- 02 : burns -

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"Baba, what's your name?" The old man asked in curiosity as he keenly observed how the younger lad was being ever so gentle while smearing the paste over his partner's deeply burned wounds.

"Dhrubo, kaka. What's yours?" He asked, shooting a polite smile as he continued applying the balm, while Shilpi lay asleep.

"Rahim, Mohammad Rahim Ali. You know, I've lived quite a bit of life but never have I met a man like you!" He exclaimed as he continued examining the man in front of him, as if trying to decipher a puzzle.

"What is so extraordinary about me?" Dhrubo chuckled looking at the astonished
graybeard.

"Men these days are so coward, just like myself. No personality of themselves just moulding into the moulds society has designated for them. You, Dhrubo seem to be someone who can defy everything and live beyond that realm of weak- willed and spiritless society. Your visage is sculpted ever so carefully as if it's here to convey a huge message towards this irresolute community we are living in. It depicts two polar opposite expressions - courage and gentleness which barely exist together these days." The old man described making Dhrubo stunned.

"Kaka. Don't call yourself coward. Providing us shelter for the night is enough to prove your valour. And about me, I'm not that amazing as you think. I'm just another human being trying to protest against this unsettling norms which cause nothing but suffering to people." Dhrubo concluded, while Rahim just smiled knowing that his 70 year old mind has definitely seen something beyond the words of Dhrubo.

"You really love your wife, don't you?" Rahim said in a playful tone.

"I do." Dhrubo could only manage this vague half lie as a response while the old man chuckled.

"You know, back when I was your age. I had a wife. She was very pretty. She was a little younger to me but we lived a cozy comfortable life. I don't know whether I loved her or not but I definitely respected and admired her. I felt that maybe without her I wouldn't be able to live because I became so dependent on her. But look at this worthless man now, I'm still alive and breathing without her. Surviving without her. She probably thinks I'm a sinner for lying that I won't be able to live without her. She had a very painful death and the day I saw her breathing her last breath, I felt the ground beneath me hollow, as if someone had snatched it from below my feet. Although I'm still living, I vowed not to go near a single woman all my life after her death. Many people wanted me to remarry but I was always against it and look at me now. Alone, aimless seventy year old just waiting for the day Allah decides to take me back, the place where maybe we can reunite once again." Rahim narrated as a lone tear slipped from his eye.

Dhrubo slowly crept near him and placed a hand on his shoulder trying to calm him down from the sudden emotional breakdown.

**
Shilpi groaned as she felt the sun rays hitting her face. Opening her eyes, she felt her whole body aching. Her vision directly went to her half burnt hand which immediately played all the incidents that took place yesterday. She tried to get up but her body gave up. Just as she was trying to figure out where she was, she saw Dhrubojyoti sleeping like a kid inches away from her feet while an older men was sleeping with his shoulders resting on the walls of the yard of the house at a distance.

Seeing Dhrubo near her feet she quickly recoiled it and tried getting up again, this time managing to be successful. She looked the one day old burns which were all over body making each part ache ever so painfully. Reminiscing her memories of yesterday night, she glanced at Dhrubo once again but this time to be met by his hazel orbs which were wide open making her drown in those very orbs. She felt an unusual shaky feeling in her body making all her pain vanish in the blink of an eye. She knew, even after all these years, she was still the same old Shilpi who cried rivers when her only friend left her. She knew what effect his presence had on her.

"Shilpi? You woke up? Are you ok?" He asked concerned, as he sat up hastily.

"Yes." was all she said, turning away her face from him. He knew she was upset, afterall he left her without any notice and came back after so many years just the same way. Except for she wasn't upset. She was too ashamed to face him. To meet his eyes seemed like the hardest job right now, as the memory of him getting his hand majorly burnt just to save her flashed in front of her. She was the reason he was ready to sacrifice himself. She could feel her heart burn thinking about how he is still ready to give up everything for her but she can do nothing except for finding herself in trouble.

"Do they hurt?" His voice low and filled with worry as he scooted closer to her.
"What?"
"Your burns."
"Yes, they do." Except they don't anymore. It was her burning heart which caused all the pain right now.
"Do you know where we are?"
She shook her head, still not facing him properly.
"It's Rahim Kaka's house. He provided us his roof for the night. Let's thank him and leave. I'm sure you are still tired."
"Okay." She replied timidly as she tried standing up steadily. With a little support from Dhrubo she finally managed to stand, still limping due to the burns on her legs.

"Rahim Kaka." Dhrubo called out, making the old man jolt up from his sleep.
"Yes Dhrubo Baba." He quickly got up.

"We are leaving Kaka, Thank you so much for providing us your roof for yesterday night. I know we can never repay you this favour but I'll make sure to send you some tokens of gratitude once we reach our abode."

"No need child, I'm happy I could help. I see your wife has recovered visibly from yesterday night. Live happily children. May Allah's Duas (blessings) be always with you two. Let me guide you the way out."

"Thank you Rahim Kaka, I can't possibly thank you enough." Shilpi said as she bowed down to touch his feet.
"No no child, don't bend down in front of me. I'm a poor nobody, helping children like you is just a pleasure Allah is providing me with. Also you're hurt. Don't take the pain of touching my feet. My blessings are always with you." Rahim Kaka said as he caressed Shilpi's head.

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A little shorter chapter, since double update. Vote and comment.

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