Dawning

Chapter 11

On the way out, Hardy nudged an equally shocked Kamal. Kamal pulled himself out of the shock and grabbed their bags.

They were walking through the desert again. They had to catch the coal car passing through, that would take them to Afghanistan and then Pakistan. Jassi hadn't said a word since they left the tent, she was quietly dragging her feet behind Hardy as he held her hand and marched forward. He was worried about her, but they didn't have the luxury to stop for such things at this time.

After walking another mile, they finally found the train tracks. Their luck must be turning because the train was seen arriving soon. The three of them managed to hitch a ride aboard one of the cars. They had a moment to breathe now.

Hardy finally looked at Jassi, she sat besides him, in shock and sadness. It reminded him of her lying in that hospital bed all those days ago. He didn't like the image. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a piece of cloth. He began cleaning her dirt stricken face. Jassi was lost in her own thoughts, his action reminded her of the guards touch. Jassi flinched and tried pulling away from Hardy. He cupped her face with both his hands, trying to get her to focus,

"Shhh Jassi, it's just me. It's Hardy. Look at me."

Jassi looked up at his face and he saw a wave of recognition in her eyes. She finally calmed down a bit. But the day was catching up to her and she collapsed into Hardy's arms crying her heart out. Hardy held her tight rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"It's okay. It's okay. I'm here." He kept repeating.

Once her sobs dried down, Jassi began to speak. Hardy felt her words before he heard them,

"I thought- I thought you were going to leave me there. With him."

He pushed her away from himself a little so that she could see his eyes as he replied,

"Hey listen, I will never ever leave you. Okay? I didn't leave you in London, and I won't leave you now, no matter what. Do you understand?"

He looked into her eyes for an answer. Jassi just noded, relieved to have cleared her doubts.
After a while, Jassi dozed off. Hardy decided to turn his attention towards the other passenger for the first time since the ordeal. He found Kamal already looking at him and Jassi with a fond look.

"That's a big promise you've made there gentleman. Given our condition, it's a hard one to keep." He referred back to Hardy's previous words to Jassi.

"I know. But I fully intend to keep the promise."

"You must love her a lot then."

"No- may- yeah. Yeah I think I do."

Hardy replied looking at the sleeping Jassi in his arms. He was a little shocked by his own revelation. But he had also seen it coming a long time ago.
When hardy looked up again, Kamal was looking at something in his hands,

"What's that?" Hardy asked.

"It's my family." Kamal showed him the small photo that showed a woman and a young child in her arms. "My wife and our daughter. I left the country 15 years ago so that I could provide them with a better life. But I missed everything, I just want to go back home now." Kamal continued.
Hardy nodded in understanding.

-----

It would take the train two more days to cross Iran, Afghanistan and then reach Pakistan. Their last leg of the journey and then they would be back in their country. They hardly had any food and water left with them now.

At night, Hardy and Jassi would lie side by side on the coal and count the stars in the clear sky above. Sometimes, they came up with new constellations with silly names.

-----

Pakistan felt like a home away from home. Hardy managed to contact the agent who was supposed to deliver them across the border. The agent took them to a dhaba where they managed to get some decent food for the first time in a while.

While they were dining, the agent explained the plan. He would take them across the border by water. He had a small boat arranged, once they were on their land, they would have to trek through the jungle for couple of hours. The plan seemed fairly simple. All three of them had a glimmer of hope shining in their eyes.

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Author's note: I don't know what I'm doing. I mean I know but, I'm painting a picture that would never exist and although I know this is fiction, still the delusion is giving me serotonin and hope that's cruel. 😔 Anyway rant over, and I might've started writing another fic already.