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The sound of the utensils and something being fried in oil can be heard. Khushboo looked at the just-served masala dosa and idli sambar on the front table. The smell filled her nose as she looked at the boy in front of her.
Don't ask how I got here, just somehow we ended up here.
The boy looked at me again after eyeing the dishes. "You don't like it?" I asked. The question was left unanswered as he just silently leaned back in his chair, not planning to eat anything.
I sighed, at first, I was annoyed that he doesn't reply, but now it seems bearable. Of course, I feel pity for him, yet that's not the complete reason. I just realized that in those moments when I was stuck and was at home , I was just too much alone. Being with a complete stranger is not a solution in any situation, but what can a sick person do? I bet if I pushed him, even with my half strength, he might break a bone or two.
"Did you already know that you were poisoned?" I munched the food while glancing at him. He stared at me for a few seconds before taking out his phone from his pocket. Damn, are you not poor? I thought, looking at him confused, but he just got focused on the screen.
I huffed. Bastard, I muttered under my breath, but nevertheless got lost in the food.
The payment speaker announced my transaction after I paid, and we came out. Now, what should I do with this human here? I looked at him, who again stared back at me with no expression.
"I will help you get better," I said, but not a single change happened on his face. "But what will you give me in return?" He stared at me deeply before casually looking around as if I said nothing.
I stared at him , raising my eyebrow at his audacity. Are all the very sick people are like this!! Or I'm a rare person and got the worst case?
Let's look for a cab. I'll help you anyways.
Jiska koi nahi hota, uska author hota hai.
[ "The one who has no one, has the author." ]
But not in his case. What is he, a side character? Or just a passerby? Maybe not even a character. Since I bumped into you, maybe I can help. I'm lacking a friend anyway. Yeah, maybe a bit mute and unresponsive, but at least he is alive and is together .
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The afternoon was fading bit by bit, and now the softness of the weather was around the corner. We both sat silently in the car. I stared out of the window as the trees and buildings passed by, blurred in motion. My palm pressed against the cool glass, what a life..
So much had happened.
It's unbelievable how I've found myself in this place where no one knows me, and I can't even figure out how to escape. The whole day played in my mind, each event more absurd than the last. This is the first and last time I'll ever jump into a mess like this, I promised myself.
Silently I glanced over at the boy beside me—his eyes were closed, lost in his own world, maybe even napping. Hmm A nap does sound nice...
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I stretched my arms and rolled my neck, trying to shake off the stiffness from an awkward nap. The car seat was far from comfortable, and my body was paying the price, sore and achy. Outside the window, the sky was a breathtaking blend of orange and pink, an evening canvas devoid of clouds, glowing softly as the day began to fade into night.
What time is it?
I grabbed my phone from my lap, and the lock screen blinked 7:18. I slept that long? Panic flared briefly as I turned to check on the boy sitting next to me. His posture was relaxed, his head leaned back against the seat, eyes closed as if he hadn't moved an inch since I dozed off. I blinked, trying to get my bearings, and that's when I noticed something strange—the driver's seat was empty.
Where the heck is the driver?
I fumbled for the door handle and pushed it open, stepping out of the car. Fresh air immediately rushed at me, cool and crisp, a contrast to the stuffy interior of the car. I inhaled deeply, trying to focus, but the sight of the dense forest surrounding us only added to my confusion. The destination seems right, but where did the driver go? I squinted at the trees, hoping to spot him.
The car door behind me opened, and the boy stepped out, his movements calm and collected as if this bizarre situation didn't faze him. His eyes were clear and awake—unlike mine, which probably screamed "just woke up from a nap."
"Do you know where the driver went?" I asked, my voice a little more frantic than I intended. He approached me, stopping a couple of feet away, and, unsurprisingly, didn't say a word. But instead of ignoring me completely like he usually did, he pulled out his phone, typing something on the screen before showing it to me: Gone home.
I stared at him, baffled. "Gone home? And left his car here?" My voice rose in disbelief, but his expression remained unchanged. Without a second glance, he pocketed his phone and shifted his gaze to the forest as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
Great, just great.
I sighed, pushing down my confusion, and started walking. "Let's go," I said, not caring to dwell on the mystery of the disappearing driver. Maybe he really did leave for some emergency. Maybe he's a ghost. Who knows anymore? The boy silently followed, his presence almost like a shadow, never questioning or hesitating. Does he not worry about anything? I could be leading him into a trap, and he wouldn't care.
The thought made me glance back at him briefly, only to find him watching me intently, as if he could read my mind. His expression, though blank, had a strange intensity to it that made me quicken my pace, suddenly feeling uneasy under his quiet gaze.
I muttered to myself as we walked, "The biggest tree in the forest..." My eyes scanned the area, searching for the landmark that would guide me. And there it was—a massive tree, its trunk thick and ancient. A sigh of relief escaped me as I reached it, pressing my hand against the bark. "Fifteen steps to the right..." I whispered under my breath.
I turned to check on the boy. He was standing right beside me, closer than I expected, his eyes never leaving me. His gaze wasn't threatening, but it was unsettling, like he was waiting for something.
"We need to go that way," I said, pointing toward the direction I had counted. Without waiting for a response, I started walking again, my steps quick and deliberate as I crushed dry leaves and branches beneath my feet. I counted each step in my head, my heart thudding in rhythm with my pace. When I reached the fifteenth step, I stopped, standing still for a moment.
It was quiet—too quiet—until the faint sound of water reached my ears. I smiled, the sound bringing a sense of accomplishment. I followed the noise, and the towering trees parted like curtains, revealing a stunning waterfall cascading down smooth rocks into a shimmering pool below. The sight was breathtaking, the sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting a golden hue over the scene.
I actually found it, I thought, a sense of pride swelling in my chest.
Without a second thought, I made my way to a cluster of large rocks near the water's edge. Slipping off my shoes, I sank onto one of the rocks, leaning back against it and letting out a contented sigh. The tension in my shoulders slowly eased as I basked in the serenity of the moment.
I glanced over at the boy, who was standing there, observing the waterfall with an unreadable expression. "Come sit down," I said, gesturing to the empty space next to me. To my surprise, he didn't hesitate. He walked over and sat beside me, leaving a small but comfortable distance between us.
The gentle sound of the waterfall filled the air, mixing with the soft rustle of leaves swaying in the evening breeze. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the forest.
It was time.