16 August 2010
Anvi
******
“Anvi, don’t forget to invite Sara to Arpit’s birthday.”
“Okay, Aunty,” I replied and sat in the car. Arpit was sitting at the front seat, while Bhaiya sat beside me. Oh! I forgot to tell you, we are going to school and I will meet Sara, She came back yesterday.
Adhyan Bhaiya was busy in studies even in the car while I looked out of the window to enjoy the lovely weather and my sweet little brother was busy solving Rubik's cube. My mind dragged me to the conversation I had with Bhaiya two days ago about The Red Journal.
He said he doesn’t know anything about it but his expressions gave in. It was evident that he lied but I didn’t dare to ask him as he clearly warned me not to talk about it and also not to eavesdrop, but that was just unintentional.
Anyways, Bhaiya has been acting very weird since that day which has confirmed my all doubts that there is something fishy. He had been quite protective of me like he used to be, 2 years ago.
And he sitting beside me in the car is proof of that, otherwise, he used to sit in the front seat.
The car came to a halt and all of us got down. As I was going inside Bhai called,
“Anvi.”
“Yes?”
“Take care and if anything happens or anyone troubles you, inform me, ok?”
Puzzled by what Bhaiya said, I nodded.
“Now go.”
“Bye,” I said and moved towards my class. Arpit had already gone to his class.
“Anvi.” I heard someone shouting and who could it be except my best friend. She came running towards me and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” I said and asked, “How were the holidays?”
“Great. I enjoyed it a lot and you know what, I brought something for you.”
“Really?” Sara’s gifts are always as beautiful as her, always classy and elegant.
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Will tell you, but now let’s go. The class is about to start.”
“Okay.
Everyone was busy in studies, not everyone, some of them were eating their lunch, some of them were playing, Sara was concentrating on what the hell our teacher was saying, while me, I was still thinking about the same thing.
Bhaiya was always concerned but never showed. He never said 'take care and all', he handled everything behind my back, like if someone tried to tease me Bhaiya never used to spare them. But I get to know about it either from Arpit or from other friends.
His concern did not settle well with me and I am sure I need to find out about the Journal that worried him so much.
“Hey,” Sara whispered. I raised my eyebrows and she questioned,
“Where are you lost?”
“Will tell you later.”
Nodding, she diverted her attention back to the teacher.
During recess, Sara questioned my behaviour.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, just thinking about Adhyan Bhaiya.”
“What about him?”
“He is acting weird.”
“Weird as in?”
I told her what happened, skipping the Red Journal. I described his unusual behaviour.
“You are thinking way too much. He has to leave India soon, maybe that made him more concerned.”
“I hope that’s the case.” I agreed even though I highly doubt this possibility.
“That’s the only possibility, otherwise you tell me what could be the reason for his weird behaviour,” she asked
Deciding not to pull the topic further I replied, “Yeah, I guess you are right.”
“I am always right.” She said dramatically and we both giggled at her antics.
The day passed and it was time to go home.
After sitting in the car, Arpit asked,
“Di, what are you giving me?”
“Ummm….nothing.”
“That’s not funny. Everyone has told me except you.”
“What will be fun when you know about your gift beforehand?”
“But I will die of curiosity.”
“It’s just two days Arpit.”
“Fine.” he scoffed but it was decided that I won’t tell him before his birthday.
‘Sorry little brother, you will have to wait, I thought in my mind.
And it’s not only him who will die of curiosity but it’s me who is dying with curiosity. I need to know what The Red journal is and whose journal is that?
18 August 2010
Everyone was busy in the preparation for Arpit’s birthday. I and Arpit have skipped school but Bhaiya had to go because of an important test.
I have carefully hidden Arpit’s gift and he is dying of anticipation. It’s always fun to see him raiding every corner of the house on every birthday trying to find his gift.
“Di, please tell me. Where is my gift?”
“Just a few more hours and then it’s all yours.”
“Badi Maa, Di is not giving me the gift,” he complained to Mom.
“Anvi, just give it to him now. Why are you being so childish?”
“Leave it Bhabhi. Can’t he wait for a few more hours? his gift will not disappear.” Aunty said to Mom, taking my side.
He started to make puppy eyes and irritated me with his cute antics.
“Arpit, if you won’t stop then I will not give you the gift.”
Pouting, he mumbled, “But I want it now.”
Realizing that my brother will not give up, I decided to give him the gift as I can’t see him sulking on his birthday.
I took him to the room and asked him to take the gift, kept under his bed.
