December 23, 2019; 12:30 a.m (IST),
Altitude: 5,665 meters;
-52 degree Celsius,
Himalayan Ranges.
_____________________________

White.

Too much white had taken a silvery shade that glowed under the bright starlight of the night sky. Blankets of fluffy snow capped the mountains, resembling no less than a double-edged sword. Their beauty surpassing the brilliant metallic shine of the surface, so were the dangers; they surpassed the sharpness of the edges.

After all, beauty was but a curtain to hide malevolent consequences. And these ranges, they were deadly, no doubt.

With the atmosphere chilling enough to lay a coat of ice on the bones in mere seconds, and eerie silence of loneliness crawling with each passing hour of night, the mountains were turning more foreboding than they already were.

The night sky frowned upon the lone figure teetering across the snow bed. The stars twinkled and glittered, presumably whispering words of treachery.

The sole of her feet sank deeper into the bed of fluffy but vicious stretches of snow.

Today, wind was the messenger of the cataclysmic storm rising at the horizon; it had promised her to leave nothing but malignant destruction in its wake.

Bringing a hand upto her mouth, she made a vain attempt to prevent the giggles from rolling through her pursed lips.

She swayed and waltzed at the tunes of her incoherent humming.

Her steps were followed by the trail of her long white sleeveless-gown, the satiny fabric hugging her body amicably.

Arms opened widely to hug the sheets of frozen crystals.
Her humming rose an octave, the incoherent lyrics turned to murmurs before everything stopped.

Silence.

Silence was scary.

Silence was deadly.

She broke into a fit of giggles. Her long gown sashayed around her calves while she carelessly twirled in circles.

Her fingers united gracefully, gripping an invisible baton. She dipped her body and danced around, expertly wielding it like a conductor of an orchestra.

"No," she cried, puckering her lips.

"Where is the background score? Where are the screams of torture, the cries of agony, the gurgles of flowing blood?"

A frown marred her angelic face.

"I need it, like, now," she murmured.
"Maybe soon, I'll find my perfect choir."

As soon as the last word left her mouth, she vanished in thin air, leaving the air electrified with her haunting laughter.

*****

December 23, 2019; 1:23 a.m (IST)
Altitude: 827 meters;
Air pressure: approximately 114 kPa
_____________________________

Raising the shutters of his eyes, he looked down the platform at the miniscule of living civilization.

The annoying cloth of his trench coat flapped violently at a despairing speed.

His shoulder length hair often teased him, the strands brushing over his eyes. A weary sigh left his mouth. His eyes dimmed to the point where they seemed to lose lustre of life.

The tip of his shoes tipped dangerously at the edge. The thought of making a free fall at a height that impressive, was enough to churn the chyme inside the stomach.

"Oh man!" He exclaimed, followed by a retching sound.

"This world is so confusing," he pouted.
"I feel like an invidual about to commit suicide."

Patting his pant's pocket, he pulled out a white handkerchief. He crouched and planted his hand on the platform while holding the handkerchief in air, seemingly testing its speed.

He groaned loudly and hung his head. Finally standing up, he rested his hands on his hips.

"I hate you, asshole," he yelled, running his fingers through his untamable hair.

"Look at me, this body, this face; I am an epitome of manliness. Where did I just land myself at?
At a crappy height of more than 800 with...
With no... audience."

"Fück my life," he whined.

Glowering, he stomped upto the edge.

"Life is too sorrowful, might as well get it over with."

"Sweetheart! Brace yourself," he threw a smirk, blowing a flying kiss towards ground.

The heels of his shoes rose in the air, before he flung his body from the platform.

Embracing the wild wind, he let his body being gravitated by the sinful shine of civilization.

A smile tugged the corners of his lips as the velocity of the air whipped his face.

"Feels so good. Hell yeah!" He screamed.

At the sight of the ground, he twisted his body in the air and landed swiftly on the heels of his shoes.

Flicking the strands of hair back, he gazed around only to be greeted by a lonely stray dog. No one to witness his otherworldly stunt except it.

"What? Got to be kidding me!" He shouted indignantly.

The stray dog barked thrice before peeing near an electric pole.

*****

December 23, 2019; 3:45 a.m (IST)
500 meters under the sea level.
_____________________________

Dark, blurry, wet.

The water unleashed thousands of needles upon her skin. Her arms flayed around herself, their motion cutting through the water.

Her head felt light and weighed tons at the same time.

The cornea of her eye embraced the water like a long lost friend... unlike her consciousness.

Her body moved around with graceful fluidity of a mermaid.

