..ये देख कट्टर कौवे मरती खुली आंखे और खुल गयी,,

..उस कौवे ने उस जल से अपनी प्यास बुझाई और फिर थोडा पानी चोच मे ले के कट्टर कौवे के पास तक गया लेकिन तब तक देर हो चुकी थी ,,खुली चोच व अविश्वस्नीय्ता से भरी आंखो के साथ ही वो दम तोड चुका था,,,,, प्यासे मरते को शायद अब जन्नत मे मिलने वाले मीठे शरबत से भी विश्वास उठ गया था,,,,

------------------------------

Pyaase Kowe by Neel Eeshu and Piyush Kumar

Rating - 130/200 Points

(Deadline Penalty - 2 Days: 8 Points)

Final Rating - 122/200

Judge - Mr. Mayank Sharma

#FTC1516 Qualifiers (Authors)

The following authors qualified for the Freelance Talents Championship 2015-16 out of whopping 447 participants from different groups, communities and websites. Congratulations everyone! :)

1) - Joseph Andrews

2) - Jen Steen

3) - Ren Taylor

4) - Evans Elise

5) - Vyom Dayal

6)- Mark Trump

7) - Joe Thomas (Manan Sharma)

8) - Amend Aeson

9) - Siddhant Shekhar

10) - Jenny Dawnikins

11) - Anurag Kumar Singh

12) - Kuldeep Gupta 

13) - Dharmesh Talwar

14) - Moinac Patel

15) - Neel Eeshu

16) - Vaibhav Singh 

17) - Ranjana Sharma 

18) - Avijit Misra

19) - Rahul Ranjan

20) - Karan Virk

21) - Kapil Chandak

22) - Akash Kumar

23) - Yogesh Amana Gurjar

24) - Ankur Singh

25) - Rishi Srivastava

#FTC1516 #FTC201516 #FTC #Freelance_Talents #Freelancetalents

Kapil Chandak (Champion) : Profile & Match Listing

Mr. Kapil Chandak is the Champion of International Freelance Talents Championship 2013. Most consistent author in this Championship. His FTC Profile, Match Listing. Hist creative entries also included poetic touch apart from fiction stories & non-fiction realistic articles.

*) - Round 1 – Kapil Chandak (Jab Mai Chhota Bachcha tha – 52/100) defeated Saurab Mehra (Hatya – 45/100)

*) - Round 2 – Kapil Chandak (Papa Mere) defeated Ashok Kumar [Walkover]

*) - Qualifiers – Kapil Chandak (Ek Rahin Bhikhari, Ek Rahin Dipsya aur ek Rahin Hum – 57/100) defeated Nitish Chandan (The Hootch Spirit Odyssey – 53.5/100)

*) - Round 3 – Kapil Chandak (Saat Saal ki Duniya – 74/100) defeated Soumendra Majumder (The Train – 66/100)

*) - Quarter Finals: Kapil Chandak (Ye jo Desh Hai Mera – 74/100) defeated Karan Virk (The Anthology of Adventurous > Tragedies – 56/100)

*) - Semi Finals: Kapil Chandak (Superhero – 64/100) defeated Siddhant Shekhar (Strife After Death – 62/100)

*) - Freelance Talents Championship Match

Kapil Chandak defeated Mohit Sharma 

*Exhibition Finale Match before FTC Season 2

Notes

*) - International Freelance Talents Championship Winner

*) - Highest Score - 74/100 (Twice)

*) - Biggest Victory Margin - 18 Points

*) - Average Score - 63.6/100 

Rahul Ranjan (Rank # 4) : Profile & Match Listing

Mr. Rahul Ranjan finished 4th (Semi Finalist) in the inaugural Freelance Talents Championship 2013 out of 311 Authors.

Match Listing 

Round 1:  Rahul Ranjan (Ek Kahani Ye Bhi - 71/100) defeated Neha Pandey (Andhvishvaas – 53/100)

Round 2:  Rahul Ranjan (Khoj - 57/100) defeated Sanjay Singh (Asamvedansheel - 55/100)

Parallel League – Unchallenged (Qualifies for Round 3)

Round 3:  Rahul Ranjan (Talaash - 73/100) defeated Mehfooz Ali (Chaal - 67/100)

Quarter Finals: Rahul Ranjan (Retaliation - 65/100) defeated Ranjana Sharma (A Mini Adventure - 49/100)

Semi Finals: Mohit Sharma (A Chudail’s Love Story - 72/100) defeated Rahul Ranjan (Beginning of an End - 58/100)

Bronze Medal Match:

Siddhant Shekhar (Hired - 75/100) defeated Rahul Ranjan (Random Chapters - 60/100)

Notes:

Average Score - 384/6 = 64 Points

Biggest Victory Margin – 18 Points

Highest Score – 73/100

Most number of words written by an Author in Freelance Talents Championship 2013.

