Likhavat - Read, Feel, Vote!

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orion23

@orion23

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Banner Credit: -Wandstruck.

Hello everyone and welcome to Likhavat.

It gives Sara and Me immense pleasure to finally put forth the wonderful entries we received. The general theme was different, I mean angst and rain aren't exactly chosen but the wonderful writers did complete justice to the theme and that too in the 1000 words limit! So we would firstly like to congratulate each writer that participated for the feat they achieved. We are all winners for participating.

👏

Now the pieces are open to all, to read and vote. What they are not open to is plagiarism. We understand that letting your work speak for yourself has its own perks but it also brings with it issues. Sara and Me know well which piece belongs to whom. Each entry will carry a separate plagiarism warning. So please do not resort to wrongful means. Plagiarism is a punishable offence!

With that aside, before you guys go on to read the entries, please read the following rules carefully. Failure to abide by them will result in disqualification of your vote.

Please vote on the link below!

Voting Thread

RULES:

1) Please like all the pieces because a lot of work has gone into it. We would like all pieces to have a similar "like"structure. The writers deserve it.

2) Read ALL the pieces before deciding on your favourite ones. You have until the 12th of September 2017 to read them all and vote. So there is plenty of time.

3) Having made up your mind on which pieces you like the most, you can now vote for 2 pieces. Here is how you vote: Write a comment on this thread, which should read: I would like to vote for "Piece Name" and "Piece Name".

Please vote as suggested only.

4)You may write a separate comment praising the pieces.

5) DO NOT under any condition advertise any piece.

6) DO NOT vote for your own piece.

7) Please vote unbiased.

8) Refrain from editing your vote, it gets tedious to count. Decide well and then vote to avoid changes.

9) In case of a tie, Sara and I will use our votes, unbiased, to declare a winner.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now, writers, once the results are declared, I request you to please publish your works. We can handle plagiarism, but not for long. So please do give your pieces your names! But, after results are declared.

Right so that's it from us for now folks.

Enjoy the beautiful pieces, appreciate the works and vote unbiased!

Cheers!

Love and hugs,

Sara and Zoya!

#Karke Dekho Accha Lagta Hai

#Feel

#Vote

#Appreciate

#Enjoy

P.S. Writers, if you find any issues with your piece, editing or otherwise, please know it was IF that did it, we tried our best to maintain the integrity of your piece. Please PM Sara or Me, whoever has posted your piece with grievances, if any.

P.P.S Since a lot of you requested, we have made guessing a part of this contest.. here's how it works, the pieces are unnamed. So you guys can guess who you think is the writer of the piece from the members of our forum! Send your guesses as a PM to either Sara or me and the person who gets most right, wins!

Edited by orion23 - 7 years ago

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orion23

@orion23

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Wounded in spirit, imbibed in darkness, chafed by hopelessness suffered a prisoner of love. The very love that once gave him life now scared him. Years passed, but respite never was found. Solitude had been his longest standing friend, but it was also his most torturous enemy. Solitude had soft, silky hands, he knew. It takes you in its warm embrace when the world seems cold. But it has strong fingers. With those it grasps the heart and makes it ache. The hurt is dull at first. When you start getting used to it, the grip is tightened and you are unable to breathe.

Shravan sat leaning against the massive window of his room which was devoid of even a shard of brightness. The lightening made chilling patterns as it reflected from the crevices of the furniture. His gaze shifted to the grass that carpeted the earth. It fought the elements with vigour. And all Shravan could think, was of the war that he often raged with his own self. His spirit flickered commemorating the love that once was. It brought with it a gamut of bitter memories that wove around his soul a net of despondency.

Today, years after she first broke his heart, the seed of silent sorrow that made its place in his being had grown manifold. Today, as she chose another, nothing remained with him of the beautiful dream except a hollow pit of hurtful reminiscence flapping its invisible wings around him, lurching the depths of his heart in sorrow, and making him weep. The home that gave him peace as a child was now where his love lay buried. The rumbling thunder drew his attention to the swaying trees. The branches as though joining in sorrowful mourning and lamenting the death of his love. He felt like a prisoner, one who can imagine being free but can never taste the freedom.

A loving person, he now believed, was the most cursed. Two paths tore him. One that allowed him to dream and the other that tied him down with chains never letting him soar. Now, as he nursed his tattered self all that his being shouted was, "Why..?" Why did she show him the light if all she wanted to do was push him into the oblivion? "Why Sumo?" he whispered as his eyes shone with unshed tears.

Aas thi, Umeedon ka daur tha,

Pyaas hai aur ab hai ghutan,

Yaaden thi, Bulandion ka daur tha,

Bikhri hai zindagi aur ab hai chubhan.

Hope lived, It was the era of exuberance,

Thirst remains and so does repentance,

Memories thrived, It was the era of radiance,

Broken is life and the soul is in penance.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Her soul, lively it was in spite of all that had been thrown her way. Today though, she felt a void. It felt as though she had pushed herself into darkness and sealed his fate too. His deranged eyes tormented her. She knew not when she became so heartless. He never voiced his love for her but he made her feel it and she revelled in it too. Why then did she agree to this sham? Why then did she decide to ruin lives? Why was all that she asked herself? Her conscious, she now knew, was spited. No wonder then that she received no answers.

Walking down lanes and paths she allowed herself solitude that which once scared her, now gave her peace. She could in loneliness celebrate the annihilation of her love and with it that of her lover. For she saw he died the moment she chose someone else over him. Something cracked in him and she heard it. The severity of it resonated through her being, it gnawed at her insides, and it killed her with panache. She looked up to the sky, pleading with all her might. The rain blurred her vision and soaked her. As she thought now, she wasn't alone. No, she wasn't. The universe wept with her. The winds wailed at her fate. The leaves chanted an elegy. As she trudged along, no destination in sight, the dirge made her shudder.

She was no child, she never had a childhood. But now as she stood at the turnstile of womanhood, she sensed the clipping of her wings. Enduring the confines of a cage was one thing. Struggling in it with your wings clipped and seeing small birds mocking a falcon was another. She was always one to fight, to never give in, and to never keep mum at the knowledge of wrong. What had fate brought her to? Why was she the forever plagued?

