Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 25: Ayush & Udayveer •

Ayush pushed his father's luggage trolley through the cracked pavement of Sonambar Central Railway Station. Another bag hung over his shoulder, straps digging in and burning his skin. He trailed behind Amar Singh, halting at the platform counter. The large mechanical clock on the wall revealed they were half an hour early for the train.

Gentle sunshine kissed the damp crushed stones on the railway tracks. The cries of chai, snacks and newspaper vendors echoed throughout the awning. Placing the luggage on a cement bench under Amar's care, Ayush purchased a newspaper and a Bisleri bottle.

"Here, Papa. Your daily paper and water bottle."

"Thank you, Ashu. I wish you can come along," Amar said, pressing his son's arm.

He responded with a yearning nod. "Shall I get you some snacks?"

"The dal rotis we ate this morning still feels heavy on my chest, son."

"You have taken everything, right? Your mobile, wallet, medicines."

Amar ran his hand through his fine set hair. "I totally forgot! My medicines got over this morning."

Ayush squinted his eyes and pressed his lips together. "Oh no, Papa!"

"Don't worry, I will get them once I reach Mumbai."

"What about during the journey?"

"I can manage, it's only for a day."

"Tsk-tsk. Doctor Nahar strictly mentioned you need to take every single tablet. I'll get them now."

"The train must be arriving now, Ashu."

"It will hardly take fifteen minutes by bike. I'll be back soon, Papa."

"Don't hurry, ride safely."

He nodded and raced to his bike, commencing the ride to Doctor Nahar's Clinic. Across the roads, obituary posters and banners of a politician fluttered in the air. He belonged to the same party as Sakshi's father. Probably that was the reason she didn't answer his calls the previous night. Or maybe she was angry with him. Either way, he intended on making peace with her once his father left for Mumbai.

Stationing his bike at the hospital parking lot, he hurried inside to the in-built medical shop. The pharmacist packed strips of tablets in a brown paper packet and handed it to him. As he turned around, intense shock touched his features.

Was he imagining things? Or was it really her strolling in the empty corridor. He glanced at his wristwatch. Twenty minutes for the train to arrive. Ignoring the rational side of his mind, he ran to her.

"Yaara!"

Tilting her head, her gaze fell on him.

"Ayush!" Her lips moved without a sound.

His arms circled around her waist as he pulled her close to him, inhaling the strong medicinal scent from her body.

"I missed you, yaara," he whispered in her ears.

"You promised you'll be there for me, but left when I needed you the most." Her words tugged his heartstrings.

"I'm very sorry. I won't do that ever again," he said.

They moved away as a nurse passed by them. His hands never left her waist. Peering into her sore eyes, an uneasy feeling brimmed in his chest.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

Her lips twitched as she fought back tears. She slowly removed the dupatta and craned her neck, showing him the scars crusting her neck. His face glowered in flooding rage. Blood thrummed in his veins.