FTC Experience 

Freelance Talent Championship, naam sunkar hi darr lag raha tha jab pehli baar babaji ne iski ghoshna ki thi group mein. Bahut saare sawal dimaag me paida hone lage the. Ek mahatvapoorn sawal jo mere man me tha ki kya main dusre maharathiyon se lekhan ke maamle me chunauti de sakta hoon? Isi sawal ka jawab paane ke liye main iss competition me kudd para. Aaj karib 5 mahino baad jab main apna performance dekhta hoon to thori santushti milti hai.

Iss competition me mere liye chunautiyan seedhe round-1 se shuru hogayi thi. Competition ke pehle tk jab bhi maine kuch likha hai, bhale hi vo class X ke board exam me article/letter hi kyun na ho, kabhi bhi word limit ko control nahi kar paya tha. Aur Round-1 mein 2500 words hi tha matra. Theme to general bharatiya samaj thi. Bheja fry hogaya ye sochte sochte ki kya likkhu. Iss baare me jab babaji se baat ki to unhone kaha ki indian history se bhi related ho sakti thi. Mera bas itna sunana tha ki jhatpat google chrome khola aur 3-4 indian conspiracies pe search maar daali. Inn sab mese mujhe Netaji SUbhash Chandra Bose ke gayab hone ka rahasya par jyada scope nazar aaya. Kahani iss tarah se likhni thi ki facts saare sahi ho but work mera complete original ho. To fir kai ghanto ki research k baad finally story complete hui aur turant maine submit kar di. Aur bhagwan ki kripa se ache margin se opponent Nehaji par vijay prapt ki.

Round-2 ka topic Love. What the f***! Aaj tk iss chiriya ke baare me kabhi jaana hi nahi to likhu kaise isspar. Bilkul bhi samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ki kya kare. Mere opponent the Sanjay singh ji jo alag hi maharathi hain. Mujhe laga ki mera patta ab to kata. Par fir bhi haar nahi maane. Chunki Love theme par kuch likh nhi sakta tha to 2-sub stories banayi ek hi story mein...Ek story arc purely love n frndship pe based thi to dusri mystery theme thi. Main to bas yahi minti kar raha tha ki kisi tarah ye round paar kar jau. Bhagwan ne meri vinti sunn li and voila! I m in round 3.

Pre Quarter Finals, mere liye sabse best round rahi kyunki theme aur word limit dono mere swadanusar thi. Iss round me maza bahut aaya. Confidence pichle do rounds se high tha. Kahani likh ke submit to kar di but opponent me tagre contender Mehfooz bhai the. Dil mein thora darr tha but finally round-3 bhi paar hogaya.

Quarter finals saamne tha aur tarah-tarah ke naye rules saamne aaye. Aur yahan se mere lekhan me decline aane laga. Colleges shuru hogye the to iss round se ache se stories nahi likh paya tha. Yes, its not an excuse and i feel i didn't give 100%. Main pura sure tha ki iss round me bahar ho jayunga. Mujhe khud apni story pasand nahi aa rahi thi iss round ki. But fir ek chamatkar hua aur opponent Ranjana Sharma ji jo ab title ki daavedaar maani jaa rahin thi aur lagatar achchha likh rahin thi par mujhe victory mil gayi.

Round-5 me meri takkar hui mahabali Mohit Sharma aka Trendster aka Babaji se. Aise hi story likhne ka time tha nahi upar se mile bhi to champion ke champion. Finally iss round mein luck ne saath chorr diya. Story nahi complete kar paane ki surat mein mujhe pichla work dena para jo parts mein tha. Ye story babaji ke work ko takkar nahi de paayi aur iss round mein bahar hogaya. Ab Bronze Medal jeetkar ye sukhad safar end karne ki ichchha hai koshish pooro rahegi meri taraf se.

Overall ye season-1 ka safar bahut hi romanchkari raha hai. Season-2 ke liye bhi tayaar hoon. Bring it on!

