"When I Close My Eyes..."

THIS IS A SHORT STORY THAT I HAVE WRITTEN. DO GIVE YOUR REVIEWS IN THE COMMENT SECTION AFTER READING IT :)

     

         

                                     

The afternoon was hot and so was the railway carriage. The next stop was Kajiguda. The old lady opposite was fast asleep and I wondered whether she had missed her stop. But, I didn’t dare wake her up.

I kept staring at her. She reminded me of someone I knew; someone I was going to meet after a long time. There was still an hour left to reach Kajiguda.

I stared out of the window and saw the beautiful landscape as it zoomed by, creating a visual blur of memories.

I closed my eyes and focused on my thoughts; I closed my eyes and listened to my heart. I closed my eyes and I saw her.

I saw her smile; she looked so beautiful! Just looking at her, gets your heart racing!

Her eyes were a beautiful cloud of mist, with its unusual mystery of happiness and rejoice. It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside. But well, I try not to think of her. The feel of nostalgia makes me want to smile, but also to cry.

I have cried, I have tried, but I couldn’t forget her. As a matter of fact, I can’t forget her; because if I do, then all that I did till now, would have been of no worth.

Yes! I loved her; more than anything you could imagine.

Sometimes, I wonder why the world is unfair. The time that we spend here is so short, and yet we cease to love each and every being in this world.

It all started two years ago, when I first met her in my college. I was a year ahead of her.

                                                                 *                   *                    *

It was a boring summer day. I and Karan were sitting at the last bench, dreading over attending college that day. Our professor, Dr. Suprajit was taking a class on mechanics.

“Seriously….What is wrong with you?” I said, “I told you, we could have gone for the movies.”

“Bro, we’ll be having our exams soon and I have no idea what I’m going to do.” Karan said. 

“So let’s at least sit for a few classes.”

“Yeah well, I guess it’s paying off because, you seem to be paying attention to Dr. Suppu.” I mocked.

“I’m at least trying; but it would help, if you keep the noise down.”

“Oh, okay genius!” I said. “You sit here, while I go to the movies.”

Suddenly, Prof. Suprajit caught us talking.

“Jishaan and Karan will both of you please get out of my class.”

“But sir-” started Karan.

“OUT!!” Suppu said, pointing at the door.

“Oh thank God!” I whispered and came out of the classroom, with Karan murmuring behind me.

“So, what now?” He asked.

“I don’t know; stop pestering me and go behind that girl you have a crush on.”

I took out my phone and started playing games.

 *                *                *

Soon enough, it was lunch time; we headed to the canteen. We bought a few snacks and a large mug of hot chocolate.

“How can you be so immature?”

“Suppu asked us to ‘get out’. What did I do?” I said.

“You don’t like to study; you made this happen. Now, all thanks to you, I have to go for extra classes.”

“Good luck!” I sneered.

Karan got annoyed; he hit my shoulder. I hit him back. And before we knew it, we started a fight.

 He brought his fist rolling towards me, which I ducked. I stumbled upon something, tripped and went tumbling forward with my hands rolling, hoping to get balance.

I lost my balance, hit someone and fell down along with them.  I opened my eyes to see that I was lying down. I saw someone else lying down next to me. It was a girl; she had a small bruise on her forehead. Maybe, she was the person I had accidentally hit.

She squinted in pain. That is when, for the first time, I saw those beautiful brown eyes. The time around us froze; everything was in slow-motion.  They looked like sunshine in water.

Before I could do anything, a couple of guys grabbed me, pulled me up and started bashing me. All she did was look at me, helpless. And, all I did was look at her; wow! I loved this feeling.

Karan was stunned; he came to my rescue. He pushed through the crowd and pulled me out.

“Stop!!” he shouted, “It was an accident.”

 I know this is awkward, but this is how I first met her. But, at that moment, something inside of me said, “Go for it!”

I came back home, aided by my dearest friend.

                                *                        *                        *

“What were you doing??” asked my mother.

“Umm..  aunty, we were playing rugby and he came up with a little accident.” Said Karan.

“It’s okay ummi, I’m alright.” I said.

“How can you be so careless Jishaan?”

“I’m okay ummi!”

My mother had never been so worried. But after all, she is my mom and I guess I can understand.

