Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 24: Pure Dismay •

Fatigued sun rays poured inside the room. Sakshi stirred in a haze and tried to rub her stinging eyes, but the saline drips affixed to her hand prevented her from doing so. Tardily getting up, she took in her surroundings- pale walls, fluorescent lighting, a powerful odour of antiseptic liquid, machines and green blinds. A bitter taste of medicine permeated her tongue.

"Beti!" Lajo said with a weary smile.

Her vision was blurred. "What happened?"

"When I came to serve you dinner, you had fainted, and I rushed you to the hospital."

"How come? Babaji wouldn't have agreed," she said softly.

"This place is in South Sonambar."

"What's the name?"

"Dr Nahar Clinic."

"What about my family?"

"Your parents came here last night, and left within an hour."

"Why aren't they here now?"

"Kumar Sahab said he couldn't stay longer as people will get to know."

"What did Bhaiyya say?"

"He had some work so he didn't come. I don't think Rana Sahab told him."

"I hope Babaji is feeling guilty."

Lajo shuffled in her seat and shifted the topic. "How are you feeling?"

"The pain is much better."

"The doctor gave you a pain killer injection."

"I'm feeling hungry."

"I'll ask the nurse to get your food."

"How is everyone else? Our friends and relatives?" she asked, holding onto the thin string of hope that father would have spared Jeetu's life.

"Don't worry, Beti. All are fine," Lajo said, quieting her fears.

With a relieved sigh, she rolled her head onto the pillow. The knots of anxiety in her muscles dissipated. Though upset at her father's violence, she was grateful that Jeetu was safe.

"Did Vini call?" she asked.

"No, but a contact named 'A' called many times."

"Ayush!" she shouted but held her aching throat. He must have finally realised her innocence.

Her reluctant eyes met Lajo. To her surprise, the woman merely smiled and nodded.

"What does this Ayush do?"

Taken aback by her sudden interest, she said, "He works as an accountant and wants to be a musician. I've met his father and even gone to his house."

"Do you have any pictures of him?"

"Promise you won't reveal his identity to my family."

"Promise," she said with a smile.

"Please pass my phone."

Lajo grabbed Sakshi's handbag from the corner of the room and passed it to her. "I brought your bag in case you need anything."

"Thank you, Aunty."

Sakshi unzipped her bag and fished her phone out when a tiny object twinkled in the light. A keychain with a couple of teddies and a heart. She pressed a switch at the back, and the keychain glowed with the words 'I love you'.

"How did this come here?" she whispered.

"I thought it's yours, Beti."

Closing her eyes, Sakshi recalled seeing similar keychains at Gaurav's shop. Her face lit up like the sky at sunrise. Her cheeks tingled realising the unsaid words he tried to express, followed by sorrow of their temporary separation.