Remember Me In Pain

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Bee- whoop

As my phone rang, I jumped over the sofa where it was kept. But my mum is also as swift as I am. Bang, we smashed our heads.

Oouch-ooh

After seconds of howling, I realised that I was sitting on my phone. I stroke my hand under my back to find it. Finally, I got it but as soon as my mum saw it in my hand, she pounced to grab it. The phone rang again.

“Let me see who this is.” I screamed.

“No, go and study!” mum replied.

Well, she’s my mum. So, I had to follow her commands. But yeah after minutes of useless bargain.

“K!” I said despondently and left the room.

As I sat on the chair and opened the book, my mum entered the room.

“How do you zoom in photos?” she asked.

“Sorry.....Got to study...Exams!” I replied.

“A minute helping me won’t fail you.” She replied savagely.

I whipped and nodded.

I reverse pinched the screen to zoom in and showed how it’s done to mum.

“Now, go back and study!” she said.

“That’s so mean!” I replied.

I studied but for most of the time, pretended to study.

Eventually, dad came back from work and within minutes of his arrival, mum called me to have dinner.

I wished dad and dinner was served.

“Hrithik sent some photos tonight.” Mum said.

“I also got ‘em.” dad replied.

“Now?”

“Got a call from him. I think we should.”

“After all what happened last time? Do think it’s a good idea?”

“Hrithik’s mum is the only one who supported you. Alas! Whatever happened shouldn’t‘ve happened but......(takes a deep breath) I think we should go.”

“Only because of Hrithik’s request and his mother. Fine. Tomorrow is Rudransh’s last exam.”

“I’ll book tickets.”

“Whass happin’ guys? Would you mind telling me?” I asked them.

“We’re going to India for your cousin’s wedding!” my mum replied.

“K, do I also need to accompany you?” I asked.

“Yes, you’re coming with us, honey!” dad told me.

“But dad-”

“No further discussions.” He replied.

And we’re back

Next day, when I came back home after exam, I was shocked to the scene of my house. Mum was literally packing whole house for the visit.

“Mum, you know we’re settling down there. Then?” I asked.

“I know, I just.........I just got emotional!”

“Emotional? Emotions can make people pack their home, I never knew!”

“Emotions can even pack people!” she said.

While mum packed her luggage, I was given the duty to pack the things that I need or which I can’t live without.

I looked around. Hygiene first. So, I went to washroom where I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste.

But then other things got my eyes which seemed important to me for my survival. So, I took sunscreen, moisturiser, perfume, hairspray, lip balm, scrub and yeah, a pack of soap and shampoo.

“Don’t forget a trimmer! Don’t want you to roam around with your mane.” Dad screamed for other room.

He was right, so, I grabbed my trimmer as well. And yeah, most importantly books. My real saviours.

Mum had already packed my clothes and I gave her my ‘essentials for survival’ which she accepted, giving me a niggling smile.

We took our luggage and left the home after checking that door is perfectly locked, thrice.

We boarded our plane. I was brooding so much about returning to India after what happened last time, so, to reprieve myself I binge watched ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’ while the flight was flying over the Pacific Ocean.

The flight landed on the runway and I realised that this visit was gonna be another adventure. We got off the plane and my mum’s brother, Varun was waiting for us. I was so happy to see him after such a long time.

We got into his car and left for my maternal grandparents’ home. I slid down the glass of the car window and let the wind hit me. I opened my mouth and kept it so until it went dry. Sounds crazy.............uhmm...it is crazy but that was the only thing I could do to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

“Stop this non-sense!” my mum ordered.

“K, I’m sorry.” I replied.

“You still scold him like a child. Come on, he’s grown up now.” Uncle told my mum.

“‘Grown up’ means one who is mature but he’s still a child inside. Ask him to behave as a grown up.” she replied.

I smiled at her and hugged her. The warmth and the comfort, I wanted the moment to stop but the car didn’t and hence we reached our destination.

Get together

I remember that place. That was like my second home. I was not so nervous then. Every step that I was taking towards the gate, I was feeling nostalgia. Every cell in my body was getting the vibes. I was hoping to find grandma in the kitchen cooking some delicious food or she might be sitting reading a book in the courtyard but soon I realised that it was not possible. It was so difficult for me to accept that I would never find her anywhere.