“You hid it here?” he asked surprisingly.
Ruffling his hair I smiled, “Yes my idiot brother.”
He took out the gift and tore the packing paper in excitement to see the gift, but the moment his eyes landed on the gift I didn’t receive the expression which I had been waiting for.
“You didn’t like the gift?” I enquired.
He looked at me with teary eyes, before I could comprehend the situation he hugged me tightly.
“Why are you crying?” I asked while rubbing his back.
“Bade Papa promised me to give this video camera on my 14th birthday. I wanted it for so long. Thanks, di. This is the best gift I have received.”
I remember dad always gave the best gifts and I also remember his promise to Arpit. So what if he is not in our life anymore, I can fulfill everyone’s wishes as dad used to fulfill.
I can never take his place but at least I can try to be his shadow and walk on his path.
“I loved the gift di. Thank you so much.” Pulling him back from the hug, I wiped his tears and teased him,
“Now don’t be a cry baby otherwise I will tell your friends.”
“What? No,” he said and wiped his tears quickly, making me chuckle.
Bhaiya came home early and we had lunch together while chit-chatting about all the gifts Arpit received. It was so good to see Bhaiya being cheerful, but that's so unusual of him. Arpit also noticed the change in his behaviour and asked me through gestures, ‘what has gotten into him?’
I shrugged my shoulders in a negative response not letting him know, at least not now when I have no clear idea.
I was called to receive a parcel inked my name. I went down to receive it and there was nothing written on it, but just a name, Sara. I thought it may be the gift she had brought for me from her hometown, but I couldn’t understand why she parcelled it when she was coming to the party. I thought I would ask her at the party.
I kept the parcel in the room and got ready in a baby pink gown and was all dolled up for the party.
Guests started to arrive and soon Sara also joined. We had a lot of fun and clicked a lot of pictures together. While we were eating I remembered about the parcel.
“Why did you send me the parcel when you were coming here? You could have brought it with you.” I asked Sara.
She looked bewildered at my question and asked, “What parcel?”
“The one with a brown cover.”
“I didn’t send you any parcel.”
At first, I thought she was lying but looking at her expression I knew she wasn’t.
“Then where is the gift you bought for me?”
“That gift? Oh! I forgot. Here it is.” She handed me a small box which has a pearl necklace. It was so beautiful that I can't even describe it. It had to be, after all, it was Sara’s choice.
“It’s so pretty. Thank you so much.”
“I know you will like it,” she replied grinning.
The party was in full swing so I forgot about the parcel kept in my room. After the party, everyone retired to their rooms. I changed into my nightwears and was going to bed when my gaze fell upon the brown covered parcel on my study table.
Since it was not from Sara, I thought it might be for Arpit and he may have a friend named Sara. I decided to give him the parcel tomorrow. And tried to sleep, but curiosity doesn't let me sleep.
I had two options, Either I don’t sleep the whole night and wait for tomorrow.
Or give up on curiosity and open the parcel.
and I chose the latter.
I opened the parcel but was startled looking at the Cover, ‘THE RED JOURNAL.’
*************
Translation of the words used in the chapter:
Di- Elder Sister
Badi Maa(Aunt) - Wife of Father's Elder Brother
Bade Papa(Uncle) - Father's Elder Brother
Bhabhi - Wife of brother or brother-in-law
21 August 2010Anvi******“The Red Journal”‘Just Be You,And The One You Adore So Much will Come To See You.’Ah! Why can’t I decipher the meaning of it?It was so frustrating to solve the riddle. I pulled my hair in frustration and the passer-by gave me weird looks. Composing myself, I behaved normally and smiled at them which only made them look at me with pity, as if I am insane. Of course, they will think of me like that, otherwise which sane person pulls his/her hair in a public park.I have read The Red Journal and to be honest, I didn’t find anything to be worried about, but it feels like jumbled words to me and I hate solving riddles.If I get the chance then I will go back in time to stop the person from inventing this weird thing.Who plays with words?Anyways, I got to know that this journal bel
23 August 2010Anvi******“And then she listened to everything. I wish things would remain the same.” I said to my cousin, I meant Annapurna Maasi’s daughter Vidya. She is the one I adore the most.Oh! Did I forget to tell you that the riddle was solved?'Just Be YouAnd The One You Adore So Much Will Come To See You.'I didn’t get what it meant until I was asked to participate in a drama competition at school.I had been given two choices, either to play the role of my friend or myself. And that’s when it struck, I chose to be myself and when I came home I found Vidya who had come to stay with us for a few days as Maasi had gone to Mumbai for work.Is this Red Journal mystical? Who cares, I was happy that I got to meet my favourite cousin after so long.“Di,” Vidya called me.“Yes?”
