Chapter 6
Forgetting is the Key
"All yet seems well; and if it end so meet, the bitter past, more welcome is the sweet."
William Shakespeare, Alls Well that Ends Well.
Sweat beaded down her forehead and trickled to her ice cold neck. Her steady breathing quickly accelerated, becoming sharp and heavy. The dark of the night left the atmosphere bare. It was almost lifeless except for the faint cry of an owl, claiming its existence. Her dark eyes darted left and right as she tried to make past the cold bristly branches of the close knit trees. Nearly sharp as a knife, they scratched the soft skin of her arms leaving them rashly red. Her legs started to pain from running but she couldn't stop. It wasn't safe. It still wasn't safe. Pushing herself with every will and fiber in her body, she ran beneath the starless night. Her chest was heavy. Her dupatta was almost in left in ragged scraps as the howling wind dried up any tears that managed to escape her eyes. Her body begged her for rest but she was no longer in control of her actions. Her instincts took action of any practical thoughts that struck her mind.
"No, keep running. Don't stop. Your still to close. He will find you. Keep running. Just keep running."
Her breath was pinching her lungs as she squirmed endlessly. Her fingers tighten around the fabric that was engulfing her legs. Tugging at it with all her might, her eyes jerked open instantaneously. It was dark but she was no longer freezing. The air was no longer frost-bound, but rather lukewarm. Her ears no longer roared with the obscene hoots of the owl, but rather became sensitive to the soft snores of her black Labrador that lay beside her.
Her fingertips soothed over the cotton sheets that was in knots all around her. She was in her bed. She was in her home. She was safe. Madhu drew in a deep breath and she wiped off the sweat that coated her face.
"It was just a nightmare." Madhu whispered," It's just in your head."
Madhu closed her eyes, she could still feel the cold sharpness of the branches grazing through her skin. No amount of self control could stop her from shuddering.
"It's over now."
Opening her eyes, she reached over to her nightstand picking up the glass of water. Her alarm beamed bright, reading 2:04 am. Her lips didn't leave the rim of the glass, gulping it down within two big sips. The water calmed her down and her body cried out for more. Madhu slipped on a robe and climbed out of bed. She opened her bedroom silently, checking for any possible noise, any possible indications.
Madhu walked out hesitantly down the stairs, her fingers guiding her down as she held tight on the railing. The last step creaked as she stepped down. Madhu stopped dead. A couple moments passed until Madhu realized her error.
"You are loosing you mind" She said trying to console herself.
she walked up to her front door and checked her alarm pad. It was all in order, her alarm was still set in and locked and a sense of relief over filled her. Standing there for a bit, she realized that attempting to fall back asleep was futile. She was fully awake and alert now.
Madhu walked into the living room and headed to turn the light on. Walking closer to the window Madhu noticed a light that was visible. Someone was outside. Moving the closed curtains just a bit Madhu saw through to RKs house. His living room light was on. He sat there lying flat on his back, his arm tucked behind his head resting his head as a pillow on the couch; he was reading a book. Next to him on the coffee table was a bottle of beer, completely untouched. RK was still, his back turned to Madhu and she was unable to see his face. The only signs of movement that came from him was when he turned the page. Madhu looked back and smiled. She had never pegged RK to being a reader, and an avid one at that as it was past 2 am.
She sat down on the couch. She didn't know what to think at that point. Everything was a blank to her.
"I should be over this now!" Madhu exclaimed in exasperation slamming her hands to her face. She was mad at herself, mad at the fact that she let such nightmares dictate her life. Another chill passed through her spine, she was cold again.
She brought her face back up and rubbed her arms, "I seriously need therapy."
Madhu whined. Getting up he picked up her house phone and walked over to her kitchen and opened the freezer. Her face lit up as she took out a pint of the much needed Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy. Setting herself with a spoon she pop opened the lid and took a mouthful. A smile drew on her face as she found the chocolate was the perfect comfort. Flipping the phone between her hands she contemplated. She didn't have many people who she was able to call at such a late hour but she didn't to talk to someone. She was going out of her mind alone and though she loved Twix, talking to a actual human being when troubled, she found to be more consoling.
"Its nearly 2:30, meaning it should be about 6 her time"" She mubbled as her fingers pushed down on the buttons. Holding the phone to her ear, the bell tone rang a few times, then a few more until she heard someone on the other line.
"Hi Madhu! How are you?" a female voice came literally screaming out of the phone as Madhu broke out into a laugh. "Don't scream so loud! It hurts and you will wake up my neighbors. I am fine, how are you Trishna?"
"I am perfect!" Trishna exclaimed, "But Madhu why are you calling me this late? Is everything okay?"
Madhu sat there thinking how to answer. Trishna was her big sister and her only support left in the world. From the past 3 years, Trishna has been living in New York City attending The New York Art and Design Institute. It had been her dream of becoming a fashion designer since Trishna was young. She would often take her and Madhu's clothes, snipping, draping and playing with the textures of the fabric. By the time she entered high school, it became more than just her passion, it had become Trishna's life. She proclaimed she would be the next big thing after CoCo Chanel, Michael Kors and Marchesa. Trishna lived halfway around the word but her entire world was still Madhu.
"Maadddhuuu! You still haven't answered my question. Are you alright?" Trishna screeched.
"I am fine." Madhu lied, "I was just missing you."
"Madhubala, don't you dare lie to me." Trishna said, her voice becoming stern. Moments passed and neither spoke until Trishna heaved a sigh, "Did the nightmare come back?" she asked softly.
