BEST FRIEND

“Step down from there Peter, please.” Bruce entered the terrace “What are you doing up there?” “She left me Bruce.” The bottle in his hand waved about the rum inside “Peter, we’ll have a good talk about it later. Get down from there first.” “Why did she kill herself?” “You’ll lose balance and you’ll fall.” Bruce shouted “Now get down” “Does it really matter what happens to me now?” Peter turned around and looked at him “I want to go to Mina.” Tears in his eyes “It matters to me.” Bruce walked towards the parapet slow and steady, “I’m your best friend.” “If she had a problem” Peter looked down from the forty storied building “She could have talked to me” “I’m right here.” Bruce extended his hand “Grab my hand.” “Just a voice message” “I know. She told you to forget her. Now grab my hand.” “A month from today, we would have been married. Maybe now she’ll know how much I loved her.” He extended his foot into the air “Listen up you scum” He grabbed Peter’s hand “I made Mina send you that voice message before I choked the life out of her. I wanted her but she loved you” He pushed Peter off the terrace “Nobody rejects me”

CODE WORDS OF A DOORMAT

“What a coward.” Kaira sipped on her coffee “He doesn’t deserve you.” “Four years of a relationship and he never had the courage to tell his parents about me.” Mirelle gripped the ice tea on the table. “He never meant to commit.” “If he knew his parents wouldn’t approve of our relationship, why did he propose?” “If he knew his parents disagreed with inter-caste marriages, why did he go further into it? It’s not that he ever had the courage to stand up for himself.” Kaira narrowed her eyes and pointed her index finger at Mirelle “Girl, if he calls you, don’t answer the phone. Cut all contacts with this shithead.” “Oh I have. I’ve blocked him on facebook and whatsapp. I am not in the mood to talk to him.” “And you should never be, after today.” Coffee fumed into Kaira’s face “You spent four years of sleepless nights with him on the phone and this is how he ends it. Who messages a breakup?” “And the helpless words he wrote – I’m sorry Mirelle. We have to end this. Please find someone else. My parents will never accept you. Forget me.” “I’m not surprised” “After three sleepless nights and tissues, I’ve made my decision.” Mirelle raised her right hand in the air “He’s out of my life. Gone forever. It’s over. That’s my decision.” “Don’t fall weak for him again. I know this is your fourth break up with that idiot. I quite remember these four years. I couldn’t catch a break from your break-ups and patch-ups. I’ve supported you on your decisions Mirelle but now you’ve had enough and so have I.” “This is final. He is out of my life and I won’t take him back.” “Remember, if he comes back or tries to contact you, tell yourself that you aren’t a doormat.” “That’s right.” Mirelle waved her right hand from left to right three inches away from her face. “I am no doormat.” “You deserve someone better. You deserve the best guy on this planet. You deserve to be happy.” Kaira patted her hand on the table “Yeah” Mirelle raised the ice tea in front of her “To deserving the best in life” The Ice tea glass and coffee mug clanked a loud sound against each other in the café. Ten days later … on the phone “What? Are you crazy?” “Don’t be mad Kaira, please. I can’t think of anyone else other than him.” “What about whatever you said at the café?” “I know but I love him and he loves me.” “The hell he does. You’re off to waste your life again Mirelle.” “Kaira, I understand why you would be angry but I can’t help it.” “I should’ve known. When you said it’s over, you didn’t mean it. You two deserve each other.” “He’s changed. He’s more determined to make me a part of his life.” “He changed in ten days? Didn’t you block him?” “He called and we sorted things out.” “But you weren’t supposed to answer his calls, remember? That’s why the silence about him for the past ten days? You knew I wouldn’t support you on this.” “I didn’t mean to Kaira. I thought I could forget about him but I couldn’t.” “You know what Mirelle; don’t waste my time or money on expensive cafes to discuss your problems. If I stand with you on this, that would make me a hypocrite. You’re a doormat and forever will be.” Kaira placed the mobile in front of her face “Goodbye.”

