* The End *

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He placed his jacket on his left arm, and placed his glasses firmly on his nose, and pulled his pants, as they hung loosely on his thinning figure. He stood there listening to the sound of the waves splashing across the sand; the sounds of innocent chatter, and laughter filled his ears. He smiled and closed his eyes to the setting sun. He lived that minute and knew how it was going to end.

***

He drove into the driveway, and reminisced of the first time he saw her. A smile gently lit up his wrinkled face. The lines gave away his age. He stamped on the brakes and slowly wheeled the age old Toyota into the garage. He picked up her favorite bunch of white roses, from the seat. He let himself in the house very stealthily, but one could not blame him, he never made a sound.

“…… and i'm sure i’m running out of it …. “ she laughed and turned around, and was startled when she saw her husband standing with a bunch of roses.

“Phew, you almost gave me a fright Andrew, when did you come”, she stammered away.

“Ummm, yea, i'll uhhhhh call you back”, she placed the phone on the table, and looked enquiringly at her husband.

He went across and kissed her forehead, and sat down in his usual chair , and waited as she poured him coffee , and started making him a sandwich.

“I was talking to Keith…..” she mumbled, not bothered with the mess she was creating on the table. She splattered mayonnaise, on the table cloth, and looked in her husband’s direction. He seemed totally oblivious to the mess.

“I hope he is doing great, do pass on my regards to him”… he smiled, and devoured the sandwich, and got ready for his charade of pruning and watering the garden.

***

His life was a routine that she could easily recite; there was never a change except for guests, occasions, and the occasional outings. He was a man who would get up on the same side of the bed, wake up at an exact hour every day, leave for work at the same hour. But today something about him was different. She wondered whether he did hear her conversation .She dismissed that thought, till she saw him drag the chair at the study, and write out something. He placed it in two envelopes and sealed it, and placed it a rusty old drawer. He kissed her on her forehead, wished her goodnight, and went off to sleep.

She had no clue as to what that letter contained and was not bothered about it in the slightest.

The charade started off early morning, with the only addition of him taking the two envelopes and placing it inside his jacket.

The vehicle coughed under his coercion to wake it up from its slumber, and finally gave in. He waved as he drove away. He stopped at the nearest Post office and dropped the letters. He smiled to himself, and headed towards the beach – where he first saw her.

He still remembered that scene vividly, her strolling across he beach, with her hands crossed across her chest. He stood mesmerized by her presence. A few enquiries here and there gave away her background. He was aware that her family was facing a financial crisis, and that they would be happy to have her married off to a suitable suitor. He knew it had to be her, or no one else, and the rest they say is ‘History’ they were married .He was a “happily ‘married man.

Keith was one of her best friends, whom she started talking to again after 5 years of their marriage. He was back in town, and they rekindled their friendship. Andrew was happy to see that Simone was happy to have found her friend back.

Andrew and Simone were blessed with a baby girl after 7 years of marriage.

****

Andrew removed his shoes rolled up his pants and started walking on the beach. He walked a mile and sat down recollecting the conversation…

“I know Keith, its about time, I have been living with him for 20 years and I had it, even the arsenic seems to not show any effect on him”, she placed her hand on her hips “yes I did love, it said slow poisoning, but I never thought it would be so slow, but tomorrow, i’m increasing the dosage, which would make it seem like he had a stroke”

“Oh Sasha, is just fine, she has your eyes” she giggled

Andrew had wound up early from work, and had come home directly. He stood there and listened to her end of the conversation.

“I miss you Keith, and yesterday, mmmmm”, she couldn’t sop blushing “I can’t wait any longer … mmmm …. You have loads of patience, and i’m sure i’m running out of it”

Andrew sighed deeply. He still remembered his doctor saying that they could never a child. HE had a problem, he never told her. He did not say anything when she told him that they were pregnant. And today he knew what was in store for him.

Andrew loved Simone from the first time he set his eyes on her; to the first time he knew that she was having an affair with Keith, and every time when she lied to meet him, and even when she decided to kill him. He preferred Death to come from her, than from anything else. He was ready.

He stood watching the last sunset of his life. He placed his jacket on his left arm, and placed his glasses firmly on his nose, and pulled his pants, as they hung loosely on his thinning figure. He stood there listening to the sound of the waves splashing across the sand; the sounds of innocent chatter, and laughter filled his ears. He smiled and closed his eyes to the setting sun. He lived that minute and knew how it was going to end...


3 weeks later :

Simone received two letters. The first was from their family lawyer, the second from Andrew.Their lawyer was surprised as to how Andrew had changed his will, a day before his death.After skimming through the condolence message, Simone read the change in the will. Andrew had divided his property and assets equally between Sasha and Simone, and Simone was appointed as the legal custodian till Sasha turns 18.

She opened Andrews letter : "Just in case she decides to not have you around".



