Chapter 5

475 38 1
                                    

*I thought the song would be perfect for the story. The song speaks of unfinished stories, pain and love.
Here are the lyrics of the song along with the english translation.

Paas Aaye... Dooriyaan Phir Bhi Kam Na Hui
You came close to me, still the distances (between us) didn't eradicate
Ek Adhuri... Si Hamari Kahani Rahi...
Our (love)story remained incomplete
Aasmaan Ko Zameen, Ye Zaroori Nahi, Jaa Mile... Jaa Mile...
It's not necessary that the Sky always gets to meet the Earth
Ishq Saccha Wahi, Jisko Milti Nahi Manzilein... Manzilein...
True love is the one which doesn't reach its destination Rang Thhe, Noor Tha, Jab Kareeb Tu Tha
There were colours, there was a glow, when You were besides me
Ek Jannat Sa Tha, Yeh Jahaan...
This world was like heaven
Waqt Ki Ret Pe, Kuch Mere Naam Sa
On the sands of time, something which seemed like my name
Likh Ke Chhod Gaya, Tu Kahaan...
You wrote it and then disappeared leaving me behind
Hamari Adhuri Kahani... (x4) Our incomplete story, our incomplete story
Khushbuon Se Teri, Yunhi Takra Gaye...
I collided with Your scent don't know how
Chalte Chalte, Dekho Na, Hum Kahaan Aa Gaye...
Look while walking how far I've come
Jannatein Agar Yahin, Tu Dikhe Kyon Nahin
If this is heaven, then why can't I see/find You
Chaand Suraj Sabhi, Hai Yahaan...
The Moon and the Sun are all here
Intezaar Tera, Sadiyon Se Kar Raha
I've been waiting for You since decades
Pyaasi Baithi Hai Kab Se Yahaan...
It (the story) is thirsty (incomplete) since so long
Hamari Adhuri Kahani... (x4) Our incomplete story, our incomplete story
Pyaas Ka, Ye Safar, Khatam Ho Jayega...
This journey of quenching the thirst shall end soon
Kuch Adhura, Sa Jo Tha, Poora Ho Jayega...
Something which was incomplete will get completed soon
Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan, Mill Gaye Do Jahaan
The Skies have bowed down, both the worlds have met
Har Taraf Hai Milan Ka Samaa...
Everywhere You see, there's an atmosphere of meeting/gathering
Doliyan Hain Saji, Khushbuein Har Kahin
Palanquins are decorated, fragrances are spread everywhere
Padhne Aaya Khuda, Khud Yahaan...
Even God himself has come to read this
Hamari Adhuri Kahani... (x4) Our incomplete story, our incomplete story .*

--------------------------------------------------------

Uruvi waited but nothing happened. She opened her eyes and was surprised to see the man with AAJI. He had an apologetic look. Aaji was scolding him.
Aaji- these new generation people, I tell u..have no respect for elders..you have to tell them to help an old woman..and even after that they won't help outright..God knows where this world is going. She had handed the man a bag of hers.
Aaji-now will you just stand there looking at me or bring the bag over here. And by the way this is the ladies compartment, you better get off the compartment before the train moves. Be quick.
The man surprisingly heeded aaji's words and scurried off the train.
Aaji- I hope you weren't scared dear. These people just have to be handled the right way. Uruvi just nodded her head. She still was in a numbed state. Seeing all this as if it were a movie , as if all this was happening to someone else.
Aaji- I remember you child. Haven't we met earlier?.
Uruvi- umm...yaa..
Aaji-where are you getting down child ? You shouldn't be travelling alone at this time. Where is your husband?
At the word 'husband',a quiver escaped her lips. Aaji was waiting for a reply but she just sat there staring into the inky darkness outside. Her mind was as blank as that darkness. The wind was wooshing past her, stinging her eyes. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes because of the wind(that's what she told herself). She didn't break out into hysterical sobs, only a few drops spilled across her face. But those few drops were enough for aaji to engulf her into a tight hug. Uruvi gave into that hug and clinged to her. She never was a person who could vocalize her feelings, she never was comfortable with it. She was glad that aaji didn't bother her with a million questions and silently gave her the solace she required. Aaji combed Uruvi's hair with her fingers and cooed into her ears as a mother would do to her infant. They stayed like that for a long time. Aaji then broke the silence.
Aaji-child, I'm getting down at the next station, you may come with me if you wish to. Accompanying an unknown stranger to her house that too at this odd hour was the naivest thing a person could do. But then Uruvi always was a naive person, wasn't she. She did most of the things as if she were in a trance, without giving much thought to what she was doing. For things she couldn't handle she always got into that trance and perhaps doing so through these years she got stuck in that no man's land. Maybe that was what had brought her to this situation today, her thoughtlessness, her naivety. She wasnt ready to get out of that state just now. She just nodded a yes, maybe, just adding on to the list of foolish things she had did untill now. Her heart said that aaji could be trusted, but then, her heart had already proved to be a traitor. They got down at the next station. She clung to aaji's hand, hiding herself from all the inquisitive glances coming their way. The locality where aaji lived seemed to be decent enough. They got into aaji's flat. It was small yet comfy and welcoming. The day's fatigue was catching up with her. Aaji was still quiet, leaving Uruvi to her own devices. All this was pretty weird but she didnt want to ponder over it right now. Aaji brought her a glass of water to drink. She gulped it all down. Aaji told her that she could sleep on the couch and gave her a blanket aswell. She took the blanket, turned around and squeezed her eyes shut. She waited for aaji to switch off the lights and go to sleep. Long after the lights were switched off she was still waiting for the tears to come, for the emotions to overwhelm her. But nothing happened. Not a single tear came. Not only had she lost her family but she had also lost the person she had gambled everything for. Was all this of so little consequence to her that she wasn't in the least ruffled by all this. She didn't know, she didn't want to know. Sleep was eager to embrace her into it's folds. She gave into the embrace and fell into a calm dreamless sleep.

A Mirage of ThoughtsWhere stories live. Discover now