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"We'll always stay together, right?" the girl, dressed in pink with a Bindi, asked, fiddling with her braids, her eyes betraying a hint of anxiety as she glanced downward.
"Absolutely! Why wouldn't we?" replied the eldest among them. They were seated beneath a tree, accompanied by a young boy, a blue monkey, and himself, the eldest.
"We'll never be apart. I guarantee it!" chimed in the talking monkey, playfully scaling the banyan tree beside them and tugging at the younger boy's clothing. "Because I'll always be here to tease you humans!" the monkey added with a mischievous cackle, relishing in his playful antics.
"But what if we do get separated?" the girl pressed, her frown deepening, "What if I get lost and we're separated?" She looked up, seeking reassurance in the eldest's eyes. He blushed slightly, shifting back and veiling his face in time to conceal it. The others looked on, perplexed, but he quickly recovered with a broad smile.
"Then we promise we'll find you, no matter where you are!"
-
Bheem's smile widened, a testament to the passage of time—10 years gone by in a blur. Reflecting on the journey, the transformation of Dholakpur seemed improbable. Yet, amidst the changes, a comforting familiarity lingered, reminiscent of days past. The kingdom had flourished, expanding its borders and fortifying its defenses. New crops brought prosperity, alleviating the hardships of its people. Many came and many left. But the memory of that single person still haunts Bheem every night.
A simmering anger welled within him, seeping into the very air around him and consuming his innermost thoughts. He was angry, at himself and on that person too. Resentment simmered even after all these years, leaving behind a void that echoed with unanswered questions. Yet, a deeper ache gnawed at him, a self-reproach for failing to uphold a promise made in earnest. In the depths of his soul, a lament for what could have been enveloped him, casting a shadow over his every thought. And the figure lingering in his thoughts was none other than the once-bubbly girl, Chutki.
It was his birthday, he recalls, when he had called everyone to gather at their usual spot; under the great banyan tree. Everyone else came but only her. Later, when they went to her house, neighbours informed that she and her mother Tuntun had left the house anonymously. No one knew when and where did they went. Not that they didn't try their best to find them. They looked for her everywhere possible. Sometimes, even he would go and search Pehelwanpur and other neighbour kingdoms to search for her but it all went to vain in the end. As time went, responsibilities on his shoulder grew and his hope faded. He felt helpless with the passage of time.
Only if I could have told her.
He continued searching for her, even though he had lost faith in ever meeting her. Patience wasn't his forte, but his stubbornness kept him going. He had to find her. He had to keep his promise. He had to see her anxiety ridden expression melt away as soon as she sees him.
