He sat on the ledge, the spot worn out and crumbling, legs dangling over the sprawling abyss underneath. The same abyss that had been alive with colours and full of life just a little while ago. Yet, right now, it was dark, a gaping black hole sucking out all his hopes and joy, feeding on his fears and insecurities… Laughter rang out from the landlord’s house. Laughter... He was five, hanging upside down on the monkey bars, his face red from the rush and exhilaration… School… Cricket in the playground during the lunch break… He was always chosen as the captain… Chasing dragonflies throughout the fields… His first fist fight… A broken arm… Ma’am Shagun, the 5th grade Maths teacher… Her flowing long hair that swayed slightly as she tried to teach them fractions… Middle School…Growing up…Cheating…Flunking… All night parties… The over-hyped Boards… Results… Celebrations… The best college in the country… First day… Disappointments… New people… A new life…
A cool breeze ruffled his hair, soft fingers pushing them back, as a slight scent surrounded him and played gently with his senses… Aastha… He took a deep breath as she cuddled into his arms, her head resting on his chest, her perfume etched in his mind long after she was gone… Booze parties… Puking all night… Movies at Amba… Popcorn fights… Scuffles with security guards… Singing at the top of his lungs in the middle of the night… Sutta… Rebelling against his parents. Trekking through remote hills with friends… Deep thoughts and conversations in the solitary confines of sweet-smelling forests… Their heartbeats breaking the calm… Countless interviews… Snobby business school graduates deciding his worth… Last minute slogging before the exams… Half cooked Maggie at 3 a.m… Farewell… Suits and sarees… Last booze party… Last all nighter… Last trip to Hrishikesh… Packing bags for a new destination…. A new journey… A new adventure… The real world… The dark abyss… A blank canvas waiting for the splash of colours…
