A boy is left behind by his mother and is rescued by a stranger. Soon after, two people are killed.
Twenty five years later, emotions are resurfacing. Ayaan Agnihotri learns that his rescuer is no more but the truth runs deeper than that. So, he emb...
A 5-year old boy watched as the train left the station. He leaned against the last tree, catching his breath. His mother asked him to buy the water bottle. By the time, he purchased, the train left. Now he clutched the water bottle, his last link to his mother. His mind only had one thought. His mother was thirsty, and he must reach her at any cost.
He took the next train that stopped on the platform. He held the water bottle close to his chest, adamant of not letting the tears clouding his eyes stream down his face. His mother told him that boys don't cry when things are out of their control. He hated being in such position where he had no idea what was going on around him. He sat back at a window seat and took in his neighbour in the opposite place.
He was a middle-aged man in a tailored shirt and trousers, face framed with spectacles, a book in hand, and head resting back against the seat. He looked tired and worried.
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Soon, the young man woke up and was surprised to see the boy. He tried to ask the boy about his parents, but the boy stayed quiet. After what seemed like hours, the boy asked, "My mother is on the train in front. I lost her at the previous station. Will this train take me to her?"
The man considered the question and answered. "I don't know, son. Not all trains that stop at a platform have the same destination." The boy repeated the words slowly, understanding the meaning of the sentence.
The man quickly understood that the boy was left behind by his mother. He makes a pact with the boy that he will find him a place where his mother will be able to locate him. The boy accepts.
The man took the boy to an orphanage. He asked him to wait for his mother patiently. "No, I don't want to stay here. I want to go home. I am all alone, and I don't like to stay alone."
The man gave him a harmonica^. "This is for you. As long as this harmonica is with you, you are not alone. It will answer your silence. Trust me; there is no better friend than this. The boy took the instrument and brought it to his lips. The music surprised him.
"Thank you, uncle." The boy hugged the man. "Will you revisit me?"
"Sure. I just got a job here in Mumbai. I will come to see you whenever I am free.
With that promise, the man left. The boy stared at the harmonica. He turned it in his hands and found initials V.G. engraved in a Gothic style. He ran his thumb over the initials, feeling the warmth and safety he felt in the man's company.
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'Pursuit' is my first work of fiction with original characters and plot. Thank you for reading this prologue. Hope you will enjoy the story.
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