Combined Playoff Match for 5-8 Ranks

One of its kind a Combined Playoff Match to decide 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Rank. 

...........Daud Zaidi vs. Karan Virk vs. Ranjana Sharma vs. Deven Pandey

*) - Judge - Mr. Mandaar Gangele (Script Writer-Assistant Editor-Calligraphy at Raj Comics) & Mr. Anurag Kumar Singh (Script Writer-Idea at Raj Comics)

*) - Its a freestyle theme-less round, no rules except 5000 word limit and 5-Points penalty per 100 words bar and deadline Midnight 6 August 2013.

*) - Attractive Novels, Merchandise for 5th & 6th Ranks. (Yaani bas top 2 mey aana hhai 4 mey se)

Semi Finals Schedule & Details

Freelance Talents Championship (2013-14) : Semi Finals Schedule & Rules

Semi Final # 1 : Kapil Chandak vs. Siddhant Shekhar

Semi Final # 2 : Mohit Sharma vs. Rahul Ranjan

*) - Themes - Comedy, Horror, Satire, Mythology, Fantasy, Drama, Science Fiction.

*) - Word Limit - 5000 Words, Minus 5 Penalty per 100 Words Bar.

*) - 5 Bonus-Brownie Points for using 2 or more themes in your entry (*based on Judges, if both authors use multiple genres...better entry in this criteria gets bonus).

*) - Deadline - Midnight 5 August 2013.

Quarter Final # 4 : Siddhant Shekhar vs. Daud Zaidi

 *) - Leaving the Nest

(Siddhant Shekhar)

I know everyone expected me to submit a story, but college started and I still don't have a place to live yet or my laptop (not angling for grace sympathy numbers, I shappath! ) :) and I ended up writing this song instead. I know you must be thinking "Is this guy serious? He expects to win the round by sending in 20 rhyming lines against one of the best authors in the competition?", well, I don't expect to win. But I had my reasons to write this too.

 I walked out of the safety net my parents provided, from a small town into pretty much the biggest city I have ever been in. All alone. This song is about the fears and insecurities a person faces walking out into the real world. And I will consider myself a winner if this song strikes a chord (wink wink, see what I did there?) with anyone who remembers being where I am right now.

I'm just a little guy all alone in a big city, 

The buildings are so tall and the girls are so pretty, 

And it takes me five minutes just to cross one god-damned road.

I'm scared of losing myself to just a face in the crowd, 

I'm scared of being lost and then never being found, 

And I'm not ashamed to admit that I miss my Dad.

I'm all alone, Not a place to call home, 

But something tells me, I'll survive. 

Can't say I've been worse, Dunno a blessing or a curse, 

But a voice inside my head, tells me in the night.

That I'll survive.

Had never spent a night outside of my home, 

Now no one gives a fuck if I turn up or I don't. 

If I make it or I break it, all of it is now call my fault.

Hopes, dreams, secrets stay buried in my heart, 

With eyes closed you can't see no light in the dark, 

And you always need to think twice to know, if its a friend or a foe.

I'm all alone, Not a place to call home, 

But something tells me, I'll survive. 

Can't say I've been worse, Dunno a blessing or a curse, 

But a voice inside my head, tells me in the night.

That I'll survive. "

Yehi hai meri entry Bhaiya... I know its not much, but this song really means a lot to me.. :)

Rating - 35/100

Judge's Comments

1. No connect without reference - If you want us to connect with you, tell us the name of places, tell us things of family you miss. or things close to your college. name things, name people, don't name the city, but talk about things which anyone might connect to. kuch to bolo? ya sirf english mein eternal pain ki coolness maarni hai?

2. don't explain your work - never ever explain your work. If every film director did that before his film you would have 5 hour long films. Just make your product and give that to people, and let us do whatever we want - love it or shred it to pieces.

*) - Nazi

(Daud Zaidi)

October 18, 1939

“Come on line up, man in the left, children in the middle and women in the right one”, commanded the officer. He was wearing an army uniform with hat on his head on which the emblem of Nazi was carved.

“Fast, you douche bags”, command a second officer who was wearing same uniform as the previous one.

Families were separated from each other. There was a lot of noise of children and mothers crying as they were separated from each other. The bags, baggage, clothes utensils were lying all around. Many dead bodies were lying around. There was gloominess in the atmosphere as if the sky was dry with terror. The still coldness of the wind made it even more sizzling. The road was occupied by plenty of people where clear distinction could be made between Nazis and the Jews. The former were very nicely dressed and wore the specially designed uniforms while the latter were looking like goats which were being taken for sacrifice. The worry and stillness on their face could be clearly seen.

