THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

AS SHE WALKS AWAY

The sky seemed to show all its flashes of colour in one instant. The white disintegrated

Into hues of red,orange,blue and green all together. It was unlike something anyone had ever seen.

Lakshman stopped in his tracks, his mind rushing against time to register what he had just heard from his Bhabi. His heart pushed against his chest and mouth ran dry, just asifsomeonehad plunged him from the heart of a desert to the coldest of poles.

He turned around, as Siya walked upto him. Her own steps were faltering, but she managed to compose herself until they stood face to face.

"Bhabi, what did you... how did you.."

"I am her sister, Bhai. I have been a mother to her since the day she came into my life. She had the symptoms and I asked her to get it checked at home, and, our dream came true Lakshman."

She placed her hand on his shoulder, now slumped in defeat.

"This is not how you should have known, Bhai. In fact, I should not have even been the one to tell you, she was going to tell you soon. But.. this is just another thing I ruined. And this is why, I want to go away. Staying here will only worsen everything, dear."

"You need to stay, for Mila, your Bhaiyya, your child and family. Even if you rleentafter this Lakshman, let me make it very clear, I will not see my sister left unguarded like this. She needs you the most now, and it is my order you stay with her and bring up your child, because they are equally my own."

The bag dropped from Lakshmans hand, as he fell to the ground helplessly.

This was the most cruel of games fate had played with them. They said that god did not burden anyone with more than they could tolerate, but the truth was, life had made Lakshman so numb, that he did not feel the truth behind any emotion anymore.

On one hand, the happiest news of his life, his joy and love for Urmila and their child burst through the heavens, while on the other hand, his biggest support walking away from them all, leaving an unimaginable void.

"For all of their sakes Lakshman, you have to be strong, and just stay. Please."

Lakshman remained seated, his entire leading upto this point flashing before his eyes i disbelief.

Siya took the opportunity of the movement, picking up her bags and making up resilience one last time.

She bent over his seated frame, kissing his head and blessing him with all that she had left.

"You can do this Laksh, you need to do this."

She began walking away, when a soft voice called out.

"Mila will not forgive me for this Bhabi."

Without turning, Siya managed a smile.

"She will, she knows her Di can never do her wrong."

Lakshman kept looking at the hazy ground as the downpour began int a way that blinded everything around him, except the foggy headlights of the car that drove itself away, with Siya in it.

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It was an eternity later that Lakshman found himself able to stand up, his shirt drenched with rainwater and sweat, taking in his surroundings and releasing Siya had left, long ago, and he had not been able to stop her despite all his pleas.

His hand went to his phone in his pocket, that displayed tens of missed calls and a low battery.

Everyone at home must be worried. They were unaware.

Unaware of the turmoil that had ripped their family, and the challenges that life threw at them with no warning.

Bhaiyya, waiting for a call of her arrival. Urmila, to tell of their happiness with a bright face.

Wiping unsuccessfully his tear stricken face, Lakshman headed to the car.

Only he new how he drove through the streets alone in the deep of night. His mind was anywhere but on the road. She had left him with unanswered questions and too many piercing answers.

The gates opened slowly, in surprise of the resident at such an odd time.

Lakshman left the car in the driveway, trying to compose himself before he entered, but to his surprise, found the house seated in the hall in all alertness.

"There he is!" Urmila said as all of him walked up expectantly.

The broken look on his face torn them apart, and their hearts sunk as they realised something was not right.

"Hey, what happened? Was the flight delayed? Did Di board easily? Has she reached? "

Urmilas bombardment of questions were only met with his gaze, unfaltring at her.

She tried to read him, but only found lost eyes.

"Lakshman, she is reached properly right? It says her phone is dead and you too weren't picking my calls , all of us were worried."

He tore away, looking at his brother, a single day of separation making him look years older than he was.

"Yes, I'm sure she must have reached by now."

He was unable to meet their eyes, as he rushed ahead towards the stairs.

"What happened to him?" Bharat asked.

"I don't know, But I'm not liking it. Let him take some rest, and Ill ask him."

"Bhaiyya," Urmila spoke. " I feel he's hiding something from us."

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