Sama's Waterloo
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Sama's Waterloo
Super Trooper, Sama’s favorite song, blasted through the house. Her mom had compiled a playlist consisting of Sama’s favorite songs – and yes, all of them were ABBA.
Sama’s eyes darted towards the door and back – quickly, because she didn’t want anyone to notice. Her hideous family! They always teased her about Samar!
She was very annoyed. He hadn’t even RSVP’d to her party. It was so exclusive:- only Samar and family. True, none of her friends were in Manali, but still. How rude!
Then the bell rang. Sama rushed towards the door. She opened it and glared at the person she saw. There was Samar in his standard white tee, with his black leather jacket and jeans.
“What?” Samar blinked innocently.
“You didn’t even dress up?” Sama demanded in her pale yellow princess dress, with layers and layers of flare. It had puffy sleeves and silky gloves. She had stockings. She was dressed as Princess Belle.
Completely ignoring Sama’s statement, Samar burst out laughing. “Why in the world are you wearing a princess dress? You look like a string-bean in a polyester potato sack.”
Sama stormed off. “Hey, can I come in?” Samar called.
When no one responded he mumbled, “Whatever,” and walked in.
He saw Maliya and Anathri standing next to each other. Under Anathri’s guidance, Maliya was painting a flower on Sama’s card. “Maliya, which color is pink? We have to paint the petals you drew pink.” Anathri smiled at her little sister.
Maliya pointed at a canister full of baby pink. “Yes, Maliya. Good job!”
Samar walked on, following the loud music. He thought Seriously, Sama! ABBA?
When he arrived, everyone was partying. Sama was sitting on the couch drinking some coke. Samar sat beside her. “Happy Birthday Sama.” He smiled.
Sama sniffed. “I’m not talking to you until you apologize to me for calling me a string-bean in a polyester potato sack.”
Samar rolled his eyes. “Seriously Sama! Okay, I didn’t realize you’d get so mad.”
“And,” Sama asked expectantly.
“And… what’s with the ABBA?” Samar giggled. Sama rolled her eyes.
“Happy Birthday,” Samar smiled.
“Anyway,” she said. “Thank you.”
Samar said, “Looks like the cake’s arrived.” He gestured to the large box that Mama was carrying.
“Yeah,” Sama said. “I’d better go. And you’d better sing for me.” She left.
Samar shook his head and smiled. Although he’d never admit it to Sama, she didn’t look that horrible in the princess dress either.
Meanwhile, Sama saw her cake. It was her favorite – dark chocolate cake with a thin layer of white frosting. Little chocolate figurines depicted a bustling winter wonderland scene split between the three tiers. Sama hugged her mother. “Thank you, Mama. I love it.”
“You’d better. You sisters and I put in a whole lot of effort to make that cake. Mostly Anathri though. She’s really good at making chocolate figurines. Well, I guess it goes hand in hand with her sculpting talent. You’re growing up so fast, I want every moment to be special.” Mama wiped away some tears.
Maliya demanded, “Now my turn. Give me hug. Look at the special card Anathri and I made for you.”
Sama smiled as she hugged her youngest sister. Although she was seven years old, she was still the little baby of the house. And clearly, she enjoyed it.
Arana smirked, “Well, maybe I added a bit of chili pepper to Anathri’s work.”
Sama stuck her tongue out at Arana, who shrugged. The sisters and their mother returned to the living room where Anathri, Papa and Samar were. Anathri was dancing quite merrily whilst Papa put up a birthday banner and Samar had his hand in the popcorn bowl.
Sama smirked. Standard old Samar. He’s always eating.
Mouth full of popcorn Samar said, “What? I mean I’m hungry. And this popcorn was sitting there waiting to be eaten. You can’t blame me!”
“Watch me,” Sama laughed.
A few minutes later, everyone gathered around the table where the cake was placed to wish Sama. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Sama. Happy birthday to you.”
“Okay,” Mama announced. “Now, it’s time for the gift opening ceremony. I already gave Sama the home keys, so how about Samar’s turn?”
