Mr. Caterpillar

2.

The leaden sky was filled with the streaks of pink clouds. The Sun had almost dipped itself into some unknown ocean. Niti, worn out by the day's worth of play, mounted her ramshackle scooter that looked as ancient as the earth itself, its maroon paint faded and chrome parts all rusted. She put on her helmet and stared at the silhouetted façade and then around the college-yard that was filled with chatting and laughing students. A distant drone of traffic told her that she won't be able to make it before eight. That meant she would miss the first half of the inaugural match of Euro cup 2016. But that was okay. The first half of a football game is usually boring. The second half is more fun to watch, isn't it? Isn't it?

She sighed, congratulating herself for staying so positive, and began pushing the key into the ignition when a figure moving toward her from side made her stop. She looked up, expecting to see her friend, Shruti. But it was not Shruti. It was Ravi, her school crush.

Her heart put on a gear.

"Hey," he said amiably.

"Hi," Niti managed to choke out.

"You were brilliant today on the field," Ravi said, his eyes twinkling with delight.

"Thanks," Niti said in a straining-to-sound-offhand-but-notquite-making-it tone. Her heart put on another gear. She started playing with her ponytail the way she usually did when she felt nervous. Waiting for the jitters to pass, she looked over his shoulder and saw a group of girls scowling at her. They were looking at her like skinny street dogs look at a healthy pet dog who gobbles up four pounds of pedigree every day, and all they get is nasty air, garbage, and some madman-dog-hater's kick.

Oh my god, Niti thought. They are jealous. They are jealous of me!

"I almost jumped out of the stands," Ravi was saying, "When you did your second goal. You were flying out there... flying!"

"Thanks," Niti said.

"You know what?" Ravi said, "They should make you our captain... your football skills are amazing."

"My football skills are good, not my leadership skills."

He laughed and punched her shoulder slightly and her heart jumped into her throat. She glanced at her wristwatch and blurted, "Oh, no." She looked up at Ravi and said, "I'm sorry but I'll have to go. I have a game to catch."

"Yeah. Right. Sure," Ravi said, "I myself am dying to watch that game." He looked out at the gate. "But I guess I'll miss the first fifteen minutes or so."

"If you want," Niti heard herself say, "I can drop you off." Her eyes grew wide with anticipation.

"On this thing?" Ravi asked, pointing at her ramshackle scooter.

Niti ignored the implied insult and said, "Come on... it would be fun."

He looked indecisively at her then at the scooter. He shrugged and sat on the pillion seat behind her (the scooter shuddered under his weight as if complaining about the extra load) and put his hands on her shoulder. Her heart went berserk, rolling all around her body. Her breathing went erratic and gooseflesh appeared on the back of her palms. She felt like she had touched a live wire.

She looked at the group of girls who were now glaring at her. Whoa, she thought, first we won the final, then I won the player of the match award and now he is sitting behind me with his hands on my shoulders. This is the best day of my life! 

Poor Niti, she didn't know that in less than fifteen seconds her best day would turn into a horrible nightmare. And that nightmare would lead to another one, much bigger and much more terrifying.

Grinning to herself, she gave the key a twist. The engine coughed, wheezed and died. She did it again and again heard that terrible wheeze. The thing won't start, she reflected miserably. She took in a deep breath and gave another twist. The engine shuddered, wheezed and grateful smoothed out. A crescent smile appeared on her face.

The scooter had just moved a few yards when the engine began to wheeze and soon died.

"What the..." Niti muttered. She tried to start the engine, but to no avail. Soon her temper got the better of her and she began pounding her fist on the gauge.

"Whoa, relax," Ravi said, getting off the scooter. He tried the ignition. But it didn't work. So, he knelt down, removed the cover and started fidgeting with wires and pipes. "Try again," he told Niti.

Biting her lips uncertainly, Niti complied and turned the ignition. She heard a shudder and then, a few milliseconds later, the engine exploded, showering Ravi's face with smoke, soot, and oil. Coughing, Ravi climbed back to his feet, his face unrecognizable--hidden behind the black soot.

Everyone around them started laughing. Niti stood there transfixed. She looked at the group of girls who were howling with laughter. Swallowing hard, she gazed back at Ravi who had now pulled out his handkerchief and was vigorously rubbing his face with it. Shouldn't Niti say something to him? No, she shouldn't. A disdainful voice inside her head said. Actually, she couldn't. A dread had settled over her like layers of soil does over a fossil.

Without saying a word, Ravi turned on his heel and stomped off toward the gents. Niti wondered if she should wait until his return? Looking around at the laughing faces, she realized she shouldn't. So, stifling curses and berates, she dragged her scooter toward the gate.

Please like and comment