"Still, life goes on, according to its rules."

He sat with the book clutched tightly at his chest as the plane ran on the runaway. Then he felt himself settle down on his seat, somewhat forcefully putting most of his weight on the seat; he understood the flight had finally taken off. He sighed and opened the book 'The Two of Us' by Taylor Torres recommended by his friend Abhik. Nikhil was never into romance novels or any sad ending books; he said it eats up his energy and maybe he was not wrong either. But this time Abhik made a promise that if he didn't cry while reading the book then he'd get himself a girlfriend which was actually amusing to Nikhil. Abhik? His girlfriend? No. But he couldn't miss out the opportunity to see what his friend would actually do. . .

He was awoken by a sweet voice.

"Excuse me sir, we have a selection of meals for you today, anything you'd like to order?" The air hostess asked with a warm smile.

He wiped the corner of his mouth and looked around; the book almost fell down from his hand when the stewardess picked it up for him. He smiled and replied with a 'thank you' embarrassed at himself. He could not remember when he dozed off while reading the book. 

"No, thank you." He said suddenly remembering about the snacks his mother had packed for him when he was about to leave, plus the price was way too much as compared to the normal cost.

The air hostess smiled and moved forward. Nikhil brought a box out where mother had packed pora pitha for him. He took out a fork and bit down on one piece, his mouth watered more, and he munched on another piece; eating his food in bliss he ignored the stares from other passengers. 

He reached Delhi after almost 2 and half hour later and from there he waited for his flight to Moscow. He got on the flight and after reading some more of the book, he chose a movie for the time-pass, 7-hour flight that too in economy was painful, next time he promised himself that he'd bring neck pillow for comfort. Already 2 and half hours into the movie when he felt his ears clog up, he put down his headphones, but it didn't ease out the pain, he tried playing some music, but the pain was just too much; he felt as if his eardrums were going to explode. After what felt like hours, he dozed off and fell into deep slumber.

The time somehow was made to pass by, he took two orders from the flight one of rice and paneer and another of naan and curry. After sleeping some more with difficulty, he finally felt the turbulence from the friction of wheel touching the ground. He looked up, his eyes focusing on the blurry pathway. The sun was not up yet, and soft pitter-patter of raindrops could be heard trickling down the window. Nikhil heard the pilot then.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed in Moscow. The local time is 8:00 PM. The temperature outside is eleven degrees Celsius. Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the aircraft has come to a complete stop and the seatbelt sign has been turned off. On behalf of the crew, we thank you for flying with us, and we wish you a pleasant stay in Moscow or a safe onward journey."

Nikhil set his feet on Sheremetyevo - A.S. Pushkin international airport. His chest swelled with some unknown feeling, a boy of middle class from Kolkata pursuing his dream of becoming an engineer and he could not refuse the offer from Russia where he had learnt the rent and living cost is affordable and also, he was being given scholarship which was enough to help him pay the fees with. He had achieved it. He did it. Your Nikhil did it- his eyes burn as he imagined his father's picture. Taking him to school, packing his tiffin, kissing his forehead and teaching him to be persistent when he failed to achieve what he had set for goal for, and told him to do better when he achieved it. 

"Aye! Nikhil bro!"

He heard a voice and blinked back the tears and turned around. And there he stood. Abhik. Still charming, still the carefree look on his face, still the 'Ja hobe dekh jaabe' vibes, still short. Nikhil snickered thinking the last part.

"If you are thinking why I am still 5'5 then I'll kick your ass." He twisted his lips frowning.

"Abhik... language..." Nikhil laughed out loud while saying in between.

"Fuck off." He snapped his neck in other direction away from Nikhil.

Oh. Nikhil thought. Still the drama king; he had forgotten to add it in the list.

"Okay fine, shorty. Let's go." Nikhil laughed as he approached Abhik. Abhik gave him an elbow-kick to which Nikhil feigned a moaning as if he were seriously hurt.

"But bro, you have changed so much! Come on, you go to gym?"

"Uh uh." Nikhil nodded.

"You got a girl?"

"Na uh." Nikhil shook his head.

"Knew it!" Abhik smirked, "But don't worry, if you look at girls of here-"

"Abhik! Stop being a pervert." Nikhil snapped, "You know what I am here for."

