Posted:
Hi guys! I'm back with a shortish OS on, to be honest, I don't really know :L It's a bit all over the place but was specifically written on the insistence of Kanishka (kanishkakakaran): I know you wanted something anniversary-wise but I'm sorry, I'm too unromantic to write about something as romantic as a anniversary :P But since exams are over, I thought what the hey :) It's a bit of Virika, a slight bit of Virman, a bit of Jeeman...
The song is by The Fray, one of my all time fav bands and it fits with the Virat and Manvi as well as a unromantic version of Jeevika and Manvi relationships in this story but it is quite brief.
Anyways, this story is dedicated to two people, both of whom are little troopers: Sarah (aa_mnhs) and loveleen12 (sorry I don't know your real name). And I've got a small gift for you two; just something I was working on whilst being stuck in school the other day ' be warned, it isn't finished so still looks a bit iffy. (Hope you guys like KD :L ' PS: I'm a bit obsessed with Instagram hah)
Look After You
Viren watched as Jeevika walked along arm in arm with Manvi, both their attention taken by the sights and sounds of the vibrant Spanish streets steeped in cultural heritage. A smile poised on his lips, he placed his hands into his chino pockets as he followed dutifully behind. He was broken out of his thought stream by the pot of ice cream being offered to him. "Viren you need to try this. Handmade vanilla, you're favourite." Vanshika offered him the pot which he took hesitantly, carefully savouring the taste. "Mmm, Ma this is so good! Where'd you get it?" Pointing towards a small ice cream vendor, she tried to take the small pot back but with limited success.
"Ma come on, you just said it's my favourite. So let me just have a bit more." Vanshika tried pulling the ice cream towards her, gently smiling. "Arre Viren, this is my ice cream. If you want some, then go get some of your own." He let go of the pot, slowly turning away from her, his plan formulating in his head. Vanshika stopped and looked between the ice cream and her son walking ahead, and sighing, called out to him. "Viren, you can have it. Virat's bringing some more as it is." Placing the tub in his hands, she tapped his cheek slightly laughing at his childishness.
Viren sank his spoon into his ice cream only to find Jeevika staring at him; sighing, he covered the little tub with his hands wary of the arising smirk on Jeevika's face. "Viren-Ji... It's soo hot..." She came to stand across from him, fluttering her eyelashes seductively whilst stealing glances at the creamy cold dairy product in his hands. Taking a step back, he stuttered slightly. "N-n-no! No Jeevika, nope, you are not getting any of this. Go get your own!" With that, he turned and sped towards the approaching figures of Virat and Vanshika leaving a stumped Jeevika contemplating her husband's weird behaviour.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
The sun was starting to set as they made their way through Park Guell, stopping on the mosaic laden benches, they relished in the beauty of both the park and Barcelona as the twilight emerged. Manvi watched as Jeevika stood hand in hand with Viren, her face a complete look of euphoria. Smiling, she turned towards Virat and Vanshika, amused that they too were staring at what had captivated her. "So what say Partner, Aunty, we let the love birds enjoy the night whilst we head off and have some fun ourselves. Come on, the night is young, let's enjoy." Manvi grinned from ear to ear, leading them both away towards the park entrance, consulting her trusty city guide along the way.
Hailing a taxi, they made their way to the Magic Fountain of Montjuic where the water works and light shows lit up the night. A short walk led them to the still bustling Las Ramblas. The streetlights illuminated the broad walkway as the street illusionists carried on with the hustle and bustle of the temperate night. Soon they found themselves at the steps of the underground metro station, still alive at the early hours of night. A small journey later, they emerged a few paces from the villa the family had been staying in. Vanshika slowly made her way to her room, the length of the day tiring her leaving Manvi to meander around the poolside as Virat watched from behind the glass wall of the kitchen.
She sat at the edge of the poor; her legs submerged feeling the warm water as her eyes fixated on the numerous stars around. Leaning back, she positioned the palm of her hands as pillows, relaxing at the stillness of the night. "You do realise that Bhabhi will probably kill you when she comes back." She leaned her head back, catching sight of Virat leaning casually on one of the pillars holding up the balcony, a yellow daisy in his hands. Leaning back down, she sighed. "There's no reason for her to kill me if you think logically Partner."
He chuckled slightly, silently contemplating her words as he walked over towards her, sinking down on to the ground. "Well I beg to differ. The amount of walking you did today coupled with the heat and the food, the running off every chance you get, and don't let me forget boarding a stuffy hot metro where the chances of germs is like a zillion percent." He stared at her intently, wondering what had entranced her thoughts for so long. "Partner, you know as well as me that I've been in remission for the last eighteen months. Life is short, we need to live it and you know what they say, never regret anything and just… just live in the moment."
A few moments of silence passed, allowing for Manvi's intuitiveness to take a hold. Glancing up at Virat, she raised her eyebrows as if to break him of his thoughts. "Easier said than done Manvi; living in the moment… just how… how do you do that? Life isn't that simple." She smiled softly, gently raising her head and her body to face him. "It's simple yaar. You just do and say what you feel is right. Don't let the fear of failure stop you from trying, that's why I don't care if I live a short life, as long as I'm happy then you know, there's nothing to fear." Manvi gently placed her hand atop his as a sign of reassurance allowing him to take in a deep breath.