Isak could not let go his mother’s hand as she was being forced to join the line. 

“Please, let my family go”, begged Isak’s father standing on his knees and folding his hands.

“Get, in line you, bastard”, replied the officer, kicking him.

“Please let them go, I beg you”, he begged, touching the shoes which have just kicked him.

“No, No No”, yelled his wife as she was being snatched from her son and forced to stand in line.

“Mommy! Mommy”, screamed Isak as he was being pushed into the line with other hundred of kids.

“So, you want a bullet”, screamed the officer kicking Isak’s father once again. He pulled out a gun which was tucked toward right on his waist, aimed it just above Isak’s father head and pulled the trigger. With a large sound, the blood sputtered from his head with a little bit of flesh and his body dropped down to death. The officer next to him fire another shot to his head to ensure he was dead. The body went still.

“Noooooooooooo… ”, screamed Isak and ran toward his father but was caught by two officers, who slapped him on his head and made him to stand his line again. Isak quickly looked toward the line right to his, searching for his mother. But he could not find her. The line was constantly moving as the women were being taken away.

“Move fast and don’t talk!”, commanded officer in charge of their line.

Isak started moving in the line weeping, with other boys.

Finally they reached the chambers where the inspection was to be taken pace. First of all they were given the shower which was accompanied by the massive announcement which said that they were given slabs to sleep that night and it was mandatory for at least 4 persons to sleep on one slab making it the most of worse which could happen. Just like animals they were forced to sleep in a very congested area, mostly one over another which made it impossible to sleep. Every second of that night was turning out to be hours of utmost difficulty. Isak, on his slab laid down with is dark red eyes wide opened just like most of the members. His heart was still shouting mom, mom and his brain was still lounging for his dad whom he lost in front of his eyes before some time. Unlike other mates who slept , he was still awake in the hope of next day which could bring back her mother and father maybe; could bring back old days probably; could return his childhood. A bundle of questions such as how and why, flashed in his mind and he himself tried to search the answers. Seeking answers to such questions gave him a toll to pass the night which was till now not less than hell. Soon after couple of hours passed while he was again busy in his own question –answer session that he heard a noise.

“Wake up you buffoons”, a heavy voice interrupted his thought.

Isak hurried and ran towards the official who was having a 9mm pistol.

“Are you all deaf”, he repeated kicking the kids at lower bench.

Soon all the kids were lined up in a ground.

“Are we gonna die?”, asked Curtis, a 12 year old boy who was just behind him in the line.

“No, everything will be fine”, replied Isak moving slowly with the line.

“Who is he? Some kind of a doctor?” asked Curtis, again pointing his finger in the direction of man sitting on a chair with desk in front of it. There were files lying on his desk and an officer was standing behind him. It looked as if he was interviewing the kids.

“Keep your mouth shut,” commanded the officer standing nearby them.

“Stop! Stop right there”, commanded officer Straili who was incharge of the whole asylum.

Everyone’s eyes went into the direction to observe the cause of voice. Isak could see an 11 yr old kid running from the scene as fast he could. His face was white with fear, and was breathing heavily. He was wearing tattered clothes and his feet were naked. His feet were bleeding but he did not care. Officer Straili took his rifle hold it in the position to take a shot. With one eye closed, he could watch the kid running fast. But he was a better hunter. He pulled the trigger and boy dropped dead on the ground. 

“What is your name?”, asked the doctor as Isak reached to the doctor.

“Isak, Grovel”, he replied.

“What is your age?”

“14 and a half”, he replied politely thinking maybe being polite would set him free. It is human tendency to be polite in hard times thinking that it would pay better somehow.

Doctor wrote it in the register.

“Open your mouth”, ordered doctor. He opened his mouth thinking what possibly doctor could found in such a small time.

“Ok, close it”

“Jump!”, demanded doctor. Isak jumped

“Show me your hands, now turn to your, now to your right”, commanded doctor. He did it as it was asked.

“Now go to that line and stand there”, said the doctor pointing to a line.

Isak moved to the line and stood there watching the fear on other kids. He couldn’t help notice the other line which comprised of pale, weak and disabled children. He could guess their fate.

