Orange Rains

By Sajeesh Rajendran

He threw away the gun. It plunged into the river some three hundred feet below and made a heavy noise that sounded like a warning.

There he stood, at a quiet place in the farthest corner of that ruined fort overlooking the river that flowed quietly below. He was in his usual, over-sized khaki shirt and a faded, crumbled, unwashed blue denim and white Action shoes. Out of frustration or anger or both, he kicked a stone into the river. He imagined that the kings who lived here centuries ago would have felt extremely safe, surrounded by mountains on three sides and a massive river on the fourth.

“Do you think it’s safe in here?” Rizwan had no answer when Lakshmi asked that question.

He didn’t even look at Lakshmi. Rizwan stared at the setting sun dancing to the tunes of the river flowing by, beneath. The winter was harsher than he anticipated. The ripples created by the ever calming and soothing breezes in the water multiplied the sun into millions of tiny pieces of blaze. The orange glow, now diluted in the water, was evaporating all around piercing through the mist. Rizwan felt it might pour down as orange rains sooner or later!

Rizwan was oblivious to the sounds of the dusk soaking him. He couldn’t help but wonder how he ended up there. He knew he could have dealt it in a better way. To him, it seemed like they had been chased for a lifetime. But it's only been a few hours since that incident happened, which he knew would have far-reaching consequences in the lives of many people connected to both of them.

“When will your friend turn up?” Lakshmi was restless. This may be the first time in her life that she is sitting in such a desolate place, with mosquitoes buzzing all around. Born into a rich family, married to a richer person, she would have never known the harsh realities of the common man.

“He could be here any moment madam.” Rizwan couldn’t ignore her this time. She was wearing a pale yellow sari with red and blue flowers on it. She looked older in the scant light of the setting sun. Even then, any man of any age would find her appealing with those well-defined curves and sparkling eyes that could tell you millions of stories in one glance.

She is at least 13 years older than him. He remembered the first time he saw her. It was almost a year ago, at the gate of her large palatial house, kissing good-bye to her husband who looked way older, sluggish and disinterested in her. Rizwan wondered how she, who had everything a man could ask for, could marry someone as unexciting and boring as him. But he knew, every marriage has a story of its own which no one can decipher.

She seemed to be smiling and happy until she got into the auto-rickshaw. She burst into tears as soon as Rizwan started his rickshaw. He wasn't sure what to do. He continued riding without knowing where he was going. She also appeared to be without a destination at the time. They were both tangled up in a no-destination ride.

Those "No-Destination" rides became a regular occurrence. In fact, there were days when Rizwan's only customer was 'Lakshmi Madam.' On those days, he rode with her all day through the city's lengths and breadths before dropping her off at her house in the late evenings. He began to enjoy such days and looked forward to them. He was always perplexed on why she rode in an auto-rickshaw when she could have gotten around in a car. Rizwan did notice at least three posh cars parked on their porch. But he never dared to ask her that question.

"What's the matter with you, Rizwan? Do you think you made a mistake?”, the darkness has already descended. Rizwan was looking for answers. He wished he could be honest, but he knew, doing so would make her nervous, which was the last thing he needed right now.

“Not at all madam. I am wondering where did Shekar go. He said he would be here before sunset. May be he is caught up in something important. He is a very busy political leader now, you see.”

"Did you guys grow up together?”

“Yes madam. We studied together and started working together. Later he got into politics and now is a big leader. Even the councilor calls him for help.”

“Can we trust him?”

“Of course madam. He is the only person I will trust in a situation like this. He is a very nice guy madam”, Rizwan glanced at the leather bag that Lakshmi was hugging tight. It had a fortune, Forty-Three lakhs and twenty four thousand rupees to be exact, well enough for them to set up a business in some far off land, far away from all these troubles, where no one would notice them in the crowd. Lakshmi was also carrying some of her own jewels.

“Can you stop calling me madam at least now? How many times have I told you that? It makes me feel as if we are still strangers. From now on, we are going to live together.”

