PARITRAAN:Rust and Redemption

The foul stench of rotting garbage clung to the air, stinging their eyes and burning their throats. Aarav's sister crouched inside the rusted dumpster, her trembling arms wrapped around his frail, shivering body. She held him as tightly as she could, as if her embrace alone could shield him from the horrors outside.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her own lie. "I won't let anything happen to you. I swear."

Her heart pounded like a war drum, drowning out every other sound. The faint echo of distant footsteps still lingered, each one stabbing at her nerves. She couldn't let them find him.

Minutes crawled into hours. Aarav didn't speak. He hadn't spoken since they ran—since everything had fallen apart. His tiny fingers clung to her shirt, his knuckles white from the grip. She stroked his matted hair, humming the lullaby their mother used to sing, but her voice was shaky, the melody distorted by the tears she refused to shed. She couldn't afford to break. Not now.

When the streets outside finally fell silent, she let out a shallow breath and dared to lift the lid just enough to peek. The world beyond was empty, bathed in an eerie twilight. The men were gone—at least for now.

"Aarav," she whispered, brushing dirt from his cheeks. "We have to move. Stay close to me, okay? Don't let go."

His wide eyes met hers, brimming with unshed tears. He didn't nod. He didn't speak. He simply clung to her as she lifted him out of the dumpster, his small body trembling against hers. She kissed his forehead, whispering words of comfort she wasn't sure she believed.

The road ahead was desolate, littered with shattered glass and broken dreams. She held his hand tightly, her bare feet scraping against the rough pavement as she moved. Every step was a struggle, every shadow a potential threat. She knew she couldn't stop. Not until he was safe.

When they reached the junkyard, the sight of the towering scrap piles brought her no comfort. It was a graveyard of forgotten things, rusting away in silence. But it would have to do.

"This is a good spot," she murmured, trying to sound convincing as she led him deeper into the maze of debris. She found a hollow beneath a mound of twisted car parts and guided him inside. "Stay here, Aarav. This will keep you safe."

That night, as the cold seeped through their makeshift shelter, she held him close. She stroked his hair, whispering stories of heroes and kingdoms, just as their mother once did. But her voice wavered, her resolve cracking with every word.

"I'll always protect you," she promised, her lips pressed against his forehead. "No matter what."

But the promises couldn't keep the hunger away. By the second day, her stomach ached, and Aarav's once bright eyes had dulled. His small hands reached for her as he whimpered in his sleep, his body growing weaker by the hour. She bit her lip so hard it bled, the metallic taste mingling with her despair.

By the second morning, she could no longer ignore the gnawing emptiness. She had to do something. She had to be strong—for him.

"I'll find food," she said, forcing a smile that wavered like a flickering flame. "You stay here. Don't move, no matter what. I'll come back before you know it."

"No," Aarav whispered, his voice barely audible. His small fingers clung to her sleeve. "Please, don't go."

Her heart shattered at the fear in his voice. She knelt down, cupping his face in her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn't bother hiding them this time.

"I'll come back," she said, her voice breaking. "I promise, Aarav. I'll come back, and we'll eat until we're full, and we'll laugh about this. You'll see. But you have to stay here. Can you do that for me? Please?"

He nodded reluctantly, tears spilling from his wide, fearful eyes. She kissed his forehead and tucked him back into the hollow, covering the opening with a piece of fabric to keep him hidden.

"Don't come out, no matter what," she said firmly. "I'll be back."

She walked away without looking back. If she had, she wasn't sure she'd be able to go.

The hours stretched on endlessly. Aarav hugged his knees to his chest, his stomach twisting in pain. The shadows grew longer, the world outside darker. Every noise made him jump, his heart pounding with every creak and rustle.

The sun dipped below the horizon, and still, she didn't return.

Tears streamed down his face as he rocked back and forth, whispering her name like a prayer. "Didi… please come back. Please…"

But the darkness only deepened, and the silence grew heavier. And as the cold night closed in, Aarav finally realized she wasn't coming back.