The Dead End

"No! Don't destroy it,” Shibhu said, clutching Aira’s hand. “What! Why?” she said, taken aback. Shibhu replied, “If we destroy this positioner, then Nevin and Rasheek would not be able to reach us.” “That’s exactly what we want!” Aira said interrupting. “No, that's...not,” Shibhu began to respond, while Aira interrupted “What! Why have you been running away then.” 

 Shibhu gently plucked the positioner from her hand and punched it into his left palm. “Will you explain what's going on?” Aira said, rolling her eyes. “No,” he said shrugging. “Okay, I am listening. Please” she said. “Why should I tell you,” Shibhu said softly. “Because I don't know,” she said. “Don't know what,” he said. “I don't know why we are supposed to meet Nevin and Rasheek,” she said.  

“What are we supposed to do then,” he said calmly. “We are supposed to stop them from reaching Aditya. Get the information from Aditya.” said sounding obvious. “What will happen if we leave back to our time now,” he said. “They...will stay here and get after Aditya” she said. She added “Okay I get it. But we still cant meet them. We cannot confront them.” “I agree we cannot confront them. I am not even sure if we should meet them. I only know that we cannot disconnect from them right away. We need to think.” he said. “Yes...” she gasped. 

 “What did Aditya tell you,” Shibhu asked. “Nothing. He knows nothing about time travel. He neither came across anybody who travelled in time...except me of course” Aira gasped. “What!” Shibhu said. “Yes, he doesn't,” she said. “No!” Shibhu said. “He really has no clue. I'm sure he dosent know” Aira reiterated. “How can that be. All that he has written.” Shibhu said while Aira interrupted “No, he hasn't.” “What!” Shibhu said. Aira replied “He has not even written all those books. I mean, not yet. He has so far only written the first one. He wrote it by himself, with some help from his AI, not with the help from any external beings or time travelers.”  

“That can't be!” Shibhu said anxiously. Aira looked at him, surprised and trying to fathom the change of emotions in Shibhu. “Did he not meet you before?” he asked. “No. What! No, Of course not. What kind of a question is that” Aira said, now feeling confused.  

“He must know something. Let me speak to him” Shibhu said, turning around to spot Aditya. “It's pointless” Aira said raising her voice. “He has no answers he only has questions. You are going to speak nothing to him. First, tell me what is this you are talking about.” Aira added, holding him back by his arm. “This was your only chance,” Shibhu said nearly engulfed in sadness. “I just don't get what you are talking about” Aira shrieked. 

“Aditya has nothing to tell us about time travel...” Shubhu muttered, his body shrinking with sadness. Aira stared at him, surprised and confused to see the sadness in Shibhu. “Shibhu..” she said, gently holding his arm. He patted her on her back as if consoling her. Aira grew more surprised and confused to see Shubhu’s reaction. “I...I am okay,” she said hesitatingly. He held her closer to himself and patted her arm. While she remained confused, she involuntarily patted him too and shared his sadness.