The Second Day...

Two Years Ago…
He was running fast. He had to make it onto that 6:10 fast local to Borivili. It was his daughter’s birthday and he did not want to disappoint her. As he tried to push his way through the mass of humanity that Dadar station is, he noticed the train start moving. He cursed and tried to run faster. But it was too late. By the time he reached the edge of the platform the train was moving too fast. Panting heavily, he looked on as it disappeared.
He was a poor man. His tiny net cafe was not doing too well. Most people had internet connections at home. He was worried. Mumbai was a city of dreams. But those dreams had to be fought for. And he was slowly getting tired of fighting.
He was shaken out of his reverie by his vibrating cell phone. It was his wife. He was in for a lecture. He cursed having missed the train. But when he spoke, she sounded hysterical. She was weeping. Suddenly he feared for his daughter. Was she ok? And then her words tumbled out. There had been blasts on 7 trains. The 6:10 fast to Borivali was one of them.

Today…
He was walking along Marine Drive. There was a pleasant breeze blowing. He looked at the setting sun and smiled. A few paces ahead his wife and daughter were buying balloons. Their cheerful faces warmed his heart. He was a happy man today. His tiny net café had grown to a full fledged Computer Shoppe. He now stocked all kinds of accessories, software and even games. It never failed to surprise him when people spent fortunes on video games. But he was not complaining. Thanks to them he had something special in store for his family today.
They walked until they reached the end of the drive. And then he told them. He was going to treat them to 5 star dining today! It would be expensive for sure, but he felt they deserved it for all the tough times they had shared. As they walked into the foyer he could see the look of awe on their faces. But amidst that awe there was pride and respect for him. They went into the restaurant and sat at the table. He could not stop marvelling at all the opulence surrounding them. They tried to decide what they would eat. It would be a tough choice with all those items on the menu.

The two young men walked up the stairs into the hotel. They greeted the receptionist and asked her the way to the restaurant. Walking in, one of them noticed the family of three sitting at the first table. He nudged his partner and pointed at them. They would start there. Whispering a quick prayer, the two pulled out their Kalashnikovs…

Epilogue:
This is a work of fiction. But it is based on some facts. The Mumbai attacks are just 6 months old. And we have moved on. All the clamour and anger has died down. We are back to our usual ways while the perpetrators plan their next move.

The Crossing

The leaves on the solitary tree rustled. He woke up with a slight start. For a while he had forgotten where he was. Then he remembered. He stood up and looked across the road. There she was on the other side, waiting as always. Till date she had never mustered the courage to cross the road. He hoped today would be the day. He longed for her, and even looking at her standing there made him yearn for her touch.
And then he heard it. Coming round the bend on the street. The unmistakable drone of a Corvette V8 engine. How could he ever forget that sound? And then he knew. She would cross the road today. He would hold her again. He walked ahead.

She heard it too. And it sent a shiver down her spine. How she longed to cross that stretch of tarmac and walk across to him. She saw the pain in his eyes each time he looked at her. But she had tried to cross, and failed. And when she heard that sound again, she took a step backwards. Her brown eyes clouded with fear.

Alan’s fingers drummed the tune on the steering wheel. He cranked the radio up a notch. They were playing his favourite song again. He smiled to himself. The judge had ruled in his favour. It wasn’t his fault. Who would have expected it?
His mind went back a week. The second day in his shiny new Corvette. And it had been such a long day at work. He was getting home as quick as he could. Sheila would be mad at him for being so late again. He stepped on the gas pedal ever so slightly and the car jumped ahead. She was such a beauty. He was now doing 70 in a 45mph zone. But it was 11 at night and the cops didn’t frequent this stretch of road.
He came to the turn near the little hillock. One tree hill, it was aptly named. He usually slowed down for this sharp turn. But heck, he had a Corvette. This car was meant to eat up roads. He went around the bend at 60. And there she was, about to cross the road. For a moment his headlights had illuminated her face. Eyes open wide in sheer terror. He had braked hard, but it was too late. And then he had heard the sickening thud and felt his wheels run over her delicate frame. He somehow stopped the car after about 20 feet. Getting out he walked back. He grimaced when he saw her lifeless body at the side of the road. He had turned around to go back and it was then that he had seen him. On the other side of the road. He was standing very still. And then he had seen the eyes. They were fixed on Alan. They were following his every step. And even in their silence they were accusing him. That’s when he had panicked and run to his car, started it and zoomed off.
He shook his head as he approached the same turn again. He was only doing 40 today. He turned round the bend and for a moment felt a sense of déjà vu. There she was again! How was it possible? But then he saw the huge antlers. It wasn’t her. It was him. He would never forget those eyes. So mesmerized was he that he didn’t even brake. Neither did he hear the thud or feel the wheels run over the body. He didn’t flinch as his car crossed the shoulder and hit the boulder straight ahead. All he saw was the eyes. And then the darkness.

Alan opened his eyes. It was bright outside. He felt strangely relaxed. How had he fallen asleep in the car? He looked at the boulder in front of his car. It seemed to be a part of the car now. And then he saw her. She was looking at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes. As he watched, she crossed the road and walked across to him. He was still standing on the other side. They both seemed to be hale and hearty! Something wasn’t right here. And then he knew. He screamed. But there was only silence.
There was a soft breeze blowing. The leaves on the solitary tree rustled.

This is inspired by the innumerable gory roadkills that I have come across during my travels in the US of A. No one spares a second thought for these unfortunate victims of human encroachment.
Putting it in the form of a story was inspired by this blog.