Shivaay missed a step as he deplaned the jet. After two years he was back. He put on his shades, feeling the morning sun shining bright on his face. He hated it. He hated the light...He hated that he could see colours. He closed his good eye with partial vision and took in a deep breath.
Ah...this feels better...much better. His pulsating heart calmed a little, in the familiar darkness. He walked up to the car, in perfect strides. Khanna was waiting for him on the tarmac with a bright smile plastered on his face.
"Good Morning Sir! It's so good to see you after such a long time..." The old man was sniffling a little.
He ran and opened the back door for him. Shivaay nodded, and stood frozen for a minute—Contemplating.
"Um...I think I'll just get in the front seat Khannna Thanks"
Khanna observed a different man to whom he knew while back—The young man who always had a bright smile on his face despite his circumstances. This one was awfully silent. Someone who used to spread so much joy before, was now walking around with a dark cloud hovering over his head.
"Khanna can you take a right from here?" he asked a worried driver who looked at his mobile.
The matriarch had already called him ten times.
"Shivaay sir...Daadi..."
"Take a right please.." he said in a calm yet in a firm tone.
As the narrow winding roads lead to a familar spot, Khanna parked the car.
"Sir...Just...I..I will have to come with you...Daadi has given me strict instructions not to leave you alone...I...I am sorry.."
"Humph...well I guess if Daadi can she'll have the damn body guard take a shower with me too..Tell me Khanna...Why do you need to follow me all the way to the top?"
"For...For your safety sir..."
"Ah so when I couldn't see for shit you never use to hover around me...Now that I can, you reckon I am going to smack on to one of those boulders and die?"
"S...Sir...No...I...I am just following.."
"I get it...following orders...Do me a fucking favour, leave me the fuck alone for five minutes...five minutes that's all I ask.."
Khanna sighed and waited behind. Shivaay stomped up the hill, where he used to enjoy sunsets with his parents. His special place where he memorised all the colours...the shape of different clouds...her smooth skin...her beautiful curves...her velvety lips....her breath...her strong rapid pulse...
He closed his eyes recalling every moment that he so preciously kept locked inside his memory for the past two years. Though he never got to see how she really, looked like, he remembered the feeling, right here, holding her in his arms. Praying that he will be granted vision for just a few seconds, so he could memorise how she looked. Because he knew, she'd just take his breath away. The outline of her features he drew with his finger tips, the colours he painted her with, in his mind, her image appeared faintly in the far distance. She was calling out to him.
ARRRRGH! He yelled. He yelled out loud until he could hear the echo of his voice. He knew exactly fifteen steps from where he was standing was an abyss. He kept walking towards it.
One...Two...three...Four....Why was he alive? Why the fuck was he alive when everyone he ever loved was taken away from him? Why does he have to get up...get dressed...eat sleep repeat...everything over and over again? Twelve...thirteen....fourteen...
Shiv..he stopped before taking one more step, envisioning a glimpse of her in front of him. It was nothing but a mere silhouette. Her face wasn't as clear as day. Her image, it was just an outline. She was beautiful!
