Page..40.

                   CHAPTER 7 THEIR WAY OF LOVE.

                   If your father is not a rich man, it is not your fault.    

                   If your father-in-law is not a rich man, it is your fault.

                   I was intelligent when born. But education ruined me.

                  Practice makes man perfect.  

                  But no one is perfect. 

                  Then why practice?

                  Since light travels faster than sound,

                   people appear bright until you hear them speak.

                   How come 'abbreviated' is such a long word!

                  Money is not everything; there is visa,  master-card.

                   One should love animals. They are not jealous.

                   Behind every successful man there is a woman; 

                   Behind every unsuccessful man there are two.

                  Every man must marry.   After all, happiness is not everything in life!

                   The wise never marry.  After marriage they be otherwise.

                  Success is a relative term.  It brings so many relatives.

                  Never put off the work till tomorrow;  what you can put off today.

                  Your future depends upon your dreams.  So go to sleep.

                  There should be a better way to start a day,  than waking up every     

                  morning.

                  Hard work never killed anybody.But Why take risk?

                 " Work fascinates me."   I like to look at it for hours.

                 God made relatives.Thank God we can make friends.

                 The more you learn, the more you know.  

                 The more you know, the more you forget. 

                 The more you forget the less you know.  

                 So why learn at all?

                 A bus-station is where a bus stops.   

                 A railway station is where a train stops. 

                 My desk is a work station where the work stops.

Ch..9. JEALOUSY THY NAME IS KIDS.

This is a short story of their jealous love.

They are three of them. There are two boys and a girl, in this narration. That means a love triangle. Where there is a girl, there is trouble always.  We know it. Trouble is certain to follow. Sooner or later there is always a trouble and tragedy. We have to be ready for it. It is a question of time.

Here we are concerned with Jimmy, Ginnie and the Boy, Willie. We know the two well.  Jimmy was a higher secondary student. He was named the football player from the school. He was senior to her and Willie by two years. He lived in the quarters adjacent to her.  She and the boy Willie were students in the last year of the primary course.  They all lived in the school campus and knew each other quite well. His happiness centered round in playing with her. She was worth playing with. Willie's happiness also centered round in playing with her. She was marvelous.

She presented an alluring picture of young feminine beauty, a real heiress, a princess from the wonderland, to both.

He at least thought so. The Boy Willie too felt so. Both felt so. She was like that.  She was indeed beautiful. She was beautiful in a way all her own. All agreed.

All the three were neighbors. All were long time playmates. All knew each other well.   For years all continued to be playful jolly and carefree. There was no trouble.

But today was a different day for him. Things changed today. Friends turned into foes today. He sat gazing upon her. Today he made a note of her form and features. Today she looked different. He had never done this before.

But today was a different day for the Boy. Things changed today. Friends turned into foes today. The boy too sat gazing upon her. Today the Boy Willie made a note of her form and features. Today she looked different. He had never done this before. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Beauty is lives in the mind of the beholder. Beauty standard vary from place to place. What catches the eye is beauty. Today both of them made a note of her form and features. They had never done this before. Today she appealed to him in a different way.  Today she appealed to the Boy in a different way. The boy Willie felt so. She felt so. He felt so.

He scratched his head running his fingers deep into his hair. He was perplexed today.  He again scratched his head and sighed. Today he felt his mouth went dry looking at her.

Today he felt lump in his throat seeing her sitting besides the boy. He could not speak to her. Today she charmed him in a different way. He felt uneasy looking at her.  

The Boy too scratched his head running his fingers deep into his hair. The boy was perplexed today. The Boy again scratched his head and sighed.  Today the Boy felt his mouth went dry looking at her.  Today the Boy felt lump in his throat seeing them sitting together. 

She was dressed in her usual scout's dress, a white blouse and black skirts.  Other boys played closely, came near, listlessly pushed her, touched her and ran off.  Other boys always moved closely, pushed her, threw her, slugged her. She played with them too. He was not anyway concerned. He had been always disinterested.  Today his brows were contracted. Today his muscles tensed.  Today He was annoyed.  Today he was angry.  

He saw the Boy pause besides her.   The Boy had bent close, hugged her in happiness that he had climbed the tree. She cried out loud, reciprocated with equal joy, hugging him intimately. Today he felt jealous. Today he did not like any other boy see her, least touch and hug.

He recollected the past incidents. All the boys and girls used to play hide and seek. She and the Boy invariably used to hide far off behind the bushes. They used to come quite late after it was announced for all to come out of their hiding. Sensing something cooking and something fishy going on he used his veto power and stopped all playing hide and seeks.

