Dead waste

G-one unwrapped the old bandages and cleaned the wound on the boy's hand. Mia was sleeping soundly on the other bed.

Boy: (whimpers, opens his eyes slowly)

G-one: (wrapping a new bandage)

Boy: (sees G-one) Who, who are you? (tries to sit up)

G-one: Take it easy, Man. Or you might reopen your wound (cuts the bandage).

Boy: Ah! Where am I (examines his wound)?

G-one: You are in city's Central University.

Boy: What? What's the date today?

G-one: 3rd of April.

Boy: One week, (hold his head) Ah! What's this ache about?

G-one: A minor headache, it will vanish soon. So, what's that one week you were saying?

Boy: I don't remember anything that happened for the past week. Before that, everything is vivid like it happened yesterday. Like I warped my one week to this day.

G-one: What is the last thing you remember?

Boy: My dad asked me to come with him somewhere. In the midst of the way, I lost my father, the pain, and now I am waking up here.

G-one: Are you a student here or what?

Boy: No way, I am still a intermediate students. My school had been shut for the past two years.

G-one: Two or three?

Boy: No, it ran for the first year, but then the disappearances and deaths became more frequent. They had to shut it off. I think only colleges are running in this epidemic.

G-one: Who else you got in your family?

Boy: My mother, oh no, she must be worried sick about me. I should get back to her right now (stumbles down the bed).

G-one: Be careful, avoid going out in the night. And be aware of your wound.

Boy: (runs out) Thankyou, for everything.

It's dark. A little girl was hiding behind the wall peeping inside a room where a man and a woman were doing something on the bed. It wasn't very clear, but the moans and struggling of the shadows suggested it was something obscene. Suddenly, the scene changes again, a women was lying on the bed, only skin and bones. The little girl ran toward the lady and began crying.

Little girl: (crying) Mother!

Lady: (pats her head) You can do anything, right. You are my princess. A brave princess. I will always be with you (smiles).

Little girl: (crying with closed eyes) Don't leave me, Ma.

Suddenly a voice echoes in the surrounding calling out her name. She opens her eyes and feels a sense of relaxation.

Suddenly a figure appeared before her and it turned out to be G-one.

Mia opens her eyes.

G-one: ( G-one was standing to her left with his right hand on her cheek) What's wrong, Mia? Does it hurt that much?

Mia: (tears roll down her eyes)

G-one: (puts the book down which he was holding in his left hand and uses the left hand to wipe the tear of her right cheek) I should have you know, there is one thing I hate the most in this world, that's crying. I would never mind if you laugh madly and rip my eardrums out. But I absolutely despise crying. What's wrong? Should I give you another massage?

Mia: (sits up) No, it's ok. My eyes leak sometimes when I sleep.

G-one: Oh, I understand. Mine too, sometimes. Maybe that's another reason for us being glasses buddies.

Mia: (giggles) What's the time?

G-one: The classes are about to end. The others are still playing.

Mia: (looks around) Where's that boy?

G-one: He left as soon as he woke up.

Mia: We should be get going too (looks at the book G-one was holding which read basic first aid methods). You were reading this.

G-one: Yeah! I thought I should get some knowledge about first aids, since I didn't know much about it. And you were sleeping too, I needed something to pass time.

Mia: Very productive. (puts her feet down).

G-one: Slowly!

Mia: (feels not an ounce of pain, surprisingly looks at G-one).

G-one: (frowns) What?

Mia: (jumps lowly, does a mock running)

G-one: What's going on here? Hehe!

Mia: Look G-one, don't you get it. The pain, it's all gone.

G-one: No way, this can't be. It takes almost a week or so to completely recover.

Mia: I know, right. I think it's because of your massage. You are great G-one.

G-one: (looks at his hands, thinks) Oh wow! I never thought you two can be useful for rubbing something else other then my banana.

Mia: (kisses G-one on his cheek) Wow, I feel like the sprain never happened. I should go and see others (wears her shoes). Come G-one.

G-one: (frozen on his spot) What just happened.

