The Lost Thread

We Meet Again

Richa watched Maya as she prepared the meal. Her hands were working mechanically. She chopped vegetables methodically, stirred the pot frequently, but the faraway look in her eyes, the tiny smile playing around her lips suggested that she was not here. She was back in her past. Sometimes Richa felt that this girl lived more in her past, than in her present. Most of the times it seemed that she was trying to push away her present, so that she could go on living in her past. This was the only thing that stopped Richa from hating her outright. How can you regard someone as a rival when they are not even here.

Little Kedar has finished his dinner and was fast asleep. It was just Richa and Maya. Maya's phone started ringing. It was Krish. It did not seem like Maya has heard it. Richa picked it up. 

'Hi Maya! Do you have time? I have something important to tell you'

Richa breathed in a deep breath. She was about to tell him she was not Maya, but Krish went on,

'Can we meet tomorrow after you school. Wait for me, we will walk up tomorrow'

Richa disconnected the call  and cast a quick glance at Maya. Maya was still in her dreamland. She did not wish them to talk, meet or even share a walk back up. Her jealousy was out of her control. Sometimes she wondered if she was going too far with this obsession over Krish.

Dinner was ready in the next 30 minutes. Richa helped her set up the table. The food was delicious as usual. Richa asked suddenly,

'Tell me more about Kedar's Dad Maya!'

Maya jerked and sucked in a sharp breath. Her heart squeezed painfully before settling down to an uneasy rhythm. She smiled painfully,

'What do you wish to know'

Richa knew she was being cruel. But she wanted to hold her memories as a shield between Krish and Maya. 

'His name, his personality, what made you love him....everything!'

Maya's mind went back in her past again. 

The Second Meeting

The village of Lache had everything you wished to put on a postcard. High snowy peaks, a fast flowing river, a wide valley covered with flowers, small tidy houses, deep green jungles.  Maya would wake early to make most of the early morning lull. She would often walk down the valley to the river edge, or some times she would trek up into the jungle to watch birds. Today, however, she had walked up to the nearest viewing point to see the sunrise on the mountains.

Anyone who had seen sunrise on mountains will realise how addictive it is. The pink rays lit up the mountains like a flare. Then the first golden rays would make the mountains look like they were on fire. Maya was so lost in the scene that she did not notice the man beside her, looking at her intently. She came round only when she heard the lighter.

Dhruv was leaning on the railing, lighting a cigarette. She hated the smell of it.

'Can you put that off please'

Dhruv looked at her surprised. The displeasure on her face was amusing.

'No'

'I don't like the smell of cigarettes'

'It's not like I am kissing you. I am not asking you to take off that horrendous shawl you have around you, am I, although I hate it's colour?'

Maya was speechless with indignation. She decided she absolutely did not like the man. He had just ruined the moment for her. She turned around to leave, only to find her path blocked. The guy was leaning against the only gap that the circular railing had.