Sivaram Govindaraj

“VOYAGE TO RUBI ISLE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

I was on the plane travelling to a new destination – a tropical island where I hadn’t been before. I had been promised I would see ‘wild’ Nature, wild life and natives who had almost no touch with civilization. Why was I going there? I am an author of published novels which have sold better than hoped. I wanted to write another, set in a jungle for which I needed the background. As the aircraft flew on lunch was served. I looked at the items on the tray on a folding table before me. Right then the aircraft shuddered violently and since I was...

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“CARPE DIEM” by Sivaram Govindaraj

King Fez ruled Rubi Isle on planet Tellus – earth’s twin about 800 years behind but evolving. It was a prosperous country in many ways: The land was very fertiIe with two rivers flowing through it. It produced many crops besides vegetables and fruit. The fishing industry was teeming as there was an abundance of marine life to be had. Under King  Fez’s rule citizens were prosperous, content and happy. Fez had a Chief Minister (CM) who was very clever and guided the king to rule wisely. One day CM requested an audience with the king which...

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“TRYING TIMES” by Sivaram Govindaraj

The island kingdom of Bugbe in planet Tellus was prosperous being a fruit producing centre. The soil was fertile and a large variety of fruits were grown there like banana, papaya, guava, mango and jack fruit. King Fez ruled Bugbe. He was an able ruler and ruled fairly with the advice of his Chief Minister (CM). Fez had married a very beautiful young woman and their only daughter Chumci was lovely. She had now turned 17 and many suitors had come forward to marry her. Bugbe would celebrate the coronation day of King Fez annually by feast...

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“MEMOIRS OF FEZ” by Sivaram Govindaraj

(This story is set on GAIA2 earth’s twin, 800 years younger and evolving.) My name is Fez and I was only 18 and very adventurous when I got a strange idea which was to go to the edge of the world and look down below. I went to Wiz an elderly man and sought advice. Wiz said “It would be very dangerous. So far no one has embarked on such a venture.” I said “I had a dream in which I saw a long mountain range at land’s end preventing me from going beyond.” Wiz said “Yes. That’s the mountain called Bu which blocks people from going or looking bey...

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“PLACE IN THE SUN” by Sivaram Govindaraj

The Desun family consisted of Desun, his wife and their daughter Judy. Desun had risen from a humble waste collector to now become a supervisor. The Desuns lived in a quarter allotted to them. Judy had been schooling indifferently as she wasn’t interested in studies. Though a neighbour took interest to tutor Judy she always got failing grades. She was good at sports and the PT master Silva said she would be a success in sports. He would say to her “Judy, complete school. I’m sure you can succeed me. You know I’m approaching 60 and will retir...

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“THE SECRET TATTOO” by Sivaram Govindaraj

(This story is set on earth’s twin planet GAIA2, 800 years younger and evolving}Rubi Isle was a prosperous place. It was known as the granary of the region due to its massive agricultural output for which the Rubi river was mainly responsible. Nero was a rich landlord of the place. He was elderly and despite having two wives and children was always seeking to find a new woman to have a liaison with!Pico was only 21 and had strong biceps due to working as a farm labourer since childhood. He lived in a cottage on the farm where he was emp...

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“SATYR LAUGHED” by Sivaram Govindaraj

(This story is set on earth’s twin GAIA2, 800 years younger and is evolving.)Satyr was wandering around in human form in the woods of Rubi Isle when he sighted Magma of pretty face and form coming that way and asked her “Where’re you going?”“I’m going to Cito’s studio. I want him to make a statue of me. I suppose you know he has become famous: He made a statue of our king who rewarded him with a big sum.”“What has he done with the money?”“He has deposited it with my husband Zeq. You know Zeq owns sailing ships and is rich. He has promised to...

