'Is Pal' (This Moment)
The clear skies boasted of unmatched radiance as flocks of birds explored their realm' soaring to the heights of the oceanic depth' In some fixed corner rested the bright, circular object breathing existence into the inhabitants of the quickly awakening life below'
Removing the stiff' impassive gaze from the mass of blue roofing the universe' he let out a train of tried curses' A thick gust of frosty air impinged on the little if any' sense of comfort enveloping his body' For a moment, he stood immobile' as though challenging the airy waves of nature' beckoning them' Perhaps, in a sense' pleading' to bring him down' But no such force had the least of affect on his hardened soul. Frustrated, he tightened the woolen scarf around his neck' whilst jamming his hands in the pockets of the long coat bearing his bulk' Curses' Another bleak winter day' like so many passed' Indeed, that is what his life had become' a long' unrelenting winter' Days had torturously faded into months' which had at some point' melted unknowingly into years. Slamming the door behind' he walked briskly towards his fairly new machine' a sleek, black ride' a heavenly treat for automobile fanatics' but with little sense of purpose beyond its transportation function for those as himself. As he strode quietly' the sound of his boot-covered feet crunched against the fresh cap of snow painted across the plains' The chilly air stung at his balmy skin, yet provoked not the least of a reaction. Anxiously, his fingers fumbled with the key as it drove into the ignition now' curses' Finally, the startling roar of the engine breathed into the still air' Turning on the heat, he sat' allowing the vehicle to gear up' Unknown to the impulse' he felt his fingers turn the knob to the radio'
Summer' has come and passed' the innocent can never last'
Wake me up' when September ends'
His eyes unwillingly found the illuminating figure resting far in the skies once more' It's presence provoking only irritancy as he blinked, quickly looking away'
Like my fathers' come to past' seven years has gone so fast'
Wake me up' when September ends'
The casual glance fell fleetingly upon the digital clock display above the music-emitting compartment of the car interior' Same as the other day' every day' He had awaken' performed the usual duties' and landed in his car' at precisely the same moment' Time had faded into a monotonous' compulsory rhyme'
Here comes the rain again' falling from the stars'
Drenched in my pain again' becoming who we are'
Staring at nothing in particular' his eyes randomly found the subtlest of snowflakes' as it came slowly down to its demise' melting onto the steel of his side-mirror' As another came flowing down in a feather-like manner' his face twitched in faintly evident surprise as his palm outstretched' as the droplet melted onto his palm' a familiar sense of loss crept within him once more' A feeling he had come to live with' eternalize' Slowly, his fingers bent into a soft ball' holding it against his chest'
As my memory rests' but never forget' what I lost'
Wake me up' when September ends'
The air now reeked of morning bustles' as the neighbourhood became alive with activity' He watched intently as two little children came running out of a pushed open door' their laughter far-reaching the protests of a worried-looking lady' her soft features twisted in a mix of motherly affection and concern' Other vehicles aligned to the side of the road now rendered active' warming the inhabitants' and gearing up for the day' Such an oblivious world it was'
***
As he stepped into the all-too familiar white building' his hold on the dark briefcase unknowingly tightened. Ignoring the apprehensive glances grazing his entry' as well as the cordial 'mornings'' he continued unmoved' authoritatively towards his cabin' The door creaked lightly shut behind, as he threw down the briefcase atop the table' whilst tossing the long-coat and scarf on the coat hanger aside. In practiced manner, he stood over the papers on the oak surface of his bureau' skimming the contents and asserting his acceptance with a scribble of a signature where need be. Satisfied, the pen fell uselessly from between his fingers as he turned to leave' As though sensing his intention, the door flung open' an air of urgency flowing from the person entering.