As I entered the house, my 5-years old cousin sister, Anshita hugged me. I too grabbed her and we snuggled. Her smell gave a sense of belongingness. I kissed on her forehead and she did the same on mine.

“We’re also here!” urged my younger cousin brother, Aman who was 16 then. We shook hands and hugged warmly.

“If you’ve got some time then meet us as well!” said my Aunt Anu, Aman’s mum and my mum’s sister.

I touched her feet. She blessed me. Then I wished Aunt Nisha, Anshita’s mum.

We sat together in the parlour. Tea was served. We had some chit-chat, leg-pulling and in a nutshell, we celebrated every single we all spent together.

At evening, Uncle Varun took me and my cousins to the bank of the canal where we had freshly roasted corn with some lemon dressing and the weather was cherry on the cake. It was about to rain but thankfully we got home. We had rice and some fritter dish prepared by my Aunt Anu as our supper. Finally after a tiring yet fun day, we went to bed and that too has its unique story. We shared bed. We three. Me, Aman and Anshita. And it was more or less a nightmare. First of all, instead of sleeping, we played pillow fighting. When were tired of it, we got into our blankets and starting talking about random stuffs. We didn’t realise when we felt asleep but I couldn’t stay in the dreamy world for long. Anshita’s arm slapped my face and Aman’s leg kicked me. They literally suppressed me. I was unable to move.

After minutes of praying and cursing both of them, I got up and took my pillow and blanket. Thankfully, there was a sofa in the room where I slept peacefully for the remaining night.

The alarm beeped at 5 a.m. sharp. I woke up and took a shower. I was lucky because all those who got up late, were moving here and there waiting for their turn to go to bathroom. As I had already taken bath, I was chosen to help in the kitchen but that was not a problem. We had aloo parathas with some masala chai as our breakfast.

After having breakfast and cleaning the mess, we had some lazy moments and then we left as we had to go our home to visit it as it was locked for more than 3 years.

We bid adieu to everyone with a heavy and promise to stay a week before leaving for L.A. this time.

Home sweet home

It took us around an hour to reach our home.

We got off the car and unlocked the iron gate.

In the middle of weeds and over grass lawn, stood a two-storey structure with flower bed on one side and a pool on the other side; it was our house. I was not concerned about the weeds because they were just adding to the natural beauty.

We went to the living room, it was deserted. There was a just sofa that was lying covered with dust.

“Dad, should sell or rent it?” I asked.

“No. This is our home. I bought it for us. Maybe not now.” Dad replied while was touching the walls as if his touch was healing them. I could see tears in his eyes.

We spent some time hanging around in the house and wishing our neighbours and then finally after an hour stay, we left for our final destination; our ancestral village.

After 5 years

I was feeling sort of nostalgic or maybe I should call it nervousness. Deep inside I didn’t want us to go back there. But I couldn’t do anything. I took the back the car and decided to take a nap. It took with minutes to fell asleep.

A jerk woke me up.

“Welcome to village, beta (son).” dad replied as he saw that I had woken up. “Why don’t you sit properly and enjoy the view?”

“View? Where we are?” I asked.

“Just a few minutes away from our destination.”

I nodded half-heartedly.

I slid down the window of the car. The fields were covered with paddy plants and the green colour was being complemented by the evening sky which had hues of orange-red colour. The sun was half hidden behind the clouds and the other half of it was spreading its rays, adding to the beauty of the scene. The birds were singing some songs in the name of their lovers. The plants were dancing with the winds.

The squirrel was coming down the tree, collected something and then climbed the tree again. The farmers were working hard in the field. Some were changing the direction of the stream of water to the other field, some were cutting the fodder and some were just looking at their hard work bearing fruits while some were going home in bullock cart. And of course, then there was another bump which made my head hit the roof of the car.

I looked at myself in the mirror, dressed my hair and applied some perfume.

After many turns and through narrow and then wide roads we finally reached my grandparents’ home.

The car stopped. So, did my heart for a second.