Today he got up, left the place with pain in his groins. He went away far off and sat on the bench all alone. 

She saw him. She felt his awkwardness. 

Since quite long they had roamed together. She visualized in retrospection.  Side by side they had drenched their feet in water in the village pond.    Together they had played, baited, teased, quarreled and played again. This was their normal life-a routine.

They had climbed the apple tree both together and threw apples for her to catch and collect in a basket, then all used to devour the apples like a group.

Today he felt his hair rise at the nape of his neck. She saw it, and was shocked. Merely because the boy sat close and hugged her.  It is ridiculous. It is natural that she reciprocated and hugged him. It is natural. What is wrong?  She did not see anything wrong on her part. She felt he was unduly disturbed at such a small incident.  On the other hand, he did not take this incident lightly. He felt rejected. He felt she had neglected him. She was shocked.  She felt differently.  

He reconstructed in his mind the scene of her hugging the Boy.   He could not endure this. He got burnt out of jealousy.  His blood boiled to an unimaginable extent.  He felt anger dejection and an odd feeling of possessing her.  It was true the Boy who had hugged her was no longer a boy now.  She also felt so. It was true she was no longer the carefree girl now. He felt so. She felt so. The boy felt so. It was true he was no longer the same boy now. All felt so.  Yet he and the boy had never quarreled over her. They had tolerated each other's  mischief.  He had not objected to her playing with other boys. He had never forbidden her to play with them.

But any how, today things seemed different and changed.   He looked at her again. She was no longer the young playmate they used to always play together. All felt so. Today he felt it was time to establish his right over her. It might be late otherwise. A stitch in time saves nine.

Other boys too had started looking at her these days. She appeared a maiden with distinct features. Other boys also felt so. His throat felt dry. He felt a lump in his throat.  He felt his mouth dry. An uneasy pain wiped away all his energy and strength.  He felt as if he had lost something. He felt he missed something. He wanted to find it. Today He felt, himself, all of a sudden, excited, agitated and alarmed. He was not his own self.   He wanted to put an end to all playful games.

All this had happened because the boy had sat close to her.  All this occurred because the boy had hugged her.  All this was felt because she had reciprocated and hugged the boy. All felt so. She was beautiful as per his standard. He believed. The boy believed so. All believed so.

She was his prized property. He felt she belonged to him and none else. None believed it.  She was a wondrous thing on earth. From a distance He watched them sitting side by side quite close. He felt jealous and he was out of his mind. He felt he would go mad.  He saw the boy move to press his body closer to her. He saw the boy caress her shoulder. He imagined so. She slipped towards the boy and snuggled him. He could not the bear the sight. He thought so. He felt an uneasy feeling, which prompted him to jump.

Today he felt his blood rise in his head about to burst.   He jumped a few steps and was standing in front, confronting the two.   His lips curled into an ugly sight exposing his fighting mood. . The boy looked up batting his wide eyes.  She half raised herself and looked at him.   She guessed that he was quite upset and disturbed.

She could not find any reason for his being upset and disturbed.  Her feminine instinct made her reach up the boy and scratch the back of his ear.  In an instant he saw she was no longer the little playing girl. He felt she was a full woman. According to him, she was a full-length woman.

To possess her, he would fight to death.  He would fight the boy or any one who questioned his right over her.  His muscles rigid, and his shoulder turned towards the boy, he proceeded and faced them.  His face was averted but his eyes were fixed on the boy.  As he came his threats, abuses, increased in depth and volume. 

The boy rose up on his two feet bristling, he too growled back.  Both glared at each other. Fire raged in their eyes. She too felt so.

He:     "She is mine."

He gestured at her. She was sitting.

Now she stood up.  He caught her by the shoulders and turned her to them so that all could see her.

Boy: "She is mine." 

The boy roared pointing his fingers at her. She felt she moved a step towards him.

She came forward. She clapped. She hopped. She jumped She shouted with joy. She mediated. All felt so.  She asked both of them not to fight. She belonged to both. All clapped hearing so. She never meant that there should be a quarrel between the two on her account.  He did not accept this mediation award. He cast a vote of dissent.  He cried out.

He:  "She belongs to me only."

He:  "She does not belong to anyone; except me."

He added with a thunderous shout, with raised hands.

He:   "If any one tried, if anybody touched her, I will break his hands." 

He added as he saw that all were dumbfounded.

He roared with the air of being the master of the girl.

The Boy:  "She belongs to me only."  

