VIBGYOR

by Keerthana Jayaraj

  “I will get a job. In fact I am starting my search for one. But it will be something suited to my tastes. That means I'm never setting foot inside your fancy office building. And before you sneer at my choice of occupation...Had it ever occurred to you that what I can earn from it is actually enough for me?”

  “PAH! Would it be enough to fetch you a good dress?

  “Thankfully, my idea of good and your idea of good are two entirely different things.”

  The man, if it were even possible, went a deeper shade of red. I remembered the ‘orange boom' and held on to Goldy, ready push her out before rushing in to Shiva's rescue. Poor Goldy was shaking like a five year old watching a horror movie. She seemed unable to move on her own.

  The man stood there, glaring at the blank wall for a whole minute. He appeared to be choking down every bit of his feelings,however painful they may feel going down his throat. Hm...I guess loads of people go about their lives like pressure cookers. They swallow everything instead of letting them out and one day....They explode with greater destructive force than the worst kind of weapons created by mankind. But strangely enough...This man hadn't struck me as the type.

  “Like mother...Like daughter...” There was such bitterness in his voice that I couldn't help staring at him. Shiva scoffed rather theatrically and sat down, presumably to escape into her make believe world. Someone in Shiva's books had called writing an anesthetic. The most wonderful escape mechanism or something along those lines. Since I'm not a writer I can't comment on that one but if it is really some sort of painkiller I hope it works out of Shiva. She sure has a mountain worth of pain to kill.

  The man went away just as his wife came tottering after him blabbing something about an important business call. All traces of emotion disappeared from his face as he raced upstairs.

  “I wish...” Goldy muttured something I couldn’t quite catch.

  “What?”

  “I wish I had been anywhere else but here. Hell!”

  I laughed at her endearing naivity.Humans were all same. Some may put up a good show of being content and happy but at their core they were all unhappy being, wallowing in greed and sky high expectations that never come to pass. More...More..More...Even in the face of crippling old age and death want more...One more drop of life...One more second...

  “Good so far...” Shiva's soft voice put an end to my philosophizing. She was leaning back on the hard chair with a happy smile on her face. At that moment, I understood what the girl meant by “work that makes me happy”.

  Curious, I moved to read what she wrote. Goldy followed suit. She was free at last. Free of the invisible chains that had bound her to a monster. Free...Free...FREE....Finally free. But what to do with her freedom was a greater question. Where to go was the greatest one. Who wanted her free? Odd...Now that she thought about it, no one did. Except herself. One who was free was dangerous.

  Shiva lapsed into writing again after a few minutes. Her eyes wide and dreamy seemed to see something beyond this world. Something special that appeared before her and her only.

  “Should I give her a name or not?”

  She asked the blank wall, clipping her hands together in exasperation. Then all of a sudden she snapped her fingers and exclaimed.

  “Of course!” Her fingers banged against the typewriter keys, as if in a hurry to put down her thoughts on paper. Her eyes gleamed as each word appeared on the paper. After she was done she picked up the page and read it again and again, the smile on her lips widening.

  To everyone she was nothing but a name. But to herself she was an angel. A fallen angel. Fallen because she refused to be imprisoned. Fallen because she wanted her freedom.

  “I think Goldy...” I said slowly, as Shiva embarked on another mad writing spree. “We should leave her alone to enjoy her hobby.””

  Goldy simply nodded. She still looked badly shaken up, the bubbliness and cheerfulness ripped right out of her system. Guess every being, spirit or human has cheerfulness ripped right out of her system. Guess every being, spirit or human has VIBGYOR such moments.

  “You haven't met her husband, have you? I think it's time...”

  “Time...” Goldy muttered blankly.

  “Yeah.You know...not for revenge but...a few pranks that would give him a hard time.”

  Goldy woke up a little at word prank. Her countenance lighted up considerably. Heartened, I continued confidently.

  “A spot of investigation too. After all you've been through today, I think you deserve a treat.”

  “Let's go.” Goldy said, with a shadow of her former cheerfulness.

