Kaal Chakra

Interlude

She was back. Back in her childhood home, back in her own time. She would recognise the four walls of her own living room even in her sleep, for she didn't require eyes to do so; the warm,homely feeling and the faint scent of sandalwood in the air were enough for her. She looked around and found everything exactly the same as it had been always before she started registering the sounds falling on her ears. The living room was empty, as was the hallway and kitchen but the sound of melodious singing and the rhythmic beats of the tabla seemed to be coming to her from the upper floor.

As if in a trance, she glided upstairs and guided by the sweet notes, came to a stop in front of the pooja ghar. The door to the room was left slightly ajar, so she gently pushed it open and walked in.

Inside, she saw the sight her eyes had been dying to see from the past year; her parents, her older sister and to her surprise, herself. She was sitting against the wall, flanked by her father, who was the one playing the tabla, on her right and her older sister on her left, playing a pair of clash cymbals.

The voice she had heard earlier was her own, singing the infamous Marathi bhajan of 'Tirtha Vitthala' with the same gusto as she had when she had sung it for the first time. Her mother was sitting right in front of her, looking affectionately at all of them. And behind her, a few relatives were seated here and there, enjoying her performance.

She clearly remembered that day. It was the day of Gudi Padwa, the first day of the Marathi new year and they had a small get together and celebration with a select few. And as usual, she was asked to sing for them before they headed downstairs for dinner. That was also the last festival that they got to celebrate as a family because only a month later, they passed away in a terrible car accident.

After their death, she had simply stopped singing. No amount of coaxing or convincing from her grandparents could make her sing again because every time she tried to, she would remember this day and break down. The last time she tried to sing, she had a terrible panic attack, after which her grandparents finally gave up.

And now, after so many months, she was back to that day. Gulping down the tears that threatened to break free, she first walked towards her sister and knelt down beside her. The familiar round face was bringing back a tidal wave of memories and Lakshmi felt herself choking up at the sight of her sister's big smile. Her sister, who was seven years older than her, was almost a surrogate mother to her and her biggest confidant and bestest friend.

And before her tears could fall, she moved on to her father. Tall and stern, her father was the one she looked up to the most. For her, he was her biggest supporter and cheerleader. He was also the person who pampered and protected her the most. She knew that no matter what happens, he would be standing behind her like a fortress, firm and resolute. But now, she had to be that fortress for herself.

And with that, she burst into loud sobs, unable to control herself anymore. Through blurry eyes, she reached out to touch his hand but found out she couldn't.
Sobbing, she got up and finally fell before her mother, burying her head in her lap to seek her maternal warmth.

But it did not come. Her mother continued to look forward instead of keeping a hand on her head and comforting her by speaking soothing words. To her, her mother was an unshakeable pillar of strength and resilience, always putting her family before her. She didn't even remember any instance of when she was sad or just having a bad day and her mother had not been there for her and soothed her troubles. To not have her mother consoling her when she was grieving was simply heartbreaking.

"I miss you, Aai. I miss all of you." She cried, the weight of their death pressing onto her chest.

"Why did you leave me at home that day? Why didn't you take me with you? It was just a stupid lecture! I would have watched the recorded one the next day!" She whispered, looking up at her mother's face.

"Atleast I wouldn't be all alone today. Aaji and Abba try, but they aren't my parents and they never will be. As much as they love me and no matter how much I am grateful for them, they can never fill up the empty space that you all left in my heart."

"Please come back, all of you." She pleaded, looking at her family in turn. "I can't take this hollow feeling anymore. I need you."

"Baba," She murmured, walking to her father and kneeling down in front of him, " You always said that you will never leave me, that you will always be behind me no matter what. Then how can you break your promise? I don't know how to be that fortress for myself, Baba. Please, just come back."

When her father continued playing her tabla, she turned to her sister with teary eyes.

"You are my best friend," She sobbed," Best friends don't leave each other like this. Now who will I trouble each day? Who will crack jokes with me? Who will I confide in?"

"Please come back, all of you," She whimpered, her breaths coming in short gasps due to the intensity of her tears. "I can't live without you."

"Please," She whispered, seeing black dots starting to cloud her vision and feeling herself lose her balance.

"Please," She gasped out one last time before she fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

                              ********
Hey guys, hope you enjoy the chapter and have a great day today!!

I will be mostly posting an interlude every twenty chapters or so but they will be not too long and brief.

Please vote and comment!!! I would love to see a little bit of interaction in the comments section.

Cheers!!!

P.S. Hope it's not too much of a tearjerker.