Edge of the Abyss (Part- II)

 

If you haven't read the first part, click to read: Part I

5 am the next morning.

Swastik woke up to his dog licking his face. He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Elsa! How's my girl?"

Elsa snuggled up to him in excitement.

"Aww! You're too excited for your walk, aren't you?"

Elsa barked loudly and did a spin in affirmation.

"Shh! You'll wake Mrs Roy. You know how much she scolds me, right?"

Elsa cooed softly and walked out of the room. Swastik smiled and checked his phone. Neither Mom nor Dad had checked his texts.

"Strange", he thought to himself and jumped out of bed. He shivered a little in the December cold. It was still dark outside. He put on his sweater and trod to the bathroom slowly. He used his brush to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube.

"Will buy a new tube on the way back. This one's done for."

He put on some soft jazz and took out cereal from the overhead cupboard in the kitchen. As he turned, he saw Elsa sitting next to him with her dog bowl.

"Of course, sweetie! I didn't forget you!", said Swastik as he petted her.

Swastik filled Elsa's bowl with kibble. Elsa looked up to Swastik, still wagging her tail.

"No, you're not getting anymore!", said Swastik as he poured milk in his cereal.

Both of them dug into their breakfast. It was 5 am already. Swastik tied his laces and secured Elsa's leash. He locked the door with a loud click and Mrs. Coelho opened her door. Swastik sighed.

"Good morning, Swastik! How are you?"

Swastik looked down at Elsa and winked. Elsa barked loudly. Frightened, Mrs Coelho hid behind her door and peeked through a small gap.

"I'll talk to you later, beta. God bless you."

Swastik mouthed "Good girl" and walked down the stairs with Elsa. Fog had settled on the city. A public bus honked rather annoyingly. Swastik didn't care much nor did Elsa. They walked to Deshbandhu Park, the local hub for athletes and joggers. Unlike the rest of the city, the place was already buzzing with people. The two jogged in the shade of a dense canopy through a rather desolate part of the park. Elsa spotted a squirrel and looked at it inquisitively.

"No! No! Don't even think about it!"

Elsa ran towards the tree pulling Swastik with her. Soon enough, he couldn't keep up and fell in the mud. Elsa circled around to check on him. Swastik laughed as Elsa licked his face.

"How can I ever be angry at you, girl?!"

It was 8 am by the time both of them returned home. Swastik checked his phone again. There was no response yet. He was getting worried now. He called his mother. There was just the ringing tone.

No response.

He tried again...same result.

Worried even more, he tried dialing his dad's number. It was switched off. Elsa noticed something was off about him so, she rubbed on his legs to comfort him.

A few minutes later, a text popped up on his screen. It was from an unknown number. He opened it.

"Hi"

"Hi...do I know you?"

There was a long pause and then a long text came in.

"The edge of a shiny sword and a castle on it,

No matter how hard the prince tries, the king never considers it a hit...

Crown on head that shines for the world,

But only he knows how much the thorns in it hurt.

It's heavy for he knew its worth.

Lost his father to war and mother to poison,

He knew it all from the start.

Still he tried to set his heart,

Protect the kingdom for welfare of all

He tried to balance a castle meant to fall.

All his happiness turned to gall...

He's still walking down the aisle;

A spring in his step.

With every next step, the winter faded away,

As the warmth of his soul paved the way.

Yeah, he's at the ball,

Flying gracefully on the floor,

With someone he loves...

Just someone he loves.

 

 

Remember me? :)"

To be continued...