I heard a thud…

It was a wonderful sight. White surf was drawing abstract pictures on the transparent blue surface of the Arabian waters. I was standing on the upper deck, leaning against the railings where I could see the Malaysian vessel cutting through waters. We were a group of forty-two on a cruise, sponsored by the company.

We boarded the ship at Bombay harbour along with hundreds of other people at around 5:30 in the evening two days ago. I, after keeping my bags in the cabin on the third deck, went upstairs to see the ship setting off. So many people were there on the upper deck, looking out at the wide, wide sea. Some of my colleagues were also there in twos and in groups and I was the only one perhaps standing alone.

It was getting dark and people started having fun. There were many bars, restaurants, clubs, karaoke bars and other places to have fun with. Some of them were swimming in the pool, some others enjoying the Jacuzzi, yet others sipping wine and chatting. I stood in a corner for sometime and then made for my cabin. I switched on the television and strangely enough, they were showing The Titanic. I watched it though it was umpteenth time I was watching the movie. I love the film and therefore I never get tired watching the movie over and over again. Kate Winslet and Leonardo De Caprio were always my favourites and I just imagined that our ship –Libra – was also facing the same crisis. I conjured that people were screaming and running for help and I was caught inside an elevator. It was spine chilling and I preferred not to imagine any more and switched off the television and wanted to sleep.

Somebody knocked at the cabin door and I went to open it. It was a girl, apparently a crewmember, asking me if everything was all right. I said yes, but noticed an unusual sheen in those wide dark eyes. She was short and very fair, of Singapore I thought, with short hair and an arresting charisma about her. She wished me good night and she was gone!

I closed the door and lied down on the bed, trying to get sleep. But however I tried I couldn't, as the unusual sheen in those wide, dark eyes was lingering in my eyes. Something was strange about the cute girl, which I failed to notice at that time. Now I started putting things in place. I was trying to figure out every detail of that stunning symmetry, from tip to toe.   

It was kind of recognition that I saw in her eyes. Yes, she seemed recognized me, but how come? There was no chance of my meeting this girl at any time before, as this was my first cruise in my whole life.

She wanted to tell me something. But why didn't she stay back to tell me what was pestering her? The major part of the night went by in such weird thoughts and it was in the wee hours I managed to get some sleep.    

By the time I got up the next day morning, it was late and after getting fresh, I went to the restaurant to have my breakfast. Some of my colleagues were sitting and having their bites and chatting. I found a corner and had a quick breakfast. I came out and went to the upper deck hoping to see the girl somewhere there. My expectations were right. There she was, arranging tables at the poolside. I went near her and wished her good morning. She smiled at me, a charming smile that disarmed me completely. I felt an inexplicable pain taking shape behind my chest bones, which I knew not why. Her eyes widened, her forehead frowned and her cheeks changed colours. 

I was standing there like an idiot, gazing at those wide eyes. She said something, which I couldn't hear and ran away to somewhere. I didn't understand a thing, but the pain was growing inside my heart.

When I came back to senses, she was not there and I felt uneasy. I walked towards the lift and went down to my cabin and tried to analyze the whole situation.

That was the last I met her, though I searched for her in vain in clubs, restaurants and the upper deck.

And now, I was trying to forget the incident by watching the abstract pictures on the water. It was getting dark and a strong wind was making my hair fly.

I felt somebody touching my back and I turned around. My Goodness! There she was, with the same wide dark eyes shining unusually. She was a bundle of mystery, quintessence of beauty, embodiment of grace.

And we looked at each other's eyes for some time and then she said: "I shouldn't have met you, whoever you are. But the fate had it otherwise. You are innocent, I know, but I should tell you that after five long years, you made me feel miserable, you made me goddamn wreck all again. I have completely forgotten that terrible night when my Joe was crushed under a speeding truck. It was so ghastly, his divine face turning into a mangled piece of flesh. I was there witnessing the most gory sight. I fell unconscious and was taken to hospital and later discharged with a changed mind. I knew that the doctors did something to me. I just took up this job only to forget the whole issue. I even hate roads, you know. And now, you are here and you look exactly like my Joe. For the past two days, I was so miserable and could not sleep. Unless you lose someone whom you loved so much, you cannot understand the pain of loss. And I know you are helpless. I cannot stand this anymore. I am seething with pain. I, I, I,…"

Before I could react, she climbed the railings and jumped into the sea. For a split second, the world came to a standstill. Yes I heard a soft thud down below in the blue waters…