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“OPEN SECRET” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #105

RUBY SAYS: I am a woman with a ‘past’ and wonder who would marry me. I am fair, tall and have nice features. I know that if I dressed provocatively somebody would give me a wolf whistle. I have remained a spinster long enough and have decided to somehow take the plunge into matrimony. I had started reading matrimonial ads and one day this ad caught my eye : I am 43 and am a widower. My wife died of natural causes after 22 years of marriage leaving behind a daughter who is now 19. I am idealistic, broad minded and in good health. I am looking...

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“WAVERLY” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #105

MARTHA SPEAKS: The Waverly Estate had been founded by an Englishman in India and he had left it to his heirs. Pete now owned it and after he had passed on...... I am going too fast! I am Martha a maid in Pete’s household. I practically grew up in Waverly. Pete had arranged for me to wed Dick who ran the farming wing and we lived in a quarter on the grounds while he lived in the spacious main bungalow alongside where I would cook and keep house.  Pete was a very large hearted and good natured man who remained a bachelor. One day he sudde...

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“A SUPERMAN STORY” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #104

(This story is set on GAIA2 earth’s twin, 800 years younger and evolving.)“Are you coming tonight?” asked Ruma wife of Zip who jointly ran a liquor outlet on Rubi Isle. She had put the question to Aruma the leader of a dance group whom she had run into on the street. It was the king’s birthday and many had been invited for the party in the palace grounds.Aruma said “Of course I’ll be there with my dance team to entertain the guests. However some girls of my group want to stay away after what happened last year.” The party had been invaded by...

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“STRANGER AT THE DOOR” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #104

It was a Saturday morning – a day away from work - and I sat studying Reedsy’s prompts. There was the usual $50 stake and I felt I could meet at least one of the prompts. It was quiet and sunny outside and the atmosphere was noiseless and very conducive to my efforts at writing. I must confess that I long to be left alone undisturbed to pursue writing. To start complying with Reedsy’s prompts I arranged my 2 dictionaries and the thesaurus for easy reference. Of course I could refer dates or data from Google. Only thing I needed was insp...

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“THE CIRCUS” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #104

(This story is set in GAIA2, earth’s twin planet about eight hundred years younger and is still evolving.) That morning Beq was seated in his home on Rubi Isle when his wife Coma joined him. While he was an ordinary happy going man, Coma was a cynic. Now they heard an announcement from the street: “Come and see magician Magi’s tricks! See the horse riders and acrobats showing off their skills. You’ve waited two weeks for this show” Beq said “Coma let’s go and see the show.” “It must be something stupid as usual. The clowns will talk dirty a...

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“DREAM COME TRUE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #103

(This story is set on earth’s twin planet GAIA2 which is younger by about 800 years and is evolving.) Ruma was young and shapely. Attired in a pareyou the usual wear of that land, she looked stunning. She was very bold and adventurous and often wondered about life beyond her native Ruby Isle. That was because she had never travelled anywhere as her family was very poor. If asked, her friends would say Ruma was very imaginative and very sociable. That festival day, she with her parents participated in a community dinner.  Back home late,...

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“LOOKING BACK” by Sivaram Govindaraj

It was a 2-in-1 picture with a photograph and a painting mounted together and framed with glass. The glass was cracked. The painting was of a lily pond and the photograph was portrait of a handsome young man. I tried to take down the picture to study the signature when the brittle wood backing, powdered and fell to the floor leaving the glass to fall noisily to the ground. I looked round guiltily wanting to apologize but there were none alongside. I cleaned up the mess I had created. I stood looking at the cardboard mounted with the picture ...

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“STRANGERS ON RUBI ISLE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #102

(This story is set on planet earth’s twin GAIA2 which is 800 years younger and is evolving.)Whizma – the wizard and witch of Rubi Isle said to her client “What you said is true. I didn’t see it but it seems recently one night a star descended on our land and 3 strangers alighted. The star then disappeared. The 3 who landed have peculiar names. The tall man is Fred, the woman who is his wife is named Wilma. The third person is a male named Barney.”In the privacy of their home Fred said “Wilma, the queen appears a nice lady and has allowed us ...

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