WILD GOOSE CHASE
Shanti's P.O.V.

The sky was mystic black with twinkling stars, just like life. We never know what's going to happen, but we still live with hope. As the clock went on ticking, questions after questions pondered in my mind, to which my soul answered with a mere feeling of known satisfaction.

I stared at the window with an unknown sensation as the cool, lucid wind blew. There was this little tingling in my heart. I wondered whether it was because of happiness or confusion, but the smile that etched on my lips concluded my doubts. I was amused by my own self.

The hour hand of the clock struck at 3:40 am. Two years back, Ma (Mom) forced me to attend a wedding at four in the morning, sorry, midnight. Does anyone conduct their wedding at four in the morning? I asked her, and well, as a reply, here I am, at my very own wedding to happen at 5 am, laughing at the irony.

Nothing is actually clear. I'm apparently locked in the bride's room, overly dressed and accessorized. I might shrink down any moment because of the heavy jewellery I'm wearing. Well, weddings are a one-time big festival in life until someone decides to marry twice or thrice. Hey, who am I to judge?

Anyways, it was 4 am; the Gowri Pooja  (a ritual done by the bride in Hinduism for the blessings of the goddess) was already performed. I have been waiting to be called with excitement reaching the clouds. But the chaotic halls and mandapa, which were filled with chatters, suddenly fell silent.

Against the rules, I wandered off in the corridors and halted near the mandapa. There wasn't a single fellow human being except for Aditya. A huge smile crept on my face, adoring the scene in front of my eyes. I walked towards him and took a seat beside him.

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat.

He slowly opened his eyes, and after some moments he was completely awake and gave me a sheepish smile with dimples clearly seen on both sides of his cheeks.

After what seemed an eternity of silence and awkward glances, I was the first one to break it.

"So..."

"Yes..."

"Where's everyone? You're supposed to be performing the ritual, right?" I asked him.

He looked slightly taken aback and panicked, but the reply he had given startled me. At first I thought he was kidding, but nope, the sincerity in his voice and his eyes reflected the shocking truth. Dadaaaaa!!! Why? Why? What have you done?! Is it just to tell an adventurous tale to your great-grand kids? Why did you halt my kind of fairytale wedding? Probably my internal screaming and straight face worried Aditya, I guess.

"If you don't mind, we can go look for him."

"Really?" Hope was clearly seen in my eyes.

He stood up carrying the adorable Aadya, his niece, in his hands, who was peacefully sleeping and soon disappeared from my sight. He came back with the car keys after what seemed like God knows how many minutes. I ran as fast as my legs could to the parking lot with Aditya lagging behind me, giggling. I've no time for that. I quickly sat in the passenger seat as soon as he unlocked the car.

Smiling at my antics, he gave me some advice.

"Shanti thodee der tak shaant rahe" (Shanti be calm for a while.)

"Haha... Very funny. Dada is missing, and how can I be calm, knowing him very well?"

"You are really close to him, aren't you?"

"You should have known it by now. Yes, I'm really close to him more than anyone. Are you jealous of him?" I shot the question straight at him.

"No, not at all," he quickly replied.

Smiling, I said, "I don't really know what I'll do without him. I can't even imagine that!"

"You'll live by with his memories."

This hit me harder than the pain that we both will get separated soon. The rest of the ride of more than thirty minutes went by with striking silence. I was not ready to accept the truth. He was the first one to break the ice.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Forget about it for now. Anyways, do you have any idea how to reach our destination to end the wild goose chase?"

"You don't need to apologize. I'm just not yet ready to admit the truth. I don't know Adi. I guess wait-"

Realisation hit me, and I immediately replied, "He might be at his beloved guest house, which is just around the corner."

The whole time, his lips carried a smug smile. My excitement soon shattered as the car halted suddenly.

"What happened?"

I was hoping he wouldn't reply, which I was thinking, but nope, today luck was not favouring me.

"I- out of petrol. I guess we have to walk; as you said, it's just around the corner. How long is it, by the way?"

"Around 15 minutes, I think."

We stood out and started walking after locking the car and were sure that no one would steal it. A gentle and cool breeze of early spring blew, making my body shiver even in the warmth of a silk saree.

"Would you like to put on my shawl if you seem cold?"

"I am, and are you serious? You're particularly half-naked only with that silk shawl, which is barely covering your upper body, and you want to offer me that?" I most likely yelled at him.

A smirk was his reply. Frustrated with it, I walked ahead of him.

"Shanti, you know I really want to thank your dada."

"Why?" I asked, glancing at him past my shoulder.

"Cause he actually fulfilled my wish of seeing you before the wedding against the strict superstitious rules."

I laughed at his choice of words. A slight shade of red appeared on my cheeks.

"Shanti, now that I started this topic, I want to share one of my wild fantasies with you. I hope you'll fulfill my wish."

"What is it?" I asked as curiosity started occupying my mind, but his wish amused me more than his personality.