Maliya said, “You’ll like my gift best! Anathri and I made it together.” Maliya ran up to her sister and gave her a big hug.
Just he was handing Sama her birthday gift, the doorbell rang. “Excuse me,” Sama said. “Maybe Golan and Avashiya decided to come after all.”
Sama ran to open the door, bursting with excitement. She pulled it open and said, “Golan – no wait WHAT!” Her eyes popped out at what she saw. She screamed and screamed and screamed.
“Well, well, well. I simply could not miss your birthday.” There was Sethan Kala with a blood stained face and a gash on his arm.
Sama ran in the house and screamed incoherently. Curious, Samar went to the doorway to see what had happened. But no one was there. Samar was puzzled. Was Sama playing some kind of trick? He heard more screams as he returned to the party room.
There was Black Satan, again! He must have escaped jail. Sama was screaming her lungs out as Black Satan violently lunged at her. Ducking just in time, Sama ran away into a corner. Anathri and Samar but charged towards Sethan but he caught Anathri and tripped her.
Then, his strategy changed. He grabbed Samar by his throat, trying to throttle him. “Tell me where Avashiya and Golan are! Or else…”
Samar opened his mouth as if to say something and then he kicked Sethan in the stomach. Sethan let go of Samar and took Anathri, then he ran away out of the house.
“No! Anathri!” Sama yelled, running after Sethan. But it was too late. Sethan was far out of sight, by the time Sama reached the doorway.
Sama ran to her mother sobbing profusely. “This is the worst birthday ever! Anathri is so nice. She’s practically family.” she declared before burst into tears muttering about how life was unfair. She thought How dare he! I will find him! I will kill him! I will rip him. I will torture him! How dare he take away poor, innocent, kind Anathri. I will take him down! Nothing and no one can stop me!
Samar who was coughing hard, due to Sethan trying to strangle him, patted Sama’s shoulder gently. He gasped and said, “It’s okay. She’ll be fine.”
“Anati,” Maliya said. “We miss you. We will find you. We will save you from the evil person. You’re so nice- you help…” She chocked on the last few words and started crying. Arana hugged her little sister. Papa came to comfort them.
Samar said, “Let’s go find her. Hard can it be? There are two place Black Satan knows – his cave and Anathri’s castle. Sure they’re both huge with lots of corridors, but we can start. The police are probably already on the lookout because Sethan escaped.”
“He’s right,” Maliya nodded and scuttled next to Samar.
“I’m in,” Sama chided.
“I’ll come with,” Arana said, looking at Mama expectantly.
“But, it’s not safe. We’ll call the police or something. That seems like a better – oh, alright!” Mama said.
Papa nodded and gave a thumbs up. He winked. “Finally a quick-thinker in the family.” Samar glared at him.
The family and Samar packed and left in a great rush.
In the dark traveling through the woods was slow and dangerous. “Maliya,” Sama asked, “Where’s your hiking stick?”
“I forgot it,” Maliya said turning pale. “Oh no! I was in such a rush.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. Papa wiped them away, lovingly.
Mama caressed Maliya’s hair. “Don’t worry, Maliya. I’ll give you mine.”
Arana didn’t even say something snarky. Samar noticed those eyes that used to shine with mischief, had dulled, as reality kicked in.
“It’s fine, Mama. I be careful.” Maliya’s chest puffed up and her eyes widened with a newfound determination.
“No, no, Maliya. Don’t be stubborn!” Mama exclaimed and handed Maliya the stick.
Then, Sama heard a rustling noise. She shrieked. Everyone else jumped. “Sama if you scream like that over every little thing you’ll give us all heart attacks!” Maliya yelled, angrily.
“Sorry,” Sama said, looking horror-struck.
“Everybody, calm down. We’re not going to find Anathri like this. We need to do this properly, with a cool head.”
“Yup,” Samar nodded.
To Samar’s surprise, Sama didn’t say anything rude.
