The scent of death!!!

As she walked by the seashore she gazed far into the horizon....the sea seemed calm today...so was her mind. Her mind was turbulent like a violent storm a few days back. She had stood by the same sea shore ready to end her life. He had used her, destroyed her life and finally stuck down the last nail by snatching away her only child. She had nowhere to run, no one to turn to, and then she found "Anyan"....
She had first thought that he did not exist....But when she logged on to the net and finally found him, she was amazed at the fact that, so many options for the kill were available. The rope, the dagger, the gun, the poison and what not. But she wanted something different and novel. Then her eyes went on to the name. “The scent of death”...She wondered... could a perfume kill? But then since Anyan had so much of reputation in the business, she was sure that it would work too. She decided on it, paid online, and chose Chennai Marina Beach as the delivery point.
The next day she received a confirmation mail saying that the black coated man would deliver the scent at 6 P.M sharp near the Indian Coffee House.

She looked at her watch. It was already 6 P.M. The sun had almost gone down in the pool of red...she did not know why, but the distant horizon looked red ! She hurried her steps and was panting for breath when she finally reached the ICH. The place was totally crowded. She had worn the red ribbon on her wrist that was mentioned in the arrangement. Suddenly someone caught her arm. She felt a cold shudder running through her body and turned around..... It was him! The black coated man! "You are late"... a deep hoarse voice emanated from the masked face. He quickly put a small bottle into her hand and closed her fingers. "Do not open it except for the job. Good luck". He croaked. She was almost trembling! He vanished quickly into the darkness of the dusk....

As she reached home, she was excited. She was really eager to use that deadly weapon as quickly as she could! Her body was his weakness. She was more a whore than a wife to him! He used to come late by the night and virtually raped her every night. She had to always surrender to his advances or she would be beaten black and blue! He was relentless and cruel! Even after he started living with the other lady he came down to conquer her ego. Today she did not have fear. The hunter would be the hunted! The door bell rang at 11.00 P.M . It was him! She looked at the mirror. She was amazed at how beautiful she looked in the red sari! She went down and opened the door. "Welcome home sweetheart" she said with a smile. He could not believe his eyes! She had never welcomed him in such a manner. He was ogling at her. She looked ravishing in the red sari! He could not wait any longer. "Why are you so happy today?" he asked. "You forgot....It’s our anniversary today. I wanted it to be special for you". She said. She took him to the bedroom. He could not digest what he saw! The bed was covered with jasmine flowers and was beckoning him. "Come on...Let’s not waste time"...she said.. He was drunk as usual...He quickly finished his routine with her and then was snoring peacefully. “Imbecile pig" she murmured inside. Then she took out the bottle...and did exactly as the instruction said. As she opened the bottle a strange scent filled the air. She took a towel and then emptied half the bottle over it. Immediately she shoved it as close as she could into his nose. After a few seconds she removed the towel. He suddenly awoke from his sleep..."What is that strange smell?" He asked...."It’s the smell of death sweetheart" she laughed. He too laughed aloud....But that was his last laugh. He went back to sleep.....never to see the light again....The sleep was eternal...unending into the darkness...

Lady in the Rain....

"Don't forget the bananas. Tomorrow we have pooja at our home"....Deepa yelled at me as I roared the car out of the parking area. I was off to the supermarket to buy some household essentials. I kept the CD player on in my car at a low volume and put on the AC closing the windows. It was raining heavily outside. Dil Dhondta Hai.....was one song which I could never stop listening since the 1970's when I first saw the film. Hearing the song always made me nostalgic and took me to the cloudy snow clad mountains of the Himalayas! I felt myself there. Shimla, like a charming lady clad in a beautiful white sari......pure at heart... untouched.... What a composition! Will there ever be one like Madanmohan again? I wondered. As I took a turn to the left of the main road I saw her...She was wearing a white sari...I would never miss her...I could spot her even from a mile! She was walking all alone in the heavy rain. I slowly pulled my car alongside her."Samrita Didi"....I shouted opening up a window. She stopped. Even though she had an umbrella, she was drenched in the heavy rain. She looked sideways surprised at my loud call. I waved my hand...

