Minimum Risk

Embarked upon an odyssey, vigilant and hazy, she found herself crying like a baby weaned on the unhealthy nourishment of this antagonistic world while kept apart from the warmth of her mother’s lap. Partitioned off her loved ones, she was running after love. Love that was right under her nose but as they say in stories that a great love always demands great sacrifices, she sacrificed that very love to have that great and noble love from the legends. And then she finally succumbed herself to that man after years of futile search. Everybody was thunderstruck. He could be anything but her life partner. However, distress and dejection had made her an enemy to the reason. She took the very first pill that came along. Poor woman.. She didn’t think for a single moment before taking such an important decision of her life and so after one year of her marriage she was standing on that hill ready to crumple and let go of her life.

But the god of love had some other plans for her. Just a moment before she was going to step off the ground she heard a voice, a human voice that made her turn back.

“This would be too risky ma’am and you don’t know whether you will actually die when you fall or you will end up being crippled forever.”
Whoever he was, he had no manners, or at least she thought so. She ignored him and faced the valley below.

“I can help you do that and believe me there would be minimum risk involved in it.”

“Mind you own business”, she said and stared at him as if she’ll burn him up with the fiery look of her eyes.
“I was just trying to help you. I am always there for beautiful women no matter if they are committing suicide.” He gave her an ornery smile.

She felt like becoming a murderer instead of committing suicide.

“But you will need to have a cup of coffee with me if you want me to help you.” His mouth was wide open and there was a beguiling touch in his voice as it was too peaceful and soothing to be honest.

Why not take a chance and go with him as it was clear that she would not be able to do this with him watching her.

“I don’t need your help but a cup of coffee would be ok if you promise to go away after that.” She said yes with her teeth grinding against each other.

“Don’t be so sure ma’am. You may actually beg me to stay with you.” He gave her that hypnotic smile of his own.

Unexpectedly, she had a good time with him. He had really got healing powers… that’s what she thought at that moment.

Every morning she went to that hill to commit suicide and every time he asked her to have a last cup of coffee with him. No matter how much she cursed him he kept on insisting. And a time came when it became really hard for her to pass the night with the excitement to see him in the morning. She knew nothing about him but she found herself enchained by his sweet talk. He never said anything that would show that he had some special feelings for her but alas god of love had played another trick with her. After one year of their first meeting he didn’t come. She kept waiting for him till evening but in vain. A week passed but he did not show up. She spent all those days on that hill-top waiting for him and then one day when she was getting hopeless he saw his smiling face.

“Coffee?” he asked as if nothing has happened.

“Where were you all these days? You know I was waiting for you then why did you make me wait for so long?” Tears were sliding like rain-drops on her cheeks.

He didn’t say a single word and kept looking at her.

“I love you…,” she cried. “I love you and I can’t live without you. Please never leave me alone. Please..,” she begged.

He was still silent. He stayed there for a few moments and started walking away. She ran after him. A small stone came in her way and she lost her balance. She fell down and her body tumbled on the steepy ground and within few minutes she lost her conscience.

When she opened her eyes after a few days in hospital she thought she were dead but the sobs of her mom brought her back to her senses. She knew something terrible had happened.

“You lost you right leg” she heard the voice of her mom.

"Your coffee didn’t have the minimum risk", she whispered to the god of love.