Short Story By: RANJIT SINHA ROY



"How much?"
"Three thousand "

Deepam finished tucking in his shirt, tightened the trouser belt, pulled up the zipper and then turned to her. She was lying flat on her back, a white sheet covering up to the neck. With half closed sleepy eyes she was observing him. Deepam felt uncomfortable, though a little while before, he was in bed with her and not a thread in-between. But, it was different then.

Though she covered her body, Deepam knew from the curves on the sheet that she was nude underneath. In the soft light of early dawn, lying flat in bed, with half-closed eyes, the girl looked irresistibly desirable. Somehow, with great difficulty he controlled the rising passion. He was not prepared to waste money, twice in a day, on a Call Girl.
He took out the purse, put three thousand rupees on the bedside table and said,
"Okay then, I am going now."

The girl was silently watching him and then when he was about to put on the shoes, she murmured demurely,
"Must you go now? It is Sunday today. We can have coffee together.” Her voice was soft like the early dawn light.

"Oh, sure, I won't mind." Deepam smiled.

He was surprised. This was something unusual. He spent many nights with professionals. But no one had ever asked him to stop for coffee. Those were absolute business affairs and no courtesy thrown in-between.

"Nice then. Now, would you please turn around, go to the window and enjoy the outside scenery for a minute. I shall be up and put on something. Do not turn around till I ask you." She was smiling.

Deepam did as told. He was amused at her shyness. Other professionals never bothered. Few minutes later she asked him to turn.

The girl was young, about twenty-three or so, may be few years younger than him. Tall, slim, well shaped and moderately fair. With large black eyes and a smooth oval face, she looked very attractive. Deepam did not notice these all last night. He was full of passion then. Now, she was in a light blue, flower printed pajama suit. With shoulder length faintly brown silken hair, loosely tied into a ponytail, she looked very much a pretty, young, college girl.

The room had a kitchenette. The girl asked him to sit in one of the two chairs at the small dining table and started preparing coffee. When ready, she brought two cups to the table.

They sat opposite each other and quietly sipped. Deepam continued to look at her pretty innocent face. Conscious, the girl gazed sideways through the open window, avoiding his admiring eyes. After sometime, she turned smiling,

"Is the coffee alright?" she asked.

"Oh yes, it is fine. " He smiled back.

Then, a little hesitantly Deepam said,
"We spent the night together, but still I do not know your name. May I ask it now, if you have no objection to tell?"

"Reena"

"Reena what? What is the family title?"

"I do not have any." She smiled. "I was only three days old when they left me on
the steps of the orphanage. I do not know who my parents were."

"What about religion?”

"Unlike most others, this particular orphanage is non religious. It is run on humanitarian principle. When children grow up sufficiently, they are given the choice to select their own religion. I did not choose any." She smiled, then asked,
"Have you finished coffee? Would you like to have some more?”

"Coffee was good. Won’t mind to have one more cup. It being Sunday, I am in no hurry. Will it be all right if I order some breakfast over telephone? No objections?"

"No. No objections." She smiled, turning at him while preparing coffee.

Reena was back to table with two cups. She sat down, pushed aside few stray locks from her forehead and smiled.
"Now I have told about myself, how about you?"

Deepam silently sipped coffee for a minute. Then said,
"I am Deepam, Vice President - Finance of a multi national company. Age wise I may be few years older than you. My parents are no more. Father was from north and mother a south Indian. They married despite vehement opposition of their families and were ultimately totally disowned by them. I have no idea who they are. I am all alone in this world"

"How about your wife? You are married, is not so?" She was faintly curious.

"No, I am not. I was a regular visitor to Pubs and Discos. Once I met a very attractive, fun loving, girl in one of those joints. By some unknown chemistry, we were madly drawn to each other and decided to give it a trial by living together" Deepam paused and then continued,
"Then only I discovered that she was a different type. She slept whole day and in the evening she would be off to her places of fun and come back late, heavily drunk. I was against drinking in the apartment, which she objected. In the process our relationship became strained. After a couple of months we were unable to tolerate each other and mutually decided to part ways before things went worse." Deepam smiled.

Doorbell rang. Reena opened and took delivery of breakfast packets. She arranged items in two dishes and brought to the table.

There were some thick textbooks, one half open, on the table. She asked Deepam to move them to the side rack and make space for the dishes.

Deepam noticed the books were for higher studies in Economics. Mildly surprised he asked,
"Whose books are these?"

"Why, mine! Whose else will they be!"

