Two days. It had been two whole days since she had gone missing.
His sunshine. His Happiness. The one person who had given him hope- who had been his Ray of light- his inspiration to try his hardest to get back on his feet.
She was gone. Without a trace. Vanished.
Leaving him behind. Heartbroken.
O Ri Chiraiya
Nanhi si chidiya
Angnaa mein phir aaja re
For the first time in his entire existence- he realized just how helpless he was. His eyes slowly lifted up, tears welling up and falling down continuously- as he met their gazes, for the first time, since he had told her that they were there, watching over her.
He realized just how much his strength depended on his chidiya- his titiliya- his Khushi.
His daughter. The blessing in disguise that Devi Maiyya had sent his way- for some incredibly good deeds he must have done in his past lives.
The realization perhaps had come a little too late?
O Ri Chiraiya
Nanhi si chidiya
Angnaa mein phir aaja re
"I'm sorry." He thought at them. Ashamed that he hadn't treasured the precious child that they'd left in his care. That they'd trusted him with. That he'd been too nave, to understand how lucky he was to call her his daughter- till she was out of reach.
Andhiyara hai ghana aur lahu se sana
Kirno ke tinke ambar se chunn ke
Angna mein phir aaja re
For the first time, the impenetrable darkness spreading outside his house scared him. Like it had done her. And he couldn't just hang stars above himself and smile like she had- he was not brave as her.
Because the hopelessness of that darkness had somehow penetrated his heart. And he, unlike her, hadn't been able to fight it- keep it at bay with that seemingly unending optimistic cheer only she possessed.
And only she could bring the light back now. In her cheerful way- beaming at him, her hazel eyes shining like the sun for him- resolutely, stubbornly keeping everyone happy around her.
As if telling life, that she was too strong to let her loved ones bend in front of its cruelness.
Being the support for them- so that they could hold their heads high.
And now?
Now she was gone.
His chidiya had flown away to some place he couldn't reach and bring her back. Where no one could reach. Leaving his heart and his home bare- sad- dark.
Humne tujhpe hazaro sitam hain kiye
Humne tujhpe jahaan bhar ke zulm kiye
Humne socha nahi
Tu jo ud jaayegi
Ye zameen tere bin sooni reh jaayegi
Kiske dum pe sajega mera angna
He remembered her tearful eyes as she had begged them to understand- to not leave her- to not disown her after she had gotten married to Arnav Singh Raizada. He hadn't been able to take her in his arms and reassure her like he should have.
He had seen her pain, when she had come home- to him- asking him, didn't he miss her at all? Crying, with her head in his lap. He hadn't been able to run his hand over her head- telling her that he had missed her. That he loved her, and would continue to do so for life.
He had watched, as she had swallowed her pride- and once again taken every bitter word the family threw her way. Watched as the family for whom she had sacrificed so much in her life- worked, been humiliated, agreed to marry a man against her wishes, broken the marriage but protected his ugly secret so that her sister could have a good life, had bent herself over backwards so that they could live in peace- could stay happy- refused to acknowledge her as their own. And he hadn't been able to raise his voice- telling them to never utter such vile words against his little love.
He had watched, as she fought life alone- for all of them. As she took up arms against every cruel twist that fate had thrown at them- and taken the blows to her chest- protecting them from harm. And he had not been able to tell her how proud of her he was.
And now, he was too late.
O Ri Chiraiya, meri Chiraiya
Angnaa mein phir aaja re
Tere pankho mein saare sitare jadu
Teri chunar thanakh satrangi bunu
Tere kaajal mein main kaali raina bharu
Teri mehandi mein main kacchi dhoop malu
Tere naino sajaa doon naya sapna
If only she came back to him. If only she gave him a chance to tell her all those things. To tell her how precious she was to him. He would fulfill each and every dream she had sacrificed for them. He would fulfill each and every wish she had ever made.
He would bring her a new dream every moment of his life.
If only she came back to him. Laughing, like she always was. Telling him she was fine. Chattering about anything and everything she could think of.
If Only.
O Ri Chiraiya, meri Chiraiya
Angnaa mein phir aaja re
O Ri Chiraiya
Nanhi si chidiya
Angnaa mein phir aaja re
O Ri Chiraiya...
"Wapis aa jao, bitiya. Tumhare Babuji tumhari yaad me ro rahe hai Khusi. Wapis aa jao." He said to the inky black sky. Hoping that somewhere, his chidiya was thinking about him too. That his titiliya was remembering him- that she was turning back, to run back to his arms.
Hoping that his chidiya was coming back to him- safe and sound.
Yes, for the first time in his life- Shashi Gupta realized how cruel helplessness could be.
So I don't know what to say. Review Please?😳
Shiv Shakti
