Wait surrounds him like black smoke engulfs air. Listless, he peers far into the horizon seeking someone familiar. The sky is clear, denuded of clouds of hope. Two months ago, she'd promised of eloping with him just before it got dark.

The sun sets early like it has each day of the past two months. Night tiptoes in and slowly envelops the dark earth. He smiles at his fate. Even today, that someone familiar has not arrived. But at least his wait has brought home a very familiar darkness.

- हर्ष स्नेहांशु