She came nearer. "Oh...Mahesh"...she smiled. "Where are you going?" I asked. "Am off to the City Hospital. My aunt is lying there. She had a cataract operation." "Hop in. I will drop you there." I exclaimed. "No Mahesh. I will take an auto. I do not want to trouble you". "No Didi...its raining heavily. You are already drenched. Get in...difficult to catch an auto in this rain". She got in. After a few moments of silence she observed. "Mahesh, you still listen to the same old songs". I looked back. She was smiling. "Yes Didi....remember...your aunt was the one who initiated me into serious music listening". I just have maintained that habit." "How are the kids... and Deepa?" "They are fine". I said. She lived close to my home. But we rarely saw each other. Samrita Didi was 42 years old... two years my senior. She got married to a very rich businessman. But unfortunately he died of lung cancer a few years back. He was a heavy smoker and a alcoholic. To make matters worse for her, she also did not have any offspring's. Though she smiled, I could see the deep sorrow inside her. Her eyes told everything. She was still graceful but her miseries had taken a heavy toll on her appearance. She looked more than her age. Samrita Didi was very beautiful in her younger days. We were childhood playmates! I did not take a sure admission in a boys college for my pre-university and opted for the mixed college in which she was doing her first year degree! I wanted to see her everyday. But after joining the College, I realised that I would never ever reach her. I never ever had the guts to reveal what I felt for her. I would silently watch her whenever I got a chance, but then slowly I realised that she was too far away from me....and then she became Samrita Didi for me...

"Mahesh....why are you so silent?" I suddenly sprang up from my dreams..." No Didi....just went back to the old times. Remember... the day it was raining like this and you were stuck up at the College without an umbrella. I shared my umbrella with you and we walked all the way home."..I looked back and smiled. "Did we? She murmured...I do not remember that Mahesh....I think we have reached the hospital"....I pulled up the car to a stop. "Mahesh, thank you so much for the ride". She got out and waved her hand....

As I drove to the market, I observed...She will never know....she will never...ever know that she was my first love... my first crush!

Crossroads.....

(Chennai July 25th 1991)

The train finally stopped with a huge heave and a sigh at the station. The place was buzzing around with activity. The porters came pouring in to catch their prey! My eyes went over to the beautiful young lady who was sitting in front of me. "Thank you so much. My daughter enjoyed your company". She said. She was in the early thirties and was going to Calcutta alone with her daughter who was 6 years old. "How long are you going to be in Chennai"? She asked. "Well maybe for two days", I mumbled. I did not know how long I was going to stay. I showered a flying kiss on the girl and then said.."Sneha....be a good girl till you get down at Calcutta. Bye"..

I got down the coach and then made my way out of the platform to the entrance. Rickshaw drivers and Car Drivers cornered me. I managed to duck some of them but finally fell prey to an auto driver...... "IIT...poonam"..I shouted at the driver. "Amanga sir" he shouted back...The drive was very long...nothing had changed here..in Chennai...same buildings, shops, the flyover....

"Sir, IIT vandachu"..."Hostel ullla pongo" I said....I got down from the auto and then made my way to the Research Scholars hostel. IIT went to Room number 267 and then knocked..."Wow! what a surprise yaar...How come this sudden visit"? Naveen asked. He was literally shocked to see me! "No yaar...I came to see Sowmya". "But why"? He exclaimed. "She already married the guy she was after nah"? "Yes....Naveen, but her life was a nightmare after that. She rang me up in January and said that she was out of the relationship. She was totally shattered to find out that he was an animal. She is now with her father. I was here in January and went to see her. She was all in tears and asked me to forgive her for giving me false promises and then suddenly changing gears at the last moment. She had this guy in her life before I came in. Her father was against this relationship as he was a non Brahman. But Prof. Raman liked me..he wanted me to wed his daughter, but I did not even have an inkling to her affair with that guy". "Then why did she give you her word"? Naveen asked. "She was forced to keep away from him by her father and I approached her at that time. She did like me but I became a pawn of her vengeance towards her father". "So now she wants you back"? Naveen asked. "No....I offered to take her back". I said. "My god! Shyam why the hell did you offer to take a divorcee back"? Naveen exclaimed. "I loved her Naveen...I loved her immensely. I wanted to give her a second chance". "You are really mad Shyam"..."May be Naveen...but that's how I am. I can't be different". I replied.

The next day I went to Prof. Raman's residence at Anna Nagar. I knocked at the door and Mrs. Raman opened the door. "Vanakkam Amma.." I said. Strangely enough she did not tell me anything. She just asked me to sit and went in. Prof. Raman came and said... "Shyam... please sit. How was the journey"? "I am fine sir. Where is Sowmya"? I asked. He did not say anything and was strangely looking sombre and had a blank look in his eyes. "Shyam...I want to tell you something. I hope you have the courage to take it". "What is it"? I asked. My heart was pounding! I sensed something was not right. "For god's sake tell me"! "Sowmya went back to him two days back! They are getting married again next week"! My heart stopped...I felt as if the whole world was being taken away from under my feet! I did not say anything. I just walked out of the open door. "Shyam listen.." I heard Prof. Raman shout behind me. but I did not listen....I walked aimlessly out of the house...looked at the crossroads....I did not know where to go....But I had already taken one decision...I would never fall in love again.