Heads or Tails?

Ajay stood up  from his workstation and stretched himself.He hated Saturday shifts.There was always a dreary silence in the office which made him  uncomfortable.He stepped out to get coffee and some fresh air.While returning , he bumped into Veena around the corner ,spilling his coffee.

"I'm sorry" she mumbled,her face red and eyes blinded by tears.

"Veena ,is everything alright?" Ajay asked.

"I'm fine" she replied without making eye contact and left quickly sobbing.

It didn't seem right. Ajay got back to his desk and checked if she was online. Her Skype status Showed 

"Pillai,Veena - Away "

Her eyes still haunted him.Not only today ,but from the very first day they met.They had joined the company together.They soon became friends . Even though not part of the Ajay's office gang ,they still kept each other abreast of the major events in their lives. Veena was a good friend.

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 "Pillai,Veena - Offline 14 days"

He had been trying to reach her mobile every single day,but it was switched off.
His phone suddenly sprung into a song with Veena's name flashing on the screen.

Before he could pick up her call,his team lead interrupted "Ajay ,we need to plan a farewell for Mr Shetty, he's leaving the firm tomorrow."

"Sure !" he said hastily and returned Veena's call ,but it was switched off again.

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"Hey Peter ! I thought you said you would take care of the aftermath.There's this guy who keeps threatening about going to the police."

"Don't worry Shetty ! I get those calls too .I'll take care of him.I know what needs to be done."

"Good thing,you didn't tell your wife Peter ! She 's treating me well in the new company."

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Ajay dialled into Peter's alternate number ,this time from another sim card.
This was his routine since a couple of days - calling them and spitting profanity at these filthy guys.

He was also frustrated that he could not convince Veena to go to the Police. Even though she was a strong women,this incident broke her and she was worried of all the shame. The HR - Mr Peter was Shetty's ally and had rejected her complaints,which deepened her distress.Her friends didn't fight for her because ,they were part of Shetty's team.She confided in me and I couldn't convince her enough.

When the call connected ,and as Ajay was about to spew the venom ,a cool female voice spoke

"Andrea Peter speaking!" 

Ajay held his breath and started a mellow conversation trying to put sense into the woman.But the lady denied all the allegations he threw at her.The argument heated and ended on a vile note.

"My husband would never do such a thing ! He is a man of ethics and would never allow such behavior from himself or anybody!" hollered Andrea.

"Just so you know your husband and his friend Peter are not going to live too long !!" Ajay shouted hanging up.

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Ajay slammed the door so hard that the board reading "HR" almost fell off.
Peter had given him the pink slip.
Ajay already saw it coming ,but he was furious the way people misused their power.
Everything happening around him was chewing his head ,but he couldn't speak to his friends.
He couldn't even display his disapproval ,coz he couldn't disclose anything as it involved Veena.

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"You know what ???"  I started all excited.

We were just meeting over for lunch at the common cafeteria in Techno Park ,since Ajay had recently moved to a new company.

" You know Mr Shetty ,our ex-senior manager ,he died last night! .Rumors have it that he was drunk and fell off the tenth floor from Mr Peter's house.He died on the spot."  

"Hmm.." ,he replied uninterested.It was unusual of him .As he used to be the one with all juicy gossips when we were working together.
As he was stepping out to get water ,his mobile beeped with a message.

"HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY NOW..." ,read the message from an unknown number.

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"Can you  believe this ? Another death in just a week ! "I said.
Ajay seemed to be sober since he changed his jobs,his conversations were mostly "hmm","yes" or simply silence.He also didn't open up to us.I sensed something was bothering him.
But I continued the monologue.

"Mr Peter was such a gem of a person.He was the best HR ,very supportive of his employees.They said he died of a heart attack.Poor man! "

Ajay's phone beeped with a text message,
"HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY AGAIN..." ,read the message from an unknown number.

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"Pillai,Veena - Available"

"Hey Ajay! You know that girl Veena, looks like she's back after a hiatus. Some say there's something fishy going on with her!" 

"She was raped!" Ajay replied sternly. 