Mia: (walking through the corridor merrily) Lavangi and others will be shocked to see me jumping and running like this again. Oh, I can already see their reactions on their faces. I thought I might not get to play for few days. But looks like the gods don't want me to stop. Wait! (imagines the kiss, blushes) Oh no! What did I just do? What did I do? Ohho! (looks back and sees G-one coming out of the infirmary with his hand on his cheek).

G-one: (immediately pulls his hand down of his cheek as he notices Mia looking at him) Hey! (walks towards her) Hehehe!

Mia: (blushes and stutters) G-one! about that, it was a thankyou for the massage you gave me. So,

G-one: Oh, you don't need to overthink it. I didn't mind it. Actually I loved it. No need to get embarrass.

Mia: I am not embarrassed, idiot. It's just, don't tell anyone about it, ok.

G-one: Ok. Others wouldn't believe me even if I told them.

Mia: Let's go then.

G-one: I am right behind you.

The game was still continue. Mia runs towards the field. G-one goes with her just in case.

Lily: Woah! Mia, what's this?

Lavangi: Hey, hey! What are you doing? Atleast, rest for few days. Your football is not going anywhere.

Mia: Guys, see, I am alright. I don't feel any pain.

Simar: Even though, you should rest, just in case.

Mia: I can't and I won't skip playing. After such a long time, I got to play, I am gonna enjoy it. Who knows, when I might loose it again.

Mia begins with her kicking and shooting, cheerfully across the field. Moon joined her carrying the ball alongside her. G-one stood at side watching her go, smiling.

Lavangi: What's this? Hey Lily, did you play a prank on us, huh? (clenches her fist)

Lily: What the hell are you saying? I definitely saw, it was a sprain. Her leg was swollen, no doubt about it.

Simar: Doesn't sprain take some time to heal?

Lavangi: Why would you scare her like that when you know how much she loves football? This girl thinks it is funny, don't you spider Lily?

Lily: Hey, (looks at G-one) See, there he is. Why don't you go and ask him?

G-one: (sees Lily pointing towards him) Huh! Why is she pointing towards me?

Lavangi: (heads towards G-one)

G-one: (gulp) Did she notice something? Don't tell me Mia told her about the incident this morning?

Lavangi: Hey you, (points on G-one)

G-one: (looks back then at Lavangi) Me?

Lavangi: Yes, you. Get over here.

G-one: (walks to her) What is it, Lavangi?

Lavangi: What did you do?

G-one: (thinks) Wait a minute, what? What did I do? Is she asking about the morning?

Lavangi: What did you do to her, G-one?

G-one: (shivers) I, umm, she was just standing there and a ball came and hit her head then she fell and I groped, oh! I mean grabbed her, that's all.

Lavangi: Huh! What did you say?

G-one: I actually stretched my hand out for the ball, but I never expected that to happen. Hehehe!

Lavangi: What the hell are you blabbering We all saw what happened.

G-one: (thinks) Holy crap, they saw it, they saw it, didn't they? I am finished. (looks at Lily and Simar talking)

Lily: What do you think he must have done?

Simar: Maybe he gave her a massage or something.

Lily: Do you really think a massage can relieve one from sprain that quickly?

Simar: Maybe, there is some special technique for that. G-one must have known one.

Lily: G-one! even if he did, you think Mia would have let him touch her.

Simar: I don't know, but she let him carry her though. She does act strange before him.

Lily: Does she?

The both giggle. G-one gets chills looking at them laughing.

G-one: (thinks) What! They are laughing. Maybe they have come up with a plan to finish me up quietly. That's why they are celebrating.

Simar: Do you think Mia has fallen for him or something?

Lily: She is definitely been slain (performs a killing gesture).

G-one: (thinks) Ahhhh! That sign, I am definitely done for. (finds Lavangi looking at her with pointed eyes) Ahh! She is more dangerous than Lily and Simar combined.

Lily and Simar look at him grinning devilishly.

G-one: (starts suffocating with stress).

Lavangi: G-one!

G-one: (catches his breath) Hmm!