Madhu still remained silent but her silence was more than a clear answer.
"Madhu, don't think about it. It was in the past, it was a nightmare and now it's over. You have to remind yourself, that it's over."
"When are you coming Trish."Madhu asked as she scooped anther mouthful of ice cream into her mouth.
"I will be there soon. My flight leaves tonight, I will be there soon. Stock up my baby, its going to be a fun week!" Trishna said, " Okay Madhu I will talk to you when I am at the airport, I need to take care of some last minute errands."
"Okay bye!" Madhu said licking her spoon.
"Bye and get some sleep! I don't want you yawning when you come pick me up with all those bouquets of roses."
"But I got you a bouquet of dead tulips instead" Madhu laughed.
"Shut up."
"Bye!" Madhu cut the call. The conversation didn't even last 5 minutes and she was already feeling loads better.
Gathering up her ice cream and turning off the light, Madhu headed upstairs into her study. She was still wide awake and the sugary effects of her therapy' had started to kick in. If she could not sleep, she could at least work.
Entering her study room, the only word that came to mind, was crowded. Countless books were scattered around, many in stacks that claimed refugee in the midst of the room as the bookshelves were completely full. On the side lay Madhu's desk which sat in front of the ocean view window, her metallic silver laptop that sat leisurely in its spot among the hounds of books. A black chair was slightly pulled out; a soft throw rested on one its arms. Madhu had to rearrange some of her novels to even make her way to the cherry wooden desk. It was pitch black outside, too dark to even see the crashing waves, but they were sill loud enough to draw attention to.
Although surrounded by her immense collection, Madhu's eyes fell on to a bigger book that was underneath her desk. Picking it up the cover read,
"The Complete Collection of William Shakespeare"
"Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, such shaping fantasies, that apprehend." Madhu recalled, opening the cover to a portrait of the famous playwright. "Now you, my dear sir, were a smart man."
Madhu thumbed through the table of contents section selecting a read. Flipping to the page and taking hostage of her ice cream once again, Madhu sat comfortable in her chair reading up on witches that told of prophecies, of young lovers quarrels, of young men avenging their fathers and of summer dreams.
* * *
Another yawn escaped her mouth as Madhu walked out of her morning yogurt stop with Twix. She could barely get up this morning after she fell asleep reading on her chair. Twix had found her with her head stuck to the middle of Act II of "Julius Ceasar", her hands still clutching the empty pint of the delectable therapy. Have it her own way, she would have slept in but it was unfair to her pup to be denied his morning treats because of her restless night.
Barely unable to keep her eyes open, she was too exhausted and ran straight into a man who stood in the walkway.
"I am sorry" Madhu said only to realize she had bumped into the superstar himself. RK turned as Twix started to jump upon him, licking him a good morning. "Hey, hey I already took a bath today, I don't need another" RK said as tried his best to calm down the overzealous canine.
"I am sorry RK. We were on our way to the park, I didn't see you standing there." Madhu said covering her mouth as she yawned once again as Twix started to wag his tail. His eyes still flat on RK.
"Long night?" RK asked as he kneeled on his knees to pet Twix causing Twix's tail to swish more rapidly.
"More like rough. " Madhu said tucking her long hair behind her ear.
"Everything okay?" RK asked as he got up. Before Madhu could reply Twix had started barking, demanding to know why RKs attention and affection had stopped.
"It's not polite to interrupt Mr. Tootsie" RK said flatly as he looked back at Madhu, "You were saying?"
"Yah I was just...Hang on. Did you just call Twix Mr.Tootsie'?" Madhu asked.
RK placed his hands in his jeans pockets and replied, "Yes, why?"
"His name is TWIX RK, not something stupid like tootsie!" Madhu exclaimed.
"Nah, I think Mr. Tootsie suits him better. He is round like a tootsie roll." RK said petting Twix's head.
"RK!" Madhu called out. "Did you just call my dog fat?" Her eyes widened.
"Don't worry Madhu, I am pretty sure there are weightwatchers for dogs or something. But until then Mr. Tootsie it is!" RK said taking the leash from Madhu's hands.
"RK! I am telling you for the last time that my dog is not fat! He is just healthy" Madhu said.
"Whatever." RK said to Twix. "Your madam here has reached denial. Mr. Tootsie."
"Shut up!" Madhu said as she followed them into the park.
"Have you considered renaming him to Double Decker?"
"SHUT UP!" Madhu screamed as RK laughed.
"You're worse than Greg House" Madhu mumbled to herself.
"Nah I think of myself as more of a Wilson." RK said causally as he looked at her.
"You watched House?" Madhu asked stopping.
"Yah, why are you stopping? Your pup needs exercise!" RK smirking. "I watched from Seaosn 1 to 8"
Madhu rolled her eyes as she caught up with him, "You watched the entire series."
"You are a smart one Madhu," RK said as he poorly acting impressed.
"SHUT UP! Hey, do you remember watching the one where he was hallucinating?" Madhu asked.
Twix looked up as he saw RK and Madhu talking behind him. His tail constantly wagged back and forth as they three spent the rest of their morning walking around the park.
***
Please send me a buddy request if you would like future PMS!
So this update went up later than I hoped. My college resumed and it has gotten really hectic, really fast. So in that case, PMs will be sent out a few hours later after posting.😊
I have also started a new FF, while still continuing this one😃
have posted the prologue, if you guys haven't seen that yet, please do check it out!
Charitable Thoughts
Edited by Forever_Komal - 11 years ago
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