The day went by, with the girl in my thoughts. I tossed and turned all night; I couldn’t sleep. I couldn't get her out of my mind. What was happening to me!?!

A few more days went by this way, with the girl still in my thoughts. I came to know her name; it was ‘Zia’. One day, I finally showed the guts to meet her. I saw her strolling through the architecture block of our college.  I ran up to her.

“Hey, are you okay?”

She didn’t stop.

“Hey, I’m sorry!”

She turned around, looked at me with a blank face and started walking away from me again.

I kicked the floor. I lost her this time.

Once college got over, I told Karan about the afternoon, as we made our way home. It was a beautiful evening, as we walked under the thick canopies. But almost instantly, everything became dark. I saw Zia, a few metres ahead of me; she was not alone. She was being eve teased by a gang of men. There were three of them.

I ran up to her.

“Who are you?” asked one of them.

“Stay away from her.” I said, “Come Zia, let’s go home.”

One of them taunted.

I smacked him in the face. Karan came running behind and both of us fought them. I kicked one of them and punched him hard in the face. Then, I jumped and smack kicked his jaw and threw a blow at his face; he fell down unconscious. Karan fought the other guy. He punched his chest, cracked his wrists and smack punched his nose. All three of them, understood that they had to flee and so they did.

I saw Zia; her beautiful face, hiding beneath the mask of panic.

“It’s okay Zia. I’m there for you.” I said.

She looked at me with a faint smile; I smiled back.

“I think maybe, you love birds should get going; it’s getting late.” Karan said.

Since then, we met every day; we talked almost every time since.

She was hesitant in the beginning and was quite unsure of me. She was her parents’ only child and was quite mature with her decisions. I respected her and made sure I didn’t ruin things for her.

The days went by and she started trusting me. There was a flare in her eyes every time we used to meet in the libraries, coffee shops and where not.

I made sure that I was clear about one thing; that I truly loved her and wanted to be with her for the rest of my life and that this was not some sort of an infatuation. I had found my better half; where I lagged, she picked up and where she, I. We were meant to be.

She loved me too. She even discussed about our marriage, our family and our future. This was not an ordinary relationship; our hearts were bonded forever.

We used to meet at the beach and talk. She was worried; worried about us. I had to meet her father someday and we both knew that, the day was not far away.

I did meet her mother. A kind hearted lady she was, with a beauty of her own, just like her daughter. She liked me and saw me as her own son. I called her ‘ummi’ too.

There were times that I spent with her that I still can’t forget. We were near the shore, along the breakwater. I was lying on her lap watching the sunset skies, as the cool breeze of the seas swished through her hair and left it all scattered on her face. I loved the way, how she delicately pulled the hair away from her face and then, I could see those beautiful brown eyes again. 

Anybody could be pretty, but, I assure you she was not. She was beautiful; the kind of beauty that comes from both her heart and her appearance.

But, little did we know about the consequences we were to face a few months from then.

                                                       

                                                      *                     *                      *

A few months later, our university exams were nearing.

It was like any other day, where I and Karan were sitting in the back bench; but this time we were actually trying to study. Zia had once told me, that “studies will only benefit you”. It was although, a little cloudy and overcast.

We were having our machine drawing class.

All of a sudden, the door of the classroom broke open. I saw a large group of students, carrying red flags.

“We are boycotting this educational institution. No teaching will happen today, we are calling a strike.” One of them said.

All of us came out of the class. My thoughts were of Zia. I had to go get her and make sure she is safe. I went to the architectural block, accompanied by Karan. I got her and we ran out of the block. 

A riot had begun. A swarm of police officers were tackling student activists.

It had started raining. I grabbed Zia’s hand and pulled her forward. We ran for our lives. The police arrived in a big van and they started throwing tear gas. It was very hard for us; to breathe and to run with all of this commotion happening. Suddenly, out of the blue, a police officer charged and swung his baton aiming to strike me. I ducked, but unfortunately it hit Zia in the forehead.

It started bleeding. I became furious and kicked the officer out of my way. The crowd was increasing, but most importantly, Zia needed medical attention. We pushed our way through the crowd and made it to the back gate; it was locked. One by one, I helped Zia and Karan jump the wall. Once it was my turn, a police officer grabbed my leg and pulled me away.

“Karan!!” I shouted. “Take Zia along with you. Take her to the hospital, quick!” I said.

“What about you?”

