Chapter 12 - A Hope of Love
Vanshika:
"Are you kidding me? Why and how would I possibly appear in your dreams?"
Krish:
"I felt like it! Honestly, a girl came into my dreams last night, and she looked exactly like you, only her clothes were different."
Vanshika:
"And what did she say to you? That she loves you a lot, she called you, and you didn't go to meet her! Is that what she said?"
Krish, looking a little troubled, says:
"You are somewhat right, but how did you know that's what she was saying?"
Vanshika:
"I just made a guess about what a girl might say after appearing in a bachelor's dream."
Krish is confused and starts thinking more deeply. Meanwhile, Vanshika again looks towards the sea, as if she sees a flicker of hope in the ocean.
Krish:
"So tell me! How long will you keep sitting here like this?"
Vanshika ignores Krish's question and remains silent. With an innocent face, she is just looking towards the sea. Krish finds this strange.
Krish says to her:
"I said something! Are you listening?"
Vanshika:
"Yes... Speak."
Krish:
"It's getting quite late; I think you should go home. How far is your home from here?"
Vanshika says softly:
"It's very far."
Krish:
"Then how will you go home this late at night? Will someone come to pick you up?"
Vanshika says slowly:
"No... I will go alone."
Krish:
"You shouldn't go alone this late at night. Don't worry, I have a bike; I can drop you home safely."
Vanshika:
"Thank you! But there is no need for that; I will go by myself."
Krish:
"But it is not right for a girl to go alone so late."
Vanshika:
"Everything is fine."
Krish:
"Hey! You don't understand; I mean it's not safe for a girl to be alone."
Vanshika:
"My maternal uncle's house is nearby; I have to go there right now. I will go there myself."
Krish:
"But you said your house is very far! Why didn't you mention your uncle's house is nearby earlier?"
Vanshika:
"You asked me about my home."
Krish:
"Okay, fine, it's my fault."
Vanshika turns to Krish and says:
"Shall I tell you something special?"
Krish:
"Yes! Why not... Please do."
Vanshika:
"No one has ever cared for me so much."
Krish:
"Why do you feel that way? Didn't your parents ever worry about you?"
Vanshika:
"I don't want to talk about this."
Upon hearing the word 'parents,' Vanshika's facial expression changes; she seems slightly upset by the question.
Krish:
"Why? What happened... Is there any problem?"
Vanshika:
"Nothing. It's quite late; I must leave now."
After this, Vanshika stands up from the bench and starts to leave. Krish doesn't feel right about it; he stops Vanshika for a moment, and at his request, Vanshika stops there.
Krish:
"Will you really reach home alone?"
Vanshika:
"Yes..."
Krish:
"Can I ask you one more question?"
Vanshika:
"One question won't be enough for you, but for now, you can ask."
Krish:
"Do I seem like a bad person to you?"
Vanshika:
"I don't know."
Krish:
"So, will we meet again?"
Vanshika:
"I don't know! I like this place. I often come here to see this beautiful sea when the moon shines in the sky."
Krish:
"That's good. Okay, bye... Maybe we will meet again."
Vanshika starts walking away from there. Krish, hardening his heart, lets her go. Krish keeps watching her from behind until she is no longer visible. Krish feels as if he has missed a special opportunity. He looks towards the sea again, but there too, he sees only peace and loneliness. Krish goes to the other bench where he was resting earlier, picks up his bag, and then starts walking towards the garden exit. He realizes that there is nothing left for him here now.
Krish steps out of the garden. He looks around and notices that very few people are present there now. He had a slight hope that he might see Vanshika on her way out, but it's too late. He doesn't know why he is worried about Vanshika. They had only just met a little while ago. Krish has seen many girls walking around late at night, but why is he only worried about Vanshika? This question echoes in Krish's mind. After this, Krish takes his bike and leaves for his new home.
Krish enters the building of his new residence. From upstairs, he hears the sounds of people shouting. Krish looks up and goes up the stairs. On the second floor, there is a staircase in the middle and two residences on either side. Krish lives on one side, and someone else lives on the other. Going upstairs, Krish finds out that a husband and wife are fighting in the house right next to his.
The couple is hurling accusations and abuses at each other. Their three children are trying to stop them. Loud shouting echoes through the place amid the fight. In the cold weather, the atmosphere is heating up there. Krish reaches his apartment door, avoiding them.
However, he keeps his bag inside and returns to stand near the door. He wants to know why this fight is happening and what the reason is. Krish listens carefully to their shouting and their conversation. The husband repeatedly hurls abuses, accusing his wife of having an illicit relationship with another man. Instead of responding, the wife accuses her husband of being an alcoholic who roams around drunk and spends all his earnings on another woman and alcohol.
The quarrel between them is escalating significantly. Neither of them is ready to give up. The man tries to drag his wife inside the house but fails. Then, in a drunken rage, the man goes mad and starts hitting his wife. The children quickly come to their mother's defense, and he starts hitting them too. Then, they all push the man inside the house and lock the door from the outside.
After this, the man inside shouts loudly and threatens them, saying the consequences will be dire if they don't open the door. He bangs hard on the door, as if he will break it. His wife runs away scared, and the three children follow her. The three children include one older girl and two younger boys. Krish just stands there watching this. He watches them leave, but he can't do anything right now.
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