The boy was also a party to the contest.  The boy was not in a mood to let her go.  There was a tie. She can not belong to both. It was to be decided to whom she belonged.  She debated deliberated and made them compromise. Today there was no compromise.  There was no solution. Both craved for her. She was at pains to find a solution to this.  She was very still, almost paralyzed at the turn of events. No emotion registered on her face. After that first moment of shock, she felt only a deep sadness in her. She was concerned for both, genuinely. After long, long deliberation she declared.

She:      "Alright, both of you fight."

He:        "I guess it will be a duel."

She announced a duel out of disgust.  There was no other way. Fight would decide the Might.

She:      "Fight." "Who wins gets me." She declared. She:      "Tomorrow. This time. This place."

The group of boys and girls were disturbed and shocked.  They stopped playing. All were eager and afraid of the result.   Their growling had distracted other boys and girls playing nearby.  They sensed a fight. It would be interesting.   All gathered and it turned out a sizable group of spectators to know about the combat. It would break the monotony.

He, she, the Boy and the crowd got dispersed.

All went their respective houses expecting to return next day morning for the duel.  He went to his room.  He had nothing to worry about.  He was dead sure he could take the boy in three rounds.  But something from inside was bothering him.  He was surprised to find that the boy, though at a disadvantage in comparison to him would go to the length of challenging him for the combat.  He knew not what to do.  He sat near the window for a few hours, decided to leave the things as they were and retired for the night. She on her part, was quite shocked to find that both of them risked their life and reputation for her hand.  She should not have created such an intimacy with the boys.

The Boy when he reached home, he was quite nervous.  He did not know how all this happened in a few moments.  How on the spur of the moment he agreed to fight with him.

He knew his strength and reputation as a hockey and football player.  The boy gathered special padding to cover his body, for protection.  He referred to some book of boxing and wrestling.  He had witnessed many ring duels but he himself had never participated in any of them.  He was very nervous.

Next day, at the ground, there was a big crowd. They had gathered around waiting for the fight to start.  Inwardly  she felt flattered at the attention that was being drawn on her.  In history many battles were fought for their hand.    She had seen some men battling for other women.    In depths of her heart she had dreamt of a fight for her hand.   She imagined the ground would be reddened with blood for her sake. She felt sure.  She was now jumping on her feet. She was excited.  She cheered up them both. She wished them both.   She insulted both admirers with equal abuses. She aroused them both to their best.  She hurled taunts for their cowardice. She made them fight unto end. All felt so.  She called them vile names.  The other boys and girls, who were watching, also cheered, and laughed and clapped. The atmosphere was charged with suspense.  The boy felt infuriated. The boy gathered all his strength to meet with the challenge.  He was also equally infuriated. He gathered all his strength to combat. Both were set to fight for her hand.

At last the combat was announced.  It started slowly both it looked were sizing-up each other. He made a sudden lunge for the boy. The boy leaped to one side eluding him. All clapped and roared.

This time the boy came like a lightening upon him. He, with quickness of a cat wheeled and leaped back.  He was shocked to find the adversary so capable.

He came on the boy with all his might.  He aimed a vicious blow at the boy's neck.  The boy wheeled to dodge the blow. It struck him on his jaw going to the shoulder; blood came out from the mouth. Sight of red blood brought a cry of delight from her. The duel was something worth while. She glanced about to see if other boys had witnessed it. The duel on her account was the evidence of her popularity.

She was more proud than Helen of Troy was at this moment.  She moved closer to the duelists to watch the outcome.  The duel lasted for a while; he was on a better footing. He was scoring over the boy. The boy was melting. The boy was about to lose. All felt so. The boy therefore did what was expected; to save skin.  The boy doubtless turned tails and ran for his life and left the field. He ran behind the boy a few steps, thought better. He came back; he stopped, inhaled deep air and slumped on the nearby bench tired. She and other boys, girls went home once the duel was over. Now they had no interest once the issue was settled. The boy who had ran to save the skin, stopped at a nearby distance.  Thereafter he too made for home.

Next day, boys were again playing as if nothing had happened day before. He too, on his part had recovered from his initial shock. He was busy thinking about his line of action. He was almost in two minds. Today, she was close by, besides him in token of evidence that choice was made. The boy who ran was back as if nothing had happened.  The boy eyed them hatefully, not knowing what to do.  She eyed the boy, as if he did not exist. 

She did not like his leaving the duel abruptly.  She expected him to be crumpled to the ground.  He expressed a snarl at the boy, but the boy did not provoke a quarrel.  The boy seemed to accept the fact that he had fallen from her favor.

