After The Assassination

May 23, 1991.

Joined NLC.

She entered bus at Nagercoil.

Could not talk.

Beautiful eyes, lovely smile.

Chidambaram bus-stand was dark, deserted; the bus driver refused to continue. There were rumours. About gangsters, murdering party members, black posters with crosshair, “We’ve an eye on you.”

I carried our suitcases. She held a handle, nearly touching. Could not talk.

Got a bus after two hours, reached Neyveli around nine, relieved, ready to smile.

From the bus, she waved to a handsome young man. I left the bus-stand without looking at her.

July 15, 1991.

Saw her at Indian Coffee House. She came to my table.

(no more entries in that diary)


Note: binagupta on Sulekha introduced this as "Challenge is for 110 words short story Theme: Traveling with Strangers- must have twist"

Btw, it was judged as "...nice attempt..." At times, the twist is in straightening a twisted tale...

Well, this is not really a short story. But, what the heck! To remember a journey...and to explore misunderstanding (if any) and most importantly, what could happen next...

I have been haunted by life-journeys where only the terrorists get a chance to talk...