An indebted person, she now believed was the most cursed. Two paths tore her. One that allowed her to dream and the other that tied her down with chains never letting her soar. So adrift were her thoughts that she knew not when she sauntered down a well trodden path. One that she had frequented all her life. Her feet gave up and she crashed onto the soft grass that welcomed her like its own.

Lau thi, Roshni ka daur tha,

Karz hai aur ab hai Shikan,

Mohobbat thi, Khushion ka daur tha,

Bikhri hai zindagi aur ab hai chubhan.

A flame lived, It was the era of illuminance,

Debt remains and so does reluctance,

Love thrived, It was the era of abundance,

Broken is life and the soul is in penance.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Shravan was jolted back to reality when a familiar blob of blue caught his eye, crouching on his lawn, sobbing. So the tormentor was tormented too. But that didn't give him peace, no it did not. It instead pained him to see her so.

Suman felt a gaze upon herself, one she knew quite well, one that was the reason for the paced throbbing in her bosom. Tilting her face she saw him, agonized she was at his suffering. His face tear stricken, and his state mournful.

Tark-e-Aarzoo thi,

Qayamat ka woh daur tha,

Shikvey the, Shikayat bhi,

Barbaadion ka woh daur tha.

It was the end of anticipation,

What an era of annihilation,

Resentment thrived and so did altercation,

What an era of damnation.

Hurt and resentment mirrored in their eyes. Shravan placed his palm on the window trying to reach out to her and Suman raised hers in sync. They sat in their positions hands outstretched, as realization slowly crept in, warming the cold parts of their beings with its wise subtlety. The pain seemed to dull away as their hearts danced to their forever practiced tune. Shravan made his way to the flame that beckoned him; kneeling before her he placed his palm in her lap. She immediately placed hers in his. No matter the distances that separated them, their destinies, they knew were one. No words were spoken but declarations resonated as the skies began to clear, honouring the enchantment that was to be.

Pur-sukoon hai Rooh ab,

Mohobbat ke noor mai,

Ek woh hai, ek hum hai,

Aur ab Ishq ka fitoor hai.

Bathed is the soul in alation,

Love has called for celebration,

What an era of coalition,

Here she is, Here am I, and here is adoration.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Edited by orion23 - 7 years ago

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PrincessAshVik

@PrincessAshVik

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

CROSSROADS

"Man is not the outcome of circumstances but the victim of a situation"

Shravan sat on the pavement bench, near the caf. Everything was playing in front of his eyes : the younger Suman making him wait and wait. He was laughing on his lady luck - not mockingly - but admiringly. Every single emotion of his was deeply knitted into this saga of wait.

Today too, he had invited Sumo on a coffee date. The one which would end all he strifes, confusions and dilemmas. Oh yes, he was in love with the girl who had befriended a nerd all those years ago, who'd insulted him in front of the school. Whom he thought he'll never stop hating. That stupid, senseless little Sumo.

Shravan saw the Sun setting, the sky taking a hue of crimson. Small droplets raced across the window - it was slightly drizzling. He was so mesmerized into the thought of his wait coming to an end, he didn't even realise that she had come!

Ek tujhko hi bas dekh kar

Bhooli mujhko hi meri nazar

Tujhko shayad nahi hai khabar

Tujhko jeete hain hum kis kadar

Jude jo tere khawab se

Toh toote hum neend se

Yeh kaisa tera ishq hai Saajna...

He saw her parking or just stopping her khatara. He ran out of the cafe, into the street. His heart racing in his chest, his mouth drying up to the confession, his feet gone cold. He hastily reached upto her car. "Sumo...", He whispered.

Suman got off the seat and he sensed something was not right about it. Her face, usually so electric and vibrant was dull and heavy. She had clearly cried.

"Sumo..?", He asked. The door slammed behind her as she stepped forward. But almost immediately, she collapsed on the ground, sobbing hard.

"Suman!", He cried, kneeling beside her. The slight drizzle transformed into a shower. Through the rain, he saw her face as the tears got lost in the droplets.

"Kya hua?", He tried to reason the sudden breakdown.

He cupped her face and took her by his chest. "Shhh..", he patted her back as her sobs tonned down a bit.

After much effort, words finally made their way out intermingled with groans.

"Shh... Shravan, Woh Ramnath uncle...", she narrated. It all was heard by him : his deceitful deeds, the facade of evil and how he'd tried to buy Sumo. His bride for Pushkar Preeti marriage and the whole business of relations.

He forcefully separated himself from her, he just couldn't take it! She was lying!

He stood up in a trance. No, it couldn't be! His dad, Shravan's dad couldn't stoop so low. Never, ever ever. He was the person he prayed, whom he lived for. His anchor of support and his guidance of truth, what Ramnath Malhotra said was law for him. And now, Sumo tells him that he's a trickster, a liar. His brain couldn't possibly comprehend so much.

"Tumhe kya laga Sumo, tum mujhe aakar kuch Bhi bologi aur main maan loonga? Main emotional ho sakta hoon, stupid Nahi!", He fumed relentlessly. The showers turned harder and the rain thudded on the car bonnet.

"Shravan, mujhe pata Hai...", She tried to pacify him but he screamed. "NO!Don't even try!", He stepped away. "Main galat tha Sumo. Tum abhi Bhi vaisi hi ho, ghamandi aur selfish. Khudgarz, tumhaari himmat kaise hui!?", He tore his vocal cords apart.

"Mere dad Aise Nahi Hai! Samjhi tum?", He yelled, shaking her shoulders and trying to make her understand, or maybe himself. He attempted to scream louder than the deafening rain and thunderstorm.

"Shravan! Shravan! Suno Meri baat!", She raised her voice too. Quickly grabbing her purse from the backseat, she gave him the blank cheque.

"Jao aur Poocho Apne dad ko ki iss number ka cheque unhone kise aur kyun Diya Hai"!

He stepped back. The cheque was wet due to the heavy downpour while his heart weeped due to relevations. His one loose grip on the cheque and it flew away. He too felt the strings of of his heart being stretched and loosened. It was hurting and painful.