A few uneventful minutes later, Arana slipped on a stone. “Arana! Are you okay? You’ve never fallen on a trail before!” Mama asked, looking concerned.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just distracted. I hope Anathri’s safe. I’ve never been so scared before.” Arana trudged on.
Samar said, “Here’s the shortcut I took yesterday. It should get us there faster.” Maliya dashed ahead of everyone else.
“Maliya, wait! You’ll fall down. You don’t even have your stick! Mine is too long!” Mama rolled her eyes.
Maliya nodded, slowing down a little. She now held Arana’s hand, who had caught up with her.
Once they arrived, they went through one of the doors. Sama kept her toy elephant to mark the door they entered. “This time, I remembered.” Sama patted the elephant.
Samar laughed as he walked on. He turned around and stuck his tongue out at Sama to break the tension, “Well, I did it first. See, that boulder -” THUD! Samar, who was busy talking to Sama while walking backwards in the lead fell into a hole.
“Samar!” Sama called. Losing Anathri was hard enough. When she heard no response, instinctively, she jumped in. Arana muttered something about Sama not being the brightest bulb.
The fall, to Sama’s surprise, was not very deep, barely six feet.
“Okay, I’m fine. But this is a creepy old cavern with a lot of cobwebs. I don’t think it’s fine.” Samar flashed his torchlight around the cavern.
Sama said, “Ugh, Samar, I got hurt on a pebble because of you!”
Samar demanded, “Well, who asked you to jump in? Plus, I risked my neck for Anathri. Twice! And got a nosebleed. Besides, it’s just a scratch, Princess Belle!”
Sama rolled her eyes. She looked at her frilly yellow dress. She called, “I see a door! Anyone care to join us?”
Maliya yelled, “Me! Me! Me! I will find Anathri.”
As Sama led Samar to the door, Samar asked, “How come you’re always the first to spot doors?”
Sama shrugged. “How should I know? Maybe it’s cause you have poor eyesight.”
“This is no time to joke. Even Arana thinks so,” Maliya said huffily, looking down the hole.
Arana shook her head. “Hey-” she protested, but Maliya shushed her.
Papa set up a rope ladder so the rest of the family could climb in safely. Maliya watched him eagerly. She was very anxious to save Anathri.
When everyone was in, they set off to explore the cavern and the door that Sama had spotted. When Sama opened the door, a bat flew out.
“Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! Bat. Eww!” Arana shuddered. She hugged her brave little sister who was merrily about to go ahead.
Maliya said, “Arana! Don’t be a wimp. We have to go there for Anati’s sake.”
“Wait, there’s something shining over there! Come on! Let’s go take a look. It might hint us to where Anathri is.”
“But – bat! Arana will be scared,” Sama protested as Samar dragged her in. “Aaa! Samar – you duffer. I have no English word for you.”
Samar stuck his tongue out at her. “I have an English word for you. Well, technically two – scaredy and cat.” Samar said, laughing.
Sama glared at Samar, who proceeded along the seemingly unending passageway.
Maliya said, “Eww, spider web. My life is weird. And, my new sister might be dead. My family has…” Samar glared at her. She added, “and Samar have creepy lives!”
Sama nodded in agreement, “Yes Maliya, your right, but Anathri needs saving now, so let’s focus. Ugh, that bat is following us!” Sama quivered.
Arana jumped. “I see it! Look! Look! That shiny thing! There’s Anathri’s bracelet that I made for her. We’re on the right track. Yay! I was useful.”
“Yay!” Maliya sang. “We’ll save Anati. Off we go!”
Samar flashed his torchlight near the bracelet. “There’s blood. Anathri is in danger.” He flashed his torchlight father ahead. “The trail continues along the passageway. This is even worse than we thought! Come on, pick up the pace, people. She could be dying!”
Sama ran to where Samar pointed. There was more blood than Sama could imagine. “Oh my god! Anathri won’t survive this.” She ran ahead, trying to keep up with Samar. The rest of the family caught up.
“Some of it is probably Sethan’s,” Samar pointed out.
“True,” Sama said.
Maliya said, “I don’t like the blood. It looks nasty.”