"Are you studying?"

"Yes. I am a postgraduate student in the Institute of Financial Studies. I am in the last semester now."

Speechless Deepam stared at her.

Reena smiled, "What, it seems you do not believe me!"

"No, no, not that. Only I could not correlate your profession with what you said." Deepam stammered.

Reena lowered her eyes.
"My profession is for the sake of my studies only."

"How come! I do not understand."

"See, the orphanage takes care of its wards upto the age of eighteen. Then they are left on their own. I was a good student, always the topper. By eighteen I passed Senior School with scholarship and wanted to study more. With the help of my orphanage I got admission in a good college with free tuition, boarding and lodging in the girls hostel. The scholarship amount was not much, but somehow I managed and after three years became a Graduate with Honors in Economics." She paused,

"After that, I wanted to go for still higher studies. But how? Then there was one girl in the hostel who was secretly in this trade. She suggested taking up this profession. Being a girl without family bonds, I did not have many inhibitions and after a little hesitation I agreed. The same girl arranged an agent and fixed this apartment for me. Here everybody knows that I work in a Call Center and thrice a week I attend night shift. " She smiled.

"Where do you operate?" Deepam was curious now.

"It is always in star hotels. I do not go to other places, nor do I call customers to the apartment. You are an exception."

"Why this special treatment for me?" His eyes twinkled.

"I do not know what came over me last evening. I think I liked your voice over the phone or your way of talking or my intuition or something, I can not say exactly."

What if anyone here asks, who I am?"

"My long lost cousin, I would say." She giggled.

After breakfast they sat in the long sofa in the living space. There was a TV set and a couple of women's magazines on a side table.

They talked of simple things in life, avoiding anything bitter or unpleasant. She told about her college, institution, friends and classmates. Her favorite novels, music albums, TV serials and films. She narrated a picnic trip arranged by the institute and fun they had. She was like any other well brought up, fun loving college girl. There was not a trace of the profession she practiced.

Depam told about his own student days, his office, his colleagues, friends and his favorite books, films and music. They mostly matched her taste. He told about his trips abroad and people, cities, landscapes and some interesting experiences he had there.

They went on talking and talking and suddenly realized it was almost noon.
Deepam got up and said, "I shall make a move now."

"Must you go now?" She stood up looking sad.

Deepam had a strong desire to hold her in his arms and shower kisses. But he controlled himself. They had a wonderful morning together. He did not want to spoil it.

"When can we meet again?" Deepam asked holding her hand. It was soft and delicate.

"Any time you want." She opened the door and stood aside.

"Alright, next Saturday evening then. I shall come a little early. Be ready, by say, seven thirty. We shall have dinner outside."

He walked to the lift. She stood in front of the door, as it was about to close and waved at him.

While going down, Deepam wondered 'was it real’! He never expected a professional to be like her. He had plenty of experience with Call Girls. But Reena was totally different. Next Saturday was far off, seven days away. He was already getting impatient.

The week moved slowly and it was Saturday again. Exactly at seven thirty Deepam pressed the doorbell and almost immediately Reena opened, as though she was waiting near the door.

She was dressed up and ready to go. She wore a peacock blue dress. Had eye shadow and liners, a little blush-on and glossy lipstick on full lips. With pearl necklace and earrings, a thick silver bangle on one hand, cascading shoulder long silky hair, smooth soft skin, large eyes and oval face, she looked absolutely gorgeous. Wide-eyed, Deepam stared.

"What are you looking at?" Reena said blushing.

"I am looking at the most beautiful girl in town."

Reena blushed pink and looked at her polished fingernails. After some time she said
"Shall we go now or you want to wait for some more time?"

"No. Let us go. I am impatient to show the world that I have the prettiest girl with me tonight."

They were going through the Menu Card, when one middle-aged gentleman with a fat wife and two teen-aged children came in. They were about to sit in the table next to them, when the gentleman saw Reena and as though, seeing a ghost, became visibly pale. Hurriedly he moved over with his family to the furthest table and sat with his back to them.

Deepam was amused. He asked if she knew the gentleman. Reena said, "Yes. I shall tell you later."

On the way back, Reena told about the gentleman in the restaurant.

As he suspected, she said that, the gentleman was only once her customer. Most were like him, middle aged, pot bellied, with a dull wife and grown up children. Their sex lives being unsatisfactory, they would secretly engage a Call Girl in a hotel room and try to satisfy their lust. Unfortunately, in most cases, capability did not match the desire. Then in future, they never recognize the girl in public. It immensely suited her and in fact, she insisted with her agent to engage only such people.

