Goa Diaries - Short Story

In the middle of the flight, Kiara woke up to go to the washroom. When she returned, she was too lazy to push her way into the middle seat. And with Rishaan readily offering to shift seats, the seating arrangement changed. With 20 minutes still remaining for the flight to land, a sleep starved Kiara took another power nap, this time holding Rishaan's right hand more firmly. Rishaan's other hand, though, nervously moved to touch Diya's. Her heart skipped a beat. Diya pulled her hand away. But a defiant Rishaan held her wrist again, this time firmly and more reassuringly. The changing behavioral dynamics between the three perhaps gave out a foreboding of what was to come in Goa.

When the flight landed at Dabolim Airport, Rishaan felt uncanny. His excitement seemed replaced by an unknown fear that he found very difficult to decipher.

It was not unusual to have feelings for multiple women at the same time considering the fact that the world had moved towards polygamy but in a country like India it was still considered a taboo and Rishaan was hell bent on breaking the stereotypes.

They took a cab with the other college friends following suit and checked into the resort already booked. The resort overlooking Candolim Beach was so serene that a few moments later the fear left Rishaan. Being a beach person he loved coming to Goa but this was the first time he was here along with his friends.

Having already visited Goa thrice with family, Rishaan was sort of a guide for the other friends including Kiara. He had already chalked out the plans to visit different places and the clubs where they were to let their hair down without anyone posing a question to his wisdom. It did feel great to be the center of attraction.

Diya on the other hand was trying to steer clear of Rishaan. She had made an excuse of feeling tired after the flight and had not come out of the room. She had a crush on Rishaan since the first time they had met. She knew it was just an infatuation for the guy was quite good looking but she was not going to backstab her best female friend for the sake of carnal desires. She had a few affairs in the past and was aware that Rishaan knew about the same. It was her friendship and the pious bond she shared with Kiara that was at stake for she did not want her emotions to entrap her in a web of betrayal.

Kiara being the sweet innocent girl she had always been was madly in love with Rishaan and had the utmost respect for Diya. She did not even have a hint of what was going on behind her back for her trust was blind and the soul pure enough to never doubt the people she held close to her heart.

Rishaan having left the fear aside with a few pints of beer had a jolly good time with Kiara roaming around the Goan markets and chilling on the beach shacks. Diya tried to keep herself busy with the other college friends lest she has to interact more with Rishaan but she had no clue about his relentlessness. As already decided they went clubbing and made merry dancing and drinking the night away. Diya was surprised and happy as she had avoided any untoward scene but was circumspect that there was something to follow. She slept with a swiss knife under her pillow the first and the second night but was relieved that she didn’t have to use it.

It was on the third night that Diya realized that life could take a bad turn. All of them were drunk and were playing truth and dare in the hotel hall when Kiara got a few drinks and began to chit chat with Diya. They both had a few pints of beer and were giggling like long lost friends when Diya felt a little drowsy. She felt she had lost her legs and decided to take everyone's leave and call it a day. She went into her room and locked it having given her spare keys to Disha, her roommate.

She fell asleep within a matter of minutes as the alcohol high had numbed her senses. An hour later the door to her room creaked open and disturbed her a bit. She turned to the other side subconsciously making space on the bed for her roommate. It was after a while that Diya felt a pair of hands touching her inappropriately. The hands were being run all over her body exploring her curves while she lay there lifeless without being able to move a muscle. She wanted to shout but the lips were soon engulfed by someone else’s passionate kisses. She felt the entire energy being sucked out of her as the hands reached inside her clothes making her twitch her toes and clench her fists even harder. She could not do anything as the passion rose a few notches and did not stop at that.

She was woken up by noises and blaring sirens. Her head felt heavy and the body too light to even ponder about moving an inch. The feeling of drowsiness was broken when a few college mates entered the room along with a policeman. She glanced around and saw 8AM in the wall clock.

Let’s get moving fast, we need to check all the rooms and interrogate everyone. The narcotics team is on its way. The policeman who had entered the room with Disha shouted in a commanding tone.

What has happened? What’s the commotion for? Diya asked in a tired and surprised tone.

Weren’t you woken up by the noises?