"Chali jao Suman", he told coldly.

Tu haathon mein toh hai mere

Hai kyun nahi laqeeron mein

Yeh kaisa tera ishq hai Saajna...

"Shravan!", She hugged him tight. "I love you! Tab Bhi Karti thi aur aaj Bhi!"

They both wept and let all the betrayals, angst and fights get washed away in the rain.

She broke the hug and saw his face, his eyes spilling out pain and his face shouting for help.

"I'm sorry Shravan but mujhe tumhe sach bolna hi pada", she touched her forehead to his, her arms around his neck.

"Nahi Sumo", he withdrew himself. Aise Nahi. He got up as it thundered in the sky. The force of the patters increased furthermore.

"Look at me Shravan...", She pleaded.

"No!", He banged his hand on the window pane of the car as it crashed away into fragments. The sound echoed into the distance, backed by the thundering rain. Blood flowed out his hand as it mixed with water, just as his existence was getting diluted in the poison of mistrust.

"I've to face this alone Sumo. Mujhe yeh akele Karne do. Bohot bhaag liya, sahi kehti ho tum, bhagoda hoon main".

He took two steps back,

"Intezaar karogi Mera?", His voice cracked.

She nodded, her eyelids getting heavy due to the uncontrollable tears and the persistent rain.

"Hamesha...", She murmured.

He turned around and walked off, until his shadow stretched and faded away into the wetness on the ground.

Tu saath hai agar

Tanha kyu hai safar

Itna toh bata mujhe

Kyu hai mujhse bekhabar...

They hence, parted ways - one on the path of truth and liberation while other on the winding curves of patience. They both were fighting for this. While love sealed their fate, it was the journey and choices that mattered. And this what crossroads does to you : you realise & learn.

Edited by PrincessAshVik - 7 years ago

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orion23

@orion23

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

DIL DARD DHUAN

She loved the rain; watching the sky pour, giving life to the trees. It gave her a certain calmness, the feeling that somebody understood her, that it was not only her heart crying, but the skies were too. The pitter patter against the roof blocked all other sounds except the song of the rain. It made her want to dance whether she was happy or sad, and she always did during the first monsoon of the season.

She loved the rain even more because she could cry and nobody would bat an eye lid. She loved the feeling as it soaked her, cooling her body and her heart in the process which was burning due to all the pain and guilt that she had because of the way she was treating the one other person who mattered the most to her; her love, her life, Shravan.

She pulled her knees closer to her body due to the cold, she was shivering, her body was drenched and the tears from her eyes mixed with the rain. It had been pouring the whole day, it seemed like the skies too understood her pain as they cried too. She was sitting in the rain, on the bench of the park she and Shravan would always visit. A small smile appeared on her face as she recalled the good old days. With them, she also remembered all the bad times, the latest being the incident that occurred earlier in the day.

A chill ran down her spine, which had nothing to do with the weather, but the look Shravan had given her when he came to her PCT in the afternoon. His eyes were cold and his voice full of anger, she had never seen him that way. He had broken off all ties with her. How did she end up pushing him away? He was the only one she loved with all her heart, ever since they were young. She had realised it too late even then, his absence had made her heart grow fonder.

Ever since he returned from London, after their initial problems, she had tried not repeating her mistakes but try as much as she did, she ended up doing the same thing, take him for granted. She knew how many problems her don't care attitude brought in her relationship with Shravan. Too many things were happening at one go and she did not know how to deal with them.

Preeti and Pushkar's upcoming wedding and with that Ramnath uncle's threat loomed over her head like a sword, her PCT had to be moved again as it was not working out from Tiwari Killa, her Nanu hadn't been keeping well and because she did not know how to deal with all this, she was lashing out on the only person who raised a helping hand towards her and refused to take his help because she did not want to feel indebted towards him, she did not want to miss him when she needs him the most and he isn't around , like it had happened when he left the previous time.

"I am sorry Shravan," she whispered to herself. She realised today how much her actions were hurting him. Not taking his help despite him asking her a few times but taking Aditya's "help," really hurt him. She wanted to clarify things but he had walked away.

It was now dark in the park, but Suman did not feel like leaving it. There was something about the park that was soothing her. Suman decided to walk in the rain, spreading her arms, momentarily forgetting all the problems in her life and just enjoying the nature.

It was while she was walking when she suddenly noticed a figure against the railing of a small sort of bridge of the park. A silhouette she would recognize anywhere. His back was facing her and tears welled up in her eyes again as well as a small smile, no wonder she felt soothed.

"Shravan," she whispered and turns to leave after a moment, recalling the incident that happened earlier in the day.

"Sumo," he called out involuntarily as he turned and saw her figure turning away. He had been at the park since he had left PCT, breaking all ties with Sumo. He felt angry, deceived and he was heartbroken, his Sumo chose somebody else over him. Breaking all ties with her, broke him and so he came to the park they used to come to when they were younger; to remember the good times, the times when he fell in love with his best friend and to calm his heart; to seek solace in nature as he used to when he used to run away from the problems at home, from his parents constant fights.

He could see her soaked to the skin, yet he could distinguish the tears from the rain. She had cried. He wondered why, since he did not matter to her, why would it make a difference to her? He groaned. She was confusing him. Again. Why? And why was he letting her over power his emotions? Why did he want to engulf her in his arms and take all her grief away? Why could he not see her crying despite everything she had done to him? In that moment, Shravan Malhotra realised how deep in love he was with the woman in front of him. His heart would always beat for her, regardless of whatever she would do.

As she looked at him, she did not see her smart best friend; all she saw was a broken man. He was soaked, his shoulders slouched, he no longer looked tall and intimidating. She looked at him, various emotions in her eyes; grief, regret and love above all. And she saw pain, betrayal and love reflecting back.

The emotions in his eyes gave her the courage she needed and she took a step forward in his direction. Her resolve was clear, she was going to win him back.

Edited by orion23 - 7 years ago

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PrincessAshVik

@PrincessAshVik

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

The Frenemies

She looked around the scattered food. Packed and empty boxes along with utensils and dishes flown across to the other end of the large kitchen. As tears made their way slowly she gulped down the feeling, "it really happened and he did it"!!