Deepam laughed. "Wise girl. Did you think that I would also be like one of them?"

"Not at all. I had an instinct that you will be different and you did prove yourself more than expectation." She whispered shyly.

Returning to apartment they sat on the long sofa chitchatting for some time. Then she went to bathroom and changed to nightdress. Deepam brought a small night-halt bag from the car and put on the sleeping suit.

Then they moved over to the bed and after well past mid night, tired and satisfied they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Deepam woke up late and Reena was not by his side. She was in bathroom, under the shower, humming a popular tune. Few minutes after, she came out wearing a robe. Deepam pretended to be asleep. Reena prepared tea. Then coming to bedside called him. When he appeared to be sleeping, she put the teacups on the bedside table and shook him. He suddenly put his arms around and pulled her down.

"I do not want tea, I want something else." Deepam laughed.

"Again! You naughty boy." Laughing she surrendered. Tea was cold by the time they got up.

They had light breakfast and then moved over to the sofa. Remembering something important, Deepam went to the bedside table, took out the purse and was about to put down the amount, when Reena almost screamed,
"No, you don't."

Deepam was surprised. He turned around with money in hand.
"Why, it is your usual fees only!"

"No, you need not pay. I am no longer a Call Girl. "

"Since when!" Deepam was surprised.

" Last Sunday. Night after you came first. I have already informed my agent about that."

"Really! But, why! Why this sudden decision!"

"No, it was not a sudden decision. For quite some time I was thinking of quitting this profession. Now my final exams are very near. I must prepare well to have a high score and get a good placement. Otherwise the present will catch up with me forever. There will be no escape then." She had a faraway look.

Deepam did not insist further. Probably she was right. He only asked,
"How will you manage without any income? I can give some money if you need. You can say, as loan, in case you are very particular. "

"Thank you very much, but I may not require any. See I have some savings to carry me through for another few months. Then exams will be over and of course if I do well, can expect to get a decent placement."

Deepam was silent. He felt very sad. Poor girl, struggling all by herself to survive in this cruel world.

He thought for sometime then said,
"Reena, see, I am also from the Finance discipline and went through same subjects, same books, while studying Management. Not only that, now I have on job experience also. If you have no objection, I can help you with your studies. What do you say?"

She looked very happy with the unexpected suggestion and said,
"Sure, I would love to. It would be very helpful."

"Then when shall we start? Today?"

"Tomorrow. From tomorrow. Today I want to be with you only, and nothing else." Her face glowed.

It was then they decided that, every evening Deepam would come to her apartment, directly from office. Help her with studies.

Deepam placed order for a simple lunch.

Meanwhile, he turned pages of some books, asked few questions. He had no doubt that she was a very bright student.

They continued with the schedule. Deepam would come in the evenings, check the portions she studied explain and solve problems if she had any and then leave. But on weekends she would insist him to stay back. She was adamant about that and Deepam would agree. Though apparently reluctant, inwardly he would be willing.

At night they would sleep together. Satisfied, she would fall asleep, cozy and safe in his arms. Next morning she looked much relaxed. Absent was the tension of studying long hours and anxiety for exams.

One day she asked the meaning of 'Deepam'.
"It means Lamp, is not so?"
Deepam nodded.

"Lamp brings light to darkness. You are the lamp in my life." Reena was pensive.
Deepam remained quiet, not wanting to disturb her thoughts.

"Our program is, I shall leave and you will study now.”
"Nothing doing my dear Mr. Deepam.I refuse to study now, at least till evening.”
Reena protested and like a sulking schoolgirl, sat beside him on the sofa.
"We shall watch TV and then have lunch together. You order something simple."

They were watching a program, when after sometime Reena lied down with head on his lap and curled up her legs. Deepam softly caressed her arms; cheeks, bare shoulders and ran his fingers through her silken hair. He was watching TV and after sometime, looking down, found her asleep firmly holding his hand, as if she was afraid that he might go away.

'Poor girl, longing for love and affection.'
For a long time he looked down at her innocent, sleeping face.
'Could she really be a Call Girl?' He could not believe it.

Meantime, Reena was called for placement interviews. She faired well and expected good offers, which might take about a month.

Then one day results were announced. Reena got the second highest position. She immediately rang up Deepam in his office. She was impatient for his return and when he came, Reena hugged him tight and showered kisses. Her joy knew no bounds.
That night they had dinner outside. It was a special treat.

