The Lost Thread

Yearning

'I saw a man who looked exactly like Dhruv'

Krish was too busy thinking of how to make Maya talk that he barely heard what she had to say. But when he did, a cool block of ice slithered down his spice. She saw who?

'My boss looks exactly like Dhruv'

Krish stopped midstep. He looked around a bit to compose himself. Dhruv is the guy who hired her? This is not good. What are the chances of this being a coincidence?

'What are you talking about Maya?'

Maya looked lost, like a little child caught under the spotlight on the stage and not knowing which way to look. 

'He looked exactly like him, same height, same voice, but he did not have the same eyes. They were so cold, a bit cruel and calculating. He scared me a little bit, I guess. He is definitely not my Dhruv, but who do you think he is?'

Krish carefully kept all the feelings out of his face. He was watching Maya carefully. So, she is convinced that is not Dhruv. But what will happen when she finds out it is indeed Dhruv?

Maya continues to walk and then stops again. 

'Do you think it is his twin brother or something. Maybe related somehow.' Maya looks towards Krish, hoping for some consolation, or even answer. But Krish looks back at her impassively. 

Finally Maya snaps, 'I know what I saw. I am not crazy' 

Her anguished cry galvanized Krish into action. He slowly came forward and hugged her. 

'I know you are not crazy. Let me do some detective work and find out who that man is. In the meantime, hand in your resignation'

Maya looks up at him with incredulous eyes. 

'But why? Don't you think I should spend more time with him to find out who he is? And also, this job, I need it?'

There was a hint of desperation in her voice. Krish tried to crush even the tiniest hope that might have sprung up in Maya's heart. 

'I don't think that's Dhruv. But nevertheless, being around someone who looks exactly like him is not going to help you. You need to move on Maya. You are too young to cling onto a ghost.'

Maya was hurt but did not show it. If only people knew how hard she had tried and how hard she had failed every time. 

'If I really need to move on, then I cannot run every time I meet someone who reminds me of him. If I really need to move on, I need the money and experience. If I really need to move on, I have to stop being scared and embrace the truth. He is dead. He is not coming back. But I am alive and I need to be alive for Kedar.'

Maya moved along the path leaving a speechless Krish behind. Little did she know that Krish knew that it was Dhruv and he was certain that this was not a chance job. It is part of a bigger plan, and the mastermind is just as ruthless, as he is attractive. 

Dhruv's POV

Like he did every evening, he watched Maya go out. He usually followed her with his eyes as long as she is visible, but today was different. He saw a man pull at her hand and saw how she went in his arms. Even from the distance, there was no mistaking the doctor. What was his name...Dhruv tried to rake his brain. Yeah, Krish. The man who led him here. So, finally the doctor has come to pick up his girl-friend. Must have met after a long time, they seemed to cling for ever. Then they walked off. Somewhere near his heart, Dhruv felt a slight longing for something similar. Maybe a warm embrace from someone who has been waiting all day to meet you. But all Dhruv gets at the end of the day are clutches. He knows what he is missing, but nothing has made him regret it. There are so many things he has that others crave. He was clearly a winner. 

 After casting a dismissive glance at the duo, now all but a dot on the road, Dhruv turned his attention to the room. For some reason, the four walls seem oppressive. Although it is nearly evening, the little town still had some attractions. Instead of spending the evening staring at the computer as usual, Dhruv decided to take a walk. After all, this was supposed to be his holiday. 

Dhruv's steps took him to the small market square. Colorful shops, filled with both tourists and pilgrims created a beautiful atmosphere. The shops lining the streets sold everything, from colorful shawls, to jackets, trekking gear, to artifacts of daily use. As Dhruv passed the shops, a faint feeling of nostalgia flitted across his mind. There was nothing in particular that triggered the feelings, but the combination of sounds, smells, the overpowering presence of the river, everything came with a feeling of familiarity that was hard to shrug. After near an hour of wandering, Dhruv came to the conclusion, that this was a place he had visited at least once. 

Dhruv was never bothered with the loss of his memories. The fact that he is alive is enough for him. But there are moments when his mind is plagued with doubts, and he cannot decide if it is playing a trick or being truthful. This skepticism is slowly creeping into all aspects of his life. The ever present doubts, competing with his explosive temper, is creating an internal havoc in his life. He is restless, without any certain direction. He knows that, and does not particularly care. But seeing the loving couple today has brought an unknown yearning into his heart. 

Dhruv stared in the direction the couple seemed to have taken and wondered for the hundredth time what he is doing here. If it wasn't for the dreams he kept having for the girl, he would not be here. He is not looking for his past, he just needs to settle a score with that part of his brain that works in total contradiction with the rest of his psyche. The part that tells him that he can be better than this...that maybe there is something that is lying asleep within him. He shook these dangerous thoughts and headed towards the hotel, vowing to get to know Maya better before his holiday runs out.