I woke up feeling heavy. My head was spinning. I looked around with my bleary eyes and I had this 'WHERE AM I?' moment. Things looked hazy, I couldn't see much around. Someone walked up to me and called for a doctor.
Darn! I was in a hospital.
Ruckus erupted after someone shouted doctor. Mom, pop and Ana rushed in, mom was sobbing, father maintained the customary stoic stance and Ana was touching my face. "You ok", Ana broke the ice. I manage a faint smile for her; it was coupled with a surge in pain. It seemed, I was there for a long time.
Dad told me that the mangled car was reported by the morning newspaper delivery van and I was rushed here. "How is Ray?", I managed it from the corner of my mouth without parting the lips. "Ray is ok, he just step out. He drops in every evening to see you". "Was he not hurt?", I asked. "He was not with you; he walked home after you drove away".
IF NOT RAY, THEN WHO WAS I DRIVING HOME WHEN “STEF” CRASHED?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
PAGE 2
I was panting when I reached the bridge. Ray had dragged himself to his car and was lying on his stomach. I turned him around and slapped him repeatedly calling his name, he was fast asleep. I had to shout to wake him up. "Damn! Ray, lets get out of here fast", I said while I hauled him into the car. He murmured something which I didn't pay attention to.
That evening Ray had picked me at 8 and drove into the woods with a stockpile of booze in his car. He wanted me to see this house on the river which the legend had that it was haunted. He was super excited, I had not seen him so hearty... all along he kept yapping and I listened while we drank. He planned to camp in the house to get the "chill".
I started "STEF"; that what he fondly called his beat up car. It was his mother’s, she died of some unknown illness when he was just six. I drove full throttle towards home. Their was not a soul around and the night was strangely eerie. I could feel heaviness in the air.
I missed to tell you we never reached the haunted house – Ray couldn’t remember the way to the house and drove around aimlessly feeling frustrated. He guzzled pint after pint and then braked suddenly near to the bridge. He was high and wanted to be a daredevil, he rushed out and I followed. It didn't took him long to decide to jump; he jumped shouting obscenities. I dithered and chickened out.
We had barely made a mile and all of a sudden "STEF" was hit by something. "STEF" careened to the left, I jammed on the breaks and "STEF" turned turtle.
That evening Ray had picked me at 8 and drove into the woods with a stockpile of booze in his car. He wanted me to see this house on the river which the legend had that it was haunted. He was super excited, I had not seen him so hearty... all along he kept yapping and I listened while we drank. He planned to camp in the house to get the "chill".
I started "STEF"; that what he fondly called his beat up car. It was his mother’s, she died of some unknown illness when he was just six. I drove full throttle towards home. Their was not a soul around and the night was strangely eerie. I could feel heaviness in the air.
I missed to tell you we never reached the haunted house – Ray couldn’t remember the way to the house and drove around aimlessly feeling frustrated. He guzzled pint after pint and then braked suddenly near to the bridge. He was high and wanted to be a daredevil, he rushed out and I followed. It didn't took him long to decide to jump; he jumped shouting obscenities. I dithered and chickened out.
We had barely made a mile and all of a sudden "STEF" was hit by something. "STEF" careened to the left, I jammed on the breaks and "STEF" turned turtle.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
PAGE 1
This story has never been told, not even mentioned. You could be the first one to know it.
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"Jump! jump you chicken", Ray shouted. He wanted me to jump off the rickety bridge into the narrow and deep river which fed water to nine of the major towns and keep them green before it disappeared into the sea. Ray was in the water and waving his hands, I could see his tiny figure mocking me. I tried to gather courage and Ray kept shouting but I didn't take that plunge.
I feared I would be dead before I touch the water. I loved my mom, my pop and my sister too dearly to leave them in pain. I could see my mom crying senselessly while my father maintained a stoic silence just the way he did while he pulled the family out of poverty by working when we kids (me and Ana) slept.
I took a step back left the railing and threw myself on the ground. We had been drinking all night.
