VELVET MOMENT

It was the day we met, the day she died. She seemed perfect in

all ways. Her influences seemed to have its heart in the right

place. And then I felt happy she couldn’t see .Because seeing is

believing and I believe we wouldn’t have met otherwise.

 

I am what you call ugly, and I don’t implore you to see

otherwise. What’s the point. But then I was forced to see things

in a new light ,one day. The day we met.

 

She splashed across the drain under the water clogged

streets. It was july. Laughing and looking up at the smoggy ,

grey skies. She turned to face me and I realised she couldn’t

see. She didn’t recoil. not once

 

She faced the black with a smile. She came forward and tried to

touch my face. I stopped her. I tried to let go but couldn’t.

There was too much electricity.

 

Caustic drops splattered around us in the by-lanes of Thane

district. Nothing felt more royal. It was like velvet. The moment

between us. Her face was suddenly exotic. Like a princess waking

up to fresh flowers.

 

I felt ashamed of myself. Every moment with her reminded me of

what I was. I grew smaller by the moment. Until I was so

miniscule i couldn’t bear it. I let go. I wanted her to run with

I wanted to take care of her. Rediscover our world .

 

A whistle besides my ear deafened me , as I woke up to

shattering windows and mortar around me. They had come .The

cops. To hunt me down. The last of my gang. The last of my kind.

 

I make a dash for it. I promise her a return under my

breath. She seemed to have heard it . She smiles . Do I see a nod? I think

I do. I run and two more appear in front. They open their

barrels. Screams explode. As does my left arm. I fall down while

trying to keep myself up. and I see nothing. I couldn’t see

her. Is this what they call blindness. I don’t really want to

know. And then I spot her. Floating above the very drain she

leaped over, to reach me. A trail of red took her away. Her eyes closed.

 

They place a gun in my hand. I don’t resist

They charge me with a fresh count of murder . I don’t deny.

Death sentence is all they can provide. I accept

 

The only thing I do, is remember , the promise I made .In my own ,very first, velvet

moment.

***

By Saurabh Arora