Sayoni P.O.V

1st November

The bright yellow and blazing red star was peeping through the fluffy white clouds billowing past the busy, dusty city roads; lifting the spirits of Kolkata.

The sound of rushing wind whooshed in my ear, forging my earrings to clink. The wavy light breeze carried the fragrance of shuili flowers swept past the streets. Walking past the alleys of Bangur Avenue, I halted at the entrance of 'Uma Media And Production Private Limited.'

The door squeaked when I slowly pushed it open, due to the rust embraced to it over the time. Walking in, I noticed the cheerful receptionist in the lobby as usual answering the telephone calls. She gave me a genuine smile when she saw me nearing the stairs. But her eyes bore me with the unasked questions to which even I have no answers expect to wonder. Returning back the small gesture I walked past the musings and ascended the stairs with a heavy heart.

After turning to my cubicle I took the sticky note attached to my desk. Picking it up, taking a quick glance at it I hastened towards the manager's door not before tossing the paper into the trash just like my unknown questions at the back of my mind.

"Any news regarding it Ms.Aich?"

"Well, sir Aachita was working on it an-

"Yes, yes I'm sorry. I completely forgot about it. Did you get any information about her?"

"No sir. She's not replying or responding to my calls or texts. If she won't pick up today I'll go to her house. If she's missing I'll report to the police sir."

"If you need any help don't hesitate to ask. Do inform me if you got any contact with her . You may leave now."

"Sure, I'll inform you sir. Thank you."

After closing the door of the glass cabin behind me, forlorn thoughts along with the pile of work occupied my mind for the day. Exhausted and exasperated I bid goodbyes to my colleagues and went home in the busy traffic.

Tired by the day's work along with the radiant sun in the afternoon I slightly banged on the door for the third time and it was opened by my father. I was welcomed by the delicious fragrance from the kitchen along with the heated arguments of the news reporters on the news channel which can be heard by the whole city.

Observing my tired and gloomy face he decided against asking something which was bothering him. Not wanting to add anything to my miserable mind I silently went to my room to freshen up.

"Soyani! Khabar toiri!"(Sayoni, lunch is ready!)

"Aschhi ma!"(Yes! I'm coming Ma!)

Clicking on the send button with a heavy heart, hoping she would reply I marched towards the dining table to have my lunch.

"Aajkal khoborgulo jaa-ta! Tch.. kaal o bolchhilo Montri mara gechhe ar aaj bolchhe khunkharapi-dangaar poyshar jomey dhorechhe! Eder kothabarta bojha Jayna chhata."

(News these days! Tch tch... Is just trash! Still yesterday they argued if the home minister was killed and today they say he died because of the sins he committed and the money he looted. They easily change their perceptions in just a few seconds.)

"Ma, seriously nio na toh. Shob Kojon toh ar mitthe bole trp baraye na! Koykta shottyer jonno kaaj kore. Baba, ki bolo?"

(Ma please don't take it seriously and not all lie and work for the TRP ratings. Only few works for  justice and truth. Pa, what do you think?)

"Ha, thik. Ami jani sangbadik hoye tomake channel er kaaj korte hoye, ta think, kintu tar mane toh ei noye je tumi kotha lukitye rakho! Tumi toh bhalor jonno tomar kaaj ta koro."

(I agree with you child, I know that being a journalist you must work for the channel but that doesn't mean you hide the truth. I know you always work for justice and nation.)

Showing him my sparkling white teeth and laughing at my mom's scowl I resumed back to eat. Before I could take a bite my phone rang. Ignoring the silent glances of my parents I immediately picked up the phone call after seeing the caller id. There were no bounds to my joy and it all crashed in a mere second by the trembling voice of the speaker.

"Aachi! What happened? Tumi kothay?" (Where are you?)

""Rokto... morey jacchhi... KHOONI.. pandal -e... D- Dum.... Durga" (Blood...... I'm dying....... murderer...... pandal .....D- Dum.....Durga)

"Ami aschhi..... okhanei thako! Ogyan hoye jeo na jeno........" (I'm coming... Don't worry! Stay conscious......)

Suddenly the line went dead. Emotions and hundreds of questions swirled in my mind. I couldn't process for a moment though I know that I had to do something. I immediately called the ambulance recalling she said she was near the Dum Dum area. Without wasting a second I left my house leaving my parents to wonder. Though my eyes threatened to tear, my mind couldn't take it. I couldn't muster up my courage to accept the present situation. Just like a robot I drove to the Jessore road.

I wasn't prepared to see her completely covered in  blood lying down on the road unconciences. My heart raced and this time tears rolled down my cheeks. I went along with the ambulance with my heart clutched in my hands, praying to the almighty above to let the heart of  this life beat a little longer.

At the hospital 

Hurriedly entering the tall building, Aachita was rushed into operation theatre due to the heavy blood loss in her spine. 

The red light flickered on and indicated that the operation had started. I slowly slumped down on the chair beside me with emotions I couldn't handle. The white washed walls with the strong antiseptic, iodoform smell  accompanied with the cries and consoles gave solace to my grief. 

My musings and grief stopped when I heard a phone call-

"Sayoni, tui kothai? Ki holo? Aami bhoi pai jayechi! Tui erkom bhaabe ghorer tike choliye gecho! Kotha ta ki?" 

(Sayoni where are you? What happened? I was scared! You just rushed out of the house! What's the matter?)

My mother asked with concern clearly laced in her voice. 

"Ma, Aachita ke hospital e niye geche."

(Ma, Aachita is in the hospital)

My voice came trembling, before I could tell her what happened the surgeon came out of the theatre. 

"Aami tomake olpo shomoy pore call korum." 

(I'll call you later Ma.)

I spoke and cut the call. 

"Nothing to worry Miss but right now she is unconscious . We need to observe her for 24 hours. As it is a spine injury she might  be in a temporary coma. We can't really say anything all you could do is have faith"

"Th-Thank you Doctor "

I replied stumbling.

Soon the sky turned purple and orange with the birds chirping and sun bidding his goodbyes. The small tube light at the distance fluttered on and off just like me holding on to the last strand of hope and faith.