---

''Music is present in each and everything.'' Abhimaan struck the cords of the guitar, sitting on the pavement near Moti Talav.

''Abhimaan!'' Raunak chimed in from the other side of the lake waving a hand at him.

Abhimaan stood up and dusted his pants, holding the guitar in his left hand.

''Oh my! Raunak is here, mumma would have sent him for sure, looks like Papa is home! Run Maan!'' He mused to himself and saw the boats in lake.

''Bhau will you please drop me to the other side, it will be faster than my walking!'' He requested the boat driver and got inside the boat. His head banged over the wooden frame of the boat and the basket of jasmine flowers fell over him. 

''Kai kartos mulga?'' A woman asked him, her eyebrows getting scrunched.

''Kaki maa- its better to be drenched in flower petals than in rain!'' Abhimaan exclaimed jokingly.

The woman seemed glum.

''Sorry for the loss kaki. I will be picking the fresh flowers for you from my garden-promise!'' Abhimaan said, pinching his throat and offering her a jasmine flower in the process

''Not your fault boy, let it be. I have seen a boy getting showered with flowers like a girl for the first time!'' The woman chuckled and Abhimaan sat opposite to her.

''Phoolon ke dhere hain saaye ghanere hain jhoom rahi hain hawaayein, aise nazaaron mein khilti bahaaron mein pyaar mile tu ruk jaayein!'' He sang and the woman seemed happy.

''Oye!"  Raunak hit Abhimaan playfully on his arm. Abhimaan grinned, his eyes reflecting mischief under the golden hues of the setting sun.

"Uncle will surely bash you tomorrow, you know? Your exam is just around the corner and here you are, strumming your guitar like there's no worry in the world" Raunak teased, nudging Abhimaan's shoulder.

Abhimaan adjusted the guitar strap on his shoulder, his fingers absentmindedly plucking a soothing melody. "Music is my stress buster, Raunak. And besides, my Papa actually encourages me to pursue my passion for music. He often joins me for impromptu jam sessions in our backyard," Abhimaan replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Raunak chuckled, "Well, well, well... Look at you, Mr. Musician! By the way, do you have any idea what time it is? The sun is bidding us goodbye, my friend."

Abhimaan glanced at the sky. " I know, that's why I am walking briskly. Papa and Mumma will start worrying about me," he said.

"Wait, Abhimaan! Not walking... running! That's what you should be doing right now!" Raunak exclaimed with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Without a second thought, Abhimaan broke into a sprint, his laughter blending with the rustling leaves and chirping birds around them. Raunak followed suit, the two best friends racing as the evening painted the sky in hues of orange and pink.

Abhimaan finally reached his house.

As Abhimaan stepped into the house, he was greeted by his father's stern gaze.

"Abhimaan, how many times do I have to tell you to come home before the setting of the sun during exams!'' Armaan reprimanded him.

Abhira, Abhimaan's mother stood near a corner watching him angrily.

''Mumma, Papa, I am sorry. I won't be doing this again.'' He apologised holding his ears.

''Okay. But where were you?" Armaan asked looking at his shoes.

Abhimaan lowered his head.

''Maan? Where were you? Tell me the truth'' Armaan asked, his voice grave and strict.

''Papa, I...''

''Your shoes have mud and grass, they look damp and your jeans are folded, that means you were near some area which had a lake or a pond for sure''

Abhimaan gulped.

''Moti Talav" Raunak uttered from behind and Armaan widened his eyes.

''You were this far?"

'' Yes Papa..''

''NO GUITAR FOR A WEEK!" Armaan uttered strictly and went inside the hall, leaving Abhimaan in the porch.

''You have been to Moti Talav? And you didn't bother to text or call me!" Abhira uttered and pulled his ears.

''Ouch! Mumma, I am sorry. I will never do it again''

''Ira aunty, pull his ears a little harder! I have been telling him, that don't go, you will get scolded but he never listens to me'' Raunak replied and Abhimaan glares at him.

''Yeh jheel jaisi aankhein mujhe na dikha!" Raunak replied seeing his best friend glaring at him.

''You!'' Abhimaan caught hold of Raunak and pulled his ears.

''Maan! Leave him.'' Abhira interrupted and Raunak went and stood behind Abhira.

''Ira aunty, he always does this to me!'' Raunak complained and Abhimaan galred him again.

''Abhimaan Verma take out your shoes and wash them and I want to see you in your study room, until the dinner is served, you have an exam tomorrow!"

''Ok mumma.'' Abhimaan nodded like a child and went to wash his shoes.

''Let me help'' Raunak extended a helping hand but Abhimaan shrugged it.

''Khud aag lagao aur phir paani dalo'' he muttered under his breath.

''Sach bola maine. Aur waise bhi Armaan uncle ne pata bhi laga liya tha almost''  Raunak told in his defense.

''Pata nahi papa ko kaise pata chal jaata hai. Pichle janam mein lawyer thhey kya, itne acche se observe karte hain!''

''Woh ek law lecturer hain!" Raunak exclaimed taking the shoe from Abhimaan.

''But I don't understand one thing. Why do mumma and papa go in a panic mode whenever I come late or I don't text them? They look like as if I am gone forever, never to return back.''

''They love you. And every parent does that.'' Raunak said and patted Abhimaan's shoulder.

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

''Armaan!" Abhira saw Armaan sitting on the bed and squeezing a hand grip exerciser.

Armaan's grip tightened and he started pressing it continuously.

''Armaan shaant hojaiye please'' Abhira rubbed his back affectionately.

''How Abhira? After the incident that had happened eighteen years ago, how can I sit in peace? The moment I sensed Abhimaan's absence and the way he ran towards the house made me all think of the deadly incident that had happened eighteen years ago!  Our five year old son had barely managed to escape death! That Sanjay Bansal had planned all this. How can I forget his bloodied shirt, his head almost cracked and beautiful blue eyes closed? That pale face while we were taking him to hospital still haunts me. I cannot let him be alone. After he graduates, we will move to a far off place.''

''Armaan calm down. Have some water'' Abhira handed him a glass of water.

Armaan took out his spectacles and removed the hand exerciser.

''Kab tak hum usse uske parivaar walon ka sach chhupatey rahenge? Ek na ek din woh saamne aayega Armaan. Sach kabhi nahi chhupta''

''Hum jab tak hain tab tak aur humare jaane ke baad bhi, ussey yeh sach kabhi pata nahi chalna chahiye. Poddars ka sach kisi shraap se kum nahi. Wahaan baaz rehtein hain, jissey sirf sabko kharoj dena aur maarna aata hai. Main humare bete ko kabhi uss nark mein jaane nahi dunga.''

Abhira nodded, understanding his words and hugged Armaan.

''Papa?" Abhimaan's voice made Abhira feel a sudden chill in her body and she could feel Armaan tightening his grip on her waist.
.....

Drop in your views for this !
What had happened eighteen years ago?