19 Set In Stone (2/2)

The flame met the paper, and everything turned into ash.

”How-”

Priscilla cut me off,” How do I know? Let's say you don't want to know.”

We stared in each other's eyes for at least ten seconds.

What kind of emotions did I have on my face?

Did the situation get more complicated or it simplified itself?

Priscilla was smiling smugly while she had her eyes fixated on me. Her face retracted and she stood up. She fished her pockets and took out a roll of money. She threw it in my lap and said,” Call me when everyone is there, and I'll be there to fulfill your wish.”

Saying that, she exited the room.

Everything was very silent.

Everyone felt stationary.

I felt the veins in my brain almost popped.

It had been two days since my last encounter with P.A., and I was back in India. Kyo was sitting near me, peeling oranges. When I had plugged my ears with earphones. I was looking at the roof, and was noticing the most mundane stains it had.

I turned my head and glanced over to the flight tickets on the dresser.

KATHMANDU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. DECEMBER 28TH.

Kyo put her hand under my chin and turned my head to face her and stuffed my face with a slice of orange.

I finished eating it and asked her,” Babe, do you really want to come with me?”

”I'll have too. You accepted my past, Madonna. I have to dive into yours and accept you.” Kyo replied with a serene look on her face.

Her subtle smile lit up my world.

”However- ” she said while stuffing my face with another orange slice, ”-I am rather jealous that you once had sexual relations with a celebrity.”

I laughed it off, and Kyo continued,” I mean, it doesn't matter as long as you don't cheat on me. We're family after all.”

I looked at her concerning face. There was a hint of sadness, melancholia. And disgust?

I reached out to her hand and held it tightly.

”I will never think of that.”

We traded warm smiles with each other.

The chilly winter outside felt a little absent for a second.

A chapter in my life had reached its finish line, and we had to march on forward. For however long it took, I had to find a closure.

This is not the end of the world.

This is not a situation where one solution solves the biggest problems.

We are human beings. We are born as a shade of grey.

The black and white doesn't exist among us.

And to see a hint of white, I will shed all black out of me.