Rizwan was startled for a split second when he heard that. "From now on, we're going to live together!" Those words rang out in his head a million times. In the midst of all the chaos, it never really hit him. From the time he met her, he knew that things were not going well with her and her husband. He was sure that, that fat, bald, lethargic man couldn’t satisfy her by any means. Rizwan also suspected that he might have other relationships, as is common with most wealthy people. But, even in his wildest dreams, he never thought they would be living together.

Everything happened even before he realised its happening. And that’s how, events that can turn your life upside down happen, always. It sneaks in at unexpected hours and smiles at you for being there, uninvited!

Today, around noon, when he dropped her back home, earlier than usual as Lakshmi was feeling a little unwell, little did he know that their lives would be turned upside down once and for all. After dropping her, he looked at her entering the house, started the rickshaw and was about to leave. That's when he heard a loud noise coming from inside the house, which sounded like someone bursting Diwali crackers. However, Diwali was over a month ago.

Rizwan stopped his rickshaw, got out and went to the gate. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Lakshmi was charging at him, a gun in her hand and a leather bag clutched to her chest. The butlers, gardeners, and even the security guard had no idea what was going on. They were taken aback.

Before they could realise what had happened, she dragged Rizwan into the rickshaw and yelled at him to start the vehicle. He was still in a state of shock, but he had no choice but to listen to Lakshmi at the time. He started his rickshaw and accelerated.

“I killed him. He was sleeping with a man in my bedroom. I knew he was not interested in me. But this…. “, She was struggling to stitch the words together.

“There is enough money for us to live for rest of our lives. Take me somewhere where no one will be able to recognise us. Let us try to live our lives rather than survive, from now on."

Lakshmi held onto the gun and that leather bag firmly. Her face was pale, but she had the kind of determination you only see in people who have all the answers. Rizwan knew he was in for another 'no-destination' ride, but this time there would be a real chase. He didn't even have time to think. This is the time when he puts his trust in his rickshaw. In autopilot mode, she will take him anywhere. After all, they've been riding together for almost a decade now. Their hearts beat in harmony, and she knows exactly what's good for Rizwan in times of crisis like this.

She took them through the gullies, flew over the Ashoka trees planted by ancient kings, navigated all the maddening traffic, went beneath the underground tunnels built to fetch water from distant locations, even crossed the river to get across the city, and finally came to a halt in front of this ruined fort.

Few people knew such a fort existed. This place was Rizwan’s and Shekar’s discovery as kids. They withdrew to the solitude and the quietness that surrounded the fort whenever the annoying city life drained them or had to run away from some trouble. They'd figured out how to live here for days without anyone noticing. That could be the reason why the rickshaw brought Lakshmi and Rizwan here. Rizwan was only holding the handle, disoriented and numb as if he was playing a simulation game. Rickshaw took care of the rest.

Almost four hours passed by since then. Rizwan kept looking at his watch. He did not want to spend the night in such a strange place with Lakshmi. There was no sign of Shekar yet. He wished he had his phone, which he lost while fleeing. He called Shekar to inform him that he was in trouble and asked him to come to the fort as soon as possible. “Will be there before sunset, you don’t worry. Any problem, we will sort out. hum hain”, he laughed. Rizwan was startled by the sudden laughter, and in the midst of all the acrobatics, the phone slipped through his grip and fell into the road shattering into a number of pieces.

He heard the braking of a two-wheeler. He looked at his watch. It was well past eight o'clock. Rizwan was relieved despite his disappointment for Shekar being late. He looked at Lakshmi, who was expressionless. Shekar smiled as he walked in wearing his saffron-colored Dhoti and mulmul Kurta, which he had recently begun wearing. He wore an orange ribbon around his head, which covered half of the red thilak on his forehead.

“Sorry Rizwy. Had some party meeting. Without me, nothing will happen, you know that know? Couldn’t escape. Tell me. What’s the problem?”.

