When Lightning Strikes..[7]

As the cart moved along the muddy paths with paddy fields on one side and small ponds on the other that had tiny lavenders on its sides. The sunset could be seen in a distance. Ajay was totally absorbed with various thoughts as the peon was talking non-stop to him. His mind was enthralled with the scenes in the evening, especially the one in which he saw Annie for the last time, with the twinkle in her eyes. He then realized that he was already missing her in depth, unknowingly.

Ajay had to catch up with the only night bus that left for the main city from which he could travel to his place via bus or train. If he missed it, he would have to search for a place to stay there that night. By the time they reached the bus stand, darkness had spread all over except from the light from the oil lamps hung at a few tea shops. The bus stand was almost stranded except for the stray dogs and the tea shops. Ajay gave the peon a 100 rupee note for which he smiled gratefully at him showing the only front tooth left in his mouth. Before leaving, he told Ajay to wait in one of the tea shops till the bus arrives.

Ajay went to a nearby shop and ordered a cup of coffee. There were only a few people at the shop. While sipping the coffee, memories of Annie and the train journey flashed in his mind. He suddenly felt a strong urge to go back and take her with him. But with what right he could go and ask her to come with him as he was more or less a stranger to her. But leaving her all alone in that strange place disturbed him like anything. He realized he was helpless. But hadnt he been irresponsible with her for leaving her in an unfamiliar place where she knew none other than him, after listening to the station master's suggestion? What if he had asked Annie to come with him and offered her a helping hand? If she had agreed to stay in that place, then definitely she'd have not let down his offer. A shudder went through his heart when he saw the last bus entering the stand. He was in a complete dilemma. Blocking all the thoughts in his mind, Ajay paid for the coffee and walked straightly into the bus. The bus was empty. The driver had gone for refreshment. It had begun to rain..

Annie was startled by the lightning that illuminated the small dark room in which she was given a bedsheet and a completely torn pillow with cotton leaking out of the holes. She quietly sat up and watched the rain through the small window in the room. There was no fan in the room and elephant-sized mosquitos were fluttering all around. Annie too was surrounded with disturbing thoughts from the instant Ajay had left her. The only person she had by her side after she had lost her family. She had felt secured and protected while she was with him for the past 2 days. She couldnt control her tears as the realization of being all alone again haunted her. She hadnt felt this much uncomfortability & fear, that she felt there in that place, in her entire life, even when she was in the tents or in the crowded buses a few days before. She knew she was unsafe in that place at the instant when Ajay and the peon had left. The lady seemed to be eyeing her with a peculiar expression in her eyes which showed nothing but signs of danger. A man with a bleak expression in his face had come to the house after a while in the evening & he too looked at Annie while speaking with the lady, causing the same fears & uncomfortability in her. She desperately wanted to leave that place. But there was no way out, unless a miracle happens..
............[......TBC.......]......................