Bit Broken.

Alone.

While we laid on the ground, Tara was totally asleep keeping her head on my chest. I was looking at the sky full of stars. Figuring out what to tell Tara when she wakes up. When the other day Tara said that we should just run away...maybe we should have just run away? Do I use the data to blackmail Mr. Malhotra? Do I have any other way out?

I was in my thoughts when my phone rang. Tara was startled by the sound. "Who's that?" she mumbled in a sleepy voice.

"It's from Suraj. Papa used to work with him." I lifted Tara up and I got up too to a sitting position. 'Yeah..." I picked up the phone.

"Where are you?" Suraj  talked with an anxious tone from the other side.

"Why?"

"Come to your house fast!"He said. "Dinesh is...He is not well."

My legs felt heavy at once. A strange fear engulfed my body. Papa had been sick for long, each time his condition became severe, I feared if he could make it this time.

"What happened?" Tara stood up. "Uncle.."

I turned to her and nodded. She knew exactly what I meant.

I reached to Papa as fast as I could. Tara wanted to stay but I knew it would create more problem. Papa had to be admitted yet again. I saw countless tubes and wires they had put on his body. I had very little money left with me and Papa needed a good set-up. Though the chances were slim, I still wanted to try. I went to the mansion at mid-night. The king was furious that I woke him up from his sleep.

"I have to save him..." I bawled in front of him.

"More money?" He looked up. I followed his gaze. Tara was standing at the stairs in her night suit. He looked at Tara as if proving himself correct about something. It was clear, he knew about us. I wasn't surprised. Vijay did what he said.

"Take this and get lost!" He bellowed throwing some bundles of cash. "Never ever show us your face...How could you think..." He stopped clenching his teeth. I looked up again, Tara was not there anymore. I picked up the money. I was ashamed but I had nothing else to do.

"I will not forget your generosity ever..." I uttered to him. "I promise I will pay you back."

I stormed out of the mansion. Embarrassed. Angry. Hurt.

I reached the hospital. The receptionist wouldn't take the money. "Talk to the doctor first." She said.

I think I knew the answer but I still asked. "Why?"

The doctor had nothing much to say. 'Sorry' that was the answer. I didn't ask anything further.

Papa was gone. Forever. I was on my knees on the cold marveled floor. I wanted to cry but just couldn't. I wanted to shout but couldn't utter a word. Afraid. Alone. Orphaned. 

Papa's friends came to see him one by one. I called Tara but her phone was switched off. The king might have something to do with it. I was done with all the processes till the next  afternoon. I cremated him at the ghat near the hospital. I finally cried. Cried my heart out. I was angry. At myself. At the situation. At the world. I thought I cannot break any further...I was so wrong!

"Mr. Malhotra has told you to vacate the quarter." Suraj said patting my back. "He can be so cruel at times!" He tutted.

"Don't worry...I'll pay him back!" Wiping my tears. "I'll pay him back." I chanted.

My phone rang. It was Vijay. I let it ring. I didn't have the energy to talk to that filth. He called again. And again. And again.

"What is the matter with you?" I roared.

"Where are you? Aren't you at your home?" His voice trembled.

"Papa..." I stopped. "No....Why? I know you have told him..."

"Just come to Tara's house...." He sniffed.

"I cannot. Papa's gone and I probably won't be allowed to live..."

"Oh God...Are you okay?" He sobbed.

"What is the matter?" I didn't quite understand his behavior. Last night he was so cold and angry and now he was empathizing with me!

"Tara..."He sighed.

"Huh?" I held the phone with both my hands. I looked at the screen, the battery was low, it beeped as the battery sign turned red. "Tara What?" I shouted. "Say something damn it!"

I removed the phone from my ear and looked at the screen. The screen didn't appear. It died.