Chapter 19
Well, Let's Just Kick The Past's Ass
I would be lying if I say that watching your neighbour dance around in his room, singing with a very crappy voice, might I add, is not amusing. After four long hours of studying, watching the scene in front of me was more than fun. Virat was still oblivious to my presence which gave me an advantage to shoot a 'very nice' video of his 'amazing' dance moves. Controlling my laughter seemed to be the most difficult part for me. I was about to make some comment when his bedroom door shot open. Standing there with a horrified look, Jeevika's eyes found mine. "Hey, Maanvi." She smiled at me, completely ignoring her brother, who now turned to look at me, with a smirk on his face. Had I been in his place, I would have died out of embarrassment. How the hell did he manage to smirk? "How long have you been watching me?" He asked.
"Long enough," I replied back, while he earned a smack on the head from Jeevika. He winced slightly, although I was sure it didn't hurt him at all. "What was that for?"
"For acting like a stupid clown! Where you completely out of your mind, Virat?" Jeevika replied, placing her hands on her hips.
"It's called having fun. Oh I'm sorry, I forgot you know nothing about fun," Virat shot back. While they were bickering, I quickly posted the video on Facebook. Now this is 'Fun'. Virat looked at me, warily. "What are you doing?"
"Posting your video on facebook, of course!" I replied with a smirk of my own. I swear I have mastered 'the art of smirking'. No thanks to Virat.
His eyes widened. "Oh no you didn't!"
"Serves you right, anyway," Jeevika said with a bored tone as she turned to get out of the room. Virat's phone beeped and he looked at it, only to groan. "I hate you for this, Maanvi."
Those were one of the rare times when he actually called me Maanvi and not Peaches. I kind of missed that name and wanted him to call me that. Oh God! I did not just say that. "What? It's funny! Check the video yourself."
That being said, I checked my own facebook account which was now flooded with notifications. I chuckled when I read the comments.
Tyler - You're no longer an amateur now, Em. Glad to know we've taught you enough.
Travis - Nah! I could've done a better job. But really Virat? You could have sung Baby by Justin Beiber.
Jason - That has got to be THE BEST video EVER!!! Little Em, you ROCK!!!!
Neil - Maanvi, do you keep watching him the whole day? If yes, then we're exchanging rooms. No idea what you both do behind my back.
Talk about being an overprotective brother. I rolled my eyes at his comment and replied back - Why don't you just admit that you want to spend your time looking at him 'the whole day'?
Neil - I do not. And being the 'teacher's pet' that you are, shouldn't you be completing your homework?
Why was the guy even bothering to argue with me on facebook? I mean he is in the room next to mine. I'm not a teacher's pet and besides, I've already done my homework. And you stay in the same house as mine, I can reach your room in less than a second. Why can't you just say all of that to my face?
Virat - Because he's scared :P
Tyler - And here enters our pop sensation VIRAT VADHERA!!!
Heather - Stp it u guys! Awww Virat u r lukin' so cute <3 <3 :*
I cringed at Heather's reply. Really? Is it really going to hurt if you type a 'you' instead of 'u'? As if that wasn't enough, she just had to ruin the fun by saying he looks cute ... she even added hearts for god's sake!
Jason - I'm leaving. The fun has been ruined.
To which I replied - You're a mind reader, Jasy.
And then slowly everyone stopped commenting. Heather just had to come and spoil it all. I looked over at Virat who was staring at me. "What?" I snapped.
"Nothing," he replied. "Just that the whole female population drools over me. You seem to be an exception. I'm sure you'll come around."
I scoffed at him. "Whatever floats your boat, Jock." And then came the not-so-subtle knock on the door. I turned only to face Neil, who had his hands inside his pockets and a lazy smile on his lips. "If you had to come in anyway, then why did you knock?"
He shrugged. "So what are you both talking about? By the way, nice moves, dude." Vira groaned as soon as he said that and shot me glare. I smiled at him innocently. "As much as I would enjoy watching you two love birds talking about lovey-dovey things, I must borrow Maanvi for a moment."
I raise my eyebrows at him. "And why do you need to 'borrow me for a moment'?"
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "You do get on my nerves sometimes, Em. Why do you need to ask a thousand questions? Mum's calling us downstairs."
