"V?"

"Vee?"

"Veer!"

His shoulders gave a sudden jerk, the pencil slipping out of his hand and the book falling flat on the ground. He was lost. His thoughts, dreams, optimism, everything vanished in a puff of air. Lips sealed, he was not able to comprehend his surroundings or spit out words. He felt like an infant, the one who had to be taught everything right from scratch. What to speak, how to walk, how to eat, what to think, everything. He was incapable of doing anything, anything at all.

"Veer! Come on, get a grip on yourself man!"

His friends did all the speaking for him. Earning his attention, they pointed towards the majestic gate of the college, a familiar Chetak sitting there. Chandni was glaring at him, clearly stating that she was not a big fan of patience. The boy picked up his things, and his silent footsteps led him towards the gate.

Reaching the scooter, he stopped. Both the men stared at the other, each pulling over a mask on their face, willing to be strong for the other. Words were not needed, Veer and his Neel Ba knew how to survive without those. And they knew that they could survive anything, provided they both had each other. His greatest strength, his Neel Ba.

Likewise for Indroneel.

Riding through those streets, he observed the boy behind him, his kid, his 'V'. He looked alright, but there was much more than what he showed. And Masterji knew that. Arriving at their destination, the place they called 'home', none of them moved an inch.

Standing under the shed, they watched the peaceful rain touch the soil, pattering hard on the roof of the tin shed. Covering up Chandni, they stood still, watching the rain.

"Neel Ba, you go first."

"I will."

But he stood there. How could he leave his Veer behind? Since he had met him, he had never left him behind. Then why now? And so, he stood rooted in his place.

"Will she be there?"

"Yes, they were going to bring her at around twelve, it's one now."

The clouds cracked. Rumbling and grumbling, they turned a shade darker after hearing the statement. Handing over his bag to Veer, he rushed through the hard-hitting rain, and once finding a safe shelter, he waited. Veer glanced at his own bag and the one thrust upon him.

Even during tough times, there exists that one person who would manage to make you smile, rather unintentionally. And for Veer, that person was his Neel Ba.

A small smile gracing his lips, he covered his head with both the bags and ran through the rain.

They climbed the stairs. Together. They stopped in front of a particular doorstep. Together.

Veer stopped, unable to move. A place which was his second home, a place where the fresh aroma had always welcomed him, today he hesitated to step inside. His reluctance sensed by Masterji, who waited with him till he was ready, even if that meant forever.

A young girl looked at her mother.

"Ma, she looks pretty in white then why is she sleeping? Ask her to wake up!"

But who was there to make Puchki understand that the sleeping person was never going to wake up? Because normally, it was that very person who was sleeping, who used to make her understand these little things.

Death.

Or in other words, something which made life worth living.

Sensing his responsibilities, Veer marched into the room, not eyeing the person laying on the ground. He busied himself with the kids, running behind the younger ones and consoling the older ones. Something which she would have done.

And Masterji followed him. He stood in the corner. His presence was felt in the entire room. His arm enveloping the weeping man, he held him, speaking no words. A man who lost his wife, what could you say to console him?

Hours went by, at least it felt like they did. And slowly, people started moving out. It was time.

She was carried away and that's when Veer spared her a glance. The day when he had seen her lying on the ground, stiff and still, he had forgotten everything. He did not know how he managed to call all the people and drive out Puchki from the scene.

The child had seen her first. And that was his biggest concern. The trauma when she realizes what had happened that day, thinking about it got his spine chilled.

His eyes followed her. But he did not.

Realizing that only he and Masterji were left, he broke down, at last. Masterji's shirt was stained, but that was not his concern at the moment. Holding onto the boy, the silence was all he gave. Words would do no good. Only time knew how to heal those wounds. And Indroneel Biswas knew that.

The colony was crying and so were the clouds.

Whimpers echoed in the air, and Masterji held onto his boy tighter. A single tear dropped into the boy's hair, so small, so insignificant that the source of that tiny droplet would remain a mystery.

The wind was strong, but not strong enough to create that thunderous bang.

A single blue, old, and dusty door was shut. Abruptly. Mysterious eyes which chose not to be seen. And only Masterji saw those.

He sighed and watched over the balcony. Those eyes disappeared and so did she. Whether past or present, the city wanted to see.