Dravidian Otaku

  I wrapped my final draft and looked it one last time. It had been long time since I had this level of satisfaction. I had packed my bag already and my lap was the last one to pack. It was already late night. Time for me to say goodbye to this mansion. It served my purpose well and enough. I hoped to see Madhi once more, but I never had any luck. I returned the key to Sukumaaran. As usual, he took the key without even looking at me. For the first in a long time, I step foot on the solid ground. Since it’s a rainy season at this time of year in India, the dark clouds covered the sky above. It didn’t start raining but it might. So, I booked a taxi to drop me at the airport. I was waiting outside when I saw him. “Madhi” He didn’t look at me. I chased him. I screamed his name on the top of my lungs and he didn’t even budge. Then I caught him. He turned and I was shocked. It was not Madhi. “Sorry! I thought you were someone else.” The guy looked at me with confusion and...

  Titititit! Titititit! It was 07:30 AM. I woke up suddenly from my bed. I couldn’t able to sleep last night. All I could think was the haunting music and that beautiful voice came from my neighbour room. After finishing my bath, I decided to ask about my neighbour to Madhi. I waited. And Waited. And Waited. It had passed 09:30 and still there was no sign off Madhi. Just when I reached the end of patience, I heard a knock. I opened the door and was surprised to see Madhi’s deaf brother Sukumaaran. He didn’t even notice me. He rolled the table, did what he supposed to do and went outside. I swiftly grabbed him and asked him by making signs from my hand. He looked me and nodded from left to right indicating No. What does that supposed to mean? Is he trying to say that Madhi is not available or Madhi won’t come hereafter? Whatever! My stomach started growling and I went back inside my room and started devouring the food. Then something hit me. A spark if I may say ...

  I woke up with a gasp. I couldn’t able to breath. I sprang up from my bed and reached the balcony door. I unlocked it and rushed outside. The air was chilly. I inhaled a lot of those chilly air and it was a bliss. The air smelled of wet sand. I looked up and it was a beautiful full moon. Then I looked down. I saw the same forest that I had dreamt about just now. Then a fear started creeping inside me. I turned to my right and looked my neighbour balcony. No one was there. Neither there was any light turned on. After spending some time in the balcony. I returned to my bed. The darkness was unnerving. I switched on the light for a second and looked the clock. It was 01:30 AM. I had slept for a whole two hours to wake up from a nightmare. I sighed myself and switched off the lights. I fall on the bed. The darkness didn’t disturb me now. It just made me drowsy. Titititit! Titititit! The alarm woke me up. It was 07:30 AM. As soon as I finished my bath and came outside from...