  The front door of Nandan’s house was open. The plastic doll of a servant was ushering in a very familiar lady dressed in an elegant skirt and blouse. “Wow!”

  Goldy uttered an exclamation of admiration and then looked ashamed.

  “She’s a witch, of couse. But she...” Goldy paused looked even more ashamed. “But she sure has a lovely face.”

  “A witch with the face of an angel...That’s not a rare phenomena is it, Goldy? In fact, it too common that it has become an unfortunate cliche.”

  We followed the woman in and ran straight into Nandan’s father. If he simply ‘hadn’t approved’ of Anasuya before...At present he looked as if he despised her. “The manager and owner of Cuisine International are my friends.” He told in in a soft dangerous voice. “Everything that happened there came to ears and...” He paused, stepping towards her till their noses touched. “Keeping aside the fact that your conduct had been disgraceful...I don’t for a moment believe the cock and bull story you fed my son.” He smiled devilishly at the slowly spreading horror on her face. “Oh yes...He did tell me that the second I confronted him about his abominable behaviour.”

  “But that’s the truth!” Anasuya cried out, her eyes wide and innocent fixed upon her future father-in-law. The old man guffawed.

  “My son is, of course, a fanciful bungler. But his stupidity is not an inherited trait.” He made as if to go out of the door but turned back to stare right into Anasuya's

  He made as if to go out of the door but turned back to stare right into Anasuya's startled eyes. “I know a gold digger when I see one.”

  The minute he walked out of the door, Goldy burst into laughter.

  “He's good!”

  I nodded before dissolving into laughter myself. Anasuya's pale face was too great a temptation to resist. She didn't remain the caught out criminal for long though. Within seconds she straightened up her face, and infused the right amount of love-sickness into her eyes. I couldn’t help be impressed. She was good. Damn good.

  Her fiance was waiting for her in his room. Nandan looked immaculate, as dressed up like on their lunch date. He beamed as his love entered and his eyes dripped affection in a way that made me want to rush out from the room.

  “What an idiot!”

  “Why bother stating the obvious, Goldy?

  “I met you father on the way.” Fears brushed under the carpet...The right amount of righteous indignation infused into the classic helpless beauty voice. Class act girl! Nandan, of course had to play the knight in shining armour to the witch disguised as a fairy princess because that's what idiots do. As his big puppy eyes gazed helplessly into Anasuya's I was almost ready to grab Goldy and run. But...

  “Anu...”

  I caught my breath at the disarming lilt in his voice. He may be an idiot but I am not. I can recognize sincerity when I see it.

  “A gold digger....That's what he...he...called...me...”

  Anasuya shook uncontrollably as she tried to hide her face in her hands. Her voice escaped her lips in rapid half incoherent sobs.

  “Is that what you believe as well? Is...Should...Should I just remove the ring and leave?” She sank down to the floor with every word, her skirt crumpling under her. “Anu...”

  Nandan rushed to her, his eyes helpless.

  “Anu...I'm sorry.”

  He said, kneeling down, his fingers brushing li
ghtly on her shoulder.

  Anasuya didn't move or speak. Her hands hugged her knees fiercely as hot drops of tears leaked painfully put of her eyes.

  “He heard about the commotion at the hotel and asked me. He knew I was going...” “You shouldn’t have told him. You... You shouldn't have GIVEN HIM A BLOODY REASON TO SEPARATE US!”

  Anasuya exploded, spit flying out from her mouth like an active volcano. Nandan recoiled, a tinge of revulsion on his features. Then, like a gallant video gamer determined to try again, he sank down beside her. “Anu...”

  He called gently, lifting her chin with the tip of his finger.

  “Please listen...”

  Several teardrops that clung to Anasuya's eyelashes dropped onto her cheeks and slowly made their way down. “I know it's trite and silly but I'll say it because I want you to hear me out.” Their eyes locked. For a moment neither spoke.

  “I trust you Anu. I always have. Always will.”