I looked out of the window. I recognised that house. Single storeyed, off white in colour due to years of exposure and brick courtyard.

I was very hesitant. I took a deep breath and opened the window of the car. I got out. So did my mum and then dad.

I looked around. Everything looked as it was years ago. Maybe Doctor Uncle had restored his house and maybe Mr. Sharma had constructed a garage which also meant that he bought a car. But still that place felt so unfamiliar and estranged. Mrs. Sharma saw us from her terrace.

“Uma, it’s been so long!” she yelled at mum.

“Yeah. Long time, Santosh Di.” Mum replied.

There was a boy at the terrace of the house next to Mrs. Sharma’s house. I didn’t recognise him. Maybe they shifted there after we left the place. Maybe he was visiting his relatives or maybe he worked at that house. I don’t know what not I speculated about him before I realised that his house was not there when we left.

I kept on staring at him until he turned and went away.

We rang the bell. My younger cousin, Karan opened the door. He wished my mum and me and then touched our feet. Through the roofed porch, we entered the hall where everyone else was waiting for us. My grandmother, Prakasho Devi was sitting on the diwan bed while my elder aunt, Rani was working in the kitchen. My younger aunt, Neha was sitting by my grandma’s side on the sofa. My elder uncle, Sunil was also sitting on the other sofa whose son’s wedding was the reason of our visit to India after that incident. As expected my younger uncle Sameer was not there though his children, Nirav and Prince were present.

I wished everyone in the room but when my younger aunt, Neha didn’t wish my mum, I regretted wishing her.

Out of the woods

Aunt Rani came with some glasses of water.

As I just took a sip, a loud fragile voice called my name. It was grandpa’s. I followed him immediately. My cousins and Uncle Sunil also accompanied me.

Grandpa used to stay in a room next which opened outside the house in the courtyard and the only way through which it was connected with the house was a window which opened in the porch. It was so because he used to be a lawyer and people used him even after he took retirement to take advice.

I entered the room where was father was sitting on one cot and grandpa sat the other adjacent to it. I wished him but that was not enough; I had to touch his feet. Well, I’m not against anything but I can’t touch people’s feet because it sounds so unhygienic unless they have recently washed them. So, after touching his feet he hugged the hell out of me.

“Why don’t you settle here?” he asked.

“Well, my education does not have much scope here.” I replied.

“Why do think about marriage? I’m getting old-”

“But you getting old.....My marriage. They’re completely different things. I’m not 21 yet, I’m doing my Bachelors. Come on!”

Then he went on and on and I had to reply each of his queries.

Finally when grandma called that supper was ready, I took a breath of relief.

I went to washroom as I wanted to have a bath to get rid of the tiredness. I came out of the bathroom wearing a robe and then I wore my shrug. Everyone was looking at me like I was wearing something inappropriate. Then supper was served.

It was rice and curry.

The staring didn’t stop even then. They were wondering why I was eating so slowly. I had to clarify to everyone that it was my natural speed to eat and I loved the food.

The only thing that was bothering me was aunt Neha and uncle Sameer. I wanted to be as nasty as I could with them because of the incident but I couldn’t. I decided that I was not going to think about the two and concentrate on enjoying.

I brushed my teeth and then before sleeping got some moisturiser and then tied eye mask. The stares followed me because they were amazed to see my night rituals which were makeup in their views.

 

The meet

I couldn’t sleep well that night because I could feel the hate around me. I saw the deception in those eyes. So, next morning I woke up early or better say that I got up from the bed early because I was unable to have a sound sleep. I got my phone and ear buds. I decided to go on a jog.

Quietly, I opened the gate and went out. It was nearly 3 a.m. then. As I was walking in those known-unknown streets, the air was kissing me. Sometimes it was so hard that it blew the cap of my hooded sweatshirt. I turned off the music and started to enjoy the hits of the wind. I kept on walking until I reached the outskirts of the village.

I thought I was the only one who woke up so early but I was wrong. Farmers were working in the fields. That moment I realised how difficult farming is. I guessed that they were changing the direction of the handmade streams. I couldn’t resist. That boy- that boy whom I saw last evening at the terrace was also there. I don’t know why but I thought I knew him. So, I headed towards him.

