They visited various historical sites in Aurangabad a day later. Miss Thomas kept meeting and inquiring after them at short intervals. The Daulatabad Fort, the road that led to the fort, the walls, the engravings on the gates were very exciting for Miss Thomas. She narrated stories about Feroz Shah Tughlaq and the fort to the students walking along with her. They returned on the third day. It was an educational and recreational trip worth remembering for Hina. The primary reason for this was her conversations with Vidhi on life, sex and sexuality. Their conversation brought about many changes within her. Along with that, her subconscious had earlier absorbed everything that Wardatul Sa’adat had said. It was not easy for her to let go of the prediction.

These thoughts had resurfaced when she sat in the taxi after her second meeting with Asrar. A wave with its origins in the greatest depths had risen in her soul. There were some fissures in her soul which she had hidden for ages and which reappeared. A few moments before she had experienced the peace of falling in love with a stranger. The feeling had taken over her mind, heart and soul. She had wondered what kind of love it was which had acquired the face of sorrow and grief. She could not fathom it!

Her throat choked, and the pain became uncontrollable as she cried into the handkerchief. The conversation with herself was intensifying her sorrow. In her entire life, she had never wept like that before.

7

My Conversation Desires Distance

(Mein Baat Karne Mein Thoda Sa Fasla Chahun)

Around eight or quarter past eight that night, Asrar bid Hina goodbye in a taxi near the Haji Ali Dargah signal. The taxi moved forward and in a very short while, Hina’s eyes brimmed with tears. All efforts to control them went in vain. Ultimately, she started crying her heart out. Initially, there was no thought in her mind.

Suddenly, it was as if innumerable termites had attacked her soul.