Rizwan was at a loss for words. He sighed and looked back at Lakshmi standing behind one of the pillars. Shekar gave her a puzzled look and looked at Rizwan. Shekar had been completely unaware of what had been going on between Rizwan and Lakshmi for the past few months. For reasons unknown, Rizwan deliberately did not tell him about her.

“Come with me. “Rizwan led Shekar around a corner, out of Lakshmi's hearing range. Lakshmi was uninterested in their conversation. She needed to get out of there as soon as possible because the mosquito bites were becoming unbearable. Despite her reservations about Shekar, she had faith in Rizwan. But she knew it wouldn't take long for people to change. She gripped her bag tightly.

“Madam… Madam... Come… let’s go. Things have gone out of our hands. We need to move to a safer place.” Rizwan was panting. He was finding it difficult to breathe.

“It’s not safe here madam. Police are searching for you. I will take you both to a safer place.”

“His father is a priest in a nearby temple madam. He says we can stay there for the night. He will arrange for a car early morning for us to escape”, Lakshmi looked at Shekar who had a very assuring smile in his face.

“I think madam is fed up with the mosquitoes. Don’t worry madam. There are no mosquitoes in the temple.” They walked towards Shekar’s Scooter.

That day, the night was unusually quiet. Except for the sound of the river flowing below the fort, everything seemed to be on mute. Shekar started the scooter, raised the accelerator, and they rode away penetrating through the silence, leaving behind the fort and the auto rickshaw as silent spectators, in the stillness of the early winter night.

They entered the temple premises. Except for one small lamp in the entrance, the temple appeared to be abandoned, surrounded by dense forests. From somewhere nearby, Lakshmi could hear the sound of a running stream. Even though it was deserted, the temple building appeared new, painted in every colour imaginable. A strange odour of discarded agarbathies and oil-smeared cloths surrounded the area. Shekar came to a halt a short distance away and asked Rizwan and Lakshmi to remain silent. He entered the temple. Lakshmi overheard him conversing with his father, who was about to close the temple. Father handed over the key to Shekar and rode away on his cycle.

Shekar made sure his father left before he came to them who were hiding behind a tree. Rizwan was about to ask something. Shekar stopped him,

“shhhh…. I told him that I would lock the temple and bring home the key. Come”

They followed him. Shekar led them through the temple to the nearby office room. He opened it and asked them to get inside. The place was dark, small and had some kind of eeriness that hung around in there. The feeble light that came through the window from the temple added to the creepiness. Lakshmi noticed that inside there was only enough room for a wooden chair, a table, and a bench. A steel almirah, possibly Godrej, was tucked into once of the corners.

“It will be safe in here. Did you guys eat anything?”

Shekar's stares made Lakshmi feel very uncomfortable. Every time he looked at her, she felt as if heaps of tiny needles were piercing her body. She wanted to say "No," and wished he left them alone. Rizwan caught her eyes for a moment.

“ We are not hungry Shekar. Madam looks very tired. I think she needs some rest.”, From Lakshmi’s face, Rizwan could see Lakshmi's growing restlessness in her face. Whatever the case may be, Shekar is still a stranger to her. Being with a stranger, at this hour, in a situation like this, Rizwan knew how uncomfortable she might be feeling.

“Ok. Then you guys take rest. I will come with the car early in the morning. I will bring my friend’s car that has the party flag. So no one will dare to check. Just now I got a Whatsapp message saying the police is on high alert”.

“We will be ready.”

“ Close the door and don’t open it until I come back. And don't turn on any lights.”, Shekar said goodbye, locked the door from outside and left the place. They heard the scooter being kick started and the sound of the vehicle gradually faded away into the nihility of the night.

“Why did he lock the door? He is so disgusting”, Lakshmi was furious.

“Sorry madam. He might have locked it for our own safety. He will definitely help us to get out of this place. I cannot think of a better option”

Lakshmi looked at him for a reassurance. There was a moment of silence between them. Lakshmi wished he would pull her close and hug her. But, knowing Rizwan, she knew he'd never do it. She took his arm in hers and looked him in the eyes. That was far too unexpected for Rizwan. He was unprepared for a situation like this. She embraced him as if the sea were swallowing the clouds. A thousand Suns bloomed at that moment, revealing glimpses of the orange showers that were expected to fall later in that cold midwinter night, submerging both of them in a warmth they had never known.

