They returned. Asrar went near the gate and tried looking in vain for a small opening, hoping that might make it possible for him to reach Mabadmorpho in spite of the blockade. No sooner had he turn towards the building than a strong gust of wind overturned his umbrella. Before he could get the umbrella back in shape, he was already drenched. He ran towards the building. While climbing the stairs he could hear more trees fall. He had witnessed such rain three or four years ago when the intensity of the winds had blown away twelve to thirteen temporary tiles from the roof, turning his house into a small pond. He paused at the first floor to look at the jamun tree that was dancing in the wind.

In a few moments he realized that the tree was not just dancing but it also smelt sweet. This smell entered his nostrils. But the rain and storm did not allow him to fully enjoy the fragrance. He rang the bell to Jamila Miss’s house but started knocking once he realized that there was a power cut in the building. Miss opened the door. The room was dimly lit by a faint candle in the corner.

‘Miss, I got drenched.’

She picked up the candle and looked at Asrar from top to bottom. Water was dripping from his clothes.

She asked him to wash himself in the bathroom. He entered the house. Miss took the umbrella from him, and he started taking big strides towards the bathroom. It was dark in there.

Miss closed the main door and took out a candle from the box near the television. She lighted the candle and gave it to Asrar to put inside the bathroom. When Asrar bent to fix it on the floor, the candle went off. ‘Wait, I will get the matchsticks,’ her voice echoed in the darkness. His drenched body stood silently in the dark. It is said that the eyes of the body are powerful.

Miss was searching for matchsticks near the gas stove in the kitchen, but the eyes of her body too were staring at the quiet and drenched body of Asrar. The drenched body stood silently in the darkness. Physical attraction is impromptu and unscripted. It could be felt at any moment. The realization of this attraction sent a strange shiver through Jamila’s body, though her mind discarded the thoughts immediately. Asrar’s body was a closed dome, oblivious to external murmurs.

However, it was also true that right then the locks of the dome had loosened and could break any moment.

Miss lighted the matchstick and asked Asrar, ‘Where is the candle?’

‘Right here in my hand.’

Miss entered the faintly lit bathroom. ‘Keep the candle in one corner.’

Asrar sat down. The matchstick in Jamila’s hand went out.