Shivani knotted her dupatta around her waist. A small stubborn anchor against the relentless waves of the Banaras crowd. To her left Shivansh walked with a maddening ease. He looked less like a boy more like a human navigating through the stampede like he was on a stroll at the Lucknow park on a Sunday evening.

“Kitni bheed hai yahaan.”

Shivani sighed as her feet landed on the wet soil. The scent of fresh earth clung to her mingled with the smell of marigold like she was one of the locals and not an outsider—or maybe she was.

Shivansh chuckled softly as he picked up the dupatta which was now sweeping the floor.

Shivani glared at him rubbing her feet in the soil trying to get rid of the sticky feeling.

“Toh tujhe kya laga insta ki reels jaise khaali milega Banaras. She huffed her feet now drenched in the soil, the cold soil against her warm skin was not calming instead it only added fuel to her irritation.

Shivansh followed her closely. Their footsteps nearly lost in the hush of devotees. He used his left shoulder to ensure that no one pushed her.

“Aesthetic photo leni thi madam ko.” He paused looking at her attire. The off-white suit was now painted in dirt. The edges of her palazzo were drowned in the mud and the dupatta swept the floor.

He clamped his hand to his mouth trying to conceal the laughter.

“Hogayi leli photos. He managed to speak between the fits of laughter as he carefully adjusted her dupatta trying to smoothen down the crease. Though his eyes still carried the teasing glint as they walked alongside through the edge of the ghat.

“Kahaan hai phone…”

But before he could speak further Shivani swatted his arm.

“Chup raho.”

With that she started walking. Each footstep landing with more force than necessary.

She muttered a spree of curses under her breath as she walked through the sea of people. It looked like everyone arrived at Banaras today—as though it was a special event rather than a normal event for locals.

Shivansh shook his head as he watched his sister's antics until they stopped at the far end of the ghat. 

“Maine toh pehle hi bola tha…pehle furniture lagwa lete hain, par nahi madam ko toh ghumna tha.”

Heat crept to her face, due to sweat and the unfiltered taunts of her brother. But she finally managed to breathe as they found the lone corner away from the swirling crowds and chants. The air smelled somber here filled with reverence and scent of Olibanum.

Shivani closed her eyes as the cool air kissed her face, the air felt so different here despite the growing beats of drums and chants. The temperature dropped around them, enveloping them in the sacredness.

But before she could savour the moment fully. Shivansh's voice interrupted her.

“Lo Ghumo.”

Shivani's eyes snapped open and this time she pushed him lightly. “Itne der se keh rahe hain chup ho jaao, papa ko baatyenge, ghar chalo.”

But every word blurred for him in that moment as her feet slipped at the pavement. The cold grip beneath his sole was slipping with every passing second. His balance faltered. But before he could fall into the fierce waves of the Ganga. Someone tucked his hand.

******

Shivansh squinted his eyes as he tried to grip the metal chain attached to the railings—but just as his finger touched the cold iron. A fierce wave blurred his vision and the grip loosened. The scent of wet soil along with the smell of fresh roses filled his nostrils making it impossible to breathe.

He blinked back rapidly trying to look at the source of the anchor. A hazy figure stood in front of her, nails nearly digging into his left wrist. The sting of the crescent moons which were formed on his wrist a moment ago was a sharp contrast against the warm fingers of her.

Shivani froze mid-sentence as she realised the severity of the situation. She looked at the girl who mirrored her own worry. Their voices overlapped with each other, nearly fading into the growing chants of the devotees.

“Pakad ke rakhna.”

“Bhai…galti se hogaya.”

Shivansh tried to reach for the metal railing again. But before his fingers could grab the chain again. A wave splashed drowning both the girl and him together.

Shivansh gasped for air. His mouth opened and closed. His hands involuntarily reached for her hand. The noises were muffled except for the faint sounds of waves between them. Shivansh's pulse radiated due to the adrenaline coursing through his veins or maybe it was something else.

Her face glowed under the faint ray of the golden dawn as though nature itself beautified her angelic features. Her eyes were closed, mumbling an anxious rhythm dressed in the soft pastel pink kurta, which was now drenched in water.

Her eyes fluttered open—gasping for the air as the water filled her lungs. Shivansh blinked as he realised the gravity of the situation. He gripped her hand and pushed himself up along with her. The words tumbled out like a prayer as he gripped the metal chain. The chill bit into his palm—anchoring his racing heart.

“ॐ नमः पार्वती पतये हर हर महादेव।”

Shivani released a shaky breath as she watched them stepping out of the river. The river was calm but the girl beside Shivansh was anything but calm. Her eyes skimmed the water. Her pants inflated with the water. The pink colour shining on the surface as the sunrays kissed her locks—turning them into the perfect shades of brown.

Shivansh watched her curious yet anxious eyes but before he could understand anything. She shifted clutching the metal chain. Shivansh immediately freed her wrist. He tried to focus on the cold of the chain but her. He stepped out from the water.

Behind her the girl followed, jerking her dupatta as she carefully examined the stairs as though searching for something she had lost.

Shivansh's eyes fluttered shut as the cold droplets kissed his face for a second and the smell of jasmine reached him—his shirt smelled like hers.

But just then someone pushed him. His eyes snapped open. He found Shivani’s teary eyes as she mumbled a sorry between the sobs.

Shivansh shook his head, smiling softly. The chill ran down to his spine as the wind carried the faint traces of sandalwood mingled with the jasmine.

“Chal koi nahi, ghar chalte hain.”

Shivani nodded, already moving ahead but just then Shivansh's voice reached her ears.

“Do minute ruko yahi.”

Shivansh's eyes traced the path where the girl was going. Her figure trembled slightly as she clutched the dupatta closer to her. Shivansh tried to run towards her. But before he could reach her. She was already gone, fading into the hush of people.