Suddenly he took his bike and was off to an unknown destination.  The boy saw him depart.  She was offended by his abrupt departure. The boy felt so. She felt pity and sympathy for the boy. He had put up a good fight.  She called the boy and consoled him for the earlier incident. She asked him to sit. Casually the boy slid closer and closer to her to be near her.   The boy was within a few feet of distance from her.

The boy shot a meaningful glance at her.  The boy knew that she was appraising him.  She was looking at the boy with blank eyes.   There was no evidence of anger on her face.  The boy got encouraged and expanded his chest in merriment.  The boy sat about near her making strange musical whistles in an attempt to sing a song.   The boy raised his lips showing his even teeth.  She could not but notice him.  She let her eyes rest on him in admiration of his frame of the body.  What a beautiful sight to look at, He was!  The boy flattered by the unconcealed admiration in her eyes was proud as a peacock. The boy began to inventory his assets. The boy felt himself better equipped than his rival. The boy made a loud grunt out of happiness. The boy made up his mind that he was better than him. The boy drew nearer and nearer to her. Finally both were engrossed in each other talking intimately.

He had stopped at a distance. He watched them from the distance. The other two did not know.  He saw her scratching the boy's back, and examining his injuries on his shoulder.   He felt disgusted. He paused for a moment looking at them.  He turned and went away to his place as if he was totally disgusted with both of them. He wanted to be away from the cause of his heartache as far as he could. 

He suffered from first pangs of love in form of jealousy.  He had fallen for her so hard to the extent it might hurt him. He did not know what was the matter.  He thought he was angry with the boy.  He thought he was angry with the girl.  In love one behaves quite silly. The love bug bites him right over the heart.  He thought he was angry with himself. A vision of her beauty persisted in his mind haunting him. He could see her as a desirable thing of love in the world.  He craved for her love. His dream of love appeared shattered.   He never wanted to come to the playground.   He could not bear the thought of seeing the boy and her together.

Disgusted he ran to his place and prepared for his studies.  He cocked his head on one side before he went to sleep that night.  She filled his mind afterwards she filled his dreams.  He tried to desperately forget her.

In a few days he was a changed man. He decided he did not care for her.  He would play alone. He would live alone.  He concentrated on his studies.  He wanted to be a surgeon. He had to work hard.  He can not afford to let love come in the way of his career.  He concentrated on his career. He was a sane boy. Time passed like that.  Days passed into months.

NEXT TERM .

He saw her today face to face. All his resolutions failed.  He was helpless. His love for her returned with double force.  He remembered the effect on her of some sexy joke, once he had made.  She would growl at even a veiled reference to a thigh.  She must be a child of nature, so pure, so innocent!   The coolness in her eyes often surprised him. Both were neighbors since long.  How he had longed to have a glimpse of her for the last few months.  He had often lingered back of his bathroom window to watch her nude. He remembered.  Sometimes she was seen taking a bath, sometimes doing exercise.  Sometimes, he saw her quite unclad doing exercise of some sort.  He did not think how wrong it was to watch her unawares.  Nudity was proper to him because he had not seen such a beautiful sight.  She would swing her arms and change from one pose to another.  Energy would flow from her, from  head to toes.   She would move, turn, and twist her arms, waist and feet at regular intervals.  When gymnastics were over she would pause to set right a lock of hair on her forehead. She would examine with care a red mole on one of her armpits.   She would walk away unconcernedly in her inner room.  It did not occur to him that his conduct was detestable.  He did not regard his action as conduct.   It was something that had happened to him.  He had to attend to her time like an opium eater.  He had been accustomed, used to it like a habit.

There are two tragedies in life.   One is not to get your heart's desire. The other is to get your heart's desire.  As times passes by one gets tired of her.  It is human to get tired seeing the same face everyday.   

It gets monotonous after a while.  Familiarity breeds contempt.   He feels bored locked up in her company.  Now he longs for something once he has got the sex.  Now his mind turns to get money.  Everybody needs money.  Money brings all sorts of other luxury.  The empire of luxury expands beyond reach once flow of money started.    Mistress, phone flat fiat for fiancée etc are maintained and much more.  Showers of sentiments keep the man chained. He agreed.   He becomes a slave of his own circumstances.  He can not escape from the chains of social and moral obligations.   But this stage of life was far for him. 

It was the beginning of the next term. Six Months had passed. Both knew it. Both felt it.   It was Saturday morning. Saturday is Lover's day. He knew. She knew. He was standing at the window of his room by sheer force of habit.

He saw the window open in the opposite house.

