‘Thank you so much, Ashok.’ I said wholeheartedly
He smiled ‘Are you feeling ok?’
I shrugged. ‘It’s okay, if you want to stay for the night.’ That might have triggered something within him. But I could see him all tired. He has been driving for a long time.
‘Sorry, Ashok.’ A part of me feels lucky for spending time with him but my heart still skips a beat and wonder how long my luck will last.
‘Sorry for?’
‘Sorry for today.’ I heartfully apologised,
We got down and waving good bye to him.
‘Don’t mention it. Meghana, Be safe. Call me if you need anything’ He started the engine. I wanted to ask again. Although, I respect his decision if he wants to leave.
‘Bye, Meghana,’ He turns his gaze ‘Bye, Aditi’ smiles ‘Both of you take care. Meet you tomorrow.’ He rushed. He left his busy day for me. Does he still feel for me?
*****
Meghana’s Residence
We strolled through my garden and I took my keys out from my handbag to unlock the door. By then, I was surprised to see that door is already open; I forget to lock the door. When I hurried to meet Aditi. Me and my stupid mistakes.
‘I guess, I need to start keep reminders for basic things also.’ I slammed my forehead and smiled at Aditi.
As we stepped inside. I asked Aditi to sit down. Switching on the lights ‘Room is a bit messy. Kindly adjust,’ I smiled again. ‘Make yourself at home.’
Aditi mumbled. ‘That’s fine. Don’t worry. I’m good.’
Coming back to home is so rewarding. I like spending my time within four walls. I’m not a person of travel. Damn hungry! There should be something in the fridge. I removed my jacket and changed into my nightwear immediately. Now, I feel much lighter on my toes. ‘Aditi, I know you are hungry too. Let me get something to eat.’ roaring as I entered the kitchen. I heard of sounds of gulping. My fingers busy, reaching the board, to switch on the lights. I sensed a dark figure moving, making weird sounds. My blood runs cold. I whip around, unable to hide my fear. I grabbed the frying pan lying around. Slowly ensuing the sound as calm as I could, I approached the thing and raised my pan high in the air with all my power.
‘Who are you?’ I screamed.
Then he slowly turned around; while I wrapped my arms around my chest; breathing in momentum. Tube light is glitching, then to my surprise; face slowly exposed from shadow. I could see, sweaty and nervously quivering Rahim as bright light hits hard on his face.
Rahim Razak
Chapter V
Grand Imperial Hotel, Mumbai.
12th August, 2011.
I can’t bring myself to move. All my thoughts, stagnated. Voices keep echoing the madness, I’ve gone through in the past twelve hours. I started suspecting myself, since the interrogation. Am I a terrorist? I don’t comprehend, what is going on? Why wasn’t I not able to point out my country? on the map. Why my passport was unacceptable. When it is third time, I have come to Mumbai and I never faced this issue before.
I don’t know if Miss Meghana had a word with my wife as yet. Aditi is the only person, who can pull me out from this mess. I’m sure, she would come running for my rescue. Police officers are forcefully labelling me as a terrorist and linking me to the recent blasts. My brain is dead. I cannot think of anything. They didn’t let me have my phone either. I have two police officers waiting in the connecting room. For every ten minutes, they check on me. I’m trapped. I feel like these four walls are gradually inching towards me. So close, that now I face difficulty in breathing. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to know, what is happening. I want to run back home and crawl into my bed, silently like a cat and just wake up to a fine morning, ending this nightmare.
*****
I grabbed on the food instantly as they passed the parcel, like a prisoner who has not eaten for ages. What will I do? If I’m unable to convince them about my country’s existence? What will they do to me? Will they accuse me of the recent bombings? How will I invalidate them? I’m here to meet my wife, who was one of the victims of that bomb blast. Why will I kill my own wife? I love her so much.
I rolled the shower knob anticlockwise, drizzles of warm water, freezing my cranium in elevating temperature. Lost in the thoughts of Aditi. I walked out, glancing at the large black hat with smooth edges over a suitcase which looks similar to mine.
Wait, but it’s not my hat. Mine is much bold and darker than this one. This is my luggage and the hat looks similar. But, isn’t mine. I scratch my head vigorously.
I rushed to the luggage, unlocked it. Started flinging all clothes in the air. I have no idea, what I’m searching for. Maybe something that could serve as a clue. The hat isn’t something valid to prove my presence or existence of my country.
‘Nothing! Nothing!’ I crouched my head into my hands. Pressing the forehead and pulling my hair like a mad person, slapping my forehead as hard as I could.
My gaze locked and ceased searching around; I saw a secret zipper beneath the suitcase. It is a hidden zipper to store expensive items or something valuable. I remember the shopkeeper showing that to me when I purchased the briefcase. My fingers reached the zipper in no