'Dr. Mehra, there is a cardiac emergency just now arriving' your immediate attention is required'' The lady in the white robe looked at him questioningly, while her heaving speech faded away' He stared at her for an excruciating minute' his face unreadable to her eyes' Her eyes' shamelessly ingested his dark' sophisticated features' the rage in between many female circles' but a mystery as well' Taking out his own medical garment, he instructed her calmly' 'Carly, get the paramedics some quick assistance' I'll be there shortly.' With that, he sat into his chair' giving a notion of occupancy as his finger flipped through the already addressed papers. The lady stood unmoving for a minute' as though observing the difficult man' his calm behavior in dire situations always amazed her' and not just her, the entire hospital raved of Dr. Vikram-Aditya Mehra's distant' insensitive mannerisms. From the three years she had known him to be there, he had been labeled a hard shell' some called him bitter' and those having come to him with an emergency, would immediately deem him cold-hearted with his blatancy' Yet the same flock would come later offering an endless stream of 'thanks', as their beloved took ready to home. Her eyes followed the circular movement of his long fingers' as they gyrated the transparent-shaded paperweight' Engrossed in the insignificant action, she jumped slightly as the circular object went rolling across the surface of the desk' and fell to the floor' The sound of its bitter clash with the ground lingered momentarily in the air' as she recollected herself' and quickly exited'
As the door clicked shut' he internally breathed a deep sigh' before pulling open the side-drawer' Inside, his fingers recaptured the familiarity of the dark leather as he pulled out the pocket-sized diary' His usually firm hands now trembled slightly' the only time they ever had' as he flipped open to the page' holding the remnants of his life' marked so distinctly' The sweet odor of the paling rose scent engulfed his senses' as the memories locked in time' now released' temptingly' A moment' captured in time' flashed merrily before' He could vividly recall the day the she had been arrested in the photograph'
(Flashback)
He gave her a 'you-are-hopeless' look as she struggled to keep still' A guilty expression hovered over her beautiful features as she straightened herself once more' fixing herself into place. Smiling with satisfaction, he signaled to her with an upright thumb, as his eye caught her in the lens of the camera' When her composed persona suddenly burst into laughter' He looked up from behind the technical jumble and flashed her a stern look' all that went unheeded as she continued to giggle' Unable to take it anymore, he felt her childish innocence overwhelm him' her giggles erupting into hearty laughter upon his own lips' In sensing his helpless defeat yet again' she jumped out of her spot on the wooden stool' As she lifted her graceful figure' the fresh view of autumn echoed through the clear window behind' His laughter slowly faded' a poignant smile replacing it now' as the realization occurred to him' how alike she was' with the season' so refreshing' full of colour' a spectrum of life' his life'
Turning his attention back towards her' he peered into her soulful eyes' questioning his aloofness' Her eyes' They always mesmerized him' So expressive they were' She was like an open book to him' one he had memorized by heart' He smirked inwardly at the thought' she would so often ask him, 'Tumhe kaise pata'' (How do you know')' whining about his ways with her and her sentiments' * snap * Jerked out of his thoughts, he found her slender fingers bring him back' Her hands fell to the sides frustrated' one set loosely on her hip as she looked at him irritated whilst he shook her head' 'Iska matlab meri koi bhi baat tumhaare kaano taq nahin padi'' (That means none of my words found your ears')' she complained disappointedly. Filling his hands tenderly with her beautiful face' he felt her anger dissipate almost immediately' as he filled his eyes with her' and confined hers' to his' 'Jaise tum chaho'' (As you wish') he whispered huskily' enjoying the pace of colour as it rose to her cheeks' He knew she still wondered how he caught on this time' what she didn't know' was he hadn't really' but it didn't matter' all that did' was her' and her happiness' a mirror of his own'
The vibrating gadget moving across the glass table interrupted the moment of bliss. A faint annoyance blurred his gaze as he stared at the object' and then back towards her' Instantly, the irritancy blended into her overwhelming presence. Noting the 'one-minute' expression on her face, he blinked once' and watched her rush towards the table, taking the gadget in hand. The momentary euphoria beaming on his lips bit-by-bit fell into a solemn blankness as his gaze held her radiating features' 'Pranay, tum bhi na'' Again, his eyes beheld the colour rise and fall to her face in sweet delicacy' A warm grief ballooned within as the reality hit him square in the face' again. Adi and Metz' were perhaps only meant to be what they were' the best of friends' nothing more' and nothing less'
(End Flashback)
Replacing the delicate flower piece together with the pocket-sized memoir, he closed the black book' A longing silence ensued as his gaze slide in a lingering manner over the dark journal' Empty thoughts were unexpectedly broken by a desperate scream. Carefully replacing the token of his devotion back in the side-drawer, he quickly exited the stillness of his cabin to witness a distressed woman throw her hands up in the air, and then down helplessly' Her eyes blaringly stated the vulnerability of a mother' whose child was in the cage of some danger zone. He wasn't one to normally stand around and watch a drama unfold' but for some reason, he felt his feet glued to the spot on which he stood. The woman's face distorted in the various shades of hope' gloom' rage' pleading' One-by-one she went to each individual dressed in medical attire, asking for aid' It appeared as though it had been determined that her child was in a state of coma' the conditions making it difficult to penetrate into the body to find an immediately needed cure to a building paralysis. When her feet turned his way, he remained distant. 'Please', her eyes begged' As much as he would want to avoid it, he could feel the thin, but ever-present thread, attaching him to her cause.
