Amanita - Chapter 14/page 83

Red…Red…why it's so Red? He struggled to open his eyes, and tried to look through the dense smoke around; everywhere it was red, a strong red dust storm was blowing and then he saw her, in white flowing dress, her black straight long hair….

"Maan….Maan…" she was calling him...softly.

He tried to hold the dried grass stiffened with blood to get up and then again went into blood pool; the blood was oozing from his hand, Uff! The pain was so unbearable but he was desperate to have a look at her; She was drifting away, crying loudly, her cries were tearing off his heart, the ache was worse than the pain the open wounds were giving him.

He helplessly looked at her as she blurred then there was deep silence…now everything around started turning blue, everything becoming clearer, calm….

He could clearly hear her paayal tinkling …..

"Please don't go, I want to see you……" He shouted loudly but then his shouts had no effect on her; she left.

He opened his eyes, and he could feel he was completely drenched, sweating profusely. He could see the ceiling of his room, and then the sound of his curtains moving. He realized it was a dream, still not able to believe it.

'How could it be so real, if it was a dream...?'

He then looked at the watch, it was 5:00 am. It was still dark outside, and then he felt shivers of the cool wind. He looked at the the window panes which were splashing, making noise...he got out of the quilt, came closer to the windows to close it, and saw the streets, the trees all were covered with snow.

'Oh No! another bad day.'

Still time for office, but then he was in no mood to get in sleep. He came near the fire place, took his book and sat on the chair. Something inside was disturbing him very much...he could no longer hold on his reading, he left the book and closed his eyes, the image of the girl was flashing again and again...and he didn't realized when he went into sleep.

He got up as the shrill tone of his mobile perked in his eyes, it was ringing continuously. He rushed to pick it, it was Rohit...

'Hey Maan, what happened ? We are waiting for you. How could you forget that today we have such a important client metting.'

He looked at the watch, aghast. It was 12:00 noon sharp. It will take at least 1 hour for him to reach his office at Manhattan from NewJersey where he lived. He decided not to think much and rushed inside the washroom and with in 5 minutes, he was driving to his Office. He looked at himself in the mirror, brushed his hair...looked at his unshaved beard and then his eyes, swollen. He realized, he looked like a late party rhymer, inside he was feeling helpless.

He looked at the highway board, showing Manhattan City way. He could see the snow started collecting on the sides of the road...

'Bad weather' he talked to himself and accelerated more, holding his breathe and released it only when he parked his car in the driving lot. He fastly took his jacket, his laptop and rushed inside the building.

'Maan, Boss is looking for you.', Pinky shouted as she saw him coming.

He knew it, and he had prepared himself to face him. As he passed her, she gave a sweet look, 'Bad Day!

He smirked..at her and went inside the cabin.

His boss, Paul Maurin was more of a boss then a monster, believed more in actions then speaking. Today it was his turn to face him. He entered inside,preparing himself for death trial and without looking at him, Paul spoke.

'Maan, do you want to be fired?'

He simply stood there, forgetting completely all the reasons he had rehearshed.

'This is last warning. Go back to work'

He looked at his boss in gratitude, really feeling thankful to him, he acquitted him?

He wanted to ask him badly, 'Boss, when was the first time?' but then he kept mum and came out of his cabin, smiling within.

'Bad BOSS! but not that heartless !' He chided and came back to his desk, made himself busy with the work. He didn't realize the time and when he broke off from his files, he could see the whole office empty. He looked outside, could see piles of snow. So everyone left, because of the bad weather.

He also decided to leave, fearing the highway blockage. It was quiet dark, snowing heavily. He looked at highway; I could see only few cars running. The piles of snow formed huge walls on the sides of the highway; He could see emergency lights flashing on the boards.

Suddenly his eyes went on the highway, a girl was waving her hand for lift. She was wearing a heavy red coat, so prominent on the white snowy dark roads, and he stopped.

He slided down the window, and looked at her and as their eyes met, he could feel that she was shocked. Something was in her eyes which made him uneasy. He waited for her to say, and then she spoke..., 'You?'

He was taken aback, but before he could react, a full load of snow was splashed on his face. He opened the car door for her and shouted, "Hey come inside fast...!"

She got inside fastly, she was now looking composed. She closed the door and wheeled the car window up. He could see she was shivering, teething and he increased the heater.

He could now see her face. A young face, probably around eighteen years, pale white, with black eyes…Her straight black hair was covered with snow flakes… He was stunned, He had never seen such a beautiful girl in his life, he could only manage to utter.

"Where shall I drop you?"

"Any nearby station…?"

"Hey Thanks..!" she smiled at him. Her red lips…he could not avoid noticing them, they were so full.

She started warming herself in front of the car heater, and then suddenly asked him… "You look Indian..?"

I nodded…

She smiled.., "I am also Half Indian. My father was Indian and my mother American."

"Oh! What's your name?"

"Geet…"

"Geet…? Beautiful name."

She smiled back at him, "Yours…?"

"I am Maan, I live in NewJersey, you?"

She suddenly shouted, "Drop me right there.…"

He looked around and saw the tube station board, and he stopped his car. She opened the car door and got down…

"Thanks…." she shouted and rushed out of the car.

He felt odd at abrupt ending of this meeting, something was in her walk, he could not take his gaze from her as she disappeared.