ArHi FF: An Anatomy of Angst [Complete] Interlude #1 14/Aug - Page 21

Originally posted by: archnahardik123

Well lots of things happen.

Arnav is right that at time like this every one should behave like soldier but everything is not in our control. Like the way Khushi freezes. Some act fast and some don't when face such thing.

Of course they can't go on like this and have to figure out some way to survive.

Loving this.

Originally posted by: Janu75

Khushi is feeling guilty for the man being killed...when zombies attack ,is there any way of getting escaped from them..to keep the human race alive

Originally posted by: viveka698

Oh well, what's the point in even getting trained in firearms...!

Our fighting instincts have clearly been eroded by years of civilization. But specifically, what has truncated women from their baser selves - is it patriarchy and generations of conditioning? - the kind of pacification that would like us to believe that women are innately all-beatific, nurturing, do-no-harmers - that men are protectors and women are protectees?

Women today, in general, are barely aware of their physical powers; barely get to shed their civilized skins while men are more likely to use their physicality. And just self-defense training isn't enough to stop a woman from being afraid during an assault, no? (thinking out loud here) In addition to training, it does takes lots of mental preparation, the "choice" to fight, and ceaseless anticipation of danger to help channelize such unhealthy fear and react.

@Meera30: Survival of the fittest alone isn't enough, no? For the human race to carry on, females are also (more) necessary. So, it's more like - survival and reproduction of the fittest. From this perspective, I think whichever soldier it was that died protecting her did good to "prolong the process of the end", as you so eloquently said.

Most importantly, for human race to survive in such dire circumstances, shouldn't the balance of power (responsibility) between the sexes be reestablished?

P.S.: Dude, you made me fall in love on a damp Monday morning. You write about human psyche so darn well. It's a great day to live! :=)

20. Test of humanity - Part 2

"I am sorry you lost a man today." Khushi tells Arjun.

"It's our job." He shrugs. She winces at the terseness in his voice and tension set in his shoulders. "I don't like it but it happens on the field." He adds gently. The guilt on her shoulders doesn't lessen.

"I know they are already dead and are just zombies. But they were real people few days before. They had family, dreams, job...a life. It was...I couldn't..." She slides down the wall and sits with her legs drawn to her chest.

"Don't ever apologize for being human." He says softly.

Originally posted by: Raila1014

For Christ's sake Kushi, it is do or die now and you cannot think of the danger as having a past or feel sorry for them. I am sorry for sounding cruel but I feel sorrier for the soldier who died defending her than the zombie who is already gone. no time to feel sentimental, I am afraid. I feel one needs to adapt to what is required in the immediate situation and for the long run. Maybe their running away is pointless but it will be like giving up without a fight if you start getting sentimental. I am glad it is not Arjun who is dead as I kinda like the make of the group at the moment. There is a good balance between dreamers, doers, fighters, authoritative figure, etc . . And the best part is they are not fighting each other yet. You need all kind to make a start somewhere and both sexes are present in this group so reproduction is guaranteed. They just need to figure out a place where they can lay down roots and start over again while defending against the zombies assuming their young ones will survive now. This is kinda like starting in a new colony all over. Even if the land is familiar, everything has changed. Are they tough enough make it?

Originally posted by: greenteaholic

Adaptation is not like flipping a switch. There is a minority of people out there who have it in them to change with a moment's notice. Imagine a situation where everything you have come to know and love is gone. Everything that you considered as necessity is now a luxury. Every thing that was taught to you is pretty much arcane. Add running for your lives into this mix.

Yes, Khushi's moment was an utter failure. And that shows how unequipped she is in this situation. Yet nature put something in her that made her immune to the parasitic virus. Her behavior only shows the flawed nature of humanity - there is no logic to all their actions.

Originally posted by: Raila1014

don't you think she has seen enough death and devastation around her by now to only care about the living and not the dead? I am only saying this because it has been a while since the tragedy hit and for me at least the choice between saving my loved ones and myself over a threat to our safety is a no brainer. Maybe I am losing touch with my humane side as I grow older or have spent too much time in men's companies that it is easier to shed the emotional side in face of danger. She seems to still be hopeful inspite of all this - why run otherwise? Or is she simply resisting because she has the security of the group around her? Would she have given up if not for them?

Originally posted by: viveka698

I was expecting Part 2 to be about another encounter altogether...

She seems to be withdrawing / not allowing herself to fundamentally change...and willing to uphold her (skewed) sense of morality despite the threat they face. Does Khushi also think it's not worth surviving if they lose their human-ness? Is this the fine line of difference she perceives to be between them and zombies?

I'm thinking the only moral code that would work in such a situation is - collective responsibility!