Abhik exhaled loudly and approached his car.

"Aw man, fine! Go, sit."

They sat and rambled for hours, specifically Abhik. Nikhil stayed silent most of the time. He was liking the view of roads and trees of Khimki; there were so many trees of different kinds and birds flying of black-and-white colour with a long tail and clean neat roads. 

"That's a Eurasian Magpie." Abhik said, his hands gripping the wheels tight. Nikhil nodded.

About driving for almost an hour, Abhik stopped his car.

"Did we reach?" Nikhil asked.

"No."

"Then?" Nikhil asked a bit annoyed and tired at the same time. He wanted to get to the house as soon as possible.

"I know you're tired but come visit this place, it's literally so beautiful. I know you'd be busy soon so as long as you are in here let's visit this park."

"Seriously?" Nikhil rolled his eyes and came out of the car.

"This is Serebryany Bor."

Nikhil listened as his friend explained. The place was really beautiful, and Nikhil wrote in his mind to come here again. A ringing sound was heard and Abhik excused himself to the side.

"Shoot, bro. I am so sorry. But do you have a driving license?"

"I do, but why? It's on the phone though."

"Will work fine. But boss called me for an urgent meeting. Can you drive?"

"Yes." Nikhil scoffed.

"Fine. Can you drive to Okrug? I live near your university. House keys are in the pouch there and you can see the google map and, let me sign this." His scribbled something on a paper most probably the OSAGO and the written permission. "Bro, I am so sorry to leave you alone like this. But food is at home, and you can order anything you want." His eyes contained guilt and helplessness.

"It's okay Abhik." Nikhil tapped on Abhik's back, "Don't worry, I can drive. I'll reach there safely."

Abhik pulled him into a side-hug, and both gave a fist bump before Abhik hurried to his way leaving Nikhil. Nikhil opened the door of the car, with barely keeping his eyes open. It was already late night; Abhik had crazy jobs, or else why would the boss call him at this late hour? He thought about his mother, Ramu better remind her of her medicines, or else she'll be low on pressure. He panicked a little, driving a little faster so that he could go home and call his mom. He was so caught up by meeting his friend that he had forgotten to give his mother a call, she might have slept through tension and fear or maybe haven't slept at all. Thinking all these he drove on. . .

He turned his head for a second to put on some music and suddenly he felt a bright flash upon his face, and before he could understand what was happening. . .

CRASH!

An excruciating pain spread through his head; black dots filled his vision. He felt as if his pelvic girdle was snapped in two. Warm liquid trickled down his chin, but he had no energy to move his head and see what it was. Pain. Pain. Pain everywhere. This wasn't anything he felt before, not when he fell down- playing football, not when accidentally cut himself while cooking or burn himself. Those were nothing, nothing compared to this agonizing pain. Loud shrieks and screams filled the area, and he understood some of them were his own. Blue and red lights came rushing there and sirens could be heard. He felt his pain lessen, his grip becoming slack, his consciousness lose, his life slowly ebbing away; he felt peaceful, lying there... slightest movement hurt.

"Move! Move back please!"

He heard a voice, which seemed like heavenly, in that state.

There are humans... maybe they will save me.

"Please media, move back! Ambulance! Emergency!" He felt his hands rubbed back and forth and after some time a stretcher came hastily towards him and lifted him up.

"Move! Side! Let them pass! Отойдите! Дорогу!" She shouted. 

He lost his consciousness on his way to hospital. The lady beside him was looking at him aghast and was shaking terribly.

"Это ужасно! Бедный парень!" She said, "Я никогда не видела ничего подобного." 

They reached the hospital, and the woman tried to track the contact of his relatives, but his phone was destroyed. She tried to explain to the doctors and shoved away whoever came into view. She was fighting alone and fighting for someone she didn't even know, but her heart tugged a string every time she looked at his face.

That night, one slept peacefully not having a speck of idea of what happened, and another did not sleep at all.

First translation: (Move away please! This is an emergency!!)

Second translation: (It's bad. It's so bad | I have never seen anything like it.)

How was the chapterrrrr??

Well, don't you think it was wrong for Abhik to let Nikhil drive in that worn out situation?

Feel free to point out any mistakes you come across while reading.

Any thoughts? :)

Thanks for reading! ♡