25 August 2010Anvi******“Oh come on, Anvi. I know you very well and don’t forget that I am your best friend.”“I know Ms. Sara Ahmed.”“If you know then tell me what’s bothering you. It’s written all over your face that you are not fine.”Sara pestered me with her questions but I didn’t want to tell her what happened. I will tell her after all she is my best friend, but not now when I am not sure if I have completely got rid of the journal or not.“You again zoned out. See if you will not tell me then I will ask your Mom.”No, that’s not happening. Mom will surely get to know about the journal and what if something happens to her. So, I decided to lie as I knew my best friend won’t stop till she gets an answer.“Vidya got into an accident.”“Vidya
29 August 2010Anvi******That’s it. I can’t take it anymore. I need to tell everyone what’s going on with me. I can’t keep things to myself, at least not now when my best friend got punished. Yes, the second punishment was given to Sara. She had an accident while cycling and the irony is she is a district-level cycling champion.I had cried when I saw her lying in the hospital bed. Her injuries were way more serious than Vidya’s. The doctors are not sure whether she will be able to walk anytime soon or not. Her parents had decided not to let her become an athlete, which was her dream and this was all because of me.“Will you stop crying or should I smack you on your head?” Sara asked angrily. I had been crying ever since I had come to the hospital.“Damn girl! I am alive and yet you are crying as if I have died.” I hugged her tightly th
Author's Note: The second part of the book starts from this chapter onwards, that's why I had started the serial number from 1 instead of continuing after 6.******Anvi******The hairdresser was busy doing my hair while the beautician was dolling me up for something I was not ready for. After they were done all of them left saying I was looking like a princess.I chuckled thinking a princess is never treated as a slave. Standing in front of the mirror I looked at my reflection.Indeed, I was looking like a princess. I couldn't even recognize myself. Is that really me I thought.My fingers touched the mirror to check if it was my reflection or just another illusion.I wish it was. I wish it was all an illusion, a dreadful nightmare, but it wasn't. To my satisfaction, I tried closing and opening my eyes numerous times thinking I might wake up but it only brought disappointment.
Nikhil*******I was standing on the stage like a dummy waiting for my bride. I was getting married and was made aware of this fact just a few minutes ago.Isn't it quite astonishing?I guess the decision of attending my friend's wedding was the worst I have made till now.I didn't come back to India for this. If I would have known I would be tangled in someone's mess without any fault of mine I would have never come back. I had no idea my decision of coming back will cost me my life, my freedom.I wish I would have not picked up that call that day.****FLASHBACK SEQUENCE STARTS******Such lovely weather it is I thought. Wearing my leather jacket I drove towards my cafe. I am Nikhil Arora owner of the chain of Keepers Cafe in London.Life has been very grateful to me but not always. There was a time when everyone thought I was useless and
Anvi******"It's time, Anvi." I heard Adhyayan Bhaiya as he extended his hand towards me smiling sadly at the pathetic state of his sister.Holding his hand I made my way out with him where Arpit was waiting for us. My two brothers were escorting me to the stage where someone who decided to show some mercy on a pathetic, useless soul like me was already waiting.My grip on Adhyayan Bhaiya's hand tightened when the distance between me and that decorated stage lessened. My heart beats fastened up its pace and the sensations in my body due to anxiety were not helping at all.I thought I would faint anytime but I don't know how I was holding up myself.Bhaiya and Arpit had stopped in their tracks, and when I noticed, I found we reached the starting point of my doom.I was not ready to leave their hands and with the utmost difficulty, Bhaiya took out his hand from the iron grip hold of mine.Lookin
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE STARTS******Nikhil******After landing in my beloved country India I went towards home. Fortunately, dad had sent a car to pick me up. It was 4 in the morning and mom was surely going to scold me for being late. I had managed to prepone my interview and that's why I took the flight after the interview.The plan was I will reach home and sneak away to my room with Dad' s and Nirvana's help and Mom will not even know. The next morning I will lie that I had reached in the night only, and since mom sleeps very early, it means at 10, so she will not even know when did I even come.After I reached home, dad was already waiting for me at the door as I had texted him 10 minutes before.I took out my bags carefully and both of us went inside. Both of us entered and the room was dark and I was enveloped into a hug by none other than my brother Nirvana."Idiot, leave him. The mission