NUMERO UNO ( NaNoWriMo Day 12 HWR)

NUMERO UNO

The dull ache is a constant throb at the back of my head. My vision is blurry and the light hurts my eyes. What just happened?! Did the roof cave in or was it an earthquake? With great effort, I manage to open my eyes a little. Some people are sprawled on the floor, some in black and masked faces are wielding guns and moving menacingly. I must have been walloped on the head.

The wave of nausea is overpowering and the world is swimming. The voices seem to float through a thick shroud—"NO TIME TO LOSE!"

I'm just on the verge of blacking out when I see a girl lying a few inches away from me. Bloodied face, broken nose but her designer gown and jewels are recognisable anywhere.

Kimaya, the superstar…unmistakably dead!!

Whimpers of panic ensue from people sprawled face down on the floor. Has anyone called the police or an ambulance?

Through a hazy vision I see Kimaya being changed into quite a dowdy dress. Just as another wave of dizziness is about to overpower me, my face is splashed with icy water. I gasp and splutter, but another one is thrown in for good measure which rouses me fully.

"Here, wear these quickly", a voice mumbles. I go behind a wide pillar and with wobbly movements, do as I'm told. As I emerge, I steal a glance on a reflecting surface. I'm Kimaya's exact replica!

"You lackeys! You almost had my skull bashed in! Now take her away and make sure you all do a clean job out of it. Out! Out! All of you!" My voice is barely audible as I hiss out orders.

With them out of the door, I fire a shot in the air, take Kimaya's place and then dial 911...!

Pic Courtesy:Pixabay

©️ Sangeetha Kamath

Comments

SECOND LIFE SECOND BIRTHDAY

I finally muster the energy, the grit and the emotional embrace to write about it. When life socked the daylights out of me in ways that I never imagined, I looked on the upside of it as a divine intervention and a another miracle to add to my list in this year 2024 which went down the memory highway full throttle ahead. July 7, Dear Diary is a day which left a distinct mark. A day when my father had a coronary follow up and I not only went along, but also had a check up done for myself. This was a couple of days after my visit to Sai Mandir where Sai Baba guided me to go for a cardiogram. A strong inner voice, authoritative yet kind, a heightened intuition, call it what I may, rang in a manner that couldn't be ignored. That said and done, I had a consultation with my father's doc who did my ECG and ECHO. Minutes flew by in deafening silence when he finally finished the tests and to my horror bluntly revealed that I have an ASD. A 38mm hole in my heart. I was advised to go f

NIGHTS OF THE INDIGO ROSE

The seasons have changed three times over along with the skyscapes, Dear Diary. It's already October, my favourite month of the year. From champagne colored fluffed clouds of April and the laden, dense overcast monsoon skies from June to September, I now longingly gaze at a spotless cerulean sky as I rigorously practice my physiotherapy exercises and a dedicated 30 min walk in our garden dreaming about my second home in faraway Singapore which is enveloped in the same powder blue blanket. Battling with the blazing summers of my mind, the auburning autumns of my heart and the frigid winters of my soul, I hold space for every sacred transition as a renewed me emerges slowly, steadily and yes…painfully. A metamorphosis in the true sense. Wishing upon a frosted star when the night unfolds as an indigo rose, I tether on the brink of delirious dreams, struggling to fall asleep, yet,not daring to toss and turn as my body is still relearning to balance my weight as I lean sideways with s

THE PASSENGER

I was excited for my first international trip! Finally I was deemed worthy of this assignment. But I could sense the inside gossip that I was chosen because the best candidate backed out. My resolve didn't sway, instead it swelled by notches when my boss handed me a bulky package and escorted me to his chartered flight. The pilot sneered at me and the cabin crew smirked to see a greenhorn assigned for this role. Everyone was trying their best to exclude me from a clique! But the ambience inside canceled their condescending behaviour. Leather couches, spaced out recliners…the regalia was out of this world! There was one other passenger besides me. The snooty vibes didn't stop. I was left out of all conversations. As the aircraft soared, I played out my next move, sipping on the best quality wine. The knots in my stomach started to relax. “We're about to make our descent…” a voice announced. Beads of perspiration trickled as I reached for my package. Moving swiftly, a

ONCE UPON A TEAPOT

ONCE UPON A TEAPOT The quaint streets of Olde Mageia were fringed by an assortment of shops. The Teaware Store, which was shaped like a huge teapot, stood in the center of a rose garden at the crossroads of this street. The curator, a wizened old man, had a mop of hair so white that he looked as ancient as the Earth itself. He had a twinkle in his friendly blue eyes and fine lines around it— signs of him smiling and serving everyone with joy. I stood at my usual spot looking out at the bleak weather, raindrops splattering in the rose garden, beating down hard on the window panes and blurring the scenery outside. The warmth of the fireplace did nothing to banish the gloom in my heart. My best friend who always stood beside me with her cheerful face was leaving today to her new home. One of her hands was outstretched in a perpetual friendly wave — a spout of a teapot and the other formed a curve like the handle of a teapot. But then, teapots we were,ceramic ones. Her

GOLDILOCKS AND THE BEARS

Goldilocks walked briskly in the sun-caked alley of the little known hamlet of an indigenous tribe in Arizona.Her footsteps spoke of authority and urgency. A team of armed men followed close behind her. The village folk had gathered a distance away from the Bears’ house. They parted to make way and shuffled anxiously, clenching their palms…almost pleading with the team to get them out of this ordeal. "How many people are inside?", Goldilocks' demeanor was calm but her mind was racing. "Madam, there's a family of three. The Bears. Parents and a child of five. A stranger with a menacing look is holding them hostage. Never seen him in these parts." "Okay, let me handle this", Goldilocks reassured them. She rapped on the intricately designed door. Baby Bear let out a loud cry at this sudden intrusion of noise in an environment which was already volatile. Mr.and Mrs. Bear hurriedly shushed their child, their worst fears gripping them. Baby Bear was in

Sangeetha Kamath

Search This Blog