Category: short story

The Victim

Growing up makes you observe more, you start answering questions once you nagged about. I look upon the screen of my mobile, its a text from my school friends whom I haven’t seen in the last past 5 years. A reunion is being planned somewhere, where I knew I would not be allowed to go at least not all by myself. I would have to convince my father and my brother separately. Recalling the drama that last time happened at an induction ceremony while I convinced my brother to pick me up late from an event gives me another reason not to go. I’ve thought about going a few times but I don’t find any reason good enough. Even with the exhaustion of going against everything especially myself, I replyDecide the place & time then I’ll tell. The group chat continues each suggesting a good place to eat while matching out their schedule. It’ll give me an ample amount of time to think of a way to respond. Dining out is not one of my favorite things to do though good food is. There was once a time when my parents restricted me from going to any social activities. It just seemed such a luxury to them. As a kid I hated not being able to understand the distress of such social gatherings. There was always anger and a feeling of victimization that my social life is depleting. I didn’t have a large social circle and blamed my parents for that part. It was always there at the back of my mind that only if I was allowed to go to these fancy gatherings I would be part of a larger group of friends, but it wasn’t only the gatherings. Social media was too abandoned at our home. I wasn’t much aware of the affairs of the world at that time maybe that is the reason why you would find me watching talk shows and reading news which I once thought was useless. I thought it had nothing but misery one talking over the speech of other dying to get his idea planted in others head. As I draw in more and more awareness of the world I understand my parent’s restriction more and more, though agreeing with it is another thing. The place and time for the meet n greet are decided, now I just have to ask my dad he’ll decline and I’ll have to pretend I’ll come next time. There are so many intervened issues with that single decline. Every time I think of resolving these issues my mind exhausts. Then I think of the chaotic world, my own issue seems quite a minute. One way or the other we are all victimized either by another person or even our own mind.

Words Under my Skin : The Amusement

As I open my eyes the noise of excitement is replaced by vision of amusement park. As I stand still on the entrance, the roller coaster runs wild on its tracks. I look around to see who else is present I find strangers all around me until I see a group of people, too unknown to be strangers. Two of them are licking orange flavoured popsicle, endorsing their peppy persona as I watch one of them smile widely when they acknowledge my presence followed by blank expressions from others. This is not new to me its always been like this, the emotionless faces that once mattered to me the most now feel like a ghost who has lost its ability to scare. But there’s one ghost face that still matters as his face flickered to an expression of recognition. I waited for a friendly smile from him but instead watched him walk away, rest of the members also walking along. I didn’t wanted to be left alone so I followed behind the peppy person who first offered me ice cream and shrugged when I refused it. We walk into a haunted house, losing sight of everyone as the darkness took over. I try to keep up with the foot steps but its too dark for me to see whether I know who I am following. Do I really know anybody here? Everyone is a stranger except maybe the peppy person. The sound of foot steps die down and my heart skips a beat. I feel the cold and crisp air trickle my presence, there’s nothing around me. Fear of abandonment takes over me while I try to stay composed and calm. It was not a good idea to follow them. While I try to convince myself all of this is part of this Haunted House Game, I hear a gun shot and a scream.Trembling though I’m not scared of darkness I stumble to the nearest wall I can find. I should have stayed home. I hear people running, with my own foot steps stomping towards a small streak that’s letting light in, my elbow hits a knob making me realize I’ve bumped into the door. Successfully opening the door I find the exit, the sound of screaming and running has died down as I make my way out of the haunted house. Heavily breathing I hear screams from the roller coaster once again. The door slams open and I see the ghost face smile with gun in one hand followed by peppy person. Wondering whether I should be surprised or scared I blurt out, “I’m sorry.” I see peppy person smile grew wider and with gun directly aimed at me I know there’s no way I’m getting out of here alive. Rest of the members assemble themselves out of the haunted house. I want to scream for help but with all the noise I’m pretty sure nobody can hear the gun shot let alone me. As I recite my last prayer under my breath everyone bursts out laughing. ” You cursed me dead doesn’t mean we are going to kill you” I hear meanest of them say, “Not unless your curse actually works.” I hear her wickedly look at me and then come pat my chin. Confused I look at ghost face, he has that same expression as before. Is it what I recognized? I look back at the mean one, her face has dropped down to softness as well. How can they forgive me? Peppy person still has his wide smile, I look back to ghost face and hear myself say,”So its all Cool?” Ghost face smiles followed by mean girl who’s now holding my hand. My mind traces all possibilities that could have made this miracle happen and then it struck me. I smiled back while squeezing mean girls hand. Everything would return back to the way it was. I open my eyes to see ghost face expression change to blank. I smile hoping I can stay here longer. Amidst of dreaming I’m met with fear of waking up to the reality of present.