Couple of days later, Reena received appointment offers simultaneously from three reputed companies. All were equally good, offering fairly good salary in middle management positions. Reena was perplexed. Could not decide on which to accept. Evening Deepam came and together they decided on the one most suitable for her. Next day she sent her acceptance of offer. She was to join after fifteen days.

Few days later, one evening while watching TV, Deepam took out a small gift packet and presented it to her.

"What is it?" Reena asked.

"Open and see." Deepam said with a smile on his lips.

Curious, Reena opened the packet. It had a single diamond ring in a small jewel box.
"Beautiful. Why, is it for me!" Reena sounded as though not believing.

"Yes. For whom else it would be? Reena I wanted to tell you something."
Reena expectedly looked at him. She seemed worried.

"Reena, I want to marry you." He said slowly, almost whispering.
When she did not say a word he muttered again.

Holding his hand she said
"Deepam you know my background very well. I am a Call Girl."

"You were, but not now. You are now as pure as gold."

"You do not know how many people I slept with, how much my body was used by others." Reena whispered.

"I am not interested to know. Moreover, I am also no virgin. I visited scores of call girls before we met. I lost count of them."

"I was abandoned by my parents and left at the orphanage. I came to the world, nameless, loveless and unwanted." Her eyes filled with tears.

Deepam said,
"Think of me Reena. Our ancestral family discarded my parents. I know none of my people. I even do not know which place I belong to. In a sense, I am also an orphan like you. Reena, please, please, I want you. I am very sincere. Please do not turn me down."

Reena was silent. Then looking at his eyes she said,
" In few months you will start thinking that I was once a call girl. This will be biting your heart forever. No Deepam, you have done so much for me. I can not bring misery to you, I do not want to ruin your life."

"No Reena, it will not happen like that. I should say we are both equally immoral and equally pure at heart. We are the same soul in two different bodies. Reena, please accept.”

Tear in eyes, Reena was silent for a long time. Then turning she said,
"No Deepam it is not possible."

Deepam looked at her eyes, trying to find out what was in her mind. Then with a sigh asked,
"Is that final, is it the last word?"

"Yes." She nodded and gave back the ring. "Forgive me, I can not accept it. Give it to the girl you marry."

Deepam got up, opened the door, "Good night" he said and went out without looking back.

Night passed without food or sleep. Reena lay in bed, blankly staring at the ceiling. Towards morning she fell asleep.

Morning came and the day passed. Reena had little food, and then waited hoping that Deepam might come in the evening. But he did not.

Days passed, then the week and she kept on waiting. There were black shadows under her eyes. It was weekend again and Reena was almost sure that he would come. But no, Deepam did not turn up, nor did he make any contact.

Reena thought of giving him a call. Twice she dialed, but switched off when he responded. She did not have the courage to talk. Deepak saw the number and knew who the caller was.

In the evening the doorbell rang. She rushed and opened it the door. Deepam stood there, disheveled and with several days growth of beard. He stood looking at her. She held his hand and softly said,
"Will you not come in? I was waiting for you."

As Deepam came in she closed the door and embraced him tight. She sobbed with her head on his shoulder and said through tears,
"Deepam I agree, I agree. You are the only light, in my life of darkness. I do not want to lose you."

Deepam lifted her face up, wiped tears and kissed tenderly, muttering,
"No Reena, we shall never part. Never, never."

The marriage was registered after a month.

Reception was held in the same restaurant where Reena and Deepam had first visited. The hotel manager presented her a large flower bouquet. A well-decorated small banquet room was reserved in advance. Guests congratulated the couple. Everyone said they seemed to be made for each other.

Reception over. Wishing the couple a happy married life, guests took leave.
Deepam thanked the Restaurant Manager and drove with Reena to his apartment.

Reena had never been to his place. At the entrance Deepam asked her to wait, then after opening the door wide, he carried her up in his arms, went to bedroom and putting her down said,
"Welcome home, my dear wife."

Reena still had her arms around his neck. "Even now I can not believe it Deepam. The whole thing is like a dream to me. Hold me tight Deepam. I want to feel that you are real."

Deepam put his arms around her waist and lightly kissed her forehead. They stood holding each other for some time. Then Deepam said,
"Once you said, you do not have any title. Today I give you one. You are now 'Reena Sharma', beloved wife of Deepam Sharma."

Reena looked up at his eyes, smiled and said,
"Thank you, Mr. Sharma."

