Fury

I looked at the sky. It was sunny, perfect after a long bout of rain. It was one of those days when you know nothing could possibly go wrong. One of those days when you have a spring in your step, and a song on your lips..even if you are not in love. I looked at my phone. It beeped. ‘I am ready’, said my friend. ‘Finally’, I SMSed back. Suraj was my best friend. And he was always late. We wanted to go eat the Chicken Kebabs at this roadside shop in Sheshadripuram.

‘Rupa, come and eat dinner’ mom called out.

‘Ma, I told you, I am going out with Suraj’

‘Not to that chicken kebab place again!’ Mom always knew what I was up to.

‘Of course not, we are going to that new vegetarian restaurant on Church Street’ I tossed back.

‘Alright, stop lying, go get your chicken kebab’ she said as she shut the door behind me.

Suraj had his fancy bike with him. He would never listen to anyone who said that the cops always caught the fancy bikes as would the thugs on the streets. His girlfriend was the only one that didn’t complain about the bike, and only because she was jealous of it. I always did try to remember each one’s names, but the latest one was probably called Nikita. Or was it Swati? I forget which.

‘Hey, what’s the name of your latest?’ I asked him.

‘Ouch, that hurt! She has lasted two months you know; it’s time for you to remember the name!’

‘I am proud of you. So what was the name again?’ I asked, as we sped away.

The chicken kebabs, as usual, were delicious. But there was something in the air that I couldn’t place. ‘Not rain again’ I groaned, as Suraj started sniffing the air too.

‘Its not rain memsaab’, the kebab guy screamed as he stood still. ‘Its them! They are coming after us! Run’ he said, as he took off into the crowd. His cart stayed the way he left it, with bits of half cooked chicken floating in the oil. The chutney he used had spilled a little into the oil, and went out in a blue flame as it died away in the oil. I noticed a yellow leaf dance from above the tree onto the cart. Everything seemed to happen so slowly. Oh, so slowly. That nanosecond between the kebab guy running away and realization stretched forever. Suraj made a painful grab at my wrist, and yanked me, as I stood, trying to comprehend.

I saw a woman in a pink sari run across the road, screaming madly. She had tiny flowers pitifully embroidered in what she probably hoped was the latest fashion. And now she was running away. Away from what, I wondered, as my brain told me I had to run, and Suraj tried to make me.

And then I saw them. With flaming torches, screaming inaudible phrases, they ran, with a purpose. I do not know who they were, nor do I know their cause. The animal fury on their faces was enough to have me paralyzed on the ground. To see so much anger, to smell the hatred, even from a hundred yards away, was terrifying. Contrast that with the fear on Suraj’s face, and you could see the entire breadth of the human experience.

‘Rupa!’ Suraj screamed into my ear as he revved up the bike. ‘Lets GO!’

I climbed onto his bike, scared for my life, shattered that our innocence was so visibly tainted, as I saw the mob attack a hapless passerby. They knew not his name, being murdered mercilessly by strangers would be his only claim to fame. I was shocked at myself, that I could think these thoughts as everyone’s lives lay in jeopardy. That is the curse of the brain, that it never stops thinking.

I did not read the newspapers the next morning. I forbid anyone from talking to me about it. Yes, we did manage to get to safety, thanks to Suraj’s fancy bike. What I cannot believe is the injustice that man is capable of, what we can do to each other, more harmful than a vengeful God.

Surely He did not intend it this way.

Closure

She was bored. She picked a nondescript bar, she didn't want to run into anyone.

"Its you", a surprised voice said beside her. It was him. She hadn't seen him in many years.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Work. You?"

"The same."

And they drank. It was almost as before.

The next morning, she woke up with a smile on her face. She hadn't done so in a really long while. It was just like it was before.

"So what now?" he asked.

"Nothing. I love my husband, and I am sure you love your wife. In a few years you will have kids, and you will name your first born after me" She smiled. "I can't do that. The doctor said we will never have kids."

"You can go back to pretending like this never happened?"he asked. "I thought only men could do that!"

"Thats where you are wrong love, don't ever underestimate me"

"I have never done that, you know"

"I know." She said, packing up her purse. "Think of this as closure" and she shut the door behind her.

***
Two months later his friend called him up. "She asked for your number"

He got a call the next day.

"I'm pregnant"

30 Questions

Looks like the only way I write for my blog is when I am tagged :(
Well, I do write still, but its for my school's magazine and that stuff really cannot be online.

1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER:
The Forbidden Kingdom

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
The House on Mango Street. Would like to read 'Persuasion'

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Used to be Chess. Now, nothing, really.

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
Well, the Robber Barons. Thats my school's student publication, and the only one I read regularly.

5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
A newly painted house, the grass after the first rains, the smell of newly cooked food.

6. FAVORITE SOUND?
Laughter. And beats/rhythms in songs that you can dance to.

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Missing something, anything.

8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Usually it is "I am hungy", and goes on to the things I have to do that day. Last week, it was 8.15, and I woke up thinking "Shit, I have an exam at 8.30". I went half hour late, but managed to do just fine.

9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
KFC's Zinger Burger

10. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?
I would like to grow up first.

11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I'D...?
Retire and write.

12. DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
How fast is fast really?

13. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No. But you are welcome to give me one. I left mine at home.

14. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
What? Really, who made these questions? I don't mind storms as long as I am comfortably warm somewhere.

15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
I don't have my own 'car' yet. But I do prefer my dad's second car over his first.

16. FAVORITE DRINK?
Mango Lassi. Cold Chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate chips on top. Tough choice.

17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD .....
clean my room and do all the things I have been putting off for so long.
Actually I would like to write for my blog too if I had the time!

18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Yes. As long as it is cooked with spices.

19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
I have had my hair dyed Burgundy. Any color is so tempting, I would love to say Blue, not that I ever will get that color ;)

20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Bangalore, Salem, Pittsburgh, Coimbatore

21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Tennis. Soccer during the FIFA cup. and Cricket, the last few overs, usually. My classmates will be upset if I don't mention the Steelers and Penguins. (Haven't really watched em tho)

22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
She's the best!

23. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Seriously, why do you want to know?

24. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
Sure. A thinner nose and straight hair please. :)

25. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?
Night owl, no doubt.

26. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Over easy, with salt and pepper sprinkled please.

27. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
My bed :) Ideally, it would be any place near the sea!

28. FAVORITE PIE?
Pineapple pie. Apple pie will do just fine. Vegetable pie without the brinjal(eggplant).

29. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Butterscotch.

30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Can't think of anyone who would.