BURNT

   " ....... she has often been seen throwing tantrums on and off film sets. Her film producers have regularly complained about her unprofessional behavior but ironically her market value has only gone up in the recent years. Some say that stardom has gone to her head. A young starlet on conditions of anonymity said "She behaves like the queen of the world.. as if everybody is going to wait on her or something .. b&*#h !"
    She threw the magazine against the padded sides of her plush Limousine and fought back the tears. Realizing the effect that saline water may have on her make-up, she quickly reached for the tissue box and looked at her full reflection on the mirrored rear of her car. Her impeccable reflection re-assured her and  and she recalled the rave reviews her fashion sense had got last time in the leading fashion mags. The coiffure was in place, neatly sprayed to perfection. Her make-up artistes from Paris had done an amazing job yet again. Her fingers traced the 'PRADA' label on her shimmering clutch. It was going to be the same this time again. She just knew it.
     Lost in her thoughts, she had not realized that her limousine was wheeling down the drive-way towards the venue until it finally reached the point where she was supposed to make her entry. She could almost feel the flurry of excitement her arrival had created outside. It was almost palpable.
     As soon as her Jimmy Choos touched the red carpet the shutter-bugs went crazy. With the trail of her Versace gown following her every step, she sashayed down the red-carpeted walk towards the theater where her film was about to be screened. They all knew how much her photographs cost so they tried to catch various angles of her and she was as always a delight to click. Being in the lime-light brings about the best in some people and she was one of them. Like a true diva she posed and waved, coquettishly, flaunting her figure to the best of her ability.  The other celebrities had already been side-lined by her and they stood smarting in the fringes or made hasty entrances inside the theater. Clearly it was her moment. Hers and no one else's.
       As she had learnt, she did not give the photographers more than fifteen minutes and she continued cat-walking towards the theater until she almost reached the end of the walk when she started feeling that something was amiss. Generally, she would never give more than a random glance at the onlookers but something compelled her to look back at some of them. A chill went down her spine as she caught sight of  those same pair of gleaming eyes in the crowd. She nervously quickened her pace and walked towards the theater. Feeling safer away from the crowd, a sigh of relief escaped her lips.
      Another celebrity arrived- the dashing hero of the film and the attention of the cameras shifted to him. He thought gleefully to himself ," This premiere is going to be the highlight of my career so far.." Reporters requested him to give some bytes to them and he agreed. The women onlookers went in a tizzy. And blood-curdling scream tore the night air and all heads turned towards where it was emanating from. Confusion ensued. They spotted her, fallen on her knees, screaming and reeling in pain ... but  hands were covering her  face. The Security guards were trying to control a screaming disheveled man . An empty bottle of acid was rolling on the carpet.
 " CALL THE POLICE ! WE HAVE A LUNATIC TO DEAL WITH ! " 
******
    The smell of Cuban cigars had filled the office of the Assistant Chief Constable of the city. He looked at the Chief Superintendent and asked " So .. did you find any other motive behind the attack ?"
    " No Sir, he keeps repeating the same story about how he cannot stand women who flaunt their beauty in public and make a living out of it. That cunt had been following her for quite a few days in order to 'teach her a lesson' and make an example out of her. The premiere gave him a spectacular environment to carry out his 'punishment'. Bloody misogynist society ! He must be given exemplary punishment. Should we live in fear now just because somebody feels ........"
     The Assistant Chief Constable looked at her and wryly thought " The young fire-cracker women these days ... "
******
     The media had had a field day and were still waiting outside the hospital. Jokes were already doing the rounds that she would now finally have to use a plastic surgeon for her face rather than for her body. One thing was certain - her career was finished. They bigger they are, the harder they fall.

    The doctors had tried their best to relieve her of the excruciating pain but they could not, however,  prevent the corrosive liquid from irreversibly damaging her face. A small operation to save her eyes was required after which the doctors kept her under a  heavy dose of sleep-inducing drugs to delay the trauma that consciousness would inevitably cause her. This event had already caused a huge controversy and ignorance would be blissful to her. The doctors could not help but think .. " What a tragedy .. one attack is all it took to ruin this woman completely. " 

      Finally she did come around. The first thing that came out of her lips was a whisper " Give me a mirror.... I need to see " 

    The reflection of the badly scarred and mutilated face made her numb for a while. 

     And finally she screamed.  

   
   
      

Hemlock

 The rains-drops beat against the window-panes. The howling winds battered the walls of the dingy room. A harsh clap of thunder elicited a soft cry from a room nearby but he remained unpertrubed.His physical stilness was compensated by the thoughts whirring and churning in his mind. The rocking chair made small creaks every now and then.

