The flag..

Ahana toiled valiantly , she had already skinned both her knees from the fall a few mins ago. But she could not stop even if she wanted to. The crest of the hill looked down at her, mockingly. Ahana, wiped an impatient hand over her face, pulling her hair, now slick with perspiration, out of her eyes gulped some more water and started again. So intent was she on reaching the top that she scarcely looked back at Maddy who like her, wouldn't have been able to stay away if Ahana had insisted. Maddy for his part let her climb alone.

She looked around to see if the temple was visible at the other end of the hill. The saffron flag flew over the tiny temple. She had almost reached the tip of the hill. The stone factory seems to have closed down. All the sounds associated with it- the siren, the dynamite exploding, and the hustle and bustle of the workers were absent. She waited for a few minutes, remembering the giant craters which used to get filled with water during the rainy season. She smiled faintly. Preeti had shown her 'back strokes' in one of those craters.

Maddy waited and watched Ahana forcing herself away from the sight of the crater towards right. There was no path anymore. Shrubs and creepers had swallowed the old ones. But Ahana picked her way through it. She didn't seem to stop even when the sleeve of her top tore from forcing herself through the plants.

He wanted to cut a path for her, but he knew, Ahana was only just about aware of his presence. He had to let her continue. Ahana continued to stumble forward until she came to a standstill

near a tree. He didn't know if it was the place. It didn't look much different the everything that they had crossed so far. But he knew, Ahana couldn't be wrong.

She continued staring at the ground where thick shrubs grew blocking the view from the other side. Maddy moved away, giving her time , but he knew without looking that , her breathing was getting heavy and tears were flowing. He wanted to be near Ahana . But it was not time yet. She had to let it out . He turned around and waited. Ahana was silent. But Maddy was restless. It was heartbreaking to know that she was hurting. Ahana turned to see if the flag was still visible. Maddy saw that the shrubs hid everything. He didn't wait any longer. He moved silently and laid a hand over her shoulder and Ahana flinched, the way she did every time a man touched, no matter how innocently, the way she always had ever since he knew her. But he let his hand stay, he didn't move away, waiting , watching Ahana trying to forget. From where Maddy was standing, he got a glimpse of saffron.

Perhaps there was hope yet.