DELAYED REALISATION

“Madam, white wine or red?” The waiter approached their table “White, thank you. Make that two” Samaira offered the one to her mother “It’s Whisky on the rocks for me.” Her father went to the open bar “Mom, did you read the bride and grooms’ name on the invitation card?” “Shehnaz and Malcolm. The wall behind the bride and groom hold the same initials, S and M.” The mother looked at where the bride and groom sat “How did your father manage to forget the invitation card? It took us a good forty minutes to find the venue.” “Where’s Adil.” The father placed his drink on the table. “Adil?” Samaira asked “The bride’s father. I’ve written his name on the envelope – Adil Framroz.” “I have no clue about my relatives.” Samaira looked around “How does he look?” “I can give him the envelope and skip our meet with the bride and groom.” Said the father “How much did you put in dad?” “500 bucks” Glamour glittered on every dress. The DJ deafened the oldies with loud music. The men stomped around in their black suits and shoes. Red and black Parsi caps floated on men dressed in white attire. Crowd thickened the dance floor with American beats. Samaira and her parents joined in. “New faces here, I still can’t find Adil.” The father shook his hands and feet to the music, “Different people everywhere” “Forget it dad. Let’s dance and enjoy.” Samaira tapped her high-heeled silver shoes The party youngsters danced to the drop. Dinner called out after two hours to the sweat-soaked skin tight party dresses. “The fish is good.” Samaira restored the energy she spent on the dance floor “Take more.” Said the father The waiter offered a second serve of every one of the ten and more dishes. “The ice cream at the end makes the best desert.” Said the mother “I’m done; can’t eat anymore than this.” Samaira touched her stomach Dinner spanned through the night until thirty minutes passed on. “Samaira, hand me the envelope.” Said the mother “Oh yes, the envelope” Samaira took it out from her purse They stood in line to wish the bride and groom. The lot of unfamiliar faces didn’t daunt them anymore. Their turn had arrived. “Congratulations Shehnaz” Said the mother. she handed over the envelope “Thank you aunty” The bride smiled but peered and stared at the unfamiliar family “Thank you for coming.” “Congratulations my dear” The father wished “Where’s your dad?” “Thank you uncle. You missed him a minute ago. He’s out to receive a guest.” The bride smiled Wishes exchanged hands. The family posed with the bride and groom for the camera. Hands shook at the end. No one knew any one. The awkward photo session ordeal ended. On their way home in the car, the father drove through deep thought. “I didn’t see Adil throughout the reception.” “Give him a call tomorrow.” Samaira suggested “We better inform him that we attended the wedding.” Said the mother “Or gossips don’t take time to spread.” The drive back home ended on a smooth road without traffic. The enjoyment tired them to a hot shower and a cozy bed. “Here it is. I left the invitation card on the table.” The father opened the card. A final check before he could lend it to the dust bin. “Shamaug hall?” The father caught his head “Shit” “No, not Shamaug.” The mother corrected “We entered into Rustom Hall” “Dad?” Samaira widened her eyes and burst into laughter “Wow. We should do this more often.” Said the mother, “First wedding I enjoyed in years. Change your relatives.”

COLLECTOR’S ITEM

“Hurry up.” Tom whispered “Done” Harry unlocked the door. “Get in.” “You go upstairs. I’ll run a check down here.” Tom said Ten minutes later. “Rooms and toilets, clear.” Harry ran his flashlight down the stairs. “Let’s get started. We’ll bag in the heavy items first, cash after that.” Tom handed over a plastic bag to Harry. “There’s more than ten items to bag. He’s a rich man.” Harry turned around, “Tom! Tom!” He whispered aloud. “Harry, come in here.” “Tom, get out of the kitchen and get to work.” “Come in here now.” Yellow light glowed in the dark from inside the kitchen. “This better be worth it.” Harry walked into the kitchen “Look” “What the…” Harry went closer “What the hell? Open the fridge.” “It’s empty.” He closed the fridge. “Are these of the owner?” Pointed at the freezer “But we checked. He left town this afternoon. This could be somebody else’s…” “I don’t need this scary shit.” Tom closed the freezer, “Let’s get out of here. Forget all the items. We’ll get a different house tomorrow.” “No way; I won’t leave until I’m done here.” “High risk involved Harry” “No risk. He can’t report a robbery to the police. When they search his house, they’ll find what he’s hidden in the freezer.” “He could put it on us. Tell the police that we did this.” “Why did you even go into the kitchen? Priceless cutlery?” “It’s 3 AM. I tried to keep myself awake with a snack.” “Let’s get back to work and get the hell out of here.” “We should leave now.” “What, you scared Tom? Are you scared? Let me check, did you wet your pants?” “Aren’t you the least bit worried about this? A freezer with a human body cut into pieces and wrapped into separate plastic bags and all you can think about is how fast we can rob this place.” “Yeah, he’s a mad scientist. Now close the damn freezer and get to work or there’ll be one more body cut up into pieces tonight.” “Make that two more.” A voice spoke in the dark. Their eyes fell upon a man at the entrance of the kitchen. A gun pointed at them. “Shit. The owner.” Harry raised up his hands, “But he left this afternoon.” “Fresh blood” Said the man, “We’ll be one big happy family” Darts shot through the darkness of the night. He pulled out the darts from their necks. “Beautiful.” He stuck his nose to Tom’s head and took a large sniff. “Young blood” His eyes shined in the dark “More freezers in the basement. Let’s go.” The night slept upon the sounds of the butchered.

