A Sew Through Time [Bandbudh And Budbak]

15: The End

Opening her eyes, Saira's faltering gaze settled on the gentle orange bulb glowing in the corner. It was dark outside- scattered light juxtaposing with the coloured rivalry of the nightshade. There was a low grumble, similar to the sound of an impending thunderstorm one could sense after smelling the earth.

Moving in the couch, she pulled out her sore arms pricking with cramps. Sitting up after some time, she rubbed her eyes, letting the images settle and coincide till the lamp appeared brighter.

Distant memories revoked her sense of being, she being there, in another place, in another shape, drifting along twisted threads. They went against her intentions, disappearing, maybe to reappear again.

But it was a vain wish, wiped out like chalk, plain, light; pernicious flares of a long, repeating tape.

Semi-white light from the fridge beamed on Badri's youthful face. He was crouched on his feet, on his paining little toes as he tried to keep steady, mist breathing over his blinking eyes. He glided towards her with a bottle, insisting her to drink it.

It was mango lassi. Little pieces of fruit were dissolved in the thick, light-yellow froth forming bubbles after shaking it lightly. Cold droplets climbed down his thick, smooth fingers.

Saira put the lassi between her thighs wrapped with the rosy blanket. After a few failed attempts, she used a corner for friction and tried again, her face turning pink from fury.

Badri seized the bottle and twisted the seal open, as if it was nothing compared to his strength. Handing it back, he whispered seductively,

"Akele hi sab peelogi?"

She covered her mouth, asking with an aggressive tone, "Why are you here?"

Fingernails clicking wood carroed an attempt of singing, till he broke into a chuckle and replied,

"Tumne toh sabko pareshan kar dali thi! Someone must be there to look out for you, hai na?"

Rows of wet lines glistened on Saira's flaming cheeks. Closing her mouth and letting the liquid touch her lips, she kept the bottle in a distance.

"You don't like lassi?" His twitchy fingers reached for her sticky mouth.

Grabbing his wrist, Saira uttered,
"Where is Khushi?"

"With Budh"

She scrutinized his cold wrist locked inside her clawed fingers. He placed the mass down and asked,

"Would you like me to call-?"

"No!" Saira recoiled uncomfortably, the blanket digging inside the back cushions and the ones below till she gave it a light tug. It was stuck.

"If you say so"

She glared.

"To get her, all I need from you is," he leaned towards her face,

"Just a yes~"

Saira pushed him away and threw the glass bottle towards his direction. It shattered on the wall, glass entrails spread across the carpet like shards of icicles. Froth and thick liquid dripped down the stained wall.

"You got me, meri jaan"

Glaring at him still, Saira watched him walk into the porch, the corners of his eyes brimming with pitying rage.

He smiled without his canine. Before she could open her lips not knowing what would come out, he ran out of the porch, his flickering shadow becoming one with the fog.

Saira buried her face into the armrest; a voiceless sound came that she forcefully muffled. Parasitic agony that had tangled and conjured in the deepest abysses of her chest finally freed her.