Shivansh stood there for a moment tracing the void. He closed his eyes as he remembered the discomfort she felt because of him.

“Kitni sundar thi na bhai,” Shivansh's eyes flicked to Shivani. He smacked her head. “Pagal hai kya.”

“Aree sach hi toh bol rahi…itni mast lag rahi thi, haaye meri hi nazar lag jaayegi.”

Shivani grinned walking in her own wonderland Shivansh followed her closely but his mind was elsewhere.

Suddenly she stopped and said. The smile dimmed on her face.

“Par kya faiyda baat hi nahi ho paayi.”

She started walking again.

“Na sorry bol paaye na thank you.”

Shivansh sighed. “Chup ho jaa.”

“Kyun aap ko kaun si aag lag rahi hai?”

Shivansh didn't say anything, instead he tucked her arm and started walking. The clothes felt heavy with each step as they walked through the narrow lanes of the Banaras laughing softly until they reached their home.

*****

“He bhagwaan kahaan bheeg ke aayi ho?”

Isha froze at the entrance—still clutching the translucent dupatta as she heard her mother's voice heavy with frustration.

“Wahi ruk jaao abhi pocha laga hai, sab kharaab ho jaayega.”

Isha looked down. Her teeth clattered as she inhaled a breath trying to stand steady. Her fingers trembled with the effort to face her mother until her hands nearly froze with restlessness.

Meera walked towards her as she forwarded her the towel. Her eyes lingered on her suspiciously.

“Chasma kahaan chhod kar aayi ho?”

Isha shook her head, as she accepted the towel hesitantly. Just as she was about to wipe her hair. Meera's voice came loud enough to make her flinch.

“Bologi?”

Isha looked down. From the side of her eye she noticed her brother laughing behind her mother, clearly enjoying the free show. Isha glared at him. But all her glare turned into puppy eyes as she heard her mother's voice.

“Bologi ki jhapad lagaye.”

Isha closed her eyes ready to get the impact but nothing came. She finally opened her one eye, almost scared.

“Kho gaya.”

Meera slapped her head as she walked through the hall. The utensils clattered as she kept the bowl of the vegetable with the loud thud. Isha closed her eyes.

“Ese kehte hain gareebi mein aata geela.”

Meera's eyes shifted between her and her father and she huffed again.

“Dekhiye es ladki ko zara bhi apni cheezo ki care nahi hai abhi pichle hi mahine naya chasma banwaya tha, kho ke aagyi hai.”

Aditya sighed. As he blinked his eyes looking at Isha in assurance. Isha tried to slip away—tipping on her steps but before she could walk. Shivin's loud voice echoed through the walls.

“Mumma, didi bhaag rahi hai.”

Isha muttered something under her breath as she smiled sweetly towards her brother which felt more like a danger. Shivin remained unfazed, clearly focused on the T.V screen. He increased the volume of T.V as though she didn't exist.

“Haan maa toh pagal hai, maa ki kaun sunta hai bhaag jaao aise hi bad-badati rehti hai.”

Meera said as she chopped the vegetables. The faint smell of coriander filled the space.

Isha shook her head.

“Aisa nahi hai—”

“Hume mat batao apne papa se bolo, unhone ne hi sar par chadhaya hai na.”

She glared at Aditya. With that she walked into the kitchen keeping the bowl with a loud thud, that faded with the sound of bangles.

Aditya closed his eyes for once. Isha walked to him. Her mouth opened to say something. But before she could say something Aditya countered.

“Pehle kapde change karke aao, sardi lag jaayegi.”

“Ji.” With that she walked upstairs. The sound of footsteps faded into the corridor followed by a soft click that echoed through the hallway.

******

Isha stood in front of the mirror dressed in a fresh cotton white shirt and grey lowers. The fabric felt cold and soft against her warm skin. She hummed a hindi song under her breath. A soft smile played on her lips despite the earlier chaos.

Just as she was about to pick up the cream. Her eyes darted to her hand. She froze, the memory flashed in front of her eyes. She hid her face groaning.

“Chii yaar, kitna embarassing tha.”

She looked back in the mirror and murmured to herself.

“Dekh Isha bhul jaa, waise bhi tu pagal hai pagalo waali harkate karti hai, Haan.”

With that she picked up the cream. The faint scent of cocoa greeted her which felt different, almost foreign mingled with the smell of sandalwood.

She sighed and kept the bottle with the thud and she clutched her head.

“Ek toh ye chasma kho gaya kuch dikh bhi nahi rahi hai, pagal hain hum—”

Before she could think further the door clicked open. She ran a hand through her face and started humming the song again. Shivin walked inside—eying her suspiciously as he plopped on the bed.

“Kya baat hai aaj badi khush lag rahi hai daiyan?”

But instead of a reply he got a slap on his cheek. He sat up with the jerk and clutched her hair.

“Ae daiyan mara kyun pagal chudail kahinki.”

She pinched his arm forcing him to loosen his grip around her hair as he yelped in pain.

“Toh kya tu bhi toh janwaaro jaisa kaam kar raha tha.”

She stood up walking back towards the mirror. She mimicked his earlier tone.

“Mumma didi bhaag rahi hai.”

“Ae teri toh—”

But before Shivin could reach her a loud voice came from outside. Firm holding the authority.

“Phir shuru hogaye dono, arahe hai abhi hum.”

Aditya called out as he walked towards the living room. “Awaaz na aajaye humko.”

Within seconds the room was enveloped in silence. Not a single ray of light filtered through the walls. Both the siblings lay inside the duvet as if nothing happened though still continuing their leg fight.

But despite all the chaos. Isha's focus again and again shifted to her hand. She shook her head  turning to the other side of the bed.

******