Unusual [Completed Short Story]

Unusual

I always hated the ‘Red Coats’ and criticised their policies. What right did they have to colonize India and become her imperial rulers? Whenever father had to attend a British gathering, (which was practically everytime) I had to stop myself from speaking anything disrespectful. As much as I hated these colonizers, I couldn't help but feel a bit grateful towards them for saving human females and introducing Western education.

My mother had already sent us to our beds when I heard the knocking on the door. It was quite late to have visitors. Being the nosy creature in the family, I crept out of my room and slightly leant closer to the railings of the stairs to have a look at the visitor at the door. It was a ‘Red Coat’ but he looked bloodied and worried. Father at once jumped after their hushed conversation and left the house. A few minutes later when they returned, I saw some servants carrying an unconscious body of a Britisher with the early British-man and father running behind them. When I saw mother coming, I sneaked back to my room.

The next day I asked father about the Britishers and the reason of them being here. He said that some revolutionaries had tried to kill them but had been unsuccessful and ended up them being hurt.

“Isn't it good, father? ” I said confused. “Why did you help them? ”

With a sympathetic smile, father said, “Think morally, Parvati, is it good to kill someone?”

I thought deep and answered, “No. But they are evil, aren't they?”

“Are they not humans? ” father said. That made my tongue go dry. “As another human being, I shall help them. Humans aren't my enemies. ”

I understood how bitter I had been by thinking worse about them. Although British, were not they humans like us? Didn't they have families like us? I felt guilty as if it was me who caused the men injuries.

“Father, would it be alright if I go to see him? ” I asked timidly. Girls were not allowed to see men. Married or not.

“It would be wonderful. ” father smiled.

Entering in the room where the Britisher had been given place, I saw his bandaged wounds and guilt washed over me. Up close, he was pretty handsome unlike many I have seen. The sheets covering him had slid down his massive torso. So I tried my best to slide it back without disturbing him. Nearly reaching up his neck, his eyes jolted open while I stood frozen gazing at his blue eyes.

Panicked, I hurriedly left the sheets. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you! ” I apologized.

“It's alright, ” he smiled. “Come and sit beside me.” He said that so politely in his parched and sultry voice that I couldn't find myself resisting.

“Alright... ” I muttered and sat beside him while he kept looking at me.

“Are you married?” He asked.

I found my cheeks getting hotter which was... so... Unusual.

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