He looked around and saw a beautiful summer day. The flowers bloomed, the trees flourished, the birds nested and the eagles soared high above with a watchful eye. Everything in the world and nature went about their business but Rajjo was gone. He even wondered how the sky was still stuck in place. But it was. It gave him marginal solace to think that it was his choice to stay in the world and continue with his life or he could slip out. Silently. He could find a road to freedom.

They had discussed the option together but Rajjo had warned him of the consequence. He knew Rajjo ideally wanted him to let her go and move on with his life, make a mark with his political career.

Harsh could hear the TV anchor’s voice ringing in his ear. Rajjo’s picture splashed across the TV set reminded him of her smile as she bid him adieu from her balcony. The hotel looked magical against the setting sun. Her blood-red dupatta flying in the air, like it was trying to break free, like it wanted to follow him. Like it wanted to cover the sky.

He was not ready to let her go. He just prayed she reached where she wanted to reach; there were many people baying for her blood.

The decision was made for him. He had to let her know somehow. He was coming after her. He stared at the pale moon already visible in the evening sky. It just hung there waiting for darkness to come. He felt he was hanging in there like the moon, hoping and waiting to be blanketed in the darkness. His desperation to be with Rajjo was utter and complete.

A battered jeep drove on the pot-holed road. Tyagi had an upset stomach and to add to his discomfort he was put on VIP duty, not any good VIP, Bollywood celebrity or TV personality. The VIP duty was for that absconding Godwoman.

As the battered jeep slowly climbed the steep slope, threatening to give way, Tyagi manouvered the jeep. He was supposed to pick up his team from the main chowk in less than ten minutes. The Godwoman had been missing for the last two weeks after threatening to self-immolate. Tyagi wanted to laugh but with his gurgling stomach, he did not want to attempt it. It was a hoax like everything else! She had made her money, and now she was bored! Or was this just to be back in the headlines?