Ek Villian

Chapter 9 (Running Towards Love)

In the Past at the train station 

The station buzzed with announcements and the hum of passengers. Ayush sat silently in the train compartment, staring at nothing in particular. His father, Aadesh, sat beside him, watching his son's restlessness. He could see the tension in Ayush's face—a storm brewing behind those quiet eyes.

"Passenger attention please. Janshatabdi Express from Goa to Mumbai will depart from platform number 6 on its scheduled time," the loudspeaker blared.

Meanwhile, on the crowded platform, Guru arrived, panting heavily. For weeks, he'd been running between doctors and hospitals, clinging to the hope of Ayush's recovery. And now, on the day Ayush was about to leave him and the city behind, Guru was determined not to let him go without a fight. His eyes frantically scanned the crowd for Ayush.

Inside the train, Aadesh broke the silence.

Aadesh: "Ayush, you're always running in life—from one thing to another. But tell me, who are you running from today?"

Ayush: "I'm not running away, Dad."

Aadesh: "Son, there are two types of laughter: one that hides sorrow and another that helps you forget it. You've found the second kind with Guru. You've found it in his love."

Ayush (sadly): "What's the point of love that will only leave him crying in the end? I'm not running away from him; I'm stopping him from chasing me."

Just then, they heard Guru's voice echo across the platform.

Guru (yelling): "Ayush! Ayush!"

Ayush froze, recognizing the voice. He lowered his gaze, hoping the train would start moving before Guru found him. Guru, however, had already spotted Ayush through the window, sitting silently with his father. Without hesitation, Guru rushed to the train.

He stood at the window, his eyes locked on Ayush. Love, pain, and desperation swirled in his gaze. Ayush avoided eye contact, fearing his resolve would crumble if he met Guru's eyes. Guru spoke, his voice trembling.

Guru: "Ayush, do you want to hear a joke? Once, a man was drowning in the sea. He prayed to God to save him. A fishing boat came, but he said, 'No, God will save me.'

 Later, a ship came, and again he refused help. The man drowned. When he met God, he asked, 'Why didn't You save me?' 

God replied, 'Who do you think sent the boat and the ship?'"

As the train began to move, Guru's voice grew louder, his desperation evident. He ran alongside the moving train, his breaths ragged.

Guru (shouting): "Ayush! I may not be able to save you from dying, but if you hold my hand, you can keep me alive. Pull me out of this darkness, Ayush! Don't leave me. Hold my hand!"

Ayush's hands trembled. He couldn't bear the sight of Guru's struggle. The train picked up speed, but Guru kept running until he collapsed at the end of the platform, defeated and breathless.

Guru (sobbing): "Ayush, don't go. Please, Ayush!"

Tears streamed down Guru's face as he watched the train disappear. Just when he thought all hope was lost, he heard rapid footsteps. Looking up, he saw Ayush running down the tracks towards him, tears matching his own.

Without a word, Ayush threw himself into Guru's arms. Guru lifted him off the ground, holding him tightly as though letting go would shatter him.

The world around them blurred. For a moment, it was just them—their love, their unspoken promises, and the weight of their fleeting time together. Ayush wiped the tears from Guru's face, their eyes speaking the words their lips couldn't. Then, without hesitation, Guru leaned in and kissed Ayush, pouring every ounce of his love and pain into that moment. Onlookers froze in surprise, but neither Ayush nor Guru cared.

TC: "Who pulled the chain?"

It was Aadesh who had stopped the train. He stood watching, unfazed by the public's reaction. All he cared about was his son's happiness. Seeing Ayush's joy, Aadesh felt the weight of years lift off his heart.

Aadesh (to himself): "Ayush lost his smile when his mother passed away. If Guru can bring it back, what else matters?"

"Why does life comprise just a few fleeting moments? Even centuries are not enough for love. I want to ask God for more time—a lifetime isn't enough to love you."

Guru and Ayush both knew they had limited time. They would soon need to go to Mumbai for Ayush's treatment. But before that, Guru wanted to connect with Ayush not just for this life but for the next seven lifetimes. He wanted them to stay together, inseparable. Guru wished to make Ayush his forever. He wanted to marry him, to take the seven vows, and to be by his side in every joy and sorrow, not just as a lover, but as his soulmate and husband.

The Same Day, Ayush Home

Guru stood outside Ayush's house, dressed in a shirt and pants for the first time, abandoning his usual casual attire. He had come to ask Ayush's father, Aadesh, for Ayush's hand in marriage.

Ayush: "You're nervous, aren't you?"

Guru: "No! Who said that? I don't get nervous, okay?"

Ayush: "Oh God, Guru, you're sweating buckets! I've never seen you this scared, not even when fighting people, but now, meeting my dad has you trembling."

Ayush stepped closer, cupping Guru's face gently. Looking into his eyes with deep love, he reassured him.

Ayush: "You don't need to worry. I'm with you."

Guru: "I know you won't leave my side, but I also know how much you love your dad. Without his blessing, you won't marry me."

Ayush: "Excuse me, I've already said yes to marrying you! I didn't need his permission for that."

Guru: "I know. But if your dad rejects me, you won't run away with me because you love him too much. You'd never hurt his feelings."

Ayush smiled warmly.

Ayush: "You're absolutely right, Guru. In just a few months, you've come to understand me so well. But don't worry—my dad loves me as much as I respect him. He won't reject you."

Guru: "Still, I'm far from an ideal husband for you. Forget that—I'm not even an ideal boyfriend! If I were in your dad's place, I'd reject myself outright."

Ayush (laughing): "Okay, stop overthinking. Let's go inside."

Inside the house, Guru and Aadesh sat across from each other, while Ayush stood leaning against the wall. After a moment of awkward silence, Guru began speaking.

Guru: "Sir, I know it's one thing not to like me, but I'm sure you don't even want me near your son. And I get it—what father would? But I need to tell you that Ayush and I love each other deeply, more than anything else in this world. I'm ready to do anything for him.

"I'll leave behind my old life and start afresh. Ayush is my everything, and I can't live without him. I want to marry him, and Ayush has already agreed. Now we just need your blessing and permission. If you don't allow it, Ayush will refuse too, and we all know time is not on our side. I don't want to waste it. I want to marry Ayush as soon as possible and take him to Mumbai for his treatment."

For the next ten minutes, Guru continued, pouring out his heart, trying to make Aadesh understand that while he might not be the ideal partner for Ayush, no one could love, respect, or care for Ayush more than he could. Aadesh listened silently, and slowly, a smile appeared on his face. Whatever doubts he had about Guru began to fade away.

Guru: "Sir, please say something..."

Aadesh: "I approve of this relationship."

Guru (shocked): "What? Did you just say something? What did you say?"

Aadesh: "I said I approve of your relationship. In fact, I'll make sure you two get married within the next five days."

Ayush (hugging his dad): "Baba, I love you! You're the best!"

Guru (overjoyed): "Thank you, sir! You have no idea what you've done for me. You didn't take away my reason to live. Thank you."

Aadesh: "If anything, I should thank you for bringing back my old Ayush. Now, enough talk—we have a lot of preparations to start right away."