      A soft knocking on the door brought him back from his reverie. After checking into the seedy hotel under a false name and in partial disguise, he had instructed the staff to prevent anyone from visiting him; everyone was barred .... except for the two individuals he was specifically waiting for. So even before the door opened he knew who to expect  but ironically time had somehow rubbed away their faces from his memory a little. The duo walked in. The black scarf hid her face partially but he could recognize her almond-shaped, brown eyes though age had produced creases under them. Her once-black hair had greyed considerable and he resisted the urge to run his fingers through them like he used too. Huddled next to her, was however a small raincoat-clad figure whose face he had seen ten years ago. Now that the child had grown up, he could see some amount of resemblance. As he kept staring it became more and more apparent so much so that he could not take his eyes of the child's face. Slowly it almost felt like staring at the mirror; the only difference being that the reflection was that of a much younger him. Eight years. A long  gap. His one and only child; his son. Gazing at him only made his heart heavier and made him realize the enormity of the deed that he was about to commit.

       She cleared her throat to catch his attention. It achieved its purpose. He looked at her and said " .. Life has brought you and me face-to-face again Tabitha ... How are you two ? My my ... has he grown !Hope you two did not find any problems in trying to meet me..and yes .. of course, the turbulent weather must not have helped matters for you two too .... " 

     Shaking the drops from her umbrella, she said " We are fine Gerard .. he looks like you completely .. its a shame is'nt it ... that people  have not put two and two together .... ?" She let of a small chuckle " Do not worry.. I have been pretty discreet .. after all your career is at stake. A child born out of wed-lock could strike a death blow to your political ambitions ... "  The words were enough to fling him into a torrential whirlpool of memories . Ten years back. A young, ambitious him . A turbulent, passionate affair with a head-strong woman. A rough break-up. She had later informed him via letter that she was pregnant . A child was the last thing that he wanted at such an early stage of his political career. She chose to keep the child and he his independent life. Neither parties kept in touch with each other as a part of an unspoken pact.

     Now ..twelve years on .. he knew the stakes were  higher. The Senatorial elections were due two months on and within a few years he will be running for President. He could not take the risk. Too much was in jeopardy. In fact everything was.  Years of hard-work. Money. Power. Reputation. He motioned the child to come closer to him and she gave the child an encouraging nudge. The kid shyly walked towards him and placed a small neat package in his hand. She said "  Ohh .. its a  bracelet .. he made it for you when I told him that he was going to meet you soon" He took out the charm bracelet. Simple. Hand-made. Though he never really liked accessories, he wore it.The child gave him a shy smile. 

  Looking at his son's face, the revolver in his pocket seemed to get heavier. A tinge of guilt spread in his heart but it had to be done. Two lives could be sacrificed. As the child grows bigger, so will the risks. He could not risk so much. Could not. Could not . Could not....... An intense, searing pain  suddenly shot through his wrist. His hand and feet went cold and clammy. His vision became dimmer and dimmer until complete black.

****** 

 The headlines of next day's newspaper " GERARD  SUTHERLAND FOUND MURDERED IN A LOCAL HOTEL ROOM. ---> Promising Senatorial candidate, Gerard Sutherland was found murdered in  extremely mysterious cirumstances in a discreet hotel. Post-mortem reports confirmed death by  poisoning . Doctors found a hand-made bracelet on his wrist which contained an exceptionally unique variety of  hemlock  that instantly reacted with his skin and caused  his death in minutes. The hotel staff  had not recognized Sutherland  when he had checked into the hotel  as he was in  partial disguise.  The only two visitors who came to meet him were an unknown woman and a child, both of whom came and left discreetly. The police is now investigating the whereabouts of the mysterious visitors . A possible  angle of  political rivalry is being looked into .. 

******

   She had truly tried every subtle trick in the book to hold on to him. She did not doubt whether he had really loved her; her only regret was that it had not lasted for long.She had  even cooked up the story of her pregnancy but  it had no effect on him . Though she had to let him go, finally, she could not forget. Neither could she forgive. She had always been good with children so she could easily take her friend's son on a 'trip' to play a  'secret game'. She had instructed him well and he had complied. The best part was that he did not ask any unnecessary questions too. Perfect. It was funny how easily he accepted him as his son. The mind always believes what it wants to. She did felt a tinge of regret on extinguishing his life when he was on the threshold of success... but certain things just cannot be helped.

    She looked outside the window and into the woods outside. Her eyes caught sight of the hemlock plants and she let out a cold sigh.