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| Thursday, 27 November 2003 |
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Dark silence by Saadiya Karim "I'll be right back," Acchi told Saya. "You'll be ok?" Saya blinked. "Right", sighed Acchi and walked away. Saya was seated near the window in her room on the second floor of the apartment building on a street where there were only two other houses. The building was old and nearly every one had moved out save for Saya's family and another old couple. The building looked dull and gloomy ideal to hold a Halloween party! Add to all that there was a ditch, which always gave a pungent odour. Acchi was her maid. More like the caretaker, babysitter and nurse. The window was Saya's haven. Tucked away into the corner, hidden in the shadows, she saw the world through what her deserted street offered. Anna, her neighbour, wearing a pretty dress stepped outside her house carrying her basket. She was on her way to the grocers for her mother. Saya liked Anna; she was polite and friendly. She and her mother lived alone. She would be back in fifteen minutes. Trees stood under the blazing sun. It was an unusually hot today. Birds chirped impatiently and the squirrels restless, pretty much and everyday routine. A sudden movement caught her eye increasing her heartbeat. Scanning the area for the cause of the movement she found none. Probably a dog, she thought. She wished she had a dog or even a cat. But that was not possible. She had every kind of allergy imaginable. The sun hid behind a cloud, a slight breeze caressed Saya's face, pushed her hair back and disappeared as the sun glared its rays again. someone was walking, she noticed. A boy with his hands shoved in the pockets of his black pants, and wearing an oversized black T-shirt. He was dark skinned and unshaven. He looked as if he needed a shower. Strolling down the street, casually throwing glances at the houses and cars. A look of wistfulness flashed across his face and disappeared as quickly as it had come. Saya's eyes followed him as he disappeared out of sight. The street once again was deserted. Minutes passed. He made his appearance walking up the street, but there was something different in him now. He was smoking. He stopped to pluck an 'ambul dodang' from the neighbour's tree. "Thief" Saya thought hotly. He stuffed the fruit in his pocket and stood under the shade. Another guy soon joined him. He too was dressed in black. But he had an ugly skull tattooed on his arm. A cold shiver spread across Saya's body and a sense of foreboding hung around her. She shuddered inwardly. Black T-shirt held out his hand to ugly tattoo, who handed him something that looked a sweet. It was a tablet. Both popped a Seconal in to their mouths. Exchanging a few words, checking the time, nodding in silent understanding, both walked away in the opposite directions. Saya waited. She wanted to see what they were up to. Minutes passed but there was no sign of them. 'Maybe they went off, Saya thought, relieved. But before she could exhale the sigh of relief a black movement caught her eye. Ugly tattoo was back and he was ducking behind the van parked opposite. Anna turned in to the street. Her gold chain and the diamond solitaire engagement ring glinted against the sun. She was smiling. "Turn back, go back" Saya pleaded silently. But Anna oblivious to her pleadings continued down the street, her smile fading at the sight of Black T-shirt and her pace increased. She looked frightened as the black T-shirt started following her. As she neared the van the black T-shirt pulled her hand. The basket dropped as Anna started to run. But the Black T-shirt was faster and stronger. He gave her a hard push causing her to fall on the ground. She opened her mouth to scream, but the dagger in his hand killed the scream in her throat. She nodded her head in understanding. "Please don't hurt me. Please let me go. Take whatever you want please let me go," she pleaded crying. "Shut up", he hissed as he hit her hard on the head with the butt end of the dagger. Anna fell unconscious. His eyes flashed with anger. He looked like a mad dog. Saya trembled. She tried to scream but no words came out. She tried to move her hands but they remained limp. She cursed herself inwardly. "Somebody please help," she begged in silence. Ugly tattoo came out of the hiding and with the rope in his hand he tied Anna's hands and legs and stuffed her hanky in to her mouth. Black T-shirt collected the jewellery while ugly tattoo threw the basket in the ditch. He stuffed the money in his pocket and looked around. He lit a cigarette. After they had what they wanted, a few words were exchanged. Anna stirred slightly gaining consciousness. Black T-shirt knelt beside her, took a long drag off the cigarette, exhaled the smoke on Anna's face. Raised his hand and plunged the dagger in to her heart. Saya went numb with shock. Her mind screamed in terror as she watched the blood spurt out. a sob got caught in her throat as the watched them carry her limp body and throw her in the ditch, with rest of her belongings. Silent tears poured down her cheeks as she watched them cover up their tracks. Looking unbelievably calm and pretending as if nothing had happened they sauntered off. Murderers. Thieves. Shocked, confused she tried to make sense of what she just witnessed. She distinctly heard rapid footsteps. Her heart fluttered as images flashed in her mind. It was Acchi. "I'm sorry baby. Nona couldn't find her shoes" 'Poor child' thought Acchi, 'she gets paler by the day'. Acchi gripped the handles and started to push. Saya was only too happy to leave. What she witnessed will die with her. Guilt gnawed at her soul. The window was no longer hers. It was forbidden. It had become a view of a terrifying, soul snatching nightmare. |
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