Until We Meet Again - I

Chapter 9: The Crash

'Sir, sir, are you there?' the person on the other side of the phone shouted as i got out of my trance.

'Ye..yes. what do you know about the crash?' I picked up the phone and stood up.

'We don't know much, we'll get the information soon and we'll keep you posted.'

'Yes please.' I said as I cut the phone and rushed inside, into Anaya's house.

I rushed to the living room, Ranbir was sitting there, along with a girl who was sitting on his lap.

'What the- what are you doing here Dev?' he asked as he quickly stood up, and the girl fell down on the couch. No one else was there.

'I don't have time for you.' I said as I quickly rushed and switched on their TV and switched to the news channel.

"WE HAVE JUST GOT THE NEWS OF AN INDIAN AIR FLIGHT, WHICH GOT CRASHED AT A MOUNTAIN SIDE. THE FLIGHT TOOK OFF FROM DELHI TODAY AT 7:30 P.M. AND WAS SUPPOSED TO LAND AT PARIS AT 6:00 A.M. IST. CURRENTLY THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS STILL UNKNOWN AND SO IS THE NUMBER OF CASUALITIES. THE RESCUE TEAM HAS BEEN SENT, WE'LL SOON REPORT WITH MORE INFORMATION."

Everything in my surrounding faded as I watched the news. I saw Emma and Anaya come inside in my peripheral vision. Anaya quickly rushed at my site.

'Dev. Dev. What happened? We saw you run inside in a hurry and followed you.' Anaya asked, her voice filled with concern.

I could not utter a single word, I just pointed towards the TV screen, still showing the news about the crash.

My mind, my whole body went numb. I could not feel anything, when suddenly it all hit me together at once. I looked at Anaya as tears blurred my vision.

My mind was still unable to process what was happening. How? When? Why? All these questions flooded through my mind, Anaya hugged me as tears streamed down my face.

Mom and dad, what will I tell them? How will they react?

I quickly rushed outside, followed by Anaya and Emma. Mom and Dad were having the dessert, I quietly made my way towards them.

'Mom', I said quietly, 'Dad.'

'Dev, did you taste the dess—' Dad said as he looked up at me and his expression changed quickly, 'What happened? Why are your eyes red?' he said as he stood up.

'What happened Dev? Were you crying? What happened? You are scaring me.' Mom said as she stood up and came to stand in front of me when I didn't reply.

'Rud...Rudr...Rudra's plane crashed.' I said quietly. Tears again blurred my eyes as my parents heard the news. Mom just stared at me, while Dad tried to make out what I just said.

'What are you saying? Is this another one of your pranks?' mom said

'No, mom, I wish it was a prank. The HQ just informed me, it's all in the news.' As the words left my mouth,, mom sinked down in the chair, dad held her. By now Kalpana aunty had also heard the news and was standing by mom's side.

'What happened and when? And how is Rudra? Is he hurt, is he fine?' dad asked removing his galsses.

'I have no idea. A rescue team has been sent. They are looking for any survivors or any casuality.' I informed them.

'We should go home now, we'll wait for their call there.' I said as I sat down on my knees infront of mom.

'Let's go mom.' I said and put my hand above hers to reassure her, even though i had zero reassurance.

'I'll get the car ready.' I said and left for the parking. Emma followed me.

'D, are you okay?' she asked as she caught up with me.