Hello my EHMMBHians!! Im back with an OS. I really hope u guys missed me for d past 3 weeks😉
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It was the rattling of the window pane that woke up Maanvi that night. Up till a few days ago, she would have been extremely scared if woken up in such a situation. Rattling window panes and creaky stairs were a part of all the ghost movies which she had relished seeing. But when her own life was nothing short of pure unadultrated horror, what ghost would dare to approach her? She slowly opened her eyes to see the moon smiling down at her. She grimaced in return and looked at her phone. She had placed an alarm but even the phone seemed to be conspiring against her. She didn't care anymore.
It was nearly 2 in the night. She hoped that her Di was fast asleep now. It hurt to see her Di like this. She was trying to be strong for Maanvi but she could almost see the shards of glass that were poking her Di's heart. She had underestimated her Di. But that didn't mean that her Di was strong. Just a very very good actor. And Maanvi was the one who had turned her life into a mere stage.
She sighed and slowly got up from her bed aiming towards the dressing table, rubbing her eyes. Her hand automatically reached for her hairband. Her favourite hairband with the pink and white lines on them. The one which had the small white plastic bunny on it. The one that her Di had lovingly brought home after a class trip with her students. The one that Maanvi had treasured because it was the first thing that her Di had bought for anyone with her own salary. The one that she couldn't wear anymore. She slipped it into the pocket of her pyjaamas. It was the evidence of a very important memory. That is it. Her hair has turned into a mere memory.
She shuddered and blinked, trying to clear her eyes is they had been filled with tears. Had they? She turned her head towards her mirror to find a life size picture of her. This Maanvi had her hair on her head and most importantly a smile on her face. Maanvi blinked, expressing her shock on seeing the picture. It was not there last night when she had gone to bed. It was the work of the same person. The person who had taken away her mirror.
Had taking away the mirror helped her? To an extent, it was a yes. But was it enough to cover the emptiness she felt in her heart? She didn't know.
This photo was taken during the picnic in Hrishikesh. She was looking sideways at someone and one of her arms were on that someone's shoulders. But that someone couldn't be seen. The photo had been made in such a way that it was only her. But she didn't have to see to know who it was. Only one person could make her happy like this. She remembered how he had looked at her and told I love you that day. Had he meant Hrishikesh or her? She had to ask. Before it was too late.
She slowly placed her ice cold fingers on her cheek. She didn't have to see to believe. The cold wetness of her cheeks would tell her about the pain in her heart. She didn't need a mirror.
But she was in for a shock. There were absolutely no tears. She hadn't cried. In a wild moment she wondered whether this was a side effect of cancer. Did the water in her body dry up or something?
"You are the most beautiful girl in the world Maanvi. And tears are the only thing that mar your beauty. Don't cry Maanvi please. Tumhe meri kasam he"
So she couldn't cry. He had told her not to.
It is scary how her heart remembered the promise while her brain didn't.
The wind caused the window to rattle again, drawing her attention towards it. She looked at the window trying to make a decision. She walked towards it, trying not to make a sound and wake everyone up. She touched the window sill lightly with quivering fingers.
She would get into trouble for this. But something was pushing her.
She took a deep breath which sounded terribly like a death rattle. She looked down. Four storeys. She gulped. She grabbed both sides of the wall in order to lift herself up from the ground. It was a test dose and she was pleasantly surprised with the results. She was still capable of such activities.
Her heart beat was increasing with every second and she could hear a deafening roar in her ears. She didn't need a mirror to tell her about the wild grin on her face. This was a pure adrenaline rush. But the thought of her sister caused her to slow down and think. And he wouldn't be very pleased either. But it is not exactly what they think.
She just wants to have some fun. And no, this is not a suicide attempt though her Di would most definitely consider it as one. Maanvi had always wanted to overcome her fear of heights. She would have preferred bungee jumping over sitting on the window of a 4 storeyed building. But life doesn't always give you everything that you want.
She had told him about her wish and he had agreed. But with the condition that he would also accompany her to make sure that she doesn't get hurt.
They had planned to execute their "window date" tonight but he had got a call from some music recording studio and had left after her constant compulsion. He had probably returned home by now but she decided not to disturb him as she guessed he might be tired.
But that did not mean that she was going to cancel any plans. She just couldn't afford to postpone anything. For all you know there might not be a tomorrow to complete her task. So Maanvi closed her eyes and climbed up the window, tightly gripping 2 sides of the window. The first thing Maanvi felt was the cold sting of the harsh wind. She slowly opened her eyes. Was it just her or did the moon seem closer? She smiled at the sight. And now for the toughest part. Looking down.
She braced herself and slowly looked down. She reminded herself that it was necessary and that it was the reason why she was doing this. But when she looked down the sight she was shook her. It was a long way down. She tried to keep her breathing normal and calm her shaking legs. She tried to sit down but her body seemed to disobey her commands.
Suddenly she felt a pair of hands encircle her waist, trying to keep her from falling. She froze in shock but slowly relaxed as she realized who it was. She clasped his hands in hers enjoying the warm and assurance that his mere touch radiated. She stood like that for about two minutes then slowly sat down with newfound confidence. She felt him carefully sliding his hands of when he was confident that she was safe. She looked down at her feet which were only in contact with thin air and wondered exactly how angry he was going to be.
The slight movement beside her told that he had already sat down next to her.
"Virat" she whispered.
"Maanvi" he said his tone low. She turned around to face him. He was reacting just like she had expected. He was staring straight ahead, his face set into a scowl trying to pretend as if she wasn't sitting right next to him. The absence of his beautiful locks made him look different to Maanvi. He was more beautiful than she had ever imagined. His beauty came from his heart. Shallow people might not regard it as important. She wondered what Tanya would say if she saw him right now.
"Im sorry Virat. I just couldn't stop myself. I felt like I had to do it..I am really sorry"
Virat stiffened as he heard her say the four letter word. Sorry. He hated to hear her say it. He nodded slightly but still didn't turn around to look at her. Maanvi looked down feeling extremely disappointed. Suddenly heights didn't seem scary to her anymore. Virat was really mad at her, she thought.
Naturally, she was surprised when he suddenly wrapped a blanket around her, making sure that she didn't get sick because of the cold weather. He gently forced her to hold the other end of the blanket so that she was fully covered in it.
"Now you are forgiven" he said, grinning at her.
She grinned back at him enjoying how his face lit up when he smiled. The smooth curve of his full lips, and the honesty in eyes. It was funny how even small things about him made her feel like she was at the top of the world. He was her happiness. Her hope. Her future. She had a lot of fears and insecurities. And she was sure that he would be there with her to face each and every one of them.
So she leaned forward and adjusted the blanket so that it could cover him too. He looked at bit taken aback, the grin replaced by a shocked expression. She was unhappy at that but unhappiness changed into delight when his lips turned into a slow smile. She leaned against him and he put an arm around her protectively.
She hugged him and buried her face into his chest. He bent down and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes.
After a long time Maanvi Chaudary slept with a peaceful smile on her lips.
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