Jigyasa Tandon

India

Cremated Fireworks

A delighted synonym to city dwellers, Avram was a proud college president. Mostly found in the circle of praises, good greats, right social choices, good team and upright fashion. She never realized she was running parallel to the pattern of pasture, Abhimanyu – a famous character of Maharashtra, which it is known for. People guided her through the way where she reached the center of success, but no one told her how lonely it was being there. Behaviors that once felt natural, now felt overwhelming, competitive and compulsive. Anything less led her to feel uneasy. She had homed mental health issues gradually. Gradually, the situation that was adventurous soon became boring. Things unique were now reasons to be criticized. She was rejected for everything she stood for, or told to tweak for boldness. One day, overloaded with messages, a surprise being awaited for her. A new dress freshly ironed and on-point jewelry put on the dressing table. She numbed herself forever with drinks meant for rats. She celebrated her birthday with her prospective best friend, leaving behind a skeleton to mourn upon. The silence given birth to, on that day, belonged to everyone. But no one celebrated, confused, how to offer grief, they escaped reality. The whites were hung  that day, but the black painting they had put forth was easily identified in the cremated fireworks.