Dusky Moonlight

Chapter- 5(2)

The sky started drum rolling the thunders and in a few seconds, it started a big rain. The tides raised higher, and the ship unstably moved forward in the reckless waves. Rathi walked gripping the wall, she went to her room and sat on her bed. The sound of rumbles echoed loudly inside her room.

She closed her ears to stop getting scared of seeing the other side of nature, she prayed the almighty but no specific god's figure came to her mind. She has already seen how the ocean engulfed Shankari and the fact that she doesn't know swimming greatly made her question the possibility of her survival. She stayed there shuddering in panic and the minutes passed like hours. After some time, she couldn't sit on that bed because it's shaking like crazy, opening her eyes she saw water coming from the gap of that closed door. She watched the titanic movie last year on the Television and realizing it's not dangerous to stay in the room she got down from the bed only to fall on the floor in a thud. She partly soaked in the water and also hurt her elbow in the process.

She couldn't keep a hold; it has turned into a hurricane as Aadhiyan said. It will sink this small ship any second. She got up with much difficulty and in fear, she dashes out to find Aadhiyan coming to her room as well. Her fear faded slightly to see the life jacket in his hand.

"You okay?" he asked worriedly and held her hand.

"You need to get out of this ship," he urged and handed the life jacket. He helped her in wearing that and they both headed to the deck. All people were jumping one after another carrying some impotent boxes, they don't put any life jacket. In fact, she's the only person wearing it.

The clouds showering the rain, when they were standing without knowing what to do a huge wave soaked them entirely, and all of them lost their balance for a moment. Aadhiyan held Rathi firmly against him but she couldn't stop being feared. Aadhiyan shouted everyone to get off the ship soon.

"Das, you take her safely with you, I will stay on the ship. I won't let it sink," he said senselessly. Das didn't speak back and just nodded his head.

Some of them stayed by his side, and Rathi looked at him stunned. Aadhiyan observed the sky and then Rathi, "Look at there, it's our home," he told pointing the opposite side and Rathi saw the small lights in that dark.

"The water will be cold and don't frighten you won't die," He smiled.

Rathi had a strong urge to request him to come with her since she felt it's too dangerous to stay on the ship but she didn't.

"Now go, I will come," he said.

Rathi felt uncomfortable to leave Aadhi, her heart couldn't accept it. From where this sudden affection come from? She thought, looking at him.

"GO," his rough voice ordered her before another huge wave could hit the ship. Rathi bewildered by his care on her.

Aadhiyan didn't expect the hurricane will hit so suddenly. He thought it will be in the night but for the first time, he failed in his assumptions. Rathi moved to the iron railing and looked at the water. It's so massive, thick and dark, she's a tiny piece compared to that endless ocean. For the first time in her life, she's going to do something that she never thought of doing it in the first place.

Shankari's words ringed in her ears that second, your life is not what you think. Her life is like this ocean so dangerous hiding many secrets in its depth. Till now she hadn't lived the real-life that's inscribed for her and now she made her mind to dive inside the danger that haunting ever since she was born in this world.

"Jump! Rathi," he shouted and taking a deep breath she fell on the ice-cold water. After that everything moved in a slow-motion for Rathi.

The salty water filled in her ears and she saw nothing but darkness there. She struggled to go up for air and that time a hand held her arm and guided to the upper surface of the water. She opened her eyes and gasped for the air.