Edge of the Abyss (Part III)

 

If you haven't read the previous parts, here are the links:

Part I- click here

Part II- click here

It was Monday evening.

"Are you sure you don't wanna tell me your name? It's weird talking to a nameless person.", Swastik texted.

"I'll. Tonight."

"As you like..."

"So, wassup, strangah?"

"My parents had an accident.", texted Swastik, a tear finding its way down his cheek.

"Oh...I'm sorry."

"Idk what to do."

"I can't imagine what you're going through. I wish I could help."

"Well, talking to you is helping."

"Glad that it is."

"Yup, it's tough. I can't even visit them in the hospital. The accident was in Bangalore. They're admitted there."

"Oh, shit. Do you have relatives there?"

"No. My uncle took the flight to Bangalore as soon as he heard. So, he's taking care of them. I'm really worried."

"I'm sure they'll get well soon. Let's move to a less depressing topic."

"I'm not depressed!"

"And I'm not a fool. I'm Meghna. Nice to know you, Swastik ;)"

"HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?"

"Calm down. It's your username XD"

"And there. I embarrassed myself again :)"

"It's okay. Happens to the best of us."

"You're quite a mystery, yk?"

"I gotta go now. Ttyl."

 

Swastik kept his phone aside and laid down for a while. The room was dark and all kinds of thoughts swirled in his head. Tears on his face glistened in the mild city lights filtering through the blinds. Exhausted from crying, he fell asleep soon.

It was 1 am when his sleep was disturbed by street dogs howling.  He felt like he saw something lurking in the dark by his room's door. His heartbeat became rapid as he squinted to make out its shape. A moment later, he felt the shadow rushing towards him. He backed off to the corner of his bed and let out a deafening scream.

"Maa!", he screamed.

In response, Elsa barked loudly, startled in her sleep. She ran into Swastik's room and jumped on his bed. He was shivering; his eyes forced shut. Elsa walked up to him and cooed softly as if to comfort him. She put her paw on his arm and gave him a curious look.

"Maa!", he screamed again.

Elsa looked around and snuggled up to him. Swastik opened his eyes slowly, still sniffling and looked around. There was no one in the room except him and Elsa. He hugged Elsa and cried, "Elsa, I miss Ma."

The two-year-old labrador grunted softly and rested her head on his shoulder.

5 am the next morning.

Elsa sneaked up to Swastik and licked his face. Swastik laughed and ruffled her ears.

"Good morning, girl! I don't know what I would do without you."

He checked his phone. There were nearly a hundred texts from "Omegle contact". He smiled and edited the contact name to "Meghna". The first few messages were memes while the last one said, "Are you okay?"

"Spamming me already? XD", he texted.

Just as he was about to set down his phone, it pinged.

"How dare you ghost me like that?!"

"I fell asleep and I had nightmares :)"

"Oh...I'm sorry! Shouldn't have texted that way. So, how are you doing now?"

"My parents are doing much better."

"Glad to know that but I asked about you, my friend."

"Oh, I'm doing okay, Ig."

"Mhm. Up so early?"

"Force of habit"

"Trust me, Ik that feeling! :("

"Mhm"

He kept his phone aside, poured kibble for Elsa and crashed on his bed. After finishing her kibble, Elsa entered Swastik's room and started pulling on his blanket. He held onto it tightly.

"No walk today, Elsa! I'm not feeling well!"

Elsa still kept pulling. As her attempts failed, she barked twice and got on his bed. Swastik lifted his blanket and she snuggled in. Swastik smiled and fell asleep again.

That afternoon, Mrs. Coelho brought him lunch. She ringed the doorbell, moved back two feet and waited for Swastik to open the door.

"How're you doing, son?"

"I'm good, aunty. Thanks!"

"Times are hard for you now. I've made you your favorite palak paneer!"

"Thank you so much, aunty!"

"The salt might be a little less. I'm really getting old now", and she cackled loudly.

"I'm pretty sure it tastes amazing, aunty! Love you a lot!"

"Love you too, beta", and she walked back to her flat.

Swastik closed the door and set the glass bowl on the table. He washed his hands and sat at the table to eat. His mouth started watering as he saw the paneer. However, his happiness was short-lived. He realized that he hadn't cooked rice. By the time he was done cooking, half his appetite was gone. He ate in complete silence. He had never been alone for this long ever. In the evening, his uncle called.

"Hello, beta"

"Hello, mama! How're ma and baba?"

"They're good, beta. They'll be home in a week!"

"That's great", said Swastik, his voice tearing up a little.

"Are you crying, beta?"

"No...", and he broke down in tears after disconnecting the call.

To be continued...