Lavangi: She had a sprain, right?

G-one: Why, yes. She did.

Lavangi: (she stands parallel to G-one looking at Mia) How much time do you think it takes to relieve a sprain?

G-one: Six to seven days, approx, I think.

Lavangi: Then how did she recuperate so quickly?

G-one: I, am not sure. I just gave her a massage, she slept for a while and when she woke up, she said all the pain had gone.

Lavangi: Is that so? Your massage cured it?

G-one: I don't think so. It must be her will to play football. Look at her enjoying it, it's really amazing how good she is.

Lavangi: Hey G-one!

G-one: Yes?

Lavangi: What do you think of girls?

G-one: Huh! What kind of question is that?

Lavangi: I didn't come right. I am sorry. I mean to ask, what do you think a girl should be?

G-one: Hmm! What do you think a boy should be?

Lavangi: Heh! You serious? A boy can be whatever he wants, he is a boy afterall.

G-one: You think so. Then a girl can be whatever she wants too.

Lavangi: How so? We don't have as much freedom as boys do. How can we be whatever we want?

G-one: Do you think your parents didn't give you enough freedom?

Lavangi: Maybe.

G-one: You know, in early days, girls were not allowed to study. People thought, why waste money on a girl when all she has to do is to get married and go in someone else's house and take over their household.

Lavangi: Everyone knows that G-one. Why are you talking about history now?

G-one: How many girls do you think are actively attending school and colleges in India these days?

Lavangi: I think, most of them.

G-one: Right, they are. Earlier people were not smart enough to understand that girls can excel in studies too and give equal competition to boys. So, they restricted them from studying. But, these days, people are aware, what a girl is capable of. So, the sophisticated people understand, what's right to do. Since, your parent allowed you to study, I think you have enough freedom that you need.

Lavangi: But, boys are naturally strong, they are capable of suppressing a girl. If they want, they can repeat the history once again. What will happen then?

G-one: Oh! that's where you are wrong. Who told you that? No body is naturally strong. Have you ever seen a new born baby, overthrowing a 5 year old kid. Nah! Being strong, is what one decides to be. I never thought girls are weak. It's just that, some people don't wanna be strong. It's your choice, there is nothing natural about being strong. Physical body is as uncertain as a river, it goes whatever path it finds easy. So, its on you which path you give it go. Same for the history, if you don't let it happen again, it won't.

Lavangi: You think I can stop the history from repeating itself if I want.

G-one: Maybe not alone. But I think there are many people who don't want the history to repeat. Like me. And on the other hand, since girls and boys are both of the same species, we all are humans, then why discriminate on the basic of gender. Why be a girl or a boy? Why not be a human, that is what God intended us to be. Right? Humans can do whatever they want, nothing is impossible for them in this world.

Lavangi: You say some interesting things, you know that.

G-one: Interesting! I thought truth was supposed to be bitter.

Lavangi: (laughs) Not everytime. Does everyone thinks like you?

G-one: Who knows? I just know about two more people other than me. Piyush and Akash, they are my reflection and I am theirs.

Lavangi: So true. (Looks at Mia) What do you think about Mia?

G-one: Mia, hmm! I think she has realised that how strong she is, that's how she overcomes her pains.

Lavangi: You know, when she was a kid, some boys refused to play football with her cause she is a girl. Her mother, she was the one who told her, there is no limit to what a girl can do too, she played with her always, when no one did. She told us how her mother used to teach her even though she didn't know herself how to play. I think that's why she loves football so much, it connects her to her mother, it gives her strength. Was she very excited when she got off the bed and found no pain?

G-one: (staring at Mia) Ya, she was, very much excited and very, beautiful.

Lavangi: (smiles and starts walking away) Let's work together, so the history doesn't repeat itself, ever again (waves bye).

G-one: It won't. Not with us toegther (goes back to basketball court).

Akash: Hey, where were you masturbating this long?

G-one: Oh I was just busy spouting some truth. Nothing much.

Player 2: Be true to yourself first and score some baskets before the time runs out.