Their eyes met. She was standing right through the window.

Time is a healing agent. She smiled. He smiled. Differences got melt.  She was there. To both bygones were bygones. It was silent dumb love without words.  They looked at each other in silence. Both felt love for each other.  Their eyes talked and both became engrossed in each other oblivious of time or anything.   She felt there was something about him as good as his looks.   He turned from the window after a while without any excuse.  She waited for him expectantly at the window in hope of his return.

For months she had kept open her window for him to see.

For months she dressed and did her hair differently each morning with usual care.   She looked up eagerly from her window many times in the day for his appearance.   She wondered about him constantly what he did and why he was not seen.  She felt he was avoiding her. She felt the duel between him and the boy was the cause.

This had infuriated her. Nobody can neglect her. She felt she was sacrificed on boy's account.   Her pride was hurt. Today she felt like going to the garden and sit there.  She was unaware that he had seen her leaving her house.

He followed her on an impulse. She had taken a seat in the garden engrossed in a crossword puzzle.  He approached her as if surprised to find her.  She stood up surprised, she extended her hand for a handshake.

It appeared as if it had been a chance encounter.

Nothing happened for the first time. They parted after a few preliminaries.   The process of short visits at hallo level continued for about a fortnight or so.

For the next time she allowed herself the luxury of his company at a dining hall.   She had supposed they would never be able to talk intimately like before.

He:   "Hi, I was looking for you." He brought as much force of sentiments in his words as he could.

He:  "I am glad I found you."  He prolonged the conversation.  She did not even ask why He was looking for her. The need was there between them, different, but powerful. They were not ready to acknowledge it.  Both were testing each other.  His manner was calm, but his voice had an edge.  Her cheeks had flushed; she leaned towards him impulsively.  He sat gazing at her charmed by her beauty.

She found him sexy but not obscene.  They talked about anything and everything except the episode about the boy.   After some time he asked her if she would go with her.  She was too shy to refuse.  Both left for the downtown.  They visited the Sun Set dining hall, the best available in the Atlantic City. He ordered best varieties. She selected her favorite items.  Both were engrossed in doing justice to the food.    After they were about to finish, he spoke. He broke the ice. 

              He:      "Hey! How you feeling? Want anything     

              more?

She:       "No. Thank you." "The food was good."

He paid the waiter. Both left the place.

He took her arm.  A wave of feeling for him rose in her.

No one had ever asked how she had felt; no one had ever cared what she wanted.  This ritual continued for about a few weeks.  

Today he had taken her out, on the occasion that it was his birthday. Both were in gay mood. They went to a movie. Then the dinner followed.  After dinner he suggested they return to his place.  She felt a sigh of relief.  He had finally made his move.  All roads go to the same place ultimately.   She felt happy for having waited without betraying her impatience.  When they entered his house, He opened the door. She was following him at a short distance.   He made no move to open the shades.

He guided her elbow with his hand leading her to his bedroom.  He disappeared for a while to the kitchen to bring a tray of drinks.     She kicked off her sandals; she stood by the window looking out at the garden.     Her mind refused to work. She just stood by the window absentmindedly without any thought.

She kept on looking for quite a while.    Suddenly she realized that he had come behind her and was standing close by.  Gently he took her in his arms and embraced her for quite a while.    He led her to the sofa and she occupied the center seat. He sat besides.    Both finished the drinks. They did not touch the sandwiches.  He led her to the bed. He made her lie down on it. He had started the preliminary.  He kissed at her neck.   He unbuttoned the buttons that ran down the back of her dress.

He:  "Lovely. Simply lovely." He cried out of joy and agony to hold her.

He:  "You are wonderfully lovely." He was very jubilant at his find.

He murmured slipping off her dress.  He undid her bra.

He pushed down her half-slip.  His fingers traced the line of her backbone.  His hands came around to clasp her breasts. .  He knelt besides and widened her stance gently.  Her legs were parted.   He licked her neck breasts and her shoulders with his lips. She felt a sensation.  The sensation was lovely but maddening.   She pushed herself against him.  She found herself rotating with his rhythm.  She realized that he was now kneeling over her.

His legs were holding her thighs wide apart.  His hands were clasping cheeks so that she was spread wide open. She felt him near her. Afterwards she felt better than a few minutes back.  It sounded like agony when he had come.

Afterwards they lay silently for about an hour. They talked about his studies.  He inquired of her attitude towards the boy had infuriated him and all that.     She got up slowly. She was aware of the pain.   It had a heavy feeling of being full and swollen.  She was filled with unspoken words.

