"Mahira...Mahira..Mahi..Ma...Ma...". Azaad woke up parched, gasping for air with his clothes drenched in sweat. A wave of relief passed over him as he found himself in familiar surroundings..safe in his bedroom.
"But what was it that he saw? Is she fine? What had happened there? What does it mean?" His befuddled mind strained to answer.
His watch showed 3 am. He had to check upon her. Jumping out of bed, he exited the room and was halfway down the stairs when he stopped himself.
"Azaad.What are you doing? At this time of the night, don't even think of going to the servant quarters. If someone sees you, what would you say?"
But..is she..what if she is in trouble?
Azaad just hear yourself. Going to check on a servant as a result of a dream!!Get a grip on yourself. It was a figment of your imagination."
Still eyeing the door which would lead to her, he made a detour to the kitchen to get water, all the while debating if he should go to her. Finally, sanity prevailed and with a retired sigh, he returned to his room. After changing his wet kurta, he plopped himself down on the arm chair by the open windows. He knew sleep would allude him.
He sat there wide awake trying to recollect what he saw. But, blurry visions clouded his thoughts. And his throbbing head wasn't helping him.
It was tough enough that she had crept into his thoughts stealthily but steadily during the day. Now, even his nights weren't spared.
The moonlight streaming into the room brought about a sense of tranquility. This night, he didn't have to fear the moon. The cool breeze blowing in to the room through the open windows lifted the haze. It was becoming clearer now to think.
*Flashback*
He was all alone in an unfamiliar part of the forest. Apart from the rustling of leaves, there was a heavy silence. Darkness enveloped him like a thick blanket. Wasn't he a child of the night? Then why was the darkness unsettling him? He became aware of his quickened breathing. He could feel the hairs standing on end at the back of his neck. This was strange. Where was he? How did he get there? What was the way out? Slowly his eyes got accustomed to the dark..and he could make out a crooked path going down. If he wanted to get out of that place, he had to start somewhere. After a fair bit of walking without seeing any other forms of life, he arrived at a crossroad. He wouldn't have noticed the path diverging into two if it weren't for the big old bent oak with a gaping split in the middle, its gnarled branches splayed out in all directions like the head of Medusa. He scanned the area contemplating on which path to proceed on. As he stood there confused, that's when he noticed it- a faint beam some distance way on this newly found path. It didn't take him long to decide and he sprinted towards the light. He came to a sudden stop when the object became clear.
That silhouette...He could recognize it anywhere. But...Mahira!! Here?!? She was clad in white, with her hair let down. Her back was turned towards him. There was this soft glow around her. As if on cue, she slowly turned to face him and displayed the widest smile ever. The radiating energy was enough to warm him. He couldn't explain her presence there. But one thing he knew was that he was very relieved. Of all the people, she was the least expected..and yet she was just what the doctor ordered.
Her words broke his trance "Azaad, I am here."
Quickly covering the remaining distance, he engulfed her in a tight hug. "I am so glad you came...so glad...thank you. I am all alone..I needed someone..I ne...ed you." his voice choked.
He could feel her hands gently caressing his back "Shhh...I know ..I know..Didnt I tell you that I would help you? How could I leave you alone when I know you need me?"
Breaking the hug, Azaad queried "But how did you reach...". That's when he saw it. Noticing the mix of horror and surprise on his face, Mahira traced his eyes downwards to her kurta. Black smudges had appeared on her previously prisitine white clothes. She could make out where his hands had touched her.
Her worried eyes met his "What is this?"
He looked down with horror at his hands which were covered now in a black slimy liquid and took a step back.
I..I...I...
Suddenly, the silence was broken by shrieks all around them. The temperature plunged. Winds picked up.
Mahira let out a gasp and clutched his hands. He could feel her nails digging into his skin.
"A-Azaad, whats happening? I am scared"
"Nothing will happen to you, Mahi. I am here with you" He could see the fear in his eyes. The sudden change in events was frightening him too, but he had to be brave.. for her.
Meanwhile, the stains on her clothes were rapidly spreading.
The next moment, the frenzy increased. Azaad suddenly felt weak and nauseous..his head was spinning..His head felt like it had a vice grip around it. His knees crumbled under the pain.But he didn't let go of her. He could make out Mahi crying out for help...pleading him to get up.
The noise around them had intensified, compounded by thunder.
He felt his grip on her loosening as his head hit the forest floor.
"Please Azaad ...don't let me go" he heard a feeble cry. Summoning all his strength, he stood up to find Mahira some feet away lying face down on the forest floor ..her entire dress now black..her hands and feet soiled...motionless...
"Nooo...Nooo..Mahi" a bloodcurling scream left his lips.
But just as he was about to reach her side, the earth opened and swallowed her whole. Azaad found himself alone once again. Everything had died down.
His cries sliced the silence of the night as he scrambled on the dirt trying to find a way to get to her.
Mahira...Mahi...
His trail of thoughts were broken by the chime of the clock.
5 am
Time for the fajr prayer. In a while, the entire household will be awake..and he would be able to see her.
Azaad...Azaad...please help me...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