GOSSIP THERAPY

“Did you hear about Mrs Khanna? Her husband might leave her anytime.” Mrs Bedi took her tea cup from the table. “What? Why?” Mrs Naik adjusted her broad hips on the chair. Waved around her gold-coloured hand fan. “I tell you this woman.” Said Mrs Verma, “She focused on her career. Her husband had a well paid job, wasn’t that enough?” “Oh no” Mrs Bedi said, “Her husband had an affair with another woman and Mrs Khanna got to know of it, so now he has to pay 50% of his earnings every month after the divorce gets finalized.” “How do you know?” Mrs Naik sipped her cup of tea. “My husband is her husband’s lawyer.” Mrs Bedi laughed, “Or ex-husband.” “Of course he would have an affair. What did she expect? Why do you think I sit at home? I have to monitor our kids and my husband.” Said Mrs Naik “Yes but your husband travels out of the country for business. How are you able to monitor what he does?” Asked Mrs Verma “Or who he does?” Mrs Bedi swung her tea cup in laughter. Two sips sank into the grass. “Housewives manage better.” Frowned Mrs Naik “Do you two not agree with me?” “Forget Mrs Khanna.” Mrs Bedi insisted, “Her marriage is doomed. Did you know that Rahul’s mother caught him on drugs?” “Oh My! Really?” Mrs Naik smiled with eyes widened, “How did that happen?” “Yes I heard that he came home from school with white powder around his nose.” Mrs Verma raised an eyebrow, “What happened to smart and good son, better than all? Remember she said that the previous Diwali we met her?” “Yes” Mrs Bedi laughed, “Her smart good son snorted his studies down the drain.” She struggled on two fingers around the handle of the tea cup. “Dolly Ahuja?” Mrs Naik fanned away the mosquitoes stuck to the grass beneath her feet. “She is pregnant.” “Again?” Said Mrs Verma, “Draw a line.” “I know.” Mrs Naik rolled her eyes, “Show offs.” “Three children in six years. I think they should stop.” Said Mrs Verma “Tell that to her husband.” Laughed Mrs Bedi. Her cup had to pick a side. Four sips wasted on her bright red dress “What about Minisha? Where she goes, who she meets; I say get this girl married before she ruins the family name.” Mrs Verma’s fan shined against her acne. “This generation is better off married at 18.” A tray of sweets and salted snacks made its way to the table in the garden. “Sorry ladies, I hope the three of you didn’t miss me?” “Oh we waited for you Anisha but didn’t know when the time went by.” Mrs Bedi struggled with her empty tea cup. “Another round of tea?” “Odomos. These mosquitoes sucked my blood to the litre.” Mrs Verma fanned her legs. “Why don’t we step inside.” Anisha said, “The sun is about to set.” “Yes, let’s go inside.” said Mrs Bedi, “I want Masala Tea Anisha.” “My dietitian advised me to have Ginger Tea. Anisha, tell your maid to make it for me.” Said Mrs Naik Their high-priced sandals clapped the floor. The house received raised eyebrows downcast on whatever crossed its path. “The last time we came, furniture filled your house. Did you sell some items Anisha?” “We gave away what we didn’t need.” “OLX? Financial problems?” Said Mrs Verma. “Repaint your walls into a brighter colour. White fades into grey.” “Where’s Minisha?” Mrs Naik winked at Mrs Bedi “She’s with Rahul. Studies keep them busy for the finals.” “With Rahul?” Mrs Bedi laughed. “He was caught on drugs outside school. Ask his mother.” Said Mrs Verma “He ate two powdered sugar donuts bought from the school canteen. He told Minisha about the laugh he and his mother had after that.” “Donuts?” Mrs Naik looked at Mrs Bedi for an explanation. “Did you hear about Mrs Ahuja’s fourth pregnancy?” Mrs Bedi asked. “Yes, she’s blessed to have another.” “Don’t you think a fourth child crosses the line?” Said Mrs Verma “If they want more children, it’s their choice.” Anisha helped the maid place the Masala and Ginger Tea on the teapoy. “Mrs Khanna is set for a divorce.” Mrs Bedi looked wide-eyed with her chin up at Anisha “Yes, that’s sad.” “Her husband had an affair. That bastard. What will happen to their daughter?” Said Mrs Bedi “Hope it gets sorted.” Said Anisha “Anisha, you must be very busy. Both work and the house. Why do you need to work?” Asked Mrs Verma “I love my job. I can’t say it doesn’t get hectic. It does.” “It’s a privilege to be a housewife.” Mrs Naik slurped on ginger tea. “Indeed Mrs Naik. I agree.” Anisha heard footsteps, “Oh there’s Minisha and Rahul. Come say hello.” “Are you done with your studies?” Asked Mrs Verma. Her fan covered her face every two seconds. “Yes aunty.” “You travel out more than expected Minisha. You should focus your time in the house. It will help when you become a wife and mother some day.” “Not at all Mrs Bedi. I want my daughter to travel places. In fact, her higher studies are planned abroad.” “Oh is it? I don’t see how that can happen. Friends tend to take away the focus needed on studies.” Mrs Naik looked at Rahul “Aunty, I was at Coffee Bucks three days ago, I didn’t know uncle and Mrs Bedi were such good friends.” Minisha smiled at Mrs Naik. “What?” Mrs Naik frowned and looked at Mrs Bedi, “What do you mean?” “I saw Mr Naik and Mrs Bedi meet up at Coffee Bucks three days ago.” “Minisha, I’m home at noon. What would I do with Mr Naik at a coffee shop?” “Noon? Oh no aunty, 5 pm to be exact. Uncle consoled you. You must have been sad about something.” “Then why didn’t you come meet us?” Mrs Bedi searched for words, “I mean no such thing happened. You’re mistaken.” “Aunty you wore the same red salwar kameez that you’ve worn today.” “What do you mean ‘consoled’?” Mrs Naik sank into the sofa. “Uncle touched aunty’s hand and aunty touched uncle’s hand.” “Outrageous. Anisha, tell your daughter to shut up.” Mrs Bedi lifted herself up, red in the face. “I won’t listen to anymore of this nonsense.” “Mrs Bedi” Anisha stood up and called out, “Wait.” Her words fell onto the red bum that shook out of the house. Mrs Naik stood up and looked at Minisha, “Young girl, you better be wrong about this or maybe not. Either way, you’re in big trouble.” She stormed out of the house. Everyone looked at each other until the silence broke among the four. “You should keep track of your daughters’ whereabouts. See what she’s done.” Said Mrs Verma “Aunty, Puneet stands behind the school every day for ten minutes. He smokes with his friends.” Said Minisha “Nonsense, my son would never do that.” “Aunty check his school bag” Rahul interrupted, “There’s a small hole inside the inner cloth of it. He hides cigarette packets in there. He wanted me to join his group but I didn’t.” “Where did time fly?” Mrs Verma laughed with her hand on her mouth. She threw the golden fan into her hand bag, “My husband will be home any moment now. I have to rush.” Her hips glided out the door faster than a local train. “We won’t see them anymore.” Anisha looked at her daughter, “You break open the truth when least expected.” “I didn’t know we’d be a crowd they couldn’t handle.” Minisha said “The gossips sounded better than our studies.” Rahul said “Get back to your studies. You’ll have your entire life to gossip.” Anisha smiled.