Hours had passed into the early stages of twenty' as the mystery slowly unfolded' The strange connection he felt with the little boy had ballooned with time, consuming his thoughts' until alas' the chords had struck right' and at precisely the right time. He left the dim room in a swarm of bodies dressed in pale blue, as they attended what remained of his bitter, but sweet battle'
***
'Kaise ho miyan?' (How are you young man?). His eyes remained unaffected, as did his posture feeling a presence next to him. Instead, he felt his arms cross tighter against his chest' From his distanced position, he witnessed the mother rain affection on the barely three-year old boy' 'Kis aziz ka ismey aeeyna dhoondh rahe ho dost?' (Of which beloved are you trying to find within the boy, bud?). Aziz' He thought quietly. Slowly, but surely' a discreet picture painted afore his lost eyes' Another little boy as such' perhaps, half the child's age that sat now in his mother's comforting reach. A toothless smile' bursting into a gurgling laughter, mimicking his heart's content. Restraining himself, he pulled away from the reverie and looked to his side at Dr. Quraishi' Shiraaz Quraishi, a co-worker and dear friend. He could recall arriving in this foreign land, not knowing a soul' a solitary decision it had been' the only choice offered.
Sighing inwardly, he thought of the paradox. To many he had attended, he had been a hero' a success-story, yet only his heart knew' Vikram-Aditya Mehra was an utterly defeated man' and somewhere, he knew, a part of him had long faded, while the other laid in the mercy of the moments' the memories. Turning now, he faced Shiraaz with his usual, impenetrable face' Shiraaz is a married man. He married in love and believes his love will live on passed his death' The poetic aspect of the man complemented his lovelorn stature perfectly. Not really knowing why, but out of the many he had interacted with, only Shiraaz Quraishi had managed to affect him on any level. The man could read him to a degree' No one could see over the fa'ade, but Shiraaz often eyed him pensively. 'Ayeeney haqeeqat se ghumrah karte hain na' dost' (Mirrors are deceptive' friend), he answered matter-of-factly before stepping away' As he walked down the corridor, he could fathom the expressions on Shiraaz's face as the latter dissected his words' but as Joseph Conrad said, we live as we dream' alone (Heart of Darkness).
Chale tehe dariyaa paar, lehron ke sahaare'
Ubharte paani mein lipte huey, kahin dikhey na kinaare...
Musquraye hum' khushi ki kalpana karte'
Mit gaya makhauta' judaai ke gham mein marte'
Tah paas jeene ka tumse bahana'
Mohabbat bhaare iss dil ka' waqt ke panno ne loota khazana'
Translation
Set ahead to cross the sea, with help of the waves'
In vicious waters, the shores were nowhere to the eyes'
Smile, I did' in anticipation of a reason to'
Slid away the fa'ade' as I succumbed to death in the sorrows of separation'
I had a reason to my existence' in you'
A heart filled in love... hath lost it's greatest treasure in time's inevitable grasp....
***
A blend of colours now deepened in an impenetrable mixture as she squinted to keep her weary eyes open. The urge was so tempting' Rubbing her hands roughly across her face, she opened them again to the same box-like frame of her laptop' Her fingers screamed in ache, protesting as she lifted her hands towards the keys once more. Minutes had unknowingly flown into hours as she dedicatedly worked on the project. Just a little bit more, she thought to herself.
Her dwindling concentration was broken pleasurably by the soft strokes of her hair' 'Mamma'' she smiled.
