Edge of the Abyss (Part IV)

 

If you haven't read the previous parts, click below:

Part I

Part II

Part III

A couple days passed. Swastik was having trouble holding on his own. It was 9 pm. It was drizzing outside and he sat on his bed. He looked at the city lights outside and drifted into his own world held captive by the incessant pattering of raindrops on the window. It wasn't until an hour later that he was pulled back into reality. Elsa barked loudly and looked at him.

"What now?", he said and blew raspberry.

She did a little spin and looked at the clock. It was 10 pm now.

"Don't you think you get hungry more often than me?", he sighed.

Elsa barked in affirmation and started pulling his sleeve. Swastik got up and walked to the kitchen. He poured kibble for Elsa and warmed his dinner in the microwave. While taking it out, he burnt his finger. He didn't flinch and took out cold water from the fridge. His lips pursed as he dipped his hand in the water. Elsa stopped eating and looked at him inquisitively. He petted her head and said, "I'm okay, dear."

He walked to the table, wincing from the burn, and ate in silence. At night, he had almost made up his mind to cry himself to sleep when his phone pinged. He picked it up to see a message from his mother.

"Are you up, beta?"

"Yes, Ma :')"

And she called him.

"Hello, beta"

There was a long pause. He was hearing Mom's after many days and he couldn't hold back.

"Hello? Swastik? Can you hear me?"

"Yes, Ma! How're you and Papa?", he said, hardly able to hold back his tears.

"We're doing much better! And you know, Mama has bought loads of chocolates for you! (whisper) And we also have a gift for you!"

"When are you coming back?", he asked desperately, completely ignoring everything else.

"Soon, beta. Very soon", she said with a sigh.

There was a long pause again.

"What did you have for dinner, beta?"

"Umm...rice and a curry of some sort. I don't know what was in it. Mrs Coelho gave it to me."

"Ok, beta. Go to sleep now. I'll call you again tomorrow."

"Good night, Ma."

"Good night, beta. Sweet dreams!"

"Ma I..."

And then the dialing tone. He thought of calling Mom to tell her about the burn but he didn't.

He checked his phone to see one message from Meghna.

"Hey, strangah! Wanna hear a joke?"

He left it on seen and fell asleep. The next morning, Elsa woke him up as per usual routine. Dawn found its way through the thick blanket of fog wrapping the city. A warbler sang at the top of its voice on the banyan tree outside his window. He turned on the lights though he didn't want to. Elsa showered his with kisses but he didn't feel like smiling or petting her. They went for a walk but he wasn't feeling it anymore. The lyrics of the songs he once loved didn't feel the same anymore. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Confused, he checked his phone after coming home. There were no calls Mom but there was one message from Meghna.

"I'm blocking you. You don't know what it's like to be a friend. Have a good life ahead."

There was a burning sensation in his eyes and a weight settled on his heart. He felt the world around him narrowing down. A tear escaped his eyes and found its way down his face. He sat on his bed and covered his face with his hands. His breathing was shaky. Elsa walked up to him and lay her head on his lap. His heart was beating rapidly and he couldn't figure out what to do. He hugged Elsa and started crying.

"Why am I like this, Elsa? No one loves me", he yelled as he cried.

Elsa whimpered softly with him, trying to be the friend he needed. Soon, he stopped crying but still didn't let Elsa go.

"Stupid me. I've always been a crybaby and you are always here for me", he said as he wiped his tears. He petted her head. His bittersweet moment was broken when someone rang the doorbell. He washed his face and opened the door and saw a FedEx guy standing there.

"How are you doing? This is Block A-3, right?"

"Yes."

"Parcel for Swastik Bhowmick"

Before Swastik could reply, the guy gave him a box and walked away.

"Strange...I didn't order anything. Maybe Mom or Dad did", he thought to himself as the closed the door.

He fetched a knife to open the wrapping. As he was about to open the box, he heard his phone ringing.

To be continued...