Jharne ka paani unki takhno ke paas kal-kal kar beh raha tha, lekin ab woh aawaz bhi kisi tarah uske kaano mein door-door si lag rahi thi — jaise dhadkano ke beech ka ek khaali sthaan. Unhone kuch der wahin theharkar saansein sametin. Mayank ne dekha ki Maya ke honth kaanp rahe hain, aur Abhyansh ab bhi uske kilkaron se halka-sa thartharata hua muskura raha tha. Usne dheere se Maya ka haath pakda, aur donon ne bina zyada bole aage badhne ki disha pakad li — jharne ke saamne se hote hue, pedon ke beech se bahar nikalne ki umeed liye.