They felt like they traversed eternities in that state of oneness before some noise outside the door jolted them back to reality. They could hear people shouting outside the door and the flames from their torched lights invaded through the windows, disturbing the solitude and privacy of the darkness inside. People could be heard shouting filthy words, which made Rizwan feel uneasy in front of Lakshmi.

“You son of bitch. You want our girls to convert and make them terrorists? It will not happen here. Come out you filthy swine”

“We will not allow ‘Love Jihad’ here”

“Do you think you can convert our people and increase your population to make this your country? We are here to safe guard our country”.

“Go back to your country and F*** the girls there. We will cut you into pieces if you try to do it with our women”

“How could you think that you can get away safely with our money and women so easily?”

Rizwan was frightened. Lakshmi's body was trembling, and he could feel it. Her gaze was darting around the room, as if looking for another way out. They had no idea it could get this bad. Love, compassion, and the desire for companionship drew them together. But it's now out of their hands.

“Don’t worry madam. Shekar will save us.”, he trusted Shekar.

They heard someone use the key to open the door. In front of them, the door swung open. Rizwan couldn't believe what he was seeing. Shekar stood in front of them, holding a flaming torch and a sword, with a small crowd behind him. With dark red eyes and trembling hands, he was enraged. Rizwan had never seen him in such a state before.

He looked Shekar in the eyes, a thousand questions flashing through his mind in a split second. "Shekar....???," he struggled to find the right words.

“ Take him”, Shekar ignored Rizwan as if he didn't exist and directed his men.

They threw away their torches and dashed towards Rizwan. He was yanked away from her and led outside. Rizwan felt as if he had been being snatched from his mother's womb. He felt so at ease in her arms. They threw him to the ground outside and began to beat him. They looked like a swarm of wild animals on the hunt for prey. Rizwan did not fight back. He became numb. He had reached a point where nothing could hurt him any longer. His vision became blurry, and he noticed Shekar dragging Lakshmi towards the temple out from the corner of his eye. She was doing everything she could to resist. But Shekar was bigger and stronger for all her resistance. He opened the temple's 'Garbagriha,' dragged her inside, and shut the door.

"Do you think Shekar ji will let her live after she tried to flee with a jerk like you?" One of the guys stamped his feet on Rizwan's neck and slapped him hard. He cupped Rizwan's face in his hands, looked him in the eyes, and laughed.

He was being stabbed by what felt like hundreds of knives. Blood was oozing out like a stream, orange in colour and reflecting the flames of the torches scattered around. He could feel his blood being sucked into the darkness and merging with the clouds above, soaked up completely in orange.

For one last time, he looked towards the temple and closed his eyes. The chill of the winter night echoed Lakshmi's screams from within the temple. Flames from one of the discarded torches crept in and set fire to the temple. The rest of the torches joined together to form a huge serpent that crawled into the ‘Garbagiha’ and swallowed Shekar before going out in search of others.

Along with Lakshmi's screams, Rizwan could hear the whispers of the temple slowly crumbling away in the fumes of disgust. All of the money Lakshmi had brought in too went up in flames and vanished into oblivion, as if it had never existed.

Rizwan smiled. His body felt lighter. He began to float. He could feel himself rising up from the ground, leaving behind those who were melting down in the fires of wrath. Lakshmi joined him as well. She, her yellow sari glowing in orange flames, too had a smile on her lips. Together, they drifted upwards, leaving behind everything they thought was beautiful and eternal to dissolve into the clouds waiting impatiently for a long time to be poured down as orange rains.

It started raining, extinguishing all the fires and washing away all the sins. Everyone faded into the void that had been left behind.

Orange rains remained.

By Sajeesh Rajendran