He saw me coming and I saw that he saw me. I waved at him and kept on waving because that’s what you do. I thought he would reply but he didn’t. It’s such a great idea to keep on waving at someone and not looking down while walking on a narrow trail. And yeah- I slipped down that trail.

It sounds safe as mud can’t hurt but those stones, husk particles, branches etc. can and do so badly.

“Are you okay?” he asked, lending his hands to support me.

“I guess so!” I replied.

He laughed. Laughed hysterically, showing his bunny teeth. That’s not done. You shouldn’t laugh at someone who just slipped and is in pain.

“What the hell you were thinking?” he asked.

“Nothing. I just got excited to see y’all working and I too wanted to try it.” I replied.

“Try it? Well I think you should better see but I don’t think that you should try it if you want to go back on two legs.” He gave me an evil smile.

“Are you challenging me?”

“Well, challenging means that you can compete with me. I’m betting that you can’t or better say, it’s a warning!”

“Alright then, let’s see!”

“Okay, we’ll see.”

I followed him.

He pointed to a sack and then asked me to relocate it, so that the water can into other field. I thought it would be easy. Yeah it was but only in my thoughts.

I tried to lift it. I failed.

I tried to lift it again. I failed again.

I tried to lift it again with all my core strength and it lifted a few centimetres! But soon after it slipped off my hand. So do me from cloud nine.

I again tried o lift it but this time, again l fell into that mud.

And yeah, he too laughed again hysterically, showing off his brown hairs that were dancing with his movements.

“You’re so-” he said and relocated the sack in one go.

I was kinda impressed but that’s not what I was supposed to. I was supposed to come up with a savage comeback of his laughter but no. I just decided to let it go.

“I clean ourselves at the tube well.” he said.

I followed him.

He jumped into the bathtub-like thing into which the water from tube well was falling and then the water was going into the handmade streams.

“Come on!” he said while he was enjoying in that thing as if he was a fish.

I just washed my hands and face. He then changed his clothes. He must say that he had pretty impressive muscles. He was about of my height and had a tanned skin but only on places that were not covered under his sleeves-folded shirt and trousers folded upto his knee.

I don’t know why but I waited until he was done. Then through that trail we again returned to road.

“It was nice meeting you!” he said, giving me a smile.

‘Wish I could say the same’ I muttered.

As I saw him going, I realised that I didn’t know the way back home.

So, I ran after him and knocked at his back.

“Excuse me but I don’t know the way back home.” I told him but after saying the same, I wanted to bury myself deep in the Earth.

“Well, just follow me.” He replied.

I started following him. To make things less awkward and stop thinking ‘bout embarrassing myself, I said, “Rudransh.”

“What?” he replied.

“My name is Rudransh and yours?”

“Oh! My name is Aayaan with double ‘A’s twice.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because it’s ‘yaan’ not ‘yan’.”

“What?”

“Forget about it? What do you do?”

“I’m studying Physiotherapy.”

“Wow! Would you mind explaining it?”

“Yeah. I cure pains.”

“Physical or mental or emotional?”

“Mostly Physical but I don’t mind treating the latter two as well. And you’re a farmer?”

“No. I treat plants. I cure them and fetch people’s hunger.”

I smiled at his answer. Maybe I judged him too early. We kept on talking until we reached my home.

“It was nice meeting you!” I told him as I opened the gate.

I know him

By the time I was backing home, everyone was awake and breakfast was being prepared. I brushed my teeth and had bath.

I sat along grandma and my cousins with whom I didn’t had much of talk. Breakfast was served. I was sitting between Hrithik and grandma because I wanted to avoid Nirav and Prince.

“How does it feel when you’re getting married in a few months?” I asked to annoy Hrithik.

“I know why you’re asking this, stop pulling my leg. BTW, you might have a girlfriend? Is she Indian or American?” he replied.

“Come on, you know I’m very much single.”

“Hrithik, then he might have a ‘boyfriend’. It is very common in America.” said Prince.

“Yeah I do.” I replied. I know he was saying so just to annoy me and hence I needed to fail him.

“I knew that?” Nirav said.