Just like sand slips down the fist, she felt something very important slipping down her life. Something she want to hold tight, something she never want to let go! But here she was standing in the place where she started her dream, where she was proud of herself, and where she stepped in after so many days of struggle. The day she was the happiest and wanted to share it with her best friend. "Best Friend", she let a sigh with a sad smile, how can he do this to me??

Dushman na kare dost ne woh kaam kiya hai!
Umr bhar ka gham hame inaam diya hai!!

She shoved away Preeta's hand who tried to console her, wiped her tears off and started work all over again, she still had an hour to deliver lunches. Most of the ladies started cooking and some were left out for cleaning. She managed to send the lunches within the extra time she requested for, stating emergency.
As everyone left, she thumped on the floor. Kyun Shravan?? Kyun kiya aisa? "Meri aankhon me tumhe pyar to kabhi nahi dikha. Haan janti hoon tumhe mjuhe Aditya ke saath dekh kar bahut takleef hoti hai, lekin mujhe tumse door rehne ke liye ye karna pada". "Main to majboor thi Shravan ke apne pyar ko jata nahi saki, lekin tumne to Dosti ki bhi qadar nahi ki"...

Ilzaam bewafai ka seh lete hum magar
Kyun Dosti ko...
Kyun Dosti ko ruswa sare aam kiya hai!
Umr bhar ka gham hame inaam diya hai!!

She deserved it!! Shravan tried to justify himself as he clenched his jaws on remembering what he did at PCT.
"She deserved it! She deserved it!" He kept repeating to himself while punching the bag in the basement. No matter how much he tried he couldn't forget the look on her face. The more he remembered the harder he punched on the bag.
Kyun Sumo?? Kyun mera pyar nahi dikhta tumhe? "Pyar ki baat chodo tumne to Dosti ki bhi qadar nahi ki. Us Aditya ke aate hi mujhe apni zindagi se hi nikal diya. Mujhe mana kar ke kitni aasani se papers le liye Aditya se", I hate you Sumo!!!

Ek pal me aise tod diya hai yakeen mera
Dil ko jaise...
Dil ko jaise tinke ka anjaam diya hai!
Umr bhar ka gham hame inaam diya hai!!

It had been few hours since Shravan locked himself in the basement boxing continuously until blood was oozing out from the gloves and the bag was ripped off completely, he kept ignoring the constant ring on his phone.
I hate you Sumo!! He repeated again to gain some strength from his hatred. Phone started ringing again and this time he picked it up

Bhaiya Nanaji!!!
Kya hua Nanaji ko??
"Bhaiya Nanaji ko severe heart attack aaya hai, unhe hospital le ja rahe hai".
Which hospital? Send me the address I'll be there soon.
"But bhaiya Sumo!!"
His heart sank hearing her name
"Sumo mil nahi rahi hai!!"
Kya matlab mil nahi rahi? PCT me hogi!
"Sab jagah dhoodh liya Bhaiya, kahin nahi hai. Phone bhi nahi lag raha aur ye baarish, kya aapko pata hai kahan hogi? Sab pareshaan ho rahe hai"
She must be with Aditya. She spends all her time with him now, he murmured to himself
"No bhaiya Aditya is with me looking for her too. If you find her get her to the Heart Speciality Hospital".

It had been 5 minutes since Pushkar hung up but Shravan couldn't comprehend anything.
Sumo's missing?!? His heart sunk again at the thought. Soon he was heading out in his car with maddening speed in search for her. Heavy rain wasn't helping either.
How can you be so irresponsible Sumo?? This is not the time to play hide and seek, he gritted his teeth.

"Tum logon ka istemaal karti ho"

"Bahut badi actress ho"

"Self respect ka dhong karti ho"

"Hamare beej ke saare rishte ye Khokhli dosti khatam"

His words to her started ringing in his ears and he screeched the car stop. What did I do? How can I? Why was I so impulsive?

But she gave me the reason, he reasoned himself.

He looked outside, and his feet involuntarily stepped out towards the trail inside, with heartbeat beating faster anticipating her presence his eyes were searching for her. He stopped at the sight in front of him, Suman was sitting on the park bench drenched in the heavy rain, her knees pulled close, face digged between her knees and arms holding it tight as if trying to hold herself from breaking down.

A chill ran his spine looking at her condition, with heavy heart he moved forward "Suman" he called, making her startle as she looked up.

"Chalo"

Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho? Main chali jaoongi!

"Abhi chalo", he said in a very soft voice but she didn't budge making him more anxious. "Suman baarish ho rahi hai, ghar chalo, sab dhhoond rahe hai tumhe", he tried again

Leave me alone, kaha na main chali jaoongi she stood up to the other side of the bench.

"Woh actually Nanaji"

Nanu!! Nanu kya??

Nanaji had an heart attack, they took him to the hospital

She stumbled hearing this but held on to the bench for support as Shravan tried to hold her. "Kuch nahi hoga Nanu ko, Nanu ko kuch ho gaya to main kya karoongi, mera to koi nahi unke alawa"

Shravan's heart broke into million pieces hearing this, he moved forward but she stepped back, "Nanu aap nahi ja sakte mujhe chod ke", her voice scared and she choked at every word. Shravan was dying inside looking at her state. "Main phir se anath ho jaoongi"

"Sumo!! Stop", he yelled and pulled her up into a hug as if his own life depended on it, as if he was trying to say I'm there with you forever.

Kya woh adhuri baat hai jo dil me hi reh gayi

Na bayan kar paye hum jo bhi nazar keh gayi

Kaise bataoon dil mera, dhadke tere hi naam se

Mil jane de dil jo bane Ek Duje Ke Vaaste...

Mountain of misunderstandings were to be cleared, trust yet to be earned by both but their warm embrace, even though drenching in rain, ignited a spark that could burn everything and everyone that came between them...

Edited by PrincessAshVik - 7 years ago

Quote

orion23

@orion23

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Let it Rain

Shravan gaped at her retreating back as Suman left him perplexed.

Again.

It seemed like Preeti was trying to play cupid by making them dance together.

