The sunrise from the mountaintop of Khandala was the precise scene to capture a picture. The fire ball-shaped sun in the orange sky looked like an ideal landscape. Greenery covered the entire mountain like a sheet, making the complete view more fascinating. The narrow meandering roads led from Khandala and settled into Lonavala, crossing the entire mountain. The PWD had constructed three feet high cement walls across the road’s edge to prevent severe accidents and the downfall of automobiles.

Looking down into the valley from the mountain, the Expressway is visible. The government had taken safety measures in case of landslides, the steel fences draped almost the entire mountain in the valley to keep the rocks settled. So even if rocks slipped, the fence would trap it. This would leave the narrow tracks and the expressway untouched and secure.

Several individuals were present to witness the sunrise. The place was peaceful despite the chaos of the morning. A group of oldies were out for a morning walk. Children wearing school uniforms chatted with their friends while waiting for the bus. A Few of them used the safety wall to rest their backs and doze off. The roadside eateries were opening up. Tea stalls had been open for quite some time now.

Vehicles made their way on the narrow paths, and the traffic picked its pace. The group of oldies stopped at the tea stall and ordered. They were laughing and chatting lively. Despite the noise of the passing vehicles, murmurs of the people chatting, it seemed a quite cheerful environment.

But a few feet apart from all the chaos and cheerfulness, on the wall built as safety measures, a man sat planning to jump into the valley and commit suicide. His name was Aayush, 22-years old with average height and wide shoulders. Long face with bulging eyes, which seemed sleepless and tired. The pain lingered in his expression.

Aayush sat facing the rising sun and the deep valley. He seized his head in his palms; the elbows rested on the thighs and his feet hanging into the valley.

There was a black bag pack kept beside him with the smartphone laid on it. The phone kept vibrating vigorously. Aayush stayed lost in thoughts and didn’t bother to answer the call.

The sun had risen high and bright; he had attended the moment but felt nothing about it. The events of the night had sucked all emotions out of him. He felt nothing, just a single thought that kept ringing in his mind, ‘How could she leave me?’

The cold paralyzed his body, and he did not feel his body anymore. He wore thick white Jeans and a black hoodie with red straps across the arm and white spots all over, but it did not affect the cold. His reflexes didn’t function anymore. His intellect was under locked down, which was useful because he wouldn’t have flashbacks from midnight. It would be helpful in gaining peace.

The phone vibrated again, but he kept peering at the sun. Tears welled up in his deep brown eyes, but he held them. Then he drew his views from the sun and noticed at his feet and the valley. A weird thought crossed his mind, to slide further and he would be no more.

The moment he slips forward, he would have continued falling downwards until he crashes with a hard rock that would crack open his skull and crush out his body. He might feel a slight pain, but after that, his body would be numb and would rest there permanently.

The world would lose him, and he would be gone—forever. Rocks and the valley would steal his body. His soul would be free. It won’t be stuck inside anymore. He would be free from all the emotion and Pain. Possibly one might not have any memories after death.

He would not have to fake a smile and declare he is ok, even if he is not. He would no longer have to lie to his parents. He would not be troubling them ever again. Their hearts would be shattered. They would feel a lot of pain at the start, But Time is a great healer. They would surely miss him forever, but that would not be painful after a few years. Rishabh Bhaiya—Aayush’s brother would take good care of them and be their strength.

Aayush closed his eyes, and the hot drop of tear rolled down to his cold and numb cheeks. He considered the plan in his mind and made the final decision.

Finally, Aayush was ready to die, to welcome death to steal his soul. He would embrace death. It will take him away from the pain of this world.

Aayush opened his eyes and took a last glance. He wouldn’t see these sights again, maybe in the next life.

But wait, I do not want to be born, again.

Aayush cleared his mind of all thoughts and acted on the final decision. He slithered forward and now he was on the edge of the wall and his hands clasped to the concrete’s edge. A bit more and he would fall to heaven or hell. Anything would be better than this pain and suffering.

Aayush was about to jump when someone spoke.

‘Nervous, are you?’ the voice said.