velvet moment
VELVET MOMENT
BY
SAURABH ARORA
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
me. 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.
