Short Stories

Three Encounters

First Encounter

I strolled in,through the college gate. As I can recall it was my very first day after the summer break,walked across the street,besides the library and there I stumbled into my batch-mates, vigorously engaged in 'Truth and Dare'.

"Hey! come,join us." Aarya invited me to the idiotic game she was very fond of.

"Shut up! I don't need your stupid 'Truth and Dare' to publicize my daringness." I teased her.

"Oh! Tushar.... I don't see you daring." She fired back. "If you really are,then,here take my challenge."

I nodded recklessly,unaware of what she was to flung at me.

"So.....so, I reckon that it's not going to be tough for you to propose Ananya" She drawled."Just do that.

"What the fuck." I screamed inside,pang of terror passed over me. Ananya though gorgeous was short-temper,snooty,kind of disconnected from boys and moreover lived solitary.

"What happened? Scared!" She mocked.

"Why.....why will I will dread her? Nothing is impossible for me and she is not a zombie after all." I snapped and swung round,located petite Ananya at the far side of the college park,shuffling alone. Though superficially I radiated confidence was freaking out with each step,anticipating harsh,rough slaps form tender,smooth hands. 

Dreading the consequences was there in front of her,impetuously caught hold of both her palms,moreover to axe off the probability of getting hit,gazed through her eyes,lucid and stammered:

"I.....I love you." My eyes wandered from her to Aarya.

"Sorry!" She retorted,gradually withdrew her hands and rushed off.

I was victoriously swimming in her melodious voice.

  Second Encounter 

It was sunny winter morning,bright Sun was battling the cold wind to create a cheerful atmosphere. As it dawns upon me it was college fest on the door and all were meticulously involved to make it happen big,even i was engrossed in 'Romeo-Juliet' play.

"Tushar! is the script ready." Ronak inquired.

"Yeah! all done. Hey! I am willing to portray Romeo and to single out my Juliet and other artists an audition is being organised tonight at six." I answered deliberately putting stress on 'my Juliet'."Be there,sharp,by six. He shrugged.

Everything was set, anyone up there to be Juliet had to deliver a dialogue and no wonder whoever did the best would seal the opportunity. Innumerous splendid girls including Ananya,who stayed away from gatherings,to my utter dismay had turned up. It was then only I captured her streamline shape,glossy face and glamorous personality. It occurred to me as if Juliet rehearsing to portray Juliet,my heart throbbed as if it had already resigned to her,had selected her to be my Juliet and the rest was just a mere formality.

We tirelessly practiced day and night,crafted our performance to precision and above all in my constant presence her gloomy air vanished making way for joy. In return of exertion and hard work our show was great success which bid bye to audience by a statement that said:

"I live or die,will not leave you,

will remain there for you,ever....forever."

Back stage when Ananya was getting rid of makeup,I went to her peeped through lucid eyes to get a glance of her heart which reflected sheer love,bent down on knees I exclaimed:

"Dear! Whatever I articulated on stage tonight was not for any Juliet but was for you,my love. And it's only for you I say 

'I live or die,will not leave you,

will remain there for you,ever....forever.' "

She slouched closer,enough that I could sniff her breathe,cupped my face affectionately.

"You know! I have always longed for you with all my heart since the very first time you romantically reflected affection in park,I love you,really love you but...but" She stammered " I am not virtuous,rather a rape survivor." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she untangled herself.

 Third Encounter

It was fine,pleasant evening. I and Saket,my cousin were out in restaurant.

"Oo! marvelous,fantastic figure." Saket,a jerk,fond of checking out girls whispered. Say it out of his influence or my very own hormonal activity I swiveled round to scroll the divine beauty that he had fallen for. Unfortunately,it was she,Ananya,busy tearing Dosa,unconscious of my stare. In a flash I switched back to Saket,ordered him to leave straight away and involuntarily trudged to her table.

"Hello! I greeted." She was stunned,livid may be not expecting me.

"Will you mind if I sit here."

"I am afraid,I will." She snapped stiffly.

"I am sorry." I cried. "Spare me,I was a dolt to let you go,you were conscientious to tell me everything that occurred to you and....and what I did,ran away,hesitated to see you,blocked you when it was never your fault." She stood there stonily,grudgingly listened to me and then suddenly broke open.

"You know! I had resolved after rape not to venture out with any men,had confined myself to study but you sneaked in,in the bloody summer as a ray of hope,for you my heart burst open but nevertheless you proved out to be alike other creepy men,not able to get that it was not me instead them." She melted into tears. "They had me all,played with me,pushed me into hell and went free but moreover what pinches most is your society and their cold,harsh,gaze not ready to accept us innocent rather objectifies and tag us of false character. Sorry! for the lengthy lecture and" She composed her. "Thank you for making me realize my potential,now I don't need anyone,can stand alone and fight for myself." She paid the bill and gushed off leaving me there speechless.