G-one: Don't mind if I do.

And the game continued.

The boy whom G-one freed from manipulation reached his mother.

Mother: (wiping clean the floor surface)

Boy: (stands at the door) Mother!

Mother: (throws away the cleaning cloth piece and runs towards her son and hugs her crying) Son, my son. You came back. You are not hurt somewhere, are you? I was so worried. See, looks like you didn't eat for a long time.

Boy: Yes, I feel very hungry, mother.

Mother: Come in, I will bring something to eat right away.

Boy: Where is father?

Mother: He went out, he will be back by night. Don't worry (heads for the kitchen).

Boy: Atleast father is alright, I thought he disappeared along with me as well. Well, since I am back, I will catchup on my health. Looks like I lost so much weight in one week.

Mother: (brings a plate full) Here, eat and tell me. Where were you all this time?

Boy: (chews) I don't remember. I don't have any memory for the past week. A big bro helped me with my wound.

Mother: Oh no! You are hurt. Let me see.

Boy: It's alright. He did this bandage a while ago. And it doesn't hurt anymore.

Mother: Whatever, I wanna make sure (starts undoing the bandages).

Boy: Atleast let me eat first mother.

After college, they were returning back to their residences.

G-one: It has been fun today.

Akash: I almost broke my nose today, god damn it. You think that's fun. And Lily didn't even give me mouth to mouth, I almost died of breathlessness.

Lavangi: Why Lily? You almost murdered him.

Lily: Hey, no, he was just pretending to be,

Piyush: A cheap con artist like you should have suffocated, for real. Atleast, pretend symptoms according to the event next time. Who looses breath when he bangs his head?

Akash: Oh come on, I forgot to breath cause of surprise amnesia.

Everyone laughs. G-one and others turned toward their room with Moon. Mia and rest were about to turn for their route when Ana approached them.

Ana: Mia, wait!

Lavangi: Huh! Who is that?

Simar: Isn't she...

Lily: Isn't that Ana?

Ana: (takes a deep breath) Hey! Everyone, long time no see.

Lavangi: Wait, you are that senior we met at Dipti's place.

Ana: Yeah, Dipti is still not coming to college, is she?

Lily: Yes, she is not. She is still suffering from that strange illness.

Ana: (sigh) It wasn't that severe, then why hasn't she recovered yet?

Mia: Don't know. We are not sure what it even is.

Ana: Can I walk with you for a while?

Lily: Yeah. Why not?

They start walking.

Lavangi: Hey, senior.

Ana: Call me Ana, please.

Lavangi: Oops, sorry. You told that last time too I remember. So, how come you are walking with us today?

Ana: I just wanted to have a chat with you. Last time, we didn't talk much.

Simar: Ya, you left as soon you made sure that Dipti reached her place.

Ana: It was getting dark already, I was returning from the supermarket when I saw her laying almost unconscious on the road. That's why I was in a hurry. Can't spend much time around here in night.

Lavangi: Right, it was a wise decision. So, do you have a room or?

Ana: I am staying at the college dorm.

Simar: Isn't that expensive?

Ana: My father said that it's the safest place to be for now.

Lily: He couldn't be more true.

Ana: I wanted to ask you all something, if you don't mind.

Lavangi: Yes, go ahead.

Ana: What do you think of that person? His name, yeah! G-one I think.

Lavangi: Huh!

Simar: G-one!

Mia: (astounded)

Lily: How do you know him?

Ana: No, it's just, he and his two friends, kinda seemed suspicious somehow. So,

Lavangi: (giggles) Suspicious! Don't you mean stupid?

Simar: Maybe cause they act like kid sometimes, that's why.

Ana: No, it's just, they act kinda fishy. Like they are hiding something.

Mia: What?

Lavangi: What?

Mia: What?

Lily: What what?

Mia: I mean what they are hiding?

Ana: I am not sure. Specially that tall one, he is unusual among them. Didn't you all notice something? You all seem close to them.

Simar: He is not bad looking, if you are asking. He is kinda cool and sometimes appears innocent.