I wiped off the tears shouted goodbye to Ray and started walking home. Ray was my mate from school and lived in the palatial house constructed by his grandfather who rose to the rank of General in the army. His father was more interested in academics and went on to do a PhD. I had never met him as he was always delivering lectures in different corner of the world and was rarely home… it drove Ray mad and he hated his father for it. He found a home in my family.
Barely had I walked a mile that I thought of Ray - He was drunk and in the river. I feared for him, he was just like my brother. I turned around and ran back as fast as I could.
____________________________________________________
"Jump! jump you chicken", Ray shouted. He wanted me to jump off the rickety bridge into the narrow and deep river which fed water to nine of the major towns and keep them green before it disappeared into the sea. Ray was in the water and waving his hands, I could see his tiny figure mocking me. I tried to gather courage and Ray kept shouting but I didn't take that plunge.
I feared I would be dead before I touch the water. I loved my mom, my pop and my sister too dearly to leave them in pain. I could see my mom crying senselessly while my father maintained a stoic silence just the way he did while he pulled the family out of poverty by working when we kids (me and Ana) slept.
I took a step back left the railing and threw myself on the ground. We had been drinking all night.
I wiped off the tears shouted goodbye to Ray and started walking home. Ray was my mate from school and lived in the palatial house constructed by his grandfather who rose to the rank of General in the army. His father was more interested in academics and went on to do a PhD. I had never met him as he was always delivering lectures in different corner of the world and was rarely home… it drove Ray mad and he hated his father for it. He found a home in my family.
Barely had I walked a mile that I thought of Ray - He was drunk and in the river. I feared for him, he was just like my brother. I turned around and ran back as fast as I could.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The End
I almost broke the door open. I felt breathless. It felt like someone has torn my heart out. I yelled and tightly cupped by face and let out a big shout. Tears welled, I couldn’t see anything around and I cried mad. I was exhausted and tired and dozed off.
Next morning, I rushed to “P” place, I found it locked. I had no phone to contact her. I woke up her elderly neighbors who seem to have been up for hours and were enjoying the morning tea. The old man had seen me come around often to meet “P”. He didn’t like me; it was easy to make it out by his expressions. He had even expressed that to “P” who he was too fond of. Even before I could say anything he thrusted the letter into my hand and closed the door on me.
I ripped it open to see a goodbye message from “P”. I knock on the door fervently only to find the old man opening the door and giving me an earful. I didn’t catch what he said as the pain was killing me.
I took a taxi to Max’s pad. I was exhausted. I sat quietly on the big couch while Max fixed breakfast. He plunked some pancakes with maple syrup on table, my favorite. We looked at each other and smiled. Max knew the story...
Next morning, I rushed to “P” place, I found it locked. I had no phone to contact her. I woke up her elderly neighbors who seem to have been up for hours and were enjoying the morning tea. The old man had seen me come around often to meet “P”. He didn’t like me; it was easy to make it out by his expressions. He had even expressed that to “P” who he was too fond of. Even before I could say anything he thrusted the letter into my hand and closed the door on me.
I ripped it open to see a goodbye message from “P”. I knock on the door fervently only to find the old man opening the door and giving me an earful. I didn’t catch what he said as the pain was killing me.
I took a taxi to Max’s pad. I was exhausted. I sat quietly on the big couch while Max fixed breakfast. He plunked some pancakes with maple syrup on table, my favorite. We looked at each other and smiled. Max knew the story...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Day
Didn’t realize I slept the entire day. The knock on the door threw me out of my stupor. I was dead tired and had returned home in the wee hours of the morning. I jumped out of bed; it was too late to rush into the bathroom. Several thought crossed my head in a flash… work, boss, “P” and “S”. The banging continued on the door and after a while I could hear Max calling my name, he probably though I am dead. I shouted and asked him to relax as I opened the door… I didn’t bother to look at him. I turned around and headed straight to my bed.
Max was my childhood friend. We had been to school together, he was this weird kid in the class who ogled every female teacher. Max went on to be a painter and was always borrowing money from me. He always introduced himself as an artist.
