The prompt for this week: Close your eyes and think of one particular object in the room you are in. Think about it for a couple of minutes, open your eyes, and write about it without looking at it
The Masks
Sunday 11:30am
I moved into the new apartment today. Finally, after a hectic day of shifting and unpacking, I have some time now
to look around my new, although temporary, home. It is semi-furnished, with the regular stuff, along with a few
remnants of the owner’s things or past tenants probably. It is somewhat spacious. You might even call my current
room well decorated, by a couple of flower vases and a wall hanging piece. This wall-hanging artwork is rather
interesting. It consists of four tribal masks, each of different shapes and sizes. I wish I could describe them better,
but I need to catch some sleep. Big day tomorrow. Good night.
Tuesday 00:15am
The first day at office went quite nice. Contrary to the general expectations, my boss is quite gentle and
encouraging. Atleast I felt that way today. The locality around my office is completely industrial, with little
eateries here and there. The locality around my apartment is much better. It is a completely residential area, calm
and quiet, and most importantly, affordable. I got my own apartment at the cheapest possible rate. And compared
to what others in my office are paying, I got a good deal, with the furnishings and everything else. It actually looks
beautiful. The room is my favourite part. And everytime I sit here, those masks are catching my attention. I think I
might take them down and examine them someday. Good night.
Wednesday 00:30 am
I might not have been here today to write this. On my way back from office in the shuttle car, it had a head on-
collision with another car. Our driver was dead on the spot, so was the other driver. I am too shaken to write
anything more. Good night.
P.S: I had dozed off, then I woke up with a start as I saw a flash of the moment of the accident in front of my eyes.
I think I saw the driver wearing a mask, which is curious, as I now notice that one of the masks, on my wall, is
missing.
Thursday 00:40 am
I do not think I can possibly sleep today. The second mask is missing, and so is the security of my apartment
building. He was bitten by a snake, right outside my flat. Apparently he had received a call from my apartment
requesting him to come up for some complaint. He had registered the same in his log book. My head is not
working right now.
Friday 1:30 am
No food. No sleep. Third death. Colleague. Lift Collapsed. Masked liftman seen leaving the building in CCTV.
One mask left. Cant let it disappear.
Saturday 3:30 am
The fan above my head has been spinning and screeching at me for 2 hours. I had never seen the mask at its
centre. I think that was where it has always been. Must have been tired and seen something that wasn’t there.
Everything is fine. It feels as if I am looking at the world through a … No, everything is fine. I see smoke
everywhere, even emitting from my own face. I should sleep. Goodbye.
Arnab Mukherjee 