A little more than Infinity

Chapter 1 ( The Unexpected )

"Our hands contain our humanness. Sometimes they give us away. They clasp a chair while we pretend not to be seared. They sweat from the palms while we beg our foreheads to stay dry. They also hold. They pray. They dance along the keys of a piano. They tickle. They dust themselves in flour. They shape bread. They scratch the back of a lover. We hide so much in this life, but I don't know if it is possible to hide the way a hand can open and close itself out of care or loss or love. And here I am, with my both hands, empty and shivering!"

For Alisha, with Love

21st December 2015

It was almost 9 AM, and Ashu was still sleeping. It was the first day of his winter vacation. His mother came into his room and was not surprised to find him still in bed; this was his usual routine. 

''Wake up beta and get ready, otherwise, we'll be late'' said his mother

''Ma I already told you that I don't want to attend any wedding ''said Ashu in a sleepy voice

''And I already told you that you're going'' his mother replied

''You and Pa can go, I would rather stay at home'' Ashu said still trying to block his ears by folding the pillow around.

''No, you're going. We can't leave you here alone. Who's going to prepare food for you? I'm not leaving my son here to die starving. Who's going to take care of you here?" Said his mother taking his blanket away

''Maa I can take care of myself okay! And I can cook. I will prepare food for myself'' said Ashu getting up from the bed

''Well, Mr Sanjeev Kapoor you don't even know how to prepare a cup of tea. Now stop making excuses and get ready. I don't want to miss my Niece's wedding just because you don't want to go''

Ashu came downstairs rubbing his eyes and went to the bathroom.

Ashu's life has changed a lot in recent months. He hardly talked to anyone and rarely came out of his room. He spent most of his days playing video games and his nights staring at the stars. He didn't like being around people.

The wedding was in a small village called Banwala, and there was nothing fancy or exciting about it to interest Ashu. He didn't see why they had to go there a whole week early. To him, it was pure chaos.

They were ready to go, but Ashu was still not sure if it was a good idea or not to attend the wedding. They started the car and at 2PM they reached their destination. Ashu's Nani maa, Mama Ji, and Mami Ji were so happy to see Ashu because they hadn't seen him for the last 5-6 years. Ashu touched their feet and greeted them. Ashu was always loved and adored for his calm temperament and sincere behavior. He was wearing a black jacket, blue denim, and white sneakers which were looking perfect on him. Ashu found that his cousins were busy in preparations for the wedding so he chose not to disturb them.

Ashu looked around and found that every room was filled with relatives and ladies from the neighborhood. He went into a room and set on a chair which was placed very close to the door of the room. Ashu pulled his mobile from his pocket and started scrolling Facebook. Facebook was really a big thing in those days. It was the very early generation of social media and it was just way too cool to be on Facebook.

He was busy on his phone when suddenly a girl came almost running holding a thali of sweets and so busy in herself that she didn't notice that there was a chair in her way. She bumped into the chair and fell on the floor and by the impact, Ashu's mobile phone too dropped on the floor.

Ashu picked up the phone and got busy with Facebook again like nothing happened. The girl got up collecting the sweets from the floor. She was both confused and surprised that the guy didn't even notice that she fell on the floor.