I have no idea, tell me about it. She replied trying hard to keep her head clear and eyes fully open.

Mam , you need to assemble outside. Make it quick. The policeman cut their conversation off.

Sir, we should wait outside, till she gets dressed and comes out. Disha said confidently.

Diya meanwhile was trying to get her bearings right for she did not remember what had transpired the previous night. All she could remember was drinking and gossiping with Kiara.

But where was her best friend, she thought to herself.

She quickly freshened up and got dressed. The students were lined up in the hall and the rooms were being checked one by one. The empty bottles and the trash were being checked in the kitchen maybe for the presence of narcotic substances. The party had gotten over just a few hours earlier and the people were reeking of alcohol and smoke. The stench of the smoked up weed could still be felt at the corners of the damp hall.

Where is Kiara? She asked some of the college mates standing beside her.

As no one answered, she wondered if things are being hidden from her. Sometime later Diya and two more people were asked to accompany the policeman to the small room at the end of the lobby. Nervousness was written across their faces. Diya was trembling thinking about what was happening around destroying their vacations.

I saw him going in the direction of her room; ask this bitch what she has done to him. Kiara wailed and shouted her lungs out pointing her finger in Diya’s direction as soon as the policeman entered the room with her. The plain clothed woman that Diya did not recognize was trying to console Kiara as she was on the verge of breaking down, nth time since she had been brought to light about the developments in the hotel.

I don’t understand what’s happening. Can anyone tell me what’s wrong and what all this fuss is about? I have woken up half an hour earlier and here I am being accused of something I have no idea about. Diya was trying to be as calm as possible.

You selfish double faced bitch, you almost killed Rishaan and you act as if nothing has happened. Kiara retorted from the far corner bustling with anger in between the tears.

What the hell are you rambling Kiara? I have no idea about what’s happening. I passed out last night after having beer with you. Where is he?

He is in a hospital, the officer sitting at the nearby chair replied in a composed voice.

What has happened to him? Is he all right?

He is in a serious condition, doctors said he has injuries all over his body made of a sharp object and has lost a lot of blood.

Oh shit. But why is she making me the culprit? Why would anyone do that to Rishaan here?

We are not sure of the motive yet. We are questioning everyone and have also arranged for a blood test for all the people in this group of yours.

How will that help?

We are yet to find the object with which the assault took place or any evidence about the culprit but we did find some tablets in Rishaan’s backpack, ketamine, the date rape drug. We want to check if that was used anywhere last night.

But a drug won’t cause murder. Will it?

It can cause the murdered to forget everything that he or she did.

Goodness me. Diya was shit scared. She still did not remember anything after having the conversation and beer with Kiara last night. Was she sedated by someone? She thought to herself.

She ran to her room as fast as she could. Tears swelled up her eyes as she pressed her throbbing head with both her hands trying to remember what she was missing. It seemed impossible to gather the thoughts to find out what had happened and her head seemed too heavy. Her roommate walked in at that moment and sensing Diya’s discomfort tried to hug her reassuringly.

I am not able to remember anything about last night. My mind seems totally blank after having come here to sleep last night. She cried holding Disha quite close.

It’s ok honey. You must have been high and the hangover must be lingering. I will get you some lime juice. You should calm down and take rest.

Disha came back with some juice and forced Diya to gulp it down quickly. She also got a few disprin pills to help her relax.

With a numb head she was made to lie down and sleep. The sleep evaded her and all she could think of was about last night, the night and the events which somehow seemed to be out of order. She stressed hard closing her eyes and soon fell asleep.

An hour later she woke up a loud thud and in a sub conscious state a flash of memory went past her eyes. All she could remember was a pillion ride on a scooty.

Had she gone out with someone during the night? She wondered trying to remember the memory flash and struggling to keep the eyes open. Her head still felt like fucked up with some pent up emotions and botched up memories. She closed her eyes and tried to find sleep again. A few minutes had passed when she thought she saw a beer bottle being used to attack someone. She had a vision of blood and she got up to sit straight on the bed with sweat all over her face.

Was it the events of the entire day that were taking a toll on her mental being or was it something that she couldn’t clearly remember but had transpired. Her thoughts were filled with confusion and fear.

** To be continued**