Whims and wishes

Inception

Walking perpendicular to the road was something he preferred. Moving in the direction of the road would be suicidal. Soon cops and nosey bystanders may gather around the scene. Even when the night was cold and silent he coudnt shake of the smell of burned metal and blood that lingered in his nostrils.

* **

Don stood staring at the body that was Reena few moments back, his blood boiling at the sight. He couldn't see much in the darkness. But he knew that he was the only living soul in there.                              
For Don, Shankar and gokul were always expendable, but Reena wasn't. If at all he trusted anyone  to watch his back, she was the one. And now she isn't alive thanks to his so called "well laid out" plan.

But he never shed a tear when he burned her body using the petrol he found in one of the cars.

"She would have done exactly the same for me"He felt numb but carrying an emotional baggage is not for professionals. She was the only one with a police record that may lead back to him.

He took the drug and left the scene walking. He walked and walked.. Barren land gave space for hilly terrains and more barren lands. Then slowly the sun came up. The air was dry and warm even when the sun was just peeking from the horizon.

There were spots of blood at his sleeves, the shirt was torn at some places but barely noticable. If his memery was right, there was a small township nearby Or he just missed it by a mile if his choice of direction was wrong.

After what seemed like an eternal walk, finally there appeared an outline of a smal building. He tried gaining speed on foot but soon found slowing down would help in breathing in this dry air.

The outline was of a small building near a rockside. There was some kind of junkyard besides the building.

Don realised he was looking something to wet his dry windpipe. His eyes found a water pipe just outside the building.

The old man heard the sound of a running pipe and came out looking for the intruder. Old man got petrified on seeing a stranger with a bloody shirt drinking water from his compound ppipe but soon regained his composture. 

Don turned to face the old man who had an dark brown complexion along with a heavy wrinkles as a dried resin.

The old man looked annoyed. Don opened his mouth to ask somthing but decided not to as he found that the annoying frown is peramanently imprinted on his face.

" Hey, I met with an accident, can i get a bus home" don sounded dry still commanding.

"From here?,pray for a bus service then. you better get to town and ask."
He paused for a moment before looking at the bag on dons shoulder.

"You owe me 10 Rupees for the water"

Village folks are nice and sweet and kind in movies and stories. But this guy doesnt seem to watch such kind of stuff.

"Did you hear me, you pay me and walk that way.. Twenty minutes and you will get to town. Go anywhere from there"

He pointed in the dirtion of the only road that leads away from the place.

Old man then walked back to house like great injustice was done to him.

Don washed his shirt ans walked to the entrace to the junkyard and sat on a barrel which was half buried in ground. The neem tree on the side was giving in shade but it doesnt help the heat much.

Then he saw a car coming towards the place.
Oh thirst and sun is making me see day dreams in this conditions, thought don.

But it wasnt the case, the car took an U turn in front of the buikding and a girl stepped out.
The car was a cheap model but looked new or well maintained. The girl was somehwere in her early twenties.

But what caught dons attention was the way she dressed. She eas wearing a red top and a palazo, which he wonder exist in this rural regions.
Doesnt village girls supposed to sit home, learn cooking and gossip around.

She never even looked at him but walked in a hurry to the house and he could hear commotions inside. Don sincerely wished the old man dont ask her for a parking fee or such.
.
Few moments later she came out with the old man in tow.
" Appa you are coming to the temple and you will be coming with me"

"No, old Nanda goes nowhere, you marry that chella boy and dont come back." The old man was at ghe verge of screaming.

" Appa, you will come there Or i wont be visting you anymore" Her face has fallen a little.

The girl was running of somewhere, but the old man never approved. Whatever, this aint my matter to meddle with. Thought Don.

But hey, what if she can give a lift back to the town. Don stood up as this thought stuck him.
He walked towards the girl as she got into the car.
        
           *     *       *

To be continued...