“Knew what?” I asked.

“That you’re a fag!” Prince replied.

“Really? The same way I knew that your father-” I wanted say a lot of things but that was not right time to do so. “Listen, mind your own business and yeah.....Leave it, you’re not of my class.”

“Yeah, our class is higher.” Prince said.

“As you like it, honey.” I replied and smiled at him.

After having breakfast ‘peacefully’ my grandma decided to make me meet everyone in the neighbourhood. I didn’t approve the same but I had no options. She took me to Mrs. Sharma’s house and then to Doctor Uncle’s house and then she said, “Now, let’s go to our new neighbour, Mr. Sheokhand.”

She rang the bell and a boy opened the door.

“Is your dad here?” grandma asked.

“Yes aunty!” he replied.

“Meet Rudransh, he’s my grandson and he’s-” grand said while pointing at him but I interrupted her and said, “I know him. He’s Aayaan with double ‘A’s twice in his name!”

“How do you know?” she asked.

“I met him this morning.” I replied.

Then we went to his house. His house was pretty spacious. His father was also a farmer. I felt very comfy while meeting his father who had an amazing sense of humour.

Before we left, grandma invited them to the Janmashtami celebration.

The celebration night

We celebrated the terrace with lights and the shrine with fragrant flowers. We spread the carpets in the porch and then a decorated swing was placed with Lord Krishna sitting in it. Other things like flowers, lamps, fruits etc. were also placed there. As soon as we finished the decorations, people also started gathering.

By around 10 a.m., the night started with bhajans. All of us were lost in the holy chants. I grabbed my camera and clicked as many photos as I could. The night ended with Aarti and then prashad was distributed. It was dhaniya pangiri and khoya barfi prepared by my grandma. The responsibility to distribute them was gives to us; me and Aayaan. After distributing, we got time to eat it. Aayaan looked crazy while eating that dhaniya pangiri because he didn’t like it much.

“So, what are you doing tomorrow?” I asked him.

“Nothing, just water the crops and then feed cattle.” he replied.

“Can also come to help you feed the cattle?”

“Help? I’m sorry I heard ‘help’.”

“I said it.”

“If never knew when the meaning of ‘help’ changed into failing miserably.”

“Hahhahah! How funny. Please can I also come?”

“Okay. Tomorrow, 4 p.m. sharp.”

“He will help you? Come on, he can’t help himself when we make fun of him. Remember once we threw slippers at him and made him run in the streets to protect himself!” Prince said.

I felt so angry. He was making things up to embarrass me. But before I could say anything, Aayaan replied, “Really? You threw slippers. Hmmmm, I thought you might have throw dung.”

“Sounds like a great idea. I’ll collect some tomorrow and then throw at him.” Nirav said.

“Why to wait till tomorrow, grab some right now!” Aayaan replied.

“Now? Where can we get it now?” Prince asked.

“Your head! It is filled with it. Oh wait, you both are walking dung cakes!” he replied and then gave me his comforting smiled. Though he made Nirav and Prince angry but he made my day.

Next day, I went to the place where he used to keep his cattle. He showed me the machine with which the fodder was minced and then I helped him feed them. I successfully fed all the cattle without creating any problem. I guess Aayaan and his cattle, both were impressed by my job and therefore, he invited me to milk them.

I escaped the force of being kicked by the cattle twice but finally I was able to collect a bucket of milk. He allowed me to take it to my house. Everyone was happy though I could see something fishy in some eyes.

Eleven days

“Ganesha Chaturthi is approaching. Ain’t we gonna celebrate it?” I asked my grandma.

We belonged to the north of the country; hence my grandparents were aware of the festivals but never celebrated it. I was an exception as I was bought up in a multicultural city; I used to celebrate it every year. So, I made my grandparents also agree to commemorate it.

For the same, I went to Aayaan’s fields and asked him, “I want 2 kilos of soils. How much do I need to pay?” He was pretty confused. I told him everything and after hours of debate, I made him accept the payment.

I took the soil and removed all the coarse particles from it. Them I dried it under sunlight. Once it did, I passed it through a sieve and then added some water and kerosene to it.

