The Man with the Red Hair

A small, lithe, rather feminine figure, dressed all in red. Bushy red hair that is tied back with a simple band; bangs frame a soft oval face, accentuated by large, beautiful, unique violet eyes. The beauty of these magnificent eyes is further enhanced by long, dark lashes. However, intriguing though his eyes and hair may be, his most distinguishing feature is the large cross-shaped scar on his left cheek: most likely an old sword wound.

Himura Kenshin is what he calls himself, this Rurouni, wandering through Japan in the eleventh year of the Meiji-- the only man who carries a sakabatou. Of what use is this sakabatou, you ask? Why, he uses it to protect those weaker than himself. He seems to be... Atoning for something. Seeking forgiveness. What for?

Hitokiri Battousai is his past self. Get it? The prodigious young warrior who started off as an assassin for the Ishin Shishi, the legend who slashed open the age of Meiji, thereby ending a very dark chapter in Japan's history... He just disappeared after that, didn't he?

Perhaps, to you, understanding his Psychology is difficult. He is, after all, a human who is desperately attempting to atone for all the irreplaceable lives he took, even if it was for the greater good. Why would such a legend throw everything away to function as a seemingly nondescript vagabond, wielding a reverse blade? Because he is.... Himura Kenshin.

Doesn't that scar send a chill down your spine? It's his only scar. Something lurks in his eyes as he absently raises a hand to touch that scar... Is it regret? Pain that can never be forgotten? Sorrow? Fear of the past? Is he re-living that terrible snowy night-- is he smelling blood and white plums again? Or is he thinking of that shadowy evening in Kyoto, when he acquired the first half of the scar? All of the above, I'm sure.

However painful his past might be, when HER loving, warm hands embrace him and make him feel he's safe, wanted, and loved, the demons of those times quiet down. He closes his eyes and sinks comfortably into her gentle yet strong caress, thanking his stars for her. She is the best thing that ever happened to him,  and he knows it. Unlike before, he can truly smile and laugh when she's with him, and only she can save his soul; bless her strong, dear, brave heart! She's the one who keeps him grounded and sane.

As I look at the happy little group standing outside Kamiya Dojo, I smile to myself and press my hand upon my heart. I want Kenshin to smile like that as long as he can.

Kenshin Kaoru Megumi Sanosuke Yahiko... I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!! ♥ ♥


Ah... Dear reader. Adieu. Until next time, then!

In Honour of World Mental Health Day, 2019

(Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, and here is my new blog post in honour of it! I really hope it has an impact on society!)
Thanks to my sister, who is very woke and aware about everything, I found out that today, October 10th, is World Mental Health Day. There are a lot of people who aren't aware that such a day as this exists, and prior to this, I was one of them.It's a day for being vocal about mental health and breaking the social stigma associated with mental health; we're already in the twenty-first century, and yet there is very little awareness of mental health issues. Not to mention, in a country like India, words like "crazy", "insane" and "paagal" are thrown around too lightly, as if they don't mean anything. Like literally-- I don't get it! Why are people so insensitive about such important issues? And before you begin to think that I'm preaching, let me tell you that it's only recently that I began maturing and actually paying proper attention to people's mental health (again, I have my sister to thank for that). Wouldn't this world be a far more beautiful place if people were really considerate and kind to others without judging them? Compassion and empathy are "human" traits that have all but disappeared. Society looks down on and dismisses individuals who are suffering emotionally and psychologically.They're contemptuously told to "snap out of it" when they're bold enough to share their agony with their relatives, friends, or with the world. What's worse, they are often thrown into asylums to be locked up for all eternity. NO, fellas. If people could really just "snap out of it" or "be happy", why would they be unwell in the first place? We have to stop distancing ourselves from those who are suffering. You could very well have a relative (or someone very dear to you) who is in deep agony and in very poor mental health; that person might even have suicidal tendencies or could be a past-suicide-attempt survivor. You care about this person's condition, but don't know how to express yourself or talk about their suicidal tendencies, because you're afraid that talking about it will increase the risk of suicide. Well, I get it. I used to have the same fear. However, this is just a myth. Talking to them about it will not, in most cases at least, make them kill themselves at once. And as for the fear of not knowing what to say... Did you know that often, a simple but very sincere "I love you" can work wonders? Your relative/friend/whoever, who was probably feeling unloved and worthless, will know that you CARE. That you really want to keep them in comfort, that you do not want them to feel unloved and/or neglected. It's difficult for people to share their pain with others. It really is. And as most of the folks around them can't hear their silent cries for help, for love, for re-assurance, for comfort, they feel like they've got to *prove* how sick they are. "I didn't know she was depressed for six months. She seemed fine!" Sure she did. Because you couldn't recognise the signs. I'm not trying to be harsh here. All I'm saying is that we should all be able to recognise the signs of any mental health issue, in our loved ones or in ourselves. Yes, you could be suffering from something, but you may not be aware of it. Let's not wait any longer. Let's do what is necessary and help the world-- as well as ourselves. Keep this in mind-- if you're looking after who is very fragile emotionally, make sure to take care of your own mental health too. You can't look after them if you're not in good shape, right? They need you, but you need yourself, too. Do take care of yourself too.

