Meenal, Sudeep, and Amit went ahead of us. Behind, I and Ishika were lagging. We were making slow progress in this dark trek of Korigad Fort. Just before sunrise, we reached the top, and there were just two or three groups. They are way too far from us.

I sensed the right moment and looked behind. There was no one behind Ishika. We were alone on the mountaintop. I pressed her hand gently and looked at her with intimacy. She fell for it, and I slowly suggested a secluded spot. We made our way to the dangerous corner with barely enough space for the two of us.

We were facing the rising sun, and below our feet, it was a fall of more than 400 feet. She looked at me with begging eyes, but my face grew darker, and I gave her a gentle push.

As sunlight was entering Earth, a soul was leaving it.