He pulled her back in the bed.   He fondled her there gently.

She too finally came in a burst of pleasure and bliss.  She left his place at a late hour. It was night. She entered her place from the back door in a hurry to escape prying eyes of peeping Toms.  He and the boy were rivals for her hand. She had neglected him since the duel.

The boy, Willie's eyes always used to follow her wherever she happened to go.  He had overheard her discussing her items at the annual gathering at the Sea-Rock.  There were a few other girls in the party whom he knew. She was there as one of them. She walked across the floor, taking a sip from the coke, as her shapely legs let her glide across the dance-hall.  Her entry provoked a welcome with adjectives like gorgeous, miss world etc.  The boy's eyes were not the only eyes to follow her movements.  Other eyes were also engrossed in watching her.

But Willie was the only one to take it to his heart and take it really hard.  Damn!  damn, damn- he was angry and burning of jealousy. His mood went from pretty good to pretty bad in an instant. " What is wrong? " asked his friends who were with him.  She just walked by looking good from all points of view. 

Boy:-    ( to himself but loudly )  " I know she is going to be in the back of my mind all through out this event."  All his friends laughed. They told him to take it easy.  His friends could not understand his pain, his shame.  Over a year ago he happened to visit  her with his friends.  She opened her door and took over a corner of Willie's mind forever.  Here was the prettiest girl with a smile that melted his mind heart and everything.  The search was called off. Selection was done. 

He had taken for granted that she was his girl.  It was their lucky day.  she had just finished cooking.  Willie sat on the sofa and she handed him a big dish full of food.  When he tasted it immediately, he shouted out of joy to marry him.  There was no response.  Willie believed he should have attempted for better acquaintance.  But of no avail.  There was no response from the other side. Even at times when she was not getting well with him over a period of an year or so. She shut him down time after time.  Months later Willie wound up at the joint where she regularly visited.  Willie believed she attempted and behaved as if she did not know him.  She used to remain away from him.   Once when they were face to face, Willie asked:  "What!, you don't know me no more?"  She small-talked him for a while.  Then she started to pass him strait.  By now he honestly disliked her for what she was. But still he found her fascinating.  He felt he should go to her to tell Hello.  It was inevitable that he was going for a more punishment.  Willie was a moth.  She was the flame.  So he went over there. First he greeted the chorus girls.   Then came the moment of the truth."  How are you?  It is good to see you."

" Hey, how are you?"  She replied. It was a polite reply. There was no warmth in it.   There was slight hint that she was not prepared to prolong the conversation.

" "I am taking the first dance". Willie said.

"That is right! " "I will be a sort of take charge guy tonight."

He took her hand but she completely ignored him, and his efforts to lead the dance.  She stood where she was and allowed Willie to dance near her.  There was an instant shift in social dynamics.  Willie was going mad day after day.

The Boy Willie had seen her going out with him and later visiting his house.  She had come out of his house at late hours in a dubious condition.  She had surreptitiously slipped into her house from the back door to avoid many eyes.  The boy suffered from rejection and humiliation. He was waiting for a chance encounter with her, especially without his presence.

The boy was on a look out to find her alone and settle the account.  Walking past her house, he saw her entering from the back door. He followed her on an impulse. He tried the knob. The door opened up. He stood there transfixed deciding to finish the unfinished task. He reasoned with himself. No reasoning helped his firm determination. 

She was in the bathroom taking a shower.

The boy waited for her, awaiting her coming out of the bathroom.  She had just completed her bath.  She reached for her under-clothes, and the robe. She removed the curtain and stepped out of the bath-room on way to her dressing table. The boy's hand caught her shoulder. She had about-turned out of fright. The robe slipped from her shoulder.   His hand caught at her shoulder strap. The strap broke-loose one end coming in his hand. The boy froze staring at the white breast that had escaped the brassier. 

She opened her mouth to scream on seeing the boy.  The boy tugged at the end of the strap and pulled her towards him.  With one jerk, he removed her other strap. He stared down at her, feeling his legs begin to tremble.  She buttoned up her robe, in an attempt to cover up. She desperately wanted to free from his clutches.

The boy caught hold of her mouth, gagged her with his palm, held her tight with other hand. Her voice was trapped in her throat; she was hitting him with her legs but no result.

The boy held her like that for quite a while.

The Boy:  "You are over-tired. Come-on! I am going to put you on the cot where you will love to lie down."

