Page 101 - You Only Live Once [BooksLD]

‘What the fuck am I going to do then? This is how I earned my
livelihood. What the fuck do I do if I cannot write new songs.’

‘What happens when you start to write?’ he asks politely. His face is as
calm as the ocean today. Low tide it must be. When the ocean pulls the
water back, it feels calm and silent.
‘I know that you feel broken. But love is the only thing that can heal

whatever is broken - the dreams or the heart. I kept running away from
people who loved me but eventually found comfort only on returning.’
‘What’s the kind of love that heals? I’m sure I have not experienced it.’

‘Or wait. Have you? If you’ve helped a specially-abled person cross the
road and his/her smile seemed to make your day, yes you have! If you’ve
cuddled with your dog after leaving him deserted for days, oh yes, you
have! The kind of love that heals is selfless. Unfortunately, the kind of love
that prevails is selfish. This is what Uncle Ricky does all the time. Add

value to the lives of others around him.’
I hear Madhuri knock on the door. It scares the shit out of me. ‘Hide,’ I
whisper aloud to Aarav.

‘Where?’
‘Under the bed. Right now!’

He follows my command. I swing open the door.

‘I have checked the ledgers. A woman named Elisabeth occupied this
room for six months, from December 1997 to July 1998. That’s the closest
name I could find to Elisha. I asked Maria but she does not remember a
thing! I’m not sure if she’s your mother because we don’t have a last name.
But here’s the thing. Her occupation is mentioned here as nurse. I hope this
helps.’

‘Thanks!’
She leaves silently.

‘Hey! Did you hear her?’ I ask Aarav.
‘Yes, I did!’

‘My mother disappeared in Nov 1997. Can it be possible that she came
all the way to Goa?’

‘Without a legit passport? Visa? How is it possible? If she would have
travelled with one, your dad and the police must have definitely known.’