In "Echoes in the Hallway," the stillness of a hospital corridor becomes a backdrop for a haunting revelation as two brothers confront the silent echoes of their tragic reality.
For some reason, I kept imagining his face—or more specifically, his reaction. He had been in Jaipur for only two days and already felt at home in the city. The hot afternoons made him second-guess, but the cold, windy nights and the starry sky made him stay. This was the vacation he had longed for months. His boss had finally approved his leave, and he had ventured far from the bustling, never-sleeping city he called home—Gurugram, known as "The Smart City of India." After four years there, he now scoffed at the title. He had originally planned a trip to Ladakh, but heavy landslides had led to tourism restrictions. Even if it were safe now, his mother would have worried herself sick and likely resorted to emotional blackmail. So, he decided to visit Neemrana, where his parents lived, before seeking solitude in the palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur. He had invited Jay, his elder brother working in Bombay with an MNC, but Jay was busy with a crucial project that promised a promotion. The little time he had on weekends was spent with his fiancée, Anshika. They had both promised to visit soon, so he set off on a solo trip.
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He arrived in Neemrana on Friday and was greeted warmly by his parents. They were in good health, and their usual lively banter during dinner made the 80 km journey from Gurugram worthwhile. He inquired about his father's job in Bhiwadi, noting that since buying the new house, his father had been commuting daily. Despite their suggestions for his parents to move in with them and enjoy a more relaxed life now that both sons were earning well, his mother had a deep attachment to the city, its streets, markets, and its people. She had been the head of their society colony. His father, on the other hand, felt bored at home without work.
"Jatin beta," his mother called out. His cab was at the door, and it was time to leave for his exciting trip to Jaipur. Even though both his parents tried to convince him to stay, he won at last. Bidding their farewells, he looked forward to the trip and promised his parents he would visit them again on his return trip.
Now, sitting in the restaurant near the Hawa Mahal, he observed all the sights before him, took dozens of photos to send in the family WhatsApp group: "The Bansals." Then he decided to shift his focus to the food—the special Pyaaz Kachori of Jaipur.
It was past 7 pm when he picked up his bags and made his way to his hotel room, passing colorful street shops selling various items. As he was calling for a taxi, his phone started buzzing. The caller ID displayed "Chachu." He hadn't talked to his uncle in a long time, a fact he now felt guilty about. He picked up the call, and as soon as the words left his uncle's mouth, he felt the world stop around him.
