I had always loved and feared the sea in equal measure. It had fascinated me and given me nightmares. Most days, I couldn't make up my mind whether to feel lucky that I live in a beach house or be scared for my very life.

"Adesh! Earth calling."

Diya's waving hands in front of my eyes brought me back from my reverie. I stared at her smiling face and couldn't help but smile back. "You're here."

"I've been standing here for about five minutes now," she said, looking at me with curiosity, "but you were so deep in your thoughts that you didn't even notice. What were you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing," I said, feeling embarrassed.

I was sitting on my patio, watching the sunset. It was that time of the day when the sea finally meets the sun, painting the sky a beautiful hue of colors. I had noticed how they were never exactly the same; each day sky's a different shade.

"You're at it again," Diya said in a way of complaining. She had plopped down on the chair next to mine. "It's beautiful. I can imagine why you're so lost."

"Yes," I said, thoughtfully, "and the sea. I love how the waves seem to be reaching out to me. As if trying to touch my very soul."

"Interesting..." I could hear the smile in her voice. My eyes were glued to the horizon, though. There was something about that day's sunset that had unsettled me. On the surface, it looked peaceful, but beneath the waves, something sinister lurked. "So, why did you call me, anyway?" Diya's voice brought me back to earth once again.

I realized that I was being a little rude to her. Unfortunately, my thoughts were all over the place. "Ah, sorry about that," I said, smiling, "You now have my full attention, and I called you because I need your help."

"With what?" she asked.

"I might be going away for a while," I explained, "Do you think you can house-sit for me?"

"Where are you going?"

I knew that would be the first thing she'd ask. I had already prepared an acceptable excuse... One she wouldn't be able to verify. After all, we had been friends for years and I knew how curious she was. She'd want to know everything. However, it wasn't my secret to tell.

"My grandmother called," I said, "I must go and visit her. It's important." I kept it as vague as possible.

"You're going to India?" she said, her voice betraying her shock. "But you said that you'd never go back."

"I know, but this time it can't be helped. I'll be back soon." I smiled gently, reassuring her. Her heart was an open book to me. I knew how she wished for more than friendship between us. I couldn't give her that. Not now... Not when the sea could call me at any time.

"It's time, Adesh. I'm done waiting."

I heard the soft, chilling voice in my head. Now that I had heard its call, there was no other option but to answer.

"So, will you?" I asked Diya.

"Sure, no problem," she said lightly, but I knew how much effort it took for her not to ask any further questions. "You'll be back, right?"

"Of course," I said even though I wasn't so sure. "Come back tomorrow with your luggage. I'll leave the key behind for you."

"You're leaving tonight?" She all but shouted the question.

"I must," I said simply.

"Oh."

We sat there for a while, in silence, listening to the seagulls and the waves crashing against the shore. We were both deep in our own troubling thoughts. There was no time for explanations. I had heard the call. Sea wasn't a patient master. Time to leave was upon me. We hugged and parted ways.

Later, I packed a few bags and left them in the storage room. I walked out into the moonlight and let the sea swallow me whole.

"You have come, at last."

"Did I have a choice?"

"Not really, but it makes me happy that you didn't try to run away."

"I know there's no running away. I have felt your pull. But why am I here?"

I was deep underwater. Still able to breathe, I swam across the seabed, aimlessly. Somehow, my eyesight also worked fine. I took a moment to admire the flora and fauna. It was a world in itself; intricate and beautiful.

"You, my child, have been chosen to be one of my many saviors. I'm dying a slow and painful death. I need my human children to help me."

"How can I help?"

It might sound odd, but I was more than happy to be used by the sea. If I could help, I would do it.

"Just sleep in my arms for a while, and let me revive myself, using your life force."

I laid down on the seabed and closed my eyes. "How long?" I asked, as my eyelids got heavy with sleep.

"A few years. A decade, maybe..."

This time I heard a whisper instead of the voice in my head. I wondered if Diya would wait for me. That was my last thought before I fell asleep, welcoming the dreamless tranquility.

***

The world was in an uproar. Within the last few months, around twenty-five million people had gone missing from around the globe. Mostly, from the coastal areas. No one knew what happened. No bodies were ever found, and no terrorist groups took responsibility.

Diya was beginning to fear that Adesh was among the missing. Even though he had told her about his plan to leave, but she couldn't shake this feeling... Something wasn't quite right. She just hoped that he would return soon, safe and sound. Although, there was no settling down her wavering heart.

'It's been two months. What if he never returned?' she mused, muttering to herself, 'How long do I wait before reporting him as missing?'