Under The Clear Summer Sky

10 | the carnival

10 years ago.

The Carnival was a small-scale one. It had a few food and game stalls. The park was lit up with fairy lights and a light breeze seemed to further amplify the ambience of the place. The main highlight of the carnival was the Ferris wheel, that everyone flocked to.

Vineet, Anu and Maya also stood in queue with their tickets to go on the wheel. 

Maya seemed to be plotting something, evident from the grin she had on her face. Anu watched her, eyes narrowed. What was she up to...?

Vineet hadn't paid attention to the expressions of the two girls. His eyes were trained on the food stalls. The Manchurians on the stick looked very delicious.

Finally after an agonizingly long wait, the trio finally got their turn. Except, it wasn't a trio anymore. Maya was nowhere to be seen. Not wanting to stall the queue, the two quickly got in. Anu's gaze searched for Maya through the window. 

Where did she go... Unless...

Anu peeked at Vineet, who was already comfortable seated. The two were all alone. 

Wait a minute. We're alone-...

Maya, that little-

The cabin began to take off into the air. Silence settled around the duo. Many thoughts flitted past Anu's mind that she didn't voice. A complete contrast to the usual her. Instead, she just watched Vineet.

He looked good today. He wore a loose-fitted flannel shirt and jeans, his glasses making him look more handsome, his hair a tousled mess owing to the wind. He gazed out the window, chin rested on his palm. Anu had always thought his gaze was lethal. Lethal to her poor defenseless heart.

As if reading her mind, his eyes turned to her. She quickly looked away, turning towards the window. She said nothing. If he thought it uncharacteristic of her, he said nothing about it. The silence continued until she realized they were reaching the top.

Without thinking it through, she blurted, "They say, if couples kiss at the highest point of the Ferris wheel, they would stay together for life."

A pause.

Couple. Kiss.

Anu turned away, hiding her face with her hair discreetly. What in the world was wrong with her-

"There's no scientific basis to it. I don't believe it." His tone sounded lazy and teasing.

Anu's body thrummed with embarrassment. She was glad of her dark complexion. It didn't display how hot her face felt.

"But we can test the theory, if you'd like." He had a cheeky grin on his face.

Anu's face seemed to grow even hotter. She felt a whole butterfly stampede in her chest. She decided Vineet needed a warning sign around his neck or on his forehead. 

"This man has a gentle, kind exterior but don't let that fool you. He can be described most accurately with two words - Shame. Less."

✿

word count: 605 words

[behind the scenes]

The 'Manchurian Balls On A Stick' Story

Vineet and Anu bought the stick after getting off the Ferris Wheel ride. But a kid ran into them, leading to them both dropping the stick. They hadn't money to buy once again. In the end, they never got a chance to try it together. Later, when Vineet returned to Pulan, he re-visited the carnival which was set up once again during the Christmas time. The stick was still being sold by the same stall. He bought it and tried it. He also rode the Ferris wheel again, alone.