Mihika woke up. She was sweating badly. The alarm clock rang up. A minute early again! This was becoming her habit now. Ever since she came to London, she gets up a minute before the clock rings. But this was getting unbearable now. All this time she was emotionally unstable and still she has not recovered much.
"Early again?" Someone who leaned against the door with two coffee mugs in her hand asked.
"Doubt it?" Mihika replied.
"Come on. This is it Mihika. Why don't you tell him? I am sure he loves you too." Was the reply.
"One, I don't love him. Two, I have other important tasks to do for the day. Three, and the most important, I am not talking to him." Mihika replied as she got up and took a band to pull her hair into a ponytail.
"Then what are you gonna do?"
"I have no idea Lydia. I think, I just try to deal with it. I feel home sick!"
"Many do. But we can do something to make you feel... you know, better about it."
"Yup. Get me some biscuits. I'll get ready to leave for the day then." Mihika told as she sipped her coffee.
Phone rang. "Who is it!" Mihika screamed.
"You don't wanna know?"
"Come on. Give it to me." Mihika told as she took it and requested Lydia for some privacy.
"Mihika? How are you now?" It was Ishita.
"I am better Akka. Have a terrible headache though." Mihika replied as she sat in her chair looking outside the window to glance at the street where a few children played and adults jogged.
"Abhishek visited us yesterday. There is something you must know." Ishita said with a bit of concern.
"How is Ruhi?" Mihika tried to avoid it.
"She is nice. But..." Ishita was completing when Mihika cut in again.
"And Adi? I am sure my champ is doing well!"
"He is! Mihika this is important!" Ishita told her.
"No it isn't Akka. I don't care about him. He can go anywhere, live anywhere, with anyone or even get married. I will not care about him. I told you I am not ready to talk about him. You are the only one who knows the reason behind my coming to London! Why then?" Mihika told her with patience yet a guilt ridden voice.
"Mihika. He loves you. Is that not important?" Ishita asked her as she came out of the room.
"I know he does. It doesn't change anything. I will be the same and everything else will be the same. It will remain like it always was." Mihika told as she got up and walked towards the living room which was enlightened by sunlight entering from the windows, it reminded her of Delhi. But Delhi reminded her of a lot of things she must not remember.
"Okay then. How is it going at work?" Ishita finally agreed to change the topic of discussion.
"Nice. It find sadistic pleasure there!" She told her.
"Look! You started it again!" Ishita told her. She was irritated now.
"Akka, I have to leave. Need to get ready to leave for work. Okay?" Mihika told her.
"Take care dear." Ishita said as she hanged up the call.
"Love you a lot Akka." Mihika said as she kept the cell aside to take a look at the television, which predicted this year's winters to be terribly harsh.
"This is September. Why are they worried about winters? Am I stupid or they are?" Mihika cried out.
"Mihika, you'll get to know it all. Wait for sometime. This is London, things are quite different." Lydia told her she handed her a few cookies.
"Yup. I will".
Her cell beeped again. And it showed a notification. Seventy second WhatsApp message from Abhishek. A stern gesture quickly took over Mihika's face and she took leave from the scene, to get ready for the day.
In her room, she checked the message.
From Abhishek : Where are you Mihika? Delhi se gaayab! We need you lady here.
"Help me Murugan. Help me." She said as she looked at his message. She never knew when a tear found its way out.
But, strong that she was, she took a deep breath, forgot all that happened, and got ready for the struggle of the day.
In forty-and-five a minute she got ready and came down to dine with Lydia who was setting the breakfast.
"Breakfast?" She asked.
"There on the counter. Look Mihika, I'll most probably be late today. So, if you want someone here. My cousin is all available. He..." Lydia was then cut by Mihika.
"And he is a he?" Mihika looked at her with a reproachful eye.
"Yup. He is he! Okay I got what you meant. So you are dying alone." Lydia gave her usual 'whatever' look.
"I won't, good lady atleast as long as you are here." Mihika replied with a smile.
And with a quick chat session they were soon done with the breakfast.
"Should we leave now?" Lydia asked as she took the plates and kept them in the washer.
"Yup! We can. Thank you mam for a wonderful breakfast." Mihika got up on that note to leave for work.
"Wait, has any of your students ever asked you something stupid?" Lydia asked as she closed the door of the house, for they were leaving for work now.
"At times they do but I find their questions entertaining. Sweet little bubbles they are." Mihika turned towards the street and started walking ahead towards the bus stop.
She smiled as she walked ahead and looked at the sky.
Ishaani
Cricket