******************


Two years later, I was invited to the first birthday party of their son.

I knew them both even before they were married. I was a consultant in the company where Deepam worked and a visiting lecturer to the institute where Reena did her post graduation. Both were my favorites.

The baby in his mother’s arms was cute. Deepam looked a loving husband and a proud father.

The photographer wanted to take few snaps of the three. Reena with the baby and Deepam with his arm around her shoulder posed smilingly. Few snaps taken, the photographer asked Reena to stand under the bright light with the baby, for a special photograph of mother and child.

She stood smiling, holding the baby in her arms, eyes tender and soft. I remembered to have seen a similar picture somewhere before, but could not recollect where. Then I suddenly knew.

"Madonna! She looks like Madonna with the child!"

There was a flash of light.The Photographer had finished his job.

Short Story By: Bill Monks


“Your my last customer, Mr.Kias.”

“Hey Tony, Use the machine on the back and sides. How are the Italians doing? Do you think they’ll take the Cup.”

“Were the best in Europe. You know Mr. Kias U.S. soccer is starting to take off. They are packing them in in California. Next year you wait and see. How are you doing? What’s new with you?”

“I’ll tell you what’s new, Tony. It’s one crazy story. You got to keep it under your hair piece.
Promise?”

“Sure Mr. Kias, you and me.”

"At 7 o’clock tonight, I’m on my way to Louisville, to a reunion of my old outfit. This morning I stop at the Bank and withdrew $500 bucks for my expenses and to do a little shopping in West New York. You know outside of Miami there are more Cubans in West New York, than any other town in the US.

I bus it down to West NY and hop off in front of “Models”. I’m looking for a pair of sneakers. As I get off the bus I slap my back pocket for the feel of my $ 500 dollar wallet.
Damn it! I had done it again. I realize my wallet is gone and it must have fallen on the seat of the bus.

For the third time in thirty years I have left my wallet on the damn bus. Up till now the wallet has always been returned to me, sans money.
My body vibrates with anger, panic and utter disgust. It’s amazing how you can feel three different emotions at one time. I have the choice of two things, one going over to the curb and throwing up and then proceed to bang my head on the pavement, or to chase the bus down Burgenline Ave.

I take off at a speed that makes the roadrunner look like a slow sloth. With my lungs on fire, and the old ticker ready to blow, I am closing the gap. I’m steadily gaining... Thanks to the congested traffic, I finally run down the bus in the middle of the Avenue. I pound on the door until the bus driver reluctantly opens it. Bounding on the bus, I run to the back where I had sat... No wallet on, under, or in back of the seat.

I think it would be kind of stupid, after my frenzied behavior to ask, “Did anybody see a wallet? I glance at the people who are now quietly staring at me. I had checked my pocket when originally boarded the bus. I am mad as hell, but completely frustrated. Someone on this damn bus has my wallet.

Tony has stopped cutting my hair. He is now holding a dormant scissors and comb in either hand. He is on the bus with me.

Just then the driver yells to me. “Hey Senior”, as he holds up the wallet. A shabby old woman that I had rudely brushed past, as I ran down the aisle, has just given it to him.

I rush to the front, grab the woman in my arms and give her one big hug and a kiss. God, I am in ecstasy. I tell her she had saved my life, then I realized she has not understood a word.

It’s time to celebrate, despite her protest; I flip the wallet open to reward her, only to find it empty.

To quote Bill Gates, “Speed is God and time is the devil” It is amazing how fast the brain works in a state of crises. My plan of operation is conceived at a speed that made a Pentium look like an abacus.

I feel I have no choice in what I must do. I am in a no win confrontation with a busload of Cubans and a Cuban bus driver. I feel extremely helpless. I have to take control and right the wrong.

In desperation I snatch the woman’s pocketbook from her grasp and jump off the bus. I head down the yellow line at top speed, the bus driver in pursuit, After running two blocks, realizing the bus driver’s hysterical screams had coursed a posse to form behind him, I top my top speed.
If I can only reach Hudson County Park, where it bordered the Ave., I can lose my pursuers in the thick wood.

I know I need at least a hundred-yard lead. I have two things in my favor, the posse can not make time on the sidewalk, because of the crowd of shoppers, and running on that yellow line, and through intersections, kind of takes the edge off the pleasure of the chase.

God, there it was, the woods. I suddenly realize that there could be no sanctuary there. They would surround it and I would be trapped. They would beat the bush till I was caught.