I kneaded that soil like dough and then with my wet hands, I moulded the soil into an idol. Every time I make the idol with some theme. That time, the idol was sitting on a wood log with bushes and flowers on both sides. The theme colour was green and red.

That idol was placed at the shrine and all the other rituals were performed. Every evening, neighbours used to visit and pray there. I used to make something sweet every day. Aayaan also used to visit us every day.

Then something happened one day. Sameer Uncle came.

My nervous increased by many folds. I knew something bad would happen but when and what; it was uncertain.

The celebration continued. On the eleventh day, the idol was immersed in water. After that Navratri celebrations started and so did the shopping for Hrithik’s wedding.

“How is it in America?” Sameer Uncle asked me one day, during Navratri. It was not expected.

“Good. Uhh, pretty good!” I replied, hesitantly.

“What are you planning to do next?”

“Depends upon-”

“-What his boyfriend oblique future husband says?” Prince interrupted me.

“I don’t mean to start a fight but he has been crossing his levels. You need to do something.” I told Sameer Uncle.

“Do what? You deal with him. He’s your brother.” he replied.

 “But he’s your son. I can’t cross limits like him. My parents never taught so.”

“What do you mean? I’ve taught him so?”

“No, but you can stop him.”

“I cannot. I am just a poor man struggling to survive, not like your father who’s well settled.”

“First of all, you are not struggling, I know it for sure. Next has worked really hard to be who is today.”

“I’m not struggling? Really? Your father got job, I didn’t. Who’s struggling?”

“Father got job because he worked hard to get it. You didn’t get job. I got it but you got all the damn ancestral property!”

“Got property? That was my right!”

“My father is also a son of this family. He also had right on that property but because of you-”

“Who’s crossing limits now? Your parents taught you so?”

“Saying truth is not crossing limits.” dad said, defending me.

“Go out. I’ll deal with it.” Dad told me.

I went to the terrace. It was cold there but that was not as cold as some people’s heart.

Aayaan saw me. He came to me.

“What are you planning-” he said but then he saw my eyes filled with tears.

He stopped his words and held my hands and then hugged me. I got what I needed; I shoulder to shed tears upon.

“What do it happens?” I said.

“Happens what?” he asked.

“People never respect the innocents. You sacrifice something for someone who love but then that someone calls you ‘fool.’ Being fraud is the best, these days.”

“No. Frauds pay one day or the other. Innocence fruits one day or the other.”

“These things only look good in books.”

“Frauds have poison and you know poison kills no one but the utensil in which it is kept.”

“But-”

“Shhhhh...” he looked at me with eyes saying something but didn’t understand what.

Outing

Aayaan decided to plan an outing. I accepted because I wanted to stay out of the house, as long as possible.

He took me to his fields, on his motorbike. He was a great driver because he got us there, safe and sound even after showing me some crazy driving skills.

We climbed up the mango tree in the middle of field full of sugarcane. We had the pakoras, his mother had prepared and the pasta that I cooked. Then of course, we had some freshly picked sugarcane. I made him listen to some English songs which he didn’t like much.

Then he took me to the tube well and this time, I also jumped into that bath-tub like thing.

As we were enjoying, we heard Prince and Nirav’s voice. I was in mood to have a fight again, so, Aayaan took me to a cottage near the tube well. It was nothing more but a bricked structure with tin shed and cemented floor. He locked the iron door.

I felt something.

“Aayaan.” I called him as I never did.

“Rudransh.” He replied.

I was biting my lips.

I touched his cheeks and held them in my hands. He grabbed me from my back and pulled me towards himself. He tilted his face. So did I. But in opposite directions. I looked at his eyes and then at his lips. They were saying something to me again and I didn’t understand again.

 He rubbed his hands on my back and I rubbed his cheeks. I closed my eyes and then he brushed his lips over mine.

We kissed. He again brushed my lips but I stopped him and said, “I’m not ready yet.”

As we got out of the cottage, we found Nirav and Prince standing outside outside.

“What were you both doin’ here?” Prince asked.

“Makin’ out. Do you have any problem, ‘Aunty.’” Aayaan replied sarcastically.

