Dawning

Chapter 9

Hardy and Jassi took a bus from a nearby square, it would take them to the Westminster Bridge, just on the other side would be the Big Ben tower. In her stay of 7 months in this country, Jassi had never been there. Then again, she was not allowed to leave the house at all.

The bus ride was short, Jassi found an empty seat, and Hardy was standing closeby. She had couple of passagers looking at her curiously. It had to be the way she was dressed. There weren't many ladies dressed in a salwar kurta around. In reality, Jassi had run out of fresh clothes the day after she ran from the hospital. Leaving the hospital AMA, and your house on a whim tends to do that you. Hardy was kind enough to lend her one of his pants and and a shirt, which were a couple of sizes too big on her. But it was fine to be worn inside the house. However today she decided to 'dress up' since they were going out in the city.

Jassi was lost in her thoughts, looking at Hardy's left arm unconsciously, that was wrapped around the pole in the bus. And it suddenly clicked. She knew what was missing. But before she could say something, the bus stopped and they had to get off at their destination.

They got off the bus and started walking on the bridge. Jassi stopped right in the middle of it to appreciate the view. She was awestruck by the Victorian architecture.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Jassi said, clapping both her hands together and bringing them close to her face. Her eyes trained on the big clock in front of her.

"It is." Hardy replied as if in a trance.

He hadn't looked at the tower at all. He was busy admiring the joy on Jassi's face. This was perhaps the first time since he had met her, that he was seeing her smiling.
Jassi turned to look at him, and he got immediately flustered, his cheeks turning red. He swiftly turned the other way and pointed at the patch opposite the tower that was under construction,

"Did you know they're building a giant, gaint wheel there? They are going to call it 'the London eye', one would be able to see the whole city from up there." Thankfully, he was quick and remembered random facts like that.

"A Giant wheel? You mean like the ones from the Mela back in the village?" Jassi asked excitedly, he nodded.

"Maybe some day you can come here with your husband and children." Hardy joked.

"Maybe I will. I used to love going to the Mela every year. Me and my best friend Sunita would go on all the rides there, eat golgappe and coton candy.." Jassi went on telling him about her childhood as they walked a little nearer to the tower.

Hardy spotted a photographer who was taking instant photos.

"Hey! Let's take a picture for posterity." He nudged Jassi. She agreed easily.

They stood side by side infront of the camera. The photographer assumed they were sweethearts and asked them to pose like a couple. Neither of them corrected him, and they got a photo taken with big smiles on their faces and arms around each other. Hardy paid the photographer and pocketed the copy.

Next, they went to a local restaurant for some food. Hardy had a better grasp on English than Jassi did (she was a quick learner and had picked up some phrases), so they got by with the locals fairly easily. While eating, Jassi finally took the chance to breach the topic,

"What happened to your watch?"

She remembered seeing a Rolex on his wrist and asking about it once. Hardy looked at his now empty wrist wistfully. He shook the invisible thoughts aside and responded,

"I've found someone who can arrange for us to go home."

Jassi gasped. That was indeed good news. But-

"Did you have to sell your father's watch for that?" She was persistent.

"It's nothing. I can get another watch. But it's more important to take you back home." He gave her a reassuring smile. Jassi was speechless yet again. So she nodded mutely.

"When are we leaving?" She asked next.

"Tomorrow night. It's going to be a tough road. We have to go via an illegal route."

She was surprised and a little horrified at the information. She had heard about the ordeals of those who had taken the route. Not everyone made it out alive. Hardy seemed to read her mind because he extended his hand over the table and gently laid it over hers, giving it a light squeeze.

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Sleep didn't come to either of them that night.

Jassi spent that night restless as she lay awake in the bed till wee hours. She was nervous. On one hand, she was scared to go back home. A home that didn't belong to her anymore. Vishal must have informed her parents about her running away already. There is no way her father's pride would allow her step a foot in that house again. On the other hand, she also knew this little bubble she was living in with Hardy had to burst. Once they are back in India, they will have to part their ways.

Hardy knew what he was doing was dangerous. Being a soldier himself, he knew the risks of illegal migration, even if it was to his own country. But he felt obliged to do it for Jassi.

Jassi turned in their bed to face Hardy. She wasn't surprised to find him lying awake - probably plagued by similar thoughts. Both his palms resting under his head. Jassi hesitated a bit, but then snuggled closer and rested her head over his shoulder, wrapping an arm around his torso. Hardy didn't seem to mind, because he inhaled deeply and wrapped one of his arms around her and pulled her closer.

Hardy kissed her head as they both drifted off to sleep.

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Author's note: an early chapter for my loves coz we've had a week!