"Oh my God! I'm sorry!" 

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Andrea lay on her bed contemplating those nights....

She tossed a coin that day.Heads or Tails. Forgive Shetty or Kill him.
Her heart pounded as the coin stood in the air ,and at that moment she wished it should be Tails!
The coin landed on the table dancing and then flat - TAILS.

Shetty stood there along the balcony railing of her house, inebriated and swaying, a glass of  alcohol in one hand and other hand clutching the railing for support.
Peter was inside at the bar  table getting another bottle for the night.
Drink parties for these childhood friends always lasted all night long.
She walked slowly towards Shetty ,bent down as if to pick up her glass but instead chose his legs!

A week later she tossed her coin again.Heads or Tails. Forgive Peter or Kill him.
Her heart pounded as the coin stood in the air ,and at that moment she wished it should be Tails! Because Peter ,her husband had erred in supporting a wrong friend and denying justice to the girl. 
Peter was sound asleep.Thanks to the pills .All she needed was his insulin syringe and some air.
She injected the empty syringe and left the room..

Her stream of thoughts were interrupted by a text message,

"Thank you Andrea! 
You did justice to Veena 
AND YOURSELF!
-Ajay"

A tear rolled down her eye but so did a smile appear.

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The Golden Lantern

I hung above the "Golden Lantern Inn",
been hanging here since the beginning.
I was all bright and dandy,
but now turning ninety.
I flickered now and then,
but I was alive and could ken.
Been guarding the Inn,
though inside,it's always a din!
But age was taking a toll on me,
my glasses cracked,
hinges hanging,
and light a tad dimmer.
I hung there everyday,
smiling on passer-bys.

One day,there she stood.
A chick ,she was, in a single glance.
Straight and streaked burgundy hair,
Pouting lips in bold purple lipstick,
a ring adorning her nose and belly,
cropped top , ragged denim shorts
and knee long black boots.
But she wasn't sexy,
until she looked up at me!
Her eyes lit the filament in me!
I glowed a little more brighter!
I hung staring at her,
as she waited long for her cab.
Bullies around ,gave dirty looks.
And whistled around her as she left.
She glanced not their way,nor gave a damn!
If a pet dog,I was,
would have bitten their asses!!

A regular ,she was at the inn
and customary became our visits.
Though she kept me alive everyday,
I was dying day by day.
Then came a day,so mean and cruel.
The winds blew hard
and the moon under hiding.
I tried to stay hooked,
to the hinges,clinging.
There she arrived unusually late.
Her hair tied into a twisted bun,
a full sleeve shirt and striped trousers.
Today looked like business for her,
though she was a party animal.

The winds gushed stronger,
the trees holding on to their roots!
She stood there waiting,
but her cab was found,no where near.
Came the bullies once again!
And today was their golden day.
They circled round her,
like hungry hounds.
They barked at her and closed on her.
She,not giving a bloody damn!!
But the alarms rang loud,
when they pushed her down!
She resisted with all the strength of hers.
But they began ripping and stripping,
and  longer I could not stare!

My light flickered and grew dimmer ,
and almost died out,
hanging by a small rusty hinge.
But ,let her die,I wouldn't.
I mustered my strength and
forced the filaments to light!
As I opened my eyes,
my anger began to rise!
Trying they were to eat her alive!
I had to fight for her life!

I rocked myself harder with the winds,
to rattle the shards of old glass within.
Fell a few pieces of broken crystal.
She picked them up and poked their hearts.
Still ,stood up one to strangle her!
but let go, she didn't ,any one!
Even then,came another big bully,
grasping her from behind!
The winds,now a banshee ,raging and furious!!
The moon came out from behind the clouds.
Now was the chance to strike!

I rocked myself harder and harder,
till the hinges were creaking and breaking.
Came I,falling down right on his head.
Fell I did,along with the bully.
But dead was he and safe was she.
Happier than ever was I,
As I saved her life.
She picked me up,
as my lights dimmed out,
Thanking me -"The old golden lantern",
As I fought for the ladies of the world!!!