Soon, the selection process was over and they were sent to clean the field. They were given a dumpster can and have to collect the garbage and throw it the dumps.

“So, what will happen to us?”, asked Curtis picking up the garbage and throwing into the dumpster can.

“I, don’t know. I have to find my mom”, replied Isak doing the same.

“Where are you going to find her?”, asked the former again.

“I don’t know”, replied the latter picking up the garbage which seems to be now full and started moving to dump it constituents.

The night was not less worse than the previous one. His mind was heavy with the memories of past. What he could remember clearly as the day of his birthday. He was wearing a birthday cap smiling and standing in front of the table, where his birthday cake was lying with a candle in the shape of 14. His father and mother were standing beside him and a whole group of his friends were gathered for his birthday celebration. He blew up the candle and voice of birthday song went in air.

 Happy birthday to you;

Happy birthday to you;

Happy birthday dear Isak;

Happy birthday to you;

And there was a loud sound of clatters. He cut a piece of cake and takes a bite out of it. The celebration started and everybody was busy in the party.

“Oh, dad what the heck have you given me?”, asked Isak in frustration after he opened the gift given from his father.

“It’s a toy car”, replied his father.

“I am not a kid anymore, dad. I don’t want this”, yelled Isak tossing the car out of his bed.

“But I thought you would like it”

“You never thought about what I like, you only thought about himself. You are selfish dad. I hate you. I hate you”

That was the last time Isak was having conversation with his dad. Ever since he had wanted him to say sorry but was not able to say to him and now he couldn’t. 

He was just memorizing his dreams when he was disturbed by the loud noise of some sort of gun. The night as usual was clumsy and massive killings expanded much more than two days before.

November 6, 1939

In the next few days, Isak and his roommates were employed to clear up the streets. They went picking up the dead bodies of their relatives to clean the street. Those lacking in their commitment to work were instantly shot.

“Hey you boy, you come here”, ordered an officer standing nearby.

Isak hurried to hear what the officer was saying. 

“Take this parcel to General Straili, he must be at his house there”, said officer pointing toward the house near the field. It was a well built house surrounded by the fence from all sides. Guards were standing around it.

“Sure, sir”, replied Isak and hurriedly took the parcel and run towards the house to deliver it. He knew that if he would not hurry up, he will be lying in realm of bodies which he was sweeping.

“What do you want?”, asked the guard standing on the door.

“I have been assigned to deliver this parcel to General Straili, sir”, replied Isak looking toward the ground avoiding eye contact.

“Where is your card?”

“Here, Sire”, replied Isak taking out the card given to him by the doctor.

“Go”, ordered commander.

Isak climbed three stairs and entered the door which took him in the drawing room. It was a nice big room with an air of richness in it. There he saw a fine carpet which was laid in on almost all the part of the room. Opposite to him was a well build pair of sofa and a shining table made of glass. The air inside the room was warm and the curtains that blew here and there made it more pleasing and worth living. The General was sitting on the sofa and drinking scotch from a typical orthodox glass with cigar in his other hand.

“Stop there, you!”, pointing cigar towards the boy “You will ruin the carpet with your dirty feet”, he added.

Isak stilled immediately.

“This was to deliver to you Sire”, replied Isak avoiding eye contact.

“Mary! Mary!”, yelled General.

“Mary”, he roared again.

A woman hurried and stands by his side bowing down to him.

“Yes, sire”, she asked.

“Take the parcel from this idiot, fast”, ordered General.

Woman hurried toward the boy. Isak lifted his head to see only his mother standing in front of her. Tears rolls from his eyes.

“Mama…”, he said very slowly delivering the package and before he could say more, Mary signaled him to stop saying anything.

Mary delivered the package to General and bowed once again and left.

“What are you standing here for now? Get your dirty ass off here”, said Straili to Isak who could not help looking at her mother.

Isak left there with a heavy heart, promising to get his mother out of this hell.

Days past and a new stock of Jews arrived stuffed in a truck like clothes stuffed in a bag.

“Line them up”, ordered commander.

Twenty three men were lined in a row and General Straili and two other officers were holding there gun in their hand.

“Who from you are writers, engineer or educated?”, asked General.

Seven men raised up their hands in the air.

“So, what do you do?”, asked General pointing towards a man whose hands was up in the air.

“Sir, I am a perusing my p.h.d in economics and want to become a great vision…..”

Before he could utter anything else, he was shot him in his head and the two commanders took care of other six people.

