Perceptions

I was back home unusually early at 8.00 in the evening that day being a Sunday. I put my book and bag on the sofa and went upstairs to get refreshed. By the time I re-appeared in the hall, my younger brother was browsing my book of Dostoevsky. He asked me what the story is about. I carefully briefed him what I read. He being a history-lover, asked me few more questions about the author. He still had my book in his hands while I was answering him.

Suddenly, my aunt had come from the kitchen and flared up shouting at him "Keep that away, That is from Satan. Not for you. You must not read any other book than your class books and the 'holy' bible. Have you already forgot the sermons read by 'Brother Someone' in the morning?" I was shocked and quivered. She called my book 'Satan', She called my dear Dostoevsky 'Satan', who wanted to be with Christ rather than with truth, if in-case they two are separate. Though being insulted directly or indirectly, I pitied my brother for his life sentence for no crime.

I didn't speak anything at the dinner even for courtesy. I was baffled to such level. I slept vaguely dreaming of my aunt-like figure burning a pile of books with so much hatred in her eyes which slowly turned to pleasure when there were only ashes left. It is not an exaggeration, if I say, I checked in the morning if my books were in place and were not crumpled with anything 'holy'.

PS: Ask me no questions, I will tell you no lies.

Error in connection

I hated her on our first meeting because she refused me to try her sandals as if she was a Cinderella. But she loved me all the time, may be because she knew that she'll be involved in the cause of my pain and took pity for me. While I started getting symptoms of my pain, I rejected her affection and hurt her as much as possible. I just wanted her away, but even after all the trials, she never left me.

I took a special day, to feel this pain completely and get off with it. I felt it in my tears, flowing uncontrollably onto my cheeks soaking my pillow. I believe, wet cheeks are the best way to exert the coldness. We shall not carry the resentments forward, they spoil the mental health. Then she came. She bent over me brushing the hairs (that fell on my forehead) backwards with her fingers. She forcibly made me sit, not considering the repulsions I posed and hugged me caressing my head with affectionate patting. This humiliated me very much. If I had not accepted her love and ask for forgiveness then, I would have treated myself a heartless now.

I rested my head on her shoulders taking her as my best friend and resumed to weeping. This was continued for a while. When she thought she gave me enough time, she took my face in her little arms and wiped off my tears telling me 'everything will be OK'. Then I saw her eyes suffering more than myself not even having the comfort of tears or a caring companion. I replied her 'Yes, everything will be OK'. I kissed her and she paid it back.

The next three days were just crazy. All the day, we sticked to each other. Talked restlessly about everything. Ate together. Neglected everyone else. We even shared the bed and continued talking till the eye-lids were tired and sent us requests to shut our mouths. Our friends gossiped we might have turned lesbians. It reached us soon. We laughed at the idea. She looked at me asking impishly 'Are we ..??'. I answered her pretending to take a serious tone 'Aren't we..?'

Though we brushed it aside laughing, I feel we would have been proved lesbians unless we got the stopping signals in the form of scary gossips.