A/N.Well, this is going to be my submission for a contest (not on YWS.) Basically, the story develops around a title, to be chosen from a set, and a few other guidelines. This is the first chapter, I’d like it critiqued as I don’t feel satisfied as yet of the next chapter.
Oh and it is a short story. Not a novella.
EDIT: 'da' is generally used as a ref to a male friend/sibling/cousin.
*paan - It is a betel leaf filled with stuff, that people chew.
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The room was crammed with people, yet it was cold; the ancient room heater was wheezing and trying to spew out a thin film of heat.
I glanced around at the other people waiting. There were some old people sleeping on the chairs, a baby girl dressed in a pink fluffy frock drooling on her mother’s lap, another baby who was wailing loudly for his mother’s attention. Then there were the executives, waving their Blackberrys and talking loudly. There was one poor old man, dressed in a flimsy white shirt and a shawl, lighting up a cigarette. His eyes were red and swollen. His wife was sitting next time, a red liquid dribbled down the corner of her mouth. With a loud noise, she spat the paan* out. There was now a bright red spot on the dirty yellow pillar.
I enjoyed observing people; trying to figure out their story. It gave me something to think about and not worry about the flight.
My watched said Roshini should have landed here three hours ago. The airport authorities haven’t given us any information on the flight’s status except that it had been delayed. I prayed that nothing bad has befallen them. I didn’t want to lose another person in my life.
The speaker crackled to life. A lady’s voice in heavily accented English blared out, “Flight A450 Singapore Airlines from Singapore has been delayed due to fog. Landing time and terminal will be announced shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.”
I felt relief coursing through my veins. So maybe nothing bad happened afterall. Thank you, Lord. I looked at Vivek, sitting next to me. Annoyance was written in bold across his face as he rubbed that dark brown stubble of his.
“Fuck da,” cursed Vivek, who was sitting next to me. A few of the older people looked at us as if we justified their idea of ‘the younger generation is spoilt.’
“Oldies. Fuck them too,” muttered Vivek so that only I could hear.
The minutes of mindless activity droned on. Varsha- who had been asleep all this long, woke up, rubbing the sand out of her eyes. Just a year younger than Vivek, she looked like an exact replica of him, as though someone created a clone and mistaken the sex genes.
“How long until Rosh’s plane arrives?” she asked, stifling a yawn.
“According to that,” I said, pointing to the speaker, “the arrival time will be announced shortly.”
“Let’s hope this ‘shortly’ is short,” said Vivek, not looking up from his handheld video game.
I was extremely happy that the four of us had decided to go on a holiday. It would be welcome break from my job as a teacher.
Roshini’s face formed in my head, her eyes outlined by kohl, the same colour as her irises. When she cried, her eyes would tell me everything. When she wasn’t sad, she was the happiest person to hang around with. I could picture her laughing, as her hair danced in front of her face.
It has been over a year since I saw Roshini. The last time she came to India, about a year, back, I was stuck in Bangalore. I had been busy with my thesis and finals. It would be wonderful to have Roshini back among our weekend escapades to beaches and restaurants.
I couldn’t deny the fact that I still was in love with Roshini. As much as I wanted to ask her out, I was afraid. I don’t think I can get lucky a second time.
The Sun was shining bright in all His glory, sending off rays that were burning our bodies. Children in ragged shirts ran around yelling at the dry wind which was tinged with moisture. A fierce battle of colors ensued in the sky; the light glinting off the sequins pasted on the kites. For these kids, it was a ruthless, bloody war.
Roshini and I were sitting, overlooking the waves, marveling at these kids’ ingenuity. This was how they studied physics, unlike me who had to experiment with everything in a controlled atmosphere.
I stroked her hand. Our sweat-trickled limbs were flecked with sand grains.
“Rosh? “She turned her head toward me. The wind blew her silky black hair toward my face. The scent of it wafted across, forming knots in my groin.
“I uh.. wanted to ask if.. you know, you’d like to go out with me?”
The sun was retreating behind the clouds as if ashamed of my proposal. I could hear the wind picking up as my slow, heavy breaths mingled with it. My fingers had busied themselves into forming a tiny sand-hill. I was scared of what I would hear as her reply.
“And so finally you asked that question. I’d been waiting for it, you know,” she replied, an amused smile danced across her tanned face.
Of all the scenarios that played about in my head, I didn’t expect this. I didn’t know what to say. I just stared at her, looking a bit confused.
She laughed. “You were being very obvious. I was just waiting for you to ask me out.”
As my expression wavered, she continued, “So, yes.”
The ‘yes’ ringed in my ears. A bubble of happiness was growing inside me. I was insanely delighted. I felt a tingle run down my spine, as my fingers interlaced themselves with hers.
“Rosh.. uhh.. Thanks,” I spluttered.
She laughed again. “Thanks? That’s all you’re going to say?”
Once again, I was at a loss for words.
Succumbing to the hormones that were circling about in a whirlpool, I hugged her.
“I really like you,” I whispered in her ears. I felt her tremble as she hugged me back. I’m positive I heard a muffled ‘me too.’
The sun peeked out; its merest glance scorched our fierce embrace.
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Critiques welcomed.
HIIII.
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