Why? Why, her?

A dizziness was starting to spread from the tip of her spine.

Maybe this time, she could end this, once and for all.

Could she?

Her limbs stopped their movements.

Eyelids drooped, slowly shutting the view.

Where was the oblivion?

How wrong she was, what an idiot she was.

Always was and would always remain a pathetic idiot.

"You are weak. I pity you."

No, anything but that. She didn't want pity.

Translucent hands coiled her wrists.

Her head reeled back, mouth opening to let out a sound less scream.

Water swirled around her violently, murmuring spells of agony upon her body.

'Stop', her mind screamed but to no avail.

The fluid started leviating her.

Excruciating pain passed through her bones.

However, the worst pain was of helplessness. She couldn't do anything, nothing.

This had been her since, how long? She couldn't remember. Somewhere near a faints start-line, perhaps.

Pathetic, truly pathetic.

Letting out an audible gasp, she gulped the air. Her head, the only part floating above the water.

A tear leaked from her eye and rolled down her cheek, mixing homogeneously with the drops of water and getting swallowed by the ocean.

Lost, never to be found again.

*****

December 23, 2019; 5:53 a.m (IST)
Somewhere near the equatorial Rainforest.
_____________________________

The lenses of her golden eyes zoomed at the first ray of dawn, that had started to peep through the dense canopy.

"Maybe this time," she mused.

Limbs tensed and relaxed at an infinitesimally less second.

Hunkering down a little, she dashed from behind the shrubbery which had been her shield so far.

Air electrified with the friction.

She was racing.

Today, her competitor was the first ray of dawn.

The shaft of light was visible, numerous particles dancing across it. It had started to descend towards a lone flower, the redness of the petals would soon glisten with light.

"Just a bit more."

She bit her lower lip.

Her toes barely touched the mossy surface of the hollow trunk lying on the ground. She sprang in the air.

A hand reached out for the flower as she flung herself and did a somersault in mid-air.

"Just a bit more."

Viciously gripping the stem, she uprooted the flower-plant, taking a huge chunk of soil as well.

In the meantime, the mini crater formed on the ground was illuminated by the first ray of sun.

A huge smile lit up her features.

Raising her arms in air, she twirled and pulled off a couple of impressive dance steps.

The forests rejoiced alongside her.

"On your face," she chuckled, thrusting a thumbs down to no one visible.

"Is it?" A masculine voice reverberated her surrounding.

The smile on her faltered a little.

Crouching, she whipped her head in all directions. Golden eyes scanned for the presence of her prospective intruder.

Her stance tensed and arms drew forward to defend herself.

The hair at the back of her neck stood up when she heard a smooth thump behind her.

Breathe in, breathe out, and she was ready to face her intruder.

"Yo!" She squeaked.

Blood red eyes glared down at her.

Her pupils dilated the moment she experienced a sudden shift in temperature.

"Hot, hot. Run!" Her mind chanted and she was more than ready to comply.

"You bastard," she yelled.

Cradling her hair which was exhaling wisps of smoke, she glared at her male companion.

Her once-long hair that reached her calves, was now reduced to her waist.

Her body skidded few meters far in a blink of eye and she found herself pinned against a tree.

The man stood infront of her, his palm looming over her face.

"Care to repeat that," he spoke through gritted teeth.
A smirk was beginning to form on his face.

Her lips trembled whereas her eyes turned glossy.

"I spent hours styling my hair and you reduced it to ashes," she growled out, trying to change the position.

His hand clenched into a fist and his index finger pointed dangerously near her forehead.

A tremor ran through her bones.

"Care to repeat that," he snarled.

"Oh! Umm..." she blinked twice.

"I love you."

"What?" The man sputtered, horrified.

"I love you," she shouted, before launching herself on her horrified male companion.

*****

December 23, 2019; 9:00 a.m (IST)
Mumbai, India.
_____________________________

"A mocha latte, table no. 15. I repeat."

A bubbly waitress sauntered at the view.

Taking the mug of brewing foam, she made her way towards the said table.

"Your order sir, have sunshine bright day ahead," she beamed at the customer who returned her gesture.

The door jingled, marking the arrival of another customer.

"Welcome to 'Coffee House'. Ready to start a new monday with a fresh mug?" The lady standing behind the counter, Rose D'Souza, chimed.

'Coffee House' was known for brewing affection along with the coffee. Its owner, Rose D'Souza, was an elderly woman at sixty. Rose was a person who would light up even the saddest of faces and lift up a dampened mood with a flick of her wrist.

