Lakshmi M Nair

Continued… Meera stood mesmerized, the sight in front of her was such. She observed this woman closely now. At first look one may think she was from the same village, but on closer observation, Meera was sure that this woman was not from anywhere nearby. Her dressing had this nonchalant elegance that came with money. She was wearing one of those pure cotton sarees, but it seemed completely disheveled. A bright lightning struck, lighting up that woman’s face for a few seconds. ‘Damini’! For some reason that name resounded in Meera's mind. The lady before her looked as fierce and bright as the lightning that had just struck. Damini, her eyes ablaze with a strange energy that seemed to pull Meera to her. Damini! A name as eerily beautiful as the woman before her. Meera stood awestruck in her spot, for that lightning had not just revealed Damini's face,but also her whole form. Damini's face and body were covered in bruises. Some blue, some black, probably based on how long each...

Continued… Though she was skeptical, yet there was no other option but to step inside. What Meera did not expect was to stumble upon another person waiting inside. Though come to think of it, the parked car should have been hint enough for her to think of another person’s presence there.  There stood a woman only partially visible under the glow of that distant streetlight. Her countenance seemed defensive. She stood there, shivering with cold, or was she trembling in fear Meera couldn't be sure. Her face was sweaty with hair falling out of a loose bun framing her oval face. She seemed startled at spotting Meera there. What caught meeras attention was the deranged look in her eyes. It darted around in a frenzy, as if looking for something.  Meera hesitated for a moment before stepping in. She stepped in with some trepidation, for something didn't feel right. Meera had no other choice though. She let go of her inhibitions and stepped in. She then gave a weak smile to the lady a...

The day had started just as any other day. Morning had gone by in a frenzy, what with all those calls and meetings. Meera shut off her laptop and packed up for the day. Someone had earlier mentioned the probability of heavy rains. She wanted to make it home before the rains hit.  Daily around rush hour, her otherwise beautiful city started looking like the underbelly of an ugly beast. God bless them, for if it rained, then it would be as if the beast had rolled over in the bowels of hell.  She picked her phone once again to check for a cab. Her phone screen seemed to mock her now with the notification “No cabs available”. She had been trying for almost half an hour now. In frustration she stood up and left her office building. Maybe she would get a bus.  Horns blared everywhere around her. Heavy clouds drifted in slowly, throwing dark shadows over the city. Meera increased her pace. She wanted to escape the torrent of rain before it hit in full force. How she wanted to es...