  His fingers brushed through her fine as silk hair, before slowly moving towards her lips. He traced their full shape slowly and deliberately, his eyes still lost in her's. “How many times do I have I have to say that I adore you? That I’m helplessly and hopelessly in love with you? That it has been that way way from meeting number one?”

  “Nandan...”

  “Shhhhh”

  With a playful smile, Nandan's strong arms locked Anasuya into a warm embrace. “I love you Anu. Nothing will ever change that.”

  Anasuya's eyes were overflowing with emotion. Teardrops raced out of her eyes. “Please tell me that you do too.”

  “I...I...”

  She gave in completely. Her head fell against Nandan's chest with a wail.”

  “I...I...I...”. Anasuya’s pleading eyes bore into Nandan’s, a kind of helplessness haunting their hazel depths. “I know you do.”

  Nandan drew her closer and dropped a burning kiss on the top of her head.

  Goldy writhed uncomfortably at my side, muttering things about witches and actresses. But I stood still, my eyes fixed on them as they got up and walked out of the door eyes still locked together.

  Happily never after…

  That was what Shivani had said.

  “Er…Shakti? Shouldn’t we start looking?”

  And we looked. Papers were read (dry accounting), suitcases were opened and closed(more business files), cabinets were opened and shut(How I hate business suits!) and personal drawers were checked and double checked(an overdose of Anasuya!). There was not even a scent left of Shivani, the woman who had occupied the room (although not Nandan’s heart) for a while. Not a picture……not even a sniff…not even a…

  “Do you smell…”

  Goldy’s baffled voice broke into my thoughts.

  “Smell…what…”

  My voiced trailed away as the smell reached me. A vile coppery smell…A very familiar smell…. The image of broken glass with dried blood stuck inside the cracks rose into my mind. From the horrified look Goldy was giving me, the same idea had occurred to her too.

  “Quick! Where is it…” The question had barely left my lips when I realized the source of the scent. The black cabinet, towering high in a shadowed corner. Blood…Blood…Blood…The word vibrated inside me like an eerie chant of a witch.

  “What…”

  Goldy squeezed my arm as we moved closer. The smell grew viler and viler… stronger and stronger, piercing me like needles from all sides.

  I almost touched the thing before recoiling in revulsion. The scent of sadism shot through me like a weapon.

  “Horrid…” Goldy whispered, letting out a sigh. I nodded and clenched my fists before trying again. The scent was bearable this time around. Funny...Everyone-humans and spirits alike-can get used to the most abominable things. The thought is more than a little frightening.

  The cabinet was a colourful mess of files and taken down post in notes. Cobwebs, thick and sticky added the ‘spooky’ element. That and the very simple fact that the thing smelled like a slaughter house.

  “It’s this place Shakti…Here…”

  Goldy pointed at a row with one shaking finger.

  I knelt down and sniffed delicately. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Blood...no doubt about that. I had a vision of a framed photograph coming down on somebody’s head, knocking that somebody into the open cabinet only to hit against this particular row.

  “There’s something peculiar about this scent you know…I…I don’’t get what it is but…”

  I was just about to shush her when I realized the glimmer of truth in them. Yes… Something…Something…

  “Oh my!” I blurted out before I could stop myself. A terrible word I had heard and half-forgotten came back to me with the full force of a knock-out punch. “Abortion…” I muttered staring right at Goldy. Her whole body was shaking. A halfwail escaped her quivering lips. “It was him…”

  I nodded grimly.

  “It was murder.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Murder…

  The word hung in the air like a snowstorm, making us cold and speechless. From somewhere out on the street an ambulance siren blasted through the peaceful air. The door creaked as it opened. A beaming Nandan entered, flashing his extra-white teeth for nobody’s benefit. He walked straight to the window, gazing out dreamily as he hummed a song to himself. Absently, I looked out to see Anasuya hailing a taxi.

  “We don’t have long to wait now…not long…”

  How movie like! How really truly sick! The scent of blood grew stronger and stronger till it made my head ache.

  A piece of flesh…

  The words flashed in front of me like burning embers. They hurt me as a hot iron rod pressed deep into the skin hurt a human.

