The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 16

Kas

"Ma", it's just a week. I am a grown man now", Kas says in a slow exaggerated manner. "I will be just fine". His Ma gives him a concerned look. "Lots of cooked food in the refrigerator. Just warm them and eat. Keep takeaways to a minimum. Take all your meds on time. Why haven't you shaved for so many days? You look better without that stubble beard that you've got on these days". Kas laughs as his Ma fusses over him "Ma, go for your factory training. It's good to spend time with your friends also. I am hardly home anyway. I will be just fine." Next afternoon, Kas is on a train. Unknown to his Ma, Kas is also on a journey.

A day later, Kas is walking down a street in the hot afternoon sun. Its deserted and quiet. As he walks down the street, he sees a young boy holding hands with a little girl walking ahead of him. The little girl is chattering away with the boy patiently answering all her questions. Kas blinks as the sweat from his forehead trickles over his eyelashes. He blinks rapidly and the vision of the two children disappears before his eyes. He has walked on this very street with Kaya countless times years ago. But the street looks different now. A couple of new shops and a café have sprung up.

He enters the café and takes a seat near the window after ordering. As he gazes out on the street, he is distracted by someone pulling out a chair at a table next to him. He looks up to see a tall young man settle at the table. As the man orders, Kas stares at him. Its Chess. Though Kas is seeing him after years, Chess looks the same. He looks fit and well built. Time has loved him well. He looks just like the Chess he knows from his memories. Mixed feelings rise up in Kas as he sits there as a stranger. He adjusts his sun glasses and checks himself on the phone. He sees the familiar inconspicuous man that he is. 

Time has not been kind to Kas. He looks ill and frail. He relaxes and discreetly watches Chess. Chess's entire attention is on the street outside as he keeps checking the time. Its obvious Chess is waiting for someone. Almost half an hour passes by, while Chess orders another coffee and Kas also orders another drink. For some strange urgent reason, Kas wants to know who Chess is meeting. Kas suddenly notes a change in Chess's posture. Chess fumbles through his knapsack and takes out a novel. He randomly opens it to a page and almost hides his face behind the novel while sneakily looking out. Kas is surprised and looks out of the window to see what Chess is looking at. A woman is passing by. A tall large woman in Jeans and T-shirt.

Before, he knows it, Kas quickly puts money on the table for the drinks and walks out. He quickly gets out on the street and sees the woman walking confidently and quickly ahead of him. He follows. He doesn't need to even see her face. It's his Dor. She walks briskly and Kas struggles to keep up. Someone passes ahead of him and he sees its Chess. Chess is following Dor discreetly. Dor ahead, Chess sideways behind and finally Kas at another angle behind Chess.

 If someone had a drone view, they would be like three stars in a constellation. It would have even been amusing if painful memories were not involved. Kas's heart feels full as he watches Dor walking ahead. A few minutes later, Kas watches from afar as Dor stands and looks at the place which Kas used to call home. She watches for a few minutes. Kas can't bear to see the place. It's as if Kaya will run out singing in her little voice any moment now.

After a few minutes, Dor turns and walks away with Chess at a discreet distance. Kas leans against a nearby tree and closes his eyes engulfed and overwhelmed by memories. Half an hour later, Kas is standing outside Drakes Bakes.

He enters and the familiar aromas of fresh baking whirl around him. He approaches the counter. Behind the counter is Dor. She gives him a polite small smile and points to the displays. "Take your time", she tells him as he hesitates. He puts his hands in his pockets to stop himself from reaching out to her. He's still as frail and weak as he was seven years ago.

She is tall, healthy and strong before him. He's glad he had the foresight to grow a beard while he was planning this trip. He hears a tapping sound and sees an old paunchy man moving slowly with the help of a walking stick. It's her husband. Drake. Drake grumpily tells her "Your bloody pilgrimage walk again. I told you that boy is dead. Just like his sister. Stop waiting for him". Dor tells him in an angry whisper, "There is a customer here. Go inside".

Drake mutters under his breath and walks inside. Dor is still waiting for him after all these years. He feels the tears pooling in his eyes and glad he has his sun glasses on. He hastily chooses a roll and pastry and goes to the counter to pay. He stares at her face. Her beautiful chocolate brown eyes. Dor. His anchor in the storm, an anchor of unconditional love. He pays quickly, not wanting to speak. He walks out of the bakery with his purchase not looking back. He feels angry and ashamed. This is not the Kas she should see. A sick and weak Kas whom she might feel obliged to take care of, all over again. Just like she did when he was young.

Later, that evening after resting in a cheap guesthouse, Kas sets out again. Its past 9 pm, when Kas arrives at his destination. The beautiful big house with music playing and laughter coming from inside. There is obviously a party going on inside. Kas stands across the lane in the shadows, watching. The bright happy lights in the windows. Zander's home. Seven years later, the house still looks beautiful and the people inside still seem to be as happy. It's a fairy tale book picture. A picture of what happiness looks like. Kas's entire attention is on the house. He doesn't notice a figure walking up quietly to a few feet away from him. The figure pauses, noticing Kas in the shadows. The figure leans towards a tree, waiting. When Kas finally turns away from the house and walks down the dim street lighted way, the figure in the shadows follows him, a lean tall hooded figure.