Samar jumped, “Hey, I spotted the door first.”
“It – No way! It has the same design as the ones at Anathri’s castle!” Sama stared, astounded.
“This is weird. Aren’t the two far apart?” Samar asked.
Papa clarified, “Not as the crow flies. But because of the twists and turns you have to make in the hills, it takes pretty long to reach one from the other.”
“So,” Samar realized, “Sethan decided to take a shortcut. Let’s go! What are you people waiting for? The cows to come home?”
“No, idiot. The door is locked. Can’t you see the lock?” Maliya pointed at a heavy iron chain, with a metal lock, preventing anyone from opening the door.
“Hairpin please,” Samar demanded from Sama.
Sama rolled her eyes as she handed it to Samar. Good old Mr Lockpick, Sama thought. Samar poked around inside the lock and then returned the hairpin to Sama.
He then proceeded to kick the door open. Sama whispered, “What is wrong with you? Idiot! Sethan might have heard you!”
Sama peeked her head inside. There were Golan and Avashiya, lying on the ground, bleeding from their heads. Sama shuddered. “Are they – Are they dead?”
Maliya and Arana covered their eyes with their hands. “No, no,” Maliya said. “I protest.”
“No Sama, Sethan just knocked them out. They might have some minor concussions. But they’ll live. Don’t worry.” Samar rolled his eyes at the three sisters.
“Wow, Samar…” Sama began mockingly, but then Avashiya’s eyes opened. Instantly, Sama’s demeanor changed.
Avashiya got up, feeling dizzy. “I – We need to get to the hospital. Sethan is here. You go save Anathri and kill Sethan. I’ll take Golan with me to the nearest hospital.”
Sama nodded, “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes, Sama,” Avashiya said taking Golan in her arms and leaving. “You have to take a left and then go right thrice. You will find Sethan and Anathri there.”
Sama followed Avashiya’s instructions. The rest of the family and Samar followed her with her keen sense of direction.
Once they reached, till where Avashiya directed them, they heard wails. Clearly she didn’t know the full way as there were many, many doors. Sama heard Anathri’s repeated screams for help.
Samar said, “There’s no way we can cover all these doors in time. Anathri’s been on her own for almost five hours now. Let’s split up. Yell help if you encounter Black Satan.”
Samar, who had gone to another door said, “She’s here, but she’s unconscious and bleeding like crazy. Black Satan, on the other hand, he’s missing.”
“He probably heard you kick in the door,” Maliya said angrily. Samar looked at her apologetically.
Sama ran to here sister. “Anathri,” She tried to bite back tears of joy.
“Anati!” Maliya beamed. “Oh no! What happened to Anati? Why isn’t she waking up? Why is she bleeding?”
Even Arana couldn’t hide her smile. She was happy to have her sister back. Sama’s mom ran to Anathri’s unconscious body and, and caressed her hair. She kissed Anathri’s cheek. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “You’ll be better in no time.”
Papa said, “Let’s take her to the hospital. She’s not going to live for long.”
“But she’ll bleed out,” Sama pointed out.
“Right,” Papa nodded. Luckily, he had a first aid kit. He stitched up Anathri’s wounds so she wouldn’t bleed out. Samar and Sama helped as best as they could.
Samar shuddered, lifting Anathri up. “Her pulse is very weak.”
Samar and Papa took unconscious Anathri down the mountain. When they reached the road, Mama took out Google Maps to find the nearest hospital.
Avashiya and Golan were already there. They were checking out with some bandages and pills. When they saw Anathri they were happy to see her, but horrified to see Sethan’s work of art.
“I presume, Black Satan escaped?” Avashiya inquired.
Sama nodded. Avashiya yelled, “Damn him!”
Sama gave Avashiya a reassuring pat on the back. She sighed, “Well, at least Anathri is safe.”
Samar went to counter. A nurse was standing there. Samar caught her attention “Excuse me. We would like to check-in a patient. She needs immediate attention.”
The nurse nodded, as Samar pointed to Anathri. “I need to speak with a parent or legal guardian.”
