21 August 2010
Anvi
******
“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 belonged to my great grandfather. Isn’t it a very astonishing fact? He had written some important and very interesting facts about his life in it.
But after a few pages, there was a note.
Read further if you are brave enough to do the dare.
It didn’t seem like a threat, but a challenge, and being the curious head, I accepted it.
There were certain rules which I found intriguing. Never have I ever heard of rules being in a journal.
Rules:-
1. Don’t back out.
2. Complete the dare.
3. Never share the secret of this journal with anyone.
4. Don't dare to make any wish before the completion of all your dares.
Breaking any of the rules will result in severe consequences.
The rules were absurd to me, so I didn't pay much heed to them.
The first page after the rules was dated 23 August 2010 which said
‘Just be you and the one you adore so much will come to see you.’
I was not able to comprehend these two lines. I have tried for the last two days but all my efforts went in vain. I thought to read further and turned the pages but they were empty.
That’s it? Now I doubt, is it even the same journal Uncle and Aunty were talking about?
I Kept the journal in my bag and went home.
“Where were you?” Arpit asked
“In the park.”
“You should have told me. We would have gone together.”
“Calm down, it’s not a haunted park and the ghosts will eat me up.”
“Sssshhh. What are you saying? If Badi maa will listen that you were talking about ghosts she will scold you. Did you forget that it is forbidden to talk about these non-existent creatures?” Arpit whispered, placing a finger on my lips.
Removing his finger I said, “Ok, fine. what’s not forbidden in this house?”
I was already frustrated and now Arpit made me more. I can’t even talk freely in my own house.
I am tired of this forbidden thing. Can you imagine eating bitter gourd is forbidden in our home?
Although I don’t like it, still how can a vegetable be forbidden?
It feels like I was born tied with the list of forbidden things.
At night, the dinner table was filled with not so humorous jokes of grandpa and grandma.
“Anvi, why are you not eating? Are you fine?” Bhaiya asked as my mind was still on the journal.
“Yeah,” I said, smiling.
“There is a party at Sudhir’s house, next week. I am informing all beforehand so that you guys can apply for leaves.” Mom announced.
“I can’t. I have a test.”
“There is no test on that day. Sudhir’s daughter has told me.” Mom replied. Her tone was stern enough to let me know that she will not accept any excuse.
Sudhir Uncle is dad’s distant cousin. He is very nice but I didn’t want to go to the party because of his daughter Ahana. I hate her, She is a spoiled brat and still, everyone adores her.
“I will not go.”
“No one has asked. You will go and that’s final.” Mom said, a bit loudly.
Bhaiya held my hand under the table to stop me, but I back answered Mom, for the very first time in my life.
“I will not go even if you force me to, I won’t.”
“Anvi.” Bhaiya glared, but I didn’t stop.
“Why are you all looking at me? Did I say something wrong? Why is there no room for our choices? Bhaiya wants to live in India after school but he is not allowed, and Arpit wants to join a football club in school but he stays silent because taking part in clubs is goddamn forbidden in our so-called reputed Shekhar family. And coming to me, What do you know about me? Do you know, last month I fell from the terrace when you went to your so-called associate’s business party in London.”
Mom looked astounded as if she wasn’t aware but I know she knew.
“Anvi, enough,” Bhaiya shouted.
“Adhyan ” Grandpa glared at Bhaiya and then looked at me with a stern face
“Anvi, go to your room. Your food will be sent,” he said
“Why should I? Does anyone love me? I guess no one, dad did but he left me alone with all of you. He should have taken me with him.”
That’s when I felt a stinging pain on my right cheek. Mom slapped me. She never raised her voice on anyone not even on the employees of our company, but today she raised her hand on me. I knew I was wrong but I didn't expect that she would raise her hand.
Tears pooled up in my eyes and I ran back to my room. I cried till my tears dried and after a while, someone knocked.
I didn’t reply, whoever it may go away. But it didn’t happen.
I heard the sound of the door being opened but I didn’t turn around
“I hope my niece doesn’t get angry about entering without her permission.” my uncle asked, playfully.
Wiping tears instantly, I turned around giving him a faint smile.
He came and sat beside me, “You know, you were Bhaiya’s favourite child.” Uncle stated but I never noticed dad showing any favouritism towards me.
“But dad never did any partiality with Bhaiya or Arpit.”
“I never said he was partial. He adored you more than the boys. You know why?”
“Why?”
“He used to say that you are his replica. He believed that you will be stronger than the boys and you will never stand anything wrong, neither with yourself nor with your loved ones.”
I didn’t understand what was the point of all this but he continued,
“I saw Bhaiya’s image in you when you kept your point in front of everyone, but there was a difference.”
“What?”
“The way you chose was wrong. If Bhaiya would have been there he would have tried to talk calmly with Bhabhi and make her understand his point with valid reasons.”
“I know I did wrong and I am ashamed of it.” I was truly ashamed of my deed.
“It’s fine. Now, when you have accepted it, why don’t you repent your mistake then?” I knew what he meant but will Mom listen to me?
“Don’t think much. Just go.”
I went to Mom’s room and knocked at the door. The door opened revealing her smiling face. Holding my hand she took me in and brought a first-aid kit from the cabinet beside her bed.
After making me sit, she applied the ointment on my cheek which had marks on her fingers. Even though she was smiling, I could still see the pain in her eyes. I hugged her tight.
“I am sorry, Mom. I didn’t want to hurt you. I am extremely sorry .”
She caressed my hairs lovingly and said,
“It’s fine, sweetheart. Never say it again that you should have gone with your father. I am living for you and Adhyan only.”
I started bawling, Soothing me she stopped me from crying and said, “eat something. I can’t let my sweet little daughter starve.”
We both went to the dining hall and had dinner together. I told her about all the recent events of my life, she wasn't aware of. It was after so long we spent quality time. It felt like good old times and I wish everything can go back to how it was before, I WISH.
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
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE CONTINUED******Anvi******"How are you, Ms. Shekhar?" Even though the voice is the same, the warmth is lost."Good," I replied curtly."But I believe more than good," he replied smirking.Not able to decipher the meaning behind his words I asked, "What do you mean?""I saw you mingling with every guy at the party, you are still the same.""They were Ahana's fiance's cousins, I was just being friendly." I don't know why did I feel the need to give any explanation because anyway he will believe what he wants to."Oh, yes, friendly, but you know we both have a very different meaning of the word friendly." The conversation was going down the same lane, I had no wish to visit again. I didn't want to have any conversation with him and when I thought to move away he said,"For you friendly means luring rich boys in your trap.