AAHARA

RUN AWAY.

"Hey! Look where you're going!" Came the stranger's voice who I had walked into, he was clearly drunk and the smell was so awuful that I grimaced, stepping aside I quickly crossed the road while he continued his curses.

Everybody ignored him and I decided that I was no special person to feel offended, walking around I saw many things that were new to me, my exploration of the city had been very limited hence it was like I was in another world.

It was evening time so the weather was pleasant and the market looked like it was just starting to fill up again. People were busy minding their own business, loads and loads of street vendors were roaming around with all sorts of things, from to food to accessories. I almost felt bad that I couldn't buy them, I didn't have any money with me.

As I was exiting the market, I saw an old woman. She must have been in her seventies or eighties wearing a well-worn saree, she was carrying a manshift bag on her back and was also holding a child's hand. She was getting yelled at by a man who was much younger than her, he was trying to grab the child from her while the woman just hid the little girl behind her.

"Look here! She is my child I will do whatever I want!" He yelled clearly furious and gained the attention of a lot of people around him, they all stopped to watch the scene unfold.

"No! I won't let you sell her!" The old lady said, her voice was not as loud as the man but she was firm.

"Oh? You will raise her? You are already standing in your grave!" He snapped viciously and the lady matched his glare.

"I was going to die and I will but after raising her! She will take care of me!" The woman said with a resolve so firm that the man was at loss of words. Her words hit hard, they almost sounded like Naani was speaking. She always protected me the same way.

"You!" The man screamed but the woman didn't let him finish.

"Listen Harish, you are my son and that is why I am not going to the police, I will take Rani and we will go live in our village where your Father is. Don't think about harming any of us or there will be consequences. You will be jailed if the police found out that you were trying to sell your daughter to an old man for money." The old woman said and her son looked like he would blast from rage but he was defeated, she was right hence he couldn't do anything besides staring as the lady took the girl's hand and left without another word.

The man walked away and the crowd went back to what they were doing so I left too, walking around aimlessly was tiring also I had eaten anything but I didn't wanna stop. I wasn't sure how long I had till I was found and that thought alone kept me going since I wanted to use the most of the time that I had.

I could have never imagined how much I will see of the outside world with just one visit, that old lady reminded me of Naani in a way. Her care and love for her granddaughter was like Naani, she would also go against anyone for me.

Baby take care of your Naana for me.

She would always say the same thing when she would leave, whether it was even for a bit and I always promised her that I will. Sometimes when I thought back to it, I didn't feel like it was a temporary promise which lasted for as long as she was away, it was a forever one. She wanted me to be there for him all the time, she knew way more than I did and that was why I didn't question her. It was because, I would trust her with everything I had.

Yet here I was completely alone and hurt, usually in situations like these I would rush to Naana but it wasn't the same. I just felt so bad about that slap, not to mention how hurt I was but whenever I was too deep in my own pain I would always remember one memory among the millions or trillions that were too special and fortunately or unfortunately I shared them with Naana. I would remember the times, he went through immence tantrums of mine just to make me happy or the times when he fought for me.

It was all Naani's upbringing, she taught me to see the good in bad.

No matter how far wrong you have gone, you can always turn around.

I closed my eyes remembering her words, can I forgive them? Maybe I should not give up? Should I try one last time? Will it be worth it? I promised to take care of Naana, I promised to take care of the others too.. shouldn't I live upto it? Isn't that what she wanted?

She took care of me, it's my turn now.

Walking around I didn't realise when I reached a train station, having no other place to go I went inside and sat on a bench that was empty. The place wasn't that busy as it was late already and most of the trains had left but still there were people around. I was looking around went a timid voice called out to me.

"Didi? Can I sit?" I looked at the girl and nodded with a smile, she smiled in return and sat down. She was most probably a helper at the station as she was wearing the uniform.

"When is your train?" She asked and I just chuckled.

"I am not going anywhere."

"So? You are waiting for someone?" I just shook my head.

"Then?" She sure was talkative.

"Just thought I will come here." I said since I didn't have anything better to tell her, she frowned at me.

"Didi Did you run away from your home?" I chocked at her words and looked at her with wide eyes.

"How did you know?" I asked and she laughed.

"Didi I have seen many girls come here to run away with their partner. You look rich with such clothes but didi you are too young. Don't do it! Think about your parents." She said and I just stared at her. She looked genuinely concerned.

"I am not here to run away with my partner." I cringed at the words that left my mouth but the girl just raised a bow.

"Well good then." She said and turned to look at the platform. It was not until she turned away that I saw the bruise on her cheek, it was healing but the redness was still very prominent.

"Who gave you that?" I asked and she continued starting ahead.

"My Father. He gets drunk sometimes." She said and I rose a bow this time.

"What does he do?" I asked and she just shugged.

"He's sick so he can't work, it's just the two of us and I earn enough." She said and the words left my mouth before I could think anything else.

"Leave him." I said and her eyes widened.

"No Didi. I won't."

"Why?"

"Because he's my father."

At that I shut up but the girl clearly wanted to say something else yet she closed her mouth when she saw something behind me. So, I followed her gaze and turned around only to be met with the deadliest glare I had ever recieved. Ekansh Bhaiya was coming my way and he didn't look happy in the least sense, if anything I was sure about one thing.

I am dead.

Hi! My readers!

It's been freezing here but hope you all are good!

Since I am so late, I thought I will quicker this time!

Enjoy!