Shruti Kaul could sense the smile in her daughter's voice and allowed it to effortlessly echo upon her own lips. Sitting herself on the edge of the bed, she watched as Maithali poured diligently over the papers neatly demarcated next to her laptop, all the while continuing the tap on the keys. Her eyes radiated with a glow of motherly proud. As so often had, a silent prayer escaped her heart' a desire to have Maithali has her real daughter in the next life. She had seen it all' As a child, Maithali would come to Agarwal House to play with Pragati, her niece. She would watch how the little girl stood up against those who intended to bring her down' admire her durability, her composure' something she still wondered over to this very day.
At some point in life, her thinking had been fogged by the immense love she nurtured for her beloved son, Praney and thus stood as an obstacle against the now young lady. Praney was her pride once' her gem' and the cause of her broken dreams' The very Maithali she had turned against had collected the shards of her shattered heart, albeit her own were far from grasp. Her heart bled each time she recalled the horrific incident in which Praney had victimized Maithali' He had stolen everything from her' essentially rendering her mere flesh. She had never witnessed Maithali like that one day' Time had eventually taken over and that is when Maithali had transformed from her son's wife, to her daughter. Despite her own suffering, she had devoted herself to external life and keeping others happy' A frequent grief swam over her as she watched the woman before her engross herself in something, which was as distant to her as life.
The ache gained depth as her eyes wandered across the way. Far against the wall, a large frame encased a depiction of innocent content. Staring back at her was the toothless smile of one excited by the ball in hand. A thick patch of boyish hair sat atop the little guy's head, while the big eyes discharged a sense of bliss. His chubby curves were cutely attired in a blue and yellow match of shorts and a tee. In the other podgy hand, was a baseball cap of similar shades. Suddenly, the moment seemed to come alive' the sound of innocent laughter filled her ears while her eyes relished the purity of the child's happiness as he ran towards the woman awaiting with open arms' Her eyes blurred and as she blinked to refocus, it was gone. A pause instilled, as the vacancy surrounding her blended back into reality' Her gaze eventually settled upon Maithali's still composed position'
Leaning in slightly, she extended an arm towards the latter's silky layers' gently running her fingers through them with a mixture of admiration and amazement. 'Maithali beta' Kal Mrs. Trupati ka phone aya tah' Woh pooch rahi teeh'' (Maithali dear' Mrs. Trupati called yesterday' She was asking'). Her voice faded, as she felt a pair of fingers hush her lips. Looking up, she was welcomed by the warmth of the almond eyes pleading to her. Immediately, her heart swelled' Cupping Maithali's face in her hands, she gently stroked the side of her face with sincerity. Maithali had never mentioned it' But she knew, there was someone out there' someone standing at some doorway' waiting'
All of this was silently taken in by a figure drenched in the shadows of the doorway' A pair of glossy eyes fixated stoically on the scene of silent understanding as it unfolded between two women' Om'Humaari Shruti kitni badi hogayee hai na? (Om' Our Shruti has gotten so big na?), she whispered into her soul.... Still relishing the sight, her mind turned back into the waves of the past' living a moment like such' a moment shared between herself and her daughter. Nadiyaa chaahey kitni bhi lambi ho' aakhir mein woh samundar se mil kar hi rehti hai'(No matter how long a river is' it always ends up meeting with the ocean'), she thought with a deep smile etched into her beautiful features' And with the thought in mind, she turned and disappeared into the thick blackness'
***
'Beta, aisey maukey baar baar toh nahin aate' Please'' (Dear, such opportunities don't come often' Please), his hard features twisted sensing the pleading tone in his grandfather's voice. After an endless pause, he spoke in a lowered voice, 'Teek hai Dadu' lekin sirf aapke liye'' (Ok Dadu' but just for you'), and with that he ended the call with a press on the red button, throwing the little gadget into some unseen corner of the vast room. Raking his long fingers through his hair, he brought them over his face' and fell on the edge of the bed. The hospital had recently been informed of a new welfare programme in which selected doctors would be sent to Bombay in order to attend impoverished peoples for a month's time. Mumbai' he thought. To many, the city defined a magical place where dreams bloomed and flourished. A soft snicker left his lips a the thought' Mumbai' Sapno ka shehar' had rendered him no more than a beggar, stripping him of everything' And now he had agreed to step into the same damned city' Taqdeer ke rang' kitney ajeeb hain' (The colours of destiny' are so perplexing'). Expectantly, his eyes lifted to the ticking object far against the wall' the flight was in eight hours time.