She heard the boy muttering.  He picked her. He carried her into the inner room. He ignored her screeching, kicking, and elbowing. She struggled to make him release her. He held her tight, did not budge. He virtually threw her on the bed.  She thrashed about quite hard. He stamped his mouth on hers. He kissed her desperately.  He did not allow her to utter a word. He kept on kissing with all his strength.  She tried her best to free herself or turn her head away from him. She was helpless.  He had overpowered her. She could not move or do anything. She felt him ripping her clothes. The boy took out a handkerchief from his shirt pocket. The boy slashed it across her mouth, pulled its ends knotted them behind her hair.  She jerked her head from side to side but of no avail.  The boy found her lips fighting the gag; he bent over adjusted it right.   She was blind with rage and fear. He played with her with his hands; he threw himself on her carelessly. The bed jumped creaked with their weight.   She locked her legs one upon the other in a tight grip.  The boy tied her wrists with the bedpost. She gave a good fight before surrendering. She tried to make noise. No noise came out. She was helpless.

She jumped and wreathed to free herself but it was of no help.  The boy had tied her wrists and gagged her perfectly. She had no chance.  Her legs were free. She tried to kick him. She was ready to throw him away.   Filled with terror she saw him take out his pants and step out of them.   The boy was wearing white knickers. Her gaze was fixed on the boy.  The boy pulled off his knickers. He was now in a bare naked form.  The Boy had moved closer. She got herself ready to kick him out with her legs.   The boy was bending over her. He did not go to her legs. Boy caught her throat.  The boy untied the knot of her robe. He virtually pulled it down mercilessly.  The boy had to bend her hands to make them free from the sleeves.  It was not possible. He put his hands on her budding bosom through the open space.  She pushed him tried to free from his clutches moved her body here and there. She jumped and humped her body away from him. With one hand he held her tightly down on the bed. He then raised her dress as she kicked him in a rising arc of anger and fury. He then went to her breasts single handed. He stared at it.  He caressed it with a rhythmic squeeze. She struggled hard frantically trying to move to other side. The boy was totally excited. He slipped his hand from under the thin fabric and captured her breast more firmly now than before. His hold was hard and painful as he found the nipple.

He lifted himself so that he lay heavily on her. In the process, she could see both her breasts exposed to his eyes.  The very sight excited him to a point of no return.

The Boy slapped her on her sides to make her limp. He ground his body with hers in an attempt to arouse her. Nothing happened. She was quite rigid. He changed position. He sat besides her slid his arms around her in an attempt to warm her.  He held her tight to his bosom for a while. He undid the handkerchief. He untied the knots of her hands. She was free but too tired to do anything. He again kissed her, vehemently not giving her a chance to shout or protest.   She jumped and heaved and tried to turn her other side.   The boy was strong enough to thwart her advances.   Then she felt him push his hands further down.  He firmly held her breasts in his hands.  She got reddened.  She widened her eyes.  She glared at him and made vile protests to distract him.

He: "Nice." The Boy said, his hands stroking her breasts.

She was terrified of him whose rough hands pinched her nipples hard.  She cried. Tears were flowing from the eyes.

He:  "This will feel you still better."

He got up, he readied himself.   She twisted away from him when he reached her.  He pulled her down until she was flat on her back.  His hands grasped her thighs to put his weight on them. She raised her thighs and legs to fight him.  He forced her. He fell hard on her thighs and legs.  Shame and helplessness maddened her.  He raised the folds of the robe up to her waist. She was now quite visible.  He widened her legs ready to mount. The view had excited him.  She moved, jumped and twisted so that, he could not do so.  She tried to kick him, overthrow him. It was of no use.

He: "Be still." 

He muttered. He slapped her hard till she could bear no longer.  She continued to dodge. It did not stop him. He did what he had to do.   His hands darted out, gripped the legs, ripped them apart.  She was now immobile under him. His weight was on her legs.  He had firmly pressed her beneath him.   She got exhausted and tired.  Her lips and mouth were clearly visible.  The Boy poised his frame in an attempt to mount.  She felt him stiffening against her thigh. She felt she would die of shame and agony.  The boy guided it and placed it at its mouth.  She was heaving with fear like a trapped animal.  She closed her eyes tightly. She closed her mouth tightly. She stiffened her body.   She prayed God to come to her rescue.  There was nobody to come to her rescue.. She felt him. She flinched. She winced. She was helpless.   She opened her eyes out of fright. She shut them out once again seeing his swollen instrument. She had one terrifying glimpse of him. She felt she would die.   The boy's thing had turned into cannon about to shoot. It looked like as if it was revenge he sought. She felt so. She felt she failed. She felt she fainted. She felt she died.  The boy was absorbed in his own work. She felt nothing. She felt empty.  She gave a cry of pain. It was a muffled cry of pain.  The boy did not hear anything. He was groaning.  At last a long growl came from him. . She moved around to dislodge him.