Not that he was complaining. But the nerve of this girl, his Sumo, was hell bent on making troubles. And now that he demanded answers, she just acted like nothing ever happened. Though her eyes said otherwise.

Shravan knew that she knew it all and yet she denied. He just didn't know why.

He stepped out of the building. Of course he wasn't giving a solo performance and without his partner, the rehearsal wasn't possible.

As he walked towards his car, the sky groaned in agony. He looked up to see dark clouds forming.

A storm was coming. It had to be a coincidence that another dark, vigorous storm was whirling inside him.

***

Shravan silently drove back to his home. It was drizzling by the time. The raindrops on his windshield was a sight to see. He admired for a split second and was going to focus on the road when someone caught his attention that made him slow down. He thanked God subconsciously that he wasn't driving very fast. He would have missed seeing her. It was Sumo, standing under the shed of a bus stop at the side of the road.

The area looked isolated and the rain had picked up.

Shravan parked the car at a distance. He couldn't let her stay alone at a place like this.

As he approached her, she looked up and their eyes met. And for a moment, time stopped.

Suman was half drenched and slightly shivering. Tiny droplets rolled down her face onto her lips and Shravan couldn't help but follow the trail with his gaze. He gulped. His breathing was heavier now and he could tell so was hers.

"I have my jacket in the car. Come now. You'll get sick."

Shravan said in a calm voice looking straight at her.

Suman crossed her arms

"I'm fine. I'll manage. You can go."

"Sumo..."

It was a low whisper but only she knew that she never heard the word sound so ominous coming from him. She hesitated to retort.

Without any warning, he grasped her arm

"If you don't come with me willingly, then I swear Sumo, I'll drag you to the car."

His tone was serene yet deadly. But that didn't stop Suman from defying. She freed herself from his clasp and involuntarily took a step back

"Who do you think you are huh? You are so full of pride Shravan! You think you can just come and grab me? How dare you touch me!"

Suman yelled bitterly. She could see Shravan seething in anger. She made up her mind, it was better to leave.

She had no umbrella with her and she wasn't of course borrowing the one Shravan brought. She strutted out of the shed, not caring about the raindrops hitting her mercilessly like bullets.

When had the rain become so strong?

She didn't however have the chance to contemplate as she was being pulled towards a certain someone, who seemed to be strong enough to turn her around with ease.

Of course, the man was very familiar. The umbrella was gone and it looked like he didn't care either. For a brief moment they stared into each other's eyes.

Shravan didn't let go. He had his arm around her waist with a firm grip. He wasn't going to let her escape this time.

"You really don't know who I am to hold you like this Sumo?"

His tone didn't change. It wasn't a question and Suman knew it all too well. She felt like giving in. She was tired of running away from him, from her feelings. But every single time that she gathered up the courage, her promise would halt her. How could she be so selfish to not think about her family?

Suman looked away biting her lip. She prayed that Shravan wouldn't see her tears

"No Shravan. I don't. And I don't want to know."

She mumbled, her voice choking. She knew she failed badly to keep up with the facade.

She sucked in a breath as Shravan's lips touched her face and shuddered when he whispered softly

"Why Sumo?"

That was it. Just the two words to break the barriers. She could hold back no longer. No matter what the consequences, she couldn't do it anymore.

"Because I can't be just your friend Shravan!"

The words left her mouth in a murmur. She closed her eyes, preparing for the impact. She anticipated herself being shoved away from the warmth of his body. But the move was gentle. She avoided eye contact knowing that she would break down. But then she saw his hand cupping her chin and slowly, he made her look at him

"Sumo... what do you-"

Then as if something struck him, the turmoil in his eyes were replaced by ardor.

"If I say I want to be more than friends?"

Shravan muttered as their foreheads touched.

Suman looked up in awe as she tried to fathom what he just said.

"Do you love me?"

She asked hysterically. There was no going back.

"Yes I do. I love you Sumo. And I know that you love me."

Shravan spoke under his breath as he caressed her cheek. Suman felt like she would fall. Even Ramnath wouldn't be able to stop her now. He was wrong.

For the reason that she and Shravan were meant to be.

Shravan cupped her face as he gazed down at her lips.

"Are you going to kiss me?"

Suman asked, her voice shaky.

"Is that a problem?"

Shravan countered, his own voice trembling with impatience.

"No."

Just as she mouthed, Shravan closed the distance between them in a swift motion and their lips met like two opposing armies. And then silence spoke the words that were left unspoken for too long as the raindrops embellished two ardent souls.

Edited by orion23 - 7 years ago

Quote

PrincessAshVik

@PrincessAshVik

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Limerence

For the longest time Suman Tiwari hated going to parties. She was sixteen years old when she attended her first. And she had hated it. Eight years later and her opinion hadn't wavered since then. There was something obnoxious about these kind of gatherings, the gossip, the alcohol, and the pretence - it made her sick.

Over the years, she had grown into a confident and strong woman, who hid herself under layers of perfectionism, but one look at the man in front of her and she feels her fortress crumbling down.

Shravan Malhotra was no longer the bespectacled boy she had known. He was a stranger. A stranger she had made the mistake of falling in love with. A stranger, she had shared her first kiss with. And yet sometimes when he thinks that she isn't looking, he gazes at her with warmth and a hint of longing, she had seen in those very orbs as she walked away from him, five years ago.

"Let's play a game!" Riya, a fellow lawyer exclaims, holding an empty bottle in her hand.

She turns the bottle on the table with a quick movement of her hand and they all look on as the bottle spins and spins until the neck of it stops towards the beautiful devil.

"Shravan! Truth or dare?" She asks with a sweet saccharine smile.

"Truth." He replies, the corners of his mouth pulling up in a smirk.

"When was the last time you kissed someone?" She asks, her tone laced with mirth. Her question earns gasps and giggles from the rest of the crowd.

"You wouldn't believe me, if I told you."

"Come on don't be a spoilsport!"

"Some people love attention. Can we move past this?" She asks exasperated and somewhat angry at herself for being so affected by him. He was a man and a good-looking one for the record, not the one to pin over a college romance.

