Special Edition: Hema Ravi

Hema Ravi

Breaking News (Micro Story)

The package movers stopped in front of the large gate.  One of the helpers got down, opened the gate, and let the truck in. Unlike in city homes, this country home had ample space for the large truck to enter the open courtyard. 

From a large window in the living room, Sheena watched them; they seemed professional and went about their work meticulously.  In no time, they unloaded all the boxes from the large truck – about ten large crates, which they started opening, for reorganizing in the Basus’ abode.    A few office staff had also accompanied them to assist in the unpacking.  

The sofas, cots, refrigerator, washing machine, steel cupboards, television set, computer, and dishwasher were placed neatly in their respective places. Then the kitchen stove, utensils, storage bins, and the rest of the kitchen gadgets were arranged in the allotted spaces.  

Sheena directed the domestic helper to prepare tea and bajjis for all.  

The tea and snacks energized everyone.

After the tea break, the office assistants left.

Sheena noticed only three crates were left.  Upon one – “Fragile! Handle with care” was written. She instructed the movers to skip that and open the other two crates.

Sitting with her teacup, Sheena was reading a message on her mobile when a loud crash startled her and everyone else in the room.

“What’s that?”  She shrieked. 

A young helper stood there with his head down.

Her heart missed a beat when she saw it was the “Spring of Girl” sculpture – a large porcelain figurine that Anil had gifted her on her birthday a year ago.  

“How come it got packed in this crate and not in the ‘Fragile' box?” 

 An ominous sign…

The helper apologized and assured Sheena that he would get it fixed through a sculptor who lived in his neighbourhood.

Earlier that month, the diamond from her wedding ring had fallen off.  She searched but was unable to find the diamond stone; therefore, the ring was sent to the locker.  Anil assured her that they could always get another.  He added, “Losing a valuable object means one must shift focus towards non-material things to gain greater fulfillment in life.”

Anil was both rational and religious.  A conscientious professional, he always found time for his prayers – he did it sincerely and on time. Again, ostentation and vulgar displays of wealth were never his cup of tea.  Sheena found herself oscillating between the two. She was not as strong-minded as Anil.

“Two bad happenings!” 

 “Will more evil things happen? Will harm come to us?”

At that moment, Anil got a phone call.  His face was ashen as he listened.  He spoke very little, just said, I’ll be there soon… “Emergency, Sheena,” he said, and rushed out without looking back.

The cup of tea and bajjis lay untouched. 

An annoyed Sheena sat on the couch with a sulky face and switched on the television.  

BREAKING NEWS – “Aircraft with 200 passengers crashes just before landing and bursts into flames. Firefighters are dousing the flames. All are feared dead…”

A quick prayer escaped her lips.  A piece of art can be restored, a diamond ring too… Loss of human lives, who can replace them all???

Guard Your Psyche 

Fallen leaves have the power to rise again – 

Rejuvenation springs after a winter lull.

Hibernators arouse, stirred by their internal clock

Circadian rhythm compels humans to sleep.

The body rests, in sync with the clues in the environment

For food, clothing, and shelter, Humans must work.

Life has its lows and highs, its busts and booms

As the crests and troughs in a wave surge and descend.

Damaged objects can be restored.

Through corrective steps, goals can all be achieved.

Physical damage takes time; most often, it heals.

A destroyed psyche – resultant trauma overwhelms…

Bio: Hema Ravi is a poet, author, reviewer, editor (Efflorescence), resource person for language development workshops, and an independent researcher. 

She is the author of ‘Joie De Vivre,’ ‘The Cuckoo Sings Again,’ ‘Everyday English,’  ‘Write Right Handwriting Series 1,2,3.’

In 2023, 2024, and in March 2025, she conducted Communicative English sessions for the students of SheViL STEAM, an initiative of IITM.  She was a guest faculty trainer in the Virtual Communication Skills Program for the Undergraduate Students of IIT Madras in 2020 and 2021; resource person in the National workshop 'English Language Skills for Academic Purposes' at Sastra University, Kumbakonam (2019). 

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Setu, June 2025