“How many of you are workers, potters??”, asked General again loudly.

This time nobody raise their hands after the massacre they just saw.

“So, nobody of you knows how to work?”, asked commander moving two and fro along the row. Everybody was too scared to say anything.

“We want workers, not statues!”, he roared, shooting everybody in the line. Bodies were dropping one by one.

“Line up the next shift”, command General.

16 Decem1941

Soon Isak was promoted to work on extermination camps. It was a scene worse than hell. Hundreds of naked bodies were lying their taking to be incarnated. On one side there was a bundle of clothes and on other side there was bundle of shoes lying.

“Move these bodies for incarnation”, ordered an officer to the children.

They have to drag the body to a large pit where fire was burning and drop it in there.

“Work fast”, ordered again.

Soon a train arrives full of peoples.

“Come on, you all will be examined by doctor”

Isak saw doctors examining them one by one. Only some of them were considered fit and let them joining a line.

“Put off your clothes! Fast!”, shouted the doctor.

“What?”, questioned a pale slim man standing in front.

“And your wearings too! Throw them fast.” “Your bath is ready. So you all can have our bath inside the chambers and before going collect your towels and soaps from here” he added pointing towards a direction.

“We, we are thirsty; we had a long journey”, requested another pale man.

“Ha ha ,sure we have arranged coffee for you all. It’s cold outside”, chuckled the officer.

Soon they were walking towards the chamber and could clearly read the sign saying “bath”. The chamber was a huge one and was filled with hundreds of people. Once there was no space for extra one in the chamber its door was shut and locked. There was complete silence in the chamber. Soon, the solid petals of Zyklon-B were dropped from the ventilators releasing the deadly Hydrogen Cyanide gas into air making it toxic. Those who were close to the petals immediately went dead while the others suffered about twenty minutes more of their miserable life.

Noises of shouting and screaming could be heard even out of the chamber clearly suggesting that those inside were fighting for their lives. Their skin began turning pink and green, blood coming out of their mouths and ears and soon they were dead.

The chamber was opened and gas was removed. Isak and his friends were put to work as Sonderkommando, which was the unit of Jewish workers. Their work was to clean the gas chamber  and to shave the heads of bodies and then dispose them.

December 12 1939

“I have seen him working as Sonderkommando ”, whispered Martinus, a well built man who looked to be in his early forties.

“Really, they all would be treating my son as an animal” , cried Mary with utter focus.

“Yeah! I know because I too am a Sonderkommando, and he told me to tell you that he is fine after he knew I also do work for General Straili”

“Please guide me! I need to save my son.”

“How can I help?”

“Please, I need to visit my son!”

 “ok ok don’t take your decision in such a hurry. It can even cost your life.”

“There is no need of my living if my son dies, I am living here because of him only.”

“Somebody is coming, I should leave now”

2 days later…

 “I talked to your mother”, said Martinus, shaving the hair of corpses.

“How is she?”, replied Isak doing the same.

“Yeah! She only wants you to be safe”

“I am gonna let her out from that hell, I have been working here only in a hope to see her”

“Hey you two!, Do your work with your hands and not with your mouth”, roared an officer.

“What you think are we doing here?”, yelled Isak unable to control his frustration for his mother.

“You talk to me like that, you filthy dirt”, roared the officer even louder.

He pulled out his gun smashed on Isak head twice. Blood started sprouting out off his head and the soil beneath his feet too became reddish. Isak laid unconscious there.

“He is no more of our use take him to Dr Mijeli. I think he is of better use to him than us.”

Soon he was taken to the hospital of Dr Mijeli where an air of weirdness was spread. It was really a big hospital with plenty of doors and corridors. The entry was a glass door with was led through an incline plane accompanied by two small stairs. The color red was painted all over and and probably symbolized danger.

“Yummy! I badly needed another child. I need to do some sort of experiment.” he uttered.

“That’s why we bought to you sir cause you are a great experiment geek!”, replied the persons who bought the child.

“Well done! you really did a commendable job. I will write a letter of recommendation to Chancellor”

“Thanks sir!”

“Anything thing else you want from me ?”

“no.. no sir”

“they probably you may leave”

“Sure sir!”,and left the venue.

“Hey child can you hear me? ”, he shouted towards Isak.

“m……m……”replied the lonely child and could say no more.

