Gone With the Wind

Part 1 and Part 2

I stood in the rain, holding an umbrella. I was waiting for Aisha to come by. She was Aurelia’s room mate, and our mutual friend. She was bringing over my stuff Aurelia still had. It had been four months since that fateful night, when I discovered she had been cheating on me. We talked a bit afterwards, trying to salvage what was left, but the truth is, maybe some things are meant to be broken. Glowsticks. Walnut shells. Aurelia and I. The very thought of her stabbed my heart like daggers. But it wasn’t for love. Love can run out. It was the trust that she broke. I extended my hand outwards, letting the rain fall on my palm.

“Ark, is that you?” I heard the sound of wet footsteps behind me. I turned and saw Aisha walking, holding a cardboard box in her hand. Her tiny body straining to carry the box in one hand and the umbrella in other. “Here, lemme get that!” I rushed to her, taking the box off her. “Thanks!” She smiled. “Hold my umbrella?” I asked, handing her my own. She took it and I opened the box. Inside was a photograph of the first time we went out, a novel I lent her, pens, pencils, hairclips, a Hot Wheels miniature of a ’69 Camaro (don’t ask), and sitting at a corner, was a ring. The one I got her for our Anniversary. “How are you holding up?” She asked me. I looked up and smiled. “Okay, I guess. How’s she’s been?” “Well, she was definitely more happier with you than the guy she’s with.” I raised my eyebrow. We started walking. I turned to face her. “Really?” I asked. She nodded. “Just an observation. I mean I know what she did was criminal, but, I’m asking for her sake, is there any hope-?” “No” I cut her off. “Look, I tried to forgive, I really did. But every time I think of her, all I see are those chats, and what she did all that time. Sometimes you have to walk away and” I trailed off. I took the box, taking out the Hot Wheel, and the ring. I carefully placed the box on the pavement. “Aisha, wait.” I put the car in my pocket, and slipped the ring in my thumb. I watched, as the drops of rain splattered on the box, spreading out, like multiple tumors, slowly wetting it. “There’s something I need to do. Come with me?” I asked her. She raised her eyebrow. “What? I’m not abetting if you’re trying to kill yourself.” I laughed. “Nahh nothing like that, just come on. Won’t take long.”

Aisha walked with me. We exchanged stories on what we did during lockdown. Apparently, her dad bought her a car. I listened to her talk excitedly about it. “Do you even know how to drive?” I asked. She shook her head. “But Pops said he’ll teach me next time around.” “You mean next time there’s a global pandemic?” She laughed. “Something like that.” We were coming up at a corner. “Ready for it?” I asked. We crossed the corner and turned. In front of us, was the Tavish Price Bridge. The main bridge connecting the two halves of the city. Lit up like a Christmas tree. In the rain. The halogen glow diffused by the raindrops making it seem, almost, ethereal. “Come on, let’s go.”

We reached the centre of the bridge. Night just fell and I could hear the gentle gurgling and bubbling of the river, flowing under us, over the din and noise of the vehicles crossing. “It’s so majestic” I heard Aisha whisper under her breath. “I used to come here alone, back when I first moved to the city. This was the one place I felt at peace. This is where I asked her to be mine. and now.” I took out the ring. Aisha turned towards me. “What are you doing, Ark?” I wordlessly let the ring slip out of my thumb. It fell, almost as if in slow motion, disappearing into the inky darkness below us. “The end” Aisha burst out laughing. “God Ark, you’re so dramatic!” I smiled back. “Maybe. Besides, it’s not like that. It’s an act of symbolism.” She stared with a blank look in her face. “Fine, I’m a dramatic little bitch.” She chuckled. “That’s the Ark I know.”

“I’m gonna head back, you sure you don’t wanna head back to campus?” She asked. I shook my head. “I don’t feel like going back just yet.” “Well, stay safe. I’m going back.” I nodded. “I might get something to eat later. You need anything?” “Maybe a taco?” I laughed. Aisha hated tacos. I say hated because once we were out with friends and I ordered one for me. She somehow stole a bite, and finished the whole thing in a second. Later we found out Aisha never had tacos, which, she declared the love of her life, but instead confused it with schwarma. I, unlike her, loved both. We waited till her bus came, and then I wandered off again.

