Eyes of A Broken Warrior
& Other Short Stories
by
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Behind the veil she stood. Her misty and shady eyes glistened beneath the silver satins of her wedding gown. The lavish wedding gown her wealthy husband had selected especially for her mesmerizing beauty. Her lips were pursed in silence, an eerie silence which possessed her soul. Silence meditated in the room as she drew the curtains open. The sunlight penetrated through her as she shunned away in sadness, sobbing. She saw herself in the mirror, a shattered and helpless bride struggling in the clutches of the gambles of love. She took a gentle step towards her reflection which echoed her actions. As she felt the glassy touch of the mirror, her spine tingled with fear and confusion. No longer holding back her tears, she burst into relentless sobs. Tears streamed down her rosy cheeks, eroding the make-up which added shine to this dazzling Barbie doll. Just as the clock struck ten, the music box on her bureau sprang to life. A tune radiating love and joy filled the air and within moments, she found herself before the old chapel at her university.
The cold winter winds froze the windows. Gloominess entwined the dilapidated chapel. The angels wore expressions as bleak as the grey snow which showered from the omniscient heavens above. The chapel was her only solace and her only source of refuge from the brutal rogues. She had spent twenty-one long and arduous years toiling laboriously to make a living. Her chauvinistic parents condemned her. She was worthless in their eyes. She openly wore the wounds of their spiteful and vindictive remarks. No one believed in her. Yet, she had pulled through against all the odds and proved to the harsh world that nothing was impossible for this warrior. She had never allowed herself to succumb to the wicked world. She had a lion’s heart which had devoured the discouraging words of her parents with vengeance. She scored with flying colours in all her examinations and she strode with pride embroidered all over her self-woven tapestry of courage. Many storms had attempted to capsize her ship and interrupt her journey of life. Her sail was strong and her oar even mightier. She wondered at times if she should have been born a boy as no feeble-hearted princess would have been able to withstand the trials she had. When her grades were soaring, she thought she had the picture-perfect life. Emotions of ecstasy gushed through her veins as she was living her dream. However, like all good things, this was about to come to an abrupt end.
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About the Book
‘Every time I close my eyes, I listen to the world around me All I here are wars & cries for help from all four corners, Will this violence ever end between countries, between hearts? Can’t the love we preach be for real just this once Or does it remain a distant dream in another universe?’ Paulo Coelho once said that a warrior always knows what is worth fighting for. From the child suffering from an irreversible genetic condition to the innocent girl who is scarred by acid by her inebriated husband, Eyes of A Broken Warrior & Other Short Stories recounts the stories of true survivors across the world from their perspective. Be inspired by their story, like none other you have ever heard before.
About the Author
It’s been a whirlwind of events since 2005 when R R Pravin first started writing for his school. From a small town writer, Pravin went on to collect multiple literary awards over the course of his writing career and has gone on to be nominated as a finalist in international competitions such as the Indie Excellence Awards and most recently, the International Book Awards in 2012. This time, the author returns with one of his most interesting works yet – a compilation of his best works from the time he started writing till today.
A clever mélange of a wide diversity of styles, Pravin successfully marries the polar ends of writing by combining soulful literature with his contemporary raw words. Drawing inspiration from local legend, Catherine Lim’s earlier collections, this short story compilation is a first and hopefully not the last from this talented gem. A well-crafted chef d’oeuvre, Eyes of A Broken Warrior & Other Short Stories, promises to strike a chord with readers from all walks of life. With stories that sympathise with a tragic heroine to stories that portray the ugly nature of humanity, there is a surprise in store awaiting all readers. Without doubt, a revitalized departure from his previous works, Eyes of A Broken Warrior & Other Short Stories is out of its league for an author this young. Pravin adopts the persona of a broken warrior who shares his or her experiences throughout the novel.
From the unforgettable début, African Girl (2008) and the political thriller, When Angels Bleed &
Devils Lie (2009) to his first ever children’s horror novel, Phantom of Keys (2011), Eyes of A Broken Warrior & Other Short Stories celebrates survivors and role models across the world who have influenced Pravin’s life in one way or another. To date, this novel is Pravin’s most intimate novel with powerful autobiographical elements, honouring his late father and people who have been quintessential to his life. Besides lapsing into philosophical moments, a couple of short stories in this collection are odes to his medical knowledge which is a pleasant surprise. This can only be expected as Pravin journeys on, one step closer to fulfilling his dream to become a doctor someday.
“Wow, it’s been a hurricane since everything started but at this point of time, my writing only longs for readers to feel the intensity of its imagery and the strength of its symbols. Looking back at my favourite short stories, I had a great time picking out the ones to die for and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did. There is so much raw emotion, unembellished, especially for you to see the real me. My wish for you is to be inspired.”
A native of Singapore, Pravin is currently pursuing Medicine at the National University of Singapore.