A Small Halt

The bus stopped with a sudden jerk, as my eyes opened. It was almost dawn and we reached the transit point between Assam and Tripura – Churaibari, the place where every bus has to stop for clearance, before they can enter Tripura or go out of the state. The place was almost barren. There was nothing except the small Police Post, a tiny puncture shop and a still smaller tea stall where everyone went for washing their tired faces and probably, for a cup of tea and some cookies. Well, that’s all you would get there. A few hawkers were walking around with their goods – cucumber, masala muri or chanachur, boiled eggs and jackfruits. Nobody had the urge to eat those things at this early hour in the day. Even the hawkers knew that, I felt, for they were not shouting as much. Maybe they were saving the energy for the long day to come. The busses will come and leave, but they have to stay awake as late till midnight and get up again this time tomorrow. Most of the passengers were sluggish to get down from their seats. It was not light as yet. It was hot, but the dawn brought along a cool breeze that somehow made its way through the broken glass window panes of the bus. A few commuters went down and stretched themselves, after the night long slumber. On the way down, one of them came to me and asked if I have a matchbox. I realized that I can do well with a smoke too. I went down, lit the cigarette and looked up, as I smoked out. There was a ray of twilight coming from behind the bus, standing next to us. I showed the same to the man in his mid thirties, who looked at it but did not show any interest whatsoever. I wanted to see the sky more closely. And I walked down the road and tried to see through the windows of that bus, when I saw her for the first time. She was also travelling the same route, just behind me for almost 15 hours now and I am seeing her for the first time. What a shame! I came close to the window as the cigarette smoked itself, to have a closer look. She was asleep, wrapped up in that green blanket. I could see only her gorgeous face, with the same glow which felt like a bud, about to bloom. She did not move; her nostrils were still; the locks of hair on her face were brushing the lips, but she did not move. I threw the cigarette butt – it was useless to hold it when you are not smoking. I just wanted to call her, but my jaws were stuck. Suddenly my bus woke up and gave a nasty call – I had to go now, but can’t I talk to her for a moment? Can I just ask how she is and go? Nope. There was no time and it was too late. My mate in the bus popped out his head from the window and waved at me; my bus was about to leave. I looked at her for one last time – she was calm, relaxed and silent, unaware of any movement around her. The eyes would not open to see me, not even once. The helper swung himself out of the door and waved at me for the last time. The final call! I had to go and I left. I jumped in as the bus crossed the boundary slowly. It is going to run like hell once it crosses the border area. It would not wait for me. It would not wait for her, to come close to us. Her bus might have come here 15 minutes later and this distance in time will be maintained till we reach Agartala. I am not sure where she will get down. I could not think who will be waiting for her there. All I was able to think was her flawless face – I wish she would open her eyes for once. My mate asked in that grave voice of his, “Was there anybody in there, you know?” I was taken aback by this question. Never felt he would talk to me, after this long speechless journey. I don’t know if he heard my answer. I murmured within, “Yes, my wife - my ex wife!” and closed my eyes.

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Cats in Rain (Raining Cats)

[Another Story posted in The Writer's Lounge]

~~*!!(O!$!O)!!*~~

The mother’s lap was very cozy. She did not want to move out. It was almost evening and Mom will soon go out to fetch food. She would be left alone. She wanted to remain inside her fur and enjoy the warmth for as long as possible; but she could not. The mother suddenly rose from her nap and stood up. She looked around with suspicion and searched for something unknown. Cats are always like that. The little kitten has seen it happen when the neighbor’s bull dog comes down for a stroll, but this time, she was unsure of what the matter really was. She peeped out and saw – raindrops! It has started to drizzle. There was a fear in her mother’s eyes. Rain in the evening means there would be no outing for mother tonight, which means there will be no catch, which means they have to sleep without food yet another night. Oh! How much would she want the rains to stop! She is still young, and cannot go out with mother to hunt; yet she thinks she should at least do something to stop it from raining. She sneaked a look out of the old jeep ruins and looked up. It was real cloudy today; it was almost dark. She was about to come out of their shed, which they called home, but her mother’s paw stopped her from going out. The drizzle was gaining might. The mother would not let her child to go out. They looked at each other. Both were hungry. The mother could see it in her eyes. She was all prepared to go out and fetch some food for dinner; but it is raining now. Where would she go and what would she hunt? It was not unusual for her to go without food at night; but those were different days. Her daughter’s father was around and he would render all love and protection. They would go wild teasing, chasing and loving each other and running around the jeep and the hedge nearby. They never felt hunger then. Now, it is a different situation – she has her little kitten to feed. She cannot let her go without food – not even in this downpour. She looked at her. The kitten gave an empty look. She looked up once and sprang out of the shed. The little kitten kept staring at her – mum.

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