The Burning Man

Flash Fiction: A man traumatised with the guilt of a bystander.

Ravikant’s mobile was pitch black. It contained a dark secret that had been sold to the vultures. How could he? But…but.. 5 lakh rupees. “What life can you build on the foundation of death?”, a soft dead malicious voice hissed. “But then, someone’s pain is another man's gain."

"Bhaisaab, your crackers. Happy Diwali!” He took the packet and hurried back home. "Papa. You are the best.", chirped his son, as he snatched the bag from him. Ravikant watched, stupefied, at the tv screen. “Religious fanatics lighted a man on fire” The sin he had filmed was burning naked on the screen. He could feel the heat so close.

“Papa, look at the anar.”, clapped his son, as he lit one on fire. A giant heap of guilt, he fell to the ground, sobbing madly, he cried, “The fire! It burns him! It burns me!”

Reviews

[GreenShoes]

I'm sorry to say, I'm really having a hard time understanding your stories, perhaps because I'm not that familiar with Indian culture.

[Priya Tyagi]

Hi Karen,

This story is flash fiction where I have tried to tell the story in less than 140 words. It's a story about a man named Ravikant who witnesses a man burning in riots, makes a video and sells it to the media for a good amount of money. Now the guilt of it is killing him that instead of being a bystander he could have tried to save that man.
Bhaisaab= brother. Diwali= is the festival of lights in India where we light up lamps and burn fire crackers. Anar= is a type of fire cracker.
I have tried to draw comparisons between the burning man and the fire crackers. How the burning man has served as a fire cracker for Ravikant lighting up his life with 5 lakh Rupees (A lot of money for someone in Ravikant's financial condition) but at what cost? Although, he has received the money but the fire of guilt continues to burn Ravikant.

[Priya Tyagi]

But, I guess you are right. I should probably increase the length of the story and explain it in detail. But, then probably the culture difference is killing it because, it has worked well on my blog which has mostly Indian viewers. Anyway, thanks for your opinion. :)