I could not stop, with a superhuman effort, heart pounding, fighting for air, I run and run. I suddenly realized how Frankenstein’s big friend felt when he was being pursued by all those bastards carrying torches

Finally, I crash out of the Park, into Fairview, hoping I have left my pursuers combing the woods. I continually glance back in search of the dreaded posse, keeping the pocketbook under my shirt, I run down Fairview Ave. I feel as if I’m painted red and twenty feet tall. This is what nightmares are made of.

Reaching my home, I go directly up to my room and rip open the pocketbook, only to find three bucks. There on the dresser, still in the Bank envelope, is my $500 bucks.

Tony, you know what this means. I have to spend the rest of my life skirting West New York. They will always be looking for that stranger, the kissing purse-snatcher, who can run like the wind.

Tony stood there stunned.

“Hey Tony, close your mouth. When are you going to cut my hair? I got to get to Louisville. Keep cutting Tony and I’ll tell you the true story. Everything I told you up until I opened my wallet on the bus was true. The truth is Tony, my wallet still contained the $ 500 bucks. I gave the old lady twenty bucks and stepped off the bus.
“NO, NO, TONY, NO SHAVE!”

Short Story by VictorM

After a long day working at a client site, on yet another dull city, I was pleased to return to my hotel room for some peace and quiet. After unloading my work gear, I picked up the newspaper and headed to the bathroom. I sat down at the “King’s Throne”, opened the paper and proceeded to get informed. Just then I felt something move.

I looked up from the newspaper to see something crawling on the floor at the other end of the bathroom. Squinting, I could tell it was a cockroach. But not just any cockroach; this was the biggest cockroach I had ever seen. Its large size startled me for a moment. Hurriedly, I tried to get up and walk away, but I tripped on the trousers wrapped around my ankles and fell forward. Just then my head hit the bathroom sink and I passed out.

When I came to I had no idea how much time had elapsed, but I had the feeling it was only a few seconds, maybe even a minute or two. When I tried to get up, for some reason, I couldn’t. I tried frantically to move my arms and legs, to no avail. I remember telling myself not to panic. Just then I felt something crawling up my neck.

Through the corner of my eyes I could see the dark brown insect move up the side of my face and around my lips. I still couldn’t muster any muscular reflex, so I tried to scream loudly. But no matter how hard I tried, all I could manage was a hoarse, muffled sound. Just then I felt the cockroach’s legs on my lips.

The cockroach was pushing its oblong chitinous body into my mouth. I could feel its legs on my tongue and its posterior feelers on the roof of my mouth. The muscles on my neck tensed up as I tried to prevent the cockroach from making its way down my throat. I felt that I wasn’t going to be able to stop it and started to gag. Just then I slammed down my teeth and bit it.

I heard the cracking sound of my teeth crushing through the pest’s shell. Almost immediately I could feel the gooey, slimy bile from the cockroach on my tongue. Its limbs were frantically wagging inside my mouth. With all the force that I could gather I spit the sickening creature across the room. Just then I felt the rest of my body start to respond to my brain impulses.

I quickly got up and ran to the sink to wash my mouth. Cupping cold water in my hands, I pushed it into my mouth repeatedly to rinse away the disgusting cockroach bile. My urge to vomit subsided as the cold water served to revive me. Just then I realized that the cockroach was not yet dead.

I turned around to look for it. All I could see was part of the tail that I bit off and a trail of saliva and bile left by the cockroach. The trail led to my bedroom. I looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. Just then I wondered… do I sleep with my mouth open?


