Finality

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Suddenly he got up and rushed to grab a metal pot. “I will get you water from the Sutlej everyday and we can throw it on each other.”
He dropped it with a loud noise and yanked his harmonica from his bag. “I will play all those Rajesh Khanna tunes for you”, and he started blowing into it but his breath caught in his throat.
He rushed out and jumped up and grabbed a few pods of tamarind. He ran in and tripped on the threshold. “These, these tangy stalks I will save for you”, he said as he rubbed his bruised knee. He dropped them and frantically looked around searching for something else to assure her of her safety and comfort, only if she decided to stay longer with him – if she could decide.

Then he jerked his head back and saw something leaning against the door. He kept looking at it for a long time and at length, silently walked towards his sister.

“Don’t worry Shruti, everything will be fine.” He wiped the wet line on her cheek and went out to sit under the shade of the tree.
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