One shots

Sam and Abhi - A fragment of imagination

It was Halloween. It was also Friday night, which meant party night at the University. Almost every house was decorated for Halloween. Skeletons were hanging out in porches, scary faces peeking out of windows and, of course, the pumpkin lanterns with the eerie smiling face decorated the entry way.

None of this excited Abhimanyu. He was there to graduate and find a job. He was happy with his best friend, the PlayStation. His room mate Nithin, on the other hand, wanted to go to the party organized by some of the seniors. It was at a lake house not too far from the house that Abhi and Nithin shared with four other boys. The other boys had already left for the weekend. Nithin rolled his eyes looking at Abhi, "Dei kelambu daa. Ethana naalikki ippidiye PlayStation vachukittu ukkandhu iruppe. I really want to go to this party man. Nee ippidiye irundha nee vaazhka full aa single aa thaan da iruppe." Abhi looked at him and smiled, "Dei unakku thaan enna pathi theriyum la? Enakku indha parties, drinks, loud music ellam set aagadhu da. Nee poitu vaa. Naan inge irukken." Nithin I wouldn't take no for an answer, "Atleast ennoda designated driver aa vaa da. Nee thaan thanni kooda adikka maatiye." Abhi was about to argue but, for some odd reason, he changed his mind and actually surprised himself by agreeing to go.

The lake house was only a 10 mins drive from their home but since the University was on the outskits and the lake house even further away, it was an isolated area. They were able to identify the party house from a few blocks away as they could see the disco lights, hear music and could see people dancing. The boys walked into this huge hall. It was more or less like a club house. There was a designated bar area. Boys and girls were dancing to the upbeat music. People were yelling to manage a conversation. Nithin quickly grabbed a beer and joined the dance floor, gesturing Abhi to join as well. Abhi asked him to go on and went towards the bar to find a spot to it. He asked the bartender for soda with ice. The guy gave him a strange look but gave him what he wanted and moved away to mix the cocktail that the guys on the other side were yelling for.

Abhi took a couple of sips when he realizes someone occupy the stool next to his. He looked up at a gorgeous young woman. She had her curly hair parted in the middle and left open. Her gorgeous large eyes were accentuated with kajal and eyeliner, she had a nose ring which looked perfect for her sharp long nose. She did not wear any make up except for mild lipstick. She wore a black top and a multi colored long skirt. She had the most beautiful smile which caused a cute dimple to appear on her right cheek. She asked, "Is this seat taken?" Abhi nodded saying, "No... please." She replied, "Thank you. By the way, I am Samyuktha and you?" He immediately introduced himself, "Abhi... Abhimanyu." She nodded and repeated, "Abhimanyu.... So Abhimanyu, you aren't much of a party animal I see?" He laughed, "Not at all actually. My friend dragged me along. I just cannot stand this loud music, screaming peaople." She laughed, "So do you live around here?" He nodded, "Yes not too far from here. I am a student at the university. And you?" She thought for a second and replied, "I am just a visitor, an uninvited guest actually. Do you want to walk up to the lake? It will be less noisy and we don't have to yell."

Abhi looked around and found his friend clicking pics. He gestured to him that he was stepping out and the friend gave him a thumbs up. Abhi and Samyuktha stepped out. It was a beautiful full moon night and a chill breeze caused Abhi to have instant goosebumps. Abhi asked, "So Samyuktha what do you do?" She smiled, "I am an artist. I do everything that involves art such as music, dance, painting etc." Abhi was impressed, "Wow multitalented. I am impressed. What kind of music do you like?" She looked at him and he felt a sudden pang of sadness. He couldn't quiet figure out that feeling. She quickly smiled and said, "Enakku melody thaan set aagum." Then she looked into his eyes and said, "The longing kind...you know when you long for someone's love." They glanced at each other momentarily and then she quickly looked away saying, "Indha nilavu romba azhaga irukku le?" and she hummed, "Naalai indha velai paarthu odi vaa nila. Indru endhan thalaivan illai sendru vaa Nila...." Abhi smiled, "You have such a beautiful voice" then, in a teasing way, he said, "Nejame ve thalaivan illiya? Ungala madiri azhagaana ponnu eppidi single aa irukka mudiyum." She looked at him blankly and said, "Not everyone is lucky when it comes to love. Love can leave a scar forever. Only a broken heart knows that."

There was a sudden blow of wind. Abhi heard Nithin calling out for him, "Dei Abhi, ange enna da pannare. It is freaking cold outside. Ulla vaa." Abhi yelled back, "nee po naan varen." Then he turned around to look at Samyuktha, "Ulla polaama?" She smiled and replied, "You go. I will be there in a minute. I need a moment by myself." He nodded and said, "Ok I will see you inside then" and walked back to the house and joined Nithin. A few minutes later Abhi looked out of the window to see if Samyuktha was still out there by the lake but she wasn't. He wanted to get her number so he looked around the entire room but could find her nowhere. He assumed that she must have left the party.

The next morning Abhi woke up to the sound of the ambulance in his neighborhood. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. He looked at his phone beeping non stop. His phone had been dead the previous night so he had put it in for charge and now pics from the party was being shared. He grabbed his glasses and opened up the group to check out the pics, especially the one his friend too while he was sitting at the bar because he knew Samyuktha was sitting next to him but what he saw shocked him. The seat next to him was empty. There was no one there. Abhi yelled for Nithin, "Dei indha photo la andha ponnu enge da?"
Nithin was confused, "Endha ponnu da? Bar la nee mattum thaane da irundhe." Abhi scratched his hair. Then his eyes brightened, "Andha andha lake pakkathula kooda nee enna koopda vandha podhu en kooda irundhaale? Andha ponnu da Samyuktha." Nithin looked at him confused, "Dei thanni edhavudhu aduchiya da nethu? Lake pakathula nee thaniya dhaan da irundhe. Un kooda yaarume illiye."

Abhi could not believe this. Was she just a fragment of his imagination or was it just a dream? Then he remembered how she told him that she was just a visitor and an uninvited guest.

Brinda Subramanian

This is not at all my genre but just wanted to give it a try. Do tell me what you think.