Finding Love

Chapter 15

Strolling across the barren path, his mind began it wander. It went back to times forgotten, memories faded, and lives now changed. It wandered off into lands long abandoned, love lost long ago, and all those days in the dark shadows, where guilt, sorrow, pain and pity weighed down on him, heavy. Then there were the days of change. How his personality underwent massive restructuring. How his likes and dislikes had changed. How his reckless larky nature was now replaced with a morose, silent, soft spoken demeanour. He had loved music. He now hated it. He was a man of principle and discipline. Now, well, what he was, he blamed it all on his past. He hated how his temper would rise, livid, and how his eyes seemed moist and red all through. He had once hated the pain he had given her. He knew, she wouldn't be able to move on easily. He still felt the guilt, as it tugged at his heart. But some things needed to be done away with. And one, was true love. He wasn't orderly now either. He still was reckless as always, but a little more. Just not in actions alone, but now, emotions too.

A family holiday it was. Amsterdam. The beautiful land of intricacies and architecture. One whole week, surrounded with family, soothing, refreshing, and relaxing. As the five of them got into the taxi, to head to the airport, to catch a flight back home, he knew, that this vacation had been a very special one for him. He knew, he'd always remember it. But he hadn't the faintest idea, that indeed, he would always have to remember it. Boarding the plane that day, his sister stood rooted to the last of the stairs, not stepping into the aircraft, until he pushed her to. He chuckled at her nervousness. 'I feel uneasy,' she had said. And he thought that was a lame cover up. All through the first three hours, he kept making fun of her, pointing out her cowardice. She kept scowling at him. Arguing even. And as he was laughing loudly, his head thrown behind in the air, the aircraft took a sudden one thirty degree swirl, everyone holding onto their dear seats. The turbulence kept increasing, and the aircraft kept dipping and rising. The captain said there was nothing to worry about. The air hostess too said the same thing in the announcement box. The plane still kept dipping, now going into even more vigorous turbulence. And soon, the aircraft was rocking, then swaying, almost pushing people off their seats. His sister clung to her Bhai, as if it would faze out the effect. She didn't let go at all. Maybe she thought that sinking into the warm embrace of her elder brother would relieve the fear of an impending doom. This. This is what had crossed her mind, when entering the plane. She didn't want to tell him. He would think she was absurd. He seemed so happy. Everyone seemed so happy. Just one word, and that would all be gone. All the happiness would have melted into worry. Her brothers would never stop jeering at her, all through their lives. Taking a deep breath, she had stepped into the plane, all her faith invested in the Lord.