Looks like it is going to rain tonight, sighed Maanvi as she stood at the door to the terrace, looking up at the sky above. The sky was overcast and there were very little stars visible. Even the moon was hiding behind the dark clouds, giving an overall dismal feel to the night. She felt depressed, and it felt as if the whole night was in mourning with her, lamenting her loss. The loss that she felt could never be restored-- her Jeevika Di. Her sister, the one faithful companion she had in life was leaving for her new home tonight, and a sense of despair filled her heart as she realised nothing would ever be the same again.
"Maanvi..."
It was him. Maanvi Maanvi closed her eyes with a tremble as she heard Virat's voice from behind calling out to her. Why Bhagwanji, why did it have to be him now? She didn't want to deal with him of all people just then. She had put up with him and his taunts all through the wedding just for Di, but she didn't think she had enough patience in her to bear anymore of it. He had lingered around her all day like an annoying ghost, sometimes taunting her about how Jeevika wasn't just her Di anymore, but also his Bhabhi; and sometimes teasing her how she wasn't doing any work on her own sister's wedding. How was it her fault if Beeji did not allow her to do anything just because she had a little cold last night, she thought irritably. True, he had brought her to the wedding when her promise to Beeji had kept her from it, and she was thankful to him for that, but that didn't make him any less annoying.
"What are you doing here?" she spat out bitterly as she heard his footsteps nearing, while quickly wiping the tears off her face and turning around.
He stopped a few steps away from her, as if momentarily taken aback by the sudden resentment in her voice. "Well, I could ask the same to you too, you know. What are you doing here?"
"I could be wherever I choose to, couldn't I? Why do you care anyway?"
"Oh, looks like someone's really upset today. Have you been crying or what?" asked Virat in his usual taunting tone.
"I was not crying, Virat."
Chuckling a little, Virat looked straight into her eyes at that and said, "Sure, I can definitely see that." He paused a little before adding, "Maanvi, you don't have to hide your tears, you know. There is nothing to be ashamed of crying today."
"Why don't you just leave if you have irritated me enough? I could really do with some peace of mind now." Maanvi snapped out to him impatiently. It was weird, but for some reason she felt uncomfortable under his sharp gaze.
"I am leaving, Maanvi. I mean, we all are leaving. Actually I came to call you down. Jeevika Bhabhi was looking for you."
Maanvi took a deep breath before turning away from him and slowly walking out to the terrace, her eyes involuntarily drifting up towards the sky, and her suppressed tears threatening to surface again. Virat followed her quietly.
"I wish a wind would come blowing now and swipe away all those clouds." whispered Maanvi as if to herself, "I hate cloudy nights. They make me feel so gloomy and depressed."
He looked up at that, his eyes on her wistful face now. A little breeze although not strong enough to swipe away the clouds, had started to blow, making her dupatta and the strands of her hair dance with it. Virat's heart sympathized with the poor girl. It must be really hard for her, he thought as his eyes followed hers to look up at the cloudy sky.
"And I wish it would rain now," he said in a low voice. "I love the rain. It gives a soothing effect to your soul'"
Maanvi looked at him now, standing there gazing up at the sky with an unreadable expression. He turned towards her smiling slightly, and spoke, "Ok, so it's a goodbye for now I guess. It was nice meeting you, Maanvi."
"Good bye, Virat."
"Won't you come down and say good bye to your sister?" he asked, a little surprised.
"Err' No. I uh... don't want to face it just now, the farewell. Tell Di that I was too tired and already fell asleep. I'll see her in the morning before we leave to Rishikesh." said Maanvi in a slightly breaking voice.
"Well, ok then. Bye and hope to meet you soon again, Jhansi ki Rani." He gave a little pat on her shoulder before turning back and gently walking away down the stairs.
Maanvi sighed a little, looking back at the pensive night longingly, while another slow breeze of air caressed her skin, and then it rained. She held out her arms and looked up towards the sky as if to welcome the fall of cool drops on her skin and closed her eyes, her face now glistening with several fresh drops of water.
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CID