"Five years ago." He murmurs, holding her eyes in an unblinking way. Her eyes widen with stupor and all of a sudden she becomes intensely aware of her heart thumping furiously in his presence.

"Who was the lucky girl?"

"The only girl I ever loved."

Anger flare up in her. He had no right to talk about her in that way. Laughing and clapping loudly as if it was his best performance, she says with dark amusement, "Come on Mr. Malhotra, no one is going to judge if you turned out to be a womanizer. It wouldn't surprise me if your list of women was as tall as you are."

"That sounds dangerously close to an accusation, Miss Tiwari." He emphasizes on her name.

"Unlike some, people wait for the one and only." He gazes up at her from behind a glass he brings to his parched lips. If he hadn't been looking so intently, he would have missed the tremble of her chin, the way her lips pursued into a thin line because the next second, he was met by a look that was indecipherable.

------------------------

"Where do you think you are going?"

"None of your business."

"Sumo!" He pulls her towards him as a car comes to a halt right in front of her. The slight drizzle that had started, poured heavily on them, soaking their clothes.

"Some things never change. You running away, me chasing you down."

In spite of her distraught state, a humourless chuckle leaves her mouth. "Of course you are my knight in shining armour." His breath hitches in his throat as he peers down at her, the raindrops cling to her eyelashes before making their way down to the hollows of her neck.

"Let me be." She struggles against his vice like grip.

"So you are found dead?"

"Stop acting like you care!" She spats defensively.

"Rishta khatam hone se parwa khatam nahi hojati." He says, his voice above than a whisper.

"You left me without saying a word. You ended three years of relationship within a blink of an eye!" Her jaw is clenched tight in order to prevent the shattering of her teeth as a gust of wind hits her with fervour.

"You never asked me to stay." His voice grows angry.

"I couldn't possible ask you to stay for me, I am not that selfish. I waited in front of your house so we could talk... and you just left." She swallows the lump in her throat as the memory hit her.

"I never wanted to leave you." Her chest tightens with sudden realization as she looks up at him drenched form head to toe and shivering from the kisses of ice shredding his skin he was it for her, she would never love another man the way she loved him.

"Why don't you ever let me be?" She asks looking at him through wet lashes, her tears flowing down her cheeks, mingling with the rain and yet warm in contrast to it.

"Because there was a time you meant the world to me." He confesses to her. The past tense mends and breaks a part of her at the same time. At least he had it in him to acknowledge what they meant to each other.

He reaches out and softly touches her face, his eyes straying at her lips. As they continue to gaze at each other, they remember with a bitter sweet feeling, their first kiss under the rain. The clumsiness and the spontaneity of the act. In that moment as she lets his knuckles caress the skin of her cheek, thousands of memories are made.

"You have to let me go." She gives him a sad, close-lipped smile.

And like always he complies with her wishes and as he let her go, he realizes that he would never feel her fingers intertwined with his. He would never feel her soft pillowy lips brush against his. That night Shravan Malhotra bowed down to destiny, some things were just not meant to be.

Edited by PrincessAshVik - 7 years ago

Quote

orion23

@orion23

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Rain On Me

The rain was thrashing down in huge goblets of water that seemed to rush at him harshly.

Shravan opened the door and dragged himself to the driver's seat. The water washed down his windscreen and everything outside looked blurred. He sighed and rested his head back. He closed his eyes and the din around seemed to have vanished. Now it was all clear, wasn't it?

His mind was on a whirl again. He let the thundering clatter of the rain on the roof pull him back to reality. He tried to remember everything she had told him to convince she had believed in them'. Words that had seemed so empty then. It was so much easier to brand her a gold digger or opportunist when...

Pangs of regret slivered through him as he remembered how he had been too quick to judge, ever ready to ridicule and primed to brush away her defences.

He was tempted to plunge back into the rain- perhaps it would wash away the grief that seemed to overwhelm him.

" I am so glad Suman married you finally. And pleased to meet you, Suman ka Shravan... Though I wouldn't have been so pleased to meet you years back, when she so diplomatically turned me down." Words that had surprised and elated him, before Jairaj had gone on to explain how Suman had to bend down to family pressures and not pursue her dreams of higher education, despite being industrious.

"Half the fun places were off limits for her, because it was her and Shravan's place...and the way she would blush when we teased her about it"... Jairaj's cheerful voice was the sweetest sound on earth he had heard, ever since he had left for London.

"Bhaiya, Suman has changed", Pushkar's words on the first night he returned, echoed in his mind.

"Tum nahi jaante, Shravan, Ek Ladki ko...", how casually she had cut her off when she had tried to explain why she had expectations to meet up to.

His heart was swelling up with love, pride, elation, remorse, fear...

There was only one image of Sumo floating in front of his eyes now. The diligent caterer who went about her personal and professional life like a robot- tireless... vacant.

She had loved him? All those years? Even before he came back, a successful' lawyer- as someone she would be proud to show off...

Why didn't she tell him?

"You are still stuck back in time?"

I have moved on.

Why had he failed to register the pain on her face as her heart breaking, instead of gloating over scoring one over her again?

When had it come to this? When had she stopped explaining herself? When had she simply decided to become a silent show piece in his life? Silent, but ever present...She had effortlessly won over all the male members of his family, including his dad, with her cooking and discipline. The only adversary was his chachi, and she would inconspicuously keep out of her way. On the whole, life outside their bedroom had seemed pretty much normal to everyone. Inside of it- was a different story. She had found herself a corner, keeping to herself for the few hours they were ordained to be together.

They had developed a routine, keeping out of each others' way, respecting their privacy.

Privacy! Had he pushed her way back into herself, that he didn't exist? Contrary to her presence filling his every moment...though he tried hard to ignore it.

Darn it!

The seeming indifference, nonchalance...that he took for arrogance...

Now it was all explained.

The pandemonium was escalating.

How far had she pushed her? Why did she allow others to push her around, when the laws were different for him? Why had she stopped pushing him?

Even the last week, his blood had boiled at the way she allowed her mami to dominate her, but he had sworn to keep out of her way, and dismissed it as none of his business.

Come to think of it- the story was not very different, when it came to his family too.