***
'Beep beep''' ''chalega?'' 'Uff, the smell mum!'' Delhi' He could feel the mix of odors fill his nostrils as he stepped into the air of the Indian capital. In sync with the purpose of his arrival, he lifted his left arm and glanced over the ticking plate' One hour until he would be there'Purpose writ over his face, he entered the lobby and seated himself in the waiting area. Ek ghanta aur' (One more hour') Throughout the uneventful flight, his thoughts had been confined to what lay beyond' Silently, he had chanted the overused 'sab teekh hoga' (everything will be fine) phrase' hoping for it to be true. For the first time in years, he had had that feeling' A fear' of losing control' And as much as he had denied it, the sensation was true' if the past met the present' kayamath hojaayegi' and even more so he knew, this time' there was no stopping it'
***
Frustrated, she tried the ignition for the umpteenth time, while flickering her eyes towards her lifeless cellular device' Curses' Issey bhi abhi mera saath chodna tah'(It had to leave my side now too eh'), as the thought hovered over her foggy mind, her hand almost instantaneously let go of the keys. Unexpectedly, a deeply hidden moment bubbled to the surface of her mind again'
(Flashback)
'Uff' ab issey kya hogaya'' (Now what happened to this'), she complained out loud in the company of curses. Janki Ma'am was expecting her in 45 minutes and she had about a half an hour's worth of Mumbai traffic to deal with on top of a malfunctioning vehicle. Curses' Frustrated, she got out of the car and lifted the hood, instantly flooded by a cloud of smoky air fogging her vision. Coughing, she waved a hand before her face before lifting her eyes to her surroundings. Unfortunately, the car had died out near Tripaati Bridge, at least fifteen minutes drive outside Mumbai centre. Taking a fleeting look at her watch, she decided there was only one option' besides asking for a lift, something that was not the most appealing of resorts. Grabbing her handbag from the car's interior, she locked the doors and stepped out under the sun.
It was a beautiful morning, with clear skies sprinkled here and there with white marks floating high in the depths of the dreamy sequence' To either side of her, a set of trees aligned in precision' their heights lay beyond her vision as she attempted seeking them. Aside from the occasional squawking of the flocks of birds and distant city bustle, the only sound piercing her ears was the subtle melody of the jewels she had garnished her wrists this morning with' A grassy-green they were, strangely but undoubtedly complementing the deep yellow of her outfit. Serene' The word was apt to describe the calm setting. She felt oddly at peace' despite her still lose relationship with her 'love' Praney' despite the fact that she missed her grandfather and brother terribly as they had moved back to Calcutta' despite the fact that she had to get to the College in 25 minutes' 20 minutes!! Panicking, she stopped and stared at the dials on the clear plate once again' Indeed, she had only 25 minutes. She could only imagine how Janki Devi would react if she were late. The latter had said that it was important and she was also quite aware of her boss' value of punctuality. Aaj toh to gayee Maithali' she thought helplessly. Ab main kya karoo' (What should I do now') she thought desperately.
Scanning her surroundings, she realized there wasn't much choice. Sighing, she continued forward with pulsating steps. After about ten minutes, she felt a slight dizziness and came to a slowed stop' Running a hand through her hair with her free hand, she then proceeded to wipe beads of perspiration from her forehead with the end of her dupatta' and threw it back over her shoulder' Suddenly aware of a roaring sound from behind, she jerked out of her exhaustion and moved to the side. Breathing quickly, she let out a long sigh of relief, while subconsciously moving her hands to adjust the veil' As she fumbled, it dawned on her that it was nowhere' Turning around, she looked to see if perhaps it had been carried by the wind' when her eyes continued in thirsty search, she stood uncomfortably' crossing her arms across her chest' 'Ye dhoondh rahi ho'' (Looking for this')' Her muscles tensed as she recognized the voice. She had been so engrossed in her state, that the sound of his motorcycle did not reach her ears...