The customer smiled back.
"Sure."

His eyes examined the bustling cafe. Monday morning did bring a lot of customers.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted in the air.

While his eyes were busy scanning the place, a beautiful waitress popped up infront of him, somewhat startling him.

She gave him her brightest smile, even brighter than the sun shinning outside.

"Let me show you the table," she chirped.

Noting down the order, she pinned the chit above the counter.

"Hey Rose darling, an instant cappuccino," she said, winking simultaneously.

Leaning over the counter, she dropped her voice to a whisper.
"Busy man, busy man," she clucked her tongue.
"He is into estates, I think."

"Hey, Rosey. Want me set him up for you?" She asked brightly, wriggling her eyebrows.

"Aarya," Rose gasped.
"You're one naughty girl, aren't you?"

Aarya giggled before passing the cappuccino to another waitress with a wink.

"Table no. 20, Saki," she yelled.

"On it," Sakshi yelled back.

"Hmmm, even though I am naughty, I just cannot imagine Coffee House without me," she boasted.

"Just imagine, me resigning my job here. That will call for an apocalypse."

Her wandering hand pried a freshly baked cookie.

Rose lightly slapped Aarya's hand, chuckling in amusement.

Aarya just stuffed her mouth with cookie and wiped the crumbles on her shirt, earning a grimace from Rose.

The door jingled again.

Aarya bounced to the new customer, her bright smile lighting another one's monday morning.

After two hours of hustle and bustle, Coffee House had somewhat settled down.

Aarya was seen sitting near the counter, munching on her home-made sandwiches.
The jingling of door forced her to tear her gaze off of her food. She stood up and turned to greet another customer.

A handsome young man with slightly mused hair and big nerdy glasses perched on his straight nose, entered the cafe.

"Good morning, Miss. D'Souza. Accept my pleasantries for the day ahead."

Aarya scowled at him.
"Keshav, simplify."

The man, Keshav, pushed the glasses back as they were on the verge of falling down.

"Not all of the world's population is dumb like you, sister," he smirked.

Aarya glowered at him, shaking her index finger at him.
"I am your elder sister."

Keshav scoffed.
"Of course, 1 minute 34 seconds elder." He pushed his glasses back, "... precisely."

Aarya gave him a bored look.
"Dear brother, don't always remind me of your hurry to get into this world. It's not endearing, at all."

"Right. Didn't I actually kick you out?" Keshav snickered.

"Ugh!"

Rose witnessed the brother-sister's squabble with fondness. Over 3 years of her association with the siblings, she had but adored them. She still remembered the day as if it were yesterday, the day she had hired Aarya to work in Coffee House.

Rose's smile faltered a little.

'Orphans', that was the answer to her question when she had enquired Aarya about her parents.

Life was known for taking drastic turns when you least expect.

What would've been a day filled with birthday-celebration, turned into a day of mourning over the deaths of their parents.

It really was a matter of astonishment, one could never figure out what life have in store for them in another minute. After all, who would've known their parents that were so ecstatic to buy a birthday present, would get caught in an arson attack made to the mall? Certainly not Aarya, nor Keshav.

Rose stifled a giggle from escaping her mouth as she saw Aarya ready to attack Keshav with a bottle of chocolate sauce.

Although Aarya and Keshav were fraternal twins, they were poles apart.

Where on one hand Aarya was the naughty, bubbly and vivacious one, on the other hand there was Keshav; calm, reserved and a complete bookworm. However, whatever may be the differences, the intense bond between the two was unlike any other.

"Okay kids," Rose clapped her hands, stopping Aarya from pulling out Keshav's hair.

"That's enough for the day, I suppose," Rose spoke, sounding quite unsure herself.

Keshav straightened his shirt and walked towards the door. "We need to leave, sister."

Rose frowned.
"What's up with him? He had been acting strange lately."

"Don't ask me," Aarya rolled her eyes.
"The psychologist in making is way out of my reach."

She lowered her voice and leaned towards Rose.
"I am telling you, dealing with him consumes half of my energy. What a crack-head..."

"I heard that," Keshav's voice reached them.

The sky had darkened, dark clouds rumbling and flashing with vengeful bolts. True it was, one could never predict Mumbai's weather. One moment it would be all sunshine, the other; it would be raining cats and dogs.

Aarya shivered slightly, hugging herself.

"Something's awfully wrong today."

"Aarya, let's get ourselves home," he gaze fixed on the blurry horizon.

"Couldn't agree more, brother," Aarya whispered.

"Couldn't agree more."

*****

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