Thus far (redux)

Wrote this about 5 years back. Changed a few things.


Swaram sat on the bench and watched the mountains. Beautiful. Every single time he came here, his eyes filled with tears. Nature was so humbling. It reminded him that everything and everybody was so insignificant in front of it. He gazed at the clouds slowly inching towards the peaks, and smiled.

And then he saw her. Standing at the railing, looking down. She looked all around and then turned, their eyes meeting. He raised his eyebrows, the corner of his mouth almost a smile; a silent greeting. She acknowledged his look for a fleeting second, and turned away, looking lost again.

He walked up beside her and stood. Neither spoke for a whole minute, both soaking in the wonder in front of their eyes.She then stepped back.

"Nice view," Swaram said, almost to himself.

She nodded. But her face was expressionless.

They looked at each other now. She smiled.

"So you can smile," he said, chuckling.

The smile grew wider now. "Yeah, so?"

"Nothing. It's just that...anyway, I'm Swaram. Hi."

She remained silent,just nodded her head. But she didn't introduce herself.

"I'm sorry I just came over without even..." he said.

"It's ok." She almost smiled.

He relaxed.

"They say nature looks its best from suicide points. And that's because it wants us to have a second thought about jumping and losing it all."

She still remained silent.

"Did you believe that?" He said and leaned against the railing, facing her.

She remained thoughtful. A pause again. "I don't know..maybe."

"Did you also come here for ...?" she asked, staring back almost.

Swaram remained silent now.

He turned back and leaned across the railing, guaging the depth of the gorge, and then stood back.

"Must be quite a fall. Huh?" He continued.

"Why are you asking me all these questions? I don't even know you."

He raised his eyebrows again.

She looked at the sun now, about to set. "Ask me directly, if you want to."

"Directly, what?" he said.

"Why."

"Why what?"

"That's what you want to know, right? Why I want to end my life?"

"No."

A pause.

"I wanted to ask you why you ended your life."

She had to hold the railing to keep herself from reeling. He held her shoulder and steadied her.

"I know. It's not something everyone can take. It's hard to admit that we've really died. It's ok, happens."

"Then...then..you..how am I able to...?" She looked down and then again at him, her mouth quivering and eyes wide with horror and surprise, all at once.

"I jumped yesterday. You..an hour back." He smiled.

He went over and sat, motioning her beside him; his gaze steadfast on hers. "We have all the time to talk. Let's begin with your name..."

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