Part three.

"U-uncle.." I rasped out from my dry mouth, still crying. Although trying to restrain my quivering mouth from crying more than I already was. I tried to speak out but nothing came out. 

"R-radhika...? Where are you, my child? I could not find you anywhere! Where have you been? How are you, child? How is Shaurya? Are you two alright? Is Shaurya with you? Tell me where you are and without delay, I will come at this instant!" He inquired hastily in his turned-up voice. Questioning me non-stop. He was panicking. 

"U-uncle h-he took us and shot Awadhesh! And he was n-not allowing us t-to go home. He-he; I don't know who he is. Uncle take us h-home please-please. I am scared," I stammered horribly at every word but I prayed to shiv Ji that he would make him understand and specify my incoherent sentences.

"Child, Sssh. Calm down, my child. Stop crying. Don't panic. Do not panic. Okay? Stop panicking and now tell me where are you?" Despite his tiredness, his voice held firmness and sheer anger within them. I observed. 

"R-railway st-station uncle, Cant," having eradicated my uneasiness a bit, I told him flatly when I was able to stop myself from weeping more. He will be here soon. I must be patient. 

I breathed on my own though. 

"See, is there any train in your sight from where you stood in the booth with the crowd?" He asked, easily. Now sounding much calmer than he was moments ago. Peeking from the available space, I got a glimpse of a blue-coloured train standing in stationary motion with a good amount of crowd emerging in and out from it. Yes. It had to be it that my uncle was asking about. I nodded. Yes.

"Y-yes uncle there is one," I answered, still looking at the stationary train.

"Fine, now child listen— listen very carefully, alright? And, try not to panic. Okay?"

"Yes." I quivered, breathing hard. 

"Go sit in that train somewhere I could see you distinctly when I would arrive. Okay? But try to sit with people around you and especially ladies and girls of that sort. And child please do not speak to any strangers even how polite and good they seem or how gently they talk to you. Sit in the window seat! So I could find you immediately. Not my child; I mean it. Do not eat anything given to you by any stranger and before sitting on the train: make sure of the time of departure of the train and, if it departs before I reach there then walk out of the train and stand somewhere with the crowd and try not to be isolated," he requested with a firm tone. "I will be there as soon as I can. Do not worry my child. I will be by your side in no time. Alright."

"Yes, y-yes! Please come soon uncle," I whispered through the phone receiver, my voice coming out hoarse and perched. However, my hope was high now. "Please, Uncle, be here soon. I am scared."

"I am on my way, child. Just take care of you and Shaurya until I reach there. I will be there in an hour child till then try to be strong like a brave girl your parents have raised," his voice cracked at the end but he chuckled, reminiscing. "I know you can do it, my child. I know." 

"Yes, uncle I will. I will! I will, Uncle." I told him to be determined now with his motivational support.

"I know, beta Ji." Placing the receiver in its place I walked out of the booth, carrying a sleeping toddler in my now-numbed arms. But with high hopes of going back home. Walking up to the train I held the handle as tightly as I could and with difficulties and searing desperation when I accented the stairs deliberately. Taking my baby brother safely in one hand tightly. Stepping up on the final step I breathed and continued to walk. I gasped a sigh when I saw an empty seat just beside the window with a few women alone. And I did not have to walk much as I had contemplated. Thank you so much, Shiv Ji! Finally, I breathed a sigh. Walking, I smiled at the woman and sat carefully while placing shaurya on my lap. Almost immediately my face contorted in pain. Everything hurt: my ribs, and my hands felt numb, and my legs were like they would give up anytime with fatigue on the edge making me feel dizzy, somehow. Shutting my eyes, I exhaled. I have to stay strong. I have to. And, I intend to do that. Yes. Wiping my face from any tiredness, I blinked repeatedly to ebb away the sleep that was so closing up on me.

"Which station are you departing for?"

Tilting my head to the side, I saw an adult female in her mid-thirties asking me softly with hopeful eyes.

I contemplated whether or not to answer her but seeing her hopeful eyes, I passed in and replied;

"I-i am not departing anywhere just waiting for my uncle to come and receive us. He told me to sit with the crowd of ladies," I told her honestly.  Ladies Specifically. 

Stunned, she observed me.

Despite her scrutiny, I asked her:

"Can you tell me when the train will steam off?" 

Blinking, she responded:

"Yes, why not. Don't worry my child, you can sit here. Before two-three hours, the train will not depart." 

I signed softly. Hopefully, my uncle will come shortly.

I smiled and thanked her.

And I literally didn't remember when and how but somewhere in between my inner storm of disoriented conversation with myself, my fatigue got the upper hand and I slept cuddling with my infant brother. I drowsed off into some alluring and calming abyss that made me indulge myself without even knowing it. My swallow eyes shut down with the heaviness of my whole abdomen, it was like my Maa was singing a lullaby to me as she used to when I was a mere child.

I slept. But I did not know when and how. I just let the proximity​ of sleep take over me. And I slept off...

And, then somehow I found myself lost in my own unknown dreams.

“Everything is going to fall into place, finally.”

*