A Swan That Migrates

As time passed, unconsciously, Hamsa began to picturise a complete life with Aditya. She knew it was not right in many ways. But Hamsa couldn't stop herself from thinking about this person who had a frail physique and was younger than her.

In those fantasies, Aditya would continue working in the garage and earn a little amount. But it will be sufficient to live happily for both of them. They would see a film or go to the public park once a while and relax. Hamsa did not have any extravagant demands.

Hamsa would look after the budget and plan the groceries accordingly. Aditya would bring the groceries, on a sale, while she did the laundry and cooked simple but delicious dishes. Hamsa would complete her medicine bachelors and take up an available job at a nearby hospital.

Her job would alleviate their economic constraints, and they could move to a better place. Maybe, Hamsa could take a loan and have Aditya open a garage. She could persuade Aditya to give up contact with the underworld, and he would agree.

They would marry when Aditya attained the legal age and Hamsa would deliver him two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. Hamsa and Aditya would live in their own small world without concerning themselves with her foster parents or Reyansh. Such a life was what Hamsa wished that her and Aditya's future would turn out to be. Hamsa's love for Aditya solidified when he protected her again from Reyansh, in front of her college, and she cut her ties with her foster parents.

Like all girls blinded by love, Hamsa failed to notice all the gaping flaws in her imagination. For one, Aditya was never tight on money. Also, he was far too mysterious for someone to mistake him as a regular mechanic, especially after living with Aditya and observing him from up close.

Hamsa was forced to accept a few things when she befriended Kumari. She came to know about Aditya's past and the case of his missing parents. So, Hamsa chose to leave him until Aditya figured out his problems and reached for her. She complacently thought that Aditya was still young and there was ample time for them. But Hamsa was proven wrong again when she met Maahi.

Maahi was the most capable woman that Hamsa had ever seen. She possessed more charm than her and was a self-made entrepreneur. Maahi was similar in age to Hamsa, but one had already become a billionaire, while the other was still a few months away from earning a nickel.

The shock that Hamsa felt could be imagined when she came to know that Maahi loved Aditya and both of them were friends from childhood. This revelation jolted Hamsa from her imaginary future with Aditya, but it was not enough for her to step back. Hamsa knew from Maahi that it was an unreciprocated love. She was a little glad that Aditya had accepted her, but did not do the same with Maahi.

But the seed of fear had been planted in her heart. Maahi won her in many ways like beauty, grace, a confident aura around her which made Hamsa feel jealous. If Hamsa had possessed the same spirit and conviction, she would not have been manipulated by her foster parents or bullied by Reyansh.

Adding the fact that both Aditya and Maahi knew each other since he was a kid, it was not a big surprise that Hamsa's weak heart would harbour uncertainties. What if Aditya broke up with her and paired up with Maahi?

Hamsa's couldn't be too confident on herself, as deep in her heart; she knew that it was she who approached Aditya first. Aditya never crossed the limit in all those days that Hamsa stayed with him. It was after she initiated the kiss, Aditya responded in kind. Maybe he did not feel the same way and was just acting according to the situation. Perhaps, he would regret this action now that she had left him?

All kinds of thoughts would disturb her sleep from time to time. Although both Hamsa and Aditya stayed in contact with each other, it did not help alleviate her worries. But, there was another jolt in store for her.

Hamsa came to know that Aditya was not just a mechanic or someone with contacts with the underworld; he was also the legitimate heir of the 'Ahuja Business Group'. This revelation suddenly overturned her view of Aditya. Aditya, who was just a little kid with an honest smile and good humour, suddenly transformed into an enigmatic personality with a mysterious background. Aditya seemed so distant now.

No wonder Reyansh did not dare to retaliate. No wonder elder sister Saanvi always said that Aditya was not as simple as he looked. Hamsa was the simpleton, who was blind enough to ignore these glaring facts and dreamt of having a good life with Aditya.

Aditya became more unfathomable and unpredictable when Hamsa came to know of Tya and the quantum realm. She also realised that her hyper memory and comprehending abilities, or the fact that Hamsa recovered from her psychological trauma, was due to her association with Aditya.

Even though Aditya had always cared about her and never acted different, Hamsa could not get her head over these facts. These revelations increased her fear of a possibility. A possibility of Aditya abandoning her because he was so brilliant, and Hamsa thought that she was unworthy to be joined to him.

Aditya had given Hamsa everything, and she had always been the recipient of his favour. Hamsa could not help him in any way and could only be a burden to him. This type of inferiority complex ate her from the inside.

This feeling further strengthened when she saw what Maahi had done to herself in the process of comprehending the concept of 'heat'. Aditya may not know it, but Hamsa was the one who treated Maahi.

Hamsa had come to Bangalore to celebrate Holi (the festival of colours) with Aditya. So Maahi asked her to stay with her as she needed her help. In a matter of a few minutes, Hamsa witnessed the length that Maahi could go to help Aditya. It created a deep feeling of dilution in her soul.

It was also at that time that Hamsa came to know of a truth that confirmed her fears. She came to know that Aditya acknowledged Maahi's love. The fact that Aditya did not tell her about this, pained a lot. This piece of information cut the last straw of hope Hamsa had and made her realise a lot of things. She and Aditya were not of the same league. Maahi was the one who matched him perfectly. It was time for Hamsa to realise her position, and respectfully leave before being asked to do the same.

Maahi had said that she would not mind if Aditya married Hamsa. Maahi did not have plans to get married to Aditya for a variety of reasons. Hamsa did not take these words seriously, obviously.

Hamsa entertained a small hope in her heart that Aditya would ask her to stay when she implied that they should break up. If he could give a little explanation and ask her to remain, Hamsa would have happily done so. Hamsa did not care about what people might think of her or how society would view her. But Aditya's silence about this issue pierced her heart.

When Hamsa heard Aditya's words of care at the end, it did not make her feel better. Instead, it pained her more for having to leave him. Why didn't Aditya ask her to stop? Why didn't he force her to be with him? Will she be able to forget him and move on? Will the time that she spent with Aditya remain nothing more than a sweet memory and the cause of an everlasting regret?

Maybe, she was not meant to find happiness. Her loving parents died in her adolescence; her foster parents exploited her, her so-called friends either abandoned her or were incapable of helping her, when she needed them the most.

The one place that she found true happiness and security did not have space for her, any longer. Aditya walked into her life, made her happy, and left her in pain. Was the swan destined to always migrate from place to place, unable to call any place as its home?