"Happy" Anniversary # Story

 

Jaipur, the 13th May 2008

Morning:

Reading the newspaper and sipping my N'Cafe, I heard a sweet voice calling my name. I turned back and saw Ranjini appearing out of the shower room caressing her wet hair. she was looking no less than an angel. A gentle hug was what in store for me every morning but today it was a bit different. I didn't know why. After an hour I left for my office bidding good bye to my beloved.

Office:

All was looking so different today at office. My cabin decorated with flowers and Gifts all around. I was taken aback. What was wrong with me? Was I in a hangover? Why didn't I know why this celebration? Rahul entered the cabin and gave me a bump on my shoulder. I hate it when he does that.

" Hey buddy, Whats this all about? Am I being promoted? U are an HR. U must know it".

"Dont tell me that it happened again... U don't remember what is it today?"

"No, But why?"

"Dude its your anniversary.."

I looked at him in a mixed expression disgust, surprise and fear. Fear because if this was true I was screwed up... coz I have not even wished her.

" But it is on 13th" I looked at my watch" and today is..."

"13th he said laughing..."

Before we finished talking all my colleagues entered the room and flooded me with wishes. Finally my wife entered the cabin in a beautiful black dress, looking as lovely as ever with a gift in her hands. I was glad and surprised at the same time, finding that all of them together planned this for me. Rahul went to my computer and played my favorite song. It’s a soft one which I used to sing for my wife when we were just unmarried love birds. Someone pushed me towards Ranjini. Suddenly Silence fell across. It was all so romantic. I danced with my wife as if we were alone.  Soon two more couples joined us. There was a prom going on in my office cabin. Phew!!Ranjini came closer and whispered to me. Rahul heard it and shouted “Someone’s going home early today.” and more hoots came our way and she shied away and left for home.

Back to work:

I browsed the files in my drawer and Rahul entered again. There was a smart young boy in black shirt accompanying him. I was impressed. Sharique introduced him to me, "Satish, our new accountant.” he said. I spoke to him for about half an hour to make him familiar with the policies of the company. He then went out. I looked up at the clock; it said 5:30 PM. As soon as the clock ticked 6. I packed my bag and left. I could never forget the wicked smile Rahul gave me.

 

Time to Go home:

 

I decided to go to Johari Bazzar to get a gold ring for my wife. I told the attendant to show me a gold ring for my wife. That day there were not many customers in the shop. One of them was verbally abusing the attendant but he was pretty well to handle him politely. Soon the other attendant came to me with a glass box to show me the ring. I opened the box and began to choose a ring. Finally I chose one.

I made the payment and was moving towards the door. As I opened it. Boom… A very loud sound. I felt as if I had no ears left. Puzzled and terrified I saw everyone running, trembling with fear and I followed, don't know where..

What was it? where did the sound come from? People were colliding with each other and in minutes, the entire market was a picture of total panic. It was a bomb blast and before I could think again...Boom!!! one more... this one was louder. People ran screaming, jumping over dead bodies and severed limbs, skirting mangled rickshaws and damaged cars. I felt as if only God could help me.

A thought went through my mind. “Ranjini”… I dialed her number. .. Busy… “Hell…” I shouted. I was running towards my home. I saw, someone banged into an old man and he fell on his face. .I went and gave him a hand. He thanked me and started to run again. I felt good as I did something good in such a chaos. Boom… One more blast. This one was around 50 meters away from me. While running I closed my eyes and shouted “God, save me.” I opened my eyes and Bang… I banged into a pillar and fell down. I felt giddy. I got up again started to run for my life.

Reached Home:

I reached home sweating and terrified. It was around 8:00 PM. I banged on the door and shouted “Ranjini...”. She came out running. I hugged her hard and she started to cry. I kissed her on forehead and tears rolled out of my eyes. I narrated the whole incident to her. I got up and switched on the TV and got annoyed by the head lines. Eight blasts within 12 minutes! I was there at 3 spots!!! lucky me. I started to dial the numbers of my friends and relatives. The networks were busy. It took around two and a half hours to contact all my relatives and friends. It was 11:00 PM; both of us went to our bedroom and slept in each others arms. I thanked god for the life he spared me. I decided not to go to the office the next day.

Next Morning:

I woke up early next day. My wife was still sleeping. I called Rahul. He did not pick up the phone. I dialed the number again. “Hello” I said. he replied in a fuzzy tone, “Have you read the newspaper.”.“ No” I replied. He then hung the phone. I turned to pick up the newspaper in anxiety. The headlines of the newspaper said “Two Terrorists Arrested.” The pictures shocked the hell out of me. One of them was the old man I had helped. The other was Satish. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.