She simply kept out of way, when it came to Chachi and whenever there was the slightest hint of disapproval, she would make an extra effort to please. Preeti and Vandy Bhabhi were treated like princesses, with Sumo trying to dissipate any tensions that were wont to arise when Witless Vandy met Possessive Preeti.

Now he could see that was a pattern with her. When did she turn into this sacrificing idiot! He had scorned her people pleasing as a pretense.

No more.

Sumo was... insecure.

Insecure! Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would associate that word with her.

But there it was. Shravan massaged his brows, as he tried to rub this information into his brain.

She was essentially...no different...from him. In fact, she seemed more broken, considering she had never even shared her frustration with anyone. She had calmly accepted it...except for...

He remembered that quiet outburst at her childhood home now. She had whimpered how she missed her childhood...And yearned for...Now it made sense to him.

Ever since that child was plucked out of her home, she had been insecure. She had found different ways to escape it. Resistance, Bluff ,Bravado...and finally, resignation.

Talk about knowing someone for ages and really KNOWING them!

He started the engine.

Suman was out on the terrace. She loved the rain for the new life it gave, amidst the chaos .

"Sumo, Come in. Sardi lag jayegi."

She turned in disbelief.

He advanced.

He bent down to rest his forehead on hers. She loosened and held his arms, supporting herself. That was all he needed, to take her in a tight hug. He had no idea what to say.

Acceptance- it came so easily to her. She hadn't asked for explanations or promises...

He tucked her in more in his embrace, relishing her softness.

He would teach her to be more demanding when it came to him...and others.

For now, it was only him and her, and the frisky drizzle that played around them.

xxx

Edited by orion23 - 7 years ago

Quote

PrincessAshVik

@PrincessAshVik

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Suman smiled watching the rain , she remembered their moments and she was thankful for those. It was a sweet melancholy to her and maybe even to him, she wondered. The time with him had been always amazing, filled with childishness, friendship and above all love. The love no one gave her after her parent's demise except for Nanu.

Long handwritten note deep in your pocket

Words, how little they mean when you're a little too late

I stood right by the tracks, your face in a locket

Good girls, hopeful they'll be and long they will wait

"Suman. What the hell, are you crazy ?" Shravan shouted as she threw a glass full of water on his head as he worked late. She knew it was daring but she knew he wouldn't say a word as deep down maybe he still loves her. He had to go back but as she said no to him to go back and maybe he deliberately missed his flight & since then they had been to each others house with some intervals as they had their work.

She laughed loudly and held her ears and he smiled inwardly and ran behind her. The sound of their laughters echoed in the Tiwari villa.

"Mom ? What are you doing here ? You are not well, have to take bed rest remember ?" Suman came out of her memory lane as heard their daughter's voice. She smiled and cleared her moist eyes.

"Aashna I am so tired of sitting on bed whole day, it was raining so came here." Suman rested her head on Aashna's shoulder.

"You were thinking about Dad. Right ?" Aashna took her to the bed and made her sit.

"Nah! I was thinking about Salman. Obviously Shravan buddhu. My favourite husband. Duh-uh!" They laughed at her reply.

"Mom you only have one husband." Aashna said picking up Suman's laptop from the study table. Suman looked at the wallpaper which had their photograph and her face radiated.

In dreams I meet you in warm conversation

We both wake in lonely beds in different cities

And time is taking its sweet time erasing you

And you've got your demons, and, darling, they all look like me

She was questioned, what Shravan meant to her by Ramnath Uncle. She smiled and whispered "my life," barely audible to him and later said loudly "Something even I wouldn't be able to know myself" and he knew she was the right person for his son, there was no time for hate, for fright or envy, if something had to come out in real, it will come out but all he did was in love for his son and no one can question his love for his son.

"Suman marry my son. Will you ?" Suman smiled and replied "Did you ask him? Does he really wants a woman in his life in this way?" Unknown to them Shravan heard it all standing far and he might not have been ready before but now he was because he knew she would live a life without the person she love for their happiness and he loved her with all his might and was ready to give her the love she deserved.

Suman smiled as at least this was what he told her when he said he loved her & asked her to marry him. He needed non's attention but her's in every possible way and wasn't ready to share her at all.

Distance, timing, breakdown, fighting

Silence, this train runs off its tracks

Kiss me, try to fix it, could you just try to listen?

Hang up, give up, for the life of us we can't get back

"Mom where is daddy ?" A four year old Aashna asked while sleeping.

"Baby he's not well so have gone for some treatment. He'll be back soon. Okay ?"

Suman spoke as a lump formed in her throat due to crying.

Being a lawyer is not the safest job, and so when Shravan was shot while coming home after winning a case, he went into coma, and was taken immediately to medical care & was admitted in singapore's hospital for six months. It was tiring for her, to wake up every day without him but she knew she had to go on for their daughter, for them to make more memories when he returns. She feared if something happened to him. They had spent some mere 6 years together as husband-wife and she knew they deserved more years together to live.

A beautiful magic love there

What a sad beautiful tragic, beautiful tragic, beautiful

"Mom are you alright ?" Aashna held Suman.

"Just a little pain. Let me sit more comfortably and come here." Suman patted to the place besides her.

"Mom do you remember? When I was five and we went for a vacation to Goa. You and dad even danced & we drank coconut water." Aashna chirped.

What we had a beautiful magic love there

What a sad beautiful tragic love affair

Suman poked a finger in Shravan's ribs as she knew he was ticklish and he fell. Suman and Aashna laughed loudly seeing their favourite man in the water.

"Aashu you are also laughing at me? I thought I was you favourite." Shravan whined and ran behind the two chasing them and caught them both and held tightly.

"I love you Shravan." Suman whispered & Shravan kissed her forehead, " Me too, to the moon & beyond." They spent the rest of the evening with each other on the beach eating and sipping coconut water.

We had a beautiful magic love there

What a sad beautiful tragic love affair

"Aashi know what ? I learnt a lot when Shravan was in coma, it wasn't important for someone to be with you always but should always have some happy moments to cherish; it made me deal with his death. It's been a year now and there's this hole left in there but I know I'll see him again. We'll see each other again after our respective lives. He loved us so much that we could only return it by living happily. So better not try harder to save me ? Because I guess it's time for me to be with him again."