Lily: He doesn't talk very much, as far as I know. And he is good in studying as much as the other two. That makes sense, since all of them always stay together.

Lavangi: Doesn't talk very much? Engage one conversation then you will find out. He is one hell of a talker. He doesn't hesitate from speaking the truth, if it doesn't harm him.

Simar: And he is funny, he says some double meaning sentences so easily, with a straight face, it almost looks like he didn't do it on purpose.

Ana: About his body, did you find anything strange?

Lily: Huh! About his body!? He is taller than the other two so much. That's it.

Lavangi: Yeah, I think that's a little strange, that's all. But, aren't basketballers supposed to be taller like him?

Simar: Yeah, and I don't think that his height is very strange. I have seen many boys of almost same height, even taller than him in the college.

Mia: Why Ana? What's wrong?

Ana: (calculating) They didn't do anything perverted to you, did they?

Lily: No, what do you mean? No. Akash never did anything like that. Actually I initiated most of the times (blushes).

Lavangi: I want Piyush to that, but that bitch Nikita always ruins everything.

Simar: Hey! Why would he do that with you? He won't do something like that with you while I am here.

Lavangi: Why? That's for him to decide.

Simar: Ya, right.

Mia: (embarrassed)!

Ana: (notices Mia) You don't have to say anything, Mia?

G-one: (sneezes, rubs his nose, shivers)

Moon: Catching a cold again?

G-one: No, it was just a normal sneeze.

Mia: (stutters) No, there is nothing. No one did anything.

Ana: You sure?

Mia: I, I, I am sure.

Lily: You are taking so much interest in some junior boys, Ana.

Lavangi: Yeah, what's the deal? Did they do something to you?

Ana: No, it's just they stand out a bit.

Lily: Maybe because of G-one's tallness.

Simar: I remember, which department are you from Ana?

Ana: Economics. Why?

Simar: Do you know someone name Anamika Patel?

Ana: It's my name, why?

Everyone shocked.

Ana: What's wrong?

Lavangi: You are pretty famous, senior.

Ana: Why say so?

Lily: Hey! Don't joke around.

Simar: Some guys from third year gave us a warning to stay away from you. I mean to the boys, obviously.

Ana: Is that so? Do you know who?

Lavangi: Who knows? Two crook looking boys, just came in all of a suddenly and started blabbering. They said some boys from our first year tried to make a move on you. You remember someone like that?

Ana: I heard that first too.

Lily: You never told me that. How come?

Simar: Oh we didn't, sorry we forgot.

Ana: I know who those third years are. Maybe.

Lavangi: I don't like them, Ana. Better stay away from them.

Ana: Don't worry, I will. Ok, then see you at college tomorrow. I should go back.

Simar:Bye.

Lavangi:See ya.

Ana: (walking and thinks) Seems like they don't know anything. I will have to look into it myself.

Lily: It felt like she is interested in one of them.

Lavangi: Really? Maybe she is mad for Akash.

Lily: (flustered) No, no way. This can't be.

Lavangi: Why! He is quite handsome, you know.

Lily: All the three are. But Piyush is specially good looking. What if she is after him.

Lavangi and Simar: Noooo!

Lily: But the way she investigated about G-one, maybe Mia is about to get a rival.

Mia: Huh! (blush) What! What are you talking about? It's not like that.

Lavangi: Oh we can see everything princess. The way he carried you to the infirmary.

Simar: It was so cool.

Lily: I think that's where Mia fell for him, right? It's every girls dream to be carried like a princess.

Mia: No, you are wrong. He was just helping. There is nothing serious about it.

Lavangi: (clings on her, rubs her cheek) Oh come on.

Everyone laughs.

Piyush and others arrive at their room.

G-one: After eating, I am going to the supermarket.

Moon: What for? For groceries?

G-one: For working.

Akash: Oh, so that's where you were talking about.

Piyush: I think it's pretty convenient. It's close by, it won't take much time for coming and going, right.

Akash: But, the thing is, are they planning to accept a new employ? I mean, they do have a vacancy, right?

