Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
****** Every single person of the village was standing in front of us smiling, cheering, and screaming in joy.
They seem to have immense faith in us.
Gracious was enjoying all the attention, squealing in a high pitch matching their enthusiasm.
Only one person was standing far away with cockamamie expressions, Rangrez. He glared at me with tear-filled eyes. I felt like a criminal.
I tried to pass a smile at him but he turned his head away, trying to stop himself from sobbing.
Shikhu uncle patted my shoulder "he is fine. Don't worry about him".
I nodded at him.
We began our journey to the next wheel. Bela was not even looking at me. She was flushed from whatever happened between us hours before. And I was too embarrassed to start a conversation with her.
It was only gracious who was speaking god knows what in her gibberish language.
We were walking as if we don't know each other. Trying to look here and there, we stole glances at each other but apparently ended up looking at each other every time.
We were still walking and I realized it was the same place from where it all started. It was the same place where shikhu uncle and Rangrez met me for the first time. It was the same barren land.
I was filled with amusement.
"Bela" I called her out but she started walking fastly ignoring me.
It was clear she wasn't ready to have a conversation with me so throwing my futile attempts in a dustbin, I quietly followed her.
While gliding behind her, my brain automatically started all the mathematical calculations, connecting the wheels, water, and the ring.
I was lost in my world when I felt a hand intervening in mine. I glanced at the person only to see Bela with a breathtaking smile.
Words were murdered in my mouth, I could not come up with a proper word. I kept opening and closing my mouth like a fish.
"Mahir Ji" She whispered close to my ears.
I hummed in response.
"Mahir Ji" She called me louder. I again hummed.
How pretty, her doe-shaped eyes twinkling at me, the soft pink petals whispering my name, her long beautiful hair reaching up to her waist. Serene beauty! Breathtakingly gorgeous.
"Mahir Ji" She screamed at me.
I visibly jumped at her high-pitched voice.
"Mahir ji what are you doing? " Bela asked horrified.
I analyzed my position only to realize that I was standing in front of a dead tree, holding a thin branch.