Thank you so much for reading this! 💚💚💚 Let's all do our bit and spread awareness about mental health issues! 

Portrait of a Girl Reading

Sunlight filters through a small window in the far corner of the cheerless room. The walls are painted a fresh yellow in an effort to infuse some life into the tiny chamber; however, the attempt is poor, the chamber as lifeless as ever-- or so it would be, were it not for the single individual seated on the large chair that is placed right in the middle of the otherwise bare room. Her elbow, clothed in a ruffled yellow sleeve, gently rests on the arm of the chair, while long, slim fingers caress a small, red book. Tiny letters are scrawled lovingly across the leaves; the young lady is thoroughly occupied in this pleasant occupation, her regal head slightly inclined as her eyes peruse each word carefully. She is, indeed, quite a beauty. A swan-like neck; long brown hair that is becomingly tied up with lavender ribbons-- a hairstyle that indicates she is a woman, not a girl; not any more. She is fair, but not pale; her cheeks are a healthy red, almost the same colour as her lips. She reminds one of a rose-- is as she as sharp as those beautiful, thorned flowers? Intellectually, yes. Definitely. And if provoked, she has quite a temper.

"She has a man's mind." "Young girls should worry their pretty little heads about Romance, not Philosophy." "Your beauty will get you a husband, not your knowledge!" How tired, how sick she is of hearing these words over and over.

Her mind, which had begun to wander slightly as she fumed at Society, immediately returns to her present task. The expression in her eyes-- is it joy? Bright, unmitigated, unrestrained joy? Is it love? A deep and tender love, unperturbed, heavenly, divine? Is it the light of intellect and enlightenment-- the blessing of the Gray-eyed Goddess? She is one with her little book, almost attaining a state of divinity in the process.

That book-- what depths of wisdom does it contain? Is it Pilgrim's Progress? Is it Greek philosophy? Is it one of Euripides' tragedies? Is it Latin poetry, a sweet pledge of eternal love perhaps? Is it a social commentary on the position of women in society? Is it Milton's Paradise Lost? Or is she delving into the gritty and grotesque but entrancing world of the Brothers Grimm? Or-- Ah! Could it not be one of William Shakespeare's immortal plays? The Winter's Tale, perhaps?

She has not invited us into her world, and therefore one is forced to make these assumptions... She is quite the mysterious, serene, thought-provoking woman. Is that not so? She has not attempted to actively prevent anyone from interrupting her, but her aura speaks clearly. Extremely clearly. Let us quietly let the brocade curtains fall on this scene, as we withdraw and leave her to her pursuit of Knowledge.