The Lost Time- 5

The Journey Within

The evening sun had dipped below the rugged mountains of Uttarakhand, painting the sky with hues of amber and deep purple. The camp, nestled amidst the dense deodar forest, was alive with the sounds of devotion. Hymns floated through the cool air as devotees gathered around a roaring bonfire, their voices rising and falling like a divine symphony. Yet, within one of the large canvas tents, a storm brewed.

Sia sat hunched over a wooden chair, her delicate frame wrapped in a soft beige shawl. Beneath it, her simple white kurta and maroon palazzos hinted at her modesty and grace. Her dark, soulful eyes stared into the swirling steam of a ceramic bowl of soup in her hands. Her mind raced with fragments of the day’s events, each memory vivid, each emotion raw.

Earlier, as she opened her eyes to see her friend Sanchi’s tear-streaked face hovering above her, a wave of relief had washed over the tent. Sanchi, always vibrant and brimming with energy, had hugged her tightly.

“Sia, you scared me! I was so worried,” she had whispered, her voice trembling as she stroked Sia’s hair.

Sia smiled faintly at her friend’s concern, but the warmth was short-lived. Her gaze shifted, catching Arya’s eyes. His face was composed, but his eyes betrayed a mix of disappointment and something darker—anger, perhaps? She wasn’t sure. His expression lingered in her mind, even now, unsettling her.

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The Push That Spoke Volumes

The tension between them had erupted when Arya, standing close to her, had said something dismissive. She couldn’t even recall his words now—just the surge of frustration that had coursed through her veins. Without thought, she had pushed him.

Hard.

Harder than she knew she was capable of.

The impact had sent Arya stumbling backward, his back twisting awkwardly before he fell. His cry of pain pierced through the camp, drawing everyone’s attention. A group of boys rushed to help him up, their faces etched with shock. Even Sia couldn’t believe what she’d done.

Yet, her reaction wasn’t one of remorse. As Arya limped toward the tent’s exit, supported by the others, she called out, “Arya.”

He turned, his expression wary, his body visibly struggling to maintain balance.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice cold, her eyes devoid of the compassion that usually defined her.

Arya smiled faintly—a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You take care,” he said before leaving the tent.

Sanchi had stared at Sia in disbelief. “What’s wrong with you?” she demanded. “That’s not like you at all.”

But Sia had no answers. She wasn’t sure herself why her emotions felt so tangled, so out of place.

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Evening Reflection

As the camp settled into its evening rhythm, Sia stepped out into the open. The devotees’ hymns resonated through the crisp night air, their words a balm for her restless heart. She leaned against an ancient tree, its bark rough against her back, and let her eyes drift shut.

Flashes of her mother, Devanshi, filled her mind. She could see her mother’s serene face, hear her soothing voice as she sang praises of the Lord. Devanshi had been the embodiment of selflessness, dedicating her life to temple service and helping those in need.

Sia smiled faintly at the memory. Her mother’s words rang clear: “The Almighty resides in every soul. To help others is to honor Him.”

But as the past warmed her heart, Arya’s harsh words from earlier disrupted her peace.

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Arya’s Challenge

“Sia,” his voice was soft but laced with a challenge.

She opened her eyes to find Arya standing a few feet away. He had changed into a dark jacket and gray trousers, his injured foot wrapped in a makeshift bandage. Despite the pain etched on his face, his stance was firm.

“Why do you do this?” he asked.

“Do what?” Sia replied, her tone even.

“This... endless need to help people. You’re always putting others first. Don’t you realize you’re sacrificing yourself?”

Sia’s expression hardened. “Kindness isn’t a sacrifice, Arya. It’s humanity. If you see it as a weakness, maybe you should take a closer look at yourself.”

Arya let out a short laugh, his eyes narrowing. “Humanity? Kindness? Sure, they sound noble, but where do they leave you? Vulnerable. Exhausted. What good is your selflessness if it drains the life out of you?”

Her voice softened, but her words were resolute. “If helping others shortens my life, so be it. I’d rather live meaningfully than selfishly.”

Arya sighed, frustration evident. “And I’d rather you stay alive. But fine, suit yourself. By the way, don’t forget to pay me for my ‘services’ to your NGO.”

Sia’s jaw clenched. She turned and walked away without another word.

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A Web of Relationships

Sia, Sanchi, and Arya shared a complicated bond. Their parents had been business partners and close friends, tying their lives together since childhood. After Sia’s parents’ tragic death, her uncle and aunt had taken over the family business, leaving Sia to focus on her passions.

Unlike Arya, whose ambitions revolved around wealth and self-preservation, Sia channeled her resources into her NGO. The profits from her café in Hyderabad funded her projects, and generous donors supplemented her mission. She believed in her mother’s ideals of serving humanity, even if Arya found her commitment foolish.

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A New Resolve

Later that night, as the stars glittered in the inky sky, Sia sat alone by the campfire, now reduced to glowing embers. The night was silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind.

Her thoughts returned to Kaal—the enigmatic stranger who had entered her life with such intensity. His words, his presence, felt like a turning point.

“I will find you,” she whispered into the night. “I don’t know who you are or why you appeared, but I’ll uncover the purpose behind this.”

Her voice, soft yet determined, carried into the stillness as the stars seemed to twinkle in acknowledgment. Sia’s journey was just beginning, and the path ahead was unknown. But for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.