Suman spoke as she lied down on bed feeling all tired as Aashna hugged her. "mom don't say like this. who'll be there to guide me then?" Aashna shed few tears as Suman smiled tearily and kissed her forehead

"Mommy why are you crying ? What happened to Suman?" A three year old Arav came.

"She's your Nani, not Suman." Aashna scolded.

"Take a chill pill Aashi!" Suman and Arav said together but Suman's was a mere feeble voice.

Aashna closed her eyes and whispered "Suman's gone to Shravan, Arav. We'll see them one day." She looked outside as the rain stopped.

Edited by PrincessAshVik - 7 years ago

Quote

orion23

@orion23

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#10

Sawaal

It had been pouring incessantly for the last two days and Shravan Malhotra was frustrated beyond words while driving down to the hospital. It was a chore driving in the downpour after a hectic day at the court. But this was indispensable. Nanaji was breathing his last and the doctors had predicted a few hours remaining for the octogenarian.

As he approached the ICU he saw both the families huddled together outside the ICU . Ramnath Malhotra looked up to see Shravan walking towards them and smiled knowing very well that it won't be reciprocated. His sins had been confessed and his sentence was served.

Shravan had gone into a deep depression for days out of which he emerged looking visibly calmer but extremely quiet.

He declared two things. A move out and a divorce. Ramnath pleaded for Suman's forgiveness, but she stopped him."Let him decide Papa. .for once." she said.

And he had decided. Shravan left and started his independent practice. Suman sank into her own abyss but she still hoped.

Ramnath directed Shravan inside as he ran.

His Nanaji now lay amongst beeping machines and tubes. Shravan then looked around and his breath hitched. There sat his Sumo, her face clearly tensed and grieved .

"Shravan" Tiwariji called and outstretched his hand.

"Nanaji" Shravan immediately held the hand.

Suman saw the man her heart had yearned for 10 long years and still missed. It had been days since they had last seen each other and oblivious to everything around the couple drank in each other's appearance hungrily. The separation had taken its toll on both of them equally they concluded. While she looked devastated, he looked pretty crushed himself.

"Shravan..dekho beta main jaanta hoon, tum dono is rishte mein khush nahi ho. Tajjub hai. ..tum dono ki khushi toh ek duje mein hi hai, phir bhi. ..khair. .main chahta hoon ki ek duje se alag hone ke liye tum dono mere marne ka intezaar na karo beta.. jo karna hai abhi kar lo. Shayad alag hokar khush reh paao. Bas .ek baar baat kar lo usse pehle." The wise man spoke to the two crestfallen souls sitting in front of him.

Shravan squeezed his hand lightly in affirmation while Suman nodded slightly. They then stepped out of the room allowing him to rest.

Shravan was about to enter his car when he felt her behind him. That was the thing with her, he always sensed her presence.

"Shravan. ..baat kar sakte hain?" Suman sounded hopeful and he turned.

"Kya baat kare Suman aur kyun kare? What's left? Now that Nanaji has given a go ahead..so ?" He said as he tried reigning his own gnawing grief.

"Khush ho mere bagair?"She whimpered.

"Pata nahin ...bas ab dil nahin tootta hai, takleef kam hoti hai. Loneliness is a small price to pay for one's self esteem." He replied stoically though his eyes never left her.

"Shravan. I hurt you. Kuch bachpana tha aur Kuch majboori. Par pyaar maine hamesha kiya hai tumse Shravan. Don't let it end this way, please. I'll heal you. Don't give up on us.." The rain had grown strongly by now drenching both of them.

Shravan held her forearms tightly and pulled her to him "How..how are you going to put me back as whole after having stripped me of my self esteem innumerable times? How do I wake up one day and miraculously forget that you almost got married to someone else? How does one graduate from being nothing to being something of some meagre substance? How do I forget that I turned into a drunkard? How does one hope to have even an iota of self worth after having his emotions mocked at by the three most important people of his life? How do heal someone you killed with your own hands Sumo?" His pain had overlapped his anger and it threatened to break her hope now.

"Chuck it Sumo." As he moved forward , he was stopped by a tug on his arm. He closed his eyes at the reprieve even her slight touch gave him, but didn't turn.

"Tumhari nafraton mein hi sahi, kam se kam mai aaj bhi shamil hoon. Dil tootkar bhi hamara rishta kyun nahi toot paata Shravan? Us din ek signature se tum mere pati bane the, kya kal ek signature ke baad mujhe mera dost waapis mil sakta hai? Please Shravan. ..mujhe mere dost ki bahut zaroorat hai. Akele darr lagta hai ab." She rested her head on his arm and sobbed, for his pain ...for her loss.

Pyaar karna marz hai jitna hua hai yeh mujhe,

Dard ko bhi Dard ho itna hua hai mujhe,

Raaste mein rakh diya dil aur chotein khaayega,

Aaya hai dil lene wala, jaan lekar jaayega.

His eyes were brimming even as he moved ahead but Suman held on to him a bit more tightly and sobbed.

Sighing he turned to look at her "I am too broken to offer you anything Suman and broken things like me are better alone." One look at his determined face and Suman knew she had lost him forever. She looked defeated as she detached herself and with a last look at him with all her love , she walked away into the rain.

As he drove back, Shravan couldn't help but shake off the feeling of dread. The last look that Sumo haunted him. Why hadn't she walked back into the hospital?

Just then a car on the other lane bumped with a random girl. As she flew in the air, a familiar memory flashed to him. "Sumooo..." he screamed as he began to breathe heavily. Fear gripped his heart as his immediately took a U turn to the hospital. All his complaints aside, could he as much as breathe if Sumo wouldn't be around? He knew he would kill himself if she ceased to exist. He had to go back to Sumo. Panic rose within him and he drove like a man possessed against the rain that was hitting against the car windows like a whiplash. Her presence was more precious than their tumultuous past.

"Ab koi sawal nahi honge Sumo..bas hum honge. .sirf hum" Shravan decided.

Edited by orion23 - 7 years ago

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