On the Bus 2:30 Am
"So where are you going" Dev asked
"Dera Bassi, and you? She returned the question
"Chandigarh. I guess I won't have the company of such a beautiful sister for the whole journey," he replied
She chuckled "such a sweat tongue"
"Myself dev what's "He motioned his hand for handshake
the lady gestured that she was carrying child and and can't shake hand "I am Anushka and this is my baby Varun"
The chit-chat continued between them
The bus screeched to a stop at a roadside dhaba the strong scent of fried parathas and chai filling the air as passengers stretched their limbs, stepping off to grab a bite before the journey continued.
Dev and Anushka also stepped down to stretch their legs, sitting for 3 hours made their legs go numb.
The air was crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth inside the bus.
Dev shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets, looking around. The dhaba was the usual kind~~brightly lit despite the early hour, plastic chairs scattered around, and a small TV in the corner playing some old Bollywood film.
"You're getting something?" Anushka asked.
Dev smirked "You treating me?"
She scoffed "I think you can handle your own bill."
They found a table and sat down, ordering chai and some pakoras. Anushka kept her shawl wrapped around Varun shielding him from the cold.
"You seem like the kind of woman who doesn't normally take buses," he mused.
Her lips curved up slightly. "Observant, aren't you?"
"It's a habit."
She sighed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Trains are usually my choice. But this time, it was… necessary."
A vague answer but Dev wasn't about to push.
"So," she started, blowing on her tea, "why is a kid traveling alone?"
Dev feigned offense. "A kid?"
She chuckled at his acting "Alright, young handsome man why are you travelling alone"
he replied" i have a beautiful lady accompanying don't I?"
After a while, the bus honked, signaling it was time to leave.
They got back on, this time sitting in comfortable silence. The road stretched ahead, endless and uncertain.
A Station Before Chandigarh
Anushka gathered her things, adjusting her shawl as the bus slowed.
"This is me," she said, glancing at him.
Dev, feeling an odd sense of loss, simply nodded. "Safe travels."
She smiled and while sticking out tongue said "You too, kid "
And then, just like that, she was gone.
He leaned back against the seat, exhaling
"Man i am alone again i will die from travelling"
The lady was a great help to him due to her he was distracted from those depressed thoughts talking to her was all planed.
A while later, the bus pulled into Chandigarh's main terminal.
Dev stretched, stepping off into the bustling crowd.
Without hesitation, he made his way to the ticket counter, his heart steady now.
"One ticket to…" He paused, then finished, "Nahan Himachal Pradesh."
5:00 AM – Back in Delhi
Dev parents returned and found the door is locked.
His mother "Did he went for jogging in morning"
Arjun "mom open the door first i am sleepy"
His father went to park the car
His mother, stretching her arms entered inside
Silence.
Frowning, she kicked off her sandals and walked toward in kitchen to have a glass of water. His brother lay sprawled on sofa without putting efforts to even lay inside his room.
Dev mother went to sit on the chair And then she saw the note on table.
she picked it up, eyes scanning the words. Each sentence felt like a stab to her chest.
"Mummy, Papa,
I am leaving, not because I feel burdened, but because I want to try my luck in the world. Don't worry about me. By the time you read this, I'll be far from Delhi. I love you, and tell that stupid brother of mine to study. I will only come back once I am successful."
A sharp gasp left her lips. "He… he left."
His father after parking entered the house, he turned. "What?"
She held up the letter, her eyes glistening. "Dev… he's gone!"
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, his father snatched the letter from her hands, reading it carefully. His expression hardened.
"It must be some kind of prank u know how Dev Is being a lazy ass he wont put so much effort in running away"
His mother shook her head furiously. "No… no, I my heart is telling me something is wrong. I…"
Arjun, rubbing his sleepy eyes, "What's going on?"
His father exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. "Your brother is playing running away from home prank."
Arjun blinked. Then frowned. "Just call him to check and speak softly let me sleep"
His mother shot him a glare. "Does this look like a joke to you? call him right now"
His father grabbed his phone "okay okay i am calling him calm down dear"
Arjun raised his hands in surrender. "I mean… he always say stuff like this, but I don't think he has courage to actually do it."
A frown appear on his father face "his phone is switched off"
[DEV POV]
Man travelling through bus just made my journey longer couldn't system just teleport me there before leaving
Looking at time my parents would be back home they surely would think this as prank or something and then after sending Arjun school would they consider this matter seriously but i would already be at my destination
I took a deep breathe while looking out scenery of sun raising outside the window
"calm yourself it was a good decision, its okay you will be okay, they will be okay It was Swim or sink as my system said I will also rise back" I murmured trying to calm myself
His eyes after 2 years again was burning with a passion and somewhat determination
While gazing outside i slowly started feeling sleepy I closed my eyes to rest and accepting the call of beautiful sleep goddess