ગતિભંગ Gatibhang (A Break in the Journey)

દુંગરની બદલી થઈ; પત્ની એને વળાવવા સ્ટેશને આવી છે.

Dungar has been transferred and has come to the station to leave for another town. His wife has come to see him off. On the surface all seems ordinary, yet a moist sadness of parting fills both hearts - one that neither speaks aloud.

રાહ જોતાં પત્નીને વર્ષોની યાદો એક સાથે આવી જાય છે.

As she waits for the train, a lifetime of shared days rises up in the wife's mind - small joys, little quarrels and reconciliations, and much that was never put into words. In one moment it all reaches her heart.

ગાડી ઊપડે છે; દુંગર હાથ હલાવે, પત્નીના શબ્દ હોઠે જ અટકે છે.

The train moves and Dungar waves from the window. The wife too tries to say something, but the words stop short of her lips. As the train gathers speed, the thread between the two seems to stretch and pull.

ગાડી દોડે પણ બે દિલ વચ્ચેની લાગણીની ગતિ થંભી જાય - એ જ 'ગતિભંગ'.

Here the title finds its meaning. Outwardly the train is moving, but within, the 'motion' of feeling between two hearts seems to halt for that instant - this is the 'gatibhang'. The writer suggests that some feelings are expressed without a word, in a single glance.

નાનકડા પ્રસંગમાં ઊંડી લાગણી - એ જ લઘુકથાની ખૂબી.

In very few words, through one small incident, the writer brings out a deep human feeling. A suspended, in-between state of mind deepens the mood. This is the strength of the laghukatha - few words, a profound meaning.