The Black Diary

Now, she is in her early twenties, her hairs were taut in a tight bun and her lean body rested on the wooden chair; the chair has stayed long enough in her verandah. Her dusky skin gleamed in the sun. She opened a black diary on her lap. This diary has been really close to her since she was eight. All entries never recorded, the year and the time; just her words. 

So she started to make another entry. 

  

"It was my off from work, so the usual that I do; going to cafe delight . While having a cup of latte I was going through my brown diary. It was when I saw her sitting all alone, busy with her laptop. Seemed like she was working on some report or say any important stuff. She seemed focussed. 

Okay, so after observing her for long enough, I decided to have a little chat with her. So I kept my diary in my handbag and what I did next was, I went up to her and asked her "Is the seat taken?"

without looking up she replied "nope". So I pulled the seat out and sat on it. Over the glasses her eyes peeped giving the most blank gesture; then her lips parted still maintaining the voidness on her face , she said:" I don't remember me asking your company".

To which I replied with a smile "so don't I." she smirked to my reply. 

"I guess I should leave then...".

"You know what, never mind. actually I guess even I need a break. I am forgetting your name....."

"That is because I never told you" I smiled." By the way I am Sherina Bose".

"Neha Mathew."

"You seem to be working really hard. I also see your cup is empty. Have you tried latte?"

"Yes I have and seeing the pile of work I have to dive into, I guess I should order one."

"Okay, so two lattes it is. Waiter, two lattes please."

"So Sherina.. tell me what is up with you nowadays?"

"Umm not much... but chemistry it is."

"Chemistry?"

"Yes, it has fascinated me always. And I have been working to see if the theories do really work."

"What theories?"

I saw my watch." Good lord I am late. I come here often maybe next time. I guess your curiosity with the theories has to wait for some time. it was nice meeting you."  We shook hands.

"Oops seems like, I spoiled my nail paint. I guess I can just give it a touchup". I took a transparent bottle of nail paint and refreshed my index finger's nail.

"See even the order is here" I got up from my seat and taking a sip from my cup, I passed her another cup at the same time. I kept the money on the tray "the bill is on me Neha" then turning up to the waiter I said, "please keep the change." I gave a smile to Neha and left the cafe.

The next morning I was watching news. And guess what I saw? The news said "A woman in her mid-twenties was found dead in cafe delight. The workers at the cafe said she was fine when she came. She collapsed at the gate when she was leaving and before she could be taken to the hospital she was dead. The doctors said that it is due to multiple organ failure."

What I did next was I opened my handbag and took out my transparent nail paint bottle and threw it in the dustbin. then I took out my brown diary and from the list of the chemicals written, I strike off arsenic.

You know what? I just dipped my one nail in her latte." and she closed the diary and smiled. 

And hence once again like a loyal friend, the black diary kept her secret safe.