1969 //Caption The time was 4:00 PM. Winter evening. So sun was on his way to cover himself under the blanket leaving pink bruises on the sky. We all were gathered on Terrence. There we includes 11 pupils in total. I, my four cousins, 4 neighbours, my maa and my Grandfather. We all were gossiping and discussing. Suddenly my didi in her own thoughts said, “You know I have to do project work on 1969 Hindu-Muslim riot” My maa said in reply,“ Ask your grandpa, he had witnessed this all with his own eyes”. At the moment, All the calm voice became silent. Everyone’s eyes on my grandpa in search of Story my Grandfather was a type of adventurous man. He is our generator of many experienced short stories. My grandpa was sitting on a chair, ogled on us, then folded the newspaper and kept on his lap. One of our neighbour Smriti di said in tone of appealing, “No more discussion (placing her eyes on my grandpa) today you have to say one Story.” My grandpa took a sip from Cup of tea, looked around, then said in a calm voice,“ umm... let's today topic be 1969s experience ”. Everyone nodded their head to give look of interest on it. “It was India’s huge riot or etc etc... I will not say this all cause you can get this stuff from the Google search. Today I will tell you all about my experience. It is said that some sadhus were herding their cows and intentionally or unintentionally, I don’t know, they made clashed with the groups of Muslim. It was the beginning part. Hindu Muslim communalism was started from 1947, you all know that. It was all pieces of coals scattered on the floor. A spark was what needed and so resulted in devastating scenario . I was there to invite my Muslim friend. We were college mate. It was my sister's marriage in next year. The another reason behind my trip was my client’s bill was not passing. So he called me for a help. Therefore, I thought to travel in Gujrat. Headlines in radio was saying some Hindu followers broken the darghas of Muslim. Slowly, it was taking a huge face. Understanding the situation, Aslam told me to go back. It took fire so quickly, we never expected. However that was too late. I had to stay there. Radio’s terrifying headlines, fire and fire outside, cries of babies and women were running in every street. We camouflaged like no one is in house. Talking in low voice, walking manoeuvre. On the third day, A knock on our door frozen our blood. After many knocks, when they saw we are not opening. They threatened us of burning the house. At last we opened. One group of orange dressed mob surrounded us . Holding knife, swords matchstick and petrol bottle. Some men took Aslam’s wife in another room. We shouted, tried to resist them. However we failed. One man from their group told us to put down our trousers. It was a sign of worst humanity. We were declining them. The man behind me, stabbed knife in my knee (showing the mark). Aslam's wife was crying out. Our teary eyes met. They smashed Aslam's head on the ground with giving a slang to open our zip. Aslam was helpless. His two eyes were like telling me,“Alvida,dost”. Two people at once stabbed two knife in his belly with the roar of “Jai Shree Ram”. His bulging eyes, trembling hand, his blood soaked shirt, open mouth and his sweating face were all depicting as lie for me that time. My eyes on him and his lifeless eyes on me. How mercilessly they killed them!!!” my grandpa paused, took another sip of tea. His teary eyes were saying all. “And I was brutally fulminated by my own religion people in claim of sharing house with my Muslim friend. I lost my senses. It was around 5:00 PM when I got my senses. Whole house was disturbed. Books, utensils, holy book were scattered on floor. Actually there was two homicide. Aslam's wife too. She was allegedly raped then murdered. In front, Aslam's body was lying and in another room his wife. I hugged my dead friend and cried a lot. It's so hard to believe that a person who was talking few hours ago― now lying dead on ground. Few hours later, hound of stench engulfed our whole house. No light, no Electricity, no food, no mobile connection. I was sitting like Idol in dark room. Full crescent Moonlight coming from window, falling on his dead body. Making the blood more scintillating. Fully numb about what to do. Every rambling winds were bringing news of lost one.In Yonder, somewhere akashwani was playing on “Aaj ke vishes samachar, hindu- muslim dange me maut huwi bohot jano ki. Dargah,masjid,mandir bhari luksan me.....”