MESSAGE FROM ACROSS

“What happened to your head Manu?” Ashu widened his eyes “Follow me.” “Why didn’t you come to school today?” “Let’s go to the river.” “I’m not allowed.” Ashu looked at Manu’s clothes, “Why are you in your uniform? And it’s dirty.” “Don’t you want to see the river?” Manu stepped onto the muddy ground from the cemented road. “It’s big.” He walked ahead. “Wait for me.” “Look out for the roots on the ground.” He pointed to his knee. “I got hurt when I fell here.” “There’s blood on your knee. You should wash that.” “I know.” He turned right. “Mummy and daddy warned me not to go into the forest.” “Don’t be afraid.” Manu walked ahead. “It’s hot. There are trees everywhere. And these plants, I can’t see the ground.” He pointed at Manu’s right elbow, widened his eyes. “Manu, there’s blood on your elbow.” “Look at that tree up there.” Manu pointed upwards at the tree. “It’s high isn’t it?” “It’s taller than the other trees.” He looked up. “Are we close to the river?” “I climbed that tree yesterday. I could see the entire river from up there.” “You climbed that tree? How did you get down?” “I couldn’t.” “You’re here with me” He laughed. “You came down but how?” “Come, I’ll show you.” Manu walked in the direction of the tall tree. “I want to go home. I’m hungry.” “You should have come with me yesterday.” “I told you. My parents would punish me if they came to know about this.” “You should have come” He walked and didn’t stop “Take a bath. Your blood has dried up. Is it from your head? Manu, you look different.” Ashu’s heart beat faster “I want to go home.” “That’s the one.” He stopped and raised his hand in the direction of the tree. “Wow.” Ashu walked towards the tree and looked up at it. “What’s that?” He went closer. “Somebody’s asleep near the tree.” He nudged it with his hand. “Hey wake up.” It wouldn’t move. “Tell my parents to come get me.” Manu’s voice echoed. “He has the same bruises that are on you Manu.” He looked around. “Manu....? Manu? Where are you?”