I’m ready

Hrithik’s wedding was approaching. So, he went to shopping with my mum, aunts and his father. Grandma also accompanied them.

I was feeling a bit off, so I decided stay at home. I served lunch to grandpa and father. Then they both went on to have an afternoon nap.

Aayaan came and asked if I was feeling well. I was but I pretended as if I was not. So, he made soup for me. It was not delicious but when he was feeding me with those dreamy looks, I couldn’t refuse. I finished the soup and then locked the door.

I grabbed his cheeks and the brushed my lips over his. I kissed him and then tested the waters.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Just telling you that I’m ready.” I replied.

He kissed me again.

Unexpected

We were lost in our world when we heard some whispers.

We looked out through the window. There was no one. But I was sure there was someone there a few moments ago. As soon as I stepped out of the room, everything looked normal until something fishy got my eyes. The window. It was open. I closed it but I might have forgotten to lock it.

Oh no. Maybe it was Prince or maybe Nirav or maybe both of them. I decided to look for them at the grandpa’s room. But as soon as I entered his room, I found that both of them were sitting with dad. Dad had a phone in his hand.

Dad saw me.

“You both should go out.” dad told them. “What is this?” he said, giving me the mobile.

There were pictures of me and Aayaan kissing.

“We told you uncle-” Nirav said.

“...I told you both to leave the room.” dad told them. “Actually, Rudransh you follow me.”

I held my hand and took me to a room on the first floor. His grip was just a percent of his emotions.

“What was that?” he asked as soon as he entered the room and locked it.

“Dad-”

He slapped me.

“I don’t want to make a scene here. I’m not angry that you kissed him, a boy but here? You know what kinda mentality these people have?”

“I’m-”

“We’ll talk about it once we leave this place. But until that you’ll not meet that guy. Is that clear?”

“Yes dad.”

He exited, smashing the door. He threw the phone at Prince who caught it. They both entered the room. They wanted to blackmail the hell out of me but thanks to my dad.

“His father deleted those damn photos!” said Nirav.

“Look in recently deleted folder.” said Prince.

“I did. He deleted them!” he replied.

They were so pissed off that they too left without saying anything.

Marriage

Hrithik’s wedding rituals started. Dad always kept an eye on me and never left me alone because he knew it would give them an opportunity to torture me.

The wedding took place successfully. I didn’t saw Aayaan after that day.

After we came back home with the bride, dad told mom to pack bags we were leaving the next day. Mum agreed.

I was not able to fell asleep that night. I got up and went to terrace as dad was asleep at least believed him to be. I looked at Aayaan’s terrace. I hoped to find him there but he was not. I wanted to meet him, one last time. So, crossing the two houses’ terraces in between, I got to his terrace. I knew he used to sleep in a room at one side on the terrace. I knocked that door. No one answered.

I pushed the window. It opened. He was lying on bed. I whispered and then he saw me. He opened the door and as soon as he did, I hugged him.

“Sorry for-” he said.

“I’m sorry.” I replied.

“I’m going back tomorrow.”

“I’m happy for you. Now, you won’t have to deal with these people.” He said after having a pause.

“I’m leaving.”

“I know. I knew it, right from the moment you saw at my terrace when you stepped out of the car.”

“I don’t when I would return, maybe I would never return.”

“I knew it too when I asked my name, the first time.”

“We may never meet again.”

“I knew it as well when I realised that I was in love with you.”

“I love you too!”

“Go. If you don’t want more trouble.”

“I will always pray for your well being. I will always remember you, every time I will see the soil. ”

“I will always remember you, every time I’ll‘ve pain.”

I left his terrace and then went back to my home where I kept on weeping inside my blanket.

Next morning, we grabbed our luggage. Cab arrived.

Mum got into the car, do did dad. I looked at his terrace for one last time. He was there and as soon as I saw him, he turned and went away. I too got into the car.

“I am gonna miss Mother Nature in America. Let’s enjoy this one last time.” said my mum.

I looked out of the window. Those fields, those farmers, those birds; they all were weeping that gave someone a pain and someone a memory of someone special that he lost.

I wanted to pray that he never feels pain but if that happens that he would not remember me.

The journey ended but ending is new beginning.