Together Forever

Chapter 76: Remains

Cold metal of the doorknob was under his hold for a few minutes now. Ten? Fifteen? Or more? Sanskaar bore no answers to this regard.

One huge breath and he pushed the door open. The door that once led to his safe abode. His home. No longer home-- Sanskaar gulped.

Dim blue lamp was the only source of light despite the morning sun. Not a single ray had reached in; for years now. He glanced around.

Reminiscences acted like a film before Sanskaar's eyes. Every joy, every sorrow, every fall and every strength was settled in the nook and corner of this home.

Homes are made in people but when people leave; it is the place they lived that bears their memories. They loom even when the doors are locked.

Sanskaar looked around. Sealed rooms, used furniture and frames-- some of them on the wall. Last time, he broke one of them.

A lengthy crack ran across the frame and amidst all, the toddler himself behind had a huge grin as he held his grandparents' fingers.

He ran a subtle finger over it-- the picture caged behind the fragmented glass. Wasn't his life also the same?

Nearly ruined with piercing pieces that would not fall. Instead, they make bruises one after the other for him to bleed. He bleeds but he stays; caged.

Both the pictures had the same fate.

Rings of his phone gathered Sanskaar's attention. The call he awaited was here, he should leave. Sanskaar had no intentions of visiting home.

Maybe it was because of the dream? He turned and the dining table remained empty, dark in a corner. Too much of contrast to what he saw in his dreams.

Little things in life for others had become a far fetched reality for Sanskaar. People, lights even food-- they weren't the same anymore for he had none. 

Things have changed, people have gone and moved on. If anything that remained the same was this home and him- frozen in time.

Sanskaar sighed. The door to home was locked again to be abandoned. But was the home only abandoned or his own self too? Well, the answer was obvious.

~

Seated on the couch, Swara looked at her almost empty penthouse. A few unused cardboards littered across the floor and her almost packed suitcase.

The penthouse was her private space afterall the profession that demanded social interactions. Swara turned to the glass wall in the main hall.

Manhattan; below greeted her with its splendid view. Busy lanes, vibrant lights and a little away; times square was on a perfect picture to her vision.

With lights off, the city's glorious hues would still reach her and coloured her along. No matter how strong the origin was, when it reached her they were softened.

Just some gentle traces of it on her skin. Together- the city in full glory and she, a distant reflection of it glowed despite the pitch dark sky.

Somehow it is through darkness the colours attain it's full shine; not in the light people refers to stay. Darkness cannot be as bleak as they say.

Wasn't she an live experiment to them?

Swara had passed time just by watching the chaotic sight but all muted in sound. And sounds- well, she always had an alternative. Music.

Recorded piano notes in the background and Swara looking out- That's how Jatin found her. The combo was something he had become accustomed to.

"Last night huh?" Jatin passed a comment. Swara turned and stepped forward, the colours are gone but vibes stayed. With a soft grin she offered a seat; one last time.