'Live in the moment… I wish I could do that Manvi… I wish I could just… just tell you what I feel, but I guess there'll never be a right time. Everything you say, it's just wishful thinking… that's all.' He looked up towards the sky, staring at the black abyss above. "Anyway; Partner, you have to tell me, what's your fascination with the sky?" She smiled as she followed his gaze, pointing out a small constellation of stars burning brightly in the sky. "All this time I was trying to find my Mummy and Pappa and I found them right there… right over there, can you see them? I'm hundred percent sure they can see us and I just know they're smiling and happy…"
He smiled subconsciously as his eyes wandered to the brightest star in the sky, bringing her gaze towards it by a similar gesture. "That star right there, that's my dad. Ever since I was a kid, he's always been there just watching over me. Bhai pointed the pole star out to me once, telling me that the brightest star in the sky is dad, and that wherever we are, however we are, we just need to look up at the sky and we'll find out way home because dad's up there looking out for us and hopefully… hopefully he's proud of his sons." Vanshika watched from the balcony, following their gaze to the pole star as a small tear escaped down her cheek.
Manvi smiled softly as she turned towards him. "I really, really, really hate to burst your bubble, but the brightest star in the night sky isn't the pole star, but Sirius the Dog Star." Raising his eyebrows, he gave her an incredulous look. "Dog star? Okay, are you on drugs or something?" Mildly offended, Manvi sat up crossing her arms across her chest. "Drugs? How dare you, and here was me trying to be nice and telling you something but no; no, you're just a chep because guess what? Once a chep, always a chep!" Sitting up beside her, he brought his legs out of the water, quietly murmuring under his breath: "Bhandariya." She turned towards him, only for him to look away immediately as he got up and back stepped towards the house, a feigned yawn escaping his lips. "Well then, it's been an interesting day, but I'm so, so tired. I'm going to bed now, bye!"
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
Jeevika sighed as Manvi sat across from her on the covered patio, desperation etched onto her face. "Di… Di please, don't do this, you know I can't survive if you don't talk to me." Jeevika got up, glancing towards Manvi before making her way back through the French doors of the villa. "If you can't survive without me then what happened last night? You know how worried I was when you just disappeared?" Manvi followed behind her, stopping short of the kitchen counter as Virat, Vanshika and Viren sat at the large kitchen table. "Di please don't do this. Please, I get it you're annoyed but please try and see it from my side."
Jeevika turned towards her, hands braced across the marble counter as her eyes bore into Manvi's. "Your side! Manvi there is no justification of running off like that without telling me in a different country. This isn't our Hrishikesh where you can prance around and do anything you want. When will you learn that every one of your actions will have repercussions never mind whatever your intentions be. Manvi, right now… right now, I just don't want to talk to you." Manvi looked on in despair as Jeevika's resolve was set in stone. Sighing, she lamely nodded her head as a few tears escaped her eyes, retreating back out towards the pool area leaving a shaking Jeevika staring down at the marble work top.
Vanshika placed her hand softly on Jeevika's shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. "Jeevika, I know you're upset with Manvi, and you have every right to be but at least see it through her eyes calmly and maybe everything might seem a little clearer." Jeevika turned towards Vanshika, her eyes confused. "Her eyes? Ma, whatever she did yesterday, you- you can't justify it. My heart nearly stopped when I turned round and saw she wasn't there." Vanshika placed both of her hands upon her cheeks, holding her head in place. "Jeevika, she's your sister and you know her best of all, but dear, there are always two sides to every story. If there's one thing I've learnt over the years is that fighting takes away so much precious time and energy; don't fight but love and do nothing but love."
She smiled softly before disappearing upstairs leaving Jeevika contemplating her words in the kitchen. Viren watched from the doorway, deciding to give Jeevika time and space and turned towards the patio. Making his way towards the standing Manvi facing out towards the hilltop view, he placed his arm around her shoulder, gently squeezing. "You know Jeevika better than anyone, so you'll know that in a little while she'll be right here saying sorry, so then what's the point of all these tears Saali-Sahibha?" She wiped away a few stray tears before scratching away some of the nail polish on her fingers. "I know… but, I just can't see her angry at me. She's everything to me, so seeing her so upset just makes me want to dig up a whole and die."
He ran his hand over her head, taking in the view around them. "Shhh, you don't say things like that. You sisters are just the same; you can't handle each other's anger or sadness, which brings me to my question: why bother fighting if you can't deal with it?" He smiled gently as Manvi stopped crying, lifting her head up slightly. "Exactly Jeeju, there's no point in fighting… but, if she's not talking to me then what else can I do?" She looked towards Viren, her eyes large. "Just give her time, she'll find her way back to you. Now I want to see a sweet little smile on my dear Saali's face." She smiled slowly, wrapping her arms around his torso, embracing him into a wide hug.
