SS Manvi and Virat from the beginning part15,16 - Page 33

PART 9

You have done nothing but embarrass me in front of everybody. I regret the day I gave birth to you.

Mom's bitter words left me stunned. I know I am mean and rude to her most of the times, I never listen to her and I usually annoy her with my stubbornness. But what she said today was downright hurtful. I didn't want to sit with her high class guests and eat dinner, I even told her that. As usual she didn't listen to me and forced me to sit with her useless guests for dinner. To her annoyance I sat without wishing her guests and slurped my drink. I am not proud of what I did and how I behaved. I was just mad at her for forcing me into doing something that I didn't want to do but she made me act like that; she dragged me downstairs to meet her guests. Why should I meet her guests when she can't spare an hour to come to my school for parent teacher conference?

I knew it would be a night of another lecture and I was prepared for it. She didn't give me any lecture today instead she told me how much she hates me. That was probably the first time I didn't argue with her or scream at her. I left without a fight. What do you expect me to say? What do you say when your mom tells you that she regrets having you only because you don't behave the way she wants you to?

Knock knock why can't anyone let me live in peace in this house? Can't I stay in my room and be sad by myself for a few minutes. Knock knock. Knock knock. As much as I hate to admit it, mom's words have left me speechless. I always knew she didn't like me as much as she likes my sister or my first cousins but she confirmed it today. I feel hollow right now, like a part of me is missing. People say that no one can love you as much as your mother, how wrong are they! Mine regrets having me.Knock knock. Ughh who the hell is still knocking? Deep down I can't help but wish it is mom, maybe she came to apologize?

Suddenly the door opened and my sister, Janvi, entered the room. Ofcourse it is not mom, why would she come check on her unwanted child? "Whats up?" I asked her.

She came towards me and pulled me into a hug. I wanted to hug her back but she is my younger sister, I can't let her see that I'm weak. Poor girl already has so much to deal with; I don't want to add more burdens on her shoulder.

"Manvi mom didn't mean a thing she said. She was mad you know. She loves you." I wish it were true but let us not get there. I want to act like I don't care and laugh it off atleast in front of my sister so that she won't worry too much but I can't. I can't even utter a word, I feel so lost. I was struggling to comfort her and I almost gave up when my phone started ringing. I will have to find a way to thank the caller, whoever it is. I quickly moved out of the hug and without looking at her I grabbed my phone.

"Hello?" I answered without bothering to check the id.

"Princess Manvi!" Virat said in a sugar sweet voice. "You do realize that we have to meet up to finish the final part of our project right? I texted you billion times already, but no reply! Throw your phone seriously." He blabbered on but I couldn't pay attention to him and I only managed to mutter an apology. "Oh I didn't see your messages. Sorry. I'll come to school in an hour."

"Manvi" he said worriedly. "I will see you in an hour. Bye." I hung up before he could ask me anything. Now this is scary. If by my voice itself Virat got worried, he will find out in a second that I'm upset. I have to get a grip on myself and act normal. I don't want him or anyone to know how hurt I am.

"Janvi I need to leave soon so I am going to go change." I told my sister avoiding eye contact with her. I ignored her worried glances and left to change.

As I was walking out the door I saw mom grabbing her car keys, ready to leave for work. It is weekend but mom can't live without working any day.

She walked right by me and didn't even acknowledge me. "Janvi I'm leaving. See you tonight." She left without even a glance in my direction. How stupid of me to think that she would actually apologize or try and sort out her differences with me!

Virat's Pov

I had expected Manvi to throw some attitude in my direction when I called her and basically scolded her instead she apologized and gave up without a fight. What is wrong with her? I have to go find out, God I'm worried now. What could it be? Fight with her sister? No she never gets upset after fighting with her sister infact she gets all happy and smirky after a good fight. Maybe something happened? I should just meet up with her and see how she is doing.

"Manvi you are early." I called out happily and hugged her lightly.

"Yes I am." She announced happily. She looks fine now I wonder what was up with her an hour ago.

"So?" I asked

"Idiot lets finish the project today. We have been procrastinating for a month now and we better finish it today." She said slapping the back of my head.

Instead of arguing with her I just stared at her. No something is definitely wrong with her. She is acting different, like she is trying too hard. She is trying to show me that she is fine and she is happy and that is exactly my point; she is faking it.

"What?" She asked waving her hands in front of my face. "Where are you lost?"

There is no way Manvi will ever admit to anything so I might as well act ignorant. "Huh nothing." I said and walked ahead of her.

The whole day that we were in the library and she avoided eye contact with me the whole time. She acted like everything is fine but I knew better. Finally I lost my cool. I grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the library.

"Ouch Virat you are such a pushover. Leave my hand. Virat." She protested.

But I didn't pay attention to her protests, I kept walking and dragged her along with me.

"Virat this is no time to stroll in the park." She said angrily.

"Shut up Manvi and just walk."

A while later she kept quiet and followed me silently. I didn't let go of her wrist though; with Manvi you never know when she might make a run for it.

After we reached a serene spot in the park I left her wrist and looked at her. I folded my arms across my chest and waited for her to speak.

She looked everywhere but me. She stood there fidgeting and constantly zipping, unzipping her hoodie.

"You know I can stand here all evening."

"Virat what is wrong with you? What did you bring me here for?" She asked again avoiding eye contact.

Okay this is plain annoying. This Manvi is just not Manvi. Arghh. In exasperation I grabbed her shoulders, "What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you Manvi? Why are you trying so hard to show me that you are alright? I know something is wrong so why won't you just speak up?"

No answer. Great.

"Manvi look at me. Look at me." I ordered still holding her shoulders. She finally looked up and wait are those tears in her eyes?

I lifted her chin up, "hey whats wrong? You can tell me you know."

She looked away and turned her back towards me.

I finally know what she is so upset about. Something has definitely happened between her and her mom. Manvi never gets emotional on anything else. She won't tell me what happened and how hurt she is but if she won't open up then it'll hurt more. I know it because I have experienced it firsthand.

"You know I was barely four years old when I moved to the U.S." I began telling her my story so that she would share her insecurities with me. As much as I hate to do this I have to, for her, for Manvi because if she doesn't open up today she will hurt more and I won't let that happen.