Chapter 20
"What! Tanay is your brother. You mean the sister he spoke about bringing with him to see the mountain are you?"
"Yeah! It was me. But I never have been to the mountain. Back then when Antara and my brother met, I was studying in boarding school so we didn't spend a lot of the time. But when I went home I heard Antara's name very often, my mother and brother used to have conversations about her. I didn't go too deep into their convo as I wasn't interested. And as we always lived away for years due to studies, we didn't share any close bond. We don't have any memories together. But it doesn't mean I didn't know anything about him. We both always had basic ideas about each other's life. We are in touch with each other. But since the news of his retirement has broken out, he has switched off his phone and I wonder where he is.
By then it was night and they both decided to go for dinner when their stomach started making sounds. While crossing the parking lot, Jiya's attention was drawn towards a white Fortuner. She looked closely and understood that Tanay stopped by to meet her. So without even wasting a single minute she went upstairs and a man in his 40s was standing in front of her house door ringing the doorbell. As soon as she saw the man, she went running towards him and hugged him.
"Why didn't you pick up any of my calls? I was worried like hell. Even Mother tried to call you but it was of no help. Where were you?"
While caressing her hair Tanay replied,
"Will you let me in?"
Till then Aisha got an idea of the whole situation. She opened the door and they all went in. Though Jiya told her they weren't close the meeting reflected their fondness towards each other.
They both had a few conversations and Tanay asked Jiya if she wanted to visit the mountain. Desperate Jiya gave a positive answer. But before Jiya introduced Aisha and her whole story. After hearing the situation Tanay was ready for the interview on their channel.
The trio then started making plans for the trip to their childhood place, to their hometown.
Epilogue:
It has been raining since morning out of the blue. After a long time, Tanay and Jiya were sharing the table with their mother in their hometown. They all had a long convo. Jiya introduced Aisha to her mom. Looking at Aisha Sumati, Jiya's mom is blessed with a happy and prosperous life. Some sweet and sour sentences were passed. After a long time, the house heard a laughing noise and finally, it found peace in that atmosphere.
By the evening when the rains stopped pouring, the trio went to the mountain as they decided. When Tanay started walking on the wet green grass of the hill, his eyes started pouring tears. All the time spent with Antara flashed in his memories. The tree was still waiting for them. He walked straight towards the tree. Aisha and Jiya were disappointed because the scenery Tanay described in the book had disappeared. It was replaced by modern construction and all stuff but still, the blissful aroma of the hill was smelled in the air...
Tanay sat under the tree and closed his eyes for a moment. At first, he was able to hear the whispers of Jiya and Aisha and the birds chirping but minute by minute every sound disappeared and he arrived into complete silence. His heart was pounding heavily. He was happy, satisfied. He was in his thoughtless state. In absolute silence, he heard a cheerful voice, "Tanay why are you sleeping here? Look what I found, open your eyes."
The voice of chirping birds and passing water streams came back. After listening to the voice he opened his eyes in a hurry and saw the young Antara. The girl who stole his heart was right in front of his eyes. He was surprised, happy and confused. She was trying to show him the beautiful insect in her hand but he was so lost in her eyes...
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