"Mannu, I'm sorry." Jeevika's voice broke apart their hug as she stood standing across from them, her fingers holding onto her ears, leading to a small chorus of laughter from Manvi. "I'll leave you two to it." Viren squeezed Manvi's shoulder reassuringly before disappearing back into the villa. "Di, what's the point of all this? You know that you never ever need to say sorry to me." Jeevika stood in front of Manvi, encasing Manvi's hands within her own. "Mannu, you know me, I have a tendency to over react. I'm sorry Mannu, you were only trying to give me some space and in turn what did I do? I yelled at you so much for something that – that I shouldn't have. But- but you know that it's only because you're my baby sister who I'd do anything for. You're my life, and I need to know that you're safe at all times or else I can't live properly."
Manvi smiled gently, shaking their joined hands ever so slightly. "Di, I know… I know, you don't need to explain. You love me, I love you and that's all that matters." Jeevika smiled tentatively as Manvi encapsulated her into a tight hug. Sighing, she crushed Manvi into her, silently praying to never part.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
Jeevika carefully moved the Kohl pencil across her eyelid before retrieving her layered earrings from out of her travel bag, placing them through the openings in the lobes of her ear. Spying Viren through the mirror, she found herself feeling slightly self conscious as she quickly glanced down at the floral print maxi dress adorned on her slender figure. Without looking towards him, she went towards her bag, rummaging through to take out a small cardigan before moving back towards the mirror, playing with the parting in her hair. Peeking through the mirror, she found a void near the door as Viren had disappeared.
After applying her finishing touches, she descended down the stairs to be met by the gaze of Manvi beaming happily. "Come on Di, everyone's waiting… or is this just a ploy to make your other half impatient?" Her smirk quickly disappeared as Jeevika stared hard at Manvi before being led out towards the front of the villa. "Well you know Bhabhi, can I just say that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight but that thing beside you looks like a monkey in a dress." Jeevika blushed slightly as Manvi glared at Virat, slowly making their way towards the car.
As Viren drove around the secluded country roads, he stole glances through the rear view mirror at Jeevika who was busy dreamily staring out the windows at the fleeting landscapes. "So Bhai, how come you never told me Alex settled in Spain? It's been like three years." Viren kept his eyes on the road, slightly adjusting his aviators. "Everything happened so fast; us coming back to India, Alex moving, getting married. It's nearly four years now since we last saw him. When I spoke to him, he said that Sophie's there." Jeevika's ears perked up slightly as she turned her head towards the front seat as Manvi also listened in. "Sophie? Wow it's been so long. I wonder how she is…"
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
"Hey Viren! Virat! I'm so glad you could make it. Guys it's been too long. How come you didn't bring along Auntie V?" Viren grinned as Alex and he broke apart their man hug. "You know she's tired and a bit homesick so she felt like calling an early night but she sends her regards." The blonde man's attention fell on Jeevika and Manvi standing behind the brothers, a question framing his features. "Oh, this is my wife Jeevika and her sister Manvi. Jeevika, Manvi, this is Alex. We used to room together back when my and Virat where in England." Jeevika smiled timidly as she shook his hand, her attention then falling on the petite brunette appearing behind him.
"Viren! Virat! You made it. I really doubted it, but old Al here was like, 'no, they will come'. Guys it's been too long." She embraced both brothers, oblivious of the two sets of eyes staring at her. "Hey Soph. I know, it's been too long but I want you to meet someone. This is my wife Jeevika and my sister-in-law Manvi. Guys this is Sophie, she's like a little sister to me and Virat." Sophie engulfed Jeevika in a hug, catching her off guard as Virat laughed at Jeevika's expression. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm really impulsive and it's just that I can't believe Viren here's married and to such a stunning girl at that."
Jeevika blushed slightly as Sophie dragged both her and Manvi off to introduce them to many more people around the garden party. Viren's eyes never left Jeevika as she moved among the guests with Manvi and Sophie. He watched closely as her reservations slipped away and he could see the laughing and conversing figures of the girls enjoying the company of the night. He smiled softly as he heard the opening chords of 'Hero' playing out of the loudspeaker system. Strolling towards them, he found his feet stop in front of Jeevika, his hand outstretched as the song played around the garden. '…would you dance if I asked you to dance…' He quirked his eyebrow, the eyes of Manvi and Sophie upon him as Jeevika blushed deeply before taking his hand.
'…will you save my soul tonight…' Guiding them through the dancing couples, he encircled his arm around her waist, pulling her in closer. '…would you swear you'll always be mine…' She wrapped her arm around his neck whilst her hand came to rest above his heart. '…I will stand by you forever…' He smiled softly, taking a deep breath, relishing in the feel of her presence in his arms. "You look beautiful tonight… I love you." They swayed with the music as Jeevika looked into his eyes, her whole world stopping for a moment as she took in the setting, the night, the music and the embrace of the man holding her. Losing herself in the moment, she traced the shape of his face before sinking into his embrace. '…you can take my breath away…'
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