The sun had started melting into hues of orange and red as Arav strolled through the deserted park the very same one where he and Aditi used to spend hours together. Every bench, every corner of that spot seemed to echo her laughter back to him. The gentle wind brought the smell of wet grass, and for a brief moment, he could almost sense her presence next to him.
Arjun trailed behind, his hands in the pockets of his trousers, his eyes lost between helplessness and nostalgia. Presently, he collapsed onto a weathered wooden bench,exhausted both physically and emotionally. His eyes trailed Arav, flitting aimlessly between the trees.
He breathed a disappointed sigh.
"Even after all these days, he's still dwelling in her memory. He pretends to be okay in front of us, but deep down,he remains shattered."
"Then call her back," interrupted a sudden voice from the back
Arjun's movement ceased. The words were cool to cold,as if borne on the evening breeze itself. He spun around-and eyes grew wide.
Behind him stood Kabir, their former college buddy someone Arjun hadn't laid eyes on since graduation. His appearance in the midst of the night seemed almost like a dream.
"Kabir? What the devil ,man! You. here?"Arjun stuttered.
Kabir smiled weakly,his eyes sparkling with something unreadable. "You were discussing about Aditi,weren't you? Perhaps I can help you get her back."
Arjun blinked,unsure whether he should laugh or be disturbed."Get her back? Don't tell me you're serious."
Kabir inched in, speaking softly. "I know a person a man who has powers beyond sanity. He communicates with spirits. If you truly want Arav to recover- perhaps speaking with Aditi's spirit is the only solution."
Arjun scowled, "Come on, man. You still pin your hopes on that ghost and spirit we're not in a haunted movie or something. There's no bringing her back. She's dead."
Kabir smiled quietly."You don't believe because you've never seen. But I have." His solitary darkened as he went on."Do you know, There was a murder case the police were unable to crack? No witnesses, no evidence. But this baba- he communicated with the ghost of the victim. The murderer confessed the next day. The case remains in police files."
Arjun broke in, annoyance creeping into his tone. "Ok please. Your fabricated miracles. End this theatrics, Kabir. We don't need your ghost illusions or black magic."
Kabir smiled. "You think it's too small,Arjun. There are wounds that can't be cured by reason. There are pains that require faith."
Arjun shook his head and stood up, ready to go. "Enough. I'm not going to listen to any of this. You can throw your money and time away I won't
But Kabir had no chance to answer before a heavy but calm voice came echoing behind them.
"Where can I find him?"
Arjun's heart had nearly stopped. He spun around and there was Arav, his face pale but resolute.
"Arav! You. you were listening?" Arjun's voice was a little shaken.
"From the very start," Arav spoke softly. "Where can I find him, Kabir?"
Arjun jumped forward at once, alarm darting in his eyes. "Arav, no! Don't go into this insanity. These are scammers- people who prey on shattered hearts.You've only begun to live again, don't destroy it for the sake of chasing illusions."
Arav did not flinch. His tone was gentle but firmly spoken. "Arjun, you won't get it. She's gone for you. But for me, she's still present. I can sense her. If there is a possibility, even one single chance to speak with her again, to seek an answer from her as to why she went away- I'll take it."
Arjun ran his hand through his hair, frustration and fear warring within him. "Arav, this isn't about love anymore, it's about sanity. What if something happens? What if this man you're going to encounter isn't who he says he is? People die doing such things"
Arav cut in, his voice shaking but firm. "People die once, Arjun. I've been dying every day since she left."
The park grew quiet. The night air chilled, the leaves stirring as if to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Kabir observed them both in silence, a faint, unnerving smile spreading across his lips. "He's ready,"he murmured.
Arjun scowled at him. "Don't take advantage of his grief, Kabir. He's not sane."
But Kabir did not answer. He only spoke. "The baba does not accept money. He assists those who bear true pain. If your friend's love is pure, perhaps he will respond."
Arjun gazed hopelessly at Arav, who now gazed down the horizon where the final slivers of sun diminished into darkness.
"Arav, listen to me. I can't stop you, but at least promise me one thing if you think something's wrong, you walk away. Please."
Arav stared at him, eyes shining. "I promise nothing, Arjun. Because I've already walked away from everything else that was important to me."
A silence that lasted a long time. Then Arjun let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. If you're going, I'm coming too. I'm not letting you go through whatever this is by yourself."
Kabir smiled to himself and murmured softly, "Tomorrow night. Outside the old shrine at Hillview."Come alone."
As Kabir strode off into the foggy park, the atmosphere around them seemed heavier, charged almost like the night itself had awakened.
Arjun settled back onto the bench, his heart racing. "God, what are we getting into."he breathed.
Arav did not answer. He was still gazing in the direction Kabir had disappeared,his mind gone somewhere between sorrow and expectation.
For the first time in months, his heart ached with something other than peace or pain-a summons.
In the darkness, there was a soft breeze that fluttered by like a voice that only he could perceive. Aditi.
He shut his eyes. "I'm coming,"he whispered.
The evening grew darker. And with it, the distinction between love and the unexplored grew indistinct.
To be continued....