THE NEIGHBOUR

                                    

                                          
It was 8:30 in the morning, apartment 16 was in a disaster. Keshav was running late for work. That morning literally everything went wrong. He forgot to iron his work clothes which made him wear an unwashed and wrinkled uniform. For breakfast he was forced to have an omelet, which looked like a scrambled egg with a burnt toast. Keshav was already very irritated, his frustration grew even more when the doorbell rang. He thought it was his cruel landlord again, asking for advance rent. Keshav walked towards the door stomping his feet hard on the floor, his face was red. It seemed like smoke was coming out of his ears and nose. He burst open the door in anger. As soon as he opened the door, the scenario was mesmerizing. It was like magical effect.  Keshav's red angry face changed into a peaceful one. His anger-filled eyes turned into eyes of satisfaction. An affectionate smile came to his face. A beautiful woman was standing on his door. She had a fair complexion with sharp features. Her eyes were big and angelic, shining bright. Her nose was pointy, which was beautified by a gold nose ring. Her red-cherry lips, slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something. She ran her long thin fingers through her smooth black hair which reached her lovely slim waist. Her gorgeous eyes were looking down. A beautiful orange-colored sari was wrapped around her body.  Keshav was fascinated by her beauty. He zoned out for a moment, when he realized it was not a dream. "Yes?" he asked politely. Her eyes slowly moved up and they made contact with Keshav's eyes. "Namaste, can I get a glass of water please?" Her voice was so sweet that it soothed Keshav's ears. "Of course. Please come inside." Keshav moved his arm to guide her. The woman hesitated but slowly she walked towards him. As she was about to enter the apartment, a raucous voice interrupted the whole scene. "Amrita! Amrita?!" a tall, stout-built dark man came. "What on earth are you doing here Amrita? Didn't I tell you not to go anywhere without me?" said the man loudly. "I am sorry, I was feeling thirsty so I-" "Enough!" the man shouted. Those divine eyes again lowered down, but this time they were filled with tears that didn't come out. The man's fierce eyes then moved from the woman to Keshav. "I am sorry if she disturbed you, I will make sure this doesn't happen again." said the man in the same tone. "No, she didn't disturb at all she was just asking for a glass of water" said Keshav. "I guess we have water in our house as well" said the man staring at the woman. "By the way, I am Samrath Singh and this is my wife Amrita Singh. We just moved here, in apartment 17 just next to you." The only sentence Keshav could hear was 'she is my wife' He was so confused that how can such a beautiful woman marry a lout. Yet he politely said, "That's amazing, I am Keshav if you need anything please let me know." "Thank you" Samrath said abruptly began to walk away. Keshav looked at Amrita and said, "I will get you water really quick!" Amrita looked at him as if her eyes were giving him a smile. Samrath turned around and saw that Amrita is still standing there. "Amrita come on!" he yelled. Amrita flinched and walked fast towards Samrath. She slightly turned back and gave a glance to Keshav. Keshav smiled and blinked. Keshav sighed, he had never seen such innocent beauty. Suddenly he realizes that he is late for work. He grabbed his bag and door keys and rushed. That day, Keshav couldn't stop thinking about Amrita. Her innocent and blushing face was appearing in his mind again and again. Evening came, Keshav returned to his apartment. As he entered his apartment, he put his bag on the sofa and walked towards his balcony. The evening sky was reddish orange and peaceful. Keshav moved his head and saw Amrita standing in her balcony as well. He again lost his consciousness. The evening breeze was playing with her hair. Her hair strands were tickling her face and her fragile fingers were trying to pull them back behind her ears. Her eyes were constantly gazing at the sky as if they were asking for something. Lost in her charm, when Keshav came back to his senses. He waved his hand and said, "Good evening Mrs. Singh!" Amrita turned. She saw Keshav and gave him a soft smile. "Good evening" she replied. "So, you enjoying the weather out here?" She laughed and replied, "Haha...yes the breeze is kind of chilly here." She touched her arms with her hands and rubbed them. "Yes, the weather cools down a bit in the evening and-" Before Keshav could complete his sentence, he noticed a bandage wrapped around Amrita's wrist. "Mrs. Singh what happened in your hand?" Amrita looked at her hand and then hid it behind her. She hesitantly said, "Nothing, nothing I just sprained my wrist." Keshav was about to continue the conversation when a voice came from inside, "Amrita! Where's my evening tea? Did you forget? And please make it good, not like the one you made in the afternoon! Or else..." Samrath was calling from inside. Amrita's pleasant face turned numb. She looked at Keshav and nodded. Keshav blinked and gave a feeble smile. Amrita went inside. Keshav became a little suspicious about Samrath, but he was also aware of his short temper. He also went inside. That night Keshav went to bed early. Keshav went into deep sleep that night. It was almost midnight, when a sudden bang on the door wakes him up. Keshav got up, he was confused. "Who is here at this time?" he thought to himself. He walked towards the main door, and slowly opened the door. Standing there was Amrita. She was wearing a white night gown; her hair was messy. She was standing in shock; her head was facing down. "Mrs. Singh?" called Keshav in concern. Amrita looked up; her eyes were red with tears. Those eyes were asking for help. Keshav looked into her eyes and then he noticed, on her cheek a big red bruise. Tears started to roll down. "He hit you, didn't he?" asked Keshav softly. Amrita looked down silently and licked her lips. Her silence said everything. "Come inside!" said Keshav and took her. Amrita came inside and sat on a chair. Keshav kneeled down in front of her and slowly held her hands. "Since when is this going on?" he asked. Amrita sighed and then spoke in a low voice, "We got married last month. Since then, he yells at me for no reason. Since the past few days, he started hitting me." She started crying. "And that injury in your wrist?" "He twisted my hand." Keshav's hands slowly went towards her bruised cheek. He touched it and Amrita closed her eyes. He rubbed his hand on her cheek. She took deep breaths. "We should inform the police." whispered Keshav. Amrita opened her eyes, "But Keshav..." "Amrita! I know you are here! Come out at once!" Samrath banged on the door. "Please don't open the door. He will get me!" Amrita panicked. "Don't worry, I am here" Keshav comforted Amrita. She looked at him. Samrath kicked the door so hard that the door slammed open. "Ha! I knew you were here, since we have gotten here, I noticed you have been wandering around this person! Come with me let me tell you-" Samrath started to pull her arm, just then a hand stopped him. Keshav's sharp eyes gazed at him, "Amrita is not going anywhere and don't you dare touch her!" said Keshav in a deep voice. Samrath stared at him "She is my wife and you are no one to stop me. I can do whatever I want." Keshav folded his arms. He smiled and said, "Well Mr. Singh your game is over. Look behind you." A puzzled Samrath looked behind slowly. "Mr. Samrath Singh, you are under arrest." The police was there. The policemen took Samrath and tied his hands. "Thank you, Mr. Keshav, for informing us about this domestic violence. I believe a lot of men like him will be caught soon." The inspector smiled and took Samrath away. Amrita sighed and slowly turned towards Keshav. "Thank you Keshav, thank you for helping me. But now what? What I am going to do? Where will I go?" Amrita was panicking. Keshav held her shoulders gently and looked into her eyes. "Amrita, he whispered. "You are an amazing woman. You are strong, beautiful and you have a pure heart. You deserve to be loved and not treated like this. You deserve a man who respects you and shower you with all the love and care you deserve." Amrita closed her eyes as if she was lost in Keshav's words. When she opened her eyes, her eyes were filled with tears of happiness and she had a placid smile on her face. Keshav wiped her tears with his warm hands and then asked, "Do you need a glass of water?" Amrita looked down and they both laughed.