''Kaate kyun baatey kyun tudko mein seena

Na aadhey na poore, hua choor choor jeena''

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3RD NOVEMBER 2024- 7:30 AM, SHAMSHAN GHAT

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Abhimaan stood in the open space- on the pavement, the incense burning, casting a fragrant haze over the somber scene before him. The priest's words echoed in his ears, "Agni dijiye," and with a heavy heart, Abhimaan lit the caskets. The flames danced and flickered, casting strange shadows over the faces of his parents as they lay in eternal slumber.

His mother, adorned in a deep pink lehenga, and his father, resplendent in a golden embroidered off-white sherwani, looked peaceful as if in a deep dream. Abhimaan had taken care to dress them in their bridal attire, a tribute to the love that had bound them together in this life and beyond.

As the fire engulfed the caskets, a sense of finality washed over Abhimaan. He felt a lump form in his throat as he whispered a quiet prayer, "God, keep my mumma papa with you and may they be always happy." With a heavy heart, he let go of the fire stick, and watched as the flames consumed everything in their path.

In the crackling of the fire, Abhimaan then saw a mirage of his parents, smiling and waving at him from sky. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered, "I pray that in the next birth, I be born to you again. Happy journey to the skies, mumma and papa."

Raunak approached Abhimaan and enveloped him in a tight embrace. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as he remembered his Ira aunty, the warmth of her embrace, the love she showered on him since he was a child. He remembered Abhira- feeding him berries when he was a child. She would make him Himachali treats and would feed them with her own hands while feeding Abhimaan. She had been like a second mother to him, her absence now leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill.

Armaan would take Raunak on his bike and drop Abhimaan and him to school, buy him ice-creams and play football with him on Sundays. They were neighbors but they were like a family.

As memories flooded his mind, Raunak vowed silently, "Mere maasi and maasa, I will never leave Abhimaan alone. I promise to always stand by his side, to cherish his presence, and to keep your memories alive in our hearts."

And so, in the glow of the flickering flames, amidst tears and prayers, Abhimaan and Raunak found solace in each other's company, united in grief, but also in the enduring love that bound them together.

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LIFE SAVER HOSPITAL- 8:30 AM.

Alok's mind raced as he tried to piece together the fragments of memory that flitted in and out of his consciousness. The sterile hospital room with its harsh fluorescent lights felt alien to him, and the beeping of machines only added to his confusion.

"Who... brought me here?" Alok finally managed to croak out, his throat dry and scratchy.The nurse, a kind-faced woman with gentle eyes, looked at him sympathetically. "Two boys brought you here. Abhimaan and Raunak."

As the names washed over him, Alok felt a spark of recognition flicker deep within him. Abhimaan... why did that name sound so familiar?

" Poor Abhimaan! His parents died yesterday in an accident," the nurse continued, her voice soft with sympathy.

''Can you tell me the names of Abhimaan's parents?''

''They were Abhira Verma and Armaan Verma.''

Alok's heart lurched at the revelation. Why did those names stir something in his memory?

The nurse noticed the flicker of recognition in Alok's eyes and gently patted his hand. "They are from a reputed college, both lecturers. Such a tragic loss for Abhimaan-their son."

Alok's mind whirled with questions. What was his connection to Abhimaan? Why did their names feel like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle that he couldn't quite solve?

As the nurse bustled about the room, adjusting machines and checking on his charts, Alok closed his eyes and tried to delve deeper into the recesses of his mind. Flashes of moments, whispers of conversations, and fragments of laughter danced just out of reach, leaving him frustrated and bewildered.

''I need to meet him'' He muttered under his breath.

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AASHIYANAA- VERMA RESIDENCE. EVENING- 6:30 PM

Abhimaan stumbled through the dark hallway, disoriented and lost in his own thoughts. The heaviness of his heart weighed down upon him like a burden too heavy to bear. He entered the hall, shrouded in darkness, and sank into a chair, enveloped in the shadows that mirrored the darkness within him.

As he sat there, lost in his own world, a sudden flicker of light illuminated the room as Raunak entered and switched on the lights. Abhimaan blinked, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness that flooded the dimly lit room. Raunak stood there, his face etched with concern as he gazed at Abhimaan, who seemed to be lost in a world of his own making.

"Abhimaan, mum has sent food for you. Eat, please. You haven't eaten a morsel since yesterday evening," Raunak said softly, his voice breaking through the silence that hung heavy in the air.

Abhimaan looked up, his eyes hollow and distant, as if seeing Raunak for the first time. The words seemed to jolt him out of his reverie, and he nodded silently, his movements mechanical as he picked up the plate of food before him.

The aroma of the food filled the room, but Abhimaan remained stoic. Slowly, he took a bite. As he ate, Raunak sat across from him, his presence offering solace in the midst of Abhimaan's inner storm.

''My parents weren't killed because of the accident,'' Abhimaan said mechanically and Raunak looked up at him, his eyebrows knitted.

''They were killed- someone has killed them'' Abhimaan said, his face expressionless.

Raunak stood up from the chair.

''What are you saying?" Raunak asked.

''I saw the tyre. The tyre wasn't punctured. It was shot deliberately. Shot by a gun''

''What..are you saying Abhimaan?" Raunak asked squaring his shoulders.

''I am a lawyer, Raunak. I am intern too. I can see the details. I am sure- someone has killed my parents''
......

Note- AASHIYANA IS THE NAME OF ARMAAN AND ABHIRA'S HOME.