The Silver Anklet by Mahtab Narsimhan

“Don’t take any chances. Good luck.”
    â€œYou should take your clothes off,” said Vayu.
    They all gaped at him.
    â€œYou think I have a better chance of escaping if I’m naked?” said Kabir.
    â€œYou’ll be able to get through those bars a lot easier,” said Vayu. “We can always throw the clothes out the window once you’re through.”
    â€œOf course,” said Kabir with a faint smile. “Good idea.” He took off his shorts and shirt, stripping down to his underwear. His lean body shone with sweat.
    â€œWell, this is it,” he said. He looked around.
    â€œI wish you weren’t going, Kabir,” said Tara. “I don’t like this at all.”
    â€œI have to, Tara. This could be our only chance. Will you promise me something?” His tone was very serious.
    â€œOf course, Kabir.”
    â€œIf anything were to happen to me, promise me you’ll get Sadia back home. Promise me!”
    â€œStop it, Kabir. You’re scaring me talking this way.”
    He took her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes. “ Promise me! ”
    Tara felt the blood rush to her face and was glad that it was dark. “I promise, Kabir. If every last one of you abandons me and I am left all alone to rescue Sadia, I promise to bring her back.” She forced herself to laugh though she wanted to be sick. “There, happy now? It’ll never happen that way, you know. I’m very sure.”
    â€œThank you,” said Kabir. “Now my mind is at peace.”
    Vayu patted Kabir on the back and then hoisted him up on his shoulders. Kabir clambered on to the narrow ledge nimbly. He slid his right leg through the bars easily. He fitted his torso between them and eased it through in small, gentle movements, coaxing his bones to shift and flatten. They watched in silence.
    Tara had positioned herself by the door. Her ear was pressed to it, but her eyes were glued to Kabir, silhouetted against the window.
    Kabir was halfway through when he stopped.
    Move , pleaded Tara silently. We don’t have all night . Kabir took a deep breath and pushed, but he did not budge an inch; his ribcage was jammed tight between the narrow vertical bars. He stared down at them, the whites of his eyes unusually large.
    â€œI’m stuck,” he gasped.
    â€œCome back down, Kabir,” said Ananth. “We’ll try something else.”
    â€œCan’t. Move.” He sucked in his breath and tried yet again, groaning. “Back hurts.”
    Tara ran closer and realized why his face was so scrunched up. Kabir’s back was a mass of scratches from the sharp edges of the rusted metal bars, and slick with blood.
    â€œStop it and come down immediately, Kabir,” said Tara. “You’re hurt! There has to be another way.”
    â€œHave … to do this,” panted Kabir. “Just … try … harder.”
    Don’t let anyone come now , Tara prayed. Right on cue, she heard footsteps.
    â€œSomeone’s coming!” said Tara. “Oh my God, we’ll be caught. Someone get him down. Quick!”
    â€œKabir, please hurry,” whispered Raani. “I can hear them, too. They’re coming fast.”
    â€œArrghhhh,” said Kabir pushing harder. He barely moved an inch. “Ananth. Help.”
    â€œHoist me up, Vayu,” said Ananth. Vayu made a cradle with his palms again and Ananth scrambled up.
    â€œSteady now,” he said.
    Vayu grunted in reply.
    Ananth pushed Kabir gently. He did not budge a centimetre.
    â€œQuick, Ananth, quick .” said Tara.
    â€œSorry, Kabir,” said Ananth. “This is going to hurt.”
    Ananth pushed hard. Kabir yelped as his body shot through. His head was still on their side of the bars.
    The footsteps were closer now. Someone was singing tunelessly.
    Ananth wrestled with Kabir’s head, trying to ease it through. Raani twisted her dupatta into a tight ball