I wasn’t going in any specific direction. It was already night, but I loved it. My mind began to travel back to the time Aurelia and I would go on our night strolls. We used to walk, without really knowing were we were going. Sometimes, we’d discover a new cafe, a new bookshop, tucked away in an cozy little corner, usually owned by quiet, aged seniors, with grey hairs and wise eyes, and lots of stories to tell. That was how we met Iris, an Iranian immigrant who ran a small restaurant with her family. She made the best keema sandwiches. I could almost remember the taste, when, I heard the faint sound of electric guitar and drums. I could see lights in some distance. Concert? Like a moth drawn towards the flame, I started heading towards the concert.

It was an open air charity event, some post-Corona letting out of steam. And it was pretty good. It was probably in some college ground, but I couldn’t see it. The stage was too bright to notice anything. The tickets were modest. I got one and headed in. Inside was hoards of college students like me. Only difference, they weren’t alone. There were no seats. I found a corner against a tree. The band started. I stood in my corner, watching them. They were good, not that good. Okay-ish. I got a glass of lemonade, and stood there watching them. I was humming along, nodding my my head to the music, when, someone crashed into me. I lost my balance, my lemonade fell on me. I turned to see a guy, one of those “bad boys” type. He was clearly drunk. “Oi watch it!” he grunted. I opened my mouth to say something, but he started speaking again. “What the blazes? I outta knock you for this, you scum.” Drunk, angry, clearly this guy was a swarm of bees. I mumbled an apology. Clearly, he wasn’t a man who understood logic. I wiped the juice from my face with my sleeves.

“Hey!” I heard someone poke at me from behind. I turned around to see a girl standing, with a sheepish smile. She was tall, short hair, wearing black jeans and a tee. “Sorry for that guy. He’s a bit, thick headed.” “Oh! It’s no problem. It was just a lemonade.” She smiled. “Can I get you another drink?” “Umm it’s really not that big of a deal.” “I’d feel guilty. Come on!” She ran off. Sighing, I followed her. She already had 2 glasses in her hand. “Cheers!” she said handing my drunk. I smiled. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to.” I sipped, then gagged. “WHAT is in this?” “Ohh shit!” The girl took my drink. “I know the guy selling, he must have given my usual.” I double downed, coughing. “And what’s your usual?” “Lemonade with a splash of vodka.” She said. I burst out laughing. “What?” “Nothing, I just never thought that” I clutched my stomach, laughing. “You’re not a teetotaler, are you?” I shook my head. “Just never had vodka mixed with lemonade. I’m sorry, who does that!” “I do!” I took my glass from her, and gulped it down in one go. The vodka burned my throat, making my eyes water. I coughed a little, forcing it down. “You okay there buddy? Need water?” I shook my head. “Just give me a minute.” I wheezed.

“So what’s this concert all about?” I asked her. We were watching and talking. “It’s some post lockdown thing to cheer up our spirit or whatever.” She shrugged. “You from this college?” I asked. She nodded. “I didn’t catch your name” “Dandy” “And that’s short for?” “Dantalion.” I raised my eyebrow. “Your parents named you Dantalion?” “No silly, I was officially called Rebecca. But then some family shit happened, and so I did shit, including, changing my name.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” She shrugged. “It’s been a long time.” “Well, do they know their daughter named herself after a demon?” She shook her head. “no one does, really. Besides, I go by Dandy, and no one askes anything.” I laughed. “Cool.” The band stopped. The lights dimmed. They started playing Coldplay’s Fix You. The intro bars. I looked at Dandy. “This is my favorite song.” I said quietly. She looked at me. “Me too” She whispered. I felt my ears getting warm. I became aware of just how close we were standing, “Do you wanna dance?” I asked, nervous. Her lips broke into the faintest smile. “I’d love that.”

