Short Story -1
THE CLOCK
Ram was trying to drive fast. The smog was moderate but the heavy traffic over various flyovers on the Ring Road was making driving quite a chore. He had just time till 6‘O’Clock to meet up with Preeti, his beloved for the past 8 years…. and the car clock read 5 PM. He cursed every time a car from the neighbouring lane would try to aggressively manouvre into a space in front of him.
Finally at 5.20 he reached near the Safderjung flyover and gave Preeti a call and asked her the precise location of the hotel she was stying in. “Holiday Inn ? I’ll be there in 5 minutes” he said and hung up. Ram reached the hotel at precisely 5.25 and ran to the reception and asked for Ms. Preeti Chatterjee. “Room 301” said the assiatant at the desk. “Please wait while I check with Ms Chatterjee” . “Ms Chatterjee, Mr Ram Shorey from Infosis to meet you. May I send him to your room”. Ram did not hear the reply but presumed it was in the affirmative, for the assistant pointed towards the lift and said “3rd Floor, Sir, Room 301”.
So immersed was Ram in his own thoughts that he walked to the staircase instead and ran up all three flights. The sight that he saw on the third landing took his breath away.Waiting for him was the most beautiful woman in the world . Dressed in black trousers and a white shirt printed with black and white flowers, her hair cut shoulder length and colored in strands of copper and dark brown Preeti looked very very appealing. “Hello Baby” she said. “Hi doll, I ve got to go back early”, is all he mumbled.
They moved into the room and bolted the door.The wall clock read 5.30. They had so much to talk, so much to tell each other, so much to appreciate each other and tell each other how much each one missed the other. Somehow that did not quite happen. Two hearts separated .for such a long time did not have words for each other….. They just melted into each others arms and the bed looked just too inviting !!!!!!!!!!
Time stood still in their cocoon They were just two people in this world……..Preeti and Ram. There were no days, no nights, no worries no tsunamis ……. just Love……Time stood still.
Suddenly the crash, or so it seemed, of the chimes of the wall clock stiking 6 broke the velvet cocoon The clock brought Ram and Preeti back to reality. “Its 6, I’ve got ot go”, said he. “I understand darling, I am glad you could come , I am so happy that we could atleast meet up”. Ram hurriedly got up and dressed, Preeti looked up from under the sheets and smiled…she did not have to go anywhere. The clock did not matter to her. Their lips met for a last time and Ram left in a hurry.
It was already dark by the time the traffic thinned out. Ram smiled and ran the video of the secret rendezvous, as he prefered to call it. Suddenly for no reason the euphoria of meeting his sweetheart died down and was replaced by immense guilt. “What have I done? Did she expect this from me? Where was the love I wanted to shower her with ? Did we make love or did the animal in me smother all her expectations of meeting her beloved? Oh God, I am so confused .Pardon me for my folly, Preeti, it was not me… it was just the animal in me. I know she will just smile her lovely smile and tell me that it was the best we could manage under the circumstances…….
RAM JUST WISHED HE COULD SMASH THAT CLOCK !!!!!!!!!”.