Tara ran to him. “How do you feel?” “What happened?” he asked, shivering. “I heard someone yelling.” “That was me,” mumbled Tara. “It’s not important.” “You fainted,” said Ananth. “But thank God you’re okay. Here, take my kurta. You’re cold.” Ananth stripped off his kurta and slipped it over Kabir. “Can you walk? We’re almost there.” “I have to,” said Kabir. “I heard you say we were close before I blacked out. Sorry.” “It’s all right,” said Ananth. “Let’s go. It’ll be dark be–fore we know it and we have to be on the water by then.” Tara gazed at the evening sky. A few stars twinkled within the deep blue expanse that was shot through with streaks of orange. The moon was a broken bangle in the sky. “I’m going to try and hop,” said Raani. “You’ve carried me long enough, Vayu.” “I’ll manage,” said Vayu. “It’s only a short distance anyway.” Raani shook her head. “Just hold my arm and stay beside me.”
