BackPunch

With the spark she always had, she stood there. She stood there alone looking at the mess all around. All of her friends were burning. She was spared probably because she wasn’t as good looking as them. Elections were just over. The ruling party lost. Hours after the results were announced the goons from the ruling party ran riot. They spread across in groups and started burning vehicles. The goons had got information that the entire residents from one particular building had voted against them. They entered the building and set afire all the vehicles. They spared Cassiopeia ’s cycle. She stood there alone witnessing her friends being burnt. Roy’s bike, Tantra’s scooterette, Tuffy’s bullet were all burnt. She lost all her friends. She realized the fact that the goons found no value in her. She just felt her limbs were cut off and the goons had rendered her handicapped. If she could move, she would have jumped into the flames and gone forever with her friends but she didn’t want to...

The Central After a rather peaceful parade of the marine drive, Tantra was all set to visit Bombay Central (name of a town and not that of a mall) the next day. She had to board the local from the Malad station. Mukfiya, her friend, was waiting for her at the Bombay Central station. Tantra jumped into the ladies compartment of the local. The ladies compartment was much cleaner. The digital display of the upcoming station was more than enough for her to judge her destination. On Mukfiya’s request, Tantra got down at the next station after Bombay Central, Grant Road. An entirely different Bombay was waiting for Tantra. She caught hold of Mukfiya amidst the crowd. Mukfiya took her to Biryani Darbar, a place which boasted of a Times Food Award for the Best Biryani. Bang opposite the hotel was a C-Grade theatre. The poster had morphed images of Shah Rukh Khan, Dharmendra and scantily clad women. After lunch Tantra took a left turn and i...

The Drive For a more clearer view, she went ahead and stared. She stared. She looked deep into the blue sea. She stood on the cemented railing constructed around Marine Drive. Tantra had just heard about this place. She had been to the Kochi Marine Drive, which was obviously much more cleaner. But she was more attracted to this place. She took a cab from CST. Her head was outside the window as soon as she came in contact with the sea. Foreigners sticking up every shot of the Drive up their SLR, couples locking lips in full public view, beggars, peanut vendors and the Mumbaikars for whom this place is just any other road. That’s what Tantra thought. The Mumbaikar too, looked towards the sea and then, walked with a smile. Tantra was totally amazed by the sight. She got off the taxi, crossed the road and stood on the railing. She looked downwards. The human-made rocks. Specially made to cease the tides from coming onto the road....