I walked up slowly to the back lawn. The Fiat Padmini stood in the shed. Ghost-like. Paint peeling. Wires. Worms. Windows. I tried pushing the back door open. On the left. Where I always sat. It was jammed. As diffident as the menacing storm clouds that assembled at a distance. I touched the cracked glass pane. Hoping to somehow make my way inside. A tiny piece of jagged glass pierced my palm. Blood oozing out. Instantly. I closed my eyes. When I am older, I will repair this car...and then well go for a long outing... just us... I grabbed Karnas right arm. He was shirtless. Will you drive? I whispered, placing my head on his shoulders. Karna remained silent. It was raining that evening. There was no Sun. It was December. Karnas body strangely temperate. Whats the matter? I reprised after a few seconds, moving away awkwardly. Karna stared outside in silence. There is a severe drought in my village. Baba says all our crops will perish. And the cattle...and... his lower lip quivered. I placed my left thumb over his cleft. Shissh...nothing will happen. I heard Dadaji saying he is organizing relief funds. The Government is also taking care. Its all over the papers. Ration and supplies are being sent, as we speak. Its just a matter of time, Karna. Besides, you are here. With me. This is Delhi. This is home. You are safe, I spoke fast. Karna had the darkest eyelashes. He ran his hands over the front seat. Restlessly. Rāhula... he breathed fast, adding before I could say anything, why do you want to save this thing, huh? I laughed out loud. There was a fierce streak of lightening. Because you have to fight for the things that you love. There is no other way... I had barely finished my sentence. Karna stepped outside the car. Hey... I shrieked. Whats bothering you? I added, falling out of breath. The rains were coming down harder. It was difficult to hear my own words. Are you blaming me for the drought, now? I tried making light of the moment. Karna swerved all of a sudden. And what if I said yes? he grit his teeth, his eyes glowing, predator-like. I faced him now, my clothes soaking wet. What are you saying, huh? You are not making sense. Are you saying I am responsible for all the villagers... farmers... poor people...in this damn country? Anyone who suffers? Dies? I bitterly retaliated. Karna pushed me back roughly, using the strength of both his bare hands. He was taller than me. I slipped, falling on the ground. You have to fight for the things that you love, Rāhula. There is no other way, his chest heaved. I opened my eyes, now. The door lock was unhinged. Karna... I mused. Slipping back into a familiar darkness. The seat covers were mostly torn. I grabbed whatever was left. Knowing what Karnas anger had meant. How I let him down. You have to fight for the things that you love, Rāhula. There is no other way... Why Karna let me get away...
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 08:41:39 +0000
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