I took her hand, and she took a step back. “Wow, I’m taller than you!” She teased, patting my head. “Not that much, besides, you got the height, I got the looks. We’d make a cute couple.” She smirked. “Smart, aren’t we?” We swayed slowly as the singer crooned “High up above or down below” Just then, I felt jolt of pain in my back. I fell down, collapsing in Dandy’s arms. “You sonova bitch!” I heard a voice. “Are you okay?” Dandy asked, concerned. I nodded, getting up. “Whatcha thinking pawing after my girl?” The guy shouted at me. It was the same guy who bumped into me earlier and made me spill my drink. I turned to Dandy. “Is that your?” She shook her head. “We kinda dated before lockdown, then broke up during lockdown cuz I found out he was an abusive asshole.” I turned around to face him. “Look man, I don’t want any trouble. It’s none-” “You’re damn well right you ain’t needing trouble.” He swung at me. I dodged, but not entirely. His fist connected with my jaw. The momentum shook me off my feet, and I lost my balance. Dandy grabbed me before I could fall. “Come on, let’s get outta here.” I nodded. “That’s right you whore. Get outta here!” He shouted. I stopped and turned. “Apologize to her!” I said, calmly. “What are you doing, come on!” Dandy grabbed my arm. I stopped her. “Hold up. He just called you a whore.” People were looking at us now. “It’s okay, let it go.” “No. Not unless he apologizes first.” “Or what you bastard?” The guy sneered. I didn’t say anything. I stepped in front of him. The guy was clearly drunk. He swung his fist at me again, but this time I was ready. I dodged, and dropped on my knees. Flexing my calf and my thighs, I leapt at him, grabbing him by the abdomen, tackling him to the ground. I pinned him to the ground. He flailed around, thrashing, but I pressed my elbow against his throat, and slapped him. “Don’t be an asshole.” I said, twisting his ear. His angry shouts turned into whimpers of pain. “And stay away from Dandy!” I finished, with a punch to his ear. Dandy grabbed my arm. “Come on, they’ll call the security!” She grabbed my hand, dragging me away. “Come on, don’t stop, keep running!” She shouted. We threaded our way through the crowds. I could hear shouts coming from where I knocked him, but I didn’t dare look back. Dandy took me away from the ground. We ran across the dimly lit campus, dodging couples, people smoking, gossiping, trees ad dustbins. “Here!” She pointed to a gate. “It’s always unguarded. Do you think you can climb it?” “I think so” “Good” She leapt at it, and, in unbelievable speed, climbed over the top, and landed gracefully on her feet. “Umm” “Come on, hurry!” She hissed. I jumped, trying to grab at the bars but it was more difficult than it seemed. “I thought you said you could climb it?” “Well we all can’t be graceful gymnasts can we?” I finally managed to grab a ledge, and climbed the gate. “Umm this seems pretty high from here Dandy!” “Oh Ark, for god sake, just jump!” She kicked the gate. I lost my balance, and fell on my ass. Dandy started laughing. “Oh god you should have seen that!” She laughed. I made a face at her. ” Come on, we still gotta get out of here.”

“Where are we going?” I asked. She stayed silent. I noticed she still held my hand. Her hand felt good to hold. Slightly cold, but rough. Her long, slender fingers were intertwined with mine. I was worried my hand might be too sweaty, but she didn’t apparently. She had a thin golden watch, and a single ring. I gave her hand a light squeeze. She smiled, squeezing back harder. “Were here” she stopped. “This is my place. You wanna come in for a drink? ” I raised my eyebrow. “Are you sure?” She laughed. “Ofcourse. My room mate hasn’t returned. You can stay over in her room, if you want. It’s already pretty late and I guess you live quite far?” I was surprised. “How do you know?” “The discolouration on your shirt is just like the discolouration from ZOE paste, used exclusively in dental colleges. And there are 2 dental colleges in this city. You were just in one. And if you went there, you would have recognized me. I’m popular” She smirked. I nodded, in awe. “But will it be okay? I mean-” “Come on, it’s too late for you to go back. And I’m not gonna kidnap you. We can stay up watching movies. I have Netflix.” “And you sure your neighbors won’t mind you having a guy over?” “Well, what they don’t know wont hurt them.” I shrugged. “Oh what the hell, lead the way.”

Her flat was a small 2 bedroom with a small kitchen, and a living room of sorts. I say of sorts because it sorta looked like a living room. It was more messy than my own dorm room. “I know it’s not the cleanest but-” “It’s perfect!” I said. She looked at me puzzled. “You’re messier than me.” She chuckled. “Go sit on the couch, I’ll be right out. Maybe move the clothes and everything.” I went over, picking up stuff from her couch. T-shirts, jeans, tops, socks, blankets, everything was in a muddled heap. I found some cushions and set them up in a heap. “Hey” She said, coming back. She had changed into a baggy tshirt and trackpants. “I’m gonna looks for some food. You go freshen up.” I washed up, and then stood at the kitchen door, watching her, when, I heard a faint sound of music coming from somewhere. “Hey, Dandy? What’s that song?” I. She turned to look at me. “Oh. It’s the widow Rebekkah from upstairs. Her husband died a long time ago. She lives alone now, except her kids visiting sometimes. She has a gramophone, and this is the song she keeps playing. I fell asleep countless nights, listening to this song.” I stepped towards her, taking her hand. “Since we never got that dance, do you want to..?” I trailed off. She smiled and nodded.