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Image - <i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3OToUBE4ShiOBTEIcCJkrJaouUc4jYHJOmkCvVhVrCcOCP3yPUjeuzLGnM-Q4VRtgWyaq3Hrcji8nafW3_tNliHtRQ15yvyYec4Wjqz3RfXVH5Cvles6Chl4P7YQ8tbw7PwP1pw6NmM/s640/_DSC5783_w2.jpg">Shades of Orange</a></i> by <i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10596722078024031693">Harsha Chittar</a></i>
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Opaque (Part II)

Part 1

She hid behind the covers, and pulled it to her face, hoping that the nightmare would end even before it starts . She heard the familiar sound of the boots across the floor. The closer they came, the stronger she held onto her blanket, tears streamed down her face, her eyes screamed for help, but not  a sound escaped her lips, the door opened and she welcomed her nightmare.

                                             **************

Miasha’s Dad was a cop and a damn good one. Ronald Pascoe was one of the finest, as they liked to call him. There was not a case that he couldn’t solve. He was smart, intelligent, and a single parent, who had painstakingly and skillfully brought up his only daughter.

He was appointed to look into the gruesome murder, which shocked the locals. Media lapped up all the details, citing police inefficiency for lack of evidences or any lead about the murderer. All this added to more pressure and unlimited hours of work for the cops.

                                             *************

“Mia, I think you should call him, what’s the harm in meeting up with him” crooned nay-nay, as she broke loose from Justin’s embrace and headed over to Mia. “He is not a bad catch, let me tell you that, and he likes you, you should call him”, she said snatching the book from Mia’s hand, and demanding her undivided attention.

“Nay-nay, I am not interested in him, and moreover he seemed like a jerk, than someone all so nice…”

“Oh c’mon and stop thinking like your dad, you don’t have to x-ray everyone, I say you go and meet him, that’s it” .

                                             *************

The cops were still trying to find out details of the first murder when another shook them up completely. The second murder shook the small town as well. They were getting edgy and demanded concrete answers from the cops. This was more brutal than the first. The victim was murdered and his hands were cut off, they were found around 50 mtrs from the body.  The victim’s left hand was cut into eight pieces and was placed along with the right hand.

“There has to be a reason for the arrangement of the hands in that particular manner, Gerald”, said Mr. Pascoe. “Any leads on the first murder?”

“No Ronny, all background search completed, no enemies, no debt, no family quarrels, he is as clear as water. His wife died 10 years ago. No kids. There is nothing to suggest any bad blood here.”

“Then why was his left eye found resting on a stone slab?” That was a question that no one had answers to.

                                         *************

“Let’s all bow our heads and pray for the soul of Simon Andrews. A man whom we all loved. May his soul find peace and may he rest in the lord’s company in heaven. In the name of the father, and of the son and of the holy spirit”

“Amen”, the church chorused

No one saw her among the crowd, and even if they did, they would have smiled and greeted her. She was a known figure among the locals. They would have assumed her to have come, to pay her respects to a man who was loved and who was brutally murdered.

                                         ***********

“It has to be a man , maybe in his late twenties, tall, and well built, considering our victim Simon, to have been very fit and athletic, our murderer should have been a good match.” Gerald said looking at Ronald

“Or someone who Simon knew only too well”, said Ronald, as he forced his eyes shut. There was something that he was missing out, and he knew it was staring him in his face. He hadn’t been home for the past two days, and was worried about Miasha, but she assured him that she would take care of herself, and wished him luck for the case.

A smile spread across his face, it ironed out the creases on his forehead. He suppressed his desire as soon as it had started surfacing.

“Victim 2 – Ian brown, 45 years old, unmarried. Ronny do you feel that the two cases are linked?? Ian has a clear background as well. His last call was made to a grocery store to refill his monthly supplies. He lived a quiet life.”

“Gerald what is common between the two cases?”

“The fact that both the victims were middle aged and living alone”

“Exactly !!!, and what is the advantage that the murderer has in such cases?”

“No one to pursue the case”

“Spot on, round up similar cases, middle aged men with no living relatives and give me a list, if this is case of a serial killer, he is in for a ride.” He smiled “and also I want to see the pictures of the victims, something tells me that our killer is playing a small game of hide and seek with us, but is also leaving us clues, to reach him.”

“Why would you say that”

“Mr. Andrews was brutally murdered , here have  a closer look”, he pushed a picture towards Gerald "our killer decided on writing something on the victims chest and decided against it, if you can see the mark here”, he pointed at the victims chest “So our killer, stops right there and thinks it apt to pull out his eye and place it on  a stone slab, to make it more obvious. So this picture here, has something more to tell us, and we need to figure out what that is”.

                                         **********

“So your dad’s a cop huh”, asked Kenneth

“Yea, and how does that matter?” she snapped back at him "Seems like you were trying to learn more about me in the past few weeks, homework well done, I must add” she mock patted him on his back, and looked away.

If he was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it, and did a great job at hiding it. “ So I heard your dad is the main officer working on the Murder cases, has he had any leads yet, any evidences leading to the killer”

This time she looked at him, and looked closely, she shifted in her seat “I’m sure the papers are giving away enough information, why are you trying to get more? How does this case interest you?”

