“The moon looks beautiful today—perfect timing,” said the girl, straightening her straying locks. As if on cue a breeze had begun to blow, gentle and cool. “Too bad I can’t afford to spend some time by the sea. I have an early flight to catch.”
He nodded. “Yes, perfect timing, couldn’t agree more. You don’t have any luggage, just the bag?” Ranjit asked.
“Don’t ask me, I had to make an urgent trip and tomorrow afternoon I have an exam. So I’m traveling extra-light.”
Some more vehicles passed by. A drunk-man went past on a bike, whistling a lewd tune. Ranjit was relieved he didn’t cause trouble. He didn’t want to spoil the mood.
Ranjit realized his sudden flash of brilliance had faded and he couldn’t think of the right thing to say. But the very act of walking with someone on the lonely road, under the moonlight and islands of streetlamps was soothing and satisfying. He was happy living the moment and building castles in the air.
The main-road came into view as they turned round a bend—only hundred yards remained between his bliss and the humdrum hustle of ordinary life. His heart sank at the thought.
“The moon’s beautiful and so is the night. I’m going to remember this.” Ranjit said, torn between the ticking seconds and his own faltering words.
The girl looked at him with renewed interest and twinkled with a faint smile. “Same here, I’m glad we met. You are a nice person, nicer than most of the people.” She stopped in her tracks and regarded Ranjit carefully, her eyes flitting with indecision. She looked no less than a goddess with the streetlight directly above her and the dark background of the narrow alley behind her adding to the effect.
She placed a hand on Ranjit’s cheek and his heart began to hammer—it was cold as ice.
Was there a hint of mischief burning behind her doe-eyes? Before he could comprehend she pulled his head close to hers and grasped his lips with her own cold, pink ones. Her lipstick’s taste pervaded Ranjit’s mouth; she kissed him urgently, pushing him into the alley, groping with his hair and face.
“Your-skin-is-so-cold, god,” he tried to speak between kisses, his back against the alley wall, the woman leaning against him—she was heavier than he’d expected.
Ranjit got no other response except for her passionate kisses, her lingering cold lips and the slick icy tongue darting against his. It was unexpected and thrilling, something straight out of some romance/erotic novel where two strangers meet and sparks fly. The exhilaration was such that he was totally immersed in it, eyes closed, jaws working.
Suddenly her jaw locked onto his with one hungry lurch, her hands gripped him by the shoulder and pushed him against the wall hard. Ranjit opened his eyes when she wouldn’t relinquish her kiss. Her eyes were open, staring into his, the two orbs like black marbles deep and hypnotizing. He held her by the elbows and tried to push her back but his mouth remained clamped shut, his body stationary against her immense strength.
Then his eyes widened in shock and bewilderment, widened further as he began to make inarticulate gagging noises. They started to roll wildly as his body began to tremble and thrash in protest. He shuddered and his throat convulsed, like he was being forced to swallow something unpleasant. All this while he was trying to scream but all he could manage was a throaty gurgle.
He caught a glimpse of the woman’s eyes: they were turning grey, cataracts clouding over her vision. Her skin was still deathly-cold but right before Ranjit’s eyes grooves and deep wrinkles formed and began to spread all over her face. It was as if she was degenerating into a hoary, ancient creature from tales forgotten.
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