Ek Villian

Chapter 7 (Wishes in the Wind)

In the Past

Ayush was playing on the ground with some children, his laughter blending with theirs as he became one of them. A short distance away, Guru stood silently, watching. He saw Ayush losing himself in the moment, carefree and happy, and a rare calmness settled in Guru's heart.

"Okay, bacha log, bye! Bye, dear!" Ayush waved to the children before walking over to Guru.

Guru, his voice steady but filled with resolve, said, "I want to help you fulfill the remaining wishes in your diary."

Ayush smiled faintly. "Do you want to hear a joke?"

"Yes."

"Forget it. I don't want to say it," Ayush replied, his tone turning serious. "Because you'll listen to the joke as if you're sympathizing with me. Thank you, but I don't need that. I've breathed in this city as much as I could. Now, it's time to fly to another place and breathe for as long as I can."

Ayush turned to leave, but Guru stopped him.

"My father was addicted to gambling," Guru began, his voice trembling slightly. "He used to bet on cards, cricket, anything. One day, he lost so much that he wagered his life. I was eight years old when my parents were killed in front of me. I was hiding under the bed. I didn't do anything to save them."

Guru's voice hardened. "After that, people tried to give me shelter, but I didn't want shelter. I wanted revenge. One day, I got it. I killed the men who orphaned me. I thought I'd find peace, that I'd be able to sleep. But I was wrong."

Ayush listened intently. It was the first time Guru had opened up about his past.

"The other day, when I helped Chotu with you... that night, I slept peacefully for the first time in years. Why did that happen?" Guru's voice cracked with vulnerability.

Ayush smiled gently. "Because for the first time, you did something for someone else. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. That eight-year-old boy under the bed... he's still there. He needs someone's hand to pull him out of the darkness and bring him into the light. Unless we share someone else's pain, we can never relieve our own."

Guru's heart began to soften. Ayush's words, his jokes, and his laughter began to carve a place in Guru's mind and heart—a place he wasn't ready to let go of.

---

That night, Guru found himself unable to sleep. For the first time, he felt restless. What if something happened to Ayush? What if he couldn't fulfill Ayush's dreams?

By dawn, Guru had made up his mind. He grabbed his car keys and drove to Ayush's house. At 6:30 a.m., Ayush opened his window to let in the morning air. To his surprise, he saw Guru sitting by the tires of his jeep.

Guru stood up awkwardly, adjusting his shirt. His face betrayed a mix of emotions that Ayush had never seen before. Ayush, initially shocked, looked closely at Guru and understood the storm of feelings he was grappling with.

Without saying a word, Ayush signaled that he was coming down. Soon, the two of them were on the road—Ayush riding his bullet bike ahead, his excitement uncontainable, while Guru followed calmly in his jeep.

Their first stop was a serene waterfall deep in the forest. The view was breathtaking. Ayush began chasing butterflies, his laughter echoing in the tranquility. Guru took out Ayush's camera and captured the moment. Despite several attempts, Ayush couldn't catch a butterfly. Guru stepped forward, gently guiding Ayush's hands, and together, they caught one. Ayush's face lit up with joy as Guru clicked another photo.

From that day on, Guru dedicated himself to fulfilling Ayush's wishes. They swam with fish in the deep sea, collected glowing pearls on a moonlit beach, and checked off one dream after another. Guru even plastered Ayush's name across billboards and walls, fulfilling his dream of being famous.

One morning, Ayush woke to find snow outside his window. Shocked, he stepped out to touch it, realizing it was real. But how? They were in Goa. Looking up, he saw Guru on the roof, creating artificial snowfall. Tears welled up in Ayush's eyes. No one had ever done so much for him.

Ayush ran to Guru, throwing his arms around him. They played in the snow, laughing and fighting like children. Ayush's father watched from inside, understanding without doubt that these two souls were meant for each other.

---

The next day, Ayush wanted to see peacocks dance in the first monsoon rain. It required climbing a steep mountain. Guru led the way, but Ayush slipped and fell.

Guru rushed to him, worried. "Ayush! Are you okay?"

Ayush nodded. "I'm fine. Let's keep going."

"You're not well. Let's go back."

"Are you crazy? Peacocks only dance in the first rain. I don't have much time, Guru."

Guru's heart sank. He carried Ayush on his back, determined to make it to the top. By the time they arrived, the rain had started. A stranger informed them the peacocks had already danced. Ayush tried to hide his disappointment, but Guru felt it deeply. Ayush had become the purpose of his life. He couldn't imagine losing him.

Guru sought out every doctor in Goa, desperate to save Ayush.

One doctor finally said, "If you have one last chance, take him to Dr. Prema Shrivastav in Mumbai. Maybe she can help."

---

On the beach, Ayush turned to Guru. "You've fulfilled so many of my wishes. Can you fulfill one more? If I don't make it, will you complete the rest of my dreams for me?"

Guru's eyes brimmed with pain.

Ayush smiled softly. "Don't worry. Even after I'm gone, I'll always be with you. Like the breeze. Just close your eyes and feel it. Whenever it touches your face, know that it's me."

---

### In the Present

Inside a quiet church, Guru sat by a window. A gentle breeze brushed against his face, bringing with it the memory of Ayush's laughter. A young boy approached the altar, carrying a small fan decorated with vibrant colors.

Manish: God, thank You. Everything is perfect in my house. Mother and father don't quarrel anymore. Please keep everyone happy. And I promise to offer my cars to You nine more times. Thank you. God, these are my favourite toys. Take them away. But please keep my family happy.

Can I help? Guru said

Guru: Did a boy give you this?

Manish: No. My father gave it to me.