Slowly turning, her eyes met the dense gaze of Vikram-Aditya Mehra' 'Adi', she whispered meekly. Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, her eyes fell to the ground as she crossed her arms tighter across her chest. In the past few days, she had oddly become acquainted with Adi in a strange way. They had perhaps unknowingly, fell into a distinct bond' perhaps of a friendship-like manner' Yet, in moments like these, she felt as overcome by his presence' strewn of her abilities' Silently, she cursed herself for becoming so small in his presence; after all' he was just another guy' a friend' Startled, she looked up feeling her body warmed by the yellow fabric as he settled it across her shoulders. 'Lagta hai, tumhe phir meri zaroorat hai aaj'' (Looks like you need help from me again today'). A flicker of anger rose within her as she watched the corners of his mouth turn slightly up in a devilish smirk' No longer in her timid mode, she parted her lips to give him a piece of her mind, when she stopped mid-thought' His thumb endearingly caressed her lower lip for a fleeting moment, while his fingers brushed lightly against her cheek' pushing back a few errant strands of hair that had unbeknownst to her, fallen across her face' 'Main hoon na'', he whispered assuring. Her heart fluttered with unknown reason as she stared questioningly into his charcoal eyes' After what a few minutes of awkward silence he added, 'Aisa hi kuch hai na woh movie ka title?' (That's kind of what that movie's name was right?). Jerk!' Giving him a hard stare, she weaved her way around him while hurriedly throwing the veil across her shoulder.
'Woh maine kuch der pehle ek gaadi dekhi raste par' shayad tumhaari teeh'' (I saw a car on the side a little while ago' perhaps it was yours'), she heard him say matter-of-factly from behind and stopped. 'Lagta hai kuch jaldi mein ho' chaho toh main tumhe lift de sakta hoon,' (Seems like you're in a hurry' if you want, I can give you a lift) he added huskily. She stood there contemplating for a few seconds' but then she recalled the arrogant smirk and continued her venture' From behind, she could imagine him shrug his shoulders with the same half-smile and turn towards his vehicle. As she walked, her gaze instinctively caught the blur of a man on a motorbike fly by' as the figure faded into the distant, her eyes narrowed in disappointment, and her pace slackened realizing she would never make it on time today' not in ten minutes in the least. Disheartened, she slowed down even more' when the sound of a loud engine brought her attention to the road once more. Seeing the helmeted figure approach her, she felt a smile threaten her lips in relief' As the motorcycle came to stop, blocking her path, the unkempt relief poured over face in a smile, while the cover revealed him smirking at her' Narrowing her eyes, she questioned his thoughtful gesture' receiving a shrug in response, she took a seat behind him. While she adjusted herself, he stepped on the pedal' jerking her body close to his frame. Suddenly aware of their proximity, she pulled herself away self-consciously' 'Bina sahaare safar karoge toh ghum jaaogi' phir mat kehna batya nahin'' (If you travel alone you'll get lost' then don't say I didn't tell you'). Uncertainty etched into her face as she hesitantly brought forth her hands' slowly inching towards his frame. She could feel her throat dry out without notice' The sudden beeping of a truck horn caught her abruptly off guard and she found herself clinging to the first thing in her grasp' Adi'
(End Flashback)
As though stilled in time, her eyes glazed across the settings' Near in the distance, they rested upon the aged green sign hanging from a small post' 'Tripaati Bridge ahead'. Her face went pale as she stepped out of the vehicle and retrieved her things' Woh hi raasta' wohi hi manzil'Lekin waqt' (The same path' the same destination' But time'). Void of thought, she quietly stepped under the sun' voluntarily bathing in it's light' staring at the long shadow as she continued walking ahead'
***
Standing outside the rectangular frame, his eyes could catch the figure intently bent over the large mahogany bureau. The room was dimly lit, but it failed to shade the creases of intense concentration upon the male figure's face... along with the various ends of the sizable area' Still observing from his distanced position, his gaze caressed the diverse features of the room. Each item was in its orderly place' all co-ordinated in the most efficient manner. Even the colours were of a solid stature, dark in shade' but promising in durability. The place seemed to boast of a sense of professionalism' sensibility' and responsibility. Teen saal guzar gaaye' par shayad, kuch cheezein kabhi nahin badaltee, (Three years past, but perhaps, some things never change) he thought with the slightest turn of his lips' As he silently approached the bent over figure, the composed and experienced features of Suyesh Mehra slowly unfolded afore his adjusting eyes' The skilled fingers of the elder man lay in the midst of a stroke and he patiently waited while the man completed his thought, very well knowing he would have to wait to be addressed. After a long pause, the older man finally put down his loyal pen and pulled off his specs' eventually looking over at him. Slowly, he bent afore the Sr. Mehra' taking a long, admiring look at his grandfather' Taking Suyesh's hands carefully between his own, he looked up again into the elder's dense eyes' as they relayed a story so similar to his own. 'Kaise hain aap' Dadu?' (How are you' grandfather?) he questioned softly. The other man stared at him for a long minute, as though penetrating the shell'