Tags: short, story, squeamish, cockroach, fright, scary, horror, stories

Short Story By: RANJIT SINHA ROY


Kavita boarded the train and in few moments it started to move. She stood on the doorway and waved back at her mother on platform. Kavita felt sad for her. Mother appeared forlorn and lonely. She looked smaller and smaller, as the train gained speed. Then it took a bend and she was not visible anymore. Kavita felt a lump in her throat and her eyes were moist.
Her father died of heart failure when she was twelve. He was the Head of Department, Physics, in the local college and her mother a teacher in the Government Girl’s School. Kavita was in Sixth Standard then.
In absence of father, her mother took charge of everything. She guided her growing daughter, but was not over- strict or puritan. Kavita inherited certain academic qualities of her parents and always scored high marks. She grew up to be a decent, well-behaved, brilliant, attractive young girl, brought up in traditional as well liberal ways.
After twelfth class final, she appeared in the Common Entrance Test and got admission in the Computer Science & Engineering stream in the Regional Engineering College. It was in another town and took about two and half hours by rail to reach her place. She went to mother on every alternate weekend.
Kavita owed everything to her mother. She loved her so much that she decided not to go abroad. She would remain in this country and never leave her alone.
Now three months after completion of Engineering she was going to join her first job in the Hyderabad branch of a US based Software Company. The job was excellent, with good position, salary, and perquisites. She was very happy, but thought of her mother, waving at her, sad and lonely in the platform crowd.
She heard somebody telling her something. She looked around and saw the TTE asking her to go inside. Kavita took the suitcase and looked for a window side seat. Surprisingly, the train was less crowded today. Many vacant seats, but none by the window. She walked further down the aisle. Then somebody called.
“Madam, here is a seat for you”.
The voice was familiar. She turned and saw Pradeep sitting by the window and smiling at her. She went in and put the suitcase under the seat. Pradeep moved sidewise offering her the window side seat.
“How far are you going Kavita?" He asked.
“Secunderabad”
"Why? Anything particular?"
First, Kavita thought she would not tell. Then decided - why not? Let him also know that he was not the only person to prosper, she also had the ability to come up in life without going abroad.
“I got appointment with an IT Company in Hyderabad”.
“Oh really! Congratulations. What is the name of the company?
“Compact Solutions”.
Pradeep was wide eyed for few moments, then brightened with a broad smile.
"Wonderful! When are you supposed to join?
“Tomorrow”.
Pradeep continued to smile. Kavita blushed and felt embarrassed at his amused gaze.
“Where will you put up Kavita?
“You know, I told you once, I have my uncle – father’s younger brother – in Secunderabad. For the time being I shall put up with them.”
“Oh yes, I remember now, your aunty is a nice lady and cousin sister is in third year Electronics. You told me once”.
Kavita thought ‘I told you so many things. Do you remember them? If you remembered, you would not have tried so much to go to the States, leaving me here. You have forgotten the past.’ But she remained silent. What was the use? She looked at the ever-receding landscape.
Kavita thought of the college days. Those wonderful four years. Those beautiful days, they will never come back. Her heart ached for the lost paradise.
She remembered, once, when their batch had gone on a picnic. It was arranged in a semi forest area. There were about forty of them and Pradeep was also there. A bus was arranged for the trip.
After lunch they had sessions of Antakshari(A song competition)and Tambola(Number game). Few boys and girls sang. Kavita and Pradeep sang a Hindi duet. Then some boys started playing cards, some had a nap and few girls sitting in small groups and gossiping. Kavita and Pradeep wanted to have a look at the surroundings. The organizer advised them to return within half an hour to start back.
Kavita and Pradeep reached a quiet spot. Tall leafy trees around a green grassy knoll. A narrow pebbly stream flowed by. Kavita remarked “What a beautiful place”.
Pradeep said, “Let us stay here for ever. We shall build a small hut. I shall collect firewood and you will cook and wash. No more Internet or computers or mouse or virus around”.
Kavita laughed aloud “What a wonderful ‘Love Story’. Come on it is time to go back” Pradeep said, “So you do not want to stay here with me”. He sighed, “Okay, let us go back to the noisy world. “
Then one Saturday evening, six of them – two girls and four boys – went to the local theatre to see a horror and suspense movie. Pradeep and Kavita were in adjacent seats. In a particularly sudden horror scene, most girls in the hall shrieked. Kavita unconsciously clasped Pradeep’s hand and they held hands till the lights came up. None said anything to other. They returned to campus walking, discussing the movie and girls laughing for their being afraid.
Then one evening two of them were returning from the Computer Lab. Midway suddenly it started to rain. They ran and took shelter under the portico of the Chemistry building. They waited for the rain to stop. Then there was a light gust of wind spraying fine droplets on them. Kavita, shivered and wrapped herself with the dupatta(scarf). Pradeep asked, “Are you feeling cold? Come near, I shall make you warm’. And he started laughing mischievously.