Soon he was taken to the chair and strapped so that he could not move. The sub conscious child could do nothing and could only wait for the proceedings to start. The proceedings were really queer as it was a head injury experiment. Above him was placed a mechanized hammer which came down after every few seconds and wet back. This continued for couple of minutes and the child was left after few minutes for observation.

December 27, 1939

A woman ran quietly in the street of Germany among the vast crowd of other women. Her face resembled that of Isak, thereby indicting she was Isak’s mother. She came towards the camp where she was told he was compelled to work. Her eyes were constantly in search of his son and never relaxed even for a minute. The desire to meet his son grew more and more and so was her heart. But still the boy was not visible to his eyes. The fear of being killed by the officers was nearly killing her and that was what made her more desperate to meet his son. She was excited by seeing a cluster of children and here she decided to ask about her son for the first time.

“Hey you little angle, you know a boy named Isak”, she enquired.

“Perhaps, I know him”, a voice came back.

“Where?? Where?? Please could you tell?” she excitedly replied again.

“My name is Curtis and I wonder you are his mother if I am not wrong.”

“Yeah my child but where is he?”

“He would be at the backyard working on the dead bodies you can go their but be patient I have not heard of him from many days.”

“I don’t get you my son”

“See! We became friends in our early days of evil and then he being fit was made a Sonderkommando while I was ordered to clean the dump”

“Thanks child! God will pay reward to you for this.” she said and was lost in the milling crowd among the woman.

“I think you are best suited to serve as a guide, aren’t you”, chuckled the officer pointing the gun towards Curtis.

“What? I... I didn’t get you”

“But I got you”, he screamed and shot on his forehead Curtis dropped dead and then ordered “get that silly woman!”.

Mary on the other hand soon reached the spot and found her son.

“Isak”, she shouted.

“Over here listen” she again uttered.

“Who are you”, replied the confused boy.

“I…I am your mother son! Your mama”

“My head is bursting with pain…. I don’t know you”

“Listen! You don’t remember me, your mother. Look at my face

! Yes these eyes.”

“Please! I am full in pain, who am I ? .. Let me concentrate”.

Isak had gone insane because of the brutal shocks he received in the hospital. Soon he and his mother were captured by the goons of officer and were mentioned in the list of the persons who were to be taken in the gas chamber. Isak’s mother walked slowly towards the gas chamber looking at her child holding his hand.

********************************************************

Somewhere in unknown location :

“That’s how it ends”, said a figure wearing red robes closing the book from which he was reading. The title of the book written on the cover was “Holocaust”.

Two more figures were also present on that venue which was completely white. One of them was standing in front of him who was wearing the white robes the other was wearing green robes sitting on chair higher than the other two.

“It’s your turn”, pointing towards the one with the white robes.

The figure turns to the table and took a book lying on it. The title of the book read “The Denial Of Holocaust”…... 

Rating - 17/100

Entry Eligible for Multiple Genres Bonus (in Given Theme Options for Quarter-Finals) - Plus 5

Final Rating - 22/100

Judge's Comments

1. English - Your english is really like physics textbook, most of us speak like this - using phrases like former, although, now, So. - Your english doesn't need to be heavy with big words, but needs to be less physics textbook. Whichever language you use, use it nicely. Use English, Hindi, or even Hinglish, doesn't matter. 

 2. Choice of topic - World is a complex place, there are so many stories which have never been told. Holocaust has been done to death - something similar could be the mass killings in Mizoram in 60's. You could write about that. 

3. Pace, engross - You could find a new leaf in the holocaust story. but your pace was too slow and got too boring. the story was not able to contain my interest.

4. Grey - Everything, every character, movement is black or white. There's no grey in your story. Grey is real life - grey is interesting.

5. Too many DVD rip films and too little real life - I feel this story was an effect of too much torrent downloading and film viewing. Real life around you has far more stories. Move around. Look around.

Result - Mr. Siddhant Shekhar wins the match and qualifies for Semi Finals. Mr. Daud Zaidi (and Subst. Mr. Eesh Khan) are eliminated from Freelance Talents Championship. However, they are eligible for combined play-off match deciding 5 to 8 ranks. 

Judge - Mr. Sumit Kumar (Author-Artist : Famous for Aaapki Poojita, Kashmir ki Kahani, Uud Bilaw Manus,  Widhwa Ma Andhi Behen, The Itch You Can't Scratch. Cartoonist at Newslaundry, earlier at Pop Culture Publishing & Comic Con India).