The Truce

After the long silence and time with himself, Aditya absorbed the possibility of never being able to return or to be killed at the time of return. He decided to conduct himself gracefully. Saina resolved to herself, not to be affected by anyone’s judgement about her. “I know what I am up to, and rightly so.” She thought to herself. 

Aditya stood up and walked up to the rock where she was sitting. She could tell from his shadow but took a long while to acknowledge and look at him. On meeting her eyes, he kneeled, with one knee down and positioned himself comfortably. He took a moment to look at her, trying to gauge her mind and spoke “Saira, whether I live or not, whether I return to my time or not, this is the last day I have with you. What is the best thing we can do this day.” 

Saira felt a surge of mixed emotions. She expected to hear anything but this from him. This vibe of compassion overwhelmed her. She swallowed the tears that half welled up her eyes, feeling determined not to get carried away. She stared at him until she could muster some words “I am sorry” she said and tears gushed out of her eyes. She cried profusely, not able to fathom her emotions. Aditya stood up and took a step back, wanting to give her some space. “Amma could be in danger because of us,” she said suddenly. “I thought so too,” said Aditya and continued. “We can come to that in a while.” She looked up at him, now calming down to slow sobs. 

“I did not mean to make you feel like an object,” she said. “Well, I understand, we had the least opportunity, with all the trouble we have been getting into,” he said. “So you think I come from the good ones or the bad ones?” she asked.

Aditya chuckled before saying “Look, I don’t know what the world is in your time. I have no judgement.” Saira spoke nothing. “Look, I know nothing about why you have come to me. What is the mission you are on? I do not know what I am supposed to help you with.” he said. “It's all just the way you have written in your books,” she said. “I told you. I haven't written them. Yet.” he said. She fell silent again. “You don’t understand at all?” she asked. “Not at all,” he said. She fell silent again, wondering where to begin. 

“Let me begin with where you know it from. Firstly you know right, that there have been two people who came after you, just when we left,” she said. “Yes, that is what I saw later from the clip from Vyom.” he said. “Well they came to you, with the same question that I had,” she said. “That is..whether I have travelled in time, or whether I have some alien connections,” he said. “Yes,” said Saira. “I told you, neither of them is true. Nothing can be extracted out of someone who really has no clue.” he snapped. “They would have killed you anyway,” she said. “Whyy” he said. “In all likelihood, they are waiting for us to return to your time,” she said.  

"Anyway? Why would they kill me anyway,” asked Aditya. “Because that’s how they work.” retorted Saira. Aditya looked puzzled. “Because they are from Mars,” she continued. “So,” said Aditya. “Don't you get it,” she said, slightly annoyed to see his puzzled look. “But..they looked like humans,” he said. “Not funny,” said Saira. “What. Would you please explain? How do you expect me to get the whole thing, with the utterings of phrases that you are making?” he said frowning. “Oh, come on..you have written,” she said, while Aditya interrupted saying, “I told you I haven't written yet. In fact I made no plans of writing all the things you told me. I have no clue what you are talking about.” Saira stared at him for a long while, with disbelief and suspicion. Then, making up her mind, to start the discussion afresh, she said. “Okay, let me speak to you as if you know nothing.” Aditya opened his mouth to tell that she did not have to make an assumption out of facts, but instead, decided to close his mouth and give a nod.