He was hysteric and couldn’t believe I took so long to answer the door; he was also confused – why I was home? He continued telling me how he kept trying my number and how worried he was… he feared I had killed myself as per him I was overworked and had a sad life. My phone – it was dead… I happen to drop it en route home.
I felt kind of good. It was the only day in the last two years that I had missed work, though I never intended to. I kind of missed “P”, I last saw her about a week ago. Max fiddled with my stuff out of habit… I asked Max if he would like to catch a flick and asked him to call “P”. Max was busy and didn’t respond. I shouted, “Call P”. “For what? I saw her was this guy from the other side of the town… they were kind of getting a bit cozy”. His tone had sympathy. It killed me.
I picked up my coat jumped out the house and into the taxi to “P's” place.
Max was my childhood friend. We had been to school together, he was this weird kid in the class who ogled every female teacher. Max went on to be a painter and was always borrowing money from me. He always introduced himself as an artist.
He was hysteric and couldn’t believe I took so long to answer the door; he was also confused – why I was home? He continued telling me how he kept trying my number and how worried he was… he feared I had killed myself as per him I was overworked and had a sad life. My phone – it was dead… I happen to drop it en route home.
I felt kind of good. It was the only day in the last two years that I had missed work, though I never intended to. I kind of missed “P”, I last saw her about a week ago. Max fiddled with my stuff out of habit… I asked Max if he would like to catch a flick and asked him to call “P”. Max was busy and didn’t respond. I shouted, “Call P”. “For what? I saw her was this guy from the other side of the town… they were kind of getting a bit cozy”. His tone had sympathy. It killed me.
I picked up my coat jumped out the house and into the taxi to “P's” place.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Story of “P”
“P” was snotty. I liked her because she was snotty and didn’t care much about who is who at work. She had her rules, in at 10 and out at 5. I never saw her put in an extra minute; if she ever was early at work she would spend time smoking outside the office complex. She practically worked half as much as I did and I have this feeling that she was paid twice as much as I was though I never brought it up even for friendly discussion.
She once reported her colleague to the boss who she said “asked her out”, the fellow was never seen at work. Some say he was sacked some say he was transferred to anther unit and some say he committed suicide. I didn’t bother to investigate his case.
My crummy pad was getting crumby each day as I was asked to put in extra hours and even forgo my off day for some learning and value addition which my boss said would help me move up the value chain. I believed him as I had no choice, my eyes were set on his chair as a stepping stone and I once dreamt that I killed him when he invited me for drinks on the way home after work.
She was everybody’s dream… light skin, brown hair and designer perfume. She had the charm of a fairy not to mention the airs. She was perfect for a prince but I happen to meet her. I surreptitiously watched her until that day when she walked up to me and asked if I had smoke. I stammered and managed to say something like “I… I do not smoke… smoke”, she didn’t smile but stared at this book left by my dopey friend Max on my desk. Then she asked me if I was really a fan of John Grisham, I wanted to say no but happened to say "yes". She started dropping in often at my desk; I was cautious as I wanted to live and be in my fat boss’s chair but loved her attention.
“S” was acting on my nerves. Her incessant complains about me not spending much time made me avoid her more. One night she called a hundred times and I pretended the phone was not with me. The next morning “S” knocked on my door and demanded to know if I was seeing someone… to parry her question and shut her up I said “yes”. She was hurt and walked back quietly, I watched her till she turned on the street corner. I didn’t realise I has ended a sweet relationship.
She once reported her colleague to the boss who she said “asked her out”, the fellow was never seen at work. Some say he was sacked some say he was transferred to anther unit and some say he committed suicide. I didn’t bother to investigate his case.
My crummy pad was getting crumby each day as I was asked to put in extra hours and even forgo my off day for some learning and value addition which my boss said would help me move up the value chain. I believed him as I had no choice, my eyes were set on his chair as a stepping stone and I once dreamt that I killed him when he invited me for drinks on the way home after work.