Leaning in slightly, Suyesh Mehra answered, 'Tu kaisa hai beta?' (How are you son?). He waited for an answer as his grandson looked up at him, but did not expect anything. The cruelty of fate, he thought bitterly for a passing minute as he took in the layered grief Adi had burdened himself under' After a few minutes, he felt a strange urge well up inside' and without warning, his silent lips curved in a proud smile. Lifting his right hand, he ruffled his child's dark hairs as the latter smiled back in unison' slowly resting his head in his grandfather's lap. 'I missed you so much Dadu'' For a second, his vision blurred as emotion clogged his being. Swallowing, he absentmindedly continued to caress the younger man's hair, while resting his head against the back of the chair' 'I missed you too beta'' he whispered'
***
A slow throb rang against his head' and as he stepped into the mirage of coloured shadows, the ache only seemed to intensify. How strange it was, he thought' Ek waqt tah, jab aisi jagaon ki raunak huya karta tah main' aur aaj, ye shor' ye masti' paas ho kar bhi kitni door lag rahi hai' (There used to be a time when I used to be the life of the party' and today, this noise' this excitement' despite being so close, it feels so distant' When Shiraaz told him about the party earlier, he had immediately said no to the idea of coming' He had stared up at his colleague when the latter had pushed his restraint' 'Apne uss aziz ke khaatir?'' After that, Dr. Shiraaz Quraishi had only smiled knowingly while he vehemently resisted the various urges boiling within him'
Aisa koi mujhko milgaya hai saathiya' jisse dekh kar main bhool saari duniya'
Standing in the midst of a circle engaged in chatter, he followed the conversations with a waning attention. The strain clogging his mind allowed him only able to sense the movement of lips now' the rest was beyond comprehension' as was the increasingly strange feeling ballooning within' Breezing an impassive glance across the plain' meandering between bodies clouded in mist and shadows' his eyes relaxed on the bar at the far end of the room. Mumbling an excuse, he set towards the steel counter with urgency. He wasn't much of a drinker' never had been' but it dawned on him how desperately he needed one now, as the acidic liquid burned against his throat'
Ab bandagee shaamil hui hai meri zeest mein'
With each sip' the throb against his skull seemed to dim against the still unwavering essence of being as it crept continually into his nerves' As he set down the glass, the sound of ice cubes hitting each other mingled against the music' feebly dying out as his fingers unleashed the cool texture. Deciding he needed some air, he lifted his suddenly exhausted body and turned towards the fusion of life, as many knew it to be' Stepping between clusters of bodies, muttering excuses' he momentarily ceased his venture towards the exit as his feet found a spot barely singled out in the crowd' Scanning the surroundings, he thought to inform Shiraaz and found him at the right end of the space, lost in some conversation yet again. So seeing, the thought relegated to the back of his mind as he inched urgently towards the door to the outside'
Caught up in his own state of intense bare fog, he failed to dodge the body pushed against his own. Muttering an apology, he backed away, instinctively lifting his hands in the air' 'I'm so' rry'' his voice faded as he lifted his eyes' beholding a pair familiar to him as the breaths circulating his being' In a single moment the shady colours of the background blended' the loud noise dimmed to the noise of a hearbeat' the seconds before congestion gave way to a silent exchange of held breaths' Despite the dimmed lights, he beheld the figure afore in vivid detail' The moment seemed to last forever, as the blank slate of his mind now filled willingly with the dusky features etched from the memories he had so long tried to forget' but now, they rendered all else forgotten' The stillness was broken as he felt himself pushed slightly' His gaze dared not move, afraid it was again' a dream' Suddenly feeling the urge to make it real, he lifted an unstable hand towards the masked face'
Next part coming soon' and 'Pardesi' is partway complete' As for MBC, I've got about two pages' Sorry guys, please bear with me!
Cheers,
dc
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