  “YOU STINKING….” A string of curses erupted as Goldy leaped upon him like a tigress. Her fists caught every inch of his face in rapid hits. ‘Ouchs’ and ‘helps’’ left painfully out of his puffed up lips.

  I have to admit I exploded too but in laughter not in righteous anger. Suddenly the hits and slaps stopped. A stunned Goldy looked first at the fallen Nandan and then at me.

  “What did I just do?” She asked incredulously.

  “Went up in smoke? Totally lost your marbles?”

  We both dissolved into laughter as Nandan got up staggering.

  “Who’s there? Who’s…Hey butler! Where the heck are you?””

  No sound of footsteps. No appearance of the ‘too good to be true’ servant. Hah! When the cat’s away, the mice will play. “Hey!” I said wickedly. “Remember what I said about pranks?”

  “You want your turn using him as a punching bag?”

  “No!” I said mischievously. “I have something better in mind. Is there a pen we can “No!” I said mischievously. “I have something better in mind. Is there a pen we can

  VIBGYOR borrow?”

  “A pen? What are…”

  Fortunately, one was sitting on Nandan’s desk just begging to be taken. A shiny new specimen with expensive stamped all over it. I threw its top off triumphantly and started to scribble on the wall.

  Nandan’s eyes widened in terror. Pens aren’t really supposed to float in midair, are they?

  “Who’s there? Who…”

  I’m sure he intended to scream but only whispers escaped his quivering lips. I gave Goldy thumbs up before writing a name in really big and really bold letters. SHAKTI Every last bit of colour drained from Nandan’s face. Red invaded the whites of his eyes. His mouth opened but only a unidentifiable rasping sound came. The tips of his fingers shook uncontrollably as he held on desperately on the window sill for support. Suddenly another ambulance sped across the street.

  When we got back Shiva was still immersed in her new project. Several pages were piled up on her desk all carefully typed. As we both stood looking at her as she worked, I felt the smell of blood again. An unborn child’s blood…Shiva’’s daughter’s blood…my blood…

  Without any warning, I retched. Fog crept into the colours. The t
ap tapping of the keyboard faded away.

  “Are you ok?”

  When my sight returned, Goldy was holding on to me. Her hands squeezed mine as she helped me up from the floor

  “I’m ok.”

  I could smell the blood still, stronger and fresher. The fog lingered at the corners of all the things I could see. “What happened, Shakti?”

  “Can you smell blood?”

  “What!”

  Goldy exclaimed, spinning on the spot to scan the room. I heard several sniffs before she turned back to me. “There’s nothing. Er…”

  She paused, taking my hand.

  “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

  I tried to speak, to once again say that everything’s fine but another round of retching hit me like a hammer. Although I tried my hardest to remain standing, I collapsed soundlessly on the ground. The last thing I remembered before blacking out was Goldy’s golden glow.

  The sun’s dim glow was raining over me when I woke up. My mind felt weak and stuffy. Time…I sat up and stared at the clock. 5:00 in the morning Oh! I sighed before leaning against the wall. Out all night! I may not be exactly the ‘wise one’ in the spirit world but God…I knew enough to realize that we weren’t supposed to black out. Fear gripped me as I pondered the reasons. Maybe I had slipped…Maybe…Maybe I was failing already…

  “Good God! You’re awake!”

  Goldy rushed through the doorway, and fell on me in a suffocating hug. “Thank goodness. I thought…”

  “Thought I was a goner?” I asked with a weak smile.

  Goldy gave me a ‘that’s absolutely no joking matter’ kind of look. Cute…As much as I would hate to have someone bustling around me, cute. It was nice to have a friend. Suddenly another not-so-nice fact hit me right on my head. Goldy wouldn’t be around forever…I covered my face with my hands, trying to shield my face from the sun. It had suddenly become too harsh.

  “You know…I thought…You know…We have to discuss what happened to you.” I looked up, intrigued as always by the seriousness in Goldy’s voice.