She was everybody’s dream… light skin, brown hair and designer perfume. She had the charm of a fairy not to mention the airs. She was perfect for a prince but I happen to meet her. I surreptitiously watched her until that day when she walked up to me and asked if I had smoke. I stammered and managed to say something like “I… I do not smoke… smoke”, she didn’t smile but stared at this book left by my dopey friend Max on my desk. Then she asked me if I was really a fan of John Grisham, I wanted to say no but happened to say "yes". She started dropping in often at my desk; I was cautious as I wanted to live and be in my fat boss’s chair but loved her attention.
“S” was acting on my nerves. Her incessant complains about me not spending much time made me avoid her more. One night she called a hundred times and I pretended the phone was not with me. The next morning “S” knocked on my door and demanded to know if I was seeing someone… to parry her question and shut her up I said “yes”. She was hurt and walked back quietly, I watched her till she turned on the street corner. I didn’t realise I has ended a sweet relationship.
The Beginning
It starts like this... one fine day; I barge into her house and demanded an explanation. Headed straight to her room, I was almost fuming... created a big ruckus... threw things around, tore her photographs, strewn her things on the floor and left. Thats how it started.
I would have loved to be abused and hit and kicked out immediately. I didn't wait for the explanation... I beat it as fast as I got in. Felt relieved and a bit guilty. Relieved because I didn't had to listen to her emotional nonsense anymore and guilty because I did a bit of damage to the stuff in the house, she had worked hard to decorate it. She was passionate about her stuff, the old pictures, the music CD's and the knickknack she had collected on her travel and as gifts. I walked the pavement and followed it to my room on the south side of the noisiest part of the city.
We had been together for couple of springs. I had just started working and she was already working. She teased me about me being couple of years younger to her. We were in love. She wanted cute kids and I wanted a career. I had this lousy job at the far end of the city and the only way one could show up on time was if they started as soon as their alarm went off at 6. I hated my work life. Each morning I dragged myself unwillingly out of the bed into the bathroom, brushed my teeth while I snoozed and shot out the house by 7 with a sandwich in hand and the socks in my pocket.
The reason I didn't stop for an explanation was because I knew she was seeing someone, someone stupid. I hated her choice of replacement more than her breaking up with me. I didn't tell her this. I had been giving her a cold shoulder lately as I was secretly seeing this girl in office. I kept it secret from everybody till it flew in my face. This girl lets name her "P" was hot and made me melt. I hid it from my girlfriend, lets call her "S" until that day when "S" was desperately trying to reach me as she was unwell and wanted someone to help her to the hospital. I ignored her calls and pretended I didn't have the phone on me... I didn't know that "S" was smart enough to sniff the rat.
I would have loved to be abused and hit and kicked out immediately. I didn't wait for the explanation... I beat it as fast as I got in. Felt relieved and a bit guilty. Relieved because I didn't had to listen to her emotional nonsense anymore and guilty because I did a bit of damage to the stuff in the house, she had worked hard to decorate it. She was passionate about her stuff, the old pictures, the music CD's and the knickknack she had collected on her travel and as gifts. I walked the pavement and followed it to my room on the south side of the noisiest part of the city.
We had been together for couple of springs. I had just started working and she was already working. She teased me about me being couple of years younger to her. We were in love. She wanted cute kids and I wanted a career. I had this lousy job at the far end of the city and the only way one could show up on time was if they started as soon as their alarm went off at 6. I hated my work life. Each morning I dragged myself unwillingly out of the bed into the bathroom, brushed my teeth while I snoozed and shot out the house by 7 with a sandwich in hand and the socks in my pocket.
The reason I didn't stop for an explanation was because I knew she was seeing someone, someone stupid. I hated her choice of replacement more than her breaking up with me. I didn't tell her this. I had been giving her a cold shoulder lately as I was secretly seeing this girl in office. I kept it secret from everybody till it flew in my face. This girl lets name her "P" was hot and made me melt. I hid it from my girlfriend, lets call her "S" until that day when "S" was desperately trying to reach me as she was unwell and wanted someone to help her to the hospital. I ignored her calls and pretended I didn't have the phone on me... I didn't know that "S" was smart enough to sniff the rat.
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