The sight replayed in his mind. The painful scene. His Aanchal tending to his brother's wounds, lightly blowing on them for relief, was burning Ranvir from inside. He had loved Kabir. The problem was he loved Aanchal too. No, the problem was Aanchal loved Kabir.

The agony he was going through had no outlet. He wanted that warmth only Aanchal could provide him. He walked to the balcony of his room, overlooking the vast span of Raichand mansion garden. The life-sized chess pieces got his eye.

Someone had left the game midway. However, the state of the white side portrayed his current position. The white queen was out to protect the camel opening her king for the opposite side to attack. The king had to quickly bring some cover to stay in the game. Ranvir's eyes fell on the black camel. If the king moved one step forward, the black camel could save him for a few moves, until their queen entered the danger zone.

The black army was an equivalent of obstacles in his way. Some, he welcomed. Some, he created. Their camel was his fake illness which still gave him real headaches. He decided his next move.

Aanchal walked into the room not knowing what awaited her. She saw Ranvir searching on his side table. “Ranvir, what do you want? Tell me, I will find for you.”

‘My desire’, he wanted to say. Instead, he said, “My tablets. I am unable to see due to this pain. I feel like my skull is going to burst.” He clutched his head tightly and sat back on the floor against the bed frame.

Aanchal quickly searched for his tablet and brought it to him. She helped him take medicine.

“Aanchal, I am not of any use. I am just giving everyone sad memories. I feel like my life has been snatched from me. What is my purpose to live now? Nothing.”

Aanchal sat next to him. She carefully took his palm in hers and said, “I am here for you.”

“No Aanchal. You are only showing pity for me. You are here because Dad stopped you. I am a burden to everyone. A painful burden.” He clasped her palm and held it to his chest. He wanted time to freeze that moment. He wanted nothing else.

“One sec, Ranvir.” Aanchal left his side. She returned with a Chinese lantern. “Remember this, Ranvir? You said it will transport our message to those among the stars. Today I want you to fill it with all your remorse. When you release it, you will again be that person whom we are all missing in this family.”

“It's not that easy, Aanchal.”

“I thought so too. But after releasing it, I felt at peace with myself. All my regrets, all those unspoken words went with the lantern.”

“I will try for you.” They went to the balcony and lit up the lantern. ‘It's not remorse, Aanchal. It's my wish for your love that has brought me here. Today this lantern shall transport my wish to the heavens. My wish for true love. My wish for you, Aanchal.’

They released the lantern together. Ranvir stopped Aachal from going back in. He collapsed against the wall and held her hand asking her to sit with him. Aanchal obliged.

“I want to see where the lantern is going. I want to see if it reaches its destination or diverts from its path.”

“Okay.” She agreed.

“Aanchal, you are really impossible. You give me hope for these things and immediately remind me that you are not mine.” He corrected himself. “I mean you give me the hope to find happiness but the minute Kabir throws a fit, you run to his side, leaving me alone, all by myself.”

“Ranvir, Kabir is my love.”

Ranvir clenched his other wrist. Those words were cutting into him. “I know but what kind of happiness can I find by myself. I have always wanted others to be happy. But I also wanted to be part of that happiness. I wanted a little joy from whatever I gave.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I won't keep you from Kabir. I can't bear to do that. Please just take a minute to think what I am going through.”

She thought for a while. “I am sorry, Ranvir. I didn't realise that I neglected my friend while going after my love. That love which shall not be mine, for the friendship which gave me a lot. I promise…”

“Stop Aanchal. You make promises, and I will start to build hopes. It would be better if you don't promise me anything. That way I can cherish all these little moments with you.”

He gazed at the dark sky. As the night passed, Aanchal drifted to sleep and leaned on his shoulder. He captured her palm once again not wanting to ever let go. Her sweet breath against his shoulder sent a chill in his bones. He had longed for that moment. It was not in context he wanted but it was there, and he took it with both hands.