SS: Ishq Wala Love|Chapter 6, Page 28 - Page 4

Chapter 1

(6 months ago)

A buzzing silence fills the room as I lay on my bed; thinking. My breath slows down until I can just barely hear it. My quickened heart slowly calms down to a normal pace. I stay frozen like this for a good hour. Breathing into my pillow; trying to calm myself down. And then I stare at a picture of me; letting all my thoughts and feelings overtake me. And yet, once again, I fail to keep myself calm. Breathing harder, my heart pace quickens. Hot tears fall down my cheeks; leaving icy trails behind.

"Get. A. Grip. Of yourself, Manyata," I hiss through my clenched teeth. Relaxing my balled fists; I gently hit myself. Yes, I was being stupid. There's nothing to cry about. Nothing to cry over.

And then, as if cued, the unpleasant memory pops up in my head.

[Flashback]

"Bye!" I say as I gave a final wave to my friend before walking out of her house. Just as I stepped outside; the freezing cold temperature hit me.

Little white, fluffy, wetness touch my exposed skin as I quickly assessed the area. I carefully walked on the pavement, trying not to slip.

My footprints are soon covered in a new fresh layer of snow within minutes. I quicken my pace; being self-conscious of my surrounds. Of every movement made.

Soon, I hear other footsteps echoing behind me. I start to panic but I don't look behind my shoulder. I get into my car and start driving quickly home.

The snowflakes soon stop falling; allowing my windscreen wipers a rest. I look in my side-view mirrors and see someone speeding behind me; not allowing me to slow down. I quicken my speed by a little, not wanting to go too fast on these icy roads.

Reaching home, I quickly run out leaving my keys still in the car.

"Quickly call the police!" They guys called from the car behind me. I quickly dialled 999; anxiously waiting for a person to pick up.

"No, not there! Go inside!" The man yelled. I look at him weirdly, but then something cold and sharp touched my forehead. Within seconds, I felt warm, oozing blood gushing down from my forehead. And slowly...

slowly...

I fell unconscious...

[End of Flashback]

I wipe away my tears and take a long last look around my room before silently saying goodbye to it. Taking in a deep breath, I slowly take one step at a time down the stairs. I'm really going to miss this place.

"Maa?" I ask automatically once my foot hits the glossy dark wooden flooring.

"Mein yahan hoon," she called out from the kitchen. I compose myself before entering the room to face her.

"have you got everything beetha? Toothbrush? Hairbrush? Vaseline?" She asks me.

"Haan maa. Mein sab already pack kardiya hai," I answer her.

"You don't have to go you know. You could go with us in a month," Maa tells me again.

"Maa, I want to go. I miss Dadisaab and my little sister Jay. I will see you soon naa. And don't worry, I can take care of myself," I assure her once again. She sighs, and then caresses my cheeks.

"Theek hai beetha. Let's go to the airport then," She smiles.

I stare outside the car window watching everything blur past me in a quick flash. My parents continue their debate over me going to India alone, and I try to ignore it.

"We shouldn't let her go alone. It's not safe, and not too late to cancel the tickets," Maa protests.

"Komal, she's not a baby anymore. Manyata can take care of herself. She will easily make some friends on the plane," Papa says.

"Exactly, and that could easily put her into a lot of trouble; especially in Indian," Maa says.

"Baas Komal, chup ho jao. It's Manyata's choice," He sas.

"Theek hai."

That's the thing I like about my dad. Whatever my decision is, he always sides with me. Maa is always worried about me, that's why she always chooses the safer option.

"Papa, we're here," I tell him. He quickly parks the car and we all come out.

"Papaji, mummyji, you don't have to come all the way inside to drop me off. I can handle the rest from here," I say.

"Are you sure beetha?" Maa asks.

"Yes I am maa," I say, giving her a hug. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too beetha," She says, and kisses my forehead.

"Papa?"

"I will miss you too beetha," he says.

"Me too," I say to him. I turn around and walk into the airport with watery eyes. I was worth it, they would be sad to see me in this state daily.

"Flight no. 385 to gate no. 18 please."

The announcer keeps repeating the same message over and over again. I rush through the thick crowds of people to try and find my way through.

"Gate no. 18, gate no. 18" I repeatedly murmur to myself as I quickly scan for the place.

"All passengers on flight. 385 please go to gate 18. The plane will departure soon."

'Shut up' I mentally say to the annoying women. Finally I find the gate and quickly walk up to a uniformed women to check if I was in the right place.

"Ma'am, you are very late. Everyone has already boarded. Please go in quickly," She says as she hands me back my passport and ticket. I give her a quick nod before running towards the stairs and going into the plane.

"Ma'am ticket please," A lady asks who was wearing a uniform saree. I hand my ticket to her, and she takes one glance at it.

"Seat 53B," She says, giving me back my tickets and quickly pointing to where my seat was.

"Thanks," I mutter before searching for my seat.

The whole place was crowded with different generations of people. Some old, some young. Couples; parents, and lots and lots of children. There were loads of shouts and screams in various places. Many trolleys were blocking the narrow passage. I weave through the place, trying to look for my seat.

50...

51...

52...

53.

I ask a nearby person to put my trolley away in the cabinet above the seats. Once its done, I sit on my seat. 53A, next to the window; waiting to see who would be sitting next to me.

So how was the first update? Please do leave me your comments, I would love to hear about what you think. And do hit the 'like' button. Sorry for not entering Uday yet. He will be coming soon 😆

Nihaa x