VIRMAN STORY(THE OINTMENT)1 - Page 17

Virat was hell worried. He became aware that something horrible happened with this girl and he wanted to comfort her. He couldn't think much and just hugged her tight. Letting her weak body to find some strength in him. And the afternoon passed away.

She opened her eyes slowly. The outside was dark like coal. She tried to sit but felt a strong grip on her shoulder. She looked there

Virat was sleeping. Holding her shoulder. She looked at him. He was looking like a kid but his face showing worry and concern in his sleep also. She pulled her hand away and flinched. She was scared seeing somebody some male too close to her. She can't trust any man anymore. Virat woke up with the sudden movement. He snapped upon his eyes and looked at her. He felt her uneasiness and stood that instant. He moved back and asked, "You are okay" politely.

"I am fine" she said.

He put his palms over her forehead, "let me check" he said

After checking he was satisfied… the fever was gone.

"Okay, tum thoda rest lo, main tumhara khana leke aata hoon"he said and left with a broad smile.

Manvi rested her head on the bed. She saw the opened window and went near that. She was watching the moon. The half moon and some sparkling g stars smiling at her. They are smiling on her or on her fate? She moved her face from there. Tears are flowing like water fall through her eyes. She was sobbing bitterly when the cool breezes became violent and started flowing. She hurriedly closed the windows. She came near the switchboard and switched on the lights. But no light lighted up. She thought "again load shading". She went to the corridor and was about to go to the stairs when she heard the sound again. The sound of something, some bones thrusting in wall. She again came to that room. Today she was confident. He didn't have fear for ghosts. They don't have any figure. They don't have any tools by which they can hurt her. She had only fear of men. She took a deep breath. She pushed the slightly closed door.

The skeleton was dangling. It was smiling to her. She was horrified. She was numb. She gathered power and went to it. She holds the skeleton. Skeleton was too light weighted. That was a plastic skeleton. She let out a laugh. She laughed out loud. After so many days she laughed out loud. She went back to her bed and sat in the dark. After a while Virat came with a candle and lighted up the candles which were already there in the room. He looked at her. She pretended as nothing happened and faked a smile. He smiled back and went.

After half 5 minutes he came back with a plate filled with rice porridge. She looked at the pale food unsatisfied. A "yucky" came out from her mouth.

Virat raised his one eye brow and said, "yehi khana padega".

He came towards her worried face. He took a spoonful of porridge and place in front of her mouth. She at any cost didn't want to gulp that. Suddenly an idea came to her mind.

"rukiye"she said

His face expression was totally puzzled.

"Umm, woh I mean niche chaliye….. Dinner table pe hi khate hain… kaka ko bura nahi lagega…. Yaha akele main khayungi toh?" she said innocently

"Hum… kaka ko bura lagega! Hain na" he faked worry

"umm haa bilkul …. Aur AAP ko bhi lagna chahiye."

"Kya?"

"Bura"

"Oh ha, bilkul.. toh chalo. Mujhse ek kaam barbar karwao" he took the plate and let his other hand towards her to hold her.

"main khud jaa sakti hoon….. mujhe sahare ki zaroorat nahin" she said suppressing her tears and boundless emotions"

"Virat vadera sahara nahi saath dena chahta tha" he said and left.

Manvi came behind him. He was conscious during walk; he didn't want anything else happen with her because of him. They reached the stairs after the corridor and Virat grabbed her hands. She was so frightened that she couldn't utter a single word. They reached the dining table. Virat left her hand. She was still shivering. Virat understood she was afraid of something, may be those goons had done something fatal to her, to her family. He made a little distance from her and gave a glass of water to her. Kaka came.

"Virat Beta, lo aaj maine aaloo ka paratha banaya…. Tumhe pasand hain na" he served him one hot parantha.

"haan kaka, hum sab milke khayenge…. I know you are a very good cook" she smiled.

"erm kaka woh aj kuch thik nahi lag raha, main bhi porridge kha leta hoon, mavi ke saath. Kyun Manvi?" he winked at her. She pouted in reply. And he couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"kya hua beta? Has kyun rahe ho?" kaka asked confused.

"nahi accha kaka aap kya khayenge? Aaloo ka parantha? Ya porridge?"virat asked jokingly

"Beta tumlog jo khayoge main bhi wohi"kaka said.

They all began to eat that less tasty spice less porridge.

It was around 1 pm. Sleep was not coming to her. Those traumatize nights were coming to her minds. She was shivering in fear in pain. Suddenly she heard the winds were blowing and the same sound of that plastic skeleton. She got up on the bed and went towards the room. The door was wide open in the room. She can get a glimpse of that skeleton looking at her. A mystic light of lantern was coming from the room. She held her breath for a moment and came to that room. She saw someone doing something with loads of paper and knife in the floor. She got scared her whole body was getting numb again. She shut her eyes tightly. Her body was getting weaker. She was falling down.

Suddenly she felt someone's strong grip on her waist. And a voice trailed her long neck

"phirse faint mat ho jana"

She snapped open her eyes to only look at these brown orbs. The orbs of her protector. Her hero.