INSPIRED

“I like it here in your balcony.” He said. “It overlooks your garden. I wish I lived here with you. Would your parents mind?” “What do you think?” Glued into her book, she continued to write. “It would be great. I would sit here on this easy chair and you would read out your poems to me. The sad ones that you write.” “And you still read them?” “We could grow old together.” “Aisha would mind.” She looked up at him. “Remember the first time we met?” “You joined in the third year of college. You read my poem.” “I found it on the floor. A scribbled paper fallen to the ground.” “I looked for it on my desk but found it in your hands. You smiled while you read it.” “A happy poem at the time but not anymore.” “Six brief years after that day and now you have a girlfriend.” “Can I read it now?” “Two minutes.” She stuck her head back into her book. “Hollow. That’s the title?” He peeked. “Done.” She continued to write the last line. “You compensate your constant smile with sad poems.” “Here” She hands over her book. “Read my poem now and read it aloud. I can make changes after that” “Ok… HOLLOW Crumbled and fallen apart Tears visited my broken heart Addicted to pain I fell deeper in vain When luck did not take a stand And fate played its own hand Desires travelled a one-way street For hearts that failed to meet Love inclined towards the forbidden Now lonely dreams are far from hidden If only I could find another soul As empty and as whole Refined and hollow, I’d stand here today For another love to come my way” “Well?” She waited on him. “Did you meet a drunken pale broken-hearted man at a bar?” “You know my fondness for drunken men at bars.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s good but you have to tell me.” He gave her the book. “Tell you what?” “Your inspiration. Who broke your heart?” “You’ll never know.” She looked out her balcony. “Oh, it’s a secret.” He smiled and folded his hands. “A mysterious drunkard stole your heart.” “What’s that dreadful sound?” “My phone” He laughed, “It’s on vibration.” Took out the phone from his pocket. “Why don’t you put a decent ringtone?” “Hi. Yeah. I’ll be there in twenty. Love you. Bye.” “Aisha?” “3 O’clock show today. She’ll reach in twenty minutes.” “But it’ll take you forty minutes to reach.” “Then I better hurry. I got delayed. You took time with a poem you’ll never publish or show to the world.” “I might surprise you.” “Then do that.” He grabbed his helmet, “But your inspiration for broken-hearted poems? You have to tell me next time. Bye.” He rushed out. “You are.” She whispered.

OUTSIDE THE COFFEE SHOP - THE LAST WORD

“You came.” He smiled. She stood with arms folded. Eyes turned away from him. “You look nice.” “What do you want?” “Shall we?” “I’m fine here.” “We can sit inside and talk.” “I said I’m fine here.” Eyes turned back on him. “Ok.” He stood with a steady heartbeat. “How are you?” “What do you want?” “I called you here to apologize.” Her silence for words prompted him to speak. “Alright.” He took a deep breath. “Kate” Stepped closer. “I’m sorry for whatever I did.” Not a word from her. Her eyes poked his gaze. “For the way I behaved.” His eyes descended to the ground. “The violence I caused. The times I hit you.” She stared into his eyes. Her arms didn’t lose grip. They interlocked the tears away. “I’m not the same person now.” He said, “Time spent away from you changed me. I’ve learnt to appreciate you more. I love you Kate. Even today, I love you more.” She moved not an inch. Folded arms and stilled eyes waited in silence. “I want you to give me another chance. We could get married.” Another step closer. “Have kids.” “Why would I want that?” Two steps away. “Will you forgive me Kate? Give me another chance?” “I need to apologize for a few myself.” “What do you need to apologize for?” “I’m sorry for the times I let you hit me. For the times I hid my bruises. I waited four months before I plucked up the courage to leave you. I’m sorry for the times you threatened me to stay away from my friends. I obeyed your every word. What’s worse is I put you before my family. I’m sorry for the times I didn’t report you to the police.” She took a step closer. “I should have gone to the police.” His hands slipped into his pockets and his eyes glued to the ground. “But I have to thank you.” She said. “You taught me a valuable lesson which took me a year to understand. I won’t take your or anyone else’s shit anymore. You deal with your own shit. Goodbye.” “Kate, don’t go. I’m lonely without you.” He stopped her by the arm. “Marriage? And kids?” Shook his hand off. “With you?” She turned around and walked away. “Go to hell.”