G-one: That, we will know when we ask them. I am sure they must be short on some staff, cause of the lockdown.

Akash: Not just staff, but the customers too.

Moon: What is this? Why do you wanna work? Aren't you just a student?

G-one: I can't rely on Piyush and Akash completely. I need to make myself useful too. For that I will have to find a way to earn some money. You understand, right?

Moon: I guess so. Atleast, you won't fight over money anymore then, will you?

G-one and Piyush: (embarrassed)

Piyush: Hey G-one, let me bring you the meal.

G-one: Yeah, please hurry. Hahaha!

Moon: (puff)

G-one walks out for the supermarket. Suddenly, a bunch of police car fly by him.

G-one: What's this? Some kind of meeting or something. Maybe.

He reaches the supermarket and talks with clerk at the counter.

G-one: Hello, Mam.

Clerk: How may I help you, sir? Oh, it's you.

G-one: You remember.

Clerk: We don't get many customers these days, and with your personality, it's not very easy to forget you.

G-one: Is it supposed to be a compliment or insult?

Clerk: (smiles) Do you think your personality is messed up?

G-one: I don't.

Clerk: Then it is a compliment. So, how are you here today?

G-one: Actually, (rubs his head) I was looking for a part time job and I thought if you have a need then, maybe.

Clerk: You are in.

G-one: Huh! Really?

Clerk: I actually I want you here.

G-one: Sorry!

Clerk: (coughs) I mean we need you here. We are short on staff. I have to look after the desk the entire day. You know how much boring it could be standing at a place most of the time. With you here, I will be able to go to my house.

G-one: Don't tell me you stayed here everyday?

Clerk: Owners will have to look after their shops eventually if their staff refuses to show up.

G-one: You are the owner, sorry mam.

Clerk: Oh please, you can call me Kajal.

G-one: Ok, Kajal mam.

Kajal: Kajal is enough.

G-one: No, you are superior to me, I want it to be specific.

Kajal: Fine then. So, do you have a choice for your working period?

G-one: How about, the second time, from 3 onwards.

Kajal: Perfect, it will do. It will be good to have you here. When are you hoping to begin then?

G-one: From tomorrow.

Kajal: Fine, I will introduce you to the other staff members too.

G-one: Thankyou, Mam. See ya.

Kajal: Ok, have a good evening.

G-one: (walks out) You too.

The police hq.....

Staff 1: (talking on phone) You sure? No way.

Staff 2: What's wrong partner?

Staff 1: (looks at him) Bad, very bad.

Staff 2: Worst than the numbers, can't be.

Staff 1: Sir?

DCP: (looking in a document paper) What! Be quick about it.

Staff 1: The petrol squad found bodies in the dump yard.

DCP: What? (stands) How many?

Staff 1: Estimated to be around 50 or something.

The nightmare spreads through the staff members creating a hustle.

DCP: We are moving. Ready the vehicle.

Staff 1: Sir.

The DCP arrives at the scene. The moment he steps out of the car his eyes freeze at the gruesome and deathly scene before him. The bodies were piled up over one another, thrown randomly with the garbage.

Staff 2: Oh my god! You serious?

Staff 3: (averts his eyes) This is hell.

DCP: Inspector!

Inspector: Sir!

DCP: You successfully barricaded the area?

Inspector: As you said sir, not a single civilian got anywhere close to the scene. We covered it by announcing it to be a regular police investigation.

DCP: Good job. Has the medical team arrived yet?

Inspector: On the way sir. They will be here shortly.

DCP: Run postmortem over every body. Find the cause of death and their identities. Contact the families as soon as you identify someone. And convince them from announcing this or it will cause unnecessary panic. Report to me after the postmortem is done. Dismiss.

Inspector: Yes sir (walks away).

DCP: You, come over here.

Staff 1: Yes sir.

DCP: Where are Shyam and Ankit?

Staff 1: They are still out supervising branch stations as you told them to.

DCP: Call them back. I need them here in the hq.

Staff 1: Right away sir.

DCP: What am I gonna tell the families about this? God!