Short Story: Locked in a closet with a stranger during communal riots

“It was wonderful speaking to you after so many years, Kamya,…let’s meet soon…”

“Same here Jyotsna, let’s catch up soon; you, Ishaan, Kabir, Rudra & me, just like old times…”

Jyostna hung up & ambled towards the window. It was a beautiful, rainy afternoon in Mumbai. A strong breeze caused the raindrops to splash on her face. Such a refreshing moment! She took a deep breath and soaked in the positivity. The cool moist air, the fresh smell of the earth & the sound of raindrops soothed her soul. She silently thanked her stars for this gift from nature, she needed it today.

On a normal day, she wouldn’t have taken the phone call. She was bored as her husband & kids were not home, so she had mindlessly answered the ring. It was Kamya, her friend from college. They chattered away for an hour, catching up on their families, work & exchanging gossip about other friends.

Her heart gave a twang when Kamya mentioned Agastya and she hurriedly changed the topic.

She remembered the popular quote from The Lion King:

“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”

Now that she was alone again, thoughts of Agastya crossed her mind & she let out a sigh…her fingers traced her lips as she jogged down the memory lane.

Agastya…neither the handsome hunk nor the underdog or the geek. He was one of the many faces you see at the Churchgate or CST station. Nothing special about him at first glance.

She closed her eyes & felt his musty breath on her face. He held her tightly as they crouched in the closet trying to save their lives.

Riots had broken out, a Hindu boy was accused of raping his Muslim classmate & both communities had gone ballistic. She was in the physics laboratory and had climbed into the closet, only to find that it was already occupied. For both to fit in, they had to snuggle close, really close.

She placed her head on his chest. Her heartbeats were racing with his, she let out a long sigh that turned into a slight moan. He hurriedly shut her mouth with his palms, they smelled of butter. He probably had a pav bhaji at the canteen just before this.

They stayed there, locked in time for what felt like an eternity. She avoided eye contact as he nudged her with his nose and whispered, “everything will be okay…relax…” His grip was extremely reassuring. She mustered courage and looked at him; which division did he study in, had they met before?

“You have never seen me, but I know who you are…” he replied to the question in her eyes. “You are, Jyotsna, the topper & most popular girl at First Year Arts! Right?”

She struggled for comfort and nodded meekly. He pulled her closer to make more room. His lips touched hers. She moved her face away. His grip felt firmer and she felt secure & protected. She tried to feel connected, but she couldn’t. Something felt amiss. Maybe it was the tension in the atmosphere.

Agastya gazed at her, studying her eyes, smelling her hair as they brushed his cheeks. His fingers danced in pure joy as they held her fragile, beautiful body firmly. The unknown boy with the famous girl…locked in a closet…wow…a situation straight out of a novel 🙂

When his lips touched hers & she moved her face away, he slowly guided it back & kissed her passionately.

Jyotsna was taken aback. She was being kissed for the very first time in her life and it felt GOOD! This time she moved closer & buried her nose in his chest. They were both perspiring and breathing heavily, despite this they both paused, smiled & continued kissing.

Just then there was a huge bang on the closet and the door flung open, Agastya was dragged out. The police had grabbed his hair and were kicking him in the groin & hurling abuses at him.

The lady policewoman carefully scooped her out of the closet and gently inquired about her well being. She was gasping out of shock & signalled for water. While gulping down the water, she heard the police exclaim:

“अब्बे इतनी खुजली थी तो शादी कर लेता खुद की बिरादरी में. बलात्कार!!! वो भी मुस्लमान लड़की का? अब तोह तू गया…बारह के भाव से!”

(If you were in a hurry (to have sex) you should have got married in your community. You have raped a Muslim girl, now you are going to be doomed forever.)

She was shocked! Among the shower of abuses and blows, her eyes caught his, she couldn’t see danger…instead…she saw…

The real accused, a Muslim boy’s DNA matched the semen sample & Agastya was let off. But she was sure that he was scarred forever…

Another splash of raindrops & cool breeze brought her back to the present. Life has so many flavours and she was blessed with the best ones.

She sighed & went about her day as usual.

The bell rang. She opened the door, the house was filled with squeals and shouts of her little kids who had just returned from a wonderful afternoon with their father.

“How was your day darling?”

She snuggled close to him as he drew her close. His firm grip still caused her heart to flutter.

“It was nice. The usual. Anything special planned for tomorrow?”

“I have an important call with the Spain office followed by a meeting with Delhi team. Why?”

“Nothing…just asking…go and get fresh, Agastya, sweetheart, I have prepared your favourite meal.”

Penned by:

Mayura Amarkant

I’m participating in the Write Tribe Festival of Words – June 2018

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This post is published for #OpenNTalk Blogger’s League hosted by Gleefulblogger & Wigglingpen in association with SummerBarn, Vedantika Herbals, Nyassa, Explore Kids World

I am from Team number 5 – Roaring Tigresses. Keep coming back, as me and my team will be writing on a wide spectrum of subjects throughout the month of June. Our team hashtag is #Roarwillrock, and yes! We all are ready to roar and ready to rock this series.

Introducing my other team members:

Surbhi: http://prettymummasays.com/

Surbhi www.surbhiprapannablogs.blogspot.com/

Riddhi Jhala www.ritzyglitzy.in/

Gurjeet www.prismaroundgurjeet.com/