When the Sky Darkened
Though it was only mid-afternoon in late August, the sky had already begun to darken, announcing the arrival of the inevitable monsoon rain sweeping across the horizon.
The streets buzzed with students scattered everywhere—some waiting for buses, some walking home, and others casually chatting at nearby tea shops. School had ended early, as Saturdays were half-working days, and everyone seemed cheerful, eager to begin their weekend.
“Deepu!”
A familiar voice called out from a distance.
“As-salamu Alaikum, Umma (mom),” Deepak greeted warmly as he walked toward the woman.
“Wa Alaikum Assalam, my son,” Nura replied, gently placing a hand on his forehead in blessing.
Nura had known Deepak since the day he was born. She and Ashita, Deepak’s mother, had been close friends since childhood and had attended college together. Their families had always remained close.
“I haven’t seen you for the past few days, Deepu. Is everything alright?”
“Haan, Umma, everything’s fine. I’ve had extra karate training lately. The district championships are coming up soon, so I’ve been staying back after school. That’s why you don’t see me.”
“Oh, I see. Are you sure there’s nothing else?” she asked, studying his face carefully.
“You know I can always tell when you’re lying to me.”
Deepak chuckled nervously.
“No, Umma. Why would I lie to you?”
“Then why are you taking this route home?” she asked with a knowing smile. “This isn’t your usual route. In fact, it’s longer.”
“Well… I had to meet a friend. He lives this way.”
He avoided eye contact as he answered.
“Of course,” Nura replied with a smile that suggested she wasn’t convinced for a second.
As she turned to leave with her groceries, Deepak suddenly jogged over.
“Umma, let me carry those.”
Before she could object, he picked up both shopping bags.
“ But didn’t you say you were going to meet your friend? My house is in the opposite direction. Are you sure you want to delay meeting him?”
“It’s fine, Umma. Don’t worry about it.”
Together, they started walking toward her neighborhood.
“How is Zara doing at school?” Nura asked.
“She’s doing great, as usual. You don’t have to worry about her. She’ll probably finish at the top of the class again this year.”
“I’m not worried about her studies,” Nura replied softly.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“I’m worried about something else.”
Deepak glanced at her.
“She’s been unusually quiet at home these past few days. Whenever I ask her what’s wrong, she says everything is fine. But I know my daughter, Deepu. She isn’t fine.”
Nura stopped walking and turned toward him.
“If something is bothering her, you’ll tell me, won’t you? I mean, if you know anything…”
Deepak remained silent.
Nura smiled sadly.
“I’m glad you two are in the same class. It gives me peace of mind knowing you’re there to look out for her.”
Before Deepak could respond, a series of frantic shouts erupted behind them.
“Move!”
“Watch out!”
“Get out of the way!”
Deepak turned instinctively.
A car was hurtling toward the pedestrian walkway.
For a fraction of a second, his brain struggled to process what he was seeing. Then instinct took over.
Without thinking, he shoved Nura away from the vehicle’s path and tried to leap aside himself.
Something slammed into him with tremendous force.
The grocery bags burst open, vegetables flying through the air.
The world spun violently.
Deepak felt himself lifted off his feet before crashing into a pile of garbage bags several meters away.
Pain exploded through the left side of his body.
He tried to move.
Nothing.
His arms felt numb. His legs refused to respond.
A strange heaviness settled over him as darkness began creeping into the edges of his vision.
In the distance, he could hear Nura screaming his name.
“Deepu!”
Her face appeared above him.
Her lips were moving.
She was saying something.
But he couldn’t hear her anymore.
Everything had become muffled.
Distant.
His vision blurred.
The world seemed to drift away.
Dammit… am I dying?
Is Umma okay?
His thoughts came slower now.
Damn… I never got the chance to explain everything to Zara.
A faint laugh escaped his mind.
Mom is going to be furious when she finds out I skipped a few classes for extra karate practice.
Yeah… she’s definitely going to kill me for that.
Another thought followed.
Dad will probably understand. He always does.
The darkness continued to close in.
As consciousness slipped away, memories began flashing before his eyes.
His grandparents.
His parents smiling.
Tyson, his beloved dog who had passed away a year earlier.
And finally—
Zara.
The two of them as children.
Running through the kindergarten playground.
Holding hands.
Laughing.
For the first time since the impact, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Then he closed his eyes.
⸻
Cries for help echoed across the street.
People rushed toward the injured boy.
Blood stained the pavement where he had fallen.
Several bystanders carefully lifted Deepak and carried him toward the arriving ambulance.
Nura climbed inside alongside him, accompanied by two strangers who had stopped to help.
Moments later, the ambulance doors slammed shut
The siren wailed.
And the vehicle sped toward the hospital.
**********
