I wrote this story for Abhiya 4 years back. So it has a crappy storyline :( But still I thought of posting it. :)
Miami, USA- 9:00am in the morning, 21st March
Anvesha entered the Asian wing of her building and headed straight towards her cabin next to MD's. Abhishek, her husband accompanied her. Anvesha gazes at the cabin next to hers- MD's cabin. It was empty. She wondered why MD was late. She had never been late for a single day since she joined office 6 years ago. Immediately, she rang up Renee...their receptionist. "Is MD in the office Renee?", asked Anvesha. Renee politely replied, "No Mam! MD hasn't checked in today."
"I am amazed. MD is never late!", Anvesha was puzzled. "Yes Mam.", Renee added. "Alright Renee, as soon as MD comes in, just ask her to head straight to my cabin." Anvesha orders. She moves to Abhishek's Cabin to ask him if he had any idea of the whereabouts of MD. Receiving no convincing reply from any other employee as well, she half-heartedly, she continued with the review articles that were supposed to go for approval for the May Edition of Verve.
For a while, she left the office to gather some more information and when she returned, she found MD's office still empty. Her head was puzzled. She was upset and angry. But she continued with her work. A while later, Renee called her, "Anvesha Ma'am? MD is here, and I just informed her to head straight to your cabin.",her voice sounded bright. That effect MD had on her colleagues. As soon as she entered her office, her colleagues were instilled with immense amount of zeal and energy.
"Ahh! thank god she is finally here." Anvesha heaved a sigh of relief.
MD entered Anvesha's cabin. She wore grey office apparels like always and her face was flushed with red and black areas around her eyes. It looked as if she had been crying the entire last night. Anvesha rolled her eyes.
"Where the hell have you been MD? It's almost mid-day. Is there a problem? I left you bazillions of messages and voice mails. You should have replied darling. I do get worried for you!"
MD took her seat and spoke coldly, "It was nothing so dramatic about it Annie. I wasn't well and so I decided to be a tad late for the office. Are there any urgent files for me?"
Anvesha's mouth gaped wide open, "Do you even remember what day it is?"
MD replied, "Yes! It's 21st March. What the heck is so special about it?". Anvesha clicked her tongue in dismay. "Woman! You're hopeless.", she rose up and pulled MD into a tight hug. "Happy Birthday!", she cried.
MD was taken aback. She actually wasn't expecting. "Yeah...ohh! Thank you Annie! Thank you very much.", she reciprocated the hug. Abhishek entered the room with a cake and 5-year old little girl in his arms. The girl leapt across Abhishek's arms and reached out to MD. MD took her. The girl hugged her tightly and said, "Appy Bulthday MD" (Happy Birthday MD!).
A soft smile crept MD's lips as she caressed the girl's hair. "Thank you Ruhi!", she replied. Abhishek opened the cake box. "Guys, there wasn't a need to do this!", MD protested. Anvesha rolled her eyes, "Ohh there was! It's Ruhi's favourite day.",she winked. MD looked at Ruhi and smiled. Abhishek and Anvesha then made her cut the cake. She wasn't into anything they were making her do. She even didn't express happiness for the gifts they had gotten for her. Quietly, she came back to her cabin and started working. There were some camera shots that needed her approval before the went to the Director of the magazine. It was a tedious job and MD ensured that she wasn't disturbed for even a moment. Anvesha would peer through her blinds to check on MD and would just sigh. "Do something", she mouthed Abhishek. Abhishek replied, "What can I do? She doesn't listen to me?"
At the lunch time, they gathered together and found a letter by Marissa for all the editors. Anvesha spoke aloud loud.
Dear Editors of Asian Wing of Verve,
The May Edition of Asian Wing of Verve will mark the 6th Anniversary of Asian Wing. So I really want it to be special. I have a few ideas in mind and would like to discuss it with all of you. For instance, I wanted to present 4 different editions in the same month unlike the usual 2 we have. And knowing the immense talent we have in you, I can rest be assured that the 6th Anniversary will be a memorable one.
With Regards,
Marissa
It came a shocker for all the editors. Anvesha and Abhishek foresighted the coming months where they would be working like mad to meet the deadlines.
5:00 pm evening. Miami
Anvesha was packing up her stuff for office. Ruhi was helping her out. "Momma! MD is coming with us, isn't she?"
"Yes honey. She is"
"Great. I'll just go check with her"
"Sure honey, but don't wander off anywhere else."
"Yeah Momma! Where's Dadda? I'll go to him once I meet MD"
"He must be in his room baby!"
"Bye Momma!"
"Bye honey!"
Ruhi wandered to the next room and pushed it hard to open the door. "MD, can Ruhi come in?", she spoke.
"Ruhi?", MD turned towards the door. "Come baby!"
"You're coming with us! Pleashhh!!"
"Why baby?"
"Because it's your birthday MD!"
"Alright baby. Just let me finish this one"
The Sharma's House
Anvesha and Abhishek dragged MD inside their little abode. It was beautifully decorated. MD sighed. "Why guys!", she moaned.
"Because it's your birthday MD", Ruhi argued. MD looked at the little girl and a smile crept her lips, the second time in the entire day. Anvesha smiled seeing MD's rare display of beam. She went to the bar with Abhishek and shared some massive pegs with him while Anvesha put Ruhi to sleep.
Dehradun, India.
Padmini and Shamsher sat in their room gloomily. Their daughter's portrait hung right infront of them.
9 years gone down the memory lane with absolutely no trace of their daughter. The last image they had of their daughter, happened to be her grief-stricken face that horrible night when she saw her love being crushed under the feet by a boy's betrayal. She disappeared a few hours later, never to be seen or heard of again. The police closed the case declaring her dead, but their hope lingered. It's her 27th birthday and Padmini and Shamsher sit in their room with a cake in front of them.
"Happy Birthday Beta!", Shamsher wailed. Padmini caressed him as tears rolled down her eyes.
"Come back to us honey. Please!", Padmini cried.
They recalled the justifications the police gave for closing her missing report and declaring her as dead. "She is not dead!", Shamsher roared. Padmini held his hand and they both cut her favourite cake flavour, strawberry.
"We'll get you back one day!", Padmini declared.
Miami, USA
MD excuses herself and walks out of the Sharma House. She takes out the cigarette and puffs it. As the smoke fills her lungs, her senses and emotions grow less intense. She closes her eyes as the feeling of calmness spreads over her face. She feels good. Anvesha comes out looking for MD and finds her smoking. She snatches the butt and throws it away.
"Stop it Anvesha", MD roared.
"MD, you stop it. How long will you stay like this?"
"For eternity. And I hope you won't interfere because I cannot undo myself."
"MD...this is not the way to deal"
"I have no other way to deal. Let me be like I am", she glared at Anvesha and rushed to her car and drove home.
9 years, and still trying to fight off his memories. He had a strong effect on her and over these 9 years, she hasn't still been able to move on. She stood by her washbasin and looked at herself in the mirror. Tears couldn't stop rolling down. "Stop it!", she told herself. Tears wouldn't stop. She sat down on the floor and hid her face in her crossed legs. "You cannot cry!", MD told herself. Burying her face in her legs, she dozed off on the floor.
CID
Music Corner