“I’m stuck” I said, “GO!!!”

I pushed the police officer and ran as fast as my legs could’ve carried. I stopped, ducked and hid behind a corner. I crouched down, with my eyes closed. I don’t know what had happened, but I guess 

I dozed off for an hour.

I opened my eyes to see that it had become dark. Lots of blood had been splattered all over the college. There was no one around. I made my way to the gate and jumped it. I tried to call Karan, but his phone was not reachable.

I ran all the way to the nearest hospital; but, both of them had not been there. Just as I was about to leave the hospital, I saw Karan arrive carrying an unconscious Zia. He saw me and came towards me.

“It’s those eve teasers again; they bashed us up when we came outside.” Karan said. “But somehow, I defended them off and ran all the way here.”

“Is she alright?” I asked.

“She’s just unconscious.”

I saw scratches on Karan’s face. Zia’s clothes were brutally torn. I had a bad feeling; as if there was something more to the story.  I was confused whether to trust Karan, but after all, he was my best friend.

The doctor got her into the ICU. I couldn’t stand the sight! She was bruised all over the face, her clothes were tattered, and she was bleeding.

An hour or two passed; I was praying silently. I was afraid. “You can do it Zia!” I said to myself.

                                                      *                          *                          *

Sometime later, the nurse came out of the ICU.

“Mr. Jishaan?”

“Yeah, that’s me” I said.

“The patient wants to talk to you.”

I got into the ICU, to see my angel, my soul, lying down all tattered. I sat next to her. She opened her eyes and looked into mine.

“Jishaan?”

“Yes dear?”

“Don’t t- trust him.” She spoke with difficulty.

“Who?”

“K-Karan..” she stammered. “He did very bad things to me. He harassed me.”

She took a deep breath.

“What? No!” I said.

“H-He always h-had an eye on me; a dirty eye.” She said, “Once, we g-got out of the college, we ran as fast as we could. Just then, we saw those eve teasers again. We decided t-to hide, in a nearby shed. Once, it became dark, he started behaving in a strange way. He started touching me. I struggled, but he smacked me in my face. He took advantage of me Jishaan.”

Tears flooded my eyes.

“I love you Jishaan, I always will. Our hearts are bonded forever. I’m sorry I had to ruin things for us. I wish this had never happened. Look after ummi for me will you…? ”

Those were her last words. She became still.

“Zia?”

There was nothing but eerie silence. I touched her forehead; it felt cold. I kissed her on the cheek and cried. My tears fell on her lifeless face.

And, that is how we parted; but our souls were always one.

That night, after her burial ceremony, I cried hard. I cried for weeks, I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep. My mother and father were very supportive. Zia’s mother also saw me as her own son. I lost my connection with this world.

Life is really funny. There are people in this world who live, so that others may die. And there are another bunch of people, who die, so that others may live peacefully. There are also people who die for no reason, leaving their loved ones behind.

              *                     *                     *

I didn’t quit; I fought for Zia! I conducted riots. I filed a case, against Karan. It was hard; my best friend who betrayed me and my better half who left me.

Karan’s father had political influence. He tried to suppress my efforts. I fought and fought for Zia’s rights; I took it to the Supreme Court of India. I made public awareness. The news had spread all over the country

 I also protested against the government with a group of students from all over the country. We protested for Zia, the love of my life. But, it was all in vain. Our country is so developed, that it fails to show justice to the society.

                                                               

                                                  *                         *                         *

I opened my eyes, I reached Kajiguda. I was going to meet Zia’s mother.  I collected my bag and went all the way to meet her. She had been living in here along with her husband, since their daughter’s death.

We live in a country, where we are still deprived of certain rights. People like Karan, are people who don’t deserve to be alive. They show one face, but behave with another. Rapists should be hanged! That is the least punishment that they could get.

If we don’t act against rapists, then who will? Stop complaining about your country, because YOU are your country! 

Anybody could be prey. It could be your mother, you sister, your daughter or even your wife. The women of our country are not safe, only because of certain people without morals.

Parents should teach certain morals to their children as they grow up; because, even men came from women.

This is a true story. We hear the news of thousands of women being harassed; even five year olds. Every story may have a back story like this, where, we lose a loved one, because our society needs to grow up.

 Let’s take a stand and protest against rapists!

ABDUL MALIK

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