"You're one grumpy old bloke," I said, faking a British accent and walking towards the door. Before leaving, I turned around and gave a wide smile to Virat, who looked taken aback at first but the responded with his cute dimple smile which instantly made my knees turn wobbly. Great, now I might just fall down the stairs. I could, however, not ignore the weird look the Neil gave us. He was thinking, that was for sure. Overthinking, should be the precise word. But what exactly? Before I could dwell on it further, I heard Mum shouting for us again.
So, maybe yes, it was a huge mistake to respond to Mum's shouting. The scene in front of me was so infuriating that I wanted to, yet again, claw the woman's eyes out. Her dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulder in soft curls, giving her a model-like look. I, in fact, wouldn't be surprised if she really was a model because even though she was almost Mum's age, she looked pretty young with her petite figure. Which would make it even more fun to claw her eyes out. Yes, I am a bit violent for my age. But I never implement those violent thoughts, do I?
"Well hello there Marrie, Perry.. what was your name again?" I asked, pretending to forget her name. How could I really forget that woman's name when she was partially the reason for my Dad and Mum's separation. Er.. maybe. Who knows how many women my dad has an affair with.
"Carrie," she corrected me, calmly. Her calm and composed behavior bothered me. I looked at Neil's clenched fist and then at Mum's nervous posture.
I sighed. "Why are you here?"
"Look, guys. I know you probably don't like me," she started, to which I raised my eyebrows (like her? more like hate her). "Okay fine 'hate me'. But really I think I need to clear some things up."
She asked for our permission, while I took my seat and Neil followed. I nodded, warily. "I never knew your father was such a terrible man and I've been feeling so guilty lately that I just couldn't stop myself for coming here. I really am sorry. You're father's a disgusting man and that's why I broke up with him. I... I really hope you forgive me. I had no intention of ruining things for you."
It takes a great deal to apologize to someone, to admit your own mistakes. And at that moment I decided that I wasn't going to 'claw her eyes out'. She didn't deserve it. Any of it. Neither did my mum or any other woman my dad had been toying with. It hurts, you know. Even though I didn't say it to anybody, deep down I was trying to convince myself that dad wasn't bad after all. Maybe 'Carrie' made him that way. Influenced him. Maybe none of it was his fault. But the truth hurts. It's the way it is... sometimes, lies are better than the bitter truth. Nothing changes though, the truth remains as it is. How I wish I could go back in time, hold dad tight and never let him go. Right now, I'm ashamed of him. I'm ashamed that the man I called 'daddy', the one who taught me to walk, to play guitar, who was always there by my side, could stoop this low. I was naive, then. I didn't think of the reason why my dad used to return so late at night. It was always work, I used to think. The picture is crystal clear now. I decided that I could never in my life, forgive him. For the pain he inflicted on those I loved, for being so cold-hearted, for cheating on everybody in his life.
I don't know why I did it, I don't know why it felt the right thing to do, but I found myself hugging her. Maybe because I knew what she must be feeling. I had seen Mum go through the same thing. Seeing it happening in front of me all over again, was something I didn't want to get used or wanted to witness. It just showed how much of an ass my father is. Am I even supposed to call him that?
Carrie seemed taken aback, but wrapped her arms around me after composing herself. "I'm sorry for all that my father did. I really am sorry."
And then there were times when you knew what the right thing was to do. You just didn't sit there, looking at the person awkwardly. You did what you thought was right.
It takes time for a heart to heal, but it does in the end. My father's not worth their tears... neither mine, nor Neil's. We've had enough of the sorrow, the pain. I've had enough of those stupid panic attacks. I was weak at the time my mother needed me. I'm not anymore.
The 'old Maanvi' was aching to come out of the shell... and she had to some day. It just happened sooner than expected. I don't know why but there was one person I had to thank. I never thought I would be saying this but the egotistical bad boy did play a huge role in it.
His attitude brings out the sarcasm in me which I had forgotten a few months back. I forgot what it was like to enjoy life. I forgot to look at the smaller things in life and let my past handle me.
Well, let's just kick the past's ass. I'm sure that would be enjoyable.
There's a certain chocolate brown eyed bad boy I have to thank, though.
* * * *
Author's Note
Can I even be forgiven? I'm so so so sooo sorry for updating after such a looong time but I was really really busy. I swear, I'm not making any excuses. Life can be hectic.
I know, this update probably sucks big time... I don't even remember half of the things I have written here. Forgive me for all the mistakes and probably let me know what you think?
Thanks :D
Love,
Stella
P.S. I've decided to keep TBOL on hold for sometime. I need to get a few chapters ready :/
Edited by Stella_8D - 11 years ago
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