Chap 24
"What is this dad?" Rishi asked again softly barely controlling.
"Its true" he hang his head in shame
His mom fell on sofa in shock covering her face, Aryan ran to her, his holding her as she cried.
"Dad i dont want to raise my hand. I and Mom are leaving today itself. We dont want anything from you. Aryan book tickets for Mumbai" He came and grabbed his mom.
"Tu nai royegi is rapist ke liye"
"Beta it was mistake" His dad said crying from behind
"Mom lets go" He yelled scaring his mom.
"Rishi mom is scared, Relax. Mom chalo" She nodded but before she left she slapped her husband.
"I have nothing to say Ajay" Rishi mom said calmly.
She went upstairs and packed.
Her two sons took her away from lie she been living for years.
Aryan was in his home, Rishi standing next to him. "One year Rishi, i could have used my brain and did the test right away. I was busy destroying myself. One day i missed her so much that i went to her room, touched everything she touched. Then i realized how stupid I been. The evidence was in front of me" His tears poured as he smoked, " A small hair in the comb. I knew what i had to do. That idiot didnt use her brain either, she just cared about our friendship. I want her Rishi, nai hota ab mujhse. She had became a huge part of my life. The love i always i wanted. Please find her, i tried but i cant find her i asked her boss but he wont tell me. I tried to bribe him. Please dhundke de mujhe Rishi" He fell on his knees joined hands.
Rishi took his hands "Its all my fault.i am sorry" He hugged his brother, his best friend. We will find her dont worry. Sab contacts laga denge" his friend sobbed.
"I see us being very happy Aru, just sometime more. We will be back again I promise " he assured him.
Meanwhile, Imlie sat on railway station. She been here two days. She quit the job again. She doesnt know what she is doing anymore. She been eating glucose biscuit past two days. She decided to take leap of faith, she closed her eyes and made a decision.
Whatever the next train come, she will get on it. The final destination of that train will be hers. Be it anything. She has nothing to lose. She has some money, she could buy ticket but that would be her decision. Today she will get on without ticket, leave it upto God since he loves playing games with her. Around late night, as she hugged her bag to her chest, a wind kissed her cheeks. As if somebody, giving her assurance.
There was beggers, poor people lying on platform. A leech of a man staring at her from far. She kept praying, and kept her knife ready just incase. Finally she law light on tracks. She got up, waiting for it to approach the platform.
She was shocked as saw the board- Final destination Mumbai. She closed her eyes, she cant change her mind. This is what was decided. As the train come to stop, she climbed on general compartment filled with laborers. Sleeping, it stank but she sat on edge of the door. Waiting for train to take off. Cruel fucking fate she thought.
Fuck! Mumbai! All she could do is pray , she can ask her boss to work there again but this time making sure Aryan doesn't know she is back. She will stay in chawl , she has done reporting on that. She can find cheap place there. She sighed "I miss you Aru, I hope tu thik hai. Move on kardia ho. Cigarettes bilkul chordi ho, i know you wouldnt" She wiped her face.
"Kaise hoge tum log? Do you guys still meet at Adda? Tum log ko dekhna hai ek bar, tujhe chuna hai ek baar"she talked to the sky as train sped. She rested her hands on knees, keeping her chin on it closing her eyes.
Tears continued, she was used to it. Tears are her friends now, her company.