Samar called, “Mrs. Patel, could you please come here? The nurse needs to speak with you.”
Mama nodded and headed towards the counter. She was closely followed by Maliya, who had been sticking to her mother since they had found Anathri lying in the cavern.
The nurse said, “My name is Lily. I need you to sign this paper over here. Then Anathri Patel can go for surgery. She needs to be checked for internal hemorrhaging and we can repair it. Judging by her wounds, it’ll take a while. We’ll call you once she’s out of surgery and all fixed up.”
Mama nodded. She skimmed through the paper and singed it. When she returned, Maliya asked, “Will Anati be okay?”
“Yes Maliya,” Mama smiled, although she didn’t seem so sure herself.
Maliya nodded as if she understood. She gave her mother a big hug. Mama smiled.
The family trudged back home feeling miserable. Every five minutes or so, Mama would check her phone, hoping against hope for some good news.
When they reached home, they realized that music was still playing. The last song, on Mama’s playlist Waterloo, was on. Mama quickly turned it off and they all retired to their rooms to get changed.
Arana was even more sullen than ever. Maliya was at her mother’s heels. Sama would look to Samar for reassurance every so often. Mama and Papa tried to comfort the children.
The family, along with Samar played card games and board games like Seven Wonders to cheer Arana and Maliya up. But everyone played halfheartedly.
Then, Papa got a call from the hospital. Everyone beamed. Hopefully, this meant Anathri was fine. But, the call sounded serious.
Papa looked at the kids, a grave expression on his face. “Anathri was fine through surgery. She was recovering. But then, Sethan stabbed her. She didn’t make it. Sethan ran away before security could get to him. They’re sending over the body tomorrow.”
Sama and Maliya burst into tears. Arana ran to her Papa for a hug.
Samar patted Sama’s shoulder and bit back a tear. He felt bad. He first met her when she had come with Sama’s parents to pick Sama up. He and Sama were chatting continuously. Then, she saw Anathri and told Samar the wonky tale of how she met her. Samar had found it hilarious.
Sama and Anathri were practically inseparable. Later when Samar befriended Sama, the trio would hang out quite often. They would get ice-cream or chat after school on the way home. Sometimes they would go to the park and have iced-tea while on the swings in the summer.
Meanwhile, Sama recalled how she and Anathri had first met. At first, she had thought Anathri was quite ridiculous. But then, she started to like Anathri’s silly little quirks. Her whole tale seemed so bizarre and unreal. Imagine being related to Santa Claus! Now, the reality of it dawned on Sama. It’s what got Anathri in the end. Her past was like a ghost that haunted her. At least she had a happy life while she stayed with Sama. Before that, not so much, but still.
Maliya ran to Sama and buried her head into her sister’s skirt. “This is not fair! Anati was nice. Black Satan should die! She helped me. She was nice to me. She loved us all! She was so nice and happy all the time. And so sweet and kind.”
“It’s okay Maliya. I know it’s not fair. But sometimes, life isn’t fair. And you just have to keep on living.”
Maliya sniffed. “Why?” she demanded.
“I don’t know, Maliya. That’s just how it is. It’s life.” Sama gave her little sister a hug. Arana ran to join in. “I hate Black Satan. I will kill him. I promise.” Arana looked up as if trying to talk to Anathri.
Sama smiled for a second. She realized that at least she wasn’t in this alone. There was upset little Maliya, who seemed unable to cope with the loss of her sister. Then there was sullen Arana sitting in a corner playing with bits of her hair. Her parents were looking at the photos they had of Anathri, smiling. Tears streamed down Mama’s cheeks.
And there Samar was, sitting cool and calm as ever, although he was clearly hurting on the inside, giving Sama reassuring pats on the shoulder. He had become a pillar in Sama’s life, something she had never noticed before.
Maybe she would live through this, after all. That, Sama realized, was the power of family. She smiled. This tight-knit group always had each others’ back. Sama looked at Samar, who caught her gaze. She smiled.
- The End
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