Kavita was not amused. She said, “ Don’t be silly.” and started walking alone towards the Ladies’ Hostel. It was still drizzling. Pradeep begged her to wait, and said he was sorry. But she did not listen.
Four years passed and then it was almost time to disperse. Exam over, results announced, provisional certificates issued, dues getting cleared. Then in a weeks time they would leave the college forever and go to their respective places. Then, one evening Pradeep proposed.
He was preparing to go to USA. Both being top ranking computer engineers from a reputed institute, it would not be difficult for of them to get comfortable jobs there. He got the papers ready and now waited for her acceptance. Kavita was silent.
Then she told him about her mother, her conviction. She could not leave her mother alone and go to USA, however much attractive it might be. She tried to explain the things to Pradeep. He listened without a word and when she finished he got up and silently they walked upto the Ladies’ Hostel gate. He said “Good Night” and went away. That was the last they met.
She kept looking outside and felt sad; for whom, that she did not know.
The express train rushed past a small station. People on platform were watching the rushing train. Children afraid of the speed and noise, held hands of their mothers and stared wide eyed. Rail tracks came together and then moved apart. They joined each other again.
Kavita glanced sideways at Pradeep. He was absorbed in a novel by Robin Cook. He stretched his legs under the opposite seat and rested his head behind. He was fairly tall with a lean but strong and bony structure. He looked more an athlete than a computer engineer.
Now it was late afternoon and presently a tea vendor came. Pradeep looked up, put the book down and asked Kavita, if she would like to have a cup. She nodded and he asked for two.
Kavita took few sips and then asked
“How come you are in this train?”
“Why, am I not permitted to travel by this train!” He said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Kavita did not laugh. She continued,
“No, not that. I meant, you should be in US by now. Are you going to Secunderabad to arrange Visa, Air Ticket etc?
Pradeep was silent for few moments, and then smiling and looking fully at her eyes, he said,
“Kavita, I am not going to USA”.
"What! You are not going! Really!” she could not believe her ears. “But why”?
“Kavita, we did not meet after that day. A week later, all of us left the institute and went home. Till then I was determined to go to States. But after reaching home I realized your feelings and finally I decided. Decided not to go.”
Kavita was silent. She looked outside the window. She had a strange feeling as though it was happening in a dream. She turned to Pradeep and asked,
“Why did you not tell me first?" She had a mild accusing tone.
“Because you never asked.” He laughed with a glint in the eyes.
“What will you do now? Tell me why are you going to Secunderabad?” Kavita was eager to know.
Pradeep looked fully at her for few seconds and then with a twinkle in eyes said,
“I have a job offer there and I am going to join tomorrow.”
Her heart started pounding fast. She whispered,
“Where?” In which company?
“Compact Solutions.” He said and then both started laughing.
They laughed so much that tear came to her eyes and surprised other passengers were staring at them. Kavita mildly pushed Pradeep on the side and asked him to shift a little. Surprised he moved few inches away and asked,
“Why, What is the problem?”
“Nothing – you smell”. Kavita was laughing.
“Oh yeah. But I do not know how you smell”.
Kavita pinched his arm and said with a smile.
“You need not know.”
Then they talked about their college days, their batch mates, close friends, the teaching staff and sundry. They roamed around the wonderful four years of rainbow days in the college.
They were talking and talking and slowly it was getting dark and they realised it only when someone switched on the lights. Kavita sighed and said,
“How nice those days were. I shall never forget.”
Pradeep was silent for few moments, then said
“That was one type of life. We were students then, ignorant of the outside world. May be better days are still ahead”.
Kavita was silent and wondered; if only what he said was true. Pradeep glanced at the watch. They would reach Secunderabad in another fifteen minutes.
Silently they sat. Then Pradeep turned towards her and told,
“Kavita, do you remember my proposal? I renew it once again. Give me your answer now”.
“What! Now! How can I tell now! Give me some time to think”.
The train slowed down.
“What is there to think, Kavita. Please tell me now”.
They were talking in very low tone, barely audible to others.
“Okay, Next week.”
"What! Next week! I shall be dead by then."
Kavita laughed.
“Alright, tomorrow in the office.”
The train was entering the platform. All passengers except them were ready to alight.
The train stopped. Kavita got up and took out the suitcase. She asked him to get up. But he was sullen and refused to go.
“I will not get down. I am on sit-down strike”.
“ Don’t be silly. Come on, let’s go”.
“No”
Kavita put the suitcase down, stood in front and pulled him holding both arms.
“You are really a fool! Could you not understand that I have already told you ‘Yes’.”
Pradeep looked up, surprise writ on his face. He muttered.
“Really”!
“Yes – offer accepted, accepted, accepted. Or should I say – I do, I do, I do?”
Pradeep got up laughing
“Thank you, Thank you Kavita.”
They got down. Suitcase in hand and bag strapped to shoulder, side by side, they walked towards the Exit Gate.