MOONLIGHT | Driti

FOREVER DEPARTURE

CHAPTER 6
9:35 am

Zips sealed, bags packed. The morning of departure finally arrived.
Summer vacation was over, it was now time for me to return back to Mumbai and continue living my mundane life after the three day stay at Ratnagiri. But leaving this place without confessing my feelings to Achintya felt incomplete. I had a bad premonition since I had woken up in the morning.

"Rhea, did you pack everything?" Maa's voice took me out of reverie.
"Yes Maa!"
"Are you sure?"
"Sure Maa."
I have taken everything but I am going to leave behind my unsaid feelings.

Having said that to myself, I started dragging my trolley bag towards the hall. Aashna, Meera aunty, Mr. Naik and my parents stood their to bid goodbye.

"Rhea, all the best for your upcoming Nationals. Do well and also you'll be in tenth grade next year so pay attention to your academics." Meera aunty wished me luck before leaving.
"Thank you aunty. I'll keep that in mind. It was lovely staying here."
Grin spread on her face after hearing that.

Aashna widely stretched her arms inviting me for a hug and I let myself in her clutch.
"I'll miss you" she whispered near my ear.
"I'll miss you too Aash."
I hugged her tighter, pressing my cheeks on her shoulders.

After bidding the final goodbyes and receiving happy journey wishes, we started climbing down the stairs towards the parking lot.
Our cerulean blue alto parked at gate of the lot. I kept my bags in boot of the car and took seat besides the driver's seat. On taking a closer look on the bonnet, I heeded a small dandelion there. I knew who had done this, these warm gestures from him is what made me like him more. Taking that dandelion from the bonnet and placing it on the dashboard, I signaled my father to start the car. Putting the key in the ignition, we started our return journey.

The car was heading towards the society gate and I vehemently wished that I could catch a last glimpse of Achintya.
Soon my desire was completed when I saw him standing in his balcony, leaning against the platform, smiling until his cheeks hurt. I could see the pain in his eyes of my unforeseen departure even though he thought he was good at masking his feelings. I gave him a short wave with a gentle grin before our car left the society. I sighed unable to hold my yearning.

I hope, there maybe a way to convey my feelings to him, in some way or the other.

********
2:17 am

"Maa, please serve me some mango pickle"
"Maa, are you listening? Can you hear me, Maa?" Aashna trying to her mother from the dinning table.

Meera served lunch to Aashna  and went to the hall to watch TV. Aashna's call for serving pickle was ignored so she marched towards the hall to see whether everything was alright.

She entered the hall to witness Meera's eyes hooked on the TV screen in shock of the news flashing in the headline.

MAJOR ACCIDENT CAUSED ON THE MUMBAI-RATNAGIRI HIGHWAY. A CERULEAN BLUE ALTO CRASHED BY A KEROSENE CARRYING TRUCK. TWO ADULTS INJURED, 14 YEAR OLD GIRL BURNED BRUTALLY IN THE FIRE OUT BLAST CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT.

The graphic video on screen showed a cerulean blue alto burning into flames while Mr and Mrs. Dev's injured bodies moved into the ambulance when Mrs. Dev moaned for her daughter's life. The media managed to blur her burnt body but a hand holding a yellow dandelion was clearly visible.

Aashna's eyes widened with astonishment to the sight of what she had seen.

Her stare fixed at her mother, her conscious still processing the information.

"No...No this isn't possible! How can it  be....," Meera stammered, her vision blurred by the tears.

Aashna tried gaining her composure, hoping that this news would be false.

"Maa, please stop crying. Please Maa, control yourself. If you cry like this then even I might not stay strong," Meera gave Aashna a helpless look after hearing this words.

Meera's phone buzzed to cut in the conversation. An unknown number appeared on the top of the screen. Aashna wiped out her mother's tears and signaled her to answer the call.

"Hello," Meera's feeble reply to the call.

"Hello, is this Meera Naik?" the baritone on the call enquired.

"Yes"

"This is Mahad police and you are being called to identify a dead body and take charge of the patients, Mr and Mrs. Dev. You are expected in Trinity Hospital, Mahad to do so."

Fate played a cruel. Hands of the clock rested on the wrong time. Destiny shattered Aashna's heart, for that she had known that Rhea was no more.

******

A/N: I know it's been so long since I last updated. I am sincerely sorry for doing so but blame my writer's block. I hate it man and it's audacity to still be with me. *sighs*
But don't worry, the final and last chapter/epilogue is already written by me long ago. It was a smart move to write it before hand. *smirks*

Please tell me your honest thoughts on this chapter and only constructive criticism please.

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Stay safe and safe tuned.

With love,
Gargi.