He disappeared... It was over in seconds...

It is a wet monsoon morning with green leaves, the wind whispering from the trees and muddy puddles at my feet. Humidity is high in the air. I hate the season. It brings nothing but heartache for me. A pain, a memory. Of Fahim. A premonition. And I couldn't do anything to stop it. There are times when I replay the events all over again and ask myself, "Where did I go wrong? Was there something I could do to save him? Or maybe what happened was destined to be..." Answers to questions I have no hope of finding out in this lifetime. At least...

Fahim was my cousin, my best friend, my buddy, my partner-in-crime, my life. We were inseparable since childhood. Even though we went to different schools, every evening, both of us used to gather at my place after school and study, even do our homework together. He was below average and I was the school topper. He was fun-loving and I was the serious one--the nerd. Grew up wearing each others clothes and living in two homes--his and mine. My uncle and aunt had grown used to Fahim not coming home at night to sleep. It just meant he was staying over at my place. Same goes for my parents too. In those days of no mobile phones and no internet, it was an unspoken agreement between two families. 

It was Eid; a day of rejoicing after the month of Ramadan. We were so happy after completing the 30-day fasts. Had plans for a movie and dinner get-together with school-friends afterwards. That day, I felt queasy since morning. Had a nightmare about something bad happening to Fahim. Couldn't shake off the feeling of something being off... As if the universe was trying to tell me, warn me about him. Tried to put a finger to it and failed. Woke up hoping and praying for the best.

Me: You ready, bro? 

Fahim: Yup. All dressed, set and raring to go. You look nice in the Pathani suit, by the way.

Me: Thanks. So do you, Fahim. We have same sizes, just different colours. Your white looks so pristine compared to my blue. The tailor did a good job with our attire. C'mon... What are we waiting for? Let's go! I just read in today's paper, there will be no showers for at least 12 hours.  Let's make the most of this rain-free day, Fahim. 

Fahim: Hop onto my bike, Mustafa. And we'll reach faster before Ashwin and Jignesh. Wanna beat them by reaching earlier for the 9 pm movie, bro? It's a 50-minute drive. The earliest ones to the theatre will ask the late-comers to pay. What say, Mustu? 

Me: I'm all for it!

Bike starts...Vrooom

Half an hour later

Me: Fahim- it's getting dark and the clouds look dense and heavy. Looks like it's going to rain. It's not even evening and looks like the night has descended upon us. Just look at the fog. There was to be no rain today. I hate the meteorological department for giving us a wrong weather forecast. Please drive a bit slow. I'd rather go late to the movie, than never.

Fahim: Ever the cautious one, eh? Don't worry. We'll reach there in time, Mustu.

In a couple of minutes, heavy rains lash the roads.

"Slow down, Fahim. We can't see ahead! What the-?"

A loaded trailer skids and rams us from behind. Fahim is swept under its tyre. 

Crack and there is blood all around...

"FAHIIIIMMMM!"