He looked away, unable to stand her gaze” I was just curious”, he rambled off.

to be continued

Opaque (Part I)

“He is soooo cuteeeeee and really simple and very loving and caring… and...” she purred, unable to hide her disgust at her friend’s lack of interest...

“And he would want to get into your pants, and say, that this is not working” she stated without blinking.

Naiara and Miasha were friends from as long as they could remember. They had been soul sisters, and had been together for 24 years. Each knowing the other like the back of their hand.

“Mia, why are you being so neg about him?, you haven’t even met him, and moreover, it’s not like he is a despo as such ….. “

“Yea  nay-nay, absonfreakinlutely true, wasn’t this what you said about the last ummm , oh yea 9,no sorry 8 guys you were dating?” , she giggled finally, and threw a devilish smirk across at her friend, and ducked in time , as a pillow rocketed towards her.

“Nay”, she giggled , and went over and hugged her friend who was trying very hard to suppress a smile and maintain an angry face at the same time. “ Take your time love, I don’t want you to get hurt” she smiled and pulled away the strands that covered her face.

“Mia, haven’t you ever had the need to be with someone?”  Their expressions and response was such that anyone would know that it wasn’t a question that was asked for the first time. “Yea I have nay-nay, but the only problem is I don’t know how to let Johnny Depp know how I feel”. They burst into uncontrolled fits of laughter.

“So, tell me about him now “ Naiara broke into full details as Mia listened on.

                                          ***********

“It seems like  a work of a professional, detective, so far we have found no evidence against the murderer, no footprints, nothing, not even a strand of hair, it all seems to have been cleared, or this man just fell dead out of the blue sky”

“hmmmm, I need all of his details, family background, work, mistress, debt, etc . clear?”

“yes Sir, we are on it already”

                                            *************

“How long do we have to wait till I get to see him, gosh I hate men who cant be punctual, its so annoying nay-nay” she folded her arms and looked towards the entrance of the coffee shop where they had planned on meeting Kenneth. Nay-nay had begged Mia to come along and meet him, and moreover, nay-nay was the one who liked him, she wasn’t sure about him, and he seemed to be more of the friendly types. She wanted to be sure and hence had asked Mia to come along.

“Why don’t you call him and figure out where he is”, she stifled a yawn, and hid herself behind the newspaper..

“Do they have Johnny Depp naked on the front page, what is it, that you are so obsessed with in the paper”

“An uncle has been brutally murdered, it has been a week, and the cops are as usual clueless about the killer and the motive, the person was found half naked, and is said to have been choked to death probably with …… “

“oh pleaseeeee stop reading, gosh I wonder how you tolerate all this ??? “

“aww, im sorry squeamy, my dad’s a cop , I get to hear all the gore and stuff, so kinda used to it, anyways, did you call him?”

“no he texted, saying he’d be here in 5 mins”

Mia knew she was being watched, she kept the paper aside and glanced ahead, meeting his eye, she hated him the moment she saw him. He smiled at her. She averted her gaze, and looked at her friend staring at the same guy, he was walking towards them, with that ‘annoying’ smile plastered on his face. Mia saw nay-nay, shifing in her seat, absently adjusting her hair. Damn, so this is mr.9.

“heyyyyy ken”, Nay rose from her seat and hugged him “meet my friend Miasha, and Mia, meet Kenneth, Ken”, she said smiling. They both shook hands, and he sat down opposite Mia. She felt a shiver run up her spine, with his gaze fixed on her. He wanted to know more about her, and kept probing her for answers .

“Nay, I need to rush, just remembered I had some work to finish off at berry’s , i’ll catch up with you over dinner ok” She hugged nay and bade them both good bye and was almost at the door when ken called out to her.

“Hey Mia”, he ran over to her, she turned and looked over at nay, “its Miasha, for you, not Mia”, He smirked and ran his hand through his hair, “so Mia, I was headed to the same place as you, and thought it would be great if … “

“no thanks I have my own vehicle …”

“brilliant, you could drop me then” . Nay walked upto them and encouraged Mia to go along with ken, stating that she had some work…

‘Miaaaaaaa I think he has the hots for you’ she texted hastily

‘I thought you had it for him nay’

‘eeeeeee like I did for the previous guys, no no not him , you know how I am, and btw, am going to meet justin’

‘Justin??’

‘yea Justin, the guy who sings in our choir, he is cute ‘

‘fine, whatever, but I hate this Kenneth guy, so whatever’

‘hehehehhe, that's what makes me feel you guys should be together’

Mia read the last text and threw her phone on the backseat of her car, and sighed.

“so Mia” ….

“I already told you its Miasha”

“Mmm yea, so Mia, why are you so stuck up, you need to relax”

“I don’t think I need a bozo like you to tell me what I should or shouldn’t be doing, where exactly do you want me drop you?”

“Right here”

She slammed the brakes and waited for him to get out

“Mia, maybe when you cool off a bit, I would like to meet you again, only if you want to…it may seem strange to you, but I  like you, I don’t have reasons for the same, but I do. This is my number; i'll wait for your call”

He got off and walked over to the pavement and hailed a cab and took off.

to be continued .....