The boy was firmly saddled and busy. She felt his weight. The boy was busy in his own way. She was choked with pain and humiliation.  At last she felt him shudder. Suddenly her body was filled with hot fluid within her coming in jerks. The boy was panting; he was short of breath. It choked her neck, throat, its smell reaching to her nostrils. The boy pressed his weight upon her crushing her rib bones.

She lay there lifeless without any energy.   The boy had finished his lust. She felt him lifting his body from her. The boy was engrossed in his own satisfaction.  All of a sudden some divine force had prompted her to get up. She was a hunted wounded tigress. She mustered strength waiting for an opportunity to hit him in a way that he would never forget it. She was committed to avenge herself. He could not do anything worse than this. This was the height of a man's sins. She kicked him hard where it hurts.  He bent over doubled up in pure pain and agony.  The boy was furious. He hit her and the blow threw her on the floor, and she felt fainted.

Now the boy was feeling equal to both, her and him. He had also scored. All were equal.  There was sense of happiness on his face.  Hurriedly the boy put on his clothes.  The boy came to her. He sat down besides her. He kissed her. He tried to straighten her dress.  She attempted to kick him but the boy was out of the kicking range. The boy let her lie on the floor. She felt as if some divine strength had inspired her to get up and hit the man who was responsible to molest her chastity. Now she got up like a tigress from the floor. She took him unawares, kicked him in between his legs with all her force at her command. He doubled up and bent down out of pain and agony. He let out a cry of pain. He ran for his life as if she were after him.  He fumbled and stumbled in his steps as if she were behind him. He ran as if he had to save his life. The Boy had left like a lightening as if death was after him.  The Boy had no courage even to look back.   The Boy had rushed to the back door and was out like a lightening.   The Boy did not even glance back at her house.  She had fallen on the floor after delivering the mighty kick. She lay there transfixed like a statue weeping.  

She saw the boy in his true colors. She lay there for hours not knowing what had happened.  She got up at last. She sat in front of the dressing table. She brushed the unruly hair. She looked at the image in the mirror. There was a sort of hardness in it.

This was not there earlier. She had learnt the lesson. She hated herself to be careless to leave the back door open.  Now she is careful to keep the back door locked. She checks her doors before retiring for the night.  Now she keeps her window also closed.

She was utterly confused. She thought she might talk to him about the boy.  She thought better not to do so. She remained careful and guarded now.  It turned out to a wonder of nine days.  She decided to discard them both.

She was serious about her studies.  She concentrated on her studies.  She did not allow such mad experiences to interfere with her life.  She returned to New York, to her foster parents after the exams were over.  She told her mother she would abide by their choice in marriage.

She told her mother everything that had happened both with him and the boy.   The Parents preferred him. Mother was very sorry for her.  She wrote out a letter to him. She was sure he would respond happily.  She went to the post office herself to mail the letter.  After a few days the postman knocked. She was daily waiting for the arrival of the postman. She ran to the door. She hoped good news.

He put an envelope in her hand.

She was shocked fainted and fell on the ground.

It was her own envelope returned with remarks, "Party left. No forwarding address."  "Returned to Sender."  Her mother consoled her. She asked her to keep faith in Him.

Such are the ways of life.  None knows how it will end.  Her mother is a seasoned lady.  She advised her not to make haste.  She is sure he will come to her wherever he was.  Hope is eternal.

The boy proved himself a boy in the real sense of the term. She had loved them both.  The fight had taken place only for the reason that he and boy claimed their sole right over her. She told she loved them both. After the dual also she liked the boy.   Such an act of a rape on a friend, taking advantage of her helpless position is to be condemned and ruled out. Whatever feeling, whatever love she had for the boy, it got transformed into hatred for him. Life is based on finer instincts of feeling, compassion and love. There is no place for such forced rape on a helpless girl. The boy is a criminal and deserves to be punished in the eyes of the Law. It is true all the three of them are high school students. They may be inexperienced and immature. But the society does not permit him to do a criminal act. What for education is imparted to them? It is imparted to make them decent citizens and not hooligans and sadists.

In fact the boy had better prospects and opportunity. Both were studying in the same class. He could, under one pretext or the other could meet her. He had immense opportunity to keep her interested in him.

All he had to do was to develop his contacts with her. Constant company can change the situation and he could have diverted her feelings into love for him.  Now everything had changed. He had no chance.